United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit. STATE OF DELAWARE, PETITIONER v. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD AND UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, RESPONDENTS No. 16-1121 Decided: June 09, 2017

Before: ROGERS and SRINIVASAN, Circuit Judges, and EDWARDS, Senior Circuit Judge. W. Eric Pilsk argued the cause for petitioner. With him on the briefs were Allison I. Fultz and Steven L. Osit. Charles A. Spitulnik entered an appearance. Charles H.P. Vance, Attorney, Surface Transportation Board, argued the cause for respondents. With him on the brief were Robert B. Nicholson and Sean Sandoloski, Attorneys, U.S. Department of Justice, Craig M. Keats, General Counsel, Surface Transportation Board, and Theodore L. Hunt, Associate General Counsel. Kathryn D. Kirmayer was on the brief for amicus curiae The Association of American Railroads in support of respondents.

ROGERS, Circuit Judge: The State of Delaware has attempted to limit nighttime noise caused by idling railroad locomotives in residential areas. Under Delaware Senate Bill 135 (SB 135) [n]o person may permit the nonessential idling of a locomotive under its control or on its property between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m., except in non-residential areas zoned for industrial use. Del. Code tit. 21,  8503(a), (c). Acknowledging the need of locomotives to idle nonetheless, the statute exempts idling caused by: (1) traffic conditions; (2) the direction of a law-enforcement officer; (3) the operation of defrosting, heating, or cooling equipment to ensure the health or safety of the driver or passenger; (4) the operation of the primary propulsion engine for essential work-related mechanical or electrical operations other than propulsion; or (5) required maintenance, servicing, repairing, diagnostics, or inspections. Id. at  8503(b). A violation is punishable by a civil fine between $5,000 and $20,000 for each offense. Id. at  8505.

Delaware now petitions for review of the Order of the Surface Transportation Board based on its determination that SB 135 is categorically preempted under 49 U.S.C.  10501(b) of the Interstate Commerce Act, as broadened in the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995 (ICCTA). It emphasizes that SB 135 is a public health and safety regulation that is narrowly tailored to avoid unduly burdening or interfering with interstate rail transportation. The Board concluded that SB 135 has the effect of directly managing and governing the operation of locomotives that are essential parts of rail transportation. Bd. Dec. 4 (Feb. 29, 2016). For the following reasons, we must deny the petition.

I.

Under the ICCTA, the remedies with respect to regulation of rail transportation are exclusive and preempt the remedies provided under Federal or State law. 49 U.S.C.  10501(b). (The parties do not suggest any exception in Chapter 105 is applicable. See id.) Transportation is defined under the ICCTA as a locomotive, car, vehicle, vessel, warehouse, wharf, pier, dock, yard, property, facility, instrumentality, or equipment of any kind related to the movement of passengers or property, or both, by rail, and services related to that movement. Id. at  10102(9)(A) & (B).

Notwithstanding the expansive definition of transportation, all of the circuits have concluded that it does not encompass everything touching on railroads. Emerson v. Kan. City S. Ry. Co., 503 F.3d 1126, 1129 (10th Cir. 2007); see also Fayus Enters. v. BNSF Ry. Co., 602 F.3d 444, 451 (D.C. Cir. 2010); Wedemeyer v. CSX Transp., Inc., 850 F.3d 889, 89495 (7th Cir. 2017); City of Ozark, Ark. v. Union Pac. R.R. Co., 843 F.3d 1167, 1171 (8th Cir. 2016); Grosso v. Surface Transp. Bd., 804 F.3d 110, 118 (1st Cir. 2015). That is, the ICCTA preempts all state laws that may reasonably be said to have the effect of managing or governing rail transportation, while permitting the continued application of laws having a more remote or incidental effect on rail transportation. N.Y. Susquehanna & W. Ry. Corp. v. Jackson, 500 F.3d 238, 252 (3d Cir. 2007) (quoting Fla. E. Coast Ry. Co. v. City of W. Palm Beach, 266 F.3d 1324, 1331 (11th Cir. 2001)); see also Adrian & Blissfield R. Co. v. Vill. of Blissfield, 550 F.3d 533, 539 (6th Cir. 2008). As summarized by the Second Circuit, states retain certain traditional police powers over public health and safety concerns, such as [e]lectrical, plumbing and fire codes, direct environmental regulations  and other generally applicable, non-discriminatory regulations and permit requirements, provided the regulations protect public health and safety, are settled and defined, can be obeyed with reasonable certainty, entail no extended or open-ended delays, and can be approved (or rejected) without the exercise of discretion on subjective questions. Green Mountain R.R. Corp. v. Vermont, 404 F.3d 638, 643 (2d Cir. 2005); see Island Park, LLC v. CSX Transp., 559 F.3d 96, 10506 (2d Cir. 2009). This power to impose rules of general applicability, Ass'n of Am. R.Rs. v. S. Coast Air Quality Mgmt. Dist., 622 F.3d 1094, 1098 (9th Cir. 2010), includes authority to issue and enforce regulations whose effect on railroads is incidental, Franks Inv. Co. v. Union Pac. R.R. Co., 593 F.3d 404, 41011 (5th Cir. 2010), and which address state concerns generally, without targeting the railroad industry, N.Y. Susquehanna, 500 F.3d at 254; see also Fla. E. Coast Ry. Co., 266 F.3d at 1331; Norfolk S. Ry. Co. v. City of Alexandria, 608 F.3d 150, 15758 (4th Cir. 2010).

But state or local statutes or regulations are preempted categorically if they have the effect of managing or governing rail transportation. Fla. E. Coast Ry. Co., 266 F.3d at 1331 (alterations omitted); see Norfolk S. Ry. Co., 608 F.3d at 157; Franks Inv. Co., 593 F.3d at 410; Green Mountain R.R. Corp., 404 F.3d at 642. Categorical preemption under the ICCTA precludes such regulation regardless of its practical effect because the focus is the act of regulation itself, not the effect of the state regulation in a specific factual situation. Green Mountain R.R. Corp., 404 F.3d at 644 (internal quotation omitted); see also New Orleans & Gulf Coast Ry. Co. v. Barrois, 533 F.3d 321, 332 (5th Cir. 2008); Adrian & Blissfield R. Co., 550 F.3d at 540. State statutes or regulations that are not categorically preempted may still be impermissible if, as applied, they would have the effect of unreasonably burdening or interfering with rail transportation. Franks Inv. Co., 593 F.3d at 414; Adrian & Blissfield R. Co., 550 F.3d at 541.

In response to Delaware's enactment of SB 135, the Norfolk Southern Railroad Company filed a petition with the Surface Transportation Board in 2015 for a declaratory order that the statute was preempted under the ICCTA. It argued that SB 135 was categorically preempted because its restrictions specifically prohibit rail transportation and that sort of direct regulation, specifically targeting railroads[,] has never survived a preemption challenge. Pet. of Norfolk S. Ry. Co. for Expedited Declaratory Order 7 (Aug. 3, 2015) (emphasis in original). Alternatively, in the Railroad's view, SB 135 was preempted as applied because it necessarily interfere[s] with rail transportation. Id. at 9.

The Railroad submitted the verified statement of Baron K. Emery, its superintendent for operations in Delaware. He explained that, [i]n order to promote its transportation objective, [the Railroad] idles locomotives for a variety of reasons, Emery Statement 2 (July 30, 2015), and gave three examples. The Railroad must idle trains: (1) to maintain the air line, a process necessary to the braking system, because if the air line is not maintained for more than four hours, a multi-hour air test is required by federal law, id. at 23; (2) due to unforeseen conditions, such as train crew shortages or scarce rail capacity, because shutting down and then re-starting trains in those circumstances consumes a significant amount of time, while idling avoids network congestion and delays that would result from fully shutting down and restarting the train, id. at 3; and (3) when the temperature falls below 35 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent freezing or automatic dumping of the locomotive cooling system, which could result in damage to the train and thus impair rail service and network operations. Id. Delaware filed a Notice of Intent to Participate in the proceedings, and it replied that the State fully acknowledges that broad regulation of a railroad's activities by state or local authorities is preempted by federal law, and that SB 135 is permissible because it is narrowly and precisely tailored to avoid such wholesale regulation. Reply of the State of Del. 2 (Oct. 23, 2015).

The Board granted the Railroad's petition for declaratory relief, concluding that SB 135 is categorically preempted by the ICCTA because it has the effect of directly managing and governing the operation of locomotives that are essential parts of rail transportation. Bd. Dec. 4; see also 49 U.S.C.  10501(a) & (b). The Board credited Emery's examples of how SB 135 might interfere with the Railroad's operations and rejected Delaware's defense that the statute was permissible because it was narrowly tailored. Critically, the Board observed, Delaware has purported to determine for the railroad which rail operations are essential and which are not, thereby substituting its judgment for that of the railroads directly managing rail operations. Bd. Dec. 4. Alternatively, the Board viewed SB 135 to be preempted as applied because it has the effect of unreasonably burdening and interfering with rail transportation by leav[ing] it to the discretion of local police officers to determine whether an idling locomotive is in violation of the law. Id. at 5.

II.

The State of Delaware challenges the Board's Order granting declaratory relief principally on the ground its decision fails to acknowledge that although preemption under the ICCTA is broad, it does not categorically sweep up all state regulation that touches upon railroads' and does not displace states' ability to act under their traditional police powers to protect its citizens from harm. Pet'r's Br. 16 (quoting Island Park, LLC, 559 F.3d at 104). States may, it contends, impose limitations on railroad-related activities in order to protect the public from harm so long as they do not unreasonably burden rail transportation. But the latter relates to as-applied preemption, see, e.g., Adrian & Blissfield R. Co., 550 F.3d at 54041, while the Board determined SB 135 is categorically preempted as well.

There is some legal uncertainty in this circuit about the appropriate level of deference a court owes to an agency's determination of its own preemption. In Wyeth v. Levine, 555 U.S. 555 (2009), the Supreme Court observed, with regard to the impact of tort law on federal objectives, that even in technical matters and where the history is complex and extensive, that

we have not deferred to an agency's conclusion that state law is preempted [, but] attended to an agency's explanation of how state law affects the regulatory scheme. While agencies have no special authority to pronounce on pre-emption absent delegation by Congress, they do have a unique understanding of the statutes they administer and an attendant ability to make informed determinations about how state requirements may pose an obstacle to the accomplishment and execution of the full purposes and objectives of Congress.

Id. at 57677 (internal citation omitted). The Court applied the standard of Skidmore v. Swift & Co., 323 U.S. 134, 140 (1944); see United States v. Mead Corp., 533 U.S. 218, 23435 (2001). Wyeth, 555 U.S. at 577.

Since Wyeth, this court concluded that it is an open question in this circuit whether an agency decision against preemption of a state or local law receives Chevron [U.S.A., Inc. v. Nat. Res. Def. Council, Inc., 467 U.S. 837 (1984)] deference, noting that Wyeth obviously puts the Chevron deference claim in further doubt. Fayus Enters., 602 F.3d at 44647. Delaware urges that the Skidmore standard should be applied, pointing out that other circuits have interpreted Wyeth to accord deference to agency preemption determinations based on that standard, deferring to the agency's reasoning only where it is persuasive. See Grosso, 804 F.3d at 11617; Steel Inst. of N.Y. v. City of N.Y., 716 F.3d 31, 3940 (2d Cir. 2013); Franks Inv. Co., 593 F.3d at 41314. The Board, on the other hand, maintains Chevron deference is appropriate because Section 10501(b) contains an express preemption provision, and as two of our sister circuits have concluded, the Board is uniquely qualified to determine whether state law is preempted by Section 10105(b). Resp't's Br. 14 (quoting N.Y & Atl. Ry. Co. v. Surface Transp. Bd., 635 F.3d 66, 70 (2d Cir. 2011)); see also Emerson, 503 F.3d at 1130.

The court need not decide the precise level of deference owed to the Board's preemption determination because it survives under either standard of review. The Board looked to the plain text of SB 135 in light of the Railroad's undisputed need to carry out its transportation objective. See Friberg v. Kan. City S. Ry. Co., 267 F.3d 439, 443 (5th Cir. 2001). The ICCTA preempts state or local statutes that regulate rail transportation, which is defined broadly to include locomotives and equipment related to the movement of passengers or property. 49 U.S.C.  10102(9)(A); Norfolk S. Ry. Co., 608 F.3d at 157. SB 135 directly regulates rail transportation by prohibiting locomotives from idling in certain places at certain times, in essence requiring that at night, in residential neighborhoods, they either shut down or keep moving (unless one of the exceptions in Chapter 85 of Delaware Code Title 21 applies). This is a regulation of rail transportation under the ICCTA, and Delaware's challenges to the Board's determination that SB 135 is categorically preempted by the ICCTA are unpersuasive.

As Delaware sees it, SB 135 applies, literally, only to the non-movement of passengers and property, and does not therefore constitute the regulation of rail transportation. Pet'r's Br. 31 (internal quotation omitted). Delaware did not make this argument to the Board, and it is forfeit. The hard and fast rule of administrative law, rooted in simple fairness, [is] that issues not raised before an agency are waived and will not be considered by a court on review. Nuclear Energy Inst., Inc. v. EPA, 373 F.3d 1251, 1297 (D.C. Cir. 2004). Even so, the ICCTA's definition of transportation belies any requirement of movement at the time of regulation; it preempts regulation of immovable objects including warehouse[s], whar[ves], pier[s], dock[s and] yard[s]. 49 U.S.C.  10102(9)(A). The precedents on which Delaware relies in attempting to distinguish SB 135 are unhelpful to it. Grosso, 804 F.3d at 11719, vacated the Board's decision that regulating property before it was loaded on trains was categorically preempted because the Board had not focused sufficiently on whether the activity facilitated the physical movement of passengers or property. Id. at 119. Emerson, 503 F.3d at 112930, involved tort claims arising from the railroad's disposal of railway ties in ditches that were not preempted because the disposal was not transportation under the ICCTA. In other words, regulation of activities that occur before or after transportation and are incidental to such transportation may not be preempted. By contrast, SB 135 limits how and when locomotives operate and thereby directly affects the movement of trains. To the extent SB 135 includes exceptions, Delaware has decided for the Railroad how it shall operate.

Similarly unavailing is Delaware's view that SB 135 is not preempted because it is narrowly tailored and seeks only to limit non-essential idling that has a deleterious public health effect, and is thus analogous to cases where courts found no preemption. Pet'r's Br. 33, 36. The precedents on which it relies are inapposite. In Island Park LLC, 559 F.3d at 98, 10304, a state regulation closing a private, unpaved road across train tracks was not preempted because it would have no effect on the railroad except by removing a potential hazard of vehicles on the tracks at the crossing; in other words, it facilitated or enhanced railroad movement. Id. at 10304. In Franks Investment Company, 593 F.3d at 411, a railroad crossing dispute governed by [state] property laws and rules of civil procedure that have nothing to do with railroad crossings was not preempted, in contrast to a tort suit that attempts to mandate when trains can use tracks and stop on them, thereby attempting to manage or govern rail transportation. Id. SB 135 directly and exclusively applies to railroad operations by deciding, as the Board observed, operational issues for the railroads and thereby, as illustrated by the Emery Statement, posing potential obstacles to rail transportation.

Delaware fails to meaningfully distinguish precedent that supports the Board's decision that SB 135 is categorically preempted. In Friberg, 267 F.3d at 44344, a state statute limiting when trains could block streets was held categorically preempted. Delaware points out that in Friberg the statute directly and indiscriminately target[ed] aspects of rail transportation related to the movement of passengers or property. Pet'r's Br. 25. That SB 135 is more narrowly drawn does not mean that it does not impermissibly target rail transportation and railroad operations. In Association of American Railroads, 622 F.3d, state rules that apply exclusively and directly to railroad activity and requir[e] railroads to reduce emissions were plainly preempted because they have the effect of managing or governing rail transportation, id. at 1098 (quoting N.Y. Susquehanna, 500 F.3d at 252). Delaware points out that the regulation in Association of American Railroads imposed reporting requirements that SB 135 does not, id. at 1096, 1098. That is not dispositive, however. Even so, by limiting times and places for idling, and providing exceptions, SB 135 directly regulates the rail transportation of passengers or property by limiting permissible idling time, subject to exceptions whose applicability can turn on the discretion of local law enforcement. See Del. Code tit. 21,  8504(a).

Still, Delaware insists that the Board's determination is owed no deference because the exceptions in SB 135 narrowly restrict[ ] only unnecessary locomotive idling, Pet'r's Br. 36, and would allow the necessary idling identified in the Emery Statement. See id. at 3839. The Emery Statement offers examples, not an exhaustive list of necessary idling, and the Board focuses principally on the fact that Delaware, not the Railroad, was making operational decisions about when, where, and how long locomotives could idle. Categorical preemption does not depend on whether the practical application of the statute or regulation is narrowly tailored. Adrian & Blissfield R.R. Co., 550 F.3d at 540; New Orleans & Gulf Coast Ry. Co., 533 F.3d at 332; Green Mountain R.R. Corp., 404 F.3d at 644. Even under Skidmore's limited deference standard, the question for the court is not whether SB 135 would prohibit any specific instances of essential idling, Pet'r's Br. 37; rather the question is whether an operation or service is transportation at all. See, e.g., N.Y. Susquehanna, 500 F.3d at 247. The Board persuasively concluded that SB 135 regulates rail transportation.

Accordingly, we deny the petition for review.

Opinion for the Court filed by Circuit Judge ROGERS.
Ash Robinson, CEO at FIT4MOM and owner of the local FIT4MOM franchise in Chattanooga, was the featured speaker at Rotary Club of Chattanooga Hamilton Place.

FIT4MOM is a mom-focused wellness brand operating in over 1,800 locations nationwide.

"As the founder of bon.fire culture consulting firm, Ms. Ash advocates for the health, well-being, and leadership contribution of each person she meets," officials said.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) upheld on Friday its decision that Washington provided illegal tax breaks to aircraft maker Boeing in a trade ruling that favors European Union rival Airbus.

WTO ruled in its appellate body report that "the European Union established that the effects of the Washington State tax rate reduction are a genuine and substantial cause of significant lost sales of A320neo and A320ceo families".

The U.S. tax break is also "a threat of impedance of imports of the A320ceo to the United States" and a threat of impedance of exports to the United Arab Emirates, the report said.

Acting on behalf of Airbus, the EU requested consultations with the U.S. in December 2014, alleging that Washington's conditional tax incentives relating to the development, production and sale of Boeing's 777X jetliner were prohibited under WTO trade law.

However, WTO rejected the EU's claims that the original adverse effects of the pre-2007 aeronautics R&D subsidies and some other subsidies continue as significant price suppression and lost sales for Airbus.

Since more than a decade ago, Boeing and its European rival Airbus have been in a trade battle, in which each company accuses the other of taking billions of illegal state aid.

The EU requested the WTO to establish a panel to probe into alleged U.S. subsidies of up to 19.1 billion U.S. dollars through tax and non-tax incentives by various municipalities to its largest aircraft maker Boeing in January 2006.

The panel report over the case came out in March 2011. Both of them later on decided to appeal to the appellate body, which released its final report in March, 2012.

The U.S. said afterwards that it intended to implement the recommendations and rulings in the Boeing case within six months.

However, in October 2012, the EU requested the establishment of a compliance panel, after reviewing U.S. measures to comply with the rulings and considering that it maintained a series of subsidies.
DU QUOIN  After a full career with the U.S. Marines and Kentucky State Police, Harvey Baxter thought he'd retire back to Du Quoin, where he grew up, to enjoy leisurely days of fishing and hunting.

His wife Rosemary, had other plans, experiencing an incessant urge, she said, to do more than the ministry work of driving a bus to pick up inner-city youth and ferry them to her church, Lexington Road Church of God in Richmond, Kentucky.

"During that process, the Lord was really dealing with me," Rosemary said. "But there was just still something missing. He was still dealing with my heart."

She said God's "dealing" with her became clearer after she visited Nicaragua in 2011 with a fellow church worker. She said serving the poor and underprivileged in that country, especially its children, is where she felt led to be.

She tried to convince her husband, but Harvey wasn't sure that was God's will for their life, the couple said Friday afternoon in Du Quoin.

"He said 'hmm, I don't know, I think you need to pray about it a little bit more'," Rosemary, a Metropolis native, said. " '(He said) My God's fine with me fishing.'"

Harvey's own mind began to shift after he made a missions trip, a more evangelical outreach to Guyana with their pastor and another church member.

Baxter said the revelation came as he exited the plane.

"I saw these bright smiles, these dirty faces, this raggedy clothing," Harvey said of some of the children he saw as he got off the plane. "But yet, there was something in them that was joyful.  But they would look at you  just with curiosity."

Now, he and his wife feed and teach dozens of children and adults each day, many with meals that might be the only ones they get for the day, they said.

Establish non-profit to fulfill mission

While still in Kentucky in 2012, the Baxters established a non-profit 501(c)3, calling it the Hands of Grace International Missions, Inc. That organization now has several outreaches in Nicaragua: its Thrive youth, nutrition and worship centers in Aranjuez (which does outreach to children who live on a coffee plantation) and in Solingalpa, Nicaragua; and its Grace street ministry outreach to several youth, some of whom are homeless, and adults in Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

One of the schools is actually taught on the front porch of the home of a Nicaraguan woman who supports their outreach.

They are also starting to build another facility, a $15,000-to-$20,000 building they want to build in the mountains, just north of their current center; he hopes to have that finished by January 2018.

They started with about eight youth and men from the streets, and now have 90, ranging in ages from 7 years of age to 84. They have a particular outreach to many of the children who sniff glue, a commercial cobbler's product that they sniff because it helps curb their hunger, Harvey said.

Some of the first children they worked with are now in fostering types of situations, Rosemary said.

"We sold everything" in 2014, he said. "We had our clothes, we had our dog, and we went to Central America."

They have five children of their own, ranging in age from 20 to 28.

"We were trusting God, trusting God," he said. "We thought this would take five years.  This was a little bit scary."

Back in Du Quoin to drum up support

They are visiting back in Southern Illinois for a few weeks as they look for more support for their mission and work on a property on Du Quoin's Division Street, in which they plan to establish their U.S. counterpart.

Rosemary said they have been blessed in the running of their projects. In the beginning, they supported the mission 100 percent, using several hundred dollars a month of their own retirement money, but have seen their support be reduced to 25 percent as others make donations.

"The Lord provides, and He's really opening doors for us," Rosemary said.

They want to spread word about their mission in hopes of interesting others in working with them, including students who might want to do missions work and people who might be interested in serving on their board.

Rosemary said they also need volunteers with experience in computer expertise; design experience; video production and photography; advertising and fund-raising; accounting; and other services.

They're also seeking donations, which are eligible for tax-deductions.

Not all of those they work with are homeless, but many come from homes that are not always supporting, Harvey said.

"Truly, they want that better life," he said. "We're trying to give them that love of Christ."
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald Boyce, announced two indictments, one guilty plea and a sentencing on meth-related charges Friday.

 Rex A. Hopper, 43, of Creal Springs was charged Tuesday with one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. The offenses allegedly occurred January 2016 and May 31 in Williamson and Franklin Counties. He made his initial appearance in court Friday and was ordered held without bond, pending a June 12 detention hearing. The offenses carry a maximum penalty of 5 to 40 years in prison, four years of supervised release and $5 million fine.

 Shaundale E. Johnson, AKA Shug, 36, of Marion was charged on two counts of distribution of methamphetamine. The alleged offenses took place March 17 and March 20 in Williamson County. Johnson made an initial appearance in federal court Wednesday and was ordered at a Friday detention hearing to be held without bond, pending an August 14 jury trial. The charges carry a maximum penalty of as many as 30 years in prison with six years supervised release and a $5 million fine.

 Julian V. Rodriguez, 21, of Johnston City pleaded guilty to one county of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and one count of distribution Wednesday. Evidence established he was involved with others in the distribution of ice (meth with a purity level of at least 80 percent) and marijuana. The offences took place between December and Jan. 23 in Williamson County. Rodriguez admitted in the plea he was responsible for more than 500 grams of ice and 540 pounds of marijuana. There's a maximum penalty of five to 40 years in prison, four years of supervised release and a $5 million fine.

 Marshall D. Rosenberger, 36, of Carbondale was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for methamphetamine offenses. He previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute meth. The offense occurred between October 2015 and July 13, 2016, in Jackson and Williamson counties. Evidence established Rosenberger was involved with Lucas Holland and others in manufacture and distribution of meth in the region. He was found to be responsible for possession or distribution of 42.53 grams of ice, 312 grams of a mixture containing meth and 2.88 grams of pseudophedrine. Holland was previously sentenced to 188 months in prison.
CARBONDALE  Critics of a bill to raise the Illinois minimum wage to $15 an hour say it could put strain on employers, but some local small business owners say theyd welcome a wage hike for their workers.

The measure that cleared both the House and Senate in May would introduce incremental raises over a period of five years, reaching $15 an hour by 2022.

At an April news conference in Carbondale, State Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, the bills lead sponsor, cited analysis from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign that found that more than 40 percent of the Illinois workforce earns less than $15 an hour.

In Carbondale, workers must make $14.02 an hour to stay out of poverty, the analysis found. 12,451 Carbondale residents make below $10 an hour, or 19.5 percent of the workforce; 25,590 people, or 40.2 percent, make under $15 an hour.

The bill is now making its way to the desk of Gov. Bruce Rauner, who told WBEZ last week that he planned to veto the measure because it would crush jobs.

Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Director Les O'Dell told the Illinois News Network in April that the bill could eliminate a competitive edge for new business in the region.

"Our folks here can get a good living wage at a low dollar figure and that's really enticing for employers," ODell told the Illinois News Network. "What I'm hearing from area business people is that if they (have to pay $15 hourly wages) they won't have as many positions available. Maybe they'll put off expansion plans, put off remodeling or put off rolling out new products."

Lance Jack, owner of Fat Patties in Carbondale, said he could understand the argument that wage hikes would hinder companies growth, but that small, local businesses arent seeing huge profits anyway  at least not compared to major retailers.

 I think that if the entire workforce had more money to spend, it would positively benefit, especially, locally owned mom-and-pop places more, because there would be more money in the pool to go around. There would be growing pains, no doubt, but I think it would be better for everybody in the long run, he said.

Jack likened the potential increases to the ongoing downtown revitalization projects in Carbondale  temporarily inconvenient, but ultimately worthwhile.

Were tearing up streets, were tearing up sidewalks, were inconveniencing people all around the place, but six months from now, a year from now, is it going to be better for everybody? I think so, Jack said.

The Neighborhood Co-Op, located in the Murdale Shopping Center in Carbondale, uses five different pay levels for employees, said general manager Francis Murphy. The lowest pay level begins at minimum wage and applies to positions like deli counter staff and cashiers. After a three-month evaluation and pay review, a Co-Op employee can get a raise of anywhere from $0.25 to $1 an hour, with another pay review and similar range of raises after a year.

As people learn their jobs and figure things out, theyre adding more value to the business, and I certainly would love to pay people more than minimum wage to start, its just that the grocery industry is a hyper-competitive industry with incredibly thin net profit margins, Murphy said.

Still, Murphy said hes in favor of the $15-an-hour minimum wage bill.

I think really any legislation that attempts to reduce the incredible income inequality in this country, I am supportive of, he said.

The most recent wage increases in Illinois raised the minimum from $7.50 an hour to $8.25 over the course of four years beginning in 2008. Murphy said that those increases, by and large, did not hurt the Co-Op, although they did temporarily lead to wage compression.

 What happens is that people who are making more money initially because they do more skilled work or have worked for the Co-Op longer can start to feel unappreciated, because their pay becomes much closer to those people who are just being hired at the Co-Op, and this phenomenon is known as wage compression, and it can lead to morale problems, Murphy said.

Still, he said, that became a nonissue after a couple of years as the Co-Op was able to offer more experienced employees bigger raises.

William Lo, general manager of New Kahala, said his employees start at minimum wage and receive a pay bump after six months. He said he had mixed feelings about the bill; hes in favor of paying employees a living wage, but he worries the hike will also drive up food costs.

I am for paying staff more. I think its our social obligation to make sure our employees can survive off the wages we pay them, but I think its not a cure-all, its not a fix-all, Lo said.

Tax credits would be available for businesses that employ 50 people or fewer. Lo said he would have to sit down and look at the numbers to ascertain whether that would adequately offset the increased labor costs for New Kahala, which typically employs 12 to 13 people.

Kyle Harfst, executive director of economic development at Southern Illinois University, said the largest expense for small businesses is usually employees, and a wage hike would be sure to put a strain on business operations.

Part of the challenge is, I think we dont really know whats going to happen until it does. It could be an economic benefit; it could encourage businesses or force businesses to take a look at their purchasing habits, as well as looking at right-sizing, if you will, the number of employees they have. Theyre going to be required to take a harder look at their financials, Harfst said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd L) attends the welcoming ceremony hosted by his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev before their talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 8, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Manchester and London attacks weren't even day-old news when stories of ISIS flags flying over the Philippines were pouring in, along with churches burnt, and government offices seized as Maute, a militant group pledging allegiance to ISIS took control of the town center randomly killing men, women and children.

The Jihadists then spread and dispersed, in classic urban warfare tactics, to different buildings, bridges, hospitals and jails, essentially making the entire city of Marawi a giant booby trap. Police officers were beheaded in public, according to Reuters.

"If I think you should die, you will die. If you fight us, you will die. If there's an open defiance, you will die," President Duterte was quoted as saying. "And, if it means many people dying, so be it."

Not exactly Churchillian in its circumlocution, but the sentiment is admirable. Wars are not won by weakness. There maybe a number of reasons to criticize Duterte, but his instinct to impose law and order in a breakaway anarchic Islamist province is not one of them. It is the primary duty of every government, to provide security to its citizens.

Duterte's instincts are at least right on the money there, compared to almost every Western European government. Liberalism is usually a counter-terrorism liability, as Max Abrahams wrote, a sentiment reflecting the current hardening Western resolve as well.

However, the real geopolitical backdrop to what is happening is the next Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting, with India and Pakistan joining as full members. In a classic bandwagon development, both parties have signed the 30-odd papers required.

India's goal is different from Pakistan's of course. India eyes Central Asia, and wants this forum to be a platform for its own power play needs; meanwhile Pakistan wants it to be a forum for regional grievances to be discussed. There is talk of Iran joining in future as well, with Russia backing it.

China has warned that all members must show a neighborly spirit. Both Beijing and Moscow realize an Indian Pakistani detente is essential and the SCO might assist in providing the necessary platform. The geopolitical impact is huge. By sheer numbers, it adds another 1.5 billion people, and represents half of humanity and more than 25 percent of global GDP.

The question that needs to be urgently raised will be about Islamism in Asia, and the changing dynamics of the region. Indonesia, long touted as a bastion of moderate Islam, has over 500 citizens fighting in Syria, and is slowly turning radical. The recent charge of blasphemy against an ethnic Chinese politician in Indonesia should sound alarm bells across the region. But is it? My answer would be: unfortunately not. As the great powers of the region keep balancing each other in high seas, a far greater and more immediate social menace is attempting to destabilize the entire region.

Consider this: What if entire regions in Indonesia and Philippines fall to ISIS? Who would intervene to maintain stability? Will it be China or U.S.? Will it be SCO? Or NATO? If U.S. wants to intervene, right in China's backyard, how would the security dilemma stand in such circumstances?

If China intervenes, does that mean it plans to share the security burden of Asia? There are other more fundamental questions to be answered. What would be the implications for the vital trade routes crossing the region, and the Belt and Road Initiative? What links would the Islamist militants have with militants all around Asia, including within China?

There's a fundamental misunderstanding and instinctive reaction to deal with crises like these, as lone wolf or isolated attacks. That is flawed. The history of humanity teaches us that any rabid poisonous ideology need not be coordinated in a highly centralized global force. It can still fester like individual organic cancerous wounds.

During the 1930s, Hitler didn't coordinate a global fascist movements. Nonetheless, there were hundreds of fascist wannabes who worshipped Hitler all across the globe. Similarly, not every attack needs to be actually coordinated with ISIS headquarters in Raqqa. There will be loads of people inspired by this ideology all around the globe, finding common cause to this abhorrent cult.

Add to this Saudi-funded Wahhabi mosques and preachers, and suit-wearing apologists on television talk shows blaming this on everything else other than religion, and you get a perfect storm.

It's a matter of time, this will spread across Asia. SCO can provide a start of a valuable platform to decide, how Asian powers want to tackle Asia's biggest problem in the future.

Sumantra Maitra is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SumantraMaitra.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
Gov. Henry McMaster has vetoed a bill that would consolidate Orangeburg Countys three school districts into one, but a local lawmaker is hoping he will reconsider.

In a message released Friday, McMaster says he commends the Orangeburg County Legislative Delegations efforts to address local school issues.

Even so, I cannot sign a bill with such clear-cut constitutional violations. Passing a faulty law is not an acceptable remedy for years of inaction in our school districts, he said.

Lawmakers passed the bill earlier this week to merge the countys three school districts into one Orangeburg County School District effective July 1, 2019.

The bill sets up a transition committee to help guide the districts through the merger. The committee is tasked with creating a budget that would have to be approved by the Orangeburg County Legislative Delegation.

In his veto statement, McMaster said our constitutional separation of powers prohibits local legislative delegations from retaining budgetary control.

He asked the sponsors of the bill to send him a revised bill correcting the issue, with his spokesman saying authorizing Orangeburg County Council to approve the school budgets would be an alternative.

The governor voiced his support for consolidation in the letter.

He thinks it is an important step toward moving the states education system forward, said Brian Symmes, the governors spokesman.

He is advocating for the consolidation but believes this is an unconstitutional way to do it, Symmes said.

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, said McMasters decision came as no shock to her.

I fully expected the governor to veto that bill because he is in total campaign mode, Cobb-Hunter said. With the vocal opposition bombarding his office with calls and emails, thats not a surprise.

I have every intention, when we go back to deal with vetoes, of working to override his veto, she said.

Later, after reading the governors full statement, Cobb-Hunter said she and the delegation disagree with McMasters point about giving authority to the delegation to approve the district budget.

I dont agree with his interpretation that what were doing is vesting authority in the delegation, she said. He said because we have to approve it, it also suggests that we have the power to disapprove it.

And what I would think is important here is that were talking about transferring to a board that does not yet exist, she said. And so at some point at the initial stage of this process, somebody has to approve the budget.

If he is sincere in his support of consolidation, what I would suggest the governor should consider doing is rescinding that veto and allowing us, when we go back in January, to address his concern in that regard, she said. Quite frankly, I dont think its fair to people in this community on both sides of the issue for this to be prolonged any more than necessary. Because opinions are pretty much set on both sides, and I dont see time changing that.

Orangeburg Consolidated School District Four Superintendent Dr. Tim Newman, who has expressed concerns about the bill, said its time to let the system work it out.

I think that at this time we have to let the process work its course, Newman said. Obviously, the governor saw some issues, some legal issues with the consolidation legislation, and he clearly had some concerns about that.
Adger Solar launching in Aiken

COLUMBIA  Adger Solar, a clean energy development company, intends to invest $100 million in a new solar project in Aiken County.

Active in the Southeastern United States since early 2014, Adger Solar is a clean energy development company focused on creating lower-cost, utility-scale, solar-electric generating facilities, with developments underway in multiple S.C. counties. Using commercial and financing solutions, the Adger Solar team has already assembled a project portfolio of 750 megawatts (MW) of solar projects.

The Aiken County solar facility will be located off Edgefield Highway, approximately three miles north of Interstate 20 and will produce 74 MW of energy at full capacity. Expected to be operational by 2019, the project will be able to produce affordable, clean energy to 15,000 homes.

Woman gets 4 years in bathtub death

SPARTANBURG (AP)  A South Carolina woman has been sentenced to four years in prison for the drowning death of her 9-month-old son in a bathtub.

Local media reported that 38-year-old Kimberly Dawn Wallace of Inman pleaded guilty Wednesday to child neglect.

Wallace's son Jaidan was found dead in their Inman home in 2014.

Wallace was not arrested in April 2016. Prosecutors said the arrest was delayed by a long interview process and consultation with pathologists.

Wallace must also serve three years of probation after her prison sentence.

Suit claims gas stations discriminated

COLUMBIA (AP)  In a new lawsuit filed in state court, a man alleges that several Columbia convenience stores didn't allow him to use the restroom because he's African-American.

Media outlets report that Richland County resident Daniel Woodard says that in November 2016 he went to five convenience stores named in the lawsuit, mostly to buy gasoline, and asked to use the restroom. He says that "on each occasion, he was denied."

The lawsuit further states that other customers who are white were allowed to use the restroom.

The convenience stores are all north of downtown Columbia. Hector Tapia, who manages an El Cheapo convenience store being sued, says he was surprised to learn of the lawsuit and denies Woodard's allegations.

Man dies in fire

NORTH CHARLESTON (AP)  A man has died in a fire at a home in eastern South Carolina.

The North Charleston Fire Department told local media outlets the fire was reported shortly before 5 a.m. Thursday.

Smoke and flames were visible when firefighters arrived. It took about 10 minutes to control the fire.

Teen arrested in park shooting

GREENVILLE (AP)  A teen has been arrested in connection with a shooting that killed a 17-year-old girl at a park in South Carolina last month.

Greenville County sheriff's deputies said in a new release that 18-year-old Ricci Murphy Jr. of Simpsonville has been arrested on weapons charges.

Deputies said Murphy did not have a permit for a gun he fired around midnight on May 14, causing a panic in a crowd of about 100 people at a park. Investigators say one person fired back and that shot struck and killed Makiya Hawkins.

Woman ticketed after dogs die

CHARLESTON (AP)  A South Carolina woman has been ticketed after six dogs died in her hot car.

North Charleston police told news outlets a Summerville woman was cited after she left the dogs in her car at an animal clinic Saturday.

The unnamed woman said she took the dogs to the clinic but put them back in her car because there were aggressive dogs there. A police report said she left the car's air conditioner on and returned about 45 minutes to find it off and the dogs in distress. She didn't know why the car stopped.

Man charged with attempted murder

CHAPIN  A South Carolina man has been charged with attempted murder after authorities say he tried to set three of his family members on fire.

Local news outlets report Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said in a statement that 47-year-old Mark Allen Bell was arrested on Tuesday. He's accused of pouring gasoline on the floor of his Chapin home and throwing gas on family members while making threats.

Koon says Bell tried to set the gasoline on fire, but was thwarted by the three family members in his home.
 Flash

At least five militants were killed Friday in a gunfight near Line of Control (LoC), dividing Kashmir, officials said.

The gunfight, according to Indian army officials, broke out in Uri sector of frontier Baramulla district, about 110 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Indian military spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said the militants were trying to infiltrate deep inside Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Today our alert troops foiled another infiltration bid in Uri sector," Kalia told Xinhua. "While foiling the bid, five militants were killed."

According to the spokesman, the operation was going on in the area.

"The suspicious movement was witnessed in the sector yesterday and today the contact was established, which resulted in an exchange of fire between our troops and the infiltrators," Kalia said.

Reports said army has rushed additional reinforcements to the area and intensified search operations.

In the last two days, the army has killed seven militants - four in Machil and three in Nowgam of frontier Kupwara. A trooper was also killed in Nowgam sector fighting militants, the officials said.

Last month six militants were killed in Rampur sector of frontier Uri in adjacent Baramulla district.

Indian army said since the beginning of this year, 22 infiltration attempts were foiled and 34 armed intruders eliminated on the LoC.

The situation along LoC is tense since the beginning of May. Troops of India and Pakistan are currently at loggerheads with each other, especially along LoC and international border (IB) in Kashmir. Several ceasefire violations were reported on both the sides of LoC.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
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President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on June 9.

The Turkish President extended his condolences on the occasion of the death of Azerbaijani Minister of Energy Natig Aliyev to President Ilham Aliyev and relatives of the late minister.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the condolences. The heads of state noted that Natig Aliyev played a significant role in the development of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations and highly appreciated his contribution to the execution of Azerbaijan`s energy policy as well as implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, TANAP projects.

During the phone conversation, the presidents discussed various aspects of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations. They exchanged views over the issues of the strengthening of friendly and fraternal relations between the two countries.
Azerbaijan managed to improve relations with the Western countries, position itself as a reliable energy supplier and show readiness for dialogue in the sphere of human rights, Sergey Markedonov, a Russian political scientist and an associate professor at the Moscow-based Russian State University for the Humanities, said.

He made the remarks June 9 at the Caucasus-2016 International Conference in Yerevan, EADaily news agency reported.

In his opinion, the constitutional referendum, following which the institution of vice-president was established in Azerbaijan and the presidential term in the country was increased from 5 to 7 years, became another key event.

The April escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict had a very strong impact on the social and political atmosphere in Azerbaijan, Markedonov said. The war became the factor that along with the constitutional referendum allowed strengthening of the countrys existing political system.

Azerbaijan in 2016 managed to boost the dialogue with its southern neighbor - Iran, the expert noted. In March 2016, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev visited Tehran, and in August 2016 Baku hosted a regional summit with the participation of the presidents of Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan, he added.
Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm, has applied to Saudi Arabias capital markets regulator for a license to trade equities in the kingdom, a Reuters report said.



Goldman has made the application to the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and a successful outcome could lead to a further expansion of its business in Saudi Arabia, the news agency said quoting two sources.



Goldman has been operating in Saudi Arabia since 2009 as an agent and underwriter. In 2014, the CMA approved a change in the banks profile and it has been authorised to arrange, advise and manage investment funds and portfolios.
A life-changing vertebral and internal carotid artery stenting procedure has been performed at Zulekha Hospital in Dubai on an Emirati patient.



Muhammed Najeeb, 53, had been suffering from a long-term dizziness and pain in his legs for a year caused by the abnormal narrowing of his dominant right vertebral artery at its origin, as well as in the left internal carotid artery, said a statement from Zulekha Healthcare Group, one of the oldest private healthcare providers in the UAE.



The debilitating condition meant that Najeeb was unable to walk even a distance of over 100 m and relied on his family for round-the-clock care. The risk factors that predominantly caused this were smoking, high cholesterol and diabetes as well as having a family history of the condition, it added.



Dr Anil Bansal, the consultant interventional cardiologist at Zulekha Hospital in Dubai, first did an angiogram on Najeeb to identify the problem.



On receiving the results, Dr Bansal first administered a stent in the left common iliac artery which was a procedure lasting over an hour, which ensured immediate relief and respite from the pain Najeeb had been experiencing all this while.



Another stent was then administered to the right vertebral artery. The following day, the doctor administered a stent into the left internal carotid artery.



Following the successful stenting, Najeeb said: "Till now I was unable to walk even a 100 m distance as my leg would experience terrible pain which greatly impacted my social life for a year. Following this surgery, I am grateful for the expert advice I received from Dr Bansal who saved my life and made a huge difference to my family."



Prior to his life enhancing procedure, Najeeb had visited multiple doctors complaining of the condition and was treated with common stenting procedures. He had been living with the pain without medication for relief and resulted in a diminished quality of life.



Dr Bansal pointed out that Najeebs condition required him to undergo a rare stenting procedure which could not be treated by more common alternatives.



"We are delighted to have been able to drastically improve his quality of life through this unique treatment, and are encouraged by Najeebs decision to quit smoking that could prevent further complications and health implications," he said.



Dr Bansal said: "We aim to continue treating UAE residents  who may have given up hope of viable solutions for debilitating conditions  with rare, life changing treatments that enhance the quality of life for the countrys residents."



As post-operative care, the patient will continue to take blood thinning medicines to avoid any pre-existing symptoms and prevent future strokes, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
 Flash

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday evening called for lifting the blockade against Qatar, reaffirming Turkey's support for the Arab country.

"I call on the leaders and citizens of the Gulf states, there will be no winner in this fight and slanders will get us nowhere," the president said at a fasting-break dinner in Istanbul.

He urged Saudi Arabia to end all restrictions on Qatar and resolve the ongoing dispute through talks.

Early this week, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut off diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed sanctions on it on the grounds that Doha supports terrorism, with Libya, Yemen and the Maldives following suit.

Qatar has rejected the accusations as "unjustified" and "baseless."

"We will not abandon our Qatari brothers," Erdogan said. "There is no such thing. Until now I have not seen Qatar give support to terror."

On Thursday night, Erdogan ratified two deals on deploying Turkish troops to Qatar and training its gendarmerie after they were passed by Turkey's parliament a day earlier.
Gulf Industry Fair, the Northern Gulf's leading business-to-business industrial show, has launched its online persona with the 2017 Virtual Exhibition, said the event organisers.

The Virtual Exhibition promotes Gulf Industry Fair 2017s exhibitors through an online format, stated Bahrain-based Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions.

The virtual exhibition consists of the original expo floor plan which is embedded with video interviews of each exhibitor, the company e-profile, brochures and catalogues with direct links to the companys website for further information.

Gulf Industry Fair Virtual Exhibition is an innovative approach to give an extended market exposure for exhibitors ; as well as allowing visitors to network with potential suppliers. The online format provides a wider reach for our exhibitors, who gain potential leads for another 150 days after the show, remarked Jubran Abdulrahman, the HCE managing director.

Gulf Industry Fair, which takes place under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain, is the Northern Gulfs leading industrial B2B showcase promoting the aluminium, energy and environmental protection, industrial metals, logistics, industrial process and manufacturing, industrial security and safety and vocational training sectors.

Together with our digital partners, Fabric Digital Agency, we have created an online platform designed for the business visitor. The 2017 Virtual Exhibition is now live and will be promoted through our global databases and by our various media partners," remarked Ahmed Suleiman, the exhibitions director at HCE.

 As Gulf Industry Fair 2018 is now in the booking stage; the Virtual Exhibition, the shows social media pages and our e-newsletters will raise awareness for the GCCs signature event for industrial development and innovation, added Suleiman.

The Gulf Industry Fair Virtual Exhibition 2017 is available online on www.gulfindustryfair.com
German chancellor Angela Merkel said the EU was ready to negotiate and said she sees no obstacles in the way of beginning Brexit talks as scheduled after Theresa May failed to win a majority in Thursday's UK election.

The German chancellor said she believed Britain would stick to the timetable, adding the European Union was "ready", reported BBC.

"We hope Britain would remain a good partner following the talks, due to begin on June, Merkel said in her first comments since May's Conservative party lost 13 seats.

The loss left the Conservatives eight MPs short of a majority in parliament, plunging negotiations into uncertainty. May called the snap election in order to secure a clear mandate for her vision of Brexit.

A spokesman for the German leader had previously refused to be drawn on the issue out of "politeness and respect" while the process of forming a new UK government was under way.

May says she will form a government with the Democratic Unionist Party from Northern Ireland, which won 10 seats.

Merkel, who is meeting Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto to discuss trade, told reporters gathered in Mexico City on Friday: "I assume that Britain, from what I heard from the prime minister today, wants to stick to its negotiating plan."

"We want to negotiate quickly, we want to stick to the time plan, and so at this point I don't think there is anything to suggest these negotiations cannot start as was agreed."

Meanwhile, Michael Fuchs, senior economic adviser to the German chancellor, told the BBC the result meant it was time for Mrs May "to face realities" and soften her approach.

"Her wish and will was not really too much accepted by the British people," he said. "I have the feeling, because otherwise they would have given her a better vote," he added.
An estimated 40,000 children are trapped in extremely dangerous conditions in Raqqa as fighting intensifies in and around the Syrian city, the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) has reported, warning that "many are caught in the crossfire."



The Unicef called on all parties to protect children inside Raqqa, provide safe passage to those wishing to leave the city and grant a protected environment to civilians who fled the city, reported Emirati news agency Wam, citing senior officials.



"Heavy violence in the city of Raqqa is threatening the lives of children," remarked Geert Cappelaere, Unicef regional director in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, in a statement, which noted that at least 25 children were reportedly killed and scores injured in the city.



He explained that hospitals and schools have reportedly come under attack and that those attempting to flee are at danger of getting killed or injured.



He emphasised that children are being deprived of the most basic and life-saving necessities and that little aid have reached Raqqa since 2013 due to violence and access restrictions.



Cappelaere added that the conflict has resulted in massive displacements in and around the city, with some 80,000 children from Raqqa city now internally displaced and living in temporary shelters and camps.
As the conflict between Qatar and some of its Gulf neighbours intensifies, Bahrain has banned all hotels, restaurants and tourist facilities from airing Al Jazeera TV channel.



The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) yesterday (June 9) issued an official circular to all tourism establishments operating in the Kingdom, including hotels and restaurants in this connection.



The BTEA mandates that all television receivers available in tourism facilities must be reprogrammed to remove all channels related to Al Jazeera Network.



Facilities include hotels, restaurants or other tourist establishments.



BTEA warned that tourism facilities running such channels will face tough action.



"The violation of this circular is punishable by law either by imprisonment, fine or both. Facilities who fail to comply with the circular will face closure and their tourism license will be revoked immediately," it added.-TradeArabia News Service


Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) has received the highest level of certification for its digital merchandizing of the airlines onboard product and features available to travel retailers.



This now means that when travel agents and retailers are making air travel booking for Saudia guests, they will be able to see images of the

seats and layout on board. In addition, passengers can purchase additional services when available.



With this new capability, Saudia will have the ability to provide Iata-accredited Travel Agencies a full view  displayed through rich media content  that includes fare family products and dynamic pricing as listed on www.saudia.com.



Historically, the platform used by the travel retail industry aggregated text-based information with basic product facts about the onboard specifications. This meant that guests did not have a way to view the product and have a perspective of what it looks like prior boarding the aircraft.



The New Distribution Capability (NDC) standard introduced by the International Air Transport Association (Iata), is an XML-based data transmission standard that was launched for the development and market adoption of a new standard for merchandizing airline products.



Iatas aim with the implementation of the NDC standard is to enhance the capability of communications between airlines and travel agents. The NDC Standard enables the travel industry to transform the way air products are retailed to corporations, leisure and business travelers.



Saudia achieved the highest certification from Iata based on the full-scale functionality that travel retailers can now have access to, enabling them to offer guests the option to purchase wi-fi, additional baggage, bundling of air and non-air products, and seat selection during the point of sale.



The certificate was awarded to Saudia during the 73rd IATA Annual General Meeting held in Cancun, Mexico from June 4-6.



Saudi Arabian Airlines director general Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser received the award from Iata director general and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac.



Commenting on the new certification Al Jasser said: The Iata Level 3 certification is an important achievement for Saudia. The implementation of the new digital merchandizing gives SAUDIA the ability to offers the 69,500 Iata accredited Travel Agencies across the world with a view of the latest Saudia onboard products.



Continued Al-Jasser: Saudia has utilised modern technology to make the passenger booking experience as seamless and as transparent as possible. By obtaining the Iata certification, we have adopted the new standard to communicate effectively with our travel retail partners and provide them with access to the full-scale of value-added options that are available to guests flying with Saudia.



We congratulate Saudia on becoming the latest airline in the MENA region to achieve NDC Level 3 Certification. With this milestone, SAUDIA joins the growing fold of global airlines that are transforming airline distribution and launching a new era of airline retailing in which travelers have access to all of an airlines products and services, regardless of their choice of shopping channel, said de Juniac.



The airline partnered with the Iata Level 3 Certified Travel Aggregator  TP Connects  which is connected with a large number of online travel agencies and B2B reseller travel agencies for end-to-end NDC deployment. TP Connects and Amadeus developed SAUDIAs NDC platform and integrated it with the Saudias reservation system that is provided by Amadeus.



Saudia operates to four continents, covering 86 destinations (27 domestic and 59 international) from its main hubs in Riyadh and Jeddah. The airline is currently revitalising its fleet and will have one of the youngest fleet in the world by the end of 2017, at an average of 3.75 average years.



Saudia is a member of the Skyteam alliance and through the partnership connects guests to the alliance network of 1062 destinations in 177 countries. - TradeArabia News Service
Meet award-winning artisans and buy their products at Kerala Arts and Crafts Village
RIVERTON  Bob Goodnight isnt worried about his house on the banks of the flooded Little Wind River, even though he said Friday with a mixture of jest and sincerity that he might turn his deck into a dock.

He and his neighbors outside of Arapaho on the Wind River Reservation have experience with flooding. They lived through high water in 2010 when the Wyoming National Guard came to the rescue. He said he might get a fishing rod this time.

Rivers in Fremont County and elsewhere in central and western Wyoming are already flooding and expected to continue rising through the weekend from melting mountain snowpack. The flooding has already prompted some voluntary evacuation notices and road closures.

Elisteanna Catha watched water come up to the top of her deck in 2010, and she feels less prepared this year. She and her boyfriend only recently started stacking sandbags near their home outside of Arapaho.

My boyfriends friend measures the snow in the mountains, and he said it just got started. Theres so much more, she said Friday afternoon, staring at water lapping up her driveway and near her front step.

The Little Wind River near Riverton is expected to crest at 11 feet on Sunday. The last time it reached close to 11 feet was in 1963, according to the National Weather Service.

Local authorities told some residents and property owners along the Riverton Valley Irrigation Canal to voluntarily relocate because of significant flood danger along the Wind River.

Fremont County Emergency Management posted on Facebook that residents may not have time to collect their belongings, and people who gather items are doing so at their own risk.

Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate, the posting says, warning that the notice may be the only one residents receive.

Fremont County Emergency Management Coordinator Kathi Metzler says the Wind River has risen so high that its flowing into an old river channel about 6 miles west of Riverton.

Metzler said residents who have lived in the area for the last 60 years dont recall ever seeing water flowing in the old channel.

Fremont County Emergency Management said the public should stay out of the water and away from the waters edge. People should not drive into flooded areas.

There are reports of some backcountry and rural roads being washed out. U.S. Highway 26 remains closed west of Riverton because of water flowing over the road.

High water levels in the Popo Agie River prompted the Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails to temporarily close tent camping sites at Sinks Canyon State Park.

The swinging bridge at the park is also closed.

Concerns of flooding also moved the 15th annual Lander Brewfest on Friday and Saturday from City Park to North Side Park between Seventh and Eighth and Jefferson streets.

Star-Tribune reporter Seth Klamann and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Mom?

I knew from the sound of my daughters voice on the phone that something wasnt right. CC, whats wrong?

My daughter was silent.

Baby, what happened?

Im in the girls bathroom, she said.

My mind raced with possibilities  and none of them was good. It was my daughters 16th birthday, and she was far from happy. What had happened?

I found out what my surprise present was, she said of a gift from a family friend of her fathers. Theyre taking me to Paris.

My chest ached. I knew why my daughter was upset. Ciara has always envisioned her first trip to Paris with me. Shes in her second year of learning French in high school. Her French is tres bien, whereas mine is not. Still, that hasnt stopped my daughter from teaching me. For the past two years, she has spoken French in our daily drives to and from school. In that time, Ive learned to master two important phrases.

Je mappelle Mary. (My name is Mary.)

Je ne parle pas tres bien francais. (I do not speak French very well.)

But the French I have remembered is what the Parisians say when things dont go well: Cest la vie. Such is life.

Still, when my daughter received a text on her birthday that announced her European summer would end in France  which would have made any other 16-year-old girl ecstatic  she wasnt. Ciara isnt happy if she thinks it comes at someone elses expense. And in her beautiful heart, she thought her trip would hurt me.

Oh, baby girl, this is great news. You get to see Paris!

She said nothing.

CC, you can scout all the different places well go together, I said.

Yeah, I could do that.

I cant afford to send my daughter or any of my four children on a European vacation. But when the opportunity presents itself for any of them to travel abroad and learn new cultures, Im thrilled. I would give anything to experience Paris with my daughter, but at this time, its just not feasible.

What I could do was find a way to help shift my daughters perspective so she could see the gift in this gesture. But how does one convey cest la vie?

I was stripping her bed when I spotted all the souvenirs she had collected on her recent high school trip to New York for the national mock trial competition. Her suitcase was in bad repair. Thats when I heard my mom, and I knew. I grabbed my car keys and wallet and headed to the store.

I was about to leave empty-handed when again I heard my moms voice. She directed me to the mens underwear section, where an end display held luggage. The blue suitcase was tucked on a bottom shelf. It was Ciaras favorite color and the perfect travel size.

Thanks, Mom, I said.

When I returned home, I placed the new luggage on my daughters desk in her bedroom. I wrote a letter to my sweet 16-year-old about her grandmother, who had bought me my first piece of luggage, which I used on many adventures  including one with her father to Europe. I wrote that I hoped she would see as much of the world as she could. And I meant every word.

I may not be able to give my children these adventures, but I can give them love, strength and the freedom to soar.
State Sen. Dave Kinskey (R-Sheridan) is obsessed with eighth-grade math scores.

He serves on the Legislatures Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration, which is tasked with addressing the $400 million annual budget shortfall that currently faces Wyoming public education.

What lawmakers should really be focused on, Kinskey says at literally every meeting, is the fact that Wyoming eighth-graders standardized math scores are lower than their peers in Utah, while Utah spends less per student on education.

What Kinskey fails to acknowledge is that he has not been assigned to serve on the recalibration committee because there is an eighth-grade math crisis in Wyoming  there isnt one. He was put on the committee to deal with a budget crisis.

In fact, you couldnt find a random sampling of Wyoming eighth-graders that struggles with math as badly as Kinskey and his colleagues struggle with balancing the education budget.

Kinskey and his cohort in the state Senate badmouth Wyoming students performance because theyre looking for an excuse to not raise new revenues. Under the leadership of President Eli Bebout (R-Riverton), the Senate has adopted a staunch stance against any new taxes. Bebouts followers are compelled to justify that baseline position  no new taxes, no matter what  even when it means arguing to defund Wyoming public schools.

At a recalibration meeting in April, Kinskey used a business analogy to warn that Wyoming students performance made funding education a risky investment.

The last thing Id do is spend more money on a business Im concerned about, he said  as though he werent actually talking about our children and the future of our state.

To be clear: Kinskey isnt arguing against adding new funding on top of what the state normally allocates public schools. Hes saying we shouldnt replace the $400 million of annual funding that has disappeared as a result of the loss of mineral revenues in the present energy sector slump.

Since Wyoming eighth-graders dont test as well as Utah in math, Kinskey reasons, we should maybe just cut teachers and programs and make students focus more on arithmetic. This is despite the fact that, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, Wyoming eighth-grade math scores have been steadily improving for a couple of decades now.

Kinskeys argument is not only cynical, but his comparison between the cost per student of education in Wyoming and Utah is also misleading.

Its true that, statewide, Utah educates its students at a lower cost than Wyoming. But 80 percent of Utahs population is concentrated in a metropolitan area along the Wasatch Front. Denser populations are cheaper to educate because, for instance, they require fewer administrators, transportation costs are lower, and materials are cheaper because they can be bought in greater bulk.

Sweetwater County School District No. 2 Superintendent Donna Little-Kaumo pointed out that Daggett County, Utah  her districts neighbor to the immediate south  actually spends more per student than her district in Green River, because Daggett County is even more rural than Sweetwater County. Unsurprisingly, rural areas of Colorado also spend more per student than Wyoming, and so does the sparsely populated state of Alaska.

Kinskey and other state senators would like the people of Wyoming to believe that theyre up at night, losing sleep over eighth-grade math scores. And while we all would love to see our junior high math students best their Utah peers, Kinskeys focus on this tiny part of the much larger picture is a distraction. Its a smokescreen that allows him to opt out of the hard work required of him by the Wyoming State Constitution, which demands the Legislature provide adequate funding so that every student in the state has access to a high quality education.
What is this?

Each Sunday we ask you a question about an issue important to Wyoming, then print what you think the following Sunday. We call it Open Air because its a chance to examine a topic from all sides  wide open like Wyomings sky.

You can reply through our website or by email, postal mail, Facebook or Twitter. Be sure to specify youre responding to the Open Air question. Please keep your responses to 350 words and include your full name, town and contact information so we can verify your submission. Be sure to submit your comment by Tuesday, or it might not make our deadline.
WHAT: A firemens parade hat dating from the 1700s sold for $15,000 this spring at Kaminski Auctions in Beverly, Massachusetts. It was made for show, not use. Decorative hats of the sort were ceremonial, worn by firefighters in parades and for events such as pumping competitions.

MORE: Made for the Franklin Fire Company of Germantown, Pennsylvania, the parade hat is formed of pressed resin with a hand-painted portrait of Benjamin Franklin on the front. Initials reading JF are painted on the stovetop.

In the very early days of firefighting, volunteer companies enjoyed social cachet. The original owner was probably an important person in his community. The hat was consigned from the collection of a local artist who found it at a neighborhood garage sale.

SMART COLLECTORS KNOW: Collectors go for just about any antique item tied to firefighting, including early photography, hose nozzles, alarm boxes or gongs, presentation items, lanterns and occupational shaving mugs.

HOT TIP: Before fire insurance companies existed, a fire mark prominently attached to a house or business would have certain response in case of fire. Each volunteer company had its own distinctive shield. The earliest fire mark in the U.S. was issued in 1752 in Philadelphia.

A decorative shield of cast iron about the size of a large skillet with the local companys emblem embossed or raised on the front, a fire mark indicated that the owner had paid so that firemen and a pumper would come when/as needed.

The earliest form of fire insurance in this country, original marks are rare and highly sought. And, as per most very expensive antiques, they have been reproduced. Some well-made repro fire marks of painted aluminum from the early 1900s are now considered collectible.
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some June 10 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.
Operators of a controversial Tucson charity have taken a few steps to get right with the rules but are still engaging in practices, such as compelling homeless clients to work for them without pay, that are frowned upon by other local nonprofit leaders.

The directors of Cross County Outreach  a successor to the now-closed Giving Tree charity  have now obtained workers compensation insurance for their homeless clients who work at the store, following an investigation by the Industrial Commission of Arizona.

They also obtained the license required to distribute potentially hazardous donated food to the public, after a warning from the county health department last year.

And directors say they have stopped requiring clients to contribute their food stamps to communal meals at their homeless shelters.

Were trying to be the best we can be, said Libby Wright, director of Cross Country Outreach. She said the organization is meeting a big need in the Tucson homeless community. You could open 1,000 homes (homeless shelters) in Tucson and still there would not be enough, she said.

Wrights previous nonprofit, The Giving Tree, shut its doors in 2012. At the time, public support was collapsing following a 2009 Star investigation that found myriad violations of local and state rules, as well as of widely accepted standards for charities.

Wright stepped down in 2011, then opened Cross Country Outreach in 2013 and registered it as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) in 2014. Like The Giving Tree, Cross Country Outreach runs on revenue from Shop 4 A Cause, a thrift shop at 5140 E. Speedway, which is for-profit, and from private donations, Wright said.

A 2016 Star investigation found the new nonprofit was violating many of the same codes and engaging in many of the same practices that got The Giving Tree into trouble. That included requiring its clients to share their food stamps, overcrowding its shelters in violation of local building and zoning codes, making homeless clients work without pay in the thrift store and failing to provide workers compensation insurance.

Leaders of two organizations with homeless shelters in Tucson, Gospel Rescue Mission and the Salvation Army, said they wont refer the homeless to Cross Country Outreachs shelters because of Wrights history of questionable business practices.

Theres such a desperate need for (shelters) that unfortunately some are not run with the best practices of operation, said Pastor Roy E. Tullgren, executive director of Gospel Rescue Mission.

Tullgren said he would consider referring people to the shelters if Wright has definitely stopped forcing homeless clients to share their food stamps and is housing an appropriate number of clients in her shelters.

In 2016, four former clients told the Star that they were required to spend their food stamps on shared meals at the shelter. Jere Pedrazza, one of the charitys co-directors, previously said clients must share $100 of their monthly food stamps with roommates at one of the charitys shelters.

But in May, Pedrazza told the Star, We dont touch their food stamps.

EMPLOYEES, NOT VOLUNTEERS

Wright purchased workers compensation insurance after an investigation by the Industrial Commission of Arizona determined the nonprofits homeless clients, who work at Wrights for-profit thrift store, were employees rather than volunteers.

Cross Country Outreachs directors had argued their workers are volunteers and therefore dont need workers comp, said Bob Charles, public information officer for the ICA.

But the ICA determined the workers were employees because they worked in return for a place to live, he said, while volunteers work without expectation of compensation.

Homeless clients who come to Cross Country Outreach looking for a place to stay can either pay $70 a week to stay in one of the organizations two shelters or they can work in the thrift store 4.5 hours a day, five days week, Pedrazza said.

This practice could violate the states minimum wage law, depending on the value of clients housing, said Tucson labor law attorney Don Awerkamp. For homeless clients working 22.5 hours a week for a $70 value, their pay equates to $3.11 an hour, well below minimum wage.

In May former Cross Country Outreach client Lauren Diangilo, 40, left Wrights womens shelter, known as Grace Home, after a four-month stay. She said that homeless clients were being taken advantage of by Wright.

The long hours clients are forced to work dont allow much time to look for jobs or save up money for rent at a more permanent residence, she said.

Shes preying on vulnerable people, Diangilo said. These people have no resources to get out.

Beth Morrison, CEO of Our Family Services in Tucson, said its uncommon to charge homeless people to stay in a shelter.

A shelter is typically an emergency place for people to get on their feet. If people are giving up their funds to stay in a shelter its obviously hard to accumulate funds to pay rent or look for a job, she said.

Wright maintains that the workers are volunteers working by choice to contribute to the homes that they live in, despite the decision of the Industrial Commission.

Rachel Drew, a current client and one of the stores supervisors, said shed been working at the store for five years, helping customers shop and manning the cash register.

I enjoy doing what I do, Drew said. Clients like Drew who do extra work at the store are paid a small stipend, Pedrazza said.

FINANCES

Wright has said the new nonprofit is a scaled-down version of The Giving Tree, which brought in $1.4 million in donations and revenue in 2007. Cross Country Outreach took in $44,175 in donations and revenue in 2015, according to the Form 990 Wright provided to the Star.

The nonprofits 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status was automatically revoked by the Internal Revenue Service in May 2016 due to failure to file a Form 990, which tax-exempt organizations must file annually. The status was reinstated six months later, according to the IRS.

Explaining the lapse, Wright said her CPA filed for an extension that allowed them to file the 990 late. She would not provide the CPAs contact information to the Star.

The important thing is its been reinstated, Wright said of the tax-exempt status.

ZONING CODES

In 2016 the Star reported the nonprofits shelters were in violation of city zoning codes. At the time, Pedrazza said 20 people were living in Grace Home and former residents had said closer to 30 people were crammed into the shelters.

The shelters are in an R-2 residential zone, so a shelter housing more than 15 people requires at least 1.5 acres, or 65,340 square feet. Grace Homes lot is 8,289 square feet. City code inspectors told the Star last year they were prevented from entering the homes to respond to a complaint of overcrowding.

As of early May, Pedrazza said there were 11 people living in Grace Home.

Former resident Diangilo said the living conditions were not ideal, describing a horrible bed bug infestation.

Bed bugs are not a new complaint at the womens shelter: The Pima County Health Department said it had received complaints about bed bugs at Grace Home in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Wright dismissed that concern.

They can say anything they want to say, Wright said of former residents. She said the house is regularly inspected for bed bugs. Were always on it.

NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Last year, Cross Country Outreach only had one board member, who was a co-director of the nonprofit, after two members left the board and one died.

The Arizona Corporation Commission only requires nonprofits to have one board member. But charity experts say an independent board, including members who arent directly involved in operations, is critical to running a reputable nonprofit.

Cross Country Outreach has since added two new board members, but the new members seem unfamiliar with the nonprofits operations.

Board member Natalie McGee was unaware homeless clients must pay money or work in the thrift store without pay in order to stay in the shelters.

I dont think it costs anything, because people dont have anything, McGee said. People contribute what they can.

Roland Cobert, who runs another Tucson nonprofit called Cross Country Ministries, said he did not know that Cross Country Outreachs 501(c)(3) status had been temporarily revoked last year.

But he said details like that are unimportant when compared with the benefits the nonprofit provides to the community.

Maybe these people havent been the most studious and doing what the government requires of them, Cobert said. But they are helping a lot of people.
More than $300 million in renovations and new construction are on the horizon for the University of Arizona.

The Arizona Board of Regents, which governs the states three public universities, met at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff this week and approved the UAs capital plan, which includes five new projects in addition to $79 million for projects on hold.

The biggest of the five new projects, costing $157 million, is an Honors College dormitory and parking garage, a campus recreation facility and an office building. That project will be funded through a public-private partnership between the UA and American Campus Communities.

The new housing facility, a six-story building to be located north of Speedway near Park Avenue, will include more than 1,000 beds, 14,000 square feet of dining hall and a 361-stall parking garage. Construction is set to begin in late 2017 and completed by fall 2019.

Nearby residents have protested the housing facility construction, citing previous issues they faced when the university expanded into their neighborhoods, the Star reported in March.

Purposeful student programming and the relationship development that occurs through having staff living in and interacting directly with students has been proven to increase student satisfaction, involvement and retention across the nation, the UA said in its project proposal.

The UA will also spend $18 million financed through bonds to renovate Building 90, which is home to the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences. It is not related to the Oro Valley veterinary science program that repeatedly failed to get accreditation.

Building 90 has various deferred-maintenance needs, including issues with plumbing and heating and cooling systems.

The construction of a student success district, which UA spokesman Chris Sigurdson said would be a complex between the UAs main library and Bear Down Gym, would includes space for tutoring, office space for student-support staff and a wellness center. It would also provide digital tools and networking opportunities.

Other projects include a renovation and building of an addition for the College of Pharmacy and the renovation of the Health Sciences building.

REAL ESTATE DEALS

The UA is selling land it owns near the U.S.-Mexico border to a natural gas pipeline project that would supply consumers in Mexico.

Sierrita Gas Pipeline, LLC., a project of Kinder Morgan, wants the 582 acres owned by the UA west of the Tucson Mountains by Arizona 86 to build a compressor station. It agreed to a negotiated price of $110,000.

The university said it had no immediate plans to use that land, which is in a rural area.

As part of the UAs plan to expand its presence in Phoenix, it will purchase five parcels north of the Phoenix biomedical campus for $8.8 million. The university received the green light from the regents to go ahead with the purchase.

The UA worked with five individual owners to reach an agreement, Sigurdson said.

Real estate in Phoenix does not stay open long, he said. I think it was an opportunity.

The regents also approved a land exchange between the UA and Pima County. The university owns about 16 acres within the Santa Cruz River near Fort Lowell Road that was given to the UA by a ranch owner.

The county wants that land to expand the Santa Cruz river trail and offered up adjacent property it owns of similar value.

The UA property in the river was on a flood plain and came with liabilities. The deal would relieve the UA of the liabilities associated with owning property within the Santa Cruz River, according to the proposal.

NEW DEGREE

The regents green-lighted the UAs proposal for a new master of science degree in marketing in the Eller College of Management.

There is a growing demand for such a program, Provost Andrew Comrie told the regents. Many other universities with comparable business schools offer master of science degrees in marketing.

With the boards approval, the program, which would focus on both conceptual frameworks of marketing and analytical tools, can start in the fall.
Windy conditions  mainly on Sunday  will be a main concern for wildland firefighting crews working against blazes in Southern Arizona.

A weather trough is coming through this weekend with no rain, just winds with gusts of up to 35 mph, said Rob Howlett, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Tucson.

The wind and an abundance of dry vegetation originating from last years monsoon season is a main concern in the spread of the Lizard and Bowie fires, Howlett said.

The Lizard Fire, which has 220 firefighters assigned to it, is burning in the Dragoon Mountains and merged Friday with the 200-acre Dragoon Fire, for a combined 7,563 acres. The fire is burning in tall grass and brush and sending smoke through the valley because of the winds.

Both fires erupted from lightning strikes Wednesday and forced 30 families in Cochise Stronghold to evacuate. One home was burned in the Lizard Fire.

Families were staying with relatives, friends and in motels in the Benson area, Carol Capas, a Cochise County Sheriffs Office spokeswoman, said Thursday.

There are about 200 residents in the community of Dragoon, and they have been alerted about evacuations. Dragoon is 17 miles east and northeast of Benson.

The lightning-caused Bowie Fire is 2,261 acres and is burning tall grass and brush in rugged terrain on state Bureau of Land Management lands, said Tiffany Davila, a state Department of Forestry and Fire Management spokeswoman.

Davila said 232 personnel are fighting the blaze with the help of air crews, and the wind conditions will be assessed as to whether planes and helicopters will fly this weekend.

The fire has closed the Fort Bowie National Historic Site, and 15 people were evacuated earlier from the Diamond Mountain Retreat Center in the area.

The Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross moved its shelter from Benson High School to the Valley Union High School at 4088 E. Jefferson Road in Elfrida, said Mike Sagara, a spokesman for the agency.

The lightning-caused Paige Creek Fire remains at 1,050 acres and is burning in grass on the east side of the Rincon Mountains east of Tucson. Several ranches and structures are in the area. Three hotshot crews are working the fire.

The Saner Fire has burned 354 acres of grass and scrub oak in the Pedregosa Mountains northeast of Douglas.

In 2017, Arizona has seen 830 wildfires that burned about 200 square miles, up from the 819 fires that burned about 165 square miles to date last year, The Associated Press reports.

There are currently 20 active fires in Arizona, and some are controlled burns that dont endanger homes or landmarks. Arizonas wildfire season generally runs from mid-May to early July, but it is extended by several weeks every year, Davila told The Associated Press.
Help India!

By Twocircles.net Staff Reporter

Kannur: Putting its leadership in trouble, an RSS worker has confessed that he killed Fazal, a member of the Popular Front of India (PFI).

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A video with the confession of RSS worker Subeesh was submitted to the CBI court in Kochi on Friday.The video was submitted by CPIM leader and accused in Fazal murder case Karayi Rajan.

The video shows Subeesh revealing that Fazal was killed by four RSS activists including him on October 22, 2006 at Thalassery in Kannur district.

In the video, he names the other three as Prateesh, Pramesh, and Shinoy.

According to the video, the four RSS workers went to local leader Thilakans residence. After hearing of the attack on Fazal, Thilakan slapped Subeesh and asked the gang to keep weapons which had Fazals blood at his house. He further ordered not to tell anyone about the murder.

The video shows Subeesh saying two of the gang hacked Fazal with swords while he fell down from the bicycle, which he used to distribute newspapers.

Subeesh had made the confession in November, 2016, when he was arrested for murdering CPIM worker Paduvilayi Mohanan in Kannur in October 2016.

The police had earlier arrested CPIM leaders Karayi Rajan and Karayi Chandrasekharan in the case and the case had caused political damage for the party in Kannur. The duo was released on bail by the Kerala High Court in November 2013. And the court ordered the two Karayis not to leave Ernakulam district. Police said that Fazal was murdered after he left the party and started to work for PFI.

The video had gone viral on social media in January this year and the High Court had handed over the probe into CBI.

Earlier, former RSS cadre Sudheesh Minni had told The Times of India that he knew the operations behind the Fazal murder. Sudheesh made his revealation after joining CPIM. I have briefly mentioned it in my book on the role of the RSS. Subeesh is only a pawn in the operation, he told TOI.

According to Sudheesh, the CPMs influence among the Muslims was a cause of concern for the Sangh Parivar in Kannur . They devised a strategy to murder Fazal and put the blame on the CPM, Sudheesh told TOI.

However, Subeesh told a Malayalam channel that he made his confession after he was tortured by the police.

Weapons seized from RSS centre in Kannur

The police on Friday night also seized swords and one steel bomb from an RSS centre at Payyannur in Kannur. The weapons were seized after local residents informed the police about the weapon collection at a shed, being used by RSS and BJP activists to hold routine meetings. The weapons were found stuffed in a sack inside the shed. Local reports said the shed was used by the two organizations during electioneering. Payyannur police have registered a case and started investigation.

The CPIM leadership has demanded strong action against the culprits while RSS leadership alleged that the weapons were thrown to the centre by outsiders in a bid to tarnish the image of the RSS and BJP.
Help India!

By Siddhant Mohan, TwoCircles.net

A constable in Assam Police has landed in a rather strange, but a familiar situation in Assam, where he has to now prove his Indian citizenship.

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Abu Taher Ahmed has been serving as a constable at South Salmara police station in Dhubri district of Assam. After 10 years in service, Ahmed was served a notice from foreigners tribunal (FT) during mid march asking him to appear in court to prove his citizenship.

Ahmed was almost with no help when he was slapped with notice, but Aman Wadud, a human rights lawyer based in Guwahati and a report from Times of India reporter Abdul Gani came to his rescue.

While talking to Times of India, Ahmed said, I was shocked and didnt know how to react when I got the notice. Ahmed has to be present in court on August 8 with all the relevant papers to prove his citizenship. What the court has said, I will follow it. I am an ordinary man, I hope it will be cleared soon, said Ahmed.

It is strange when a Policeman, that too serving from last ten years gets questioned for his citizenship. Because before joining the force and at the various points during service policemen have to submit their papers, which may easily prove the citizenship.

This strange situation for Ahmed might have risen because of a Police case that he was facing even before joining the force. The case is of doubtful voter, a case which many people in north-eastern states are facing.

Taking the cognizance of the case by the report published in Times of India, Mukesh Sahay, DGP Assam Police, conveyed his concerns to the SP of South Salmara police station. After this, SP Amrit Bhuyan called up the constable Abu Taher Ahmed and offered him all possible help in the case.

Commenting on the case and related things, advocate Aman Wadud told TwoCircles.net, The case is not solved yet, but it is sure that Police department has extend its support to him. The final judgement in the case underlies with FT.

Ahmeds case is strange in one more perspective that Ahmed is posted in Assam Police but the notice is served by the Assam Border Police. So even the Police department has offered him to help him in all ways, the jurisdiction lies with the charges framed by Border Police and FT. Aman Wadud said, For Ahmed it is comforting that his own department is helping him.

On the case of doubtful voters, Aman Wadud told, Assam Border Police serve such notices and list people as doubtful voter on arbitrary and random basis. There is no tracking or investigation involved in this. Many people in Assam are facing such cases.

Although, the case might not be new but lack of coordination between Assam Border Police, which is infamous for slapping such notices, and other government bodies has put rights and duties of regular Assam citizen.

Abdul Gani, Times of India reporter who broke the story, said, It is not new. There was one case I followed in 2014 where a School teacher who was on election duty, was barred from voting on the same suspicion of being a doubtful voter. Gani was referring to the case of Shahjahan Kazi, who has worked as a polling officer over eight elections, but he is not allowed to vote because he too, is a D-voter.
The likely coalition between Theresa May's Conservative party and the #DUP has quickly become a matter of great concern to many. Having performed disastrously at the general election, Theresa May quickly did her sums and concluded that the support of the Democratic Unionist Party would allow her to remain in power, and the Democratic Unionist Party seemed to embrace the prospect of being kingmakers within hours.

Suddenly, everyone was interested in finding out more about the #DUP, a party who's renowned for its conservative views on many issues, and at times played a dubious role in northern ireland but is little known in the rest of the UK.

The #DUP's stance against gay marriage and abortion quickly made the headlines and emerged as a cause for concern among some Tory politicians, however, commentators in Northern Ireland, Britain, and the Republic of Ireland quickly warned of the risks a Tory-DUP coalition would pose to the Northern Ireland peace agreement.

Among them, Jonathan Powell, former Chief Of Staff during Tony Blair's reign, who urged Theresa May not to make a deal with the DUP because such an agreement could further jeopardise the re-establishment of the power-sharing executive.

WATCH: Jonathan Powell, former chief British negotiator on Northern Ireland, explains how a Tory/DUP coalition cannot work. pic.twitter.com/qrXL0yTQWs  EL4C (@EL4JC) June 9, 2017

Jonathan Powell's worries are shared by many, not least of all politicians in Northern Ireland and the Republic.

The negotiations to form a new power-sharing government were due to resume on Monday, however, many fear the DUP may now feel less inclined to engage in negotiations seeing as the party suddenly finds itself at the centre of UK politics.

Arlene Foster - A controversial figure in Northern Ireland

The leader of the DUP, #Arlene Foster quickly emerged, promising to collaborate with the Conservative party in an effort to strengthen Britain.

However, in Northern Ireland earlier this year, many sought her resignation after she was involved in a 400 million grant scheme scandal. The then deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, Martin McGuiness, resigned over Foster's failure to adequately deal with the issues, and the power-sharing executive collapsed. Efforts to reestablish the Northern Ireland assembly failed to come to a successful conclusion, and talks were suspended in the run-up to the British general election.

During the election campaign, #ArleneFoster was heavily criticised for the #DUP's links to the UDA, a loyalist paramilitary organisation still active today. During the election campaign, the UDA issued a statement urging voters to support the #DUP candidate Emma Little. Only days after the UDA is believed to have shot dead a man in a supermarket car park in front of his 3 year-old son, Arlene Foster met with representatives of the UDA, a move condemned by many.

When quizzed about the #DUP's links to the UDA, Jefferey Donaldson, a well-known #DUP politician, promised that the party would "divorce" itself from any association with this paramilitary group.

What now for the power-sharing executive?

Any kind of deal between the #DUP and the Conservatives will jeopardise negotiations because the British government can no longer be viewed as an impartial broker in negotiations, leaving nationalists led by Sinn Fein in a particularly precarious position. The deadline to reach an agreement on the formation of a new power-sharing government in Northern Ireland is at the end of this month, with many fearing that the DUP's priorities now lie elsewhere.

Reacting to the possibility of a coalition between Theresa May's Conservatives and the #DUP, Sinn Fein tweeted a Channel 4 news item.

Meet the socially conservative Northern Irish MPs that could prop up the Tories pic.twitter.com/2XXO4wQskl  Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) June 9, 2017

It looks like Theresa May is throwing all caution to the wind, trying to hang on to her reign, regardless of what the effects on the Northern Ireland peace agreement will be.
This week the nation of Iran was hit with twin terror attacks; the "first major terror operation" on Iranian soil, the Independent newspaper reported. Twelve people were killed as attacks were launched on the Iranian parliament and the tomb of Ayatollah Khomeini. But it is what followed that is most interesting. First of all, the Islamic State (IS) terror group claimed responsibility and second of all, the response by the democratic world. In addition to Donald Trump's "condolences" for what happened, the Independent stated that the city of Paris turned "out its light" in a "tribute to the victims".

What it reveals

It is these two situations, the fact that iran was targeted and the support it received that is most interesting. It just shows the flexibility of alliances in the international community. The presence of Iran, IS and the US also demonstrates just how murky the whole global political system is. This is shown by the fact that whereas the US and Iran are enemies, they are probably together in their efforts against the Islamic State.

The global complexity

The problem that arises from this current political situation is how exactly can global peace be secured? It would seem that certain enemies (Iran and the US) would need to come together to defeat the real problem (IS). But even if that is secured, problems will still exist (namely between US and Iran). And that is why it is so troubling. As one issue is resolved, another one presents itself. Where we go from here I do not know.
Fifty year ago on this day, the six day war between Israel and her Arab neighbours ended. Whilst there was euphoria for the victorious Jewish state, it is the years that followed that generates the most attention. In focusing on this complex conflict and its consequences, certain issues do need to be addressed; not only the fact that the nature of the war is largely forgotten, but the immensely favourable position that the Jewish state was presented with. It is also important to address the consequences of the decisions that were taken after the war ended.

What actually happened?

It is important at the outset to address the war itself and what led to battle. As I alluded to in the title, the conflict that took place, according to the Algemeiner website, was viewed by the "Israelis and their friends" as simply "a miracle". But why is it viewed like that? Mainly because of what the Israeli nation faced in the days and weeks leading up to the 5th June 1967. This was not a battle between Israel and one other nation, but a war that was to be fought on multiple fronts. "A trio of enemies" as it is put, between Egypt, Syria and Jordan had "diligently prepared themselves" for what was called "an inevitable confrontation" as the Algemeiner reported. Even back in 1965 the Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser stated that "we shall not enter Palestine with its soil covered in sand; we shall enter it with its soil covered in blood".

As her Arab neighbours mobilised troops on its borders and without the support from the UN and Europe, Israel launched a "preemptive aerial strike" on Egypt. What was also so mightily impressive was the swift and decisive action taken by the Israeli army. As The Wig website noted, "after demolishing the Egyptian army", Israel "turned their attention" to both Syria and Jordan and "inflicted a similar fete" on them.

After what seemed to be "long odds", the Israelis had defeated its enemies "in just six days". It was a remarkable victory from such a small state.

The consequences of war

However, albeit incredible, it is the consequences of the war that requires the most attention. Most importantly was the land that was captured. In addition to East Jerusalem, the Sinai and the Golan Heights, Israel also took control of the West Bank and Gaza.

This Period Of Time, more than any other since its inception in 1948 was the most critical for the Jewish state. Why? Because of the position that they were in. They were no longer the weak state that wore the bruises of the Holocaust; they were a strong and powerful nation. And as you may well know, land is power. This period of time, with their new found strength could have led to peace with its neighbours. They did not need the land that they had captured, and the exchange of land for peace could have happened. Just look at the peace deal reached between Egypt and Israel in 1979. As the BBC reported, what led to peace between the countries was that "Israel withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula".

Let us remember that only 10 or so years earlier, the Arab leaders had proudly declared "no peace, no recognition and no negotiation with Israel". What this essentially showed was that peace was actually possible. If they had followed suit with the Golan Heights and the now called Palestinian territories, the political landscape in the Middle East could have been very different.

Problems emerge

However, it didn't and what followed was bad decision after bad decision. It is important to note the religious connotations that followed the end of the war. I mentioned earlier the miraculous element and this is what was firmly seen by a number of people in Israel as a biblical war. This belief that all of the land was theirs was echoed by right wing politician Miri Regev who stated, as the Guardian newspaper reported, that the land captured was at the "heart of the greater land of Israel".

It was this that led to the construction of settler homes in the occupied territories; this belief that all the land was for the Jews as 'promised' by God led to what we have now. A process which began in 1968 has now led to a situation where in 2015 there were at least 386,000 settlers in the West Bank. In addition to not exchanging land for peace and the biblical aspect, another bad decision was Israel's failure to effectively deal with the Palestinian people. Angered at the fact that they were left isolated and alone, it was this sentiment that led to the rise of groups such as the Hamas movement.

Where we are today

What is interesting is where we are today. As I stated in the opening paragraph, the nature of the war is actually forgotten and what is remembered is the consequences of the war itself; namely the land it attained.

Whilst they were in a favourable position in the aftermath of the war, their failure to capitalise on that is a major contributor to where we are today. Fraction, terrorism, divide and stalemate are the key words in current environment. But it could have been so different. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. If only they could have known what was to come fifty years ago.
It's been just two days since Donald Trump decided to fire James Comey as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and he's scrambling to defend himself from critics. After a series of tweets on the matter at hand, the president decided to open up on camera.

Trump on Comey

With just weeks remaining in the 2016 presidential election, FBI Director James Comey changed the direction of the race. Hillary Clinton was holding a comfortable lead in most polls, and the scandal surrounding her use of a private email server during her time as Secretary of State was in the past.

Clinton had been cleared of any wrongdoing by the FBI, as well as several investigations finding no credible evidence of illegal activity. Despite this, Comey brought the issue up once again less than a month before Election Day, and it was all Donald Trump needed to shift the momentum in his favor. While there are many factors for why Trump came out victorious, Democrats and liberal critics point to the Comey decision for when the tide shifted. However, since his election, Comey has been more of a thorn in the side of Republicans than Democrats, as he's been the person in charge of investigating what role Russia played in the election, and if they were in cahoots with the Trump campaign. As reported by NBC News on May 11, Trump is elaborating further on his view of the situation.

BREAKING: I was going to fire Comey anyway, Pres. Trump tells @LesterHoltNBC in exclusive interview at White House https://t.co/MAmo1PE1RL  NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) May 11, 2017

Sitting down for an interview with NBC Nightly News host lester holt on Thursday, Donald Trump didn't hold back his thoughts on James Comey and the controversy surrounding his recent termination.

"Look, hes a grandstander, a showboat, Trump said in reference to the now former FBI director. "The FBI has been in turmoil. You know that. I know that. Everybody knows that," he continued.

.@LesterHoltNBC BREAKING: Pres. Trump tells @LesterHoltNBC that he specifically asked former FBI Director Comey if he was under investigation.  NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) May 11, 2017

"I was going to fire Comey.

My decision," Donald Trump said, before adding, "I was going to fire him regardless." Lester Holt then brought up the letter Trump wrote to James Comey about his firing, specifically the part about the FBI director informing the president that he wasn't under investigation, claiming he was told on three different occasions.

Comey convo

"He told me that. I have heard that from others," Donald Trump said, before claiming he was told by James Comey during a dinner meeting that he wasn't being investigated. In regards to the two other occasions the two spoke, Trump said they both occurred during separate phone calls. Holt pushed back at the former host of "The Apprentice," noting that Comey swore under oath that an investigation was taking place, but Trump simply brushed off the allegations.
It's no secret that the mainstream media and the Donald Trump administration don't often see eye to eye. After Kellyanne Conway was interviewed by Anderson Cooper earlier this week, the feud between both sides only intensified.

Conway on Cooper

When Donald Trump announced his plan to run for president back in June 2015, he did so while labeling illegal immigrants from Mexico as "rapists" and "murderers." The media quickly reacted accordingly, pushing back at the former host of "The Apprentice" over his controversial remarks and setting the stage for a war of words that continues until present day.

Trump would routinely bash the press on the campaign trail, referring to journalists as "the worst people" he's ever met. Since being elected, Trump has gone on to call any reports he doesn't agree with as "fake news," while members of his administration have backed him up and pushed the White House narrative against the media ever since. Out of all the Trump advisers and associates to get into it with press, Kellyanne Conway has been the one who has seen her name end up in the headlines the most. Despite her best effort, Conway has often found herself on the wrong side of the story, infamously coining the phrase "alternative facts," while once citing the fake "Bowling Green Massacre" as part of her defense of the "Muslim ban" executive order.

As seen on Fox News on May 11, Conway ripped into CNN host Anderson Cooper for rolling his eyes at her during an interview earlier this week.

Joining the crew of "Fox & Friends" on Thursday morning, Kellyanne Conway opened up about her recent interview with CNN host Anderson Cooper.

While the consensus was that Conway failed to defend Donald Trump over his decision to fire James Comey as director of the FBI, Fox News and members of the right-wing media have shifted the narrative into an attack on Cooper.

After complaining that Anderson Cooper played clips of Donald Trump's apparent hypocrisy over his feelings on James Comey, Kellyanne Conway went on to accuse the host of sexism, while taking a shot at Hillary Clinton in the process.

"Hillary Clinton is in search of sexism as a lame excuse for why her disastrous candidacy and campaign lost six months ago," Conway said.

"I face sexism a lot of times when I show up for interviews like that," Kellyanne Conway went on to say in regards to Anderson Cooper. "Can you imagine rolling your eyes. Having a male anchor on a network roll eyes at Hillary Clinton?" she wondered.

Moving forward

While Donald Trump and his team continue to battle it out with the media, it appears as if the rift between both sides is not going to improve anytime soon. With just a 40 percent approval rating, Trump is in a position where the American people are not on his side just four months into his presidency.
A couple from Oregon is accused of killing and neglect after their newborn daughter died. Police believe they deliberately failed to seek medical attention for the apparently ill baby, this according to a press release from the sheriff in Clackamas County, just outside of Portland. The young couple of 24 and 21 years are denying any guilt at a hearing yesterday.

Breathing Problems

On March 5, the 24-year-old mother gave birth to twins, both girls, at her Parents' home. Midwives and family were present during the birth, as well as several members of the Followers of Christ Church who strictly forbid members to seek medical help and instead believe prayer, hand laying, and oils will heal the sick.

One of the babies had breathing problems shortly after birth and died after a few hours. Only after the girl was dead, a church leader who was present contacted the authorities -- the 911-emergency number was never called.

According to the doctor who examined the dead baby, the girl was born prematurely and had complications with the lungs and oxygen intake and would have a better chance of surviving if she received medical assistance. The survivor's twin, Evelyn, was sent to the hospital after the parents were convinced by the police to do so. It's unclear who has custody of her. Three months later, the police investigation is completed and the prosecution has taken place. The couple has been imprisoned.

The sister convicted

Followers of Christ Church, who mainly have a foothold in Oregon and Oklahoma, have repeatedly been in the public eye, after several other cases where infants have died due to lack of medical treatment; According to Oregon's Supreme Court, child mortality in the congregation is 26 times greater than in the rest of the population.

According to the police, the grandmother's older sister and husband in 2011 were found guilty of killing their newborn son, who died nine hours after the birth in 2009. The couple, including the members of the Free Church, were given a sentence of six years in prison. Oregon has recently amended the legislation so that it is possible to punish parents who refuse children's medical assistance in favor of prayer.

In neighboring Idaho, parents are still free to choose this on behalf of the children.

Do you think that the parents should be charged and convicted in the baby's death? Should they have sought medical help in addition to prayer?
Immediately after North Korea tested its new type of cruise missile, South Korea formally agrees the pending deal with the U.S. over the THAAD installation. The deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system became a huge issue when new South Korean President Moon Jae-In revealed that he wasn't aware of the entirety of the installation deal. However, all were put aside after Pyongyang tested a batch of four cruise missiles into the Korean peninsula.

What is the position taken by the new South Korean President over the THAAD system?

In a press briefing, South Korean National Security Head Chung Eui-yong stated that Moon's administration has no intention of changing anything that is promised under the U.S. - Korean alliance. He also added that the South Korean government relies on the deployment of Thaad to help in protecting the country from possible strikes coming from North Korea.

The reported Seoul's acceptance of the THAAD deal was broadcast by the Yonhap network, saying that the decision to install THAAD was to protect South Korea and the U.S. forces. This decision will not be easily changed just because of a change in government.

Many South Korean citizens are unhappy with the deployment of the THAAD system.

Some say that the U.S. is simply reinforcing its strength in South Korea with the deployment of THAAD under the guise of mutual defense.

What is the position made by the United States over Pyongyang's missile tests?

The U.S. State Department issued an meeting agenda between Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that the actions of North Korea justifies the installation of the THAAD system and that it is needed to protect U.S.

forces, its allies and to strengthen the region.

Japan on the other hand, began to exert more military support for the coalition against North Korea. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed with the U.S. to enforce stricter sanctions on North Korea, a move that angered Pyongyang to the point of refusing humanitarian aid coming from South Korea in protest against the sanctions.

The tension in North Korea is growing worse every month as the missile development is gaining pace. U.S. President Donald Trump said that he will not allow North Korea to gain the capability of striking the United States with a nuclear tipped ICBM. A preemptive strike may be the only solution to end the North's belligerence, an eventuality that may pit the United States with Pyongyang's only ally, China.
As Pro-Assad Syrian forces gain the upper hand against ISIS, U.S. backed rebels are slowly disheartened by America's apparent refusal to ouster Assad. This is after the United States Military apparent shift of attention from helping the rebels regain Syria to defeating ISIS first. At the moment, most of the US. backed forces are tied up in Raqqa as the fight to capture it rages on.

What is the reaction of Syrian rebels of the precedence of defeating ISIS?

Though many of the Syrian rebels have hoped that the United States will start a major move to end Assad's reign, some are slowly casting their doubts.

This is after the United States have seemingly restricted their intervention to places where U.S. personnel are located. Outside of areas like Al-Tanf, U.S. direct intervention is absent, which resulted in the unimpeded offensive of Assad's forces into large portions of ISIS territory in Syria.

According to a spokesperson for the Al-Mutasem brigade under the U.S. backed Syrian rebel forces, Mustafa Serjari, they want real efforts against Assad's regime to unify Syria not increase division. Some rebels are worried that the U.S. has different plans in Syria.

Another comment comes from Muzakhim al-Sallum, manager for Hammurabi's Justice Agency, a news publication tied with the U.S. backed rebel forces.

He said that the United States must step up its effort to protect the Syrian Rebels from Assad and Iran.

What is the United States' response to the issue?

The Pentagon issued a statement in response to the Syrian rebels expectations. The statement said that the U.S. is not in Syria to fight against Assad. Instead, it is training the Kurds and Syrian rebels to fight ISIS.

The Pentagon added that the coalition in Syria is not intended to fight Russian and pro-regime forces and that the strike at incoming Assad forces in Al-Tanf was a special case.

Defeating ISIS is the main goal of the coalition in Syria and not a new nation-building project. However, this statement may prove distasteful for the rebels who are hoping that the United States will help them gain independence from a brutal regime.

This might be the workings of another disenfranchised Middle Eastern group, promised help by the United States and suddenly feeling abandoned. It is not sure what the United States' role will be in Syria after the defeat of ISIS, but it is sure that the Syrian civil war that has claim hundreds of thousands of lives will still be raging then.
Helen E. (Erlien) Irwin, 92, of Chippewa Falls, comfortably passed to her new life at Our House, Assisted Care for Seniors in Chippewa Falls Wednesday, June 7, 2017.

She was born Aug. 30, 1924 in Strum, Wis. Helen was the third eldest of eight children born to Joseph and Ellen Erlien. She grew up on the family farm located on the south side of that city. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Pauls Lutheran Church.

She went to her first day of school only speaking Norwegian. It was at Johnson Valley School, a one-room-school-house, in Strum that Helen learned to speak English. She graduated from Lincoln Hill High School, Osseo, in 1941. After graduation, she spent time in Chicago working as a nanny.

Returning back to the Chippewa Valley after World War II, she worked at a little corner grocery store in Eau Claire and met her future husband at a popular dance hall. Roland Speed Irwin and Helen married July 6, 1948, in Stillwater, Minn. Speed and Helen spent the next 54 years making memories.

Between work and kids, they spent their free time traveling, dancing, camping, hiking, boating, motorcycle riding, snowmobiling, fishing, and hunting. Most years, Helen would get her deer first. (She was a very patient hunter and would sit under a tree and wait for the deer to come to her). Their kids are thankful for the many years of camping and traveling the family did together. Although it wasnt until decades later, their kids appreciated the stops to read every historical marker along the way.

Helen and Speed were charter members of Faith Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls.

Helen started work at the Northern Center for the Developmentally Disabled when their youngest child went off to school. She worked there for over 25 years and retired as a purchasing agent in the business office in 1985. After retirement, Helen and Speed continued their travels and made new friends all across the country. Their love of nature brought them to Day Lake in northern Wisconsin where they spent time as campground hosts. Their love of nature also brought them to Arizona where they spent many years traveling the deserts and back country in their camper, eventually wintering in Apache Junction. Their love of veterans brought them to the Disabled American Veterans Volunteer Transportation Network VA Medical Center where they worked as volunteers.

An avid rock-hound, Helen could spend days picking up rocks and marveling at their history. If she wasnt searching for rocks, you could always find her with pencil and a Sudoku, crossword puzzles and word finds in hand. As she grew older, she enjoyed an occasional trip to a casino. Helen was quite lucky!

Halloween was a fun holiday for Helen. She always met trick-or-treaters at the door in costume. After all the kids went home and to bed, she and her good friend Mickey Johnson would go out and do a little trick-or-treating of their own.

Those who knew Helen well knew there was a lot going on behind her quiet, mannerly presence.

She is survived by her four children, Barbara (Jim) Dilts of Davenport, Iowa, Patricia Rich of West Linn, OR., Danny Irwin of Eau Claire, and Peg (Jake) Leinenkugel of Chippewa Falls; eight grandchildren, Lisa (Ruben) Perez of Davenport, Iowa, Tammy McCay of West Linn, Amber (Mike) Lagow of Neillsville, Eric Irwin of Chippewa Falls, Matt (Libby) Leinenkugel of Chippewa Falls, Kirk Leinenkugel of Chippewa Falls, Christopher C.J. (Caitlin) Leinenkugel of Excelsior, Minn., and Ellie Leinenkugel of Scottsdale, Ariz.; twelve great-grandchildren, Marisa and Antonio Perez, Connor, Sarah and Ella McCay, Anna Marie, Katie and Brady Kunsman, Eli Lagow, Kiara, Elin and Clarke Leinenkugel; one great-great-grandchild, Margaret Jean Lagow. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Ione (Everett) Erlien of Janesville and Nancy (Palmer) Erlien of Chippewa Falls; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roland Speed Irwin; sisters and brothers, Marion Winess, Melba (Jule) Rosholm, and Edwin Erlien, all of Strum, Everett Erlien of Janesville, Palmer Erlien of Chippewa Falls, and Milton and Harold (Rojean) Erlien, both of Janesville.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. (today) Saturday, June 10, at Prairie View Cemetery, Village of Lake Hallie, Chippewa County, Wis. to celebrate Helens new life. The Rev. William Plautz will be officiating. An Ice Cream Social (Helen loved sweets, Leinenkugels Honey Weiss and milk) in Helens honor will be held at Loopys Grill & Saloon, 10691 County Hwy X, Chippewa Falls, Wis. 54729 at 2 p.m. following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Roland and Helen Irwin Endowment Fund for clean waterways at the Community Foundation of Chippewa County.

Helens family thanks the entire staff of Our House for their loving care of their mother and HSHS St. Josephs Hospital Hospice for their support, care and guidance during their mothers last months.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, Chippewa Falls is serving the family. Visit pedersonvolker.com to express online condolences.
Texas Legislators have failed to take concrete steps to address the states sudden rise in the Maternal Mortality Rate just months after researchers discovered it has the highest in the U.S. and the developed world.

Lawmakers presented bills that would address the issue after a study by the University Of Maryland showed that the states pregnancy-related deaths increased at an alarming rate of more than100 percent between 2010 and 2012. But several important measures recommended did not survive in the vote, owing to Republican infighting over the issues.

Alarming mortality rate

AP quoted  Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, a Republican, as saying "We had a chance to move the needle and we really failed to do so...certainly, as we develop in medicine, we can do better to take care of women in today's society versus past societies. I'm very disappointed."

Legislators will have to wait until 2019 before reconvening to discuss the bill as this years season has come to an end.

Kolkhorst presented a measure with massive support that would have lengthened the Texas Maternal Mortality Task Force's life span to 2023 from its present 2019 validity date. The extension would have allowed a close analysis and careful examination by the committee of doctors into the root causes of pregnancy related deaths.

Research findings

The task force came into being in 2013 to undertake a study on what was already believed to be an alarming maternal death rate by lawmakers. Research conducted by the University of Maryland found that Texas had the highest maternal mortality rate in the United States and elsewhere. The research also shows that apart from Mexico, the death rate in the state was higher than that of countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

This information came from comparison studies of their annual maternal mortality rate reports. There was no further explanation from that study for the reasons of the mortality.

Extended mandate

It is important for us to undertake a careful examination of the root causes and preventive measures of many mother to child fatalities in Texas, Lisa Hollier, the task forces chairwoman said on the extension of the mandate of the force.

The comprehensive reviews we are conducting are necessary for understanding the real causes of deaths, Hollier said. She further explained that though her committee has discovered that cardiac complications are major causes of maternal mortality, that alone, does not lead to clear information that would warrant appropriate intervention programs.
After days of fighting against ISIS taking hold of Marawi city in the southern island of the Philippines, U.S. Spec Ops will finally jump into the scene. The U.S. entrance to this conflict was requested by the Philippine government in hopes to expedite the lifting of the siege and train government troops on how to handle urban warfare as well.

The South China Morning Post reported that a U.S. embassy spokesperson in Manila said, At the request of the government of the Philippines, US special operations forces are assisting the AFP with ongoing operations in Marawi that help AFP commanders on the ground in their fight against Maute and ASG militants,

How did the siege of Marawi city begin?

On May 24, local terrorist groups called the Maute and the Abu Sayyaf in cooperation with ISIS fighters from Indonesia, Y, men and other middle eastern countries suddenly pounced on the city of Marawi and held it hostage.

The Philippine Army were surprised by the sudden takeover but quickly responded to the attack with force.

Immediately, the entire city became a battleground while more than 2,000 were stuck in the crossfire after thousands were evacuated. The Philippine army were concerned by the strength of the group and how well armed they are.

The preparedness to resist the ISIS forces became a problem for government forces, which are still not able to effectively handle urban conflict. In response to this predicament, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared Martial law in the entire southern island of Mindanao and ordered the army to focus all resources on expelling the terrorist group. Since then, the Philippine army has been stuck in a stalemate with ISIS forces that still hold a quarter of the city.

Watch footage of the battle below

How will the United States help with the terrorist takeover?

According to a Philippine army spokesperson, they have requested assistance from the United States concerning the ongoing operations in Marawi city. He added that the United States will provide technical support to Philippine troops.

At the moment, no U.S. soldiers have been deployed but according to reports on site, a US P3 Orion surveillance aircraft has flown over the area.

The request for assistance came as a surprise for many, especially with the stringent stand of President Duterte against U.S. intervention in his local policies against drugs. His "colorful" choice of words targeted at key U.S.

officials and even to the former U.S. President Obama soured the relationship between the two countries.

However, with this event, it seems that the Philippines still needs the moral and technological support of the United States, a country that had helped the Philippines rebuild from the desolation it suffered after the destructive years of the second world war.
Thursday, June 8, at Prudential Hall, in Newarks New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) put on quite a concert for an under-attended but boisterous matinee crowd. Powerhouse Maestra Xian Zhang led with steely finesse a searing Shostakovich Fifth Symphony and, with veteran soloist Yefim Bronfman, a robust, yet sublime reading of Brahms Second Piano Concerto. Afterward, Xian Zhangin an exclusive interview with Blasting News, from the comfort of her backstage dressing roomgave fascinating insights on both works, a generous gesture as she was very jet-lagged from her arrival from Milan just this Tuesday.

WATCH: Check out this preview of the #NJSO Season Finale with @YefimBronfman & @Moxianzhang! Get your tickets today! https://t.co/QJLgT6A0un  New Jersey Symphony (@NJSymphony) May 31, 2017

'Fima' a favorite

With Brahms, conductor Xian Zhang and soloist Yefim Bronfman exuded deep mutual respect. Backstage, she enthused over her prior performances with Fima; with practically encyclopedic recall she rattles off the when's and where's and who-were-there's. With some players it almost feels like youre actually breathing together. Fimas decisions during rehearsals and performances are very wise. With some soloists she has to work harder, but with him it really feels like play.

Enthusiastic audience

Numerous audience members spontaneously applauded the grand final flourish of the concertos magisterial opening movement.

Yefim Bronfman, from the bench, acknowledged the accolade mouthing thank you while sweetly blowing a kiss to the audience. Fewer applauded when the second movement ended just about as grandly, so Xian Zhang turned from the podium briefly and motioned as if to elicit more. I dont mind applause between movements, she said backstage, not at all.

In fact I encourage it. So now we know where she stands on that controversial topic.

Robust, sublime pianism

Brahms concerto certainly is a workout. Yefim Bronfman makes it seem so easy, dispatching two-handed trills and massive octaval chords up and down the keyboard, in passages alternating between robust bombast and sublime ethereality of the finest filigree, a la Chopin.

During a curtain call, Mr. Bronfman took a special bow with Principal Cellist Jonathan Spitz. And no wonder. The opening of the concertos third movement with its warm cello solo morphing into a piano duet is breathtaking in both artists hands.

A question of balance

In the final two minutes of Shostakovichs Fifth Symphonys finale, violins play a seemingly endless ostinato of pulsating high As, ever slicing away in dissonance to the main melodic themes. Thats what Shostakovich called forced rejoicing, Xian Zhang explains, lunging forward in her seat on the sofa, and rhythmically pounding the granite coffee table with her right fist. Its like having a stick and beating someone and telling them: You will be happy or I will keep beating you.

Introductory comments

Cellist Frances Rowell provided commentary before the program.

She explained that with his Fifth Symphony, Shostakovich thumbed his nose at Joseph Stalin because the dictator, two years earlier, had dissed Shostakovichs opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, calling it too modern, among numerous other less-pleasant epithets. Stalin tried to destroy him. The Fifth Symphony was his riposte, saying, Okay, if you want it all stodgy and old-fashioned, heres what I can do while wearing that corset.

Incandescent, explosive symphony

Shostakovichs symphonys first movement contains the requisite Soviet military march, with rat-a-tat-tapping snare drum, thundering timpani and crashing cymbals. But the music obviously sneers: the composer allows a tubby tuba to carry the melody with none-too-heroic verve.

The second movement is a massive landler-with-a-hiccup in the best Mahlerian style. The largos shimmering violin tremolo creates suspense for subsequently wailing cellos, obviously mourning a deeply-felt loss, to gut-wrenching effect. If done correctly, says Xian Zhang, it should make you weep. And this definitely happened Thursday. The fourth-movement finale virtually explodes with searing sonorities, braced by seven percusores percussing on 12 percussion instruments, including bass drum, tam-tam, bells, xylophone and celeste.

DYK: At the premiere of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5, audience gave a 30 min standing ovation! Get 50% off tickets! https://t.co/BW3UUbHmS3 pic.twitter.com/hJMZVjgrwD  New Jersey Symphony (@NJSymphony) June 7, 2017

Where to next?

After repeating the concert program Friday, June 9Sunday, June 11, Xian Zhang is off to Beijing. There she leads Chinas National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra and American soprano Renee Fleming in a June 24th concert of opera arias, art songs and Broadway show tunes. The program includes several numbers that Ms. Fleming spectacularly performed Nov. 4, 2016, at NJPAC, when she appeared with chief collaborator, pianist Gerald Martin Moore. Three continents in two weeks --how can the maestra overflow with energy against so much jet lag?

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, through June 11, NJPAC, 1 Center Street, Newark, N.J., and elsewhere.
Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 8, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was expanded for the first time at the two-day summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, with the inclusion of India and Pakistan. The inclusion of the two major regional countries in the SCO demonstrates the organization's growing appeal.

After the expansion, the eight-member bloc will cover nearly half of the world's population and three-fifths of the Eurasian continent, which will greatly boost its role of promoting regional stability and prosperity.

Since its establishment in 2001, the SCO has faced numerous detractors and critics, who have questioned its motives and principles. Yet the organization's steadfast commitment to peace and economic growth in some of the world's most volatile countries has remained unshaken.

The reason for that is the SCO member states' shared need to maintain peace and security in the region, as well as foster faster economic development. These common interests outweigh the differences in their political systems, cultures, social compositions and levels of development.

With their inclusion in the SCO at the Astana meeting, which ended on Friday, India and Pakistan can more extensively share anti-terrorism intelligence with the other partners in the bloc. And given its mature multilateral mechanism, the SCO will help the two countries improve mutual trust and enable them to work together to combat their common enemyterrorism.

Moreover, the SCO could also serve as a platform to promote the two countries' common need for economic and trade development, especially under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative framework.

Since "comprehensive cooperation at all levels as part of the regional integration process is unstoppable, India cannot keep itself from this general trend for too long, it will come and join (the Belt and Road Initiative) ... sooner or later", said Sun Zhuangzhi, secretary-general of the SCO Research Center affiliated to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

And as Sheng Shiliang, a researcher at Xinhua Center for World Affairs Studies, said: "The SCO has never been just a security group. The Belt and Road Initiative offers a timely and convenient framework for the SCO members to facilitate connectivity and ultimately, achieve free flows of goods, capital, service and technology."

The impressive performance of the SCO over the past 16 years deserves greater global confidence in its ability to dispel doubts and bridge differences.

Now that President Xi Jinping and the leaders of other SCO member states have wrapped up the Astana meeting after expanding the bloc's membership, the world can expect the organization to more comprehensively promote regional unity in the quest for a more secure and prosperous future.

The author is a writer with Xinhua News Agency.
DUBAI/DOHA - Four Arab states that cut ties with Qatar this week over its alleged support of terrorism on Friday designated dozens of groups and individuals with alleged links to Qatar as "terrorists" - intensifying a rift that threatens the region's stability.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain branded as terrorists 59 people, including Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader Yousef al-Qaradawi.

Their joint statement also listed 12 entities, among them Qatari-funded charities Qatar Charity and Eid Charity, as having terrorist links.

The announcement intensifies the diplomatic and economic campaign to isolate Qatar, a small Gulf Arab state which is a critical global supplier of gas and hosts the largest US military base in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE listed scores of organizations in a 2014 spat with Qatar.

Qatar dismissed the latest move by its neighbors, saying it "reinforces baseless allegations that hold no foundation in fact".

"Our position on countering terrorism is stronger than many of the signatories of the joint statement - a fact that has been conveniently ignored by the authors," the Qatari government said in a statement.

Qatar said it leads the region in attacking what it called "the roots of terrorism" by giving young people hope through jobs, educating hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees and providing funding for community programs to challenge extremist agendas.

The four Arab states severed relations with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of supporting extremists and their arch-adversary Iran - charges Qatar rejects. Several other countries later followed suit.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of a regional security summit in Kazakhstan, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif that maintaining peace and stability in the Gulf is in the best interests of all concerned parties.

Wang said Beijing hopes relevant countries can appropriately resolve the dispute, adding that peace and stability in the Gulf accords with the common interests of both the region and the international community.

Other would-be mediators, including US President Donald Trump and Kuwait's ruling emir, have struggled to ease a crisis that Qataris said has led to a blockade of their nation.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has approved legislation on deploying troops in Qatar, signaling support for Doha in the region's greatest diplomatic crisis in years.

Erdogan, who has long tried to play the role of regional power broker, has said isolating Qatar would not resolve any problems and that Ankara would do everything in its power to help end the regional crisis and "will continue and develop" ties with Doha.

Reuters - China Daily - Xinhua

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani speaks to reporters in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday.Naseem Zeitoon / Reuters

(China Daily 06/10/2017 page8)
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WASHINGTON  There will be much for special counsel Robert Mueller to unpack after last weeks momentous testimony of James Comey: Did President Trumps actions amount to obstruction of justice? Did Attorney General Jeff Sessions violate his recusal from the Russia probe? Should Comey have acted sooner?

But such legal considerations, though important, miss the real significance of Comeys testimony heard-round-the-world. In the three hours I sat transfixed in Room 216 of the Hart Building, 15 feet behind the fired FBI director, the line that chilled me more than any other was Comeys account of why he wrote extensive, real-time notes of his conversations with Trump. The nature of the person, Comey explained in part. I was honestly concerned that he might lie about the nature of our meeting, and so I thought it really important to document.

The nature of the person.

This was the essence of Comeys testimony: that the president of the United States is, at his core, a dishonest and untrustworthy man. It was a judgment on character, not a legal opinion, and even Republicans on the Senate Intelligence Committee made no real attempt to dispel it.

By itself, its neither a high crime nor a misdemeanor for a president to be dishonorable. But its a stain on the country, and it defines this moment. This is why Trump cant get legislation through Congress or get allies to cooperate, and why so many worry he will disregard constitutional restraints. The president is not to be trusted.

The founders did not anticipate this, a defect not just of private misconduct (which weve seen before) but of public character. The process of election affords a moral certainty, Alexander Hamilton wrote in Federalist 68, that the office of president will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications. Talents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity, may alone suffice to elevate a man to the first honors in a single state; but it will require other talents, and a different kind of merit, to establish him in the esteem and confidence of the whole Union, or of so considerable a portion of it as would be necessary to make him a successful candidate for the distinguished office of president of the United States. It will not be too strong to say, that there will be a constant probability of seeing the station filled by characters pre-eminent for ability and virtue.

But the moral certainty of the Enlightenment broke down with the election of something more medieval. When Sen. Angus King, the Maine independent, asked Comey whether he took as a directive Trumps expressed hope that Comey drop the FBIs probe of ousted national security adviser Michael Flynn, Comey reached back to the words of 12th-century autocrat Henry II that led to the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket. Yes, Comey said, it rings in my ear as kind of, Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?

The former FBI chief and top official in the George W. Bush Justice Department was unsparing in his challenge to Trumps character, saying that Trumps administration chose to defame me and the FBI with lies  plain and simple. Comey noted that he never felt the need to document his conversations with Presidents Bush or Barack Obama, telling Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, that he got a gut feeling about Trump and the nature of the person that I was interacting with.

Republicans on and off the panel largely accept Comeys assessment of Trumps character. House Speaker Paul Ryan suggested that the presidents new at this and probably wasnt steeped in the long-running protocols. But, he added, Im not saying its an acceptable excuse.

Republicans on the committee defended Trump on some technical points but not on matters of integrity. Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, called Comeys testimony as good as it gets for legal writing and accepted that we know exactly what happened between him and Trump. Collins said Trump never should have cleared the room, and he never should have asked you, as you reported, to let it go  to let the investigation go.

Trump is growing lonely in his protestations of his own probity. Friday morning, he inexplicably claimed total and complete vindication. Trumps spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders vouched that the president is not a liar. I think its frankly insulting that that question would be asked.

No, whats insulting  to America  is that the question doesnt need to be asked. Comey, until last month the nations top lawman, confirmed what we already knew.
Unless you have been out of the country or have been living off the grid, you are aware that comedian Kathy Griffin has herself in a world of trouble. Ms. Griffin recently sent out a picture of herself holding the head of President Donald Trump. Unfortunately President Trumps head had been removed from his body.

There was an outcry, and Ms. Griffin apologized for going too far. People gave the usual spiel that this action was too outrageous, that President Trumps children, especially his 11-year-old son Barron, should not be exposed to this type of event, and so on and so forth. Ms. Griffin was fired from CNNs New Years Eve broadcast, and I am sure she will suffer other financial hardship.

Please excuse me if I was not offended. We had eight years of President Obama being lynched, his effigy being burned, his religion questioned, his country of birth questioned, and his children, Sasha and Malia, had to endure the same slings and arrows. Most of us knew something like this would happen to President Trump.

I know that a picture of you, standing with the presidents head hanging from your hand, is not cool. Neither is saying that you are going to grab women by their genitals, and those parents with young girls get to explain that statement from the president of the United States.

I will agree if you do that, things have gone too far. I will agree with you that Kathy Griffin is way out of line if you agree with me that Ted Nugent is way out of line. How is that for a start of a conversation? Can we meet in the middle?

However if you tell me that Ted Nugent is a great American patriot, I will tell you that Kathy Griffin has opened up a new world of dialog, and you snowflakes had better go back to your safe place with your mommy. See how this works? We can insult each other all day, but it goes nowhere.

The past few weeks have reminded me of a program on TV when I was growing up. The program began this way:

There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of mans fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone.

I think that is where we have landed. With a politician who is giving a beat-down to a reporter, with our president withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accords, with many of the presidents men being given the once-over by the FBI, I would say the Twilight Zone is where we belong.

In Wisconsin we are not much better off. The Legislature wants schools to teach gun safety when long ago the schools quit teaching drivers ed. The governor signed a bill giving huge water rights to farmers growing potatoes in a sandy soil that is not the best for growing potatoes. We have two folks in Appleton shooting things out in a bar. Also we now may have a woodchuck hunting season. Boy, every hunter I know wants to spend a nice summer afternoon shooting Jimmy the Groundhog or Punxsutawney Phil.

The Twilight Zone between science and superstition probably says it all. We are in a world right now where facts are not facts, where science is not science but political correctness where federal and state budgets are created with fantasy math. On the bright side, though, it looks like the city of Chippewa Falls Fire and Emergency Services Department may return to having a full time fire chief, there is an example of reality-based thinking.

The great American poet James Russell Lowell wrote, And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days and so it has. We have left the winter and enter now into summer. We deserve to get ourselves out of the Twilight Zone and move on to summer in Wisconsin, then perhaps, will come perfect days.
HA NOI  Domestic salt prices have been on the rise since the beginning of March, and many salt farmers have expressed their dissatisfaction after running out of salt during the price hike.

In southern Bac Lieu Province, the current buying price for salt has increased by 100 per cent from the beginning of this years salt harvest. In particular, black salt is selling at VN700 to VN900 (US$0.03 to $0.04) per kilogramme and regular salt at VN1,200 to VN1,300 per kilogramme, as compared to the VN500 to VN600 and VN250 to VN500 at the same time last year, respectively.

Nguyen Hoang Thua, deputy chairman of the Doanh ien Hamlet Salt Co-operative in Bac Lieu Province, reported that salt inventories at the co-operative and many other farms had been cleared. He also stated that despite the high demand and price, farmers were still not making much profit due to low productivity.

According to Vo Hoang Nghiep, a salt farmer from ong Hai District, Bac Lieu Province, the initial low price at the harvests beginning was too unappealing for farmers to produce a larger amount.

Another reason for decreased salt supply this year is the large amount of residual inventory from last harvest, which caused salt farmers to convert their salt farms to aquacultural farms, said Duong Chi Thanh, Deputy Head of Division at Bac Lieu provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Unfavourable weather conditions, such as a prolonged rainy season, further decreased supply by shortening harvesting time and limiting the coastal areas reserved for sea salt farming by 50 per cent compared to last year.

On estimate in Bac Lieu Province alone, the 2016 to 2017 salt harvest spanned only 1,700 hectares instead of the usual 2,300 hectares. Output is down by 30 per cent from the 2015 to 2016 harvest, currently at more than 165,00 tonnes.  VNS
The State management agencies and local authorities must be cautious with the real estate market performances and wary of a market bubble, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh inh Dung reiterated recently. Photo cafef.vn

HA NOI  The State management agencies and local authorities must be cautious with the real estate market performances and wary of a market bubble, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh inh Dung reiterated recently.

Although the property market is on a stable trend and contributed significantly to the countrys economic development after a protracted period, close watch must be placed on the market development, Dung said.

At the meeting late in May, Dung said that the Ministry of Construction and local authorities must enhance market watch to ensure the market develops on the right track, prevent crisis and ensure a sustainable growth.

Several days after, at a meeting on June 1, Dung requested those present to implement measures to ensure the stability and healthy development of the real estate market, adding that this was critical to ensure macro-economic stability.

Dung said that the property market development must be in line with the countrys housing development strategy, especially social housing development, urban, industrial zone and tourism development and balance of supply and demand.

Dung reiterated this during a Government meeting on June 3.

The Deputy Prime Ministers request was raised at a time when the land prices in HCM City soared in the recent months on rumours of new infrastructure projects that would benefit land prices.

Actions have been taken to calm down the land fever in the southern city. The construction ministry asked the HCM Citys public planning information and property agency to ensure transparency in its infrastructure projects.

On June 3, Directive 24/CT-TTg was issued about the solutions to promote growth to reach the economic targets in 2017, in which Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked the Ministry of Construction to closely watch the real estate market performances, actively raise measures to promote its healthy development, prevent speculation and unreasonable increases in prices and ensure the market transparency.

The State Bank of Viet Nam recently said that the credit growth for the real estate sector slowed down in the first five months of this year.

The Ministry of Housing and Real Estate Management Department under the construction ministry said that housing prices did not see significant increases in the period.  VNS
The Prime Minister has given the green light to the equitisation plan for Song a Corporation. Photo cafef.vn

HA NOI  The Prime Minister has given the green light to the equitisation plan for Song a Corporation.

Accordingly, it will be carried out by selling parts of the State-owned capital and issuing shares to increase its charter capital to VN4.5 trillion (US$198.3 million).

The plan allows the business to launch its initial public offering (IPO) of 450 million shares for VN10,000 each or $0.44, with the State retaining 229.5 million shares, making up 51 per cent of the charter capital, until the end of 2019.

State capital in the corporation will be reduced to below 50 per cent of the total charter capital in 2020.

Meanwhile, 822,000 preferential shares or 0.183 per cent of the charter capital will be sold to the companys staff and 135 million shares equivalent to 30 per cent of the charter capital to strategic investors. Over 84.7 million shares will be put up for public auction.

The Prime Minister authorised the Ministry of Construction to set up the criteria to choose strategic investors and asked Song a Corporation to handle land issues, pay annual land lease fees and implement the management and use of land, in line with relevant regulations.

The companys total labourers at the time of announcing the corporations value was 464 people, 412 of whom will move to work at Song a Corporation-Joint Stock Company, and the remainder will leave the company.

Some 55 State-owned companies were equitised in 2016. The country has targeted to equitise 137 State-owned enterprises in four ministries and branches, and 32 localities and four economic groups will be prioritised in the period between 2017 and 2020.  VNS
HA NOI Vietnamese food products have significantly increased their presence in world markets, but they remain unknown because they lack brand identification and consciousness in the consumers mind.

Urgent action would be required to change this situation, local and international experts said yesterday.

Leon Trujilo, an expert with the Netherlands Centre for Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI), told a seminar in Ha Noi that Viet Nam was a strong supplier of many agricultural products and foodstuff to the world, but global consumers were hardly aware of this.

There is a big gap between what Viet Nam is capable of and what the world knows about Viet Nam. Therefore, it is necessary to fill the gap by mapping out a strategic direction for brand building and promoting the image of the countrys food industry, Trujilo said.

Claudio Dordi, Technical Assistance Team Leader for the the EU-Viet Nam Multilateral Trade Assistance Project (EU-VN MUTRAP), told Viet Nam News that Europeans still dont have a particular perception of food products from Viet Nam, because the country mainly exports raw material or non-processed products.

Since you focus on exporting raw material rather than building up overall brand marketing and distribution strategies, the value remaining for Vietnamese firms is still limited, Dordi said.

He said Viet Nam needed to expand and upgrade the value chain for its food products especially those produced for export. But this would require a lot of investment in terms of technology, human resources as well as capital.

Trujilo remarked that while many localities and businesses embarked on building their own brands, the limited resources at their disposal, both in terms of personnel and finance, meant that the newly-generated brands remained small and non-competitive in the global market.

Brand identity

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Tran Quoc Khanh, said at the seminar that building a food brand strategy was part of a national branding programme targeting Viet Nams export goods in highly competitive fields.

The Vietnamese food industry has tremendous potential for growth, not only serving domestic demand but also in boosting the countrys exports, so it receives a lot of attention from the Government and relevant agencies, Khanh said.

Trujilo said the programme for building a brand strategy for Viet Nams food industry, being implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), the CBI and EU-VN MUTRAP, had basically completed its research and proposed the concepts of brand positioning, brand architecture and visual brand identity for the food industry.

Based on the results of surveys and opinions from experts, relevant associations and enterprises, the programme proposed a slogan for the food industry: "Viet Nam - the food basket of the world."

This slogan, together with an official visual brand identity expressed with meaningful graphics, would promote the image and increase recognition of Viet Nams food products in the world market, Trujilo said.

Late last year, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh inh Dung had issued a circular asking the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) to co-ordinate with ministries, agencies and associations to implement the programme on building a brand strategy for Vietnams food industry.

Soon after, a memorandum of understanding was signed by the MoITs Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency, the CBI and EU-VN MUTRAP.

Quality control

Dordi said that besides the designing and branding of products, firms would need to focus a lot on quality, which is a decisive factor for boosting exports.

In the last five years, we have been supporting different Vietnamese brands including Buon Me Thuot coffee, Vietnamese dragon fruit, mango and Phu Quoc fish sauce. One of the key elements we had to focus on is building up a quality control system for those products, Dordi told Viet Nam News.

Whenever firms decide to sell their products abroad, they must ensure that their products are of good quality. If you have a very good brand, but low quality product, you will definitely lose the market, Dordi said.

"Quality does not merely mean safety", he added, explaining that products should also meet customers tastes. "Besides focusing on a stronger branding strategy, local firms need to research cultural preferences, hobbies and buying habits of each type of customer in different markets," he said.  VNS
Many people in central Viet Nam battle with floods during the rainy season.

Two high school students, Luyen Huy Long and Tran Quang Thai, felt sad when they watched the news and saw people suffering in these floods.

So, they decided to make a special floating bed that they could use to get to safety.

They entered it in a national science competition and came third.

by Hong Van

The central region of Viet Nam is frequently hit by natural disasters, especially severe flooding. Every year, during the rainy season, which falls from May to November, the media broadcasts heartbreaking images of people struggling to survive the high waters that sweep away property and livelihoods.

Deeply touched by the losses, two high school students from the northern province of Hung Yen put their heads together and came up with a special bed, able to keep people afloat on water.

Luyen Huy Long, a 10th grader, and Tran Quang Thai, an 11th grader, from Hung Yen Specialised High School, won third prize at the National Technical and Science Competition in March this year for their lifesaving bed.

When I saw floods hitting the central region in 2016 on television and read about it online, I felt very upset. The haunting images of four kids stranded on bits of debris, and elderly people waiting for rescue on their bed, prompted me to do something to help in these disasters, said Long.

Given that a person spends one third of their life in bed, I came up with the idea of making one out of styrofoam so it could float on top of the flood, said Long.

When the annual science competition was announced, Long registered and was paired with Thai, who shared a common interest in science and engineering.

It took four months for the two students to translate their idea into a final product, a floating bed that could carry up to 945 kilograms of weight.

The most difficult part was incorporating all of our ideas into the design. Almost every day, we would meet up after school, spending hours discussing the project, said Long.

The product is very simple. It is literally a combination of a bed and sponge to keep it afloat. It is not highly technical, but the idea by the two students is highly humanitarian, physics teacher Nguyen Vu Anh Tuyet told Viet Nam News.

Tuyet provided some technical support to the enterprising youngsters.

With the universal physics programme students are equipped with a large amount of knowledge, for example from Archimedes principles of buoyancy, with which students can easily calculate the weight capacity of an object over a surface of water, said Tuyet.

We closely examined the balance of the bed, because in cases of flooding or heavy rain, high winds may make the bed unstable. The balance has to take this into account and be safe for users, said Tuyet.

The bed, which can carry between five and nine people at a time, is 2.1 metres long, 1.2 metres wide and about 40cm high. It floats thanks to four styrofoam layers. In emergencies one can tie the bed to a tree so it isnt swept away, said Thai.

Long said the idea of making a life raft is not new, but incorporating this with a bed means that every family can have one ready in their home. It can be changed and modified to become a lifesaving item with cheap and easily found materials like sponge and plastic bottles.

The product [Longs lifesaving bed] is highly applicable in real life. People in regions that are prone to flooding can buy or make floating beds from the simple materials in daily life. The Department of Science and Technology will help to register brand protection for this product, the antv.com.vn newspaper quoted Director of Hung Yens Department of Science and Technology, Ngo Xuan Thai, as saying,

In the flooding season, the bed can be attached to other single beds with joints to form a big panel that can keep people afloat, said Long.

Plastics may not be cheaper than wood, so we tried wood to start with and are thinking of seeking other materials that could be cheaper. Meanwhile, wood is also safe and popular with local people, said Thai.

As the ingenious lifesaving raft can be made from an existing bed, the total cost falls to just VN1.5 million (US$66), said Thai.

The project was not easy. During our initial testing we had to stand on the bed and float on cold water in winter.

We wanted to make sure it would survive in harsh conditions. So we had to make upgrades for unexpected factors, like strong winds or water currents, said Long.

Long said he would add four anchors to each corner of the bed to make it more stable for users. VNS

GLOSSARY

The central region of Viet Nam is frequently hit by natural disasters, especially severe flooding.

Natural disasters are disasters caused by nature, such as by floods, volcanic eruptions, landslides, avalanches, droughts and so on.

Severe means very heavy.

Deeply touched by the losses, two high school students from the northern province of Hung Yen put their heads together and came up with a special bed, able to keep people afloat on water.

To be touched means to be made to feel emotional about something.

The haunting images of four kids stranded on bits of debris, and elderly people waiting for rescue on their bed, prompted me to do something to help in these disasters, said Long.

Haunting images are sights that are frightening.

Debris is junk that is floats in the wind or in the water and ends up landing somewhere in a mess.

When the sight of the elderly people prompted Long to do something, it caused him to act. It was as if a button was pressed inside him.

Given that a person spends one third of their life in bed, I came up with the idea of making one out of styrofoam so it could float on top of the flood, said Long.

Styrofoam is a type of material that floats

When the annual science competition was announced, Long registered and was paired with Thai, who shared a common interest in science and engineering.

If a competition is annual it takes place every year.

To register for the competition means to put your name down for it.

It took four months for the two students to translate their idea into a final product, a floating bed that could carry up to 945 kilograms of weight.

To translate an idea into a final product means to make it something that people can see and feel.

The most difficult part was incorporating all of our ideas into the design.

Incorporating means including.

It is literally a combination of a bed and sponge to keep it afloat. It is not highly technical, but the idea by the two students is highly humanitarian, physics teacher Nguyen Vu Anh Tuyet told Viet Nam News.

If something is described as literally being a bed-sponge combination it is exactly as these words describe it.

A combination means two or more things put together.

If the students idea is humanitarian it aims to help people, especially those in need of help. Tuyet provided some technical support to the enterprising youngsters.

People who are enterprising come up with ideas and have the energy and drive to make them happen.

With the universal physics programme students are equipped with a large amount of knowledge, for example from Archimedes principles of buoyancy, with which students can easily calculate the weight capacity of an object over a surface of water, said Tuyet.

The Archimedes principle of buoyancy is a scientific principle to do with things that float.

It can be changed and modified to become a lifesaving item with cheap and easily found materials like sponge and plastic bottles.

If something is modified it is changed so that it is suitable for the present rather than for the past.

The product [Longs lifesaving bed] is highly applicable in real life.

If something is applicable in real life it is suitable and useful for real life situations.

People in regions that are prone to flooding can buy or make floating beds from the simple materials in daily life.

If regions are prone to flooding, floods could easily happen there.

 The Department of Science and Technology will help to register brand protection for this product, the antv.com.vn newspaper quoted Director of Hung Yens Department of Science and Technology, Ngo Xuan Thai, as saying,

Brand protection means making sure that no one else can copy what you have designed nor use the name you have given to it and then make money from it.

As the ingenious lifesaving raft can be made from an existing bed, the total cost falls to just VN1.5 million (US$66), said Thai.

Ingenious means clever.

WORKSHEET

State whether the following sentences are true, or false:

Tran Quang Thai is one grade higher than Luyen Huy Long at school. Nguyen Vu Anh Tuyet is a teacher. The National Technical and Science Competition is held only every three years. Tran Quang Thai and Luyen Huy Longs bed can carry between five and nine people at a time. The rainy season in t he central region of Viet Nam is from January to June.

ANSWERS:

 Duncan Guy/Learn the News/ Viet Nam News 2017

1. True; 2 True; 3. False; 4. True; 5. False.
HCM CITY  Floods in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta are expected to occur earlier this year due to higher than average rainfall, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Besides the heavier rainfall, the water levels measured in the Mekong riverhead during the dry season were 0.45 - 0.55 metres higher than average, according to the centre.

By the end of next month, water levels at Tan Chau and Chau oc stations are expected to be 2.5 - 3 metres high.

This years flood peak is expected to occur in the first half of October, at levels 2 and 3 (Tien River in Tan Chau station, from 4.0 to 4.5m; and Hau River at Chau oc station from 3.5  4.0m).

The 2017 flood peak is expected to be nearly the same as last year and previous years.

However, there is a risk of floods rising faster than normal this year, due to heavy rains occurring for many days in the upper reaches of the Mekong river, the centre said.

Early flooding could occur in Tan Hung and Vinh Hung districts in Long An Province and some riverside areas in An Giang and ong Thap provinces.

Le Thanh Tung, deputy head of the southern office of the Cultivation Department, said that farmers might not be able to harvest rice before the floods arrive.

To minimise the damage caused by the floods, the centre has recommended that localities closely monitor the hydrological situation in the Mekong Basin via media reports.

Meanwhile, the northern and central regions could face forest fires in the dry season this year, according to the centre.

The Viet Nam Administration of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has also warned about the risk of forest fires in many localities.  VNS
By Trong Kien

Too little, too late.

How often have we heard this said of a political response to a grave crisis  national, regional or international? So often that it has become standard modus operandi; one that, unfortunately, is accepted and tolerated.

By many scientists accounts, this pithy analysis applies to both international responses to the gravest threat facing the earth, and therefore humankind, today: climate change. The two international responses: Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement.

Both were pitifully inadequate in meeting the real scale of the problem, but when the second largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in the world pulled out of this already anaemic effort, it was the prophetic words of Marx that came to mind: History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.

Since farce is no excuse for inaction, the world should not waste more time lamenting about US President Trumps unilateral withdrawal from the Paris accord.

The Paris deal, in which international community pledges to keep the increase in global temperatures below 2 degrees Celcius over pre-industrial levels, is not a silver bullet, but we have to make a start somewhere.

That said, it should be noted that the so-called developed countries only reached their exalted status after centuries of over-exploitation of their own natural resources and that of other countries through outright plunder (colonialism and imperialism) and worse. So the greater onus for fighting climate change, including funding thereof, is on them.

All in all, in the name of progress, uncountable tonnes of harmful gases have been released into the atmosphere, driving up the greenhouse effect. The phenomenon itself is life-giving; it is what keeps the Earth from turning into a dead, cold lump of rock. But by exponentially accelerating the process, fossil fuel based industrialisation has perverted this natural and positive phenomenon into one that could destroy life as we know it.

Basically, our lifestyle, the way we produce the food we eat, the drinks we consume, the modern conveniences we enjoy - the latest gadget in your hands, the computer Im writing this piece on, the air-conditioner in sweltering heat, and so on, are made at the detriment of life on this planet. This human-generated phenomenon is referred to as the anthropogenic greenhouse effect.

Is this lifestyle sustainable? This question has to be answered by the individual, the family, the neighbourhood, the locality, the country and the comity of nations. And at all levels, it involves tough choices.

As remarked earlier, developed countries must own up to their actions and take the responsibility to compensate for damages, to generously assist developing countries that have suffered the harshest consequences thus far, and are most vulnerable to the worst impacts of climate change.

Skewed priorities

I said earlier that we not waste time lamenting the USs pullout from the Paris Accord, but its actions and motivations should be placed in perspective.

The 59 Tomahawk missiles that were rained on Syria on a single night last April cost nearly a US$1 million each, and restocking the pile would require $60 million or more. Recent wars launched by the US, all of them unjustified, have cost more than a trillion dollars and counting.

But somehow, to American conservatives, a relatively paltry $1 billion (of a $3 billion package that former President Obama pledged to the United Nations Green Climate Fund as part of the Paris deal) that would help increase the chances for a few centuries of sustainable development is unfair to the US.

Do they know, or wilfully ignore, the fact that even if the full $3 billion were transferred, the per capita contribution to the GCF by the superpower US would still be much lower than other first world countries like Sweden, Norway or Japan?

Particularly hard hit

Developing countries, while right to expect climate change assistance from economically richer countries, need to make their own tough choices, too.

Viet Nam, with its 3,200km coastline, is witnessing first-hand the annihilating impacts of rising sea levels. It is estimated that 60,000 houses are claimed by the sea every year. A single storm and flood can wipe out a whole year worth of crops, and 60 per cent of rice farms in Mekong Delta are facing salt intrusion. People here have little doubt about climate change, because it is constantly staring them in the face.

But what are the specific policy choices that Viet Nam is making?

Is it doing anything to curb the growth of industries that are primary culprits in greenhouse gas emissions? The auto and livestock industries, for instance? Or are we promoting them, merely paying lip service to protecting the environment and adapting to climate change? Are we trying to reverse overexploiting of rapidly depleting resources like fertile soil and groundwater, or stepping it up through large-scale farming and other initiatives? Have we done anything serious to counter air and noise pollution?

While the leadership has clearly said that the environment will not be sacrificed at any cost, anywhere we look, it is business as usual. Which does not augur well for the effectiveness of our climate change response.

We should remember this: By 2025  thats is less than 8 years from today  1.8 billion people will experience absolute water scarcity, and two thirds of the world will be living under water-stressed conditions. Now it is feared that advancing drought and deserts, growing water scarcity and decreasing food security may provoke a huge tsunami of climate refugees and migrants. (IPS, June 2017)

All in it together

In the final analysis, climate change knows no border and one country cannot do it. But, like Bhutan, which has articulated a clear policy and made some tough lifestyle choices, a country can make a huge difference. We need to look beyond developed countries for answers, while holding their proverbial hand to the fire.

While fossil fuel is relatively cheap and easy at the moment, and most would like it to remain that way, its a finite resource, and green energy should take its place. Solar energy, geothermal and wind energy are all environmentally sounder alternatives.

Germany is the leading example of wind energy development and a commitment to renewables in general.

The electricity cost from renewables is more expensive for individual consumers (second highest in Europe) but an overwhelming 92 per cent of the German public is in favour of its long-term environmental benefits, so saying people are not willing to make tough choices is not a valid excuse.

While Washington may step down, Germany may step up, and EU can get an unlikely ally in China, which has apparently realised the exorbitant costs of trading the environment for development at breakneck speed for the past decades. Its good news to know that rogue state of Hawaii have exercised their muscles, defying Trump, to continue with climate change mitigation efforts, and its likely New York and other liberal states will follow its examples.

Some experts have said that in the current context, US companies involved in green energy might move their research and development centres to countries in Asia, which will support developing countries like Viet Nam in reaching renewable goals.

In return, the manufacturers for the world in the region might be used to make environmental-friendly and commercially viable products at relatively lower costs.

We have to persevere through the initial Luddites fear. After all, computers and hand-held phones were affordable to a select few when they were first produced, now they are virtually everywhere.

Not much time left

Scientists believe that it might be too late to stop the Antartica glaciers from melting, that rising seas could soon eat up coastal regions that are home to hundreds of millions of people, and that the warmer weather means more communicable diseases for crops, livestock and people.

With human population rising steadily towards an estimated 11 billion by 2020, the extreme weather phenomena, disease outbreaks, rising food and energy prices can also bring out extreme behaviour in people.

Several studies have linked climate change to increasing violence in the world. The formula is simple: more people fighting for scarcer resources.

Scientific and technological advances, now and in the future, can help, but cannot cover the sheer expanse of the spiralling crisis that we face.

On available evidence, we are virtually living on borrowed time.  VNS
QUANG NAM  Deputy Prime Minister Vu uc am yesterday lauded the central province of Quang Nam for building itself into one of the favourite tourism destinations in the country, overcoming several difficulties and advantages.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the sixth Quang Nam Heritage Festival in Tam Thanh Commune, he said the event had become a confluence of national and international culture, and a rendezvous for international friends.

He said the efforts made by the province to promote sustainable development of tourism over several decades was laudable.

The Deputy PM thanked UNESCO and other international organisations for their support in preserving the precious heritage sites of Hoi An Town, My Son Sanctuary and the world biosphere reserve of Cham Island-Hoi An.

inh Van Thu, Chaiman of the Quang Nam Peoples Committee, said the festival had become the provinces biggest cultural event.

This year, the week-long festival aimed to connect the heritages of Viet Nam and the world, he said.

A choir from Australia and a dance troupe from Orsan City in South Korea added sparkle to the opening ceremony with perfect performances, exhorting thousands of local residents and tourists to join them.

Also yesterday, local painters and volunteers created 2km-long road of painted coracles as an exhibition for the festival.

The road of painted coracles will feature daily life in the fishing village as well as the culture of Tam Thanh Commune, vice chairman of the Tam Ky Peoples Committee, Nguyen Minh Nam, told Viet Nam News..

The fishing village introduces the first ever community-based art space serving for tourism in Viet Nam. Artists had set up hundreds of coracle with watercolour paintings along coastal road and the Truong Giang River bank during the festival, he said.

He said the fishing village, with a population of 6,000, has become popular in the country and abroad because of the murals project in Trung Thanh Hamlet, marking it as a favourite eco-tourism site in the province.

Last year, the moss-covered walls of the village was decorated with colourful murals by the Korea Foundation Community Art Exchange Programme.

The murals, painted on the walls of 100 houses in the village, has portraits of villagers, local landscapes and regional panoramas.

An exhibition on the nations ocean heritage opened on the beach in Tam Thanh Commune yesterday.

The festival, which is held every five years, hosts 35 cultural events in Hoi An, mountainous areas and beaches of Quang Nam Province. It will run until next Wednesday.  VNS
Around 70 scholars and diplomats of ASEAN nations attend an international workshop named Geo-political transition in the Asia-Pacific and the half-century road of ASEAN held in Ha Noi on Friday.  VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Dan

HA NOI  A sense of regionalism was one of the greatest achievements of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) over the last five decades and will remain critical for its integration in the future, experts said during an international workshop named Geo-political transition in the Asia-Pacific and the half-century road of ASEAN held in Ha Noi on Friday.

Around 70 scholars and diplomats of ASEAN nations discussed and exchanged their views on what the largest bloc in the Asia-Pacific region has achieved since its establishment in 1967 and what challenges await it in the future.

The workshop was jointly organised by the ASEAN Institutes for Strategic and International Studies, the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the German Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.

Researcher Andrew Wiguna Manton from Indonesias Centre for Strategic and International Studies said that the ASEAN helps maintain stable regional order, pulling great powers like the United States or China into the regional habits and ways of communication, while at the same time creating a sense of regionalism.

ASEAN was originally formed of only five countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, at a time when disputes and conflicts shadowed the Southeast Asia region.

But all ten countries now hold hands together in a single organisation: ASEAN, said Vu Khoan, former Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister.

It marked one of the biggest changes in the region compared to half a century ago, when the region was doomed under Indochina wars, until 1991 with the Paris Peace Accords marking the end of the Cambodian war, Khoan said.

The picture was completely changed then. There were no longer wars between countries in the region, he said.

ASEAN outlook

ASEAN as a whole, Khoan said, would face economic hurdles in the near future.

Members of the regional bloc had enjoyed fast growth since the end of the 20th century, due to their quick integration into the third industrial revolution, restructuring their economies with the boom of information technology while embracing regionalism and taking advantage of globalisation trends, the former deputy PM said.

With the upcoming fourth industrial revolution, the question is whether ASEAN can get a hold of change when inventions and innovations are largely unseen in the region, he said.

ASEAN, which has benefitted much from open economics, will also have to figure out their economic stance as protectionism is surfacing as a new global trend.

Dr Suchit Bunbongkarn, a senior fellow at the Thailands Institute for Security and International Studies, pointed out that ASEAN is now trapped in a world of security uncertainties, with the heated Korean peninsula conflict in the Northeast Asia, the South China Sea dispute, the threat of terrorism, particularly the spread of the Islamic States in the Philippines and cybersecurity. The uncertainty of the United States security role in the Southeast Asia and the rise of China were among the top security concerns for ASEAN nations, he said.

On one hand, Chinese investment is beneficial in economic terms to the Southeast Asian mainland. On the other hand, it raises a serious concern among ASEAN members over the possible Chinese economic and cultural domination, Bunbongkarn said.

In such context, Khoan said, ASEAN members must try to balance their national and common interests.

In the times of conflicts, we should reach a common voice, a common interest. We all are on the same ASEAN boat. If the boat sinks, we all sink together, he said.  VNS
Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman L e Thi Thu Hang.  VNA/VNS Photo Van iep

HA NOI  Viet Nam hopes all parties involved in the diplomatic tensions between Qatar and some Persian Gulf states will set up a dialogue soon to seek measures to ensure interests of all sides, contributing to peace and stability in the region.

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said this at a press briefing yesterday.

She said Viet Nam shares sound relations with Middle Eastern countries and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in particular.

She also said that Viet Nam strongly condemned the twin terrorist attacks in Iran on Wednesday. All terrorist actions in any form must be strictly punished, she said.

We offer our condolences to the State, Government and people of Iran as well as families of the victims, Hang said.

The brazen attacks on Irans parliament and the tomb of the countrys revolutionary leader killed at least 12 people and injured 46.  VNS
The country inevitably must launch a fund to support sustainable Vietnamese tourism growth, Vu The Binh, vice president of Viet Nam Tourism Association said. Photto Buffalo Trip

HA NOI  The country inevitably must launch a fund to support sustainable Vietnamese tourism growth, Vu The Binh, vice president of Viet Nam Tourism Association said.

Binh and other tourism agencies representatives joined the discussion yesterday on a draft of the revised tourism law.

According to Binh, the revised law is based on the basic content of Tourism Law 2005 and has updated regulations relevant to current affairs and targets to develop Vietnamese tourism into a spearhead economic sector.

The Vietnamese tourism sector in the first five months of this year has witnessed strong growth, with more than 5.2 million international tourists visiting Vietnamese shores, a surge of nearly 30 per cent compared to the same period last year.

We can reach the 30 per cent growth, even 50 per cent if we have strong resources, Binh said.

However, he said that the Vietnamese tourism sector has yet to gather strong resources and needs a fresh bounding force, which he suggests will come in the form of a tourism development support fund.

Nguyen Hong Hai, president of the capital citys tourism club, said that sources of the fund-- from the State, voluntary donors and other legal sources--must be clarified.

A representative of Viet Nam Society of Travel Agents (VISTA) highlighted that the fund establishment is necessary to boost Vietnamese tourism promotion around the world. In Viet Nam, budget for tourism promotion activities remains only US$2 million on average, equivalent to only 2.9 per cent of Thailands, 2.5 per cent of Singapores and 1.9 per cent of Malaysias.

He suggested learning from other countries experience in calling for investment.

Pham Manh Cuong, VISTA deputy general secretary, recommended funding the proposal with an accommodation tax paid by tourists staying overnight.

Accommodation ranking on debate

Controversy broke out among participants on whether accommodation rankings should be made mandatory.

inh Manh Thang, president of Tourism Association of central Thua Thien-Hue Province, said that a ranking system should not be made compulsory, as tourists determine the accommodation quality, not the State or accommodation owners.

Many participants agreed that holiday visitors are lured by high-quality accommodation at reasonable prices, not by star rankings.

However, others argued that accommodation rankings are necessary to protect rights of tourists and avoid cheating.

At the discussion, the participants also agreed on compulsory licences of three types of tours: domestic, inbound and outbound. - VNS
HCM CITY HCM City is struggling to persuade rural residents to undergo vocational training but also to provide jobs to those that do train.

Though most rural workers have irregular jobs with low incomes, they refuse to attend vocation training courses or switch to other work, according to Chu Thi Hong Nhung, deputy chairwoman of Tan Thoi Nhi Commune in the outlying Hoc Mon District.

Her commune offers training in various vocations such as hairdressing, car driving and baby-sitting but very few people attend the courses.

Vo Le Phi Vu, deputy chairman of Binh Chanh Commune in Binh Chanh District, said "rural workers are happy with low-paying jobs as long as they can make ends meet".

"Many of them earn just enough for subsistence," he said.

But he pointed out that as their families breadwinners they were afraid of quitting their current jobs to take up vocational training.

"Though trainees get tuition and travel subsidies, they cannot earn enough to support their families," he said.

This year the commune had been assigned a target of providing vocational training for 281 workers, but only 33 rural people turned up, he said.

"Ten of them are taking agriculture-related courses, and the rest are learning IT, driving and automotive maintenance and repair," he said.

Nguyen Thi Liem, head of the Binh Chanh District Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Office, said young people were not interested in agricultural courses, leading to a shortage of young workers in the sector.

Most rural people farming vegetables, orchids and ornamental fish in the district are old, while young ones work in the Le Minh Xuan and Vinh Loc industrial parks and Pouyen company, she said.

A plan announced by the city Peoples Committee envisages training around 13,000 rural people in the 2017-20 period.

At least 80 per cent of them are expected to get new jobs or continue in their old ones with better salaries after completing training.

The plan is being implemented in 12 districts -- Hoc Mon, Cu Chi, Nha Be, Binh Chanh, Can Gio, Binh Thanh, Go Vap, Thu uc, Binh Tan, 8, 9, and 12.

In the first five months of this year a total of 3,008 rural people were trained.

On-demand vocational training

Short-term training courses fail to equip trainees with the skills enterprises require, according to Liem.

Vocational training centres do not keep pace with the progress made in equipment and production technologies by industry.

Pham Cong Tan, head of the Hoc Mon District Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Office, said nearly 100 rural people will be trained in baby-sitting to meet the demand from more than 1,000 nurseries in the district.

Last year 55 attended training and got jobs at private nursery schools, he said.

Depending on the demand from enterprises, around 670 people would be trained this year to work in the textile and garment sector, he said.

Nguyen Van Lam, deputy director of the city Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said local authorities should provide training that meets the needs of enterprises and the labour market.

Authorities in communes should learn about the labour needs of companies and offer training and introduce workers to the labour market, he said.

His department would recommend that city authorities should provide more financial support to families of trainees to encourage more rural residents to take up vocational training to get better jobs, he said. VNS
WAVERLY  Three Cubans have been charged in federal court for allegedly using cloned credit cards in Waverly in January and February.

Investigators determined the trio also used cloned cards at Wal-Mart stores in Cedar Falls, Mason City, Spirit Lake, Spencer and Le Mars, court records state.

An agent with Homeland Security Investigations on Thursday petitioned U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids to charge Dunieski Santana Moreno, 26, Liliany DeArmas Mena, 20, and Pedro Alvarez Rodriguez, 35, with aggravated identity theft.

The three had been arrested on state charges in February after Waverly police were notified about suspicious activity at the citys Wal-Mart self-checkout lanes.

The three had been staying at the Red Fox Inn, and Wal-Mart employees became suspicious when they began using multiple credit cards at the registers. Police found clothing and gift cards in their room.

Authorities determined the three had made purchases at other Iowa Wal-Mart stores Jan. 30 and 31, often loading money onto gift cards. Five purchases totaling $457 at the Cedar Falls store on Jan. 31 were declined.

One of the gift cards was used at Wal-Mart stores in Ames, Boone and Carroll.

Santana Moreno had also been arrested in Wisconsin for identity theft after allegedly retrieving a skimming device placed on a convenience store fuel pump to steal credit card information in November 2016.

Information gleaned by using a skimmer can be used to create cloned credit cards.

DeArmas Mena is a permanent resident in the country legally, and the other two are in the country on expired work visas. Pedro Alvarez Rodriguez was ordered removed from the United States in March and is currently in ICE custody. Santana Moreno is also in ICE custody pending removal.
DAVENPORT  Federal crop insurance payments have long been a target for budget cutters, but the proposed reductions in the Trump administrations 2018 budget exceed what came previously.

Midwest lawmakers say they dont think the cuts have much, if any, chance of becoming law. But some groups say this will be a place to watch when a new farm bill is written next year.

The Trump administrations blueprint calls for $29 billion in cuts to crop insurance over the next 10 years.

Currently, the government subsidizes, on average, 62 percent of premium payments.

The bulk of the cuts, $16 billion, would come from limiting the size of premium subsidies to $40,000. That would affect relatively few farmers, the administration says.

However, another $11 billion in cuts comes from jettisoning the subsidy for a widely used insurance option that helps farmers hedge their risk. The Harvest Price Option lets farmers insure their crops based on the higher of the price at harvest or at planting. Farmers say this type of insurance allows them to make better decisions and takes some of the risk off the table.

The administration says farmers can find other ways to hedge risk, or they can do it without a subsidy.

The proposed cuts come at a time when things are more difficult in rural America. The Agriculture Department projected in February that net income would fall 8.7 percent this year, to about half what it was at record highs in 2013.

Cuts in crop insurance would exacerbate those pressures.

This would continue to tighten the situation in agriculture-driven rural communities, said Chad Hart, an Iowa State University extension economist.

Hart notes that the Obama administration also proposed cutting subsidies. But these would be steeper, such as for the Harvest Price Option.

These would be some larger cuts, he said.

Critics of the program applauded the Trump administrations proposal. They say the subsidies are too generous and the government shoulders too much of the risk for farmers.

In 2016, payments to Iowa farmers from crop insurance amounted to $54 million, according to federal data. Farmers paid $280 million in premiums, which doesnt include the governments share. But for the drought year of 2012, government payments to farmers exceeded $2 billion in Iowa. Producers paid $382 million in premiums that year.

In Illinois, payments amounted to $91 million in 2016 on producer premiums of $272 million. In 2012, the government paid $3.5 billion to farmers on premiums of $333 million.

Midwest lawmakers dont give the proposed cuts much chance in Congress. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said most presidential budgets are dead on arrival.

Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., a member of the House Agriculture Committee, also gave the cuts little chance. Still, she said that with lower prices and income projections, this is not a fight we should have to be taking on.

She said the proposal sends a terrible message to rural America.

Hart said Trumps budget is only the first step.

I describe this as the first volley in what will be several rounds of negotiations, he said. This is the beginning of the policy process.

Even if crop insurance subsidies arent at risk of substantial cuts for this budget year, the Trump administration proposal comes just a year before expiration of the current farm bill. Next year, a multi-year farm bill will reauthorize programs, and targets will be set for spending.

Crop insurance subsidies are a large target in a fiscal environment in which the White House is pushing for increases in defense spending and countering it with nondefense cuts. That could present some risk to programs such as crop insurance, some analysts say.

There will be a number of budgetary pressures as we go into the 2018 farm bill that are of concern, said Dave Miller, director of research and commodities services at the Iowa Farm Bureau.
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In secret, behind locked gates, our Nation's Oldest City dumped a landfill in a lake (Old City Reservoir), while emitting sewage in our rivers and salt marsh. Organized citizens exposed and defeated pollution, racism and cronyism. We elected a new Mayor. We're transforming our City -- advanced citizenship. Ask questions. Make disclosures. Demand answers. Be involved. Expect democracy. Report and expose corruption. Smile! Help enact a St. Augustine National Park and Seashore. We shall overcome!
Karan Mahajan in The New York Times:

Roys first and only other novel, The God of Small Things, was a commercial and critical sensation. The gorgeous story of a doomed South Indian family, it sold six million copies and won the Booker Prize. It became a sort of legend  both for its quality and for its backwater publishing story: Roy, unlike so many other successful Indian writers in English, didnt live abroad or attend an elite college. She had trained as an architect and had an obscure career as an indie actress and screenwriter. Her success, which involved foreign agents and a startling advance, was linked to Indias kick-starting, liberalizing economy as well. It seemed everything had come together for Roys book. Roy reacted with instinctive defiance. She stopped writing fiction and began protesting against the Indian state, which, she felt, was steamrollering the rights of the poor and collaborating with capitalist overlords. Several books of essays followed. Their titles  The Algebra of Infinite Justice, The End of Imagination, Capitalism: A Ghost Story  convey the largeness of her concerns. She traveled with Maoist guerrillas in an Indian forest, marched with anti-big-dam protesters, met with Edward Snowden in a Moscow hotel room, and was threatened and even briefly imprisoned by the Indian government  and she continued to write. But the writing was not of the same standard as her fiction. Though occasionally witty in its put-downs, it was black-and-white and self-righteous  acceptable within the tradition of political writing, but not artful.

So it is a relief to encounter the new book and find Roy the artist fully and brilliantly intact: prospering with stories and writing in gorgeous, supple prose. The organs of a slaughtered buffalo in one scene slip away like odd-shaped boats on a river of blood; the outrageous femininity of transgender women or hijras in a neighborhood make the real, biological women look cloudy and dispersed; a boat is seen cleaving through a dark, liquid lawn of a weed-choked lake. Again and again beautiful images refresh our sense of the world. The story concerns several people who converge over an abandoned baby at an anti-corruption protest in Delhi in 2011. There is a hijra named Anjum who has survived the anti-Muslim Gujarat riots of 2002. There is her sidekick, a former mortuary worker who calls himself Saddam Hussain because he is obsessed with the courage and dignity of Saddam in the face of death. And there is an enigmatic middle-class woman called S. Tilottama who ferries the abandoned baby to her home.

More here.
Robin Wright in The New Yorker:

On Sunday, just hours after three men launched an assault on London Bridge, British Prime Minister Theresa May stepped in front of 10 Downing Street and told the world, We believe we are experiencing a new trend in the threat we face. In many ways, the attack in the British capital, as well as others over the past two years in Nice, Berlin, Stockholm, Paris, and Manchester, actually werent all that unique in terms of tactics, targets, or even motive. A century ago, a battered horse-drawn wagon loaded with a hundred pounds of dynamiteattached to five hundred pounds of cast-iron weightsrolled onto Wall Street during lunch hour. The wagon stopped at the busiest corner in front of J. P. Morgans bank. At 12:01 p.m. , it exploded, spraying lethal shrapnel and bits of horse as high as the thirty-fourth floor of the Equitable Building, on Broadway. A streetcar was derailed a block away. Thirty-eight people were killed; many were messengers, stenographers, clerks, and brokers who were simply on the street at the wrong timewhat are today known as soft targets. Another hundred and forty-three people were injured.

That attack, on September 16, 1920, was, at the time, the deadliest act of terrorism in American history. Few surpassed it for the next seventy-five years, until the Oklahoma City bombing, in 1995, and then the September 11th attacks, in 2001. The Wall Street case was never solved, although the investigation strongly pointed to followers of a charismatic Italian anarchist named Luigi Galleani. Like isis and its extremist cohorts today, they advocated violence and insurrection against Western democracies and justified innocent deaths to achieve it.

Europe has also faced periods of more frequent terrorism than in the recent attacks. Between 1970 and 2015, more than ten thousand people were killed in over eighteen thousand attacks, according to the University of Marylands Global Terrorism Database. The deadliest decades were, by far, the nineteen-seventies and eightiesduring the era of Germanys Baader-Meinhof gang, Italys Red Brigades, Spains E.T.A., Britains Irish Republican Army, and others. The frequency of attacks across Europe reached as high as ten a week. In 1980, I covered what was then the deadliest terrorist attack in Europe since the Second World War, when a bomb, planted in a suitcase, blew up in the waiting room of Bolognas train station. Eighty-five people were killed; body parts were everywhere. A neo-fascist group, the Armed Revolutionary Nuclei, claimed credit.

Yet May is correct: modern terrorism is still evolving.

More here.
Steven Klein in Democracy:

Once a relatively obscure Hungarian academic, Karl Polanyi has posthumously become one of the central figures in debates about globalization. This recent interest in his thought has occasioned an unsympathetic treatment by Jeremy Adelman in the Boston Review. Adelman, a Princeton professor, has scores to settle with Polanyi. But his article ends up revealing more about the limits of our current political debates than anything about the man himself.

Polanyis classic book, The Great Transformation: The Political and Economic Origins of Our Time, published in 1944, argued that the utopian obsession with self-adjusting markets had wreaked havoc in nineteenth-century European society, eventually laying the groundwork for the rise of fascism. His once unfashionable views have witnessed a remarkable revival of late. His name is frequently invoked when describing the dangers that global market integration poses to democracy. Polanyi has now moved one step closer to intellectual canonization with the publication of Gareth Dales excellent biography, Karl Polanyi: A Life on the Left (2016), the impetus of Adelmans article.

First, there are aspects of Polanyis thought worth criticizing. His historical account of the origins of the market society is murky. He neglects gender, race, and colonialism, although he was a supporter of anti-colonial struggles. Yet, instead, Adelman returns to a well-worn and wrong-headed criticism of Polanyi: that his thought represents a romantic revolt against markets in favor of a warm communalism, a stance that inevitably leads to violent nationalism and tyrannical collectivism.

More troubling still is Adelmans explanation for why Polanyi was supposedly attracted to romantic attacks on liberalism. In Adelmans telling, Polanyi, who was born into an assimilated Jewish family but converted to Christianity, suffered from a sort of intellectual Stockholm Syndrome: Excluded from European society, he romanticized his murderous oppressors.

More here.
While the pay could be better, benefits of teaching out of this world
Distribution of company announcements to the professional platforms, finance portals and syndication of important corporate news to a wide variety of news aggregators and financial news systems.
This domain was recently registered at Namecheap.com. Please check back later!
Tamika Moore/tmoore@al.com

Birmingham, World Trade Center?

The city of Birmingham has officially applied for a license to operate a World Trade Center.

A World Trade Center designation is expected to amplify international investment in the Magic City, said Kirk Atkinson, president of Birmingham-based Adah International, who is serving as a consultant on the project.

(Tamika Moore/tmoore@al.com)

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Former Regions bankers banned from banking

Two former Regions Financial Corp. executives have been permanently banned from the banking industry by the Federal Reserve Board.

Richard Henderson and Phillip Cooper both held senior positions at Regions Equipment Finance Corporation, a Regions Subsidiary that offered business customers financing tools, including equipment financing and lease options. Last year, the pair was indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiracy in a $5 million bribery and wire fraud scheme.

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Bob Carlton | bcarlton@al.com

New Your Pie

Your Pie, a Georgia-based pizza chain that first ventured into the Birmingham market in late 2015, opens its third restaurant here today in the Liberty Park community in Vestavia Hills.

The pizzeria is located at 3735 Corporate Woods Drive in the Prominence Shops at Liberty Park development. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

(Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com)

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Lucy Berry | lberry@al.com

Everything must go

Alabama's second surplus auction of 2017 will take place next week in Montgomery.

The Surplus Property Division of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will host the event from 8 a.m. until the last item is sold June 14 on 4590 Mobile Highway. The auction will include property surrendered by state and federal agencies and by airport passengers across the Southeast.

(File photo)

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Lee Roop | lroop@al.com

Amazon's Mobile sorting center impact

For some perspective on how big an impact Amazon's newly announced sorting center in Mobile might have, just look at the map.

The massive and innovative company has a reputation for keeping information close, such as full details of its network of huge fulfillment centers and smaller "sortation" centers. But company spokeswoman Ashley Robinson confirmed Friday that Amazon currently operates none of them in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi or Alabama. The sortation center being built in Mobile won't just be the first in Alabama: It can also be seen as the first in a four-state region

(Amazon)

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Lucy Berry | lberry@al.com

Parkway Place Mall launches pop-up

Local entrepreneurs and artists now have the opportunity to rent pop-up space before leasing a permanent location at Parkway Place Mall in Huntsville.

The CBL & Associates property unveiled the concept this morning on the lower level of the mall in center court. Parkway Place is only the second mall in the CBL portfolio and the first in North Alabama to debut the pop-up concept.

(Courtesy)

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Mobile leaders on sales tax stagnation

Mobile seems to be out of sync with the rest of the state when it comes to sales tax revenues, and a lack of growth is leading city leaders to step cautiously as they shape the city's 2018 budget.

As yet, there seems to be no sense that drastic cuts are required, or that the city will have to consider diverting money from a capital improvement plan that has been funding a three-year wave of infrastructure work. But there's also no guarantee that the current sales-tax trend will change in time to save the city from painful choices.

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A BOB F, Bob Farley; courtesy Baddley, Mauro & Yates

Birmingham law firm changes name

Baddley & Mauro, a Birmingham-based civil litigation firm, has changed its name following the addition of a partner.

J. Parker Yates was named a partner at the beginning of 2017. The firm has since changed its name to Baddley, Mauro & Yates.

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Bob Carlton | bcarlton@al.com

Free Krispy Kreme Coffee

Krispy Kreme is celebrating educators this summer by serving free coffee to any teacher who makes a purchase at regular price.

The deal is valid in June and July only at participating locations. Teachers must present a school ID and mention the offer to receive their free coffee.

(Photo courtesy of Krispy Kreme)

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Dawn Kent Azok

Hyundai recall

Hyundai has issued a recall which encompasses more than 600,000 vehicles in the U.S.

The Car Connection reports the recall affects 437,000 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport SUVs, made between 2013 and 2017. The recall deals with the vehicle's hood latch. A cable for the secondary latch could corrode, which would leave the hood unsecured if the primary latch fails.

(Special to AL.com/Hyundai)

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Barranco tapped as cyber strategy coordinator

Montgomery tech and business leaders will be getting together soon to map out a strategy for Montgomery as it seeks to leverage the state's only Internet Exchange into an economic engine.

Carl Barranco was named this week as Montgomery's cyber strategy coordinator. Next week, a group will meet to begin mapping out that strategy in what Barranco described as a six-month process.

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Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

Honda's self-driving cars

Honda this week announced its plans to have advanced self-driving vehicles by 2025, and automobiles with "highly-automated freeway driving capability" by 2020.

"These are critical steps in Honda's commitment to contribute to a collision-free society," the company said in an announcement in Japan. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).

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Beacon Children's Hospital

Luvurne hospital bought

Georgia-based Perimeter Healthcare announced today it has acquired Beacon Children's Hospital of Luverne.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Beacon is a 32-bed full-service inpatient psychiatric hospital treating children and adolescents between the ages of 8 and 18.

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Bob Carlton | bcarlton@al.com

Alabama's iconic chip

Based in Birmingham, Golden Flake has become a beloved brand of snack food across the state thanks to its more than 90 years in business. Whether you're a fan of the brand's sweet heat barbecue chips, their tangy dill pickle chips or one of their many other flavors, everyone has a Golden Flake favorite.



Want to know more? Here's 15 things you might not know about Golden Flake. (Joe Songer/jsonger@al.com)

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Charles Sykes

Taylor Swift back on Spotify

Taylor Swift is back on Spotify following the 2014 fight with the company over royalties paid to artists, TechCrunch reports. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

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Carlos Osorio

Ford Buyouts

Ford Motor Co. is offering buyouts to about 15,000 workers in North America and Asia in a cost-saving measure, Marketwatch reports. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Charity Bowden wiped away tears as the curtains closed on the final night of preliminary competition at the 2017 Miss Alabama Pageant.

As she was congratulated backstage, Bowden's eyes glistened with joy. The upcoming University of Montevallo student won't have to pay for her education her freshman year.

"The University of Montevallo is actually the only school that provides full tuition and fees for a full year when you win talent. So my first year of college is paid for," she told AL.com after the preliminary. She is competing as Miss Front Porch City.

Bowden, one of 48 contestants vying for the title of Miss Alabama, secured high scores in the evening's talent competition with her rendition of the 1935 classic, "I Want to be a Cowboy's Sweetheart." She tied with Chelsea Yarber, a recent UNA graduate, who sang "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables.

Bowden is not the only contestant that won't have to worry about finding money for college.

While being named Miss Alabama may be the top prize, participating in Miss Alabama organization pageants can lead to life-changing scholarship money for all. Every contestant is awarded a $750 scholarship for their participation. They earn more money with scholarships selected for them by the organization's scholarship committee.

Approximately $100,000 in cash scholarships is awarded to the hopefuls every year before the new Miss Alabama is even crowned.

The title of Miss Alabama itself comes with a $10,000 scholarship. The first through fourth runners-up split $11,000 in scholarship money.

Callie Walker, Miss University of Alabama, won the evening's swimsuit competition. It was the second competition win for the former Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen. She won the Thursday talent competition with her performance of "Hoe-Down" from the ballet Rodeo.

Walker is the daughter of Angela Tower Walker, Miss Alabama 1985.

Mary Ann McDougal, Miss Coastal Alabama, is another daughter of a former Miss Alabama in this years's competition. Her mother, Wendy Neuendorf McDougal, was crowned Miss Alabama 1991.

Kelly Jones Carr, Miss Alabama 2001, emceed the Friday night competition held at Samford University's Wright Center.

The new Miss Alabama will be crowned there Saturday during the pageant's finale.

Follow our Miss Alabama coverage here.
Five Republican hopefuls in the Senate special election made their cases before the Mid Alabama Republican Club on Saturday during a meet the candidates session.

Two elected officials who took part in the forum - Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville; and state Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Montrose - made sure to mention their private sector experience, apparently to avoid the "career politician" label.

Aside from being in Congress, "my primary source of income has always been in the private sector," Mo Brooks told the crowd, referring to his part ownership in a law firm and being general counsel for the country's largest distributor of roofing, siding and windows.

Brooks rattled off his list of strong grades from conservative groups like the anti-tax Club for Growth, the Heritage Foundation and its political arm, Heritage Action, and the hardline immigration group Numbers USA.

"Every candidate talks the talk," Brooks said. "It's more important to walk the walk."

The Huntsville congressman also boasted endorsements from conservative talk show hosts Sean Hannity, Mark Levin and Laura Ingraham, adding that he was successful in killing the so-called Gang of Eight's immigration reform proposal in 2013.

"You didn't see amnesty for tens of millions of people who have no right to be in our country," he said.

Brooks, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, noted his initial opposition to President Donald Trump's healthcare bill, saying "I believed [Trump] wasn't getting the kind of advice he needed."

But he said he changed his mind after the administration made the bill more tenable to conservatives. Brooks said he then received a call from Vice President Mike Pence and Trump to express their appreciation, which he called "one of the coolest things that I have had happen to me in the United States Congress."

"I've never had a phone call from Joe Biden or Barack Obama, but I will always cherish the words of the president and the vice president," he said.

Pittman said he started a business in 1988 that he runs in addition to serving the Gulf Coast in Montgomery. He said he turned to public service after being in a plane crash 10 years ago.

"It's been a great challenge, but we have been successful in what we've been able to do in moving Alabama forward," he said.

Pittman touted his experience as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.

"I understand the process. The process is important," he said.

As for running for the Senate, Pittman said "responsibility" in part led him to launch his campaign.

"I think the Republican Party needs to become the responsible party," he said. "We're at the tipping point between people who think they can take government programs to their advantage and manipulate the system."

Pittman said the winner of the special election to fill former Sen. Jeff Sessions' seat should be "someone who's willing to take staunch philosophical positions.

"This is the best opportunity you have to elect someone with good ideology," he said.

Hoover businessman Dom Gentile, a self-described Christian, started out his introduction with disgraced ex-Gov. Robert Bentley's quote about how anyone "who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I'm telling you, you're not my brother and you're not my sister, and I want to be your brother,"

"That is the antithesis of who you are looking at," Gentile told the crowd.

"One of the things about the Republican Party that we need to change is this idea of inclusion. When you look around the room, you see what I mean. It's a room of white people, mostly," he said. "When some of my gay friends are scared to death .... that needs to change."

He blamed the country's current problems on career politicians, and said faith alone wouldn't help solve crises, such as North Korea's nuclear ambitions or a another financial crisis.

"I'm a Christian, but there's not a Bible verse that's going to help me think through that one," he said.

Randy Brinson, head of the Alabama Christian Coalition, positioned himself as the only "major candidate" that hasn't been a career politician, hasn't been on a public payroll and has met payroll as a businessman.

Brinson also pledged to self-impose a two-term limit for himself if elected.

"This is a watershed opportunity for Alabama," he said of the special election. The primary will be held on Aug. 15.

He criticized Washington's involvement in the contest, alluding to the millions of dollars in support by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell given to incumbent Sen. Luther Strange.

"This race, the amount of pressure and arm twisting that's going on, is unbelievable and unhistoric," Brinson said. "[Strange] has the audacity yesterday to say that he's going to protect the first amendment. Are you kidding me? If we can't get our message out to people on this table ... guess what? We don't have freedom of speech."

James Beretta, a physician from Pelham, said his experience in the health care system is part of what led him to seek the Senate seat.

"What I see going on now is people are being excluded for care. What you have seen is escalating copays," he said. "The system is broken, it's very, very broken, and what they're doing now is not looking at delivery to people."

On immigration, Beretta said a border wall is not the answer, saying that most illegal immigrants got here by airplane and overstayed their visas.

"I think President Trump's wall is a metaphor and not just physical," he said. "We're tired of people coming here and abuse our infrastructure to their benefit."

The remaining candidates not at Saturday's forum are scheduled to meet before the Mid Alabama Republican Club on July 8.
A man who stole a truck out of Hueytown and caused multiple wrecks that claimed the life of a Birmingham man this week has been charged with vehicular manslaughter.

Cody Allen Abney was booked Friday into Jefferson County Jail for both the manslaughter charge and a first-degree theft of property charge by Hueytown police. The 69-year-old victim, Fred Cornelius Wilson II, died due to injuries received during the series of wrecks Abney caused on Wednesday afternoon, Birmingham police said.

Birmingham police said Abney was driving the stolen truck when he hit a car on Bessemer Road and fled the scene. The suspect then got on the interstate and exited off Arkadelphia Road. A lookout bulletin was issued to other officers in the area.

An nearby officer on patrol saw the suspect striking four vehicles, including the officer's patrol car, between the 600 and 800 blocks of Seventh Street West around 5 p.m. Wilson was hit and pinned under a white truck that the suspect hit.

He was taken to UAB Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly before 3 a.m. on Thursday.

An Alabama Power employee who was on a routine call was sitting in his work vehicle when it was struck by the suspect as well. The employee was taken to the hospital for observation, but he is expected to be OK. No one was injured in the hit-and-run on Bessemer Road, Shelton said.

According to court records, Abney was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty in 2015 to second-degree forgery and second-degree theft of property. He was released on Sept. 16, 2016.
Authorities have identified one of the two teens who died in a Blount County wreck Thursday afternoon.

Vallery Michelle Dalrymple, 16, of Altoona, passed away after the possible head-on collision on U.S. 278 near Jones Road, Blount County Coroner John Mark Vaughn said. A 17-year-old male passenger, who has not been identified, also died in the wreck.

Alabama State Troopers said Dalrymple was seriously injured when the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier she was driving collided with a 2000 Ford Windstar driven by Jo Cornelius Cloud, 79, of Guntersville. Dalrymple was airlifted UAB Hospital, where she later died. The 17-year-old passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers said both teens were wearing seat belts.

Troopers said two children in Cloud's van, ages 6 and 7, were also airlifted to Children's of Alabama hospital in Birmingham. The youngest of the two had serious injuries and the 7-year-old had minor injuries. Cloud and an adult passenger in Cloud's vehicle were airlifted to UAB.

Troopers said the cause of the wreck remains under investigation.
The funeral arrangements have been announced for Sarah Lauren Harmening, the 17-year-old girl who died in a bus crash Thursday at the beginning of a mission trip to Africa.

Visitation will be noon-2 p.m. on Monday at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Huntsville. The funeral service will follow and be officiated by Dr. Jimmy Jackson and Dr. Kevin Moore. Burial will be in Mount Zion Cemetery.

The arrangements were announced Saturday afternoon by Laughlin Service Funeral Home.

Sarah was on a Mount Zion bus that crashed on Camp Creek Parkway near the Atlanta airport. She was a part of a mission team from the church traveling to Botswana.

Dozens of people were injured in the crash, but most have returned to the Huntsville area.

"Sarah was on mission to Botswana to share the love of Christ with whoever God assigned to her, but she was specifically looking forward to sharing Him with children," the obituary stated.

Sarah is survived by her parents, Scott and Karen, as well as three sisters: Katelyn, Kristen and Sophie, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

"At lunch the day before she went home to our Lord and Savior, she was discussing the faith of our persecuted brothers and sisters in Egypt after the recent mass martyring," the obituary stated. "She recalled reading the entirety of Jesus Freaks and how profoundly that impacted her. She said she used to worry that she would not have the courage to stand for Him like the martyrs in the book, but now knows that it is Him who enables them and us to stand, and would do so for her as well.

"Sweet Sarah took that final stand of fearless faith and surrender as she once again journaled out of the overflow of a heart surrendered to our heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ only moments before she stood in His presence, and she was, indeed, found faithful as she took her rank among those who previously inspired her so."

Click here to read the full obituary.
Long-term effect on climate hard to visualise in coal country where new mines are bringing new jobs.

I was in western Pennsylvania recently, coal country. It was the same day James Comey, the former FBI director, was testifying before Congress in Washington, DC.

As US media focused on Comey and the Russia scandal, the view of the Trump presidency from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain chain stood in sharp contrast.

People there are cheering the opening of a new coal mine thats bringing 70 new jobs.

And many believe the policies of President Donald Trump, while not directly responsible for the opening, are helping an industry that has long been the bread and butter of this community.

Having the tone at the top favourable towards coal is great for us, it helps our investors, it helps our outlook, and helps us open new mines, said George Dethlefsen, the CEO of Corsa Coal, told Al Jazeera at the grand opening.

It symbolises a new chapter for this area.

Seventy jobs may not seem like much, but the ripple effects of those jobs are being felt throughout Somerset County, population 76,000.

Thats where John and Betty Rhodes have been running the Coal Miners Cafe since 1989.

The walls are decorated with pickaxes and mining helmets, not to mention Bibles and a memorial to United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed into a local field on September 11, 2001.

Back-breaking work

John, a decorated Vietnam veteran, admits he was eager to get out of the mines after working a few years there as a young man.

Its back-breaking work. But its also one of the few high-paying jobs in this rural area with miners able to take home a yearly six-figure salary.

If you got 70 more families coming into your business and all the businesses in the area, its a trickle-down effect, said John, whose two daughters also work in the cafe.

It gets everybody a little bit more money.

He points to his two great-grandchildren eating breakfast in the corner and states proudly that he gets to see them every day.

More mining jobs, he says, mean other families children will be able to stay in the community, and not have to move away to find a good job and raise their families.

Coal mining was always a part of our life, said his wife Betty.

She takes out her iPhone and shows me a photo of four young men in caps and T-shirts who had come into her bar the night before.

They work at another local deep mine which opened in 2013, with much less fanfare.

Good safety record

Betty says the miners are thrilled to see this new mine opening.

They tell her the company has a good safety record, which is important to her, having lived through a nearby mine collapse in 2002 which trapped nine men for more than three days.

While the miners lived through the collapse, the years that followed took a toll on the business.

During the Obama presidency, stricter environmental regulations and an abundance of cheap natural gas lead to declining demand for the carbon-emitting fuel.

Nationwide, 36,000 jobs were lost.





For Somerset County, it was personal.

When they shut everything down, people lost their jobs, lost their houses, their cars, said Betty.

Still, while Trump has promised more deregulation to help bring back the coal industry, not everyone in Somerset County is convinced thats the best way forward for the community, never mind the country as a whole.

We in this area have a hard time looking past the things weve depended on the last 60-plus years, said Lucas Yoder, who stopped to chat at the filling station across the street from the Coal Miners Cafe.

Its not going to be a long-term viable thing.

Clean-energy jobs

Only about 50,000 people currently work in the coal industry nationwide, down from a peak of 170,000 in 1985.

A recent Sierra Club analysis of Department of Energy data finds that jobs in clean energy outnumber those in coal mining five to one.

Any fossil fuel has such an effect on our environment. There is climate change, you cant put on blinders to that, said MJ Picklo, whose front porch overlooks the Acosta mine, a gaping 46-metre hole and industrial site in what used to be farmers fields.

Coal is not the answer, coal is a dying industry.

The coal they mine here is metallurgical, and in growing demand by the steel industry, especially in China.

I was told by Corsa Coal it burns cleaner than steam coal, which is used in power plants.

Demand for that remains low in the United States where there is an abundance of cheaper and cleaner burning natural gas.

Stop the coal mine

About a dozen protesters wearing orange T-shirts emblazoned with stop the coal mine had gathered on Picklos front lawn with a loudspeaker as the grand opening took place under a white tent in the car park.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and company executives had gathered for speeches and a catered lunch with red Make Coal Great Again miners hats as centrepieces.

Trump, who mentioned the new mine when he announced the US was pulling out of the Paris climate agreement, sent a video message of congratulations.

Im absolutely thrilled to be speaking with you on this great, great day, he said to the assembled crowd.

The miners of Pennsylvania  were digging coal again  Clean coal will power America into the future.

Just as they were about to cut the ribbon, the protesters could be heard taunting Wolf and yelling Stop the mine.

I asked CEO Dethlefsen if he believes climate change is happening. He said he believes its happening but mans impact is hard to quantify.

New line on climate change

This seems to be the new line on climate change from the fossil fuel industry, which once actively promoted denials.

With the scientific evidence incontrovertible, they question how much is due to human activity, and how effective humans are to stop it.

They also point to the fact that India and China are still buying coal. And have a legislative agenda supported by Trump calling for more deregulation.

I think the key aspect thats missing from the debate is the economic impact of [fighting] climate change, Dethlefsen said.

His sentiments were echoed by every other Corsa Coal worker I spoke to at the event, including one who wore a miners hat with a sticker that read: Stop the War on Coal, Fire Obama.

On that beautiful spring day, under a tent in the lush foothills of the Alleghany mountains, where the air is fresh, everyone was seeing green.

There the long-term effect of coal on the environment was much harder to visualise.
A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the reward for turning in journalists was 200,000 yuan. The correct figure is 20,000 yuan (about $3,000).

We left in a hurry early in the morning, clambering down the roof of an abandoned house as quietly as we could.

From where we stood, Wukan  a fishing village in Chinas southern Guangdong province  looked deceptively peaceful. Lights flickered through the windows of villagers who were awake. A dog barked. Intermittent strains of Chinese opera floated from a radio through an open front door.

For a brief moment, we were tempted to climb back up, lie down, and try to get some sleep. After a long day, we had just spent the better part of the night on the move. We had hidden in an old womans house, behind a shed in a dark alley, and finally on top of the uninhabited building where we had just been roused from our sleep.

Now it seemed we had to move again.

Fellow filmmaker James Leong and I had arrived barely 12 hours earlier on September 14, 2016, taking a circuitous route that ended in a trek through gravesites and waterlogged fields.

A villager had sent us a message the previous morning. A crackdown was under way, she had said. There were armed police everywhere. Could we come?

Initially we hesitated. We were finishing another documentary and had a deadline to meet. But then we saw the videos. Shot by villagers and hastily uploaded on to WeChat, a Chinese social media app, the images were shocking.

The footage depicted police firing rubber bullets and tear gas at villagers who lobbed rocks and other objects back at them. In some of the videos, women were begging for mercy. Others showed bound villagers  some of them children  sitting on the floor of what looked like the police station.

We had to find out what was going on.

OPINION: Chinas Silk Road project  A trap or an opportunity?

Wukans historic vote

Wukan first came to our attention in late 2011, when villagers rose up to demand the return of communal land that had been secretly sold by members of its village committee. Tens of thousands of similar demonstrations erupt across China each year, but Wukan made global headlines for two reasons. First, leaders of the uprising took pains to contact journalists. Second, and more importantly, the demonstrators succeeded in ousting the village committee. The provincial government agreed to let Wukan hold democratic elections.

We first arrived in the village in February 2012 as preparations for the vote got under way. Everyone we interviewed believed it was the start of a new era for Wukan, a chance for the villages 13,000 people to define their own future.

The optimism back then was infectious. But we have since seen euphoria turn to disillusionment, and idealism to resignation. Wukan might have held democratic elections, but China remains a largely undemocratic country. The new village committee had to take orders from officials from local and provincial governments, who had no interest in rocking the boat. Contentious land issues  the very reason why Wukan rose up in 2011  remained unresolved.

By June 2016, village chief Lin Zuluan had had enough. He announced plans for a petition and new protests. But by September it was all over. A massive crackdown was under way  and we had to somehow get back into the village.

WATCH: Wukan  Chinas Democracy Experiment

An activist in exile

Authorities had blocked all major roads around Wukan. We didnt want to risk calling any of the villagers we knew in case their phones were bugged, so we turned to the only Wukan activist who was still able to speak freely  Zhuang Liehong. He had fled China for the United States in early 2014, convinced that corrupt officials were plotting to take down leaders of the 2011 uprising.

One and a half months after Zhuangs departure, police arrested Wukans two deputy village chiefs. County authorities accused Yang Semao and Hong Ruichao  both prominent leaders of the 2011 uprising  of accepting bribes. But the mens families said they were being punished for calling a village meeting to discuss land issues.

Via a mobile phone halfway across the world, Zhuang guided us on a trek through overgrown trails and abandoned backroads into his village. The first people we met told us not to film their faces in case they got in trouble with the government.

A young woman pointed to a gaping wound on her forehead  inflicted, she said, by the police that morning. Other villagers showed us sores on their arms and legs, caused apparently by what they referred to as explosives thrown by the police. An old woman with swollen legs limped down an alley. She cursed the police, who she said had beaten her.

READ MORE: Chinas red princess turned investigative journalist

New protests

The latest round of protests  the biggest since the uprising in 2011  began on June 19, 2016. That afternoon, thousands of villagers cheered under a scorching sun as Yang Zhen, the village chiefs wife, got on stage. Her husband, Lin Zuluan, had recently been arrested and could not be there himself. But Yang urged the crowd to unite, to call for his release, and to demand the return of their stolen farmland.

Lin himself had reached out to the media days earlier. After five years of waiting, he had finally lost patience with the local government. On the microblogging site Weibo he revealed that construction for a new industrial project was about to start on a piece of land in Wukan, despite objections from villagers.

He posted documents to show that his attempts to speak with the local government went nowhere, and promised to launch a petition to demand that Wukans long-standing land issues be resolved. Authorities responded instead by raiding his house in the middle of the night and taking him away.

Lin appeared on state television a few days later, to confess to taking kickbacks linked to village infrastructure projects. As his stunned supporters watched the broadcast, they insisted to us that Lin was never corrupt. Instead, they said, he was arrested simply because he was planning new protests.

Despite, or maybe because of the setback, thousands of villagers vowed to keep up the pressure on the local government. We followed them on several marches in June. They were long and exhausting. The weather was unbearably hot, but thousands of people showed up.

Volunteers on megaphones urged the crowd to walk in an orderly manner and to remain peaceful. During the first few days, hundreds of police, some of them in full riot gear, lined both sides of the road.

Undeterred by the display of power, the protesters kept marching as they chanted: Return our land! Return our Chief!

The crackdown

When we left in June, the villagers seemed resolute. Unintimidated by a growing police presence and talk of a crackdown, they promised to march every day until Lin was released. But on September 8, he was sentenced to 37 months in prison for corruption. Days later, the government moved against the protesters.

Villagers said the raid was like nothing they had ever witnessed. Police were more brutal than even during the uprising in 2011: they arrested more than 100 people within a few short hours and beat even old women and children.

It was clear that the authorities were not merely interested in putting an end to the daily marches. The afternoon we arrived, a government van weaved through the village, broadcasting the names of those who had allegedly instigated the unrest. They were told to turn themselves in or face severe consequences.

Shortly after that, the family hosting us told us we could no longer remain in their house. They apologised profusely, but said theyd just heard another announcement: villagers found sheltering journalists risked being arrested themselves; anyone who turned one in would receive a reward of 20,000 yuan (about $3,000).

We spent the evening moving from one place to another, constantly afraid that we would run into police. For a blissful two hours, an elderly villager took us in, fed us tea and mooncakes, and said we could hide in her attic. But then came news from some neighbours that dozens of police had stormed another house, roughed up three reporters from Hong Kong who were staying there, and taken them and their hosts away.

The old womans frantic relatives told us we had to move on once again. Like the family before, they apologised over and over again  sending us away was not a decision they had taken lightly.

In the end, we thought it best not to seek shelter with any villager. An abandoned house seemed like a perfect place to spend the night. But just as we were nodding off, we heard footsteps followed by a whisper: You cant stay here. Time to run. We had never met the villager before, but hed come to warn us: someone had reported our whereabouts to the police.

The escape

The trek out of Wukan took twice as long as the one in. It was difficult to see where we were going in the dark, but we didnt dare turn on our torches. For hours, we stumbled through knee-high grass and soggy, mosquito-infested fields. The one time we decided to use the main road, we saw a police car and had to quickly duck back into the fields. In the silence, our breathing seemed unusually loud.

Six hours later, we found ourselves in a different village. No one seemed to want to talk to us, but a taxi stopped when we hailed it. We got in, congratulating ourselves as we sped away for successfully making it out of Wukan.

We should have waited. Ten kilometres into our journey, in a town called Nantang, police stopped us at a roadblock.

When we first started filming in Wukan five years ago, we never thought that our journey would end with a dressing down in a police station well away from the village. We recognised one of the officials. Huang Xianjia wasnt normally based there but had been called in the moment our identities were confirmed. He had introduced himself in 2012, and had even insisted on joining us once for dinner.

Over the years, as the Chinese Communist Party hardened its stance towards activism, dissent and the media, we had witnessed a change in his attitude. Still, our exchanges had always been polite.

Even now, he was all smiles and apologies as his colleague ordered us to delete our footage, confiscated all our memory cards, and told us never to return to Wukan again without their permission.

They let us go six hours later. Two policemen escorted us to the Lufeng train station and filmed us as we boarded a train bound for Hong Kong.

The prison village

Since then, we have not been back to Wukan. We met Zhuang Liehong in New York in January and he told us the village had become a prison, patrolled regularly by armed police and under constant surveillance.

Zhuangs own father Zhuang Songkun was arrested on September 13, 2016, and was given a three-year sentence for disrupting traffic. Eight more villagers were found guilty and received prison terms of up to ten years. More trials are expected soon.

Visitors to Wukan continue to be closely monitored. When two activists from neighbouring Guangxi province tried to visit Zhuangs mother in January, they were arrested within five minutes of entering her house. They have not been heard of since.

Its unlikely we will be able to return to Wukan in the near future, and unlikely that we will ever get to thank the villager who risked his own safety to warn us that we were in danger.

He will probably never know that police did get to us in the end, and that because of him we had erased all our memory cards before leaving the village, and made alternative arrangements to get all of our footage out of the country, intact.
The Qatar-Gulf crisis has given Israel an opportunity to normalise its presence in the region, analysts say.

The current Qatar-Gulf crisis has offered Israel a golden opportunity to normalise its presence in the region, undermine the Palestinian cause and deliver a diplomatic blow to the Islamic Resistance movement, Hamas, analysts say.

Under the pretext of fighting terrorism, the anti-Hamas, anti-political Islam coalition seems to be emerging with the Saudi-led bloc and Israel at its heart, they added.





Researcher and expert on Israeli affairs, Antoine Shalhat, believes that Israels rapid adoption of the Saudi position confirms that the two countries share Israels vision on regional developments and the Palestinian cause.

Shalhat told Al Jazeera that Israel is hoping to make political gains from the Gulf crisis and the blockade on Qatar by weakening Hamas and undermining its influence in the Gaza Strip, and demonising it in the Arab world under the pretext of terrorism.

He added that the Saudi attack on Hamas and its portrayal of the movement as a terrorist organisation serves the Israeli agenda and is consistent with Israels goal to eliminate the Palestinian cause.

On June 5, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain announced they were cutting diplomatic ties with Qatar for its support for terrorism.

Along with severing diplomatic ties, the Riyadh-led blockade was imposed against Doha. Saudi, which shares the only land border with Qatar, shut the crossing and stopped goods being transported to its gas-rich neighbour. Saudi, UAE and Bahrain also closed their airspace to flights to and from Qatar, forcing airlines to remove Doha from their list of destinations.

Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir also said Qatar needed to end its support for Hamas before ties with other Arab Gulf states could be restored. Hamas responded to the statements saying they constitute a shock for our Palestinian people and the Arab and Islamic nations, and that the remarks gave Israel an excuse to carry out more violations against the Palestinian people.

Analysts say Israel, which has only signed peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan, stands to benefit most from the Qatar-Gulf crisis.

Writing in the Israeli daily Haaretz, commentator Amos Harel said that the Gulf crisis will serve to undermine Hamas and redraw regional policies in accordance with the Israeli visions as Israel seeks to normalise its relations with the Arab states while isolating the Palestinian question.

READ MORE: Israel, Saudi, UAE team up in anti-Qatar lobbying move

Following the crisis, Israeli officials repeated statements centred on fighting terrorism and hopes for cooperation with the Gulf states on security concerns.

The Arab states who broke off diplomatic relations with Qatar didnt do so because of Israel, nor  because of the Palestinian issue. They did it because of their own concerns about radical Islamic terror, Avigdor Lieberman, Israeli defence minister, said at the Israeli parliament on June 6.

There can be no doubt that this opens many opportunities for cooperation in the war against terror. The state of Israel is more than open to such cooperation. The ball is now in their court, he added.

Eran Zinger, Arab and Middle East correspondent for Radio Israel, believes that Israel is in need of Qatars mediation to deal with some of the pricklier issues in the Hamas-administered Gaza Strip, such as funds for reconstruction.

The Gaza Strip, a small enclave that is home to about two million residents, has been under an Israeli blockade for more than a decade. It has witnessed three Israeli assaults that have resulted in the destruction of essential infrastructure and the impoverishment of its residents. In the face of the Israeli siege and its occupation of Gaza, Qatar has been one of the biggest financial contributors to the strips reconstruction.

Zinger told Al Jazeera that in spite of official Israeli statements that support Saudi Arabia and oppose Qatar and Hamas, Tel Aviv fears that there could be widespread instability in the region if the situation between Riyadh and Doha deteriorates further.

READ MORE: Qatar FM: Hamas in Doha to facilitate Palestinian unity

One such fear for Tel Aviv is that the Gaza crisis could escalate, causing major splits and disputes within the Hamas movement, which could lead to an armed confrontation between the movement and Israel.

Harel echoed this analysis in Haaretz, writing: If the Saudi and Egyptian pressure leads Qatar to stop supporting Hamas, this could worsen the economic distress in Gaza as well as the military tension with Israel.

Zinger added that according to statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Lieberman, the purpose behind isolating Qatar was to pressure it to withdraw its support for Hamas, and to pressure it to fall back in line with Saudi policies, or what Israel describes as the moderate Arab camp.

Playing on regional rifts in the Arab world, with the divide between the Gulf states and Iran, Israeli officials and analysts often speak of an unofficial moderate axis of Arab countries that are purportedly working behind the scenes with the Israeli government.

In this alliance, Western-backed countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and several of the Gulf states, as well as Jordan and Morocco, are said to be pitted against common enemies such as Syria, Iran, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS), Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.

According to Shalhat, the danger in besieging Qatar lies in the potential adoption of a new tone governing diplomacy between Arab countries, which could have negative repercussions on the Palestinian cause.
Ahead of the nationwide March Against Sharia, Al Jazeera speaks to author Nathan Lean about the Islamophobia industry.

Anti-Muslim marches are slated to take place in dozens of cities across the United States on Saturday, with several counter-protests expected.

ACT for America, the countrys largest grassroots anti-Muslim group described by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as an extremist group, called for the nationwide March Against Sharia.





In a statement on ACT for Americas website, the group claims that Sharia  or Islamic law  runs contrary to human rights and the US Constitution.

Yet rights groups and watchdogs, among them the SPLC and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), have criticised the marches as Islamophobic.

In a report published last year, CAIR examined what it calls the Islamophobia industry.

Between 2008 and 2013, the report found, ACT for America was one of 33 anti-Muslim groups that had access to more than $204m in revenue and helped push for legislation targeting Muslims.

Brigitte Gabriel, the groups founder, is a Lebanese-American who has in the past accused the Muslim Brotherhood political movement of conspiring to conquer the US. She has also referred to Arabs as barbarians and claimed they have no soul.

Gabriel, a vocal supporter of right-wing President Donald Trump, claims ACT for America has more than 500,000 members.

Members of the alt-right  a loosely knit movement that includes white supremacists, neo-Nazis and other far-right groups  have announced their intention to participate in many of the marches.

Al Jazeera spoke to Nathan Lean, author of The Islamophobia Industry: How the Right Manufactures Fear of Muslims, about ACT for America and the prevalence of Islamophobic sentiment in the US.

Al Jazeera: The SPLC describes ACT for America as the largest grassroots anti-Muslim group in the country, while CAIR classifies it as an inner core group within the Islamophobia industry. How influential is ACT for America within this network?

Nathan Lean: ACT for America is, perhaps, the most influential anti-Muslim hate group in the country today. Their significance in the Islamophobia industry has waxed and waned over the years.

However, with the slow rise of populist and nationalist sentiment that has ignited the birther movement, anti-immigration narratives and a groundswell of racist rhetoric targeting minorities, they have grown in size and scope.

(The birther movement subscribes to the conspiracy theory that former President Barack Obama was not born in the US.)

READ MORE: Texas Muslims threatened amid increasing Islamophobia

Like most of the organisations in this network of bigots, they exist in a rather loose fashion, formally speaking, but have used the Internet to establish contacts and so-called chapters all across the country.

Al Jazeera: How would you describe the support bases for organisations such as ACT for America? What kind of impact do they have on the ground?

Lean: These bases of support, which often meet in peoples living rooms or at local coffee shops, have served to strong-arm local politicians, and [have] sown an anti-Muslim ideology amongst anxious [mothers and fathers] in the heartland.

Upon hearing the screeches of ACTs leader, Brigitte Gabriel, these groups come to genuinely believe that Sharia and the Muslim Brotherhood are lurking in every shadow.

That sense of fear has not only led to the adoption of legislation that discriminates against Muslims but has, in my opinion, spurred a smattering of hate crimes and other acts of violence and intimidation online and in the public that create a very dangerous situation for American Muslims.

Al Jazeera: How has anti-Muslim discrimination evolved in recent years?

Lean: Today we are witnessing a very strange thing. Islamophobic groups like ACT for America are not only joining forces with people and factions of the so-called alt-right, but they are also bringing into their fold noxious voices on the left that paint themselves as liberals [while espousing] a blinkered and prejudiced world view when it comes to Islam and Muslims.

Islamophobic groups are also bringing into their fold noxious voices on the left that paint themselves as liberals. by

The issue of free speech is central to this new union.

It has allowed for people like the paedophile-defending blowhard Milo Yiannopoulos, the blogger-cum-anti-Muslim-hate-monger Pamela Geller and a coterie of rabid New Atheists who present themselves as progressive princes and princesses to join forces in the name of fighting Islam.

In other words, as much as Islamophobia has been about the far-right in recent years, thats no longer the case.

OPINION: How Muslim Ban incites vigilante Islamophobic violence

Liberals who have long buried their animosity towards [Islam], or towards religion in general, are quickly cosying up to a group of right-wing nuts who make it their business to attack the civil rights and liberties of Muslims, and smear their religion with half-truths, lies, and intentionally slanderous accusations.

Al Jazeera: How should we understand the relationship between the Islamophobia industry and the uptick in anti-Muslim legislation and hate crimes?

Lean: There is a mutual relationship between all of these things. If anxieties about Muslims  or even blatant prejudices about them  did not exist organically, to some degree, the ground would not be very fertile for anti-Muslim agitators of the Islamophobia industry.

But, of course, the argument can easily be made that the Islamophobia industry is responsible for the images, narratives, memes, tropes, axioms and even policies that engender a climate of fear and hatred of Islam and Muslims. People are not born prejudiced.

As the South Pacific song goes: Youve got to be taught to hate and fear, its got to be drummed in your dear little ear. Some of the people doing that drumming today are those who comprise the Islamophobia industry.

Its time we stop listening to them.

*This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Follow Patrick Strickland on Twitter: @P_Strickland_








The June 7 terror attacks in Tehran, executed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS), were a major landmark in Irans history of dealing with terrorism. The last time Iran had witnessed an assault of this scope and significance in its capital city was in the early 1980s, when armed opponents of the Islamic Republic assassinated its key figures and sympathisers in an attempt to topple the nascent revolutionary regime.





Significantly, last weeks ISIL attacks targeted two chief symbolic components of what has come to be known as the Islamic Republic  Ayatollah Khomeinis mausoleum and the Iranian parliament building.

Iran has long been fighting against ISIL in Iraq and Syria. However, unlike many Western and Middle Eastern countries, Iran had not faced any ISIL attacks within its borders until the attack on Wednesday, and questions abound as to how and why such a security breach occurred now.

The assailants  who were all reportedly from Sunni minority groups and had been battle-hardened in Mosul and Raqqa  approached a public entrance of the parliament with limited security control while reportedly disguising themselves as hijab-clad women.

They entered the building after shooting the security guard, but did not manage to go into the Majlis floor, where MPs were holding a session, either because of miscalculation or the slain officers resistance. All four suspects targeting the parliament, and the two others who orchestrated a similar attack at the Khomeini shrine were killed. This outcome should not surprise us, particularly if we consider the over one hundred terrorist attempts thwarted by Iranian security forces in the past couple of years, according to Irans intelligence minister Mahmoud Alavi.

READ MORE: Tehran attack  Targeting Irans national symbols

So it is possible to say that the ISIL attack was not caused by a major operational failure by the security forces, but there were some bare facts that made Iran susceptible to such an attack.

There are aggrieved religious and ethnic minorities living in Irans border areas  particularly Kurds in the northwest, Arabs in the south and Baluchis in the southeast  who have long been discriminated against and neglected by the central government, making them amenable to militancy. The country needs an effective counterterrorism strategy that takes this reality into account in order to stop similar attacks from happening again.

Following the ISIL attack, the hardline opponents of Rouhani are expected to pursue a more aggressive approach to regional affairs and ramp up Iran's controversial presence and support for proxy groups in conflict theatres such as Syria, Iraq and Yemen. by

Yet, the incident may have not transpired, not least at this particular moment, absent a number of external contributing factors. Less than a day before the attack, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir declared in a meeting in Paris that Iran must be penalised for interfering in the region and espousing terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda. More importantly, the Saudi defence minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud had pointed out in an early May interview that Riyadh would try to take the fight inside Iran. Add to this the recent surge in border clashes in Irans northwestern and southeastern provinces  which have left a number of military and law enforcement officers dead  and one cannot help connecting the dots.

Indeed, Saudi Arabias newly found aggressiveness, first directed at Iran and more recently at Qatar, which is emboldened by its closer ties to the US under the hawkish Trump administration, has further destabilised the Middle East and galvanised terrorist elements into action.

Political Implications at home and abroad

Much as the June 7 terror attacks reinvigorated Iranians sense of patriotism and thus had a unifying impact on the state and society, they were also a blow to the newly re-elected government of moderate President Hassan Rouhani and his moderation project at home and engagement policy abroad.

Hours into the incident and while it was still under way, the Persian-speaking social media was flooded with hardliner posts scorning or otherwise bashing the administration over its soft approach to international relations and pursuit of detente and rapprochement with the outside world, particularly with Irans regional nemeses.

READ MORE: Iran accuses Saudi Arabia of Tehran attacks

Internally, the hardliner groups  who are still reeling from last months historic electoral defeat  will likely use this attack to strengthen their weakened political position and push for further securitisation of the domestic sphere. This so-called securitisation wave could include attempts by the mainly unelected parts of the state to curtail the governments plans to institutionalise citizenship rights and certain civil liberties and foster greater religious and political freedom in the country.





The hardliner groups strong reaction received an unmistakable stamp of approval from Ayatollah Khamenei shortly after the attack. In an address later on the day, the supreme leader railed against the Rouhani administration, encouraging his frustrated followers to act as figurative fire-at-will soldiers and ordering them to open fire at their own discretion, whenever they witness a malfunctioning at the central organs.

Similarly in the foreign policy sphere, following the ISIL attack the hardline opponents of Rouhani are expected to pursue a more aggressive approach to regional affairs and ramp up Irans controversial presence and support for proxy groups in conflict theatres such as Syria, Iraq and Yemen. Pertinently, in its official statement after the terror attack, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) pointed the finger of blame at the United States and Saudi Arabia, vowing revenge against the attacks perpetrators and their backers.

Unless and until cooler heads prevail in the regional capitals, attacks like the one that targeted Tehran will continue to usher in an increasingly aggravating spiral of hostility and further destabilise the Middle East.

Maysam Behravesh is a PhD candidate in the Department of Political Science and an affiliated researcher in the Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES), at Lund University, Sweden.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Is it possible to embrace a fanatical warrior in the cause of the Zionist theft of Palestine as a feminist hero?

The splendid news of a lovely new superhero film Wonder Woman (2017), based on the DC Comics character of the same name, hitting the screens first reached me through the inauspicious report that it had been banned in Lebanon. What the hell? I thought.

The film, I soon learned, was directed by a woman, Patty Jenkins, which is great, based on a story by Zack Snyder and others, which was terrible, for the world always associates the name of Zack Snyder with that horridly hateful movie 300 (2006) in which Persians and other Orientals appear as three-headed monsters feeding on their own children.

Wonder Woman banned in Lebanon, read the headline, because lead actress is Israeli. There we go again. A film starring an Israeli settler-colonist written by a man who sees Iranians as subterranean monsters. Could not wait to see it.

READ MORE: Lebanon calls for ban of Wonder Woman 2017 movie

The controversy, as Americans put it on such occasions, surrounded Gal Gadot, an Israeli military officer turned movie actress. Traumatised by repeated Israeli invasion of their homeland, Lebanese are very particular about anything Israeli. To be sure, the same CNN report indicated not all Lebanese were happy with the ban and wanted to see the film, arguing Gal Gadot may be an Israeli, but we want to watch a movie about the amazing character of Wonder Woman.

As a fanatical movie fan, especially of superheroes (they are beautiful symptoms of ugly diseases), I, of course, categorically oppose banning any film. In fact, like millions of others, I become more eager and curious to see it precisely because it is banned. Being banned is the best thing that can happen to a film. It instantly raises its mysterious cache. In my book, if you dont like a film for whatever reason you just write a bad review of it on your Facebook page. Thats all. You dont ban it.

To be sure, in the United States, Wonder Woman was not only not banned, in fact, it is loudly loved and widely admired as a groundbreaking feminist film, opening to such record sale that would make a Hollywood executive summersault even higher than Wonder Woman herself.

Was Princess of Themyscira a settler colonialist, too?

When you finally sit down to watch the film, you recall how Wonder Woman (now portrayed by Officer Gal Gadot) is none other than Diana, the warrior princess of the Amazons, born and raised on a sheltered island paradise, just like Israel, or a villa in the jungle as one of their warlords once put it. She meets an American pilot (played by Chris Pine), just as they do in their regular joint military exercises, who lures her into the real world where war and misery abound and where the Themysciran princess saves the world and finds her true destiny.

Five minutes into the film, the metaphoric resemblance of the chief protagonist of the film to an Israeli warrior princess and an American fighter pilot who are coming romantically together to save the world with their militarised prowess gushes out of the screen, leaving you nowhere to hide.

READ MORE: Beiruts very own Cinema Paradiso

Before we get too carried away with that uncanny metaphor, however, we must, of course, remember that, as a fictional superhero, Wonder Woman predates the Zionist occupation and theft of Palestine. The character of Wonder Woman first appeared in October 1941, demigoddess, ambassador-at-large of the Amazonian people, and eventually became a founding member of the Justice League  with her official title being Diana, Princess of Themyscira. But in this particular rendition, this specific Wonder Woman might have as well been commissioned by the Hollywood mogul Haim Saban and the casino magnate Sheldon Adelson together, putting their differences over Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton aside for the good cause of bringing US and Israel romantically together for the salvation of the world.

An Israeli soldier saves the world





That cinematic allegory brings us back to the lead actress, Gal Gadot, a settler colonialist who did not just serve in the Israeli army, as any other adult in Israel must (except of course those brave souls who refuse to do so), but actually cheered on her comrades-in-arms when they were slaughtering Palestinian woman and children in Gaza.

This particular Wonder Woman, Ms Gal Gadot, is no ordinary Israeli soldier. She is a fanatical warrior in the cause of the Zionist theft of Palestine and the uninhibited slaughter of Palestinians. Last time, she and her comrades went on a rampage maiming and murdering Palestinian women and children in Gaza and destroying their homes over their heads she cheered her comrades on:

I am sending my love and prayers to my fellow Israeli citizens, she wrote. Especially to all the boys and girls who are risking their lives protecting my country against the horrific acts conducted by Hamas, who are hiding like cowards behind women and childrenWe shall overcome!!! Shabbat Shalom!

Now, What does all of this have to do with the movie, Wonder Woman? you might ask. Suppose you are a father or a mother living in Gaza, and like any other parent from Florida to Oregon you wish for your daughters to have a positive role model  then what? You hear there is this amazing Hollywood blockbuster championing the cause of a young female superhero. Could an Israeli soldier who learned her martial arts skills by helping drop bombs on your brothers and sisters, maiming and murdering them, be perceived as an Amazonian princess who is here to save the world?

The time that Hollywood could shove its superheroes down the world's throat and perpetuate delusion of truth in purposeful lies is over. by

You may say, Who cares if anyone sees the film in Gaza or not, or what they may think of it?  and you will be quite right. Certainly, no Hollywood producer in California or a film critic in New York could care less what a Palestinian child in Gaza or elsewhere might think of this particular Wonder Woman.

When reality thumbs its nose back at you

But Gaza is not just the largest open air prison in which Israelis have incarcerated some 1.8 million human beings. Gaza is also the moral measure of our humanity at large. If you are utterly enjoying this particular Wonder Woman as a role model for your daughters in a theatre near you and could not care less about a young Palestinian girl mourning her family in Gaza whom the woman portraying your superhero helped kill, then all the power to you. You need not bother to know that in this film Gal Gadot does not just personify Wonder Woman, but alas Wonder Woman disappears into Gal Gadot.

The time that Hollywood could shove its superheroes down the worlds throat and perpetuate delusion of truth in purposeful lies is over. Today, the world talks, walks, defies, imagines, and stages back against Hollywood and its dysfunctional mythologies that try to normalise the colonial thieveries of reason and decency. It was a strategic blunder to cast a settler colonial officer as a superhero woman who cares about humanity.

For when you thumb your nose at reality, reality thumbs its nose back at you, and it does so not by political manifesto, but in entirely and gloriously cinematic terms. Here is how: The entire CGI-festooned spectacle of Wonder Woman pales and melts into watery creampuff in comparison to a single sequence of a joyous masterpiece by the Palestinian filmmaker Elia Suleiman. Take a look and marvel: Now thats what I call a Wonder Woman!

Hamid Dabashi is Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature at Columbia University in New York.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
US confirms it is assisting Philippine army in besieged Marawi where fighting broke out more than two weeks ago.

At least 13 Philippine marines were killed on Friday as the battle against fighters linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) continued in the besieged southern city of Marawi.





The death toll was provided by the Philippine army on Saturday, which also said that at least 40 others were wounded in a 16-hour fight against members of the Maute group.

There was an intense, house-to-house firefight between the marines and the local terrorist group, Jo-Ar Herrera, army spokesman, told a televised press conference.

He said the marines, who were taking part in an operation to rescue about 100 people who are being held hostage by Maute, were killed by improvised explosive devices set off by the groups fighters.

The setback for the Philippine military comes more than two weeks after the start of the deadly siege of Marawi City, which prompted Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law on May 24 on the southern island of Mindanao

Officials said an estimated 500 to 1,000 civilians are trapped in the built-up area occupied by the fighters, which also came under heavy aerial bombardment on Friday.

At least 200 people, including soldiers, armed gunmen and civilians have been killed and more than 200,000 people have been displaced.

US support

As the fighting intensifies, the United States said on Saturday that its special forces were providing technical support to the Philippine military in Marawi City.

US special operations forces are assisting the armed forces of the Philippines in Marawi at the request of the government of the Philippines, an unnamed US official told Reuters news agency.

The official gave no details of the US involvement, but a US surveillance plane was seen flying over Marawi on Friday. There is no evidence Washington has put troops on the ground there.

The assistance comes after months of strain between the two long-time allies that was stoked by Dutertes pledges to throw US troops out of the country.

Al Jazeeras Jamela Alindogan, reporting from the Philippine capital of Manila, said that despite Dutertes hostile declarations, the US militarys assistance comes as no surprise because  American forces have always been present  although they are there primarily for technical and intelligence support.

READ MORE  The battle for Marawi: Confusion and contradictions

Washington deployed special forces soldiers to Mindanao in 2002 to train and advise Philippine units fighting the Abu Sayyaf group in an operation that once involved 1,200 Americans. It was discontinued in 2015 but a small presence remained for logistics and technical support.

The US and the Philippines have been allies for decades. Their relationship provided Washington with a strategic foothold in Asia and offered Manila a shield against Chinas assertiveness in the region.

But Duterte has openly scorned the alliance, seeing it as an obstacle to a rapprochement with China, and has repeatedly lambasted Washington.

Maute matriarch arrested

On Friday, police also arrested the mother of the Maute brothers, the two men leading the fighters in Marawi City.

Ominta Farhana Maute, the mother of Abdullah and Omar, was detained with nine other people, including two wounded men, in the town of Masiu.





Farhana was said to be buying vehicles and firearms for their escape outside Lanao del Sur province, said Chief Superintendent Theodore Sindac, a regional police director.

Several high-powered firearms and improvised explosive devices were confiscated from their possession, Sindac added.

The Maute brothers father was arrested on Tuesday and transferred to a Manila detention facility amid fears the groups fighters might attempt to rescue him.

Both Maute and Abu Sayyaf have declared their allegiance to ISIL.

Maute wants to set up an Islamic state in Lanao province in Mindanaos north, one of the poorest regions in the Philippines.

Take down fake Facebook accounts

Also on Friday, the Philippine military asked Facebook to close dozens of accounts linked to fighters in Marawi City.

The militarys Herrera said the armed forces social media unit had uncovered 63 accounts belonging to the fighters and their supporters.

These 63 accounts are spreading malicious information and misinformation that affect the information landscape and the mindset of every Filipino, Herrera told reporters.

The military has asked Facebook Philippines to conduct necessary measures to take down these fake accounts, Herrera added.

OPINION  Mindanao crisis: A city on fire

When asked about the militarys request, Facebook told the AFP new agency that it would remove accounts that promoted terrorism.

We want to provide a service where people feel safe. Thats why we have community standards that explain what you can and cannot do on our service, a Facebook statement said.

Our community standards do not allow groups or people that engage in terrorist activity, or posts that express support for terrorism. Fake accounts are also prohibited.

Dont kill us: Fleeing civilians recall Marawi ordeal

The military said on Friday its aim was to end the siege in Marawi City by Monday, the Philippines independence day.

The chief of staff made an announcement, hoping that by Monday we can freely wave our flags in every corner of Maraqi and we are working feverishly to do that, military spokesman Restituto Padilla told reporters.

Also on Friday, the presidents office issued a statement saying the traditional celebrations to commemorate independence day had been cancelled by Duterte as he wanted to focus on the crisis in Marawi.
The US military command confirms friendly-fire incident during joint operation by Afghan and American forces.

Several members of the Afghan security forces were killed on Friday when a US military aircraft opened fire during an overnight operation in Helmand province, according to officials.

The incident took place in the Loy Bagh area of Nad Ali district on Friday, said Razia Baluch, a provincial council member from the southern province.

There were conflicting reports about the number of officers, members of the Afghan Border Police, killed in the air raid.

Local media reported at least two deaths, while the Reuters news agency quoted Omar Zwak, a spokesman for the Helmand governor, as saying that three officers had lost their lives and two were wounded.





The DPA news agency, meanwhile, placed the death toll at 10 members of security forces, adding that another 16 had been wounded.

The US military command in Afghanistan released a statement saying that the friendly-fire incident resulted in the deaths and injuries and that an investigation is being conducted.

It said the officers were killed when a US aircraft returned fire during the operation, which included Afghan and American special forces.

We would like to express our deepest condolences to the families of the ABP members affected by this unfortunate incident, the statement added.

READ MORE: Sending more troops is like adding wood to fire

Taliban fighters have made widespread gains in Helmand, seizing many of the provinces districts and threatening the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah.

Hundreds of US Marines recently arrived in Helmand to take over an advising mission as part of a NATO-led coalition training and assisting local forces.

American troops, including special forces, also carry out separate counterterrorism missions.

Air raids by US fighter jets have sharply increased in recent months as the White House considers requests from military commanders to send thousands more troops to Afghanistan.

Civilian casualties from both US and Afghan air raids increased dramatically last year according to the UNs most recent report on threats to civilians.

At least 891 civilians were killed or injured in 2016, with the highest casualties in areas outside of the capital, Kabul.
ACT for America is spearheading National March Against Sharia rallies in at least 28 cities across the country.

Right-wing marchers have taken to the streets in several cities across the United States for the National March Against Sharia, an anti-Muslim campaign that has been roundly criticised by rights groups and watchdogs.

Responding to a call by ACT for America, march participants came out in at least 28 cities in some 20 states on Saturday.

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has described ACT for America as an extremist organisation and the largest grassroots anti-Muslim group in the country.





Counterprotesters amassed in several cities to oppose the nationwide marches, with clashes and skirmishes taking place at a handful of the march sites.

Speaking to Al Jazeera before the marches, Corey Saylor of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) described the marches as Islamophobic and part of a phenomenon that leads to the creation of an environment in which violence [against Muslims] feels permissible.

Alia Salem, a Dallas-based Muslim-American and social justice activist, argued that anti-Muslim xenophobia long predates the presidency of Donald Trump.

Islamophobia wasnt created by Donald Trump, Salem told Al Jazeera.

It was empowered to a certain extent. More than anything, the idea of white supremacy within segments of our population have been empowered through his presidency.

READ MORE: How US groups spread hate via the Islamophobia industry

ACT for America did not reply to Al Jazeeras request for a comment. A statement on the groups website claimed that sharia  or Islamic law  runs contrary to human rights and the US Constitution.

Clashes reportedly broke out between anti-fascists  known colloquially as Antifa  and march participants in a handful of cities, including Seattle, Washington.

Freelance journalist Mike Bivins, reporting from Seattle, published on Twitter videos of a brawl between the two sides and police subsequently firing pepper spray into the crowds

ANTIFA JUST BEATDOWN A TRUMP SUPPORTER. HUGE WILD BRAWL. BATTLE IN SEATTLE!!!! pic.twitter.com/X4NHVlSeJe  Mikeford Le Morte d'Michael Biziths (@itsmikebivins) June 10, 2017

During a rally and counterprotest in New York City, local media reports estimate that around 200 Antifa protests outnumbered several dozen participants of the National March Against Sharia.

Images posted on social media showed skirmishes between the left-wing counterprotesters and the far-rightists, who had their Make America Great Again hats ripped off during confrontations.

Discriminatory history

Founded in 2007 and boasting of more than 500,000 members, the group is one of many that support US President Donald Trump. Its members have campaigned for strict legislation that targets Muslims and refugees in recent years.

In an executive order that has been frozen by courts, Trump has attempted to ban travellers from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the US. The order is slated to be considered by the Supreme Court.

In a report published last year, CAIR examined what it calls the Islamophobia industry.

Between 2008 and 2013, the report found, ACT for America was one of 33 anti-Muslim groups that had access to more than $204m in revenue.

Brigitte Gabriel, ACT for Americas founder, is a Lebanese American who has in the past accused the Muslim Brotherhood political movement of conspiring to conquer the US. She has also referred to Arabs as barbarians and claimed they have no soul.

Nathan Lean, author of The Islamophobia Industry, described ACT for America as part of a network of bigots that has promoted anti-Muslim sentiment in recent years.

That sense of fear has not only led to the adoption of legislation that discriminates against Muslims, but has, in my opinion, spurred a smattering of hate crimes and other acts of violence and intimidation online and in the public that create a very dangerous situation for American Muslims, he told Al Jazeera.

Between 2013 and 2015, at least 10 anti-Muslim laws were enacted by state legislatures, according to CAIR.

An addition 81 bills or amendments targeting Muslims were introduced during the same time period.

Last year alone, CAIR documented 260 anti-Muslim hate crimes and 2,213 bias incidents aimed at Muslims.

Increasing clashes

Members of the alt-right  a loosely knit movement that includes white supremacists, neo-Nazis and other far-right groups  participated in many of Saturdays marches.

The protests and counterprotests in more than a dozen cities come at a time of increased tensions and frequent physical confrontations between Antifa and far-right activists.

In New York City, the pro-Trump nationalist group The Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers militia movement took part in the local march and in favour of what they deem free speech.

In response, the Metropolitan Anarchists Coordinating Council (MACC) staged a noise demonstrations with hopes of drowning out anti-Muslim chants.

They have no intention of encouraging free speech, Marisa Holmes, a spokesperson for MACC, told Al Jazeera by telephone.

The marches come just weeks after Jeremy Christian, a 35-year-old white supremacist, allegedly stabbed to death Ricky Best, 53, and Taliesin Namkai-Meche, 23, when they tried to stop him from harassing a pair of girls, one of whom wore a headscarf, on a light rail in Portland, Oregon.

A third man, 21-year-old Micah Fletcher, intervened and was severely injured with a stab wound to his neck.

They are encouraging violence against the most oppressed and marginalised groups in our society, and the threat is real, Holmes added.

As weve seen in Portland and elsewhere, people are being physically attacked  and there have been fatalities.

In La Porte, Texas, the Houston Socialist Movement and other anti-fascist groups counterprotested the local ACT for America march on Saturday.

We need collective political action to oppose the fascists and do whatever we can to deny them a platform when they come out to spread their filth, David Michael Smith of the Houston Socialist Movement told Al Jazeera.

We need to make very clear that most people in this society oppose them and do not want them around.

Alluding to the recent killings in Portland, Alia Salem concluded: The more people of conscience start waking up and realising what is happening  like the three men who stood up in Portland  the more it shows that this is an issue that doesnt just affect Muslims. It affects all of us.

Follow Patrick Strickland on Twitter: @P_Strickland_
Court favours Temer in campaign finance case, but the embattled president still faces a separate corruption probe.

Brazils embattled President Michel Temer has been cleared of charges that he received illegal campaign funds in a 2014 election, a ruling that allows him to stay in office.

The countrys top electoral court, known as the TSE, voted 4-3 on Friday to acquit Temer of accepting illegal contributions when he was the running mate of impeached President Dilma Rousseff in three years ago.

The ruling gives Temer some breathing room but will not end a political crisis enveloping the beleaguered centre-right leader. Temer is being investigated separately by federal prosecutors for corruption, obstruction of justice and racketeering as part of a sprawling anti-graft probe.

We cannot be changing the president of the republic all the time, even if the people want to, Gilmar Mendes, TSE chief judge, said on Friday.

There are serious proven facts but not enough to annul the mandate.

OPINION: What next for Brazils decaying kleptocracy?

Mendes, who backed the impeachment of Rousseff, also said the country should not expect the court to solve the current political crisis.

The verdict avoided the annulment of the Rousseff-Temer 2014 election victory and the removal of the president from office.

Temer took office last year, promising a new era for Brazil following Rousseffs impeachment over accusations of taking illegal state loans to patch budget holes in 2014.





In a decisive move, that same court majority had ruled on Thursday to not allow plea-bargain testimony from 77 executives of the Odebrecht construction firm, which is at the centre of the vast political corruption scheme, as evidence in the case .

Those witnesses told investigators they funnelled millions of dollars in illegal funds into the 2014 Rousseff-Temer ticket. But the testimony was made more than a year after the beginning of the case, and without it, Temers lawyers argued there was no proof of wrongdoing.

The acquittal will help Temer, whose governments poll ratings are in the single digits, retain key coalition allies who will support approval in congress of his fiscal reform agenda amid a worsening economic situation.

The controversial austerity measures aim to bring a gaping budget deficit under control and restore investor confidence.

Alexandre Parola, a spokesman for Temer, said after the ruling that the president viewed the decision as an example of effective institutions keeping the countrys democracy working.

Investigations just starting

Attention will now turn to Temers battle against the parallel case in which he is accused of obstruction of justice and corruption.

The president refused an order by prosecutors of the obstruction case to provide a written deposition by Friday. Temer demanded instead that the probe against him be shut down.

Prosecutor General Rodrigo Janot alleges that Temer agreed to payments of hush money to Eduardo Cunha, former lower house of congress speaker, who is in prison for corruption.

Janot had ordered Temer to answer 82 questions in writing by late Friday as part of his building of the case. Rather than meet the deadline, Temers lawyers branded the probe a comedy, an inquisition and arrogant.

OPINION: There is no justice for the poor in Brazil

Temer says the central piece of evidence in Janots probe  a secretly-made audio recording of a conversation he had with a meatpacking industry tycoon  was doctored.

But analysts say Janot could soon move from the current investigation to requesting formal charges.

The days ahead will be very difficult for Temer. The corruption investigations are just starting, Flavia Bahia, professor at the CERS law school, told the Reuters news agency.

The government cant be sure of its allies any more.

Under the constitution, the lower house would have to approve any charges by a two-thirds majority before a trial could start in the Supreme Court.

UPFRONT: Brazils Dilma on being betrayed

That approval process in congress could be lengthy and Temer is working daily to maintain enough support among legislators to defeat any eventual charges.

Temer has faced months of anti-government protests over his fiscal reforms and ongoing corruption investigations, with many calling for his resignation.

The president has continually denied any wrongdoing and insists he will never resign.
Deputy PM says no need for present government to be removed calling for stability in the country and a unity government.

Lesothos ex-deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing has called for a national unity government, saying a broader coalition deal would ensure stability after a parliamentary election failed to give any party absolute majority.

Lesotho held elections last week, the third in five years, after Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, with whom Metsing had been in a coalition government, lost a no-confidence vote as prime minister in March.

Mosisili could have either resigned or advised the king to call snap elections and he went for the latter option.

He admitted defeat on Friday to his opponent Thomas Thabane, whose All Basotho Convention (ABC) emerged as the winner of 48 parliamentary seats but short of the 61 needed to form a government on its own.





Easing fears of instability, the prime minister resigned from office after the election results came through. He will still head a caretaker government until the new prime minister is sworn in.

There is no need for the removal of the existing government in office as we all agree that in order for Lesotho to be stable there is a need for a government of national unity, Metsing told a news conference late on Friday.

Thabane has said his ABC party would form a coalition government with three other parties: Alliance Democrats, Basotho National Party and the Reformed Congress of Lesotho.

The outcome reverses the result of an election two years ago when Mosisili removed Thabane by teaming up with Metsing and other smaller parties.

Lesotho, a nation of two million people, has been hit by several coups since gaining independence from Britain in 1966 and its last two elections failed to produce a winner with a clear majority.

READ MORE: Fighting the legacy of mining in Lesotho

Thabane, who governed from 2012 until 2015, and other opposition leaders fled to South Africa in 2015 after an assassination attempt.

Completely landlocked by South Africa, Lesotho is one of the worlds poorest countries and its economy is heavily dependent on its neighbour, to where it exports water and hydroelectric power.

South Africas Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed the peaceful and democratic election in Lesotho and extended congratulations to the mountain kingdom.
Switzerland suspends the provisions of the Dublin Convention in relation to Hungary because of insecure conditions.

Switzerlands highest administrative court on Friday ruled against the deportation of an asylum seeker to Hungary, citing humanitarian and legal concerns over conditions in a country that has been sharply criticised for its harsh treatment of refugees.

Judges at the Federal Administrative Court said the situation in Hungary is too insecure for asylum seekers, delivering a verdict in the case of a young male from the Democratic Republic of Congo who had filed a judicial complaint against his return to the Eastern European country, where he was officially registered.

Under the European Unions Dublin Convention, member states can return asylum seekers to the country where they first applied for protection. Switzerland is not an EU member state, but it is a signatory to the accord.





Seeing as the court issued a so-called pilot ruling, its provisions automatically apply to all present asylum seekers in Switzerland who had registered a complaint against their return to Hungary.

Local media reported that 202 people would now have their asylum requests processed in Switzerland.

The verdict does not automatically entail that all future complainants will be exempt from returning to Hungary, but the court asked Swiss federal authorities to assess whether that should be the case.

IN PICTURES: Refugees stranded on Serbia-Hungary border amid winter

Hungarys immigration policies have been roundly condemned by rights groups and refugee advocates after the conservative government in Budapest tightened asylum regulations in the wake of the 2015 refugee crisis.

The main cause for concern cited by the Swiss judges was a piece of legislation passed by Hungary in March that stated all asylum seekers had to stay in closed container camps on Hungarian soil or had to be brought to processing facilities in remote areas between Serbia and Hungary.

At the time, the UNs refugee agency said the legislation violated Hungarys obligations under international and EU laws and that automatic detention of all asylum seekers was unacceptable.

A month later, the United Nations urged EU members to stop returning asylum seekers to Hungary, blaming the countrys tough new policy of systematically detaining them in the high-security container camps.

In its ruling, the Swiss court said that if asylum seekers were to be returned to Hungary, there was no guarantee of them having access to a fair asylum process and adequate care.

In October last year, the majority of Hungarians voted against European Union plans to share 160,000 refugees around the 28-member bloc through mandatory quotas.

Hungary, which has built barbed wire fences along its border to Serbia to curb the influx of refugees, has since not accepted any asylum seekers allocated under the scheme.

In 2016, the country granted asylum, or some form of protection, to 425 people out of 29,432 applications in 2016.
Turkish president urges Saudi Arabia to act like the Custodian of the Two Holy Places in Gulf diplomatic dispute.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has requested the full removal of a Saudi-led blockade of Qatar after approving the deployment of Turkish troops there, saying Riyadh needed to put brotherhood ahead of animosity.

Erdogan said isolating Qatar would not resolve any regional problems and vowed to do everything in his power to help end the regional crisis.

We will not abandon our Qatari brothers, Erdogan told members of his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party at a fast-breaking meal on Friday in Istanbul during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

READ MORE: Analysis  Why is Turkey deploying troops to Qatar?

I also have a special request from the Saudi administration. You are the largest and most powerful state in the Gulf. We call you the Custodian of the Holy Places. You especially should work for brotherhood, not animosity. You have to work for bringing brothers together. This is what we expect from Saudi, the Custodian of the Holy Mosques.





I say it should be lifted completely, Erdogan said of the embargo.

Late on Thursday, a joint statement by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and the UAE accused 59 individuals and 12 charity organisations in Qatar of being linked to terror.

Speaking about the allegations, Erdogan said: There is no such thing. I know those foundations.

READ MORE: Moves against Qatar violate human rights

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt severed relations with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of supporting extremists and their arch-adversary Iran  charges Qatar calls baseless. Several countries followed suit.

The four countries also imposed a land, sea and air blockade on Qatar that precluded food shipments and led to cancellation of flights

Turkey, which has maintained good relations with Qatar, as well as several of its Gulf Arab neighbours, offered food and water supplies to stave off possible shortages.

There are those who are uncomfortable with us standing by our Qatari brothers, providing them with food. Im sorry, we will continue to give Qatar every kind of support, Erdogan said, adding that he had never witnessed Doha supporting terrorism.

On Wednesday, Turkeys parliament ratified two deals on deploying troops to Qatar and training the Gulf nations security forces.

The deal to send Turkish soldiers in Qatar, aimed at improving the countrys army and boosting military cooperation, was signed in April 2016 in Doha.

READ MORE: Saudi-led blockade on Qatar breaking up families

The ratification of the military treaties is not an anti-Saudi move at all, Can Kasapoglu, a defence analyst from Turkeys EDAM, told Al Jazeera. Turkey still sticks to I dont want problems between my two good friends policy.

Yet, although this is not an anti-Saudi position, it is a pro-Qatari one for sure. Ankara prioritised its geopolitical perspective, and showed that it holds its military presence [in Qatar] above the recent diplomatic crisis.

After an initial deployment of Turkish soldiers at a base in Doha, Turkish fighter jets and ships will also be sent, the mass-circulation Hurriyet newspaper said on its website on Friday.

The number of Turkish warplanes and Turkish warships going to the base will become clear after the preparation of a report based on an initial assessment at the base, Hurriyet said.

A Turkish delegation would go to Qatar in the coming days to assess the situation at the base, where about 90 Turkish soldiers are currently based, it said.

Turkish officials were not available to comment on the report, but Hurriyet said there were plans send some 200 to 250 soldiers within two months in the initial stage.
Senior political bureau member Musa Abu Marzouk says Arab countries should not be divided on the Palestinian cause.

Senior Hamas leader Musa Abu Marzouk, commenting on the Gulf diplomatic crisis, has said that Arab differences are internal affairs.

A member of Hamas political bureau, Marzouk said on Saturday that the Gaza-based movement would remain directed towards Palestine and Jerusalem, and towards national unity and the cohesion of the Palestinian people.





Marzouks comments came at a time of diplomatic crisis in the region after Gulf and other Arab countries cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting extremists  including Hamas  and Iran.

Qatar has rejected all allegations as baseless.

Speaking to the press after a meeting in Beirut with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Marzouk said: It is supposed that no one should differ over supporting the Palestinian cause.

Our weapons will remain directed solely at the Zionist enemy [Israel] which we will continue to resist.

On Friday, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani told Al Jazeera that the presence of Hamass political leaders in the capital, Doha, is coordinated with the US and was aimed at facilitating Palestinian unity.

Hamas presence [in Doha] is coordinated with the US and the countries in the region, and its part of our effort to mediate between the Palestinian factions to reach reconciliation, he said.
Israeli authorities step up security around flashpoint site, deploying thousands of troops and erecting roadblocks.

An estimated 250,000 Palestinians from the occupied West Bank, the blockaded Gaza Strip, and Arab communities inside Israel converged on East Jerusalems Al-Aqsa mosque complex to perform Friday prayers during the Ramadan fasting month.

Men over 40, children under 12, and women of all ages were allowed by Israeli authorities to enter East Jerusalem for the occasion without permits.

Since Friday morning, the Israeli authorities have stepped up security around the flashpoint site, deploying thousands of troops in surrounding alleyways and erecting roadblocks at the entrances of Jerusalems Old City.





Due to all the security restrictions, it took me four hours to reach Jerusalem from [the West Bank city of] Nablus, Salem Abdulhadi, 52, told Anadolu news agency.

I usually perform Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa for Ramadan despite the stepped-up security, he said.

Sheikh Azzam al-Khatib, the Palestinian director-general of Religious Endowments and Al-Aqsa Affairs, said about 250,000 worshipers showed up at Al-Aqsa to attend Friday prayers.

Were expecting about 150,000 Palestinian worshipers from the West Bank and Gaza Strip to stay for taraweeh [night-time] prayers, he said.

Al-Khatib added the Jordan-run Religious Endowments Authority would distribute food and water to worshipers each day at sunset.

Salem Sabaana, a 40-year-old Palestinian from the West Bank city of Jenin, told said it was his first visit Al-Aqsa since his childhood.

I am excited to finally visit and pray at Al-Aqsa again, he said. Ive been waiting for this moment for 30 years.

Along with my wife and two daughters, I plan to stay here this evening to attend taraweeh prayers, he added.

READ MORE: Timeline  Al-Aqsa Mosque

His 12-year-old daughter, Safaa, voiced her desire to come to Al-Aqsa each Friday of Ramadan.

It is my first time to visit Al-Aqsa, she said. It is very beautiful. My dad has promised to bring us here every Friday.

The Al-Aqsa mosque complex is sacred to both Jews and Muslims and is seen by the latter as the worlds third holiest site.

Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem  in which Al-Aqsa is located  during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. In a move never recognised by the international community, Israel annexed the entire city in 1980, claiming it as its eternal and undivided capital.
Intelligence minister claims security forces have killed the mastermind behind Wednesdays deadly attacks in Tehran.

Irans intelligence minister said on Saturday the mastermind behind Wednesdays attacks in Tehran, which killed 17 people, had been killed by security forces.

The mastermind and main commander of terrorist attacks on the parliament and Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini was killed today by the security forces, Mahmoud Alavi, minister of intelligence, was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.





Four armed assailants attacked parliament office buildings on Wednesday morning, while the shrine of revolutionary founder Ruhollah Khomeini was struck by a suicide bomber, state media reported.

One of the attackers on Irans parliament complex blew himself up on the fourth floor, while under siege by security forces, state broadcaster IRIB reported.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group had claimed responsibility for the attack, by suicide bombers and gunmen.

A number of arrests were made after the deadly attack on the parliament and Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini.

Addressing a ceremony in Tehran early on Saturday, Brigadier General Ashtari said a number of fighters affiliated with armed groups have been arrested, local media reported.

The attack on the shrine of Khomeini is symbolically stunning. As Irans first supreme leader, Khomeini is a towering figure in the country and was its revolutionary leader in the 1979 overthrow of the shah.
US legislation threatening Qatar for Hamas support is tied to donations from UAE, Saudi, and Israel lobbyists.

Washington, DC  US legislation threatening to sanction Qatar for its support of Palestinian terror was sponsored by 10 legislators who received more than $1m over the last 18 months from lobbyists and groups linked to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The bill was introduced to the US House of Representatives on May 25, but the text wasnt available until Friday morning, hours after Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt put 59 people and 12 institutions linked to Qatar on a terror list.

The nations abruptly ended diplomatic relations with Qatar on Monday, accusing Doha of supporting extremism and siding with their regional rival Iran.

Hamas has received significant financial and military support from Qatar, the Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2017, also known as HR 2712, said. It went on to list sanctions including an end of exports of defence technologies, arms, and loans or financing totalling more than $10m.

READ MORE: Erdogan vows to stand by Qatari brothers amid crisis

For Trita Parsi, author and founder of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), a nonprofit that aims to strengthen the voice of US citizens of Iranian descent, the similarities between the US-allied Arab nations terror list and HR 2712 show growing cooperation between Gulf Arab states and Israel.





The coordination between hawkish pro-Israel groups and UAE and Saudi Arabia has been going on for quite some time, Parsi told Al Jazeera. What is new, he continued, is pro-Israel groups such as the Foundation for Defense of Democracies coming out with pro-Saudi [articles] and lobbying for them on Capitol Hill.

Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia all view the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist political group, as a threat. Deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi belonged to the group, which endured a heavy-handed crackdown in Egypt since a military coup installed Abdel Fatah el-Sisi as president in 2014.

The Brotherhood was the ideological base for Hamas, the Islamist rulers of the besieged Gaza Strip that have fought three wars with the Israelis. The Saudis demand that Qatar stop supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas in a move that aligns with Egyptian and Israeli policy.

Israels influence on US policymakers is clear. HR 2712s sponsors received donations totalling $1,009,796 from pro-Israel individuals and groups for the 2016 election cycle alone, according to data collected by the Center for Responsive Politics, an independent research group tracking money in US politics and its effect on elections and public policy, and then compiled by Al Jazeera.

Theyre not traditional pro-Saudi legislators. Theyre in the pro-Likud camp, Parsi said, referring to the party of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The bill has bipartisan sponsorship. Five of the legislators come from the House Committee on Foreign Relations (HCFR), including sponsor Brian Mast, a first-term Republican congressman from Florida, and Ed Royce and Eliot Engel, the ranking Republican and Democrat of the HCFR, respectively.

Royce received $242,143 from pro-Israel sources for the 2016 election cycle, $190,150 went to Engel. Mast, who volunteered with the Israeli military after he finished serving in the US Army, received $90,178.

READ MORE: Qatar-Gulf crisis: All the latest updates

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Florida Republican, received $150,300 in 2016, pushing her 27-year career total of pro-Israel dollars to more than $1m.

In contrast with the $1 million donated by pro-Israel entities in 2016, HR 2712s sponsors received roughly $25,700 in donations by pro-Saudi and UAE lobbying groups over the last 18 months, according to filings with the US Department of Justice made public under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

The act requires that lobbyists track and submit donations and contacts between themselves and legislators when working for foreign governments.





Al Jazeeras investigation covered 10 firms associated with Saudi and Emirati lobbying efforts. However, these are not exhaustive. Both Gulf nations have rapidly expanded their lobbying in recent years and could include further donations from individuals.

FARA filings also document frequent emails and meetings between the 10 legislators and Saudi-UAE lobbyists, as well as calls to major media outlets concerning news coverage of major events.

Texas Republican Ted Poe, who said in a release he was proud to support HR 2712 because it will make countries like Qatar, Iran, and others pay a price for their support for terrorism was the only legislator who does not have a record of any donations from lobbyists linked to Israel, Saudi or UAE.

Al Jazeeras requests for comment from several sponsors, including Brian Mast and the HCFR, were not immediately answered.

Regarding the increased collaboration between the Gulf nations and Israel, which recently entered its 50th year of occupying Palestine, Parsi said even though there are disagreements they share a common goal.

To use the opportunity they have with the Trump administration to restore an order in the region that is appealing to them  an order based on Irans isolation and the re-prioritisation of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Israel, he said.

The previous Obama administration shook the status quo of the Middle East by making the landmark nuclear deal with Iran that eased sanctions and allowed for the Shia regional power to continue researching nuclear power. The agreement was based on an end to Irans efforts to develop nuclear weapons, and it has complied with the terms such as intermittent inspections by international agencies.

READ MORE: Five days on, five things to know about Qatar-Gulf rift

Obama famously said the Saudis need to find an effective way to share the neighbourhood and institute some sort of cold peace with the Iranians.

But then Obama okayed billion-dollar arms deals to assure Gulf partners he wasnt entirely pivoting towards Iran, William Hartung, director of the Arms and Security Project at the Center for International Policy, a think-tank in Washington, DC, told Al Jazeera.

Now, Trump has adopted an all-in approach to Saudi relations, including a controversial $110bn arms deal regardless of human rights concerns surrounding the use of these weapons in the ongoing Yemen conflict.

Arms sales have long acted as a means of influencing US policy. There was always a sort of tacit quid pro quo, Hartung continued. The Saudis would buy US weapons and receive the superpowers protection, the arms expert explained.

Israel has historically raised concerns about arms deals with Gulf Arab states, who last fought a war in 1973. But the Israeli leadership has kept quiet about the $110bn arms deal with Saudi Arabia inked by the Trump administration because there was a shift from viewing the Saudis as a potential adversary, Hartung said, because Iran is a common enemy.

In the old days, there was a pro-Israel block in Congress  that would have been very sceptical and possibly pushed for votes against arms sales to Saudi Arabia. That hasnt happened in a long time, he said.

The geographic and corresponding congressional realignment will continue, Parsi predicted, and pressure on Qatar will remain.

The small Gulf country is a problem because it is independent and doesnt share Saudi Arabias obsession with Iran, he said.

For its part, Qatar has vowed to retain its independence.
Attacker allegedly yelled get out of my country before opening fire on two Indian men, killing one of them, in a bar.

A white man accused of shouting get out of my country as he shot dead one Indian man and injured another at a bar in Kansas has been indicted on hate crime and firearms charges, the US justice department said on Friday.

Adam Purinton, 52, is accused of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla and wounding Alok Madasani, both 32, because of their race, colour, religion and national origin.

Purinton was also charged with a federal firearms violation in the February 22 incident at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, a Kansas City suburb.

READ MORE: Mapping hate  The rise of hate groups in the US

The shootings also injured an American, Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene.

The indictment alleges that Purinton committed the offenses after substantial planning and premeditation, attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode, and knowingly created a grave risk of death to others on the scene, the department said in a news release.

An affidavit released in March said Madasani told detectives that the gunman asked if their status was legal before he opened fire.

A lawyer for Purinton, who also faces state murder and attempted murder charges, could not immediately be reached for comment, news agencies reported.

Local media reported at the time that Purinton thought he had killed two Iranian men.

Michael Copeland, mayor of Olathe, said in a statement that the hate crime charge was appropriate.

The intent of this one act was to spread hate. It failed miserably, Copeland said. It has spread love, and it has brought this community even closer together.

Kuchibhotla and Madasani had come to the United States from India to study and worked as engineers at GPS-maker, Garmin.

Police Chief Steve Menke said he hoped the charges would bring some comfort to Kuchibhotla loved ones and friends and to the survivors of the shooting.

Speaking to reporters after Kuchibhotlas murder, his widow Sunaina Dumala had said she was concerned about the targeting of immigrants in the US before the attack, but her husband had told her not to worry.

He did not deserve a death like this, Dumala, who was planning her first child with her husband, said at the time.

Purintons indictment comes amid growing concern about a wave of hateful actions across the US aimed at African Americans, Jews, Muslims and other groups singled out by inflammatory rhetoric that gained prominence during Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign.

Dont be shocked! Be angry! Siddharth, a well-known South Indian actor who uses one name, had tweeted to his 2.6 million followers after Kuchibhotlas killing.

Trump is spreading hate. This is a hate crime! RIP #SrinivasKuchibhotla.

If convicted, Purinton could face capital punishment or life in prison. Justice officials said they had not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.
Qatari nationals barred from entering the Grand Mosque in Mecca, according to an Al Sharq newspaper report.

Saudi authorities have prevented Qatari nationals from entering the Grand Mosque in Mecca, marking a sharp escalation in the Gulf diplomatic crisis, Doha-based Al Sharq newspaper has reported.

Qatars National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) received complaints from Qatari citizens that pilgrims from Qatar were barred from entering the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, the paper said on Saturday.

Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri, the NHRC head, called the incident a flagrant violation of the right to practise religious rites as permitted by human rights conventions, the paper said.

The NHRC denounced the incident, considering the step a violation of the right to perform religious rituals guaranteed by human rights conventions, Al Sharq added.

READ MORE: Qatar-Gulf crisis  All the latest updates

It should be noted that Saudi authorities do not normally question people entering the Grand Mosque on their ethnicity or sectarian affiliation.





The claims come a few days after the UAE and Bahrain criminalised sympathy for Qatar on social media.

The UAE said offenders would be punished with a jail term of up to 15 years and a $136,000 fine. Bahrain declared it punishable by imprisonment of up to five years.

Since the diplomatic dispute erupted, slogans against and in support of Qatar have been among the top topics discussed on Twitter in Arabic, which is a hugely popular medium of expression in the Arab world, particularly in Saudi Arabia.

The dispute between Qatar and the Arab countries escalated after a cyberattack on Qatars state-run news agency.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt severed diplomatic ties and transport links with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of supporting extremism.

Qatar has vehemently denied the charges.

READ MORE: Israel, Saudi, UAE team up in anti-Qatar lobbying move

In its statement, the Qatari government said it has been leading the region in attacking what it called the roots of terrorism, including giving young people hope through jobs, educating hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees and funding community programmes to challenge agendas of armed groups.

Our position on countering terrorism is stronger than many of the signatories of the joint statement  a fact that has been conveniently ignored by the authors, the government said.
Zintan-based militia releases Saif al-Islam, the son of Muammar Gaddafi, who was toppled in 2011 uprising.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of slain Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has been released from prison, according to fighters who control the facility.

A statement from the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Battalion, a militia which controls Zintan, a mountainous region southwest of the capital Tripoli, said Saif al-Islam was released late on Saturday.

The armed group has issued a statement on its Facebook page saying that it has recently released Saif al-Islam Gaddafi upon request from the House of Representatives (HoR), the parliament that is based in the eastern city of Tobruk, Al Jazeeras Mahmoud Abdelwahed, reporting from the capital, Tripoli, said.

TALK TO AL JAZEERA: Saif al-Islam Gaddafi interview

Since Muammar Gaddafis four-decade rule ended in 2011, Libya has struggled to establish basic institutions and rule of law.

The Tobruk-based HoR is one of the three rival administrations in Libya  the others being the UN-backed government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, which has struggled to exert its authority, and the self-declared National Salvation Government, also in the capital.

HoR, which does not recognise the other two governments leadership, is backed by renegade General Khalifa Haftar.

We understand that a couple of days ago, a deputy justice minister of the government affiliated to the Tobruk-based parliament visited Saif al-Islam Gaddafi in the jail in Zintan and demanded his immediate release, said Abdelwahed.

There has been no official comment from the GNA, and the news of the release of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi might add more fuel to the fire, [worsening] the chaotic political and security situation in the country, he added.

The most prominent of Gaddafis sons, Saif al-Islam, 44, was captured in Zintan in November 2011 as he was fleeing to neighbouring Niger after opposition fighters seized Tripoli.

He was sentenced to death in July 2015 by a court in Tripoli in a mass trial of former Gaddafi government officials.

He is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The commander of the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Battalion, Ajmi al-Atiri, was set to release a video statement explaining the details of the release.
Sigmar Gabriel sounds a grim warning after talking to his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.

The dispute between Qatar and other Arab states could lead to war, Sigmar Gabriel, German foreign minister, has told a newspaper.

However, he says he still saw a chance to defuse the tension.

There is a danger that this dispute could lead to war, Gabriel told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung on Saturday.

He cited what he called a dramatic harshness in relations between allied and neighbouring countries in the Gulf.

Gabriel said personal talks this week with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey and phone calls with the foreign ministers of Iran and Kuwait underscored his concerns.

READ MORE: Qatar-Gulf crisis: All the latest updates

After my talks this week, I know how serious the situation is, but I believe there are also good chances to make progress.

Also on Saturday, Sergey Lavrov, Russias foreign minister, called for dialogue to resolve the dispute between Qatar and its Gulf neighbours.

We cannot be happy in a situation when the relations between our partners are worsening, Lavrov said.

We are in favour of resolving any disagreements through  dialogue.

Russia is ready to try to do everything in its power to help resolve the crisis, he said.
State media says government soldiers and allied forces reach border area for first time since 2015.

Syrian troops and allied forces fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, known as ISIS) group have reportedly reached the Iraqi border for the first time since 2015, advancing close to a strategic area that has been at the centre of tensions between Damascus and Washington.

State news agency SANA, citing a military source, said that army units in cooperation with allies managed to arrive at the border  with Iraq on Friday, and set up positions in an area northeast of At-Tanf.





Forces from a US-led coalition fighting ISIL in Syria and Iraq are using a garrison in Al-Tanf to stage attacks against the armed group and train Syrian rebels to fight them.

The SANA report said the advance came after the last ISIL fighters in the area were eliminated.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had earlier said that dozens of pro-government forces had arrived at the point on the Syria-Iraq border around 70km north of Al-Tanf.

What youre seeing now  is the cutting off of access of coalition-led efforts to push north, Al Jazeeras Stefanie Dekker, reporting from Gaziantep on the Turkish-Syrian border, said.

Why this is important is because up from there is Abu Kamal, a border crossing that ISIL controls on both sides [between] Syria and Iraq  it is the only area of highway that ISIL controls because [the rest] is all desert land.

READ MORE: Syrias civil war explained from the beginning

Asked about the Syrian governments advance, the US-led coalition expressed concern.

The demonstrated hostile intent and actions of pro-regime forces near coalition and partner forces in southern Syria  continue to concern us, and the coalition will take appropriate measures to protect our forces, it said in a statement.

As long as pro-regime forces are oriented towards coalition and partnered forces, the potential for conflict is escalated, it added.





On Thursday, a US jet shot down a pro-government combat drone that fired what turned out to be a dud bomb close to the coalitions Al-Tanf garrison near the Jordanian border.

The drone fired into empty space, but the coalition considered it to be a threat.

The Pentagon credited Syrias ally Russia with helping to calm tensions after the drone incident.

The Pentagon has not said who was operating the drone, but the area near Al-Tanf has seen a surge in activity by Iran-backed troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

IN PHOTOS: How do trapped Syrians tackle fuel shortages?

It was the third time the coalition has struck pro-government forces near Al-Tanf in less than a month, as tensions in the border area grow.

Russia has been very helpful [in resolving these latest tensions] and I think that the calm we see today is largely due to their efforts, spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said on Friday.

The coalition has established a de-confliction zone extending 55km from the garrison, in which pro-government and Russian forces are not supposed to operate.

Syrias government has been eager to reach the eastern border after recapturing territory in central Homs province once held by ISIL.

The government is hoping to lead the battle against the armed group in the eastern province of Deir Az Zor and head off any attempts by the US-led coalition to do so.

Syrias government has not held positions on the border with Iraq since 2015, when ISIL swept down from neighbouring Deir Az Zor and captured positions in Homs province, including the ancient city of Palmyra.
Britains PM apologises for losing Conservatives majority after snap election, but vows to continue despite anger.

A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the Conservative Party won 48.9 percent of the vote share while Labour won 40.3 percent in the June 8 general election. The correct figures are 42.4 and 40 percent, respectively.

People living in Britain are waking up to uncertainty as Prime Minister Theresa May ignored calls to stand down after the ruling Conservative Party lost an overall majority in parliament in a general election on Thursday.

May had called the snap vote in April to strengthen her mandate before negotiations with the European Union to quit the bloc.





As I said many times during the campaign, I had wanted to achieve a larger majority, but that was not the result we secured, May, who had previously pledged not to hold an early election, said on Friday.

She also apologised to her colleagues who had lost seats as a consequence.

The Conservatives won 318 seats and 42.4 percent of the vote share, while Labour won 262 and 40 percent of the vote share  an increase from the 2015 result which saw the left-wing opposition party win 232 seats.

As May announced forming a minority government with the support of the small Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), allowing her to cling to her position, a resurgent Labour Party celebrated as it outperformed expectations following a successful campaign led by Jeremy Corbyn.

Labour fought an energetic, hopeful campaign, Al Jazeeras Barnaby Phillips, reporting from Britains capital, London, said. Corbyn promised an end to austerity, attracting large crowds.

Corbyn was among those who called for May to resign after the results were announced.

Now, the prime minister has no authority and the Conservatives have no mandate, he said in a video message posted to Twitter on Friday.

.@Theresa_May thought that with the backing of the billionaires and the corporate elite, she could take your vote for granted. pic.twitter.com/JpazODKMEA  Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) June 9, 2017

May fatally wounded

Britains right-wing newspapers, which are usually loyal to the Conservative Party, also turned their backs on May.

In an opinion column, The Times said: This crisis has been years in the making. Mrs Mays party believes that government is in its DNA. Yet it has failed to win a majority in five of the past six general elections and it has left the country all but ungovernable as a consequence of two extraordinary miscalculations.

Those miscalculations were ex-Prime Minister David Camerons decision to call a referendum on leaving the EU, and Mays snap vote.

Mrs May is now fatally wounded, The Times wrote.

READ MORE: Social media reacts  Theresa May has won own goal of the season

The Daily Mails headline was Tories turn on Theresa after Conservatives told media that the party was discussing the prospect of another election and potential candidates to replace May.

Britains best-selling Sun newspaper said senior party members promised to get rid of May, but would wait at least six months because they were worried that a leadership contest now could propel Corbyn into power.





Several members of parliament also demanded the resignation of Mays top advisers, who have been widely blamed for a disastrous policy to make the elderly pay more towards their care and a campaign seen as too insulated from ordinary voters and too focused on attacking her opponent.

Concerns over DUP

Looking ahead, May is expected to announce the details of her new government on Saturday.

It was not immediately clear what the demands of the DUP  which won 10 seats  might be.

Politicians and citizens expressed concerns over the DUPs stance on various issues  it is anti-abortion rights, has railed against LGBT rights, and previously appointed a climate change denier as environment minister in Northern Ireland.

Brexit negotiations were expected to begin in about 10 days, but several officials cast doubt whether the discussions would start on time, given the political drama.

Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London, said it was not even clear whether May will now lead those negotiations.

OPINION: Corbyn was right in 2003, and he is right again today

She might start off doing that but the Conservatives might well replace her mid-stream, he told the Associated Press news agency.

Thats going to make it difficult for the EU 27 because theyre going to want to know who theyre talking to and what their policy is.

Many analysts said it was unlikely May could remain leader for long now that her authority has been eroded.

Steven Fielding, a professor of politics at the University of Nottingham, called her a zombie prime minister.

Honestly, it feels almost like she is almost not aware of what has happened in the last 24 hours, Conservative MP Heidi Allen told LBC radio.

Allen said she couldnt see May hanging on for more than six months.
Taliban claims responsibility for latest green-on-blue attack during joint operation in Achin district of Nangarhar.

Three US soldiers were fatally shot and a fourth was wounded in eastern Afghanistan, the Pentagon confirmed on Saturday following reports that an Afghan army soldier turned his weapon on US soldiers.

Afghan officials initially said two soldiers had been killed, but a Pentagon statement said three US soldiers were killed and one US soldier was wounded.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for Fridays insider attack, which occurred in the district of Achin.

In joint US-Afghan military operation, two American troops were killed when an Afghan member of army commando opened fire on them, Attaullah Khogyani, a provincial spokesman, told Al Jazeera, adding that two other US troops were wounded.





The Afghan commando was also killed in the counterattack.

Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesman, claimed four US soldiers were killed in the attack.

The group and the official numbers usually differ.

Kazem, an Afghan army soldier, told Al Jazeera that such attacks are sometimes planned by the Taliban, but most of the time it is caused by minor disagreements between the two sides.

Such attacks are well planned when they are done by the Taliban. It seems most of them are manipulated and dragged into the trick of fighting for Islam, he told Al Jazeera.

Sometimes the Taliban also kidnap a family member of the soldier and blackmail him to kill the US troops to cause a maximum number of casualties in such attacks.

READ MORE: Fear penetrates Kabul after deadly cycle of violence

So-called green-on-blue attacks  when Afghan soldiers or police turn their guns on international troops  have been a major problem during NATOs long years fighting alongside Afghan forces.

The killings have bred fierce mistrust between local and foreign forces even as the rate of such incidents has dropped in recent years.

Three Americans were wounded in March when an Afghan soldier opened fire in southern Helmand province, in the first known insider attack on international forces this year.

US attacks on Afghans

Attacks on Afghan troops by US forces in the past have also caused mistrust between the two.

Several members of the Afghan security forces were killed on Friday when a US military aircraft opened fire during an overnight operation in Helmand province.

Local news media reported at least two deaths, while Omar Zwak, a spokesman for Helmands governor, told Al Jazeera that three officers were killed and two were wounded.

READ MORE: NATO troop increase plan draws criticism in Afghanistan

The US military command in Afghanistan released a statement saying that the friendly-fire incident resulted in the deaths and injuries and that an investigation is being conducted.

It said the officers were killed when a US aircraft returned fire during the operation, which included Afghan and American special forces.

The Afghan conflict is the longest in American history. US-led NATO troops have been at war there since 2001, after the toppling of the Taliban government.

US troops in Afghanistan number about 8,400 today, and there are another 5,000 from NATO allies, who mainly serve in a training and advisory capacity.
Remarks attributed to Erdogan follow ratification of treaties on deployment of troops and training of Qatari forces.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told Bahrains foreign minister that Turkeys military base in Qatar was aimed at contributing to the security of the entire Gulf region and was not aimed at any specific Gulf state.

Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkish foreign minister, made the announcement on Saturday during a joint press conference on Saturday in Istanbul with Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, the Bahraini foreign minister.

Cavusoglu said Turkey would continue its efforts to resolve the dispute, as Qatar faces isolation imposed by fellow Arab states over its alleged support for terrorism.





Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed relations with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of supporting extremists and Iran  charges Qatar calls baseless.

Several other countries followed suit.

On Wednesday, Turkeys parliament ratified two treaties on deploying troops to Qatar and training the countrys security forces.

The deal to send Turkish soldiers in Qatar, aimed at improving the countrys army and boosting military cooperation, was signed in April 2016 in Doha.

According to Cavusoglu, Erdogan told Sheikh Khalid during their meeting that the dispute between Qatar and other Arab states should be resolved by the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

President Erdogan stressed that this tragic event  contradicting our religion, belief and traditions  should be resolved before the holy month of Ramadan ends while he emphasised his sadness over the crisis, said Cavusoglu.

Ramadan is set to end on June 24.

The ratification of the military treaties is not an anti-Saudi move at all, Can Kasapoglu, a defence analyst from Turkeys EDAM, told Al Jazeera.

Turkey still sticks to I dont want problems between my two good friends policy.

READ MORE: Qatar-Gulf crisis  All the latest updates

Yet, although this is not an anti-Saudi position, it is a pro-Qatari one for sure. Ankara prioritised its geopolitical perspective, and showed that it holds its military presence [in Qatar] above the recent diplomatic crisis.

After an initial deployment of Turkish soldiers at a base in Doha, Turkish fighter jets and ships will also be sent, Turkeys Hurriyet newspaper said on its website on Friday.

A Turkish delegation was set to arrive to Qatar in the coming days to assess the situation at the base, where about 90 Turkish soldiers are currently housed, according to an earlier report by Hurriyet.
People living in Britain are waking up to uncertainty as Prime Minister Theresa May ignored calls to stand down after the ruling Conservative Party lost an overall majority in parliament in a general election on Thursday. The early election was meant to strengthen the British Conservative Partys hand in the lead-up to Brexit negotiations, but it has backfired spectacularly.

I think if we'd had a large Conservative majority like all the polling was pointing to, then Theresa May could've pushed through her version of Brexit. by Simon French, chief economist, Panmure Gordon

May had advocated a hard Brexit  a withdrawal that includes a clean break from the European Unions single market and customs union.

Her government has already triggered Article 50 of the EU Lisbon treaty which could see Britain formally leave the EU by March 30, 2019. But the uncertainty of a hung parliament has raised concerns about Britains ability to negotiate divorce terms by then, that would ensure that people and businesses are not stuck in legal limbo.

Simon French, chief economist at the investment bank and corporate broker Panmure Gordon, believes a softer Brexit will be in the works, given the election outcome.

I think if wed had a large Conservative majority like all the polling was pointing to, then Theresa May couldve pushed through her version of Brexit which is outside the single market, outside the customs union with tight control over migration, and not giving much money into the EU pot in terms of paying for access, explains French.

Now, of course, if shes [May] got to be constantly making deals throughout this parliament, or indeed if she falls and theres a lot of negotiations or a lot of discussion as to whether shell be leading this Conservative minority government. Whoever it is, they are going to have to make deals with other political parties, and almost every other political party that has an MP in the new parliament wants a softer version of Brexit, says French.

French doesnt think Brexit didnt really influence the outcome of the election for the Conservatives.

The success of the Labour Party winning more seats than expected was because they tapped into anxiety over public spending cuts since 2010, anxiety over the state of National Health Service, and also concerns with youth voters over the amount of student debt and access to UK housing  two big issues. It has to be said, young voters under 30 who disproportionately like the policies of Jeremy Corbyn were expected to turn out in quite low numbers and they turned out in droves yesterday and that really has pushed the agenda more in Jeremy Corbyns favour and away from the conservatives who really tapped into an older constituency in recent elections, says French.

Also on this episode of Counting the Cost:

GCC crisis: Qatar says its citizens and residents wont face economic hardship, despite the sea, air and land embargo imposed by its Gulf neighbours Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Abdulaziz al-Horr, CEO of Qatar Finance and Business Academy discusses the latest.

Worldwide pensions: Babies born today can expect to live to beyond 100 in the worlds biggest economies, if current trends in life expectancy continue. Longer life expectancy means people may have to work past the age of 70 in the years to come.

The World Economic Forum is warning that the money saved is far short of whats needed. Its predicting that the worlds six largest pension-saving systems  the United States, UK, Japan, Netherlands, Canada and Australia  will have a retirement savings gap of $224 trillion by 2050. Adding China and India, which have the worlds largest populations, the savings gap rises to $400 trillion by 2050. Thats five times the size of the current global economy.

Michael Drexler, head of financial and infrastructure systems at the World Economic Forum, discusses raising the retirement age.

South Africa recession: South Africa has entered recession for the first time in eight years. Its added pressure on a government facing corruption allegations and credit downgrades. The governing African National Congress under President Jacob Zuma has struggled to bring down unemployment, which is officially at 27.7 percent. And theres political uncertainty over the financial scandals surrounding Zuma, as Malcolm Webb reports from Johannesburg.

Donald Trump and climate change: US President Donald Trump may have turned his back on climate change, but several American politicians at the state and local level have pledged to tackle global warming. California Governor Jerry Brown has signed agreements with China to work together on reducing emissions and promote green technologies. Brown warned that disaster still looms without urgent action.
We examine how acts of terror shaped the British media narrative in the run-up to the UK election. Plus, Cuban cinema.

On The Listening Post this week: How acts of terror shaped the British media narrative in the run-up to the UK election. Plus, Cuban cinema as a space for journalism.

Britain votes: How terror shaped the election coverage

When the British Prime Minister Theresa May called a snap election two months ago, her lead in the polls suggested the British Conservatives would run away with a clear majority. But fast forward to election day on June 8, and that scenario vanished into thin air.

Despite opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn being demonised by a majority of the right-leaning press, especially in the aftermath of terror attacks in Manchester and London, he and his Labour Party shocked the so-called experts by winning enough seats to deny the Conservatives a majority government, one that the papers tried  and failed  to deliver.

Contributors:

Tom Mills, author, The BBC: Myth of a Public Service

Afua Hirsch, journalist and broadcaster

Richard Seymour, founding editor, Salvage

Mary Dejevsky, columnist, The Independent

On our radar:

The Al Jazeera Media Network, along with other media outlets funded by the state of Qatar, have come under attack amidst a public diplomatic rift that has spread across the Gulf and beyond.

The owners of one of the most prominent news channels in India, NDTV, say they are in the BJP-led governments crosshairs for daring to challenge them on the air.

American security contractor Reality Leah Winner is under arrest and facing criminal charges, amidst reports that the online news site The Intercept may have revealed her identity as the source of classified documents.

The intersection of cinema and journalism in Cuba

In Cuba, the government has long used journalism as a tool of propaganda  and for that, until recently, it has been largely unapologetic. Following the revolution, the role of the news media was envisioned as one of education and garnering mass support for the Cuban political project.

The Cuban film industry is a different story. Cuban film directors can get away with showing things that journalists cannot, sometimes providing critical reflection on the contradictions in Cuban social reality.

The Listening Posts Marcela Pizarro reports from Havana on the role that film plays in Cuban journalism and political debate.

Contributors:

Eduardo del Llano, screenwriter & director of Brainstorm

Luis Alberto Garcia, actor, Brainstorm

Carlos Galiano, film historian

Claudia Calvino, film producer, Santa y Andres
Editors note: This film is no longer available to view online.

Romania is known to be one of the most corrupt nations of the European Union. Less commonly known, however, is that Romania has become the centre stage of one of the fiercest anti-corruption battles.

This radical metamorphosis of Romanian society is mostly the work of a new generation that knew communism when it was young. How was a radical change in the country made possible?

It's difficult to get a political culture, to interest people in the pros and cons of public politics, in the costs and benefits, when you're not sure about your next meal. Democracy is difficult to practise on an empty stomach. by Elena Calistru, chair and founder of Funky Citizens

On January 31, 2017, the biggest protest movement since the fall of Romanias communist dictatorship broke out in the streets of Bucharest. Hundreds of thousands of people marched against a new government decree that would decriminalise some corruption offenses, including official misconduct and abuse of power with financial damages under $48,000 (200,000 lei).

The move was particularly bold in light of the hundreds of officials, including businessmen, mayors, government ministers and parliamentarians that have been charged and sentenced for corruption charges in the last two decades.

In early 2016, over 1,200 defendants were sent to court on charges of high-level corruption  including Romanian members of parliament. Bribes of cash, political sway, tax cuts and even sausages have shaken and tickled the nation in turn.

Thirty years of dictatorship that ended with the Romanian Revolution and the execution of Nicolae Ceausescu have given rise to a healthy sense of humour in the country  culminating in a Bucharest tour that was created to showcase the history of corruption in the capital.

But it was the fall of the dictatorship that gave way to new levels of corruption, including the misappropriation of government funds. However, the EU laid down its own terms and conditions for Romanias then pending negotiations to join the union. Under then Minister of Justice Monica Macovei, a process of judicial reform made way for Romanias anti-corruption prosecutors.

It was also Macovei that successfully pushed for the empowerment of an independent judicial body, the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), to prosecute all levels of crime. The heads of the DNA, the chief prosecutor and two deputies, are nominated by a minister of justice and the president of Romania. However, it does not answer to any ministers or deputies, enabling free reign over who and/or what the organisation chooses to investigate.

More importantly, Romanian youth are working within and alongside the DNA and other independent collectives, like Funky Citizens, motivated by the promise of a cleaner, corruption-free country.

After joining the EU in 2007, Romania has seen an unprecedented judicial overhaul resulting in the unearthing and prosecution of multiple corruption cases at the highest level. Independent media groups, like Rise Project, have also played an important part in continuing the anti-corruption legacy Romania is building, empowering journalists and activists to speak on related matters in a safe and supportive space.

In a culture of corruption, can Romanias youth be the hope the country needs to continue its transformation to democracy? Or will the ghosts of the nations communism and corruption past be back to haunt the newly rejuvenated Romania?
Over the past few years, outlets such as NPR, the Atlantic Monthly, the Huffington Post, and the Guardian have written articles with headlines like Should We Be Having Kids in the Age of Climate Change?, The Climate Change Solution No One Will Talk About, Voluntary Birth Control Is a Climate Change Solution Nobody Wants to Talk About, and Though Climate Change is a Crisis, the Population Threat is Even Worse.

The NPR story highlights a 2016 paper by philosophers and bioethicists at Georgetown University and Johns Hopkins University, titled "Population Engineering and the Fight against Climate Change," which argues in favor of penalizing families for having children via a progressive tax that would increase with each child.

In his new Netflix series, "Bill Nye Saves the World," the shows eponymous host asked a group of panelists, including one of the Georgetown professors, Should we have policies that penalize people for having extra kids in the developed world? The question from Nye, of course, is a rhetorical one. (Strikingly, unlike normal humans, none of the panelists found it creepy and disturbing that Nye said extra kids.)

Not content to let Nye hog all that creepiness for himself, ur-feminist Gloria Steinem charged the patriarchy with causing climate change by forcing women not to have all those abortions they secretly want, leading to overpopulation and climate deprivation. This unfortunately low number of abortions, according to Steinem, is the fundamental cause of climate change.

People around the world are beginning to address [climate change] by reducing their carbon footprint through less consumption and better technology, wrote the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD). But unsustainable human population growth can overwhelm those efforts, leading us to conclude that we not only need smaller footprints, but fewer feet Long-term population reduction to ecologically sustainable levels will solve the global warming crisis and move us to toward a healthier, more stable, post-fossil fuel, post-growth addicted society.

After the Census Bureau reported on May 7, 2017, the U.S. population surpassed 325 million people for the first time, CBD, most well-known, if at all, for its Endangered Species Condoms, put out a press release quoting its Obersturmfuhrer -- excuse me, its population organizer -- who said, Hitting this population record highlights the danger of the Trump administrations attacks on reproductive healthcare and environmental protections. Were crowding out wildlife and destroying wild places at alarming rates, and Trumps reckless actions will worsen the effects of our unsustainable population growth, overconsumption and urban sprawl.

Doomsday predictions about overpopulation stretch back to Thomas Malthus 1798 book, An Essay on the Principle of Population. Because food production only grows arithmetically while population grows geometrically, Malthus reasoned, the planets burgeoning population growth would eventually outstrip food supplies, leading to famine and mass starvation. The power of population is so superior to the power of the earth to produce subsistence for man, that premature death must in some shape or other visit the human race, he wrote.

Twentieth-century neo-Malthusianism would be taken up by environmentalists after World War II, gaining steam after the publication of Fairfield Osborns Our Plundered Planet and William Vogts The Road to Survival in 1948. It is obvious that fifty years hence the world cannot support three billion people, Vogt wrote. Unless population increases can be stopped, we might as well give up the struggle. Vogt was wrong: Seventy years after this forecast, Earth is supporting not merely 3 billion but 7.5 billion people.

Twenty years after Osborn and Vogt, Paul Ehrlich -- in his 1968 bestseller, The Population Bomb -- predicted mass starvation in the 1970s and 1980s due to overpopulation. The battle to feed all of humanity is over, he wrote. In the 1970s the world will undergo famines --hundreds of millions of people will starve to death in spite of any crash program embarked upon. These famines and mass human die-offs never materialized.

Doubling down on this, Ehrlich argued in a speech before the British Institute for Biology in 1971 that by the year 2000, the United Kingdom will be simply a small group of impoverished islands, inhabited by some 70 million hungry people If I were a gambler, I would take even money that England will not exist in the year 2000.

Fortunately for Britons, Ehrlich is a notoriously bad gambler. (Just ask Julian Simon.) In 2000, the United Kingdom was home to 58 million people with a per-capita gross domestic product of $26,400. At $1.555 trillion in gross domestic product, it was the worlds fourth-largest economy. Even in 2017, Dear Old Blighty continues to be the opposite of the poor and starving world envisioned by Ehrlich in 1971.

The number of people living in extreme poverty ($1.90 or less per day) fell below 10 percent for the first time in human history in 2015, according to the World Bank. As David Harsanyi explained in The Federalist, not only are fewer people living in extreme poverty, but fewer are hungry than ever; fewer die in conflicts over resources, and deaths due to extreme weather have been dramatically declining for a century Over the past 40 years, our water and air has become cleaner, despite a huge spike in population growth. Some of the Earths richest people live in some of its densest cities.

Indeed, the Earth is cleaner and safer today than at any point in the lifetime of anyone now living. Technology and human ingenuity have dramatically reduced the human impact on the environment. For example, by increasing crop yields (thanks GMOs!), we are growing more food while devoting less land to agriculture. Human innovational and technological advancements have improved both the lot of humanity and the environment.

Population growth is also slowing down dramatically after reaching its peak in 1970.

According to the United Nations, global fertility will slow from 2.5 children per woman in 2015 to 2.0 children in 2050. Eighty-three countries, accounting for 46 percent of the globes population, already had below-replacement fertility levels between 2010 and 2015, including Brazil, China, Germany, Japan, Russia, and the United States.

Forty-eight countries are also projected to see their populations decline through 2050. Of these, 11 are expected to see their populations decline by more than 15 percent, including Japan and most of the countries of Eastern Europe. The United Nations projects global population to level off somewhere between 9.5 billion and 13.3 billion around the year 2100 before beginning to drop.

As this short history of failed predictions reveals, prominent environmentalists have been using fears of famine and ecological disaster to promote a population-control agenda for many years. Recent claims that man-made global warming might be yet another disaster to be laid at the feet of population growth are no more credible.

The Club of Rome, in Mankind at the Turning Point, its 1974 doomsday follow-up to 1972s doomsday book The Limits to Growth, literally says, The World Has Cancer and the Cancer is Man. Robert Zubrin, in his book Merchants of Despair, writes this idea [that] humans are cancer upon the Earth, a horde of vermin whose unconstrained aspirations and appetites are endangering the natural order is the core idea of antihumanism.

Antihumanism, he states, is not environmentalism, though it sometimes masquerades as such. Environmentalism, properly conceived, is an effort to apply practical solutions to real environmental problems, such as air and water pollution, for the purpose of making the world a better place for all humans to thrive in. Antihumanism, in contrast, rejects the goals of advancing the cause of mankind. Rather, it uses instances of inadvertent human damage to the environment as point of agitation to promote its fundamental thesis that human beings are pathogens whose activities need to be suppressed in order to protect a fixed ecological order with interests that stand above those of humanity.

The call for population-control measures to fight climate change is at its core, anti-human. As Zubrin continues, Since all human activity must perforce release [carbon dioxide], all human existence is a crime against nature. Therefore nothing we can do is right -- and so, in the name of the Higher Good, we must be constrained to do as little as possible. Thus, the global warming argument recasts the basic Malthusian line in a novel form, but with the equivalent end result. Instead of claiming that human activity must be limited because there are not enough resources, it is said that what is limited is not resources, but the right to use resources. It all amounts to the same thing: there isnt enough to go around, therefore human aspirations must be crushed.

The Armageddon scenarios put forward by climate change alarmists are greatly exaggerated. Even if global population growth had not slowed, the human impact on climate has simply been too small to reliably measure against background variation. As long as human beings know how to innovate and apply those innovations to technology, overpopulation will never be a significant issue. Fear of climate change has, unfortunately, already led to the adoption of a plethora of taxes, regulations, and subsidies aimed at reducing carbon emissions. It doesnt need to lead to population control as well.

Timothy Benson (tbenson@heartland.org) is a policy analyst with The Heartland Institute, a free-market think tank headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Despite her notorious reputation for cautiously sticking to talking points, including reading from prepared scripts in cahoots with friendly interviewers, Secretary Hillary Clinton recently spoke off the cuff to New York magazine about ideological diversity and third-party voters. When asked about MSNBC hiring Pulitzer Prize winners George Will and Bret Stephens as token conservative voices to their overwhelmingly liberal team of contributors, Clinton called the move an engagement in false equivalency, and further responded:

Why  would  you  do  that? Sixty-six million people voted for me, plus, you know, the crazy third-party people. So theres a lot of people who would actually appreciate stronger arguments on behalf of the most existential challenges facing our country and the world, climate change being one of them! Its clearly a commercial decision.

While the Democratic Party claims being the inclusive big tent," its de facto leader does no favors by glibly insulting millions of voters with sweeping generalizations. From strongly inferring all African-American young men are superpredators (roughly 11 million), to labeling half of President Donald Trumps supporters as deplorables (31.5 million), to threatening to put all coal miners out of work (roughly 170,000), and now calling all third-party voters crazy (8.3 million), Clinton has singlehandedly alienated over 50 million voters from the Democratic Party.

This is bad news for an already shrinking big tent desperately in need of new constituents. According to Gallup, 39 percent of Americans identified as a Democrat in November 2008, falling to 33 percent in November 2012, then plummeting further to 30 percent in November 2016. During the same period, Americans who identify as Independent increased from 35 to 38 percent to 40 percent.

Clintons politically isolating tone is a far cry from young Hillary Rodham, president of both the Wellesley College Young Republicans Club and the Wellesley College Young Republicans Club and proud "Goldwater Girl" of uber-conservative Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign, who once asked her pastor, "Can one be a mind conservative and a heart liberal?" Self-describing herself as an "agnostic intellectual liberal" but "an emotional conservative," young Rodham certainly sounds like an intelligent individual seeking a third party, listening to all sides of debate to determine where she fits on the political spectrum.

Does todays Hillary Clinton really consider young Hillary Rodham crazy? We can assume not, considering Clinton publicized her conservative past as recently as the 2016 election, a tactic to win over traditional Republicans wary of Trump's conservative bona fides. Moreover, Clinton was giddy about token Democrats appearing on conservative Fox News as recently as 2009, so she seems to have valued diverse political discussion somewhat recently.

What is crazy is Clinton's inference that all 8.3 million third-party voters have no desire to listen to a conservative point of view. In other words, Clinton suggests all third-party voters would have voted for her in a two-way race with Trump. This is a ridiculous notion, as the data proves. According to CNN, Trump would have bested Clinton 19 to 16 percent among third-party voters in a theoretical two-way race, with 65 percent refusing to vote. The New York Times arrived at a similar result: 21 to 16 percent in favor of Trump, with 63 percent staying home. The Times also concluded Trump bested Clinton 26 percent to 11 percent among late-deciding voters who previously leaned third party.

In hindsight, it should be no surprise how poorly Clinton fared among voters open to a third-party candidate. The Democratic Party issued an all-out assault on third-party politics throughout her campaign. Vice-President Al Gore, historically not a fan of Clinton, half-heartedly joined the campaign trail to speak of the harsh reality of having two principal choices. President Barack Obama unabashedly proclaimed a third-party vote a personal insult to his legacy, and nonsensically threatened his constituents such a vote was a vote for Donald Trump.

Based on the final third-party vote totals, the Democratic Partys attempted attack was clearly a miserable failure. The numbers are staggering. Compared to the 2012 election, Libertarian Governor Gary Johnson's vote total increased from 1.3 million to 4.5 million, the Green Partys Doctor Jill Stein from 469,000 to 1.5 million, and all third-party candidates combined from 2.4 million to 8.3 million.

Even write-in votes grew exponentially, from 285,000 votes in 2012 to an astounding 1.13 million in 2016. In Wisconsin, where Clinton lost to Trump by just 22,748 votes, there were over 36,000 write-in votes, which exceeds the total write-in votes from 1976 through 2012 combined. In Nevada, where Trump lost to Clinton by just 27,202 votes, "None of These Candidates" garnered 28,863 votes, a fivefold increase from 2012.

The repudiation of two-party politics, including the Democratic Party and Clinton herself, is undeniable. Considering Clinton was defeated by the most unfavorable candidate in modern presidential history, common sense should necessitate a thorough self-examination of why millions of third-party voters refused to vote Democratic. But despite the obvious data, Clinton and the Democratic Party continue to dismiss and marginalize the third-party crazies. Such an undemocratic philosophy harmed Clinton's 2016 campaign, and may prove the downfall of the Democratic Party in the years to come.

Evan Boudreau is a consultant and freelance writer whose work has appeared in The Daily Caller. Evan detests social media but can be emailed here.
As Europe succumbs to the opening waves of Islamic settler colonialism, the youth of Europe should consider their options. I am not saying that European youth should abandon their continent just yet, but if things get worse, they should have an escape plan ready.

Of course, the United States should be high on their list; but that would require our Congress to rewrite the 1965 immigration act, something which would be politically impossible at this time, even during a Trump administration. However, we Americans should let the Europeans in.

However, there are three nations (along with a fourth region) where European immigration is not only sought but still prized. The area is called in Spanish el Cono Sur (the Southern Cone), and it should be considered.

ARGENTINA

Argentina is arguably the most inviting of these nations. The population, especially surrounding Buenos Aires, where 1/3rd of the nation lives, is very European. Until very recently, under the Kirchners, the Argentines boasted that they were European, not Latino, and distinct from the rest of Latin America -- and until the Kirchners, that boast was generally true.

Roughly 44% of Argentina is pure European in ancestry. Another 39% or so is close to very European with a small amount of native-South American DNA, indicative of an indigenous maternal ancestry which mixed with white conquistadors. However, this can be watered down. Juan Peron was of Spanish, Italian, Basque, British, and reputed native Tehuelche roots -- though some historians dispute the last. Peron, however, boasted of it.

Another 17% of Argentina is of indigenous ancestry, probably mixed with European.

Overall across Argentinean samples,the mean ancestry components as revealed from the... analysis were 78.6%... for European, 17.3%... for Native American, and 4.2%... for West-African ancestry. -- Annals of Human Genetics (2009)

There are African-Argentines, but very few in number. Unfortunately, this was achieved by some ruthless policies in the 19th century. Those with African ancestry are usually mixed with Europeans or Indians, and will often deny any African identity. Thanks to the Kirchners, more indigenous were let in from Peru, and Bolivia. However, Argentina's miserable economic performance has kept that from becoming a flood. In the meantime, Europe's economic struggles sent Spaniards and other Europeans to Argentina, and if Europe gets more unlivable, Argentina holds promise.

(Note: These figures include partial ancestry and can add up over 100% in total.)

Essentially Argentina is European, chiefly Northern Spanish (heavily Galician) mixed with Italian (63%). In many ways, Argentina would resemble the United States, except that its religious background is more demographically Roman Catholic. That is changing, as Latin America, especially Brazil, is in the midst of an enormous Evangelical Revival. And Argentina's ethnic profile is more Southern European than Northern European.

Argentina has a massive German population (8-10%) and a larger population (17%) with some French ancestry, along with some amounts of Irish (2%), British, Greeks, and even a few Scandinavians (%), Poles (~1%), and Ukrainians (~1%). With a small population of only 44 million people, the introduction of 5 million Northern Europeans (British, German, Swedish, Irish, or French) youth could greatly change Argentina's demographic to make it almost identical to America in the 1950s.

The only drawback is Argentina's history of incredibly corrupt government. Basically, Argentina is best described as the United States run very badly. That seems to be changing now that a free market conservative Mauricio Macri is in office. Catholicism is Argentina's state religion, but freedom of religion is allowed, and Evangelicalism is growing.

While it is true that Argentina is roughly 9% Arabic, about half are very westernized Lebanese Maronite Christians, while most of the others are Syrian Christians, intermarried with the population. Still Argentina is nominally 2% Muslim, but most do not practice Islam. However, this is a far lower percentage than France (10% or more), Britain (5%), Sweden (6%), Spain (4%), or Germany (5%)  and that German figure is rising. Moreover, Islam is not really coddled too much in Latin America, where Christianity (of whatever denomination) is still rather strong.

Argentina is about a third the size of the United States, and most of it is empty. Its constitution welcomes, even encourages European immigration. So if there are Germans, Britons, Swedes, or Frenchman who see the writing on the mosque wall, my advice might be Go Southwest, Young Hombre.

URUGUAY

Uruguay was historically part of the Spanish Empire, and part of the Viceroyalty from which came Argentina. In fact, it emerged out of Argentina during their War of Independence when Uruguay had a different view concerning the nature of the future government. It is essentially a piece of Argentina that was cut off, and its ethnic mix is not that much different. Strongly Italian (42%) and Spanish, it also has a significant French ethnicity (10%), but a much smaller German ethnicity (~1%), and far fewer Christian Arabs, with almost no Muslims. However, the Catholic University has an Islamic Department, thanks to Arab Money. Proximity to Brazil means it has a larger black population (~10%, including mixed race). About the size of Florida, it has a population of only 3.5 million.

Substantial parts of Uruguay are uninhabited, and an addition of one and a half million Europeans could make Uruguay truly indistinguishable from much of Europe. The country is democratic and secular, and far less corrupt than Argentina. The climate, however, is a subtropical steam bath. Think of coastal Georgia! On the upside is the gorgeous Rambla on the coastline, and the government has set out to give free wi-fi to the whole country, which is always a good thing.

CHILE

Chile is the economic powerhouse of South America. Except for Allende and Pinochet, Chile has a history of reasonably stable, secular, and democratic government. It has a grand coastline moving from Arctic in the south to desert tropical in the north. It is economically viable, and prosperous for South America.

Ethnically, the country is majority Spanish and Basque with some French (3%), British (4%), Italian (1%), German (3%), and Christian Arab (5%) elements. As one can see, Chile took in far less non-Hispanic Europeans than Argentina or Uruguay. It is also more mestizo, with 60% of the country being mixed race -- however that mixture leans heavily to European, with Chile being impolitically correctly classified as near white. The elite classes tend to be whiter, but racial classification, while there, is less rigid.

A public health book from the University of Chile states that 30% of the population is of Caucasian origin; Castizos/Mestizos with an average 60% Caucasian ancestry and 40% Native American ancestry are estimated to amount a total of 65%, while Native Americans (Amerindians) comprise the remaining 5%. -- Wikipedia, citing an archive of the University of Chile original

Chile is subsidizing immigration of entrepreneurs; and would probably welcome Europeans, though the paperwork is intimidating. Chile is about 5% Arabic, but almost all are Christian. Oddly, almost all of these are very anti-Zionist.

Given its range of climate, spectacular and often empty coastal beauty, Chile would be a prize. 3-4 million Europeans in Chile would make Chile close to Europe, alter the demographic, make Chile an unstoppable economic juggernaut. The country is almost impregnable with the Andes on the West, the cold South Pacific on the shoreline, and desert mountains in the north against Peru and Bolivia. Boat people would freeze before they made it to Chile.

SOUTH BRAZIL

South Brazil was, again, once part of the Spanish empire. The guachos in South Brazil have Spanish DNA. The area also had a history of separatism from Brazil. Had British diplomacy not interfered in the Argentine-Brazilian War, South Brazil (esp. Eastern Misiones) and Uruguay might have reverted to Argentina.

South Brazil is heavily European with large German, Ukrainian, and Italian communities.

An infusion of Europeans would make South Brazil very similar to Europe -- it is already heavily urbanized -- but there is still the matter of connection to Northern Brazil. That may not be solvable.

No one is arguing for racial purity. However, if Israel can insist on a 70% or more demographic of Jews to maintain its Jewish character, I see no reason a Western Nation cannot ask for a majoritarian European society. The Southern Cone will never be pure white, nor should it be. But as Western Europe disintegrates before Islam, with governments unwilling to defend themselves or their culture, the Southern Cone offers a place where Western culture and Western peoples can survive in a Western paradigm. It will be more generic than specific, like America; and it will be Latin, but so what?! The Europeans would eventually mix, but even the mixed product would be more European than many sections of London, Paris, or Malmo.

This all would mean that young Europeans would have to leave the double-edged social safety net of Europe (which is drawing in Muslims) and head to South America, as earlier generations of Europeans did. It would be risky, but they would find the task less daunting, and within one generation they could recreate the Southern Cone in Europe's image -- something the founders of Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay wanted. The end result would speak Spanish, but would be more European, more middle class, and thousands of miles away from African and Arabian boat people. It would probably be more democratic than South America ever was, and far more stable. The groundwork has already been laid. The European youth would only have to finish what was started.

To Europeans: your Euro-politicians have abandoned you!

Go southwest, young man!

Mike Konrad is the pen name of an American who wishes he had availed himself more fully of the opportunity to learn Spanish in high school, lo those many decades ago. He writes on the Arabs of South America at http://latinarabia.com. He also started a small website about small computers at http://minireplacement.com.
The fledgling Trump administrations Middle East policy has thus far shown to be a dramatic departure from his predecessor. Thus far, the Trump effect on the Middle East has been a welcome recalibration of American relations with the region, moving away from the Obama Administration's overtures towards Iran and returning to the traditional alliances with Israel, the Sunni Gulf states and with Egypt. Its focus has been on the following key areas:



Shoring Up Regional Allies

President Trumps outreach to the Sunni Gulf states has rallied the Sunni Arabs against Tehran and sends a clear signal that Obamas conciliatory approach towards Iran is over.

This marked change in Washingtons Iran policy has brought relief to the leaders of Israel and the Sunni Gulf States, both of whom had reservations about President Obama and what they believed to be a soft and dangerous policy towards Iran. These regional leaders want to work with President Trump who has billed himself as someone who will be tough on terror and who will take a hard line against Iran, their principal adversary.



It is no secret that the Sunni Gulf States and Israel want to work with the U.S. on better arms deals and upgraded security cooperation, and Mr. Trumps recent trip to the region cemented in their minds that he is their partner.



Beyond this, the Trump administration is making efforts to repair political and security ties with longstanding ally Egypt after relations frayed during the Obama administration.



Israel

During Mr. Trump's Israel visit, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu got what he wanted with commitments by Mr. Trump for enhanced cooperation with the U.S. on Israel's security and geopolitical challenges. Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump also went out of their way to display a willingness to work with one another, a marked departure from the frosty relations that the prime minister had with President Obama.



The President's visit to the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem- - the first by a sitting U.S. president - - was an indication of America's support for Israel and its way of life amid ongoing threats.

Additionally, the Trump administration has stepped up efforts to support Israel against the political attacks it faces at international forums like the United Nations. Outraged by the prior administrations abstention from a UN vote condemning Israeli settlements, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has take great pains to show her steadfast support of Israel.

Islamic State

President Trump has aggressively targeted IS positions with air power in Iraq where U.S. advisors continue to assist their Iraqi counterparts to defeat IS in the Battle of Mosul. Reports indicate that an attack on the IS capital in Raqqa has commenced with the U.S. providing air power, artillery, intelligence and other capabilities to the endeavor.

Mr. Trump has also devoted more resources towards fighting IS -- mostly with airpower -- in Libya, Africa and increasingly Afghanistan.

Syrian Civil War

The Trump Administration has shown that it is not inclined to become involved in the Syrian civil war with boots on the ground against Assad's forces and partners. As Russia, Iran, and Assad's forces control most of Syria's territory and air space, the U.S. lacks leverage in realizing desired outcomes in this prolonged war.



As a result, Washington's involvement in the Syrian civil war has been relegated towards funding and training its own proxies, pursuing diplomatic outcomes and conducting occasional strikes on Assad when its military threatens U.S. forces in the country or when chemical weapons are used against civilian populations.

Iran

Mr. Trump has pulled back from former President Obama's engagement with the regime in Tehran. While he did not live up to his campaign promise of ripping up the nuclear agreement with Tehran, President Trump has taken a hard line against the country and has imposed additional sanctions. His appointment of James Mattis, a well-known Iran hawk, as Secretary of Defense, is one indication of Mr. Trump's belief that Mr. Obama became too friendly with Iran and that its power in the region needs to be checked.



Additionally, Trump has sought to support Middle East allies who are under assault by Iran's proxies, the largest example being the sitting Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia against the Iran-funded Shia Houthi rebels in their attempt to overthrow the government in Sanaa.



In sum, the young Trump administration has implemented a number of marked changes to President Obamas Middle East policies, most notably a realignment with traditional partners amid efforts to blunt Iranian behavior in the region as well as a ramping up of efforts to defeat the Islamic State. These policy changes have provided a jolt to American Middle East policy, setting it on a foundation to both support allies and implement needed change to the prior administration's ineffectual approach to the region.

Ted Gover, Ph.D. is Instructor of Political Science at Central Texas College, Camp Pendleton, California.
In the most expensive U.S. House race in history, Democrat Jon Ossoff has received 97.5% of contributions to his campaign from out-of-state donors.

Ossoff and Karen Handel  the GOP nominee  have spent upwards of $36 million on the race. And with Democrats desperate for a win to show the vulnerability of President Trump, they are calling on party members nationwide to answer the call for support.

Washington Free Beacon:

Democrat Jon Ossoff continues to bring in an overwhelming majority of his fundraising haul from outside of Georgia, with 97.5 percent of the contributions his campaign received over the past two months coming from donors in other states, according to a newly released campaign filing. The filing, covering donations received from March 30 through May 30, shows that only 2,158, or 2.5 percent, of the 86,313 individual contributions the campaign received were from Georgians. A smaller percentage of those Georgia donations came from donors within the Sixth Congressional District that Ossoff is running to represent. The share of out-of-state donors in the filing is a slight increase from the campaign's previous filings, which revealed that 95 percent of Ossoff's contributions were from outside Georgia. Ossoff has now received 96.6 percent of individual contributions from out of state over the course of his campaign. The leading source of contributions for Ossoff during April and May was California, where 20,251 contributions originated. An additional 8,251 came from New York. The share of money that Ossoff received from Georgia in the two-month span, $1.1 million, accounts for about 14 percent of the money he raised through individual contributions. Ossoff was confronted about the amount of money he receives from outside of Georgia during a debate on Tuesday night. "It has been widely reported that there has been more money spent on this House race than any other in American history, and the bulk of those dollars are not coming from the state of Georgia," the moderator said to Ossoff. "Is that wrong? What are your thoughts on that?" Ossoff responded by saying "it's a major problem" and that "there's far too much money in politics." Republicans have attempted to tie Ossoff, who is unable to vote in the election because he doesn't live in the district, to California liberals such as House minority leader Nancy Pelosi. The latest ad from the National Republican Congressional Committee labels Ossoff as a "childish radical" who would "represent Nancy Pelosi" in Congress.

It's not unusual for an incumbent from either party to get 50% or more of his contributions from out-of-state groups, including corporations. But 97.5%? Just who will be electing Ossoff if he wins?

Far more damaging than where his money is coming from is the fact that Ossoff is a carpetbagger who can't even vote in his own election to Congress. But the most recent Atlanta Journal poll shows Ossoff with a 7-point lead. As with most recent elections, the poll  based on "likely voters"  should be viewed with caution. This is especially true because it's impossible to predict turnout for a special election, and the models may be wildly off base.

Still, even an Ossoff victory won't be a reliable indicator for how things will go in 2018  despite Democratic attempts to make it seem so. We are still 17 months away from the midterm elections, and a lot can happen to either party between now and then.
Having slid into irrelevance, President Obama's "Mind Meld" Ben Rhodes has gotten busy touting the virtues of President Obama's one-way U.S. rapprochement with communist Cuba, which Rhodes was largely behind. On Twitter, Rhodes has started a series of tweets endorsing Castroite propaganda about the wonders of Cuba's medical care system and how amazingly advanced it supposedly is, citing a new Miami Herald piece that repeats hoary propaganda claims about an over-touted lung cancer vaccine called CIMAvax which had been praised as a panacea previously in 2015 and 2016 during Rhodes's narrative blitz at the time and still hasn't gotten much traction.

We are only able to support clinical trials of this cancer vaccine by engaging with the Cuban government: https://t.co/LGTfIQcsij  Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) June 9, 2017

That's right: he's talking about Cuba, that famous innovator in medical treatment, somehow sought by all, according to the Castroite propaganda line. Rhodes would have you think telling Castro and his goon tyranny to go to hell, as President Trump is likely to do next Friday, will mean cruelly depriving Americans of life-saving medical treatment they would never get otherwise.

Obviously, ol' Ben's inner creative writing major has cranked into overdrive on that one.

Here's a reality check: Cuba is not the end-all and be-all of cancer cures on a worldwide scale. They often overstate their capacity for cures, according to former top Cuban surgeon Dr. Hilda Molina. The country's medical patent count is a lowly 1,200, compared to the 147,000 found in the U.S. for devices alone and the far greater count for drugs and vaccines. For drugs, 57% of all drug patents are issued to U.S. entities, with the balance going to European industry leaders. Cuba doesn't even make the charts, and note that a much tinier nation, Israel, does.

Here in the U.S., there are world-class cancer treatment facilities and thousands of ordinary facilities that top anything found in the Castrocare world. Name one doctor, any of those top-notch doctors here, who would exchange what he has for a career in Cuba. And note that thousands of Cuban doctors flee to our shores regularly to get away from the nightmare of Cuban medical care. In Miami, doctors here who recertify fleeing doctors from Cuba report significant defects in medical knowledge and long periods of retraining, given that most of these "doctors" were selected for medical schools based on political criteria and never properly trained in medicine in the first place.

The reality is, Cuba's vaunted medical system is so bad that even the Castro brothers won't use it. For years, when Fidel Castro was on his last legs, he called in a Spanish doctor to see to his basic needs on as common a problem as diverticulosis.

Even more significantly, Castro's doctors pretty well killed their country's goose that laid the golden eggs for the regime: one Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. Castro's quacks gave Chavez the wrong treatment and then were unable to reverse course when they realized the damage done. Net effect: dead dictator, and all the more pitiful because both the U.S. and Brazil had offered to make their world-class cancer care available to the Venezuelan leader.

Chavez actually believed the propaganda about Cuban medical care being superior to other care, despite having other options that really would have cured him. He was literally done in by Castrocare.

Castro dumps his country's elderly onto the U.S. to make the gringo pay their health costs  because the Cuban system is so inadequate.

Now, in a bid to salvage President Obama's collapsing legacy, Ben Rhodes tweets like Michael Moore about how great Castrocare and all its research is. And not just great, he assures, but necessary for the health and well-being of citizens in the U.S.

So let's briefly look at all the vaunted claims about CIMEvax, the panacea Cuba's medical boosters have been touting since 2008 with no significant progress or changes.

According to the New York Times, it doesn't seem to be working all that well per one patient:

In the five months since Ms. Malik began taking Cimavax, her experience has been mixed. Initially, the fluid in her lungs diminished significantly, giving her renewed energy and allowing her to get around without her walker. But recently, fluid has begun to build up in her right lung, and she has grown weak and short of breath. Her son says she is likely to switch to a new medication soon and stop taking Cimavax. "It's not panning out as we'd hoped," he said. "It's really like the Wild West trying to know what is best to do."

Others note that the trials are tiny  too tiny for anyone to make any sort of useful judgment on  and note that in the U.S., they have been going on for years with nothing reported.

This research is promising but it's a small trial and we'll need more trial results before we know exactly how well the vaccine works for people with lung cancer. A trial is currently in progress in the United States.

Doctors are skeptical, too:

"The data is intriguing, but we need to do more definitive studies to evaluate the benefits," said Justin F. Gainor, a thoracic oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital who works on the design of clinical trials for novel therapeutics. "Right now, the body of evidence does not support using it outside the clinical trial process."

Doesn't sound like much of an endorsement to us. Here's another thing: the U.S. is developing two other vaccines for lung cancer quite outside the Castrocare system. Care to take one of those or the Castro version?

The vaccine is in a trial at Roswell Park Medical Center right now, taken with a buttressing combination therapy developed in the U.S.

The vaccine supposedly costs $1 to produce, but Castroites are charging tourists $12,000 for the privilege of using it, suggesting a monetary interest at work. Runaway profits, anyone?

All of the articles state that the vaccine has been administered to 1,000 Cuban patients  a figure that hasn't changed in the reporting since 2015, which is a bit suspicious, as are the unpublished Cuban trial results with a small sample of 450 patients. That 1,000 may sound impressive until you see that some 21,000 Cubans die from cancer each year, a large portion of them lung cancer patients. It sounds as if this $1 vaccine isn't getting around much, even with the influx of gringo dollars.

What are we looking at here? A Ben Rhodes "narrative" in emergence to scare Americans into thinking only Castrocare can save them and Cuban medicine is a panacea. That's linked to Rhodes's disastrous effort to create a one-way rapprochement with Cuba and save that rapprochement as part of the Obama legacy. Touting quack medicine of unproven value is a pretty cynical and disgusting way to play on people's fears in the name of succoring an odious dictator.

Is there anything Rhodes does that isn't cynical?
At last year's Democratic National Convention, Michelle Obama uttered what would be one of the Democratic campaign themes: "No, our motto is, when they go low, we go high."

And now some examples of the Obamas and friends "going high" in the past month  bashing their successor, who was not their chosen one.

Speaking last week at the Apple Developer Conference:

Michelle Obama: "I think my message earlier was, you know, think about that higher purpose. Because we are at a time in this country when we need problem solvers out there who are committed who believe in this country who believe in the value of diversity and believe in, you know, the value of immigrants, and believe that global warming is real. We need people out there who are operating with a level of empathy."

Well, one person's empathy is another person's...low.

A few weeks ago, while President Donald J. Trump (R) was in Brussels on official American business, former president Barack Hussein Obama (D), perhaps believing he was in his third presidential term, gave a public speech in a foreign country, Germany, where he publicly knocked the current president.

Barack Obama used an appearance at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate on Thursday to issue a thinly veiled attack on Donald Trump. "The world order is at a crossroads," Mr Obama told a crowd of 70,000. "In this new world we live in, we can't isolate ourselves, we can't hide behind a wall," Sharing a stage with [German chancellor] Angela Merkel hours before she was due to meet with Mr Trump in Brussels, the former president did not mention his successor by name, but spoke out against his policies. "We have to push back against those trends that would violate human rights or suppress democracy or restrict individual freedoms," he said."The world has never been wealthier, more healthy and never been better educated. If we can sustain that progress, then I'm optimistic about our future." It was Mr Obama's first major international appearance since the end of his presidency, and there was no mistaking the symbolism of his presence alongside Mrs Merkel close to where the Berlin Wall once stood.

...said the man who is building a wall around his multi-million-dollar Washington home.

The final member of the Obama threesome, former Obama adviser and present housemate Valerie Jarrett, repeatedly jabbed Trump:

Valerie Jarrett, former senior advisor to President Obama, said the Trump administration is "abdicating" the United States' role as the "world leader" and the "beacon of hope" by withdrawing from the Paris climate accord. "It is unrefuted science that there are man-made consequences that are leading to the degradation of our planet. And it was unprecedented to have so many countries, nearly 200 countries from around the world, who followed the United States' lead on this issue and came to the table and not just the government leaders but in our country, just hundreds and hundreds of large corporations signed on recognizing that it is not anti-business to care about our climate  it is not an either/or, it is a both and an imperative," Jarrett said during a discussion sponsored by the Raben Group in D.C. last week. "So I think it signals to the world that the United States is not serious about protecting our planet. Now, I don't know what other way to interpret a decision that I think could be as dramatically negatively impactful as that decision. And what it means is the rest of the world will move forward without us and the United States has always been that beacon of hope, the leader, the world leader, that's why we're called the world leader and we're basically abdicating that role, so that's disappointing to me," she added. ... Jarrett said she is worried about the GOP effort to repeal and replace Obamacare and does not view the issue of healthcare as political. "What keeps me up at night is worrying about the moms who depend on ACA for all of the preventive care and not to mention prenatal care, the wellness visits and the cost of delivery," she said. "I mean, the Affordable Care Act is now a part of the fabric of our country and part of why I think we're seeing the kind of response we are to taking it away, is because people are now living with the benefits and I don't know anybody my age who doesn't have a pre-existing condition. But there are children with pre-existing conditions as well."

Hey, Valerie: What about the moms and others with pre-existing conditions living in all those sections of the country where each and every insurance company has pulled out, leaving people without any insurance beacon of hope?

Former vice president Joe Biden (D) used a well paid college commencement speech to blast Trump:

Former Vice President Biden ripped President Trump's policies and political populism while speaking at Cornell University's Convocation ceremony Saturday. "I thought we had passed the days when it was acceptable for political leaders at local and national levels to bestow legitimacy on hate speech and fringe ideologies. But the world is changing so rapidly," Biden said to Cornell's graduating class. The former vice president went on to address political populism seen recently in the U.S. and around the world. "There are a lot of folks out there who are both afraid and susceptible to this kind of negative appeal. We saw the forces of populism not only here but around the world call to close our nation's gates against the challenges of a rapidly changing world," he said. The political veteran took a direct jab at the Trump administration's policies on LGBT rights and immigration. "The immigrant, the minority, the transgender, anyone not like me became a scapegoat," Biden said. "Just build a wall, keep Muslims from coming into the United States." Biden went on to label recent anti-immigrant sentiment seen in the U.S. as a "scapegoat" for individuals unable to find work in the U.S. "They're the reason I can't compete, that's why I don't have a job. That's why I worry about my safety," he said. "And I imagine, like me, many of you have seen this unfold. (It) was incredibly disorienting and disheartening.

And of course:

His speech at Cornell University comes a day after former presidential nominee Hillary Clinton ripped President Trump in her commencement speech at Wellesley College, comparing him to former President Richard Nixon.

There are so many more examples such as these of Obama and friends "going high" that examples of them "going low" (yeah, I know, they don't do that!) would burn your eyes, so I won't provide any. Not for now, at least.
A pro-Trump gay organization has been denied permission to participate in Charlotte's gay pride parade, with no explanation for why the organizers barred them.

NBCNews:

DeplorablePride.org's float had flashy props, drag queens and an array of colors.

However, there were a few details that stuck out, including Donald Trump's campaign message "Make America Great Again," a dancer dressed as Melania Trump, and someone dressed up as Donald Trump to accompany the Melania impersonator.

DeplorablePride.org has claimed these details are what organizers did not agree with and what ultimately led to the rejection of their float.

"I'm insulted. It's a slap in the face. After being deeply involved in the LGBT community for 15 years, I'm angry," the group's founder Derek Van Cleve told NBC OUT. "The LGBT community is all about acceptance and inclusiveness. Why not include every political party?"

DeplorablePride.org received a rejection that read: "This message is to confirm that we have received your application for entry in the 2017 Charlotte Pride Parade. Unfortunately, we are not able to approve your application."

In a statement provided by the Charlotte Pride board of directors to NBC Out, the group said it "reserves the right to decline participation at our events to groups or organizations which do not reflect the mission, vision and values of our organization, as is acknowledged in our parade rules and regulations by all groups at the time of their parade application."

The statement also claimed that decisions like these have been made before.

"Their response was very vague saying they could reject anyone, anytime they want, especially if they are anti-LGBT. Donald Trump is not anti-LGBT," said Van Cleve.

A GoFundMe was created by DeplorablePride.org to raise money for their group to "fight the majority within the minority." The group also plans on hosting "The Deplorable Pride Ball" with the tagline "A Pride Celebration For Everyone."

"We are here to fight and we are here to stay," Van Cleve said.
In the wake of the James Comey spectacle in Congress Friday, it's pretty reasonable to see the double standards, the unasked questions, the bias toward one side of the political spectrum. So what would an intelligent citizen have to ask the former FBI director? How about this?

You said you wrote a memo on your meeting with Trump because you were afraid he would lie. So why didn't you have your agents record the meeting with Hillary Clinton, since she is a known liar? Was it because it was a "matter" and not a real investigation? Isn't it extremely odd that if it was an actual serious investigation, you didn't have Hillary testify under oath?

Or this:

Isn't it true that when President Obama said he didn't see anything that jeopardized the nation's security in Hillary Clinton's illegal, unsecured private server, that was a message to the FBI and Justice Department not to charge her? Did you get queasy when Obama said that?

Or this:

Hadn't you essentially decided not to charge Hillary no matter what she did, since you essentially exonerated her prior to interviewing her? Had someone from Justice or the White House essentially sent the message to not to charge Hillary?

And let's not forget this:

You have said that the Justice Department and FBI have to be apolitical. Doesn't your and Loretta Lynch's special treatment of Hillary Clinton show how much politics actually influenced the decision not to charge her, despite her obvious guilt? Can you give any other examples where a government official trafficked classified documents for years and was not charged?
If asked about the Lilliputians, most people call up the image of tiny people restraining Gulliver with hundreds of ropes. It's a striking image that's spawned uncountable metaphors. For me, the more interesting part of Lilliputians' society is that the highest levels of government were staffed by winners of rope-dancing (tightrope-walking) contests. To add spice, politicians on ropes of their own had the opportunity to knock their opponents off balance so they'd fall and lose power.

I now find this image as funny as I did as a youngster. As a result of James Comey's congressional testimony, I picture President Trump traversing the swamp on a high wire in order to reach and pull the drain plug. The troika composed of the Democrats, the Deep State, and the hilariously inept national media are pelting him with beanbags called Russian collusion and are leaking all over him. (If you haven't read Gulliver's Travels, have someone who has explain the allusion to "leaking.")

What makes this so funny is that all their efforts backfired. They are falling off their tightropes. Because they all three are dancing on the same wire, there's no one to hold the net. This is ugly, and it will get uglier, but in a very pleasing way. What's more pleasing than Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer covered in swamp goop?

Let's all agree that the Russians did a bunch of things to disrupt our election. Their goal was to sow distrust in our electoral process. They succeeded. No votes were changed, and there is no evidence that the outcome of the election was affected in any way. But the Russians gave the liberal troika an opportunity to link Russian efforts to Trump and his election team. They  the Democrats, the Deep State, and the hilariously inept media  created widespread distrust in our process and in the outcome of the election. They  not Trump  gave the Russians what they wanted. They are, unwittingly, the ones colluding with Putin. In fairness, they rarely do anything with wit.

Did Trump collude with the Russians? In everyone's words, there is no smoking gun. That doesn't go far enough. There is no gun. Many of us are realizing that what's been presented as smoke is just the dust kicked up by a herd of stubborn stampeding donkeys.

According to Comey, President Trump was never under investigation. The troika are shifting the stampede's direction by denying they ever said he was. Well, here is an excellent compilation of people who headlined that the president was under investigation. Please follow the link. The list is endless. It includes the New York Times, the Huffington Post, Morning Joe, and all the usual suspects. It even includes Chuck Schumer, who as a member of the gang of eight had direct knowledge that his accusation was false. I'm told that swamp goop is hard to clean off.

The president was understandably unhappy with the cloud of donkey dust slowing his agenda. Comey refused Trump's request to tell the public what he told Trump in private. So Trump forced Comey to make a public declaration by using his trademark tool. He fired Comey. Problem solved.

Having lost their attempt to tie Trump to the Russians, the troika's new attempt to sow distrust is to claim that Trump is guilty of obstructing justice. Comey alleges that in a private meeting, the president hoped that Comey could go easy in the investigation of fired national security adviser Michael Flynn because Flynn is a good guy. It is quite clear that Trump was asking Comey if there was any possible prosecutorial discretion in the case against Flynn. There is an army of legal experts who do not see this as obstruction of justice.

This was not, as Comey claimed, his first private meeting with the president. Comey previously requested one to discuss the phony dossier alleging a Trump tryst with Russian hookers. The notion that Comey was intimidated by a second private conversation is absurd when one looks at his past rather arrogant disregard for authority. The most convincing point was made by one of Trump's sons: "My father doesn't do subtle." We all know with absolute certainty that if Trump wanted Comey to drop the case, he would have said so in no uncertain terms. The troika can't have it both ways. If Trump really is the rampaging, stomping bull he obviously is, then he equally obviously didn't intend to ride roughshod over Comey. Put another way, Comey would not have left the meeting "confused."

Here's where we are. The Russians have done what they intended but have not caused the harm they intended. We now more than ever distrust the Democrats, the Deep State (people like James Comey), and our hilariously inept media more than ever. There is not much to like or admire about current-day Russia, but I am grateful for this gift.
In the Haitian capital city of Port-au-Prince, one need not be a pharmacist to sell medicine. All you need is a bucket and the willingness to roam the streets in the hot sun looking for patients.

For many Haitians, medicine is an ordinary consumer good just like candies or groceries are, and buying them off roaming street peddlers is the norm. As a matter of fact, actual pharmacies are hard to come by in Haiti, and these street dispensaries are the main source of medicine for many Haitians.

Photo credit: Paolo Woods and Gabriele Galimberti

As a street vendor, you have to make sure your display looks attractive, otherwise no will buy anything from you. You put the ampicillin next to the Tylenol so that the packet of pink pills form a contrast against the packet of blue pills. You arrange hundreds of multicolored pills in blister packs in a tower rising up from a tiny bucket, taking care that the colors look good together. A pair of scissors, used to divvy up the medicine, goes at the top. The whole thing is held together with rubber bands.

The portable pharmacies look like contemporary art installations or candy store displays, says photographers Paolo Woods and Gabriele Galimberti, who have been working on a project about medical access in over two dozen countries. The duo have long been fascinated by the citys wandering druggists.

Selling medicines this way is illegal, but the laws are rarely enforced by the Ministry of Public Health and Population. The governments lack of oversight puts the lives of Haitians at risk by placing them in the hands of untrained sellers who dole out everything from abortion pills to Viagra knockoffs. Most of these are generic medicines from China. Others are expired pills and counterfeit drugs imported from the Dominican Republic. Its like playing a dangerous game of Russian roulette.

The vendors also give out medical advice, some of which are bad such as prescribing powerful antibiotics for acne.

People have no secrets from us, says Renold Germain, a medicine peddler. They tell us about their infections, digestion, and sexual matters. For each problem we have a pill.

Woods and Galimberti say they want to make people aware that access to medicine, taken for granted in developed countries, is a challenge in many places.

Photo credit: Paolo Woods and Gabriele Galimberti

Photo credit: Paolo Woods and Gabriele Galimberti

Photo credit: Paolo Woods and Gabriele Galimberti

via Wired
Ignacio Echeverria  there went a hero

As Anorak forms a new political party  three point plan for success: Hire a Santa Claus look-alike to front the campaign and woo the cool kids with promises of free stuff; Appear strong and stable by repeating the same line over and over and talk about winning for the sake of winning; Demand more voting until the thicko electorate vote for what I want  a word on Ignacio Echeverria, the 39-year-old Spanish lawyer working at HSBC murdered by Islamists in the London terror attack.

The Spanish Government said Ignacio showed solidarity and bravery in defending a helpless person. He did. He was an ordinary civilian out enjoying life. But our freedom is the terrorists front line. How we react to their threat defines us. Ignacios response was heroic.

Hed been out skateboarding near Tate Modern when he came across a terrible sight. Instead of freezing or running away when he saw a defenceless woman being stabbed, Ignacio Echeverria ran towards her. He turned his skateboard, an object of freedom and fun, into a weapon and laid into the attackers. He didnt stand a chance. They murdered him.

The Spanish government has awarded Ignacio its highest honour for bravery, the Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit. We can all do our bit for Ignacio by never forgetting him, because Ignacio Echeverria epitomises the courage, decency, fight and essential human goodness we must cherish and celebrate. No honour for him and the other heroes of that terrible night is too great. They represent the best of us.

Anorak

Posted: 10th, June 2017 | In: Reviews Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
(ANSA) - Milan, June 9 - "We are at the beginning of a major challenge. Industry 4.0 is a precondition to building a diverse, open and inclusive society," the head of the Italian employers association Confindustria, Vincenzo Boccia, said during the Manufacturing Summit 2017. Industry 4.0, he said, "is not a category-based issue that concerns only the industrial sector and industrialists. It is an issue of a society that considers growth not as an end in itself but as a precondition to fight inequality and poverty." Boccia said that "this means having an industrial sector that is strong in the richest market in the world - that of Europe." Thanks to tools within the Industry 4.0 plan, "private investment is being reactivated".

This leads to "moderate growth in GDP", he said, and "has raised exports, which saw a rise of 7% in the first two months of the year".

"We still have a long way to go, but we have come a long way.

This direction is what enables us to finance development, structural job opportunities and growth in the country's interests," he added.




The Royal Jordanian pilot joined a group of UK wing walkers  including Arabian Aerospaces Liz Moscrop  who together raised $33,000 for the flying for the disabled charity Aerobility.

The money is to be used towards a new aircraft to allow more people with disabilities to learn to fly.

Alia said I rather call these people determined, rather than disabled. They are focusing on what they can achieve rather than what they cant. Flying is an ideal way to develop self-worth and a sense of achievement.

Alia described her first wing walk as being Peaceful. She said: Despite the barbell rolls and loops I really enjoyed the time on top of the Boeing Stearman bi-plane


They discussed the title of the movie while they both were shooting for their respective films at Mehboob Studio.

Mumbai: Actor Ranbir Kapoor has revealed that he was the one who suggested the title of Imtiaz Ali's new movie, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma.

On June 9, Ranbir said, "When I suggested that the film should be named 'When Harry Met Sejal' everyone laughed it off."

The first look of the movie was released on Friday, after which Shah Rukh Khan tweeted saying, "Just in case Ranbir Kapoor ever claims it... the title Jab Harry met Sejal was never ever suggested by him! So he doesn't win the Rs 5,000 reward."

SRK was referring to the reward of Rs 5,000 given by the film's team to anyone who could come up with the perfect title.

When asked about SRK's tweet, Ranbir joked, "It's my title, I gave the title for the film... the sad part is not that Shah Rukh sir is not giving me credit but that I was not aware about the reward. Shah Rukh sir I am coming to Mannat (Shah Rukh s bungalow)..cash please."

The actor said they discussed the title of the movie while they both were shooting for their respective films at Mehboob Studio.

"We were discussing about the title and I suggested 'When Harry Met Sejal'... everyone laughed at it and said it's a 'bakwas' title. Cut to today... the poster of the film is out with the title that I gave. I am happy that I am a small part of this film."

The 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' actor is excited about the Imtiaz Ali-directed film.

"To be honest it's by far the most exciting actor-director duo, it has Pritam's music and Anushka Sharma too is part of the film. I am looking forward to it."

There were reports that Ranbir will have a cameo appearance in this film but he rubbished this news.

"I wish I had but no," he said.

When asked how he feels when actors like Aamir Khan, Paresh Rawal praise his work, Ranbir said, "Aamir Khan, Paresh Rawal are stalwarts of this industry and I have learnt acting by just observing them and seeing their films. I hope I don't let them down. Aamir Khan has been sweet and supportive in my entire career."

Ranbir said when 'Bombay Velvet' did not do well, Aamir reached out to him.

"He came to my house straight and was with me the entire day and spoke to me about the film industry, the hits and flops. His love for me is very deep. I appreciate that and if they like my work it feels great. I hope I can live up to the expectations of Aamir sir."

Ranbir is currently promoting 'Jagga Jasoos'.

Also starring Katrina Kaif, the Anurag Basu-directed film is due for release on July 14.
With the latest operation, the number of militants killed in encounters along the LoC in N Kashmir in the past 4 days has gone up to 14.

Srinagar: A militant was killed as the Army thwarted an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in Gurez sector of Bandipora district in north Kashmir.

An Army official said the troops guarding the LoC observed movement of ultras trying to sneak into the valley from across the border and challenged them. During the exchange of fire, a militant was killed, the official said.

With the latest operation, the number of militants killed in encounters along the LoC in north Kashmir in the past four days has gone up to 14.

An Army jawan also lost his life in one of the encounters. A defence spokesman on Thursday said multiple attempts made by Pakistan army to push armed infiltrators across the LoC were foiled by the troops at Machhil and Naugam sectors in Kupwara district, Gurez in Bandipora district and Uri in Baramulla, resulting in the killing of seven militants.

All the four infiltration bids were aided by the Pakistani forces who provided active support, including cover fire using heavy calibre artillery, the Army's Northern Command had said in a statement.

With the killing of six militants in Uri sector on Friday and one in Gurez on Saturday, the Army has foiled eight infiltration attempts in less than a fortnight in north Kashmir.

Three of the attempts were scuttled in Uri sector alone. On May 26, the Army killed two Pakistani Border Action Team (BAT) members who tried to infiltrate into Uri sector in Baramulla district to carry out an attack on the soldiers.

Six more militants were killed in the same sector on May 27 when they attempted to sneak into the valley from across the border. In 2017, Army foiled 24 infiltration attempts killing 41 armed intruders along the LoC.
Shelke's cousin said he took the extreme step due to his inability to pay a Rs 2.5 lakh loan as his crops suffered in the droughts.

According to police, Sandip Shelke (25), allegedly hanged himself from a tree in his field in Kahamaswadi village in Osmanabad on Friday. (Photo: File/Representational)

Osmanabad (Maharashtra): One more farmer has allegedly committed suicide in Maharashtra apparently due to indebtedness, taking the number of peasants who have killed themselves in the recent past to five.

Sandip Shelke (25), who had participated in the recent stir by cultivators for various demands, allegedly hanged himself from a tree in his field in Kahamaswadi village in Osmanabad on Friday, police said.

Shelke's cousin said he took the extreme step due to his inability to pay Rs 2.5 lakh loan he had taken from a bank as his crops had suffered damage due to droughts.

However, a police official said the exact cause behind Shelke's suicide is not known immediately.

Following the incident, angry farmers set an effigy of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on fire in the village while demanding a loan waiver.

The villagers have declared a bandh in Kalamb tehsil on Saturday in protest against the incident.

Farmers in the state have been demanding a complete loan waiver besides clearing their 7/12 extracts (land records) of all liabilities and a guaranteed rate for milk among other demands.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, four farmers ended their lives in various parts of the state.

Police had said suicides by all the four farmers were due to non-payment of loans from banks and private money lenders.

Dhanaji Jadhav (45) hanged himself from a tree near his house at Veet village in Karmala tehsil in Solapur district on Wednesday night. He had left a note purportedly stating that he should not be cremated till the chief minister visits his place and meets their demands.

However, the family members of the deceased relented following an intervention by the district guardian minister.

In another incident, a 48-year-old farmer, Hanumant Shinde, reeling under debt, committed suicide by consuming poison at Gondavewadi in Pune district on Thursday.

In Wardha district, farmer Ishwar Baliram Ingale (55) allegedly committed suicide by hanging from a tree in his farm on Wednesday, the police said.

In Satara district of western Maharashtra, a 35-year-old farmer, Suresh Sable, ended his life by consuming poison on June 5 in Man tehsil.

Fadnavis had recently announced waiving of loans of small and marginal farmers. However, the announcement failed to pacify the protesting farmers who are demanding a complete loan waiver.
All 5 passengers in the Agusta 119 helicopter, headed to Haridwar from Badrinath, were reported safe.

A police officer said the helicopter got disbalanced while taking off due to insufficient air pressure and fell down. (Photo: ANI/Twitter)

Dehradun: A crew member was killed and two pilots suffered injuries when a helicopter carrying pilgrims met with an accident while taking off from the Himalayan shrine of Badrinath in Uttarakhand on Saturday.

All the five passengers were reportedly safe.

An official at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in Delhi said that an engineer, who was part of the crew, died in the accident, while the two pilots suffered injuries.

Chamoli Superintendent of Police Tripti Bhatt said on the phone that the engineer was hit by rotor blades.

The police officer said the helicopter got disbalanced while taking off due to insufficient air pressure and fell down.

The accident took place around 0745 hrs.

The Agusta 119 helicopter, belonging to Mumbai-based private operator Krestal Aviation, was on its way from Badrinath to Haridwar.

The DGCA said it was investigating the matter.
Shah had also said the Congress was not rooted in any ideology or principles and was sort of a 'special purpose vehicle' to secure freedom.

Raipur/New Delhi: BJP chief Amit Shah dubbed Mahatma Gandhi as a "bahut chatur baniya", a reference to his mercantile caste, sparking a political row with the Congress and other opposition parties demanding an apology from him for insulting the Father of the Nation.

Shah made the reference to the mercantile caste to which Gandhi was born while telling a select audience of "prominent citizens" in Raipur, on Friday, how the "bahut chatur baniya" (very shrewd baniya) had rightly advised dissolution of the Congress after Independence.

Shah had also said the Congress was not rooted in any ideology or principles and was sort of a "special purpose vehicle" to secure freedom.

Facing flak, Shah today said the import of his comments was heard by the people who were present at yesterday's gathering.

"Maine jis reference me kaha hai waha sab logo ne suna, Surjewala ji ko abhi Gandhiji ke bahut sare siddhanto ka jawab dena hai. (Those present during the programme heard my comments and the reference in which they were made. AICC spokesperson Randeep Surjewala is yet to answer about many principles of Gandhi ji)," Shah told a press conference in Raipur when asked about AICC spokesperson Randeep Surjewala's demand for his apology over the remark.

Leading the opposition charge, Surjewala demanded an apology from Shah, BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Calling Shah a "trader of power", Surjewala said his remarks were "an insult to freedom fighters, their sacrifices and also to Gandhi."

While West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee termed the comments "uncalled for and unethical", CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy demanded that Shah tender an apology for making the "derogatory" remarks.

Former CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat also hit out at Shah, saying his remark reveals "the contempt the BJP- RSS has for Gandhiji."

At yesterday's event, Shah had said, "the Congress party... was constituted as a club by a British man. It was later converted into an organisation engaged in freedom struggle."

It had in its fold both right and left-leaning people like Maulana Azad, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and many others, he said.

"People of various ideologies and thinking associated themselves with Congress to gain independence. Congress didn't have any ideology or set of principles and it was only used as a special purpose vehicle to secure freedom.

"And therefore, Mahatma Gandhi, with a lot of foresight - he was a very shrewd baniya - he knew what was going to happen in future. He had said immediately after the Independence that Congress should be dissolved."

Mahatma Gandhi couldn't do that, but now some people are completing the task of dissolution of Congress, the BJP chief added, in an apparent jibe at the present Congress leadership.

"Rather than fighting casteism, they (BJP) identified even the Father of the Nation with his caste. This shows the character and ideology of the ruling party and its president. Where will these people take the country?" Surjewala asked.

"We demand that Amit Shah, BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to the country, the families of freedom fighters and every citizen for insulting the freedom movement... and the father of the nation," Surjewala told reporters in Delhi.

In a hard-hitting response, Surjewala alleged that "Amit Shah, who himself is a trader of power, is today saying that the freedom movement was a business model. But in reality, before independence, Britishers used RSS and Hindu Mahasabha as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for partition of the country."

He also said, "similarly, today BJP is acting as a SPV for few corporates for taking care of their business interests."

According to the Congress leader, Shah's remarks were "an insult to freedom fighters, their sacrifices and also to Gandhi".

CPI national secretary D Raja said Shah, being president of the ruling party, should be aware of the language to be used while describing a leader of Gandhi's stature.

"We have no problem when he criticises Congress or other opposition parties (during political discourse). But dragging Mahatma Gandhi's name, using such a language is denigrating Gandhi," Raja said.

According to Karat, Shah only revealed the BJP's actual opinion about Gandhi.

"Such a comment on the father of the nation is highly condemnable. Shah has crossed limits of politics," said Chattisgarh state Congress general secretary Shailesh Nitin Trivedi.

Talking about other issues, Shah said that among the 1,650 political parties in India, only the BJP and the Communist Party of India have upheld internal democracy.

"There are some parties where only dynastic rule prevails. It was clear that after Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi would take over, but nobody can predict who would be the next BJP president after me," Shah said.

Referring to alleged anti-national slogans raised in Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU), Shah said whoever does so will be termed as anti-national.

Shah, who is on a visit to Chhattisgarh since June 8, has interacted with MPs, MLAs, BJP office-bearers and booth representatives in a bid to strengthen the party ahead of the next year's Assembly polls in the state and 2019 parliamentary elections.
Ravinder Kumar (32) was beaten to death by nearly a dozen men on May 27 for objecting to 2 men urinating in public outside a metro station.

New Delhi: A 25-year-old cab driver has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the killing of an e-rickshaw driver outside the GTB Nagar Metro Station in New Delhi in May.

This is the second arrest in the case that had triggered widespread outrage with even Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemning the killing and directing the authorities to bring the culprits to book.

Earlier, a 19-year-old Delhi University student was arrested and a juvenile was apprehended.

The 32-year-old victim, Ravinder Kumar, was beaten to death by nearly a dozen men on May 27, hours after he had objected to two men urinating in public outside the metro station in northwest Delhi.

The third accused, Mehul Deda, was arrested on June 4, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Milind Mahadeo Dumbere.

Deda was part of the group which had attacked Kumar with towels and stones. He had been on the run since the incident.

He had been hiding in Rishikesh but returned to Delhi after he got to know that Kapasia and the juvenile had been nabbed. He thought that the situation had eased now and decided to return, a police officer said.

Police said that they were looking for the other accused. The arrested duo will be questioned together to ascertain the identity of the other accused, police said.
Another constable received injuries while trying to stop the head constable from taking the extreme step Friday night.

New Delhi: A head constable of the Delhi Police, posted in Rohini district, allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service weapon while he was on duty, the police said on Saturday.

Another constable received injuries while trying to stop the head constable from taking the extreme step Friday night, they added.

Harbhagwan (46) was posted at the Shahbad Dairy police station for the last two-and-a-half years.

He shot himself in the jaw and the bullet went through his head and hit Rajesh Gurjar, a constable, in the shoulder, the police said.

Harbhagwan, along with two constables - Rajesh and Ashwini - had returned to the police station after patrolling the area. They were discussing their problems among themselves in a drunken state, the police said.

The head constable was narrating his marital issues when he broached the subject of killing himself, one of his colleagues told the police.

He suddenly took out his service weapon and shot himself, the constable added.

Police are probing if work pressure was one of the reasons which drove the head constable to take the extreme step.

No suicide note was found, the police said.
The actor first worked with Ray in "Apur Sansar" in 1959, the third part of the Apu trilogy.

Soumitra Chatterjee has been conferred with the highest French civlian honour, the Legion d'Honneur.

Kolkata: Thespian Soumitra Chatterjee has been conferred with the highest French civlian honour, the Legion d'Honneur.

"I am happy and it is a great honour. I got the letter from the French Embassy yesterday and they said they will be coming over here to give me the award. I communicated to them that we will decide on a mutually convenient date," Chatterjee told PTI.

The 82-year-old veteran actor, who is getting the honour 30 years after legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray had received the same, said, "No comparisons can be drawn between me and Manikda (as Ray is fondly called by his followers). He is a titan and I am nowhere near him."

"But yes it makes me happy that I am also getting the same honour which was given to Manikda," he added.

The actor first worked with Ray in "Apur Sansar" in 1959, the third part of the Apu trilogy.

He had also worked in Ray's "Abhijan" (1962), "Charulata" (1964), "Aranyer Din Ratri" (1969), "Ashani Sanket" (1973), "Sonar Kella" (1974), "Joi Baba Felunath" (1978), "Ghare Baire" (1984) and "Ganashatru" (1989).

Congratulating the legend, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted, "From 'Apur Sansar' to Legion d Honour. The legendary Shri Soumitra Chattopadhyay, hallmark of Indian and Bengali cinema. A tribute and honour to the great actor of Bengali cinema by France. This makes us very proud. Congratulations. (sic)"

Others from the Bengali film fraternity also congratulated Chatterjee.

Prosenjit Chatterjee tweeted, "Kaku you are a true inspiration...Pronam for #Legion d'Honneur..second person from our industry after Ray to b honoured..Respect. (sic)"

Director Atanu Ghosh, who directed Chatterjee in several films in the past, posted "Privileged that we got to live and work with him. Hearty congratulations to the living legend on being bestowed with the Legion d'Honneur"

Members of Ray family expressed delight over the news.

"We got the news yesterday. And it is a matter of pride that he is getting the honour 30 years after father," they said.

Chatterjee has previously been conferred with the Commandeur de l' Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France's highest award for artistes and is the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award which is India's highest award in cinema.
The moral is clear  dont expect others to toe your line. There is simply no alternative to conciliation through a meaningful dialogue.

Speculation on whether Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif would meet in the Kazakh capital of Astana  which they did  on June 8 was understandable.

However, the question was far less important than the one concerning their role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. There have been newly enrolled at the SCO as full-fledged members, but with expectations, if not, indeed, conditions, which the founder of the club has publicly aired.

Basically, they boil down to two rules for the new members  your basic commitment must be to the institution, the SCO; and, you must not use it as just another arena in which to conduct your diplomatic battles.

This was made all too clear at Beijing on June 1 by the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson. After pointedly expressing the hope that admission of Pakistan and India would help in improving their bilateral relations, she added, meaningfully, that it was hoped that India and Pakistan strictly follow the charter of the SCO and the idea of good neighbourliness to uphold the SCO spirit, improve their relations and inject new impetus into the development of the SCO.

The organisation was founded in 2001 and comprised China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan as full members. It began as the Shanghai Five on April 26, 1996. Uzbekistan joined the SCO in June 2001. Pakistan and India enjoyed observer status along with Iran, Afghanistan, Mongolia and Belarus.

During its summit in Ufa, when Mr Sharif and Mr Modi met, the SCO formally adopted a resolution to begin the process of admission of India and Pakistan as full members. They signed a Memorandum of Obligations on June 26, 2016, at the SCO summit in Tashkent.

It is unlikely that the club will close its membership. Apart from the ones which already have observer status, it is not unlikely that Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will also apply for membership.

Sun Zhuangzhi, secretary-general of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, wrote last year: The scope of the group will be expanded from China, Russia and Central Asian countries to South Asia, covering over 60 per cent of Eurasia.

He was not unmindful of the problems which expansion of membership might create. The hostility between the two states is unlikely to be dispelled in the short time. Together with their complicated relations with China and Russia, analysts believe their admission may have negative effects on the SCO, bringing more internal conflicts and lowering the level of a mutual political trust and the efficiency of multilateral cooperation.

China could not have been oblivious to the fate of Saarc. It is dysfunctional, a victim of the estrangement between India and Pakistan and used to settle scores.

India boycotted the Saarc summit that was to be held in Islamabad last year after the Uri attack. It mobilised support from regional countries to ensure the summit could not be held. Its foreign secretary S. Jaishankar said in November 2016 that the Saarc countries could opt for sub-regional initiatives if Pakistan continued to block Saarc initiatives. He had in mind matters like regional trade and regional motorways. One would think that such matters are best sorted out bilaterally and quietly.

On September 24, 2016, Mr Modi warned Pakistan at a public rally that India has succeeded in isolating you in the world. We will ramp it up and force you to live alone in the world.

Such a pursuit of trying to box an adversary into isolation is a wild goose chase.

No two states, even those in close alliance, have identical interests. India cannot secure Pakistans isolation. Even states closest to them (Russia and China) keep good their relations with their respective diplomatic adversaries. Two instances will suffice. On June 1 at St Petersburg, President Vladimir Putin spoke to the media after he had met Mr Modi. An Indian correspondent was told, We do not have tight relations with Pakistan  no binding alliance. But he sharply asked with the US do you have (close relations)? The hint was clear.

At the other end, Chinas ambassador to India, Luo Zhaohui reminded an Indian audience in May that China had changed its position on Kashmir. We supported the relevant UN resolutions before 1990s. Then we supported a settlement through bilateral negotiation in line with the Simla Agreement.

The moral is clear  dont expect others to toe your line. There is simply no alternative to conciliation through a meaningful dialogue.

By arrangement with Dawn
Sharif said that Pakistan will do all it can to resolve the crisis, The Express Tribune reported.

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to fly to Kuwait and Qatar in a bid to resolve the diplomatic row between the Gulf nations and Doha which has been accused of supporting terrorism, a report said on Friday.

Pakistan shares good ties with all Gulf countries and has been asked by the countrys Parliament to stay neutral in the crisis, while trying to resolve it.

Sharif said that Pakistan will do all it can to resolve the crisis, The Express Tribune reported. Since Pakistan enjoys good relations with Saudi Arabia, Iran and Qatar, we will try our best to resolve the differences between the Arab countries, Mr Sharif said.
Erdogan signals support for Doha as it faces increasing isolation from Arab states.

Istanbul: President Tayyip Erdogan has approved legislation on deploying Turkish troops to Qatar, signalling support for the Gulf state as it faces isolation by fellow Arab states over alleged support for terrorism.

Turkeys Parliament pushed through the bill on Wednesday and Mr Erdogans rapid approval of it, announced by his office late on Thursday, was followed by its publication in Official Gazette on Friday, completing the legislative process.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed relations with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of supporting Islamist militants and their arch-adversary Iran  charges Qatar calls baseless. Several countries followed suit.

Qatar vowed on Thursday to ride out the isolation and said it would not compromise its sovereignty over foreign policy to resolve the regions biggest diplomatic crisis in years.

After an initial deployment of Turkish troops at a base in Doha, Turkish warplanes and ships will also be sent, the mass-circulation Hurriyet newspaper said on its website on Friday.

The number of Turkish warplanes and Turkish warships going to the base will become clear after the preparation of a report based on an initial assessment at the base, Hurriyet said.

A Turkish delegation would go to Qatar next to assess the situation at the base, where around 90 Turkish soldiers are currently based, it said.

Turkish officials were not immediately available to comment on the report, but Hurriyet said there were plans send some 200-250 soldiers within two months in the initial stage.

Erdogan approved another accord between Turkey and Qatar on military training cooperation on Thursday. Turkey also pledged to provide food and water supplies to Qatar.
Eight people were killed before the assailants  Khuram Shazad Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba  were shot dead by police.

A photo of the van used in the London Bridge attacks of June 3. (Photo: AP)

London: The assailants behind last weeks terror attack in London had also prepared a stash of Molotov cocktails and initially tried to hire a truck rather than a van to mow down pedestrians, British police said on Saturday.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said forensic officers examining the white rental van found 13 wine bottles with rags wrapped around them and believed to be filled with a flammable liquid, as well as two blowtorches.

The three attackers struck pedestrians with the van and then went on a stabbing spree wearing fake suicide vests last Saturday in the London Bridge area, a popular nightlife district.

Eight people were killed before the assailants  Khuram Shazad Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba  were shot dead by police. Forty-eight people were injured.

Police also said Butt had tried to hire a 7.5-tonne lorry hours before carrying out the attack, but was turned down because the payment failed.

Because of the fact his payment method failed he couldnt get hold of that lorry, counter-terrorism command chief Dean Haydon told reporters.

My view at the moment is that he then went to plan B and ended up hiring the van instead, Haydon said.

When I come back to Butt trying to get hold of a 7.5 tonne lorry  the effect could have been even worse.

Haydon went on to say that its feasible when you look at their actions, they were still fairly close to the van, there is a possibility they could have come back to the van.

Was there a plan B that, after they had stabbed individuals, were they then planning to come back to the van and ignite the Molotov cocktails and that was a secondary attack? We dont know  I can only surmise.

Trucks have been used in a string of terror attacks in Europe over the past year.

Last July, a 31-year-old Tunisian extremist rammed a 19-tonne truck through a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in the French Riviera city of Nice, killing 86 people and injuring more than 400.

On December 19, a 24-year-old Tunisian ploughed a truck through a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 11 and wounding dozens.

And on March 22 this year, five people were killed when a man rammed his car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in London before stabbing a police officer outside parliament.

Police on Friday also released pictures of one of the pink-coloured 12-inch ceramic kitchen knives used by the attackers, as they appealed to the public for any information.

We need to know more about these unusual knives. Where are they from? Where might the attackers have bought them from? police said.

They believe one of the properties they searched in the east London borough of Barking was the attackers safe house, where they prepared the attack.

Officers searching the house found an English-language copy of the Koran opened at a page describing martyrdom, as well as bottles smelling of petrol and a bottle of lighter fluid.

Overall, police searched 12 properties in Barking and nearby Ilford, arresting 18 people.

Only five remain in custody after 13 were released without charge.


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May announced on Friday that she would seek to form a minority government with the help of the pro-Brexit Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

London: British Prime Minister Theresa May was expected to name the rest of her cabinet on Saturday after a crushing election setback, just days before Brexit talks begin.

Members of her Conservative party have warned May her days are numbered after calling Thursday's vote three years early, only to lose her parliamentary majority.

But senior figures also cautioned against an immediate leadership election, as the government prepares to start talks on leaving the European Union around June 19.

May announced Friday she would seek to form a minority government with the help of a small Northern Irish party, the pro-Brexit Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). She failed to express contrition for her gamble that spectacularly backfired, but newspaper headlines reflected the sense that she has been deeply wounded.

"May fights to remain PM," headlined the Conservative-supporting Daily Telegraph headlined, while the Daily Mail said: "Tories turn on Theresa". "From hubris to humiliation," said the left-leaning Guardian. "May stares into the abyss," wrote The Times, while The Sun said succinctly: "She's had her chips."

Some Conservative lawmakers called for May's joint chiefs of staff, Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy, to be sacked for their key role in the election campaign. May confirmed Friday that senior ministers would remain in their posts, despite rumours that she had been ready to sack finance minister Philip Hammond following a clash over her Brexit strategy.

The prime minister has vowed to pull Britain out of Europe's single market in order to end mass migration from the bloc, despite fears of the economic impact.

European Council President Donald Tusk has warned there was "no time to lose" in starting talks, after May started the two-year countdown to Brexit on March 29.

Despite earlier saying that a cabinet meeting had been scheduled for Saturday, a spokesman said May would not be holding one but would name more members of her cabinet.
Burials were held in the provinces for the two others killed when gunmen and suicide bombers stormed Tehran's parliament complex.

Iranians attend the funeral of victims of an Islamic State militant attack on Wednesday, in Tehran, Iran. (Photo: AP)

Tehran: Tehran hit out at Washington and Riyadh as tens of thousands attended the funerals Friday for those slain in the first attacks in Iran claimed by the Islamic State group.

"Death to America", "Death to the Saud" ruling family, and "We are not afraid", shouted the crowd gathered behind a lorry bearing the coffins of 15 of the 17 people killed in Wednesday's attacks.

Burials were held in the provinces for the two others killed when gunmen and suicide bombers stormed Tehran's parliament complex and the shrine of revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Fifty people were wounded.

Nine people suspected of ISIS links have been arrested, a website close to the judiciary said Friday, as mourners paid their respects to those killed at a ceremony attended by newly re-elected moderate President Hassan Rouhani.

Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had initially played down the attacks, describing them as "firecrackers" that "will not have the slightest effect on the will of the people".

On Friday, however, he turned his wrath for the attacks on the United States and Saudi Arabia, his country's fiercest rivals. "Such acts will have no other result than to reinforce hatred for the US government and its agents in the region, like the Saudi (government)," Khamenei wrote in a message of condolence to the families of the dead.

Parliament speaker Ali Larijani also attacked the United States and Saudi Arabia, which he called "a tribal state very far from anything like a democracy".

In a speech at the ceremony, Larijani denounced US sanctions against Iran over its ballistic missile programme. The US "knows that the Revolutionary Guard and its Quds force are the most important regional forces fighting terrorists", he said.

The imposition of such sanctions "demonstrates their alignment with terrorists in the region", said the speaker, a moderate conservative. After prayers at Tehran University, a long procession left the centre of the capital headed for Behesht-e-Zahra cemetery, near the Khomeini mausoleum, 20 kilometres (12 miles) away.

The attacks, which struck two of the country's most symbolic landmarks, were carried out by five armed men, including suicide bombers who blew themselves up. The intelligence ministry said they were Iranians who had joined the Islamic State group and travelled to its strongholds in Iraq and Syria before returning home.

Iran is a key fighting force against ISIS and other groups in Iraq and Syria, and the Sunni jihadists consider Shiite Muslims to be apostates. Shiites make up roughly 90 percent of Iran's population, but the country also has a sizeable Sunni minority, particularly around its restive borders with Iraq and Pakistan.

ISIS released a video overnight of the five attackers before the assault, via its Amaq propaganda agency. "Allah permitting, this is the first brigade that was established (in Iran) but it will not be the last," one of them said, as the group sat masked in a circle with their weapons.

The jihadist group had earlier released footage of the attackers from inside the building, also via Amaq a rare claim of responsibility while an assault was still going on. Although the US military is also fighting ISIS in Syria, as well as Iraq, President Donald Trump said in response to the attacks in Iran that the country is reaping what it sows.

That drew fire from Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, who tweeted: "Repugnant WH (White House) statement as Iranians counter terror backed by US clients." Since Trump took office in January, relations between Washington and Tehran have worsened.

Washington has imposed new sanctions on Tehran for its alleged support of "terrorist" groups in the Middle East, ballistic missile tests and human rights abuses.

On a recent trip to Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia, Trump called on all nations to "isolate" Iran. The Islamic republic's elite Revolutionary Guard has accused regional rival Saudi Arabia of involvement in Wednesday's attacks.

But Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi said on Thursday that "we still cannot judge that Saudi Arabia has had a role in this terrorist incident".

The Mizanonline website, which is close to the judiciary, said nine people suspected of ISIS links were arrested, seven of them on Thursday night in Fars province and the other two on Friday morning in Kermanshah province, near the border with Iraq.
The ministry strongly condemned the attack and called it an act against Islam and humanity.

Three civilians have been shot and killed by gunmen inside a mosque in eastern Afghanistan. (Photo: Representational/ AFP)

Kabul: The Interior Ministry says at least three civilians have been shot and killed by gunmen inside a mosque in eastern Afghanistan.

In a statement released on Saturday the ministry says that nine others were wounded in the attack last night in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province. The ministry strongly condemned the attack and called it an act against Islam and humanity. It said the civilians were attacked while praying.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Taliban and Haqqani network are active in Paktia and neighboring provinces and often target government officials as well as Afghan security forces in the region.
The US Forces in Afghanistan said that an investigation is being conducted to determine specific circumstances that led to this incident.

The strike took place in Nad Ali district of Helmand province, Tolo News quoted officials from Helmand, as saying. (Photo: Representational/ File)

Kabul: A US air strike killed two Afghan Border Police soldiers in Helmand province on Friday night.

Helmand is a stronghold of Taliban, and the insurgents effectively control 10 of Helmand's 14 districts. The strike took place in Nad Ali district of Helmand province, Tolo News quoted officials from Helmand, as saying.

But sources from Helmand said the number of casualties is much higher than what the governor's office has claimed. Meanwhile, US forces in Afghanistan have released a statement and confirmed the death of Afghan border soldiers during overnight operations in Helmand.

During the joint operation of the Afghan National Defense and Security Force and NATO forces, strikes resulted in the deaths and injuries to members of the Afghan Border Police.

"We would like to express our deepest condolences to the families of the ABP members affected by this unfortunate incident," the statement said.

The US-Forces in Afghanistan said that an investigation is being conducted to determine the specific circumstances that led to this incident.

Afghan officials said that an investigation into the incident is underway.
In a video that seems to have been recorded before the attack on Tehran, five masked fighters were also shown threatening Shi'ites in Iran.

Dubai: Islamic State threatened attacks in Saudi Arabia after the militant group claimed responsibility for assaults in Tehran that killed at least 17 people, SITE Intelligence monitoring group reported on Friday.

Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the Iranian parliament and Ayatollah Khomeini's mausoleum in Tehran on Wednesday. Scores of people were also wounded.

IS claimed responsibility and threatened more attacks against Iran's majority Shi'ite population, seen by the hardline Sunni militants as heretics.

In a video that appeared to have been recorded before the attack on Tehran, five masked fighters were shown threatening Shi'ites in Iran as well as the Saudi Arabian government saying their turn "will come".

"Allah permitting, this brigade will be the first of jihad in Iran, and we ask our brothers the Muslims to follow us, as the fire that was ignited will not be put out, Allah permitting," one of the masked fighters said, according to SITE.

At the end of the video, he sent a message to the Saudi government.

"Know that after Iran, your turn will come. By Allah, we will strike you in your own homes... We are the agents of nobody. We obey Allah and His Messenger, and we are fighting for the sake of this religion, not for the sake of Iran or the Arabian Peninsula."

IS, which controls territory in Syria and Iraq, had carried on attacks on Saudi security forces as well as deadly bombings and shootings that target the kingdom's Shi'ites in the past.

Iranian authorities said five of the attackers were Iranian nationals recruited by IS, while Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards Corps blamed the assault on regional rival Saudi Arabia and has threatened revenge. Sunni Saudi Arabia denied any involvement in the attacks.

Tensions have been high in the Middle East since Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain severed diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Doha denies the accusation.

On Friday, the US embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a security notice to US citizens recommending that they "exercise caution in places frequented by foreigners due to the continuing risk of terrorist attacks... across the Kingdom."
Pakistan Peoples Party senator Farhatullah Babar said it was impossible for any single individual to smuggle out huge centrifuge machines.

Islamabad: A Pakistani lawmaker has called for "thorough investigations" into the country's nuclear proliferation to Iran and North Korea during former military ruler Pervez Musharraf's regime.

Pakistan Peoples Party senator Farhatullah Babar said on Friday that the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme A Q Khan had been singled out for nuclear proliferation and demanded that the "entire network" be exposed.

Seeking "thorough investigations" into nuclear proliferation, Babar said 73-year-old Musharraf, in his book 'In the Line of Fire', concedes that several tonnes of nuclear material and drawings had been smuggled from Pakistan to Iran, Libya and North Korea.

But only 81-year-old Khan was singled out for nuclear proliferation, he was quoted as saying by Dawn News. Babar argued that it was impossible for any single individual to smuggle out huge centrifuge machines and other nuclear material without connivance and assistance of other players.

He called for an enquiry into the matter and bringing to book all those involved in the scam. He said that the "entire network" should be exposed and insisted that it must include big names, the report said.

Babar's demand came after Hafiz Hamdullah of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl asked during a Senate session why Khan's name had not even been mentioned during Yaum-i-Takbeer celebrations on May 28.

Hamdullah said that Khan was a national hero but had been degraded and insulted by Musharraf. Musharraf ruled Pakistan till 2008 after toppling the government of Nawaz Sharif in 1999 to come to power.
General Bajwa appreciated the state of operational readiness, exemplary high morale and motivation for the fulfillment of assigned missions.

Islamabad: Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday visited troops along the Line of Control ( LoC) in Muzaffarabad Sector.

The Army Chief was given a detailed report by the local Commander regarding operational situation, ceasefire violations and response by Pakistani troops.

General Bajwa appreciated the state of operational readiness, exemplary high morale, and motivation for the fulfillment of assigned missions, The Dawn quoted an official statement as saying.

Bajwa also interacted with his troops, who were reported to have pledged that "no Indian misadventure shall go without a befitting response".

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief stated, "We are aware of the defence and security challenges being faced by the country and we are capable of defeating all threats, irrespective of the 'front'."
The evening meal breaks the Islamic fast during the sacred month of Ramadan. The temple serves 350 to 400 food boxes per day. The initiative was born in 2013 to spread interreligious harmony.

Dhaka (AsiaNews / Agencies) - In Bangladesh, the Dhammarajika Buddhist monastery offers poor and hungry Muslims the iftar, the evening meal that breaks Islamic fast during the sacred month of Ramadan. The monastery is located in the Basabo area of Dhaka and since 2013 the initiative has contributed to the well-being of society. This is a rare example of interreligious harmony in a country where Islamic radicalism has recently come back to the fore and the conditions of religious minorities are increasingly at risk.

At sunset, a long line of people wait outside the monastery gate. Each day from 350 to 400 meals are prepared, distributed in a cardboard box. Inside, potato pancakes, onion and eggplant tempura, lentil dumplings, dates, puffed rice and a sugar syrup sweet.

According to monks, the holy month is the "best opportunity to help Muslims." The project is born from the will of the venerable Shuddhanando Mohathero, the highest authority of the temple. He believes that "humanity is the ultimate goal of human beings".

The place of worship was founded in 1951. Monk Karuna Bhikkhu states that the goal is to establish good relations with the majority Islamic community. In the country Buddhists represent less than 1% of the population, over a total of 160 million inhabitants. For people like Sakhina, who can not afford the cost of the meal, food freely distributed by monks is a real blessing. "Here we are accorded the respect we should have from our own fellow believers," declares the woman.
They are tied to the Islamic State and are suspected of providing material and logistical support to the attackers. Arrests took place in Fardis, about 50km west of the Iranian capital. Yesterday another 41 people detained.

Tehran (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Iranian authorities have arrested seven people suspected of links with the Islamic State (IS) involved in the attacks on Parliament and the Khomeini mausoleum on June 7 that left 17 dead and 46 injured. Teheran's judiciary sources report that the arrested provided material and logistical help to the attackers.

The attacks in Tehran, claimed by Daesh [Arabic acronym for IS], come at a time of deep tension in the region following US President Donald Trump's trip. In a meeting in Riyadh, Trump and Saud accused Iran of being the base of international terrorism.

In a statement issued by the Iribnews agency, Ahmad Fazelian, head of the Justice Department of Alborz province, west of the capital, says the seven "have provided support to the terrorist group." The arrests took place in Fardis, about 50km west of Tehran. Yesterday, the authorities had announced the detention of another 41 people for (alleged) ties with the twin attack.

In the wake of the attack, the top leaders reported that the bombers "were Iranians recruited by Daesh".


(Monashpi/Bigstock.com) (Monashpi/Bigstock.com)

Australia is one of a number of nations keen to attract students from overseas and now it has more universities among the best in the world, according to newly published rankings.Some 37 Australian universities are included in the 2018 edition of the QS World University Rankings, two more than last year, with seven in the top 100 and a further 10 are in the top 300.America's Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT, topped the global list followed by Stanford and Harvard. Cambridge, Oxford and University College London also made the top 10.The rankings show that many Australian universities have improved their positions. The Australian National University, for example, has gone up two places to number 20. The ANU is based in Canberra and is the only university to be created by the country's Parliament and its alumni include two Prime Ministers.The second oldest university in Australia, the University of Melbourne which was founded in 1853, is ranked joint 41st this year alongside South Korea's KAIST. The university has around 47,000 students, including more than 12,000 international students, and has been associated with nine Nobel Prize winners, the most of any Australian university.At 45 and up four places is the University of New South Wales in Sydney which was established in 1949 and has produced more millionaires than any other Australian university. Aiming to be Australia's global university by 2025, UNSW Sydney is currently partnered with over 200 universities around the world.Australia's tertiary education sector is doing particularly well across all measures used in the rankings, according to Ben Sowter, head of research at the QS World University Rankings which is based in London.QS surveyed more than 75,000 academics and more than 40,000 employers, to assess university reputation across teaching, research, internalisation and employability outcomes. 'Simply put, Australia's had a great year in terms of our metrics,' Sowter said.But industry organisation Universities Australia is concerned that funding cuts announced by the Australian Government will have an impact on the nation's rankings going forward and damage the international reputation of Australia's education system.According to Belinda Robinson, chief executive of Universities Australia, the sector is facing a cut in revenue of about $1 billion under a Government efficiency drive and some $3.9 billion has been stripped out of the system over the past six years.'We know we've also got one of the most efficient systems in the world, there's another series of rankings that tell us that, but if we're not careful we will risk reaching a tipping point beyond which it will be very difficult to recover,' she said.But she added that the rankings should be seen as a great achievement. 'What we know from this report is that Australia has made better progress and more impressive progress than any other nation of a similar size,' she added.Education Minister Simon Birmingham said the QS ranking is a great endorsement of the quality of Australian education. 'It helps to drive the number of people that come to Australia and helps to sustain a $21 to $22 billion export industry that is incredibly important,' he said.The University of Queensland is Australia's fourth highest ranked university at joint 47, followed by the University of Sydney at 50, Monash University at 60, the University of Western Australia at joint 93 and in the top 100 for the first time.The University of Adelaide is ranked 109, the University of Technology in Sydney at 176, up 17 places, and the University of Newcastle making up the highest 10 in the nation places at 224, a rise of 21 places.
A mistrial was denied Wednesday in the case of an inmate convicted of stomping his cellmate to death after the court addressed allegations of 
The Californian occasionally spotlights extraordinary teachers throughout Kern County as part of its regular Featured Teacher column. Have a teacher you want to recommend? Email Education Reporter Harold Pierce at hpierce@bakersfield.com or call 661-395-7404.
CAHRA meeting at Central

COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Area Human Resources Association will hold a meeting 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday at the Central Community College-Columbus West Education Building, Room 209.

Presenter Elizabeth Smith will discuss how to grow talent internally and retain talent for the future. RSVP by Monday to mmmeyer@columbushosp.org. Lunch will be provided at the college. Cost is $10 for CAHRA members, $20 for non-CAHRA members and free for Drive for Five members.

Computer class offered at CCC

COLUMBUS -- A basic Excel 2010 class will be offered 8 a.m.-5 p.m. June 21 in the West Education Center, Room 179, at Central Community College-Columbus.

This workshop will teach participants how to use and make spreadsheets, charts and database programs. Registration is required to ensure minimum enrollment requirements are met. The cost is $115, which includes a book.

For more information or to register, contact Sue Mahlin at 402-562-1409; toll-free in Nebraska at 1-877-222-0780, ext. 1409; or smahlin@cccneb.edu.
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COLUMBUS  The Nebraska State Taxidermy Association hired top judges for its annual competition and convention this weekend at Ramada-Columbus.

But judge Devin Amelunke said most of what they're looking for in entries are things anyone can see.

Judges are people, too, he said. We want them to look real and be fun to look at.

One of the entries that stood out to Amelunke is a chamois, an animal that looks like it's halfway between an antelope and mountain goat and lives along mountain ranges from the Pyrenees in Spain to the Caucasus at the border between Europe and Asia.

Not something we see very often, said Amelunke. It looks like it could just jump right off that rock.

Another was a coyote posed like it was walking down a steep ledge with one of its back feet suspended in the air on a ghost rock."

Isnt that a neat presentation? said Amelunke. Thats fun to look at."

But there is a level of detail taxidermy judges pay attention to that laypeople may overlook. Amelunke pointed out an antelope with an open mouth where the taxidermist recreated teeth and even green bits to show it was chewing.

It took a lot of work to put that together, he said.

He looked inside the ears and mouths to check if the taxidermist had done those internal cavities correctly.

Most of this persons clients dont care, but this is a competition, he said. Some people go the extra mile and some people dont.

All judges shine flashlights into the glass eyes to see if the irises are positioned correctly, examine how the animal was groomed and inspect whether the hair, feather or skin patterns are well-aligned.

Clint Rickey was hired to judge only whitetail deer, the most-common animal brought to Nebraska taxidermists.

Most associations hire a deer judge because over half are whitetails, said Rickey.

In order to differentiate one shoulder mount from a dozen others, he has to really get into the details. He said one thing whitetail taxidermists can do to stand out is pay attention to the animals facial expression and symmetry.

When you line all that stuff up nicely, you really make them look alive, he said. When you get really good at whitetail, you get good at detail.

One entry was a full-bodied deer leaping over a fence. Rickey said the project was ambitious, but in the end hes more interested in the quality.

If its a little chipmunk or a huge elephant, if the chipmunk is better it doesnt matter, he said.

For some of his projects, Rickey estimates he put in 150 or 200 hours, which makes it difficult to see the animal clearly.

Its easy to miss stuff when you get up close, he said.

Amelunke said thats just the nature of the craft.

Its sometimes difficult for us humans to recreate something God made, he said. We try to get close.

The Nebraska State Taxidermy Association convention runs through Sunday at Ramada-Columbus. The showroom is open to the public from 1-4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.
The Florida Legislature adjourned a turbulent special legislative session Friday afternoon, with Republican leaders reaching an eleventh-hour compromise on the session's major issues. Under the arrangement, each party saves just enough face to avoid political embarrassment.

Compromise preserves funding for state universities

Measures to implement Amendment 2 approved

House Speaker's "Schools of Hope" program avoids veto

Such embarrassment seemed all but inevitable just 24 hours before, when Senate President Joe Negron held a press conference lashing out at Gov. Rick Scott and House Speaker Richard Corcoran for calling the special session without buy-in from the Senate.



"I hear this fake narrative by some that somehow the Senate is quote unquote not keeping its end of the deal," Negron told reporters, arguing that he had never signed on to a deal brokered between Scott and Corcoran that would have slashed higher education funding in exchange for increasing spending on public schools. Boosting funding for state universities and community colleges has been one of Negron's top priorities.



The compromise approved Friday maintains most of the campus spending, paying for it in part by tapping a newly-created $85 million economic development grant program. The program is a consolation prize for Gov. Scott, whose effort to salvage taxpayer-funded business incentives was met with defeat during the regular legislative session.



"We're in the graduation season, and all across Florida, thousands of students and their families are going to graduation ceremonies and we have students walking across the stage with a diploma in one hand and a job offer in the other hand, and that's because our universities and our state colleges are an integral part of economic development," Negron said during a post-special session celebration in the Capitol rotunda.



While disputing Negron's claim that he hadn't agreed to the initial terms of the session, Corcoran suggested Friday that a late-stage compromise had never been taken off the table. Under a widely rumored quid pro quo, in return for the economic development funding, the governor is now expected to forego vetoing Corcoran's controversial 'Schools of Hope' program to spend $200 million on building charter schools in areas served by failing public schools.



"I think the legislature has kind of become to you guys - I think we call ourselves the 'cardiac kids'," Corcoran told the crowd Friday. "We get you guys all worked up and then we come to a nice, smooth landing, and so, and we accomplish a tremendous amount of policy. But, it's been a great special session."



The legislature also approved measures to implement Amendment 2, the medical marijuana legalization referendum that passed with 71 percent of the vote last November. Ten new Florida nurseries would be allowed to grow cannabis, for an initial total of 17, but the smoking of medical marijuana would be banned.



The amendment's advocates say smoking was part of the amendment's language, and within minutes of the legislation's passage, a powerful voice was already threatening legal action.



"They should be ashamed," lawyer and prospective gubernatorial candidate John Morgan tweeted, referring to Republican leaders. "I'll fight once more for the 71% of Floridians."
When he was out on the campaign trail last year, candidate Donald Trump promised to appoint conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices who'd adhere to a strict reading of the U.S. Constitution and return law-and-order to the land.

Earlier this year, President Trump got one of those justices in U.S. Appeals Court Judge Neil Gorsuch, restoring a theoretical 5-4 conservative majority to the high court.

But as the Supremes get ready to hear a challenge to the administration's travel ban (and we can call it that, because Trump is calling it that), getting the affable Gorsuch onto the bench may not be enough to ensure that the ban survives.

That's because the high court's wildcard, Justice Anthony Kennedy, could end up having the final say over whether the ban lives or dies.

At the heart of the challenge to the administration's ban on travel from six, Muslim-majority countries is whether it's motivated, as the administration says, by national security interests, or if it's an exercise in anti-Muslim animus.

In an extraordinary ruling last month, the Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals issued a stinging rebuke to the administration, effectively accusing it of lying about its motivations.

"Trump's own statements show that he lied when he said the purpose of the executive order was national security," Bloomberg View columnist Noah Feldman, a Harvard Law professor, wrote in a May 25 column.

"Once that conclusion was on the table," Feldman observed, Chief Judge Roger Gregory, a Clinton appointee, "easily went on to show that such animus violated the establishment clause by sending a message to Muslims that they are outsiders in the political community."

Most observers agree -- including the husband of White House counselor Kellyanne Conway -- that Trump did himself few legal favors with a Monday tweet storm related to the ban.

And that's where Kennedy, a Ronald Reagan appointee, who essentially wrote the book on animus, enters into things.

In a must-read on Kennedy, Quartz's Jake Flanagin writes that Kennedy "first identified animus as a contemporary means to invalidate unconstitutional laws in his 1996 opinion in Romer v. Evans," a civil rights case from Colorado that served as a place-setter for the court's 2015 decision legalizing gay marriage.

In Romer, Kennedy sided with the court's majority, which "(struck) down an amendment to the Colorado state constitution which forbade the state legislature and city governments from adopting anti-discrimination laws to protect LGBT Americans," Flanagin wrote.

"The amendment's 'sheer breadth' was "so discontinuous with the reasons offered for it that (it) seems inexplicable by anything but animus toward the class that it affects," he (Kennedy) wrote,'" Flanagin reported.

Flanagin observes -- and I agree -- that it's pretty easy to imagine Kennedy substituting "Muslims" for "gay people" in that analysis and voting against the administration, thus denying it the five-vote majority it needs for the ban to survive.

And if the Romer case was an isolated incident, that might be one thing. In a number of decisions down the years, Kennedy has reapplied the "animus" standard, notably in United States v. Windsor, which struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act and in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage, Flanagin reported.

In addition, Kennedy's legal reasoning in a 2015 immigration case could also play against the administration.

As Reuters reports, that ruling "involved an Afghan-born naturalized U.S. citizen named Fauzia Din who argued she had the right for a full explanation from the U.S. government as to why her Afghan husband was denied entry. The justices ruled 5-4 against her."

There, "Kennedy wrote in a concurring opinion that in some circumstances the U.S. government's motives in denying someone entry could be subject to legal review," Reuters reported.

If Kennedy decides the administration was motivated by something other than legitimate national security interests, it could be game-over, Feldman observed.

"If Kennedy reads Trump's executive order temporarily blocking immigration from six predominantly Muslim countries as an exercise of anti-Muslim animus, the ban will fall at the court," he wrote.

Kennedy is now 81 years old, and liberal activists have been urging him to stay on through the Trump administration.

As Feldman notes, "I find it almost impossible to believe that Kennedy ... would want to sign an opinion closing his eyes to animus, which he himself did so much to make into a constitutional touchstone," he wrote.

And that could be the administration's worst nightmare.
Richard Latuchie, CIO of Rapid City, S.D.-based Regional Health, started his career in consulting  but after almost 30 years, his interest in technology led him to health IT.

While at Philadelphia-based The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a master of business administration in healthcare administration in 1975, Mr. Latuchie met two classmates interested in consulting. That year, the trio sublet an apartment in Philadelphia and launched a strategic planning business for healthcare organizations.



"As we built the business, I became the technology person and taught myself an awful lot during that time," he explains. "After doing that for 20 years, I decided to see how the other half lived, and took a job in strategic planning in marketing."



Following a few jobs in this sector  including vice president of marketing and planning at AtlantiCare in Atlantic City, N.J.  Mr. Latuchie moved to Rapid City in 2000, set to work at Regional Health in a business development capacity. However, his interest in technology led him to the health system's CIO role, overseeing IT for five hospitals and 24 clinics in South Dakota and Wyoming.



Mr. Latuchie spoke with Becker's Hospital Review about Regional Health's upcoming Epic go-live and his long-term goals for the Midwestern health system.



Editor's note: Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.



Question: How did you transition your career focus to health IT?



Richard Latuchie: I used to wonder whether I was unique in not having a technical background, per se, but as I joined organizations like CHIME [College of Healthcare Information Management Executives], I've found it wasn't uncommon at all.



I originally came to Regional Health in a business development capacity, but I sat down with the CEO and said, "Just file this away for future reference, but I have a passion and interest in technology, if the opportunity ever arises." I didn't expect anything to come of it, but a couple years later, I was asked to add IT to the portfolio of other departments I was managing. When we started to see the need to develop an EHR, it became evident we had to have a full-time leader in this area. I shed my other departments and turned my focus to IT at that time.



Q: What IT task has required the majority of your time over the past month?



RL: My leadership team and I have been spending a lot of time together as we're building toward an Epic go-live in October. That's a big job, to say the least, and we're very excited about making this big investment to unify our EHR.



In addition to just gearing up for an Epic implementation that's less than 200 days away, we brought on 100 new people to our staff, which numbers about 240 right now, for the Epic job. Regardless of whether you're involved in building Epic applications or whether you're supporting legacy systems, all of their jobs are going to change. We went into this telling people no one was going to lose their job after we go live, and we're committed to that. It's natural for people to wonder, "What am I going to be doing?", so the team has been spending a lot of our time putting together a new organizational structure for the IT division.



Q: Looking toward the next year, what are some of your goals for Regional Health?



RL: We have the Epic system implementation, which we're putting in October 22. We're moving from a variety of existing EHRs, and because we used some applications for those that Epic doesn't do, we had to replace a number of other systems. Long story short, we're now looking at enterprise resource planning, and we decided to put in Workday. So we've also got a Workday go-live in July.



We've got those two big projects, and a whole variety of projects related to the Epic implementation. We're trying to align a roadmap for Epic development beyond the go-live that maps to our strategic priorities. There are a variety of tools Epic provides us with to help, but part of it is also ensuring we have robust enough systems to do things we need to do and measure things we need to measure.



Q: As a CIO, what are some health IT trends you want to learn more about?



RL: We're continually looking at the cloud, to see whether there are more effective and cost-efficient ways to do things. Things are evolving so quickly; you have to stay up to date on what's going on there. We're also looking at how the move toward value-based reimbursement is going to require us to align and more effectively manage the information and metrics we collect.



Another area I'm becoming increasingly curious about is partnering with unconventional partners. We're in Rapid City, S.D., so we don't have the typical environment I'm used to from Philadelphia. You can't go to the roof of your facility and see your three closest competitors.



Here, to find a healthcare system, you might have to travel 300 miles in a given direction  but what we've learned is there's still a lot of competition coming from segments like digital providers, Walgreens or Walmart. I think partnering with non-healthcare system partners could be a fruitful relationship for us in the future. That's something where I'm not sure how to go about it, but I can't help but feel like it's going to be important for us, here, in the next three to five years.



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The following health IT vendor contracts and go-lives were reported during the past week.

Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic and 2bPrecise entered into a technology license agreement and research collaboration.



Online Care Group, one of American Well's clinical partners, went live in Texas June 2.



Bitmark  a software company focused on digital property  will fund a UC Berkeley School of Public Health study using user-donated data held on the company's blockchain technology.



The Department of Veterans Affairs will implement Cerner as its systemwide EHR. However, its existing scheduling contract with a health IT competitor, Epic, may still hold.

IBM entered into a multiyear strategic partnership with Beijing, China-based Baheal Pharmaceutical Group.



Philadelphia-based Einstein Healthcare Network selected Teladoc for its new telehealth initiative.



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Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, former President Barack Obama and Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg recommended adding this nonfiction book to your summer reading list, according to Business Insider.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari, PhD, a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, traces the evolution of humans through the modern age and examines the dual roles biology and history have played in shaping modern thought.

"When Melinda and I went on our spring vacation, I encouraged her to pack a copy of [Mr.] Harari's 'Sapiens'  I had just finished the book and I was dying to talk to her about it. It's so provocative and raises so many questions about human history that I knew it would spark great conversations around the dinner table. It didn't disappoint. In fact, in the weeks since we've been back from our holiday, we still talk about 'Sapiens'," Mr. Gates wrote in a blog post.

Former President Obama discussed Mr. Harari's work in an interview with CNN correspondent Fareed Zakaria in 2016, calling the book "interesting" and "provocative."

Mr. Zuckerberg recommended the novel to members of his book club, stating, "This book is a big history of human civilization  from how we developed the hunter-gatherers early on to how we organize our society and economy today."
Batesville, Ark.-based White River Health System partnered with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock to collaborate on research and clinical education initiatives, according to an Arkansas Business report.

Under the affiliation, the organizations will team up on clinical trials and research, develop telemedicine initiatives and provide WRHS physicians the opportunity to consult with researchers and specialists at UAMS. The health system will also serve as a clinical education site for UAMS students.

Both organizations will remain independent entities.

The financial terms of the agreement, if any, were not disclosed.

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Billings Clinic finalizes affiliation with Central Montana Medical Center

Texas A&M, Houston Methodist collaborate to address acute care health outcomes
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In a speech in Miami next Friday, US President Donald Trump will unveil his administration's new policy toward Cuba, say reports. Reports suggest that Trump will roll back portions of Obama Era policies that softened relations with Cuba, while also announcing that the US will no longer make unilateral concessions to Cuba. Trump is likely to blast Havana for human rights abuses and impose sanctions on officials suspected of carrying out repression of dissidents.
The French presidents office and activist group Reporters Sans Frontieres said on Friday reportedly said a French photographer detained in May by Turkish police had been freed. The police took Istanbul-based freelance journalist Mathias Depardon into custody while on assignment in the mainly Kurdish southeast. Depardon was on an airplane to Istanbul and would arrive in Paris in the evening, RSF said on Twitter.
Credit Suisse is to axe 1,500 jobs in London by the end of the year as the Swiss bank continues its ruthless cost-cutting drive, it is understood.

Some 2,500 London staff cuts took place last year as part of a major restructuring introduced by chief executive Tidjane Thiam in a bid to shave costs to less than 17 billion Swiss francs (13.6 billion).

This brought the number of Credit Suisse employees in the City from over 9,000 in November 2015 to 6,500 by the end of last year.

The intention is to reduce headcount in the UK further to 5,000 by the end of 2017, according to industry sources.

The possibility of further cuts had been highlighted by chief financial officer David Mathers back in February.

In its first quarter results announcement, the bank also said it was planning a further global headcount reduction of around 5,500 staff. But the breakdown for the UK was not given.

It is thought that contractors and consultants will be the main casualties of the cuts.

Brexit is not understood to be the primary factor in the cull, with staff reductions having started before last year's EU referendum.

But Brexit may well have also played a part in the decision to reduce headcount in the City.

Daniel Regli, sell-side analyst at MainFirst, said: "I would assume a significant part of the staff cuts being made by Credit Suisse are in the Global Markets division, as that is where the bank is looking to save costs.

"Credit Suisse has been undergoing a strategic shift to focus more on wealth management, and less on Global Markets.

"Therefore, given a large part of its Global Markets business sits in London, quite naturally a big share of the cuts are to be made there."

But he added that even though the UK's divorce from the EU was not the main reason for the decision to reduce headcount in the City, it was "definitely not a hindrance" either.

"Facing Brexit, the decision to cut jobs in London versus anywhere else was probably easier," he said.

Many financial services firms are looking to shift jobs from London to the continent amid fears they will lose crucial EU trading rights after the UK leaves the bloc.

Passporting rights allow banks to trade freely across the EU, but Britain looks set to lose access unless it agrees an equivalent regime when it exits the European single market.

Another Zurich-based bank, UBS, has also said it could move up to 1,500 of its London staff to the continent in the wake of Brexit.
Former Batman actor Adam West has died aged 88, his family said.

He died peacefully on Friday night after a short but brave battle with leukaemia, a family statement read on Wests official Facebook page.

They added: Its with great sadness that we are sharing this news.

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He was a beloved father, husband, grandfather, and great-grandfather. There are no words to describe how much well miss him.

We know youll miss him too and we want you to know how much your love and support meant to him throughout the years. Hug your loved ones today.

West rose to fame during the 1960s for his camp TV portrayal of the superhero and his alter ego Bruce Wayne.

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While Batman remained his signature role, West also collected nearly 50 movie credits including roles in Drop Dead Gorgeous, The New Age, An American Vampire Story and Robinson Crusoe On Mars.

He notched up a number of other TV roles while younger audiences will recognise him for voicing Mayor Adam West in Family Guy. He also lent his vocals to The Simpsons, Rugrats, Johnny Bravo and dozens more.

Born in 1928 in Walla Walla, Washington state, he launched his acting career in Hawaii in the 1950s.

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He is survived by his wife, Marcelle, six children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Tributes began to pour in for the fan favourite.

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Many of those expressing their sadness shared that Wests portrayal of the Caped Crusader had been their childhood hero.

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Adam West my after school hours were filled with excitement watching you battle fantastic Villains. You were a delight to meet on the convention circuit. John Barrowman MBE

Mark Hamill, who appeared in later incarnations of Batman and worked with West on a short called Batman: New Times, shared his condolences.

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Alastair Campbell was part of the Labour government which helped bring about the Good Friday Agreement

Former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell has accused Theresa May of threatening the peace process in Northern Ireland by negotiating a "sordid, dangerous and distasteful" deal with the DUP.

Speaking on the BBC's Question Time, he said he was "really, really" worried about the potential deal between the Tories and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) after the prime minister failed to get a majority in the election.

Despite many predicting the party would win a majority of as many as 70 seats, Ms May fell eight seats short of a majority with 318 seats.

She has now entered into negotiations with the unionist party, which won 10 seats, to form a "confidence and supply" alliance which would help them pass legislation on a case by case basis.

Mr Campbell accused Ms May of "playing fast and loose, on Brexit, on Margaret Thatchers greatest achievement the single market and now Tony Blair and John Majors greatest achievement which is the peace in Northern Ireland".

He said: "She is putting that at risk with a sordid, dangerous distasteful deal."

There has been no government in Stormont since January when Sinn Fein withdrew from the power sharing agreement agreed in 2007 after current DUP First Minister Arlene Foster refused to resign over a financial scandal.

After assembly elections in March where the nationalist party won its highest ever number of seats they still refused to re-enter a power sharing government with the DUP while Ms Foster remained in her post.

Under the terms of the power sharing agreement, while the DUP leader is First Minister the Sinn Fein leader must be Deputy First Minister.

Some have criticised Ms May is willing to get into bed with the party which is notorious for its anti-LGBT rights, anti-abortion and anti-women policies as well as its alleged links to unionist terrorists.

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(Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) Getty Images DUP leader Arlene Foster (2nd L), DUP deputy leader and north Belfast candidate Nigel Dodds (L), former DUP leader and Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson (R) watch on at the Belfast count centre on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images British Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Theresa May speaks at the declaration at the election count at the Magnet Leisure Centre on June 9, 2017 in Maidenhead, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images Theresa May kept her senior ministers in post after suffering humiliating losses in the snap election. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Prime Minister Theresa May reacts at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead, after she held her seat. PA PA Prime Minister Theresa May at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead, after she held her seat. PA PA British Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Theresa May (far left) stands with other candidates at the declaration at the election count at the Magnet Leisure Centre on June 9, 2017 in Maidenhead, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images DUP leader and Northern Ireland former First Minister Arlene Foster (R) waves to the media alongside Gregory Campbell (L) after holding a press conference with the DUP's newly elected Westminster candidates who stood in the general election on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images A television presenter stands outside 10 Downing Street in London on June 10, 2017, holding a copy of The Daily Mirror newspaper with the headline "Coalition of Crackpots" the day after the general election resulted in a hung parliament and British Prime Minister Theresa May forming a minority government. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images UKIP Leader Paul Nuttall leaves via a fire exit following the vote count for the constituency of Boston and Skegness on June 9, 2017 in Boston, England. (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Sinn Fein's Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill (centre left) and party president Gerry Adams (centre) speaking outside Sinn Fein offices on the Falls Road in Belfast after the party emerged with seven MPs following the General Election. PA PA Sinn Fein's party president Gerry Adams speaking outside Sinn Fein offices on the Falls Road in Belfast after the party emerged with seven MPs following the General Election. PA PA DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds (L) points to DUP leader and Northern Ireland former First Minister Arlene Foster (R) as they hold a photocall with their newly elected candidates who stood in the general election on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images Sinn Fein's Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill (left) and party president Gerry Adams (right) speaking outside Sinn Fein offices on the Falls Road in Belfast after the party emerged with seven MPs following the General Election. PA PA 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 on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images Leader of the DUP Arlene Foster holds a press conference at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast on June 9th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Leader of the DUP Arlene Foster holds a press conference at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast on June 9th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph DUP leader Arlene Foster along with her MPs pictured at the Stormont Hotel in south Belfast this afternoon. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on June 9, 2017, en route to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Prime Minister Theresa May with her husband Philip arrives at Buckingham Palace where she will seek the Queen's permission to form a UK government on June 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images The car carrying Prime Minister Theresa May arriving at Buckingham Palace before her audience with Queen Elizabeth II after the General Election resulted in a hung parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday June 9, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire PA Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on June 9, 2017, en route to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II, the day after a general election in which the Conservatives lost their majority. British Prime Minister Theresa May will on Friday seek to form a new government, resisting pressure to resign after losing her parliamentary majority ahead of crucial Brexit talks. May is set to meet the head of state Queen Elizabeth II and ask for permission to form a new government, according to her Downing Street office. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May (L) leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on June 9, 2017, en route to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II, the day after a general election in which the Conservatives lost their majority. British Prime Minister Theresa May will on Friday seek to form a new government, resisting pressure to resign after losing her parliamentary majority ahead of crucial Brexit talks. May is set to meet the head of state Queen Elizabeth II and ask for permission to form a new government, according to her Downing Street office. / AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNISADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Theresa May arrives at Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Theresa May leaves Conservative Party HQ in Westminster (Rick Findler/PA) Liberal Democrat Party leader Tim Farron speaks to suporters and the press at 1 Whitehall Place on June 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images) Getty Images Liberal Democrat Party leader Tim Farron speaks to suporters and the press at 1 Whitehall Place on June 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images) Getty Images Leo Varadkar said the UK election result presents an opportunity for Ireland Paul Nuttall has resigned as the leader of Ukip (Joe Giddens/PA) PA DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds, leader Arlene Foster and former leader Peter Robinson cheer as Emma Little Pengelly is elected to the South Belfast. PA Niall Carson/PA Wire PA DUP leader Arlene Foster (2nd L), DUP deputy leader and north Belfast candidate Nigel Dodds (L), Emma Little Pengelly (2nd R) DUP south Belfast candidate and Gavin Robinson (R) DUP east Belfast candidate celebrate at the Belfast count centre on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. After a snap election was called the United Kingdom went to the polls yesterday, after a closely fought election the results from across the country are being counted and an overall result is expected in the early hours. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images 9 / 6 / 17 PACEMAKER PRESS Francie Molloy wins the Mid Ulster seat for Sinn Fein in the UK Parlimentary Election. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS PACEMAKER BELFAST 09/06/2017 Gregory Campbell with his wife Frances after he was re-elected to represent East Londonderry Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 8th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017. Michelle Gildernew celebrates at the election count at Omagh Leisure Complex Omagh for West Tyrone and Fermanagh & South Tyrone. Photo by John McVitty / Press Eye. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 9th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017 The election count at Valley Leisure Centre Newtownabbey for East Antrim and South Antrim DUP's Sammy Wilson Photo by Matt Mackey / Press Eye. Winner: Sinn Fein candidate for South Down Chris Hazzard celebrates after winning the seat at the election count at the Eikon Exhibition Centre Sprucefield for Lagan Valley, Newry & Armagh, South Down and Upper Bann. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Winner: Jim Shannon (DUP) with his electoral agent Simon Hamilton during the 2017 Westminster Election count at Aurora Leisure Complex, Bangor. Picture by Brian Little/PressEye Nicola Sturgeon and Stephen Gethins eat chips on the General Election campaign trail (Jane Barlow/PA) Leader of the Conservative party Theresa May and Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Two anti-Brexit activists pose with their hand-puppets depicting British Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative party Theresa May, left, and Britain's Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn, in front of the the Houses of Parliament on election day in London, Thursday, June 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) AP LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 08: Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn casts his vote at a polling station at Pakeman Primary School on June 8, 2017 in London, England. Polling stations have opened as the nation votes to decide the next UK government in a general election. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) Toby, a beagle cross waits for his master outside a polling station on the Glen road on June 8, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Voting activists encouraging commuters to vote in the General Election 2017, at Turnham Green station in London. PA PA A sign is pictured outside a polling station in Kingston-Upon-Hull, northern England, on June 8, 2017 as Britain votes in the general election. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Copies of the Evening Standard newspaper, with the headline 'You decide' are pictured in central London on June 8, 2017, as Britain holds a general election. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Dougie the Cocker Spaniel sits beside a sign reading 'Pawing Station' outside a polling station on June 8, 2017 in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom. Voters are going to the polls today to vote in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Alliance candidate for West Belfast Sorcha Eastwood casts her vote in the 2017 General Election, with her husband, Dale Shirlow, at a polling station in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, still wearing her wedding dress after they were married earlier in the day. Brian Lawless/PA Wire PA Sinn Fein leader in Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill arrives at a polling station at St Patrick's primary school in Annaghmore, Clonoe to cast her vote in the General Election. Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA Arlene Foster, Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, leaving Brookeborough Primary School, Co Fermanagh, having cast her vote in the 2017 General Election. Brian Lawless/PA Wire PA A voter arrives at the polling station in St Nicolas Parish Hall, Belfast, as voting gets underway in the 2017 General Election. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, gives the thumbs up during a campaign rally on Buchanan Street on June 7, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland ,England, and Wales on today on the final day before polling day in General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May and husband Philip speak to staff at a Dunelm department store during a campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images Labour supporters an event at the Parade in Watford, ahead of a speech from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA Labour supporters an event at the Parade in Watford, during a speech by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party greets supporters during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn after speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May and husband Philip speak to staff at a Dunelm department store during a campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party greets supporters during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party and Chris Ostrowski, Labour candidate for Watford during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images Supporters hold placards as they attend the final general election campaign rally of Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon on June 7, 2017, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Britain on June 3 headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BuchananANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon waves as she holds a final general election campaign rally on June 7, 2017, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Britain on June 3 headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BuchananANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA SOLIHULL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Prime Minister Theresa May greets supporters as she arrives for her last campaign visit at the National Conference Centre on June 7, 2017 in Solihull, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow to vote in a general election. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Labour supporters cheer as Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party speaks during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images This combination of pictures made on June 6, 2017, shows Britain's Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative party Theresa May (top L) on May 30, 2017 in Wolverhampton, Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (top R) on May 22, 2017 in Kingston-upon-Hull, Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon (bottom L) on April 20, 2015 in Edinburgh, and Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron (bottom R) on May 26, 2017 in Manchester. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks during an event at the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh while on the last day of campaigning for the General Election. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire PA EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks during an event at the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh while on the last day of campaigning for the General Election. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire PA (FILES) A combination of pictures created in London on May 31, 2017 shows Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (top) speaking during an event to launch the Conservative Party general election manifesto in Halifax in northern England on May 18, 2017 and Britain's main opposition Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn (bottom) delivering a general election campaign speech on leadership in London on April 29, 2017. Britain goes to the polls to vote in a general election on June 8. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL AND Niklas HALLE'NBEN STANSALL,NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron visits local voters at the campaign office in Carshalton during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip meet staff at a Dunelm home furnishing shop in Nottingham while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire PA TOPSHOT - A supporter of Britain's main opposition Labour Party takes a photograph as they wait for the leader Jeremy Corbyn to arrive at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images TOPSHOT - Tourists gather near the Elizabeth Tower, commonly referred to as Big Ben, at the Houses of Parliament in central London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Justin TALLISJUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron visits Twickenham during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Supporters lok-on as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Supporters applaud as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn arrives to speak on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Members of the public look-on as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: A young girl holds a sign as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks to supporters on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Prime Minister Theresa May speaking at an event at The Space in Norwich while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire PA UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron attends a campaign visit in Twickenham, south-west London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (bottom R) addresses supporters at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn addresses supporters at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images TWICKENHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 07: Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron speaks to the media in front of a betting shop as he campaigns with former Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable (not pictured) in Twickenham on June 7, 2017 in Twickenham, England. Mr Cable is campaigning to retake his former seat after it was won by Conservative Tania Mathias in the 2015 general election. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 in a general election. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves after addressing supporters at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images NORWICH, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Philip May (L), husband of Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May, listens as she speaks during a Conservative Party general election campaign visit at The Space on June 7, 2017 in Norwich, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images TWICKENHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 07: Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron (L) and former Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable (R) sit in a restaurant as they campaign in Twickenham on June 7, 2017 in Twickenham, England. Mr Cable is campaigning to retake his former seat after it was won by Conservative Tania Mathias in the 2015 general election. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 in a general election. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) Getty Images Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron (R) and attends a campaign visit with the party's candidate for the Twickenham constituency, Vince Cable, in Twickenham, south-west London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn greets supporters as he leaves after attending a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves after attending a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn greets supporters as he leaves after attending a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron and Vince Cable, local candidate for Twickenham, visit in Twickenham during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event on the Promenade in Colwyn Bay, Wales, while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire PA Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland 31st May 2017 - Picture by Matt Mackey / Press Eye. Alliance party general election Manifesto launch at CIYMS in East Belfast. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland 31st May 2017 - Picture by Matt Mackey / Press Eye. Alliance party general election Manifesto launch at CIYMS in East Belfast. Paula Bradshaw Pacemaker Press 5/6/17 Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill during A television debate from the five main parties which was recorded at UTV in Belfast. Pic Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 31/5/2017 DUP Leader Arlene Foster and Deputy leader Nigel Dodd during the DUP Manifesto Launch at The Old Courthouse in Antrim on Wednesday morning ahead of the General election on the 8th of June. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker UUP's Robin Swann. Photo: Pacemaker Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland 5th June 2017 - Picture by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye. SDLP Candidate Margaret Ritchie pictured on the campaign trail at Warrenpoint. Speaking while campaigning in South Down for Margaret Ritchie, the former SDLP Deputy Leader said: The SDLP's Margaret Ritchie is in a two horse race and the choice is very clear - elect a candidate who can represent people of all backgrounds, who will protect the Good Friday Agreement and who will fight against Theresa Mays plans for a dementia tax and a hard Brexit. Or choose a party who wont take their seat, cant represent all those who live here, and whose main political ambition is to silence South Downs voice and abandon the fight for the Good Friday Agreement. Sinn Feins plan for Irish politics is to remove all representation from Westminster for the first time since the 1960s, and to end a tradition in Irish politics starts by Daniel OConnell himself. Without a functioning Assembly, MPs could be our only public representatives with any power to hold direct rule Ministers to account. To give up that card by voting for abstentionism MPs risks all the progress weve made in the last thirty years. Labour supporters an event at the Parade in Watford, ahead of a speech from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA Labour supporters an event at the Parade in Watford, during a speech by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party greets supporters during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn after speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May and husband Philip speak to staff at a Dunelm department store during a campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party greets supporters during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party and Chris Ostrowski, Labour candidate for Watford during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May and husband Philip speak to staff at a Dunelm department store during a campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images Supporters hold placards as they attend the final general election campaign rally of Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon on June 7, 2017, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Britain on June 3 headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BuchananANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon waves as she holds a final general election campaign rally on June 7, 2017, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Britain on June 3 headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BuchananANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA SOLIHULL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Prime Minister Theresa May greets supporters as she arrives for her last campaign visit at the National Conference Centre on June 7, 2017 in Solihull, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow to vote in a general election. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Labour supporters cheer as Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party speaks during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images TOPSHOT - This combination of pictures made on June 6, 2017, shows Britain's Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative party Theresa May (top L) on May 30, 2017 in Wolverhampton, Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (top R) on May 22, 2017 in Kingston-upon-Hull, Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon (bottom L) on April 20, 2015 in Edinburgh, and Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron (bottom R) on May 26, 2017 in Manchester. Britain goes to the polls to vote in a general election on June 8. / AFP PHOTOLEON NEAL,OLI SCARFF,LESLEY MARTIN/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks during an event at the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh while on the last day of campaigning for the General Election. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire PA EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks during an event at the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh while on the last day of campaigning for the General Election. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire PA (FILES) A combination of pictures created in London on May 31, 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (L) speaking during an event to launch the Conservative Party general election manifesto in Halifax in northern England on May 18, 2017 and Britain's main opposition Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn (R) delivering a general election campaign speech on leadership in London on April 29, 2017. Britain goes to the polls to vote in a general election on June 8. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL AND Niklas HALLE'NBEN STANSALL,NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images (FILES) A combination of pictures created in London on May 31, 2017 shows Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (top) speaking during an event to launch the Conservative Party general election manifesto in Halifax in northern England on May 18, 2017 and Britain's main opposition Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn (bottom) delivering a general election campaign speech on leadership in London on April 29, 2017. Britain goes to the polls to vote in a general election on June 8. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL AND Niklas HALLE'NBEN STANSALL,NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron visits local voters at the campaign office in Carshalton during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip meet staff at a Dunelm home furnishing shop in Nottingham while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire PA GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, gives the thumbs up during a campaign rally on Buchanan Street on June 7, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland ,England, and Wales on today on the final day before polling day in General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX*** Getty Images TOPSHOT - A supporter of Britain's main opposition Labour Party takes a photograph as they wait for the leader Jeremy Corbyn to arrive at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images TOPSHOT - Tourists gather near the Elizabeth Tower, commonly referred to as Big Ben, at the Houses of Parliament in central London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Justin TALLISJUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron visits Twickenham during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Supporters lok-on as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Supporters applaud as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn arrives to speak on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Members of the public look-on as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: A young girl holds a sign as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks to supporters on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Prime Minister Theresa May speaking at an event at The Space in Norwich while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire PA UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron attends a campaign visit in Twickenham, south-west London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (bottom R) addresses supporters at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Local candidate Mr Fishfinger waits as ballot papers are counted at the Westmoorland and Lonsdale constituency count at Kendal Leisure Centre on June 8, 2017 in Kendal, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images)

The Conservatives, whose full formal name is the Conservative and Unionist party, has had long links with unionist parties in Northern Ireland but its former traditional partner in the region  the more moderate Ulster Unionist Party (UUP)  was wiped out.

Mr Campbell has called into question whether the Government can include the DUP without threatening the delicate power sharing agreement between them and Irish nationalists Sinn Fein which has helped end The Troubles.

The newer DUP became the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland in 2005 and Reverend Ian Paisley, the Protestant evangelical minister who founded the party in 1971, became First Minister in 2007.

Mr Campbell, who worked with Tony Blair and Mo Mowlam to get the Good Friday agreement signed, said: "I really, really have a worry about this. When John Major was weak and he could have done a deal with the DUP he absolutely and steadfastly refused to do so for very good reasons.

"He said 'I do not what to be in hoc that government'....We have a situation in the Northern Ireland right now where there has been a political crisis where the Government is the mediator with the Irish government between the DUP and Sinn Fein.

"How can our government be the mediator when the DUP are going to be part of our government?"

He said she was destroying New Labour's legacy of peace in Northern Ireland to prop herself up in government.
With the DUP now established as Westminster's kingmakers, political pundits and voters in Great Britain found themselves scrambling to learn more about Northern Ireland's biggest party.

The DUP may be part of the political fabric here, but despite being the most British of parties, most British voters seemed to be getting a crash course in Arlene Foster's party yesterday.

Jonathan Powell - Tony Blair's former peace process adviser - suggested it might not be a bad thing that Northern Ireland wasn't dominating front pages any more.

But it must have been galling for DUP Commons leader Nigel Dodds to hear English commentators and journalists talk about Theresa May's "Irish bailout" and the DUP referred to as "Irish unionists".

Never mind May's failed gamble or Corbyn's comeback, those logging on yesterday morning would have found out that the most googled political party in the DUP.

In fact, "The DUP" was the top trend on Twitter in Belfast too, as the local party found itself at the centre of Westminster politics for the first time since John Major's government.

The DUP's website crashed several times yesterday, such was the demand for information about who the Tories' new government partner was.

One report suggested that the party manifesto had been viewed five million times.

"I was one the thousands of people googling 'DUP'," admitted Tory voter Kirsty. "I don't know all that much about them."

Meanwhile Josh Hinton (30) said: "From what I know they're socially conservative and comfortable bedfellows of the Tories.

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(Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) Getty Images DUP leader Arlene Foster (2nd L), DUP deputy leader and north Belfast candidate Nigel Dodds (L), former DUP leader and Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson (R) watch on at the Belfast count centre on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images British Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Theresa May speaks at the declaration at the election count at the Magnet Leisure Centre on June 9, 2017 in Maidenhead, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images Theresa May kept her senior ministers in post after suffering humiliating losses in the snap election. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Prime Minister Theresa May reacts at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead, after she held her seat. PA PA Prime Minister Theresa May at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead, after she held her seat. PA PA British Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Theresa May (far left) stands with other candidates at the declaration at the election count at the Magnet Leisure Centre on June 9, 2017 in Maidenhead, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images DUP leader and Northern Ireland former First Minister Arlene Foster (R) waves to the media alongside Gregory Campbell (L) after holding a press conference with the DUP's newly elected Westminster candidates who stood in the general election on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images A television presenter stands outside 10 Downing Street in London on June 10, 2017, holding a copy of The Daily Mirror newspaper with the headline "Coalition of Crackpots" the day after the general election resulted in a hung parliament and British Prime Minister Theresa May forming a minority government. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images UKIP Leader Paul Nuttall leaves via a fire exit following the vote count for the constituency of Boston and Skegness on June 9, 2017 in Boston, England. (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Sinn Fein's Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill (centre left) and party president Gerry Adams (centre) speaking outside Sinn Fein offices on the Falls Road in Belfast after the party emerged with seven MPs following the General Election. PA PA Sinn Fein's party president Gerry Adams speaking outside Sinn Fein offices on the Falls Road in Belfast after the party emerged with seven MPs following the General Election. PA PA DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds (L) points to DUP leader and Northern Ireland former First Minister Arlene Foster (R) as they hold a photocall with their newly elected candidates who stood in the general election on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images Sinn Fein's Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill (left) and party president Gerry Adams (right) speaking outside Sinn Fein offices on the Falls Road in Belfast after the party emerged with seven MPs following the General Election. PA PA 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 on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images Leader of the DUP Arlene Foster holds a press conference at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast on June 9th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Leader of the DUP Arlene Foster holds a press conference at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast on June 9th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph DUP leader Arlene Foster along with her MPs pictured at the Stormont Hotel in south Belfast this afternoon. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on June 9, 2017, en route to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Prime Minister Theresa May with her husband Philip arrives at Buckingham Palace where she will seek the Queen's permission to form a UK government on June 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images The car carrying Prime Minister Theresa May arriving at Buckingham Palace before her audience with Queen Elizabeth II after the General Election resulted in a hung parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday June 9, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire PA Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on June 9, 2017, en route to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II, the day after a general election in which the Conservatives lost their majority. British Prime Minister Theresa May will on Friday seek to form a new government, resisting pressure to resign after losing her parliamentary majority ahead of crucial Brexit talks. May is set to meet the head of state Queen Elizabeth II and ask for permission to form a new government, according to her Downing Street office. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May (L) leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on June 9, 2017, en route to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II, the day after a general election in which the Conservatives lost their majority. British Prime Minister Theresa May will on Friday seek to form a new government, resisting pressure to resign after losing her parliamentary majority ahead of crucial Brexit talks. May is set to meet the head of state Queen Elizabeth II and ask for permission to form a new government, according to her Downing Street office. / AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNISADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Theresa May arrives at Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Theresa May leaves Conservative Party HQ in Westminster (Rick Findler/PA) Liberal Democrat Party leader Tim Farron speaks to suporters and the press at 1 Whitehall Place on June 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images) Getty Images Liberal Democrat Party leader Tim Farron speaks to suporters and the press at 1 Whitehall Place on June 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images) Getty Images Leo Varadkar said the UK election result presents an opportunity for Ireland Paul Nuttall has resigned as the leader of Ukip (Joe Giddens/PA) PA DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds, leader Arlene Foster and former leader Peter Robinson cheer as Emma Little Pengelly is elected to the South Belfast. PA Niall Carson/PA Wire PA DUP leader Arlene Foster (2nd L), DUP deputy leader and north Belfast candidate Nigel Dodds (L), Emma Little Pengelly (2nd R) DUP south Belfast candidate and Gavin Robinson (R) DUP east Belfast candidate celebrate at the Belfast count centre on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. After a snap election was called the United Kingdom went to the polls yesterday, after a closely fought election the results from across the country are being counted and an overall result is expected in the early hours. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images 9 / 6 / 17 PACEMAKER PRESS Francie Molloy wins the Mid Ulster seat for Sinn Fein in the UK Parlimentary Election. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS PACEMAKER BELFAST 09/06/2017 Gregory Campbell with his wife Frances after he was re-elected to represent East Londonderry Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 8th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017. Michelle Gildernew celebrates at the election count at Omagh Leisure Complex Omagh for West Tyrone and Fermanagh & South Tyrone. Photo by John McVitty / Press Eye. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 9th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017 The election count at Valley Leisure Centre Newtownabbey for East Antrim and South Antrim DUP's Sammy Wilson Photo by Matt Mackey / Press Eye. Winner: Sinn Fein candidate for South Down Chris Hazzard celebrates after winning the seat at the election count at the Eikon Exhibition Centre Sprucefield for Lagan Valley, Newry & Armagh, South Down and Upper Bann. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Winner: Jim Shannon (DUP) with his electoral agent Simon Hamilton during the 2017 Westminster Election count at Aurora Leisure Complex, Bangor. Picture by Brian Little/PressEye Nicola Sturgeon and Stephen Gethins eat chips on the General Election campaign trail (Jane Barlow/PA) Leader of the Conservative party Theresa May and Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Two anti-Brexit activists pose with their hand-puppets depicting British Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative party Theresa May, left, and Britain's Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn, in front of the the Houses of Parliament on election day in London, Thursday, June 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) AP LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 08: Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn casts his vote at a polling station at Pakeman Primary School on June 8, 2017 in London, England. Polling stations have opened as the nation votes to decide the next UK government in a general election. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) Toby, a beagle cross waits for his master outside a polling station on the Glen road on June 8, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Voting activists encouraging commuters to vote in the General Election 2017, at Turnham Green station in London. PA PA A sign is pictured outside a polling station in Kingston-Upon-Hull, northern England, on June 8, 2017 as Britain votes in the general election. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Copies of the Evening Standard newspaper, with the headline 'You decide' are pictured in central London on June 8, 2017, as Britain holds a general election. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Dougie the Cocker Spaniel sits beside a sign reading 'Pawing Station' outside a polling station on June 8, 2017 in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom. Voters are going to the polls today to vote in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Alliance candidate for West Belfast Sorcha Eastwood casts her vote in the 2017 General Election, with her husband, Dale Shirlow, at a polling station in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, still wearing her wedding dress after they were married earlier in the day. Brian Lawless/PA Wire PA Sinn Fein leader in Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill arrives at a polling station at St Patrick's primary school in Annaghmore, Clonoe to cast her vote in the General Election. Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA Arlene Foster, Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, leaving Brookeborough Primary School, Co Fermanagh, having cast her vote in the 2017 General Election. Brian Lawless/PA Wire PA A voter arrives at the polling station in St Nicolas Parish Hall, Belfast, as voting gets underway in the 2017 General Election. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, gives the thumbs up during a campaign rally on Buchanan Street on June 7, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland ,England, and Wales on today on the final day before polling day in General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May and husband Philip speak to staff at a Dunelm department store during a campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images Labour supporters an event at the Parade in Watford, ahead of a speech from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA Labour supporters an event at the Parade in Watford, during a speech by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party greets supporters during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn after speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May and husband Philip speak to staff at a Dunelm department store during a campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party greets supporters during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party and Chris Ostrowski, Labour candidate for Watford during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images Supporters hold placards as they attend the final general election campaign rally of Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon on June 7, 2017, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Britain on June 3 headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BuchananANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon waves as she holds a final general election campaign rally on June 7, 2017, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Britain on June 3 headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BuchananANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA SOLIHULL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Prime Minister Theresa May greets supporters as she arrives for her last campaign visit at the National Conference Centre on June 7, 2017 in Solihull, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow to vote in a general election. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Labour supporters cheer as Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party speaks during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images This combination of pictures made on June 6, 2017, shows Britain's Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative party Theresa May (top L) on May 30, 2017 in Wolverhampton, Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (top R) on May 22, 2017 in Kingston-upon-Hull, Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon (bottom L) on April 20, 2015 in Edinburgh, and Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron (bottom R) on May 26, 2017 in Manchester. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks during an event at the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh while on the last day of campaigning for the General Election. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire PA EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks during an event at the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh while on the last day of campaigning for the General Election. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire PA (FILES) A combination of pictures created in London on May 31, 2017 shows Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (top) speaking during an event to launch the Conservative Party general election manifesto in Halifax in northern England on May 18, 2017 and Britain's main opposition Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn (bottom) delivering a general election campaign speech on leadership in London on April 29, 2017. Britain goes to the polls to vote in a general election on June 8. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL AND Niklas HALLE'NBEN STANSALL,NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron visits local voters at the campaign office in Carshalton during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip meet staff at a Dunelm home furnishing shop in Nottingham while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire PA TOPSHOT - A supporter of Britain's main opposition Labour Party takes a photograph as they wait for the leader Jeremy Corbyn to arrive at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images TOPSHOT - Tourists gather near the Elizabeth Tower, commonly referred to as Big Ben, at the Houses of Parliament in central London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Justin TALLISJUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron visits Twickenham during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Supporters lok-on as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Supporters applaud as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn arrives to speak on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Members of the public look-on as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: A young girl holds a sign as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks to supporters on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Prime Minister Theresa May speaking at an event at The Space in Norwich while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire PA UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron attends a campaign visit in Twickenham, south-west London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (bottom R) addresses supporters at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn addresses supporters at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images TWICKENHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 07: Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron speaks to the media in front of a betting shop as he campaigns with former Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable (not pictured) in Twickenham on June 7, 2017 in Twickenham, England. Mr Cable is campaigning to retake his former seat after it was won by Conservative Tania Mathias in the 2015 general election. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 in a general election. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves after addressing supporters at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images NORWICH, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Philip May (L), husband of Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May, listens as she speaks during a Conservative Party general election campaign visit at The Space on June 7, 2017 in Norwich, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images TWICKENHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 07: Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron (L) and former Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable (R) sit in a restaurant as they campaign in Twickenham on June 7, 2017 in Twickenham, England. Mr Cable is campaigning to retake his former seat after it was won by Conservative Tania Mathias in the 2015 general election. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 in a general election. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) Getty Images Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron (R) and attends a campaign visit with the party's candidate for the Twickenham constituency, Vince Cable, in Twickenham, south-west London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn greets supporters as he leaves after attending a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves after attending a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn greets supporters as he leaves after attending a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron and Vince Cable, local candidate for Twickenham, visit in Twickenham during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event on the Promenade in Colwyn Bay, Wales, while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire PA Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland 31st May 2017 - Picture by Matt Mackey / Press Eye. Alliance party general election Manifesto launch at CIYMS in East Belfast. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland 31st May 2017 - Picture by Matt Mackey / Press Eye. Alliance party general election Manifesto launch at CIYMS in East Belfast. Paula Bradshaw Pacemaker Press 5/6/17 Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill during A television debate from the five main parties which was recorded at UTV in Belfast. Pic Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 31/5/2017 DUP Leader Arlene Foster and Deputy leader Nigel Dodd during the DUP Manifesto Launch at The Old Courthouse in Antrim on Wednesday morning ahead of the General election on the 8th of June. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker UUP's Robin Swann. Photo: Pacemaker Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland 5th June 2017 - Picture by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye. SDLP Candidate Margaret Ritchie pictured on the campaign trail at Warrenpoint. Speaking while campaigning in South Down for Margaret Ritchie, the former SDLP Deputy Leader said: The SDLP's Margaret Ritchie is in a two horse race and the choice is very clear - elect a candidate who can represent people of all backgrounds, who will protect the Good Friday Agreement and who will fight against Theresa Mays plans for a dementia tax and a hard Brexit. Or choose a party who wont take their seat, cant represent all those who live here, and whose main political ambition is to silence South Downs voice and abandon the fight for the Good Friday Agreement. Sinn Feins plan for Irish politics is to remove all representation from Westminster for the first time since the 1960s, and to end a tradition in Irish politics starts by Daniel OConnell himself. Without a functioning Assembly, MPs could be our only public representatives with any power to hold direct rule Ministers to account. To give up that card by voting for abstentionism MPs risks all the progress weve made in the last thirty years. Labour supporters an event at the Parade in Watford, ahead of a speech from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA Labour supporters an event at the Parade in Watford, during a speech by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party greets supporters during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn after speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May and husband Philip speak to staff at a Dunelm department store during a campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party greets supporters during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party and Chris Ostrowski, Labour candidate for Watford during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May and husband Philip speak to staff at a Dunelm department store during a campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images Supporters hold placards as they attend the final general election campaign rally of Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon on June 7, 2017, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Britain on June 3 headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BuchananANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon waves as she holds a final general election campaign rally on June 7, 2017, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Britain on June 3 headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BuchananANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA SOLIHULL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Prime Minister Theresa May greets supporters as she arrives for her last campaign visit at the National Conference Centre on June 7, 2017 in Solihull, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow to vote in a general election. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Labour supporters cheer as Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party speaks during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images TOPSHOT - This combination of pictures made on June 6, 2017, shows Britain's Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative party Theresa May (top L) on May 30, 2017 in Wolverhampton, Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (top R) on May 22, 2017 in Kingston-upon-Hull, Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon (bottom L) on April 20, 2015 in Edinburgh, and Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron (bottom R) on May 26, 2017 in Manchester. Britain goes to the polls to vote in a general election on June 8. / AFP PHOTOLEON NEAL,OLI SCARFF,LESLEY MARTIN/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks during an event at the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh while on the last day of campaigning for the General Election. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire PA EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks during an event at the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh while on the last day of campaigning for the General Election. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire PA (FILES) A combination of pictures created in London on May 31, 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (L) speaking during an event to launch the Conservative Party general election manifesto in Halifax in northern England on May 18, 2017 and Britain's main opposition Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn (R) delivering a general election campaign speech on leadership in London on April 29, 2017. Britain goes to the polls to vote in a general election on June 8. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL AND Niklas HALLE'NBEN STANSALL,NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images (FILES) A combination of pictures created in London on May 31, 2017 shows Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (top) speaking during an event to launch the Conservative Party general election manifesto in Halifax in northern England on May 18, 2017 and Britain's main opposition Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn (bottom) delivering a general election campaign speech on leadership in London on April 29, 2017. Britain goes to the polls to vote in a general election on June 8. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL AND Niklas HALLE'NBEN STANSALL,NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron visits local voters at the campaign office in Carshalton during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip meet staff at a Dunelm home furnishing shop in Nottingham while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire PA GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, gives the thumbs up during a campaign rally on Buchanan Street on June 7, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland ,England, and Wales on today on the final day before polling day in General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX*** Getty Images TOPSHOT - A supporter of Britain's main opposition Labour Party takes a photograph as they wait for the leader Jeremy Corbyn to arrive at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images TOPSHOT - Tourists gather near the Elizabeth Tower, commonly referred to as Big Ben, at the Houses of Parliament in central London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Justin TALLISJUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron visits Twickenham during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Supporters lok-on as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Supporters applaud as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn arrives to speak on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Members of the public look-on as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: A young girl holds a sign as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks to supporters on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Prime Minister Theresa May speaking at an event at The Space in Norwich while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire PA UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron attends a campaign visit in Twickenham, south-west London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (bottom R) addresses supporters at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Local candidate Mr Fishfinger waits as ballot papers are counted at the Westmoorland and Lonsdale constituency count at Kendal Leisure Centre on June 8, 2017 in Kendal, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images)

"It doesn't bother me that they're not part of the mainland either," he said - arguing that Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.

"But it's certainly not the result I wanted" was his conclusion.

Suddenly, it looked as though the decision of broadcasters to ignore Northern Ireland in Thursday night's exit poll had been a big mistake.

They had been happy to record predictions as irrelevant as 'zero' for Ukip, Plaid Cymru on three MPs and Greens on one.

But clearly no-one had thought that the DUP vote would prove key - as pollsters had simply slapped 'Other: 18' at the bottom of their results.

Sky News also had an explanatory graphic - a Dummies' Guide to the DUP - that outlined what the party stands for.

In case you didn't know, they are: "Support staying in UK, socially conservative and soft Brexit."

The channel initially described Sir Jeffrey Donaldson as the party's Westminster leader - before being quickly corrected in a follow-up reported by their more knowledgeable correspondent David Blevins.

As commentators scrambled to read the DUP manifesto to learn what the party might demand Theresa May as the price of their support, the Independent's environment correspondent described the party as "a far-right party with a track record of Donald Trump-style climate change denial".

He added: "In addition to controversial views on science, the DUP is known for its links to loyalist paramilitary groups, anti-abortion stance and accusations of a prejudiced attitude towards the LGBT community."

While the party would no doubt disapprove of the tone of such a description, it pales in comparison with today's headline in the Mirror: "Coalition of Crackpots."
Perhaps no one will much miss the voice of Irish nationalism in Westminster. Members of Parliament are reminded by the very fittings around them that they are part of an historic tradition, but many of them will have little sense of the Irish strand of that tradition.

The past is the past, and just as there are now no Whigs, no Liberal Party and no Ukip, there is no SDLP, no voice of constitutional nationalism, a voice that has been ranting volubly in that chamber for 189 years.

Of course, seven seats by rights are there for Irish nationalists, but Sinn Fein, which took them, doesn't want them.

Even so, the eradication of the SDLP at Westminster is an historic event that warrants a moment's reflection.

Constitutional nationalists fighting for Ireland in the House of Commons are part of a tradition that goes back to Catholic Emancipation in 1829 and it is a tradition overseen by gigantic political figures.

The right for Catholics to vote was won through a campaign led by Daniel O'Connell, an MP for Co Clare dubbed the Liberator.

His statue stands proudly in a street named after him in Dublin.

O'Connell wasn't a nationalist in the modern mould, though he did campaign for the repeal of the Act of Union. He had a vision of an independent Ireland tied to Britain by "the golden link of the Crown".

You don't hear so much of that reverence for the Crown from nationalists today.

But neither do you hear the magnificent oratory of O'Connell and his type.

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(Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) Getty Images DUP leader Arlene Foster (2nd L), DUP deputy leader and north Belfast candidate Nigel Dodds (L), former DUP leader and Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson (R) watch on at the Belfast count centre on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images British Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Theresa May speaks at the declaration at the election count at the Magnet Leisure Centre on June 9, 2017 in Maidenhead, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images Theresa May kept her senior ministers in post after suffering humiliating losses in the snap election. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Prime Minister Theresa May reacts at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead, after she held her seat. PA PA Prime Minister Theresa May at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead, after she held her seat. PA PA British Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Theresa May (far left) stands with other candidates at the declaration at the election count at the Magnet Leisure Centre on June 9, 2017 in Maidenhead, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images DUP leader and Northern Ireland former First Minister Arlene Foster (R) waves to the media alongside Gregory Campbell (L) after holding a press conference with the DUP's newly elected Westminster candidates who stood in the general election on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images A television presenter stands outside 10 Downing Street in London on June 10, 2017, holding a copy of The Daily Mirror newspaper with the headline "Coalition of Crackpots" the day after the general election resulted in a hung parliament and British Prime Minister Theresa May forming a minority government. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images UKIP Leader Paul Nuttall leaves via a fire exit following the vote count for the constituency of Boston and Skegness on June 9, 2017 in Boston, England. (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Sinn Fein's Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill (centre left) and party president Gerry Adams (centre) speaking outside Sinn Fein offices on the Falls Road in Belfast after the party emerged with seven MPs following the General Election. PA PA Sinn Fein's party president Gerry Adams speaking outside Sinn Fein offices on the Falls Road in Belfast after the party emerged with seven MPs following the General Election. PA PA DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds (L) points to DUP leader and Northern Ireland former First Minister Arlene Foster (R) as they hold a photocall with their newly elected candidates who stood in the general election on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images Sinn Fein's Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill (left) and party president Gerry Adams (right) speaking outside Sinn Fein offices on the Falls Road in Belfast after the party emerged with seven MPs following the General Election. PA PA 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 on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images Leader of the DUP Arlene Foster holds a press conference at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast on June 9th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph Leader of the DUP Arlene Foster holds a press conference at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast on June 9th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph DUP leader Arlene Foster along with her MPs pictured at the Stormont Hotel in south Belfast this afternoon. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye. Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on June 9, 2017, en route to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Prime Minister Theresa May with her husband Philip arrives at Buckingham Palace where she will seek the Queen's permission to form a UK government on June 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images The car carrying Prime Minister Theresa May arriving at Buckingham Palace before her audience with Queen Elizabeth II after the General Election resulted in a hung parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday June 9, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire PA Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on June 9, 2017, en route to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II, the day after a general election in which the Conservatives lost their majority. British Prime Minister Theresa May will on Friday seek to form a new government, resisting pressure to resign after losing her parliamentary majority ahead of crucial Brexit talks. May is set to meet the head of state Queen Elizabeth II and ask for permission to form a new government, according to her Downing Street office. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May (L) leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on June 9, 2017, en route to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II, the day after a general election in which the Conservatives lost their majority. British Prime Minister Theresa May will on Friday seek to form a new government, resisting pressure to resign after losing her parliamentary majority ahead of crucial Brexit talks. May is set to meet the head of state Queen Elizabeth II and ask for permission to form a new government, according to her Downing Street office. / AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNISADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Theresa May arrives at Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Theresa May leaves Conservative Party HQ in Westminster (Rick Findler/PA) Liberal Democrat Party leader Tim Farron speaks to suporters and the press at 1 Whitehall Place on June 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images) Getty Images Liberal Democrat Party leader Tim Farron speaks to suporters and the press at 1 Whitehall Place on June 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images) Getty Images Leo Varadkar said the UK election result presents an opportunity for Ireland Paul Nuttall has resigned as the leader of Ukip (Joe Giddens/PA) PA DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds, leader Arlene Foster and former leader Peter Robinson cheer as Emma Little Pengelly is elected to the South Belfast. PA Niall Carson/PA Wire PA DUP leader Arlene Foster (2nd L), DUP deputy leader and north Belfast candidate Nigel Dodds (L), Emma Little Pengelly (2nd R) DUP south Belfast candidate and Gavin Robinson (R) DUP east Belfast candidate celebrate at the Belfast count centre on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. After a snap election was called the United Kingdom went to the polls yesterday, after a closely fought election the results from across the country are being counted and an overall result is expected in the early hours. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Getty Images 9 / 6 / 17 PACEMAKER PRESS Francie Molloy wins the Mid Ulster seat for Sinn Fein in the UK Parlimentary Election. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS PACEMAKER BELFAST 09/06/2017 Gregory Campbell with his wife Frances after he was re-elected to represent East Londonderry Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 8th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017. Michelle Gildernew celebrates at the election count at Omagh Leisure Complex Omagh for West Tyrone and Fermanagh & South Tyrone. Photo by John McVitty / Press Eye. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 9th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017 The election count at Valley Leisure Centre Newtownabbey for East Antrim and South Antrim DUP's Sammy Wilson Photo by Matt Mackey / Press Eye. Winner: Sinn Fein candidate for South Down Chris Hazzard celebrates after winning the seat at the election count at the Eikon Exhibition Centre Sprucefield for Lagan Valley, Newry & Armagh, South Down and Upper Bann. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com Winner: Jim Shannon (DUP) with his electoral agent Simon Hamilton during the 2017 Westminster Election count at Aurora Leisure Complex, Bangor. Picture by Brian Little/PressEye Nicola Sturgeon and Stephen Gethins eat chips on the General Election campaign trail (Jane Barlow/PA) Leader of the Conservative party Theresa May and Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Two anti-Brexit activists pose with their hand-puppets depicting British Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative party Theresa May, left, and Britain's Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn, in front of the the Houses of Parliament on election day in London, Thursday, June 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) AP LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 08: Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn casts his vote at a polling station at Pakeman Primary School on June 8, 2017 in London, England. Polling stations have opened as the nation votes to decide the next UK government in a general election. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) Toby, a beagle cross waits for his master outside a polling station on the Glen road on June 8, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) Voting activists encouraging commuters to vote in the General Election 2017, at Turnham Green station in London. PA PA A sign is pictured outside a polling station in Kingston-Upon-Hull, northern England, on June 8, 2017 as Britain votes in the general election. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Copies of the Evening Standard newspaper, with the headline 'You decide' are pictured in central London on June 8, 2017, as Britain holds a general election. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Dougie the Cocker Spaniel sits beside a sign reading 'Pawing Station' outside a polling station on June 8, 2017 in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom. Voters are going to the polls today to vote in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Alliance candidate for West Belfast Sorcha Eastwood casts her vote in the 2017 General Election, with her husband, Dale Shirlow, at a polling station in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, still wearing her wedding dress after they were married earlier in the day. Brian Lawless/PA Wire PA Sinn Fein leader in Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill arrives at a polling station at St Patrick's primary school in Annaghmore, Clonoe to cast her vote in the General Election. Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA Arlene Foster, Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, leaving Brookeborough Primary School, Co Fermanagh, having cast her vote in the 2017 General Election. Brian Lawless/PA Wire PA A voter arrives at the polling station in St Nicolas Parish Hall, Belfast, as voting gets underway in the 2017 General Election. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, gives the thumbs up during a campaign rally on Buchanan Street on June 7, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland ,England, and Wales on today on the final day before polling day in General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May and husband Philip speak to staff at a Dunelm department store during a campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images Labour supporters an event at the Parade in Watford, ahead of a speech from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA Labour supporters an event at the Parade in Watford, during a speech by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party greets supporters during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn after speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May and husband Philip speak to staff at a Dunelm department store during a campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party greets supporters during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party and Chris Ostrowski, Labour candidate for Watford during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images Supporters hold placards as they attend the final general election campaign rally of Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon on June 7, 2017, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Britain on June 3 headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BuchananANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon waves as she holds a final general election campaign rally on June 7, 2017, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Britain on June 3 headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BuchananANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA SOLIHULL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Prime Minister Theresa May greets supporters as she arrives for her last campaign visit at the National Conference Centre on June 7, 2017 in Solihull, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow to vote in a general election. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Labour supporters cheer as Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party speaks during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images This combination of pictures made on June 6, 2017, shows Britain's Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative party Theresa May (top L) on May 30, 2017 in Wolverhampton, Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (top R) on May 22, 2017 in Kingston-upon-Hull, Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon (bottom L) on April 20, 2015 in Edinburgh, and Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron (bottom R) on May 26, 2017 in Manchester. AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks during an event at the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh while on the last day of campaigning for the General Election. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire PA EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks during an event at the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh while on the last day of campaigning for the General Election. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire PA (FILES) A combination of pictures created in London on May 31, 2017 shows Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (top) speaking during an event to launch the Conservative Party general election manifesto in Halifax in northern England on May 18, 2017 and Britain's main opposition Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn (bottom) delivering a general election campaign speech on leadership in London on April 29, 2017. Britain goes to the polls to vote in a general election on June 8. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL AND Niklas HALLE'NBEN STANSALL,NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron visits local voters at the campaign office in Carshalton during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip meet staff at a Dunelm home furnishing shop in Nottingham while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire PA TOPSHOT - A supporter of Britain's main opposition Labour Party takes a photograph as they wait for the leader Jeremy Corbyn to arrive at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images TOPSHOT - Tourists gather near the Elizabeth Tower, commonly referred to as Big Ben, at the Houses of Parliament in central London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Justin TALLISJUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron visits Twickenham during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Supporters lok-on as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Supporters applaud as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn arrives to speak on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Members of the public look-on as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: A young girl holds a sign as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks to supporters on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Prime Minister Theresa May speaking at an event at The Space in Norwich while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire PA UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron attends a campaign visit in Twickenham, south-west London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (bottom R) addresses supporters at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn addresses supporters at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images TWICKENHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 07: Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron speaks to the media in front of a betting shop as he campaigns with former Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable (not pictured) in Twickenham on June 7, 2017 in Twickenham, England. Mr Cable is campaigning to retake his former seat after it was won by Conservative Tania Mathias in the 2015 general election. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 in a general election. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves after addressing supporters at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images NORWICH, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Philip May (L), husband of Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May, listens as she speaks during a Conservative Party general election campaign visit at The Space on June 7, 2017 in Norwich, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images TWICKENHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 07: Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron (L) and former Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable (R) sit in a restaurant as they campaign in Twickenham on June 7, 2017 in Twickenham, England. Mr Cable is campaigning to retake his former seat after it was won by Conservative Tania Mathias in the 2015 general election. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 in a general election. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) Getty Images Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron (R) and attends a campaign visit with the party's candidate for the Twickenham constituency, Vince Cable, in Twickenham, south-west London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn greets supporters as he leaves after attending a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves after attending a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn greets supporters as he leaves after attending a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron and Vince Cable, local candidate for Twickenham, visit in Twickenham during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event on the Promenade in Colwyn Bay, Wales, while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire PA Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland 31st May 2017 - Picture by Matt Mackey / Press Eye. Alliance party general election Manifesto launch at CIYMS in East Belfast. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland 31st May 2017 - Picture by Matt Mackey / Press Eye. Alliance party general election Manifesto launch at CIYMS in East Belfast. Paula Bradshaw Pacemaker Press 5/6/17 Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill during A television debate from the five main parties which was recorded at UTV in Belfast. Pic Pacemaker Pacemaker Press 31/5/2017 DUP Leader Arlene Foster and Deputy leader Nigel Dodd during the DUP Manifesto Launch at The Old Courthouse in Antrim on Wednesday morning ahead of the General election on the 8th of June. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker UUP's Robin Swann. Photo: Pacemaker Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland 5th June 2017 - Picture by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye. SDLP Candidate Margaret Ritchie pictured on the campaign trail at Warrenpoint. Speaking while campaigning in South Down for Margaret Ritchie, the former SDLP Deputy Leader said: The SDLP's Margaret Ritchie is in a two horse race and the choice is very clear - elect a candidate who can represent people of all backgrounds, who will protect the Good Friday Agreement and who will fight against Theresa Mays plans for a dementia tax and a hard Brexit. Or choose a party who wont take their seat, cant represent all those who live here, and whose main political ambition is to silence South Downs voice and abandon the fight for the Good Friday Agreement. Sinn Feins plan for Irish politics is to remove all representation from Westminster for the first time since the 1960s, and to end a tradition in Irish politics starts by Daniel OConnell himself. Without a functioning Assembly, MPs could be our only public representatives with any power to hold direct rule Ministers to account. To give up that card by voting for abstentionism MPs risks all the progress weve made in the last thirty years. Labour supporters an event at the Parade in Watford, ahead of a speech from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA Labour supporters an event at the Parade in Watford, during a speech by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party greets supporters during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn after speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May and husband Philip speak to staff at a Dunelm department store during a campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party greets supporters during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party and Chris Ostrowski, Labour candidate for Watford during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May and husband Philip speak to staff at a Dunelm department store during a campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Getty Images EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images Supporters hold placards as they attend the final general election campaign rally of Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon on June 7, 2017, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Britain on June 3 headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BuchananANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon waves as she holds a final general election campaign rally on June 7, 2017, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Britain on June 3 headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BuchananANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire PA SOLIHULL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Prime Minister Theresa May greets supporters as she arrives for her last campaign visit at the National Conference Centre on June 7, 2017 in Solihull, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow to vote in a general election. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) Getty Images WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Labour supporters cheer as Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party speaks during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) Getty Images TOPSHOT - This combination of pictures made on June 6, 2017, shows Britain's Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative party Theresa May (top L) on May 30, 2017 in Wolverhampton, Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (top R) on May 22, 2017 in Kingston-upon-Hull, Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon (bottom L) on April 20, 2015 in Edinburgh, and Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron (bottom R) on May 26, 2017 in Manchester. Britain goes to the polls to vote in a general election on June 8. / AFP PHOTOLEON NEAL,OLI SCARFF,LESLEY MARTIN/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks during an event at the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh while on the last day of campaigning for the General Election. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire PA EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Getty Images First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks during an event at the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh while on the last day of campaigning for the General Election. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire PA (FILES) A combination of pictures created in London on May 31, 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (L) speaking during an event to launch the Conservative Party general election manifesto in Halifax in northern England on May 18, 2017 and Britain's main opposition Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn (R) delivering a general election campaign speech on leadership in London on April 29, 2017. Britain goes to the polls to vote in a general election on June 8. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL AND Niklas HALLE'NBEN STANSALL,NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images (FILES) A combination of pictures created in London on May 31, 2017 shows Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (top) speaking during an event to launch the Conservative Party general election manifesto in Halifax in northern England on May 18, 2017 and Britain's main opposition Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn (bottom) delivering a general election campaign speech on leadership in London on April 29, 2017. Britain goes to the polls to vote in a general election on June 8. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL AND Niklas HALLE'NBEN STANSALL,NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron visits local voters at the campaign office in Carshalton during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip meet staff at a Dunelm home furnishing shop in Nottingham while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire PA GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, gives the thumbs up during a campaign rally on Buchanan Street on June 7, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland ,England, and Wales on today on the final day before polling day in General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX*** Getty Images TOPSHOT - A supporter of Britain's main opposition Labour Party takes a photograph as they wait for the leader Jeremy Corbyn to arrive at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images TOPSHOT - Tourists gather near the Elizabeth Tower, commonly referred to as Big Ben, at the Houses of Parliament in central London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Justin TALLISJUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron visits Twickenham during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire PA UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Supporters lok-on as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Supporters applaud as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn arrives to speak on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Members of the public look-on as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: A young girl holds a sign as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks to supporters on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Prime Minister Theresa May speaking at an event at The Space in Norwich while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire PA UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) Getty Images Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron attends a campaign visit in Twickenham, south-west London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (bottom R) addresses supporters at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Local candidate Mr Fishfinger waits as ballot papers are counted at the Westmoorland and Lonsdale constituency count at Kendal Leisure Centre on June 8, 2017 in Kendal, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images)

Another giant of Irish parliamentary politics was Charles Stewart Parnell, who persuaded Gladstone that if Parliament did not grant Home Rule to Ireland, Ireland would take it. Gladstone tried twice.

But Parnell, though a political genius, lost his stature for the oldest of sins which, like the Crown, was taken more seriously then among Irish Catholics.

Irish Catholics put unctuous morality and their Church before political opportunity when Parnell was found to be having an affair with a married woman, Kitty O'Shea, and the Church and the pious turned on him.

Redmond was the Irish Parliamentary Party leader who, supported by the West Belfast MP Joe Devlin, urged the Irish to join up and fight "for the freedom of small nations" in 1914.

Redmond was undone by revolution at home.

For one of the routine problems of nationalism, aside from the Church, was that physical force tradition which occasionally eclipsed parliamentary endeavour.

Some parts of Northern Ireland have long been more wedded to that parliamentary tradition than to armed struggle.

Derry was one of them.

For much of his political career, Martin McGuinness did not risk standing in Foyle because the culture there was less militant and more interested in functioning politics than in revolution.

The same was true in West Belfast, which returned affable Joe Hendron through the most troubled times, even when the dead arose to vote for Sinn Fein.

Gerry Adams took the seat in the Eighties for a time, but lost it again in 1992.

That forced him to see that armed struggle was incompatible with political growth.

He is now faced with the question of whether abstention is now similarly incompatible with growth at Westminster.

The next campaign for Sinn Fein will be to try to persuade the Dail to offer seats to the elected representatives locked out of Westminster by the draconian requirement that they swear allegiance to the Queen, as generations of constitutional nationalists have done, most of them with tongue in cheek.

Now the political map of Northern Ireland makes the polarisation of the region starkly plain. It looks like the maps of a repartition that loyalist paramilitaries used to dream of.

We are now looking at a Balkanised Northern Ireland.

That split in the region is represented also by the spread of division between the 11 council areas, with a concentration of nationalists in the west and unionists in the east.

The SDLP's hopes of political influence now reside with its 60 councillors and 12 MLAs.

It now needs Stormont more than ever and it is within the gift of Sinn Fein to withhold it from the SDLP, confident that it has enough to play with in London and Dublin and Brussels, in councils in the Republic and in councils in the north.

For Colum Eastwood and the new generation of bright young politicians, this is a calamity.

They have lost too much of the ground on which they operate and they have lost senior members who connect them back into the history of agitation that took the party into constitutional negotiations which produced the Good Friday Agreement.

It will be easy enough for the SDLP to be proud of its past. A lot more difficult to be hopeful for the future.
People Before Profit's Eamonn McCann is seeking an urgent meeting with the Electoral Office following an alleged "breach of rules" by Sinn Fein in polling stations on election day.

Mr McCann last night accused Sinn Fein of malpractice in polling stations, and he claimed that the Electoral Office staff often did little to stop it.

The veteran socialist alleged that Sinn Fein was flouting the rules by communicating information from polling stations about who had voted to party activists outside.

This gave Sinn Fein a massive advantage by enabling the party to mount a "get the vote out" operation, he said.

The Electoral Office could not be contacted for comment about the allegations. However, a Sinn Fein spokesman said: "This is deflection politics by Eamonn McCann.

"The voters of Foyle and West Belfast have once again rejected his party's support for a Tory/Ukip Brexit."

After a recount in Foyle, Sinn Fein took the seat from the SDLP by just 169 votes.

Elisha McCallion secured 18,256 votes to Mark Durkan's 18,087.

The SDLP man had been the MP since 2005.

In his concession speech, Mr Durkan had suggested his party may take action.

Sinn Fein's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill hailed the result as a victory for her party.

Mr McCann - who was election agent for People Before Profit candidate Shaun Harkin in Foyle - said he felt that decisive action needed to be taken to prevent the alleged malpractices.

In a letter to the Electoral Office, which has been seen by the Belfast Telegraph, he said that it wasn't up to political parties to police their rivals' behaviour in polling stations.

"It is not our job to ensure that election rules are maintained," he wrote.

"That's the job of the Electoral Office.

"We do not doubt the integrity of the Electoral Office staff, but we are disappointed to see that malpractice continues.

"We would welcome a meeting with yourself next week to discuss these concerns and what can be done to make sure that there is no repetition in future elections."

Mr McCann noted that serious concerns about proxy and postal voting arrangements in yesterday's Westminster election had already been raised.

"When this is put together with the concerns evident in polling stations, there is a clear case for a review of the mechanisms in place to give confidence that the ballot is fair.

"There is a strong case for ending the system whereby party agents can sit in the polling booths," he said.

In his letter to the Electoral Office, Mr McCann said: "Our representatives have observed agents of another party sitting in polling booths, and possibly recording information.

"In our view this is in breach of all norms of election procedure."

While the former People Before Profit MLA doesn't name Sinn Fein in the letter, he told the Belfast Telegraph that his complaints concerned that party alone.

The veteran socialist said that PBP representatives were "loudly heckled" by some Sinn Fein workers in polling stations when they raised the issue with officials.

"This has been done within sight and hearing of voters queuing in line for their ballot papers," he said.

He claimed that, in some cases, officials intervened.

Mr McCann said: "The practice of party agents in polling booths noting the electoral numbers of people who have voted and communicating this information to party organisers outside has been a standard feature of recent elections here.

"The purpose being to enable party activists to target and call to the homes of people who haven't yet cast their votes, letting them know that the party knows that they have not voted and offering a lift to the polling station now.

"This compromises the secrecy of the ballot while giving an advantage to the party flouting the regulations."
A 95-year-old Northern Ireland woman has missed out on voting in the General Election for the first time in her life over a mistake with her postal vote, it has been claimed.

Lisbellaw woman Kathleen Sloan was left out after her postal vote failed to arrive in time for Thursday's poll. And the slip-up was not corrected, even after Mrs Sloan's daughter Ruth Young spoke personally to chief electoral officer Virginia McVeigh.

And now Mrs Young is demanding an overhaul of the voting system - and an explanation from Royal Mail.

"I am very angry about this," Mrs Young said. "It is a classic case of incompetence.

"It has just been one mistake after another and I have to say, I am not going to let this sit."

Mrs Young said she had been in contact with the Electoral Office about her mother's postal vote on a daily basis.

"I didn't mention to my mother about what was going on, I did not want to worry her.

"But when even the chief electoral officer could not sort this out, what does that say?

"The whole system needs changed.

"I was able to speak to Mrs McVeigh earlier in the week and she asked me if I would be able to get my mother to a polling station.

"I thought there was some way she was going to be able to countermand the postal vote which never arrived, but it turned out there was nothing she could do.

"My mum was so very disappointed. She has never missed voting before in her whole life.

"I had already had many conversations with the Electoral Office in Omagh and Belfast, but it seemed once a postal vote is sent, nothing could be done.

"If we are to have a proper functioning democracy, surely Royal Mail should be able to get the postal votes to the right people. It is a shambles.

"How many more postal votes were not delivered, I wonder," Mrs Young added.

Royal Mail spokesperson, Morag Turnbull said, however: "We have been working closely with the Electoral Office in Northern Ireland and can confirm we delivered all the postal voting packs that we received."

There was no one immediately available from the Electoral Office for comment yesterday.
This West Side Story was only ever going to have one ending - a landslide victory for Sinn Fein's Paul Maskey who was preparing for another celebration, his 50th birthday today.

Mr Maskey, who succeeded Gerry Adams six years ago as West Belfast's MP, was returned with Sinn Fein's biggest ever vote - 27,107 - in the constituency.

And he told his jubilant supporters at the Titanic Exhibition Centre that the success marked a significant anniversary.

He said: "Maybe it's a fluke. Maybe it's not.

"But this day 34 years ago, Gerry Adams took this seat for the first time for Sinn Fein in West Belfast."

And Mr Maskey added that he was "delighted" to continue on in his footsteps.

He pledged to work for all the people of West Belfast who, he said, had come through a lot in recent years.

"Many people have tried to knock them down but the people of West Belfast have spoken and they have given me the mandate to continue to fight for them," he said.

"West Belfast is one of the finest constituencies and the people in it are the backbone of Ireland."

The DUP's Frank McCoubrey was second in the West Belfast poll with over 5,000 votes and from the podium he said: "What a night for unionism.

"Once again we've seen the unionist vote in West Belfast increase.

"We're knocking on the door. Bring on the next election."

People Before Profit candidate Gerry Carroll, who had impressive results in previous elections in West Belfast, came third with more than 4,000 votes and he said the overall election results across the water represented a "political earthquake".

He added "Left-wing politics are back on the agenda in a serious way like never before. We relish this new situation."

SDLP veteran Alex Attwood, who lost his Assembly seat in the March elections, was replaced by his brother Tim for the general election.

He came home in fourth place, polling just under 3,000 votes. Mr Attwood congratulated Mr Maskey on a "very, very, strong vote in West Belfast".

As expected, there was no fairytale ending for the Alliance Party's Sorcha Eastwood who wasn't at the election count because it clashed with another important date - her wedding.

Ms Eastwood and her husband Dale Shirlow cast their votes in Lisburn shortly after they exchanged vows in a nearby church. The couple went ahead with their wedding reception in an Enniskillen hotel where guests were able to watch the results on a big screen.

The new Mrs Shirlow didn't have big support from the electorate however - polling just 731 votes - but her unusual wedding pictures at the polling station appeared in newspapers here and in Britain.
It is a strange tale involving Theresa Mays new friends in the Democratic Unionist Party, the Brexit referendum campaign and a mysterious donation of 435,000.

And, while those involved have refused to reveal more than a few details, there has been allegedly fanciful talk of an arms drop in India and the involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi intelligence.

The story began with a four-page, wrap-around cover advert in the Metro newspaper promoting the Leave campaign ahead of the Brexit referendum in June 2016, an extraordinary move that cost some 282,000.

This turned out to have been paid for by the DUP, which was odd as the party only stands in Northern Ireland where the Metro is not published.

Under Northern Irelands electoral laws, political donations do not need to be publicly declared, a legacy from the regions Troubles, when funding a political party might make someone a target for terrorists.

However in February, after some political pressure over the issue, the DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson revealed that the adverts had been paid using a 435,000 donation from a group called the Constitutional Research Council (CRC), chaired by former Scottish Conservative vice-chairman and Glasgow-based businessman, Richard Cook.

This sparked further questions about the ultimate source of the money. Mr Cook told The Sunday Times that the CRC had three other members, but declined to identify them.

He did decide to try to dampen down some of the speculation about who had been involved.

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There have been rumours that the DUP got this money from Vladimir Putin, dark shadowy groups, then Saudi intelligence and even from beneficiaries of an arms drop in India. It is all fanciful nonsense, he told the paper.

He said the group had not received foreign funding and added that he was in touch with business people prepared to donate six-figure sums to help the Union campaign in the event of a second Scottish independence referendum.

The alleged Saudi intelligence link was suggested by Adam Ramsay, co-editor of the openDemocracyUK website.

By examining documents held by Companies House, he discovered Mr Cook and the former director-general of the Saudi intelligence service, the late Prince Nawwaf bin Abdul Aziz, had founded a company called Five Star Investment Management in 2013, which was dissolved the following year.

Mr Ramsay said he had no evidence that the 435,000 had come from a Saudi source.

But he added: Saudi Arabia is a country flush with a huge amount of cash and I dont think its crazy to think they would a, have an interest in a major event like Brexit and b, try to influence it in some way.

Saudi economists, he noted, had argued that the referendum result was good for the country because of the subsequent fall in the value of the pound.

The routing of the money via the DUP effectively maintained the anonymity of the donor.

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The DUPs press office could not be reached for comment on Friday. The Independent contacted Sir Jeffrey Donaldsons constituency office and was told attempts would be made to pass a message to him.

Kellie Armstrong, a member of the Stormont Assembly representing Strangford, said her party, Alliance, and the Greens were the only ones in Northern Ireland to publish their donations.

She said, given it was 19 years since the Good Friday Agreement was signed, the time had come to be open about the sources of political funding.

Ive challenged the DUP as to why they do not publish their donations, she said.

A number [of other parties] have said they would go forward and publish their donations. The DUP has said that, but they havent done it yet.

She said it was strange for the DUP to pay for political adverts people who might vote for them would never see.

Why are they advertising something there? Ms Armstrong said.
An armed man has robbed a food outlet in the St Georges Market area of the city at around 9am on Saturday morning.

Police in Belfast are appealing for information following the armed robbery.

Detective Sergeant Moffett said: "We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident.

"We received a report that a man, described as being about 5 11 in height, of a medium, stocky build and wearing a dark hoodie, coat and woollen hat entered the shop, carrying what appeared to be a firearm. He made off with sum of money from the till.

"A female member of staff was left distressed by the incident but did not require hospital treatment.

"f you have any information that could help our investigation, please get in touch with police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 374 of 10/6/17.

"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."
House in Ballymacarrett area of east Belfast was attacked with petrol bombs (File photo)

A man in his 40s has been taken to hospital after a house in the Gawn Street area of east Belfast was attacked with petrol bombs while he was inside.

A number of windows in the property were smashed and a vehicle outside the property was also set alight at about 1am on Saturday.

The man was treated was treated in hospital for "minor injuries".

Detective Inspector McCambridge said: "Just after 1.00am this morning, we received a report that a petrol bomb had been thrown at a house in the Ballymacarrett area.

"I would appeal to anyone who has information about this attack to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 97 of 10/6/17.

"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."
Police have appealed for information after the Hatfield Street incident

A man in his 20s has been taken to hospital after being stabbed in the Hatfield Street area of south Belfast.

Police are investigating the assault which took place at about 7.45am on Saturday morning.

The was treated in hospital for the stab wound. His condition is not thought to be life-threatening at this time.

Detective Sergeant Moffett said: "Three men in their 20s have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. They are currently in custody, helping with our enquiries.

"We are appealing for anyone with information to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 318 of 10/6/17.

"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."
Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (bottom R) addresses supporters at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron attends a campaign visit in Twickenham, south-west London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images

UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

Prime Minister Theresa May speaking at an event at The Space in Norwich while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: A young girl holds a sign as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks to supporters on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Members of the public look-on as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Supporters applaud as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn arrives to speak on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Supporters lok-on as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron visits Twickenham during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

TOPSHOT - Tourists gather near the Elizabeth Tower, commonly referred to as Big Ben, at the Houses of Parliament in central London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Justin TALLISJUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images

TOPSHOT - A supporter of Britain's main opposition Labour Party takes a photograph as they wait for the leader Jeremy Corbyn to arrive at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images

GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, gives the thumbs up during a campaign rally on Buchanan Street on June 7, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland ,England, and Wales on today on the final day before polling day in General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX***

Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip meet staff at a Dunelm home furnishing shop in Nottingham while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron visits local voters at the campaign office in Carshalton during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

(FILES) A combination of pictures created in London on May 31, 2017 shows Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (top) speaking during an event to launch the Conservative Party general election manifesto in Halifax in northern England on May 18, 2017 and Britain's main opposition Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn (bottom) delivering a general election campaign speech on leadership in London on April 29, 2017. Britain goes to the polls to vote in a general election on June 8. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL AND Niklas HALLE'NBEN STANSALL,NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images

(FILES) A combination of pictures created in London on May 31, 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (L) speaking during an event to launch the Conservative Party general election manifesto in Halifax in northern England on May 18, 2017 and Britain's main opposition Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn (R) delivering a general election campaign speech on leadership in London on April 29, 2017. Britain goes to the polls to vote in a general election on June 8. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL AND Niklas HALLE'NBEN STANSALL,NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images

First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks during an event at the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh while on the last day of campaigning for the General Election. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks during an event at the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh while on the last day of campaigning for the General Election. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

TOPSHOT - This combination of pictures made on June 6, 2017, shows Britain's Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative party Theresa May (top L) on May 30, 2017 in Wolverhampton, Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (top R) on May 22, 2017 in Kingston-upon-Hull, Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon (bottom L) on April 20, 2015 in Edinburgh, and Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron (bottom R) on May 26, 2017 in Manchester. Britain goes to the polls to vote in a general election on June 8. / AFP PHOTOLEON NEAL,OLI SCARFF,LESLEY MARTIN/AFP/Getty Images

WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Labour supporters cheer as Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party speaks during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

SOLIHULL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Prime Minister Theresa May greets supporters as she arrives for her last campaign visit at the National Conference Centre on June 7, 2017 in Solihull, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow to vote in a general election. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon waves as she holds a final general election campaign rally on June 7, 2017, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Britain on June 3 headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BuchananANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images

Supporters hold placards as they attend the final general election campaign rally of Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon on June 7, 2017, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Britain on June 3 headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BuchananANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May and husband Philip speak to staff at a Dunelm department store during a campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party and Chris Ostrowski, Labour candidate for Watford during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party greets supporters during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May and husband Philip speak to staff at a Dunelm department store during a campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn after speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party greets supporters during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Labour supporters an event at the Parade in Watford, during a speech by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

Labour supporters an event at the Parade in Watford, ahead of a speech from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland 5th June 2017 - Picture by Stephen Hamilton / Press Eye. SDLP Candidate Margaret Ritchie pictured on the campaign trail at Warrenpoint. Speaking while campaigning in South Down for Margaret Ritchie, the former SDLP Deputy Leader said: The SDLP's Margaret Ritchie is in a two horse race and the choice is very clear - elect a candidate who can represent people of all backgrounds, who will protect the Good Friday Agreement and who will fight against Theresa Mays plans for a dementia tax and a hard Brexit. Or choose a party who wont take their seat, cant represent all those who live here, and whose main political ambition is to silence South Downs voice and abandon the fight for the Good Friday Agreement. Sinn Feins plan for Irish politics is to remove all representation from Westminster for the first time since the 1960s, and to end a tradition in Irish politics starts by Daniel OConnell himself. Without a functioning Assembly, MPs could be our only public representatives with any power to hold direct rule Ministers to account. To give up that card by voting for abstentionism MPs risks all the progress weve made in the last thirty years.

Pacemaker Press 31/5/2017 DUP Leader Arlene Foster and Deputy leader Nigel Dodd during the DUP Manifesto Launch at The Old Courthouse in Antrim on Wednesday morning ahead of the General election on the 8th of June. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker

Pacemaker Press 5/6/17 Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill during A television debate from the five main parties which was recorded at UTV in Belfast. Pic Pacemaker

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland 31st May 2017 - Picture by Matt Mackey / Press Eye. Alliance party general election Manifesto launch at CIYMS in East Belfast. Paula Bradshaw

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland 31st May 2017 - Picture by Matt Mackey / Press Eye. Alliance party general election Manifesto launch at CIYMS in East Belfast.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event on the Promenade in Colwyn Bay, Wales, while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron and Vince Cable, local candidate for Twickenham, visit in Twickenham during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn greets supporters as he leaves after attending a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images

Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves after attending a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images

Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn greets supporters as he leaves after attending a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron (R) and attends a campaign visit with the party's candidate for the Twickenham constituency, Vince Cable, in Twickenham, south-west London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images

TWICKENHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 07: Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron (L) and former Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable (R) sit in a restaurant as they campaign in Twickenham on June 7, 2017 in Twickenham, England. Mr Cable is campaigning to retake his former seat after it was won by Conservative Tania Mathias in the 2015 general election. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 in a general election. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

NORWICH, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Philip May (L), husband of Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May, listens as she speaks during a Conservative Party general election campaign visit at The Space on June 7, 2017 in Norwich, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves after addressing supporters at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images

TWICKENHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 07: Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron speaks to the media in front of a betting shop as he campaigns with former Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable (not pictured) in Twickenham on June 7, 2017 in Twickenham, England. Mr Cable is campaigning to retake his former seat after it was won by Conservative Tania Mathias in the 2015 general election. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 in a general election. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn addresses supporters at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images

Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (bottom R) addresses supporters at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron attends a campaign visit in Twickenham, south-west London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE'NNIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images

UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

Prime Minister Theresa May speaking at an event at The Space in Norwich while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: A young girl holds a sign as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks to supporters on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Members of the public look-on as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Supporters applaud as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn arrives to speak on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

UNSPECIFIED, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Supporters lok-on as Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on the Promenade on June 7, 2017 in Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron visits Twickenham during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

TOPSHOT - Tourists gather near the Elizabeth Tower, commonly referred to as Big Ben, at the Houses of Parliament in central London on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Justin TALLISJUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images

TOPSHOT - A supporter of Britain's main opposition Labour Party takes a photograph as they wait for the leader Jeremy Corbyn to arrive at a campaign visit in Colwyn Bay, north Wales on June 7, 2017, on the eve of the general election. Britain on Wednesday headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images

Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Philip meet staff at a Dunelm home furnishing shop in Nottingham while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron visits local voters at the campaign office in Carshalton during the final day of the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA ELECTION stories. Photo credit should read: Victoria Jones/PA Wire

(FILES) A combination of pictures created in London on May 31, 2017 shows Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (top) speaking during an event to launch the Conservative Party general election manifesto in Halifax in northern England on May 18, 2017 and Britain's main opposition Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn (bottom) delivering a general election campaign speech on leadership in London on April 29, 2017. Britain goes to the polls to vote in a general election on June 8. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL AND Niklas HALLE'NBEN STANSALL,NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images

First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks during an event at the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh while on the last day of campaigning for the General Election. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon speaks during an event at the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh while on the last day of campaigning for the General Election. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday June 7, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

This combination of pictures made on June 6, 2017, shows Britain's Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative party Theresa May (top L) on May 30, 2017 in Wolverhampton, Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (top R) on May 22, 2017 in Kingston-upon-Hull, Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon (bottom L) on April 20, 2015 in Edinburgh, and Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron (bottom R) on May 26, 2017 in Manchester. AFP/Getty Images

WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Labour supporters cheer as Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party speaks during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

SOLIHULL, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Prime Minister Theresa May greets supporters as she arrives for her last campaign visit at the National Conference Centre on June 7, 2017 in Solihull, United Kingdom. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow to vote in a general election. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon waves as she holds a final general election campaign rally on June 7, 2017, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Britain on June 3 headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BuchananANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images

Supporters hold placards as they attend the final general election campaign rally of Scotland's First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon on June 7, 2017, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Britain on June 3 headed into the final day of campaigning for a general election darkened and dominated by jihadist attacks in two cities, leaving forecasters struggling to predict an outcome on polling day. / AFP PHOTO / Andy BuchananANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party and Chris Ostrowski, Labour candidate for Watford during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party greets supporters during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May and husband Philip speak to staff at a Dunelm department store during a campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn after speaking at an event at the Parade in Watford while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

WATFORD, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party greets supporters during a campaign rally at the Parade on June 7, 2017 in Watford, United Kingdom. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland, England and Wales today on the final day before polling day in the General Election. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Labour supporters an event at the Parade in Watford, during a speech by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

Labour supporters an event at the Parade in Watford, ahead of a speech from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while on the General Election campaign trail. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday June 6, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JUNE 07: SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon, holds a final campaign rally in Leith on July 7, 2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ms Sturgeon urged people to unite behind the SNP and deprive Theresa May of a majority in the 2017 General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 07: Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May and husband Philip speak to staff at a Dunelm department store during a campaign visit on June 7, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Britain goes to the polls tomorrow June 8 to vote in a general election. (Photo by Ben Stansall - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, gives the thumbs up during a campaign rally on Buchanan Street on June 7, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. The Labour leader is holding six rallies across Scotland ,England, and Wales on today on the final day before polling day in General Election. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

A voter arrives at the polling station in St Nicolas Parish Hall, Belfast, as voting gets underway in the 2017 General Election. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Arlene Foster, Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, leaving Brookeborough Primary School, Co Fermanagh, having cast her vote in the 2017 General Election. Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Sinn Fein leader in Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill arrives at a polling station at St Patrick's primary school in Annaghmore, Clonoe to cast her vote in the General Election. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Alliance candidate for West Belfast Sorcha Eastwood casts her vote in the 2017 General Election, with her husband, Dale Shirlow, at a polling station in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, still wearing her wedding dress after they were married earlier in the day. Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Dougie the Cocker Spaniel sits beside a sign reading 'Pawing Station' outside a polling station on June 8, 2017 in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom. Voters are going to the polls today to vote in the General Election (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

Copies of the Evening Standard newspaper, with the headline 'You decide' are pictured in central London on June 8, 2017, as Britain holds a general election. AFP/Getty Images

A sign is pictured outside a polling station in Kingston-Upon-Hull, northern England, on June 8, 2017 as Britain votes in the general election. AFP/Getty Images

Voting activists encouraging commuters to vote in the General Election 2017, at Turnham Green station in London. PA

Toby, a beagle cross waits for his master outside a polling station on the Glen road on June 8, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 08: Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn casts his vote at a polling station at Pakeman Primary School on June 8, 2017 in London, England. Polling stations have opened as the nation votes to decide the next UK government in a general election. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Two anti-Brexit activists pose with their hand-puppets depicting British Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative party Theresa May, left, and Britain's Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn, in front of the the Houses of Parliament on election day in London, Thursday, June 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Leader of the Conservative party Theresa May and Britain's main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. AFP/Getty Images

Nicola Sturgeon and Stephen Gethins eat chips on the General Election campaign trail (Jane Barlow/PA)

Winner: Jim Shannon (DUP) with his electoral agent Simon Hamilton during the 2017 Westminster Election count at Aurora Leisure Complex, Bangor. Picture by Brian Little/PressEye

Winner: Sinn Fein candidate for South Down Chris Hazzard celebrates after winning the seat at the election count at the Eikon Exhibition Centre Sprucefield for Lagan Valley, Newry & Armagh, South Down and Upper Bann. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 9th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017 The election count at Valley Leisure Centre Newtownabbey for East Antrim and South Antrim DUP's Sammy Wilson Photo by Matt Mackey / Press Eye.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 8th June 2017 - Westminster General Election 2017. Michelle Gildernew celebrates at the election count at Omagh Leisure Complex Omagh for West Tyrone and Fermanagh & South Tyrone. Photo by John McVitty / Press Eye.

PACEMAKER BELFAST 09/06/2017 Gregory Campbell with his wife Frances after he was re-elected to represent East Londonderry

9 / 6 / 17 PACEMAKER PRESS Francie Molloy wins the Mid Ulster seat for Sinn Fein in the UK Parlimentary Election. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS

DUP leader Arlene Foster (2nd L), DUP deputy leader and north Belfast candidate Nigel Dodds (L), Emma Little Pengelly (2nd R) DUP south Belfast candidate and Gavin Robinson (R) DUP east Belfast candidate celebrate at the Belfast count centre on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. After a snap election was called the United Kingdom went to the polls yesterday, after a closely fought election the results from across the country are being counted and an overall result is expected in the early hours. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds, leader Arlene Foster and former leader Peter Robinson cheer as Emma Little Pengelly is elected to the South Belfast. PA Niall Carson/PA Wire

Paul Nuttall has resigned as the leader of Ukip (Joe Giddens/PA)

Leo Varadkar said the UK election result presents an opportunity for Ireland

Liberal Democrat Party leader Tim Farron speaks to suporters and the press at 1 Whitehall Place on June 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

Liberal Democrat Party leader Tim Farron speaks to suporters and the press at 1 Whitehall Place on June 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May (L) leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on June 9, 2017, en route to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II, the day after a general election in which the Conservatives lost their majority. British Prime Minister Theresa May will on Friday seek to form a new government, resisting pressure to resign after losing her parliamentary majority ahead of crucial Brexit talks. May is set to meet the head of state Queen Elizabeth II and ask for permission to form a new government, according to her Downing Street office. / AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNISADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images

Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on June 9, 2017, en route to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II, the day after a general election in which the Conservatives lost their majority. British Prime Minister Theresa May will on Friday seek to form a new government, resisting pressure to resign after losing her parliamentary majority ahead of crucial Brexit talks. May is set to meet the head of state Queen Elizabeth II and ask for permission to form a new government, according to her Downing Street office. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images

The car carrying Prime Minister Theresa May arriving at Buckingham Palace before her audience with Queen Elizabeth II after the General Election resulted in a hung parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday June 9, 2017. See PA story ELECTION Main. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire

Prime Minister Theresa May with her husband Philip arrives at Buckingham Palace where she will seek the Queen's permission to form a UK government on June 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on June 9, 2017, en route to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II. AFP/Getty Images

DUP leader Arlene Foster along with her MPs pictured at the Stormont Hotel in south Belfast this afternoon. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Leader of the DUP Arlene Foster holds a press conference at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast on June 9th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Leader of the DUP Arlene Foster holds a press conference at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast on June 9th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

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 on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Sinn Fein's Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill (left) and party president Gerry Adams (right) speaking outside Sinn Fein offices on the Falls Road in Belfast after the party emerged with seven MPs following the General Election. PA

DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds (L) points to DUP leader and Northern Ireland former First Minister Arlene Foster (R) as they hold a photocall with their newly elected candidates who stood in the general election on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Sinn Fein's party president Gerry Adams speaking outside Sinn Fein offices on the Falls Road in Belfast after the party emerged with seven MPs following the General Election. PA

Sinn Fein's Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill (centre left) and party president Gerry Adams (centre) speaking outside Sinn Fein offices on the Falls Road in Belfast after the party emerged with seven MPs following the General Election. PA

UKIP Leader Paul Nuttall leaves via a fire exit following the vote count for the constituency of Boston and Skegness on June 9, 2017 in Boston, England. (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

A television presenter stands outside 10 Downing Street in London on June 10, 2017, holding a copy of The Daily Mirror newspaper with the headline "Coalition of Crackpots" the day after the general election resulted in a hung parliament and British Prime Minister Theresa May forming a minority government. AFP/Getty Images

DUP leader and Northern Ireland former First Minister Arlene Foster (R) waves to the media alongside Gregory Campbell (L) after holding a press conference with the DUP's newly elected Westminster candidates who stood in the general election on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

British Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Theresa May (far left) stands with other candidates at the declaration at the election count at the Magnet Leisure Centre on June 9, 2017 in Maidenhead, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Prime Minister Theresa May at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead, after she held her seat. PA

Prime Minister Theresa May reacts at the Magnet Leisure Centre in Maidenhead, after she held her seat. PA

Theresa May kept her senior ministers in post after suffering humiliating losses in the snap election. AFP/Getty Images

British Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Theresa May speaks at the declaration at the election count at the Magnet Leisure Centre on June 9, 2017 in Maidenhead, England. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

DUP leader Arlene Foster (2nd L), DUP deputy leader and north Belfast candidate Nigel Dodds (L), former DUP leader and Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson (R) watch on at the Belfast count centre on June 9, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Local candidate Mr Fishfinger waits as ballot papers are counted at the Westmoorland and Lonsdale constituency count at Kendal Leisure Centre on June 8, 2017 in Kendal, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images)

General Election 2017: Theresa May clings to power - hoping to get by with a little help from friends in DUP [Photos] Close

Theresa May's grip on power appears far from secure despite a proposed deal with the Democratic Unionist Party to support her in Parliament.

Downing Street said an outline agreement on a "confidence and supply" arrangement had been reached with the DUP which will be put to the Cabinet for discussion on Monday.

But the strength of that deal looks set to be tested when the Commons meets next week, with Jeremy Corbyn vowing to try to bring down the Government by defeating Mrs May in Parliament and insisting: "I can still be prime minister."

Sunday papers reported that Boris Johnson was being encouraged to make a leadership bid in an effort to oust Mrs May, claims strongly disputed by the Foreign Secretary's office.

The 10 DUP MPs could prove crucial in supporting the Conservatives on key votes after Thursday's election saw Mrs May lose control of the Commons.

A "confidence and supply" arrangement is a far looser deal than a formal coalition.

It would mean the DUP backing the Government on its Budget and confidence motions, but could potentially lead to other issues being decided on a vote-by-vote basis.

Mrs May needs to shore up her position in Parliament because the Queen's Speech setting out the Government's programme is due on June 19, with a highly significant vote on its content expected after a few days' debate.

The Labour leader told the Sunday Mirror he would oppose the Government all the way.

"I can still be prime minister. This is still on. Absolutely," Mr Corbyn said.

The potential deal with the DUP came after Mrs May sent her Chief Whip Gavin Williamson to Belfast for talks after the election left the Tories eight seats short of the 326 required for a majority.

In other developments:

:: Mrs May's two closest aides Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill quit after coming under intense pressure from Tories following the election result.

:: Ex-minister Gavin Barwell, who lost his seat in Thursday's election, was named as the new chief of staff, replacing Mr Timothy and Ms Hill.

:: Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson indicated she wanted to see a fresh approach to Brexit by seeking a consensus across parties.

:: A former minister said Mrs May must not be allowed to lead the party into the next election.

The role of Mr Timothy and Ms Hill as Mrs May's joint chiefs of staff had been severely criticised by disgruntled Tories in the wake of the election result.

There were also misgivings about relying on the DUP, which strongly opposes same-sex marriage and abortion.

In a resignation statement on the ConservativeHome website, Mr Timothy acknowledged regrets over the way Mrs May's social care policy, dubbed the "dementia tax" by critics, had been handled.

But he also set out his concerns about the way the campaign was managed, in comments viewed as a sideswipe at election guru Sir Lynton Crosby.

The campaign failed to get "Theresa's positive plan for the future across" or "notice the surge in Labour support".

In her statement Ms Hill said: "I have no doubt at all that Theresa May will continue to serve and work hard as Prime Minister and do it brilliantly."

Mrs May called the election claiming she wanted a stronger hand in the forthcoming Brexit negotiations, due to start on the same day as the Queen's Speech.

Without a majority, she could be forced to seek consensus on the approach she takes, potentially by performing a U-turn on single market membership, protecting the economy at the expense of immigration controls.

Ms Davidson, who wields considerable influence after the Scottish Conservatives won 13 seats, said: "I want to ensure that we can look again at issues like Brexit which we know we are now going to have to get cross-party support for.

"And move to a consensus within the country about what it means and what we seek to achieve as we leave."

In a hint at the approach she wanted she said: "It is about making sure that we put free trade at the heart of what it is we seek to achieve as we leave."

Mrs May was working on a Cabinet reshuffle, expected to be limited in extent as the election result means she cannot afford to have disgruntled former ministers sniping at her from the backbenches.

Ex-minister Lord Barker said there was little appetite for a Tory leadership contest but told BBC's Newsnight the Prime Minister was a "terrible campaigner" and "there's clearly not going to be another election with Theresa May at the head".

Sources close to the Foreign Secretary dismissed reports Mr Johnson was plotting a leadership bid as "complete bollocks" and suggested "someone is trying to make mischief".

The Mail On Sunday reported a close ally of Mr Johnson saying it was "go go go" for a leadership bid adding: "We need Bojo."

The Sunday Times said Mr Johnson had been pressed by five Cabinet colleagues to oust Mrs May.

An ally of Mr Johnson told the newspaper: "We are facing a populist and they have realised we need someone who can talk to the people.

"We need a Brexiteer. Boris is the only option with the liberal values, Brexit credentials and popular appeal."

A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "The Foreign Secretary is 100% supporting the PM and working with her to get the best deal for Britain."

Mr Johnson said on Twitter: "Mail On Sunday tripe - I am backing Theresa May. Let's get on with the job."
Any alliance between the DUP and Conservatives will fail, Gerry Adams has insisted.

Questions were being raised yesterday over whether a Secretary of State chairing talks was acceptable while his or her party was linked to the DUP.

James Brokenshire, who is expected to return in the new Cabinet, has been strongly criticised by republicans as talks chair.

But Sinn Fein's Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill said republicans will attend talks on Monday to restore devolution despite misgivings over negotiations between the Tories and DUP. She said: "Sinn Fein is entering the talks to re-establish an Executive that delivers for all and for the full implementation of the agreements. We need parties acting together to secure special designated status within the EU for the North."

Mr Adams was scornful of a "confidence and supply" deal, where the DUP decides on a case-by-case basis whether to back the Tories, saying: "Alliances between Ulster unionism and British unionism have always ended in tears. It is far better to look to our own place, to all of the people here, to deal with the people of this island, this part of the island as one community."

Sinn Fein captured an extra three seats at the expense of the SDLP's Mark Durkan and Margaret Ritchie in Foyle and South Down, and The UUP's Tom Elliott in Fermanagh-South Tyrone.

"This was another watershed election," Mrs O'Neill said. "For the first time since the foundation of the state the unionist vote was less than 50% in a Westminster election.

"Nationalist opinion is looking to leadership at home and across Ireland, not Britain. The current issue of a hung British Parliament is transitory. It is no surprise that the DUP have sided with the Tories.

"Experience shows that unionists have minimal influence on any British Government, be that on Major, Thatcher or Theresa May.

"They have achieved little propping up Tory Governments in the past, and put their own interests before those of the people."
Incoming Taoiseach Leo Varadkar believes Theresa May's disastrous election result should rule out a so-called hard Brexit and present an opportunity for the Republic.

As Fine Gael and Fianna Fail rounded on Sinn Fein for not using its seven seats to influence the UK Parliament, Mr Varadkar said the outcome of the snap election means "there is no strong mandate to proceed with a hard Brexit".

Throughout the campaign the Prime Minister had talked up a tough approach to the Brexit negotiations which are due to begin in nine days.

However, she is now relying on the DUP to keep her fragile administration afloat.

While pro-Brexit, the DUP has adopted a softer attitude than its Westminster allies as many of its voters are farmers who depend heavily on EU grants for their income.

Among a list of Brexit priorities identified by the DUP in advance of the election is the ease of trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic, and a frictionless border for people crossing the frontier.

Mr Varadkar had expected to speak with the winner of the UK election yesterday - but the unexpected result meant a phone call did not take place.

A spokesperson said they communicated by letter earlier in the week and "will be in touch again soon".

However, Mr Varadkar indicated that he sees the result as "an opportunity for Ireland".

"We must ensure that the Brexit talks are handled in a smooth and coherent manner to secure the best possible outcome for Ireland, for Europe and the UK," he said.

The DUP's central role in the shaping of the Government's Brexit policy places Sinn Fein's in a difficult position.

Gerry Adams' party gained three seats, bringing its total to seven, but the leader said there was "no danger whatsoever" of ita seven MPs taking their positions in Westminster.

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin accused Sinn Fein of acting in a "totally illogical" fashion.

"I think it is not acceptable and I think it was a crazy (Sinn Fein) policy to say in advance 'we attack the Tories, we don't want the Tories in Government and we attack the Government in the Republic for not being strong enough with the Tories' and, lo and behold, they get a mandate and they decide not to exercise it to curtail the worst excesses, if you like it, of the Tories," Mr Martin said.

"I think it is totally illogical for Sinn Fein to say they can stay out of Westminster, given that Brexit is the single greatest issue facing our generation."

Similarly, Fine Gael minister Simon Coveney described the Sinn Fein stance on abstentionism as "strange".

He added: "I listened to Gerry Adams this morning and I think that, in the context of Brexit, it is a difficult position to understand given that how the peace process has moved forward and so on."

The criticism drew an angry response from Sinn Fein's deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald, who challenged Fianna Fail to run candidates in Northern Ireland.

"Micheal Martin is a hurler on the ditch in this election," she said. "We will not take lectures from him.

"Sinn Fein represents the nationalist and republican people in the north of our country.

"Fianna Fail don't even attempt to represent people there, so Micheal Martin should either put up or shut up."

The Dublin TD said Sinn Fein MPs were elected with the mandate of not taking their Westminster seats.
A former minister ousted in the General Election had been appointed as Theresa Mays new Downing Street chief of staff.

Gavin Barwell, who lost his Croydon Central seat in the snap election called by Mrs May, will bring considerable experience to the post, the Prime Minister said.

His appointment comes following the resignation of Mrs Mays closest aides Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, who had served as joint chiefs of staff.

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Mrs May said: Im delighted that Gavin Barwell accepted the role as my chief of staff.

He has been a first class minister and is widely respected. He will bring considerable experience of the party to the post.

As I said yesterday, I want to reflect on the election and why it did not deliver the result I hoped for. Gavin will have an important role to play in that. I look forward to working with him.

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Former housing minister Mr Barwell said: I voted for Theresa May to become Prime Minister.

I believe she is the best person to heal the divisions in our country that last years referendum and the General Election have laid bare, getting the best Brexit deal for the whole country and leading us towards a brighter future outside the EU.

Im thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as her chief of staff.
Wellwishers gathered in the summer sun to help mark the Duke of Edinburghs 96th birthday.

A message on Buckingham Palaces Twitter site read: Wishing The Duke of Edinburgh a very happy 96th birthday today! #HappyBirthdayHRH.

The Duke, who is looking forward to his long-awaited retirement, was spending his special Saturday privately at Windsor Castle as a 41-gun royal salute boomed through Green Park in central London in his honour.

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The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery rode their horses and gun carriages across the Parade Ground to stage the gun salute.

Royal aides say the Duke is keen to enjoy more of his leisure time when he steps away from the limelight in a few months.

Next weekend, Philip is expected to help the Queen celebrate her official 91st birthday at the annual Trooping The Colour parade.

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After his retirement, he may still appear occasionally at certain public events, but will no longer play an active role by attending engagements, the Palace said.

The Duke joked about his advancing age and retirement when he attended his final Buckingham Palace presentation ceremony for his Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in May.

He told TV chef Prue Leith: Im discovering what its like to be on your last legs.

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Philip of Greece and Denmark was born on the island of Corfu on June 10 1921 to Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg.

His early years were marked by upheaval after the family went into exile following a military coup in Greece which overthrew Philips uncle, King Constantine I.

He moved to England to stay with relatives and study at Cheam Prep School in 1928, before spending a year at Salem School in south Germany, then finally enrolling at Gordonstoun School in Morayshire.

Philip went on to join the Royal Navy and, while a cadet, he caught the eye of a 13-year-old Princess Elizabeth.

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He served with distinction during the Second World War and his friendship with the Princess grew into love.

They married two years after the end of the war.

Within five years, George VI had died and Princess Elizabeth had become Queen.

The Duke, who is known for his no-nonsense approach and acerbic wit, is the longest serving consort in British history and also the oldest serving partner of a reigning monarch.
Theresa May has said she will form a Government to provide Britain with "certainty" and to lead the country into the Brexit talks.

Following an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace, the Prime Minister said she was confident that she would be able to work with the DUP at Westminster in a new administration.

"I will now form a Government - a Government that can provide certainty and lead Britain forward at this critical time for our country," she said.

"This Government will guide the country through the crucial Brexit talks that begin in just 10 days time."

Speaking on the steps of Downing Street, Mrs May said that despite having lost their majority in the Commons, only the Conservatives had the "legitimacy" to form a Government.

"What the country needs more than ever is certainty and having secured the largest number of votes and the greatest number of seats in the General Election it is clear that only the Conservative and Unionist party has the legitimacy and ability to provide that certainty by commanding a majority in the House of Commons," she said.

"As we do, we continue to work with our allies in the Democratic Unionist party in particular.

"Our two parties have enjoyed a strong relationship over many years and this gives me the confidence to believe that we will be able to work together in the interests of the whole United Kingdom.

"This will allow us to come together as a country and channel our energies towards a successful Brexit deal that works for everyone in this country, securing a new partnership with the EU which guarantees our long-term prosperity."
The Prince and Princess of Wales on holiday in Balmoral in 1981 (PA)

Diana, Princess of Wales recorded an account of her struggle with bulimia and anxiety over her relationship with Charles, it has been reported.

Her struggle with the disorder began just days after the Prince of Wales proposed in February 1981, according to a transcript of tapes published by the Daily Mail.

In the excerpts she described how, finding being sick cathartic, she shrunk to nothing in the months between their engagement and wedding.

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She said: I remember the first time I made myself sick. I was so thrilled because I thought this was the release of tension.

The first time I was measured for my wedding dress, I was 29 inches around the waist. The day I got married, I was 23-and-a-half inches. I had shrunk into nothing from February to July.

Then 19-year-old Lady Diana Spencer, she described feeling isolated and intimidated as a royal-in-waiting: The bulimia started the week after we got engaged.

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My husband put his hand on my waistline and said: Oh, a bit chubby here, arent we? and that triggered off something in me.

Diana reportedly recorded the account in 1991 as their marriage began to disintegrate.

Twenty years on from their mothers death, the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry have spoken publicly about their own experience of mental health.

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As part of their Heads Together campaign, Harry told how he sought counselling to deal with his grief.

William said it took him almost 20 years to be able to speak about his mother openly and more honestly.
Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster, center, speaks to the media, surrounded by her party Members of Parliament, during a press conference at the Stormont hotel in Belfast (Peter Morrison/AP)

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said she has received assurances from the Prime Minister over gay rights should the Tories do a deal with Democratic Unionist Party.

Ms Davidson, who is gay, spoke out after Theresa May outlined a plan to seek a deal with the socially hardline party, which has 10 seats in the Commons, to prop up her minority administration.

In an apparent criticism of the plan, Ms Davidson on Friday tweeted a link to a speech she made in favour of marriage equality, with the message:

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Ms Davidson, who became engaged to partner Jen Wilson in May 2016, later told the BBC: I was fairly straightforward with her (Mrs May) and I told her that there were a number of things that count to me more than the party.

One of them is country, one of the others is LGBTI rights.

I asked for a categoric assurance that if any deal or scoping deal was done with the DUP there would be absolutely no rescission of LGBTI rights in the rest of the UK, in Great Britain, and that we would use any influence that we had to advance LGBTI rights in Northern Ireland

Its an issue very close to my heart and one that I wanted categoric assurances from the prime minister on, and I received (them).

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Northern Ireland is the only part of the British Isles where same-sex marriage remains outlawed.

The DUP has repeatedly used a controversial Stormont voting mechanism  the petition of concern  to prevent the legalisation of same-sex marriage, despite a majority of MLAs supporting the move at the last vote.

The party has often found itself embroiled in controversy over its stance on gay rights issues.

Founded on the evangelical principles of the late Ian Paisleys Free Presbyterian church, Northern Irelands largest political party has been repeatedly at odds with the regions LGBT community.

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Their differences highlight Northern Irelands often stark dichotomy between religious-based social conservatism and secular progressive liberalism.

While the party insists it is protecting the traditional definition of marriage, critics have denounced its stance as homophobic.

Going back decades, the DUP was at the vanguard of the failed Save Ulster from Sodomy movement that campaigned against the 1982 legalisation of homosexual sex in Northern Ireland.

In more recent times, former first minister Peter Robinsons wife Iris, then an MP, described homosexuality as an abomination, while the MP son of Dr Paisley, Ian Paisley Jr, said he felt repulsed by homosexual acts.

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A party councillor in Ballymena reportedly claimed Hurricane Katrina, which killed more than 1,500 people in the US, was Gods revenge for New Orleans hosting an annual gay pride event.

In the 2015 general election campaign, DUP health minister Jim Wells resigned amid a controversy about remarks he made about same sex couples.

Defending her partys stance on gay marriage in a recent interview, leader Arlene Foster insisted those who characterised the DUP as anti-gay were wide of the mark.

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They are wrong and they need to understand why we take those positions from a faith point of view and why we want to protect the definition of marriage, she said.

I could not care less what people get up to in terms of their sexuality, thats not a matter for me, when it becomes a matter for me is when people try to redefine marriage.
Theresa May is expected to name the rest of her top team on Saturday (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Theresa May suffered the loss of her two closest aides as they paid the price for the disastrous General Election result.

Mrs Mays joint chiefs of staff Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill resigned amid intense Tory criticism in the wake of the snap election which saw the Prime Minister lose her Commons majority.

In an effort to shore up her position in Number 10 the Prime Minister has sent her Chief Whip to Belfast for talks with the Democratic Unionist Party ahead of the first test of her diminished authority when Parliament returns.

The role of Mr Timothy and Ms Hill as Mrs Mays joint chiefs of staff had been severely criticised by disgruntled Tories in the wake of the election result.

There were also misgivings about relying on the DUP, which strongly opposes same-sex marriage and abortion.

In a resignation statement on the ConservativeHome website, Mr Timothy acknowledged one of his regrets was the way Mrs Mays social care policy, dubbed the dementia tax by critics, had been handled.

The Prime Minister was forced to perform an unprecedented U-turn within days of the publication of the Tory manifesto by announcing there would be a cap on social care costs, something that had been absent in the original policy document.

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Mr Timothy said: I take responsibility for my part in this election campaign, which was the oversight of our policy programme.

In particular, I regret the decision not to include in the manifesto a ceiling as well as a floor in our proposal to help meet the increasing cost of social care.

But I would like to make clear that the bizarre media reports about my own role in the policys inclusion are wrong: it had been the subject of many months of work within Whitehall, and it was not my personal pet project.

But he also set out his concerns about the way the campaign was managed, in comments viewed as a sideswipe at election guru Sir Lynton Crosby.

It said the campaign failed to get Theresas positive plan for the future across or notice the surge in Labour support, because modern campaigning techniques require ever-narrower targeting of specific voters, and we were not talking to the people who decided to vote for Labour.

On the same website Ms Hill said: I have no doubt at all that Theresa May will continue to serve and work hard as Prime Minister and do it brilliantly.

The Prime Ministers former communications chief Katie Perrior, who left Downing Street when the election was called, hit out at the two aides rude, abusive, childish behaviour.

Writing in The Times she said: Mrs May condoned their behaviour and turned a blind eye or didnt understand how destructive they both were.

Mrs May, who was working on putting her Cabinet together, sent Chief Whip Gavin Williamson to Belfast for talks with DUP counterpart Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.

The 10 DUP MPs would provide vital support to Mrs May after her majority was wiped out as the snap election gamble backfired, leaving her with 318 seats.

The Queens Speech setting out the Governments programme is due on June 19, with a highly significant vote on its content expected after a few days debate.

In an indication of the unease within the party about the link-up with the DUP, Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said she had demanded a categoric assurance from the Prime Minister that gay rights would not be affected by a deal.

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Mrs May was working on a Cabinet reshuffle, although the election result makes it less likely she will risk alienating colleagues by making wholesale changes as she cannot afford to have disgruntled former ministers sniping at her from the backbenches.

After speculation the PM would use a solid win to move Philip Hammond from the Treasury, he and other potential successors as Tory leader, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Amber Rudd, remained in place.

With Brexit Secretary David Davis and Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon also staying put, there were suggestions changes could just centre on replacing the eight ministers who lost their seats.

Amid reports senior Tories were sounding out potential replacements for Mrs May, prominent Conservative MP Heidi Allen said the Prime Minister had six months at most left in Downing Street.
Qatar's foreign minister says that sanctions imposed upon his country violate international law, calling the moves by Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations an "unjust siege".

Speaking in the German town of Wolfenbuettel on Friday alongside German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also said that his nation's hope was for diplomacy and dialogue.

He asked: "What crime did Qatar commit to deserve such a punishment that violates international law?"

Mr Gabriel said it was important to prevent any "further escalation" and that Germany was willing to help with any negotiations, noting that other diplomatic efforts were already being made by the US, Kuwait and others - and that he was "optimistic" they would be able to organise talks.
Black smoke billows from several areas of the mosque-studded city of Marawi in the southern Philippines after government aircraft fired rockets at Islamic State-inspired militants, June 9, 2017.

Updated at 8:05 p.m. ET on 2017-06-10

The United States acknowledged for the first time on Saturday that its special forces were assisting Filipino soldiers locked in ferocious gunbattles with militant extremists in the southern Philippines, as local military officials said 13 Philippine Marines had died and dozens others were wounded in the latest firefight.

The Philippine military has been trying to dislodge the militants from the Abu Sayyaf and Maute groups in Marawi city since May 23 and Friday's dawn-to-dusk gunbattle, which also wounded 40 soldiers, resulted in the biggest single-day casualty suffered by the government. The seizure of Marawi by the Islamic State-inspired militants has fueled concern that the ultra-radical group is gaining foothold in Southeast Asia.

Since he took power in June last year, President Rodrigo Duterte has issued statements vowing to end a decades-old military alliance with the United States and, instead, pushed for tighter diplomatic and economic relations with China and Russia.

But on Saturday, the U.S. Embassy in Manila confirmed that the Philippines sought the aid of U.S. Special Forces in trying to solve the siege.

"At the request of the government of the Philippines, U.S. special operations forces are assisting the (Filipino military) with ongoing operations in Marawi through support that helps (its) commanders on the ground in their fight against Maute and ASG (Abu Sayyaf group) militants," the embassy said in a statement.

The embassy declined to discuss other details, citing the sensitivity of the operation.

Officials said a Philippine Marine lieutenant and 12 of his men died in the latest gunbattle Friday. The lieutenant earlier led troops in recovering more than $1 million in local currency abandoned by the militants after house-to-house combat in Marawi, a mosque-studded southern city with many buildings now reduced to rubble.

"The Marines were able to inflict heavy casualties to the terrorist group at the expense of 13 killed-in-action and 40 others wounded-in-action at raging close-quarter combat," military spokesman Col. Edgar Arevalo said.

Three weeks of fierce fighting started when Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, backed by members of the Maute group and militants from Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern countries, staged attacks in Marawi, the country's only predominantly Muslim city and home to about 200,000 people.

Hapilon is the acknowledged leader of the Islamic State in the Philippines, while the previously unknown Maute group has been blamed for a series of bombings in the restive south, including one targeting a night market in Duterte's southern hometown where 15 were killed in September.

Philippine military officials described Friday's casualties as a "temporary setback" and emphasized the government's resolve to raise Philippine flags across the city in the next few days.

Those killed included Lt. Frederick Savellano, who earlier this week led a team that recovered about 52.2 million pesos (more than $1 million) in banknotes believed left behind by the militants.

Savellano was set to marry his girlfriend who is also a Marine officer this year.

Lt. Col. Joar Herrera, the military spokesman in Marawi, said the slain Marines were after a group of gunmen holding several civilian hostages when about 40 enemy snipers, positioned at high-rise mosques, opened fire at advancing troops, triggering the battle.

The militants also placed homemade bombs in strategic areas, causing casualties, Herrera said.

Philippine military officials said the three-week gunbattle has killed at least 120 militants, 24 civilians and 58 troops, including Fridays death toll.

Duterte's greatest test

The Marawi siege has become the greatest test for the year-old presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, who had earlier dismissed the Maute group as bandits who could be easily defeated.

He cancelled an annual gathering of foreign diplomats scheduled for Monday, the country's 119th Independence Day, to meet instead with his generals.

Meanwhile, the mother of the two main leaders of the Maute gang was arrested Friday along with nine others, including two wounded militants, in the nearby town of Masiu outside Marawi, about 1,170 km (730 miles) south of Manila, police said.

Ominta Romato Maute, also known as Farhana, was arrested while allegedly attempting to purchase vehicles and firearms to help militants escape, police said. They said troops also seized several high-powered firearms and an improvised bomb during Omintas arrest. Details of the arrest were not immediately available.

Omintas husband, Cayamora Maute, and several other companions were arrested on Tuesday while trying to enter the southern city of Davao.

Soldiers help Philippine Marines wounded in a fierce gunbattle with Islamic State-linked militants in the southern city of Marawi, June 9, 2017. [Richel V. Umel/BenarNews]

This version clarifies information in the headline.
moodboard/Thinkstock(DALLAS, Pa.) -- Authorities in Pennsylvania have confirmed Friday that the "Andrew Blaze" (@EGSAndrew) Twitter account belongs to the man who fatally shot three grocery store coworkers in Wyoming County this week, before turning the gun on himself.



Randy Robert Stair, 24, of Dallas, Pennsylvania, is believed by authorities to have created "different alter egos" in social media and his various accounts may have been following one another, according to Jeff Mitchell, the county's district attorney.



Mitchell also said that Stair had posted a tremendous amount of information online -- journals and videos -- documenting troubling thoughts and plans. Authorities said social media posts included videos of Stair firing and brandishing weapons as well as praising the Columbine killers. One video described his plans for the grocery store massacre in intricate detail.



"This is an individual who was deeply disturbed," Mitchell said. "We need to figure out how and why this happened."



Despite Stair's posts on Twitter and on YouTube, Mitchell said authorities had so far learned of no one who had raised a red flag, had responded to any posts trying to talk Stair out of anything or had warned anyone about his plot. However, according to The Associated Press, a 42-minute film about a violent massacre was posted by Stair, Mitchell said, about the time of the killings.



Around 12:50 a.m. Thursday, Stair pulled two shotguns from a duffel bag and fatally shot three co-workers at Weis Markets, police said. He'd been working an overnight shift since 11 p.m. Wednesday. Mitchell said Friday that Stair also shot up the store, firing "almost 60 shots."



Police said he fatally shot himself in the head. The store was closed to the public at the time of the shooting. One coworker managed to escape the store and called 911, police said. No one else was found inside.



"I'm grieving because these are my friends. I've been around them forever. This is the saddest thing I could ever imagine, something like this happening here," friend Tracy Klepacz told ABC affiliate WNEP-TV.



The victims were identified as Terry Lee Sterling, 63; Victoria Todd Brong, 26; and Brian Hayes, 47, police said.



Autopsies were conducted this morning. The investigation continued both at the scene and online.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
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Greece will stand on its own feet in 2018

Von: KAI WEISE

Another Greek debt crisis! Athens needs new rescue money, but because of the squabble about debt relief, the 7 billion euros in loans from its current bailout program were blocked.

Klaus Regling, head of the European Stability Mechanism bailout fund, talks about Greeces debt crisis with BILD.

BILD: Are you not making any progress on the Greek bailout program?

Klaus Regling: Indeed, progress on the path to success has taken longer than necessary. But there is progress! I will give you a spectacular example: Last year, Greece achieved a budget surplus of 0.7 per cent, which is almost as much as Germanys budget surplus of 0.8 per cent. In 2009, Greeces budget deficit stood at 15.6 per cent. Austerity measures have helped Greece to achieve a surplus at high level. Employment in the public sector was reduced by one-fourth. Wages and pensions were slashed by one-third. The pension and income tax systems were reformed.

Lesen Sie auch

But, time and again, the Greeks are engaging in political game playing, maneuvering and trickery

Regling: Thats true. Progress, however, has been achieved. If Greece had not marched in the wrong direction in 2015 under former Finance Minister Varoufakis, the country would be on its own feet today.

Seriously, on its own feet?

Regling: Yes! If Greece remains committed to reforms, it will be able to issue its first sovereign bonds this year or by 2018 at the latest. The previous government managed the same feat in 2014. Back then, the investors were convinced that the country made progress in economic reforms.

Lesen Sie auch

But instead, the spat with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is escalating. Do you need the IMF to be part of the bailout anyway?

Regling: In 2010, when Greeces debt crisis began, the Europeans needed the knowhow and the money of the IMF to be able to deal with the crisis. Today, the Europeans can shoulder a possible future rescue package without the help of the IMF. I assume, though, that the IMF will participate in Greeces current program.

So far, they have not wanted to participate and are basing its participation on a debt relief for Greece. IMFs chief Christine Lagarde wants to push a discussion on debt relief for Greece to 2018!

Regling: It will be a good decicision, if Lagardes proposal paves the way for payment of the next ESM credit tranche. Further delays, however, would be ill-advised for Greece and the Monetary Union.
The 2018 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, released yesterday, 8 June 2017, include nine South African universities in its African list of 18 institutions. University of Cape Town (UCT) remains at the top of that ranking, at position 191 and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) has improved its place to enter the top 650.

UCT rises in employer rankings

UCT performs among the top 20% of the almost 1,000 institutions evaluated in the QS rankings and remains the top university in Africa.

It is encouraging that UCT is holding firm in the current uncertain climate of the higher education system in South Africa and in a highly competitive global arena, says Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, deputy vice-chancellor for Research and Internationalisation at UCT. While rankings are an imperfect measure of the quality of a university, it remains important for the country and the continent that we continue to produce excellent research and teaching, and are seen to do so.

QS uses six indicators to build a universitys overall score; academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty, faculty-to-student ratio, international staff ratio and international student ratio. UCTs performance across these indicators was varied, but its strongest performance was in the academic reputation indicator, which is based on a global survey. This is by far the most heavily weighted indicator, 40% of the overall score and suggests that UCTs international reputation among leading academics remains steady.

The university rose 43 places in the employer reputation indicator, which is based on the views of employers from around the world as to which institutions provide the best graduates. Some of this improvement can be attributed to a shift in weighting of international and domestic employers. Previously, QS applied a weighting of 70% for international responses and 30% for domestic ones, but a new refinement has shifted this ratio to 50:50 because a larger proportion of responses are now from domestic employers, who typically have a better knowledge of local institutions.

Youngest ranked university

The 12-year-old UJ is the youngest of all ranked universities in South Africa and has moved into the fifth ranking position nationally in the category 601-650). It is the only one of these top five universities in South Africa that has achieved this distinction without the benefit of a medical school.

Based on six performance indicators, related to global reputation, research output and quality, internationalisation, and teaching and learning; UJs overall score was achieved, in part, by its improvement in employer reputation, as well as by its increased complement of international staff and students.

UJ outperformed the South African average for participating universities in four of the six indicators, namely, employer reputation, staff-to-student ratio, international staff and international students. The scores for international students and employer reputation indicators show the highest improvement from 2016 to 2017.

UJ is pleased with the recognition of its performance, which serves as an affirmation of UJs strategic commitment to being locally responsive whilst maintaining global competitiveness.

Other university rankings

Three other African universities were included in the top 400  Stellenbosch University at 361, the University of the Witwatersrand at 364 and The American University in Cairo at 395. The other South African universities are University of Pretoria (501-550); Rhodes University and University of KwaZulu-Natal (701-750); Northwest University and University of Western Cape (801-1000).

For more information, go to www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2018.
9 Natural Ways To Use Kiwi For Healthy Skin & Hair Skin Care lekhaka-Amruta Agnihotri

It is no secret that fruits have a major impact on our skin and hair. They constantly provide us with the much-needed nourishment and nutrients that are beneficial for our skin and hair. Including fruits in our daily can be great for your hair care needs.

Fruits help to strengthen your hair and give you soft and glowing skin. They also ensure that you skin and hair get the necessary nutrients from time to time when you consume fruit juice, eat raw fruits, or use them topically. [1] Speaking of fruits, have you ever tried using kiwi for skin and hair care? If not, you must try it today as it has a lot of benefits to offer.

Listed below are some amazing benefits of kiwi for skin and hair and the ways to use them:

How To Use Kiwi For Skin?

1. Boosts collagen production

Kiwi is good for skin as it is rich in Vitamin C which will help in this process. Vitamin C helps the body to produce collagen. Besides, olive oil contains antioxidants that prevent premature ageing and also boost collagen levels of your skin.[2]

Ingredients

1 tbsp kiwi pulp

1 tbsp olive oil

How to do

Combine both the ingredients in a bowl.

Apply the mixture to your face.

Leave it on for about 20 minutes or until it dries completely.

Wash it off with lukewarm water.

Repeat this once or twice a week for the desired result.

2. Prevents premature ageing

The increase of antioxidants in the body will help with delaying the ageing process in the body. Antioxidants will help with the neutralizing the free radicals which damage the healthy cells this will change the texture of the skin including its thickness, elasticity and firmness. Kiwi benefits for skin as it has substances that fight the free radicals. On the other hand, avocados contain vitamin E that protects the skin from free radical damage.

Ingredients

2 tbsp kiwi pulp

2 tbsp avocado pulp

How to do

Mix both the ingredients in a bowl until you get a consistent paste.

Apply the mixture to your face.

Leave it on for about 20 minutes.

Wash it off with cold water.

Repeat this once or twice a week for the desired result.

3. Fights acne and pimples

The AHAs and anti- inflammatory properties of the kiwi fruit help to fight acne and also prevent your skin from other breakouts. On the other hand, lemon contains antibacterial properties that keep acne and pimples at bay. [3]

Ingredients

2 tbsp kiwi pulp

2 tbsp lemon juice

How to do

Combine both the ingredients in a bowl.

Apply the mixture to your face and leave it for about 20 minutes.

Wash it off with cold water.

Repeat this once a day for the desired result.

4. Prevents dryness

Kiwi contains vitamin C in abundance which helps to heal cuts and also is good to prevent rough and dry skin.

Ingredients

1 tbsp kiwi pulp

1 tbsp aloe vera gel

How to do

Mix both the ingredients in a bowl.

Apply the mixture to your face and leave it for about 20 minutes.

Wash it off with cold water.

Repeat this once a day for the desired result.

5. Gives you soft and glowing skin

Kiwi is rich in vitamin C and vitamin E. Apart from that, it also contains a lot of antioxidants that are beneficial for your skin. Besides, turmeric contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce blemishes and dark spots, thus giving you glowing skin. [5]

Ingredients

1 tbsp kiwi pulp

1 tbsp turmeric

1 tbsp rosewater

How to do

In a bowl, add both the ingredients and mix them together.

Apply the mixture to your face and leave it for about 20 minutes.

Wash it off with cold water.

Repeat this once a day for the desired result.

How To Use Kiwi For Hair?

1. Fights hair loss

Kiwi contains vitamins E and C that help to fight hair loss and maintain hair health. [4]

Ingredients

1 tbsp kiwi pulp

1 tbsp coconut oil

How to do

Blend some kiwi pulp and coconut oil together in a bowl

Apply it evenly on your hair.

Let it stay for about 30 minutes and then wash it off with your regular shampoo-conditioner.

Repeat this once a week for the desired result.

2. Prevents hair breakage

Ingredients

1 tbsp kiwi pulp

1 tbsp coconut oil

How to do

Mix some watermelon juice and coconut oil in a bowl.

Take a generous amount of the mixture and gently apply it to your hair - from roots to tips.

Put on a shower cap and leave it on for about an hour.

Wash it off with your regular shampoo and conditioner.

Repeat this once a week for the desired result.

3. Prevents premature greying of hair

Kiwi contains a high content of copper that helps in preventing premature greying of hair.

Ingredients

1 tbsp kiwi pulp

1 tbsp henna powder

How to do

Combine both the ingredients to make a mixture.

Take a generous amount of the mixture and apply it to your hair and scalp.

Cover your head with a shower cap and allow the mixture to stay for about half an hour.

Wash it off with your regular shampoo and conditioner and allow your hair to air dry.

Repeat this once a week for the desired result.

4. Combats dryness

Dry and rough hair can be a pain, but with a kiwi hair mask, you do not need to worry. It contains omega-3 fatty acids that hydrate your hair.

Ingredients

2 tbsp kiwi pulp

2 tbsp honey

How to do

Mix some kiwi pulp and honey in a bowl.

Take a generous amount of the mixture and gently apply it to your hair - from roots to tips.

Put on a shower cap and leave it on for about an hour.

Wash it off with your regular shampoo and conditioner.

Repeat this once a week for the desired result.

View Article References [1] Lee, C. C., Lee, B. H., & Wu, S. C. (2014). Actinidia callosa peel (kiwi fruit) ethanol extracts protected neural cells apoptosis induced by methylglyoxal through Nrf2 activation.Pharmaceutical biology,52(5), 628-636. [2] Lin, T. K., Zhong, L., & Santiago, J. L. (2017). Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils.International journal of molecular sciences,19(1), 70. [3] Kim, D. B., Shin, G. H., Kim, J. M., Kim, Y. H., Lee, J. H., Lee, J. S., ... & Lee, O. H. (2016). Antioxidant and anti-ageing activities of citrus-based juice mixture.Food chemistry,194, 920-927. [4] Goluch-Koniuszy Z. S. (2016). Nutrition of women with hair loss problem during the period of menopause.Przeglad menopauzalny = Menopause review,15(1), 5661. [5] Vaughn, A. R., Branum, A., & Sivamani, R. K. (2016). Effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on skin health: A systematic review of the clinical evidence.Phytotherapy Research,30(8), 1243-1264.
1. Lose excess weight If you are overweight or obese, you are at a risk of developing high blood pressure. In fact, your blood pressure elevates as your body weight increases. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference are used to determine if someone is overweight or obese. If you have a BMI of 25 to 29.9 you are overweight and BMI greater than 30 is considered obese [2]. Try losing 5 kg of your weight to help lower blood pressure [3]. wellness 18 Unhealthy Ways To Lose Weight

2. Practice exercise daily Studies have shown that performing exercise regularly can lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. Regular, medium to high-intensity aerobic activity has been shown to lower blood pressure by 11/5 mm Hg in people with high blood pressure [4]. Exercise daily for 30 to 60 minutes, you can start with simple exercises such as walking, swimming, running or biking [5].

3. Lower your salt intake Consumption of salt in excessive amounts increases the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Add less salt in your diet while cooking, avoid eating at restaurants so often and eat fewer processed foods. In this way, you can treat or prevent high blood pressure [6]. The World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended consumption of salt for adults is 2 g sodium per day (equivalent to 5 g salt per day) [7].

4. Stop smoking People who smoke a lot are more likely to develop severe forms of high blood pressure and heart disease risk. So, if you have high blood pressure, stop smoking immediately to lower the risk. disorders-cure Common Blood Pressure Drug May Increase Heart Attack Risk

5. Reduce alcohol consumption Drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol can raise blood pressure levels and also reduce the effectiveness of certain blood pressure medications. The American Heart Association recommends drinking no more than two drinks per day for males and for females no more than one drink per day [8].

6. Follow the DASH diet The Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension or DASH diet can lower blood pressure naturally. The DASH diet consists of eating fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products and foods which are low in saturated fat, total fat and cholesterol. Following a DASH diet can also reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol [9].

7. Lower your stress If you are taking too much of stress, it will elevate your blood pressure levels. Identify what triggers your stress such as job, family, finances or illness. Once you know what is causing you to stress more often, you can try practising different relaxation techniques such as mediation or yoga that will help relieve your stress. wellness Do You Know These 9 Foods That Increase Blood Pressure?

8. Eat dark chocolate A study conducted in participants from various regions of Jordan found that consumption of dark chocolate was linked to a significant reduction in blood pressure levels irrespective of the age or family history of the individual [10].

9. Have probiotics Studies have pointed out that having probiotics can significantly reduce systolic blood pressure by -3.56 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by -2.38 mm Hg. So, include probiotics as a part of your diet to maintain healthy blood pressure levels [11].

10. Monitor your blood pressure Consult your doctor regularly to keep your blood pressure levels under control. Also, check with your doctor how often you need to monitor your blood pressure levels at home. In this way, you can keep blood pressure under control.

11. Limit your caffeine intake Cut down on your caffeine intake as drinking more than four cups of coffee per day may increase your blood pressure levels. Talk to your doctor about the effects of caffeine on your blood pressure levels.

12. Cut back on sugar intake As per a study, reduced consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and sugars was significantly linked to lowering blood pressure levels. Consuming excess sugar-sweetened beverages increases the risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus [12].
PR Newswire

MAYWOOD, Ill., June 9, 2017

MAYWOOD, Ill., June 9, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Grateful for the life-saving care they received at Loyola Medicine, Peter and Heidi Huizenga have made a generous gift to further oncology research and to honor Kathy Albain, MD, FACP, FASCO.

The gift will fund the Huizenga Family Endowed Chair in Oncology Research at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Dr. Albain is the first professor to hold the chair.

"The appointment to a named and endowed chair is among the highest academic recognitions for a University faculty member. Dr. Albain is an accomplished clinician scientist who is dedicated to improving human health, and we are thrilled to be presenting her with this most deserving honor," said Margaret Faut Callahan, CRNA, PhD, FNAP, FAAN, provost, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division.

An investiture ceremony for Dr. Albain was held May 31 at Loyola University Chicago's Center for Translational Research and Education in Maywood.

The gift will enable Dr. Albain to devote more time to cancer research, said Larry M. Goldberg, president & CEO of Loyola University Health System. "This gift also is in recognition of the outstanding contributions Dr. Albain has made as a physician, researcher, teacher and mentor."

Mrs. Huizenga credits Dr. Albain for successfully treating her for cancer and twice saving her life. First, in 2003, Dr. Albain diagnosed and treated Mrs. Huizenga for breast cancer. In a follow-up exam two years later, Dr. Albain discovered tumors in Mrs. Huizenga's neck, which proved to be an indolent form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In 2008, an inoperable tumor was found on the optic nerve of Mrs. Huizenga's eye. The tumor could not be biopsied, but Dr. Albain's earlier diagnosis helped identify the growth as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The cancer was treated successfully by Patrick Stiff, MD, director of Loyola's Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center.

Dr. Albain has become Mrs. Huizenga's close friend as well as her physician.

"Kathy treats the body and nurtures the human spirit," Mrs. Huizenga said. "She takes time with each patient, listens to their concerns and makes the correct diagnosis. Dr. Albain carries this dedication, thoroughness and work ethic into her research. Her strong Christian commitment also is very evident in her professional life."

Peter Huizenga added, "Heidi and I are very pleased to support Dr. Albain's contributions in research and medical services. The endowed chair provides her with the recognition and resources she so richly deserves. She has been a great help to me as well."

Dr. Albain said the therapies used to treat Mrs. Huizenga were made possible by the type of research the Huizenga endowed chair will fund.

"I'm extremely honored to be appointed to the first Huizenga endowed chair," Dr. Albain said. "I greatly appreciate the Huizenga family's support, both for my research and for that of faculty members who will hold this chair in the future."

Dr. Albain is a professor in the division of hematology/oncology in the department of medicine of Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. She is director of Loyola's breast clinical research program, co-director of the multidisciplinary breast oncology center and director of the thoracic oncology program.

Dr. Albain is a leader in national clinical trials of new treatments for breast and lung cancer. She also studies cancer survivorship. She chaired the Committee on Special Populations for SWOG, a National Cancer Institute cooperative research group, since the committee's inception. Dr. Albain is a member of SWOG's working groups for breast and lung cancer, devoting her career to research in both diseases, and also sits on SWOG's Cancer Prevention and Control Executive Committee. She is a member of the international Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group and its Steering Committee. She served on the National Cancer Institute Concept Evaluation Panel for lung cancer. She was a charter member of the NIH Committee on Research on Women's Health and completed a four-year term on the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee of the FDA, followed by service as a consultant to the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

Dr. Albain is an author of nearly 200 publications in peer-reviewed journals and textbooks. She is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) and a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO).

Dr. Albain was co-valedictorian of her high school and graduated summa cum laude from Wheaton College. She earned her medical degree from University of Michigan Medical School. Dr. Albain completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center and a fellowship in hematology/oncology at University of Chicago. She was granted tenure at Loyola in 2005 and appointed Dean's Scholar in 2011.

Dr. Albain is a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in River Forest, Illinois and enjoys travel, reading and fitness training.

Mrs. Huizenga is a graduate of DePauw University. She has served on the board of Loyola's president's advisory council and has volunteered with many Christian, civic and educational organizations, including Prison Fellowship, which was founded by Chuck Colson. The Huizengas live in Oak Brook, Illinois and have four children and 10 grandchildren.

Mr. Huizenga graduated from University of Illinois College of Law in 1963 and practiced law for eight years. During that time he became one of the founders of Waste Management, where he spent a career as vice president, secretary and member of the board of directors. In 1990, Mr. Huizenga retired from Waste Management and established Huizenga Capital Management, an Oak Brook-based financial services business. He also has chaired and served on many civic, educational and Christian organizations.

Provided by Newswise, online resource for knowledge-based news at www.newswise.com

Jim Ritter, 708-216-2445, [email protected]

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kathy-albain-md-receives-endowed-chair-to-fund-oncology-research-300471895.html

SOURCE Loyola University Health System
The release of Wild Turkey Masters Keep Decades is meant to celebrate Eddie Russells 35th Anniversary at Wild Turkey. According to the companys press release, Eddie used some of the companys rarest and most precious barrels from the center and upper floors of their McBrayer Rickhouse for this release. The label for Decades appears to violate TTB regulations as they require percentages on any whiskeys that lists multiple ages. Decades was originally set to be released in mid 2016, before the company abruptly delayed it until February 2017 in most markets. The exact reason for the delay is unknown. This release shares the same bottle and box design as Masters Keep 17 Year that suggests future release in this series will continue to do so.

NOSE

An expressive and gratifying nose of typical Wild Turkey aromas consisting of toffee, orange peel, and caramel. Oak and butterscotch provide a rich base along with another aroma thats hard to pin down. At times this scent reminds me of a belgian beer, and others, a bouquet of roses. Its faint and a bit odd, but interesting when you get a whiff of it.

palate

The flavors start off quite gentle like Wild Turkeys limited releases often do, before ramping up like the companys popular Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon is known for. The flavors repeatedly bounce from sweeter notes, to oaky ones, before settling on strong baking spice notes. If the sweeter notes were more prominent like they often were with older Wild Turkey releases, this palate would be top notch.

finish

A long finish thats bold with its oak and spice notes. There is a bit of clove, tannins, and ethanol on the aftertaste that counters the better aspects of the finish. Its not overly deep, but the sweet notes are able to peek out from the strong oak front just enough to add a little necessary layering. I just would like to see a little more of it.

uniqueness

Probably the thing youll most notice when you take a sip of Wild Turkey Decades is its boldness. After Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary and Wild Turkey Masters Keep 17 Year coming in under 100 proof, the company finally comes out strong at 104 proof with Decades. Wild Turkey is never one for high proofs, as evidenced by their barrel proof offering the last couple of years at 112.8 proof, but sometimes the numbers dont tell the whole story.



Wild Turkeys barrel entry proof has always been on the low side compared to its competitors. This often results in a fuller flavor at a lower proof and why their 101 Bourbon has the reputation it does for being so bold. Despite this, Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon and their single barrel version of it, Kentucky Spirit, actually tastes watered down compared to Decades. Even though Wild Turkey Rare Breed comes in hotter at 112.8 proof, it cant match the richness of Decades. This might not make it very unique compared to other bourbons on the market, but within its own bourbon family, it definitely stands out.

value

Once again the bourbon boom inflates yet another limited release. Decades comes in less that Russells Reserve 1998s $250 price tag, and thankfully at the same $150 as 2015s Wild Turkey Masters Keep. Regardless of what constitutes the new normal regarding limited releases, $150 is just too much for whats in this bottle. Russells Reserve 1998 might have cost $250 when it was released, but what was in the bottle backed it up and it quickly sold out. In many parts of the country you can still find Diamond Anniversary and Masters Keep on shelves, which is a good indication theyre overpriced. Decades is good bourbon, maybe even great, but not amazing enough to constitute $150. One of my ideal bourbons is a richer, higher proof Kentucky Spirit and while Decades comes close to it, the lack of strong sweet notes keeps this bourbon from reaching greater heights. At three times the price of Kentucky Spirit, close isnt good enough.

overall

A boldness of flavor and a proof to back it up, Wild Turkey Decades is one of the companys better limited releases in recent years.
The Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers are holding their AGM and annual conference in Wicklow today.

Delegates will meet to elect their council members and their president before the conference gets underway this afternoon.
British police are asking Irish people who may have information about the terrorist attack at London Bridge last week to come forward.

In particular they want to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and who witnessed the white van used in the incident, the suspects attacking members of the public or armed police engaging with them.
The story so far: Theresa May has announced her intention to form a government with the support of the DUP, after the UK election resulted in a hung parliament in which no single party secured a majority of seats.

Mrs May's party had 42.45% of the vote while Labour's share had increased by almost 10 points from its 2015 level to 39.99;

The Conservatives 318 seats leave them eight seats short of a (326) majority and with 13 fewer than before Theresa May called the election;

Theresa May has said she will form a government with the support of the DUP, which secured 10 seats. The form of that agreement (formal coalition / confidence and supply agreement) is as yet unclear;

Update 11.11pm: Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said she has received assurances from British Prime Minister over gay rights should the Tories do a deal with Democratic Unionist Party.

Ms Davidson, who is gay, spoke out after Theresa May outlined a plan to seek a deal with the socially hardline party, which has 10 seats in the Commons, to prop up her minority administration.

In an apparent criticism of the plan, Ms Davidson today tweeted a link to a speech she made in favour of marriage equality, with the message: "As a Protestant Unionist about to marry an Irish Catholic, here's the Amnesty Pride lecture I gave in Belfast."

Ms Davidson, who became engaged to partner Jen Wilson in May 2016, later told the BBC: "I was fairly straightforward with her (Mrs May) and I told her that there were a number of things that count to me more than the party.

"One of them is country, one of the others is LGBTI rights.

"I asked for a categoric assurance that if any deal or scoping deal was done with the DUP there would be absolutely no rescission of LGBTI rights in the rest of the UK, in Great Britain, and that we would use any influence that we had to advance LGBTI rights in Northern Ireland

"It's an issue very close to my heart and one that I wanted categoric assurances from the prime minister on, and I received (them)."

Northern Ireland is the only part of the British Isles where same-sex marriage remains outlawed.

The DUP has repeatedly used a controversial Stormont voting mechanism - the petition of concern - to prevent the legalisation of same-sex marriage, despite a majority of MLAs supporting the move at the last vote.

Update 7.10pm: Labour staged a major upset to take the London seat of Kensington by a hair's breadth to end the 2017 British General Election almost 24 hours after the polls closed.

Emma Dent Coad saw off Tory incumbent Victoria Borwick, overturning the former city deputy mayor's 7,000 majority from 2015 by just 20 votes in a large swing to the opposition.

It took a third recount to get the result this evening, with a break having been taken after two early-hours counts to allow staff to rest.

The west London seat, which has had its boundaries redrawn several times, had been in the hands of the Conservatives since its establishment in 1974.

It means that the Tories end the campaign with 318 seats to Labour's 262, eight shy of an overall majority.

Update 7.25pm: British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to head a minority Conservative government - propped up by the Democratic Unionists - after her General Election gamble backfired disastrously.

She announced she was leaving the most senior members of her Cabinet team - including Philip Hammond and Boris Johnson - in place as she began forming a new administration.

There had been speculation Mr Hammond, the Chancellor, would be vulnerable in a post-election re-shuffle and the decision to leave him in the Treasury was being seen as a sign of her weakness after her Commons majority was wiped out.

The result was a personal humiliation for Mrs May who called the election three years before she had to bolster her position in Parliament as she embarked on the negotiations on Britain's withdrawal from the EU.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said she had lost all legitimacy and called on her to stand aside and allow him to form an alternative administration, declaring: "We are ready to serve".

However, Mrs May insisted that, as the leader of the largest party in the new parliament, she had a duty to act in the "national interest" and lead the country through the Brexit negotiations starting in ten days' time.

"That is why I think at this critical time for our country it is important to form a government in the national interest," she said.

"As we are the party that won most seats and most votes, we are the only party that is in a position to form a government that can do that."

I have spoken with the PM. We will enter discussions with the Conservatives to explore how we can help bring stability to our nation. pic.twitter.com/sTjTwJDbKU  Arlene Foster DBE PC #ProudofNI. (@ArleneFosterUK) June 9, 2017

Update 4.30pm: British Prime Minister Theresa May has apologised to the Tory candidates who lost their seats in the general election, adding: "I will reflect on what we need to do in the future to take the party forward."

Update 1.30pm: Speaking of her relationship with the DUP, Theresa May said: "We will continue to work with our friends and allies in the Democratic Unionist Party in particular. Our two parties have enjoyed a strong relationship over many years, and this gives me the confidence to believe that we will be able to work together in the interests of the whole United Kingdom.

"This will allow us to come together as a country and channel our energies towards a successful Brexit deal that works for everyone in this country, securing a new partnership with the EU which guarantees our long-term prosperity.

"That's what people voted for last June. That's what we will deliver. Now let's get to work."

Prime Minister Theresa May makes a statement in Downing Street. Photo: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

It is not thought that the PM has offered a full coalition with the DUP, which was catapulted into the role of kingmaker after increasing its representation at Westminster by two to 10 MPs.

Shortly before Mrs May's statement, senior Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson said it was "much too early" to talk of a formal agreement with a minority Conservative government.

In a humiliating night for the Prime Minister, Mrs May saw Tory ranks at Westminster reduced from 330 to 318 - with one constituency left to declare - while eight ministers were culled from the Government's front benches.

Meanwhile, Labour - which had been written off by critics as all but unelectable - surged to 261 seats, up 29 from its tally in the 2015 election.

Liberal Democrats gained four seats to amass 12 MPs, but lost their former leader and ex-deputy prime minister Nick Clegg in perhaps the highest-profile casualty in a night of stunning results.

Meanwhile, the Scottish National Party retained just 35 of the 56 seats it secured two years ago, and lost its Westminster leader, Angus Robertson, and former first minister, Alex Salmond.

And Ukip leader Paul Nuttall fell on his sword after just six months in the job, after slumping to a distant third place in Skegness & Boston on a woeful night for the Eurosceptic party, which shed swathes of voters to Labour and Conservatives.

Mr Corbyn said it was clear Labour had won the election and indicated he was ready to put forward a programme for government in an alternative Queen's Speech.

"I think it's pretty clear who won this election," he said at Labour's headquarters in central London.

Update 12.55pm: Theresa May has said she intends to form a government that will provide "certainty" and guide the country through Brexit talks.

Following an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace, the British Prime Minister said she was confident that she would be able to work with the North's Democratic Unionist Party at Westminster in a new administration.

"I have just been to see Her Majesty the Queen and I will now form a Government," she said, "a government that can provide certainty and lead Britain forward at this critical time for our country.

"This Government will guide the country through the crucial Brexit talks that begin in just 10 days and deliver on the will of the British people by taking the United Kingdom out of the European Union.

"It will work to keep our nation safe and secure by delivering the change that I set out following the appalling attacks in Manchester and London."

Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Downing Street. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

She said despite losing a dozen MPs in the election, she intended to press ahead with her plans to take the UK out of the European Union and forge a new trade deal with its former partners.

Mrs May faced calls from within her own party to consider her own position after the election, which she brought forward by three years in the hope it would deliver her a comfortable Commons majority, ended with Labour making significant advances.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn urged her to resign and allow him to form a minority administration, declaring: "We are ready to serve this country."

But, after intensive talks with the DUP as the final election results came in, the PM instead drove the short distance to Buckingham Palace to ask the Queen for permission to form a new government.

She is expected to announce ministerial appointments later today.

Update 12.30pm: Theresa May has gone to Buckingham Palace to ask the Queen for permission to form a government.

It comes in the wake of the disastrous snap election which has robbed Conservatives of their overall majority in the House of Commons.

The PM set off from 10 Downing Street with husband Philip to make the short journey to the palace in a chauffeur driven Government car.

The move came after it was made clear that Mrs May has no intention of standing down as Conservative leader, despite calls from among her own MPs for her to consider her position.

It is thought that she is hopeful of striking some sort of deal with the Democratic Unionist Party to allow Tories to continue in government despite failing to achieve an absolute majority in the House of Commons.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has urged her to resign and allow him to form a minority administration, declaring: "We are ready to serve this country."

Mrs May and her husband were driven through the north centre gate and across the quadrangle to the King's door entrance of the monarch's London residence.

Mrs May, wearing Conservative blue, was greeted by the Queen's equerry Wing Commander Sam Fletcher as she stepped out of the silver car. They shook hands before quickly proceeding up the stairs into the palace, shortly before 12.30pm.

The Queen was meeting Mr and Mrs May in her private audience room.

Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Downing Street to travel to Buckingham Palace for an audience with Queen Elizabeth II. Photo: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire

Update 10.45am: Paul Nuttall has resigned as Ukip leader after his party's woeful showing at the General Election.

The Eurosceptic party had been hoping to make gains in Thursday's poll, with Mr Nuttall running a campaign pledging to "ensure there is no backsliding on Brexit".

But after Ukip failed to gain a single seat in Westminster - and with Mr Nuttall coming third in Boston and Skegness - he opted to leave his position, telling reporters: "A new era must begin with a new leader."

He said he had left the foundations for the new leader to build on and ensured that the party was "still on the pitch".

And he insisted Ukip was "more relevant than ever" and would play the role in the coming months of the "guard dogs of Brexit".

Ukip leader Paul Nuttall announcing that he is standing down as party leader. Photo: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Update 10.20am: Theresa May is to ask the Queen for permission to form a government in the wake of the snap election which has robbed Conservatives of their overall majority in the House of Commons.

The DUP has said it will support her government. The DUP won 10 seats, and its support would allow Mrs May to form a government with a razor-thin majority or two or three seats (Kensington has yet to declare).

A Downing Street spokesman said Mrs May will visit Buckingham Palace at 12.30pm today to speak to the Queen.

The precise form the DUP support will take is unclear as yet. Commentary suggests it will be a confidence and supply deal, and not a formal coalition.

The move came after it was made clear that Mrs May has no intention of standing down as Conservative leader, despite calls from among her own MPs for her to consider her position.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has urged her to resign and allow him to form a minority administration, declaring: "We are ready to serve this country."

Theresa May looks on after she held her seat. Picture: PA

Update 9am: The Conservatives have lost the British election and should stand aside for a Labour minority government, Jeremy Corbyn has said.

The Labour leader reiterated his call for Theresa May to resign as Prime Minister and said his party had achieved an "incredible result", putting on more than three million votes and gaining seats all over the UK.

"I think it's pretty clear who won this election," he said at Labour's headquarters in central London.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is greeted by hiis Office Director Karie Murphy as he arrives at Labour Party HQ in Westminster. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

"We are ready to do everything we can to put our programme into operation. There isn't a parliamentary majority for anybody at the present time, the party that has lost in this election is the Conservative Party, the arguments the Conservative Party put forward in this election have lost.

"I think we need a change."

He added: "We are ready to serve this country."

Mr Corbyn said Labour was "ready to serve" as the Government and would not make any coalition deals or pacts.

"We have done no deals and no pacts with anybody, we're there as the Labour Party with our points of view, everybody knows what they are and everyone can see the huge increase in our support because of the way we conducted the election and the comprehensive nature of the programme we put forward."

Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Conservative Party HQ in Westminster. Photo: Rick Findler/PA Wire

Mr Corbyn mocked Mrs May's election campaign slogan that she would provide "strong and stable" leadership.

"She fought the election on the basis that it was her campaign, it was her decision to call the election, it was her name out there, and she was saying she was doing it to bring about strong and stable government.

"Well this morning it doesn't look like a strong government, it doesn't look like a stable government, it doesn't look like a government that has any programme whatsoever."

Asked if there would now be another election, Mr Corbyn said: "Parliament must meet and Parliament will have to take a decision on what happens. When a government puts forward the Queen's Speech, we will put forward our point of view, we are of course ready to serve."

Mr Corbyn said Labour has won a "huge mandate" to challenge austerity.

Asked if the uncertainty created by a hung parliament was good for Britain, he replied: "A hung parliament is what we've been given, it's up to MPs to deal with that.

"We have a huge mandate from a huge increase in our support to carry forward a programme that challenges austerity, that challenges poverty and challenges inequality and gives opportunities for young people, for people in the middle, and gives protection for older people.

"That surely is a very important message that the people in this country, in every part of this country, have given us all today."

Update 7.40am: Theresa May will seek to stay on as Prime Minister and Tory leader despite failing to win a majority after her decision to hold a snap election backfired spectacularly.

As the June 8 poll ended in a hung parliament, with no party holding an absolute majority in the House of Commons, Mrs May pledged the Tories would offer "stability" as the largest party with the most votes.

But Conservative former minister Anna Soubry said she should "consider her position" and take personal responsibility for a "dreadful" campaign and a "deeply flawed" manifesto after choosing to go to the country three years early in the hope of extending her majority.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called on the Prime Minister to resign, saying she should "go and make way for a government that is truly representative of this country".

But Tory sources indicated she would continue in Number 10.

"Certainly that's what's expected," a source said.

The Prime Minister is expected to make a statement this morning.

Update 6am: Theresa May's future as Prime Minister and leader of the Conservatives was being openly questioned after her decision to hold a snap election disastrously backfired.

As the June 8 poll ended in a hung parliament, with no party holding an absolute majority in the House of Commons, Mrs May pledged to offer "stability" if the Tories end up as the largest party with the most votes.

Conservative former minister Anna Soubry said she should "consider her position" and take personal responsibility for a "dreadful" campaign and a "deeply flawed" manifesto after choosing to go to the country three years early in the hope of extending her majority.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called on the Prime Minister to resign, saying she should "go and make way for a government that is truly representative of this country".

Former chancellor George Osborne, sacked from the Cabinet by Mrs May and now editor of the Evening Standard, told ITV: "Clearly if she's got a worse result than two years ago and is almost unable to form a government then she I doubt will survive in the long term as Conservative party leader."

Update 5.30am: SNP plans for a second independence referendum have suffered a major setback as the party saw dramatic losses in the General Election, with former first minister Alex Salmond and depute leader Angus Robertson amongst those ousted.

After making stunning gains in the 2015 election, Nicola Sturgeon's party lost seats to the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

Ruth Davidson, whose Scottish Conservatives ejected Mr Salmond from Gordon and Mr Robertson from Moray, said her party is enjoying an "historic night".

She told BBC Scotland: "Indyref2 is dead, that's what we have seen tonight."

Ms Sturgeon, who succeeded Mr Salmond as SNP leader and First Minister in 2014, admitted she was "disappointed" by the results, but said she would not make any "rash decisions" on her plan for another independence vote.

The Tory success in Scotland is in stark contrast to the situation south of the border, with Theresa May facing the prospect of losing her majority in the Commons.

The First Minister told BBC Scotland: ''This has been a disaster for Theresa May. She called an election clearly very arrogantly thinking she was going to crush the opposition, sweep everybody aside and cruise to a landslide majority.

''Her position I think is very, very difficult. We have to wait and see how things shake out. I've always said the SNP would want to be part of a progressive alternative to a Tory government.

''I'm disappointed at the SNP losses but I'm pleased that we've won the election.''

That was echoed by Mr Salmond, who said the SNP would seek to "build a progressive alliance to take this country forward and to avoid the calamity of hard Brexit".

The former nationalist leader, who was first elected as an MP 30 years ago in 1987, was defeated by Tory Colin Clark.

In his victory speech, Mr Clark said: "The silent majority have spoken. We're proud to be part of the United Kingdom."

Mr Salmond blamed a late surge in support for Jeremy Corbyn's Labour for the SNP's defeat in many seats, with the nationalists also losing John Nicolson, Mike Weir and Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh.

Pete Wishart, who was the chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee in the last parliament, held on to his Perth and North Perthshire seat by just 21 votes, with Tory MEP Ian Duncan coming close to ousting him.

Labour gained a number of seats back from the SNP - with the party making a return to winning ways in Scotland's largest city, taking the seat of Glasgow North East from Anne McLaughlin.

Ian Murray, who had been the only Labour MP in 2015, retained his Edinburgh South seat with a massively increased majority.

The Liberal Democrats also enjoyed success in East Dunbartonshire, where former UK government minister Jo Swinson won back the seat she had lost in 2015.

Mr Salmond said: "The Scottish National Party have lost many fine parliamentarians this evening, and that is a grievous blow to the SNP.

"But overall the results in Scotland show the SNP will have won a majority of seats in this country and a majority of the vote - something which I suspect the Prime Minister would like to be able to claim in the early hours of this morning but may not be able to do so.

"So the SNP might well find itself in reduced numbers in the House of Commons, but in a position of very substantial influence indeed.

"And I know that my colleagues will seek to use that influence to keep the Conservative Party from power and to build a progressive alliance to take this country forward and to avoid the calamity of hard Brexit."

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said her party is seeing some "really encouraging results".

She told BBC Scotland: "Jeremy Corbyn's anti-austerity message has focused on radically changing our country and who it works for, so it actually delivers right across this country.

"The SNP vote is crumbling in their heartlands. Look at what's happening in Glasgow; look at what's happening across the west. It's a very bad night for the SNP."

Liberal Democrat former Scottish secretary Alistair Carmichael held on to his Orkney and Shetland seat.

As he was re-elected, he said the vote across Scotland shows "there's no appetite for a second independence referendum".

He added: "That is an idea that should be taken off the table."

Update 5am: Theresa May has said Conservatives will act to ensure "stability" if the Tories are the largest party with the biggest number of votes, as expected.

Mrs May's comments appeared to indicate she is preparing for the possibility of a hung parliament, after her massive gamble on a snap election backfired sensationally.

After going into the June 8 poll on the back of opinion polls suggesting she was heading for a substantially increased majority, Mrs May has lost two ministers, including the author of her manifesto, among a string of Conservative casualties.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called on the Prime Minister to resign, saying she should "go and make way for a government that is truly representative of this country".

Theresa May was awaiting the real results after an exit poll suggested she was in for a bruising night

After 325 constituencies had declared, a Press Association forecast had the Tories set to win 325 seats, exactly half of the 650 MPs in the Commons but enough to maintain a working majority if Sinn Fein continues with its practice of not taking any seats they win.

A BBC analysis, which also took into account the exit poll which first revealed the shocking scale of the Tories' difficulties, suggested Mrs May was heading for 318 seats.

Accepting victory in Islington North, Mr Corbyn said voters had opted for hope and "turned their backs on the politics of austerity".

The pound plummeted more than 1.5% against the US dollar and 1% against the euro as the shock figures set the scene for political turmoil at Westminster, disruption to upcoming Brexit negotiations and the possibility of a second election later in the year.

Speaking as she was re-elected MP for Maidenhead, Mrs May said: "At this time, more than anything else, this country needs a period of stability.

"If, as the indications have shown and if this is correct, the Conservative Party has won the most seats and probably the most votes, then it will be incumbent on us to ensure that we have that period of stability and that is exactly what we will do."

The humiliating result facing Mrs May sparked questions about her future as PM and Conservative leader, after she took the fateful decision to bring forward the election date by three years in the hope of extending her Commons majority to bolster her position in Brexit talks.

Former chancellor George Osborne, sacked from the Cabinet by Mrs May when she took office last July, told ITV: "Clearly if she's got a worse result than two years ago and is almost unable to form a government then she I doubt will survive in the long term as Conservative party leader."

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson said the party would hold Mrs May to her campaign statement that if she lost six or more seats she would no longer be Prime Minister.

"Theresa May's authority has been undermined by this election," said Mr Watson.

"She is a damaged Prime Minister whose reputation may never recover."

Mr Osborne said there would be "a very big post mortem coming" in the party after the loss of Treasury minister Jane Ellison in Battersea.

Her defeat was followed by the loss of Cabinet Office minister Ben Gummer in Ipswich.

Mr Gummer was the author of the manifesto which was blamed for driving away older voters furious at its plans to sell elderly people's homes after their deaths to pay for social care.

Labour took Canterbury, a seat which had been held by Conservatives since 1918.

Other prominent departures from the House of Commons included former deputy prime minister and ex-Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, who lost Sheffield Hallam to Labour after 12 years, and the Scottish National Party's Westminster leader Angus Robertson, whose Moray seat was taken by Tories.

Liberal Democrats were celebrating the return of former ministers Sir Vince Cable, Sir Ed Davey and Jo Swinson two years after they lost their parliamentary seats.

And Tim Farron's party took Bath back from Conservatives.

Mr Farron held on to his Westmorland and Lonsdale seat in Cumbria on a much-reduced majority, down from 8,949 in 2015 to just 777 now.

Ukip suffered a collapse in its support across the country following its best ever showing two years ago, with former voters switching to both Labour and the Tories.

Leader Paul Nuttall came a distant third in Boston & Skegness, taking little more than 3,000 votes.

With just 10 days to go before talks on Britain's EU withdrawal are due to begin in Brussels, Mr Nuttall said Mrs May had put Brexit "in jeopardy" by her decision to call a snap election.

"I said at the start this election was wrong. Hubris," he said.

Mr Nuttall's predecessor Nigel Farage said the Brexit project would be "in some trouble" if a Corbyn-led administration took office, and suggested he might return to frontline politics if doubts were raised about the UK's withdrawal from the EU.

He questioned Mrs May's position, saying: "Whatever the true result, the Conservative party needs a leader that believes in Brexit."

Mr Corbyn's party claimed Tory scalps in Stockton South and Vale of Clwyd and took Rutherglen & Hamilton West from the SNP, one of a series of reversals for the nationalists following their historic tally of 56 out of 59 seats north of the border in 2015.

Education Secretary Justine Greening scraped home in Putney, but saw her 2015 majority of more than 10,000 shrink to little more than 1,500.

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said Labour "could form the next government" and would attempt to do so as a minority government if results allowed, rather than seeking to form a coalition with other progressive parties like the Lib Dems.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, often tipped as a potential successor to Mrs May as Tory leader, said: "We've got to listen to our constituents and listen to their concerns."

Mrs May suffered another ministerial casualty as Gavin Barwell lost his Croydon Central seat to Labour.

Mr Barwell, who was housing minister, lost by 5,652 votes to Labour's Sarah Jones.

The SNP's woes increased as former leader and ex-first minister Alex Salmond lost his Westminster seat of Gordon to the Conservatives.

Brexit Secretary David Davis dismissed suggestions that he was a potential future leader, telling the Press Association: "That is behind me, I didn't run last time for a reason - I thought it's for other people now.

"The simple truth is we have a Prime Minister, she is a very good leader, I'm a big supporter of hers. I'll fight tooth and nail to keep her in place."

Tories lost economic secretary to the Treasury Simon Kirby in Brighton Kemptown.

Conservative former minister and prominent Remain campaigner Anna Soubry said that Mrs May must "consider her position".

Asked if Mrs May could remain as Tory leader, Ms Soubry told the BBC: "That is a matter for her. It is bad. She is in a very difficult place.

"She's a remarkable and very talented woman and she doesn't shy away from difficult decisions, but she now has to obviously consider her position."

Ms Soubry made clear that Mrs May must take personal responsibility for a "dreadful" election campaign and a "deeply flawed" manifesto.

"Theresa did put her mark on this campaign," said Ms Soubry. "She takes responsibility, she always does and I know she will, for the running of the campaign.

"It was a tightly knit group, it was her group that ran this campaign and look where we are, for God's sake.

"This is a very bad moment for the Conservative Party. We have to take stock and our leader needs to stake stock as well."
Theresa May received telephone calls from the presidents of the US and France to "congratulate" her on returning to Downing Street.

After the Tories saw their Commons majority wiped out as Mrs May sought to continue in power heading a minority administration backed by the Democratic Unionist Party, US President Donald Trump told the PM he looked forward to continued "close co-operation", while Emmanuel Macron invited her to visit France.
As the sun set over Canberra on Saturday night, Civic Square filled with the smell of food prepared for the city's Muslims to break their fast.

Among the capital's Islamic faithful were members of other religions, invited to join in the post-dusk iftar meal Muslims eat every evening during Ramadan.

Hassan Muhammad serving Egyptian food at Ramadan Iftar on Saturday night. Credit:Rohan Thomson

Muslims are required to fast between sunrise and sunset during the month of Ramadan, which this year began on May 27 and will end on June 24.

The special breaking of the fast on Saturday night was designed as a way for the wider public to meet the Islamic community and share the important religious event.
An ANU researcher was the first to discover a baby southern brown bandicoot in a small population recently reintroduced to Booderee National Park.

The baby is the first bandicoot born in the park in more than a century, and researchers expect there are more yet to be discovered.

A baby bandicoot born at Booderee National Park. Credit:Thea O'Loughlin

But the find happened by complete accident.

ANU Fenner School of Environment senior research officer Chris MacGregor, who is based at Booderee in the Jervis Bay Territory, was trying to trap another of the animals that had lost its tracking device.
It was once a beloved Australian fashion label worn by the likes of Lana Del Rey and Rihanna.

But things are looking grim for the decade-old Shakuhachi, with a second associated business now in liquidation  taking the total debts owed to more than $1 million  and the brand's founder facing possible investigation for trading while insolvent.

The brand has appeared on six of the past seven NSW Fair Trading Complaints Registers, with nearly 200 combined complaints and inquiries related to a failure to supply products, the quality of goods and refunds not being provided.
These tests may return only a very small percentage of positive results, however, the deterrent effect is far greater. A downside is that some drugs  including alcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine, GHB and opiates  are undetectable after one to two days and are believed to be favoured by persons hoping to avoid testing positive. Matt Ford, Crookwell, NSW Recognise the real threat Peace in our time? When US Secretary of Defence refers to the "most urgent threat", he might well be describing Trump's $US110billion arms "deal", dumping materiel into the powderkeg of the Middle East, where Israel has the bomb and seizes every opportunity to poke the hornet's nest that is Iran ("US warns of 'urgent threat' to security", Sunday CT, June 4, p2).

Making the deal with Saudi Arabia suggests amnesia for the fact that their citizens razed the twin towers! Even Americans with short memories should remember Colin Powell recounting to a hushed United Nations Security Council that Iraq has "weapons of mass destruction", and lo, a ring of deja vu, "most urgent threat"! Salivating in response to the dog whistle, it was all the way with the US to "increase the cost of North Korea's behaviour", Maurice Payne panted. Sanctions, historically, impose unbearable burdens on populations outside the elite governing clique. Experience from Iraq bears this out. When challenged about effects of sanctions, in which Australia participated via contributing to the navel blockade, Madeleine Albright said the deaths of 500,000 Iraqi children (under 5) was worth it! If the myth that expenditure on arms could bring peace, why is the world cursed by conflicts, with mind-bending sums, including by Australia, being thrown at the chimera of "defence". Malcolm Turnbull, reputedly a brilliant silk turned investment banker, in times of austerity, with the poor funding the lifestyle of the elite, sinks $89billion, with abandon, on naval "assets", coincidentally as two spanking new $1.5billion ships lie crippled Albert M.White, Queanbeyan Weapons and jobs

Bravo and thanks to Paul Malone for exposing the negative impact of military spending on job creation ("Defence spending not the answer", Sunday CT, June 4). Increasingly, weapons projects are sold to us on the basis of jobs, as if we couldn't create more jobs by putting our tens of billions of dollars into health, education, environmental remediation or a host of other essential or neglected services. Any government that believes that increasing the militarisation of our society is the best way to employ people should at the very least provide evidence to back up their claim; the current government provides none of that. The evidence that exists from elsewhere indicates that military spending (let's call it that rather than the euphemistic "defence" spending) does very poorly in terms of job creation. The 2016 Defence White Paper briefing on defence industry indicated that $195billion would be spent over a decade on "defence capability"; all this to fight wars alongside the US against enemies we create by fighting alongside the US whenever and wherever they choose.

Weapons projects have the serious disadvantage of sending negative signals to our neighbours and contributing to regional instability. As we head for the US-decreed arbitrary, illogical, one-size-fits-all figure of 2 per cent GDP to be spent on preparations for endless warfare, we lose the opportunity to genuinely promote peace in our region, quite apart from all the jobs we lose along the way. Dr Sue Wareham, vice-president, Medical Association for Prevention of War (Australia), Cook Police missed the bus So "federal police officers still describe with awe" ("Power Play", Sunday CT, June 4, p12) the 2008 busing of 10,000 Chinese students to Canberra "to protect the torch". Police should instead be hanging their heads in shame over their failure to protect peaceful Canberra demonstrators from that horde.

Instead of tackling the students head on, police told demonstrators to get lost as they would be given no support. Our taxes at work. Chris Smith, Kingston A sign from God Barrie Smillie (letters, June 4) seems to admit that non-belief is a faith and therefore he is religious. I agree that to be an atheist is an act of faith in itself. It was Woody Allen who said that he would believe in God if only God would give him a clear sign, like a large deposit in a Swiss bank account. Christians believe God gave us a clear sign in Jesus Christ, but following Christ's teaching and example is another matter.
A majority of settlers evicted from a headland shanty town in Port Moresby to make way for a gated tourism and casino precinct backed by Australian property developers have been "simply abandoned", with some now sleeping rough, according to human rights investigators.

Two Australian-run companies involved in moving squatters from waterfront Paga Hill and its foreshore between 2012 and 2014 dispute the numbers of people affected, but charities Aid Watch and Jubilee Australia claim 2000 of an estimated 3000 squatters were given no resettlement and in many cases no compensation, and up to 500 of those could be living on the streets of the capital.

Settlers moved from the foreshore at Paga Hill to the inland site of Gerehu, where they live in appalling conditions. Credit:Aid Watch

They have also raised questions about the claimed success of resettlement programs for those relocated to make way for a gated waterfront estate that the PNG government has earmarked as a likely setting for the 2018 APEC conference of world leaders.

Australia is spending about $100 million to support the Port Moresby APEC summit, with a particular focus on security through the ongoing presence of the Australian Federal Police in PNG.
What if there was a critical medical device sitting unused in an emergency department because no doctor on the shift knew how to operate it?

That's the predicament in many hospitals when a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) offers patients faster and more accurate care, but not all junior emergency physicians know how to use them.

Emergency physicians Bruce Way and Matt Davis check a POCUS scan as they assess the heart of patient David McLean. Credit:Steven Siewert

Senior consultants are skilled in POCUS for time-critical presentations involving seriously injured or sick patients. But when no consultant is on a shift, emergency departments are manned by registrars who may not be appropriately trained, emergency physicians say.

"There's a machine, but as to whether that machine gets used depends on the skill of the staff that's available," said emergency physician at the Prince of Wales Hospital Bruce Way, who ran a POCUS training program for junior doctors at the hospital.
The federal government has reaffirmed its support for the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission after news that the inaugural commissioner's tenure would end in September sparked fears for the regulator's future.

Parts of the sector expressed concern that the national charity regulator's future was again at risk after last week's announcement that Commissioner Susan Pascoe's position would end on September 30.

Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar said the search for the new ACNC commissioner would be transparent and merit-based. Credit:Andrew Meares

The Coalition had previously attempted to scrap the commission, but reversed its position in March last year.

The Community Council for Australia penned an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and delivered to Assistant Minister Michael Sukkar on Friday that called for Ms Pascoe to be reappointed for at least another 12 months.
The Australian Turf Club has fired senior staff and shut down its mounted security operation in the wake of a horse mistreatment scandal.

The ATC's mounted security division takes in donated, retired racehorses and retrains them for life beyond the track. For seven years, the thoroughbreds have been used as horseback security patrols at race days, music festivals and doubled as props-for-hire at private events as well as modelling shoots for television shows including Australia's Next Top Model.

Pleaded guilty: Dennis Mitchell, the Australian Turf Club's general manager of security, risk and investigations.

But after Fairfax Media published explosive allegations that the horses were being mistreated and routinely sedated to fulfil gruelling routines, a Racing NSW inquiry hit two senior ATC employees with a string of charges under the Australian Rules of Racing. Last week, ATC mounted security co-ordinator Michelle Steele pleaded guilty to two counts of improper conduct. Along with the ATC's general manager of security, risk and investigations Dennis Mitchell, she also pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to provide veterinary treatment and a further count of conduct prejudicial to the image of racing. Fairfax Media understands their employment has been terminated.

ATC Chief Executive Darren Pearce said his organisation "acknowledges we must be an industry leader in everything we do, and maintain the very highest possible standards, especially around the care of our thoroughbreds".
It is 4.54pm and Arabic singing announces maghrib, the fourth and second last prayer of the day for Muslims. Patiently, people line up to tuck in to their first meal of the day.

It is the holy month of Ramadan and Armani restaurant in Parramatta is heaving with people: groups of older men smoke shisha in a corner of the spacious restaurant, children run and play, a young couple laugh at a shared joke.

Salim runs Armani restaurant with his brother Mustafa. Salim came with his family to Australia from the Syrian city of Homs in late 2011, fleeing the Syrian conflict. "Ramadan is about family and welcoming new friends" Salim says. Credit:Oliver Strewe

Six years ago, Salim Kricha fled war-torn Homs with his wife and three young children. He is now manager of Armani restaurant and works for his brother Mustafa Kricha who owns the establishment.

"We work long hours, sometimes 17-hour days, but I live above the shop so I can manage", Salim Kricha says between sips of ahweh, a Lebanese-style coffee.
A man and woman have been charged after a stabbing and fire at a Beenleigh home on Saturday.

Police said about 11.30am the pair, allegedly an estranged couple, had an argument at a Sunnyview Street home, during which the woman allegedly stabbed the man in the stomach.

A Beenleigh man was charged with arson, after allegedly setting fire to a house with his former girlfriend and two dogs inside. Credit:Nine News

It will be alleged the man then set fire to the house using petrol, before departing. He then called police and returned to the residence where he surrendered to police.

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said the fire destroyed the house, most of the belongings inside as well as two dogs that lived at the house with the woman and her friend.
Dina Bond's mother, Carol, (left) leaves the Brisbane Supreme Court with a supporter after her daughter, Dina Colleen Bond, was denied bail on a charge of murdering her 22-month-old son Baden. Credit:Jorge Branco A body has not been found, despite police digging up the family's Logan home, south of Brisbane, in 2016, and police do not allege any specific act of violence caused Baden's death. "At best the Crown case can be put as a proposition or put in terms of 'if it was not one of them then it must have been the other' and that's the height of the Crown case," defence counsel Dennis Kinsella said as Ms Bond was denied bail in the Supreme Court on Thursday. Defence lawyer Dennis Kinsella (left) and his associate leave the court this week after a bail application for Dina Bond. Credit:Jorge Branco Taken from his drug-using mum at birth, little Baden returned to his parents' care on October 18, 2006.

Home was a nondescript, three-bedroom house in the lower income Logan suburb of Woodridge, south of Brisbane. Baden was kept locked in the front right room, with windows blacked, filthy and stinking of urine, multiple witnesses told police. "He's not mine, he belongs to them," Dina was alleged to have said of Baden, referencing DOCS. It's alleged Dina said she did not want Baden. Neighbour Sheridyn Daley told police the mum would often say she did not like the boy because he was born with drugs in his system. The mother-of-eight admitted to using amphetamine, also known as speed, just five days before his birth, according to police allegations.

One-time housemate Petah Hegarty went as far as to say Baden's mother hated it when anyone showed him love. "You're not going in there. He doesn't f---ing deserve it," Dina allegedly said before blocking the woman from entering after she heard Baden crying. Ms Hegarty told police Baden would be in soiled nappies all day, in long clothing to cover his skin and she regular saw him with black eyes and a busted lip. A week after she commented on the young boy's "beautiful, curly hair", his parents shaved it off, she said. DOCS officers last saw Baden on March 27, 2007, his last confirmed sighting before police allege he was killed in April or May.

They visited another five times without seeing the boy before Baden's family moved to New South Wales in the middle of the night in August that year, a few months after the 22-month-old's alleged death. Police described the state of the house as "absolute squalor" and Ms Daley said it took 12 small tip truckloads for the Department of Housing and Public Works to clear the property. It took another two months for DOCS to alert its NSW counterpart agency, FACS, that Baden was believed to be south of the border, where the Protective Supervision Order could not be enforced. The family file noted significant child protection history concerns involving drug use, physical and emotional harm and neglect, as well as concern Baden had not been seen for months. On October 17, 2007, a FACS officer spoke with a DOCS officer over the phone and said the department did not have the resources to monitor the family and the case plan was closed by Christmas.

Speaking to police after Baden was declared a missing person, several relatives said they asked of Baden in the decade-long gap between his disappearance and the murder charges but were variously told he was staying with family or back in state care. Police were also given a variety of explanations for where Baden could be as they investigated his disappearance throughout 2016. Eventually, on the day of his arrest, Mr Simpson allegedly told police he left his son in a park by the Logan River on an unknown date, believing he would be found by someone else and taken in. "I came up with this, I don't know, brain spasm I suppose and yeah, I thought, 'oh well' and l went down there and nobody was there and l sat down there for about half an hour with him," he allegedly said, explaining that he did not want the responsibility. "... He looked at me in a real, how do you put it, like he knew what was going to happen, you know what I mean?
Nine News is preparing to enter the battle for regional Queensland, with seven new regional bulletins to be launched during the next three months as part of a $500 million agreement with Southern Cross Austereo.

The new programs will see extra staff sent out to regional locations to gather local news, sport and weather  which will be mixed with state and national news from across the Nine Network.

The new regional Nine News bulletins will be produced through a partnership with regional broadcaster Southern Cross Austereo. Credit:Louise Kennerley

The Queensland bulletin will be anchored by Samantha Heathwood, who will move into a full-time presenting role, and be produced out of the Brisbane studios.

Ms Heathwood said she was "really excited" for the new opportunity and had "wanted to start straight away" after being told of the new role in October.
An internal investigation has been launched into one of Queensland's top cops, after claims of misconduct during the inquest into the disappearance of Daniel Morcombe.

A spokeswoman for the Queensland Police Service confirmed Ethical Standards Command was investigating allegations made against Assistant Commissioner Mike Condon, who oversaw much of the investigation into the missing Sunshine Coast schoolboy.

Assistant Commissioner Mike Condon is being investigated by Ethical Standards Command. Credit:Harrison Saragossi

It is understood the investigation was opened in response to evidence given to the Daniel Morcombe inquest, which was reopened at the request of the Morcombe family.

Parents Bruce and Denise Morcombe had stressed they were happy with Cowan's arrest, conviction and the actions of authorities overall. But they believed some details of the case needed to be reviewed, including aspects of the police investigation.
Queensland faces a "tradies crisis" with the number of Queensland apprentices and trainees dropping 45 per cent over the past four years, latest figures show.

The alarming problem has been highlighted by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland in the lead-up to Tuesday's state budget.

The CCIQ says the Queensland government must do more to encourage young people into apprenticeships. Credit:James Brickwood

And the CCIQ's comments are supported by state-by-state figures in the latest research into Australian apprenticeship training by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research.

Their figures show the number of Queenslanders starting an apprenticeship has dropped from 26,600 in June 2012 to just 7800 in December 2016.
Guitar maker Sarah McKenna, 28, said she's witnessed the "professionalisation" of Carlton since moving in 11 years ago, when there were more creative types in residence. She thinks she and her partner are the only ones left on their street.

Ask anyone who lives, has lived or works in 3053 and they can talk for ages about how it's different to almost anywhere else in town.

Shelley Pratt is assistant manager at RPM Carlton. Credit:Joe Armao

"People aren't being as experimental with the way they are dressing. It's quite classic. All you have to do is walk up Rathdowne Street on a Saturday. People quietly wear well-made branded clothing, rather than wearing emblazoned logos. There's not a lot of diamantes," she said.

Nor is there a lot of active wear on show compared to other suburbs, she said.

"People put effort into looking polished. Not rich, not tanned; just polished. They want their hair to look like they just got out of bed and didn't try. It's looking expensive without looking rich."

Carlton's style, links to Italy and melting pot of students, artisans and professionals has earned it top spot in a list of Melbourne's most fashion-conscious suburbs compiled by data analysts Defin'd, using statistics from the Nielsen Consumer Media View survey and the last Census.
The KPMG findings reveal that child protection workers are failing to identify appropriate kinship carers, conduct assessments or monitor kinship care placements. One kinship carer has been looking after her granddaughter since 2006 The carer, who can't be named for legal reasons, said when her granddaughter turned four, the kindergarten noticed signs of abuse and symptoms of drug withdrawal and called the department. But when the grandmother could not be reached, the toddler was left with an aunt. "There was nothing provided, she was basically just dumped at [my daughter's] doorstep," the grandmother said.

"There was no support. Basically, the child was handed over and that was it. Full stop. Close the door and go away." After two weeks, the grandmother was forced to step in, but struggled to cope financially. "DHHS never informed me of my rights to any financial support whatsoever, it was left up to me to do it," she said. "Basically, DHHS financially abandoned me. I had to go to Centrelink to find out what I was entitled to." Her experience is not isolated. The report found it was "not uncommon for the kinship carers, who are first identified by child protection practitioners to provide emergency care for a 'few nights' to end up providing care for a number of months or years without child protection practitioners routinely revisiting whether this was the most appropriate placement."

The findings also reveal that 16 per cent of child protection staff surveyed for the report said "assessments were rarely conducted before a placement", while another 25 per cent said assessments were conducted only "sometimes". Almost 60 per cent of child protection staff surveyed said mandatory annual assessments were not conducted. The delay or incomplete assessments resulted from the "erroneous assumption" that children in kinship care placements were "safe with family". "These delays breach DHHS guidelines and are likely to impact on children or young people being placed with suitable carers, supports provided to kinship carers, and/or the stability of a placement," the report stated. When compared with government-funded community organisations, DHHS staff were likely to under-report critical incidents, with potentially "thousands of critical incidents each year for child protection managed kinship care placements that are not being reported by DHHS".

"This high number of unreported critical incidents is a serious risk for DHHS and for the children and young people in kinship care placements," the report stated. Grandparents Victoria and Kinship Carers director Anne McLeish said for professionals and carers, the confidence in the kinship care system remained low. "They are just not paying attention to kinship care.," Ms McLeish said. "Many carers are given babies and other young children to raise at a very short notice and without any support being offered. We have reports of kinship carers having to borrow money from other family and friends in order to buy the basics such as bottles and nappies that babies need immediately. "In some cases, it is years before they [the department] go back to see if the carers are coping and whether the children are doing well."
Where does a philosophy end and a religion begin?

"You can imagine how annoyed we were," says Pradeep Raniga, of the day earlier this year when his religion was deemed not a religion.

Pradeep and Pratibha Raniga at the Carrum Downs site of the new RSSB headquarters. Credit:Paul Jeffers

"A close friend said to me, 'I dare anyone to find a group more religious than yours'.

"What we do is beautiful."
A 14-year-old boy has been charged over an attempted armed robbery in Maylands on Thursday after he was apprehended by customers, including an off duty police officer.

The robbery occurred at Coles Maylands on Guildford Road just before 3pm.

Coles Maylands. Credit:Google Maps

Police will allege the boy entered the supermarket, threatened staff with a knife and demanded money.

Police media spokeswoman Susan Usher said the boy was apprehended by an off duty officer and members of the public who were in the store, who helped detain him until police arrived.
Los Angeles: Samantha Geimer, the woman film director Roman Polanski admitted raping when she was a teenager 40 years ago, has pleaded for his case to be resolved, saying she forgave him years ago.

Making her first public appearance at a court hearing in the case on Friday, Geimer, who was 13-years-old when Polanski assaulted her in Los Angeles in 1977, said she had wanted the criminal case against the film director closed for decades.

"I would implore you to consider taking action to finally put this issue to close as an act of mercy to myself and my family," Geimer told Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon.

"Justice is not only about punishment. It's about equity and consideration," she said, reading from a prepared statement.
Only one cabinet minister  transport secretary Chris Grayling  publicly supported her on Friday night, saying she shouldn't resign as she had won the Tory's biggest vote share in a generation. All other senior Tory ministers refused media interviews. Rumours swirled around potential successors, including foreign secretary Boris Johnson, Brexit secretary David Davis and home secretary Amber Rudd. The Tories were irked further by May's omission to mention the colleagues who lost their seats in her Friday speech outside 10 Downing Street  which she had to backfill later in a recorded video statement from inside the building, saying she was "particularly sorry for those colleagues, MPs and ministers who lost their seats and didn't deserve to". The party lost eight ministers in the election including one cabinet minister  Ben Gummer, the Cabinet office minister one of the main authors of the party's disastrous election manifesto. Late on Friday afternoon Mrs May reinstalled the government's five senior cabinet ministers to their existing roles: Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond, Home Secretary Amber Rudd, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Brexit Secretary David Davis and Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon.

They would be the only ministerial appointments made on Friday, Number 10 said, amid reports she had been pressured into abandoning plans for a major reshuffle. The result also heightened tensions between Hammond and May, which had already been uncomfortable after a series of leaks that she was considering replacing him. She was reportedly forced into giving him a greater say on Brexit. On Friday Mrs May said it was encumbent on the Conservatives to "form a government in the national interest", as they were the only party in a position to do so. The DUP is the only party that would realistically help the Conservatives resist a no-confidence motion in parliament. "Our two parties have enjoyed a strong relationship over many years, and this gives me the confidence to believe that we will be able to work together in the interests of the whole United Kingdom," May said.

A few hours later, Ms Foster said she had spoken to May and the DUP would "enter discussions with the Conservatives to explore how it may be possible to bring stability to our nation at this time of great challenge". The DUP is likely to seek more money for Northern Ireland, to compensate for the loss of big European Union subsidies which it says support both the economy and the peace process. And it will also seek to moderate the government's Brexit position, to ensure Northern Ireland does not lose access to both skilled and unskilled labour from the EU  a position interpreted as a call to stay in the Single Market, the opposite to May's stated position. The DUP said the election outcome had bolstered the union, but Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said the collapse of Northern Ireland's middle-ground parties had made a referendum on Irish unity inevitable. Unionists had secured less than half the electorate's backing for the first time in history, he said.

Sinn Fein won seven of the region's 18 seats, a gain of three  though none of the winning candidates will take their seat in Westminster. This has the unintended consequence of propping up May's government, but Adams was clear on Friday they would not be tempted into dropping their abstentionist policy. On Friday there were early signs of tensions over the Conservatives' proposed deal with the DUP. Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, whose party's gains north of the border saved its skin in Westminster, said she had spoken to May and sought a "categoric assurance" that any deal with the DUP would not affect LGBTI rights. The DUP has courted controversy with its opposition to gay rights using 'petitions of concern' in Stormont to prevent the legalisation of same sex marriage, even though a majority of members of the parliament supported the move.

Northern Ireland is the only place in the British Isles where same-sex marriage is not yet legal. On Friday Davidson, who is gay (and on Twitter pointedly mentioned she was "a Protestant Unionist about to marry an Irish Catholic"), said she had told May "there was a number of things that count to me more than party". "One of them is country, one of the others is LGBTI rights and I asked for a categoric assurance that if any deal was done with the DUP there would be absolutely no rescinding of LGBTI rights in the rest of the UK and that we would try to use any influence that we had to advance LGBTI rights in Northern Ireland. "(Same sex marriage) is an issue that is very close to my heart and one that I wanted categoric assurance from the Prime Minister on, and I received." Davidson may also choose to exercise her new influence in Westminster more widely. She has previously indicated she prefers an "open not closed" Brexit.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Davidson would "defy May's plans for a hard Brexit and tear her Scottish party away from English control". However Davidson replied on Twitter the report was "bollocks". Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon was defiant in the face of her party's poor showing, in which it lost 21 of its 56 seats  including former leader Alex Salmond and deputy leader Angus Robertson. The Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all took seats from the SNP. Ms Sturgeon conceded that her push for another Scottish independence referendum had driven away voters.
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.
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is strengthening its nutrition category to cater to health-conscious younger customers in the country.



The company has created three platforms to target this category and hopes that eventually it can add $100 million in business. has also decided to restrict sales to limited stores unlike its usual strategy for new products.



The company wants to transform the portfolio, says Deepika Warrier, vice-president (VP), nutrition, at India.



Quaker Oats Milk is the third launch and the most recent by PepsiCo in this category, which started with Tropicana Essentials followed by Quaker Nutri Foods.



With a combination of oats, milk and fibre, we are excited to pioneer the grain dairy category in India and we believe we are addressing another of our consumers growing demands for healthy options, says Warrier.



PepsiCo claims first mover advantage in this segment dominated by co-operatives, which do not have much distribution strength. The company has signed on Sachin Tendulkar to endorse the product.



These products require different marketing and mindset. It is all about education, creating awareness through various initiatives, says Warrier.



Besides relying heavily on the digital space to create awareness, PepsiCo has joined hands with Subway and a few aggregators to give out samples. New tasting zones are also being created.



The company will initially focus on metros, where consumers are looking at the next level of nutrition.
A disciplined bowling effort from England helped the hosts restrict Australia to 277/9 in what is a do-or-die ICC Champions Trophy contest for the Kangaroos at the Edgbaston Stadium here on Saturday.

Pacer Mark Wood and leg-spinner Adil Rashid were the pick of the English bowlers, with figures of 4/33 and 4/41 respectively as the visitors lost their last five wickets for 38 runs.

Earlier, a 96-run second wicket partnership between skipper Steve Smith (56) and Aaron Finch (68) helped Australia recover from the early loss of opener David Warner (21) after the Kangaroos were put in to bat.

Warner started off on a cautious note before losing his concentration and edging one back off Wood, who tested the southpaw with some immaculate line and length.

Warner's fall brought in his captain Smith, who along with Finch steadied the ship to take the visitors to the three-figure mark.

In the process, Finch got to his 50 off 47 balls and looked set for big innings before an attempt to launch Ben Stokes misfired with English skipper Eoin Morgan completing a smart catch at mid-off.

Australia's decision to promote Moises Henriques to No 4 did not work out as the all-rounder could add only 25 runs for the third wicket with his skipper before falling to Rashid.

Smith also did not last long and fell immediately after completing his half-century off 68 deliveries, which contained five hits to the fence.

Thereafter, Travis Head (71 not out) and Glenn Maxwell (20) added 58 runs for the fifth wicket before Maxwell failed to make the most of the life he got on the same score and became Wood's third victim.

Reeling at 239/5, Australia lost the remaining four wickets of Matthew Wade (2), Mitchell Starc (0), Pat Cummins (4) and Adam Zampa (0) within a span of 15 runs to lose the plot.

Towards the end, Head played a lone hand smacking Ball and Stokes out of the park twice to milk 19 runs off the final two overs with tailender Josh Hazlewood (1 not out) a mute spectator at the other end. Head's 64-ball innings was laced with five fours and two sixes.

Brief Scores: Australia 277/9 (Travis Head 71 not out, Aaron Finch 68, Steve Smith 56, Mark Wood 4/33, Adil Rashid 4/41) vs England.
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft held a public meeting Friday afternoon at Farmington's city hall to explain the states new voter photo identification requirement that went into effect June 1.

The stop was part of Ashcrofts five-day tour around the state to explain and defend the new law that is now the subject of a civil right group filed suit filed Thursday by the American Civil Liberties Union and Advancement Project, a Washington D.C.-based civil rights group, on behalf of the NAACP and the League of Women Voters.

The suit, filed in advance of a St. Louis special election set for July 11, claims the law is an attempt to disenfranchise voters.

Ashcroft stood before a small crowd of about 25 people who came out to hear details of the new law, and laughingly explained that he was an engineer prior to becoming a politician  a move he acknowledged many might consider a step down  but was the reason he still loved flowcharts.

With the new law, that means in any Missouri election held after June 1, you will be asked to show a photo ID before you vote, he said. Before the law, voters would walk into their polling place and either show a government-issued photo ID, such as a drivers license, non-drivers license, passport or military ID.

Voters who didnt have one of those for some reason, could show their voter registration card or an ID from a university, college, vocational or technical school in the state of Missouri; a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document showing your name and address.

With the new law, you can still use those same forms of identification to vote. The law is adding what is called a provisional ballot. In the past, if you for some reason, dont have your drivers license or other form of ID with you, the poll worker could tell you, Sorry. Youre a registered voter. Youre in the right place and at the right time, but because you dont have your ID, your vote wont count.

Ashcroft offered an example of a voting precinct in St. Louis where in the April election poll workers discovered soon after the doors opened that they didnt have the right ballots and turned voters away, telling them to come back later in the day when the right ballots might be available.

With a provisional ballot, this wont happen anymore, he said. If you realize at the last minute while youre in the swimming pool that youve forgotten to vote and you come to the polling place without your ID, you can sign for a provisional ballot.

He explained that for the provisional ballot to count toward the election, either the voters signature will have to match the signature in the voter registry or the voter must come back to their polling place that day and show a photo ID.

Ashcroft explained that any person using a provisional ballot will be given a three-digit number that they can use to contact their county election official to verify that their vote was counted. He also noted that voters using a provisional ballot might have their photos taken by a poll worker to verify their identity if fraud is suspected.

When a person in the crowd questioned the purpose of the provisional ballot, Ashcroft said the same forms of ID that could be used before in a Missouri election will still be usable now. The provisional ballot simply offers another way to allow people to vote who in the past might have been turned away.

Ashcroft also explained that voters without a photo ID will be issued by the Secretary of States office  upon request  a non-drivers license at no charge.

We can help you obtain the documents you need at no cost to you, he said. You may need a copy of your certified birth certificate, certified marriage license, certified divorce decree, certified adoption papers or amended birth certificate, a court order that changed your name, a Social Security card that reflects your name or naturalization papers that prove citizenship.

If you do not have a photo ID to vote, but already possess the necessary documents to obtain a non-drivers license and want one to vote, visit your local license office and request a non-drivers license for voting purposes.

Another questioner said she had read in a newspaper that there were no more than about 50 fraudulent votes cast nationwide in the November presidential election. Ashcroft begged to differ.

Im aware of double-digit incidences of voter fraud just in Missouri, he said.

The person said that double-digit incidences of fraud  which could total as many as 99 votes  would not change the outcome of either a state or federal election. Ashcroft agreed, but said he wanted to make sure all ballots cast in Missouri elections were made by registered voters and not by people attempting fraud.

The questioner then told Ashcroft that, according to what she had read, voter fraud was something that most usually occurred in absentee voting. Ashcroft agreed this was true  and admitted that the new voter ID law doesnt cover absentee voting. It will remain exactly the same as before.

For more information about the new voter ID law, call the ShowIt2Vote Hotline at 866-868-3245 or email ShowIt2Vote@sos.mo.gov for help in obtaining a non-drivers license for voting purposes. For Missouri birth certificates, marriage certificates and divorce degrees, email VitalRecordsInfo@health.mo.gov or call 573-751-6387.
I had told him to not go near the agitators or pelt stones, then why did they kill my young son? He was just running away from the mob, asks 55-year-old Dinesh Patidar.


Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko stunned third seed Simona Halep 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday to win her maiden Grand Slam title and become the lowest-ranked champion in history.

Ostapenko, 20, is the first unseeded player to lift the Roland Garros title in the Open era and the first Latvian major champion in history.

She is the youngest winner since Iva Majoli in 1997 and the first player to win a debut tour-level title at a Slam since Gustavo Kuerten in Paris that same year.

For Halep, bidding to join compatriots Ilie Nastase and Virginia Ruzici as major winners, it was a second final defeat in four years at Roland Garros.

The 25-year-old would have replaced Angelique Kerber as world number one with victory, but Halep was overpowered as Ostapenko blasted 54 winners to the Romanian's 10.

Ostapenko set the tone immediately, disguising any nerves with an array of bruising groundstrokes to break Halep in the opening game.

But the Romanian delivered a swift counter-punch, hitting back straight away on the Latvian's serve before holding with ease for 2-1.

More crisp shotmaking for Ostapenko nudged the 20-year- old ahead once more, but the errors flew off her racquet just as regularly and Halep pulled 4-3 in front.

Ostapenko's wildness betrayed her as she served to stay in the set at 4-5, netting a forehand to offer Halep set point and drilling long to gift the Romanian the set.

The Latvian's mood soured further when Halep escaped from 0-40 down to begin the second set, the third seed then breaking Ostapenko to compound her frustration.

Halep consolidated with a gritty hold for 3-0 before Ostapenko fought off a trio of break points to stall her rival's momentum and spark an incredible comeback.

The Latvian moved level on serve when Halep hooked a forehand wide and then earned another break to chalk up a fourth game on the trot.

The errors crept back into her game and Halep responded for 4-4, but Ostapenko promptly broke to love to leave herself in sight of a deciding set.

She conjured up three set points with a laser forehand down the line, forcing the match to a third set with another sweetly-struck winner.

Ostapenko continued her feast or famine style but watched two break points flash by as Halep withstood a sustained assault.

Halep broke for 3-1 when Ostapenko drilled long, but the latter retrieved it the next game with a thumping return.

The Latvian stepped in to pummel a weak second serve for 15-40, with Ostapenko grabbing a huge slice of luck when a wayward backhand clipped the net and dropped just over for a 4-3 lead.

Halep, who saved match point against Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals, had no response this time and Ostapenko sealed a stunning triumph with another break by hammering a backhand down the line.
The biggest achievement of the BJP's three-year rule was that there were no scams or corruption, Union Minister M said here on Saturday.

"Earlier, there was scam on land  which is Commonwealth Games, scam under the land which is coal, scam in antariksha which is 3G," he told reporters.

"Compared to that (previous UPA regime) in three years of BJP rule there is no scam, no scandal no corruption. The overhead tank is very clean in Delhi," the Information and Broadcasting Minister said after inaugurating a seven-day exhibition as part of "MODI-fest" to mark the third anniversary of the Narendra Modi government.

Stating that India was "recognised" and "respected" at the international level, he said the entire world is focusing on India.

"World economy is slowing down. The US' growth rate is three per cent. In India, it is around seven plus per cent", he said.

The Minister said that earlier (in the UPA regime) there was policy paralysis, but now there is a dynamic leader. "A leader recognised in the world," he said.

"As per a survey, Modi will again be elected as Prime Minister. That is the mood of the nation", he said.

The visit of union ministers to various states to hold review meetings with ministers and officials was a new concept introduced by Modi. Centre and states must work together. "Team India is the concept", he said.

He said he came to Chennai to meet Chief Minister K Palaniswami and the ministers to hold a review meeting and to know the requirements of the state.

Naidu said he had conducted such review meetings when J Jayalalithaa was the Chief Minister.
Goa unit president Shivprasad Joshi on Saturday said many people in neighbouring Karnataka cannot sing the anthem, remarks that could trigger a political controversy.

"People in Goa are patriots. I know many students who can sing complete 'Vande Mataram' unlike Karnataka where many people do not even know how to sing the anthem and they also do not know our fathers," Joshi told reporters.

Goa and Karnataka have locked horns over the sharing of Mahadayi or Mandovi river water.

Praising Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik, whose entry is banned in Goa, he said Muthalik has done a commendable work in Karnataka and he is a protector of women.

"When Sri Ram Sene workers went to the Mangalore pub (in 2009) to make our sisters understand that it is not fair to indulge in pub culture, parents of a girl who was alleged to have been assaulted by the Sene workers, thanked Muthalik. The parents said Muthalik was doing the right job of protecting women," the Sena leader said.

He said though the Sena did not demand a ban on "pub culture", but it is against the "late night affairs outside these places".

"You visit a pub in the night at 12 and you find girls and boys sitting outside and drinking. Is this fair? We don't mind what tourists do here, but when it comes to local boys and girls, it is our duty to educate them," Joshi said.

Responding to a question on the ban imposed on Muthalik's entry, he said the Sena would support Sri Ram Sene if they want to do good work for Goa.

"Even any Muslim organisation wants to come to Goa and do some good work, we will back them," he said.
The Congress on Saturday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for unnecessarily blaming it for inciting farmers protest in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh (MP). The incident came to light after Congress leaders were caught on camera purportedly encouraging party workers and farmers to burn down a police station in Madhya Pradesh.



Farmers in both states have been demanding better prices for their produce and waiver of loans.





In a video that surfaced online, Congress' Shivpuri Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Shakuntala Khatik was apparently seen repeatedly inciting people to accompany her to burn down the nearby police station. As Khatik, allegedly, incited the mob, a police official was seen requesting the MLA to calm down.
The Kerala government's decision to allow liquor to be served in three- and four-star hotels across the state is likely to benefit over 130 such establishments, according to rating agency Icra. The state has over 9,000 premium hotel rooms across 17 of its key business/tourist destinations.

Earlier this week, the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government announced a new liquor policy that grants bar licences to three- and four-star hotels in Kerala, allowing them to serve Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and toddy from July. The new policy effectively overturns a decision by the previous Congress-led government, taken on August 2014, that restricted the sale of liquor to only 24 five-star hotels in the State.
GSTN holds a Review Meeting with GST Suvidha Providers (GSPs) to Assess Readiness for GST roll-out from 01st July, 2017; GSPs advised to continue to visit the GSP ecosystem webpage on the GSTN website (www.gstn.org/ecosystem) for all information, latest updates and guidelines.

GSTN called a meeting with all the GST Suvidha Providers (GSPs) at their office at Aero City in national capital yesterday. There are 34 GSPs that have been selected by GSTN to provide additional channel of filing returns and other compliances related to GST. GSPs are expected to help large businesses with complex and varied internal processes to comply with the GST regime that becomes effective from 01st July 2017. The meeting was chaired by the Chairman, GSTN who heard and assessed the preparations of the GSPs. The meeting was also attended among others by Shri Arun Goyal, Additional Secretary, GST Security Council, who interacted with the GSPs.Of the 34 GSPs, representatives of 30 of the GSPs were present physically and 2 attended via conference call. GSTN presented the timelines of the release of updated specifications of APIs for the new GSTR forms that are to be applicable from the 01st of July. The API specifications will be released in staggered manner for all the GSPs and their partner ASPs so that they can study and analyse the same for making changes in their software developed on old design of returns. Subsequent to publishing of the specifications, GSTN will also make available live APIs on the sandbox for testing of the codes that the GSPs will modify/develop. The dates for the release of the specifications and the Live APIs for various returns for testing/integration were communicated to all the GSPs.

The specifications of GSR-1 return (for uploading the supply data) was released yesterday and the live API will be made available on 29th June. The dates of release of specification and live APIs for the remaining GST return forms were also discussed and communicated. Staggered delivery of specifications and live APIs was agreed by all to manage the changes made in the rules and forms recently. GSTN also published and explained the method and manner in which the GSPs would be able to integrate with the GST System to be able to submit all the return forms on behalf of their clients and tax payers. The requirement of GSPs being secure and in turn ensuring security of the GST system was also highlighted and emphasised. GSPs were told that they must have their systems audited as per the prevailing ISO standard on security from one of the auditors on the panel of CERT-IN before they connect with and start pushing data into the GST System. GSTN advised all GSPs to continue to visit the GSP ecosystem webpage on the GSTN website (www.gstn.org/ecosystem) for all information, updates and guidelines, which are regularly updated. Do Taxpayers mandatorily need services of GSP or ASP under GST? For the convenience of taxpayers, GSTN has come-up with an Offline Tool where data on invoices (business to business), exports, supplies to consumers etc., which are required to create GSTR-1 (Outward Supply Return), can be entered in an excel sheet in offline mode (without being connected to Internet). At desired interval, the tool can be run to upload all such data on the portal. Only while uploading the data on GST portal, Internet connectivity will be required. The Offline tool will be provided free of cost and taxpayers will be able to download it from the GST portal (www.gst.gov.in) from last week of June. GSTN will release the format of Excel in which businesses will start maintaining the data from 1st of July for using the free offline tool for uploading the invoice data and other return data. Taxpayers using offline tool will not require services of any GSP. Similarly those having small number of business to business invoices, like retailers and small traders, can do the data entry on portal itself and they will also not require the services of GSPs.
SATH program launched by NITI Aayog

Furthering the agenda for cooperative federalism, NITI Aayog has launched SATH, a program providing Sustainable Action for Transforming Human capital with the State Governments. The vision of the program is to initiate transformation in the education and health sectors. The program addresses the need expressed by many states for technical support from NITI .

SATH aims to identify and build three future role model states for health systems. NITI will work in close collaboration with their state machinery to design a robust roadmap of intervention, develop a program governance structure, set up monitoring and tracking mechanisms, hand-hold state institutions through the execution stage and provide support on a range of institutional measures to achieve the end objectives. The program will be implemented by NITI along with McKinsey & Company and IPE Global consortium, who were selected through a competitive bidding process.

To select the three model states, NITI defined a three-stage process  expression of interest, presentations by the states and assessment of commitment to health sector reforms.

NITI invited all states and UTs to participate in the program. Sixteen states expressed prima facie interest, of which fourteen made their presentations. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh presented their project proposal to a Committee headed by Member of NITI Aayog, Shri Bibek Debroy and comprising of CEO, Amitabh Kant as well as a representative from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
A rapidly advancing crack in Antarcticas fourth-largest ice shelf is getting close to a full break, according to scientists. It has accelerated this year in an area already threatened by warming temperatures, and is now only about eight miles from the edge of the ice shelf.
Runners and walkers of all ages are invited to participate in the 14th Annual Firecracker Run on June 24. Hosted by the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce, the event normally draws people from all around the Parkland and is one of the chambers most popular annual events.

We typically have anywhere from 150 to 200 participants for this, said Tammi Coleman, the chambers executive director, and we expect a similar if not better turnout this year.

In the past, numerous area high schools have sent their track and cross country athletes to the event as a training opportunity, so the run draws athletes from all around the Parkland in addition to people of all ages  from the very young to the young at heart. Participants can choose to compete in a 1-mile or 5K (3.1 miles) run, or to walk a 1-mile or 5K course.

Along with runners and walkers, volunteers are needed to help ensure the competitors safety. Coleman said if anyone would like to volunteer for an hour or two, they should contact her at the chamber office by calling 573-431-1051.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will be used to help fund the Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Program. Entering its fourth year, every spring a total of $2,000 in scholarship money is awarded to a local student. Eligible candidates are graduating seniors at Central High School with a grade point average of 3.5 or above who plan to attend college at one of the three local campuses  Mineral Area College or the Park Hills campus for Central Methodist University or Missouri Baptist University.

The Firecracker Run, along with the chambers Sweetheart Trivia event in February and, new this year, the Battle of the Badges event in September are the three events that fund the scholarship program.

The race begins and ends in front of Central High School, located at 116 Rebel Drive in Park Hills, with the course taking participants around town, including Main Street, which will be decorated with American flags by local Boy Scouts for the event.

Registration/check-in begins at 7 a.m. on race day, with the 1-mile run and 1-mile walk slated to start at 8 a.m. The 5K walk will begin following the start of the 1-mile races. The 5K run will start after the 1-mile run ends.

Each mile will be marked along the route. For specific course details, check with the chamber office closer to the race date.

As in past years, the Cape Road Runners organization will be the official timekeepers for those participating in the running events. Walkers will not be timed.

The event entry fee for those who sign up during the early registration period, which ends June 23, is $15 per person or $35 per family.

Coleman said up to five people can be signed up as a family for the $35 early registration fee and that the discount is available through the day before the event.

Entry fees for those who sign up on race day is $18 per person. No discounts will be available the day of the event.

Another benefit of registering early is the chance to get a free Firecracker Run T-shirt.

There are still lots of shirts available, Coleman said, adding that the first 150 entrants are guaranteed to receive a shirt.

All ages are welcome to participate. Walkers and runners will be divided into the following age groups: under 8; 8 to 10; 11 to 13; 14 to 16; 17 to 19; 20 to 29; 30 to 39; 40 to 49; 50 to 59 and 60 and up.

Awards will be presented to the top overall male and female competitors and to the top three male and female participants per category in the running events. Everyone who finishes the walking events will receive a participation ribbon.

Participants may register online at business.phlcoc.net/events/details/14th-annual-firecracker-run-7863, or by taking their payments to the chamber office located at 12 Municipal Dr. in Park Hills.

Employees who work for organizations and businesses that offer wellness incentives for participating in healthy activities such as running and walking may want to consider participating in the event.

Coleman said chamber and event volunteers will be happy to sign the forms verifying participation in the run or walk competitions on race day.

For additional information call Coleman at 573-431-1051, send an email to info@phlcoc.net, or visit www.phlcoc.net.
A is taking on the country's powerful Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) over what he has described as efforts to harass and intimidate him in response to his investigative reporting.
Donald Trump will hold his first meeting as president with Russian President Vladimir Putin in July at the annual Group of 20 summit of leaders of major economies in Germany, an administration official said.
A move by four Arab states to blacklist dozens of figures with alleged links to Qatar could squeeze liquidity at Qatari banks which get a significant amount of their funding from the region.
It was 5:15 am when an exhausted Theresa May entered the campaign war room at Tory headquarters to face her demoralised party workers.
Two U.S. soldiers were killed Saturday after an Afghan army soldier opened fire on them in eastern Afghanistan, according to reports

Two other U.S. soldiers were also wounded in the attack, which took place in the Achin district. The attacker was also killed.

This is not the first such attack on US troops deployed in Afghanistan.

In March, three US soldiers were wounded after being shot at by an Afghan soldier at a base in Helmand province.

In October last year, an Afghan man in a military uniform shot dead a US soldier and an American civilian contractor inside a military base in Kabul before being killed.

Most foreign combat troops withdrew from Afghanistan at the end of 2014, 13 years after they ousted the Taliban from power, but about 13,000 NATO-led soldiers remain to help advise and train Afghan forces fighting a revived Taliban insurgency.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Outrightly rejecting calls for her resignation, Prime Minister Theresa May is considering to clinch a deal with the Democratic Unionists Party (DUP) to guide the UK through crucial Brexit talks.

May had been hoping to boost her mandate for Brexit negotiations which are due to begin in just 10 days' time, but hung parliament has left Tories weakened with less seats that fell below the 326 needed to form a majority government.

However, the Democratic Unionist leader and first minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, said she wants to "bring stability to our nation" by backing Theresa May and the Conservatives to continue in power the Guardian reported.

Foster has informed that she was entering discussions with May over the details of any arrangement that would prop up a minority government.

Foster said the election in Northern Ireland, which saw 10 DUP MPs, including two new ones, elected to the Commons, was a "great result" for the union.

Theresa May has said sorry to the Tory MPs and ministers who lost their seats due to her decision of holding elections.

DUP and May's party share cordial relations since she became prime minister 11 months ago and are likely to enter into an agreement so as to stop Jeremy Corbyn becoming prime minister.

"We want there to be a government. We have worked well with May. The alternative is intolerable. For as long as Corbyn leads Labour, we will ensure there's a Tory PM," the Guardian quoted a DUP source.

The Tories won 318 seats, down 12, and will have to rely on the DUP to get things done. If some Conservative MPs desert the party on key votes than May's plans would be left in tatters.

Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, has urged May to resign as he said she should "go and make way for a government that is truly representative of this country".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat attended the Passing Out Parade held at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) on Saturday.

After reviewing the parade at the Chetwode drill square, General Rawat addressed the 67 foreign Gentlemen Cadets from 10 foreign countries and also led to the culmination of training of 423 Indian Gentlemen Cadets.

While addressing the passing cadets, General Rawat congratulated and welcomed them in the team by boosting up their confidence and enthusiasm to work in this field.

"I congratulate all 423 cadets who became a part of the Indian party and want to thanks the families and friends for sending their children to be a part of this. I hope these new members of the Indian Army will maintain the status and reputation of the Army and will make all of us proud," General Rawat told media.

A large number of school children from Dehradun, local citizens and Army personnel with their families and friends witnessed the parade.

The security arrangements in the city and at areas in close proximity to the IMA campus were tightened keeping in view the passing-out parade.

Yesterday, the ceremonial commandant's parade took place at the IMA.

While addressing the Cadets yesterday, IMA Commandant Lieutenant General S.K. Upadhyay asserted that the Army's reputation rested firmly on their (soldiers) shoulders.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Emmy award nominated actress, Glenne Headly has died at the age of 62.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the representatives of the actress confirmed the news by issuing a statement.

The statement read, "It is with deep sorrow that we confirm the passing of Glenne Headly. We ask that her family's privacy be respected in this difficult time."

The cause of death was not given in the statement.

The actress was currently in production on the Hulu series 'Future Man'. She was starring alongside Josh Hutcherson, Ed Begley Jr., Eliza Coupe and Derek Wilson in the comedy, created by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

Hulu also issued a statement on the actress' demise, which said, "We are shocked and deeply saddened by this terrible news. Glenne was a tremendous talent, and an even more extraordinary person. Our hearts go out to her family and loved ones."

Actor Seth Rogen also took to Twitter and gave her condolences by writing, "She was an amazing person. Incredibly talented. Incredibly kind. I will miss her."

RIP the beautiful Glenne Headly. So charming, talented and kind. My first, "movie mom".  Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) June 9, 2017

Her co-star from 'Future Man', Josh Hutcherson also expressed his thoughts on the sad news on Instagram and wrote, "only knew the talented, empathetic, loving, beautiful Glenne Headly for a short time. She was powerful and strong and hilarious. Her eyes brought to life so many amazing characters over the years and her love brought to life a beautiful family. I'm gonna miss her presence, her smile, and the way she made me feel like her son before, between, and after they called action and cut. Grab onto those who make you feel loved. My heart is broken today and I can only imagine what those closest to her are going through. My broken heart goes out to all of you as well."

According to the sources, the 'Dick Tracy' star has filmed five episodes and she is in all five of them.

Creatively, producers plan to work around her and will not recast the role.

Hollywood celebrities like Ryan Reynolds, Sarah Paulson and others also took to social media to pay their homage to the star.

Rest In Peace, Glenne Headly, you brilliant woman...

You were one of the greats. Sending love and strength to your loved ones.  Sarah Paulson (@MsSarahPaulson) June 9, 2017

RIP the beautiful Glenne Headly. So charming, talented and kind. My first, "movie mom".  Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) June 9, 2017

Throughout her career, Headly starred in feature films such as 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,' in 1988, and 'Sgt. Bilko,' in 1996 - both alongside Steve Martin, as well as in 1990's 'Dick Tracy' with Warren Beatty and in 1995's 'Mr. Holland's Opus' with Richard Dreyfus.

She played the mom to Joseph Gordon-Levitt's titular character in 2013's 'Don Jon'.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has promised to continue supporting Qatar amid a diplomatic row engulfing that Gulf state.

"Now, there are ones who are bothered because of us being together with our Qatari brothers or sending and exporting food supplies, drugs etc - no matter if they are in hunger or thirst - should excuse us. We will continue to give all our support to Qatar," Russian Today quoted Erdogan, as saying at an iftar with members of his Justice and Development (AK) Party in Istanbul.

Erdogan said he had never witnessed Doha supporting terrorism, adding Turkey "will continue to give all kinds of support to Qatar".

The Turkish leader has urged Saudi Arabia to reduce tensions and lift sanctions. However, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the U.A.E. in a collective statement has accused 59 individuals and 12 charity organizations in Qatar of being "linked to terror"

"It is wrong to add more troubles on top of everything in the term that the Muslim is already struggling with a lot of problems," Turkish president said. "I am calling you: There won't be any winners in the brother's fight."

"You have to work for bringing brothers together. This is what we expect from Saudi, the Custodian of the Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina," Erdogan added.

Erdogan has called for dialogue and negotiation among members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to ease the unprecedented diplomatic crisis that has erupted after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt severed diplomatic ties and traffic links with resource-rich emirate, accusing Doha of sponsoring and funding terrorist organizations.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who initially offered to host a White House meeting to resolve the prevailing Gulf crisis, also attacked Doha, accusing the monarchy of sponsoring terrorism. In a call with Qatari Emir Tameem Bin Hamad Al Thani on Wednesday, the President offered to help the parties resolve their differences, including through a meeting at the White House if necessary, according to a White House statement.

But on Friday, Trump said ,"Doha has "historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level... the time had come to call on Qatar to end its funding - they have to end that funding - and its extremist ideology."

Rejecting to comply with Saudi demands which were delivered by a Kuwaiti envoy, Qatar said Doha is willing and prepared to be isolated "forever" as long as foreign powers don't interfere with its sovereignty or foreign policy.

Turkey's parliament passed legislation on Wednesday permitting the deployment of troops to a Turkish military base in Qatar. Ankara will also train the Qatari police force.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) president Bimal Gurung on Saturday said the party has decided to go on an indefinite strike from Monday demanding a separate state of 'Gorkhaland'.

"We will go on strike from Monday. Bengal government takes so much revenue from us but it only encroach our territory. We want our Gorkahland and will not negotiate on this matter. We will not do any violence. We have also written to Home Minister Rajnath Singh apprising him as to how West Bengal suppresses us," Gurung told ANI.

Meanwhile, GJM general secretary Roshan Giri said that an all party meeting has been called on June 13 to discuss the matter.

"Offices of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, Bengal government and Central Government will be closed from Monday. Court will be open. Banks will be open on Monday and Thursday. School and colleges have been exempted from bandh. We appealed to put all sign boards in Darjeeling, Kerseong, Kalimpong, Mirik and other places in Nepali and English," Giri told ANI.

He further said a delegation will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister demanding Gorkhaland movement.

Earlier in the day, Gurung asked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee not to do or promote 'divisive' politics in the state.

"I request Mamta Banerjee that she is a chief minister and she must not do divisive politics. Her dictatorial politics will find a place in the Guinness book soon," Gurung told ANI.

He assured that the GJM will talk to the Centre as the state government is trying to suppress Gorkhaland for her own political interest.

"We will talk to the Centre and will send a letter to Prime Minister and Home Minister as well regarding all the atrocities. The state government is doing to suppress Gorkhaland for her own political interest," he said.

Yesterday, a PIL has been filed in the Calcutta High Court against the bandh called by GJM in Darjeeling, declaring it to be 'unconstitutional and illegal'.

The matter will be brought up for hearing next week.

However, the Chief Minister branded the incident of the GJM protest as 'abhorrent' and appealed to the people of the region to maintain peace.

The GJM supporters are protesting against the alleged imposition of Bengali in the schools of the hills.

The agitation arose from an announcement made by Mamata Banerjee last week that Bengali would be taught compulsorily up to Class 10 in the state schools.

After the GJM cadres clashed with the police following their protests against Mamata's visit to Darjeeling and her decision to make Bengali compulsory in syllabus of schools across the state, the Army was called in to control the situation yesterday.

According to reports, the protest led by the GJM turned violent after protesters resorted to vandalism as they torched police vehicles and attacked policemen.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat on Saturday said that women would first be inducted into the military police before considering other options in the armed force for them.

"Firstly, we will start with women as military police jawans, will take next step after success," General Rawat told media after attending a Passing out Parade (PoP) ceremony here.

"Because many times, when people go to the operation, we have to face the people and many a times ladies come in front of us," he said.

Reportedly, General Rawat had announced a few days back that soon the Indian Army would be considering women for combat roles.

General Rawat said that the process to allow women in combat roles is ongoing and they will be recruited for positions in the military police.

Presently, women are only being recruited into selective areas of the army like medical, legal, educational, signals and engineering wings.

According to reports, India will be joining countries like Germany, Australia, Canada, the United States, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden and Israel that have already allowed women in combat roles in their army.

Last year, in a major step forward, Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh became the first women fighter pilots to be formally commissioned by the Indian Air Force.

Answering a question on the ongoing unrest in Kashmir, General Rawat claimed youth in the valley are being instigated through a campaign of misinformation on social media.

"Youth in Kashmir are being instigated by a misinformation campaign on social media," he said.

On June 8, General Rawat said the situation in Kashmir would be normal soon.

Kashmir has remained in a volatile state since July 2016, following the elimination of poster-boy militant Burhan Wani in an encounter in Tral. Some of the protests have taken place in the middle of active security operations, leading to security forces adapting a tougher stance under duress.

The army chief said social media is an important tool being used by Pakistan to create unrest in Kashmir.

He said, "Pakistan is spreading disinformation among the youth of Kashmir with doctored videos and messages. This is further supported by some of the people in the valley who spread it and glamorise the young boys who have joined terrorist organisations."

Also on the government radar are social media networks like WhatsApp which aid in the spread of disinformation to stone-pelting protesters.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi [India], June 10 (ANI): With films like 'Judwaa', 'Raja Hindustani' and Dil To Pagal Hai' to name a few to her credit, Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor has proved to be an actor par excellence.

The 42-year-old actress, who has been away from the silver screen for quite some time now, made her impressive comeback with the 'Dangerous Ishq' in 2013.

When asked if she has any plans to return to silver screen, the gorgeous Karisma told ANI in an exclusive interview that she is not sure about her comeback again.

"I never plan anything in my life. So, right now no plans to do a movie. But you never know. Let's see," she said.

In her career spanning over 25 years, the national award winning actress has given many hits and was one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated and highest-paid actresses. She was last seen in a special appearance in Karan Johar's directorial 'Bombay Talkies'.

Now, speculations are rife that she might be seen in a cameo role in 'Judwaa 2', a sequel to her 1997 blockbuster 'Judwaa'. Needless to say, her fans eagerly waiting her return to the silver screen.

Karisma, who is the brand ambassador of a leading ethnic wear retailer 'Neeru', was yesterday in the national capital to inaugurate 'Neeru's first flagship store here.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a first ever penalty over online blasphemy in Pakistan, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Punjab's Bahwalpur on Saturday awarded the death sentence to a man on the charges of sharing offensive content about Islam on social media.

Bahawalpur's ATC Judge Shabir Ahmed announced the death sentence for the 30-year-old accused, who belongs to the Shia community, according to a report appearing in the Dawn

The accused, who hails from Lahore, had allegedly posted derogatory content about prominent Sunni religious figures and wives of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Facebook.

He was arrested last year from Bahawalpur by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).

Blasphemy has been a contentious issue in the country as many have called for reforms in the law to prevent its misuse.

Earlier in March, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered the blocking of blasphemous content on social media and action against those propagating such content.

Following this, the Pakistan National Assembly had unanimously resolved to form a 10-member committee to investigate blasphemous content being circulated on social media platforms.

Sharif had directed Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to take all necessary measures to ensure that the objectionable material was blocked and sought daily reports on developments in this regard.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Those common chemicals that manufacturers use to make plastic food containers, water bottles and other consumer products, instead of BPA, do not contribute to obesity, says a study.

Researchers from the University of Lowa showed that the chemicals, bisphenol F and bisphenol S (known as BPF and BPS) are being used increasingly by food packaging manufacturers as substitutes for bisphenol A (BPA), which studies have found, disrupts endocrine systems and causes numerous health problems.

BPA is used in many kinds of packaging for snacks and drinks, canned foods and water bottles.

The chemical is absorbed into the body, mainly through the food or water it contacts in the container.

But, the concern was raised several years ago when numerous studies found BPA increases the risk of various health issues, in particular obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Manufacturers started reducing the use of BPA in some consumer products or even eliminating it in so-called "BPA-free" products by replacing it with such alternatives as BPF and BPS.

However, little is known on the potential impact of BPF and BPS exposure in humans.

The new University of Iowa College of Public Health study is the first to determine the health impacts of BPF and BPS exposure on obesity in humans.

Using data from a nationwide population-based study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the researchers confirm that BPA is associated with increased obesity in humans.

Future studies will be needed to confirm the results, as BPF and BPS are likely to replace BPA in more consumer products.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will today hold talks with his Qatari counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

It is expected that the ongoing Gulf crisis and ways of resolving it will be discussed, reports TASS.

Recently, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen, Libya's transitional government, the Republic of Maldives and the Republic of Mauritius severed diplomatic relations with Qatar in retaliation for its alleged support to terrorism and extremist ideology.

Mauritania and the Comoro Islands joined in later. Jordan and Djibouti downgraded the status of their diplomatic missions.

Some countries declared a number of other measures, including the termination of sea and air links and the expulsion of Qatari diplomats and subjects.

Iran, a close ally of Qatar, blamed the developments on U.S. President Donald Trump who recently visited the Middle East.

However, Trump unfazed by the accusation, gloated about his recent visit to the Middle east, which according to him paved the way for this move as he said in a series of tweets, "So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off. They said they would take a hard line on funding extremism, and all reference was pointing to Qatar. Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism!"

"During my recent trip to the Middle East I stated that there can no longer be funding of Radical Ideology. Leaders pointed to Qatar - look!," he said.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation with Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani reaffirmed Moscow was firmly in favor of tackling crises by political and diplomatic means through a dialogue.

The Kremlin hopes the Qatar affair will not intervene with the struggle against international terrorism.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a distressing development, parents of a 17-year-old girl were left crushed and speechless when they found their daughter's dead body on their doorstep.

The distraught father of 17-year-old Bagyashree, who died at a private herbal care treatment centre in Salem, has filed a complaint with Kavindapadi police station alleging that she died due to wrong treatment.

Bagyashree died on Wednesday while undergoing a weight loss treatment in the centre.

Her father Shakthi said he admitted his daughter in the centre as the owner was their relative.

He further said that he left his daughter in the hospital on June 2nd as the family had gone to attend a wedding, but when they returned, they found Bagyashree's dead body at their doorstep.

Her parents then rushed her body to the General Hospital in Coimbatore for autopsy.

"Whenever I called to inquire about my daughter, the doctor told me that she was recuperating. However, I got a call from the hospital asking for my address. When I asked them the reason, they remained silent. But still, I gave them my address and half an hour later my daughter's dead body was kept at my doorstep," Shakthi said.

He is now demanding strict action against the centre's owner Balaji for his daughter's death.

Shakthi further alleged that he was asked to pay Rs.3000 as bribe by the Coimbatore G.H. Mortuary department, in order to collect his daughter's body.

Meanwhile, Ashokan, the Dean of Coimbatore G.H has assured that a conclusion will be reached following an inquiry into the incident, adding that strict action will be taken against the ones responsible.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
U.S. President Donald Trump will unveil his administration's new policy toward Cuba in a speech in Miami next Friday.

It is being speculated that Trump will roll back portions of Obama Era policies that softened relations with Cuba, CNN has reported.

President Barack Obama lifted the U.S. embargo against Cuba which culminated with the restoration of full diplomatic relations with Cuba in 2016, exchanged prisoners with the Cuban government. Obama became the first US president since 1928 to visit Cuba and he acted without going to Congress, and used executive powers for the opening up of Cuba.

Trump will likely announce the United States will no longer make unilateral concessions to Cuba. Miami has long been an enclave for anti-Castro Cuban exiles.

American officials said Trump is likely to blast Havana for human rights abuses and impose sanctions on officials suspected of carrying out repression of dissidents.

There is also likelihood that Trump may demand that U.S. fugitives such as Assata Shakur, who has been living in exile in Cuba for three decades, after being convicted of killing a New Jersey state trooper and escaping from a US prison, be extradited.

The Obama administration's changes were viewed as a significant relaxation of tensions between the U.S. and Cuba since Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution.

In January, Cuban President Raul Castro, who has said he will step down in February 2018, said his government wished "to pursue a respectful dialogue and cooperation on topics of common interest with the new government of President Donald Trump."

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer had indicated in February that a tougher posture toward Cuba could be in the works.

"We are in the midst of a full review of all US policies towards Cuba. The president is committed to an agenda of ensuring human rights for all citizens throughout the and as we review those policies in Cuba, that will be forefront in those policy discussions," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BJP chief Amit Shah on Saturday came under attack for his remarks describing Mahatma Gandhi as a "shrewd bania" with Congress and other opposition parties demanding an apology from him for "insulting" the Father of the Nation.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala also demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Shah's remarks while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee termed them "unethical and unfortunate" and said he should immediately withdraw them.

Surjewala told media persons here that Shah had committed a heinous crime and anti-national act.

"We demand that Amit Shah, BJP and Prime Minister Narendra should apologise to the people and the families of the freedom fighters of the country for insulting their struggle. Shah has indulged in a heinous crime and an anti-national act. There can't be a bigger crime than this," he said.

Surjewala said identifying Gandhi with caste exposes the "real face, character and mindest" of Shah.

Surjewala said Shah had insulted the sacrifices made during the freedom struggle by associating Mahatma Gandhi with a business model.

"Has the entire struggle become a mere business? Was building the nation a business. Only Amit Shah, who does trade of power and BJP can give such indications. Would Mahatma Gandhi be now identified with his caste?" he asked.

Hitting back at Shah, Surjewala said the "Britishers used Hindu Mahasabha and the Sangh as a special purpose vehicle for the partition of the country."

"After independence, they have become a vehicle to oppress Dalits, and the weaker sections. This is their real face and character," he added.

In Jalpaiguri, Trinamool Congress supremo Banerjee attacked Shah. "Mahatma Gandhi is the Father of the Nation and he is an icon of the world. We cannot use such unjustified language about him. It is unethical, unfortunate and uncalled for."

"I think such statements should be immediately withdrawn and an apology should be sought," she said.

Banerjee felt a simple apology from Shah would not end the matter as, "this is an intentional blunder by him".

Mamata also tweeted and said politicians should be careful about their language.

"When we, in public life, speak about icons of our nation and the world, we must always show utmost respect and sensitivity with language," she posted on Twitter.

Taking a swipe at Shah, the Trinamool supremo claimed that no one should think of themselves as a superpower just because they are at the helm.

Shah, while addressing a gathering in Raipur on Friday, referred to Mahatma Gandhi as a "shrewd baniya".

"The Congress is not a party based on one ideology or one principle, it is a special purpose vehicle to gain independence? this is why Mahatma Gandhi with foresight, he was a shrewd baniya, he knew what was going to happen, he said immediately after independence that the Congress should be dissolved.

"He didn't do it, but some people are now completing the job of dissolving it. He had said this because the Congress had no ideology, was not formed based on a principle, and did not have any principle to run the country or government," Shah had said.

Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) also slammed Shah's remarks. JD-U spokesperson Neeraj Kumar told the media in Patna that Shah had insulted the nation and its people by using a "caste" name to address Mahatma Gandhi.

Neeraj said Shah was targeting Mahatma Gandhi by naming his caste. "It is shameful and unforgivable."

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders said that Shah, by calling Gandhi a "chatur baniya", had exposed his own and the BJP's mindset and their real agenda.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar did not comment on Shah's remarks and ignored queries from the media.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Kumar Vishwas said he had not heard Shah's remarks but noted that any comment about the Father of Nation should be made by a person who has at least lived one percent of his life the way Mahatma had done.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Chinese navy fleet comprising three warships arrived at Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Saturday for a four-day goodwill and training visit.

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony hosted by the Pakistani side, Commander of the Chinese navy fleet Rear Admiral Shen Hao said the visit will further promote the understanding and mutual trust between the two peoples, and boost the cooperation and friendship between the two countries, Xinhua reported.

Shen hoped that the pragmatic cooperation and communication between the two navies will be further strengthened so as to contribute to regional stability and world peace and play an active role in promoting common development.

Chief of Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah visited the fleet.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A civilian was injured on Saturday in a militant attack on security forces on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

A civilian moving in his car was injured when militants fired at two vehicles of security forces plying on the national highway in Vesu area of Anantnag district, a police official said.

"The injured civilian has been shifted to hospital and his condition is stable," the official said.

Militants had ambushed an army convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway in Lower Munda area earlier in the month killing two personnel.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Questioning the ability of Shivraj Singh Chouhan government to rule Madhya Pradesh, the Congress on Saturday demanded its dismissal and imposition of President's Rule in the state.

"I have demanded from the Governor the implementation of President's Rule in the state as the government has given up on the current situation," Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Ajay Singh told reporters here.

"It is time that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stop this indefinite fast 'nautanki' (drama) and retire from . A person who aligns with (Nathuram) Godse's thinking is now becoming a 'Gandhiwadi'," he said.

He added that the person who is responsible for killing six farmers in the state, is now appealing for peace.

"The people made him the state's leader and gave him big houses, all comforts to carry out his duties. But he went to a ground to run his government. This is a betrayal of the people's confidence in him and he is insulting them.

"State Agriculture Minister Gauri Shankar Bisen has said that there can be no loan waiver for farmers, while the Home Minister and others are giving different statements. Overall farmers are being duped," he said.

Ajay Singh demanded that all the money that is spent from the state's treasury for the Chief Minister's "drama" should be recovered from the BJP government. Besides this, all demands of the farmers should also be agreed upon immediately and Chouhan should resign.

Farmers' protests that started in the state on June 1, demanding better prices for their produce and debt relief, turned violent on June 6 when six farmers were killed in police firing in Mandsaur.

Meanwhile, Chouhan started his indefinite fast at BHEL's Dussehra Maidan here on Saturday till peace is restored in the state.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Army continued to patrol Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong towns, as life returned to normal in the northern West Bengal hills with no further violence reported so far on Saturday.

Six Army teams, each comprising 43 personnel, have been deployed in the three hill towns after Thursday's flare up during a protest by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) pressing for a separate Gorkhaland.

Three Central Reserve Police Force companies were also deployed.

A case has been launched against GJM activists including chief Bimal Gurung on various counts including criminal conspiracy, arson, incitement of trouble, the police said.

The district Aadministration has also sealed the GJM run Gorkha Territorial Administration headquarters Bhanu Bhavan following allegations that the leaders had incited people to resort to violence.

Shops, restaurants and hotels have reopened after a 12-hour hill shutdown called by the GJM on Friday against "indiscriminate police action" on their activists during the protests.

A substantial number of tourists were seen at the picturesque Mall and the other famed spots of Darjeeling.

The Trinamool Congress brought out a peace rally in the hill town on Saturday morning decrying the violence "perpetrated by the GJM".

Meanwhile, the state government removed Darjeeling police superintendent Amit Javalgi, and sent a team of three senior Indian Police Service officers to monitor the situation.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who stayed put in the hills since Thursday, came down to the plains on Friday night and is now camping at neighbouring Jalpaiguri district.

She is scheduled to chair a high level meeting at Uttar Kanya, the north Bengal secretariat on Saturday. Chief secretary Badudeb Banerjee, and state police director general Surojit Kar Purokayastha would be present.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday evening called for lifting the blockade against Qatar, reaffirming Turkey's support for the Arab country.

"I call on the leaders and citizens of the Gulf states, there will be no winner in this fight and slanders will get us nowhere," the President said at a fasting-break dinner in Istanbul, Xinhua reported.

He urged Saudi Arabia to end all restrictions on Qatar and resolve the ongoing dispute through talks.

Early this week, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut off diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed sanctions on it on the grounds that Doha supports terrorism, with Libya, Yemen and the Maldives following suit.

Qatar has rejected the accusations as "unjustified" and "baseless."

"We will not abandon our Qatari brothers," Erdogan said. "There is no such thing. Until now I have not seen Qatar give support to terror."

On Thursday night, Erdogan ratified two deals on deploying Turkish troops to Qatar and training its gendarmerie after they were passed by Turkey's parliament a day earlier.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh, an umbrella body of 62 farmer unions, on Saturday passed a resolution seeking dismissal of the Madhya Pradesh government and imposition of President's rule in the state.

To express their anger against the "anti-farmer polices" of the Narendra Modi government, these unions have decided to block traffic for three hours on all national highways across the country on June 16.

Deepak Sharma, spokesperson of the Bhartiya Kisan Union-Asli, said: "We have decided to hold nationwide agitation till June 15 as the BJP governments in the Centre and states have failed to solve farmers' problems. On June 16, we will block national highways from 12 p.m to 3 p.m."

The Mahasangh has demanded 50 per cent profit over input cost, as promised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) before 2014 Lok Sabha elections, and loan waiver citing financial burden on farmers due to drought and poor returns to their produce.

Naresh Sirohi, General Secretary of the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh, said all farmers had been asked to shoot videos of protest marches.

"We have been doing protests peacefully. But the BJP government has used brutal ways to suppress our agitations. So, we have asked farmers to shoot videos of protest marches," he said.

Sirohi further said that all farmer unions would meet on June 18 to decide the next course of ongoing agitations.

Meanwhile, the All India Kisan Sabha -- a wing of the Communist Party of India -- has decided to observe June 14 as "Protest Day" across the country against the Mandsaur police firing on farmers by the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A senior West Bengal minister on Saturday lambasted Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung for calling an indefinite shutdown in the hills, and said he will be "doomed by his actions".

"He will be doomed by his actions. Gorkhaland issue is the last weapon for them. He has been cornered. So he is coming back to Gorkhaland," state Consumer Affairs Minister Sadhan Pande told the media here to requests for comments on the indefinite shutdown called by the dominant party in north Bengal hills.

Biefing mediapersons after a GJM central committee meeting, its General Secretary Roshan Giri announced that the indefinite shutdown would begin in the hills from Monday to press for a separate Gorkhaland state.

Pande said: "Roshan Giri's wife works in my office. How will this (strike) work out? They have to come to get their paycheque ... Will I have to transfer them?"

Asked if the violence was a reaction to the Bengal government's announcement of a special audit into the GJM-run Gorkha Territorial Administration accounts, he said: "Audit happens for every department.. what is unique in that? They will have to act rationally. They are acting like this as they are scared that they are losing ground in north Bengal."

He also slammed Gurung's audacity in "encouraging" violence in Darjeeling just a few yards away from the venue where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was holding the Cabinet meeting on Thursday.

"Has it happened anywhere else in India? They have every right to agitate but not like this," he added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Google and Apple are not synonymous with failure but in the risky business of innovation, anything is possible. At Sweden's newly opened Museum of Failure, Google Glass and Apple Newton are two such devices that were either ahead of their time or the results of some bad ideas.

Founded by clinical psychologist Samuel West, the museum that opened on June 7 to the public has over 70 failed products and services from around the world.

"We know that 80 to 90 per cent of innovation projects, they fail and you never read about them, you don't see them, people don't talk about them. And if there's anything we can do from these failures, it's learn from them," West told CBS News.

The list has Nokia "N-gage" device, Orbitoclast Lobotomy (medical instrument), Harley-Davidson Perfume, Kodak Digital Camera, Sony Betamax and Lego Fiber Optics, among others, the information available on the Museum of Failure website stated.

Developed and marketed by Apple Inc starting 1987, Newton was one of the first personal digital assistants to feature handwriting recognition. Apple shipped the first devices in 1993.

Initially considered as innovative, Apple founder Steve Jobs directed the company to stop the production of Apple Newton devices in 1998.

According to reports, Newton devices ran on a proprietary operating system called Newton OS. The high price and early problems with its handwriting recognition feature limited its sales.

Google Glass, an eye-wearable device, created a storm when the company handed over a prototype to a few "Glass Explorers" in 2013 for $1,500.

The optical head-mounted display became available to public in May 2014 but was discontinued in 2015 owing to privacy and safety concerns. The device, however, is now gaining momentum in the medical industry.

Nokia made "N-Gage" mobile device and handheld game system that ran on Series 60 platform on Symbian OS. The device, released in October 2003, was discontinued two years later. "N-Gage" suffered from a poor gaming library.

The Museum of Failure is open to the public in downtown Helsingborg.
With three weeks to go before the country moves to big bang tax reform, Goods and Services Tax (GST) Suvidha Providers  key links between taxpayers and the government  say the IT systems for a July 1 roll-out are not ready.

"All the rules are yet to be notified. Only after the rules are finalised can the IT systems from Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) be ready. The Suvidha Providers (GSPs) would be ready only after that," Tejas Goenka, executive director at Tally Solutions told IANS.

GSPs are expected to help large businesses with complex internal processes to comply with the regime. A meeting was held between GSTN officials and suvidha providers on Friday.

Neeraj Hutheesingh, Founder and Director, Cygnet Infotech said that with the roll-out date closing in, "the worst fears of the market are coming true  lack of IT preparedness. July 1 fails to appeal as a feasible deadline."

All the GSPs shortlisted and licensed by GSTN, he explained, were dependent on the application program interfaces (APIs) furnished by GSTN network. In all, 34 GSPs have been selected.

GSPs will use the APIs for accounting software, enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, filing software and billing software that will help businesses comply with the new indirect tax regime.

Analyst Pritam Mahure said that the roll-out date of July 1 is not an issue but the problem is that things were undecided even with 20 days remaining. It was hampering testing needs of the Suvidha Providers.

"Significant testing needs to be carried out by the ecosystem. However, GSTN sandbox release does not appear to be geared up for the same. It's a catch-22 situation. The problem is that everything is still in a fluid state  the tax rates, Rules," Mahure told IANS. A sandbox is a virtual space where new software can be tested securely.

"The primary focus is to handle the forms for which the APIs are available from GSTN. For the remainder forms, the entire flow is being finalised so that once the APIs for the same are available, we can be ready to offer the (service) to clients," Saket Agarwal, Global CEO, Spice Digital said.

Vinod Tambi, chief operating officer, Excellon Software, said: "Many of the aspects of such as rates, exemptions, have only been announced a few days back while we are still awaiting some other inputs. Hence July 1 does look like an uphill task."

GSTN has said that the API specifications will be released in a staggered manner for all the GSPs so that they can study and analyse the same for making changes in their software developed on old design of returns.

Subsequent to the publishing of the specifications, GSTN will also make available live APIs on the sandbox for testing of the codes that the GSPs will modify/develop. The live API will be made available only by June 29.

But the government has maintained a strict stance that July 1 deadline won't be deferred.

With a view to assessing preparedness in various areas of GST, a joint presentation by officials from the Centre and state tax administration was held in the national capital on June 4.

"In all interactions with trade industry and public, it should be clearly indicated by officers at all levels that the target date of implementation is July 1 only and the implementation of this big reform will not be deferred beyond this date," according to the minutes of the meeting accessed by IANS.

"All officers should keep a check on adverse publicity or criticism of GST and should counteract it promptly," it was noted at the meeting.

West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra, has also been voicing serious doubts about the IT readiness by July 1.

"Entire GST will depend on one IT system of GSTN. The presentation given by them clearly shows that they are not ready and need more time. They have appointed 34 Suvidha providers for the whole country...will that be sufficient?" Mitra had wondered.
The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) met all the GST Suvidha Providers (GSP) and explained the method and manner in which the GSPs would be able to integrate with the GST System to be able to submit all the return forms on behalf of their clients and tax payers.

"GSPs were told that they must have their systems audited as per the prevailing ISO standard on security from one of the auditors on the panel of CERT-IN before they connect with and start pushing data into the GST System," an official statement said here on Saturday.

The meeting was held here on Friday.

There are 34 GSPs that have been selected by GSTN to provide additional channel of filing returns and other compliances related to GST. GSPs are expected to help large businesses with complex and varied internal processes to comply with the GST regime that will be effective from July 1.

Of the 34 GSPs, representatives of 30 of the GSPs were present physically and two attended through conference call.

The GSTN presented the timelines of the release of updated specifications of application programming interface (API) for the new GSTR forms that are to be applicable from July 1. The API specifications will be released in staggered manner for all the GSPs, the statement said.

"Subsequent to publishing of the specifications, GSTN will also make available live APIs on the sandbox for testing of the codes that the GSPs will modify/develop. The dates for the release of the specifications and the Live APIs for various returns for testing/integration were communicated to all the GSPs.

"The specifications of GSR-1 return (for uploading the supply data) was released yesterday and the live API will be made available on June 29," it added.

--IANS

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India on Saturday said it is closely monitoring the situation in the Gulf where several countries led by Saudi Arabia have cut off diplomatic ties with Qatar and that the countries have assured continued support for the welfare and well-being of the large Indian diaspora.

India also said that the countries should resolve their differences through dialogue.

"We are closely following the emerging situation in the Gulf region in the wake of the recent decision by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and some other countries to break diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

"We are of the view that all parties should resolve their differences through a process of constructive dialogue and peaceful negotiations based on well-established international principles of mutual respect, sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries," it said.

On Monday, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt cut off diplomatic ties with Qatar on allegations of supporting terrorism, including the Muslim Brotherhood. Yemen, Libya, the Maldives and Jordan also took similar steps.

Indians, at 6,30,000, comprise the largest expatriate community in gas-rich Qatar which is by size a small nation.

The statement said India was closely monitoring the situation in the Gulf and was also in regular contact with the regional countries.

"Their authorities have assured us continued support for welfare and well-being of the resident Indian communities," it stated.

"Indian expatriates in the region are advised to contact the Indian embassy or consulate concerned should they require assistance or advise consequent to the developing situation," it added.

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Doha has also issued an advisory to expatriate Indians in the Gulf country asking to them to remain updated about the developments and not to believe in rumours.

With India having strategic energy interests in the region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made important bilateral visits over the last three years to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iran.

The ministry statement said India believes that peace and security in the Gulf are of paramount importance for the continued progress and prosperity of the countries in the region.

"International terrorism, violent extremism and religious intolerance pose grave threat not only to regional stability but also to the global peace and order and must be confronted by all countries in a coordinated and comprehensive manner," it said.

"India has time-tested friendly relations with GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries. With over eight million Indian expatriates living and working in these countries, we have vital stakes in the regional peace and stability."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hackers broke into Twitter accounts of a local journalist and a Member of Parliament in Venezuela and used these accounts to spread fake news on the platform, a media report said on Saturday.

The spread of fake news via social media platforms has been particularly problematic in Venezuela because of the political unrest there, including a government crackdown that involves surveillance and censorship, Fortune reported.

The journalist and the politician, who is also a human rights activist, later got in touch with a digital help-line that Access Now operates in a several countries and asked for help.

According to Access Now, the victims worked with Twitter to regain access to their accounts.

The accounts were hacked using a procedure called "the Double Switch".

"The Double Switch" begins when a hacker gets access to the login credentials for an account.

"The hacker then resets the login name and password, as well as the recovery email so that the original user can't get access. Then the 'double switch' begins," the report said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An Ontario man who invented the Hawaiian pizza, a style of pizza known for its inclusion of pineapple and ham, has died at the age of 83, leaving a legacy that has delighted, confused and appalled diners worldwide, the media reported.

Sotirios "Sam" Panopoulos, 83, died suddenly on Thursday at University Hospital in London, Ont., an obituary posted online on Friday said.

Panopoulos was born in Greece in 1934 and immigrated to Canada in 1954, reports Global News Canada.

He settled in Ontario and operated a number of restaurants alongside his two brothers, Elias and Nikitas.

"An unforgettable personality, Sam was respected by many for providing strong and dependable advice, and for his exceedingly generous nature," the obituary said.

Far from the tropical paradise that bears its namesake, the Hawaiian pizza was in fact invented in Ontario in 1962.

With canned pineapples and a handful of ham shards, Panopoulos invented the contentious fare at his restaurant, The Satellite, in Chatham.

In February, Panopoulos recounted to the BBC how he and his brothers came up with the idea for the pizza, topped with pineapple and ham.

"We just put it on, just for the fun of it...We were young in the business and we were doing a lot of experiments."

Whether or not pineapple belongs on a pizza remains a divisive culinary choice.

Pineapple as a pizza topping can spark sharp debate, even Icelandic President Gudni Johannesson weighed in on the idea in February, lambasting the topping in a Facebook post and stoking a decades-old debate.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on the other hand, threw his support behind the beleaguered fruit with the hashtag #teampineapple.

--IANS

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Nagaland Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu on Saturday revealed that National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) head S.S. Khaplang had conveyed his willingness to have dialogue with the Indian government for an early solution to the Naga political problem.

The Chief Minister mourned the death of the Myanmar-based Naga insurgent leader, who breathed his last at the NSCN-K council headquarters in Taka in Myanmar's Sagaing Division on Friday night.

"The Nagaland government has been sending delegations to meet the NSCN-K leadership in Myanmar in recent times to convince the group to re-enter into the peace process with the Indian government to find an early solution to the Naga political problem," said Liezietsu.

"And it was encouraging to learn that Khaplang had, a few months back, conveyed his willingness to have dialogue with the government provided 'issues of substance' were discussed," he added in a condolence message.

The Nagaland government has been sending Naga civil society group leaders to Myanmar to hold consultations with the NSCN-K insurgents leaders after the outfit abrogated the ceasefire with the Indian government in 2015.

However, the 77-year-old Naga insurgent leader died before things could be taken forward to their logical conclusion.

Liezietsu said it is tragic that such an important Naga leader like Khaplang has died considering the fact that the protracted Naga political problem was on the verge of being resolved.

"And the need for all different Naga political (rebels) groups to come together to air our views and aspirations to the Government of India in one voice is absolutely imperative," he added.

Liezietsu appealed to all grieving Nagas to "resolve and dedicate ourselves to endeavour with renewed vigour and determination" to find a solution to the Naga political problem, which is "honourable and acceptable" to all stakeholders.

"And that this protracted problem be resolved during our lifetime and not to bequeath it to the future generations," he said.

"In memory of the departed leader (Khaplang), who had dedicated all his life to the cause of the Naga people, let all Naga people dedicate ourselves to strive for peace, harmony and well-being of the entire Naga family so that we and our children can march ahead with the rest of the world as equals in the 21st century and for ever more," the Chief Minister added.

Describing Khaplang as a "bold" Naga leader, former Nagaland Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang said that he had made several efforts to request him to "come back into a ceasefire agreement with the Indian government".

Zeliang, who mourned Khaplang's demise, said that he had personally gone to Myanmar for consultative meetings with the Naga leaders.

"I had requested Naga apex organisations to meet S.S. Khaplang and conveyed my sincere request to have a ceasefire agreement with the Myanmar government and to opt for a peaceful dialogue to resolve the Naga political issue amicably for the Nagas living in Myanmar," he added.

Zeliang said, "This, I had stated, would be the best solution for the Nagas living on both sides of India and Myanmar so that the Nagas would see permanent peace and march forward with progress and development."

Khaplang, who was popularly known as "Baba", belonged to the Hemi Naga tribe from Myanmar's Eastern Naga Hills in Sagaing Division. He had been ailing for quite some time and also underwent medical treatment in the Yangon Civil General Hospital.

--IANS

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"The clocks are ticking." Every morning this announcement brings relief and not tension to the Indian space agency team that is managing the navigation satellite system NavIC with only one rubidium atomic clock switched on instead of two in the six satellites.

The phrase signals that the atomic clocks  that provide locational data  in the six navigation satellites are functioning normally.

Three atomic clocks in the first navigation satellite IRNSS-1A have already failed.

"The clocks are ticking well. It's not possible to share the technical details of mission management for important reasons. is adopting various strategies so that best results are obtained from its satellite systems," A S Kiran Kumar, chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) told IANS on Saturday over the phone.

Sources close to ISRO, on the condition of anonymity, told IANS that two more atomic clocks in the satellite system started showing abnormalities thereby taking the total number of failed clocks to five.

"Hence as a precaution and also to extend the operational life of satellites, the is running the NavIC system with one clock switched on instead of two. If the running clock fails then the standby clocks will be switched on," sources said.

The initial plan was to keep two clocks in the satellite on while keeping the third one on standby.

Simply put, the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is similar to the GPS (Global Positioning System) of the US, Glonass of Russia, Galileo of Europe and China's Beidou.

Each satellite has three clocks and a total of 27 clocks for the navigation satellite system (including the standby satellites) were supplied by the same vendor.

The clocks are important to provide precise locational data.

"The clocks are working well. The signals are good. The replacement satellite for IRNSS-1A will be sent up this year. Already our system is giving precise data even in areas populated with dense buildings and forest areas," said Tapan Misra, director, Space Applications Centre, .

According to him, space sector is an unforgiving business and hence mission management is important.

Misra said it is not only the atomic clocks in the Indian satellite navigation systems that have failed, the clocks in the European system Galileo too have failed as per reports.

The Indian space agency has signed up with several universities in the country to measure the performance of NavIC system, said Misra.

The Rs 1,420 crore Indian satellite navigation system NavIC consists of nine satellites  seven in orbit and two as substitutes.

"We are already using the NavIC system for several applications. The replacement satellite for IRNSS-1A will be launched in July or August. There are also plans to expand the NavIC system by taking the number of satellites to 11 from seven," Kumar said.

It is learnt that ISRO has got the atomic clocks replaced in the two standby NavIC satellites.

Starting July 2013, the Indian space agency has launched seven navigation satellites. The last one was launched on April 28, 2016. Each satellite has a lifespan of 10 years.

The NavIC system was performing well till the three clocks in IRNSS-1A  the first satellite  failed some months back.
Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh, last seen on screen in an antagonist's role in southern project "Kaththi", will be seen as an antagonist again in upcoming Prabhas-starrer Telugu action thriller "Saaho".

"And it begins. Day 1 of 'Saaho'," Neil tweeted on Friday night.

In the film, being directed by Sujeeth, the "Johnny Gaddar" actor is said to be playing the antagonist.

Sujeeth told IANS last month that a major chunk of the film's budget will be used on action sequences.

"The scale on which it is being made, a major budget will be spent on some extravagant action scenes. Although it will be a commercial outing, we are attempting something new and I would like to keep that as a surprise element," Sujeeth said.

International stuntman Kenny Bates, popular for his work on films such as "Die Hard" and "Transformers", has been brought on board.

"Kenny will be supervising the action scenes. We have already finalised locations in Abu Dhabi and some places in Europe where shooting will be done extensively. We go on the floors from the end of May," he said.

The movie, which will also be released in Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam, has music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.

While Sabu Cyril will take care of production design, Madhie will crank the camera.

"We wanted the music to have a national appeal. We roped in Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy because they understand north as well southern sensibilities when it comes to composing music. They have also worked in the south," Sujeeth had said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
One person was killed and seven others injured when an eight-seater chopper crashed near the Badrinath shrine in Uttarakhand on Saturday morning, police said.

The Mumbai-based aviation company's chopper was carrying a pilgrim family back to Haridwar from the shrine after their 'darshan' when the accident took place.

The helicopter with eight passengers on board, including three staff members took off normally but soon lost balance and crashed in the nearby thickets, officials said.

The engineer of the chopper, Vikram Lamba, a resident of Assam, fearing for his life jumped mid-air and was sliced by the rotor of the helicopter. He died on the spot.

The pilgrim family was from Vadodra in Gujarat and after first aid, they have been sent by road to Haridwar.

The passengers who sustained minor injuries have been identified as Jashodaben, Naveen Bhai Patel, Leela Ben Patel, Harish Bhai and Ramesh Bhai.

The pilot, Sanjay Vange who is from Pune and co-pilot, Alka Shukla who hails from Kanpur are safe. They escaped with minor injuries.

Officials informed that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been informed of the accident.

DGCA Chief Secretary S Ramaswamy has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident.

Commissioner of the Garhwal region, Vinod Sharma informed that Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Joshimath has been assigned the probe.




"Phullu" director Abhishek Saxena says a screening of his film, which talks about creating awareness around sanitary napkins, is being organised for Delhi's Education Minister Manish Sisodia on June 12.

The movie has been given an 'A' certificate by the censor board, and Saxena feels it is affecting the wider reach to the mass audience and its promotion on mainstream media.

Asked about their motive to reach out to Sisodia, Saxena told IANS here: "Since we have got 'A' certificate for the film, we cannot show the trailer of the film (freely) anywhere on TV or radio. We are only using social media for the promotion of the film which is why we are unable to reach many people.

"So we have decided to show the film to Manish Sisodia, who along with some other cabinet ministers, is coming to see our film on June 12 in Delhi. Let's hope if they can help us for at least a 'U/A' certificate. We need their support."

What was the CBFC's explanation for giving an 'A' certificate?

"My argument was that when it comes to TV ad films on sanitary napkin, that don't get 'A' certification, then why is it with our film? On that, they (censors) replied that the content of my film is 'adult'. But there is nothing obscene in the film," Saxena said.

The filmmaker has already planned to host some special screenings in small towns to create awareness about the use of sanitary napkins.

"We will be travelling with the film, in different villages of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Maharashtra on special free screenings where people can come and watch the film. We will also visit some schools where we will invite students to watch the film and it could be a part of their sex education awareness," Saxena added.

"Phullu" is releasing on June 16.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Torrential rains lashed large parts of Maharashtra and Mumbai on Saturday claiming at least 16 lives, even as the monsoon progressed normally over the state and the weather department forecast heavy rain over the next 48 hours.

Providing succour from the blistering heat, many areas of the state, including coastal Konkan, Mumbai, northern, western and eastern Maharashtra, were lashed by a downpour accompanied with thunder and lightning till almost daybreak since 1 a.m.

Low-lying areas in some cities experienced water-logging as gutters and storm water drains were flooded in a short time and water gushed out onto the streets.

At least 16 persons have lost their lives in rain-related incidents in different parts of the state since midnight in what is described as pre-monsoon rain.

Four people were killed and eight others injured in Gadchiroli, three died in Nanded, two in Latur and one in Nashik when they were struck by lightning in the early hours on Saturday.

A 10-year-old boy was washed away when he was on his way to school and was trying to cross a small bridge over a heavily flooded drain in Nevasa, Ahmednagar.

Yogesh Kurle, an IT engineer, was electrocuted when he accidentally touched a live wire near Murbad in Thane district, while another person was seriously injured.

Early on Saturday, four children aged between four and seven were washed away in Chandrabhaga river near Pandharpur in Solapur district when they had gone for a swim.

Their family members and local activists said the children failed to judge the water level on account of illegal sand dredging activities that are carried out in the river.

The downpour resulted in a technical glitch in an electric transformer in Palghar district with many areas experiencing power breakdown since morning.

The concerned officials were making attempts to rectify the problem on a war-footing as the skies cleared by afternoon.

The IMD in Mumbai has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall over the Konkan belt, north and south central Maharashtra, with heavy rain in Marathwada and central Maharashtra.

Since Thursday night, the highest rainfall of nine cm was recorded in Palghar in north Konkan followed by eight cm in Sindhudurg's Malvan, with Mumbai recording an average of 3.59 cm rain in the past 24 hours.

Temperatures fell appreciably from average highs of 32-36 degrees Celsius to 24-22 degrees Celsius in different parts of the state following the downpour.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will visit Bengaluru on Monday where he will attend a General Body Meeting of the state unit, the party said on Saturday.

During the visit, he will also release National Herald's commemorative publication "India at a Crossroads: 70 years of Independence".

Karnataka will go to polls next year.

The Congress had earlier announced it will contest the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka under the leadership of Chief Minister K. Siddaramaiah.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
He has been cited by Rush Limbaugh, quoted in the New York Times, featured at Real Clear Politics and Lucianne.com and interviewed on radio, TV and in social media.





Inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame, for many years he served as a Lecturer in Corporate Communication at Penn State University. A former President of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) he has lectured at Rowan University, Temple University, The College of New Jersey and Arcadia University. He has conducted workshops on public relations for thousands of participants throughout the nation and has taught countless others the art of public speaking. He has also advised numerous lawyers, judges, public officials and political candidates.





Cirucci is a prolific writer and his op-ed pieces have appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier-Post and other publications.



A native of Camden NJ, Cirucci is a former President of the Philadelphia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Cirucci served as Associate Executive Director of the Philadelphia Bar Association for nearly 30 years. He served as Chair of Penn State University's Professional Advisory Board for the Corporate Communication major at Penn State Abington and on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Judicial Selection Commission.



He received his MA degree from Rowan University and his BA from Villanova University. He has been named a Distinguished Alumnus of Rowan's public relations program and received the E. A. "Wally" Richter Leadership Award, the highest honor from the National Association of Bar Executives' Communications Section. He has also been honored by numerous other local, state and national groups.









Cirucci's passions include politics, the popular culture, books and authors, art, communication, music, theatre, movies, dining and travel. In his hometown of Camden, Cirucci taught fifth grade at the Ulysses Wiggins Elementary School named for the founder of the Camden NAACP. There he was one of the first teachers in the country to teach African-American history to inner city students. He later served as editor of a local weekly newspaper, as Assistant to the Township Manager of Cherry Hill Township and as Associate Director of Communications at the New Jersey State Bar Association.

He's Dan Cirucci, the founder and editor-in chief of the Dan Cirucci Blog, Matt Rooney's sidekick on Save Jersey's videocasts and one of the most widely honored public relations professionals in his field. He's also been a public relations consultant to numerous organizations and individuals and hosted The Advocates on RVN-TV.
Raids were conducted on premises on six directors of city-based perfume company, Surya Vinayak Industries Ltd, here on Saturday after the CBI filed a fresh case against them for cheating the Development Bank of Singapore of Rs 122.49 crore between 2007 and 2012, an official said.

Agency sleuths conducted raids at the residential premises of Sanjay Jain, Rajiv Jain, Rohit Choudhary, Sanjeev Agarwal, Rajeev Jain, Kamal Kant Sharma, as well as some other unidentified persons, in connection with this case.

All these six, directors and promoters of Surya Vinayak Industries Ltd and Surya Vinayak Hospitalities Ltd, have been booked under sections of criminal conspiracy and cheating of the Indian Penal Code, and the Prevention of Corruption Act following a complaint by the bank, said a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) official.

"They are accused of cheating the bank of Rs 122.49 crore between 2007 and 2012," he added.

The official said the CBI has so far registered six cases against the group's promoters and directors.

He said that directors of the group, which was in the business of manufacturing of perfume compounds and trading of agro commodities, arranged to show bogus sale and purchase of both these items.

"The stock of perfumery claimed by the company was Rs 887 crore. When evaluated by FFDC (Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre), it turned out that the alleged value was Rs 4.83 crore. The accused also allegedly submitted forged and fabricated documents as well as valuable securities to the bank for enhancement of credit limit," the official said.

In April, the CBI arrested Sanjay Jain, Rajiv Jain, Choudhary and Agarwal in connection with ongoing cases relating to cheating a consortium of banks to the tune of Rs 2,240 crore, he said.

Sanjay Jain and Rajiv Jain are the promoters of Surya Vinayak while Choudhary and Agarwal are the other directors of the Delhi-based company.

"They were held on a complaint from the Punjab National Bank (PNB)," the agency official said, adding that all of them are in judicial custody.

The accused allegedly used over a 100 shell companies to launder funds availed through a consortium of banks led by the PNB.

"There was no genuine business transaction between the said firm and shell companies. The said firm also allegedly diverted Rs 376 crore out of the working capital limit obtained from a consortium of banks to six wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries based in Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Indonesia, Ghana and China," a CBI statement said.

The company had availed credit limits from the PNB-led consortium to the tune of Rs 2,240 crore and diverted the funds to the foreign subsidiaries in violation of bank guidelines for use of loan amount, sources said.

Sources said that the company had defaulted in loan repayments following which it was declared a wilful defaulter by the banks.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Blaming social media for fomenting trouble in Jammu and Kashmir for the second time in two days, Indian Army chief on Saturday said that a Pakistan-backed misinformation campaign on it was instigating the youth in the valley.

Advocating devising of new ways to combat these new challenges, he said that the armed forces will have to wake up to the new form of violence.

Addressing cadets at the passing out parade at the Indian Military Academy here, Rawat also called for "proper use of technology" for public good.

Terming terrorism as the biggest scourge of modern times, the army chief exhorted the cadets to brace up to take on the menace and deal with it effectively. He also accused Pakistan of spreading misinformation among the Kashmiri youth with doctored videos and messages.

On the issue of women in combat roles, he said that "it's important to have women in combat roles in the army even in rank and file positions". Noting that on many occasions during Army operations, soldiers had to deal with the public including women, he said the induction could benefit the forces.
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan got trolled online by a Twitter user for the title of his next film "Jab Harry Met Sejal".

It was actor Ranbir Kapoor who suggested the title for the Imtiaz Ali directorial. Though he is thrilled about it, not all seem to be happy.

A Twitter user, Sejal Badala, wrote: "SRK thanks for turning me into a meme."

The superstar then took a potshot at her surname. "I am so sorry Sejal Badala. Hope you like my next film title better. It's called 'Badala... oops 'Badle Ki Aag'," he tweeted on Saturday.

Meanwhile, SRK's "Dear Zindagi" co-star Alia Bhatt also got "very upset" as her title didn't make it to the finals.

To her, he said: "Your title I have kept for the film you and I do next."

-*-

Arjun Rampal celebrates rights of children in US

Actor Arjun Rampal took out time to celebrate the rights of children in New York.

"About tonight (Friday). New York City. CRY gala dinner. Child rights, CRY foundation, CRY America," Arjun tweeted along with a photo in which he is all suited up.

The CRY Gala Dinner at New York - Pledge 2017 took place on Friday. Arjun attended the dinner as a special guest in support of CRY that aims to work towards giving underprivileged children a brighter future.

-*-

Nimrat Kaur wants to be Rajkummar

Actress Nimrat Kaur fell in love with "Behen Hogi Teri" and Rajkummar Rao's character so much that she gave a shout-out to the actor saying she wants to be just like him.

"Loved 'Behen Hogi Teri! Thrilled to bits for Ajay K Pannalal and his labour of love and Rajkummar Rao, you just make me wanna be you," Nimrat tweeted on Saturday.

"Behen Hogi Teri" is about a man who falls in love with his childhood friend and neighbour, but the girl treats him like a brother.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three Afghan civilians were killed and nine others injured in a shooting at a mosque in Paktia province, the Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

"The shooting took place at the mosque in provincial capital Gardez city at round 8.45 p.m., during Tarawih prayers," the ministry said in a statement.

No group has claimed responsibility yet for the incident, reports Xinhua news agency.

The attack came as Afghans celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by abstaining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset.

Muslims offer the Tarawih prayers only during month of Ramadan.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Trinamool Congress MLA Iqbal Ahmed, who was summoned by the CBI as part of the Narada sting video probe, on Saturday sought time citing ill health and the ongoing Ramadan fast.

Kolkata Deputy Mayor Ahmed had received a notice from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) asking him to appear at its office in South Kolkata's Nizam Palace on Saturday.

Ahmed instead sent a letter through his lawyer seeking "seven to ten days' time".

"I just came to give a representation that we want seven to ten days' time. He is indisposed and Ramadan is also on," said the lawyer.

"We have given a written submission. I am sure they will consider it," he said.

Ahmed was one of the Trinamool leaders purportedly seen receiving money in exchange of promise to dole out favours to a fictitious company in a video footage uploaded by the Narada News portal last year.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump is expected to reveal his administration's new policy toward Cuba during a speech in Miami next week, the media reported.

Trump is due to roll back portions of the policies laid down by former President Barack obama to soften relations with Cuba.

Two US officials with knowledge of the development told CNN on Friday that Trump is likely to blast the Cuban government for human rights abuses and impose sanctions on officials suspected of carrying out the repression of dissidents.

The Obama administration's changes were viewed as a significant relaxation of tensions between US and Cuba since Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution.

During his time in office, Obama exchanged prisoners with the Cuban government, reestablished diplomatic relations with Havana and became the first US President since 1928 to visit Cuba.

In January, Cuban President Raul Castro said his government wished "to pursue a respectful dialogue and cooperation on topics of common interest with the new government of President Donald Trump."

White House press secretary Sean Spicer indicated in February that a tougher posture toward Cuba could be in the works.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, who has remained silent over the deadly protest by Madhya Pradesh farmers, was on Saturday greeted with eggs in Odisha by Congress activists, angry over the killing of six protesters in the neighbouring state.

The Youth Congress activists also waived black flags as soon as the minister's cavalcade left a state guest house in Khurdha district for an official function "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas" in Jatani, near Bhubaneswar.

However, the egg missiles missed the intended target but a couple of them broke in front of Singh's official vehicle, witnesses said.

At least five Congress workers were arrested, a police official said. Odisha Youth Congress chief Loknath Maharathy was among the arrested.

Calling him anti-farmer, Maharathy said Radha Mohan Singh had no moral right to be the Agriculture Minister "after the brutal killing of farmers in Madhya Pradesh ruled by the BJP".

Congress leader Pradip Majhi said the "egg attack was carried out to sensitise (the central government), so that the problems of the farmers of Odisha and other parts of the country are addressed".

The angry Congress activists were demonstrating in protest against the death of six farmers in police firing in Mandsaur district, the epicentre of the farmers' agitation in Madhya Pradesh, which remained calm but tense as authorities allowed a 12-hour relaxation in curfew from 8 a,m, to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Local markets in the Mandsaur city opened as people came out in droves to stock daily essentials, District Magistrate O.P. Srivastava said, adding no untoward incident had taken place anywhere in the troubled region.

"If the situation continues to be normal, curfew will be lifted (from Sunday)," Srivastava said.

But the wholesale agriculture market -- Mandsaur Krishi Upaj Mandi on the outskirts of Mandsaur city -- was deserted as farmers, who began protesting from June 1 to demand debt relief and price hike in their produce, stayed away from selling for the 10th day on Saturday.

According to estimates, this has led to losses of several crores of rupees to the agriculture sector in the state. The market on a normal day sees some 5,000 farmers from across Madhya Pradesh and parts of neighbouring Rajasthan selling their produce in an estimated daily turnover of Rs 5 crore.

Mandsaur and its adjoining Neemuch district were the epicentre of the peasant stir even as protests spread to other parts of the state after police opened fire at farmers on June 6.

Amid the spiralling protests by Madhya Pradesh farmers, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday began his indefinite fast here "until peace is restored" in the state.

The Chief Minister has decided to run his office from the BHEL Dussehra Maidan, where he is sitting on fast. He said it would serve as an open forum where farmers and people would be able to approach him directly.

The opposition slammed Chouhan's decision to go on fast.

Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Arun Yadav said the act was "a farce". "He has never considered visiting the families of the dead farmers in Mandsaur and also the houses of the 25 persons who died in a blast at a fireworks factory."

In Delhi, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury accused the BJP-led central government of turning farming into a "loss-making profession" and meeting farmers' genuine grievances with "bullets".

"The essential point is this: We are not remunerating farmers adequately for their labour and produce. The BJP instead, is meeting their genuine grievances with bullets," Yechury wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday, referring to the protests in Madhya Pradesh in which six farmers were killed in police firing.

--IANS

sar/bg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US House and Senate investigators have requested former FBI Director James Comey's memos of his private discussions with President Donald Trump and any records the White House kept of their discussion including audio recordings.

The leaders of the House Russia investigation, Representatives Michael Conaway, a Texas Republican, and Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, sent the request on Friday directly to Comey for copies of his memos, reports CNN.

They also sent a separate request to Trump's White House counsel, Don McGahn, for any record the administration had of their meetings.

The investigators requested Comey and the White House to provide the records by June 23.

The Senate judiciary committee, meanwhile, sent a request to Columbia University law professor Daniel Richman for Comey's memos. Richman had confirmed on Thursday that he was the friend Comey testified who had discussed the memos with the media.

The leaders of the Senate judiciary's probe sent Richman the request on Thursday and asked he provide it by Friday. A source familiar with the matter said Richman has been in touch with Senate judiciary through special counsel Bob Mueller's office, and that there will be movement after the weekend.

Four members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, including Chairman Chuck Grassley and ranking Democrat Dianne Feinstein, had set a Friday deadline for Richman to respond after Comey testified that he gave the memo to him and asked him to anonymously disclose it to the media in an attempt to prompt the naming of a special counsel, reports CNN.

Comey testified Thursday that Trump asked him to drop an investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn and implied the President may have become the subject of investigation himself for interfering in the Federal Bureau of Investigation's work.

Under oath, Comey repeatedly called Trump a liar. Trump responded Friday by saying Comey was a liar.

--IANS

ksk

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At a time when Bollywood celebrities are slowly opening up about their personal issues and relationships, actress Kriti Sanon says she is at ease sharing certain aspects about her personal life in public -- while keeping some of it private.

"There is a part of my life that I share with my fans. I am pretty active on social media... So yes, there are little things which I do share with my fans; but I do believe that there is a part of my life which is private and (which I would) like to keep private. I want that small space for myself and for the people who are really close to me," Kriti told IANS.

The 26-year-old actress, whose latest release is "Raabta", says she doesn't find the "need to share everything" with everyone.

"I don't want the focus to go away from my work. I'd rather want you to talk about my work than what's happening in my personal life," she added.

Kriti was in the city to promote "Raabta", which released on Friday. The film also stars Sushant Singh Rajput, with whom the "Dilwale" actress has been linked.

The rumours, however, don't bother her.

"Three films, one link-up -- not a bad thing... It doesn't bother me. It is completely fine. Gossip is something which sort of interests people more," she commented, adding that she would prefer if her work sparks more conversations.

"I dont like that the attention goes away from one's work, but at the same time it (gossip) is a part and parcel of the industry. It is not something that I can control. So better to ignore it or laugh along with it. As long as my family members or people really close to me know what's happening in my personal life, I am okay with it," she added.

Coming with absolutely no Bollywood backing, does Kriti feel she has now "fit in"?

While she has definitely "fitted in" in terms of her work, but she still feels "a little out of place in the filmy parties. I think I am still a very few films old to be knowing a lot of people. I am making friends as I am doing movies... That is how you eventually feel comfortable in the industry", said Kriti, the daughter of a chartered accountant and an associate professor.

She herself holds a BTech in electronics and communication engineering.

Does she regret not having a backer in the industry?

"No. I think it's completely okay. I personally feel that I am doing very well for myself. Even if it's slow, it's fine. I am really proud of my journey. I really like the fact that I am here and reached here by myself and because of the people around me who have believed in me.

"You really don't need to have a godfather. You need to have talent and belief. These are the two things important more than anything else," she said, resting her case.

(Durga Chakravarty can be contacted at durga.c@ians.in)

--IANS

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Taking strong exception to BJP president Amit Shah's comment on Mahatma Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister on Saturday demanded that he withdraw it and apologise to the country.

"He should withdraw his comment and apologise for it. It is a deliberate act. It is unfortunate, uncalled for and unethical," she told reporters here.

"Gandhiji is the father of the nation and he is an icon of the world. No one should think that he can say anything only because he is in power", she said.

In a tweet, Banerjee said, "When we, in public life, speak about icons of our nation and the world, we must always show utmost respect and sensitivity with language".

The BJP chief on Friday referred to Mahatma Gandhi as a "bahutchaturbaniya" (a very clever Baniya - the trading caste) while addressing a gathering in Raipur.
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BJP chief has said Mahatma Gandhi was a "chaturbaniya", a reference to the mercantile caste to which he was born, who had rightly advised dissolution of the Congress after Independence.

Addressing a select audience of "prominent citizens" in Raipur on Friday evening, Shah also said the Congress was not rooted in any ideology or principles and was sort of a "special purpose vehicle" to secure freedom.

In remarks that raised the hackles of the Congress, which demanded an apology from Shah as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP president went on term Mahatma Gandhi a "bahutchaturbaniya", a very shrewd baniya.

"The Congress party... Was constituted as a club by a British man. It was later converted into an organisation engaged in the freedom struggle," Shah said.

It had in its fold both right and left-leaning people like Maulana Azad, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and many others, he said.

"People of various ideologies and thinking associated themselves with Congress to gain independence. Congress didn't have any ideology or set of principles and it was only used as a special purpose vehicle to secure freedom.

"And therefore, Mahatma Gandhi, with a lot of foresight -- he was a very shrewdbaniya  he knew what was going to happen in future. He had said immediately after the Independence that Congress should be dissolved."



Mahatma Gandhi couldn't do that, but now some people are completing the task of dissolution of Congress, the BJP chief added in an apparent jibe at the present Congress leadership.

Amongst the 1,650 political parties in India, only the BJP and the Communist Party of India have upheld internal democracy, he said.

"There are some parties where only dynastic rule prevails. It was clear that after Congress presidentSonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi would take over, but nobody can predict who would be the next BJP president after me," Shah said.

Referring to alleged anti- slogans raised in Jawaharlal Nehru University, Shah said whoever does so will be termed as anti- .

Shah's remarks on Mahatma Gandhi led to immediate criticism from the Congress in Chhattisgarh and in New Delhi.

"Such a comment on the father of the nation is highly condemnable. Shah has crossed limits of politics," said state Congress general secretary Shailesh Nitin Trivedi.

In New Delhi, party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Shah's remarks were "an insult to freedom fighters, their sacrifices and also to Gandhi".
A crew member was killed and two pilots suffered injuries when a helicopter carrying pilgrims met with an accident while taking off from the Himalayan shrine of Badrinath in Uttarakhand today.

All the five passengers were reportedly safe.

An official at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in Delhi said that an engineer, who was part of the crew, died in the accident, while the two pilots suffered injuries.

Chamoli Superintendent of Police Tripti Bhatt told PTI on the phone that the engineer was hit by rotor blades.

The police officer said the helicopter got disbalanced while taking off due to insufficient air pressure and fell down.

The accident took place around 0745 hrs.

The Agusta 119 helicopter, belonging to Mumbai-based private operator Krestal Aviation, was on its way from Badrinath to Haridwar.

The DGCA said it was investigating the matter.

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Iran's Aseman Airlines has finalised an agreement to buy 30 Boeing 737 MAX jets for USD 3.0 billion, the company said today, with an option to buy 30 more.

The deal, announced in April, was signed at a ceremony in Tehran and the first 30 planes are due for delivery between 2022 and 2024.

"I'm glad that we can... Upgrade the air fleet in an appropriate manner so they can take over regional markets," said Labour Minister Ali Rabii at the signing, according to the ISNA agency.

However, the deal could be scuppered if US President Donald Trump goes ahead with threats to reimpose sanctions on Iran.

The White House is in the midst of a 90-day review to decide if it will stick by the 2015 deal between Iran and world powers, in which Tehran agreed curb on its nuclear programme in exchange for an easing of sanctions.

Washington must renew sanctions waivers every few months to keep the deal alive, and another set of renewals is due in the coming days.

Even if Trump sticks by the nuclear deal, the Boeing sale must be cleared by the US Office of Foreign Assets (OFAC).

"We have finalised the deal and now we are waiting for OFAC permission within the next month," Aseman spokesman Amir Reza Mostafavi told AFP.

He said Aseman would pay five per cent of the contract in cash, with the remainder paid through a financing deal organised by Boeing.

Boeing, which is also building 80 planes for national carrier Iran Air, faces heavy criticism from US lawmakers who say Iranian airlines have been used to ship weapons and troops to Syria and other conflict zones.

The aerospace giant has therefore emphasised the employment potential of the deals, saying in April that the Aseman contract "creates or sustains approximately 18,000 jobs in the United States".

Iran has been desperate to renew its ageing fleet of planes, but was largely blocked from dealing with major aircraft manufacturers until the 2015 nuclear accord.

The US has maintained its own sanctions, which block almost all trade with Iran, but plane manufacturers were given a specific exemption under the nuclear deal.

OFAC approved the sale of the 80 Boeing as well as 100 Airbus planes to Iran Air. The first few Airbus jets have already arrived in Tehran.

Aseman currently has a fleet of 36 planes -- half of them the 105-seat Dutch Fokker 100s.

Its three Boeing 727-200s are almost as old as the Islamic revolution, having made their first flight in 1980.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Traders body CAIT today demanded from the GST Council a nine-months interim period during which no penal action should be taken against them for any procedural lapses.

The council is scheduled to meet tomorrow.

Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said that the preparedness at the level of small businesses is at a low stage and about 60 per cent of traders are yet to adopt digital technology for GST compliance.

"Interim period from July 1 to March 31, 2018 will give ample opportunity to the traders to understand GST law, rules and regulations," CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said in a statement.

CAIT has submitted its representation to the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister urging for an interim period, he added.

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Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat expressed grief at the death of an engineer in a helicopter accident in Badrinath today.

"Saddened by the of death of an engineer of a Mumbai-based chopper company in SriBadrinath ji; pilot, copilot & all passengers are safe," Rawat said in a tweet after the chopper crash-landed at a helipad in Badrinath while taking off for Haridwar.

There were five pilgrims from Vadodara on board the private chopper. All of them escaped unhurt.

They were returning after paying obeisance at the Himalayan shrine, Chamoli Superintendent of Police Tripti Bhatt said.

The engineer, named Vikram Lamba, was killed after being hit by rotor blades of the chopper. He hailed from Assam, the SP said.

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Child Welfare Committee Chairman,who allegedly forcibly removed five kids from a children's home run by a society here on June 1, has been directed by Madras High court to hand over their custody to the society again.

Justice M Duraiswamy also ordered notice, returnable by four weeks, to the Kancheepuram District Collector, Chairman of CWC, and three others on a petition filed by Franciscan Sisters of St.Joseph.

The petitioner submitted that Assisi Illam in St.Thomas Mount, established in 2005, was one among various children's home run by the petitioner society. It had 17 children,of whom 12 were semi orphans and the others were destitutes



All these years these five children were not only cared for but also given good education.Since authorities had raised demands on staff and other requirements, besides to upgrade infrastructure, the society decided to close the home from 2017-18.

It requested CWC to permit it to transfer the children to their Illam at St.Thomas Mount. The District Child Protection officer also recommended the same.

However CWC issued a show cause notice asking why it had not informed the government about accepting the 5 children in 2005 and 2006 after enactment of the Juvenile Justice Act, to which the society explained the circumstances under which the children came under their care and protection.

But CWC lodged a police complaint that the Illam was an un-registered home and the children were under illegal custody, the petitioner added.

Petitioner's counsel submitted that the CWC had forcibly removed the children from the Illam with assistance of police on June 1 and transferred them to some other private home.

The judge said when children in the 9-12 age group were brought up by the Illam from childhood, it would not be proper on CWC's part to take custody of the children all of a sudden.

It was also brought to the notice of the court that the children were studying in one of the best schools in the locality.

The judge said that when the children were with the Illam for nearly 12 years, the court has to see about their welfare while deciding on the issue of their custody.

He then granted the petitioner the custody of the five children.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
'Dangal' actress Zaira Wasim escaped unhurt after her car met with an accident in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, police said today.

The 16-year-old actress was travelling with her friend when the accident took place on Boulevard Road on the banks of Dal Lake late Friday night, they said.

According to the eyewitnesses, the vehicle was moving at a high speed and the driver lost control over the vehicle. The car jumped over the footpath and hit the parapet along the lake.

The car, according to some reports, belonged to a local politician, police said.

The police said since there were no reports of injuries or damage to public property, no case has been registered in the matter.

Zaira shot to fame with her portrayal of younger version of wrestler Geeta Phogat in Aamir Khan's blockbuster "Dangal".

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Union Labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya will be leaving for Geneva tomorrow to participate in the 106th meeting of the International Labour Organisation from June 12-16.

"During the ILO Conference I would deliver address on June 12 marking the World Child Labour Day. The next day, I will address Non Aligned Movement (NAM) countries, Indian Event on Child Labour and ASPAG meeting (Asia Pacific Group of ILO)," he told reporters here.

He would address the ILO Conference and G-20 Countries meet on June 14 and the ILO plenary session on June 16.

The Minister will also hold bilateral talks with labour ministers of eight countries.

During the ILO conference, India will be hosting an event on Child Labour.

Dattatreya also said as per the recent rule passed by the Parliament, children under 14 years of age are not be allowed to work at any place while those under 18 years are prevented from working in hazardous industries as per the ILO 138 and 182 conventions.

The Minister further said India is implementing technology mode governance in administration and lot of changes and reforms have taken place in the labour ministry during the past three years.

According to Dattatreya, Medical Council of India (MCI) has given permission to ESI Medical College for 2nd year admissions and permission to start Dental College at Gulbarga in Karnataka.

He said six medical colleges and two dental colleges are run by the ESIC across the country.

The six medical colleges are located at Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Joka, Faridabad, Chennai and Gulbarga and the dental colleges are at Delhi and Gulbarga.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today sought explanations from 10 "worst performing" development authorities and nagar nigams in addressing public grievances under their jurisdictions.

The development authorities of Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Saharanpur, Jhansi, Meerut, Agra, Allahabad, Gorakhpur and Gautam Budhnagar are under the watch.

The Chief Minister has asked for clarification from the vice chairpersons of these agencies.

Also, explanations have been sought from the nagar ayukts of Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Jhansi, Agra, Bareilly, Allahabad and Saharanpur.

Asserting that his government is committed to a time- bound and qualitative redressal of public grievances, the Chief Minister said all those found lax in this regard will be taken to task.

He directing the Chief Secretary to seek explanation from officials of these Development Authorities and Nagar Nigams, and esnure proper and timely redress of public grievances.

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Leonardo DiCaprio, a dedicated environmental activist, has joined hands with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto to protect marine ecosystems in the upper Gulf of California.

Pena Nieto signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Oscar-winning actor's foundation to save the rare species of porpoise from imminent extinction, reported Los Angeles Times.

"Now more than ever, the world is looking for bold leadership at every level to tackle climate change and environmental conservation issues," DiCaprio said.

"I am honoured to work with President Pena Nieto, who has been a leader in ecosystem conservation, to ensure the future viability of marine life in the Gulf. This action is a critical step towards ensuring that the Gulf of California continues to be both vibrant and productive, especially for species like the critically endangered Vaquita."



The MoU also sets out specific objectives to eliminate illegal fishing.

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No, it is not any "mental gymnastics" at all.



Indeed, the Green Climate Fund was essentially setup with an overall goal of financially assisting climate change-related mitigation and adaptation projects for undeveloped/underdeveloped countries.



So, instead of those undeveloped/underdeveloped countries having to pay the entire currently ongoing external costs and future external costs related to the use of fossil fuels by the developed nations, those developed nations would essentially be paying a portion of those inevitable bills, instead, thru that fund.



For example, the project I cited earlier relating to Vietnam essentially helps offset somewhat the costs that Vietnam inevitably has to pay regarding its adaptation and mitigation efforts towards climate change, of which happens to be related to rising sea level. Thus, in short, the use of fossil fuels by developed nations is the primary root cause why sea level is rising along the Vietnamese coast and the developed nation funding of that Green Climate Fund project helps to offset some of the bill that Vietnam inevitably has to pay regarding their adaptation and mitigation efforts related to that rising sea level. And, this scenario isn't much different than if I were to give my neighbor some money to help offset the clean up costs that my neighbor would have to pay if my garbage was to somehow end up in my neighbor's yard as a result of my negligence.
Pop star Justin Bieber's new collaboration with French DJ David Guetta "2U" is released and available to download now.

The track featuring an array of Victoria's Secret Angels including Jasmine Tookes, Stella Maxwell, Sara Sampaio, Elsa Hosk and Romee Strijd, has already reached the number-one spot on Billboard chart.

"Justin has such a unique voice and I have so much respect for his talent but also for his choices. He took some risks reinventing himself lately in such a cool amazing creative way.

"I'm very proud to finally share a record with him. I feel like '2U' is an incredible combination of emotion energy with a huge melody combined with edgy sounds," Guetta said in a statement.

The full music video has scored 6 million global views on YouTube so far since its posting.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union minister on Saturday said most of the demands of the pro-talk faction of the ULFA are "worth considering" and a final solution is expected "very soon".

"The peace talk with the Arabinda Rajkhowa faction of the ULFA is going on very well and with confidence. We genuinely feel that maximum demands by the pro-talk Arabinda Rajkhowa faction are worth considering," the minister of state for home affairs told reporters here.

He, however, declined to comment on details, but said "I can only say that we are giving a serious consideration to their demands for a final solution very soon".

When asked about when the solution can be expected, he said "we cannot give any timeline.

Asked specifically whether the ULFA's prime demand for sovereignty of Assam is negotiated during the talks, Rijiju said "there is no question of sovereignty at all. If sovereignty, there cannot be any talk. The talk is within the framework of the Indian Constitution".

"I am not even mandated to speak anything which is beyond the Indian Constitution," he said.
The steel ministry is focusing on enhancing domestic consumption, production of high quality steel and making the sector globally competitive, Union minister Chaudhary Birender Singh told a committee today.

The ministry's consultive committee, which comprises MPs and steel ministry officials as members, held its meeting at Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh today, a release by the steel ministry said.

"Our focus is on enhancing domestic consumption, high quality steel production and making the sector globally competitive," Singh, who heads the panel, said.

The Members of Parliament appreciated the new National Steel Policy (NSP) 2017 and the new policy for providing preference to domestically manufactured iron and steel products in government procurement, the release said.

"The most significant and far-reaching of all policy interventions is the rolling out of the NSP. The policy lays forward the road map for the industry in the coming years and will help in harnessing the sector's untapped potential," the release said.

On May 3, the Cabinet had approved the National Steel Policy 2017 which reflects the aspirations of domestic steel industry for achieving 300 MT of steelmaking capacity by 2030-31.

Steel Secretary Aruna Sharma and SAIL Chairman P K Singh Chairman were among those who attended the meeting.

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Veteran CPI-M leader V S Achuthanandan today expressed concern over the plans to set up two more reactors at Kundankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district and said the move was condemnable.

The former Kerala Chief Minister said in a statement here that the existing units at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) had triggered safety concerns.

India and Russia had last month signed an agreement for setting up of two more units of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tirunelveli.

The CPI-M had taken a stand from the beginning that work on the nuclear power plant had to be started only after addressing concerns of the people, but it was not considered, he said.

"We have not received an answer so far to the question where residues of the nuclear plant were being processed," he said.

It was in these circumstances that the Centre had signed an agreement with Russia for setting up fifth and sixth reactors at the plant, he pointed out.

India also should withdraw from the agreement, he said.

KNPP, a Indo-Russian joint venture, is operating two units of 1000 MW each presently.

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Travis Head propelled Australia to a respectable 277 for nine with his fiery unbeaten 71-run knock after England's Mark Wood and Adil Rashid caused a batting collapse in a crucial Group A Champions Trophy here today.

Put into bat, Aaron Finch (68) and Steve Smith (56) blasted twin half centuries at the top, while Head scored an unbeaten fifty down the order after England decided to bowl.

Seamer Wood (4/33) and spinner Rashid (4/41) snapped four wickets each, while Ben Stokes (1/49) took one wicket at Edgbaston here.

In their must-win encounter, World Champions Australia lost opener David Warner (21) in the eighth over when he edged a Wood delivery and was caught by wicket-keeper Jos Butler.

Finch and Smith then dug their heels and ensured Australia don't suffer any more hiccups and brought up the first 50 runs in 8.5 overs.

The duo rotated the strike well and picked up odd boundaries to guide Australia across the 100-mark in 18 overs.

Meanwhile, Finch completed his 50 off 47 balls in the 17th over with the help of seven fours. But he became a victim of Stokes in the 23rd over when a miscued shot was smartly taken by Eoin Morgan, rushing from mid-off.

At 136-2, Moises Henriques joined Smith and the duo brought up the 150 in 25.3 overs. But the former couldn't stay longer as his miscued slog shot was holed out at mid-on by Plunkett off Rashid.

In the 31st over, Smith sent Plunkett for a boundary to reach his fifty off 68 balls with the help of five fours. One over later, Plunkett caught the Australian captain at mid-off after he failed to negotiate a Wood delivery.

Head and Glenn Maxwell (20) then shared 58 runs off 62 balls to take Australia to 239.

However, Australia suffered a collapse after that losing Maxwell, Matthew Wade (2), Mitchell Starc (0), Pat Cummins (4) and Adam Zampa (0) within 15 runs as they failed to accelerate in the end overs.

Head hit some lusty blows towards the end to prop up Australia.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Following are the top stories at 1815 hours today:



DEL16 AADHAAR-ITAX-CBDT



New Delhi: The CBDT makes it clear that Aadhaar will be a "must" for filing of Income Tax Returns or for obtaining a new PAN from July 1.

BOM4 CG-SHAH-MAHATMA



Raipur: BJP chief Amit Shah says Mahatma Gandhi was a "chatur baniya", a reference to the mercantile caste to which he was born, who had rightly advised dissolution of the Congress after Independence.

DEL19 MP-FARMERS-LD SOCIAL MEDIA



By Harshwardhan Prakash



Mandsaur (MP): One hand on the tractor wheel and the other on the phone ready to tweet. That was the informal instruction spread amongst protesters here, many of them youngsters who defy the stereotypical image of the traditional Indian farmer.

DEL20 SHAH-MAHATMA REAX



New Delhi: Attacking BJP chief Amit Shah for describing Mahatma Gandhi as a "chatur baniya", Opposition parties demand that he should apologise to the nation and insist that the "denigrating" remark is withdrawn.

DEL21 SHAH-MAHATMA-GOPALKRISHNA



New Delhi: Gandhi laughed at cartoons of himself. He would have chuckled at the "chatur baniya" description also, but for its "utter tastelessness" and the hidden mischief in it, says the Mahatma's grandson Gopalkrishna Gandhi.

DEL8 MP-FARMERS-SITUATION



Mandsaur: Mandsaur, the epicentre of the farmers' agitation in Madhya Pradesh, remains peaceful with authorities relaxing curfew for 12 hours from 8 am to 8 pm.

DEL6 JK-INFILTRATION



Srinagar: A militant killed as the Army thwarts an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in Gurez sector of Bandipora district in north Kashmir.

CAL1 WB-GJM-SITUATION



Darjeeling: A day after a 12-hour bandh called by the influential Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) for revival of Gorkhaland agitation, life limps back to normalcy in Darjeeling of West Bengal as people resume their daily work with hotels, shops, eateries and markets opening for regular business.

BOM3 MP-LD-CHOUHAN



Bhopal: As the violent agrarian unrest entered its tenth day in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan begin his indefinite fast at the Dusshera Maidan here for restoration of peace and promised profitable prices to farmers for their produce.

CAL7 WB-MAMATA-GJM



Siliguri: In a stern warning to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) for resorting to violence in Darjeeling, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee says the state government would not go for any compromise and deal with those who violated law.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Following are the top stories from the northern region at 1830 HRS:



DES1 UKD-RAWAT



Dehradun: Youths in Jammu and Kashmir are being misinformed and misguided by forces inimical to peace, says Army Chief General Bipin Rawat.

DEL4 UKD-2NDLD-HELICOPTER CRASH



Dehradun: A crew member killed and two pilots suffered injuries when a helicopter carrying pilgrims met with an accident while taking off from the Himalayan shrine of Badrinath in Uttarakhand.

DEL7 JK-FIRING



Srinagar: One person injured when suspected militants fired at two vehicles belonging to security forces in south Kashmir's Anantnag, says police.

DES6 UP-COW SLAUGHTER-ARREST



Muzaffarnagar: Three persons arrested for allegedly slaughtering cow and selling its meat at Dadheru village in Muzaffarnagar district, says police.

DES10 DL-HONEYTRAP-ARREST



New Delhi: Police arrest a businessman who allegedly helped a 40-year-old woman to honeytrap and blackmail a BJP MP from Gujarat K C Patel, a day after a special court initiated proceedings to declare him a proclaimed offender.

NRG3 DL-ERICKSHAW DRIVER-ARREST



New Delhi: A 25-year-old cab driver arrested for his alleged involvement in the killing of an e-rickshaw driver outside the GTB Nagar Metro Station here last month.

NRG18 JK-BAR-NAIK



Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association terms as "barbaric" and "full of venom" against Kashmiri people the statement of former IAF head Air Chief Marshal P V Naik that ruthless measures, including use of air power, were needed to combat militancy in the state.

DES7 UP-MAYAWATI-FARMERS



Lucknow: Accusing the BJP governments at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh of ignoring the interests of farmers and the poor, BSP chief Mayawati says focus of the ruling dispensation was only on getting cheap and cosmetic popularity.

LGD1 UP-SP-PROTEST-COURT



Lucknow: A court here denies bail to 11 college students including two girls who allegedly blocked the convoy of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and showed him black flags on Wednesday.

NRG15 PB-BJP



Chandigarh: Punjab BJP accuses Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi of turning a blind eye to "rising" number of farmer suicides and alleges atrocities against Dalits under the Amarinder Singh-led government in the state.

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Hindu organisations from various parts of the country and abroad will demand a nationwide ban on consumption of beef at the four-day convention scheduled at Ramnathi village in Goa on June 14, a Hindu Janjagruti Samiti functionary said today.

HJS leader Charudatt Pingle announced that more than 400 delegates representing over 150 Hindu organisations from across the country, and also from Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will attend the sixth Hindu convention being organised by the HJS.

"All 150 Hindu organisations from 21 Indian states besides three countries will demand a nationwide ban on beef consumption. The supreme court directives on beef ban are clear. We should implement the supreme court order," he told reporters.

Samiti national spokesman Ramesh Shinde said the "differences" between Goa government and the Centre over the recent notification banning trade of cattle for slaughter at animal markets indicate that democracy has failed.

"There is no unanimity between the government of Goa and Union government. Though both the governments are led by one party, they are not unanimous over the notification. This is a failure of democracy," he said.

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The demands to declare India a 'Hindu Rashtra (nation)' are "unnecessary" as India has been one since ancient times, Uttar Pradesh's Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said today.

Speaking to reporters, Shahi also blamed opposition parties alleging they were trying to instigate farmers in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.

"India has been a Hindu rashtra since the ancient times....The demands for declaring it as such are unnecessary," Shahi said.

India is already a Hindu rashtra as per its historical and cultural heritage, the minister stressed.

BJP's Salempur MP, Ravindra Kushwaha, who was present, however maintained silence over the issue.

Replying to another question, Shahi appealed to the farmers of Madhya Pradesh to desist from violence and exercise restraint.

"The agriculture growth rate has gone up from seven per cent to 18 per cent during the Shivraj Singh government and all that has been done for farmers by his government. Congress could not manage it in 55 years," Shahi said.

He also referred to the various steps being taken by the UP government in the interest of farmers.

Blaming the Congress and other opposition parties for the problems in Madhya Pradesh, Kushwaha alleged that they had "misled and instigated farmers in a planned manner".

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You got to love how the right wing is playing the "Trump was too inexperienced to know that he shouldn't kick people out of the room so he can speak with Comey alone" defense. It was Trump that went on and on for a couple of months about the inappropriateness of Bill Clinton meeting on a tarmac with Obama's Attorney General. So Trump magically forgot the protocol that he was espousing for months ? That sums up the problem for the right wing with respect to Trump. They embarrass themselves trying to defend this fool.
India and Mauritius today signed a pact to institutionalize cooperation between Parliaments of the two countries.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Speaker of National Assembly of Mauritius Santi Bai Hanoomanjee after their meeting here.

Mahajan, who is leading an Indian parliamentary delegation to Mauritius, said there is a lot to be learnt by sharing the best practices and experiences as parliamentary democracies.

In this regard, she said the MoU on joint framework for parliamentary support and capacity building is a "visionary step forward", according to a statement issued by the Lok Sabha secretariat.

She said the Parliament of India accords great importance to the steady development of parliamentary relations between the two countries.

Mahajan said the relations between the two countries are based on centuries of cultural, linguistic, social and spiritual links that transcend extraneous considerations.

More than political and other considerations, it is the commonality between the two societies and depth and nature of their people-to-people contacts which provide a platform for the sustained growth of friendship and partnership, she said.

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Germany was actively working with India for the university exchange programme, German Deputy Consul General Jurgen Thomas Schrod said here.

"India-Germany varsity exchange programme is consistently going on involving premier institutions in Kolkata as well as from North-East.

"It is a slow process, but we are working," Schrod told PTI on the sidelines of a discussion on 'Consumer Protection' at Calcutta Chamber of Commerce.

From the German side, he said, "Quite a few universities are interested and many already have their Asian wings. The number is bound to rise."



Schrod mentioned of Heidelberg University as one such university.

Advocating the need for increased cultural exchange between the two nations, he said "Quite a few people in Kolkata - artistes, literary people, musicians - have gone to Germany.

"As part of heightening cultural activities, the Max Mueller Bhavan in Kolkata is having new premises where more art shows, musical programmes can take place," he said.

He also said that India was among the top five trading partners of Germany.

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The Interior Ministry says at least three civilians have been shot and killed by gunmen inside a mosque in eastern Afghanistan.

In a statement released today the ministry says that nine others were wounded in the attack last night in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province.

The ministry strongly condemned the attack and called it an act against Islam and humanity. It said the civilians were attacked while praying.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Taliban and Haqqani network are active in Paktia and neighboring provinces and often target government officials as well as Afghan security forces in the region.

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Sri Lanka's main Muslim party today alleged role of an "external hand" behind a series of attacks on Islamic religious centres in the country in recent weeks.

"With all our political experience we can seen an external hand to disturb the peace in the country," Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem said.

Muslim civil society groups had claimed that there have been over 30 incidents of racial hatred attacks against the community in the last seven weeks. They have also accused the police of inaction to prevent the attacks.

"Those responsible for maintaining the law and order are being directed by an invisible hand," Hakeem, who is also a government minister, told a gathering in the central town of Kandy.

Hakeem said the issue needs to be taken up with the highest levels of the government.

"We will try to resolve the issue with talks internally," he said.

Several centres of Muslim minority have been facing arson attacks since mid April. The attacks were largely blamed on the Buddhist extremist group, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).

BBS leader and monk Galagodaatte Gnanasara was seen publicly slamming Islam last month.

Gnanasara is wanted for contempt of court and has been ordered by a court not to leave the country.

Sri Lanka's population practises a variety of religions.

As of the 2011 census, 70 per cent of Sri Lankans were Theravada Buddhists, 12 per cent Hindus, 9.7 per cent Muslims and 7.4 per cent Christians.

Galagodatte Gnanasara is wanted by the police in around 19 complaints of harassment filed by the Muslims. Police has launched a search for him, but have not arrested him.

Envoys of many countries, including Australia and Canada, have visited a prominent mosque here to express their solidarity with minority Muslims.

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The "warm and heartfelt" friendship between former South African President Nelson Mandela and Namibian freedom fighter Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, who passed away yesterday, was recalled here by the Mandela Foundation.

Mandela spent around 10 years in the same section on Robben Island with Toivo, who was sent there before the then South West Africa, a protectorate of the white minority South African government, became independent Namibia.

Ya Toivo died yesterday at the age of 92 in Windhoek, Namibia.

"Madiba (the name by which Mandela is fondly known) was impressed by Toivo who refused to co-operate with the authorities and even would not participate in the system of grading prisoners to earn them a higher ranking and more privileges," the Foundation said.

The foundation's CEO Sello Hatang says Madiba often described him as a stubborn freedom fighter, who was determined to win independence for his people in Namibia.

Hatang said it is important to note that their friendship was warm and heartfelt.

"He was quite militant. He wanted very little to do with whites, with the warders," Madiba had said.

Ya Toivo was released from prison in 1984 and rejoined Swapo in exile in Lusaka, Zambia.

He continued the fight in exile and returned to the independent Namibia in 1989 to serve in several cabinet positions under President Sam Nujoma until his retirement from active politics in 2006.

He returned to Namibia in 1989 and served as a member of parliament and cabinet minister. He retired from active politics in 2006.

Besides a naval vessel and a school named in his honour, Toivo also received South Africa's highest national honour, the Order of O R Tambo, for his courageous contribution to the fight for independence and freedom in South Africa and Namibia.

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Embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May today began finalising her cabinet of ministers and held talks with the Democratic Unionist Party to determine the contours of the party's support for her minority government.

Many of the key cabinet posts have already been declared as unchanged from the previous government, including Philip Hammond as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Amber Rudd as home secretary, Boris Johnson as foreign secretary, David Davis as Brexit secretary and Michael Fallon as the in-charge of the ministry of defence.

May remains in 10 Downing Street with a much diminished power base after her Conservative party fell short of an overall majority in the House of Commons, the lower house of the UK Parliament, as the general election results threw up a hung Parliament yesterday.

She reportedly abandoned plans for a major reshuffle of her cabinet to keep her senior Tory party colleagues on her side.

She is expected to meet with her newly-reassembled ministerial team over the weekend in an attempt to quell any rebellion within Tory ranks.

While May's top team has been left unchanged, she will have to fill gaps in her ministerial team after nine junior ministers lost their seats in what has been characterised as a disastrous election night for the ruling party, with the shock results going against every pre-election opinion poll forecast and the Jeremy Corbyn-led Opposition Labour faring far better than predicted.

Yesterday, May declared her intention to lead a government with the support of the Northern Ireland MPs of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) -- describing the tie-up as a government of "certainty".

"This government will guide the country through the crucial Brexit talks that begin in just 10 days and deliver on the will of the British people by taking the United Kingdom out of the European Union," she had said.

However, there have been serious doubts on the stability of such a government and May's own leadership of the Tory party.

A snap survey conducted by the Conservative Home website revealed that 60 per cent of party members believe May should quit while just 37 per cent ofthe 1,500 members who took part said she should stay in her post.

Boris Johnson, Amber Rudd and David Davis are among the possible replacements, should May be forced out by her own party in the coming months.

Many of the party members are also uncomfortable with the kind of deal that will have to be struck with the DUP, a socially conservative party that takes an opposing stance on issues such as abortion and same sex marriages.

There is also anger among the party membership over the huge election losses and May's gamble to call a snap general election a full three years ahead of when it would have been officially due in 2020.

Instead of a projected landslide in her favour, May ended up throwing away the small majority that the former David Cameron-led party had won in the 2015 general election.

The Conservatives finished the election with 318 seats, eight short of the 326 needed for a majority, and the party is now dependent on the 10 DUP MPs to ensure legislation can be passed through a hostile House of Commons.

The DUP finds itself in the unique position of being kingmakers and are expected to demand a host of concessions for their support to shore up a Theresa May-led shaky Tory government.

The DUP had campaigned for Brexit in the June 2016 referendum but are considered against a so-called 'hard Brexit', which would see Britain leave the European Union (EU) single market and customs union.

This is expected to have an impact on the Brexit negotiations, which are due to open with the EU on June 19.

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Patna Meteorological Centre today forecast onset of southwest monsoon in Bihar from June 14 that will hit parts of Seemanchal area first.

The weathermen said that monsoon would be arriving in Bihar by its normal date i.E. June 10-15.

"There is the possibility of onset of southwest monsoon in Bihar from June 14. It will hit some parts of Seemanchal area first in the state," Patna Meteorological Centre's scientist Anand Shankar told PTI.

In its forecast, Met department said that it will be partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain or thunderstorm in major cities of Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur and Purnea tomorrow.

As per bulletin, Gaya was the hottest place at 39.1 degrees Celsius followed by Bhagalpur at 37.7 degrees Celsius Patna 37.0 degrees Celsius and Purnea 36.5 degrees Celsius.

The weather was hot and humid in Patna which recorded 75 and 57 per cent of humidity in the morning and evening respectively.

Bahgalpur and Purnea too recorded more than 70 per cent of humidity while Gaya recorded more than 60 per cent humidity making weather uncomfortable.

Light to moderate rainfall occurred in some places in northern and eastern parts of Bihar with Bhagalpur recording a trace while Purnea registering 1.6 mm of rain in the past 24 hours.

Weather remained mainly dry in other parts of the state, Met office said.

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Launching a scathing attack on the Modi government at the Centre, UP Congress chief Raj Babbar today said that BJP's promise to waive loans of farmers across the country was nothing but a political gimmick.

"If dhartiputras (farmers) who provide food to the people are lathi-charged, then how will a state or country progress," he said at Mandola village here while addressing members of farming community.

Babbar today met the protesting farmers of Mandola in connection with a lathi-charge on them earlier this month and assured them of party's support in getting adequate compensation for their lands acquired for an affordable housing project.

The farmers have been pressurising the authorities to revise the compensation rates for the lands acquired under the Avas Vikas housing scheme.

"Mandola and Mandsaur incidents during the NDA rule are not different from each other," he alleged.

"When farmers' leader Rahul Gandhi and party members go to meet those affected, this government gets them arrested," he said.

Babbar, who was flanked by local party leaders, said the Congress will fight for the welfare of farmers and they will get the appropriate compensation up to their satisfaction.

Targeting the state government over destruction of farmers' crop on the acquired land here, he condemned the action and sought the district magistrate's report in this connection.

DM Ministhy S has assured him of a written clearance through the administration.

He also appealed to the protesters to not take any step on the issue and said that if a decision is not taken in their favour, the Congress party will face the baton, before the farmers do.

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Shiv Sena minister Diwakar Raote, who is one of the members of the state committee formed to look into the farmers' demands, today alleged that he was kept in the dark about the formation of the panel.

However, BJP minister Chandrakant Patil said he himself had called Raote to invite him for the panel's maiden meeting on Sunday.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis yesterday announced the formation of a six-member high powered committee to look into the various demands of farmers, including a loan waiver.

Talking to reporters here, Raote said, "I had no idea about my name being included in the ministers panel formed to look into farmers issues. We had been kept in the dark."



Responding to his charges, BJP leader and state Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil said he himself called Raote twice last night to invite him for the panel's first meeting to be held on Sunday.

"The first meeting of the committee will be held in Mumbai on Sunday at 1pm. I myself called Raote twice and invited him for the meeting," Patil said.

Patil, who heads the committee, further claimed that the state government has already accepted 90 per cent of the demands made by protesting farmers.

"The remaining demands will be looked into during the the meeting on Sunday. The BJP will keep trying to give utmost respect to the Sena," Patil added.

The other members of the panel are Agriculture Minister Pandurang Fundkar, Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, Cooperation Minister Subhash Deshmukh and Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan.

The group will hold discussions with farmers' leaders and submit a proposal to the state government.

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Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko stunned third seed Simona Halep 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday to win her maiden Grand Slam title and become the lowest-ranked champion in French Open history.

World number 47 Ostapenko is the first unseeded player to lift the Roland Garros title in the Open era and the first Latvian major champion in history.

The 20-year-old is the youngest French Open winner since Iva Majoli in 1997 and the first player to win a debut tour- level title at a Slam since Gustavo Kuerten in Paris that same year.

"I am really happy. I have no words. It was my dream," said Ostapenko, who will rocket to 12th in the rankings.

She trailed by a set and 3-0 but launched a memorable comeback with a remarkable display of fearless shotmaking.

"I was just trying to stay aggressive. A couple of games, everything turned my way. I was 3-0 down but I was fighting for every point.

"I still cannot believe it. It was my dream always. When I was a child I was watching. It's amazing to play here. I just enjoy it so much."



For Halep, bidding to join compatriots Ilie Nastase and Virginia Ruzici as major winners, it was a second final defeat in four years at Roland Garros.

The 25-year-old would have replaced Angelique Kerber as world number one with victory, but Halep was overpowered as Ostapenko blasted 54 winners to the Romanian's 10.

"I am sick in the stomach with emotions but hopefully I can win this one in the future," said Halep.

"I want to congratulate Jelena. All the credit for what you have done. Enjoy it, be happy and keep it going because you're like a kid."



Ostapenko set the tone immediately on a raucous Court Philippe Chatrier, disguising any nerves with an array of bruising groundstrokes to break Halep in the opening game.

But the Romanian delivered a swift counter-punch, hitting back straight away on the Latvian's serve before holding with ease for 2-1.

- Ostapenko harnesses power -



=============================



More crisp striking from Ostapenko nudged the 20-year-old ahead once more, but the errors flew off her racquet just as regularly and Halep pulled 4-3 in front.

Ostapenko's wildness betrayed her as she served to stay in the set at 4-5, netting a forehand to offer Halep set point and drilling long to gift the Romanian the set.

The Latvian's mood soured further when Halep escaped from 0-40 down to begin the second set, the third seed then breaking Ostapenko to compound her frustration.

Halep consolidated with a gritty hold for 3-0 before Ostapenko fought off a trio of break points to stall her rival's momentum and spark an incredible comeback.

The Latvian moved level on serve when Halep hooked a forehand wide and then earned another break to chalk up a fourth game on the trot.

The errors crept back into her game and Halep responded for 4-4, but Ostapenko promptly broke to love to leave herself in sight of a deciding set.

She conjured up three set points with a laser forehand down the line, forcing the match to a third set with another sweetly-struck winner.

Ostapenko continued her feast or famine style but watched two break points flash by as Halep withstood a sustained assault.

Halep broke for 3-1 when Ostapenko drilled long, but the latter retrieved it the next game with a thumping return.

The Latvian stepped in to pummel a weak second serve for 15-40, with Ostapenko grabbing a huge slice of luck when a wayward backhand clipped the net and dropped just over for a 4-3 lead.

Halep, who saved match point against Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals, had no response this time and Ostapenko sealed a breathtaking triumph with another break by hammering a backhand down the line.

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The Pakistani Army tonight resorted to heavy shelling of India's forward military posts and civilian areas in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Pakistani troops used mortar bombs and fired with automatic weapons from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Krishna Ghati sector, prompting Indian troops to retaliate, a senior army officer said.

"Pakistani Army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from 2030 hours along the Line of Control (LC) in Krishana Ghati sector," a senior army officer said.

Reports said that the Pakistani troops also targeted civilian population and hamelts along the LoC in Krishna Ghati and Balnoie areas of Poonch district, triggering panic among the area dwellers.

The Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively, the officer said, adding the firing is presently on.

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A petition against British Prime Minister Theresa May's deal with the ultra-conservative Democratic Unionist Party garnered nearly 600,000 signatures today as concern grew over her plan to govern with their support.

"This is a disgusting, desperate attempt to stay in power," read the petition, which outlined some of the DUP's more controversial views including opposition to gay marriage and abortion.

The petition echoed some of the slogans at a leftist demonstration by a few hundred people outside Downing Street today who chanted: "Racist, sexist, anti-gay, the DUP has go to go".

Some Conservative MPs also spoke out on Saturday as officials announced that Northern Ireland's DUP had signed up to "an outline agreement" to back a minority Conservative government.

May needs the support of the DUP's 10 MPs to be able to govern after losing her parliamentary majority in Thursday's general election.

The details of the agreement are not yet known but Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston said it "simply won't work" if it includes any change to abortion laws or "dilution" of gay rights.

Wollaston also said she was opposed to the death penalty and creationism being taught in schools, policies that have been supported by some DUP politicians.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who is gay, said she had received "assurances" from May that there would be no change to gay rights for the rest of Britain.

Gay marriage is banned in Northern Ireland, as is abortion except for when the life of the mother is in danger.

The DUP was founded in 1971 by firebrand Protestant evangelical preacher Ian Paisley to defend Northern Ireland's union with Britain against demands for a united Ireland.

Early in his political career, the colourful cleric became a byword for bigotry and intolerance of Catholics.

The party is now more secular and attracts a wider demographic than when it was founded, shifting from fundamentalist outsiders to political pragmatists.

But some of its politicians have been criticised for homophobic comments and, although it has a female leader in Arlene Foster, it remains an overwhelmingly male, white bastion.

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Pro-Kannada organisations have called for a Karnataka bandh on June 12 to press for their charter of demands, including farm loan waiver, Prime Minister's intervention in the Mahadayi river water dispute and a permanent solution to the problem of water scarcity in arid areas.

The dawn to dusk bandh has been called by 'Kannada Okoota', an umbrella organisation of Kannada bodies.

Their charter of demands among others include exile of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) activists from the state for their alleged 'anti Kannada' activities in Belagavi and farm loan waiver.

Vatal Nagaraj, who heads Kannada Okoota, said in a statement that the bandh is also against Tamil Nadu's opposition to the Mekedatu project across the river Cauvery and proposal to privatise BEML.

Kannada Okoota, which claimed support from severallike- minded organisations, said Nagraj would meet office bearers of Karnataka Employers' Associationtomorrow to seek their support for the bandh.

The Karnataka government has locked horns with the neighbouring Goa on the larger issue of sharing the Mahadayi Riverwater between both the states.

The Kalasa-Banduri project is being undertaken by Karnataka to improve drinking water supply in the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad and the districts of Belagavi and Gadag.

The Mahadayi tribunal has asked the states to resolve theissue out of court settlement through negotiations, with or without third party intervention.

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A large number of students today protested outside the UP Bhavan here demanding immediate withdrawal of cases against Lucknow University students who allegedly blocked the convoy of CM Yogi Adityanath and showed him black flags during his visit to the varsity on Wednesday.

On June 7, some student activists had shown black flags to the UP chief minister as his cavalcade moved towards Lucknow University where he was invited to attend a programme on Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji.

Eleven students were subsequently arrested and a court had sent them to judicial custody for "breaching the security of the chief minister". Lucknow University has suspended eight of the 11 students in the wake of the incident.

The students had protested the misuse of varsity funds and space for the RSS's saffronisation project - according to the finance officer of Lucknow University who objected to the use of funds for such an event, Sucheta De, national president of the All India Students' Association (AISA) said in a statement.

"However, the police came down heavily on the protesting students and 14 of them were arrested and sent to judicial custody," she said.

JNUSU president Mohit Pandey said, "It is shameful that the government is branding everyone who protests against them as Naxalites and anti-nationals. We have seen this in JNU and we are seeing the same with the Bhim Army and the students of Lucknow University who protested against Yogi Adityanath."



Those who protested outside the Uttar Pradesh Bhavan included students from Delhi University, JNU and Jamia Millia.

Members of the Joint Action Committee formed by students of various universities in Delhi also took part in the protest.

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Though she is remembered as a tough, no-nonsense politician, a relatively lesser known trait of Indira Gandhi - the naturalist in her - came to the fore at the launch of a book on the late prime minister today.

The book "Indira Gandhi - A life in Nature", was launched by Congress president Sonia Gandhi at the Indira Gandhi Memorial in the presence of former ministers, bureaucrats and environmentalists who worked closely with her to frame some of country's landmarks wildlife and environment laws.

Renowned mountaineer Capt Manmohan Singh Kohli recalled how Gandhi once told him "please call me as a daughter of the mountains".

Former Union minister Jairam Ramesh, who has authored the book published by Simon & Schuster, presented the first copy of the book to the Congress President, besides to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former minister Karan Singh and Priyanka Gandhi.

In her brief speech, Sonia recalled how her mother-in-law would spend hours in Delhi's famous Nehru Park while it was being landscaped in the early 1960s to plan clusters of trees and flowers to be planted there.

"I remember when the Nehru Park was being landscaped, every Sunday, Mrs Gandhi with her best friend Padmaja Naidu would go there and spend time there.

"She used to go there and sit there for at least two hours in the late 1960s and deliberate on which cluster of trees would be planted and where and which flowers should be there to ensure that there is continuity of flowering there," she said at the launch.

"I am sure this will be very well received and will be a great success," she said, adding that it will kindle love for nature especially the young.

Ramesh also highlighted how the former prime minister brought the Project Lion first and then 'Project Tiger' for conservation of the big cats.

Karan Singh recalled how Indira Gandhi first made lion the national animal and four years later got it changed to the Tiger.

Ramesh said the book would be made available in a number of languages including Hindi, Malayali, Kannada and some others.

The book brings out some of the unpublished works sourced through archives and personal sources material that highlighted the unexplored aspect of Indira Gandhi's life - her love for nature.

The book showcases how Indira Gandhi led India to the path of conservation and made it a priority of economic development.

Ramesh weaves personal, political and environmental history to narrate the compelling story of Indira Gandhi, the naturalist who used her instincts and beliefs to draft landmark policies and laws on wildlife and forests and shape institutions that have endured.

The 488-page book was launched to mark the birth centennial year of the former Prime Minister.

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Actress Renee Zellweger is ready to reprise her role as Bridget Jones, just one year after the release of the franchise's third movie.

While attending the Greenwich International Film Festival in Connecticut, the 48-year-old said she would love to play the iconic character one more time, reported Us weekly.

"Selfishly I hope so! She's a lot of fun," she said.

Zellweger has played the spunky and charmingly imperfect Brit in "Bridget Jones's Diary" (2001), "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" (2004) and "Bridget Jones's Baby" (2016).

Since completing the third film for the series, Zellweger has been busy working behind the camera.

"I have something that I'm going to do this summer that I haven't done before and so I'm looking forward to that."



When asked if it's directing, she said, "Yeah, we'll see. We'll see how that goes.

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The Shiromani Akali Dal and Bhartiya Janta Party combine will hold dharnas at all districts in the state on June 12 against the government on several issues, including farm debt waiver and alleged "impropriety" in sand mining contract.

The dharnas will be attended by party leaders and workers of both the parties, besides the common citizens, SAD secretary and spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema said in a statement issued here today.

He said SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal will lead a protest dharna in Ludhiana.

Cheema said besides the senior leadership of both the parties, the SAD core committee members, MPs, MLAs, SGPC members, office bearers of the party and all the district level leaders and members and elected representatives of the local bodies will take part in these dharnas.

"The objective is to get resolved the burning issues confronting the state and awake the deaf and dump government about the problems of the people," he said.

The SAD spokesman said, "Issues taken at these dharnas will include the mining scandal in which Punjab cabinet minister Rana Gurjit Singh and several ruling party MLAs were involved, the government's apathy towards problems of the farmers and its betrayal on the issue of farm loan waiver, failure of the government to control incidents of desecration of Guru Granth Sahib and governing the state."



Cheema said the alleged atrocities being committed against Dalits and deteriorating law and order situation in the state will also be highlighted in these dharnas.

He said both the parties have issued instructions to party workers to make these dharnas successful and meetings are also being held in this regard.

The SAD leader said after the dharnas leaders of both the parties will meet respective deputy commissioners to submit memorandums. He said that dharnas will be "completely peaceful".

After the completion of the dharna programme, a high- level delegation of both the parties, including core committee members, MPs and MLAs, will meet Punjab Governor on June 13 and demand dismissal of Gurjit from the Cabinet, besides an enquiry by CBI, ED and Income Tax authorities in the sand mining contract, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"Malang" may have a romantic plot, but debutante director Aarambhh Singh says he will not make Sanjay Dutt dance around trees and the actor will play his age in the movie.

Dutt has been signed on to play the lead role in the movie that will mark the directorial debut of Aarambhh, who had worked on "Bhoomi" as an associate director.

"It's a romantic film with Sanjay sir but that doesn't mean I will make him run around the trees. We are not showing him as a young lover boy, he is playing around his age. Love and romance can happen at any age. We will give a new definition to love through this film," Aarambhh told PTI.

The director says he narrated the story of "Malang" to the actor while they were shooting for "Bhoomi".

"We only had Sanjay sir in mind for this film. In the film his character will have various shades but when he meets a woman cop he introduces himself as a simple man," he adds.

The director says the hunt is on for the leading lady.

The film which will go on floors in December will be shot mostly in Varanasi and Shimla. It will be produced by T-Series' Bhushan Kumar as well as Sandeep Singh and Omung's Legend Studios.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Security at Kerala House on Jantar Mantar road here was ramped up following reports of Nationalist Congress Party planning a 'beef festival' there in the evening.

Delhi Police said it received information from Kerala House officials about the matter and security was stepped up as a precautionary measure. As many as 300 police personnel were deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

"Officials at Kerala House told us they received unverified information that some people belonging to a political party were planning a beef festival there at 6.30 pm. So, we deployed police personnel to handle them," said Deputy Commissioner of Police B K Singh.

Police sources, however, said it appeared to be a rumour.

NCP MP D P Tripathi said the media report was "baseless".

Kerala House Resident Commissioner Vishwas Mehta said there were rumours of a beef party outside Kerala House and the police were informed considering the current scenario.

Last week, a "cow vigilante" group, claiming to be belonging to the Bharatiya Gauraksha Kranti, allegedly barged into Kerala House to protest the beef festivals recently held in the southern state.

Mehta had 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".

Two years ago, Kerala House was mired in a controversy after Delhi Police raided its canteen on receiving a complaint that it served beef.

However, the Kerala government and the canteen authorities had denied the charge, saying it was buffalo meat.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BJP chief Amit Shah dubbed Mahatma Gandhi as a "bahut chatur baniya", a reference to his mercantile caste, sparking a political row with the Congress and other opposition parties demanding an apology from him for insulting the Father of the Nation.

Shah made the reference to the mercantile caste to which Gandhi was born while telling a select audience of "prominent citizens" in Raipur yesterday how the "bahut chatur baniya" (very shrewd baniya) had rightly advised dissolution of the Congress after Independence.

Shah had also said the Congress was not rooted in any ideology or principles and was sort of a "special purpose vehicle" to secure freedom.

Facing flak, Shah today said the import of his comments was heard by the people who were present at yesterday's gathering.

"Maine jis reference me kaha hai waha sab logo ne suna, Surjewala ji ko abhi Gandhiji ke bahut sare siddhanto ka jawab dena hai. (Those present during the programme heard my comments and the reference in which they were made. AICC spokesperson Randeep Surjewala is yet to answer about many principles of Gandhi ji)," Shah told a press conference in Raipur when asked about AICC spokesperson Randeep Surjewala's demand for his apology over the remark.

Leading the opposition charge, Surjewala demanded an apology from Shah, BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Calling Shah a "trader of power", Surjewala said his remarks were "an insult to freedom fighters, their sacrifices and also to Gandhi."



While West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee termed the comments "uncalled for and unethical", CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy demanded that Shah tender an apology for making the "derogatory" remarks.

Former CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat also hit out at Shah, saying his remark reveals "the contempt the BJP- RSS has for Gandhiji."



At yesterday's event, Shah had said, "the Congress party... Was constituted as a club by a British man. It was later converted into an organisation engaged in freedom struggle."



It had in its fold both right and left-leaning people like Maulana Azad, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and many others, he said.

"People of various ideologies and thinking associated themselves with Congress to gain independence. Congress didn't have any ideology or set of principles and it was only used as a special purpose vehicle to secure freedom.

"And therefore, Mahatma Gandhi, with a lot of foresight -- he was a very shrewd baniya -- he knew what was going to happen in future. He had said immediately after the Independence that Congress should be dissolved."



Mahatma Gandhi couldn't do that, but now some people are completing the task of dissolution of Congress, the BJP chief added, in an apparent jibe at the present Congress leadership.

"Rather than fighting casteism, they (BJP) identified even the Father of the Nation with his caste. This shows the character and ideology of the ruling party and its president. Where will these people take the country?" Surjewala asked.

"We demand that Amit Shah, BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to the country, the families of freedom fighters and every citizen for insulting the freedom movement... And the father of the nation," Surjewala told reporters in Delhi.

In a hard-hitting response, Surjewala alleged that "Amit Shah, who himself is a trader of power, is today saying that the freedom movement was a business model. But in reality, before independence, Britishers used RSS and Hindu Mahasabha as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for partition of the country."



He also said, "similarly, today BJP is acting as a SPV for few corporates for taking care of their business interests."



According to the Congress leader, Shah's remarks were "an insult to freedom fighters, their sacrifices and also to Gandhi".

CPI national secretary D Raja said Shah, being president of the ruling party, should be aware of the language to be used while describing a leader of Gandhi's stature.

"We have no problem when he criticises Congress or other opposition parties (during political discourse). But dragging Mahatma Gandhi's name, using such a language is denigrating Gandhi," Raja said.

According to Karat, Shah only revealed the BJP's actual opinion about Gandhi.

"Such a comment on the father of the nation is highly condemnable. Shah has crossed limits of politics," said Chattisgarh state Congress general secretary Shailesh Nitin Trivedi.

Talking about other issues, Shah said that among the 1,650 political parties in India, only the BJP and the Communist Party of India have upheld internal democracy.

"There are some parties where only dynastic rule prevails. It was clear that after Congress presidentSonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi would take over, but nobody can predict who would be the next BJP president after me," Shah said.

Referring to alleged anti-national slogans raised in Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU), Shah said whoever does so will be termed as anti-national.

Shah, who is on a visit to Chhattisgarh since June 8, has interacted with MPs, MLAs, BJP office-bearers andbooth representativesin a bid to strengthen the party ahead of the next year's Assembly polls in the state and 2019 parliamentary elections.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A group of farmers, who resumed their protest here yesterday after ending their over a month-long stir in New Delhi pressing for various demands, today temporarily called off the protest following assurance from the chief minister that their demands would be met.

The farmers led by the National South Indian Rivers Inter-Linking Farmers Association chief P Ayyakannu had staged a protest for 40 days at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi pressing for various demands including comprehensive drought relief.

They withdrew the agitation on April 23 after Chief Minister K Palaniswami met them in New Delhi and promised to fulfil their demands.

However, they resumed an indefinite protest here yesterday alleging Palaniswami had failed to keep his promise given to them.

Ayyakannu today met Palaniswami and had a brief interaction with him.

After the meeting, Ayyakannu said it was decided to temporarily call off the stir following assurance from the chief minister that the state government would take necessary steps to solve their grievances.

"We have decided to withdraw the protest temporarily as he (Palaniswami) has assured us of looking into our demands. If our demands are not met in two months, we will resume our protests," Ayyakannu told reporters.

The farmers have been demanding loan waiver, drought- relief package of Rs 40,000 crore and setting up of the Cauvery Management Board among others.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three short films,including a 45 minute documentary on Dalit scholar Rohit Vemula, who ended his life, have been denied permission by the Central Government to participate in the International Documentary and Short Film festival, starting here from June 16.

'The unbearable being of Lightness' the documentary about JNU Dalit scholar Rohit Vemula,who allegedly committed suicide, 'In the shade of fallen Chinar' about the lives of a group of young Kashmiri artists who are also students, 'March March March' on the JNU protests were not granted permission by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to be screened at the festival, the organisers said.

Expressing anguish over denial of permission, Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman and Festival Director Kamal said there is a 'cultural emergency' prevailing in the country.

"We are going through an undeclared emergency in the country. What we should eat, what we should wear, what we should talk all this is being decidedby the ruling dispensation", he told reporters here.

At least 262 short films and documentaries are expected to be screened in the five day festival, Vice chairman and Artistic director Bina Paul said.

The festival is being organised by the Kerala state chalachitra Academy as part of its endeavour to catalyse a vibrant documentary and short film movement.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the festival at the Tagore Theatre on June 16.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Donald Trump is banking on his loyal base of supporters to help him through the tangle of the Russia turmoil.

Trump had his core backers in mind as he decided how to respond to former FBI Director James Comey's Senate testimony and the steady creep of congressional investigations.

Trump's Republican allies might have found Comey credible, but the president called the man he fired as FBI director a liar and a "leaker."



Trump said he was the victim of the "fake news" media. And he tried to charge ahead by resorting to what worked for him as a candidate pushing policies dear to his base and using strong rhetoric to convey that message.

"As you know, we're under siege, you understand that. But we will come out bigger and better and stronger than ever. You watch," Trump said Thursday as Comey was telling senators that the president had pressured him to drop an investigation into an ex-White House aide.

"You fought hard for me and now I'm fighting hard for all of you," Trump said to evangelical supporters.

The strategy is consistent with the way Trump has governed in his first four months in office.

His White House has made little effort to broaden the bedrock of support for a president who lost the popular vote and receives scant backing from Democrats.

Trump has yet to hold a rally in a state he lost to Hillary Clinton in November. He visits many of the small Rust Belt cities and rural heartland communities that went for him. While backing away from some campaign promises, Trump has made good on policies his loyalists track closely.

When Trump pulled the United States from the Paris climate accords despite pleas from American allies, he framed it as a victory for American industry and the blue-collar workers who backed him. He has not dropped his attacks on President Barack Obama's health law, as a GOP replacement sputters in a Congress controlled by his party.

"The Democrats are destroying health care in this country. We have had no help," Trump said Wednesday in Ohio, which he won comfortably on Election Day.

"We will get no votes, no matter what we do. If we gave you the greatest plan in the history of the world, you would have no Democratic votes."



Support for the president has broken down sharply along party lines.

Only 4 per cent of Democrats back Trump while he has an 81 percent approval rating among Republicans, according to a Quinnipiac poll released this past week. His overall job approval number has fallen to the mid-30s, a new low, but the GOP number has remained steady in the past two months.

Even if Trump's core holds, the erosion of support from independents and wavering Democrats would jeopardize his ability to build support in swing states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida, said Paul Maslin, a Democratic pollster based in Wisconsin.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump would travel to Poland before heading to Germany for the G-20 summit next month, the White House has said.

"The visit will reaffirm America's steadfast commitment to one of our closest European allies and emphasise the Administration's priority of strengthening NATO's collective defence," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said yesterday.

During his meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Trump will discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues, deepening an alliance based on shared values and common interests.

The meeting with his Polish counterpart would take place on July 6 while the Group of 20 summit takes place in Hamburg on July 7-8.

"While in Poland, President Trump will deliver a major speech, and he will attend the Three Seas Initiative Summit to demonstrate our strong ties to Central Europe," Spicer said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The United Arab Emirates has supplied attack helicopters and other military aircraft to the Libyan forces of strongman Khalifa Haftar, in violation of a UN arms embargo, according to a UN report.

Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA), which refuses to recognise the UN-backed government in Tripoli, has made inroads in fighting and now controls all the major cities and military bases in the south of Libya.

"The United Arab Emirates have been providing both material support and direct support to LNA, which have significantly increased the air support available to LNA," said the report by a UN panel of experts.

They were able to trace deliveries of Belarus-made attack helicopters back to the United Arab Emirates and provided photographs of the buildup at the Khadim air base in Haftar's stronghold of eastern Libya.

The panel investigated information that the Mi-24p attack helicopters were delivered to the Libyan National Army in April 2015.

Belarus confirmed to the panel that four helicopters were sold to the United Arab Emirates in 2014.

The panel also found that the UAE provided at least one At-802i aircraft to the LNA and confirmed deliveries of armoured vehicles in April 2016 to the LNA in Tobruk from UAE-based companies.

Requests to the UAE for clarification from the UN experts remain unanswered, the report said.

UN investigators raised concerns over "large deliveries of Toyota pickup trucks and armoured 4x4 cars to Tobruk" in January and April this year.

The report, sent to the Security Council last month, said "materiel entering Libya has been of an increasingly sophisticated nature."



"External assistance to armed groups in terms of direct support, training and technical assistance has also increased," it said.

Libya has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed the longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with rival authorities and militias battling for control of the oil-rich country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
United States special forces are providing support to the Philippine military battling to dislodge Islamist militants in a southern city, the US embassy said today, as 13 Filipino marines were killed in fresh fighting.

Philippine troops are struggling to defeat hundreds of fighters, who rampaged through Marawi on May 23 flying black flags of the Islamic State (IS) group, and have used civilians as human shields, bomb-proof tunnels and anti-tank weapons to fortify their positions.

Yesterday's ferocious, street-to-street gunbattles with the militants saw 13 troops killed, in a dramatic surge in the toll from the conflict, Philippine military spokesmen said.

A 15-year-old boy was also killed by a stray bullet as he took part in Friday prayers at a mosque in Marawi as the skirmishes raged outside, an AFP video journalist said.

It was among the heaviest fighting seen in mainly Muslim Marawi as the air force battered parts of the city with strikes to support ground troops. Some 40 marines were wounded in the gunbattles that lasted 14 hours, according to military spokesman Colonel Edgardo Arevalo.

As the conflict intensified, the US embassy in Manila said American forces were providing assistance to the Filipino troops, although it declined to give details for security reasons.

"At the request of the government of the Philippines, US special operations forces are assisting the (Philippine military) with ongoing operations in Marawi," the embassy said in a statement.

Marawi-based military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jo-ar Herrera confirmed the US help, adding that the special forces were not fighting, but "providing technical support".

He told AFP yesterday's deaths amounted to the military's biggest single-day loss in the campaign.

"There were intense firefights, house-to-house gunbattles," Herrera said at a conference in Marawi earlier, adding that the total number of government troops killed in the conflict was 58.

Over 20 civilians have been confirmed killed due to the fighting, according to the government, but the true number is likely to be higher with authorities yet to fully assess the roughly 10 per cent of Marawi still being held by the militants.

Tens of thousands have fled Marawi, which is the Catholic country's most important Muslim city, as the fighting ripped through residential neighbourhoods, with more than 200,000 displaced people now living in precarious conditions and vulnerable to deadly health risks, the International Committee of the Red Cross warned yesterday.

About 2,000 people are also believed to still be trapped in militant-held areas as insurgents continue to entrench themselves in the city two weeks ito the conflict, which saw them take a Catholic priest hostage, open up two jails and destroy many buildings.

Herrera said security forces were struggling to contain the fighters without causing civilian casualties.

"The local terrorist groups are using the mosque, they are entrenched there. They also used civilians as human shields... We are very precise in our operations to avoid collateral damage.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Youths in Jammu and Kashmir are being misinformed and misguided by forces inimical to peace, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat today said.

Security forces have to devise ways to counter this, he said while addressing gentlemen cadets at the prestigious Indian Military Academy here.

Rawat also said terrorism was the biggest challenge in front of the country as he urged the cadets to gear up to grapple with the scourge.

The Army chief presided over a colourful passing out parade by 490 gentlemen cadets on the completion of their course.

He said it was time they put the lessons of valour and military skills learnt at the academy to the service of the nation.

The Army chief, himself an alumnus of the IMA, said the academy imparts the best training to its cadets which matches up to international standards.

Earlier, the immaculately turned-out cadets put up a well synchronised parade before Rawat at the academy's famous tarmac drill square with the historic Chetwode Building in the background.

As the passing-out parade started two army choppers flew over the drill square to shower rose petals on the tarmac, carpeting it with flowers.

The 490 cadets who passed out today include 67 cadets from friendly countries. Uttar Pradesh accounts for the highest number of cadets with a figure of 74, followed by Haryana with 49, Uttarakhand (40), Rajasthan (30), Bihar (28) and Delhi with 23.

Later, speaking to reporters, Rawat said women need to be given combat roles in the army as terrorists often used women as shields.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, announced today that it plans to establish two new data centers in Mumbai in India and Jakarta in Indonesia during the current financial year.

Together with the recently announced data center in Malaysia, Alibaba Cloud will significantly increase its computing resources in Asia, allowing greater support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) throughout the region with powerful, scalable, cost-effective and secure cloud capabilities, it said in a statement here.

"Establishing data centers in India and Indonesia will further strengthen our position in the region and across the globe," Simon Hu, senior vice president of Alibaba Group and President of Alibaba Cloud said.

With the three new data centers planned, Alibaba Cloud will increase its total number of data center locations to 17, covering mainland China, Australia, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

The new Asian data centers will offer a full suite of services, providing the flexibility for enterprises and organizations to build their entire IT infrastructure for business on Alibaba Cloud or run mission-critical and core applications on it.

Alibaba Cloud will be the first leading global cloud computing company to establish an international cloud data center in Indonesia, significantly enhancing the local IT infrastructure on the back of Alibaba Cloud's global data center network.

Servicing thousands of customers from India, Alibaba Cloud has partnered with Global Cloud Xchange (GCX), a subsidiary of Reliance Communications to directly access Alibaba Cloud Express Connect via GCX's CLOUD X Fusion.

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India as a steel bright spot is highly encouraging and is on track to become a top global producer, says an industry body.

According to the latest report from BMI Research, demand from construction, automotive and infrastructure industries continues to accelerate.

The report has put down the sector's success to the government's push to raise capacity in order to meet demand from construction, automotive and infra sectors, said the Steel Users Federation of India (SUFI) in a statement today.

SUFI President Nikunj Turakhia said, "In recent years, the Indian steel industry has showcased a progressive output trend y-o-y."

Being recognised as a "bright spot" is highly encouraging as well as a large responsibility at the same time, he said, adding that with the introduction new steel and anti-dumping policies, India is on the path to become one of the top steel producers.

The report highlighted that Indian steel giants such as Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) and Tata Steel as the major drivers of such growth.

BMI Research has forecast India's steel output to clock an average annual growth of 8.9 per cent during 2017-21, higher than 2.9 per cent in 2012-16.

India's steel output would grow to 128.6 mt by 2021 from 88.4 million tonnes (mt) in 2017 and the country's share of global steel production will accelerate to 7.7 per cent in 2021 from 5.4 per cent in 2017, it added.

Ahead of the GST Council meeting tomorrow, Turakhia expressed concern over the headwinds faced by the sector. He has also urged the government to relax imposition of GST penalties and prosecution.

SUFI was part of the delegation that recently presented its case on GST to Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar in Mumbai.
Aadhaar will be a must for filing Income Tax Returns from July 1, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said on Saturday.

A partial relief has been given by the Supreme Court to those who do not have Aadhaar. Such PAN numbers will not be cancelled, reported PTI.

The policy-making body of the Income Tax Department issued a statement stating that the Supreme Court yesterday had only given a "partial relief" to those who do not have an Aadhaar or an Aadhaar enrolment ID, and the taxman, hence, will not "cancel" their Permanent Account Number (PAN).

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) issued a three- point "effect of the judgement" of the apex court statement saying:

From July 1, 2017 onwards every person eligible to obtain Aadhaar must quote their Aadhaar number or their Aadhaar enrolment ID number for filing of income tax returns as well as for applications for PAN.

"Everyone who has been allotted permanent account number as on the 1st day of July, 2017, and who has aadhaar number or is eligible to obtain Aadhaar number, shall intimate his Aadhaar number to income tax authorities for the purpose of linking PAN with Aadhaar," it said.

It explained what will happen in a case of "non- compliance" or where a person does not possess Aadhaar.

"Only a partial relief by the Court (SC) has been given to those who do not have Aadhaar and who do not wish to obtain Aadhaar for the time being, that their PAN will not be cancelled so that other consequences under the Income Tax Act for failing to quote PAN may not arise," the CBDT said.

If the PAN is cancelled, then a person cannot do his normal banking and financial operations and hence this relief is given. But, it has been made clear that for filing of ITR or to obtain a new PAN, Aadhaar will be mandatory from July 1, a senior I-T official explained.

Senior officials said the apex court's order given yesterday was "studied" by a high-level team of authorities from the Law Ministry, Finance Ministry, CBDT and the Income Tax Department after which this clarification has been issued.

(With inputs from PTI)
With the looming July 1 deadline for new indirect tax regime, GST Network has asked the GST Suvidha Providers to get their systems audited as per ISO standards before they start feeding data into the network.

This assumes significance as the country is gearing up for an overhaul of its indirect tax regime and thousands of businesses will upload their purchase-sale invoices on the GST Network (GSTN) on a daily basis.

GST Network - the company building the IT backbone for the new tax structure - has also asked the 34 GST Suvidha Providers (GSPs) to ensure security of their systems.

The GSPs will assist taxpayers in interacting with GST systems, from registration of entity to uploading of invoice details to filing of returns under the new regime.

"GSPs were told that they must have their systems audited as per the prevailing ISO standard on security from one of the auditors on the panel of CERT-IN before they connect with and start pushing data into the GST System," a finance ministry statement said.

At a meeting with GSPs, GSTN Chairman Navin Kumar assessed their preparedness. Besides, GSTN presented the timelines of the release of updated specifications for the new GST Return forms.

"GSTN also published and explained the method and manner in which the GSPs would be able to integrate with the GST system to be able to submit all the return forms on behalf of their clients and tax payers," the statement added.

GSTN also advised all GSPs to continue to visit the GSP ecosystem webpage on the GSTN website (www.gstn.org/ecosystem) for all information, updates and guidelines, which are regularly updated.

For the convenience of taxpayers, GSTN has also come up with an offline tool where data on invoices (business to business), exports, supplies to consumers etc., which are required to create GSTR-1 can be entered in an excel sheet in offline mode.

The tool can be run to upload all such data on the portal. Only while uploading the data on GST portal, internet connectivity will be required.

The offline tool will be provided free of cost and taxpayers will be able to download it from the GST portal (www.gst.gov.in) from last week of June.

GSTN will also release the format of excel in which businesses will start maintaining the data from July 1 for using the offline tool for uploading the invoice data and other return data.

Taxpayers using offline tool will not require services of any GSPs. Similarly, those having small number of business-to- business invoices, like retailers and small traders, can do the data entry on portal itself and they will also not require the services of GSPs, the statement said.
India has moved World Trade Organisation against the US as it has not yet complied with the rulings of the multi-lateral body related to imposition of high import duty on certain Indian steel products.

In December 2014, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) had ruled against the US imposing high duty on imports of certain Indian steel products.

The WTOs appellate body had ruled that the high duty imposed by the US on the certain Indian steel imports was inconsistent with various provisions of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.

"India has requested WTO dispute consultations with the US to address US compliance with an earlier WTO ruling concerning US countervailing duties on imports of carbon steel products from India," the WTO said in a statement.

A government official said that India has sought consultation with the US for compliance of the WTOs rulings.

If the issue would not be resolved, then India will approach the WTOs compliance panel, the official added.

The US will have to amend its domestic norms to comply with the WTOs verdict on countervailing duties on imports of hot-rolled carbon steel products from India.

Earlier, the US had dragged India to the arbitration panel of the WTO alleging that India had failed to remove trade restrictions on American poultry.

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Crews fighting a fire burning near Portage.

Crews are fighting two wildfires in Box Elder County that started Friday and Saturday. The two fires are the first to occur in northern Utah.

In a press release, Box Elder public information officer Mitch Zundel said the Murray Hill Fire started Friday night in Willard, east of US-89. It had burned around 144 acres as of Saturday and was moving up the hillside.

The fire was started by a spark from a power line. It quickly spread because of wind and was threatening several homes and structures. Crews are trying to keep the fire from spreading north and south.

Zundel said there are around 85 firefighters working the blaze. The fire has moved into steep rocky terrain, making work difficult. The fire is around 30% contained.

Saturday afternoon a second fire started, burning sagebrush and grass southeast of Portage.

Zundel said the fire quickly burned around 50 acres as of Saturday afternoon, east of I-15. It is not threatening any homes of structures. The cause is unknown.

There are 14 firefighters working to extinguish the fire. It is currently at 0% containment.

Zundel expressed appreciation for those who donated food and beverages to firefighters.

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LEBANON  Early entry into Lebanon's kindergartens will be allowed on a case-by-case basis under a change in policy approved Thursday by the Lebanon School Board.

Other items settled at Thursday's meeting included a 3-2 vote to adopt the 2017-18 budget, recognition of the new Scot R. Noss Honorary Library at Pioneer School and a temporary alteration in administration salary negotiations.

Elizabeth and David Trussart made the request for flexibility in the enrollment policy, saying their daughter will be ready to start kindergarten this fall.

"We dont claim to have the next mathematical genius in our family; we just have a daughter born 59 minutes after the deadline," they wrote. "Our daughter has been in preschool for two years, speaks English and French as native languages, and has two older siblings. She has a high aptitude in creative and analytical thinking and is always ready to learn."

Board members debated the question for some time, noting that some children do better in school when they stay with their own peer groups, while others  including one of Chairman Russ McUne's children  are better off skipping a grade.

Oregon sets Sept. 1 as the cutoff but allows districts to have policies allowing for up to a 30-day waiver. Lebanon currently does not have such a policy.

Board members eventually voted unanimously to add a sentence to the existing policy that keeps the Sept. 1 deadline but lets the superintendent or a designee allow early enrollment, under state rules, on a case-by-case basis. The change took effect as of Thursday's vote.

Next year's budget was adopted as approved by the district's budget committee. The general fund of approximately $37.6 million is based on a state budget assumption of $8.2 billion for K-12 education, but is not enough to cover costs of operations as they are.

Superintendent Rob Hess said in earlier meetings he plans to keep open positions dark to save money, reducing full-time-equivalent teaching positions by 6.08.

Other reductions include less cash for travel, supplies and materials, textbook and technology funds, classroom furniture and the district's contingency budget. Smaller transfers will be made to the Public Employee Retirement System reserve fund, the Nutrition Service Fund and the Debt Services Fund.

Board members Mike Martin and Kellie Weber voted against the budget, saying they wanted the district to backfill a 25 percent reduction in federal dollars for the Title I program, which is meant to help children from low-income families meet academic standards.

The reduction is expected to draw down the number of Title I instructional assistants and change the half-time Title I teaching position at Hamilton Creek to a 0.3 FTE.

In other business, board members agreed to a one-year change in the way administrative salaries are handled. The change allows administrators to negotiate separately, rather than just receive the same raise as teachers.

Thursday's meeting took place in the new the Scot R. Noss Honorary Library at Pioneer School. Noss' parents, sister and sister's family were on hand for the official recognition.

Noss grew up in Lebanon and became an Army Ranger. His group was returning from a mission in Afghanistan in 2007, his eighth deployment, when engine failure caused the Chinook helicopter to crash. He suffered a traumatic brain injury that has left him "minimally conscious," said lifelong friend and relative Patrick Quinn, who petitioned for the library naming.

Quinn asked for Pioneer's library to bear the name because Noss' brother, Ryan, was once principal there. His mother, Nelda Noss, is a former Lebanon teacher.

Nelda Noss created two scrapbooks about her son to keep at Pioneer and circulate among other district schools. They are filled with Noss' childhood pictures, class assignments, news clippings and school awards. The books also include a copy of the Ranger Creed and advice to young readers: "Do what you love and work hard at it."

"It's nice that 10 years later, the community is still supporting our family," said Holly Christophersen, Noss' sister.
Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 1:45AM

Samsung is hoping to change the curved monitor with its new line of ultra-wide screen displays. The flagship of the three new monitors is a massive 49-inch wide HDR display, which is the companys largest widescreen monitor. The CHG90 has a 3,840 x 1,080 Ultra HD resolution, which is almost the same as putting together two 1080p HD screens side-by-side. It comes with HDMI and Mini DisplayPort inputs but will need an adapter to work with the new MacBook Pro machines as there is no USB Type-C.

According to the South Korean tech company, the monitors (there a 27- and 32-inch models with Quad HD resolutions) cover 95 percent of the DCI-P3 color space, which could interest photographers and videographers. However, Samsung is targeting gamers with these models. They have 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time as well as four-channel scanning, which Samsung claims reduces motion blur. The company also claims the QLED tech gives these monitors brighter displays than OLED models. The CHG90 is available for pre-order on Amazon already for US$1,499. Shipping is expected to start on June 30th. If youre interested in the smaller models, the 27-inch version goes for US$599 and the 32-inch goes for US$699.

Source: 9to5Mac
"We need insurance companies to be more transparent. Customers tell us these companies only look beyond their repair network if a customer escalates it and complains - if they're happy to wait six weeks when it could take two, they'll leave it."
Dr Jones said the increase of terrorist attacks where vehicles have been used to run down pedestrians, such as incidents last year in Nice and Berlin as well as the attack on Westminster Bridge in March, was due to the "phenomenon of copycats".
"On the 12th of May the agency came back, we worked with the agency during that period, and the four unmet standards were overturned and we are now fully compliant."
Millennial Moms Review: 2022 Acura MDX is pretty close to the perfect family car

I dont know if perfect is attainable, especially considering weve got the world of options when it comes to modern vehicles. Were spoiled and, as such, we have very specific needs and wants. Driving-wise, the 2022 Acura MDX is one of my favourite ...
Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here.

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You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
Applications are invited for the position of Junior Research Fellow (1 No.) in the project titled "Evaluation of Airborne L & S-band SAR for Disaster Damage Identification" funded by Indian Space Research Organisation, Government of India.

The Jyothy Institute of Technology is a private engineering college in Bangalore, Karnataka, India affiliated to the Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum and approved by AICTE - New Delhi.

Course Level:

The fellowship is available for pursuing Ph.D. program.

The Study Subject:

Fellowship is awarded for the project titled "Evaluation of Airborne L & S-band SAR for Disaster Damage Identification".

Fellowship Award:

The selected candidates will get Rs.25,000 + 10% HRA per month and other benefits.

Other Benefits: The Eligible candidate may be entitled to register for the Ph.D. program of Visvesvaraya Technological University. Fellowship can be taken in India.

Eligibility:

Applicants must meet the following area for the fellowship:

Minimum Qualifications: M.E./M.Tech in Remote Sensing/Geoinformatics with minimum 60% marks.

Desirable Qualification: Good knowledge of Microwave Remote Sensing

College Admission Requirement:

Entrance Requirement: Applicants must have their previous degree.

How to Apply:

Applicants should send their detailed CV including their academic and professional qualifications to Dr. M.Geetha Priya, Associate Professor, Centre for Incubation, Innovation, Research and Consultancy (CIIRC), Jyothy Institute of Technology, Thataguni, off Kanakapura Road, Bangalore - 560082.

Application Deadline:

The application deadline is June 17, 2017.

Also read: DST Project: Call For Junior Research Fellowship In India
Rolls-Royce broke the mold by presenting the one-off Sweptail during the 2017 Concorso dEleganza Villa dEste last month, on the shores of lake Como, Italy.



Not only its a one-off, commissioned by a connoisseur, with special exterior and interior design, but it also became the most expensive new car ever sold, carrying a massive price tag of almost $13 million.

Theres no way of knowing when, or if, the British marque releases anything close to it. Even so, the Sweptail has been rendered as a convertible, or Drophead Coupe in Rolls-speak, by XTomi.

Despite looking the boss, with lines inspired by classic Rolls-Royce cars from the 1920s and luxury yachts, this exclusive machine uses the same underpinnings as a regular Phantom Coupe, which will eventually be replaced by a new generation thats currently in the works.

Expected to debut next year, it will ride on a new architecture, shared with other future products that will join the brands family, including the SUV, and it should use a re-worked version of the 6.75-liter V12 engine that powers the outgoing models.

PHOTO GALLERY
Photo: Contributed June 9 is Tax Freedom Day in Canada.

Today is the day Canadians start working for themselves.

According to the Fraser Institute, June 9 is Tax Freedom Day.

It's the day the institute says, if all taxes paid over the course of a year were paid up front, you'd begin to pocket your entire paycheque.

The average Canadian family, with two or more people, will pay $47,135 in taxes, or 43.4 per cent of an annual income of $108,674. Those include everything from payroll taxes to income taxes, health, sales, property, fuel, carbon, sin taxes and more.

It's difficult for average Canadians to add up all the taxes they pay in a year because the different levels of government levy such a wide range of taxes, and thats why we do these calculations  to give Canadians a better understanding of exactly how much they pay to government, said Charles Lammam, director of fiscal studies at the Fraser Institute.

Tax Freedom Day fell one day earlier in 2016, when Canadians paid a fraction less in taxes, 43.3 per cent.

Tax Freedom Day helps put the total tax burden into perspective, and helps Canadians understand just how much of their money they pay in taxes every year, Lammam said.

Provincial tax freedom days vary, with Alberta the earliest at May 21. B.C. ranks third, with a June 4 Tax Freedom Day.
Photo: CTV

Alberta RCMP say three girls endured years of horrific sexual abuse and psychological imprisonment, allegedly at the hands of their father, before he was arrested and charged with 23 offences.

The 41-year-old man, whose name is under a publication ban, was arrested in a small town west of Edmonton last November after an investigation by a coalition of Alberta law enforcement agencies known as ALERT.

Staff Sgt. Stephen Camp said Friday that the man allegedly sexually abused his daughters multiple times over the last six years when they were under the age of 18. He declined to give their ages.

He said one of the alleged victims was procured for sex on multiple occasions to strangers through online ads and the father video- recorded the assaults.

"It is quite nauseating," Camp said. "It makes the investigative community feel actually quite sick to think that for so many years of their childhood, they were psychologically imprisoned by their father for a sick and sexual purpose.

"These crimes are quite monstrous to the family and to society at large."

On the day of their father's arrest, "it was as if a dark cloud had been taken away and lifted from their lives," Camp said.

The girls, who lived with both parents and two brothers, were home-schooled and isolated from society, Camp said. Their mother was a victim as well, he added.

"There was a significant amount of control and oppression that can happen in cases like this," Camp said. "The mother was just unaware of what was actually going on."
Photo: CTV

A judicial recount has confirmed Liberal victories in two ridings where the party snagged razor-thin wins in last week's Nova Scotia election.

Bill Horne was confirmed Friday as the winner in Waverley-Fall River-Beaverbank, while Lloyd Hines was confirmed in Guysborough-Eastern Shore-Tracadie, ensuring the Liberals would retain their slim majority in the 51-seat legislature.

The final tally came in at 3,160 for Horne, one fewer vote than in the initial count on May 30, and 3,095 votes for Progressive Conservative candidate Dan McNaughton.

Associate Chief Justice Deborah Smith of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court certified the statement of polls summaries for the recount and declared Horne and Hines elected.

The vote difference between Hines and Progressive Conservative Rob Wolf remained unchanged at 71, with Hines registering a tally of 2,565 and Wolf 2,494. NDP candidate Marney Simmons did pick up one more vote, registering 894.

A third recount will be done Monday in the riding of Chester-St. Margaret's, where Denise Peterson-Rafuse lost by 90 votes to Liberal Hugh MacKay.

Earlier this week, the Liberals said they would not seek a recount in the closest riding of all  Cape Breton-Richmond  where veteran cabinet minister Michel Samson lost by 21 votes to Progressive Conservative Alana Paon.

The Liberals were returned to power with 27 seats, while the Progressive Conservatives won 17 seats and the NDP seven.
Photo: Alaska Highway News

A B.C. man's Facebook page appeared to celebrate gains made by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and so-called "lone wolf" attacks in Western countries, his trial heard on Friday.

Othman Hamdan of Fort St. John has pleaded not guilty to encouraging the commission of murder, assault and mischief, all for terrorist purposes, as well as inducing and instructing someone to carry out a terrorist act.

Eighty-five posts on Hamdan's Facebook page are being scrutinized in B.C. Supreme Court by RCMP Const. Tarek Mokdad, an expert in extremist jihadist groups who is testifying for the Crown.

One post in October 2014, amid ISIL's assault on the Syrian city of Kobani, calls the forces fighting against ISIL "terrorists" and appears to applaud lone wolves, or those who commit violent acts of terror on their own.

"IS is winning more ground and the lone wolves are hitting you in the heart of your lands," the post says, as read aloud by Crown counsel Lesley Ann Kilgore.

Mokdad testified that the post came merely a month after ISIL spokesman Muhammad al-Adnani called for attacks in countries that joined a U.S.-led coalition to defeat the terrorist group in Iraq and Syria.

Al-Adnani urged ISIL supporters to strike civilians or government officials in coalition countries, including Canada, said Mokdad.

Another post in October 2014 calls Martin Couture-Rouleau, who rammed a car into Canadian soldiers in Quebec, "the real hero for hitting evil Canadian forces on their soil in retaliation for the Canadians supporting the Shiite gangs in Iraq."

The trial began Thursday and the defence has not yet had an opportunity to cross-examine Mokdad.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Dozens of people have gathered in Times Square to tell the naked truth  or tell the truth naked.

Brooke Champlain stood nude in one of New York's busiest areas Friday with the slogan "We're All Just Stardust" painted around her bellybutton during Body Notes, an event organizers say was designed to uplift people.

The nude models were painted in view of gawking tourists and heavily armed police. Brushed onto their bare torsos were pithy slogans, including, "Embrace Love And Life" and "Born Naked."

Body Notes is the brainchild of Andy Golub, producer of NYC Bodypainting Day. He says it lets people express themselves through "their words and their bodies."

He was inspired by the "Subway Therapy" art project of sticky notes containing people's thoughts after the presidential election.
Photo: CTV Churchill rail terminal

The only ground transportation to subarctic Churchill has been suspended until at least winter  and possibly next spring  dealing a blow to the remote Manitoba community's tourism industry and driving up prices for food, fuel and other items.

The owners of the Hudson Bay Railway line say flooding that submerged a section of the track and stopped service on May 23 has caused "unprecedented and catastrophic" damage that will take months to repair.

Omnitrax Inc. said Friday a preliminary assessment found the track bed has been washed away in 19 locations and five bridges are visibly damaged. The company said another 30 bridges and 600 culverts need to be examined further.

"Until we are able to get people physically on the ground and do a proper inspection, it's difficult for us to truly know (how long repairs will take)," Peter Touesnard, Omnitrax chief commercial officer, said in an interview.

The rail line brings food, supplies and people to the remote community of 900 popular with tourists for its polar bears and other northern wildlife. The disruption means goods and people will have to arrive by air, which is much more expensive. Churchill has no road to the outside world.
Photo: Google Maps A serious accident closed Highway 97 in both directions between Westwold and Falkland Friday night.

UPDATE: 10 a.m.

The crash on Highway 97 just north of Falkland Friday has been confirmed a fatality.

Vernon Fire Rescue responded to the crash, four kilometres north of Falkland just before 5 p.m.

A fuel tanker truck collided with a small station wagon. While the driver of the tanker suffered minor injuries, the lone occupant of the station wagon was killed in the collision.

Cpt. Colin Clarke of the Vernon Fire Rescue said they responded to the scene to use the Jaws of Life on the occupant of the station wagon, but the person died at the scene.

The cause of the crash is unclear at this time, but a witness said one of the vehicles crossed the centre line into oncoming traffic.

UPDATE: 5:50 a.m.

Highway 97 reopened to traffic in both directions and the crash scene was cleared just before midnight, DriveBC reports.

UPDATE 9:50 p.m.

Highway 97 south of Westwold has been opened now to single-lane, alternating traffic.

DriveBC says delays of about 20 minutes can be expected.

UPDATE 7:45 p.m.

A crash, which has closed Highway 97 in both directions between Falkland and Westwold may be a fatality.

A witness to the crash says a double tanker truck collided with a "wagon type" car. The witness said one of the two vehicles involved crossed the centre-line into the oncoming lane.

Smoke was apparently billowing immediately after the crash.

Someone inside the vehicle is believed to have died as a result.

Motorists have been rerouted through Chase-Falkland Road.

ORIGINAL: 6:20 p.m.

Highway 97 has been closed in both directions between Falkland and Westwold due to a traffic collision.

A Castanet reader called to inform us traffic is being turned around at Falkland.

There's no word on the extent of the incident or how long the highway will be shut down.

The crash occurred about 10 kilometres south of Westwold.

DriveBC says detours are available via Highway 1 or Highway 97A.

More information when it becomes available.

There's a second closure on Highway 97 about 20 kilometres north of Clinton due to a vehicle incident resulting in a fire.

A detour is available via Chasm Road. estimated that portion of the highway will reopen at about 10 p.m.

Send pictures, video to [email protected]
Photo: Wayne Emde Photography Former Olympian's gym slapped with do not occupy order.

A 'do not occupy for assembly order' has been issued against the Okanagan Rhythmic Gymnastics facility in Vernon, owned by former Olympian and national champion Camille Martens. Safety and potential deficiencies have been cited as reasons for the move.

The order was authorized by the North Okanagan Regional District's board of directors during an in camera session earlier this week.

In January, Martens won a reprieve for her gym on 2515 East Vernon Road during a board meeting packed with her supporters.

A regional district press release issued Friday afternoon stated: A condition identified at the time was the RDNO receiving a report from a professional engineer outlining the necessary alterations to bring the buildings used for gymnastics purposes into compliance with the B.C. building code and a local bylaw.

The RDNO has been in regular correspondence with the property owner as to these requirements and the expected timelines. Presently, the applicant has not submitted a formal report meeting these requirements. The applicant has forwarded preliminary correspondence which indicates that while the building is structurally compliant, there are a number of safety deficiencies and potential deficiencies of concern to users of the facility.

Regional district staff insisted escalated enforcement action was being taken for the protection of the public.

The RDNO remains committed to working with the property owner to address safety concerns in a timely manner and achieve regulatory compliance, stated the release.

"With the pace of progress right now, the board felt it was right to issue a 'do not occupy for assembly' order," said David Sewell, NORD's chief administrative officer. "We're hoping to work with the owner on this file."

Martens has run the club since 2009, but a health and safety complaint lodged with the regional district in February 2015 began a bureaucratic battle that she referred to as a two-year nightmare."

Martens could not be reached for comment.

Sewell said the order has been posted on the property. He confirmed the club could not use the facility at present.
Transportation BC has released dramatic photos of the cleanup effort west of Revelstoke, where a washout closed the Trans-Canada Highway.

The washout late Thursday night saw Camp Creek overflow the highway with a massive debris flow.

Crew restored water flow under the bridge Friday, and the bridge is being assessed for structural damage.

Highway 1 remains closed 25 kilometres west of Revelstoke, with travel limited to local traffic west of Golden.

The highway is expected to be closed until Saturday, and possibly through the weekend,

Crews will assess the bridge once the debris and water have been cleared.
Photo: CTV

Police intervened to cut short a daredevil photoshoot on the roof of Vancouver's Tower, Thursday night.

A CTV camera on the nearby Shangri-La Hotel captured the rooftop drama 63 storeys up.

A man was seen posing for selfies, lying on his back at the edge of the roof. Moments later, police and security guards ushered him off the building.

Vancouver police say he was released without charges.

The stunt was not the first of its kind in Vancouver.

Last year, a thrill-seeker was injured in a fall while trying to climb the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

 with files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: Google Maps Two people were killed in a crash near Clinton, B.C. Thursday night.

Two people were killed on Highway 97 near Clinton Thursday night when a commercial transport truck and a car collided.

The crash occurred just before 7 p.m., 20 kilometres north of Clinton.

A 20-year-old Vernon man was driving southbound in a Volkswagen when he crossed the centre line, hitting the front corner of the northbound Freightliner truck.

The driver of the truck, a 38-year-old Prince George man, attempted to swerve out of the way, and rolled into a ditch. The truck caught fire, and the driver, trapped inside, was killed.

The driver of the Volkswagen suffered fatal injuries in the crash and also died at the scene.

The tragic crash kept the highway closed until Friday afternoon.

A person was also killed in a collision with a tanker truck Friday afternoon near Falkland.


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The Chattanooga Zoo has officially begun the construction process for an exhibit building to be added to the zoos South American Corcovado Jungle area. The exhibit, which will be housing multiple South American species, is set to open this Fall.

This South American expansion was funded by a single private donor. This donation was driven by the donors love for tamarins and New World monkeys.

The addition of new species and a new exhibit building is just another example of how the zoo continues to grow and progress, and the love and support our community has for our zoo is never ending, said Dardenelle Long, Chattanooga Zoo CEO and president.

The exhibit building will include six indoor exhibits and six outdoor exhibits, along with a keeper area. The outdoor exhibits will allow our animals regular access to natural sunlight and more spacing. The animal spaces are designed to hold multiple groups of the same animal, mix species within the exhibit spaces, and provide space for breeding in the future. The project is estimated to take 12-16 weeks to complete.

"The newly constructed exhibits will feature amazing animals from many countries throughout South America. As this building was funded and designed with small primates in mind, it will feature mostly tamarins and small monkey species, including the zoos current Cotton Top Tamarins and Pied Tamarins, and new tamarin species to the Chattanooga Zoo, including Emperor Tamarins, Golden Lion Tamarins, Geoffroys Marmoset, and Callimico.

"Other species to be mixed with the primates included Macaws, Prehensile Tailed Porcupine, South American reptiles, and other small South American mammals," officials said.

More information about the exhibits grand opening will be shared closer to date.
Less than four years after taking over one of the earliest coworking spaces in Chicago, NextSpace River North is shutting down, the company's CEO says.

The roughly 5,500-square-foot space, located next to the Brown Line at 230 W. Superior St., will close at the end of the month, NextSpace CEO Kurt Grutzmacher said on Friday. He declined to comment directly on why the coworking space is closing.

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"We've got a lot going on," Grutzmacher said.

The coworking space first opened in 2008 as The Coop; California-based NextSpace took over the location in 2013 with its sights set on further expanding in the Chicago market. Uber is among the space's former clients.

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NextSpace Community Manager John Doyle, who began working at the River North location in March, said several of the coworking space's clients were unhappy with how it was being run before he started, though he thought its reputation had started to recover.

"I think word got out that the space was dead, that there was no vibe," he said. "It sucks because it's a great space and it's starting to become a great community again."

Doyle said 10 or so people still keep regular desk space at NextSpace. It also has "eight or nine hodgepodge" clients, he said.

The pet-friendly coworking hub features three private offices, a conference room that comfortably seats 15 people and a medium-sized communal kitchen. It offered daily packages for as low as $20 and monthly memberships between $310 and $450.

In addition to its River North operation, NextSpace manages four other coworking spaces in Berkeley, San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Cruz.

Grutzmacher said he could not currently comment on the status of NextSpace's other locations.

Robert Holly is a freelance writer.

Twitter @robertwadeholly
Fox Lake American Legion Post member Mark Stockley takes a group of area veterans out on his boat during a Chain O Lakes event on Friday, June 9. (Judy Fidkowski / Lake County News-Sun )

Dave Brown, a World War II Navy veteran, was back on the water Friday, wind blowing through his hair and a sun-drenched smile on his face.

Brown, who recalled riding out a typhoon for three days aboard a Navy destroyer in the Atlantic, found the going much more pleasant this time, as he and other residents of the Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center enjoyed a day on the Chain O' Lakes courtesy of the Fox Lake American Legion Post, the Fox Waterway Agency and other volunteers.

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"My God this is a big lake," Brown said as he sat in a Waterway Agency debris-clearing boat, large enough to accommodate wheelchairs, with a group enjoying a sightseeing tour of Nippersink Lake. "I love this."

Brown and more than 60 other Lovell Center residents and program participants were brought from the facility in North Chicago to the Fox Lake American Legion Post Friday as part of an annual tradition dating back more than 20 years.

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The weather was picture-perfect as the guests enjoyed boat rides, fishing, games and an extravagant lunch, featuring grilled goods and pork tenderloin cooked by the Legion Auxiliary.

"We love it. It's our most important event of the year," said Ken Welninski, sergeant-at-arms for the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 703.

The entire American Legion Post in Fox hosts the event, with significant help from the Fox Waterway Agency, but the Sons of the American Legion have taken point on the effort for the past five years.

"They get to go fishing, boating, play bag toss and have lunch," Welninski said. "They get out of the hospital for a day."

"I think the most important part is giving vets a chance to get out and enjoy the fresh air, go for a boat ride, have burgers brats and hot dogs," Sons of the American Legion Commander Jeff Haddick said. "We're thrilled to do something special for them."

While some veterans preferred to sit on the shore and fish in the sun or shade, others went out fishing on private boats brought out by volunteers and took tours on the Waterway Agency boats.

Brown, who served on the USS John W. Weeks in World War II, said Friday was the third time he has made it out for the event, and that he appreciates it every time.

"I just love it, and the people are the greatest," he said. "I lived in Chicago and never got up north much."

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Just minutes after Brown said he hoped to see a great blue heron, a large one flew majestically overhead in front of the boat, granting his wish.

Joe Keller, executive director of the Fox Lake Waterway Agency, said the debris-clearing boats provided the perfect platform to get the vets out on the Chain, and the agency is proud to play a role in the event.

"Giving veterans an opportunity to tour the lake system is a great honor," Keller said.

"I think it's a big morale-booster for our vets, especially the ones who can't get out a lot," said American Legion Post Commander Bob Gabriel. "It lets them know they are not forgotten."

Amy Lefstad, a therapeutic specialist at the Lovell Center, said there is no question the event is a highlight and good for the veterans.

"You can see the enjoyment in their faces," she said. "We do it for their quality of life. It makes their day much brighter."

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Kerry Morris, a Navy veteran who helped provide naval support for the invasion of Grenada and served on active duty from 1982 to 1985, is not a full-time resident of Lovell, but is participating in a program affiliated with the center.

He said the day off was a nice break, even if the fish weren't biting.

"It's great to get out, get some fresh air and just relax for a bit," he said as his bobber floated in the water several feet away. "I haven't caught anything, but it's not over yet."

The sponsors usually hold the event twice each summer, once in June and once in August.

jrnewton@tribpub.com

Twitter @jimnewton5
A week after Bill Maher used the n-word on "Real Time," Friday's episode of his HBO show focused largely on a discussion of race, with black personalities essentially lecturing the comedian on why what he had done was unacceptable.

"I want you to school me. I did a bad thing," he told Georgetown University professor Michael Eric Dyson, adding later: "For black folks, that word - I don't care who you are - has caused pain. I'm not here to do that . . . It doesn't matter that it wasn't said in malice; it wasn't. It brought back pain to people."

For several minutes, Maher was on the hot seat and on the receiving end of questions. Actor-rapper Ice Cube didn't seem to hold back, telling Maher that he and white people shouldn't get too comfortable with saying the n-word, even if done without a hint of racism. He also said that he felt the comedian has been "bucking up against that line," and that last week's mistake was a "teachable moment" for Maher.

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"What made you think that it was cool to say that?" Ice Cube asked.

Maher repeated his apology and said that he simply reacted, without thinking, to a comment by Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., about working in the fields.

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"I like your show and I like you. But I think this is a teachable moment, not just to you but to the people who are watching." -@icecube pic.twitter.com/qscEBqAu4H  Bill Maher (@billmaher) June 10, 2017

Though he accepted the apology, Ice Cube dished out many reasons he felt Maher's behavior was so problematic. He said, in part:

"I still think you need to get to the root of the psyche because I think there's a lot of guys out there who cross the line because they're a little too familiar, or they think they're too familiar. Or, guys that, you know, might have a black girlfriend or two that made them Kool-Aid every now and then, and then they think they can cross the line. And they can't. You know, it's a word that has been used against us. It's like a knife, man. You can use it as a weapon or you can use it as a tool. It's when you use it as a weapon against us, by white people, and we're not going to let that happened again . . . because it's not cool . . . That's our word, and you can't have it back.

". . . It's not cool because when I hear my homie say it, it don't feel like venom. When I hear a white person say it, it feel like that knife stabbing you even if they don't mean to."

The longtime HBO host drew widespread criticism last week after he using the racial slur during an exchange with Sasse on his show. The senator invited Maher to visit Nebraska and said, "We'd love to have you work in the fields with us."

"Work in the fields? Senator, I'm a house n--," Maher said in response. "No, it's - it's a joke."

He apologized in a brief statement the following day, saying the word was "offensive" and that he's "very sorry." The backlash was immediate, with HBO also condemning the use of the word and with some calling for Maher's firing.

Dyson, the professor and a friend of Maher's who's come to his defense on social media, asked the comedian about white privilege and whether he understands the need to challenge the "unconscious reflex" to say the racial slur even unintentionally.

"Yeah, but of course, I think I do. We're all evolving. We're all who were are . . . This happened once. A guy said a weird thing; I made a bad joke," Maher said of the comment from Sasse that prompted the controversial response. "It was wrong, and I owned up to that. But it's not like a career of this. It's not like I went out there last Friday and I said, 'Oh, I'm going to break some new ground tonight.'"

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Maher added: "You know, it happened and it was wrong, and people make mistakes and we're all sinners . . . But I totally get that . . . I grew up in an all-white town in New Jersey, not Alabama - that's the country . . . Race wasn't even an issue. It didn't exist, except my parents told me the right thing about it . . ."

Symone Sanders, a Democratic strategist and former press secretary for Bernie Sanders, criticized Maher for using the term "house n--," saying it was an affront to black women.

"As a white person in America, you would've been the master, the slave owner . . . It was mostly black women who were enslaved in the house, who were raped, who were beaten daily, day in and day out," Sanders said. "They endured physical and mental abuse. For a lot of people in America, that was like slap in the face to the black community, particularly to black women."

Maher, who's on his 15th season of hosting "Real Time," has been known to say or do controversial things on his show.

He drew criticism earlier this year when he interviewed Milo Yiannopoulos, the controversial former Breitbart editor known for making inflammatory comments about Muslims, women and minorities. Maher had defended his decision, saying inviting Yiannopoulos on his show brought his views under scrutiny, according to the Los Angeles Times.

In 2014, Maher was accused of hate speech when he said it was wrong to say only "a few bad apples" in the Muslim community have extremist beliefs.

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Islam is "the only religion that acts like the mafia, that will f-- kill you if you say the wrong thing, draw the wrong picture, or write the wrong book," Maher said during an episode on "Real Time" with atheist scholar Sam Harris and actor Ben Affleck.

In 2001, Maher lost his ABC show, "Politically Incorrect," following controversial comments criticizing military action to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

"We have been the cowards lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away. That's cowardly," he said.

Maher apologized after his comments prompted companies to pull their ads. He said he was criticizing the government, not individual soldiers. ABC fired Maher afterward.

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Maher needed to put away his notebook and be present at Chicago Theatre







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)
Kate Osana Simonian, winner of the 2017 Nelson Algren Literary Award competition for her short story Le Problem Being, on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. (John Weast / Chicago Tribune)

It's no big deal or anything, but Kate Osana Simonian may have tanked on a comparative literature essay.

But there is a good reason for it: That was the day the Sydney native learned her short story "Le Problem Being" took the top prize in this year's Nelson Algren Literary Awards competition.

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"I was going absolutely nuts, just wild with joy," Simonian, 29, said in a phone interview while traveling in Spain. "I called my parents on Skype, and we got completely wasted and had a party.

"I was awake for about three days after I heard, it was that bad," she said with a laugh. "By the end of it, I was just wandering around the place. I don't know how I got to sleep in the end."

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The short story contest, which has been held annually by the Chicago Tribune since 1981, drew about 3,900 entries this year.

"Le Problem Being," which will be published in the June 18 Life + Style section, follows Tracey Davis, 33 and HIV-positive, on a family vacation to France six months after the end of her engagement to Brandon. For Tracey, who feels "hideously, unforgivably diseased," making things worse are her humorously over-affectionate parents and the romanticism of traveling through France months after being "Abrandoned."

The idea for the story first came to Simonian last year during a trip to France with her "very much in-love" parents. It was fueled by the experiences of friends who have sexually transmitted diseases, who Simonian said feel a "horrible stigma."

"People have very limited empathy for people who have these illnesses, and sexually transmitted illnesses often compound social feelings people have of being 'other' in some way," she said.

For her character Tracey, the conflict rages internally as well: "(W)hat was she meant to do, start telling everyone? Get fired? Be looked at like that? Make her own hellish life worse, just to preserve others in an ignorant comfort from which they hated and condemned her?"

Empathy is key to the power of fiction, said Elizabeth Taylor, Tribune literary editor-at-large.

"Fiction demonstrates the secrets people have and what they're afraid to share with others," she said. "It helps readers be more empathetic with people they meet on the street. You think you know people, but really there's a life going on for someone you might not know about."

Simonian's life has taken her a fair few places. After earning degrees from the University of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney, Simonian moved to the United States in 2012 to enroll in an master of fine arts program in creative writing at Brooklyn College in New York. She is in the second year of a doctorate program in prose at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas.

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"Le Problem Being" was workshopped in one of her Texas Tech classes taught by Dennis Covington, a National Book Award finalist for 1995's "Salvation on Sand Mountain."

"We were just blown away by it," Covington said. "I've been teaching for 43 years, and I think she's among the best fiction writers I've had as as student. It was an honor to teach her  so fine, such a great person. And she's gonna have a career; there's no doubt about that."

Similar sentiments are echoed by others who have worked closely with Simonian.

"One of the hallmarks of her work is humor, oftentimes dark humor," said Katie Cortese, Simonian's thesis adviser at Texas Tech and author of "Girl Power and Other Short-Short Stories." "One of the things that came out of (a reading of 'Le Problem Being') was the surprising humor that allowed people to laugh at such a serious situation."

Joshua Henkin, Simonian's thesis adviser at Brooklyn College, described Simonian as a "lovely human being" who easily can connect with readers.

"She has a kind of direct and colloquial way of writing about family, about friendship," Henkin said. "It sounds like a cliche, but there is something very direct and (unadorned) about the work. The sentences are always very precise."

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As the grand prize winner, Simonian will receive $3,500. Other recipients of Algren honors include: finalists Rebecca Wurtz ("Water Like Air"), Josh Oakley ("Canyon Mountain, MT"), Brooke Bullman ("Found Objects"), Carol Keeley ("Errata") and Lori Stephens ("We Could Learn a Lot"); and runners-up Leah Velez ("The Lobster's Daughter") and Elizabeth Collison ("William and Sarah"). Finalists receive $1,000 each, and runners-up receive $500 each.

Winning is nice, but what about that comparative literature essay?

"Awful," Simonian laughed. "The saddest part of a great day."

jmikula@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @jeremymikula

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Read: "Le Problem Being" by Kate Osana Simonian

Tribune announces Algren Award winners






About the story: A young woman falls in love with a man across the live seafood tank at a market in Aleppo. She wants to be a writer; he wants to be an architect. They are caught in the growing violence of Syria's civil war. Eventually both must flee with their families. They vow to find each other; the search continues even after they have drowned. "When I find him, my joy will be like breathing air."

About the author: Rebecca Wurtz is the author of "County, Kind of a Love Story" (9 Bean Rows Press), a novel about Chicago's Cook County Hospital during the AIDS era written in the form of 320 linked sonnets. She was a finalist in the Texas Observer 2015 Short Story contest for "Hands moving through hair" and the winner of the 2016 Hummingbird Prize for Flash Fiction from PULP Literature for "Xuefei and his heart." She has finished work on a novel about the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, "All the Black Maps," and is at work on a novel about what someone would have to give up to go to Mars. She has a history degree from Yale and a medical degree from Harvard. She teaches at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.

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Algren Award-winning stories appear in the same form as they were submitted to the contest. Some feature minor editing for profanity designed to leave the author's intent intact.

Boats plow furrows in the water overhead. The shadows cast by their turbulence slip across me: blue, green, green, blue. Fish race through the water like birds through the air: schools, flocks, fins, wings. Noises come muffled to my ears: slapping waves, the thudding of a tanker's pistons, the squeaks and pips of dolphins, the shadow voices of the drowned. People have drowned in this ocean for a thousand centuries, and our voices are the background sound of the sea. The murmur that you hear when you put a seashell to your ear? The voices of the drowned. We tumble past each other, longing, searching.

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I search for Habib. Beautiful dark eyes, like pools of night. Just the beginning, the slightest beginning, of a beard. Taller than me, but not by much. Yes, I know, those words describe a thousand Syrian boys, but I mean one boy in particular, the one who smiled at me and gave me a fish.

My sister, Murjanah, and I shared the same bed from the time we were little, sleeping in each other's arms. Besides our bed, we shared our dreams. I don't mean we told each other our dreams, I mean that we moved in and out of each other's dreams. We were children, and dreamed of silly things: kittens and dolls, sweets and fairies. Those dreams were bookended by kisses: our mother's kiss as she said good night, and in the morning, when I opened our shutters, a kiss blown by the old lady tending her flower pots on the balcony across the way.

Our favorite thing was to go with Mama on Saturdays to do the household shopping. We went to the souk for spices, the market for vegetables and fruit, the butcher for meat, and because my mother was a modern woman, we went to the seafood store on busy Al-Ma'ari Street.

The store reminded me of a holiday my family took at the sea in Latakiathe smell of brine and fish, the bright water-like echoes of voices bouncing off white tiled walls, sunlight shimmering through the huge windows. Even the sawdust on the floor reminded me of the sand on the beach.

Tinned fish was displayed on sagging shelvestuna in spring water, rolled anchovy fillets, sardines in mustard, smoked oysters. Cans of fish chowder stacked in a pyramid. Blue boxes of crackers and baskets of lemons.

Three men worked behind the refrigerated curved glass cases of the counter. Brothers, Mama said. The cases held fresh seafood, labeled with small metal signs, displayed on beds of ice ringed by parsley. Silver sardines, arranged in an overlapping pattern like their own scales. Red snapper from the Mediterranean. Tilapia from the Nile. Whole rainbow trout from Turkey, eyes clouded like those of old men. A tray of pearly white squid, tubular and prehistoric. Bearded Scottish mussels. I said the words "Scottish, Scottish, Scottish" over and over to myself as I studied them in the case, and wondered if all Scottish were bearded.

On our first visit, I could not stop looking at an octopus on ice, its suckered tentacles spiraled around a head bigger than my fist. While I stared, hands reached in from behind the case and plucked it up. I stood up in surprise and the man behind the counter, wrapping it in white paper, winked at me.

The best part of the seafood store, though, was the bubbling glass tank holding live sea creatures, the ocean in miniature. Olive-green lobsters prowled the bottom. Prawns flexed past my face: fold, unfold, fold, unfold. Dozens of fishpink, yellow, orange, as big as my forearmswam in a hubbub. A housewife would point: "That one!" and one of the brothers would plunge his bare hands into the water. I always felt sorry for the fish. One moment so happy, the next, someone's dinner.

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On that visit, the man behind the counter handed Murjanah a white paper package, tied with a string, and shaped like a sardine! "I have wrapped a treat for your kitty, young lady." How did he know we had a cat? When we got home and unwrapped it, it was an anchovy filet. After biting delicately into it, Cat looked at us in surprise. Why had we kept such perfection from him until now? He was the happiest cat on the planet. In the universe, Papa said.

After that, the seafood store was my favorite stop on Saturdays. I would dawdle at the ocean tank, watching the sea creatures, making up squeaking conversations between the prawns or clacking my fingers like lobster pinchers. Choosing a fish, then unchoosing it, sparing its life.

That is, it was my favorite stop until I started high school, and I couldn't be bothered doing household shopping, didn't want to be seen with my mother or little sister. I wanted to spend Saturdays with my girlfriends, eating Turkish delight, doing homework, and talking about boys.

The war crept up on us, little by little, like the tide. At first, we only heard about it on television. Our countrymen fighting our government. A civil war. It seemed as though it was a different country from our own. In Aleppo, life went on as always. The war was someplace else. I confess: I did not pay attention.

Some years passed until a Saturday when my mother felt unwell and asked me to do the shopping. I grudgingly took myself to the souk, the market, the butcher, and finally the seafood shop. It was exactly the same. I had forgotten the pleasure I took in the live fish tank. I lingered by it, choosing, unchoosing. When I looked up, there he was, across the ocean from me. He looked so much like the three brothers who owned the store that he must have been one of their sons.

"Would you like a fish?" he asked, his eyes searching mine.

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"No, I just like them. I meanI like watching themI meanI would like half a kilo of mackerel, please."

He wore an apron with his name embroidered on it, Habib, in flowing Arabic script like tiny waves. Had he been there when I visited as a child? Looking out from behind the display cases, watching me, wavery and distorted beyond the curved glass, staring in? If so, he had grown. He was tall and slender, with bright eyes and a crooked smile, a little older than me.

I asked my mother the next Saturday if I could do the shopping for her. She was pleasantly surprised and handed me her list. I said, as casually as I could, "Would you make the fish stew that you made last week?"

I hurried through the earlier shops and was happy to see Habib standing behind the display cases, waiting on a customer. I bided my time at the ocean tank, and when he was free, I stepped up to order my mackerel. He smiled and ducked his head to acknowledge that he recognized me, and when he handed me the wrapped fish, he added a small package in the shape of a sardine, tied with a string.

"For your cat, miss."

I could barely stutter my thanks. We both blushed. My mouth was dry, my hand shook as I handed him the banknote. The coins he returned to me were charged with electricity; they tingled in my hand. I hurried out into noisy Al-Ma'ari Street, but not without a backward glance. When our eyes met, we blushed again. I kept one coin when I returned the change to my mother and slept with it under my pillow.

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That week, at school, a girl I barely knew stopped me in the hallway, and introduced herself. Her name was Ishtar, and she was Habib's cousin. Habib had asked her if she knew a student at school who resembled me, and together they had determined who it was. She brought a note. "Aziza, thank you for shopping in my family's store. Habib." I sensedor at least, I hopedthat he had wanted to say more.

The following Saturday, as he handed me my purchase and a treat for Cat, he said, both sweetly and nervously, "Ishtar says you're good at algebra?"

"Yes, I am. I'm good at math, but I want to be a writer." The line of customers was long, and we had no more time to talk. But that week, Ishtar brought another note. "I want to be an architect. I am going to work for my father for a year, then go to university. What will you write about? Habib."

Thereafter, we carried on an odd conversation. Habib would write to me, with Ishtar as the messenger, and I would answer his questions and ask my own in the few moments we had while he waited on me in the seafood store.

"One half kilo of fresh tilapia, please. I'll write about all the important things: love and death andalgebra." That made him laugh. "Why do you want to be an architect?" The housewife behind me in line harrumphed and we parted, with a glance between us before I went out the door.

He wrote his replies on pieces of paper that had been folded so many times they looked like scallops. "I want to be an architect because I like to think problems through from the basement to the rooftop. Why do you want to be a writer? Habib."

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There are only so many excuses that you can give to your mother to go to the seafood store for her, so I started spending my allowance on tinned fish. After school, when other girls stopped at the corner store for candy floss or orange drinks, I stopped at the fish shop and said, "Sardines in oil, please. I want to be a writer because I love language. And stories. "

I had never felt this lovely pain before, the heaviness around my heart, the fierceness of it. My life wasn't my own. At night, I tossed restlessly beside Murjanah, wrapping myself around her after she had fallen asleep, imagining that she was he. She smelled of rosewater and almonds, but I pretended she had a more manly smell: sweat, iron, and motor oil, perhaps. One night, with her eyes closed, she said, "Stop it! Stop kissing my arm! You're making it so I can't sleep!"

I made her go with me to the shop. She teased me: he is not very good looking. But he was good looking to me: dark hair, black smiling eyes. A dimple on the left but none on the right. Long fingers which tied the knot in the string on my package. I introduced her, and he handed her the treat for Cat. My sister said: his father is just a fish seller. But what does a twelve-year-old know of love?

That week, his note read, "I have two sisters. Older than yours. Did you know that Murjaneh means 'little pearl?' Habib."

In the months since I had met Habib, the war had come to Aleppo. At first the bombs were far away. We might hear a plane or a helicopter, or we might not, and suddenly an explosion would rupture the calm. My mothers' friends, drinking tea and eating sugar cookies in our living room, would stop talking, stare into the middle distance, mentally inventory their families' whereabouts, and then resume their chatter almost like nothing had happened. In the classroom, our teacher would purse her lips and turn the chalk over in her fingers, before returning to the board, as if algebra would build a shelter over our heads. One of the first buildings to be attacked: a suicide bomber at the university destroyed the School of Architecture and killed eighty-two people.

"A tin of anchovy fillets, please. I'm so glad you were not at the university. What will you do now?" When I looked back from the doorway, Habib looked so sad.

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"I don't know. Someday the war will be over and the school will be rebuilt. What happens when the words don't make sense, when the stories hurt too much to write down? Habib."

"Two lemons, please. You write them anyway, with tears in your eyes. What happens when the buildings you build have been destroyed?"

"You build them again, better this time, with tears in your eyes."

One day, when I stepped up to the cash register with a tin of smoked oysters, Habib said, "I have a gift for you." He untied his apron and came around the counter with a glass bowl, the size and shape of a pomegranate. In the bowl was a silver fish, barely bigger than my thumbnail, with flowing silver fins. Suspended in its water world, it surveyed the universe serenely.

Habib looked at me anxiously. "It's a fish."

I named my fish Sami. I placed his tiny bowl on a high shelf in the living room. Cat prowled beneath the shelf, but had no way to reach my little fish. Each morning I fed him a few grains of fish food, and each evening his bowl sat on the kitchen table while I worked on homework.

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Although our neighborhood had been spared by the war so far, our streets were strange. Traffic had dwindled to almost nothing, and there were few menit had become dangerous for them to stay in Aleppo. They were being conscripted or beaten, or worse, by the government or by Daesh, depending on who was in control that week. Those who could crossed the sea to Europe, to find a safe place where their families could join them.

No men in the street but many cats. There were hundreds of forsaken cats, forlorn stand-ins for the owners who had fled or been killed. They inhabited abandoned buildings like gangs of ghosts. If I were still buying tinned fish, I would have given it to them, but when Habib's papa and uncles left for Europe, the family closed the shop and pasted newspaper over the windows. One day it was open, and the next, it was silent and empty. I found Ishtar at school; she had a note from Habib. "My mother and sisters and I will leave soon. I will let Ishtar know. Is your family leaving? Where will you go? Habib."

The bombs came scuttling like a crab: one day closer, the next a little farther away. At school, we would run for the sandbagged basement. At home, Murjanah would screech for Cat, drag him out by his hind legs from his hiding place under the sofa. We would dash with him in her arms down the stairs to the ground floor hallway of our apartment building.

I still walked past the seafood store on my way home each day, in the newly quiet street, just to know that I was where Habib had walked so many times. I imagined where he had looked and what he had seen, whether the cold wind that eddied between the buildings had ever rushed through his hair.

On a fall day, when rain threatened, I was bold, and stepped up on the curb by the shop window to peer through a hole scratched in the yellowed newspaper. I wanted to remember how life had been before, to feel the lovely churning watery slide that seeing Habib had made me feel.

I put my eye to the window and got the shock of my life. An enormous dark eye stared through the hole from the other side. A whale? An octopus? I fell back in surprise and turned awkwardly to leave.

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I heard the shop door unlock behind me. Big raindrops began to fall.

"Wait! Wait." Habib stood on the threshold.

Inside, the light was murky and gray, a rainy late afternoon in a city being destroyed by war. The tiled walls had lost their luster. The glass cases stood dark, the shelves were barren and dusty, and the tank where the fish had swum was empty. It no longer gurgled with the sound of the sea. The sawdust had been swept up. Nothing muffled the sharp sounds of our shoes on the white tile. I felt like we were at the bottom of a drained swimming pool, a pool that had once contained an ocean.

We stood in the center of the empty shop, which still smelled of fish and echoed with the hiss of the rain falling in the street. We did not look at each other but we stood so close that his breath teased my cheek, so close that my breath warmed his shirtfront. My happiness and my fear, in equal parts, were like rushing water, here, there, back and forth. My knees trembled.

He made a tiny noise, clearing his throat, like a seashell opening and closing.

"I love you."

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"I know. I love you."

"I know."

That was all. That was enough. We stepped apart. I picked up my book bag and I ran. At the door I turned back for a moment. "I don't know where my family will go."

My sister wanted to know all the details as we lay in our bed that night. "What did he say then? What did you say? Is that all? Did he kiss you? No? I don't believe you! Papa would kill you if he knew." That was an exaggeration. He wouldn't kill me. He might kill Habib. But by that time, Papa had gone with his brother and our cousin in a leaky boat across the sea to Greece. He telephoned us from a refugee camp. He would not talk about the trip, only to say that he praised God that he had made it. He talked to Mama for a long time on the phone. Still she did not want to leave.

Although I walked past the seafood shop each day, and sometimes put my eye to the hole in the newspaper, I did not see Habib again. At school, Ishtar brought me one last note. "My mother and sisters and I are leaving. I will find you, wherever you are. We will go to university. I will be an architect and you will be a writer. Habib"

Soon bombs fell every day and school was closed. My mother stood in line to get food; we had electricity only part of the time. One night, a bomb fell on the building next to ours. We heard the helicopter. We heard the whistle and the gyrating shriek of the barrel as it fell. We were partway down the stairs in our nightclothes when it hit. The concussion knocked us sideways, our building groaned, and chunks and dust of plaster fell. Cat scratched Murjanah as she wrestled to keep him in her arms. We huddled with our silent neighbors in the dark, the musty smells of old carpet and past dinners in our noses. When a siren sounded the "all clear," we made our way back upstairs.

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The civil defense search and rescue teams arrived in the street and set up bright white search lights that turned night into cold blue day in our bedroom even with the shutters closed. I pushed one open just a little and saw the building across the way reduced to broken slabs of concrete, the old lady's flowerpots dashed to the street.

Mama called me from the living room, her voice sorrowful. Books and keepsakes had been knocked off the shelves. Among them lay Sami's shattered fishbowl and Sami, dead among the shards of glass. He had suffocated in the air. I burst into tears, and Mama sat with me on the couch for a long time and rocked me in her arms. After that night, Murjanah and I could see the night sky's stars through a wide crack in the ceiling above our bed. The landlord put plastic sheeting over the hole; the stars twinkled murkily through. Papa and Mama talked on the phone: it was time for us to leave.

One of Papa's colleagues from the university, an elderly man who said he would never leave Aleppo, drove us down the winding road to Latakia, lifted our suitcases and Cat's traveling basket from the car, then smiled sadly at us before driving off to return to what remained of our city.

Mama, Murjanah, Cat, and I stayed in an old hotel, sharing a room with two other families who were waiting their chance to leave Syria. Latakia was not as I remembered it from our family holiday when I was a child. Although the war had not reached it, the war's refugees had. The streets and cafes were overcrowded, but people were in transit, not on vacation. The waterfront was overgrown and ugly. Garbage skittered along an esplanade that smelled of sewage. Across the street, cranes for unloading ships were at a standstill, and fishing boats were pulled up, attracting feral cats. I walked on the breakwater each morning, looking across the ocean in the direction my father and Habib and so many others had fled, feeling a sense of beginning, rather than ending.

There was a bar on the ground floor of the hotel. Its proprietor wiped glasses with a towel and served alcohol to idle men who lounged at the tables on the sidewalk. He seemed kindly, but the customers leered, and said rude things. My mother hurried us past them when we went out to walk along the beach.

On the day we were to leave, while we were out walking, I heard someone calling my name.

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"Aziza! Aziza!" It was Ishtar and her mother. They, too, were making arrangements to travel to Europe aboard a boat. While our mothers spoke, Ishtar pulled me to the side.

"Habib, his mother, his sisters. They haven't been heard from since they left, from here, from Latakia. Three weeks ago. They were expected to contact his father when they arrivedsomewhereanywhere. And they haven't. The family fears they have drowned." Murjanah stood close to me and smoothed the skin on the back of my hand over and over.

I stood on the breakwater and scanned the ocean for Habib. The waves smacked the rocks. No story, no words could make a difference.

Mama said that we couldn't take Cat with us, that we would need to leave him in Latakia. Murjanah argued with her and cried, but she was firm. He will be happy, she said. Look at all the other cats along the waterfront. We planned to buy a special treat for him from a fisherman, but he disappeared in the afternoon. Mama said: he has probably already started his new life here.

That night, the men to whom we had paid our money loaded us on to an open wooden boat, putting more people on board than it could carry. They added plastic jugs of water and metal tins of soda crackers. They started the outboard motor and guided the boat out, walking into the water until it was past their thighs, then shoving us in the direction of Greece.

Out past the rough surf, past the breaking swells, into the dark night of the sea. Silent, frightened, ecstatic, escaping. Crowdedso crowdedtogether, our boat rode low, and we took on water even there. A few women cried out, and the men shushed them. "No noise." The yellow lights of the shore became smaller and smaller and finally could not be seen. Mama held us close and we slept.

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In the early morning, I heard a meow. I thought Murjanah and I were sharing a dream about Cat until I woke and saw him groggily staring out from between the buttons of her shirt. She shrugged. "I asked the man who owned the bar for a saucer of beer. Cat seemed to like it, and it made him very sleepy." I was impressed with her cleverness. Mama tried to be angry with her and then she cried because she was so happy to see him.

We were surrounded by rolling ocean in all directions; somewhere in that ocean was Habib. I hung over the side of the boat and searched for him, watching the sun spear into the water's depths. I thought I would hear him"Wait! Wait?"and see his smiling face gazing up at me. I would gather him up and pull him on board and smooth the water from his hair.

A crowded boat was not the best place for a cat. At first, people were happy to pet him, but then his roaming became a nuisance, and they batted him away with the back of their hands. Murjaneh tried to keep him close, shading him with her body, talking to him and chucking him under his chin.

We had to go to the bathroom in full view of the men, and it was humiliating. Our faces became sunburned and swollen, our lips puffy and cracked. My sister said that I was not sharing the water. First we quarreled, and then we became quiet. I fingered Habib's last note in my pocket. "I will find you, wherever you are."

The outboard motor ran for two days before it stopped. The men tried to start it, pulling the cord again and again. Nothing. We drifted. We finished the water in the jugs. We had long ago finished the crackers.

With every passing hour, the boat rode lower. We bailed the sloshing water from the bottom, returning the sea to the sea, but just as quickly it entered again. As night fell, rain began, the sea got rougher, and the planks of the hull gnashed against each other. No one spoke. Finally, with one big wave, the joints loosened and the boards gave way with a sodden clatter. The boat disintegrated beneath us. Our thrashing bodies were thrown into the ocean.

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The only voice I heard was Murjanah's as she screamed: "Cat!"

The night-dark swells took us up, down, away from each other. My sister slipped from me, then my mother. Hand, fingertips, gone. I breathed in water instead of air.

I never thought that war would drown me. If God or fate wills a choice in how you die, do not choose drowning. Choose being crushed in a building as it collapses or being shredded by a suicide bomb or dying of starvation in a siege waged between your countrymen and your government. Choosing, unchoosing. Any, any of those would have been better than the violence and the terror of drowning in the dark, the hunger then the convulsive need then the clawing murderous frenzy for air as salt water filled my lungs. Some terrors fade with time. Never this one.

Water is now my air, and the mirror where the water meets the air my sky. The sea takes me where it pleases, rolling me as from a winding cloth. My arms pinwheel and my body rises. My hair trails around my head. Then the current releases me and my hair floats free and I settle. Thousands tumble with me in this salted soup of a sea. Their voices come to me as though in a dream shared with my sister. A mother whispers: "Have you seen my daughter? She was going to be a teacher." An old man sighs: "Do you know my wife? She would be a widow now, of course, dressed in black." Sometimes it's only a shadow's voice on the tide, a distant sifting: "Have you seen? Do you know?"

A small body, the size of Cat, cartwheels past: a baby. A drowned baby, swaddled in seaweed. Salt crystals glitter in the caves of his eyes, his tiny fists forced open like starfish, his mouth an oh. He had no words and so no voice. Above me a raft. Blue bottom, yellow ring around. The raft and I travel together, at the mercy of the same current. Scores of anxious watery faces peer over the edge, trying to understand what I am. When you spill into the sea, you will know me. You will add your voices, your searching. And I will ask you, "Have you seen Habib?"

My father, a distant, hazy memory; I imagine his pain without us like murky starlight through plastic sheeting. My mother, my sister, Cat. How happy I would be to find them. But it's Habib for whom I long, for whom I search. Pushed here and there by the sea, I will search for him forever. Dark pool eyes, slender fingers, a crooked smile. When I find him, my joy will be like breathing air.

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Then, the barnacles tangled in my hair will be my wedding crown and the shining fish that nibble my skin will be my silver wedding dress. We will sink to the ocean bed, sighing in the soft silt sheets of millennia. A coral reef will grow over our bones and we will forever not be parted. And on this vast ocean's every beach, each wave will whisper I loved you as it runs to the shore, and each wave will whisper I know as it returns to the sea.
About the story: "William and Sarah" is the story of a long-married couple growing apart in their middle years. It is a story of keeping vigil and falling stars and what it is to be left behind.

About the author: Elizabeth Collison grew up in the Midwest and now lives in the San Francisco Bay area. She received her MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop and has published stories in North American Review, The Barcelona Review, Monkeybicycle, and Fiction Southeast (forthcoming). In 2015, Harper Perennial published her debut novel "Some Other Town."

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Algren Award-winning stories appear in the same form as they were submitted to the contest. Some feature minor editing for profanity designed to leave the author's intent intact.

On Sunday the week before Thanksgiving, when William walked out to check for the morning paper, he found a mincemeat pie wrapped in cellophane on the front steps. The card attached said Give Thanks! on the outside, and inside was a handwritten note: Jesus loves you and so do we. The Jensens.

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William stared at the card. The neighbors have taken a shine to us, he said.

Sarah stared at the pie. Marie Callender's, she said. Pre-frozen.

There now, William said, kissing her forehead.

Idiots, Sarah said, touching his cheek.

William loved Sarah. Sarah loved William. For nearly twenty years they had been both married and in love. Generally they could not believe their good luck.

But this year had brought changes for both of them. Sarah, for instance, that spring: In March on her forty-fourth birthday, she had taken a wrong turn and grown old. Despite her relatively mild middle age she'd begun contemplating decline  dissolution, wanings, demise  her own or of others  and found she could not always stop. Dark visions came to her daily. She had trouble with sleep, she awoke at the bottom of wells. And soon she began letting things slide like the culling of mail and the washing of hair. Friends noticed the change, Sarah was slipping. Steadily she was losing the point of things.

William on the other hand. That fall, William had found himself on sabbatical, two months of freedom with pay. A once-every-seventh-year gift from his company to develop his skills and vigor. So sometime in October, William set out for new interests. He honed observation, followed his hunches, practiced the scientific method. He planted slippers to see if leather composts. He studied the habits of possums, tied helium balloons to lawn chairs. And as a result, William's days were full. He felt there was much yet to learn.

Which is to say, Sarah's life had grown finite, William's had not. They were neither of them sure what came next.

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Sarah, William said over dinner on Monday. I have been thinking about that mincemeat pie, I have been wondering about those Jensens.

The Jensens lived just across the street. Their living room windows aligned in a way that allowed William a straight shot at their front room, and all that day he had been keeping an eye on them. He noted the time the family left home and the time that they returned. He stood behind curtains so they would not see.

Do you know, William said, there is something wrong with the legs on every one of the Jensens.

Sarah, who had mostly forgotten the neighbors and their pie, sat impatiently and did not answer. There were things of her own to tell. It was Monday and Sarah had mortal issues to discuss. Always there were issues and they were mortal.

That is, months ago when demise first crossed her mind, that she and well, everyone else she knew were all not so much living as dying, that past a certain point in life you were just trudging your way toward the finish line  when she came to this conclusion, Sarah decided to take death head on. She would spend time with it, grow familiar. And after a quick search of newspaper ads, she took a job at the area hospice. Monday through Friday afternoons, as file clerk and part-time receptionist, she organized thick files of the dying, answered calls from the locally bereaved. She handled whatever the fearsome office of death and dying required. Which meant of course that Monday through Friday after five, Sarah came home with bad news, someone newly dying or dead to discuss.

Claude Lutes, for one. Tonight Sarah would like to bring up Mr. Lutes, the file she had started that day.

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William, she said, Claude Lutes is dying of cancer and nobody cares. There is no one at his deathbed but a man from Yellow Cab.

William was still pondering the neighbors. Mr. Jensen walks with a limp, he said. His wife swings her right leg in an arc.

William, Sarah said. Claude Lutes is dying of cancer. I think we should talk about Claude.

William stared at the front window. Even the Jensen kids are impaired.

Please, Sarah said. Claude does not have much time.

Pigeon-toed, William said. Severely knock-kneed.

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Tuesday morning Sarah returned to her job at hospice. Her work there she felt was important, though not especially hard. Mostly she just swapped out old files. Hospice kept two kinds on their clients, black three-ring binders for the living and manila folders for the expired. Binders were more expensive than folders, they took up more room. Hospice could not afford to keep their dead around in black binders. So after a client passed on, it was Sarah's job to transfer him to manila. And to put him in order, to align his phone messages by day and time.

Sarah was not supposed to read the files, she was expected just to scan for scribbled dates, to make sure nurses' reports came after doctors', chaplain and nutritionist notes fell at the end. But when work was slow, when the phones were quiet, Sarah would linger over the files, she would stop to read every word.

Buddhists said it was how you prepared for death, how well you understood, that determined if you found God. So Sarah tried to understand hospice and the steady stream of their dying. She took her filing to heart.

The same morning about ten, as William was finishing his coffee and planning what new project he would take on that day, he heard a loud knock at the door. When he opened it, just as on Sunday, there was another pie, this time apple cranberry. And this time Mrs. Jensen, his neighbor, stood smiling and holding it out to him.

William was surprised. Mrs. Jensen, considering her lopsided gate, did not look in the least impaired. Close up she was in fact a tall shapely woman with pale skin and dark wavy hair that fell prettily now over one eye.

For you, Mrs. Jensen said as she took a step forward. For you and your wife, from the Jensens.

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Thank you, William said. Then not knowing what else to say, Thank you for the pie on Sunday, too. Thank you for the two pies.

William was having some trouble here. Mrs. Jensen was standing too close, she had practically stepped inside the door, and it was making him feel uncomfortable.

William, she said, still holding the pie. I've come to ask you a question.

Yes, William said, leaning back.

William, have you heard the good news?

News? He was not sure that he was following.

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Mrs. Jensen smiled, tried again. What I mean is, William, if you don't mind my asking, our being neighbors that is, are you a believer?

William considered. Again he was not sure how to answer. Believer in what? The fact was he had never been sure. In the world maybe, lately. In science, facts. But he'd say that was more like curiosity, more search than actual belief. Still William was pretty sure he knew what Mrs. Jensen was after and he needed something to offer.

Believer? he said. Then thinking fast, My wife, you could say, is a believer. My wife believes in death.

It was not what William had planned to say. It was not even something he thought he had thought. But neither now could he deny it.

Mrs. Jensen did not seem surprised. She only gave him a slow, sad smile. Walk with the Lord and there is no death, she told him. Then handing him the pie, she was gone.

At dinner that evening again Sarah brought up Claude Lutes. She had read through his chaplain notes, she said, and learned more about the man. For instance, she said, when the chaplain, an ex-nun, interviewed Claude, she asked if he was happy with his faith. But he thought she said fate, was he happy with his fate? What a thing to ask a man with cancer. Claude could not believe his ears.

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William stared out the window, resigned. What he'd told Mrs. Jensen about Sarah was true, increasingly she seemed to reckon on death, she found the topic absorbing. But he himself had lost all interest and did not now want to discuss end of life or palliative care or the dying, particularly over dinner. The fact was William had begun to dread dinner in general and the required conversation with Sarah.

It hadn't always been so. Until this past spring, he'd looked forward to their meals together. For nineteen years prior, each night they had sat down at their dining room table, at two braided place-mat oases, and over roast chickens and stews and occasional takeout, eagerly talked over their days. It was their way, and these dinner discussions had kept them close, had been a source of both interest and cheer.

But now their dinners had turned distressing. And in the last few months, William would sometimes hope he and Sarah wouldn't have to talk at all. He wished they could just be like others he knew, who had dinner in front of TV. Who bought satellite dishes and booster antennas and ate quietly off little folding trays.

You know, William, Sarah said. I sometimes feel I am getting to know this Claude Lutes too well. More than I really should. It just didn't feel right this afternoon, going through his file, like I was letting myself in after he had left for the day. I kept thinking he would come back and find me.

As William watched from the window, the Jensens' two children ran out the front door to the side yard. Reminded, he turned back to Sarah. The Jensens left us a pie again today, he told her. Mrs. Jensen stopped by with it this morning. And stayed to talk. It was a pretty strange visit, you know, Sarah.

He hoped she would say then Really? Well what did it say? Tell me about the strange visit.

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We were discussing Claude Lutes here, Sarah said.

Early on Wednesday, just at dawn, William stood in his front lawn scanning the sky. It was the latest new project he'd thought of, a new test of observation. The Leonids had begun, the meteor shower that lit up the night for a week each November, the annual autumnal swarm of stars people flocked out every evening to see. William's idea was that this year, just for a change, he would watch for the Leonids by day. They were out there, he knew, streaks of light against light. It was just knowing how to look for them.

So he stayed in his yard, head tilted back, and studied the neon-pink sky.

"Then shall thy salvation come like the dawn," a low voice said from behind.

William turned to find Mrs. Jensen standing once more before him. He felt the need to explain himself. I was just checking to see if I could spot any stars, he told her. Well, meteors, to be exact.

Ah, Mrs. Jensen replied. Then nodding as if she understood and staring at him intently, "And I will give him the morning star," she said.

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William looked at Mrs. Jensen. He had no idea what she had just said or how it related to anything. Besides which, he noticed, again Mrs. Jensen was standing too close. And despite himself then he could not also help notice the deep gape at the neck of her blue blouse. Trying not to stare more than he already had, he began nodding vigorously himself, as though he now understood Mrs. Jensen, too.

William, she said, her tone growing serious. William, I have come once more with a question.

Yes? William said, still nodding.

Moving in closer, enough now that he could feel the heat of her, Mrs. Jensen smiled and reached out her hand.

William, may I pray for you?

William drew back without thinking. Then not wanting to be unneighborly, smiling his apology, I'm sorry, he said, but I'm not really that way.

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Oh but you must be, Mrs. Jensen said. You must while there is still time. And then she told him a great deal more, about what was coming for all of them. It could be any day now, no one knew when, but soon. And then the saved would rise up into the clouds, leaving behind all of this world. They, the saved, would abandon their cars and houses. Even their clothing, she said. And yes, they would leave the unsaved behind, too, and it was this last part that had her concerned. It was why they all of them must prepare. Prepare and repent and be saved. And she asked again if she could pray for him.

Well now, here is something, William thought. Something new that needed study. And just to see what would happen, he shrugged, leaned in, and let Mrs. Jensen lay her warm musk-scented right hand on his head.

That afternoon Sarah returned to Claude's file. She paged through to nurses' notes, his early dates of decline. Nurses' notes were generally Sarah's favorite, they tended toward telling detail. Claude's nurse in particular had a way with words and a flair for narrative drive.

When the nurse first visited Claude, she wrote, when he was still well enough to speak and not so high on morphine, she sat by his bed and they talked.

I buy all my wife's clothes, Claude told her the first day. Dresses, you know, shoes. I like my wife in good shoes.

Magnin, Claude said. Cole-Haan. My wife is always in style.

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You have a fortunate wife, the nurse told him. And then she offered that her boyfriend was not one for fashion.

My wife is a wonderful woman, Claude said. A wonderful woman with lovely small feet. A woman like that needs good shoes.

Sarah stopped reading and tried not to compare. William had never once bought Sarah shoes. She tried not to question her own large feet, whether they could be the reason. She turned her thoughts back to Claude and Claude's wife. She wondered if this attention to wardrobe could be love.

Sarah read on. For the next week, the nurse made visits each day and listened to Claude talk of his wife. And for the first week, always, the nurse wrote, she expected the wife to show up. She expected the wife to return and overhear, to catch Claude explaining her lovely small feet. And to rush in then and kiss Claude a little desperately on the head and act embarrassed that the nurse was still there.

But all through the first week, the wife never showed.

Claude liked to buy his wife shoes, Sarah told William over dinner. When he traveled for business, he always came back with a new pair of pumps.

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Pumps? William said.

Shoes, Sarah said. High heels. And flats, sometimes loafers. Dresses, too. Claude bought all his wife's clothes. He'd go out shopping without her.

The man likes women's clothes? William was not tracking. He still had his mind on Mrs. Jensen, there were things to tell Sarah about her. Things she should know.

It threw hospice off, Sarah said, all that shopping. Who knew Claude's wife was deceased? Claude just went on shopping, he kept bringing home shoes, no one guessed his wife had been gone seven years.

William studied his place mat. He should tell her now. About Mrs. Jensen, the laying on of her hand. He should tell her, too, that he had not told the whole truth about the woman. Her strange gait and bad leg were not really the point. In fact, it turned out, she had rather nice legs. A nice face, too, and a deep-cut blue blouse along with considerable cleavage, and the truth was she had begun to interest him.

So you see, Sarah said, it was awkward for hospice when Claude himself started dying. Hospice thought he had a wife, the way he talked about buying her clothes. When they signed him up, he made it sound like she was still here, like she had just stepped out for an errand.

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William glanced toward the window. It wasn't normal, he knew. But now all he wanted was to go to the window, hide in the curtains, and stare at the Jensens' front room, look there for Mrs. Jensen. He wanted to see her again. And he wanted to tell Sarah this. There is something not right here, she should know.

So really, Sarah said, what could hospice do? They told Claude he could not die in their care, not if it meant he was dying alone. He'd have to check into a hospital.

William looked back down at his plate. Sarah wasn't listening. Lately Sarah seemed never to be listening. How could he even begin? He shook his head.

But wait, William, Sarah said and patted his hand. It worked out all right. Do you know, in a week Claude was back. He had found himself help. A taxi driver, she said, from Yellow Cab. Claude met him on a ride to his doctor.

William played with his fork. He had nothing to add.

William, Sarah said, now studying him. Claude is dying. They have laid him on egg-carton foam on the floor and a taxi driver feeds him chipped ice. Don't you want to know what happens to Claude?

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William looked up. He considered. Claude dies, he said. Claude is probably already dead. That's how it goes with you, Sarah.

It was not always easy for William, living with Sarah this past year. It worried him. William loved Sarah. For a very long time he had loved Sarah. So long that he no longer thought of it, excepting now that he did. Which worried him, too. Isn't it better with love not to think?

Still William did. And all he came up with in the end was that maybe he should be trying harder, he should try loving Sarah more. Maybe that was the problem, maybe she just needed more attention. So he posted helpful hints on the refrigerator door, ones he thought Sarah might find useful, articles on applying sun block and the importance of green salads daily. He was careful to help out in the kitchen, he washed out his milk glass so the milk didn't stick, he stopped emptying his pockets on the counter. He rubbed Sarah's tight shoulders every night, he found her good books to read. And once, after she had come home late and exhausted from a particularly hard day at hospice, he offered to send her to an island, someplace she could rest and restore.

We are not wealthy people, William. How can we afford an island?

William gave it some thought. There are savings, he told her. There was the aunt in Virginia that soon would be dead. He was sure she would be leaving them money, he said, although he was sorry he'd brought up the dead part.

Again he could not help wishing Sarah would say something, offer him something in return. I still need you, William, he wanted her to say. Or I am worried about you, too.

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William turned his head. A light had come on across the street. Look, Sarah, he said. The Jensens are home. Hurrying to the window, he parted the curtains for her to see.

What, William? Sarah said. The Jensens? Again?

William peered through the glass at their front window. There they all were, the four of them, Mrs. Jensen had just marched them into the front room. And there by the couch, as William watched from his window, she motioned them down onto their knees, the two children and also Mr. Jensen. And now she was directing them to bow their heads, and placing her hands on them one by one she was preparing and saving them just as she had him.

William, Sarah said. Come away from the glass.

William continued to stare. Then turning, tentatively, feeling his way, You should know, Sarah, he said, pointing back at the window. There is something not right there at the Jensens. Then he lowered his voice and looked at her. It's the wife, it's Mrs. Jensen. She's the problem.

Sarah rolled her eyes. Oh, William, she said.

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William turned back to the window, watched a moment more, then jabbed once excitedly at the glass. Look there, he said, pointing. Now she's headed our way.

Mrs. Jensen had just left her kneeling family and was walking fast toward the front window. Head down, she looked determined. It startled William, and he took a quick step back. But there, very close to the glass she stopped, and he saw then she was reaching for the shade. She was just lowering the front window shade.

William relaxed and considered returning to Sarah. But as he watchedthere, another change of direction. There, just as Mrs. Jensen was pulling the shade's cord, she stopped, lifted her chin, and staring out at the night, that is to say at William, mouthed something pointedly at the glass.

William ducked behind the curtain.

Sarah, watching from the table, had reached her limit. She did not understand William's thrall with the neighbors, why he spent so much time on those Jensens. It was embarrassing, really.

Sit down, William, Sarah said. They will see you.

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On Thursday, Sarah again checked Claude's file. There was news, the chaplain had added notes. The day before, the taxi driver's sister had come to clean up. She brought her children to play with Claude, and he was thankful for them, he said. They tired him and made him doze. The sister was thankful as well, the doze gave her time to go through Claude's things.

Do you know my sister found food seven years old in his refrigerator? the driver told the chaplain. Pickles, shrimp cocktail, a can of whipped cream. It was like his wife had stocked up for a party before dying, and then Claude just left it all waiting. Like he was afraid he'd mess up her plans.

Still, it can't be good, the taxi driver said. Shrimp cocktail that old in the refrigerator.

That night Sarah and William ate dinner in front of TV. It was William's idea, to catch the six o'clock news, and in his opinion the evening was going well. They had got through most of their chicken with rice without anyone much talking at all, without anyone turning morbid or distant.

Then without warning, Look at that, William said and pointed at the TV.

The screen had suddenly gone dark and now was filling with what looked like a blizzard, snow blowing sideways in a high wind, or maybe some sort of hail. But the lighting was wrong, the sky was too dark, and Look, Sarah, William said. It's the Leonids!

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Before he could explain this to Sarah, the show cut back to the anchor who explained it himself. A big meteor storm was on its way, he wanted everyone to know. Not a shower, not the kind of Leonid show they were used to, a hundred or so meteors in an evening, but a storm, an outburst of thousands of meteors every hourand it was expected the following night. That was what they were looking at now, well not the meteors due tomorrow, of course, but something similar from their archive. You get the idea, he said.

The Leonids, Sarah, William said again. Look! A whole storm of them.

Sarah did not look, she had in fact not been following. She was thinking instead about Claude. She could not stop wondering about him, that he would end life with only a taxi driver near.

Which then made her wonder other things, too. And William, she said, if I died would you leave food in our refrigerator?

William stared at the TV. The anchor was announcing the best times for viewing and he was trying to catch the exact hour, he was hoping for something near dawn. Food? William said. Refrigerator?

You know, Sarah said. Say it was almost Thanksgiving, which it is, and say I had just bought cranberries. Then say on Thanksgiving I died and two weeks later the cranberries went bad. Would you throw them out?

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Reluctantly, William turned his attention to Sarah. He hesitated. He wasn't sure what she had in mind.

Sarah sighed, shifted her gaze to the TV. The fact was, she could not be sure herself on the topic. She could not say she would still mourn William seven years on. She could not say she would hold onto much of him at all if he were no longer around.

The next day, Sarah returned to Claude's file. Again there was news. The taxi driver had called in, he was concerned about Claude, who'd grown restless, who twisted in bed and cried out at night.

Claude could not breathe, he fought for the air all around him. He was suffocating in his own lungs, he would drown in his foamy bed. And in the end Claude was growing afraid. Each day, each hour of each day now, he pleaded with the driver for help. He begged him to stay close, to let him know he was there. To tell stories, old jokes, say the day of the week. To pray if he must, if it came to it. But to please please just keep talking.

The taxi driver was not sure what to do. He wanted to know what to watch for, the signs that death was at hand. The swelling in the feet, the blotching of the skin. How the light in the eyes dimmed, how the breathing suspended. He wanted to know what came last.

That evening William and Sarah again turned on the TV.

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The news anchor was breathless. The meteor storm had begun, he announced. A great astral spray of stardust. Stars from the tail of the lion.

William and Sarah stared at the TV. It had not been a good day for either of them and neither was taking much interest. Sarah still had Claude Lutes on her mind. And William was worrying about the Jensens. He had not seen them all day, not since the previous evening, and now still their house stood empty.

A furor of stars, the anchor continued, thousands falling this night. There would not be such a storm of stars for another thirty years. Everyone, he pressed, should look up.

Neither William nor Sarah moved, they just stared at the TV. William, Sarah said, her heart not in it, stars are falling.

William nodded, distracted. Something was wrong with the Jensens. It was not like them to be away. Standing, he walked to the window and studied their house.

Meteors ablaze, the anchor was saying. The universe burning up as it spins.

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William stared. Across the street the Jensens house remained dark, just as it had been all day. But something made him keep watching. And that something then stirred deep in their front room and gradually emerged from the shadows. And was indeed Mrs. Jensen.

Just as on the previous night, she was aiming for the front window. Head up and looking straight ahead, eyes directly on him, she advanceduntil there, a few feet from the window, pausing, she extended one hand, curled her fingers in, and beckoned. William watched, there was no mistaking the move. Hesitantly he raised his own fingers to the glass.

Mrs. Jensen moved forward, and at the window she stopped. For a moment she stood, staring out. Then with a small shake of her shoulders she dropped back her blouse, spread her arms wide, and slowly, imperceptibly beginning to rise, pressed both naked breasts to the glass.

Fire, ferment, the anchor called. A conflagration of stars in the sky.

William turned from the window. Sarah, he said. Sarah.

Sarah stared at the speeding light on the screen.

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Look, the anchor pleaded. Now or you will miss it.
If you build it, they will come.

That's true when it comes to the healthy snack store that students of East Garfield Park's LEARN Charter School Network  Campbell Campus (212 S. Francisco Ave.) use. Students and teachers at the kindergarten-through-fifth-grade school created their own on-site store (aka WE Learn Health Store) when a student thought school lunches lacked variety. Coupled with the fact that the institution sits in a food desert, staff members came up with a plan to provide more edible options for their pupils. Teachers donated time, food and money to get the endeavor off the ground before the end of the school year.

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"Scholars found a problem with their food options in their community, and they came up with a solution," said fourth-grade math and science teacher Sylesha Brewer.

The solution is in a former storage space, now replete with foods like fruit, granola bars, Veggie Straws, pretzels, fruit cups and trail mix. Items are purchased by staff and chosen based on nutritional value, demand (based on sales) and availability ( through vendors Costco and Sam's Club), Brewer said. Polls on what students would like to drink and eat have also begun.

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Students can buy each item for $1 or less, three days a week, at the beginning of the school day and during lunchtime. Fourth- and fifth-graders can shop in the store, while younger children get to partake via a food cart staffed by older children.

Students like fourth-grader Kiarah Martin see the benefits of the store.

"One thing that I like about the store is we get more options to eat if we don't like the school lunch," she said. "It's not too pricey either."

Teachers said students used to stop at the gas station down the street from the school in the morning to get food. Now they don't.

Fifth-grader Jamirah Mister's favorite snack is Sun Chips.

Fifth-grader Jakayla Roberts prefers cereal.

The WE Learn Health Store at LEARN Charter School Network  Campbell Campus. (Sylesha Brewer/LEARN Charter School)

Brooklyn Dyer, a fourth-grader, likes the chewy granola bars and Skinny Pop.

Kids are now asking their parents for money to use at the store.

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"I like how they label the foods healthy, healthier and healthiest," said Roberts.

Opened in early May, the store is intended to improve eating habits, but it's also a way to teach school and life lessons.

As one of the endeavor's supervisors, Brewer, a first-year teacher at Campbell Campus, has executed lesson plans on decimals, as well as nutrition and how it affects the body. The school's art teacher helps students with in-house advertisements to promote the store. And an after-school club focuses solely on the success of the store  inventory, sales, branding and expansion. Fourth- and fifth-graders run the store with supervision, holding positions like cashier, inventory manager and security/greeter.

Johannaus Thomas, a fifth-grader, works at the store as a cashier.

"I love working there because it kind of makes me feel like I'm really good at something," he said. "It also helps me know other people (customers) better. I'm very happy with it."

"We are using this store to prepare our scholars for the next phases of their lives," said Anthony McCray, a fourth-grade teacher's aide who serves as a store consultant. "This is a way for the students to gain real-life work experience; giving them an idea of what the work force is like. We want to start preparing our students for tomorrow. This helps with communication, people skills, and what it is to prepare for the workforce."

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What started with $600 in staff donations has grown to $1,000 in sales for the project, said Georgina Fofana, fourth-grade reading teacher at Campbell Campus. While a portion of the money goes back into the store for supplies, another portion is donated to a charity in Kenya through the WE Movement  a school program that introduces young people to volunteerism locally and globally. Campbell Campus students have participated in WE Day, an all-day event celebrating student volunteerism, in the past two years, Fofana said. Previously, money jars in classrooms were used to help meet the school's WE fundraising goal. Now, the change students wanted to make in their community is fueling the effort.

"The WE organization promotes fixing problems in our world  how "we" as a whole can fix our own problems. It starts with us," McCray said. "The idea of this store was to promote a healthy lifestyle, and we are achieving that one day at a time."

Parents of students are already seeing results of the store's creation. Rashee Allen, mom to fourth-grader Aniyah, said the WE Learn Health Store has been a great addition to the school  helping students build academic and life skills.

"The store has helped create a healthy mindset for my child," said Latisha Martin, mother of fourth-grader Kiarah. "The store has also given her great information about why eating healthy is important. She has started to read labels on items for the nutrition facts to decide if she wants them or not."

Conversations have begun on expanding the store to another location on campus. Talks have also transpired on what other school projects the snack store can fund ( for instance, a recreation room for students to use during the colder months for recess).

"It was a teacher's idea  listening to the needs of the kids (hearing the kids complain about lunch), and now the students own it," said principal Karin McGuire. "Even though we live in a low-income neighborhood, we want to instill in our scholars you can still give back in different ways, whether it's service or financial. I think every child should learn that there's a way to give back to your community and to the larger world. I think that's a part of the change that needs to happen in Chicago."

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drockett@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @DarcelTribune

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The housing authority of the Chinese mainland will grant employees from Taiwan equal rights to the housing provident fund.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development said Friday that it will soon make a nationwide policy without giving a concrete timetable.

The policies will support the deposits into and withdrawals from the public provident fund by employees from Taiwan to make it easier for them to buy or rent homes.

With more and more people from Taiwan working on the mainland, several local authorities, including those of Fujian Province, Shanghai Municipality and the city of Yangzhou, have taken measures to grant them access to the fund.

The number of employees from Taiwan on the mainland rose from 290,000 in 2005 to 420,000 in 2015, the island's statistics authority said earlier this year.

Under current regulations, urban residents on the mainland, together with their employers, pay a portion of their incomes into the housing provident fund to be eligible for low-interest housing loans. The fund can also be used for rents, renovations and major illnesses.
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Alibaba founder Jack Ma and his business partners have donated 560 million yuan (82 million U.S. dollars) to a hospital in east China's Zhejiang Province.

Of the money, 300 million yuan is from the Jack Ma Foundation, 100 million from Alibaba Group, 110 million from the group's 17 founders and partners, and 50 million yuan from Yunfeng Capital, a private equity firm co-founded by Jack Ma and Target Media founder David Yu.

The money was donated to The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University Friday, and will be used for training, research and development (R&D).

Wang Weilin, president of the hospital, said the money will help improve the hospital's services.

Zhejiang University and Alibaba Group previously signed a strategic cooperation agreement on frontier technology, such as artificial intelligence, medical health, big data and social sciences.
U.S. President Donald Trump announces to pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement, a landmark global pact to fight climate change, during a speech at the White House in Washington D.C., capital of the United States June 1, 2017. [Zhai Haijun/China.org.cn]

The 19th China-EU Summit took place at a critical moment for world affairs. The decision of U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement leaves many questions unanswered on how international cooperation will proceed under his presidency. While his decision has been negatively framed across the world, other powers need to share the responsibility to lead the initiative and tackle global warming.

Some Western media have diagnosed an opportunity for China. In a remarkable example, The New York Times writes that "Trump hands the Chinese a gift," explaining that the U.S. president "has created a power vacuum of global leadership that presents ripe opportunities to allies and adversaries alike to reorder the world power structure."

On the same wavelength, vox.com asserts that "Trump pulling out of the Paris climate agreement is great news  for China." However, this is not the right time to anticipate if Beijing will benefit. The priority is to push forward with the Paris accord even without the U.S.

Subsequently, Chinese and EU leaders have banded together to accelerate the global transition to clean energy. This is certainly an unusual alliance that emphasizes the absence of the U.S. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang confirmed that China will stand by its responsibilities on climate change while EU Commissioner on Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Canete praised Sino-European collaboration on issues like emissions trading and clean technologies.

Discussions on climate change had naturally the lion's share during the 19th China-EU Summit as it coincided with Trump's pull-out decision. Of course, the Sino-European partnership goes beyond the Paris agreement in spite of its critical significance. The China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation constitutes the basis.

The two sides are systematically making steps to find common ground on four different aspects: peace and security, prosperity, sustainable development and people-to-people exchanges. The progress made was outlined during the Summit. The official full list of outcomes presents thirty specific achievements. Opportunities are apparent.

The Belt and Road Initiative that promotes infrastructure works can match with the Investment Plan proposed by the European Commission. That is because the latter functions as a leverage to attract foreign capital which can be easily provided by Chinese public and private enterprises. Banks from the two sides have also started to find cooperation platforms. This is the case with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development.

Moreover, strategic planning brings China and the EU closer. They certainly agree to cooperate against terrorism, illegal migration, cybercrime and transnational crime but now they are making specific decisions. China and Europol agreed in April to strengthen law-enforcement cooperation to boost security. At that time, visiting State Councilor and China's Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun had said that the two sides should further improve the communication mechanism and give prominence to the key points. The shared commitment was reiterated in Brussels a few days ago.

All this does not mean that China and the EU do not have differences. Last year, the EU was very skeptical in granting China Market Economy Status and this skepticism caused frustration to Beijing. The Chinese administration is also concerned about the continuation of the arms embargo while it strongly disagrees with some communiques of international bodies where European countries participate  such as the G7  which refer to the situation in the South China Sea and East China Sea in an unfair way.

From its part, the routinized term used by EU policymakers in their approach vis-a-vis Beijing is "reciprocity." Practically, they ask for more opportunities for European companies in order to do business in China. They also share the anxiety of some European industries which cannot easily compete with cheap Chinese products exported to Europe and regularly complain to Chinese authorities about this. Within this context, some European countries refrained from endorsing China's trade priorities during the recent international forum on the Belt and Road Initiative.

Differences always exist between partners. In spite of disagreements, the glass can be seen as half-full. The EU was China's supporter in the inclusion of the Renminbi in the Special Drawing Rights of the International Monetary Fund. Further to this, most European countries entered the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank from the very first beginning despite the U.S. objection.

Moreover, China is committed to supporting openness according to recent pledges made by President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. From another perspective, the term "reciprocity" should not exclusively be used by the EU. China, for instance, is equally right in complaining that the number of Chinese students studying in European universities is much higher than the number of European students studying in Chinese institutions.

All in all, China and the EU will look towards the future with optimism, seeking to co-operate where they can and possibly freeze a few sensitive or delicate issues. As far as China's interest is concerned, this model is sustainable. It manages to reinforce ties with one of its most significant partners  the EU  while the U.S. has lost its international momentum.

It also has the opportunity and privilege to approach member-states independently and sign important bilateral economic deals. It is not a coincidence that before reaching Brussels, Li made a stop in Berlin. This is how diplomatic success can be built.

George N. Tzogopoulos is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/GeorgeNTzogopoulos.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
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British Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed Friday afternoon she will form a Westminster government, helped by members of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

Speaking minutes after a 15-minute audience at Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth, May announced her plan outside 10 Downing Street.

She said May she will form a government that will provide certainty and work to keep Britain safe and secure. She also reaffirmed her commitment to leaving the European Union.

May also repeated the pledge she made during the general election campaign "to build a country in which no one is left behind".

In a brief statement, May said "What the country needs more than anything is certainty. Only the Conservative and Unionist party can provide this. Now lets get to work," she said.

She said the Conservatives and the DUP will work together "having enjoyed a strong relationship over many years".

The 318 seats won by the Conservatives in the election on Thursday, plus the 10 DUP seats will give May the majority she needs in the House of Commons.

In the election the Conservatives won most seats, but short of winning enough for an overall majority.

One result remains to be declared that will go to either the Conservatives or Labour.
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Three Afghan civilian were killed and nine others wounded Friday night in a shooting at a mosque in the country's eastern province of Paktia, Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

"The shooting took place at a mosque in Police District 2 of provincial capital Gardez city at round 08:45 p.m. (local time) when worshipers were offering Tarawih prayers," the ministry said in a statement.

It blamed enemies of Afghanistan, a term referring to the Taliban militants for the attack, but no group has claimed responsibility yet for the incident.

The attack came as Afghans celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by abstaining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. Muslims offer the Tarawih prayers only during month of Ramadan of the Islamic calendar at night.

The Afghan civilians continue to bear the brunt of armed conflicts as 715 civilians were killed and over 1,460 others injured in conflict-related incidents across Afghanistan in the first three months of the year, according to figures released by the United Nations mission in the country.

The ministry also strongly condemned the attack.
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American experts have warned that U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate accord will pose a big threat to public health.

"I find it unconscionable that the world's number one historic greenhouse gas emitter is withdrawing from the Paris climate accord," said Jonathan Patz, director of the Global Health Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"Make no mistake, climate change is a huge threat to public health," local channel Wisc-TV on Friday quoted him as saying.

Respiratory problems caused by air pollution and diseases spread by insects are among the threats to public health, Patz said.

He explained that with an increase in temperature, the mosquito-borne disease like malaria will creep up in altitude.

Moreover, ticks that carry ehrlichiosis in the Midwest will be moving northward, thus spread the disease, Patz added.

"So the shift from dirty energy to clean energy, low carbon energy has an immediate health benefit," he pointed out.

Earlier this month, American Lung Association President Harold P. Wimmer said that climate change was already harming the health of people in the United States and worldwide through degraded air quality, heat waves, droughts, extreme storms and disease outbreaks.

"Unchecked climate change is a global health crisis that threatens to reverse decades of health gains worldwide, with serious consequences for our children and generations to come," he warned in response to President Trump's announcement to withdraw from the landmark Paris climate accord.
A cruise ship enters a shipyard in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, for maintenance in April. The first cruise liner to be built in China is expected to be delivered in 2023. SHEN LEI / FOR CHINA DAILY

Editor's note: In the run-up to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China Daily will cover a series of key projects and advanced equipment of national importance, showcasing the country's huge improvements and relentless efforts in manufacturing upgrading and innovation.

Historic vessel, costing estimated $1 billion, will be delivered to HK buyer in 2023

The first cruise liner to be built in the Chinese mainland is expected to be delivered to a Hong Kong-based buyer in 2023, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the nation's shipbuilding industry.

It is also expected to boost a plethora of supplier segments as well as domestic tourism, experts said. The vessel will be used in the Chinese market.

The as-yet unnamed ship will be built at Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, by a joint venture between the State-owned China State Shipbuilding Corp and Italy-based Fincantieri SpA, the world's largest cruise shipbuilding company.

There is no official word on the cost and cost advantages, if any, compared to European shipbuilders that dominate the industry.

But Chen Gang, vice-president of Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, a company controlled by CSSC, said he expects the vessel to cost about $1 billion.

The cruise ship, reportedly 323.6 meters long and 37.2 meters wide, can hold nearly 5,000 passengers in 2,000 cabins.

For perspective, Harmony of the Seas, built by the STX France yard in Saint-Nazaire on the Atlantic coast for US-based Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, is regarded as the world's largest cruise ship, according to a London Guardian report. The vessel, which cost close to $1 billion, has 16 decks and can carry 6,360 passengers and 2,100 crew members.

According to Wu Qiang, general manager of CSSC, the China-made vessel will be the first of five to be delivered on a yearly basis from 2023 onward.

Wu Zhenglian, a cruise ship design expert with CSSC's research institute, said, "The vessel is the outcome of a decade of efforts by the Chinese shipbuilding industry to satisfy the rising demand for water-based travel among the country's humongous and upwardly mobile middle class."

Some 2.1 million Chinese tourists traveled in cruise liners in 2016, taking the third position in the annual global passenger rankings, according to data from the Cruise Lines International Association.

The rise to the third spot took over a decade.

China's cruise economy took off in 2006, posting about 45 percent compound annual growth rate ever since.

Building homegrown cruise ships is part of the natural evolution of the industry, observers said.

Currently, Italy, Germany and France dominate the world's luxury cruise shipbuilding sector. In all, they make and deliver eight large cruise ships per year, lagging the world's demand for 13 ships.

This is where CSSC sees future potential.

In October 2015, it signed an agreement with China Investment Corp, the Chinese sovereign wealth fund, and Carnival Corp & Plc, the world's largest leisure travel company with global operations, to form a joint venture in Hong Kong.

The latter will place orders with the CSSC-Fincantieri joint venture for cruise ships.

In February, Carnival announced the Hong Kong company had signed an agreement to order the first-ever cruise ship to be built in the Chinese mainland.

The Hong Kong company will order two new liners from the CSSC-Fincantieri joint venture. It has an option to order four more home-built ships.

The construction of China's first cruise ship will help improve various sectors of the domestic shipbuilding ecosystem, said Chen of Waigaoqiao.

According to Wu Zhenglian, in spite of China's strength in building other types of vessels, the construction of a cruise ship would be a new experience as it has special requirements in craftsmanship, quality and other specifications.

Preparation for the project began in 2014. The design of the vessel would need at least 1 million man-hours. The construction requires more than 3,000 skilled workers with professional education and technical knowledge, according to Chen.

Wu Zhenglian said the building process of the first two vessels would need extra time as it involves professionals from different cultures, who may take some time to learn to work together.

That also presents a great opportunity for Chinese manufacturers to gather experience of multicultural workplaces and learn foreign shipbuilding techniques.

To meet the stiff deadline and avoid any time overrun that would result in huge losses, the shipbuilder needs to access a global supply chain as well as a network of domestic suppliers that can provide high-quality components, Wu said.
A worker counts Chinese currency renminbi at a bank in Linyi, East China's Shandong province, Aug 11, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

Stable exchange rate works for the country and the rest of the world

Chinese and US economists are convinced that having a relatively stable renminbi exchange rate is in both China's and the world's interest.

Ha Jiming, a former senior executive with Goldman Sachs Group Inc, noted that China's current account surplus is declining in percentage relative to GDP.

But he added it is still quite sizable, while its capital account is experiencing significant outflow pressure.

"We need to make both a short-term and long-term judgment on the viability of the capital control measures," Ha said during a talk on US-China cooperation in a changing global economy at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington on Thursday.

PIIE and CF40, a think tank in China of which Ha is a founding member, released a paper on the same topic.

It covered not only the exchange rate policy, but also bilateral investment, regional economic integration and the impact on China of US President Donald Trump's economic policies.

Ha, a former chief economist and managing director of China International Capital Co Ltd, believes that in the short term, capital control in China could play a role in deterring disorderly outflow.

But he added that in the longer term, it should not be put in place forever. "It actually distorts resource allocation," Ha said.

Last year, China's foreign currency reserves sustained a sharp drop due to capital outflow and government sales from currency reserves to prevent the yuan from falling. The reserves have stabilized this year.

Ha, however, believes that China should press ahead with reforms to pave the way for capital account liberalization.

"It's actually enshrined in PBOC's (central bank) policy. It's also enshrined in the Communist Party's 18th National Congress: 'Let the market play a decisive role,'" he said.

Joseph Gagnon, a senior fellow at the PIIE, cautioned that financial markets often get things wrong. "I think it would be good to put some buffers or dampers on that," he said.

Gagnon, a former US Federal Reserve official, believes that China is doing exactly that, though maybe not for exactly the reasons he would have.

"If you imagine a huge outflow of private capital from China causes a massive fall of the renminbi, a massive trade surplus again, I think the rest of the world, especially now, would have trouble with that," he said.

Adam Posen, president of the PIIE, agreed, saying that "it's in China's own interest, as well as the world's, to have a relatively stable currency".

"And the imbalance should not be allowed to get way out of whack," he added.

The US Treasury Department determined in its April report that China has not been manipulating its currency. Secretary Steven Mnuchin also described China's intervention to prevent the yuan from falling as helping US competitiveness.
Many Chinese companies operating in the United States expect to increase profit and revenue, according to a survey released in New York on Thursday.

They also expect to either maintain or expand their American workforces and do not believe that the US government is biased in its policies, despite some political tensions.

The China General Chamber of Commerce polled its membership of Chinese enterprises operating in the US. More than 200 companies responded out of more than 500 that were queried.

A large majority, or 86 percent of the surveyed Chinese companies, expect their revenue in the US to grow in the next three to five years. About 71 percent will maintain staffing levels, while 28 percent expect an increase.

About 87 percent of the Chinese companies said they have either maintained or increased their profit margins in the US in 2016.

Xu Chen, chairman of CGCC and president and CEO of Bank of China USA, stressed that the business foundation for Chinese firms in the US was sound.

This has helped to defuse some of the political tensions that occasionally occur in the China-US relationship.

"There has been some misunderstanding and mistrust between the governments," said Xu. "China and the USas the world's two largest marketsneed each other.

"The US needs Chinese investment and China's market for American exports to create more US jobs," Xu added. "China also needs American exports, technology and investment."

One of the Chinese companies that attended the release of the survey was China Construction America Inc.

Established in 1985 and based in Jersey City, New Jersey, CCA is the North American subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corp Ltd and employs more than 1,000 in the US. Approximately 98 percent of its workforce is American.

Noting that US President Donald Trump wants to implement a massive infrastructure program, Xin "Trish" Qu said CCA is eager to participate.

"The administration's plan to increase infrastructure is certainly good news for us," she said.

In 2014, CCA purchased Plaza Construction to increase its presence in the American construction market.

Qu said the US infrastructure market is valued at about $1 trillion annually. "Our revenue (in the US) is about $2 billion, so there is certainly space for us to grow in the US in the future."

In this year's survey, 65 percent of the companies do not believe the US government implements its policies or rules in a biased way.

However, entities such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS) remain a concern, as 25 percent of the Chinese firms consider a CFIUS review to be "politicized and opaque".

CFIUS is an interagency group that assesses the national security implications of foreign purchases of US businesses.
A section of Johnson& Johnson healthcare products at a supermarket in Tianjin. LI SHENGLI / FOR CHINA DAILY

Johnson & Johnson plans to increase funding in China as the government starts rolling out policies to boost innovation in the pharmaceutical sector and help startups.

The healthcare products giant based in the United States aims to invest about $500 million to support research and development here.

"We have strong confidence in China with the government bringing in reforms for drug innovation as well as helping startups in the sector," said Wu Dong, head of the Asia Pacific Innovation Center at Johnson & Johnson.

Last month, the China Food and Drug Administration unveiled four draft regulations to encourage innovation and research in the pharmaceutical industry.

In March, CFDA released a draft regulation that would give easier access to new foreign drugs entering the Chinese market at the same time as the rest of the world.

Wu confirmed that Johnson & Johnson Asia Pacific Innovation Center, or APIC, will identify and seek opportunities across the company's three key areas  pharmaceuticals, medical devices and consumer healthcare products.

The plan is to closely collaborate with healthcare technology companies, research institutions and venture capital investors.

"We have reviewed more than 1,000 opportunities in China and related Asia Pacific countries in the past two years to explore potential science and technology solutions in our strategic area," Wu said.

Wu Dong, head of the Asia Pacific Innovation Center at Johnson & Johnson. [Provided to China Daily]

APIC will take a stake in new businesses, with investment opportunities ranging from hundreds of thousands of dollars to tens of millions of dollars.

"The success rate of new drug research and development is very low globally, so we want to help startups with our experts and funds at an early stage," Wu said.

Together with the group's three other innovation centers in London, Boston and California, APIC has funded 300 startup companies since 2014.

Alex Gorsky, chief executive officer of Johnson & Johnson, confirmed in Beijing earlier this year that he is optimistic about the future of healthcare in China and the company's role here.

"We make sure we are identifying, partnering, creating relationships with the very best new ideas," he told People's Daily.
CHICAGO - Guangzhou, the host city of the 2017 Fortune Global Forum, held here a promotion event Thursday, to woo enterprises from the US Midwest to invest in the city in southern China.

"The 2017 Fortune Global Forum" is not only a matter of Guangzhou, it is also a platform where the (thinking of) global top 500 enterprises, economists and scholars collide to create wisdom," said Cai Chaolin, vice-mayor of Guangzhou, during a roadshow for the forum scheduled to be held in Guangzhou in early December.

The platform can also enable participants to exchange views, exert a positive impact on the economic and social development, and to create opportunities for enterprises, said Cai.

As a business capital with a history as long as 1,000 years and a gateway in southern China, the megacity is not only a hot destination for commerce and investment, but also a hub with easy global access and innovation spirit, Cai noted.

"Guangzhou and Chicago share so many similarities in business, transportation and technology," said Cai.

The city realized a GDP of $290 billion in 2016, ranking the third after Beijing and Shanghai for 28 years in a row, and it is rated by the United Nations as the fastest growing megacity in the world between 2010 and 2015, according to the vice mayor.

Currently, there are 120,000 sci-tech and innovation enterprises in Guangzhou. According to US business magazine Fast Company, 13 out of China's top 50 innovative companies are based in Guangzhou.

For his part, Chicago Vice-Mayor Steven Koch said this year's forum will focus in particular on innovation revolution, the future of globalization, the 21th Century leadership and sustainable development.

"These are all incredibly important topics for our mutual future, and things we grapple everyday here in Chicago," Koch stressed.

"I would say the fortune story in China is still going on. China is doing very well, so China will continue to serve as the most dynamic driving force for the global growth," said Chinese Deputy Consul General in Chicago Liu Jun.
ASTANA - Chinese President Xi Jinping and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon met here Friday on carrying forward bilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and deepening their strategic partnership.

China and Tajikistan are neighbors with close relations and strategic partners with high-level mutual trust, said Xi.

The two countries have maintained close high-level contacts, achieved fruitful results in cooperation in such fields as economy and trade, agriculture, infrastructure construction, energy and security, and coordinated closely under the frameworks of the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), said the Chinese president.

Noting that the two countries have made important achievements in jointly building the Belt and Road, Xi said the next step is to promote such cooperation towards a high-end, innovative and diversified direction.

He urged the two sides to strengthen economic policy coordination and development strategy alignment, strive for new progress in connectivity construction, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and boost cooperation in such fields as production capacity, equipment manufacturing, disaster relief, defense, law enforcement and security.

China is willing to work with Tajikistan to carry forward the spirit of good neighborliness, strengthen strategic coordination and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to lift the China-Tajikistan strategic partnership to a new height, Xi said.

For his part, Rahmon called the two countries "good neighbors, good friends and good partners," saying the Tajik side cherishes the Tajikistan-China friendship, values the important role of China in international affairs, and dedicates itself to deepening bilateral strategic partnership.

Summing up the two countries' fruitful cooperation since they forged diplomatic relations 25 years ago, Rahmon told Xi that his country stands ready to synergize its development strategy with the historic Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China, and boost bilateral cooperation in areas like connectivity, electricity, agriculture and security.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by Xi in 2013, comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, with the aim of building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.

Xi arrived here Wednesday for a state visit to Kazakhstan and the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO.
BEIJING - China's securities regulator has rejected more initial public offering (IPO) applications in a bid to improve the quality of listed firms and protect investors' interests.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) vetoed IPO applications from 24 companies from the start of this year to May 19, up from 18 in the January-April period, according to a CSRC statement.

Another 45 companies withdrew their applications, while 188 were approved, said the CSRC.

Abnormal financial conditions, inability to generate sustainable profits and questionable authenticity of application documents were among the reasons for the rejections.

Under the current IPO system, new shares are subject to approval from the CSRC.

The commission said it will continue to strengthen IPO regulation and keep a close eye on the practices of faking documents and dressing up company performances.
Jack Ma, founder and executive chairman of the Alibaba Group, is seen at the launch of Alibaba's ANZ office at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne, Australia, on Feb 4, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

HANGZHOU - Alibaba founder Jack Ma and his business partners have donated 560 million yuan ($82 million) to a hospital in East China's Zhejiang province.

Of the money, 300 million yuan is from the Jack Ma Foundation, 100 million from Alibaba Group, 110 million from the group's 17 founders and partners, and 50 million yuan from Yunfeng Capital, a private equity firm co-founded by Jack Ma and Target Media founder David Yu.

The money was donated to The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University Friday, and will be used for training, research and development (R&D).

Wang Weilin, president of the hospital, said the money will help improve the hospital's services.

Zhejiang University and Alibaba Group previously signed a strategic cooperation agreement on frontier technology, such as artificial intelligence, medical health, big data and social sciences.
Former executives of fugitive Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining a loan and foreign currency during their trial in Dalian, Liaoning province, on Friday.

The three former executives, Lyu Tao, Xie Honglin and Yang Ying, confessed to fraudulently obtaining loan of 3.2 billion yuan ($471 million) from the Agricultural Bank of China in the name of Beijing Pangu Investment Inc, a company controlled by Guo, by using fake contracts, materials and seals in 2010. The company was also sued on the same charge.

Lyu and Xie also confessed in court that they fraudulently obtained foreign exchanges of $13.5 million with forged invoices in 2012.

The defendants said in court that they were sorry for their wrongdoing and that Guo was behind all the cheating.

"I feel guilty for what I did and will accept my punishment. I had little legal awareness at that time and I blindly listened to Guo," said Yang, former chief financial officer of the company.

Xie, ex-manager of Beijing Pangu's financial department, and Lyu, the company's former deputy general manager, also said they did not think too much when they obeyed the orders from Guo.

No verdict was given on Friday, and prosecutors said Guo, whose whereabouts is unknown, would be handled in a separate case.

The trial, publicly heard at the Xigang District People's Court in Dalian on Friday, was the first trial of a series related to Guo, who fled overseas about three years ago.

Interpol issued a "red notice"the closest thing to an international arrest warrantfor Guo in April, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Other people suspected of bribery, intentional destruction of accounting documents and forced trading related to the case are also under legal procedures, the court said.

During Friday's trial, prosecutors said the company and the three individuals breached the Criminal Law, and they should be punished for loan fraud and foreign currency fraud.

Their lawyers asked for lenient penalties, saying the three acted under Guo's instigation.

Friday's court proceedings were broadcast live via the court's micro blog.
Reusable designs in development; super-heavy model eyes 2028

China has made breakthroughs in some key technologies in the development of reusable rockets, a senior rocket scientist said.

Lu Yu, head of the science and technology committee of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, told the audience at the 2017 Global Space Exploration Conference, which ended on Thursday in Beijing, that rocket scientists at the academy are verifying two designs for reusable rockets.

The first design would use a vertical landing system to retrieve the main body of a carrier rocket that can be reused for multiple launches, while the second design would retrieve a rocket's main body through the use of parachutes, according to Lu.

He said scientists have made breakthroughs in some key technologies, without elaborating. He added that researchers are striving to ensure the rockets will be reliable and inexpensive.

Each of the reusable rockets must be capable of carrying out 30 to 50 launch missions, according to an article written by Long Lehao, one of the top scientists at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, and other academy researchers. The article says reusable rockets will mainly be used to send small payloads into space.

Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, popularly known as SpaceX, has carried out several tests of its reusable launch system. In March, the company achieved a milestone when a Falcon 9 rocket with a used first stage successfully blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center.

Lu also said that researchers at the academy are developing a combined-cycle aerospace vehicle that will be propelled by a combination of turbine, ramjet and rocket engines.

The craft uses turbine engines, like those installed on jetliners, or rocket-based combined-cycle engines, when it takes off from a conventional runway. After it reaches a certain speed, the ramjet will thrust the spacecraft into the stratosphere or to the next layer of the Earth's atmosphere, the mesosphere. At this point, rocket engines will be used to put the vehicle into orbit, explained experts with knowledge of the next-generation space vehicle.

Furthermore, Lu said that the academy is designing the Long March 9 super-heavy rocket that will have a takeoff weight of 3,000 metric tons and can thrust a 140-ton payload into a low Earth orbit or a 50-ton payload into a lunar transfer orbit. The rocket will enable China to carry out manned missions to the moon and to conduct other deep-space expeditions.

If the research and development proceed well, the super-heavy rocket will carry out its first flight as early as 2028, he said.
After this year's national college entrance exams, Gan Fubao will have collected all 40 exam papers since the gaokao resumed in 1977.

The 70-year-old from Nanchang, capital of Jiangxi province, holds a deep affection for the exam.

The exam was disrupted by the "cultural revolution" (1966-76) and its reintroduction by then leader Deng Xiaoping was a clear signal that times had changed.

Gan started to collect the papers after he took the exam in 1977. After completing the gaokao, Gan enrolled in Jiangxi University to study physics and bid farewell to his life as a factory worker. He became an engineer after graduation.

Gan regards the essay topics as mirrors reflecting a changing China over the decades. "Each represents the characteristics of the time," he said.

Liu Xiang, editor-in-chief of a Party magazine, still remembers the essay he wrote when he took the gaokao in 1977.

"The topic for the essay was 'An Unforgettable Day,'" he recalled. He wrote about the downfall of the "Gang of Four", a disgraced political faction of four officials that came to prominence during the "cultural revolution".

"If they had remained in power, I might be still a farmer in my village and may never have had the chance to take the college entrance exam," he said.

The 59-year-old graduated from middle school in 1975, before returning to his hometown of Zhucheng in Shandong province, where he worked first as a tractor driver and then as a village teacher. Two years later, he heard in a news broadcast that China would resume the gaokao system.

Liu saw an opportunity to change his fate.

"I elaborated on the significance of the crushing of the Gang of Four and expressed my joy at being able to take such an important exam," he said.

After talking with his fellow exam takers, Liu later learned that most of them had either written about that same day or the day when Mao Zedong died. "There is also someone who wrote about the day he got married, but he didn't get a high score," he said.

During the initial years, the essay topics students were asked to write about were highly political.

In 1977, the topic for Beijing students was "My revolutionary year", while for students in northeast China's Jilin province it was "A great success: The unforgettable October 1976". The following year, the topic was "The problem of speed is a problem of politics".

After the beginning of the reform and opening-up, the economy became increasingly important, and the change could also be seen in essay topics.

Ma Yanwen, a Chinese-language teacher at a middle school in Shandong province, remembered that in 1985, students were asked to write "a letter to the Guangming Daily to talk about pollution."

Topics became increasingly diversified in the 1990s, when the old values were challenged.

Shi Jing, a teacher at an experimental middle school in Shandong, remembered when the 1994 essay topic was "An attempt". A student wrote about a romance at school.

"At that time, teenage romance was not allowed, so the essay was initially given only 25 points," Shi said.

The essay was then passed to Professor Song Suiliang, head of the team marking the exam papers. Song liked the story.

"Falling in love is one of the biggest endeavors of one's life," he noted, giving it the full 50 points.

Xinhua

(China Daily 06/10/2017 page2)
China has explored numerous means, including information disclosure and lawmaking, to tackle the increasing commercialization in places of worship across the country, according to a senior official in religious affairs.

New forms of infringement of religious rights and interests have sprung up, making it more urgent to protect and promote these rights, said Jiang Jianyong, deputy head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs, during a meeting of the Buddhist Association of China held this week in Changsha,Hunan province.

According to some delegates, companies and individuals in some regions are increasingly exploiting Buddhism for commercial interests under the guise of Buddhist cultural parks and eliciting donations.

A prominent monk in Hengyang, Hunan province, arbitrarily approved a 5-million-yuan ($730,000) procurement of 18 pine trees from Japan, said Huai Hui, secretary-general of the provincial Buddhist association.

"Some ancient temples have been surrounded by so-called cultural parks, with nonreligious buildings constructed for commercial use," said Sheng Hui, deputy director of the BAC.

A number of "fake Buddhists" have been carrying out illegal religious activities, extorting money and luring followers.

An authentication database was launched last year to confirm the identity of living Buddhas. With roots traceable to the 13th century AD, the reincarnation of Buddhas is a unique inheritance system within Tibetan Buddhism. The BAC has issued certificates to living Buddhas since 2010.

"To protect religious rights and uphold dignity, Buddhist associations across China have been asked to tighten their management of personnel and strictly prohibit any commercial activities," Sheng said.
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China has welcomed the appointment of Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin as the next UN Undersecretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.

The appointment was made on Thursday in New York by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, according to a statement issued by the secretary-general's office.

Liu Zhenmin. [Photo/China Daily]

The statement said Liu "brings to the position more than 30 years of experience in the diplomatic service, with a strong focus on the promotion of bilateral, regional and global issues".

In response, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Friday that the appointment will hopefully bring a push for new achievements by the UN in the area of economic and social development.

Liu is expected to play a positive role in promoting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Hua added.

Born in 1955 and having earned a Master of Laws, Liu started his diplomat career in 1982, and is a veteran in affairs regarding Asia, treaties, boundaries and oceans.

Hua commented that Liu "has profound experience and outstanding capabilities".

He used to serve as director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Department of Treaty and Law.

From 2006 to 2009, he served as deputy permanent representative and then ambassador of the Permanent Mission of China to the UN, according to the ministry's website.

Before Liu, veteran Chinese diplomats Sha Zukang and Wu Hongbo have assumed the Undersecretary-General post in recent years.

Liu succeeds Wu Hongbo, to whom Guterres expressed his appreciation on Thursday for his commitment and dedicated service, the statement from Guterres' office said.

The diplomats have made great contribution to international cooperation in promoting economic and social development, they have been spoke highly of by many people, and China will continue its support to the UN missions, Hua said.
Experts called a US firm's claim that Chinese hackers are possibly behind the WannaCry ransomware that hit computers around the world last month as not reliable.

"The conclusion that the authors of the ransomware are Chinese people is premature based on only linguistic analysis of the ransom message, rather than the malware itself," said Zheng Wenbin, an internet security expert at Qihoo 360.

Flashpoint, a US intelligence company, said on its website on May 25 that authors of the WannaCry ransomware message are fluent in Chinese, as the language used is consistent with that of the southern Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Singapore.

WannaCry is a malware that has infected computers in more than 100 countries and regions since May 12. The malware locked up data on infected computers and displayed a message in 28 languages demanding a ransom for restoration of the data.

Flashpoint said the hackers wrote the ransom message in Chinese first. They then translated it into English, and further converted that into versions in other languages using Google's translation tool.

Zheng Wenbin said the linguistic analysis conducted by Flashpoint on the ransom messages of the WannaCry malware is "not professional" and the results are "not reliable".

Li Baisong, the deputy chief engineer of Antiy Labs, an anti-virus services provider, echoed Zheng's opinion.

Li said the malware itself is directly responsible for causing damage to computers. Therefore, according to Li, the investigation should target the malware itself, and it's not enough to just study the ransom message.

He added that the attack code and domain also should be analyzed to track the source of the malware.

Li said there is no evidence yet showing the hackers of the WannaCry ransomware are from China.

Tian A'meng contributed to this story.
ASTANA - The just concluded trip of President Xi Jinping to Kazakhstan adds impetus to the building of the Belt and Road, cements the bond among countries for the community of shared future and opens up broad prospects for peace and prosperity in the region, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday.

Xi left Astana on the same day for home after a state visit to Kazakhstan, where he attended the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

"This is Xi's first foreign visit after he presided over the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and also a major diplomatic activity of China in the Eurasia region," Wang told the press.

"This tour embodies the 'Silk Road Spirit,' which features peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit," he noted.

ELEVATING CHINA-KAZAKHSTAN TIES TO NEW HEIGHT

The relationship between China and Kazakhstan has witnessed rapid development since they established diplomatic ties 25 years ago.

In Astana, Xi held talks with his old friend, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, to take stock of the achievements the two countries have made and to chart the course for future cooperation.

This trip marked Xi's third state visit to the Central Asian country and it has been the 16th meeting between the two leaders since 2012.

Noting that the political mutual trust has reached an unprecedented height, Xi said China is willing to build "a stronger community of shared interests and shared future" with Kazakhstan, and hopes the two countries can be "good neighbors, friends and partners forever."

Xi and Nazarbayev agreed to maintain close high-level and institutional exchanges, respect the two country's choices of development path and policies in accordance with their respective national conditions, support each other's efforts in safeguarding their core interests, and jointly address the challenges to regional security and stability.

On Thursday, Xi, accompanied by Nazarbayev, visited the Chinese national pavilion of the Expo 2017 in Astana and attended the opening ceremony of the Expo. Xi's attendance shows support not only for the Kazakh side in organizing the event, but also for Central Asia countries in pursuing development and seeking growing international standing.
TOKYO - A Tibetan delegation of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China has informed Japanese officials and friendly groups about the current situation in Tibet and called upon Japan to properly handle Tibet-related issues.

During a five-day visit that concluded on Saturday, the delegation met with former President of Japan's House of Councilors and Chairman of Japan-China Friendship Center Satsuki Eda, Chief Secretary of Japan-China Parliamentary Friendship Association Yoshimasa Hayashi, as well as Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Shunsuke Takei.

Heading the Tibetan delegation, Duoji Ciren, member of the standing committee of the People's Congress of Tibet Autonomous Region, said China has been sticking to the principle of developing bilateral relations with Japan based on the four political documents and the four-point principled agreement between the two countries and in the spirit of taking history as a mirror while looking forward to the future.

He stressed that Tibet-related issues concern China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging Japan to respect China's core interests and major concerns on related issues and properly handle such issues.

Duoji also said Tibet has been developing fast since it was liberated over half a century ago, with the full support of the central government, help from the whole nation and efforts of all ethnic groups of Tibet.

Currently, Tibet is working toward the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects along with the whole nation, with all social undertakings thriving and people of all ethnic groups living and working in peace and contentment in the autonomous region, he added.

Eda, for his part, said it is important to maintain the friendship between the two countries as well as the two peoples. The Japanese parliament has established a regular exchange mechanism with the NPC, and the Japan-China Friendship Center has also invited Chinese youth to visit Japan on a regular basis to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Hayashi and Takei said the visit of the Tibetan delegation provided a good opportunity for the Japanese side to learn more about the situation in Tibet, and Japan is willing to deepen communication and cooperation with China in all areas so as to further improve bilateral ties.

The delegation also held seminars with Japanese scholars and overseas Chinese in Japan during the visit.
Two Chinese nationals abducted in Pakistan last month are probably dead, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Friday, vowing to continue to use various channels to gain and verify information.

"According to the latest information provided by Pakistan, the two kidnapped Chinese citizens have probably been killed," Hua told a daily news briefing. She added that China is gravely concerned about the case.

She said the two people were not a couple, as previously reported, and they come from different Chinese provinces, but details were still being investigated.
By An Baijie in Astana and Li Xiaokun in Beijing | China Daily | Updated: 2017-06-10 07:09

Asian giants agree their relationship can help spur prosperity and calm an unsettled world

China and India on Friday vowed to cooperate closely amid complicated changes in the world and to handle disputes appropriately.

President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the consensus as they met in Astana, Kazakhstan, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
Rosewood Hotels and Resorts is expanding its influence in the Asian market by opening four more hotels in 2017.

After the Hong Kong brand unveiled Rosewood Beijing as its first mainland property in 2014, the group said it believes its philosophy in hospitality has gained wide acceptance.

"Now is the perfect time for Rosewood Hotels and Resorts to expand its footprint in Asia," said Symon Bridle, the chief operating officer of Rosewood Hotel Group.

"Rosewood Beijing has been our best business card in this part of the world and has been an excellent showcase of Rosewood's philosophy of 'a sense of place'."

Rosewood's first mainland resort is due to open in Haitang Bay in Sanya, Hainan province, this summer.

Another hotel is scheduled to launch at the end of next year in Guangzhou's tallest high-rise building, the Guangzhou Chow Tai Fook Finance Center.

Yet the expedition to the Chinese mainland has not been easy. There are still hurdles Rosewood must overcome before its new resort and hotels become a market hit.

"Our challenge is to maintain the very high standard we have set with Rosewood Beijing," Bridle said.

"In large part the biggest challenge to doing so lies in the area of human resources," he noted. "People are and always will be the major way in which we can create unforgettable experiences for our guests."

Facing the challenges head-on, Rosewood has been focusing on selecting, training and developing its teams.

"We work actively with schools and universities to attract new talent to our brand and to the industry," he said. "The millennial mindset is a little different to other generations as they look to future careers.

"It's really important to show the excitement and rewards that working in the hotel industry can bring, as well as, importantly, how we offer an engaged, participative work environment with real growth opportunities for individuals."

Following its success in Beijing, the group also expects to open more resorts in Southeast Asia.

Rosewood Phuket in Thailand and Rosewood Phnom Penh in Cambodia are both due to open this summer. Another property offering luxury tent adventures in Laos is also on the group's agenda for later in 2017.

renxiaojin@chinadaily.com.cn

Rosewood Beijing showcases the brand's philosophy of "a sense of place".Provided To China Daily

(China Daily 06/10/2017 page10)
DUBAI/DOHA - Four Arab states that cut ties with Qatar this week over its alleged support of terrorism on Friday designated dozens of groups and individuals with alleged links to Qatar as "terrorists" - intensifying a rift that threatens the region's stability.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain branded as terrorists 59 people, including Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader Yousef al-Qaradawi.

Their joint statement also listed 12 entities, among them Qatari-funded charities Qatar Charity and Eid Charity, as having terrorist links.
Ever since the first Chinese immigrants arrived in Cuba 170 years ago, the process of cultural exchange has never stopped.

Eight years ago, when Tao Hulei came to Havana to study medicine, he never imagined that he would end up starting a family and working in Cuba.

"When I arrived, I knew nothing of the country. Slowly, I discovered the people, who are very kind with foreigners, especially the Chinese," said Tao in perfect Spanish while taking care of his 4-month-old daughter, after he married a Cuban woman, Elizabeth Gonzalez.
Milan Bacevic, Serbian ambassador to China, experiences TCM diagnosis at "TCM Health Day For Ambassadors" in Beijing, Dec 12, 2016. [Zou Hong/China Daily]

A diplomat, as once defined by US writer Caskie Stinnett, "is a person who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward to the trip". Stinnett was writing in the mid-20th century, when exchanges between governments still relied on cadres of professionals based in each other's capitals and communicating with home via telegram, or dispatches hand-carried by couriers and consigned to diplomatic bags.

His definition of the diplomat's role encapsulates its essential requirementssycophancy and duplicity.

These days, world leaders can communicate instantly with both their constituents and each other with no more effortand frequently no more thoughtthan it takes to type 140 characters on their Twitter feed.

US President Donald Trump is a master of the new art and appears to follow a rule adopted from his business career that, even in diplomacy, you should aim to cut out the middleman. But the problem with instant messaging is that it offers speed at the cost of reflection, and brevity at the cost of precision. It also dispenses with that essential diplomatic toolprocrastination.

The diplomat of a previous era, called on to defuse some looming crisis engendered by an intemperate remark or gesture from one of his or her political masters, would invariably assure the host government that the embassy was "urgently seeking clarification". (Translation: "We're going to delay and obfuscate until you've forgotten all about it.")

These days, by contrast, social media gives political leaders a virtual "hot line" to abuse each other directly and very publicly without recourse to diplomatic intermediaries. Many may welcome the more direct approach spearheaded by Trump as a breath of fresh air. Like a man who has fired the White House chauffeur and grabbed the steering wheel himself, Trump careers along the information superhighway, shoving aside enemies both foreign and domestic. It must be invigorating, as long as you don't crash.

You might also argue that the direct approach to diplomacy is more honest.

In the past, the blazing confrontation between the United States and Germany over the future of the Western alliance would have been described in diplomat-speak as "full and frank exchanges". With social media at his disposal, Trump can cut through the hypocrisy by tweeting: "We have a massive trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay far less than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for US. This will change".

But despite the superficial attractions of this "tell it like it is" approach, there is still much to be said for old-style diplomacy. The niceties of diplomatic protocol can help to defuse tensions, rather than enflame them.

In its guide Protocol for the Modern Diplomat, the US State Department cautions new recruits that the informal US approach does not always go down well with other cultures. According to the guide: "Tremendous differences exist in how close people stand to socialize, how loudly they speak, and how much eye contact they maintain." And, it might have added, don't push fellow heads of state aside to get to the front of the line.

For all the stuffiness and insincerity of the diplomatic circuit, traditional diplomats probably do continue to play an essential role, even in an era of instant communications and presidential tweeting.

Diplomats alone cannot prevent conflicts, as history shows. But a temperate diplomatic approach can help calm the waters. "A soft answer turns away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger", as it says in the Christian Bible.

The essence of the profession is not, of course, to be gratuitously generous to the other side, but rather to gain advantage for one's own, if necessary by lying for one's country.

In the words of the great Chinese strategist Sun Tzu: "The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting."

The author is a senior media consultant for China Daily, Europe.

editor@mail.chinadailyuk.com
Ever since the first Chinese immigrants arrived in Cuba 170 years ago, the process of cultural exchange has never stopped.

Eight years ago, when Tao Hulei came to Havana to study medicine, he never imagined that he would end up starting a family and working in Cuba.

"When I arrived, I knew nothing of the country. Slowly, I discovered the people, who are very kind with foreigners, especially the Chinese," said Tao in perfect Spanish while taking care of his 4-month-old daughter, after he married a Cuban woman, Elizabeth Gonzalez.

Now, the Chinese doctor works in a Havana hospital and says he has adopted to the warm climate and diverse culture.

Gonzalez, who studies Chinese in the Confucius Institute, says that they "are very happy" and have overcome their differences.

"At home, we only speak Spanish. He helps me to learn Chinese but only for homework," she says, laughing.

Tao and Gonzalez are the latest links in a chain stretching back to June 1847, when the first 200 laborers arrived in Havana, with many settling down to start families.

Since their arrival, Chinese immigrants and their descendants have left a profound mark on Cuban history, including fighting against Spanish colonialism and following the revolution of Fidel Castro.

"There was no Chinese-Cuban deserter. There was no Chinese-Cuban traitor," reads a monument in Havana, quoting Gonzalo de Quesada (1868-1915), a lawyer and close friend of Cuba's national hero, Jose Marti.

Festivities concluded on Sunday with a series of activities, which counted on the presence of Ma Peihua, vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

In a ceremony last Saturday, Ma said that bilateral cooperation "has overcome the tests of a changing international situation and the two people have developed a profound friendship."

"We are ready, jointly with the Cuban counterparts, to continue being good friends with mutual sincerity, lasting cooperation and reciprocal trust, deepening the traditional friendship, broadening mutually beneficial cooperation, and intensifying exchanges to better develop Sino-Cuban relations," explained Ma.

The Chinese presence on the island is so important that the government organized a series of cultural activities to bring Chinese culture closer to the people.

These included martial arts demonstrations, historical conferences, exhibitions by Cuban artists of Chinese descent and the presentation of the book, "Chinese beliefs and traditions in Cuba," by researcher Mercedes Crespo.

The printing press of Havana's Chinatown was also reopened and the local daily, Kwong Wah Po, the only one of its type on the island since 1944, will serve the local Chinese community again five years after being shut down.

Last Saturday night, Havana's National Theater showcased the art show Beautiful Tianjin, held by a delegation of artists from this Chinese city.

Tao and Gonzalez attended some of these activities, but without knowing, they are also representative of a cultural phenomena that has overcome the barriers of time and distance to bring China and Cuba closer together.
Huang Danian, a geophysicist who returned to China seven years ago from Britain and contributed greatly to deep earth exploration technology. [Photo/Xinhua]

Geophysicist Huang Danian scaled his field's heights in Britain before returning to China

With China continuing its rapid growth, Chinese scientists and researchers are returning home from abroad to aid in their country's development. One of those scientists was the renowned Huang Danian, a geophysicist who returned to China seven years ago from Britain and contributed greatly to deep earth exploration technology.

"Huang Danian's most valuable quality was his sincerity. He sincerely treated his friends well, and loved his family and his motherland," said Sun Wei, a dear friend of Huang.

In January, Huang died of bile duct cancer at the age of 58.

In 1993, he went to Britain's Leeds University to study, and earned his doctor's degree in geophysics, finishing the top of his class.

"When studying in Britain, he combined his Chinese intellectual integrity with British precision," said Sun.
Wang Deshun, who is dubbed "China's hottest grandpa", was recently featured in Italian brand Ermenegildo Zegna's latest campaign in China. Photos provided to China Daily

While Wang Deshun is best-known for his impressive physique, the truly inspirational quality about this octogenarian is his tenacity in seeking out and getting through the struggles

Retirement for most senior citizens in China involves playing mahjong, taking care of their grandchildren and just shooting the breeze with peers at the neighborhood park.

Wang Deshun, however, has other things on his mind.

The 81-year-old said he prefers to "look for trouble" and take on more unconventional tasks that pose a sterner challenge. Despite having to juggle his time between working out at the gym, appearing at fashion shoots and acting in films and television shows, he claimed that life for him these days is still too easy.

"Age only becomes a barrier if you think about it. There is biological age and there is another that is determined by your state of mind," he said.

Wang first shot to international fame in 2015 after he showed off his toned physique on the runway during China Fashion Week in Beijing. Nearly two years after that incident, the octogenarian is still getting inundated with messages on his Sina Weibo page praising him as "inspiring" and being "the ultimate idol". Wang has more than 300,000 followers on the social networking site.

Today, people refer to him as "China's hottest grandpa", and his admirers extend to even luxury fashion houses. Italian brand Ermenegildo Zegna has featured him in their latest campaign in China called "Defining Moments". It could be considered quite a honor, considering how Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro is part of the global campaign.

In the campaign video that was shot in Milan, Wang is flanked by actor Sunny Wang as he talks about the moment in his life that defined him.

Wang has become such a recognizable figure that his wife has banned him from accepting media interviews in an attempt to maintain their normal lives. As such, his son, who is also his agent, has been secretly arranging for interviews to be done at the gym Wang works out at daily.

A former colleague and friend of Wang described him as someone who can survive even in the depths of hell. Wang's daughter, Wang Qiu, joked that her father is akin to an imperial concubine when it comes to taking care of his body.

Wang's unusual penchant for hardship could be traced to the moment he was born.
Gemstone was long believed by its owner to be costume jewelry. Justin Tallis / Afp

A diamond that was snapped up at a junk sale for 10 pounds ($13) has sold at auction in London for 656,750 pounds ($836,000).

The gemstone, which has been dubbed the "tenner" diamond, was bought as a ring at a flea market in West London in the 1980s, and then worn for many years by its oblivious owner, who had no idea it was a genuine 26.27-carat, cushion-shaped white diamond.

The buyer thought it was just a piece of costume jewelry, due to its "filthy mount", and had no idea it was valuable.

After decades of wear, the true worth of the stone became apparent when it was taken to Sotheby's for a valuation after a jeweler said it might be valuable. Jessica Wyndham, head of Sotheby's London jewelry department, said the owner wore the rock while carrying out everyday chores.

"The owner would wear it out shopping, wear it day-to-day," she said. "It's a good-looking ring. No one had any idea it had any intrinsic value at all. They enjoyed it all this time."

The auction house originally valued the stone at 350,000 pounds, but it ended up going for nearly twice that amount when it went under the hammer at a Sotheby's fine jewels sale on Wednesday.

The successful final bid was made by an international buyer.

The ring was recently confirmed as a genuine diamond by the Gemological Institute of America. It is thought to have been cut in the 19th century, when the style was to cut to preserve weight, rather than to show brilliance, so it is large but relatively dull.

"Many of us in our lifetime would never even dream of seeing ... a stone like this," Wyndham told a news program.
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (left) celebrates his party's gains in Thursday's voting, while Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservatives lost their overall majority in Parliament.Darren Staples And Toby Melville / Reuters

British voters have added further confusion to the uncertainty confronting the UK's international partners, who have spent the past year trying to work out the consequences of the same electorate's decision to quit the European Union.

The snap election on Thursday, called by Prime Minister Theresa May to endorse her mandate for a "strong and stable" stance in negotiations on Britain's withdrawal from the 28-member EU, resulted in a "hung Parliament" as voters denied her ruling Conservative Party an overall majority in the British Parliament.

What now looks like an ill-advised gamble to increase her parliamentary majority - the snap election was called on her initiative - leaves May in office but seriously weakened.

After meeting with Queen Elizabeth II on Friday, May said she would form a government that would work with the Democratic Unionist Party, which has 10 seats in Parliament. The prime minister has barely a week before she is due to embark on talks on the terms of Britain's EU withdrawal.

May fought the election on a "Brexit" agenda, promising to take a tough line on maintaining Britain's rights in future relations with its European neighbors. Her Brexit promises, criticized for being thin on detail, were twinned with a pledge to tighten Britain's trade relationship with non-European partners such as China, India and the United States.

The election results might have been driven more by domestic issues than by Brexit. Promises by the main opposition Labour Party to boost public spending, tax corporations and renationalize some sectors of the privatized economy appear to have boosted its support among people who had voted both for and against EU membership in last year's referendum.

Jeremy Corbyn, a Labour leader who had looked unelectable as prime minister a year ago, delivered one of the party's best-ever results in a general election.

Corbyn remains in opposition despite Labour gains in Thursday's voting, but his party may be able to count on tactical support from Liberal Democrats, Scottish Nationalists and others to constrain the weakened Conservative government.

All of the Liberal parliamentarians, many from the Labour Party, and a substantial wing of the Conservative Party campaigned against withdrawal from the EU last year, although a majority of MPs subsequently gave the formal go-ahead for Britain's departure.

The result will almost certainly not reverse the consequences of last year's referendum, but it may temper May's threat of a "hard Brexit" if Britain fails to reach a satisfactory deal with the EU.

A year on, the UK's trading partners are still assessing the impact of the referendum on its relations with the world's sixth-largest economy.

editor@mail.chinadailyuk.com
Fired former FBI boss says he made notes during meetings with president

WASHINGTON - Ousted FBI chief James Comey on Thursday accused Donald Trump's White House of lies and defamation in sworn testimony that plunged Trump's already troubled presidency deeper into peril.

During almost three hours of extraordinarily frank statements carried live by networks and cable news stations, Comey described himself as "stunned" by Trump's "very disturbing" and "very concerning" behavior in several meetings.

Detailing one-on-one talks with a sitting president - which under normal circumstances are private - Comey said he took painstaking notes for fear Trump might "lie" about the unusual encounters.

The testimony painted a devastating picture of a president who at best unknowingly shred the norms of office by pressing Comey on the probe into Russian election meddling, and at worst might have criminally obstructed justice.

Comey recalled that during a White House dinner the president asked him for "loyalty" and to "lay off" his former national security adviser Michael Flynn - who is under criminal investigation over his Russia ties - imploring Comey to "let this go".

Comey indicated it was now up to a high-powered special prosecutor to determine whether that behavior, and his own dismissal, constituted an obstruction of justice, a potentially impeachable offense.

"It's my judgment that I was fired because of the Russia investigation," he said.

"I was fired in some way to change, or the endeavor was to change the way the Russia investigation was being conducted. That is a very big deal."

Easing months of speculation, Comey confirmed that Trump was not personally under investigation when he left the FBI last month.

The White House and Trump's lawyers expressed vindication over some parts of Comey's testimony and lashed out at others.

"I can definitely say the president is not a liar, and frankly I am insulted by that question," White House representative Sarah Sanders said.

Trump's lawyer Marc Kasowitz said the president "never told Mr Comey 'I need loyalty, I expect loyalty' in form or substance," rejecting a key allegation.

Deploying Trump's trademark bare-knuckle style, Kasowitz also suggested Comey should be prosecuted for leaking "privileged information".

Trump avoided directly responding to the explosive accusations, defiantly telling supporters at a religious event in the capital: "We are going to fight and win."

While the president was unusually quiet on his preferred communication platform, Twitter, his son Donald Trump Jr was not.

"You see how disgusting the swamp really is, the people that are there," the younger Trump said in an interview with Fox News on Thursday, a nod to his father's campaign pledge to "drain the swamp" that is Washington.

"This is what the people voted against last time. I'm happy for them to keep doing it. It's going to make 2020 that much easier," he said, referring to the next presidential election.

Trump abruptly fired Comey as FBI director on May 9.

Afp - Ap - Xinhua

Former FBI director James Comey is sworn in during a hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in Washington on Thursday.Brendan Smialowski / Agence Francepresse

(China Daily 06/10/2017 page8)
YANGON/SANLAN, Myanmar - The tally of retrieved bodies rose to 31 on Friday as Myanmar's hunt for a military transport plane that went missing over the Andaman Sea with 122 people on board stretched into a third day.

Heavy rains and churning seas hampered search efforts for victims of Wednesday's incident. Eight navy ships and sonar systems had joined the search, along with 20 civilian boats in stormy weather off the southern coast, the military said.

"We have not received any information about survivors," said Phyu Phyu Win, a regional social welfare and relief official. "Hopefully someone has survived."

Scores of soldiers were poised to assist if more bodies are carried ashore in the fishing village of Sanlan, about 600 kilometers from Myanmar's largest city, Yangon.

The bodies of 23 adults and eight children have been recovered from the Andaman Sea near the coastal town of Launglon since rescue efforts began on Wednesday, the military said.

By morning, swelling waters covered Sanlan beach, where hundreds of people gathered on Thursday to watch the first bodies being brought to shore wrapped in plastic bags.

Fisherman Min Oo said he helped carry the bodies in his boat from navy ships, which could not get close to the beach.

"I felt sorry when I saw the bags," he said. "I have a family as well".

Soldiers, family members and crew were on board when the weekly flight to Yangon went missing.

The China-made Y-8F-200W transport plane lost contact 29 minutes after takeoff at an altitude of 5,500 meters over the Andaman Sea, about 70 km west of the town of Dawei, the military said.

An aircraft wheel, two life jackets and some bags with clothes - believed to be from the missing plane - were found on Thursday. Some patches of oil were also spotted, the military said.

The cause of the incident has yet to be confirmed.

State-owned China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation, maker of the plane, has said it would assist Myanmar authorities in the investigation into the crash.

Survivors are unlikely more than 24 hours after the plane lost contact, despite warm sea temperatures, experts have said.

Many bodies had fragmented into several pieces and no victim wearing a life jacket has yet been recovered, said a member of the emergency team.

Aircraft accidents, involving both civilian and military planes, are not uncommon in Myanmar.

A military helicopter crashed last June in central Myanmar, killing three military personnel.

Five were killed in February last year when an air force aircraft crashed in the capital, Naypyitaw, media said.

Reuters - Afp

Soldiers carry dead bodies from a crashed military plane in Launglon, Myanmar, on Thursday.Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters

(China Daily 06/10/2017 page8)
'Kumawood' productions are cheap, plentiful ... and surprisingly popular

KUMASI, Ghana - India has its Bollywood and Nigeria, Nollywood. Even New Zealand has a Wellywood.

In Ghana, films made in Kumasi and the surrounding region go by a similar shorthand: Kumawood.

The cultural heart of Ghana is about five hours' drive from the more cosmopolitan coastal capital, Accra, and it was rivalry between the two that played a key role in developing Kumasi's burgeoning film industry.

Smarting from a jibe nearly a decade ago, Kumawood defiantly built itself up after a teasing by Accra-based counterparts about not being real filmmakers, producer James Aboagye said.

"At that time, the only producer in Kumasi said that if this is the way they are treating us, we will stay in Kumasi and create Kumawood," he said.

Four years ago, it wasn't unusual for Kumawood to churn out up to 12 films a week, on a shoestring budget of only 30,000-50,000 cedi ($6,900-$11,400) each.

That included the filming, as well as the cost of releasing the movie and the production of the DVDs.

But power shortages cut that back to a more modest four - still an astonishing figure considering the months, if not years, it takes to make some Hollywood blockbusters.

Kumasi, Ghana's second city, is known for its rich, cultural heritage and is home to the country's most-revered royal family.

Films are shot on location around the central city and the surrounding area. Dialogue is in Twi - an Akan dialect spoken by most Ghanaians - and is often unscripted.

Crews shooting a feature-length film within a week can be on-set from dawn until midnight, Aboagye said.

"When you come to Kumawood you get the real definition of 'time is money' because the longer you stay on location the more expensive the production becomes," he added.

Accra Film School executive director Rex-Anthony Annan said some Ghanaians are embarrassed to admit to liking the films, which are seen as "low standard" in some quarters.

But they remain hugely popular and are regularly shown on long-distance bus trips.

"Because they are in the local dialect you can relate to them more," 22-year-old Eunice Larbie said as she waited for a bus to Accra. "Watching Kumawood films with strangers on the journey brings people together."

The films are slowly making their way to theatres in Ghana but are more often found on local television, online or on DVDs sold by roadside vendors.

Kumawood currently produces about 40 percent of all Ghanaian films, while those made in Accra account for about half. The rest originate from other parts of the west African country, Annan said.

Kumawood films don't necessarily follow rules and filmmakers aren't professionally trained. Often there's no plot and confusion reigns.

Agence France-presse

(China Daily 06/10/2017 page9)
Clinging on to her job, Britain's May appoints new ministers

LONDON (AP)  Beleaguered British Prime Minister Theresa May was working to fill out the ranks of her minority government Saturday after an election that proved disastrous for her Conservative Party and complicating for Britain's exit from the European Union.

May's office has said that the most senior Cabinet members  including Treasury chief Philip Hammond, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Amber Rudd  will keep their jobs, but she is expected to shuffle the lower ranks of ministers.

Several ministers lost their seats in Thursday's election, which saw the Conservatives lose their majority in Parliament. May's party won 318 seats, eight short of the 326 they needed for an outright majority. The main opposition Labour Party took 262.

May announced the party would try to work with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, an alliance that is fraught with difficulties.

The DUP whose 10 seats would allow the government to get measures through Parliament, is a socially conservative pro-British Protestant group that opposes abortion and same-sex marriage and includes both environmentalists and climate-change deniers among its senior ranks.

Ruth Davidson, the Conservative leader in Scotland, said she had asked May for assurances that there would be no attack on gay rights after a deal with the DUP.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the U.K. in which same-sex marriage is illegal.

"It's an issue very close to my heart and one that I wanted categoric assurances from the prime minister on, and I received (them)," said Davidson, who is engaged to be married to her female partner.

May's authority over her party was shattered by the election result. She called the early election with her party comfortably ahead in the polls in the hope of increasing her majority and strengthening Britain's hand in exit talks with the European Union.

Instead, the result has sown confusion and division in British ranks, just days before negotiations are due to start on June 19.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, riding a wave of acclaim for his party's unexpectedly strong showing, called on May to resign.

She seems secure for the immediate future, because senior Conservatives don't want to plunge the party into a damaging leadership contest. But Britain's Saturday newspapers agreed she is just clinging on.

"May fights to remain PM," said the front page of the Daily Telegraph, while the Times of London said: "May stares into the abyss."
SAN FRANCISCO - Governor Jerry Brown of US state of California met Friday in San Francisco visiting German Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks, hours after returning from a climate mission to China, and continued his international outreach on climate action.

"China and Germany - two of the most powerful countries in the world - are working with California and with other states to deal with climate change," Brown said, noting that "the current withdrawal from the Paris Agreement by the Washington administration is being overcome and countermanded by people throughout the whole world."

"Together with California, Germany will provide strong leadership for the Under2 Coalition in the COP23 in Bonn this November," Hendricks said.

"The United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement," Hendricks noted, "underscores the significance of subnational actors in particular in our joint efforts to achieve the overall objective and goals."

Under2 Coalition is a diverse group of cities, states or provinces, and countries around the world who set ambitious targets to limit the increase in global average temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius, while the COP23 refers to the 23rd session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The Paris Agreement, which builds upon the UNFCCC, is a document adopted at climate change talks in Paris, France, on Dec. 12, 2015, which calls on all nations to respond to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, or further to 1.5 degrees.

It now has been signed by 197 parties worldwide and ratified by 148 of them.

The Under2 Coalition was formed in 2015 by California and the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg to help galvanize subnational action in the same direction.

The alliance includes 175 jurisdictions on six continents representing more than 35 countries and regions, 1.2 billion people and 28.8 trillion US dollars gross domestic product (GDP), equivalent to over 16 percent of the global population and over 39 percent of the global economy.

It currently includes 18 US jurisdictions representing 89 million people or 28 percent of the US population.

After their meeting in San Francisco, the German minister and California governor issued a joint statement on climate cooperation, emphasizing that climate change action is not only a necessity but also an opportunity for economic growth.

Brown flew to China last weekend, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping, and expanded the Golden State's long-standing climate and clean energy ties with China through a series of bilateral meetings, and agreements signed with China's central government as well as Sichuan and Jiangsu provinces respectively.

Last week, a day before his departure to China, in response to US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, Brown joined New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and Washington State Governor Jay Inslee to form the US Climate Alliance.

The US alliance now has included 13 US states committed to achieving the US goal of reducing emissions 26-28 percent from 2005 levels, which complements the goals of the Under2 Coalition.

Before his trip to China, Brown told Xinhua about his sense of urgency for action against climate change, saying "it is urgent. It is urgent because what we do today will create irreversible consequences in the years ahead. Time is running out. This is very serious."

About his international outreach efforts, Brown said: "We need to collaborate. It is not about one nation being the winner. It is about all nations dealing with the common threat. This is mutually beneficial. You have to think one world, not this country fighting that country."
Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 8, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

ASTANA -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, pledged here Thursday to enhance bilateral ties and promote the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The two heads of state met ahead of the 17th SCO summit in Astana.

Noting that the SCO is facing new opportunities and challenges for development, Xi said China and Russia should strengthen communication and coordination, firmly observe the "Shanghai Spirit," boost solidarity among the SCO members, maintain regional security and stability, promote pragmatic cooperation, so as to constantly enhance SCO's influence in the international and regional affairs.

Xi urged the SCO to play a bigger role in Afghanistan's peace and reconciliation process, adding that China will assume the SCO rotating presidency after the Astana summit and is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with all parties including Russia, to achieve further development for the SCO.

During their meeting on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing last month, the two leaders reached an important consensus on maintaining a high-level China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination and enhancing all-round cooperation, according to the Chinese president.

Under the current complex international situation, sound China-Russia ties are of great significance to the two countries' development and revitalization, as well as to peace and stability of the world, Xi said.

The two countries should strengthen their mutual support on the issues relating to each other's core interests, said Xi, urging more achievements in the alignment of the Belt and Road construction with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

The Chinese president also urged the two countries to deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs.

For his part, Putin said it is of great significance for Russia and China to maintain frequent high-level interactions.

He urged the two sides to step up their communication and coordination in a bid to maintain peace, stability and security in the region and around the world.

Russia and China should work together with all sides concerned to boost unity and coordination among the SCO members to enhance the influence of the organization in international affairs, Putin said.

Reiterating his congratulation on the success of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, the Russian president said the Belt and Road Initiative has won extensive support in the international community.

The two heads of state also exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan and on the Korean Peninsula, as well as on other international and regional issues.
President Xi Jinping joins leaders for a group photo on Friday at the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana, Kazakhstan. They are, from left, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uzbekistani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President Xi, Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Tajikistani President Emomali Rahmon, Kyrgyzstani President Almazbek Atambayev and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

SCO members urged to strengthen coordination in fighting terrorism

President Xi Jinping sent a strong voice of fighting terrorists and safeguarding regional peace during a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on Friday.

China calls for the SCO to strengthen regional counterterrorism institution building to enhance the capacity of member states in coordination and implementation in the security field, Xi said in a speech at the 17th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO.

"Without security, there will be no development to speak of. Recent acts of terrorism in this region show that the fight against the three forces remains a long and arduous task," Xi said.

The "three evil forces" are terrorism, separatism and extremism.

During the summit, the member states signed the SCO Convention on Combating Extremism. The leaders of the SCO members also issued a declaration to jointly fight international terrorism.

China proposes to hold a defense security forum and formulate a three-year program of cooperation to fight the "three forces", Xi said, adding that China is willing to host an SCO joint counterterrorism cyber exercise again.

India and Pakistan were officially accepted as member states at the summit, taking the number of SCO members from the previous six  China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan  to eight. The move made the SCO one of the biggest regional organizations, covering nearly half of the world's population.

"All member states, old and new, should work in close coordination, deepen mutual trust and increase mutual support in their endeavor to build a community of shared future featuring equality, mutual support, solidarity and sharing of weal and woe," Xi said.

The president announced the contribution of an additional 10 million yuan ($1.47 million) to the Secretariat of the SCO to facilitate its work.

Noting that "destabilizing factors and uncertainties are on the rise", Xi said that China is willing to work together with all parties to strengthen the sense of community of shared future, and "build a common home of security, stability, development and prosperity".

China is concerned with the recent deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan, and it calls upon all parties to support the country's peace and reconciliation process, Xi said.

China will take over the rotating presidency of the SCO and host the next summit in June 2018.

Xi pledged that China will do its best to fulfill the task and work with all other parties for a brighter future of the SCO.

Sun Zhuangzhi, secretary-general of the SCO Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the SCO Convention on Combating Extremism that was signed during the summit will set a more legitimate basis for the SCO members' cooperation in fighting terrorism and extremism.

Additionally, he said, the acceptance of new SCO members will increase the organization's influence and openness, providing new forces to settle regional hot spot issues.
Russia

Vladimir Putin, president of Russia

China and Russia should strengthen communication and promote the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to enhance its influence in global and regional affairs, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday while meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Noting that the SCO is facing new opportunities and challenges, Xi said China and Russia should firmly observe the "Shanghai spirit", boost solidarity among SCO members, maintain regional security and stability, and promote pragmatic cooperation.

Xi urged the SCO to play a bigger role in Afghanistan's peace and reconciliation process, adding that China, which will assume the SCO rotating presidency after the Astana summit, is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with all parties, including Russia, to achieve further development of the SCO.

Given the current complex international situation, sound China-Russia ties are of great significance to the two countries' development and revitalization, as well as to the peace and stability of the world, Xi said. They should strengthen their mutual support on issues relating to each other's core interests, he said. Xi urged further progress in aligning construction of the Belt and Road with the Eurasian Economic Union, which has a single market that includes Russia and other countries.

The Chinese president also urged the two countries to deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs.

Putin said it is of great significance for Russia and China to maintain frequent high-level interactions. He urged the two sides to step up their communication and coordination in a bid to maintain peace, stability and security in the region and around the world.

Russia and China should work together with all sides concerned to boost unity and coordination among the SCO members to enhance the influence of the organization in international affairs, Putin said.

The Russian president reiterated his congratulations on the success of the recent Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and said the Belt and Road Initiative has won extensive support in the international community.

They also exchanged views on Afghanistan and the Korean Peninsula, and on other international and regional issues.
By An Baijie in Astana and Li Xiaokun in Beijing | China Daily | Updated: 2017-06-10 07:09

President Xi Jinping congratulates Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Friday for his country's accession to full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Pakistan has also joined the regional bloc. Yao Dawei / Xinhua

Asian giants agree their relationship can help spur prosperity and calm an unsettled world

China and India on Friday vowed to cooperate closely amid complicated changes in the world and to handle disputes appropriately.

President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the consensus as they met in Astana, Kazakhstan, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.

Xi said that faced with profound and complex international changes, China and India, as the world's two largest developing countries, should pay more attention to cooperation. They should move forward as partners to facilitate each other's development and contribute to world peace, stability and common development, he said.

Xi said China attaches great importance to its ties with India and stands ready to work with its neighbor to enhance mutual political trust, link their development strategies, deepen practical cooperation, and maintain coordination and collaboration in international and regional affairs.

The president called for more high-level interaction, institutional exchanges, strategic communication and policy alignment between the two countries.

China and India should also boost trade and investment cooperation and work together for earlier harvests from large-scale collaborative projects in such areas as production capability, industrial parks and railway construction, he said.

Xi said the two countries should make joint efforts to promote regional connectivity and shared development, align their development initiatives, advance the building of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar corridor with a view to substantial progress at a nearly date, and boost cooperation in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
President Xi Jinping (L) is welcomed by his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev when attending the opening ceremony of the Expo 2017 in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 9, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

ASTANA - Chinese President Xi Jinping's ongoing visit to Kazakhstan has won growing support for the Belt and Road Initiative and a historic enlargement of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Xi arrived here Wednesday for a state visit to Kazakhstan, the 17th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State and the opening ceremony of the Expo 2017 Astana.

Speaking to reporters after the SCO annual summit on Friday, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Huilai said the fruitful results of the summit will help SCO member states to address threats and challenges, and are important for them to achieve development and revitalization.

Upgrading Belt and Road building

The Belt and Road Initiative, first proposed by Xi in 2013 in Kazakhstan, comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, with the aim of building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.

Four years later, when Xi returned to Astana, the initiative has developed from a proposal to actions, and from a concept to practice, generating business opportunities, new jobs and hopes for countries and peoples involved.

The Chinese president and leaders attending the SCO summit have pledged to carry out extensive cooperation under the Belt and Road framework, further align their respective development strategies, pooling each other's resources and sharing economic and social benefits.

In a press communique released after the summit, leaders of the SCO countries spoke highly of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held by China in Beijing on May 14 to 15, saying that they stand ready to jointly implement the forum's consensus.

During a meeting with Spanish King Felipe VI on Friday, Xi said that China welcomes Spain's participation in the building of the Belt and Road Initiative, adding that they should make full use of the China-Europe freight train from the eastern Chinese city of Yiwu to the Spanish capital of Madrid.

China and Tajikistan are also mulling more high-end, innovative and diversified cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative.

The expanding and evolving of the initiative "demonstrated the openness and inclusiveness China has advocated," said Wang Yiwei, Director of Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China.

"The Belt and Road (Initiative) essentially answers the call of the mankind for development. It is the need of most countries in the world, where supply capacity is far from enough to meet the growing need for public goods," Wang said.
In this lovely mid-summer month of June, all living things are flourishing. Chinese President Xi Jinping pays a state visit to Kazakhstan, dubbed as "the land of the great steppe" from June 7-10. Xi held talks with his Kazakh counterpart President Nursultan Nazarbayev on Thursday. They had reached a broad consensus.

The two heads of state issued a China-Kazakhstan joint statement and witnessed the signing of a series of important bilateral cooperation documents, injecting fresh vigor for facilitating the Kazakhstan-China comprehensive strategic partnership, as well as all-round cooperation. President Xi's visit focuses on accelerating the alignment of development strategies and all-round cooperation of the two countries. It was during Xi's first visit to Kazakhstan back in 2013 that he proposed the initiative of the Silk Road Economic Belt, which started the process of Belt and Road cooperation.

On basis of the development of bilateral ties by leaps and bounds, the two heads of state have mapped out plans to facilitate the Kazakhstan-China comprehensive strategic partnership and all-round cooperation. The joint statement covers a long list of cooperation projects, offering a great blueprint and charting the course for cooperation.

These efforts will lift China-Kazakhstan cooperation to higher and deeper levels, enhance the common development and prosperity of both nations, and promote the realization of the Chinese dream of great national rejuvenation and the "Kazakh dream" of national renewal and prosperity.

President Xi's visit will propel the China-Kazakhstan relations to fly high toward their shared aspirations and usher in an even better future!

By Zhang Maorong, a researcher with the International Economics Department, China Institute of Contemporary International Relations; cartoon drawing by Liao Tingting.
BEIJING - President Xi Jinping returned to Beijing Saturday afternoon after a state visit to Kazakhstan and the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Xi arrived in Kazakhstan on Wednesday. During his stay in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, he also attended the opening ceremony of Expo 2017.

Xi's entourage included Wang Huning, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee; Li Zhanshu, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee; and State Councilor Yang Jiechi.
(Photo : USAF) Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers fly over the Pacific Ocean.

(Photo : US Navy) USS Sterett.

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The United States conducted its first "joint training mission" over the South China Sea involving a coordinated patrol by two Rockwell B-1B Lancer strategic heavy bombers of the U.S. Air Force and the USS Sterett (DDG-104), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Third Fleet.



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The B-1B bombers, which can carry the heaviest bomb load of all three air force strategic heavy bombers, flew a 10-hour mission from their base at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam. They flew through the airspace above the South China Sea in an operation coordinated with the USS Sterett.



This mission is the first joint air-sea mission by the air force and navy and plays to the U.S. strength in combined arms operations.



The joint training was organized under the "Continuous Bomber Presence" (CBP) program of the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) being implemented from Andersen. The program seeks to bolster interoperability between the navy and air force "by refining joint tactics, techniques and procedures while simultaneously strengthening their ability to seamlessly integrate their operations."



The B-1Bs are assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas to Andersen.



The B-1B Lancers have been supporting USPACOM's CBP mission since Aug. 6, 2016 when the first B-1s from the 28th Bomb Wing out of Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota deployed to Guam for the first time in a decade.



This joint patrol also means more joint patrols are forthcoming. These coordinated patrols will see air force bombers fly overhead "cover" for destroyers conducting Freedom of Navigation Operation Patrols (FONOPS) that sail closer to China's three largest man-made and militarized islands in the South China Sea: Fiery Cross Reef; Subi Reef and Mischief Reef, all of which are also claimed by the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.



U.S. Navy patrols of the South China Sea are becoming increasingly bolder.



Last May 25, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Dewey (DDG-105) sailed to within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef (Panganiban Reef to Filipinos) located in the Spratly Islands some 250 west of Palawan Island in The Philippines.



Mischief Reef, which for centuries was part of the Philippines, was illegally seized by China in 1995. China has since built a military base with a large harbor and a 2.6 km-long airstrip on the reef, and reclaimed land covering 5.58 km2.



The navy said the USS Dewey carried out a "maneuvering drill" when it sailed within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef to show China it isn't entitled to a territorial sea around it, said U.S. officials.



The operation near Mischief Reef was the boldest U.S. challenge yet to Chinese island-building in the strategic waterway -- and apparently indicates the Trump administration's willingness to use military force against China.



Both the Sterett and Dewey were together deployed to Asia last March. These destroyers comprise the Surface Action Group of the U.S. Third Fleet, which is now operating in Asia.



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TagsUnited States, joint training mission, South China Sea, Rockwell B-1B Lancer, USS Sterett (DDG 104), Andersen Air Force Base, Guam
(Photo : VKS) An Su-34 drops OFAB high-explosive, fragmentation incendiary dumb bombs in Syria.

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The ugly and ungainly Sukhoi Su-34 fighter bomber continues to rain down cheap gravity bombs (or dumb bombs) on anti-Assad forces and innocent civilians in Syria for the simple reason the cash-poor Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) can't afford to unleash hugely expensive guided bombs and missiles on ragtag rebel fighters.



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The Su-34 was the first VKS aircraft to bomb Syria when Russia's involvement in the Syrian Civil War began in October 2015. The aircraft has remained in Syria since, with anywhere from four to eight deployed at any one time at the Hmeimim Air Base, Russia's largest in that country.



Russia, however, only had 103 Su-34s at the end of 2016, a paltry number for an aircraft that's been the subject of massive propaganda on Russian state-owned media extolling the large number of bombs indiscriminately dropped on U.S.-backed rebels led by the Syrian Democratic Front -- and on civilians supporting these rebels.



Which brings us to the bombs themselves. These have overwhelmingly been dumb bombs of the type unleashed during World War II.



Russia's reliance on unguided, freefall bombs means the discredited tactic of "carpet bombing," or saturating a target with bombs, is the only worthwhile tactic for these unsophisticated weapons.



Apart from conventional high-explosive bombs, Russia routinely uses banned cluster bombs in its indiscriminate bombing campaign, which has killed thousands of Syrian civilians.



Among the dumb bombs being dropped by the VKS on Syria and its civilians are the OFAB- 250-270 and OFAB- 100-120 high-explosive fragmentation incendiary bombs; FAB-500T dumb bombs; RBK-500 cluster bombs and the horrific ODAB 500 PM fuel-air explosive bomb, also known as a vacuum bomb.



Analysts note that Russia rarely uses precision guided munitions such as laser-guided or electro-optical bombs against rebels since a "500 pound bomb may cost hundreds of dollars, a single precision guided munition will cost tens of thousands of dollars."



And when precision is not an option, "brute unguided bombing is the alternative."



And because of Russia's penchant for using dumb bombs, some military analysts now contend that Russia has no guided air-to-ground munitions capability at all. It's an observation bolstered by the fact Russia hasn't developed and produced targeting pods that steer precision guided munitions onto their targets on the ground.



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TagsSukhoi Su-34, Syria, carpet bombing, Russia, Russian Aerospace Forces, OFAB- 250-270, RBK-500 cluster bombs, ODAB 500 PM
(Photo : US Navy) Super Hornets on the flight deck of the USS George H.W. Bush.

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The U. S. Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) has been redeployed from the Persian (or Arabian) Gulf and has begun airstrikes against Islamic State targets at Raqqa (the so-called capital of the Islamic State) and the surrounding territory.



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The Bush moved into the Eastern Mediterranean Sea on June 5 and launched its first airstrikes involving Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet the next day.



Its operations in the Eastern Mediterranean in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) demonstrate the capability of the navy to conduct precision strikes on ISIS targets from multiple theaters, highlighting the flexibility of the navy's globally deployed force.



"We are resuming a relentless pursuit of ISIS targets, while reinforcing our commitment to partners and allies in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations," said Rear Adm. Kenneth Whitesell, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 2.



The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group resumed strike missions in support of OIR from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea after conducting operations in support of OIR and maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in the Persian Gulf.



OIR is the U.S. military's operational name for the military campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. It's being carried out as part of the commitment made by the U.S. and its partner nations worldwide to ensure the elimination of the Islamic State or ISIS.



Carrier Strike Group 2 (CSG-2 or CARSTRKGRU 2) consists of the flagship USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) with embarked staffs of CSG-2, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22, and the squadrons of CVW-8; guided-missile cruisers USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) and USS Hue City (CG-66) and DESRON 22 Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG-58) and USS Truxtun (DDG-103).



The sharp end of CSG-2 is Carrier Air Wing 8, which includes Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213 "Fighting Black Lions"; VFA-31 "Tomcatters"; VFA-87 "Golden Warriors" and VFA-37 "Ragin Bulls."



Carrier Air Wing 8 also consists of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131 "Lancers"; Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 124 "Bear Aces"; Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HSM) 70 "Spartans"; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9 "Tridents" and a detachment from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 "Rawhides."



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TagsUSS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), U.S. Navy, Islamic State, Raqqa, Eastern Mediterranean Sea
(Photo : US Army) Men of the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea.

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The Eighth United States Army (EUSA) and its fighting men stationed in South Korea are prepared for combat against North Korea at any time, reassured its commander, Lt. Gen. Thomas Vandal.



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EUSA is also prepared to assist South Korea in any combined endeavor, said Gen. Vandal. There are over 38,000 U.S. soldiers in South Korea.



Gen. Vandal gave these reassurances at a recent symposium on advancing joint and multinational integration of land forces in the Pacific sponsored by the Association of the United States Army Institute of Land Warfare.



EUSA consists of a task force of troops from the U.S. Army and the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA). The major subordinate command of EUSA consists of the U.S. Army's only major combined fighting force in South Korea, the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division/Republic of Korea-U.S. Combined Division or RUCD.



At the core of EUSA's fighting strength, however, are the 10,000 men belonging to the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division (2ID), the largest U.S. Army combat force based in South Korea. Gen. Vandal was the former commanding general of 2ID.



The primary mission of 2ID is the defense of South Korea in the initial stages of an invasion from North Korea until American reinforcements arrive. There are some 17,000 men in 2ID with 10,000 of them deployed to South Korea. The division accounts for about 35% of the personnel in United States Forces Korea (USFK).



USFK is the joint headquarters through which U.S. combat forces will be deployed to the ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command's fighting units.



The 2nd Infantry Division is unique in that it's the only U.S. Army division consisting partially of ROKA soldiers, called KATUSAs (Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army).



Gen. Vandal said both EUSA and ROKA are integrating members at the headquarters level to increase cooperation and compatibility. The combined division was activated in 2015 and has had a positive impact on joint operations.



It trains closely with the ROK 8th Infantry Division because both divisions will fight alongside each other in a war against North Korea or against North Korea and China together.



"Eighth Army is going to become a combined ground component command that will be established in 2018," said Gen. Vandal.



The United States will provide technology and maneuver forces to the task force while South Korea will primarily contribute maneuver forces.



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TagsEighth United States Army, EUSA, Lt. Gen. Thomas Vandal, South Korea, North Korea, Republic of Korea Army
(Photo : ROKN) Haeseong II land-attack cruise missile launch from an Republic of Korea Navy warship.

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The Ministry of National Defense of South Korea has proposed a record national defense budget of $38.7 billion for fiscal 2018 to confront the twin threats posed by North Korea and China.



The proposed budget represents an 8.4 percent increase from 2017. It also includes an 11.6 percent increase to $12 billion for accelerating the establishment of the Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system and the Kill Chain pre-emptive strike program.



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The new funding still pales compared to the 2005 defense budget under former president Roh Moo-hyun that jumped 11.4 percent year-on-year. But it does exceed the proposals of former presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, each amounting to a five percent increase.



Announced in 2006, KAMD is South Korea's own indigenous missile defense system. It's distinct from the U.S. led regional ballistic missile defense system that includes THAAD, and came in response to North Korea's first nuclear test.



The Kill Chain is a South Korean indigenous missile defense program along with the KAMD system and the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) strategy. Kill Chain is a pre-emptive strike system that targets North Korean missiles before they're launched.



It's the process by which the Republic of Korea Armed Forces (ROKAF) uses its intelligence assets to detect, track, and carry out a precision strike on North Korean targets.



Much of the money in the $38.7 billion for fiscal 2018, however, will be used to increase salaries for rank-and-file soldiers, said the ministry.



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TagsMinistry of National Defense, South Korea, North Korea, china, Korea Air and Missile Defense, Kill Chain pre-emptive strike program, Republic of Korea Armed Forces
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Houston-based Landry's has emerged as an interested party in Ignite Restaurant Group's bankruptcy proceedings days after a California restaurant operator agreed to acquire the distressed company for about $50 million.

Attorneys for Landry's, Tilman Fertitta's restaurant empire, requested copies of all documents and notices produced as part of the case, per court records. They also represented the company at a hearing Wednesday.

The interest comes less than a week after market intelligence firm Debtwire reported that Landry's and another company were in the running to acquire Houston-based Ignite, which for months sought a buyer.

EARLIER REPORTS: California firm to buy Ignite Restaurant Group

Ignite, which operates Joe's Crab Shack and Brick House Tavern & Tap, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday to facilitate the sale of the company. An affiliate of Kelly Cos., a San Diego-based private equity firm, offered to pay cash for both of its brands.

Fertitta said in an interview that Landry's had negotiated with Ignite but hadn't been able to reach an agreement.

"It's a very troubled company," he said. "They wanted us to sign a deal, and we couldn't get there yet."

Kelly Cos. operates more than 100 restaurants in 22 states, including Fox & Hound, Champps, Baileys and Grady's BBQ. The sale is expected to close within the next three months.

After years of declining sales, Ignite hired Piper Jaffray & Co. to explore options for the company late last year and announced it would pursue a sale of the business this spring. Six potential buyers expressed serious interest.

Three of them drafted bids, per court filings. KRG Acquisitions Co, the Kelly Cos. affiliate, submitted the highest offer.

As part of the bankruptcy proceedings, Ignite has filed a motion to allow other companies to submit bids for the brands. A hearing to schedule an auction will be held later this month.

Fertitta said Landry's is monitoring the case and hasn't yet decided whether to participate in the auction process. He added that he'd consider making a bid only if the company's sales improved.

"I'd have to see a turnaround in the company," he said.

Paul Gunther, legal analyst at Debtwire, said another company could potentially outbid KRG in auction. But such a move is somewhat unlikely, he added, because KRG emerged as the highest bidder after months of searching, and Ignite would have to pay KRG a breakup fee of $1.5 million if it accepted a better offer.

"The vetting process seems like it was pretty thorough," he said.
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An Alabama man is recovering after he was attacked by a service dog on a Delta Airlines flight.

Marlin Jackson of Daphne was transported to the emergency room and received 28 stitches after the June 4 attack.

TURBULENCE: Passenger forcibly removed from Delta flight

According to Alexander Shunnarah & Associates, the law firm representing him, Jackson was sitting in the window seat on a plane travelling from Atlanta to San Diego. Ronald Kevin Mundy Jr. was sitting in the aisle seat and his approximately 50-pound dog sat in the middle. The law firm said the dog started growling at Jackson after he took his seat.

The dog eventually lunged for Jackson's face and started biting him, the law firm said in a press release. Jackson couldn't get away as he was in a window seat. Mundy was able to pull the dog away but it escaped and attacked Jackson for a second time.

The attacks reportedly lasted 30 seconds, leading to "severe lacerations to Mr. Jackson's face, including a puncture through the lip and gum," according to Jackson's lawyers.

UNITED IN HOUSTON: United Airlines looking into Houston employee who allegedly 'attacked' musician



Delta said in a statement, "Prior to pushback of flight 1430, ATL-SAN, a passenger sustained a bite from another passenger's emotional support dog. The customer who was bitten was removed from the flight to receive medical attention. Local law enforcement spoke with the owner and ultimately cleared the dog to travel."

Jackson is consulting with a plastic surgeon.

Mundy was moved to a different flight and his service dog was placed in a kennel in the undercarriage.

According to Delta's website, service animals are allowed on flights. "However, the animal must be trained to behave properly in public settings as service animals do," Delta states.
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For the second time in four days, U.S. military pilots were intercepted by Russian forces during exercises over the Baltic Sea.

The most recent incident happened Friday during an Air Force BALTOPS exercise. According to the Department of Defense, a Russian Su-27 Flanker encountered a group of U.S. Air Force craft, included a B-52H Stratofortress.

The DoD laughed off the incident on its official Twitter account Friday, calling the Flanker's intrusion into its filming of the exercise a "photobomb."

"The intercept was deemed safe," the DoD tweeted.

(Story continues below ... )

U.S. Lt. Col. David Faggard, a spokesman for U.S. Forces Europe, told the Associated Press on Tuesday that such intercepts are routine. That same day, Russian military pilots intercepted another B-52 flying near the Russian border over the Baltic Sea.

Russia's Defense Ministry said on that radars spotted another U.S. B-52 bomber flying close to the Russian border and scrambled an Su-27 to escort the craft further away from the border.

Faggard called the U.S. flight a routine mission over international airspace.

The same day, a Norwegian surveillance aircraft flying over the Barents Sea was intercepted by a Russian MiG-31.

Those intercepts were deemed safe and part of the somewhat routine interplay between Russian and NATO air forces over international waters, according to AP.

However not all recent incidents between U.S. and Russian air forces have seemed so routine.

In September, the U.S. Navy took exception to a Russian fighter flying within 10 feet of a Navy surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea. Earlier in the year, Russian jets flew within 30 feet of the USS Donald Cook warship in the Baltic Sea.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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In the Houston real estate market 100-year-old homes are surprisingly plentiful.

There are stately mansions available in the historic Westmoreland District near Midtown.

But if you prefer country living, head to Tomball or Montgomery, where beautifully-updated 1800s residences are for sale.

HOMETOWN PARADISE: Crystal lagoon on the way (story continues below)

Some of these properties have official Texas historical markers, while others are in downtown districts and could be used as an office or a bed and breakfast.

HOT MARKET: Incredible mansions for sale in growing northwest Houston

Some of these properties have official Texas historical markers, while others are in downtown districts and could be used as an office or a bed and breakfast.

Prices range from millions of dollars to just $250,000 for one Bacliff property that dates back to 1902.

Click through the slideshow to see the attractive options available across the Houston and Galveston area.
A 31-year-old Splendora man, Derrick Murray, was killed Friday morning in a three-vehicle accident on SH 146 directly in front of North Main Baptist Church in Liberty.

According to Lt. Chip Fairchild, spokesperson for Liberty Police Department, around 6 a.m., Murray was southbound on SH 146 in a 2016 F-150 when he crossed the center line and collided with two northbound vehicles -- a 2004 F-250 and a 2014 Kenworth tractor-trailer hauling an empty propane trailer.
A Russian fighter jet intercepted a U.S. B-52 bomber over the Baltic Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry told Russian media outlets Tuesday.

Russian media quoted the ministry as saying that the Russian Su-27 was "dispatched to intercept the target" and "approached the aircraft staying at a safe distance, identified it as a U.S. strategic bomber B-52 and escorted it for some time."

The B-52, according to the ministry, was over international waters and flying near "Russia's state borders."

A spokesman for the U.S. European Command did not respond to request for comment.

Several B-52s, along with a contingent of maintenance troops arrived in the United Kingdom in recent days to participate in a series of NATO exercises happening this summer. Sabre Strike, one of the multinational exercises, began last month and will take place in Poland, Latvia and Lithuania during the coming weeks.

B-52 bombers first entered service in the 1950s and will fly long into the 21st century as the workhorse of the Air Force's bomber fleet. The hulking eight-engine aircraft are capable of holding 70,000 pounds of munitions and have been upgraded in past decades to drop everything from sea mines to nuclear-tipped cruise missiles. A detachment of the planes are currently participating in the air war against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Last month, a Russian aircraft came within 20 feet of a U.S. surveillance plane over the Baltic Sea in an incident the Pentagon called "routine." Additionally, U.S. aircraft intercepted a number of Russian bombers near the coast of Alaska in May.

NATO jets intercepted Russian aircraft more than 100 times near the Baltic States in 2016, according to data provided by the Lithuania Defense Ministry to a regional news agency. After Russia annexed Crimea and sent troops into eastern Ukraine in 2014, the number of NATO intercepts peaked at 160 in 2015.
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The graduation dreams of a San Antonio student with an intellectual disability were "crushed" when his high school did not allow him to cross the stage with his classmates, his family says.

Matthew Rocha, a Jewel Wietzel Center student, "couldn't even sleep he was so thrilled" to get his diploma with the rest of the McCollum High School seniors on June 7, according to a Facebook post penned by his cousin, Steph Leal.

She said her family and school administration had been in contact about his credits and coordinated a plan that would allow Rocha to have a seat with his grandmother, who aides him, during the ceremony.

RELATED: S.A. family searching for stranger who swapped pants with graduate so he could cross the stage

Leal said Rocha's cap and gown had been purchased, graduation photos were taken and invitations were sent out.

But when Rocha and his family arrived, they were turned away and he was not allowed to graduate, Leal said.

"I feel like my cousin was discriminated due to his illness, now we have a crushed young man who's heart broken because the school failed him," she added in her post. "They've made Matthew's school years hell due to the failure of staff and training for children of his kind. This isn't fair."

Leal was not immediately available to return requests for comment, but has updated her post twice since her original complaint was published.

She said the school confirmed Rocha had earned enough credits.

"This was just a case of several people failing to do their jobs," her post reads. "These people took this milestone from Matthew regardless of the circumstances."

In her second update, Leal said the district offered to let Rocha graduate with the Harlandale class on Thursday, an offer he originally refused.

RELATED: Internet loves photo of SAPD officer helping Holmes student get ready for graduation

"He said no he did not want to go through this again. They told him that everything would be set up for him this time...so he agreed...but he did not want to be dressed up again," she said. "But he did want to cross the stage and he will be in (a) Harlandale cap and gown."

The district apologized to Rocha and his family in a statement emailed to mySA.com.

"We sincerely apologize for the situation, we spoke with the family and made arrangements to honor the accomplishments of our graduate, Matthew," the statement said. "Our partnership with the family will continue as Matthew prepares for his post-secondary career. We are extremely proud of him and want to thank the family for their understanding, cooperation and continued support as we celebrate Matthew."

mmendoza@mysa.com

Twitter: @MaddySkye
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GALVESTON  A proud Gabrielle Giffords stood in front of the hulking warship, inviting thousands of onlookers to consider what it takes to survive a staredown with death.

The former Arizona congresswoman beamed from a podium at Galveston's Pier 21 Saturday during the commissioning of a state-of-the-art naval vessel named to commemorate her resilience in surviving a 2011 assassination attempt. She called the namesake an "incredible honor" and thanked the U.S. armed forces for their continued sacrifices.

"I thought of you in my darkest days," she said.

The commissioning ceremony drew an estimated 2,200 spectators and a long roster of high-profile politicians and military leaders. Hillary Clinton, Jill Biden and Nancy Pelosi shared remarks alongside many others, each drawing parallels between Giffords' determination and the power of the ship and its crew.

"Standing here, six years later, nothing gives me greater joy and honor than seeing this great ship named for someone whose strength and resilience is a great lesson to us all," Clinton said.

At the start of her third congressional term, Giffords survived a deliberate, near-point-blank shot to the head in Tucson during a rampage that killed six people and wounded 12 others. When she resigned from Congress in 2012, former Navy Secretary Ray Mabus decided to name a warship for her.

It's somewhat uncommon for naval vessels to be named for living people: Only 13 such ships have been commissioned since 1850, according to the Navy. This one, sponsored by Jill Biden, was the 16th to be named after a woman.

The 422-foot littoral combat ship, flanked with guns and missiles, is part of a new class of high-speed vessels designed to target mines, submarines and other warships in coastal areas. It's the fifth of its kind to enter the country's naval fleet and one of 11 planned for delivery by shipbuilder Austal USA as part of a $3.5 billion contract.

Craig Perciavalle, the company's U.S. president, said the vessels can travel into shallower water than other combat ships, allowing the Navy access more ports around the world. Their sleeker bodies allow them to travel faster than 45 miles per hour.

"You don't see too many of these types of ships being built anywhere in the world," Perciavalle said.

The ship arrived in Galveston earlier this month after launching from Mobile, Ala., where it was built. It will depart in the coming days to San Diego for regular duty.

Adm. William Moran, vice chief of naval operations, said the new ship and others like it will bolster the country's ability to deter war.

"If we have to go to war, we're going to kick somebody's you-know-what and win," he said.

A core crew of 50 officers and enlisted men and women will serve aboard the vessel.

Patty Kelso, a Navy mom, traveled from Michigan to watch her son, a lieutenant commander, report for duty. It was her first commissioning, a ceremony made more special by the high-profile attendees, she said.

"We're very proud," she said.

Giffords and her husband, astronaut and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Mark Kelly, have ties to the Houston area. She spent several months at TIRR Memorial Hermann recovering from the shooting, and Kelly was stationed near Galveston for 15 years during his time with NASA.

Kelly accompanied Giffords on the stage and took the podium to applaud her "courage and grit." Those characteristics, he said, are the same ones sought in a warship.

"Like Gabby, this ship will face down some lethal threats," he said. "But it will persevere through that adversity, and it will leave our lesser adversaries in her great wake."
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KERRVILLE  A young mother brought her two daughters to Peterson Regional Medical Center here in grave condition Wednesday, claiming they had collapsed during an outing at Flat Rock Park.

But officials soon determined that the mother, 19-year-old Amanda Hawkins, had left the children in her SUV for 15 hours while she was visiting friends, leading to the girls deaths Thursday. She was arrested on charges of child endangerment.

This is by far the most horrific case of child endangerment that I have seen in the 37 years that I have been in law enforcement, Kerr County Sheriff Rusty Hierholzer said in a news release Friday announcing Hawkins arrest.

District Attorney Lucy Wilke said she would meet Monday with investigators to review the case and determine the appropriate charge.

Hierholzer said 1-year-old Brynn Hawkins and 2-year-old Addyson Overgard-Eddy were transferred from Peterson to University Hospital on Thursday, where they died at 5 p.m. that day. Autopsies have been ordered.

The sheriff said investigators determined that the girls had been intentionally left overnight in the SUV starting about 9 p.m. Tuesday as Hawkins visited friends inside a residence, the news release stated.

Around noon Wednesday, the two girls were discovered unconscious in the vehicle, the release stated, and the mother attempted to (bathe) them and did not immediately want to take the girls to the hospital because she did not want to get into trouble.

The SUVs windows were partially down some of the time the children were in the vehicle, Hierholzer said. The temperature dipped to about 60 degrees overnight before climbing to about 85 at noon Wednesday, according to online weather data. But the humidity topped out at 96 percent, meaning 85 degrees could have felt like 105 degrees, according to a heat index chart.

Hawkins was arrested in San Antonio and was being held in Bexar County on $70,000 bail on two charges of abandoning or endangering a child. She was still awaiting transfer to Kerr County late Friday.

A joint investigation by deputies and Kerrville police is continuing, and Hierholzer did not rule out others being charged in connection with the deaths.

CPS investigation

Hawkins and her husband, Isaac Hawkins, Brynns father, were investigated by Child Protective Services last year. Mary Walker, CPS spokeswoman, confirmed that the agency investigated the Hawkinses over an incident in September but said she couldnt discuss any details or the outcome of that investigation.

Isaac Hawkins, estranged from his wife, wasnt present when the girls were left in the SUV.

The girls deaths upset family and residents across the region.

Amanda Hawkins mother, Alisha Eddy of Kerrville, was sobbing so hard that she could barely speak during a brief phone conversation Friday.

I had the two most beautiful grandbabies, Eddy cried. I dont agree with what happened.  But I love my daughter. Im there for my daughter.

She then passed the phone to a woman who identified herself only as an aunt, who said, Were just bewildered and confused.

Texas leads the nation in children dying from overheating in vehicles, with at least 112 fatalities from 1991 to 2016, according to KidsAndCars.org.

Eleven children died of heat stroke this year nationwide from being left in cars, not counting those in recent days, according to noheatstroke.org, which tallied 39 deaths nationwide last year.

The last child to die after being left in car in the San Antonio area was 7-month-old Dillon Martinez, whose father forgot to drop him off at a day care center and left him in his car in the August heat from 6:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. while he went to work at a Walmart in Helotes.

That was the first area child to die in a hot car in six years.

Hard times

Court records show Amanda and Isaac Hawkins were evicted in May from a local duplex.

Amanda Hawkins, who worked as a stocker at Walmart, had sought $1,500 in financial assistance on a GoFundMe page set up online in December, but it failed to generate any donations.

Im trying to raise money to get us into a home. We are living with my grandparents. We are both working but its still hard. Any help is greatly appreciated. We will be buying this house, the posting read.

A woman who had been the Hawkinses neighbor when they lived in the duplex expressed shock Friday over the childrens deaths.

Its terrible. The poor little things, said the woman, who recalled dirty diapers littering the yard when the Hawkinses lived there and a large mess being left behind when they were evicted.

One of the little girls was always running around in a diaper. No shoes, no nothing, the neighbor said.

Neither Isaac Hawkins nor Austin J. Overgard, the father of Addyson R. Overgard-Eddy could be reached for comment.

News Researcher Misty Harris contributed to this report.
AUSTIN -- The leader of the state's sprawling family and protective services agency instituted a temporary department-wide hiring freeze this week as the agency tries to adjust to fewer caseworkers quitting their jobs.

Commissioner Hank Whitman, in an email to employees Tuesday, said that while state lawmakers faced "a very tough budget year," the Department of Family and Protective Services "received more funding and resources than many other agencies" and "made huge strides in hiring new staff and retaining Child Protective Services caseworkers."

Citing that success, Whitman's email said the agency will pause new hiring for the time being until its leaders can sort through the allocation of new state funds, which included a $500 million boost for CPS and nearly 600 new caseworkers.

"To ensure that the agency does not hire above our allotted number of positions or spend above the agency's appropriation, we are temporarily pausing any new job offers while we continue developing our hiring plan for the remaining months of fiscal year 2017," Whitman wrote.

Patrick Crimmins, a spokesman for the DFPS, said the hiring freeze is proof that the agency has retained caseworkers at a better rate than in previous years.

It is a temporary move so that we can catch up and make sure everything is being done exactly as it should be, hiring-wise, Crimmins said. "It is good news because it means that caseworkers are staying, not quitting.

Whitman's decision, which was first reported Friday by The Dallas Morning News, was met with outrage from some Democrats. Rep. Poncho Nevarez of Eagle Pass suggested lawmakers take up the issue when they come back to Austin in July for a special session, which the governor has called.

This is nuts. If we are going back this needs to change. https://t.co/oqxIwIZQtw  Rep. Poncho Nevarez (@poncho_nevarez) June 9, 2017

During the most recent legislative session, which ended in May, lawmakers passed several key reforms aimed at reversing the longstanding trend at CPS whereby neglected and abused children were not seen by agency representatives in a timely manner.

One of those bills, House Bill 5, would make DFPS a standalone agency, bringing it outside the scope of the Health and Human Services Commission and allowing it to implement changes faster and cut down on bureaucratic delays, according to advocates. Instead, the DFPS commissioner will report directly to the governor, who signed the bill into law last month. It goes into effect Sept. 1.
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Mumbai, June 9 (surya): Superstar Salman Khan has become part of The Clean India mission and has joined forces with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and 'I love Mumbai' foundation to make Mumbai open defecation-free.



On Friday, Salman, along with BMC chief Ajoy Mehta, and powered by Rahul Kanal's 'I love Mumbai' foundation, Sahib Realty and Sach Ishaan, handed over public utility toilets at Madras Pada, Aarey Milk colony, to the residents of the area to combat its open defecation problem.



"It feels good, but it's just a beginning. I think there are 3,000-plus houses where each house has six to eight people. So as many existing toilets were there, we just rebuilt them and gave them water connection.



"In 3,000-plus houses, there were only 36 toilets. So there is a lot of scope. We will get permission to make toilets in their houses, given that they have space in their houses," said Salman.



Mehta expressed his gratitude to Salman, who also paid for the utility toilets from his own pocket.



Last year, Salman was named ambassador for the BMC's anti-open defecation campaign in tune with the Centre's Swachh Bharat' Mission.
The senior heroine Trisha is being chased by the income tax authorities. A six year old case has been terroring her. In 2010-11, Trisha is getting less taxes on her income than she earned. That year she showed her income of Rs 89 lakh. But that year, the advances she had taken from the producers. That money does not pay taxes. The Income Tax officials identified this and she was fined Rs 1.19 crore. Advances also come under the revenue. Trisha has deliberately fined the revenue that she was fined by the Income Tax Department.

But Trisha has been fighting a legal battle. Tribunal approached for justice. Tribunal examined the case in favor of Trisha. The penalty was imposed on the fine. But the IT officials did not leave this affair. The Trisha case was taken separately and moved to the Madras High Court on the tribunal's verdict. The Madras High Court inquired into the case and took the decision. As soon as the outgoing affair is wrapped around the neck, Trisha is again turning around the courts. Whether the case wins or not .. Trisha is kicking off the campaign that has destroyed the income tax. And in this case the judgment will finally come
South India cinema has a long history of 80s. That time, the proud actors of the country have provided super stars with mega stars. Now some of them are good friends for the film .. Chiranjeevi - Rajinikanth - Radhika - Mohan Lal - Khushboo is still in the top positions. All of them are organized into a group and spend a lot of fun every year. This time they went to China. These photos are now viral in social media.



Fun with friends is the world's tallest .. At China's Shangai Tower, this is taken by Siriwanna's Tara Suhasini. She was photographed by Selphi .. She was photographed by Selphi .. My happiness came to the end of the earth, and the whole earth was small. These are really fantastic moments. There is a lot of suhasini character in this reunion plan. He started this idea with his colleague Lizi. Most of the stars in the 80s have been named Ever Green 80s.



Suhasini now hosts a Weekend Show in Tamil TV. A few days after the show was shot, Gap enjoyed his friendship with his friend. Our mega star already in this union is center of attraction. Now Suhasini Selphi has also won.
AKRON, Ohio -- A man entered a guilty plea Friday to abusing and fatally shooting a 26-year-old man, according to the Summit County Prosecutor's Office.

Dashawn Tomlin, 26, pleaded guilty to a single count of murder. He is scheduled to be sentenced at 9 a.m. Monday by Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Jill Flagg Lanzinger, according to a news release from the prosecutor's office.

The shooting happened early morning on May 24, 2015 outside a home on Boulevard Street near West Thornton Street, police say.

The home is known to be a site for late-night parties after the city bars close.

Tomlin waited outside until Charles Vinson was alone. Someone gave him a gun. He crept up behind Vinson and shot him several times, investigators determined, the release says.

He ran to a SUV parked in a nearby parking lot and took off on Boulevard Streert, court records say.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Saturday'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.
AKRON, Ohio -- A warrant was issued Friday for an Akron man accused in the shooing death of another man on the city's South Akron neighborhood.

Malik Shabazz Baldwin, 26, of Fairbanks Place, is wanted in the Wednesday night slaying of

LeMichael Stevenson, 24, who was shot while he was on the front porch of his home in the 800 block of Sumner Street, police said.

Stevenson died at Summa Akon City Hospital after someone dropped him off.

Baldwin is 5-feet 10-inches tall and weighs 190 pounds. He's "considered to be armed and dangerous," police said.

Anyone with information about Baldwin should call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490. Tips can also be sent to Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-2677 or the U.S. Marshals Service at 866-492-6833.

To comment on this story, please visit Friday's crime and courts comments page.

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 - "Constant as the Sun," the title of the new main exhibition at The Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland suggests an experience awash in a glowing, reliable, soul-warming bath of energy.

But that's not the case. The MOCA exhibition instead focuses most of its energy on a bracing plunge into the nervous, precarious outlook of poor white and black communities in the inner cities of the Great Lakes region and Appalachia.

On view are the works of 10 emerging, mid-career and established artists and collectives. They range from the colorful bricolage constructions of Detroit's Tyree Guyton, who makes art from discarded signs, car hoods, shoes and other materials, to a 21st century fallout shelter created by Cleveland artists Kate Sopko and Angela Beallor.

Seeking community

If the show warms the cockles with any constancy, that energy comes from the desire of participating artists to draw attention to forgotten or disregarded communities and people cast aside by a high-tech global economy and by politicians of both parties who have ignored a broad swath of the American populace.

Accordingly, much of the art has a raw, gritty authenticity rather than refinement or polish. It feels embedded in struggles of daily existence. The settings it depicts have a post-apocalyptic, wasteland feel. It has an edge of anger and a sense that the artists are standing up for people who need and want to be seen and heard.

The works of acerbic, a three-person collective that seeks to communicate "the pain of the experience of living" as persons and artists of color in Cleveland set the tone.

The group's installation is dominated by the wall-filling photomurals of life in African-American neighborhoods made by Donald Black Jr., and Gabriel Gonzalez, and suspended Plexiglas panels bearing the poems of Ali McClain, which speak of lives ripped apart by gun violence.

Opportunity for whom?

And then there's Black's 13-minute video documenting community reactions on Cleveland's East Side to Opportunity Corridor, the $331 million extension of I-490 designed both to smooth the flow of traffic to and from the fast-growing University Circle area and to encourage redevelopment in the city's high poverty "Forgotten Triangle."

The video paints a bleak portrait of impoverished black communities that feel sidelined by plans for the massive roadway project, scheduled for completion in 2020.

Interviewees who participated in the video are highly doubtful the corridor will do anything more than leave them excluded from the economic energy the new boulevard will supposedly unleash.

Whether that's an accurate perspective remains to be seen, as the commentators in the video assert. Sadly, they feel the matter is largely out of their control, which is not a happy message about Cleveland and its leadership, from City Hall on down.

Artistic alchemy

The constructions and prints of Guyton, cheerful and poignant at the same time, point to the possibility of transforming the detritus of a throwaway society into the alchemical gold of art.

By extension, Guyton's art could be seen as a comment on the potential of those condemned by decades of anti-urban federal and state policies to live in forgotten black neighborhoods.

His crumpled automobile hoods, painted with grinning black faces, a cabinet stuffed with painted shoes, and a wall of clocks sculpted from old signs and scraps of wood have an uncanny energy that appears to draw on 1960s Pop Art and the assemblage masterpieces of Dadaists such as the pre-war German genius, Kurt Schwitters.

Mostly, though, Guyton's art combines a sophisticated eye with the unforced integrity of folk art. It is a declaration of the richness of spirit and vision that can emerge from the most disadvantaged places.

The goal of the MOCA is to show how artists and art collectives portray, build and connect communities.

Advocacy in action

In this context, Cleveland's Liz Maugans, who stepped down last month after 12 years as executive director of Zygote Press, portrays herself as a practitioner of community-based ventures including publishing, organizing and advocacy.

Her contribution to the MOCA show is an impressive wall filled with self-portraits by 400 Cuyahoga County artists.

It's a powerful documentation of the richness of the region's cultural life, and perhaps a political response to the recent unpopular decision of Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, the agency responsible for funding the arts with money from the county's cigarette tax, to reformulate its popular artist fellowship grants.

Other highlights of the show include Corine Vermeulen's remarkable photographic portraits of Detroiters bent on reclaiming urban neighborhoods devastated by vacancy and abandonment, and Matt Eich's poignant and occasionally surreal photos from his "Carry Me Ohio" project, in which he documents the lives of two families with Appalachian roots.

Finally, and not to be missed, are the wall paintings of Cleveland artist Darius Steward, which adorn the stairwell leading to MOCA's big, fourth-floor exhibit space.

Steward's paintings portray his wife, Angela, and their infant daughter and young son retrieving belongings from baggage claim after a flight. The paintings are both richly observed realistic depictions and metaphors.

For example, when Steward's son dons his backpack and points his way forward with a flashlight, what darkness is he trying to dispel? We can only imagine.

Organized by Megan Lykins Reich, MOCA's deputy director, and A. Will Brown, its assistant curator, "Constant as the Sun" is the third in an excellent series of exhibits on art and artists from Cleveland and the region from Western New York and Pennsylvania to Eastern Michigan.

To clarify the real thrust of the show's title, it comes from the 1970 Peter Davies poem in which the writer channels the spiritual voice of Allison Krause, one of the four people killed by Ohio National Guardsmen at Kent State University during a Vietnam War protest.

Krause's voice admonishes the war-supporting "patriots of silence" to go "wave your flags to marching muscles / and leave me with those that love me. / They are few but ever true / and constant as the sun."

The show, then, is a reminder of the bitterest divisions that separate Americans from one another.

The flip side of the sun's constancy as described in the Davies poem is a bitter apprehension that those on one side of a political divide will never understand the opposite viewpoint. That despair, too, is part of MOCA's show, and a very accurate description of the country's current mood.

Review

What's up:

"Constant as the Sun" regional group exhibition.

Venue:

Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland.

Where:

11400 Euclid Ave., Cleveland.

When:

Through Sunday, Sept. 17.

Admission

: $9.50. Call 216-421-8671 or go to mocacleveland.org.
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!)
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Safety Tyvis Powell, the former Buckeye and Bedford native, was thrown for a loop by the Browns on the same day he's throwing out the first pitch for Indians.

Powell was waived by the Browns just hours before he was set to take the mound before the Indians-White Sox game tonight at Progressive Field. But the Browns had no idea Powell was throwing out the first pitch, and by the time they found out, it was too late to pull back the roster move, a team spokesman told cleveland.com.

The ceremonial pitch was set up through Powell's representatives, and the Browns were unaware.

But the Indians were not about to make a bad day for Powell even worse. He's still throwing out the pitch despite the move.

Powell's departure spoils the dream he's been living for the past few months. Less than two weeks ago, he tweeted a photo of himself in a Browns uniform with the caption 'ain't it a blessing.'

Now, he's back to being a fan instead of one of their most grateful players.

Powell, who was claimed off waivers Feb. 6, lasted through three weeks of organized team activities, but didn't make it to next week's full squad minicamp. Last season, he appeared in six games with the Seahawks after signing as an undrafted free agent.

Powell (6-3, 210) became expendable when the Browns acquired safety Calvin Powell in a trade with the Jets for linebacker Demario Davis.

The Browns also drafted safety Jabrill Peppers, and have cornerback Jason McCourty as a possibility at free safety if needed.
STRONGSVILLE, Ohio -- A teenager killed in a car crash earlier this week was remembered Friday night during a candlelight vigil, as ribbon-wearing mourners sang song and prayed for her and five other teens involved in the collision.



Under dark and swollen clouds, hundreds gathered in Strongsville at City Commons to reflect on the life of 16-year-old Kailee Mayher, who was killed in the crash that injured three other teenagers.



Kailee's relatives, friends and neighbors ignored the rain and stood in the wet grass and mud to attend the 7:30 p.m. vigil.



Many of them remembered her as a teen with a big smile, who was good-hearted and had a bright personality.



The vigil was led by the family's pastor, the Rev. Joe Mamich of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. He, several other religious leaders and Kailee's parents, Rick and Stella, spoke into a microphone under a wooden canopy.



Kailee-- an only child -- had dreams of being a doctor, her mother said.



"Kailee was our everything," she said as she fought back tears and read from a folded sheet of paper. "The light of our life. A bright light that was extinguished way too soon. Our hearts are broken in so many pieces."



Kailee was one of six teen girls who were in the car when it collided with a tree about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday on Albion Road just east of North Marks Road. Two of the girls, including the driver, were not hurt. Three others were hospitalized.



Katie Carroll, 16, and Sarah Attar, 15 -- were in the backseat, at the time of the crash. They were taken to Southwest General Hospital for treatment. The third teenager was identified as Alyssa Collins, 15. She was taken to MetroHealth.



Stella Mayher and Mamich asked people to continue to pray for the other girls, as the tragedy has affected the entire city of Strongsville.



During the vigil, Emily Boudziony, 16, and a woman's chorale sang three songs.



Emily, who grew up with Kailee and some of the other girls involved in the crash, was overwhelmed with emotion through the ceremony.



"I know that she [Kailee] is watching over us and I hope it's better up there for her," Emily said. "She was so such a great friend and such a great person. She was genuinely one of the nicest people I knew."

To comment on this story, please visit Friday's crime and courts comments page.

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 Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency on Friday approved a plan for $15.8 billion worth of transportation projects over the next 23 years.

The plan focuses on maintenance, with about 10 percent for expansion, Executive Director Grace Gallucci said. This is the first time the plan has included an "aspirational" component, including an expansion plan for mass transit.

The extensive plan, dubbed Aim Forward 2040, spells out where transportation dollars will go in Cuyahoga, Medina, Lake, Lorain and Geauga counties.

The plan emphasizes choice and multimodal transportation. This means putting money towards mass transportation and pedestrian options as well as maintaining and expanding roadways for cars. For example, hundreds of millions of dollars are slated to replace Greater Cleveland RTA rail cars.

The aspirational component of the plan would expand the number of rail stations from 50 to 162, and expand rail service east and west to create access in places such as Solon and Medina and increase walkability to stations.

(NOACA)

Galluci said NOACA went through an extensive process of collecting resident feedback in creating the plan.

"Wherever we went we did hear a desire to have public transit," Galluci said.

The plan uses mainly federal dollars, some of which are funneled through the state or matched from local sources.

Over the next four years (from 2018 to 2021), NOACA has the following projects funded:

3,451 miles of roadway improvements and enhancements

8.1 million square feet deck area of bridge improvements

35 miles of new bicycle and shared use facilities

260 transit vehicle replacements

Two transit station rehabilitations

Over the next four years, here are the five largest projects planned in each county:

Cuyahoga County

Replace decks of the I-480 bridges and construct a third bridge - $278,330,000 GCRTA vehicle replacements - $56,477,803 GCRTA Tower City/Red Line West track rehab - $45,184,489 Cleveland Innerbelt CCG6A (replace the I-77 bridge over I-490 - $35,064,000 Reconnecting Cleveland Pathways series of projects - $17,250,965

Geauga

Paint steel on bridges along U.S. 422, $5,500,000 Reconstruct hill along SR 87 near Hayes Rd. & widen shoulder for buggy use - $2,470,000 Resurface SR 528 in Montville & Thompson Twps. - $2,378,000 Perform maintenance along SR 608 in Middlefield, Huntsburg and Claridon Townships - $1,650,000 Resurface Kinsman Rd from Auburn Rd to Burton - $1,599,000

Lake

LAKETRAN vehicle replacements - $11,451,960 Replace bridges carrying I-271N to I-90W over Eddy Rd. & over mainline I-271 - $9,500,000 Replace deck of SR 306 bridge over I-90 - $7,750,000 Paint steel on multiple bridges along SR 2 corridor - $6,000,000 Resurface I-90 from Rockefeller to west of SR 306, $5,910,000

Lorain

Widen Center Ridge Rd (U.S. 20) in North Ridgeville - $27,985,096 Repair the Charles Berry Bascule Bridge over the Black River in Lorain - $25,102,200 Replace the I-90 bridges in Sheffield Village/Avon - $9,460,000 Rehab pavement on I-90 in Avon/Sheffield Village/Elyria - $8,652,000

Medina

For the full plan, click here to visit NOACA's website.
PAINESVILLE, Ohio--Painesville's administration is reviewing a controversial policy about reporting certain immigrants to federal authorities, according to City Manager Monica Irelan.

"Any new policy put forth by one of our departments goes through a review to make sure we are meeting the intent of such policies. This is especially true of one as important to both the administration and to our community as is this policy," Irelan wrote in an email Thursday, June 8.

The policy, issued officially in March and made public in late April, calls for police to report immigrants either charged with violent crimes, along with driving under the influence, or suspected of gang or criminal affiliations.

Local residents, businesspeople and activists spoke out about the policy at the past two council meetings. At Monday's meeting, about four residents praised it and many criticized it. Critics were loosely organized by activist groups, including HOLA Ohio and Progress NEO.

Council limits each public comment to three minutes, and Monday's comments took about 90 minutes in all. At least 80 people attended, and many could not fit into the council chambers.

Supporters said the city should uphold federal law. Critics said to leave it to federal authorities. Irelan said the policy has only been applied to one immigrant so far.

Painesville's population is officially 22% Hispanic or Latino, mostly from Mexico. Critics of the police policy said Monday that immigrants commit few crimes and hold vital jobs at local farms and other businesses that native-born Americans don't want.

On Wednesday, Irelan wrote, "I continue to have conversations with the law director and police chief on edits." She added Thursday, "We value the opinions and candid conversations of the engaged residents and business owners. The intent of this policy was to protect all members of this community while meeting the obligations of federal and local laws. We continue to review the policy to make sure we are meeting the intent of the policies while protecting our commitment to all residents of the community."

Asked when the edits might happen, she said there was "no timetable, but we are actively moving forward."

Speakers Monday criticized a clause in the policy saying that English proficiency can be a factor in suspecting illegal immigration. They said the clause amounted to racial profiling.

Councilman Jim Fodor said he would consider revising the clause. Irelan wrote later that the city forbids racial profiling.

According to local law enforcement officials and a U.S. Border Patrol spokeswoman, there are no federal rules about reports from police. A federal memo in February let local police be designated as immigration officers to enforce relevant laws. Irelan said Monday that Painesville would not volunteer for that.

Painesville issued its policy after a meeting early this year of Lake County law enforcement leaders. Police Chief Anthony Powalie said he learned at the meeting about a change at the Lake County Jail, whose staffers were no longer calling immigration officials about prisoners brought there by local police, only by sheriff's deputies.

But Frank Leonbruno, deputy chief sheriff, says the jail never changed its policy; he just clarified it at the meeting, saying the jail hadn't and wouldn't report immigrants brought there by local police.

The policy does not call for reporting immigrants for being here illegally. It only calls for reporting immigrants, here legally or not, for certain charges or affiliations. But speakers objected to singling out people not yet convicted.

Painesville and Lake County have widely and falsely been called sanctuaries for immigrants. A 2008 city resolution vows to cooperate with immigration law.

In November's election, council's three at-large seats will be at stake. Maggie Barth, an activist at Monday's meeting, said later that her group hoped to find Hispanic candidates and other candidates who would support immigration.

At Monday's meeting, Ward 3 Councilman Michael DeLeone announced his resignation effective July 15. Council will choose a successor to serve the rest of his term, which runs through 2019.
Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing in Lexington, Kentucky, promoted itself as a way for "average people to make substantial income and achieve financial independence." Participants sold Dish Network packages, mobile phone plans, hair products and nutritional supplements. Members were told they'd get commissions on the products they sold, as well as bonuses for recruiting new representatives.

But the Federal Trade Commission found that over a four-year period, 98 percent of people who bought into the program as salespeople lost more money than they ever made. 88 percent did not even recoup the enrollment fees. And at least 94 percent did not renew their membership after the initial year. Alleging the program was a "pyramid scheme," the FTC shut it down in 2013.

The vast majority of people lose money in pyramid schemes  which the FTC defines as programs that "promise consumers or investors large profits based primarily on recruiting others." Douglas Brooks, an attorney who represents victims of deceptive schemes, says getting caught up in one can be devastating. "People get in, they work at it for a few months, or maybe even a year or two, and then they realize that they've maxed out their credit cards, taken out second mortgages, and had disruptive relationships with family and friends," he said.

Some multilevel marketing programs  where participants earn commissions for their sales and the sales of those in their "downline"  are legitimate. But it can be difficult for consumers, and even for government regulators and lawyers, to determine if the program is valid or not. Brooks says even if a plan isn't technically a pyramid scheme, it still may not be a viable business opportunity. Here are some red flags to watch out for if you're approached about getting involved in a multilevel marketing program.

There's not a lot of emphasis on selling products

As mentioned, illegal "pyramid schemes" generate money from recruiting new members rather than selling goods. This past March, James Merrill was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in the Massachusetts-based pyramid scheme TelexFree, which cost investors $3 billion. Merrill, the company's former president, pleaded guilty last October. TelexFree, which went bankrupt in 2014, claimed to sell cheap internet phone service and recruited "promoters" to get paid to post ads for the product online. But according to the Justice Department, TelexFree supported its ongoing operations not with product sales but with new investors' sign-up fees. Merrill and his partner also allegedly paid themselves millions of dollars from investors.

In a pyramid scheme, there's a small group of investors at the top that require a large base to support the scheme  hence the name "pyramid." Money from new participants is used to pay commissions to other participants. The people at the top hold most of the money, and those at the bottom usually lose out. These schemes are likely to fail because members' success is dependent on their ability to bring in investors, and there are a finite number of people in any community. Brooks advises asking other members, "Do you make your money by selling this product or are you making most of your money by commissions based on people you've recruited and people that those people have recruited?"

There are cheaper, comparable products already on the market

If consumers can get products similar to the ones you'll be selling cheaper somewhere else, you'll probably have trouble getting enough people to buy from you. Get samples of the products and head to a store that sells items like the ones you'll be selling. Do a side-by-side comparison of the labels and the prices. Brooks says people too often don't take the time to do this type of analysis. "They don't find out until after they're involved in it that they really can't make money retailing it, that the products are priced too high," he said. "You can always make a first sale to a friend or a family member, but you're not going to be able to consistently sell the products."

They're putting a lot of pressure on you to sign up at the meeting

If someone is trying to pressure you into signing up at an initial meeting, that's a major red flag  especially if he or she brushes off your concerns. "The way a lot of these companies operate, is they have very carefully crafted meetings, and they're designed to get people to lower their guards and to get all excited about this business," said Brooks.

Instead, treat this like any other business opportunity, and carefully consider whether getting involved is the right decision for you. Resist the urge to jump right in without having all the information. Go home and study the literature you were given at the meeting. Go online and research what others are saying about the company. Look into the people who spoke at the meeting. Think about whether you're really interested in or suited for selling products. "There's a serious push to get you to sign up because they know, most of the time, if people think about things in the sober light of the morning, we'll think, you know what, this is not going to work for me," Brooks said.

Members make big claims about how your life will change

Watch out for people who get up on stage at meetings and claim to be making tremendous amounts of money. "Human nature is such that if you see someone talk about that kind of success, and they don't seem to be particularly smart or talented, you think, well, I could do that," said Brooks. Take their words with a grain of salt. Brooks says many participants take a "fake it til you make it" approach, exaggerating their successes in order to lure others in. This is especially the case if their success is dependent on how many people they recruit into the program. "They give little techniques for sort of glossing over the fact that you're not actually making money at it yet, but you think you will," Brooks said.

There are lots of additional costs

Ask other members how much it's actually going to cost you to run the distributorship. Participating in one of these plans often requires buying large amounts of inventory that you're expected to sell. Ask others if they've actually been able to sell all of the products they've bought, or if they're now stuck with items they don't need. Besides buying inventory, you also may have to spend money going to meetings, buying mailing lists, leads, or sales materials. Some programs even require you to rent spaces.

"The claim is the opportunity costs are so low that no one can really lose money at this. That's just not true. I've seen people lose tens of thousands, and sometimes even over $100,000 at these things," Brooks said.

The company has a confusing compensation plan

Are you having a hard time understanding how you would actually make money? "The compensation plans are very complicated, and there's a reason for that," said Brooks. Compensation plans often have provisions involving "breakage." Breakage is sales volume generated by you or someone in your downline for which you don't receive compensation. The money, instead, goes to the company. This typically occurs when a distributor hasn't qualified to earn a commission yet, often because they haven't met their inventory targets. Make sure you ask enough questions to thoroughly understand the payment structure and to understand the exact steps you need to take as a distributor to earn commission.

If you've been approached by a friend, neighbor, or family member you trust, you may not want to decline their offer to participate in the program. But if you're skeptical or confused about how the plan works, be cautious. "You've got to be your own advocate and do your own work in trying to figure out the truth here," Brooks said. "If you don't understand it, you shouldn't feel stupid. If you don't understand it, you shouldn't join the business."

CNBC's "American Greed" looks at the dark side of the American Dream. "American Greed" returns with all new episodes Monday, June 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
ACT for America, which the Southern Poverty Law Center designates as an anti-Muslim hate group, is spearheading several rallies across the country Saturday in what is slated to be the group's largest protest against Islam.

The "March Against Sharia" will take place in more than 20 cities, including New York, Dallas, and Atlanta.

In New York City, about 100 protesters and more than 200 counter-protesters verbally clashed in downtown Manhattan Saturday morning, as police officers stood between the groups.

The rally began with ACT for America supporters denouncing Sharia law and claiming that America was moving in the wrong direction.

While they were were speaking, counter-protesters were trying to drown them out using bullhorns and noise makers.

More from NBC News:

Indianapolis billboard sparks outrage by Muslim groups

Ramadan fasts and feasts: Islam's holy month around the world

Rev. Neil Cazares-Thomas helps LGBTQ community keep the faith

Some anti-Sharia demonstrators yelled, "Commie scum!," while counter-protesters shouted, "Nazis!," according to NBC New York.

The nationwide "March Against Sharia" first gained widespread attention when the mayor of Portland, Oregon, moved to stop the local chapter from rallying. Ted Wheeler's decision came after two men were fatally stabbed as they tried to protect two women  one of whom was wearing a headscarf  from an anti-Muslim tirade.

The organizers of Portland parade eventually changed the venue to Seattle, citing "safety concerns" in Portland.

In Seattle, opposing groups protested outside City Hall on Saturday, according to NBC affiliate KING 5.

"We are not anti-Muslim. We are anti-radical Islam," said a March Against Sharia speaker outside City Hall, according to the station.

The other group, Seattle Stands with our Muslim Neighbors, began their demonstration in Occidental Square Saturday morning before making their way to City Hall.

"Muslims are welcomed here," some chanted.

One Twitter user filmed the chant, writing, "#MuslimsAreWelcomedHere being chanted."

At a rally on the steps of the Pennsylvania state capitol in Harrisburg, the atmosphere was tense, according to Reuters.

Barricades and a heavy police presence, including officers mounted on horses, separated about 60 anti-Sharia demonstrators from an equal number of counter-protesters, most of them in black masks and hoods, Reuters reported. Nearly a dozen men carrying sidearms belonging to the anti-government Oath Keepers were on hand, invited by ACT to provide security.

ACT for America, which has over 525,000 members and has boasted of its close ties to President Donald Trump, is organizing the marches. It has been considered a hate group by Southern Poverty Law Center for several years.

At a rally on the steps of the Pennsylvania state capitol in Harrisburg, the atmosphere was tense, according to Reuters.

Barricades and a heavy police presence, including officers mounted on horses, separated about 60 anti-Sharia demonstrators from an equal number of counter-protesters, most of them in black masks and hoods, Reuters reported. Nearly a dozen men carrying sidearms belonging to the anti-government Oath Keepers were on hand, invited by ACT to provide security.

ACT for America, which has over 525,000 members and has boasted of its close ties to President Donald Trump, is organizing the marches. It has been considered a hate group by Southern Poverty Law Center for several years.

"ACT demonizes all Muslims as terrorists who want to subvert the political system in this country," said Heidi Beirich, director of the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center. They disseminate lies and fallacies about Muslims to spread fear about the religion, she added.

The Islamaphobic organization has gained significant momentum since its founding in 2007 by Brigitte Gabriel, a Lebanese immigrant who has openly called Islam inconsistent with U.S law.

"A practicing Muslim who believes the word of the Quran to be the word of Allah  who goes to mosque and prays every Friday, who prays five times a day  this practicing Muslim, who believes in the teachings of the Koran, cannot be a loyal citizen of the United States," said Gabriel during a course at the Department of Defense's Joint Forces Staff College in 2007.

ACT for America did not return requests for comment from NBC News.

"These marches are concerning because of what they will mean to the Muslim community," Beirich said. "When an organization propagandizes an entire community, it tends to embolden some people to commit hate crimes."

But ACT, which brands itself as "the NRA of national security," protecting "America from terrorism," said in a statement that the upcoming march is about "human rights" and protecting women and children from Sharia  which they say is quietly taking a hold of U.S law.

ACT initiated the "Stop Shariah Now" campaign in 2008. The SPLC said the group's website described its mission "to inform and educate the public about what Shariah is, how it is creeping into American society and compromising our constitutional freedom of speech, press, religion and equality what we can do to stop it."

More than 13 states have introduced bills banning Sharia law as a result of the campaign, Beirich said.

"It is absolutely impossible for any religious law to take over U.S. law," Beirich said. "The Constitution stops it, there is a separation of church and state," she said.

Another staple of the group is the Thin Blue Line Project, which is a "Radicalization Map Locator" that lists the addresses of almost every Muslim Student Association (MSA) in the country, as well as a number of mosques and Islamic institutions. The project, accessible only to pre-registered law enforcement, describes itself as a "one-stop internet resource for information concerning the perceived threat of Muslim infiltration and terrorism in the country," according to the SPLC.

The organization also forbids any interfaith dialogue with Muslims based on their suspicion that all members of the faith are connected to the Muslim Brotherhood, an established international political Islamist group founded in 1928.

"If you or someone you know is aware of a church or synagogue involved in or considering interfaith outreach, please warn them about organizations and individuals connected to the Muslim Brotherhood," the organization said in a 2012 statement.

The group campaigned hard for Donald Trump, and after he won the election, they boasted of having a "direct line" to the president.

Gabriel even visited the White House and tweeted she was going there for a meeting.

"In D.C, preparing for my meeting at the White House. What topics would you like me to address? #actforamerica #makeamericasafeagain," she wrote.

The White House did not return requests confirming a meeting with Gabriel.

Former national security adviser Michael Flynn and current Trump adviser Walid Phares are ACT board advisers, according to the organization. And CIA director Mike Pompeo is "steadfast ally," said Gabriel in a letter to her base.

The nationwide march is one of the largest coordinated efforts by the ACT, despite a small expected turnout based on the event's Facebook page.

As of Friday afternoon, only 50 individuals said they are going in Atlanta, 64 in Indianapolis, and 68 in Chicago, on the event's social media page.

The largest number of people interested are in San Bernardino, with 231 slated to join.

"The protest being planned ... by a designated hate group are only designed to fan the flames of hatred and promote xenophobia incidents like what happened in Portland across this country. This is not a rally FOR anything; it's a rally AGAINST Muslims and American values," said Rabiah Ahmed, a spokeswoman for the Muslim Public Affairs Council.

"We know that the views expressed by these hate groups do not reflect the vast majority of Americans," she added, "and we know that groups like this are only blinded by their extreme hate and ignorance."

Reuters contributed to this report.
Adam West, the actor whose cartoonish portrayal of DC Comics superhero "Batman" made him a popular culture icon and endeared him to legions of fans, has died at age 88 after succumbing to leukemia.

In the comic book, Batman is portrayed as a complex anti-hero forged in darkness, whose career as a vigilante was galvanized by the murder of his parents. However, West's era was defined largely by the kitsch and camp endemic to the 1960s, qualities which extended to the rogue's gallery of villains he faced on a weekly basis.

In turn, fans loved him all the more for it.

West "passed away peacefully [Friday] night after a short but brave battle with leukemia," according to a statement from his family.

"He was a beloved father, husband, grandfather, and great-grandfather. There are no words to describe how much we'll miss him," it added.

West was an acting veteran who appeared in several television shows before landing the role that made him famous in "Batman." His turn in the campy 1966 television series, which only lasted three seasons, solidified his place in the hearts and imagination of fans everywhere. It also made him a near-permanent fixture at comic book conventions around the country.

Along with his teenaged ward Robin, the Caped Crusader embarked on countless Technicolor adventures set in the 'Swinging Sixties' of Gotham City, facing off against litany of bad guys such as The Joker, The Penguin and Catwoman. West's version of Batman was forced into repeatedly laughable imbroglios, which included him fending off sharks, running with lit bombs and walking along the sides of tall buildings engaged in full conversations with Robin.

In at least two episodes, West's spin on the "Watusi" a popular dance move of the era  became a national craze in itself, and was rechristened the "Batusi."
A motorist was arrested in Amsterdam on Saturday, after a car he was driving hit a wall at Central Station that injured at least eight pedestrians.

Dutch police confirmed that the culprit was taken into custody and interrogated, but initial indications are that the act wasn't intentional. Two of the victims had serious injuries and were transported to a local hospital, while the rest were treated on the spot, authorities said.

The driver crashed after being approached by police for standing in a prohibited area.

Local television station AT5 News reported that while running away from the police at high speed, the motorist drove onto a square in front of the station  crashing into a wall near the entrance to the subway.

In a tweet, Dutch police said the incident did not appear to be deliberate, but they were investigating further.

Tweets from the scene showed the area cordoned off by police.

"Amsterdam central. Attack or accident? Waiting for news. #amsterdam," user Manya Koetse tweeted.
In Silicon Valley, even philanthropy is hyper-competitive.

Giving away part of a sudden fortune is not as easy as it sounds when the donor wants to be a hands-on philanthropist.

"People come at you from every direction" when you become wealthy in a hurry, says Akiko Yamizaki, wife of Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang, who together have given away hundreds of million of dollars to a broad slate of charities and organizations since Yahoo went public two decades ago.

"Neither of us grew up wealthy, so we had no experience" in philanthropy, says Yamizaki, now chair of San Francisco's Asian Art Museum and who, like many donors here, was intent on producing measurable results with the couple's giving.

Fortunately for the tech industry's elite, Emmett Carson can show them how.

Carson is chief executive of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, an organization which Yamizaki credited with helping guide her and other wealthy families into their philanthropic roles.

Carson has led the foundation through a decade of remarkable growth, fueled by giving from newly rich and relatively young (for philanthropy) executives from the tech industry.

The foundation's assets have shot up from roughly $2 billion in 2007 to more than $8 billion now, according to figures it shared with CNBC.

That staggering growth has turned the foundation, housed on two floors of a modest office building in Mountain View, California, into the largest community foundation in the U.S., based on asset size and grant making, according to the Foundation Center. It's also one of the largest philanthropic organizations, period -- bigger than decades-older foundations started by storied American families like the Rockefellers, Mellons and MacArthurs.

In 2015, it gave away $825 million in grants, second only to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Last year it gave away $1.3 billion, bringing its total grant-making to local, national and global charities to $4.3 billion, according to the SVCF.

How did the organization become so successful?

It was created from a merger of the Peninsula Community Foundation and Community Foundation Silicon Valley in 2007, giving the new organization a chance to "eliminate all sacred cows," Carson says. He focused it on the two things every Silicon Valley donor wants: "A good user experience" and "hand-in-glove" involvement in the process.

"Everyone here (in the tech industry) is an expert, a learner. They want to dive deep," he says. "Making money is difficult. Giving it away should be fun."
The French version of the 1935 Bank of Canada $25 note with serial number 000005 was one of several highlights of the June Geoffrey Bell auction in Toronto.

The focal point of the June 1 and 2 Toronto Coin Expo was not the bourse floor of more than 50 dealers, but the accompanying sale held by Geoffrey Bell Auctions.

What the firm named the Covered Bridge Collection is a group of 2,000 bank notes that were hidden in a New Brunswick safe-deposit box since the mid-1980s. This months auction was the first of two that are expected to realize a total of over $1 million Canadian combined ($743,600 in U.S. funds).

SS Central America reveals thousands of new findings, celebrating the house organ: Another column in the June 19 Coin World details what a house organ is, and expounds on some intriguing half dollar varieties.

Eight 1935 notes with serial number 000005, among the very first notes printed by the Bank of Canada, were offered in denominations ranging from $2 to $50. The Bank of Canada issued two series of notes for that year, one stating Bank of Canada for English Canada, and the other with Banque Du Canada for French Canada. Topping them all was a number 5 $25 note with a Paper Money Guaranty Choice Uncirculated 64 grade at $49,200 including the buyers fee.

A pair of 1935 $25 bills, with an 8-year-old Princess Elizabeth, now Queen Elizabeth II, on the face and extremely rare in Uncirculated condition, sold for $30,000 (English version) and $26,400 (French version).

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A Bank of New Brunswick 1892 $10 note, considered the best available on the market at PMG Very Fine 30, realized $30,000.

The auction also offered also a significant selection of Union Bank of Newfoundland notes. The highlight was an 1889 $20 note featuring vibrant blues and yellows with face and back locomotive themes. The note is among the finest of 12 known examples available to private collectors and reached $28,200 in a grade of PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 Exceptional Paper Quality.

The Covered Bridge Collection surprised many with its selection of Canadian government and private chartered bank notes, the likes of which havent been offered at auction for many years.
NEW YORK (AP)  How long has our species been around? New fossils from Morocco push the evidence back by about 100,000 years.

The bones, about 300,000 years old, were unearthed thousands of miles from the previous record-holder, found in fossil-rich eastern Africa. The new discovery reveals people from an early stage of our species evolution, with a mix of modern and more primitive traits.

They are not just like us, said Jean-Jacques Hublin, one of the scientists reporting the find. But they had basically the face you could meet on the train in New York.

Coupled with other evidence, the Moroccan fossils suggest that Homo sapiens may have reached its modern-day form in more than one place within Africa, said Hublin, of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, and the College of France in Paris.

Previously, the oldest known fossils clearly from Homo sapiens were from Ethiopia, at about 195,000 years old.

Its not clear just when or where Homo sapiens came on the scene in Africa. Hublin said he thinks an earlier stage of development preceded the one revealed by his teams discovery.

We evolved from predecessors who had differently shaped skulls and often heavier builds, but were otherwise much more like us than, say, the ape-men that came before them. Our species lived at the same time as some related ones, like Neanderthals, but only we survive.

Hublin and others described the new findings in two papers released Wednesday by the journal Nature . The discovery could help illuminate how our species evolved, Chris Stringer and Julia Galway-Witham of the Natural History Museum in London wrote in a Nature commentary.

The Moroccan specimens were found between 2007 and 2011 and include a skull, a jaw and teeth, along with stone tools. Combined with other bones that were found there decades ago but not correctly dated, the fossil collection represents at least five people, including young adults, an adolescent and a child of around 8 years old. Analysis shows their brain shape was more elongated than what people have today.

In the last 300,000 years, the main story is the change of the brain, Hublin said.

When these ancient people lived, the site in Morocco was a cave that might have served as a hunting camp, where people butchered and ate gazelles and other prey.
Herds of wild horses did not exist in Elko County or Nevada during the early 1800s. As the first European explorers traveled through the Great Basin at that time, they did not report seeing any wild horses. The Western Shoshone did not traditionally use horses and only obtained horses after 1850, when they probably stole or picked up strays from passing California-bound wagon trains.

The first Great Basin wild horses appeared during the late 1800s, when ranches released their horses to run wild. In early Elko County, no one called these horses wild, they were called range horses. During winter, ranchers released unneeded saddle stock to fend for themselves in herds called range herds. In the spring, ranchers picked up experienced saddle stock and new horses for summer work around the ranch. Area ranchers saw these herds of range horses as a ranch resource, a commodity to use and sell. In the 1880s, horses were valuable, worth $30-100 per head. Ranchers brought in horses from their range herds to sell.

Their attitude toward range horses is evident in early Nevada laws. In 1897, range horse herds were increasing and the Nevada Legislature passed a statute allowing the killing of range horses. Interested parties had only to get a permit from the local county commissioners. In 1902, the state repealed this statute due to concern over the indiscriminate killing taking place. Also, the horse market was good at the time and ranchers worried about a potential loss of revenue. By 1913, the horse market crashed and range horse numbers increased so another statute allowed the killing of more horses. Again, a permit was needed from county commissioners.

Ranchers manipulated the bloodlines in these range herds. They released quality stallions to improve the wild-running herds, sometimes killing the herds old stallion to make it easier for the new stallion to take over. The U.S. Cavalry had a constant need for a large supply of quality horses. The Army Remount Service gave good stallions to ranchers who used them to raise quality stock. The Army then had first rights to buy the stallions offspring. These stallions were often turned loose with range herds. (Here, I change to calling these wild horses, since this covers horses outside of Nevada.)

In 1898, the Spanish-American War created a huge horse market. Following that, the 1899 Boer war saw 350,000 horses sold to the British for $10 a horse, many of them wild stock. World War I saw as many as one million horses transported to Europe. During this period, wild horse populations across the West dropped drastically.

After these wars ended, horse prices dropped. By 1925, one million wild horses lived in the West, including many turned out after farmers and ranchers obtained tractors. Some of todays poor range conditions can be blamed on the huge numbers of wild horses during the 1920-1930s.

During the 1920s, markets developed for chicken feed, pet food and protein for human consumption. The 1934 Taylor Grazing Act restricted the number of cattle and sheep on the range, so ranchers removed many wild horses to lessen their competition with livestock.

During the 1940-1950s, 100,000 wild horses were removed from the Nevada rangeland to feed these markets. The railroads offered a low, chicken feed rate for transporting horses. They had no obligation to feed or water the stock during transport. Such lucrative trade created a large business for gathering wild horses. Following World War II, jeeps, trucks and small aircraft allowed mustangers to chase wild horses.

Wild horses at that time were seen as range pests, stunted animals having poor breeding. During the 1950s, the number of wild horses in the west plummeted to 20,000, setting the stage for Nevadas own Wild Horse Annie to get to work.

(Continued next week)
Everybody talks about (and often to) the Big Four virtual assistants  Siri, Alexa, Cortana and Google Assistant. But many other companies are working on virtual assistants, too.

Huawei is working on a virtual assistant for the Chinese market.

Samsung offers Bixby on its Galaxy S8 or S8+ smartphones.

Voice recognition giant Nuance offers an enterprise ready virtual assistant called Nina, which specializes in knowing the limits of A.I. and kicking queries over to a team of human assistants when necessary. Nuance this month announced a Nina "skill" on Amazon's Alexa platform.

European telecom Orange offers a virtual assistant called Djingo. A french startup is building an x.ai-like meeting scheduling virtual assistant called Julie Desk. And noHold makes a highly customizable virtual assistant called Albert.

There are dozens of others.

[ To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page. ]

The problem with choice in voice-based virtual assistants is that you have to choose one and stick with it. And you shouldn't have to.

The memorize-the-magic-words option

"You should be able to tell Alexa, 'Ask Siri'," Amazon senior vice president of devices, David Limp, said at a conference this week.

Limp's sketchy vision for how virtual assistants should work together is wrong in three ways.

First, he imagines the user telling one all-purpose virtual assistant to "ask" another specific all-purpose virtual assistant. In this imagining, Apple would create a Siri "skill" and become an adjunct to the Alexa platform, something that's inconceivable. Apple maintains Siri to provide an interface feature to Apple hardware like iPhones, iPads, Apple TV and Macs -- not to provide benefits to Amazon Echo users. Siri will never be an Alexa "skill."

Second, this is how "skills" work on Alexa, and it's fatally flawed. In order to use "skills," the user has to specify the service, then say the magic words that enable that "skill" to produce the desired result. Alexa has thousands of skills. But Amazon is relying on users to somehow find skills and memorize their commands. This is why most "skills" are barely used at all.

Third, the only successful models for the future of virtual assistants that work together is either branding awareness (an assistant functions as part of a wider range of features or another product) or direct subscription payments. Current all-purpose assistants are monetized through hardware sales and advertising revenue.

The idea that virtual assistants of the future will work like Alexa's "skills" is very unlikely.

Limp's scenario is one of several suggesting that virtual assistants need to work together.

The open-source option

Playground Global founder and CEO Andy Rubin founded both Danger and Android, and ran Android for Google for years. Now he's got a billion-dollar startup called Essential that recently announced a line of smartphones and other devices.

One of those devices is a virtual assistant appliance called Essential Home, which Rubin says should run Siri, Alexa, Google's Assistant or any virtual assistant customers want to use. The virtual assistant appliance is for consumers, but the concept could be applied to businesses as well. The model is: We build the virtual assistant appliance hardware, but you (the customer) figure out which virtual assistant to put on it.

Based on what Rubin has said, he has no solution to the problem of getting virtual assistants to work with each other, only to get existing virtual assistants to work with his own Home device. He's offering choice, but the actual decision is left to the user.

The bring-your-own-assistant option

Dennis Mortensen is the CEO and founder of x.ai, which makes a virtual assistant that schedules meetings via email.

Mortensen envisions the coming age of BYOA  Bring Your Own Assistant. In his model, the value of each employee or executive in the future will be not only based on their skills, experience and knowledge, but also on the quality of the virtual assistants they use and their skill in using them.

In other words, virtual assistants used in business will not be developed or mandated by the company, but chosen by the employee and carried from one job to the next. This vision is almost certainly accurate, although I would also imagine that companies will deploy and even build their own assistants to add to those chosen and used by employees.

Mortensen also doesn't address the core problem: How do you choose which assistant to use, or decide which module, plug-in or "skill" is best?

The choose-it-for-me option

It's clear that the major tech companies -- Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Samsung and others -- are working on general purpose virtual assistant services and that their strategy is to open their platforms to third-party add-ons. It's equally clear that if each add-on has to be discovered and conjured up individually, this entire approach is dead in the water.

Even smartphone apps, which hold the advantage of reminding the user with an icon and providing visual interface reminders, are far too difficult to discover and remember to use. The virtual assistant equivalent of apps -- plug-ins or add-ons that are invisible and require memorization (command-line interfaces) -- simply won't be used. And as a result, the incentive to even create them in the first place won't exist.

The obvious solution is for the general-purpose virtual assistant to select the app for the user.

Right now, virtual assistants make decisions about which source of information to use. For example, when you ask for the weather, it won't check your calendar. It will recognize the category of query and reach out to whatever weather service the assistant is hard-wired to use.

Virtual assistants should work initially like apps, then later not at all like apps. At first individual users should find, and in some cases pay for or subscribe to, specific virtual assistant services such as a meeting scheduler or a flight-booking add-ons.

Once installed, however, the user of those services should be the virtual assistant, not the human.

It should be possible, in fact, to install or subscribe to several flight-booking add-ons. Later, when you want to fly somewhere, you should tell your assistant, "book me a flight to Chicago next Wednesday," and the assistant itself should query all the add-ons to arrive at the best price or best combination of cost, travel time, flight schedule, airline carrier and other factors.

Although this general approach is obvious, it's not obvious that current virtual assistant artificial intelligence is up to the job yet. We may have to wait a few years.

But when it does arrive, we'll find ourselves in Mortensen's BYOA world, where employees will choose the vertical assistants or assistant plug-ins. Employees will choose them, but the assistants will use them.
This site, and most of the press, have quite understandably focused on the internal dynamics of the Conservative Party since the scale of Theresa Mays electoral setback really set in on Friday morning.

But it mustnt be forgotten that the result also poses a challenge to another group: Labours anti-Corbynites, a group which (at least until 10pm on Thursday) included the vast majority of its MPs.

Many had hoped that a serious defeat would lead the party membership, Jeremy Corbyns support base, to abandon their champion. Instead he now enjoys  at least relative to expectations  a vindication from the electorate, and plans to tighten the lefts grip on the party.

Analysis of the result seems to fall into two broad camps. The first is that if even Labours present, shambolic leadership could fight May to a hung parliament then imagine what a properly-led campaign could have achieved.

This is the line taken up by Chris Leslie, a veteran critic of Corbyn, on the Today programme this morning when he said that the result wasnt good enough given the open goal the party had faced.

(This thinking seems to mirror that of Tory MPs such as Johnny Mercer, who seems to think that if even May could get 42.4 per cent of the vote just imagine what a Cameroon leader would have accomplished.)

Another, possibly more cautious, school of thought focuses on the fact that Labours previous leaders and approaches didnt lead to 40 per cent of the vote (which they last achieved under Tony Blair in 2001), and are prepared to concede that the result may represent an achievement for Corbyn rather than any sort of electoral floor.

With the Government now operating as a minority, with DUP support, how these MPs choose to act over the next few months could have a huge impact on the country.

If they row in behind Corbyn, would he now be able to provide effective opposition? Or would the current pattern hold, where he excels in campaigns but not in the day-to-day political grind. And if he is effective, does that create the risk that he might actually end up as Prime Minister if the country ends up at the polls again in the autumn or the spring?

For all that they never thought it a remote possibility, many Labour MPs genuinely dont want that to happen even if it could. Not only do they profoundly disagree with their leader on major issues, but a spell in government could also do what his leadership in opposition has yet to do and retoxify Labour.

In the course of this campaign the Tories have learned that the Winter of Discontent is now too far in the past to be electorally potent. A huge proportion of the electorate cant really remember a pre-Blair Labour government. Thats a gift to the modern Labour Party which a Corbynite administration would squander in short order.

On the other hand, theyll want to go on the attack against a deeply wounded Prime Minister and Government. Maintaining their partys divisions risks giving Theresa May and the Conservatives the breathing room they need to regroup.

All thats certain for now is that Corbyns hold on the leadership is secure. The influence of his faction over the machinery of the Labour Party may yet increase. This poses his internal opponents with a painful dilemma, and a lot may hinge on how they resolve it.
I take the war list and I run down it. (Master of Caius, Chariots of Fire)



Gavin Barwell, a front-runner for promotion to the Cabinet, and a real talent. Julian Brazer, brave, kind, a former Minister  and caught in a student tsunami last week. David Burrowes, one of the few Conservative politicians with a real feel for families policy, and the nicest man one could hope to meet. Jane Ellison, the woman Minister most likely to move upwards. Ben Gummer, who will now unfairly be dumped on for all the failures the Conservative campaign, and who could have served with distinction at Justice. Stewart Jackson, my old comrade from the Shadow CLG team. Charlotte Leslie, a former columnist for this site, a devoted servant of her constituents, under-utilised by the Party. David Nuttall, Brexit stalwart. Edward Timpson, who defied the electoral odds in Crewe and Nantwich for so long. Rob Wilson, seasoned operator. James Wharton, the man who introduced the first EU referendum Bill

ConservativeHome has a list in full, and there are so many others who could be named. Some of the above I know very well, others less well, some scarcely at all. But all made a real contribution to public and they, plus those not named above, should be honoured this morning.

Some Tory MPs who lost their seats after the 2015 election felt strongly that neither Downing Street, CCHQ nor the Whips Office pulled their finger out to help them make the transition from Parliament to life outside. All three must do better this time.
Something is wrong on the planet Jupiter. Astronomers have just revealed that the famous Giant Red Spot is shrinking for some reason. The massive anti-cyclonic storm, once so large that three Earths could fit inside its tempest, has shrunk to the smallest size scientists have ever measured. Recent observations by NASAs Hubble Space Telescope show the diameter to be only 10,250 miles across, down from the historic measurements of 25,500 miles taken as far back as the 1800s, a shrinkage of over half.

The Giant Red Spot is an essential fixture of any image of Jupiter and nobody really knows what the spot is (besides being the largest storm in the solar system) or even when it was discovered.

The first person to actually study Jupiter was Galileo using a 30 power telescope he had made himself. The story of his discovery of the four largest moons of Jupiter in January 1610 is well known. From his detailed records Galileo studied the motions of Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto nightly for three months before he announced to the world in March of their detection.

Although Galileo was a meticulous observer, no mention of any giant spot on the face of the planet was made in his notebook sketches. Because Jupiter rotates very quickly on its axis and has a day only ten hours long, we can make the highly probable assumption that his observations for so long a time included the entire surface of the planet. The Giant Red Spot must have formed after 1610.

Sometimes the first sighting of the Giant Red Spot is credited to Robert Hooke the English natural philosopher in May of 1664 described a spot on the planet. Unfortunately, Hookes spot was in the wrong belt altogether (the North Equatorial Belt, versus the current Great Red Spots location in the South Equatorial Belt). The following year Giovanni Cassini described a permanent spot on the planet which was observed by other astronomers from 1665 to 1713.

A 1711 canvass by Italian painter Donato Creti under the guidance of Vatican astronomer Eustachio Manfredi is the first known to depict the spot being red but this was apparently forgotten as no textbook before the 1800s described the spot as being red in color. Astronomers usually say the first record of the Great Red Spot is a drawing made in 1831 by German amateur astronomer Samuel Heinrich Schwabe of the Hollow in which the spot sits.

The Great Red Spot itself has been continuously observed since 1878 when it was described by American astronomer Carr Walter Pritchett. Some believe that the spot may have formed, dissipated and re-formed again. Perhaps it has a cyclic history with a time period on the order of centuries.

It is not known exactly what causes the Great Red Spots reddish color. Theories supported by laboratory experiments suppose that the color may be caused by complex organic molecules much like those found on the reddish tinged moon of Saturn, Titan.

New NASA-funded research suggests that Jupiters Great Red Spot may be the mysterious heat source behind Jupiters surprisingly high upper air temperatures. Even though Jupiter is five times further from the Sun, the temperature of its atmosphere rivals that of Earth.

Researchers from Boston Universitys Center for Space Physics mapped the temperatures around the Giant Red Spot using the NASA Infrared Telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii and found temperatures to be much higher in the vicinity of the giant spot.

We could see almost immediately that our maximum temperatures occurred above the Great Red Spot  said Boston Universitys James ODonoghue, lead author of the study. Upper-atmospheric temperatures were seen to be hundreds of degrees hotter than can be explained by sunlight alone.

It is still not understood what causes this temperature difference although they speculated that vibrational waves between the top of the storm and the surface of the planet may play a key role.

The Great Red Spot should not be confused with the Great Dark Spot, a feature observed near the northern pole of Jupiter in 2000 with the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft. Nor should you confuse that spot with the strange weather feature in the atmosphere of Neptune also called the Great Dark Spot found by Voyager 2 in 1989. On the other hand is the Great White Spot, a similar storm on Saturn large enough to be visible by telescope from Earth and first recorded in 1876 by Asaph Hall.
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The first person to put sperm under a microscope was Dutchman (insert Dutch sex joke here) Antony van Leeuwenhoek in the mid 1670's. He helped develop the first compound microscope, discovered bacteria and blood cells and is generally considered to be the person to open up the microscopic world to scientists.

Good scientist that he was, it wasn't long before he was studying his own ejaculate.

Apparently he was actually rather shy about it, and it wasn't until his colleagues encouraged him to study sperm that he finally looked and discovered what must have blown his mind in the 1670s. We take it for granted now, but can you imagine the first glimpse? "Oh my god there are little tadpoles in there!"

Van Leeuwenhoek called them "animacules." What he had found was sperm.

Once van Leeuwenhoek discovered sperm, he was also nervous about sharing it with the world. He wrote to the Royal Society of London in 1677 and politely reported his findings. He made sure to attach a disclaimer with his research. He had to be careful lest he end up as a head on London Bridge for even daring to study something so salacious at the time.

He wrote to the Royal Society of London;

If your Lordship should consider that these observations may disgust or scandalise the learned, I earnestly beg your Lordship to regard them as private and to publish or destroy them as your Lordship sees fit.

To his relief, the President of the Royal Society of London publishes van Leeuwenhoek's findings in the journal Philisophical Transactions in 1678. Thus began the brand new scientific field of sperm biology.

Once sperm was discovered, two schools of thought formed and their argument persisted for over 200 years. One group, known as the "preformationists," theorized that each sperm contained a complete human being, and that putting sperm inside a woman was sort of like planting a seed in the ground. The soil helped the seed grow, but the seed was the magic part. It had all of the characteristics of the already formed human being living inside of it.

In this analogy women are like dirt.

And how is everyone enjoying the sexism?

Another group, known as the "epegenesists", believed that both males and females contributed to the formation and growth of a new organism. Not surprisingly the epegenesists were proven correct. And not surprisingly, it took over 200 years to achieve this proof. It wasn't until the mid 19th century scientists started using better microscopes to look at sea urchin eggs which are clear. This study of embryonic development went a long way to disproving preformation.

So while some study of sperm is going on, and I do mean "some" because this kind of research was still a little touchy to the church. Almost no research was being done on how sperm react to being inside a female body. Fertility research was slow to take off. Sexism was again playing a part.

"Part of that is a male bias in biology to think the female is not an important part of the story, and that goes way back in sperm biology to this whole idea of preformation," says Syracuse University biologist Scott Pitnick.

On the technical side, it is hard to observe sperm inside a woman. It is hard to get a camera in there. Pitnik was able to dye fruit fly sperm and observe them in real time as they move through the female (fruit fly) reproductive system.

Without knowing enough about the female reproductive track, scientists were not able to make a lot of headway in fertility science and that is one area of science that is still a mystery to much of the community.

"In many cases, it is a compatibility difference between a specific male and female, and they don't know the underlying mechanism," Pitkin says. "Understanding sperm-female interactions can certainly shed light on understanding new explanations for infertility, and possibly new solutions for it."

Sperm research can also shed light on the question of a male contraceptive that still eludes modern science.

A private group called the Male Contraceptive Initiative has launched a contest where they will fund one innovative contraceptive research project. Gunda Georg at The University of Minnesota has made it through the first round for her research in infertility-associated genes in mice that could lead to a development of a male birth control pill.

Her research is concentrated on dosage.

"if a man stops taking the pill, he has to completely return to normal," Georg says.

So far, researchers have tried gels and pills have not been able to find anything that is reliable and effective. But have no fear, the development of the male contraceptive is driven by the want for men to have sex. Believe me, the funding will appear. The "guy pill" will get done.

See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
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Los Angeles citizens voted for the legalization of marijuana on a commercial level last November to be started in 2018. As the first major municipality and the largest marketplace for commercially legal marijuana, L.A will become the blueprint for municipalities facing the oncoming wave of weed business as prohibition ends.

It's not like they can grow it all over the Hollywood Hills. All growers will be required to grow indoors and are confined to industrial neighborhoods. Residential areas are off limits to both grower and dispensaries. In addition, dispensaries will have to be 800 feet from any schools and libraries. As if any stoner wouldn't walk 800 feet to smoke a joint.

There is also a system established for handing out (and paying for) thousands of licenses from growing to distribution and sale.

Other factors are also in play. To prevent the type of unfair (and racist) distribution of dispensaries like what often goes on with the distribution of liquor licenses and the placement of liquor stores, the proposed rules will make sure that there is no concentration of pot shops in only a handful of certain communities.

"No one neighborhood should bear the brunt of the cannabis business," City Council member Nury Martinez said.

It was feared that some neighborhoods would see a boom in pot shops over the next year and then experience a rise in crime around these locations. Since the banking industry is largely closed to the marijuana industry, due to the fact that it is still illegal at the federal level, the entire industry deals mostly in cash. This leads to the opportunities for crime to occur near dispensaries.

Of course, that is the looming question hanging over the entire industry; What will Trump and the Federal government do about intervening with local and state laws? Marijuana is still illegal at the federal level.

Los Angeles is by far the largest marketplace for commercially legal marijuana. It's rules and regulations will forge the way for many more cities to come. That is, unless the Federal Government crashes the party.

See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
125 years ago

June 4, 1892: Weather quite cool; ice a quarter of an inch thick formed Thursday night.

  

Arrangements are being made for a school picnic next Friday, June 10th. It has not been decided as yet whether to have it in Kittridge canyon or on the river.

  

The Humboldt river is raising at the rate of nearly 3,000 miners inches a day along here. There are now over 165,000 inches in the main river. The South Fork is flowing very near as much, giving 300,000 inches flowing through the canon above Carlin. Susie creek, with Maggie, Pine, Boulder, Rock and Kelly creeks, and Reese river and the Little Humboldt should be flowing at least 200,000 inches more, or 500,000 inches flowing in the river past Winnemucca.

  

The pavilion and grand stand for the 4th of July exercises will be erected on the base ball grounds, opposite the flour mill.

100 years ago

June 5, 1917: The city dads met last night for their first official meeting, but aside from paying the bills and authorizing the issuance of 29 liquor licenses nothing else was done. The license ordinance was not quite ready, but it was decided that the ordinance would be passed some night this week under the emergency clause.

June 6, 1917: Yesterday Johnny Hicks, one of the well-known Indian boys in this vicinity, enlisted in the regular army, selecting the engineer corps. He successfully passed the examination here and was sent on to headquarters at San Francisco, leaving last night. Johnny is an educated Indian, and will make a splendid soldier, and the people of Elko are proud of the fact that Elko county has furnished the only Indian to enlist from Nevada.

  

1391 Men registered in Elko County. With practically all the large precincts heard from in the county there are still five out and the total will possibly run well towards the 1,500 mark. Here are the registrations by precincts: Butte, 7; Bryan, 15; Carlin, 95; Cloverdale, 15, Clover Valley, 9; Contact, 38; Elko, 333; Ft. Halleck, 4; Halleck, 19; Huntington, 12; Island Mountain, 16; Jack Creek, 47; Jarbidge, 65; Lamoille, 53; Mardis, 13; Metropolis, 28; Midas, 57; Montello, 111; Mound Valley, 21; ONeil, 9; Railroad, 11; Ruby Valley, 28; Shafter, 10; South Fork,27; Starr Valley, 36; Toano, 18; Tuscarora, 38; White Rock, 25; Weiland, 13, Wells, 17. Total, 1,391.

June 8, 1917: Sheriff Harris is rounding up the men who failed to register on June 5, and to date has the names of 130, of which number 30 registered this forenoon. The government has notified the sheriff to be lenient with those who failed to comply with the law on the 5th, and as the great majority are men herding sheep in the hills, it is not thought they are avoiding service. The sheriff hopes to have them all registered before the end of the week.

75 years ago

June 4. 1042: Elko county is in the scrap scrap against the Jap  and any other guys whod like to pull down the banner of the United States. Seven tons of scrap iron were piled in front of the Nevada Equipment company today, being received by H.H. Mills, manager. The first load of scrap was brought in by Clarence and Dan Glaser of Halleck. They had 3675 pounds in the load. The second came from Joe Riordan of Jiggs and the third from the Nevada Equipment company, making seven tons. The Glasers and Riordan elected to take the money they receive from the scrap in war bonds.

June 5, 1942: Work on the Lamoille-Elko road sector, which was started recently, has been suspended temporarily, according to Frank Depp, division highway engineer. The Nevada Rock and Sand company, which has the contract, was authorized to move its equipment to a government defense job for three weeks. It is hoped that the work will be resumed after the government work is completed.

  

Ira Woodhouse, son of Ike Woodhouse of Lamoille, is visiting his father here for a short time. He is on his way to the coast. This is the first time in 22 years that they have seen each other. Ira went to the last war and since that time has been located in the east and Chicago, where he now resides.

50 years ago

June 5, 1967: An estimated 450 to 500 people attended the dedication ceremonies and barbeque at the new Sheep Creek Reservoirs grand opening Saturday. Arthur T. Manning, chairman of the Shoshone-Paiute tribes, served as master of ceremonies. The invocation was given by Thomas Premo, and old timer and a resident of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation. The majority of those present were from Elko County and the large attendance showed that people will support the development of recreational areas such as Sheep Creek Reservoir, near Owyhee, Nevada.

June 7, 1967: The Nevada Supreme Court ruled 2-1 Monday that the 50 percent increase in the states sales tax was valid and it could go into effect July 1st. The decision means that on July 1st the sales tax will go up from two to three cents on every dollar item purchased. The 1967 legislature approved the 1% sales tax as a way to finance the demands of education. All of the proceeds, expected to be $12 million a year, will be returned to the county of origin for support of schools. However, the legislature drew back $6 million of state support which is presently going to the 17 districts. So education gets a net gain of $6 million a year.

  

Fisheries personnel seined 6,800 bass from Ruby Marsh last week, mostly from the Brown dike area. Some of these are slated for tagging and return to the marsh. Others will be stocked in Willow Creek Reservoir, Deep Creek Reservoir, Metropolis Reservoir, and other waters.

25 years ago

June 4, 1992: Elko County Commissioners are upset with a Nevada Department of Wildlife letter that supports the U.S. Forest Services decision to list the northern goshawk as a sensitive species. At yesterdays meeting, commissioners also said they had problems with the forest services rating factors for the goshawk. The commission has threatened to sue unless the bird is taken off the list.

June 5, 1992: Elko Archery Club will hold its annual Northeast Nevada Bowhunter Classic tomorrow and Sunday in the Ruby Mountains, with about 250 bow hunters from the intermountain area expected to attend. The shoot, one of the largest in the state, will be held at the Lions Club Camp in Lamoille. According to Bob Sneed, Elko club president, archers will shoot at 40 3-D animal targets tomorrow and at 20 different 3-D targets Sunday. Targets will be set up along a winding course that stretches up to 1 miles.

  

Members of Elkos Animal Control Advisory Board came full circle yesterday when they voted to recommend that the new animal shelter be located at the landfill. The landfill was the first choice of the board three years ago when planning began but water and sewer was not available at the landfill. They have now been installed. On May 7 the board voted to recommend that the shelter be located on a parcel of land near the intersection of West Main Street and Hot Springs Road. The shelter must move because plans for the city sewer-treatment plant headworks project call for locating a primary clarifier at the pounds current site west of Elko.
Sam Lowes has spoken out against Aprilia in light of a frustrating qualifying session at the Circuit of Catalunya, during which familiar technical issues prevented him from posting a competitive time, and rumours surrounding his future.

The Englishman described Saturday as "a bad day, the worst of the year" after machine troubles grounded him in the 15-minute Q1 shootout. Lowes barely had the chance to exercise the RS-GP's potential around the Montmel? track, posting just one lap and qualifying 21st in spite of showing decent pace in earlier sessions.

There were also underlying frustrations at rumours that have circulated around the MotoGP paddock, which have linked several other names to his seat for the 2018 season. "Those rumours are typical of what's wrong with the situation," he said.

For two weekends now Lowes has spoken of the need to improve communication in his side of the garage, and went on to state he needs some of those around him to have a greater understanding of his current issues, namely that he is two specs of engine behind team-mate Aleix Espargaro, who qualified fifth.

"I don't know," said Lowes when initially asked about the track condition. "In the garage it was nice... It was a bad day. Worst day of the year for me, not from myself, I felt quite good, did a good FP4, quite a good rhythm, 1m 47.0 on lap twelve of the tyre, which in the race can be not so bad, actually.

"But it was bad. A bad day. Same as Mugello, we had problems, Jerez I missed qualifying and today, this morning I had lots of problems and in qualifying I didn't even do a lap. I did a lap, but it was not working right. I'm frustrated. It's a tough time, tough time of the year, tough situation in the garage and some certain things going and to not even be on the track is a bit of a joke, really.

"I don't really know [the cause of the mechanical issues]. They don't know yet, about the problem for today. The team's doing a good job, Aleix did a good job, really good job today so well done to him. His bike must be working good, I wish I could ride his bike, because that's where we're at now.

"I never say anything. But there's a time that now it's not good enough, at all. I'm riding good, I'm doing a good job, I'm not crashing the bike, I'm doing solid, when we go testing I'm doing a good job.

"Yesterday, I was one second or 1.1s off. It's alright, on an Aprilia as a rookie, you're riding good. It's hard. When you're not on track, you can't improve. All I need is laps. Let me ride around, don't even change the bike."

Sam Lowes: "Aprilia putting pressure for results and it's about time I put some pressure bac... https://t.co/dmrEYedFjN #MotoGP-- CRASH.NET MotoGP (@crash_motogp) June 10, 2017

Asked whether these recurring issues come as a surprise, considering he is part of a full factory team, Lowes continued: "The situation, honestly, at the minute, I'm not happy with it.

"The team's very high quality, the level of the team's very high quality, but at the minute I'm not happy. Not happy with the respect, the situation and the communication has really been bad.

"You hear things, obviously in the paddock you hear what's going on and I understand the situation and obviously I know exactly the situation. Honestly, for me, it's nearly unbelievable.

"It's nearly unbelievable, I lay in bed at night, and some of the things going on, I'm shocked and disappointed and I'm just thinking, 'fair enough'. And they don't understand... my results haven't been great, but as a rookie on this bike and the package I'm on all the time, being a little bit behind, they don't quite understand and that's very strange for me.

"In this paddock, you need people who understand other people and that's what I need at the minute, other people do understand. We'll see. I'm disappointed today, very disappointed."

Listening to @SamLowes22 media debrief and can't help but feel angry about the situation he is in. Keep your head high mate #stepbystep-- Jonathan Rea (@jonathanrea) June 10, 2017

Given the difference in equipment with his team-mate and reliability issues, Lowes was particularly annoyedlinking names, including Andrea Iannone and Cal Crutchlow, to his seat for 2018.

The Englishman is in the first of a two-year MotoGP deal, but there are suggestions his contract has certain performance related clauses.

"If it carries on like this, I don't want to ride it anyway," he said. "Some things like that, that doesn't really bother me, because I know the situation, but those rumours are typical of what's wrong with the situation.

"They need to sort the problems out. It doesn't matter if you're Valentino Rossi, if you don't go out in qualifying you can't be on the f**king front row. Anyway, tomorrow will be quite good. I feel my pace, I'm riding quite well, I can keep my pace a bit longer, the last 10 laps are going to be really bad for everybody, so we're going to have to see how that is. I'm improving, I feel quite relaxed on the bike."
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CRN Exclusive: D&H Launches Training, Incentive Blitz To Double Its HPE Business Within Next Year

Michael Novinson

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D&H Distributing is looking to double its HPE business in the next 12 months by deploying an array of vendor-specific training, incentives and quoting capabilities.

The Harrisburg, Penn.-based distributor said it is laser-focused on growing wallet share among HPE's entry-level partners by getting them to resell the vendor's entire product portfolio and moving them up the medallion stack through additional sales and certifications, according to Greg King, senior director of D&H's HPE business unit.

D&H today represents just 1 percent of HPE's channel today, King said, and is focused on selling to owner-operated businesses with less than 100 seats. There's an area where HPE believes there's a lot of room to grow, King said.

[Related: CRN Exclusive: D&H Distributing Rolls Out Extended Credit Lines As Part Of Larger Push To Help Partners Win]

"There is so much underpenetrated business out there for HPE among this class of customers," King told CRN exclusively. "Of all the distributors, we're the closest to the SMB space."

D&H has doubled its dedicated HPE workforce to 10 employees over the past three months in an effort to become more outbound-focused and less reactive, King said. The distributor plans to target the 9,000 entry-level HPE partners not doing any business with D&H today, according to King.

"Before that, we just didn't have the bandwidth to focus on that [proactive recruitment]," King said. "Now, we want to scale our business to match our growth in resources."

Three-quarters of D&H's sales are to solution providers in the lowest level of HPE's partner program or resellers not working with HPE at all today, according to King. HPE is focused on putting resources into its gold and platinum partners, King said, and wants its distributors to focus on accounts where there's not a dedicated HPE field manager.

King said D&H is in communication with its existing Dell reseller base to explain the benefits of its HPE offering. The distributor is authorized to resell Dell's client products, King said, but not its enterprise portfolio.

Knowledge has been the biggest barrier to D&H partners selling more HPE products, King said, with many solution providers finding they have to put in hours of labor before getting to a price. D&H is committed to helping partners come up with the right price more quickly by helping them better leverage HPE's programs, King said.

Although D&H won't interfere with HPE's deal registration pricing, King said the distributor is giving them the necessary funds to go after the competition.

"We're going to be working with these partners to make sure they can win business with their end users over the phone," King said. "It gives them a fighting chance to get competitive against Dell and the other competition out there."

Partners looking to participate in D&H's HPE program are asked to go through a four-hour online certification covering the vendor's product sets, financial services, and web-based automated quoting function, King said. D&H is looking to provide pricing and certifications that would benefit new or lower-tier HPE partners.

"We are serving up the content in a very digestible way," King said.

D&H will be presenting results of its HPE push to the vendor on a monthly basis, King said, as well as sharing a lot of info with D&H Co-Presidents Dan and Michael Schwab, who King said are very close to the program.

All told, King said D&H's new initiative should take the complication out of HPE and provide partners with a simpler way of understanding the vendor's products and programs. As a result, King said D&H should be able to help partners grow from being small HPE customers today to larger ones in the future.

Bridgehead IT said D&H's product knowledge and deep support around HPE would help the San Antonio, Texas-based HPE reseller enhance its business model, according to a statement from Chief Procurement Officer Julia Kester.

Specifically, Kester said D&H's program would allow Bridgehead to accelerate its networking sales by providing the solution provider with the tools needed to implement a new series of networking solutions that bring more value to the SMB office environment.
Much has been written about the Pony Express and the place it has occupied in the History of the American West. Many of the stories were romanticized fictional accounts. One true story about the Pony Express that is well documented is the exciting adventures of Pony Bob Haslam.

Born in England in 1840, Robert Haslam came to the United States as a teenager. At age 20, he was hired by Russell, Majors and Waddell, founders of the Pony Express, to help build the Pony Express stations through Nevada.

April 3, 1860 was the official beginning of service for the Pony Express with riders leaving eastbound from San Francisco and westbound from St. Joseph Missouri. Robert Haslam, later to be called Pony Bob, was assigned to the run from Fridays Station (State Line Nevada) to Bucklands Station near present Fort Churchill 75 miles east.

The year 1860 was historically important in the history of Nevada. At that time, what we now know as western Nevada was part of the western Utah Territory. This region was loosely called Washoe, due to the Washoe Indians who had inhabited the area for centuries.

Following the discovery of silver in the Gold Canyon and Virginia City area in 1859, the Rush to Washoe was in full swing by the spring of 1860. At the same time, on April 3, 1860, the Pony Express started operation through this region. Then, in May of 1860, the Pyramid Lake Indian War started when Williams Station east of Bucklands Station was attacked by the Paiute Indians.

Robert Haslam began his assigned run from Fridays Station to Bucklands beginning with the very first cross country run of the Pony Express. On May 10, 1860, he received the east bound mail at Fridays Station and headed east through stations at Carson City, Dayton and Millers before reaching Bucklands. When he reached Bucklands Station, he found the relief rider was so badly frightened over the threat of Indian attacks that he refused to take the mail. Haslam agreed to take the mail all the way to Smith Creek for a total distance of 190 miles without a rest.

After resting for nine hours, Haslam took the mochila filled with westbound mail and retraced his route back to Bucklands. Along the way he found that Indians had raided the Cold Springs Station, killing the station keeper and running off all the stock. Without changing mounts, he continued on to Bucklands. The trip was a total of 380 miles, making it the longest trip in the history of the Pony Express.

Not only did Pony Bob Haslam complete the longest ride in history, but he also participated in completing the fastest trip ever made by the Pony Express. People in the American West were so far removed from the seat of government in Washington, D.C., they were eager to receive news of a political nature as quickly as possible. In March 1861, Abraham Lincoln delivered his Inaugural Address. Whether people in Nevada and California supported the Union or the Confederacy depended largely on the policies set forth in Lincolns address.

Pony Bob Haslam was the rider who delivered the news of Lincolns election and he was the rider who delivered the the inaugural address to Fort Churchill where it was telegraphed to Sacramento and San Francisco over a little known newly installed telegraph line called Fred Bees Grapevine. This was on November 14, 1860, just seven days after the news left the east.

After the Pony Express ceased operations in November 1861, Pony Bob went to work for Wells Fargo & Company as an express rider on the route between Virginia City and Fridays Station for more than a year. When the Central Pacific Railroad reached Reno, he made the run from from Virginia City to Reno for about six months. He routinely made the 23-mile run in just short of one hour. After telegraph lines were completed connecting these cities, Haslam was transferred to Idaho where he continued working on a route between Queens River and Owyhee River.

Pony Bob saw and experienced many tragedies during his career as a Pony Express rider. He had suffered being wounded by Indians and while in Idaho, his route passed by a place where 90 Chinamen had been massacred by Modoc Indians. Their corpses were still on the ground. Bob Haslam resigned and retired from express riding the Idaho Route. Sye Macaulas took over the route and was killed by Indians the first time he covered the route.

Eventually, Bob Haslam left the West and became close friends with Buffalo Bill Cody, who had also been a Pony Express rider. Haslam settled in Chicago where he was associated with the management of the Congress Hotel Association. Pony Bob Haslam died at the age of 72 in Chicago in February 1912.
Theres little doubt that were living in the most technologically advanced era in history. All through time, new innovations have brought with them convenience and better quality of life, but too often they also resulted in a fresh look at the ways that innovation could be used for harm.

Take dynamite, for example. The American westward expansion meant the construction of a cross-country railroad, but the work of building it was deadly. Swedish scientist Alfred Nobel invented dynamite as a cost effective way to safely blast through mountains, which allowed for the building of the railroad without as much loss of human life. His creation was later turned into a weapon, which prompted him to leave his fortune to the establishment of the famous prizes for achievements in science, math, the arts, and of course, peace.

Things like home AI-driven personal assistants, fitness wearables, and even sleep tracking apps arent vital to the fabric of society, and theyre certainly not on par with life-changing tools like Nobels dynamite. But they are fun, useful, convenient devices that can improve our everyday lives except when they lead to a loss of privacy.

Ive written before about my own familys experience with an Amazon Echo device, and how it made us rethink the privacy that we blindly give up without even thinking about it. There has already been one privacy lawsuit due to a criminal case in which prosecutors believed key evidence had been gathered by the defendants Echo. More recently, Burger King faced consumer backlash over a marketing campaign in which the actor in a television commercial intentionally activated the viewers Google Home devices. Google was less impressed than the consumers, rest assured.

A new consumer goods vs privacy lawsuit has now been filed against audio technology company that manufactures high-dollar sound systems, headphones, and more. The plaintiff claims that the smartphone app which lets you select music, audiobooks, podcasts and more actually gathers your listening preferences and sells that information to third parties, including data mining company. On the surface, who cares if an advertiser knows what kind of music you like to listen to when you wake up, or when you get off work? Wouldnt it be nice for advertisers to present you with offers for things you actually want, rather than random selections?

In the case of this lawsuit, however, the plaintiff and his attorneys are far more concerned about the other content consumers listen to, like podcasts, for example. Is it possible to create a profile about someone based on their music preferences, news sources, and favorite podcasts? Could someone potentially piece together the listeners religious views, political leanings, or even sexual orientation from the content they choose to consume?

This lawsuit brings up an important issue, one that all consumers take for granted, and thats the terms and conditions for using the product. After all, no one forced the public to install Amazon Echo devices in their homes, wear luxury headphones, or download the latest fitness app and agree to have their locations tracked; those were just the natural consequences of purchasing and using the device.

But theres an important issue at stake: what happens when the product isnt voluntary, as in the case of Indias new compulsory identification system that uses everything from name and address to biometric markers? Thats a stark example, but in the case of the audio technology lawsuit, the plaintiffs attorneys contend that not only can consumers not see the terms and conditions at signup, they also dont say anything about gathering and selling your preferences. In a similar privacy situation, Uber has faced scrutiny for news that it developed fingerprinting capabilities that allowed it to track users iPhones even after the app was deleted, and that it was able to track users locations even when they were not using the service. Is it really so far-fetched to compare forced biological identification of all citizens to not telling consumers what information is gathered or how its used?

At the heart of the privacy debate are the unspoken rules about what companies can do with our data. Even when we know that our activity and information and even our voices are being recorded and stored, what obligation does a company have to tell us every single example of how it can be used? As consumers, we might not mind if our listening preferences are used to advertise related goods or services, but do we have to agree to every possible use of informationboth positive and negativeas an unavoidable part of data gathering?

The bigger concern is why any company would think its OK to not inform its customers of the rights theyre signing away. After all, checking the box that youve read the full agreement has been called the biggest lie on the internet. Its alarming to think that we have already adopted a cultural mindset that privacy is just something we sacrifice to make sure we have a ride to the airport, or to turn our lights on when were late getting home. If the agreement we entered into by checking that one tiny boxwhether its completely truthful or notis akin to signing away our right to privacy, its time for us as consumers and advocates to speak up, learn the ramifications, and ultimately, vote with our dollars.
Lets start with a post script to our last column in which we speculated about what the new administration in Washington may hold for the mining industry.

One prospect we offered was that the new president had campaigned on eliminating regulations and that using the Congressional Review Act (CRA) would be the means of doing it. For those who missed the article, the CRA is a relatively obscure act passed in 1996 that gives Congress 60 days to review regulations promulgated by federal agencies such as the Department of Interior and Environmental Protection Agency and reject them with a simple majority vote after they were reported to Congress.

The key point in assessing the administrations prospects for regulatory reform was that the Obama administration was extremely lax about reporting new regulations to Congress to start the 60-day clock ticking. That means that the Trump cabinet can take their time going through Obama administration regulations and report them to Congress to start the clock after consulting with stakeholders.

As it turns out, in the Trump administrations first 100 days, the president signed 28 pieces of legislation, and of these, 12 were CRA authorized bills eliminating regulations. These bills were not what the press would call landmark legislation but it is chipping away at the regulatory state and, as we noted in the last article, thats called a win. And, thanks to the lax reporting of the Obama administration, there is more in the pipeline. It should also be noted that the new administration has been very active in eliminating Obama administration executive orders  it seems like almost daily.

The press likes to compare any presidents first 100 days with FDR in the 1930s, but this is not really a fair comparison. FDR did sign a lot of legislation in his first three months but he had overwhelming majorities in the House and Senate and much of his agenda was struck down by the Supreme Court.

Lithium

The more in the title is a brief discussion of the budding lithium industry in Nevada. As you are probably aware, lithium is a metal widely used in batteries most commonly in cell phones but in much greater quantity in hybrid and electric cars. According to Bloomberg, Lithium is:

The lightest metal on the periodic table of the elements and a superb conductor, its what gives the lithium ion batteries in our cellphones, laptops, newer Priuses, and Teslas the ability to recharge more times, last longer, and provide more energy per weight or volume than other battery chemistries. And its cost-effective: The lithium in a Tesla costs around $500, less than a roof rack. Its also what makes devices explode if their battery-management systems arent working properly, as seems to be the case in many so-called hoverboards, or theres a manufacturer defect, as with Samsungs Galaxy Note 7.

As a result of its physical properties and potential economic uses, the search for lithium is the new gold rush as the Bloomberg article seems to promote. There is, indeed, a lot of activity in this space and Nevada is ground zero in North America. Numerous sources and companies are exploring in Nevada: 25 companies have staked more than 13,000 claims with most of the activity in Esmeralda County near Albemarles operations near Silver Peak (Originally operated and probably better known as Foote Minerals). There are other prospects in Mineral and Humboldt Counties. Besides Albemarle, some of the better known companies are Lithium  X, Dajin Resources, and Pure Energy Minerals.

Interest in the metal is driven by the fact that potential uses and demand for lithium seem almost limitless. Besides phones, computers and cars, coupling lithium-ion batteries with solar and wind energy offers the possibility, not lost on Teslas CEO Elon Musk, for storing energy for household and commercial use  a potentially huge market.

In addition, lithium-ion batteries only account for about a third of all battery sales  another large market. Teslas Gigafactory near Reno to manufacture batteries is a big bet on the future of the lithium market, although it isnt clear whether the factory was located in Nevada because of lithium supplies or tax incentives.

Having given a nod to lithium promoters we should note that the industry faces some headwinds. First, the price of energy  oil, natural gas, coal, and distillates  are at decades long lows thanks to the shale oil revolution, fracking, horizontal drilling, etc. This lowers demand for electric cars and retrofitting our entire energy infrastructure. And, energy prices do not look like they are going up anytime soon.

OPECs aspiration of cutting oil production isnt happening. The Saudis may be cutting production but other members need the money and arent. Russian production is hitting record levels (for the same reason) and the U.S. is on the verge of becoming the worlds largest producer. Recent discoveries in Texas and Alaska of two of the largest oil resources ever suggest that the situation is not going to change anytime soon (and as an owner of a truck and motorhome that gets 9 MPG Im happy about that).

Second, lithium-ion technology is relatively new. The battery was only developed in the 1990s (remember cell phones the size of a Kleenex box vs. what you have today?). A consequence of the recent development of the technology is that we really dont have a good estimate of available lithium resources because we have only been exploring for them fairly recently. That means that even if demand increases substantially, as it appears it could, supply could increase as fast or faster leaving the price where it is or possibly lower.

A good parallel is the rare earths market that supports technologies like touch screens and flat screen TVs. Rare earths were only rare because we didnt know what to do with them so there was very little exploration. Once we figured out what to do with them new discoveries followed and the rare earth rush fizzled.
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Just five weeks after giving birth to her daughter Poppy, Melissa Thompson was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer.

It was shocking, terrifying news for the Stamford resident, now 34. And it quickly got even more fraught. I was told that I needed to preserve my fertility if I wanted more children, she said.

That meant freezing her eggs, an expensive procedure that she was initially told her insurance would cover. But, about midway through the process, her insurer contacted her and said they werent covering the procedure after all. They told me they were rescinding the authorization because I had cancer, not infertility, she said.

The distinction made no sense to her.

I was facing chemotherapy, which was known to cause infertility, Thompson said.

The experience was painful and demoralizing, but it ignited a passion in Thompson to change the system. She soon became an advocate for state legislation requiring health insurance coverage for patients who wish to preserve their sperm or eggs following a cancer diagnosis. The legislation had languished for several years before Thompson heard about it.

The bill cleared the state legislature late last month, and many credit Thompson for its success, including State Rep. Matthew Lesser, D-Middletown, who introduced the original bill. Lesser, a cancer survivor who chose to preserve his sperm before treatment, said he has heard of cancer patients delaying treatments so they could start a family, or opting for less effective cancer treatments to preserve their fertility. Because of Thompson, he said, thats no longer a choice Connecticut residents will have to make.

Its incredible what one dedicated individual can do, he said.

A double blow

Often, cancer diagnosis comes when someone is still in his or her childbearing years  or havent even reached that stage of life. According to the National Cancer Institute, about 70,000 people aged 15 to 39 are diagnosed with cancer every year in the United States, as are roughly 10,000 children 14 and younger.

For these patients, being told they have cancer can be a psychological double blow, said Dr. Joshua Hurwitz, a partner at Reproductive Medicine Associates, which has offices in Trumbull, Danbury, Norwalk and Stamford. The clinic  which is not the one Thompson used  has long advocated for coverage for cancer patients.

First, these patients learn they have cancer, then they learn that the treatment they will receive could end their fertility, said Hurwitz, director of fertility preservation for the Western Connecticut Health Network, which includes Danbury, New Milford and Norwalk hospitals. I dont think a patient should have to choose between life-saving cancer treatments and having a baby afterward.

In 2005, Connecticut passed legislation requiring most health policies to cover medically necessary costs of diagnosing and treating infertility. Its one of 15 states to have such a policy. In 2016, the state removed an age restriction from the mandate, which had prevented fertility coverage for women 40 and older. But obstacles to coverage remained for some, including cancer patients who wished to freeze their genetic material.

When Thompson learned insurance wouldnt cover her fertility preservation, she already owed $12,000, which she charged to her credit card. For men, the cost is much less. Lesser said freezing his sperm cost him about $400.

Thompson said, when she was told she had to pay the $12,000, she was in the midst of cancer treatments that had left her mentally and physically exhausted. By the time I was strong enough to look into it, the window to file an appeal had closed, she said.

She contacted her state representative, Caroline Simmons, D-Stamford, to see if she had any options. Thats when Simmons told Thompson about Lessers legislation.

Frankly, it hadnt been all that successful, and we couldnt make it happen, Lesser said.

But when Lesser reintroduced the bill this session, Thompson was by his side, telling her story. She was determined to make the bill a success.

This is an issue that transcends parties, she said. Everybody can connect with it in some way.

Some concerns

Some were concerned about the potential impact the legislation would have on health insurance premiums. The Connecticut Business & Industry Association submitted testimony cautioning against health benefit mandates, or requirements to cover certain services, arguing that these policies restrict choice and increase price.

But Thompson and Lesser said the legislation isnt technically a mandate, as what it primarily does is redefine infertility. Previously, it was defined as the condition of a presumably healthy individual, who is unable to conceive or produce conception or sustain a successful pregnancy during a one-year period. The new legislation removes the words presumably healthy from the definition, and extends it to include those for whom fertility services are medically necessary. This would include cancer patients.

In his testimony, Lesser said it is still unknown what effect the legislation could have on health insurance costs in the coming year.

The response to the bill was largely positive, with medical groups, including the Connecticut State Medical Society, testifying in favor of it. The society has long held the opinion that a persons quality of life  including the ability to have children  should not be harmed by a cancer diagnosis, said Ken Ferrucci, the societys senior vice president of government affairs.

For us, supporting this was a no-brainer, he said.
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Mark Boughton is molding himself as the anti-Lowell P. Weicker Jr.

The longtime Danbury mayor  trying to separate himself from a pack of Republicans with gubernatorial ambitions  wants to abolish the state income tax ushered in by Weicker a quarter-century ago.

Connecticut has a spending problem, not a revenue problem, said Boughton, who blamed the income tax for the exodus of residents and businesses to other states. Since it came onto the books, he said, the state has lost $13.7 billion in net adjusted gross income.

Boughton would offset lost income-tax revenue with a downsizing of state government and regionalization of some municipal services.

Obviously, one only has to look at companies like Aetna and GE, he said. I recently met with some portfolio managers in lower Fairfield County. Probably 70 to 80 percent of them are leaving.

Boughtons Reaganesque vision of tax cuts spurring economic growth coincides with an impasse between Republicans and Democrats over how to close a $5 billion, two-year state budget deficit.

The concept quickly drew plaudits and skepticism during a recent rollout by Boughton, who is raising money for a presumptive run for governor in 2018, in what would be his third shot at the states top office. The income tax accounts for $9 billion of the $15 billion in annual tax revenue collected by the state.

I tell Mark Boughton to get with the real world, Weicker said. Were way past the point in this state where thats in any way conceivable. All thats going to mean is a huge sales tax, and that will really hurt the lower-income families in our state.

History of controversy

A former Republican who ascended to the governors office under the banner of A Connecticut Party, Weicker signed the income tax into law in 1991 with support from Democrats. Connecticut became the 41st state to levy an income tax, with the top marginal rate now at 7 percent for single filers with annual incomes over $500,000.

Weicker, a former U.S. senator and ex-Greenwich first selectman, said his immediate successor vowed to do the same as Boughton proposes.

This is what John Rowland said he was going to do, Weicker said. Im sure wed all like to get rid of it. Just take a look at how much in debt we are with the income tax. Youre obviously going to have to raise corporate taxes, the very thing youre trying to avoid.

But Boughtons stock among conservatives, led by CNBCs Larry Kudlow, appeared to be on the uptick with his call to repeal the state income tax. The one-time Ronald Reagan budget guru and Redding resident tweeted Right On! at Boughton Monday night.

Its the right spirit, Kudlow told Hearst Connecticut Media. I dont know if its the right precise policy. Whichever Republican runs in 2018, theyve got to understand this: Youre not going to balance the budget or significantly reduce the deficit or, for that matter, attract new people and new businesses to the state unless you have growth-oriented tax cuts across the board. If the GOP runs root canal with Novocaine  just cutting the budget, cutting pensions for state workers and so forth  theyre not going to win.

On top of the income tax, Kudlow said, taxes on corporations, property and inheritance, as well as regulations, make Connecticut one of the least competitive states.

Who the hell wants to move to Connecticut? Kudlow said. Its a tragedy. Its a great state.

S.E. Cupp, the conservative CNN talking head, also took notice of Boughtons proposal.

Yaaaassss, @MayorMark, she tweeted Tuesday.

Boughton can use the additional exposure in a logjam of Republicans with gubernatorial hopes, which includes Tim Herbst, Trumbulls first selectman; Peter Lumaj, the GOPs 2014 nominee for secretary of the state; and Dave Walker, the former comptroller general under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Also on that list are Mark Lauretti, the longtime Shelton mayor; Prasad Srinivasan, a state representative from Glastonbury; Steve Obsitnik, a Westport businessman; Toni Boucher, a state senator from Wilton; and Joe Visconti, a former West Hartford councilman.

Themis Klarides and Len Fasano, the GOP leaders of the state House and Senate, havent ruled out running. Neither has Fasanos predecessor, Fairfields John McKinney.

Heres an opportunity

Connecticuts Republican Party boss from 2011 to 2015, Jerry Labriola Jr., said it takes courage to propose wholesale changes the way Boughton has.

Its bold, and not many candidates are willing to take bold positions, Labriola said.

Looking to be the heir apparent to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who is not running for re-election, several Democrats are raising money for presumptive bids for the states top office. They include state Comptroller Kevin Lembo, Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, Middletown Mayor Dan Drew, former Consumer Protection Commissioner Jonathan Harris and former prosecutor Chris Mattei.

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and state Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr. havent shut the door, either.

Like many Republicans, Mark (Boughton) is doubling down on a trickle-down economic theory thats never worked, said Drew, head of the states Democratic mayors group. If you ended the state income tax, particularly for the wealthiest people among us, then state deficits will explode even further and it will lead to the dissolution of many public services, including safety and education. It will hurt the economy in the long run.

Lembo, the chief fiscal guardian of the state, declined to comment through a spokeswoman.

Should Boughton go from exploratory phase to a full-fledged candidate, he said, he will unveil a framework for eliminating the income tax and recalibrating state government.

If you exist and live in the current status quo, youre going to look at it and go, where are we going to find $9 billion?  Boughton said. Thats part of the problem. The vision of the candidates in the field right now cant see past the huge looming deficits to say, Hey, wait heres an opportunity. 

But Boughtons skeptics say that until the mayor fleshes out his proposal, its a leap of faith.

Unless hes got some other plan to magically raise money or eliminate the vast majority of the state spending, I dont see how it could be viable, said David Cadden, a professor emeritus in the School of Business at Quinnipiac University in Hamden. It would put (the state) in bankruptcy.

nvigdor@hearstmediact.com; 203-625-4436; http://twitter.com/gettinviggy
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BRIDGEPORT  Music thundered through Harbor Yard as the 25th annual Juneteenth Parade and Festival rolled off Saturday at noon.

The Juneteenth African-American Caribbean Parade and Festival celebrates the freeing of the last slaves in the United States on June 19, 1865, according to the Juneteenth of Fairfield County website.

People lined Main Street for the parade, and many gathered around McLevy Green, where a stage was set up for musical performance and several vendors and food trucks were open for business.

One man who attended the parade with his son said hes been a Bridgeport resident for more than 30 years, and never misses the parade.

He did not want to give his name, but he said he identifies himself as Jamerican.

It is such a great thing to celebrate our culture, he said.

He said the meaning of the parade was what mattered most.

The festival has been growing every year, the man said. Tears came to my eyes when I saw the pride and enthusiasm of the young folk.

Cynthia Griffin, founder of the Bridgeport Juneteenth Parade and Festival, was near the parades starting point. Griffin was dressed head to toe in green.

Several marching bands and dance teams were in the parade, and they stopped every so often along the route to perform.

Among the many vendors was Adelani Treasures, run by Leticia McFadden, who comes from Baltimore.

McFadden, who said this was her time at the Bridgeport festival, was selling her educational workbook series, along with pieces of African art.

Its a great experience to see everyone come together and celebrate like this, McFadden said.

After the parade ended around 1:15 p.m., celebrations were scheduled to continue until around 7 p.m. in the McLevy Green.
Gold and silver exploration is on the upswing in Nevada after a slow spell, and that is good news for exploration and drilling companies.

Exploration is up. There is a mood of optimism, said Roger Steininger, chief geoscience officer for NuLegacy Gold Corp., which is focused on the Cortez Trend.

He said interest in exploration and the amount of money NuLegacy and others are attracting from investors started improving last fall and is continuing into this year.

This is strictly my view. Weve reached a stable price of gold and people are comfortable with it, Steininger said.

The last five or six years have been difficult. When the economy is down, and the price of gold is down, people arent interested in investing. Since about 2011-2012 has been a pretty bare time, he said.

We raised about $16 million last year, after the money started to flow again, Steininger said. Were spending the money very carefully.

Ronald Parratt, president and chief executive officer of Renaissance Gold Inc. in Reno, agreed the last five years have been pretty dry. Junior companies had trouble raising money. This year it has improved.

He said it seems as though more money is being raised. My guess is we are ahead of last year.

David Shaddrick, president of the Nevada Minerals Exploration Coalition, agreed the past few years have been very difficult for explorers in Nevada and worldwide, but there is improvement.

There is a slow increase in available funding, and we are all hopeful that 2017 will, in fact, be a turn-around year, he said.  A critical feature of the exploration industry is that it depends in large measure on venture capital, which in turn depends in large part on the worldwide perception of Nevada as a venue for investment.

Shaddrick said the venture capital is raised in international capital markets, but it is spent in Nevada, mostly in rural communities.

Steininger said drilling companies currently are very busy, and their biggest challenge is getting competent drilling crews.

Larry Pisto, vice president of North American operations for Major Drilling, agreed hiring and training crews is a challenge because a lot of those laid off in the downturn have found other work or are no longer interested in drilling.

We have to train from scratch in some cases, he said, adding that it costs Major $4,000 to $6,000 per person to fly them to Salt Lake City for five days of classroom training and then pay the new person while he doubles up with an experienced driller until ready to be on his own.

The mining industry and exploration pays extremely well, and you dont need a college degree, Pisto said.

During the downturn, Major went from about 40 rigs operating in the United States to about a dozen, for about a two-thirds drop, and revenue also dropped by two-thirds.

New Brunswick, Canada-based Major Drilling Group International Inc. has a philosophy of remaining debt-free, which helped in the slow times, Pisto said.

Now, everybody is recovering. Were bouncing back up, he said. I am a short-term pessimist and a long-term optimist.

Major Drilling has eight or nine drilling rigs operating in Nevada at operating mines and exploration projects, he said.

Boart Longyear is forecasting a growing demand for drilling equipment and services.

Boart Longyear President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Olsen reported exploration worldwide is off to a strong start this year for many exploration companies in select commodity markets, and that is boding well for suppliers of drilling equipment and ancillary services for the global mining exploration industry.

We continue to see positive signs in the market, including elevated prices for gold, copper and other key commodities. Equity raisings for junior mining companies improved notably in the second half of 2016 and all of this is contributing to increasing levels of drilling, Olsen said.

Boart Longyear stated in a May report that hot commodities this year include base metals zinc, copper and nickel, in line with the continued strong gold price. The gold price is up more than 10 percent this year despite a high U.S. dollar and the talk of rate increases by the Federal Reserve, Boart Longyear wrote.

If the recovery in commodity prices continues, the impact on exploration budgets could be profound and should produce an immediate effect for suppliers of drilling equipment and services, according to the Salt Lake-based company.

Projects

Renaissance has three earn-in agreements with Kinross Gold Corp. and a deal with Coeur Mining for us to do generative work. We just completed drilling in another deal with Coeur, and there is another we are confident we will drill, Parratt said.

He said Renaissance will probably drill five properties this year.

Were feeling OK, but not over the top enthusiastic, but its better than the past five years, Parratt said.

The deal with Coeur is for greenfield exploration anywhere in the state, but the property Renaissance recently drilled for Coeur was roughly 25 miles from the Coeur Rochester silver and gold mine in Pershing County, called the Arabia Project.

The Arabia Project, which is in early stages, is near old gold and silver mining north of Lovelock. Another project is Buffalo Canyon in Nye County. Renaissance also acquired two sites in Elko County earlier this year, Spruce East and Diamond Point.

So it is shaping up to be a good, active year for us, said Parratt.

Renaissance spun off from AuEx Ventures in 2010 when Fronteer acquired AuEx for the Long Canyon exploration project near Wells. Newmont Mining Corp. later acquired Fronteer and is now mining at Long Canyon.

NuLegacys Red Hill exploration site near Barrick Gold Corp.s Goldrush discovery near Barricks Cortez mining operations includes the Iceberg and Avocado projects that will be drilled this season.

Were still drilling to see how big Iceberg is, Steininger said.

He said there were four holes drilled at Avocado last year, but that wasnt enough to tell how much gold might be found. A drilling rig is now on site, and there will be more drilling on Iceberg this year.

Were very bullish on the projects with near-surface oxidized gold found at Iceberg, Steininger said, but he said exploration of the sites is taking longer than expected because of the slowdown in exploration funding that started in about 2011.

NuLegacy, which has an operations office in Reno and administrative office in Vancouver, has a 55-square-mile land position of mining claims, and the companys two biggest shareholders are Barrick and OceanaGold Corp., Steininger said.

We have a very good working relationship with Barrick, he said.

West Kirkland Mining Inc. is on the brink to make a decision whether to mine the Hasbrouck gold project at Tonopah, said Sandy McVey, chief operations officer. With the green light, we could pour gold within a year.

The company already has the necessary permits for mining the first pit and is in the processing of obtaining permits for the second open pit at Hasbrouck, which is the site of older mining and was explored by Allied Nevada before West Kirkland acquired the project.

Were not waiting on permits but on whether shareholders want to have a mine or hold the deposit, McVey said.

Once West Kirkland has a decision on mining, the company plans more aggressive exploration on the property, which is made up of both public and private land, he said.

Were not drilling right now but might do some more later this year, McVey said.

West Kirkland out of Vancouver has a 75 percent interest in the Hasbrouck gold project and is permitting for surface mining at the Three Hills open pit and the larger Hasbrouck pit.

The remaining 25 percent is owned by Clover Nevada LLC, a subsidiary of Waterton Precious Metals Fund.

West Kirkland reported on May 9 it had reached an agreement with Newmont Mining Corp. to exchange West Kirklands interests in the TUG exploration property near Newmonts Long Canyon operations for a 1.1 percent smelter royalty from Newmonts 2.4 percent royalty in the Hasbrouck Project.

The agreement also calls for West Kirkland to receive $1.194 million in payments due when there is commercial production at Hasbrouck or Three Hills.

Kyle Hendrix at the BLMs Battle Mountain office provided at list of ongoing exploration projects in the district. These included three listed as Barrick projects, including the Horse Canyon/Cortez Unified Exploration Project, the West Pine Valley site and the Hilltop Exploration Project.

NuLegacys Avocado Project is on the list, as well as US Golds Keystone Exploration Project, Klondexs Gold and Silvers Malpais site and Premier Golds McCoy Cove Exploration Project.

Susan Elliott, minerals program manager for the U.S. Forest Services Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, said there is renewed interest in barite used for drilling, and the Forest Service is working with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management on permitting the Ann Barite Mine for Halliburton north of Tonopah.

Forest Service geologist David Risley, who is on the Carson-Bridgeport Ranger District, reported several exploration companies recently submitted plans for gold exploration, including Radius Gold Inc., which has the Spring Peak Project in Mineral County.

He also said Lincoln Gold Resources has partnered with Goldcliff Resources Corp. for the Pine Grove site, and B2Gold is exploring on its Rockland site in the Pine Grove Hills just south of Yerington.

Also, GeoExplor Corp. will be exploring the old historic Chedic graphite mine just outside of Carson City, according to Risley.

Gold Standard Ventures Corp. reports on its Web site that its Railroad-Pinion Gold Project near Newmont Mining Corp.s Emigrant and Rain mining properties on the Carlin Trend is the explorations companys flagship project.

The company also has a new project, Dark Star, in Elko County and its Bald Mountain gold and copper target.

The Geological Society of Nevadas May newsletter listed more than a dozen mineral exploration projects in the state, including Logan Resources Ltd.s Angel Wing property it acquired from Pilot Gold Inc.

This article looked at representative exploration and drilling companies, but there are many more projects in the state. For instance, the Winnemucca BLM listed exploration plans for projects in the district. The project list doesnt list the companies, however.

The list includes Trenton Canyon, Converse, Buffalo Valley, Goldbanks, Rye, Crown Adelaide, Snowstorm, Chimney Creek, Pinson Exploration, Lithium Nevada, Kings Valley Uranium, South Sleeper, Sandman, Sleeper Exploration, Turquoise Ridge Exploration, Spring Valley, Lincoln Hill, Wilco, Relief Canyon and Echo Canyon.
Nearly 80 PA people have been charged for Jan. 6 riot. Three are dead.

news
ELKO  Visitors to the 32nd annual Elko Mining Expo had a chance to see advances in technology from erosion controls to solar power.

A new vendor to the show, Trap Bag, was being shown by the companys COO Everett Buzz Waid and CEO Vee Yerrid.

The pair traveled from Ft. Myers, Florida, to exhibit.

Its a flood and erosion barrier that is used for hurricane and flood protection. Its called Trap Bag, Waid said. We didnt realize that we had a market in the mining industry.  All of a sudden Barrick Gold came along and bought our entire inventory about nine months ago.

After the gold mining company purchased everything they had in stock, Waid and Yerrid wanted to find out more. Barrick employees in Toronto helped them go to the 2016 American Exploration and Mining Association show in Reno. At that December show, they met Elko Convention and Visitors Authority Executive Director Don Newman and ECVA Events Coordinator Kandiss Fallowfield. Several people told Waid and Yerrid they needed to go to the Elko Mining Expo.

Then Barrick came along and bought all of our inventory again, Waid said.

About two months ago, Yerrid added.

So we figure we better do business with Newmont and the rest of them, Waid said.

Barrick bought the Trap Bag product to raise their berms four feet at a South American mine.

They put up five miles in eight days, Yerrid said. I think it amazed them how fast and efficient and strong this product is.

Waid said unlike sandbags the Trap Bag cant be put up wrong.

Its a gravity wall in a bag, he said.

Waid and Yerrid said the ECVA personnel have been incredible.

We like it, Waid said. Everybodys been pretty friendly. This is real people in Elko.

Many other out-of-state companies traveled to the Expo to exhibit their wares.

Steve Pagano and Jeff Burke of Wescott Steel Inc. said this was the fourth time the Pennsylvania-based company has attended the Expo.

They had examples of some of the smaller bushings and pins the business manufactures.

Its the hardware that goes in drag lines and dippers, Pagano said.

Dave Hadden, sales manager for Siemens Corp., showed people around the companys mobile demonstration unit. Inside potential customers could look at the technology Siemens offers the mining industry. Much of the equipment dealt with material handling.

Hadden pointed out a scale the company can put on a conveyor belt which weighs the material on it down to a quarter percent accuracy. Siemens has several types of equipment to handle the processing at the mines. This is totally integrated automation, he said.

Its all state-of-the-art, Hadden said. We love miners and because we have the liquid portion of the business and the material handling, we are very good for the mining industry.

A new vendor to the Expo, Solight, was trying to break into Nevadas mining industry, said Josh Pothier, sales manager for the company that sells mobile solar generators.

Its an alternative to diesel, he said.

The main purpose of the unit is to provide solar powered lights, which sit on a mast that can reach 25 feet in the air.

Were based in Phoenix and were trying to tap into the mining industry, Pothier said.

He said the panels retract so the units are easily moved. The mast height is adjustable and the fixture can rotate and tilt, which allows light to be directed as needed.

The solar generators are less expensive than diesel towers and they run silently, according to the companys information. The units also have LED lighting, which is brighter and more powerful with flood beam coverage over 200 yards. LED lights offer longer operational time and are more durable than halogen bulbs, Solight stated.
During the cold, grim days of the mid-1970s, as Britain staggered through two deadlocked elections, a minority Labour Government, two miners strikes and a three-day week, the London Evening Standard ran one of the most memorable headlines in our recent history.

It read simply, ABSOLUTE CHAOS TONIGHT: OFFICIAL.

Those were the words that came into my mind at ten oclock on Thursday evening, as the exit poll flashed onto the TV screen and it became obvious that Theresa Mays great election gamble had ended in utter disaster.

The grim headline of the London Evening Standard in 1973 came into Mr Sandbrook's mind when it became clear Mrs May's election gamble had failed

We live, of course, in an age of political shocks. Nobody expected David Cameron to win a majority two years ago. Few pundits expected that Britain would vote to leave the EU this time last year; even fewer thought that Donald Trump would become President of the United States.

Yet even by those standards, this weeks stunning election result represents something extraordinary.

Given how far ahead the Conservatives seemed to be at the outset of the campaign, I cannot think of a modern electoral shock to match it.

More importantly, though, I cannot think of any General Election that has left the country in such a perilous position, with our politics plunged into chaos, our currency hurtling towards an abyss and our position in Europe  the very issue this election was supposed to decide  more uncertain than ever.

As the results were being declared in the early hours of yesterday morning, some commentators made parallels with Edward Heaths disastrous election gamble in February 1974, when he asked the country for a mandate to take on the striking miners  and lost.

Mrs May's General Election gamble has left our position in Europe more uncertain than ever

Others looked further back, to 1923, when another Conservative leader, Stanley Baldwin, called a snap election only a few months after becoming Prime Minister, only to lose his majority and hand the initiative to a reinvigorated Labour Party.

But I think the current situation is much worse than in the 1920s, and perhaps worse even than 1974.

Indeed, given that we are about to begin the immensely complicated Brexit negotiations, and given the sheer extremism of Mrs Mays strengthened Labour opponents, I believe this may be the darkest and most dangerous hour for our country since the summer of 1940, when the Nazis rampaged through Europe, Neville Chamberlain fell from office and Britain faced Hitlers war machine.

I was shocked by Labour's shamelessly deceitful attempt to bribe the electorate

Back then, of course, we had Winston Churchill to save us. There is, alas, no such consolation today. Even a few days ago, I would never have imagined that I would be writing these words.

Like most people, I found the election campaign almost uniquely dishonest and dispiriting, and was as shocked by Labours shamelessly deceitful attempt to bribe the electorate as I was by the Tories astoundingly unimaginative, clumsy and negative efforts.

Even so, as dusk fell on Thursday, I still thought Mrs May might secure a decent working majority and a personal mandate to take into the Brexit negotiations.

Instead, it will be a badly weakened and potentially doomed Prime Minister who faces the Brussels elite on June 19, while an emboldened Labour Party  now completely in thrall to its hard-Left leadership  licks its lips with anticipation.

If nothing else, Mrs May and her colleagues have learned an immensely painful lesson: the country does not like snap elections. What is more, a Prime Minister who calls a snap election cannot dictate the terms of the campaign or limit the debate to a single issue.

An emboldened Labour Party now licks its lips with anticipation

Older readers will remember that when Edward Heath launched his own catastrophic gamble in February 1974, he asked the country to answer a simple question: who governs  the government or the miners?

But not only did the British people resent being dragged to the polls, millions of them used their votes to protest about other issues, such as the state of the economy, the cost of living and the difficulty of getting housing.

Alas, the close-knit cabal surrounding Mrs May  for whom many Conservative MPs now have nothing but furious contempt  refused to heed the warning of history.

The Conservatives believe they could win by parroting a handful of robotic mantras

In their arrogance, they thought they could limit the debate to Brexit and nothing but Brexit, ignoring the fact that many voters were desperate to hear an optimistic economic message after years of austerity.

What was even less forgivable was that they believed they could win by parroting a handful of robotic and, frankly, moronic mantras: Brexit means Brexit, Strong, stable leadership and so on. Apparently, their political consultants had assured them that this would guarantee victory. Well, we all know how that turned out.

For Mrs May, the result is a personal disaster of almost incalculable proportions.

Her colleagues may be rallying round for the moment, and the support of the Democratic Unionist Party should allow her to remain in office in the short term.

Even so, I find it impossible to see how she can possibly rebuild her authority within her own party, let alone with the electorate as a whole.

Arlene Foster and the Democratic Unionist Party should allow May to remain in office for the short term

I say that with some sadness, because she has always struck me as a figure of considerable moral integrity.

But political credibility is a finite resource: once spent, it is almost never regained. And, lets be honest, as the results came in, you could almost see Mrs Mays authority draining away.

Under normal circumstances, perhaps this would not be such a problem. The Conservatives would form a minority government and then, perhaps in the autumn or next year, elect a new leader. Life would go on.

But these are not normal times.

Whatever your views of Brexit, the fact is that the British people gave the Government an instruction last June, and the Government is honour-bound to deliver on it.

What is now clear, however, is that the Brussels elite are determined to drive the hardest possible bargain, humiliating Britain as a warning to other EU member states. When the talks begin in nine days time, we will find ourselves alone against 27 other nations, who  if the rhetoric coming from Paris and Berlin is any guide  now see themselves as our implacable antagonists.

Even if Mrs May had a clear mandate, this would be a daunting challenge. As it is, she will begin the negotiations as a lame-duck Prime Minister, hobbled by her humiliation at the polls. Perhaps you dont find this frightening, but I do.

It's clear that the Brussels elite will now be determined to drive the hardest possible bargain

I suspect that the EU negotiating team in Brussels will now take the opportunity to demand the most punitive possible terms, including an 84 billion divorce bill that could cripple our economy for years to come. Whether Mrs May could sell those terms to her own backbenchers is anybodys guess.

Propped up by the Democratic Unionists, and with her authority inside her own party fatally weakened, she may well find it impossible to reconcile the most fervent Brexiteers with the die-hard Remainers.

That raises two, frankly, terrifying prospects.

One is that Britain could crash out of the EU without a deal of any kind, which could send the pound into free-fall, shatter confidence in our economy and leave millions of manufacturing jobs at risk. The second, and perhaps even more chilling prospect, is purely domestic. For if the Conservatives tear themselves apart  as history suggests they are perfectly capable of doing  then that could hand power to the most extreme Opposition leadership in my lifetime.

In the past, I have been a fierce critic of Jeremy Corbyn. But to do him justice, he personally fought a brave and upbeat campaign, against all the odds, and achieved a stunning result.

The history books will record this as one of the most extraordinary political shocks of all time, and there is no getting away from the fact that this has been Corbyns personal achievement.

Even so, the very real prospect of him as Prime Minister, propped up by a bloodied and bitter Scottish National Party, seems to me utterly terrifying.

Quite apart from the prospect of a wild 60 billion spending spree (free university tuition, billions for the NHS and so on, to be funded by old-fashioned class-war taxes on British businesses), a Corbyn government could mean leaving Diane Abbott in charge of our security, putting John McDonnell in the Treasury and giving Nicola Sturgeon a veto over every line of new legislation.

One of the greatest failures of the Tory campaign, I think, was that it completely failed to impress on the British electorate precisely what this would mean.

I have heard comparisons with the Labour Party under Michael Foot in the early 1980s.

Marxist McDonnell could soon have his hands on our national finances

Yet Foot was a seasoned former Cabinet minister, while most of his senior frontbenchers were more moderate than the far-Left stereotype suggests.

In their inexperience and their extremism  Mr McDonnell, for example, is an unashamed Marxist, who boasts of wanting to undermine the capitalist system  the current Labour leadership is not remotely in the same league.

To me, at least, the prospect that Mr McDonnell and his friends could soon be handling our national finances is not just worrying but downright petrifying.

As for the thought of Corbyn and McDonnell running the Brexit process, which will set the direction of our national political and economic life for generations to come, well, that is simply off the scale. Absolute chaos does not even begin to cover it.

Are there silver linings? One or two, I suppose.

In Scotland, the tigerish Ruth Davidson once again showed herself the most charismatic presence in British politics. And for those of us who cherish the Union, it was tremendous to see the dogmatic separatism of Nicola Sturgeons Scottish Nationalists given such a stinging rebuke.

But I am clutching at straws, I know.

The truth is that Thursdays result could hardly have been a worse outcome, not just for Mrs May and for the Conservatives, but for our countrys prospects of surviving the inevitable political and economic tempests ahead.

Future historians will surely shake their head in disbelief at May's gamble

And if you doubt it, just consider what could be coming.

Mrs May could be gone within months. The Government may not even last till the end of the year.

Faced with impossibly punitive terms, Britain could crash out of the EU without a deal.

And at the helm, we could well have the most extreme Labour leader since the 1930s, with a Marxist Chancellor and a Home Secretary who once celebrated terrorist victories against the British state, all reliant on a narrow nationalist who wants to destroy the United Kingdom.

In the future, historians will surely shake their heads in disbelief that, from a position of such apparent superiority, Mrs Mays advisers contrived to plunge us into such chaos.

But for the time being, we can only pray that a shell-shocked Government recovers its composure and its discipline, rallies to its stricken leader and prepares for the horrendously hard work to come.

Never in my lifetime have the stakes been higher.

It is not just the health of our economy, the survival of millions of jobs, the security of our country and our future as an independent trading nation that are now at risk. It is the survival of the United Kingdom itself.

It was Theresa May herself, ironically, who told us that politics is not a game.

I fear that in the coming weeks and months, we will discover how terribly right she was.
There is no hiding from the truth. This was a dreadful night for the Conservatives, Brexit and a future for this country that had looked remarkably bright.

When the dust settles, it will become clear it was also grim for Labour, since the result has entrenched an extremist leader whose views affront countless Britons.

Indeed, with the Lib Dems failing to make headway, meaning the return of two-party politics, any hope of a responsible Opposition of the centre-Left has been dashed for the foreseeable future.

This was a dreadful night for the Conservatives, Brexit and the future of this country

That said, it was far from the worst possible result. We will not have to endure, thank God, the nightmare of terrorist-sympathising, economically illiterate Marxists in Downing Street. In fact, Theresa May won 790,000 more votes than Labour  more, indeed, than Tony Blairs landslide in 1997  making Jeremy Corbyns ludicrous claim of victory ring decidedly hollow.

There were other consolations for the Conservatives notably their strong revival in Scotland, where they made inroads into the nationalist vote, winning 13 seats where before they had just one. This was great for the Union, great for the Tories credentials as a truly national party and a huge tribute to the common sense of Scottish voters.

But, short of the calamity of a hard-Left coalition of chaos, the inescapable truth is that the overall result is pretty bad. It puts Mrs May at the mercy of Northern Irelands Democratic Unionists and Tory malcontents, casting a cloud of uncertainty over essential government business, the economy and the Brexit process.

As for why the Conservatives commanding lead all but evaporated, the reasons are not hard to find. The party went to the country on a deeply flawed manifesto, drawn up by a tiny clique of advisers at No 10, committed to such vote-losing policies as a free Commons vote on foxhunting and means-testing pensioners winter fuel allowance.

The results put the country at the mercy of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionists

Deeply unpopular, too  though an honest attempt to tackle a growing crisis  were the proposals for funding social care from the estates of recipients. This was instantly labelled a dementia tax by an opportunist Opposition.

As for the U-turn that followed just days later, this was the wobble that cost the Tories their overall majority.

Mrs May and her advisers seemed to take a big win for granted, failing to trumpet their economic successes and making too little effort to woo voters young or old.

As for Mr Corbyns strong showing  astonishing for a neo-Marxist who has spent 40 years befriending the enemies of this country and is patently unfit for high office  there is a depressing explanation for this, too. He offered some of the biggest electoral bribes in history, making lavish promises of non-existent cash to pensioners, the public sector and those on the minimum wage. And he bribed the gullible young by pledging to scrap tuition fees and hinting hed write off tens of billions in student debt.

Though criminally irresponsible and unaffordable, these empty promises  along with Labours skilful exploitation of social media  appear to have shored up Mr Corbyns position, luring teenagers and twentysomethings to the polling stations in unprecedented numbers.

Because of their youth, such voters have no memory of the bloodletting atrocities of the IRA, whose cause Mr Corbyn and his crony John McDonnell so sickeningly championed. Nor do they remember the economic meltdown of the Seventies, when over-mighty unions ruled the roost, cheered on by the pair of them.

Corbyn bribed gullible young people by pledging to scrap tuition fees and hinting he'd write off tens of billions in student debt

Lamentably, Labour also owes much to the blatant bias of the countrys chief source of news, the BBC. During last years referendum, the Corporation showed commendable balance. In this election, it reverted to Left-leaning type, letting Mr Corbyn off the hook time and time again.

Not only did it fail to hold him properly to account over the madness of his spending plans, it even imposed a virtual news blackout on his links with terrorist groups.

Distastefully, the BBC also appeared to side with Labour in blaming the Manchester and London Bridge outrages on cuts in police numbers, while casting a veil over the fact that Mrs May had increased anti-terrorist manpower.

But voters have spoken  and the Prime Minister must listen both to them and to wise advisers outside her inner clique of policy wonks at No 10.

Despite the massive setback, this paper believes she has considerable strengths and deserves the chance to prove she has learned the lessons of this sorry campaign. More pertinently, we fear a leadership election could tear the Tories to pieces. With the public sick of elections, it would be crazy for MPs to undermine the support Mrs May needs to implement the peoples will over Brexit.
ELKO  George Fennemore came to Elko chasing gold and stayed for love.

Fennemore, who came to Elko as a dewatering specialist for Barrick Gold Corps Cortez Mine, is now manager of growth for Barrick Nevada. Since the early days in the 90s he has patronized the Stray Dog Pub and Cafe often. He is a frequent diner with a hankering for pizza. Fennemore does not eat just any pizza. Early on he came up with a combination of his favorite items and ordered it so often that other diners started requesting the specialty.

Its a traditional guy pizza, just with pesto sauce, said Fennemore, implying there is a lot of meat.

The item became so popular that bar owners Mike and Colette Reynolds added it to their menu, calling it the Famous George Pizza.

One night Fennemore was calmly sitting at the Stray Dog eating his favorite meal when fate and Cupids razor-sharp arrow struck.

I was sitting there when I saw the most beautiful woman in the world walk in, Fennemore reminisced.

Melissa Crowder, a Elko High School graduate, returned to town after going to school in Texas. On that momentous day she strolled into the Stray Dog to meet friends. She noticed Fennemore and thought she recognized him from a previous introduction years before. She asked the bartender if that was the George that the pizza on the menu was named after and he confirmed her suspicion. She walked up and said hello.

I was tongue-tied, he said about his incoherently mumbled reply.

Crowder thought that was odd but that he probably did not remember her from the brief encounter years before, so she moved on.

After she left, Fennemore managed to get her name from the bartender and hoped he would see her again.

I swore that if she ever came in again I would do a better job of talking, he said.

The next time they met Fennemore was more composed. They got to know each other, going on long walks together around Elko. The courtship grew but it took different paths for the two individuals.

For Crowder, a senior accountant at Newmont Mining Corps North American Regional Office, the path to love took a slower course but after about a month and a half she realized George was the guy. For the longest time she thought they were just friends.

At one point Crowder asked her beau, How long have we been dating now?

Fennemore replied that it depended because he had been dating her a lot longer than she had been dating him. He was completely sure from day one.

When quizzed about how long the two had been married, Fennemore, who has a PhD. in mathematics, replied, Five years, 10 months, six days, and two hours.

The two agree that Elko is a major mining hub and that the combination of mining educational opportunities in the form of Great Basin College and local career options make for a perfect match. They enjoy meeting the sons and daughters of people they have worked with for years who have chosen to stay and continue the mining trend.

The Stray Dog continues to be a frequent haunt and the Fennemores attribute their happiness to both the pizza and the productive mining environment in which they met.

We want to make this last, said George. We want to keep going with our careers in the mining industry.

I appreciate the things now in Elko that I didnt when I was 18, said Melissa.
Labour supporters were overjoyed when the party took Glasgow North East

A few days before the poll, I was in Oxford, talking to my old college's history society. The conversation turned to the election, and a student remarked that Jeremy Corbyn was harnessing the power of social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

I am ashamed to say I rather scoffed. 'Rubbish,' I said. 'People said that about Ed Miliband, and look what happened to him!'

Well, how wrong I was.

For I now think that when political historians look back on the extraordinary election of 2017, they will remember two things.

First, this I believe was the campaign when social media supplanted television as the key means of political communication. And second, this was the campaign when, after decades of relative neglect, young people finally discovered their political voice.

The place that encapsulates all this is Canterbury  a city that had voted Conservative since 1918.

As recently as the 1970s, the Tories routinely piled up five-figure majorities. For decades, a Labour victory would have seemed inconceivable.

But just look at what happened on Thursday.

The long-serving Conservative MP, Sir Julian Brazier, saw his vote increase from 22,918 to 25,385. But with turnout up by a staggering 8 per cent  thanks to a massive voter registration drive on social media  Labour increased its vote from 13,120 to 25,572 and won the seat.

In the vanguard were students at the University of Kent, where academics reported seeing huge queues at the polling stations.

But what happened in Canterbury was merely part of a wider story.

Analysts have talked of an unprecedented 'youthquake'. An exit poll by the NME music magazine, which enthusiastically backed Jeremy Corbyn, suggested that national turnout among the under-35s rose by a stunning 12 per cent.

Who were these people? By and large, they were students  which explains why turnout also sharply in university seats such as Bristol West, Cambridge, Manchester Central and Oxford West and Abingdon.

These are the people most likely to get their news and political opinions from Facebook and Twitter.

Almost from the moment the election began, the young began sharing jokes and 'memes'

Almost from the moment the election began, they began sharing jokes and 'memes'  electronically transmitted images that are often crude and vitriolic, but effective nonetheless  trumpeting Corbyn's supposed virtues and May's alleged vices.

There was often a very unpleasant side to this, of course.

For all the talk of a 'kinder, gentler' politics, Mr Corbyn's supporters have shown themselves horribly quick to hurl vicious, sexist and anti-Semitic abuse at their online critics.

Still, as any parent or teacher knows, there is no better way to reach the young than through tasteless humour. Hence one popular meme, supposedly comparing Corbyn and May 'on the issues', the issue in question being 'feeding the young'.

'Free school meals for all primary children,' says Corbyn. 'Feeding them to whom?' says May.

Crude, as I say, but memorable.

It is true, of course, that many young Remainers wanted to punish the Tories for Brexit

Little wonder, then, that Labour reportedly set aside 1million specifically for Facebook ads, correctly reckoning that by addressing young people on the media platforms they use every day, they could drive up turnout.

Of course this is not the whole story. The Tories spent millions on online advertising, too.

But they were sensationally incompetent at galvanising younger voters.

What did Mrs May have to offer young people unable to get a decent job, a living wage or a place on the property ladder?

Where was her inspiring vision of the future? Where were the policies that would help them realise their aspirations?

It is true, of course, that many young Remainers wanted to punish the Tories for Brexit.

But Labour's manifesto positively spoiled the young with freebies and goodies, most obviously the hideously expensive promise to abolish university tuition fees overnight  a subject much discussed on social media.

Crucially, Mr Corbyn's allies recognised that in a society when, proportionately, more young people go to university than ever, it is vital for politicians to tap their idealism.

Hence Labour's tireless efforts to rebrand their hard-Left leader as the political equivalent of Star Wars's kindly sage Obi-Wan Kenobi, and to paint Mrs May as the cruel, wizened Galactic Emperor.

It is all very well for cynics like me to mock the young for their political naivety. And it is all very well for their elders to lecture them about the lessons of the past  the economic turmoil of the 1970s, the horrors of the IRA, the folly of Left-wing extremism.

But young people have no collective memory of these things, and neither, frankly, do they care.

And what is more, they are taught in universities where Left-wing ideas are more powerful than ever, and where Tory academics are more rare than snowmen in the Sahara.

A pre-election poll by the Times Higher Education Supplement found that 54 per cent of university academics planned to vote Labour and 24 per cent Lib Dem. Just 7 per cent  yes, you read that correctly  planned to vote Conservative.

For years, the Tories shrugged such statistics aside. Young people don't vote, they said. The grey vote is all we need.

Yet the truth is that no successful political party can afford to ignore the idealism of the young. Moreover, it is a myth that young people never vote Conservative.

Jeremy Corbyn cemented the Left's grip on Labour last night as he claimed the party had effectively 'won' the election

People are often surprised to be told that in 1979, Margaret Thatcher went out of her way to woo young first-time voters, particularly through her policy that allowed council tenants to buy their home at a discount. She concentrated her efforts on the most important electronic medium of the day  television  and was rewarded with a swing of 11 per cent to the Conservatives among skilled workers, with most of the defectors being young men and women in their twenties and early thirties.

What Mrs May would have given for such numbers! But she was never going to get them, because her team did not even bother trying.

To compound their folly, the Conservatives also contrived to alienate their single most important electoral bloc, voters over 65, by floating a so-called 'dementia tax' and abandoning pensioners' 'triple lock'.

As it happens, I think Mrs May was right to recognise that social care is one of the great challenges facing our society in the next decade or so. But it was criminal folly to spring the issue on the electorate without carefully preparing the ground first. And it was even greater folly to abandon the pledge after just a couple of days, destroying the PM's reputation for strong leadership.

So it was that the Conservatives ended up with the worst of all worlds, antagonising their older supporters while failing to win the votes of the young.

Voting, the experts say, is a habit. So although turnout could conceivably fall next time, many of the idealistic first-time voters who backed Jeremy Corbyn on Thursday will certainly vote again when Britain next goes to the polls.

Unless the Tories find a way to reach them  both by tapping their idealism and by using the social media they love so much  they will, I think, stand little chance of preventing further Labour inroads.

Browsing on the internet yesterday, I noticed a tweet from an academic who is the founder of the group 'Scientists for EU'.

Accompanying a photo of Mrs May looking furious and sinister, a caption read: 'I would have gotten away with it, if it weren't for you pesky kids.'

The message expresses a deeper truth. The pesky kids are not going away. And unless the Conservatives work out a way to tap their idealism, we are, I suspect, going to be seeing a lot more of Jeremy Corbyn.
Theresa May surely has only herself to blame for the Tories appalling performance on Thursday. Even before the polls closed it was impossible to find a Conservative MP who thought she had run a good campaign.

But there is another group of people who certainly made a contribution to the outcome and should be hanging their heads in shame this morning. I am speaking of the BBC.

Our national broadcaster accounts for about 50 per cent of news output in this country via its multiple television, radio and web outlets. It is immeasurably more influential than any other news channel or newspaper. That is why it is so important it fulfils its sacred duty to invigilate politicians without fear or favour.

The BBC is immeasurably more influential than any other news channel or newspaper

In the case of Jeremy Corbyn, it failed miserably over the past few weeks. This was rather surprising because during the Labour leadership contests in 2015 and 2016, the BBC was almost eager to expose his obvious shortcomings and unsavoury political liaisons. Having been admirably forensic then, Auntie was laughably indulgent over the past few weeks.

Let me put my complaint another way. How many of the nearly 13 million people who voted Labour are aware that Jeremy Corbyn has a track record as an associate of Middle Eastern terrorists and IRA killers?

How many of them know that in 1984 this lifelong friend of Irish Republicans asked two former IRA convicts to speak in the House of Commons, a fortnight after the IRA had tried to blow up Margaret Thatcher and the Cabinet, killing five people in the process?

And what proportion realise that as recently as 2009 Corbyn described the terrorists of both Hezbollah and Hamas as his friends as he hosted an event on their behalf?

How many BBC viewers know Jeremy Corbyn has a track record as an associate of Middle Eastern terrorists and IRA killers?

Or that his closest ally, the self-proclaimed Marxist Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, has called for MI5 and armed police to be abolished, while saying that the IRA murderers of men, women, children, British servicemen and police officers should be honoured.

My own straw poll of decent acquaintances who voted for Corbyn suggests that very few of them have the faintest notion of the disreputable causes he has espoused. If they have any idea at all, they are liable to blame Tory scaremongering.

Ours is not a country of extremists. I find it hard to believe that so many millions of law-abiding people would have voted Labour if they had been properly apprised of just how far-out Corbyn and his coterie really are.

That there is such widespread ignorance of what the Labour leader has got up to over the years  the terrorists he has succoured and the bloody hands he has shaken  must in large measure be attributed to the journalistic failures of the all-powerful BBC.

Look at what happened after last Saturdays terrorist attack on London Bridge. Corbyn immediately blamed the outrage on police cuts, even though armed police took just eight minutes to arrive on the scene and despatch the three murderers in the most effective way.

Corbyn immediately blamed the London Bridge attacks on police cuts, even though armed police arrived within eight minutes of the attack

As Sir Richard Dearlove, a former head of MI6, noted in a piece in Thursdays Daily Telegraph that Corbyns response was nakedly political.

Sir Richard  who is no Tory stooge  wrote that if you ask professionals in the police, they would recognise that creating 10,000 jobs for community policing wont have the slightest effect on the problem of Islamic terrorism. He also suggested that Jeremy Corbyns links with those quite ready to use terror would mean he wouldnt be cleared to join any of the countrys security services. In fact, in the past MI5 would actively have investigated him.

If only Sir Richards chilling article had appeared a few days earlier it might have opened the eyes of some of the idealistic young people who voted for Corbyn. But I dont suppose the BBC would have given it wider circulation, so bizarrely anxious has it been to protect the Labour leader from examination.

In the days following the terrorist outrage a week ago, almost every BBC bulletin took seriously Corbyns absurd allegation that Tory cuts were to blame. His own utter unsuitability for office  as a virtual accomplice of terrorists  was scarcely mentioned.

Corbyn's allegation that police cuts were to blame for the London attack was circulated under every BBC bulletin

Nor, while the shamelessly devious Labour leader was extolling the police and promising them more money, did any BBC interviewer ask him or any of his colleagues why his local Labour Party office in the Seventies put a poster in its window depicting policemen as pigs wearing helmets.

No questions were forthcoming about why this fervent admirer of bobbies should have been a founder of the Socialist Campaign for a Labour Victory, whose manifesto before the 1983 general election declared that the capitalist police are an enemy of the working class.

Im afraid the often somnolent Tories have been somewhat lumbering in making the point that under the skin of this seemingly cuddly and apparently inoffensive grandfatherly figure lurks a man who has devoted his life to undemocratic causes that would shock most British people  if only they knew.

But when Boris Johnson tried to argue along these lines on the Today programme on Tuesday morning  criticising Jeremy Corbyn for his consistent refusal to back counter-terrorist measures  the interviewer, Mishal Husain, repeatedly interrupted him. She insisted she would set the record straight and repeated Corbyns pious remarks following the London Bridge attack as though she were his official spokesman.

Boris then reasonably questioned the ability of Diane Abbott (another apologist for terror, who adds incompetence to her list of sins) to deal with a major attack. Mishal Husain shut him up. No, no, please stop talking.

This, for me, was one of the lowest points of a dispiriting campaign. A leading politician trying to show the dangers of voting Labour is censored by a politically correct BBC journalist who doesnt want people to hear.

Boris Johnson was censored by BBC Radio 4 when he tried to explain how Dianne Abbott was an apologist for terror

Had they been allowed to know the full truth about Jeremy Corbyn, many idealistic young people might have had second thoughts. They might have realised that the young murdered in the London Bridge attack were not victims of police cuts, and that Corbyn is one of the last politicians on earth likely to be tough with the terrorists who killed them.

Why should the BBC have afforded Corbyn and the sinister McDonnell (not to mention the idiotic Diane Abbott) such latitude? Most of its journalists surely cant sympathise with his hard-Left policies.

No, I believe they were given an easy time because many BBC employees cant stomach Theresa Mays robust approach to Brexit. They thought that, if elected, Labour would negotiate a much softer break with the EU.

Of course, its not the job of the BBC to take sides in elections. But it is its responsibility to defend the values of democracy and help the public ascertain whether candidates for high office respect those values.

Does Jeremy Corbyn? The BBC, on which we so depend, has given him a free ride and today he is one step closer to power. If our national broadcaster continues to pander to him, it wont be long before hes in No 10. And then God help us all  including the BBC, which, irony of ironies, the Corbynistas hate.
This is the most pro-Brexit House of Commons ever elected. More than 90 per cent of MPs have just been returned for parties that are promising to leave the EU, namely the Conservatives, Labour and the Democratic Unionist Party.

That fact is worth remembering as you listen to the excited comments by British Europhiles about stopping Brexit, and the sneering by some in Brussels about the supposed hopelessness of our position now that Theresa May has lost her outright majority.

It's hard to see how Brexit could be stopped even if MPs voted en masse against their party manifestos.

More than 90 per cent of MPs have just been returned for parties that are promising to leave the EU. Pictured: Theresa May meets President Juncker

The EU's Article 50, which began the formal process of disengagement, was triggered ten weeks ago. Thanks, paradoxically, to the Euro-fanatical campaigner Gina Miller and her court case, its triggering was endorsed by both Houses of Parliament, giving it unarguable authority.

In both British and European law, the United Kingdom will cease to be a member of the EU on March 29, 2019.

A lot of commentators misunderstand, or affect to misunderstand, this fact. Britain will pull out of the EU, with or without a deal, in less than two years.

The choice is not between leaving and staying. It's between leaving in an amicable way and leaving with no agreement. Nothing that has happened this week will change that.

Everyone agrees it is better to withdraw in an orderly manner. We want to retain the friendship of our European allies. We don't want a rupture that damages our economy or theirs, or that weakens the eurozone. Prosperous neighbours make the best customers.

Jeremy Corbyn cemented the Left's grip on Labour last night as he claimed the party had effectively 'won' the election

That's not to say that leaving with no deal would be the end of the world, simply that it is a second-best option.

Pro-EU politicians always use the same hackneyed phrase when they talk about a failure to reach terms.

They call it 'crashing out' of the EU 'with no deal at all'. A more neutral way of putting it might be to say: 'Enjoying normal, friendly relations with the EU, in the way that Australia and the U.S. do.'

Still, to repeat, both sides have made clear that they would much prefer an agreed and cordial withdrawal.

What might the terms of such an agreement look like? Has Britain's hand been weakened by the election? Will Labour MPs work with Tory Europhiles to try to water down any deal? Will Brussels toughen its stance in response?

Again, it is worth looking at the manifestos on which Labour and Conservative MPs have been elected. Both promised to implement the referendum result.

Both accepted that Britain would settle its outstanding debts to the EU, but no more. Both opposed unrestricted migration. Both rejected full membership of the single market.

It is on this last issue, Britain's economic relationship with the EU, that the two main parties are furthest apart, though not always in the way people think. Labour's Brexit spokesman, Keir Starmer, is keen on the single market. But his leader, Jeremy Corbyn, is more hostile to it than any Tory. He was a Leaver as far back as 1975 precisely because he didn't like the economic regulations coming from Brussels.

His Euroscepticism was never really about sovereignty or reducing our payments or controlling our borders. It was about the way EU rules prevented Britain from implementing socialist policies.

Several trade union and Labour figures, including some Remainers, now see Brexit as an opportunity to withdraw from EU rules that hamper the nationalisation of industries, and encourage contracting out of public services to private firms.

Mrs May declared her determination to carry on in Downing Street after going to see the Queen to request permission to form a government - even though she has lost her Commons majority

By contrast, almost all Tories, Leave or Remain, believe that competition is good for consumers, and would happily retain single market regulations on, for example, not discriminating against other countries' products. Is a compromise possible on the single market? And, if a compromise could be found that Parliament endorsed, would it be accepted by the EU? Yes and yes.

The single market is not a single entity. It is a collection of different rules and obligations, some of them more important than others. Leaving the EU necessarily implies leaving the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and reasserting the supremacy of British law on our own soil.

But it does not prevent us keeping some of the EU's economic arrangements through domestic legislation.

Formal Brexit talks begin a week on Monday

This is, broadly speaking, the position that Switzerland is in: not exactly in the single market, but not outside it either.

As I kept pointing out before and during the referendum campaign, Switzerland is the second wealthiest country in the world.

Unlike the EU, it has trade deals with China, Japan and other major economies. It manages to have a flourishing financial services sector which, as a proportion of its economy, is twice the size of ours.

It is often pointed out that Switzerland pays a price for these advantages in the form of freedom of movement.

It's true that Switzerland allows EU nationals to enter its territory and claim certain benefits there  as Swiss nationals can do in the EU. But, crucially, those migrants must have jobs.

And their benefits, regulated by bilateral treaties, are not subject to constant extension by the European Commission and Court.

Britain had a similar arrangement until the Maastricht Treaty came into force in the mid-Nineties. We always allowed free movement of labour  the right to accept job offers in each other's countries.

It was the invention of EU citizenship that created enforceable rights, including welfare claims, free university tuition, immunity from deportation and the right to bring family members into Britain.

Formal Brexit talks begin a week on Monday. They will be conducted, on our side, by officials and diplomats who have been preparing for them since last year.

They will answer to a government committed to implementing the referendum result.

The main difference is that, unlike in the last Parliament, most MPs now have a direct mandate for Brexit

The main difference is that, unlike in the last Parliament, most MPs now have a direct mandate for Brexit.

By all means let's make it a friendly and mutually advantageous process. Let's allow for interim arrangements. Let's be flexible about timing. Let's aim to keep bits of EU co-operation that suit both sides.

But let's not pretend Brexit itself is in doubt.

The parties that wanted a second referendum were trounced on Thursday. The result stands.
Boris Johnson once said: All politicians are like crazed wasps in a jam jar, each individually convinced that theyre going to make it.

And no one has been more convinced he is going to make it all the way to No 10 than Johnson himself. He has long considered himself a Prime-Minister-in-waiting, but has been obliged to wait far longer than he hoped.

For 11 years, he watched as the Tory Party was led by David Cameron, whom at Eton and Oxford Boris had viewed as an obscure and junior figure.

Boris Johnson once said: All politicians are like crazed wasps in a jam jar, each individually convinced that theyre going to make it'

He has now had to wait another year while the party was led by Theresa May, who humiliated him during the race for the Conservative leadership by ridiculing his abilities as a negotiator: The last time he did a deal with the Germans he came back with three nearly new water cannon.

Well, the waiting may finally be over. At last the longed-for role of leader lies within his grasp. May is fatally wounded. After her wooden performance throughout the Election campaign, the Tories will never again consent to fight an election under her leadership.

And the parliamentary arithmetic now makes a return to the polls within the next year more or less certain. As todays poll for this paper shows, a majority of the public want May to go now, and Johnson is their preferred choice to succeed her.

This, then, should be Johnsons moment. But, as he well knows, the assassin in these cases seldom goes on to wear the crown.

Michael Heseltine brought down Margaret Thatcher, but in the subsequent leadership contest was trounced by the less glamorous John Major. For all his undoubted charisma and popularity, there is a danger Johnson could be thwarted once again, just as he was in the race to succeed Cameron.

And no one has been more convinced he is going to make it all the way to No 10 than Johnson himself

Johnsons worst weakness is that many Tory MPs do not trust him. The shambles of his last leadership campaign, when he was knifed by Michael Gove, did not inspire confidence.

On that occasion, he was quick-witted enough to throw in the towel rather than fight on to inevitable defeat. May duly rewarded him for his surrender by putting him in the Foreign Office.

Here he has had mixed success  on the one hand taking a strong moral stance over Syrian leader Bashar Assads gassing of his people, on the other being humiliated when he was prevented from travelling to meet G7 leaders with a plan to impose greater sanctions on Assads Russian ally. Johnson was reportedly so fearful of being toast that he went to No 10 to beg for his job.

The Election campaign brought him little succour. It contained no role for Johnson. It was all about Theresa Mays strong and stable leadership, a concept he will have regarded with inward derision, and which many voters found unconvincing and dreary.

Meanwhile Jeremy Corbyn had a good campaign, and gained 32 seats by appearing relatively relaxed, humane and genuine. How Johnson will have longed to take on the man he branded a mutton-headed old mugwump.

Thursdays result has now opened up that opportunity. Could Johnson be the man to save the Tories in their hour of desperation? Certainly, he remains one of the few front-rank politicians who can change the atmosphere just by turning up to the local shopping centre. Corbyn, we must concede, appears to be another.

But, his critics point out, there is far more to being leader than electioneering. There is Europe, the issue on which so many Tory leaders have impaled themselves. May made it her practice to decide her policy on everything, including Europe, with a tiny group of trusted advisers.

For 11 years, he watched as the Tory Party was led by David Cameron, whom at Eton and Oxford Boris had viewed as an obscure and junior figure

The next Tory leader, whoever he or she may be, will have to do things differently. On Brexit, there will have to be both consultation and listening, as well as, ultimately, leadership. There would be a kind of poetic justice in putting this most difficult of tasks in the hands of Boris, the man who did more than anyone else to swing the Leave vote.

It would be more poetic still if, for this momentous task, he was able to secure the assistance of Michael Gove, whose appearances on the airwaves throughout the election reminded people just how brilliantly he can make the Tory case.

Such a pact would be an astonshing act of forgiveness after Goves betrayal last year.

Not the least of Johnsons qualifications is his proven ability to take wider views about Brexit, rather than get imprisoned in some self-inflicted orthodoxy.

Can he pull it off? The days ahead will prove whether his wait is finally at an end.
Yes, Conservatives are frustrated by our Election campaign, but common sense will prevail. Only a tiny number of MPs are agitating against Theresa May.

They should stop feeding the headlines, or they will start to feel the wrath of the rest of the Conservative Party.

Theresa will continue as Prime Minister, because she can and she must. And Jeremy Corbyns suggestion that he should form a minority administration underlines both the fantasy of his leadership, and the potential disaster for the nation.

Yes, Conservatives are frustrated by our Election campaign, but common sense will prevail. Only a tiny number of MPs are agitating against Theresa May

Our situation today is very different from when Gordon Brown lost the 2010 Election and tried to hang on. Then he had only 258 seats and 29 per cent of the vote; today, we have 318 seats and are the largest party with the most votes  a creditable 42 per cent.

In 2005, Tony Blair got barely 35 per cent, but nobody suggested he lacked the moral authority to govern.

Mr Corbyn did fight a better campaign. He offered hope. He inspired the young. We Conservatives must change our attitude, and offer real and affordable hope. Hope for the end to austerity and for better pay for public-sector workers.

Hope too for younger people, who have high ideals and feel oppressed by high taxes, student debt and high property prices.

They should stop feeding the headlines, or they will start to feel the wrath of the rest of the Conservative Party, writes Bernard Jenkin

Theresa May believes we must tackle these challenges, and promote equality and opportunity for all across society  for the many, not the few. We must do this, but without making promises that the nation cannot afford.

Make no bones about it; Conservatives are disappointed, but the voters left Theresa May in charge, and with her new mandate. That includes Brexit, strengthening the Union of the United Kingdom, and continuing to restore prosperity and jobs.

Both Labour and the Conservatives stood on Brexit manifestos. Labour made no commitment to remain in the single market or the customs union. They also voted for Article 50 before the election.

The pro-Remain parties received a total of 11 per cent of the vote: so no Lib Dem second EU referendum. Even the pro-EU SNP has been forced into retreat, killing off any idea of a second Scottish independence referendum.

It is wishful thinking by Remainers who believe this result gives them a mandate to derail Brexit  along with the DUP, Mrs May will command a Commons majority for her manifesto plans to leave the EU.

If the UK were to remain subject to the EU courts, or not take back legal control over our laws and who comes into the country, or continue making huge payments into the EU budget, that would betray the majority who voted Leave last year. It would have an incendiary effect on British politics.

We also have a duty to protect the UK from Mr Corbyns crazy hard-Left policies, which would have crashed the economy. The country would never thank us, or Theresa May, if she just threw in the towel. She has already proved tougher than that.
Dogs aren't called man's best friend for nothing - as this collection of comical canines proves.

These hilarious snaps of performing pooches captured by their amused owners and shared on Reddit and Imgur are certain to leave you sniggering.

The benefits of having a pet dog extend way beyond long walks and games of fetch - they can make you laugh too.

From a dog who kicked his owner's girlfriend in the face to a pooch who positions himself on a balcony to glare at everyone who walks by, these snaps of superior dogs are sure to raise a smile.

Top dog: One dog owner shared this hilarious snap of his husky arrogantly posing with one paw up on a boat trip

Jealous, much? One pooch wasn't too happy about having to share his owner with his new girlfriend so did his best to try and take her out - whilst her dog seemingly laughed at the incident in a hilariously-timed snap

Shaken or stirred? It takes a certain attitude to pull off a plastic collar but this pooch, whose owner shared a snap titled 'dogtini', managed to do it

Judging you: Someone shared a snap of a dog in their town who pops his head over the wall and judges everyone who walks by

Showing him who's boss: This dog didn't seem too happy about the family adopting another pet so decided to show everyone who runs the household

This is so beneath me: According to the uploader, this canine is definitely an 'indoor dog'

Zen: With a dainty dandelion seemingly clutched by a floppy ear, this canine could hardly look more serene in its surroundings

Always watching: This hilarious snap showed two dogs keeping an eye out for dubious passers-by

What are you looking at? This tiny but menacing pooch didn't have any qualms about letting off some gas on his owner's sofa

Fitting in: This pooch prefers to chill out on his cat's tower than in his basket - and his feline friend doesn't look too happy about it

Who's a clever dog? This canny canine started barking at the door whilst his owner was tucking into a pizza delivery. When his owner got up to look outside, the cheeky dog ran back, stole a piece of his pizza and was caught red-handed; no one was at the door
A Sydney based mother-of-two and and her husband know all about the challenges of managing a business while raising a young family.

But despite the difficulties, Cindy Luken, 50, has now launched two successful companies - the latest being a successful lipstick company combining both her knowledge of the business world and passion for food.

Ms Luken finished uni studying food science in the 80s before going to work for Juste Nous Catering. It was during the bi-centenary year in 1988 in Australia she cooked for Prince Charles and Lady Diana.

'It was a massive catering weekend, the biggest I've ever experienced. It was fine dining on a large scale and the food, which would be considered pretty standard now, was seen as revolutionary. It set the food standard for Australia,' Ms Luken told Daily Mail Australia.

Cindy Luken, 50, has now launched two successful companies - the latest being a successful lipstick company combining both her knowledge of the business world and passion for food

Ms Luken believes that what keeps her on track is having a routine that works for the whole family while also ensuring she's not compromising other areas of her life

'We were on the water with fireworks and there were one thousand dignitaries, including Prince Charles and Lady Diana.'

This foray in the cooking world inspired her to create her first company, Luken & May biscuits. The company spanned multiple channels from international airlines and 5 star hotels in Australia to supermarkets in the UK and the Starbucks chain in Japan.

She built up the business and after reaching over $5 million in turnover within five years she sold it.

'I had my biscuit company but sold it because I was nearly 40 and I wanted to have kids and be a good mum and I didn't think I could do it all at the same time'.

Ms Luken was thinking about making her way back into the business world and was helping her friend look at a body care business and was looking at how the products were produced

After she had her first child, Ms Luken was thinking about making her way back into the business world. She was helping her friend look at a body care business and was looking at how the products were produced.

Instead of making lipsticks from chemicals I could make them from food.

It was the lip tint that caught her eye so she decided to research how lipsticks were made.

'I couldn't understand the ingredients I was reading, even though I was a food scientist. I realised they were oils, colours and flavours and instead of making lipsticks from chemicals I could make them from food - I know food inside and out.

'If you put it on your lips, you're ingesting it which is what motivated me to start the business. So many of us have made the connection between eating for health but are yet to make the connection with what goes on our skin, goes in'.

She started experimenting, wanting to create all natural, healthy and safe makeup from food that you could eat.

'I couldn't understand the ingredients I was reading, even though I was a food scientist. I realised they were oils, colours and flavours and instead of making lipsticks from chemicals I could make them from food - I know food inside and out,' she said

Her idea at the core of it all was that although you may eat well, slathering on body care products and beauty products made of chemicals counteracts the efforts.

In 2012 she launched Luk Beautifood and ran the business from home while having manufacturers she worked with closely make the products.

'The market was so ripe to help women make the transition from chemical to a natural way of living. I want to empower women and give them the confidence and courage to highlight their natural beauty,' she said.

'I'm an entrepreneur by heart, I love to create products and sell them to people that would love and appreciate them.'

But balancing business management and a family does have its challenges.

Ms Luken brought one of her dreams to life when she packed up the family in April and started a tour around Australia that would last for a couple of months

'It's not easy, and that's okay, as long as you know what makes you happy and are aware that you're responsible for your own happiness. Just accept it and do your best,' she said.

Ms Luken says what keeps her on track is having a routine that works for the whole family - while also ensuring she's not compromising other areas of her life.

'Simply being conscious of the time you need or want to spend in all areas helps and being present when you're with others, rather than constantly switching or multitasking,' Ms Luken explains.

Ms Luken thinks that it's important to have a non-negotiable and that for her is dinner time, no matter what is happening in their lives.

The doting mother, who had her first child when she was 39 and her second when she was 41, hopes to be a great role model for the both of them.

Because the business is in a crucial stage of development Ms Luken couldn't join them for the whole trip but flies in and out of the different places the family are in to spend time with them

'I'm doing all of this with the brand so I can give my children a better future and teach them the importance of working hard for your goals and living a valuable life,' she said.

Ms Luken another one of her dreams to life when she packed up the family in April and started a tour around Australia that would last for a couple of months - all while running her new business.

'When we had our kids I was worried about being a stay at home mum. We made an agreement to sail around the world after our first baby but we realised how difficult that would be,' she said.

'Instead, we rented out our house and barged around France in 2009.

'When we got off the boat we decided on something else, in the future we wanted to drive around Australia and now we're making it happen.'

Because the business is in a crucial stage of development, Ms Luken couldn't join them for the whole trip but flies in and out of the different places the family are in to spend time with them.

'My husband Tony is able to be with them the whole time. The kids are happy, healthy and having the time of their lives  which, in business and in life, is what matters most,' she said.
An Australian mother-of-two moved her young family to tropical Bali after living in the Blue Mountains.

It took Eliza McCann, 45, and her husband only six weeks to make the decision to move to Bali and then to make the move.

'My husband is an author so he can work anywhere and my kids are young so we thought why not now?' Ms McCann told FEMAIL.

'We had wanderlust. We had always said we would live overseas and we were in the position where the worst case scenario wasn't even that bad'.

An Australian mother-of-two moved her young family to tropical Bali after living in the Blue Mountains

It took Eliza McCann, 45, and her husband only six weeks to make the decision to move to Bali and then make the move

What lead to the decision was when Ms McCann's husband had gone to Darwin for work and had met a man who lived half of the year in Bali.

'He came back and said, "should we go?" and my only response was "why not?". We thought we would only be gone a year'.

Just before Ms McCann's second daughter was born they had moved from Sydney to the Blue Mountains to be part of a community and get out of the hustle and bustle of the city.

She was working in film publicity and although she found all the events glamorous it didn't work with raising a family. They didn't think that before long they would be moving away again.

Just before Ms McCann's second daughter was born they had moved from Sydney to the Blue Mountains to be part of a community and get out of the hustle and bustle of the city

To pick where they would call home in Bali the couple looked at schools and based their decision of off that as school was a priority.

'We didn't check the place out, we just packed everything up and did it. My husband investigated the schools in Bali and then we narrowed it down to Canggu as we liked the school there'.

The family had no expectations when they made the move and Ms McCann believes that is probably the best thing they could have done. They didn't experience any form of culture shock apart from having to adjust to the heat.

The family had no expectations when they made the move and Ms McCann believes that is probably the best thing they could have done

Ms McCann says there is always something happening in Bali and she loved it from the get go.

'We all felt at home, it just worked. We felt at home really quickly. We even thought learning Bahasa was a breeze, we did intensive courses because we knew learning the language would make it easier.'

Their routine started as soon as the kids started school and Ms McCann and her husband spent their days writing.

'I wrote a book called My Awesome Bali Adventure. We were sitting in a place called Bungalow and there would be kids on their iPads. Bali is so rich culturally but people aren't always paying attention'.

Their routine started as soon as the kids started school and Ms McCann and her husband spent their days writing

'This is what lead me to write a travel journal for Bali. I wanted to educate people and it also has some of the local language'.

Ms McCann wrote a book called My Awesome Adventure

Ms McCann wanted to ensure that it was a book kids would enjoy and her own kids acted as a sounding board.

Initially the family only planned to be away for a year but they kept extending their time there. Before they knew it, it had been five years.

'The kids didn't fully appreciate it at the time because they were so young, it was what it was. My youngest was two when we moved over there, it was normal life for them'.

The family moved back to Australia after spending five years in Bali, this time relocating to Melbourne but her family all still speak Bahasa and continue to have lessons even now.

'The kids have a secret language when we're in Australia and use it when they want to tell me they don't like the food or want to go home,' Ms McCann laughed.

Ms McCann wanted to ensure that it was a book kids would enjoy and her own kids acted as a sounding board

The decision to move back to Australia wasn't an easy one but an opportunity came knocking at their door that they couldn't ignore.

'It was a tough transition from Bali to Melbourne but the kids love it now, they're very adaptable at this age. We moved back for my husbands work, he's writing for TV and film and you really need to be in the country for that,' she explained.

Although Melbourne was different to Sydney where Ms McCann had lived originally, there was something comforting about the wide streets, rules and regulations and o language barriers.

'To be honest, we probably needed something to bring us back to Australia otherwise we would have stayed forever.'

'It was a tough transition from Bali to Melbourne but the kids love it now, they're very adaptable at this age,' she said

The family went back to Bali for six weeks over Christmas last year and stayed in their old house and used their old car, making it feel like they had never left.

'It's almost feels like an alternate life. It felt more familiar driving in Bali than in Melbourne, it's like second nature. We all slipped back into routine and it's nice to know we have another home'.

Ms McCann has now also written a book for Sydney as it's her other favourite city and she wants to write about what she loves.

'The response to the Bali book was incredible, there was nothing like it on the market. People loved it and now the Sydney book is also getting good feedback'.

The books are made with art quality paper so that parents can keep the book and can look back on what their children wrote.

The family went back to Bali for six weeks over Christmas last year and stayed in their old house and used their old car, making it feel like they had never left

Ms McCann says that their decision to move to Bali was a great one and believes that other families who are thinking to move overseas can do the same.

'My tip is to just do it. The younger the kids are the easier it is'.

Find out more about Ms McCann's book here
Janice was a middle-aged, middle-class housewife and I was surprised when she walked through the door at the drug dependency unit where I was working. She certainly didnt look like one of my usual patients.

At first, she didnt like to talk about her addiction. Instead, she referred to it as her silliness. For several years shed been taking increasing amounts of over-the-counter painkillers after a nasty fall left her with back pain and was now consuming around six packets a day. The painkillers contained codeine, a mild opiate.

Because she was buying so many, and with such regularity, her local pharmacy had become suspicious, so shed developed an elaborate journey each morning via different pharmacies to obtain enough tablets to see her through the day.

Dr Max Pemberton has seen many middle class people whose lives were destroyed by addiction to over-the-counter painkiller. He met Janice, who was taking six packets a day, at a drug dependency unit (file photo)

Her husband was a high-flying City lawyer, and as soon as he left for work each morning she would set out on her mission. Shed realised that if she visited the same pharmacy more than once in a week, they would refuse to sell her the tablets  so shed worked out an itinerary for each day of the week using pharmacies that were grouped together by location so she didnt have to travel unreasonable distances.

She managed to fit this around her other commitments, so that, for example, on a Monday when she volunteered in a charity shop, the pharmacies were all nearby.

As a piece of organisational planning, it was mind-blowing in its rigour. Sundays used to be tricky, but I managed to combine getting the tablets with the weekly shop as all the supermarkets stock them, she told me.

It means I can get some great bargains, too, as I have to go to three supermarkets and they all reduce different things. My husband is over the moon.

He was also blissfully unaware of the extent of her silliness.

Hes hardly ever at home, but I do have to be careful about the packaging. I throw them all in a bin in the park, although I know I should recycle them really, she said, with a wince.

Janice told Dr Max: I mean, I cant be an addict. I pay my taxes and listen to Radio 4 for goodness sake. Addiction to medication has risen by 17 per cent in just two years (file photo)

When I worked out how much codeine was in each tablet, and the number she took each day, I was horrified to realise she was actually taking so much opiate it was the equivalent of using several bags of heroin a day. (Most heroin addicts use one bag a day.) But Im not an addict, she would frequently tell me  and I often wondered if it was me she was trying to convince, or herself.

I mean, I cant be an addict. I pay my taxes and listen to Radio 4 for goodness sake.

Janices story is far from unique. Over the time I worked in drug services, I saw many other people like her whose lives were destroyed by addiction to over-the-counter painkillers. And the situation is getting worse. New figures show addiction to such medication has risen by 17 per cent in just two years.

UK Addiction Treatment, which has centres across the country, predicts that a dependency on over-the-counter painkillers will soon overtake heroin and alcohol addiction.

And it warns that many people dont realise theyre addicts because the drugs are both legal and easily available.

UK Addiction Treatment, which has centres across the country, predicts that a dependency on over-the-counter painkillers will soon overtake heroin and alcohol addiction (file photo)

As well as the addiction itself, which dominates peoples lives, there is the risk of a fatal overdose. One of the problems Ive noticed is that doctors and nurses often dont realise theres a problem.

And as the Mail has highlighted in its campaign on prescription pill addiction, treatment for those dependent on legal medications is woefully inadequate, with no dedicated services to help them outside of regular drugs services.

And these services focus on illegal drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine, with little understanding in how to deal with over-the-counter painkiller addiction.Another issue is that, unlike those addicted to illegal drugs or alcohol, many of these patients manage to juggle their addiction alongside their job.

They tend not to be on benefits and are not getting arrested, so theres little political will to intervene and help them.

Meeting Janice was a salutary lesson for me in understanding that addiction can afflict anyone, from any walk of life.

It also taught me that just because a drug comes in a packet that you buy over-the-counter in the High Street, rather than wrapped in Clingfilm from a man in a hoodie down a dark alley, it doesnt mean that it cant be dangerous or addictive.

At the moment, drug services are letting this group of patients down. The NHS owes them proper care and treatment.

Scarred for YEARS by my parents' divorce

As a doctor, I am sick and tired of seeing children who are taking the brunt of the emotional fallout of failed marriages, messy divorces and warring parents.

Over the past ten years that Ive worked in A&E covering mental health, and in child psychiatry, Ive seen the results of this countless times: children and teen-agers left with emotional and behavioural problems, and unexplained physical illnesses that are really manifestations of emotional distress, such as self harm and eating disorders.

And this is just the very worst cases. Any teacher will tell you of the low level, insidious damage that never makes it to the doctors waiting room.

People in their 20s, 30s and 40s stil battle the demons of their parents divorces, sometimes long after their parents have died. This psychological pain can also influence physical health (file photo)

This week, I was particularly interested to read of a study that showed children whod experienced a bitter divorce were three times more likely to develop colds as adults.

This demonstrates two things. Firstly, that the effect of childhood trauma endures well past childhood  I see this time and again with people in their 20s, 30s and even 40s still battling the demons of their parents divorces, sometimes long after the parents themselves have died.

The study also shows how psychological pain and mental anguish can influence physical health: the mind and body are not two separate, distinct things.

I hope that parents will remember all this if they decide to divorce.

My plan to solve the NHS cash crisis

Three weeks. Thats how long people will soon have to wait for a GP appointment, according to predictions from the BMA. Three weeks is ludicrous, and the public deserves better.

It will also only push more people to overstretched A&E.

So, whats to be done?

I dont think the answer is simply to pump more money into the Health Service. The evidence suggests this doesnt help unless it is targeted.

But there is a good argument to raise spending on the NHS so its in line with that of most other European countries. However, I think this needs to be done with very clear objectives: it means increasing spending on primary care and prevention, and mental health. The amount spent on mental health is considerably out of kilter with the amount it costs the economy.

Dr Max believes the solution to the NHS crisis is to create a specific NHS tax for health and social care. The tax would work in a similar way to National Insurance

But at the moment, politicians dare not increase taxes. Equally, they dont want to admit the NHS has to ration things  so theyre stuck.

The unwelcome truth is that healthcare is costing more, and we have to get the money from somewhere. Either its going to come through direct charges for those who use services or through higher contributions from all of us.

If we plump for the latter, that means raising taxes. People understandably object to higher taxes because they dont see the direct correlation between what they pay and the services their taxes fund. Currently, the NHS is largely funded from taxation with a small amount from National Insurance.

Dr Max writes: 'It would also help challenge the idea that the Health Service was somehow free, so perhaps people would be less likely to miss appointments'

The solution is to create a specific NHS tax for the NHS and social care  similar to the way that National Insurance was introduced in 1911 to provide a safety net for workers when they fell on hard times.

It would have to come with a guarantee that the money was used only for the NHS and social care, and it would only work if there were a corresponding drop in general taxation.

People would still be giving the Government money, of course  but I think most wouldnt object to paying a tax they knew was ring-fenced for the NHS.

It would also help challenge the idea that the Health Service was somehow free, so perhaps people would be less likely to miss appointments when they saw the NHS tax leave their pay packet. We have to pay for healthcare one way or another.
This is summer is packed full of blockbusters and spectacular fantasies. Here Event gives you the low-down on what you absolutely have to see at the cinema in the coming months

1. Transformers: The Last Knight (out June 22) The apparently endless battle between Autobots, Decepticons and humans takes a mythical turn. The explosion-loving Michael Bay again directs, Mark Wahlberg stars and Anthony Hopkins adds his customary helping of laid-back British class.

2. Despicable Me 3 (out June 30) For those wondering who is now more popular  the original arch-villain Gru or his mischievous, spin-off-loving minions  its about to get a lot more complicated as Gru discovers he has a long-lost twin brother, Dru, who is everything Gru is not  charming, handsome and successful.

Spider-Man (Tom Holland) is now fully integrated in the Avengers universe

3. Spider-Man Homecoming (out July 5) Following the deal struck by Sony and Disney in 2015, and a brief cameo in Captain America, Spider-Man (Tom Holland) is now fully integrated in the Avengers universe. Tony Stark has made him a new suit, and Robert Downey Jr will be gracing this new stand-alone film.

4. War For The Planet Of The Apes (out July 11) With the apes suffering massive losses at the hands of the human forces marshalled by the Colonel (Woody Harrelson), Caesar  the chimp leader (Andy Serkis)  decides its time to hit back: hard. No mercy, no peace.

5. Dunkirk (out July 21) Probably the most eagerly awaited film of the summer, as Christopher Nolan turns his film-making skills  and mastery of visual effects  to the greatest seaborne evacuation in British history. Kenneth Branagh, Mark Rylance, Tom Hardy and Cillian Murphy lead an ensemble cast.

Scarlett Johansson, Zoe Kravitz and Ghostbusters Kate McKinnon star Rough Night

6. 6 Days (out August 4) In April 1980, armed gunmen took over the Iranian Embassy in London, holding everyone inside hostage for the next six days before the building was stormed  live on television  by the SAS. It will be interesting to see how this extraordinary but oft-reprised story survives the move to the big screen. Jamie Bell and Mark Strong take leading roles.

7. Emoji Movie (out August 4) What Inside Out did for the human brain, this hopes to do for smartphones. Set inside a messaging app, its the story of Gene, who was meant to be a meh emoji but ended up with too many emotions. With a voice cast led by Patrick Stewart, Sofia Vergara and James Corden, its a smiley face for now.

8. The Dark Tower (out August 18) This Stephen King adaptation sees the master of horror moving into the world of dark fantasy. Idris Elba stars as the gun-slinger, whose quest to reach the Dark Tower in an alternative Wild West is constantly thwarted by the man in black (Matthew McConaughey).

War For The Planet Of The Apes, in cinemas July 11

Emoji Movie (out August 4). What Inside Out did for the human brain, this hopes to do for smartphones

9. Logan Lucky (out August 25) Oceans Eleven director Steven Soderbergh is back with a comic caper that sees two down-on-their-luck brothers (Channing Tatum and Adam Driver) planning a heist in the middle of a Nascar race. But the real star is Daniel Craig, sporting a peroxide crop and a good ol southern accent. Yes, sirree.

10. Rough Night (out August 25) Sounding like an over-excited hybrid of Bridesmaids and The Hangover, a group of friends reunite for a wild bachelorette weekend in Miami, only to accidentally kill a male stripper. Scarlett Johansson, Zoe Kravitz and Ghostbusters Kate McKinnon star.
Raphael: The Drawings

Ashmolean Museum, Oxford Until September 3

Rating:

Even the greatest artists go through spells out of fashion. Few traverse the centuries with their genius unquestioned, their reputation unchallenged. Take Raphael, who was long considered the Renaissance artist par excellence.

In 1668, the poet Charles Alphonse du Fresnoy wrote that Raphael made as many miracles as he did pictures. Since the advent of Modernism, however, the harmonious beauty and illusionistic perfection of the Italians art have come to be seen as a bit quaint and strait-laced.

From the late 19th century on, we demanded something more expressive and challenging from our artists, Michelangelo being the Renaissance benchmark, Van Gogh that from more recent times.

The Heads And Hands Of Two Apostles from c 1519-20 (above) is one of 120 works on display at the Ashmolean Museum's vast career-spanning exhibition of Raphaels drawings

A vast exhibition of Raphaels drawings at the Ashmolean Museum now offers the chance to assess his work anew.

And what an exhibition it is. Featuring 120 works, it charts his progress over two decades, from late teens till his premature death aged 37 from a fever.

The first thing one notices is that he was no child prodigy. The early works, much influenced by his teacher Perugino, hardly take the breath away.

Gradually, though, touches of excellence emerge. Such as Saint Jamess vigorous, cascading curves of hair in Head Of An Apostle.

In Hercules Overpowering The Nemean Lion (above), Raphael reflects the beasts eradication with barely visible pen-work; the robust hero, by contrast, displays rich directional hatching

Raised in Urbino in central Italy, Raphael moved to Florence as a young man. He was particularly inspired there by Leonardo da Vinci  as witnessed in the way, in Leda And The Swan, he endows a static, standing figure with inherent dynamism.

Fans of Raphael will have a field day, trying to match the drawings on display with the famous, final paintings for which many of them were preparatory sketches.

Look closely and youll spot a Virgin And Child that developed into The Bridgewater Madonna.

Raphael moved to Rome in his mid-20s. By that point hed established his artistic voice.

My only gripe is the way its curators lump the works together as if different types of drawing with different purposes were all the same (Head Of An Apostle, c 1519-20, above)

In Hercules Overpowering The Nemean Lion, he reflects the beasts eradication with pen-work so minimal its barely visible; the robust hero, by contrast, is strongly modelled with rich directional hatching.

My only gripe with this show is the way its curators lump the works together as if different types of drawing with different purposes were all the same.

That isnt the fault of the artist, though. And Raphael stands confirmed here, once more, as one of the real all-time greats.

ALSO WORTH SEEING

Grayson Perry

Serpentine Gallery, London Until September 10

Rating:

Perry's pots embodying both sides of the Brexit debate are on show at the Serpentine

Its 14 years since the ceramic artist won the Turner Prize and attended the ceremony dressed as his alter ego Claire.

Now Grayson Perry is possibly better known as a presenter of TV documentaries. His latest exhibition brings these two sides of his career together.

In Divided Britain, his Channel 4 documentary shown last month, he asked the public for input for two new pots to embody both sides of the Brexit debate, and the results are here.

Elsewhere in the show, Perrys interests in popular culture, public figures and his own life loom large, so expect a gilded skateboard bearing an image of the Duchess of Cambridge, a work portraying all of Donald Trump, Marine Le Pen, Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn, and a shrine to his teddy, Alan Measles, mounted on a motorbike.
Lord Lucan: My Husband, The Truth

Monday, ITV

Rating:

Tried And Tasted: The Ultimate Shopping List

Tuesday, Channel 4

Rating:

The new series of Poldark starts tonight. No more sleeps to go. Its been brought forward from its usual autumn slot to avoid clashing with ITVs Victoria, although why Victoria couldnt have moved aside, I dont know. Maybe she just stared him down. We have seen Ross take a swing at George.

We have seen Ross cut Francis dead. We have seen Ross pick up Jud by his collar. But we do not know if he has the gift for staring down, and perhaps he was outclassed.

Awful to think of him with a shortcoming  as it is, Ive erased that whole rapey business from my mind; in fact, what rapey business?  but there you are. Pity it wasnt arm-wrestling, as there is nothing on record to suggest Victoria was any good at that. Now to this weeks TV, which I will rush through, given you probably wish to spend between now and 9pm doing your Poldark limbering-up exercises. (I shall be wearing a tricorn hat and if I should see George, Ill be taking a swing at him.)

Lucan: My Husband, The Truth saw Lady Lucan interviewed for the first time in more than 30 years

First up, our endless, salacious fascination with Lord Lucan, who murdered his childrens nanny, having mistaken her for his wife, in 1974, and despite various sightings  I once thought Id found him at the back of a kitchen cupboard, but it turned out to be an old bag of lentils  was never seen again.

Youd think there was little left to say, but Lady Lucan: My Husband, The Truth saw Lady Lucan interviewed for the first time in more than 30 years and, even though it was only her truth, it offered not just a riveting portrait of a thoroughly unpleasant marriage but also of a woman who neither evoked sympathy nor asked for it. Were you a good mother?, the programme maker, Michael Waldman, asked.

I could have been better. I did stay in bed rather too often. Did you miss the children, when you and your husband went to Monaco and they went to Westgate-on-Sea with nanny? No. I knew they were perfectly safe with nanny.

She did not flatter herself  their wedding, she said, was ill-attended because we werent very popular  or her class.

The pressure was on for a son. If you dont produce a son, your reputation is in tatters. It is honesty, but its the kind of honesty that comes from a complete lack of self-awareness. Is this how it is, for the aristocracy? Fascinating.

Alongside old family footage and reconstructions, Lady Lucan, 79, looked directly to camera  with, sometimes, make-up on one eye but not on the other, or was that the lighting?  as she described how the marriage crumbled from the get-go, how he gambled away all their money and how, after they separated, he undertook a sustained campaign to undermine me in every way.

Her brain was sharp, her memories clear, and the detail was transfixing. Please John, dont kill me, she begged, once hed murdered Sandra Rivett and had started bludgeoning her round the head.

Yet she remains disturbingly loyal. Yes, he would beat her with a cane, but they were measured blows. She thinks he ultimately threw himself overboard from a ferry, onto the propellers, so there would be no remains, which was very brave.

There were some omissions. As this was about her, mightnt we have been told something of her life as Veronica Duncan, before she married Lucan? Who was she? Where did she come from? And the intertitles towards the end, which suggested the three children still dont believe their father is a murderer. Is that how it stands?

No surprise, perhaps, that she hasnt spoken to her children for 35 years, yet she did seem rather surprised by it. That said, she did make one self-aware comment. Would you, she was asked, describe your relationship with your children as cold? Pause. Then, All my relationships have been cold.

My sympathy was not evoked but at the same time you couldnt help thinking: tragic.

Oh God, another food programme. Dont we have enough already? I sometimes wish: cant we just go back to when food was food and not every meal had to be an event?

But at least Tried And Tasted: The Ultimate Shopping List comes with a consumerist spin, and its not Rick Stein dispatched to yet another foreign city. Here, Michael Roux Jnr and three experts blind-taste the nations favourite foods prior to declaring which is the best.

And the thing is, all power to the consumerist spin and all that but, as telly, it just doesnt work. This week, it was apple pie, whisky and lamb shanks, and although there was a bit of upset in the apple pie department, as Aunt Bessie came out on top along with M&S, this pretty much proved the following rule: the more you spend on something, the better it is likely to be. I know! Who knew? So roll on, Poldark. Roll on
Five terrorists have been gunned down as the Army foiled another infiltration bid in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

A high alert was sounded along the Line of Control this afternoon as the incident took place.

It was the fourth incident of infiltration on LoC in north Kashmir during the last 48 hours.

It was the fourth incident of infiltration on LoC in north Kashmir during the last 48 hours

A defence spokesman said on Thursday multiple attempts made by the Pakistan Army to push armed infiltrators across the LoC were foiled by troops resulting in the killing of seven militants.

On Thursday, two infiltration bids were foiled in Uri and Machil sectors, in which three terrorists and a jawan were killed. Three Army jawans were also injured in the crossfire.

On Wednesday, another infiltration was foiled in Machil in which four terrorists were killed. Massive search and combing operations by the Army are going on in four areas near the LoC  Nowgam, Machil, Keran and Uri.

It is believed that many terrorists are being pushed into Jammu and Kashmir by terror groups and during the past week, it is the tenth infiltration bid that has been foiled on the LoC.

According to the Army, it has successfully foiled seven infiltration attempts in less than a fortnight in north Kashmir.
India occasionally witnesses attacks on Africans who - mostly - come to the country for higher studies.

Recently, two Nigerians were attacked by a mob in a mall near Delhi while in Greater Noida, four others were brutally beaten.

All these shameful incidents, and especially the shocking attack on a young Tanzanian woman by a mob in January 2016 in Bengaluru, led photographer Mahesh Shantaram to pick up his lens and travel to the Karnataka capital to start a photography project that increases awareness of the discrimination faced by Africans in India.

Ameenou from Nigeria pursues a B.A. in Economics from NIMS, Jaipur: One of the photos in Mahesh Shantaram's photographic exhibition

Beginning with Bengaluru, he travelled to Jaipur, Delhi and Manipal, choosing to particularly focus on students.

His exhibition, 'The African Portraits', captures the life of these migrants up close, in their natural surroundings.

Presented by Tasveer and Exhibit 320, this exhibition is the first time Shantaram, a subjective-documentary photographer, is turning to formal portraiture.

He said: 'My meetings with Africans in Bengaluru resulted in many questions in my mind. To answer those, I travelled to Manipal, Delhi, Noida, Faridabad, Jaipur, Hyderabad and Jalandhar.

Mahesh Shantaram's photo of Abdul Karim from Nigeria, who is studying at NIMS, Jaipur

'My observation was that the tendency of racism in our society is pan-Indian in nature.

Africans everywhere live with a sense of vulnerability. They don't feel they can get justice when they feel they've been wronged.'

Most of the photographs in the show are shot at night and Shantaram says the reason was practicality, initially.

'I was meeting students, mostly and they more likely to be available at night to have extended conversations. For the sake of visual coherence, I decided to shoot only at night,' the artist explained.

Vitu from Malawi studies Psychology at Acharaya Institute: another Mahesh Shantaram on display, depicting the life and times of a migrant

'But this also works on a psychological level. In the India, it is perpetually night. The night offers the security of a warm blanket.'

The photos convey ease and vulnerability at the same time. The subjects are at ease with Shantaram who develop a rapport through conversations.

The vulnerability comes from the fact that they live in a country where they are a minority.

Shantaram contiued: 'I've learned a lot about earning trust when working with people. Sometimes, it's as simple as acknowledging where they are from ('Oh! You're from Ghana?! Who do you think is going to win the elections this time?')

'They are always surprised to meet an Indian who knows that Africa is a continent of countries. They are a free-wheeling, fun-loving people who have much to share.

I would even say more liberal than Indians in some aspects. My project has always been about what I can learn about India and Indians from this diaspora.'

'The African Portraits' is on at Exhibit 320, Lado Sarai till June 16.
Very few people outside Gujarat would know that KM Munshi  freedom fighter, politician and founder of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan  was also a very popular novelist.

His most acclaimed work in historical fiction is the Patan trilogy, the first part of which, Patanni Prabhuta, is now available in a fine English translation by Rita and Abhijit Kothari as The Glory of Patan.

Patan today is a minor town in Gujarat, known principally for its exquisite Patola sarees, but from the 10th to the early 13th century, it was the capital of a kingdom which united almost all of Gujarat.

Ruled by the Solankis, kshatriyas of Rajput origin, it was a magnificent city peopled by proud citizens who believed that Patan was the centre of the world and dreamt of conquering all of India.

KM Munshi's saga finally gets its due in English: Rani ki Vav in Patan, above, was built in the 11th century

That was not to be due to the Muslim invasions, but Munshis novels capture a very important moment in the history of Gujarat, and a forgotten chapter in our national history.

The events described in The Glory of Patan take place at the end of the 11th century, with King Karnadev on his deathbed.

His son Jaydev is still a child. The onus of managing the kingdom falls on Queen Minaldevi and Patans chief minister Munjal Mehta.

But theres intrigue in the air. Anandsuri, a fanatical Jain monk, is trying to influence the queen to turn Patan into a Jain kingdom.

Devprasad, a Rajput mandaleshwar  ruler of a fiefdom that is part of the Patan kingdom is rushing to the fortified city to neutralise the monk.

Author KM Munshi

Minaldevi is seeking alliances with other mandaleshwars because she is afraid that Devprasad may lead a rebellion against her. Munjal Mehta, who was Minaldevis first love, has come to believe that the queens tactics will harm Patan, and may team up with Devprasad.

Several armies have been raised and Gujarat is a heartbeat away from an internecine war. Meanwhile, Devprasads wife Hansa, who is also Munjals sister and who is supposed to have died 15 years ago, may not after all be dead.

It should be obvious by now that The Glory of Patan has a complex plot, brimful of conspiracies, betrayals and unpredictable twists and turns. The story moves at breakneck pace, scarcely giving the reader time to catch his breath.

Munshi has taken a few real-life characters  Minaldevi, Munjal Mehta, Jayadev  and created others who fill in the spaces where history is silent. Of course, he has his favourites. Munshis heart lies with Munjal Mehta, the charismatic leader whose only interest is maintaining and furthering the glory of Patan.

But the real hero of the book is the city of Patan itself, loved by all, from its royals to its warriors to its common citizens. All the actions that the characters take  right or wrong  and all the sacrifices that they make are for Patan.

Munshi is not given to descriptive prose  he is a writer who wants to keep things moving, so we are never overtly given a sense of what the gates and walls and lanes and by-lanes of Patan look like.

But strangely enough, even though he writes only about his characters and what they do, he evokes strong visual imagery of Patan.

Here, credit must also certainly go to his translators. Munshis book was published in 1916, telling of events that took place a millennium ago.

Yet, like all great fiction, it has a timeless quality. Indeed, some readers may even find contemporary resonance.

The Glory of Patan - an epic tale

The monk Anandsuri, when defeated, insists angrily that a great nation cannot be built unless it is consolidated under one religion.

Some readers may also be uncomfortable with the central plotline, which is a battle for supremacy between Hinduism and Jainism, with Anandsuri wanting to make Jainism the state religion of Gujarat.

But this is not so. Munshis main argument is that religion and politics should not be mixed up.

After all, Munjal Mehta himself is a Jain, but he believes that giving in to Anandsuri will lead to disaster for Patan.

The book is a great read, and I cannot wait for the translations of the next two books in the trilogy to be published.
On the occasion of the opening of the One Belt One Road (OBOR) forum in Beijing, President Xi Jinping urged countries across the globe to join hands with China in pursuit of globalisation: 'We have no intention to form a small group detrimental to stability. What we hope to create is a big family of harmonious co-existence.'

India has some doubts about the 'big family'. Take the example of the China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an OBOR's offshoot; it crosses Gilgit- Baltistan (GB), considered by India an integral part of Jammu & Kashmir.

Not only has China pushed Islamabad to make GB a fifth province of Pakistan, but according to CNN-News18.com, 'Information and interviews exclusively accessed by CNN-News18 showed that the land was procured mostly by force by Pakistani generals for the CPEC and those resisting are either killed off or incarcerated without a trial.'

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (L) shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping, ahead of the Belt and Road Forum, in Beijing on May 13, 2017

Wajahat Hasan, chairman of the Gilgit-Baltistan Thinkers Forum, told the same channel: 'Thousands had their land snatched and occupied by the military authorities and their agencies.

'Under this black draconian rule, nobody can raise their voices against the CPEC.'

Issue

Another worrying issue: when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited China to attend the forum, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed to fund and build five mega hydroelectric power (HEP) projects.

The Pakistani press spoke of an Indus cascade of dams, two of them costing $27 billion (`17,000 crore), being located in GB.

The Pakistani newspaper, The Express Tribune, had earlier claimed that Pakistan and China would develop the North Indus River Cascade with an investment of $50 billion (`32,000 crore) to generate up to 40,000 MW hydro power.

According to Pakistan's Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), the Indus cascade will start from GB to reach the existing Tarbela dam downstream, not far from Islamabad.

At the MoU-signing ceremony, Nawaz Sharif affirmed: 'Development of the North Indus Cascade is a major focus of my government and the construction of Diamer-Basha Dam is the single most important initiative in this regard.'

He added, 'Water and food security are of paramount importance for Pakistan keeping in view the challenges posed by climate change.'

A 7,100 MW HEP project will be built at Bunji on the way to Skardu, the capital of Baltistan.

Though described by WAPDA as a run-of-the-river (RoR) project, it is clearly not one, as it will have a 22- km-long reservoir which will inundate 12- km of the road between Gilgit and Skardu.

The next dam is the Diamer-Basha HEP with a potential of 4,500 MW. The Diamer-Basha reservoir will submerge some 104 km of the Karakoram Highway and displace about 30,000 people, admits the WAPDA.

It will cost $15 billion(`965 crore). Both projects follow the Karakoram Highway in GB. Joydeep Gupta, a water expert, explained in a news portal: 'The Diamer- Basha dam is being promoted by WAPDA as a sediment trap and therefore good for downstream hydropower projects. But the same sediment  mainly silt  rejuvenates the soil downstream every year and has been the main reason why agriculture has been sustained in the Indus valley for millennia.'

But this does not bother the Pakistan politicians.

Projects

The other projects (the 4,320 MW Dasu HEP, the 2,200 MW Patan HEP, the 4,000 MW Thakot HEP using four headrace tunnels to divert waters and generate electricity) are located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

A 'lost' Saraswati river in the making? It has now been scientifically proved that big dams are not sustainable for several reasons; the first one being the amount of silt retained behind the dam, which stops nourishing downstream areas.

Interestingly, there is a movement in the United States to progressively decommission all large dams, which 'kills' the river, with many species of fishes unable to migrate upstream.

Another important factor is the strong 'dam lobby' in China which smells the billion dollars; it has been active since the time of Premier Li Peng and his mega Three Gorges dam.

Nepal too seems to have fallen prey to this lobby. Nepal's ministry of energy recently signed an MoU with China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) for the development of a 1,200 MW Budhigandaki HEP, which will be the biggest hydro project in Nepal.

The agreement was signed at the prime minister's residence, with the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal in attendance.

The dam will be built under the 'engineering, procurement, construction and finance' model. It means that CGGC will help arrange soft or commercial loans from China.

Warning

Already in August 2010, warning bells have been ringing in the corridors of South Block in Delhi.

The well-informed journalist, Selig Harrison, then wrote in The New York Times that according to 'a variety of foreign intelligence sources, Pakistani journalists and Pakistani human rights workers', two important new developments in Gilgit-Baltistan were taking place: 'a simmering rebellion against Pakistani rule and the influx of an estimated 7,000 to 11,000 soldiers of the People's Liberation Army'.

Tomorrow, tens of thousands of Chinese workers (17,000 for the Daimer-Basha HEP only) will come to GB; a decade or so later, when the work is completed, many will 'buy' land from Pakistan and settle for good in the area.

Further, China is bound to develop GB as a 'special' tourist destination (once the basic infrastructure is in place for the dams) and ultimately hordes of Chinese tourists will pour in to visit the 'last paradise on earth'.

How will India react? The time has perhaps come to think about this. Does Delhi want a China Town in Skardu or Gilgit? One of the solutions is to renegotiate the Indus-Water Treaty, signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan. With the latest developments, it seems completely outdated today.
The Congress party has slammed BJP president Amit Shah for 'belittling' Mahatma Gandhi at a public meeting.

But the president has in turn rebuffed the Congress for demanding an apology from him over his remark.

Mohandas Gandhi, photographed en route to London, England, in 1931

The clash came as Amit Shah had reportedly said Mahatma Gandhi was a 'chatur baniya' who knew that Congress was a tool to fight for freedom, while also suggesting that the party be dissolved after Independence.

BJP President Amit Shah

It was during an event in Chattisgarh on Friday that Shah was quoted saying: 'Bahut chatur baniya tha woh, usko maloom tha aage kya hone waala hai (He was very clever, he knew what was going to happen).'

The Congress party slammed Amit Shah for using such phrase for Mahatma Gandhi.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala demanded an apology from Amit Shah for 'belittling' the Father of the Nation.

'Amit Shah has belittled Mahatma Gandhi and the Independence struggle... He should apologise for slinging mud on the Father of the Nation and shaming the freedom struggle,' Surjewala said.

He added: 'After Independence, the BJP's kala Angrez (black Englishmen) are doing the same [as] what the British used to do.

'This statement shows what is going inside Amit Shah's head. It is scary that this party is leading the nation.'

Congress workers were in support of the farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Surjewala said, adding, 'We back the farmers. They cannot use certain media to paint the Congress in a negative light.'

Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948). Hindu nationalist and spiritual leader

Responding to Surjewala's demand for apology, Amit Shah said in Raipur on Saturday: 'Everyone present in the public meeting knows with what objective I called Mahatma Gandhi a baniya.

'Randeep Surjewala has a lot to answer on Mahatma Gandhi's principles.'

Servant gifted property

BJP leader Sushil Modi may have spoiled the birthday party of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, who turns 70 on Sunday.

Sushil Modi has come out with a claim against Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family, alleging that Yadav's servant Lallan Chowdhary gifted property to his wife Rabri Devi and fifth daughter Hema Yadav.

Modi alleged that Lallan Chowdhary, a resident of Siwan, gifted his property including land and house in Patna to Lalu and his family in 2014.

Modi backed his allegations with documentary proof. 'Lallan Chowdhary is the daanveer. The question remains how his servant acquired the property, to gift to Lalu's family,' Sushil Modi asked.
Recent tragic events have highlighted the vital role of our front-line emergency services.

They need all the help they can get. Never more so when it comes to ensuring vital blood supplies quickly reach the scene of accidents and major incidents.

Next Wednesday is World Blood Day and Dacia, the budget arm of Renault, is helping a group of volunteer blood bikers get supplies to where they are required.

Dacia UK has donated a Duster 4x4 to Serv OBN, which helps the NHS distribute blood and blood products throughout Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Northamptonshire cost-free.

Dacia has donated a Duster 4x4 to Serv OBN, which helps the NHS distribute blood throughout Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Northamptonshire cost-free

Serv OBN is a founder member of the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes, first formed in the Sixties to transport urgently needed medical items.

Based at the NHS blood transfusion unit at John Radcliffe hospital, Oxford, the Duster will aid 124 volunteers.

Last year, riders made 1,500 journeys. On average they are called out for three runs a day and volunteers work all hours, 365 days a year.

The fully-equipped 4x4 will provide a quicker response for larger loads, or help if the bike fleet is grounded by bad weather.

Volunteers: Serv OBN is a founder member of the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes, first formed in the Sixties to transport urgently needed medical items

Vital service: Last year, Serv OBN riders made 1,500 journeys. On average they are called out for three runs a day and volunteers work all hours, 365 days a year

It can carry up to five people or a payload of 1,636 litres with the back seats down.

The service receives no government funding and relies solely on public donations and sponsorship.

TVR's 200mph return TVR's new 90,000 200mph V8, capable of rest to 60 mph in less than four seconds, will make its global debut at the Goodwood Revival from September 8-10.

Paul Stothard, of Serv OBN, said: 'The Duster 4x4 will make such a difference to our efforts.

'It will provide a life-saving service for those in need of it.'

Louise O'Sullivan, head of Dacia UK, said: 'We are proud to support the humbling work the team do and hope the arrival of the Duster contributes to saving many more lives.'

If you fancy a Duster as a family runaround, prices start from 9,495 for the basic Access model up to 17,395 for the top-range Prestige.

If you are interested in helping click here.

THE GREAT BRITISH BIKE OFF There wasn't a soggy bottom in sight as The Great British Bake Off expert Paul Hollywood took to two wheels this week. At the Motor Sport magazine Hall of Fame awards night, he embarked on an emotional ride on a 1960 MV Agusta once raced by the late champion John Surtees whom, he revealed, had been a great mentor. Rising to the occasion: Paul Hollywood on a 1960 MV Agusta while Nigel Mansell is inducted into the Motor Sport Hall of Fame. The baker-turned-biker said: 'John was so excited when I started racing, and became a mentor for me after I did the Racing Legends TV show with him. What a man.' About the bike, he said: 'The gears are on the right-hand side  opposite to all the other bikes I've ridden  but it handles beautifully.' Grand Prix champion Nigel Mansell CBE was one of four greats inducted into the Hall of Fame, winning the F1 category. Legendary F1 commentator Murray Walker receives his Inspiration Award from former racing champion Nigel Mansell. Larger than life two-time Grand Prix world champion Barry Sheene, who died in 2003, topped the Motorcycle poll. The US Racing award went to Roger Penske. And Brian Redman was recognised for his huge success in Sports Car Racing. Mansell also presented veteran commentator Murray Walker with the Inspiration Award, while Prodrive boss David Richards was named Industry Champion. Dario Franchitti in the driving seat for two thunderous runs up the Captains Drive aboard a 1967 ex-Bruce McLaren M6A Can-Am car at the RAC Clubs Woodcote Park. Former F1 champion John Watson tests out the Camaro of Roger Penske, also inducted into the Hall of Fame

Skoda's Superb has topped a poll of the cars that make their owners happiest.

It had the highest score in the Auto Express Driver Power survey with a satisfaction score of 93.4 per cent.

Reason to be cheerful: Skoda's Superb has topped a poll of the cars that make their owners happiest

Skoda's Yeti SUV was hard on its heels with 93.3 per cent, followed by Japan's Lexus RX (93.1 per cent) and Toyota RAV4 (93.1 per cent).

By contrast, the last two places in the list of 75 cars were the Volkswagen Up! supermini, bottom at 85.5 per cent and the Audi A1 at 86.5 per cent.

Intriguingly, both are part of the Volkswagen group, along with Czech sibling Skoda
It was a traditional retailer facing ruin after losing custom to more nimble competitors. Predicted to collapse like Woolworths and BHS, book chain Waterstones has been saved by a very old-fashioned revival that offers a glimmer of hope for high streets everywhere.

About to deliver a second year of profit, chief executive James Daunt is now thinking the unthinkable. Can he bring bookshops back to districts they have disappeared from as Britain falls in love with browsing for paperbacks once again?

The book enthusiast thinks there are 60 locations around the country that should have shops but do not.

New leaf: James Daunt has taken the company back to profit, aided by comfortable furniture, autonomy for individual stores - and more young readers

Its a reflection of the appalling casualties there have been in the independent sector in particular, he says. His plan is for Waterstones to fill the gap. It would mark a big expansion of his 270-strong chain, but he admits it will take years to achieve. There just arent that many retail units available, so it is an aspiration.

Still, the fact he is thinking about it suggests Waterstones is here to stay. Only a few years ago, so-called retail experts were writing the last chapter of its own story after Amazon tore into sales. That was until it was bought for 53million by Russian billionaire Alexander Mamut, who hired Daunt in 2011 and tasked him with saving the chain.

Waterstones seems relaxed that he still owns his eponymous book store chain. At his new company he went straight back to basics, installing comfy furniture, pyramid tables and flowers. As we take tea on the balcony of the flagship store on Londons Piccadilly, Daunt, 53, gazes on the shoppers below. I have been resolutely old-fashioned about it. We needed better shops.

That meant re-energising his army of booksellers, even though he had to axe 200 of them to make ends meet. They needed to want to change their shops. Would they start to enjoy being booksellers again? I knew if they did we would make a success of it.

Much has gone on behind the scenes: new till systems, reducing costly returns and handing individual bookshops responsibility for ordering, sales and even pricing.

Such autonomy and the in-store enthusiasm that comes with it helped to make The Essex Serpent, a gothic Victorian novel by Sarah Perry, a surprise hit last year. This summer, Daunt has high hopes for The Sixteen Trees Of The Somme by Lars Mytting, which has been translated from Norwegian.

I have been old-fashioned and gone back to basics  we simply needed better bookshops

He has kept publishers on side even though he turned his back on 27million of income early on by ending the practice of selling space in windows to the highest bidder. We have good relations with them. One reason is that I am clearly a book person. I speak their language and know them extremely well.

One of his biggest investments was lighting. A significant part of his annual 6million store refurbishment programme has gone on LED fixtures, which are blinking expensive but banished the old gloominess without energy use going through the roof.

Touches such as these helped lift sales even when branches moved premises. Take the new Wimbledon store in South West London. It is much smaller [than the old one], it is not in as good a position and the rent is much, much lower. And it is selling slightly more books.

It helps that the market is buoyant, even though there is nothing new from Harry Potter author JK Rowling this year to flood shops with her fans. We have definitely got nice, not dramatic, but decent growth in physical book sales, he says. The simple beauty of a book has won back some Kindle converts. But a bigger impact on sales has been social media sensations turning to traditional publishing, including healthy eating guru Joe Wicks.

The young adult section, where authors include Malorie Blackman and Patrick Ness, is grabbing more shelf space and has grown even in the years when e-readers devastated other categories. Daunt is enthused. They are the readers of the future. These are the people who are not meant to be reading, they are all meant to be on Snapchat.

The young section has grown even in the years when e-readers devastated other categories

And what about online retailers? Amazon, with its deep discounts, convenience and super-quick delivery, barely crops up as we talk. I am utterly relaxed about it, he says. I think that is because of where I come from. As an independent bookseller you coexist alongside these giant chains Waterstones and Borders. Well coexist with Amazon in the same way.

But he is not complacent. Waterstones returned to the black with a 10.9million profit in the year to April 2016 and Daunt expects the year just finished will be as good as the last. He is not satisfied and would like to double profitability to give the company a bigger buffer.

If you are a prudent and responsible person running a company you would get yourself into shape to weather whatever circumstance throws at you. He might as well be referring to Brexit, which he warned staff last year could herald a significant retail downturn. Daunt fears the longer term implications of high-value jobs leaving the UK.

Library closures are a catastrophe. They are hugely important and recreating them will never happen

Meanwhile, Waterstones might change ownership again. Mamut, who has stumped up about 100million to save it, said his ambition is to put it back into a more British ownership, whether that is a stock market listing or some other form of placement of a stake. I think he likes being associated with us, but I dont think he is wedded to owning Waterstones in its entirety.

The mild-mannered Daunt reserves his anger for two subjects. The first is business rates. I think the high street, particularly outside the large metropolitan areas, is such an important part of the fabric of communities, he says. It offers good quality jobs where people need to live. But I know high streets which are just traumatised and the rates burden is a massive impediment to keeping shops open. That is a tragedy.

His second concern is the state of public libraries, which he claims operate alongside bookshops to boost childrens literacy. About 25million was cut from library budgets last year, and another 121 libraries were closed. It is a catastrophe. Libraries are hugely important and recreating them will never happen. The amount of money that has been saved is minuscule.

Waterstones returned to the black with a 10.9million profit in the year to April 2016

Daunts love of books goes back to a weekly visit as a child to his local North London library with his mother. His father was a diplomat so they travelled  New York, Paris, Brussels, Cyprus. After university at Cambridge, he worked as an investment banker at JP Morgan, but found the work utterly boring. Years before bankers fell from grace, his wife didnt think much of the profession either.

So at 25 he quit to follow his dream, taking a big loan to buy for 240,000 a beautiful bookshop on Marylebone High Street in Central London. It was a huge gamble, but the Daunt Books chain has grown to six shops in the capital, where titles are still arranged by country. He still goes in to visit the staff.

It is extremely rude for them not to at least pretend that theyve missed me.

As he reflects on his success so far at Waterstones, there is only one book-shaped black cloud on the horizon: he has run out of space at his Hampstead home for his vast private collection.

Encouraged by his wife Katy, Daunt has introduced a one in, one out book policy. The father of two daughters sighs. I clearly have a very long and enduring marriage, but every month I come back and there is a shelf that is empty. Oxfam does quite well out of me.

And Britains high streets have done even better.
The parents of Corrie McKeague had no idea about his exotic sex life but fear it could hold the key to his disappearance.

Revelations about the missing RAF serviceman's personal affairs were only discovered by his family after he vanished following a night out in Bury St Edmunds, last September.

His devastated relatives went through his possessions and social media accounts to see if they could gain any clues to his whereabouts and discovered he was signed up to a number of swinging and dating websites.

After his disappearance, multiple theories developed about his whereabouts sparking concerns he had met someone from online or been lured into a fatal honey trap.

Pictured: Corrie McKeague's father Martin with wife Trisha who had 'no idea' about their son's personal life

Missing: Corrie McKeague, pictured above with girlfriend April Oliver, vanished after a night out in Bury St Edmunds last year

Father Martin McKeague, 48, and step-mother Trisha, 54, found out about Corrie's links to swinging groups and online dating three days after he went missing.

In an interview with MailOnline, Mr McKeague said they had 'no idea' when they were first told.

The details only emerged publicly three months later when in January, family members confirmed dating profiles were genuine after an internet user discovered them and published them to Reddit.

It was revealed the soldier, stationed at RAF Honington in Suffolk, had accounts on multiple sites and had met up with strangers in the past for sex. His mother said at the time Corrie would take risks that others wouldn't 'because he could handle it'.

Mr McKeague, of Cupar, Fife, said details about Corrie's private life was far from his minds when they first realised he had gone missing.

He said: 'I didn't know about that side of him or that side of his life. I think because we had quite a bit of information given to us, the way I felt was this boy has gone missing and all I could only think was about what had happened to him.

'We were three days in at that point. He was last seen on Saturday but wasn't reported missing until the Monday. All that was going through my head we still hadnt found him and he could be dead on a road somewhere.'

Dating websites: After Corrie was reported missing, his family discovered he had a number of active profiles on dating and swinging websites

Corrie's interest in online dating became a key area of the police's investigation to find him, amid fears he had been lured into a honey trap or on his way to meet up with someone in a disorientated state.

Suffolk Police revealed last month Corrie's lifestyle and background was still playing a role in their inquiries, despite an ongoing search at a landfill site where as yet nothing of significance has been recovered.

Martin told MailOnline during an interview several avenues had been explored by the police but had not been reported in the public domain.

Mr McKeague said all signs pointed towards Corrie's body was taken to the landfill site near Milton, Cambridgeshire.

But said no one would truly be able to know what had happened until Corrie was found. He urged anyone with information to contact police.

Background: Suffolk Police say Corrie's lifestyle and background is still playing a role in their inquiries, as they continue to search a landfill site in Cambridgeshire where his body is believed to be

Interests: After the airman disappeared, it emerged he had an active presence online with profiles on swinging sites - including a shared profile with his girlfriend April (above)

He said: 'At the moment all the evidence points to the fact Corrie is at the landfill site.

'But if someone knows something, anything, they need to tell police and if there is evidence, we will go there!

'I will do anything to get my son back,' he said with emotion.

Details of the crewman's colourful sex life began to emerge after an anonymous user posted a link to his swingers' page on social media website Reddit on Tuesday.

Hours later, during an online questions and answers session on Facebook, his brother Darroch addressed the rumours, saying: 'The dating sites he has been on it's just irrelevant.'

Investigation: Police have interviewed a former Tinder date of Corrie's as well as speaking to people who knew him through his personal affairs

As well as details into the serviceman's personal life, a secret girlfriend and hidden pregnancy later emerged.

Details of Corrie's love life were kept away from the public eye until his mother broke the news in a twist earlier this year, revealing he had joined an online swingers' club

His profile on Fab Swinger emerged alongside a photograph of him which reads: 'Hello all, come say hi.' He said he was looking for straight and lesbian couples and single women aged 18 to 60.

Among the 'interests' he apparently listed were adult parties, blindfolds, cuckolding, making videos, role play, SM (sadomasochism), spanking and threesomes.

His list of 'friends' on his profile, which is no longer active, included a mixture of couples, single men and women, and transvestites.

Corrie also opened a joint account on the partner-swapping club with his April  who is expecting their child later this year. It said 'we are a young couple, but we know what we want.'

An account was also set up on dating website Plenty of Fish where the described himself as 'a princess' who was looking for a relationship.

The airman was also alleged to have had a an account on dating app Grindr, set up two years ago under the username 'BiLad21'.

These revelations prompted fears from his family and friends that he could have been the victim of a homophobic attack, though his family have denied he was gay.

Detectives have been examining the airmans links to online sites as well as his internet activity as a part of their ongoing inquiries.

Earlier this year, his mother Nicola Urquhart expressed fears about Corrie's lifestyle and the links to his disappearance.

Police search teams have spent nearly eight months looking for Mr McKeague since he disappeared following a night out with friends

Last month Mr McKeague spoke of his private war behind the public appeal to his find his son. Pictured above, Mr McKeague with his wife Trisha speaking to reporter Katie French

During an online question and answer session, she said: 'He makes choices others might not. Would he go to a stranger's house that he's met on a dating site? Yes. Would he get into a stranger's car? Yes.'

She added: 'He would put himself at risk because he believed he could handle himself.'

Ms Urquhart described her son as a 'social hand grenade'.

Speaking more general about his and girlfriend April's personal life, he said: 'They are young and were enjoying themselves. They were both seeing other people.'

A review of an alleged encounter with Mr McKeague was posted by a 28-year-old woman in April last year saying that he turned up looking and smelling amazing and that it didnt take long for me to get his clothes off.

It concluded: Enjoyed every minute of it! A couple, whose comments could not be verified, recalled having a good laugh and an amazing time in July 2015 with the airman, who they described as hot hot hot.

Corrie's devastated father told MailOnline: I dont know why they are trying to paint him in this way, as if he is a saint or a single lad'

Corrie's father Martin McKeague, pictured with his new wife Trisha McKeague, feels he has been pushed out by the missing serviceman's mother

It was revealed police interviewed a former Tinder date of Corrie's as part of their investigation.

A spokesman for Suffolk Police said Corrie's background and lifestyle was still being studied as part of the case.

This week Suffolk Police announced they were continuing to search the landfill site, but so far had found nothing that could help with the investigation.

In a full statement, a spokesman for Suffolk Police said: 'Specialist officers from Suffolk and Norfolk police have been searching the area of the landfill site which was identified as holding waste from the Bury St Edmunds area in the relevant time period.

'The work is constantly being reviewed and, as the search team are still finding items from the right time frame that are identifiable as coming from the town, the search will continue on a week by week basis.

'Throughout the search officers have been working to understand exactly where waste was deposited and how it may have been spread out during the process.

'This week police will be bulk-moving further material to allow the work to continue. This is being done to ensure all parts of the relevant area are covered following further detailed and specific work completed around the GPS positioning of the vehicle which brought the waste to the site.

'This has led to an expansion of the original search parameters as work continues to locate anything that may help the investigation into Corries disappearance.

'Around 4,430 tonnes of waste have been searched through to date.'

Last month Mr McKeague spoke of his private war behind the public appeal to his find his sun and said his estranged wife had been misleading.

In particular he referenced the Find Corrie page, which has amassed around 140,000 followers on Twitter and Facebook.

Mr McKeague said he didn't understand why the page described Corrie as happily single and denied rumours he was depressed, despite the fact the 23-year-old was taking antidepressants.

It was also the page which exposed intimate details about the airmans sex and love life.

I dont know why they are trying to paint him in this way, as if he is a saint or a single lad, he said, speaking at the time.
A convicted criminal accused of luring an Australian teenager to the US for sex has protested his innocence from his New York prison cell.

Sean Price, 39, allegedly groomed the Lindfield schoolgirl, 16, from Sydney's North Shore on Snapchat before convincing her to board a plane to Los Angeles.

Price allegedly received nude photos from the teen before sending her US$1,600 (AU$2,150) for the airfare.

Price has now taken the extraordinary step of calling Daily Mail Australia direct from Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Centre and appeared to blame the 16-year-old for his alleged wrongdoing.

'I'm innocent. There's nothing to suggest I've done anything wrong,' insisted Price, during the first of two three-minute phone calls.

Sean Price, 39, allegedly groomed a Lindfield schoolgirl, 16, from Sydney's north shore on Snapchat before convincing her to board a plane to Los Angeles

Price allegedly received nude photos from the teen (pictured left) before sending her US$1,600 (AU$2,150) for the airfare

The 39-year-old was regularly interrupted by a recorded message that said: 'This call is from a U.S. federal prison.'

After the first call was disconnected, Price phoned back an hour and a half later, and claimed the teenager had lied about her age.

'First of all, she told me she was 22  and I made my choice. Do you ask a girl for ID if she looks young? No,' Price said.

'If I figured she was that young I wouldn't have met her.'

When the second call dropped out, Daily Mail Australia's attempts to reconnect were unsuccessful.

Price's estranged wife, Rhyse (pictured left with the accused), previously told Daily Mail Australia she was sickened by the allegations

Police found the 16-year-old in the basement of Price's mother's home (pictured) in New York last month, it's alleged

Price's long rap sheet includes a 1995 conviction for criminally negligent homicide for the death of a passenger in a car crash.

His estranged wife, Rhyse, previously told Daily Mail Australia she was sickened by the allegations he groomed the 16-year-old, but said she wasn't surprised.

She separated from him and fled to Canada with their four-year-old child and her 17-year-old daughter, who has a different father.

'This is horrifying,' Ms Price said. 'I'm broken for my four-year-old daughter. She adores him despite his absence.'

Asked if she had a message for Price, she said: 'To Sean: I hope your daughter never has to suffer the sins you have placed in her name.'

Ms Price said her heart went out to the 16-year-old girl and her family.

Asked if she had a message for Price, his estranged wife said: 'To Sean: I hope your daughter never has to suffer the sins you have placed in her name'

Price allegedly used social media app Snapchat to lure the teenager to the US (stock image)

'I feel for this girl's parents. I cannot imagine their fears and just what they must have been going through while she was missing. I can't believe this. He is sick.'

US authorities allege the Sydney teenager landed in Los Angeles before Price rented a car and drove her 12,000km to New York.

The pair allegedly had sex along the way, according the New York Daily News.

Police found the 16-year-old in the basement of Price's mother's home in Queens, New York, last month.

When authorities arrived, Price's mother told them her son and the teenager weren't there - as the pair tried to hide, according to the paper.

The teen reportedly suffers from anxiety disorder and was having troubles at home when she met Price online.

'I'm broken for my four-year-old daughter. She adores him despite his absence,' Ms Price said

A room inside Price's mother's home where the 16-year-old girl was found is pictured

Price was refused bail three weeks ago after he tried to convince a magistrate to grant it by offering up his mother's house.

'Any offer doesn't give the court much confidence,' Brooklyn Federal Magistrate Judge Viktor Pohorelsky said, according to the NY Daily News.

An Australian Federal Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the teenager was reported missing to NSW Police from her Lindfield home on April 11.

'A number of inquiries were made by police who were able to determine the teenager had left the country and travelled to the United States,' the spokesperson said.

'Collaboration between the Australian Federal Police and U.S. law enforcement officials led to the girl being located in New York State in the company of a 39-year-old man on Friday, 12 May.

'The man was arrested and charged with a number of offences relating to his conduct and interactions with the girl and will face court action in the US.'

Price, 39, is accused of grooming the 16-year-old schoolgirl from Sydney for months before convincing her to board a plane to the US for sex

Ms Price said her heart went out to the 16-year-old girl and her family. She is pictured with her estranged husband on their wedding day

The girl has returned to Australia and is believed to be back at her Sydney high school.

At a press conference last month, NSW Acting Superintendent Mick Haddow said the family was 'dealing with an enormous challenge'.

'Needless to say, this has been a very traumatic experience for everyone involved.'

AFP Commander Chris Sheehan said Price was facing multiple charges, including for allegedly moving a minor person across state jurisdiction for sexual purposes.

His estranged wife, Rhyse Price, said she was sickened by the news but was not surprised

Price was refused bail three weeks ago after he tried to convince a magistrate to grant it by offering up his mother's house

'The male person who groomed her to go overseas has been arrested in the United States and will face prosecution for very serious offences,' Mr Sheehan said.

He said there were Australian federal and state legislation relating to adults grooming children for sexual purposes.

'There is always potential down the track for prosecution here in Australia.'

Mr Sheehan advised parents to be aware of the risks of social media use and to be aware of what their children are doing online.
Congressional investigators probing alleged contacts between aides to President Donald Trump and the Russian government have officially requested to see memos written by fired FBI Director James Comey, it was reported on Friday.

The House Intelligence Committee, led by Republican chairman Michael Conaway and the ranking Democrat, Adam Schiff, officially sent a request to Comey for copies of the memos that the former FBI head wrote to document his private conversations with Trump.

Schiff and Conaway also asked White House counsel Don McGahn for any record the White House kept of their meetings, according to CNN.

The House panel would like to receive the Comey memos as well as tape recordings of Trump's conversations with the former FBI head  if they exist  by June 23.

The Senate Judiciary Committee, which is conducting its own inquiry into alleged Russian meddling in the election, is asking a friend of Comey to hand over any memos Comey has given him.

At his first congressional appearance since his abrupt firing last month, former FBI Director James Comey laid bare months of White House distrust in his highly anticipated testimony

Comey said he wrote memos detailing his conversations with President Donald Trump (seen above at the White House on Friday)

Comey testified Thursday that he'd given a memo including details about a conversation with Trump to a friend, who was later identified as law professor Daniel Richman.

Comey said he'd asked Richman to share content of the memo with a reporter.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and other members of the committee said Friday that they have asked Richman to provide the memo to the panel.

Comey said at the hearing he no longer has copies of the memo and the FBI has so far not provided any to Congress.

The House Intelligence Committee, led by Republican chairman Michael Conaway (left) and the ranking Democrat, Adam Schiff (right), officially sent a request to Comey for copies of the memos that the former FBI head wrote to document his private conversations with Trump

Comey testified on Thursday that a professor friend from Columbia University, Daniel Richman (right), leaked his Trump memo. The Senate Judiciary Committee has asked Richman to provide a copy of the memo

Comey said he would allow Richman to release it.

In dramatic testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, Comey accused Trump of lying about the circumstances of his dismissal.

Comey asserted Thursday that Trump fired him because of the ongoing investigation into possible ties between Trump's campaign and Russia.

Comey also bluntly accused the White House of spreading 'lies, plain and simple.'

Comey also said that Trump had made clear to him his preference that the investigation into former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn be squelched.

The former FBI director said he felt so uncomfortable with Trump's overtures to him that he felt the need to immediately write down the contents of their meetings after they had concluded.

Trump said he would reveal 'over a short period of time' whether he has tapes of his interactions with Comey, after the two men's stories clashed. Congress has also asked for the tapes - if they exist

Trump tried to rattle Comey with a May 12 tweet saying Comey had 'better hope that there are no "tapes" of our conversations'

Trump's personal attorney insisted Thursday that Comey revealed details of discussions with the president earlier than Comey had acknowledged.

Marc Kasowitz released a statement Friday to clarify his statement from the day before, after Comey's Senate testimony.

Comey testified that he gave a memo with his recollections of his conversation with Trump to a friend after the president's May 12 tweet about possible White House recordings.

Comey then urged his friend to share the recollections with the press.

But Kasowitz claims that he believes Comey shared details earlier than that, suggesting it informed a May 11 story in The New York Times.

The statement from Kasowitz was released moments after a news conference in which Trump accused Comey of lying under oath.

Trump said on Friday he's '100 per cent' willing to testify under oath about his interactions with Comey.

Marc Kasowitz, Trump's personal attorney, seized on Comey's affirmation that he told Trump he was not personally under investigation

Trump insists that Comey lied in some parts of the testimony he gave Thursday to the Senate intelligence committee. Comey testified under oath.

Trump says that he never asked Comey for a pledge of loyalty and never told Comey he hoped the investigation of Flynn would go away.

He says nobody would ask a man he hardly knew to pledge loyalty to him.

Trump on Friday told a joint news conference at the White House alongside visiting Romanian President Klaus Iohannis that Comey's testimony Thursday proved there was 'no collusion, no obstruction' and that 'he's a leaker.'

Trump also said Comey confirmed a lot of what he had claimed about their interactions, though he says other parts of Comey's testimony 'just weren't true.'

Trump won't rule out his previous claim that there may be tapes of his conversations with Comey.

He says, 'Well, I'll tell you about that maybe sometime in the very near future.'

Earlier on Friday, Trump asserted that Comey's testimony to Congress represents 'total and complete vindication.'

Trump, who did not post on his Twitter account as Comey appeared before the Senate intelligence committee Thursday, sent a tweet at daybreak Friday.

In the post, the president said: 'Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication... and WOW, Comey is a leaker.'

Trump was referring to Comey's revelation that he had passed on to a friend a written memo he'd made detailing a meeting with Trump at the White House - and had asked a friend to give it to a reporter for the New York Times.

During much of the increasingly heated debate surrounding the FBI's investigation of Russia's role in the election, Trump has chafed over news leaks, arguing that news organizations had not given them proper attention.
The stealthy F-35 fighter jets made by Lockheed Martin Corp were temporarily grounded at a US Air Force base in Arizona on Friday because of irregularities in pilots' oxygen supplies, an Air Force spokesman said.

Training flights were scheduled to resume on Monday after a day of safety briefings at the base on Friday, a base spokeswoman said.

Lockheed Martin plans to demonstrate the advanced jet at the Paris Air Show this month.

At Luke Air Force Base northwest of Phoenix, Arizona, the 56th Fighter Wing canceled local flying operations for its F-35A Lightning II aircraft due to five incidents in which pilots experienced symptoms resembling hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation, according to the Air Force spokesman, Captain Mark Graff at the Pentagon.

The stealthy F-35 fighter jets (seen in the above stock image) made by Lockheed Martin Corp were temporarily grounded at a US Air Force base in Arizona on Friday because of irregularities in pilots' oxygen supplies, an Air Force spokesman said

The Air Force said the incidents occurred from May 2 to Thursday, and that in each case the aircraft's backup oxygen system worked as designed and the jets were able to land safely.

The base typically has 25 training flights each weekday, the base spokeswoman said.

The Pentagon said that it was conducting a comprehensive review of the facts and circumstances surrounding physiological episodes along with industry experts.

A Lockheed representative said the company would help the Air Force address the issue.

The F-35 business accounted for about 37 per cent of Lockheed's total revenue during the last fiscal quarter, which ended on March 30.

During the quarter, Lockheed's revenue from its aeronautics business increased 8 per cent to $4.11billion, led by higher sales of the F-35.

At Luke Air Force Base northwest of Phoenix, Arizona, the 56th Fighter Wing canceled local flying operations for its F-35A Lightning II aircraft due to five incidents in which pilots experienced symptoms resembling hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation

Lockheed and its main partners, Northrop Grumman Corp, United Technologies Corp's Pratt & Whitney and BAE Systems Plc have been developing and building F-35s for the US military and 10 allies.

More than 220 operational F-35s have been built and delivered worldwide, and they have collectively flown more than 95,000 flight hours.
Three Oklahoma law enforcement officers fatally shot a black man who was carrying two knives while trying to pick him up for a mental health issue on Friday.

Tulsa County sheriff's deputies were attempting to pick up 29-year-old Joshua Barre near his house, but the man walked away and to a nearby convenience store instead, Tulsa police spokesman Leland Ashley said.

Two deputies and a Tulsa police officer, all unidentified as of yet, opened fire before Barre could enter the store when they discovered that he was carrying two knives and became concerned about the safety of the people who were inside the business, Ashley said.

Surveillance camera footage shows Barre entering the Super Store convenience store at 46th Street North and Martin Luther King Blvd. and being shot almost as soon as he enters and falling limp to the floor. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

A man inside the convenience store looks out the window after hearing a commotion

Seeing Barre coming towards the store, he and another man run to the back when Barre enters, carrying what police and four 911 callers said are two knives

The disturbed man enters the store with what appears to be the knives in his hand as the policemen can be seen taking up a stance outside

Barre is shot as he enters the store and he immediately falls to the floor, he died at the hospital

Barre was known to police to have mental health issues and they had tried to pick him up at his house twice before

The deputies who fired the shots are white and the police officer is black. All three have been put on routine administrative leave.

It's not clear how many times Barre was struck. Ashley said authorities are reviewing footage believed to have been recorded by police dashboard and store surveillance cameras.

He said an officer's body camera also might have captured what happened.

Deputies had gone to Barre's home several times since a civil mental health pickup order was issued May 31, police and the sheriff's office said Friday night in a joint statement.

The shooting happened at this convenience store on 46th Street North and Martin Luther King Blvd.

Police Chaplain Andru Morgan prays at the scene of an officer involved shooting, Friday, June 9 in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tim Borrens yells at police after a man was fatally shot after entering a convenience store

On June 1 and 7, he made threats about what he would do if they forced their way inside his home and they left since he was no immediate threat to the public, according to the statement. On June 5, they couldn't find him.

It was different on Friday, when four 911 callers reported seeing Barre walking the streets with two large knives and threatening people, the statement said.

When Barre approached the convenience store, deputies ordered him to stop. A deputy used his stun gun on Barre, but it 'had no effect,' the statement said. Deputies and a police officer began shooting when Barre opened the door to the store to go inside.

The shooting triggered a protest on a city street.

Dozens of residents gathered at an intersection near the store within minutes of the shooting on Tulsa's north side. Some shouted, 'Hands up, don't shoot!'

At least two dozen officers and deputies wearing riot gear assembled in the store's parking lot. The crowd of residents eventually dispersed.

A crowd chants as law enforcement officials investigate near 46th Street North and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, following an officer-involved shooting

Law enforcement officials investigate an officer-involved shooting near 46th Street North and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Police say the mentally disturbed man had two knives

Some residents questioned why officers didn't use less lethal means to restrain Barre, given his fragile mental state.

The shooting comes about three weeks after jurors acquitted a white Tulsa police officer of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man, Terence Crutcher, 40, last September.

The verdict in favor of Betty Jo Shelby, who was allowed to return to the force, sparked peaceful protests and calls from community leaders and family members of Crutcher to demand more accountability from the police.

Tulsa resident Angie Pitts, left, tries to calm down others as law enforcement officials investigate near where a disturbed man was shot after entering a store

Civil rights groups called on police and the sheriff's office to turn the investigation of Friday's shooting over to an independent agency.

Not doing so 'will continue to erode the already fragile trust that exists' between law enforcement and the community, said Ryan Kiesel, executive director of Oklahoma's American Civil Liberties Union chapter.

'It is absurd to ask the residents of Tulsa County to trust a system that has demonstrated a clear pattern of immoral and unethical behavior to investigate itself.

'That conclusion might be different if todays killing were an isolated incident, but it is not. Indeed, both the [Tulsa Police Department and the Tulsa County Sheriffs office] have a track record of dehumanizing and killing people they are supposed to protect and serve,' said the group in a statement.

A crowd gathered to protest the shooting of a disturbed local man who cops say had two knives when he entered a convenience store

Cleo Harris, who stood behind the yellow tape that authorities used to cordon off the scene, said blacks like him who live on the city's north side are fed up with what they perceive as a double standard in how the city is policed.

'People are upset, they're tired,' the 50-year-old Harris said. 'Black residents in north Tulsa want to be treated the same way (police) treat residents on the south side.'

Barre's next-door neighbor, Angelica Hearn, 33, said: 'He didn't bother no one. The police should've sent someone equipped to handle this.'
A man accused of fatally shooting an Indian man after yelling 'get out of my country' has been indicted on hate crime charges, the US Justice Department announced.

Adam Purinton, 52, was indicted Friday by a federal grand jury on two hate crime charges and a firearm charge after a February 22 shooting at Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas that killed 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla.

Purinton, who is white, yelled 'get out of my country' at Kuchibhotla and another Indian national Alok Madasani, before he opened fire, witnesses said.

Kuchibhotla died and Madasani was injured. A third man, Ian Grillot, was wounded when he tried to intervene.

The indictment Friday alleges Purinton shot the two Indian men because of their 'actual and perceived' race, color, religion and national origin.

Purinton could face the death penalty if he is convicted of the federal charges, although prosecutors said it would decide later on whether to pursue it.

Adam Purinton, 52, (pictured on May 15) was indicted Friday by a federal grand jury on two hate crime charges and a firearm charge after a February 22 shooting

Purinton yelled 'get out of my country' at Indian nationals Srinivas Kuchibhotla (left) and Alok Madasani (right), before he opened fire, witnesses said. Kuchibhotla died in the shooting

Kuchibhotla and Madasani, who came to the U.S. from India to study, both worked as engineers at the GPS-maker Garmin.

The friends were having a drink at the bar when Purinton yelled 'get out of my country', according to a witnesses.

Madasani also told detectives that the gunman asked if their 'status was legal' before he opened fire, according to an affidavit released in March.

Purinton was thrown out of the bar before he returned and opened fire, police said.

Kuchibhotla died at an area hospital and Madasani and Grillot were treated for their wounds.

After the shooting, Purinton drove 70 miles east to an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, where he allegedly admitted the shootings to a bartender, who called police.

The indictment on Friday alleges Purinton committed the crimes after premeditation and planning, attempted to kill more than one person and created a grave risk of death to others at the scene.

Purinton is jailed in Johnson County, Kansas, on $2 million bond on murder and attempted murder charges.

His public defender, Michael McCulloch, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

The indictment on Friday alleges Purinton (pictured at his initial court appearance on February 27) committed the crimes after premeditation and planning, attempted to kill more than one person and created a grave risk of death to others at the scene

Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland said in a statement that the hate crime charge was appropriate.

'The intent of this one act was to spread hate. It failed miserably,' Copeland said. 'It has spread love, and it has brought this community even closer together.'

Police Chief Steve Menke said he hoped the charges would bring some comfort to Kuchibhotla' loved ones and friends and to the survivors of the shooting.

Purinton was a Navy veteran who was a regular customer at Austin's.

Neighbors in the quiet Olathe cul-de-sac where he lived told The Associated Press that Purinton had become 'a drunken mess' after his father's death about two years ago and had physically and mentally deteriorated before the shooting.

Grillot, who hid under a table during the shooting, confronted the gunman once he thought Purinton had run out of ammunition. He was shot in the hand and chest and hospitalized for 10 days.

Ian Grillot, who hid under a table during the shooting, confronted the gunman once he thought Purinton had run out of ammunition. He was shot in the hand and chest

Three officials from the Consulate General of India in Houston traveled to Kansas City to meet Grillot, and told him that his bravery was more representative of America than the violence at Austin's, the hospital said.

In March, Grillot received a $100,000 check at a gala in Houston from The India House and three donors, with the money to be used toward buying a house.

A message left Friday with the Consul General's office was not immediately returned. A message to the Indian Embassy in Washington D.C. also was not immediately returned.
Joe Biden's niece Caroline - pictured in 2013 - has escaped a jail sentence even though she pleaded guilty to stealing $110,810.04 in a credit card scam

Joe Biden's niece has dodged jail - again - after she stole $110,810 in a credit card scam.

Caroline Biden, 30, was offered a plea bargain at the Manhattan Supreme Court in New York and pleaded guilty to using a borrowed credit card to go on a lush shopping binge, according to the New York Post.

Had she been tried normally Biden would have spent up to a year in jail but she has rather been sentenced to two years probation, if she is able to pay back the money and behaves herself.

The young blonde's defense attorneys, one of whom is Ira London - one of New York's top-rated lawyers - has refused to comment on the reduced sentence, the Post reported.

Joe's unruly niece asked to borrow a credit card from a victim, who was not identified in court documents, to buy an item for $672.

But Biden strayed from her word. She opened an account at the Bigelow Pharmacy in New York and spent more than $100,000 between April 2015 and June 24 2016 buying the store's products.

On May 5, police arrested her and charged her with grand and petit larceny. On Friday she made her second court appearance, pleading guilty to both charges.

This isn't the first time Biden - who is the daughter of Joe Biden's brother James - has found herself in a legal mess.

The unruly niece pleaded guilty to using a borrowed credit card to open an unauthorized customer account at the Manhattan Supreme Court

In 2013, she was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The most bizarre part of that debacle was when she covered herself in a white blanket while she was transported from the police station to the hospital

In 2013, she was arrested for harassment, resisting arrest and obstruction of justice after she got into a fight with a roommate over rent.

She also uttered to police while she was arrested: 'I shouldnt be handcuffed! You dont know who youre doing this to!'

What appeared to be the most bizarre part of that debacle was when she covered herself in a white blanket while she was transported from the police station to the hospital. Police at the time did not provide a reason for the transfer.

Biden - who has been reportedly in and out of rehab for anger management and a drug addiction - also managed to escape jail at the time when the court ordered for her charges to be dropped if she behaved for six months.
Little Arabella Kushner told her kindergarten class she wants to be in the Marines when she's all grown up.

The five-year-old participated in an activity at school in which she was interviewed by her classmates. Her proud mother, Ivanka Trump, shared her responses on Twitter.

'Arabella's very cute answers to her kindergarten classmates' questions during today's student spotlight!'

Little Arabella Trump told her kindergarten class that she wants to be in the Marines when she's all grown up. She's pictured with her mother Ivanka Trump as they practice coding

The five-year-old participated in an activity at school in which she was interviewed by her classmates. Her proud mother shared her responses (pictured) on Twitter on Friday

Arabella told her classmates and teachers that she loves ice cream, her favorite country is America and her favorite color is rainbow. Arabella, whose parents are Jewish, also said that if she could be any star in the world, she would be 'A Star of David'

The spotlight interview consisted of 18 questions, including ones about Arabella's favorite food and her favorite country.

She told her classmates and teachers that she loves ice cream, her favorite country is America and her favorite color is rainbow.

Arabella, whose parents are Jewish, also said that if she could be any star in the world, she would be 'A Star of David'.

The adorable little girl is apparently a big fan of Disney's 2013 movie Frozen as she told her class that if she were a Lego, she would look like 'Elsa'.

And if Arabella could be a princess, she said she would want to be 'Elena of Avalor', which is Disney's first animated Latina princess.

But her responses to other questions took a more interesting turn, including the one about what she wanted to be when she grows up.

'I'll be in the Marines,' she answered.

When asked about her favorite holiday, she hinted at her heritage when she said 'Hanukkah' before adding in 'because I get presents'.
Theresa May received telephone calls from the presidents of the US and France to 'congratulate' her on returning to Downing Street.

After the Tories saw their Commons majority wiped out as Mrs May sought to continue in power heading a minority administration backed by the Democratic Unionist Party, US President Donald Trump told the PM he looked forward to continued 'close co-operation', while Emmanuel Macron invited her to visit France.

Initially the US President had admitted the result had caught him off guard, but called his British counterpart to offer his 'warm support'.

USPresident Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May participate in a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House

French President Emmanuel Macron walks past a sign reading "Breizh" during a visit in Lorient

A Downing Street spokesman said: 'US President Donald Trump called the Prime Minister to offer his congratulations.

'Both sides agreed they look forward to continuing the close cooperation between our two countries.

'The French President Emmanuel Macron called to congratulate the Prime Minister, and said he was pleased that she would continue to be a close partner.

'The president invited the Prime Minister to visit France at the earliest possible opportunity, and they agreed that the strong friendship between our two countries was important and would endure.'

Donald Trump and Theresa May spoke over the phone.

A White House spokesman said the Prime Minister and the President had agreed to continue the close cooperation between their two countries.

Trump stressed his commitment to the 'special relationship' between the United States and Britain and said he looked forward to working with May 'on shared goals and interests in the years to come'.
A teenage girl who stabbed another teenager in the heart, nearly killing her, has walked free from court with no conviction recorded.

The girl, 13, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared in Townsville Children's Court on Friday, reported the Townsville Bulletin.

The court heard the 13-year-old was in a fight with a group of teenagers in February last year.

A teenage girl, 13, who stabbed another teenager, 15, in the heart, nearly killing her, has walked free from court with no conviction recorded (stock image)

She reportedly told another 15-year-old girl, who had said disrespectful things about her grandmother who had recently died, that she was going to stab her and went home to get two knives.

Crown prosecutor Andrew Walklate said someone at the girl's house took the knives off her, but she got two more and returned to the scene of the fight.

He said the 13-year-old girl said to the group 'Who's ready to die now?' before stabbing the victim in the chest area.

The victim was stabbed in the ribs and heart and had to undergo surgery to have the wall of her heart stitched up.

The 13-year-old handed herself into police and admitted to the crime and pleaded guilty to grevious bodily harm.

Judge Douglas McGill described it as a serious injury.

The girl, 13, who cannot be identified, appeared in Townsville Children's Court (pictured) on Friday. She was sentenced to two years on probation and no conviction was recorded

'It sounds like the sort of case where if it hadnt been appropriate medical treatment was provided reasonably quickly, shed be facing much a more serious charge  murder or manslaughter,' he said.

Defence barrister Scott Geeves said the stabbing was 'very much out of character' as the girl had no criminal history and had not since reoffended.

Judge McGill said the girl had expressed remorse had good prospects of rehabilitation and there was 'no particular need for community protection'.

She was sentenced to two years on probation and no conviction was recorded.
Cast your mind back seven weeks. Theresa May had just returned to Downing Street after a five-day walking holiday with her husband in Snowdonia. Out of the blue, she announced there would be a general election.

Amid the surprise, opinion polls gave the Tories a 23-point lead and there was hubristic talk of a Conservative landslide.

So what in the name of political sanity went wrong? The answer, Im afraid, is that they conducted an utterly disastrous campaign.

Unelected control freaks: Did advisers Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill cause Tory disaster?

Ironically, at the beginning of the campaign, the Tories greatest fear  such was the size of their lead  was complacency.

In truth, Mrs Mays key advisers were aware of the dangers. Sir Lynton Crosby, the Australian strategist who masterminded David Camerons surprise general election victory in 2015, told staff that victory was not a foregone conclusion and that polls were over-estimating the Tories lead. He reckoned they were only about 10 percentage points ahead of Labour.

Having hired American pollster Jim Messina to Team May  a man who once advised Barack Obama  it was decided to use a tactic that had proved successful in U.S. elections.

Every minister, in every speech and media appearance was told to ram home the message that a May government would be strong and stable and that the alternative was a coalition of chaos.

Fatally reinforcing the idea that this was a coronation of Queen Theresa, her photo and name were to be given absolute dominance. She had to be more prominent, too, on all campaign literature  even on a local level.

However, this obsessive over-emphasis on Mrs May backfired when she ducked out of joining the TV debates with other party leaders. Accused of running scared, the Tories poll lead began to wane.

Quickly, the PMs robotic reliance on her single slogan of strong and stable was mocked  with TV audiences even tittering whenever she uttered the phrase

Quickly, the PMs robotic reliance on her single slogan of strong and stable was mocked  with TV audiences even tittering whenever she uttered the phrase. Also, the slogan was seen by many as being cynically calculated to disguise her lack of big ideas.

In any case, strong and stable were the polar opposite qualities of a politician who had been forced into a screeching U-turn over her social care policy.

Written into the Tory manifesto by her long-term policy confidant Nick Timothy just two days before it was made public, most Cabinet ministers knew nothing about it.

The policy would leave the elderly with only 100,000 of savings after paying for their long-term care. Significantly, it ripped up the Tories previous pledge to cap the amount the elderly would have to pay.

Immediately, critics pounced and branded it a dementia tax. Coming on top of two other manifesto pledges  imposing means-testing for pensioners winter fuel allowance and diluting pension guarantees  they were seen as a spiteful, unnecessary and most un-Tory triple whammy against the elderly.

The Cameron government had established a so-called pensions triple lock  which guaranteed that state pensions would rise in line with whichever was higher, average earnings, price rises or 2.5 per cent.

One senior Tory said: A big policy change like social care should have been road-tested months in advance, not sprung on us weeks before polling day.

After the inevitable public backlash, the Tories hastily said the policy would be reviewed. But it was too late. Huge harm had been done. In truth, the U-turn marked one of the biggest fiascos in recent political history. Never before had a governing party been forced to rewrite a major element of its manifesto just before polling day.

Mrs Mays dire performance announcing and then denying this U-turn was a public relations disaster. Worse still, the U-turn came just at the moment that postal vote forms  much used by the elderly  were landing on doormats across the country.

Unsurprisingly, the Tories poll ratings began to drop. At the start of the campaign, Mrs Mays personal ratings were above 50 per cent. Thats why her name had been plastered over the PMs blue battle-bus. The name of the party was barely visible.

Lynton Crosby and his team had made another cardinal error  a failure to offer anything of substance to attract young voters who were being seduced by Corbyns cynical promise to end university tuition fees, without saying where the money would come from.

In the sights of many were Mrs Mays chief of staff Nick Timothy (the man behind the social care policy fiasco) and his colleague Fiona Hill, a no-nonsense former Sky News journalist

It was as if this increasingly vocal section of society  constantly talking to each other on social media  didnt matter. A Tory minister told me: We failed abysmally to acknowledge the existence of this youth revolution.

We didnt understand how the young want a future for themselves on their own terms.

Crucially, this failing became linked to the dissatisfaction felt by the elderly.

Grandparents shared the younger generations anger. They were furious that their grandchildren were burdened with huge student loan debts, were struggling to get onto the housing market and often found their first jobs were poorly-paid on zero-hours contracts.

Surely, the Tory Party, which stands for aspiration and self-improvement, ought to have offered the next generation some hope. By contrast, Labour was offering a dream-list of policies for the young.

The abolition of university tuition fees, the reintroduction of maintenance grants, student debt to be wiped out, free lunches for pupils, a minimum wage of 10 an hour and the voting age to be lowered to 16. It may have been La La Land economics, but it worked.

As one Tory said: We offered nothing for aspirational voters.

There was little optimism. It was all gloom and despondency  with relentlessly negative attacks on Corbyn.

The Tories decision to include a promise of a free Commons vote on fox-hunting  a bizarre move considering that many Tory women believe it to be a cruel sport  was another gift for Labour, which it used to dub the Tories the nasty party all over again.

Conversely, there was huge frustration in the Tory ranks that the improving economy was rarely raised during the campaign, even though the party was streets ahead of Labour on the issue.

Chancellor Philip Hammond was hardly used in the media to highlight Tory strengths and expose the lunacy of Corbyns tax-and-spend policies. This unhelpfully fuelled speculation that if she won, May might sack Hammond. By now the blame-game was beginning in earnest at Tory HQ.

Chancellor Philip Hammond was hardly used in the media to highlight Tory strengths and expose the lunacy of Corbyns tax-and-spend policies

In the sights of many were Mrs Mays chief of staff Nick Timothy (the man behind the social care policy fiasco) and his colleague Fiona Hill, a no-nonsense former Sky News journalist.

Enemies of Timothy and Hill had long dubbed them the unofficial deputy prime ministers.

Bearded Timothy  also nicknamed Rasputin  has particularly annoyed senior ministers, such as Hammond, who have complained about his behaviour. They have been appalled by his bullying and the way he often swears at ministers.

After Hammond described Timothy as economically illiterate, the latter reacted by urging May to move or sack Hammond in the next Cabinet reshuffle.

A senior minister, has said: There is huge resentment at the collapse of Cabinet government. Politicians have been relegated to the sidelines by un-elected unaccountable advisers.

During the campaign, the pair were accused of being control freaks  excluding all but a close circle of May intimates and restricting the PMs public appearances to tightly-controlled events.

During the campaign, the pair were accused of being control freaks  excluding all but a close circle of May intimates and restricting the PMs public appearances to tightly-controlled events

Local people were rarely given a chance to engage with her.

Such a centralised operation also ensured that during factory or office walk-abouts, few members of the public or media were allowed to engage with her.

There were flare-ups, too, on the Tory battle-bus when party staff were ordered by Timothy and Hill to establish in advance all questions that the media planned to ask Mrs May.

By now, Im told, the PM looked tense and frightened.

A veteran Tory MP said: Unfortunately, Theresa May is a bad public speaker and there was no fizz in her media performances. By contrast, Corbyn looked relaxed and like a cheerful uncle who would give you the birthday present you always wanted. Above all, he looked increasingly credible.

With one poll showing the Tories down to a five-point lead, there was panic in Downing Street.

The weekend before the Manchester terror atrocity, it seemed that Labour might even draw level in the polls.

But Tories hoped that their strong law and order record and Corbyns shameful history of befriending terrorists would play right back into their hands.

However, this did not happen. After the terror attack, and the subsequent atrocity at London Bridge, Labour ruthlessly exploited the fact that as Home Secretary, Mrs May had cut 20,000 police jobs. Their cynical claims were taken up by a BBC determined to present Corbyn in an attractive light.

Inevitably, Tory HQ is now awash with recriminations.

Supporters of Crosby say he never had complete control of the campaign until the last week as Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill called most of the shots.

Others say Crosby  nicknamed the Wizard of Oz  is trying to shift the blame.

Ultimately, the fatal flaw in Crosbys plan was to make Mrs May the focus of the election, and to ignore the bread and butter issues such as the economy and immigration.

Veteran general election campaign strategists are in despair at Mrs Mays performance.

Lord (Tim) Bell, who masterminded Margaret Thatchers three election victories, said: It was the worst campaign I have ever seen. There was nothing positive to persuade people to vote Conservative.

Thats a massive admission of political failure.
PARK CITY, Utah (AP)  Democrat Hillary Clinton encouraged Mitt Romney to take a job as President Donald Trumps secretary of state, the former Republican presidential candidate said Friday.

Romney, speaking to a high-powered gathering of GOP officials, top donors and business leaders at a luxury Utah resort, said that when Trump briefly considered him late last year for Clintons former job, Romney called virtually all the former secretaries of state including Clinton.

In each case, each of them said, Please, please take that job if its offered to you, Romney said, drawing laughs from the crowd. We would very much like to see you serve in that capacity.

Romney had been one of Trumps most strident critics in the 2016 election, calling him a phony and a fraud. But he later seemed to embrace Trump when he was considered for the top diplomatic job. When the billionaire and reality TV star held a private dinner with Romney late last year, the former Massachusetts governor praised the president-elect.

Romney said he was concerned that he and Trump were miles apart on foreign policy, disagreeing about approaches to Syria, NATO, North Korea, and China, but he hoped Trump would be open to other opinions.

Why would I consider it? Romney said Friday. Its not as if I suddenly had a differing view at that point of the president and the things that I had felt about him in the past.

Former Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson got the job and was a good choice, Romney said, adding that he thinks he was not the right person for the job because of how much he and Trump differed on the issues.

Romney made the comments as he held court at the resort in the mountains of Park City where he hosts an annual meeting of largely Republican power players for a mix of hobnobbing, policy talks and outdoor excursions like alpine hikes with Romney, which the 70-year-old takes at a blistering pace.

His business and policy-focused summit, tucked in the mountains about 2,000 miles from the swirl of Washington, drew top donors, executives and office holders like Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and John McCain of Arizona.

Romney did not directly mention the explosive testimony in Congress a day earlier where fired FBI director James Comey attacked Trumps credibility, but instead referred to the theater of Washington right now and the theater around the White House right now, saying he wasnt too concerned about that slowing down a chance for Republican priorities to be passed in Congress.

Romney, who was criticized by Democrats in 2012 for saying Russia was Americas No. 1 geopolitical foe, said Friday that he thinks Trump should have denounced Russia early when its meddling in the U.S. election was revealed, instead of continually referring to it as fake news.

The more you stir a turd, the more it stinks, Romney quipped, quoting a former boss.

Last year, heartburn in the Republican Party over Trump played out at the summit, with some like Romney warning the brash billionaire would be destructive for the party and country. Others like Reince Priebus, now Trumps chief of staff, urged Republicans to fall in line.
European leaders last night accused Theresa May of plunging the UK  and Brexit negotiations  into chaos.

Some politicians in Brussels even suggested they may try to halt a deal if she does not stand down.

EU chiefs, many of whom had secretly hoped the Tory leader would score a handsome election victory to boost the chances of reaching a Brexit deal swiftly, criticised her poll gamble.

Cheers: Angela Merkel in celebratory mood yesterday

In a clear attempt to take the upper hand as Mrs May scrambled to form a government, they piled on pressure by warning that the 'clock is ticking'.

Some leaders claimed that the Prime Minister had been stripped of credibility after scoring a political 'own goal'. Despite Mrs May's assurances that Brexit talks will start on June 19 as previously agreed, Eurocrats questioned her ability to lead negotiations after her electoral debacle.

European Council president Donald Tusk warned the UK that Brexit is an urgent issue that cannot be delayed by in-fighting in the Tory Party.

'We don't know when Brexit talks start,' he said. 'We know when they must end.'

In a letter to Mrs May, he said: 'Our shared responsibility and urgent task now is to conduct the negotiations on the UK's withdrawal from the European Union in the best possible spirit. There is no time to waste.'

The UK is allowed to ask for extensions to the negotiating period, but this must be agreed to by every EU member.

Such a request could provoke serious clashes with leading powers such as Germany and France, who are reluctant to let the UK control the Brexit timetable.

Mr Tusk's thinly-veiled threat was backed by European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, who reiterated that the bloc is 'desperate' to begin talks. 'We can open negotiations tomorrow morning at half-past nine,' he said. 'I hope that the result of the election will have no major impact on the negotiations we are desperately waiting for.'

With both sides privately desperate to reach a deal, Mrs May had hoped for a huge majority that would allow her to block the EU's most outlandish demands, including payment of an 85billion divorce bill.

The EU, meanwhile, was convinced that a strong electoral performance would give her more flexibility to make concessions during talks without opposition from Tory Eurosceptics.

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said EU is 'desperate' to begin talks

As it became clear that she had lost her majority, leading European figures turned on the Prime Minister and goaded her for taking a gamble and losing.

Manfred Weber, a key ally of Germany's Angela Merkel, said: 'The EU is united, the UK is deeply split. May wanted stability but brought chaos to her country instead. The time is running and instability is not in our interest.'

Gianni Pittella, socialist leader of the European Parliament's second biggest group, said: 'Her huge gamble has backfired spectacularly. She has no credibility in UK or Europe. She should resign It's a disaster for May.'

EU commissioner Pierre Moscovici suggested that the Prime Minister's ability to stand up to the EU at the negotiating table had been damaged. 'Mrs May, who was supposed to emerge strengthened, lost her bet and is therefore in a less-than-clear situation,' he said.

EU budget commissioner Gunther Oettinger said: 'With a weak negotiating partner, there's the danger than the negotiations will turn out badly for both sides...I expect more uncertainty now.'

The barrage of criticism towards Mrs May followed a war of words that had already tarnished relations. It broke out during the election campaign when EU officials leaked details of a Downing Street dinner.

EU officials were caught off-guard when the Prime Minister responded to the distorted briefings by publicly accusing 'bureaucrats in Brussels' of trying to sabotage the election.

Will public pay bill soar The country faces a spiralling public sector wage bill if a weakened Tory government is forced to end austerity, a former head of the civil service predicted yesterday. Describing the Prime Minister's authority as 'shattered', Lord Kerslake suggested Theresa May would have to bow to pressure to lift the 1 per cent cap on pay rises in the public sector. It is a key policy in plans to slash the deficit and it has been estimated that removing it would land Britain with a 9.2billion annual bill by 2021/22. But Lord Kerslake, who led the Civil Service between January 2012 and September 2014 under David Cameron, said: 'It's hard to see any party doing austerity now. The landscape is changing and the consensus on public sector pay will have to be revised' Advertisement

The move infuriated many in Brussels, who were also left frustrated at repeated threats from British ministers about walking away from talks.

But while EU officials queued up to criticise Mrs May's election performance, the bloc's chief negotiator Michel Barnier called for calm.

Distancing himself from the European Parliament's Brexit coordinator Guy Verhofstadt, who said talks had become 'even more complicated', Mr Barnier said the Brexit process would start when the UK is ready. 'Let's put our minds together on striking a deal,' he said.

Insiders have become increasingly concerned that talks will be plagued by walkouts and disruptions because of the EU's uncompromising demands, such as the continued jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

When the Article 50 exit clause was triggered, it began a two-year negotiating period meaning that talks have to be agreed by March 29, 2019.

Brussels was irritated when Mrs May called the election, believing it caused further delays that make the chances of reaching a deal within the time frame even more difficult.

France's prime minister Edouard Philippe yesterday attempted to quell suggestions that the UK could reverse its decision to leave the EU.

'I'm not sure that we should read, from the results of this vote that Britons' sovereign decision on Brexit has been cast into doubt in any way,' he said.

Officials are due to meet next week to start planning how to structure negotiations.
Four albino children from Tanzania who lost limbs, fingers, and teeth in superstition-driven attacks travelled to the US to get fitted for prosthetics free of charge.

The children, ages 7, 14, 15 and 16, were treated at Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia in June.

In sub-Saharan Africa, Albinos are attacked for their body parts, which are highly prized in witchcraft and can fetch a high price.

A group of Tanzanian children with albinism, who lost limbs in superstition-driven attacks, travelled to the US where they were fitted with prosthetics free of charge

The children, aged 7, 14, 15 and 16, were treated at Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia and had their bills paid for by the Global Medical Relief Fund. Pictured, Baraka Lusambo, seven, who had his arm chopped off

Superstition leads many people in Tanzania believe albinos are ghosts who bring bad luck.

Baraka Lusambo, seven, Mwigulu Magesaa 14, Emmanuel Rutema, 15, and Pendo Noni, 16, arrived in the US in March for their treatment.

The children's three-month trip was covered by the Global Medical Relief Fund, a New York-based charity that helps children who have been injured in conflicts or disasters.

Elissa Montanti, founder of the fund, said: 'When they come here, they have lost so much. They have lost part of their youth and part of their dignity.

In Tanzania, albinos are targated because their limbs are prized in witchcraft. Pictured, an engineer makes a prosthetic arm for one of the children in a workshop in Philadelphia

Fund founder Elissa Montanti said: 'We put them back together. When they go back, they have a stronger sense of empowerment.' Pictured, Baraka Lusambo, seven, Mwigulu Magesaa 14, Emmanuel Rutema, 15, and Pendo Noni 16

Albinism affects 1 in 5,000 to 15,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa. Pictured, Baraka stretches as he wakes up in Staten Island

The philanthropist housed them in the New York City borough of Staten Island while they received treatment in Philadelphia.

She said: 'We put them back together. When they go back, they have a stronger sense of empowerment.'

To stay in the United States, the children would have to file for asylum, and the fund could only afford to pay for the them while they receive medical care, Montanti said.

Albinism is a congenital disorder that causes lack of pigment in skin, hair and eyes.

According to the World Health Organization, in sub-Saharan Africa one in 5,000 to 15,000 people could be affected. In Tanzania, the condition affects about one in 1,400.

The United Nations estimates that at least 75 albinos were killed in Tanzania between 2000 and 2015 but says that could represent a fraction of the attacks as most occur in secretive rituals in rural areas.

Albinism is a congenital disorder that causes lack of pigment in skin, hair and eyes, and affects around one in 1,400 in Tanzania. Pictured, Mwigulu gets fitted with a prosthetic arm

At least 75 albinos were killed in Tanzania between 2000 and 2015, according to the UN. Pictured, the group relax after eating a big dinner at a home in Staten Island

Superstition leads many people in Tanzania believe albinos are ghosts who bring bad luck. Pictured, Mwigulu said he wants to be president of Tanzania one day

As they moved through the stages of treatment and recovery, drawing, talking among themselves in Swahili, searching for YouTube videos on Google and watching cartoons helped the children heal.

They typically visited the hospital five times during their two to three month stay.

Mwigulu Magesa, 14, said he wants to be president of Tanzania one day, while Emmanuel Rutema, 15, wants to be a doctor.

The group spent around three months in the US, where they visited the hospital five times. Pictured, Emmanuel, who wants to be a doctor when he grows up, is woken up by Mwigulu

Doctors told how the children were initially nervous, but grew in confidence during their time in the States. The group suck lollipops as they wait for an arm fitting at the Shriners Hospital

Emmanuel had his fingers chopped off and part of his tongue pulled out in a witchcraft-driven attack. The boy had his big toe attached to his right hand so he could draw and write

Dr Scott Kozin said: 'The first time the Tanzanian kids came in, there was not a lot of conversation. They were extremely shy.' Pictured, Pendo looks out of a window in the Fund house in Staten Island

Though they have a good grasp of English, which they study at home, the children were accompanied by Ester Rwela, a translator and social worker with the charity Under the Same Sun, which advocates for people with albinism.

'The first time the Tanzanian kids came in, there was not a lot of conversation. They were extremely shy. They kind of huddled together in a pack,' said Dr. Scott Kozin, chief of staff at Shriners Hospital.

'They weren't used to us and we weren't used to them, and there were a lot of awkward moments.

The children, who have a good grasp of English, tuck into a meal of watermelon, ice cream and cake at a home in Staten Island

Pendo, who had her arm chopped off in an attack, helped to take out the washing when he was in the US and used her left arm to shake the water out of her clothes

'And then as they got to know us, they started to open up to me and to the staff and to the therapists,' he said.

The children are able to attach and adjust prosthetic arms to their bodies, wash their laundry by hand and hang it to dry and make dinner.

Near the end of their stay, they would walk into the hospital with confidence, sporting sunglasses and button-down shirts and looking 'like they were home,' Kozin said.

The children are able to attach and adjust prosthetic arms to their bodies, wash their laundry by hand and hang it to dry and make dinner

Near the end of their stay, they would walk into the hospital with confidence, sporting sunglasses and button-down shirts and looking 'like they were home,' Dr Kozin said
Detectives investigating the London Bridge terrorist attack have made their 20th arrest.

A 28-year-old man was held on suspicion of terror offences following the raid on Saturday morning raid in east London, Scotland Yard said.

Officers raided a home in Barking shortly after 2am. It brings the number of people being held in connection with the atrocity, that left eight dead and dozens injured, up to seven.

The 27-year-old is the sixth individual currently being held in connection with the London Bridge attack (file photo)

On Friday a 27-year-old was taken into custody at a Berkshire police station while detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command searched a property in Ilford.

He was held on suspicion of being involved in the preparation of terrorist acts following the raid, Scotland Yard said.

A Metropolitan police statement read: 'Detectives investigating the London Bridge terror attack carried out a warrant, and made a further arrest, in east London on Friday, 9 June.

'Officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, supported by the Territorial Support Group, arrested a 27-year-old man at a residential address in Ilford.

'He was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

'He has been taken into custody at a police station in Berkshire and is detained under the Terrorism Act. Searches of the residential address in Ilford are ongoing.'

The suspect in Ilford was arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation and instigation of acts of terrorism (file photo)

Twelve other suspects were arrested in the early stages of the investigation were all released earlier this week without charge.

Ilford has been the centre of major police activity since the London Bridge attack last Saturday.

On Thursday, three men were arrested in the neighbourhood after counter-terrorism officers stormed a house.

Police also raided a home during a seperate operation in Ilford Thursday morning, pictured

One man was arrested there while two were detained on the street.

Counter-terrorism officers stormed a house yesterday evening, along with firearms officers, and arrested one man, while another two were detained on a street.

Of the two men arrested on the street, one 27-year-old was arrested on suspicion of the preparation of terrorist acts, while another was on detained suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs.
A confronting new Australian documentary has compared the Southern Cross symbol to the Nazi Swastika.

Filmmaker Warwick Thornton said he could see the similarities between the 'hijacking' of the two symbols as a representation of extreme nationalism.

'I'm concerned the Southern Cross is becoming the new Swastika,' he said in 2010.

A confronting new Australian documentary has compared the Southern Cross symbol (right) to the Nazi Swastika (left)

The Southern Cross has been embraced in Australia by the extreme-far right as a symbol of bigotry and nationalist pride (a man is pictured with the Southern cross symbol tattooed on his back)

It was a comment that sparked national outrage and prompted his new documentary We Don't Need a Map.

The Swastika was adopted as the the symbol of Germany's Nazi Party in the 1930s.

The Southern Cross has been embraced in Australia by the extreme-far right as a symbol of bigotry and nationalist pride.

The symbol is used by groups including the anti-Muslim Reclaim Australia and United Patriots Front movements.

Mr Thornton previously said the Southern Cross has been 'hijacked by dickheads'.

When asked about his 2010 comments by ABC radio, he said the reaction took him by surprise.

Mr Thornton previously said the Southern Cross has been 'hijacked by dickheads' (man with Southern Cross tattoo pictured)

The Swastika was adopted as the the symbol of Germany's Nazi Party in the 1930s pictured is a man with the Nazi Swastika tattooed on his back)

'People got very upset, and that scared the hell out of me,' he said.

'I went and hid in the cupboard for a little while, and then over a couple of years, I got angry.'

He turned this anger into work, and produced an insightful documentary.

The film examines the five-star constellation's colonial and Aboriginal history, and charts its journey into a symbol of nationalist pride.

We Don't Need a Map is screening at the State Theatre this week as part of the Sydney Film Festival.
The Minnesota police officer charged in the 2016 death of black motorist, Philando Castile, testified Friday that he was 'scared to death' and fired because the man was pulling out his gun and ignoring commands to stop.

Officer Jeronimo Yanez, who is facing a manslaughter charge in the death of Castile, said he could clearly see the gun that the 32-year-old had just told the officer he was carrying.

'I was scared to death. I thought I was going to die. My family's faces popped up in my mind, my wife and baby girl,' Yanez said, his voice choked with emotion.

Scroll down for video

Minnesota police officer, Jeronimo Yanez (pictured in court on May 30) , who is charged in the 2016 death of, Philando Castile, testified Friday that he was 'scared to death' and fired because the man was pulling out his gun

Yanez, who is facing a manslaughter charge in the death of Castile (pictured), said he could clearly see the gun that the 32-year-old had just told the officer he was carrying. 'I was scared to death. I thought I was going to die,' Yanez said, his voice choked with emotion

The shooting last July drew widespread attention in part because Castile's girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds (pictured in court to testify on Tuesday) - who was a passenger in the car along with her then-four-year-old daughter - streamed the aftermath on Facebook

Prosecutors say Yanez's actions were unreasonable. Yanez had pulled Castile, a cafeteria worker, over because of a broken taillight.

Castile had a permit for his gun, and prosecutors have sought to portray him as being cooperative when he volunteered to Yanez: 'Sir, I have to tell you, I do have a firearm on me.'

The shooting last July drew widespread attention in part because Castile's girlfriend - who was a passenger in the car along with her then-four-year-old daughter - streamed the aftermath on Facebook.

Reynolds testified Wednesday that she broadcast the moment her boyfriend was shot dead because she feared for her own life.

She cried as squad car video, her Facebook video and still images of Castile were shown in court.

When asked why she took out her phone and began filming after Castile was shot, Reynolds said she wanted to make sure if she died 'people would know the truth'.

'Because I know that the people are not protected against the police,' she said.

'I wanted to make sure if I died in front of my daughter that people would know the truth.'

On Wednesday, jurors saw graphic autopsy photos as Dr Andrew Baker, chief medical examiner for Hennepin County, talked about Castile's fatal injuries.

Prosecutors say Yanez's actions were unreasonable. Yanez had pulled Castile (pictured), a cafeteria worker, over because of a broken taillight

Castile was hit by five of seven bullets fired by Yanez, Baker said.

Two of them caused severe damage as they tore through Castile's heart, he said.

'Either one of those wounds by itself would have been fatal, and I don't believe there's anything the surgeons could have done differently,' Baker said.

Also on Wednesday, an expert on police use of force testified that Yanez acted unreasonably and that the officer had no reason to believe that Castile was a threat.

Jeffrey Noble went through squad car video while testifying Wednesday in Yanez's trial.

Noble told jurors that Yanez's actions were 'objectively unreasonable' as he reviewed video that shows Yanez approaching Castile's car, then firing inside.

'There is absolutely no reason to believe that Mr Castile was some kind of threat,' he said.

A central question at trial has been what Yanez saw before firing seven times, barely a minute after he approached the car.

Squad car video recorded him telling a supervisor after the shooting that he did not know where the gun was, although it also recorded him saying he told Castile to take his hand off it.

Reynolds told a court she broadcast the moment her boyfriend was shot dead by a police officer during a traffic stop because she feared for her own life

An expert on police use of force also testified on Wednesday that Yanez acted unreasonably when he shot Castile (seen above)

When asked why she took out her phone and began filming after Castile (pictured) was shot, Reynolds said she wanted to make sure if she died 'people would know the truth'

Witnesses have testified that the gun was in a pocket of Castile's shorts when paramedics removed him from his vehicle.

When asked to explain the recording, Yanez said: 'What I meant by that was I didn't know where the gun was up until I saw it in his right thigh area.'

Prosecutor Rick Dusterhoft asked Yanez about a statement to investigators that he saw the barrel of the gun before he fired.

Dusterhoft said that was significant because it would have meant Castile had the gun all the way out of his pocket when he was shot.

Yanez said he meant to tell investigators that he saw the top of the slide, on the back part of the gun, rather than the barrel.

Elliot Erdman, a fellow officer who described Yanez as a close friend, testified that Yanez told him about the misstatement the day after the shooting.

He recounted Yanez as saying: 'Crap, I told them barrel. I meant the slide.'

Prosecutors have argued that Yanez could have taken lesser steps when Castile told him he was carrying a handgun, such as asking to see Castile's hands or asking where the gun was.

Squad car video recorded Yanez telling a supervisor after the shooting that he did not know where the gun was, although he told Castile to take his hand off it in a recording. Witnesses testified the gun was in Castile's pocket when medics removed him from his vehicle (pictured)

Pastor Danny Givens gave his reaction on Monday after seeing the video of Castile's July 2016 shooting death. 'It was appalling to watch. Ive never seen anything like it in my life,' Givens told reporters

After Castile told the officer he had the gun, Yanez told Castile: 'OK, don't reach for it then,' and, 'Don't pull it out.'

On the squad car video, Castile can be heard saying: 'I'm not pulling it out,' as Yanez opened fire. Castile's last words were: 'I wasn't reaching for it.'

Yanez said he felt he had no choice but to shoot. Castile 'had total disregard for my commands', he said.

'Did I want to shoot Mr. Castile at all? Those were not my intentions,' he said, taking off his glasses at one point and wiping his eyes with a handkerchief.

Kapelsohn argued that the central question to him was whether Yanez (pictured in 2016) 'reasonably believed that Castile was pulling out a firearm'

Yanez said he pulled Castile's car over because the driver gave him a 'deer in the headlights' look when he drove past.

The officer said he was on alert for a pair of suspects in a convenience store robbery and thought Castile resembled one of the suspects.

Earlier on Friday, a use-of-force expert, Emanuel Kapelsohn, testified for the defense that Yanez was justified to shoot if he believed he saw a gun or that Castile was pulling one.

Prosecutor Jeff Paulsen, on cross-examination, asserted that 'the ultimate question' in the case was whether Yanez saw a gun.

Kapelsohn disagreed, saying the central question to him was whether Yanez 'reasonably believed that Castile was pulling out a firearm'.

Paulsen also displayed autopsy photos that showed a graze wound to Castile's trigger finger. Paulsen noted the absence of a bullet hole in Castile's shorts or bullet damage to his gun - evidence, the prosecutor said, that showed he wasn't reaching for the gun when shot.

Kapelsohn said it was possible Castile didn't have his hand in or near his pocket at that point.

Defense attorneys argue that Castile was stoned at the time of the traffic stop and it influenced his response to the officer.
The US Defense Department has released dramatic photos of a Russian aircraft intercepting American bombers over the Baltic Sea.

The photos show a Russian Su-27 Flanker intercept a formation of US Air Force aircraft, including a US Air Force B-52H, 2nd Bomb Wing, during BALTOPS exercises on Friday.

Most intercepts are considered 'safe and professional,' according to Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis.

A Russian Su-27 Flanker (right) intercepted a US Air Force B-52H, 2nd Bomb Wing (left) during BALTOPS exercises

Photos released by the Defense Department's DVIDS show the Russian Su-27 Flanker intercept a formation of US Air Force aircraft

The US aircraft are part of ongoing BALTOPS exercises, an annual live training operation between several NATO Allies

The annual live training operation, between several NATO Allies and Partner Nations, is used to practice air and maritime integration and maintain stability in the Baltic Sea region. BALTOPS is set to continue until June 16.

Earlier this week on Tuesday, the Kremlin claimed it had intercepted a US bomber that was flying near the border of Russian airspace.

Moscow's defense ministry announced the incident on Tuesday morning, saying one of its SU-27 jets was dispatched to an area over the Baltic Sea.

The defense ministry said an aircraft was detected flying along the border, prompting the intercept.

Russia Today claims the SU-27 was sent out shortly after 7am GMT - or 3am on the east coast of the US.

The ministry went on to claim that the Russian jet identified the plane as a US B-52 strategic bomber and escorted it until it flew further away from the border.

Similar incidents have happened close to Russian airspace in the past. In September, a Russian fighter jet flew within 10 feet of a Navy surveillance aircraft.

At the time, American officials called it an unsafe intercept over the Black Sea.
A 36-year-old man has been charged after homemade machine guns and a large illegal weapons manufacturing facility were discovered on Queensland's Gold Coast.

Police from the State Crime Command's Drug and Serious Crime Group charged the Gold Coast man on Friday, after a police operation uncovered the weapons facility at a business in Nerang in November last year.

Officers raided four residential properties in Oxenford, Maudsland, Broadbeach Waters and Robina and two business premises located at Nerang.

A man has been charged after homemade machine guns (pictured) and a large illegal weapons manufacturing facility were discovered in Queensland in November 2016

Police from the State Crime Command's Drug and Serious Crime Group charged the Gold Coast man on Friday, after the weapons facility was found at a business in Nerang in November

At one of the businesses officers discovered four homemade machine guns, three silencers, ammunition, magazines, a Taser, drugs, gun parts as well as drill presses, lathes and other equipment used to produce the weapons.

'The manufacture of these weapons is irresponsible and dangerous,' Detective Inspector Lance Vercoe of the Drug and Serious Crime Group said.

'We believe the individual had no consideration or concern for the impact that these weapons could have on the general public.'

The 36-year-old man was charged with two counts of unlawfully possessing category R weapons and two counts of manufacturing weapons whilst not licensed.

He will appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on June 27.

Five people were charged after the raids in November including two men, aged 20 and 22, both charged with producing dangerous drug and six counts of possessing dangerous drugs.
A mother killed her two toddlers by intentionally leaving them in a hot car for more than 15 hours, police say.

Amanda Hawkins, 19, from Kerr County, Texas, allegedly left her children Brynn Hawkins, one, and Addyson Overgard-Eddy, two, in the car overnight and ignored them even as they cried for hours.

The girls were unconscious and in 'grave condition' by the time Hawkins sent them to the hospital - a day after they'd been left in the car.

'This is by far the most horrific case of child endangerment that I have seen in the 37 years that I have been in law enforcement,' Kerr County Sheriff Hierholzer said in a statement.

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A mother killed Brynn Hawkins, one, - pictured right- and Addyson Overgard -Eddy, two, - pictured left - by purposely leaving them in a hot car for more than 15 hours, police say

Amanda Hawkins, 19, from Kerr County, Texas, - pictured- allegedly left the children in the hot car while she hang out with her friends

Hawkins left her two daughters in the car on Tuesday at around 9pm while she hang out with a 16-year-old male friend and others inside a house nearby, according to a news release from the Kerr County Police Department.

When little Brynn and Addyson cried during the night, the Walmart employee ignored them even when her friends alerted her, the sheriff told KABB.

The sheriff also said Hawkins's male friend slept for a while in the car during the night but did not take the children out.

Her husband Isaac was apparently not present when she allegedly abandoned her kids.

The young mom finally took her kids out of the car at noon on Wednesday - when the temperature in Texas was as high as 92 degrees -, and found them unconscious.

Believing she would get into trouble, she decided not to report it, police say.

But after her male friend convinced her Brynn and Addyson needed medical attention, she finally sent them to the Peterson Regional Medical Center in Kerrsville, on Thursday.

Their condition was so bad they had to be transferred to the University Hospital in San Antonio, more than an hour drive away.

Brynn and Addyson died at 5pm, mere hours after they had arrived in the hospital.

She had initially told doctors they had suddenly become unconscious after they smelled flowers at a local park.

Police investigated and questioned Hawkins before she confessed to leaving her children in the hot car.

She was arrested on Thursday and has been charged with two counts of abandoning or endangering a child, although police say these charges may be upgraded since the children died. She is being held on $70,000 bond.

If she's found guilty under the present charges, she could face up to two years in prison.

The young mom found her kids unconscious when she finally took them out at noon on Wednesday - when the temperature in Texas was as high as 92 degrees. The one-year-old, Brynn, is pictured here

She waited 24 hours to send her kids to the hospital because she was afraid she would get into trouble. Addyson, who was two years old at the time is pictured here. A former friend of Hawkins who knew her well said this toddler was always 'helpful'

A friend of Hawkins, Miriam Davis, who has known her since middle school, told KSAT 12 that she noticed Hawkins treating her children badly and regrets not calling Child Protection Services.

I hesitated for so long because I didnt want her kids in the system, she told the station. But I didnt know they would die.'

The teen couple set up a Gofundme last December to raise money for a new home.

'I'm trying to raise money to get us into a home,' her post on the fundraising site read.

'We are living with my grandparents. We are both working but it's still hard. Any help is greatly appreciated. We will be buying this house.'

The Hawkins' fundraising goal is $1500, but they are yet to receive any donations, the site shows.
An Anglican church has joined forces with its local Muslim community to put on a Ramadan dinner in what is believed to be an Australian first.

St Paul's Anglican Church, in Beaconsfield, south Perth, has this year been hosting a feast for Muslims every Friday evening during the holy month of Ramadan where both religions come together over food.

'The best way to make headway when there is a lot of misunderstanding is just to break bread, share a meal,' Imam Feizel Chothia told ABC News.

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St Paul's Anglican Church in Perth has been hosting a Ramadan dinner every Friday during the holy month for Muslims

Imam Feizel Chothia and Father Reverend Peter Humphries have had a close working relationship since the Imam approached St Paul's Anglican Church looking for a place to conduct Friday prayers about six years ago

Ramadan is the ninth month on the Muslim calendar and involves spiritual reflection and abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset.

'Somewhere within everybody there is something that we share in common, we're all part of one story,' the church's Reverend Peter Humphries said.

Muslims have been been a common sight at the church for the past six years after Imam Chothia approached Reverend Humphries looking for a place to hold their Friday prayers but this is the first year the joint Ramadan dinner has been held.

Imam Chothia also regularly attends the church's Sunday service and said the relationship between the two communities has been evolving over time.

Muslims have been using a space at the church to pray for the past six years and also regularly attend the Sunday service

The close friendship has not been without its drawbacks.

'The ones that threaten to blow me up, well I just pass them off to my friends at [Australian] Federal Police... we get one or two of those...they're scary,' Imam Faizel said.

But Imam Chothia, who added he is considering building a mosque next to the Church to celebrate the diversity in the local community, caused controversy earlier this year when he justified the killing of ex-Muslims under Islamic law and suggested Jews are behind a gay agenda.

Imam Chothia published a Facebook post titled, 'The Islamic Punishment for Apostasy', only days after Daily Mail Australia captured the leader of a fundamentalist Islamist group calling for the death of former Muslims.

Imam Chothia compared the killing of ex-Muslims for apostasy to Western nations executing citizens for treason, but he did not explicitly call for them to be executed.

'Just as states such as Britain or the United States consider high treason a major crime, so Islam prescribes capital punishment for apostates,' he said in March.

'Certainly, the protection of society is the underlying principle in the punishment for apostasy in the legal system of Islam.'
A whale stranded on the New South Wales mid north coast has been euthanased, after weather conditions prevented its rescue on Saturday morning.

The 12-metre long juvenile humpback whale had been beached at Sawtell Beach in Coffs Harbour for more than a day.

Beachgoers spotted the whale, weighing about 10 tonnes, in the surf early on Friday and it washed closer to shore about 7am.

A whale stranded on the New South Wales mid north coast (pictured) has been euthanased, after weather conditions and rough seas prevented its rescue on Saturday morning

ORCCA and a spokeswoman from the Office of Environment and Heritage confirmed the 'very sad news' on Saturday. Pictured are volunteers attempting to rescue the whale

On Saturday a spokeswoman from the Office of Environment and Heritage said the 'really tough decision' was made to euthanise the whale.

She said a large group of marine mammal experts have assessed the situation and made the call after rough sea conditions hindered rescue attempts.

'Everything's been against this poor thing,' the spokeswoman said.

ORCCA posted a statement to their Facebook page on Saturday afternoon confirming the news.

'Very sad news this afternoon, the young whale at Sawtell has been euthanased. Vets and authorities took the decision to end the poor animal's suffering, as its condition was deteriorating,' they wrote.

ORCCA said: 'Vets and authorities took the decision to end the poor animal's suffering, as its condition was deteriorating'

'Also given that with the unrelenting poor conditions, a refloat would be unable to proceed for at least two more days, the animal's welfare was the main catalyst for the decision.

'Thank you to all the ORRCA members who tried so hard and never gave up hope. They were there from start to finish, all the hours and all the unpleasant conditions.

'Also thanks to NPWS, Marine Magic, SeaWorld and all of locals who assisted.'

ORRCA thanked NPWS, Marine Magic, SeaWorld and all of locals who assisted in trying to rescue the stricken animal (pictured)

The 12-metre long juvenile humpback whale had been beached at Sawtell Beach in Coffs Harbour for more than a day

Rescuers and volunteers stayed on the beach overnight to monitor the whale after rescue groups and a vet battled bad weather at the site on Friday.

Lawrence Orel from National Parks and Wildlife Service had said there was a small chance the whale may be able to re-float itself on Friday night, reported the ABC.

'That's always a possibility and if that's the case that is obviously the best outcome if the animal self-frees itself,' Mr Orel said.

'However at this stage we expect we may be providing it assistance tomorrow morning.

'We will look to see what will be the best option to try and re-float this animal.. when conditions are safe enough for everyone involved.'

Beachgoers spotted the whale, weighing about 10 tonnes, in the surf early on Friday and it washed closer to shore about 7am

Rescuers and volunteers stayed on the beach overnight to monitor the whale after rescue groups and a vet battled bad weather at the site on Friday

The vet said the mammal is in 'reasonable condition' but even when they tow it out to sea with a powerboat in the morning the whale only has a 50/50 chance of survival.

The whale, believed to be one or two years of age, was rolled upside-down by the surf making the situation more difficult for rescue attempts and for the mammal to breathe.

Footage of the creature showed it stranded in just waist-deep water which further complicates the rescue until the tide goes out.

The 12-metre whale beached itself at Sawtellon Friday and was clearly distressed as it continually smashed its tail in attempt to get free

'It's still gasping for breath you can see the air coming out of every now and then but there's nothing I'd say you can do for it. It's very sad,' an onlooker told the ABC.

The Department of Parks and Wildlife attended the scene and were helping efforts to free the whale.

On Friday, a spokesperson had said they were confident they would be able to save the humpback and would conduct a health assessment once they had moved it to deeper water.

'We haven't got heat working against us, so we'll be able to look after that whale, even for a couple of days,' Susan Crocetti from NSW Wildlife said.
US Congress may increase aid to Armenia (video)

More than two dozen U.S. Congressmen called on their colleagues to increase aid to Armenia in 2018. In a June 6th letter to Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) and Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY), the leaders of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, over 25 U.S. Representatives raised alarms about President Trumps call for a 67% cut to U.S. foreign aid to Armenia (reducing overall aid from $20.4 million in FY16 to $6.8 million in FY18), urging the restoration of aid levels for both Armenia and Artsakh. "As Members who care deeply about strengthening the bilateral relationship between the United States and the Republic of Armenia, we urge you to reject the harmful cuts to U.S. foreign aid to Armenia included in the President's Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) budget," the Representatives stated in the letter. "At a time of tremendous global uncertainty, the U.S. should continue to foster the progress of its allies, not retreat from its responsibilities as the world's leading democracy. As the U.S. and Armenia commemorate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations, we urge the committee to reject the harmful cuts to U.S. aid to Armenia proposed by the President's FY18 budget," they continued. U.S. foreign included in the Presidents Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 budget foresees cuts not only for Armenia (67%), but also for Georgia (57%), Ukraine (69%) and Azerbaijan (over 90%). In 2016, the United States provided nearly $20 million to Armenia and $10 million to Azerbaijan. Trumps administration proposes to provide $ 6.8 million to Armenia and $1 million to Azerbaijan. Thus, the draft budget proposes to cut aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan by 67% and 90 % respectively.
Landlords in Brisbane are offering free rent in a desperate bid to secure tenants.

Renters are in the driver's seat because of an apartment oversupply in the Sunshine State's capital.

Queensland landlords are increasingly turning to desperate measures to secure tenants, including offering to pay for moving costs, free rent, gym memberships and even iPads.

Landlords in Brisbane are offering free rent in a desperate bid to secure tenants (stock image)

Queensland landlords are increasingly turning to desperate measures to secure tenants, inducing offering to pay for moving costs, free rent, gym memberships and even iPads (stock image)

Landlords in Brisbane are offering extras to entice renters (stock image)

It's a far cry from Sydney, where prospective tenants are competing to find a place in the city's outrageously expensive housing market.

As a comparison a one bedroom apartment on Bourke Street the inner Sydney city suburb of Surry Hills is currently on the market for $850 a week.

Compare this to a one bedroom on Edmondstone Street in inner Brisbane going for $320 a week.

Rental vacancy rates in inner Brisbane are at an all-time high of 4.4 percent because thousands of new apartments have been built in recent years.

This has seen rental prices plummet and many properties sitting vacant for months on end.

Renters are in an ideal position to negotiate cheaper rent or added extras, REIQ chief executive Antonia Mercorella told The Daily Telegraph.

As a comparison a one bedroom apartment on Bourke Street the inner Sydney city suburb of Surry Hills is currently on the market for $850 a week (pictured)

Compare this apartments (pictured) in inner Brisbane going for $300 a week

Rental vacancy rates in inner Brisbane are at an all-time high of 4.4 percent because thousands of new apartments have been built in recent years (Brisbane stock image)

'Landlords know they need to be competitive, because renters have a lot more choice and they are negotiating better deals,' she said

'We're seeing things like landlords paying for removal costs, offering gift vouchers.

'But probably more than anything, we're hearing a lot more rent free periods being offered, which is always pretty attractive for people from a renters perspective.'

Renters are in the driver's seat because of an apartment oversupply in the Sunshine State's capital (Brisbane stock image)
South Carolina sheriffs deputies on Friday released dramatic body cam footage of the moment they arrested a serial killer after they found a woman he had kidnapped and repeatedly raped locked inside a container on his property.

Last month, Todd Kohlhepp of Spartanburg County pleaded guilty to killing seven people over nearly 13 years while running a successful real estate business.

While we were here, my sergeant served a search warrant on your property, a deputy is seen in the video dated November 3, 2016, telling Kohlhepp.

Authorities also released video of deputies executing a search warrant on Kohlhepp's home.

We have Kala. We have Kala in your property, the deputy says.

Kala Brown had been raped and locked inside a shipping container for more than two months after Kohlhepp shot and killed her boyfriend, 32-year-old Charles David Carter.

South Carolina sheriffs deputies on Friday released dramatic body cam footage of the moment they arrested a serial killer after they found a woman he had kidnapped and repeatedly raped locked inside a container on his property

Last month, Todd Kohlhepp of Spartanburg County pleaded guilty to killing seven people over nearly 13 years while running a successful real estate business

Kohlhepp is seen in the above video being interrogated by an investigator after deputies found a woman he had locked inside a shipping container on his property

Deputies arrested him for kidnapping. After his arrest, they discovered three dead bodies on his property

Carter was the last of the seven murder victims that Kohlhepp confessed to killing.

She has told us that you shot and killed Charlie, the deputy tells Kohlhepp, who is sitting down with his hands cuffed behind his back.

So at this time Im gonna need you to stand up and put your hands behind your back.

You are under arrest for kidnapping, the deputy says.

Kohlhepp, who was arrested last fall, admitted to killing seven people over nearly 13 years

He then urges Kohlhepp to help himself by telling the investigators where Carters body was buried.

Kohlhepp declines.

Brown later told police that she came out to the property two months prior with her boyfriend, Carter, for a cleaning job.

Kohlhepp shot Carter dead and then chained her up in the storage container where he continued to rape her on a near daily basis.

After finding Brown and arresting Kohlhepp, investigators searched the property and found Carver's body in a shallow grave, along with the remains of two other people.

Those remains were later identified as Johnny Joe Coxie, 29, and Meagan Leigh McCraw-Coxie, 26.

They were found on Kohlhepp's 95-acre tract of land after his arrest. The couple had been hired to do work on Kohlhepp's property.

Kala Brown, 30 (left), and her boyfriend, Charles Carter, 32 (right), were the last of Kohlhepp's victims. The woman survived after being rescued by police, but Carter did not make it

Police searching for the missing couple rescued Brown who was chained inside this green shipping container on Kohlhepp's Spartanburg County property

Kohlhepp told investigators that he shot Johnny when he tried to rob him. He then locked up Meagan in the storage container and kept her there for six days before shooting her dead as well.

In the body cam footage, the investigator asks Kohlhepp why he shot Carter.

Kohlhepp denied shooting him.

The investigator then asks Kohlhepp why he abducted Brown and kept her locked inside a shipping container.

We have 20 investigators on your property right now and they have found her in the Conex box, the deputy tells Kohlhepp.

She has told investigators you shot and killed Charlie.

Kohlhepp led investigators to the bodies of Meagan and Johnny Joe Coxie, a married couple

The bodies of Coxie and McGraw-Coxie were found on Kohlhepp's land after his arrest

Im trying to give you an opportunity to help yourself and help us and help you find this body because shes saying you buried Charlies body on that property.

Kohlhepp denied the investigators claims and then insists on having an attorney present.

Finally, the exasperated investigator orders one of his colleagues to put him in the back of your car.

Kohlhepp is then seen being hauled away from his home and into police custody.

Less than seven months after his arrest, Kohlhepp confessed to all of the crimes with which he was charged.

According to the terms of the plea agreement signed by the 46-year-old Kohlhepp last month, he will serve seven consecutive life terms plus 60 years on kidnapping, sexual assault and other charges.

He will not be eligible for parole, and he also agreed not to appeal the sentence.

Kohlhepp admitted that he killed four workers at Superbike Motorsports motorcycle store in Chesnee in 2003 after the manager made him angry.

The victims were the owner, Scott Ponder, 30; Beverly Guy, 52; Brian Lucas, 30; and Chris Sherbert, 26.

Guy was Ponder's mother and worked as a bookkeeper. Lucas was a service manager, and Sherbert was a mechanic at the shop.

Kohlhepp was eligible for the death penalty, but the plea deal took that off the table.

No one has been executed in South Carolina in more than six years because the state lacks the drugs needed for lethal injections.

Kohlhepp moved to South Carolina in 2001 shortly after 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to kidnapping in Arizona. Authorities there said the then 15-year-old forced a 14-year-old neighbor back to his home at gunpoint, tied her up and raped her.

Kohlhepp had to register on South Carolina's sex offender registry, but told people it was a trumped up charge after a girl's father was angry about a joyride. Kohlhepp also lied about the felony conviction so he could get his real estate license in the state.

Friends and co-workers at Kohlhepp's real estate business said he was a hard worker with some strange habits. He would watch pornographic videos during work and joked on his firm's website that he motivated workers by not feeding them.

Kohlhepp's reign of terror came to an end on November 3, 2016, when police searching his Woodruff property heard a woman's screams coming from a shipping container.

Last month, Kohlhepp appeared in a South Carolina court and pleaded guilty to seven counts of murder and other counts
Ice Cube didn't hold back as he schooled Bill Maher on why his N-word comment, or so-called joke, on air just wasn't funny, as the TV host apologized for his transgression.

'I knew you was gonna f*** up sooner or later,' Cube told Maher. 'I love your show, you've got a great show, but you've been buckin' up against that line a little bit. You know, you've got a lot of black jokes. You know what I'm sayin', you do.'

Maher, who was stunned by the legendary rapper's criticism, responded: 'Well, against racists. Yes.'

'Eh. Sometimes you sound like a redneck trucker,' Cube shot back.

'No, I don't. That I gotta push back on,' replied Maher attempting to defend himself.

Ice Cube didn't hold back as he schooled Bill Maher on why his N-word comment, or so-called joke, on air just wasn't funny, as the TV host apologized for his transgression. He told Maher that when he used the word it 'felt like venom'

Maher's slip-of-the-tongue happened during his sit-down interview that appears at the top of each episode, and last Friday that one-on-one was with Republican Senator Ben Sasse (pictured) of Nebraska

Maher's slip-of-the-tongue happened during his sit-down interview that appears at the top of each episode, and last week that one-on-one was with Republican Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska.

The men argued a bit and chatted as is standard custom, but then things took a turn following a rather innocuous comment.

At one point during their exchange, Senator Sasse invited Maher back to his home state by saying: 'We'd love to have you work in the fields with us.'

Maher immediately fired back: 'Work in the fields? Senator, I'm a house n*****.'

This week, Maher was allowed to return back to his HBO show, despite several people calling for his ousting.

On Friday night's edition of his HBO program, the host first welcomed his friend Michael Eric Dyson on the show before the iconic rapper-turned actor Ice Cube joined them.

Cube (pictured) let Maher know why his use of the slur was so problematic and painful to African-Americans

Maher had already apologized and tried to explain his reasoning for using the N-word during his talk with Dyson.

But that didn't stop Cube from giving him a piece of his mind after he accepted Maher's apology.

'I just wanna know two questions. What made you think it was cool to say that? That's one question.'

Maher interrupted Cube: 'You know, I just explained there was no thought put into it. Obviously I was telling Dr. Dyson, comedians, they react. And it was wrong. And I apologize. And you know, more than that I can't do.'

Cube went on to let Maher know why his use of the slur was so problematic and painful to African-Americans.

'I still think we need to get to the root of the psyche. Because I think there's a lot of guys out there who cross the line because they a little too familiaror its guys that, you know, might have a black girlfriend or two who made them some Kool-Aid every now and then, and they think they can cross the line.

'And they can't,' Cube made clear.

'It's a word that has been used against us; it's like a knife, man. And you can use it as a weapon, or you can use it as a tool. It's been used as a weapon against us by white people, and we're not gonna let that happen again by nobody, because it's not cool.

'Now, I know you heard [it], it's in the lexicon and everybody's talkin', but that's our word now. And you can't have it back.'

Cube's reference to some guys having a black girlfriend was directed right at Maher, who has dated black women in the past, including Coco Johnsen. Cube said some guys get 'too familiar' and start to feel entitled, and cross certain lines of propriety that shouldn't be crossed.

Cube said he believes there guys out there 'who cross the line' because they get too familiar when they have had a black girlfriend or two. Cube was referring to Maher dating model, Coco Johnsen (left)

Johnsen (pictured left in 2004 and right in 2003) reportedly told TMZ that she believes Maher simply thought it was no big deal and no one would care that he jokingly referred to himself as a 'house n*****'

Johnsen reportedly told TMZ that she believes Maher simply thought it was no big deal and no one would care that he jokingly referred to himself as a 'house n*****'.

Coco dated Maher for a year-and-a-half and ended up suing him for $9 million for not marrying her.

She also claimed he verbally abused her with degrading racial comments, according to TMZ. The case later was dismissed due to lack of evidence.

Cube made it clear that he wasn't singling out Maher and that it's something that happens all the time.

'I'm talkin' about guys who cross the line every day because they got some black homies, they got some friends, they think it's cool.

'And it's not cool because when I hear my homies say it, it don't feel like venom. When I hear a white person say it, it feels like that knife stabbin' me, even if they don't mean it,' Cube said.

Cube pointed out that sometimes he doesn't know whether Maher's show is a political one or if it's a show about jokes.

But he did make a suggestion to the host: 'This, to me, is a political show. And I think you just have to not step on some of the political messages that you sayin' with a joke, because some things just ain't funny, you know what I mean?

'This is real right here that we're going through. And I'm not tryin' to get on your case, Bill. I'm tellin' you: I like your show and I like you. But I think this is a teachable moment, not just to you but to the people who are watching right now.'

An annoyed Maher then quipped: 'I think the people who are watching right now are saying: that point has been made.'

'Not by me,' Cube fired back leaving Maher at a loss for words.

HBO revealed on Monday that the Emmy-award winning host of their longest-running late-night program wasn't going anywhere, despite three days of social media outrage and calls for the network to fire him after he used the phrase 'house n*****'.

Cube told Maher that it's different when a white person uses the N-word than when a black person uses it. 'When I hear my homies say it, it don't feel like venom. When I hear a white person say it, it feels like that knife stabbin' me, even if they don't mean it,' Cube said

In a Twitter thread on Saturday, Senator Ben Sasse wrote: 'Here's what I wish I'd been quick enough to say in the moment: "Hold up, why would you think it's OK to use that word?"' Sasse is pictured on Maher's show last Friday

His upcoming comedy tour will also go ahead as planned, with none of the venues making the decision to pull out, TMZ reported.

Staff at the 'majority' of venues are reported to have told TMZ they were either not aware of the televised incident - or were looking into it.

The outspoken 61-year-old has not yet commented on the network's decision to keep him on, having done his best to keep a low profile in the wake of the incident.

Chance the Rapper was one of the first to comment on the situation, writing on Twitter early Saturday: 'Please @HBO Do Not Air Another Episode Of Real Time With Bill Maher.'

Maher did lose one of his scheduled guests for the program on Friday.

The host's good friend, comedian-turned-politician Al Franken, announced on Monday that he wouldn't be appearing on the show.

'Senator Franken believes that what Bill Maher said was inappropriate and offensive, which is why he made the decision not to appear on the next episode of 'Real Time,'' said Franken's office in a statement on Monday.

Leading the pack: Deray Mckesson was one of the first to comment on the situation, writing last week: 'But really, @BillMaher has got to go. There are no explanations that make this acceptable'

Response: 'Please @HBO Do Not Air Another Episode Of Real Time With Bill Maher,' wrote Chance the Rapper (above)

Despite the public's outrage over the incident, Maher's upcoming comedy tour will go ahead as planned, with none of the venues making the decision to pull out, TMZ reported

HBO has decided to remove the racial slur from the episode so that it will not seen in any subsequent airings, with the phrase coming just minutes into the program.

The backlash was quick, with many in disbelief that Maher would utter such a pejorative term in the middle of his show.

In the studio, there were a few laughs but mostly groans from the audience, while Senator Sasse appeared incredibly uncomfortable.

'No, it's a joke,' explained Maher, which did little to change the mood.

Twitter meanwhile erupted as many began to attack Maher and the network, just four days after social media users launched what looked to be a successful campaign to have comedian Kathy Griffin fired from CNN.

Senator Sasse was the first to apologize for the exchange once the fallout began over the weekend, releasing a statement via a Twitter thread on his personal account.

Maher also apologized ahead of this Friday's show saying that 'the word was offensive and I regret saying it and am very sorry'

'Am walking off a redeye from LAX. 3 reflections on @billmaher 1. I'm a 1st Amendment absolutist. Comedians get latitude to cross hard lines,' began Senator Sasse.

'But free speech comes with a responsibility to speak up when folks use that word. Me just cringing last night wasn't good enough.'

Senator Sasse went on to say: 'Here's what I wish I'd been quick enough to say in the moment: "Hold up, why would you think it's OK to use that word?"'

He then closed out by stating: 'The history of the n-word is an attack on universal human dignity. It's therefore an attack on the American Creed. Don't use it.'

Next up was HBO, which released a more formal statement soon after Senator Sasse's tweet storm.

'Bill Maher's comment last night was completely inexcusable and tasteless,' read the statement.

'We are removing his deeply offensive comment from any subsequent airings of the show.'

The network did not initially remove that portion of the interview, with the first repeat episode of the program last Friday still containing the slur when it aired at midnight.

Last, but not least, was Maher.

'Friday nights are always my worst night of sleep because I'm up reflecting on the things I should or shouldn't have said on my live show,' said Maher.

'Last night was a particularly long night as I regret the word I used in the banter of a live moment. The word was offensive and I regret saying it and am very sorry.'

Activist Deray Mckesson presented his argument for why HBO should fire Maher in a series of tweets on Saturday.

'There is no circumstance in which Bill Maher, as a rich wt man, would ever be implicated in the word like he pretends to be. He knows this,' wrote Mckkesson.

The decision to keep Maher was a bit less complicated than the one CNN had to make with Griffin, or Fox News had to make back in April after Bill O'Reilly's sexual harassment scandal(Maher and Milo Yiannopoulos)

Mckesson followed that tweet up by stating: 'Bill Maher would like us to believe that his use of the n-word is in joking solidarity. But w/ whom? He was talking about us, not w/ us.'

He was also one of the first to comment on the situation, writing on Friday: 'But really, @BillMaher has got to go. There are no explanations that make this acceptable.'

The decision to keep Maher was a bit less complicated than the one CNN had to make with Griffin, or Fox News had to make back in April after Bill O'Reilly's sexual harassment scandal.

Since HBO is funded by paid subscribers, there would have been no threat of advertisers boycotting Maher's show like they had done with O'Reilly and could have done with Griffin on the network's New Year's Eve broadcast.

Maher of course is no stranger to controversy, and frequently targets Republicans, conservatives and Catholics on his program.

He is also one of the few hosts to welcome a diverse group of political guests on each week.

One of those guests earlier this year was Milo Yiannopoulos in another episode that gained headlines.

The former Breitbart writer used his platform on the show to launch into a five-minute rant against transgender people, saying that he did not want them in the bathroom with little girls.

He then attacked the intelligence of the panel and one of the guests, at which point the normally docile and calm Larry Wilmore told the bejeweled Brit: 'Go f*** yourself.'

Many expressed their outrage at that time too on social media, wondering why Maher let Yiannopoulos on the show.
A man has appeared in court on gun charges linked to the Brighton siege, which left a man dead and three police officers seriously injured.

Kane Dalrymple, 30, who is understood to have no connection to Islamic State or terrorism, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Saturday, reported the Herald Sun.

Dalrymple, from Ascot Vale, was charged with four offences including trading guns without a license.

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Kane Dalrymple, 30, has appeared in court on gun charges linked to the Brighton siege, which left a man dead and three police officers seriously injured

His arrest followed a series of coordinated counter-terrorism raids across Melbourne's northern suburbs on Friday morning

He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody to reappear on July 25.

Court heard the 30-year-old used codewords such as 'bicycle' and 'two-seater' written in texts to refer to guns.

Dalrymple's defence lawyer unsuccessfully argued to have his identity suppressed, saying his client would be at risk in the prison because of a perceived link to terrorist Yacqub Khayre, the Herald Sun reported.

His arrest followed a series of coordinated counter-terrorism raids across Melbourne's northern suburbs on Friday morning.

About 150 state and federal police searched properties in Ascot Vale, Glenroy and Gladstone Park about 5am

Yacqub Khayre (pictured) killed Chinese-born Kai Hao before he was shot dead by police

About 150 state and federal police searched properties in Ascot Vale, Glenroy and Gladstone Park about 5am.

Police said the raids were related to the investigation into how Somalian-born Khayre obtained the weapon he used to kill a hotel clerk and wound three police officers.

An imitation shotgun was recovered during the raids.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton told reporters on Friday those they have spoken to following the raids are 'not persons of national security interest'.
Australian Border Force officials have seized more than 80 black market guns and suppressors off Australian streets after a tip off from U.S. authorities.

Police executed 25 Customs Act search warrants nationally and raided a further 17 residential properties, seizing 81 firearms and 43 suppressors.

During the searches, officers also located and seized large quantities of ammunition, 37kg of gunpowder, a number of firearms parts and other prohibited weapons.

Australian Border Force officials have seized more than 80 black market guns ans suppressors off Australian streets after a tip off from U.S. authorities

Police executed 25 Customs Act search warrants nationally and raided a further 17 residential properties, seizing 81 firearms (pictured( and 43 suppressors

The weapons are believed to have been headed to the hands of various criminal gangs.

ABF investigators had identified a large number of Australian customers buying 'solvent trap' cleaning kits from a US-based website.

As these items can easily be converted into sound suppressors they are considered prohibited imports when brought into the country for this purpose.

ABF Assistant Commissioner Wayne Buchhorn said the ABF actively targets those who import or facilitate the importation of firearms, firearm parts, blueprints or ammunition for supply to criminal groups.

During the searches, officers also located and seized large quantities of ammunition, 37kg of gunpowder, a number of firearms parts and other prohibited weapons

ABF investigators had identified a large number of Australian customers buying 'solvent trap' cleaning kits from a US-based website, which can easily be converted into sound suppressors

'Those involved in these criminal activities should be aware that the ABF and our law enforcement partners have a range of tools at our disposal to identify and seize these illegal importations and locate those behind them,' he said.

'Between local and international intelligence sharing, our world-class firearms detector dogs and cutting edge x-ray scanning technology, we are well placed to pick up these items at the border, no matter how they arrive.'

He said members of the community, including legitimate firearms owners, are encouraged to assist in the efforts to combat illicit firearms.

'We dont want to be penalising recreational shooters, so its important firearm owners who buy parts and accessories online are aware of Australias strict firearms regulations, and that if they attempt to import prohibited goods they face losing those goods and will face possible criminal prosecution,' Assistant Commissioner Buchhorn said.

ABF Assistant Commissioner Wayne Buchhorn said law enforcement partners have a range of tools at their disposal to identify and seize illegal importations and locate those behind them

He said: 'Between local and international intelligence sharing, world-class firearms detector dogs and x-ray technology, we are well placed to pick up these items at the border, no matter how they arrive'
Some of Australia's most prominent Muslims have spoken out against terrorism in the wake of a series of barbaric attacks, with one likening it to 'modern AIDS'.

Islamic terrorists have wreaked havoc across the world in recent weeks, with Melbourne, London and Manchester all coming under attack from ISIS-inspired individuals.

But one leader said Muslims should not carry the blame for acts of terror and noted they were the 'largest victims of terrorism', The Daily Telegraph reported.

The newly-installed President of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Dr Rateb Jneid (pictured), said it was detrimental to blame Muslims for acts of terror

Sheik Taj Aldin Alhilali (pictured), who was the Grand Mufti of Australia between 1989 to 2007, told a Sydney newspaper 'terrorism is the modern AIDS'

Dr Rateb Jneid, the newly-installed President of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, said it was not true for terrorists to use Islamic teachings to justify their actions.

'It is therefore detrimental to blame Muslims as not only are the Muslims largest victims of terrorism, we are actively fighting against terrorists through words and actions across the world,' Dr Jneid told The Daily Telegraph.

Abdurrahman Asaroglu, the president of the Auburn Gallipoli Mosque, in Sydney's west, said there was an Islamic principle which prohibits Muslims from killing innocent individuals.

'We believe that as the Federation of Turkish Islamic Cultural Centres Australia: A Muslim cannot be a terrorist and a terrorist cannot be a Muslim,' he said.

Meanwhile, the man who spent the 18 years to 2007 as the Grand Mufti of Australia, Sheik Taj Aldin Alhilali, likened terrorism to AIDS and said it was fed by ignorance.

'Terrorism is the modern AIDS that has infiltrated continents and brought fear to the whole world,' he said.

Members of the Muslim community attending a vigil at Potters Fields Park in London on June 5 to commemorate the victims of the terror attack on London Bridge

Three jihadi terrorists shouting 'this is for Allah' killed eight people and left dozens injured in the heart of London. The three men launched the van and knife attack on London Bridge and at nearby Borough Market on June 3

On June 5, ISIS-inspired, Somalian-born Yacqub Khayre killed a hotel clerk and wound three police officers at serviced apartments in the affulent Melbourne south-east, Brighton.

Two days earlier, three men launched a van and knife attack on London Bridge and at nearby Borough Market.

The three jihadi terrorists shouting 'this is for Allah' killed eight people and left dozens injured.

On March 22, policeman Keith Palmer, 48, was stabbed to death by British-born jihadi Khalid Masood, 52, outside Parliament in London and four others were killed when they were mowed down by the terrorist on Westminster Bridge.

Two months to that day, 22 people died when another Islamist terrorist, Salman Abedi, 22, bombed the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.
A large sea turtle which was discovered stranded on a boat ramp was found to have a mass of plastic debris lodged inside its digestive system.

The marine animal - named Tina the Turtle - was spotted dying outside of the ocean in Shoalwater, on the WA coast and was rushed to Perth Zoo for treatment.

Unfortunately vets could not save the turtle, and upon further investigation realised its intestines were stuffed with plastic rubbish and man-made waste.

Tina the Turtle (pictured) was found stranded on a boat ramp with a mass of plastic debris lodged inside her digestive system

Turtle researcher Dr Erina Young (pictured) unearthed a shocking amount of debris inside the sea turtle

Murdoch University Turtle Researcher Dr Erina Young delved deep into the underwater reptile and was shocked to unearth layers of litter which had contributed to its death.

Images of the sea turtle and jars full of the rubbish found inside it were posted online to pages Plastic Free July and the Conservation Council of Western Australia to shock the public into understanding the devastating impact of ocean pollution.

'Tina was found stranded on a boat ramp and was taken to Perth Zoo for treatment, but sadly there was nothing that could be done to save her,' the post read.

'When Erina investigated further, she couldnt believe what she found - Tina's digestive system was completely blocked with our plastic rubbish.'

Images of the sea turtle and jars full of the rubbish found inside it were posted online to shock the public into understanding the devastating impact of ocean pollution

The doctor found the sea turtle had swallowed a deadly amount of ocean pollution which had become trapped inside her

Environmental groups are now calling on the WA Community to ditch single-use plastic bags and products with plastic micro-beads and to introduce container deposit schemes.

According to initiative Plastic Free WA, Australians dump around 80 million plastic bags to the ocean each year.

'Unless we act now, plastic will outweigh our fish by 2050,' it says.
British Airways boss Willie Walsh has defended the beleaguered airline following last month's IT shutdown which left 75,000 bank holiday passengers stranded - insisting criticism of the firm is 'unfair'.

Hundreds of flights were cancelled from Heathrow and Gatwick following the breakdown on the morning of Saturday May 27 and the airline was unable to resume a full schedule until the following Tuesday.

Many passengers who had already checked in when the chaos started were still waiting to be reunited with their luggage more than a week later.

BA had come under fire from unions who accused the airline of slashing 'hundreds of dedicated and loyal' IT staff and contracting the work to India last year.

British Airways has been accused of cost-cutting - but chief executive of parent company IAG Willie Walsh, pictured, insisted that the drastic measures were 'efficiency'

A damning Which? report in December last year found that average customer satisfaction with BA had fallen to 67 per cent for short-haul and 60 per cent for long-haul flights

But Mr Walsh, 55, insisted that rather than 'cost-cutting' the drastic measures were actually 'efficiency'.

He told The Guardian: 'If you are to survive in an environment where average fares are declining, it drives you to be more efficient.

'There are times you'll get that wrong, or take decisions that are not liked by others. The idea that you would accept inefficiency  I just don't get it.'

Mr Walsh was chief executive of BA from 2005 until taking over at the helm of parent company IAG in 2011,

But when the bank holiday drama unfolded he was nowhere to be seen - and just days later he was launching a new low-cost airline before jetting off to Mexico for an industry conference.

BA stood accused of trying to play down the gravity of the situation when its PR office claimed on the Sunday morning that systems were almost back to normal.

Hundreds of flights were cancelled following the breakdown on the morning of Saturday May 27 and the airline was unable to resume a full schedule until the following Tuesday

Many passengers who had already checked in when the issue emerged were still waiting to be reunited with their luggage more than a week later

BA cancelled its flights out of Heathrow and Gatwick causing chaos at airports around the world. Pictured are passengers at JFK in New York

Despite the mass disruption, the airline boss - who has been branded 'Slasher Walsh' by critics - insisted that the airline was 'back to normal pretty quickly' as he branded criticism of the company 'unfair'.

In the wake of the crisis it emerged that the IT shutdown could have been caused by an engineer who disconnected then reconnected a power supply to the firm's data centre - in actions that Mr Walsh described as 'uncontrolled and uncommanded'.

Cost-cutting BA boss Alex Cruz was also condemned for his 'slash-and-burn' approach to costs and service amid calls for his resignation.

BA chief executive Alex Cruz was condemned for his 'slash-and-burn' approach to costs and service following the IT meltdown

Since being appointed in April last year, Mr Cruz has overseen a cost-cutting drive that removed free food from short-haul flights and has seen customer satisfaction plunge.

A damning Which? report in December last year found that average customer satisfaction with BA had fallen to 67 per cent for short-haul and 60 per cent for long-haul flights, putting it 10th in a table of 23 British carriers.

Since January, economy class passengers on short haul and domestic flights from Heathrow and Gatwick have been paying 1.80 for a bottle of water, 2.30 for a hot drink and 4.75 for a bacon roll.

BA is also planning to reduce legroom on some planes on European routes from 30 inches to 29  less than Ryanair  to add two rows of seats

But giving the Spaniard his full backing, Mr Walsh said: 'In this situation I think Alex did a good job. It's fair to say maybe I would have done things differently, but then I'm a different person.'

Experts say BA could be facing a payout of more than 150million to travellers after scores of flights were cancelled and delayed in April.

But the complaints did not stop there as customers trying to register compensation claims were forced to call a phone number costing up to 9p per minute from landlines and up to 55p from mobiles leading to accusations that the airline was cashing in on the crisis.

If flights are cancelled, airlines must offer either a refund or an alternative flight, while passengers are also entitled to compensation.
Jeremy Corbyn has missed yet another high-five just hours after brushing Emily Thornberry's breast on election night when he went to grasp her hand.

The jubilant Labour leader was filmed getting into a cab outside his north London home while surrounded by chanting supporters.

As the car started to drive off Mr Corbyn opened his window to slap the hand of a well wisher.

Fail: The well-wisher ran up to the car to greet Mr Corbyn

Another: The MP scoops the air after a timid slap attempt

Despite having an open target the Islington North MP missed completely, scooping the air with a half-hearted attempt in what was a second failed high-five in quick succession for Mr Corbyn.

On Thursday evening the politician arrived at the Islington North count beaming and said: 'Welcome to the Labour borough of Islington!' after a shock exit poll which showed Labour could have 266 seats in the Commons.

But his joy soon turned to embarrassment when he accidentally hit the shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, in the breast.

This is the moment when he tried to high five her...but inadvertently ended up touching her breast

Footage shows the pair joking around before he goes to high-five her - but instead slaps the wrong target.

Mr Corbyn had good reason to be a good mood after his party reduced the Conservative majority in the House of Commons by accruing 262 seats, 30 more than before.

The MP reaped home to victory in his constituency, gaining 40,086 votes, an increase of over 10,000 from the 2015 General Election.

Supporters: Mr Corbyn was surrounded by fans as he entered his car
Two Britons suspected of encouraging tourists to make fake food poisoning claims have been held by police in Majorca.

The pair were detained yesterday by officials in northern Majorca in what are believed to be the first detentions of their kind in Spain.

Officers were understood to be probing whether the suspects were acting on their own or if they belong to one of the claims firms linked to the scam.

The pair are believed to have been targeting British holidaymakers in hotels in Alcudia - the main tourist centre in the north of Majorca.

The pair were held were held yesterday by police in northern Majorca in what are believed to be the first detentions of their kind in Spain (stock photo)

The two Britons, who are expected to face an ongoing judicial investigation after being questioned by police, have not been named.

It follows a campaign by hoteliers in Spain and holiday destinations in Greece and Portugal against the growing food poisoning scam in which holidaymakers falsely claim to have been ill during their stay in a bid to claim compensation.

The Civil Guard confirmed they had arrested one Briton on suspicion of fraud and conspiracy and had quizzed another.

They said the second person had been questioned as an investigado - a new legal term under Spanish law which means 'under investigation'.

A spokesman said: 'The two Britons were capturing clients so they could allegedly make false claims in their names from the hotels they were staying in.

'They were doing this in the street and the doors of hotels.

'The operation remains open and further arrests have not been ruled out.'

Tour operators in Majorca have reported a 700 per cent rise in cases of false complaints about stomach problems.

The pair are believed to have been targeting British holidaymakers in hotels in Alcudia - the main tourist centre in the north of Majorca (stock photo)

Spanish hotel association CEHAT estimated that 90 per cent of the claims are bogus.

Earlier this month the organisation's general secretary Ramon Estalella warned it would be gathering evidence to try to prosecute anyone involved in the fraud.

It also pledged to draw up a protocol so hotels would only pay compensation if medical evidence was submitted as part of the claim.

Detectives at City of London Police insurance fraud department are also said to be studying 'dodgy' claims made by tourists to assess whether they could face criminal charges.

The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) says there has been a 434 per cent rise in the number of gastric illness claims made by British tourists since 2013, with compensation payouts reaching 2,000 in some cases.

Tour operators in Majorca have reported a 700 per cent rise in cases of false complaints about stomach problems (stock photo)

Last month the Foreign Office warned holidaymakers in Portugal they face legal action if they submit false claims.

Hotels in the worst-affected areas are believed to be considering employing private detectives to identify claims firm representatives who traditionally pose as tourists themselves to avoid detection why they try to sign up clients.

Rogue companies in the Canary Islands last year parked claims vans in popular holiday resorts to tout for business.

Nuria Montes, general secretary of hotel association HOSBEC, said earlier this year: 'We've obviously put in place preventative measures and there are a lot of other measures that the hotels are taking, particularly when it comes to having greater control and traceability of the clients' presence and their food and drink consumption in their establishments.

'Those measures include making sure clients communicate any type of discomfort or illness during their stay because many of these fictitious claims come from people who have said nothing while they're at the hotel and then put in claims up to two years later which is something UK law enables them to do.

'It also involves hotels, especially all-inclusive hotels where the problems are greatest, disposing of computerised information about what their clients eat and drink and get up to while they're there.

'Most hotels work nowadays with room cards which tell them when clients are entering and leaving their rooms and electronic wristbands which are swiped when they order food and drink.

Rogue companies in the Canary Islands last year parked claims vans in popular holiday resorts to tout for business (stock photo)

'The hotels are storing that information on when their clients have entered and left their rooms, how long they've been inside or outside, whether they've used the hotel restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner, how many drinks they've had.

'If we're told one year later that a person was ill during their stay, and we can show that by their patterns of behaviour and consumption, there's no evidence of any illness, the chances of that claim prospering are greatly reduced.

'Against someone who's drunk 27 beers, 14 Gin tonics and hasn't been confined ill to their room and has normal entry and exit registers, we have a much better chance of proving we're dealing with a fraudulent claim.

Last month it emerged a British couple accused of making a bogus holiday sickness compensation claim faced losing their home after the hotel they stayed in Crete launched a 170,000 counter-claim for damaging its reputation.

Sean and Caroline Bondarenko put in a claim against the five-star Caldera Palace Hotel after saying the resort's food and drink made them ill.

They are now said to be trying to drop their claim which was made three years after their one-week stay in October 2013.

The Crete hotel filed a counter-claim saying the couple had enjoyed their holiday and 'consumed large quantities of alcohol' when they were supposed to have been sick.
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Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox

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EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol  Armenia and Azerbaijan  to do so without delay

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This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan

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Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex
Virgin Trains has had more complaints from passengers than any other rail company in the UK, according to official figures.

The company has fallen out of favour with passengers with some criticising its 'Gestapo-like' ticket inspectors.

Figures from the Office of Rail and Road show that Virgin's west coast service received more than 135 complaints per 100,000 passengers in three months.

That number is higher than for any other rail franchise, including Southern Rail - which has recently been plagued by industrial action causing widespread delays and cancellations.

Figures from the Office of Rail and Road show that Virgin's west coast service received more than 135 complaints per 100,000 passengers in three months

Virgin Trains's west coast service runs from London to Glasgow with standard tickets for the full four-and-a-half-hour journey costing up to 182.50.

Transport Focus revealed the company, owned by Sir Richard Branson, is currently facing 164 demands for compensation from passengers - more than one sixth of total appeals across all rail firms in the country.

And the passenger watchdog told The Times that most of these complaints stem from customers making mistakes over their fares.

Transport Focus chief executive Anthony Smith said: 'Virgin Trains west coast needs to look again at how it treats passengers who have simply made an innocent mistake.'

Transport Focus revealed the rail firm is currently facing 164 demands for compensation from passengers

In February the MailOnline reported on an incident in which a commuter was falsely detained by a police on suspicion of fraud after he used a loophole to save money on the service.

Company director Steve Morrissey, 33, would normally get the train to London from Preston - but realised by getting on 25 miles further away in Lancaster his ticket would be almost 260 cheaper.

But during his journey on a Virgin train to London Euston, a guard examined his 92.20 ticket from Lancaster, accused him of getting on at Preston and said he should pay the 356 return it would cost to travel from there.

Steve Morrissey was wrongly detained by a police on suspicion of fraud after he used a loophole to save money on the service

He refused and was questioned by police at the end of his journey before being released without charge after CCTV footage proved him right.

The furious passenger said he had been treated like a criminal by the 'Gestapo of Virgin Trains'.

A spokesperson for Virgin Trains said: 'We're keen to work with Transport Focus to ensure outstanding complaints are resolved.'
A man has narrowly avoided being shot after a stray bullet from a drive-by shooting passed through his neighbour's fence and into his bedroom window.

Police are investigating after multiple gunshots were fired at a home in West Hoxton, in Sydney's west about 7pm Friday night.

The man's neighbour appeared to be the intended target of the drive-by shooting but doesn't know why, police said.

When asked by a reporter why his house may be the target of a drive-by shooting, the man told her the attack was 'random' before brushing past her and swiftly returning to his home.

Police are investigating after multiple gunshots were fired at a home in West Hoxton (pictured), in Sydney's west about 7pm Friday night

A man narrowly avoided being shot after a stray bullet passed through his neighbour's fence and into his bedroom window

Police confirmed on Saturday that early indications suggest the attack was targeted.

A man and woman were inside at the time the stray bullet hit their home but were uninjured, police said.

Security footage captured a hatchback lurking on the street just before 7pm before stopping in front of a house and then speeding off, 9 News reported.

'I just heard three gunshots ... then I came outside and saw the car just rev up the street,' witness Samantha Alessio told 9 News.

The shooting has led to shadow police minister Guy Zangari accusing the government of failing to provide adequate police resources to attacks in Sydney's west.

'If the shootings were happening on the leafy streets of the north shore, you can bet your bottom dollar that Premier Gladys Berejiklian would have all the police numbers swarming the streets,' he said.

Ms Berejiklian said the government will do 'everything' possible to keep the community safe.
The 39-year-old Spaniard Ignacio Echeverria who tried to protect a woman from the London Bridge terrorists with his skateboard died when he was stabbed in the back

The 39-year-old Spaniard who tried to protect a woman from the London Bridge terrorists with his skateboard died when he was stabbed in the back, a post mortem has confirmed.

The body of Ignacio Echeverria is being flown back to Spain today, accompanied by his heart-broken family.

Yesterday, the British police were forced to issue a statement saying that the talented banker had not been killed by a stray police bullet amid speculation that this was the reason it had taken four days to confirm his death.

Ignacio died on June 3 when he confronted three of the terrorists who were attacking a woman during the London atrocity.

He tried to hit them with his skateboard but was stabbed himself.

The cause of death has been confirmed by the Spanish Ministry of Interior, says the Spanish press.

The Spanish Government has posthumously granted him the Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit, one of the highest distinctions of the State, for his courage in facing the jihadists.

Petitions have also been set up on change.org to get a street in Madrid named after him and his local council of Las Rozas intends to create a skate park in his honour and award him their own bravery medal.

Other campaigns have been started on change.org for further bravery medals, including a Royal recognition.

The body of Ignacio Echeverria is being flown back to Spain today, accompanied by his heart-broken family. Pictured, Mr Echeverria skateboarding at an earlier time

Members of the public in Madrid observe a three minute silence on Thursday ahead of a vigil to honour London Bridge terror attack hero Ignacio Echevarria

Ignacio died on May 3 when he confronted three of the terrorists who were attacking a woman during the London atrocity. Pictured, a condolence book next to a picture of Ignacio

The cause of death has been confirmed by the Spanish Ministry of Interior, says the Spanish press

At the time of the attack, in which eight people died, Ignacio was returning from skating in a park with his friends when they saw the terrorist attack in the surroundings of Borough Market, next to the London Bridge.

His friends have confirmed he rushed to help her, using his skateboard to hit her assailants but was stabbed in the process.

He then fell to the floor, still clutching his skateboard.

Ignacio, who lived in London, worked as an analyst at HSBC and was a skateboarding fanatic.

He spoke four languages and was described as extremely gifted.

At the time of the attack, in which eight people died, Ignacio was returning from skating in a park with his friends

His friends say he acted with great bravery, without thought for his own safety.

They have also revealed this was not the first time he had intervened to save someone.

On another occasion, he had protected a woman who was also being abused by a man in the street.

Ignacio's body is due to arrive at the air base of Torrejon de Ardoz, Madrid, on an official plane.

His father has paid public tribute to two of Ignacio's friends, Guillermo and Javi who were with him on London Bridge and tried everything within their power to help and save both him and the woman under attack.
A smiling Jeremy Corbyn headed straight down to his allotment after being warned by a senior Labour MP not to pretend he won the election.

His happy demeanour came despite senior backbencher Chris Leslie saying the election defeat was still 'bad' for his constituents and warning he would not be a 'cheerleader' for a losing result.

Social media users noted his eagerness to return to his favourite hobby, with one joking, 'that might be where he keeps his magic money tree'.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (pictured leaving home this morning) is thought likely to carry out a reshuffle of his top team after better than expected election results

Social media users noted his eagerness to return to his favourite hobby, with one joking, 'Might be where he keeps this magic money tree'

Mr Corbyn has owned the allotment for many years, despite it being in the borough of Barnet, some distance away from his home in Islington.

In the general election, Labour won 30 new seats around the country, including a revival in Scotland, and Theresa May lost her Commons majority.

But despite the shock results, Mrs May is still forming a new Government and will finish appointing her Cabinet this morning.

Former shadow chancellor Mr Leslie said Labour must not forget 'we lost the election'.

He told the BBC Today programme: 'Im sorry if that sounds a bit miserable but Im thinking about my constituents.

'They do not need a Conservative government. Its bad for them.'

Mr Leslie, who refused to serve in Mr Corbyn's shadow Cabinet and called for him to quit last year, praised the 'fantastic results'.

But he said: 'We havent won that election. He [Corbyn] did very well in some areas  but I come back to the point: we havent won that election.

'We shouldnt pretend this is a famous victory.

Mr Corbyn won 30 new seats around the country, including a revival in Scotland, and Theresa May lost her Commons majority.

'Five years of a Conservative government: I cant, Im afraid, be a cheerleader for that outcome.'

Senior backbencher Chris Leslie said defeat was still 'bad' for his constituents and warned he would not be a 'cheerleader' for a losing result.

Mr Leslie said Mrs May was the most 'beatable' Prime Minister he had seen in his career.

And he warned Mr Corbyn must still learn 'lessons' from parts of the country where Labour did not perform well.

Labour's vote was down in some places and there were swings to the Tories in some Labour heartlands that voted strongly for Brexit.

Mr Leslie said he would still not serve in Mr Corbyn's shadow Cabinet once the election fall out was over.

He said: 'A lot of people do see him as a credible prime minister.

'Im not going to pretend that I have suddenly changed my views. 262 [seats] is much better than it was but I dont think its as good as it should be.'

Labour MP Mike Gapes - an arch critic of the Labour leader echoed a similar message on social media, praising Mr Corbyn for good results.

But he added: 'But we still only won 262 MPs. And the Tories are still in power. We need another 70 seats.'

The Labour leader has a well-groomed allotment which is filled with growing fruits and vegetables. Pictured on May 31

Things are looking up for Jeremy Corbyn and he will have plenty to keep him busy after the election - because his allotment is thriving

The Labour leader was thought to be taking stock today after making gains in Thursday's general election.

His allotment certainly appears to be in order, with rows of corn flourishing among other vegetables.

There also appears to be mounds of potatoes growing nicely, and last years onions appear to have gone to seed.

On the political front, a reshuffle of Labour's top team is thought likely in the coming days as Mr Corbyn reasserts himself over the parliamentary party.

But the Labour leader may decide to stick by the small band of loyal supporters who backed him since the second leadership contest.

But despite the shock results, Theresa May (pictured in No 10 yesterday) is still forming a new Government and will finish appointing her Cabinet this morning

A beaming Mr Corbyn was able to celebrate gains in the election yesterday (pictured) but will still be leading the opposition when Parliament gathers

Labour MP Mike Gapes - an arch critic of the Labour leader echoed a similar message on social media, praising Mr Corbyn for good results but warning the party was still far from power

Corbyn tightens the Left's grip on Labour as he claims his party 'won' the election after defying all expectations

Jeremy Corbyn cemented the Left's grip on Labour last night as he claimed the party had effectively 'won' the election

Jeremy Corbyn cemented the Left's grip on Labour last night as he claimed the party had effectively 'won' the election.

He emerged triumphant after his party defied all expectations to pick up 30 seats and deny Theresa May a Commons majority.

The hard-Left leader added 3.5million votes to Ed Miliband's total two years earlier, putting him in touching distance of Downing Street.

It was the largest increase in Labour's share of the vote, compared to the previous election, since Clement Attlee's victory in 1945.

Jubilant allies of Mr Corbyn and his shadow chancellor John McDonnell, including Left-wing union firebrand Len McCluskey, insisted the result was a 'vindication' of the way they had seized control of the party.

Moderate critics among Labour were humiliated  with MPs who had tried to oust the leader last year forced to eat their words and congratulate him.

Plans for leadership challenges against Mr Corbyn were scrapped once the scale of his victory became clear. Even Lord Mandelson, the arch-Blairite former Cabinet minister, was forced to deny pronouncements that New Labour was over.

Speaking yesterday morning, Mr Corbyn said: 'This is an incredible result for the Labour party because people voted for hope.

'Young people and old people all came together. There was a huge increase in the Labour vote and they did it because they wanted to see things done differently, and they wanted hope in their lives.

'We put on more than three million votes yesterday.'

DID SOUTHERN RAIL BOOST LABOUR? The long-running dispute on Southern Railway was last night blamed for Tory losses in the commuter belt. Hundreds of thousands of passengers have suffered more than a year of travel misery on the network because of strikes and staff shortages. The Conservatives lost a number of key seats along the route served including Croydon, Eastbourne and Brighton, while Home Secretary Amber Rudd came close to defeat in her Hastings constituency. Emily Yates, of the Association of British Commuters, said: 'Once again, we see the public in the south reject the narrative that Southern Rail and the Government have been pushing over a whole year of commuter suffering.' Advertisement

He added: 'The party that has lost this election is the Conservative Party. The arguments that the Conservative Party put forward in this election have lost.

'We gained seats in every region of the country, we gained three million more votes on a much higher turnout  I think that is a pretty good result. We put forward our policies  strong and hopeful policies  and they've gained an amazing response and traction.

'I think it's pretty clear who won this election. We are ready to serve the people.' Labour notched up a tally of 12.9million votes  up from the 9.3million that Mr Miliband managed two years ago.

The 40 per cent share of the vote he achieved was higher than Tony Blair achieved in 2005, and just three points behind the Tories.

Labour's share was 9.6 per cent higher than the previous election. The surge left the party with 262 seats  enough to deny Theresa May a majority in the Commons.

Shadow chancellor Mr McDonnell said the leadership had 'consolidated our position'.

'We have laid the foundations for a minority government, and then eventually a majority government,' he said. 'The instability that we now have is not from the Labour Party or other parties, it's the Conservative Party itself.

'If we can form a minority government, I think we could have a stability government, not through deals or coalitions but policy by policy. That would prevent another election, because I think people have had enough of elections.'
Angela Merkel has said Brexit negotiations should go ahead as scheduled in nine days' time - despite the UK being plunged into political turmoil by the General Election.

The German chancellor said the European Union wants talks to progress 'quickly' and warned it will defend the interests of its members during the looming divorce proceedings.

Having failed to secure a majority after after calling a snap election, Theresa May now faces having to tear up her plans over Brexit negotiations.

After being pictured enjoying a beer with Mexican President Enrique Nieto in Mexico City, Mrs Merkel ended her brief period of 'polite' restraint from commenting on Mrs May's catastrophic poll.

German chancellor Angela Merkel (left, with Mexican President Enrique Nieto) said the European Union wants talks to progress 'quickly'

After being pictured enjoying a beer in Mexico, Mrs Merkel (left) ended her brief period of 'polite' restraint from commenting on Mrs May's (right) catastrophic poll

Mrs Merkel warned Germany will defend the interests of its members during the looming divorce proceedings

She said: 'We are ready for the negotiations. We want to do it quickly, respecting the calendar.'

'We were waiting for the election in Britain, but in the next few days these talks will begin.

'We will defend the interests of the 27 member states, and Britain will defend its own interests.'

On Friday, European Council president Donald Tusk warned Mrs May there is 'no time to lose'.

With talks due to start in Brussels on June 19, Mr Tusk said it was their 'urgent task' to get on with the negotiations in 'the best possible spirit'.

Merkel said she is 'ready for the negotiations', adding: 'We want to do it quickly, respecting the calendar'

Merkel (pictured with Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray) said everyone was 'waiting for the election in Britain' so talks can beging in the next few days

'We will defend the interests of the 27 member states, and Britain will defend its own interests,' Merkel added

In a letter to the PM congratulating her on her reappointment, he said the two-year time frame set out under Article 50 of the EU treaties left no room for delay.

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker also said he hoped there would be no further delay to the negotiations 'we are desperately waiting for'.

Brussels' chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said the talks would begin when Britain was ready, suggesting he would consider a short delay.

'Brexit negotiations should start when UK is ready; timetable and EU positions are clear. Let's put our minds together on striking a deal,' he said on Twitter.

However there was clear frustration with the EU at the failure of the election to deliver a decisive result.

Having failed to secure a majority after after calling a snap election, Theresa May now faces having to tear up her plans over Brexit negotiations

The European Parliament's Brexit co-ordinator, Guy Verhofstadt, said: 'Yet another own goal, after Cameron now May, will make already complex negotiations even more complicated.'

Mrs May's plans laid in tatters on Friday after an unexpected surge in support for Labour saw the Conservatives lose seats, falling short of an overall majority.

As Mrs May sought to secure a parliamentary majority by striking a deal with Northern Ireland's DUP, a spokesman for Mrs Merkel said they would refrain from commenting out of 'politeness and respect'.
The last of the famous lion brothers dubbed the 'Five Musketeers' has been killed in northern Namibia.

Tullamore, one of the pride made famous in the documentary 'Vanishing Kings', is reported to have been killed alongside a lioness and two cubs.

He was moved to the Oknogue area after three of his brothers were poisoned by farmers and the other shot in August.

It is unclear how he died but experts say conflict with humans, and particularly farmers, is the 'biggest threat' to the 150 free-roaming lions in Namibia.

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Tullamore, the last of the famous lion brothers dubbed the 'Five Musketeers', has been killed in northern Namibia

Tullamore, one of the pride of brothers (pictured) made famous in the documentary 'Vanishing Kings', is reported to have been killed alongside a lioness and two cubs

It is unclear how Tullamore (pictured) died but experts say conflict with humans, and particularly farmers, is the 'biggest threat' to the 150 free-roaming lions in Namibia

Tullamore became the dominant male of a new pride after he was moved for his own safety.

Both he and the lionesses in his pride were fitted with collars, which were allegedly burned after the killings.

The killings may have happened a while ago, as Tullamore was reported missing by researcher Flip Stander in early April.

Police were called into investigate how the 'Five Musketeers', a unique group of desert lions who starred in a National Geographic film last year, were poisoned just days before they were to be relocated in August.

Three of the group of five brothers were reportedly killed in the country's Kunene region on August 9.

After three of the lions were poisoned near Tomakas, Tullamore was transferred by the Desert Lion conservation project to a new home near the Uniab Delta

The surviving brother during the journey to a new home near the Uniab Delta

Both Tullamore (pictured) and the lionesses in his pride were fitted with collars, which were allegedly burned after the killings

Tullamore became the dominant male of a new pride after he was moved for his own safety

Three of the group of five brothers were reportedly killed in the country's Kunene region on August 9. Pictured: Tullamore being relocated

The poisoning of the trio came after another sibling was reportedly shot dead in July after a confrontation at a cattle post.

Environment and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta said a case had been opened with police over what had been called the 'illegal killing of protected game'.

'The ministry condemns this illegal activity of poisoning the lions and those involved will face the full wrath of the law,' Mr Shifeta said.

The lions are said to be unique because they adapt to life in the desert with thick coats to protect them from extreme temperatures. They also have the ability to survive almost entirely without drinking water.

The Desert Lion Conservation project has been trying to foster peaceful relationships between people and lions in Namibia.

'Lions killed a donkey and the people retaliated by poisoning the lions,' the group said in a Facebook post.

Police were called into investigate how the 'Five Musketeers', a unique group of desert lions who starred in a National Geographic film last year

The carcasses and the satellite tracking collar on the lions were also burned, the group said.

Fortunately, there is a UK based charity called Spots and Stripes Conservation who are working directly with non profit Desert Lions Human Relations Aid / DeLHRA.

Together they are fundraising to provide farmers with Boma's lighting and alarms, to warn of Lion presence around their livestock.

Kaz Cobb, Treasurer of Spots & Stripes Conservation said: 'There are an estimated 150 Desert Lions remaining in Namibia.

'This is truly a tragedy for Namibia's lion conservation efforts in a very challenging environment that balances lion and human coexistence so please help us to build Kraals to stop farmers attacking the Lions.'
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson (pictured in Edinburgh last night) personally demanded assurances from Theresa May over her plans to strike a deal with the Northern Irish DUP party

Ruth Davidson has vowed to put Scotland's case 'forcefully' to the Prime Minister after significantly increasing the number of Tory MPs north of the border.

The Scottish Tory leader also demanded assurances from Theresa May over her plans to strike a deal with the Northern Irish DUP party.

However, Davidson dismissed reports she will seek to break the Scottish Conservatives away from the UK party following Theresa May's disastrous General Election result.

Ms Davidson has already hinted she will use her sway to influence the Brexit deal, and has insisted there needs to be wider consensus on the terms of leaving the EU.

Speaking as she gathered with the new Scottish Tory MPs in Stirling, Ms Davidson said: 'I'm going to make sure that along with the 13 MPs we're sending to Westminster, we put Scotland's case forcefully and make sure that we deliver for Scotland and make sure that the union delivers for Scotland too.'

She added: 'I want to ensure that we can look again at issues like Brexit which we know we are now going to have to get cross-party support for.

'And move to a consensus within the country about what it means and what we seek to achieve as we leave.'

Ms Davidson said: 'I'm going to make sure that along with the 13 MPs we're sending to Westminster, we put Scotland's case forcefully'

Ruth Davidson is in a strong negotiating position, since without her Scottish wins Mrs May would almost certainly have been forced to resign

On Friday Ms Davidson said the Government must deliver 'an open Brexit, not a closed one, which puts our country's economic growth first'.

Meanwhile, Ms Davidson confirmed she has given her 'full support' to Mrs May staying on as PM.

'The Prime Minister was the leader that made sure that we came out with the largest number of votes and seats, she has my full support as she makes sure that we move forward with a strong government,' she said.

Without the dozen Scottish gains, Mrs May would almost certainly have been forced to resign and had the keys to Downing Street to Jeremy Corbyn.

Instead she is close enough to a Commons majority to strike a deal with the socially conservative DUP.

But Ms Davidson demanded the DUP's opposition to gay marriage and abortion must not dominate the new government after the electoral disaster.

The public declaration she sought and was given assurances is a signal of the new strength of Ms Davidson within the Tory party and the weakness of Mrs May.

Revealing a call with Mrs May on Friday evening, Ms Davidson told BBC Reporting Scotland: 'I was fairly straightforward with her and I told her that there were a number of things that count to me more than party.

'One of them is country, one of the others is LGBTI rights.'

Ms Davidson said to Mrs May there were 'a number of things' that she counted as more significant then her party loyalty

Ruth Davidson opposes the stridently conservative social agenda of the DUP

The Scottish Tory leader said she had asked for, and received, a 'categoric assurance' from Mrs May that any arrangement between the Conservatives and the DUP would see 'absolutely no rescission of LGBTI rights in the rest of the UK'.

The Scottish Tory leader says she's received a 'categoric assurance' that there would be no rescission of LGBTI rights in the UK

She said the prime minister agreed to try to use her influence to advance LGBTI rights in Northern Ireland.

Mrs May is continuing discussions with DUP leader Arlene Foster today about the exact format of the new government.

The two parties could strike a pact with specific policy goals that approaches a full coalition.

Ms Davidson said to Mrs May there were 'a number of things' that she counted as more significant then her party loyalty

Ruth Davidson's efforts north of the border saved the Theresa May (pictured together campaigning three days before the election) by grabbing twelve seats from the SNP

Ruth Davidson (pictured reacting to the results in Edinburgh yesterday) has aimed a sideswipe at the Democratic Unionist Party over its opposition to gay marriage

If they cannot agree such a deal, a so-called 'confidence and supply' deal is likely where the DUP agree in advance to support Mrs May on the most important votes - including the Budget and the Queen's Speech - and work issue by issue on everything else.

The second scenario is widely seen as more likely, leaving the Tory government far weaker than it was before the election in an extraordinary turn around of fortunes.

Ruth Davidson opposes the stridently conservative social agenda of the DUP

Ms Davidson registered her discontent at the possibility of the deal as soon as it emerged yesterday.

The Scottish Tory leader tweeted a link to a speech on gay pride she delivered in Belfast in a coded warning to Theresa May not to let the DUP, which is set to go into coalition with the Conservatives, push her to the right on social matters.

The Scottish Tory leader tweeted a link to a speech on gay pride she delivered in Belfast in a coded warning to Theresa May not to let the DUP push her to the right on social matters

Ruth Davidson 'assured' by Theresa May on contentious gay rights issue Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said she has received assurances from the Prime Minister over gay rights should the Tories do a deal with DUP. 'I was fairly straightforward with her (Mrs May) and I told her that there were a number of things that count to me more than the party,' she told the BBC. 'One of them is country, one of the others is LGBTI rights. 'I asked for a categoric assurance that if any deal or scoping deal was done with the DUP there would be absolutely no rescission of LGBTI rights in the rest of the UK, in Great Britain, and that we would use any influence that we had to advance LGBTI rights in Northern Ireland 'It's an issue very close to my heart and one that I wanted categoric assurances from the prime minister on, and I received (them).' Advertisement

The Northern Irish party, which has 10 MPs, follows a stridently conservative social agenda that includes opposition to abortion and support for the death penalty.

Ruth Davidson's efforts north of the border saved the Theresa May (pictured together campaigning three days before the election) by grabbing twelve seats from the SNP

Ruth Davidson (pictured reacting to the results in Edinburgh yesterday) has aimed a sideswipe at the Democratic Unionist Party over its opposition to gay marriage

The Scottish Tory leader tweeted a link to a speech on gay pride she delivered in Belfast in a coded warning to Theresa May not to let the DUP push her to the right on social matters

DUP leader Arlene Foster, pictured left with Theresa May will be looking for guarantees on preventing a hard border with the Republic of Ireland and any new customs operations

It has also been criticised by green activists for appointing climate change skeptic, Sammy Wilson, as Northern Ireland's environment minister.

Ruth Davidson tweeted: 'As a Protestant Unionist about to marry an Irish Catholic, here's the Amnesty Pride lecture I gave in Belfast..'

During the speech, Ms Davidson said: 'I am practicing Christian. I am a Protestant. I am a Unionist. I am Scottish and British.

'I am engaged to a Catholic Irishwoman from county Wexford who was educated by nuns. For me, equal marriage isn't about one religion or county or community.'

The DUP supported leaving the EU, but is expected to push for a softer Brexit excluding a hard border with the Irish Republic and any new customs operations.

One red line is the idea of Northern Ireland being granted some sort of 'special status' when Brexit comes to pass.

DUP leader Arlene Foster, pictured left with Theresa May will be looking for guarantees on preventing a hard border with the Republic of Ireland and any new customs operations

The DUP will not stand for any arrangement that physically sets the region apart from anywhere else in the UK.

That includes suggestions that border, immigration and customs controls could be set up at ports and airports like Stranraer and Liverpool rather than in Belfast or Larne.

Another big price to pay for the party's support in Westminster could be the reinstatement of any EU subsidies that farmers lose when Brexit is a done deal worth about 350million a year.

DUP's leader was blown up and her father shot in the head by IRA More than 3,600 died in the Troubles as Catholic Irish militants seeking to unite the province with the Republic of Ireland faced off against the British Army and Protestant Loyalist paramilitaries, who wanted it to remain British. Arlene Foster has been feted as a member of a new generation of politicians who came to prominence after the peace. But even if she is two decades younger than outgoing leader Peter Robinson, a sidekick of firebrand party founder Ian Paisley, the conflict left deep scars. Foster's father, a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Police Reserve, was shot in the head by the IRA on the family farm when she was eight. She watched him come 'crawling into the house, blood streaming down his face,' she told the Sunday Tribune newspaper. He recovered and continued to serve in the police, but the family was forced to move. When she was 17 she survived an IRA bomb on her school bus which was being driven by a part-time soldier in the Ulster Defence Regiment, badly injuring the girl sitting next to her. Advertisement

Another set of funds doled out by Brussels could also be on Ms Foster's shopping list - about 400m of payments due over the next four years that go to community development and cross-border projects as part of a dividend for the peace process.

While the DUP, with its strong links to the business community in Northern Ireland, does not want to see the region set apart from the rest of Britain but it may also use its strong hand to push for a reduced corporation tax rate.

The Republic's 12.5 per cent rate has been a bone of contention at times, including with suggestions from some quarters that Dublin poached foreign investors considering locations north of the border.

The DUP manifesto also vows to oppose Tory plans to cut pensioner benefits such as the winter fuel allowance, for example.

With the DUP's newfound position as power brokers, its website crashed from the the surge in internet traffic.

Mrs Foster has hailed her party's influence that they will gain in their role as kingmakers.

Theresa May is pictured leaving Downing Street with her husband Philip to go to Buckingham Palace earlier today following the snap election result

But she warned that it would be 'difficult' for Mrs May to cling on after her humiliating defeat.

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster, she remained tight-lipped about the prospects of the DUP supporting the Conservatives, but suggested Mrs May could have to go.

She said: 'Of course it's too soon to say what we're going to do yet. We need to see the final make-up of Parliament and then we'll reflect on that.

'I certainly think that there will be contact made over the weekend but I think it is too soon to talk about what we're going to do. I think we need to wait and see.'

Theresa May is pictured leaving Downing Street with her husband Philip to go to Buckingham Palace earlier today following the snap election result

Arlene Foster will not want to see any physical manifestation of the divide between the EU and the UK

Arlene Foster will not want to see any physical manifestation of the divide between the EU and the UK

Asked directly if she thought Mrs May would survive, she said: 'I don't know. I see that she's on her way back to London.

'I think that it will be difficult for her to survive, given that she was presumed at the start of the campaign  which seems an awfully long time ago now  to come back with over 100, maybe more, in terms of her majority.

'And now we're in the position we find ourselves in tonight, so it will be an incredibly difficult evening for her.'
Jailed: Convicted rapist Michael O'Leary

A violent rapist kidnapped a woman on a night out before keeping her prisoner in his flat of 'horror' for 24 hours.

Michael O'Leary, 47, trawled the streets of Leeds looking for a vulnerable victim before preying on the 36-year-old as she left a bar heavily drunk.

He took her back to his dingy council flat where she was locked inside and subjected to violence as he attempted to rape her.

The woman described how she felt after waking up in O'Leary's home to find her mobile phone missing and grilles covering all the windows.

She told police: 'It was like one of those horror stories where someone gets murdered.

'I thought I was going to get murdered.'

The court heard that O'Leary had already had sexual contact with the woman while she slept.

At one point the attacker turned off all the lights in the house before hitting her over the head and trying to rape her on his bed.

The terrified victim pleaded with him to stop and when he did she got up ran into the bathroom.

But O'Leary grabbed a hunting knife and followed her.

The court heard the attacker began putting plastic bags down on the floor of his flat.

The victim believed he was doing so to make it easier to clean up blood if he stabbed her.

O'Leary was found guilty of attempted rape, assault by penetration and false imprisonment after a trial in March.

Handing the defendant a life sentence, Recorder Richard Woolfall said: 'The victim suffered a terrifying ordeal at your hands.

O'Leary's dingy flat in Leeds where he subjected his victim to terrifying violence for 24 hours

'You went out that night with the intention of selecting someone so drunk you could get them back to your house and commit sexual acts on them for your own gratification.

'You used significant violence in an attempt to rape her. She resisted you.

'She stood her ground even though you had a knife. She took the view that if she had to die trying to escape from you then that is what she would have to do.'

O'Leary released his victim in the early hours of the following morning after her screams alerted neighbours.

She immediately went to a police station and took officers to her attacker's home.

O'Leary, from Leeds, had a previous conviction for violently raping a woman when he was aged 28.

On that occasion he coaxed a 35-year-old woman back to his flat.

Once inside, he locked her in and repeatedly punched her in the face before dragging her on to a bed and carrying out the attack.

Recorder Woolfall added: 'I am satisfied that you represent a significant risk of causing serious harm by committing sexual offences. This is a sentence of last resort and the decision is not taken lightly.'

O'Leary was told he must serve a minimum of seven years in prison but was warned he is likely to spend much longer in custody.

After the case, Detective Inspector Phil Jackson, of Leeds District CID, said: 'He is clearly a dangerous individual with a predatory nature. We hope the significant sentence he has received will provide some degree of comfort to the victim.'
A long weekend camping trip between a group of 15 friends ended in tragedy after a 24-year-old man was killed when his motorbike collided with another rider.

Luke Staveley was camping at at Stradbroke in Gippsland, Victoria, when he rode his unregistered monkey bike to meet his two friends on the other side of an isolated dirt track.

But the Cranbourne man did not realise his friends were riding back down to meet him instead - and in the dark his motorbike collided with another ridden by his friend Jake Abson and he tragically died at the scene on Saturday.

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Luke Stavely (pictured right) was killed when his motorbike collided with another at a camping site

The 24-year-old was riding a monkey bike at a camping ground in Stradbroke, Gippsland

The fatal collision occurred just 100m away from the trio's campsite where other campers heard the crash and tried to assist, Seven News reports.

Mr Abson, 22, was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital and is in a stable condition, but Mr Staveley could not be saved.

Friends left the Stradbroke camping ground in shock after only arriving the night before.

A gofundme account has been set up to help pay for Mr Staveley's funeral costs, and tributes for the young man have flooded social media.

A gofundme account has been set up to help pay for Mr Staveley's (pictured) funeral costs, and tributes for the young man have flooded social media

Friends left the Stradbroke camping ground in shock after only arriving the night before

He was described as a 'happy go-lucky' man who will be dearly missed by many.

His grieving single mother works as a nurse and has been supported by the Cranbourne community to assist with memorial costs.

The charity page has already raised $3,515 since Mr Staveley's death early Saturday morning.

Police have cordoned off the area in Stradbroke and are treating it as a forensic investigation

Police attended the dirt track where Mr Staveley lost his life and have launched an investigation
A lucky soon-to-be-married couple have been handed a $4.5million Sydney home as a wedding present from the future groom's parents.

The six-bedroom, four-bathroom mansion in Strathfield, Sydney's inner-west, sold on Saturday after a bidding war between five families.

The auctioneer initially accepted a bid of $3.8million, until the parents and their son, who is in his late 20s, eventually won the home for $4.5million.

A lucky soon-to-be-married couple have been handed a $4.5million dollar Sydney home (pictured) as a wedding present from the future groom's parents

The couple have been handed the inner-western Sydney mansion as an early wedding gift

The six-bedroom, four-bathroom mansion in Strathfield, Sydney's inner-west, sold on Saturday after a bidding war between five families

The parents and their son, who is in his late 20s, eventually won the home for $4.5million.

Both the parents and their son signed their names on the contract, although it's not known how much everyone's contributing, Inner West Courier reported.

The property's agent Simon Furnari told the newspaper he was surprised at the eventual sale price, as the last home to be sold on the same street was $800,000 less.

'I was very pleased for them, its a great first home to move into when married,' he said.

The mansion was not the only property in Sydney's west to be purchased as gifts to children on Saturday.

A father purchased a terrace house for his young children, aged ten and seven, for $1.555million in Marrickville.

Matthew, who didn't want to reveal his surname, told Daily Mail Australia he bought the house as a 'safety net' for his children.

Both the parents and their son signed their names on the contract, although it's not known how much everyone's contributing

The living room of the $4.5million Strathfield mansion which has six bedrooms and four bathrooms
Solomon Oghene, 31, was jailed for 10 years on Friday at Norwich Crown Court

Armed police stormed a flat in a seaside resort to arrest a gangster who was 'off his head' and wielding a loaded sub-machine gun.

Solomon Oghene, 31, was said to be waving the CZ Scorpion weapon around like a toy before police arrested him without a shot being fired.

Norwich Crown Court heard how he was part of a London gang dealing crack cocaine and heroin.

A terrified man dialled 999 to report that Oghene was playing with the gun while 'off his head' from smoking crack cocaine in his flat in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

The victim claimed that he had been forced into dealing crack and heroin for the gang which had taken over his seafront flat.

Oghene was arrested after police stormed the flat on August 19 last year and was jailed for 10 years on Friday.

He admitted being concerned with the supply of Class A drugs and possession of a prohibited weapon.

William Carter, prosecuting, said the gun was fully functioning and loaded with three bullets.

He said: 'It was obvious to police that the gun was real and working. It is a gun for which there is no legitimate purpose.'

Mr Carter described Oghene as being 'thoroughly intimidating'.

Oghene was said to be waving the CZ Scorpion weapon, pictured, around like a toy before police arrested him without a shot being fired (stock photo)

A terrified man dialled 999 to report that Oghene was playing with the gun while 'off his head' from smoking crack cocaine in his flat in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, pictured (stock photo)

He added that 677 in cash and a machete was seized from the flat.

Judge Anthony Bate praised police, saying: 'It is to their credit that they were able to contain the situation without a shot being fired and no one being injured.'

The judge said it was 'a significant and very worrying escalation' for a sub-machine gun to be brought to Norfolk.

He added that such a gun was rare and showed Oghene was a trusted gang member.

Nicola May, defending said Oghene was not at the top of the chain and his payment for bringing drugs to Norfolk was to get free drugs himself.

She added that he was given the gun in London. 'The gun itself was not his. He had no intention of using it,' she said.
Theresa May is scrambling to rebuild her government today as a survey revealed almost two thirds of the party faithful want her to resign over the election disaster.

The weakened Prime Minister - who was seen shopping in Maidenhead today -reappointed her five most senior ministers last night in a signal of her enfeebled position.

The rest of the Cabinet is expected to be finalised later but sweeping changes are not expected in the wake of devastating losses. Ten junior ministers must be replaced after they lost their seats.

Another vacancy emerged this afternoon as Lord Dunlop quit as junior Scotland Office minister, citing the Tory advance in Scotland as a good moment to end his political career.

A key change Mrs May could make in the reshuffle is to appoint a deputy prime minister - a reform to the government said to have been demanded by Chancellor Philip Hammond.

Any of the senior five ministers - Mr Hammond, plus Brexit Secretary David Davis, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon - could potentially fill the post.

Rumours are also circulating that former party leader William Hague, could also make a return as a member of the House of Lords.

The entire reshuffle may be dependent on finalising the deal with the DUP. Tory MPs will all meet on Tuesday - a moment which could flush out any challenge to Mrs May.

A survey of 1,500 party members by the Conservative Home website found two thirds believe Mrs May should quit immediately.

Theresa May (pictured shopping in Maidenhead today) is scrambling to rebuild her government tonight as a survey revealed two thirds of the party faithful want her to resign over the election disaster

Behind the scenes, Mrs May is talking to the DUP about forming her Government and working on a reshuffle. Her husband Philip (right) was left carrying the bags on the couple's shopping trip

A survey of 1,500 party members by the Conservative Home website found two thirds believe Mrs May should quit immediately.

More than 400,000 people signed a petition against the Tories doing a deal with the DUP to cling to power today amid alarm at the Northern Irish party's socially conservative outlook.

Conservative Home Editor Paul Goodman said today: 'That two in three of her own members, according to this survey, believe that a Conservative leader should resign is astonishing.

'It is the most damning finding that in one of our polls that I can remember.'

A handful of allies have moved to try and shore up Mrs May today as she builds a cabinet and continues with the DUP about the form of her minority government.

Ahead of the election Justice Secretary Liz Truss and Education Secretary Justine Greening had been highlighted as ministers who could be moved.

Tory MPs Brandon Lewis and Dominic Raab were earmarked for promotion during the campaign.

Other expected moves, such as Home Secretary Amber Rudd to Chancellor, have been cancelled.

More than 400,000 people signed a petition against the Tories doing a deal with the DUP to cling to power today amid alarm at the Northern Irish party's socially conservative outlook

Lord Dunlop quit as junior Scotland Office minister, citing the Tory advance in Scotland as a good moment to end his political career

Former minister Ed Vaizey today admitted Tory MPs were feverishly speculating about Mrs May's future.

Asked if there were phone calls being made between Tories about the next leader, Mr Vaizey told the BBC: 'That's so 20th century. It's all on WhatsApp.'

He added: 'We all talk on WhatsApp ... lots of MPs are in lots of different groups.'

Vaizey said he hoped the election result would soften May's stance on Brexit, adding: 'I hope in the next few days we will see a clear acknowledgement that a 'no deal is better than a bad deal' is off the table, that we are going for a Brexit that is going to secure jobs and investment.'

Former Tory MP Stewart Jackson, who lost his Peterborough seat on Thursday, said the party's manifesto was 'electoral poison' and said the fact he had heard from David Cameron but not Mrs May or Conservative chairman Sir Patrick McLoughlin was 'quite poor'.

On BBC Radio 5 Live, he said the manifesto was 'shockingly bad...lacking passion, it was bland, it lacked vision...above everything else a real lost opportunity.'

He added: 'Our manifesto was all about what we'll stop them having and what we'll not give them and what's good for them and that's frankly electoral poison and a complete disaster...there had not been appropriate consultation on it...and when you have to explain that you're not taking food from children's mouths and taking homes from your core supporters, then you're losing an election.'

Chancellor Philip Hammond (pictured returning to the Treasury last night) has been re-appointed despite speculation he would be sacked after the election after the disastrous Tory results

Justice Secretary Liz Truss (file picture) was tipped for a sacking ahead of the election and should learn her fate today

Former Cabinet minister Owen Paterson today insisted Mrs May was right to stay on 'despite all the disappointments' to try to find a way to govern.

But he questioned how Mrs May could continue to rule in such a manner in the long term, warning 'let's see how it pans out' when asked.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the former Northern Ireland secretary told broadcaster John Humphrys: 'We are nine days off from the Brexit talks starting, we've had two horrific security incidents, and to cast the Tory Party into yet another leadership contest I think would be very unwise.

'John, personally I wouldn't go and do it - I tempt you to go and talk to Brenda in Bristol...'

Mr Humphrys intervened: 'She won't talk apparently, she's refusing all interviews. I don't know what that tells us of the state of the nation.'

Education Secretary Justine Greening (pictured yesterday after clinging on to her seat) could be moved to a different post

Asked how long Mrs May would stay as PM, Mr Paterson replied: 'Let's see how it pans out. There is an immediate problem to get a government fixed which has a workable majority so we can begin to work on Brexit.

'This is coming down the track, the train is approaching and we have to get that resolved.

'There has to be the Great Repeal Bill put through the Commons, and our neighbours want to know how the form is going to be.

'The other mega issue which came up the whole time, quite rightly, is the issue of right of abode for the EU citizens living here and our citizens living on the continent.'

He said Mrs May and Brexit Secretary David Davis had made clear this issue was a priority, adding: 'We want to get that resolved as rapidly as possible and to have the chaos and uncertainty of a leadership contest would put the whole issue on hold and I think that's really bad for the stability, not least because of the whole economics looking ahead, with the pound dropping and everything else.

'So I think she's right - despite all the disappointments, she's got the most seats, she's got the most votes by a long way and she's right to sit down and try to work this through.'

Tories Dominic Raab (left) and Brandon Lewis (right) were highlighted for promotion during the election campaign

Former Tory health minister Nicola Blackwood, defeated by the Liberal Democrats in Oxford West and Abingdon, said 'no party has been a winner' at the election.

On Mrs May's future, Ms Blackwood told the same programme: 'She has to have the right team around her but they need to support her and make sure they put aside partisanship right now because it's about making sure we survive the security challenges we face but also the Brexit negotiations.'

Former Tory minister Gavin Barwell, who lost his Croydon Central seat to Labour, earlier said: 'I don't think you can call a result where you have got a vote share up at nearly 43% disastrous.'

Reminded that the party had lost seats, Mr Barwell replied: 'I'm not trying to pretend it's a triumph, clearly we didn't get the result we hoped to get. I'm just putting on record that she did better than (John) Major.'

Asked if Mrs May has the authority to run the party and country, Mr Barwell said: 'I believe there's a will in the Conservative Party to get behind her and support her.

'I think she's the best person to take Britain into these crucial Brexit negotiations that are going to be so important to the future of the country.'
A brazen Ukip election candidate was seen mouthing 'terrorist sympathiser' behind Jeremy Corbyn as he made a victory speech to his constituency.

Keith Fraser, the candidate for the anti-EU party in North Islington, surreptitiously bashed the Labour leader while he stood on stage and addressed the crowd after keeping his Parliamentary seat.

Mr Corbyn stormed to victory in the Labour stronghold seat amassing over 40,000 votes which was a gain of 10,000.

Mr Fraser took the moment on stage to slam the opposition leader for his stances towards the IRA

Keith Fraser stood in Hackney North and Stoke Newington in the 2015 general election

Mr Fraser accrued just 413 votes in the area coming in fifth place behind Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and the Green.

However he took the moment on stage to slam the opposition leader for his stances towards the IRA and other terror factions throughout his long political career.

Mr Corbyn and the shadow chancellor John McDonnell were the IRAs most vigorous allies in Westminster, attending the annual gathering of the Wolfe Tone Society, an organisation which honours dead IRA members and imprisoned volunteers.

Mr Corbyn, who has a history of voting against anti-terror legislation in the House of Commons, speaks after his North Islington victory was confirmed

At an Irish Republican event in 1987, Corbyn took part in a minutes silence to commemorate eight IRA men shot dead by the SAS as they travelled to attack a police station in County Armagh. Im happy to commemorate all those who died fighting for an independent Ireland, he said.

Mr Corbyn also has a history of voting against anti-terror legislation in the House of Commons including the 1984 Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act and the 2006 Terrorism Act that outlawed the 'glorification' of terror after 7/7 attack in London among scores of other bills.
The shattered daughter of murdered Melton South mother Cindy Crossthwaite has called for the killer to turn themselves in nearly a decade after the tragedy.

Cindy Crossthwaite was brutally murdered in 2007 inside her Melton South home, in Melbourne, leaving her three daughters and father searching for answers.

Now, her daughter 19-year-old Jesmine has broken down in an interview while pleading for answers about her mother's death.

Jesmine (pictured) has spoken publicly for the first time since her mother Cindy Crossthwaite was murdered in 2007

Cindy's father Phil (pictured) is still heartbroken over finding his daughter's body

Cindy Crossthwaite was murdered in 2007 and her case remains unsovled

'I want to know what happened to mum. I want to find out why they would, someone would do that to her. I want them to know how much it's affected everyone,' she told 9News.

'She was just a beautiful angel..the pain is so deep and she can never be replaced.'

Back in 2007, Cindy was supposed to pick up Jesmine from school, but never arrived.

Her father Phil went around to Cindy's south Melton home and found his daughter savagely murdered and unrecognisable.

The murder was so vicious it took DNA and fingerprints to identify Cindy, despite her family already knowing the worst.

'I would've had to look for scars on her body, because there was no way known. (I) could not have recognised her,' a heartbroken Phil said.

Jesmine (pictured left) and Phil (pictured right) want answers to why Cindy was murdered

Phil immediately searched for Cindy's youngest child, Jonas, who was 13-months-old and found him alive.

'I want them to know they will never be forgiven...the least they could do is bring themselves forward if they have any dignity left,' Jesmine said during an interview with Nine News.

The decade long case is still open and detectives still have a number of people they wish to interview.

Cindy Crossthwaite's ex-husband Billy Petrov remains a person of interest to police, according to Nine News.

The mother-of-three was also receiving death threats before her brutal murder, with someone claiming they were going to shoot her and snap her neck.

Witnesses and neighbours also claim they saw a stranger lurking outside her house that day, described as in his 40s, 178cm tall, tanned, dark hair and potentially having facial hair.

Anyone who might have any information about this crime, or any other is reminded to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the website, crimestoppervic.com.au
A pilot radioed Mayday as his plane descended 15,000ft after a sudden drop in cabin pressure sparked an emergency in the air over Dudley.

A report said crew members had to grab their oxygen masks as they momentarily lost cabin pressure due to a faulty valve on the Flybe plane from Manchester to Jersey.

The pilot called Mayday as the plane was deliberately plunged into a dramatic descent over the Black Country town during the morning of December 8 last year.

A Flybe pilot radioed Mayday as his plane descended 15,000ft after a sudden drop in cabin pressure sparked an emergency in the air over Dudley (Stock image)

The incident has been investigated by the Air Accidents Information Branch (AAIB) which published its report into the investigation on Friday.

It concluded it was a 'serious incident' and said the outflow valve on the aircraft had also contributed to pressure problems on other aircraft.

The Flybe 07.05 scheduled flight from Manchester to Jersey was carrying four crew and 23 passengers.

The plane was cruising at 25,000ft over Dudley when there was a sudden loss in cabin air pressure forcing the pilot to make the decision to descend to 10,000ft.

The report said: 'There was a loss in cabin pressurisation indicated by a master warning with associated triple chime alert.

'The co-pilot noted the warning and immediately called for oxygen and donned his oxygen mask.

The plane was cruising at 25,000ft over Dudley when there was a sudden loss in cabin air pressure forcing the pilot to make the decision to descend to 10,000ft

'The commander handed control to the co-pilot, directed him to initiate a descent and inform ATC. The co-pilot started the descent using the autopilot and then disengaged the autopilot to manually fly a descent at 3,500 fpm.

'By this time the commander had donned his oxygen mask and re-took control, reengaged the autopilot and declared a Mayday.'

The aircraft was then stabilised and the plane commander cancelled the Mayday and then cruised at 10,000 feet to Jersey without any further incident.

The report said passengers were informed about the incident over the PA and there was no injuries to anyone onboard.

The AAIB then investigated the incident and concluded that the loss in pressure had been caused by a faulty valve which had also been causing problems on other aircraft.

A report said crew members had to grab their oxygen masks as they momentarily lost cabin pressure due to a faulty valve on the Flybe plane from Manchester to Jersey (Stock image)

The report concluded: 'The cause of the pressurisation problem was the outflow valve, serial number 00369 which the evidence suggests had a history of being causal or contributory to pressurisation problems in other aircraft.'

The report said the faulty valve had been replaced and the aircraft returned to service.

A Flybe spokesman said: 'Flybe worked closely with the AAIB during the course of this investigation.

'The airline industry operates under the strictest of regulatory regimes, which is why aviation remains the safest of all forms of public transport.
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A father concerned by Sydney's housing affordability crisis has bought his children, aged ten and seven, a $1.5million home as a 'safety net'.

Project manager Mathew, who ddeclined to give his surname, purchased a three-bedroom terrace home in Marrickville, Sydney's inner-west on Saturday for $1.555million.

He told Daily Mail Australia the house is for his daughters Ivana, ten, and Yolanda, seven, who he is worried will be priced out of the market when they are older.

Project manager Mathew (pictured with wife Alanna) has bought his children Ivana (centre), ten, and Yolanda (right), seven, a $1.5million home as a 'safety net'

Mathew purchased a three-bedroom terrace home in Marrickville (pictured), Sydney's inner-west on Saturday for $1.555million

Mathew told Daily Mail Australia the house (pictured) is for his children who he is worried will be priced out of the market when they are older.

The Marrickville property (pictured) will act as an investment property for Mathew and wife Alanna, until their children are old enough to take it over

My thinking is that at this age, you dont know what the future brings, he said.

Anything could happen, but certainly part of my decision is having a safety net for [my children] if they decide to stay in Sydney.'

Mathew said younger generations hoping to enter the Sydney market may have to begin setting their sites on small units instead of houses.

If you think of global cities like London and New York, people just get used to living in units,' he said.

Mathew (pictured with wife Alanna and daughter Ivana) said younger generations hoping to enter the Sydney market may have to begin setting their sites on small units instead of houses

Anything could happen, but certainly part of my decision is having a safety net for [my children],' Mathew said

The kitchen of the three-bedroom terrace home Mathew bought for his children

In Sydney that seems to be the second choice but it may have to become the first choice.

The Marrickville property will be rented out as an investment for Mathew and wife Alanna, until their children are old enough to take it over.

The terrace house was not the only property in Sydney's west to be purchased as a gift to children on Saturday.

A lucky soon-to-be-married couple were handed a $4.5million home as a wedding present from the future groom's parents.

The six-bedroom, four-bathroom mansion in Strathfield, sold on Saturday after a bidding war between five families.

A lucky soon-to-be-married couple were handed a $4.5million home (pictured) as a wedding present from the future groom's parents

The couple have been handed the inner-western Sydney mansion as an early wedding gift

The six-bedroom, four-bathroom mansion in Strathfield, Sydney's inner-west, sold on Saturday after a bidding war between five families

The auctioneer initially accepted a bid of $3.8million, until the parents and their son, who is in his late 20s, eventually won the home for $4.5million.

Both the parents and their son signed their names on the contract, although it's not known how much everyone's contributing, Inner West Courier reported.

The property's agent Simon Furnari told the newspaper he was surprised at the eventual sale price, as the last home to be sold on the same street was $800,000 less.

'I was very pleased for them, its a great first home to move into when married,' he said.

The parents and their son, who is in his late 20s, eventually won the home for $4.5million.
This is the shocking moment a doctor allegedly rips up a baby's medical notes as she refuses to give emergency aid to the sick child.

She then orders the ambulance she is sitting in to drive off.

Half an hour later, 18-months-old Breno Rodrigues Duarte da Silva, who the doctor had been called to urgently attend to, tragically died from lack of care.

Security cameras recorded the physician's actions. The footage was released by Brazilian police on Friday.

Dr Aide Marques da Silva, 59, is filmed apparently tearing up the call-out sheet for the emergency in a fit of rage while sitting in an ambulance outside a block of flats where the child lived in Barra de Tijuca, west zone Rio de Janeiro.

This is the shocking moment a doctor allegedly rips up a baby's medical notes as she refuses to give emergency aid to the sick child

Half an hour later, 18-months-old Breno Rodrigues Duarte da Silva (pictured), who the doctor had been called to urgently attend to, tragically died from lack of care

Dr Aide Marques da Silva (pictured), 59, was filmed apparently tearing up the call-out sheet for the emergency in a fit of rage

The practictioner did not get out of the vehicle but appeared to argue with the crew member.

Ambulance driver Robson Oliveira, 50, said in a statement: 'When we got to the location, Dr Aide asked the nurse technician, who was with Breno's family, for more information on the patient.

'When she found out it was a child she started screaming and became hysterical saying she was an anesthesiologist and a GP and not a paediatrician and she was not going to provide first aid to a child.

'She tore up the call sheet and ordered me to do a U-turn and to leave straight away.'

An investigation has been launched into the death of the infant who passed away half an hour later last Wednesday, while waiting for another ambulance to arrive.

The tot suffered from Ohtahara syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that triggers frequent epileptic fits.

Breno died after vomiting and choking while waiting for emergency relief.

Full-time mum, Rhuana, 28, said: 'Breno was suffering from gastroenteritis. The pains in his stomach were really bad, and he was having difficulty breathing.

The baby (pictured with his family) suffered from Ohtahara syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that triggers frequent epileptic fits

An investigation has been launched into the death of the infant who passed away half an hour after his call out sheet was allegedly ripped up (pictured)

'I called his doctor who said I should get him to hospital as quickly as possible.'

Medical technician, Marta Campelo, a home help, who was with the family at the time, called for an ambulance at 8.20am.

By 9.10am the emergency response had arrived outside the family's condominium.

Rhuana continued: 'Security on the gate called up to tell me it was there. The gate man knew about my son's health problems and had been keeping an eye out for the ambulance and phoned straight away.

'I started to prepare everything to go downstairs with Breno and was waiting for the oxygen to be brought up by the doctor to help him breath.

'But the minutes past and the doctor didn't turn up. Then five minutes later the gate keeper phoned me again.

'He said I don't know what's happened with the doctor, she started shouting a lot.

'She said she was not a paediatrician. She also said her shift had finished and to open the gate because she was leaving.

'The gateman said he did so and the vehicle drove off. He said 'I don't know why she did that'.'

'When she [the doctor] found out it was a child she started screaming and became hysterical saying she was an anesthesiologist and a GP and not a paediatrician,' said ambulance driver Robson Oliveira (pictured)

In desperation, Rhuana called for another ambulance from Unimed-Rio, private health insurers.

'I was frantic,' she said. 'I told them what had happened and begged them to come quickly because my son was getting worse.

'But the other ambulance didn't arrive in time and Breno died while we waited.'

Later the same day, security officers contacted the family to alert them to CCTV recordings of the doctor's actions.

'We were horrified when we saw what had happened and decided to go to the police,' said Breno's dad, Felipe, a 35-year-old businessman.

Caring for Medical Emergencies (CEM), the company providing ambulances for Unimed-Rio, said Dr Silva's duties were in line with her shift as she had started work that morning at 7am, only a couple hours before the call out occurred.

CEM director, Orlando Rubens Correa, revealed the doctor has been immediately dismissed for gross negligence.

He said: 'This was her second call out and she was near the condominium so arrived quickly.

Later the same day, security officers contacted the family (pictured) to alert them to CCTV recordings of the doctor's actions

Breno suffered from Ohtahara syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that triggers frequent epileptic fits

'We are at a loss to understand why Dr Aide refused to provide the medical treatment to the baby.

'Regardless of her specialisation, this is something a professional with her technical experience should have found easy to do.

'She has worked for us for two years and we have never had a problem like this before. But she has refused to answer the phone to our calls.'

According to detective Isabelle Conti the physician is being investigated for manslaughter.

She said: 'We're also looking at the new (security camera) evidence and Dr Silva could be charged with willful homicide if it is proved she failed to help knowing that it could cause the child's death.

'In addition, she could also face charges for destroying medical documents.'

Breno was buried last Thursday, in a tiny white coffin, at the San Francisco Xavier Cemetery in the North Zone of Rio.

A distraught Rhuana said: 'I knew my son had difficulties. But he was beginning to improve, evolving and interacting as the medication he was taking was helping to treat the seizures.

Breno died after vomiting and choking while waiting for emergency relief

'I fought so hard to help him in his young life and I never imagined I would lose my son through negligence,' she said revealing she is now three months pregnant with her second child.

The family have launched legal action against Dr Silva.

Rhuana said: 'If the doctor had provided Breno with the care he needed, he would probably be alive today.

'Our action won't bring our child back, but I want to stop her from doing this to someone else,' she vowed.

Unimed-Rio said it 'deeply regrets' the death and 'has been giving unrestricted support to the family at this difficult time.'
It takes thousands of years for limestone rock formations to develop, yet as one unruly Chinese tourist found out, just a split second for them to be destroyed.

Surveillance footage has emerged of the moment a disrespecting Chinese man obliterates a 3,000-year-old limestone stalagmite after repeatedly kicking it with force.

The tourist had been visiting an ancient cave in China's Guizhou province as he made his way along a path before he and two other companions stopped to take photos.

Scroll down for video

The Chinese tourist spotted the 50 centimetre stalagmite in the ancient cave before repeatedly booting it aggressively

The fatal blow (pictured) sends the limestone relic flying backwards as fellow tourists look undeterred at the devastating damage caused

After spotting the 50 centimetre ancient stalagmite, he then proceeded to strike it with his foot until it snapped off, nestling between other formations after ricocheting off the cave wall.

Remarkably, the visitor even pointed at the destroyed relic in what appeared to be an attempt to show off to his friends.

Staff at the attraction in Songtao reported the incident to local police, however the man is yet to have been found.

Cave enthusiast Wang Dayong revealed to the Beijing Youth Daily that it takes a painstakingly long period of time for stalagmites to be formed from falling drips and they restoration is not an option.

Ancient caves, where stalagmites form on the ground and stalactites form on the ceiling, take hundreds of thousands of years to form

The Chinese national even points at his destruction with a sense of pride, despite obliterating the historic limestone formation

According to the newspaper, damage to other ancient rock formations has also been reported in other provinces across China.

Lawyer Chen Hao said such vandalism should be denounced and suggested that the cave's administration should assess the worth of the broken stalagmite in an attempt to recuperate the value of the ancient stone from the offender.

Chinese social media users were quick to castigate the man with one comment suggesting tourists should be banned for persistent bad behaviour.

'We should have a black list to prevent badly-behaved tourists from entering similar scenic spots,' the comment read.
Children as young as 10 are regularly overdosing on illicit drugs and hundreds more are addicted, a disturbing new police investigation has found.

Primary-school aged kids have been found with ice pipes, with 11 to 14-year-old kids battling serious drug addictions on Victorian streets.

In some cases police have unearthed 10-year-old children with debilitating drug addictions, the Herald Sun reports.

Primary-school aged kids have been found with ice pipes, with 11, 12, 13 and 14-year-old kids battling serious drug addictions on Victorian streets

Police picked up children as young as 10 with ice pipes on Victorian streets (stock image)

Victoria Police have revealed dozens of shocking cases of prepubescent schoolkids suffering from drug addictions - but there aren't enough rehabilitation facilities to cater to them.

In one instance, a 14-year-old boy admitted to police he had been using crystal meth since he was 11.

In another, a 10-year-old boy in rural Victoria was found high and carrying illegal drugs.

The state has struggled with the horrific rise in child drug addiction, with many youths forced to seek treatment at adult or inappropriate detox clinics.

In one instance, a 14-year-old boy admitted to police he had been using crystal meth since he was 11 (stock image)

In another, a 10-year-old boy in rural Victoria was found high and carrying illegal drugs (stock image)

In some cases drug-addicted schoolkids are put on the waiting list for months before they are admitted into rehabilitation.

Victoria's ice epidemic prompted an $81 million government investment to fight the deadly drug - but it hasn't been enough to keep children away from ice pipes.

Last year 257 people died of an overdose involving illicit drugs in Victoria.
A Sydney surgeon has won his defamation battle against a former patient and his brother who set upon a 'vicious' campaign of harassment against him - including threats to cut off his penis and kill him.

Dr Munjed Al Muderis was awarded $480,000 in damages in the Supreme Court after finding former patient Gerardo Mazzella and his brother Rodney Duncan defamed the surgeon online.

Mazzella complained of numbness in his penis and scrotum after Dr Al Muderis performed a hip operation on him in 2010, court heard.

The patient and his brother then set up a website, Facebook page and a YouTube video called 'Dr Al Muderis the Butcher', that accused him of medical negligence.

Sydney surgeon Dr Munjed Al Muderis (pictured) was awarded $480,000 in damages after he was defamed by a 'vicious' online campaign by a former patient and his brother

A former patient and his brother set up a website, Facebook page and a YouTube video called 'Dr Al Muderis the Butcher', that accused Dr Munjed Al Muderis (pictured with Prince Harry) of medical negligence

Other defamatory material included a 'wanted' poster showing the surgeon with pictures of 'grotesque monsters' and captions calling him 'Penis Lovechild', Sydney Morning Herald reported.

However tests showed there was no injury and 'no evidence of any negligence or wrongdoing' by Dr Al Muderis, Justice Stephen Rothman said in his judgement.

He said Mazzella flew to Thailand after his operation which was contrary to the surgeon's post-operation advice.

On return Mazzella became 'more and more vitriolic' towards Dr Al Muderis and threatened to cut off his penis and kill him, Justice Rothman wrote.

Dr Munjed Al Muderis was awarded $480,000 in damages in New South Wales Supreme Court (pictured)

Threats also included demands for money and the suggestion that he knew where Dr Al Muderis's wife worked and children went to school, the newspaper reported.

Dr Al Muderis took out Apprehended Violence Orders against the brothers and sued the pair for defamation.

Justice Rothman labelled Dr Al Muderis the 'perfect plaintiff' in awarding him $480,000, pointing out his involvement in charity and Australian Defence Forces.
Sam Panopoulos, pictured, is credited with inventing the Hawaiian pizza. He passed away on Thursday at the age of 83

The man who is credited with creating the controversial Hawaiian pizza died Thursday.

Sam Panopoulos died in a London, Ontario, hospital on Thursday at the age of 83.

His creation, the Hawaiian pizza, topped with ham and pineapple, recently became a contentious issue on social media, but the pizza has been around since the 60s.

Panopoulos was from Greece, but immigrated to Canada at the age of 20 in 1954.

He and his two brothers started several restaurants, including the Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario.

It was there where he and his brothers added canned pineapple to a pizza in 1962.

'We just put it on, just for the fun of it, see how it was going to taste,' Panopoulos told BBC in February.

'We were young in the business and we were doing a lot of experiments.

'We tried it first, [then] passed it to some customers. And a couple of months later, theyre going crazy about it, so we put it on the menu.'

The Hawaiian pizza, topped with ham and pineapple, recently became a contentious issue on social media, but the dish has been around since he invented it in his Ontario restaurant in 1962

The 'Hawaiian' pizza got its name from the brand of canned pineapples they used.

Panopoulos and his pizza creation came into the limelight earlier this year when Iceland's President Gudni Johannesson suggested he would ban pineapple on pizza if he could.

Johannesson later clarified, saying: 'I like pineapples, just not on pizza... For pizzas, I recommend seafood.'

His comments caused plenty of controversy on social media, where people either came out in full support of pineapples on pizza or completely despise the dish.

Panopoulos and his two brothers ran several successful restaurants together in Canada, including the Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario, pictured, where they invented Hawaiian pizza

Panopoulos told BBC in February: 'We just put it on, just for the fun of it, see how it was going to taste... We tried it first, [then] passed it to some customers. And a couple of months later, theyre going crazy about it, so we put it on the menu'

Even Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave his opinion on Twitter in February.

He wrote: 'I have a pineapple. I have a pizza. And I stand behind this delicious Southwestern Ontario creation. #TeamPineapple'.

Panopoulos is survived by his wife of 50 years, his two children and their spouses and his four grandchildren. He was predeceased by his two brothers Elias and Nikitas.

According to his obituary, Panopoulos had an 'unforgettable personality'.

'Sam was respected by many for providing strong and dependable advice, and for his exceedingly generous nature.

'Fiercely loyal and protective, his candid and frank sense of humor, his booming laugh and blunt honesty will be missed by his family, friends, former employees and customers.'

His funeral will be held Monday morning.

When he spoke with BBC in February about the creation of the Hawaiian pizza, he told the outlet that he was just 'glad we came up with something people like to eat'.
Conservative Party politician Michael Gove evaded questions on whether he sees a future for Theresa May as Prime Minister and his own chances on re-entering the cabinet.

Upon seeing the reporter outside his house the former Secretary of State for Justice picked up speed and quickly went inside.

Mr Gove was asked: 'Are you coming back into the cabinet?'

Upon seeing the reporter outside his house the former Secretary of State for Justice picked up speed

Mr Gove just said 'it's a lovely day' to the questions put to him

To which the Surrey MP replied: 'It's a lovely day.'

The former front-bencher went on to blank questions on Theresa May's future as Prime Minister and on what went wrong for his party on Thursday evening.

Mr Gove lost out to Mrs May in the 2016 Tory leadership elections, after being eliminated in the second ballot after receiving only 46 votes, compared to 199 for Mrs May and 84 for eventual runner-up Andrea Ledsom.

Who could be next Tory leader if Mrs May goes? Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson - Mr Johnson is the current favourite to succeed Mrs May. He was hotly tipped last year to take over the reins from David Cameron but Mr Gove, director of Mr Johnson's leadership campaign, announced his decision to stand in the race before the former Mayor of London could. His desire to leave the EU could win votes with Conservative members in any forthcoming vote. 2/1 on Ladbrokes Brexit Secretary David Davis - Tory heavyweight David Davis could be Mr Johnson's biggest rival should Mrs May vacate her post. Unlike many of her colleagues Mr Davis had a less than smooth journey into politics having been born in a south London council estate and re-taking his A-Levels to gain entrance to University. He has been an MP since 1987 and was Minister of State for Europe for former PM John Major from 1994 to 1997 but may lack the flair of Mr Johnson to garner enough support. 4/1 on Bet365 Home Secretary Amber Rudd - Mrs Rudd's sterling political career and understated demeanor have drawn comparisons to Mrs May. She previously served as Energy and Climate Change Secretary after serving a tutelage of sorts as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the same department from 2014. 5/1 are her best odds available. Chancellor Phillip Hammond - MP for Runnymede and Weybridge Mr Hammond was appointed as the Chancellor of the Exchequer by Mrs May, succeeding George Osborne. Mr Hammond worked as a shadow minister before becoming the Secretary of State for Transport in 2010. He went on to serve as Defence Secretary for three years before becoming Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Secretary. He voted Remain in the Brexit referendum and that could count against him as exit negotiations loom.14/1 Communities Secretary Sajid Javid - Mr Javid is the least experienced on the list of favourties having only become an MP for Bromsgrove in 2010. However the former Deutsche Bank director has enjoyed a quick rise being appointed the Minister for Equalities by David Cameron in 2014. After a ten month stint as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Mrs May made him her Communities and Local Government Secretary in July 2016. The Lancashire born 47-year-old of Pakistani heritage counts Margaret Thatcher as one of his political heroines and describes himself as a 'passionate believer in free enterprise'William Him have him at 15/1 Ruth Davidson, leader of Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, has been listed as one with an outside chance. Justine Greening, Education Secretary, is ranked at 20/1 by some bookies. Mr Gove surprised many by putting his hat in the ring back in 2016 and was roundly beaten. He is not widely fancied to run again nor win any vote, should the post open. Advertisement

Soon after Mrs May was confirmed as David Cameron's successor she replaced Mr Gove with Elizabeth Truss as Secretary of State for Justice relegating the Scot to the backbench.

Mr Gove is currently an outside bet to be the next leader of the Conservatives, ranked behind a host of well known names.

William Hill have put the Edinburgh born former Secretary of State for Education at 33/1 to be the next PM. He trails current Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, and Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, David Davis.

The bookies favourite to take over Mrs May, should she resign or be ousted from the top job, is Boris Johnson, who is tipped at 2/1.

The former front bencher went on to blank questions on Theresa May's future before running inside

Many accused him of back stabbing Boris Johnson, who dropped out of the race to replace David Cameron when Mr Gove announced his own bid

A stern faced Theresa May speaks at the declaration at the election count at the Magnet Leisure Centre on June 9

Many accused him of back stabbing Mr Johnson, the former Mayor of London, who dropped out of the race to replace David Cameron when Mr Gove announced his own leadership charge.

Although he refused to talk to the journalist on Saturday he has come out in defence of Mrs May after the election which saw the Conservatives lose its slim majority in parliament.

Speaking to ITN as exit polls were released Mr Gove said: 'The Prime Minister has an absolute right to stay in place.'

Mr Gove boosted his majority by 4.2% in his constituency on Thursday amassing 37,118 of the votes.
A German judge has ruled that a couple may only smoke on their patio at certain times of the day.

In what was a very unusual case, their neighbours in Dortmund complained the smoke was bothering next door.

Judge Steven Kensy decided the couple, known only as Dirk and Andrea D, can only smoke from 6am to 9am, 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 9pm, and midnight to 3am.

A German judge has ruled that a couple may only smoke on their patio at certain times of the day (file photo)

Judge Steven Kensy said this meant the neighbours can divide outdoor time between them.

'I have balanced the two sides' interests and come to the conclusion there must be an equal division,' the Telegraph quoted him as saying.

But the smokers were incredulous, telling Bild the can 'no longer understand the world'.

Andrea added: 'In fact, we only smoke in the summer, from time to time. Next door has a grill and their visitors also smoke outside.

'Soon our neighbors will determine what we can cook!'

The couple said they thought about moving homes but they do not have enough money to.

In what was a very unusual case, their neighbours in Dortmund complained the smoke was bothering next door (file photo)

The complainants had complained in 2015 but had the case dismissed because the judge said there was 'no material impairment'.

'To air, my wife is already at night the alarm clock,' one of the neighbours told BILD at the time.

'The two of them are smoking one cigarette after another, and the smoke is coming over to us.'
President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama haven't spoken to each other in months.

New reports say that the last time the commander-in-chief even saw his predecessor was when he bid him farewell during Inauguration Day.

In the months after Trump and Obama carried out a peaceful hand-off of power, the two have failed to develop any sort of working - or even friendly - relationship, according to White House advisers and former administration officials, departing from convention.

White House advisers and former administration officials reveal that President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama have not spoken to or seen each other since Inauguration Day (Pictured left to right: former First Lady Michelle Obama, First Lady Melania Trump, Trump, and Obama on Inauguration Day, January 20)

Relations seemed cordial enough for the two men, who have a bit of a rocky past. Following Trump's victory in the November election, the two spoke for more than an hour in the Oval Office, and Trump declared they'd developed 'warm' ties (Pictured, then-President-elect Trump and then-President Obama meet for transition planning on November 10, 2016)

'Well, he was very nice to me, but after that we've had some difficulties,' Trump told CBS News in May. 'He was very nice to me with words and when I was with him. But after that there has been no relationship' (Pictured, Trump and Obama meet for transition planning)

'I don't think they have a relationship,' David Axelrod, who served as Obama's senior adviser during his first years in office, told CNN.

'President Obama did what he could to help during the transition but, obviously, there have been intervening events.'

It may not seem entirely abnormal for the two to be on rocky ground. Years ago, Trump was behind the birthing conspiracy that stated Obama was not born in the US but rather in Kenya.

However, following Trump's victory in the November election, the two spoke for more than an hour in the Oval Office, and Trump declared they'd developed 'warm' ties.

By the time Inauguration Day rolled around, all appeared to be well as Obama and his wife welcomed the incoming First Family into the White House for coffee.

However, the relations only worsened, culminating in Trump's tweets in March accusing Obama of ordering surveillance of Trump Tower in New York.

The baseless claim, which Obama's team denied, was said to irk and exasperate the former President.

'Well, he was very nice to me, but after that we've had some difficulties,' Trump told CBS News in May.

'He was very nice to me with words and when I was with him. But after that there has been no relationship.'

Relations only worsened post-Inauguration Day, culminating in Trump's tweets in March accusing Obama of ordering surveillance of Trump Tower in New York. The baseless claim, which Obama's team denied, was said to irk and exasperate the former President (Trump and Obama meet for transition planning)

Reports have been made of courtesy calls taking place between incumbents and predecessors such as Obama placing a phone call to George W Bush to inform him that he was planning to announce a withdrawal of troops from Iraq (Trump and Obama pictured on Inauguration Day)

However, when Trump announced he was withdrawing the US from the Paris climate accord, Obama was not given a heads up - and even torn into for signing the 'humiliating deal' (Pictured, from left to right: Melania Trump, Donald Trump, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama on Inauguration Day)

It's common for sitting presidents to call upon predecessors for advice or talks regarding a job so few understand.

'There are only six people on the planet who fully understand the demands of that job,' Axelrod said.

'It's often helpful, but certainly not mandatory, to be able to counsel with them. But that's totally up the discretion of the incumbent, who in this case has without evidence accused his predecessor of what would amount to a crime.

'That suggests to me that they're probably not chatting much.'

About a month after taking office, Obama placed a phone call to his own predecessor, George W Bush, to inform him that he was planning to announce a withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

Aides said it was out of 'courtesy' to the man who began the war that Obama ran vowing to end.

However, when Trump announced he was withdrawing the US from the Paris climate accord, Obama was not given a heads up - and even torn into for signing the 'humiliating deal'.

Obama, in one of his first overly political statements since leaving office, declared Trump's decision to 'reject the future' deeply misguided.
Theresa May was talking into the disastrous decision to call a general election by her Brexit Secretary David Davis and senior aides by the promise of a three figure majority, it was claimed today.

The Prime Minister had previously insisted she personally took the decision while on an Easter walking holiday with her husband Philip in remote north Wales.

But as the fall out continued over the spectacular failure that blew away Mrs May's majority focus has turned to who came up with the idea.

Theresa May was talking into the disastrous decision to call a general election by her Brexit Secretary David Davis (pictured in the aftermath of the result yesterday)

The Prime Minister (pictured today in Maidenhead) had previously insisted she personally took the decision while on an Easter walking holiday with her husband Philip in remote north Wales

The Times reported today that it was pressure from Mr Davis, together with her top aides Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, that persuaded Mrs May to roll the dice.

They convinced the Premier that historically large polling leads over a hapless Labour made it worth gambling everything.

The Tories started the campaign with leads of around 20 per cent - rising to more than 25 per cent in the first fortnight.

But as they campaign continued, the Tory lead was eroded and while Mrs May finished in front she only won by a whisker and ended up losing seats and her entire majority.

When she announced the snap election on April 18, Mrs May blamed her political enemies for forcing her hand with an attempt to delay Brexit laws in Parliament.

Launching her historic error, Mrs May said: 'Division in Westminster will risk our ability to make a success of Brexit and it will cause damaging uncertainty and instability to the country.

'So we need a general election and we need one now, because we have at this moment a one-off chance to get this done while the European Union agrees its negotiating position and before the detailed talks begin.

'I have only recently and reluctantly come to this conclusion.

'Since I became prime minister I have said that there should be no election until 2020, but now I have concluded that the only way to guarantee certainty and stability for the years ahead is to hold this election and seek your support for the decisions I must take.'

The Times reported today that it was pressure from Mr Davis, together with her top aides Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill (pictured yesterday), that persuaded Mrs May to roll the dice.

Mr Davis's role in the decision will be seen as particularly acute given his confession as the results emerged that the Tories may have lost a mandate for the Brexit deal he has spent months planning for.

In an interview with Sky News at around 2am yesterday morning he said the British people would make 'their decision' on the Tories' Brexit proposal.

'It said we want to leave the customs union and single market, but get access to them, and to have a deep and special relationship with Europe,' he said.

'It's a Brexit which seeks to give the best deal in terms of economic and commercial opportunity with Europe but also open up opportunity with the rest of the world.

'That's what it was about, that's what we put in front of the people, we'll see tomorrow whether they've accepted that or not. That will be their decision.'

Brexit Secretary David Davis (pictured in Westminster yesterday) had admitted the Tories could have lost their mandate for a hard Brexit deal

Both George Osborne (pictured left on ITV on election night) and Gina Miller (right in Westminster yesterday) have hailed the demise of a hard Brexit in the aftermath of the election

In the wake of the Tory disaster, George Osborne taunted that hard Brexit is now in the 'rubbish bin' after Theresa May's electoral disaster.

As the results emerged Mr Osborne told ITV: 'Theresa May is probably going to be one of the shortest-serving prime ministers in our history.

'Hard Brexit went in the rubbish bin tonight.'

He was joined by arch Remain campaigner Gina Miller today who claimed a victory for her campaign for a soft Brexit because Mrs May will be forced to rely on other parties to get her deal.

She said: 'The Brexiteers said it would be deal or no deal. We won't have that now.'

The former model turned campaigner added: 'We may end up with a parliament that votes issue by issue.

'And when it come to Brexit we will go into this negotiation with a far more flexible approach.'

As the results came in overnight Mr Farage said: 'Article 50 had been triggered and we were on our way. May has put all this in jeopardy.

'The Brexit process has been very seriously damaged by this election.

'They will be cheering in Brussels - they will think this is the chance to crush a real Brexit'.

The EU's chief negotiator said that the Tories had scored 'another own goal' - Manfred Weber who leads the largest group on the European Parliament said the EU is united - the UK is split

Brexit Secretary David Davis has admitted today that the Tories may have lost its mandate for a hard Brexit.

He said: 'It said we want to leave the customs union and single market, but get access to them, and to have a deep and special relationship with Europe.

'It's a Brexit which seeks to give the best deal in terms of economic and commercial opportunity with Europe but also open up opportunity with the rest of the world.

BREXIT ELECTION IS A DISASTER FOR MAY Divisions over Brexit ended Theresa May's hopes of a landslide election win. The Tories had expected to sweep up most of the Ukip vote as Mrs May campaigned on a promise to deliver a hard Brexit. But the results of the election suggest the Ukip vote has split evenly between Labour and the Tories. Mrs May also faced a Remainer backlash in London as votes swung to Labour in defiance of the Brexit vote. There were huge 10 per cent swings away from the Tories in Battersea - leaving minister Jane Ellison defeated - and Putney, where Education Secretary Justine Greening clung on. Mrs May went into the election seven weeks ago urging the electorate to give her a mandate that would 'strengthen her hand' in Brussels. Advertisement

'That's what it was about, that's what we put in front of the people, we'll see tomorrow whether they've accepted that or not. That will be their decision'.

Former Chancellor George Osborne said: 'I think hard Brexit went in the rubbish bin tonight.

And former chancellor George Osborne, sacked from the Cabinet by Mrs May and now editor of the Evening Standard, told ITV: 'Clearly if she's got a worse result than two years ago and is almost unable to form a government then she I doubt will survive in the long term as Conservative party leader.'

Senior Labour figure Clive Lewis said the result we will be a 'complete clusterf***' for Mrs May and the Brexit negotiations, due to start in 10 days, as the PM will have an unclear mandate in talks.

Mr Lewis, who quit Labour's shadow cabinet to oppose the triggering of Article 50, told the Press Association: 'It looks like whatever happens, Theresa May is toast.

'She is going to be in a bad place after this.

'It's a complete clusterf***.

'Going into the most important negotiations in recent history, it isn't good for the country, but it's good for Labour.'

On Mrs May, he added: 'This will be a personal slap in the face for someone who doesn't treat being questioned very well.'

Ukip leader Paul Nuttall (pictured at his count in Boston tonight) said calling the snap election seven weeks ago had been proved to be 'hubris' that threatened the Brexit mission.

Ukip leader Paul Nuttall warned: 'Theresa May has put Brexit in jeopardy. I said at the start this election was wrong' - while Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt urged voters to back pro-European candidates

The prospect of a hung Parliament would throw serious doubt over Brexit negotiations, due to begin in earnest in just 10 days.

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has set June 19 as his favoured date for the start of talks, due to last around 14-18 months.

But Brussels officials have indicated that the date is not set in stone, meaning it could be delayed to take account of any change in the UK Government.

What cannot easily be delayed, however, is the date of Britain's departure from the EU, which is due to take place exactly two years after the triggering of the Article 50 Brexit process on March 29 2019, whether or not a withdrawal deal has been reached.

There is a suggestion that if Mrs May resigns and there is a change of Prime Minister Britain may have to make the humbling decision of formally asking the 27 EU member states to delay Brexit negotiations until later this year.

Protracted negotiations over the formation of a new government - or even a second general election in 2017 - could put back the start of formal talks, squeezing even further the limited time available to forge a complex withdrawal agreement and a separate deal on future trade arrangements.

Theresa May (pictured at her count in Maidenhead tonight) was warned she had placed Brexit in 'jeopardy' tonight by calling a general election she might not win

Mrs May repeatedly urged voters to hand her a large majority so that she could go into talks in Brussels with the firm backing of the country and the House of Commons behind her.

She warned that if she lost just six seats, she would no longer be Prime Minister, and an unprepared Jeremy Corbyn would go 'naked and alone' to the negotiating table.

Under the terms of Article 50 of the EU treaties, the two-year deadline for the UK to leave the union can be extended only with the agreement of the other 27 member states.

It is unclear whether the letter informing the European Council of Britain's intention to quit can be revoked.

European Council president Donald Tusk has said he believes Article 50 can be reversed, but Government ministers insist there is 'no turning back'.

UKIP evaporates: Party hammered as vote collapses and leader Paul Nuttall fails miserably in his bid to become an MP

UKIP is facing wipeout after its vote collapsed and leader Paul Nuttall failed miserably in his bid to become an MP.

Nuttall came third in Boston and Skegness, with his party's share of the vote in the seaside seat plunging by more than 25%.

After the first wave of seats were declared, UKIP's share nationwide had dropped by more than 12% - with the 10pm exit poll predicting they would not win a single seat.

UKIP's voters swung away from the party, with some moving on from Brexit and returning to Labour, while Brexiteers switched to the Tories.

UKIP leader Paul Nuttall failed to win Boston and Skegness, putting his future in doubt

Nuttall was bullish on Twitter, insisting Theresa May had put Brexit in jeopardy and his party still have a role to play

In Basildon, their vote share dropped by nearly 20%, in Sunderland Central it withered by more than 14% and in Newcastle they were down 12.9%.
A Queensland man has claimed he 'lost everything' and turned to a life of crime and drugs after he found his wife and best friend in bed together while returning home from his FIFO job.

Gladstone Local Court heard that in the weeks after the discovery, Jesse Albert Giljevic's life descended into chaos as he developed an ice addiction and he went on a rampage of criminal activity.

The 27-year-old was arrested on October 16 last year after stealing a car as he roamed the streets of Clinton and proceeded to recklessly drive the car through the neighbourhood, the Gladstone Observer revealed.

The owner of the car tried stopping Giljevic by pursuing the carjacker in his other vehicle, yet any attempt to thwart him were laid to rest when Giljevic rammed the stolen car over the victim's roof, writing it off in the process.

Defence lawyer Tom Polley suggested Giljevic's plight was a 'classic example' of how the drug meth could destroy someones life (stock image)

Giljevic pleaded guilty in court to one count of unlawfully using a motor vehicle that did not belong to him and one count of operating a motor vehicle, an aggravated offence.

As this was the latest line in a series of offences, Giljevic was ultimately jailed following his arrest and has spent the past 237 days behind bars.

Defence lawyer Tom Polley suggested Giljevic's plight was a 'classic example' of how the drug meth could destroy someones life.

He revealed his client had a full-time job and was married to his partner at 19-years-old, having three children with her.

He claimed it was the 'traumatic' experience of witnessing his wife betray him, especially with his best friend, that forced him to try the drug.

'And it was the drug, that led him to committing the offences he is charged with before the court today,' Mr Polley said.

Despite his stint in jail, Giljevic claims his imprisonment has been beneficial for him.

He claims he was given the opportunity assess his choices in life and a that a fresh start was needed.

'I have lost so much, I will never touch ice again,' he said.

Giljevic was given a 10 month sentence, but with time already served taken into account he was released immediately.
The widower of murdered Labour MP Jo Cox has blasted his wife's killer as a 'pathetic man'.

Jo Cox, 41, was shot and stabbed by neo-Nazi Thomas Mair in her Batley and Spen constituency on June 16 last year, days before the EU referendum.

Mair was later handed a whole-life prison sentence for the MP and mother-of-two's murder.

Brendan Cox (pictured), the widower of murdered Labour MP Jo Cox, has blasted his wife's killer as a 'pathetic man'

Jo Cox (left), 41, was shot and stabbed by neo-Nazi Thomas Mair (right) in her Batley and Spen constituency on June 16 last year, days before the EU referendum

In an upcoming memoir seen by the Mirror Brendan Cox said: 'He was a sad, pathetic man not worthy of anyone's time.'

He added: 'Almost a year has passed since Jos death. I still feel like a walking wound.'

Mr Cox, 37, was in London when he heard his wife had been injured. He immediately got on a train heading north.

It was during this journey that Mr Cox received another call from his wife's sister Kim to say Mrs Cox had died, in a murder that stunned the country.

Mair was later handed a whole-life prison sentence for the MP and mother-of-two's murder. Pictured, Brendan Cox at a special memorial service in London

The Labour MP had already been shot once and repeatedly stabbed when she shouted at Fazila Aswat and Sandra Major to protect themselves from her frenzied killer

He went on to detail the horrifying sequence of events that led to his wife tragic death.

Jo Cox used her final moments to warn her female colleagues to move away from her alleged killer shouting 'let him hurt me, not you' as she lay bleeding to death.

The Labour MP had already been shot once and repeatedly stabbed when she shouted at Fazila Aswat and Sandra Major to protect themselves from her frenzied killer, the Old Bailey heard at the trial.

Seconds later, Thomas Mair - who had started to move away from the scene - returned to Mrs Cox's side and shot her twice in the face at point-blank range.

The mother-of-two - who supported the campaign for Britain to remain in the EU - bled to death in front of shocked passersby

The mother-of-two - who supported the campaign for Britain to remain in the EU - then bled to death in front of shocked passersby.

Mair refused to watch disturbing CCTV of the attack which was played to the court today.

Jurors were also shown clips that allegedly showed Mair in Birstall in the hours leading up to Mrs Cox's death.

Ms Major, a senior case worker, said: She was shouting, get away you two, let him hurt me, dont let him hurt you'.
A woman has woken up to find someone had slit her pet miniature Pomeranian's throat from ear to ear.

Queensland woman Carrie Ison, 22, said she was beside herself when she discovered her pet called Chewy was randomly attacked during the night of Saturday June 3.

Chewy miraculously survived his ordeal and received numerous stitches to his throat.

A woman has woken up to find someone had slit her pet miniature Pomeranian's throat from ear to ear

Queensland woman Carrie Ison, 22, said she was beside herself when she discovered her pet called Chewy (pictured) was randomly attacked during the night of Saturday June 3

Ms Ison was sleeping inside her home in Ooralea, Mackay, when Chewy's throat was slashed.

She posted to Facebook after the attack to warn fellow pet owners to keep their pets inside at night.

'I'm being asked to inform everyone in the Ooralea area in Mackay of what's happened,' she said.

'My dog was hurt on Saturday night/Sunday morning, his head was basically slashed from left to right.'

She then thanked veterinarians for taking care of Chewy and 'getting him back on his feet'.
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Several hundred protesters gathered in central London to voice their anger at Theresa May's government and her alliance with the Democratic Unionist Party.

People carrying placards reading anti-DUP and pro-Jeremy Corbyn messages basked in the sun in Parliament Square one day after a shock election result returned a hung parliament.

Organisers from Stand Up To Racism and the Stop The War Coalition spoke to the crowd, who cheered at the mention of the Labour leader's name.

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A menacing-looking protester dons a balaclava and brandishes a stick during a second day of protests against Theresa May 's government and her alliance with the Democratic Unionist Party

A man wearing a black anonymous mask (left) holds a can of beer and an electronic cigarette next to a balaclava-clad man wearing a tai-dye shirt (middle)

A heavily tattooed protester voices his opposition to the looming alliance. Organisers from Stand Up To Racism and the Stop The War Coalition spoke to the crowd, who cheered at the mention of the Labour leader's name

A woman dons a shirt with an image of Jeremy Corbyn that has been mocked-up to resemble the distinctive Che Guevara illustration (left). A man holds a makeshift gallow and noose with 'well hung' written across - referencing the hung parliament election result

Hundreds descended on outside parliament to protest Theresa's May's formation of a minority government with the Democratic Unionist Party

The protester poses for a picture with a policeman today in central London, where hundreds of protesters took to the streets to oppose the general election outcome

Several hundred protesters gathered in central London to voice their anger at the Tory party's alliance with the DUP

People carrying placards reading anti-DUP and pro-Jeremy Corbyn message as they marched on Downing Street

Organisers from Stand Up To Racism and the Stop The War Coalition spoke to the crowd who cheered at the mention of Corbyn's name

Musicians performed to the protesters, who seemed in good spirits, while one organiser led chants of 'racist, sexist, anti-gay, the DUP has got to go'

Prime Minister May suffered the loss of her two closest aides as they paid the price for the disastrous General Election result

Musicians performed to the protesters, who seemed in good spirits. One organiser led chants of 'racist, sexist, anti-gay, the DUP has got to go'.

Prime Minister May suffered the loss of her two closest aides as they paid the price for the disastrous General Election result.

Mrs May's joint chiefs of staff Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill resigned amid intense Tory criticism in the wake of the snap election which saw the Prime Minister lose her Commons majority.

In an effort to shore up her position in Number 10, the Prime Minister sent her Chief Whip to Belfast for talks with the Democratic Unionist Party ahead of the first test of her diminished authority when Parliament returns.

The role of Mr Timothy and Ms Hill as Mrs May's joint chiefs of staff had been severely criticised by disgruntled Tories in the wake of the election result.

Mrs May's joint chiefs of staff Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill resigned amid intense Tory criticism in the wake of the snap election

The Prime Minister sent her Chief Whip to Belfast for talks with the Democratic Unionist Party ahead of the first test of her diminished authority

Police are seen as protesters hold placards as they attend a demonstration against the Conservative party alliance with the DUP

The placards held up by furious protesters included the messages 'Corbyn in Tories out' and 'defy Tory rule'

The closely fought election has failed to return a clear overall majority winner and Theresa May has formed a minority Government with the support of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party

There were also misgivings about relying on the DUP, which strongly opposes same-sex marriage and abortion.

Today's protest moved to outside the gates of Downing Street, where they were met by a wall of uniformed police officers, as bemused tourists posed for selfies nearby.

Chants of 'Tories out, refugees in' and 'Tories out, Corbyn in' were led by a vocal core on a loudspeaker.

Luke O'Neill, who voted for Labour in Kensington, said he felt Mr Corbyn had motivated young people.

The 27-year-old said: 'May's mandate has gone, that's probably the best news and Labour is gaining - that is the best news as well.

'Jeremy Corbyn gave us power, that's what he's all about.'

There have been misgivings about relying on the DUP, which strongly opposes same-sex marriage and abortion

Luke O'Neill, who voted for Labour in Kensington, said he felt Mr Corbyn had motivated young people

The nursery worker said he was 'angry' that Mrs May had done a deal with the DUP, although he admitted he did not initially know who they were.

'I've never seen people more hateful in my life,' he said.

'I didn't know who the DUP were, I had to Google them, as many people no doubt in this country would have had to Google them.'
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The Duke of Edinburgh's celebrated his last birthday before retirement in style with a 41-gun salute.

Prince Philip turned 96 today and crowds gathered in a sunny Green Park, central London, to watch the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery perform for the occasion.

A message on Buckingham Palace's Twitter feed read: 'Wishing The Duke of Edinburgh a very happy 96th birthday today! 'HappyBirthdayHRH'.

The Duke, who is looking forward to his long-awaited retirement, was spending his special Saturday privately at Windsor Castle as a 41-gun royal salute boomed.

The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery rode their horses and gun carriages across the Parade Ground to stage the salute.

Royal aides say the Duke is keen to enjoy more of his leisure time when he steps away from the limelight in a few months.

Next weekend, Prince Philip is expected to help the Queen celebrate her official 91st birthday at the annual Trooping The Colour parade. After his retirement, he may still appear occasionally at certain public events, but 'will no longer play an active role by attending engagements', the Palace said.

Prince Philip turned 96 today and c rowds gathered in a sunny Green Park to watch the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery

A message on Buckingham Palace's Twitter feed read: 'Wishing The Duke of Edinburgh a very happy 96th birthday today! 'HappyBirthdayHRH'

In August, the prince will retire from public duties as other members of the royal family step forward to accompany the Queen on official engagements. After his retirement, he may still appear occasionally at certain public events, but 'will no longer play an active role by attending engagements', the Palace said

The British Army ceremonial unit of the performed a 41-gun royal salute, which boom through the central London park

The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery rode their horses and gun carriages across the Parade Ground to stage the salute

The Royal Horse Artillery pulled the gun carriages behind them as they cantered around Green Park to mark the Duke of Edinburgh's birthday

The Duke, who is looking forward to his long-awaited retirement, was spending his special Saturday privately at Windsor Castle as a 41-gun royal salute boomed

A message on Buckingham Palace's Twitter read: 'Wishing The Duke of Edinburgh a very happy 96th birthday today! 'HappyBirthdayHRH'
Armenian court to hold hearing on extradition of Hrachya Harutyunyan

On June 16, it will become clear when Hrachya Harutyunyan will be transferred to Armenia, Victor Martirosyan, the father of Harutyunyans wife, told A1+ Company. Relatives of Hrachya Harutyunyan, an Armenian truck driver sentenced to 6 years and 9 months in prison by a Moscow court, were informed about it by the Ministry of Justice. On April 25, Victor Martirosyan met with Deputy Minister of Justice to discuss Hrachyas possible extradition to Armenia. During the meeting, he was informed that Hrachya would be transferred to Armenia in a month or two. The families of the 18 victims have received 18 mln rubles in compensation from Ara Abrahamyan, Chairman of the Union of Armenians of Russia. This means that financial liabilities are removed and Hrachya Harutyunyan can serve the rest of his sentence in Armenia. Some sources say that the Armenian and Russian sides are discussing the option of exchanging Harutyunyan with Valery Permyakov, a Russian serviceman charged with the murder of a seven-member Armenian family in January 2015. That is, when Permyakov is transferred to Russia, it will be immediately announced also that Harutyunyan will be handed over to the RA law enforcement. On July 13, 2013 the gravel-loaded truck driven by Hrachya Harutyunyan, an Armenian citizen working in Russia, collided with a packed commuter bus outside the Russian capital. The impact of the crash was so powerful that the bus had split in two. The accident claimed 18 lives and injured more than forty others. The investigation revealed that the accident resulted from poor maintenance of the truck resulting in a brake malfunction. Harutyunyan, according to investigators, was to know about it. In August, a Moscow district court sentenced Hrachya Harutyunyan to 6 years and 9 months in prison on charges of violating traffic and vehicle operation rules, which unwittingly led to the death of two or more persons. Harutyunyan has health problems. His relatives believe after his transfer to Armenia he will undergo operations.
A $47 million overhaul of Supermax jail is in the works with a 'mini-prison' next door set to hold extremists in order to stop them radicalising inmates.

Supermax II in Goulburn will be Australia's first terrorist jail designed with soundproofing, audio and CCTV upgrades to help monitor visitors and prisoners to stop extremists influencing other inmates.

The plans for the overhaul were put together in the New South Wales Budget and also include boosting the number of prisoners in Supermax from 45 to 75 inmates, and offering a new deradicalisation program, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Supermax Prison in Goulburn will be upgraded to house a new extremist cell

NSW Correction Services Commissioner Peter Severin (pictured left) said the new cell will help separate extremist prisoners with other inamtes

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it was time to stop inmates from being exposed to radicalisation.

'We know that radicalisation is a risk in our prison system. This tackles the issue at the source,' she said.

Corrections Minister David Elliot said the largest upgrade to the prison shows the government are taking the issue of inmates becoming radicalised seriously.

NSW Corrections Commissioner Peter Severin said it was time to get ahead of the threat.

'I cannot justify dispersing these prisoners across the system, the danger of them doing the wrong thing is too high,' he told the publication.
The alleged leader of a motorcycle gang has been found guilty of murder and engaging in organized crime, among other charges.

On Friday, a Fort Worth, Texas jury found Howard Baker, 62, the supposed leader of the Bandidos motorcycle club, guilty of murder in the December 2014 death of Geoffrey Brady, 41, a member of rival bike club, Ghost Riders.

Baker was found guilty of murder, aggravated assault, engaging in organized crime and directing a street gang.

Alleged Bandidos biker gang leader Howard Baker, 62, was found guilty of murder in the December 2014 death of a rival biker gang member during an ambush at a Texas dive bar

The jury found him not guilty of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Baker was on trial for Brady's killing, which took place on December 12, 2014 at Fort Worth's Gator's Jam Inn.

According to prosecutors, Baker told members of the Bandidos to ambush Brady at the bar, reports the Star-Telegram.

Prosecutors detailed how Baker, accompanied by 30 of his fellow Bandidos went to the Gator's Jam Inn, fired guns and then dragged Brady outside before killing him in front of his wife, reports the Houston Chronicle.

Two others were injured during the fight.

Geoffrey Brady, 41, was killed when he was ambushed by members of a rival biker gang

'It was his plan,' assistant Tarrant County District Attorney Allenna Bangs said, referring to Baker, during closing arguments on Friday, according to NBC DFW. 'He called it.'

Bangs added that the Bandidos were 'in for a fight' and noted that 'when you take guns and knives to a fight, people die.'

Prosecutors claimed that Baker had ordered the ambush because of a dispute over the bikers' territory.

Baker did not testify and his defense team did not call any witnesses during the trial.

Instead, the defense argued that the prosecution's case lacked evidence  that the only thing the prosecution proved was that Baker was a member of the Bandidos.

'It's not a crime to be a member of the Bandidos,' defense attorney Tim Choy said, while saying that Baker is a family man who worked at Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum.

Choy also said that the evidence presented by the prosecution was inconsistent  including the fact that witnesses from the Gator's Jam Inn had conflicting accounts of what happened and that none of the guns collected from the Bandidos matched the bullets fired at Brady.

The prosecution stated that the witnesses they had called were paying attention to different things that occurred during the incident and that the defense would be suspicious if they all had the exact same testimony.

The defense also argued that no evidence had been provided that Baker instigated the raid, but prosecutors claimed they proved that Baker was the president of the Bandidos chapter and as such, he ultimately held the power to issue the order.

The prosecution also invoked Texas' Law of Parties, which states that a person can be held criminally responsible for another's actions in certain circumstances.

Baker was taken to jail after the verdict was read. He had been out on bail before the trial.

Baker is scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday. He faces up to life in prison.
Former housing minister Gavin Barwell has been appointed as the new Downing Street chief of staff.

Mr Barwell, who lost his Croydon Central seat in the snap election called by Mrs May, will bring 'considerable experience' to the post, the Prime Minister said.

His appointment comes following the resignation of Mrs May's closest aides Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, who had served as joint chiefs of staff.

Gavin Barwell, who lost his Croydon Central seat in the snap election, has been appointed as the new Downing Street chief of staff

Mr Barwell previously was Minister of State for Housing and Planning

Speaking today, Mrs May said: 'I'm delighted that Gavin Barwell accepted the role as my chief of staff.

'He has been a first class minister and is widely respected.

'He will bring considerable experience of the party to the post.

'As I said yesterday, I want to reflect on the election and why it did not deliver the result I hoped for.

'Gavin will have an important role to play in that.

'I look forward to working with him.'

Mr Barwell said: 'I voted for Theresa May to become Prime Minister.

'I believe she is the best person to heal the divisions in our country that last year's referendum and the General Election have laid bare, getting the best Brexit deal for the whole country and leading us towards a brighter future outside the EU.

'I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as her chief of staff.'

Prior to Mr Barwell's appointment, he had written a book called How to Win a Marginal Seat, which was published last year.

It came after he secured his seat in the 2015 election with a margin of just 165 seats.

He joined her during a visit to Martek joinery manufacturers in New Addington, Surrey last year

However, he lost out to Labour's Sarah Jones by 5,000 votes.

Prior to being elected, Mr Barwell's career consisted of working as a backroom man for the Conservatives.

He was in CCHQ for nearly two decades before moving into Parliament.

It is thought that Mr Barwell has been brought in to shake up Theresa May's No 10, make it work better and answer critics who say she doesn't play nicely with the wider party.

Mr Barwell was a whip while David Cameron was in Government and then a minsiter.

He was a keen Remainer, so his appointment may irritate the hard Eurosceptic fringe.

Earlier today, Mr Timothy and Ms Hill resigned as joint chiefs of staff to Theresa May after the Tory election disaster.

Mr Timothy admitted to a mistake in how he drafted a social care policy for the manifesto seen as a major factor in the electoral setbacks that left Mrs May clinging desperately to power.

But he claimed the wider Tory campaign had failed to spot a surge in Labour support even while the Conservative vote soared to 'historically high' levels.

Both issued statements defending Mrs May today after a former No 10 aide today revealed a 'toxic' atmosphere in Downing Street.

Mrs May had been under pressure to fire both of her top advisers in the aftermath of the shock losses which wiped out the Conservative majority in Parliament.

The resignations could help hold off a challenge to Mrs May's Tory leadership. The PM is reshuffling her Cabinet today as she tries to shore up her position.

Katie Perrior, who resigned from Downing Street when the election was called, revealed the pair ran a dysfunctional No 10 obsessed with crushing enemies.

A former aide to Theresa May revealed the 'toxic' atmosphere in No 10 when it was run by her joint chiefs of staff Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill (pictured together at Tory HQ today)

Mr Timothy and Ms Hill have been blamed for the disastrous Conservative election campaign which saw a shock loss of Tory seats.

Writing on the Conservative Home website, Mr Timothy said: 'I take responsibility for my part in this election campaign, which was the oversight of our policy programme.

'In particular, I regret the decision not to include in the manifesto a ceiling as well as a floor in our proposal to help meet the increasing cost of social care.

'But I would like to make clear that the bizarre media reports about my own role in the policy's inclusion are wrong: it had been the subject of many months of work within Whitehall, and it was not my personal pet project.'

Mr Timothy insisted the Conservative campaign secured an 'historically high number' of votes on Thursday - more even than Tony Blair managed in 1997.

But he said: 'The reason for the disappointing result was not the absence of support for Theresa May and the Conservatives but an unexpected surge in support for Labour.

Katie Perrior, who resigned from Downing Street when the election was called, revealed the pair ran a dysfunctional No 10 obsessed with crushing enemies.

'One can speculate about the reasons for this, but the simple truth is that Britain is a divided country: many are tired of austerity, many remain frustrated or angry about Brexit, and many younger people feel they lack the opportunities enjoyed by their parents' generation.'

In a blast at the Lynton Crosby-led campaign, Mr Timithy added: 'It failed to notice the surge in Labour support, because modern campaigning techniques require ever-narrower targeting of specific voters, and we were not talking to the people who decided to vote for Labour.'

Mr Timothy claimed Mrs May was the Tory politician best able to respond to this shift in the electorate in a signal of how the PM may attempt to cling to her post.

In her own statement, Ms Hill said: 'It's been a pleasure to serve in government, and a pleasure to work with such an excellent Prime Minister.

'I have no doubt at all that Theresa May will continue to serve and work hard as Prime Minister  and do it brilliantly.'

Senior Conservative MP Nigel Evans welcomed the resignations this afternoon as he blasted the 'daft and bonkers' manifesto drafted by Mr Timothy.

Michael Fabricant, another Conservative MP, was more sympathetic tweeting: 'Sad in many ways, though understand why, Nick Timothy quit.

'He was main architect of Brexit, including need to leave Single Market.'

Ms Hill and Mr Timothy (pictured in No 10 in May) were Mrs May's gatekeepers in Downing Street and were known as having absolute power over access to the Prime Minister

Mr Timothy (pictured last June) took the blame for his role in the electon disaster today but dismissed claims he had personally forced a controversial policy on social care into the Tory manifesto

Since the results began rolling in yesterday, Mr Timothy and Ms Hill have been blamed for the disastrous election campaign which saw a shock loss of Tory seats.

Mr Timothy blasted Lynton Crosby (pictured) for running a campaign that failed to spot the surge in Labour support

It has been claimed they were responsible for talking Mrs May into calling the snap election and that the PM only agreed to do so on the promise of a 100+ majority.

Ms Perrior today revealed the 'stench' caused in No 10 by the duo, who have worked with Mrs May as gatekeepers and attack dogs for years.

She told the BBC Today programme: 'Being in the Home Office for such a long time with that being her top team she became accustomed to that being it.

'Of course, running the Home Office is very different from running the country.

'Trying to make that change to Number 10 was more difficult than she possibly anticipated.

'I used to wonder why because actually she needed to broaden her circle of advisers, she needed to have a few grey hairs in there who have been around the block a bit, who could say don't do that, don't make enemies when you don't need to.'

Ms Perrior described meetings in Downing Street where Ms Hill would come up with 'crazy' ideas - but that Mrs May would rarely overrule her.

Theresa May (pictured at No 10 yesterday) is reeling after losing seats in a disastrous election campaign

Writing in The Times, Ms Perrior described a bizarre encounter on the day of the Copeland by-election when Ms Hill demanded Boris Johnson be deployed to the constituency - despite the campaign being over and the only goal being to get out the vote.

Ms Perrior wrote: 'Fiona protested and the prime minister overruled her, saying: ''Fiona, I'd like to know what the point of all this is. If Boris goes up there today, he will be in tomorrow's papers and that will be too late. Anyone who knows anything about campaigning knows that''.

'The room fell silent. I wanted the floor to swallow me up. The prime minister had, for once, dared to raise her voice, a rare moment.

'Normally we would all sit there while Fiona would raise some batshit crazy idea and not say a word. This one clearly had the prime minister rattled. As it was, Parky oversaw a stunning victory in Copeland and was vindicated.'

In her BBC interview, Ms Perrior said both of the top aides did not respect long-serving ministers.

She revealed: 'There was not enough respect shown to people who spent 20 years in office or 20 years getting to the top seat in Government.

'They would send people text messages - rude text messages - which is not acceptable.

'What the prime minister needs at a time that you're going through Brexit is diplomats not street-fighters.

'They only really know one way to operate - and that is to have enemies and I'm sure I'm one of them this morning.'

Mrs May (pictured yesterday and right with husband Philip after the results) will hope the resignations of her most senior aides will help her keep a grip in No 10 in the aftermath of the disastrous election

Asked why she quit as Mrs May's communications director, Ms Perrior added: 'Every month that went past I felt I've done pretty well for holding on because it was pretty toxic.'

Former minister Ed Vaizey today admitted Tory MPs were feverishly speculating about Mrs May's future.

Asked if there were phone calls being made between Tories about the next leader, Mr Vaizey told the BBC: 'That's so 20th century. It's all on WhatsApp.'

He added: 'We all talk on WhatsApp ... lots of MPs are in lots of different groups.'

Vaizey said he hoped the election result would soften May's stance on Brexit, adding: 'I hope in the next few days we will see a clear acknowledgement that a 'no deal is better than a bad deal' is off the table, that we are going for a Brexit that is going to secure jobs and investment.'

Before the results emerged yesterday, Mr Timothy was already under fire for inserting into the manifesto at the last minute the social care pledge which blew up the Tory campaign.

Labour spinner Damian McBride reflected today that the state of the Tories was 'bad' when ever his colleagues from the Gordon Brown era thought so

Mrs May has been criticised ever since taking over No 10 last summer for keeping decisions within their secretive triangle of three.

Ms Hill and Mr Timothy have worked with Mrs May since she was Home Secretary.

One senior backbencher said: 'Obviously some people are talking about changing personnel. I think that's very much a matter for the Prime Minister to decide for herself.

'If you start changing your advisors then you have conceded something quite important. But I do think there needs to be a real effort to make sure there are open lines of communication.'

Before the polls closed yesterday, one Minister described the Conservative campaign as the 'worst in living memory'.

They said: 'Is it the end of the Nick and Fi show? Everybody wants it to be but she [Theresa May] is very stubborn.'

Another backbench Tory added: 'There have to be lessons learned. There's a lots of people with grey hair who Theresa could use. If the manifesto had been properly passed by them they would have put a stop to it.

'Manifestos are usually apple pie and ice cream. Instead we got three spoonfuls of arsenic and  surprise surprise  people didn't like it.'

Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill (pictured this morning), Mrs May's joint chiefs of staff, were warned their extraordinary controlling role at No 10 cannot continue even if their boss keeps power

Mrs May has been criticised ever since taking over No 10 last summer for keeping decisions within their secretive triangle of three.

The influential ConservativeHome website, edited by former MP Paul Goodman, said the 'consensus view' among Tory backbenchers and ministers is that the Prime Minister's authority has 'received a blow from which it is unlikely to recover'.

Mr Goodman said they believed Mrs May's two closest advisers, joint chiefs of staff Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill 'must go' and there could be major changes to the Brexit process, single market membership 'may now be on the table', the website said.

He added: 'All this, remember, is on the assumption that May somehow gains a working majority, or is Prime Minister in a hung Parliament.

'In the latter circumstance, a second election in the autumn will be likely.

'With the threat of a second election hanging over their heads, Conservative backbenchers would be unlikely to mount a leadership challenge, but May's days as leader would be numbered.'
Seventeen people had a crappy day at the Happiest Place on Earth.

They enjoyed Disneyland just fine  it was getting hit with a massive load of geese poop while they were there that put a damper on their magical evening.

Anaheim, California firefighters and police were called to the theme park on Friday night at about 9pm, after 17 people were hit with fecal matter, authorities said.

Anaheim police, fire department and hazmat were called to Disneyland on Friday night following initial reports that someone had thrown human feces into the crowd on Main Street

Police later determined that it was 'clearly goose poop' that had fallen from geese overhead

Hazmat was also requested because initial reports indicated that someone had thrown human feces into the crowd gathered on Main Street, according to CBS LA.

The Anaheim Police Department said in a tweet that 11 adults and six children had been hit by the falling feces, which was determined to have originated from a flock of geese that flew over them.

The police said no crime had been committed and nobody was hurt or required transportation away from the park.

It was 'clearly goose poop,' Anaheim Police Department spokesman Darren Wyatt told reporters.

Anaheim police reported that 17 people in total were struck by the falling goose poop

Nobody was injured during the incident. They cleaned up and went back to enjoy the park

Police later tweeted that all guests were healthy and happy after the incident.

Disneyland officials said that the guests who had been literally crapped on were taken to a private restroom so they could get cleaned up, according to The Orange County Register.

They were given clean clothing and released back into the park to enjoy the rest of the amusements.




Demonstrators gathered in at least 28 cities across the US for anti-Sharia law marches on Saturday.

March Against Sharia rallies are organized by ACT for America, an organization that says it is focused on fighting terrorism and promoting national security.

This year's rallies are expected to be the group's largest protest against Islam and took place in cities including Phoenix, Chicago, Austin, Atlanta, New York, Boston and Seattle.

But many of the marches saw even larger counter-rallies.

Activists in support of the Muslim community argue with demonstrators rallying for the 'March Against Sharia' in New York City

ACT for America has become an increasingly vocal anti-Muslim activist group, and has organized protests across the United States. This protester, left, and counter-protester, right, demonstrated in New York

Demonstrators gathered in at least 28 cities across the US for ACT for America's March Against Sharia Saturday. These demonstrators are pictures in New York City

Counter demonstrators opposing a group who gathered nearby to protest against Islamic-law yell out on Saturday in New York

Those participating in the March Against Sharia protested against elements of Sharia law that ACT for America believes are increasingly showing up in American society. These protesters rallied in New York City's Foley Square

Hundreds marched through downtown Seattle, banging drums, cymbals and cowbells behind a large sign saying 'Seattle stands with our Muslim neighbors'.

Participants chanted 'No hate, no fear, Muslims are welcome here' on their way to City Hall, while a phalanx of bicycle police officers separated them from an anti-Shariah rally numbering in the dozens.

Local activists even set up an 'Ask an American Muslim' booth where attendees could meet and learn about their Muslim neighbors.

In front of the Trump building in downtown Chicago, about 30 people demonstrated against Islamic law and in favor of President Donald Trump, shouting slogans and holding signs that read 'Ban Sharia' and 'Sharia abuses women'.

About twice as many counter-protesters marshaled across the street.

People march and shout slogans in support of Muslim community as activists take part in the March Against Sharia in New York City

NYPD officers patrol during the March Against Sharia at Foley Square on Saturday

People hold up signs during a rally to support Muslims rights as a counter protest, left, to the March Against Sharia, where some people also came out in support of President Donald Trump in New York

An activist who took part in the March Against Sharia is attended by NYPD officer as he suffers a medical emergency during the rally on Saturday

NYPD officers help an activist who was part of the March Against Sharia Saturday as he suffered a medical emergency

Writer Gavin McInnes, left, speaks to activists as they take part in the anti-Shariah rally in New York City

Counter-protesters sounded air-horns and banged pots and pans in an effort to silence an anti-Shariah rally with about 100 protesters in New York City Saturday

A similar scene played out in a park near a New York courthouse, where counter-protesters sounded air-horns and banged pots and pans in an effort to silence an anti-Shariah rally with about 100 protesters.

'The theme of today is drowning out racism,' said counter-protester Tony Murphy, standing next to demonstrators with colorful earplugs.

'The more racists get a platform, the more people get attacked.'

The groups verbally clashed with police officers standing between them.

The marches were held in 18 states and are 'against Sharia law and for human rights', according to the ACT for America website.

But the Southern Poverty Law Center has designated ACT for America as an extremist, anti-Muslim hate group.

Counter-protesters hold signs outside of an anti-Sharia rally in Seattle, Washington

Hundreds marched through downtown Seattle, banging drums, cymbals and cowbells behind a large sign saying 'Seattle stands with our Muslim neighbors'

An attendee wears a hijab and a pro-Trump cap during an anti-Sharia rally in Seattle

Participants chanted 'No hate, no fear, Muslims are welcome here' on their way to City Hall in Seattle, while a phalanx of bicycle police officers separated them from an anti-Shariah rally numbering in the dozens

ACT for America says it condemns bias against religious groups and is 'proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with peaceful Western Muslims as well as peaceful Muslims worldwide'.

Yet many Muslims and others say the group promotes a distorted and prejudiced view of Islam.

'Many aspects of Sharia law run contrary to basic human rights and are completely incompatible with our laws and our democratic values,' the ACT for America website says.

Their activists portray Shariah as largely incompatible with American democracy and often warn of a stealth effort to replace US law with Islamic law.

Muslims call the claims ludicrous and say Islamic law plays a role similar to Jewish law, as a guide to religious life rooted in the Quran and scholars say there's little to no threat to US democracy from Islamic law.

ACT for America says it condemns bias against religious groups and is 'proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with peaceful Western Muslims as well as peaceful Muslims worldwide', however the SPLC has said the group is an anti-Muslim extremist hate group. Counter-protesters are pictures in Seattle

The March Against Sharia rallies come amid a rise in reports of anti-Muslim incidents in the US, including arson attacks and vandalism at mosques, harassment of women wearing Muslim head coverings and bullying of Muslim schoolchildren. Counter-protesters are pictures in Seattle

Local activists even set up an 'Ask an American Muslim' booth where attendees could meet and learn about their Muslim neighbors

Counter-protester Aneelah Azfali, left, of the Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS) discusses Islam with protesters Allen Crouser, center, and Mary Crouser, right, who came to attend the March Against Sharia in Seattle

'I don't believe Islam can peacefully co-exist with the Constitution,' said Seattle anti-Shariah demonstrator Aaron Bassford, 29.

'I'm not going to tell them they can come here and take away my Second Amendment right. We need unity in this country under no ideology and no banner except the Constitution of the United States of America.'

But the overwhelming majority of Muslims don't want to replace US law with Islamic law, known as Shariah, and only 'radical extremist groups' would call for that, said Liyakat Takim, a professor of Islamic studies at McMaster University in the Canadian city of Hamilton, Ontario.

Shariah, Takim said, refers to guidelines or principles - how Muslims should live.

'Fiqh' refers to jurisprudence, or specific laws. The values embedded in Shariah do not change and are shared among Muslims, he said, while fiqh is open to interpretation and change, and in fact differs among Islamic sects and communities.

'The Quran allows slavery, so does the Old Testament. That doesn't mean we allow it today, too,' Takim said. 'Laws are amenable to change.'

The marches come amid a rise in reports of anti-Muslim incidents in the US, including arson attacks and vandalism at mosques, harassment of women wearing Muslim head coverings and bullying of Muslim schoolchildren.

In St Paul, Minnesota, the demonstrations were mostly peaceful until some people leaving a rally inside the Capitol encountered counter-protesters outside.

A confrontation that included shoving and punching occurred, The Star Tribune reported.

The Minnesota State Patrol separated the groups and appeared to make at least one arrest.

A pro-Muslim supporter, left, argues with a demonstrator with the March Against Sharia protest in Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday

A pro-Muslim supporter, right, tries to pull a US flag from ACT for America demonstrators, left, in Chicago

A pro-Muslim supporter chants during a counter-protest outside the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago

A Chicago Police officer provides security for demonstrators with the 'March Against Sharia' protest in Chicago

In California, small but raucous demonstrations were held in a handful of cities, including San Bernardino, where a husband and wife inspired by the Islamic State group killed 14 people and wounded 22 in a 2015 shooting attack.

Clusters of protesters and counter-protesters gathered on four corners of an intersection at a memorial to the slain. Anti-Islamic law demonstrators marched past the building where the shootings occurred.

Denise Zamora, 39, of Upland said the group wasn't opposed to all Muslims.

'We're anti-Shariah. We're anti-radicals,' she said.

'It's coming in very slowly, and a lot of the refugees are bringing that ideology here,' Zamora said of Shariah. 'All of it is just barbaric.'

No arrests were made at the San Bernardino rally, and there were no reports of violence, police spokeswoman Eileen Hards said.

But it was noisy, with groups chanting, yelling and waving American flags and posters proclaiming various causes.

'There's an anti-Trump, a pro-Trump, anti-extremists, so there are a variety of messages here,' Hards said.

'There are so many messages going on that I'm not sure who's who.'

A pro-Muslim supporter, left, and an ACT for America demonstratorargue under a statue of former US President George Washington in Chicago

A pro-Muslim supporter takes part in a rally against demonstrators with the 'March Against Sharia' protest in Chicago
A car has ploughed into pedestrians outside Amsterdam's Centraal station, injuring at least eight - two seriously.

The incident occurred at around 9pm local time in the heart of the Dutch capital.

The car ran into a crowd of pedestrians outside the train station, which is located in the heart of Amsterdam

According to Dutch police the motorist was parked in an illegal spot near the central station.

As he was approached by officers he sped off and hit a wall, crashing into a crowd of people.

Police quickly sealed off the street. The driver has been arrested

The car ran into a crowd of pedestrians outside the train station, which is located in the heart of Amsterdam

Dutch police believe the man had become 'unwell' and said there was 'no indication' that this was a terrorist attack

Dutch police tweeted that the driver: 'Did not seem to go deliberately but [was] incapacitated'

Officers were on the scene immediately, and quickly pulled the man from the car and arrested him.

Paramedics quickly swarmed the scene to tend to the wounded.

Police spokeswoman Marjolein Koek said: 'There is no indication whatsoever that this is a terrorist attack'

The square outside Centraal Station, which is a hub for tourists visiting the city, was sealed off by police as they searched the car.

Security Services in the Netherlands has been on high alert since the London Bridge attack a week ago.

On Friday, a concert in Eindhoven was extended by thirty minutes because there was suspicious behavior of a man outside the stadium.
First Daughter Ivanka Trump will be spearheading an upcoming 'workforce development week' as the White House struggles to control its messaging.

The administration will hold a series of events from Tuesday to Thursday to highlight vocational training and professional apprenticeships - a concept that was inspired by Ivanka's trip to Berlin in April.

The initiative comes after 'infrastructure week', which was relentlessly mocked online after it was dramatically overshadowed by former FBI director James Comey's testimony in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

The leak-prone administration has continually to struggled with its communications and it's likely things will go off the rails next week as well with Attorney General Jeff Sessions due to appear before a Senate subcommittee.

While the hearing is supposed to focus on the Justice Department's budget request, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) says he will confront Sessions about his role in Comey's dismissal.

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First Daughter Ivanka Trump (pictured in New York on Saturday) will be spearheading an upcoming 'workforce development week'

The White House's 'infrastructure week' was dramatically overshadowed by former FBI director James Comey's testimony

The White House announced an initiative to encourage businesses to create new apprenticeship programs and reorganize existing ones to maximize the efficiency of $16.7 billion in funding a year.

Ivanka, who said a tour of the Siemens Technik Akademie during her recent trip to Germany served as the grounding for her ideas.

'The reality is that there are still Americans seeking employment despite low unemployment rates, and companies are struggling to fill vacancies for positions that require varied levels of skills and training,' Ivanka Trump said.

'So the Trump administration is committed to working very closely to close the skills gap.'

She is set to tour the Waukesha County Technical College in Wisconsin on Tuesday, before leading a roundtable among CEOs on Wednesday.

The president will also deliver a 'major policy speech' at the Department of Labor on Wednesday.

The week's events will end on Thursday with another roundtable discussion between eight governors to discuss training programs in their respective states.

Comey's dramatic testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday drew about 19.5million people

Bars across the country opened early and crowds gathered for viewing parties (pictured, in Washington DC)

The administration's first attempt at policy themes was mocked online with trolls taking to Twitter to write: 'Infrastructure week seems to be going well for the Trump administration.'

Comey's dramatic testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday drew about 19.5million people as bars across the country opened early for viewing parties.

In riveting testimony, Comey disputed 'shifting explanations' that followed his firing, and specifically pointed to Trump's televised comment that he fired Comey because of the FBI's Russia investigation.

His remarks laid out the carefully constructed beginnings of a case that President Trump used his power and his relationship with Comey in a way that might have taken investigative pressure fired security advisor Mike Flynn  and remove a 'cloud' that was hanging over his young administration.
Boris Johnson is preparing a new bid to become Prime Minister as Theresa Mays grip on No 10 becomes increasingly fragile.

A close ally of the Foreign Secretary said last night it was go-go-go for Mr Johnsons leadership push, adding: We need Bojo. We need a Brexiteer. We need somebody who can talk and connect with people like Jeremy Corbyn does. We need someone who can make Britain believe in itself again.

Mr Johnsons supporters are being careful to say that he will not take any action while Mrs May remains in No 10  but the fact that his allies are actively briefing about his virtues will be seen in Downing Street as destabilising.

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Boris Johnson is preparing a new bid to become Prime Minister as Theresa Mays grip on No 10 becomes increasingly fragile, but the Foreign Secretary won't take any action while Theresa May is in power

Talk of his leadership bid came as Mrs May was rocked by the resignations of the two Downing Street advisers who have been blamed for the Election disaster  and a Mail on Sunday poll which found that half of voters want her to quit.

Such is the febrile atmosphere that The Mail on Sunday was even told that allies of Mr Johnson believe he has secured the support of Michael Gove. But friends of Mr Gove  who was Mr Johnsons rival for the leadership in last years contest  dispute this.

Mrs May last night won the backing of Northern Irelands Democratic Unionist MPs in order to shore up her precarious position, in a deal that would offer her the prospect of a working majority in the Commons.

The MoS Survation poll found that 49 per cent of all voters want Mrs May to resign, with only 38 per cent wanting her to stay put

The MoS Survation poll found that 49 per cent of all voters want Mrs May to resign, with only 38 per cent wanting her to stay put. And out of the contenders to replace her, Mr Johnson outscores his nearest rival, Chancellor Philip Hammond, by a margin of more than two to one.

A separate survey of Tory supporters by the Conservative Home website found that two-thirds wanted Mrs May to announce her resignation immediately.

Few Tory MPs believe that Mrs May will still be in No 10 by the end of the summer after losing 13 Tory seats  squandering the partys previous working majority of 12.

Mrs Mays joint chiefs of staff, Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, stepped down yesterday amid growing criticism of the power which they wielded in Downing Street. MPs had pointed the finger at Mr Timothy for including the so-called dementia tax in the Tory manifesto, which was linked to a dramatic drop in the partys support.

The aides have also been blamed by MPs and aides for creating a toxic Downing Street in which officials and Ministers are subject to bullying.

It is understood that senior party figures had warned Mrs May that she could face an immediate leadership challenge if her aides stayed in their jobs.

The five front runners for the Conservative leadership are Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Chancellor Philip Hammond, Brexit Secretary David Davis, Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Michael Gove

Yesterday, Mr Timothy said he took responsibility for the failure of the campaign, but denied that the dementia tax had been his personal pet policy.

In a long parting statement he said: The simple truth is that Britain is a divided country: many are tired of austerity, many remain frustrated or angry about Brexit, and many younger people feel they lack the opportunities enjoyed by their parents generation.

The aides were replaced by a single chief of staff, former Housing Minister Gavin Barwell, who lost his Croydon Central seat in the General Election.

Mrs May is expected to face a grilling by the partys powerful 1922 Committee of backbenchers this week, where she is likely to face hard questions about the Election result. Sources said there would have been a bloodbath if Mr Timothy and Ms Hill were still in their jobs when the meeting started. The devastated Prime Minister cobbled together an agreement with the Democratic Unionist Party last night after sending her Chief Whip Gavin Williamson to Belfast.

MoS poll that was only one to predict Tory vote collapse When The Mail on Sunday published a final Election poll last weekend, showing Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn neck-and-neck, it was described by rival companies as an outlier  polling jargon for wrong. One former Conservative candidate even wrote that the pollsters were muppets. In fact, it was the only pre-Election poll which proved to be accurate. Our poll from Survation gave the Tories 41 per cent, Labour 40 and the Lib Dems 8. The final results were 42, 40 and 7 per cent respectively. It followed a number of MoS polls correctly charting a collapse in Tory support. Survation boss Damian Lyons Lowe said: We get it right by focusing on making our samples representative of the population. Advertisement

But Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson  whose success north of the border was crucial in preventing Labour from forming a Government  expressed public disquiet about the alliance with the anti-gay rights, anti-abortion party.

She said she had sought clear assurances from Mrs May that any deal would not set back equality.

There were also public protests against the plan, which would be the only way Mrs May could ensure that her legislation got through the Commons. More than 500,000 people signed a petition against the Tories doing a deal.

The turmoil forced Mrs May to delay a planned reshuffle of her middle-ranking Ministers until today. She is being urged to appoint a formal Deputy Prime Minister to shore up her position, with Brexit Secretary David Davis the favourite for the job.

It would put Mr Davis in a difficult position, as he is widely believed to be considering a run at the leadership if there is a contest. Other possible candidates include Chancellor Philip Hammond and Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

Possible candidates include Chancellor Philip Hammond (left) and Brexit Secretary David Davis (right). Mrs May is expected to face a grilling by the partys powerful 1922 Committee of backbenchers this week, where she is likely to face hard questions about the Election result

The Mail on Sunday poll by Survation  the only company to accurately predict the result of the General Election  makes grim reading for Mrs May.

A total of 41 per cent of voters think that if she does resign, she should do so immediately.

If she does quit, Mr Johnson is the clear favourite to succeed her. He is backed by 26 per cent of voters, with Mr Hammond the next favourite with 10 per cent.

Mr Davis is on nine per cent, Ms Rudd on eight per cent and Mr Gove on four per cent.

Last night Mr Johnson strenuously denied he was planning a leadership bid, saying: I am backing Theresa May. Lets get on with the job.

He was stung before but waspish Boris still craves the top job, says Johnson's biographer ANDREW GIMSON Boris Johnson once said: All politicians are like crazed wasps in a jam jar, each individually convinced that theyre going to make it. And no one has been more convinced he is going to make it all the way to No 10 than Johnson himself. He has long considered himself a Prime-Minister-in-waiting, but has been obliged to wait far longer than he hoped. For 11 years, he watched as the Tory Party was led by David Cameron, whom at Eton and Oxford Boris had viewed as an obscure and junior figure. He has now had to wait another year while the party was led by Theresa May, who humiliated him during the race for the Conservative leadership by ridiculing his abilities as a negotiator: The last time he did a deal with the Germans he came back with three nearly new water cannon. Boris Johnson once said: All politicians are like crazed wasps in a jam jar, each individually convinced that theyre going to make it' Well, the waiting may finally be over. At last the longed-for role of leader lies within his grasp. May is fatally wounded. After her wooden performance throughout the Election campaign, the Tories will never again consent to fight an election under her leadership. And the parliamentary arithmetic now makes a return to the polls within the next year more or less certain. As todays poll for this paper shows, a majority of the public want May to go now, and Johnson is their preferred choice to succeed her. This, then, should be Johnsons moment. But, as he well knows, the assassin in these cases seldom goes on to wear the crown. Michael Heseltine brought down Margaret Thatcher, but in the subsequent leadership contest was trounced by the less glamorous John Major. For all his undoubted charisma and popularity, there is a danger Johnson could be thwarted once again, just as he was in the race to succeed Cameron. And no one has been more convinced he is going to make it all the way to No 10 than Johnson himself Johnsons worst weakness is that many Tory MPs do not trust him. The shambles of his last leadership campaign, when he was knifed by Michael Gove, did not inspire confidence. On that occasion, he was quick-witted enough to throw in the towel rather than fight on to inevitable defeat. May duly rewarded him for his surrender by putting him in the Foreign Office. Here he has had mixed success  on the one hand taking a strong moral stance over Syrian leader Bashar Assads gassing of his people, on the other being humiliated when he was prevented from travelling to meet G7 leaders with a plan to impose greater sanctions on Assads Russian ally. Johnson was reportedly so fearful of being toast that he went to No 10 to beg for his job. The Election campaign brought him little succour. It contained no role for Johnson. It was all about Theresa Mays strong and stable leadership, a concept he will have regarded with inward derision, and which many voters found unconvincing and dreary. Meanwhile Jeremy Corbyn had a good campaign, and gained 32 seats by appearing relatively relaxed, humane and genuine. How Johnson will have longed to take on the man he branded a mutton-headed old mugwump. Thursdays result has now opened up that opportunity. Could Johnson be the man to save the Tories in their hour of desperation? Certainly, he remains one of the few front-rank politicians who can change the atmosphere just by turning up to the local shopping centre. Corbyn, we must concede, appears to be another. But, his critics point out, there is far more to being leader than electioneering. There is Europe, the issue on which so many Tory leaders have impaled themselves. May made it her practice to decide her policy on everything, including Europe, with a tiny group of trusted advisers. For 11 years, he watched as the Tory Party was led by David Cameron, whom at Eton and Oxford Boris had viewed as an obscure and junior figure The next Tory leader, whoever he or she may be, will have to do things differently. On Brexit, there will have to be both consultation and listening, as well as, ultimately, leadership. There would be a kind of poetic justice in putting this most difficult of tasks in the hands of Boris, the man who did more than anyone else to swing the Leave vote. It would be more poetic still if, for this momentous task, he was able to secure the assistance of Michael Gove, whose appearances on the airwaves throughout the election reminded people just how brilliantly he can make the Tory case. Such a pact would be an astonshing act of forgiveness after Goves betrayal last year. Not the least of Johnsons qualifications is his proven ability to take wider views about Brexit, rather than get imprisoned in some self-inflicted orthodoxy. Can he pull it off? The days ahead will prove whether his wait is finally at an end. Advertisement

His spokesman added: He is completely supporting the PM and working closely with her to get the best deal in our Brexit negotiations.

Respondents in our poll were scathing about Mrs Mays performance in the campaign, with only 16 per cent thinking she had put in the best performance, compared to 67 per cent arguing for Mr Corbyn. When asked why Mrs May failed, the most common answer, 27 per cent, was the dementia tax.

The political paralysis caused by the Election is widely believed to have strengthened the hand of pro-EU MPs who support a soft Brexit, in which the UK retains access to the tariff-free single market and customs union. This approach is backed by 47 per cent of voters, compared with 36 per cent who want a hard Brexit.

Amber Rudd and Michael Gove are also possible replacements for the Prime Minister. A spokesman for Mr Johnson last night insisted he was fully behind Mrs May

The resignations of her closest aides leaves Mrs May an even more isolated figure. The cabal which took most decisions consisted of her, her husband Philip, Mr Timothy and Ms Hill  with her Cabinet left out in the cold.

Craig Oliver, who was David Camerons director of communications, welcomed the departure of the aides. In an article for todays Mail on Sunday, he demands to know how the Conservative party allowed these two people with such questionable judgment to influence so much and get it so wrong?

And Katie Perrior, who worked with Mr Timothy and Ms Hill as Theresa Mays director of communications until the Election, said the two aides were the reason that No 10 bloody well stank of arrogance.

Tory peer Lord Heseltine added to the chorus of criticism, using an article in The Mail on Sunday to describe the Election as an unusually poor campaign, crippled by the reverse over what has been branded the dementia tax and some unwise sloganeering.

Mrs Mays joint chiefs of staff, Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, stepped down yesterday amid growing criticism of the power which they wielded in Downing Street

Tory MP Nigel Evans was even more scathing, describing the Conservative manifesto as full of poison from beginning to end. He said: It was mean-spirited in trying to take school lunches off youngsters, it was irrelevant in trying to bring back fox-hunting and it was a full-frontal assault on our core support which was the elderly. The only thing that was missing from the manifesto was compulsory euthanasia for the over-70s.

Tory grandee Lord Tebbit was withering too, saying: The idea of this Election had been conceived by Mr and Mrs May and two or three close advisers who know very little. They then elected to have a campaign of well over seven weeks. Madness. Because if you are ahead at the beginning, as all the polls indicated, the only thing that can happen during those seven weeks is that things get worse.

Lord Mandelson also enters the debate today by calling for MPs who backed staying in the EU to use Mrs Mays political weakness as an opportunity to put pressure on her to keep the UK in the single market and customs union.

The former Labour Minister uses an article in this newspaper to hint at an alliance between moderates, saying that new parliamentary arithmetic should be used to out-manoeuvre the headbangers who want to cut most ties with Brussels.

He says: I believe if [Mrs May] shows flexibility, most of the country will back her. It would be churlish for people like me and other Remainers not to give her political backing. There are Labour MPs who want to work in the national interest and will support her if she does the right thing.

Last night, Mrs May praised new chief of staff Gavin Barwell as first-class and widely respected, adding: I want to reflect on the Election and why it did not deliver the result I hoped for.
The London Bridge terrorists could have been planning to take hostages in a siege, police said yesterday as they released photos of the fake suicide belts worn by the trio.

Officers believe the jihadi gang used the makeshift leather belts, with water bottles covered in silver duct tape, to deter marksmen from shooting them, possibly because they intended to surround themselves with human shields.

Commander Dean Haydon, leading the investigation, said: I have not seen this tactic in the UK before, where terrorists create maximum fear by strapping fake explosives to themselves.

Officers believe the jihadi gang used the makeshift leather belts, with water bottles covered in silver duct tape, to deter marksmen from shooting them

The London Bridge terrorists could have been planning to take hostages in a siege, police said yesterday

Anyone who saw them on the night would have thought they were genuine.

It is hard to speculate what the motive was for wearing the belts. It could be that they had plans to take the attack into a siege situation or it might be that they saw it as protection from being shot themselves.

Cdr Haydon praised the courage of police and bystanders who tackled the killers, despite the apparent danger of the explosives.

The belt would have been visible to them, and if you are fighting back or aiming a shot at someone wearing the device you would clearly be very aware that you could be caught in an explosion.

Cdr Haydon spoke after it emerged that the killers ringleader Khuram Butt, 27, had tried to hire a much bigger 7.5-ton lorry just hours before the attack, rather than the Renault van the three used. But his bank card was declined and he was forced to use the much smaller, lighter B&Q van.

The van was packed with sacks of gravel and chairs, possibly to increase its weight as a battering ram. Also in the van were 13 Molotov cocktails and two blow torches to ignite them  which could also fit the siege theory.

All three of the attackers were armed with pink ceramic knives, believed to have been bought from a Lidl store. They all had the same black insulating tape around the handle, and were tied to the killers wrists with shoelaces.

One of the first officers on the scene of the attack has described the pandemonium.

Cdr Haydon praised the courage of police and bystanders who tackled the killers, despite the apparent danger of the explosives

A woman and child look at messages of support and condolence on a wall on the south end of London Bridge

Inspector Jim Cole, 41 based at nearby Peckham police station, said he and his team managed to move about 200 people to the safety of a pub cellar near Borough Market. He said he could hear his colleagues over the radio in quite a state of distress as they desperately called for ambulances.

On the radio, I could hear officers up at London Bridge and outside the Mudlark [pub] who were doing CPR and they were calling for ambulances urgently, he said. I would describe it as pandemonium really.

Inspector Cole recalled trying to reassure the people in the basement as the drama unfolded on the streets above.

(Left to right) Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba were shot dead by police after ramming a van and stabbing people

The killers ringleader Butt tried to hire a much bigger 7.5-ton lorry, but his card was declined. He was forced to use the much smaller, lighter B&Q van

I told them that we had armed officers outside, everyone was safe and there was a nice big round of applause and cheering  that was really good.

Officers have so far spoken to 262 people from 19 different countries. Of these, 78 are significant witnesses.

They believe there will be many others who saw the incidents but have yet to contact police, and are asking them to come forward.

Anyone with information can call the police in confidence on 0800 789 321 or visit gov.uk/ACT and complete a secure form.
A British father has revealed that his young daughter is being held captive in a church in Norway  ten months after she was abducted by her mother.

Maia Shepherd celebrated her seventh birthday last week in Spjelkavik church in Alesund, where her mother is defying a custody order and a criminal charge of illegally withholding the girl from her father Dominic Shepherd.

Maias Norwegian mother, Tonje Bjornsen, is refusing to allow her daughter to leave the church, where she has claimed sanctuary for the past four months, and Norwegian police are refusing to intervene.

Father Dominic Shepherd claimed Norwegian police have refused to intervene after his wife Tonje Bjornsen abducted daughter Maia ten months ago. Pictured, the family in happier times

I was in tears to think that I couldnt be with Maia on her special day, IT specialist Mr Shepherd, 40, told The Mail on Sunday.

I could hear my little girl crying and saying she wanted to be with me here. My twin sons, Tobias and Christian, who are ten, were in tears too. They miss their little sister every bit as much as I do.

I cannot believe Tonje has ripped our family apart. What mother would do that? All I can do is keep fighting until I have all three of the children with me where they belong.

When Mr Shepherd met Miss Bjornsen 13 years ago, he says it was love at first sight. He was on holiday in Majorca and Miss Bjornsen, now 37, was working in a hotel bar.

The relationship blossomed and while both were keen to have children, neither felt the need to get married. A piece of paper and a ring werent important to us, Mr Shepherd said.

The couple set up home initially in Stoke on Trent. Ten years ago, after moving to Cheshire, Miss Bjornsen gave birth to the twins. Three years later, she gave birth to Maia, and the couple felt the family was complete.

There were no signs of unhappiness when they moved to Majorca in 2014, but on August 3 last year, Mr Shepherd woke up to find his partner in tears and claiming her mother was dangerously ill in Norway. That evening, he returned home to find Miss Bjornsen had booked flights for herself and the children.

Maia Shepherd celebrated her seventh birthday last week in Spjelkavik church, where her mother is keeping her captive. Dominic and Tonje split three years ago and the father won custody of the children

Not suspecting her motives, he drove her to the airport.

She hugged and kissed me and kept telling me how much she loved me. I kept assuring the children they would have a wonderful time.

For the next fortnight the couple spoke on the phone most evenings.

Then, her tone changed, Mr Shepherd said. She no longer talked about coming home. She became terse and less caring.

Miss Bjornsen asked him to go to the Norwegian embassy to sign papers allowing the children to have dual nationality. Then came the bombshell.

She called to say, I dont want to be with you any more. I am not coming home. It was the worst telephone call I have ever had.

Mr Shepherd won custody of the children in a Spanish court and flew to Norway on February 7 to bring them home. He was told he could pick up the children from school, but Miss Bjornsen had already collected Maia and fled to the church, where they have been ever since.

Miss Bjornsens solicitor, Vidar Helgheim, has vowed to fight the case, telling The Mail on Sunday that new information has come to light.

Mr Shepherd said: I love my kids and I want all of them home where they belong. I wont rest until Maia is reunited with her brothers and me.
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Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson turned up the heat on Theresa May last night over the Prime Ministers alliance with Northern Irelands Democratic Unionist Party.

Ms Davidson  whose 12 new Scottish Tory MPs kept Jeremy Corbyn out of Downing Street  spoke to The Mail on Sunday exclusively over her concerns about the deal, which was close last night.

The controversial alliance is vital to Mrs Mays hopes of getting a working majority in the wake of last weeks calamitous Election result.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson turned up the heat on Theresa May last night over the Prime Minister's alliance with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party

But Ms Davidson  now seen as the brightest Tory Party star  pointedly restated her reservations about the deal over the DUPs opposition to same-sex marriage.

Ms Davidson, who is gay, insisted she had received clear assurances from the Prime Minister that any deal would not harm the cause of equal rights and equal marriage, which is not legal in Northern Ireland. She said: I have my differences with the DUP and their views on equal rights.

That is why I sought and received clear assurances from the Prime Minister that we will do all we can, as the party of equal marriage, to advance that cause.

Downing Street said last night: The Prime Minister has tonight spoken with the DUP to discuss finalising a confidence and supply deal when Parliament returns next week.

Ms Davidson  now seen as the brightest Tory Party star  pointedly restated her reservations about the deal over the DUP's opposition to same-sex marriage. Pictured: Protesters in London

We will welcome any such deal being agreed, as it will provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond.

As and when details are finalised, both parties will put them forward.

The agreement seemed to be close after Government Chief Whip Gavin Williamson was sent to Belfast for negotiations. He faces a race against time to secure a deal before this weeks Queens Speech programme of legislation.

He is understood to have met DUP chief whip Sir Jeffrey Donaldson for the talks.

The DUP was formed by the firebrand Protestant preacher Ian Paisley at the height of the Troubles

However, many Tory MPs are concerned about the arrangement, with South Cambridgeshire MP Heidi Allen writing online that she was deeply unhappy with the idea of a DUP coalition.

She said the Conservatives should operate a minority Government, seeking cross-party support on big issues. She added: UK demands grown-up politics.

The talks prompted protests in London yesterday, while more than 500,000 people have signed an online petition opposing the alliance. Labour, which has called for Mrs May to resign, has ridiculed her for being reliant on the DUP.

There are also fears that signing a formal deal will damage the Governments attempt to broker a power-sharing agreement between Sinn Fein and the DUP.

Jonathan Powell, a key adviser to Tony Blair during the Northern Ireland peace talks, said last week: Even John Major didnt resort to relying on DUP. This could undo 20 years of work.

The DUP was formed by the firebrand Protestant preacher Ian Paisley at the height of the Troubles, and some of its leading figures were involved in a loyalist paramilitary group, Ulster Resistance.

The DUP eventually ended its opposition to the peace process and entered into an historic power-sharing deal with Sinn Fein.

But it remains deeply socially conservative  it opposes gay rights and abortion, and supports the teaching of creationism in schools.

RUTH DAVIDSON: 'But for us Scottish Tories, calamity Corbyn would now be in No10'

By Ruth Davidson, Scottish Tory leader

Less than three months ago, in the middle of March, Nicola Sturgeon stood up at the SNP conference in Aberdeen and sent her supporters into raptures. 'There will be a referendum,' she declared, to cheers from the faithful.

On Friday lunchtime last week, Ms Sturgeon stood up at a press conference in Edinburgh, with a very different message. The Scottish public had just dumped 21 SNP MPs out of their jobs. The First Minister was forced to respond she would now be 'reflecting' on her referendum plans.

What a difference an election can make. In the spring, Ms Sturgeon and her colleagues believed a second referendum was theirs for the taking. They assumed that if they demanded it, Scotland and the UK government, would meekly acquiesce. It was a huge mis-read.

If they'd asked, the SNP would have known how unpopular another referendum was, writes Ruth Davidson

If they'd asked, the SNP would have known how unpopular another referendum was. If they'd stopped to listen, they'd have known most of us felt downright appalled at the idea. Last Thursday we had our chance to speak out.

We said no  again. And, contrary to her assertion back in March, Nicola Sturgeon now knows this: there won't be a referendum. Not now. Not after this. It is dead in the water. SNP MPs like Angus Robertson and Alex Salmond have lost their jobs as a result of Ms Sturgeon's hubris.

The SNP now knows that their reckless decision to push for a second referendum has come with a high political price. And Ms Sturgeon knows that, if she were to continue with this course, it would be her job next. The Union is still in a period of great uncertainty. But last week's setback for the SNP has given us some welcome breathing space.

This weekend, therefore, my focus is clear. We must now use this chance to ensure that we strengthen the Union while we can. That case has been pummelled and damaged in recent years.

Contrary to her assertion back in March, Nicola Sturgeon now knows this: there won't be a referendum

Day by day, inch by inch, the SNP has tried to tease apart the ties that bind us, creating differences where none previously existed. Last week, the Nationalists were punished for trying to take that mission too far  and for taking people's support for granted. We must not make the same mistake. Instead, we must show that that the Union is working for people every day.

That is why I support the Prime Minister's efforts to move quickly to deliver a working government. Now, as most people know, I have my differences with the DUP and their views on equal rights. That is why I sought and received clear assurances from the Prime Minister that we will do all we can, as the party of equal marriage, to advance that cause as we go forward.

And with that government in place, we can begin to restore confidence in the UK. We can focus on getting the best possible Brexit deal for all of us. And we can restore faith in our own country after these years of turmoil.

The new Scottish Conservative MPs will be part of that. We will be no less passionate than the SNP in representing Scotland's interests. But we will do so in the belief that those interests are always best pursued by being part of our Union. We will always fight for Scotland's voice to be heard.

We will always champion Scotland's needs. But we will be constructive not destructive, seeking co-operation where the SNP has only pursued grievance. We will, in other words, show how the Union can work for Scotland. Not by demanding the heavens and then moaning when it doesn't come off.

But by working with colleagues from elsewhere in the UK, by pressing our case, and by making progress. By  for example  creating a new financial deal for our Borderlands regions. By  to take another  ensuring that the needs of our fishing communities in the north-east are heard as we leave the CFP, and that we do more to support the oil and gas industry.

These are the tangible gains that can be made at Westminster by Scottish MPs with a cooperative spirit. This is how we begin to show that the Union isn't something imposed on us to be resented: it's something that we take part in, to our mutual benefit.

We intend to show that the Union works. That if it hadn't been built, somebody would have ended up inventing it

This is how we start to rebuild trust that Westminster is working for Scotland. At the same time, we will aim to show the rest of the UK that we are all better for having Scotland in the mix. And one rather big example of that comes to mind. Had it not been for Conservative gains in Scotland last week, Jeremy Corbyn could now be Prime Minister.

Nicola Sturgeon would be pulling the strings. And what would that have meant? Punitive taxation, a crashed economy, and the prospect of yet more constitutional upheaval. I predict that Mr Corbyn will continue to be exposed over the coming months as a leader utterly unsuited for the job of Prime Minister. We will soon be seeing more examples of how it could have damaged us all.

And people will know - it was with the Conservative gains made in Scotland which stopped him from getting into power. That's important. Over the last few years, nationalists in England have built up resentment against Scotland.

The new Scottish Conservative MPs will take the fight to Mr Corbyn's destructive agenda over the coming years

Aided and abetted by the SNP surge, they've tried to claim England's needs have been ignored  and that the Union is therefore bust. We have seen how the Union could end; with resentment on either side of the border, leading to an inevitable divorce.

Our Scottish Conservative MPs will, I hope, show that sometimes it's better to have allies after all. Sure, sometimes you don't get your own way. But sometimes, being part of a bigger club is worth it.

The new Scottish Conservative MPs will take the fight to Mr Corbyn's destructive agenda over the coming years. And they will do so on behalf of all those in the United Kingdom who oppose his agenda.

In short, we intend to show that the Union works. That if it hadn't been built, somebody would have ended up inventing it. That you don't always get your own way. But that there is always value in taking a bigger perspective that reaches across our borders  and that it is worth making the effort.

And I hope that, if we show it working, we can finally end what has now been a decade of uncertainty over the UK's continued existence. For ten years, the SNP has adroitly constructed the narrative that it's all about to collapse.

That divorce is inevitable. That there's nothing we can do to stop it. And with leaders like Alex Salmond at the forefront, they had the chutzpah and brio to carry it of.

On Thursday night last week, the illusion cracked. The SNP over-reached, taking people's support for granted. Mr Salmond lost his seat. They were exposed as just another political movement that got things wrong

So here's our chance.

If the new Conservative government can show, over the coming few months that the Union works for us all; if we show we are prepared to listen to all parts of the UK, then we can put this constitutional conflict to bed. Not by bullying supporters of independence into silence, but by persuading our fellow Scots that the Union works for them.

And that way, we can get on with what most people want  no matter where you live in the UK. And that is a parliament and a government which is focussed back on the day job.

That's the opportunity last week's election has given us, right across the UK. We will seize it.
Slumped on a pavement, slipping in and out of consciousness, Brett Freeman heard gunshots behind him.

Panic-stricken crowds stampeded, and a look of fear spread across the face of the British Transport policewoman kneeling at his side. Brett, 32, had been stabbed four times in the back by one of the London Bridge terrorists, with one of the wounds puncturing his lung. Life was draining from his body.

We didnt know if it was the terrorists or the police firing, says Brett, the father of three young children. We were petrified. I said to the policewoman, Leave me now  go and save yourself. 

Yet with chaos unfolding around them, the officer, Emily Lewis, displaying fortitude that has characterised the emergency services response to the outrage, refused to let go of his hand. She would remain with Brett for a further two hours, until he was safely inside Kings College Hospital in South London where doctors saved his life.

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Brett Freeman was stabbed four times and has been recovering in hospital. His friend took this picture and posted it on Twitter with the caption: 'He's a soldier'.

Police have released a photograph of the pink knife that was used by the terrorists to stab victims during the attack

If it wasnt for Emily, who kept me talking, who wouldnt leave me, I might not have reached hospital alive, says Brett, in an interview with The Mail on Sunday.

I could see how scared she was  we all were  but she didnt think of her own safety.

Emily, in turn, is full of praise for the way Brett himself coped. She wrote on Facebook: He was so brave and selfless and didnt stop joking the whole time! Im so glad he is OK.

Now recovering from his wounds back at home with his fiancee Amy, 32, who is expecting their fourth child next month, and sons Freddy, nine, Billy, seven and one-year-old Tom, Brett told how he ended up in London Bridge by chance after a day out with friends at Epsom races.

And Amy spoke of the frantic hours when Brett was missing; of only discovering he was in hospital through a Find My Phone app; and of the darkest moment of all when it crossed her mind that, if her worst fears were realised, she would have to deliver devastating news to their children.

Police officer Emily Lewis refused to let go of Brett's hand and stayed by his side until he was safely inside Kings College Hospital in South London

Her fortitude was just one example of the many cases of bravery the emergency services showed in response to the attack

Brett, a machine operator at Ford in Dagenham, and a friend arrived at London Bridge at 7.45pm having failed to get a train to Waterloo. We got off and thought we would have a few drinks before returning home, he says. I dont know the area and dont know which pub we were in, but I think it was close to Borough Market.

Sometime after 10pm he and his friend became separated and soon afterwards he heard screaming. Nearby, having mown down people on London Bridge, terrorists Khuram Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba began stabbing anyone who crossed their paths. In all, eight people were killed and 48 injured. All three fanatics were shot dead by police.

Brett recalls: Everyone started running so, at that point, I just started running.

Brett can remember only fragments of what happened next. He believes one of the attackers, none of whom he saw, must have slashed at him from behind using what police now say was a 12in ceramic pink kitchen knife wrapped in leather strapping. I didnt feel anything, I didnt know I had been stabbed, but I realised I was slowing down. There was a draining sensation and then I collapsed, he says.

When I came round, Emily was crouched over me, telling me everything was going to be all right. I was lying on my back, laughing and joking with her, saying Id lost heavily at the races. I was also telling her about Amy and the kids. I still didnt feel pain but I couldnt move.

Other police officers were telling people to keep moving and then I heard the gunshots coming from behind. I think at that point I suspected it was a terrorist attack. I could only see Emilys face, nothing else. I was aware of people moving, and telling others to move on. That was scary, because you know that you shouldnt be there. And yet I couldnt move on.

At this point Brett lost consciousness again and was rushed to hospital. I woke up a few hours later. They had to drain a litre and a half of blood from my punctured lung. The consultant, Duncan Bew, who had treated some of Manchester attack victims, saved my life.

Brett, a machine operator at Ford in Dagenham, and a friend arrived at London Bridge at 7.45pm having failed to get a train to Waterloo (pictured are people being looked after by police)

Sometime after 10pm he and his friend became separated and soon afterwards he heard screaming. Brett recalls: Everyone started running so, at that point, I just started running' (pictured are people leaving the scene during the evening)

Back at their home in Aveley, Essex, Amy saw a message on Facebook from the girlfriend of one of Bretts friends which mentioned the attack and how Brett and the others had been at London Bridge. I had no idea Brett was there, says Amy. He wasnt answering his phone.

It soon became clear that Brett was one of only two of the 20 or so friends that went to the races who wasnt accounted for. By now, Amy was frantic and contacted her cousin who she knew might be able to trace his phone using the Find My iPhone app.

She accessed his iCloud account and we logged on to his Find My iPhone account. It flashed up showing Kings College Hospital accident and emergency. I thought he was with someone who has been hurt. That would be typical of him. I really couldnt get my head around the fact it was something more sinister. Her cousins partner drove Amy and Bretts mother Jane to the hospital. By this time theyd heard that Bretts friend had returned home safely. They arrived at just after 1am and were told only that he had been stabbed and was stable.

We were thinking, OK hes here, hes alive anyway  thats all we can ask for,  says Amy. We werent allowed to see him.

The next consultant told us some time later, about 3am, that he had four stab wounds, had lost a lot of blood and needed transfusions.

Brett is now recovering from his wounds back at home with his fiancee Amy, 32, who is expecting their fourth child next month

For the first two hours I was just thinking what am I going to tell the children if he doesnt come home? I wondered how he could overcome four stab wounds. I didnt know what we were facing.

At one point a priest walked towards me and I thought, This is it  but all he was trying to do was offer me a cup of tea.

They were eventually allowed to see Brett at around 5am. It was a huge relief to see him but shocking at the same time, says Amy.

The following day she gently told their sons that there were some naughty people in London and that unfortunately Daddy has been hurt and has some scratches on his back. Freddy just burst into tears.

Kids pick up more than you realise and he must have heard snatches of conversations. He was really upset so we took the children to see Brett in hospital.

I got the nurses to clean me up so they wouldnt be upset, says Brett. Freddy tried to give me a cuddle but I had to tell him to be careful!

Afterwards, back at home, Freddy kept asking his mother: Do you think Daddy will be all right?

Hes sensitive and was very upset, says Amy. Reflecting on the attack, Brett adds: I was lucky; I feel blessed, but others werent.

I can only thank everyone who helped me, particularly Emily  I owe her my life.
Theresa May lost her two most powerful  and notorious  advisers yesterday as she fought to cling on to power at No 10.

Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, who formed her formidable Praetorian Guard in Downing Street, were forced to resign amid mounting anger in the party over Mrs Mays disastrous General Election result.

The position of the gruesome twosome, as they were dubbed by colleagues, had become untenable after senior party figures warned Mrs May that she could face a leadership contest as early as tomorrow if she didnt sack them.

Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy (pictured), who formed her formidable Praetorian Guard in Downing Street, were forced to resign amid mounting anger in the party over Mrs Mays disastrous General Election result

One of the criticisms levelled at Mrs May is that she allowed Mr Timothy and Ms Hill to take effective control of the campaign, rather than the hugely experienced Sir Lynton

The resignations will be a devastating blow to the Prime Minister, who has relied on their advice and protection since first entering the Cabinet as Home Secretary more than seven years ago. It now leaves only husband Philip in her small group of trusted confidantes.

The joint chiefs of staff were blamed by Tory MPs for the failure of the campaign, with bearded Brummie Mr Timothy coming in for particular criticism for including the so-called dementia tax in the manifesto.

Yesterday, he denied being responsible for the policy  but said he regretted not including a cap on social care bills in the document.

Critics have also accused them of arrogance and rudeness towards MPs and officials, and said that Mrs May made errors because she gave priority to their opinions over those of her Cabinet.

EX-No10 SPIN CHIEF KEY PERRIOR SLAMS PM'S 'TOXIC' AIDES Former No10 director of communications Katy Perrior A former aide to Theresa May has revealed the 'toxic' atmosphere in No 10 because of the way it is was run by joint chiefs of staff Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill. Katie Perrior, who resigned from Downing Street when the election was called, revealed the pair ran a dysfunctional No 10 obsessed with crushing enemies. Mr Timothy and Ms Hill have quit after being blamed for the disastrous Conservative election campaign which saw a shock loss of Tory seats. Ms Perrior told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: 'There was not enough respect shown to people who spent 20 years in office or 20 years getting to the top seat in Government. 'They would send people text messages - rude text messages - which is not acceptable. 'What the prime minister needs at a time that youre going through Brexit is diplomats not street-fighters. 'They only really know one way to operate - and that is to have enemies and Im sure Im one of them this morning.' Asked why she quit as Mrs May's communications director, Ms Perrior added: 'Every month that went past I felt Ive done pretty well for holding on because it was pretty toxic.' Advertisement

Ms Hill said last night that it had been a pleasure to work with such an excellent Prime Minister, adding: I have no doubt at all that Theresa May will continue to serve and work hard as Prime Minister  and do it brilliantly.

In his statement, Mr Timothy took responsibility for the failure of the campaign but denied that the dementia tax had been his personal pet policy.

The dramatic resignations came as party insiders revealed the shock when the dramatic exit poll was published at 10pm on Thursday.

While Mr Timothy, 37, and Ms Hill, 44, were running operations at Tory HQ, Mrs May was sitting on her sofa at home in Berkshire watching the BBC coverage with her husband. A source said: I think the gruesome twosome must have received a leak because, before the poll was released, they started pulling people into rooms, then emerging looking shocked.

The campaign consultant Sir Lynton Crosby, who masterminded David Camerons 2015 General Election victory, started marching round the room telling staff not to panic.

One of the criticisms levelled at Mrs May is that she allowed Mr Timothy and Ms Hill to take effective control of the campaign, rather than the hugely experienced Sir Lynton. The source added: If Fiona had spent more time briefing against Jeremy Corbyn, and less time briefing against the Chancellor, then we might have achieved a better result.

One of the most senior figures in Mrs Mays administration yesterday added to the impression of chaos by launching an outspoken attack on her toxic and dysfunctional Downing Street, accusing the unelected Ms Hill and Mr Timothy of bullying Ministers and sending rude text messages.

Katie Perrior, Theresa Mays former director of communications, said that No 10 bloody well stank of arrogance.

The ousting of the aides comes just a fortnight after The Mail on Sunday revealed that Cabinet Ministers were keeping notes of their private exchanges with Mr Timothy and Ms Hill  containing offensive language  and threatening to release them if they were sacked in a reshuffle. It was later reported that Chancellor Philip Hammond was among the Ministers who had kept notes.

In his statement, Mr Timothy said: The reason for the disappointing result was not the absence of support for Theresa May and the Conservatives but an unexpected surge in support for Labour.

One can speculate about the reasons for this, but the simple truth is that Britain is a divided country: many are tired of austerity, many remain frustrated about Brexit, and many younger people feel they lack the opportunities enjoyed by their parents generation the Conservative Election campaign failed to get this, and Theresas positive plan for the future, across.

He added: I take responsibility for my part in this Election campaign...in particular, I regret the decision not to include in the manifesto a ceiling as well as a floor in our proposal to help meet the increasing cost of social care.

But I would like to make clear that the bizarre media reports about my own role in the policys inclusion are wrong: it had been the subject of many months of work within Whitehall, and it was not my personal pet project.
Police released dramatic body cam footage of the chilling moment they released Kala Brown, pictured

This is the chilling moment a sex slave chained up in a shipping container by a serial killer was rescued.

Police found Kala Brown,30, in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, after Todd Kohlhepp kidnapped her, locked her inside a container on his property and repeatedly raped her.

South Carolina sheriffs deputies released her after hearing her screams inside a large metal container.

Investigators sawed and then pried open the bin to rescue Brown, who had been chained inside for about two months, according to police body cam footage which was released by prosecutors on Friday.

During the ten-minute operation, officers walked in carefully with their hands on their guns and found a clothed Kala Brown, sitting on the floor with a chain around her neck stretching to the wall.

Speaking about her boyfriend Charlie Karver, who Kohlhepp also kidnapped, an officer asked Brown: 'Do you know where your buddy is?'

'Charlie? He shot him,' she said quietly.

'Who did?' an officer asked.

'Todd Kohlhepp shot Charlie Carver three times in the chest, wrapped him in a blue tarp, put him in the bucket of the tractor, locked me down here. I've never seen him again. He says he's dead and buried. He says there are several bodies dead and buried out here,' she said.

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Investigators sawed open the bin to release Brown, who had been chained inside and repeatedly raped for about two months by Todd Kohlhepp, a serial killer who terrorized South Carolina over 13 years

The sheriff's deputies pried open the container after hearing Brown's screams. Referencing her boyfriend Charlie Karver, who Kohlhepp also kidnapped, an officer asked her: 'Do you know where your buddy is?'

On November 3, investigators went on Kohlepp's property to look for Brown and her boyfriend, 32-year-old Charles David Carter.

The couple had been missing for two months, and her cellphone indicated she might have been in the area when she vanished.

Police found three bodies on Kohlhepp's 95-acre property before they heard Brown's cries and rescued her.

Authorities say on the way to the hospital, Brown told them about how Kohlhepp confessed to killing a married couple before she was captured, and about killing four people at a Spartanburg County motorcycle shop - murders that were unsolved for 13 years.

Brown later told police that she came out to the property two months prior with Carter, for a cleaning job.

Kohlhepp shot Carter dead and then chained her up in the storage container where he continued to rape her on a near daily basis.

After finding Brown and arresting Kohlhepp, investigators searched the property and found Carter's body in a shallow grave, along with the remains of two other people.

Police also released videos of their interrogations with the notorious serial killer.

She has told us that you shot and killed Charlie, the deputy tells Kohlhepp, who is sitting down with his hands cuffed behind his back.

So at this time Im gonna need you to stand up and put your hands behind your back.

You are under arrest for kidnapping, the deputy says.

He then urges Kohlhepp to help himself by telling the investigators where Carters body was buried.

Kohlhepp declines.

After authorities let Kohlhepp talk to his mother and promised to give her money from his accounts, he confessed in several other videos released by prosecutors.

Carter was the last of the seven murder victims that Kohlhepp confessed to killing.

Kala Brown, 30 (left), and her boyfriend, Charles Carter, 32 (right), were the last of Kohlhepp's victims. Brown survived after police rescued her but the notorious serial killer murdered Carter

Kohlhepp (left and right), who was arrested last fall, admitted to killing seven people over nearly 13 years

The videos show the investigator asking Kohlhepp why he shot Carter.

Kohlhepp denied shooting him.

The investigator then asks Kohlhepp why he abducted Brown and kept her locked inside a shipping container.

We have 20 investigators on your property right now and they have found her in the Conex box, the deputy tells Kohlhepp.

She has told investigators you shot and killed Charlie.

Im trying to give you an opportunity to help yourself and help us and help you find this body because shes saying you buried Charlies body on that property.

Kohlhepp denied the investigators claims and then insists on having an attorney present.

Finally, the exasperated investigator orders one of his colleagues to put him in the back of your car.

Kohlhepp is then seen being hauled away from his home and into police custody.

Kohlhepp bragged in one video about wearing gloves when loading his gun to assure no fingerprints were on the casings.

He also told authorities he pulled the gun apart and threw the components into different trash bins, putting the barrel into a bag of used kitty litter.

Even though it had been 13 years, Kohlhepp detailed each shot he fired at the Superbike shop, including final shots to the forehead of 30-year-old Scott Ponder; 52-year-old Beverly Guy; 30-year-old Brian Lucas; and 26-year-old Chris Sherbert.

South Carolina sheriffs deputies on Friday released dramatic body cam footage of the moment they arrested a serial killer after they found a woman he had kidnapped and repeatedly raped locked inside a container on his property

Last month, Todd Kohlhepp of Spartanburg County pleaded guilty to killing seven people over nearly 13 years while running a successful real estate business

Guy was Ponder's mother and worked as a bookkeeper. Lucas was a service manager, and Sherbert was a mechanic at the shop.

'That was one big building. I cleared that building in under 30 seconds,' Kohlhepp said. 'I'm sorry, but you guys would have been proud.'

The investigators asked if anyone begged for their lives or said anything to him.

'I don't remember any of that. I will tell you that once I engaged, I was engaged. It was almost like a video game. It's not a game - you've been there, sir, you know what I am talking about,' Kohlhepp said.

Kohlhepp also killed 29-year-old Johnny Coxie and 26-year-old Leigh McCraw-Coxie in December 2015. They, like Carver and Brown, were lured to Kohlhepp's land after he promised them work.

Kohlhepp killed Coxie immediately and tried to keep McCraw-Coxie locked away, but he said he killed her after several days because she tried to burn the container after he gave her cigarettes.

'She wanted Little Caesar's pizza. I hate that (expletive). It gives me heartburn,' Kohlhepp said.

'Dr. Pepper, cinnamon rolls and freaking Newports. If you go down to that building, you'll find an unused package of Newports that I bought for her.'

Kohlhepp is seen in the above video being interrogated by an investigator after deputies found a woman he had locked inside a shipping container on his property

Deputies arrested him for kidnapping. After his arrest, they discovered three dead bodies on his property

Kohlhepp told investigators that he shot Johnny when he tried to rob him.

According to the terms of the plea agreement signed by the 46-year-old Kohlhepp last month, he will serve seven consecutive life terms plus 60 years on kidnapping, sexual assault and other charges.

He will not be eligible for parole, and he also agreed not to appeal the sentence.

Kohlhepp denied killing anyone else. He did say he shot a man in Arizona when he was 14, but could give few details. Authorities have not charged him with any additional crimes in other states.

Last month, Kohlhepp of Spartanburg County pleaded guilty to raping Brown and killing seven people.

Kohlhepp led investigators to the bodies of Meagan and Johnny Joe Coxie, a married couple

Police searching for the missing couple rescued Brown who was chained inside this green shipping container on Kohlhepp's Spartanburg County property

Kohlhepp was eligible for the death penalty, but the plea deal took that off the table.

No one has been executed in South Carolina in more than six years because the state lacks the drugs needed for lethal injections.

Kohlhepp moved to South Carolina in 2001 shortly after 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to kidnapping in Arizona. Authorities there said the then 15-year-old forced a 14-year-old neighbor back to his home at gunpoint, tied her up and raped her.

Kohlhepp had to register on South Carolina's sex offender registry, but told people it was a trumped up charge after a girl's father was angry about a joyride. Kohlhepp also lied about the felony conviction so he could get his real estate license in the state.

Friends and co-workers at Kohlhepp's real estate business said he was a hard worker with some strange habits. He would watch pornographic videos during work and joked on his firm's website that he motivated workers by not feeding them.
Refugee charities are paying people smugglers to ferry migrants to their rescue boats patrolling off Libya, it was claimed last night.

A senior Libyan coastguard official told The Mail on Sunday he had evidence that aid agencies were stumping up cash for migrants desperate to reach Europe but who cannot afford to pay ruthless traffickers.

Colonel Tarek Shanboor said he had obtained bank details and phone records that proved the charities were making payments to criminal gangs who have put hundreds of thousands of migrants into unseaworthy boats  leading to thousands of deaths each year.

His claim will raise concern because there have long been fears that Islamic extremists could be among the migrants.

Col Shanboor said that in a desperate effort to stamp out the smuggling trade once and for all he had resorted to hiring a Tripoli- based militia to patrol the coast with his police force

Charities patrolling off northern Africa claim they are only there to rescue migrants.

But Colonel Shanboor said aid agencies were now encouraging more and more migrants to make the perilous trip. He claimed he had handed evidence of collusion between charities and traffickers to EU border security officials in Brussels, though he refused to go into detail.

Speaking exclusively to the MoS he said: The non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are adding to the crisis by actively encouraging increasing numbers of migrants. Now we have the evidence they are in cahoots with the smugglers. We have evidence the smugglers call the NGOs directly and there are business deals between them.

Col Shanboor claimed charities were paying up 450 for each migrants passage. He believes their motives are well-meaning but misguided.

Col Shanboors extraordinary accusation comes just months after an internal EU report revealed charity officials in boats were in direct contact with migrant vessels and even gave them precise directions to find rescue vessels. This year has already seen record numbers of migrants attempting the perilous crossing from Libya to Lampedusa and Sicily, turning Italy into the front line of the crisis.

A Sicilian prosecutor has launched an investigation into alleged collusion between traffickers and charities and accused NGOs of fuelling the migrant crisis in Europe.

Last month, about 1,500 migrants  among them hundreds of children and pregnant women  were rescued from rickety vessels by one of the charities, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). And a leaked intelligence report suggested more than six million asylum seekers, including Syrians fleeing civil war, are waiting to cross into Europe.

The huge surge has led to more than 1,200 deaths already this year as smuggling gangs in lawless Libya resort to increasingly underhand tactics. According to the Ministry of Defence, the British Navy has rescued 14,900 migrants in total as part of the EU effort to crack down on the people smuggling trade.

Since 2014, when the EUs maritime efforts shifted from search and rescue to border control, charities have deployed dozens of their own missions to fill the gap.

Charities including Save the Children and MSF argue their operations save lives near the coast, but critics including the Libyan coastguard say search and rescue encourages traffickers and has transformed the central Mediterranean into a magnet for migrants.

In a report last year, the EU border agency Frontex claimed all parties involved in search and rescue operations in the central Mediterranean unintentionally help criminals achieve their objectives at minimum cost [and] strengthen their business model by increasing the chances of success.

In another leaked document, Frontex reported the first case where the criminal networks were smuggling migrants directly on an NGO vessel and a separate case where it said migrants were given clear indications before departure on the precise direction to be followed in order to reach the NGOs boats.

Charities including Save the Children and MSF argue their operations save lives near the coast, but critics including the Libyan coastguard say search and rescue encourages traffickers and has transformed the central Mediterranean into a magnet for migrants

A Frontex spokesman told this newspaper there had even been one occasion when a charity boat used its light as a beacon for migrants heading to Europe, but said it had no evidence smugglers were being paid by charities.

Meanwhile, Carmelo Zuccaro, a Sicilian magistrate, has launched an investigation into collusion between traffickers and charities and said he was collecting evidence of criminality.

Col Shanboor said that in a desperate effort to stamp out the smuggling trade once and for all he had resorted to hiring a Tripoli- based militia to patrol the coast with his police force.

This is a last-ditch attempt to stop the criminal trade along our coast. The Tajoura fighters should be able to dismantle the mafia groups. We are declaring war on the people smugglers this way, he said.

Last night, charities operating in the central Mediterranean all denied claims they had any contact with smugglers and dismissed suggestions of payment.

A spokesman for Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS), which was launched by a philanthropist millionaire couple in 2014, said: MOAS conducts rigorous due diligence on donors, sponsors and partners and abides by codes of ethical fundraising when dealing with both national and private sources of funding.

Julien Pahlke, a spokesman for Dutch charity Jugend Rettet, which has one rescue boat off the Libyan coast, said: This is entirely false and sounds like attempts to damage our reputation and vilify us. We have never had any contact with smugglers and we would never cooperate with them.

They see us as enemies because they think were fuelling the crisis. But the EU is not heavily involved in rescue so migrants see us as the key to get to Europe.

Sea-Watch, a German charity with two rescue boats in the Mediterranean, described the claims as ridiculous. MSF and Save the Children, both of which have launched hundreds of rescue operations in the Mediterranean, denied the claims.

MSF search and rescue coordinator Michele Trainiti said: MSF does not have any contact, negotiations or exchange with smuggling networks anywhere. MSF search and rescue boats do not receive alerts or distress calls from smugglers and never have.

A spokesman for Save the Children said: We do not communicate with traffickers or people smugglers and believe all issues of security and trafficking need to be handled by the relevant European authorities. We do not pay smugglers for migrants. Additionally, we work under the co-ordination of the Italian coastguard and have no direct contact with vessels in distress. We operate in international waters, moving closer to territorial waters only if instructed by the Italian coastguard.
Schools are slashing teaching time and sending children home early to save cash, a Mail on Sunday investigation has found.

One London secondary academy has told parents it will shorten four school days a week by almost an hour from next term  a total of nearly 150 hours of lesson time a year  to cut staff costs.

Another academy is trimming half an hour off each day, or 95 hours a year, by starting lessons later and finishing them earlier so it can save on salaries.

One London secondary academy has told parents it will shorten four school days a week by almost an hour from next term  a total of nearly 150 hours of lesson time a year  to cut staff costs

Other schools are slicing time from lunch or other breaks so they need fewer dinner ladies or support staff, with one primary saying that ending the school day an hour early on Fridays will save 25,000.

The measures follow claims by heads and teachers that many schools are facing a severe funding squeeze  and teaching unions are demanding an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May.

They say the Government is failing to increase spending sufficiently to pay for growing pupil numbers and teacher salaries, with some experts predicting a shortfall of more than 3 billion by 2020.

But critics say schools are cynically endangering pupils' education by choosing to cut the length of the teaching day rather than making savings elsewhere so they can enlist parents in their campaign for more money.

Professor Alan Smithers, of the Centre for Education and Employment at Buckingham University, said: 'This is serious because schools seem more concerned with making a point than reorganising within their existing resources.

'Cutting back on children's education in this way is the last thing they ought to be considering. They could save money by reducing management teams, examining how they use their staff or introducing larger class sizes.'

Burntwood School, a 1,700-strong girls' secondary academy in Wandsworth, South London, has told parents it is facing 'financial pressures' caused by 'a reduction in income combined with significant increases in outgoings'.

Another academy is trimming half an hour off each day, or 95 hours a year, by starting lessons later and finishing them earlier so it can save on salaries. File pic

Head Helen Dorfman said she was shortening the school day by 55 minutes on four days of the week for pupils aged between 11 and 14 from next term, so their last lesson will finish at 2.55pm rather than 3.50pm.

'In these extremely difficult circumstances we will continue to do everything we can to maintain high standards of educational provision,' she said.

In East London, the City Academy, Hackney, which was fifth in the country last year for pupil progress, has said it will cut half an hour of teaching every day from September to save money, starting lessons 20 minutes later and ending them ten minutes earlier.

Parents were told that 'in the light of recent cash freezes and ongoing financial pressures', the move was 'the best way to maintain our high standards' while making 'necessary economies'.

A South London primary school is planning to scrap its ten-minute afternoon break every day  a move that will allow children to go home an hour early on Friday, which the school suggested would help 'early departures for weekends away' while reducing teacher cover time.

Elsewhere in the country, one of Birmingham's most-sought after secondaries, The Arthur Terry School, is proposing to slash 25 minutes off the school day by shortening the lunch break.

Head Neil Warner said teaching time would not be reduced but the school would be 'more efficient'.

The Selly Oak Trust School, also in Birmingham, is cutting its day by half an hour, saying that though it had already made 'significant savings', they had not been enough.

Labour's Shadow Education Secretary MP Angela Rayner said: 'This shows the devastating impact of Tory cuts to our school budgets.'

A spokesperson for the City of London Corporation, said: 'As joint sponsors of The City Academy, Hackney we are fully committed to ensuring that the school continues to provide first class education for its pupils.

'The core hours being taught at the academy remain in excess of the average school week and they are supplemented by a wide range of extra-curricular activities.

'The academy is currently judged as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted and its GCSE results are among the best for state schools in the whole country. In 2016 82% of pupils achieved A*-C, including English and Maths.

'We are working closely with the school and co-sponsors, KPMG, to ensure it continues with the highest standard of teaching with a rich and varied curriculum.'
Salmen Abedi (pictured) is known to have followed his father Ramadan into the anti-Gaddafi Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) and its breakaway Al Muqatila brigade in 2011, before becoming further radicalised by Islamic State propaganda

This is the deadly evidence of a training school where Manchester suicide bomber Salman Abedi learned his evil craft, according to senior sources from a Libyan militia.

Last week, The Mail on Sunday was shown around the remains of the bomb makers academy where Abedi is believed to have learned the skills he used to kill 22 people, including seven children, and injured 119 more at the Manchester Arena.

The 22-year-old is known to have followed his father Ramadan into the anti-Gaddafi Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) and its breakaway Al Muqatila brigade in 2011, before becoming further radicalised by Islamic State propaganda.

At a dusty compound in downtown Tripoli, Al Muqatila recruits spent hours assembling car bombs and suicide vests from parts stashed in makeshift lock-up garages and a metal container guarded day and night.

It is even possible Abedi came here days before the Manchester attack on May 22, as he is known to have flown back to the UK on May 17 after a five-week stay in Tripoli.

One item of the terrorists lethal handiwork was discovered when the rival Haitham Tajouri militia over-ran the Al Muqatila base a fortnight ago following a battle.

They found a suitcase packed full of grenades and a mortar bomb in the boot of a car, forming an improvised explosive device (IED) powerful enough to kill or maim hundreds.

During a raid of the Al Muqatila training camp, what appears to be an ordinary suitcase is discovered in the boot of a car (left). After opening it, however, investigators find it is packed with grenades and mortar bomb - an IED with potential to kill hundreds (right)

Elsewhere in the rubble-strewn compound in Gorji Street, crudely painted pictures of rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons still adorn the perimeter walls where groups of recruits gathered for tuition.

A senior figure from Haitham Tajouri showed the ruins to The Mail on Sunday, along with photos of the suitcase bomb.

We dont know of many fathers who teach their sons to make bombs, and the Abedi family is unusual in having a suicide bomber and two suspects in the same household, he said.

But it seems inevitable to us that Ramadan Abedi, a known member of Al Muqatila, would bring his son here to train him.

Last week, Abedis brother Hashem, 20, told Libyan investigators working alongside British police in Tripoli, that he had helped his brother buy components for the bomb in the UK, but claimed not to know the details of his plan.

It is believed that the device was put together at various addresses used by Abedi in Manchester before he targeted the Ariana Grande pop concert.

Abedi would have been welcomed as a youth member of the Al Muqatila brigade thanks to his fathers long association with the LIFG. Today Al Muqatila is continuously at war with other armed militias, and the fight to seize the training school was bloody.

Dozens of fighters were killed in the three-day battle, the gateway to the compound bulldozed and destroyed, and the two tanks confiscated.

Last week, The Mail on Sunday was shown around the remains of the bomb makers academy where Abedi is believed to have learned the skills he used to kill 22 people, including seven children, and injure 119 more at the Manchester Arena

The source said: Al Muqatila... are famed for their bomb-making skills and this was their factory and training ground. They are evil people who will kill anyone who fails to follow their fanatical doctrine of extremist Islamism. Their aim is a caliphate throughout Libya under sharia law  similar to Islamic State.

British 'jihadi', 30, is made stateless over security threat risk A Briton who claims to be doing humanitarian work in Syria has had his passport revoked on the grounds he poses a threat to security. Akif Razak, 30, from Birmingham, was stripped of his British nationality with a temporary exclusion order as he is suspected of fighting alongside or helping jihadi groups in Syria. If he tries to return, it will be flagged up. He denies any wrongdoing. Advertisement

Abedis father Ramadan has openly admitted his allegiance to the militia. It was his membership of the LIFG  which was fiercely opposed to Gaddafi and made several attempts to assassinate him  which gained him political asylum in Britain in the Nineties.In 2011, Ramadan returned to Libya to fight for the overthrow of Gaddafi and Abedi, born in Manchester, went with him.

However, while his father stayed in Libya after Gaddafis defeat, Abedi returned to Manchester. There he appears to have lost his way, running with gangs, and later turning to Islamic State ideology after watching YouTube videos.

His parents, concerned Abedi and Hashem were involved with street gangs, brought the two young men to Tripoli to be with the family in mid April.

Today Ramadan is in the custody of Tripolis semi-autonomous Special Deterrence Force along with his son Hashem, and both were interrogated last week by British security investigators.
The captors of Saif al-Islam (above in 2015), son and one-time heir apparent of Libya's late dictator Muammar Gaddafi, say they have released him after more than five years in detention

The captors of Saif al-Islam, son and one-time heir apparent of Libya's late dictator Muammar Gaddafi, say they have released him after more than five years in detention.

A statement by the captors, the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Battalion, said Saif al-Islam was released on Friday, but gave no details on his whereabouts.

Battalion officials at Zintan, a town south of the capital Tripoli, confirmed his release.

Again, they declined to give further details.

Gaddafi's son was captured by the battalion's fighters late in 2011, the year when a popular uprising toppled Gaddafi after more than 40 years in power. The dictator was later killed.

The uprising later became a civil war in which Saif al-Islam led Gaddafi's loyalist forces against the rebels.

Saif al-Islam, whose name means sword of Islam, was arrested by an armed group and held in their northern hilltop stronghold of Zintan southwest of Tripoli.

Since then he has been in a legal tug-of-war between the International Criminal Court and the Libyan authorities.

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A statement by the captors, the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Battalion, said Saif al-Islam was released on Friday, but gave no details on his whereabouts. Battalion officials at Zintan, a town south of the capital Tripoli, confirmed his release. He is seen above, after his capture in 2011

In June 2011, ICC judges issued arrest warrants for Saif, his father and for spy master Abdullah al-Senussi, for crimes against humanity relating to the bloody repression of the uprising.

Born on June 25, 1972, Saif al-Islam is the second of Gaddafi's eight children, the eldest son of his second wife Safiya.

Widely seen as Gaddafi's heir-apparent, he was often described as the Libyan leader's 'playboy' son.

He received a doctorate from the London School of Economics, but held no official post. He carved out influence as a loyal emissary of Gaddafi's regime and architect of reform.

He was anxious to normalise ties with the West and in 2007 launched the country's first private television station and two newspapers.
When I saw the face of Khuram Butt staring out of the newspapers at me last week, after he was named as one of the three London Bridge killers, I was deeply shocked.

It took me back to the day nearly two years ago when I filmed him with a hidden camera as he protested, clad in headdress and robe, outside Regent's Park Mosque in London.

We had gone undercover to make a Dispatches documentary for Channel 4, focusing not on Butt and his fellow Islamists but on a less obvious group  the 'sisters', the women who share their twisted views. Unlike their male counterparts, the women only ever express these views behind closed doors or online.

Now my greatest fear is that one of those women I watched being brainwashed  or, even worse, one of the children who ran around playing as the hate-filled rants were delivered  might go on to murder innocent people as Butt did.

After months attempting to win their confidence, I was introduced to Rubana (pictured), who used the pseudonym 'Umm Luqman', and was invited to one of her talks in a nondescript building next to a barber's shop in Whitechapel, East London

A Channel 4 programme has exposed a group of British women as ISIS supporters who are encouraging 'impressionable young girls' in the UK to travel to Syria and join the terrorist group

I didn't pay much attention to him that day in July 2015 as he handed out extremist leaflets to worshippers leaving Friday prayers, but last week's events made me recall the vile propaganda he was peddling  in the same manner as the women, as I would discover.

They were part of banned terror group Al-Muhajiroun in all but name. Its former leader, Anjem Choudary, had just been arrested, and is now serving a prison sentence for urging support of Islamic State.

But his followers continued their 'work' without him  and no doubt still do now. What's more, the woman leading the 'sisters', is Choudary's wife, Rubana Akhtar.

Over the course of a year, I slowly gained access to Rubana's group, initially by contacting her followers on Twitter, then through texting and other social media.

After months attempting to win their confidence, I was introduced to Rubana, who used the pseudonym 'Umm Luqman', and was invited to one of her talks in a nondescript building next to a barber's shop in Whitechapel, East London.

What I witnessed there convinced me that the stereotypical image of jihadis as young men needs to be adjusted, because the women were equally virulent in their views.

In the two-hour lectures, the female Islamic State sympathisers are heard spreading ISIS's extremist ideology and encouraging people to join them in Syria. Pictured is a still from the documentary

ISIS ideology was spread both online and in person to women and 'impressionable young girls'. They are told to abandon democracy and travel to Syria to join ISIS in a programme that aired on Channel 4 in 2015

An undercover reporter was able to meet them after extensive direct messaging on Twitter. One of the women, identifying herself as Umm Usmaan, wrote on Twitter a call for young Muslim women to travel to Syria

The documentary followed a 12-month investigation which saw a team of reporters infiltrate the group's inner circle

The hatred toward non-believers runs deep in this politicised version of Islam. The women believe that the self-declared Islamic State is the true caliphate. In essence, they are swearing their allegiance to IS, which has declared a war on British and Western society.

The casual way this small but motivated group trot out such abhorrent ideas in the presence of small children shows just how 'normal' they believe them to be.

I always felt the group were suspicious of me  and that was to prove the case. As a result, I believe they toned down their rhetoric in my presence but that didn't prevent them from espousing truly shocking views which I captured on film.

Rubana referred to 'filthy Jews' and praised the advent of IS, saying 'The good days have already begun, nobody would ever have thought in our lifetime we would see the establishment of the Khilafah [IS].'

She also mocked the Government's attempts to tackle extremism, saying: 'If they thought it was a plan to deradicalise people, God they got it so wrong, because if anything more and more people are becoming what they call radicalised.'

The British Women Supporters Unveiled sees three women exposed as ISIS sympathisers. (pictured is a still from the programme)

When I saw the face of Khuram Butt (pictured) staring out of the newspapers at me last week, after he was named as one of the three London Bridge killers, I was deeply shocked

She even laughed about the Jordanian pilot who was burned alive by IS, suggesting that he would be accepted in martyrdom, before adding 'My foot', as her followers chuckled.

There may be a temptation to write these people off as harmless idiots, but let's not forget that Al-Muhajiroun have been linked to half of all UK terror plots and, although they have been a proscribed organisation since 2010, it is clear from what I saw that they still exist. We urgently need to address what extremism is, and what to do about it.

Perhaps I asked too many questions while undercover, because eventually Rubana cornered me in a small kitchen area as one of her followers stood behind me. She accused me of being a spy and demanded to look in my bag. I was scared they weren't going to let me go, because she said she wouldn't.

The stand-off went on for about 10 minutes. At that stage, I'd just discovered that Rubana was married to Choudary and that made her appear more dangerous. There were so many of them, there was nothing I could have done to protect myself if they had turned on me.

In the end, I pretended I was mentally ill and went into an emotional meltdown, screaming at her, which seemed to work, and thank goodness they let me go.

Looking back, I think I was lucky to get out unharmed.
Sick of airport chaos and long-haul misery?

Thats why thousands of families are heading for the British countryside. The choices are amazing: tents or shepherds huts, open fires or full kitchens, river treats or hot tubs.

Whatever you prefer, travel expert Jonathan Knight has the answer for you...

When it comes to camping in the British countryside, the choices are amazing: tents or shepherds huts, open fires or full kitchens, river treats or hot tubs (stock image)

From airport chaos to the Brexit effect, the reasons for taking a staycation are multiplying  and campsites across the UK are bracing themselves for a boom.

And why not? Britains beautiful countryside is easy to get to and stays can be remarkably affordable.

Compare that to the chaos at Heathrow and Gatwick when British Airways computers crashed, or the dwindling value of the pound abroad after Brexit, and its hard not to be tempted.

Thats why domestic bookings on the website coolcamping.com have more than doubled compared with the same period last year.

And Halfords stores are also reporting huge leaps in sales of staycation staples such as airbeds (up 153 per cent), camping chairs (74 per cent), outdoor cooking equipment (58 per cent) and roof boxes (19 per cent). Overall camping sales are up 45 per cent.

Lots of new campsites have opened in the past few years. Many offer just a handful of quiet, secluded pitches in acres of countryside.

Others are catering for the upper end of the market, providing furnished tents or cabins with comfortable beds, and individual touches such as his-and-hers outdoor bathtubs for romantic stargazing.

The choice of places to stay is more diverse than ever, but one common thread highlights the real draw of our campsites  theyre all immersed in the lush, sundappled British countryside.

All campsites on these pages can be booked at coolcamping.com.

Wild Camping Cornwall, Cornwall

Snuggled up against a 12-acre woodland on West Cornwalls Penwith Heritage Coast, this campsite's two-pitch only policy means space and tranquillity reign supreme

This campsite's two-pitch only policy means space and tranquillity reign supreme. Snuggled up against a 12-acre woodland on West Cornwalls Penwith Heritage Coast, owner Francesca provides a welcome pack of logs upon arrival, before showing you to your generously-sized, exclusive pitch. Facilities are modest: there are composting toilets, gas-powered showers but no electricity, though a covered dining area and simple cooking facilities are a welcome treat. Follow trails into the trees and explore protected wildlife habitats, or a 20-minute stroll will take you to some of Cornwalls best beaches.

Tent pitches for up to 4 people from 260 per week, change-over day is Friday.

Painswick Camping, Cotswolds

Nestled in this postcard-perfect pocket of the Cotswolds, Painswick Camping promises the kind of simple, pared-back camping experience of old. Its spacious meadow offers a tranquil setting for just five tents, so theres never any danger of overcrowding. And while the campsite itself is refreshingly understated, the villages quaint cobbled streets boast charming tearooms and places to eat. Ramblers take note, Painswick lies directly on the Cotswolds Way, arguably the best way to enjoy this ancient countryside and an opportunity to build up a thirst for a soothing ale in one of the many quintessentially Cotswoldian pubs.

10 per person per night.

One Cat Farm, Ceredigion

One Cat Farm's cannily-crafted tent-cabins blend effortlessly into the surroundings with timber cladding and turf roofs, and can you take a boat out onto the lake

This charming eco retreat is the ideal destination for those who like their camping with comforts, but still seek a thoroughly outdoorsy experience in the West Wales countryside. One Cat Farms cannily-crafted tent-cabins blend effortlessly into the surroundings with timber cladding and turf roofs. Green credentials come complemented by luxury touches like super comfy beds and twin wood-fired outdoor bathtubs  stargaze in style soaking away in the steaming tub spotting constellations in the pristine night sky. Handsome harbour town Aberaeron awaits just down the road while Cardigan Bay is one of the UKs best places to spot dolphins.

From 85 per night in high season.

Foxlease, New Forest

Perhaps the New Forests best kept camping secret, Foxleases vast 65-acre estate has been owned by Girlguiding since 1922. Today, you neednt be a fully-fledged Guide to pitch your tent in Foxleases expansive, pitch-where-you-like, tents-only meadow. And as befits the campsites intrepid custodians, the sheer range of onsite activities for campers to enjoy  zip wire, archery, abseiling, kayaking and much more  makes this place a sure-fire hit with families. The indoor swimming pool is the perfect solution to any rainy days, while casting-off at the well-stocked fishing lake is an ideal way to spend a lazy summers afternoon.

10 per person per night.

Happy Valley, Norfolk

Pinecones and needles carpet the floor around the shepherds huts at the Happy Valley site in Norfolk

The Japanese call it Shinrin-yoku  forest therapy  and though there arent any cherry blossoms, theres certainly something other-worldly about this enchanting woodland glampsite dominated by fir trees. Pinecones and needles carpet the floor around the shepherds huts, which, inside, feature fitted double beds, wood-burners and a fully equipped kitchen area, while a furnished bell tent is pitched in a more open, grassy space. Rent bikes to explore the 250-acre Wildlife Trust site  Congham Heath  right next door, then continue on to the Old Bell pub, one mile away, to re-fuel.

Shepherds huts from 99 per night for up to 4 people.

Bon Camping, Pembrokeshire

A five-minute drive from the vast, surfer-friendly sands of Newgale Beach, this brand new campsite occupies almost 30 acres yet has less than 10 pitches to show for it. Most of the site is covered by forest, streams and gorse bushes, which ensure the on-site logbook is bursting with wildlife sightings, while toilets and showers are all off grid. An old barn has been converted for communal use, it has fridges, freezers, soft furnishings and a dining area for rainy days, while kayaks are available to borrow on a first come first serve basis. Campfires permitted.

From 35 per night for 2 adults.

Beneath the Oaks, West Sussex

On the edge of the South Downs, newly opened Beneath the Oaks has just one bell tent on offer hidden among the trees of an ancient woodland, and a fire pit

Ever fancied having an entire campsite to yourself? On the edge of the South Downs, newly opened Beneath the Oaks has just one bell tent on offer hidden among the trees of an ancient woodland. Furnished for up to four people, it serves as both an exclusive couples retreat or a play-base for families, with children playing Tarzan on the rope-swing, toasting marshmallows on the campfire or building dens in the surrounding trees. OS maps are provided in the tent  theres a pub and village deli within walking distance  and footpaths lead directly from the campsite.

From 80 per night for 2 people.

Rubersview Shepherds Hut, Scottish Borders

This single shepherds hut, looking across the Teviot Valley to Ruberslaw, sleeps two in a cosy, wood-clad shell, warmed by a wood-burner

Looking across the Teviot Valley to Ruberslaw  the distinctive, conical hill that gives the site its name  this single shepherds hut sleeps two in a cosy, wood-clad shell, warmed by a wood-burner and furnished with all the essentials you need. Along with the fitted bed, kitchen area and an adjacent bathroom cabin, smaller touches like local books and a wicker satchel for berry foraging lend a personal feel. Free logs are unlimited, but theres electric heating too (one of a few modern additions that also includes Wi-Fi) and tea, cereals and fresh croissants are all included.

From 50 per night for 2 people.

Milborne Wood, Dorset

Surrounded by ancient trees sheltering unusual orchids and butterflies from the outside world, 180-acre Milborne Wood is a campsite that keeps nature at the fore. To minimise impact, only ten pitches are available, and simple facilities include a hot shower and compost loos crafted from the woods own ash, oak, and sweet chestnut. Though a hop in the car can take you to some of Dorset's most famous sights (Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Old Harry Rocks), Milborne Wood is a place to kick back and enjoy the woodland life.

Adults 15 per night, children 7.50.

In the Stix, Rutland

In the Stixs four geodesic domes are the closest things England has to igloos, making for some seriously cool accommodation

Only a 10-minute drive from the pretty market town of Oakham, In the Stixs four geodesic domes are the closest things England has to igloos, making for some seriously cool accommodation. But theres substance behind the style: each furnished dome  carefully positioned to achieve privacy  features it's own separate field kitchen, extra space on the mezzanine level, plus a private bathroom with flushing toilet and shower. Prise yourself away for bike riding down to the banks of Rutland Water, or you can hire a boat and head out onto the water itself.

Domes for 4 people from 380/weekend, 650/week.
Taron Margaryan appoints fake observer to important position

The newly elected City Council of Yerevan held its first sitting on June 9. At the end of the meeting, in response to journalists questions, Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan addressed the incident related to Anna Stepanyan, whom he appointed as Head of General Education Department at Yerevan Municipality earlier this week. The mayor said that he does not agree with the claims that Anna Stepanyan was a fake observer during last months municipal elections in Yerevan. We have provided answers and there is also an answer by the Central Electoral Commission, SUT.am cited Mr Margaryan as saying. It is worth reminding that during the May 14 elections, Anna Stepanyan, who was then principal of a Yerevan school, was present in 7/20 polling station as an observer from the Education and Cultural Bridges organization. Stepanyan was not accredited by the Central Electoral Commission though she had a document with a CEC stamp that had her name and surname written with a pen. Representative of Union of Informed Citizens NGO Daniel Ioannisyan had to call CEC Chairman Tigran Mukuchyan with a demand to remove the fake observer from the polling station. In the end, she was finally removed from there. The names of all the observers are published on the CEC website, and Mrs. Stepanyans name is not there. It is difficult to say what the statement by Taron Margaryan We have provided answers means, but the response of the Central Electoral Commission was definite, i.e. the fake observer was removed from the polling station. According to the Independent Observer initiative, observers from Education and Cultural Bridges were often guiding citizens to vote for the Republican Party of Armenia on the election day, SUT.am reports.
She's known for being the life of every party she attends with her loud antics.

But Real Housewives of Sydney's Lisa Oldfield was nowhere to be seen at the Foxtel party on Tuesday.

The 41-year-old denied a Sydney Morning Herald report claiming the reason for her absence was that she wasn't invited, telling Daily Mail Australia on Saturday that she simply had 'more important' things to do.

No party without her! Real Housewives of Sydney's Lisa Oldfield was nowhere to be seen at the Foxtel party on Tuesday

'My publicist made me aware via email of the new date [of the party],' she said about the rescheduled event.

'Knowing that clashed with a business dinner, I didn't bother RSVPing to the negative.

She insisted: 'So if I was off the guest list, it was due to my own poor manners and indifference.'

While both Lisa and Athena X Levendi did not attend the party, Victoria Rees partied it up with other celebrities while representing Real Housewives of Sydney.

Priorities: While both Lisa and Athena X Levendi did not attend the party, Victoria Rees partied it up with celebrities while representing Real Housewives of Sydney at the event

In true form, Lisa did not miss an opportunity to take yet another swipe at her rival Victoria, saying she is baffled as to why Victoria was allowed into the glamorous shindig.

'The big question is who was guarding the gates of Hell if Victoria Rees was out painting the town beige?' she sniped.

Lisa was originally meant to be attending the big Foxtel re-launch party at the Hordern Pavilion with fellow stars from the Housewives franchise.

Brutal! Lisa said: 'The big question is who was guarding the gates of Hell if Victoria Rees was out painting the town beige?'

After a last-minute rearrangement of the party date, the event then clashed with a business dinner that Lisa chose to attend instead.

This week, the Sydney Morning Herald quoted an unnamed source who claimed that Lisa was deliberately left off the guest list but Lisa has since refuted the claim.

Not the whole crew: Lisa was originally meant to be attending the big Foxtel re-launch party at the Hordern Pavilion with the stars of Real Housewives of Sydney and Melbourne

More important things to do! After a last minute rearrangement of the party date, the event then clashed with a business dinner that Lisa chose to attend instead

The feud between Lisa and Victoria has been long-running as they rarely see eye-to eye on anything.

In April, Lisa claimed 'desperate' Victoria is 'wasting police resources' by making a complaint about her teenage son being 'trolled'.

Lisa has also slammed Victoria for asking where she works, as Lisa replied with an Instagram post saying: 'In #plainEnglish #spoileralert unlike that #grub #vicki I don't live off the #proceeds of my #grandparents #illgotten #gains derived from #illegal #gambling and #prostitution.'
She was the unlucky-in-love reality star that labelled being dumped on national TV by Married At First Sight 'villain' Anthony Manton as a 'challenging' experience.

But it appears Nadia Stamp attracted many potential suitors as she let her hair down at a Brisbane bar on Friday night.

The blonde beauty gave a busty display in a low-cut black frock, with many of her 80.5k Instagram fans gushing over her evening look.

Busty babe! Married At First Sight's Nadia Stamp sizzles in low-cut black frock during night out in Brisbane on Friday night

Nadia's figure-hugging number with flared sleeves highlighted her slender frame, while her ample assets were pushed up in the plunging design.

She paired her little black dress with knee-high boots, a material-tie choker and drop earrings.

Her blonde tresses were left down for the night out and she sported a pink pout.

Appearing in high spirits, the former reality posed with a smile as she held a glass of Champagne, captioning the picture: 'City lights Friday nights in black. Friyay. Tgif.'

'Wow girl, you look incredible' : Many of Nadia's fans on Instagram praised her ensemble and appearance on Friday night

Many of her fans praised Nadia's ensemble and appearance: 'Absolutely stunning!!', 'beautiful', 'Wow girl, you look incredible' and 'looking mighty fine.'

One follower even tried their luck with setting up a date with the stunner: 'Can I meet you for a coffee or dinner?'

She won the sympathy of Australia after being dumped by series 'villain' Anthony on MAFS and she recently revealed she could now 'move forward knowing I gave it my all'.

In May, the flight attendant and part time model took to Instagram to thank her fans for supporting her throughout her time on air.

Fielding suitors? One follower even tried their luck with setting up a date with the stunner: 'Can I meet you for a coffee or dinner?'

Hard times: Married At First Sight's Nadia opened up about the 'challenging' time on show after she was dumped by series 'villain' Anthony

In a photo shared to Instagram, Nadia beamed widely as she sat on a bike clad in activewear.

In the accompanying caption, Nadia thanked her fans on Instagram for supporting her during her time on the matchmaking show.

'Your warmth, care, concern and encouragement has meant so much to me,' she gushed.

'Knowing so many of you can relate to what I was experiencing on some level was so reassuring.'

'It was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of self-growth': The reality TV star explained that the show had certainly come with its curve balls, most likely a reference to her tumultuous relationship with 'husband' Anthony

The reality TV star explained that the show had certainly come with its curve balls, most likely a reference to her tumultuous relationship with 'husband' Anthony.

'It was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of self-growth. I can move forward knowing I gave it my all,' Nadia said.

Her relationship with Anthony was marred by controversy, with the racing broadcaster coming under fire for labeling Nadia frigid and attacking Cheryl Maitland during a boozy dinner party.

Backlash: Her relationship with Anthony was marred by controversy, with the racing broadcaster coming under fire for labeling Nadia frigid

But despite their obvious personality differences Nadia and Anthony decided to move ahead with trying their relationship in the real world, recommitting to one another during their vow renewal ceremony.

During the reunion episodes however, Nadia revealed Anthony had 'dropped her like a hotcake'.

'As soon as the cameras stopped rolling, he was gone,' she said candidly.

A no-show: During the reunion episodes Nadia revealed Anthony had 'dropped her like a hotcake'

Meanwhile last month Nadia appeared to moving on with things following her split from Anthony, spotted out with handsome lifeguard Sam Robinson.

However Nadia hasn't been seen out with the blonde haired male since the long Easter weekend, and has since deleted a picture of the pair together on Instagram.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Nadia for comment.
He is rumoured to be linked to his newly-single Poldark co-star Eleanor Tomlinson.

But Aidan Turner stepped out solo on Friday, as he attended the the Oliver Spencer SS'18 show during London Men's Fashion Week.

The 33-year-old actor looked typically dapper in a sharp navy suit which he complemented with a distinguished hint of stubble.

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Dapper guy: Aidan Turner stepped out solo on Friday, as he attended the the Oliver Spencer SS18 show during London Men's Fashion Week

Sticking to a similar colour palette, Aidan layered a navy shirt underneath and added a pair of black patent brogues.

He appeared to be in relaxed spirits as he sat on the front row at the catwalk show alongside TOWIE star Vas Morgan.

The outing comes amid rumours that Aidan is 'growing close' to his Poldark co-star Eleanor.

The Daily Mail exclusively revealed that Eleanor, 25, has split from her long-term boyfriend Ben Atkinson and is now thought to be single.

'Growing close': Aidan and his 'newly single' co-star Eleanor Tomlinson have been pictured looking cosy out and about in London, sparking rumours of a romance

Looking good: The 33-year-old actor looked typically dapper in a sharp navy suit which he complemented with a distinguished hint of stubble

The pair were spotted cosying up to one another in a members club in London a few weeks ago, whilst pictures showed them looking close as they walked together through the capital and visited a newsagents together.

The chemistry between the co-stars, who play husband and wife Ross and Demelza in the Cornish drama, has undoubtedly contributed to making the show a hit.

And a source who saw them at the Groucho Club in London said: The chemistry between them was clear to see, she was stroking his arm and they were really close.

It really looked like more than just a friendship.

And Aidan is recently single after it emerged he has split from his girlfriend Nettie Wakefield.

Suave: Aidan layered a navy shirt underneath and added a pair of black patent brogues during London Fashion Week

On the FROW: He sat with as Vas J Morgan, Willow Robinson, Ralph Ineson and Fin Munro at the Oliver Spencer show

According to The Sun, the 33-year-old has parted ways with his girlfriend of six months, after the pair were driven apart by conflicting work schedules.

The good-looking couple, who were first spotted together in October, are thought to have called time on their relationship, after they sadly 'drifted' due to their hectic careers.

A source told the paper: 'Things were great for a time and they were getting serious - but it just wasn't to be and busy schedules drove them apart.

Having fun? Aidan appeared to be in relaxed spirits at the fashion show

Fashionable company: Male model Jack Guinness and Olympic diver Tom Daley joined Aidan on the front row

'They've drifted and things have cooled off but there are no hard feelings. Aidan's incredibly busy with his career and Nettie's art is really taking off so they had a lot on their plates.'

Proving to still be on good terms however, the insider added: 'It's all very amicable.'

As one of Britain's main heartthrobs, Aidan has embarked on a number of romances in recent times.

Splitsville: According to The Sun, the 33-year-old has parted ways with his girlfriend of six months, after the pair were driven apart by conflicting work schedules

In the past: The flings followed his long-term relationship with fellow actress Sarah Greene (above) - who he split from after five years in 2015

One month prior to his first appearance with Nettie, the Irish actor had been spotted smooching another pretty brunette in the West End, who was later revealed as high-flying executive Tara Derakshan.

The flings followed his long-term relationship with fellow actress Sarah Greene, 32, who he split from two years ago.

Aidan and Sarah dated for almost five years, with the Poldark star even hinting at a move to New York to be closer to the actress.

However the pair split in November 2015, with the Being Human star refusing to offer any details of the split or the reasons behind it.
Things look like they are still going from strength to strength for new couple Amber Heard and Elon Musk.

The pair was spotted enjoying a lunch date in LA's Sherman Oaks neighborhood on Friday.

The unlikely couple was seen grabbing a bite to eat at Sweet Butter restaurant.

Lunch date: Amber Heard and Elon Musk were spotted grabbing a bite to eat in LA's Sherman Oaks on Friday

All wrapped up: The pair took to the street with their arms affectionately wrapped around one another

Shortly after arriving at the restaurant, the loved up duo found a table outside on the patio.

They were seen talking and laughing as they enjoyed their meal together.

At one stage, the 31-year-old actress was spotted showing her 45-year-old billionaire beau something on her cell phone.

Dressed in an floral print bomber jacket and a black flat crown hat, The Danish Girl star appeared open-mouthed as she inspected her phone.

Take a seat: Shortly after arriving at the restaurant, the loved up duo found a table outside on the patio

So in love: They were seen talking and laughing as they enjoyed their meal together at Sweet Butter restaurant

Phone it in: Dressed in a floral print bomber jacket and a black flat crown hat, The Danish Girl star appeared open-mouthed as she inspected her phone

She also wore a pair of cropped skinny black jeans and a cream tank top.

Amber accessorized with a nude-colored skinny scarf tied loosely around her neck and a black studded belt.

She also wore a pair of cropped snakeskin cowboy boots and carried a small black saddle bag on one shoulder.

So happy together: The couple first went public with their relationship in late April, just three months after Amber finalized her divorce with Johnny Depp

Dressed smart: Her businessman beau wore a pair of black jeans and a white button-down shirt. He also donned a black blazer and a pair of black leather shoes

Meanwhile, her businessman beau wore a pair of black jeans and a white button-down shirt.

He also donned a black blazer and a pair of black leather shoes.

Both Amber and Elon sported sunglasses as they left the restaurant following their meal.

Shady characters: Both Amber and Elon sported sunglasses as they left the restaurant following their meal

The pair took to the street with their arms affectionately wrapped around one another.

At one stage they were seen holding hands as they strolled along the sidewalk, with Amber clutching an iced coffee.

The couple first went public with their relationship in late April, just three months after Amber finalized her divorce with Johnny Depp, 54.
On Thursday she enjoyed hanging out with the fashion set at the Moschino runway show.

But on Friday, Kaia Gerber, 15, opted for a far more casual look to join some friends in Malibu.

The daughter of Cindy Crawford kept things simple and summery for her outing, opting for a white bikini top and a pair of Daisy Duke cut-offs.

Out and about: On Friday, Kaia Gerber, 15, opted for a casual look to join some friends in Malibu

She also wore a blue and red flannel shirt and planted herself in a pair of white high-top Converse sneakers.

Some whimsical white-frame shades were her only accessory.

The star seemed to be mostly make-up free, except a dash of peach lipstick, and she parted her long brunette locks in the middle.

It seemed as though the group of friends were headed to the beach at some point, as all the guys wore board shorts, and some even passed on wearing any shoes at all.

In crowd: On Thursday she enjoyed hanging out with the fashion set at the Moschino runway show

Keeping cool: The daughter of Cindy Crawford kept things simple and summery for her outing, opting for a white bikini top and a pair of Daisy Duke cut-offs

Nothing fancy: The young beauty seemed to be mostly make-up free, except a dash of peach lipstick, and she parted her long brunette locks in the middle

Keeping the rays at bay: Some whimsical white-frame shades were her only accessory

While Kaia is clearly comfortable in swim attire, her mother and modeling icon Cindy, recently talked to DuJour magazine about the challenges of growing older in the fashion industry.

The 51-year-old star is pictured in a plunging white swimsuit, showing off her enviable physique as she immerses herself in water.

On reaching the milestone age, Cindy tells the publication: 'For me it was really hard; the idea of turning 50 was daunting. For so long I was the 20-year-old model on the cover of Vogue, or 25 or 30and then all of a sudden my daughter is becoming that,'

Hang ten! It seemed as though the group of friends were headed to the beach at some point, as all the guys wore board shorts, and some even passed on wearing any shoes at all

The businesswoman says she feels good about her accomplishments and has no desire to turn back time.

'My mother was here for Mothers Day and I was talking to her about how I change the narrative for who I am at this age.'

'I dont want to spend my fifties trying to get back to where I was in my thirties. Even though, yes, maybe I would like my skin or my waistline to be the same, Ive worked hard and evolved into this person.'
He's one of the hottest names in fashion.

And after making a splash at Cannes last month, Jordan Barrett has hit the runway to rehearse for modelling for prestigious brand Moschino.

The 20-year-old model showed off two different looks on the catwalk for the brand's upcoming Spring Summer 2018 Menswear and Women's Resort Collection in Los Angeles.

Leather on leather: After making a splash at Cannes last month, Jordan Barrett has hit the runway to rehearse for modelling prestigious brand Moschino in an all-black ensemble

The first look was a bold and daring all black leather ensemble.

He wore a black leather jacket that was adorned with brass studs on the collar, breast pockets and around the wrists.

He wore the jacket buttoned up and had no shirt on underneath.

He also donned a matching pair of black leather pants with the same studs running up the seam along the outer side of his leg.

Interesting outfit! He wore a black leather jacket that was adorned with brass studs on the collar, breast pockets and around the wrists with matching pants and cowboy-style boots

The finishing touch of the outfit was a pair of black leather cowboy-style boots that were completely embellished in the brass studs.

His blonde hair was slightly messy and rugged as he walked down the catwalk with a fierce facial expression.

The second outfit was just as unusual as the first with him donning a seemingly casual attire.

Casual: He then wore a bright orange hoodie by the brand Champion with camouflage pants as he walked down the runway bare foot

He wore a bright orange hoodie by the brand Champion as their logo was written across the front of the hoodie and down the sleeves in black.

Underneath the jumper he wore a black long-sleeved top which slightly peaked out at the top.

With this he wore a pair of loose fitting pants with a camouflage pattern that were pulled up at the ankles and to top off the look, he walked down the runway bare foot.

After the rehearsal he posed with his celebrity friends including Moschino creative director Jeremy Scott, model Cayley King, Cindy Crawford's model son Presley Gerber and his sister Kaia.
Kate Beckinsale reunited with her ex-partner Michael Sheen to attend their daughter Lily's graduation from the Harvard-Westlake School in Studio City on Friday.

The 43-year-old SAG Award nominee and the 48-year-old Golden Globe nominee beamed with pride as they posed with their 18-year-old princess, who's already been accepted to her college of choice - New York University.

Annual tuition costs $35,900 for Harvard-Westlake, which counts Shirley Temple, Candice Bergen, Tori Spelling, Jake & Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Lily Collins as alumni.

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Reunion! Kate Beckinsale (R) reunited with her ex-partner Michael Sheen (L) to attend their daughter Lily's graduation from the Harvard-Westlake School in Studio City on Friday

At one point, the silver-bearded Welshman had a laugh trying on Lily's graduation cap (and later her orchid lei) for the cameras.

It's unknown what the not-so-typical teenager's major will be when she moves to Manhattan, but she previously acted alongside her mother in Underworld: Evolution (2006), Click (2006), and Everybody's Fine (2009).

Kate (born Kathrin) and Michael enjoyed a warm, chaste hug at the educational festivities, having amicably ended their eight-year relationship way back in 2003.

London-born Beckinsale first met Newport-born Sheen in a touring stage production of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull in 1995.

NYU bound! The 43-year-old SAG Award nominee and the 48-year-old Golden Globe nominee beamed with pride as they posed with their 18-year-old princess, who's already been accepted to her college of choice

Congrats! Annual tuition costs $35,900 for Harvard-Westlake, which counts Shirley Temple, Candice Bergen, Tori Spelling, Jake & Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Lily Collins as alumni

Goofing around: At one point, the silver-bearded Welshman had a laugh trying on Lily's graduation cap (and later her orchid lei) for the cameras

Double take: It's unknown what the not-so-typical teenager's major will be when she moves to Manhattan, but she previously acted alongside her mother in Underworld: Evolution (2006), Click (2006), and Everybody's Fine (2009)

The Underworld: Blood Wars stunner - sporting a perky ponytail - later snuck off for a smoke while clad in a glamorous beige silk gown and mirrored shades.

Lily looked leggy in a plunging white playsuit and grey heels beneath her graduation robe, while the Passengers actor looked leisurely in his white linen suit and grey T-shirt.

The nepotistically-privileged brunette later shared a post-graduation Instagram snap at dinner alongside her 'ride and dies.'

Noticeably missing was Michael's girlfriend of three years, comedian Sarah Silverman, who dazzled Diane Keaton's AFI Tribute in a Stop Staring Clothing 'Billion Dollar Baby' dress in LA on Thursday.

PDA: Kate (born Kathrin) and Michael enjoyed a warm, chaste hug at the educational festivities, having amicably ended their eight-year relationship way back in 2003

UK duo: London-born Beckinsale first met Newport-born Sheen in a touring stage production of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull in 1995

Puffing away: The Underworld: Blood Wars stunner - sporting a perky ponytail - later snuck off for a smoke while clad in a glamorous beige silk gown and mirrored shades

Light: Lily looked leggy in a plunging white playsuit and grey heels beneath her graduation robe, while the Passengers actor looked leisurely in his white linen suit and grey T-shirt

Milestone: The nepotistically-privileged brunette later shared a post-graduation Instagram snap at dinner alongside her 'ride and dies'

The 46-year-old Emmy winner recently joked that Sheen was her 'on/off boyfriend' on Jimmy Kimmel Live! because he moved back to England around the time Lily turned 18.

Meanwhile, Page Six reported that Kate was heavily 'flirting' with Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt's Jon Hamm at the Los Angeles premiere of his film Baby Driver on June 1.

The Love & Friendship actress - who's divorcing her husband of 11 years Len Wiseman - made a point to hashtag the 46-year-old Golden Globe winner that same night to her 1.7M social media followers.

LBD: Noticeably missing was Michael's girlfriend Sarah Silverman, who dazzled Diane Keaton's AFI Tribute in a Stop Staring Clothing 'Billion Dollar Baby' dress in LA on Thursday

'We just long for each other': The 46-year-old Emmy winner recently joked that Sheen was her 'on/off boyfriend' on Jimmy Kimmel Live! because he moved back to England around the time Lily turned 18

Hot! Meanwhile, Page Six reported that Kate was heavily 'flirting' with Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt's Jon Hamm at the Los Angeles premiere of his film Baby Driver on June 1

'So good!' The Love & Friendship actress - who's divorcing her husband of 11 years Len Wiseman - made a point to hashtag the 46-year-old Golden Globe winner that same night

Hamm has also been single since splitting from his own partner of 18 years, Jennifer Westfeldt, in 2015.

This Friday, UK audiences can finally catch Sheen as Philip Cohen in the political thriller Norman, which also stars Richard Gere, Steve Buscemi, and Dan Stevens.

And Beckinsale will next play a mistress called Johanna in the drama The Only Living Boy in New York - hitting US theaters August 11 - with Pierce Brosnan, Jeff Bridges, and Callum Turner.

In theaters: This Friday, UK audiences can finally catch Sheen as Philip Cohen in the political thriller Norman, which also stars Richard Gere (L), Steve Buscemi, and Dan Stevens
She's insisted publicly that there is no romance between the duo.

But that doesn't mean Sofia Richie is staying away from her friend Scott Disick either, as the apparently only friendly pair got cozy with one another on Friday.

The 18-year-old daughter of musical legend Lionel Richie kept things very demure in terms of her outfit.

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Arm in arm: Sofia Richie, 18, got cozy with 'homie' Scott Disick, 34, after a meal at Nobu Malibu on Friday

She donned a simple Adidas track suit for the outing, as well as a pair of white low-cut sneakers.

Some large sunglasses shielded most of her face, while she kept her belongings in a black alligator skin purse.

Her cropped blonde tresses were parted in the middle, and the young beauty seemed to forgo make-up, save for a dash of pale peach lipstick.

Scott, 34, also kept things quite casual, opting for a satiny blue varsity-style jacket, white tee and light wash jeans.

Low-key: Sofia donned a simple Adidas track suit for the outing, as well as a pair of white low-cut sneakers

Fresh-faced: Her cropped blonde tresses were parted in the middle, and the young beauty seemed to forgo make-up, save for a dash of pale peach lipstick

He also rocked a pair of aviator shades.

Though Sofia has gone out of her way to dispel any rumors of a fling between the two, the pair looked quite chummy, going so far as to walk arm-in-arm as they departed the swanky Nobu Malibu restaurant.

Of course it seems both parties have been keeping in touch since their recent debaucherous trip to Cannes.

On Thursday, Sofia looked jovial as she FaceTime chatted with the legendary lothario in the terminal after touching down in Los Angeles.

Dressed-down: Scott, 34, also kept things quite casual, opting for a satiny blue varsity-style jacket, white tee and light wash jeans

Close pals? Though Sofia has gone out of her way to dispel any rumors of a fling between the two, the pair looked quite chummy, going so far as to walk arm-in-arm as they departed the swanky Nobu Malibu restaurant

Parting ways: The two got into two different vehicles to leave the venue

Scott had tried his best to get flirtatious with Sofia two weeks ago while they both enjoyed a jaunt on a yacht.

But apparently Sofia was having none of it, with the teen seen blocking his would-be advances.

She later took to Twitter to slam suggestions she was anything more than friends with the 34-year-old.

Sporty: The blonde looked ready for a track meet in her athletic outfit paired with pink socks

Sofia tweeted: 'Just so everyone can get their panties out of their a**es, Scott and I are just homies #relax.'

Infamously, prior to the trip, Scott had proclaimed himself a 'horrible sex addict'

The father-of-three confessed to his 'condition' earlier in May on Keeping Up With The Kardashians.
Anne Hathway was among the guests attending the pre-marital feast celebrating Jessica Chastain and her fiance Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo in Italy on Friday night.

The 40-year-old bride initially befriended the 34-year-old Oscar winner on the 2013 set of Christopher Nolan's sci-fi epic Interstellar.

The Manhattan-based BFFs also both appeared in the documentaries - Letters to Jackie: Remembering President Kennedy (2013) and The First Monday in May (2016).

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Gal pals: Anne Hathway (L) was among the guests attending the pre-marital feast celebrating Jessica Chastain (2-R) and her fiance Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo in Italy on Friday night

Jessica beamed as she held the arm of her handsome 34-year-old groom, who's currently the co-founder of Prosecco wine company, FIOL.

Chastain looked radiant in a red embellished mini-dress and snakeskin Louboutin booties selected by her stylist (and wedding guest), Elizabeth Stewart.

Gian just so happens to be a bonafide Italian count, whose aristocratic family dates back almost a thousand years in Treviso.

When the two-time Oscar nominee carefully stepped into a boat on the Venice canal, the former Benetton Rugby Treviso player protectively placed his hands on her lower back.

Castmates: The 40-year-old bride initially befriended the 34-year-old Oscar winner on the 2013 set of Christopher Nolan's sci-fi epic Interstellar

'Love my golden twin!' The Manhattan-based BFFs also both appeared in the documentaries - Letters to Jackie: Remembering President Kennedy (2013) and The First Monday in May (2016)

The Juilliard grad from California will reportedly wed Preposulo on Saturday at his noble family's estate, Villa Tiepolo Passi, in nearby Carbonera.

Jessica's Wilde Salome director/castmate Al Pacino is rumoured to be walking her down the aisle since her estranged, biological father Michael Monasterio passed away in 2013.

The Miss Sloane actress first met Gian in 2012 while he was working as Director of Public Relations for Armani.

Love Italian style! Jessica beamed as she held the arm of her handsome 34-year-old groom, who's currently the co-founder of Prosecco wine company, FIOL

Scarlet fever! Chastain looked radiant in a red embellished mini-dress and snakeskin Louboutin booties selected by her stylist (and wedding guest), Elizabeth Stewart

Marrying up: Gian just so happens to be a bonafide Italian count, whose aristocratic family dates back almost a thousand years in Treviso

Hands on: When the two-time Oscar nominee stepped into a boat on the Venice canal, the former Benetton Rugby Treviso player protectively placed his hands on her lower back

'He's a gentleman,' Chastain gushed to W Magazine in 2015.

'And that's very important to me. He's from an old-school Italian family. No one in his family has ever been divorced!'

The Cannes Film Festival juror was previously in a long-term relationship with writer-director Ned Benson that ended in 2010.

Setting: The Juilliard grad from California will reportedly wed Preposulo on Saturday at his noble family's estate, Villa Tiepolo Passi, in nearby Carbonera

Pictured Thursday: Jessica's Wilde Salome director/castmate Al Pacino is rumoured to be walking her down the aisle since her estranged father Michael Monasterio passed away in 2013

'Some things are worth the wait': The Miss Sloane actress first met Gian in 2012 while he was working as Director of Public Relations for Armani

Chastain gushed to W Magazine in 2015: 'He's a gentleman, and that's very important to me. He's from an old-school Italian family. No one in his family has ever been divorced!'

Deadline reported on May 20 that Jessica will produce and star in Seducing Ingrid Bergman, which is based on Chris Greenhalgh's 2012 novel about the Casablanca actress romancing war photographer Robert Capa.

And on April 26, the Women's Marcher wrapped her role as poker entrepreneur Molly Bloom in the Aaron Sorkin drama Molly's Game - due out later this year - with Kevin Costner, Idris Elba, and Chris O'Dowd.

Meanwhile, Anne donned a halter floral frock and blue suede shoes selected by her stylist Penny Lovell alongside her husband Adam Shulman.

Next gig: Deadline reported on May 20 that Jessica will produce and star in Seducing Ingrid Bergman, which is based on Chris Greenhalgh's 2012 novel about the Casablanca actress (L) romancing war photographer Robert Capa (R)

Make-up room: And on April 26, the Women's Marcher wrapped her role as poker entrepreneur Molly Bloom the Aaron Sorkin drama Molly's Game

The Colossal actress and her 36-year-old James Banks Designer - who are parents of 15-month-old son Jonathan - will celebrate five years of marriage on September 29.

It's hard to believe that Hathaway used to date Raffaello Follieri, who was deported to Italy in 2012 after serving four years in a Pennsylvania prison for masterminding the despicable Vati-Con scandal.

Careerwise, the Golden Globe winner just signed on to produce and star in an untitled romantic comedy for STXfilms - according to Deadline.

In bloom: Meanwhile, Anne donned a halter floral frock and blue suede shoes selected by her stylist Penny Lovell alongside her husband Adam Shulman

Still going strong! The Colossal actress and her 36-year-old James Banks Designer - who are parents of 15-month-old son Jonathan - will celebrate five years of marriage on September 29
She went from a modest upbringing on a rural farm to becoming New Zealand's first elected female Prime Minister.

And on Saturday, Helen Clark, 67, made her big screen debut at the Sydney Film Festival at State Theatre in Sydney.

The celebrated politician, who cut a sophisticated figure in a snazzy embroidered coat, joined filmmaker Gaylene Preston at the world premiere of My Year With Helen.

Film debut: On Saturday, Helen Clark, 67, made her big screen debut at the Sydney Film Festival at State Theatre in Sydney

In 2016, Helen attempted to become the United Nations' first ever female Secretary-General.

Gaylene's film follows Helen as she campaigns for the coveted Secretary-General role while also carrying out her work as Administrator of UNDP.

The camera travels with the politician around the world to Botswana, Britain, Spain, the Ukraine and the UN in New York.

Gaylene hoped to showcase the achievements of a female politician in a male dominated field.

Big screen: The celebrated politician, who cut a sophisticated figure in a snazzy embroidered coat, joined filmmaker Gaylene Preston at the world premiere of My Year With Helen

Big year: Gaylene's film follows Helen as she campaigns for the coveted Secretary-General role while also carrying out her work as Administrator of UNDP

'I hope we get out of this documentary a discussion about what does it take for women to become global leaders,' she told Radio New Zealand.

'Because it seems to me that once women are in the leadership seat everybody settles down, and they seem to be good leaders and they seem to last for quite some time.'

'We just keep seeing men in suits. It's crazy, it's not doing our species any good.'

Important issue: 'I hope we get out of this documentary a discussion about what does it take for women to become global leaders,' she told Radio New Zealand

Gaylene also expressed disappointment that the honourable subject of her film ultimately didn't win the role.

The filmmaker told Radio New Zealand: 'Helen wasn't the only hugely qualified woman, but she was the most qualified and the most high profile, and the one the staff at the UN voted for. But they gave it to the best man'.
Over 2000 people attend sheep shearing festival in Tatev (video)

On June 10 2017, the Syunik Animal Market hosted the 3rd Sheep Shearing Festival in Tatev community, Syunik region. The Festival was organized by the Strategic Development Agency NGO with co-funding from the Initiatives for Development of Armenia (IDeA) Foundation. The goal of the Festival is to make people aware, and expand their knowledge, of the traditions, culture and local products of the VayotsDzor and Syunik regions as well as foster the development of tourism in the region. In total, some 2,000 people took part in the festival. The Sheep Shearing Festival is becoming something of a tradition. It provides a chance to revitalize community life, recalls forgotten traditions and presents local products to tourists. It is great that more and more travel agencies are including the Festival in their offers. This shows how interest in the event is growing each year, said Edgar Manukyan, CEO of IDeA Foundation. This year, the Festival featured a sheep shearing contest, live folk music, dancing, tightrope walking, sports, and a fair allowing producers from theVayotsDzor and Syunik regions to sell their products. The on-site food booths offered the Festivals visitors the chance to taste traditional Armenian dishes. Since 2008, the Strategic Development Agency, with the financial support of the Government of Switzerland, has been implementing a livestock development program in Syunik, and since 2014 in the VayotsDzor regions. The programme contains a number of events and activities aimed at developing the farmers knowledge and capabilities as well as improving the efficiency of pasture management. In this context, the Sheep Shearing Festival is important as it allows our beneficiary communities to present their products, communicate with each other and increase tourism in the region, said Karina Harutyunyan, who heads the cattle breeding development programme at the Agency for Strategic Development. The 2nd Sheep Shearing Festival was near theHalidzor Station of the Wings of Tatev cableway in 2015. Over 3,000 people, including tourists and guests from the U.S., Russia, Spain and Belgium attended the event.
She is known for oozing glamour on the runway.

But Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio looked worlds away from her usual self as she made a low-key appearance at LAX airport on Friday.

The catwalk star, 36, ditched her usually scanty outfits and for a more demure and causal look in cargo pants and a denim jackets as she touched down in Los Angeles.

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Natural beauty: Alessandra Ambrosio, 36, decided to ditch the make-up for her travels as she arrived at LAX Airport on Friday

Alessandra decided to showcase her model credentials on her arrival to the airport, as she chose to forgo her make-up and flaunt her natural beauty instead.

Sporting an enviably clear complexion, the Brazilian-born beauty hid behind a pair of stylish round-framed sunglasses and appeared engrossed by her mobile phone as she strolled through arrivals.

Favouring a laid-back look as she headed on her travels, Alessandra donned a fitted black cami top that teased a look at her taut abs underneath and a pair of khaki green cargo pants.

Laid-back look: The Victoria's Secret model looked worlds away from her usual catwalk self as she stepped out in a demure getup that teamed together cargo pants and a denim jacket

Revealing: She flashed a look at that taut tum of hers as she wore a skimpy cami top underneath her jacket

She tied a grey sweatshirt around her hips and threw a denim jacket over her ensemble, while sporting a chic pair of Chanel espadrilles on her feet.

The starlet swept her dark-hued tresses up into a tousled bun and despite just jetting in, she looked nothing but fresh-faced.

Her appearance in LA comes after Alessandra has been jet-setting of late, swinging by Malibu, Madrid, London and Ibiza over the last few days.

Despite her travels, the mother-of-two made sure to spend Memorial Day with her children.

Incognito: After jetting into Los Angeles, the starlet hid behind a pair of round-framed sunglasses and swept her dark-hued tresses back into a tousled bun

She shares daughter Anja, eight, and son Noah, five, with her partner of nine years Jamie Mazur.

Alessandra made sure to document the time spent with her family on Instgaram and shared a slew of sweet snaps with her 8.6million followers.

She spoke candidly about becoming a mother in an interview with Net-A-Porter last year and admitted since having children, her approach to modelling has changed.

On the go: Her appearance in LA comes after Alessandra has been jet-setting of late, swinging by Malibu, Madrid, London and Ibiza over the last few days

Oozing glamour: Alessandra looked worlds away from her usual scantily-clad self on the catwalk (pictured above at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Paris last year)

The fashion star explained: 'I used to be 100% comfortable on lingerie shoots - then I had a child.

'Somehow it felt a bit weirder to be in lingerie once I was a mum. Your body will never go back to exactly what it was before pregnancy, whatever people tell you. It can't.

'But I think I have a better body now than before I had kids... it just looks more formed now and I feel better about it than I did.'
She's rapidly become one of Hollywood's brightest stars.

And on Saturday, Australian actress Ruby Rose hinted to her 11.1 million Instagram followers that her career is continuing to soar.

The the 31-year-old shared photo of herself wearing camouflaged army gear as Adele in her movie xXx: Return of Xander Cage.

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New film? On Saturday Ruby Rose posed alongside two riffles and hinted that there was a second xXx: Return of Xander Cage in the making

Posing alongside two riffles, the brunette hinted that there was a second movie in the making.

'And while I'm here I can't forget my training for Adele in xXx...but...more new exciting news on that soon ;)' she captioned the post.

Spending her Saturday posting pictures and videos of her latest Hollywood blockbusters, Ruby also shared another photo from her upcoming movie, Meg.

'FBF To stealing Bing Bings hat on set of Meg...out next year. Hahah I actually am obsessed with his visor,' she said.

Fashion icon: 'FBF To stealing Bing Bings hat on set of Meg...out next year. Hahah I actually am obsessed with his visor'

Wearing overalls and a large black visor, Ruby stunned for the upcoming science fiction horror film.

Looking fresh-faced, the brunette beauty showcased her signature blue eyes in what looked to be her movie trailer.

Starring alongside Jason Statham and fellow Australian actress Jessica McNamee, Ruby will play Jaxx Herd in the film set for release in August 2018.

The DJ also showed insight to her training for Ares in John Wick on Saturday.

Demonstrating her killer fighting skills, Ruby looked fit and toned as she practiced her moves.

Since getting her Hollywood break as Stella Carlin on Orange is the New Black in 2015, Ruby has been attracting roles left, right and centre, even receiving an invite to this year's exclusive MET Gala.

Brunette beauty: Since getting her Hollywood break on Orange is the New Black, Ruby has been taking Hollywood by storm, even receiving an invite to this year's MET Gala

It was also revealed today that Ruby is the new face of Swarovski's autumn/winter 2017 campaign.

Appearing in the campaign titled, #BeBrilliant, the new Pitch Perfect Bella will model the range alongside Victoria's Secret Angel Jourdan Dunn and supermodel Fei Fei Sun.

First gaining attention back in 2002 at the Girlfriend model search, it's no surprise that the Hollywood starlet was a natural choice for the reputable brand.
She's had a difficult few weeks of late but Mischa Barton was looking fresh and radiant on a date night in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The 31-year-old cut a slender figure in a retro frock alongside her dashing new beau at Hollywood hot spot Craig's Restaurant.

The former OC star looked loved up as she continued her whirlwind romance with multi-millionaire Australian model James Abercrombie.

Fresh! On Saturday, Mischa Barton was on a date with her dashing new Australian millionaire beau James Abercrombie outside Craig's in West Hollywood

Just days removed from victory in traumatic revenge porn trial against ex Jon Zacharias, Mischa looked carefree alongside her hunky new flame.

And it wasn't just the actress' demeanour that was notably brightened - her fresh bob cut was lighter in both shade and volume.

She turned heads in a sparkly retro A-line dress with gold and cobalt detailing.

But of course the biggest new addition was James, who cut a brooding figure in a crisp velvet jacket and ripped jeans.

Carefree! Just days removed from victory in traumatic revenge porn trial against ex Jon Zacharias, Mischa looked carefree alongside her hunky new flame

The pair traded pouts at the exit of the upscale West Hollywood restaurant, with Mischa leading the way to their nearby vehicle.

The gentlemanly Melbourne model helped his new flame into the back of a black SUV.

After climbing in next to her, James flashed a peace sign, before the vehicle promptly took off.

Just passing by! The pair traded pouts at the exit of the upscale West Hollywood restaurant, with Mischa leading the way to their nearby vehicle

Still in the extremely early phases, the duo have been practically inseparable since their relationship went public last week.

No stranger to the finer things in life, James is the son of former Victorian Liberal Party treasurer Andrew Abercrombie, who this year was reported to be worth $574m according to the AFR Rich List.

The dark-haired stud's Melbourne-based agency Bucknall Management/ FRM Model Management confirmed the pair's new-found relationship this Wednesday.

Gentleman! The Melbourne model helped his new flame into the back of a black SUV

Peace out! After climbing in next to her, James flashed a peace sign, before the vehicle promptly took off

Looking fine! No stranger to the finer things in life, James is the son of former Victorian Liberal Party treasurer Andrew Abercrombie

'James is currently dating well known actress Mischa Barton,' FRM Model Management director Stephen Bucknall (who discovered the budding male model) confirmed.

'He was recently on a ski trip to Aspen, after which he headed to Los Angeles- where we are currently making appointments for him to seek representation.

'James met Mischa at a party in Los Angeles just on a month ago. They then headed off on a small trip to France,' the agency revealed.

No stranger! The treasurer was this year was reported to be worth $574m according to the AFR Rich List

Confirmed! His manager recently confirmed the rumours, adding: 'James met Mischa at a party in Los Angeles just on a month ago... He is now back in Los Angeles and they are spending a lot of time together'

'He is now back in Los Angeles and they are spending a lot of time together.'

On Monday, a relieved Mischa exited Los Angeles Superior Court with a relieving victory over ex-boyfriend Jon Zacharias.

After her former flame was reportedly shopping around explicit content involving the actress, courts ordered that he will not release any of the alleged photos or videos.
They're one of Australia's most controversial couples.

And on Saturday, Imogen Anthony posted a 12 picture collage of herself and radio shock jock boyfriend Kyle Sandilands in tribute of his 46th birthday.

Sharing the collage with her 132,000 Instagram followers, the 26-year-old added a long caption, also detailing without hesitation that Kyle had sleep farted really loudly as she was putting it together.

Birthday boy! On Saturday, Imogen Anthony posted a 12 picture collage of herself and radio shock jock boyfriend Kyle Sandilands for his 46th birthday

'Happy Birthday to my best friend and beautiful goof ball of a man K,' she wrote.

'It's also around this time that we mark our anniversary and it's somewhere around the 6 year make now, s**t ey!!

'(Though as I was making this, he sleep farted really loudly next to me and I almost retracted the whole thing) Haha NEVER! I love you babe.'

The collage featured a range of 'loved up' moments the pair have shared over the years.

Shout out: Happy Birthday to my best friend and beautiful goof ball of a man K'

Birthday trip: The couple who are currently in London to celebrate King Kyle's birthday arrived just hours before last week's terror attacks

Making the most of their holiday: After admitting on-air that he's 'lazy' in bed, the pair spiced things up hitting London's infamous S&M -themed nightclub, The Box

The couple who are currently in London to celebrate King Kyle's birthday arrived just hours before last week's terror attacks.

After Kyle admitted on-air that he's 'lazy' in bed, the pair spiced things up hitting London's infamous S&M -themed nightclub, The Box.

'I just lay back there. I don't care, I don't even mind that I'm selfish. I used to put a big effort in, but now, no effort. Nothing,' the radio host shared recently on his top rating radio show.

Keeping the spark alive: The couple had some time together on their shopping trip in London

Shopping up a storm: The pair also found time to hit the upscale department store Harrods during the week

The couple also found time to hit the upscale department store Harrods during the week.

'Buying cheese and s**t,' captioned Imogen.

The blonde, who's name has recently been getting thrown around as a perfect addition to The Real Housewives of Sydney's second season, shared on social media last week that she would be 'having meetings and filming' whilst in the UK.
She is a champion of body confidence and female empowerment.

But Ashley James made it quite clear that it comes at a price as she took to Twitter on Saturday during a visit to London Fashion Week: Men.

Despite looking sensational at the LFWM John Smedley show in an eye-popping leather dress, it appeared that somebody (or bodies) had rubbed her up the wrong way, leading her to scurry away into a corner and tweet vehemently about being insulted.

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'I've been slut-shamed for years!' Busty Ashley James slips into tight leather mini at glitzy LMFW show... in wake of emotional rant about her body being 'insulted' and 'sexualised'

The former Made In Chelsea starlet, 30, teased her ample assets with the plunging neckline of her skintight leather dress, exuding body confidence as she did so.

But her Twitter feed suggested she was feeling far from pleased.

'I'm getting so bored of walking around and men and women muttering insults under their breath about my body,' she typed into the microblogging site.

'My body is my body... It doesn't dictate my views, my personality, my heart. I'm embracing my body and learning to be confident after years of being slut shamed.

Incredible: The icy haired beauty cut her sensational hourglass figure showing off a hint of sideboob

Tousled! The 30-year-old showed off her glowing complexion as she added a touch of light make-up to her features

Here come the girls! The former E4 persona was joined by her pal Charlotte de Carle

'And it takes so much guts to put on a figure hugging outfit that suits my body shape because I know I'll be sexualised and gossiped about... I CAN HEAR YOU!'

While it's not clear what might have been said to her - or who said it - she didn't let that stop her posing for the cameras.

Resting her hand defiantly on her hip, she threw on a matching snakeskin-style jacket to complete her biker chic look.

The reality personality championed her natural beauty as she kept her make-up minimal with light touches of glossy lipstick.

Ashley let her icy platinum locks flow in loose waves, allowing them to kiss the frame of her pretty face.

Cosy! The friends were in high spirits as they enjoyed each other's charming company

Power dressing! Her girl friend flashed some serious skin in a barely-there bralette which she teamed with a white suit jacket and trousers

Working her magic on the red carpet, she made her mark in pointed sky-scraper stiletto heels.

The former E4 persona was joined by her pal Charlotte de Carle, who flashed some serious skin in a barely-there netted bralette.

Power dressing, Charlotte teamed the racy lingerie with a white suit jacket and trousers.

In the front row! Ashley and Charlotte joined the bustling front row as they eagerly awaited the catwalk to commence

Top style: The pair were in high spirits as they soaked up the buzzing atmosphere at the event

The two women joined the bustling front row as they eagerly awaited the catwalk to commence.

Earlier on in the day, the body confidence icon shared a make-up free selfie while wearing only a skimpy swimsuit on Instagram.

Ashley took the plunge in the scantily-clad costume which barely contained her eye-popping cleavage.

Draping a jacket in the same pattern of the costume, she teased a hint of side boob, highlighting her natural tan.

Racy! Earlier on in the day, the body confidence icon shared a make-up free selfie while wearing only a skimpy swimsuit on Instagram

But her confident posts have come amid much 'slut-shaming'.

Not only had the run-in at LFWM upset her, she revealed at an event in May that she was insulted by a 'sexist' taxi driver when on a night out in London.

The platinum haired beauty had been wearing a cleavage-flashing bralette when the driver allegedly took a photograph of her bust.

Recalling the incident to MailOnline, she admitted: 'Women have naturally big or small boobs. It does not define who you are sexually. I should not be made to feel uncomfortable for something I was born with.

Model behaviour! David Gandy was also sat in the front row eagerly anticipating the runway

Dressed to impress: Craig McGinlay [L] looked dapper in a smart suit and Roger Frampton [R] dressed his suit jacket down with a pair of casual shorts

Specs appeal! Hu Bing sported a pair of eye-catching brown shades to contrast with his beige coloured ensemble

'I was in a bra, and to have boobs my size, I admit it was quite out-there. When he took the photograph it enhanced my own insecurities.'

LFWM, which celebrates men's fashion over women's, sees the likes of David Gandy, David Haye, Tom Daley, Oliver Cheshire and Jim Chapman in attendance.

Now in it's fifth year, the five-day menswear extravaganza includes the second season of Tinie Tempah's What We Wear streetwear line and the return of Vivienne Westwood's tailoring designs.

Keeping it casual: Jack Brett Anderson opted for a baggy sweater and skinny jeans for the day's festivities

Crisp: Eric Underwood [L] looked suave in a smart blue suit and shiny pointed shoes while Dylan Jones [R] styled a plaid jacket matched with smart brown loafers

Wow: A model sported a pair of white jeans, and paired them with a slate grey top

Strutting their stuff: The men looked delectable in their smart attire

Pastel prince: Baby blues and other light wash colours were present at the show

Suited and booted: The models looked pristine in their jackets, smart trousers and shoes
She is rumoured to be romantically involved with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

But Pamela Anderson found herself clutching onto the arm of another man as she left Avenue Nightclub in Hollywood looking a little worse for wear on Friday night.

The former Baywatch star, 49, was seen exiting the venue while holding onto her mystery companion to support herself, as he led her away into a waiting car.

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Fun night? Pamela Anderson, 49, was spotted looking worse for wear as she left Avenue nightclub in Hollywood on Friday night with a mystery man

Bleary-eyed Pamela was certainly dressed for the occasion in a black INGIE Paris tea dress that struggled to contain her more than ample assets.

The model's frock featured cap sleeves and a fitted bodice that flaunted her plentiful cleavage, thanks to its daringly low-cut neckline.

It then billowed out into a full skirt that sat just above the knee on the actress.

Pamela teamed her dress with a pair of monochrome heels and toted her evening essentials in a mini clutch bag that she held onto in her hands.

She wore her famous blonde locks down and they appeared to be messily tousled into soft waves that fell past her shoulders.

Helping hand: She appeared to be clinging onto the hand of her male companion as she left the venue

Bleary-eyed: Despite her not-so-slick appearance as she made her way home, the former Baywatch star had certainly dressed for the occasion

Busty: Pamela teased her more than ample assets in a daringly low-cut tea-dress that highlighted her curvaceous figure

The former Playboy star completed her look with a slick of red lipstick and appeared in high spirits as she made her way home.

She was accompanied by a male companion who appeared keen to offer Pamela a helping hand as he ushered her into a car.

MailOnline have contacted a representative for Pamela.

Their appearance together comes amid rumours Pamela is enjoying a romance with Julian Assange.

She had been spotted at the Ecuador Embassy in London visiting Julian on several occasions since October last year - he has been living there under political asylum for the last five years.

Glamorous: She teamed her frock with monochrome heels and wore her famous blonde locks in a messy and tousled style

This way: Her pal appeared to be ushering her towards a waiting car as they came to the end of their night

Ever the gentleman: He appeared to get the door for Pamela as they made their way to their car

He was also subject to a European Arrest Warrant over allegations he raped a woman in Sweden - but the charges have since been dropped and the US Justice Department is currently deciding whether to prosecute Julian over documents published on Wikileaks back in 2010.

While neither he or Pamela have officially confirmed their romance, she has spoken openly of her love for her rumoured beau.

In an interview with Stellar at the end of last month, Pamela insisted her relationship status with Julian is 'personal', but did admit that she 'adores' him.

'He's a great man and it would be a dream to have him reunited with his young family in France,' she said.

Rumoured love: It's said Pamela is now dating WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange

Blossoming romance? She has been seen visiting him at the Ecuador Embassy in London on several occasions since October 2016

Back in March, she had fuelled romance rumours between the pair by sharing a poem online to her personal website, titled My Julian.

It read: 'Julian Assange is the most intelligent, interesting and informed man in existence... Yes - I think he's quite sexy.

On her blog, she has previously said about him: 'My relationship with Julian - it's no secret.

'He is one of my favourite people and he might be the most famous, most politicsed refugee of our time.

'Famous for being persecuted is not a position of power, but a position of vulnerability. I am concerned.

'I adore him': Pamela (pictured above at the end of May) hasn't been shy of showing her admiration for her supposed new beau and wrote a gushing tribute about Julian on her personal website

'Julian is a human being who is extremely empathetic and cares deeply about the world. And because of his work he has made some powerful enemies in a few countries, America especially, by exposing them.'

She added to People magazine: 'He's a gentleman, he is extremely smart, resilient.

'Julian is trying to free the world by educating it. It is a romantic struggle - I love him for this.'

The pair were initially introduced by designer Vivienne Westwood in 2014, as Pamela had wanted to enlist the help of Julian to back her foundation which supports the protection of human, animal, and environmental rights.

Keeping coy: Neither Pamela or Julian have confirmed their relationship status, with the blonde beauty previously teasing: 'It was never the intention to become romantic'

She appeared to confirm their relationship in February during an interview on Australian radio show The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

Pamela said about Julian: 'It was never the intention to become romantic. It was just to join forces to do something important... things happen for sure.'

Julian had also spoken about Pamela on the Australian radio show.

He said: 'Shes an attractive person with an attractive personality and whip smart. Shes no idiot at all, she psychologically very savvy.'

When pushed about their relationship, he responded: 'Well I mean I like her, shes great. Im not gonna go into private details.'
In March, she delightedly announced she is expecting her second child with husband Carl Philip.

And Princess Sofia Of Sweden is clearly taking to pregnancy swimmingly as she headed to the graduation ceremony of the Sophiahemmet Hospital in Stockholm on Friday - during which she looked simply radiant.

The 32-year-old royal was a vision in a pretty blue coord complete with a boxy blue jacket which skimmed her bump while she matched her elegant shoes to the rest of the regal ensemble.

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Bumping along nicely: Princess Sofia Of Sweden is clearly taking to pregnancy swimmingly as she headed to the graduation ceremony of the Sophiahemmet Hotel in Stockholm on Friday - during which she looked simply radiant

Princess Sofia and Carl, who are already parents to one-year-old Prince Alexander, announced their news through the Swedish royal court website, on which they revealed she will give birth to her second child in September 2017.

As the happy couple veer towards their second wedding anniversary on Tuesday, having married in Stockholm's Slottskyrkan church in June 2015, the brunette beauty looked as joyous as ever with her perfect royal life.

Making the latest in her string of personal appearances, Sofia was glowing in her chic yet demure ensemble which perfectly skimmed her blooming bump.

Boasting the fabled expectant mother glow, she applied only dewy make-up while her long tresses tumbled over her shoulders with half the hair pulled back.

Hurrah! The 32-year-old royal was a vision in a pretty blue coord complete with a boxy blue jacket which skimmed her bump in length while she matched her elegant shoes to the rest of the regal ensemble

Stunner: In an official statement on the Swedish Royal Court's website, the couple said: 'We are happy to announce that we are expecting a child, a sibling to Prince Alexander. We are looking forward to welcoming a new little member to our family'

In an official statement on the Swedish Royal Court's website, the couple said: 'We are happy to announce that we are expecting a child, a sibling to Prince Alexander. We are looking forward to welcoming a new little member to our family.'

The statement also confirmed that Sofia would continue with her scheduled engagements as planned throughout the spring and summer of 2017.

Their happy news came just 11 months after the birth of the couple's first child Prince Alexander who arrived in April 2016.

Elegant: The statement also confirmed that Sofia would continue with her scheduled engagements as planned throughout the spring and summer of 2017

Joy of joys: He was born weighing at 7lbs 9oz. and measuring 19.3 inches long at Danderyds Hospital in Stockholm. Hours after the birth, Carl Philip held a press conference at the hospital to announce the new arrival

He was born weighing at 7lbs 9oz. and measuring 19.3 inches long at Danderyds Hospital in Stockholm. Hours after the birth, Carl Philip held a press conference at the hospital to announce the new arrival.

'When asked if he had cried during the birth, the prince replied, according to People magazine: 'Yes, actually. Of course. Couldn't stop. For me and my wife, this is obviously a great day with a lot of emotion. Words cannot describe.'

Former glamour model Sofia Hellqvist married the prince last June. The elegant brunette is known for her infectious gap-toothed smile and easygoing ways.

They dated for five years before walking down the aisle and now live together in the upmarket Djurgarden district of Stockholm.

Royal blue: They dated for five years before walking down the aisle and now live together in the upmarket Djurgarden district of Stockholm

Stunner: They married in the royal palace's chapel, with the bride wearing a lace wedding dress created by local designer Ida Sjostedt. But thanks to Princess Sofia's reality TV and glamour modelling past, Carl Philip's choice of wife initially proved controversial

Elegant: Unsurprisingly, when news of Carl Philip's new relationship emerged in 2010, the Swedish Royal Family were initially put 'on the defensive' as sources revealed at the time

They married in the royal palace's chapel, with the bride wearing a lace wedding dress created by local designer Ida Sjostedt. But thanks to Princess Sofia's reality TV and glamour modelling past, Carl Philip's choice of wife initially proved controversial.

The now Duchess of Varmland's first shoot aged 20 saw her posing topless in a pair of camouflage print bikini bottoms and clutching a snake to preserve her modesty.

Unsurprisingly, when news of Carl Philip's new relationship emerged in 2010, the Swedish Royal Family were initially put 'on the defensive' as sources revealed at the time.

Since then, however, Sofia has gone out of her way to tone down her image.

Meanwhile Carl Philip has hit the headlines for antics of his own - not least his infamous 'wild summer' of 2012, during which he hit the Swedish party scene wearing an alien mask, and hitchhiked to a motoring competition after losing his Gucci wallet, going on to crash his car in the first race.
She certainly knows how to work a red carpet.

And Kate Winslet commanded attention as she stepped out in Paris on Saturday to pay a visit to Longines Shop located on Faubourg Saint-Honore.

The actress, 41, is an ambassador for the luxury French watch brand and looked sensational as she stopped by in a sophisticated pencil dress that flaunted her envy-inducing figure.

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Sophisticated chic: Kate Winslet, 41, commanded attention as she stepped out in Paris on Saturday to pay a visit to Longines Shop located on Faubourg Saint-Honore

Kate first associated with the fashion accessory brand back in 2010 and was among the guest-list for an event held in the French capital.

Looking aptly dressed for the occasion, the Titanic star chose a chic frock by Roland Mouret that perfectly highlighted her womanly frame.

The form-fitting number cinched in at the waist and drew attention to Kate's peachy posterior as it sheathed her figure.

It featured a gold zip that stretched from the back of the neck down to the thigh and a beige panel across the front at the chest which travelled down underneath the movie star's bust.

Gorgeous: The actress looked sensational as she stopped by in a sophisticated pencil dress that flaunted her envy-inducing figure

Kate teamed her dress with a pair of suede court heels and she wore her blonde tresses down in a centre parting.

Her mid-length locks were styled into soft curls that fell just below her shoulders and she finished her red carpet look with a glam make-up look that boasted a subtle smokey eye and a rose pink lip.

Kate accessorised her getup with a bangle on one wrist and a watch - no doubt one of Longines' designs - on the other.

On her arrival to the Parisian store, she was more than happy to pose for photographs and was seen rubbing shoulders with the Director of Longines, France Frederic Bondoux.

Beauty: The Titanic star's mid-length locks were styled into soft curls that fell just below her shoulders and she finished her red carpet look with a glam make-up look

Friends in high places: She was seen rubbing shoulders with the Director of Longines, France Frederic Bondoux

Kate's appearance in Paris comes after the trailer for her new movie The Mountain Between Us has been released.

She stars in the film alongside Luther star Idris Elba.

While Kate takes on the role of soon-to-be married journalist named Alex Martin, Idris plays a surgeon named Ben Bass.

The two find one another amid an urgent need to depart the airport for their pressing engagements, and wind up taking a charter flight with one another.

But in the thriller, the plane crashes on desolate, snowy mountains, leaving the duo to fend for themselves among the wreckage.

The film, which is directed by Hany Abu-Assad, also features Dermot Mulroney and Beau Bridges and is set to hit the big screen in October later this year.
She lets the British public into her family life every week when The Mummy Diaries is on the air.

But with the show on a hiatus, Sam Faiers, 26, was taking a break from the limelight as she and her family headed to the pool for a day in the Italian sun on Saturday.

Enjoying her getaway to Sardinia with boyfriend Paul Knightley and their one-year-old son Paul Jnr, the family languished in the heat - but not before Sam had a struggle with what she was wearing.

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Busty: Sam Faiers grappled with her tiny white bikini as she enjoyed a day in the sun in Sardinia with her family on Saturday

The reality star - formerly of TOWIE fame - sported a white bikini as she settled on a sun lounger with her boys.

But the two-piece proved a little flimsy for the mum-of-one, as she appeared to struggle containing her bust in the top half of the swimsuit.

In a risky move, the former TOWIE star seemed to spill out of the bottom of the bikini top as she removed a T-shirt to work on her tan.

Donning a pair of aviators, Sam struggled with the top, while her boyfriend and son played in the backdrop.

Steady: But the two-piece proved a little flimsy for the mum-of-one, as she appeared to struggle containing her bust in the top half of the swimsuit

Oops: Enjoying her getaway to Sardinia with boyfriend Paul Knightley and their one-year-old son Paul Jnr, the family languished in the heat - but not before Sam had a struggle with what she was wearing

She looked naturally pretty as she let her chestnut locks to flow freely in the Italian breeze.

The ITVBe star let Paul and Baby Paul play on the grass, but couldn't help but join them for a game of football.

The doting mum looked on in adoration at her family - a family she's made no secret about one day hoping to expand.

Alone time: With Baby Paul distracted with a little friend, Sam and Paul managed to steal some alone time on a beach towel under the shade, seen rolling around and getting cozy

Steady: But the two-piece proved a little flimsy for the mum-of-one, as she appeared to struggle containing her bust in the top half of the swimsuit before she layered up

Expansion plans? In a recent interview, Sam revealed she is enjoying motherhood so much she would love to add to her brood

Taking it easy : Paul clearly instructed his other half to take it easy as she was later seen reclining on her lounger, checking her phone and yawning widely

Fun in the sun: The starlet got to work topping up her tan in the sunshine

Good spirits: Sam seemed chirpy as she enjoyed her day out in the sunshine

Tanned and toned: Sam seemed in good spirits as she relaxed in the sunshine

Naturally pretty: She let her chestnut locks to flow freely in the Italian breeze

Hair she comes: Sam's glossy locks covered her face as the breeze picked up

Despite not being married to Paul, the pair have already made long-term plans, and hope to have more children one day, much like Sam's sister Billie who, this year, gave birth to her second child.

Paul clearly instructed his other half to take it easy as she was later seen reclining on her lounger, checking her phone and yawning widely.

But with Baby Paul distracted with a little friend, Sam and Paul managed to steal some alone time on a beach towel under the shade, seen rolling around and getting cozy.

Kick about: The ITVBe star let Paul and Baby Paul play on the grass, but couldn't help but join them for a game of football

Tough guy: Little Paul seemed to take to a game of rugby beautifully

New friends: Baby Paul was seen involving another child in the game

Doting mum: Sam looked on in adoration at her family - a family she's made no secret about one day hoping to expand

The family's trip comes after the second season of The Mummy Diaries came to a close last month.

The ITVBe show followed Sam's home life with her partner Paul, 27, and their son.

Sam first began dating Paul in October 2014, soon after she split from her TOWIE co-star Joey Essex.

The couple had only been seeing each other for five months when Sam found out she was pregnant with their child.

Fly on the wall: The Essex native's pregnancy took centre stage on her original reality show spin-off The Baby Diaries

Spin off: It was so successful that Sam and ITVBe launched The Mummy Diaries, as a follow up show

End of season: The family's trip comes after the second season of The Mummy Diaries came to a close last month

Reality stars: The ITVBe show followed Sam's home life with her partner Paul, 27, and their son

The Essex native's pregnancy took centre stage on her original reality show spin-off The Baby Diaries.

It was so successful that Sam and ITVBe launched The Mummy Diaries, as a follow up show.

In a recent interview, Sam revealed she is enjoying motherhood so much she would love to add to her brood.

Speaking about having another baby and being a mum, she told CelebsNow : 'Maybe at the end of next year. Im enjoying Paul for his age now.

'Id love a little girl but I feel that wont happen for a while.'
He's the Australian hunk who's day-job involved receiving mouth-to-mouth from Scarlett Johansson.

And now Australian model-turned-actor, Ryan Cooper, has confessed his savoring of his lip-locking experience, revealing to the Daily Telegraph on Saturday he still 'holds a little bit' of the Hollywood actress's breath in his lungs.

The 31-year-old admitted to Confidential on Nova that working with the blonde bombshell for upcoming flick, Rough Night, had left him pinching himself every day.

Mouth action: Ryan Cooper still savors Scarlett Johansson's breath and pinches himself every day

He explained that while mouth-to-mouth wasn't exactly a 'frenchie', he was still smug about his 'lungful of carbon dioxide from Scarlett.'

The Papua New Guinea- born star played a stripper in the movie and spent the majority of the movie pretending to be dead.

And although his character didn't have many lines, the actor completely dedicated himself to the role, revealing he gained an impressed 14kg of muscle.

Intimate moment: After being knocked unconscious, Ryan's character receives mouth-to-mouth from bombshell Scarlett Johansson

He credited his gains to eating lots of carbohydrate and protein-dense food and lifting heavy weights.

'It was a lot of fun to get to explore a bit of muscle building techniques and some dance routines,' he said of his preparation for the role.

Ryan was no stranger to physically demanding roles, having formerly worked as a carpenter before signing with Chic Model Management.

Party animals: The bridal party's night takes a turn for the worst when things don't go as planned with their stripper

The model slash actor made a name for himself in the modelling world after working for DKNY Jeans, Armani Exchange and Hugo Boss underwear.

He then secured a role in the MTV thriller series, Eye Candy, playing the main love interest of former Nickelodeon star, Victoria Justice, who he says is 'amazing.'

Born in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea to Australian parents, Ryan was raised in Oz, Vanuatu and New Zealand before making his home in New York.

The up and coming 6ft1 actor worked as a carpenter for six years before making waves as a model after featuring in a DKNY Jeans campaign in 2008.

A different route: Scarlett Johansson, 32, attempted to expand her reach by venturing into the world of comedy in the new film




She just arrived home to Australia after spending twelve years behind bars for her conviction as a drug smuggler.

And after only a fortnight of freedom, Schapelle Corby seems to be getting ready to be locked up again.

On Sunday, sources close to the 39-year-old reportedly told The Daily Telegraph that Schapelle's in serious talks to appear on the UK's Celebrity Big Brother.

Criminal turned reality star! On Sunday, sources close to Schapelle Corby, 39, revealed that she was in serious talks to appear on the UK's Celebrity Big Brother

According to the report, the former jail bird has signed a deal with distributor Endemol Shine International, and the newly minted reality star has supposedly already applied for a network-sponsored working visa.

The Daily Telegraph report also claimed that it was Endemol Shine who also encouraged Schapelle to start her Instagram account that has already reached 195,000 followers.

News Corp who reached out to the company's communications manager, Rae Langford, was unable to get a definitive response about Schapelle's new stunt.

'We don't comment on speculation,' he said.

Next adventure? Allegedly already signed a deal with distributor Endemol Shine International, the criminal turned reality star has supposedly already applied for a network-sponsored working visa

It won't be easy: A spokeswoman from the Department of Immigration confirmed that she may be denied entry into the UK

Although the convicted drug smuggler has been freed to travel under Australia's immigration laws, it is unclear whether or not she will meet the strict UK international entry requirements.

In light of the recent terror attacks and her criminal record, a spokeswoman from the Department of Immigration confirmed to News Corp that Schapelle could potentially be denied entry into the country.

It's not the first time speculation has surrounded Schapelle turning into a reality TV star.

Australia's newest starlet! It's not the first time speculation has surrounded Schapelle turning into a reality TV star

Whilst gearing up for her arrival back into Australia two weeks ago, social media went into a frenzy with users supporting the idea that the former criminal replace Sophie Monk as the next Bachelorette.

Appearing on the Kyle and Jackie O radio show, Schapelle's sister Mercedes denied the speculation.

'No that's not going to happen,' she said.
Sons and Daughters veteran Rowena Wallace has been forced to asked for help from the Australian audiences she's entertained for over 50-years.

Struggling to survive on 'roughly $400 a week,' the 69-year-old has reluctantly allowed friends to setup a crowd funding page on GoFundMe to help fund an intended move to Brisbane.

'I dont know what else to do,' she confessed to The Daily Telegraph on Saturday.

Stuck: Sons and Daughters veteran Rowena Wallace has been forced to asked for help from the Australian audiences she's entertained for over 50-years

The Home and Away alum still remains conflicted about asking for money, and admits she thinks the public's backlash is an unavoidable inevitability.

She sold her Gold Logie several years ago to cover living expenses at the secluded Victorian home she shares with beloved pooches Phoebe and Reubus.

To make matters worse, she revealed: 'Im not in great shape. I have chronic pain, which is debilitating.'

When one of her dogs required urgent medical treatment, she could barely afford the costs, but the grim alternative was too hard to fathom.

Nowhere to turn: Struggling to survive on 'roughly $400 a week,' the 69-year-old has reluctantly allowed friends to setup a crowd funding page on GoFundMe

'Although they can be a bit of a handful, they make my life worth living,' Rowena said.

She revealed that's she's been riddled with anxiety for years, with every coming bill pushing her further into panic.

Like many of the actors who started out in the 60's, she revealed she lacks a Superannuation fund, because it wasn't required back then.

'I dont know what else to do': She sold her Gold Logie several years ago to cover living expenses at the secluded Victorian home she shares with beloved pooches Phoebe and Reubus

'They make my life worth living': When one of her dogs required urgent medical treatment, she could barely afford the costs, but the grim alternative was too hard to fathom

Last year, the veteran actress joined mobile dating app Tinder, but mostly just to find friends.

'I dont care what the younger generation do, but its not for me. Im just not that sort of lady. I like to keep it nice and friendly, but nothing else, she told Woman's Day.

The year before, she claimed the animal sedative and party drug Ketamine had been 'a miracle' cure for her depression.
He may have a reputation with the ladies, but it seems as though there's only one on his mind.

Pete Wicks and Megan McKenna have been trying to rekindle their on/off relationship with a romantic getaway in Las Vegas, and it look as though their efforts have paid off.

The TOWIE hunk took to Instagram on Saturday to a pensive snapshot of himself looking across Sin City's iconic skyline.

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Back on: Pete appeared to confirm that he's reunited with on/off beau Megan McKenna as he shared his first snap from their romantic getaway in Las Vegas

While Megan was nowhere to be seen in the picture, Pete made it clear with the caption that the former Ex on the Beach stunner is all he's thinking about.

Appearing to confirm their reunion, the handsome star wrote: 'Us'

Earlier this week, Megan teased fans when she showed off a huge rock on her ring finger after leaving the Cirque du Soleil in Sin City on Friday in a cheeky Snapchat video.

Although she is 'working on things' with Pete, the TOWIE personality, 24, flashed a huge ring which caught glimpses of the spotlight - although it was later revealed the bling was merely a joking gift from a Mickey Mouse impersonator.

Wedding bells? Megan McKenna teased fans when she showed off a huge rock on her ring finger after leaving the Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas on Friday in a cheeky Snapchat video

The video got tongues wagging as the reality star made it clear that Pete hasn't popped the question.

In fact, the brunette bombshell found herself engaged to be married to a complete stranger wearing a Mickey Mouse costume.

The masked man approached a giddy Meghan but she refused to take his offering of a single rose.

Upping the ante, Mickey Mouse pulled out a small red ring box and playfully asked for her hand in marriage.

Love at first sight! Mickey Mouse pops the question to the reality star, 24, moments after meeting her

Playing along, the fiery personality let him slip the glittery item of jewellery onto her finger.

Teasing her followers, she responded, 'Oh my God' - no doubt the amusement of probable cameraman Pete.

Pleased as punch, the smiling pair then posed for a string of smiling selfies on the bustling Las Vegas strip.

Surprise! Meghan teases her followers as she allows the stranger to slip on the glittery item of jewellery

Cheers to the happy couple! The smiling duo pose for a number of fun selfies after the playful encounter

Earlier in the week, the TOWIE duo were seen reclining poolside in a US hotel in images obtained by The Sun.

A representative for the 24-year-old starlet, confirmed to MailOnline: 'They have taken a trip abroad to work on things and hope people will respect their privacy.'

Megan and Pete have been locked in a convoluted love story since she entered the structured reality programme in March last year, with their dramas captivating viewers following many bumps in the road.

Back on: When Megan and Pete finally called things quits, the duo remained adamant they would remain civil yet it seems they have fallen once again into romance as they jetted away to 'work' on their relationship

The most shocking twist in their romance came last September when he was outed for 'sexting' his ex-girlfriend Jaqui Ryland, in which he sent messages stating he 'wished he didn't have a girlfriend' - naturally to Megan's chagrin.

After mending their relationship, he admitted the scandal was hanging over their heads as Megan admitted in an episode of TOWIE in March that she constantly thinks of the betrayal particularly when they argue.

When they finally called things quits last month, the duo remained adamant they would remain civil yet it seems they have fallen once again into romance as they jetted away to 'work' on their relationship.

Not giving up: Megan confirmed she has taken a holiday with her on-off beau Pete Wicks to Las Vegas, where they are 'working on things'

Out and a pout: She went as far as keeping her location mysterious - in an unprecedented move for a reality star who is so used to documenting every detail of her life on social media

Fun in the sun: A representative for the 24-year-old starlet, confirmed to MailOnline: 'They have taken a trip abroad to work on things and hope people will respect their privacy'

Last month, a source told The Sun: 'Megan and Pete still love each other despite everything and they want their time off from Towie to be about them and try to rekindle what they had. Its very early days, but theyve had a few heart to hearts and now Towies finished filming they can work through things.'

The couple's trip appears to be the true mark of great things to come, as they pair looked happy and relaxed while chilling in scanty swimwear and having deep chats.

Megan has been littering her social media accounts with envy-inducing snaps from a trip although remained mysterious over her holiday mate, yet her confirmation proves it was in fact Pete behind the lens.

She went as far as keeping her location mysterious - in an unprecedented move for a reality star who is so used to documenting every detail of her life on social media.

Turbulent: Megan and Pete have been locked in a convoluted love story since she entered the structured reality programme in March last year, with their dramas captivating viewers following many bumps in the road

Gone: As the 20th series of TOWIE drew to a close last month, the pair starred in one of the most shocking scenes in the show to date when Megan was physically restrained by producers in the midst of a blazing row

Outraged: Sources claimed during the row in the street Megan accused Pete of being unfaithful while staying in Scotland, presumably during his solo mini-break he took in January

As the 20th series of TOWIE drew to a close last month, the pair starred in one of the most shocking scenes in the show to date when Megan was physically restrained by producers in the midst of a blazing row.

Sources claimed during the row in the street Megan accused Pete of being unfaithful while staying in Scotland, presumably during his solo mini-break he took in January after a blazing row with Megan at the NTAs.

Megan's temper has become prolific throughout her lengthy career in reality TV which has seen her appear on Ex On The Beach for two turns, CBB, an attempted bid for stardom in Britain's Got Talent and X Factor while making her first TOWIE appearance in 2010 while auditioning for Jess Wright's now-defunct group LOLA.
Sir David Tang surpassed his own legendary status as the man who has been pals with everyone from Fidel Castro to Kate Moss by employing some cunning to meet Vladimir Putin.

The Hong Kong entrepreneur orchestrated a bizarre tete-a-tete with the Russian leader by posing as a lowly member of Oliver Stones camera crew, who were in Moscow filming a documentary for Sky.

As Sir David, 62, is used to having doors flung open for him at the worlds most exclusive celebrity hotspots, slipping through the smallest door in the Kremlin was quite a departure.

Sir David Tang and Vladimir Putin. The Hong Kong entrepreneur orchestrated a bizarre tete-a-tete with the Russian leader by posing as a lowly member of Oliver Stones camera crew

I entered a room with cheap imitation Versailles furniture and two corpulent waiters in ill-fitting black suits. A single lamp dimly lit the unassuming entrance and there was no grand staircase, says Sir David, who was once personally driven by the Queen at a Sandringham shoot.

Sir Davids powers of persuasion are such that when he met Castro in 1992 he secured an exclusive franchise to sell Cuban cigars, but even his charm could not persuade Putin to let slip any state secrets.

Sir David says: I was finally led up to the most influential man on Earth. The words coming out of my mouth did not really register with my brain, which was thinking all the time that the man in front of me could have imparted more secrets than any other man on the planet, but instead was talking incongruously about pedestrian Chinese food and his Chinese jackets.

The rendezvous took place in February but has been marked top secret by Sir David until now. The documentary is to be broadcast on Sky on Tuesday, and Putin might be in for a shock when he sees Sir Davids name in the credits listed under executive producer, not runner.

I can only hope that he sees the funny side!
Cruz Beckhams hopes of becoming a pop star have been dashed  by his parents.

The 11-year-old scored a top ten hit over Christmas but David and wife Victoria have decreed that Cruz must hang up his microphone for the foreseeable future and concentrate on his school work instead.

Cruz signed with pop mogul Scooter Braun at the end of last year and tasted success with If Every Day Was Christmas.

Cruz has been told by mother and father David and Victoria Beckham to focus on his school work not his singing career

But his parents faced a backlash for pushing their children into the spotlight.

And now sources tell me it was never part of David and Victorias plan to allow Cruz to become a fully-fledged pop star before he flies the nest.

Cruz is not alone in having to learn to be patient. Big brother Brooklyn, 18, was looking forward to the launch of his photography book, What I See, on May 4. But after his parents insisted he must get his A-levels out of the way first, the release has been delayed until June 29. Brooklyn will head off to college in New York this autumn.

It's arguably Londons most chic hotel but the Mandarin Oriental was made to look vulgar in Channel 4 series A Very British Hotel, according to its bosses. Their cameras will not be allowed even so far as the lobby again, an insider tells me over a glass of Lanson. I wont expect a second series then
He spent the weekend letting loose as he guzzled beer with a group of rugby players at Oxford University.

Yet Hugh Grant, 56, seemed to be enjoying a change of pace as he went on a relaxing and romantic stroll around Paris with his gorgeous girlfriend Anna Eberstein, 35, on Friday.

Hand in hand as they strolled around the French capital, the couple looked in good spirits as they soaked up the sights of the stunning city.

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Two's company: Hugh Grant, 56, seemed to be enjoying a change of pace as he went on a romantic stroll around Paris with his gorgeous girlfriend Anna Eberstein, 35, on Friday

Looking dapper for the outing, Hugh donned a blue blazer over his crisp white shirt and kept his glasses on to ensure he would be able to see the beauty of Paris.

Television producer Anna also looked equally as chic for the outing, highlighting her svelte frame in a pair of grey chinos and a white blouse.

Wearing her glossy chestnut locks in loose waves, the stunning Swede finished off the look with a pair of oversized sunglasses.

Cute couple: Hand in hand as they strolled around the French capital, the couple looked in good spirits as they soaked up the sights of the stunning city

The couple's outing came just days after Hugh participated in a typically Australian tradition over the weekend as he enjoyed a wild night out with New College, Oxford University rugby players.

Footage emerged of the Notting Hill star doing a 'shoey'- a Down Under drinking tradition that sees the participant gulp down a drink from their own shoe.

In the short clip, Hugh is seen sitting at a table surrounded by rowdy revelers chanting: 'I have never seen Hugh Grant do a shoe!'

Clad in a slick suit and tie, the father-of-four is seen obliging his pals by downing the drink from his leather dress shoe.

Hugh also appeared in another video taken during the wild night out, showing the actor drinking from two bottles while being cheered on by students.

Hughey does a shoey! Hugh, 56, participated in a typically Australian tradition over the weekend as he enjoyed a wild night out with New College Oxford University rugby players

Classic: The quintessential English actor is known for his charm, wit and age-defying good looks

Doubling his fun? Hugh also appeared in another video taken during the wild night out, showing the actor drinking from two bottles while being cheered on by students

The dashing actor, a former Oxford University himself, made sure to pose for photos with the student rugby players during the wild night out.

Hugh and his girlfriend Anna are proud parents to son John, born in 2012, and a second child whose name is not yet known, born in December 2015.

He also has two other children - a daughter Tabitha, four, and son Felix, two, with Chinese beauty Tinglan Hong.

Back to his beginnings: The actor, a former Oxford University himself, made sure to pose for photos with the student rugby players during the wild night out
Credit ratings agency Moody's has downgraded South Africa to one notch above junk status over gloomy growth prospects and the political instability unleashed by corruption scandals engulfing President Jacob Zuma

Credit ratings agency Moody's on Friday said it had downgraded South Africa a notch over gloomy growth prospects and the political instability unleashed by corruption scandals engulfing President Jacob Zuma.

Africa's most advanced economy was knocked down from Baa2 to Baa3 -- one notch above junk status -- with a negative outlook, Moody's said in a statement.

Fitch and Standard and Poor's, the other two main global ratings agencies, already downgraded South Africa to junk status after Zuma's shock purge of critical ministers in March, including respected finance minister Pravin Gordhan.

The decision outraged the opposition and part of Zuma's own ruling African National Congress (ANC), with tens of thousands taking to the streets to demand the president's resignation.

Moody's had delayed its decision but finally announced the downgrade Friday citing "the weakening of South Africa's institutional framework" as well as worsening growth prospects and rising public debt, according to the agency's vice president Zuzana Brixiova.

The downgrade came after official statistics released Tuesday showed South Africa entering its first recession since 2009 after the economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.7 percent in the first quarter.

South Africa has had sluggish growth for years, with record unemployment of more than 27 percent.

"The urgent priority is reigniting confidence as well as reclaiming and maintaining the investment grade ratings," the Treasury department said in a statement, vowing to improve "investor and consumer confidence" through faster reforms.

David Maynier, a lawmaker with the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, described the announcement as "more bad news, in a string of bad news, and is a clear vote of no confidence in Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba and President Jacob Zuma."

The ANC is due to elect a new leader in December when Zuma, who took office in 2009, steps down.

The party -- which Nelson Mandela led to power in the 1994 post-apartheid elections -- is hoping that a proposed judicial inquiry into persistent graft allegations against Zuma will help salvage its credibility ahead of the 2019 national elections.
Hamas has a network of tunnels, two of which have just been discovered under schools, that have been used in the past as firing positions, shelter from Israeli attack, storage for weapons and at times to enter Israel and capture soldiers.

Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas has denied that it or any other militant group built a tunnel under two UN schools in Gaza after its discovery drew a strong UN protest.

Over the years, Gaza's Hamas rulers have built a labyrinth of tunnels, some passing under the border into Israel which they used to launch attacks during their last conflict in 2014.

On June 1, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) found "part of a tunnel that passes under two adjacent agency schools in the Maghazi camp" during construction work, spokesman Christopher Gunness said on Friday.

Hamas late Friday "strongly condemned" the UNRWA statement, saying it would be exploited by Israel to "justify its crimes".

Hamas had clarified the issue "with all factions and resistance forces, who clearly stated they had no actions related to the resistance in the said location," the movement said, adding that it respected UNRWA's work.

Gunness said that the tunnel "has no entry or exit points on the premises nor is it connected to the schools or other buildings in any way".

"UNRWA condemns the existence of such tunnels in the strongest possible terms. It is unacceptable that students and staff are placed at risk in such a way," he said.

Gunness said the agency had "robustly intervened and protested to Hamas in Gaza".

He said UNRWA will seal the tunnel, which was discovered while the schools were empty during the summer holiday.

Attack tunnels were a key weapon for Hamas during the 2014 Gaza war.

Hamas also built a vast network of tunnels under Gaza's border with Egypt to smuggle goods and allegedly weapons.

The Israeli army found and destroyed several tunnels during the 2014 war.

Israel and Hamas have fought three wars in the Gaza Strip since the group wrested control of the territory from the rival Fatah movement of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in 2007.
Protesters gather in Al-Hoceima, Morocco, where activists have been calling for their protest leader Nasser Zefzafi to be released

Protesters clashed with security forces in Morocco's Al-Hoceima early on Saturday, an AFP correspondent reported, after more than a week of protests in the northern province.

The violence broke out in the town of Imzouren after police tried to stop demonstrators from gathering, activists said.

Dozens of youths wearing balaclavas threw stones at security forces, who responded with tear gas, the correspondent said.

The clashes ended before dawn, with the police deploying around 50 vehicles in the area.

There were no immediate reports of any casualties.

Last Saturday, both sides had also clashed in the town, some 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the city of Al-Hoceima, a centre of social unrest since the gruesome death of a fishmonger there last year.

Mouhcine Fikri, 31, was crushed to death in a rubbish truck in October as he tried to prevent the destruction of swordfish which had been confiscated because it was caught out of season.

Calls for justice in Morocco's neglected Rif region have since snowballed into a grassroots movement demanding jobs and an end to corruption, dubbed Al-Hirak Al-Shaabi, or Popular Movement.

Protesters in Morocco's neglected Rif region have been calling for jobs and an end to corruption

Protesters have rallied nightly in Al-Hoceima since the arrest on May 29 of Al-Hirak leader Nasser Zefzafi and the subsequent detention of dozens of other activists.

Late Friday, more than 1,000 demonstrators -- mostly young men and women, some with children -- gathered in Al-Hoceima under a heavy police presence to call for Zefzafi and fellow activists to be freed.

Participants cleaned the streets as the protest came to an end shortly before midnight (2400 GMT).

The mainly Berber Rif region has long had a tense relationship with the central authorities in Rabat, and it was at the heart of the Arab Spring-inspired protests in Morocco in February 2011.

King Mohamed VI relinquished some of his near-absolute control through constitutional reforms following the 2011 protests.
The chances of being attacked by a shark are nearly one in four million -- but a large mouthful of sharp teeth is shark bait for Hollywood producers

More than 40 years ago, Americans were afraid to go into the water as "Jaws" scared the daylights out of a generation of ocean swimmers. Hollywood is hoping for a repeat this summer with the movie "47 Meters Down."

There have been more than 50 shark movies since Steven Spielberg made cinematic history with "Jaws" in 1975.

This year's shark movie, which will open in the US on June 16, takes place almost entirely under water.

Sisters Lisa and Kate -- played by Mandy Moore and Claire Holt -- are on vacation in the Gulf of California, and it becomes clear that they should avoid climbing aboard a flimsy boat belonging to Taylor (Matthew Modine).

They also probably should not get inside Taylor's rusty shark cage to plunge into the water and observe the predators up close.

Modine's character attracts the sharks by pouring blood into the water -- before the cage breaks away from the boat and drops to the ocean floor.

The two young women with little diving experience find themselves in the dark with less than an hour of air in their oxygen tanks -- surrounded, of course, by hungry sharks.

- 'Physically taxing' -

"What I found far more terrifying is the prospect and premise of drowning, of running out of air," Moore told reporters.

"That's my biggest fear. That's far more terrifying than sharks, which are terrifying enough."

Director Johannes Roberts decided that once the women plunged into the ocean there was no need for scenes on the surface.

"I had no interest in going back to reaction shots with Taylor and the other boys on the boat," he said.

"Imagine if in 'Gravity,' you kept cutting to ground control. It would have killed the movie," he said, referring to the 2013 Oscar-winning film about astronauts stranded in space.

For the film, Moore and Holt therefore spent eight hours a day for eight weeks inside a six-meter deep water tank.

"47 Meters Down" was filmed mainly in sun-deprived Britain, far from Mexico's bright Pacific coast. A few scenes were made in the Dominican Republic.

"We didn't realize how physically taxing it was going to be, all that time under water," Moore said.

"In that sense we were kind of Guinea pigs because no one knew what effect eight weeks everyday under water would have."

An especially large diving mask was designed so viewers could better see Moore and Holt's facial reactions.

The actresses could communicate via a special radio set, but communication with the rest of the film crew was via hand signs, while the director's instructions were delivered through a speaker inside the water tank.

"I was pretty nervous," said Holt. "But we had great people taking care of us."

- Slim shark attack chances -

Last year, just 81 unprovoked shark attacks were reported worldwide, according to the International Shark Attack File (ISAF).

None were reported in Mexico.

"We have a better chance of getting hit by lightning or eaten by a hippo than attacked by a shark," said Modine, who has been diving since he was a teenager.

The chances of being attacked by a shark are nearly one in four million, according to the International Wildlife Museum based in Tucson, Arizona.

And yet, a large mouthful of sharp teeth and fear of the deep sea add up to shark bait for Hollywood producers.
Zimbabwe's chief prosecutor Johannes Tomana (C) was suspended in 2016 for dropping charges against two men accused of plotting to bomb a dairy plant belonging to the wife of President Robert Mugabe

President Robert Mugabe has fired Zimbabwe's top prosecutor, who now faces a misconduct trial, state media reported Saturday, the latest twist in a dispute dating back more than a year.

"Suspended prosecutor general Mr Johannes Tomana was yesterday (Friday) fired for misconduct and incompetence after a tribunal set by President Mugabe to probe him recommended dismissal," The Herald newspaper reported.

Tomana faced charges of "criminal abuse of office" and was awaiting trial, the paper added, without giving further details.

He was suspended in February 2016 after dropping charges against two men accused of plotting to bomb a dairy plant that belonged to the president's wife, Grace Mugabe.

A year earlier he was convicted of abuse of power after initially refusing to prosecute a legislator with Mugabe's ZANU PF Party accused of raping a minor.

Tomana, once seen as a Mugabe loyalist, was threatened with 30 days in jail for his conduct in the affair, but eventually reversed his decision.

The legislator in question was eventually privately prosecuted, convicted and jailed.
An activist (2nd R) puts a shark suit on to protest Maxim's flag ship restaurant 'Maxim's Palace', the largest Chinese restaurant group, in Hong Kong

Dozens of activists Saturday dressed in bloody costumes sprawled outside one of Hong Kong's most popular restaurants linked to the sale of shark fin soup to protest against the killing of the marine predators.

The southern Chinese city is one of the world's biggest markets for shark fin, which is viewed by many Asians as a delicacy, often served as a soup at expensive Chinese banquets.

Saturday's demonstration included about 30 protesters wearing finless shark costumes splattered with red paint, chanting "when the buying stops, the killing can too".

The activists, many of whom were children, said they came out to stop the "cruel" practice.

"Shark finning is a very cruel thing that lots of people do, and we're trying to stop a chain of restaurants from selling it," 11-year-old Narnie Hockings told AFP before donning her shark suit.

The demonstrators also dumped a large bag of fake shark fins, cut from their costumes, next to where people were waiting to enter the Maxim's Palace restaurant for lunch, before flopping down on the floor in protest.

Activists protest outside Maxim's Palace for selling threatened and endangered shark species in Hong Kong

"The display is to show people how bad it is and what people do in real life because I don't think people know that they actually chuck the bodies back into the water," Meara Johnson, 12, who's favourite animal is the shark, said.

"When I found out that they were going to be endangered soon, I thought we should do something," Johnson added.

Maxim's in response said they only source fins from a species classified as low risk and that it has seen consumption of the predator drop significantly at their restaurants since it started to promote shark-free menus in 2010.

More than 70 million sharks are killed every year, according to the World Wildlife Foundation. Huge quantities are exported annually to Hong Kong, and most of those fins are then sent on to mainland China.

Hong Kong's government in 2013 said it would stop serving shark fin at official functions as "a good example", following years of lobbying by conservation groups.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (RIGHT) welcomes Foreign Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani during their meeting in Moscow on June 10, 2017

Moscow called on Saturday for dialogue between Qatar and its neighbours in the Gulf, promising help in mediating the crisis, as Russia's foreign minister met his Qatari counterpart.

"We have observed with concern the news of this escalation," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in opening remarks of his meeting with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Moscow.

"We cannot be happy in a situation when the relations between our partners are worsening. We are in favour of resolving any disagreements through... dialogue."

Qatar is reaching out for support abroad as it has fallen out with its Arab neighbours, who accuse it of sponsoring extremist groups and resent its ties to the Muslim Brotherhood movement and sponsorship of Al-Jazeera network.

Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have cut diplomatic ties Monday and are trying to blockade Qatar by air and sea.

Lavrov said that Russia is "ready to try to do everything in its power" to help resolve the crisis and said unity is needed to fight terrorism.

"For us, unity is clearly necessary for maximum effect on this front (against terrorism)," he said.

Qatar has denounced the allegations against it and Al-Thani during his meeting with Lavrov called the measures against the country "illegal".

Some reports alleged that Russian hackers helped spark the crisis but Moscow has dismissed this as a "stale claim" with "zero evidence."
People pose for photos with mounted police at the popular Souq Waqif market, in the Qatari capital, Doha, on June 7, 2017

Amnesty International warned Saturday of the "heartbreak and fear" being suffered by potentially thousands of ordinary individuals because of the political dispute in the Gulf that has isolated Qatar.

"Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates are toying with the lives of thousands of Gulf residents as part of their dispute with Qatar, splitting up families and destroying people's livelihoods and education," the London-based human rights watchdog said.

On Monday, the three countries, along with Egypt and other Arab allies, cut diplomatic and transport links with Qatar over its alleged support for extremism, a charge Doha denies.

Qatar's neighbours have also given its citizens 14 days to leave and instructed their own nationals to return.

"For potentially thousands of people across the Gulf, the effect of the steps imposed in the wake of this political dispute is suffering, heartbreak and fear," said James Lynch, deputy director of Amnesty's Global Issues Programme, who was in Doha last week.

"These drastic measures are already having a brutal effect, splitting children from parents and husbands from wives," said Amnesty after its researchers interviewed dozens of people affected by the crisis.

"People from across the region... risk losing jobs and having their education disrupted."

Amnesty, quoting Qatar's National Human Rights Committee, said more than 11,000 nationals of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE live in Qatar, while many Qataris are residents of the three other Gulf states.

It gave the example of a Saudi man, a resident of Doha with his Qatari wife and children, who had been unable to visit his sick mother hospitalised in Saudi Arabia because he would be blocked from returning to his family.

"I go home, I cant see my wife. I stay here, I cant see my mum," he was quoted as saying.

Amnesty also pointed out that Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE had warned of harsh punishments, including up to 15 years in jail, "if they dare to criticise these measures" against Qatar.

"Prosecuting anyone on this basis would be a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression. No one should be punished for peacefully expressing their views or criticising a government decision," said Lynch.
A member of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces stands in the village of Hazima on the northern outskirts of the Islamic State group's Syrian bastion of Raqa on June 6, 2017

US-backed Syrian fighters broke into the western part of the Islamic State group's stronghold Raqa on Saturday, they and a monitor said, opening up a second front inside the northern Syrian city.

The Syrian Democratic Forces alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters has spent months tightening the noose on IS-held Raqa and entered the city for the first time earlier this week from the east, backed by US-led coalition air strikes.

On Saturday, they pierced into Raqa from the west, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group.

"The SDF captured the western half of the Al-Sabahiya neighbourhood and are reinforcing their positions there," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said.

The forces then advanced north into the adjacent district of Al-Romaniya and seized part of it in the evening, Abdel Rahman told AFP.

Earlier, a statement from SDF's Operation Wrath of the Euphrates said its fighters entered Al-Romaniya on Saturday and were locked "in fierce fighting inside the district".

Held by IS since 2014, Raqa emerged as a key hub for the jihadists' operations in Syria, neighbouring Iraq, and beyond.

The SDF, which was formed in 2015, launched its campaign to capture Raqa in November and chipped away at IS territory around the city's north, west, and east.

In addition to holding part of Al-Sabahiya and Al-Romaniya, the alliance also controls Raqa's eastern neighbourhood of Al-Meshleb.

But the force has struggled to advance from the city's north, where IS holds a military complex known as Division 17.

"IS has reinforced the northern approach to Raqa much more, thinking that's how the SDF would try to advance on the city," Abdel Rahman said.

"The western and eastern entrances to the city were much less fortified," he said.

- Dozens of civilians killed -

The offensive has been backed by the US-led coalition with air strikes, special forces advisers, weapons, and equipment.

Coalition strikes on the city throughout the day on Saturday killed at least 13 civilians, according to the Observatory.

Abdel Rahman said the recent raids brought the civilian death toll in coalition raids to 47 since the battle for Raqa city was launched on June 6.

Reports of civilian casualties in the air campaign have swelled in recent weeks, but the coalition says it takes every measure to avoid hitting non-combattants.

An estimated 300,000 civilians were believed to have been living under IS rule in Raqa, including 80,000 displaced from other parts of Syria.

Thousands have fled in recent months, and the UN humanitarian office estimates about 160,000 people remain in the city.

On Saturday, displaced families could be seen arriving at a makeshift camp in Ain Issa, 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of Raqa.

Children sprayed each other with water from large red water tanks, trying to cool off under the beating summer sun.

Last month a camp administrator said more than 20,000 people had sought refuge in Ain Issa, and appealed for additional assistance.
A French-made ATR-72 owned by Iran's Aseman Airlines sits on the tarmac at Dubai airport on July 29, 2008

Iran's Aseman Airlines has finalised an agreement to buy 30 Boeing 737 MAX jets for $3.0 billion, the company said Saturday, with an option to buy 30 more.

The deal, announced in April, was signed at a ceremony in Tehran and the first 30 planes are due for delivery between 2022 and 2024.

"I'm glad that we can... upgrade the air fleet in an appropriate manner so they can take over regional markets," said Labour Minister Ali Rabii at the signing, according to the ISNA news agency.

However, the deal could be scuppered if US President Donald Trump goes ahead with threats to reimpose sanctions on Iran.

The White House is in the midst of a 90-day review to decide if it will stick by the 2015 deal between Iran and world powers, in which Tehran agreed curb on its nuclear programme in exchange for an easing of sanctions.

Washington must renew sanctions waivers every few months to keep the deal alive, and another set of renewals is due in the coming days.

Even if Trump sticks by the nuclear deal, the Boeing sale must be cleared by the US Office of Foreign Assets (OFAC).

"We have finalised the deal and now we are waiting for OFAC permission within the next month," Aseman spokesman Amir Reza Mostafavi told AFP.

He said Aseman would pay five percent of the contract in cash, with the remainder paid through a financing deal organised by Boeing.

Boeing, which is also building 80 planes for national carrier Iran Air, faces heavy criticism from US lawmakers who say Iranian airlines have been used to ship weapons and troops to Syria and other conflict zones.

The aerospace giant has therefore emphasised the employment potential of the deals, saying in April that the Aseman contract "creates or sustains approximately 18,000 jobs in the United States".

Iran has been desperate to renew its ageing fleet of planes, but was largely blocked from dealing with major aircraft manufacturers until the 2015 nuclear accord.

The US has maintained its own sanctions, which block almost all trade with Iran, but plane manufacturers were given a specific exemption under the nuclear deal.

OFAC approved the sale of the 80 Boeing as well as 100 Airbus planes to Iran Air. The first few Airbus jets have already arrived in Tehran.

Aseman currently has a fleet of 36 planes -- half of them the 105-seat Dutch Fokker 100s.

Its three Boeing 727-200s are almost as old as the Islamic revolution, having made their first flight in 1980.
A police station and a court compound in the DR Congo capital Kinshasa were attacked by gunmen on Friday

A police officer was killed in an attack on a court compound in Democratic Republic of Congo, a judicial source said Saturday, weeks after a mass jailbreak from Kinshasa's main prison.

A magistrate in the Matete district in the east of the capital told AFP that unknown gunmen attacked the court office on Friday night, burning several vehicles parked on the premises.

One police officer was killed and another wounded in the assault, while three prisoners held there were later found to be missing, he added.

A police statement issued later Saturday said the unidentified gunmen had attacked the courthouse after an attack on the police station at Mont Amba, which officers had fought off.

One officer died and another four were seriously wounded, the statement added. One of the attackers was also killed.

The raid comes three weeks after dozens of prisoners escaped Kinshasha's largest jail following a rebel attack on the facility.

The May 17 jailbreak was carried out by followers of Bundu Dia Kongo (BDK), a secessionist rebel group that rejects Kinshasa's authority and wants to set up a parallel state in the west of the country.

Another attack on a prison two days later saw 68 inmates escape a prison in Kasangulu, 40 kilometres (25 miles) southwest of Kinshasa.
Chad, one of the countries hardest hit by the drop in oil prices, announced that it would seek to diversify its economy for the future, but has also come to an accord with a group of foreign energy companies to settle a tax dispute

Chad, one of the African countries hit hardest by the drop in oil prices, announced Saturday that it had reached an accord with a group of foreign energy companies ending a tax dispute.

The deal, signed Friday by the government and a consortium led by Esso, a unit of US energy giant ExxonMobil, extends the group's operating licence in the Doba basin until 2050.

It also calls for the development of polymer injection technology to increase oil extraction, Chad's oil minister, Bechir Madet, told AFP.

In October a Chadian court had imposed heavy fines on the consortium over unpaid taxes, claiming 67 billion euros ($75 billion).

No financial details of the agreement were disclosed, though Madet denied that the consortium would pay the government $200 million.

"We are very happy with these agreements which will allow us to relaunch the consortium's operations in Chad," said Christian Lenoble, a spokesman for the group.

The consortium also includes Malaysia's Petronas, and once included Chevron of the US, which has since been replaced in the group by Chad's national oil company.

As one of Africa's poorest countries, Chad relies heavily on revenue from oil sales, though President Idriss Deby has pledged to diversity the economy to protect it from sudden price drops.

"We are pursuing economic diversification," Madet said, adding: "Producing more oil creates more wealth and jobs. That is going to help our economy."
A soldier of the United Nations mission to Mali MINUSMA, where the death toll in UN peacekeepers has risen to four, stands guard near a UN vehicle after it drove over an explosive device near Kidal in July 2016

The death toll in a jihadist attack on UN peacekeepers in northern Mali has risen to four, the United Nations mission in the country said Saturday.

Three Guinean peacekeepers were killed Friday near their base in Kidal by a powerful group linked to Al-Qaeda, and the body of a missing soldier has now been found, the MINUSMA mission said in a statement.

"The toll of victims from the terrorist operation mounted against UN peacekeepers has risen to four dead and eight wounded. The wounded have been treated at the MINUSMA hospital in Kidal and their condition is stable," the statement said.

Claiming the attack was the Group to Support Islam and Muslims, also known as Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimeen in Arabic, a fusion of three jihadist groups with previous Qaeda links formed in March.

Led by the Malian jihadist Iyad Ag Ghaly, a former leader of the Ansar Dine Islamists, the group has claimed multiple attacks on domestic and foreign forces since its formation.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent condolences to the families and the Guinean government on Friday, describing such attacks as possible war crimes and calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

The attack is just the latest to target the 12,000-member UN force in the west African nation.

Guinean and Chadian soldiers make up the majority of troops stationed at the Kidal camp, where seven Guineans were killed in February 2016 by suicide bombers.

MINUSMA began its operations in 2013, providing security and assisting Malian troops struggling against militant attacks. It has been targeted constantly by jihadists, and dozens of peacekeepers have been killed.

Northern Mali fell to jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda in March 2012, including Ansar Dine, and although these forces were driven out of key towns by a French-led military intervention the following year, they have now spread further south.
An armed group in Libya said on Facebook on June 10, 2017, it has freed Seif al-Islam who has been in custody since November 2011, pictured in 2014 answwering judges' questions in Tripoli

An armed group in Libya said on Facebook Saturday it has freed Seif al-Islam, the son of dead dictator Moamer Kadhafi who has been in custody since November 2011.

The Abu Bakr al-Sadiq Brigade, a militia of former rebels that controls the town of Zintan in western Libya, said Seif al-Islam was freed Friday evening, "the 14th day of the month of Ramadan", under an amnesty law promulgated by the parliament based in the east.

The North African country has rival administrations, with the authorities in the east not recognising the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) based in the capital.

Political rivalry and fighting between militias has hampered Libya's efforts to recover from the chaos that followed the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed Seif al-Islam's father.

Rival authorities and militias have been vying for control of the oil-rich country ever since.

"We have decided to liberate Seif al-Islam Moamer Kadhafi. He is now free and has left the city of Zintan," the statement on Facebook said.

Zintan is controlled by armed groups opposed to the GNA.

The son of the former dictator is the subject of an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the eight months of the uprising in 2011.

Libya's authorities and the International Criminal Court (ICC) are in dispute over who has the right to judge him.

- 'Sword of Islam' -

He was sentenced to death in July 2015 by a court in Tripoli for his role in the murderous repression of the 2011 revolt.

Seif al-Islam, 44, was born on June 25, 1972.

His name means sword of Islam, and he is the second of Kadhafi's eight children, the eldest son of his second wife Safiya.

The fluent English speaker often appeared in the West as the public face of his father's regime.

He held no official post but had influence as a loyal emissary of the regime and architect of reform.

In July 2016, Seif al-Islam's lawyers claimed that their client had been released under an amnesty issued by the unrecognised authorities in the east of the country.

But the GNA said the amnesty, enacted in April that year, cannot apply to persons accused of crimes against humanity.

In all, three of Kadhafi's seven sons died during the revolution.

One son who survived, Saadi, is still on trial in Libya for his alleged involvement in the crackdown and killing of a former football coach.

The deposed dictator's widow Safiya and three more of their children found refuge in Algeria in the wake of the revolution and then later in Oman.

But the shockwaves created by the ouster and grizzly killing of Moamer Kadhafi by rebels in his home town of Sirte continue to ripple across the troubled country.

Late last month, Tripoli was rocked by fierce clashes between forces loyal to the unity government and rival militias, with more than 50 members of the pro-GNA forces reported killed.

Relying on militia support and pitted against the rival administration in the east, the GNA has struggled to assert its authority.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea said Friday it has test-launched a new type of cruise missile capable of striking U.S. and South Korean warships "at will," as South Korea found a suspected North Korean drone near the tense border between the rivals.

The missiles are the fourth new missile system North Korea has disclosed and tested this year, sending a defiant message that it will continue to pursue a weapons program that has rattled its neighbors and Washington.

"This new-type cruise rocket is a powerful attack means capable of striking any enemy group of battleships" attempting to attack North Korea and can be used "at will," the North's official Korean Central News Agency said.

This undated photo distributed on Friday, June 9, 2017, by the North Korean government, shows a test of a new type of cruise missile launch at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service. North Korea said Friday it has test-launched a new type of cruise missile capable of striking U.S. and South Korean warships "at will," as South Korea found a suspected North Korean drone near the tense border between the rivals. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

It said leader Kim Jong Un observed the launches and that the missiles "accurately detected and hit" floating targets at sea after making "circular flights." The North's claims could not be independently confirmed.

North Korea didn't say how many anti-ship missiles it launched, but South Korean national security director Chung Eui-yong said later Friday the North had fired four short-range missiles on Thursday. South Korea's military said they were fired from the town of Wonsan and flew about 200 kilometers (125 miles) before splashing down between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.

The launch came days after U.S. aircraft carriers USS Carl Vinson and USS Ronald Reagan left those waters after joint exercises with the South Korean navy.

The North Korean missile tests present a difficult challenge to new South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who has expressed a desire to reach out to the North. North Korea, which could have a working nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile in the next several years, may also be the most urgent foreign policy concern for the Trump administration in Washington, which has been distracted by domestic political turmoil and has insisted that China do more to rein in North Korea's weapons activities.

Moon has sought to expand cross-border civilian exchanges as a way to improve ties, but North Korea on Monday rejected a Seoul civic group's offer to provide anti-malaria supplies to protest South Korea's support of fresh U.N. sanctions adopted last week.

Moon said after the new launches that his government "won't back off even a single step and make any compromise" on the issue of national security. He also warned that North Korea could only face further international isolation and more economic difficulties.

On Friday, South Korea's military found a small flying object that it said was similar in shape and size to one of several North Korean drones discovered in 2014. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said a thorough investigation will be made of the object found south of the Demilitarized Zone that bisects the Koreas.

North Korea has in recent years touted its drone program, a relatively new addition to its arsenal. In 2013, state media said leader Kim had watched a drone attack drill on a simulated South Korean target. The drones found in 2014 were low-tech, but were still considered a potential new security threat, according to South Korean experts.

In what will likely become another source of animosity, Moon's government plans to let two out of four North Korean fishermen recently rescued at sea resettle in South Korea in accordance with their wishes. The two other fishermen, who wanted to return home, were repatriated on Friday.

North Korea often accuses South Korea of kidnapping its citizens or enticing them to defect to the South.

Last month, North Korea premiered a powerful new midrange missile that outside experts said flew higher than any other missile it has tested.

In the following weeks, North Korea launched a solid-fuel midrange missile that can be fired on shorter notice than liquid fuel missiles, and also what it descried a new "precision-guided" missile which experts say is designed with a maneuverable terminal stage meant to frustrate missile defense systems like the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense that is being deployed in South Korea.

People watch a news broadcast on a missile launch in Pyongyang, North Korea, Friday, June 9, 2017. North Korea said Friday it has test-launched a new type of cruise missile capable of striking U.S. and South Korean warships "at will," as South Korea found a suspected North Korean drone near the tense border between the rivals. (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin)

A man watches a TV news program showing photos published in North Korea's Rodong Sinmun newspaper of North Korea's new type of cruise missile launch, at Seoul Railway station in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, June 9, 2017. North Korea said Friday it has tested a new type of cruise missile that could strike U.S. and South Korean warships "at will" if it is attacked, in an apparent reference to the projectiles detected by Seoul when they were launched a day earlier. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A man passes by a TV news program showing a photo published in North Korea's Rodong Sinmun newspaper of North Korea's new type of cruise missile launch, at Seoul Railway station in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, June 9, 2017. North Korea said Friday it has tested a new type of cruise missile that could strike U.S. and South Korean warships "at will" if it is attacked, in an apparent reference to the projectiles detected by Seoul when they were launched a day earlier. The signs read "Can hit on the ground." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
MIAMI (AP) - The Latest on heavy rainfall in Florida (all times local):

12:30 p.m.

All the rain soaking parts of Florida could create breeding sites for mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus.

Nubia Martinez, an employee at the Victoria's Secret store at Sawgrass Mills shopping mall, makes her way through flooded streets as she tried to get home, Wednesday, June 7, 2017, in Sunrise, Fla. Flooding in Florida has caused one of the state's largest outlets malls to close for the day. Officials at Sawgrass Mills said in a tweet Wednesday morning that they'll continue to assess the situation throughout the day. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Mosquito control officials are urging residents to drain anything that has collected water during heavy rainfall this week. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed in containers of stagnant water, including items as small as bottle caps.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently lifted travel warnings about potential Zika risks in Miami-Dade County , where mosquitoes spread the virus last year.

To keep those risks low, Miami-Dade County Mosquito Surveillance Manager Chalmers Vasquez advises residents to regularly drain standing water from garbage cans, gutters, pool covers, flowerpots, toys and other items that catch rainwater.

In Broward County, officials will spray bacteria-based pesticides from trucks in urban areas Thursday and Friday to kill Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae.

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10:40 a.m.

Spokeswomen for a major outlet mall in Florida say no property damage has been caused by heavy rainfall that has closed the tourist destination for a second day.

Sawgrass Mills spokeswoman Jennifer Valdes said Thursday the flooding that has closed the mall roughly 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Miami was limited to its exterior parking lots.

Simon Property Group spokeswoman Maria Weber said the mall in Sunrise received 15 inches (38 centimeters) of rain in the last three days, including 10 inches (25 centimeters) in one 24-hour period. Weber said the mall's buildings were "completely unaffected" by the rain and flooding that has closed the parking lots and access roads.

Neither Valdes nor Weber provided figures for the estimated cost of closing the mall's 350 stores for two days.

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9:20 a.m.

A major outlet mall in Florida is closed for a second day due to flooding from heavy rainfall.

Officials from Sawgrass Mills mall made the announcement in social media posts Thursday. The mall, located north of Miami, closed Wednesday after heavy rains flooded the massive parking lot, stranding cars.

While rain is in the forecast, the National Weather Service said fewer clouds are expected Thursday, with some sunshine in the morning and scattered storms in the afternoon. There's also a 70 percent chance of rain in South Florida on Friday with diminishing rain chances over the weekend.

Some areas got up to 11 inches (28 centimeters) of rain between Monday and Wednesday. The weather service said 7.3 inches (18 centimeters) fell in Sunrise, where Sawgrass Mills is located.
NEW YORK (AP) - Tony Kushner's "Angels in America" is playing to sold-out houses in a star-filled revival in London, and Peter Eotvos' operatic version gets its New York premiere Saturday at City Opera. A response to the AIDS epidemic and the lack of U.S. government action, the work still resonates in an era of polarized politics.

"The play in English has lasted now for 25 years, which is not long compared to 'Oedipus,' but it's pretty long for a contemporary play to still be able to generate excitement, and it's taught everywhere in colleges," Kushner said. "All of my stuff does best during Republican administrations because I hate them so much, and there is an anger in the plays that I think really speaks in times of political mischief of a high order."

Formally titled "Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes," the two-part play runs for nearly seven hours, not including intermissions. "Millennium Approaches" premiered in San Francisco in 1991 and "Perestroika" the following year in Los Angeles, Both parts won Tony Awards, and "Millennium Approaches" earned the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

This image released by the New York City Opera shows, Andrew Garland as "Prior Walter" (far left) and then the group from left to right is as follows: Kirsten Chambers (The Angel), Wayne Tigges (seated, Roy Cohn), Aaron Blake (standing, Louis), Sarah Castle (Hannah Pitt), Sarah Beckham-Turner (Harper Pitt), Michael Weyandt (Joe) and Matthew Reese (Belize) from the opera, "Angels in America," which is being presented by New York City Opera from June 10 - 16, 2017. ( Sarah Shatz/New York City Opera via AP)

An HBO miniseries in 2003 directed by Mike Nichols starred Al Pacino, Meryl Streep and Emma Thompson. When Paris' Theatre du Chatalet was seeking to commission a new work from Eotvos, a composer friend recommended "Angels."

"He asked me if I would prepare a libretto. And I said no. I said I don't quite understand how a 6 1/2 hour-long play can be turned into a libretto that's anything shorter than the Ring Cycle," Kushner said. "But I said that he was welcome to try."

Eotvos' wife, Mari Mezei, took about a year to condense "Angels" to an opera of just over 2 hours. They traveled to New York, attended "Rent," ''Cabaret" and other Broadway shows to get a feel for the city.

"I went out to Central Park at night and listened to the sounds," the 73-year-old composer said through a translator. "There were remote sounds of city in the background. There was actually a guitar playing, and that's where this guitar solo is actually coming from."

"Angels" centers on Prior Walter, who has AIDS, the people in his life and controversial lawyer Roy Cohn. Central is Prior's vision of an angel, who declares him a prophet.

"The idea of the angel and the hallucinations was musical inspiration," Eotvos said. "Everything that is abstract can be put into the music."

The opera version shifts the emphasis.

"Politics is not the territory of music," Eotvos remembered telling Kushner. "The names of politicians are gone in a certain amount of time, so they're not interesting anymore. It was much more important to emphasize this human condition."

A student of Karlheinz Stockhausen, Eotvos composed "Angels" with speech morphing into song, syncopating percussion and electronic keyboards.

The opera was given its world premiere at the Chatalet in 2004 with Barbara Hendricks and Julia Migenes. It has since appeared in Hamburg, Germany; Amsterdam; Boston; Fort Worth, Texas; Frankfurt, Germany; London; Wroclaw, Poland; and Los Angeles.

Michael Capasso, who brought New York City Opera out of bankruptcy last year, decided to cap the first full season of the company's return with four performances of "Angels" running through June 16, the first installment of a LGBT Pride Initiative that will include Charles Wuorinen's "Brokeback Mountain" next June.

And while the opera makes its New York premiere, Marianne Elliott's acclaimed staging starring Andrew Garfield and Nathan Lane is running until Aug. 19 at London's National Theatre. Kushner says it likely will transfer to Broadway next season.

"It feels to me like I can stop worrying about it once and for all. I think it's going to last," said Kushner, who turns 61 next month. "I don't know if the human race is going to last. But I think that the play is."

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Online:

City Opera: https://nycopera.com

National: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
A private lunch with billionaire Warren Buffett has been sold to the highest bidder for almost $2.7million during an annual charity auction. But he still won't talk about his next investment over steak.

The bid was $2,679,001. The winner wishes to remain anonymous.

Last year's bid of $3,456,789 tied for the record highest bid. In 2012, the winner also paid $3,456,789.

This year's eBay auction began Sunday and wrapped up Friday night around 10pm.

Berkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett gestures during an interview by Liz Claman of the Fox Business Network in Omaha. His latest private lunch to benefit a homeless center in San Francisco was auctioned off for $2.7million, $700,000 less than what last year's winner paid

Buffett, above with Bill Gates at the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting in Omaha

The auction benefits the Glide Foundation, a San-Francisco-based homeless charity. Buffett's first wife, Susie, volunteered with the organization before her death in 2004. He has been a big believer in the charity, often touting its work.

Glide provides meals, health care, job training, rehabilitation and housing support to the poor and homeless.

For this year's lunch, Buffett says the only topic that will be off-limits in the conversation is what he might invest in next. The 86-year-old says he usually gets a wide range of questions.

The private lunch with the billionaire benefits homeless organization Glide

The self-made billionaire normally brings the winner to Smith & Wollenky, above

The winners of the lunch auction typically dine with Buffett at the Smith and Wollensky steak house in New York City, which donates at least $10,000 to Glide each year to host the lunch. The meal has sometimes moved elsewhere for anonymous winners.

This is the 18th year in a row Buffett auctioned off a lunch on eBay to raise money for the homeless charity.

The chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway has raised nearly $25million through the auctions. The self-made billionaire is worth $76.2billion, according to Forbes, making him the third richest man in the world, behind only Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who overtook him as number two, and Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

Buffett is generally considered the most successful investor in the world, often beating the stock market indices.
CHICAGO (AP) - The son of a Chicago political activist who returned to the city after graduating college to work with disadvantaged youth has been shot and killed.

Authorities say the body of 23-year-old Xavier Joy was found by police late Thursday in the parking lot of an apartment building in the Woodlawn neighborhood. He had been shot several times. No arrests have been made.

Joy's father, Ra Joy, is the executive director of the governmental reform group CHANGE Illinois. His mother, Nykea Pippion-McGriff, is president of the Women's Council of Realtors Chicago.

Pippion-McGriff told the Chicago Tribune her son, a graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, wanted to give back to the community. He worked in public schools in Chicago and Evanston, teaching chess at after-school programs and mentoring junior high students.
NEW YORK (AP) - President Donald Trump surprisingly refrained from tweeting during James Comey's testimony. Donald Trump Jr., not surprisingly, did not.

The president's eldest son, whose Twitter feed can at times be as inflammatory as his father's, was a one-man rapid-response team as the fired FBI director testified before a Senate panel Thursday. He delivered denunciations with the same force that made him an effective, if controversial, campaign surrogate and could signal his own political ambitions.

Donald Trump Jr. tweeted more than 80 times Thursday, defending his father and attacking Comey. Trump Jr.'s Twitter barrage was all the more striking when compared to his father's silence, which the president broke with a Friday morning tweet accusing Comey of lying under oath.

Trump Jr. declined to comment Friday about his tweets, leaving unanswered questions as to whether they were urged by the White House, which outsourced its Comey response to the Republican National Committee and the president's personal lawyer.

Trump Jr. has certainly been willing to go on the attack for his father before.

He crisscrossed the United States during last year's election, doing hundreds of interviews on Fox News and local conservative outlets. He attacked "Crooked Hillary," his father's derogatory nickname for opponent Hillary Clinton, and delivered a well-received speech at the Republican National Convention.

That moment sparked speculation about his political future. But while Trump Jr. told The Associated Press this spring that he would not, as had been rumored, be a candidate for governor of New York, he left the door open for a political run down the road.

"Maybe someday," Trump said then. "It's not something I'm doing now. But you never know, it's fascinating stuff."

He's done a number of Republican campaign events since then, including fundraisers in Texas and Indiana and campaigning for a congressional candidate in Montana. But Trump Jr., who along with his brother Eric is running their father's former company, has said he does not discuss the details of politics or their business with the president.

He outpaced the national Republican Party with his Twitter defense Thursday. In particular, he seized on Comey's assertion that he interpreted the president's statement that he "hoped" the FBI would drop its probe into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn as an instruction.

"Knowing my father for 39 years when he 'orders or tells' you to do something there is no ambiguity, you will know exactly what he means," Trump Jr. wrote.

He also pointed to Comey's revelation that he had asked a friend to pass along to the press memos he had written documenting his interactions with Trump.

"Did I miss something or did Comey just say he asked a friend to leak information to the press?" asked Trump Jr. "Is this a joke?"

It was not the first time his tweets have drawn attention.

During the final months of the campaign, he posted a tweet featuring a bowl of Skittles with a warning: "If I had a bowl of skittles and I told you just three would kill you, would you take a handful?" The tweet went on: "That's our Syrian refugee problem."

The photo, a popular image on the extreme right, quickly drew condemnation and was denounced by the candy company.

A few days later, Trump Jr. linked to a news article posted on the conservative news site Breitbart that suggested Muslim men are a menace to Western women and posted a doctored image of himself, his father and several prominent Trump allies next to Pepe the Frog, a cartoon character whose image has been used by white supremacists.

This week, Donald Jr. and Eric Trump announced that their company is launching a new hotel chain inspired by their travels with their father's campaign. The Trump Organization is calling the new mid-market chain "American Idea" and said it will start with three hotels in Mississippi.

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Follow Lemire on Twitter at http://twitter.com/@JonLemire
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump says the United States is committed to the mutual defense of NATO members, casting aside concerns that his failure to mention the commitment last month weakened the alliance.

Trump said Friday that he was "committing the United States to Article 5." That article in the NATO treaty says an attack on one member is an attack on all members and binds the allies to come to that country's defense.

European countries and others expressed concern last month when Trump did not mention the clause in a speech at NATO headquarters in Brussels. In that speech, Trump demanded that allies live up to a pledge to spend 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense by 2024. He did not specifically mention Article 5, which has only been invoked once, after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

President Donald Trump, right, and Romania's President Klaus Werner Iohannis, left, walk together to a news conference in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Friday, June 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

"I'm committing the United States to Article 5," Trump told reporters at a news conference Friday with visiting Romanian President Klaus Iohannis. "Certainly we are there to protect, and that's one of the reasons that I want people to make sure we have a very, very strong force by paying the kind of money necessary to have that force. But yes, absolutely, I'd be committed to Article 5."

The White House later reaffirmed the commitment in a statement announcing that Trump will visit Poland next month as part of his second foreign trip. It said that in addition to showing America's support of Poland, the trip will also emphasize the president's commitment to strengthening NATO's "collective defense."

Trump's omission in Brussels raised concerns on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. White House aides said the president's support was implied even though he deliberately did not utter the words.

Still, allies had questions about Trump's belief in the value of NATO, which he had termed "obsolete" during the presidential campaign.

On Friday, Trump noted that only a handful of NATO's 29 members - Montenegro joined just this week - were meeting the 2 percent pledge. But he said the U.S. would abide by its treaty obligations.

"We're going to make NATO very strong," he said. "You need the money to make it strong. You can't just do what we've been doing in the past."
ILIGAN, Philippines (AP) - Thirteen Philippine marines were killed in fierce fighting with Muslim militants who have laid siege to a southern city for nearly three weeks in the biggest single-day loss for government forces, the military said Saturday.

A U.S. Navy aircraft provided surveillance for the local troops as the battle raged in Marawi on Friday, confirming the involvement of the U.S. military in helping quell the urban insurrection at the request of the Philippine government, Philippine military officials said.

An Associated Press journalist and photographer saw a U.S. Navy P3 Orion plane hovering in cloudy skies above Marawi on Friday. The aircraft flew above rocket-firing Philippine helicopters that struck militant positions, causing plumes of smoke to billow skyward.

Debris fly as Philippine Air Force fighter jets bomb suspected locations of Muslim militants as fighting continues in Marawi city, southern Philippines, Friday, June 9, 2017. It's unclear how many people remain trapped in Marawi as government troops battle Muslim militants led by the so-called "Maute" group but army officers have put the figure this week at anywhere from 150 to 1,000. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

"We don't have adequate surveillance equipment, so we asked the U.S. military for assistance. It's noncombat assistance," military spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said by phone, citing a Philippine government policy that bars foreign troops from local combat.

The U.S. Embassy in Manila said without elaborating that U.S. special operations forces were providing help to Filipino troops battling the Maute and Abu Sayyaf militants in Marawi.

"The United States is a proud ally of the Philippines, and we will continue to work with the Philippines to address shared threats to the peace and security of our countries, including on counterterrorism issues," the embassy said in a statement.

Philippine marines were conducting a house-to-house search for militants allied with the Islamic State group who are still occupying parts of Marawi when the battle erupted Friday, said Lt. Col. Jo-ar Herrera, spokesman for the Philippine army's 1st Infantry Division.

About 30-40 militants used civilians as human shields, making it hard for troops to operate, and also positioned themselves in the city's many mosques.

Forty other marines were wounded, Herrera said.

Philippine military officials say the violence has left at least 138 militants and 58 government troops dead. At least 21 civilians have been killed, including a boy who was hit by suspected militant gunfire inside a Marawi mosque where his family had taken refuge, Padilla said.

Hundreds of thousands of people have fled the city, parts of which were reduced to rubble by fighting and government airstrikes in an attempt to dislodge the rebels.

"This temporary setback has not diminished our resolve a bit," said military spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo. "It instead primed up our determination to continue our prudent advances to neutralize the enemy, save the innocent lives trapped in the fight, and set the conditions for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi."

Filipino forces, meanwhile, captured on Friday the mother of two top militant leaders leading the siege. Ominta Romato Maute, who is also known as Farhana, was arrested with two wounded men and several woman allegedly with assault rifles and other weapons in Masiu town in Lanao del Sur province.

Maute's husband, Cayamora, was arrested at a police checkpoint in the southern city of Davao on Tuesday. The two were detained on suspicion of providing financial and other support to their children who are involved in the fighting in Marawi, officials said.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law in the Mindanao region, the southern third of the Philippines and home to a decades-long Muslim separatist rebellion.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the designated administrator of martial law, has ordered the arrest of nearly 200 militants, politicians and other suspected civilian backers of the unprecedented uprising in Marawi, the mosque-studded heartland of Islamic faith in the south of the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.

The Marawi siege followed a May 23 army raid that failed to capture a top terror suspect, Isnilon Hapilon, who has been designated by the Islamic State group as its leader in Southeast Asia. The raid, however pre-empted a plot by hundreds of militants waving Islamic State group-style black flags to capture Marawi and kill Christians, military officials say.

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Associated Press writer Jim Gomez and photographer Aaron Favila contributed to this report.

Debris fly as Philippine Air Force fighter jets bomb suspected locations of Muslim militants as fighting continues in Marawi city, southern Philippines, Friday, June 9, 2017. It's unclear how many people remain trapped in Marawi as government troops battle Muslim militants led by the so-called "Maute" group but army officers have put the figure this week at anywhere from 150 to 1,000. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
PARIS (AP) - One month after President Emmanuel Macron's arrival in power, French voters must now choose lawmakers in parliamentary elections starting Sunday that may dramatically reshape the political landscape.

Here's a look at the French system and what's at stake:

ELECTION RULES

France's President Emmanuel Macron arrives to welcome his Peruvian counterpart Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, prior to a meeting, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Thursday, June 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Elections for the National Assembly are organized in two rounds on June 11 and June 18. All 577 seats are up for grabs, and each winner will serve a five-year term.

To win in the first round, candidates need an absolute majority and support from at least a quarter of the district's registered voters. Otherwise, all contenders who get at least 12.5 percent of the votes of registered voters advance to the second round.

Most races involve several candidates in the first round and are whittled down to two in the second round.

In some races, three or four people will make it to the second round, though some may step aside to improve the chances of another contender. That tactic has often been used to block candidates from Marine Le Pen's far-right National Front party.

In the second round, the candidate with the most votes wins. In the rare case of a tie, the older candidate wins.

The French Parliament is made up of two houses, the National Assembly and the Senate. The National Assembly always has the final say in the voting process of a law.

MACRON'S CHALLENGE

Macron, France's youngest-ever president, is seeking an absolute majority in the Assembly to be able to implement his promised pro-business labor reforms and tougher security measures.

His year-old centrist political movement, Republic on the Move, is presenting candidates in 525 districts. Half are women, and many are newcomers in politics. Their average age is 47, compared to 60 for the outgoing assembly.

According to the latest polls, Republic on the Move could win as many as 400 seats, crushing mainstream parties and leaving no single opposition force.

OTHER PARTIES

Candidates from the conservative Republicans party are expected to arrive in second position, with possibly over 100 seats, opinion polls suggest.

The Socialist Party, which dominated the outgoing Assembly, is set to face significant defeat, with only a few dozen seats and many candidates eliminated in the first round.

The National Front is expected to do better than its two seats in the last legislature, with polls hinting it could win its highest-ever score with more than 10 seats.

But that still won't be enough to make it the leading opposition force, as Le Pen had hoped after her strong second-place showing in the presidential race. Le Pen herself is running for a seat in Henin-Beaumont in northern France.

The far-left party of Jean-Luc Melenchon could obtain between 10 and 20 seats.

WHAT'S NEXT

Macron's new prime minister, Edouard Philippe, and 22 government members are already drafting laws but need a new parliament in place to vote on them.

The government has announced legislation to clean up corruption and nepotism in politics, a major reform of worker protections, a bill to extend the state of emergency until November and another one to introduce permanent security measures.

If he doesn't have a majority at the National Assembly, Macron may come under pressure to reshuffle his government and choose a prime minister from the winning party, a situation called "cohabitation." That appears unlikely, given French voters' disaffection with traditional parties.
MOSCOW (AP) - Russia's foreign minister has told his counterpart from Qatar that Moscow will make efforts to try to resolve the escalating crisis between Qatar and several Arab countries.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain this week cut ties to Qatar, accusing the country of tolerating or even encouraging support for extremist groups, including al-Qaida's Syria branch.

Russia's top diplomat Sergey Lavrov and Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met in Moscow Saturday.

Lavrov said in opening remarks that "We maintain contacts with the majority of the participants in ongoing processes. ... Everything that Russia can do with consent, with the interest of the parties involved, we will try to undertake."
MULTAN, Pakistan (AP) - A minority Shiite Muslim was sentenced to death in Pakistan for sharing blasphemous content about Islam on social media, a government prosecutor said.

Judge Shabbir Ahmed announced the sentence for 30-year-old Taimoor Raza on Saturday in Bahawalpur in eastern Punjab province, according to Shafiq Qureshi. Raza was arrested last year for allegedly posting derogatory content about Sunni Muslim religious leaders and the wives of the Prophet Mohammed on Facebook.

Qureshi said Bahawalpur's counter-terrorism force arrested Raza in April last year following a complaint that he was showing onlookers objectionable material on his cell phone at a bus terminal. He added that Raza had previously posted other blasphemous material on Facebook.

Pakistan is a predominantly Sunni Muslim country and the rivalry between Shiite and Sunni Muslims dates back to the seventh century when they had a disagreement who should be the heir to Islam's Prophet Mohammed.

Under Pakistan's harsh blasphemy laws, anyone accused of insulting God, Islam or other religious personalities can be sentenced to death.

Pakistan last year arrested 15 people, 10 Muslims and five non-Muslims, on blasphemy charges, according to a report issued by the independent rights group Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

The country has never executed anyone convicted of blasphemy, but the mere accusation is enough to ignite mob violence or lynching in the deeply conservative country. Right groups say the harsh blasphemy laws are often used to settle personal scores.

Earlier this year, a student in the country's conservative northwestern province was attacked and killed by a stick-wielding mob who accused him of blasphemy. There was no evidence of blasphemy, and his death generated widespread protests.

In January 2011, a provincial governor was shot and killed by his police guard who accused him of blasphemy after he criticized the law and defended a Christian woman sentenced to death under the law.

In recent months, the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif launched a campaign to rid social media of any content considered insulting to Islam, at least any posted by Pakistanis.

The government petitioned Facebook and Twitter to identify Pakistanis worldwide posting material considered offensive to Islam so that Pakistani authorities can prosecute them or pursue their extradition on charges of blasphemy, tantamount to a death sentence.
BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) - Australia was eliminated from the Champions Trophy by its fiercest cricketing rival as Ben Stokes smashed a career-best 102 not out in England's rain-affected 40-run win at Edgbaston on Saturday.

Frustrated by washouts against New Zealand and Bangladesh in its opening two matches, the world champions finally played to a result in Group A, but will return home having not completed a full game in this tournament.

A late collapse - precipitated by a wonder-catch on the boundary from Jason Roy - saw Australia stumble to 277-9 off its 50 overs on a good pitch. England slumped to 35-3 before a 40-minute rain delay, but captain Eoin Morgan (87) and Stokes compiled a match-defining 159-run stand for the fourth wicket.

England's Ben Stokes plays a shot during the ICC Champions Trophy match between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Saturday, June 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

England was 240-4 after 40.2 overs when more rain arrived at the central England venue. The players jogged off and didn't return, sealing a victory for England by 40 runs using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern scoring method.

England advanced as the group winner after three straight wins and will be joined in the last four by tournament outsider Bangladesh, which finished in second place on three points - one more than Australia - courtesy of its win over New Zealand on Friday.

The English will likely play either Pakistan or Sri Lanka, with Bangladesh set for a match against the winner of South Africa-India at The Oval on Sunday.

Since clinching a second straight Champions Trophy title in 2009, the Australians haven't won any of their six games in the tournament across two editions, held in England and Wales in 2013 and '17.

"When you're playing in a big tournament for your country, you need to step up and get the job done. We weren't able to get that done on this occasion, unfortunately," Australia captain Steve Smith said.

"We had some frustrating games throughout and just haven't been able to find any momentum."

They arrived in Britain this time with their players embroiled in an industrial dispute with governing body Cricket Australia over the terms of a new pay deal. It has been the subject of regular questions over the past week but although it is clearly a major issue in the background, it wasn't the reason for Saturday's loss.

"We were off with our execution," Smith said, "and you can't be off when playing against players like that."

Put into bat, Australia was motoring along at 239-4 in the 43rd over when middle-order dangerman Glenn Maxwell (20) swiped a hard, flat shot off paceman Mark Wood that was heading for a six until Roy reached above his head for a brilliant catch.

Teetering next to the boundary edge, Roy threw the ball into the air to avoid carrying it over the foam marker and hopped either side of it before collecting and completing an extraordinary play.

England seized control, taking the next four wickets for nine runs off 20 balls as Wood finished with career-best ODI figures of 4-33 and legspinner Adil Rashid claimed 4-41.

Emerging from the rain delay in a difficult situation following the dismissals of Roy (4), Alex Hales (0), and Joe Root (15), Morgan and Stokes still managed to play with the freedom preached by England's Australian coach Trevor Bayliss since his appointment in 2015.

Their partnership contained 106 runs in boundaries, with Morgan clubbing eight fours and five sixes before getting run out by Adam Zampa after a mix-up going for a single.

Stokes hit two sixes and 13 fours, the last of which completed his third ODI century and took him one run past his previous best score.

"His potential is through the roof," Morgan said of Stokes. "Very calm with the crease, very relaxed. All those games he's played (in the IPL for Rising Pune Supergiant) really came to the fore today. He was outstanding."

Only one more ball was delivered before the rain arrived, leaving Jos Buttler in the middle with Stokes on 29.

"Beating a side like Australia in a game where we've nothing to gain is a big step forward for us," Morgan said, "because we beat one of the better sides around the world."

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Steve Douglas is at www.twitter.com/sdouglas80

England's Ben Stokes, left, is congratulated by England's Jos Buttler as players leave the field due to rain during the ICC Champions Trophy match between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Saturday, June 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira

England's Mark Wood celebrates after bowling Australia's Glenn Maxwell caught by England's Jason Roy for 20 runs during an ICC Champions Trophy match between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Saturday, June 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Australia's Glenn Maxwell walks back to the pavilion after being bowled by England's Mark Wood caught by England's Jason Roy for 20 runs during the ICC Champions Trophy match between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Saturday, June 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

England's Adil Rashid, centre, celebrates with team mates after dismissing Australia's Mitchell Starc during the ICC Champions Trophy match between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England, Saturday, June 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
MIAMI (AP) - Police say an officer fatally shot a South Florida man who had barricaded himself in a bedroom and told his wife he wanted to have a shootout with authorities.

The Miami-Dade Police Department said in a news release that 82-year-old Thomas Brendecke was shot and killed late Friday after officers responded to a domestic disturbance call.

Police say Brendecke's wife told officers her husband had been drinking, and that he was armed with a gun.

Police say negotiators were called in and tried to make contact with Brendecke before shots were fired and he was struck.

Brendecke, who is white, was pronounced dead at a hospital; the identity of the officer, a nearly 18-year veteran, was not released.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating.
WASHINGTON (AP) - So what's next for James Comey?

The former FBI director boldly challenged the president who fired him, accused the Trump administration of lying and supplied material that could be used to build a case against President Donald Trump.

But after stepping away from the Capitol Hill spotlight, where he's always seemed comfortable, the 56-year-old veteran lawman now confronts the same question long faced by Washington officials after their government service.

Former FBI director James Comey testifies before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, June 8, 2017. So what's next for James Comey? His dry quip at a Senate hearing that he was "between opportunities" vastly understates the career prospects available to him now - not to mention the long-running public fascination with the veteran lawman. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

His dry quip at a riveting Senate hearing that he was "between opportunities" vastly understates the career prospects now available to him - not to mention potential benefits from the public's fascination with a man who has commanded respect while drawing outrage from both political parties.

Comey was pilloried for his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation, yet is now seen as a critical cog in the inquiry into possible connections between Russia and the Trump campaign. He may be called upon to provide more detail about his interactions with Trump, which he documented in a series of memos, even as he turns attention to potential opportunities in law, corporate work or perhaps even politics.

"There's some jobs where the controversy would not be a benefit, but that's why I see him ending up in a place where he can be himself," said Evan Barr, a former federal prosecutor in New York City who worked under Comey in the U.S. attorney's office. "If he were the president of a college or an important think tank, he could pursue the issues that mean the most to him and not be worried about trying to make anyone happy."

Comey is unlikely to play any sort of direct role in the investigation now led by special counsel Robert Mueller, his predecessor as FBI director. But he almost certainly would avail himself as a witness to Mueller in any obstruction of justice investigation centered on his firing, or to further discuss requests he received from Trump that he interpreted as directives.

Comey's carefully crafted memos are laden with contemporaneously recorded details and verbatim quotes that could easily lay down a path for investigators, and already have been turned over to Mueller. In one note, Comey says Trump cleared the room before encouraging Comey to end an investigation into Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn.

Comey's decision to share with reporters, through an intermediary, details from those conversations, and his insistence on testifying in public attest to his determination to confront the president head-on.

"I do think he is unquestionably, if this thing goes anywhere, one of the star witnesses," said Robert Anderson, a retired FBI executive assistant director. "It really comes down to his testimony, in some avenues."

Career options are generally plentiful for departing FBI leaders and attorneys general. Both Mueller and former Attorney General Eric Holder, for instance, took jobs with prestigious law firms after leaving public service.

But few if any have as public a profile as Comey or have generated such intense feelings.

Even Democrats who disagree with his firing remain stung by his revival of the Clinton email investigation days before the November election.

Pro-Trump Republicans who were pleased by Comey some seven months ago may now concur with the president's assessment of Comey as a "showboat."

And companies that do business with the government might find it risky to bring aboard someone who's so publicly at odds with the current administration.

Comey's name over the years has been floated in politics, though it's not clear the former Republican - now an independent - has any interest.

Educated at the College of William & Mary, where he wrote a senior thesis on a 20th century theologian, Comey went on to law school at the University of Chicago. The bulk of his work has been in government, with the exception of private practice legal work in Virginia early in his career, lucrative general counsel stints at defense contractor Lockheed Martin and a Connecticut hedge fund, and a teaching job at Columbia University.

He was the U.S. attorney in Manhattan who in 2003 charged Martha Stewart with obstructing justice in a stock trade investigation. He then became deputy attorney general, the No. 2 spot at the Justice Department, where he famously faced down fellow Bush administration officials over a surveillance program authorization. In 2013, he was sworn in as FBI director, a job he's called the honor of his life.

Friends and colleagues say the father of five reveled in his public service.

"Anyone who has ever worked with Jim as far as I know, certainly speaking for myself, holds him in incredibly high esteem," said Sharon McCarthy, who worked for him at the U.S. attorney's office. "You'd be working late, he'd have a Coke in his hand and he'd come in, sit down, put his feet on your desk and start talking,"

Though Comey joked at a Senate hearing one week before his May 9 firing that he perhaps regretted picking up the phone when he was recruited for the FBI job while living comfortably in Connecticut, he also was known to pepper speeches with cracks about the "soulless" private sector.

He'd urge young audiences to imagine asking themselves on their death beds who they would want to have been, saying he hoped everyone's answer would be that they tried to help others.

His own law firm life, he'd say, was lacking despite the matching furniture, parking space and Colonial-style home that accompanied the job.

"You do not make much money working for the FBI. You will not get famous working for the FBI. But you will be rich beyond belief if you look at it from (the public service) vantage point," he has said.

One other question for Comey regardless of his next job will be how much he chooses, either directly or through intermediaries, to respond to allegations from Trump or Republicans rallying to the president's defense. On Friday, Trump strongly suggested Comey had lied about their encounters and accused him of being a "leaker."

"In the days to come," Comey friend Ben Wittes wrote on his Lawfare blog, "we're going to see a full-court press against Comey; indeed it is already well underway."

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Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerA:
Three US army rangers have been killed by an Afghan army solider who opened fire on them in eastern Afghanistan, an Afghan official said.

Afghan officials initially reported that two soldiers had been killed and two wounded but US officials later upgraded the deaht count.

Attahullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor in Nangarhar province, said the Afghan soldier was killed after the attack.

The Taliban claimed responsibility, with spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid saying one of their fighters had joined the Afghan army.

The two soldiers were operating in the Achin district of Afghanistan (file photo)

Such insider attacks have happened before in Afghanistan.

In March, another Afghan soldier was killed after he opened fire on foreign forces at a base in Helmand province, wounding three U.S. soldiers.

There are currently 8,400 American troops in Afghanistan training, advising and assisting the Afghanistan army. Around 2,000 of them are involved in counterterrorism operations.
MOSCOW (AP) - A top official for the Russian government's nanotechnology promotion arm has been detained on fraud charges.

The state Investigative Committee announced the arrest of Andrei Gorkov on Saturday. He is the managing director for investment of Rusnano, a state company that invests in nanotechnology projects. Rusnano has been touted by the government as important to making Russian industry more innovative.

The investigative committee said Gorkov placed Rusnano funds in a bank whose license was revoked in 2014 .The deposits were claimed to be used for settlements, but financed the bank's activities.

The committee estimated the loss to Rusnano at more than 700 million rubles ($12 million).
CINCINNATI (AP) - Police officers are on trial in Ohio and Minnesota for fatal shootings of black motorists during traffic stops.

In both cases, prosecutors say the officers didn't need to respond with deadly force. The officers both have testified they felt threatened.

In Cincinnati, former University of Cincinnati police officer Ray Tensing for a second time faces charges of murder and voluntary manslaughter in the July 2015 shooting of Sam DuBose, 43. Tensing has said he thought DuBose was trying to kill him with his car. A jury deadlocked last November.

FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2014 file photo, Tomiko Shine holds up a poster of Tamir Rice during a protest in Washington. The 12-year-old black boy was fatally shot by a white Cleveland police officer near a gazebo in a recreational area in November 2014. Officers were responding to a report of a man waving a gun. The boy had a pellet gun tucked in his waistband and was shot right after their cruiser skidded to a stop, just feet away. A grand jury in December 2015 declined to indict patrolman Timothy Loehmann, who fired the fatal shot, and training officer Frank Garmback. The city settled his family's lawsuit for $6 million. The officers still could be disciplined or fired by the department. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

In Minnesota, St. Anthony Officer Jeronimo Yanez is charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting last July of Philando Castile. He testified Friday he saw Castile's hand on a gun a before he fired. Castile had a permit and had told the officer he had a gun.

The cases are among those across the United States in the last three years that have increased debate about race and policing. Here are some other high-profile deaths of blacks during police encounters:

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JORDAN EDWARDS

The U.S. Justice Department said in May that it's investigating the fatal shooting of the 15-year-old by a white police officer in a Dallas suburb. Edwards was shot April 29 by Balch Springs police Officer Roy Oliver, who was fired and charged with murder. Oliver fired a rifle at a car full of teenagers leaving a party, fatally shooting Edwards, who was a passenger in the vehicle that was moving away from officers. Balch Springs police had originally said the vehicle was reversing "in an aggressive manner" toward officers, who had responded to a complaint about underage drinking. But Police Chief Jonathan Haber later said video taken at the scene proved the vehicle was actually driving away. Oliver is free on bond.

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TERENCE CRUTCHER

An Oklahoma jury on May 17 found Officer Betty Jo Shelby not guilty of first-degree manslaughter in the Sept. 16, 2016, death of Terence Crutcher, 40, shot shortly after Shelby arrived on a street to find Crutcher's SUV stopped in the middle of the road. Shelby testified that she was afraid because Crutcher didn't obey her commands and appeared to reach inside his SUV. Prosecutors told jurors that Shelby overreacted, noting that videos from a patrol car dashboard and a police helicopter showed Crutcher had his hands in the air and did not have a weapon.

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ALTON STERLING

Federal prosecutors announced May 3 that they would not seek charges against two white police officers who were involved in a deadly encounter with Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, last summer. Sterling, 37, was shot to death on July 5, 2016, as two white officers pinned him to the pavement outside a convenience store where he had been selling CDs. The killing was captured on cellphone video and circulated widely online, sparking demonstrations across Baton Rouge. U.S. Attorney Corey Amundson said Sterling was armed during the confrontation and the investigation didn't find enough evidence to pursue charges. State authorities are investigating to decide whether to bring charges.

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KEITH LAMONT SCOTT

A prosecutor cleared a black Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer in the September 2016 fatal shooting of Scott, 43, killed while sitting in his vehicle in the parking lot of his apartment complex as officers sought another man. A police review board decided that Officer Brentley Vinson followed proper procedure. Police video showed officers shouting for Scott to drop a gun numerous times Scott's family said he did not have a gun. Charlotte-Mecklenburg District Attorney Andrew Murray cited evidence that Scott was armed, including a store's surveillance video, DNA recovered from a handgun and a Facebook conversation from the man who said he sold the stolen gun to Scott.

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JAMAR CLARK

Clark's November 2015 shooting death sparked weeks of protests in Minneapolis. The officers, Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze, were trying to arrest the 24-year-old when he was shot once in the head. He died a day later. Some witnesses said Clark was handcuffed when he was shot, but federal and state probes concluded that he was not. Investigators said Ringgenberg felt Clark's hand trying to grab his weapon and shouted to Schwarze, who then shot Clark. Prosecutors decided not to charge either white officer, and an internal police investigation cleared them.

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RICKY BALL

Former Columbus, Mississippi, police officer Canyon Boykin, who is white, was indicted in September for manslaughter in the shooting death of Ball, 26. Boykin, awaiting trial, said he fired because Ball appeared to point a gun at him during a foot chase in October 2015. The city fired Boykin, saying the officer violated policy by not turning on his body camera, by inviting his fiancee to ride with him and by making derogatory social media posts about African-Americans, women and disabled people. Boykin has sued the city, claiming violations of his constitutional rights. Ball's family has sued Boykin, the city and other police officials for wrongful death.

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JEREMY MCDOLE

McDole, 28, was sitting in his wheelchair when he was shot and killed in September 2015 in Wilmington, Delaware, after police received a 911 call about a man with a gun. A bystander's cellphone footage showed officers repeatedly telling McDole to drop his weapon and raise his hands, with McDole reaching for his waist area before shots erupted. The Delaware attorney general's office decided against criminal charges against four Wilmington police officers involved, although investigators concluded one officer showed "extraordinarily poor" police work. In January, a federal judge approved the city's $1.5 million settlement with McDole's family.

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WILLIAM CHAPMAN II

Former Portsmouth, Virginia, police Officer Stephen Rankin was sentenced last October to 2 years in prison for fatally shooting Chapman while responding to a shoplifting call outside a Wal-Mart on April 22, 2015. Prosecutors allege Rankin killed the unarmed 18-year-old "willfully, deliberately and with premeditation." Some witnesses said Chapman was combative, and one said he knocked away Rankin's stun gun. Rankin, who is white, was fired.

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WALTER SCOTT

Prosecutors are recommending decades in prison for white South Carolina police officer Michael Slager, who shot Scott in the back as the motorist fled following a traffic stop. Slager pleaded guilty on May 2 to a federal charge of violating Scott's civil rights. A judge will determine his sentence, which could range from probation to life in prison without parole. Scott's shooting in April 2015 was captured on cellphone video and seen worldwide.

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FREDDIE GRAY

The 25-year-old man was shackled but alive when he was put in a Baltimore police van in April 2015. He came out with severe neck injuries, and his subsequent death led to rioting. Six officers were charged initially, but prosecutors in July 2016 dropped all remaining charges after acquittals and a hung jury. Gray's family agreed to a $6.4 million settlement with the city in September 2015.

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ERIC HARRIS

Former Tulsa County volunteer sheriff's deputy Robert Bates, 74, was sentenced in 2016 to four years in prison for second-degree manslaughter in the April 2015 death of Harris, 44, who was unarmed and restrained. Bates, who is white, has said he confused his stun gun with his handgun. That shooting led to the temporary suspension of the reserve deputy program after a report found poor training of the volunteer officers, a lack of oversight, and cronyism. Bates is appealing his conviction.

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TAMIR RICE

The 12-year-old was fatally shot by a white Cleveland police officer near a gazebo in a recreational area in November 2014. Officers were responding to a report of a man waving a gun. The boy had a pellet gun tucked in his waistband and was shot after the officers' cruiser skidded to a stop, just feet away. A grand jury in December 2015 declined to indict patrolman Timothy Loehmann, who fired the fatal shot, and training officer Frank Garmback. The city settled Rice's family's lawsuit for $6 million. Cleveland in May fired Loehmann and suspended Garmack for 10 days. The officers' union said it will challenge the discipline, calling it politically motivated.

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AKAI GURLEY

Rookie New York City police officer Peter Liang was convicted of manslaughter last year in the November 2014 death of 28-year-old Gurley. Liang, an American of Chinese descent, said he was patrolling a public housing high-rise with his gun drawn when a sound startled him and he fired accidentally. A bullet ricocheted off a wall, hitting Gurley. A judge reduced the conviction to negligent homicide and sentenced Liang to five years' probation and 800 hours of community service. The city settled with Gurley's family for $4.1 million.

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MICHAEL BROWN

The unarmed 18-year-old was fatally shot by a white officer, Darren Wilson, in August 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A grand jury declined to indict Wilson, and the U.S. Justice Department opted against civil rights charges. Wilson later resigned. The death of Brown led to months of occasionally violent protests and became a catalyst for the Black Lives Matter movement, which rebukes police treatment of minorities.

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LAQUAN MCDONALD

Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder in November 2015, on the same day that the city, under a judge's orders, released dashcam video showing McDonald, a 17-year-old man, being shot 16 times on Oct. 20, 2014. Van Dyke, who is white, has pleaded not guilty. The video prompted local and federal investigations. The Justice Department determined in January that Chicago police have a long history of civil rights violations and excessive force. The Chicago Police Department has since released a new use-of-force policy that requires officers undergo de-escalation training and imposes stricter rules on when they can fire their weapons at fleeing suspects.

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ERIC GARNER

The 43-year-old man died in July 2014 in New York City after a white officer placed him in a chokehold during an arrest for selling loose cigarettes. A grand jury declined to indict that officer, or any others involved in the arrest. The city agreed to pay a $6 million civil settlement.

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REKIA BOYD

Chicago police officer Dante Servin resigned in May 2016 after the police superintendent said he should be fired for killing Boyd four years earlier. Servin was off-duty when he shot the 22-year-old unarmed woman. She had been walking down a street with her friends when he told them to be quiet, and he fired when he thought he saw a gun. Prosecutors charged Servin with involuntary manslaughter, a judge acquitted him in April 2016, saying he'd been improperly charged. The city settled a wrongful-death lawsuit in 2013 with Boyd's family for $4.5 million.

FILE - In this July 29, 2015, file photo, photos of Samuel DuBose hang on a pole at a memorial near where he was shot and killed by University of Cincinnati police officer Ray Tensing during a July 19, 2015, traffic stop in Cincinnati. Testimony began Thursday, June 8, 2017, in Tensing's retrial on murder and voluntary manslaughter charges, while in Minnesota, closing arguments are scheduled Monday, June 12, 2017, in the trial of St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez, charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Philando Castile during a July 6, 2016, traffic stop. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman, File)

FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2014 file photo, Ken Palmer, stepfather of Akai Gurley, holds a program with his photo during his son's funeral at Brown Baptist Memorial Church in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Rookie New York City police officer Peter Liang was convicted of manslaughter in 2016 in the November 2014 death of 28-year-old Gurley. Liang, an American of Chinese descent, said he was patrolling a public housing high-rise with his gun drawn when a sound startled him and he fired accidentally. A bullet ricocheted off a wall, hitting Gurley. A judge reduced the conviction to negligent homicide and sentenced Liang to five years' probation and 800 hours of community service. The city settled with Gurley's family for $4.1 million. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

FILE - In this Sept. 24, 2016 file photo, a man holds a copy of the program for the funeral of Terence Crutcher during services to honor him in Tulsa, Okla., Crutcher was fatally shot Sept. 16 by Tulsa Police Officer Betty Shelby. A jury on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, found Shelby not guilty in Crutcher's death. His death was among a series across the U.S. involving black people in recent years that spurred a national debate over race and policing. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki File)

FILE - This undated photo provided by his family shows Laquan McDonald. Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder in November 2015, on the same day that the city, under a judge's orders, released dashcam video showing McDonald, a 17-year-old black man, being shot 16 times on Oct. 20, 2014. Van Dyke, who is white, has pleaded not guilty. The video prompted local and federal investigations; The Justice Department determined in January that Chicago police have a long history of civil rights violations and excessive force. (Courtesy of the Family via AP)

FILE - This undated photo provided by the Brown family shows Michael Brown. The 18-year-old black man was fatally shot by a white officer, Darren Wilson, in August 2014 in Ferguson, Mo. A grand jury declined to indict Wilson, and the U.S. Justice Department opted against civil rights charges. Wilson later resigned. The death of Brown, who was unarmed, led to months of occasionally violent protests and became a catalyst for the Black Lives Matter movement, which rebukes police treatment of minorities. (Courtesy of the Brown Family via AP, File)

FILE - This undated family photo provided by Edwards family attorney Lee Merritt shows Jordan Edwards, left, posing for a photo with his father, Odell Edwards. Edwards was shot April 29, 2017, by Balch Springs, Texas, police Officer Roy Oliver, who was fired and charged with murder. Oliver fired a rifle at a car full of teenagers leaving a party, fatally shooting Edwards, who was a passenger in the vehicle that was moving away from officers. The Justice Department investigation is separate from the district attorney's prosecution, and could end in a wide variety of outcomes - some civil, some criminal. Oliver was fired three days after Edwards' death. Oliver is free on bond. (Courtesy of Lee Merritt/Edwards family via AP, File)

FILE - In this March 4, 2016 file photo, Martinez Sutton wears a shirt commemorating his sister, Rekia Boyd, 22, who was shot and killed in 2012 by Chicago police officer Dante Servin. Servin resigned in May 2016 after the police superintendent said he should be fired for killing Boyd, 22, an unarmed black woman, four years earlier. Servin was off-duty during the incident. She had been walking down a street with her friends when he told them to be quiet, and he fired when he thought he saw a gun. Prosecutors charged Servin with involuntary manslaughter, a judge acquitted him in April 2016, saying he'd been improperly charged. The city settled a wrongful-death lawsuit in 2013 with Boyd's family for $4.5 million. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

FILE - This undated photo released by Javille Burns shows her brother, Jamar Clark, who was fatally shot in a confrontation with police on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Minneapolis. The officers, Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze, were trying to arrest Clark when he was shot once in the head. He died a day later. Some witnesses said Clark was handcuffed when he was shot, but federal and state probes concluded that he was not. Investigators said Ringgenberg felt Clark's hand trying to grab his weapon and shouted to Schwarze, who then shot Clark. Prosecutors decided not to charge either white officer, and an internal police investigation cleared them. (Jamar Clark/Javille Burns via AP, File)
BEIRUT (AP) - Syrian activists say an airstrike in the contested de-facto capital of the Islamic State group has killed at least 7 civilians.

The activist collective Raqqa24 says seven people were killed Saturday when coalition aircraft bombed al-Nour street in Raqqa, in northern Syria.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says 13 civilians have been killed in coalition air raids over the past 24 hours.

There was no immediate comment from the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group.

The U.S. is providing battlefield support to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces trying to capture Raqqa from the Islamic State group.

Since launching the battle one week ago, the SDF has penetrated two neighborhoods in the city, at its eastern and western fringes.
ROME (AP) - A fugitive 'ndrangheta Italian crime clan boss, accused of international drug trafficking, was taken into custody at a Brazil airport, authorities said Saturday.

Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti hailed the arrest on Friday of Vincenzo Macri, whom he described as a top boss of the Commisso crime clan, based in Siderno, Calabria.

Macri's two years on the run ended when he showed authorities an identity document using a false name at Sao Paulo airport on Friday.

Italian media said Macri, 52, had planned to fly to Caracas, Venezuela, where he is believed to have been living. The reports described him as playing a role as a broker in international cocaine deals for the 'ndrangheta, one of the world's leading cocaine traffickers.

Authorities say Macri inherited the mantle of his father, Antonio Macri, an alleged clan chieftain. Macri was about 10 years old when his father was slain in Calabria in 1975 after a bocce ball game during a bloody 'ndrangheta clan feud. The elder Macri had been given the moniker "boss of two worlds" for close international ties to alleged mobsters in North America and Australia.

Brazilian federal police said that between 2004 and 2015, Vincenzo Macri was part of an international criminal organization that imported and trafficked cocaine and hashish, from Morocco, the Netherlands and the Dominican Republic. The drugs arrived in Italy via shipping containers.

Macri was on the run since 2015, when Italian authorities accused him of international drug trafficking and Mafia association.

A top Italian police official, Alessandro Giuliano, credited "excellent, long-established cooperation" with U.S. federal agents in helping to capture Macri.

Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera said FBI agents had arrested Macri in 1990 for drug trafficking, and that he served a prison sentence until the early 2000s. Later he moved to the Netherlands, where he ran a florist business.

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AP reporter Sarah DiLorenzo contributed from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

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This story has been corrected to show that Macri was allegedly part of an international criminal organization between 2004 and 2015, not 2004 and 2005.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Three U.S. soldiers were killed and another was wounded Saturday in eastern Afghanistan, the Pentagon said.

An Afghan official said the deaths and injury stem from an attack by an Afghan soldier, who also died.

In a statement from Washington, the Pentagon didn't provide details about what led to the deaths of the U.S. soldiers. It said the incident was under investigation.

A spokesman for the provincial governor in Nangarhar province, Attahullah Khogyani, said in a statement that the attack took place in the Achin district.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says in a statement that a Taliban loyalist had infiltrated the Afghan army "just to attack foreign forces."

In March, an Afghan soldier was killed after he opened fire on foreign forces at a base in Helmand province, wounding three U.S. soldiers.

White House spokesman Raj Shah told reporters traveling with President Donald Trump in New Jersey that Trump was "following the emerging situation in Afghanistan."
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - The U.S. Navy has ended its search for a sailor who was on a training mission on a guided-missile cruiser off the coast of North Carolina when he went overboard.

The U.S. Fleet Forces Public Affairs office says the Navy and Coast Guard on Friday called off the Atlantic Ocean search for Petty Officer Christopher Clavin, of Lincoln, Rhode Island.

The Navy said in a statement the 23-year-old sailor was on the USS Normandy about 80 miles (128 kilometers) offshore when he went overboard Tuesday.

An aircraft carrier with four helicopters, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter, and guided-missile destroyers were involved in the search. Military officials say they covered 2,500 square miles (6,475 square kilometers).

The USS Normandy is based in Norfolk, Virginia.
NEW YORK (AP) - A niece of former Vice President Joe Biden has pleaded guilty in a $110,000 credit-account theft at a New York City drugstore.

Caroline Biden admitted Friday to grand larceny and petty larceny, with an agreement to get two years' probation if she repays the money, does 10 days of community service and avoids re-arrest for a year.

Her lawyer, Ira London, declined to comment Saturday.

A complaint says the 29-year-old Biden used a borrowed credit card to open a customer account at the Manhattan shop without the cardholder's OK then racked up the tab over a year.

In 2013, she was charged with hitting a New York police officer amid a rent dispute with her roommate. She got treatment for anger problems, and the resisting-arrest case was dismissed.
LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Authorities say a Louisiana man has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison for sending threatening letters to the governor's office and other government agencies.

A statement released Friday by acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook says 33-year-old Kyle Dore of New Iberia was sentenced to 33 months by a federal judge in Lafayette. Dore had pleaded guilty to five counts of mailing threatening communications and four counts of false information and hoaxes.

Prosecutors said Dore sent a series of letters in December 2015 and January 2016 threatening agencies and people working at offices in local, state and federal government. They say letters were directed to Gov. John Bel Edwards' office at Louisiana's state Capitol, two courthouses and U.S. Post Offices in New Iberia and three other communities.
PARK CITY, Utah (AP) - Former Vice President Joe Biden has encouraged onetime GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney to run for the Senate in Utah if longtime Republican incumbent Orrin Hatch decides to retire next year.

Biden made the recommendation to Romney on Friday evening at the Utah resort where Romney was hosting an annual invitation-only business and politics summit.

The Biden-Romney event, like most of the discussions and speeches at the gathering, was closed to reporters. But people who were there confirmed the conversation and described it as a warm, bipartisan talk.

FILE - In this Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016 file photo, former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney talks with reporters in New York. Former Democratic Vice President Joe Biden is encouraging former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney to run for a senate seat in Utah currently held by Orrin Hatch if the senator decides to retire next year. Biden made the comment to Romney Friday, June 9, 2017 at a luxury resort in Utah, where Romney was hosting an annual invitation-only business and politics summit.. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Romney did not give any indication he was considering a run, should Hatch, 83, decide not to run again next year, said one person in attendance, Maryland videographer Dean Dykema.

"Mitt didn't have a chance to ask many questions because Joe pretty much took over the show," Dykema said.

Hatch, who has been in office since 1977, has said he hasn't decided if he'll seek another term but he might step aside if Romney ran.

The 70-year-old former Massachusetts governor now lives in Utah, where he's remained popular as the man who led a turnaround of the scandal-plagued 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and as a prominent Mormon businessman and politician in a state that's home to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In April, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he reached out to Romney about running for Hatch's seat, but said he'd support the longtime senator if he decided to run again.

Hatch has said that he hopes everyone in Utah could get behind Romney and avoid a divisive primary contest like the one in 2010 that ousted his close friend, the late Utah Republican Sen. Robert Bennett. Bennett was defeated by a tea party-backed Republican, Mike Lee.

On Friday in Utah, Romney and Biden did not discuss the 2012 election where they ran on opposing tickets, but Biden did discuss the 2016 election.

He made some comments critical of President Donald Trump, but said he felt his own party and its candidate Hillary Clinton failed to connect with some key voting blocs, including millennials and those in working-class states where Biden was sent as a surrogate for the campaign.

Biden also discussed a need for bipartisanship in Congress, lamenting how Republicans and Democrats don't sit together anymore in the Capitol dining room, and spoke of his efforts to improve cancer research, a cause he has focused on since his son, former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, died in 2015 of brain cancer.
LUDINGTON, Mich. (AP) - A western Michigan city has broken a mark set by the Guinness World Records for the most people simultaneously making sand angels at a beach.

The Ludington Daily News and The Muskegon Chronicle report 1,387 people angelically assembled on a Lake Michigan beachfront in Ludington on Saturday and worked their magic for 30 seconds. That far surpasses the roughly 350 who made sand angels for 15 seconds two years ago in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

A Guinness judge verified the record.

People take part in an attempt to break the Guinness Book record for simultaneous sand angels on Saturday, June 10, 2017 in Ludinton, Mich. Around 1,387 people angelically assembled on a Lake Michigan beachfront in Ludington on Saturday and worked their magic for 30 seconds. That far surpasses the roughly 350 who made sand angels for 15 seconds two years ago in Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom. (Jeff Kiessel/Ludington Daily News via AP)

The Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Foundation organized what's been dubbed "Be Someone's Angel." The event, which had a $20 suggested donation, raised money for the hospital's cancer service center.

The effort was part of "Love Ludington" weekend, which also features the opening of the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum.
SAO PAULO (AP) - President Michel Temer is fighting new allegations that his administration turned Brazil's spy services on a supreme court justice investigating him for corruption, the latest in a series of accusations that threaten to cut short his tenure.

In a story posted late Friday on its website, Veja magazine cites an anonymous presidential aide as saying that Temer and his advisers asked the Brazilian Intelligence Agency to spy on Edson Fachin, who is the justice in charge of an investigation into whether Temer accepted bribes and endorsed buying the silence of a former lawmaker convicted of corruption.

According to Veja, Temer's team is looking for a way to discredit Fachin - and thus hopefully sink the investigation.

Brazil's President Michel Temer receives military honors during ceremony of merit of the naval order, in Brasilia, Brazil, Friday, June 9, 2017. Brazil's top electoral court is preparing to vote on a decision that could force Temer from office. There are early hints the judges may absolve the president and his 2014 campaign of illegal contributions. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

The revelations came just hours after the Supreme Electoral Tribunal cleared Temer's 2014 campaign of charges that it received illegal financing. That decision was seen as giving the embattled Temer some breathing room, but the new accusations threaten to sink him anew, further constraining his ability to govern and reinvigorating calls for his resignation.

Carmen Lucia, the president of the supreme court, issued a scathing statement on Saturday, calling the alleged spying a tactic of dictatorships.

"It is unacceptable to commit a serious crime against the Supreme Federal Tribunal, against democracy and against liberty, if the report of this illegal invasion into the life of one of (the court's) members is confirmed," she wrote.

Attorney General Rodrigo Janot said he learned of the accusation with "puzzlement."

"If such an attack on the powers of the republic and the democratic state of law is confirmed, it would be one more unhappy episode in the grave democratic crisis that this country is going through, " he said in a statement Saturday.

Temer denied the accusation in a statement.

"The government does not use the public machine against Brazilian citizens, much less does it engage in any kind of action that doesn't respect the strict dictates of the law," the statement said.

It also reiterated that the government has never tried to constrain Operation Car Wash, the sprawling corruption investigation that has ensnared much of Brazil's political elite and led to allegations against the president himself.

Already exceptionally unpopular and seen by many Brazilians as illegitimate because he came to power following the impeachment and removal of his predecessor Dilma Rousseff, the accusations of corruption against Temer have called into question whether he can finish out his term.

Last month, a recording emerged that apparently captured Temer endorsing a plan to pay hush money to ex-House Speaker Eduardo Cunha, who is serving 15 years in prison for corruption and money laundering. Soon after, another bombshell emerged: Temer was being investigated for taking bribes.

Janot, the attorney general, is considering pressing charges against him for allegedly receiving bribes, over the audio recording and for allegedly trying to obstruct the Car Wash investigation.
BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) - Seif al-Islam, the son and one-time heir apparent of late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, has been released after more than five years in detention, his captors said on Saturday.

A statement by his captors, the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Battalion, said Seif al-Islam was released a day earlier, but gave no details on his whereabouts. Battalion officials reached by The Associated Press at Zintan, a town south of the capital Tripoli where it is based, confirmed his release. They declined to disclose his whereabouts, citing concerns over his safety.

They said his release was decided as part of a recent pardon issued by the Libyan parliament based in the country's eastern region.

FILE - In this March 10, 2011, file photo, Seif al-Islam, son of Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi, gestures as he speaks to supporters and the media in Tripoli, Libya. A statement by his captors, the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Battalion, said Seif al-Islam was released on Friday, June 9, 2017, but gave no details on his whereabouts. They declined to disclose his whereabouts, citing concerns over his safety. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

Abdallah Bilhaq, a spokesman for the Tobruk-based Libyan House of Representatives, said "the amnesty law had to be issued" to help move on from the chaos that has engulfed the country in recent years.

"As for the news of the release of Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, he is a Libyan citizen covered by the amnesty law," Bilhaq said, but added that the law did not exempt anyone from criminal charges they may face.

The parliament in the city of Tobruk is part of one of three rival administrations in Libya, evidence of the chaos that has prevailed in the country since Gadhafi's ouster and death.

Gadhafi's son was captured by the battalion's fighters late in 2011, the year when a popular uprising toppled Gadhafi after more than 40 years in power. He was later killed.

The uprising later plunged the oil-rich North African nation into a ruinous civil war in which Seif al-Islam led Gadhafi's loyalist forces against the rebels.

Human Rights Watch said that despite Seif al-Islam's reported release he is still wanted on charges of crimes against humanity related to the 2011 uprising.

"Libyan authorities, who remain obligated to surrender him to the court, should urgently confirm whether he was released and disclose his current whereabouts," the group's Middle East director, Sarah Leah Whitson said in a statement.
The ringleader of the London Bridge terror gang tried to hire a 7.5-tonne lorry hours before the attack, police have revealed.

Detectives suspect the carnage inflicted could have been even worse if Khuram Butt had not failed to secure the vehicle because his payment did not go through.

Instead he resorted to plan B and rented a white van which ploughed into pedestrians as the perpetrators launched their deadly rampage last Saturday night, killing eight victims and injuring dozens more.

The van used in the London Bridge attacks

After leaving the vehicle, the terrorists used 12in ceramic knives with pink blades in a stabbing spree.

Meanwhile, almost a week on from the atrocity, detectives have made their 20th arrest.

Scotland Yard said a 28-year-old man was held on suspicion of terror offences following a raid in east London.

Officers entered a residential address in Barking shortly after 2am on Saturday.

It brings to seven the number of people being held in custody in connection with the incident.

Earlier on Saturday police said a 27-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the attack during a raid in Ilford, east London.

He was also held on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts and taken into custody while police searched the two properties.

The eight victims of the London Bridge terrorist attack

Of the 20 people arrested in connection with the probe, 12 have been released without charge.

One man arrested on suspicion of drugs and firearms offences was bailed until a date in late June.

It also emerged that multiple petrol bombs were found in the van used in the outrage, while a copy of the Koran opened at a page describing martyrdom was discovered in the east London bolthole where the three men plotted the attack.

One of the knives used in the London Bridge attacks (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Commander Dean Haydon, head of the Metropolitan Polices Counter Terrorism Command, revealed that Butt had attempted to hire a lorry online on the morning of the atrocity.

He said: Because of the fact his payment method failed he couldnt get hold of that lorry.

My view at the moment is that he then went to plan B and ended up hiring the van instead.

The van travelled over the bridge twice before it was driven at speed at pedestrians.

It is thought three victims were killed on the bridge  including one man who was thrown into the Thames  before the attackers left the vehicle and stabbed five people to death around Borough Market.

London Bridge attacker Khuram Butt tried to hire a truck. (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Police believe Butt was driving the van.

Mr Haydon said: When I come back to Butt trying to get hold of a 7.5-tonne lorry  the effect could have been even worse.

The potential for large vehicles to inflict mass casualties was laid bare in horrifying fashion last year when a lorry drove through crowds gathered to celebrate Bastille Day in Nice, killing 86 people and injuring scores more.
Angela Merkel has said Brexit negotiations should go ahead as scheduled in nine days time  despite the UK being plunged into political turmoil by the General Election.

The German chancellor said the European Union wants talks to progress quickly and warned it will defend the interests of its members during the looming divorce proceedings.

After calling a snap election in a bid to strengthen her hand, Theresa May now faces having to tear up her plans  should she cling on to power long enough to set them in motion.

Speaking during a visit to Mexico, Mrs Merkel ended her brief period of polite restraint from commenting on Mrs Mays catastrophic poll.

We are ready for the negotiations. We want to do it quickly, respecting the calendar, she said in comments reported by Sky News.

We were waiting for the election in Britain, but in the next few days these talks will begin.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto toast with beer after a joint press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City (Eduardo Verdugo/AP/PA)

We will defend the interests of the 27 member states, and Britain will defend its own interests.

On Friday, European Council president Donald Tusk warned Mrs May there is no time to lose.

With talks due to start in Brussels on June 19, Mr Tusk said it was their urgent task to get on with the negotiations in the best possible spirit.

Congratulations @theresa_may. Our responsibility now is to secure least disruptive #Brexit. No time to lose. https://t.co/bOOzzwr82k  Charles Michel (@eucopresident) June 9, 2017

In a letter to the PM congratulating her on her reappointment, he said the two-year time frame set out under Article 50 of the EU treaties left no room for delay.

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker also said he hoped there would be no further delay to the negotiations we are desperately waiting for.

Brussels chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said the talks would begin when Britain was ready, suggesting he would consider a short delay.

#Brexit negotiations should start when UK is ready; timetable and EU positions are clear. Let's put our minds together on striking a deal  Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) June 9, 2017

Brexit negotiations should start when UK is ready; timetable and EU positions are clear. Lets put our minds together on striking a deal, he said on Twitter.

However there was clear frustration with the EU at the failure of the election to deliver a decisive result.

The European Parliaments Brexit co-ordinator, Guy Verhofstadt, said: Yet another own goal, after Cameron now May, will make already complex negotiations even more complicated.

Mrs Mays plans laid in tatters on Friday after an unexpected surge in support for Labour saw the Conservatives lose seats, falling short of an overall majority.

As Mrs May sought to secure a parliamentary majority by striking a deal with Northern Irelands DUP, a spokesman for Mrs Merkel said they would refrain from commenting out of politeness and respect.
A hunt for a gunman has been launched by murder detectives investigating the drive-by shooting of a man in a busy town centre.

The 24-year-old man, who was a passenger in a car, was shot in the head in the attack in Wellesley Road, Croydon, south London, shortly after 10pm on Friday.

The driver of the car, who was also injured, drove the victim to a south London hospital and, six minutes after police were first alerted, officers were told the man had died on arrival.

Roads have been sealed off after the Croydon shooting. (Yui Mok/PA)

Fatal shooting in #Croydon / Public advised to avoid Wellesley Road area https://t.co/V5m4xzz6xy pic.twitter.com/VkUdEk9FYm  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 10, 2017

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: At this early stage, detectives believe that the victim was a passenger in a Volkswagen car which was being driven along Wellesley Road. A motorcyclist with a pillion passenger pulled up alongside the car and shots were fired.

The car driver  who suffered minor injuries  took the critically injured man to hospital, where police were alerted.

Local roads remain closed as forensic investigators examine the crime scene. No arrests have been made and police appealed for witnesses to the lead up to the attack, adding that Croydon town centre is usually very busy.
A planned four-day strike by British Airways cabin crew has been suspended to allow fresh talks to be held.

Members of the Unite union were due to walk out on Friday in the latest action over a long-running pay dispute.

BA staff were set to walk out on Friday. (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Talks will now be held at the conciliation service Acas.

It is understood that Unite is taking legal cases on behalf of 1,400 members who say their travel benefits have been taken away because of taking part in previous strikes.

The union says the so-called mixed fleet cabin crew, who joined BA since 2010, are on lower pay than other staff.

British Airways cabin crew demonstrating outside the Houses of Parliament. (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

BA says mixed fleet cabin crews pay and rewards are in line with cabin crew at competitor airlines.

New cabin crew in their first year working full time at British Airways will receive more than 21,000 based on pay, allowances, incentives and bonus, said the airline.
Amnesty Internationals chairman in Turkey has been arrested on charges of membership of a terror group, the countrys official news agency said.

Turjey's decision to charge "principled and passionate human rights defender" Taner Kilic a mockery of justice https://t.co/L43dZdJeIB pic.twitter.com/sB5zrb5MeD  Amnesty International (@amnesty) June 9, 2017

Anadolu news agency reported on Saturday that lawyer Taner Kilic was arrested in the western province of Izmir with five other lawyers who are accused of using an encrypted communication programme.

We are deeply concerned by detention of Taner Kilic, Chair of @amnesty #Turkey. Curbs on free speech & other freedoms undermine democracy. pic.twitter.com/qZQvqEdQOu  Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) June 7, 2017

Kilic was detained on Tuesday and is awaiting trial.

ByLock is allegedly used by the network of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, which Turkey blames for orchestrating last summers coup attempt.

Amnesty International called Kilics arrest a devastating injustice. Its secretary general Salil Shetty said the case is proof of Turkeys arbitrary and sweeping crackdown in the aftermath of the failed coup.

More than 50,000 people have been arrested for alleged links to Gulen since last summer.
Ukips interim leader has warned Theresa May that it would be absolutely unacceptable to water down her Brexit objectives following the General Election result.

The Prime Minister lost her majority and Ukip lost its leader in a disastrous General Election for both parties.

Steve Crowther, who is standing in as Ukip leader following Paul Nuttalls resignation, said an end to freedom of movement must be secured in the Brexit talks.

Ukip leader Paul Nuttall quit after the election (Joe Giddens/PA)

Mrs May hopes to run a minority government with the support of the DUPs 10 MPs.

Mr Crowther said: Though she is personally damaged as our negotiator, the suggestion that Mrs Mays dismal electoral performance relieves the Government of the need to achieve full Brexit is absolutely unacceptable.

The people voted last year to leave the EU, full stop. Mrs Mays incompetent electioneering makes not the slightest difference to that. If the Conservative-DUP government thinks it can backslide on this, it will rapidly find that it is mistaken.

To all our members who worked so hard, thank you. Things look bleak right now, but give it time. Keep the faith. We will come back, stronger  Peter Whittle (@prwhittle) June 10, 2017

In particular, the DUPs concerns about the Irish border issue must not lead to an acceptance of any free movement of people in the negotiation. The Common Travel Area provisions in place since the 1920s are a perfectly adequate basis for resolving that anomaly.

The people of this country want control of their borders and an end to the disastrous policy of open-door immigration which has led to a rapidly-rising population, a funding crisis in health and education, pressure on housing and wages, and dangerous social alienation.

Mr Nuttall quit after finishing a distant third in his bid to win a Commons seat in Boston and Skegness as the Ukip vote share collapsed nationally.
London remains one of the safest cities in the world, the capitals top police officer declared, while warning people to remain vigilant amid the continued terror threat.

The city carries on and people should feel reassured by the increased police presence on the streets, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said.

Officers have spoken to more than 300 witnesses of around 20 different nationalities during their investigation into last weekends attack, which targeted people enjoying a Saturday night out.

Speaking a week on from the atrocity, Ms Dick said people should continue to go about their daily lives.

She said: I would suggest to people that London is one of the safest cities on the planet but of course we want you to be vigilant.

You will be seeing police, armed and unarmed, in areas where there are crowds and around the streets of London, possibly at a higher level than you have done before.

We are appealing for witnesses with any information about the terror attacks at #LondonBridge and #BoroughMarket to come forward pic.twitter.com/Q2g3GZ0Yyh  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 10, 2017

You should feel reassured by that, but please dont give in to terrorists and lets go about our daily business.

Speaking after police revealed the ringleader of the London Bridge terror gang tried to hire a 7.5 tonne lorry hours before the attack, she urged people to report anything they deem suspicious.

She said that includes whether you see something suspicious, you know somebody who has started to behave strangely, you are hiring a vehicle to somebody and you have concerns about them.

"I'm sure there's more witnesses out there - I would appeal for them to come forward." - Commander Dean Haydon #LondonBridge #BoroughMarket  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 10, 2017

She said she has been humbled and privileged to hear of the heroic actions of members of the public and the emergency services in their response to the attack.

The three terrorists ploughed into people on London Bridge before going on a stabbing rampage in nearby Borough Market.

While the market remains closed people are expected to return to the surrounding bars and restaurants and Ms Dick said there will be mixed emotions.

A police officer looks at flowers left near Borough Market. (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

She said: People will be thinking about what happened last Saturday night and respecting those who have lost their lives, their families and those who have been affected but also not giving in to terrorists and that includes in the immediate surrounds of Borough market.

It is expected the market will be ready to re-open next week, she added.

She said: The rest of us Londoners want to support those people who have been affected, including those who run the market.

Ms Dick said the threat to London and the UK is one many other countries are facing and remained defiant when asked about the future.

She said: We, in this city, have experienced terrorism for as long as Ive been alive and we have always been able to step up and deal with a new threat and thats what were going to do here.
Wellwishers gathered in the summer sun to help mark the Duke of Edinburghs 96th birthday.

A message on Buckingham Palaces Twitter site read: Wishing The Duke of Edinburgh a very happy 96th birthday today! #HappyBirthdayHRH.

The Duke, who is looking forward to his long-awaited retirement, was spending his special Saturday privately at Windsor Castle as a 41-gun royal salute boomed through Green Park in central London in his honour.

Wishing The Duke of Edinburgh a very happy 96th birthday today! #HappyBirthdayHRH pic.twitter.com/5JcYB544Hr  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 10, 2017

The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery rode their horses and gun carriages across the Parade Ground to stage the gun salute.

Royal aides say the Duke is keen to enjoy more of his leisure time when he steps away from the limelight in a few months.

Next weekend, Philip is expected to help the Queen celebrate her official 91st birthday at the annual Trooping The Colour parade.

The Duke of Edinburgh is set to retire. (John Stillwell/PA)

After his retirement, he may still appear occasionally at certain public events, but will no longer play an active role by attending engagements, the Palace said.

The Duke joked about his advancing age and retirement when he attended his final Buckingham Palace presentation ceremony for his Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in May.

He told TV chef Prue Leith: Im discovering what its like to be on your last legs.

The Duke of Edinburgh meets Prue Leith. (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Philip of Greece and Denmark was born on the island of Corfu on June 10 1921 to Prince Andrew of Greece and Princess Alice of Battenberg.

His early years were marked by upheaval after the family went into exile following a military coup in Greece which overthrew Philips uncle, King Constantine I.

He moved to England to stay with relatives and study at Cheam Prep School in 1928, before spending a year at Salem School in south Germany, then finally enrolling at Gordonstoun School in Morayshire.

Philip went on to join the Royal Navy and, while a cadet, he caught the eye of a 13-year-old Princess Elizabeth.

Crowds watch the guns in action. (Rick Findler/PA)

He served with distinction during the Second World War and his friendship with the Princess grew into love.

They married two years after the end of the war.

Within five years, George VI had died and Princess Elizabeth had become Queen.

The Duke, who is known for his no-nonsense approach and acerbic wit, is the longest serving consort in British history and also the oldest serving partner of a reigning monarch.
The Queen Mary 2 ocean liner has rescued a lone yachtsman taking part in a transatlantic race.

The man was rescued in the area of the Mid Atlantic on Saturday and while his boat, called Tamarind, suffered severe damage, he was not injured, according to the Royal Western Yacht Club (RWYC) of England.

It comes as a North Atlantic storm  60-knot winds and 15-metre seas  hit competitors of the single-handed transatlantic race and two-handed transatlantic race which left Plymouth at the end of last month.

Cunard ocean liner the Queen Mary 2. (Anna Gowthorpe/PA)

Thanks to Dave Ashley who is aboard Queen Mary 2 now watching rescue efforts to the yacht that is in distress -Rob- pic.twitter.com/m4C53U1ioq  RMSQueenMary2 (@RMSQueenMary2) June 10, 2017

The RWYC said the extreme conditions, which began in the early hours of Friday, caused damage to many boats with three emergency beacons triggered.

The Canadian coastguard in Halifax immediately reacted to the situation sending ships and air support to all the boats in distress.

As well as Tamarind, four other boats were affected but no injuries were reported.

UK Cruise Liner RMS Queen Mary II is now making way to attempt a rescue of the third yacht, and is expected to arrive later this morning  JTFA | FOIA (@JTFA_FOIA) June 10, 2017

On its website, the RWYC said: The RWYC would like to thank all personnel at the Halifax Coastguard for their immediate and magnificent response to this emergency situation. All seafarers owe them a debt of gratitude.

A Cunard spokesman said: We can confirm that Queen Mary 2 was involved in a rescue operation at the request of the MRCC at Falmouth, (UK Coastguard). The rescue was coordinated by Canadian Coastguard in Halifax.

The lone yachtsman is now safely on board Queen Mary 2.

Master of Queen Mary 2, Captain Chris Wells, who led the rescue mission, said: It is standard seafaring practice to go to the aid of a vessel in distress.

We were pleased to be able to help and delighted that the yachtsman is safe and well and now on board Queen Mary 2.
Manchester United have reached an agreement to sign Victor Lindelof from Benfica for 35million euros.

Having secured Champions League football by adding the Europa League to their EFL Cup and Community Shield triumphs, attention quickly turned to reinforcements.

Lindelof is now set to become Jose Mourinhos first signing of the summer after United struck a deal with Benfica  a signing Press Association Sport understands will cost around 30.75million.

Benfica defender Victor Lindelof is on his way to Manchester United

We are pleased to announce we have reached agreement with Benfica for the transfer of Victor Lindelof. More: https://t.co/xGQKgCuCrX #MUFC pic.twitter.com/93QhW9JnMU  Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 10, 2017

A statement on the Premier League clubs official website read: Manchester United is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement with Benfica for the transfer of Victor Lindelof, subject to a medical examination, international clearance and personal terms.

A further announcement will be made once the transfer is complete.

Lindelof has been a long-standing target at United, having flourished in recent seasons with Portuguese giants Benfica.

The Sweden international comes into a side that are set to release compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimovic this summer, although the veteran striker will continue his rehabilitation from serious knee ligament damage with them.

Press Association Sport understands Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata is among those United are keen on as they look to sign a new number nine.

Reported target Romelu Lukaku appears close to leaving Everton for former club Chelsea while links to Torino striker Andrea Belotti continue.

Mourinhos first summer at the Old Trafford helm saw Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Eric Bailly and Paul Pogba arrive.

On this day last year, we welcomed @EricBailly24 to #MUFC. It's not been a bad first season!  pic.twitter.com/OveBkmf3vc  Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 8, 2017

United are understood to be looking for another three or four high-quality acquisitions this summer but their interest in Atletico Madrids Antoine Griezmann has cooled due to changing priorities.

In terms of outgoings, captain Wayne Rooney has to decide whether to fight for his place or move on to pastures new.

Real Madrid are no longer said to be in pursuit of goalkeeper David De Gea but other players around the club are the subject of speculation and interest.
Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from Wimbledon qualifying due to a muscle injury she sustained at the Italian Open in Rome last month.

Sharapova, who is coming back from a 15-month suspension for taking the banned drug meldonium, had been due to enter qualifying after rejecting a wild card.

But she posted in a Facebook message: After an additional scan, the muscle tear I sustained in Rome will unfortunately not allow me to compete in the grass court tournaments I was scheduled to play.

The news means Sharapova will also withdraw from the Aegon Classic in Birmingham, for which she had been granted a wild card.

In her statement she added: I want to thank the LTA for their amazing support on my return and providing me with a Birmingham wild card, a tournament which I hope many of you will be able to attend.

I look forward to meeting you there next year. I will continue to work on my recovery and my next scheduled tournament is in Stanford.

Sharapova was denied a wild card for this months French Open and took a potentially divisive decision by the All England Club out of their hands by announcing she would go through qualifying.

Maria Sharapova sustained a muscle injury at the Italian Open

News of her withdrawal will end a potential logistical nightmare for organisers of the usually low-key qualifying event given the interest in her comeback.

Sharapova reached the semi-finals on her comeback at the Porsche Open in Stuttgart in May but it left the womens tour divided.

A number of fellow top players expressed disapproval at the opportunities granted to Sharapova, with former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard branding her a cheater ahead of their recent Madrid Open showdown.
By Anthony Boadle and Ricardo Brito

BRASILIA, June 9 (Reuters) - Brazil's top electoral court dismissed a case on Friday that threatened to unseat President Michel Temer for alleged illegal campaign funding in the 2014 election, when he was the running mate of impeached President Dilma Rousseff.

The ruling gives Temer some breathing room but will not end a political crisis enveloping the beleaguered center-right leader. He is being investigated separately by federal prosecutors for corruption, obstruction of justice and racketeering.

"We cannot be changing the president of the Republic all the time, even if the people want to," said the court's chief judge, Gilmar Mendes.

Mendes, who backed the impeachment of Rousseff, said the country should not expect the court to solve the current political crisis.

The electoral court, known as the TSE, voted 4-3 to acquit the Rousseff-Temer ticket of wrongdoing. That avoided the annulment of their election and the removal of Temer from office. He took over a year ago following Rousseff's impeachment in the midst of Brazil's worst recession on record.

In a decisive move, that same majority had ruled on Thursday to not allow as evidence in the case plea-bargain testimony from 77 executives of the Odebrecht construction firm, which is at the center of a vast political graft scheme.

Those witnesses told investigators they funneled millions of dollars in illegal funds into the 2014 Rousseff-Temer ticket. But the testimony was made more than a year after the beginning of the case that concluded Friday, and without it Temer's lawyers argued there was no proof of wrongdoing.

The acquittal will help Temer, whose government's poll ratings are in the single digits, retain key coalition allies who will support approval in Congress of his fiscal reform agenda. The austerity measures aim to bring a gaping budget deficit under control and restore investor confidence.

Alexandre Parola, a spokesman for Temer, said after the ruling that the president viewed the decision as an example of effective institutions keeping the country's democracy working.

INVESTIGATIONS 'JUST STARTING'

Political analysts said the acquittal was disastrous for the credibility of Brazil's judiciary, the government institution that polls show is most trusted by Brazilians. Some warned it would add to growing disillusionment with democracy.

"This catastrophic ruling prolongs the survival of a government that has lost all credibility and can no longer govern," said Roberto Romano, professor of ethics and political philosophy at Campinas University. He said it would add to a small but worrying trend of Brazilians favoring a return to military rule.

Temer, a third of his Cabinet and dozens of powerful congressmen are under investigation for corruption.

The leader is likely to soon face separate charges in the case involving allegations of receiving bribes and condoning the payment of hush money handed over to a potential witness in a massive graft scandal, investigators have told Reuters.

The Supreme Court approved the investigation into the president late last month.

But to put him on trial, the charges against the president would have to be approved by two-thirds of the lower chamber of Congress, where Temer's coalition retains a majority.

With an election year approaching in 2018, however, the governing coalition's majority could shrink if lawmakers break away, concerned about voters punishing them for being part of a government overwhelmingly perceived in polls as corrupt.

Acquittal by the electoral court could help Temer's main coalition ally, the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), convince its younger members who want to bolt from the government to stay put and help push unpopular reforms through Congress.

But political volatility will not die down.

"The days ahead will be very difficult for Temer. The corruption investigations are just starting," said Flavia Bahia, professor at the CERS law school and FGV think tank in Rio de Janeiro. "The government can't be sure of its allies anymore."

The separate investigation by prosecutors into Temer includes a secret recording of a conversation he had earlier this year with a former top executive of meatpacker JBS SA .

In it, the president appears to condone paying bribes to an imprisoned former lawmaker to keep him from turning state's witness and providing potentially devastating testimony about graft.

Temer has denied any wrongdoing and insists he will never resign. But a one-time top aide to the leader, Rodrigo Rocha Loures, was caught on a police video released last month picking up a bag filled with 500,000 reais ($152,000) in cash from a JBS executive, allegedly meant to silence the potential witness.

Temer aides told Reuters they worry that if Rocha Loures decides to reach a plea-bargain deal with investigators, it will strengthen any charges filed against the president. (Reporting by Anthony Boadle, Ricardo Brito, Maria Carolina Marcello and Lisandra Paraguassu; Editing by Richard Chang and Mary Milliken)
By Matt Spetalnick

WASHINGTON, June 9 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump is expected to visit Miami as early as next Friday to announce a new Cuba policy that could tighten rules on trade and travel, rolling back parts of former President Barack Obamas opening to the island, according to a U.S. official and people familiar with the matter.

Trumps aides are nearing completion of a review of relations with Cuba and are expected to send recommendations to his national security team and then to the president in coming days, a U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Plans are in the works for Trump to roll out his new approach on June 16 in a speech in Miami, where he is expected to claim fulfillment of a campaign promise and justify it, at least in part, on human rights grounds, the sources said.

But they cautioned that a delay in the announcement is still possible if it takes longer for Trump to make a final decision.

While specific changes have not yet been finalized, the sources say Trump is likely to unveil a partial rather than complete rollback of Obamas actions, which included restoration of relations and reopening of embassies after a diplomatic breakthrough in 2014 with Americas former Cold War foe.

Among the options under consideration are banning U.S. companies from doing business with Cuban enterprises tied to the military - which controls a large part of the communist-ruled islands economy - and tightening rules on Americans traveling there, according to people familiar with the discussions.

With the Cuba review approaching its final stages, both sides of the issue have recently stepped up lobbying to sway Trumps decision.

In the letter sent to Trump on Friday, seven of his fellow Republicans warned that rescinding Obamas policies would "incentivize Cuba to once again become dependent on countries like Russia and China."

Senior officials at the National Security Council met on Friday to begin finalizing a list of recommendations, the sources said.

Trump's changes are expected to stop short of breaking diplomatic relations restored two years ago after more than five decades of hostility, administration officials say.

But divisions remain within the Trump administration over how far to go, especially given that rapprochement with Cuba has created opportunities for American companies.

INTERNAL DEBATE

Some aides have argued that Trump, a former real estate magnate who won the presidency promising to unleash U.S. business and create jobs, would have a hard time defending any moves that close off the Cuban market.

But other advisers have contended that it is important to make good on a promise to Cuban-Americans whose support they considered significant winning Florida in the 2016 election. Miami is home to the largest Cuban-American community.

The U.S. airline and travel industries have made clear they do not want to see reinstatement of Cuba restrictions.

"Imposing new regulations on travel to and trade with Cuba would be bad politics, bad policy, and bad for U.S. business," said James Williams, president of Engage Cuba, a Washingon-based lobbying group.

But Trump has come under heavy pressure from Cuban-American lawmakers, including Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, to roll back Obamas rapprochement.

Rubio, a member of the Senate foreign relations and intelligence committees, is seen by Trumps aides as an important figure to cultivate at a time when the members of his administration are under investigation over contacts with Russian officials.

Rubio and other Obama critics have argued that he gave away too much to Cuban President Raul Castro for too little in return, especially on human rights.

Trumps aides are considering ways to make future engagement moves contingent on the Cuban governments improvement on human rights and political freedoms, U.S. officials say.

Such an emphasis would contrast sharply with Trumps approach in other parts of the world where he has insisted the United States would stop lecturing other countries on the issue. "Trump - friend of Putin, Sissi, Salman, Duterte, Erdogan - will cite human rights to justify hurting the Cuban people," tweeted Ben Rhodes, Obamas former deputy national security adviser and an architect of his Cuba detente policy.

Trump threatened shortly after his election in November to "terminate" Obamas approach unless Cuba made significant concessions, something it is unlikely to do.

Obama implemented his normalization measures through executive actions, and Trump has the power to undo much of it. (Reporting by Matt Spetalnick, additional reporting by Marc Frank in Havana; Editing by Mohammad Zargham and Cynthia Osterman)
ANKARA, June 10 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told Bahrain's Foreign Minister that the dispute between Qatar and other Arab states should be resolved by the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday.

Erdogan on Friday vowed to keep supporting Qatar after his rapid approval of legislation on deploying Turkish troops there, as the Gulf state faces isolation by fellow Arab states.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt severed relations with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of supporting Islamist militants and their arch-adversary Iran - allegations Qatar says are baseless. Several countries followed suit.

In a joint news conference with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Cavusoglu said Turkey would continue its efforts to resolve the dispute through dialogue.

"Our president has also stressed the need to resolve this upsetting issue before the end of Ramadan, as it is against our religion, beliefs, and traditions, especially during the month of Ramadan," Cavusoglu said.

Sheikh Khaled, in comments translated from Arabic to Turkish, said he had told Erdogan about the actions of Qatar which led to the dispute, and added that there should be a guarantee that Qatar will not continue its current actions.

Cavusoglu also said Turkey's military base in Qatar, where there are currently around 90 Turkish soldiers based, was aimed at contributing to the security of the entire Gulf region and was not aimed at a specific Gulf state.

Sheikh Khaled welcomed Erdogan's comments during their meeting about the military base being for the whole region rather than one specific Gulf state.

Turkish mass-circulation newspaper Hurriyet reported on Friday that after an initial deployment of Turkish troops at a base in Doha, Turkish warplanes and ships will also be sent. It said a Turkish delegation would go to Qatar in the coming days to assess the situation at the base.

Hurriyet said there were plans to send some 200 to 250 soldiers within two months in the initial stage, but the bill did not specify numbers or a timetable.

Erdogan also approved another accord between Turkey and Qatar on military training cooperation late on Thursday. Both bills were drawn up before the dispute erupted. Turkey has also pledged to provide food and water supplies to Qatar.

Turkey has maintained good relations with Qatar as well as several of its Gulf Arab neighbours. Turkey and Qatar have both provided support for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and backed rebels fighting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. (Reporting by Tulay Karadeniz and Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Alexander Smith and Hugh Lawson)
June 10 (Reuters) - Japanese horse Epicharis has been scratched from Saturday's Belmont Stakes after an examination revealed continued inflammation in his right front hoof, race officials said.

Epicharis, the second choice in the race, would have been eligible for a $1 million bonus from the New York Racing Association (NYRA) if he had won.

The bonus was offered to any Japan-based horse in an attempt to attract them to the race.

A veterinarian's examination revealed the continued problem, officials said.

"He had an increased pulse in his foot... Just wasn't sound," NYRA equine medical director Scott Palmer told reporters.

"In a week maybe he could be ready, but we ran out of time."

Epicharis had been treated for lameness on Wednesday and had not worked out for three days.

The withdrawal left the Belmont Stakes, the third leg in the U.S. Triple Crown, with only 11 horses in the field.

The race was already missing Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming and Preakness champion Cloud Computing. (Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
By Ahmad Sultan

JALALABAD, Afghanistan, June 10 (Reuters) - Three American soldiers were killed and one wounded on Saturday when an Afghan soldier opened fire on them in eastern Afghanistan, according to officials.

The shooting occurred in the Achin district of Nangarhar province, where U.S. special forces have been fighting alongside Afghan troops against Islamic State and Taliban militants, said Attaullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the Nangarhar provincial governor.

The Afghan soldier was killed in the incident, Khogyani said.

"The cause of the shooting is not clear. An investigation has already begun," he said.

A Pentagon statement confirmed that three U.S. soldiers had been killed in eastern Afghanistan and one wounded soldier had been evacuated for medical treatment. The statement provided no further details of the incident but said it was under investigation.

One U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the incident was a "green-on-blue" attack by a member of the Afghan security forces in Nangarhar province.

So-called "green-on-blue" insider attacks by Afghan soldiers on international service members were a major problem several years ago, but now occur less frequently after security measures were improved and the number of foreign troops in the country fell sharply.

In March, three U.S. soldiers were wounded when an Afghan soldier opened fire on them.

The attack comes as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration weighs an increase in troops in the war-torn country.

Reuters reported in late April that Trump's administration was carrying out a review of Afghanistan and conversations are revolving around sending between 3,000 and 5,000 U.S. and coalition troops to Afghanistan.

Deliberations include giving more authority to forces on the ground and taking more aggressive action against Taliban fighters. This could allow U.S. advisers to work with Afghan troops below the corps level, potentially putting them closer to fighting, a U.S. official said.

Earlier this year, the top U.S. intelligence official said the security situation in Afghanistan will further deteriorate even if there is a modest increase in U.S. military support for Afghanistan.

In some cases Afghan troops have been forced to abandon more scattered and rural bases, and the government can claim to control or influence only 57 percent of the country, according to U.S. military estimates from earlier this year.

U.S. and Afghan troops have been battling militants in the Nangarhar province for months.

Islamic State, or Daesh as it is generally known in Afghanistan, has established a stronghold in the region, which borders Pakistan. U.S. military officials estimate there are about 600 to 800 Islamic State fighters in Afghanistan, mostly in Nangarhar, but also in the neighboring province of Kunar.

A White House spokesman said Trump was "following the emerging situation in Afghanistan" where the soldiers were killed.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the shooter was a member of the militant group and had killed four Americans and wounded several more. (Additional reporting by Josh Smith in Kabul, and Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali and Lesley Wroughton in Washington.; Editing by Marguerita Choy, Chizu Nomiyama and Bill Rigby)
DAKAR, June 10 (Reuters) - Senegalese authorities have detained seven Chinese trawling vessels for illegally fishing in its waters, the country's navy said on Saturday.

A Senegalese patrol boat intercepted the vessels off the coast of Senegal's southern Casamance region on Friday, naval Captain Karim Mara, head of the patrol mission, told Reuters by telephone.

"The trawlers were caught in the flagrant offence of fishing without authorisation in Senegalese waters," Mara said.

West Africa has some the richest fish stocks in the world, but they are being rapidly depleted by industrial trawlers, some operating illegally.

A study in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science estimates West Africa's annual losses from illegal and unregulated fishing at $2.3 billion.

Chinese fishermen, as well as employees from Guinea-Bissau and Guinea were aboard the boat, Mara said.

Last month environmental group Greenpeace said West African countries have detained eight Chinese ships for fishing illegally and that the boats' owners could be subject to millions of dollars in fines. (Reporting by Diadie Ba; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Bill Rigby)
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, June 10 (Reuters) - Islamist insurgency Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the attack on Nigeria's northeastern city of Maiduguri on Wednesday night that killed at least 14 people, the first major assault in 18 months on a key stronghold against the militants.

The raid took place six months after Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said Boko Haram had "technically" been defeated by a military campaign that had pushed many insurgents deep into the remote Sambisa forest, near the border with Cameroon.

Maiduguri is the centre of the government's eight-year-old fight against Boko Haram, which has been trying to set up an Islamic caliphate in the northeast.

"We have killed those we can and have left with the bounties of war we are displaying now," said a voice on a video released by Boko Haram on Saturday, showing the group's fighters among piles of ammunition and other supplies.

"We are hale and hearty, contrary to claims that we have been killed," the voice said.

The Boko Haram fighters attacked Maiduguri's suburbs with anti-aircraft guns and several suicide bombers, a police official said on Thursday.

The video showed what appear to be Boko Haram fighters moving through the bush with guns and vehicles mounted with heavy weaponry, as well as shots of them holding security passes and other Nigerian military supplies.

"God has enriched us with the arms and ammunition on display, and we shall deploy such weapons we seized against you... the war is still ongoing," said the video.

"As you look for us in the bush, we shall hunt you in the cities... There is no dialogue between us, only fire for fire."

The video also showed a man who appears to be Abubakar Shekau, leader of one of two branches of the jihadist group, standing in front of fighters and weaponised vehicles and speaking Arabic, though the Nigerian military has repeatedly claimed to have killed him.

More than 20,000 people have been killed in Boko Haram's campaign to establish a caliphate in the Lake Chad basin. A further 2.7 million have been displaced, creating one of the world's largest humanitarian emergencies.

Despite the military liberating cities and towns, much of Borno state remains off-limits, hampering efforts to deliver food aid to nearly 1.5 million people believed to be on the brink of famine.

The World Food Programme is having to scale back plans for emergency feeding of 400,000 people in the region due to funding shortfalls. (Reporting by Ahmed Kingimi in Maiduguri; Additional reporting by Garba Muhammad in Kaduna; Writing by Paul Carsten; Editing by Bill Rigby)
In the wake of a sudden rise in child begging in the recent past, especially in the city of Colombo and its suburbs, the police have decided to initiate special raids to arrest those who forced children into begging, the Police Headquarters announced yesterday .

Police Media Spokesman DIG Priyantha Jayakody said during 14 raids conducted during the last three months, 18 children were taken into custody and produced in courts.

Eleven boys, seven girls who were engaged in begging were arrested during the raids. Four of them were sent to children's probation homes. The remaining 14 were handed over to their parents on a Court bond, he said.

Therefore police said special operations will be carried out in Colombo and the suburban to arrest the child beggars by the Police Children and Women's Bureau Head office and 42 other divisional offices. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has confined itself to distributing relief whenever there is a disaster and had kept away from its main duty of preventing such situations, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Sunil Handunetti said yesterday.

He said DMC had failed to save people's lives from the recent floods and landslides.

"The number one priority should be to save lives while the saving of property comes next. However we failed to see these institutions doing this during the recent disaster" the MP said and added that Sri Lanka had no mechanism to check the smooth flow of water from the main rivers into the sea. He said water from 15 main rivers did not flow into the sea as it should.

The MP said none of the divisional secretariats which was affected had a boat to be used in rescue operations.

Joint opposition MP Dallas Alahaperuma said function of preparing and publishing weather forecasts should be outsourced because the Meteorology Department had failed to perform its duties effectively.

He said it was the societal machinery which went into action on the onset of the disaster while the state machinery went into action much later. "Politicians and media also went into action before the State" he said and added that the long-term programmes launched during the tenure of the former presidents, J R Jayewardene and Mahinda Rajapaksa should be continued. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)
The Development Lotteries Board and the National Lotteries Board that were under the Finance Ministry have been allocated under the purview of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, a special gazette notification, issued yesterday assigning duties and functions of the ministers after the recent Cabinet reshuffle, stated.

Institutions under the Ministries of Finance and Media, Lands and Parliamentary Reforms, and Development Assignments have also been released in the gazette notification, signed by President Maithripala Sirisena.

Accordingly, 33 institutions including General Treasury, National Budget Department, Insurance Board, Inland Revenue, Excise Department and Sri Lanka Customs were under the Finance and Mass Media Ministry.

The Project Management and Monitoring Department, Employees Trust Fund and Academy of Financial Studies (Miloda) has been gazetted under the Development Assignment Ministry. Previously Employees Trust Fund and Department of Project Management and Monitoring were under the National Policy and economic Affairs Ministry.

Eight institutions including Kantalai Sugar Company, Land Commissioner General Department, and Surveyor General Department are now under Lands & Parliamentary Reforms Ministry. (By Thilanka Kanakarathna)
AFP: Germany and Argentina voiced hopes Thursday for a free trade agreement between the European Union and South America as German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Buenos Aires. In talks with Argentine President Mauricio Macri, Merkel discussed bilateral commerce and efforts to strike a deal with the Mercosur grouping of South American countries.

We are glad that negotiations for a trade deal between Mercosur and the European Union have been relaunched after having been interrupted for a year, she said after meeting with German business leaders.

Germany is seeking allies for the issues that matter to us, just as other countries are seeking allies, she added later at a news conference alongside Macri.

Although disagreements between Mercosur countries had delayed the talks, Macri insisted Argentina, Brazil and other members now agree on the need for a deal. The prospect of a trade partnership between the two blocs raises potentially tricky questions over competition in agricultural markets.

I am optimistic, Macri told the news conference. I think Chancellor Merkel is going to have more work with the protectionists in the EU agricultural sector than we will in Mercosur. Merkel acknowledged that when there is a will to reach an accord, compromise solutions will have to be accepted.

Macri has rolled back the policies of his leftist predecessors and opened up Argentina to foreign trade and finance since taking office in December 2015.

His moves have been praised by foreign allies but slammed by critics at home who say fiscal cuts are worsening hardship for working families.

Similar criticisms were leveled at Merkel over the austerity policies she supported in Europe during its financial crisis.

She praised Macris pro-market reforms on Thursday.

Argentinas economy shrank by 2.3 percent in 2016 but exited recession in the second quarter of this year, according to official data.

Merkels one-day visit also aimed to prepare the handover of the presidency of the G20 diplomatic grouping, which Argentina will take over from Germany next year.

Before a gala dinner held at the ornate Kirchner Cultural Center, Merkel again commended Macri, declaring: We are very impressed with the path of his government.

Merkel started the trip by visiting a synagogue to inaugurate a newly restored German organ.

She praised Argentina for having received thousands of Jews fleeing the Nazis in World War Two.

Many German immigrants moved to Argentina from the late 19th century and the country also has a reputation as having been a place of refuge for fugitive Nazi leaders.

In light of Germanys past, this is a reminder for us that we have to fight against anti-Semitism wherever it appears, Merkel said, speaking through an interpreter.

She was scheduled to fly late Thursday to Mexico for the second leg of her trip.
In a gesture that will enable flood-affected communities to overcome difficulties with regard to their damaged equipment, Samsung Sri Lanka plans to host a free service camp in Galle and Matara for all Samsung devices and products.

The Service Camp will be held from June 7-21 and will provide freelabourand a discount of 50 percent on all affected parts. This will be a special incentive for customers with a view towards enabling them to repair their products with minimal effort.

We believe that we can reach out to communities affected by the floods in this manner with a service they would require, said Samsung Sri Lanka Managing Director HanBae Park.

It not only gives us an opportunity to do something for them but also enables us to give our time and effort towards the most vital part of recovery, that of returning to normalcy.

Samsung Sri Lanka says that consumers can bring their flood damaged Samsung products to the location of the Service Camp  or alternatively, call on the hotline 0117267864 or 011 Samsung and the service will be sent to their homes.

Samsung Sri Lanka confirms that sooner these products are brought in, the greater chances they will have of being repaired and restored in the right manner.

This service camp will be manned by our experts who can attend to the products as soon as possible.Which would be the best way to restore the products without having to take them anywhere else; which may damage them further, he added.

In addition to the service camp, Samsung Sri Lanka will also donate school stationary items consisting of 5,000 books and writing instruments to students in the areas affected by the recent floods.
Ranil Jayawardena of Sri Lankan origin has emerged victorious in the June 8 British parliamentary elections for the second time, bagging 65.5% of the votes cast in the Hampshire North East constituency.

A traditional conservative Jayawardena had no difficulty in beating his nearest rival, Barry Jones of Labor. Jones got only 17% of the votes.

Jayawardena came to the limelight in 2015 election (which he won), after a video showing a rival candidate threatening to kill him was released. The candidate, Robert Blay of the United Kingdom Independent Party was suspended from the party. Blay received only 4,732 votes.

This is what Jayawardena said about himself: As a pretty traditional sort of Conservative, I believe that families are the central blocks of building a society that works for everyone. Thats why I believe that it is the responsibility of all Governments  of whatever hue  to remove the obstacles that might discriminate against families.

Families come in all shapes and sizes. Over the last few decades, British society has experienced an unprecedented change in its attitudes towards family, including its attitudes to marriage and children. Prior to the 1960s, the percentage of children born outside marriage had remained remarkably stable for centuries and rarely went much above five per cent. Today, nearly half of all children born in Britain are born to unwed parents, of whom, sadly, 35 per cent have split up before their childs fifth birthday  compared with only 9 per cent of parents married before the birth.

Not only is the UK almost last amongst OECD countries ranked by the proportion of children and adolescents living in households with both parents, it is behind in recognition of family and marriage in the tax system also. While the human cost of this to children is impossible to quantify, the financial cost of family breakdown  children of separated parents being up to 75 per cent more likely to face educational, behavioural, financial and health problems  is estimated at 47.5 billion a year.

In the last parliament, Jayawardena had consistently voted against any investigation into the conduct of British troops in Iraq and has been a staunch advocate of Britains leaving the European Union.(newsin.asia)
Indias MDMK General Secretary Vaiko said the Sri Lankan government is behind his detention at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Friday.

Vaiko, who has raised the Sri Lankan Tamils issue at the European Parliament in Brussels, felt that Sri Lankan government does not want issues relating to killing of innocent Tamils during its war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to be raised in international forums.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Vaiko said he was shocked when immigration officials at Kuala Lumpur airport stopped him from entering Malaysia. He informed the officials that he was invited for the wedding reception of Penang Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy's daughter on Saturday. To back his claim, he produced the wedding invitation, a letter written by Ramasamy personally inviting Vaiko for his daughter's wedding, and other documents relating to his previous visits to Penang in 2014 and 2015.

The officials asked him whether he is a Tamil from Sri Lanka. He replied, 'No I'm a Tamilian from India.' He also said he was Member of Parliament and produced the ID.

He said that they asked him, 'Are you LTTE?'

To which he said he replied, 'I am a supporter of LTTE'.

The officials told him since he has several cases against him they cannot allow him to enter Malaysia. Ramasamy's efforts to help him also failed, Vaiko said.

The officials cannot be faulted for they were helpless since they had orders from above, Vaiko said.

But the common courtesy was lacking. Since he was treated like a detainee he decided to forego food. He and his secretary went without food for 24 hours, he said.

Vaiko said but for Brussels, he was denied visas to Germany, Switzerland, England, Canada and America. So far he hadn't brought this to the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but he will do so now. (Bangalore Mirror)
The 2010 civil unrest in Kashmir claimed more than 127 lives, mostly of youth, including those of juveniles like Wamiq Farooq, Zahid Farooq and Tufail Matoo. It was Kashmir's fourth generation since 1947 that was actively involved in the Kashmir dispute.

That year, Kashmir witnessed not only the peak of violations by the government forces, but also the birth of a new idea. The 2010 unrest also gave birth to the idea of openly joining the armed struggle against the Indian state, which created an atmosphere of receptive youth who had grown accustomed to the hostile situation prevalent in Kashmir.

As a result, the fear among Kashmiri youth fizzled out and boldness came to fore, a trait associated with personality development in educational institutions where one is taught to face the challenges.

The generation also started a new trend of Friday protests, especially in the Downtown area of Srinagar. There were tech-savvy youth too who gave birth to a social media movement, but the "stone" became a symbolic expression of anger towards New Delhi in Kashmir.

Adolescence has innate ways of expression, heroism, and romance; the youth want to contribute towards social activism, as was evident from their activities in the 2014 floods when the entire Valley was inundated. For they have enormous energy when they act in tandem!

Parents comfort their son whom they say was injured by pellets shot by security forces in Srinagar following weeks of violence in Kashmir, August 18, 2016. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton

Here, both the Centre and the state had a favourable opportunity to tap into and channelise the energy in the right direction.

The killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in 2016 acted as a trigger for the youth to continue the resistance against the state. His death not only inspired dozens to join the armed struggle, but also motivated the younger generation to follow in his footsteps.

To hold down these angry youth, central government forces introduced bullets and pellets, and the ruling PDP-led government added PAVA shells to make the situation worse.

On the other hand, this year, the government closed educational institutions in parts of Kashmir to maintain law and order. However, it created a dilemma and frustration among the youth. The arrests of minors and booking them under draconian laws such as Public Safety Act (PSA) worsened the situation on the ground.

An ephemeral lull is not normalcy, it is management. Equally, the absence of violence is no aspect of peace. However, curbing violence by structuralism is taken as a move in the right direction.

However, the blank irony in Jammu and Kashmir is the absence of police dedicated to juveniles as well as juvenile courts and homes. Because of the lack of proper juvenile institutions, the situation has gone from bad to worse in no time.

So as far as the youth and children are concerned, it clearly indicates that the government has failed to implement the Juvenile Justice Act existing in state, which was passed in 2013.

It is important to mention here that out of the 78,00,000 population of Kashmir Valley, 27,30,000 are children in Kashmir Valley, which comprises 35 per cent of the overall population.

The youth, who make up for 60 per cent of the Valley's population, would have grown by 4-5 per cent but for the hostile situation in Kashmir, which became a causative agent for late marriages.

On the other hand, the government introduced programmes like Udaan (flight) and Army operations like Sadbhavna (harmony) to win the hearts and minds of Kashmiri youth but that was an absolute failure as a few top Army officers in 2010 on record said that Operation Sadbhavna has been met with failure in the Valley.

The United Nations Convention on the rights of children (UNRC) 1989, of which India became a signatory in 1992, talks about the protection and care of children and states even a child who joins militancy needs to be rescued. India being a signatory of this act, should have rescued them. "Where comes the liquidation?" asks a prominent child rights activist of Valley.

He agrees that frustration sometimes becomes a reason for the agitation and an example of this frustration is Faizan Bhat, who was just a 15-year-old when he joined militancy. He was supposed to be rescued, not eliminated.

The activist further explained that the acts of government forces in Kashmir are indicative of the clear violation of the existing Juvenile Justice Act.

Yes, the government needs to follow the UNRC norms by developing the 4Rs, (Rescue, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reformation) so far as child militant cases are concerned.

If oppression is "A"  which is of course is nasty, ugly, inhuman, unruly and full of discrimination  and if resistance is "B" which is attractive, analytical, logical, fact-based and firmly believes on the policy of togetherness and respects the merit.

However, for instance, if the elements of "B" are found in "A" it may be called a political process meant for the resolution of conflict. At the same time, if elements of "A" are found to be in the shoes of "B" then it is absolute anarchy.

The children are but innocent because they are young, immature and unable to decide the difference between right and wrong. As far as Kashmir is concerned, what if these children have no right to vote because they are out of the ambit of "adult franchise" when the time comes to have a referendum or plebiscite?
New Delhi: Idea Cellular Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla was paid Rs 3.3 lakh remuneration in 2016-17 which he earned as sitting fee for the meetings of the company attended by him.

The pay to Birla, who holds 0.01 per cent share in Idea Cellular, is less than the median remuneration of Idea employees. Idea increased the median remuneration of its employees in the financial year 2016-17 by 8 per cent to Rs 7.8 lakh over previous fiscal.

Idea Managing Director Himanshu Kapania was paid Rs 10.046 crore in 2016-17 which includes excess amount of Rs 3 crore variable.

As per the rules, there is provision to recover excess amount paid to Kapania but the company will seek shareholders approval on June 30 to waive this recovery. "...approval of the members of the company be and is hereby accorded to ratify and confirm the waiver of the recovery of the excess remuneration amounting to Rs 3,05,35,524 paid to Himanshu Kapania, Managing Director of thecompany for the financial year 2016-17, which is in excess of the limits prescribed ... in view of loss for the financial year 2016-17," Idea Cellular said in the AGM notice.

Idea Cellular posted its first-ever annual consolidated loss at Rs 404 crore for 2016-17.

Annual income of Idea Cellular declined marginally to Rs 35,882.7 crore at the end of 2016-17 from Rs 36,162.5 crore, it reported at the end of the previous fiscal.

The AGM will also decide on resolution for minimum payment to be made to Kapania "in case the company has no profits or the profits of the company are inadequate during the two financial years commencing from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2019".
Guwahati: National carrier Air India today said it will not place any order for new aircraft till there is clarity on its future course, including possible privatisation.

The airline, however, said all the existing orders will be respected and new aircraft are being added to the fleet.

"Whatever has been ordered in the past, that is there," Air India Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani told reporters here, adding that no fresh orders will be placed right now.

Ordering of new planes is a long-term process by Air India and it usually takes 6-9 months, he added. Asked how long the company would go without placing fresh orders, Lohani said: "We do not know. We have to keep on running the airline. There is no decision on that."

He, however, denied reports that some old orders have been cancelled.

"No, not right. Whatever the orders, these were ordered before. These will be coming," Lohani said.

Giving details of Air India's order list, the CMD said: "We are adding 10 ATRs. We have placed order for 29 Airbus on lease. They have started coming now. But we are also grounding old aircraft. We have lot of old aircraft. So the net addition will be only about 15 Airbus."

Besides, the airline is procuring wide-bodied Boeing aircraft to its fleet to strengthen the international route.

"Also, seven more wide-bodies (Boeing) will be added in next 6-7 months. We are starting lots of international flights," Lohani said. The state-owned carrier has a total of 103 planes, of which 42 are wide-bodied Boeing 777s, 747s and 787s, while 61 are narrow-bodied Airbus 319s, 320s and 321s.

Its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express has 23 Boeing 737s at present.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has proposed privatisation of Air India and the Civil Aviation Ministry is looking at all options to make the airline strong and viable.

A Cabinet note in this regard is likely to be prepared shortly, according to Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha. The development came against the backdrop of NITI Aayog submitting its suggestions on the future course for the airline.

Air India has piled up over Rs 50,000 crore of debt, mainly because of high maintenance costs and lease rent. 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.
New Delhi: Top telecom leaders, including Sunil Bharti Mittal, Kumar Mangalam Birla and Anil Ambani, are expected to meet Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha on June 22 amid mounting financial stress in the sector.

According to sources, the industry leaders will first discuss the current state of financial stress in the sector with Sinha and later in the day will call on Jaitley.

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekharan is also learnt to have confirmed his participation, while Reliance Jio Chairman Mukesh Ambani is yet to confirm his presence for the meeting called by Sinha.

However, queries sent to Tata Sons and Reliance Jio on whether their chairpersons will participate in the meeting, did not elicit any reply. The meeting will take place after inter-ministerial group finishes its meetings with telecom operators by June 17.

The inter-ministerial group (IMG), created to work on resolving financial woes of the telecom sector, has called Reliance Communications, Tata Teleservices, Aircel and Sistema Shyam Teleservices for a meeting on June 12.

The other major players -- Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone and Idea -- have been asked for a meeting on June 15 by the panel, according to sources. The panel has sought details of operations from telecom firms for financial years 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 before June 12.

These include their total annual revenue, operational expenses, net profit, market share, return on investments and capital deployed, debt liability from both domestic and foreign lenders, spectrum liability and equity infusion, among

others.

As per industry estimates, total debt for the sector is at around Rs 4.5 lakh crore, while revenues are around half of this. RCom has not been able to pay its lenders and has seven months to make repayments.

Vodafone and Idea Cellular have entered into agreement to merge their businesses in India due to low margin and highly competitive environment.
Hyderabad: Union Labour minister Bandaru Dattatreya will be leaving for Geneva tomorrow to participate in the 106th meeting of the International Labour Organisation from June 12-16.

"During the ILO Conference I would deliver address on June 12 marking the World Child Labour Day. The next day, I will address Non Aligned Movement (NAM) countries, Indian Event on Child Labour and ASPAG meeting (Asia Pacific Group of ILO)," he told reporters here.

He would address the ILO Conference and G-20 Countries meet on June 14 and the ILO plenary session on June 16. The Minister will also hold bilateral talks with labour ministers of eight countries.

During the ILO conference, India will be hosting an event on Child Labour. Dattatreya also said as per the recent rule passed by the Parliament, children under 14 years of age are not be allowed to work at any place while those under 18 years are prevented from working in hazardous industries as per the ILO 138 and 182 conventions.

The Minister further said India is implementing technology mode governance in administration and lot of changes and reforms have taken place in the labour ministry during the past three years.

According to Dattatreya, Medical Council of India (MCI) has given permission to ESI Medical College for 2nd year admissions and permission to start Dental College at Gulbarga in Karnataka.

He said six medical colleges and two dental colleges are run by the ESIC across the country. The six medical colleges are located at Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Joka, Faridabad, Chennai and Gulbarga and the dental colleges are at Delhi and Gulbarga.
New Delhi: Ahead of the July 1 rollout of the much talked about Goods and Services Tax (GST), the federal indirect tax council has decided to instruct officers at both central and state levels to practise leniency with traders for procedural lapses in implementation of the tax.

Citing the vastness of the reform as a reason, an official with the Council said the central and state authorities will be lenient with traders. In the first year we have to handhold them rather than penalise them for procedural infractions. Everyone in the council is sensitive about it. Major offences such as clearing of goods without invoices, however, is a different matter, said the official, choosing to remain anonymous. He also maintained that the GST Council is confident that small and medium businesses are ready for GST.

According to an article in Livemint, the Confederation of All India Traders urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8 June that a period of nine months beginning 1 July should be declared a transition period during which traders will be given immunity from prosecution for procedural lapses. The subsequent decision by the GST council therefore comes amidst apprehensions in the trading community that some provisions of the GST law are anti-profiteering in nature. It will discourage the business community from passing on their tax liabilities at every stage to the end consumer.

Another government official who chose to remain anonymous said that the last point of sale in villages, that is, when the ultimate consumer purchases, has always been the weakest link in the state-level value-added tax system. While large scale businesses and traders are expected to be well-equipped with their IT systems for the GST rollout, smaller traders, especially those in rural areas may take more time to implement GST due to lack of awareness and infrastructural problems.

Raghav Bandil, a law degree holder and a stone dealer by profession based in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh said Even if we have to pay for Net banking, the benefits that we get are much more. All the hassle of going to the bank and making payments is eliminated".

The GST Council will be meeting on Sunday to address sectoral concerns relating to the revised tax rates and to decide on how the anti-profiteering mechanism will work. It has already passed nine rules under GST laws and it is working on a few others which could take time but are not imperative to the rollout. These include rules relating to advance ruling and search and arrests. Advance ruling will provide tax payers with an idea of what the tax liability on certain transactions will be in advance.

The GST Council has already established 18 sectoral groups to help in the smooth transition of the rollout and also to address sectoral issues. According to a finance ministry statement, these groups will resolve issues raised by sectors like telecom, banking, oil and gas and mining.
New Delhi: Amidst escalating concerns over job cuts in the IT industry and talks of India becoming a USD 1 trillion digital economy by 2022, information technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has called for a meeting with the top honchos of IT and electronic companies this coming Friday.

The meeting will address the issue of IT sector layoffs and ever-slowing growth in the sector due to massive changes in technology, automation and a growing attitude of protectionism in developed markets. The rigid system of appraisal which has recently been in the news for numerous dismissals will also be discussed in the meeting.

According to a report in Business Standard, the government is keen on quickly and steadily achieving its aim of a USD 1 trillion digital economy by 2022 through its Digital India plan. According to a ministry official, the government has struck up various deal with the industry in designing new services and platforms like MyGov, digital locker e-Sign, cloud services, the government e-marketplace, e-national agricultural market and the like.

In order to achieve this dream, the role of both the telecom and IT ministries is crucial. Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha is also scheduled to meet telcom promoters on June 22 to discuss the financial heat the telecom sector is facing.
New Delhi: Five states have made it to the Niti Aayog's shortlist under a programme that aims to build three future 'role model' states for better health systems.

The government think tank had invited all states and UTs to participate in the programme named as Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital (SATH). Sixteen states expressed their interest, of which 14 made their presentations to a committee headed by Niti Aayog member Bibek Debroy.

"Of these fourteen states, five have been shortlisted," Niti Aayog said in a statement today. The think tank however did not disclose the names of the states that have been shortlisted. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh had presented their project proposal to the Niti panel. The panel is headed by NITI Aayog member Bibek Debroy and comprise CEO Amitabh Kant as well as a representative from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. "Three will be selected on the basis of further evaluations and objective assessment of criteria affecting the potential for impact and likelihood of success," Niti Aayog said.

"Metrics such as MMR, IMR, incidence of malaria and others have been considered for determining potential impact while density of doctors and nurses, compliance to IPHS norms are some of the metrics used to determine likelihood of success," it said further. The programme will be launched in the three selected states after the signing of MoUs.

Niti Aayog said that the programme will be implemented by it along with McKinsey & Company and IPE Global consortium, who were selected through a competitive bidding process. Under SATH, Niti will work in close collaboration with the state machinery to design a robust roadmap of intervention, develop a programme governance structure, set up monitoring and tracking mechanisms, hand-hold state institutions through the execution stage and provide support on a range of institutional measures to achieve the end objectives.
Mumbai: Deepika Padukone is a star who has always been comfortable in her own skin. And, her uber chic yet casual personal style is proof enough.

A little birdie tells us that Dippy is in Bengaluru to spend quality time with family. And, as always, she set the temperatures soaring with her simple yet striking sartorial choice. She was spotted at Mumbai airport on Thursday night in a pastel blue top with distressed denims, and snazzy boots.

Considering how it has been a helluva year for her (with promotions of her Hollywood debut 'xXx Return of Xander Cage,' red carpet appearances, fashion events and everything in between), it comes as little surprise to see her take off to her hometown for a much-needed break!

Welcome back, Deepika!
Actresses are constantly under the radar and are judged for every little thing they do. Recently, Deepika Padukone and Fatima Sana Sheikh got trolled for their attire choices for a film shoot. However, Jacqueline Fernandez feels to judge someone; you ought to be perfect yourself.

I dont think those are the kind of negative individuals should be affecting you. I dont believe in judging people as I feel everyone has their reasons. Everyone is individualistic, so you cant judge someone unless you are perfect. Some people need to remember that first, Jacqueline Fernandez said. She has a great line up with all the A-list actors this year with three releases, A Gentleman, Reload and Judwaa 2. But the Sri Lankan beauty has not let that get to her head. I am not a star yet, hopefully soon, she says.
We heard a high decibel gasp of shock from climate leaders, activists and advocates around the world when the US President Donald Trump announced that he was withdrawing from the Climate Accord that most of the world, except Nicaragua and Syria, had signed into. So here is my take, which I hope will be calming balm to smoothen out the frowns of our collective brows.

The US move is pure politics. Trump had to be seen as delivering something to his electorate who are the small city/rural folks, not very well educated, white, male, conservative. He made a lot of promises like building a wall that Mexico will pay for, and now he knows he cannot fulfil his promises. But he better do something that will appease his voters. Pulling out of the Paris accord was low hanging fruit which will make a lot of noise - exactly what Trump wanted to show case 'America First' rant. His electorate are dumb enough to swallow this and be happy that their leader is 'delivering' on his promise.

Most of the claims that Trump made were based on a March 2017 study, prepared by NERA Economic Consulting, that estimates the potential impact of hypothetical regulatory actions necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. The study makes assumptions that several economists pointed out were dubious. Yale professor Kenneth Gillingham said the NERA model tends to result in higher costs than other economic models, and it ignores the benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, like avoiding the negative effects of climate change. It also assumes that other countries don't make emission reductions in line with the Paris Agreement, therefore leading American companies to relocate, and that there would be no increase in clean electricity generation compared to the baseline scenario, etc. In other words, the NERA model makes assumptions that generate an extreme result.

Trump is also on the wrong side of the debate, as he says he wants to get coal miners jobs back by changing environmental regulations. But here is the reality - coal employment has been in decline for decades, falling from a peak of more than 800,000 in the 1920s to 130,000 in 2011 to just over 70,000 today. By the end of 2015, U.S. coal production was down more than 20% from its 2011 level, and the combined value of the top four U.S. coal firms fell from $33 billion to $150 million. Ten years ago the coal companies had a booming business as they were fuelling the booming Chinese market. But China has slowed down in the last 5 years, and they want clean energy, not coal. But his dumb electorate will not know this reality!

So what of the promises that the US made in Paris. US did not commit to unrealistically ambitious emissions goals - just a 27% reduction from 2005 levels by 2025, not that drastic considering that the U.S. led the world in emissions before. Their electricity sector has already achieved that 27% goal, thanks to the continuing decline of coal power.

The real triumph of Paris wasn't America's promises - it was the serious commitments from China, India and other developing nations that had previously insisted on their right to burn unlimited carbon until their economies caught up to the developed world. India committed to achieving 40 percent of its electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. This has been strengthened in recent years by growing evidence that a greener path makes political and economic sense as well, says Harsh Pant, a fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi-based research organization. "Modi's constituency is the middle class, and the middle class in Indian cities is choking on pollution," Mr. Pant said. "Modi knows climate change is good politics. Climate change makes sense to Modi because he believes it as it is good economics and politics."

Are you listening Mr. Trump? Dear American friends - hope you realised that you got tricked, tripped and Trumped! You have 4 years by which time you better elect another President who will back the Paris accord!
A 25-year-old cab driver has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the killing of an e-rickshaw driver in Delhi. (Photo: Representation)

New Delhi: A 25-year-old cab driver has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the killing of an e-rickshaw driver outside the GTB Nagar Metro Station in the national capital in May.

This is the second arrest in the case that had triggered widespread outrage with even Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemning the killing and directing the authorities to bring the culprits to book.

Earlier, a 19-year-old Delhi University student was arrested and a juvenile was apprehended.

The 32-year-old victim, Ravinder Kumar, was beaten to death by nearly a dozen men on May 27, hours after he had objected to two men urinating in public outside the metro station in northwest Delhi.

The third accused, Mehul Deda, was arrested on June 4, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Milind Mahadeo Dumbere.

Deda was part of the group which had attacked Kumar with towels and stones.

He had been on the run since the incident. He had been hiding in Rishikesh but returned to Delhi after he got to know that Kapasia and the juvenile had been nabbed.

He thought that the situation had eased now and decided to return, a police officer said.

Police said that they were looking for the other accused.

The arrested duo will be questioned together to ascertain the identity of the other accused, police said.
Lucknow: A court here has denied bail to 11 college students, including two girls, who allegedly blocked the convoy of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanathi and showed him black flags on Wednesday.

Eight of these students have also been suspended by the Lucknow University on charge of breaching security of the chief minister's convoy, when he was on his way to attend a programme in the varsity.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Sunil Kumar rejected the bail pleas of the students on Friday after perusal of case diary produced by Hasanganj police.

The court observed that the offence was of serious nature and, hence, the applicants did not deserve bail.

On June 8, Chief Judicial Magistrate Sandhya Srivastava had sent the 11 students to four days judicial remand. The court had summoned the entire case diary on Friday for considering bail pleas of the students.

Meanwhile, the Lucknow University said that eight students have been suspended and debarred from all student facilities in the university in the wake of the "security breach" of the chief minister's convoy.

"The names of suspended students are: Satwant Singh, Nitin Raj, Pooja Shukla, Anil Kumar Yadav, Ankit Kumar Singh, Rakesh Kumar, Madhurya Singh and Apoorva Verma," NK Pandey director, Information, Publication and Public Relation, University of Lucknow said.

On June 7, Samajwadi Party students wing activists showed black flags to Adityanath and raised slogans against the state government.

As Yogi's cavalcade moved towards the Lucknow university, where he was invited as the chief guest in a programme on Chhatrapati Shivaji, activists from Samajwadi Party Chatra Sabha and other student groups squatted on the road and showed black flags.

The local police had a tough time controlling the workers who also raised slogans against the chief minister, Governor Ram Naik, who is also the Chancellor of the university, and Lucknow district administration.

The activists alleged that a BJP programme was being held at the expense of the university and students.
Srinagar: While foiling a fourth infiltration bid in row, the Army on Saturday killed a militant along the Line of Control (LoC) in Gurez sector of Jammu and Kashmirs Bandipora district. With this the toll among the infiltrating militants in a series of clashes with the Army during past four days has risen to 13, whereas, one soldier was also martyred and two others were injured.

Defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said, One terrorist was killed by own troops in Gurez sector on Saturday. The weapon in his use has been seized. The operation is in progress.

The Army said that the fire fight began when the troops guarding the de facto border observed movement of militants trying to sneak into the 2,580 m high Gurez valley, about 86 km from district headquarters Bandipora and 123 km north of Srinagar, from across and challenged them.

Illustrations released by the Army. (Photo: DC)

Earlier on Friday, the Army had claimed foiling an infiltration bid in Gwalta area of Uri sector of neighbouring Baramulla district after killing five militants. In the same area, two soldiers of 4 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) were injured when the militants opened fire at a patrolling party on Thursday.

The Army said that multiple attempts have been made by militants to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir from PoK through various sectors of the LoC including Macheal, Nowgam, Uri and Gurez in Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora districts during the past week. All these attempts were, however, foiled by alert troops.

The Army has alleged that the infiltrating militants were helped by the Pakistani troops by providing them active support including heavy calibre artillery covering fire. Islamabad has yet to react to it but has denied such charges in the past.

The defence spokesman said that during this year, so far, as many as two dozen infiltration attempts were foiled by the Army troops along the LoC during which 40 armed intruders were killed. Relentless operations by security forces have defeated desperate attempts by Pakistan and its agents to spread terror in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramadan, the spokesman had said in a statement issued from the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur on Thursday.

Reiterating it on Saturday, the Udhampur-based defence spokesman Colonel N.N. Joshi said that Pakistan armys sinister designs to push in multiple groups of armed intruders across the LoC continue to be defeated by proactive operations being carried out by the Indian Army along the de facto border. Relentless operations mounted by troops have successfully intercepted groups of armed intruders all along the LoC in Gurez, Machael, Nowgam and Uri Sectors leading to elimination of 13 armed intruders in the past 96 hours. This includes groups of four and three armed intruders who were tracked and eliminated in the Machael and Nowgam sectors, respectively as reported on June 8. Since then, the operations in Uri and Gurez sectors have further progressed, the spokesman said.

He added that five intruders were killed in Uri, so far, and one intruder in Gurez. The explosives, inflammable material, arms and ammunition recovered from the armed intruders indicate Pakistans designs to orchestrate high profile terror incidents targeting innocent civilian population and security forces during the holy month of Ramadan, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the J&K police on Saturday said that one civilian identified as Aarif Ahmed Dar was injured when militants targeted two Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) vehicles with gunfire at Vesu along the Srinagar-Jammu highway at 5 am. The assailants, however, missed the intended target and instead the car being driven by the civilian behind the ITBP vehicles was hit in the gunfire. About 20 empty cases of AK ammunition were found on the spot, the police said.

Separately, the residents of Nadpora village in neighbouring Shopian district accused the Army of ransacking several houses and breaking windowpanes of these in reprisal to a stone-pelting incident. The locals said that some youth pelted stones on a patrol party of the Army moving on a road through Nadpora following which the troops detained one person identified as Ubaid nazir and also attacked the private properties.
Raipur: BJP chief Amit Shah has said Mahatma Gandhi was a "chatur baniya", a reference to the mercantile caste to which he was born, who had rightly advised dissolution of the Congress after Independence.

Addressing a select audience of "prominent citizens" here on Friday evening, Shah also said the Congress was not rooted in any ideology or principles and was sort of a "special purpose vehicle" to secure freedom.

In remarks that raised the hackles of the Congress, which demanded an apology from Shah as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP president went on term Mahatma Gandhi a "bahut chatur baniya", a very shrewd baniya.

"The Congress party... was constituted as a club by a British man. It was later converted into an organisation engaged in freedom struggle," Shah said.

It had in its fold both right and left-leaning people like Maulana Azad, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and many others, he said.

"People of various ideologies and thinking associated themselves with Congress to gain independence. Congress didn't have any ideology or set of principles and it was only used as a special purpose vehicle to secure freedom.

"And therefore, Mahatma Gandhi, with a lot of foresight - he was a very shrewd baniya - he knew what was going to happen in future. He had said immediately after the Independence that Congress should be dissolved."

Mahatma Gandhi couldn't do that, but now some people are completing the task of dissolution of Congress, the BJP chief added in an apparent jibe at the present Congress leadership.

Amongst the 1,650 political parties in India, only the BJP and the Communist Party of India have upheld internal democracy, he said.

"There are some parties where only dynastic rule prevails. It was clear that after Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi would take over, but nobody can predict who would be the next BJP president after me," Shah said.

Referring to alleged anti-national slogans raised in Jawaharlal Nehru University, Shah said whoever does so will be termed as anti-national.

Shah's remarks on Mahatma Gandhi led to immediate criticism from the Congress in Chhattisgarh and in New Delhi.

"Such a comment on the father of the nation is highly condemnable. Shah has crossed limits of politics," said state Congress general secretary Shailesh Nitin Trivedi.

In New Delhi, party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Shah's remarks were "an insult to freedom fighters, their sacrifices and also to Gandhi".
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)



Answering reporters queries on Vietnams reaction to the attacks that happened in Iran on June 7th, Hang stressed that all terrorist actions in any form must be strictly punished.

We offer our condolences to the State, Government and people of Iran as well as families of the victims, said the spokesperson.

The brazen attacks on Irans parliament building and the tomb of the countrys revolutionary founder killed at least 12 people and injured other 46./.
New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday took strong exception to Amit Shah's comments on Mahatma Gandhi, saying they were an "insult" to the father of the nation, and demanded an apology from the BJP president as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Rather than fighting casteism, they (BJP) identified even the father of the nation with his caste. This shows the character and ideology of the ruling party and its president. Where will these people take the country?" party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala asked.

"We demand that Amit Shah, BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to the country, the families of freedom fighters and every citizen for insulting the freedom Movement and the father of the nation," he said.

The BJP chief on Friday had referred to Mahatma Gandhi as bahut chatur baniya" (a very clever Baniya - the trading caste) while addressing a gathering in Raipur.

Shah also said that Congress had never been a party based on principles. It was merely a special purpose vehicle to secure freedom.

"Amit Shah, who himself is a trader of power, is today saying that the freedom movement was a business model. But in reality, before independence, Britishers used RSS and Hindu Mahasabha as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for partition of the country," Surjewala alleged.

"Similarly, today BJP is acting as a SPV for few corporates for taking care of their business interests," the Congress spokesperson added.

According to the Congress leader, Shah's remarks were "an insult to freedom fighters, their sacrifices and also to Gandhi".
New Delhi: Rubbishing reports of trouble in the Northeast following the Centre's notification on cow slaughter, Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said nobody was facing any difficulty in the region over the matter.

Charging the Congress and "pseudo secular" groups with raising an "obsolete issue", he asked media persons to visit the north eastern states like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur to see whether anyone was facing problems due to the notification.

"It is not at all an issue. There is no difficulty in the north eastern region. Everyone is eating what they like. (There is) no clash, no arrest. No one is put behind the bars," the Minister of State for Home Affairs told reporters.

"The Congress is making an issue out of nothing as there is no issue for them. Congress and some pseudo secular groups are raising unnecessary issues which are obsolete. People have rejected them," he said.

On being quizzed about protests in some tribal states, he termed them as "political".

Asked about the resignation of two BJP district unit chiefs in Meghalaya opposing the notification, Rijiju said, "Only Congress and some others are making it an issue. Do not make an issue out of an individual resignation from the party.

"Only Congress is protesting. They are falsely creating an issue of an individual resignation," he said.

The Union minister stressed his government would transform the country into a developed one.

"The North East was devastated in these years. We will correct it. We will not allow ourselves to get trapped in their (Congress and others) diversionary tactics," Rijiju said.
Both police and metro rail sources confirmed that the motorists may have to undergo the detour for some more months as there are no immediate plans to restore the two-way traffic flow on PH Road and Anna Salai.

Chennai: Several stretches of arterial roads of Chennai were converted into one-way to facilitate Chennai metro rail construction. Now with metro rail commencing operations for more than 15 km, motorists are demanding the restoration of two-way traffic flow. Motorists and those living in those areas complain that they are forced to take a detour at Ega theatre junction on Poonamallee high road, Udayam theatre junction on 100 feet road and Halda junction in Guindy. They also say the government should not allow escalation of their fuel bills despite achieving the purpose for which one-way was created.

Both police and metro rail sources confirmed that the motorists may have to undergo the detour for some more months as there are no immediate plans to restore the two-way traffic flow on PH Road and Anna Salai. Metro rail sources said that finishing works at the metro entry and exit points will take another two months hinting that the motorists have to suffer one-way traffic till then.

The vehicles plying along Poonamallee high road (PH road) are diverted near Chetpet Gengu Reddy subway to reach Shoppers stop signal and then take Chetpet bridge to reach Ega theatre junction to proceed towards Koyambedu. This is about a 3.5-kilometre detour for a motorist from PH road proceeding towards Koyambedu. For a month this comes around 40 km detour and I spend four to five litres extra diesel because of this diversion explains T. Ezhumalai, a driver working for a law firm in Arumbakkam.

When contacted, a senior traffic police officer acknowledged that motorists sometimes have to take a longer route than usual. Our primary concern is the effective flow of traffic within the limitations we have, But, its not something we can do much about. The continuous flow of traffic, we feel, is better than a gridlock, the officer said. Asked about the complaints from locals, the official claimed that opinions of the residents and the local traffic enforcement wing are taken into consideration before enforcing traffic diversions.

Major one-way diversions and detour

Vehicles plying along Poonamallee high road (PH road) are diverted near Chetpet Gengu Reddy subway to reach Shoppers stop signal and then take Chetpet bridge to reach Ega theatre junction to proceed towards Koyambedu. This is about a 3.5 kilometre detour for a motorist from PH road proceeding towards Koyambedu.

Vehicles plying from Saidapet to Guindy are forced to go right towards Raj Bhavan and then take left to reach Guindy Halda junction. Similarly, vehicles coming from Guindy to reach Anna University have to take a detour of three kilometres extra.

Vehicles coming from Anna Salai are forced to take a left at GP road as the metro underground work is progressing near LIC-TVS bus depot stretch. This is about a 2.5-km detour for motorists.

Halda junction continues to be nightmare

Halda junction that connects Anna Salai Road and Sardar Patel Road, being an arterial road is a nightmare for commuters. Last year, three students of the Chellammal Womens College were run over by a water tanker. Only after the college complained about the safety of its students did the authorities install a traffic signal to make it easy for pedestrians to cross the road, said the college authorities to DC.



Meena S, a software professional who uses the route to the office said that to reach Sardar Patel Road is hard due to the traffic especially during office hours. An overbridge would be helpful she added. However, when Chellammal College asked for an overbridge or a subway the authorities made it clear that iyt is not feasible.

V Vasanthi, a student of Chellammal College, said that the situation is better now. Crossing Anna Salai is easy, but Sardar Patel road traffic needs to be regulated, she added.

Shah Jahan, an auto driver, said that he has to wait for a long time in the traffic to cross the junction and felt that the number of cars has outnumbered other vehicles and regulation is necessary to ease traffic.

Ajith and Anbuselvan, both students of the Brilliant ITI training institute felt that if the number of seconds has to be increased at the traffic signal. Otherwise, pedestrians have to rush through the crossing.
Srinagar: A militant was killed as the Army thwarted an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in Gurez sector of Bandipora district in north Kashmir.

An Army official said the troops guarding the LoC observed movement of ultras trying to sneak into the valley from across the border and challenged them.

During the exchange of fire, a militant was killed, the official said.

With the latest operation, the number of militants killed in encounters along the LoC in north Kashmir in the past four days has gone up to 14.

An Army jawan also lost his life in one of the encounters.

A defence spokesman on Thursday said multiple attempts made by Pakistan army to push armed infiltrators across the LoC were foiled by the troops at Machhil and Naugam sectors in Kupwara district, Gurez in Bandipora district and Uri in Baramulla, resulting in the killing of seven militants.

All the four infiltration bids were aided by the Pakistani forces who provided active support, including cover fire using heavy calibre artillery, the Army's Northern Command had said in a statement.

With the killing of six militants in Uri sector yesterday and one in Gurez today, the Army has foiled eight infiltration attempts in less than a fortnight in north Kashmir.

Three of the attempts were scuttled in Uri sector alone.

On May 26, the Army killed two Pakistani Border Action Team (BAT) members who tried to infiltrate into Uri sector in Baramulla district to carry out an attack on the soldiers.

Six more militants were killed in the same sector the next day when they attempted to sneak into the valley from across the border.

This year, Army foiled 24 infiltration attempts killing 41 armed intruders along the LoC.
Guwahati: Prior to his death on Friday, Shangwang Shangyung Khaplang, chief of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) has created a second rung of leadership led by his deputy Khango Konyak who may take over the responsibility of the organisation soon.

However, security sources said that death of Khaplang has been a major setback for the insurgent groups, which were operating from Myanmar.

Pointing out that Khaplang was pillar of the insurgency thriving from Myanmar, security sources said that Khaplang has created a command area on both side the international border.

Informing that a Command Certificate given by Khaplang to the cadres of all the insurgent groups operating from his base in Taga in Myanmar used to facilitate a free movement of armed cadres in Naga dominated villages on either side of the international border, security sources said that no other Naga rebel leader has such influence to issue command certificate which will be honoured by all the Naga village heads.

After Angami Zapu Phizo, Khaplang was the tallest Naga rebel leader who dominated the insurgency of Northeast for last 50 years, security sources said adding that Khaplang was the unifying factor for the insurgent groups of the region. He was also heading  United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia (UNLFW)  an umbrella organisation of Northeast insurgent groups. Security sources said that it has to be seen that who succeeds Khaplang in UNLFW. Though, elusive Ulfa (I) chief Paresh Baruah is the most senior leader, he doesnt have strength of his organisation to stake claim.

Security sources said that Khaplang had very strong connection with Chinese agencies also. Pointing out that split had started in NSCN (K) on the issue of leadership, security sources said that his death would widen the divide of Myanmar origin and Indian origin Nagas in the outfit.

The NSCN (K) led by Khaplang had not only been facilitating shelter for insurgent groups of Assam and Manipur in Myanmar but also helping them in procurement of arms and ammunitions.

Khaplang had started his liberation struggle first by setting up the Naga Defence Force (NDF), one of the early Naga revolutionary group, in 1964 and became the leader of the Eastern Naga Revolutionary Council (ENRC) four years later. When the Naga National Council (NNC) under Angami Zapu Phizo formed in 1946, sought China's help, its two senior leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Thuinaleng Muivah came in close contact with Khaplang, who became part of NNC.

The trio formed National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) on January 31, 1980 after breaking away from NNC opposing the Shillong Accord signed between NNC and the Indian government. Eight years later Khaplang broke away from NSCN-IM.

Khaplang had also entered into a ceasefire agreement with New Delhi in 1999 but walked out of it after 14 years on March 27, 2015.

A Burmese national and hailing from the Hemi Naga Tribe, Khaplang was born in 1940 in Waktham village just east of Myanmar's Pangsau Pass, next to the international border with India in Nagaland.
Bengaluru: A Member of the Parliament from Madagascar is full of praise for a city doctor, who has helped him get his vision back. While in his country, his vision had grown impaired and seeing the condition progress rapidly over a month, his doctors there referred him to Apollo Hospitals in Bengaluru. The doctors here found he was suffering from a tumour of the pituitary gland, close to the optic nerve in the brain, which was causing the progressive loss of vision.

A highly advanced surgery later, Mr Rasolonjatovo Honore is a happy man today. "I am very happy with the treatment here. I can see almost as much as

I did before I developed the tumour," he says with satisfaction.The doctors at Apollo Hospitals performed a Transnasal Transpenoidal Endoscopic surgery to remove the tumour. "Pituitary tumors arise from the pituitary gland, which is the master controller of all the hormones in the human body.

These tumors are located near the optic nerves and lead to gradual loss of vision. The other symptoms are hormone deficiency and double vision. If not treated on time, these tumors can cause total blindness," explains Dr Arun L Naik, a neurosurgeon who along with Dr Pradeep Hosamani, an ENT and skull base surgeon, performed the endoscopic surgery on the 60-year-old MP.

"These tumours once needed surgery through the brain. This method was highly invasive and came with the risk of many complications such as paralysis and developing a squint. But now they can be removed through the nose with a 6-mm endoscope. It is very precise, safe, minimally invasive and available only in advanced centres. This procedure is used to remove complex tumours from the underside and inside of the brain," says Dr Naik.

Being a scarless procedure , the recovery is very rapid unlike in the case of traditional brain surgery, according to him.
Five farmers die in three days due to indebtedness in Maharashtra. (Photo: Representational| PTI)

Osmanabad: One more farmer has allegedly committed suicide in Maharashtra apparently due to indebtedness, taking the number of peasants who have killed themselves in the recent past to five.

Sandip Shelke, 25, who had participated in the recent stir by cultivators for various demands, allegedly hanged himself from a tree in his field in Kahamaswadi village on Friday, police said.

Shelke's cousin said he took the extreme step due to his inability to pay Rs 2.5 lakh loan he had taken from a bank as his crop has suffered damage due to drought.

However, a police official said the exact cause behind Shelke's suicide is not known immediately.

Following the incident, angry farmers set afire to an effigy of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the village while demanding a loan waiver.

The villagers have declared a bandh in Kalamb tehsil on Saturday in protest against the incident.

Farmers in the state have been demanding a complete loan waiver besides clearing their 7/12 extracts (land records) of all liabilities and a guaranteed rate for milk among other demands.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, four farmers ended their lives in various parts of the state.

Police had said suicides by all the four farmers were due to non-payment of loans from banks and private money lenders.

Dhanaji Jadhav, 45, hanged himself from a tree near his house at Veet village in Karmala tehsil in Solapur district on Wednesday night. He had left a note purportedly stating that he should not be cremated till the chief minister visits his place and meets their demands.

However, the family members of the deceased relented following an intervention by the district guardian minister.

In another incident, a 48-year-old farmer, Hanumant Shinde, reeling under debt, committed suicide by consuming poison at Gondavewadi in Pune district yesterday.

In Wardha district, farmer Ishwar Baliram Ingale, 55, allegedly committed suicide by hanging from a tree in his farm on Wednesday, the police said.

In Satara district of western Maharashtra, a 35-year-old farmer, Suresh Sable, ended his life by consuming poison on June 5 in Man tehsil.

Fadnavis had recently announced waiving of loans of small and marginal farmers. However, the announcement failed to pacify the protesting farmers who are demanding a complete loan waiver.
Farmers stage protest at Indore-Bhopal highway on Friday. Situation remained tense in the state after five farmers were killed in police firing in Mandsaur. (Photo: PTI)

Mandsaur: Curfew was lifted in violence-hit Mandsaur here post 8 pm on Saturday, however, Section 144 continued to be imposed.

"The discussions are going on. As of now, the situation is under control. Few farmers are going to meet Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan," Superintendent of Police (SP) Manoj Kumar Singh said, adding that those involved in inciting violence would face action.

Meanwhile, Mandsaur District Collector Om Prakash Srivastava said they are probing the matter to book the guilty as early as possible.

"The situation is under control now. We will ponder upon the internet curbing and resume soon. As of now, the plan is to identify those who are responsible for such activities and initiate action," Srivastava told ANI.

The Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh has been on boil since last week after farmers staged a violent protest demanding better prices for their produce and waiver of loans.

This unfortunately took an ugly turn earlier on Tuesday when five farmers were killed and eight others were injured in police firing.

Internet services in Mandsaur, Ratlam and Ujjain were also suspended following the farmers' protests, and a curfew was imposed.

The Chief Minister has called for indefinite hunger strike to restore peace among the farming community of the state.
Police detain one of the many farmers who was pelting stones in Phanda near Bhopal on Friday. At least, 156 people have been arrested for protesting so far. (Photo: PTI)

Mandsaur/Bhopal: In Mandsaur district, where six farmers were killed in clashes with the police on Tuesday, curfew, on Friday, was relaxed for eight hours from 10 am to 6 pm but no untoward incident was reported, Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Singh said.

In view of the improvement in the situation, curfew will be relaxed for 12 hours on Saturday from 8 am to 8 pm in Mandsaur city and Pipliamandi but police said restrictions on movement of people will continue.

However, no protest, rally or demonstration will be allowed during the curfew relaxation period as well as on June 11 when farmers have announced a protest, collector O.P. Srivastava said.

As shops re-opened, locals stepped out to stock essentials like vegetables and milk. Long queues were also seen outside petrol pumps. However, the agitation reached the doorsteps of Bhopal as incidents of arson and stone-pelting were witnessed in Fanda area, about 20 km from the state capital.

Police baton-charged the protesters and arrested at least 27 of them in the area. Some unidentified persons set a truck on fire near a spot where Congress workers were protesting. Then some men hurled stones at the policemen present there, a senior police official said.

MLA incites mob to torch police station

Amid violent protests by farmers in Madhya Pradesh, a video has surfaced purportedly showing a woman Congress MLA from the state inciting people to set a police station ablaze.

The video, which has gone viral on social media, was shared on Twitter by BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya.

However, Congress leader Sachin Pilot said in Mumbai his party will never instigate violence for political benefits and demanded that the video should be investigated for authenticity. The video was shot on Friday evening when Congress MLA Shakuntala Khatik, who represents Karera Assembly segment, was staging a protest at Karera police station in Shivpuri district against the killing of farmers in Mandsaur.

She was leading a protest march, during which an effigy of CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan was burnt.
Srinagar: While foiling a fourth infiltration bid in a row, the Army on Saturday killed a militant along the Line of Control (LoC) in Gurez sector of Jammu and Kashmirs Bandipore district. With this the toll among the infiltrating militants in a series of clashes with the Army during past four days has risen to 13 whereas one soldier was also killed and two others were injured.

Defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said, One terrorist was killed by own troops in Gurez sector today. The weapon is his use has been seized. The operation is in progress.

The Army said that the fire fight began when the troops guarding the de-facto border observed movement of militants trying to sneak into the 2,580 m high Gurez valley, about 86 km from district headquarters Bandipore and 123 km north of Srinagar, from across and challenged them.

Earlier on Friday, the Army had claimed foiling an infiltration bid in Gwalta area of Uri sector of neighbouring Baramulla district after killing six militants. In the same area, two soldiers of 4 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) were injured when the militants opened fire at a patrolling party on Thursday.

The Army said that multiple attempts have been made by militants to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir from PoK through various sectors of the LoC including Macheal, Nowgam, Uri and Gurez in Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipore districts during the past week. All these attempts were, however, foiled by alert troops.

The Army has alleged that the infiltrating militants were helped by the Pakistani troops by providing them active support including heavy calibre artillery covering fire. Islamabad has yet to react to it but has denied such charges in the past.

The defence spokesman said that during this year, so far, as many as two dozen infiltration attempts were foiled by the Army troops along the LoC during which 41 armed intruders were killed. Relentless operations by security forces have defeated desperate attempts by Pakistan and its agents to spread terror in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramadan, the spokesman had said in a statement issued from the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the J&K police on Saturday said that one civilian identified as Aarif Ahmed Dar was injured when militants targeted two Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) vehicles with gunfire at Vesu along the Srinagar-Jammu highway at 5 am. The assailants, however, missed the intended target and instead the car being driven by the civilian behind the ITBP vehicles was hit in the gunfire. About 20 empty cases of AK ammunition were found on the spot, the police said.

Separately, the residents of Nadpora village in neighbouring Shopian district accused the Army of ransacking several houses and breaking windowpanes of these in reprisal to a stone-pelting incident. The locals said that some youth pelted stones on a patrol party of the Army moving on a road through Nadpora following which the troops detained one person identified as Ubaid nazir and also attacked the private properties.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visits Vietnam Airlines' booth at the event (Photo: VNA)



During the event, the two carriers introduced tourism potential of Hanoi in particular and Vietnam in general, as well as direct flights between the two nations.

Vietnam Airlines is the largest carrier operating direct flights between Vietnam and Japan with an average of 70 trips per week on 10 routes connecting Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang with Haneda, Narita, Kansai (Osaka), Centrair (Nagoya) and Fukuoka.

Since its first flight in 1994, Vietnam Airlines has served 10 million people, accounting for 65 percent of the market share.

Meanwhile, Jetstar Pacific announced to operate two direct routes linking Ha Noi and Da Nang with Osaka, becoming Vietnams first low-cost airline to offer direct service to Japan.

The first flight is schedule to begin in early September this year with four round-trips per week using 180-seater Airbus A320.

Both carriers are implementing a dual brand strategy to diversify products to meet customers demand and enhance their popularity in both domestic and foreign markets./.
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan started on his indefinite fast for peace from Saturday, in an attempt to restore peace among the farming community of the state.

Chouhan began his fast at around 11 am at the Dussera Maidan where he will hold an open 'durbar' for agitating farmers to meet him.

Chouhan said on Friday, "I am not emotionless, and therefore, I will sit at BHEL's Dussera ground on Saturday at 11 am. I appeal to the farmers to come forward and discuss all the issues."

Maintaining that his government would deal with miscreants with an iron fist, Chouhan said his fast is an attempt to ensure peace in the state.

Farmers in Madhya Pradesh are demanding better prices for their produce as also a waiver on loan repayments.

The ruling BJP and the opposition Congress have locked horns over the farmers' agitation in Madhya Pradesh, with the former claiming that the latter was behind the chaos and violence in Mandsaur district that claimed six lives.

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav attempted to reach Mandsaur earlier this week to commiserate with the agitating farmers, but police prevented their movement into the area.

Rahul Gandhi was even detained by the police under Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) before being released on bail after several hours.

He has claimed that the Centre is only firing at the farmers rather than providing them with solace and justice.

Meanwhile, Shivpuri Congress MLA Shakuntala Khatik has been seen on video repeatedly inciting party workers and farmers to burn down a police station in the area, even as she is being requested not to do so.

The video, which has gone viral, may further cement the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) allegation that the "Congress is instigating farmers for political gains".
Bengaluru: Nine years after it was shut down following financial trouble, the National Herald, widely considered the Congress party's mouthpiece, will be back in circulation  now as a weekly  with Vice-President Hamid Ansari to formally launch it in the city on Monday. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will be by his side as the newspaper launched in 1938 by India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru in Lucknow, primarily to articulate his thoughts on the freedom movement and trends emerging in the Congress party, rolls out.

Its still too early to judge the orientation the weekly will take in the current climate where the media feels it is being targeted. The newspaper carried on its masthead the words Freedom is in Peril, Defend it with All Your Might.

There is a general feeling that it will present the views of Left liberals who lament that Centrist and left-of-centre ideas have disappeared from the media scene after the saffron wave in the country. Former Union minister Oscar Fernandes, one of the trustees of The Associated Journal Limited (AJL), that is behind the relaunch told Deccan Chronicle that the National Herald will makes its splash in Delhi after June 20 with President Pranab Mukherjee likely to launch the first edition of the new format. "We are now launching the weekly edition, we have plans to make it a daily. It will be brought out in English and Hindi and in due course, a Urdu edition is also in the offing," Mr Fernandes said.

On whether it would be a platform to express Left-of-Centre and Centrist thoughts, he said, "I would say it will reflect the national spirit." Maintaining that a dedicated team of journalists is already in place to run the newspaper, he disclosed that the first edition would on 70 years of India's independence. "Later, we will focus on Panditji's (Jawaharalal Nehru) vision.

" Asked if the weekly will also focus on current affairs, he said, "Naturally, whatever touches the hearts of the Indian public would be reflected here." He added that scholars and experts from across the world will contribute to the National Herald.
Police in action against Samajwadi Party's students wing members who showed black flags to the fleet of UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on Wednesday. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: A large number of students on Saturday protested outside the UP Bhavan here demanding immediate withdrawal of cases against Lucknow University students who allegedly blocked the convoy of CM Yogi Adityanath and showed him black flags during his visit to the varsity on Wednesday.

On June 7, some student activists had shown black flags to the UP chief minister as his cavalcade moved towards Lucknow University where he was invited to attend a programme on Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji.

Eleven students were subsequently arrested and a court had sent them to judicial custody for "breaching the security of the chief minister".

Lucknow University has suspended eight of the 11 students in the wake of the incident.

The students had protested the misuse of varsity funds and space for the RSS's saffronisation project - according to the finance officer of Lucknow University who objected to the use of funds for such an event, Sucheta De, national president of the All India Students' Association (AISA) said in a statement.

"However, the police came down heavily on the protesting students and 14 of them were arrested and sent to judicial custody," she said.

JNUSU president Mohit Pandey said, "It is shameful that the government is branding everyone who protests against them as Naxalites and anti-nationals. We have seen this in JNU and we are seeing the same with the Bhim Army and the students of Lucknow University who protested against Yogi Adityanath."

Those who protested outside the Uttar Pradesh Bhavan included students from Delhi University, JNU and Jamia Millia.

Members of the Joint Action Committee formed by students of various universities in Delhi also took part in the protest.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan sat on an indefinite fast at Dussehra Maidan for 'restoration of peace' amid a farmers' agitation in Bhopal on Saturday. (Photo: ANI/Twitter)

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan sat on an indefinite fast at Dussehra Maidan here on Saturday for "restoration of peace" amid a farmers' agitation in the state.

The opposition Congress dubbed it as "drama". Farmers' organisations, which have been agitating for better support prices for farm produce, loan waiver and other demands, have already said that the stir would end on the tenth day today.

Chouhan, clad in kurta-pajama and a Nehru jacket, sat on fast at a pandal erected at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited's Dussehra Maiden in Bhopal at around 11 am after former chief minister Kailash Joshi put a 'tilak' on his forehead.

Chouhan's wife Sadhana was by his side.

State Congress' chief spokesperson KK Mishra said Chouhan should tell people whether his so-called fast is a "nautanki" (drama), an event or an act of repentance for his misdeeds that "set the state on fire".

"Though he is trying to send a message that he is doing Gandhi-giri (using a Gandhian way), it is absolutely not so. He neither sat at the foot of the statue of Gandhi nor did he garland the statue before launching his 'nautanki'," Mishra said.

"He should remember that (demon king) Ravana is burnt every year at the Dussehra Maidan," the Congress leader said.

Last evening, Chouhan, whose government came under fire because of death of five people in police firing in Mandsaur district as the agitation spread through western Madhya Pradesh, announced a fast for "restoration for peace".

He had also said that the agitation had turned "anarchic", and appealed to farmers to come to Dussehra Maidan and have a dialogue with him.

"I won't sit in my office at Mantralaya (secretariat)... (but sit at) Dussehra Maidan and do all work from there," he had said, adding that those instigating the violence would not be spared.
Farmers from Tamil Nadu pose half shaved during a protest demanding a drought-relief package from the Centre, in New Delhi, on April 3, 2017. (Photo: PTI)

Chennai: A group of farmers, who resumed their protest in Chennai on Friday after ending their over a month-long stir in New Delhi pressing for various demands, on Saturday temporarily called off the protest following assurance from the chief minister that their demands would be met.

The farmers led by the National South Indian Rivers Inter-Linking Farmers Association chief P Ayyakannu had staged a protest for 40 days at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi pressing for various demands including comprehensive drought relief.

They withdrew the agitation on April 23 after Chief Minister K Palanisamy met them in New Delhi and promised to fulfil their demands.

However, they resumed an indefinite protest in Chennai on Friday alleging Palanisamy had failed to keep his promise given to them.

Ayyakannu on Saturday met Palanisamy and had a brief interaction with him.

After the meeting, Ayyakannu said it was decided to temporarily call off the stir following assurance from the chief minister that the state government would take necessary steps to solve their grievances.

"We have decided to withdraw the protest temporarily as he (Palanisamy) has assured us of looking into our demands.

If our demands are not met in two months, we will resume our protests," Ayyakannu told reporters.

The farmers have been demanding loan waiver, drought- relief package of Rs 40,000 crore and setting up of the Cauvery Management Board among others.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu BJP president Tamilisai Soundararajan has received a letter threatening her with dire consequences and a probe was on, police said on Friday.

The letter addressed to her was sent by post and received by the party office "Kamalalayam," on June 6.

It was, however, opened only Friday.

"A sheet of paper inside the envelope was laced with a type of explosive chemical, usually found in firecrackers and a probe is on," a senior police officer told PTI.

The letter had used abusive language against the BJP leader and a similar letter was received three days ago at her Virugambakkam residence, another officer said.

Though no explicit words were used about carrying out a "bomb threat" to the BJP office or the state unit chief, a wick was attached to the explosive laced paper and it is perceived to "symbolise a bomb threat," the officer said.

Tamilisai said the letter had used "filthy, foul language," which no one could read.

"The letter received at party office appears to be a copy of a letter I got at my residence. It threatens me with dire consequences," she told PTI, adding the letter received at her residence was immediately handed over to Virugambakkam police station.

Recently, police had stepped up security to Tamilisai after she complained of having received a threat call over phone.
Chennai: Asserting that his government was 'strong', Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Friday alleged that falsehoods were being spread about its stability by those who cannot 'stand' its various achievements.

"The Tamil Nadu government is strong. The party (AIADMK) is ruling as a strong party with 122 MLAs," he said in an apparent reference to the number of legislators in the ruling party's Amma faction.

The government was delivering on various fronts and was successfully carrying various programmes, he said.

The Chief Minister recalled that the government had recently explained its various achievements after completion of 100 days in office.

"Pro-people measures included revising guideline value for properties as announced yesterday," he told reporters here.

Those who cannot stand our achievements in such a short time are spreading falsehoods, he said when asked about his government's stability.

Palaniswami's assertion comes amidst perceived efforts by AIADMK (Amma) Deputy General Secretary T T V Dhinakaran to assert his position post his release on bail in a bribery case, with about 25 MLAs having earlier met him.

To a question on the Centre's ban on sale of cattle for slaughter, the Chief Minister said he had not received the complete notification yet and would respond on the matter after getting it.

He pointed out that Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan had said the opposition's views would be looked into the matter, which has resulted in a nation wide controversy.
the family were asked to caThe dead body from the mortuary to the ambulance which did not have a freezer box. (Photo: ANI Twitter)

Salem/Coimbatore: In an unfortunate case, a dead 17-year-old girls family was forced to carry her out of the mortuary of a hospital to the ambulance because they refused to a pay a bribe of Rs.3000 demanded by hospital workers.

Bagyashree died due to a medical treatment that went wrong at a private herbal care treatment centre in Salem, while undergoing a weight loss program.

She was administered some herbal medicine following which she fell unconscious and died. The herbal care centre failed to inform her family and shifted her to a hospital in Coimbatore for post mortem.

When the family approached the Coimbatore G H Mortuary department, they were asked to pay Rs.3000 as bribe to get the dead body of their daughter released. On refusal to do so, the family were asked to carry the dead body from the mortuary to the ambulance which did not have a freezer box.

The body was taken back to Salem, a distance of over 350 kilometers from Coimbatore, for last rites.
Chennai: A 21-year-old worker died while another suffered injuries in an accident during demolition works at the fire ravaged Chennai Silks building on Usman Road, T Nagar, on Saturday evening.

The deceased worker was identified as Sarath Kumar, a native of Krishnagiri, while the injured worker was identified as Govindhan, police said.

The accident happened at 3.20 pm. Three hydraulic crawlers attached with jaw cutters were at work when one of the machines got stuck. Sarath Kumar was attending to a leakage in the machine standing over it when the machine was lowered by about five feet.

He got caught in the boom of another crane, which also came down and got crushed under the machine and the debris from the first floor. He was recovered from the debris by the fire and rescue services personnel there.

"There were about 100 workers in the site at the time of the incident. Ambulances were also on standby," an official of fire and rescue services said.

Sarath Kumar was moved to the Government Royapettah Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. Family of the deceased are expected to reach the city late in the night after which autopsy would be conducted, police said.

Police have registered a case and are investigating. Demolition of the fire ravaged Chennai Silks building began on June 2 after the fire which broke out on May 31 continued for over 30 hours bringing a portion of the building down.

Incidentally, no casualties were reported during the major fire and all workers stranded in the building were rescued. After Saturday's accident, works were suspended for the day.
The CID inquiry ordered by the CM found that over Rs 350 crore tax paid by traders was siphoned off by officials in the commercial taxes department who submitted fake challans. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: A series of CID probes ordered by the state government into various scams in the past three years, such as the Indiramma housing scam, CM relief fund scam, and Bodhan commercial taxes scam, have not resulted in any action against the guilty even though the investigations have revealed huge irregularities and siphoning off of thousands of crores of public money.

Soon after assuming office in June 2014, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, in his very first statement in the Telangana State Legislative Assembly, lashed out at the previous Telugu Desam and Congress governments for claiming to have built lakhs of houses for the poor since the 1980s, when they exist only on paper.

If you have built lakhs of houses, why are there still lakhs of homeless people in the state waiting for houses? This shows those houses were built only on paper. The government will order a CID inquiry into the issue to detect how many houses were actually built. The government will not spare anyone, however big they may be if they are found to be involved in the scam, Mr Rao had promised.

The CID began its probe in July 2014 and submitted the report to the government in November 2014. The CID had found that Rs 250 crore had been siphoned off in 18 constituencies and the total amount of the scam was likely to run into thousands of crores.

In January 2016, the CID sought permission to widen the scope of its investigation and cover the remaining 100 constituencies. But there has been no response from the government, and the CID probe is thus at a standstill. In January 2015, the CM ordered a CID probe into the CMRF scam following reports that some hospitals and patients had claimed financial assistance by submitting fake medical bills.

The CID submitted a report within six months stating that out of 9,200 beneficiaries who were given financial assistance, 35 per cent were fake. The CID found that 25 hospitals in the city and districts were involved in the scam and questioned them. That investigation too was put on hold without citing any reasons.

Though some brokers were arrested, no official from any hospital or the CMRF department was touched. In February this year, the commercial taxes scam came to light in Bodhan. The CID inquiry ordered by the CM found that over Rs 350 crore tax paid by traders was siphoned off by officials in the commercial taxes department who submitted fake challans. The CID said it suspected that the scam prevailed in other districts too and sought permission last month to investigate further. But, again, the probe has been put on hold.
Kyiv will file appeal against London court ruling on debt dispute between Ukraine and Russia by June 23

Ukraine will file an appeal against the decision of the High Court of Justice in London on the debt dispute between Ukraine and the Russian Federation regarding $3 billion eurobonds by June 23, Ukraine's Ministry of Finance has said.

"At a meeting held in the court on May 26, 2017, judge Blair extended the appeal period for Ukraine for 14 days [from June 9, 2017 to June 23, 2017]. Accordingly, Ukraine will file documents on the appellate appeal within the extended term," reads a posting on the website of the Finance Ministry.
Hyderabad: A 15-year-old girl has gone missing from her school in Bachupally and it is suspected that she has run away because she was reluctant to go back to school after the summer vacation.

Police said that Poornima Sai shared her unwillingness to go to school with her friends in another school during WhatsApp chats.

Her family has appealed to IT Minister K.T. Ramarao on Twitter to help them trace the girl.

The minister advised them to lodge a police complaint and has also instructed the police to trace her immediately after getting the plaint.

Poornima was in class X in Bhashyam School in Nizampet. On Wednesday, she left for school which is located around 400 metres from her home in Bachupally. When she did not return home till late evening, her father registered a missing case.

Police inquiries revealed that the girl was not interested in studies and was depressed because of pressure from her parents to study.

For the past few days, she had been telling friends on WhatsApp that she was bored at school and didnt want to return after the holidays.

She carried an extra pair of clothes and Rs 1,000 in cash with her, says sub inspector G. Ramesh of the Bachupally police.

Her fathers friend Suryaprakash tweeted to KTR saying, Sir, one of our friends daughter is missing from past two days. So far no information. Please help her

Hope you've lodged a complaint with police replied KTR, tagging the commissioners of Cyberabad, Hyderabad and Rachakonda.

Poornima was wearing black-coloured leggings and an ash coloured T-shirt when she left for school on Wednesday. Police are in the process of analysing the call data records of her mothers mobile, which the girl was using.
Hyderabad: Three months after Telugu techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot dead in a bar in Olathe, Kansas, USA, the shooter was charged with a hate crime on Friday by a federal grand jury.

The suspect, Adam W. Purinton, 51, had yelled at Srinivas, Get out of my country before he shot at him. Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American man was also injured while intervening in the shooting.

Federal prosecutors on Friday announced that Purinton was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly targeting two of the victims because of their actual and perceived race, colour, religion and national origin.

The indictment alleged that Purinton committed the offences after substantial planning and premeditation and attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode, and knowingly created a grave risk of death to others on the scene.

He was also indicted on a charge of using a firearm, a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, in a crime of violence. The penalty in the federal case is either life in prison or death.

A decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made later by Justice Department officials, experts say.

Besides the federal charges, Purinton was also charged by Johnson County prosecutors with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder and is being held in the Johnson County Jail on a $2 million bond. Sunayna Dumala, wife of Srinivas, expressed her relief that the shooter was charged by the grand jury. Speaking to the Kansas City Star newspaper, she said the federal charges brought relief to her heart.

She said she was glad that the legal process was moving fast. I am so glad that things are moving faster than we thought. I always had faith that justice would be served, she told the Kansas City Star and added that having a federal trial would bring greater visibility to the issue of hate.
Hyderabad: The Miyapur land scam gets murkier by the day. The suspension of Ibrahimpatnam in-charge sub-registrar Saleha Qadeer for registering 50 acres of government land in Hafeezpur on the citys outskirts, took a new twist with the names of family members of Telangana Rashtra Samithi MP K. Kesava Rao surfacing. The lands are registered under the names of his family members.

According to revenue officials, the present market value of the 50-acre piece of land is Rs 200 crore at Rs 4 crore per acre.

Kesava Raos daughter, Gadwal Vijaya Laxmi, who is also the TRS corporator from Banjara Hills, and his daughter-in-law, Kancharla Nava Jyothi, along with one Jyotsna, had entered into an agreement to purchase the land in 2013, but it was registered in 2015.

The then sub-registrar of Ibrahimpatnam, Madhusudhan Reddy, had rejected the application to register the land because it was government land.

But after he was transferred, Saleha Qadeer, was temporarily appointed as sub-registrar and she allowed the registration.

According to revenue officials, about 3,200 acres of government and forest land in survey No. 36 was available in Ibrahimpatnam mandal, Ranga Reddy district.

Officials said P.S. Parthasarathy, the brother of the director of Goldstone, P.S. Prasad, claimed in the document that the company had acquired rights over 2,000 acres of property in 2007.

Based on the 2007 registration, Parthasarathy and others transferred about 50 acres of land to the family members of Kesava Rao.

When contacted, Mr Rao said, The land was purchased by my family members to set up a solar power plant. The land was worth just Rs 25 lakh when we purchased it. The government rate per acre there was just Rs 25,000.
Army chief Gen Bipin Singh Rawat taking to the media after a Passing out Parade at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun on Saturday. (Photo: PTI)

Dehradun: Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat on Saturday said that women would first be inducted into the military police before considering other options in the armed force for them.

First, we will start with women as military police jawans, will take next step after its success, General Rawat told media after attending a Passing out Parade ceremony here.

Because many times, when people go to the operation, we have to face the people and many a times ladies come in front of us, he said.

Reportedly, General Rawat had announced a few days back that soon the Indian Army would be considering women for combat roles.

General Rawat said that the process to allow women in combat roles is ongoing and they will be recruited for positions in the military police.

Presently, women are only being recruited into selective areas of the army like medical, legal, educational, signals and engineering wings.

According to reports, India will be joining countries like Germany, Australia, Canada, the United States, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden and Israel that have already allowed women in combat roles in their army.

Last year, in a major step forward, Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh became the first women fighter pilots to be formally commissioned by the Indian Air Force.
The political anomie of the figure of a Janus-faced Malayali, militant at home and passive outside Kerala, has stuck deep in contemporary cultural imaginations. While vignettes of remembrances from the first waves of Malayali migration to Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Burma (Myanmar) and Malaysia/Singapore in the early 20th century still appear randomly in contemporary chronicles, it is the exodus to the Gulf Council Countries (GCC) from mid 1970s onwards that has merited beingthe most excessively eulogized, romanticized and trivialized narration of Malayali migrationin literature, films and every other cultural and social discourse. The labor migration and settlers journeys from Kerala in the many pasts, have produced social and political leaders in regions where they had migrated to. A typical example is Singapore where a sizable slice of the trade union leadership has been held by Malayalis. Devan Nair who later became president of Singapore was a Malayali trade union leader there. Even now, a good number of persons of Malayali origins are part of the leadership of the Peoples Action Party, the ruling party of Singapore.

Nevertheless, the putatively familiar image of Malayalis, militant at home and lacking combativeness in alien milieu in which they have migrated, both within and outside India, has come to stay. The politically radical Malayali who bows down and becomes disciplined in the GCC, the US immigrant Malayali smitten by the charms of the most advanced face of capitalism who laments about the progress that his/her homeland never achieves, the political double-standards of the European Malayali so on and so forth are characteristic examples of this perceived paradox. Malayalam films, including Islamic home video films (a genre popularized by sympathizers of political Islam in Kerala), that dealt with the diaspora experiences have sometimes projected the popular imageries of the paradox in myriad ways. Sometimes the films show local communist heroes who find hard to cope in the rigid apolitical, unorganized labor life in the GCC and sometimes it shows young GCC returned Malayali men struggling to find their ground back home.

But contemporary literature, both regional as well as the emerging pan-Indian immigrant writing from the second generation of GCC diaspora breaks these narrow and rigid caricatures and present the bleak political crises that bring around the unsung fortitudes and the fluid everyday existence of migrant laborers in the Middle East. Deepak Unnikrishnan, in his significant work of fiction set in UAE that is published recently, pertinently calls the immigrant population in the Middle-East as the temporary people. Malayalis, just as other nationals, are part of a swarming army of subjugated labor, who have no prospects of obtaining citizenship rights or workers rights and are helpless victims of an imposingsponsorship arrangement called Kafala, which makes their lives no better than that of bonded laborers of a foreign sponsor. The Malayali organizations in the Middle East and Kerala politicians who use them to fill their party coffers, remain largely indifferent to their plight. I have personally visited some of the labor campsin UAE, where 10 to 15 workers who work for 16-18 hours every day, dwelling in chocked single rooms.

On the other hand, back home, Kerala is proud of a tradition of radical social transformation marked by the emergence of reform movements in second half of the 19th century and first half of the 20th century. A section of the subaltern communities in Kerala responded rapidly to the new opportunities of limited economic mobility opened up by colonial globalization and began to slowly improve their economic prospects. This was followed by an attempt by the leaders of these communities to carve out a political space to articulate their need for social mobility and liberation from the caste structure, which was, in a sense, more regimented than its pan-Indian counterpart.Mass labor migrations during the period from Kerala, as part of the global circulation of plantation labor also helped reinforce some of these political aspirations through global flows of ideas, thoughts and resources.

The atomized modern migrant from Kerala, brokered through formalized global labor conduits and the class/caste-conscious worker rooted in Kerala living a collective memory of this emancipatory politics, belong to two totally different worlds of spatial imaginations. No significant attempt has been made to relate the migrants challenges to that of the inter-state migrant labor population in India, or to the intimidating global contexts that have become rigidly nationalistic and parochial and increasingly impervious to any alternative and fluid form of citizenship possibilities. If the discourses about their nostalgia and apolitical existence of the first generation of Gulf Malayali failed to understand the larger realm of politics that the immigrants stepped into, the contemporary milieu of jingoistic nationalism across the globe, refuses completely to even bring them into any further visibility.

(The author is Professor at the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad)
Drivers of Ayanavaram bus depot show the rice taken from the depot canteen suspecting the presence of plastic in it. (Photo: DC)

Chennai: Tension prevailed at Ayanavaram bus depot on Friday after bus drivers complained that they were being served plastic rice. The employees also started rolling the rice and started bouncing it, inviting media attention. However, food safety officials who rushed to the spot to analyse the substance found in the food maintained that there was no such plastic rice as complained by the transport workers.

We received complaints from Ayanavaram bus terminal that the food served to the employees at the transport canteen had plastic rice. Nine different rice samples have been collected from the depot for further tests at Guindy analysis lab, R. Kathiravan, designated officer, TN food safety department.

We are waiting for the lab report and the content found in the sample will be traced by next week.

Later in the day, the food safety officials also conducted raids in five places targeting rice godowns.

There is no plastic rice. Earlier, rice was polished using a simple mechanism. For instance, 50,000 kilos of rice will be polished in 20 days, but now the polishing is done at a quick pace using synthetic cone machines. This at times makes the rice look synthetic and can give indigestion when consumed. This component of polished rice is mistaken as plastic rice, a rice mill owner in Red Hills said, explaining the mystery behind plastic rice.

Rice samples collected for test in Coimbatore

Following rumours of arrival of 'plastic rice' in the market circulated on social networking sites, the Food Safety Commissioner has issued an inspection order in Coimbatore district.

On Thursday, the officials from the Tamil Nadu Food Safety and Drug Administration Department (Food Safety Wing), Coimbatore district have collected 14 samples of half-kg each from the wholesale rice mandi, rice shops and departmental stores from different parts of Coimbatore district- Saravanampatti, Ganapathy, Periyanaickenpalayam, main bazaar wholesale rice mandi in Kara street, Madukkarai, Sulur, Pollachi, Mettupalayam, Karamadai and six other samples were collected in city level.

"All the samples are sent for laboratory analysis and we would know the results after 14 days time. We believe it is fake news making rounds across the social media. Out of suspicion we conducted this inspection to make sure no such thing called 'plastic rice' is in the market. Coimbatore district has never come across plastic rice in the past," said Dr. O.L.S. Vijay, Designated Officer, Food Safety Wing, Coimbatore.

'Plastic rice' is easy to detect. The moment it is kept in water it will float, said officials.

The state consumer department urged the public to call helpline: +91 944 40 42 322 in case of any food adulteration
New Delhi: Opposition parties on Saturday hit out at BJP national president Amit Shah for his comments on Mahatma Gandhi. In a function at Raipur, Mr Shah had referred to Mahatma Gandhi as a Chatur Baniya (shrewd Baniya). He also said that the Congress had never been a party based on principles. Instead, it merely has been a Special Purpose Vehicle to get freedom.

Mahatma Gandhis grandson Gopalkrishna Gandhi said that the Mahatma would have laughed at this comment for its utter tastelessness. Gandhi laughed at cartoons of himself. He would have laughed at this one also but for its utter tastelessness and the hidden mischief in it, he said.

Interestingly, Gopal-krishna Gandhi is one of the frontrunners for the joint Opposition candidate for the upcoming presidential elections.

The Congress termed Mr Shahs remarks as an insult to the father of the nation and demanded an immediate apology from Mr Shah and also from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking to reporters at the Congress communications, Randeep Singh Surjewala said Rather than fighting casteism, they (BJP) identified even the father of the nation with his caste. This shows the character and ideology of the ruling party and its president. Where will these people take the country?

Facing flak, Shah today said the import of his comments was heard by the people who were present at gathering.

Maine jis reference me kaha hai waha sab logo ne suna, Surjewalaji ko abhi Gandhiji ke bahut sare siddhanto ka jawab dena hai. (Those present during the programme heard my comments and the reference in which they were made. Randeep Surjewala is yet to answer about many principles of Gandhi ji), Mr Shah said.
Speculation on whether Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif would meet in the Kazakh capital of Astana  which they did  was understandable. However, the question was far less important than the one concerning their role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. They have been newly enrolled at the SCO as full-fledged members, but with expectations, if not, indeed, conditions, which the founder of the club has publicly aired. Basically, they boil down to two rules for the new members  your basic commitment must be to the institution, the SCO; and, you must not use it as just another arena in which to conduct your diplomatic battles. This was made all too clear at Beijing on June 1 by the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson when she expressed hoped that India and Pakistan strictly follow the charter of the SCO and the idea of good neighbourliness to uphold the SCO spirit, improve their relations and inject new impetus into the development of the SCO.

The club is open for more members yet, specially from South Asia. It is likely that Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will apply for membership. Sun Zhuangzhi, secretary-general of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, wrote last year: The scope of the group will be expanded from China, Russia and Central Asian countries to South Asia, covering over 60 per cent of Eurasia. He was not unmindful of the problems such expansion might create. The hostility between the two states is unlikely to be dispelled in the short time. Together with their complicated relations with China and Russia, analysts believe their admission may have negative effects on the SCO, bringing more internal conflicts and lowering the level of mutual political trust and the efficiency of multilateral cooperation. China could not have been oblivious to the fate of Saarc. It is dysfunctional, a victim of the estrangement between India and Pakistan, and is used to settle scores.

India boycotted the Saarc summit that was to be held in Islamabad last year after the Uri attack. It mobilised support from regional countries to ensure the summit could not be held. Its foreign secretary S. Jaishankar said in November 2016 that the Saarc countries could opt for sub-regional initiatives if Pakistan continued to block Saarc initiatives. He had in mind matters like regional trade and regional motorways. One would think that such matters are best sorted out bilaterally and quietly. In September 2016, Mr Modi warned Pakistan at a public rally that India has succeeded in isolating you in the world. We will ramp it up and force you to live alone in the world. Such a pursuit of trying to box an adversary into isolation is a wild goose chase.

India cannot secure Pakistans isolation. Two instances of how internationa relations work will suffice. On June 1 at St Petersburg, President Vladimir Putin spoke to the media after he met Mr Modi. An Indian correspondent was told, We do not have tight relations with Pakistan  no binding alliance. But he sharply asked, with the US, do you have (close relations)? The hint was clear. At the other end, Chinas ambassador to India, Luo Zhaohui reminded an Indian audience in May that China had changed its position on Kashmir. We supported the relevant UN resolutions before 1990s. Then we supported a settlement through bilateral negotiation in line with the Simla Agreement. The moral is clear  dont expect others to toe your line. There is simply no alternative to conciliation through a meaningful dialogue.

By arrangement with Dawn
It appears the Aadhaar unique identity system has cleared all hurdles but one in the Supreme Court and the governments keenness to promote it as the universal identity for all Indians may fructify. The top court, in a significant ruling, upheld the validity of asking tax-paying citizens to seed the PAN card with Aadhaar IDs so as to plug loopholes in tax administration. At the same time, though, the court has also said those who do not have Aadhaar cards or have not applied for one yet cannot be compelled, by threat of invalidation of their PAN number, to enrol until the Constitution Bench of the court decides on a batch of petitions concerning privacy issues arising from Aadhaar.

Concerns do remain about the breach of privacy because lax or corrupt elements in government organisations have been known to leak data gathered for the issue of Aadhaar cards. In an ideal system of identity for all citizens, the advantages are huge on many fronts, including in the matter of collecting taxes. Where the government has gone overboard is in trying to extend the ID to everything, including air travel, which is undertaken even by people of the lower end of the scale of incomes, and hence appears a needless hassle today. Fears have also been expressed that the linkage of Aadhaar with essential activities could turn the nation into a large concentration camp where citizens are under state surveillance 24x7, as the lawyers for petitioners opposing Aadhaar put it. Those paranoid about their personal data have reason to fret. But no honest citizen should have a reason to worry provided, of course, that the government is honest.

A Constitution Bench would still have to clear the basic validity of Aadhaar with regard to whether it violates the right to privacy. That could be a long process. However, it must be noted that we voluntarily give away a mine of personal information in many activities like buying a SIM card and also that the government has a way of gathering information by means other than Aadhaar. The basic argument is that a national identity system can serve India well provided the government can expel all its inefficiencies and deep-rooted corruption which misuses information or even sells it for a penny to marketing agencies. An Aadhaar system with adequate safeguards for security of data is an ideal. The question is, can we achieve that.
India and Pakistan together joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the body of Eurasian states crafted by Russia and China in the aftermath of the break-up of the Soviet Union essentially to deal with security concerns, as full members on Friday at the SCOs Astana summit in Kazakhstan. Only experience will show how their presence helps to mitigate security concerns. From its early days the SCO paid attention to keeping away terrorism, separatism and extremism  clearly indicating its wariness of the possible spread of political Islam in the region. The promoters of the body will doubtless hope that Pakistans scope for mischief in this regard may be reduced if it is organisationally embraced and given economic support as well as an incentive.

The bilateral courting of Islamabad by Washington and Beijing hasnt particularly brought about favourable results on the front of terrorism spreading. Indeed, the story of Kashmir from the Pakistani side is all about promoting terrorism, separatism and extremism. However, it is to be hoped that the SCO will be a moderating factor on Pakistan, politically speaking. Participating at the summit, and later meeting Chinas President Xi Jinping on its sidelines, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the need for regional economic connectivity while keeping in view the sovereignty concerns of others  clearly a reference to Chinas Belt Road Initiative that passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, infringing Indian sovereignty. As SCO members, India and Pakistan troops may jointly take part in anti-terrorism exercises, which is an irony considering that their membership of Saarc has done little to rein in terrorism.
Executive Director of UN Women, UN Under-Secretary-General Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Swedish Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Hagstrom have signed an agreement on financing the project "Gender Equality in National Reforms and Establishment of Peace and Security in Ukraine."

"The project provides for a budget of EUR5 million and is designed for four years," the press service of Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze said.

The funds will be used for providing an integrated national mechanism for introducing gender equality in sectoral reforms through supporting the newly established office of the government commissioner for gender policy, as well as aid in implementing the national action plan "Women, Peace, Security."

Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze stressed the priority tasks of this project are monitoring the current state of gender issues in Ukraine and the dynamics of social changes, implementing a pilot project to introduce the post of advisers in law enforcement agencies, enhancing the institutional capacity and improving coordination of all structures that should ensure gender equality.
To speed up investigation of corruption cases involving government officials, the Centre has changed a 50-year-old rule and set a deadline of six months to complete the probe. An extension for a period not exceeding six months at a time may be allowed for any good and sufficient reasons to be recorded in writing by the disciplinary authority. Its not surprising to learn that until now there was no time frame to complete an inquiry. According to a study conducted by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) last year, the average time taken by the administrative authorities in finalisation of disciplinary proceedings is more than two years, the maximum time taken in a particular case was eight years and at least in 22 per cent cases the inquiry took more than two years.

This amendment of rules comes after the CVC noted that administrative authorities are not adhering to the time-schedule prescribed for completion of disciplinary proceedings. The new rules are applicable to all category of employees excluding those in all-India services  Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS)  and a few other categories of officers.

Non-IAS CEO for Prasar Bharati

Some eddy currents surround the appointment of dark-horse Shashi Shekhar Vempati as the new CEO of Prasar Bharati. Though his name was approved by a three-member committee chaired by the vice-president of India M. Hamid Ansari, and includes the chairman and secretary of the Prasar Bharati Board, whispers in government corridors seem to suggest that some elements of proper procedure were not followed. Apparently, the proper procedure merely meant informing the current incumbent Rajeev Singh about his successor and waiting until he returned from an official tour.

However, its just possible that the reason for the controversy could be the fact that Mr Vempati, a technocrat, does not belong to the IAS club. While he may get some satisfaction from being the first non-IAS officer to become CEO of Prasar Bharati, the heaven-born feel that another plum position has been wrested from them. In the days of the Modi sarkar, the government has been freer about appointing non-IAS officers in key positions. This is just another one and will be worth keeping an eye on.

New rules for IPS promotions

With the aim of improving policing, the Union home ministry has finalised a proposal for IPS officers, linking promotions to senior positions to specialisation in one domain. Under the proposal, IPS officers will have to undergo training in one of the areas, such as counterinsurgency, anti-terrorism and cyber crime, before being promoted as deputy-inspector-general (DIG), inspector-general (IG) and additional-director-general (ADG). The area of specialisation will be listed in officers performance appraisal reports.

The proposal has recently been sent to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which reports to the Prime Ministers Office, for the final nod.

Apparently, the proposal to link IPS promotions to domain expertise was initially discussed in November last year at an annual conference of top officers in Hyderabad, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Rajnath Singh in attendance. The IPS Association has welcomed the move but is hoping that officers will be given freedom to choose a domain of training based on their interest. Apparently, the government is considering a similar proposal for other all-India services too. This should put an end to the generalist versus specialist debate that has been going on in the government.
One of the things that the Narendra Modi government is wrongly accused of is turning India into an illiberal nation. I say that the government is wrongly accused of it because the facts show that the Indian government has never been particularly liberal, even under the Congress. Civil society groups and non-governmental organisations that have been working on some issues for decades will vouch for what I am saying. Issues like rights of adivasis, Kashmiris and the people of the Northeast have not come into focus recently. They have been with us for decades and it is wrong to assume that it is this government, or this Prime Minister, that is the root cause of the problems. The exploitation of adivasi land, which is the richest in terms of mineral wealth, began under Jawaharlal Nehru and even before him. Some of the nastiest and some of the most heavy-handed actions against adivasis came under the Congress government of Manmohan Singh.

All adivasis are punished for the alleged crimes against a few and the presence of tens of thousands of paramilitary personnel in the Indian heartland is proof of that. In October, 2015, a national daily carried the headline: Anti-Maoist operations: Chhattisgarh, IAF to carry out retaliation attacks from air. The story was that the Indian Air Force would use its Russian-made MI-17 helicopters to attack its own citizens. The reports said that the air force had carried out successful exercises and that three IAF helicopters flew over Bijapur and practised strafing.

Those who are familiar with India will know that there are no parts of it that are totally deserted, so it would be interesting to see what happened to that area where our Air Force was practising air strikes. The point is that this level of violence is not new in that area and the Indian State has suppressed its agitating citizens with machine guns from British times and before. It is not only wrong to assume it began with Narendra Modi but it is also misleading because it ignores the real issue. Before Mr Modi and unfortunately after him as well, this is how the Indian State has behaved and will behave with its citizens. I was having a conversation with P. Chidambaram a few months ago and he was saying that India should lift AFSPA from Kashmir.

He is one of our most intelligent politicians, and I have great respect for him. However, I wish he had expressed the same sentiment when he was the home minister because it would have been much more credible. Those who are upset by the current governments hard position against agitating Kashmiris should know that it is exactly as hard as the position of previous governments. Only the rhetoric is a little different. The Congress also killed as many, and actually more, but it spoke softly. The BJP uses harsher words, that is the only real difference. The Indian State has always operated on priorities that are at variance from the needs and rights of its population. We accuse the British State of looting India and sending our resources to serving their own purposes. The example of the Bengal famine of 1943 because of the exploitative war policy is often cited. This was an unconscionable conduct in a part of the world where people were starving and illiterate. However, I wonder how different this is from the way it is under our democracy.

Last year, we spent Rs 59,000 crore on 36 fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. This year, we are spending Rs 50,000 crore on 57 fighter jets for the Indian Navy. This is happening in a nation whose Union health budget is Rs 33,000 crore a year (it was actually cut under Arun Jaitley). Ten thousand Indian children die every week of malnourishment but we cannot afford to spend more money on them and would rather buy more toys for our armed forces. Is this not as immoral an act as that under the British Raj? Can anyone make the case that we absolutely need these new planes? No, and the point is that there is not even a debate about this in our country and there has never been one. All governments have followed similar pursuits and though one may disagree with this Prime Minister on many things, one must accept that he is only continuing what others before him did.
President of the Rajasthan Congress, Sachin Pilot, spoke with Ashhar Khan about what happened on the trip to Mandsaur and the agrarian stress that has gripped the country.

Could you tell us what exactly happened when you, along with the senior leadership of the Congress, wanted to meet the families of the farmers who were killed in police firing near Mandsaur?

See, we wanted to give our condolences to the families of the farmers who were killed in police firing in Madhya Pradesh. As representatives of the people, it is incumbent upon us to be present with them at the time of crisis. The family of one farmer did not want to cremate the body till the chief minister visited them, which he did not. So, we just wanted to be there to share their grief. We had told everybody that we will not make this a political event, but a private affair. There will be no speeches; there will be no political flags of the Congress. Nothing of this sort, our plan was to just stand by our fellow countrymen in time of need.

When were you stopped by the police and taken into custody?

The programme was that Rahulji will land in Udaipur and from there we will drive down to Mandsaur. We had senior leaders like Kamal Nath, Digvijaya Singh and Arun Yadav. But for some strange reason, the Madhya Pradesh police came about 20 kilometres inside Rajasthan to stop us from reaching Mandsaur. Now which law were we breaking? Is it illegal to meet farmers in this country? See, as representatives of the people you have to be with them and understand the issues that are bothering them. This also calms down the people. All this was not being done by the BJP government.

You were also seen riding a motorcycle on your way to Mandsaur. What was happening?

The bottom line is that the government did not want us to be there. First, they said that four-wheelers cannot go so we got onto motorcycles. Then they said that even two-wheelers are not allowed, so we carried along on foot. But then that was also unacceptable to the police. Finally, they took us into custody, as was expected. The government was uncomfortable seeing us visit the farmers as they had made no efforts to reach out to them, instead they were busy clamping down, and we were not being allowed to go. There must have been more than 2,000 policemen guarding the border between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The BJP has accused your vice-president of doing tragedy tourism and playing politics. Your comments?

This is completely untrue. Rahulji has always been with people; he has always been interacting with farmers, dalits, tribals and people from all walks of life. We should be standing by our fellow citizens in time of crisis. As I mentioned earlier, we did not make it a political event. There were no speeches and no party flags. It was just us showing solidarity. The families of the farmer also wanted to meet us; it was not that we were forcing ourselves on anybody. I just dont understand why the BJP is so scared in letting people meet us.

The BJP has alleged that the unrest is taking place in Madhya Pradesh at the behest of the Congress. What does the Congress have to say on this charge?

You know the strange part with the BJP is that they have now become accustomed to blaming the Congress for everything. It is the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh since 2002; it is the BJP government at the Centre for the past three years now. Even then the Congress is being blamed for everything that is going wrong. Dont you think this is a little strange? Foisting false charges against Congress workers and leaders has become the favourite pastime of the BJP. Instead of tackling the agrarian stress that is visible across the country, the BJP government is busy blaming the Congress and hatching conspiracy theories when none exist.

You were talking about the agrarian stress, what exactly is the problem that the farmers are facing today?

At present, there is a lot of stress on the farming community. This includes farmers, landless farmer, farm worker and labourer. Also, the ancillary industry associated with it. The BJP in its manifesto had promised minimum support price plus 50 per cent. Now where is the MSP and where is the 50 per cent? The farmer is not getting the fair price for his yield, so how does he pay for his expenses? The problem is not limited to this state alone. You can see spontaneous agitations breaking out in several states. The respective governments and the Central government are doing absolutely nothing to address the issue. Look at the procurement process from the farmers. Even if you fix a MSP, the procurement agencies are in collusion with the private players and delay procurement. Due to this, the farmer, who is already facing hardships has to reach out to private players. So the entire ecosystem has to be addressed. The NCRB data says that every 41 minutes a farmer commits suicide. Now governments both at the Centre and the state are of the BJP, they cannot hide behind excuses.



The BJP did give a loan waiver to the farmers after they came to power in Uttar Pradesh. Your thoughts?

Firstly, has the money been disbursed to farmers in Uttar Pradesh? Secondly, have all farmers who had taken loans been accommodated in the present loan waiver scheme brought out by the government in UP? The BJP is using the loan waiver as an election tool. If the BJP is so serious about the farmers then why not waive loans for all farmers across the country? The UPA 1 government lead by the Congress also brought in a loan waiver but that was for the entire country and not aimed at electoral gains. So, the point remains, the issue of agrarian stress will have to be dealt in a holistic manner.

Three years have passed of the Central government led by the BJP. There are celebrations happening. Your comments?

Propaganda can take you so far. It is for all to see and judge the Central government on all parameters, be it internal security, job creation, economic indices or the rural economy. Well, I would at the moment limit myself to the current agrarian stress. As far as farmers are concerned, these three years are certainly not a reason for celebration. It is a matter of life and death, which is affecting them in their daily lives. The government should not be insensitive towards farmers.
The QLED quantum dot technology claims to deliver a new metal core and support both approximately 125 per cent of the sRGB color spectrum and 95 per cent of the Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI-P3) motion picture standard to deliver an exceptionally wide color range.

Samsung Electronics introduced the future of gaming with the unveiling of its new CHG90 and CHG70 curved monitors, which feature the powerful High Dynamic Range (HDR) picture enhancement technology typically reserved for televisions. When combined with the CHG90s ultra-wide design and the CHG70s quantum dot composition, Samsung claims that this HDR integration produces a realistic, detailed picture that showcases games exactly as developers intended, and dramatically improves gameplay with crisper colors and sharper contrast.

Gamers want to feel completely immersed in their favorite games, and our new monitors provide the most stunning visuals and realistic content to deliver the ultimate gaming experience, said Seog-gi Kim, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Business at Samsung Electronics. These QLED gaming monitors are the gateway to the future of gaming for casual, enthusiastic and competitive gamers alike, and were looking forward to building upon these game-changing technologies to further meet the needs of gamers, developers and partners in the coming years.

A More Vivid and Detailed Gaming Environment

The QLED quantum dot technology claims to deliver a new metal core and support both approximately 125 per cent of the sRGB color spectrum and 95 per cent of the Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI-P3) motion picture standard to deliver an exceptionally wide color range.

Samsungs CHG90 sets the new visual standard for gaming displays by projecting a 32:9 aspect ratio and 3,8401,080 double full HD (DFHD) resolution across a 49-inch screen. The CHG90 extends the playing field for gamers, with its broad design surpassing industry standards while simultaneously representing the widest monitor in the companys gaming portfolio. The monitor delivers stunning 1,800R curvature and an ultra-wide 178-degree viewing angle, maintaining content visibility from any location within a given space. As a result, gamers no longer have to worry about the logistics, expenses and central bezel interference that occur when combining multiple smaller monitors together for an expanded view.

Ideal for first-person shooting, racing, flight simulation and action-heavy games, the CHG90 aligns an accelerated refresh rate (144Hz) and 1ms motion picture response time (MPRT) with advanced, four-channel scanning technology to deter motion blur and produce a more consistent picture across the entire screen.

Gaming at the Next Level

Available in 27- and 31.5-inch variations, The CHG70 integrates HDR and quantum dot technologies, with a 144Hz refresh rate further helping to bring out the best in gaming content. This combination offers gamers a viewing arena that is brighter (600nit peak brightness), clearer (2,5601,440 WQHD resolution) and more luminous, and which brings the slightest visual nuances to the forefront in extremely light or dark environments.

The CHG90 and CHG70 arrive as the first Samsung gaming monitors to feature AMDs new Radeon FreeSync 2 technology. This frontline functionality eliminates the stuttering and tearing that often disrupt gameplay to drive seamless frame transitions. Likewise, Radeon FreeSync 2 supports a wide color gamut to showcase HDR content with twice the perceivable brightness and color than that offered by the sRGB standard. As a result, users can enjoy a smooth, low-latency plug-and-play HDR gaming experience without having to frequently readjust software or monitor settings.

Were incredibly proud of how far Radeon FreeSync technology has come in the past two years, with well over 150 displays now shipping in the market, said Scott Herkelman, Corporate Vice President and General Manager, Gaming, Radeon Technologies Group, AMD. We applaud Samsung Electronics for launching the first FreeSync 2-capable displays, and believe these gorgeous monitors should be on every gaming enthusiasts must-have list.

Expanding Strategic Partnerships

As Samsungs latest gaming monitors prepare to hit the market, the company continues to expand their usability and prepare the wider gaming industry for HDR content. In strategic partnership with the EA studio DICE and Ghost Games, the CHG90 and CHG70 have undergone rigorous tuning to ensure optimal HDR picture quality.

Were delighted to work closely with Samsungs monitor team to optimize the CHG90 and CHG70 monitors for our games, which is vital so that our new game title Star Wars Battlefront II which will be released later in the year can be mirrored on these HDR monitors the way our game developers intended said Oskar Gabrielson, General Manager of DICE.

Here at Ghost Games, we always look at the latest technology that helps present Need for Speed in the best way possible and constantly look to push the boundaries. Technologies like HDR enable us to deliver an ever-greater emotional and immersive experience for our players. Samsungs HDR monitors allow Need for Speed Payback to be exactly that said Marcus Nilsson, Executive Producer at Ghost Games.

Additionally, both monitors recently received HDR compatibility validation with Nvidias graphics cards, ensuring they can clearly showcase a wider range of HDR-based gaming titles and PC devices.

Even prior to their widespread launch, the CHG90 and CHG70 have already earned industry recognition as leaders in the monitor product category. Last month, the Industrial Designers Society of America acknowledged both monitors as part of its annual IDEA Awards, which commemorate technologies for design innovation that improves both the economy and overall quality of life. The CHG90 received a Bronze prize in the programs Consumer Technology category, with the CHG70 likewise garnering a Finalist nomination in the same group.

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Washington: Adam Purinton, the man accused of killing Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injuring two others at a suburban Kansas City bar, has been indicted on federal hate crime and firearms charges.

Friday's indictment by a federal grand jury against Purinton, 51, of Olathe, Kansas, comes after a February 22 shooting at a city bar.

The indictment announced by the Department of Justice has accused Purinton of shooting and killing Kuchibhotla, and attempting to kill Alok Madasani, also an Indian national, because of their actual and perceived race, colour, religion and national origin.

Witnesses said Purinton yelled at the two Indian men to "get out of my country" before pulling the trigger in the attack.

Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American man was also injured while intervening in the shooting.

The announcement in this regard was made by the Acting Assistant Attorney General Thomas E Wheeler, II, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, and the United States Attorney Thomas E Beall of the District of Kansas.

Puritan faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison. The Justice Department will determine at a later date whether, in this particular case, it will seek the death penalty, a media release said.

A third count in the indictment charges Purinton with violating a federal firearms statute by discharging a firearm at Kuchibhotla, Madasani, and Grillot, during the violence.

It alleges that Purinton committed the offences after substantial planning and premeditation, attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode, and knowingly created a grave risk of death to others on the scene.

Purinton, a US Navy veteran, is currently being held in the Johnson County jail on a $2 million cash bond on murder and attempted murder charges.
Soldiers prepare for deployment on the outskirts of Marawi city, southern Philippines. The Philippine military says 13 marines have been killed in fierce fighting with Muslim militants who have laid siege to southern Marawi city. (Photo: AP)

Marawi (Philippines): Thirteen Philippine marines have been killed in fresh gun battles with Islamist militants who have overrun parts of a southern city, a military spokesman said Saturday, in a dramatic surge in the toll from two weeks of fierce fighting.

Philippine troops are struggling to dislodge hundreds of fighters, who rampaged through the mainly Muslim city of Marawi on May 23 flying black flags of the Islamic State group, and have used bomb-proof tunnels, anti-tank weapons and human shields to fortify their positions.

Lieutenant Colonel Jo-ar Herrera said the military was verifying the number of troops wounded in Friday's ferocious, sometimes house-to-house gun battles with the militants.

"We are saddened with the result we have fatalities on the government side. We have incurred 13 killed in action," Herrera said at a news conference in Marawi.

The fresh casualties brought to 58 the number of government troops killed in the fighting, Herrera said. At least 138 militants and 20 civilians have also been killed, the government said.

The militants have so far withstood more than two weeks air and ground assaults by security forces, although the military said they occupy only around 10 percent of the city.
Mr Sharif returned from Astana after attending the SCO summit on the sidelines of which he met Presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Russia. (Photo: AP)

Beijing: In a rare snub to "all-weather ally" Pakistan, Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped a customary meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Kazakh capital Astana after the murder of two Chinese teachers in Balochistan.

Mr Sharif returned from Astana after attending the SCO summit on the sidelines of which he met Presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Russia.

Conspicuously absent was a meeting with Xi. Chinese state-run media highlighted Xi's meetings with Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Xi's unprecedented snub followed deep disappointment and grief among Chinese public over the killing of the two Chinese citizens who were kidnapped last month from Quetta in Balochistan.

The two were brutally murdered reportedly by ISIS terrorists. The news of their murders was made public ahead of the SCO summit held on June 8-9 in which India and Pakistan were admitted as members.

On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying explained that the murders were no way connected to the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which was opposed by the Baloch nationalists.

The CPEC is part of China's ambitious multi-billion Belt and Road intuitive (BRI). "This incident will not have any necessary connection with the BRI," nor with the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, meeting being held in Astana, Hua had said.

China has deployed hundreds of Chinese workers to work for the CPEC which connects Gwadar port in Balochistan with China's Xinjiang through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Hua said Pakistan pays great attention to the protection of Chinese citizens in the institutions there and made great efforts for their security. "As per BRI we should be prepared for risks if want to go global. Since the three years after the BRI," she had said.
London: British Prime Minister Theresa May was expected to name the rest of her cabinet on Saturday after a crushing election setback, just days before Brexit talks begin.

Members of her Conservative party have warned May her days are numbered after calling Thursday's vote three years early, only to lose her parliamentary majority.

But senior figures also cautioned against an immediate leadership election, as the government prepares to start talks on leaving the European Union around June 19.

May announced Friday she would seek to form a minority government with the help of a small Northern Irish party, the pro-Brexit Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). She failed to express contrition for her gamble that spectacularly backfired, but newspaper headlines reflected the sense that she has been deeply wounded.

"May fights to remain PM," headlined the Conservative-supporting Daily Telegraph headlined, while the Daily Mail said: "Tories turn on Theresa". "From hubris to humiliation," said the left-leaning Guardian. "May stares into the abyss," wrote The Times, while The Sun said succinctly: "She's had her chips."

Some Conservative lawmakers called for May's joint chiefs of staff, Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy, to be sacked for their key role in the election campaign. May confirmed Friday that senior ministers would remain in their posts, despite rumours that she had been ready to sack finance minister Philip Hammond following a clash over her Brexit strategy.

The prime minister has vowed to pull Britain out of Europe's single market in order to end mass migration from the bloc, despite fears of the economic impact.

European Council President Donald Tusk has warned there was "no time to lose" in starting talks, after May started the two-year countdown to Brexit on March 29.

Despite earlier saying that a cabinet meeting had been scheduled for Saturday, a spokesman said May would not be holding one but would name more members of her cabinet.
Paris: One month after President Emmanuel Macron's arrival in power, French voters must now choose lawmakers in parliamentary elections starting Sunday that may dramatically reshape the political landscape.

Here's a look at the French system and what's at stake:-

Election Rules: Elections for the National Assembly are organized in two rounds on June 11 and June 18. All 577 seats are up for grabs, and each winner will serve a five-year term.

To win in the first round, candidates need an absolute majority and support from at least a quarter of the district's registered voters. Otherwise, all contenders who get at least 12.5 percent of the votes of registered voters advance to the second round. Most races involve several candidates in the first round and are whittled down to two in the second round.

In some races, three or four people will make it to the second round, though some may step aside to improve the chances of another contender. That tactic has often been used to block candidates from Marine Le Pen's far-right National Front party.

In the second round, the candidate with the most votes wins. In the rare case of a tie, the older candidate wins. The French Parliament is made up of two houses, the National Assembly and the Senate. The National Assembly always has the final say in the voting process of a law.

Macron's Challenge: Macron, France's youngest-ever president, is seeking an absolute majority in the Assembly to be able to implement his promised pro-business labor reforms and tougher security measures.

His year-old centrist political movement, Republic on the Move, is presenting candidates in 525 districts. Half are women, and many are newcomers in politics. Their average age is 47, compared to 60 for the outgoing assembly.

According to the latest polls, Republic on the Move could win as many as 400 seats, crushing mainstream parties and leaving no single opposition force.

Other Parties: Candidates from the conservative Republicans party are expected to arrive in second position, with possibly over 100 seats, opinion polls suggest.

The Socialist Party, which dominated the outgoing Assembly, is set to face significant defeat, with only a few dozen seats and many candidates eliminated in the first round.

The National Front is expected to do better than its two seats in the last legislature, with polls hinting it could win its highest-ever score with more than 10 seats.

But that still won't be enough to make it the leading opposition force, as Le Pen had hoped after her strong second-place showing in the presidential race. Le Pen herself is running for a seat in Henin-Beaumont in northern France. The far-left party of Jean-Luc Melenchon could obtain between 10 and 20 seats.

What's Next: Macron's new Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, and 22 government members are already drafting laws but need a new parliament in place to vote on them.

The government has announced legislation to clean up corruption and nepotism in politics, a major reform of worker protections, a bill to extend the state of emergency until November and another one to introduce permanent security measures.

If he doesn't have a majority at the National Assembly, Macron may come under pressure to reshuffle his government and choose a prime minister from the winning party, a situation called "cohabitation." That appears unlikely, given French voters' disaffection with traditional parties.
A photo of the van used in the London Bridge attacks of June 3. (Photo: AP)

London: The assailants behind last weeks terror attack in London had also prepared a stash of Molotov cocktails and initially tried to hire a truck rather than a van to mow down pedestrians, British police said on Saturday.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said forensic officers examining the white rental van found 13 wine bottles with rags wrapped around them and believed to be filled with a flammable liquid, as well as two blowtorches.

The three attackers struck pedestrians with the van and then went on a stabbing spree wearing fake suicide vests last Saturday in the London Bridge area, a popular nightlife district.

Eight people were killed before the assailants  Khuram Shazad Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba  were shot dead by police. Forty-eight people were injured.

Police also said Butt had tried to hire a 7.5-tonne lorry hours before carrying out the attack, but was turned down because the payment failed.

Because of the fact his payment method failed he couldnt get hold of that lorry, counter-terrorism command chief Dean Haydon told reporters.

My view at the moment is that he then went to plan B and ended up hiring the van instead, Haydon said.

When I come back to Butt trying to get hold of a 7.5 tonne lorry  the effect could have been even worse.

Haydon went on to say that its feasible when you look at their actions, they were still fairly close to the van, there is a possibility they could have come back to the van.

Was there a plan B that, after they had stabbed individuals, were they then planning to come back to the van and ignite the Molotov cocktails and that was a secondary attack? We dont know  I can only surmise.

Trucks have been used in a string of terror attacks in Europe over the past year.

Last July, a 31-year-old Tunisian extremist rammed a 19-tonne truck through a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in the French Riviera city of Nice, killing 86 people and injuring more than 400.

On December 19, a 24-year-old Tunisian ploughed a truck through a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 11 and wounding dozens.

And on March 22 this year, five people were killed when a man rammed his car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge in London before stabbing a police officer outside parliament.

Police on Friday also released pictures of one of the pink-coloured 12-inch ceramic kitchen knives used by the attackers, as they appealed to the public for any information.

We need to know more about these unusual knives. Where are they from? Where might the attackers have bought them from? police said.

They believe one of the properties they searched in the east London borough of Barking was the attackers safe house, where they prepared the attack.

Officers searching the house found an English-language copy of the Koran opened at a page describing martyrdom, as well as bottles smelling of petrol and a bottle of lighter fluid.

Overall, police searched 12 properties in Barking and nearby Ilford, arresting 18 people.

Only five remain in custody after 13 were released without charge.
Ukraine could introduce a requirement of biometric passports for Russians visitors, Iryna Gerashchenko, First Deputy Parliamentary Speaker, who represents Ukraine in the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas, has said.

"I think the position on biometric passports is, first of all, wise from the viewpoint of our security," Gerashchenko said on the 112.ua television channel on Friday evening.

A biometric passport is an extra inspection on the subject of who goes in, whether this person has illegally crossed the border in Crimea or in Donbas, whether he is on some database, she said.

"In a hybrid war, acting wisely and doing everything on time is essential. If visa requirements are to be introduced, this should be done at the minute when it suits Ukraine and then we will definitely not lose and our citizens won't be suffering," Gerashchenko said.

"Ukraine has never fought against anyone but we will defend ourselves. If, for the sake of defending its national interests and sovereignty, Ukraine will need to introduce visa requirements, such a decision will be made. If we weigh everything and see that, obviously, at this stage, biometrics will be the best element of security, we will introduce biometrics," Gerashchenko said.
Moscow: Russian police launched a major operation near Moscow on Saturday in a bid to arrest a man holed up in a house after shooting at least four people dead. The shooter's motivations were not yet known.

Russia's Investigative Committee, which has opened a murder investigation, said a 50-year-old man from the village of Kratovo, on Moscow's southeastern edge, had shot at other residents from his house.

One person died in hospital and three bodies were found at the scene, the committee said in a statement, adding that a member of the National Guard had been injured.

"Four people are dead," Moscow regional police spokeswoman Tatiana Petrova told state-run news agency RIA Novosti.

Gunfire could be heard in footage aired on public television that showed the woodland area surrounded by police.
Embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May began finalising her cabinet of ministers and held talks with the Democratic Unionist Party to determine the contours of the partys support for her minority government.

Many of the key cabinet posts have already been declared as unchanged from the previous government, including Philip Hammond as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Amber Rudd as home secretary, Boris Johnson as foreign secretary.

She reportedly abandoned plans for a major reshuffle of her cabinet to keep her senior Tory party colleagues on her side. While Ms Mays top team has been left unchanged, she will have to fill gaps in her ministerial team after nine junior ministers lost their seats in what has been characterised as a disastrous election night for the ruling party.
The strike took place in Nad Ali district of Helmand province, Tolo News quoted officials from Helmand, as saying. (Photo: Representational/ File)

Kabul: A US air strike killed two Afghan Border Police soldiers in Helmand province on Friday night.

Helmand is a stronghold of Taliban, and the insurgents effectively control 10 of Helmand's 14 districts. The strike took place in Nad Ali district of Helmand province, Tolo News quoted officials from Helmand, as saying.

But sources from Helmand said the number of casualties is much higher than what the governor's office has claimed. Meanwhile, US forces in Afghanistan have released a statement and confirmed the death of Afghan border soldiers during overnight operations in Helmand.

During the joint operation of the Afghan National Defense and Security Force and NATO forces, strikes resulted in the deaths and injuries to members of the Afghan Border Police.

"We would like to express our deepest condolences to the families of the ABP members affected by this unfortunate incident," the statement said.

The US-Forces in Afghanistan said that an investigation is being conducted to determine the specific circumstances that led to this incident.

Afghan officials said that an investigation into the incident is underway.
Dubai: Islamic State threatened attacks in Saudi Arabia after the militant group claimed responsibility for assaults in Tehran that killed at least 17 people, Site Intelligence monitoring group reported on Friday.

Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the Iranian parliament and Ayatollah Khomeini's mausoleum in Tehran on Wednesday. Scores of people were also wounded.

IS claimed responsibility and threatened more attacks against Iran's majority Shi'ite population, seen by the hardline Sunni militants as heretics.

In a video that appeared to have been recorded before the attack on Tehran, five masked fighters were shown threatening Shi'ites in Iran as well as the Saudi Arabian government saying their turn "will come".

"Allah permitting, this brigade will be the first of jihad in Iran, and we ask our brothers the Muslims to follow us, as the fire that was ignited will not be put out, Allah permitting," one of the masked fighters said, according to SITE.

At the end of the video, he sent a message to the Saudi government.

"Know that after Iran, your turn will come. By Allah, we will strike you in your own homes... We are the agents of nobody. We obey Allah and His Messenger, and we are fighting for the sake of this religion, not for the sake of Iran or the Arabian Peninsula."

IS, which controls territory in Syria and Iraq, had carried on attacks on Saudi security forces as well as deadly bombings and shootings that target the kingdom's Shi'ites in the past.

Iranian authorities said five of the attackers were Iranian nationals recruited by IS, while Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards Corps blamed the assault on regional rival Saudi Arabia and has threatened revenge. Sunni Saudi Arabia denied any involvement in the attacks.

Tensions have been high in the Middle East since Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain severed diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Doha denies the accusation.

On Friday, the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a security notice to U.S. citizens recommending that they "exercise caution in places frequented by foreigners due to the continuing risk of terrorist attacks... across the Kingdom."
ranians attend the funeral of victims of an Islamic State militant attack on Wednesday, in Tehran, Iran. (Photo: AP)

Tehran: Iranian authorities have arrested eight suspects for allegedly supporting the Islamic State-claimed attacks on Iran's parliament and the shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini that killed 17 people in Tehran.

The IRNA report quoted Ahmad Fazelian, chief justice of Alborz province west of Tehran as saying: "These agents who were supporters of the two terrorist groups, and had full coordination with them, were arrested and they were delivered to Tehran's judicial and security authorities."

Meanwhile, Iran police chief Gen Hossein Ashtari said several people with connections to the attackers were arrested around the capital area. Two guards, 10 government staffers and five civilians were killed in the attacks that simultaneously targeted the country's parliament and the shrine of the late founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

The Interior Ministry in a statement increased the number of wounded to 52. On Thursday, Iranian authorities said the assailants were Iranian nationals and that they had arrested six suspects, including one woman, since the attack Wednesday in Tehran.

On Friday, the Intelligence Ministry announced that it had detained 41 suspects in Tehran and the western Kurdish provinces.

It called the detainees "elements of the Wahhabi IS group," and said they were involved in operations, communication and logistics for the local Islamic State group cell.

Last August, the government announced it had executed a number of Kurdish Islamic extremists from a group known as Towhid and Jihad after convicting them of armed robbery, killing civilians and planning bomb attacks.
Islamabad: Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday visited troops along the Line of Control ( LoC) in Muzaffarabad Sector.

The Army Chief was given a detailed report by the local Commander regarding operational situation, ceasefire violations and response by Pakistani troops.

General Bajwa appreciated the state of operational readiness, exemplary high morale, and motivation for the fulfillment of assigned missions, The Dawn quoted an official statement as saying.

Bajwa also interacted with his troops, who were reported to have pledged that "no Indian misadventure shall go without a befitting response".

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief stated, "We are aware of the defence and security challenges being faced by the country and we are capable of defeating all threats, irrespective of the 'front'."
The accused was arrested last year from Bahawalpur by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). (Photo: File)

Bahwalpur (Pakistan): In a first ever penalty over online blasphemy in Pakistan, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Punjab's Bahwalpur on Saturday awarded the death sentence to a man on the charges of sharing offensive content about Islam on social media.

Bahawalpur's ATC Judge Shabir Ahmed announced the death sentence for the 30-year-old accused, who belongs to the Shia community, according to a report appearing in the Dawn.

The accused, who hails from Lahore, had allegedly posted derogatory content about prominent Sunni religious figures and wives of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Facebook. He was arrested last year from Bahawalpur by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).

Blasphemy has been a contentious issue in the country as many have called for reforms in the law to prevent its misuse. Earlier in March, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered the blocking of blasphemous content on social media and action against those propagating such content.

Following this, the Pakistan National Assembly had unanimously resolved to form a 10-member committee to investigate blasphemous content being circulated on social media platforms.

Sharif had directed Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to take all necessary measures to ensure that the objectionable material was blocked and sought daily reports on developments in this regard.
The 193 UN member nations have issued an urgent call for action to reverse the decline in the health and productivity of the world's oceans, with the United States backing the action plan but rejecting its support for the Paris agreement to tackle climate change.



Ministers and diplomats yesterday burst into applause as the final document was gavelled to approval by consensus at the end of the first-ever UN conference on oceans.



It recognises the critical importance of the world's seas to the future of the planet: Covering three-quarter of the Earth, they supply nearly half the oxygen that we breathe, absorb over a quarter of the carbon dioxide we produce, provide food, and play key roles in water cycles and the climate system.



The government leaders called on people and organisations everywhere to take action to reverse the threats from plastic garbage, illegal and excessive fishing, rising sea levels that could wipe out small islands, and increasing acidity of ocean water that is killing marine life.



While the call for action was unanimously approved, countries are allowed to express reservations afterward. Egypt and Russia also dissociated their governments from specific provisions, but the United States was the only country to oppose the Paris accord. And when France and the European Union spoke after the US and urged implementation of the climate deal, they received loud applause.



US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Balton, who is in charge of oceans and fisheries, noted President Donald Trump's announcement on June 1 that the United States will withdraw from the Paris agreement or renegotiate US participation, which has already been rejected by other countries.



But Balton said the US remains committed to work inside and outside the U.N. to address "threats to the ocean and to promote its conservation and sustainable management for this and future generations."



General Assembly President Peter Thomson, a veteran diplomat from Fiji, said his goal for the five-day conference was to start the reversal of the decline of the oceans. "I am 100 per cent satisfied," he said. "From this point onward nobody can say they are unaware. The bar has been raised on global consciousness and awareness."



Thomson stressed when asked why there was no serious fighting over the call for action that the ocean is the common heritage of mankind and restoring its health is a great challenge of our time.



"If it's dying, it's dying on all of us," he said. "When it comes to the ocean there's no them and us. It's all of us or nothing."



The call for action, while not legally binding, urges all "stakeholders" to take a series of urgent actions to heal the oceans.



These include reducing the use of plastics and invisible micro-plastics such as plastic bags and containers that are discarded after a single use, developing and implementing measures to reduce acidification of the oceans, and combating rising sea levels and increasing ocean temperatures.



A 2016 World Economic Forum report said the best research estimates there are over 150 million tons of plastics in the ocean. "In a business-as-usual scenario, the ocean is expected to contain 1 ton of plastic for every 3 tons of fish by 2025, and by 2050, more plastics than fish (by weight)," it said.



Other actions the governments urged include measures to protect coastal ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs, and to "end destructive fishing practices and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing" and restore fish stocks "in the shortest time feasible at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield."



Governments also called for an end to certain subsidies which contribute to overfishing and illegal catches.



In 2015, world leaders adopted new UN goals for 2030 including on conserving and managing the ocean's resources. Sweden's Deputy Prime Minister Isabella Lovin, the conference co-chair, said over 1,200 commitments were registered by countries, organisations and the private sector, and more were expected.



Many countries announced steps to reduce or eliminate the single use of plastics and stepped up efforts to reduce the amount of sewage and pollution entering the ocean. Many commitments focused on expanding scientific knowledge about the ocean, and there were new commitments on fishing including "no-take zones" for certain species and measures to combat illegal fishing.



The UN said the commitments indicate "the world is well on track to protect over 10 per cent of the globe's marine areas by 2020," citing announcements during the conference that add 4.4 per cent of marine areas to the existing protected list.


Justice B Sivasankara Rao while dismissing a plea of Ramavath Hanuma of Gorikekineni Thanda a tribal hamlet in Nalgonda district of Telangana on Friday, quoting Supreme Courts orders said that Apex court has discarded the contention that cows must be slaughtered on Bakrid.



He directed Telugu states to make the killing of cows a non bailable offence, by making provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and IPC section 429 very stringent. He wanted to take action on the veterinarians who certify healthy cows as unfit making them available to illegal slaughter.



He also sought action from the chief secretaries of both Telugu states on amendments pertaining to the sections of the Act.



Hanuma pleaded that 63 cows and two bulls which he claims to have brought for grazing have been confiscated by the authorities. He denied that he brought them for slaughter on Bakrid. His earlier plea for custody of cattle at a Nalgonda trial court has been dismissed.



The justice even recalled the wisdom of Moghul emperor Babar for prohibiting the slaughter of cows as a religious obligation. Justice Rao further observed that the question whether the accused is entitled to have custody of the very cattle he was planning to sell for sacrifice needs to be answered in view of the national importance of cows.



In consonance with the union governments cattle sale regulation order a single bench at the Hyderabad high court has observed that Muslims have no fundamental right to insist slaughtering healthy cows on the occasion of Bakrid.
A 25-year-old cab driver has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the killing of an e-rickshaw driver outside the GTB Nagar Metro Station here last month.



This is the second arrest in the case that had triggered widespread outrage with even Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemning the killing and directing the authorities to bring the culprits to book.



Earlier, a 19-year-old Delhi University student was arrested and a juvenile was apprehended.



The 32-year-old victim, Ravinder Kumar, was beaten to death by nearly a dozen men on May 27, hours after he had objected to two men urinating in public outside the metro station in northwest Delhi.



The third accused, Mehul Deda, was arrested on June 4, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Milind Mahadeo Dumbere.



Deda was part of the group which had attacked Kumar with towels and stones.



He had been on the run since the incident. He had been hiding in Rishikesh but returned to Delhi after he got to know that Kapasia and the juvenile had been nabbed.



He thought that the situation had eased now and decided to return, a police officer said.



Police said that they were looking for the other accused. The arrested duo will be questioned together to ascertain the identity of the other accused, police said.
Foreign ministers of Lithuania and Sweden will visit Ukraine on June 13-15

The foreign ministers of Lithuania and Sweden, Linas Linkevicius and Margot Wallstrom, will visit Ukraine on June 13-15, the ZN.UA edition has reported.

The edition published an article by Linkevicius and Wallstrom dedicated to the liberalization of the visa regime of Ukraine and the EU countries "More Europe in Ukraine and More Ukraine in Europe."

The authors welcome the opportunity of Ukrainian citizens to travel in 30 countries of the Schengen area without visas.

"This is a powerful reminder of one of the most pressing slogans of the Ukrainian Revolution of Dignity, namely 'Ukraine is Europe'," the article reads.

The officials noted that visa-free travel is the result of many years of work on complex reforms in Ukraine: from improving the protection of documents to the introduction of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation.

"At the time when migration, border control and security-related problems are on the EU agenda, this decision is a strong signal of solidarity between the European Union and Ukraine and our faith in the strength of your efforts in implementing reforms," the article says.

Linkevicius and Wallstrom said Ukrainians still have much to do.

"Without a doubt, fight against corruption will be a decisive factor for the future of Ukraine," the authors said, noting the need for the establishment of independent anti-corruption courts.


A senior Army officer said that troops are on high alert along the LoC after inputs that 250 militants were waiting on the launch pads in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir for infiltration. According to official figures, 44 militants have been killed along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir this year while the Army has been successful in preventing 24 infiltration attempts in the same period.



However, few group of militants have managed to sneak in and as per the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) figures, 19 militants infiltrated this year till April. The MAC, responsible for counter-terrorism, consists of representatives from Army, police, paramilitary and intelligence agencies, for streamlining intelligence efforts.



However, sources said, the number of militants who infiltrated into Kashmir this year could be higher than the estimates of the MAC. "The MAC figures are a conservative estimate. Some of the recently infiltrated groups are yet to come under security forces radar and others are still in the forests along the LoC," they revealed.





Army foiled another infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Gurez sector of north Kashmir's Bandipora district on Saturday by killing a militant. With this, the toll among the infiltrating militants in a series of clashes with the Army during past three days has risen to 13 whereas one soldier was also killed and two others injured.Defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said one militant was killed in Gurez sector today. "The weapon is his use has been seized and the operation is in progress, he said.Army has foiled at least seven infiltration bids along the LoC in the last 72-hours in Gurez, Machil, Naugam and Uri sectors and neutralised 13 heavily armed intruders. "The sinister design of Pakistan Army to push in multiple groups of armed intruders across the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir continue to be defeated by pro-active operations being carried out on the LoC," said a statement issued by the Udhampur-headquartered Northern Command."Explosives, inflammable material and arms and ammunition recovered from the intruders indicate Pakistan's designs to orchestrate high-profile terror incidents targeting innocent civilian population and security forces during the holy month of Ramadhan," the statement said.


The Army chief presided over a colourful passing out parade by 490 gentlemen cadets on the completion of their course.



He said it was time they put the lessons of valour and military skills learnt at the academy to the service of the nation.

The Army chief, himself an alumnus of the IMA, said the academy imparts the best training to its cadets which matches up to international standards.



Earlier, the immaculately turned-out cadets put up a well synchronised parade before Rawat at the academy's famous tarmac drill square with the historic Chetwode Building in the background.



As the passing-out parade started two army choppers flew over the drill square to shower rose petals on the tarmac, carpeting it with flowers.



The 490 cadets who passed out today include 67 cadets from friendly countries. Uttar Pradesh accounts for the highest number of cadets with a figure of 74, followed by Haryana with 49, Uttarakhand (40), Rajasthan (30), Bihar (28) and Delhi with 23.



Later, speaking to reporters, Rawat said women need to be given combat roles in the army as terrorists often used women as shields.





Youths in Jammu and Kashmir are being misinformed and misguided by forces inimical to peace, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat today said.Security forces have to devise ways to counter this, he said while addressing gentlemen cadets at the prestigious Indian Military Academy here.Rawat also said terrorism was the biggest challenge in front of the country as he urged the cadets to gear up to grapple with the scourge.
Adam Purinton, a US Navy veteran accused of killing Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injuring two others at a suburban Kansas City bar, has been indicted on federal hate crime and firearms charges.



The indictment OF Purinton, 51, of Olathe, Kansas, by a federal grand jury comes after the February 22 shooting at the city bar.



The indictment announced by the Department of Justice has accused Purinton of shooting and killing Kuchibhotla, and attempting to kill Alok Madasani, also an Indian national, because of their actual and perceived race, colour, religion and national origin.



Witnesses said Purinton yelled at the two Indian men to "get out of my country" before pulling the trigger in the attack.



Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American man, was also injured while intervening in the shooting.



The announcement of the indictment was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General Thomas E Wheeler, II, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, and United States Attorney Thomas E Beall of the District of Kansas.



Puritan faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison. The Justice Department will determine at a later date whether, in this particular case, it will seek the death penalty, a statement said.



A third count in the indictment charges Purinton with violating a federal firearms statute by discharging a firearm at Kuchibhotla, Madasani, and Grillot, during the violence.



It alleges that Purinton committed the offences after substantial planning and premeditation, attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode, and knowingly created a grave risk of death to others on the scene.



Purinton, a US Navy veteran, is currently being held in the Johnson County jail on a USD two million cash bond on murder and attempted murder charges.


Following Thursday's violence between GJM supporters and the police, the GJM Yuva Morcha had called a bandh yesterday protesting against alleged imposition of Bengali language in the schools in the hills as well as for a separate Gorkhaland, among other issues.



Tourists gradually started arriving in Darjeeling after transportation facilities were put back in order.

Several hotel owners, however, said they have been receiving calls to cancel the bookings of many tourists.



"This is a peak season and we have seen a surge in tourism here. If this continues, our business will take a dip as we depend on this season for our living. We are trying to convince the tourists that everything is fine but many of them are insisting on cancellation of bookings," Shibshankar Majumdar, manager of a hotel near Mall area, said.



Several tourists reached Kolkata availing the free bus service provided by the state government in the wake of the unrest in the hills.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was already in Darjeeling on Thursday, had stayed back after trouble broke out and supervised the entire operations.



State government sources said the chief minister, who had descended to the plains of Darjeeling district late last night, will take stock of the situation in the hills from there itself.



Banerjee, who spent last night at Uttar Kanya, the mini- secretariat in north Bengal, is likely to hold a meeting there with Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee, Home Secretary Malay De, Director General of Police Surajit Kar Purkayastha and other senior officials in the afternoon regarding the next step to tackle the situation in the hills.



With the state government announcing a special audit of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration's (GTA) handling of finances in another two weeks, GJM chief Bimal Gurung is also likely to meet his party colleagues to decide their next strategy.



Meanwhile, the state government has replaced Darjeeling superintendent of police Amit Javalgi with Akhilesh Chaturvedi, who was serving as the deputy commissioner (Central), Kolkata Police.

A day after a 12-hour bandh called by the influential Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) for revival of Gorkhaland agitation, life limped back to normalcy here as people resumed their daily work with hotels, shops, eateries and markets opening for regular business today.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres intends to visit Ukraine in the near future, First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Iryna Gerashchenko has said, with reference to Executive Director of the UN Women structure, UN Under-Secretary-General Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

"The UN Under-Secretary-General informed that the new UN Secretary-General plans to visit Ukraine in the near future. By the way, Antonio Guterres defined the issue of gender equality as the key priority of his work," Gerashchenko wrote on her Facebook page after a meeting with Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

In addition, according to the Ukrainian official, a new UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict will be appointed in July. One of the first visits of the commissioner will be carried out to Ukraine.


Rijiju said the Indian government had withdrawn ceasefire with NSCN(K) after banning it in 2015 through a special notification.



"We are facing lots of difficulties due to NSCN(K) in areas like Nagaland, east of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and some impact in Assam as well. It's an illegal organisation," he said.





A day after the death NSCN(K) chairman S S Khaplang, the Centre today said all Indian citizens in the Naga rebel group will be rehabilitated if they abjure violence."We appeal that all the Indian Nagas in NSCN(K) should surrender and return to the mainstream. We will rehabilitate them. Anybody who gives up violence, we will rehabilitate them. We are giving rehabilitation package from the Indian Government."Anybody who abjures violence and respects Indian Constitution is welcome," Union Minister Kiren Rijiju told reporters.The rebels should take advantage of the rehabilitation package and return, he added.Rijiju, however, said India cannot talk about Myanmarese citizens, who are part of NSCN(K).The minister said Khaplang was the "the heart and soul" of NSCN(K) and without him, the organisation will be in a disarray.Without any leadership, the organisation will face difficulties. "The objective of the organisation will never be fulfilled now. So they (rebels) should come back for the sake of the society," the minister of state for home affairs added.Khaplang died last night following a cardiac arrest at Takka in Kachin state of Myanmar at the age of 77.The minister said that Khaplang was a Myanmar citizen and he had strong influence in Myanmar."So some of the Indian insurgent groups were taking shelter under the influence of S S Khaplang. So his death is a setback for all dependent organisations," he added.
Thespian Soumitra Chatterjee has been conferred with the highest French civlian honour, the Legion d'Honneur.



"I am happy and it is a great honour. I got the letter from the French Embassy yesterday and they said they will be coming over here to give me the award. I communicated to them that we will decide on a mutually convenient date," Chatterjee told PTI.



The 82-year-old veteran actor, who is getting the honour 30 years after legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray had received the same, said, "No comparisons can be drawn between me and Manikda (as Ray is fondly called by his followers). He is a titan and I am nowhere near him."



"But yes it makes me happy that I am also getting the same honour which was given to Manikda," he added.





The actor first worked with Ray in "Apur Sansar" in 1959, the third part of the Apu trilogy.



He had also worked in Ray's "Abhijan" (1962), "Charulata" (1964), "Aranyer Din Ratri" (1969), "Ashani Sanket" (1973), "Sonar Kella" (1974), "Joi Baba Felunath" (1978), "Ghare Baire" (1984) and "Ganashatru" (1989).



Congratulating the legend, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted, "From 'Apur Sansar' to Legion d Honour. The legendary Shri Soumitra Chattopadhyay, hallmark of Indian and Bengali cinema. A tribute and honour to the great actor of Bengali cinema by France. This makes us very proud. Congratulations. (sic)"



Others from the Bengali film fraternity also congratulated Chatterjee.



Prosenjit Chatterjee tweeted, "Kaku you are a true inspiration...Pronam for #Legion d'Honneur..second person from our industry after Ray to b honoured..Respect. (sic)"



Director Atanu Ghosh, who directed Chatterjee in several films in the past, posted "Privileged that we got to live and work with him. Hearty congratulations to the living legend on being bestowed with the Legion d'Honneur"



Members of Ray family expressed delight over the news.



"We got the news yesterday. And it is a matter of pride that he is getting the honour 30 years after father," they said.



Chatterjee has previously been conferred with the Commandeur de l' Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France's highest award for artistes and is the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award which is India's highest award in cinema.
Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, announced today that it plans to establish two new data centers in Mumbai in India and Jakarta in Indonesia during the current financial year.



Together with the recently announced data center in Malaysia, Alibaba Cloud will significantly increase its computing resources in Asia, allowing greater support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) throughout the region with powerful, scalable, cost-effective and secure cloud capabilities, it said in a statement here.



"Establishing data centers in India and Indonesia will further strengthen our position in the region and across the globe," Simon Hu, senior vice president of Alibaba Group and President of Alibaba Cloud said.



With the three new data centers planned, Alibaba Cloud will increase its total number of data center locations to 17, covering mainland China, Australia, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.



The new Asian data centers will offer a full suite of services, providing the flexibility for enterprises and organizations to build their entire IT infrastructure for business on Alibaba Cloud or run mission-critical and core applications on it.





Alibaba Cloud will be the first leading global cloud computing company to establish an international cloud data center in Indonesia, significantly enhancing the local IT infrastructure on the back of Alibaba Cloud's global data center network.



Servicing thousands of customers from India, Alibaba Cloud has partnered with Global Cloud Xchange (GCX), a subsidiary of Reliance Communications to directly access Alibaba Cloud Express Connect via GCX's CLOUD X Fusion.
The Maoists have allegedly threatened Achyuta Samanta, founder of Kalinga Institute of Social Science (KISS) and KIIT, and accused him of working against the Maoists on the pretext of providing education to the tribal children.



The police said that a banner, allegedly put up by the red rebels, at the proposed educational complex of KISS at Panchada in Koraput district was seized yesterday.



"We have confiscated the banner and investigation is underway to ascertain if it is genuine or the handiwork of some miscreants trying to create panic in the region," Koraput SP Charan Singh Meena said. "A clear picture would emerge after completion of the inquiry," Meena said.



The banner written in Odia read: "Achyuta Samanta, on the pretext of educating the tribal children, you are working with the police and trying to weaken our organisation. If you don't refrain from these activities, you will be punished in the Praja court (kangaroo court of the Maoists)."



The university, founded by Samanta, has been offering free education, accommodation, food and vocational training to over 25,000 tribal children.



The proposed branch in Koraput, where the banner was found, is one of the 20 such centres of KISS to be set up in different districts of Odisha, sources said.



Samanta expressed surprise over the incident and said that he has been working for the development and empowerment of tribals for the last 25 years.



Samanta said that he has been visiting several tribal dominated areas of the state as part of his work and has received "a lot of love and affection from the people of these districts." Undeterred by the threat, Samanta said he is not worried and would continue to pursue the mission he has undertaken.
Several members of the Patidar community on Saturday got their heads tonsured to protest against the alleged custodial death of 30-year-old Ketan Mahendrabhai Patel in Mehsana.



The members got their heads shaved inside the campus of Mehsana civil hospital and have vowed to send their hair to Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, deputy chief minister Nitin Patel, Home minister, Home secretary and state DGP, as mark of their protest against the state government's failure to ensure swift action against the culprits responsible for death of Ketan in police custody.



Community members got their heads tonsured near the body of Ketan kept in the postmortem room of the hospital to pray for the peace of the soul, Narendra Patel, senior Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti member from Mehsana, said. Other than PAAS, another organization fighting for cause of Patels in the state, Sardar Patel Group, head Lalji Patel too got his head tonsured.



Ketan was arrested on Saturday last in a case related to theft of Rs 9,500 by local police in Mehsana. The tempers in the town soared as the news of death of the youngster surfaced on Tuesday, causing outrage among the community members and family of Ketan claiming that he had died due to severe beating by policemen in their custody - an allegation denied by the police, which claimed that Ketan died at Mehsana civil hospital to which he was referred by sub-jail doctor on Monday.



Yesterday, a panel of doctors conducted a second post-mortem on Ketans body after the chief judicial magistrate, who was probing the case, directed the authorities to conduct the post mortem as Ketan's kin who were not satisfied with the first post mortem conducted on June 7. Ketan's father Mahendra Patel had threatened to sit outside the Mehsana civil hospital until a case was registered against the policemen under Section 302 of IPC.



Meanwhile, Gujarat Congress party incharge and senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot and state Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki visited the family of Ketan in Mehsana on Saturday to lend their support.


Tension prevailed in violence torn Saharanpur after a trader, who had been shot at and critically injured during sectarian clashes last month, died in the hospital.



The death of the trader, identified as Pradeep Chauhan, at a hospital in Chandigarh late on Friday night, triggered tension in his native village of Asnavali in the district prompting the administration to rush security personnel to the village to maintain peace, police sources here said.



Senior police and civil administration officials also reached the village after a large mob gathered at the residence of Chauhan on getting the information of his death. District's borders with Haryana and Uttarakhand have also been sealed, sources said.



Police officials said that the situation was ''tense''. Chauhan's body was likely to arrive in the village later in the evening, sources said.



Chauhan, who operated a grocery shop, was shot at by unidentified motorbike borne assailants on May 24 while the former was on way to the market. He had suffered serious injuries and was referred to a super speciality centre in Chandigarh.



With Chauhan's death, the caste based violence, that had rocked the district last month, has claimed the lives of three people besides leaving two dozen others injured.



The district was already tense after the arrest of the main accused in the caste clashes and founder of the dalit outfit 'Bheem Army' Chandrashekhar. Violence erupted in the district after members of Thakur community tried to take out a procession through a dalit hamlet at Shabbirpur village last month despite objections from the latter.



The authorities have imposed a ban on the internet services for two days in the district after reports that 'Bheem Army' members may hold demonstrations to protest Chandrashekhar's arrest.



The clashes had triggered concern within the Yogi government, which also faced flak from the opposition for failing to check the violence.


Asserting that it has "vital stakes" in peace and stability in the Gulf, India today asked countries in the region to resolve the Qatar crisis through constructive dialogue and well-established international principles of mutual respect.



External affairs ministry said India is closely following the emerging situation in the region in the wake of the recent decision by Saudi Arabia and some other countries to break diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar.



Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain announced on Monday they were cutting diplomatic ties and closing all connectivity links with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism. The charge has been denied by Doha.



"India has time-tested friendly relations with GCC countries. With over eight million Indian expatriates living and working in these countries, we have vital stakes in the regional peace and stability," the ministry said in a release.



In this context, the government is closely monitoring the situation and is also in regular contact with the regional countries. Their authorities have assured the government continued support for welfare and well-being of the resident Indian communities, it added.



"We are of the view that all parties should resolve their differences through a process of constructive dialogue and peaceful negotiations based on well-established international principles of mutual respect, sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries," it said.



India believes that peace and security in the Gulf are of paramount importance for the continued progress and prosperity of the countries in the region.



International terrorism, violent extremism and religious intolerance pose grave threat not only to regional stability but also to global peace and order and must be confronted by all countries in a coordinated and comprehensive manner, the ministry said.



It asked Indian expatriates in the region to contact the Indian Embassy or Consulate concerned should they require assistance or advise consequent to the developing situation.
Accusing the BJP governments at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh of ignoring the interests of farmers and the poor, BSP chief Mayawati said that focus of the ruling dispensation was only on getting cheap and cosmetic popularity.



She also referred to caste-based clashes in Saharanpur district and said the Yogi Adityanath government had failed on the law and order front.



The BSP chief, however, advised her party workers to approach the media and officials when trying to help victims of injustice, claiming that there was need to ensure that they are not falsely accused of fomenting trouble, "like it had happened in Saharanpur".



"BJP leaders are openly displaying an attitude of vengeance, ego, casteism and communalism. In the BJP-ruled states, farmers' interests are being ignored and they are subjected to atrocities. It is for these reasons that farmers had to resort to protests in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh," Mayawati said.



The firing on the farmers, which resulted in death of five farmers (during protests on Tuesday at Mandsaur in MP) is indeed very sad, and it must be condemned, Mayawati said at a meeting here, according to a BSP release.



Mayawati said that if the BJP government in UP had implemented even a part of its ordinary loan waiver scheme, the benefits to the farmers would had been visible.



"Like other promises, this also seems to be another promise only on paper," she said.

Referring to the clashes in Saharanpur, Mayawati said the district was still simmering as the BJP was not doing any justice to the affected families.



"The reality is that the conspirators are moving scot- free and enjoying political patronage. People who are opposing the BJP have been forced to bear the brunt. Will this normalise the situation?" she said.



She alleged that the current BJP government in UP was working with casteist and political vendetta in mind, and had failed to improve law and order in the state.



In this context, BSP office bearers and party workers instead of reaching the spot to help the affected persons should meet the concerned officials and help in delivery of justice to the aggrieved persons, she said.



The BSP chief said that information in this regard must be shared with the media.



"Otherwise, the government will in order to hide its inefficiency, blame the BSP activists for inciting violence, and start harassing the innocent people by levelling false allegations on them like it has done in the case of Saharanpur violence," she said.



Mayawati said that in the current circumstances, the party office bearers and workers must avoid holding protests or staging 'dharnas'.



"In the case of injustice being done to party supporter, the issue should be raised in the Legislative Assembly through the party MLAs, and if needed then the aggrieved person should be suggested to go to court. Doing this will ensure that the government will not be able to hide their poor performance on the law and order front and at the same time, will not be able to frame political opponents," she said.


Police have arrested a businessman who allegedly helped a 40-year-old woman to honeytrap and blackmail a BJP MP from Gujarat K C Patel, a day after a special court initiated proceedings to declare him a proclaimed offender.



Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) BK Singh said Ajay Kumar alias Ajay Pal Chauhan who was involved in the conspiracy to blackmail the lawmaker, was arrested yesterday.



Earlier, the court had issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Chauhan but it could not be executed as he was untraceable.



Chauhan's anticipatory bail plea was also dismissed yesterday by the court.



The woman was arrested on May 2 by Delhi Police from her Ghaziabad residence.



Patel had filed a complaint alleging that he was drugged by the woman at her Ghaziabad house and obscene videos and photographs of him were taken by her.



The court had noted that as per the woman's statement, it was Kumar who had arranged the flat in which the alleged sex video was recorded and previously also, such videos were made involving two politicians and substantial amount of money was extorted from them.



The woman, along with Kumar and one Mitrapal, had gone to the flat of Patel to extort money threatening that they would expose him by making the sex video involving him go viral on social media, it noted.



The woman had also approached a Delhi court, claiming the police did not act on her rape complaint against Patel, however her plea was dismissed.
Gandhi laughed at cartoons of himself. He would have chuckled at the "chatur baniya" description also, but for its "utter tastelessness" and the hidden mischief in it, the Mahatma's grandson Gopalkrishna Gandhi said today.



Historian Ramachandra Guha said the remark made by Amit Shah was "crude" and "unworthy" of the president of BJP, the country's ruling party.



"Gandhi laughed at cartoons of himself. He would have laughed at this one also but for its utter tastelessness and the hidden mischief in it," Gopalkrishna Gandhi, former West Bengal Governor, told PTI.



When contacted, Guha, the author of 'India After Gandhi', strongly reacted to the comment made by Shah at an event in Raipur yesterday.



"The comment was crude and ill-informed, unworthy of the president of India's ruling party," Guha told PTI.





The BJP chief had yesterday referred to Mahatma Gandhi as a "chatur baniya" (a clever Baniya - the trading caste) while addressing a gathering in Raipur.



Shah's also said the Congress had never been a party based on principles and it was merely a "special purpose vehicle" to secure freedom.
Gerashchenko notes increase in number of hostages in Donbas at expense of civilians in recent months

First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's representative in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group Iryna Gerashchenko has noted an increase in the number of hostages in Donbas at the expense of civilians.

"We learned about the disappearance of [journalist] Stanyslav Vasin on Tuesday evening, on the eve of the Minsk meeting... All competent authorities were immediately informed and involved to find out more information about the fate of Stas," she wrote on her Facebook page.

According to Gerashchenko, in recent months there has been a significant increase in the number of hostages due to civilians who are detained in the occupied territory for the pro-Ukrainian position.

"At the same time, those detained and convicted for crimes against the state of Ukraine under Ukrainian legislation leave the custody after serving their sentence, including ahead of schedule "according to the law of one deputy [the law was canceled, but it has no retroactive effect on sentences]," the official said.

She also stressed the list of those demanded by the uncontrolled territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions is getting smaller every week, as "some criminals, having served their sentence, go free."
Embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May today began finalising her cabinet of ministers and held talks with the Democratic Unionist Party to determine the contours of the party's support for her minority government.



Many of the key cabinet posts have already been declared as unchanged from the previous government, including Philip Hammond as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Amber Rudd as home secretary, Boris Johnson as foreign secretary, David Davis as Brexit secretary and Michael Fallon as the in-charge of the ministry of defence.



May remains in 10 Downing Street with a much diminished power base after her Conservative party fell short of an overall majority in the House of Commons, the lower house of the UK Parliament, as the general election results threw up a hung Parliament yesterday.



She reportedly abandoned plans for a major reshuffle of her cabinet to keep her senior Tory party colleagues on her side. She is expected to meet with her newly-reassembled ministerial team over the weekend in an attempt to quell any rebellion within Tory ranks.



While May's top team has been left unchanged, she will have to fill gaps in her ministerial team after nine junior ministers lost their seats in what has been characterised as a disastrous election night for the ruling party, with the shock results going against every pre-election opinion poll forecast and the Jeremy Corbyn-led Opposition Labour faring far better than predicted.



Yesterday, May declared her intention to lead a government with the support of the Northern Ireland MPs of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) -- describing the tie-up as a government of "certainty".



"This government will guide the country through the crucial Brexit talks that begin in just 10 days and deliver on the will of the British people by taking the United Kingdom out of the European Union," she had said.



However, there have been serious doubts on the stability of such a government and May's own leadership of the Tory party. A snap survey conducted by the Conservative Home website revealed that 60 per cent of party members believe May should quit while just 37 per cent of the 1,500 members who took part said she should stay in her post.



Boris Johnson, Amber Rudd and David Davis are among the possible replacements, should May be forced out by her own party in the coming months.



Many of the party members are also uncomfortable with the kind of deal that will have to be struck with the DUP, a socially conservative party that takes an opposing stance on issues such as abortion and same sex marriages.



There is also anger among the party membership over the huge election losses and May's gamble to call a snap general election a full three years ahead of when it would have been officially due in 2020.



Instead of a projected landslide in her favour, May ended up throwing away the small majority that the former David Cameron-led party had won in the 2015 general election.



The Conservatives finished the election with 318 seats, eight short of the 326 needed for a majority, and the party is now dependent on the 10 DUP MPs to ensure legislation can be passed through a hostile House of Commons.



The DUP finds itself in the unique position of being kingmakers and are expected to demand a host of concessions for their support to shore up a Theresa May-led shaky Tory government.



The DUP had campaigned for Brexit in the June 2016 referendum but are considered against a so-called 'hard Brexit', which would see Britain leave the European Union (EU) single market and customs union. This is expected to have an impact on the Brexit negotiations, which are due to open with the EU on June 19.
Condemning Amit Shah for dubbing Mahatma Gandhi a 'chatur baniya', the Maharashtra unit Congress president Ashok Chavan today equated the BJP chief to the Pakistani leaders who used to criticise the Father of Nation.



Demanding an unconditional apology from Shah, Chavan said he has insulted all freedom fighters who have sacrificed themselves for the cause of the country.



Addressing a gathering in Raipur yesterday, Shah said Gandhi was a "chatur baniya", a reference to his mercantile caste, who had rightly advised dissolution of the Congress after Independence. He had also termed the Congress a sort of "special purpose vehicle" to secure freedom and as the party lacking any ideology or principles.



"Amit Shah has spoken the language of Pakistani leaders who used to constantly criticise Mahatma Gandhi. By using such language for the Mahatma, he has insulted all freedom fighters who have given their lives for the cause of freedom," Chavan told reporters here.



Seeking an unconditional apology, the Congress leader said Shah has insulted entire country by his remarks.



"Pakistani leaders used to criticise Mahatma Gandhi the way Shah has done. Today, the BJP is speaking Pakistan's language. By speaking about the caste of Mahatma, the BJP has laid bare its true face of caste politics," he said.



Accusing the BJP of spreading hatred among people, the former chief minister said the BJP has failed to understand the idea of vibrant India.


A civilian was injured when militants attacked a vehicle carrying ITBP personnel on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway in south Kashmir's Kulgam district on Saturday.



A police spokesman said the militants fired upon two Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) vehicles at around 5:30 am on the national highway near Qazigund, but hit a car behind them in which a civilian, who works with a construction company in Banihal, was injured.



Reports said immediately after the attack the army launched a search operation to nab the militants.



Meanwhile, security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in city center Lal Chowk here on Saturday afternoon after inputs about the "presence of militants in the area." However, later the operation was called off without any arrests.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today termed as "unfortunate" the killing of five people in police firing during a farmers' agitation in Madhya Pradesh, but said "very grave" situation there necessitated police action.



Fadnavis, who himself is grappled with a simmering farmers' protest in his state for quite some time now, said there could be no justification for such killings.



"What happened in Madhya Pradesh is unfortunate (and) no government ever wants to do that. But the situation also was very grave, it could have turned more problematic," he told reporters here in response to a query on farmers' stir in Madhya Pradesh.



"So nobody can justify (it)... even the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh has not justified the action," he said.



However, Fadnavis hailed the steps taken by MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to improve farm production in his state during his over a decade-long rule.



Fadnavis is in Kerala to participate in events organised by the state unit of the BJP to mark the Narendra Modi government's three years at the Centre.



Admitting that there were issues in the farm sector in Maharashtra, the Chief Minister said it happened because the farm prices are no more controlled by government post globalisation. He also blamed the four-year-long drought situation that prevailed in Maharashtra for the farm crisis.



"We in Maharashtra had successive drought for four years. And due to those droughts, yes, there is a distress amongst farmers," Fadnavis said. He said the farm crisis which was there is not pan Maharashtra.



"It was in certain parts of Maharashtra and the life was not affected even a single day. But still we feel that demands of farmers are there. We are trying to address it," he said.



The Chief Minister said people of the state knew that his government was working with good intentions and that helped the BJP to sweep the elections held to local bodies in the state recently.



"We swept all elections including zilla parishads, nagar palika, municipal corporations and that is because the people know this government is working and has good intentions," he said.



Fadnavis also hit out at Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over alleged political killings in the state. He said Vijayan should concentrate on issues of governance rather than convening meetings of chief ministers on the Centre's notification banning sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter in animal market.



"The more grave situation here is political killings. I think he should concentrate more on that. Whether these killings are state sponsored is something which I think he needs to answer," he said.



Noting that during a small span of Vijayan's rule, 17 "political murders" took place in Kerala, Fadnavis said such incidents have never happened in Indian democracy.



"Democracy is all about discussion. We are not enemies.. We are political opponents.. Our ideologies may differ.. We may defeat each other in elections.. But when in democracy you start killing your political opponents, you start killing the ideologies because we differ in ideologies we start defeating the democracy," he said.



The confirmation that the five farmers were killed in police firing bears significance as the MP government had initially claimed that the police did not fire at the agitating farmers.



Five persons were killed on June 6 as the farmers' agitation turned violent in Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh, prompting the authorities to clamp curfew in the trouble-hit area. Mandsaur has been on the boil since the farmers' agitation in the district turned violent.



Farmers in western Madhya Pradesh are protesting since June 1 over various demands including fixing of a crop prices.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Saturday asserted that the growth and progress of the country would remain incomplete if effective steps were not taken to get the state out of the quagmire of uncertainties and miseries.



Addressing a gathering of people at Doda after laying the foundation stone of a Medical College, she said, "The basic idea behind stitching an alliance in the State (with the BJP)was to get it out of its perennial miseries and challenges. I hope the countrys strong leadership would be able to take the people of the State out of the difficult situation and give its youth a prosperous, peaceful and vibrant future."



Speaking on the occasion, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said the setting up of five medical colleges and two AIIMS would add up 700 MBBS seats to States kitty taking it to 1000, one among the highest in the country.



He said healthcare in the State is getting a major push with the setting up of three Tertiary Cancer Centres at Kupwara, Kishtwar and Udhampur and two State Cancer Institutes. With this, he said, the disease treatment and healthcare in the State in coming years would get a big boost in coming years. He pledged all support from his Ministry to the State Government in this regard.
CBI may soon take over the investigation of the mysterious death of Karnataka cadre IAS officer Anurag Tiwari, who was found dead near a guest house in the state capital last month.



According to the sources here, a notification to this effect may be issued shortly. CBI is likely to take over the investigation very soon, said a police official here.



Sources said that the central investigating agency appears to have made up its mind to take over the investigation after reports that the family of the officer were contemplating to move the court seeking a direction to the CBI to start the probe.



UP government has formed a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the death. The SIT had visited Bangalore and met the officials besides visiting Tiwaris house there. It had apprehended that Tiwari might have died of drug overdose.



The family members of Tiwari had said that the SIT was not investigating the case seriously.



Tiwari, who was commissioner, food, civil supplies and consumer affairs department in Karnataka, was found dead here a few days back. His body was found lying on the side of the road a few metres away from the Guest House.



Tiwaris postmortem report was inconclusive and the doctors preserved his viscera and heart for further forensic examination to ascertain the cause of death. The death of the IAS officer also triggered a political storm in UP with BJP and Congress getting engaged in a sharp exchange of words.




Pro-Kannada organisations have called for a Karnataka bandh on June 12 to press for their charter of demands, including farm loan waiver, Prime Minister's intervention in the Mahadayi river water dispute and a permanent solution to the problem of water scarcity in arid areas.



The dawn to dusk bandh has been called by 'Kannada Okoota', an umbrella organisation of Kannada bodies.

Their charter of demands among others include exile of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) activists from the state for their alleged 'anti Kannada' activities in Belagavi and farm loan waiver.



Vatal Nagaraj, who heads Kannada Okoota, said in a statement that the bandh is also against Tamil Nadu's opposition to the Mekedatu project across the river Cauvery and proposal to privatise BEML.



Kannada Okoota, which claimed support from several like- minded organisations, said Nagraj would meet office bearers of Karnataka Employers' Association tomorrow to seek their support for the bandh.



The Karnataka government has locked horns with the neighbouring Goa on the larger issue of sharing the Mahadayi River water between both the states.



The Kalasa-Banduri project is being undertaken by Karnataka to improve drinking water supply in the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad and the districts of Belagavi and Gadag.



The Mahadayi tribunal has asked the states to resolve the issue out of court settlement through negotiations, with or without third party intervention.
Western manufacturers are shying away from supplying equipment for an Iranian port that India is developing for fear the United States may reimpose sanctions on Tehran, officials say, dealing a blow to Indias strategic ambitions in the region.



Lying on the Gulf of Oman along the approaches to the Straits of Hormuz, the port of Chabahar is central to Indias hopes to crack open a transport corridor to Central Asia and Afghanistan that bypasses arch-rival Pakistan.



India committed $500 million to speed development of the port after sanctions on Iran were lifted following a deal struck between major powers and Tehran to curb its nuclear program in 2015.



But the state-owned Indian firm that is developing Chabahar is yet to award a single tender for supplying equipment such as cranes and forklifts, according to two government sources tracking India's biggest overseas infrastructure push.



US President Donald Trump denounced the nuclear agreement on the campaign trail, and since taking office in January has accused Iran of being a threat to countries across the Middle East.



Swiss engineering group Liebherr and Finlands Konecranes and Cargotec have told India Ports Global, which is developing the deep water port, that they were unable to take part in the bids as their banks were not ready to facilitate transactions involving Iran due to the uncertainty over the US policy, the two officials said in separate conversations with Reuters.



These firms dominate the market for customised equipment to develop jetties and container terminals. One official said the first tender was floated in September, but attracted few bidders because of the fear of renewed sanctions. That fear has intensified since January.



Now the situation is that we are running after suppliers, one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of matter.



A Konecranes spokeswoman declined to comment beyond confirming the company was not involved in the project.



Cargotec and Liebherr did not respond to requests for comment.



Some tenders have been floated three times since September because they failed to attract bidders. A Chinese firm, ZPMC, has since come forward to supply some equipment, the same Indian official said.



Threat of sanctions



Trump has called the agreement between Iran and six major world powers restricting Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting of sanctions the worst deal ever negotiated.



Last month his administration extended relief on Washingtons broadest and most punitive sanctions, while carrying out a wider policy review on how to deal with the Islamic Republic.



Uncertainty over US policy is already causing long delays in contracts that Iran has sought with international firms to develop its oil fields and buy planes for its aging airlines.



The lifting of United Nations and European Union sanctions in 2016 partly reconnected Iran with the international financial system crucial to trade.



But large international bankers with exposure to the United States remain unwilling to facilitate Iranian deals for fear of running afoul of narrower, unilateral US sanctions that remain outside the nuclear deal and uncertainty over whether wider sanctions relief will continue.



Indias ambassador to Iran said the process of procuring equipment for the Chabahar port was under way and that some of the customised cranes needed take up to 20 months to build. The banking situation was slowing improving, he added.



Tenders are re-floated for a variety of reasons including technical specifications not being met, etc. Banking channels, in recent months, have in fact somewhat eased, Saurabh Kumar said in an emailed response to Reuters from Tehran. If some companies do not participate, it really is their business.
A group of Ukrainian inspectors will conduct checks on a number of international treaties in Turkey on June 12-16, according to the website of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.

In particular, the program of the trip includes the inspection of declared places under the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, the indicated areas and the assessment of information on the Vienna Document of 2011, as well as an observation mission under the Treaty on Open Skies.

The purpose of measures under the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe is to monitor Turkey's compliance with quantitative restrictions on weapons and military equipment.

The purpose of inspections under the Vienna Document is to check the indicated areas regarding the availability or absence of military activities subject to prior notification, as well as the information provided by Turkey on military forces and the plans of deployment of major weapons systems and military equipment.
The FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) is redefining the importance of women entrepreneurs in India as the country is going through a digital revolution.



In an interaction with DH, FLO Bengaluru Chairperson Lakshmi Ishwar said the governments Digital India programme is transformative in nature and can leapfrog the society into a digitally empowered one.



The challenges faced along the way will be several but we will overcome them. Now there is a ray of hope for women in every nook and corner of the country to participate in governance, to become self-employed and economically and socially empowered with the digital India initiatives, she said.

Lakshmi also pointed that skilling women will have a larger impact on society. Our Swayam platform is focussed on women entrepreneurs. We also have lady driver training, home nurse training and an e-commerce initiative, Lakshmi said.



She said FLO is actively involved in skilling initiatives in Karnataka which will help women in all strata of society. There is a well-known saying, When we teach a man, we teach one person, when we train or teach a woman, we educate a family. Skilling and providing an opportunity to women will boost the economy, she added.



The World Banks recently released World Development Report (WDR) Digital Dividends highlights that even though digital technologies have spread rapidly throughout the world, the broader development benefits from using these technologies have not reached the bottom of the pyramid.



FLO recently organised a meet on Digital India: Where are we going? with the overwhelming participation of members and addressed by Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant and FICCI Chairman Shekar Viswanathan.



Kant said the country is going towards virtual banks where ATMs, Point of Sale, debit cards and credit cards will become irrelevant. In all of this, women will play a very significant role and the persuasive power of women is going to change the face of India, he said.



Niti Ayog CEO also pointed out that globally 40% of Nations GDP comes from women, whereas in India the total women working population is just about 24% adding only 17% to the GDP.


Judges should understand the fact that democracy in the country will not survive if people lose faith in the judicial system, said former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde.



He was delivering a talk on Corruption in India organised by Youth Red Cross, Nature Conservation Trust at Adichunchanagiri Institute of Technology on Saturday.



Justice Hegde said the judiciary should consider all citizens equal and not discriminate between rich and poor. It looks like the society has accepted corruption. A situation has arisen where those who come out of jail on bail are welcomed with garlands. The situation should change. The path of life should be on humanitarian values, he advised.



When the GST was mooted by the Congress-led UPA government, the BJP opposed it. However, now the BJP-led NDA government is implementing the GST. The elected representatives should have knowledge of the problems faced by the people in his constituency, he reminded.



To a query by the student on whether the deputy commissioner could work without any pressure from politicians, the former Lokayukta said, One can discharge his/her duties honestly if he/she is not greedy for power.

On reservation, he said that the reservation benefits should reach only once to an individual.


In a twist to the murder of an eight-year-old boy in southeastern Bengaluru, on June 4, the post-mortem report shows that he was sodomised before being beaten to death.



The jurisdictional Hebbagodi police arrested the boys stepfather, Zaheer Khan (42), within hours of the murder in Maragondanahalli. The boy, Sirinath, son of Thalamoyi (40), whom Khan had married after her first husband, Mahasheya, died seven years ago. Khan, a labourer, got close to Thalamoyi and eventually married her. But he would often abuse and ill-treat Sirinath who didnt like him getting close to his mother. The woman hails from Birbhum, West Bengal, and had settled in Bengaluru two years ago. She works as a housekeeper in a private company.



The post-mortem report, released a couple of days ago, shows that the boy was sodomised before being murdered. The Hebbagodi police will once again seek the custody of the suspect, interrogate him and record his statement. They will invoke appropriate sections related to sexual assault, including those of the Pocso Act, in the FIR.




Farmers groups of Maharashtra have decided to initiate a dialogue with the government to discuss loan waiver and implementation of the M S Swaminathan Committee recommendations, among others.



The farmers are also demanding fresh loans coinciding with the monsoon.



Members of the steering committee of various farmers groups arrived in Mumbai and held a meeting for several hours on Saturday, during which they decided to meet the six-member Group of Ministers (GoM) appointed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.



On Sunday, they will meet the committee  headed by Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil and comprising ministers Pandurang Pundkar (agriculture); Sudhir Mungantiwar (finance, planning and forest); Subhash Deshmukh (co-operation); Girish Mahajan (water resources)  all from the BJP, and Diwakar Raote (transport) of the Shiv Sena.



Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathana leader Raju Shetti, Peasants and Workers Party chief Jayant Patil and farmers leader Raghunathdada Patil announced the decision to attend the meeting following an invitation from the Maharashtra government.



The core committee will take a final call on the protests and rail roko, scheduled for June 12 and 13. As announced earlier, our agitation continues... We will go for the meeting and take a call after knowing the governments stand, Shetti said.



However, agricultural economist Giridhar Patil took objection to the decision-making process of the committee and accused it of being politically motivated. He, along with president of Shetkari Sanghatana Anil Ghanvat, boycotted Saturdays meeting.



The farmers have formed the steering committee with great trust. But many of the committee members are politically motivated and acting in their own interest rather than pursuing the interests of the farmers, Ramchandra told reporters in Nashik.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday mocked Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for undertaking an indefinite fast to end the farmers crisis in the state.



A photo shared by Rahul on Twitter has Chouhan in one half, while the other portion appears to show two policemen attacking an elderly woman.



Rahul, who was denied permission to enter the state by the district administration, captioned the picture: BJP spreading love.



Earlier, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, This fast is nothing but a pretence the Congress is with the farmers in their fight for their rights.



Surjewala said the killing of six farmers in police firing in the states Mandsaur district has fuelled protests for higher minimum support prices and loan waivers in several other states.



Chouhans fast is a drama it is a sham, he should answer why a case of murder has not been filed in the death of five farmers in Madhya Pradesh, he said.


The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana saw its leaders lauding Chinas Belt and Road initiative, although India, the new member of the bloc, remained opposed to it.



SCO leaders  President of Russia Vladimir Putin, President of China Xi Jinping, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kyrgyz Republic Almazbek Atambayev, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev  welcomed the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, according to a press release posted on the website of the regional organisation.



The statement read out by SCO Secretary General Rashid Alimov during a news conference after the summit also had a reference to the leaders support to Chinas initiative. The SCO summit declarations in 2014, 2015 and 2016, too, had lauded the OBOR initiative.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his speech at the summit, reaffirmed Indias keenness to enhance connectivity with the SCO nations, but stressed that connectivity initiatives must respect sovereignty of the nations and regional integrity, and must be based on the principle of inclusivity.



New Delhi opposes OBOR as one of its component, China Pakistan Economic Corridor, infringes on the sovereignty of India since it passes through areas New Delhi accuses Islamabad of illegally occupying in Kashmir. India has also alleged that China embarked on the initiative without consulting it.



Sources in New Delhi, however, told DH that India attended the SCO summit as an observer and hence had no say on the content of the outcome document that was drafted by the officials of the member nations.



Since India is now a member of the SCO, it would be able to express its views and get its concerns reflected on the outcome documents of all future meetings and summits of the organisation, sources clarified. The press release stated that the leaders had praised the outcomes of the Belt and Road International Cooperation Forum held in Beijing on May 14 and May 15.






Petroleum dealers are preparing to observe a 24-hour bandh from the midnight of June 15.



They are upset over the governments decision to revise petrol and diesel prices every day from Thursday, June 15.



Dealers from seven states are meeting Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on June 14, and will go ahead with the protest if their concerns are not addressed.



H S Manjappa, president, Karnataka State Federation of Petroleum Dealers Federation, said daily revision of fuel prices would pose many challenges. The revision should take place exactly at 11.59 pm, he said. And we have to update the petroleum companies about stocks by 6 am. Only owners know the password to effect price revision now, he explained.



They cant share the secret code with their workers, most of whom are not permanent. The owner has to be present at the outlet at 12 midnight and again wake up well before 6 am to send updates to the oil companies, he said. This means dealers would go without sleep. It will ruin our personal lives, Manjappa said.
Adam Purinton, a US Navy veteran accused of killing Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injuring two others at a suburban Kansas City bar, has been indicted on federal hate crime and firearms charges.



The indictment of Purinton (51) of Olathe, Kansas, by a federal grand jury comes after the February 22 shooting at the city bar.



The indictment announced by the Department of Justice has accused Purinton of shooting and killing Kuchibhotla, and attempting to kill Alok Madasani, also an Indian national, because of their actual and perceived race, colour, religion and national origin.



Witnesses said Purinton yelled at the two Indian men to get out of my country before pulling the trigger.

Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American man, was also injured while intervening in the shooting.



The announcement of the indictment was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General Thomas E Wheeler, II, head of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, and United States Attorney Thomas E Beall of the District of Kansas.



Purinton faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison.



The justice department will determine at a later date whether, in this particular case, it will seek the death penalty, a statement said.



A third count in the indictment charges Purinton with violating a federal firearms statute by discharging a firearm at Kuchibhotla, Madasani and Grillot.


Bengaluru on Saturday became the first Indian city to have an advanced 24/7 emergency service with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launching the scaled-up Namma 100 (Nimma Dooru Namma Nooru) facility that aims to respond to callers in just six seconds.



Inaugurating the service, the chief minister asked the police to bring about qualitative, positive and visible changes in policing for public safety.



The World Economic Forum has labelled Bengaluru the most dynamic city in the world. Bengaluru has a population of about 1.1 crore and a floating population of 30 lakh. The government has generously released funds for modernising the Bengaluru police. State-of-the-art equipment and gadgets have been provided. Police should effectively use all these and ensure qualitative, positive and visible changes for public safety, he said.



Siddaramaiah emphasised that neither the colour of Hoysala patrol cars nor having advanced gadgets was important. The very purpose of any initiative wont be served if police dont become proactive. They should be people friendly and help those in distress, he said.



He asked the police to make Bengaluru free from anti-social elements and habitual criminals, and instructed the DG&IGP, Rupak Kumar Dutta, to expand the Namma 100 service to all police commissionerates in Karnataka.



More facilities soon

Namma 100 has a multilingual desk to take calls in languages other than Kannada to reflect Bengalurus cosmopolitan culture. Besides, it will cater to different services from next week onwards.



People can dial 1 for police, 2 for traffic and 3 for enquiries and appointments.



Police have acknowledged the difficulty people face in visiting the jurisdictional police station for various errands. Now, there is a solution for them.



They can just call the communications officer (call receiver) by dialling 3 and schedule an appointment with the official concerned.



The communications officer will contact the official concerned, schedule an appointment and get back to the caller. This will help people avoid waiting at police stations.



On a par with British service

Around four months ago, Home Minister G Parameshwara and five senior officers, including Bengaluru Police Commissioner Praveen Sood, visited London to study the practices followed by the Scotland Yard. Britains emergency service, 999, with its low response time, impressed them. The service has 1,700 call receivers with a response time of five seconds and takes less than 12 minutes to rush an officer to the spot.

The Bengaluru police decided to emulate the British service. Accordingly, the response time has been fixed at 15 seconds while police will reach the spot in 15 minutes. At present, the response time is six seconds and the time to reach the spot 18 minutes, Sood said.

The service received 400 calls when it was launched on an experimental basis a few days ago. Presently, the number of calls per day is 3,000, while the service can handle 8,000 calls per day.


The staff of Securitrans India Pvt Ltd, a company engaged in the business of transporting cash, says the firm has sacked around 100 workers, including managers, on Saturday. They say the company has replaced them with a new team brought from Uttar Pradesh, Jammu Kashmir and Delhi who were taken for work under police protection.



Over 85 employees, most of them gunmen, who have retired from the army and the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), were shocked to see a notice board outside the company, along with their names, saying they have been laid off.



The employees gathered in front of the company near Adarsha Theatre in Halasuru and protested demanding that the company take them back. They have laid off these employees without any valid reasons. We will stage an overnight protest till our demands are met, said P P Appanna, state secretary, All India Central Council of Trade Unions. Attempts to get a reaction from the company management proved futile.
The Batkivschyna faction will vote for the resolution on appeal to the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine on the introduction of a visa regime with the Russian Federation if it is put to a vote in the nearest plenary week, head of the faction Yulia Tymoshenko has said.

"If the issue is brought to the session hall in two [calendar] weeks, we will support it," she said at a press conference in Kharkiv.

At the same time, speaking about the restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine, Tymoshenko noted she considers the Minsk agreements to be unpromising and advocates holding negotiations between the signatory countries of the Budapest Memorandum (on security assurances in connection with Ukraine's accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons) at the level of presidents.
Safai Karmachari Commission chairman M R Venkatesh on Friday urged the government to speed up the recruitment of pourakarmikas (civic workers) in various municipalities and municipal corporations.



At a meeting with Bengaluru Development Minister K J George and Urban Development Minister R Roshan Baig, Venkatesh demanded that the salaries should be credited directly into the account of pourakarmikas without the involvement of contractors.



He also asked him to remove the system of outsourcing pourakarmikas by external agencies. He said the state government must follow the system adopted by the Haryana government to hire pourakarmikas.



George told him that he would consider his suggestions.


Former BBMP corporator N R Ramesh of the BJP on Saturday accused real estate major DLF of encroaching on 34 acres of land worth Rs 850 crore for its Westend Heights project off Begur Road.



The company rejected the allegation outright, saying that they always followed the highest standards of compliance.



Ramesh said in a press conference that the land was purchased by Annabel Builders and Developers Pvt Ltd where DLF Westend Heights has come up on 74 acres. The land holding in the documents is only 60 acres whereas 14 acres have been acquired in excess. The excess land belonged to the government, said Ramesh.



The BJP leader added that there were 33 acres and 37 guntas of government land in the area comprising a stormwater drain, a gundu thopu, pasture land, and a burial ground. He claimed that around four acres of land belonging to the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) was also encroached upon.



He claimed that a bogus mutation register was created by two former Congress leaders.



Ramesh accused the BDA of approving the project without even surveying the area.



Fake khatas of 60 acres of land were created by amalgamating 40 survey numbers. These lands belong to about 100 farmers. The no objection certificate of the blood relatives of these farmers were also not sought.

The BJP leader released documents showing the presence of A-kharab and B-kharab land where the buildings comprising 1,980 flats in 19 towers have come up. Ramesh said he has lodged a complaint with the additional chief metropolitan magistrate, Lokayukta and the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) against the deal.

DLF spokesperson Divya Puri rejected the allegation saying that DLF came into being 70 years ago and has a proven track record of highest standards of compliance.



We completed the project years ago and sold all the flats. Now, it is surprising that such allegations are levelled, said Puri. He rubbished charges that DLF has links with close relatives of top Congress leaders.




Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday appealed to non-Kannadigas to try and learn Kannada besides speaking their mother tongue.



Siddaramaiah was speaking at the inauguration of V K Obaidulla Model Government Primary School at Shivajinagar. The school has been built by IMA Council at a cost of Rs 16 crore.



Speaking in broken Urdu, the chief minister said, Mujhe Urdu Nahi Ata hai. Thoda Thoda Ata Hai. Galat Bahut Hai.He then turned to Urban Development Minister Roshan Baig saying he was yet to gain command over Kannada whereas Primary and Secondary Education Minister Tanveer Sait speaks the language fluently. The chief minister said, We have no objection if people speak Tamil, Telugu, English, Urdu or any other language but learning Kannada is a must. It is the language of the state.



He said the state government will appoint Kannada teachers in all government schools including Urdu schools so that everyone learns Kannada. He hailed the IMA Council for investing on building school infrastructure. The chief minister pointed out to the various measures taken by the state government for the welfare of minorities in the state. He said the budgetary allocation for minorities has been enhanced from Rs 265 crore to Rs 2,750 crore. As a result, 14 lakh students are receiving scholarship.



Pave way for Ruman Baig

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah used the occasion to advise Baig to contest the Lok Sabha election and pave way for his son Ruman Baig to enter the Vidhana Soudha as MLA.
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will address an extended general body meeting of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee during his visit to Bengaluru on Monday (June 12) as the party is gearing up for the next Assembly elections.



This will be his first visit to the state after giving an extension to Pradesh Congress Committee president G Parameshwara and appointment of K C Venugopal as national general secretary in charge of the state replacing Digvijaya Singh.



Rahul will also attend a function organised for the release of National Herald's commemorative publication "India at a Crossroads: 70 years of Independence" on the same day in the city.



All eyes will be on Rahul's address to party leaders as the organisation is going all out to retain power in the state in the Assembly elections likely to be held in March-April next year.



Rahul earlier addressed a group of senior leaders in Delhi, when he invited them for consultations as part of the party's exercise to decide new Pradesh Congress presidents.



Important signal



As the party's state leaders earlier requested him to frequently visit Karnataka and address the workers meetings at different places, his address will be an important signal for the preparation for elections as the district and taluk unit office-bears were also invited for Monday's meeting," said a senior leader in the party.



Rahul will also address the party's tribal workers rally to be held later this month in Karnataka.



On the day of his visit, pro-Kannada organisations have also called a state-wide bandh to press for several issues including an early resolution of the Mahadayi dispute and waiver of farm loans.


Canyon Crest Academy Envision Cinema and CCA-TV students won big at the California Student Media Festival which took place recently in Los Angeles. Their entries received Best High School Journalism/News Program, Best Short Film and Best Cinematography in the state of California.

The Cinematography winning entry was titled La Fortezza by Gabriel Gaurano, Kalani Newman, Shinwoo Kim, Julia Elihu (class of 2016), Tia Mayer (class of 2016) and the entire 2016-2017 Cinema Conservatory Class. The Best Short Film receiving Californias Gold Award was Incognito directed by Navin Bose, Gabriel Gaurano and Jayden Gillespie.

Cinema students also won multiple honors at the San Diego Innovative Video in Education (IVIE) Awards held in Coronado. The Best Cross Curricular winner was La Fortezza produced by Gabriel Gaurano, Kalani Newman, Shinwoo Kim, Julia Elihu (class of 2016), Tia Mayer (class of 2016) and the entire 2016-2017 Cinema Conservatory Class. The Best Global Village award went to La Langue de la Vie produced by Carson Fildey, Ryan Curcio, Tyler Chae-Banks, Noah Hecht and Daria Miller.

CCA Envision Cinema Coordinator Mark Raines is at the helm of the program and shares some of the magic behind the recent awards. I think the students at CCA are just so creative and the cinema conservatory program gives them that opportunity to really stretch those creative energies and skills that they have, Raines said. We try to run things as close to a real-life experience as possible in the conservatory and in the advanced video film classes. Its not just a class its almost like a work experience.

The group is also the first in the country to screen two IMAX documentaries created by conservatory students this school year. Change Is in the Water and Bee Conscious were shown at the Edwards IMAX & RPX Theaters in Mira Mesa.
DLA Piper is pleased to announce the launch of the All-Ukraine Competition for Law Students in 2017 that is being organized by DLA Piper in Ukraine for nine years. The Kyiv office of DLA Piper is proud to support this CSR activity this year and offer professional development opportunities to the next generation of lawyers. The competition is open for all students studying with a law faculty in any Ukrainian university in their fourth year or above. Winners of the competition will be offered an internship with DLA Piper, run under the guidance of internationally recognized lawyers. During the competition, students will be assessed and evaluated in multitude areas. In order to take part in it a participant should fill an application form and submit a written essay or case before July 10, 2017. Round tables with semi-finalists and the award ceremony will take place in September after all necessary reviews. Further information about the competition can be found on the DLA Piper website: https://www.dlapiper.com/en/ukraine/locations/kyiv/. DLA Piper All-Ukraine Competition for Law Students of 2017 is supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, the Students' League of the Ukrainian Bar Association, the European Law Students' Association, the Centre of CSR Development, ISIC Ukraine, Studway. Information partners of the competition are the European Business Association and the American Chamber of Commerce, the media partners are legal editorials Yuridicheskaya Practika and Yurydychna Gazeta, online editions biggggidea.com, platfor.ma. For additional information regarding the competition please contact marketing department of DLA Piper Ukraine at +380 44 490 9575, send a request to scholarship@dlapiper.com or join our Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DLAPiperUkraine/. Interfax-Ukraine News Agency is the general news partner.
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Belleek Pottery celebrated 160 years not out in appropriate style at a special function at the world famous factory on Friday.

To remember the 160th day of the 160th year, the Pottery commissioned 160 very special photographs of some of the many people from wide surrounding areas that made Belleek into a world brand.

These photographs of former and current workers are a memorable collage of those who made their mark on the grey picture postcard building on the Banks of the Erne.

And a crowd of around 400, including many visitors, joined in the special day for the Pottery that is one of the top ten tourist attractions in Northern Ireland.

Pottery Manager John Maguire said: Today is a very special day for us -the 160th day of our 160th Anniversary year - and we thought it was a perfect opportunity to invite you to the Pottery for one of our red letter days.

This morning we are unveiling a very special addition to our Visitors Centre display - a wall of 160 photographs from across 160 years. The photographs document the life and times, not only of Belleek Pottery but of the people living and working in this corner of Fermanagh.

While the clothes and the hairstyles have certainly rung the changes over 160 years, it is remarkable to see how much our production process today remains the same as it was over the decades.

He added: Belleek has always been a business founded on the creativity and hand craftsmanship of its workforce and when you get a chance to study the photographs you will see that little has changed in our mould, basket ware and painting department.

As many of you will know already, Belleek Pottery was established in 1857 largely as a result of the enthusiasm and commitment of local landowner John Caldwell Bloomfield, to provide employment for the local people in the wake of the Famine.

That a small rural Pottery in the West of Ireland could go to become the toast of Royal and high society in London by later Victorian times I testament to the skill and attention to detail of those early craftsmen.

Many, many generations later, I am delighted to say, that skill and attention to detail remain the byword for Belleek at home and abroad.
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Teams from 10 countries will participate in the seventh WAVE -- world advanced vehicle expedition trophy organised by Swiss electric vehicle pioneer Louis Palmer. The EV rally takes the teams over 1,600km in eight days. It began in downtown Zurich with a ceremony among EV enthusiasts.

"We want to raise awareness about electric vehicles and what they can do," said Palmer, who has promoted alternative fuels by driving around the world in a solar-powered car.

He added, "We can show that these cars are fun, reliable and working, and you can drive a car without a bad conscience."

A total of 112 trucks, cars, motorbikes and strange three-wheeled, all electric-powered, are riding in what's billed as one of a kind rally in the world.

This year's event stars vehicles such as a 1960s Citroen 2CV and a converted VW camper van. One team is utilising their Tesla car to tow an electric-powered boat, while electric motorbikes and pushbikes will also take part.

The vehicles must run on electricity during the rally and travel at least 250km per day. Recharging stations dot the route. Close to half of the vehicles this year are from Switzerland, while more than one-quarter come from Germany. Also, countries such as Austria, Italy, France, Romania and Morocco are taking part in the rally.

Teams will visit schools and towns on their route, with challenges along the trip including a speed trophy at a former military airfield and competitions for the best-painted car as well as the best blog.

An electronic-powered two-seater inspired by the bubble cars of the 1960s, Microlino, built by Oliver Ouboter will take to the road.

Another participant is Fabian Wyssmann, whose Designwerk company has designed an electric-powered garbage wagon.

He said, "For us, it's really important to show you can drive around Switzerland with an electric vehicle. A normal garbage truck uses up to 100 litres per 100 km, which is a really dirty business."
Microsoft on Thursday said it has agreed to buy a Hexadite, which incorporates artificial intelligence in its automated responses to cyberthreats.

Microsoft was in talks to buy the firm for US$100 million, according to earlier published reports. However, Microsoft and Hexadite did not disclose terms of the official agreement.

The acquisition will help bolster the companys efforts to help commercial Windows 10 customers deal with advanced attacks on their networks, Microsoft said. It currently offers Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection to detect zero-day attacks, ransomware and other advanced threats, and the Hexadite technology will build on that.

The acquisition will include Hexadites endpoint security automated remediation. Support for activations of WDATP, which currently protects 2 million devices, will continue.

Our vision is to deliver a new generation of security capabilities that helps our customers protect, detect and respond to the constantly evolving and ever-changing cybersecurity landscape, said Terry Myerson, EVP of the Windows and devices group at Microsoft.

Hexadites technology and talent will augment our existing capabilities and enable our ability to add new tools and services to Microsofts robust enterprise security offerings, he said.

Automation and Orchestration

Hexadite is not detection technology, said Dan Cummins, senior analyst for security at 451 Research.

Rather, it is incident response automation and orchestration, fed by data that originates  usually  on detection sensors or systems and then is processed by a SIEM, where its correlated and perhaps enriched with other data, internal or external, he explained.

Hexadite further enriches and prioritizes, Cummins told the E-Comerce Times.

Their primary differentiation, I believe, is their belief in nearly full automation of investigation, response and closeout, even for complex incidents, he noted.

Good Fit

Broadly speaking, IT vendors pursue acquisitions because buying existing technology is generally faster and cheaper than building it themselves, noted Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

The technology being acquired should fit well within the buyers strategy and skill sets. Thats clearly the case here, given both companies focus on and innovative work in proactive security services, AI, machine learning and the needs of enterprise customers, he told the E-Commerce Times.

In addition, it helps if there are existing connections between the companies, King continued.

One of Hexadites early investors is Moshe Lichtman of Israel Venture Partners, who spent two decades as a senior executive with Microsoft, including five years running the companys Israel R&D center, he noted. It doesnt require a stretch of the imagination to consider how Lichtman may have vetted and facilitated the deal.

Rapid Detection

Hexadite was cofounded in 2014 by CEO Eran Barak, Chief Product Officer Barak Klinghofer and CTO Idan Levin. The three executives previously worked at Elbit Systems, where Barak led the companys cybertraining and simulation team, Klinghofer was cybersolutions architect, and Levin was a cybersoftware engineer.

The founders developed a new ground-up method of rapid detection and response to cyberthreats after working on military and other threat scenarios.

After seeing first hand how companies around the world investigated threats and anticipated a massive increase in subsequent alerts compounded by a global skills shortage, they knew that automation would be the only way security teams had a chance, said Nathan Burke, marketing director for Hexadite.

The companys Automated Incident Response Solution uses technology that is able to detect, investigate and respond to cyberthreats within minutes, compared to more traditional methods, which could take weeks to deal with similar situations.

Hexadite early last year received $8 million in series A funding from Hewlett Packard Ventures, Ten Eleven Ventures and YL Ventures, which also had invested in the companys seed round.

At the time, Hexadite had grown to protect more than 500,000 devices worldwide across various industries, based on initial seed money of about $2.5 million. Hexadites customers include IDT, Nuance and Telit.

In connection with that early investment, Mark Hatfield, cofounder of Ten Eleven Ventures, joined the Hexadite board. Hatfield has a strong track record in the technology industry, with prior investments in Cylance, CounterTack, Trust Digital, Resilient Systems (CO3) and Digital Guardian.

Hexadite and HPE last year entered a reseller agreement, which [provided that Hexadites AIRS technology would be offered in combination with HPEs Arcsite detection technology, using AI to manage cyberthreats.

The acquisition of Hexadite provides Microsoft with important resources for enterprise security based on AI, said Jim McGregor, principal analyst at Tirias Research.

Hexadite appears to provide multiple benefits to Microsoft, he told the E-Commerce Times, including a security service for enterprise and cloud solutions, customers for security services, and valuable IP and expertise for AI applications.

Automation/orchestration is a growing area in cybersecurity, noted Ed Cabrera, chief cybersecurity officer at Trend Micro.

Trend Micro earlier this year entered a partnership with CyberSponse to provide automated incidence response to cyberthreats, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Main Focus

The deal represents one of Microsofts most important cybersecurity acquisitions since its 2015 purchase of Adallom, a specialist in cloud security, for about $250 million. Microsoft used Adalloms technology to bolster its ability to protect its Azure and Office 365 services from cyberthreats.

Dealing with security threats has been top of mind a Microsoft. The company was at the center of the massive Wannacry Ransomware attack in May, which hit more than 300,000 computers in at least 150 countries worldwide. The attack was linked to the Shadow Brokers suspected theft of hacking tools  originally developed by the National Security Agency  that attacked legacy Windows systems that were not properly patched.

Microsoft earlier this year announced a series of upgrades to its enterprise security toolkit, including Azure SQL Database Threat Detection, which uses machine learning to find suspicious database activity; and Enterprise Threat Detection, which uses machine analytics and proprietary telemetry sources to monitor for advanced threats. The rollout was part of a $1 billion annual investment that Microsoft made in addressing security threat issues.

Microsoft has called for a Digital Geneva Convention, which would create a global regulatory system to manage cybersecurity issues.

Hexadite, which has a team of researchers in Tel Aviv, will be fully absorbed into Microsofts Windows and Devices group at the close of the acquisition.
Crate.io on Tuesday announced an upgrade to its open source CrateDB, and introduced a commercial version. The database now is available as a managed service as well.

CrateDB 2.0 features clustering enhancements and SQL improvements. The enterprise edition adds authentication and authorization features for enhanced security, which are not provided in the open source version.

It also includes performance-monitoring tools and support for user-defined query functions to enable more advanced in-database analytics, said Andy Ellicott, chief marketing officer at Crate.io.

CrateDB is an open source SQL database for real-time analytics of Internet of Things and machine data. Its typical work uses include manufacturing sensor data and device-generated GPS data.

CrateDB makes machine data applications that previously were found only in NoSQL solutions available to mainstream SQL developers.

CrateDB 2.0 is designed to handle a fire hose of messy data and acquire it in real-time, Ellicott told LinuxInsider.

What CrateDB 2.0 Does

CrateDB provides the ability to run a distributed SQL query engine for faster Joins, aggregations and ad-hoc queries. It also provides support for real-time and predictive analytics on geospatial, time series, full-text, JSON and other structured and unstructured data. It includes container architecture and automatic data sharding for simple scaling.

CrateDB combines SQL functionality with search. It often replaces Splunk due to SQL ease of use and integration.

The new feature set includes clustering upgrades with improved performance and resiliency.

CrateDB 2.0 generates faster aggregations and group-by query performance, noted Ellicott.

Its new index structure allows for faster range queries and queries on IP address data types. It comes with SQL improvements, aggregations on Joins, Sub-selects, Table renaming and reindexing.

The enterprise edition offers enhanced security via authentication and authorization capabilities. It also has better database performance-monitoring capabilities via a new user interface with native performance-monitoring tools and third-party monitoring JMX integration. It also has user-defined functions via SQL/Javascript.

Service Option

CrateDB 2.0 is also available as a managed service provided by Crate.io. It gives users a flexible deployment option that allows enterprises to offload time-consuming and costly database administration responsibilities to CrateDB staffers.

This strategy can ensure maximum uptime and efficiency. Customers can run the managed service on both public and private cloud platforms.

The managed service can reduce customers DBA overhead. It is available as a monthly, per-cluster fee, starting at $500.

As an IoT tool, CrateDB manages data generated by sensors, GPS tech, machine logs, and smart homes and vehicles.

IoT Pushing Adoption Rate

Crate.io is seeing increased demand for its alternative database for IoT needs. CrateDB is an ideal platform to handle more data, more complexity, and more automation with ease and in real time, according to Ellicott.

CrateDB 2.0 contains many customer-driven enhancements, and our team is excited to continue breaking new ground in machine data during the months and years ahead, said Christian Lutz, CEO of Crate.io.

Performance is part of that driving factor. Compared to PostgreSQL, CrateDB runs complex queries 29 times faster at a hardware cost that is 30 percent lower, according to Ellicott.

IoT has been around for a few years. A couple of things are all of a sudden driving a lot higher demand for that, he said.

Data management capabilities are becoming essential, Ellicott continued. People are understanding that there is greater value in putting IT infrastructure data to work. Industrial IoT is starting to take off. That is becoming a big vertical for us.

New Database Needs

Software companies that package commercial off-the-shelf IoT systems now are building them to meet the enterprise demands expected in a year or two, said Ellicott. Manufacturing companies are starting to see that more intelligent use of the data they already are generating is worth more than machinery and automation upgrades.

There is a lot of value in IT event data for security protection, digital user experience and monitoring, Ellicott noted. Companies are starting to innovate to get ahead of enterprise demand.

Crate.io pitches its database solution as one that blends the best parts of SQL, NoSQL and open source. That is, it delivers exceptional database performance but can utilize a wide range of open source tools, observed Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

It is also optimized for clustered containerized environments. Crate also claims that its offerings support far higher data ingestion performance than other SQL solutions, he told LinuxInsider.

Nontraditional Solution

CrateDB could offer businesses a better option for emerging IoT technologies.

Traditional SQL databases tend to be fairly rigid in terms of architecture, according to King.

Other SQL database products often leverage proprietary tools that make them less than optimal for parsing the machine data that is commonplace in IoT environments, he pointed out.

Conventional wisdom suggests that SQL databases, including relational solutions like Oracle and DB2, are best for traditional database functions, King noted.

NoSQL is better for emerging workloads and unstructured information  but that assumption is rapidly becoming dated, as SQL databases evolve to take on new tasks and functions, he said.

Its not a black and white issue, King acknowledged, but its one businesses should consider carefully before investing in IoT solutions.
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Considered to be the Ten Best UFO Photos Ever Taken I am sure that we could add more pictures to this list but these are considered ten o...
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.
DALIAN, June 9 (Xinhua) -- A court in the northeast China city of Dalian Friday opened a trial into the suspected crimes of Beijing Pangu Investment Co. Ltd, controlled by fugitive Guo Wengui, as well as three of its employees.

The company and its employees Lyu Tao, Xie Honglin and Yang Ying are accused of fraudulently obtaining loans. Lyu Tao and Xie Honglin are also accused of fraudulently obtaining foreign exchange.

According to the indictment, Guo applied for loans from the Agricultural Bank of China under the company's name and directed the three individuals to apply for loans allegedly for the company's construction project in early 2010. The three then asked others to produce fake construction contracts and stamps, before submitting the forged documents to the bank to apply for the loans.

The bank issued loans totalling 3.2 billion yuan (470 million U.S. dollars) to Pangu. The company then presented fabricated invoices and used the loans for other purposes, later having to repay the loan after being found of misusing the money.

Prosecutors also charged Lyu and Xie with fraudulently obtaining foreign exchange totalling 13.5 million U.S. dollars from the Bank of Communications by using falsified furniture import contracts and invoices in 2012. A company controlled by Guo Qiang, the son of Guo Wengui, was used in the fraud.

The money was later transferred to a Hong Kong company for Guo Wengui to buy private aircraft.

The indictment said Guo Wengui and Guo Qiang would be dealt with in separate cases.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in April that Interpol had issued a "red notice" for Guo Wengui.

During Friday's trial, evidence including witness statements and expert opinion were presented. The defendants did not object to any criminal facts and charges from prosecutors. They expressed regret, pleaded guilty and thanked judicial organs for the lawful handling of their cases.

The defendants asked for leniency, saying their actions were made at the instruction or suggestion of Guo Wengui.

Xie told the court that he felt his acts might "violate some rules." However, he said he did not refuse as "my boss told me to do it, so I just followed."

To safeguard the defendants' rights and interests, a pre-trial conference was held, attended by the prosecution team, defendants and their lawyers.

Over 40 people, including families of the defendants, legislators, political advisors and journalists from domestic and overseas media, as well as members of the public, attended the hearing.

Transcripts and footage of the hearing were broadcast by the official microblog of the Dalian Xigang District People's Court. The verdict will be announced at a later date.

Friday's trial is the first court proceeding on a series of cases involving the Beijing Pangu Investment and Beijing Zenith Holdings.

Other cases involving offering bribes, forced transactions, duty-related encroachment, embezzlement, destroying accounting documents and unlawful detention are being handled according to the law.
All rulers love to be surrounded by adoring courtiers. It makes the task of governance so much easier. All youhave to do is make pronouncements from the top, and your followers will sing hallelujahs. Only the foolhardy will break ranks and ask a question, or worse still, offer some criticism. If they do, they know the consequences. Fantastical as this might sound, Indian democracy is veering close to this imagined scenario. Within three years of being in power, the Narendra Modi government has successfully turned a once vibrant and even hectoring television news media into a chorus line that endorses and adores the leader while roasting what little of the opposition that still exists.

It is this that makes the television news network NDTV, its shortcomings notwithstanding, stand out as different. There has already been much debate about whether the 5 June raids by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on the establishments of the founderowners of NDTV, Prannoy and Radhika Roy, represent a direct assault on the freedom of the press in India. While NDTVs financial arrangements have been under investigation since 2009, it is extraordinary that the CBI felt the urge to conduct raids to investigate a private persons complaint against the channel regarding its dealings with a private bank. Inevitably, the timing of the raids, as well as the target, has raised questions about the intent.
Dear Moderates.



I have applied for my wife to come over from india on a spouse settlement application.

We applied back in December 2016 and have had some contact with the Home Office.

I was told my wife application was not straightforward in March 2017 and than beginning of May 2017 I was sent an e-mail requesting certain documents which I have already supplied the first time round but not sure why they had re-requested could be due to many reasons, such as scanning etc.

Anyways I have copied in below what they have asked for which I instantly sent via e-mail and by post to Sheffield.

I just received a phone call late evening yesterday from Home Office Sheffiled from someone not sure weather it was ECO asking me questions when I started my business and mentioning I have not provided the below for the last Full financial year?

I believe I have sent them the right documents for the last full financial year, please would you be able to confirm I am right or wrong? My accounting period is short



Home Office e-mail

Documents required in support of your sponsor's employment:



(a) Company Tax Return CT600 (a copy or print-out) for the last full financial year and evidence this has been filed with HMRC, such as electronic or written acknowledgment from HMRC (bank statements provided are for the period November 2015 to November 2016).



I have provided CT600 2015 for accounting period 8.05.2015 to 31.12.2015



(b) If the company is required to produce annual audited accounts, the latest such accounts.



Not needed to provide annual audited accounts.



(c) If company is not required to produce annual audited accounts, the latest unaudited accounts and an accountants certificate of confirmation, from an accountant who is a member of a UK Recognised Supervisory Body (as defined in the Companies Act 2006) covering the same 12-month period as Company Tax Return CT600.



I provided un-audited accounts for the same period as the CT600



(d) salary slips for the months of November 2015, December 2015, January 2016, February 2016 and March 2016.



I provided wage slips as requested above.



Please can any of the moderaters advise as I have 14 days to provide again what they want to see.



Thank you
As I nearly had a panic attacks during my process when my supporting documents arrived back with no note or passport, thought I would share what i think happens to your supporting documents that isn't actually outlined anywhere. Emphasis on think as my priority visa is well past it's indicated processing time and still not back!



1.) After biometrics and sending all documents to the UKVI address in Auckland, all supporting documents (and maybe passport?) are sent to VFS Global Australia.

2.) VFS staff will add barcode dividers to your documents, then scan these and send them through to the visa processing office.

3.) Supporting documents (essentially everything you sent except current and any previous passports) are returned, with no letter or note, but the barcode dividers added.

4.) At some stage (either from Auckland or Australia, not sure but doesn't really matter), your passports are sent to the processing office (Manila) and are held here until visa is processed (again I think as I am still waiting!)



If you were to apply in Australia, you have to add the barcode dividers yourself, but these are then scanned with all documents at a VFS office during biometrics and you take the original documents away with you after your appointment.



If you go to the VFS Global website, say you are applying for a UK visa in Australia then you can see the link on the main page for scanning documents (I can't post links yet)



So moral of the story, I think if your documents arrive back with barcode page dividers, this is now part of the process and not something to worry about.



Also, it means you have to have an A4 copy of every document you are sending (so old birth certificates etc shrunk onto A4 page) which isn't really told to you before you apply so make sure you have these before your biometrics. Send originals as well so these can be verified.



Hope this helps calm any worried people in NZ, and also that I am right in what I have said! Will confirm if/when I get my passport and visa back.
Personally, I have no regrets but a few "irritations" such as "p..s poor" artisans, crappy road-manners, absense of decent bookshops and music stores (but I'm sure someone in Paphos will put me right there!) and yes its hot for a few days in August, but there are so many delights (some quite surprising like the best British pork sausages from Lysiotis in Episkopi). Its impossible to provide this kind of advice as each person's experience depends on their own expectations and their background. I have seen people (few) who were disappointed and didn't hang around. PS I haven't really noticed the lack of clothing stores, and internet shopping can bypass any deficiencies like this. As the old adage goes, nothing beats getting your feet on the ground (if you can afford the time) and renting aa house for a few months to experience Cyprus!
Hello everyone,



So I've been observing this forum as a non-member for sometime and I must admit that I always come across interesting information here. I'm in a bit of a dilemma as well and I'd be quite pleased if the good folks here can offer their two cents on my situation.



So I'm an Indian citizen and I was studying in a private Ecole De Commerce near Paris but I absolutely hated the environment there and therefore I decided to quit that school. After a month, I came back to India and since my French level is almost at B2, I thought it would be a good idea to go to a language school and study there for a few months (as there was some time left in my student visa) and to pass my B2 exam which in the end would open more opportunities to study at descent public universities in France.



Fast-forward to now, I have booked my tickets, paid the fees and everything but now some of my friends told me that because I have left my first school, I may not be allowed to enter France again and that the school has probably even cancelled my visa by now.



I'm a bit depressed and anxious because I informed my school about the issues I had with them and that I didn't wanted to study there anymore via a registered letter.



Plus, I haven't received any email from the embassy that my visa has now been cancelled because as far I think, it wouldn't be normal for an embassy to cancel someone's visa without even letting them know. So here are my questions:



1.) Also can a school willingly cancel a student visa if a student doesn't want to study there?



2.) Do we have a right to change schools on a student visa?



3.) Can the border officers deny me entry because I am not going to live on the same address as on my OFII stamp and that I have changed my school?



I thank everyone in advance for their answers.
Hello, all. My wife and I are US citizens making preparation for the purchase of a house in Tuscany and eventual establishment of residency for what will be an only home. My question relates to the renewal of our entry visa roughly one year after our relocation to Italy. Does the renewal require both my wife and I submit our application in person at the stateside Italian consulate, and secondly will we have to take possession of the new visas in the US as well? Can the renewed visas be mailed to our residence in Italy?
Is Beijing becoming a global climate leader? Chinese company builds 'world's largest' floating solar plant that could power 15,000 homes

Located in eastern China, the plant has a capacity of 40 megawatts of energy - enough to power over 15,000 homes

Just as Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris climate agreement, China flicked the switch on the world's largest floating solar energy plant.

The massive waterborne plant is expected to generate 40 megawatts at one time and could supply electricity for over 15,000 homes.

The pioneering project, located in eastern China, is thought to cement China's status as a top producer of solar energy in the world.

The plant has been built in Huainan city, Anhui Province, by Sungrow Power Supply, a Chinese company specialised in renewable energy.

The ambitious company has put the first phase of the project into use after connecting hundreds of solar panels to form the impressive power plant, according to its website.

In order to find a body of water large enough to hold the plant, workers filled an abandoned coal mine with water to create a reservoir.

The cool air near the surface of the water would help reduce the heat generated from the solar panels and lower the risk of battery malfunction, said Chinese news website Sohu.

In addition, building a solar plant on water could save land space, which puts China one step ahead of other countries in providing green energy, according to the same report.

The solar power plant is expected to generate 800 megawatts a year.

Last year, Britain built a similar floating solar plant on the Queen Elizabeth II reservoir in Walton-on-Thames, which is due to power 1,800 homes. The power station features 23,046 solar panels and measures 57,046 sq metres (618,925 square feet).

The floating plant in China is six times the size of the plant in Britain.

Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris accord on climate change on June 1 - deriding it as bad for American jobs and bad for the environment.

The decision could accelerate China's unlikely ascent toward leadership in stemming global warming and promoting green technology, and on global matters far removed from the environment.

The world's largest emitter of man-made carbon dioxide, considered a top cause of climate change, is already making rapid progress toward its Paris goal of stopping emissions growth by 2030.

It has overtaken the U.S. in transitioning to renewable energy, generating a fifth of its electricity from renewable sources. The U.S. only sources about 13 per cent of its electricity from renewables.
Portugal is a relatively poor with many people growing stuff ffor their own consumption. Ignoring trees then 2H of veg growing productive land is quite a size and you are unlikely to finds such a patch which is not already in production, further more in order to have a viable commercial crop a water source on the land will be necessary. If you are looking for 2H of hillside which will support olive trees on sparse soil then we'll form a queue a your door, scrub land will be available as the owners have duty to keep in in some order due to fire regs so usually have to pay for a team of "bush cutters" several times a year to clear the land so you paying and providing the same service we'll form a second line at your door. No body will want your oranges even if you say "help yourself" I have been looking for many years to basically move my business over here or which min of 0.5h of veg cultivation is necessary and have not managed it yet.


Student visa applications for New Zealand are changing over to online processing with paper applications being phased out, it has been confirmed.Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is encouraging students to start using the online system from now on. They can do this via INZ or on campus if they are reapplying for a visa through a student online provider.Immigration Online is faster and cheaper than a paper application and provides students with an eVisa. We want students to get used to using the system as in the very near future paper applications will be phased out, said an INZ spokesman.An electronic visa or eVisa is issued without a physical label. Youll be told by email when your application has been decided. You can log into your Immigration Online account to see the decision, the spokesman explained.Meanwhile, Education Minister Paul Goldsmith has welcomed the news that five of New Zealands eight universities have improved their ranking in the annual QS World University Rankings.The University of Auckland is the highest ranking in New Zealand at joint 82 but this is down one place from last year. The University of Otago rose 18 places to 151 and the University of Canterbury at 214 was unchanged from last year.Victoria University of Wellington went up nine places to 219, the University of Waikato was up 32 places to 292, Massey University at 316 was up 24 places, Lincoln University was also up 24 places to 319 and Auckland University of Technology at 441 was unchanged from last year.These results are positive news for our world class tertiary education system, with all eight of our universities ranked in the top 450 for the second year running. This reflects the steady progress we are constantly making to raise the quality of our universities, and the investments into high quality research by the Government, said Goldsmith.The Government is committed to investing in quality tertiary education, with a $132.1 million investment in tertiary education through Budget 2017, including an additional $52.5 million for the Performance-Based Research Fund, and $69 million to increase tuition subsidy rates, helping providers to raise quality even further, he added.
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San Antonians are heading to the polls once again Saturday, this time to cast ballots in runoffs for six council seats and the mayors office.

Along with the showdown between Mayor Ivy Taylor and District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg, City Council candidates for Districts 1, 2, 6, 8, 9 and 10 are on the ballot. While Districts 1 and 2 feature an incumbent against a challenger, the other races will certainly bring new faces to council.

District 1 Councilman Robert C. Trevino faces first-time candidate Michael Montano. District 2 Councilman Alan E. Warrick II squares off with opponent William Cruz Shaw, while voters in District 6 will choose between former mortgage-bank executive and consultant Greg Brockhouse and attorney Melissa Cabello Havrda.

Homemaker Cynthia Brehm and lawyer Manny Pelaez are competing for the District 8 seat while District 9 has Marco Barros, president/CEO of the San Antonio area Tourism Council challenging John Courage, a former trustee of the Alamo Colleges District board. District 10, which had 10 candidates on the May 6 ballot, is now down to two, retired Air Force engineer Clayton Perry and attorney Ezra Johnson.

There are 223 polling sites open across San Antonio, but unlike the early voting process, registered voters must cast ballots within their precinct Saturday. If you didnt vote in the May election you may still cast a ballot in the runoff, said elections administrator Jacque Callanen.

According to officials, more than 60,000 voted early, less than nine percent of active registered voters in San Antonio.

To find your polling location, visit the Bexar County elections page. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone still in line at closing time may still cast a ballot.

To vote, bring one of seven accepted forms of identification. This can be a drivers license, an election identification certificate, a handgun license or a passport. After state law was found to violate a portion of the Voting Rights Act, voters can choose to bring other forms of identification, including a voter registration card, original birth certificate, current utility bill, original bank statement or paycheck, if the voter couldnt get one of the preferred methods in time to vote. However, they will have to sign a declaration that he or she faced an undue burden in getting one of the accepted forms.

For any issues seen at the polls on Saturday, Callanen asks voters to call the elections office at 210-335-VOTE.

frahman@express-news.net
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A jury found Joel Soto guilty of murder and other charges Friday in the death of his 2-year-old grandson, whose body was found in his burning truck.

The verdict was announced almost three hours after deliberations began at 1 p.m.

Soto, who was also found guilty of manslaughter, injury to a child, and arson faces up to life in prison. His sentencing is set for July 10.

As the verdict was read, a woman in the court could be heard saying no and breaking into tears.

On November 2013, Soto, 55, had pulled over around 10:25 a.m. in the 5300 block of Rogers Road on the far West Side to check his 1988 Chevy pickup. He told authorities he saw smoke coming from underneath the trucks hood.

After the vehicle erupted in flames, firefighters found his grandson, Jeremy Soto, dead in the passengers seat. Officials later determined that a fire was intentionally set in that seat.

Bexar County Medical Examiner Kimberly Molina said Friday on the fourth day of the trial that Jeremy was not alive when the fire, which charred his body, was started. The damage from the fire made it impossible to reach a ruling in the childs death, she said.

Molina said that a toxicology report showed a very high concentration of methamphetamine, was found in Jeremys system.

She stated to the jury that the average amount of methamphetamine found in an adult is one milliliter. Jeremy had five milliliters in his system, she said.

Anti-depressants and pain killers including Zoloft, Paxil, Benadryl, aspirin and cough medicine was also found in his system.

Moments earlier, Jamie Baerncrop, a forensic scientist with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, testified that there was gas found on evidence from the scene, including Jeremys clothing and parts of the trucks interior.

Molina also testified the odor of gas could be smelled on pieces of clothing that were still on Jeremys body during the autopsy.

Juan Martinez, an investigator with the San Antonio Fire Department, previously testified that gas could be smelled coming from the trucks passenger side at the crime scene.

He said that damage to the vehicle showed that the fire did not start under the hood, as the defendant said, but that it started in the passengers compartment.

The reason he wasnt running to that vehicle like any grandfather would do, is because he knew Jeremy was dead and he was trying to cover his tracks, Boyd said during her closing arguments.

Defense attorney Justin Fischer said during his closing arguments that there were no witnesses who saw Soto in possession of meth, nor was there testimony of exactly how Jeremy got access to the drugs.

Earlier, Boyd argued that the drugs and medication had been left throughout Sotos home. Soto had been taking care of Jeremy there since he took over custody of him from his mother.

Photos collected by San Antonio Police Department investigators didn't show any meth in Sotos home, Fischer added.

Where was that? Where was the meth? Fischer asked, hands raised. At one point, he said the meth in Jeremys system could have belonged to someone else.

The drugs were not immediately found, Boyd said, because Soto moved the methamphetamine from where the drugs were stored before he had a conversation with a Child Protective Services worker.

Boyd argued that with the drugs left in the home, Soto did not do enough to prevent Jeremy from being able to reach and ingest them.

This defendant talks about his love ... if he loved his grandson, all he had to do was pick up the phone and call 911 and accept the consequences for allowing Jeremy to get into his drugs, Boyd said. But instead of doing that, he spent his time coming up with a plan to dispose of Jeremys body.
Once again, in a pivotal election, very few voters in San Antonio are turning out to help steer the city on its future course.

Less than 9 percent of registered voters in the city  about 60,000 of about 751,000  cast early votes in Saturdays runoff.

That means more than 90 percent of registered voters have so far ignored a contentious election with seven seats at stake, including the mayors, that could transform the character of City Council and alter the direction of the city.

They are not coming, Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen said on Friday.

Whats to blame for the overwhelming apathy?

Heres a theory: Social media hasnt helped.

A recent Pew Research Center report warned that while some users appreciate the political content they find on social platforms such as Facebook, many more express resignation and frustration over its tone and content.

More than one-third of social media users are worn out by the amount of political content they encounter, the report stated, and more than half describe their online interactions with those they disagree with politically as stressful and frustrating.

Stress, frustration and resignation: these are not motivating emotions.

At a basic level, combing through social media simply is not an ideal way for a potential voter to seek political news.

Beyond existing as a nifty brainwashing tool for Russian hackers, social platforms are much more suited for heaping ridicule and scorn upon people than for offering sober analyses. The Internet, in its vastness, is a universe that rewards those who seek attention; often, the more eyeball-popping and lizard-brained the post the better  if better means triggering more clicks, more shares.

If youre looking for a local Facebook page that exemplifies this, look no further than Two Parties United to Crush Corruption.

Among the crude memes featured on the page, one plunks the head of City Manager Sheryl Sculley onto the body of Jabba the Hut and inserts the head of mayoral candidate Councilman Ron Nirenberg onto the body of Bib Fortuna, Jabbas creepy majordomo.

More salary Ron, more!!!!! Sculley/Jabba says.

Yesss, Mistress, Nirenberg/Fortuna responds.

Another meme features former Mayor Julian Castro steering a streetcar straight for a tied-to-the-tracks Mayor Ivy Taylor as Sculley and Nirenberg egg him on.

Brace for impact she wont stop our streetcar dreams Ron and Sheryl!!! Castro says.

This is dumb, ugly stuff  and right at home on Facebook. Its a local variety of the fake news that proliferated on the social network during the 2016 presidential election, the sort that made me delete the Facebook app from my mobile phone out of sheer disgust for a while after President Trumps victory.

(In fact, Trumps victory was fueled by so-called dark posts on Facebook: ads created by the Trump campaign with the specific intent of depressing turnout for Hillary Clinton.)

Of course, regardless of my own Facebook fasts, more people than ever are using the social network: nearly 80 percent of online Americans, according to another Pew Research Center report. And Facebook usage and engagement is on the rise, the report added.

In San Antonio, Callanen, the veteran elections administrator, did not predict a commensurate rise in voter turnout for the runoff on Saturday.

My crystal ball says were going to get anywhere from 35 to 45,000 (registered voters), she said. Its still pretty low.  I tend to not reach for the stars.

Allowing Texans to register to vote more easily online could go a long way, she added.

Currently, the online process requires voter applications be printed out and mailed. Efforts to pass legislation to streamline the system  allowing registrants to register wholly online  have been stymied by opponents who raise alarms about voter fraud, Callanen said.

The conspiracy theorists are now, You cant do that, she said.

Meanwhile, the same species of conspiracy theorist  Yesss, Mistress  are given free reign to frustrate and depress potential voters on social media.

bchasnoff@express-news.net
The two Chinese nationals have been identified as Li Xinheng (left) and Lu Ling Lina by the Pakistani Police, who provided the pictures to the European Pressphoto Agency (EPA)

Two Chinese nationals abducted in Pakistan last month are probably dead, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Friday, vowing to continue to use various channels to gain and verify information.

"According to the latest information provided by Pakistan, the two kidnapped Chinese citizens have probably been killed," Hua told a daily news briefing. She added that China is gravely concerned about the case.

She said the two people were not a couple, as previously reported, and they come from different Chinese provinces, but details were still being investigated.

According to Hua, departments of the Chinese government and the Chinese embassy in Pakistan immediately launched an emergency response mechanism after the kidnapping and worked closely with Pakistan.

"China is firmly opposed to and strongly condemns terrorism in any form. We support Pakistan's efforts to fight terrorism and safeguard national security and stability," she said.

China will continue to strengthen anti-terrorism cooperation with the international community, including Pakistan, to maintain peace and stability in the region and the world, Hua added.

The Chinese embassy in Pakistan released a security alert last month after the kidnapping, reminding Chinese citizens not to visit Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province.

It also urged local Chinese nationals and organizations to evacuate as soon as possible, and to turn to the embassy for help if necessary.
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ST. JOSEPH, Mo.  James Rentz of Creek Side Farm, Coldwater, Ohio, has received the Historic Angus Herd award from the American Angus Association to showcase his lifetime commitment to the Angus breed.

This award is presented to active Angus breeders and immediate family members who have been in continuous production of registered Angus cattle for 50 or more years.

Show circuit

Since joining the American Angus Association in 1953, Creek Side Farm has participated in shows and sales at the local, state and national level. Rentz and his wife, Judy, have three children who were active in the Ohio Junior Angus Association and successfully exhibited cattle at several National Junior Angus Shows (NJAS).

He and his family have bred and exhibited multiple winners and sale topper cattle throughout the years. They were the first family to be named All-American Futurity Champion Udder Cow in 1984.

Rentz also has the only Angus herd to breed and exhibit back-to-back champion carcass steers at the NJAS in 1985 and 1986. For 14 years, he served as a fieldman throughout the Midwest for the Angus Journal.

Leadership

In addition to their involvement in the Angus show circuit, Rentz was the 2001-02 president of the Ohio Angus Association and a board member for more than 25 years. He served as the publicity chairman and announcer during the 1984 NJAS.

For nine years, Rentz served on the Ohio Beef Council and is a former treasurer of the Ohio Cattlemens Association. For five years, he served as the president of the Mercer County Cattlemens Association. Rentz was also a director of the American Angus Association for two terms and served on the national board for six years.

Other awards

The Rentz family was named the 1994 Ohio Angus Family of the Year, and the Mercer County Cattlemens Association honored him as the 1999 Mercer County Cattleman of the Year. In 2013, he was inducted into the American Angus Associations Angus Heritage Foundation.

Over the years, he has had a hand in establishing a number of businesses and events. He founded the Rentz Auction Co. in 1973, which specializes in Angus sales management and auctioneering throughout the U.S. and Canada; the Showcase Sale; and was a co-founder of the Ohio Beef Expo and served as chairman and manager for its first five years.

A few years ago, Rentz wrote the book 50+ Years of Angus Trails and Tales, which highlights the dynamics of the Angus industry and how it was shaped into what it is today. The book was introduced in Louisville in 2006 and has been sold in more than 40 states and in Canada.

For more information on the Historic Angus Herd award and to view a list of awarded members since 1988, visit www.angus.org.
Baku, Azerbaijan, June 10

By Anvar Mammadov  Trend:

The Azerbaijan-Poland business forum will be held in Warsaw on June 27, the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) said in a message June 10.

According to the message, bilateral meetings with Polish entrepreneurs will be held as part of the forum in order to expand the business ties.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Poland amounted to $23.11 million in January-May 2017, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee.

Moreover, the export of Azerbaijani goods to Poland increased by 76.5 percent and amounted to about $2.61 million and import of Polish goods  decreased by 17.1 percent to $20.5 million in the period, as compared to January-May 2016.
Richard Hammond has been airlifted to hospital following a "serious crash" in Switzerland.

Richard Hammond's car after the crash

The 47-year-old television presenter was filming the second season of Amazon Prime show 'The Grand Tour' on Saturday (10.06.17) when the Rimac Concept One he was driving crashed after completing the Hemburg Hill Climb.

Richard was flown to a hospital in St Gallen where it was revealed he had suffered a fracture to his knee, but fortunately the star "suffered no serious injury", and no-one else was involved in the accident.

A spokesperson for 'The Grand Tour' told BANG! Showbiz in a statement: "Richard Hammond was involved in a serious crash after completing the Hemburg Hill Climb in Switzerland in a Rimac Concept One, an electric super car built in Croatia, during filming for The Grand Tour Season 2 on Amazon Prime, but very fortunately suffered no serious injury.

"Richard was conscious and talking, and climbed out of the car himself before the vehicle burst into flames. He was flown by Air Ambulance to hospital in St Gallen to be checked over revealing a fracture to his knee.

"Nobody else was in the car or involved in the accident, and we'd like to thank the paramedics on site for their swift response. The cause of the crash is unknown and is being investigated."

It isn't the first time the star has been involved in a horrifying accident whilst filming a television show either, as 11 years ago he almost died when he lost control of a jet car while filming BBC motoring show 'Top Gear'.

Richard's latest incident comes after he said last month he would be leaving the death-defying stunts behind as he doesn't want to risk leaving his daughters, Izzy, 16, and Willow, 13 without a dad and his wife Amanda Etheridge, 46, without a husband.

He said: "I've a beautiful wife and two beautiful daughters. I'm not going to risk leaving them. Not for their sake, but for mine."
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, June 10

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Turkmenistan stands for the further consolidation of efforts in defining the legal status of the Caspian Sea and development of a relevant convention, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said at a government meeting.

He noted that the Turkmen side has consistently taken a proactive role in the development of solutions to the Caspian Sea issues, the Turkmen Dovlet Habarlary state news service reported.

Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov delivered a report on the work done in this area.

During the meeting, close attention was paid to the issues of ensuring ecological well-being and environmental protection in the Caspian Sea region. In this context, it was noted that it is necessary to further intensify activities in implementation of provisions of the relevant documents.
critic's rating: 3.0/5

Director: Alex KurtzmanCast: Tom Cruise, Sofia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis, Russell Crowe, Jake JohnsonQuick take: The film offers a quirky introduction to Universals Dark UniverseFilmfare rating: 3/5Tom Cruise is 54. Hes still kicking ass at this age so thats all right. Hes already got a Jack Reacher franchise currently and with The Mummy, hes getting another. Thats good for his fans. So for a few years more, maybe till hes 60, we all will get to see him play the good jock, fighting evil, bedding babes and rushing to the rescue whenever and wherever required. The Mummy is also the Universals way of getting their own superhero franchise. Over the years, they have made enough monster movies to have a monsterverse of their own. So the current idea is for them to have a Dark Universe of sorts and thrown in as many monsters in it as they can and watch the fun. The present movie hints at Zombies and Vampires and all sorts of nefarious creatures. Plus its got Cruise as an avatar of Set, the Egyptian god of Death and Russell Crowe as Dr Henry Jekyll, that infamous Dr or Jekyll and Hyde fame. Crowe keeps injecting himself with serums to keep his Hyde side hidden. Since its a Tom Cruise vehicle, we dont get to see in full monster mode. It will be fun when that kicks in further down the series.The movie begins at modern day Iraq. Nick Morton (Cruise) and Chris Vail (Jake Johnson) are two army buddies who have a sideline in stealing antiques and selling them on the black market. They stumble upon the tomb of Egyptian princess Ahmanet (Sofia Boutella) who was buried alive because she killed her father and his infant son. The tomb piques the interest of Jenny Halsey (Annabelle Wallis), an archaeologist and Mortons lover. The point is that an Egyptian tomb is found in Iraq. Because its a war zone, the decision is taken to excavate the Mummy and take it to America for further investigation. Well, it all goes downhill from there as the Mummy somehow awakens, takes over Cruises body and makes their plane crash over London. Now, the Mummy turns on to be a zombie queen or something, sucking life out of the living people, turning them into living dead and growing more powerful by the minute...The fun parts of the films are when the zombies stutter around drunkenly. You feel youre in for another 28 Days Later. Alas, it isnt so. Dr Jekyll (Crowe), a straight out of the 30s B movie villain turns up with his group of military grade minions and the film turns into something else altogether. Crowe plays a monster who knows hes a monster and whose mission in life is to terminate other monsters. Hes delighted when Cruise turns into Set because despite being a loose cannon, he has enough good in his heart to fight evil. And that, ladies and gentleman, is the premise of later films to come.The writers clearly had a field day, drawing from inspirations as far and wide as the Egyptian myths, the Dr Jekyll and other and other Gothic horrors to Lawrence Of Arabia. Everything and anything is game as long as no copyright suit comes along. The Mummy films starring Brendan Fraser were campy fun. Here, its another ball game altogether. A premise has been set, so whether you want it or not, be ready for another onslaught of monsters in years to come.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 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
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2017 / 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 Company's 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. Steel's 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 Company's earnings release revealed negative operating cash flow of $135 million, a significant decline in the Company's 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 Company's 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 Company's 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. Steel's 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

SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 9, 2017 / 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 Company's business, operational and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Celadon's 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, Celadon's 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, Celadon's 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, Celadon's 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 [Celadon's auditor], should not be relied upon."

On this news, Celadon's 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

SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP
NEW ORLEANS, LA--(Marketwired - August 04, 2017) - Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until September 29, 2017 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against IntelliPharmaCeutics International, Inc. (NASDAQ: IPCI), if they purchased the Company's shares between January 14, 2016 and July 26, 2017, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

What You May Do

If you purchased shares of IntelliPharmaCeutics and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit http://ksfcounsel.com/cases/nasdaqcm-ipci/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by September 29, 2017.

About the Lawsuit

IntelliPharmaCeutics and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) the Company failed to perform human abuse testing to support the New Drug Application ("NDA") for Rexista; (ii) the Company failed to include studies conducted to support Rexista's label claims regarding human abuse by various pathways; (iii) the Company was not submitting data to sufficiently support approval of the NDA; and (iv) as a result of the foregoing, IntelliPharmaCeutics' financial statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana.

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.

Contact:

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner

lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com

1-877-515-1850

206 Covington St.

Madisonville, LA 70447
Glasgow, Scotland (ots/PRNewswire) -Poster Presentation PDB27A new analysis of real-world data has shown that switching to Tresiba (insulin degludec) is highly cost-effective and cost-saving for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, respectively.[1] The analysis was presented today at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR 2017) 20th Annual European Congress.Tresiba remained cost-effective even after excluding key benefits associated with switching to Tresiba such as reductions in hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) and the use of health system resources in a calculation based on a treatment period of one year. When estimating the lifetime cost of diabetes, cost savings were even greater.[1]These data build on previously reported real-world evidence which found that switching to Tresiba from other basal insulins, mainly insulin glargine U100 and insulin detemir, provides significant reductions in blood glucose levels, as well as lowering the rates of potentially dangerous severe hypoglycaemic episodes by 92% in people with type 2 diabetes and by 85% in people with type 1 diabetes.[2][3]"In addition to the body of evidence supporting its benefits in clinical practice, Tresiba has been shown to be a cost-effective treatment option across various European healthcare systems," said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice president and chief science officer at Novo Nordisk. "We hope these encouraging findings from real-world clinical practice will help make Tresiba available to even more people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes around the world."About the analysisThis new analysis was based on an Italian subpopulation of the EU-TREAT (EUropean TREsiba AudiT) study, which is a European, multicentre, real-world evidence study with 2,550 people, investigating the effect of switching to Tresiba from another basal insulin in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.[1-3]Cost-effectiveness was evaluated based on change in hypoglycaemia rates, basal and prandial insulin dose, and body weight at 6 months after switching to Tresiba in 397 people with type 1 and 153 people with type 2 diabetes from Italy. Cost-effectiveness models evaluated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY)[1] and enable comparisons to be made across treatments and therapy areas.About TresibaTresiba (insulin degludec) is a once-daily basal insulin that provides duration of action beyond 42 hours with a flat and stable glucose-lowering effect.[4],[5] It provides low variability in blood glucose levels and a lower risk of overall, nocturnal and severe hypoglycaemia vs. insulin glargine U100.[4],[6] On occasions when administration at the same time of day is not possible, Tresiba allows for flexibility in day-to-day dosing time with a minimum of eight hours between injections.[4] Tresiba received its first regulatory approval in September 2012 and has since been approved in more than 80 countries globally. It is now commercially available in more than 50 countries.About Novo NordiskNovo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to help people defeat obesity, haemophilia, growth disorders and other serious chronic conditions. Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 41,700 people in 77 countries, and markets its products in more than 165 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (Novo-B). Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NVO). For more information, visit www.novonordisk.com, Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/novonordisk), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/novonordisk), LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/company/novo-nordisk), YouTube (http://www.Youtube.com/novonordisk).Further informationReferences1. Haldrup S, Lapolla A, Gundgaard J, et al. Cost-effectiveness of switching to insulin degludec (ideg) in real-world clinical practice in italy. Poster presentation. International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) 20th Annual European Congress, Glasgow, Scotland. November 2017.2. Siegmund T, Tentolouris N, Knudsen TS, et al. EU-TREAT 1: Switching to insulin degludec reduces the risk of hypoglycaemia in patients with T1DM in a real-world setting. Poster presentation. 77th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Asosciation (ADA), San Diego, California, US. June 2017.3. Schultes B, Tentolouris N, Knudsen TS, et al. EU-TREAT 2: Switching to insulin degludec improves glycaemic control in patients with T2DM in a real-world setting. Poster presentation. 77th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Asosciation (ADA), San Diego, California, US. June 2017.4. EMA. Tresiba Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/EPAR_-_Product_I nformation/human/002498/WC500138940.pdf. Last accessed: October 2017.5. Haahr H, Heise T. A review of the pharmacological properties of insulin degludec and their clinical relevance. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2014; 53:787-800.6. Marso SP, McGuire DK, Zinman B, et al. Efficacy and safety of degludec versus glargine in type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2017; 377:723-732.Novo Nordisk A/SCorporate AffairsNovo Alle2880 BagsvrdDenmarkTelephone:+45-4444-8888Internet: www.novonordisk.comCVR no:24 25 67 90ZINC#: HQMMA/TB/1017/0371 November 2017Further informationMedia:Katrine Sperling+45-4442-6718krsp@novonordisk.comAsa Josefsson+45-3079-7708aajf@novonordisk.comInvestors:Peter Hugreffe Ankersen+45-3075-9085phak@novonordisk.comHanna Ogren+45-3079-8519haoe@novonordisk.comAnders Mikkelsen+45-3079-4461armk@novonordisk.comChristina Kjr+45-3079-3009cnje@novonordisk.comKasper Veje (US)+1-609-235-8567kpvj@novonordisk.comots Originaltext: Novo Nordisk A/S Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de
Carsome, a Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia-based C2B used car platform, rasied $6m in funding.

The round was led by Gobi Partners with participation from Lumia Capital, Innoven, 500 Startups and Spiral Ventures.

Founded by Eric Cheng and Jiun Ee Teoh in 2015, Carsome is an online used car auction platform that provides users with tools and services to sell used cars.

The solution allows consumers to get a free online valuation, receive free inspection services, and then have their car immediately listed on a virtual auction platform, where over 1,500 used car dealerships can compete to buy the car. The process ensures that the sellers get the best price on their car and get paid immediately.

Carsomes annualized gross revenue stands at approximately US$30m. The company has a staff of over 100 in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia, the four countries where they currently have operations.

The company plans to use the new funds to further expand regionally, while also launching more inspection outlets across the four countries, with a primary focus on Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

The four country site are:

https://www.carsome.my/

http://www.carsomesg.com/

http://www.carsome.co.th/

http://www.carsome.id/

FinSMEs

10/06/2017
Pinterest, a San Francisco, CA-based visual discovery platform, raised $150m in funding.

The round reportedly brought the companys valuation to $12.3 Billion.

The backers were not disclosed.

Co-founded in March 2010 by Ben Silbermann, Evan Sharp and Paul Sciarra, Pinterest operates a visual discovery platform to help people discover things and inspire to go do those things in their daily lives. The service, available online, for Android and iOS, has reached 175m monthly active users earlier this year.

The company employees 500 people in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Berlin, Tokyo and Sao Paulo.

FinSMEs

09/06/2017
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, June 10

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

China is currently the main energy partner of Turkmenistan, Chinese President Xi Jinping told a meeting with his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Astana.

The presidents took part in the opening ceremony of the international specialized exhibition Astana EXPO-2017, reads a message of the Turkmen government.

The sides exchanged views on the key areas of strategic cooperation and confirmed their readiness to intensify economic partnership.

"They pointed out the need to strengthen cooperation in transportation logistics in order to step up the efficiency of transit corridors, linking China and Europe, the Middle East and the Mediterranean region through the territory of Turkmenistan," the message said.
There were two developments on the Aadhaar front on Friday, but only one has got all the attention. This is, of course, the Supreme Court order on the compulsory linking of an individuals income tax PAN and Aadhaar numbers. The second development, reported by The Times of India, is that the central government has stood firm on giving welfare benefits only for those with Aadhaar after 30 June.

The anti-Aadhaar group will see both as hugely negative developments but a nuanced view is in order. The order on linking of PAN and Aadhaar is being described as a partial victory for those who opposed the move. Lets be clear  it is no relief at all.

The Court unreservedly upholds the validity of Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act. It only gives relief to those PAN card holders who dont have an Aadhaar number right now and stood to have their PAN invalidated if they did not even apply for an Aadhaar number by 31 July  the last date for filing income tax returns;  those assesses who are not Aadhaar card holders and do not comply with the provision of Section 139 (2), their PAN cards be not treated as invalid for the time being (emphasis added). Whats more, it goes on to say that it is only giving this relief because people who have their PAN invalidated will face problems in day-to-day dealings.

The last hope of those who are challenging the very idea of Aadhaar and its mandatory nature as well of those disturbed by the slow creep of Aadhaar has disappeared. But should they have expected any relief from the Court? Let us not forget that some cases of Aadhaar over-reach has been mandated by court orders. The compulsory linking of all mobile numbers with Aadhaar was based on a Supreme Court ruling to that effect in February.

This writer has consistently argued against the Aadhaar creep and had opposed the PAN-Aadhaar linkage. But I am willing to concede that the problem of fake PANs is a real one. Income tax officials talk about business families which use multiple PAN cards for different transactions to escape the tax net. So, perhaps Aadhaar linkage is needed to weed out these fake PANs. But how does this come into play for mobile phone connections as well as air and rail bookings, as the government is proposing? Should the private sector also start asking for Aadhaar as the default ID proof? There needs to be serious rethink, including by the Supreme Court, on what Aadhaar is meant for.

Will the Court also uphold the governments stand on linking Aadhaar with welfare delivery? It has, in earlier orders, said the lack of Aadhaar should not be an excuse for denying welfare to beneficiaries. According to The Times of India report, the government has stood firm on linking the two, pointing out that only those who have not been able to apply for Aadhaar because of lack of registration facilities in their areas would continue to get benefits after 30 June, on the basis of alternative documents.

The government is certainly right in pointing out that the uniqueness of Aadhaar helps in elimination of duplicates and fakes from any beneficiary database (which is what makes it suitable for eliminating fake PANs as well). Several cases have come to light of ghost enrolments in schools to siphon off money meant for mid-day meals, of duplicate ration cards and the like. And let us not forget that the Aadhar legislation is Aadhaar (Targetted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act.

If the Supreme Court is accepting the argument of Aadhaar being the best instrument of weeding out fake PANs, it should also accept the argument of making Aadhaar mandatory for welfare delivery in order to week out fake/ghost beneficiaries.

Activists fighting against this provision on the grounds that people are being excluded from welfare should direct their energies to facilitate potential beneficiaries getting enrolled under Aadhaar. The argument that welfare leakages should be allowed to continue because it is given in the name of the poor is no argument at all.

The activists have a point that biometric authentication fails because of lack of connectivity and problems with iris and fingerprint authentication in the case of senior citizens and manual workers respectively. But it might be better to engage with the authorities and work out solutions for this. The UIDAI and the government should also refrain from dismissing these concerns and come up with solutions to these problems. Perhaps when the Supreme Court is giving a ruling on the issue of linking Aadhaar with welfare, it should deal with this issue. But to put an end to linking Aadhaar with welfare delivery would be a retrograde step.

While upholding the PAN-Aadhaar linkage, the Court has said that the government needs to take steps to allay worries over data leakage and theft. But the Court too needs to address the issue of privacy, pending before a Constitution Bench, urgently. A bunch of petitions challenging Aadhaar on the grounds of privacy is caught up in that. And the government too needs to show the same urgency in moving towards a privacy legislation as it is on expanding the reach of Aadhaar.
A small-scale manufacturing company with operations in only one state will have to file a minimum of 37 returns instead of the current 13 once the goods and services tax (GST) goes live from 1 July, 2017, increasing work for industry, accountants and banks, according to an IndiaSpend analysis.

With the deadline for GST less than a month away, finance professionals, banks and industry seem unprepared for the challenges of implementing the one nation-one tax idea, work towards which began 13 years ago.

"The entire ecosystem needs to be changed to accept GST," K Raghu, former president, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, told IndiaSpend. "An ideal date for implementation would be 1 September."

The Indian Banks Association, a body that represents 237 banks, has informed a parliamentary panel that their members were unprepared to implement the new indirect tax regime.

"Everything will now be online and will need to be updated regularly. A business will have to file 37 returns in a year (three returns per month and one annual return) per state," The Economic Times reported. "If it does business from offices in more than one state, the number of returns will go up accordingly. A business with offices in three states will have to file 111 tax returns in a year."

Type Of Returns To Be Filed Under Goods & Services Tax RETURN FORM WHAT TO FILE? BY WHOM? BY WHEN? GSTR-1 Details of outward supplies of taxable goods and/or services effected Registered Taxable Supplier 10th of the next month GSTR-2 Details of inward supplies of taxable goods and/or services effected claiming input tax credit. Registered Taxable Recipient 15th of the next month GSTR-3 Monthly return on the basis of finalization of details of outward supplies and inward supplies along with the payment of amount of tax. Registered Taxable Person 20th of the next month GSTR-4 Quarterly return for compounding taxable person. Composition Supplier 18th of the month succeeding quarter GSTR-5 Return for Non-Resident foreign taxable person Non-Resident Taxable Person 20th of the next month GSTR-6 Return for Input Service Distributor Input Service Distributor 13th of the next month GSTR-7 Return for authorities deducting tax at source. Tax Deductor 10th of the next month GSTR-8 Details of supplies effected through e-commerce operator and the amount of tax collected E-commerce Operator/Tax Collector 10th of the next month GSTR-9 Annual return Registered Taxable Person 31st December of next financial year GSTR-10 Final Return Taxable person whose registration has been surrendered or cancelled. Within three months of the date of cancellation or date of cancellation order, whichever is later. GSTR-11 Details of inward supplies to be furnished by a person having UIN Person having UIN and claiming refund 28th of the month following the month for which statement is filed

With the government announcing GST for four tax rates  5 percent, 12 percent, 18 percent and 28 percent  industry will face implementation challenges that include system upgrades, manpower training and understanding new taxes. Every transaction, sale or purchase, will now have to be recorded online to benefit from the tax paid earlier.

Process flow of returns filed under Goods and Services Tax:

The challenges of central and state GST and federalism

India is implementing a dual GST with the Centre and states together levying it on a common tax base. "The GST to be levied by the Centre on intra-state supply of goods and/or services would be called the Central GST (CGST) and that to be levied by the states would be called the state GST (SGST)," according to this list of frequently asked questions published by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), the central body of indirect taxes.

"Similarly, Integrated GST (IGST) will be levied and administered by the Centre on every inter-state supply of goods and services," said the FAQs added.

A dual GST adheres to the constitutional requirement of fiscal federalism, since both the Centre and states have the powers to levy and collect taxes. "The central GST and state GST would be levied simultaneously on every transaction of supply of goods and services, except the exempted goods and services, goods which are outside the purview of GST and the transactions which are below the prescribed threshold limits," the FAQs noted.

While 24 states have passed state GST acts, seven have not done so yet.

24 States passes State GST Act while 7 States viz. Meghalaya,Punjab,Tamil Nadu,Kerala,Karnataka,J&K & West Bengal yet to pass the SGST ACT.  Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) June 5, 2017

Understanding GST intricacies is not easy

While the location of the supplier and the customer within the country is immaterial for the purpose of CGST, SGST would be charged only when the supplier and the customer are within the state.

An illustration from the FAQ published by the government: Suppose the CGST rate is 10 percent and the SGST is 10 percent. When a wholesale steel dealer in Uttar Pradesh supplies bars and rods to a construction company within the state for, say Rs 100, the dealer would charge CGST of Rs 10 and SGST of Rs 10, in addition to the basic price of the goods. The wholesaler would be required to deposit the CGST into a central government account and the SGST into the account of the state government. "Of course, he need not actually pay Rs 20 (Rs 10 + Rs 10) in cash, as he would be entitled to set-off this liability against CGST or SGST paid on his purchases (say, inputs)," said the FAQ.

This is where implementation challenges arise, as former ICWAI president Raghu explained. Every invoice from buyers and sellers must be entered in the GST system correctly to ensure that benefits accrue down the chain.

"We have a system today across a majority of small units where an accountant comes (in) once a month, makes vouchers and inputs details for taxes," said Raghu. "That will have to end now because we are moving to an online, almost real-time system that will need a lot of manpower."

The finance industry is ready by training its professionals, said Raghu, who predicted many job opportunities over the next 5-6 years. But, as he added, it would take at least 12 to 18 months for the system to "settle down". "I do see a lot of CAs and other finance professionals being trained for indirect taxes in the coming years," he said.

Industry, services not yet there

India's industry and banking system will have to change systems, train personnel and accept the extra workload for the new taxation system. The banking system has clearly said it is not yet ready; industry is ambivalent.

"Nearly 50 percent of Indian businesses are not aware of the changes that GST will usher in," Bharat Goenka, managing director, Tally Solutions, was quoted as saying in The Economic Times on 5 June.

Tally accounting software is widely used by Indian companies. The company is waiting for the GST rules to be finalised, so that it can roll out its GST software for Indian companies, the report said.

A senior official of Federation of the Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), requesting anonymity because the launch date was close, said GST was "now a fact", and industry was trying to adapt. FICCI has been conducting awareness sessions among industry verticals to help understand the new structure, he added.

The industrial sector, especially the services sector, is waiting for more clarity on tax rates, processes and the time frame for the systems to settle down.

"What we still don't know is which tax slab we fall in," a marine service provider operating in Goa told IndiaSpend, on condition of anonymity. "While it is good that the taxation system will be streamlined and we will not have to deal with multiple tax payments like excise, service tax and value added tax, we still dont know how much time it will take for everybody to be on board."
So much awaited decision of Supreme Court on constitutional validity of Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act introduced in the last budget has been delivered. The impression which one gets on reading the media reports is that the court has invalidated the provisions of Section 139AA, and has ordered against the requirement of linking of PAN card and Aadhaar Card as well as the mandatory requirement to quote your Aadhaar Card in your Income Tax return if filed after 1 July, 2017. What the court has ordered is not what the media is making out it to be. Let us understand the implications of the Supreme Courts order in detail.

Requirement of Section 139AA

Before we go to examine the immediate implications as well as implications in due course, let us first understand what are the provisions of recently inserted Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act. Section 139 AA is divided in two parts and provides three things in connection with PAN number and Aadhaar Number. The first two things have come into operation after the Finance Act got presidents assent on 31 March, 2017. Firstly it provides for mandatory quoting of your Aadhaar number while filing your income Tax Return after 1 July, 2017. The second requirement of Section 139AA is that you will have to quote your Aadhaar number while making an application for allotment of new PAN number after 1 July.

The law also provides that these provisions will apply only in cases where a person is entitled to apply for an Aadhaar number. As per the Aadhaar scheme only the person who has been resident in India for more than 182 days is entitled to apply for the Aadhaar, so NRIs are not eligible to obtain the Aadhaar number. Moreover all the foreign citizens i.e expats who are staying in India for more than 182 days on the date of making the application, are also eligible to obtain the Aadhaar number. Aadhaar is only a proof for identification and does not serve as the purpose of your citizenship. The law further provides that in case you have not yet received your Aadhaar number/card you can quote the Aadhaar enrolment number.

The second part of Section 139AA has wider ramifications as it cover all the persons who have PAN number whether they are filing their income tax return or not. The second part requires all the persons whether tax payer or not to intimate their Aadhaar number to authorities to be notified by the government before a date yet to be specified.

This part though has come into effect from 1 July but actual implementation of the same will be from the date to be notified by the government. In case you fail to intimate your PAN number by the date which may be notified later on, the PAN number allotted to you would become invalid and all the consequences will follow.

Let us understand the consequences if your PAN number becomes invalid. First and most important implication of your PAN number becoming invalid is that you will not get the credit for all the TDS which has been deducted from your income whether as salary or interest etc. as the PAN number no longer exists. The other consequence on a PAN number becoming invalid will affect many non tax payers like citizen and widows who do not have taxable income and therefore submit form No. 15 G or 15H.

PAN number submitted by you is invalid and effectively you do not have any PAN. So instead of not deducting TDS from the interest/other income being paid to you, the payer will deduct tax @ 20 percent under section 206A, and to add insult to the injury you will not be able to get credit for the same. Giving of an invalid PAN number amounts to furnishing a wrong PAN or not furnishing of your PAN for which a penalty of Rs 10,000/- can also be levied on you under Section 272B. So the PAN card becoming invalid if the provisions come into effect will have huge adverse impact on people who submit form N0. 15G or 15H.

Immediate implications

The Supreme court has upheld the power of the Parliament to pass any law which mandates linking of the PAN number and Aadhaar number. And thus has upheld constitutional validity of Section 139AA. The Supreme Courts order, however, is subject to the pending case before the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme court which is examining the subject under article 21 of the Constitution, of right to privacy and concerns that the Aadhaar scheme affects the human dignity and whether it infringed on the right to privacy and if there was any threat of data leakage. So for the time being you are spared of having to quote the PAN while making application for fresh PAN number.

The Court has specifically stated that those tax payers who already have their Aadhaar number should quote the same while filing their income tax return. So in case you do not have your Aadhaar number you need not worry and rush to apply for one as you can file you income tax return without quoting your Aadhaar Number.

Implications after the decision of the constitutional bench is delivered

In case the Court upholds that the Aadhaar scheme does not violates the rights of privacy and does not affects human dignity, all the PAN holder will have to intimate their Aadhaar number to the authority if the government notifies the date and the authority to whom such information is to be given. Going by the willingness of the Supreme Court to accommodate the government and the tone of the judgement announced seems the Supreme Court will hold that the Aadhaar scheme not be violative of article 21 of the Constitution of India.

As the court has asked the tax payers who already have Aadhaar number to quote the same while filing income tax returns after 1 July, 2017, and since the Court has under this order directed the government to take appropriate steps to stop leakage of the Aadhaar data, which is one of the issue pending before the constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court, I feel the order of the Supreme Court will eventually come in favour of the government and thus paving the way for full implementation of Section 139AA explained above.

Let us keep our fingers cross till the issue is finally decided.

(The writer is Mumbai-based Financial Expert)
When I first spoke to Payal Kapadia, who holds the honour of being the director of Afternoon Clouds, the only Indian film to compete at the 70th Cannes Film Festival, she sounded both excited and flustered. The 30-year-old final-year student of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) was preparing to go to the French Riviera and was worried about her team not getting their visas on time. Her film was picked from 2,600 submissions in the Cinefondation category from film schools across the world. Now, she is back and finds that her experience was very different from the way that the Cannes festival is portrayed in the media.

Afternoon Clouds was a studio exercise that Payal Kapadia had to execute at FTII in her second year. She calls it the story of two women  a middle-aged woman and her domestic help, a migrant from Nepal  who live alone in an apartment. "The film looks at the notion of love in a space where these things are not easily spoken about. Through it, I am trying to explore the ideas of vulnerability and impermanence," says Kapadia.

She says that she has been preoccupied by the subjects the film explores across various projects. "In India, I think love expressed by women is a very complex and difficult thing. It comes with the mixed feelings of exhilaration and fear. There is a sense of uncertainty that lingers on in the decision one makes. These are also very personal preoccupations and so I was compelled to explore them through cinema," she explains.

Such feelings are sensitive, and Kapadia said her own personal questions about them inspired her to make the film, which was partly influenced by her own grandmother's story. She says that daily life is a huge inspiration for her, and that the mundane and banal are a great space for drama. "One does not need to look too far for inspiration because the life that surrounds us is full of poetic possibilities including dreams and memories," she says.

The other major influence for this film was senior Indian artist Arpita Singh's paintings, in which she finds a sense of lightness combined with melancholy. She finds that through drawings of the female body, Singh manages to talk about transient feelings by using seemingly simple devices.

If you take a look at the trailer of Afternoon Clouds, you will notice that there is a sense of silence ad tranquil to it. The focus is on the visuals and subjects, with the sound and dialogues being minimalistic. This is also true of the glimpses you will get of her other films, such as Watermelon, Fish and Half Ghost and The Last Mango Before Monsoon. She says that the challenge with respect to making this 13-minute film lay in bringing to life a believable set and mise-en-scene, when every little detail had to be recreated inside the four walls of a studio. Another challenging aspect was the creation of natural light, and giving the film a realistic feel.

Kapadia describes the feeling of receiving the news about her film's selection surreal. She was shooting a documentary film with her crew in a remote forest of Bhimashankar, Maharashtra, when she received an e-mail from Cinefondation. A few weeks later, she and the Afternoon Clouds team were at Cannes, where she was exposed to the "serious side" of the festival, which she says is not portrayed by the media. "It was wonderful to meet and interact with filmmakers from around the world who were also presenting their films at Cinefondation. There was a lot to learn from each and every film," she says.

She also holds the honour of being FTII's only student whose film has gone to Cannes. Now Payal's back at FTII, where she has two more projects lined up as a part of her last year coursework. She describes the film institute as one of the best learning experiences, and says that it has contributed to her style of film making too. "Film school  like any art school  is not just about learning the skill or using the camera. It is about constantly engaging with ones medium and interacting with others who have similar yet varied preoccupations. It gives you time to think about your practice and develop a language for yourself," she says.

Kapadia further goes on to talk about her peers and professors, whose processes and discussions have shaped her point of view on cinema. This, as well as the ability to access rare films due to FTII's association with the National Film Archive, has been important to her learning process.

She also highlights the fact that FTII is a subsidised school where people from different socio-economic backgrounds can learn film making, which is expensive. She says that many people may not have not the opportunity to study film if it were not for a space like her film school. "It allows for a wide range of views and experiences to be expressed and heard, which truly represent a microcosm of the entire country," she adds. After she graduates, Kapadia hopes to develop a feature film and continue experimenting with the short film format.

Watch the trailer of Afternoon Clouds here:


Tollywood star Nandamuri Balakrishnan, who is best known for his performance in films like Dana Veera Soora Karna, Srimadvirataparvam and Akbar Saleem Anarkali, will be seen on screen for the 101st time in Paisa Vasool, which is directed by Puri Jagannadh.

The director released the title of the film and the first look on the eve of Balakrishnas 57th birthday. If they are anything to go by, Paisa Vasool will be a larger-than-life action film.

pic.twitter.com/b2kmjLDxw2  PURI JAGAN (@purijagan) June 9, 2017 Shriya Saran will play the female lead in this film, making it the second collaboration between the two actors, who also starred in Gautamiputra Satakarni together. This film was received well by critics, and Balakrishna was lauded for his performance.

The shooting of Paisa Vasool is in progress, and the crew is currently in Portugal to shoot three songs and fight scenes, after which they will return to Hyderabad, where the last shooting schedule has been planned. Reportedly, the film will release on 29 September, and Balakrishna will also make his singing debut in it. The song, composed by music director Anoop Rubens, is said to be a peppy one.

He is also working on another film called Rythu, reports suggest.
Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday congratulated Britain's first female Sikh MP and first turban-wearing MP, along with 10 other Indian-origin lawmakers who were elected to the House of Commons in the UK.

Describing their victory as the "dawn of a new era", the chief minister in his message said these leaders have "scripted a new success story".

The victory of first female Sikh MP Preet Kaur Gill and first turbaned Sikh Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi in England along with two other MPs  Virender Sharma and Seema Malhotra from Punjab, has endorsed the indomitable spirit of people from Punjab, said the chief minister in a statement.

Amarinder expressed confidence that the newly elected Punjabi MPs would play a significant role in the overall development of their native state along with that of England.

The chief minister also hoped that these newly elected MPs would efficiently raise the issues concerning the people of Punjab at an appropriate forum to attract the global attention, if needed.

They have been elected along with eight other MPs of Indian origin including Priti Patel, Alok Sharma, Shailesh Vara, Rishi Sunak, Suella Fernandes, Keith Vaz, Valerie Vaz and Lisa Nandy.

Meanwhile, Amarinder Singh also congratulated the Punjabi people settled in England for reposing their faith in the democratic process by taking part in the recently concluded elections.
New Delhi: The Congress said on Friday that the government needs to look at security issues concerning use of Aadhar.

Reacting to the Supreme Court judgment on the provision in the Income Tax Act mandating linking of the Aadhaar number with the Permanent Account Number, Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said that Aadhaar was introduced by the party-led UPA government and they were very clear about how it will be used.

"BJP had gone out of its way to criticise us for introducing this. We must keep in mind that there are some issues which even the Supreme Court has highlighted as far as security concerns matter," she said, noting there have been concerns over leak of data.

"As far as security is concerned, it is something that the government needs to look into. Second, linking Aadhar to all social welfare schemes is something which goes beyond the purpose of Aadhaar... what was initially thought of," she said.

The apex court on Friday upheld the provision in the Income Tax Act mandating linking of the Aadhaar number with the Permanent Account Number (PAN), but partially blocked its operation.

A bench of Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Ashok Bhushan in their judgment held that those who already possess the Aadhaar number will have to link it with PAN, but it cannot be insisted upon in case of people not possessing it.

Congress leader and senior advocate Salman Khurshid noted Justice Sikri had "obviously looked at issues about dignity of the citizen but said that it is so closely related to the privacy issue already before the constitution bench that it is best that the dignity, privacy issues under Article 21 are left to the constitution bench to decide".

Khurshid told NDTV that the court has said that people who have Aadhaar card will be required to use it and those who don't can get it if they want.

"But if they do not have it, their PAN card will continue to operate. So previous transactions are not to be invalidated. Non-availability of Aadhaar card will not automatically invalidate any transaction or PAN card," he said.

Khurshid also said the judgment also notes that issues related security and data leak should be further examined by the government.
Karnataka farmers have been seeking compensation from the government for the losses incurred by them after their crops went dry in the last drought. Karnataka has seen successive droughts for the past six cropping seasons and some farmers in the state have reportedly received a compensation of one rupee in their bank accounts for damaged crops.

Karnataka: After 3 years of drought farmers in Hubli given crop loss compensation b/w Re.1 - Rs.3000, authorities say its a test transaction pic.twitter.com/pKL6wmkZ0n  ANI (@ANI_news) June 9, 2017

CNN-News18 quoted some farmers in the districts of Vijapura, Dharwad, Hassan and Koppal as saying that the State Revenue Department deposited one rupee to their bank accounts.

This development comes as the Congress, which is the ruling party in Karnataka, has been accusing the BJP governments in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh of being indifferent to farmers' issues.

State law minister TB Jayachandra told the legislative Assembly that the details of the case would be presented on 11 June, The Times Of India reported. "I am shocked that paltry sums are being remitted into the accounts of farmers as crop compensation," the daily quoted Jayachandra as saying.

The report also mentioned that Opposition leaders in the state heavily criticised the government's move. Leader of Opposition Jagadish Shettar said, "The government should be ashamed. If you want to give compensation, do so properly. What can a farmer do with one rupee?"

The Congress government in Karnataka, however, defended the incident by stating that the paltry relief was a mistake, adding this was a test case' to check authenticity of accounts after they were linked to Aadhaar recently, CNN-News18 report said.

"These payments were made by the National Payments Corporation of India on a test check basis on 6 June (as part of direct benefit transfer). Once the tests prove that the right beneficiaries are getting the money, the entire compensation will be paid to them," the report quoted an official of the revenue department as saying, hours after the issue was brought up in the state Assembly.

When asked whether depositing one rupee in one lakh accounts for a test was a waste of the exchequer's money, Karnataka's agriculture minister, Krishna Byre Gowda, said, "That is better than depositing lakhs of rupees in wrong accounts. Anyway, if one rupee is gone to the right account then it is no loss. I am really at a loss to understand this test run being questioned."
Darjeeling: A day after a 12-hour bandh called by the influential Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) for revival of Gorkhaland agitation, life limped back to normalcy here as people resumed their daily work with hotels, shops, eateries and markets opening for regular business on Saturday.

Following Thursday's violence between GJM supporters and the police, the GJM Yuva Morcha had called a bandh on Friday, protesting against alleged imposition of Bengali language in the schools in the hills as well as for a separate Gorkhaland, among other issues.

Tourists gradually started arriving in Darjeeling after transportation facilities were put back in order. Several hotel owners, however, said they have been receiving calls to cancel the bookings of many tourists. "This is a peak season and we have seen a surge in tourism here. If this continues, our business will take a dip as we depend on this season for our living. We are trying to convince the tourists that everything is fine but many of them are insisting on cancellation of bookings," Shibshankar Majumdar, manager of a hotel near Mall area, said.

Several tourists reached Kolkata availing the free bus service provided by the state government in the wake of the unrest in the hills. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was already in Darjeeling on Thursday, had stayed back after trouble broke out and supervised the entire operations.

State government sources said the chief minister, who had descended to the plains of Darjeeling district late last night, will take stock of the situation in the hills from there itself.

Banerjee, who spent Friday night at Uttar Kanya, the mini- secretariat in north Bengal, is likely to hold a meeting there with chief secretary Basudeb Banerjee, Home secretary Malay De, director general of police Surajit Kar Purkayastha and other senior officials in the afternoon regarding the next step to tackle the situation in the hills.

With the state government announcing a special audit of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration's (GTA) handling of finances in another two weeks, GJM chief Bimal Gurung is also likely to meet his party colleagues to decide their next strategy.

Meanwhile, the state government has replaced Darjeeling superintendent of police Amit Javalgi with Akhilesh Chaturvedi, who was serving as the deputy commissioner (Central), Kolkata police.
Out of 1.2 billion people living in India, 90 million families  or 54.6 percent of the population  is engaged in agriculture.

But though over half the population is engaged in farming, and 2016 saw a plentiful harvest, it took the death of six farmers in police firing in Madhya Pradesh for us to focus on this problem,and realise issues have been present in agriculture for a very long time.

The protests, which started in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, have spread to other states like Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. Farmer suicides are also still rampant in the country. But the problems facing the Indian farmer are not just economic; they are also highly political. And until politicians at the Centre and states  irrespective of whether they are in the ruling party or in the Opposition  take concrete steps to tackle the problems instead of making populist promises, the condition of the farmers will only worsen.

Price slide

According to IndiaSpend, a plentiful harvest in 2016 and imports drove some prices down by 63 percent. Reuters further reported that farming accounts for a mere 14 percent of India's GDP, much lower than 47 percent of GDP just after India's independence 70 years ago.

India is still carrying a huge inventory of foodgrains from last year's record harvest, since exports were hit by an appreciating rupee, falling global prices and restrictions on overseas shipments.

This is perhaps the biggest evidence that rising production in agriculture on its own cannot lead to good prices for farmers.

Despite a substantial increase in production of tur  which saw the highest growth among all pulses  an influx of import of pulses from Myanmar, Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi caused the price of turn to fall from Rs 11,000 per quintal (from December 2015) to Rs 3,800 to Rs 4,000 per quintal since December 2016.

What has exacerbated the problem of low prices for agricultural commodities is the fact that agricultural policies have encouraged higher production of crops previously in short supply but offered scant protection on prices.

Many farm commodities are trading below support prices set by the government. That is because the government only commits serious sums to buying wheat and rice, but not other crops.

Maban Sabnavis in this Firstpost article explained that the reason the Minimum Support Price (MSP)  the price at which government buys crops from the farmers  retains a number which does not lead to any procurement is because "the market price tends to be higher, and hence farmers may not wish to sell at this price". The government may also not have the ability or machinery required for the procurement.

Though one solution can be to provide a bonus above the MSP for specific crops, this still does not solve the problem of high input costs.

High cost of production

Sabnavis further explained that among the farmer has to take care of a lot of issues before the production is complete. "These include availability of high quality seeds, inputs such as water and fertilisers, finance at both the pre-harvest and post-harvest levels, logistics in moving the goods and finally marketing where it is sold to the consumer. The fact that agriculture is unorganised means that there are several levels of intermediaries which can stretch to 6-8 depending on the crop and location," he wrote.

Because of a high cost of these factors of production, the prices at which farmers sell their produce often falls lower than what they spend on production. According to The Times of India, paddy in Madhya Pradesh was being sold at 15 percent less than the cost of production, while wheat was fetching them just a 2 percent profit.

The report further said that for cultivating wheat in Madhya Pradesh, Rs 1,241.34 was spent on fertilisers per hectare in 2004-05, which more than doubled to Rs 2,695.27 per hectare in 2014-15. Cost of seeds increased from Rs 998 to Rs 2,653 in the same period while cose of irrigation rose from Rs 1,961.50 to Rs 2,599.55.

Loan waivers

This is probably the most politicised issue in agriculture. Farm loan waivers amounting to over Rs 36,000 crore by the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh created similar demands in other states like Maharashtra.

By writing off loans taken by farmers, the government creates an atmosphere where the farmers lose incentive to repay their loans in the future. However, it has been argued by several Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi that "Narendra Modi could waive loans worth Rs 1.50 lakh crore of the richest people of India, but can't pay heed to the plight of farmers".

In other words, if banks can forgive loans of industrialists and businessmen, why can't it do the same for the farmers?

Well, two wrongs do not make a right, as Dinesh Unnikrishnan explains in this Firstpost article.

"What has triggered a series of protests across major agrarian states like Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh was the Uttar Pradesh loan waiver announced by the Yogi Adityanath government," he wrote.

Moreover, if basic problems like low prices and high cost of production are not addressed, loan waivers continue to be just a temporary relief rather than a long-term solution.

Seetha explains in another Firstpost article that the 2008-09 UPA-sponsored loan waiver did not improve conditions. "A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report found that 13.5 percent of loan accounts were denied the waiver though they were eligible for it, while as much as Rs 20.5 crore was spent on waiving debts of non-eligible farmers. Worse, many of them had taken loans for non-agricultural purposes. Debt waiver receipts were not issued, records were tampered in over 2,000 cases with claims totalling Rs 8.6 crore," she says in the article.

Small landholdings

Indiaspend reported that the main reason farming is becoming unviable in India is because farms in the country are now among the worlds smallest.

While the global average of landholding size is 5.5 hectares, the per capita availability of land in India from 1951 to 2011 declined by 70 percent, from 0.5 hectares to 0.15 hectares.

Small and marginal landholdings make up 85 percent of the number of operational farms in India. Small farms make it tough for farmers to use modern machinery, because such farmers are too poor to afford such equipment. Manual labour costs also increase. And the small size and output makes it difficult for the farmers to get loans and institutional credit.

Demonetisation

The ban on old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes announced by the Modi government in November last year did not help most farmers. Tomato farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and onion farmers in Maharashtra and Gujarat were the worst hit, as their prices fell by 60 to 85 percent.

Not a lot has improved six months after demonetisation and the move has worsened the circumstances which led to the farmers' agitations in the country today.

Climate change

Indiaspend further explained that rainfall is becoming increasingly uncertain in a country where over half of the farmers still depend on rain.

"Extreme rainfall events in central India, the core of the monsoon system, are increasing and moderate rainfall is decreasing  as a part of complex changes in local and world weather  according to a clutch of Indian and global studies," said the report.

And even though the droughts of 2014 and 2015 in rural Maharashtra were followed by plentiful rains in 2016, many parts of the state were also flooded.

Groundwater levels, which provide water for two-thirds of India's irrigated land, are also falling.

With inputs from agencies
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, June 10

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Mekan Ishanguliev has been appointed as Turkmenistans ambassador to Azerbaijan.

The relevant documents on this appointment have been signed by the countrys President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at a meeting of the government.

Under the decrees, Ishanguliev has been given the diplomatic rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and appointed Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Azerbaijan (Baku city).
Thiruvananthapuram: Veteran CPM leader VS Achuthanandan on Saturday expressed concern over the plans to set up two more reactors at Kundankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district and said the move was condemnable.

The former Kerala Chief Minister said in a statement in Thiruvananthapuram that the existing units at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) had triggered safety concerns.

India and Russia had last month signed an agreement for setting up of two more units of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tirunelveli.

The CPM had taken a stand from the beginning that work on the nuclear power plant had to be started only after addressing concerns of the people, but it was not considered, he said.

"We have not received an answer so far to the question where residues of the nuclear plant were being processed," he said.

It was in these circumstances that the Centre had signed an agreement with Russia for setting up fifth and sixth reactors at the plant, he pointed out.

India also should withdraw from the agreement, he said.

KNPP, a Indo-Russian joint venture, is operating two units of 1000 MW each presently.
Kolkata: A day after removal of the Darjeeling superintendent of police, Inspectors in-charge of Kalimpong and Kurseong were shifted from their posts on Saturday in connection with the clashes between activists of Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) and the police on Thursday.

Bhanu Rai, Inspector in-charge of Kalimpong police station, and Dipankar Som of Kurseong police station were removed from their posts with immediate effect, an order issued by the Inspector General, Law and Order, said.

Inspector Tirtha Sarathi Nath of Dinhata police station will be the new in-charge in Kalimpong, while Parijat Sarkar of Siliguri will be the new IC of Kurseong police station, it said.

Rai was transferred to Murshidabad and Som was made inspector of Siliguri, a step taken at the behest of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a senior official in the law and order department said.

Darjeeling SP Amit Javalgi was on Friday removed from the post and replaced by Kolkata Police deputy commissioner (central) Akhilesh Chaturvedi.

Javalgi was sent to compulsory waiting as per the instruction from the secretariat.

The government is likely to remove ADG & IGP intelligence branch Gangeswar Singh from the post, a department source in the department said.

On Thursday, the hill station had turned into a virtual battlefield after GJM supporters clashed with the police when they were stopped from marching to the Raj Bhawan where the state cabinet meeting was underway.

The GJM Yuva Morcha had called a 12-hour bandh on Friday protesting against alleged imposition of Bengali language in the schools in the hills as well as for a separate Gorkhaland.
New Delhi: A 25-year-old cab driver has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the killing of an e-rickshaw driver outside the GTB Nagar metro station in May.

This is the second arrest in the case that had triggered widespread outrage with even Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemning the killing and directing the authorities to bring the culprits to book.

Earlier, a 19-year-old Delhi University student was arrested and a juvenile was apprehended.

The 32-year-old victim, Ravinder Kumar, was beaten to death by nearly a dozen men on 27 May, hours after he had objected to two men urinating in public outside the metro station in northwest Delhi.

The third accused, Mehul Deda, was arrested on 4 June, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Milind Mahadeo Dumbere.

Deda was part of the group which had attacked Kumar with towels filled with stones.

He had been on the run since the incident. He had been hiding in Rishikesh but returned to Delhi after he got to know that Kapasia and the juvenile had been nabbed.

He thought that the situation had eased now and decided to return, a police officer said.

Police said that they were looking for the other accused. The arrested duo will be questioned together to ascertain the identity of the other accused, police said.
Mehsana: Around 150 members of the Patidar community in Gujarat on Saturday tonsured their heads to protest the death of 28-year-old Ketan Patel in Mehsana allegedly in judicial custody earlier this week.

The members got their heads shaved inside the civil hospital campus in Mehsana and will send their hair to Chief Minister to register their protest against the government's failure to ensure action against culprits in the alleged police torture due to which Ketan died.

Ketan, a resident of Balol village near Mehsana was in judicial custody at Mehsana Sub-Jail since 4 June in a theft case. He died at the civil hospital on the night of 5 June within hours of admission under mysterious circumstances.

Police had said that Ketan was arrested on 3 June after a shop owner in Balol village lodged a complaint stating that he stole around Rs 5,000 from his shop.

Though police denied it was a case of custodial death, local Patel leaders and Ketan's family members alleged that he died due to police torture when he was in their custody before being sent to jail by the court on 4 June.

"Nearly 150 Patidar community members got their heads tonsured near the body of Ketan which was kept at postmortem room of the hospital. We did so to pray for the peace of the soul of Ketan," said a core committee member of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti from Mehsana, Narendra Patel.

"We will send the hair to CM Rupani to send across a message that if Patidar community can elevate BJP to power, it can also pull it down," he said.

Despite an assurance of fair probe given by the Gujarat government, Ketan Patel's family, who have alleged custodial torture by police, have so far refused to take his body.

A senior Patidar leader Lalji Patel, who shaved off his hair, said, "Our demand for an FIR to be lodged under section 302 of IPC for murder is not yet fulfilled, which is why more than 150 persons got their head tonsured."

According to police, Ketan was arrested after a shop owner in Balol village lodged a complaint stating that he stole around Rs 5,000 from his shop.

Though police denied it was a case of custodial death, local Patel leaders and Ketan's family members have alleged that he died due to police torture when he was in their custody before being sent to jail by the court.

Yesterday, a panel of doctors conducted a second post-mortem on his body after the chief judicial magistrate, who was probing the case, directed the authorities to conduct the post mortem as Ketan's kin were not satisfied with the first post mortem conducted on 7 June.

Ketan's father Mahendra Patel had threatened to sit outside the Mehsana civil hospital until a case was registered against the policemen, "who tortured and killed" his son.
Port Louis (Mauritius): India and Mauritius on Saturday signed a pact to institutionalise cooperation between Parliaments of the two countries.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Speaker of National Assembly of Mauritius Santi Bai Hanoomanjee after their meeting in Port Louis.

Mahajan, who is leading an Indian parliamentary delegation to Mauritius, said there is a lot to be learnt by sharing the best practices and experiences as parliamentary democracies.

In this regard, she said the MoU on joint framework for parliamentary support and capacity building is a "visionary step forward", according to a statement issued by the Lok Sabha secretariat.

She said the Parliament of India accords great importance to the steady development of parliamentary relations between the two countries.

Mahajan said the relations between the two countries are based on centuries of cultural, linguistic, social and spiritual links that transcend extraneous considerations.

More than political and other considerations, it is the commonality between the two societies and depth and nature of their people-to-people contacts which provide a platform for the sustained growth of friendship and partnership, she said.
Dehradun: Youths in Jammu and Kashmir are being misinformed and misguided by forces inimical to peace, army chief General Bipin Rawat said on Saturday.

Security forces have to devise ways to counter this, he said while addressing gentlemen cadets at the prestigious Indian Military Academy in Dehradun.

Rawat also said terrorism was the biggest challenge in front of the country as he urged the cadets to gear up to grapple with the scourge.

The army chief presided over a colourful passing out parade by 490 gentlemen cadets on the completion of their course.

He said it was time they put the lessons of valour and military skills learnt at the academy to the service of the nation.

The army chief, himself an alumnus of the IMA, said the academy imparts the best training to its cadets which matches up to international standards.

Earlier, the immaculately turned-out cadets put up a well synchronised parade before Rawat at the academy's famous tarmac drill square with the historic Chetwode Building in the background.

As the passing-out parade started two army choppers flew over the drill square to shower rose petals on the tarmac, carpeting it with flowers.

The 490 cadets who passed out on Saturday include 67 cadets from friendly countries. Uttar Pradesh accounts for the highest number of cadets with a figure of 74, followed by Haryana with 49, Uttarakhand (40), Rajasthan (30), Bihar (28) and Delhi with 23.

Later, speaking to reporters, Rawat said women need to be given combat roles in the army as terrorists often used women as shields.
The results of the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) Advanced 2017, the entrance exam for admission into the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), will be declared on Sunday, 11 June at 10 am, reports said. Students will be able to check their results on results.jeeadv.ac.in.

According to Hindustan Times, of the 2.2 lakh students who were eligible 1.7 lakh registered and appeared for the exam held on 21 May this year. Since the answer key for the paper has already been released, most students are already aware of their marks. Results will only give a confirmation on these scores, an official from the organising JEE team said in the report.

Students can check the answer keys in these links for Paper 1 and Paper 2. Officials also declared that students will be given 11 bonus marks for three ambiguous questions that were asked in the paper. Media reports state that two questions from Mathematics and one question from Physics section were found to be ambiguous.

Also, IIT Madras will release category-wise All India Ranks (AIR) of successful candidates, which aspirants will receive via a text message on their registered mobile numbers.

According to NDTV, organisers will not send individual rank cards to candidates. It also adds that qualifying in JEE Advanced 2017 exams and participating in the seat allocation process does not guarantee a candidate to get admission in the IITs. Hence, admission will depend on the availability of seats during various rounds of seat allocation.

Through JEE (Advanced), the IITs offer admission into undergraduate courses leading to a Bachelors, Integrated Masters or Bachelor-Master Dual Degree in Engineering, Sciences, Architecture, or Pharmaceuticals. There are over 11,000 seats available across the country. According to Mint, the candidates get admissions into 22 IITs across the nation or into the Indian school of Mines, Dhanbad, for Bachelors, Integrated Masters and dual degree programmes.

Students can check their results on the official website using these steps:

Log on to the official website: www.jeeadv.ac.in, results.nic.in or results.gov.in

Click on Result of JEE (ADV) 2017 or directly visit the portal results.jeeadv.ac.in

Enter your registration number and other details

Submit your details and your results will be displayed. Download the result and take a printout for future reference.

As has been observed over the course of the past few weeks, the dates and times of result announcements have been frequently changed around. The information above has not been independently verified. However, this article will continue to be updated to reflect official updates as and when they come in.
Washington: Adam Purinton, the man accused of killing Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injuring two others at a suburban Kansas City bar, has been indicted on federal hate crime and firearms charges.

The indictment by a federal grand jury against Purinton, 51, of Olathe, Kansas, comes after the 22 February shooting at a city bar.

The indictment announced by the Department of Justice has accused Purinton of shooting and killing Kuchibhotla, and attempting to kill Alok Madasani, also an Indian national, because of their actual and perceived race, colour, religion and national origin.

Witnesses said Purinton yelled at the two Indian men to "get out of my country" before pulling the trigger in the attack.

Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American man was also injured while intervening in the shooting.

The announcement in this regard was made by the Acting Assistant Attorney General Thomas E Wheeler II, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, and United States Attorney Thomas E Beall of the District of Kansas.

Puritan faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison. The Justice Department will determine at a later date whether, in this particular case, it will seek the death penalty, a media release said.

A third count in the indictment charges Purinton with violating a federal firearms statute by discharging a firearm at Kuchibhotla, Madasani, and Grillot, during the violence.

It alleges that Purinton committed the offences after substantial planning and premeditation, attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode, and knowingly created a grave risk of death to others on the scene.

Purinton, a US Navy veteran, is currently being held in the Johnson County jail on a $ 2,000,000 cash bond on murder and attempted murder charges.
Guwahati: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju has said that India will take 'drastic' action against Pakistan as it was crossing the Line of Control (LoC) repeatedly.

Rijiju, who was speaking to reporters at the sidelines of a rally in Guwahati on Friday, however, declined to share details.

He said the security of the newly opened country's longest bridge Dr Bhupen Hazarika Setu at Dhola-Sadiya will be tightened.

The union minister of state for home appealed to members of the militant outfits to return to the mainstream for development of the northeast region.

Earlier, speaking at the rally Rijiju said the NDA government at the Centre is committed to the development of the northeast and is working for implementation of schemes for the benefit and development of the people of the region.

"With the goodwill initiative of 'Sab Ka Sath, Sabka Vikas' under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our government has been trying for all round development of North East", Rijiju said at a public rally here.

"Every effort has been made to deliver a transparent and corruption free governance for all", Rijiju said at the programme held to celebrate the three years of BJP in power.

He highlighted various projects undertaken by the Centre for the north east during the last three years.
Mandsaur: The epicentre of the farmers' agitation in Madhya Pradesh, Mandsaur remained peaceful on Saturday with authorities relaxing curfew for 12 hours from 8 am to 8 pm.

As the situation eased, markets reopened and locals stepped out to stock essentials such as vegetables and milk. Mandasaur District Collector O P Srivastava said that normalcy was returning and there was no report of any untoward incident.

Curfew, which was imposed after five people were killed in police firing during a farmers' protest on 6 June, was relaxed for 12 hours in five police station areas of the district. Internet services, however, remained suspended in the area.

"If the situation remains normal, curfew will be withdrawn tomorrow", Srivastava said.

Farmers in the state began protests over low prices for their crops on 1 June. The Mandsaur-Neemuch region, about 300 km from the state capital Bhopal, became the nerve centre of the gathering storm of farmer distress. Later, protests spread to some other parts of the state.

On the allegation that 26-year-old farmer Ghanashyam Dhakad died in police custody, the district collector said the authorities were looking into the charge and that appropriate action would be taken if anyone was found guilty.

He said the kin of the deceased would be provided 1 crore rupees as compensation and a member of his family would be given a government job, as announced by the state government for the five other victims.

The last rites of Dhakad were performed at his native Badavan village in the violence-hit Mandsaur district. Villagers had alleged that he was beaten up by policemen, leading to his death.

Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan is on an indefinite fast at Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal for "restoration of peace". He has appealed to farmers to come to Dussehra Maidan and have a dialogue with him.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, June 10

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

The OSCE assists Turkmenistan in implementation of programs on migration, reads a press release of the OSCE Ashgabat office.

Representatives of government institutions and public organizations discussed topical issues of migration and the role of the OSCE in migration governance at an OSCE-organized roundtable discussion that took place in Ashgabat.

The Center in Ashgabat, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Office of the Co-ordinator of the OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), organized this event to contribute to the implementation of national migration-related initiatives of Turkmenistan in line with relevant OSCEs commitments.

The event brought together officials from law-enforcement bodies, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Mejlis (Parliament), Ombudsman and Justice Ministry as well as representatives of other relevant institutions and public organizations. A representative from the OCEEA presented OSCEs mandate and best practices, as well as regional and national activities in the area of migration.

OSCE participating states adopted a number of decisions which highlight economic and social aspects of migration and contributed to the development of the OSCE mandate in the area of migration, said Ambassador Natalya Drozd, Head of the Center in Ashgabat.

With its valuable expertise in several migration related areas, including labour migration management and migration data collection, the OSCE offers a unique platform for international and regional cooperation on migration-related issues.

Teresa Albano, Economic Affairs Officer/OCEEA noted that migration governance is an integral component of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The OSCE commitments can help leveraging the economic potential of migration for the benefit of countries of origin, destination and the migrants themselves.

During the discussion, a representative from the Office of the International Migration Organization (IOM) in Turkmenistan briefed participants on the mandate and activities of the IOM in the country. The discussions focused on the national priorities and possible ways for future cooperation between the OSCE and Turkmenistan in the area of migration.
New Delhi: The Congress on Saturday termed the indefinite fast by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan amid farmers unrest in the state, as a "pretence" and asked him to prepare for his "political exile".

"Shivraj Singh Chouhan's fast is a drama...it is a sham, he should answer why a case of murder has not been filed in the death of five farmers in Madhya Pradesh," party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters in New Delhi.

He said the inaction of the state government forced the farmers to sell their produce below minimum support price (MSP) to middlemen.

Farmers are selling potatoes and onions at throwaway prices in the state. The situation is similar in the case of wheat as well, he alleged.

"This fast is nothing but a pretence...the Congress is with farmers in their fight for their rights," Surjewala said.

Blaming BJP for making "false promises" over providing better prices to farmers for their produce, the Congress leader said it has been unable to give minimum selling price to the farmers.

As the violent agrarian unrest entered its tenth day in Madhya Pradesh today, Chouhan began his indefinite fast for the restoration of peace and promised profitable prices to farmers for their produce.

The farmers have been demanding better prices for their produce, debt relief, among other things.
Mandsaur: Curfew on Saturday was lifted from Mandsaur city as the district, the epicentre of the farmers' agitation in Madhya Pradesh, remained peaceful though the restrictions on assembly would remain in force.

The district administration also said the Internet services in the district, which were suspended on 5 June after out break of violence, will be restored by Sunday morning.

Mandsaur Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Singh said the curfew has been lifted from all the three police station areas of the Mandsaur city where it was imposed. However, prohibitory orders under section CrPC 144, which bans assembly of more than four persons, will remain in force in the district.

Restrictions on assembly of people to continue but no curfew will be imposed after 8pm in #Mandsaur: SP Mandsaur (ANI) pic.twitter.com/uXSmU9duY2  Times of India (@timesofindia) June 10, 2017

Demonstrations, protests and rallies will not be allowed in the district, he said.

The curfew will remain in Pipliamandi police station area which is 15 kms from Mandsaur district headquarters and where five farmers were killed in separate police firings during the agitation.

In a joint press conference here, Collector OP Shrivastava said the internet services will be restored at earliest.

But if objectionable or inflammatory content is circulated on social media, the decision would be reconsidered, he added.

When asked about resumption of public transport, the SP said a meeting with bus operators will be held on Sunday in which they will be asked to restore their services.

Singh said that security will be provided to bus staffers, petrol pump employees and milkmen so that they can work.

Farmers in the state began protests over low prices for their crops on 1 June. The Mandsaur-Neemuch region, about 300 km from the state capital Bhopal, became the nerve centre of the gathering storm of farmer distress. Later, protests spread to some other parts of the state.

In Mandsaur, the curfew was imposed after five people were killed in police firing during a farmers' protest on 6 June, it was today relaxed for 12 hours in five police station areas of the district.

Their stir turned violent when five persons died in police firing, while six others were injured on Tuesday in Mandsaur district.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday began his indefinite fast at the Dusshera Maidan here for restoration of peace and promised profitable prices to farmers for their produce.
Mumbai: A rift seems to have developed in the steering committee of leaders of agitating farmers in Maharashtra, with some of its members refusing to take part in a meeting with a high-powered group of ministers.

The 21-member committee, formed five days ago, is to meet the ministers in Mumbai on Saturday. Its prominent members include BJP ally and MP Raju Shetti, Giridhar Patil, Ramchandrabapu Patil, Anil Ghanwat, Raghunath Patil, Ajit Navale, MLA Bacchu Kadu and Dr Budhajirao Mulik.

However, Giridhar Patil, Ramchandrabapu Patil, Anil Ghanwat and Dr Mulik have decided not to participate in Saturday's meeting.

Giridhar Patil said, "The steering committee has not yet decided the exact demands of farmers and how to approach the government over them. I opposed the idea of meeting the government representatives before these things were finalised."

He also alleged that a couple of members of the steering committee announced a fast over farmers' issues without consulting other members.
New Delhi: Mahatma Gandhi was a man who overcame "British lion" and "snakes of communal poison" in the country making him more than a "chatur baniya", his grandson Rajmohan Gandhi said today.

Gandhi, who is currently in the United States, said Mahatma's aim today would have been different than that of BJP President Amit Shah, who had yesterday referred to him as a "chatur baniya" (a clever Baniya - the trading caste) while addressing a gathering in Raipur.

"The man who overcame the British lion and snakes of communal poison in India was more than a chatur bania. Today unlike men like Amit Shah  he would aim to defeat the forces that hunt the innocent and the vulnerable," Gandhi, a biographer and a research professor at University of Illinois, US, told PTI in an email response.

Condemning Shah's "chatur baniya" comment, opposition parties on Saturday demanded that he should apologise to the nation and insisted that the "denigrating" remark is withdrawn.

Mahatma's another grandson, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, also said that he would have laughed at 'chatur baniya' description but for its "utter tastelessness and the hidden mischief in it".

Historian Ramachandra Guha said the remark made by Amit Shah was "crude" and "unworthy" of the president of the BJP, the country's ruling party.
Siliguri/Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee descended to the plains of Darjeeling district on Friday after taking stock of the situation in the hills.

She started from Darjeeling town at around 10 pm and reached Siliguri after over two hours, officials said.

Banerjee would spend the night at Uttar Kanya, the mini-secretariat in north Bengal, and monitor the situation in the hills from there, officials said.

The Trinamool Congress supremo had stayed back at Darjeeling after holding a cabinet meeting there on Thursday. She had personally intervened to ensure that vehicles were arranged for the tourists, who got stranded in the hills, to reach Siliguri.

Meanwhile, Darjeeling superintendent of police (SP) Amit Javalgi was removed from his post and Deputy Commissioner (Central), Kolkata Police, Akhilesh Chaturvedi, was tipped to be the new SP, said a senior Kolkata Police official.

The chief minister had earlier said a three-member team comprising senior IPS officers had been formed to look after the law-and-order situation in Darjeeling.

The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha had called a 12-hour strike in the hills on Friday for the revival of the Gorkhaland agitation, while the Army was out on the streets in Darjeeling and two other hill towns  Kalimpong and Kurseong.
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said that the growth and progress of the country remains incomplete unless effective steps are taken to pull her state out of the quagmire of uncertainties and miseries.

Addressing a gathering at Doda after laying the foundation stone of a medical college, she said the basic idea behind stitching an alliance in the state was to get it out of its perennial miseries and challenges.

She hoped the country's strong leadership would be able to take the state's people out of the difficult situation and give its youth a prosperous, peaceful and vibrant future.

Thanking the Central government for supporting the state in terms of funds and other initiatives, Mehbooba Mufti said that coming up of new medical colleges and two AIIMS, the healthcare facilities in the state would get a phenomenal upgradation and sophistication.

She said not only would the number of doctors in the state increase but the people would also get specialized treatments and care at these hospitals.

The chief minister also hoped the setting up of a medical college in Doda would offset the decades long grievance of its people, and assured that her government would ensure that every area which could not see development in the past is included in future.

Earlier, speaking at a function after laying the foundation of a medical college at Kathua, the Mufti directed completion of all works within two years so that these colleges are operational at the earliest.

She also directed incorporation of latest designs while making the constructions.

Speaking on these occasions, Union health and family welfare minister JP Nadda said the setting up of these five medical colleges and two AIIMS would add up 700 MBBS seats to state's kitty, taking it to 1,000 from the present 300 which would be among the highest in the country.

He said that healthcare in the state is getting a major push with the setting up of Tertiary Cancer Centres at Kupwara, Kishtwar and Udhampur and two State Cancer Institutes and assured all support from his ministry.

Minister of state in PMO Jitendra Singh enumerated several major initiatives taken by both Central and state Governments for Jammu and Kashmir's progress and development and also assured full support for the state's development.
Nagaland chief minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu condoled the death of NSCN(K) chairman SS Khaplang on Saturday, saying it was tragic that he passed away before things could be taken forward to their logical conclusion.

Khaplang died on Friday night following a cardiac arrest at Takka in Myanmar. "It is tragic that an important Naga leader like Khaplang expired considering the fact that the protracted Naga political problem is on the verge of being resolved and the need for all different Naga political groups to come together to air our views and aspirations to the Government of India in one voice is absolutely imperative," Liezietsu said in a condolence message.

After NSCN-K abrogated the ceasefire with the government of India in 2015, the Nagaland government in consultation with the Centre had been sending delegations to meet the NSCN(K) leadership in Myanmar to convince the rebel outfit to re-enter the peace process to find an early solution to the Naga political problem, he said.

"It was encouraging to learn that Khaplang had, a few months ago conveyed his willingness to have a dialogue with the government provided issues of substance were discussed," he said.

However, the Naga leader died before things could be taken forward to their logical conclusion. Liezietsu appealed to the Nagas to "resolve and dedicate" thesmselves to work with renewed vigour and determination to find a solution to the Naga political problem which is "honourable and acceptable to all stakeholders".

On behalf of the government and people of Nagaland, the chief minister conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members.
Kolkata: Senior Trianmool Congress (TMC) leader Iqbal Ahmed on Saturday did not appear before the CBI for questioning in Narada case citing 'ill-health'.

He sought more time from the investigating agency.

The TMC MLA was summoned by the CBI on 8 June. He had earlier confirmed that he would appear for questioning on Saturday.

But his lawyer came to the CBI office at Nizam Palace in Kolkata on Saturday and submitted a letter from Ahmed where he requested some more time from the CBI.

"He is very ill and as the Ramzan month is going on, he asked for more time from CBI. Once he is fit he will come for questioning", his lawyer said .

The CBI officials said that they have received Ahmed's letter but declined to comment on the matter.

The Calcutta High Court in March ordered a preliminary inquiry by the CBI into the Narada sting operation in which several TMC leaders, including state ministers, were purportedly caught on camera taking bribes.

The sting tapes were released to various media organisations ahead of the 2016 West Bengal Assembly polls.

A division bench of the High Court noted that a report of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Chandigarh had said the tapes were not tampered with.
Motihari: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Saturday said that India should immediately reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as it was the root cause of all the problems emanating from Pakistan.

"All the problems emanating from Pakistan is because of PoK and hence India should immediately reclaim PoK," Ramdev said.

He also said that India should destroy all terrorist camps operating from PoK.

Yoga guru was talking to reporters on the third and concluding day of a three-day yoga-cum-meditation camp organised by Patanjali as part of Champaran Satyagraha centenary celebrations in Motihari, Bihar at the historic Gandhi Maidan.

Holding terrorists like Azhar Masood, Hafiz Sayeed, Dawood Ibrahim responsible for bloodshed at the India-Pakistan border, Ramdev said that these terrorists should be handed over to India, dead or alive.

He, however, praised the people of Pakistan saying that they were good and peace loving people except for some bad elements who believe in bloodshed.

Replying to a query on human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, Ramdev said that Indian Army personnel too had their human rights.

In reply to another question, he said that Patanjali Yogpeeth would set up a unit in Bihar to process products like jaggery, honey and litchi among others this year.

Besides, Ramdev said that Patanjali would also start work on 'cow research and promotion centre' in Bihar in near future.

Ramdev heaped praise on the Nitish government's decision to implement prohibition in the state and said that 'yoga education' be included in the government and private schools in the state.

Inclusion of yoga as part of education would help better the future of students, he said while making it clear that "Yoga is not a political agenda at all."
He was only 18. It was the first time he had joined a protest rally against the Supreme Court of India's ruling on homosexuality.

It was the first ever public gathering around issues of LGBT rights in Guwahati, and I was scared. I had got to know of the protest through the Global Day of Rage page on Facebook, says Abhishek Chakraborty, a Physics major at a Guwahati college and a queer rights activist.

On 11 December 2013, the apex court re-instituted Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code  effectively, criminalising consensual sexual activity between same-sex adults  a major shift from the Delhi High Courts 2009 verdict that had decriminalised homosexuality and upheld an individuals right to privacy.

The Supreme Court verdict sparked off a series of protests across major Indian cities, and globally. It was around this time that Guwahati too witnessed its first public demonstration against the SC ruling.

"The protest march was supposed to start at 4 pm. I reached the venue a little earlier just to observe. There were four women, all wearing black. I waited for a while before finally gathering the courage to join the demonstration," remembers Abhishek. "Altogether, there were about 10 people holding placards that questioned homophobia, Section 377, and we had a brief discussion about the road ahead for the LGBT community in the Northeast."

Bitopi Dutta was one of the organisers of the protest rally. She had just returned to Guwahati after finishing her Masters in Social Work at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, and was working as a researcher in the city. A few weeks after the public demonstration against the SC ruling, Bitopi, along with her friends  Sanjib, Milin, Minakshi and Ankita  decided to organise the first ever Pride March in Indias Northeast.

"We started with Queer Pride Guwahati in February 2014 and saw overwhelming participation from not just Guwahati, but also from other regions of Northeast India  particularly, Manipur and Meghalaya," says Abhishek, who was a participant at the first Pride.

The Pride March soon led to the creation of Xukia (meaning unique in Assamese), Assams first ever LGBT support group in May 2014.

"The response was very good. Xukia enabled us to create broader conversations around LGBT rights in Guwahati, which was hardly a thing before," says Bitopi, one of the founding members of the group and currently a PhD scholar at the Dublin City University in Ireland. We organised panel discussions, film screenings, informal gatherings, and, also, invited resource persons from other cities to conduct workshops on gender and sexuality related issues. This opened a plethora of avenues for young people in the city, who were struggling to come to terms with their sexuality.

In recent years, India has seen an increasingly visible LGBT movement, with Pride Marches held every year in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru. However, most conversations around LGBT rights are still restricted to mainland India. The linguistic and cultural diversity within the eight states of the Northeast, namely Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, also makes it difficult to imagine a singular queer movement in the region.

"We have limited exposure as indigenous LGBT communities. Often, there is a big communication gap between the queer community in the Northeast and in other parts of India. Language is a big barrier. Many of us dont speak Hindi or even English," says Santa Khurai, a transgender activist and one of the founding members of the All Manipur Nupi Manbi Association (AMaNA).

Founded in 2008 as a community based organisation (CBO), AMaNA has been a major force in Manipur. Unlike in other parts of India, many within the transgender community in the state work in the beauty industry, and have been able to create economic viability for themselves.

"The transgender community has had a very visible presence in Manipur. However, many within the community are still unaware of their rights and remain easily exploited. This is where AMaNA has been able to intervene," says Santa. "We have carried out a host of activities, such as media sensitisation drives, transgender beauty contests, advocacy with government and private entities for inclusion of gender and sexual minorities, among other things."

While Manipur has seen a vibrant homegrown transgender movement, gay and bisexual men in the state have very little visibility in the public front.

"There are fairly a lot of gay and bisexual men who seek relationship and look for good company. The support system runs deep and the networking isnt on a basis of right-based struggle but on a sense of community that runs strong as group of friends, peers, brothers, etc.," says Pavel Sagolsem, a gay rights activist from Manipur and a youth consultant with Breakthrough. "The new generation is app savvy and they have more opportunities than the one before and they are well connected."

As for lesbian, bisexual women and transgender men, there is ETA (Empowering Trans Abilities), an organisation that was founded in 2014 and that works closely with AMaNA. "Among other things, we hold closed door, informal meetings for queer women and transmen where they can feel safe and be themselves," says Lydia, a member of ETA.

In Meghalaya, Samakami, a community based organisation (CBO) located in Shillong has been offering health services and legal aid to members of the LGBT community since its opening in 2007. There is also a concern about the educational and economic empowerment of marginalised LGBT populations in the state.

"The school dropout rate remains fairly high for members of the community. Many quit school to make a living as stylists, make-up artists, designers, etc. However, lack of education often forecloses other employment opportunities for the community," says Vishal Blah, a wedding planner and an activist with Samakami. "Many remain unemployed due to lack of adequate skill-sets, or find work as day labourers."

Vishal had quit high school and was working as an assistant with Shillong-based designer Wan Kharbuli when he first heard of Samakmi. In 2010, he joined the organisation as a 21 year old, and has since been working as an LGBT rights activist alongside his design profession.

"Before the inception of Samakami, it felt like I was the only person who felt different. But Samakami gave me a sense of community. Today, community members in Shillong are far more aware of their rights. Not that the situation has changed completely, but it is certainly better than how it used to be a few years ago," he adds.

There is very little that exists in terms of government data on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in Indias Northeast. Added to that is the general perception of homosexuality as a social evil that limits research on LGBT populations.

"I wanted to study the human rights violation of transgenders in Tripura as part of my PhD dissertation. However, I was discouraged from doing so as not a single faculty member in my department worked on this area or even desired to do so," says Ashim Shil, a research associate with the Womens Studies Centre at Tripura University. "It is particularly difficult to study LGBT communities, given the amount of social stigma and ignorance associated with homosexuality and gender non-normativity."

However, Sandra Nandeibam, a Sociology major at an Imphal college, and one of the first to secure undergraduate admission as a transgender woman in the region, is hopeful. She has recently been selected to participate in the Trans Queen India beauty pageant to be held in Mumbai in August 2017.

"It is my dream to win the crown and inspire young LGBT individuals to come out of the closet and live a dignified life against all odds," says Sandra.

Rafiul Alom Rahman is a researcher and freelance writer based in Delhi. He can be reached at rafiul.delhi@gmail.com.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, June 10

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held negotiations with King of Spain Felipe VI during his visit to Astana, where the Uzbek president took part in the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Uzbek national news agency (UzA) reported.

The two sides discussed the prospects of development of bilateral relations and exchanged views on topical issues of international agenda. Meanwhile, attention was paid to the issues on development of trade, economic and investment cooperation.

The parties noted the importance of increasing the volume and expanding the structure of mutual trade.

Uzbekistan is interested in the expansion of the presence of Spanish business, particularly, through the implementation of joint projects to create high-tech industries in the oil and gas, energy and chemical spheres, in the fields of pharmaceutics, textile, the production of finishing materials and ceramic products.

President Mirziyoyev and King Felipe VI discussed the opportunities of establishing the strategic partnership in the tourism sphere.

Moreover, the two sides viewed the creation of a joint intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation and holding its first meeting in Tashkent in 2017.
The latest investigation into the safety or the lack of it of packaged drinking water comes from Eenadu, a leading Telugu daily in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Predictably, after testing all the samples that it had collected from the two states, at a laboratory, the newspaper found that most had deadly bacteria and other harmful impurities, and were unfit for consumption.

In an exhaustive report published on Friday, the paper said that about 20,000 unlicensed "water purifying plants" in the two states are throwing all norms to winds and are supplying polluted water that jeopardises peoples health in a big way.

A third of the samples that Eenadu tested contained E-coli, a faecal bacteria found in the intestines of humans and animals, that causes diarrhoea. Another one-third were found to be unfit for consumption. Other samples contained hazardous contaminants including pseudomonas, salmonella and staphylococcus. Samples collected from Hyderabad were found to be polluted with sewage water.

The investigation by Eenadu is not the first of its kind and wont be the last either if the health authorities do not clamp down on what is clearly a nation-wide scam.

Some twenty years ago, my colleagues at a newspaper conducted a similar investigation and found that bottled water of even well-known brands contained impurities beyond tolerable limits.

Just as the demand for packaged water is going up in India, fraudsters are mushrooming across the country to make quick bucks by inundating the market with polluted and harmful water. Officials of state and central governments are throwing up their hands, claiming to be helpless.

Mumbais bottled water may cause cancer

This is not to cause panic, but only to caution consumers that a significant amount of what passes off as packaged water that comes in both bottles and bigger cans in India is not only impure but even harmful to health.

During 2014-15, Maharashtras Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raided 95 water packaging plants in the state, including ten in Mumbai, and tested samples collected from them. Of the 95 samples, 28 were found to be contaminated with bacteria and 23 didnt meet quality standards.

Four scientists of the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Section of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre analysed commercial brands of packaged drinking water available in Mumbai for the presence of bromide, bromate, chlorate and chlorite. Their startling findings were published in the January 2015 issue of Current Science.

They found that, in 27 percent of the Mumbai samples, the proportion of potentially cancer-causing bromate was higher than the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline value.

Centre calls it a problem of states

Answering a question from Santosh Ahlawat, BJPs Lok Sabha member from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, consumer affairs minister Ram Vilas Paswan told the Parliament in May 2016 that of the 734 samples analysed across India during 2014-15, as many as 226 were adulterated.

Paswan made it clear that the implementation and enforcement of Food Safety And Standards Act  2006 and the rules framed under it, which govern the packaged water industry as well, "primarily rests with" governments of states and union territories.

According to Paswans information tabled in the Lok Sabha, detection of impurities found in packaged water during 2014-15 in some of the states is as listed in the table below.

State Bottled water samples analysed Samples found adulterated Maharashtra 89 29 Gujarat 74 15 Andhra Pradesh 54 38 Karnataka 43 29 Tamil Nadu 57 34 Kerala 16 3

Demand for packaged water shoots up

The awareness that tap water supplied by public drinking water supply systems is unhygienic and the belief that bottled water is pure and safe has caused a major boom in the packaged water industry in the last two decades. While many Indians, and not just tourists, picking up water bottles from roadside shops is a fairly common sight, water cans of 20 litres or more are increasingly becoming fixtures in Indian kitchens, with the convenience of home delivery significantly adding to their popularity.

In the last five years alone, the industry has more than doubled in worth to Rs 16,000 crore. While giants like Bisleri, Pepsico, Coca-Cola and Parle take a major share, largely in metros, small players have been steadily stepping in to rake in the moolah in smaller cities and towns.

This breathtaking growth and the proliferation of companies has led to greedy and unscrupulous elements flooding the market with substandard and potentially harmful products.

Some just fill bottles, unhygienic ones at that, with water from wells or taps and palm them off as "bottled water". Some set up so-called water-purifying plants in garages or cowsheds or in the backyards of their homes and operate them with no trained staff. A 2003 study found pesticide residues in bottled water sold in Delhi and Mumbai.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which regulates the industry, has laid down that water must be subjected to processes called pressure sand filtration, activated carbon filtering, reverse osmosis, ozonisation and ultraviolet treatment before its packaged and sold.

Many plants are run without the mandatory approvals from the BIS as well as Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). While it may need an investment of up to Rs 20 lakh to run a legal and hygienic plant, many jump into the business with just Rs 2.5 lakh with some sort of equipment that contaminates more than purifies the water.

Even if a Water purifier is perfect, it creates other problems because water purification is much more than just getting rid of impurities. While the reverse osmosis process takes away impurities it also removes from water most of the calcium and magnesium, essential for good health. The purified water must also be remineralised to bring back the minerals.

How to check if your water is safe

Its tough for consumers to check whether or not the packaged water is safe. The least we can do is to check whether or not the container is properly sealed and look for details like manufacturing date and batch number.

Also, it's important is to check whether or not the container carries the ISI mark which the BIS awards. To find how a genuine ISI mark should look like, check this link. And to find out whether or not the ISI certification on your packaged water is genuine, click here and then click on 'status of licenses'. Type in the license number that follows the letter CM/L under the ISI mark on the container of the packaged water and then click on 'report'. If the certification is genuine, you will see the name of the company, address and phone numbers. Check if these details are the same as what you see on the container.

But what if a fraudster copies the ISI certification and other details of a genuine company on his containers? There's very little you could do in a situation like this apart from alerting the BIS or local health authorities. In cases of such frauds, the chances of you going to a hospital on account of consuming contaminated water are more than that of the criminals responsible for it going behind bars.

Forget beef, lets talk about water of the packaged variety. Its one humongous scam.

The author tweets @sprasadindia
New Delhi: Security at Kerala House on Jantar Mantar road was stepped up following reports of a political party planning a 'beef festival' there on Saturday evening.

Delhi Police said they received an information from Kerala House officials about the matter and security was stepped up as a precautionary measure.

"We were alerted by the Kerala House officials about an unverified information they received that some people belonging to a political party were planning to celebrate beef festival there at 6.30 pm.

"So we have deployed police force to handle them," said Deputy Commissioner of Police BK Singh. Police sources, however, said the information appeared to be a rumour.

There was a report that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has planned a 'beef festival' at the Kerala House on Saturday evening.

Party MP DP Tripathi, however, termed the report as "baseless".

Last week, a "cow vigilante" group, claiming to belong to the Bharatiya Gauraksha Kranti, allegedly barged into Kerala House to protest the beef festivals recently held in the southern state.

Kerala House resident commissioner Vishwas Mehta had 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.

Two years ago, Kerala House was mired in a similar controversy after the Delhi Police raided its canteen on receiving a complaint that it served beef.

However, the Kerala government and the canteen authorities denied the charge, saying it was buffalo meat.
Bhopal: BJP ally Shiv Sena hit out at Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the farmers' unrest in the state, saying instead of sitting on a fast, he should have visited Mandsaur to comfort the farmers. Congress also dubbed Chouhan's fast as mere nautanki (drama).

As the farmers' protests entered its tenth day in the state, Chouhan launched his indefinite fast at the Dusshera Maidan here, promising profitable prices to farmers for their produce.

Sena's media in-charge Apoorva Dubey, who reached the Dusshera Maidan, told reporters, "Instead of sitting here, he should have gone to Mandsaur to comfort and help the farmers. Chouhan should sit indefinitely on the fast till the farmers' woes are mitigated, or we else will launch an indefinite fast in support of the farmers."

"Those farmers who have come to the Dussehra Maiden had been brought by the ruling BJP. Farmers' stir is the result of the failure of Chouhan, the state bureaucracy and the police," he alleged.

Later, a delegation of Shiv Sena met Chouhan and suggested ways, including a loan waiver, to end the farmers unrest. After meeting the chief minister, Dubey did not speak to reporters.

State Congress chief spokesperson KK Mishra said, "Chouhan should tell people whether his so-called fast is a nautanki, an event or an act of repentance for his misdeeds that set the state on fire."

"Though he is trying to send a message that he is doing Gandhi-giri (using a Gandhian way), it is absolutely not so. He neither sat at the foot of the statue of Gandhi nor did he garland the statue before launching his nautanki," Mishra said. "He should remember that (demon king) Ravana is burnt at the Dussehra Maidan every year," the Congress leader said.

Parts of western Madhya Pradesh has been on the boil ever since the farmers launched an agitation last week seeking loan waiver and better crop prices. The situation has been volatile in Mandsaur and Neemuch in the last few days. Five farmers were killed in police firing at Mandsaur on Tuesday, while six others were injured.
Chennai: A group of farmers, who resumed their protest in Chennai on Friday after ending their over a month-long stir in New Delhi pressing for various demands, on Saturday temporarily called off the protest following the assurance from the chief minister that their demands would be met.

The farmers led by the National South Indian Rivers Inter-Linking Farmers Association chief P Ayyakannu had staged a protest for 40 days at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi pressing for various demands including comprehensive drought relief.

They withdrew the agitation on 23 April after Chief Minister K Palaniswami met them in New Delhi and promised to fulfil their demands.

However, they resumed an indefinite protest here yesterday alleging Palaniswami had failed to keep his promise given to them.

Ayyakannu met Palaniswami on Saturday and had a brief interaction with him.

After the meeting, Ayyakannu said it was decided to temporarily call off the stir following assurances from the chief minister that the state government would take necessary steps to solve their grievances.

"We have decided to withdraw the protest temporarily as he (Palaniswami) has assured us of looking into our demands. If our demands are not met in two months, we will resume our protests," Ayyakannu told reporters.

The farmers have been demanding loan waiver, a drought-relief package of Rs 40,000 crore and setting up of the Cauvery Management Board among others.
By Tom Arnold and Saeed Azhar

| DUBAI

DUBAI A move by four Arab states to blacklist dozens of figures with alleged links to Qatar could squeeze liquidity at Qatari banks which get a significant amount of their funding from the region.Qatari banks have around 60 billion riyals ($16 billion) in funding in the form of customer and interbank deposits from other Gulf states, Chiradeep Ghosh, banking analyst at SICO Bahrain, said. All types of deposits at banks in Qatar totalled 753 billion riyals at the end of March, according to central bank data.But the United Arab Emirates central bank has ordered local banks to stop dealing with the 59 individuals and 12 entities with alleged links to Qatar and to freeze their assets, state news agency WAM reported late on Friday.It has also told them to apply enhanced due diligence for any accounts they hold with six Qatari banks, including Qatar National Bank (QNB) which is the Middle East and Africas largest bank, WAM said in its report

The six banks -- QNB, Qatar Islamic Bank, Qatar International Islamic Bank, Barwa Bank, Masraf Al Rayan and Doha Bank -- did not respond immediately to requests for comment.Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain had earlier branded as terrorists the same individuals, including Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader Yousef al-Qaradawi, and entities including Qatari-funded charities Qatar Charity and Eid Charity.The move followed the isolation of Qatar by the four states, which have cut all diplomatic and transport links.

This pressure is likely to constrain the funding Qatari banks would be able to raise from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, one banker in the region told Reuters."All Qatari banks will struggle for liquidity and will have to pay a premium for funding from elsewhere outside these four countries," SICO Bahrain's Ghosh said.

Qatari banks, like their Gulf neighbours, have been struggling against a backdrop of lower oil prices, which has pushed up funding costs and raised non-performing loans."It is especially challenging as they're not very liquid as their loan to deposit ratios are already above 100 percent," Ghosh said.In recent years several have also expanded outside Qatars small domestic market to grow their business, with QNB holding a presence in several countries including Egypt, Turkey, Nigeria and UAE either directly or via affiliates.UAE banks would find it relatively easy to comply with the rules as many had invested in improving their compliance systems in recent years and already complied with sanctions against a range of other entities and individuals, another banker said. (Additional reporting by Rania El Gamal, Hadeel Al Sayegh, Maha El Dahan, Ali Abdelatti and Andrew Torchia; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Alexander Smith)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government is likely to challenge the stay by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the functioning of the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) in the Supreme Court, an official said on Saturday.

The NGT has banned the functioning of SPCB chiefs of nine states, including that of Uttarakhand. The state government is of the view that the appointment of the pollution control board was right and it was its prerogative and the NGT cannot be allowed to "ride roughshod over its jurisdiction".

Forest and environment minister Harak Singh Rawat has given the go ahead to approach the court. The state's law department is now studying the matter, the official said.

The hill state has so far been naming the chief of the pollution control body and has appointed either part-time or full-time heads. For now, Chief Secretary S Ramaswamy, who was earlier the principal secretary (forest), is holding this charge.
A mysterious woman has caught the attention of Uttar Pradesh's bureaucrats and politicians alike, after she got a series of advertisements published in newspapers and TV channels, to congratulate chief minister Yogi Adityanath on his 45th birthday recently.

The hitherto unknown woman, who just calls herself "Yogi Samarthak", created a flutter in India's most populous state on Friday, when newspapers carried advertisements featuring birthday wishes to Adityanath featuring her signature and image.

According to rough estimates, the cost for these advertisements would have run into around Rs 1 crore, but she said "it's not that much". Meanwhile, bureaucrats and politicos are all wondering who this woman is, and why would she spend so much money on just a single birthday greeting.

Her real name is Shashima Singh, and she describes herself as a "social worker". In the advertisement she gave out, she described the chief minister as "hriday samrat" and "jana nayak". The advertisement features a towering picture of Adityanath, and also carries mugshots of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah. There is also a picture of Shashima at the bottom.

"I've been involved in social work since I was a child, and I now want to work on it on a bigger scale," she said, when asked about the purpose behind the media sortie.

Asked about the Rs 1 crore expense incurred and its source, she says she has no idea "but it's not that much". She said her relatives and well-wishers pooled in to pay for the advertisement.

Originally from Mau district of Uttar Pradesh, she now lives in Lucknow while her railway engineer husband is in posted in Bihar. Speaking about her plans for the future, she said, "I plan to get grants from the government, and take money from politicians, officers and other people to serve the poor and the needy."
By Maya Palit

From Baltimore to Bangladesh, lets end child marriage went the headline of a recent piece featured by Reuters. Yes, its capitalising on a nice bit of alliteration to indicate how rampant child marriage continues to be, but the article points to a larger problem  the poor handling of laws around child marriage.

Why are they reviving this conversation in America now? Its because New Jersey was about to become the first state in the US with a blanket ban on child marriage before the age of 18, without exceptions because of parental consent and judicial review processes. American activists were celebrating, hoping for an end to horrific statistics  2,000 children, some as young as 13, were legally married off from 2000 to 2014. And this article, telling the story of a 16-year-old pregnant girl, who was married off because her Christian community put pressure on her parents, lists pregnancy, cultural reasons, money, and the intention to control childrens sexuality, amongst the myriad reasons that get parents to marry off their kids in the US.

Except, Governor Chris Christie shattered everyones dreams by vetoing the decision, saying that it would conflict with the sensibilities and religious traditions of people in the state. (He didnt go into too much detail.)

If Christie is coming under fire for doing too little to ban child marriage altogether, here in Uttar Pradesh, where child marriages are apparently the highest in India, the Yogi Adityanath government might be doing too much in a hare-brained way. The states recently announced offensive against child marriage, banks on getting local police to do a ton of the work. Schemes like Kanyashree in West Bengal have also expected block development officers to be pro-active by giving lectures in schools and showing up to stop weddings when they get tip-offs, but the Adityanath government expects the police to liaise closely with school staff. Apparently, local thanas have been instructed to win over confidence of the locals, including female teachers, religious leaders, and members of the local community too, to help.

Will police monitoring schools really help to curb child marriages? After the anti-Romeo squad fiasco resulted  and is still resulting  in the widespread intimidation, extortion, and bullying of locals, its probably safe to say it wont.

Dr Manasi Mishra of Research and Knowledge Management at Centre for Social Research, New Delhi, says they are vehemently against police entering schools. UNFPA was doing a programme on early marriage in states like Orissa, Bihar, and Jharkhand, and the modus operandi we suggested was setting up bal panchayats for children. It will help them report cases of child marriage to NGOs and empower them. A teacher can take a pro-active measure by reporting to the police that a child has been absent for many days and the cause could be child marriage, but there is no point in the police coming to schools and intimidating children. If were to take Mishras word for it, concerns about girl children being unsafe and vulnerable is one of the big reasons for parents being keen on child marriages, and thats not something that can be solved quickly.

Moreover, this anti-child marriage spy service could create havoc in student-teacher relationships and make them hostile, if the assumption is that teachers are expected to rat students out to the police. A researcher who has worked closely on child marriage for over a year explains that there are large social gaps between teachers and students in government schools, so its a bit of a stretch for teachers to know the local goings-on. This is particularly true when children drop out. (The dropout rate in primary schools in UP had fallen by 4 percent between 2010 and 2014, and cycle schemes apparently gave girl students more mobility, but dropout rates are still high.) Theres also the chance that students wont be jumping to reveal their situation if they know there is a danger of their parents being mixed up with the cops.

Thats not to say the situation with child marriages isnt in need of urgent addressing. The number of girls married below the legal age may have dropped marginally (from 2.51 to 2.44 percent) over the past decade-and-a-half, but they have actually risen between the last two censuses in states like Rajasthan, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, and not necessarily where we expected them.

According to a recent study of 2011 Census data by the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and child rights organisation Young Lives, child marriage decreased by 0.7 percent in rural areas, but increased in cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ghaziabad, and Pune. And 181 Abhayam, an Ahmedabad-based womens helpline, claimed that this May, it had handled 44 cases of child marriage, the highest figure in 17 months.

The study warns us that its too early to jump to conclusions about why this is happening, using secondary data, and only suggests reasons that arent really new news, like family size, patriarchy, no access to education, discrimination against girls who want to be employed in cities, and the assumption that once girls have reached puberty theyre ready for marriage.

Other people working on child marriage have also said that migration could be a big factor, and a former chairperson of the NCPCR pointed out in an interview with Scroll.in that parents being worried about their children eloping or running off with someone from another caste could be why they get them married off. Like everywhere, much of it boils down to the amount of mobility girls are allowed, and this new study shows us that urban areas arent in fact doing better than rural ones on that front, with one of five girls between the age of 10 and 17 married in 2011.

Where the Adityanath governments game plan will take the fight against child marriage isnt clear yet. But if the aspects thrown up by Census data which in itself is pretty old by now have anything new to show us, it is that itll take a lot more to take on child marriage than hoping that teachers will open up to and conspire with cops.

The Ladies Finger (TLF) is a leading online womens magazine delivering fresh and witty perspectives on politics, culture, health, sex, work and everything in between.
It was a mistake to educate my daughter and send her to IIT. I should have saved money for her dowry instead.

These words were uttered by the distraught father of Manjula Devak as he stood outside the mortuary inside which lay the body of his 28-year-old daughter  a bright PhD scholar from IIT Delhi. She had taken her own life.

So much for 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao'.

Once again, the death of a young married woman had exposed the emptiness of such slogans in a society which still views women only as bringers of dowry. Not as sentient humans beings with lives, dreams and abilities of their own.

There was no suicide note, but Manjulas parents spoke out about an aspect of her life which she had kept to herself. The woman who posted carefree pictures of herself on Facebook and had published articles in reputed scientific journals on climate change and water management was also being harassed for dowry by her in-laws and jobless husband. They wanted her to get them Rs 20 lakhs from her father so that her husband could start his own business. Manjulas parents also accused her in-laws and husband of beating their daughter in an attempt to force her to give up her studies and become a full-time housewife.

They wanted her to forget about her PhD and go and cook and wash dishes for them in Baroda, her father told the press bitterly.

Manjula, an educated and independent young woman, must have resisted all these pressures. She had been married for four years. When her husband lost his job, he had moved into her quarters on the campus. After a while, unable to tolerate his alcoholism and physical abuse, she sent him away as she was also worried about her own reputation on campus. Though her parents asked her to walk out, she stayed married because she didnt want her family to be socially ostracised.

But something broke her finally and gave the push which sent her over the brink. And that something could well have been a renewed demand for dowry.

Dowry, dahej, jahez, varadhakshinai, stridhanam, daheri, yautuk, daheza Call it by any name and it still remains a killer.

The Dowry Prohibition Act which we have had since 1961 has hardly made any impact on the scourge of dowry. If anything, dowry has taken stronger root across the country and even communities which were untouched before have now adopted the practice. Some are open about it. Some are coy. Some are in denial. But the bottom line is dowry is considered a tradition and so overtly or covertly it becomes the deciding factor in most marriages.

We now live in a society where girl fetuses are aborted because they have the potential of growing into women for whom their families will have to pay dowry Where grown women are tortured or beaten within the four walls of their marital homes because they could not or would not satisfy their in-laws' dowry demands Where women take their own lives because they are caught in a situation where they can neither live with their greedy in-laws nor go back to their birth families.

But it was not always like this. There is historical evidence to show that dowry as it is understood in its present form is a comparatively new phenomenon. In old patrilineal societies, the dowry a woman received at the time of her marriage was her share in her parental property. This was her parents way of ensuring that she was treated as an equal in her new family. The money, property or ornaments she received belonged to her. In matrilineal societies of the North East, parts of Southern India and in tribal societies the concept of dowry did not even exist. Some communities in fact, paid a bride price.

Today, every single community in our country has embraced dowry in one form or the other. Bride price where it exists, is a token amount. Even when there is no overt dowry demand, there is an expectation. When families speak of arranging a marriage with a girl from the same social status, that expectation is implicit.

Ornaments are not considered dowry, said the CPI legislator in Kerala whose daughter got married recently at Guruvayoor  weighed down with gold necklaces and gold bangles which went all the way up to her elbow. Responding to her critics, she said she had only done for her daughter what any parent would dogiven her 58 sovereigns of gold. The rest of the gold had come from friends and relatives. The irony is that she is a senior official of a party which has always condemned giving dowry and lavish spending on weddings

How many women I know have been stripped of their jewellery even before the mehendi faded from their hands... And the money never goes to them. It is used to buy a scooter for the husband or pay his sisters dowry. If the woman resists, she is physically abused. Her body after all was just the conduit for transferring wealth.

I remember a dowry death I investigated 25 years ago, where the young bride who was the daughter of a banker, was killed because all the money, ornaments and land deeds which she had been given as dowry was in a safe deposit locker and she refused to part with the key.

There is no limit to the demands the dowry takers makeapartments, plots of land, appliances, vehicles, finances for buying a medical seat, money to travel abroad or start a business venture. I once interviewed a senior software professional who was forced to build a palatial house for her in-laws and then was kicked out of it herself.

The belief that giving and receiving dowry is right and socially acceptable is deeply ingrained. The giving of dowry might have once been a voluntary act. Today it is an act of coercion. Families sink into deep debt trying to pay off dowry demands. Women garment factory workers, school teachers, nurses and call centre employees work hard to collect money to pay their own dowries because they believe that only then will they get good husbands. Ironically, the more educated and wealthy grooms demand higher dowries. And many families believe that by paying higher dowries they will ensure their daughters status will go up in society.

Muslim communities have a token meher (bride price) as well as a more substantial jahez (dowry). The Syrian Christians euphemistically call dowry share and it can run into lakhs or crores depending on the social status of the family. In the IT industry, educated women pay huge dowries to marry men who are better educated than themselves and hold better jobs.

In North India, dowries have always been much larger and weddings more lavish than in the south. And it was there that doctors first advertised the sex determination test as a miraculous way of saving money!

Pay Rs 5,000 now and save Rs 50,000 later, was their slogan.

Today there are no girls left to pay dowry in women-starved areas of Punjab and Haryana and the men have to buy wives from tribal areas. Not that these women are treated better because a price was paid to acquire them. They are subjected to the same kind of abuse that a dowry-paying wife faces.

Dowry has become one of the largest silent killers of women. According to the National Crime Records Bureau data, around 25,000 women were either killed or committed suicide due to dowry harassment by their in-laws between 2012 and 2014. And 30,000 cases of dowry were registered during the same period of time.

Obviously this is just the very tip of the iceberg. For every high profile dowry death, there are thousands which go unnoticed. Dowry deaths are often passed off as cooking accidents, suicide due to ill health or psychiatric problems. Many families do not report harassment or even death fearing social stigma.

As long as we, as a society, continue to normalise dowry as something acceptable, and as long as we continue to feed our daughters into the dowry trap, nothing will change.
Siliguri: Taking strong exception to BJP president Amit Shah's comment on Mahatma Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday demanded that he withdraw it and apologise to the country.

"He should withdraw his comment and apologise for it. It is a deliberate act. It is unfortunate, uncalled for and unethical," she told reporters in Siliguri.

"Gandhiji is the father of the nation and an icon of the world. No one should think that he (Shah) can say anything only because he is in power", she said.

In a tweet, Banerjee said, "When we, in public life, speak about icons of our nation and the world, we must always show utmost respect and sensitivity with language".

When we, in public life, speak about icons of our nation and the world, we must always show utmost respect and sensitivity with language  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 10, 2017

The BJP chief had on Friday referred to Mahatma Gandhi as a "bahut chatur baniya" (a very clever Baniya - the trading caste) while addressing a gathering in Raipur.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, June 10

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

The visit of United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres to Uzbekistan has started from Samarkand, said the UN Representation in Tashkent in a message.

Upon arrival in Samarkand, Guterres laid flowers at the grave of the countrys first president Islam Karimov.

Then Guterres visited the Uzbek presidents Peoples Reception Office and met with representatives of civil society in the Yuksalish municipality.

Moreover, Guterres visited Registan Square and became acquainted with architectural monuments of the ancient city.

The UN secretary general is also expected to meet Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Guterres will travel to Karakalpakstan in the second half of the day, where he will visit the Aral Sea region and fly by helicopter over the Aral Sea.
Raipur: BJP chief Amit Shah has said Mahatma Gandhi was a chatur baniya, a reference to the mercantile caste to which he was born, who had rightly advised dissolution of the Congress after Independence.

Addressing a select audience of "prominent citizens" in Raipur on Friday evening, Shah also said the Congress was not rooted in any ideology or principles and was sort of a "special purpose vehicle" to secure freedom.

In remarks that raised the hackles of the Congress, which demanded an apology from Shah as well as Prime Minister Narenspecialdra Modi, the BJP president went on term Mahatma Gandhi a "bahut chatur baniya", a very shrewd baniya.

"The Congress party... was constituted as a club by a British man. It was later converted into an organisation engaged in freedom struggle," Shah said.

It had in its fold both right and left-leaning people like Maulana Azad, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and many others, he said.

"People of various ideologies and thinking associated themselves with Congress to gain independence. Congress didn't have any ideology or set of principles and it was only used as a special purpose vehicle to secure freedom.

"And therefore, Mahatma Gandhi, with a lot of foresight  he was a very shrewd baniya  he knew what was going to happen in future. He had said immediately after the Independence that Congress should be dissolved."

Mahatma Gandhi couldn't do that, but now some people are completing the task of dissolution of Congress, the BJP chief added in an apparent jibe at the present Congress leadership.

Amongst the 1,650 political parties in India, only the BJP and the Communist Party of India have upheld internal democracy, he said.

"There are some parties where only dynastic rule prevails. It was clear that after Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi would take over, but nobody can predict who would be the next BJP president after me," Shah said.

Referring to alleged anti-national slogans raised in Jawaharlal Nehru University, Shah said whoever does so will be termed as anti-national.

Shah's remarks on Mahatma Gandhi led to immediate criticism from the Congress in Chhattisgarh and in New Delhi.

"Such a comment on the father of the nation is highly condemnable. Shah has crossed limits of politics," said state Congress general secretary Shailesh Nitin Trivedi.

In New Delhi, party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said Shah's remarks were "an insult to freedom fighters, their sacrifices and also to Gandhi".
Mumbai: Virtually putting its ruling ally in Maharashtra on notice, the Shiv Sena on Friday asked the BJP to announce a "complete farm loan waiver" if it wanted to avoid a mid-term election in the state.

Toughening of stand by the Sena at a time when the Devendra Fadnavis government is on the backfoot due to farmers' protests assumes significance amid reports that the BJP is weighing its options vis-a-vis an early Assembly election. The BJP-led NDA government was formed in the state in October 2014.

Though the chief minister had announced a loan waiver for the small and marginal farmers amid a farmers' protest, the Sena had been insisting on a "complete farm loan waiver". Sena MP Sanjay Raut told a Marathi news channel on Friday that the party will not be affected if it relinquished power.

"We will not lose anything and it will not affect us even if we relinquish power. We are better prepared than the BJP in case of a mid-term election. If the government wishes to avoid it, it should immediately announce a complete farm loan waiver", he said.

Asserting that the Sena would withdraw from the government "in no time" if it wanted to, Raut asked the BJP to clearly state that the Uddhav Thackeray-led party's stand on various issues was indeed "causing anguish" within the saffron party.

"Take it as our warning. Announce a complete (farm) loan waiver or we will not take much time to throttle the government," he said.

The Rajya Sabha member accused Fadnavis of playing "dirty politics" over the issue of farm loan waiver. "It is the chief minister who created a rift between (Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana chief) Raju Shetti and (Minister of state for Agriculture) Sadabhau Khot," he alleged.

Referring to Fadnavis' statement that the government will withdraw the cases only against the protesting farmers and not the others, Raut asked, "Can a worker of a political party also not be a farmer?"

Replying to a query on the upcoming presidential polls, the Sena MP said his party had no intention of putting pressure on the BJP when the latter proposed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's name for the country's top constitutional post.

Referring to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar's "reluctance" to throw his hat in the ring for the presidential polls, Raut said, "Pawar does not seem to have agreed on the proposal, but if he files nomination, we will see."
New Delhi: The Congress took strong exception to Amit Shah's comments on Mahatma Gandhi, saying they were an "insult" to the father of the nation, and demanded an apology from the BJP president as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Rather than fighting casteism, they (BJP) identified even the father of the nation with his caste. This shows the character and ideology of the ruling party and its president. Where will these people take the country?" party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala asked.

"We demand that Amit Shah, BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to the country, the families of freedom fighters and every citizen for insulting the freedom movement, and the father of the nation," he said.

Shah had referred to Mahatma Gandhi as a bahut chatur baniya (a very clever Baniya  the trading caste) while addressing a gathering in Raipur. Shah also said that Congress had never been a party based on principles. It was merely a special purpose vehicle" to secure freedom.

"Amit Shah, who himself is a trader of power, is today saying that the freedom movement was a business model. But in reality, before independence, Britishers used RSS and Hindu Mahasabha as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for partition of the country," Surjewala alleged.

"Similarly, today BJP is acting as a SPV for few corporates for taking care of their business interests," the Congress spokesperson added.

According to the Congress leader, Shah's remarks were "an insult to freedom fighters, their sacrifices and also to Gandhi".
Ghaziabad: Launching a scathing attack on the Modi government at the Centre, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar said that BJP's promise to waive loans of farmers across the country was nothing but a political gimmick.

"If dhartiputras (farmers) who provide food to the people are lathi-charged, then how will a state or country progress," he said at Mandola village here while addressing members of

farming community.

Babbar met the protesting farmers of Mandola in connection with a lathi-charge on them earlier this month and assured them of party's support in getting adequate compensation for their lands acquired for an affordable housing project.

The farmers have been pressurising the authorities to revise the compensation rates for the lands acquired under the Avas Vikas housing scheme.

"Mandola and Mandsaur incidents during the NDA rule are not different from each other," he alleged.

"When farmers' leader Rahul Gandhi and party members go to meet those affected, this government gets them arrested," he said.

Babbar, who was flanked by local party leaders, said the Congress will fight for the welfare of farmers and they will get the appropriate compensation up to their satisfaction.

Targeting the state government over destruction of farmers' crop on the acquired land here, he condemned the action and sought the district magistrate's report in this connection.

DM Ministhy S has assured him of a written clearance through the administration.

He also appealed to the protesters to not take any step on the issue and said that if a decision is not taken in their favour, the Congress party will face the baton, before the farmers do.
Bhopal: Congress demanded imposition of President's Rule in Madhya Pradesh, saying Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has no right to continue as he is evading his constitutional duties.

Instead of consoling the families of farmers killed in the police firing, Chouhan sat on a fast in Bhopal, Leader of Opposition in MP Assembly Ajay Singh told reporters.

"One of the killed farmers was father of a 40-day-old child. Chouhan should have gone to meet his wife and the child and family of other farmers, who were killed. CM has been evading constitutional responsibility. We demand imposition of President's Rule in the state," said Singh.

He said it is reprehensible that the CM is now expecting the aggrieved farmers to come to Bhopal and meet him.

"Several important issues including seventh pay scale for employees are pending with the government. Farmers are taking to the street due to their problems. Anarchy is prevailing in the state. But, CM is performing a 'nautanki'(drama) by sitting on a fast," Singh added.

He alleged that Chouhan, who himself claimed to be son of a farmer, "wants farmers to commit suicide peacefully under the burden of loans."

"Two days back, a farmer in Raisen told his daughter not to serve food as he consumed poisonous substance. Farmers were killed in police firing in Mandsaur. However, CM did not reach out to them. CM should be remorseful but after leaving his post," he said.

Singh said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee immediately rushed to strife-torn Darjeeling and is leading the administration but Madhya Pradesh chief minister is sitting on a fast.

Congress workers led by its chief spokesperson KK Mishra prayed the Lord to give "Sadbudhi" (good sense) to the chief minister by performing a 'yajna' in front of party's state headquarters on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, police apprehended 48 Congress workers including seven women when they were marching towards BHEL Dussehra Maidan where the CM is sitting on a fast.

"We were marching peacefully to tell farmers' problems to the chief minister but police stopped us at Board Office Square. We are also farmers. Police cane charged and arrested us," claimed Congress leader Yogendra Chouhan.
Bhopal:Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan sat on an indefinite fast at Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal on Saturday for "restoration of peace" amid a farmers' agitation in the state. Although, the opposition Congress dubbed it as "drama".

"I know of the bumper crop production that has sent the prices crashing down in the state. I know your (farmers) problems", he said addressing a gathering, including cultivators, here.

"The state government stands firm with the farmers. We are going to buy the farm produce and give profitable prices for it", he assured.

The farmers are, among other things, demanding satisfactory prices for their farm produce. Their stir turned violent when five persons died in police firing, while six others were injured on Tuesday in Mandsaur district.

"We have already bought huge quantity of onions at Minimum Support Price (MSP) of 8 rupees per kilogram. Each onion of farmers will be bought. Your labour won't go waste. We are going to buy different varieties of pulses at MSP", the chief minister said.

Chouhan said his government was pro-farmer and recalled efforts underway to make farming a profitable business in MP.

He also said that the irrigation facility has increased manifold and due to abundant water, farmers were reaping rich harvest.

The BJP leader also hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for trying hard to make agriculture a profitable venture.

Chouhan said the government had extended Rs 4,800 crore as relief amount to farmers when their soyabean crop was destroyed last year. Similarly, Rs 4,400 crore went as crop insurance compensation sum last year.

Clad in kurta-pajama and a Nehru jacket, Chouhan sat on fast at a pandal erected at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited's Dussehra Maiden at around 11 am after former chief minister Kailash Joshi put a 'tilak' on his forehead.

As the chief minister entered the venue, his supporters shouted "Kisan ka Samman hai, Shivraj Singh Chouhan hai, Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Bharat Mata ki Jai".

State Congress' chief spokesperson K K Mishra said that Chouhan should tell people whether his so-called fast is a "nautanki" (drama), an event or an act of repentance for his misdeeds that "set the state on fire".

"Though he is trying to send a message that he is doing gandhigiri (using a Gandhian way), it is absolutely not so. He neither sat at the foot of the statue of Gandhi nor did he garland the statue before launching his nautanki (gimmick)", Mishra said.

"He should remember that (demon king) Ravana is burnt every year at the Dussehra Maidan", the Congress leader said.

Under fire over the farmers' unrest spiralling out of control, the chief minister had on Friday announced to go on a fast for "restoration for peace" in the state.

He had also said that the agitation had turned "anarchic", and appealed to farmers to come to Dussehra Maidan and have a dialogue with him.

"I won't sit in my office at Mantralaya (secretariat) but sit at Dussehra Maidan and do all work from there", he had said, adding that those instigating the violence would not be spared.
Iligan (Philippines): Thirteen Philippine marines were killed in fierce fighting with Muslim militants who have laid siege to southern Marawi city for nearly a month in the biggest single-day loss for government forces, the military said on Saturday.

The marines were conducting a house-to-house search for militants allied with the Islamic State group who are still occupying parts of Marawi when the battle erupted on Friday, said Colonel Jo-ar Herrera, spokesman for the Philippine army's 1st Infantry Division.

He said that about 30-40 militants used civilians as human shields, making it hard for troops to operate, and also positioned themselves in the city's many mosques. Forty other marines were wounded, he said.

The government had earlier said that the unrest had left 20 civilians, 134 militants and 39 government troops dead. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled the city, parts of which were reduced to rubble by fighting and government airstrikes in an attempt to dislodge the rebels.

"This temporary setback has not diminished our resolve a bit", said military spokesman Colonel Edgard Arevalo. "It instead primed up our determination to continue our prudent advances to neutralise the enemy, save the innocent lives trapped in the fight, and set the conditions for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi".

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law in the Mindanao region, the southern third of the Philippines and home to a decades-long Muslim separatist rebellion.
Kabul: Three Afghan civilians were killed and nine others injured in a shooting at a mosque in Paktia province, the Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

"The shooting took place at the mosque in provincial capital Gardez city at round 8.45 pm, during Tarawih prayers," the ministry said in a statement.

No group has claimed responsibility yet for the incident, reports Xinhua news agency.

The attack came as Afghans celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by abstaining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset.

Muslims offer the Tarawih prayers only during month of Ramadan.

The attack has added to recent terror-related incidents in Afghanistan. It comes just before the Afghanistan government declared Saturday as a national day of mourning to honour victims of recent terror attacks.

Scores of people mostly civilians were killed and injured following a string of attacks in the capital Kabul, Herat and Khost provinces, Xinhua news agency reported.

Special prayer sessions will be held in the Presidential Palace mosque and also across the country and the national flag will be flown at half mast at home and Afghan diplomatic missions abroad, the statement added.

On 31 May, 150 people were killed and over 400 other injured in a ghastly suicide attack in Kabul.

This attack was followed by another one on 3 June when three consecutive explosions rocked a funeral also in the capital killing 20 and injuring over 100 others.
Berlin: German Chancellor Angela Merkel is praising the country's army as "indispensable" amid friction between military and government over the handling of a series of scandals in the Bundeswehr.

It is under scrutiny over allegations of abuse, the discovery of suspected far-right extremists in its ranks and questions over its ability to fulfil its missions.

In a pre-recorded video on Friday, Merkel said "there were events recently that deserved to be criticised."

But she insisted that "the vast majority of soldiers are performing an invaluable service."

Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen angered some in the military with her sweeping criticism while investigations into alleged wrongdoing were still underway.

German weekly Der Spiegel reported on Friday that the army filed a criminal complaint against an officer who jokingly called for a military putsch.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, June 10

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed the prospects of the UN-Uzbekistan cooperation in Samarkand, Uzbekistan National News Agency (UzA) reported.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the state and prospects of development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the UN, its agencies, as well as topical regional and international issues, including mitigation of the consequences of the Aral Sea environmental disaster, reads the report.

The Uzbek president noted that Uzbekistan attaches great importance to strengthening cooperation with the UN.

Antonio Guterres, for his part, pointed out the importance of the reforms carried out in Uzbekistan, which are aimed at improving the welfare of the countrys people.

It was earlier reported that the UN Secretary General arrived in Uzbekistan as part of his June 8-13 visit to Central Asia.
By Anthony Boadle and Ricardo Brito

| BRASILIA

BRASILIA Brazil's top electoral court dismissed a case on Friday that threatened to unseat President Michel Temer for alleged illegal campaign funding in the 2014 election, when he was the running mate of impeached President Dilma Rousseff.The ruling gives Temer some breathing room but will not end a political crisis dogging the center-right leader, who is being investigated separately by federal prosecutors for corruption."We cannot be changing the president of the Republic all the time, even if the people want to," said the court's chief judge, Gilmar Mendes.Mendes, who backed the impeachment of Rousseff, said the country should not expect the court to solve the current political crisis.

The acquittal will help Temer retain key coalition allies who will support his fiscal reform agenda approval in Congress. The austerity measures aim to bring a gaping budget deficit under control and restore investor confidence.The electoral court, known as the TSE, voted 4-3 to acquit the Rousseff-Temer ticket, avoiding the annulment of their election and the removal of Temer from office, who took over from Rousseff last year in the midst of Brazil's worst recession.

Temer is likely to soon face separate charges for corruption and obstruction of justice in a case involving allegations of hush money paid to a potential witness in a massive graft scandal, sources have told Reuters. The Supreme Court approved that investigation into the president late last month.Temer, a third of his Cabinet and dozens of powerful congressmen are under investigation for corruption.

The TSE voted 4-3 on Thursday to not allow plea-bargain testimony from 77 executives of builder Odebrecht to be used as evidence in the election case. That testimony includes accusations the company funneled millions in illegal funding to the 2014 Rousseff-Temer ticket. The exclusion of that evidence strengthened Temer's line of defence.The separate investigation by prosecutors into Temer includes a secret recording of a conversation with a top executive of meatpacker JBS SA (JBSS3.SA). In it, the president appears to condone paying bribes to an imprisoned former lawmaker to keep him from turning state's witness and providing potentially devastating testimony about graft.Temer has denied any wrongdoing. But a one-time top aide to the leader, Rodrigo Rocha Loures, was caught on a police video released last month picking up a bag filled with 500,000 reais ($152,000) in cash from a JBS executive. (Reporting by Anthony Boadle, Ricardo Brito and Maria Carolina Marcello; Editing by Richard Chang and Mary Milliken)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Rio de Janeiro: Brazil's top electoral court has given embattled President Michel Temer a big victory, voting to reject allegations of campaign finance violations that would have removed him from office.

After four days of deliberations, judges on Friday voted 4-3 in a case that many viewed as a measure of whether Temer could remain in office amid a growing corruption scandal and single-digit popularity.

Last month, a recording emerged that apparently captured Temer endorsing hush money to ex-house speaker Eduardo Cunha, a former Temer ally serving 15 years in prison for corruption and money laundering. Soon after that, another report suggested that Temer was being investigated for allegedly receiving bribes.

Temer has denied wrongdoing and vowed to stay in office. "The facts are very serious, unbearable," said Judge Luiz Fux, who voted to remove Temer, adding the campaign finance case was about "very serious crimes".

Judge Gilmar Mendes, who has called Temer "a friend of many years", cast the decisive vote to keep Temer in office. Mendes, also a justice on the Supreme Federal Tribunal, the country's highest court, argued that electoral laws needed reform, suggesting that politicians should not pay the price for a broken system.

"The system needs stability. It is very easy to talk about morality, fighting against corruption. I want that too," said Mendes, who in the past has come to the aide of other politicians facing legal trouble.

"A president can't just be replaced at any time, even if the desire is there."

The campaign finance case was filed shortly after the 2014 presidential election by one of the losing parties. It alleged that the ticket of president Dilma Rousseff and running mate Temer, then the vice presidential candidate, gained an unfair advantage through illegal campaign contributions.

Temer took over the presidency last year after Rousseff was impeached and removed for illegally managing the federal budget.

The campaign finance allegations were bolstered in recent months by stunning testimony from plea bargains signed by current and former executives at the construction giant Odebrecht, a company at the center of a colossal investigation into billions of dollars in inflated contracts and kickbacks to politicians.

The executives provided shocking details of tens of millions of dollars in bribes and illegal campaign contributions, including to the Rousseff-Temer ticket.

Over four days of deliberations, the judges argued about whether those plea bargains should be considered in their decision. They also clashed over the strength of the original evidence and whether punishments should be doled out when illegal campaign finance was widespread.

A guilty verdict would have annulled the 2014 victory, thus stripping Temer of the rest of his mandate. It could also have stripped both Rousseff and Temer of political rights for eight years.

While Temer had vowed to appeal a conviction, it would have weakened his hand in a climate of several corruption scandals and a public furious about it.

"Temer will stay in office and probably face many demonstrations in the streets," said Alexandre Barros, a political risk consultant with the Brasilia-based firm Early Warning. "I don't think anybody is in the mood to decide something unexpected at this point."

The political turmoil in Brazil, that began with the push last year to remove Rousseff from power for violating budget laws, has reached a fever pitch. There are near weekly protests calling for Temer's ouster, frequent shouting matches in Congress, and a simmering debate in the media over whether Temer will manage to finish out his term.

That atmosphere was reflected in the courtroom, where there were several tense moments. Among the most dramatic came during the opening of the afternoon session on Friday, when a prosecutor requested the disqualification of one of the judges who had once been a lawyer for Rousseff and one justice decried articles in the press that linked him to a corruption investigation.

As the tension in the chamber rose, the court's president called a brief break.
Berlin: German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that as a federal government and a member of the European Union (EU), Germany is prepared for Brexit negotiations, after the UK general election came to an end.

"We are preparing for Brexit. We will wait for the results of these elections but meetings (on Brexit) are going to begin and we are going to defend the interests of the 27 countries which will be in the EU in the future", Merkel said on Friday.

Merkel did not comment on elections that concluded on Friday, in which British Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party lost the absolute majority.

The party won 318 seats, eight less than the total 326 required, which forced her to join hands with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party.

On the other hand, Merkel also stressed that the EU will hope to continue to be the UK's partner.

"From our side, we are ready for the talks, we are prepared. I understand that the UK is going to respect the timetable. We want to do it (Brexit) fast, respecting the timetable. As of now, I don't see any obstacles for negotiations to start as expected," said Merkel.

The Brexit negotiations are slated to begin on 19 June.
By Kate Holton and David Milliken

| LONDON

LONDON British Prime Minister Theresa May was fighting for survival on Saturday after a failed election gamble undermined her authority and plunged the country into a major political crisis, days before the start of talks to leave the European Union.May's bet that she could strengthen her hand by crushing what she believed to be a weak opposition Labour Party backfired spectacularly on Thursday as voters stripped her Conservative Party of a parliamentary majority.The stunning outcome leaves May battling to unite different factions in her party and reliant on a handful of Northern Irish parliamentarians just nine days before Britain starts the tortuous process of negotiating its departure from the EU. May's two top aides, Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, announced they had quit on Saturday, following sustained criticism of the campaign within the party.Britain's typically pro-Conservative press savaged May on Saturday and questioned whether she could remain in power, only two months after she started the clock ticking on the two-year EU divorce process. The best-selling Sun newspaper said senior members of the party had vowed to get rid of May, but would wait at least six months because they feared a leadership contest could propel Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn into power."She's staying, for now," one Conservative Party source told Reuters.The outcome risks upsetting the political balance in Northern Ireland by aligning London more closely with the pro-British side in the divided province, and increases the chance that Britain will fall out of the EU in 2019 without a deal. May called the snap election to win a clear mandate for her plan to take Britain out of the EU's single market and customs union, so she could slash immigration.But her party is deeply divided over what it wants from Brexit and the result means British businesses still have no idea what trading rules they can expect in the coming years. The British pound tumbled against the U.S. dollar and the euro after the election result.

NATIONAL EMERGENCY

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she assumed Britain still wanted to leave the European Union and that talks must start quickly.But Elmar Brok, a German conservative and the European Parliament's top Brexit expert, told the Ruhr Nachrichten newspaper the talks would now be more complicated. "May won't be able to make any compromises because she lacks a broad parliamentary majority," he said. If she is to succeed in delivering the wishes of 52 percent of the public and take Britain out of the EU, she must find a way to secure the full support of her party to pass legislation preparing for and enacting the departure.

Anand Menon, professor of politics at King's College London, said her lack of a majority made it far more likely that Britain would leave the EU without a deal. "Imagine she survives until autumn of next year," he told Reuters. "You will have a very fractious parliament. It is far from guaranteed to vote the deal through."A failure to get legislation through parliament could eventually result in the need for another election.Party insiders are placing bets on how long May will last, less than a year after Britain's surprise referendum decision propelled her into Downing Street. "Theresa May is certainly the strongest leader that we have at the moment," lawmaker David Jones told the BBC. When asked about her future, senior Conservative lawmaker Owen Paterson said "Let's see how it pans out".

The Times newspaper's front page declared "May stares into the abyss". It said Britain was "effectively leaderless" and the "country all but ungovernable". Its cartoon depicted May in a coffin with her feet sticking out and a speech bubble saying "Nothing has changed", a line she repeated several times as she reversed a key policy on social care during the campaign."The Conservatives have not yet broken the British system of democracy, but through their hubris and incompetence they have managed to make a mockery of it," it said in an editorial. "The task of restoring orderly government in order to make sense of Brexit is now a national emergency, and it falls to them."The Telegraph newspaper said senior Conservatives including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, interior minister Amber Rudd and Brexit minister David Davis were taking soundings over whether to replace May.FRAUGHT WITH RISK

After confirming on Friday that her top five ministers, including finance minister Philip Hammond, would keep their jobs, May must name the rest of her team, who will take on one of the most demanding jobs in recent British history. She said Brexit talks would begin on June 19 as scheduled, the same day as the formal reopening of parliament.To govern, she will need the support of the socially conservative, pro-Brexit Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which won 10 seats in Northern Ireland. A senior Conservative lawmaker, Gavin Williamson, was in Belfast for talks with the party on Saturday, a spokeswoman for May's office said. The two parties are broadly politically aligned, but it remains to be seen what price the DUP will demand for its support. One DUP lawmaker suggested support for May could come vote by vote, making the job of governing fraught with risk. (Writing by Kate Holton; additional reporting by Costas Pitas, Kylie MacLellan and David Milliken in London, Andrea Shalal in Berlin; editing by David Clarke)

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Kolkata: Pakistan's political economist Prof S Akbar Zaidi on Saturday said that the growing dependence on Chinese investment in Pakistan has cast a shadow on Indo-Pak trade prospects.

"Currently, the official bilateral trade is stuck at around $2.1 billion and I don't see it going to double in the next five years when Pakistan thinks China is the best friend," Zaidi said on the sidelines of his lecture at the Bengal Chamber in Kolkata.

He believes that the prospect for Indo-Pak bilateral trade is of $10 billion.

"With Pakistan treating China as its best friend and putting all eggs in one basket which is unfortunate, I don't see trade is going up" Zaidi said.

He indicated that as US cutting aids since the last few years and China's aggressive investment plans in Pakistan, his country was moving close toward the dragon country.

He said though official trade with India was about $2.1 billion, unofficial and via the third country, it was about $4 billion, Zaidi said.

He said, now more Pakistani students were studying in China than in the US.

He said Pakistan was expected to gain from the investments from China of worth $56 billion in infrastructure, but warned that prostrating before China under the guise of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) might lead to potential debt problems.

In both Sri Lanka and Tajikistan, with rising costs and debts incurred by the host countries, a large chunk of land was handed over to the Chinese in lieu of unpaid funds, Zaidi said.
Washington: United States president Donald Trump said on Friday that he backs the NATO charter's demand that all members be prepared to defend each other, weeks after jarring allies by not restating United States support for the agreement.

At a joint news conference with Romanian president Klaus Iohannis, Trump said he supports the NATO charter's Article 5, the requirement that each member of the alliance defend each other if they come under attack.

During a visit to NATO headquarters in May in Brussels, Trump had pointedly not mentioned United States support for the critical portion of the NATO charter. He used his speech there to demand that members pay more for the alliance's defence.

A senior White House official later had said the United States does in fact support Article 5 simply by agreeing to the terms of the charter.

But having not mentioned it himself, Trump sowed some doubts among allies and the ensuing controversy prompted Vice President Mike Pence to later express explicit United States support for the charter.

Senior aides to Trump had tried to get a statement of explicit support for Article 5 in the president's NATO speech but it was not included, a senior administration official said.

"I'm committing the United States to Article 5 and certainly we are there to protect and that's one of the reasons that I want people to make sure we have a very, very strong force by paying the kind of money necessary to have that force," Trump said.

"But yes, absolutely I'd be committed to Article 5," he said.
Washington: President Donald Trump is expected to visit Miami as early as next Friday to announce a new Cuba policy that could tighten rules on trade and travel, rolling back parts of former president Barack Obama's opening to the island, according to a US official and people familiar with the matter.

Trumps aides are nearing completion of a review of relations with Cuba and are expected to send recommendations to his national security team and then to the president in coming days, a US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Plans are in the works for Trump to roll out his new approach on 16 June in a speech in Miami, where he is expected to claim fulfillment of a campaign promise and justify it, at least in part, on human rights grounds, the sources said.

But they cautioned that a delay in the announcement is still possible if it takes longer for Trump to make a final decision.

While specific changes have not yet been finalised, sources say Trump is likely to unveil a partial rather than complete rollback of Obama's actions, which included restoration of relations and reopening of embassies after a diplomatic breakthrough in 2014 with Americas former Cold War foe.

Among the options under consideration are banning US companies from doing business with Cuban enterprises tied to the military  which controls a large part of the communist-ruled island's economy  and tightening rules on Americans traveling there, according to people familiar with the discussions.

With the Cuba review approaching its final stages, both sides of the issue have recently stepped up lobbying to sway Trump's decision.

In the letter sent to Trump on Friday, seven of his fellow Republicans warned that rescinding Obamas policies would "incentivise Cuba to once again become dependent on countries like Russia and China."

Senior officials at the National Security Council met on Friday to begin finalising a list of recommendations, the sources said.

Trump's changes are expected to stop short of breaking diplomatic relations restored two years ago after more than five decades of hostility, administration officials say.

But divisions remain within the Trump administration over how far to go, especially given that rapprochement with Cuba has created opportunities for American companies.

Internal debate

Some aides have argued that Trump, a former real estate magnate who won the presidency promising to unleash US business and create jobs, would have a hard time defending any moves that close off the Cuban market.

But other advisers have contended that it is important to make good on a promise to Cuban-Americans whose support they considered significant winning Florida in the 2016 election. Miami is home to the largest Cuban-American community.

The US airline and travel industries have made clear they do not want to see reinstatement of Cuba restrictions.

"Imposing new regulations on travel to and trade with Cuba would be bad politics, bad policy, and bad for US business, said James Williams, president of Engage Cuba, a Washington-based lobbying group.

But Trump has come under heavy pressure from Cuban-American lawmakers, including Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, to roll back Obamas rapprochement.

Rubio, a member of the Senate foreign relations and intelligence committees, is seen by Trumps aides as an important figure to cultivate at a time when the members of his administration are under investigation over contacts with Russian officials.

Rubio and other Obama critics have argued that he gave away too much to Cuban president Raul Castro for too little in return, especially on human rights.

Trumps aides are considering ways to make future engagement moves contingent on the Cuban governments improvement on human rights and political freedoms, US officials say.

Such an emphasis would contrast sharply with Trumps approach in other parts of the world where he has insisted the United States would stop lecturing other countries on the issue.

Trump - friend of Putin, Sissi, Salman, Duterte, Erdogan - will cite human rights to justify hurting the Cuban people, tweeted Ben Rhodes, Obamas former deputy national security adviser and an architect of his Cuba detente policy.

Trump - friend of Putin, Sissi, Salman, Duterte, Erdogan - will cite human rights to justify hurting the Cuban people.  Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) June 9, 2017

Trump threatened shortly after his election in November to terminate Obamas approach unless Cuba made significant concessions, something it is unlikely to do.

Obama implemented his normalisation measures through executive actions, and Trump has the power to undo much of it.
Washington: US President Donald Trump would travel to Poland before heading to Germany for the G-20 summit next month, the White House said on Friday.

"The visit will reaffirm America's steadfast commitment to one of our closest European allies and emphasise the Administration's priority of strengthening NATO's collective defence", White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said.

During his meeting with President of Poland Andrzej Duda, Trump will discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues, deepening an alliance based on shared values and common interests.

The meeting with his Polish counterpart would take place on 6 July while the Group of 20 summit takes place in Hamburg on 7-8 July.

"While in Poland, President Trump will deliver a major speech, and he will attend the Three Seas Initiative Summit to demonstrate our strong ties to Central Europe", Spicer said.
Paris: French president Emmanuel Macron's party heads into the first round of parliamentary elections on Sunday looking set to win the majority he needs to push through his ambitious reforms.

A number of opinion polls give Macron's Republique en Marche (Republic on the Move, REM) party around 30 percent of the vote, which would put it in the driving seat to secure an absolute majority in the second round on 18 June.

With Macron's party siphoning off support from France's traditional political forces on the left and the right  the Socialists of his predecessor Francois Hollande and the conservative Republicans  the elections could radically redraw the political map.

On Friday, the final day of campaigning before the first round, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe urged voters to back the new president.

"The question that the French people must answer on Sunday is: do they want to give the president and the government he named a sufficient majority to begin the work of turning around the country?" he said on Europe 1 radio.

Macron's party could be heading for as many as 400 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly, according to some polls, a crushing victory for a president who many observers were predicting just weeks ago might struggle to win a majority.

Philippe is a conservative in Macron's multi-hued government that the 39-year-old centrist assembled in a bid to break with decades of tribalist left-right politics.

The prime minister's party, the Republicans, complained today that such domination by REM could be harmful.

"I don't think it would be healthy for the democratic debate over the next five years," said Francois Baroin, who is leading the Republicans in the legislative polls.

Marine Le Pen's National Front meanwhile could struggle to gain 15 seats nationally, a score that would be an additional humiliation for her after she was soundly beaten by Macron in the presidential election.

In one cloud on Macron's horizon, his small centrist ally, the MoDem party was placed under preliminary investigation on suspicion of employing fake parliamentary assistants in the European Parliament.

The investigation comes with one of Macron's ministers and a key supporter, Richard Ferrand, also being probed over suspicions he favoured his wife in a property deal with a public health insurance fund when he headed the company.

Macron's party has brushed off the accusations against Ferrand as unfounded.

Polls appear to suggest that Macron is in tune with the wishes of French voters to see deep changes to the political class. Many of REM's 530 candidates come from civil society and have never run for office before.

Macron's reform agenda is broad. The key plank is to build on an overhaul of the labour market that the previous Socialist government began - measures that brought hundreds of thousands of protesters onto the streets in 2016.

The government has said it plans to fast-track legislation through parliament using executive decrees in a country where many see the cost of hiring and firing as a brake on growth.

Unemployment, the issue that dogged Hollande's presidency, is around 10 percent.

Macron and Philippe have already held softly-softly initial talks with the unions about their proposed reforms, without apparently showing much of their hand.
By Jussi Rosendahl and Tuomas Forsell

| JYVASKYLA, Finland

JYVASKYLA, Finland Finland's eurosceptic Finns party picked an anti-immigration hardliner as its leader on Saturday in a move that the prime minister said might lead to a break-up of the ruling coalition.At a Finns party congress, 56 percent of those voting backed European Parliament member Jussi Halla-aho, who wants Finland to leave the European Union.Halla-aho, who was fined by Finland's Supreme Court in 2012 for comments on a blog that linked Islam to paedophilia and Somalis to theft, has said he will push the three-party coalition to tighten immigration policies, and that he will not stay in the government at any price."We must be more aggressive in raising the topics that distinguish us from other parties ... it is important to push our priorities forward more vigorously within the government programme," Halla-aho told reporters after his election.Prime Minister Juha Sipila, citing differences in core values, said that there was a risk the centre-right government could break up due to Halla-aho's nomination."Of course (there is a risk of break-up). This is a tough spot for the government," Sipila, from the Centre Party, told daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat.The third coalition partner, the pro-EU National Coalition Party (NCP) also said it might not want to cooperate."This requires serious contemplation. The Finns party is not the same party anymore," Finance Minister Petteri Orpo told Verkkouutiset, an online news site.

As snap elections are very rare in the Nordic country, a break-up of the coalition would likely mean that Sipila would try to form a new one.That could derail healthcare and local government reforms central to Sipila's plan to balance public finances.Sipila is due to meet Halla-aho and Orpo on Monday.The party congress also replaced all three deputy leaders with hardline anti-immigration politicians Laura Huhtasaari, Teuvo Hakkarainen and Juho Eerola.

Hakkarainen earlier this year was fined for a Facebook post calling for a Muslim-free Finland, which a district court said amounted to agitation against an ethnic group. RIGHT-WING POPULISM

Formerly the True Finns, the party is known for having complicated EU bailout talks during the euro zone crisis.But after becoming the second-biggest party in parliament in 2015, it joined the coalition government and accepted compromises, angering core voters.

Support for the Finns party has plunged from 17.7 percent in a 2015 election to about 9 percent in a poll this month.Mari K Niemi, a researcher at University of Turku, said the party, which had sought to represent underprivileged people from rural areas, was becoming a more radical right-wing populist party."Young, sometimes educated people with an anti-immigration focus have become a more significant power within the party," she said, comparing the party's new profile to the far-right Sweden Democrats and France's National Front.Finland is recovering from a decade of stagnation and problems including the decline of Nokia's former phone business. The government has sought to boost growth and curb public debt growth by cutting spending and reforming labour laws."If the coalition continues, it gets more and more difficult for the parties to agree on anything. And if the government broke up, a new coalition would surely change the current fiscal policy programme," said Nordea analyst Jan Von Gerich.Outgoing Finns party leader and co-founder Timo Soini - a moderate populist who mostly focused on criticising the EU - stepped down after 20 years. It was unclear whether he would stay on as foreign minister. (Editing by Andrew Bolton)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Baku, Azerbaijan, June 10

By Farhad Daneshvar  Trend:

Irans Aseman Air and the US airplane manufacturer Boeing have finalized a deal on purchasing 60 aircraft, ILNA news agency reported.



Iranian Labor Minister Ali Rabiei attended a ceremony this morning in Tehran for clinching the contract with the American airplane maker, the report added.

Earlier this year, Aseman Air and the US company negotiated a MoU on the deal for the 60 Boeing 737 aircraft which are expected to be gradually delivered since 2019.

In a separate development, Boeing and Iran Air, the countrys flag carrier, concluded a deal on purchasing 80 aircraft. The delivery of Iran Air aircraft will begin next year and will be completed within 10 years.

After Washington announced it was reviewing licenses for aircraft manufacturers to do business with the Islamic Republic, Boeing told Trend on May 30 that its deals with Iran depend on the US government approval.
Germany: Germany is teaming up with California to cooperate on tackling climate change following the US government's decision to withdraw from the 2015 Paris agreement.

Europe's largest economy and the biggest US state in economic terms will back the work of the "Under 2 Coalition," which includes cities, regional governments and states, German environment minister Barbara Hendricks said on Saturday.

"We cannot achieve our climate goals without the engagement of local and regional communities. That has become even clearer after the US withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement," Hendricks said after agreeing on the joint approach with California Governor Edmund Brown in San Francisco.

"California and Germany unite the world leaders in the fight against climate change, the existential threat of our time," Brown said in a statement released by the German ministry.

US president Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States from the landmark 2015 Paris agreement drew anger and condemnation from world leaders and industry.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel last week pledged her country's continued commitment to the agreement, calling the US decision "very regrettable."

Hendricks said the German government would ensure that cities, communities, and regions played an important role in the UN climate change conference in Bonn in November.
Washington: The US on Friday appealed to Saudi Arabia and its regional allies to ease their blockade of Qatar, saying it is hindering US military actions in the region and the fight against the Islamic State.

"Now, the situation in the Arabian Gulf over the last few days is troubling to the United States, the region, and to many people who are directly affected, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department.

"We call for calm and thoughtful dialogue with clear expectations and accountability among the parties in order to strengthen relationships. We ask that there be no further escalation by the parties in the region," he said.

Tillerson also called on Qatar to be responsive to the concerns of its neighbours.

"Qatar has a history of supporting groups that have spanned the spectrum of political expression, from activism to violence, he said.

He added that the emir of Qatar has made progress in halting financial support and expelling terrorist elements from his country, but he must do more, and he must do it more quickly.

"Others must also continue to eliminate factions of support for violent organisations within their own borders," Tillerson said.

Again, that was a commitment made by all at the summit. "We call on the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt to ease the blockade against Qatar, Tillerson said.

He said the blockade is hindering US military actions in the region and the campaign against ISIS. "We support the emir of Kuwait's efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to this agreement, and progress toward eliminating all forms of support for terrorism  military, financial, moral, or ideological. Yes, we'll support these mediation efforts, along with the emir of Kuwait, Tillerson said.

The biggest US air base in West Asia is in Qatar and around 10,000 personnel work there in support of several allied operations in Iraq, Syria, and around the region. Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have cut ties with Qatar, accusing their former Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ally of supporting extremist groups.

Tillerson, whom Trump has tasked with de-escalating the dispute, said it is "troubling to the United States, the region and to many people who are directly affected."

"There are humanitarian consequences to this blockade. We're seeing shortages of food, families are being forcibly separated, and children are being pulled out of school. We believe these are unintended consequences, especially during this holy month of Ramadan, but they can be addressed immediately," he said.

Noting that the blockade is also impairing US and other international business activities in the region, Tillerson said it has created a hardship on the people of Qatar, and the people whose livelihoods depend on commerce with the Gulf nation.

Referring to the conversations that he had with leaders of the Gulf countries, Tillerson said it is clear to him based that the elements of a solution are available.

"The GCC must emerge united and stronger to show the world the GCC's resolve in its fight against violence and terrorism, and its commitment to countering the threat from terrorism, he said.
Cairo: Egypt president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has praised US president Donald Trump for his role in "the formation of a united front to combat terrorism" after he called on Qatar to stop its financial support of extremist groups.

El-Sissi's praise-filled phone call Saturday came after the US president echoed accusations made against Qatar by a Saudi-led group that cut diplomatic ties with the small oil- rich country earlier this week.

El-Sissi thanked Trump for his participation in a counter-terrorism summit in Riyadh last May, in which he abandoned some of the harsh anti-Muslim rhetoric of his

presidential campaign and vowed to fight terrorism in partnership with Middle East leaders.

The escalating crisis in the Persian Gulf erupted this week when Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with Qatar.
New Delhi: Asserting that it has "vital stakes" in peace and stability in the Gulf, India on Saturday asked countries in the region to resolve the Qatar crisis through constructive dialogue and well-established international principles of mutual respect.

External affairs ministry said India is closely following the emerging situation in the region in the wake of the recent decision by Saudi Arabia and some other countries to break diplomatic relations with Qatar.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain announced on Monday that they were cutting diplomatic ties and closing all connectivity links with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism. The charge has been denied by Doha.

"India has time-tested friendly relations with GCC countries. With over eight million Indian expatriates living and working in these countries, we have vital stakes in the regional peace and stability," the ministry said in a release.

In this context, the government is closely monitoring the situation and is also in regular contact with the regional countries. Their authorities have assured the government continued support for welfare and well-being of the resident Indian communities, it added.

"We are of the view that all parties should resolve their differences through a process of constructive dialogue and peaceful negotiations based on well-established international principles of mutual respect, sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries," it said.

India believes that peace and security in the Gulf are of paramount importance for the continued progress and prosperity of the countries in the region.

International terrorism, violent extremism and religious intolerance pose grave threat not only to regional stability but also to global peace and order and must be confronted by all countries in a coordinated and comprehensive manner, the ministry said.

It asked Indian expatriates in the region to contact the Indian embassy or consulate concerned should they require assistance or advise consequent to the developing situation.
New Delhi: India on Saturday said it is closely monitoring the situation in West Asia where several countries led by Saudi Arabia have cut off diplomatic ties with Qatar, and that the countries have assured continued support for the welfare and well-being of the large Indian diaspora.

India also said that the countries should resolve their differences through dialogue.

"We are closely following the emerging situation in the region in the wake of the recent decision by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and some other countries to break diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar," Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

"We are of the view that all parties should resolve their differences through a process of constructive dialogue and peaceful negotiations based on well-established international principles of mutual respect, sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries," it said.

On Monday, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt cut off diplomatic ties with Qatar on allegations of supporting terrorism, including the Muslim Brotherhood. Yemen, Libya, the Maldives and Jordan also took similar steps.

Indians, at 6,30,000, comprise the largest expatriate community in gas-rich Qatar which is by size a small nation.

"Their authorities have assured us continued support for welfare and well-being of the resident Indian communities," the statement stated.

"Indian expatriates in the region are advised to contact the Indian embassy or consulate concerned should they require assistance or advise consequent to the developing situation," it added.

Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in Doha has also issued an advisory to expatriate Indians in the Gulf country asking to them to remain updated about the developments and not to believe in rumours.

With India having strategic energy interests in the region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made important bilateral visits over the last three years to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iran.

The ministry statement said India believes that peace and security in the Gulf are of paramount importance for the continued progress and prosperity of the countries in the region.

"International terrorism, violent extremism and religious intolerance pose grave threat not only to regional stability but also to the global peace and order and must be confronted by all countries in a coordinated and comprehensive manner," it said.

"India has time-tested friendly relations with GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries. With over eight million Indian expatriates living and working in these countries, we have vital stakes in the regional peace and stability."
Tehran: Iranian leaders accused the United States and Saudi Arabia of supporting the Islamic State-claimed dual attacks that killed 17 people in Tehran this week, as thousands of Iranians attended a funeral ceremony for the victims.

The country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday said that the attacks will add to the hatred that Iranians harbor toward the US and Saudi Arabia.

In a condolence message ahead of a funeral for the victims, Ayatollah Khamenei said the attack, "will not damage the Iranian nation's determination and the obvious result is nothing except an increase in hate for the governments of the United States and their stooges in the region like Saudi (Arabia)", state media reported.

On Friday, Intelligence Minister of Iran Mahmoud Alavi said that investigators were working to determine whether Saudi Arabia had a role in Wednesday's attacks but said it was too soon to say if that was the case.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. The Islamic State media arm Aamaq released a video on Thursday evening showing what it claimed was a message from the Tehran attackers. The four-minute video shows three masked men sitting on a floor holding automatic rifles.

One of the men speaks in the sorani Kurdish dialect common among Kurds in northeastern Iraq and northwestern Iran. The speaker claims to represent the "first battalion" of Islamic state formed inside of Iran. He speaks out at length against Shiites and promises further attacks.

During the funeral, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani called the US the "international" version of the Islamic State group and said Washington had exchanged democracy for money, a reference to a recent huge arms deal between the US and Saudi Arabia. He said that the anti- Iranian remarks by Saudi Arabia's foreign minister and US President Donald Trump are a "matter of disgrace" for them.
DUBAI Iranian authorities have arrested seven people it suspects of helping militants involved in this week's attacks in the capital Tehran, a judiciary official said on Saturday. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the suicide bombings and gun attacks on parliament and the mausoleum of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, that killed 17 people on Wednesday.

Ahmad Fazelian, a provincial judiciary official, said the seven, suspected of "providing support for the terrorist team", were detained in Fardis, about 50 km (31 miles) west of Tehran, the judiciary's online news agency Mizan reported.On Friday, authorities announced the arrests of 41 suspects in connection with the twin Tehran attacks.

Separately, the head of the judiciary in Fars province said seven people were detained in the southern Larestan area for possible ties to Islamic State, Iran's ISNA news agency reported on Saturday.

Tehran police said the car the attackers used for both attacks was discovered on Saturday in the city centre."The terrorists first went by the car to the mausoleum and after dropping two of them, went to the city centre to attack the parliament," the police said in a statement published on state media. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom; editing by David Clarke and Alexander Smith)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Hamuda Hassan and Isabel Coles

| ERBIL, Iraq

ERBIL, Iraq A six-year old Iraqi Christian girl, kidnapped by Islamic State when she was three, was reunited with her family on Friday, and getting used to saying "mum" and "dad" once more. "The best day of my life is the day when Christina came back," said her mother, Aida Nuh, on Saturday. Dark circles around her eyes are evidence of sleepless nights since August 2014, when the militants snatched Christina from her, a few weeks after overrunning the town of Qaraqosh, 15 km (10 miles) southeast of Mosul."She stayed three years with the terrorists. Of course she forgot who her mother is, who her father is, that we are her family, but she will learn again."Islamic State has kidnapped thousands of men, women and children from Iraq's minorities, mainly Yazidis.

Christians who did not or could not escape in time were faced with an ultimatum - pay a tax for protection, convert to Islam, or die by the sword. Some, like Christina, were kidnapped. Christian families who remained in Qaraqosh were forcibly displaced on Aug. 22, 2014. The militants took away Christina from the minibus which had driven them to the edge of Islamic State territory, after threatening Aida, who desperately resisted. The family's efforts to track her though Arab friends were rewarded on Friday, when they got a call telling them Christina had been found in Hayy al-Tanak, a poor neighbourhood of Mosul.

Eighth months into the U.S-backed offensive to take back Mosul, all of the city has fallen to Iraqi government forces except a pocket by the western bank of the Tigris river."We went to a dirty place in Hayy el-Tanak (..), we took the child," said Christina's blind father, Khader Touma, wearing dark glasses and surrounded by the family now complete with the return of his youngest daughter.

Her two sisters and two brothers had escaped to Kurdish territory before the arrival of the militants."I'm with mum and dad," said Christina, playing with a plastic toy, in a mobile home for displaced people in Ankawa, a Christian suburb of the Kurdish capital Erbil, east of Mosul.The parents said they now hoped to emigrate, to put their ordeal behind them.In the meantime, they face a long wait in the cramped cabin, because their home in Qaraqosh was almost completely destroyed in the fighting to dislodge the militants. (Writing by Maher Chmaytelli; Editing by Andrew Bolton)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Baghdad: Fifteen people were killed on Saturday when a group of Islamic State militants attacked a village in Iraq's Salahudin province, a security official said.

About 20 Islamic State militants attacked Mseihly village, some 280 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, sparking heavy clashes with the paramilitary Sunni tribal fighters at the village, the official told Xinhua News Agency.

The victims comprised 10 villagers, including three women and a child, and five Islamic State militants, the source said.

The attackers apparently infiltrated from the Islamic State-held eastern bank of Shirqat across the Tigris River, which bisects the town, the source added.
Beirut: Supported by crutches and a fellow Islamic State jihadi, Abu Shuaib al-Maslawi hopped on his left leg toward the explosives-laden black SUV that he would minutes later plow into a group of Iraqi troops in the northern city of Mosul.

Then, turning toward the camera, the one-legged suicide bomber spoke his final words, urging Muslims in the West who cannot come to the extremists' self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria, to carry out attacks inside their home countries.

"I urge you in the name of God that before sunset may your swords be dripping with the infidels' blood," said al-Maslawi, who appeared to be in his 50s, with a long gray beard and a black Islamic skull cap. "Every drop of blood that is spilled there will reduce pressure on us," he added, gripping the steering wheel.

Drone footage then showed the heavily armored SUV careening into a line of Iraqi troop vehicles parked outside a building in Mosul, followed by an explosion, a huge fire ball and a cloud of black smoke.

Posted by Islamic State on social media in late May, the video contains a change in message and tone that reflects the pressure the extremist group is under as it continues to lose ground in Iraq and Syria.

The Islamic State group's propaganda machine used to be confident, promising that its self-declared caliphate would be "lasting and expanding." But in recent months, as the group's territory has shrunk, its messages have as well.

Far from the boastful, self-aggrandising videos of the past, the group is now urging fighters to resist and not run away from the battlefield. The quality of the videos has dropped as well after some of the extremists' most prominent propagandists and producers were killed.

Slickly produced Islamic State propaganda videos shot from multiple angles with religious songs in the background used to spread fear among the group's opponents, with gruesome footage of beheadings, shootings, confessions of detainees and sophisticated attacks against their rivals. In the videos, the group boasted that Muslims from all over the world were flocking to what they called the "first caliphate" since the fall of the Ottoman Empire a century ago.

Now the videos mostly urge fighters to be steadfast and call on the local population to join the group after hundreds of Islamic State fighters have been killed over the past months.

"The propaganda of the organisation has become zero to be frank. It indicates their collapse and that the group is retreating," said Omar Abu Laila, a Syrian Opposition activist now based in Germany who is originally from Syria's eastern province of Deir el-Zour, held by Islamic State. "Their calls for people to join the group are signs of weakness."

A major blow came in August, when an airstrike in Syria claimed by the United States and Russia killed Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, the group's chief spokesman and senior commander who was known for fiery speeches that used to boost the morale of fighters. In 2014, after the group declared its caliphate, al-Adnani vowed to conquer Baghdad as well as the Shiite holy cities of Najaf and Karbala in southern Iraq.

Another blow came in October when a Unites States airstrike in Syria killed Wael al-Fayadh, better known as Abu Mohammed al-Furqan, who was in charge of producing highly professional propaganda videos. One of the group's main media arms, Al-Furqan Media, was named after him. He was replaced by Abu Bashir al-Maslawi, who was killed a short time later.

In late May, the founder of the group's Aamaq news agency, Baraa Kadek, was reportedly killed along with his daughter in an airstrike in the eastern Syrian town of Mayadeen.

A video released last month titled "Answer the Call" urged young men to join Islamic State to make up for the loss of manpower.

"What are you waiting for? The infidels have gathered around us from all over the world," it said, showing scenes of Islamic State fighters trying to persuade men in mosques and clubs to join the fight as suicide bombers.

Another titled, "We will guide them to our path," showed two men, one from Canada and the other from Britain, carrying out a suicide attack in Mosul. The video also tried to market the group as an organisation that can produce its own weapons, such as rocket-propelled-grenades, shells and remote-controlled small vehicles that can carry mines.

"They have produced 158 videos since November ... and none of them were professional like 'Salil al-Sawarem,'" said Hisham al-Hashimi, an expert on Islamic State who advises the Iraqi government. He was referring to a video  "Crack of the Swords," in English  that was released days before Islamic State captured Mosul in the summer of 2014 and was widely believed to have helped speed the collapse of Iraqi forces defending the city.

"Today ... there is nothing that differentiates between their (videos) and those of other ... rebel factions," al-Hashimi said. "It only calls for defensive operations, suicide bombings and to be steadfast. Nothing more."

Despite the battlefield setbacks in Iraq and Syria, Islamic State has been quick to claim responsibility for recent overseas attacks in Britain, Iran and elsewhere. The Iranian Intelligence Ministry said five assailants in the twin attacks this week in Tehran had previously fought for Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, and the extremist group's Aamaq news agency released a 24-second video purportedly filmed inside Parliament during one of the attacks.

Besides Aamaq and Al-Furqan the group has a number of media outlets to spread its message as well as an online radio station, Al-Bayan, and online weekly magazines, Al-Nabaa and Dabiq.

Social media networks keep closing accounts created by Islamic State propagandists but the group has so far been able to create new ones. In one widely circulated text message on social media, followers were urged not to publish the group's link so that it wouldn't be closed because "we are being subjected to a harsh campaign."
Baku, Azerbaijan, June 9

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

The sanctions against Iranian missile programs are unlikely to work, Theodore Karasik, senior advisor to Gulf State Analytics, told Trend.

"Within the US Congress, the move to penalize Iran is gaining speed. In addition, the current crisis between Qatar and other Muslim countries is creating an opening for Iran and Qatar to align plus undermine Saudi Arabia and other countries," he said. "It is notable that sanctions now affect both countries driving them together."

However, the expert believes that the sanctions do not have the desired effect.

"First, Iran knows how to evade sanctions because of years of practice. Second, Iran aligns with North Korea on missile and nuclear weapon technology," added Karasik.

Earlier, the US Senate voted overwhelmingly to advance a bill that would impose new sanctions on Iran.

The legislation would impose new sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missile development, arms transfers, support for Islamist militant groups and human rights violations.

US President Donald Trump on May 17 extended wide sanctions relief for Iran under the 2015 international nuclear deal.

Trump imposed narrow penalties on Iranian and Chinese persons and companies regarding the Islamic Republics ballistic missile program.

After Trump became the US president, about 23 Iranian and foreign firms and persons were put under sanctions for participation in Irans missile program.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Tokyo: A passenger vehicle swerved and flipped across a Japanese highway on Saturday and crashed into a bus in the oncoming lane, killing the car's driver and injuring 45 people in the bus.

A camera mounted on the bus captured dramatic footage of the car soaring from the other side of the highway and slamming against its windshield.

Police were investigating the cause of the accident, which killed the 62-year-old man who was driving the car alone.

Most of the 47 passengers on the bus received slight injuries with six people sustaining fractures, said a spokesman for the local highway police.

"They are all non-life threatening injuries," he told AFP.

The accident happened on the Tomei Expressway in Aichi prefecture in central Japan.
Myanmar: Myanmar navy ships battled high winds on Saturday as they scoured the storm-whipped Andaman sea for wreckage from a military plane crash, bringing another body to shore as scores remained missing.

The Chinese-made Shaanxi Y8 aircraft was carrying 122 people, including children and other relatives of servicemen, when it disappeared while flying along Myanmar's southern coast on Wednesday.

Navy vessels and local fishing trawlers have fought fierce monsoon weather as they search for bodies and traces of the plane.

A military vessel pulled another corpse from the waves on Saturday morning, bringing the number of retrieved dead to 33 as the search effort stretched into a fourth day.

"A military ship retrieved a new dead body," the army chief's office said in a statement.

One man's remains were also found late Friday while most of the other bodies were brought to shore on Thursday before severe monsoon weather set in, hampering search efforts.

Hundreds of distraught relatives have flocked to Dawei for mass cremation ceremonies, with desperate families waiting for news of those still unaccounted for, as hopes fade of finding survivors.

There has been no official explanation for the cause of the crash, one of several deadly incidents involving Myanmar military aircraft in recent years.

While monsoon season brings annual bouts of rainy weather, there were no reports of major storms along the plane's flight path when it disappeared while flying from the southern city of Myeik to Yangon, Myanmar's commercial hub.
Pyongyang: North Korea will soon be ready to test fire an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), a state-run daily said on Saturday.

Rodong Sinmun, the official daily of the Workers' Party of Korea, in an article said the latest series of weapons tests show that the country is not too far away from test-firing an ICBM, reports Efe news.

The article indicates that Pyongyang has made advances in its missile technology since North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said in his New Year's speech that the country was in the final stages of developing ICBM technology.

Pyongyang has test-fired several missiles this year, with the latest on Thursday when it launched several anti-ship cruise missiles from its southeastern coast - its 10th missile test of the year.

The regime also tested a mid-range ballistic missile on 29 May.

North Korea is convinced it can successfully carry out an ICBM launch and it would be a blow to the policies of the United States against Pyongyang, the official newspaper said.

The US has never initiated a war against a state that possesses nuclear weapons or ICBMs, the daily added.

Pyongyang's repeated weapons tests have hardened Washington's rhetoric following Donald Trump's arrival in the White House, whose administration has hinted at the possibility of pre-emptive strikes.
By Dustin Volz

| WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON For more than a year, U.S. intelligence officials reassured lawmakers they were working to calculate and reveal roughly how many Americans have their digital communications vacuumed up under a warrant-less surveillance law intended to target foreigners overseas.This week, the Trump administration backtracked, catching lawmakers off guard and alarming civil liberties advocates who say it is critical to know as Congress weighs changes to a law expiring at the end of the year that permits some of the National Security Agency's most sweeping espionage."The NSA has made Herculean, extensive efforts to devise a counting strategy that would be accurate," Dan Coats, a career Republican politician appointed by Republican President Donald Trump as the top U.S. intelligence official, testified to a Senate panel on Wednesday. Coats said "it remains infeasible to generate an exact, accurate, meaningful, and responsive methodology that can count how often a U.S. person's communications may be collected" under the law known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.He told the Senate Intelligence Committee that even if he dedicated more resources the NSA would not be able to calculate an estimate, which privacy experts have said could be in the millions.The statement ran counter to what senior intelligence officials had previously promised both publicly and in private briefings during the previous administration of President Barack Obama, a Democrat, lawmakers and congressional staffers working on drafting reforms to Section 702 said.

Representative John Conyers, the top Democrat in the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, said that for many months intelligence agencies "expressly promised" members of both parties to deliver the estimated number to them.Senior intelligence officials had also previously said an estimate could be delivered. In March, then NSA deputy director Rick Ledgett, said "yes" when asked by a Reuters reporter if an estimate would be provided this year."Were working on that with the Congress and we'll come to a satisfactory resolution, because we have to," said Ledgett, who has since retired from public service.The law allows U.S. intelligence agencies to eavesdrop on and collect vast amounts of digital communications from foreign suspects living outside of the United States, but often incidentally scoops up communications of Americans.

The decision to scrap the estimate is likely to complicate a debate in Congress over whether to curtail certain aspects of the surveillance law, congressional aides said. Congress must vote to renew Section 702 to avoid its expiration on Dec. 31.Privacy issues often scramble traditional party lines, but there are signs that Section 702's renewal will be even more politically unpredictable.Some Republicans who usually support surveillance programs have expressed concerns about Section 702, in part because they are worried about leaks of intercepts of conversations between Trump associates and Russian officials amid investigations of possible collusion.

U.S. intelligence agencies last year accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 presidential election campaign, allegations Moscow denies. Trump denies there was collusion. Intelligence officials have said Section 702 was not directly connected to surveillance related to those leaks. "As big a fan as I am of collection, incidental collection, I'm not going to reauthorize a programme that could be politically manipulated," Senator Lindsey Graham, usually a defender of U.S. surveillance activities, told reporters this week.Graham was among 14 Republican senators, including every Republican member of the intelligence panel, who on Tuesday introduced a bill supported by the White House and top intelligence chiefs, that would renew Section 702 without changes and make it permanent.Critics have called the process under which the FBI and other agencies can query the pool of data collected for U.S. information a "backdoor search loophole" that evades traditional warrant requirements."How can we accept the government's reassurance that our privacy is being protected when the government itself has no idea how many Americans' communications are being swept up and stored?" said Liza Goitein, a privacy expert at the Brennan Center for Justice. (Reporting by Dustin Volz; additional reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Jonathan Weber and Grant McCool)

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Rome: G7 environment ministers were on Saturday gearing up for a gathering in the Italian city of Bologna where they face the challenges of defending and implementing the Paris climate accord following withdrawal from the pact by the US.

The two-day environment ministerial meeting of the G7 will begin on Sunday and would see participants from the seven nations seeking to clarify what US President Donald Trump intended to do in order to curb climate change, in light of his decision.

The G7 meeting would be important as the US would have to clarify its position on the matter, Italy's Environment Minister Gian Luca Galletti was quoted as saying by Efe news.

He said that while it was not possible to renegotiate the Paris agreement, ministers wanted to know which policies the US might be able to fulfil.

The meeting will address the G7's commitments on the reduction of greenhouse gases.

Along with Galleti, other participating ministers would be Barbara Hendricks of Germany, Koichi Yamamoto of Japan, Nicolas Hulot of France and Catherine McKenna of Canada.

It was uncertain whether Britain's Andrea Leadsom would attend due to this week's general election.

Also, there were doubts about the attendance of Scott Pruitt, Administrator of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA).

European Commissioners for Environment and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella and climate action and energy, Miguel Arias Canete were expected to attend.

Though Trump's decision on the Paris agreement was set to feature heavily on the agenda, other topics to be addressed included waste in the oceans, ecological finance, circular economy and resource efficiency.
By David DeKok

| HARRISBURG, Pa.

HARRISBURG, Pa. About two dozen rallies were planned across the United States on Saturday to denounce sharia law, the Islamic legal and moral code that organizers say poses a threat to American freedoms but critics believe is camouflage for anti-Muslims hatred. ACT for America, a self-described grassroots organization focusing on national security issues, has scheduled protests in New York, Chicago, Boston, Denver and Seattle, as well as many smaller cities. Hundreds of people pledged on social media to attend.At a rally on the steps of the Pennsylvania state capitol in Harrisburg, the atmosphere was tense. Barricades and a heavy police presence, including officers mounted on horses, separated about 60 anti-sharia demonstrators from an equal number of counter-protesters, most of them in black face masks and hoods. Nearly dozen men carrying sidearms belonging to the anti-government Oath Keepers were on hand, invited by ACT to provide security. On its website, ACT described sharia, which covers many aspects of Muslim life including religious obligations and financial dealings, as incompatible with human rights. It said sharia justifies the oppression of women and homosexuality, and advocate female genital mutilation.

But critics say the organization vilifies Muslims and has repeatedly equated Islam with extremism. In their view, the rallies are part of a wave of anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiment fueled by President Donald Trump, who called for an outright ban on Muslims entering the country during his election campaign. A representative for ACT for America could not be reached for comment.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the country's largest Muslim advocacy group, urged Americans to participate in one of several local educational events being organized in "a peaceful challenge to Saturday's hate rallies." It also warned Muslims to take extra precautions against potential violence over the weekend.Oath Keepers said on its website that it was "answering the call to defend free speech against those who would use terrorist violence or the threat of violence to shut it down."

It describes itself as a "nonpartisan association of current and former military, police, and first responders" sworn to defend the U.S. Constitution. The Southern Poverty Law Center says it is the "one of the largest radical antigovernment group in the United States," organized around a "set of baseless conspiracy theories."Refuse Fascism, a coalition of activists advocating confrontational tactics to oppose what it calls the Trump "regime," said it would show up at the rallies "to counter the xenophobic hatred and lies, defy intimidation and drown it out. It said anti-sharia organizers were actually "against all Muslims" and were creating a climate in which extremists felt emboldened to carry out attacks on Muslims. (Additional reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles and Frank McGurty in New York; Editing by Frank McGurty and Marguerita Choy)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
WASHINGTON The government of Qatar has hired John Ashcroft, the U.S. attorney general during the Sept. 11 attacks, as it seeks to rebut accusations from U.S. President Donald Trump and its Arab neighbors that it supports terrorism.Qatar will pay the Ashcroft Law Firm $2.5 million for a 90-day period as the country seeks to confirm its efforts to fight global terrorism and comply with financial regulations including U.S. Treasury rules, according to a Foreign Agents Registration Act, or FARA, filing on Friday with the Justice Department."The firm's work will include crisis response and management, program and system analysis, media outreach, education and advocacy regarding the client's historical, current and future efforts to combat global terror and its compliance goals and accomplishments," according to a letter by Ashcroft firm partner Michael Sullivan included in the filing.

Qatar faces isolation by fellow Arab countries after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt severed ties with Doha on Monday, accusing it of supporting Islamist militants and their adversary Iran. Qatar denies the allegations.The crisis is a major diplomatic test for the United States, which is a close ally of countries on both sides but has given mixed signals on whether to isolate Qatar or bring it into talks with other Gulf countries.

Trump on Friday accused Qatar of being a "high level" sponsor of terrorism in remarks made shortly after his secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, pushed Qatar's Arab neighbors to "immediately take steps to de-escalate the situation."The Ashcroft firm was hired to do a compliance and regulatory view of Qatar's anti-money laundering and counterterrorist financing framework, Sullivan said in an email.

"Qatar is confident that the review and analysis will confirm that Qatar has significant measures in place to prevent and detect efforts to launder funds and/or to use its financial systems to finance terrorist organizations," he said. Ashcroft was U.S. attorney general under President George W. Bush from February 2001 to February 2005, turbulent years in which U.S. policies and laws were reshaped by the so-called war on terrorism that followed the 2001 al Qaeda attacks.Ashcroft's firm includes an array of former senior government officials including Sullivan, a former U.S. attorney in Massachusetts appointed by Bush to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). (Reporting by Doina Chiacu and Ginger Gibson; Editing by Marguerita Choy)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Istanbul: President Tayyip Erdogan called for the lifting of a blockade on Qatar on Friday after approving legislation on deploying Turkish troops, as the Gulf state faces isolation imposed by fellow Arab states over its alleged support for terrorism.

Erdogan vowed to keep supporting Qatar after his rapid approval of the bill, pushed through parliament on Wednesday, and he rejected accusations that it supported terrorism.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Egypt severed relations with Qatar on Monday, accusing it of supporting Islamist militants and their arch-adversary Iran  charges Qatar calls baseless. Several countries followed suit.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday urged Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states to ease their blockade, saying it was causing unintended humanitarian consequences and affecting the US-led fight against Islamic State.

Referring to Tillerson's comments on the blockade, Erdogan said in a speech at a Ramadan fast-breaking dinner in Istanbul: "I say it should be lifted completely".

"There are those who are uncomfortable with us standing by our Qatari brothers, providing them with food. I'm sorry, we will continue to give Qatar every kind of support.

"Until now I have not seen Qatar give support to terror," he added.

Arab states tightened their squeeze on Qatar on Friday by putting dozens of figures with links to the country on terrorism blacklists.

After an initial deployment of Turkish troops at a base in Doha, Turkish warplanes and ships will also be sent, the mass-circulation Hurriyet newspaper said on its website on Friday.

"The number of Turkish warplanes and Turkish warships going to the base will become clear after the preparation of a report based on an initial assessment at the base," Hurriyet said.

A Turkish delegation would go to Qatar in the coming days to assess the situation at the base, where around 90 Turkish soldiers are currently based, it said.

Turkish officials were not available to comment on the report but Hurriyet said there were plans send some 200 to 250 soldiers within two months in the initial stage.

Erdogan also approved another accord between Turkey and Qatar on military training cooperation late on Thursday. Both bills were drawn up before the dispute erupted. Turkey has also pledged to provide food and water supplies to Qatar.

Erdogan has said isolating Qatar would not resolve any problems. Erdogan, who has long tried to play the role of a regional power broker, said Ankara would do everything in its power to help end the regional crisis.

Turkey has maintained good relations with Qatar as well as several of its Arab neighbours. Turkey and Qatar have both provided support for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and backed rebels fighting to overthrow Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

The bill did not specify how many troops would go nor when.
Washington: Saudi Arabia and Bahrain welcomed on Saturday US president Donald Trump's demand for Qatar to stop supporting terrorism, but did not respond to a US Department of State call for them to ease pressure on the Gulf state.

After severing ties with Qatar on Monday, Saudi Arabia said it was committed to "decisive and swift action to cut off all funding sources for terrorism" in a statement carried by state news agency SPA, attributed to "an official source".

And in a separate statement issued on Friday, the United Arab Emirates praised Trump's "leadership in challenging Qatar's troubling support for extremism".

Trump accused Qatar of being a "high level" funder of terrorism on Friday, even as the Pentagon and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson cautioned against the military, commercial, and humanitarian effects of a blockade imposed by Arab states and others.

A separate SPA report on Saturday acknowledged Tillerson's call for Qatar to curtail support for terrorism, but did not mention his remarks that the crisis was hurting ordinary Qataris, impairing business dealings, and harming the US fight against the Islamic State.

Saudi Arabia said its action followed the conclusions of last month's Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, where Trump delivered a speech about Islamic extremism.

Trump said he helped plan the move against Qatar, although a senior administration official told Reuters earlier this week that the US had no indication from the Saudis or Emiratis during the visit that they would sever ties with Qatar.
Astana: Russian president Vladimir Putin has termed Pakistan as an important partner for his country in South Asia, a media report said.

He conveyed this to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Astana on Friday.

The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, including trade and economic cooperation, and also current international issues during the meeting. Advisor to Sharif on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and minister for commerce Khurram Dastgir were present at the meeting, Pakistan Today reported.

Putin congratulated Sharif on Pakistan's accession to the SCO. Putin said: "I am glad that we met for a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the SCO Summit."

He said Russia-Pakistan relations have been constructive and mutually beneficial. "Our relations are developing in many areas, and our trade has increased, even if only by a few percentage points. Of course, we are able to do much more than we are doing now," he said.

In turn, Sharif thanked Putin, and the Russian federation for supporting Pakistan's full membership in the SCO.

Sharif said, "While in Ufa, we did agree on improving Pakistan-Russian bilateral trade, there is improvement but not the level that we agreed upon. It has been always my endeavor to build and strengthen our relationship and I am continuing to strive for that."

There has been growing bonhomie between Russia and Pakistan, with both holding their first-ever joint military exercise in September 2016 in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, and the first-ever Russia-Pakistan consultation on regional issues in mid-December 2016 at Islamabad. Both sides also inked a deal for Mi-35 helicopters.

Russia's ambassador to Pakistan, Alexey Y Dedov, is reported to have said that Moscow and Islamabad have held discussions to merge the China-backed CPEC with the Russia-backed Eurasian Economic Union.
Baku, Azerbaijan, June 10



By Farhad Daneshvar  Trend:



Iranian security forces have arrested the members of a terrorist team in the outskirts of capital Tehran this morning, police said.



Iran's Police Chief Brigadier General Hossein Ashtari has said that several individuals linked to terrorists were arrested following recent terror attacks in the capital city, Tasnim news agency reported.



Two separate attacks shook Tehran on June 7. As reports said, several armed people tried to break their way into the Parliament building.



The attackers managed to get inside the building and engaged in a shootout with the security forces. One terrorist committed suicide by blowing himself up. The latest reports indicate that all four terrorists who took part in the siege of the Parliament building have been killed.



Meanwhile, another attack took place at the Imam Khomeini Shrine. The reports said Irans security forces neutralized one terrorist, another one committed suicide there.



A separate terrorist group in the country was detained before it managed to carry out any terror attack. Fars news agency issued a report saying that ISIS claimed responsibility for the terror attacks in Tehran.
United Nations: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has congratulated India and Pakistan on getting full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a China-dominated security grouping increasingly seen as a counterweight to NATO.

"I would also like to congratulate your new members: India and Pakistan. Today's summit marks a new phase in the groups development, broadening both its scope and its impact on the world," Guterres said in his remarks to the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in Astana on Friday.

He said the SCO plays a valuable role in promoting mutual understanding, dialogue, stability and development across much of Eurasia.

"You are working together to combat some of today's key threats to peace and security, including terrorism, violent extremism, drug trafficking and organised crime. These are complex challenges that require a collective response, as no country can effectively confront them alone," he said.

Capping a two-year-long process, India and Pakistan on Friday became full members of SCO. India's membership was strongly pushed by Russia while Pakistan's entry into the grouping was backed by China. With the expansion of the grouping, the SCO will now represent over 40 percent of humanity and nearly 20 percent of the global GDP.

As an SCO member, India is expected to have a bigger say in pressing for concerted action in dealing with terrorism as well as on issues relating to security and defence in the region.

"India and Pakistan are now members of the SCO. It is a very important moment for us," Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who is the current chair of the SCO, said, making the announcement at the Summit of the grouping here.

Guterres said cooperation between the UN and the SCO is based on a solid foundation.

"This is especially important at a moment when we are all being tested on many fronts, as globalisation and rapid urbanisation are re-shaping the world. Major armed conflicts show little sign of ending...We are seeing mass movements of people in search of safety and economic opportunity. We are experiencing rising inequality and intolerance, as well as xenophobia and racism. And the impacts of climate change are accelerating by the day," he said.

The UN chief also strongly appealed to world leaders at the summit to show leadership and commitment in efforts to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change.

"We must keep ambition high," he said, days after President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the ambitious climate pact aimed at cutting global greenhouse gas emissions.

Guterres also discussed "regional" and economic issues with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif when the two leaders met in Astana on the sidelines of the SCO summit.

UN Chief's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at the United Nations that the Secretary-General held a bilateral meeting with President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev as well as meetings with King Felipe of Spain, Sharif and Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif in the capital city of Kazakhstan.

When asked about the details of the discussion between Sharif and Guterres, Dujarric said, "in his bilaterals, the Secretary-General discussed development issues, including economic development, environmental sustainability, and regional issues."

Dujarric was asked if the regional issues included Kashmir as well to which he replied, "I will leave it at regional issues. The region is the region."
Beijing: In a rare snub to its all-weather ally Pakistan, Chinese president Xi Jinping skipped a customary meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the SCO Summit in Astana after the murder of two Chinese teachers in Balochistan.

Sharif returned from Astana after attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit on the sidelines of which he met presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Russia.

Conspicuously absent was a meeting with Xi.

Chinese state-run media highlighted Xi's meetings with Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Xi's unprecedented snub followed deep disappointment and grief among Chinese public over the slaying of the two Chinese citizens who were kidnapped last month from Quetta in Balochistan.

The two were brutally murdered reportedly by Islamic State militants. The news of their murders was made public ahead of the SCO summit held on 8-9 June in which India and Pakistan were admitted as members.

On Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying explained that the murders were no way connected to the $50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which was opposed by the Baloch nationalists.

The CPEC is part of China's ambitious multi-billion Belt and Road initiative (BRI).

"This incident will not have any necessary connection with the BRI," nor with the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, meeting being held in Astana, Hua had said.

China has deployed hundreds of Chinese workers to work for the CPEC which connects Gwadar port in Balochistan with China's Xinjiang through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Hua said Pakistan pays great attention to the protection of Chinese citizens in the institutions there and made great efforts for their security.

"As per BRI, we should be prepared for risks if want to go global," she had said.
Iran: Iranian authorities have arrested seven people suspected of helping militants involved in this week's attacks in the capital Tehran, a judiciary official said on Saturday.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the suicide bombings and gun attacks on parliament and the mausoleum of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, that killed 17 people on Wednesday.

Ahmad Fazelian, a provincial judiciary official, said the seven, suspected of "providing support for the terrorist team", were detained in Fardis, about 50 kilometres (31 miles) west of Tehran, the judiciary's online news agency Mizan reported.

On Friday, authorities announced the arrests of 41 suspects in connection with the twin Tehran attacks.

Separately, the head of the judiciary in Fars province said seven people were detained in the southern Larestan area for possible ties to Islamic State, Iran's ISNA news agency reported on Saturday.
Damascus: Syrian pro-government forces now hold more than a fifth of the country's strategic desert, the army said Saturday, after reaching the eastern border with Iraq for the first time since 2015.

The desert, known as the "Badiya", extends over some 90,000 square kilometres (35,000 square miles) from central Syria to the borders with Iraq and Jordan to the east and southeast.

Since 2015, much of the Badiya has been held by the Islamic State jihadist group, but Syria's army has been chipping away at it for months.

On Friday, they reached the country's eastern frontier with Iraq for the first time in two years.

"In cooperation with our allies, our units have captured a large number of locations and strategic positions in the Badiya, amounting to an area of 20,000 square kilometres," the general command of the army said on Saturday.

"This important achievement represents a strategic shift in the fight against terrorism and a launching pad to broaden military operations in the Badiya and along the borders with Iraq," said the statement, distributed on state media.

The army had thus completed the "first phase" of its Badiya operations, the statement said.

State news agency SANA had reported on Friday that army units set up positions northeast of the At-Tanaf garrison, currently used by the US-led coalition bombing Islamic State to train Syrian rebels to fight the jihadists.

The coalition has established a "de-confliction" zone extending 55 kilometres (34 miles) from the garrison, in which pro-regime and allied Russian forces are not supposed to operate.

The US-led alliance has in recent weeks conducted three strikes against pro-regime forces it deemed to be threatening At-Tanaf.

On Thursday, a US jet shot down a pro-regime combat drone that fired what turned out to be a dud bomb at US-led coalition forces close to At-Tanaf.

Syria's army on Saturday accused the coalition of carrying out the bombing raids in an attempt to slow the regime's fight against Islamic State.

"We once again warn of the dangers of repeated attacks by the so-called international coalition and its attempts to obstruct the advances of the Syrian army and its allies," the command said.

Syria's conflict erupted in March 2011 with protests against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad.

It has since evolved into a complex, multi-front war that has drawn in international powers and left more than 320,000 people dead.
Washington: US President Donald Trump has spoken over phone with British Prime Minister Theresa May and offered his "warm support" after her Conservative party failed to muster a simple majority in Britain's snap polls.

"President Trump emphasised his commitment to the United States-United Kingdom special relationship and underscored that he looks forward to working with the prime minister on shared goals and interests in the years to come," the White House said in a statement.

May's gamble of calling snap polls backfired after the British electorate delivered a hung Parliament, forcing her to seek the support of a small Northern Irish party for staying in power, as the country braces for hard Brexit talks.

With results declared for all of the 650 seats of British Parliament, the Conservatives won 318 while the opposition Labour secured 262, leaving neither party anywhere close to the 326 seats required for an overall majority.
Mexico: Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Britain on Friday to quickly launch Brexit talks with the European Union after prime minister Theresa May suffered a harsh election setback.

"We are ready for the negotiations. We want to do it quickly, respecting the calendar", Merkel said during a visit to Mexico.

She said talks with Britain on its withdrawal from what will now be the 27-member EU would start "in the coming days".

"We were waiting for the election in Britain, but in the next few days these talks will begin. We will defend the interests of the 27 member states, and Britain will defend its own interests," she told a press conference.

"At the same time, we say that we want to remain a good partner to Britain. Britain is part of Europe, even if it will no longer be part of the European Union".

May, who became prime minister after Britain's June 2016 referendum on leaving the EU, called the election three years early in a bid to strengthen her hand in the looming Brexit negotiations.

But in a catastrophic setback, the bet failed and she lost her overall majority.
On Monday, seeking to reassure a Britain under siege from repeated Islamist terror attacks, Theresa May promised a tougher approach.

Addressing the campaign 36 hours before the general election, the prime minister vowed to rip up UK's human rights laws to give counter-terror programs more teeth.

As Britain suffers through the throes of its latest referendum, the prospect of that anti-terror policy is now up in smoke and May's future is on shaky ground.

In hindsight, May may have had her terror epiphany a tad too late, fatally wounding her image as a tough, uncompromising leader.

Her hesitation in laying out the action plan to counter radical Islam ironically allowed Labour (of all people!) to paint her into a defensive corner on police cuts, budget squeezes and damning intelligence failures.

Her last-ditch interventionism on "longer prison sentences for people convicted of terrorist offences making it easier for the authorities to deport foreign terror suspects to their own countries doing more to restrict the freedom and the movements of terrorist suspects" and her assertion that "if human rights laws stop us from doing it, we will change those laws so we can do it," appears to have convinced no one, and had the effect of handing the likes of Jeremy Corbyn more ammunition in portraying her as a fair-weather alarmist.

In many ways, this was a manifestation of May's inexperience as a leader. 'Maybot' appeared as more of a stiff upper-lipped bureaucrat who didn't know how to evolve and show leadership during a moment of crisis. And England  like rest of the world  is passing through a period of upheaval as human values and the basic civilisational tenets come under attack from a poisonous radical ideology and its mutating arms.

Remember, it was only on Saturday that three jihadists ploughed a hired vehicle into the crowd on London Bridge and unleashed long knives on unarmed civilians at the nearby Borough Market. Khuram Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba claimed "this was for Islam, for Allah" in eight minutes of pure insanity before they were neutralised. Among the Londoners out on the streets busy enjoying a Saturday night, seven lost their lives and 48 landed in hospital, some with life-threatening injuries.

This was the second terrorist attack in England in two weeks and third in three months after Westminster and Manchester. If the Tories banked on increased voter support due to consecutive terror attacks, that assumption seems to have been proved wrong.

Even though terrorism scaled high among poll issues, the British prime minister failed to make the public believe in her leadership. She is still far ahead of Corbyn in terms of popularity but May failed to capitalise on her popularity and was unable to tap into public insecurity and anger over the terror attacks.

Research by ComRes, published in the London-based Financial Times, finds that "terror and security have risen up the list of public priorities during the past month, from the fifth most important issue to the third, after NHS improvements and successful Brexit negotiations At the same time, Mays own approval ratings on security have fallen during the course of the campaign: when asked who is most likely to keep the country safe from terror, her tally has fallen by 6 points to 41 percent, although this is still more than double (of) Labour leader Jeremy Corbyns score, which has climbed by one point to 15 percent."

The British Left has been selling the election as an endorsement of Corbyn's leadership but this spin is questionable. What is more likely is that May failed to offset the losses she suffered from shaky leadership on a slowing economy, Brexit woes, ill-advised moves such as police cuts, the 'dementia tax', her refusal to make public a report on 'terror funding' during her days as home secretary, from her political gains arising out of terror attacks. Ironically, the result now makes relevant a socialist relic in Corbyn, whom the public does not trust when it comes to national security.

Maria Balas, 28, a waitress, told The New York Times, "England is under attack and at this time we need a strong leader more than ever I dont like Theresa May, and I wouldnt have bothered to vote if this election was all about giving her more power to take us into the mess of Brexit, but now we are dealing with a security crisis and I think she is the most qualified person in the running who can deal with that."

"I am voting conservative because I would never vote for Jeremy Corbyn, but May is also very weak on terrorism and is an indecisive leader without principles she is the lesser of two evils," Claire Soltzed, 61, who owns a boutique shop in Corby, told Reuters. Taxi driver Phil Andrews said: I hate Corbyn, he is a terrorist sympathiser.

It seems clear that circumstances merit a tougher response from British leaders, and Corbyn, the far-left ideologue whose links with terror outfits are well documented, is hardly the answer. The parliament is hung.

The Tories settled for 318 seats, Labour 262, the SNP 35 and the Liberal Democrats 12. The magic figure is 326 out of a total 650 seats. Despite increasing pressure from within the party and outside of it, May has refused to relinquish her post and has stitched together a shaky coalition with Northern Ireland's Democrat Unionist Party (DUP) which has 10 seats.

In her quest for a stronger referendum to initiate a clean Brexit, May has not only blown her majority in parliament, she has also managed to torpedo the fight against terrorism. The tough anti-terror laws will now become almost an impossibility with Labour leaders  many of whom are terror apologists  set to get more say in policymaking.

It was a little amusing to watch Corbyn, of all people, targeting May for reducing the number of police personnel on England's streets. As Daily Mail reports, the far-left leader had called police a capitalist force who "are an enemy of the working class. Support all demands to weaken them" in 1979.

His association with Hamas and Sinn Fein are well documented. Only last month, he was condemned by even his own party after admitting that "he attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of a Palestinian terrorist involved in the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre."

Between Brexit turmoil, a hung parliament and uncertainty over who could lead Britain out of this crisis, the fight against radical Islam is likely to take a backseat. Amid news that two out of the three London Bridge attackers were known to British intelligence, which failed to act in time, it raises questions whether Britain will once again settle back into mendacity and complacency over terrorism.

If so, that may be a costly mistake.
By Kate Holton and Amanda Ferguson

| LONDON/BELFAST

LONDON/BELFAST Prime Minister Theresa May appeared increasingly isolated after a botched election gamble that left her severely weakened and plunged Britain into a political crisis, days before the start of talks to leave the European Union.May's two closest aides resigned on Saturday, paying the price for the failure to crush the opposition Labour Party under its radical left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn.Labour stunned even its own supporters by winning more parliamentary seats than expected and, although it lost the election, its performance was widely seen as a moral victory for Corbyn.May called the vote three years early in the hope of scoring a sweeping win to strengthen her hand in the challenging Brexit talks, which are due to start in nine days' time.That calculation backfired spectacularly on Thursday as voters stripped her Conservative Party of a parliamentary majority and forced her to turn to a small political party from Northern Ireland to prop up a minority government.May's aides, Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, announced on Saturday that they had quit following sustained criticism of the campaign within the party. Timothy and Hill had worked for May when she was interior minister, before she became prime minister in July last year in the chaotic days that followed the Brexit vote, and their influence had increasingly angered senior ministers.Since the election, most of the members of her cabinet have kept quiet on the issue of May's future, adding to speculation that her days as prime minister might be numbered."SHE'S STAYING - FOR NOW"

Britain's typically pro-Conservative press questioned whether she could remain in power with the clock ticking on the two-year EU divorce process. The best-selling Sun newspaper said senior members of the party had vowed to get rid of May, but would wait at least six months because they feared a leadership contest could propel Labour into power under Corbyn, who supports renationalisation of key industries and higher taxes for business and top earners."She's staying, for now," one Conservative Party source told Reuters. Former Conservative cabinet minister Owen Paterson, asked about her future, said: "Let's see how it pans out."

A senior Conservative lawmaker was in Belfast on Saturday for talks with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), whose 10 seats in the new parliament could give May just enough support to pass legislation.A source close to the DUP said the party was seeking more funding for the province and concessions for former British soldiers in exchange for supporting May.But the wooing of the DUP risks upsetting the political balance in Northern Ireland by aligning London more closely with the pro-British side in the divided province, where a power-sharing government with Irish nationalists is currently suspended.The crisis also increases the chance that Britain will fall out of the EU in 2019 without a deal. May called the snap election to win a clear mandate for her plan to take Britain out of the EU's single market and customs union in order to cut immigration.GROWING UNCERTAINTY

But her party is deeply divided over what it wants from Brexit, and the election result means British businesses still have no idea what trading rules they can expect in the coming years.

EU Budget Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said it may now be possible to discuss closer ties between Britain and the EU than May had initially planned, given her election flop. "For instance, if London were to stay in the customs union, then it would not have to renegotiate all trade agreements," he told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung newspaper. The British pound tumbled on Friday against the U.S. dollar and the euro before stabilising, down 1.7 and 1.4 percent against the two currencies respectively.After confirming on Friday that her top five ministers, including finance minister Philip Hammond, would keep their jobs, May must name the rest of her team, who will take on one of the most demanding jobs in recent British history. May has said Brexit talks will begin on June 19 as scheduled, the same day as the formal reopening of parliament. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she assumed Britain still wanted to leave the EU and talks should start quickly.

But Elmar Brok, a German conservative and the European Parliament's top Brexit expert, told the Ruhr Nachrichten newspaper that the talks would now be more complicated. "May won't be able to make any compromises because she lacks a broad parliamentary majority," he said.ANOTHER ELECTION?

If she is to succeed in delivering the wishes of the 52 percent of voters who opted to take Britain out of the EU last year, she must find a way to bridge the differences within her party to pass legislation preparing for and enacting the departure.Anand Menon, professor of politics at King's College London, said her lack of a parliamentary majority made it far more likely that Britain would leave the EU without a deal. "Imagine she survives until autumn of next year," he said. "You will have a very fractious parliament. It is far from guaranteed to vote the deal through."A failure to get legislation through parliament could eventually trigger another election.Conservative Party insiders are also wondering how long May will last. "Theresa May is certainly the strongest leader that we have at the moment," lawmaker David Jones told the BBC. The Times newspaper's front page declared "May stares into the abyss". It said Britain was "effectively leaderless" and the country "all but ungovernable". Its cartoon depicted May in a coffin with her feet sticking out and a speech bubble saying "Nothing has changed", a line she repeated several times as she reversed a key policy on social care during the campaign."The Conservatives have not yet broken the British system of democracy, but through their hubris and incompetence they have managed to make a mockery of it," it said in an editorial. "The task of restoring orderly government in order to make sense of Brexit is now a national emergency, and it falls to them."The Telegraph newspaper said senior Conservatives including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, interior minister Amber Rudd and Brexit minister David Davis were taking soundings over whether to seek to oust May. (Writing by William Schomberg and Kate Holton; additional reporting by Alistair Smout, Costas Pitas, Kylie MacLellan and David Milliken in London, Andrea Shalal in Berlin; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Beirut, Lebanon: A US-backed alliance broke into the western part of the Islamic State group's stronghold Raqa on Saturday, the force and a monitor said, opening up a second front inside the Syrian city.

Backed by US-led coalition air strikes, the Syrian Democratic Forces have spent months tightening the noose on Islamic State-held Raqa and entered the city for the first time earlier this week from the east.

On Saturday, they pierced into Raqa from the west, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group.

"The SDF captured the western half of the Al-Sabahiya neighbourhood and are reinforcing their positions there", Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said.

"They then advanced north to the adjacent district of Al-Romaniya and are fighting Islamic State there", he told AFP

A statement from the SDF's Operation Wrath of the Euphrates said its fighters stormed Al-Romaniya on Saturday and were locked "in fierce fighting inside the district".

Held by Islamic State since 2014, Raqa emerged as a key hub for the jihadists' operations in Syria, neighbouring Iraq, and beyond.

The SDFan Arab-Kurdish alliance formed in 2015 had launched its campaign to capture Raqa in November and chipped away at Islamic territory around the city's north, west, and east.

In addition to holding part of Al-Sabahiya in Raqa's west, the alliance also controls the eastern neighbourhood of Al-Meshleb.

But the force has struggled to advance from the city's north, where Islamic State holds a military complex known as Division 17.

"Islamic State has reinforced the northern approach to Raqa much more, thinking that's how the SDF would try to advance on the city", Abdel Rahman said.

"The western and eastern entrances to the city were much less fortified", he said.

The offensive has been backed by the US-led coalition with air strikes, special forces advisers, weapons, and equipment.
Manila: US special forces are helping the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to end a siege of the southern town of Marawi by militants allied to Islamic State, a US embassy spokesperson in Manila told Reuters on Saturday.

The seizure of Marawi by hundreds of fighters who have sworn allegiance to Islamic State, including dozens from neighbouring countries and West Asia, has fuelled concern that the ultra-radical group is gaining a foothold in Southeast Asia.

"At the request of the government of the Philippines, US special operations forces are assisting the AFP with ongoing operations in Marawi that help AFP commanders on the ground in their fight against Maute and ASG militants," the spokesperson said. ASG stands for the Abu Sayyaf militant group.

Until now there had been no confirmation that the Philippines had sought US assistance in the battle for Marawi City on the island of Mindanao, which is in its third week.

The spokesperson gave no details of the US involvement. A US P3 Orion surveillance plane was seen flying over the town on Friday, but there has been no evidence that the United States has put troops on the ground there.

The assistance comes after months of strain between the two long-time allies that was stoked by Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte's hostility towards Washington and his pledges to throw US troops out of the country.

Washington deployed special forces soldiers to Mindanao in 2002 to train and advise Philippine units fighting Abu Sayyaf militants in a programme that once involved 1,200 Americans.

It was discontinued in 2015, but a small presence remained for logistics and technical support.

The United States and the Philippines have been allies for decades. Their relationship provided Washington with a strategic foothold in Asia, and offered Manila a shield against China's assertiveness in the region.

But Duterte has openly scorned the alliance, seeing it as an obstacle to a rapprochement with China, and has repeatedly lambasted Washington for treating his country as a lackey.
Baku, Azerbaijan, June 10

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

The decision of the northern Iraqs Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to hold an independence referendum is a unilateral decision which contradicts legal frameworks in particular the Iraqi Constitution, Irans Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said.

Irans position is to back territorial integrity and unity of Iraq, Ghasemi said June 10, the official website of Iranian Foreign Ministry reported.

The Kurdistan Region is part of Iraq, Ghasemi said, adding that unilateral decisions made outside national and legal framework, especially outside Iraqs Constitution, will lead to further problems for Iraq, in particular under the current complicated situation in that country and the region.

Ghasemi further said that a unified, stable and democratic Iraq will safeguard interests of its entire people from various ethnicities and religious.

Iraq today needs peace and national consensus more than any other time, he said, adding that the differences between Baghdad and Erbil must be settled within the framework of dialogue and national understanding in line with Iraqs Constitution.

On June 8, Masoud Barzani, head of the autonomous Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq, said the KRG is ready to hold an independence referendum.

He noted that the referendum was scheduled for September 25.
Last month at the Computex 2017 Qualcomm announced that ASUS, HP and Lenovo will be the first OEM to develop mobile PCs powered by the ARM-based Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Mobile PC Platform with X16 LTE modem. This came after Microsoft failed to bring Windows to ARM chips in the form of Windows RT with Surface with Windows RT and Nokia Lumia 2520.

Intel in a blog post earlier this week announcing the fast-approaching 40th anniversary since it introduced the first x86 microprocessor, the Intel 8086, said that it invests enormous resources to advance its dynamic x86 ISA, and therefore it must protect these investments with a strong patent portfolio and other intellectual property rights.

It said that it has deep and dynamic patent portfolio with over 1,600 patents worldwide relating to instruction set implementations and said it protects its x86 innovations, and do not widely license others to use them.

Intel also said that it has enforced its patent rights against various companies including Transmeta Corporation more recently. This seemingly hints of potential patent infringement around x86 emulation on ARM by Microsoft and Qualcomm.

Regarding this Intel said:

There have been reports that some companies may try to emulate Intels proprietary x86 ISA without Intels authorization. Emulation is not a new technology, and Transmeta was notably the last company to claim to have produced a compatible x86 processor using emulation (code morphing) techniques. Intel enforced patents relating to SIMD instruction set enhancements against Transmetas x86 implementation even though it used emulation. Only time will tell if new attempts to emulate Intels x86 ISA will meet a different fate. Intel welcomes lawful competition, and we are confident that Intels microprocessors, which have been specifically optimized to implement Intels x86 ISA for almost four decades, will deliver amazing experiences, consistency across applications, and a full breadth of consumer offerings, full manageability and IT integration for the enterprise. However, we do not welcome unlawful infringement of our patents, and we fully expect other companies to continue to respect Intels intellectual property rights.

In reply Qualcomm said:

Given our recent announcement with ASUS, HP and Lenovo, we found the blog that one of our competitors published on June 8 very interesting. We look forward to the launch of the always connected Windows 10 PC powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Mobile PC Platform later this year. As showcased at Computex 2017 in conjunction with Microsoft, the Snapdragon 835 Mobile PC Platform brings a true always connected PC experience with support for up to Gigabit LTE connectivity and all-day battery life for sleek, thin and fanless designs. This will change the future of personal computing.

Microsoft said:

Customers have told us they want Always Connected PCs, which will deliver great productivity at a great price, and we are confident in our ability to bring these compelling devices to market working with a wide range of partners

Intel doesnt name Qualcomm or Microsoft, but it just said that the x86 technology is both proprietary and central to its business and it will thoroughly evaluate any products that claim to emulate x86 technology, and vigorously enforce its intellectual property rights if they believe they are infringed.

Both Qualcomm and Microsoft doesnt directly respond to Intels claims and said that it is keen on bringing PCs based on Snapdragon 835 Mobile PC Platform to the market later this year. We should wait till later this year to find out what will happen.

Source | Via
Fighting between rival tribesmen in southern Iran left 22 people dead on Friday night, an Iranian lawmaker was quoted by ILNA news agency as saying on Saturday, Reuters reported.

"The incident last night in Ramhormoz county (in Khuzestan province) is rooted in an old tribal conflict," the lawmaker, Hedayatollah Khademi, said.

"Unfortunately in last night's clash, advanced military weapons were used and 22 people were killed," he said.

Tribal fighting is common in southern Iran, where gun battles can break out, sometimes motivated by notions of traditional tribal justice.
An anonymous bidder has agreed to pay more than $2.6 million for a private lunch with billionaire Warren Buffett, with the auction proceeds going to a California homeless charity.

The winning bid of $2,679,001 was announced Friday night, as the online auction that started Sunday wrapped up. That's lower than last year's winning bid of $3,456,789, which tied for the record set in 2012. Organizers said in a news release that they still are grateful for the generous support.

For the 18th consecutive year, Buffett auctioned off a lunch to raise money for the Glide Foundation, which helps homeless people in San Francisco. The chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway has raised more than $25 million through the auctions.

Glide provides meals, health care, job training, rehabilitation and housing support to the poor and homeless. Buffett has praised the charity for the work it does helping people.

Buffett became a believer in Glide's work after his first wife, Susie Buffett, showed him what the group was doing for the poor and homeless. Susie Buffett had volunteered for the charity before her death in 2004.

As for this year's lunch, Buffett says the only topic that will be off-limits in the conversation is what he might invest in next. The 86-year-old says he usually gets a wide range of questions.

The winners of the lunch auction typically dine with Buffett at Smith and Wollensky steak house in New York City, which donates at least $10,000 to Glide each year to host the lunch. The meal has sometimes moved elsewhere for anonymous winners.
Money-losing Japanese nuclear and electronics company Toshiba Corp. will pay $3.68 billion toward the construction of two reactors in Georgia by its U.S. unit Westinghouse, which has filed for bankruptcy protection.

Tokyo-based Toshiba said Saturday the payment, under agreement with the operator of the Vogtle plant, will be made from October through January 2021.

Toshiba said the expense has already been figured in its earnings. Toshiba reported a 950 billion yen ($8.6 billion) loss for the fiscal year ended March.

Paul Bowers, chief executive of Georgia Power, the utility working with Westinghouse to expand Vogtle, welcomed the deal.

"We are pleased with today's positive developments with Toshiba and Westinghouse that allow momentum to continue at the site while we transition project management from Westinghouse to Southern Nuclear and Georgia Power," he said referring to his company and its parent.

Costs in the nuclear industry have ballooned since the March 2011 nuclear disaster in northeastern Japan, as safety requirements get tougher and the construction of the Westinghouse reactors has fallen behind schedule. Toshiba is still in similar talks over a South Carolina plant about such payments.

Toshiba's shouldering Westinghouse's costs was part of the initial 2008 reactor construction deal, and the latest agreement sets the maximum for the payment, according to Toshiba.

Toshiba's earnings reports have failed to get endorsements from its auditors, given the company's precarious finances over the U.S. projects. The reports are being given as projections, not results.

To stay afloat, Toshiba has been trying to sell its lucrative computer chip business. Even that effort has not gone smoothly. Toshiba is wrangling with Western Digital of the U.S., which has acquired some SanDisk operations, including a joint venture with Toshiba in Japan.

Toshiba President Satoshi Tsunakawa has acknowledged the company strategy based on Westinghouse was a mistake, but has stressed he doesn't think Western Digital can block Toshiba in the chip sale.

Nuclear power will continue to be a major part of Toshiba's shrinking business.

It is still responsible for more than a dozen plants in Japan, including decommissioning Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, where three reactors sank into meltdowns after the 2011 tsunami, in the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.

___

Yuri Kageyama can be reached on Twitter at twitter.com/yurikageyama

Her work can be found at https://www.apnews.com/search/yuri%20kageyama
The FBI chief he fired called the president a liar, but the response from many Republicans was a collective shrug. The GOP still needs Donald Trump if it has any hope of accomplishing its legislative agenda and winning elections, and it's going to take more than James Comey's testimony to shake them.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Friday boasted of the GOP's accomplishments under Trump thus far, and promised more to come, making no mention of Comey in a speech. A group of House conservatives discussed taxes and the budget, with no reference to Comey or the federal investigations into Russia's election meddling and possible collusion with the Trump campaign.

Elsewhere, there were few outward signs of concern from the top Republican officials, donors and business leaders who gathered largely behind closed doors in Park City, Utah, for a conference hosted by former presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

"The people in this room, who give money to the Republican Party and who are focused on helping get Republicans elected, they do it because they believe in an agenda," Spencer Zwick, House Speaker Paul Ryan's fundraising chief, said in an interview. As for the Comey testimony, "there's nothing we can do about it," Zwick said.

It all underscored what's become a hardening dynamic of the Trump presidency: Republicans on Capitol Hill and off are mostly sticking with the president despite the mounting scandals and seemingly endless crises that surround him.

Though some are privately concerned, and frustration is regularly voiced about the president's undisciplined administration and the distractions he creates, Republicans have scant incentive to abandon him now. Trump's signature remains key to the still-nascent GOP agenda, and he has the ability to appoint judges to lifetime appointments, a thrilling prospect for conservatives.

And, despite Trump's low approval ratings nationally, his core base of supporters remains firmly behind him. Those voters will be key to the GOP's success in next year's midterms when Republicans will be defending a fragile majority in the House and looking to pick up seats in the Senate, thanks to a favorable map that has a large group of Democratic incumbents up for re-election in states that voted for Trump.

"I think the last 24, 48 hours were all good for the president, confirmed he was telling the truth all along, that he wasn't under investigation," GOP Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio said Friday, referring to Comey's confirmation that he had informed Trump that the president wasn't being personally investigated.

Comey also bluntly accused the Trump White House of lying, asserted that Trump asked him to back off an investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, and contended that Trump fired him in an effort to change the course of the Russia investigation. But Republicans chose to ignore those things and focus on the aspects of Comey's testimony on Thursday that were favorable to Trump. Trump himself, appearing alongside the president of Romania on Friday, attacked Comey and said some of his testimony wasn't true.

"I think he was exonerated," GOP Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina, who chairs the conservative House Freedom Caucus, said Friday of Trump. "He said that he wasn't under investigation and indeed that was verified."

Ryan and other Republicans explained away Trump's interactions with Comey as the understandable blunders of a Washington neophyte.

"It's no secret to anybody that this president is not experienced in the ways of Washington, of how these investigations work," said GOP Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who sits on the intelligence committee. "When you have the FBI director telling you three times you're not the subject of an investigation and you ask him, 'would you please announce that publicly' and he refuses, I can understand why the president would be frustrated by that."

Outraged Democrats argued that Comey had laid out all the elements of an obstruction of justice case, even as Democratic leaders tried to tamp down calls for impeachment coming from some liberals, including some members of Congress. Chances that Republicans themselves would initiate or even consider impeachment proceedings were zero, and that will change only if the Justice Department special counsel on the case, Robert Mueller, delivers a verdict they cannot ignore whenever his investigation concludes.

To be sure, not all Republicans were so quick to dismiss Comey's testimony and the Russia investigation.

The Tucson Weekly published quotes from what it said was a private talk by GOP Rep. Martha McSally of Arizona to the Arizona Bankers Association last week. McSally, who represents a closely divided district targeted by Democrats, expressed concerns that the House majority could be at risk partly because of "distractions" from Trump and his tweets.

"Any Republican member of Congress, you are going down with the ship. And we're going to hand the gavel to Pelosi in 2018," McSally said, referring to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California. "The path to that gavel being handed over is through my seat. And right now, it doesn't matter that it's me, it doesn't matter what I've done. I have an 'R' next to my name and right now, this environment would have me not prevail."

A litmus test comes in two weeks when voters chose a new House member in a competitive Georgia district, where a GOP loss would unnerve some two dozen incumbents like McSally.
Actor Adam West, famous for his straight-faced portrayal of the Caped Crusader in the 1960s Batman TV series, has died at 88, his family said Saturday on social media.

West died Friday night after a short but brave battle with leukemia, the family statement on Facebook said.

Its with great sadness that we are sharing this news, the family said. He was a beloved father, husband, grandfather, and great-grandfather. There are no words to describe how much well miss him.

West played the superhero straight for kids and funny for adults. He initially chaffed at being typecast after Batman went off the air after three seasons, but in later years admitted he was pleased to have had a role in kicking off a big-budget film franchise by showing the characters wide appeal.

I'm delighted because my character became iconic and has opened a lot of doors in other ways, too, he told The Associated Press in 2014.

He was bright, witty and fun to work with, Julie Newmar, who played Catwoman to Wests Batman, said in a statement Saturday.

I will miss him in the physical world and savor him always in the world of imagination and creativity.

Born William West Anderson in Walla Walla, Washington, he moved to Seattle at age 15 with his mother after his parents divorced.

He graduated from Whitman College, a private liberal arts school, in Walla Walla.

After serving in the Army, he went to Hollywood and changed his name to Adam West, and began appearing on a number of television series, including Bonanza, Perry Mason and Bewitched.

In April 2012, West received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Most recently he did the voice of nutty Mayor Adam West in the long-running Family Guy series. And in February 2016, West made an appearance on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theorys 200th episode, which marked the 50th anniversary of Batman.

West was married three times, and had six children. He had homes in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, but he and his wife, Marcelle, spent most of their time at their ranch near Sun Valley, Idaho.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bill Maher started his HBO show Friday night by thanking the audience for letting a sinner in your midst, a reference to his use of the n-word on last weeks show.

Michael Eric Dyson will be here soon to take me to the woodshed, he added, a reference to one of his guests on the show later that night. Some audience members yelled, We love you Bill as he took the stage.

Maher then went into his regular monologue.

This was Mahers first show since using the racial slur during an interview last week with Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.). HBO issued a statement condemning the remark, and Maher issued an apology the next day.

Friday nights are always my worst night of sleep because Im up reflecting on the things I should or shouldnt have said on my live show, he said in the statement. Last night was a particularly long night as I regret the word I used in the banter of a live moment. The word was offensive and I regret saying it and am very sorry.

But it did not stop the fallout. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) canceled his appearance on the show. Instead, Real Time booked academic and author Dyson, an African-American. He came to the hosts defense, tweeting that Maher has bravely, and relentlessly, pilloried racism, white privilege, and white indifference to the black plight. In short, he has used his platform to highlight black faces, and amplify black voices, that might otherwise have never been given such a prominent perch to tell their truths.

Other guests on Fridays show included rapper and actor Ice Cube, with the roundtable consisting of David Gregory, former Rep. David Jolly (R-Fla.), and activist Symone Sanders.
This Saturday, March 22 is National Water Day, so why not break out a bottle of H2O to celebrate? Whether you enjoy bubbly or flat water, it can be difficult to choose between all of the thousands of bottled water brands available. Try flat water from Fiji, sparkling water from France, or the water enjoyed by both Elvis Presley and the racehorse Secretariat.

We've created this primer on the top brands to take the guesswork out of your next trip down the grocery store aisle. Next time you're thirsty, why not try reaching for one of the ten best bottled waters around?

1. Voss Artesian Water

Two Norwegian entrepreneurs created Voss, a classy, designer-savvy tube of water from the crisp, frigid aquifers of their Nordic homeland. Shielded for hundreds of years from pollutants by thick layers of rock and sand, Voss water is bottled in Southern Norway, naturally unfiltered and served both still and sparkling. But its rugged purity is not Voss only selling point. The companys designers painstakingly developed the bottles look and feel to reflect a brand that embodies both health and high fashion. Voss first became available mostly in upscale hotels and in health spas in Europe and in the United States but has since seen much wider distribution in gourmet food and retail stores on both continents.

2. Saint Geron Mineral Water

Saint Geron, known as "the queen of mineral waters," stems from an ancient spring in the Auvergne region of France. The light, sparkling mineral water in a bottle of Saint Geron is the product of an 1,100-year filtration process. This results in the water being cleansed of all bacteria and nitrates, which show up at less than .1 milligrams per liter. Unusually rich in calcium and magnesium, Saint Geron has long been used as a treatment for digestive problems, diabetes, anemia and even gout. Although the water was not bottled until the nineteenth century, the Romans patronized the spring long before  ancient coins from the Gallo-roman period (50 BC486 AD) have been found scattered all around the source. The water comes in a modern, elegant glass bottle created by painter and designer Alberto Bali.

3. Hildon Natural Mineral Water

One of the UKs most prestigious bottled waters, Hildon Natural Mineral Water is served at the House of Commons and the Royal Opera House (and is rumored to be the water of choice at Buckingham Palace). Hildon begins as rainfall, which percolates through the chalk hills of the Hampshire countryside. After a period of 50 years the water emerges at an underground aquifer beneath the nineteenth-century Hildon Estate. The chalk acts as a unique natural filtration system, protecting the water from pollution and endowing it with high levels of calcium. Once it reaches the source it is immediately bottled without chemical treatment. Naturally low in sodium, the water is prized for its purity and well-balanced taste. Hildon, which produces both still and sparkling varieties, was the first company in the world to sell a natural mineral water with a carbonation level below 2.9. This low level of carbonation makes their "Gently Sparkling" water ideal for sipping alongside fine wines and subtly flavored dishes, which risk being overwhelmed by more robust bubbles.

4. Evian Natural Spring Water

Discovered by a French nobleman during the French Revolution, Evian stems from a source that was thought to hold curative and restorative powers from the start. Evian begins as water that emerges from the Source Cache in France in a mountain tunnel at 52.88 degrees Fahrenheit. The source is fed from the melted snow and rain that filters through glacial sand from the Vinzier Plateau over a period of fifteen years. The glacial sand is surrounded by clay, which protects the water from pollution and gives it its mineral composition and taste. The water is bottled at a nearby bottling plant, which is highly automated and exceptionally hygienic.

5. Fiji Natural Artesian Water

FIJI Water, natural artesian water, began being bottled in 1996 at the source in the Yaqara Valley of Viti Levu, one of Fijis two principal islands, and is now the number one imported bottled water in the United States. FIJIs natural artesian origins provide the water with a unique mineral profile, including its high silica concentration. FIJI Water is known for its iconic square bottle and its signature soft, smooth taste, which comes from the natural silica content and trace amounts of calcium and magnesium. As part of that strict commitment to quality, no human hands are allowed to touch it. Perfectly protected from outside air and external elements, FIJI Water is untouched until you unscrew the cap.

6. Gerolsteiner Mineral Water

Founded in 1888, Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water is the number one water export in Germany. In the German style of stringent purity and cleanliness, Gerolsteiners production follows strict purity protocols. Originating in springs from the area of Volcanic Eifel, Gerolsteiner flows from ancient, rocky volcanic reservoirs 200 feet beneath the earths surface. Minerals and carbonic acid leach into the water as it percolates up through the volcanic rocks, giving Gerolsteiner its exceptionally high amount of calcium, bicarbonate and magnesium. Gerolsteiner is a great source of essential nutrients that our bodies need daily and its natural carbonation gives Gerolsteiner its refreshing, neutral taste.

7. Ferrarelle Naturally Sparkling Mineral Water

Relatively unknown in America, Italy's number one brand of sparkling mineral water was established in 1893, though Italians have been drinking from its source for hundreds of years. This naturally effervescent water is bottled directly at a spring located in the protected Sorgeto di Riardo Park near the extinct Roccamonfina volcano in Italy's Campania region. Ferrarelle is extremely mindful of the quality of its products, testing them more than 600 times each day. Care is also taken to safeguard the habitat surrounding the spring, and the company's bottling plants are powered by solar energy.

Ferrarelle water, both sparkling and still, is bottled in glass containers rather than plastic, which protects its taste and purity and lessens the impact on the environment. Ferrarelle water begins as rainfall, which trickles through layers of rock in the ground, soaking up valuable minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and fluoride. Nevertheless, it has no mineral taste and no unpleasant saltiness. It does have the thirst-quenching, pure taste of simple water, with a pleasant amount of fizziness.

8. Perrier Mineral Water

Perrier is a naturally sparkling mineral water sourced from a spring in Vergeze, France. Originally called Les Bouillens, the spring has been used as a spa resort since Roman times. The distinctive bottle shape is said to have been inspired by Indian clubs used for exercise by spring owner Sir Saint-John Harmsworth. The water and carbonation are captured separately and recombined in the bottling process to preserve the natural sparkling flavor of the original water from the spring. Today, Perrier is marketed as a healthy alternative to soda drinks and cocktails and is available in a variety of flavors, ranging from pink grapefruit to lemon and lime.

9. Mountain Valley Spring Water

Since 1871, Mountain Valley Spring Water has been praised by U.S. presidents, world-class athletes and even Hollywood stars for its refreshing taste and potent health benefits. Bottled at its source in the hills between the Glazypeau and Cedar Mountains in Arkansas, Mountain Valley Spring Water has a unique mineral composition that is believed to have medicinal properties that can help alleviate chronic disorders.

Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Joe Lewis were firm believers in the restorative powers of this water, and they weren't the only ones. Thirteen presidents (from Coolidge to Clinton) had Mountain Valley regularly served to their guests while they were in office, and the water is currently being served in the United States Senate. In fact, President Dwight Eisenhower drank the water medicinally following a heart attack. It was also served to a number of famous racehorses, including Nashua, Sunday Silence and the great Secretariat. This sparkling water is light and clean, with a delicate pH balance for premier taste.

10. Volvic Natural Spring Water

Volvic is bottled exclusively at its unique source in France and available in more than 60 countries. The basin supplying the Volvic spring source is located in the Regional Park of the Old Auvergne Volcanoes, a volcanic region that has been dormant for 10,000 years. The name Volvic refers to the town as well as a type of gray volcanic rock. The source of the water, the Clairvic Spring, was discovered in 1927. In 1965, the French Ministry of Health authorized the bottling of Volvic water. Volvic emerges year-round from its protected source at the constant temperature of 8.8 degrees Celsius.

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The most startling revelation from fired FBI Director James Comeys testimony this week was his barefaced admission that he intentionally leaked details of his private conversations with the president to the press in an effort to prompt the appointment a special counsel.

When asked Thursday by Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine whether he shared the memos he wrote about his conversations with President Trump with anyone outside the Department of Justice, Comey answered:

I asked a friend of mine to share the content of the memo with a reporter  didnt do it myself for a variety of reasons  but I asked him to, because I thought that might prompt the appointment of a special counsel.

This statement is tremendously important because it completely delegitimizes Robert Muellers so-called independent investigation and reveals it as poisoned fruit.

The truth is, Comey behaved exactly like a bitter employee who had just been fired. The common thread in his testimony was that his firing was everyones fault but his own.

Think about it: Comey was the top law enforcement officer in the nation before he was fired on May 9. Had he felt a special counsel was necessary to investigate possible Russian influence in the 2016 election, he could have requested one from Congress at any time. If he felt his conversations with President Trump warranted additional attention, he could have approached Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein about it.

But instead he decided to do nothing. Comey apparently didnt think there was need for a special counsel until the Monday after he was fired, according to his testimony.

In a clear act of retaliation, Comey went outside the system and shared secret information with the media via a college professor-friend, in a calculated attempt to inflict pain on the Trump administration. Further, he said he turned all his memos about his conversations over to the special counsel upon his termination  so Muellers investigators already had all they needed to make their own decisions.

But Comey knows that the press feed off attacking Trump. He also knows that they have an incomplete, false understanding of the Russia investigation and would therefore gladly perpetuate the false narrative that Trump was somehow under investigation. He saw a chance to cause drama, and he took it.

Yet this is the same person who on Thursday, under oath, exonerated Trump on the Russia question. Collins asked Comey two very direct, simple questions. She asked, whether there was any kind of investigation about the President underway and was the President under investigation at the time of [Comeys] dismissal on May 9?

For both questions  under oath  Comey answered no.

This kind of petty vindictiveness is so unbelievable, I wouldnt even write this type of stuff in one of my novels. The truth is, Comey behaved exactly like a bitter employee who had just been fired. He said nasty things about everyone from President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions to former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, who served the Obama administration. The common thread in his testimony was that his firing was everyones fault but his own.

But theres another wrinkle in this story: Comey and Mueller are very close.

Throughout his testimony, Comey described Mueller as one of this countrys great, great pros, called him the right person to lead the Russia investigation, and said Bob Mueller is one of the finest people and public servants this countrys ever produced. He will do it well. He is a dogged, tough person, and you can have high confidence that, when its done, hes turned over all the rocks.

When Senator John Cornyn asked whether anything Comey had testified would impede the investigation of the FBI or Director Muellers commitment to get to the bottom of this, Comey stressed that the appointment of Mueller was a critical part of that equation.

Lets also not forget that 97 percent of campaign donations from Department of Justice employees went to Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. The culture and people at DOJ are predisposed to be hostile to President Trump.

So, what we have here is a fired FBI director, who leaked private material to the press, so he could get his friend appointed as a special counsel in order to take retribution on the President  with the aid of a department full of federal lawyers who would have rather seen Hillary in the White House. And we are supposed to believe this will be an objective, unbiased investigation?

Comeys testimony  and the situation he orchestrated around it  really show the depths to which the deep state will go  working around Congress, outside of even the federal process  to damage and undermine President Trump. And it perfectly illustrates how sick the system has become.

In my new book, Understanding Trump, which will be released Tuesday, I describe deep state operatives like Comey as the permanent opposition. They will stop at nothing to mar the Trump presidency in order to keep their influence.

Make no mistake: This is not about law and order, it is not about justice, it is not even about any investigation. This is about influence peddling, this is about the search for vengeance, and this is about stopping the revolution President Trump was elected to implement.

This is everything that sickens normal Americans about the swamp.

America is on a knifes edge. The question is now whether Republicans in Congress will have the courage to stand with President Trump and fight the deep state that was personified in Comeys testimony Thursday.
A group of perpetually-offended atheists, agnostics and freethinkers are threatening to sue a small Wisconsin town because of two welcome signs.

The signs, which were posted some 50 years ago, read, "The Churches of Oconomowoc Welcome You."

Click here for a free subscription to Todd's newsletter: a must-read for Conservatives!

The Freedom From Religion Foundation said the welcome signs are unconstitutional because they are not neutral toward all faiths.

"It endorses religion over non-religion and Christianity over all other faiths," FFRF attorney Ryan Jayne wrote in a letter to town leaders.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is on a national crusade to eradicate public displays of the Christian faith. They typically target communities that do not have the financial resources to fight back.

To continue reading Todd's column from ToddStarnes.com, click here.
James Comey raised quite a furor in his testimony on Thursday before the Senate Intelligence Committeealbeit not the kind the left had anticipated.

The presidents political opponents had hoped that this hearing would finally give them what they needed to bring him down. They were sorely disappointed. Comey, despite his obvious anger at the president for being fired and the scathing criticism he has received for his mishandling of the Clinton email scandal, completely punctured their fantasy that Hillary Clinton lost because the Russians stole the election.

Moreover, Comeys own admissions, despite his feelings to the contrary, laid to rest the claim that Trump somehow obstructed justice in the FBIs ongoing investigation of Russias election shenanigans.

Indeed the most damning revelation arising from Comeys testimony concerned his own actions, not those of the president. He admitted leaking internal FBI memos he had written about discussions with President Trump. Leaking is not a desirable trait in the director (now former) of the chief law enforcement agency of the U.S., the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Comey covered more ground than that, however. In several hours of testimony, here are the five most important things to come out of Comey Day at the U.S. Senate:

There was no obstruction of justice under the requirements of the applicable statute, 18 U.S.C. 1503. Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) asked if the president or anyone else working for this administration had asked him to stop the FBI investigation into Russian involvement in the 2016 U.S. elections. Comey answered no. Comey claimed that while the Flynn investigation touched the Russia investigation, he considered them separate. When talking with Comey on Feb. 14, the president said Michael Flynn was a good guy who he did not think had done anything wrong. He added that he hoped Comey could let it go. That can be reasonably construed as the president thinking there is no reasonable basis to believe that there had been a violation of the law and thus no reasonable basis for the FBI to continue its investigation.

As Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho) pointed out to Comey: people dont get prosecuted for hoping something will happen in the absence of force or coercion or bribery, and Comeys feeling that he was being asked to end the investigation is immaterial to what actually happened. Comey said he had a further phone call with Trump on March 30 in which the president said that if any of his satellite associates were involved, that would be good to uncover. Those are not the words of someone trying to obstruct justice by ending an investigation. Other than speaking to Comey on that one occasion about Flynn, Trump never discussed the Russia investigation with Comey other than to urge him to tell the public that Trump was not under investigation.

The president was never under investigation in the Russia probe. Comey told the president three different times that he was not under investigation, yet he refused to make that public. His excuse, in response to a question from Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), was weak. He claimed that he was concerned that if that was made public and the boomerang comes back, its going to be a very big deal, because there will be a duty to correct. So the head of the FBI thought it would be better for a cloud of suspicion to hover over the president rather than lift that cloud because perhaps, maybe, at some uncertain point in the future, that status might change? Heaven help Americans targeted in an FBI investigation from a director with such an attitude.

There was no hacking or other interference with the voting, ballot counting, and administrative process of the election. Although Comey said that it was the consensus view of the intelligence community that the Russians had tried mightily to influence the 2016 election, Comey said there was no evidence that any votes had been altered in the election. So Americans went to the polls and chose the president they wanted and there was no manipulation or alteration of the results.

There is no evidence of any collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian officials. In a comment that created quite a stir, Comey said that a New York Times story on Feb. 14 entitled Trump Campaign Aides Had Repeated Contacts With Russian Intelligence was not true. When asked by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) if it would be fair to characterize that story as almost entirely wrong, Comey said yes.

The New York Times and others who reported these stories were obviously conned by their anonymous sources into painting a nefarious picture of the Trump campaign and its supposed involvement with Russian intelligence officials. Per Comeys testimony, it was a complete fantasy. Comey also referred to many other media stories pushing the false narrative as dead wrong.

Former Attorney General Loretta Lynch ordered Comey to parrot the language of the Clinton campaign regarding the FBIs investigation into the mishandling of classified material. Per Lynchs instructions, Comey was to refer to his agencys actions in the case as a matter, not an investigation. Comey said the order confused and concerned him, but he did as he was told. This directive from Lynch wasnt unlawful, but it seems to show that Lynch was trying to help the Clinton campaign at a time when the FBI, which is a part of the Justice Department, was investigating her for possible criminal violations of the law. If Donald Trump talking to the FBI director about his views on Michael Flynn was somehow inappropriate, Loretta Lynch trying to help the public image of the Clinton election efforts is even more so.

James Comey, despite his calling the president a liar and being obviously angry about his firing, in essence punctured all of the balloons President Trumps opponents have floated to try to delegitimize his election. This should be a lesson to the media in particular about the danger of using anonymous sources who have a political ax to grind. It gives them a powerful motive to simply make things up.
Baku, Azerbaijan, June 10



By Farhad Daneshvar  Trend:



Armed clashed broke out between the members of two tribes in Irans southwestern province of Khuzestan claiming at least 22 lives and injuring even more, an MP said.



MP for Izeh and Baghmalek cities, Hedaiatollah Khademi, has said that the inhabitants of several villages have been displaced following the armed conflict last night, ILNA news agency reported.



Echoing his concern over the possible spread of the conflict into the nearby villages and cities, the MP urged the security officials to take serious measures aimed at providing security.



He added that the two villages of Petek Jalali and Petek Bigdeli have been involved in a tribal row in the past several years over minor issues such as disagreements over lands and distributing water.
"All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development."

 Article 1 in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

This Sunday, Puerto Ricans will cast their votes in a political-status referendum, exercising their democratic right to decide the islands future. Self-determination is central to the rights of all Americans citizens, including Puerto Ricans, and it is arguably the defining principle of our democracy.

Unfortunately, even after 100 years of U.S. citizenship, and after hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans have served in the U.S. Armed Forces during wartime and peacetime, the more than 3.4 million residents of Puerto Rico lack rights equal to those of American citizens living in U.S. states. As an unincorporated U.S. territory, we cannot vote for the U.S. president, nor do we have voting representation in Congress. Yet, we are subject to federal laws which treat us unequally.

The passage of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA) last year further limits our local self-governance. More importantly, Puerto Rico's current territory status has led to a multitude of unequal, inconsistent, and disjointed federal laws and policies that have severely limited the islands development, and contributed greatly to the current fiscal, economic and demographic crisis that is the worst in our history.

This includes the Medicaid Cliff, a disaster averted in the short-term, that may yet cost as many as 600,000 American citizens and at least 93,000 family members of veterans access to healthcare  benefits they would receive as residents of any U.S. state. The crisis has also led to a staggering exodus of young Americans from Puerto Rico, over 400,000 in the last decade alone, which robs our communities of innovation and inspiration, and increases costs for states at the receiving end of this migration as well as for the federal government.

To truly address Puerto Ricos immediate and long-term prospects for economic growth and prosperity, it is essential to resolve the current unequal and undemocratic territory status that has persisted for over 100 years. After the 2012 plebiscite on Puerto Rico's political status  where a clear majority (54 percent) opposed continuing the current territory status and among those that voted for a non-territorial option 61 percent supported statehood  Congress asked the Government of Puerto Rico to carry out a voter education campaign and a new plebiscite on, "options that would resolve Puerto Rico's future political status."

Accordingly, on June 11, 2017, millions of Puerto Ricans will participate in a plebiscite to definitively answer this question, by choosing between statehood, free association/independence, or current territorial status.

The inclusion of the last option  retaining the status quo  is directly tied to Governor Ricardo Rossellos commitment to ensure the plebiscites legitimacy and in correspondence with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) April 13th letter after their review of the original plebiscite ballot. There should not be any doubt that after the polls close on Sunday, the results must be considered to be the freely expressed will of the Puerto Rican people and a genuine act of self-determination. To further assure the transparency of the democratic process, the Puerto Rico Department of State has invited an independent-bipartisan group of respected political leaders to the island as electoral observers to oversee the process.

Importantly, the plebiscite also represents an important step in relation to the current reform process happening in Puerto Rico under PROMESA, and is representative of a demand to definitively define the future status of an island and people that need certainty in a time of incredible turmoil. I urge Congress to recognize the results of the upcoming plebiscite as what they are  a legitimate, defining expression of self-determination, keeping in mind that resolving the status is not merely an important issue, it is the central issue for Puerto Rico.

If nothing changes and our failed territory status continues, overcoming this economic crisis will take far longer and require far more investment than ever needed before. It will only delay the islands economic, social and cultural recovery. Without the opportunity for self-determination, residents of Puerto Rico will be denied the opportunity to develop and contribute to the great American mosaic.

Congress must resolve Puerto Ricos status to unleash its full potential.
Christianity's core tenets took center stage on Capitol Hill this week as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders blasted nominee Russell Vought over his writings concerning Islam, calling them Islamophobia.

Vought, President Trump's pick for Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, sparred with the former Democratic presidential candidate over an online article he wrote defending the Christian School Wheaton College for firing political science professor Larycia Hawkins in 2015. Hawkins came under fire after saying Muslims and Christians worship the same God.

BERNIE SANDERS ATTACKS TRUMP NOMINEE FOR FOLLOWING TEACHINGS OF CHRIST

In the article, Vought cited expert theologians in giving a lengthy explanation of the deep doctrinal differences between Christianity and Islam, quoting Jesus' own words in the New Testament where He says, Whoever believes in [the Son] is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:18)

Sanders, instead, focused solely on Vought's sentence that said: "Muslims do not simply have a deficient theology. They do not know God because they have rejected Jesus Christ his son, and they stand condemned."

"Are you suggesting," scolded Sanders, "that all of those people stand condemned? What about Jews, do they stand condemned, too?

Vought countered, "Senator I am a Christian..."

SANDERS TO OPPOSE TRUMP BUDGET PICK OVER WRITINGS ON ISLAM

Sanders interrupted.

"I understand you are a Christian, Sanders said. But this country is made up of people who are not just... I understand Christianity is a majority religion but there are people of other religions in this country and around the world in your judgement do you think that people who are not Christians are going to be condemned?

Vought responded, "Thank you for probing on that point. As a Christian, I believe that all individuals are made in the image of God and are worthy of dignity and respect regardless of their religious beliefs."

Muslim groups, along with the American Civil Liberties Union, have sided with Sanders. But critics have held up Article VI of the United States Constitution which says there should be no religious test to hold political office. And they accused Sanders of doing just that.

Conservative and Evangelical Christians are outraged.

"What Sanders said is a slap in the face and an insult to millions of Evangelical Christians who believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, said Dr. Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. This is not some periphery belief held by millions...It is the foundation to our faith."

Jeffress later issued a statement calling for Sanders to apologize or resign.

In the meantime, it will be a several weeks before the Senate decides on Vought's confirmation. Sanders has already said he will vote no.
The chief of the Border Patrols El Paso sector says President Trump should get the credit for a break in a historical trend in illegal immigration.

New data out for the month of May shows the Border Patrol apprehended 19,967 illegal immigrants last month. Thats 35,475 fewer apprehensions than the 55,442 in May 2016.

The administration has communicated clearly that they support our people out in the field that they will enforce our immigration laws and there will be consequences to those who violate those laws, Jeffrey Self, Chief Patrol Agent for the El Paso Sector, told Fox News during a recent ride along.

Self also credits the ending of the catch and release program as well as new infrastructure for the downward trend in border arrests.

Catch and release is the unofficial name for a longstanding protocol where illegal immigrants are arrested for being in the U.S. but are released as they wait for a hearing.

Historically, the number of illegal immigrants arrested across the southern border and the number of immigrants attempting to cross spikes from February to June. Not this year. The downward trend in apprehensions that started when President Trump took office has continued through Spring.

As a result of the border security initiatives that weve implemented, it has sent a clear message that there will be a consequence applied to any illicit traffic, said Self.

April 2017 had the smallest number of Border Patrol apprehensions in five years, at 15,780. This year is the first time in at least five years that apprehensions have dropped below 20 thousand a month.

Self said the Trump Administration has created what he calls a mindset of deterrence.

The Border Patrol conducts post arrest interviews with illegal immigrants. Self said the arrestees from Central America say there is a perception that the dangerous journey to America may not be worth the risk because the chances of being sent back are much higher. Self said its a definite indicator the Border Patrol is having an effect.

It makes them think twice about taking their life savings, giving it to a smugglers, getting on this track and coming to the United States. Just to get here and returned to your country of origin, Self said.

He added that theres been a stronger effort to capture and prosecute human smugglers and drug traffickers. He also said additional funding, new technology and infrastructure also helps. The infrastructure includes new fencing in the El Paso sector  which started before Trump won the 2016 election.

Self said there has also been an initiative to conduct more joint operations with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, in addition to their counterparts in Mexico.

Although numbers have trended down for the first few months of the year, when they typically trend up, Self still anticipates a rise in immigration this summer. Signs of that began in May when the Border Patrol arrested about 4,000 more illegal immigrants than they did in April.
While Thursdays testimony by James Comey focused on his private discussions with President Trump, the fired FBI director still faces questions posed months ago over links between the bureau and a British ex-spys mysterious  and unverified  anti-Trump dossier.

Comey was asked about the dossier, prepared by former British spy Christopher Steele, early in his testimony on Thursday morning by Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C. But Comey declined to answer in open session, citing concerns about the sensitivity of some of the material in the report.

His decision not to discuss the issue  at least not publicly  is consistent with his response to date. As of Monday, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, has still not received any response from Comey in the matter of Steele, and his London-based company, Orbis Business Intelligence Ltd. Steeles firm was hired by Fusion GPS, a Washington, D.C. firm, to collect opposition research on then-candidate Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign.

For months, in hearings and letters, a frustrated Grassley has criticized Comey for the bureaus failure to provide documents requested and answer questions about Steele. Grassley also called out Fusion this week for allegedly not cooperating with his committee, sending a June 7 letter seeking all responsive documents and information by June 14 and warning that he could consider a compulsory process if necessary.

As previously reported by Fox News, Comey considered the unverified dossier prepared by Steele to be so important, he insisted it be included in January's final intelligence community report on Russian meddling in the election. The FBI offered Steele $50,000 to corroborate the dossier, according to published reports, though the bureau has denied making any payments.

The Steele dossier was part of the evidence the FBI used to obtain a FISA warrant for Carter Page, a peripheral adviser in the Trump campaign the dossier named as a figure in Trump campaign dealings with Russia. In interviews with Fox News, however, Page repeatedly has denied he was the Trump campaign's point person for Moscow, and said he believes he was a target of unmasking efforts by the Obama administration.

Questions remain over exactly how the unverified dossier was passed around on both sides of the Atlantic, particularly between June and December 2016, as it was shown in parts to a variety of politicians, journalists and intelligence agencies before being brought officially to the FBI by Sen. John McCain on Dec. 9.

The person who brought the dossier to the attention of McCain last fall, former British Ambassador Sir Andrew Wood, now emphasizes to Fox News that, Intelligence always needs evaluating of courseIt is always foolish to put yourself in a position to pretend to knowledge that you do not have.

In an email exchange, Wood said while he told McCain about the material, he had not read and could not vouch for it. Still, he said, the material was produced by responsible persons.

I understood that its general contents were known to others in the United States. The Senator then arranged for the papers to be brought to him, he wrote, adding: "It was up to the Senator to decide what action if any he took throughout the whole process. He is known to me as to many others as a courageous patriot. I have no doubt that he acted as he thought fit in that capacity."

Serving as Britain's ambassador to Moscow from 1995-2000, Wood's name and his relationship with Steele emerged in British Court documents obtained and reviewed by Fox News as part of Steeles defense in a lawsuit brought against him by Russian technology guru Aleksej Gubarev. Gubarevwhose companies are mentioned in the dossierhas also filed a lawsuit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida against Buzzfeed for publishing the unverified 35 page dossier in full.

The April 2017 documents identify Wood as "an Associate of Orbis" (Page 1-Item 5), and say he was aware of the Second Defendant's [Steeles] intelligence gathering for the pre-election memoranda. (Page 2--Item 11)

But in email exchanges with Fox News on June 6, Wood told a different story.

"I have had no professional relationship with Orbis, he wrote. You refer to me as an Associate (capital A) and draw some conclusions as to my role, which go beyond what it has been, that of a friend to Christopher Steele and a person among others with whom I have from time to time discussed Russian affairs.

When asked about the role of Fusion GPS in Washington D.C., Wood wrote that "I do not know Fusion apart from the fact that it exists."

McCain's office has not responded to Fox News latest request for comment on the dossier. In a Jan. 11 press release, McCain stated, "Late last year, I received sensitive information that has since been made public. Upon examination of the contents, and unable to make a judgment about their accuracy, I delivered the information to the Director of the FBI. That has been the extent of my contact with the FBI or any other government agency regarding this issue."
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said Friday President Donald Trump still can be a "consequential president" if he adjusts his behavior.

To President Trump, I will do anything I can to help you sell policies that are good for this country. The hardest thing for a Republican to do is to argue with another Republican, but sometimes that can be more consequential than a Democrat arguing with a Republican, Graham said at the annual E2 Summit, a high-powered gathering of GOP officials, top donors and business leaders at a luxury Utah resort.

I want you to understand that Im optimistic in spite of all this clutter and confusion  that we can pull it off," Graham said. "That we can get taxes cut, we can do infrastructure. We can do things that are good for this country, and President Trump can still be a consequential president. But if he doesnt adjust the way hes behaving, and if he doesnt let people help him, hes going to lose the last best chance the Republican Party has to change America and make the world safe.



Graham spoke at a resort in the mountains of Park City, where Mitt Romney hosts the annual meeting of largely Republican power players for a mix of hobnobbing, policy talks and outdoor excursions like alpine hikes with Romney, which the 70-year-old takes at a blistering pace, according to The Associated Press.

The business and policy-focused summit, tucked in the mountains about 2,000 miles from the swirl of Washington, drew top donors, executives and office holders like John McCain of Arizona.

According to The Associated Press, Romney did not directly mention the testimony in Congress a day earlier when fired FBI director James Comey attacked Trump's credibility. Instead he referred to the "theater of Washington right now and the theater around the White House right now," saying he wasn't too concerned about that slowing down a chance for Republican priorities to be passed in Congress.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Trump again singled out Qatar as a financer of extremists at a White House press conference with the president of Romania.

I decided along with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, our great generals and military people, the time had come to call on Qatar to end its funding. They have to end that funding, he said. For Qatar, we want you back among the unity of responsible nations.

His remarks followed the presidents Tuesday tweets that said So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off. They said they would take a hard line on funding... and ...extremism, and all reference was pointing to Qatar. Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism!

The president called out no other countries, although he suggested others also should improve in attempting to combat terrorist financing.

I wont name other countries, Trump said. But we are not done solving the problem, but we will solve that problem.

In a region with governments long accused of supporting various extremist groups, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and others have severed diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar over what they say is Qatars financing of terrorists.

Qatar can no longer have it both ways, said Yousef al-Otaiba, UAEs ambassador to the United States, in a statement following the presidents remarks. Qatars funding and ideological sponsorship are enabling the very extremists that American, UAE and other forces are fighting on the battlefield. The president is absolutely right, stopping funding for extremism means starting with Qatar.

Hours before the presidents statement, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson offered a more measured assessment of Qatar.

Qatar has a history of supporting groups that have spanned the spectrum of political expression, from activism to violence, said the secretary. "The emir of Qatar has made progress in halting financial support and expelling terrorist elements from his country, but he must do more and he must do it more quickly."

In an interview with Fox News, Meshal Bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatars Ambassador to the United States, said he welcomes the secretary's remarks and said Qatar has prosecuted extremists.

"We have taken actions against individuals through our legal system, said Al Thani. There are on-going cases and we have, the courts have, concluded and prosecuted certain individuals."

To the presidents tweets, Al Thani would only say Our cooperation with the United States speaks for itself. It's long standing. We are committed to it.

While much of the administrations rhetoric has focused on Qatar, Tillerson also called on Qatars neighbors to end their blockade.

We are seeing shortages of food, families are being forcibly separated, and children pulled out of school. We believe these are unintended consequences, especially during this holy month of Ramadan, but they can be addressed immediately, Tillerson said. The blockade is hindering U.S. military actions in the region and the campaign against ISIS.

While current operations from Al Udeid Air Base have not been interrupted or curtailed, the evolving situation is hindering our ability to plan for longer-term military operations, he said.

Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said: Qatar remains critical for coalition air operations in the fight against ISIS and around the region.

With about 11,000 military personnel, Al Udeid Air Base is the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East and the forward headquarters of CENTCOM.

Nearby Bahrain has also severed ties with Qatar. It hosts the U.S. Fifth Fleet.

Tillerson said the administration is working with its sparring allies to resolve this diplomatic crisis and that the U.S. will support mediation efforts along with the emir of Kuwait.

Our expectation is that these countries will immediately take steps to de-escalate the situation and put forth a good-faith effort to resolve their grievances they have with each other, said Tillerson.
You can almost hear the baritone affectations of news anchor Ted Baxter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show: And in other news

The dramatic testimony of former FBI Director James Comey commanded most of the attention this week on Capitol Hill. But believe it or not, other stories unfolded in the halls of Congress.

House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pa., is making his second run to privatize the nations air traffic control system. Shuster ran into opposition from his own party last time. The bill never hit the floor. This round, Shuster appeared at an event for infrastructure week at the White House and earned President Trumps support.

Thats going to help immensely, gleamed Shuster, who suggested the House would advance his plan in July.

That may be Shusters goal. But theres concern over a push to raise the federal debt ceiling before Congress leaves town at the end of July for the traditional summer recess. The debt ceiling struggle consumed Congress in July and part of August in 2011. It halted work on virtually any other issue.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told Congress recently that lawmakers should hike the debt limit before cutting town. Mnuchin wants a clean debt limit increase. That means Congress simply votes to up the threshold without any attachments like offsets. Budget Director Mick Mulvaney would like to latch spending cuts or other policy provisions to any potential increase.

Such legislative sweeteners may be essential to coax reluctant lawmakers  especially conservative Republicans  to vote in favor of piling on more debt.

The Treasury Secretary is and should always be the person in charge of debt-limit negotiations, debt-limit legislation, said House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., apparently picking sides against former House colleague Mulvaney. But Ryan says he isnt forecasting any option on how to grapple with the debt ceiling, including working with Democrats and the other side of the Capitol in the Senate.

While most eyes were trained on Comeys testimony Thursday morning, Mnuchin huddled with House Republicans on tax reform and the debt ceiling. Mnuchin said the meeting was good. But the sides are far from consensus. Some Republicans advocate hooking the debt limit plan to the tax reform bill and moving the package without Democrats. A sweetener like tax reform could bolster the chances of Republicans voting for the package. Otherwise, Republicans may have to turn to Democrats.

Democrats are not going to cooperate with us on anything. So if we have to do a debt ceiling increase along with tax policy, that would seem to me to be a pot-sweetener for some of the conservatives that will be otherwise reluctant to vote for a debt ceiling increase, said Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, after the Mnuchin session.

Nobody likes to raise the debt ceiling, including myself, said House Small Business Committee Chairman Steve Chabot, R-Ohio. You hope to get some reforms in there. If you can get something big like simplifying the tax code, that would be a big one.

Mnuchin joined National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn for a meeting Wednesday with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky., and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. Everyone refused to comment on what was even discussed in the conclave. Hatch offered that it was a typical meeting  although some question what constitutes a typical meeting in Washington these days. But that didnt stop scribes from asking what they talked about.

Shame on you, said Hatch in response to the badgering press corps.

Mnuchin declined to comment on the specifics.

But when asked where they stood on tax reform, Cohn briefly stopped in the hall and declared were on schedule.

Are they?

Senate Democrats  and potentially a Republican or two  could filibuster a tax reform measure. Republicans only have 52 votes in the Senate now. If all Republicans are aligned, the GOP needs buy-in from eight Democrats to crush a filibuster with 60 votes. However, the pathway out of this cul-de-sac lies with a special parliamentary tool known as budget reconciliation. Senate Republicans can neuter a tax reform filibuster under reconciliation. The process curbs debate and limits amendments. Plus, reconciliation only needs 51 votes.

But theres trouble: the House and Senate must first adopt a budget.

Republicans extolled the sanctity of budgeting for years, portraying Democrats as fiscal heathens when they struggled to approve budgets. But the GOP-led House failed to adopt a budget last year. House Republicans are now months behind schedule writing a budget for this year. Theres a reason the process is called budget reconciliation. The Senate cant use budget reconciliation for tax reform unless it has a budget in place first.

Right now a budget cannot pass in the House of Representatives, said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, one of the leaders of the conservative House Freedom Caucus at the Heritage Foundation on Friday. It cant.

So, tax reform could be stalled unless Ryan and House Republicans cobble together the votes for a budget. While were at it, neither the House nor Senate has approved any of the 12 annual spending bills to fund the federal government. Theres talk about perhaps glomming all 12 together in some massive package this summer to avoid a government shutdown on September 30, the end of the governments fiscal year. The failure to adopt a budget inhibits the plans of President Trump and Mulvaney to slash the deficit. But Congress doesnt have to approve a budget each year. However, lawmakers must okay the 12 annual spending bills in some form - or face a government shutdown. And, Congress must also address the debt ceiling.

Former House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican from Ohio, long employed a strategy of engineering a coalition of some Republicans and lots of Democrats to advance must do bills. Conservatives tired of this tactic and eventually ousted Boehner. Its unclear if Democrats would play along if Ryan came to them, hat in hand.

House Democratic Caucus Vice Chairwoman Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., a member of the Ways and Means Committee, described an episode where she says Mnuchin appealed to Democrats for assistance on the debt limit.

We said You're preaching to the wrong choir, recounted Sanchez.

Sanchez says Democrats feel as though theyre being taken for granted when Republicans fail to include them in other discussions but beg for help on the debt ceiling.

Its time to step aside for the moment and see if (Republicans) can govern, said Sanchez.

So if Democrats balk, Ryan, McConnell and other Republicans may have to figure out a path forward alone over the next few months. That brings us back to Shuster and his plan to privatize air traffic control systems. If the House and Senate get locked up on the debt ceiling (and maybe health care in the Senate...thats another story), that chews up July. Congress must reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration in September. So its possible leaders could hook Shusters privatization plan to that bill. GOP leaders could glue all of that to a bill to keep the government open and maybe raise the debt ceiling in September.

Such an approach eventually got Boehner into trouble. Could Ryan face similar consequences? Maybe. But multiple Republicans tell Fox that theyre willing to give Ryan more leeway. It seems they just like the Wisconsin Republican more than the former Speaker.

John Boehner was a jerk, snorted one House conservative when asked about the differences between Boehner and Ryan.

Colleague Mike Emanuel notes that one House Republican believes Congress may have missed its chance to deal with the debt ceiling this week. The thought was the House should have tried to slip a debt ceiling increase through on Thursday when everyone focused on Comey.

Few would have noticed an audacious gambit like that amid the gravity of the Comey hearing. But one things for certain. With a news week like this, even raising the debt ceiling would have scored little more than a Ted-Baxter-esque And in other news mention.

.
President Trump will head to Miami on Friday, home to a large and influential Cuban-American community, to unveil his administrations new Cuba policy -- which will roll back central parts of his predecessors efforts to normalize ties with the Communist island nation, according to a senior administration official and other sources.

While details on the changes to the policy have yet to be fully revealed, a U.S. official suggested that Trump would call for Cuban President Raul Castro to push for more political freedom and to release democratic activists in Cuban prisons, among other initiatives.

Trump is at the same time expected to announce a reversal in some areas of former President Barack Obama's previous steps toward normalizing relations including the opening of embassies between the two countries and the easing of flight restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba.

The final actions have not been set as the review over the specifics of the plan continues. However, there will likely be steps in restricting travel from the U.S. to Cuba; there are now daily flights from Florida to Cuba. Another directive being weighed is taking steps to limit American companies from dealing with businesses owned by the Cuban military, U.S. sources confirm to Fox News.

While campaigning in Miami during a stop in September of 2016, then-Republican presidential nominee Trump hinted at such a move, tying it to demands on the Cuban government.

All of the concessions Barack Obama has granted the Castro regime were done through executive order which means our next president can reverse them, Trump said. "And that I will do unless the Castro regime meets our demands.

Those demands include religious and political freedom for the Cuban people, and the freeing of political prisoners, Trump added.

Key Republican lawmakers Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Mario Diaz Balart, both Cuban-Americans from Florida, have been directly involved in working with the White House on the new Cuba policy, according to sources with direct knowledge of the situation.

Rubio, who opposed Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primary, has worked diligently behind the scenes with the administration to develop the approach, said a source directly involved in the policy discussions.

"I am confident the president will keep his commitment on Cuba policy by making changes that are targeted and strategic and which advance the Cuban people's aspirations for economic and political liberty, Rubio said in a statement.

A senior Rubio adviser previewed what may be represented during Fridays Trump Cuba policy rollout, including that the new approach would have to be in compliance with the statutory provisions passed by Congress which govern US-Cuba policy.

The aide also stressed that the new Cuba policy would be in the best interest of U.S. foreign policy and national security.

Part of the focus is to also encourage the emerging generation of Cuban leaders to take the reigns after Raul Castro steps down in 2018, as he publicly stated he would.

Raul Castro and his closest advisors are mostly in their 80's, the senior aide told Fox News, stressing they are focusing on the "long term."

Cuba will soon have a new generation of leaders, one way or another. These policy measures are designed to lay the groundwork for them to empower the Cuban people to develop greater economic and ultimately political liberty.

Fox News' John Roberts contributed to this report.
A U.S. Army colonel, along with his wife and a former defense contractor have been accused by a federal grand jury of a bribery scheme to defraud the government of more than $20 million.

Prosecutors allege Col. Anthony Roper and his wife began a bribery and kickback scheme in 2008 in which they would seek and accept bribes in exchange for more than $20 million in Army contracts to individuals and companies.

NAVY ADMIRAL, 8 OTHERS CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION IN 'FAT LEONARD' BRIBERY CASE

Roper, 55, and his wife, Audra, 49, have both been charged with conspiracy, obstruction and making false statements. Roper was also charged with bribery and faces up to 85 years in prison if convicted.

Former defense contractor Dwayne Oswald Fulton, 58, worked as an officer for a large defense contracting company and has been charged with conspiracy and obstruction for the schemes.

Roper was stationed at Fort Gordon near Augusta, Georgia, where he worked to build and modernize the Army's information and communication networks, according to the indictment.

CONVICTED SOLDIER CHELSEA MANNING WILL STAY ON ACTIVE DUTY

The indictment alleges that in trying to hide the schemes, the three accused attempted to obstruct an official investigation looking into their conduct.

Audra Roper operates Quadar Group, which prosecutors said was a shell company used to funnel bribe payments to her husband, according to the indictment. Prosecutors said the Group was one of multiple shell companies used to defraud the government.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A handicapped Florida woman, who claims she fell after an airport employee dropped her, has filed a lawsuit against United Airlines and its contracted workers.

Erica Fulton, of Largo, Florida, was flying out of Houstons Bush Airport with United Airlines last September when an airport employee picked her up to help her into her seat.

The employee reportedly continued to reassure Fulton that he got her while transporting her from her wheelchair to her seat, but Fulton said she knew he didnt.

OPINION: UNITED AIRLINES IS INNOCENT

Once he got me totally upright, I just saw this look of panic in his face, Fulton told WFLA. I said, Oh my God, hes gonna drop me.

Fulton, who has a degenerative disease that requires her to use a wheelchair, said she fell over, and all of her weight landed on her right shoulder and tore muscles in her arm.

The pain was excruciating, said Fulton. I had tears rolling down my face.

Since the incident, Fulton claimed she now needs expensive at-home health care to survive. She also said her wheelchair was damaged during the fall and is now unusable.

ARE AIRLINE EMPLOYEES BECOMING UNHINGED?

In a statement, United said, "We sincerely apologize to Ms. Fulton for her experience while traveling with us and have covered the cost of the repair to the wheelchair."

But Fulton, who said shes lost use of her right arm since the incident, says the airline wont respond to her regarding her medical treatment.

The lawsuit is another highly-publicized issue for United Airlines, which made headlines in April after video surfaced of a bloodied plane passenger being forcefully removed from his seat by Chicago Department of Aviation officers.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Friday expressed hope that the results of the early elections in the United Kingdom will not affect the negotiations on the country's withdrawal from the the European Union, Sputnik reported.

Under article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty on withdrawal from the European Union, agreement on the terms of Brexit should be reached by the end of March 2019, two years after its launch, through negotiations between the European Commission and the UK authorities. The talks had been originally scheduled to start on June 19.

"All elections are important, not only in so-called big Member States. But the one of yesterday was of a particular importance. I do strongly hope that Britain will stay ready to open negotiations I do hope that the result of the elections will have no major impact on the negotiations we are desperately waiting for," Juncker said.

On the issue of a possible delay in negotiations due to the hung parliament outcome of the UK election, Juncker expressed hope that this would not happen, reaffirming the Commission's readiness to open negotiations tomorrow morning at half-past nine.

In turn, European Council President Donald Tusk warned London earlier on Twitter "to avoid a no deal as result of no negotiations'," implying the irreversible nature of deadlines determined by article 50.

Early parliamentary elections were held in the United Kingdom on June 8. According to official results, the Conservative Party received 318 seats, the Labour Party came second with 261 seats, and the Scottish National Party is third with 35 seats. The Liberal Democrats won 12 seats and the Democratic Unionist Party got 10 seats, while the UK Independence Party did not receive a single seat. One constituency has yet to declare its result.
A Florida sheriffs office posted a controversial message on social media, urging citizens to arm themselves in self-defense.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey posted the video on Facebook Wednesday, two days after a deadly workplace shooting in nearby Orlando claimed the lives of five people.

FLORIDA SHERIFF DEFENDED AFTER ANTI-HEROIN MESSAGE COMPARED TO ISIS VIDEO

Folks, now more than ever is the time for our citizens to be prepared to serve as the first line of defense, not only for them, but for their families, Sheriff Ivey said.

As images of the Fort Lauderdale airport shooting and Pulse nightclub massacre flashed on-screen, Ivey warned residents that attacks have happened locally as well as abroad.

Whats next is to fully understand that this is war, and you better be prepared to wage war to protect you, your family, and those around you if attacked, he said.

Ivey stressed that attackers rely on people running, hiding, and waiting for help, rather than fighting back.

What they dont count on is being attacked themselves, having to become defensive to save their own lives, Ivey argued.

The sheriff said that calling 911 means officers are on their way, but said, Until they arrive, its up to you and those with you to neutralize or eliminate the threat.

Ivey encouraged people to take self-defense classes, and urged those with concealed weapons permits to carry their guns with them at all times.

No matter who you are or what your position is on guns, theres no denying the fact that the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun or a knife is an armed and well-prepared citizen or law enforcement officer, Ivey said.

The sheriffs message received a mixed response. Some residents applauded his stance while others criticized it, calling it fear-mongering and encouraging vigilantes.

Read more at WSVN.
Three U.S. soldiers were killed Saturday and one wounded when an Afghan army solider opened fire on them in an attack in eastern Afghanistan for which the Taliban claimed responsibility, officials said.

Military officials initially identified the victims as Army Rangers before clarifying Monday that they were soldiers.

Attahullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the provincial governor in Nangarhar province, told Fox News the insider attack took place in the Achin district, where the U.S. military dropped the "Mother of All Bombs" earlier this year to wipe out an ISIS cave complex.

He said two American soldiers were killed and two wounded.

The Afghan army soldier was killed in return fire, he said.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that a Taliban loyalist had infiltrated the Afghan army "just to attack foreign forces."

White House Deputy Communications Director Raj Shah said President Trump had been informed of the situation.

Such insider attacks have happened before in Afghanistan. In March, another Afghan soldier was killed after he opened fire on foreign forces at a base in Helmand province, wounding three U.S. soldiers.

Saturdays attack comes as the White House is weighing a decision to send up to 5,000 more soldiers to Afghanistan. Roughly 8,400 American soldiers are in Afghanistan now with most of them helping to train the Afghan security forces fighting the Taliban.

Officials say that adding to the number of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan would free up more Special Operations forces to focus on killing more top Taliban, ISIS and Al Qaeda leaders.

Eastern Afghanistan is where U.S. Army Green Beret, Staff Sgt. Mark De Alencar and U.S. Army Rangers were killed in separate combat missions in April targeting ISIS extremists.

Following De Alencars death, the Air Force bombed the ISIS cave complex in Achin with the MOAB, or the mother of all bombs.

The decision to drop the largest conventional bomb in the Air Force's inventory was made by the top U.S. general in Afghanistan and not the president.

Since taking office, Trump has eased restrictions on the use of air power, according to senior defense officials.

As a result the U.S. military has stepped up airstrikes in Afghanistan. In April, there were more bombs dropped than in any one month in the past five years.

Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A fugitive 'ndrangheta Italian crime clan boss, accused of international drug trafficking, was taken into custody at a Brazil airport, authorities said Saturday.

Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti hailed the arrest on Friday of Vincenzo Macri, whom he described as a top boss of the Commisso crime clan, based in Siderno, Calabria.

Macri's two years on the run ended when he showed authorities an identity document using a false name at Sao Paulo airport on Friday.

Italian media said Macri, 52, had planned to fly to Caracas, Venezuela, where he is believed to have been living. The reports described him as playing a role as a broker in international cocaine deals for the 'ndrangheta, one of the world's leading cocaine traffickers.

Authorities say Macri inherited the mantle of his father, Antonio Macri, an alleged clan chieftain. Macri was about 10 years old when his father was slain in Calabria in 1975 after a bocce ball game during a bloody 'ndrangheta clan feud. The elder Macri had been given the moniker "boss of two worlds" for close international ties to alleged mobsters in North America and Australia.

Brazilian federal police said that between 2004 and 2015, Vincenzo Macri was part of an international criminal organization that imported and trafficked cocaine and hashish, from Morocco, the Netherlands and the Dominican Republic. The drugs arrived in Italy via shipping containers.

Macri was on the run since 2015, when Italian authorities accused him of international drug trafficking and Mafia association.

A top Italian police official, Alessandro Giuliano, credited "excellent, long-established cooperation" with U.S. federal agents in helping to capture Macri.

Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera said FBI agents had arrested Macri in 1990 for drug trafficking, and that he served a prison sentence until the early 2000s. Later he moved to the Netherlands, where he ran a florist business.

___

AP reporter Sarah DiLorenzo contributed from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

___

This story has been corrected to show that Macri was allegedly part of an international criminal organization between 2004 and 2015, not 2004 and 2005.
The fallout of the election disaster has led two top aides to British Prime Minister Theresa May to resign on Saturday.

Joint chiefs of staff Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, who formed part of Mays small inner circle, shouldered some for the blame for Thursdays snap election that proved a disaster for the Conservative Party and a potential fatal blow to Mays premiership.

Timothy and Hill were blamed by many Conservatives for the partys lackluster campaign and unpopular election platform, which alienated older voters with its plan to make them pay more for long-term care.

In a resignation statement on the Conservative Home website, Timothy conceded that the campaign had failed to communicate Theresas positive plan for the future, and missed signs of surging support for the opposition Labour Party.

Katie Perrior, who quit as May's communications chief in April, said Timothy and Hill were "great street fighters but poor political leaders" and exercised too much power over the prime minister.

Some senior Tories had made the removal of Hill and Timothy a condition for continuing to support May, who has vowed to remain prime minister despite the Conservatives losing their overall majority in Parliament.

The resignations came as May worked to fill jobs in her minority government. May's office has said that the most senior Cabinet members  including Treasury chief Philip Hammond, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Amber Rudd  will keep their jobs, but she is expected to shuffle the lower ranks of ministers.

May's party won 318 seats, eight short of the 326 they needed for an outright majority. The main opposition Labour Party took 262.

May announced the party would try to work with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, an alliance that is fraught with difficulties.

May's Downing St. office said Conservative Chief Whip Gavin Williamson was in Belfast Saturday for talks with the DUP "on how best they can provide support to the government."

The DUP, whose 10 seats would allow the government to get measures through Parliament, is a socially conservative pro-British Protestant group that opposes abortion and same-sex marriage and includes both environmentalists and climate-change deniers among its senior ranks.

The DUP was founded in the 1970s by the late firebrand preacher Ian Paisley, and in the 1980s was a key player in the "Save Ulster from Sodomy" campaign, which unsuccessfully fought against the legalization of gay sex.

Ruth Davidson, the Conservative leader in Scotland, said she had asked May for assurances that there would be no attack on gay rights after a deal with the DUP.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the U.K. in which same-sex marriage is illegal.

"It's an issue very close to my heart and one that I wanted categoric assurances from the prime minister on, and I received (them)," said Davidson, who is engaged to be married to her female partner.

DUP Leader Arlene Foster recently denied the party was homophobic.

"I could not care less what people get up to in terms of their sexuality. That's not a matter for me," she said. "When it becomes a matter for me is when people try to redefine marriage."

A deal between the government and the DUP could also unsettle the precarious balance between Northern Ireland's British loyalist and Irish nationalist parties.

May's authority over her party was shattered by the election result. She called the early election with her party comfortably ahead in the polls in the hope of increasing her majority and strengthening Britain's hand in exit talks with the European Union.

Instead, the result has sown confusion and division in British ranks, just days before negotiations are due to start on June 19.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, riding a wave of acclaim for his party's unexpectedly strong showing, called on May to resign.

She seems secure for the immediate future, because senior Conservatives don't want to plunge the party into a damaging leadership contest. But Britain's Saturday newspapers agreed she is just clinging on.

"May fights to remain PM," said the front page of the Daily Telegraph, while the Times of London said: "May stares into the abyss."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A former U.S. ambassador wrote an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal Friday warning that North Koreas nuclear threat is not limited to a bomb striking a U.S. city.

A nuclear bomb that detonates 40 miles above a target (and hundreds of miles away) could deliver serious consequences, Henry F. Cooper, who was the director of the Strategic Defense initiative under President George H.W. Bush, wrote.

He pointed to the time the U.S. detonated nuclear warhead 900 miles southwest of Hawaii. It was 1962 and the high-altitude nuclear bomb destroyed hundreds of street lights in Honolulu, caused electrical surges on airplanes in the area and damaged at least six satellites.

Russian generals reported back in 2004 that North Korea has in its possession the designs for these so-called super EMP nuclear weapons, th op-ed said. At around that time, Congress put together a commission to study such an explosion, and determined that there would be no effects on the ground, but the high-altitude electromagnetic pulse would render critical electricity-dependent infrastructure inoperable.

The op-ed raises questions about whether or not North Korea ran a dry run recently, when a medium-range missile reportedly exploded midflight in what was seen as a failure. The article questions if the missile was deliberately detonated.

The op-ed mentions that some analysts say that Pyongyang is far from launching a viable EMP attack on the U.S. or South Korea. But the EMP may be a more realistic option for Pyongyang, because there is little need for accuracy.

The op-ed pointed to a report that said even a balloon-lofted warhead detonated at 30 kilometers altitude could blackout the Eastern Grid that supports most of the population and generates 75 percent of US electricity.

Detonation at that altitude of a nuclear warhead with a yield of 10 to 20 kilotonssimilar to those tested by North Koreawould produce major EMP effects and inflict catastrophic damage to unhardened electronics across hundreds of miles of surface territory. It is a myth that large yield nuclear weapons of hundreds of kilotons are required to produce such effects, he writes.
A minority Shiite Muslim was sentenced to death in Pakistan for sharing blasphemous content about Islam on social media, a government prosecutor said.

Judge Shabbir Ahmed announced the sentence for 30-year-old Taimoor Raza on Saturday in Bahawalpur in eastern Punjab province, according to Shafiq Qureshi. Raza was arrested last year for allegedly posting derogatory content about Sunni Muslim religious leaders and the wives of the Prophet Mohammed on Facebook.

Qureshi said Bahawalpur's counter-terrorism force arrested Raza in April last year following a complaint that he was showing onlookers objectionable material on his cell phone at a bus terminal. He added that Raza had previously posted other blasphemous material on Facebook.

Pakistan is a predominantly Sunni Muslim country and the rivalry between Shiite and Sunni Muslims dates back to the seventh century when they had a disagreement who should be the heir to Islam's Prophet Mohammed.

Under Pakistan's harsh blasphemy laws, anyone accused of insulting God, Islam or other religious personalities can be sentenced to death.

Pakistan last year arrested 15 people, 10 Muslims and five non-Muslims, on blasphemy charges, according to a report issued by the independent rights group Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

The country has never executed anyone convicted of blasphemy, but the mere accusation is enough to ignite mob violence or lynching in the deeply conservative country. Right groups say the harsh blasphemy laws are often used to settle personal scores.

Earlier this year, a student in the country's conservative northwestern province was attacked and killed by a stick-wielding mob who accused him of blasphemy. There was no evidence of blasphemy, and his death generated widespread protests.

In January 2011, a provincial governor was shot and killed by his police guard who accused him of blasphemy after he criticized the law and defended a Christian woman sentenced to death under the law.

In recent months, the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif launched a campaign to rid social media of any content considered insulting to Islam, at least any posted by Pakistanis.

The government petitioned Facebook and Twitter to identify Pakistanis worldwide posting material considered offensive to Islam so that Pakistani authorities can prosecute them or pursue their extradition on charges of blasphemy, tantamount to a death sentence.
An EasyJet flight to London has made an unscheduled stop in Germany after the pilot became concerned about a suspicious conversation on board.

The plane coming from the Slovenian capital Ljubljana landed at Cologne-Bonn airport at about 6.30 p.m. (1630 GMT) Saturday.

Airport authorities said in a statement that the 151 passengers on board disembarked the plane using emergency slides and were taken to a transit gate where they were checked by police.

German news agency dpa reports that police also destroyed a piece of baggage that couldn't be assigned to anybody on board.

Take-offs and landings were suspended for three hours, causing 10 flights to be diverted to other airports and delays to over a dozen more.
Polish police forcibly removed dozens of people staging an anti-government demonstration Saturday in Warsaw, including a hero of the anti-communist Solidarity movement.

The demonstrators attempted to block a group led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of the ruling conservative Law and Justice party, as it moved from a church to the presidential palace to commemorate the 2010 plane crash that killed Kaczynski's twin brother President Lech Kaczynski and 95 others.

Protesters held white roses and chained themselves together to protest what they believe is the use by Kaczynski of the crash for political purposes.

Police used bolt cutters to cut the chains and hauled off dozens of protesters, including Wladyslaw Frasyniuk, a leading figure of the anti-communist opposition in the 1980s.

The plane crash, which occurred in Russia, is the worst tragedy to strike Poland in modern times, wiping out a swath of the political and military elite.

Official Russian and Polish investigations determined the crash was an accident, but Kaczynski has encouraged a theory that the Russians acted intentionally to kill his brother and the others. He also accuses Donald Tusk, then-prime minister and today a top EU leader, of failing to ensure a proper investigation.

Amid a new investigation some of the victims have been exhumed, with revelations emerging of body parts mixed up in the wrong graves. President Kaczynski's grave was found to include the remains of two others with him, while another grave held the remains of eight separate individuals.

"The exhumations show the immensity of Russian barbarity, but also the immensity of the barbarity of the Polish authorities at the time," Kaczynski said in a brief speech. He leads a similar ceremony evening month, using it to denounce those he describes as enemies and traitors of Poland.

Pawel Kasprzak, who heads a social movement that organized the demonstration, Obywatele RP, said his group opposes what he called the "obnoxious" way Kaczynski has transformed an act of mourning into a "political meeting of hatred."

He said he was among more than 100 protesters forcibly removed by police, taken to a side street and told they were being charged with the misdemeanor of blocking the protest.
U.S. special forces are assisting the Philippines armed forces to end the ongoing siege of a town by ISIS-linked militants, Reuters reported Saturday, citing a U.S. embassy spokesperson in Manila.

The spokesperson did not provide details about the level of involvement and there is reportedly no evidence the U.S. has troops on the ground there. The report said a U.S. surveillance plane was seen flying over the town, Marawi, on Friday.

"At the request of the government of the Philippines, U.S. special operations forces are assisting the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) with ongoing operations in Marawi, the spokesperson said, according to the report.

As it stands, the fighting has been unprecedented; while militants have launched major attacks before, never before has any group occupied territory in the heartland of the Philippines Islamic faith for this long. Two weeks after the conflict began, at least 178 people have been killed and the army is still battling to regain control with airstrikes and artillery.

The militants, who are believed to be holding a Catholic priest and many other hostages, have torched buildings and destroyed at least one church. Ano said they occupy 10 percent of the city and have positioned snipers in tall buildings. Much of the city center has been devastated.

The crisis in Marawi, combined with fears that the Islamic State group is breathing new life into Muslim insurgencies in Southeast Asia, has put the Philippines and the region on edge.

On Friday, when a masked gunman began shooting and burning gambling tables in a Manila casino, terrified patrons immediately assumed an Islamic State siege was underway. The radical group claimed responsibility for the attack, in which dozens of people died of smoke inhalation, but there has been no evidence to back its claim. Police insist the motive was robbery, and the gunmans family says he was a disgruntled gambling addict.

Still, the episode highlighted what House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez described as the unsettling inadequacy of public security in the capital. The attack, he said, should serve as a wake-up call to do something about it.

A security conference this past weekend in Singapore attended by defense ministers and experts from 39 nations produced a flurry of alarmed statements. Among the topics: a fear that places like Marawi could become a new base for the Islamic State group as it loses territory in the Middle East.

If the situation in Marawi in the southern Philippines is allowed to escalate or entrench, it would pose decades of problems, said Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen. All of us recognize that if not addressed adequately, it can prove a pulling ground for would-be jihadists.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
There were smiles all around on Friday as members of the Romanian congregation worked to get things ready for their important visitor.

Maria Sauciuc knows how vital it is to make a good impression. Thats why she and others are showing their best traditional Romanian hospitality, Daniela Langa said, so theyll be able to have a church and a priest of their own that much sooner.

We are all excited and honored beyond words, Langa said. For some, this could be a once-in-a-lifetime event.

I couldnt even dream of this, Sauciuc said.

The hopes of the church membersand there are an estimated 200 Romanian families in the Fredericksburg areaare coming to fruition this Saturday morning. Local residents are hosting His Eminence Nicolae Condrea, archbishop of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the United States.

In church circles, thats as significant as a visit from the president, Sauciuc said.

Local Romanians petitioned his eminence in Chicago, asking that a church be established in the Fredericksburg area. The diocese seeks to have strong, viable churchesnot necessarily one in every county or cityand Father Daniel Ene, a church administrator from Rochester, N.Y., was sent to Fredericksburg to check out the request in December 2015.

He realized theres a Romanian Orthodox Church in Northern Virginia, which is 45 minutes away, according to GPS systems.

Why are you not going there? he asked the Fredericksburg residents. Then, I came here and took that drive.

He answered his own question when he encountered Interstate 95 traffic.

The diocese agreed to start a Romanian Orthodox mission in the area. It named the group St. Callinicus of Cernica, which has a website at sfantulcalinic.org.

Because the group doesnt have a building of its own, members have gathered at the Nativity of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church on Spotswood Furnance Road in Spotsylvania County, near Riverbend High School.

Ene, who makes the 10-hour drive from upstate New York, and Father Timothy Avram from Philadelphia, hold services in the Greek church for the Romanian congregants three Saturdays of the month.

But with the visit from the archbishop, who also oversees churches in Canada and South America, the local group will be that much closer to having their own facility. Condrea will talk with the church leadership, as well as church members, and decide what priest should be sent to Fredericksburg, Ene said.

Hes hoping to have a priest in place by the end of this year.

Condrea is scheduled to hold a divine liturgy this Saturday morning, from 10 a.m. to noon. Then, participants will gather in the social hall for food and dancing.

This is a huge step for us, said Victor Fadur, who came to America in 1999 after being a professional dancer in Romania. He leads a group of about a dozen dancers who perform traditional steps from their native land.

His father, uncle and grandfathers are priests, and I know exactly how big this is for us, he said about Condreas visit.

The Romanians are more than grateful for the hospitality of their Greek sister church, which observes the same rituals with the same icons, Ene said. Only the language is different.

But to those born in Romania, in southeastern Europe, hearing religious services in their mother tongue is key. Thats why the group wanted a church of their own, with a Romanian priest.

Also, congregants want their children, who were born in the United States, to embrace their American and Romanian roots, Sauciuc said. Her 10-year-old son is bilingual and spends his summers in Romania.

There are so many children among the Fredericksburg Romanian congregation that we are called the kids church by visiting priests, Langa said.

Thats why whoever is called to Fredericksburg must be able to relate to young ones, Ene said. Even when babies are crying or toddlers are moving about the pews, the service still seems blessed, Ene said about the children.

They bring the angels together, he said.

The Fredericksburg priest also must be bilingual. In some parishes in New York Cityand theres a large enough population to support 11 churches thereall services are conducted in Romanian, Ene said. He knows the Fredericksburg families want to celebrate the ancient religion of their forefathers while living in their adopted homeland.

Father John Katsoulis of the Greek church praised the Romanian congregants for their faith and determination. Im amazed by their vibrancy and energy.

The group reminds him of stories hes heard about his own parish, when it started more than 25 years ago. Greek families didnt have a place of their own in the beginning, so they rented a room in St. Georges Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg.

Some of the Romanian families have worshipped in the Greek church. Katsoulis is happy for them because theyll soon get their own facility.

When you work with people from other countries, part of their sense of ethnic identity is tied up in the church, he said. We dont begrudge them their own church, of course not. Everybody wants that.
At least eight people died after a boat carrying refugees sank in the Mediterranean Sea on Saturday, Italian Rainews24 tv channel said, Anadolu reported.

The boat was off Libya when it capsized, killing at least eight refugees while 100 others were missing, according to channel.

Separately, a written statement by local coast guard command said 650 refugees on Saturday were recovered during 12 separate rescue operations on the Mediterranean, covering an area between Italy and Libya.

According to latest International Organization for Migration figures, Mediterranean refugee arrivals reached 60,521 so far this year, with over 80 percent arriving in Italy while 1,530 refugees died in 2017 trying to reach Europe via the sea.
On Monday in Richmond, Gov. Terry McAuliffe will help dedicate a state historical marker commemorating the U.S. Supreme Courts 1967 decision in Loving v. Virginia.

Now known as Loving Day, it will be the 50th anniversary of the case that pitted a Caroline County couple against the commonwealth and ended in a landmark ruling that ended Southern states bans on interracial marriage.

McAuliffe will speak during the 1 p.m. ceremony near the signs location outside the Patrick Henry Building at 1111 E. Broad St. next to Capitol Square, the state Department of Historic Resources announced Thursday. The Depression-era building formerly housed the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, which denied Richard and Mildred Lovings appeal of their convictions in a Caroline court. Mondays event is open to the public.

Also scheduled as speakers are Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward, Virginia ACLU Executive Director Claire Guthrie Gastanaga, Caroline County Supervisor Floyd W. Thomas and state Historic Resources Director Julie V. Langan.

The Lovings, who were of different racial backgrounds, lived in Central Point, which had long been a racially mixed community in the rural county southeast of Fredericksburg.

They were wed in Washington on June 2, 1958, then returned to Virginia and lived with Mildreds family. Richard had realized they couldnt get a marriage license in Virginia.

Several weeks later, the Caroline sheriffapparently acting on a tipentered the couples bedroom about 2 a.m., arrested them and put Richard and Mildred in the county jail in Bowling Green on charges of violating Virginias laws against interracial marriage, in the markers words.

A local judge convicted and sentenced them to a year in jail, suspending their prison terms on condition that they leave Virginia and never return together, or at the same time, for 25 years.

For a while, they lived in Washington, but werent suited to city life. When they tried to return for a family visit, they were arrested again. Later, they secretly moved back to Caroline.

In 1963, the year of the civil rights movements March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Mildred Loving wrote Attorney General Robert Kennedy about their plight. Kennedy referred them to the ACLU, whose lawyers tried to persuade state courts to reverse their convictions, then appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

By prohibiting anti-miscegenation laws that were a relic of Reconstruction, the Supreme Courts ruling in Loving v. Virginia profoundly changed Virginia and 15 other states that then banned interracial marriage.

In 2016, the Lovings story was depicted in director Jeff Nichols Oscar-nominated movie Loving, which was filmed in Richmond, King and Queen County, and Central Point and Bowling Green. It is also the subject of several books, including one for children; a March 1966 LIFE Magazine feature; and a 2011 HBO documentary, The Loving Story.

Richard Loving was killed in 1975 in an automobile accident in his native county. Mildred Loving, who lost sight in her right eye in that crash, died in 2008.

The Virginia Board of Historic Resources approved the Loving v. Virginia marker for manufacture in 2016. A federal transportation grant paid for its manufacture as part of a series of state markers to notable women, Indians and AfricanAmericans.

Virginias historical highway marker program, begun in 1927 with installation of the first markers along U.S. 1, is considered the oldest such effort in the nation.
On June 16, children attending Stafford County public schools will celebrate their last day of school, which signals the beginning of vacation, camps, trips to the beach and other summer activities.

But for children in the area who rely on school for free and reduced lunchessometimes their best or only meal of the daysummer can be an unnerving time and many go hungry.

Although Stafford is one of the highest-income counties in the state, nearly 10,000 residentsincluding 4,450 childrenwere food insecure in 2014, according to data from Feeding America.

Tim White, founder of Stafford Food Security Inc., said those who are food insecure have limited access to adequate food, and often have to choose between paying bills and buying groceries. Some of these families do not qualify for government programs.

We want to give families food security so that they dont have to make that choice, White said.

The issue of childhood hunger hits close to home for White, who grew up poor and hungry. He recalled opening the refrigerator to find virtually nothing, but still managing to create meals for his siblings.

About two months ago, White created an organization that works with schools to provide weeknight meals for children in need. Through community food donations, he assembles backpacks containing shelf stable meals for a family of four. The idea is to feed not only the child, but also the family.

If there is a hungry child, there are likely hungry parents and siblings at home as well, he said. If the family is bigger, I tell teachers to send another backpack.

White said the hard part isnt getting the foodit is directing it to children in needso he offers training for school staff and teachers to identify signs of hunger in children.

The backpack meals are simple enough for the children to prepare themselves: spaghetti and sauce, rice and beans, beef stew and crackers, tuna casserole and mac n cheese with baked beans. Each backpack contains a recipe card as well as granola bars, fruit cups and juice pouches.

The meals are placed in nondescript tote bags in the schools colors. For example, Conway Elementary gets red bags and Rockhill Elementary gets blue bags. The idea is to avoid drawing attention to the child carrying the backpack.

It is important that the kids be taken into considerationI dont want them to be picked on, he said.

White designed the program to be as easy as possible to avoid overburdening school staff and teachers. He said that when schools implement his program, they have three responsibilities: identify the hungry children, provide a storage space for the donated food items and get the backpacks to the children.

I remove every obstacle I can and make it as simple as possible, he said. Teachers already have enough going on. We need to create a service that doesnt add work.

White has already partnered with five elementary schools: Conway, Ferry Farm, Rockhill, Garrisonville and Rocky Run. The program is also available at two middle schools: A.G. Wright and Drew Middle.

With the end of school right around the corner, White is hoping to get enough funding to start feeding students over the summer. If not this year, he hopes to have a summer feeding program in place by next year.

The goal is to host fresh, healthy meals at various locations throughout the county, starting with one in southern Stafford and one in North Stafford. Each location would serve lunch to 100 to 125 kids, Monday through Friday. He needs $30,000 for the summer feeding program.

Whites enterprise is funded solely through donations from the communityincluding churches, businesses and individuals. The community not only provides the food, they also help pack the bags.

Even school children are getting involved. White said he held a packing event at Conway Elementary and plans to hold similar events in the future. These teach children about the problem and empower them to help, White explained.

Several corporate entities have also stepped up to support Whites program. Sheetz, Wegmans and Lawrence Equipment recently donated $500 each.

Whites goal is to get the program up and running in Stafford, and then expand to other counties. He plans to eventually hold a hands-off role, and allow communities to take the reins.

Realistically, it should be each community taking care of their own, he said.

The Stafford County School Board has been very supportive of Whites efforts. Scott Hirons, Falmouth District, said the board is completely behind Whites new program. While there are similar services that fight childhood hunger, he is happy to see one emerge that feeds a whole family.

We probably dont even identify all the children who are going hungry, and not getting three meals a day, Hirons said. Im excited to see our community members stepping up to fill a need.

White said his program is just one out of many in the area that are helping combat childhood hunger. Each program plays a vital role, and he is not trying to replace or duplicate existing efforts.

We are trying to fill the gaps, White said. This program should be in addition to and not either or.

In just a couple months, the program has already become a lifeline for children in the county. A teacher told White about one student who exhibited signs of hunger. After reaching out to the family, she discovered the father was out of work and struggling to get food on the table every night. When the teacher approached the child with two backpacks, he immediately lit up.

Later, White was able to lend a helping hand to the family. He brought them two weeks worth of groceries to get them through Easter break.

That is a success story right there, White said. She saw the symptoms, connected the kid to a resource and we were able to provide additional resources for that family.

Another teacher told White that one of her students never had a snack at school. The teacher often shared her own food with the child, who looked embarrassed during snack time. One day, after the school launched Whites program, the student showed up to class grinning ear to ear as she pulled one of the granola bars from the backpack out of her pocket. It was the first time she ever brought her own snack to school.

If this whole thing fell apart tomorrow, that one moment would have made it all worth it, White said.

Those interested in donating to the program should contact Tim White: timwhite@staffordfoodsecurity.org.

Donations can also be made through GoFundMe, gofundme.com/sfsinc and PayPal, paypal.me/sfsinc.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Saturday supported a peaceful solution to Qatar row and said Turkey would continue to take constructive steps over the resolution of the crisis, Anadolu reported.

President Erdogan stressed that this tragic event -contradicting our religion, belief and traditions- should be resolved before the holy month of Ramadan ends while he emphasized his sadness over the crisis, said Cavusoglu who spoke at a joint news conference with his Bahraini counterpart Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa in Istanbul.

We, as Turkey, will pursue our constructive efforts to resolve this crisis because we see the stability and security in Gulf region as our own. We regard the threats against the Gulf region as they are against us, he added.

On the stance of Bahrain against Qatar crisis, Shaikh Al Khalifa said Qatar should change its policy and reach a conclusion with his country.

Late on Thursday, a joint statement by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE accused 59 individuals and 12 charity organizations in Qatar of being linked to terror.

Qatar hit back on Friday in a Foreign Ministry statement which described the accusations as baseless and slanderous.

Cavusoglu also said no country in the Gulf region should regard the deal concerning Turkey's setting up a base in Qatar as against itself.

On Wednesday, Turkeys parliament ratified two deals on deploying troops to Qatar and training the Gulf nation's gendarmerie.

The deal to deploy Turkish troops in Qatar, aimed at improving the country's army and boosting military cooperation, was signed in April 2016 in Doha.

Cavusoglu said the aim of the base in Qatar is to contribute to the security and stability of all Gulf countries.

''This agreement does not target any country in the Gulf region, he added.

Shaikh Al Khalifa confirmed Cavusoglu saying the base was set up for the security of the countries in Gulf region and it has no relation to Qatar crisis.
The crisis between Cairo and Doha continues to deepen, with the former accusing the latter of regional meddling and supporting terrorist organisations

Earlier this week, Egypt severed diplomatic ties with Qatar, imposing a series of sanctions on the small Gulf state in coordination with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain.

The four countries accuse Qatar of supporting terrorist organisations, interfering in Arab states' internal affairs, and boosting strategic ties with Iran, challenging a general policy of other Gulf countries towards Tehran and thus threatening the national security of Arab states.

Sources in Cairo say Egypt has accumulated evidence showing Qatar's meddling in many local and regional issues.

Egypt leveled a number security-related accusations against Qatar, including backing the Muslim Brotherhood group -- which Cairo deems a terrorist organisation -- by harbouring its fugitive members, as well as supporting local pro-Brotherhood groups involved in recent terrorist attacks in Egypt, including the April bombing of a church in Alexandria.

Other accusations include promoting extremist ideas and backing terrorism in Sinai, as well as meddling in Cairo's internal affairs by sponsoring a plot to sow strife and division. The latter is a reference to Qatari media channel Al-Jazeera, pro-Brotherhood TV channels such as Al-Sharq and Mekameleen and international stations like Al-Arabi, as well as Cairo's belief that space in Western media has been earmarked to attack the country.

A high-profile military expert said Qatar has been backing and financing security threats to Egypt in three regions: Gaza, Libya and Sudan.

The source says Cairo has strong evidence that Qatar has financed militant organisations working against Egypt in Libya.

"In November, security authorities in Misrata arrested 30 Egyptians, including seven women, who joined the ranks of the militant group Daesh, and who admitted to have delivered messages, money and communication devices to militants of the group's Egyptian affiliate, Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis, during their vacations in Egypt."

Investigations showed that Qatar and Turkey are behind militants with connections with extremist organisations, including Al-Qaeda leaders Abdel-Hakim Belhadj and Hisham Ashmawy, who is also the commander of the armed wing of Al-Morabeton group that was based in Sinai before Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis swore allegiance to Daesh.

The two countries have trafficked Egyptians to Istanbul to join extremist groups in Libya and Syria, the source said.

A source in Cairo says that in Sudan, Qatar has played the same role, starting with Qatar's Emir Tamim Bin Hamad's visit to Morocco in December 2013, when he stopped in Sudan on his way back.

During the visit, Qatar paid large funds to rebels in Sudan's war-torn southern Darfur region to divert militia violence against the Khartoum government to Libya, and thus boost militant groups along the border with Egypt.

More recently, the March visit to Sudan by Qatar's Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, the mother of the current emir, is believed to have spearheaded a media campaign in Sudan against Egypt, the Cairo source added.

This campaign includes an interview with Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir that focused on points of dispute with Cairo, as well as his remarks that Sudan's military had seized Egyptian armoured vehicles from rebels in the southern Darfur region.

Sources in Cairo said Egypt manufactures and sells the vehicles to Libya and South Sudan, which absolves Cairo from responsibility of how the vehicles were used. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi denied Cairo is supporting the rebels.

"Sudan is in trouble following the crisis with Qatar, which has sponsored the change in Sudan's stance with Egypt," said military expert Mohamed Qashqoush.

"More escalation was expected from Sudan. Without the recent intervention from Arab countries to curb Qatar's moves, Sudan would have moved ahead along the same path," he added.

On Qatar's activity in Gaza, a politician from the Strip who works as a diplomat abroad said Qatar has worked to sow discord between rival Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas, as well as thwart Egypt's attempts to broker internal reconciliation in Palestine.

The official said Cairo also accuses Hamas of harming its interests by sponsoring the digging of tunnels and arms smuggling along the Egyptian borders, as well as training militants who have carried out terror attacks in Sinai, including the assassination of Egyptian prosecutor-general Hisham Barakat in 2015.

The jihadist Salafists groups, including for example the Omar Hadid Brigade group, are the Daesh affiliate in Gaza. While Gaza's Daesh affiliate is thought to be communicating with its counterpart in neighbouring Sinai, a February 2016 message by a Daesh militant to the group's leadership suggests otherwise.

The message to Daesh leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi sent by Daesh fighter Abu Abullah Al-Mohager criticised the group's affiliate in Egypt for cooperating with Hamas, which the Gaza affiliate deems "apostate", and for pursuing fighters in Gaza.

Al-Mohager accused Daesh's Egyptian affiliate Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis of "treason" for working with Hamas to smuggle weapons between Cairo and Gaza.

Al-Mohager said that Hamas manufactures clothes, explosives and communication devices for Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis in Gaza, and provides its militants with medical care in Gazas hospitals, even hosting them for meals in the houses of the groups top leadership.

In return, Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis provides Hamas with weapons, the Sinai group has expertise in using smuggling routes in Libya, Sudan and Egypt.

Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis also depends on Hamas for arms, explosives and equipment, as the two groups have direct and ongoing lines of supplies.

Additionally, Hamas military wing, the Qassam Brigades, manufactures explosives for Ansar Bait Al-Maqdis, though it does not emblazon its logo on products made for Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis.

Hamas also provides wireless communication centres for Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis.

Cairo has presented evidence of Qatar's activity in the region to Saudi Arabia and the UAE of military operations by Qatar and Turkey in central Libya to thwart a deal sponsored by Cairo and Abu Dhabi between Libya's eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar and the head of its UN-backed government Fayez Al-Sarraj to hold elections early next year.

However, Gulf countries were not entirely convinced with the evidence offered by Cairo, except for the UAE, which at the time believed that Doha's backing of the Brotherhood posed a threat.

For Saudi Arabia, it needed to work together with the Islah Party  a political movement that includes Yemen's branch of the Sunni Islamist Muslim Brotherhood  in its fight against Yemeni Shia Houthi fighters and their main ally, ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

With Qatar insisting on maintaining good ties with Iran, the security threat to the Gulf countries has spiked in conflict areas in Syria, Iraq and with Lebanon's Hezbollah.

This was shown in April during the process to release Qataris kidnapped in Iraq, who included members of the royal family, the reciprocal evacuation deal of Syrian civilians from four besieged towns, Al-Foua and Kefraya, Zabadani and Madaya, which followed discussions with Iran's' Revolutionary Guard officials, and the earlier abduction of Lebanese policemen in Arsal that ended with Qatari mediation with Daesh kidnappers.

What's more, the UAE uncovered clandestine ties between Houthis and Doha, which secretly received a Houthi delegation to talk about moves in Yemen in favour of Tehran.

Other Arab countries recently began supporting Cairo's anti-Qatar push. This was evident in Saudi King Salman's response to El-Sisi's speech during the May Arab-Islamic-American Summit in Riyadh when the monarch called for taking a stance against terrorism-supporting countries, telling El-Sisi, "We are with you and we support you."

But sources said that Egypt did not forecast that Gulf countries would swiftly move to take such measures against Qatar. This followed a visit to Cairo by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir and a trip by Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour to mend what Doha has damaged in relations with Cairo.

Sudan, an active player in the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, has not undertaken a similar move against Qatar, something that indicates strong mutual interest between the two countries.

More ramifications of the Gulf crisis are expected to follow.

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Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi will attend Monday a summit in Berlin that will address cooperation between G20 and African countries, state news agency MENA reported.



The two-day conference, titled Investing in a common future, will focus on creating future opportunities for African youth in light of growing populations on the continent.



A number of ministers will be accompanying President El-Sisi, including Minister for International Cooperation and Investment Sahar Nasr.



In statements to the press Friday, Nasr said she expects the signing of a German grant to Egypt to bolster the renewable energy sector.



Nasr also said that a meeting with German investors is being organised and that the transportation minister will focus on investment related to developing Egypt's railway system.



The African countries conference comes ahead of the G20 Summit, scheduled to take place 7 July.

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You can bet the Belmont Stakes online from California . International online racebooks accept customers from California without the need to provide a social security number. California has the largest population in the United States and six main race tracks.

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Retired Crescent Valley High School history teacher Bill Goslow will review "The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey" by Rinker Buck at noon on June 14, at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library as part of the Random Review program.

In an attempt to escape from a mid-life crisis, journalist and author Buck recruited his brother to spend a summer navigating the Oregon Trail in a mule-drawn covered wagon. In Missouri they bought three mules and a wagon and set out on a four-month road trip ending in Baker City. In "The Oregon Trail" Buck records their struggles, disasters, hair-raising predicaments and satisfactions on the trail.

Along the way he chronicles the lives of original pioneers and extols the generosity of the hospitable farmers and ranchers who helped the brothers on their way. All this makes for a rollicking, yet philosophical trail ride of a tale.

Goslow was born in Seattle but his family relocated many times during his childhood, hence his skill at making friends. He completed a bachelors degree in history at California State University, Fullerton, and took a teaching position in the Corvallis School District in 1973. Once in town he developed an advanced placement program in U.S. history and taught AP American history and AP U.S. government for 25 years. His wife, Becki, is a former First Citizen of Corvallis. Their children and two grandchildren live here. Bill and Becki each have a Meals on Wheels route and love their clients.

Up next: This is the final Random Review session until the fall.
Nine-year-old Logan Lassiter will finish the third grade having run 200 miles throughout the year during recess at Adams Elementary School.

Lassiter finished those miles Friday during a wellness day at the school.

I feel like its fun to run around and talk with friends, he said.

Before Lassiter and about 400 other students embarked on a two-kilometer run around the school, representatives from the Oregon Department of Education presented Adams Elementary with a School Wellness Award.

The award, which was created in 2008, recognizes schools for their outstanding efforts to improve child health through the connection between nutrition, physical activity and academic achievement, according to the state education department. Three winners are chosen each year. Adams Elementary is the sixth Corvallis School District school to win the award.

They were just a star, said Joyce Dougherty, director of Child Nutrition Programs for the Oregon Department of Education.

The state department also presented Adams Elementary with a $2,500 check from the Oregon Dairy Council, which sponsors the wellness awards.

Lynn Roylance, an education assistant at Adams Elementary and a parent of two children who attend the school, leads the Adams Wellness Team. She said the money will help the school expand its current wellness programs, which include a morning yoga class and an after school fitness club, which are volunteer-run and free for kids. Roylance wants to host quarterly family nights with games such as capture the flag. Shed also like to purchase speedometers for the students.

Without having a well body and mind, you cant be successful in school, she said.

The wellness programs are open to staff and parents, some of whom participated in Fridays run. After the jaunt, students snacked on marionberry parfaits. Roylance said nutrition is also a key part of the schools wellness efforts.

Were trying to have all the pieces of wellness come together, she said.

To be eligible for the state wellness award, schools must participate in the National School Lunch Program, Dougherty said. The federally assisted meal program provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children.

Adams Elementary also spends about 25 percent of its food budget on locally produced grains, produce and meats, said Kathy Adair, operations assistant for food and nutrition services at the school. The elementary school invited many of the farms it purchases food from to a farmers market for students, staff and families on school grounds Friday afternoon.

Ten-year-old Marjetta Haapala, a fourth-grader at Adams Elementary, said the schools wellness day was to help students stay healthy and for fun.
Hindus believe everyone ultimately wants to unite with the Infinite  that which doesnt die or pass away. Union with Ultimate Reality or the Absolute is referred to as "moksha" or liberation.

To understand the Hindu term moksha, consider the words of one of the greatest beings to walk the 20th century, Mahatma Gandhi. He said to attain freedom, seekers of moksha must be single-minded and ceaselessly vigilant. He states moksha means destruction of the shackles of birth and death, deliverance from evil. In the state of moksha, darkness is removed, the seeker rises above opposites, and experiences others equally.

In "The Spiritual Heritage of India," Swami Prabhavananda, an Indian spiritual teacher, states moksha, freedom from limitations and suffering, is the supreme aspiration of all Indian philosophy. Failure to experience moksha causes all suffering. Many Hindu saints and sages recommend yoga, meditation, self-inquiry, and finding a guru, a remover of darkness and ignorance, to increase concentration and still the mind. A seeker must differentiate the real from the unreal through regular meditation. Detachment from worldly pleasures and a continuous search of the Infinite are required. An aspirant must obtain a calm mind, self-control, patience, burning faith, and self-surrender. Deliverance comes through annihilation of the ego. As the ego dies, all troubles cease.

An Indian saint, Ramana Maharshi (1897-1950), had a profound experience of self-realization at 17 during a near death experience when he questioned who dies? He discovered the Infinite does not die. Ramana said moksha or liberation is our true nature. No moment exists where the Self is not. I thought, the mind, and ego are synonymous. When the I investigates its own nature, it sees the mind is not real. Through continual investigation of thought  self-inquiry  the knot between the Self, pure consciousness and the physical body, dissolves. When the mind is empty and turned inward, it sees its own source and then becomes that Self. It can happen in an instant.

Then, a maturing or marinating process begins where the walls of the illusory mind fall away and wisdom and truth come forth  a deep abiding peace beyond all understanding, an experience beyond description, beyond words.

Papaji, a student of Ramana, taught the way of freedom through self-inquiry. People from all over the world sought him out and attained moksha through his compassionate teachings and loving presence. His admonition simply was to stop and keep quiet; self-realization takes only one second, one second to remove all thoughts from the mind. To obtain freedom, moksha, requires a fierce resolve. He said, Always desire Self because you will always get what you desire most; the desire for moksha is moksha.

When the desire for freedom is utmost, distractions of the mind fall away. Think only freedom, and you become freedom because you are what you think. This strong resolve, extreme desire, will result in happiness, beauty, love. Surrender ego, and grace will take you in her arms instantly.

Papaji's encouragement is that one doesnt need to spend years meditating; all one must do is keep quiet to realize the Truth, avoid senseless activities and worldly pleasure. For an instant, reject everything. He says self-inquiry is like a diamond, a direct assault on the arrogance of the mind. Through this quietness, the mind is simply being still; the Self meets the Self and melts into Self-Being-Oneness.

Moksha, liberation from the mind and suffering, is possible for everyone. It is the highest, most majestic gift a human being can experience. The Psalmist proclaimed, Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know the Truth of who you are.
Here is a look at public meetings coming up in the next week.

Saturday

 The League of Women Voters Corvallis is hosting its final legislative town hall of the 2017 session at 10 a.m. at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave. On hand will be state Sen. Sara Gelser and state Rep. Dan Rayfield.

Monday

 The Corvallis-Benton County Economic Development Advisory Board meets at 3 p.m. at the Madison Avenue Meeting Room, 500 SW Madison Ave.

 The Philomath City Council meets in a 5 p.m. work session at City Hall, 980 Applegate St. to discuss goal setting.

 The Philomath City Council meets at City Hall at 7 p.m. to hold a public hearing on the 2017-18 city budget. Councilors also will discuss a proposed ordinance on the general fund fee and a resolution on land-use fees. Afterward, the Urban Renewal Agency will hold a public hearing on the agencys 2017-18 budget.

Tuesday

 The Corvallis City Council has set a 3 p.m. work session at the Madison room to discuss council priorities.

 The Corvallis Historic Resources Commission meets at 6:30 p.m. at the downtown fire station, 400 NW Harrison Blvd. Commissioners will hold two public hearings. One will review a chimney project at the First Presbyterian Church, 114 SW Eighth St. The second will consider porch work at the Crail Rental, 304 NW 28th St.

 Ward 7 Corvallis Councilor Bill Glassmire is hosting a ward meeting at 7 p.m. at the Walnut Community Room, 4950 Fair Oaks Drive.

Wednesday

 The Corvallis Police Department has scheduled a coffee with a cop" from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Bennys Donuts, 116 NW Third St. On hand will be the citys livability officers as well as representatives who work in a variety of Police Department functions.

 The Corvallis Watershed Management Advisory Board meets at 5:15 p.m. at the downtown fire station.

 The Corvallis Downtown Advisory Board meets at 5:30 p.m. at the Madison room.

Thursday

 The Corvallis Parks, Natural Areas and Recreation Advisory Board meets at 6:30 p.m. at the downtown fire station.

 The Corvallis Budget Commission meets at 7 p.m. at the Madison room. Commissioners are scheduled to discuss the results of a revenue and budget survey and next steps on possible measures to increase revenue to pay for unmet city needs.
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.
Reports indicate that the building subsided after additional floors were illegally added to it, weakening its foundations

Authorities have successfully removed two facades of Alexandrias 13-storey apartment building that has tilted into another, paving the way for the complete demolition of the building, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported.

The demolition of the building, which is being done manually and gradually from top to bottom, is being conducted in coordination between Alexandria governorate, the engineering division of the North Military Region, the Arab Contractors Company and the Faculty of Engineering at Alexandria University.

Ali Morsi, head of the central district of Alexandria, said that the work has been ongoing for 24 hours and will end in the demolition of the building.

In the past two days, all belongings of the buildings residents were retrieved and delivered to owners.

After the building tilted more than one week ago it was evacuated, along with nearby buildings, with residents resettled in emergency housing.

Earlier, Alexandria Governor Mohamed Sultan said that reports showed the sharp forward tilt was caused by excessive height, that had weakened the building's foundations.

The building, in Azarita district in the coastal city of Alexandria, was initially granted a four-storey license, but an additional nine floors were illegally added without permission, the governor said.

Building collapses are commonplace in Egypt and are usually attributed to violations of building specifications, illegal extensions and lax oversight.

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Success story of Kenyan Lilian Welter : I am beautiful, strong and I can do this!

Bad Godesberg Kenyan woman Lilian Welter once had to escape to a battered womens shelter, today she is a successful businesswoman.

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She laughs a lot. Laughing is good, she says. Though 35-year-old Lilian Welter has been through a lot that wouldnt have given her reason to laugh. But she had to endure the experience that the more emotions she shows, the more vulnerable she would become. Her siblings warned her about Germany. It wouldnt be good for her. But Lilian wanted to see this world. She wanted to leave the Kenyan town of Busia near the border Uganda behind. She didnt want to go to Mombasa or Nairobi where her siblings study or work, but to Europe.

England would have been her first choice. But immigration and living in the country, where communication would have been no problem at all, seemed too difficult to her. Through an African-German agency which looked after her locally - thus easing her worries that something could happen to her in Germany - she could come to Europe as an au pair. The people are so racist, my family warned me, says Lilian and laughs. As if that claim was absurd. And? What did she experience? I love experimenting, she laughs. You get used to being stared at. As a dark skinned person among white people you are bound to attract attention.

She says, as a black Kenyan she will always stay a foreigner, even though she became a German citizen in 2014. In her Bad Godesberg living room beside the picture of her son, there is a photography framed showing lord mayor Jurgen Nimptsch presenting her with the certificate of citizenship.

The picture doesnt show what the happily smiling Lilian Welter had been through until that moment. She had to flee her home, escape her husband, 20 years older than her, and father to her now nine-year-old son Nitro and find shelter in a womens refuge. Her child was nine months old at the time. Yes, that was terrible, she says thinking back. Had she done what the man, who she had met online and later married, wanted - she would have become an elderly care nurse. Thats a job for foreigners, he told me. Maybe hospital nurse would have been an alternative for me. But her husband said that only blonde women can work as nurses. Braking up with him became inevitable and was beneficial. During the months in the womens shelter she could collect her strength for taking her life back into her own hands. She just had to start over again.

When I landed in Frankfurt in 2006, I thought I had arrived in a freezer, she looks back on her naivete, having been surprised by the November chill in Germany. Her goal to learn the language and study the European culture helped her getting over the weather conditions. She was very lucky with the family she stayed with in Wittlich, Rhineland-Palatinate, where she worked as an au pair. She learnt to speak German quickly and managed to shape her future.

Many things she managed to do parallelly - she learnt to design websites, worked in hotels, studied tourism management at a private college in Bad Honnef, and completed the course with a top grade. She understood that as a dark skinned person she would always have to be a little bit better than the others. Everybody looks at her, she thinks. Her mistakes are more visible than the others. Often, she gets the impression, the older generation seems to be afraid of black people. Just like her son Nitro was afraid of all the black people when he met his grandmother in Kenya for the first time. Although both of them had stood in front of the mirror again and again, saying: Ich am beautiful, I am strong and I can do everything. That exercise was to help Nitro become more self-confident. The auto-suggestion helped Lilian Welter.

Now she is a businesswoman. For her it seemed obvious to combine her knowledge as a tourism expert with her contacts in East Africa. First she made a name for herself as travel advisor, specializing in safaris, until she gathered the courage to offer her own holiday package deals for Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Ruanda in her own company called LiReise Tour. She self-published a book about safaris and produced a documentary film, showing the beauty of her birth country and quickening the appetite for the part of Africa, which she left eleven years ago.
Quit Notice: Niger/Delta Militants Demand Return Of Oil Blocs Owned By Northerners Within 3 Months

nametalkam at 10-06-2017 12:19 PM (5 years ago) (m)

The coalition of Niger Delta militants on Friday called on the Federal Government to return all oil blocs being controlled by northerners to the people of the region.

The coalition of Niger Delta militants on Friday called on the Federal Government to return all oil blocs being controlled by northerners to the people of the region.

The agitators explained that their action was based on the ultimatum given by some northern youth groups to the Igbo to vacate the North within three months.



Leaders of the eight militants groups said in a statement that the Niger Delta region shall declare its independence on October 1, 2017 and free itself from enslavement by the North.



The coalition comprises Niger Delta Watchdogs, Niger Delta Volunteers, Niger Delta Peoples Fighters, Niger Delta Warriors, Bakassi Freedom Fighters, Niger Delta Movement for Justice, Niger Delta Fighters Network and Niger Delta Freedom Mandate.





In a statement, which was said to have been issued shortly after their meeting in Port Harcourt, the militant leaders warned all companies operating in such oil blocs to vacate within three months.



The group said A coalition of the Niger Delta militants met today in Port Harcourt to review the recent call by the Arewa Youths groups that the Ndigbo should vacate all the Northern states within three months.



We see the declaration by Arewa Youths as a well consultative declaration which the northern elders, leaders, political elite, security heads from the North and governors were fully aware.



We demand 100 percent control of our resources. We demand that the Federal Government should hand over all oil blocs owned by the northerners to Niger Delta indigenes. All the companies operating in such oil blocks/wells should vacate within three months.



The Federal Government should immediately relocate NNPC and all the offices that have to do with oil/gas sector back to Niger Delta states and an immediately replacement of the Group Managing Director with an indigene of Niger Delta.



All northern indigenes working in NNPC and any other Board that has anything to do with oil/gas should be sack with immediate effect.



We demand an independent and sovereign Republic of Niger Delta. We are tired of living with the North under Nigeria. We are tired of the Presidents sentiments to the Niger Delta people.



The President can have time to receive the Chibok girls, but could not have time to meet with the Representatives of the Niger Delta agitators. Our money has been used to fund Boko Haram, a problem created by the Northerners in order to use it as conduit pipe to siphon the resources of Niger Delta.



On October 1, 2017 we shall declare our independence come rain, come shine. We shall take our destiny in our hands and free ourselves from the slavery of the North as they are tired of one Nigeria.



They maintained that all the companies and businesses owned by the northerners in Niger Delta should be vacated within three months, saying, From 1st October 2017, we dont want to see any northerner close to Niger Delta; any attempt to penetrate shall meet fierce resistance. This time, we are not going to play defence, but attack, the statement by the coalition of Niger Delta agitators read.



They also called on all agitating groups to resume attacks/bombings on all oil/gas pipelines, especially the exporting lines across the Niger Delta region with immediate effect, adding that the measure was aimed at ensuring zero oil/gas production before October 1, 2017.



They said, We also demand the Federal government should immediately replace the Inspector General of Police with an indigene of the South West, the Director General of DSS with an indigene of South East, and the National Security Adviser with an indigene of South- South.



The Speaker, House of Representatives should voluntarily resign and hand over to an indigene of the South-South. The agitators explained that their action was based on the ultimatum given by some northern youth groups to the Igbo to vacate the North within three months.Leaders of the eight militants groups said in a statement that the Niger Delta region shall declare its independence on October 1, 2017 and free itself from enslavement by the North.The coalition comprises Niger Delta Watchdogs, Niger Delta Volunteers, Niger Delta Peoples Fighters, Niger Delta Warriors, Bakassi Freedom Fighters, Niger Delta Movement for Justice, Niger Delta Fighters Network and Niger Delta Freedom Mandate.In a statement, which was said to have been issued shortly after their meeting in Port Harcourt, the militant leaders warned all companies operating in such oil blocs to vacate within three months.The group said A coalition of the Niger Delta militants met today in Port Harcourt to review the recent call by the Arewa Youths groups that the Ndigbo should vacate all the Northern states within three months.We see the declaration by Arewa Youths as a well consultative declaration which the northern elders, leaders, political elite, security heads from the North and governors were fully aware.We demand 100 percent control of our resources. We demand that the Federal Government should hand over all oil blocs owned by the northerners to Niger Delta indigenes. All the companies operating in such oil blocks/wells should vacate within three months.The Federal Government should immediately relocate NNPC and all the offices that have to do with oil/gas sector back to Niger Delta states and an immediately replacement of the Group Managing Director with an indigene of Niger Delta.All northern indigenes working in NNPC and any other Board that has anything to do with oil/gas should be sack with immediate effect.We demand an independent and sovereign Republic of Niger Delta. We are tired of living with the North under Nigeria. We are tired of the Presidents sentiments to the Niger Delta people.The President can have time to receive the Chibok girls, but could not have time to meet with the Representatives of the Niger Delta agitators. Our money has been used to fund Boko Haram, a problem created by the Northerners in order to use it as conduit pipe to siphon the resources of Niger Delta.On October 1, 2017 we shall declare our independence come rain, come shine. We shall take our destiny in our hands and free ourselves from the slavery of the North as they are tired of one Nigeria.They maintained that all the companies and businesses owned by the northerners in Niger Delta should be vacated within three months, saying, From 1st October 2017, we dont want to see any northerner close to Niger Delta; any attempt to penetrate shall meet fierce resistance. This time, we are not going to play defence, but attack, the statement by the coalition of Niger Delta agitators read.They also called on all agitating groups to resume attacks/bombings on all oil/gas pipelines, especially the exporting lines across the Niger Delta region with immediate effect, adding that the measure was aimed at ensuring zero oil/gas production before October 1, 2017.They said, We also demand the Federal government should immediately replace the Inspector General of Police with an indigene of the South West, the Director General of DSS with an indigene of South East, and the National Security Adviser with an indigene of South- South.The Speaker, House of Representatives should voluntarily resign and hand over to an indigene of the South-South.

Post Reply I specialize in investigative reportage across several subject matter and sectors but mainly focus on metro events and investigation. Do leave your thoughts and opinion on my reports to let me know what you think about them. Thank you Posted: at 10-06-2017 12:19 PM (5 years ago) | Addicted Hero

pricklong at 10-06-2017 12:33 PM (5 years ago)

(m) fight for your right Nigeria is divaded all ready Posted: at 10-06-2017 12:33 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac fight for your right Nigeria is divaded all ready Reply

schmit at 10-06-2017 01:08 PM (5 years ago)

(f) Very gud Posted: at 10-06-2017 01:08 PM (5 years ago) | Hero Very gud Reply

ignis99 at 10-06-2017 01:11 PM (5 years ago)

(m) Oya e don start, vacate vacate vacate Posted: at 10-06-2017 01:11 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac Oya e don start, vacate vacate vacate Reply

SOGaiya at 10-06-2017 01:42 PM (5 years ago)

(m) sosoliso nigerian vacating everywhere Posted: at 10-06-2017 01:42 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac sosoliso nigerian vacating everywhere Reply

morgan1 at 10-06-2017 01:45 PM (5 years ago)

(m) OK,,,,,WAITING Posted: at 10-06-2017 01:45 PM (5 years ago) | Hero OK,,,,,WAITING Reply

sandra78 at 10-06-2017 02:04 PM (5 years ago)

(f) Quote from: pricklong on 10-06-2017 12:33 PM fight for your right Nigeria is divaded all ready



Yes.... Posted: at 10-06-2017 02:04 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac Yes.... Reply

willyking at 10-06-2017 02:29 PM (5 years ago)

(m) Where are the so called arewa youth they should come and Finnish what they have started, next time u people should take advice from headers like ema sanusi b4 showing ur stupidity.. Posted: at 10-06-2017 02:29 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac Where are the so called arewa youth they should come and Finnish what they have started, next time u people should take advice from headers like ema sanusi b4 showing ur stupidity.. Reply

osarobo62 at 10-06-2017 02:30 PM (5 years ago)

(m) Niger Delta wants to declare independence......meanwhile Biafra wants to annex niger delta. So they want to jump from frying pan to fire. Posted: at 10-06-2017 02:30 PM (5 years ago) | Hero Reply

nametalkam at 10-06-2017 02:43 PM (5 years ago)

(m) Na wao, Nigeria is turning into something else, a country without a president and everybody wanting the country to split! God help us all! I specialize in investigative reportage across several subject matter and sectors but mainly focus on metro events and investigation. Do leave your thoughts and opinion on my reports to let me know what you think about them. Thank you Posted: at 10-06-2017 02:43 PM (5 years ago) | Addicted Hero Na wao, Nigeria is turning into something else, a country without a president and everybody wanting the country to split! God help us all! Reply

softhils at 10-06-2017 03:37 PM (5 years ago)

(m) The northerners are the major problem of Nigeria. if Biafra is granted, after a while the yorubas will start fighting for their freedom. cod by then they would have been wiser and wouldn't be subjects to oppression and evil... just watch. Posted: at 10-06-2017 03:37 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac The northerners are the major problem of Nigeria. if Biafra is granted, after a while the yorubas will start fighting for their freedom. cod by then they would have been wiser and wouldn't be subjects to oppression and evil... just watch. Reply

mensch at 10-06-2017 03:41 PM (5 years ago)

(m) we want to be on our own and rule our self under what ever name (name does not matter) . Period. Posted: at 10-06-2017 03:41 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac we want to be on our own and rule our self under what ever name (name does not matter) . Period. Reply

blackman1980 at 10-06-2017 04:06 PM (5 years ago)

(m) Can u rewrite any verse in the bible ? if u can't stop dreaming about declaring a state or country oyinbo ppl as planned all this from the start so stop disturbing yourself till tomorrow we will remain slave to the so call white man and white woman but only if we can fight the one controlling us rather than separating and joining the one eating the national cake fight the government the mister governors house of reps sanate from you state than turning innocent and poor head around like goat Nnamid feel like the king the GOD and master of all the people he gather as a slave my sister and brother it time to wake up and run thousand miles Posted: at 10-06-2017 04:06 PM (5 years ago) | Newbie Can u rewrite any verse in the bible ? if u can't stop dreaming about declaring a state or country oyinbo ppl as planned all this from the start so stop disturbing yourself till tomorrow we will remain slave to the so call white man and white woman but only if we can fight the one controlling us rather than separating and joining the one eating the national cake fight the government the mister governors house of reps sanate from you state than turning innocent and poor head around like goat Nnamid feel like the king the GOD and master of all the people he gather as a slave my sister and brother it time to wake up and run thousand miles Reply

gogoman at 10-06-2017 04:36 PM (5 years ago)

(m) make una keep it up!! the whole world is watching una Posted: at 10-06-2017 04:36 PM (5 years ago) | Addicted Hero make una keep it up!! the whole world is watching una Reply

jee0789 at 10-06-2017 04:46 PM (5 years ago)

(m) It is extremely important that all sides exercise great caution. Clearly, it was wrong for the Arewa Youths to have made such inflammatory statements regarding an unenforceable mandate for the Ibos to relinquish their business interests in the north and return to their homeland. It is understandable that the good people of Niger Delta have responded in kind. Yet, it is important that all sides understand that Nigeria is the only country we have and all sides should come together to solve our problems together. Countries that have embarked upon the kind of breakup that is currently being called for by different factions have not thrived well. I remember countries such as Sudan, Ethiopia, etc. In the end, many innocent lives will be lost, the split nations will fight perpetually and all sides will be losers. The only winners will be the already rich and powerful but the greatest losers will be the same average Nigerians who simply want to live a simple life and have enough to care for themselves and their families. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, l call on all Nigerians to resist the current calls by anyone for a breakup. Rather, let us make calls for unity and for charting our own destiny. I'm trusting God that the voice of reason will ultimately prevail. Thank you! Posted: at 10-06-2017 04:46 PM (5 years ago) | Newbie It is extremely important that all sides exercise great caution. Clearly, it was wrong for the Arewa Youths to have made such inflammatory statements regarding an unenforceable mandate for the Ibos to relinquish their business interests in the north and return to their homeland. It is understandable that the good people of Niger Delta have responded in kind. Yet, it is important that all sides understand that Nigeria is the only country we have and all sides should come together to solve our problems together. Countries that have embarked upon the kind of breakup that is currently being called for by different factions have not thrived well. I remember countries such as Sudan, Ethiopia, etc. In the end, many innocent lives will be lost, the split nations will fight perpetually and all sides will be losers. The only winners will be the already rich and powerful but the greatest losers will be the same average Nigerians who simply want to live a simple life and have enough to care for themselves and their families. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, l call on all Nigerians to resist the current calls by anyone for a breakup. Rather, let us make calls for unity and for charting our own destiny. I'm trusting God that the voice of reason will ultimately prevail. Thank you! Reply

BournIdentity at 10-06-2017 06:02 PM (5 years ago)

(m) Oyibo dey generate brains.., skills, assorted machines and we are still advancing but naija are specialized in making and creating noise makers from different angles, dummies and blockheads Posted: at 10-06-2017 06:02 PM (5 years ago) | Addicted Hero Oyibo dey generate brains.., skills, assorted machines and we are still advancing but naija are specialized in making and creating noise makers from different angles, dummies and blockheads Reply

crocatum at 10-06-2017 06:30 PM (5 years ago)

(m) Lets us split by tomorrow morning pls, chai. Posted: at 10-06-2017 06:30 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac Lets us split by tomorrow morning pls, chai. Reply

crocatum at 10-06-2017 06:42 PM (5 years ago)

(m) Quote from: jee0789 on 10-06-2017 04:46 PM It is extremely important that all sides exercise great caution. Clearly, it was wrong for the Arewa Youths to have made such inflammatory statements regarding an unenforceable mandate for the Ibos to relinquish their business interests in the north and return to their homeland. It is understandable that the good people of Niger Delta have responded in kind. Yet, it is important that all sides understand that Nigeria is the only country we have and all sides should come together to solve our problems together. Countries that have embarked upon the kind of breakup that is currently being called for by different factions have not thrived well. I remember countries such as Sudan, Ethiopia, etc. In the end, many innocent lives will be lost, the split nations will fight perpetually and all sides will be losers. The only winners will be the already rich and powerful but the greatest losers will be the same average Nigerians who simply want to live a simple life and have enough to care for themselves and their families. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, l call on all Nigerians to resist the current calls by anyone for a breakup. Rather, let us make calls for unity and for charting our own destiny. I'm trusting God that the voice of reason will ultimately prevail. Thank you!

They will hear you, I encourage the true breakout from Nigeria, its a failure. Posted: at 10-06-2017 06:42 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac They will hear you, I encourage the true breakout from Nigeria, its a failure. Reply

crocatum at 10-06-2017 06:52 PM (5 years ago)

(m) Where is alewa Youth, let them cooperate, they were going in the right direction. Posted: at 10-06-2017 06:52 PM (5 years ago) | Gistmaniac Where is alewa Youth, let them cooperate, they were going in the right direction. Reply
Nokia 6, Nokia 5, Nokia 3 to be available soon in India: Know their competitions Features oi -Harish Kumar Nokia 6, Nokia 5, Nokia 3 are coming soon to India.

HMD is all set to release the Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 smartphones in India on June 13. The company is expected to price these smartphones competitively in the market.

The Nokia 6 is the high-end offering among the three and the Nokia 3 is the entry-level one. The company has assured that it will roll out the Android O as well as Android P updates to these smartphones and that they will offer support for two years from the launch of these devices.

With such a commitment put forward for these Nokia Android smartphones, these devices will definitely create an intense competition in the country.

Having said that, we have listed a slew of smartphones that might face the competition due to the Nokia smartphones over here. Do check out.

Best Mobiles in India
Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) starts receiving Android 7.0 Nougat update News oi -Samden Sherpa Samsung Galaxy A3 2016 will get the Android 7.0 update Over-The-Air(OTA).

Samsung has reportedly started pushing out Android Nougat 7.0 to its Galaxy A3 (2016) smartphone.

This is good news for Galaxy A3 owners as the update is finally being rolled out. We had been hearing that Android Nougat update for Galaxy A3 2016 would be rolled out since March. While the Nougat update was spotted on Wi-Fi Alliance first and then it was confirmed on GFXBench. Those were the indications that Samsung was releasing Nougat for Galaxy A3 2016 soon.

In any case, the update has finally come. The new update is about 950MB, and it does bring along Android Nougat (version 7.0) and its several features. So the smartphone users will now get to experience Nougat hands-on as well as benefit from several new features that it brings. Android Nougat brings many features like split-screen mode, improved Doze mode, Notification Direct Reply, Bundled Notifications and much more.

Currently, units in Germany and Hungary have received the update. Other regions should also get it soon.

Besides, Galaxy A3 2016 will get the Android 7.0 update Over-The-Air (OTA) meaning it will be a gradual roll out in phases. So you will have to wait and at the same time, you will be notified about the same.

Downloading the update should be done on a Wi-Fi network and you should make sure that your smartphone has enough free storage. Further, the company advises keeping your handset charged up to more that 50 percent.

If you have not received any notifications then you can always check for the update manually. You can go to the Settings page then click on the About section and Software updates.

On a similar note, smartphones like Galaxy A9 Pro, Galaxy A7 (2016 and 2017), Galaxy A3 (2016 and 2017) and the Galaxy A8 are also slated to get the update in the coming weeks.

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Egypts interior ministry has raised the security alert level in light of the current situation in the region, a top-level source told state news agency MENA.

"The security alert level has been raised in case terrorists exploited current conditions in the region to carry out hostile operations that harm the lives of innocent citizens," the source was quoted as saying.

Security measures have been strengthened in the vicinity of important and vital facilities, electricity and water stations as well as places of worship, religious establishments in general, particularly churches and monasteries, tourist places and national and investment projects, the source said, adding: Security measures at all crossings to and from Sinai were also tightened."

Cairo imposed a nationwide three-month state of emergency in April after the attack on Palm Sunday at the start of holy week of Easter, with the option to extend it for another three months, dependant on a parliament vote.

Egypt has been struggling with terrorist attacks in recent years against security forces, mostly concentrated in North Sinai. In the past year, there have been some attacks on Egypt's Christians, including a recent attack in Upper Egypt's Minya.

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Intel Agency Chief: New Ideas, Processes Needed for Flood of Information

By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, June 8, 2017  The Defense Intelligence Agency needs new ideas, practices, and people who can adapt or it risks becoming irrelevant in a world moving faster and faster, said the agency's director said yesterday.

Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart told the audience at the Geospatial Intelligence Symposium in San Antonio that the agency must change and adapt to meet the evolving needs of decision-makers and warfighters.

There is no shortage of intelligence material, Stewart said. In fact, he added, the agency is drowning in it. The world is networked, and the information on those networks grows exponentially, he said.

"We are collecting more data today than we can effectively consume," he said. "There is simply so much information that we struggle to make sense of it."

Old Ways Won't Work

The old ways of collecting and processing information and intelligence just won't work, he said. And concerning the information the agency does process, DIA cannot effectively disseminate it across a global enterprise to ensure it gets to the decision-maker who needs it most, the general said.

That must change, he added, but he noted that some people in the agency are pushing against changes.

"History shows us that those who fail to adapt to change are often left behind," he said.

Stewart said he doesn't want the agency to turn into the government version of the Kodak Company. In the 1970s, he explained, the company was the envy of industry, dominating the photography supply industry. Kodak scientists invented digital photography, but put the technology back in the box, because they failed to adapt.

"Kodak refused to completely embrace the digital future it helped create," he said. The company declared bankruptcy in 1984.

The intelligence community finds itself in an analogous situation today, the general said, noting that it is a digital world, with every person with a smartphone being a reporter and able to post instantaneously. A smartphone video of a Tunisian street vendor setting himself on fire in protest led directly to the Arab Spring, Stewart said. The coup attempt in Turkey was answered by President Reccip Erdogan via Facetime video chat.

The internet today contains zettabytes of information -- a zettabyte is 1 trillion gigabytes, the general said.

"We used to say intelligence was like finding a needle in a haystack," told the audience. "If that were still the case, our jobs would be simple. In today's information environment, it's finding the precise needle in stacks of needles."

Many Questions Need Answers

Stewart said he has many questions that need answers, such as how to design tools to sort data, how to interpret data found, how humans interact with data, and how the agency designs a network to deliver data instantly, securely and globally.

Industry partners, military experts and civil servants will have to wrestle with these questions, he said, noting that Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and the threat of terrorism are just five "no fail missions" the agency has. In addition, he said, there may be other threats that no one knows about yet.

Countering, deterring or defeating each threat requires intelligence delivered precisely to whomever needs it, Stewart said. Intelligence must reach decision-makers with enough time to allow them to assess it and then act.

"You in this room will shape the future, and I challenge you," Stewart said. "Be the agents of change we need. Reject complacency. Nurture innovation. Create the new ideas and technologies that will allow us  to collect, analyze, make sense of, and deliver the intelligence our decision-makers need in order to face the challenges of the 21st century."

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Coalition Progresses in Mosul, Raqqa to Defeat ISIS, Spokesman Says

By Terri Moon Cronk DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, June 8, 2017  The fight to defeat Islamic State of Iraq and Syria extremists is progressing in Mosul, Iraq, and Raqqa, Syria, Army Col. Ryan S. Dillon, spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, told Pentagon reporters today.

Providing an update by teleconference from Baghdad, Dillon told reporters that Iraqi security forces in Mosul have continued to push forward this week on the west and northwest portions of the forward line of troops, keeping pressure on ISIS.

"As expected, the tight confines of the remaining neighborhoods, the well-defended urban canyons, have proven to be very difficult to liberate," he said.

Clearing Step-by-Step

And the Iraqi security forces are continuing to methodically clear ISIS "street-by-street, house-by-house and room-by-room," Dillon said, and remain focused on civilian safety as they clear ISIS-held areas, moving civilians out of danger as much as possible.

But ISIS has reverted to brutalizing and murdering civilians, Dillon said.

He noted that the United Nations reported June 6 that 163 bodies of murdered Iraqi men, women and children lay on the streets of the Sheer neighborhood in western Mosul after being shot and killed by ISIS snipers when they desperately tried to flee to safety.

Also this week in western Iraq, Iraqi popular mobilization forces recaptured Baaj and retook nearly 1,000 square kilometers  386 square miles  liberating terrain and villages all the way to the Iraq-Syria border, Dillon said.

Raqqa Offensive Begins

Meanwhile, the U.S. partner force in Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces, began its offensive June 6 to defeat ISIS in Raqqa, the terrorist organization's de facto capital for its self-proclaimed caliphate, the spokesman said.

Raqqa has served as an important ISIS hub to recruit, inspire, finance and plan external attacks, he added.

"This week's attacks in London, Paris and Melbourne are further evidence of the danger this evil terrorist group poses, not only to their region, but to all nations," Dillon emphasized.

The liberation of Raqqa, as with a string of other ISIS strongholds, such as Dabiq, Manbij and Tabqa, will further degrade ISIS' ability to export terrorists, plot external attacks, recruit members and subjugate populations, he said.

The SDF has moved to isolate Raqqa with forces to the west, north, and east, Dillon added.

"To the south is the Euphrates River, and with bridges that cannot be used to cross, ISIS is limited to using watercraft to move into or out of Raqqa," he said. "Understanding this, the coalition conducted several strikes this week, destroying 20 boats attempting to shuttle ISIS fighters across the river."

The liberation of Raqqa will deal the enemy a punishing blow and further degrade ISIS' ability to move throughout the region and further spread terror and kill innocent civilians, Dillon said.

Strikes in Syria

This morning in southern Syria, U.S. airstrikes hit two technical vehicles and pickup trucks with weapons that were assessed to pose a threat to coalition partner forces based at Al Tanf Garrison, the spokesman said.

"Later this morning, after that first incident, the United States also shot down a suspected pro-regime drone that fired on coalition forces conducting patrols outside of the deconfliction zone to the east," he said.

"There are no coalition casualties, and today was the third set of kinetic strikes the United States has conducted in response to threats posed to the coalition forces and partners operating out of Al Tanf," Dillon noted.

The first kinetic strike was May 18, and the second was June 6, he added, in addition to today's air-to-ground and air-to-air engagements.

Closely Monitoring

"We're watching the situation very closely," Dillon said. "The coalition does not seek to fight Syrian regime or pro-regime forces; however, we remain ready to defend ourselves against any threat."

The coalition has been very clear through the deconfliction line, through leaflets, messages and actions, to warn pro-regime forces not to advance toward or otherwise threaten coalition forces at Al Tanf, the spokesman said.

"The coalition calls on all parties in southern Syria to focus their efforts on the defeat of ISIS, which is our common enemy and the greatest threat to the region and the rest of the world," Dillon said.

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U.S. Shoots Down Unmanned Aircraft That Fired on Coalition Troops in Syria

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, June 8, 2017  A U.S. aircraft shot down an armed pro-Syria regime unmanned aerial vehicle today after it fired on coalition forces in southern Syria, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials said in a statement.

The pro-regime UAV, similar in size to a U.S. MQ-1 Predator, was shot down after it dropped one of several weapons it was carrying near a position occupied by coalition personnel who are training and advising partner ground forces in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, officials said.

The shoot-down follows an engagement earlier in the day in which coalition forces destroyed two pro-regime armed technical vehicles that advanced toward coalition forces at At Tanf inside the established deconfliction zone, threatening coalition and partner forces, they added.

'Appropriate Measures to Protect Forces'

"The coalition's mission is to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria," the statement said. "The coalition does not seek to fight Syrian regime, Russian or pro-regime forces partnered with them. The demonstrated hostile intent and actions of pro-regime forces near coalition and partner forces in southern Syria, however, continue to concern us, and the coalition will take appropriate measures to protect our forces."

Noting that coalition forces have been located at At Tanf for more than a year, officials said the coalition presence in Syria addresses the imminent threat ISIS in Syria poses globally, which is beyond the capability of the Syrian regime to address. The garrison is a temporary coalition location to train vetted forces to defeat ISIS and will not be vacated until ISIS is defeated, they added.

"As long as pro-regime forces are oriented toward coalition and partnered forces, the potential for conflict is escalated," the statement said. "Coalition forces are oriented on ISIS in the Euphrates River Valley. The coalition calls on all parties to focus their efforts in the same direction to defeat ISIS, which is our common enemy and the greatest threat to regional and worldwide peace and security."

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U.S. Department of Defense

Press Operations

News Release

No. NR-215-17 June 08, 2017

Readout of Secretary Mattis' Meeting with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan

Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Dana W. White provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis met June 7 with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan at the Pentagon to discuss maritime security challenges and defense cooperation.

The Secretary and Minister Luhut exchanged views on the regional maritime security environment in Southeast Asia, discussed cooperation on countering violent extremism from groups like ISIS, and addressed the threat posed by returning foreign fighters.

Secretary Mattis relayed his appreciation for the broad range of U.S.-Indonesian defense cooperation and encouraged Indonesia's continuing contributions to regional maritime security. They emphasized continued cooperation in maritime domain awareness and information sharing to combat transnational threats. They also discussed the importance of supporting Indonesia's defense modernization efforts through strengthening bilateral training, interoperability, and defense trade.

http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/1208055/

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Yemen's children 'have suffered enough;' UNICEF official warns of cholera rise, malnutrition

8 June 2017  The situation facing children in Yemen is "extremely dire," a senior United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) official warned today, citing a dramatic increase in cases of malnutrition and a massive outbreak of cholera across the war-torn country.

Speaking to the press at the UN Headquarters in New York, Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, highlighted a dramatic increase in the number of children with malnutrition.

When he left Yemen four years ago, there was already a huge caseload of children with severe acute malnutrition. On his recent visit to Yemen, he found the caseload having since doubled, with nearly half a million children under the age of five suffering the most extreme and visible form of undernutrition.

"It does not end there. Yemen has been hit by a massive outbreak of cholera," he said, noting that reported cases already exceeded 100,000. With 3,000 to 5,000 cases added daily, it is possible that the outbreak will reach 250,000 to 300,000 cases, he said.

To make the matter worse, the country's medical care system is on the verge of collapse, or "half-collapsed," he said, and the half of the health system that is partially functional is operating "on a zero budget." Moreover, health workers have not received salaries for eight to nine months.

"Children in Yemen have suffered enough. It is high time that all those who are responsible realize that the country is at the verge of collapse; that one of Yemen's biggest assets, its children, are getting killed," he said.

The situation in Yemen must be on the radar of the international community, he stressed, calling for a scaled-up support.

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Welcoming progress in arms laydown in Colombia, UN chief reiterates support to peace process

8 June 2017  United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said today that he has been "encouraged" by the progress in Colombian peace process and called on the Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP) to continue to implement their respective commitments under the accord.

Mr. Guterres also reiterated the readiness of the UN to continue to support the peace process in the South American country, as required, read a statement issued today.

In a major milestone yesterday, the UN Mission in the country received a total of 2,300 weapons  just over 30 per cent of the arms of FARC-EP registered and identified by it  which are have been placed in its containers.

This timeline was agreed between the Government and FARC-EP on 29 May.

Also yesterday, Mission officials and those from the national Office of the High Commissioner for Peace travelled to the camps and started delivery of certificates and accreditations that will allow FARC-EP members formally start their reintegration into civilian life after the laying down of arms.

"Both factors constitute a major event that attests to the willingness of the parties to respond to the hope created in Colombia and the international community by the signing of the Peace Agreement in November last year," the UN mission noted in a news release issued today.

The arms laydown process  a major component in the peace agreement  includes five distinct steps including: registration and identification of weapons, monitoring and verification of the holding of weapons, reception and storage of arms, neutralization of arms (to ensure that they will never again be used as firearms), and extraction of arms from camps.

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US Shoots Down Pro-regime Drone that Fired Upon Coalition Forces in Syria

By Carla Babb, Rikar Hussein June 08, 2017

A U.S. military aircraft shot down an armed, pro-Syrian government drone Thursday after it fired upon U.S.-led coalition members on patrol in southern Syria, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition said.

The incident was the first time that pro-regime forces attempted to strike coalition forces in the area surrounding al-Tanf, an army base where members of the coalition are training Syrians to fight Islamic State, U.S. Army Colonel Ryan Dillon told reporters at the Pentagon by video call from Baghdad.

Local counter-Islamic State fighters were patrolling with coalition troops about 60 kilometers east of al-Tanf base when the drone, similar in size to an MQ-1 Predator, launched a munition that failed to detonate, multiple officials told VOA.

"It hit dirt; it didn't hit any coalition forces," Dillon said, adding that the munition caused no casualties and no damage to equipment, but was "clearly meant as an attack."

Another U.S. military official told VOA that American troops were part of the targeted patrol.

About 40 pro-regime forces have set up camp overlooking a major road northwest of al-Tanf, in an area inside an established deconfliction zone that reaches about 55 kilometers around the base, according to officials. A larger contingency of pro-regime forces is patrolling northwest of the base outside of the established deconfliction zone.

"Our patrols were in the opposite direction of where the regime forces were," Dillon said.

Earlier in the day, the U.S.-led coalition said it also destroyed two pro-regime armed technical vehicles  essentially trucks with guns attached  that were advancing toward coalition forces within the deconfliction zone.

The coalition has said its mission is to defeat Islamic State forces in Iraq and Syria, but its forces always reserve the right to defend themselves against any threat.

A statement from U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East, stressed that "the coalition does not seek to fight the Syrian regime, Russian or pro-regime forces partnered with them."

Thursday marks the third time coalition forces have struck pro-Syrian government forces in less than one month, forces that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has said are believed to be "Iranian directed."

In all three instances  May 18, Tuesday and Thursday  the coalition targeted armed vehicles, tanks and construction vehicles that could be used to establish defensive positions. None of the strikes so far has targeted the pro-regime forces who are stationed along a major road inside the deconfliction zone, but coalition forces continue to urge those forces to leave.

"They have not presented a threat. They have not continued to move toward our forces in al-Tanf garrison, but we will continue to attempt to get them to vacate the area," Dillon said.

Michael O'Hanlon, a senior defense fellow at the Brookings Institution, told VOA on Thursday that the U.S. and Iran are now in "direct competition for certain access points inside eastern Syria."

"We don't necessarily want that for ourselves, but we don't want it for Iran," O'Hanlon said.

He said the U.S.-led coalition doesn't feel the need to concede territory there due to the lack of Iranian constituencies in the Sunni-majority area and the need to continue developing assets there to defeat Islamic State.

Meanwhile, Iranians sense an opportunity from the instability in Syria to create a continuous land bridge from Iran to the Mediterranean, according to O'Hanlon.

Raqqa

The attempted pro-regime drone attack comes as Syrian Democratic Forces entered their third day on the operation to defeat Islamic State forces in the terror group's de-facto capital, Raqqa.

Dillon told reporters the SDF already have a "foothold into the eastern part of Raqqa city center."

"Our forces are making swift advances," Zagros Qamishlo, a commander of SDF Kurdish element People's Protection Units, told VOA. She added that her team had pushed one kilometer into the eastern city limits.

U.S. officials estimate that there are about 2,500 Islamic State fighters inside the city and its suburbs. Those on the front lines say Islamic State militants are fighting back with a barrage of suicide car bombs and suicide fighters.

"A group of IS thugs tried to reverse our advances but coalition airplanes came to our support," Siwar Rozh, an SDF fighter, told VOA.

VOA footage of the scene shows thick smoke has covered the skyline over the city as SDF members are trying to push down into the IS neighborhoods.

A VOA reporter who visited areas captured by SDF Thursday said engineers have started clearing mines and booby traps to fully secure the buildings.

SDF commanders told VOA they have made arrangements to open safety corridors for civilians as they expect thousands to flee the fighting.

The International Rescue Committee estimates 200,000 people are trapped in the city and are at risk of being killed by IS if they attempt to flee or being used as human shields if they remain.

According to the anti-IS Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently group, civilians also face the risk of heavy coalition airstrikes as IS tries to hide among them. It said IS has confiscated most civilian houses that contain shelter spaces or basements.

Mahmoud Bali contributed to this story from Raqqa, Syria.

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Comey Testifies Trump Pressed Him to Drop Investigation

By Ken Bredemeier June 08, 2017

The recently fired director of the FBI, James Comey, said on Capitol Hill Thursday that he believed U.S. President Donald Trump was trying to get him to drop an investigation of Trump's former national security adviser, and that White House officials spread "lies, plain and simple" to cover up the reason for his dismissal.

"There's no doubt that I was fired because of the Russia investigation," Comey told lawmakers, referring to the widening investigation of Russian influence on last year's U.S. presidential election, which American intelligence agencies have said was an effort by the Kremlin to assist Trump's electoral defeat of his Democratic opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The president's efforts "to change the way the Russia investigation was conducted, that is a big deal," Comey said.

Comey's testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee was his first chance to speak in public about the meetings and conversations he had with Trump during the months before he was fired. The former head of the nation's largest law-enforcement agency was questioned alternately by Republican and Democratic senators for nearly three hours; the dramatic session was covered live by all major U.S. television networks, and broadcast worldwide.

Russian probe resulted in Comey's firing

Comey said it was and still is the "high confident judgment" of the U.S. intelligence community that Russia interfered in the 2016 campaign. "It's not a close call," he added.

"I know that I was fired because something about the way I was conducting the Russia investigation was putting pressure" on Trump, Comey testified.

The president's personal lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, told reporters immediately after the Senate hearing that Trump "never, in form or substance, directed or suggested that Mr. Comey stop investigating anyone."

After Comey's abrupt and stunning dismissal last month, Trump and his aides at first said the action was necessary because the Federal Bureau of Investigation was in disarray, and its director had lost the trust of his agents.

Comey said Trump lied and defamed him by that story, and in fact the president himself subsequently admitted the ongoing investigation of Russian influence on U.S. politics was his primary motivation for the firing.

FBI chief's private notes

Comey told how he made meticulous efforts to document his interactions with Trump, whose insistence on private meetings aroused the veteran prosecutor's suspicions. The FBI chief wrote detailed memoranda immediately after each of his talks with Trump, a measure he had never felt obligated to do with previous presidents, and kept those documents in government files.

Comey said he did not distribute his private notes to the attorney general - the U.S. government's top legal official, who supervises the FBI - because Trump's appointee to that post, former Senator Jeff Sessions, was about to recuse himself from the Russian investigation due to his own unpublicized meetings with senior Russian officials.

The Justice Department later issued a statement saying that Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation only because he was involved in President Trump's campaign. In a statement late Thursday, a spokesman said, "It was for that reason, and that reason alone"' that Sessions decided to step aside from the probe.

The president floated the notion that there was a recording of his most sensitive conversation with Comey, and that it would embarrass the FBI chief.

"Lordy, I hope there are tapes," Comey said, because he felt his contemporaneous notes accurately reflected what happened. In fact, no tapes have surfaced.

High-level 'leak' made headlines

Comey testified he realized that a special counsel would have to be appointed to pursue the widening investigation of Russian influences on U.S. officials, so he took the extraordinary step of "leaking" some of his private notes - passing them to a confidant at a university in New York, who in turn relayed the information to a reporter for The New York Times. Unofficially releasing information in this way is not uncommon in Washington, but rarely, if ever, at such high levels of government.

Comey's highly unorthodox tactic worked, however, because a respected former FBI director, Robert Mueller, was named to head the probe of Russian influence on U.S. politics. Mueller's team has been given Comey's private notes, the ex-director said.

Asked whether he felt Trump had obstructed justice by his actions since taking office this year, Comey deflected those queries, saying such questions should go to Mueller, the special counsel.

Obstruction of justice is a federal crime and an impeachable offense; such a charge was being discussed at the time Richard Nixon resigned the presidency in 1974, following the Watergate political burglary scandal.

In his opening written statement, Comey recounted how at a White House dinner in January, shortly after Trump assumed power, the president told him, " 'I need loyalty, I expect loyalty.' I didn't move, speak or change my facial expression in any way during the awkward silence that followed. We simply looked at each other in silence."

Secret testimony afterwards

The committee's top Democrat, Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, said Trump's comments, as recounted by Comey, were "very disturbing."

Later Thursday the Senate Intelligence Committee reconvened in closed session to hear more from Comey, on subjects that he said should not be discussed in public. Senators met in a portion of the U.S. Capitol configured as a "secure compartmented information facility," built to resist eavesdropping.

Despite his well-known preference for posting quick messages on Twitter, Trump was silent during the Senate hearing Thursday. The president's son, Donald Trump Jr., instead sent out a series of notes criticizing Comey, and the White House deputy press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, told reporters: "I can definitively say the president is not a liar."

Trump: 'Let Flynn go'

Comey said Trump asked him on February 14 to "let go" of the FBI's investigation of Michael Flynn, a retired general who had been fired as Trump's national security adviser the previous day, reputedly for lying to Vice President Mike Pence about Flynn's contacts with Russia's ambassador to Washington.

"I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go," Comey quoted Trump as saying. "He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go."

Trump did not explicitly order him to stop the investigation of Flynn's connections with Russia, Comey said, but "I took it as direction. This is what he wanted to me to do."

Still the FBI chief at the time, Comey said he was "so stunned" by Trump's request to go easy on Flynn that he did not think to say, "Mr. President, that's wrong."

He said FBI colleagues were as "shocked and troubled as I was" by Trump's comments urging an end to the probe of Flynn.

In a March 30 phone call, Trump "described the Russia investigation as 'a cloud' that was impairing his ability to act on behalf of the country," Comey said. "...He asked what we could do to 'lift the cloud.' I responded that we were investigating the matter as quickly as we could, and that there would be great benefit, if we didn't find anything, to having done the work well. He agreed, but then re-emphasized the problem this was causing him."

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The number of dead from an attack on a military base in Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region has risen to 59 from an earlier reported 38, a military officer said on Saturday.

In the attack on Thursday al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab fighters overran the base in Af Urur, a town about 100 km (60 miles) south of Bosaso.

"We confirm that the total number of deaths is 59, including six women, and the total number of injuries is 38," Major Mohamed Abdi, a Puntland military officer, told Reuters by phone.

Af Urur lies near the Galgala hills, an area controlled by al Shabaab. Its fighters have attacked and captured the town several times.

Somalia's president said the country's army was in "hot pursuit" of the fighters after the attack.

Al Shabaab regularly launches attacks in Somalia, but often focuses on the capital Mogadishu and other regions controlled by the federal government. It aims to drive out African Union peacekeepers, topple Somalia's Western-backed government and impose its strict version of Islam.

The group rarely carries out attacks in Puntland.

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China 'vigilant' after US B-1 bombers fly over disputed waters

Iran Press TV

Fri Jun 9, 2017 10:21AM

China has stressed that it will safeguard its territorial sovereignty, in a tacit warning to the United States, two of whose military bombers recently flew over the South China Sea.

"China's military will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security, and regional peace and stability," a Chinese ministerial source said on Friday.

"China always maintains vigilance and effective monitoring of the relevant country's military activities in the South China Sea," the source said in a statement, referring to the United States.

The US Pacific Command said on its website that two US Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers had flown a 10-hour training mission from Guam over the South China Sea on Thursday, in conjunction with the Navy's USS Sterett guided-missile destroyer.

A US warship in late May carried out a "maneuvering drill" within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island built up by China in the South China Sea.

The US military says it conducts such drills to exercise what is calls its right to "freedom of navigation" to show China it is not entitled to territorial waters there.

The latest exercise was part of the Pacific Command's "continuous bomber presence" program and was not, however, described as a "freedom of navigation" exercise.

China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, through which about five trillion dollars in sea-borne trade passes each year.

Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam also have claims in the disputed waters.

Washington has taken sides with Beijing's rival claimants in the disputed waters and criticized China for the construction of islands and build-up of military facilities there, over apparent concerns that they could be used to restrict free navigation in the resource-rich waters.

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Kosovo's Reassuringly Low-Key Elections Could Be Prelude To 'Harsh Realities'

Alan Crosby, Amra Zejneli June 09, 2017

PRISTINA -- Amid months of political turmoil across the Balkans, Kosovo's parliamentary elections on June 11 are a chance for the country to confirm its path toward stability and deeper European integration.

The country's voters head to the polls for the third time since unilaterally declaring independence from Serbia in 2008, and a year earlier than planned after Prime Minister Isa Mustafa's government lost a no-confidence vote in parliament last month.

While there have been some rumblings of electoral dirty tricks, the campaign has been devoid of any major scandals or incidents, in a marked departure from other recent elections in the Balkans.

"Now is the time for the region to move forward, to seize the momentum and deliver a European future," Finance Minister Avdullah Hoti, a candidate for the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), said. "Kosovo can lead this transformation."

Same Old Politics In New Boxes?

When Mustafa's government collapsed, concern swelled that the kind of political upheaval that dotted the region -- fueled by nationalist sentiment that sparked fears of an outbreak of violence -- would engulf Kosovo, which as Europe's newest country has struggled to establish a stable democracy.

But political rivalries were quickly put aside -- if only for the moment -- as major parties banded together in coalitions.

President Hashim Thaci's Kosovo Democratic Party (PDK) joined forces with former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj's Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Fatmir Limaj's Initiative for Kosovo (NISM). Each has its foundation in the Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) that fought a separatist war against Serbia in 1998-99.

On the other side, Mustafa's LDK and the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) of Behgjet Pacolli have come together along with a new political group, Alternative, to form a coalition running in the vote.

While the coalitions comprise many of the same political players and may discourage some younger voters, their presence may aid forming a government afterward and help avoid the kind of six-month stalemate that followed 2014 elections as parties battled to form a government.

"Almost all of the political parties have a clear orientation and narration, just as in Western countries," said Burim Ramadani, direction of the Research Center for Security Policy.

To be sure, a smoother campaign trail doesn't mean the country won't face a bumpy road after the vote.

Jobs, health care, and education remain pressing issues for one of Europe's poorest countries, and a nation where about one-third of its 1.8 million citizens are under the age of 15.

"There's nothing new in the program of the candidates. I feel like we have been in the election campaign for quite some time now and that this is just the continuation," political analyst Imer Mushkolaj says. "We have to wait for the results and see how are they going to clear up their ideas on these issues."

Uncertainty Awaits

The early elections also derailed the process of ratifying the demarcation of Kosovo's border with Montenegro, which became a member of NATO earlier this month, a condition for Kosovo obtaining visa-free travel in the European Union.

With borderlines often the front lines of conflicts across the Balkans, the two countries had struggled to agree on a deal to finally define the frontier.

An accord was reached in 2015, but the result was unacceptable to the opposition, which felt Kosovo would lose about 82 square kilometers of valuable farmland even though an independent commission of experts ruled the area in question was legitimately part of Montenegro.

The issue sparked a no-confidence vote in parliament in May, which the government lost, triggering the early elections.

Kosovo's leaders and institutions "mustn't lose sight of great challenges Kosovo faces," EU Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn said after the fall of the government.

Kosovo analyst Ismail Hasani tells RFE/RL that that series of events was a step backward for a country that is already failing to address several important issues.

"Whoever takes power afterwards, whoever forms a government, they will have to deal with the harsh realities that lie ahead for the future leadership -- a special court for war crimes, the border demarcation with Montenegro, the creation of a Serb-majority community, the fight against the corruption, and other problems that have been waiting to be solved," Hasani says.

Kosovo remains the only Western Balkan country whose citizens still require visas to travel to the EU's passport-free Schengen area.

In the meantime, many Kosovars hope the mostly peaceful election campaign -- in recent days, EU and U.S. officials have expressed concern over reports of interference and intimidation of voters in some areas -- is a sign of things to come for their country.

"I hope we turn to peace, prosperity, to a better life. I hope the people who support these things will win the elections," says Sandra Milekovic from Mitrovica, in the northern part of the country.

With reporting by Rikard Jozwiak in Brussels

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kosovo-low-key-elections- maybe-prelude-harsh-realities/28538445.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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US B-2 Stealth Bombers Arrive in UK for 'Deterrence Operations'

Sputnik News

17:14 09.06.2017(updated 17:34 09.06.2017)

Two US B-2 stealth bombers have arrived to the United Kingdom.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The US Air Force deployed two of its B-2 stealth bombers to the United Kingdom, the US European Command said in a press release on Friday.

"B-2 Spirit Bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, deployed to Royal Air Force Fairford, UK, to participate in recurring bomber assurance and deterrence operations," the release stated.

The bombers will not support the ongoing BALTOPS or Saber Strike exercises, European Command added.

The release noted that it is the first time all three B-2 bombers are in Europe at the same time.

In a separate statement, the US Air Force explained the B-2s will join three B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers deployed on June 1, as well as three supersonic B-1 Lancers currently deployed to the Royal Air Force base in Fairfield.

European Command did not detail the nature of the B-2 bombers' mission, but said they "are representative of the US commitment to our allies and enhancing regional security."

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of firing both conventional and nuclear munitions. Its stealth characteristics make it difficult to detect with conventional infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual and radar systems, according to the Air Force. The aircraft can fly approximately 6,000 nautical miles (9,600 kilometers) without refueling.

First launched in 1989, the bomber played a major role in US Operation Allied Force when it destroyed 33 percent of all Serbian targets in eight weeks.

 Sputnik

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PLA Hong Kong Garrison holds joint air and sea patrol operations

People's Daily Online

By Zhou Hanqing, Tang Jia,and Yi Ding. (China Military Online) 13:15, June 09, 2017

HONG KONG, June 8 (ChinaMil) -- The naval and air troops of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison held on Tuesday a routine joint patrol in waters and airspace of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

The joint air and sea patrol aims to monitor, track and identify suspicious targets in waters and airspace of HKSAR, and promptly deal with emergencies.

The joint patrol began at 9 a.m. with the guided-missile frigates Huizhou and Qinzhou leaving the Ngong Shuen Chau Naval Base, passing through the bustling Victoria Harbor and heading to East Lamma Channel.

During the voyage, the two guided-missile frigates conducted drills of suspicious targets tracking and surveillance.

At the same time, three helicopters for armed reconnaissance, search and rescue missions flew away from the Shek Kong Air Force Base. After conducting air reconnaissance and patrol of suspicious targets, the helicopters exercised extreme low-altitude tracing and special situation handling and other subjects.

The joint command post of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison used multiple communication and command systems including the Beidou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) to realize remote mobile command and control throughout the whole process of the joint patrol.

The PLA Hong Kong Garrison informed the relevant departments of the HKSAR Government ahead of the joint patrol. The naval and air troops participating in the joint patrol fully considered the actual situation of Hong Kong's waters and airspace and strictly abided by laws and regulations on waterways, ports and air traffic control of the HKSAR.

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Russian Forces in Syria Monitoring Situation in Raqqa As Militants Leaving City

Sputnik News

18:08 09.06.2017

The Russian military group in Syria is closely monitoring the situation in Raqqa, the group's Commander Col. Gen. Sergei Surovikin said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The Russian military group in Syria is closely monitoring the situation in the area of Raqqa, and notes that the process of the militants leaving the city goes unobstructed, the group's Commander Col. Gen. Sergei Surovikin said Friday.

"The command of Russian military group in the Syrian Arab Republic is closely monitoring the situation in the area of Raqqa, where we observe the militants freely leaving the city and its suburbs," Surovikin said at a briefing.

The Syrian Democratic Forces, backed by the US-led coalition, announced on Tuesday the beginning of the final assault on Raqqa to liberate the city from Daesh.

Earlier it was reported that the Pentagon deployed several marine units to the area, in addition to having previously deployed 500 special forces troops.

According to the Pentagon, the newly deployed units have heavy weapons, including M777 155-mm howitzers and AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. The Marines are providing the operation with artillery and close air support.

Raqqa was one of the first cities captured by the terrorists in January 2014.

 Sputnik

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Syrian Troops Gain Upper Hand in Aleppo Province

Sputnik News

18:00 09.06.2017(updated 18:05 09.06.2017)

Syrian government forces have liberated 83 settlements in northeastern parts of the Aleppo province, over 3,000 Daesh terrorists had been eliminated, Commander of the Russian military group in Syria Col. Gen. Sergei Surovikin said on Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  While the city of Aleppo was liberated late 2016, the Syrian army's fight against terrorist groups continues in the province of Aleppo.

"A total of 83 settlements and over 500 square kilometers [193 square miles] were liberated from terrorists. Over 3,000 Daesh terrorists were eliminated, including several dozen of odious commanders, as well as over 20 tanks, seven infantry fighting vehicles and nine large caliber artillery pieces," Surovikin said.

Last week, the Syrian army destroyed a major Daesh stronghold in the Aleppo province, an army source told Sputnik.

Over the last week, the Syrian government forces eliminated 1,200 Daesh terrorists in the region.

 Sputnik

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US Coalition Bombs Syrian Army, Enhances Terrorists in Palmyra - Russian MoD

Sputnik News

16:48 09.06.2017(updated 21:50 09.06.2017)

The Russian Defense Ministry accused the US-led coalition of bombing the Syrian army, letting Daesh terrorists escape encirclement and enhancing terrorists in Palmyra and Deir ez-Zor.

The Russian General Staff said that the US-led coalition only hinders the Syrian army's advance against Daesh terrorists by conducting strikes on pro-Damascus forces near al-Tanf in southern Syria.

On June 8, the US-led coalition bombed pro-Damascus forces near al-Tanf in the area of a deconfliction zone following an alleged attack by a combat drone resulting in no coalition forces' casualties. This was the third attack by the coalition on Damascus' allies in the area. The coalition targeted a drone and trucks with weapons.

"We see that coalition's actions only prevents the government forces from defeating Daesh terrorists," chief of the Russian General Staff's Main Operational Directorate Col. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy said.

According to him, Russian military sees no significant results of the coalition's fight against terrorism and called it on to focus on counterterror fight instead of bombing the Syrian army. The Russian General Staff urged the coalition to avoid striking Syrian army's positions in the future.

"While declaring its aim as the fight against international terrorism, the coalition carries out strikes against Syrian troops, lets Daesh militants out of encirclement areas, thus, strengthening terrorist units near Palmyra and Deir ez-Zor."

The Russian General Staff said that the Syrian army's advance in the south of the country was countered by the coalition's aviation which violates sovereign right of Syria to guard the country's borders.

"During the offensive, [Syrian] government troops faced opposition from the aviation of the US-led international coalition. The US [forces] delivered absolutely groundless ultimatum to the Syrian army so that it would not approach the positions of the so-called 'New Syrian army'. They motivate their actions by absurd claims that government forces pose a threat to US bases and camps for training of opposition fighters in southern Syria," Commander of the Russian group of forces in Syria Col. Gen. Sergey Surovikin said.

Rudskoy said that claims of the Syrian army's alleged threat to US bases and Syrian rebels' training camps are "absurd."

He said it seems that Washinghton used the fight against terrorism as a pretext to hinder the advance of the Syrian government troops.

"At the moment, we are seeing that the actions of the [US-led] coalition only hamper the destruction of Daesh units by the [Syrian] government forces," Rudskoy said.

"The government forces with support from Russian Russian Aerospace Forces are not fighting Syrian opposition, but are consistently striving to achieve their main goal of destroying Daesh, al-Nusra Front and affiliated terrorist groups."

The Russian military added that instead of fighting terrorists, the US-led coalition along with the Syrian opposition reach agreements with them so that the terrorists leave the territories under their control and attack the areas controlled by Damascus.

"Instead of destroying the terrorists guilty of killing hundreds and thousands of Syrian civilians, the US-led coalition together with the Syrian Democratic Forces conspire with Daesh leaders for them to peacefully surrender the settlements they control and relocate to the provinces where the Syrian government forces are actively engaged."

"[US-led] coalition aircraft and strongholds of the New Syrian Army militants blocked the path of [Syria's] government forces that are carrying out the task of defeating units and in the course of their advance are providing control, placing frontier posts on the border with Iraq  to the north-east of At Tanf to Abu Kamal. This is a violation of the sovereign right of the Syrian Arab Republic to protect its borders."

On May 18, the US-led coalition struck pro-Assad fighters near the town of al-Tanf in the area of an established deconfliction zone with Russia. The coalition strikes occurred near al-Tanf, where US' and British special operations forces have been training Syrian rebel fighters near the border with Iraq and Jordan. Russia slammed the move as a violation of international law.

On June 6, the Pentagon announced the coalition conducted a new strike on pro-Syrian government forces as they entered the de-confliction zone with Russia and posed threat to its personnel. The force comprised of a tank, artillery, anti-aircraft weapons, armed technical vehicles and more than 60 soldiers. A Syrian source told Sputnik on Tuesday that at least two Syrian servicemen were killed and more than 15 injured as a result of the coalition attack.

The United States and Russia signed the bilateral memorandum of understanding in October 2015 to ensure their flight safety during combat missions over Syria.

 Sputnik

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Turkey Agrees to Send Up to 3,000 Troops to Qatar Amid Gulf Diplomatic Crisis

By Paul Alexander June 08, 2017

Turkey's decision to send up to 3,000 troops to Qatar further cements their growing ties, but it virtually eliminates a possible role for Ankara to mediate between Qatar and the Gulf states that have decided to isolate it for alleged support of terrorism.

Both countries have found themselves increasingly isolated Turkey for the increasing authoritarian rule of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatar for its alleged financial support of extremist groups and growing ties with Iran, the main competitor to Saudi Arabia for power and influence in the region. Qatar denies the allegation.

Erdogan reportedly tried to intervene after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Yemen cut diplomatic ties Monday with Qatar and took other measures to pressure it. He then convened a special session of Parliament on Wednesday night to authorize the dispatch of up to 3,000 troops to Qatar and hold military exercises with the country.

Saying both countries faced the "same threats," Turkey agreed last year to open a military base in Doha and had already dispatched 150-300 troops there. The agreements that were finalized Wednesday were signed in 2016 but had not yet been approved before suddenly being pushed to the top of Parliament's agenda.

Risky business

The move carries some risk for Turkey, particularly if Saudi Arabia attacks or annexes Qatar.

"If there is Qatar on one side and the rest of the Gulf states on the other, one must be very careful," said Dr. Ali Faik Demir, a member of the Galatasaray University International Relations Department. "Meaning that no state can be brave enough to take on the Gulf states in investment and economic relations-wise by standing with Qatar."

While the troops are not expected to fight for Qatar should hostilities break out, Demir says Turkey should have avoided the appearances of giving Qatar military support when it could mediate the crisis.

"Turkey is in a position to become a key in peace in Middle East and other subjects when one considers her America and West relations, even Russia relations, and especially the delicate Iranian balances and how she is an important power in the Muslim world and in the Middle East," Demir told VOA Turkish.

Qatar needs quick solution

Kadir Has University professor Serhat Guvenc says Qatar will suffer badly if the crisis is not solved in a short time, and if the crisis continues this will impact Turkey adversely due to its support of Qatar.

But Turkey's decision also is an economic one.

Qatar has recently developed into one of the most active investors in Turkey's economy. Economists estimate Qatar has invested $19 billion in Turkey, buying Digiturk and Finansbank in the last two years. Turkish defense industry giant BMC also has a Qatari partnership, and Qatari Emir Sheik Temim bought the most expensive part of the Bosphorus in 2015.

In December 2015, Turkey reached a long-term deal to buy liquefied natural gas from Qatar. Bilateral trade totaled $710 million last year.

VOA Turkish contributed to this report.

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Modernizing Nuclear Deterrents No. 1 Priority, DoD Officials Tell Congress

By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, June 8, 2017  Defense officials outlined the need for consistent congressional support for the critical mission of modernizing and maintaining effective nuclear deterrent systems during testimony on Capitol Hill yesterday.

James A. MacStravic, performing the duties of undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, told the Senate Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on strategic forces that because the systems require modernization at the same time, the Defense Department needs sustained support from Congress to ensure adequate, consistent funding for the programs.

"Delaying modernization and warhead life extension efforts would degrade the effectiveness of these systems and would put at risk the fundamental objective of these systems: nuclear deterrence," he said.

As the delivery systems and warheads reach their limits for sustainability, the choice is not between keeping or updating the forces, he told the panel.

"Rather, our choice is between modernizing those forces or watching a slow and unacceptable degradation in our ability to deter adversaries who represent existential threats to our nation," he said.

Nuclear Posture Review

In January, President Donald J. Trump directed the Defense Department to conduct a nuclear posture review to assess the roles of nuclear weapons in national security, the strategy to fulfil those roles and the capability requirements to implement that strategy, MacStravic pointed out.

The president's fiscal year 2018 budget request demonstrates DoD's commitment to strengthening and modernizing an aging nuclear triad, he said, referring to the three categories of nuclear delivery vehicles: land, air and sea.

In his written statement, MacStravic said the president's budget request includes $14 billion for nuclear force sustainment and operations and $5 billion for associated recapitalization programs.

The hearing on DoD's nuclear acquisition programs and nuclear doctrine also included Robert M. Soofer, deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy; Air Force Gen. Robin Rand, the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command; and Vice Adm. Terry J. Benedict, director of the Navy's Strategic Systems Programs.

The nuclear posture review directed by the president is expected to be complete by the end of 2017, Soofer told lawmakers. The review will examine all elements of U.S. nuclear forces and posture to ensure the nation's nuclear deterrent is modern, robust, flexible, resilient, ready, and appropriately tailored to deter 21st-century threats, he said.

Russia, China, North Korea and Emerging Challenges

The critical mission of ensuring an effective nuclear deterrent is the highest priority of DoD, and one it shares with the Department of Energy and Congress, Soofer said.

"Effective deterrence requires a deliberate strategy and forces that are structured and postured to support that strategy within the existing security environment," he said.

U.S. policy must address changes in the world scene in recent years, Soofer said, listing concerns with Russia, China and North Korea.

"Russia has undertaken aggressive actions against its neighbors and threatened the United States and its allies," he said. Russia has elevated strategies of nuclear first use, is violating the landmark Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, and is modernizing a large and diverse non-strategic nuclear weapons force, he added.

In the Asia-Pacific region, China's increased assertiveness suggests a desire to dominate the region, he said.

Meanwhile, Soofer said, North Korea's leadership has "demonstrated a willingness to accept economic countermeasures and international isolation in order to advance its nuclear capability and develop ballistic missiles able to strike the U.S. homeland, as well our allies in the region."

In addition, he said, new threats are emerging from non-nuclear strategic capabilities, most of which are not constrained by treaties or agreements. "Technological advancements mean that proliferators might seek weapons of mass destruction development paths that are different from the ones we are accustomed to detecting and countering," he told the panel.

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Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas has denied that it or any other militant group built a tunnel under two UN schools in Gaza after its discovery drew a strong UN protest.

Over the years, Gaza's Hamas rulers have built a labyrinth of tunnels, some passing under the border into Israel which they used to launch attacks during the last Israeli assault in 2014.

On June 1, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) found "part of a tunnel that passes under two adjacent agency schools in the Maghazi camp" during construction work, spokesman Christopher Gunness said on Friday.

Hamas late Friday "strongly condemned" the UNRWA statement, saying it would be exploited by Israel to "justify its crimes".

Hamas had clarified the issue "with all factions and resistance forces, who clearly stated they had no actions related to the resistance in the said location," the movement said, adding that it respected UNRWA's work.

Gunness said that the tunnel "has no entry or exit points on the premises nor is it connected to the schools or other buildings in any way".

"UNRWA condemns the existence of such tunnels in the strongest possible terms. It is unacceptable that students and staff are placed at risk in such a way," he said.

Gunness said the agency had "robustly intervened and protested to Hamas in Gaza".

He said UNRWA will seal the tunnel, which was discovered while the schools were empty during the summer holiday.

Attack tunnels were a key weapon for Hamas during the 2014 Gaza war.

Hamas also built a vast network of tunnels under Gaza's border with Egypt to smuggle goods and allegedly weapons.

The Israeli army found and destroyed several tunnels during the 2014 war.

Israel launched three wars on the Gaza Strip since the group wrested control of the territory from the rival Fatah movement of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in 2007.

*The story was edited by Ahram Online.

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TORONTO, June 9, 2017 - Jubilee Gold Exploration Ltd. (TSX.V: JUB) (the "Corporation") reported results of its Annual General Meeting (the "Meeting") of holders of Class A Common Shares of the Corporation (the "Shareholders") held today.

The total number of shares represented at the meeting was 7,065,752 representing approximately 90.22% of the 7,831,578 issued and outstanding Class A Common Shares of the Corporation.

The following five (5) director nominees, as set out in the management information circular dated May 8, 2017 (the "Information Circular"), were elected to serve as directors of the Corporation, to hold office until the next annual meeting or until their successors are otherwise elected or appointed:

1. Jeffrey J. Becker 100% For; 0% Withheld/Abstain 2. Warren Becker 99.99% For; 0.01% Withheld/Abstain 3. Michael Burke 100% For; 0% Withheld/Abstain 4. Grant V. Ohman 99.99% For; 0.01% Withheld/Abstain 5. Summer J. Becker 100% For; 0% Withheld/Abstain

The Shareholders approved UHY McGovern Hurley LLP, Chartered Accountants ("MHC"), by a vote of 100% For; 0% Withheld/Abstain, to serve as auditor of the Corporation, to hold office until the next annual meeting of Shareholders of the Corporation or until their successors are appointed and that the remuneration of the auditor be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

Further details on these matters are set forth in the Corporation's materials accessible on the Corporation's SEDAR corporate profile page.

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which address future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The Corporation's actual results, programs and financial position could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, some of which may be beyond the Corporation's control. These factors include: the availability of funds; the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties, the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, the uncertainties of resource and reserve estimations, receipt and security of mineral property titles; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, fluctuations in metal prices; currency fluctuations; and general market and industry conditions.

Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Corporation's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Jubilee Gold Exploration Ltd.







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Iraq's paramilitary Hashed al-Shaabi forces said Saturday that they had retaken all areas west of Mosul from the Islamic State group except the town of Tal Afar.



The umbrella organisation, which is dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militias, has been fighting primarily on a separate western front since the battle to retake Mosul was launched in October last year.



Their main objective has been to isolate IS fighters battling elite forces inside the city by cutting off their supply lines to remaining strongholds in the Syrian part of their now crumbing "caliphate".



"Hashed forces declare the liberation of all areas west of Mosul except Tal Afar," the organisation said on social media.



Tal Afar is a large town that lies about 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Mosul on the way to Syria and is still at the hands of the jihadists, although almost completely surrounded by anti-IS forces.



While the Counter-Terrorism Service and other federal forces were retaking Mosul one neighbourhood after another as well as urban areas around it, Hashed forces worked their way north and west through mostly desert regions of Iraq.



The Hashed's top Iraqi military commander, known as Abu Mahdi al-Mohandis, spoke overnight to hail the achievements of his forces.



"The Hashed are awaiting orders from the prime minister and commander-in-chief of the armed forces (Haider al-Abadi) to storm the district of Tal Afar," he was quoted as saying in a statement.



He said that Hashed forces had taken control of an area about two kilometres from Iraq's western border with neighbouring Syria, where another alliance of forces backed a US-led coalition is battling IS.



"The Hashed have not entered yet," he said, without elaborating.



Abadi has repeatedly said that no Iraqi forces should cross the border into Syria.



The Hashed al-Shaabi is nominally under his command but some of its components have for years been sending fighters to support Damascus in its six-year-old conflict against various rebel groups.

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(TNS) - Plans are underway to shift the management of the emergency communication center in Macon County, Ill., with the possibility that neighboring counties could also join the fold.After months of negotiations, local governing bodies look ready to sign off on establishing the Central Illinois Regional Dispatch Center that would take over the operations of the call center from the city of Decatur. The call center dispatches the Decatur police and fire departments, Macon County Sheriff's Office and smaller police and fire departments within the county.With the regional dispatch center, City Manager Tim Gleason said it opens the door for neighboring rural counties could join the center in the future.Its an opportunity  with the rural counties to possibly bring them in with us and growing our communication center, he said. I think that opportunity is still out there, but this is the first step.The move would also change how much each governing body pays for emergency dispatching. The city currently covers $1.6 million of the total $2.5 million annual operating cost, officials said, while Macon County pays $300,000 and the Emergency Telephone System Board pays $600,000. The cost would shift under the plan based on the number of calls from each municipality.For Macon County, that could mean paying an extra $350,000 a year, said board Chairman Jay Dunn. But the tradeoff is the county would have more say in the operations of the center.I think at the end of the day, this will be a fair way to do this, he said.Under the new plan, control of the communication center would shift to a three-person executive board and executive director. The seats would be held by the mayor of Decatur or a person she designates; the Macon County board chairman or a person he designates; and a third person chosen by the other two board members.The Decatur City Council unanimously approved the plan at its June 5 meeting, but it still needs approval from the Macon County Board and the Emergency Telephone System Board.The plan would not move the call center from its current location at the Law Enforcement Center in downtown Decatur, nor would it affect handling of emergency calls.Roughly 20 employees at the center would no longer be employed by the city, but instead would be overseen by the newly created executive board. The move would not eliminate any positions at the center, something Gleason stressed was important to moving forward with the plan.Those employees have been represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 and Local 268, and it would be up to them to decide whether they wish to remain members once the transition is complete.Eddie Caumiant, regional director for AFSCME Council 31, said the union looks forward to working with the employees on any future negotiations.The county is expected to vote on the measure at its July meeting. If approved by all three governing bodies, the dispatch center would be established at the start of next year.rvoyles@herald-review.com|(217) 421-79852017 the Herald & Review (Decatur, Ill.)Visit the Herald & Review (Decatur, Ill.) at www.herald-review.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(TNS)  WASHINGTON, D.C.  Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue recently announced that USDA is awarding four loans to help provide broadband service in rural portions of Illinois, Iowa, Texas and California.Too many rural areas still lack access to robust, affordable broadband services that can create jobs and boost rural economies, Perdue said. These broadband infrastructure investments will connect rural communities to a digital future and will help expand access to high-speed internet, health care, educational and business services in rural communities.Perdue announced the broadband loans after celebrating Infrastructure Week with President Donald Trump in Cincinnati, Ohio, last week. He had a scheduled meeting with the White House Infrastructure Council last Thursday.USDAs partnerships with more than 500 telecommunications providers across the country fund broadband infrastructure investments that are uniquely designed to meet the specific needs of each rural community. These projects connect residents, businesses, healthcare facilities and community facilities  including schools, libraries and first responders  to the internet.The $43.6 million announced last week will add nearly 1,000 miles of fiber to fund broadband service. The funding will be used as follows:Illinois Viola Home Telephone Co. will use a $3.3 million loan to construct 104 miles of fiber cable and provide supporting equipment to deliver enhanced telecommunications services to its rural subscribers.USDA is awarding a $24.8 million loan to the Central Texas Telephone Cooperative Inc. to construct 568 miles of fiber and install equipment upgrades in seven of its 17 exchanges.Californias Ducor Telephone Co. is receiving a $9 million loan to construct 67 miles of fiber and update equipment to improve quality, functionality and network reliability.In Iowa, the Coon Valley Cooperative Telephone Association will use a $6.5 million loan to construct 216 miles of fiber to improve access to advanced telecommunications services.USDA is providing these loans through Rural Developments Telecommunications Program. This program funds infrastructure and equipment to deliver broadband and distance learning and telemedicine services throughout rural America.USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; homeownership; community services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.RECOMMENDED FOR YOU10:30 pm | 0 9:45 pm | 3 6:05 pm | 0 2017 The Telegraph (Alton, Ill.)Visit The Telegraph (Alton, Ill.) at www.thetelegraph.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
At least eight migrants drowned when their Europe-bound boat sank off Libya's coast and at least 100 people are missing, a coastguard official said on Saturday.

The eight bodies were on an inflatable craft that can carry up to 120 passengers, said Colonel Fathi al-Rayani, head of the coastguard in Garabulli, 60 kilometres (40 miles) east of Tripoli.

He estimated that "at least 100" migrants were missing.

The boat was spotted deflated off Garabulli, and the coastguard found the bodies inside, said an AFP reporter who accompanied them.

Conflict-ravaged Libya has long been a stepping stone for migrants seeking a better life in Europe.

The UN refugee agency has said around 61,250 migrants have reached Italy since the start of the year after crossing the Mediterranean, while 1,778 more are dead or missing.

The Italian coastguard has said that more than 900 migrants were rescued off Libya on Thursday and Friday.

Libyan navy spokesman, General Ayoub Qassem, meanwhile told AFP that coastguards patrolling off Zawiya west of Tripoli on Friday intercepted five inflatables and two wooden boats with more than 570 migrants on board.

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A data consolidation proof of concept, for which the agency procured $642,552 of vendor equipment through Reseller A in August 2016, including equipment, software licenses and services  though a replacement invoice in the same amount deleted the services portion of the initial invoice.

A unified communication project for which the agency bought $584,521 in equipment to build and implement a video infrastructure that would enhance an existing state system.

A K-12 upgrade project, a collaboration with the Department of Education to provide a secure K-12 backbone network and increase school bandwidth throughout the state. Staffers stated several networking retailers were contacted for the upgrade, auditors wrote.

A new report from Arkansas Legislative Audit to the states Legislative Joint Auditing Committee identified a personal relationship between the former Department of Information Services (DIS) Director and a vendor representative that affected various procurements.The report , dated Thursday, May 18, and discussed by the committee and a member of state audit staff on Thursday, June 8, does not identify former DIS Director Mark Myers by name  but covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016  a period during which Myers headed the department.Myers, a self-described nontraditional CIO with priorities of rolling out broadband to all K-12 schools in the state, and improving cybersecurity, ascended to the post on Jan. 19, 2015. He tendered his resignation on Nov. 23, 2016 after less than two years on the job, after reportedly having been asked to do so by Gov. Asa Hutchison.The circumstances surrounding Myers swift exit from the public sector have not previously been discussed in depth by the state agency.But the report indicates a review of Myers texts and emails stored on agency servers revealed to auditors a personal relationship between the director and a vendor representative involved in at least three agency procurement projects.This relationship and the correspondence contained on the servers appears to conflict with state law and the agencys technology policy, respectively, the report said, also indicating the director in question resigned Nov. 23.The projects in question, totaling slightly more than $8.2 million, were:Arkansas state code, auditors noted, requires contracts for services and totaling at least $100,000 be presented to Legislative Council.By misclassifying the services as equipment and software licenses, the agency avoided legislative review, auditors wrote.The agency decided to buy the equipment because integration services could be received at no cost and using it would reduce travel costs. But agency staff said the free integration services were not received and that integrating the equipment will cost approximately $21,000.The equipment was purchased through another reseller, Reseller B; and as of February 2017 the agency had yet to utilize equipment costing $255,901.But after only a short period of time, the former director decided to use the vendor and Reseller B before any other quotes were received.The state, auditors noted, ultimately spent $6,973,922 on equipment from Reseller B, and they said use of the vendor without sufficient input from agency personnel with technological knowledge appears to be questionable and not in the best interest of the state.In summary, based on a review of the three projects and the alleged personal relationship, auditors wrote, it appears the former director violated standards of conduct contained in state law, potentially wasted state resources, and did not adhere to the agencys technology policy.We recommend agency management and staff comply with the agencys technology policy and applicable state law and receive appropriate training on ethics and procurement law, auditors wrote.In an email tolate Friday, Deputy Legislative Auditor Jon Moore said the committee voted to file the report "so no further action is necessary" by auditors."We have referred the report to the local prosecutor and a criminal investigation is under way. Because of the ongoing investigation, I can not provide any details other than what is in our report," Moore said via email.There was no response late Friday to an email sent to J.R. Davis, the governors communications director.DIS, now led by Yessica Jones, said in a series of responses also included in the audit, that it will follow state recommendation on the first project, has voided the purchase order and will not be submitting payment.On the second project, DIS said it has identified a vendor and obtained a statement of work to provide integration services in conjunction with other enhanced unified communication services to meet customer requirements, and is developing a strategy for how best to use the video infrastructure equipment.As to the K-12 upgrade, DIS said it has been an accepted departmental practice for agency personnel with technological knowledge to determine best of breed and pricing factors prior to making a recommendation to the director.The director, DIS added, will develop a policy to formalize this practice and effectuate the states best interests.Max Brantley wrote that the report was discussed at a Legislative Joint Audit committee meeting on June 8, but its counsel declined to comment to thebeyond the report.Upon inquiry, we have been informed that there is an ongoing criminal investigation by a law enforcement agency regarding this matter, counsel replied in Brantleys article.Writing about a presentation Moore made on June 8 to state lawmakers, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazettes Michael R. Wickline reported Moore told officials it appears Myers violated standards of conduct in state law, potentially wasted state resources and failed to adhere to the department's technology policy, based on a review of the projects and the reported relationship.Moore confirmed to lawmakers the situation is under investigation, Wickline reported, noting he was limited to how much new information I go into. But, thereported, Myers defended the purchases in a letter to state lawmakers, saying the purchases were well below the prices the department could have paid; and indicated he didnt play favorites due to any relationships real or perceived, and repeatedly consulted with DIS then-chief operating officer.Thealso reported that Moore confirmed the inquiry is an ongoing criminal investigation, in response to a query from Rep. Dwight Tosh, R-Jonesboro, but declined to say which agency is conducting it.
Everyones favorite robotics company, Boston Dynamics, has been sold to the Tokyo-based SoftBank Group, a multinational telecommunications and Internet corporation. Boston Dynamics who may be better known from its YouTube videos showing off four-legged, "dog-like robots and two-legged android style machines . Terms of Fridays deal  including when it might close  were not disclosed.Smart robotics are going to be a key driver of the next stage of the Information Revolution, and Marc [Raibert] and his team at Boston Dynamics are the clear technology leaders in advanced dynamic robots, said Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son in the release . I am thrilled to welcome them to the SoftBank family and look forward to supporting them as they continue to advance the field of robotics and explore applications that can help make life easier, safer and more fulfilling.According to the, Alphabet (Google's parent company) remains committed to pursuing robotic technology. A primary focus is connecting human-like motor skills  including hand-eye coordination  to machines so they can draw pictures and process images, speech and text.
(TNS)  Vulnerabilities in software that automates everything from factories to traffic lights has become the nation's top cybersecurity threat, an agent on the FBI's Denver Cyber Task Force said Thursday in Colorado Springs.Supervisory control and data acquisition software is used to control  sometimes remotely  many types of devices in the energy, transportation, manufacturing and other industries and often is connected to sensors, valves, pumps, motors and other types of equipment to ensure safe operation, detect problems and maintain quality. The systems can be vulnerable to cyberattacks because they sometimes aren't protected by sophisticated security systems since they aren't accessible to or used by members of the public and usually are located in areas away from the public.Dan Leyman, special agent in the Denver Cyber Task Force, said the industrial control software is the biggest threat for the FBI because it is used to control much of the nation's critical infrastructure, ranging from dams and power grids to traffic control systems and waste water treatment plants. He made the comments during a panel discussion during a breakfast briefing at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort on cybersecurity by FedInsider.com, a Washington, D.C.-based website specializing in information and education about government management.Most of the world's high-profile cybersecurity incidents involve theft of consumers' personal information from retailers, insurers and other businesses or so-called "ransomware" like the "WannaCry" attack that compromised more than 200,000 computers in 150 nations last month, Leyman said. But many cyberattack victims are reluctant to contact the FBI due to fears of bad publicity damaging the reputation of a business or government agency if reports of the attack become public, but the FBI is barred to publicly disclosing the victim or details of the attack, he said."Our goal is the identify and prosecute the bad guy. We need to find out who did what to whom. The biggest issue in getting victims to report incidents is fear of public disclosure. We aren't allowed to do that. We can't identify and prosecute the perpetrator unless we know about the incident," Leyman said.Many government agencies and small businesses don't know who to call when they have become a victim of a cyberattack, said Ed Rios, CEO of the National Cybersecurity Center in Colorado Springs. He related how a local school district suffered a "denial of service" attack in which hackers overwhelm a business or government agency's computer system with internet traffic. The district called the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, the FBI and the Colorado National Guard but couldn't get any help until the guard referred the district to the cybersecurity center, he said.Rios didn't identify the district, but Colorado Springs School District 11 suffered a denial of service attack in 2015 during the first year of computerized student testing, delaying some testing for a day. School districts in Florida and New Jersey had reported similar experiences at that time.Trace Ridpath, director of information technology governance and security for the Colorado Governor's Office of Information Technology, said many cybersecurity vulnerabilities are linked to "bad coding" in software that allows easy access to a device and isn't discovered before a cyberattack. He is especially concerned with the growing number of internet-connected devices, which often are collectively referred to as the "internet of things" and can include everything from fitness and home security monitors to home appliances and thermostats.
Sergey Sirotkin has refused to deny speculation he is being lined up to replace struggling Jolyon Palmer at Renault.

Amid rumours about Briton Palmer's immediate future, some have suggested Sergio Perez or Fernando Alonso are in the running to replace him in 2018.

And if Palmer is more immediately ousted, the team's Russian reserve driver Sirotkin would be the obvious choice.

"I try not to react to or talk about rumours," Sirotkin is quoted by Russia's Championat.

"Unfortunately Jolyon has not been able to show the results the machine is capable of, but he is also working hard and trying to make progress.

"So it would be bad for him if I get involved in any political games. We do our job, and I think the team is able to see the whole situation for itself," he added.

(GMM)
F1 is heading for a V6 twin-turbo engine formula for 2021.

That is the news of Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, after car manufacturers were told to submit their proposals by the end of May.

The report said the general consensus is that after the expiry of the unpopular current 'power unit' rules, the manufacturers want the 1.6 litre V6 basis of the 2021 engines to stay.

But there will be two rather than one turbochargers, with the MGU-H dropped and replaced by KERS.

Auto Motor und Sport said the next engine meeting will take place in July, with a final decision to be taken by the end of the year.

Until then, Red Bull will reportedly continue to argue that certain parts of the 2021 powertrain should be standardised, including the KERS, battery and turbos.

But Dr Helmut Marko denies that Red Bull wants 'standard' engines.

"People have misunderstood," he said.

"We want an engine that can be produced technically and financially by an independent manufacturer, for EUR 25 million."

(GMM)
Daniel Ricciardo has scotched any lingering speculation about the chances of a Ferrari switch for 2018.

Amid persistent paddock rumours, Red Bull chiefs have said both the Australian and Max Verstappen are firmly under contract for next year.

When asked about that Ferrari gossip, Ricciardo told Corriere della Sera newspaper: "I would like to measure myself with new challenges some day.

"But in 2018 I will stay at Red Bull. I do not give up and I have a mission to complete," he told the Italian daily.

However, Ricciardo does agree that Ferrari's 2017 resurgence, after failing to win a single race last year, has been "crazy".

As for whether it will be Sebastian Vettel or Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton that wins the title, Ricciardo said: "It will be the details that count.

"But when Seb has the right machine and is happy, he's a devil, and he has the perfect environment now. He will be tough to beat."

As for Hamilton, Ricciardo commented: "He is a crazy talent. But this year he will have to work harder for it than in the past."

(GMM)
Stoffel Vandoorne is yet to prove he is "good enough" to thrive in F1.

That is the view of 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, commenting on the so far disappointing 2017 debut at McLaren-Honda of the Belgian rookie driver.

"It's disappointing," said the French Canadian, "because he has not once stood up to Alonso. And unless he beats Alonso, you cannot call him great or even good enough."

Villeneuve continued to tell Het Laatste Nieuws: "When I debuted in 1996, I started beating Damon Hill, an established name. I put the Williams on pole position in my first grand prix.

"You need to set the bar high in formula one," he said.

However, another former F1 driver Martin Brundle said it is not fair to write Vandoorne off yet.

"The first six races were nothing to write home about," said the British broadcaster.

"But you have to give him the benefit of the doubt, because at his age you do not suddenly forget how to win, as he did in all those other categories.

"And to criticise him now is not fair because he doesn't have a good car. I continue to believe in Stoffel, and I'm sure McLaren does too," Brundle added.

(GMM)
Tribal clashes on Saturday in southern Tunisia over a land dispute injured 78 people, including one seriously, a regional governor said.

"The two tribes used hunting rifles, stones and blunt objects, requiring police to intervene and use tear gas to disperse them and end the violence," Sami El Ghabi told AFP.

He said 78 people were hospitalised in Kebili and another in a serious condition was transferred to a facility in Sfax city.

Regional health chief Hedi Ben Slimane told private radio station Mosaique FM that 10 people had suffered buckshot wounds.

Differences over land between the two tribes, dating back all the way back to independence from France in 1956, degenerated into violence on Thursday, El Ghabi said.

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After repeating his threat to quit F1, Fernando Alonso sat down with the sport's new CEO Chase Carey.

Alonso, who Carey says is "one of our biggest stars", warned in Montreal that if Carey follows through with apparent plans to expand the calendar to 25 races, he will quit.

Then, Spanish media published a photo of Alonso sitting down in the McLaren hospitality area with American Carey in Montreal.

"Yes, I wanted to talk to him," Alonso told AS newspaper.

"He wished me luck for Indianapolis and I told him that if I saw him in Canada I wanted to personally thank him," said the McLaren-Honda driver.

"I showed him all my support to improve F1 and that I am here for everything he needs."

As for the quit threat, however, Alonso seems determined that 25 races a season is too much in terms of balancing his "lifestyle".

But Carey said on Friday that there is nothing to worry about, at least for 2018.

"Our focus is to do the 20 races this year and the 21 next year as they should be done from our point of view," he is quoted by the German broadcaster RTL.

"We want to bring these events to the next level."

So on the issue of expanding to 25 races, Carey added: "The issue of quality is the most important.

"We have prospects all over the world, but the relationships with our current partners are very important," he said.

(GMM)
McLaren is considering "all possible scenarios" amid rumours the British team is on the cusp of dumping works engine partner Honda.

Team executive Zak Brown this week gave an explosive interview indicating McLaren's patience is up, while boss Eric Boullier questioned Honda's "commitment".

Asked how he responds, Honda F1 chief Yusuke Hasegawa said in Montreal: "I don't respond.

"It is very difficult but it is very unfortunate that we can't convince them that we can do that," said the Japanese, when told that McLaren seem to have lost faith that Honda can turn it around.

Also in the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve paddock, Brown said Honda not delivering on a pledge to upgrade its engine by Canada had left McLaren more than disappointed.

"This is not acceptable," he said.

"We cannot allow a repeat of this in 2018. In preparing for next season, we need a guarantee that we are able to achieve better results.

"Our company's executive committee believes McLaren's interests are paramount, and it is clear that we can no longer remain uncompetitive.

"We have already said that we consider all possible scenarios, but there is no need to make any decisions today. But I think we can say that it should be taken around the summer break," Brown added.

Previously, former team supremo Ron Dennis said McLaren can only win a title in works collaboration with a carmaker, but Brown says he has a different view.

When asked about the fact that Honda actually sponsors McLaren, while switching to Mercedes or Renault will mean a bill for the team, Brown said: "It is a commercial decision.

"No matter how good the deal is with Honda, eventually we begin to incur serious financial losses in the form of not getting the (F1) payments. And we have lost several sponsors that moved on to other teams," he added.

"Clearly McLaren is upset and Honda is upset, but in this situation you need to be open and honest," said Brown. "We cannot continue to insist that everything is fine."

(GMM)
US President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States is committed to the NATO treaty's crucial Article Five mutual defense pledge.

Amid worries by European allies that the US leader had not fully bought in to the Atlantic treaty, Trump told reporters "I'm committing the United States to Article Five. Certainly we are there to protect."

"That's one of the reasons that I want people to make sure we have a very, very strong force, by paying the kinds of money necessary to have that force," Trump said.

The US president stunned Europe's leaders at a summit Brussels on May 25 when he failed to publicly endorse the now 29-member NATO treaty's founding mutual defense guarantee.

Instead he castigated the allies for failing to pay their way with contributions to NATO forces, singling out especially Germany.

According to Politico, Trump's defense and security advisors had included in his prepared speech a clear endorsement of the mutual defense pledge, but Trump himself struck it out just before speaking.

Doubts have remained since then despite US diplomats and military leaders themselves restating the pledge.

Just days before his January 20 inauguration, Trump rocked the post-World War II western alliance by calling NATO "obsolete."

Article Five has been the core of the NATO treaty's strength since it was formed amid a budding Cold War with communist states -- particularly the Soviet Union -- in 1949.

It has only been invoked once -- in support of the United States, after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Speaking beside Romanian President Klaus Iohannis at a White House press conference Friday, Trump suggested his pressure on other NATO members had had an effect.

"As you know, I have been an advocate for strengthening our NATO alliance through greater responsibility and burden sharing among member nations," he said.

"Because of our actions, money is starting to pour in to NATO.... Other countries are starting to realize that it's time to pay up. And they're doing that. Very proud of that fact."

"Because together we can confront the common security challenges facing the world," he added.

Trump praised Iohannis for boosting his country's defense spending. Romania joined the NATO alliance in 2004.

"We hope our other NATO allies will follow Romania's lead," Trump said.

Iohannis said NATO's mutual defense commitment was a crucial part of a defense against an aggressive Russia.

"In my opinion, we have to be very clear, very simple, very straightforward if we talk about Russia, and with Russia," he said.

"In my opinion, we need dialogue. But on the other hand, we need what we all together decided in NATO -- a strong deterrence."

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An Afghan commando Saturday killed two American soldiers and wounded two others during a joint operation in eastern Nangarhar province, a stronghold of Islamic State militants, an official said.

"Today around noon an Afghan commando opened fire on US troops in Achin district, killing two American soldiers. The soldier was also killed in the return fire," provincial spokesman Attaullah Khogyani told AFP.

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President Nicolas Maduro's plan to rewrite the constitution is opposed by 85 percent of Venezuelans, according to a survey by polling company Datanalisis carried out as protests calling for presidential elections grew increasingly intense.

In the poll, conducted between May 29 and June 4, 85.0 percent of respondents agreed with the statement: "There is no need to change the current constitution. What the government should do is enforce it."

Maduro, 54, has called a July 30 election to choose lawmakers who will then work on the new charter, calling it a way to restore peace after two months of anti-government unrest that has killed 67 people.

However, opposition parties say they will not take part in the election, which could dissolve the current, opposition dominated parliament. The proposal has run into rare criticism from within the government's own ranks.

The opposition says the vote is a sham designed purely to keep him in power and with rules skewed in favor of the government. They want to bring forward the next presidential vote due at the end of 2018.

The poll was posted on the website prodavinci.com, where largely anti-government articles are posted, and confirmed by Datanalisis' head Luis Vicente Leon, who has been a strong critic of President Nicolas Maduro.

Datanalisis did not reveal the number of participants, saying the interviews were done by telephone with families from a range of economic backgrounds. Maduro's government has been put under pressure by two months of often violent opposition street protests that have led to at least 67 deaths, thousands of injuries, hundreds of arrests and widespread destruction.

Protesters gathered again on Saturday for a march dubbed "towards victory."

Maduro calls violent protesters "terrorists" who are seeking to topple him with the help of the United States and other foreign powers.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday called the situation in Venezuela "concerning," in comments the government decried as interference that would fuel opposition violence.

Maduro's approval rating in the poll was 21.9 percent, including people who considered his performance as president, not bad, good and very good.



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RALEIGH  When Craig Blitzer campaigned to be Rockingham Countys district attorney, he promised to change the direction of the office.

Speeches were laced with words like tougher on crime, harsher sentences and a promise to build a working relationship with law enforcement.

No one could foresee that less than two years later, Blitzer would resign and be on the other side of a criminal investigation.

Since July 25, 2016, the offices of 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 payrolls, resulting in more than $100,000 in combined and, apparently, unearned annual salaries.

Little has been known about the details of the investigation until a search warrant became public last week.

That 25-page warrant, sealed for 90 days starting March 8, gives lengthy details about Blitzers wife, Cindy, who allegedly collected $48,000 in annual pay from the state while enrolled fulltime in a nursing program. It also paints a vivid picture of the work SBI agents did to build their case to the point where they could ask a judge to approve a search of Blitzers office, which took place in March.

Much of their investigation clearly was centered on the whereabouts of Cindy Blitzer, who was working for Bradsher as an investigator.

For the first time we now know the steps the SBI has taken to develop its case and a timeline of those events.

***

It all started when Blitzer was sworn in as district attorney on Jan. 1, 2015, and immediately hired his wife to work for him as a legal assistant.

On Jan. 8, Blitzer received an email from the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts telling him that employing her violated state law and that she must resign.

The email came in response to an ongoing discussion among courts officials and Bradsher.

For four years, Bradsher had employed his wife, Pamela, as a legal assistant in Person County. In December 2014, he wanted permission to promote her to investigator with an annual salary of $48,000.

When state officials realized Bradsher was employing his spouse, they told him she needed to resign.

Instead, the two district attorneys decided to hire each others wives and have them swap roles.

According to court records, however, both wives worked sporadically.

Cindy Blitzer never had security access to the Person or Caswell County courthouses, which means, if she came to work, she would have to go through metal detectors before being allowed entry. Employees in those offices said they saw her fewer than fives times in her nearly two-year employment there, which was from Jan. 13, 2015, to Oct. 25, 2016.

She maintained an office in the Rockingham County courthouse, which also requires a keycard to access. Keycard data obtained by the News & Record recorded 79 dates between January 2015 and July 2016 that she entered the building.

What has not been clear is where Pamela Bradsher fits into this investigation. Little has been said about her by officials.

What we do know is that she began working for Craig Blitzer on Jan. 13, 2015, and quit on Aug. 18, 2015.

According to courthouse records, Bradsher swiped a keycard to gain access to the Rockingham County district attorneys office on 36 of the 156 business days she was employed.

As a sidenote in this saga, there is Tyler Henderson, a Person/Caswell County legal assistant.

Henderson was hired by Wallace Bradsher after being sworn in on Jan. 1, 2011, and continued to work there until Aug. 18, 2015, when Pamela Bradsher left Blitzers office.

On that day, Henderson went to work in Rockingham County as a legal assistant  but employees say they never met him, and court records indicate he never had security access to the office.

***

Employees in both district attorneys offices were taking note of these peculiarities.

Jason Ramey, a Rockingham County assistant district attorney, was one of them. Ramey said he went to the SBI in December 2015, believing that Cindy Blitzer was collecting a paycheck from the state for hours she wasnt working because she was enrolled fulltime at South University in High Point.

I came forward because the district attorneys office is in a sacred position in the sense that it has the responsibility to prosecute all criminal actions, Ramey said. When something of this magnitude happens, it weakens peoples faith in the entire justice system.

Ramey wasnt interviewed by SBI agents until April 6, 2016, when he reiterated his concerns.

Soon after, Ramey was approached by Spencer Morrow, an assistant district attorney, who admitted Blitzer asked him to take an online algebra class for his wife.

I didnt want to take the class, Morrow told the News & Record. I felt pressure to take it and felt really bad.

Both men said last week that they had an ethical responsibility to go to the SBI.

Ramey said he chose to speak with the News & Record to set the record straight on Morrows actions.

He was one year out of law school when this happened, Ramey said. It angered me greatly that he (Blitzer) took advantage of him and put him in this position. Spencer looked up to him, and he betrayed him.

Unknown to Ramey and Morrow, someone else also was speaking with the SBI.

Enter Debra Halbrook, a former administrative assistant in the Caswell County district attorneys office. She spoke with an SBI agent on May 16, 2016, and said that Cindy Blitzer had worked only six days between January and March 2015.

Halbrook said Blitzer had been hired to reduce her workload.

Only that didnt happen.

Halbrook told the SBI that when Blitzer did work, she didnt put in a full day. Halbrook was told that Wallace Bradsher allowed her to work shorter days so she could pick up her son from Greensboro Day School, roughly 39 miles away.

Halbrook said she was told by supervisors that Blitzers frequent absences were because she was working four days a week in Rockingham County to investigate a homicide case.

Halbrook said she became suspicious after several supervisors demanded she stop asking questions.

***

By May 2016, the SBI had begun a preliminary investigation.

The SBI contacted Debbie Tant, an administrative specialist for the Administrative Office of the Courts, who confirmed that Blitzer made $48,000 as an investigator and that her former supervisor, John J. Stultz, a Caswell County chief assistant district attorney, signed off on the time cards.

Special Agent D.W. Mayes at one point spent 21 days monitoring the South University parking lot looking for Blitzers vehicle.

He spotted it 14 out of 21 days  and Blitzer, too.

***

On July 18, 2016, Mayes and SBI Criminal Specialist David Whitley met with Person/Caswell County Superior Court Judge W. Osmond Smith. Mayes told Smith about the allegations and the information he had gathered.

Smith wanted to be recused from the case, and he contacted Iredell County Superior Court Judge Joe Crosswhite, asking him to review the facts.

On July 25, Crosswhite ordered the SBI to begin a full investigation into the possible theft of state funds through the misuse of the states payroll system by Cindy Blitzer.

On July 29, agents gathered Blitzers time cards from the AOC and learned that from Jan. 1, 2015, through July 29, 2016, she had recorded, with few exceptions, working eight hours a day.

On Sept. 6, Whitley met with members of the Person/Caswell County district attorneys office to ask them about Blitzers nearly two-year employment there. District Attorney Wallace Bradsher told an SBI agent that Blitzer worked for his office but was assigned to Rockingham County as a liaison for conflict cases that Craig Blitzer could not prosecute because he had served on them as a defense attorney before his election.

Hollie McAdams, a senior district attorney, said she thought Blitzer was working in Rockingham County handling conflict cases.

Gayle Peed, an administrative assistant, told Whitley she hadnt seen Blitzer work in Caswell County since 2015.

Assistant District Attorney Edward Willaford told SBI agents he had seen Blitzer fewer than 10 times since January 2015.

Stultz, the chief assistant district attorney, also met with the SBI. He said he was in charge of approving Blitzers hours until February 2016, when he requested to be relieved of the responsibility.

***

On September 22, 2016, the SBIs Whitley went to South University to talk with Sandra Blackstock, the head of the schools nursing program.

She confirmed that Blitzer was a student in a 14-month nursing program. The professor added that Blitzer spent Tuesdays from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. performing clinicals at Adams Farm Nursing Home.

Blackstock said Blitzers attendance only was affected when child care issues arose.

SBI agents then interviewed Craig Blitzers staff in Rockingham County. On Sept. 28, several employees met with Whitley individually in the basement of the Reidsville Library.

Melinda Richardson, an administrative assistant, told agents she had approved the payroll for all hourly employees in Craig Blitzers office, including Henderson, who she said didnt work in Rockingham County. She said she assumed there was an agreement between Blitzer and Bradsher that he work in Caswell County.

As for Cindy Blitzer, Richardson said she didnt know the last time she saw her in the office. Richardson said she assumed she was working for Bradsher.

On Oct. 3, Whitley received a call from Richardson. She told him she remembered Cindy Blitzer asking her to fill out her time card four times in two years.

Richardson later revised that statement. She told agents she entered the hours Cindy Blitzer worked more often than Blitzer herself did.

On Oct. 11, Kyle Ambrose, a victim-witness coordinator, met with the SBI and said he never had worked with Blitzer. However, Ambrose told the SBI he took an online algebra II class for her at the request of her husband. He said he spent two hours a week doing her homework and took quizzes and tests using both his personal and state computers.

He also told the SBI that Craig Blitzer had asked Morrow, the assistant district attorney, to take an online algebra class for his wife.

Craig has a way of asking you to do something, where hes really not asking you, Morrow said. I had been working here for under a year, and I hadnt been a lawyer long. I think I was just young and naive.

Morrow said he spent 30 minutes to an hour each week at work doing her assignments for five weeks. That included taking a placement course to get her into the algebra class.

To show her appreciation, Morrow said Cindy Blitzer bought him a vanilla cake and a $50 gift card to LongHorn Steakhouse.

***

In November 2016, Crosswhite said he felt the SBI had gathered enough information to bring in a prosecutor. He asked the N.C. Attorney Generals Office to take on the case, but he was refused.

The case remained stagnant until Feb. 21, 2017, when Halbrook, the former employee in the Caswell County district attorneys office, filed a whistleblowers lawsuit in Wake County Superior Court, alleging Bradsher had fired her for reporting him to the SBI.

At that point, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman accepted the case and ordered the SBI to continue investigating.

On March 8, she sent SBI officials to raid the Rockingham County district attorneys office and seize the computer used by Cindy Blitzer.

Craig Blitzer resigned as Rockingham Countys district attorney two days later.

Its not clear what agents found on that laptop, but the search warrant remained sealed until Tuesday.

Three other subsequent search warrants have been filed but remain under seal.

Wallace Bradsher has continued to maintain his innocence, but he resigned unexpectedly on May 19.

The case remains under investigation, although Freeman said that it should come to a close soon.

Freeman said last week that charges will be filed.
British Prime Minister Theresa May reached an "outline agreement" on Saturday with the ultra-conservative Democratic Unionist Party in order to be able to govern after a humiliating election that has left her authority in tatters.

May's Conservatives lost their parliamentary majority in Thursday's vote and need the support of the 10 MPs from Northern Ireland's DUP to have a majority.

"We can confirm that the Democratic Unionist Party have agreed to the principles of an outline agreement to support the Conservative government," a spokesman for May said.

The spokesman indicated this would not be a formal coalition but a minority government with looser DUP support on a "confidence and supply basis".

"We welcome this commitment, which can provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond," he said.

The details of the agreement "will be put forward for discussion and agreement" at a cabinet meeting on Monday, a day before the new parliament meets, the spokesman said.

There was no mention of what concessions the DUP may have asked for, amid growing concern about the influence of a party opposed to abortion and gay marriage, and which has proved hugely controversial in the past over the homophobic and sectarian views of some of its representatives.

May earlier on Saturday lost her two closest aides as she struggled to reassert her leadership after a crushing election setback.

The Conservative leader has been warned that her days are numbered after calling Thursday's vote three years early, only to lose her majority in parliament.

Senior party figures have cautioned against any immediate leadership challenge, saying it would cause only further disruption as Britain prepares to start Brexit negotiations as early as June 19.

But media reports suggest they had demanded the departure of May's joint chiefs of staff, Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, as the price for allowing the 60-year-old vicar's daughter to stay in office.

They were replaced by Gavin Barwell, a former housing minister who lost his seat in the election.

May put on a brave face after Thursday's vote, expressing sorrow for the MPs who lost their seats but refusing to acknowledge how her election gamble backfired.

"From hubris to humiliation," said the left-leaning Guardian. "May stares into the abyss," wrote The Times, while the Conservative-supporting Sun tabloid said succinctly: "She's had her chips."

The resignations of Timothy and Hill, on whom May had been heavily reliant since her previous job at the interior ministry, will be a personal blow.

Timothy said he took responsibility for the Conservative manifesto, including a plan for elderly social care that caused a backlash among many core voters.

A party spokesman confirmed the resignation of Hill, a combative character who one former colleague said had helped create a "toxic" atmosphere at the heart of the government.

The news came as May prepared to name the rest of her cabinet, after revealing Friday that her five most senior ministers would remain in their posts.

Before the election, she had been widely expected to sack finance minister Philip Hammond following a reported clash over her Brexit strategy.

Several Conservative lawmakers have warned that May cannot carry on indefinitely, after throwing away a 17-seat majority in the 650-seat House of Commons.

But former party leader Iain Duncan Smith said a leadership contest now would be a "catastrophe".

The Conservatives won 318 seats, down from 331 in 2015 and falling short of an overall majority, after the opposition Labour party under socialist leader Jeremy Corbyn scored hefty gains.

DUP leader Arlene Foster, whose party won 10 seats, had said Friday that she was ready to talk to the Conservatives on "how it may be possible to bring stability to our nation".

But Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who is gay, was among the first to express disquiet over a deal with the DUP, which is opposed to abortion and gay rights.

"I sought, and to be fair to the prime minister, received a categoric assurance that in talking to the DUP that there would be no suggestion of any rollback on LGBTI rights in the rest of the UK," she told reporters.

Several hundred people -- many Labour voters -- protested in central London against the potential alliance, with one organiser leading chants of "racist, sexist, anti-gay, the DUP has got to go".

Joining forces with the hardline unionist Protestant party also threatens London's neutrality in Northern Ireland, which is key to the delicate balance of power in a province once plagued by violence.

On Brexit, the DUP supports leaving the EU but opposes a return to a "hard" border with Ireland -- which could happen if May carries through her threat to walk away from the talks rather than accept a "bad deal".

The DUP is "likely to increase the pressure on Theresa May to secure a comprehensive free trade agreement" in place of its single market membership, said Stephen Booth of the Open Europe think tank.

The new parliament will be sworn in Tuesday, but the real test for May is likely to come on June 19, when MPs are to vote on her programme after it is outlined in parliament by Queen Elizabeth II on June 19.

European Council President Donald Tusk has warned there is "no time to lose" in starting Brexit talks, after May on March 29 started the two-year countdown to ending Britain's four-decade membership.

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GREENWICH  Alongside school districts nationwide, Greenwich is struggling to diversify its teaching staff, which on the whole is notably whiter than the students it educates.

Out of the 938 teachers who currently work for Greenwich Public Schools, only 93 are people of color.

While 35.6 percent of students are minorities, only one in 10 Greenwich teachers are.

You want to hire the best teacher possible and if that teacher is a teacher of color, perfect, said Robert Stacy, director of Human Resources for Greenwich Public Schools. But at the same point in time, when you are setting characteristics for teachers you want to bring into the district, you want those teachers to be representative of the population you are serving.

About a third of minority teachers are concentrated at Greenwich High School  many teaching Spanish  and the rest are scattered throughout the district. This school year, five of Greenwichs elementary schools have two or fewer minority teachers; Parkway School currently has none.

In most school districts across the nation, teaching staffs are whiter than the students they educate  often by significant margins, according to Hua-Yu Sebastian Cherng, assistant professor of international education at New York University, who studies the impact of teacher race on American classrooms.

The teachers race should mirror student race, said Cherng. Across the nation, there is no school district that comes close to that.

More Information Staff diversity in Greenwich Public Schools

About one in 10 teachers are people of color

938 White

48 Hispanic/Latino

21 Asian

18 Black

3 American Indian

3 Non specified

Source: Greenwich Public Schools Minority Teachers by School Greenwich High School 28 Central Middle School 7 Eastern Middle School 7 Western Middle School 7 Cos Cob School 1 Glenville School 2* Hamilton Avenue School 6 International School at Dundee 4 Julian Curtiss School 4 New Lebanon School 8 North Mianus School 4 North Street School 2 Old Greenwich School 2 Parkway School Riverside School 5 *One is on leave without pay Source: Greenwich Public Schools See More Collapse

In 2015-16, almost 92 percent of the public school teachers working in Connecticut were white, according to the state Department of Education. But that year only 56 percent of Connecticut students were white.

Teachers are as white as they were, by percentage, in the 1980s, said Cherng. What is changing is the student population.

Greenwich Public Schools have a higher percentage of minority educators than the state on average. Administrators here say hiring teachers of color is a priority  but a tough goal to achieve.

With online applications, the school district cannot ask a candidates race. At job fairs, qualified teachers of color are often swarmed by interested employers, said Stacy. Much of the issue comes down to high demand and low supply, he said.

The state colleges have to do something different in order to enhance the diversity of the students who are getting into the education programs, he said. Thats our biggest problem.

Role model effect

There are myriad reasons why a racially diverse teaching staff improves education, Cherng and school officials said: Having teachers of many races gives children exposure to people of different backgrounds, promoting new viewpoints and tolerance for differences.

Teachers of color also help students break down often unconscious racist thinking, said Cherng, who is Chinese-American, citing examples from his own experience as a math teacher in a San Francisco school with few teachers of color.

Teachers of color may have an easier time talking about race and identity, said Cherng, adding that some outstanding white teachers are adept at discussing race and emphasizing the importance that all teachers try to talk about it.

Finally for students of color, there is research that finds this role model effect, said Cherng. Some students might visualize future opportunities more easily with a teacher of color or better understand their racial identity, he said.

In a 2016 study that he co-authored, Cherng found middle- and high-school students, regardless of their race and ethnicity, have more favorable perceptions of their black and Latino teachers than of their white teachers.

Minority teachers may be perceived more favorably by minority students because they can serve as role models and are particularly sensitive to the cultural needs of their students, he said. However, in our study, we were surprised to find that minority teachers are not just viewed more highly than white teachers by minority students, but in many cases by white students as well.

Discussing race

In the meantime, even if Greenwich is unable to make its teaching staff as diverse as it wants it to be, the district works to educate students about race and identity, according to school officials.

No matter where you go, you are always going to see someone who looks different from you, and how are you going to learn how to be accepting of people who are different from you? asked Carabillo, who completed a doctoral dissertation on multicultural study at Central Connecticut State University in 2005-06.

Its all about building that ability to communicate with one another and be respectful of one another and for you to be safe, she said. How are you going to be safe? By learning about others and learning what is acceptable and what isnt acceptable. If we dont do a good job of giving kids those opportunities, it doesnt bode well for our future.

Each school does different diversity and cultural activities, she said.

Parkway School has international night, Old Greenwich School hosts a field day celebrating students countries of origin, and Eastern Middle School holds Stand Against Racism. The International School at Dundee and Julian Curtiss School regularly celebrate the many cultures their students come from and the varied languages they speak.

The AVID program at Central and Western Middle Schools and Greenwich High provides mentoring and academic supports to mostly minority students seeking to be first-generation college students. Greenwich High also has a Diversity Awareness Week, in which speakers from all kinds of backgrounds  racial, religious, socioeconomic, gender, educational, professional and more  speak to students, as well as a Minority Student Network, which pairs minority students as mentors and mentees.

The idea is to give voice to students of color, said Garfield Charles, who oversees the program as well as Diversity Awareness Week. Its great. Its giving them a voice and making sure they are getting prepared for the outside world in the 21st century.

Charles said conversations about race periodically come up in his English classes as they discuss Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain or poetry by Langston Hughes.

I think any issue of race makes anyone in the audience uncomfortable. But students are always willing to talk about those issues, said Charles, who is black. Now it is really becoming an issue to be discussed at the high school, at the college level and now at the national level.

Frank Kovac is a white Greenwich High School history teacher who grew up in town and now advises seniors in AVID.

We bring up race a lot, as an issue of discussion, and, for lack of a better term, to practice the discourse  how we talk about it  to be as frank as we can without being emotional, he said. Greenwich is actually doing a good job with their diversity because there has been an effort, and AVID does this, to encourage, promote or advocate for students who may not have others to advocate for them, who are often of color.

Michael Galatioto, another GHS history teacher, reinforced Kovacs positive outlook.

In Greenwich, (diversity) is so much part of the conversation and so much part of our thought process, that it does not stand out as an issue, said Galatioto, who is white. When issues of race come up, they are usually handled in a very open-minded way.

emunson@greenwichtime.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson
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NEW FAIRFIELD  When The Rev. Martin Federici looked out the window of the rectory of St. Edward Confessor Church that spring afternoon in 1984, he spied a 15-year-old boy getting the best of another in a fistfight.

Father Fed, was drawn to athletic boys.

Thirty-four years later the boy who said he was sexually abused by Federici over a six-year period, starting that very day  accepted a settlement from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport. The Churchs action this past week was the last to address the more than 60 people who claimed in lawsuits they were similarly victimized by priests in the 1970s and 80s.

More News Diocese settles sex abuse claims

Now an adult, that boy says he is still suffering the aftershocks of those long ago sex assaults. Because he hasnt told members of his family about the abuse, including his four teenage sons, he asked that Hearst Connecticut Media identify him only as Patrick.

People need to understand that this priest murdered the soul of this kid who grew up in New Fairfield, Patrick said. I didnt know who that kid was anymore. That kid was murdered when he was 15, when the abuse began.

He said his troubled past has haunted him for years and even led to estrangement from his sons  but that one day soon he hopes to renew their relationship.

They may be old enough now to understand what made me what they thought was a monster as a father, he said.

He went through a living hell and his story should remind us of the exploitation that is possible of our youth at the hands of a pedophile allowed to continue to prey upon the innocent, said Patricks lawyer, Jason Tremont of Bridgeport.

The parish shuffle

In Patricks case the abuse occurred in church rectories in New Fairfield, Norwalk and at a religious retreat in Norwalk in the 1980s, all part of the Bridgeport Diocese.

The dioceses lawyers wanted to put a money figure to each time I was abused, he told Hearst. They were all about the money. I told them I didnt remember exactly how many times it happened, it was over and over again for six years.

In November 2014, Federici, who died in 2013, was named by the diocese as one of 29 credibly accused clergy, on a list it published on its website.

But diocese records obtained by Hearst Connecticut Media through court action show the diocese was aware of abuse accusations against Federici going back to the 1960s.

The leaders of the diocese transferred Father Federici from parish to parish despite being aware of multiple complaints of sexual abuse of minors, all for the purpose of giving the priest a fresh start, said Tremont, whose law firm sued the diocese on behalf of the more than 60 alleged victims, winning more than $35 million in total settlements.

In 1968 Federici was pulled over while driving in Westport. Police noted there was a young boy in the car with him who appeared upset and whose clothing was in disarray.

While the officer suspected Federici had been molesting the boy, he didnt arrest the priest. But the incident was reported to diocese officials, according to their records.

In 1971 Federici was accused of molesting a boy at St. Ambrose Church in Bridgeport.

A psychologist told diocese officials Federici had "poor contact with reality ... the situation is not going to get better. He needs to be watched over and cared for like a child," the documents state.

But in 1983, Federici was transferred by the diocese to St. Joseph's Church in Shelton, where he was accused of sexually assaulting a young boy in the confessional.

Subsequently, Federici was transferred in 1984 to St. Edward the Confessor Church in New Fairfield. And in 1985, the diocese assigned him to St. Matthew's Parish in Norwalk. There, according to the documents, Federici ran up phone bills by calling sex hot lines.

In 1989, Federici was assigned to Kolbe-Cathedral High School in Bridgeport. A counselor there reported that Federici had approached a young man during a weekend religious retreat, the documents state. In

1993, a Norwalk teenager said Federici forced him to watch as the priest masturbated at All-Saint's Catholic School in Norwalk.

Patrick, now 50, and still trying to understand what happened to him, is employed as a respiratory therapist. Much of his story echoes that of abuse victims who have come forward around the country since the priest scandal became public.

He grew up in a very religious family. Priests played a big role in the family and he was encouraged by his parents to seek the counsel of priests, who were looked on as being on a higher plane than ordinary people.

Like many abuse victims, Patrick said he continued to hide his shame over what happened, leading him to become an alcoholic, he said. An early marriage ended in divorce and until recently he said he hasnt been able to have a long-term relationship with a woman. Weekly counseling has helped he said, along with a supportive girlfriend.

Im functioning, he said. Work helps. Im working like 100 hours a week. When Im not helping sick people Im working my side job as a landscaper or doing something else. Im still living in this prison thats between my ears. The only cure is when I die, because then I dont have to suffer anymore.

Priest and predator

In the early to mid-1980s when I was 15, I was getting off the school bus at the church  which was our bus stop and I got involved in a fist fight with a classmate, he recalled. I didnt remember what it was all about, but whatever it was, it was enough to get us swinging, he said. Father Federici saw us fighting from the rectory and after the fight he stopped me as I was walking by and thats how it began.

At the urging of his parents, Patrick said he agreed to let Federici take him under his wing and counsel him at St. Edward the Confessor Church.

He was really impressed with my fighting ability he told me. After school he would call me to come into his room in the rectory to demonstrate how I fought, he said. He would ask me to remove my shirt and face the wall and talk about fighting. Eventually I caught on to what he was doing, he was masturbating behind my back while I talked about fighting, Patrick said. I probably should have told someone but who would have believed me?

Patrick admits he has trouble explaining why it just didnt end there. In one sense he craved the attention the priest was giving him, but was horrified by what the priest went on to do to him.

Over the next several years he said Federici sexually assaulted him.

He made me question my identity, telling me being with girls was bad but it was OK to be with him, he said. I knew I wasnt gay, but here was this priest telling me that what he was doing to me was right, he said.

Patrick said the assaults continued when Federici was transferred to St. Matthews Church in Norwalk. It happened in Federicis room in the rectory and in the basement of the church itself.

I can still tell you the colors of the walls in his room. I remember looking out the window in his room at a small pond outside and zoning out as it was going on, he said.

He said Federici also abused him during religious retreats the priest organized at Central Catholic High School in Norwalk.

Edward Egan, who became Bridgeports bishop in 1988, took on the responsibility of continuing to hide the allegations of sexual abuse against priests in the diocese, according to diocese records, shuffling not only Federici but many other accused priests from parish to parish.

Later, in a video-recorded deposition that was played during one of the court cases, Egan, who was elevated to cardinal of New York in 2001, tried to distance himself from the growing abuse scandal in the diocese claiming that priests were independent contractors.

Mortification of the flesh

When Patrick said he managed to get up the courage to call the diocese in 2014 to complain about the abuse he said he suffered at the hands of Federici and ask for help, he got a less than satisfactory response.

No one from the diocese returned any of my phone calls, he said. Instead, I was contacted by the state police who were concerned that I might be a danger. Can you imagine that? All I wanted was help and they instead reported me to the state police. Thats when I decided to call Jason (his lawyer).

Patrick said he is encouraged by actions the diocese is now taking.

The diocese continues to reaffirm its commitment to zero tolerance of child abuse, to remove from ministry anyone who has been credibly accused, and to bring healing and support to the victims and their families, said Bridgeport Diocese spokesman Brian Wallace.

As part of the settlement Patrick recently got to meet face to face with Bishop Frank Caggiano, who took over the diocese in September 2013.

He was sitting across the desk from me and I looked into his eyes as I told my story, and when I finished I could see he was really mortified, Patrick said. And then I showed him all the letters Federici had sent me and he was really upset.

Patrick spread out a number of letters Federici had sent him in the 1980s on the dining room table during a recent interview in his home, the same ones he said he showed the bishop. Each one is signed, Father Fed.

In one dated Oct. 6, 1986, Federici writes, I love you with a big hug! Praise to Jesus Christ.

Meeting with the bishop was the step in that phase when the doors are beginning to open again, Patrick said. He set my mind at ease that things are being dealt with and I think the bishop understood that I never would have gone the court route if they had only called me back.
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Cleethorpes' newly-elected MP has branded his party's own national campaign as "pretty disastrous" after the Conservatives suffered a damaging night in the snap general election.

Martin Vickers, who retained his seat following a storming victory in last night's count, also said his party were "natural allies" with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party as the Tories work to regain a majority party.

An exit poll delivered at 10pm on the night of the count sent shock waves across the political landscape after forecasters predicted the Tories would not win enough seats to command an overall majority at Westminster.

In the end the party could only manage 318 seats - eight short of the all important 326 needed to form a government.

Speaking after the celebrations of his resounding triumph, Mr Vickers was damning of his party's performance nationally and said a coalition with the Democratic Unionist Party would have "ramifications."

Asked if Theresa May was right to call a snap general election in hindsight, Mr Vickers said: "Clearly not. You don't call an election if you think you are going to lose seats. It was a pretty disastrous campaign at a national level to be honest.

"The simple fact is the government must continue. It's easy to lose sight of the fact the Conservatives won in the sense that they got the largest number of votes and more importantly the largest number of seats.

"Constitutionally, it falls to the leader of the party, in this case Theresa May, to propose a Queen's Speech and to form a government."

He added: "She is doing what she has to do. Clearly there will be ramifications. I will be going down to Westminster as usual on Monday morning."

Mrs May headed to Buckingham Palace on Friday (June 9) to seek permission from the Queen to form a government, before delivering a speech outside 10 Downing Street in which she said a partnership with the DUP was necessary to 'provide certainty.'

Based in Northern Ireland, the DUP are the fifth largest party in Westminster with 10 seats.

The party are known for their controversial policies, including blocking gay marriage as well as lifting the ban on abortion.

But Mr Vickers said a coalition between his party and the DUP made sense given the situation parliament currently finds itself in after the snap general election.

"The DUP are the Conservatives' natural allies and it is the only combination, other than the Conservatives and Labour - which would obviously never happen - which can form a majority government. It's the right thing to do," he said

Theresa May raised eyebrows when she announced a surprise snap general election back in April this year.

Justifying the decision, Mrs May said the vote was necessary in order to strengthen her hand in the Brexit negotiation talks, which are due to commence in the coming weeks.

But a Labour surge meant Mrs May's party actually lost seats, meaning the government's negotiating position will arguably be weaker.

Many political commentators, including members of her own party, said Mrs May should step aside. The former Chancellor George Osborne, labelled the night "completely catastrophic."

Asked whether Mrs May should remain in her role as Prime Minister, Mr Vickers said: "Although she has lost a few seats than she did have in the last parliament she is still the leader of the party.

"It remains to be seen what sort of cabinet she will put together and whether the whole of parliament feel they are able to support her."
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A year littered with political shocks, surprises and mishaps, 2017 continued in the same vein with the snap general election throwing up some unprecedented and unexpected results.

Up and down the country - as ballot boxes were counted and it became clear that Theresa May's sought after mandate was not to be - shock results in key constituencies played a big part in leaving the Prime Minister with having to desperately scrap round for an solution to the hung parliament conundrum.

And so it seems that the Conservatives, who won 318 seats - eight short of the all important 326 needed to form a government, will try to form a relationship with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in order to form a majority government.

A big shock undoubtedly, but was it the biggest shock of the night? Here's a look at some of the other eyebrow-raising election outcomes from across the country.

Labour take Kensington

A part of London where the average house price is around 1.4 million, Kensington has been a Conservative seat since records began.

Until yesterday, that is. It took multiple recounts and the result was not declared until after 6pm last night, but Labour's Emma Dent Coad won the seat by just 20 vote, overturning the reigning Tory candidate's 7,000 vote majority.

The reason? It is thought that wealthy central Londoners have followed many others in shunning Theresa May's hard Brexit plan.

Mansfield turns blue for first time ever

Another historic political swing took place in Mansfield, a town in the East Midlands that is regarded as working class to its core.

But with 23,392 votes, Conservative candidate Ben Bradley stormed to victory to claim the Nottinghamshire town's seat, defeating Labour candidate, Sir Alan Meale.

Sir Alan had been Mansfield's Labour MP for the last three decades.

Nick Clegg loses Sheffield Hallam

A seat he has held since 2005 and regarded as a Liberal Democrat stronghold, a Labour resurgence spelled the end of Nick Clegg's reign as Sheffield Hallam's MP.

The former deputy Prime Minister to David Cameron in the coalition government, Mr Clegg was felled Labour rival Jared O'Mara, who got 21,881 votes, knocking Clegg into second place with 19,756.

A passionate remainer, Clegg's defeat has been described as a somewhat 'giant killing' by political commentators.

SNP cling on to Fife by just two votes

Above, SNP leader, Nicola Sturgeon, with Stephen Gethins on the campaign trail. (Photo: Daily Mail)

SNP Candidate, Stephen Gethins, clung on to his parliamentary seat by just two votes, edging out rival Elizabeth Riches of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Mr Gethins won 13,743 whist Ms Riches polled 13,743, in the narrowest election victory since Mark Oaten won Winchester for the Lib Dems by two votes in 1997.

However, a Lib Dems spokesperson has since said the party is considering a legal challenge to the result, the joint third closest in UK general election history.

Alex Salmond defeated

(Image: Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

SNP first minister for more than 30 years, Alex Salmond, was one of several members of his party to suffer defeat in a shocking night for the nationalist party.

Not only that, following his defeat by the Scottish Conservatives in the Gorton constituency, he has been kicked out of Parliament. It brings to an end more than 30 years in frontline politics for him.

He called the result a 'grievous blow' to the party but refused to say the second independence referendum is dead.

Mr Salmond was swept away by a Scottish Conservative surge that saw an historic resurgence in the Scottish borders and the north east.

Scotland's former first minister has spent most of the last 30 years in a Westminster seat - aside from between 2010 and 2015 - but last night was defeated by Colin Clark on a huge swing to the Tories in yesterday's election.
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"I think that Theresa May took a gamble and she failed."

They were the words of one Grimsby voter following the General Election, as the Conservative Party failed to achieve an overall majority in Parliament.

When Theresa May announced the General Election at the end of April it seemed like she was going to easily win with a landslide victory, with a vast lead over the Labour Party in the polls.

However over the course of the campaign her leadership was called into question by a number of voters, as she struggled to engage with the public and being forced to make a couple of embarrassing u-turns regarding her party's manifesto.

Now that the dust has settled on the election, and the Conservatives are on the brink of forming a Coalition Government with the DUP from Northern Ireland, we asked some voters around Grimsby what their thoughts were.

Mr Wright, 77, Grimsby, Former Docker

"She thought that Corbyn was going to be a walkover and that she would finish with a big lead, but things narrowed up and she has made a big mistake I think.

"She should have left things as it was and got Brexit from the EU sorted out first, because she still had four years left."

Mr Omar, in his 50s, Grimsby, Health and Safety Consultant

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"I think that Mrs May gambled on winning a landslide election and lost, Jeremy Corbyn proved to be a better candidate, it is that simple.

"I think now she is likely to form a coalition government with the DUP, but if the Tories are true to their colours they will contest her leadership and get rid of her."

Mr Cass, 67, Nunsthorpe, Former Filleter

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"Well I voted Melanie big she is a local girl, she came from Grimsby and I live on the Nunsthorpe estate, but I am also glad Martin Vickers got through.

"These people coming from out of town don't know a thing about this area, and that's why I voted Labour.

"I think it has been a big balls up for Theresa May, because she gambled, and she has lost."

Mr Taj, in his 50s, Grimsby, Accountant

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"I wasn't surprised with the outcome, I think the Labour Party had a very strong campaign, and the Conservative Party slipped up on a few things, and we will just have to see how it goes with a hung parliament.

"I think there will be another election, but just when that it only time will tell, but there is definitely going to be some instability in the mean time going forward, so we will have to watch this space.

Mr Hamilton, Grimsby, Cafe Owner

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"I think Theresa May needs to give up, hang the boots up because we need someone new.

"I don't think Labour can run a country, so we need something definitely different, totally different parties."
The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 will soon be available through carriers in Canada. Specifically, Bell will start selling the phone on June 23. This information comes courtesy of a new report which cites an internal Bell document.

There's currently no information on pricing, as well as if and when other local carriers will start carrying the Xcover 4. The rugged device was made official back in March this year. It arrived in Europe the following month.

Via
Xiaomi's presence on the trendy ultralight laptop market is still very limited and rather confusing, but undeniably impressive in terms of value. And while the latter should come as no surprise to anybody familiar with the Chinese OEM's work, it is rather odd that the original Mi Notebook Air was unveiled last July and a second generation has been repeatedly teased and leaked ever since, with no actual progress to report.

A 4G-capable variant was released in December and now we have what seems to be yet another refresh on our hands. As per the early info, this time around, Xiaomi only treated the 13.3-inch variant to some new hardware and not the ultraportable 12.5-inch one.



New Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3

The new model comes with a fingerprint reader, embedded in the corner of the trackpad, as well as an internal hardware refresh. The older 6th gen Core-i5 processor has been swapped for a 7th gen Core i5-7200U with a maximum clockspeed of 3.1GHz. The GTX 940MX GPU has also been traded up for a GeForce MX150. In case you are wondering, the MX150 is a NVIDIA's entry-level Pascal laptop chip, which should deliver up to three times better performance-per-watt than the 940MX.



New Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 13.3

As for memory, it is still set at 8GB, with a choice between either 128GB or 256GB of solid state storage. Other specs include: Bluetooth 4.0, 1 x USB-C (5Gb/s), 2x Type A USB 3.0 (2.5 Gb/s), a full-sized HDMI and a 4-cell battery with Type-C fast charge support for a 50% top-off in 30 minutes. There seem to be no design changes in the device. The specs sheet mentions a weight of 1.3kg, which is almost identical to the 1.28kg of the original and we are pretty sure this is not the new amazing ultralight magnesium-lithium chassis, industry sources have been hinting at for the second generation Mi Notebook Air.

Speaking of which, we don't exactly know if and when to expect Xiaomi's new line of ultrabooks, but all the signs seem to suggest that waiting a bit would be prudent if you are looking to pick up a Mi Notebook Air. Then again, if patience is not your strong suit, the refreshed 13.3-inch model should be available for order, starting Monday (June 12) at CNY 4999 ($735) for the 128GB model and CNY 5499 ($809) for the 256GB version.

Source 1 (in Chinese) | Source 2 (in Chinese) | Via
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Cairo and Berlin are set to sign new finance agreements worth 207 million euros, Egypt's investment and international cooperation minister Sahar Nasr announced on Saturday.

In press statements reported by Al-Ahram Arabic news website, Nasr said that the inking of the agreements will take place soon during a joint investment forum in Berlin, which aims to bolster economic cooperation between the two countries.

The agreements will include projects related to renewable energy, agriculture, and entrepreneurship, with grants to represent 30 percent of the finance agreements.

The forum will be attended by a number of Egyptian and German investors.

The statements by the Egyptian minister come one day after she met with German conglomerate Siemens to discuss investments to develop Egypt's railway systems.

German investments in Egypt are estimated at 1.5 billion and provide around 22,000 jobs, according to statements by the German envoy in Egypt last February.

In February, Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel inaugurated the first stage of a Siemens megaproject to build three new power plants in Egypt.

The first phase of the project to bolster the countrys power capacity was completed in January, with 4.8 gigawatts of power connected to the national grid, according to the Siemens website.

In 2015, Siemens signed an 8 billion ($9 billion) deal with the Egyptian government to build three combined-cycle power plants and 12 wind power installations at a capacity of 16.4 gigawatts.

The project aims to boost Egypts power generation capacity by around 50 percent by May 2018.

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At this point, a Nokia 9 release seems pretty much imminent. HMD Global's upcoming flagship has already been spotted in the wild, encased in a prototype enclosure, as well as on GeekBench, flaunting its Snapdragon 835 chipset and alleged 4GB and 8GB RAM setups. Now, we can add some FCC certification information to the list as well.

The documents themselves don't really reveal much useful technical information on the handset. Just some minor details, like NFC and Bluetooth 4.2 support. However, they are important for other reasons. For one, these are official documents that detail the "TA-1004" as supporting both GSM and CDMA. That, along with the fact that the FCC is a US certification authority is indicative of the Finnish company's intentions to focus efforts on a Stateside launch, something the Nokia 6, 5 and 3 were never prioritized for. Frankly, this makes a lot of sense, since releasing what could potentially be a $700/750 flagship and ignoring the largest flagship market in the process would just be a recipe for disaster.



Nokia 9 prototype

As for the technical aspects of the Nokia 9, we already have a good idea of what to expect (or at least we think so, that is). Besides the already mentioned 4GB or 8GB of RAM and Snapdragon 835 chip, the TA-1004 will likely feature a 5.3-inch QHD display, 64GB of storage and a dual 13MP main camera setup.

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Early this week, scientists and researchers from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History at the University of Tubingen in Germany revealed that the ancient Egyptians were genetically related to ancient Turkey and the Levant and not as African as had previously been thought.

The results were published in the journal Nature Communication after a DNA analysis on 151 Egyptian mummies from a period lasting from 1388 BC to 426 CE when Egypt become a province of the Roman Empire had been conducted.

The mummies came from an area named Abusir Al-Meleq, an ancient community in the middle of Egypt, and the DNA samples were extracted from the bones, teeth and soft tissues of the mummies.

Johannes Krause, a paleogeneticist from the University of Tubingen who made the study, told the US newspaper the Washington Post that the major finding was that for 1,300 years, we see complete genetic continuity. Despite repeated conquests of Egypt by Alexander the Great, the ancient Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Assyrians, the ancient Egyptians showed little genetic change.

The other big surprise, Krause said, was that we didnt find much Sub-Saharan African ancestry.

Comparing of the results was done with modern Egyptians and Ethiopians, and the results showed that the ancient Egyptians were closely related to people who lived along the eastern Mediterranean coasts and that they also shared genetic material with residents of the Anatolian Peninsula at the time and Europe.

African genes were found in only 20 per cent of the material, and this was due to trade exchange.

In their paper, the researchers acknowledged that all our genetic data were obtained from a single site in Middle Egypt and may not be representative for all of ancient Egypt. In the south of Egypt, the authors wrote, Sub-Saharan African influences may have been stronger.

The study has triggered anger among several Egyptian archaeologists who have questioned the results. Egyptologist Zahi Hawass described the studies as hallucinations and told Al-Ahram Weekly that they were not accurate for several reasons.

The mummies that were subjected to the DNA tests dated to the Graeco-Roman period when the mummification process was very poor, he said. They also belonged to people who came from Italy or to Greeks who lived in ancient Egypt and not to native ancient Egyptians.

How can the ancient Egyptians be genetically from Europe, Hawass asked, adding that when the ancient Egyptians were busy building their civilisation Europe did not exist in civilisational terms.

There is no scientific or archaeological evidence that could support such results, Hawass said, adding that the only discovery that scientists think could indicate the origin of the ancient Egyptians was the Naqad Necropolis discovered by archaeologist Flinders Petrie which houses a collection of tombs from the prehistoric period.

The ancient Egyptians have Egyptian genes, which are not similar to African or Arab genes, Hawass said.

He said that recent studies were not the only ones to be published about the genes and the origins of the ancient Egyptians. Thirty years ago, an African clergyman claimed that the ancient Egyptians were Africans because both the pharaohs Ramses II and Tutankhamun had commissioned wooden statues painted black, he said.

The theory was discussed and disproved because all the walls of ancient Egyptian temples depict pharaohs fighting off enemies from Africa and Asia. A European institute had also conducted DNA analysis on samples from Tutankhamun and compared them with others from Europeans, and this had revealed only a 60 per cent similarity.

A piece from Tutankhamuns mummy had been sent to Europe for study after the discovery of the tomb in 1922 to investigate the reason for Tutankhamuns early death. The result revealed that the king had died from burns, which was totally untrue, Hawass said.

Archaeologist Howard Carter had burned some parts of the mummy using a hot knife in order to remove the precious stones inserted in different parts of it. A burned part of the mummy had then been analysed, vitiating the results.

Yehia Zakaria Gad, professor of molecular genetics at the National Research Centre, the founder of the First Ancient DNA Lab in Egypt and a member of the Egyptian team put together to scan the mummies, told the Weekly that the scientific article published is another evidence against the scepticism of the long survival of DNA in Egyptian mummies. This scepticism was drawn from the failure to replicate the early studies, misconceptions based on papyrus of DNA decay rate [despite the radically different postmortem treatments of the human and animal bodies] and the circulating theories that the hot and humid tomb environment enhances the decay of DNA in buried mummies.

Gad noted that these theories were not substantiated by rigorous studies on the tomb temperatures or humidity levels. On the contrary to these beliefs, my personal experience of working for extended hours down several tombs during mummy sampling sessions is that the underground temperatures and humidity were always within the comfortable range irrespective of the outside weather.

This scepticism was adopted by a sector of the field scientists despite the results of several research groups, including ours, on human remains, ancient microbes and animal mummies like crocodiles and cats. Specifically, our team has presented data on the 18th Dynasty and Ramses III as well as the application of the most advanced technologies on Egyptian mummies, Gad asserted.

He added that the importance of the current paper is that it helps in lifting the roadblocks that were crippling the research on ancient DNA from Egyptian mummies.

On another level, he continued, there is no doubt that Egypt was a hub to the ancient world. It is unfortunate that the published genomic data on ancient Egyptians is quite scarce. Egypt is known to occupy an important place in the history of mankind where it is hypothesised that the early man came from Africa and exited it through Egypt and its corridor to Asia [ie Sinai] and Europe.

Thus, Gad confirmed, the gene trends (or the DNA sequences that are transmitted from parents to their descendants) show a gradual shift and a continuum among all studied populations. Several studies have shown that contemporary Egyptians share with a higher percentage the gene sequences of Europeans rather than those of Sub-Saharan Africans.

The presented data in this article shed some light on this issue although it focused largely on studying maternally inherited DNA of the mitochondria and only the nuclear DNA of three males, Gad told the Weekly. He opines that the effects of a foreign gene pool on that of a local Egyptian population will be gender-sensitive. For example, the impact of mobility of a human group, like a tribe having both male and female subjects, will be different from those of invading troops, which are mostly males.

Moreover, Gad explains, trying to draw major conclusions regarding the shifts in gene trends among Egyptians based on a limited study in a certain location seems to be over-speculation since this may not represent all ancient Egyptian population groups.

This article was originally published in Al-Ahram Weekly




Haiti - EDH NOTICE : Power outage scheduled...





The Electricity Haiti (EDH) informs its customers and the general public, that scheduled power outage will take place on Saturday, June 10 from noon to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 11 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the following areas : DCJP, BRANA, SWAT TEAM, Airport Toussaint Louverture, SONAPI, Roas of Tabarre, BELVIL, Vivy Mitchell, Pernier, Road of Freres, Delmas 75, Street Albert Jod, American Embassy, Carradeux to mention only those.



These power cuts will facilitate the installation of a tri-polar disconnector in order to make more reliable the new Tabarre substation that feeds 8 new routes in the metropolitan area.



The EDH recognizes that this essential work will be a inconvenient for customers and requires the cooperation and understanding of everyone for their achievements in the deadlines.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : Diaspora Montreal, warning to travelers





In a note the Office of Consumer Protection (OPC) warns the public against the company Voyages Amigo inc. of Montreal, located at 6770 Jarry Street East, local 230, Montreal [...] also doing business as Haiti Charter which would sell plane tickets for flights to Port-au-Prince while not a holder of a travel agent's license.



The OPC recalls that offering travel services without a license from the Office is illegal. Pointing out to consumers "[...] by buying from a business without a license, the customer deprives himself of the financial protections provided for by law. Consumers who have purchased airfare or other services from Haiti Charter and are afraid of being unable to travel are invited to contact the Office ( www.opc.gouv.qc.ca/ ). They will be provided with the information appropriate to their situation so that they are able to exercise recourse, if any."



To avoid losing your money, always check the travel agent's permit



For more information visit :

voyagezbienprotege.gouv.qc.ca



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Published on 2017/06/09 | Source

Added character posters for the upcoming Korean-American movie "Okja" (2017)

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With Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, Ahn Seo-hyun, Lily Collins, Giancarlo Esposito,...

"Okja" is a co-production between Korea and the USA

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An Korean girl comes and goes from Korea in this monster movie.

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New poll shows Assad-backing Tulsi Gabbard's popularity waning with Hawaii Democrats

From Daily KOS, June 8, 2017 (excerpt)

HI-02: Very interesting. A major reasonprobably the major reasonthat Hawaii Democrats have been reluctant to float any kind of primary challenge to Rep. Tulsi Gabbard so far is the fact that she's long been very popular. That may now be changing. According to a new poll for Honolulu Civil Beat conducted by Merriman River Group, Gabbard's statewide favorability rating dropped from 64-19 two years ago to 50-29 today. Gabbard fares better in her home district, but she's still taken a bit of a hit there, too, falling from 67-17 to 58-25.

What matters most, though, is where Gabbard's support isand isn'tcoming from. Statewide, Gabbard earns positive marks from just 49 percent of Democrats, which is low given that we're talking about members of Gabbard's own party, while she gets a thumbs up from 48 percent of Republicans, a shockingly high score  ordinarily, at least. To put this in context, Hawaii's other member of the House, Democrat Colleen Hanabusa, has a similar 48-27 statewide favorability rating, but with 65 percent of Democrats viewing her positively and just 24 percent of Republicans doing so. That's a much more conventional split.

But Gabbard is anything but conventional. She's received tremendous scorn for cozying up to murderous Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, and until Donald Trump launched a few missiles Assad's way, she'd refused to publicly criticize the Great Orange Terror. In fact, she was one of the only Democrats to meet with him (at Trump Tower, of course) right after the election.

Gabbard's recent dalliances with autocrats didn't spring from nowhere, though: She's long put together a bizarre crypto-conservative record that includes refusing to support an assault weapons ban, introducing a bill to ban online gambling at the behest of casino magnate and Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson, and attacking Barack Obama for not using the phrase "radical Islamic terrorism." (Obviously the problem of terrorism has gotten much better since Trump started repeating these magic words, right?)

It's the Assad business, though, that's really incensed Democrats, both nationally and locally, particularly after Gabbard declared she was "skeptical" that Assad had used chemical weapons on his citizens in April, simply refusing to believe reports from the Pentagon and independent non-governmental organizations like Human Rights Watch. Someone this far out in nonsense land has no business representing a dark blue district that can and should elect a strong progressiveand has in the very recent past.

And while no prominent Democrat has yet to openly consider a bid against Gabbard, perhaps this latest poll data will start to change some minds. Hawaii unfortunately has open primaries, so GOP voters could cross over to support the woman the Washington Post accurately dubbed "the Democrat that Republicans love." But it would be quite the spectacle if Gabbard had to rely on Republicans to save her. And in this age of white-hot furor over Trump, is that something Gabbard really wants to count on?

---30---

KOS: How Chris Butler Cult will Defend its Tulsi
MORE than 200 craft including the royal row barge Gloriana will participate in this years Thames Traditional Boat Festival in Henley.

Organisers are hoping for a record crowd at the 38th annual event, which will take place at Fawley Meadows, off Marlow Road, from Friday to Sunday, July 14 to 16.

A wide range of vessels will be on display, from coracles and canoes to military and amphibious models, a Victorian steam cruiser, a flotilla of Dunkirk Little Ships and the only remaining torpedo boat from the First World War.

There will also be an exhibition of vintage and classic cars and motorbikes and fly-pasts by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which this year will include an American Douglas C-47 Dakota transport plane, and biplanes and triplanes from the Great War Display Team.

Gloriana, which was built to celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee in 2012, will be the centrepiece of the festival. It is returning for the third consecutive year and for the first time will be offering river cruises on all three days.

Tickets for the trips are limited but will not be sold in advance to ensure all guests have a chance to buy one.

Other attractions will include market stalls selling nautical goods and river-themed clothing and gifts as well as a range of pop-up restaurants and bars.

Luscombes at the Golden Ball in Lower Assendon will be serving fish and chips and other meals while the Time For Tea mobile vintage cafe, which is based in Henley, will sell cakes and hot drinks.

There will also be Vietnamese food, Nepalese curries cooked by Gurkhas, a Greek delicatessen, an Army field kitchen, cocktail, beer and champagne bars, Italian ice cream and more.

The festival has also launched a supporters club and members will be able to socialise on a dedicated lawn with its own bar and posh loos. The clubs inaugural party will be held on board Gloriana, where river operator Hobbs of Henley will be serving its new Mr Hobbs gin.

Hobbs will also operate a free river shuttle service from the town centre to the festival site and back for ticket holders.

Henley musician John Read, who performed last year, will be back on the Saturday night with his band The Covered while former BBC Radio 1 and BBC Berkshire presenter Mike Read, of Mill Lane, Henley, will be broadcasting during the day.

There will also be parties on the Friday and Sunday nights and performances by local artists including a 25-strong barbershop harmony group.

The festival used to be known as the Thames Traditional Boat Rally until 2014, when it was called off due to flooding on the meadow at the start of that year.

It was revived under its current name in 2015 by a new organising committee led by Lady McAlpine, of Fawley Hill. It drew 10,000 visitors that year and more than 15,000 last summer.

Lady McAlpine said: Preparations are going well despite a much-diminished committee, which means were individually doing three times as much work and at this stage were still hoping to get a few more trade stands.

Im also having talks with a number of local venues and events to organise something a bit quirky and add to the festival spirit.

We havent confirmed anything yet but it would be nice to bring lots of Henley institutions together and create something that everyone can join in with.

There will also be lots for children to do as there will be storytelling sessions, a Punch and Judy show, a blank mural which they will be encouraged to decorate across all three days and a fancy dress competition with prizes on the Sunday.

Three-day tickets cost 26 for adults and 12 for chidlren aged 13 to 17 (under-12s go free). A limited number of camping and caravan pitches are available and there is also a luxury glamping option.

For more information, visit www.tradboatfestival.com
The religious order that owns the grounds at Clonkeen College school in south Dublin was in discussions to sell its playing fields as long ago as May last year - but did not tell the school.

An approach by developer Patrick Durkan Snr came just weeks before the school presented its own plan to the Edmund Rice Schools Trust for the development of an all-weather facility on the same playing fields.

Decision

The charity is legally responsible for the congregation's schools and its property.

While Clonkeen College awaited a decision on its proposals, the Christian Brothers continued negotiations with Mr Durkan and his associates.

It is understood the sale was agreed between the parties last September - a full eight months before the congregation's representatives informed the school of its intention to dispose of the lands.

Records held at the Companies Registration Office show that two special purpose vehicles relating to the lands' acquisition - Clonkeen Asset Management and Clonkeen Investments Designated Activity Company - were established in July and October of last year respectively.

Peter Horgan of Lugus Capital is listed as a director with both companies.

Binding contracts for the sale of the school playing fields are understood to have been signed two months ago - a month before the Christian Brothers informed the school's board of management of the deal.

A spokesman for Mr Durkan declined to comment when contacted by the Herald yesterday.

Clonkeen's principal Edward Melly has been strongly critical of the Christian Brothers' conduct.

Mr Durkan and a consortium of private investors assembled by two former brokers at Davy have emerged as the buyers of 7.5 acres of playing fields at the school.

The Christian Brothers are set to secure in the region of 18m from the sale.

The brothers have said the school will receive 3.5 acres and 1.3m from the deal.

Mr Durkan first approached the order in May of last year to express his interest in acquiring the land.

The approach is understood to have been readily received by the Christian Brothers and the Edmund Rice Schools Trust.
A shoplifter who stole 200 worth of wine from a supermarket had been drinking heavily after meeting his biological father for the first time.

Paul Ryan (39) could not deal with the emotions of the meeting at the time he took the wine, a court heard.

Judge Fiona Lydon said she would leave him without a criminal record if he paid compensation and a charity contribution.

Ryan, of Ballsbridge Wood, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, pleaded guilty to theft.

Garda Sergeant Niall Murphy told Dublin District Court the accused went to Fresh supermarket in Smithfield on February 7 and took the bottles of wine.

He left without paying and was not stopped at the time, but was subsequently identified on CCTV and arrested a month later. He admitted the offence when gardai questioned him.

Ryan had no previous convictions and apologised "without reservation", his solicitor Matthew Kenny said.

Addiction

He had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Ryan suffered from an alcohol addiction and was drinking heavily at the time, Mr Kenny added.

Last year, he had met his biological father for the first time but did not deal well with the emotions of that event and drank heavily into the new year and after.

"He couldn't deal with life and couldn't deal with his feelings and behaved in a way that was entirely out of character," Mr Kenny said.

The accused had a fiancee and two children and was currently out of work.

Mr Kenny said Ryan had met the case fairly and squarely and asked the judge to leave him without a conviction.

The judge told the defendant to pay compensation to the shop and another 200 to charity.

She adjourned the case until July 25 and said she would dismiss the charge under the Probation Act if this was done.
'Sources close to gardai said the rifle may belong to the notorious drug trafficking gang known as 'The Family' who have been operating out of Dublin for more than 20 years.' (stock pic)

Gardai have uncovered a fully loaded AK-47 assault rifle and ammunition on waste ground in west Dublin

The high-powered assault rifle was wrapped in plastic and buried in the ground.

The discovery was made after officers conducted a search in the Chapelizod area.

Sources close to gardai said the rifle may belong to the notorious drug trafficking gang known as 'The Family' who have been operating out of Dublin for more than 20 years.

The Herald understands that the notorious outfit are using cartel boss Daniel Kinahan's preoccupation with their feud against the Hutch mob to expand their operations.

The deadly drugs feud has claimed the lives of 12 people.

"This is a great result and the seizure will definitely have helped save lives," said the source.

"The AK-47 assault rifle is a highly dangerous weapon. This one was in good condition and ready to use."

Cocaine

The seizure took place on the evening of Tuesday, May 23, in a location normally patrolled by Ballyfermot gardai.

'The Family' mob are not directly involved in the deadly Kinahan-Hutch feud.

Last year, it emerged that they had teamed up with a younger Clondalkin-based drugs mob involved in the distribution of cocaine.

'The Family' have previously been busted by officers for possession of heavy duty firearms. An extremely significant bust linked to the mob took place in 2015.

A Ballyfermot man is currently serving five years in jail in relation to that seizure.

The 41-year-old was caught with more than 3m worth of drugs, three sub-machine guns and two pistols. He was also found in possession of ammunition when gardai searched his house and a unit he was leasing in a Dublin industrial estate.

Sources said he been used as a "gilly" by the notorious mob.

Gardai suspect the 'The Family' of importing millions of euro worth of drugs every month into the capital in secondhand cars imported from north-west England.

Sources said the heroin, cocaine and firearms are then distributed from a west Dublin car dealership to middle ranking dealers who sell the deadly product across the capital and the entire country.
Rapist James Nolan was decapitated and his body dismembered

Gardai have recovered part of a decomposed leg as they continue their search for the remains of convicted rapist James Nolan.

It was discovered by the Garda Water Unit after an extensive search of Lough Na Glack, in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan.

It is the latest body part discovered by gardai.

The Herald previously revealed that officers were launching a new investigation into the circumstances surrounding Nolan's grisly death.

Detectives were made aware of a 21-page letter, written to the rapist's family, in which details of his murder were outlined.

The note disclosed how Nolan was killed in Glasnevin cemetery and that his remains were chopped up before being scattered in various parts of the country.

Identified

Gardai said they have not yet formally identified the latest find and that inquiries were ongoing.

The state pathologist has been notified and the area where the body part was found has been sealed off pending a forensic examination.

The shocking case of Nolan's murder came to light when one of his arms was washed up on Dollymount Strand in 2011.

It is thought it was thrown into the River Tolka and washed out to sea.

In April, gardai recovered the torso of the sex offender after a search of the Tolka Valley Park in Finglas.

The discovery was made by officers who were working with specially trained dogs.

Detectives are working on the theory that Nolan was strangled by his killer, who then cut off his fingers before dismembering the body and completely severing the head.

It is believed Nolan knew his killer.

The inquest into his death, which was held in February 2015, heard that one of his arms was found by a man walking his dog in February 2011.

State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy told the coroner that after Nolan was killed, his arm was "cleanly" severed with a sharp knife.

His tattoos were then cut from the skin.

Nolan was last seen collecting methadone from the Wellmount Clinic in Finglas on November 30, 2010.

He was jailed for 14 years in 1986 when he was convicted of rape and false imprisonment.

Savage

The rape is considered one of the most savage to have been committed in Ireland.

The court heard how the victim was brutally attacked in front of her partner.

Nolan had been missing since shortly after being released from Portlaoise Prison, having served a three-year sentence for burglary in Booterstown, south Dublin, in 2005.

Sources said the rape incident is being considered as a possible motive for Nolan's gruesome murder.

Other motives have also been investigated, including a cash row that Nolan was involved in.
Two of Dublin's most popular beauty spots are closed to swimmers for the rest of the weekend following a sewage spillage after heavy rainfall.

Dublin City Council confirmed the temporary closure of the bathing areas of Dollymount Strand and Sandymount Strand yesterday.

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A spokesperson for the council said that, after intense rainfall on Thursday evening, sewage spilled into the River Liffey and flowed to Sandymount Beach.

"Based on experience of similar past events, a precautionary bathing prohibition has been put in place," said the spokesperson.

The Herald has learned that the council is unsure how long the bathing ban will be in place for but has taken water samples.

Emergency

Results of the tests will be available on Monday and the council will release an updated notice.

It is possible the ban could be extended if the water quality is deemed to have been contaminated by the sewage spillage.

It is bad news for swimmers with temperatures set to rise to 20C today.

This is not the first time sewage has caused the closure of bathing areas at Sandymount.

In July 2014, sewage spilled onto the strand and contaminated the water, putting the beach off-limits to swimmers. This was again the result of heavy rainfall.

An emergency overflow facility in the local drainage network was activated, which caused the flow of sewage to the beach.

More recently, there was another bathing prohibition put in place at Sandymount Strand in August last year.

A spokesperson said that when there is heavy rainfall the drains can fill to capacity and rain begins to enter the sewage system, which unfortunately also gets washed out into the sea.

Labour councillor Dermot Lacey said that Sandymount Beach should be of "high priority" and more needs to be done to prevent further incidents.

"Every effort should be made to ensure these things don't happen," he told the Herald.

"Sandymount is a great beach in the middle of the city and should get a high priority treatment in my view, and it is not getting that high priority treatment. It is getting better but it needs to be improved and improved a lot.

"It is such a good facility and we should be putting money into it."

Cllr Lacey also recognised that this will be a blow to those wanting to enjoy the sunny spells today.

"Those kinds of things shouldn't be allowed happen in a place like Sandymount Strand. A lot of attention should be put on ensuring these things don't happen in that area," he said.

"It is a free recreational area for Dubliners and we should be looking after it better."
Japan's parliament passed a law Friday to allow Emperor Akihito to abdicate and be succeeded by his elder son, Crown Prince Naruhito, 57.

Akihito, 83, who has had heart surgery and treatment for prostate cancer, last summer indicated his desire to abdicate after nearly three decade on the Chrysanthemum Throne, reviving a longstanding debate in Japan over the issue of Imperial succession in the 2,000-year-old monarchy.

The abdication would be Japan's first in 200 years. Akihito was 56 when he ascended the throne in January 1989 after the death of his father, Emperor Hirohito.


Tennessee lawmakers could continue mulling the creation of a state department of juvenile justice during the General Assemblys 2018 session.

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and House Speaker Beth Harwell announced Thursday the creation of the states Joint Ad Hoc Tennessee Blue Ribbon Task Force on Juvenile Justice, which will review the states juvenile justice system with a data-driven approach.

I believe our work can lead to some comprehensive and innovative solutions, said Harwell, in a news release.

The task force is the next step in evaluating the states juvenile justice system, according to Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris, who has been named co-chairman of the task force with Harwell.

Sometimes, people worry that we cobble criminals regardless of their age and other people worry that youngsters who could easily be set on the right path get ground up into that criminal justice system where we do more harm than good, said Norris. We need a system that can exercise the right discretion.

The process began in April 2016, when Tennessees Juvenile Justice Realignment Act was passed. It created an Ad Hoc Juvenile Justice Realignment Task Force to study new approaches to the administration of juvenile justice and required the group to submit a report, including its recommendations, to the Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and deliver to the General Assemblys speakers by January 2017.

The recommendations were:

 End the practice of detaining status offenders by eliminating the use of valid court orders for status offenses in Tennessee juvenile courts and prohibiting juvenile courts from detaining status offenders;

 Establish a pilot program for a standardized, verifiable, and expanded collection of juvenile justice data starting with, but not necessarily limited to, the four largest urban counties;

 Create an appropriately selected working group to review all aspects of juvenile justice data and to formulate a proposal that outlines specific requirements to implement options for an improved data system, including costs and legislation;

 Introduce legislation to require a review of probation services to ensure that preliminary assessments are appropriate and that the core values of public safety and youth treatment and rehabilitation are being served;

 Pursue school-based strategies to reduce student referrals to juvenile courts by encouraging more partnerships between juvenile courts and school districts, introducing legislation to revise truancy laws, and by supporting the addition of school nurses and guidance counselors to help address students needs in the school setting.

 Continue support for the data and training components of the federal Court Improvement Program;

 Support the adoption of legislation that addresses the issue of juvenile sexting in a way that does not attach criminal sexual offenses to youth.

Following submittal of the task forces report, a contract with The Pew Charitable Trusts, a non-partisan analysis organization, was approved by Gov. Bill Haslam, Harwell, McNally, Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Jeffrey Bivins, and Norris in a separate letter agreement to conduct a study on the current system, according to Norris. The blue ribbon task force was created at the request of Pew, he added.

Members are tasked with developing policy recommendations based on findings from the study of new approaches to the administration of juvenile justice with the mission of treating and rehabilitating the states juvenile offenders, according to the act.

I am confident this esteemed task force will make great strides on the issue of juvenile justice reform, which will improve rehabilitation of offenders, achieve justice for victims and benefit our society as a whole, said McNally, in a news release.

Norris said one idea that is being considered is splitting the Department of Childrens Services into two divisions  one for social services and the other for criminal justice.

It may be that the [juvenile justice] system we have is too much of a social service emphasis rather than a criminal justice emphasis, he said. There are questions about whether the criminal justice aspect is being adequately addressed. Weve got some tough customers in some of the kids and weve got other kids that shouldnt get wrapped up in criminal justice. We can break that school to prison pipeline pretty easy and do right by them but not overlook the hardened criminals.

Judge Mark Toohey, who has served as a Sullivan County Juvenile Court judge for 10 years, said hell support the realignment of the states juvenile justice system but only if doing so provides more funding, employees and attention to observing and helping children.

If all those things arent present, I just dont think its going to work, said Toohey. I would like to see some policies implemented that cut down on the effort we have to make in order to get these kids in a right fit. ... Were here to look out for the best interest of these kids and it doesnt matter if theres a fiscal note attached to it, it doesnt matter if that messes up somebodys numbers as to how many kids are here or there. I think we need to make this judgment on an individual basis ... and do whatevers best for them.

Members of the task force include Haslam or his designee, McNally and other lawmakers, state district attorneys, juvenile court judges, police officials, officials from several state departments, including Childrens Services, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and Education, and others.

There are no local lawmakers or law enforcement officials on the task force.
UPDATED

WISE, Va.  The University of Virginias College at Wise will receive $3.5 million from the University of Virginia to increase enrollment in programs at the college and to create a robust culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in the region, the college said Friday.

The Wise Innovation Ecosystem received the funding from the UVas Strategic Investment Fund, according to a news release from the college.

The Strategic Investment Fund is an extraordinary opportunity for the University of Virginia community to dream big and exercise creative license to design and implement high-impact, high-value initiatives, UVa-Wise Chancellor Donna P. Henry said.

She added that college officials are grateful for the award.

This is truly a transformative opportunity which will strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship in our curriculum while reinforcing student outcomes and economic development, Henry added.

Approval of the award was announced Friday by the Board of Visitors.

One of the Wise Innovation Ecosystems goals is to diversify the regions economy by boosting enrollment in the software engineering, computer science and management of information systems programs, said Shannon Blevins, assistant vice chancellor for economic development and engagement.

Another goal is to give students the skills needed to be relevant and competitive in the emerging economy by creating a center for innovation for students to collaborate and develop entrepreneurial skills through hands-on learning experiences, Blevins said.

The college will receive the funding over a five-year period. The majority of the funds will support a Center for Innovation, including the hiring of a professor of entrepreneurship, a professor of cyber-MIS, a center manager and operation costs, including start-up scholarships, student internships, an entrepreneurship boot camp, a cyber-security symposium, an entrepreneurial certificate program and the Student Innovation Center.

Jacob Somervell, chairman of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, said the award will bring more students to the computer science and software engineering programs.

Increasing enrollment and the number of graduates can have the ripple effect of attracting more technology companies to the region, Somervell added.

The funds will also support a retention program for students in various programs, including a mandatory summer program for entering students, highly monitored turbo classes in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, early intervention for at-risk students and shared courses with the University of Virginia, the college said.

WISE, Va.The University of Virginias College at Wise will receive $3.5 million from the University of Virginia to increase enrollment in targeted programs at the College and to create a robust culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.

The Wise Innovation Ecosystem received the funding from the University of Virginias Strategic Investment Fund, according to a written statement from the university.

The Strategic Investment Fund is an extraordinary opportunity for the University of Virginia community to dream big and exercise creative license to design and implement high-impact, high-value initiatives, UVa-Wise Chancellor Donna P. Henry said. The University of Virginias College at Wise is grateful for this award. This is truly a transformative opportunity which will strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship in our curriculum while reinforcing student out-comes and economic development.

Approval was announced Friday by the Board of Visitors, the release states.

One goal of the Wise Innovation Ecosystem is to diversify the regions economy by boosting enrollment in the software engineering, computer science and management of information systems programs, said Shannon Blevins, assistant vice chancellor for economic development and engagement. Another goal is to give students the skills needed to be relevant and competitive in the emerging economy by creating a center for innovation for students to collaborate and develop entrepreneurial skills through hands-on learning experiences.

The funding will be received over a five-year period. The majority of the funds will support a Center for Innovation, including the hiring of a professor of entrepreneurship, a professor of cyber-MIS, a center manager and operation costs, including start-up scholarships, student internships, an entrepreneurship boot camp, a cyber-security symposium, an entrepreneurial certificate program and the student innovation center, the release states.

The College at Wise already has top-notch academic programs, including ABET accredited Computer Science and Software Engineering, said Jacob Somervell, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. These degrees are underutilized resources for the Commonwealth. The programs need more students and this SIF grant will support bringing more students to these degree programs.

Somervell explained that efforts to increase awareness of the programs and to attract more students would strengthen the mission of the college and provide much needed technology talent to the various technology companies across the commonwealth and beyond. Increasing enrollment and the number of graduates can have the ripple effect of attracting more technology companies to the region; potentially helping to shift the local economy from the struggling coal industry towards a more sustainable technology sector, he explained.

I thank the Board of Visitors and the review panel for their foresight and clarity of vision in recognizing the importance these degrees can have for the region and the Commonwealth, he said. My hope is that the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science can graduate significantly more majors with technology degrees and help Southwest Virginia become a competitive destination for myriad technology companies.

The funds would also support a retention program for students in various programs, including a mandatory summer program for entering students, highly monitored turbo classes in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, early intervention for at-risk students and shared courses with the University of Virginia.
The meet will take place on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Indonesia.
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A day after farmers clashed with law-enforcers in Phanda block of Bhopal district on Friday, police have been accused of mercilessly beating up an elderly woman under the pretense of maintaining law and order.

A photograph of four to five police personnel roughing up Kamla Bai Patel, a resident of Phanda block, also went viral on the social media. The 60-year-old woman alleged that police personnel dragged her out of her house and started thrashing her.

Violence erupts around Kamla Bai. (HT Photo)

I was beaten up for no fault of mine. It was utter chaos out there. Everybody was running helter-skelter, and police were thrashing everybody  regardless of age and gender, she told mediapersons.

However, police said Kamla Bai was sheltering troublemakers at her home.

When police entered her residence, she tried to prevent the police from arresting her husband, son and grandsons. She is lying about us beating her up. The photograph does not present a clear picture of what is happening, said Suryakant Awasthi, the Khajuri police station in-charge.

Policemen wrestle an agitating farmer into submission. (HT Photo)

However, Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress president Kunal Chaudhary said the images provide enough proof of the polices barbarism. A case must be registered against the police for misbehaving with the woman, he added.

We cant even understand why the police beat her up like this, said a villager on the condition of anonymity. Kamla Bai is a 60-year-old woman, and they should not have treated her this way.

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Actor Deepak Dobriyal loves to shoot for his films in Delhi. The actor, who hails from Uttarakhand,has shot in the Capital for many films such as Delhi 6 (2008), Tanu Weds Manu (2010), and the recently released Hindi Medium. His next film, Kuldip Patwal: I Didnt Do It! which also stars actors Raima Sen, Parvin Dabas and Gulshan Devaiyah, has also been shot in Delhi.

I always feel close to the common man when I am shooting in Delhi. There is some thing really personal and theres a kind of earthiness whenever I am shooting in the Capital. I always love to shoot here, says Deepak, who stars in Hindi Medium alongside Irrfan Khan.

The Omkara (2006) actor recalls a sequence when he shot on Delhi roads late into the night. This was an interesting scene where my character has to go late night in search of some little thing [that] his pregnant wife desires, when all shops are closed. So we shot the scene at around 2am. We wanted a real location to resemble his local access area. As Delhi is always full of people, the challenge was to shoot with no soul in sight, shares Deepak.

The scene didnt take more than 30 minutes to finish, he adds, The beauty of the scene would have been lost if there were people. So, we waited until there was absolutely no one awake strolling the streets at 2 am. The scene was filmed in Ghitorni near Chhattarpur in Delhi. The entire scene took less than half an hour. It was seamless and effortless. I am very pleased with how it has come out.

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Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpayee recently met with an accident in Mumbai. He, however, did not suffer any injury in the road mishap.

Manoj was driving back home with his manager and on the way he was interrupted by a couple on a bike. While Manoj is said to be driving slowly because of the slippery roads, the bike rider sped and over took the actors car. The bike lost balance and the couple was thrown on the ground. Manoj is said to have pressed his emergency break in time.

Sources said that people gathered and called for an ambulance, taking the couple to a doctor.

It was a very bizzare incident and I am just glad that nobody was injured so badly. I was sick for few days, so had gone to the doctor. As my driver wasnt there, I had opted to drive myself. These days it is very important to make sure one drives safely, for yourself as well as people around you. I am completely fine and I would like to request everyone this monsoon season please be safe and take care, Manoj Bajpayee said in a statement.

Manoj was last seen in Ram Gopal Varmas Sarkar 3 and his next projects are Aiyarry and Love Sonia.

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Dont come to our house at night, warns science writer-journalist Mukul Sharma, I still do planchette all the time. Sitting in the sun-washed living room of his Gurgaon house, where he lives with his wife and their adopted daughter, it is difficult to take Sharmas warning seriously. The location looks as non-threatening, as the smiling, bespectacled, balding man delivering the warning. Which is why you need a setting like McCluskieganj to create the right mood, he says. You do it here and it makes no difference. There are people all around. You do it in the middle of a forest and you can actually scare somebody, says Sharma.

As he had once done, way back in 1979. His little prank forms the core of daughter Konkona Sen Sharmas directorial debut A Death In The Gunj. My ex-wife, actor-director Aparna Sen, and I had been going to McCluskieganj since 1976. We had also bought a house there, says Sharma. We would do planchette all the time and I would always be the one to move it. That day we were asking who would die first. And when we came to our friend Chris Tripthorpe, I just didnt say anything. He got scared and ran away. And he died after that  got run over by a train. Many believed it was suicide, recalls Sharma. It was the guilt of a prank gone wrong that made Sharma write the short story on which A Death In The Gunj is based. My story was more of speculative fiction about why Chris committed suicide. He didnt need to, says Sharma, adding, He was not the last person in the room that day. I asked a person on my left and then I went around till it came to him. It only struck me much later that there was one more person left  me. I didnt ask whether I was going to die first because Chris ran away. My story was basically about after he dies would Chris have wanted me to die first?

A poster of the film A Death In The Gunj.

The story of Konkonas film is very different, which is why the credits make it very clear that it is only based on a short story by Mukul Sharma which was inspired by a true incident. Konkona was only about a year-and-a-half old when this happened. But she had heard the story many times from both me and Rina (Aparna Sens nickname). Bits and pieces of the family stories have found their way into the film  like the blue ambassador that one of the lead characters drives in the film. I had a blue ambassador at that time, says Sharma. And the song Toont gachhe bhooth nache  a tribal riff the familys help in the Ganj used to sing, and which has been used in the film.

This is, however, not the first time that one of Sharmas stories have been made into a Konkona film. The Kannan Iyer directed Ek Thi Daayan, produced by Vishal Bhardwaj and starring Konkona, was also based on a short story by Sharma. That film was pretty close to my story. Vishal and I wrote the screenplay together, and we had to make a 900-word story into an approximately 40,000-word screenplay. My story was very simple. When I wrote that story, buildings didnt have basement parking as they do now. So what happened if you are in an elevator and it went below the ground floor? You met all the evil people who had died, says Sharma, with a twinkle in his eyes.

The writer has also recently finished turning two of his other stories into film scripts  one for Vishal Bhardwaj and the other for Abhishek Chaubey. The first is called Dream Sequence. Its about a person who dreams that he has woken up. The other is called Ghost.

Though currently Sharmas film association is through his writings, his debut in films had been as an actor. In 36 Chowringhee Lane, directed by ex-wife Sen, Sharmas presence is brief. I am one of the guests in the party scene. It was the last scene to be shot and Shashi Kapoor, who was the producer, said why not have a real party with real liquor. Rina had instructed that the cast and crew shouldnt drink during the shoot. But the actor who was supposed to play this character got drunk and so Aparna asked me to do it. I was a guest and I had been drinking too. There were 23 takes for that scene. And this was non-digital time, recalls Sharma, with a laugh.

His next screen outing, in the Aparna Sen directed Parama  as the young photographer iwith whom the bored and lonely housewife played by Rakhi develops a relationship  might also have been accidental, but won him both popularity and critical acclaim, and an award for best newcomer. Goutam Ghose was to play that part. But he was directing another film with Naseeruddin Shah at the time. So he couldnt do it. Aparna had thought of Naseer also, but he had shaved off his hair for that character, and she wanted her character to have a full head of hair. Finally Aparna asked me whether I would do it. And I am not going to say no to anything, says Sharma. Though he had no previous experience of real acting, Sharma says it was no big deal. Did he enjoy the experience? Of kissing Rakhi, you mean? he asks with characteristic humour, adding, I was really good looking at the time. If you had seen me in Parama, you wouldnt believe you came to my house and saw me balding. I used to give autographs like crazy at that time in Kolkata. And I got other acting offers after that. But by that time I was deep into writing.

Though Sharma and Sen separated when Konkona was about eight years old, he remained close to his daughter. I married Binita soon after and Konkona would come and spend time with us. Actually, so would Rina. We couldnt make it as a couple, but there was no real acrimony between us. We stayed friends, says Sharma. The goodwill between the two is reflected in the fond pride with which he talks of Sens most recent film, Sonata. I think she has been a better director than an actor. Not because she is not a great actor, but because she didnt get as much opportunity as an actor. Its different with Konkona, she didnt do as many commercial films as her mother. I dont watch Hindi films, so I havent seen her Hindi films either, but my wife has seen Wake Up Sid and she said Konkona was very good in the film. I have seen two of her films, 15 Park Avenue and Mr and Mrs Iyer (both directed by Aparna Sen). She got a national award for Mr and Mrs Iyer he says, with obvious pride. The writer also remains in close contact with Dona, Sens daughter from her first husband. She was two years old when I got married to Aparna and I adopted her. How can you not remain close to someone you have know from the time she was two, he questions.

But what did Konkona, his only biological child, inherit from him? My nose. And her weirdness, says Sharma immediately. On a shelf in his study is a small black-and-white photograph of a very young Konkona, that Sharma says, was taken by mathematician-philosopher Sir Roger Penrose while he was visiting Sharma. She likes the bizarre and I am Mr Bizarre. She did say my dad has some really bizarre stories. If she is like that she gets it from me. But I dont know whether she is like that because she is very focused, very down-to-earth. I would like to say she is very truthful, honest and speaks her mind, but she gets those from her mother, not from me, says Sharma, with a smile.

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Leena Pitrus loaded the washing machine, cut vegetables for the itinerant cook, supervised the cleaning lady, made evening snacks for the kids, did the washing up after dinner, made tea in the morning for sahib and generally made sure I didnt have a nervous breakdown. She did this for two years until, one day, she announced she was getting married to her long time boyfriend and left for her village, a days journey onward from Darjeeling. As a going away present I gave her a tea set. You can serve your guests chai when they come home, I said in my most idiotic memsahib manner. As I bang away on this keyboard perhaps someone is sitting on a mud floor in a remote Adivasi village in the eastern Himalayas sipping tea in a genteel fashion from those bone china cups. I learnt years later that the marriage never happened. Leena mental system ho gayi. She wanders around at night shouting at people, a girl from the same village, who works for a friend, announced.

I thought of Leena a great deal while reading Tripti Lahiris Maid in India, which grapples with many of the questions that plague self-aware upper middle class working women while offering acute insights into how the privileged home and, by extension, Indian society functions. Aided by her insider-outsider perspective  the book reveals that her family, based in Delhi, is affluent but enlightened, and her attitudes have been further moulded by a liberal education in the un-feudal US  Lahiri studies our fears, examines our abiding status anxiety, and unmasks our hypocrisies.

Her clear-sightedness is evident in the books introduction:

In any case, when it comes to domestic help, many progressive people have a blind spot. Professors who study and critique feudalism and the serfdom of rural peasants, underpay and overwork those very rural peasants when they hire them in the city as maids; feminists who are fighting the patriarchy nitpick and circumscribe the autonomy of their maids 

Theres a keen recognition of the unwritten rules that govern interactions between master and servant, memsahib and those identified as social inferiors, the lady of the house and the maid/cook/nanny:

Borders between countries are marked out by fences and guards, but borders between classes are marked out by where you may sit, where you may go to the bathroom, and where and with whom you may eat.

Though, in my daydreams, I am now the liberator who lifts her out of her slough of despond, I havent gone in search of Leena. I have no idea if her mountain village is the idyllic community of my imagination or the lush but hopeless landscape that Lahiri traverses in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Varanasi as she tracks down relatives of domestic workers with horrific stories  the bitten cauliflower-eared child, the middle-aged woman assaulted to death by a politicians wife, the girl who preferred to live in conditions of near-slavery instead of returning with her mother to her impoverished village. Thankfully, there are stories of upward mobility too, of Sonal, whose intelligence has helped him negotiate the ways of privileged liberal India with its undertow of snobbery, of Vijia whose small chit fund enterprise has helped her build a four-storey home for her family and set up a grocery store, of Lovely Khan who is determined to leave housework behind and get a white-collar job.

These are the stories that one expects from an excellent reporter, which Lahiri clearly is. What sets the book apart, though, are her sharp observations that sometimes lead the ostensibly privileged reader to a better understanding of her own life and its frustrations:

A maid who works in flats in a housing complex in suburban Mumbai (Representational picture). (Pramod Dethe/Hindustan Times)

More women, at least in urban India, are experiencing the freedom to study further and to work outside the home The number of women in cities of working age increased some 40 per cent between 2001 and 2011, while the numbers of those women who were employed increased by over 70 per cent during the same decade. And it is this development, even more than the greater general prosperity that is driving the urban demand for maids and nannies. Because for Indian men to work or lead full lives outside the home, paid domestic help was never a requirement Men, regardless of caste of class, have always had a servant  a woman who was, literally, one of the family.

As with the best feminist writing, Maid in India pushes the reader to confront truths concealed by her own conditioning:

Just as work outside the home in India has traditionally been marked by a caste system that put one group of people permanently at the service of others, within the family too, there is a caste system. Men being Brahmins in their own homes, regardless of their caste, are naturally excluded from any work at all. The work is done by women, but not by all the women in a household equally. And this is where the sharp rivalries between women begin

Lahiri is superb on the power dynamic that plays out while a journalist is in the field: Interviewing the poor is just so much easier. Whether it is the courtesy generally accorded to a visitor just about anywhere in India, or the deference accorded to people recognizable as being sahib log , as journalists often are, when you turn up at the doorstep of a poor family and see to ask about their lives, they dont tell you to get lost When interviewing those higher up the food chain, though, we kow-tow, beseech their handlers, we agree to terms and conditions

Tripti Lahiri (Picture courtesy Aleph)

Good non-fiction leads the reader to a deeper understanding of the larger forces at play, of the unspoken and the unarticulated but nevertheless real, and of her own context, behaviour and prejudices. Maid in India is shot through with liberal guilt, with some hand-wringing about belonging to the haves. When Lahiri recounts meeting a woman who attempts to instill a sense of the dignity of labour in the upper class folk to whom she supplies trained maids, she writes:

Later, we become friends ourselves. But all I know at that point is that she is stylish and lives in a beautifully designed house, in a nicer part of town, a combination that invariably prejudices me against people I dont know very well.

Lahiri is too intelligent to fall into the blind patterns of those progressives she calls out for their insensitivity in the introduction  the Marxists who underpay their maids, the feminists who oppress their helpers  and pretend to be forerunners of the revolution. Constantly watchful of her own actions and reactions, she manages miraculously to be at once both judgemental and understanding of madams. She ponders about the shortcomings of our legal system that hasnt succeeded in addressing the abuse of domestic workers, and recognizes the quirks of and the many ways in which the fabric of Indian society is shot through with skeins of inequality.

Read m ore: Book excerpt: Maid in India by Tripti Lahiri

Here she is on childhood:

Childhood  as in a protected, cared-for period of life reserved for play and study  is a luxury the upper class can afford, not the poor.

And on preference when it comes to live-in servants:

Many Indians also seem to be convinced that a belief in Jesus Christ leads to better housekeeping.

Watch: In conversation with Tripti Lahiri, author of Maid in India

Maid in India is an excellent book, one that holds up an unblemished mirror to our bourgeois lives with their cruelties, little and large.

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Pre-monsoon showers killed at least 16 people in Maharashtra on Saturday.

According to the weather bureau, while Mumbai and the rest of Maharashtra will receive heavy to very heavy rain on Sunday, monsoon will arrive three days later.

Lightning killed four people in Gadchiroli, three in Nanded, two in Latur and one in Nashik in the early hours on Saturday. A 10-year-old boy was washed away while trying to cross a bridge over a heavily flooded drain in Nevasa, Ahmednagar. Yogesh Kurle, an IT engineer, was electrocuted when he accidentally touched a live wire near Murbad in Thane district. Early on Saturday, four children aged between four and seven were washed away in Chandrabhaga river near Pandharpur in Solapur district.

Since Thursday night, the highest rainfall of 9cm was recorded in Palghar in north Konkan, followed by 8cm in Sindhudurgs Malvan, with Mumbai recording an average of 3.59cm rain in the past 24 hours.

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Im not writing to bid adieu  because I hope it wont come to that  but to recall the many happy moments Ive spent at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Delhi. The thought it might pass out of the hands of the Tata Group depresses me. I cant believe it will thereafter be the same. New owners will inevitably create a different place.

I first got to know the Taj when I was in my early twenties. We lived in Chhattarpur and the Taj was a convenient and well-located resting point on trips to Delhi. CP was still the place to visit but, in those days of non-air conditioned cars, it could be a hellish journey in summer. The Machan or The Emperors Lounge were irresistible halts for cold coffee and ice cream. If you were hungry, there was the House of Ming and Captains Cabin.

Late at night The Machan would transform into a meeting-point for twenty-year-olds, gossiping, lingering, literally measuring their lives with coffee spoons! We would spend very little but stay for hours. Not once did the restaurant complain.

Across the lobby was the Khazana, a treasure-trove. From dressing-gowns to French hunting prints, from silver bowls to Kolhapuri chappals, it offered a bewildering but beautiful collection of products I found irresistible. In the 80s it was one of the few places where you could buy British newspapers. That was my excuse for visiting!

Down in the basement is the Barbers shop Ive visited every single month since 1978. My problem is I have the worst hair in the world, frizzy, dry and unruly. Pritam was the first to tame it. Keep it short, he said, and it will look straight. He was right. Ive had short hair ever since.

When Pritam retired Govind took over and now, waiting in the wings, is young Rajesh Kumar Singh. One of the reasons I look forward to my monthly visits is the opportunity to natter. They help me judge politicians and assess the popular mood. They also correct my biases. Bernard Levin once wrote that amongst the wisest men he knew was his barber. Pritam, Govind and Rajesh are proof thats true for me as well.

In the 1980s, when I was a television journalist in London and would visit Delhi on work with finicky TV crews, we would unfailing stay at the Taj. The first time was June 1984, days after the army siege of the Golden Temple. It was an uncertain period and to be safe I invited our interviewees to the hotel. Thank God I did because it was the efficiency of the Taj switchboard operator that salvaged our biggest interview.

That was Prakash Singh Badal. Hed agreed to come to Delhi but around 5 in the morning he was suddenly arrested and surreptitiously rang to tell me with the police waiting in the next room. Im not sure how the operator realised the importance of this call but she insistently buzzed till I answered thus enabling me to do the interview on the phone and tell the world the story of Mr. Badals arrest.

Paradoxically, after returning to Delhi my visits to the Taj became less frequent. Perhaps thats because I take the place for granted but even that link will snap if it changes hands. And if that happens my memories will be no better than granddads tales of a forgotten past. Only if the Tatas retain control might they stay relevant!

The views expressed are personal

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I had the opportunity recently to visit friends in Lucknow and so I arranged to fulfil an old wish, which was to drop by on Padmashri Haji Kaleemullh Khan, the mango maharaja of Malihabad, about an hours drive from Lucknow. Id met him twenty years ago at the Delhi Mango Festival and hed told me to come by, so I did, though it took a little time as you see. Regrettably, I was too early for the Dussehris. But it was charming enough to drive past heavily-fruiting mango orchards. My UP friends turned up their noses, however, and said This years harvest is low.

Given the old tradition of naming flowers and fruit after political leaders and famous people, it was perhaps to be expected that Haji Saheb had named mango varieties Akhilesh and Sachin and a bright red guava Aishwarya Rai. He showed me photos of a bright red mango called NaMo and a lean, green one called Yogi that he wants to present to their namesakes. And of course, I got to see the wonder tree on which he has reportedly grafted 300 varieties of mango.

Pleased to meet this pleasant, down-to-earth artiste again, I was also refreshed by the delicious lassi served in a gigantic clay cup. So on the way back to Lucknow, I got to stop at a roadside potters and fulfil yet another wish: to buy a small surahi with the pretty pattern of flowering vine that they make in the region. I remembered that su is the Turkish word for water, hence surahi for water-holder (and susu for you-know-what). Thrilled with this buy, I began to remember that water from a clay pot is supposed to have several scientifically-endorsed health benefits. But my reasons were very simple. Surahi-water (filled from the RO) is just so perfect to drink in the hot weather and tastes a zillion times nicer than machine-ka-pani which is a bore and a chore to mix every time. I mean, how useless is life if you cant even get a glass of water cooled just right? It was a sobering, gratitude-inspiring thought. Also, my tiny personal surahi looked incredibly chic and elegant, and all for a measly forty rupees. That surahi was my hand-luggage on the way home, wadded up with a few brown paper packages of chikan-embroidered clothes from the textile heaven thats Lucknow.

I also got to see other marvels of the local earth and water, though the river Gomti itself was a sadly diminished sight. One very atmospheric place was the newly-restored Sibtainabad mausoleum built by Wajid Ali Shah, the last nawab of Lucknow, for his father. The interior was decorated with jolly mermaids on an arch. Fish were the symbol of nawabi Shia Lucknow, so a mermaid, being half-fish, half-gopi, seemed a symbol of syncretic culture to me. Inside the sanctum stood a babys cradle, like Krishnas cradle at Janmashtami, which symbolized Hazrat Hassans baby who died at Karbala. My precious take-home from this short dash was a fine jumble of interesting culture, the almost spiritual coolness of a maestros mango orchard and sublimely pleasant drinking water.

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A doctor from Uttarakhand has approached the National Commission for Women (NCW), saying her services at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh were terminated allegedly without citing any reason after she applied for maternity leave.

Dr Niharika Naithani Dhami, who was serving as a senior resident at the department of dentistry at AIIMS Rishikesh, lodged a complaint with the NCW on June 9 against five AIIMS officials, including director Dr Ravi Kant, for terminating my services as a senior resident the moment I went on maternity leave.

Dhami, who is now 35 weeks pregnant, alleged in her complaint that she was not given any prior notice for the termination.

No reason has been given to me for termination and my termination letter was made backdated to May 12, even though I served till May 27, Dhami wrote in her complaint letter, a copy of which is with HT.

The future of my career has been brutally cut short it has been emotionally and mentally very distressing on me. I wish to get justice to avoid any stress to my current mental health and well being of my unborn child who is due in the 1st week of July. Please help me to get justice and make sure that no woman is hurt like this ever, she wrote.

A master of dental surgery (MDS) in conservative dentistry and endodontics, Dhami joined AIIMS on April 3. I went on maternity leave from May 29 after going through the proper channel while applying (for maternity leave), she said.

On June 2, I received termination letter for my services, there was no form of communication from the administration in this regard before the terminationI also never received any warnings for misconduct while serving there for two months, Dhami said.

While the director could not be contacted for his version despite repeated attempts, HT contacted different officials of AIIMS Rishikesh but they refused to comment on the matter.

Anshuman Gupta, deputy director (administration) at AIIMS, said he was not aware of the case and would be able to comment on it by Monday.

Meanwhile, NCW member Rekha Sharma confirmed to HT that the womens panel had received a complaint and would take appropriate action in the matter after investigating the case.

We (NCW) have already issued a notice to AIIMS authorities and will be calling them soon for questioning about the complaint. We will also call the doctor (Dhami) if she could travel to Delhi if her health permits, Sharma told HT on Saturday.

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It takes misplaced courage to dream of a career as a gangster. And the perseverance to call up Chhota Shakeel repeatedly till the underworld don is forced to pick up the phone and say: Impressive!

But 21-year-old Junaid Chaudharys efforts to establish himself as Delhis top gangster may have ended after his arrest on June 7 for allegedly planning to assassinate Pakistan-born Canadian writer Tarek Fateh and jailed underworld don Chhota Rajan.

Junaid phoned Shakeel countless times and sent numerous WhatsApp messages over nearly three months before the gangster responded and gave him an assignment, an investigator in Delhi Polices special cell told HT. However, investigators are yet to corroborate Junaids claim.

Investigators described Junaid, a Class 9 dropout and an average built youth standing at 5 feet 7 inches, as clever and highly ambitious who had perfected the art of hoodwinking police.

The son of a dairy farmer from Bhagirathi Vihar in northeast Delhi, Junaid hit upon the idea of contacting Chhota Shakeel after he saw the a Mumbai-based gangsters mobile phone number flashed by a TV channel about three years ago.

Shakeel is the hitman of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, an accused in the 1993 serial bombings in Mumbai.

As a test of his loyalty and skills, Shakeel allegedly asked Junaid to draw up a plan to assassinate his main rival Chhota Rajan, lodged in Tihar jail. Junaid was also told to look for an opportunity to kill Swami Chakrapani, the Ghaziabad-based chief of Hindu Mahasabha.

Junaids plan was to assassinate Chakrapani, get arrested so that he is sent to Tihar jail and then kill Chhota Rajan inside the prison. An impressed Shakeel sent Rs 2 lakh to Junaid, who hired three criminals for the hit job, the official said. However, he was arrested in June last year before he could carry out his plan.

Junaid made a mistake by contacting Shakeel on his mobile number that was under surveillance...Sleuths caught him when he was almost ready to strike, the officer said. He got bail in October.

As security agencies continued their surveillance of Junaid, they found him helping his father in his dairy business. Officials started believing that the would-be-gangster was a changed man.

Around two months ago, sleuths intercepted telephonic conversations between Junaid and an illegal firearms dealer for a deal to purchase a pistol and cartridges. Junaid was heard taking Shakeels name.

It did not take us long to understand that Junaid was gearing up again for some crime on Shakeels directions. We caught him from Delhi with a sophisticated pistol and four cartridges he had purchased for Rs 1 lakh, said MM Oberoi, joint commissioner of the special cell.

A scan of Junaids mobile phone revealed he was in touch with Shakeel through internet calling and messaging applications such as WhatsApp, Viber and others, even sending photos of the pistol.

Police officials said Junaid could soon be out of jail as the charges against him are not too serious.

Junaid has only two criminal cases against him till now...He is not afraid of police or the law. He also knows he cannot be kept in jail for long for the nature of his crimes, an investigator said.
A businessman, who allegedly helped a 40-year-old woman lawyer to honeytrap BJP parliamentarian KC Patel and blackmail him to cough up Rs 5 crore using a purported sex video, was arrested on Friday, police said.

The arrest came a day after a special court initiated proceedings to declare the arrested, Ajay Kumar alias Ajay Pal Chauhan, a proclaimed offender.

According to deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi) BK Singh, Chauhan was involved in the conspiracy to blackmail the MP. Earlier, the court had issued a non-bailable warrant against Chauhan but it could not be executed as he was untraceable.

Chauhans anticipatory bail plea was also dismissed by the court on Friday.

The woman lawyer was arrested on May 2 by Delhi Police from her Ghaziabad residence following a case filed by the MP. The BJP leader, in his complaint to the police, alleged that the woman befriended him and took him to her home in Ghaziabad to meet her family. He said she gave him a spiked drink, clicked objectionable pictures of him in an unconscious state, and threatened to make the photos public if he didnt pay up.

The court had noted that as per the womans statement, it was Chauhan who had arranged the flat inside which the alleged sex video was recorded, and previously too, he had made such videos involving two other politicians and extorted a substantial amount of money from them.

The court also noted that the woman, along with Chauhan and one Mitrapal, had gone to Patels flat to extort money and threatened that they would expose him by making the sex video involving him go viral on social media.

Meanwhile, the woman had also approached a Delhi court, claiming that the police did not act on her rape complaint against Patel. However, her plea was dismissed. (with agency inputs)
A Bollywood-obsessed student asked if he could get admission in the same college where Shahrukh Khan studied. Another asked if she could get the cutoff list on WhatsApp.

These were some of the queries being answered by Delhi Universitys admission helpline number 011-27006900 to assist students with the admission process.

The helpline number being managed by the University Information Centre (UIC) receives around 6,000 calls a day from curious applicants from across the country, UIC officials said.

The helpline, active from 9am to 5 pm, has 12 people attending to calls from applicants and their parents related to the undergraduate and postgraduate admission process.

All about Delhi University

I attend around 500 calls every day. At any given time we are answering 11 applicants simultaneously. One line is kept free for other calls, said Sarita from Bhim Rao Ambedkar College. Sarita is working as an intern with UIC.

All these students have been trained in advance to help applicants with their queries. They are paid Rs 290 per day as stipend.

Callers mostly ask about the cutoffs and postgraduate forms. But there are some who ask weird questions too. One caller asked if he could get admission in the same college where Shahrukh Khan studied. Another wanted to know if she can receive the cutoff on WhatsApp, said Sarita.

Another volunteer Gajanand Shrivastava said most callers ask which colleges are the best and which course they should apply for. Students ask if they have to fill in their total marks or the best of four aggregate while filling the admission form. They want to know about the best colleges in DU, he said.

It isnt just queries that the interns handle but also complaints from applicants. Parents call us with complaints such as not receiving any confirmation even after filling the form, he said.

Officials from UIC said the admission helpline will be active till July 31. Applicants can also mail their query on du.ug.help.2017@gmail.com. For payment related queries we have two numbers on which applicants can call -7982991983 and 8967657510, an official from UIC said.
One more person has arrested in connection with the murder of a 32-year-old e-rickshaw driver associated with the Swachh Bharat initiative, outside the GTB Nagar Metro Station here last month.

Ravinder Kumar was brutally beaten to death last month by a group of 12-15 youngsters in full public view almost seven hours after he asked two of them to use the public toilet instead of urinating in the open.

The arrested person, Mehul Deda, is a cab driver -- the second person to be arrested in the case. Shekhar Kapasia, a BA second-year student of Delhi Universitys (DU) Aurobindo College, was earlier arrested.

A minor boy was also apprehended with Kapasia on May 31, four days after the crime that had triggered widespread outrage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had condemned the killing and directed the authorities to bring the culprits to book.

A senior police officer said Deda was among the five suspects identified after the interrogation of Kapasia. He was caught on June 4. Deda was part of the group that attacked Kumar with knuckles and stones wrapped in a towel.

Deda was on the run. He was hiding in Rishikesh but returned to Delhi after he got to know that Kapasia and the juvenile had been nabbed. He thought the situation had eased now and decided to return, a police officer said.

Police said that were looking for the other accused. The arrested duo will be questioned to find the identity of the others, police said.
A 48-year-old firefighter was injured during a fire rescue operation at a garments exports factory in south Delhis Okhla Industrial area on Saturday morning.

The blaze that started around 7am gutted the two-storey factory. Clothes, machines and other items worth several lakhs of rupees were burnt, said police.

Twenty fire tenders and around 50 fire fighters were pressed into service to control the flames that started due to a short circuit on the ground floor of the building.

The flames spread fast due to the presence of articles such as clothes, papers and cartons. By the time fire tenders arrived, the flames had engulfed the entire factory, said fire officials.

Atul Garg, chief fire officer of Delhi Fire Services, (DFS) said the fire broke out at a garment export company in Okhla Industrial area phase-1.

During the fire rescue operation, a fireman, Ram Ratan, sustained injuries after a portion of the roof top collapsed and fell on his back.

Our control room received a call about the fire in Aakarsh exports factory. Clothes, paper and carton material caught fire, said Garg.

To ensure safety of people, fire officials along with police personnel cordoned off the entire area and evacuated people working in adjacent buildings.

During the fire rescue operation, a fireman, Ram Ratan, sustained injuries after a portion of the roof top collapsed and fell on his back. He suffered injuries and was taken to ESI hospital in Okhla from where he was referred to the AIIMS Trauma Centre.

Ratan is a constable in DFS posted at the Sarita Vihar fire station. His condition was to be stable, Garg said.

The fire was brought under control around 10.30 am. The factory owner was out of Delhi when the incident took place. Arounf 100-150 workers worked at the factory, said a worker Sona Lal.
For members of the Muslim community, the holy month of Ramzan involves fasting, devotion and charity. In Old Delhi, the month holds significance for its Hindu brethren, too. In a show of solidarity, many are choosing to not eat anything for the whole day.

Mohd. Shaan, owner of Kallan Sweet Shop in Old Delhi, tells us, Kaushal Singh, who has been working with us for the last sixteen years, doesnt eat anything for the whole day. Like him, we have several Hindu workers who stand in front of the bhatti all through the day but to support us, they also skip their meals and water. And, if they want to have food or drink water, they go in the backyard.

For Kaushal, its not about religion, but humanity. How can I eat or drink anything when a colleague abstains from it. Im not a sadist. I respect all religions and value them, he says proudly.

The story is the same for many employees at the several shops in the area, with a majority of Hindu staff showing concern for the Muslims. Mohd. Arshad, who runs a dry-fruit shop, shares, Meva Ram, who works for me, doesnt even talk about food in front of me. He also skips his lunch every day to eat iftari (the meal that breaks the day-long fast) with my family. Aisa bhaichara kaha dekhne ko milega?

Some even share the work load of those observing a fast. Mohd. Arshad says, My Hindu employees insist that we, Muslims, take rest and they take care of the work.

Meva Ram believes that Old Delhi is the most secular area in Delhi. The chowk in front of Jama Masjid is known as the secular chowk. We celebrate Eid, Diwali, Holi and all other festivals here. Eid and Diwali bring us (Hindu-Muslims) closer. When we can work together, why not respect and celebrate each others festival together.

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An 11-year-old girl and a 28-year-old woman were allegedly gangraped in two separate incidents this week in outer Delhis Sultanpuri. In both the cases, the suspects were known to the rape survivors, police said.

The minor girl was gangraped allegedly by her two cousins at gunpoint while the woman alleged she was drugged and gangraped at an isolated place by her former landlord and his three brothers. Two separate cases were registered at the Sultanpuri police station in connection with the crimes.

A police officer said the first incident took place on Tuesday. The minor girl and her younger sister and other family members had come to Delhi from their native home in UPs Moradabad to attend their relatives wedding.

After the wedding, the other guests left but the two sisters and their family members stayed back. On Tuesday evening, the girls uncle fell ill and was admitted to a hospital. Everybody from the house, except the two girls, went to the hospital.

Around midnight, the girls were sleeping when they heard a knock at the main door. The elder one opened the door and found that their two cousins had come in a drunken state. After dinner, one of the cousins allegedly started touching the girl inappropriately.

When she resisted, the other cousin whipped out a pistol and threatened to kill her. The two then took turns to rape her in the presence of the other sister. The two then threatened to kill them and left the house, said the officer.

When the relatives returned, the sisters narrated their ordeal. The police were informed and a case was registered. The cousins are yet to be arrested.

In the second incident on Wednesday, a 28-year-old woman alleged that she was abducted, drugged and gangraped by her landlord and his three brothers while she was returning home after work in Sultanpuri. A case was registered on her complaint. Sources said the brothers have been detained.

The woman in her complaint alleged that on Wednesday evening, she was returning home when her former landlord and his two brother met her and engaged her in a conversation. They allegedly offered her a spiked drink which she consumed and fell semi-unconscious.

The three took her to an isolated place where they were joined by their fourth brother. They took turns to rape her and then fled. She sustained injuries but somehow informed her sister who took her to a hospital. The woman helpline was informed about the crime and they in turn informed the police.
A man committing the vile act of sexually assaulting his own mother is the most morally and physically reprehensible crime in the society, a Delhi court said while sentencing a 48-year-old man to jail for four years.

The man, whose name has been withheld to protect the identity of the victim, was found guilty of outraging the modesty of his mother and causing grievous hurt to her.

The incident happened in September 2012 in the residence of the convict in south-east Delhis Badarpur.

In her complaint to the police, filed nine months after the incident with the help of an NGO, the woman, who is a widow, said that her eldest son used to habitually get drunk, beat and molest her. On September 23, 2012, he dragged her into a room in his house, bolted the door, lifted her clothes and assaulted her till she started bleeding, it said.

While the woman was admitted in a hospital and had to undergo a surgery, the son absconded.

Her injuries were such that without an immediate surgery, she wouldnt have survived, the prosecution told the court, adding that the man used to habitually molest the female members of his family. He misbehaved with his sisters and pulled their clothes, it said.

The accused was declared as a proclaimed offender in March 2014. Based on tip-off, the police nabbed him from Uttar Pradesh in 2015. He pleaded not guilty and requested a trial.

The mother, who remained in severe pain for more than 20 days after the assault and could not even follow her daily routine, registered her complaint nine months later with the help of an NGO. She told the police that she did not disclose the matter to anyone earlier due to a sense of shame and fear of societal stigma.

On the delay in filing the complaint, the court commented that the delay in a sexual assault case cannot be equated with delay in cases involving other offences. In a tradition-bound society like in India, it would be quite unsafe to throw out the prosecution (victim) case merely on the ground that there is a delay in lodging the FIR, said Additional Sessions Judge Sanjiv Jain.

The court observed that a womans complaint that she has been molested must be taken at face value in a conservative society like India, where indelible stigma is attached to the victim. An Indian woman traditionally will not concoct an untruthful story and bring charges of sexual assault for the purpose of blackmail, hatred, spite or revenge. It must, therefore, be realised that a woman who is subjected to sex violence would always be hesitant about disclosing her plight, the judge said.

The court noted that the convict has outraged the modesty of his own mother. He caused her grievous injuries. He also abused her and absconded after the incident. It is true that the convict is aged about 48 years, but the fact that he committed the said act with his own mother cannot be ignored. Such an offence is universally considered to be amongst the most morally and physically reprehensible crime in society. It is an assault on the body, mind, privacy and the entire fabric of the victim. She had thought a number of times before reporting the matter to the police, the court said, while pronouncing the order on the mans sentencing on June 7.

The man was convicted for offences punishable under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with an intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 325 (punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt) and 174A (proclaimed offender) of the Indian Penal Code. He has been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of four years.

The court also recommended to the Delhi Legal Service Authority, south district, that an appropriate compensation be awarded to the victim.

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The Delhi government has found a unique solution to decongest the choked Rao Tula Ram Marg, a key road to the IGI airport. For the first time in the city, a portal flyover is being constructed to allow four-lane traffic movement below the three-lane flyover.

A study by the School of Planning and Architecture on accessibility to airports recently said reaching Delhi airport is far more difficult compared to other cities.

In Delhi, flyovers are constructed with pillars in between the road, which take a lot of space.

In the portal flyover type, pillars are built at the two end of the road so that traffic below it can move easily.

We are doing this as the area is congested and a three-lane flyover will not solve the problem. While one pillar will be on the footpath, the other one will be on the divider, making an entry that looks like a flipped U. The traffic bound for the airport from south Delhi will have a seven-lane road and 15 minutes of travel time will be saved, said a Public Works Department (PWD) official.

The PWD is constructing the flyover and racing against time to meet the deadline of June 2018. The new flyover parallel to the existing Rao Tula Ram (RTR) will be longer than the existing one.

The 2.7-km-long flyover will start from the existing Palam flyover and will take the commuters till the Army base, where the flyover connecting NH-8 starts.

Despite being on the footpath, the pillar will leave space for pedestrians. There will be space for non-motorised vehicles also. Since the flyover starts from the middle of an existing flyover, there is no need for a ramp. At the end, there will be a ramp so that commuters can merge with the NH-8, the official said.

The new flyover and road below it will be for the airport-bound traffic while the existing one and road below it will be for the commuters coming from the airport. Currently, the existing flyover is used for two-way traffic, leading to congestion.

The Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning and Engineering) Centre, the agency entrusted with the responsibility to approve projects related to road and transport infrastructure for Delhi, had approved the PWDs plan to construct an elevated road between Munirka flyover and Subroto Park in 2014.

Ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2010, PWD built three flyovers between IIT Gate and NH-8 along the Outer Ring Road to make the stretch signal-free. Ever since it opened in 2009, the RTR flyover in south Delhi has been a nightmare for motorists.

While the first two flyovers near IIT Gate and Munirka have dual carriageways, the narrow and single carriageway RTR flyover becomes a bottleneck.

The authorities have taken various measures to ensure a smooth access to the airport. While the Delhi Development Authority is studying the possibility of providing direct access to the airport from central Delhi, the National Highways Authority of India plans to construct two underpasses and two flyovers between Dhaula Kuan and NH-8.

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In a major reform, the government plans to outsource assessment and accreditation of the higher education institutions to private bodies and give full autonomy --- academic, financial and administrative --- to the top ranked institutions, Niti Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya told HT.

This is part of the higher education reform package being finalised by the National Institution for Transforming India (Niti) Aayog and the HRD ministry. The Prime Ministers Office in March had asked them to prepare a blueprint for higher education reform that breeds academic excellence in top institutions of the country.

The reform package is almost ready, Panagariya said. For this, we will have to amend or replace the University Grants Commission (UGC) law. The call will be taken by Parliament.

Reforms in higher education sector had been under discussion for a long time but the government had failed to implement them because of resistance from within.

More than a decade ago, the National Knowledge Commission constituted by the UPA government had recommended slew of reforms including disbanding the two higher important higher education regulators the UGC and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and proposed an overarching higher education regulator. But, the recommendations remained on paper because of opposition by the HRD ministry and the two bodies.

Read more: UGC is powerless even now, education reforms might not mean much, says expert

Before introducing a higher education regulator, the National Democratic Alliance government has decided to set in motion the reforms by making third party mandatory accreditation for all public and private higher education institutions to ensure transparency and quality.

We want credible private agencies should assess institutions in private agencies, Panagariya said, adding that even sovereign rating in the United States is done by the private agencies. The accreditation would be based on academic and research outcome.

The National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) has evaluated only 10% of about 10,000 higher education institutions in India and the government wants to bring all institutions under accreditation in the next three years. For this, proposal is to rope in private rating agencies.

Autonomy of institutions is the next big reform the government would implement, Panagariya said.

The government plans to introduce a three-tier autonomy mechanism in which the institutions having ranked on the top by the HRD ministry will get full academic, administrative and financial autonomy. It would mean these institutions will be free to introduce new courses and schools, revamp curriculum, appoint faculty including from foreign universities and approve research projects.

Middle-ranked institutions will have higher autonomy than their current level. It would mean they would be free to introduce new courses and appoint faculty but will have to take approval of the funding agency (HRD ministry) to start new schools and appoint foreign faculty.

The institutions ranked poor would remain under the government control.

Sources said that the reforms are being anchored in the Prime Ministers Office and the changes are being made as suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the review in March 2017.

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The overlapping counselling schedule for admissions in post graduate medical courses in colleges under Haryana and national board has put students in a peculiar dilemma. Students who got through in Diplomate of National Board (DNB) seats after having been allotted a seat in Haryana by Pt BD Sharma University of Health and Sciences have complained that they have been asked to forfeit their Rs 5 lakh counselling bond if they opt out of their allotted seat to move on to DNB.

Parents of some students created ruckus after the college refused to refund the counselling bond on Saturday.

According to university sources, seat vacated by a student to move on to other college will remain vacant as they have closed the counselling schedule, even when the counselling schedule of the DNB was going on.

I was allotted a PG diploma seat here on June 10. They allowed me to attend Diplomate of National Board (DNB) counselling by giving bonafide certificate. But now after I got through in DNB, they are not letting me vacate from my seat even when there are candidates waiting to take admission, said Ankita Malik, a candidate.

The parents raised their resentment in shelling out Rs 5 lakh and questioned the university on what benefit it will have in keeping seats vacant at a time when the country was facing a shortage of doctors.

The university authorities meanwhile said they were bound by the procedure and had closed the counselling schedule on Friday. They could have vacated their seat by Friday, but now it is late and it cannot happen, said Dr HK Aggarwal, registrar at the university.

The students, however, questioned that when they got admission on Saturday, how could they have vacated on Friday. They alleged that their written application to vacate the seat was not even attended by the director.

He is refusing to even write on the application that it is rejected. He should at least acknowledge the application so we can go to court in future to challenge the procedure that is costing us a fortune of our income, a parent said. When asked, the director, Dr Rakesh Gupta, said he did not want to comment.

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Checking your blood pressure at home may be convenient but if a new study is to be believed, the reading may not be accurate. Seventy per cent of readings from home blood pressure monitors are unacceptably inaccurate, which could have serious implications for people relying on them to make informed health decisions, the study warns.

The findings are extremely relevant given that millions of patients are asked to monitor their blood pressure through a device at home and report the results back to their doctor, researchers said.

High blood pressure is the number one cause of death and disability in the world, said Jennifer Ringrose from The University of Alberta in Canada.

Monitoring for and treating hypertension can decrease the consequences of this disease. We need to make sure that home blood pressure readings are accurate, said Ringrose, who led the study.

The team also found that readings were more inaccurate in men than in women. (Shutterstock)

Ringrose and her team tested dozens of home monitors and found they were not accurate within five millimetres of mercury (mmHg), about 70% of the time. The devices were off the mark by 10 mmHg (about 30% of the time).

Compare the blood pressure machine measurement with a blood pressure measurement in clinic before exclusively relying upon home blood pressure readings, said Ringrose.

What is really important is to do several blood pressure measurements and base treatment decisions on multiple readings. Taking home readings empowers patients and is helpful for clinicians to have a bigger picture rather than just one snapshot in time, said Ringrose.

Raj Padwal, a professor at University of Alberta, said that no one should have drugs started or changed based on one or two measurements taken at a single point in time unless the measurements are clearly elevated.

The study examined the results of 85 patients. The researchers compared the results of the volunteers home monitors with the gold standard  two observers taking several blood pressure measurements simultaneously, blinded to one another, with a third person ensuring agreement between both observers readings.

While the average difference between the home monitors and the gold standard measurements was acceptable, the majority of individual devices demonstrated clinically relevant inaccuracy.

The team also found that readings were more inaccurate in men than in women. They believe there are many factors that could account for their findings.

Arm shape, arm size, the stiffness and age of blood vessels and the type of blood pressure cuff are not always taken into account when a blood pressure machine is designed and validated, said Padwal.

Individual differences, such as the size, age and medical background of the person using the blood pressure monitor are also contributing factors, he said.

The researchers said it is difficult to determine precisely why the inaccuracies are occurring in home monitors because they do not have access to the various formulas the devices use to determine blood pressure.

The study was published in the American Journal of Hypertension.

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An anti-platelet drug based on a snake venom that may prevent blood cells from forming blood clots may be much safer for treating heart disease, according to new research.

When a person gets wounded, blood cells called platelets arrive on the scene and group together to form a clot that stops the bleeding. Anti-platelet drugs prevent these platelets from clumping together and forming blood clots and is widely used to treat heart disease. However, current anti-platelet drugs cause excessive bleeding after injury.

The new drug -- designed by researchers from the National Taiwan University -- is based on a protein in the snake venom and prevents platelets from clotting when it was mixed with blood. When mice was administered the new drug, it showed slower blood clot formation compared to untreated mice.

In addition, the treated mice did not bleed longer than untreated mice. The new drug, detailed in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, interacts with the protein glycoprotein VI (GPVI) that sits on the surface of platelets, the researchers said. Previous study revealed that trowaglerix -- a protein in the venom of the Tropidolaemus waglerix snake -- stimulated platelets to form blood clots by latching onto the GPVI.

Platelets missing GPVI do not form blood clots in patients and do not lead to severe bleeding, suggesting that blocking GPVI could prevent blood clotting while avoiding the side effects of prolonged bleeding.

Excessive bleeding after injury is a serious effect of current anti-platelet drugs, so the results support that this molecule design can be a template for a new, safer class of anti-platelet drugs with limited bleeding side effect, said lead author Tur-Fu Huang, from the National Taiwan University. However, the drug needs further testing on animals and then humans before it can be used on patients.

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In a major breakthrough, the Special Investigation Team has arrested the Canter driver who was allegedly molested the Manesar gang-rape victim, when she asked for a lift on the night of May 29. The victim alleged that the Canter driver was inebriated and started molesting her as a result of which she had to jump from the truck at IMT Manesar chowk.

He was arrested from Begumpur Khatola on Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway. He lived in a rented accommodation in Bus Kusla village.

She later took a lift in a Tata Magic van where three youths took turns to rape her. They drove her to a vacant plot in Sector 8 where they committed the crime. They also choked her 8-month-old daughter to death before fleeing the scene.

Like the three accused in the case, the canter driver, too, hails from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh. While the three are residents of Rungsi in Bulandshahr district, the alleged molester, identified as Rajesh, resides in Hassanpur village in the same district. He was arrested from Gurgaon on Saturday.

Sandeep Khirwar, Gurgaon police commissioner, called the arrest a major breakthrough as it will help in building a watertight case against the gang-rape accused. All truck drivers were questioned and asked for information on Rajesh. Technical and human surveillance, too, helped in his arrest, said Khirwar.

Earlier, on Saturday, the city police produced the three accused before a local court, which extended the police remand by two days as sought by the special investigation team.

Narender Kumar, SHO, Manesar police station produced the three in court.

The SIT has seized two mobile phones from the accused and these are being scanned for evidence. Apart from that the cops have seized the Tata Magic van, blood samples, clothe and have also identified the exact spot where the crime took place.

Read I Gurgaon gang-rape: Victim, husband fled from home after tiff with neighbours

ACP Manesar Dharamvir Singh said that extension of remand will enable the SIT to grill the accused and collect more evidence.

According to sources, the police has obtained CCTV footage showing the accused and the image will be circulated among locals for verification.

During questioning, it has also emerged that the accused kept on scouting for a room in Gurgaon and Manesar before taking the woman to a vacant plot to commit the crime. They had even tried calling their friends to know whether they could find a room for this purpose, but they couldnt get through.

They had also tried moving houses after the incident to avoid detection by the police.

In the wake of the gang-rape, the police commissioner held a meeting with all SHOs and crime branch officers to sensitise them on incidents of crime against women and the need to beef up security. Khirwar asked his men to increase patrolling in dark zones and ensure that crimes against women are dealt with on priority and as per law.

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Unhappy with the Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) over the inordinate delay in opening the railway overbridge (ROB) near Basai, the city commuters decided to take matters into their hands. They have removed the stone barriers and started using one side of the flyover from Friday.

The Huda, which claimed that it has not allowed traffic on the overbridge officially, has not put the barrier back.

On condition of anonymity, a senior Huda official said, One side of the ROB has been opened by commuters. Huda has not given its consent to this. We are waiting for the overbridege to be ceremonially inaugurated. We have informed the police.

On June 6, while speaking to Hindustan Times, the official had hinted that the ROB would unofficially opened on or before June 15. The Huda official had also confirmed that was pressure from city residents to make the overbridge operational at the earliest.

Also read: Gurgaon: CM unavailable, rail overbridge on NPR awaits opening

The inauguration of the ROB has been held up due to the unavailability of Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Yashesh Yadav, a commuter, said, I am happy that Huda finally realised that opening the ROB is in the interest of the people. One side of the overbridge is good enough to facilitate traffic movement among Pataudi, Manesar and Gurgaon.

I am really happy to know that the ROB can be used. Now, we can cross the Rewari Gurgaon railway line using the ROB and reach Sector 81-88, if we are coming from Basai side. It will spare us the hassle of travelling an extra two kilometres via Kachha Road and through various sectors, said Sunil Saurabh, a commuter, said.

The road overbridge has been built on the Northern Peripheral Road (NPR) near Basai and it has already missed two deadlines.

The Haryana CM had announced May 15 as the first deadline during his visit to the city on April 15. Later , the opening was postponed to June 1. Meanwhile, Khattar is likely to visit Gurgaon on June 17.

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The Haryana government has called a high-level meeting of all the Kherki Daula stakeholders next week, including the banking consortium that owns the Kherki Daula toll plaza, to discuss the shifting of the toll plaza.

The meeting comes in the backdrop of Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar requesting Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari to shift the toll plaza.

Khattar, in his letter to Gadkari, said the Kherki Daula toll plaza has become a bottleneck on Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway and has adversely affected employment growth as well as housing potential in that area.

He has also asked for a package that could get the toll shifted or removed permanently.

In view of the initiative taken by the CM, the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) called a meeting of bankers, concessionaire MCEPL, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials, Manesar Industries Welfare Association (MIWA) and the principal secretary, town and country planning department. The meeting will be held in Chandigarh on June 16.

Also read: Pay 300 cr to shift Kherki Daula toll: Manesar industrialists to Haryana govt

Arun Kumar Gupta, principal secretary, town and country planning department, Haryana; Hemant Harish from Bank of India; Amit Bansal from Punjab National Bank; Sushil Pandey from Oriental Bank of Commerce; Vinayak Mavinkurve from IDFC; Neelam Sikka from State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur; Manoj Kumar, regional manager, NHAI; S Raghuraman, CEO, MCEPL; and Manmohan Gaind, vice-president, MIWA, will attend the meeting.

Highly placed sources said the consortium of banks has valued the toll plaza at Rs 1,800 crore but because of pressure from the Union transport ministry and the Haryana government, it has agreed to forgo the interest component to the tune of Rs 600 crore.

The Haryana government and NHAI have agreed to contribute Rs 500 crore each to buy the toll but are at a loss on how to raise the remaining Rs 200 crore.

The concessionaire of the Delhi Gurgaon Expressway, MCEPL, welcomed the development as it is for the first time that a formal process has been initiated to remove the toll plaza.

It is for the first time that the matter has come on record and discussions are being done at the behest of the chief minister. We welcome the move and will support the state government and the NHAI in resolving the matter, said S Raghuraman.

The state governments keenness to get Kherki Daula toll removed can be gauged by the fact that Khattar in his letter Gadkari has said that Gurgaon has become the central business district of Delhi and home to over 200 Fortune 500 companies.

However, the toll plaza is literally taking a toll on the citys energies. It has stifled employment generation in IMT Manesar and has had a dampening impact on housing in the middle income category.

I believe that it should be possible to structure a package of incentives that would lead to either the abolition or shifting of the toll plaza to the outskirts of Gurgaon. Such an outcome would create a virtuous cycle leading to a spurt in industrial activity in the seamless NCR region. I assure you of our willingness to participate in structuring of such a package, Khattar said in his letter.

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Away from family, they usually live in slums or small rented rooms in Gurgaon. Mostly uneducated or school drop-outs, they work as labourers at construction sites, drive auto-rickshaws and rickshaws or do menial jobs. And most, say activists, turn to the bottle to escape the drudgery and are addicted to pornographic material as well.

These are a few reasons why in over 90% of rape and sexual assault cases in Gurgaon and nearby areas, the perpetrators or the accused are migrants working in the unorganised sector, claimed activists working for survivors of such heinous crimes.

It is no secret that most of the brutal crimes against women are committed by migrants in the unorganised sector, particularly in Gurgaon, Delhi and the neighbouring regions. Gurgaon, for instance, records an influx of thousands of migrants every year. They stay away from their families, drink a lot, watch porn and most importantly, have little to no fear, Kamlesh Panchal, former chairperson of the Haryana State Commission for Women, told HT.

As the migrants come from different states, mostly in search of jobs, they usually believe hum kuch bhi kar sakte hain, hume koi nahi pehchanega (we can do anything, nobody will recognise us), she said.

Rekha Sharma, a member of National Commission for Women (NCW), said that migrants are found to be involved in not 90, but rather 95% of cases of sexual assault. She told HT that drinking and watching porn are the main reasons that drives them to commit such crimes.

In the recent Manesar gangrape and murder case, the arrested accused, while confessing to the crime to the sarpanch of the Bas Kusla village, said that they had been drinking that night and went out of control. All the three accused in the case are migrants.

In the recent years, Gurgaon has seen a spurt in cases of rape and sexual assault.

This year alone, the Millenium City has recorded as many as seven cases  gang-rape of Sikkimese woman in May, Rohtak gang-rape in May, gang-rape and torture of a woman from West Bengal in April, Pataudi rape case in April, rape and murder of a Darjeeling woman in March, rape and murder of a 10-year-old in Saraswati Kunj in February and the rape of a five-year-old in DLF Phase 1. In all these cases, the culprits were found to be migrant labourers employed in the unorganised sector.

The extent of how unsafe Gurgaon has become for women can be gauged by the fact that until June 2, as many as 52 cases of rape, including 9 cases of gang-rape, were filed, according to police records. Another 100 cases of molestation were registered as well.

Theres more. The Hayana state womens commission received more than 150 complaints of sexual assault, including 76 cases of rape, over the last three months.

However, a womens commission official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that around 50% of the complaints that we receive turn out to be false.

But a common factor in most of these cases, besides the brutal nature of the crime, is the fact that the accused or culprits are migrants, the activists said. In many of these cases, including the one in Manesar, even the victims are migrants, say records.

Read I Gurgaon: 3 men allegedly gang rape woman, throw toddler to death from auto

Kanta Singh, state project head, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), India, rued the lack of data to quantify how many migrants, working in the unorganised sector, were found to have been involved in sexual crimes in Gurgaon, and even Delhi.

In most of the cases that come to light, the migrants are found to be the culprits. In some cases, even the victims are migrants, and sometimes, even related to the accused. It is important to commission and conduct a comprehensive study on this trend, Singh said.
The New York Times on Friday unveiled its list of the top 25 films of the 21st century, casting a net across the length and breadth of the worlds cinematic landscape.

Helping the Times chief film critics - Manohla Dargis and AO Scott - were some of the industrys top film directors, like Guillermo Del Toro, Ava DuVernay, Kathryn Bigelow, Richard Linklater, and recent winner of the Academy Award for Best Director, Barry Jenkins.

As the chief film critics of The Times, we decided to rank, with some help from cinema savants on Facebook, the top 25 movies that are destined to be the classics of the future. While were sure almost everyone will agree with our choices, were equally sure that those of you who dont will let us know, begins the piece, lavishly produced with large images, and animations.

Heres the list, in reverse order:

25: The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)

When The 40-Year-Old Virgin was released, I had no idea I was watching a defining movie about stunted masculinity or that its director, Judd Apatow, would soon emerge as a force in American comedy. I had expected jokes, though not scenes of violent chest-waxing and lonely tuba playing and certainly not such depth of feeling, wrote Dargis.

24: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a wintry pop song of a film, one you want to play on repeat with a cast in top form. In addition to the startlingly credible Jim Carrey and the irresistibly orange-haired Kate Winslet as lovers, it has Kirsten Dunst and Elijah Wood, Tom Wilkinson and Mark Ruffalo. Charlie Kaufmans writing has the perfect equipoise of cynicism and sensitivity, and finds a perfect correlative in the director Michel Gondrys whimsical ingenuity, wrote the duo.

23: Silent Light (2008)

In Silent Light, the Mexican director Carlos Reygadas does more than tell a religious story  he invites you into a world of grace and wonder so beautiful that it turns his film into a kind of prayer, wrote Dargis and Scott.

22: Im Not There (2007)

Im Not There, Todd Hayness film about Bob Dylan, is not a biopic. Its an extended essay in Dylanology, with six actors (among them Richard Gere, Heath Ledger and Cate Blanchett) incarnating aspects of the future Nobel laureates protean personality, wrote Scott.

21: Wendy and Lucy (2008)

All of (director) Kelly (Reichardt)s movies are political, but you would have to maybe have been told that to be aware of it. Shes able to slip it into everything she does, but its never didactic or heavy-handed. Its an essential part of who Kelly is. Shes interested in a lot of genres, but the backbone of it is, how do people get along? How do people get by? said actor Michelle Williams to AO Scott.

20: Moonlight (2016)

I have loved and championed a number of films over the past 17 years, but this one is somehow special. From the first time I saw it, I felt an unusually intense and intimate affection for it, an almost protective investment in its flourishing, Scott wrote.

19: Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

The best action movie of the 21st century  the action movie that sails into contention as one of the best movies, period  is Mad Max: Fury Road. By a dusty outback mile, said the duo.

18: The Gleaners and I (2000)

In true punk spirit, The Gleaners and I doubles as a programmatic aesthetic statement and a protest against the way things are, wrote Scott.

17: Three Times (2006)

I first saw Three Times at the 2005 Telluride Film Festival. It was wonderful, (the critic) Roger Ebert introduced the film. He loved it and thankfully gushed over it in a way that didnt hype such a delicate film, remembers director Barry Jenkins.

16: Munich (2006)

Strange as it may sound, theres a strong case to be made that Steven Spielberg is among the most underrated American filmmakers of the 21st century, say Dargis and Scott.

15: White Material (2010)

I saw White Material about seven years ago and she became an immediate favourite, says actor Robert Pattinson.

14: LEnfant (2006)

Part of whats thrilling about their (directors Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne) films is that while the stories seem relatively simple, the narrative stakes are always profound and, as inLEnfant, a matter of literal and death.

13: In Jackson Heights (2013)

Frederick Wiseman, the director of In Jackson Heights, is not just one of the greatest documentary filmmakers working today; hes one of the greatest directors.

12: Timbuktu (2015)

The quietly devastating Timbuktu creeps up on you crystalline scene by crystalline scene. Set in the present, it takes place in the Malian city of its title, soon after the arrival of an Islamist group that quickly imposes Shariah law on the resistant population, wrote Dargis.

11: Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

We went with the drama Inside Llewyn Davis because  because of the cat, wrote Dargis and Scott.

10: The Hurt Locker (2009)

Kathryn Bigelow made history when she became the first woman to win the Oscar for best director, for The Hurt Locker. At long last, a brilliant female director was recognized for her art by a male-dominated industry that remains pathologically resistant to equality, wrote Dargis.

9: Summer Hours (2009)

Olivier Assayas is the kind of director who sends critics into reveries, but hes also a smart, shrewd storyteller, wrote Dargis.

8: Boyhood (2014)

It was deeply personal to people and I didnt really anticipate that, I was just telling this little intimate story. But then when those responses came in, I was like, well, of course  it was powerful. We look for connection. This movie pulls you into caring about people and feeling what its like for time to pass, for life to change, for relationships change, remembers director Richard Linklater about making his film.

7: Inside Out (2015)

More than any other studio or individual filmmaker in the 21st century, Pixar Animation Studios has upheld the venerable ideal of making movies for everyone, wrote Dargis and Scott.

6: Yi Yi (2000)

A packed, enthralling three-hour chronicle of modern Taiwanese family life, Yi Yi has the heft and density of a great novel, wrote Scott.

5: The Death of Mr. Lazarescu (2006)

 The title is a spoiler. When we first meet Dante Lazarescu, a retired Bucharest resident in his early 60s (though he looks older), he is complaining of stomach pains. A little more than two and a half hours later  more or less in real time  he has left this world, unmourned and all but unnoticed, wrote Scott.

4: A Touch of Sin (2013)

Steeped in violence and sorrow, A Touch of Sin is an astonishing movie from the Chinese director Jia Zhangke. Divided into four chapters, it was inspired by a series of widely reported violent conflicts in China that haunted him, wrote Dargis.

3: Million Dollar Baby (2003)

Clint Eastwood sometimes releases his movies the way he shoots them: quickly and efficiently, without a lot of fuss and hype, wrote Scott.

2: Spirited Away (2002)

(Director Hayao) Miyazaki has an approach to making monsters that is unique. They are completely new in design, but they feel rooted in ancient lore. They seem to represent primal forces and, in many cases, spirits that are rooted to the earth, to the wind, to the water. They are very elemental, wrote filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro.

1: There Will Be Blood (2007)

Paul Thomas Andersons There Will Be Blood is a 21st-century masterpiece about love, death, faith, greed and all the oil and blood gushing through the American 20th century.

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Rachel Weisz says she was a wild child and was expelled from her school because of her behaviour.

I was very badly behaved and was expelled from school, although my mother likes to say, They asked you to leave, which is an important distinction, Weisz said on The Graham Norton Show, reports dailymail.co.uk.

I didnt do just one bad thing. It was multiple things. I had an authority problem and was very disruptive, she added.

The 47-year-old appeared on the show on Thursday to promote her new film My Cousin Rachel.

When I first read the script I asked the director about my character and did she or didnt she murder her husband? He said, I dont know. Its a mystery. So, I had to make a decision on what she was up to in order to play her, but I didnt ever tell anyone on set, Weisz said.

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One example of the potential damage social media messaging can inflict was seen last month in Jharkhand. Villagers in Kolhan region, who had been constantly getting WhatsApp messages warning them of child traffickers, lynched seven men, suspecting them to be traffickers. WhatsApp messages containing pictures of dead children had been circulated in the region which has a history of child trafficking. The messages and pictures were fake but there was no mechanism to verify their authenticity.

Increasing Internet penetration, cheaper smartphones and technology that enables social media communication in regional languages are among the factors that have made India the biggest market of WhatsApp. It has become the most favoured communication platform for family members, friends, colleagues and young entrepreneurs. At the same time, it hosts an avalanche of rumours that have led to fatal tragedies.

WhatsApp has become the most popular form of rich messaging, better than sms and mms, said Pratik Sinha, who runs AltNews, a site that debunks fake propaganda. Many morphed images get circulated. It was an image from Syria that got circulated in Jharkhand. I have seen videos in which people [in the videos] are speaking a different language but when people are in a certain emotional state because of their ideology or situation on the ground, it affects them. In Jharkhand, it was a fear psychosis.

Vibodh Parthasarthy, faculty at the Centre for Culture, Media and Governance at Jamia Millia Islamia University, said, The conditions under which messages circulate often tend to act as triggers. In an already charged environment, false pieces of information could be interpreted in ways that contribute to enhancing pre-existing prejudice, rumours or intent.

Incidents of rumours and half-truths finding their way on WhatsApp outnumber cases of genuine information getting circulated. The 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots were triggered by a video which showed two young men being killed. It turned out that the incident had taken place in the Gulf Region. The UP police highlighted the misuse of social media in the lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq in Dadri in late 2015 -- it was rumoured that he possessed cow meat. Earlier this year, a video purportedly showing a Muslim mob lynching a Marwari woman for refusing to wear a burqa did the rounds on social media. It was a two-year-old video from Guatemala.

Experts argue that one should be cautious in attributing violence to irrational media reception. Violence and threats to violence exist in contexts that exceed media reception. Media is often held out as a causal factor when other factors are not addressed, said Ravi Sundaram, professor at Centre for the Study of Developing Societies. Under colonial rule, newspapers were seen as promoting seditious content; following independence, cinema was seen as exciting the passions of unruly mobs. In recent years, this burden has passed on to social media.

Agreed Sanjoy Hazarika, director, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, During the Emergency when many people were detained and arrested on flimsy grounds, I remember seeing large street hoardings saying telling people not to spread rumours. Rumour mongering has now a new avatar: a part of social media.

The real problem, Hazarika said, is the confidence of the perpetrators that they can buck the law and get away scot-free after posting provocative posts. The police must not just enforce the rule of law but strongly uphold the rights of citizens everywhere.

That can be a tall order. It is difficult to trace the person at the beginning of the messaging chain because WhatsApp is encrypted end to end, meaning every user has a unique encryption key. It is good for privacy but makes it difficult to monitor, said Sinha.

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BJP president Amit Shah has called Mahatma Gandhi a Chatur Baniya, drawing criticism from the Congress that said it was an insult to the father of the nation and the freedom movement.

The word Baniya, a caste of traders and merchants, is often used pejoratively to suggest a trait of shrewdness.

The Congress is not a party born out of ideology or principle. It was a tool for independence, Shah said on Friday. Aur isi liye Mahatma Gandhi ne durandesi ke saath, bahut chatur baniya tha woh, usko maloom tha aage kya hone waala hai, usne azadi ke baad turant kaha tha, Congress ko bikher dena chahiye (and this is why Mahatma Gandhi with much foresight, and he was like a clever Baniya who knew what was to come , suggested after independence the Congress be disbanded), he said.

The Congress said Shah, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, must apologise for the comments.

Rather than fighting casteism, they (BJP) identified even the father of the nation with his caste. This shows the character and ideology of the ruling party and its president. Where will these people take the country? party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala asked.

We demand that Amit Shah, BJP and PM Narendra Modi apologise to the country, the families of freedom fighters and every citizen for insulting the freedom movement... and the father of the nation.

Surjewala said Shahs attacks on the Congress was also an insult to freedom fighters. Amit Shah, who himself is a trader of power, is today saying that the freedom movement was a business model. But in reality, before independence, Britishers used RSS and Hindu Mahasabha as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for partition of the country.

Shah was speaking at a function in Raipur on Friday. Mahata Gandhi didnt (disband the Congress) but now some people are unravelling the party, he said. My party (the BJP) is clear. If people make anti-national comments, they will be called anti-nationals. Unlike the Congress...

He said the BJP and the CPI(M) were the only two parties out of the 1,650 political organisations in India that have internal democracy.

After Sonia Gandhi, Rahul will be president of the Congress party, but no one can predict the next president of BJP, he added.

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Indian army chief General Bipin Rawat suggested on Saturday that the force could deploy its first women combatants for operations in regions like Kashmir where soldiers have increasingly faced pushback from female protesters recently.

The General had last week said the army will open combat roles to women, and the process will begin with them initially recruited in the military police.

Sometimes we have to face women in the front during counter insurgencies. They could be tackled easily if we have enough strength of women officers and sizable other rank and file cadre, General Rawat said on Saturday after he attended the Passing Out Parade of the latest batch of soldiers at the Indian Military Academy (IMA).

Women are currently only recruited into selective areas of the army such as medical, legal, educational and engineering wings.

Rawat reiterated that the process to include women will begin with military police. This will be first form of women entry for combative works in the army.

His statement came in response to a question from reporters on how the army planned to tackle rising incidents of stone pelting by women and girls in Kashmir.

Kashmir has been on the boil since last July when Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani was killed by security forces. In the months since, more than a 100 civilians have died in violent clashes with the army and state police, often during counter-insurgency operations.

The General said a massive social media campaign in Jammu Kashmir was misleading youth and spreading hate against Indian security forces. A disinformation campaign against India and Indian security forces is being run in valley among every section of the society in general and youth in particular via social media but it will not be allowed to succeed he said.
Twenty-six officers, whose appointment is under the scanner after the cash-for-jobs scam in the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) was exposed, underwent a handwriting test at the state polices special branch office in Guwahati.

The officers  13 from Assam Civil Service (ACS), seven from Assam Police Service (APS) and the rest from allied services  include the son of former Congress minister Nilamoni Sen Deka and relatives of Union minister of state for railways Rajen Gohain and former RS member Nazneed Farooqui. They secured plum jobs soon after cracking the APSC-conducted civil services exam in 2015.

Apart from being interrogated, the 26 officers were asked to append their signatures and write a short note on a blank sheet. Forensic laboratories outside the state will compare the papers with the handwritings in their exam answer scripts, state director general of police Mukesh Sahay said on Friday.

A team of Dibrugarh police seizing the answer scripts of the candidates of Assam Public Service Commission. (PTI)

Some 250 candidates were selected for the states civil, police and allied services in 2015. But the arrest of an assistant engineer, caught red-handed accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh from a lady dentist last year, opened a can of worms in the APSC.

APSC chairman Rakesh Kumar Paul and eight others were arrested. A raid at Pauls residence and APSC office in Guwahati yielded two sets of answer scripts of three ACS officers. The trio was arrested as their selection was found to be based on duplicate assessment.

Police later seized more than 1,000 copies of answer scripts from the APSC office for examination and summoned the 26 officers. Preliminary probe revealed Paul used to conduct the exams of candidates who offered him cash  up to Rs 40 lakh  for jobs at his chosen place and time. This was in addition to their appearance at the designated exam centres. Paul would later swap scripts.

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In a new twist to the sensational Bhanwari Devi murder case, accused Indira Bishnoi said that she is alive and living in Bengaluru.

The councel for Bishnoi, who was arrested on June 3 from Madhya Pradeshs Dewas, supported her claim saying the bones recovered from a canal by the CBI were Bhanwari Devis and that the forensic report was not conclusive on this.

While the assertion left CBI officials amused, the defence counsel said, It is only the version of the CBI that Bhanwari has died and that too on the basis of the statements of witnesses.

He said that the CBI had claimed that some bones had been found in a canal and that too after four months of Bhanwaris disappearance.

Even the examination report of those bones is not clear, which means Bhanwari may be alive, he added.

The court also sent Bishnoi to judicial custody after the CBI said that it no longer needed her remand.

Among the accused in the case, 16 are now in judicial custody, one is out on bail.

Bhanwari, posted as an auxiliary nurse midwife at a sub- centre in Jaliwada village, around 120 km from Jodhpur, had gone missing on September 1, 2011. She disappeared after a CD allegedly showing then Rajasthan minister Mahipal Maderna in compromising position with the 36-year-old nurse was aired by some news channels.

The CBI had said Bhanwari was allegedly abducted from Jodhpurs Bilara area on September 1, 2011 and murdered. Her body was handed over to another gang which burnt it in a limestone quarry and dumped the remains in a canal, it alleged.

Maderna (65), who then represented the Osian Assembly constituency, was arrested on December 2, 2011 in Jodhpur by the CBI.
For the first time in Bihar, a brigadier rank officer was arrested by the police from Dhangai village of Bhojpur district, 60km west of the state capital, on charges of allegedly consuming liquor and violating Bihars prohibition laws, besides creating nuisance in the locality late on Friday evening.

The Brigadier identified as Dhanus Bhanjan Pathak, 49, currently posted at Dibrugarh in Assam, arrived at his native place three days ago on a week-long leave to attend a marriage function. He was sent to judicial custody on Saturday.

Police said, a case has been lodged with Dhangain police station on the basis of statement of his brother Chittaranjan Pathak, alleging that the army officer assaulted his wife in a drunken state.

SDPO (Jagdishpur) Daya Shankar confirming the arrest of the army officer suspected it to be a fall out of a land dispute between the brothers.

Chittarajans wife had made a call to police at around 9.30pm and informed that brother in-law was creating a ruckus in an inebriated condition and had assaulted family members.

On getting information a police team reached Dalipur village and overpowered the army officer. He was taken to sadar hospital where the doctor took blood sample and breathalyser test, which proved positive.

The report about the brigadiers arrest has caught the senior defence officers by surprise as they got it from media. Standard norms applied in such cases mandate that the local unit of the Army must be informed by the police within 12 hours of the incident. However, Danapur JB sub area station headquarters, which is the nearest army installation, had no information about the arrest.

Earlier on April 7, 2016 Hajipur GRP had arrested an army officer identified as Captain Dheeraj Kumar with 22 bottles of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL). Kumar was travelling on the Guwahati-New Delhi Rajdhani Express and reached Hajipur at around 9pm when his bags were searched. Police recovered 22 bottles of 750 ml each, which had been bought from Army canteen in Shillong.

Under the amended state excise and prohibition law over 80 Army personnel, both serving and retired, have been sent to jail during the last one year, claimed Jay Prakash Singh, member of ex-servicemen League, Patna.

The Indian Army has also warned both serving and retired military personnel not to carry liquor while travelling through Bihar. An advisory issued by the Army said that service personnel, either transiting through Bihar or going to the state, were being arrested for possession of liquor, despite possessing relevant authorisation letters. The letter advised military personnel not to consume or carry liquor outside the Danapur cantonment area in Patna.

(With inputs from Prashant Ranjan, Ara )

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Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju said on Saturday the Centres notification banning sale of cows for slaughter at animal markets has not affected anyone in the Northeast.

He also accused the Congress and pseudo-secular groups for creating unnecessary noise about a notification necessitated by a Supreme Court order.

This is not an issue at all. No one in the Northeast is facing any problem. People are eating what they like. There have been no clash, no arrest, Rijiju said in Guwahati.

The Congress, he said, has been fanning a non-issue because it has nothing better to do. He referred to Meghalaya, where two BJP district unit leaders quit the party over beef ban, as a case in point.

The decision of a few individuals does not make any difference. The Congress is raking up an issue over individual resignations from the party (BJP), Rijiju said.

The minister advised people elsewhere to visit every meat-eating corner of the Northeast and find out for themselves if anyone is facing difficulty because of the cattle ban.

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A civilian was injured on Saturday morning when militants opened fire on a vehicle carrying ITBP jawans on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Anantnag district.

The incident was the second attack on security forces in Anantnags Qazigund area.

According to police, the militants targeted two Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) vehicles, but hit a car behind them.

The injured civilian was identified as Arif of Anantnag, who was on his way to work at a construction company at Banihal. He was hurt in the back, police said.

Residents around the area where the attack took place said they heard gunshots soon after morning prayers at 5am.

Twenty empty cases of AK ammunition were recovered from the spot.

The army launched a search for the militants.

STRATEGIC HIGHWAY

The highway on which the attack took place is key to the connectivity in the region.

On June 3, two soldiers were killed and four injured in a militant ambush on an army convoy near a toll post at Qazigund, 70 km from Srinagar, on the highway.

The 8.45-km Jawahar Tunnel connects Banihal in Jammu region with Qazigund in Kashmir on the 300-km strategic highway.

The attack comes ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, scheduled to begin on June 29. The Yatra passes through Banihal to enter Kashmir.
The government has temporarily stopped giving emigration clearance to seafarers to be employed by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain in fishing vessels and trawlers that head towards Iran in the wake of political tension between Tehran and these Gulf nations.

The missions in Gulf countries have been told to advise the Indian fishermen to take up work in fishing vessels from these three countries to be extra cautious while venturing into waters near Iran.

Due to their heightened security concerns, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)s Navy is checking all illegal vessels entering the Iranian territorial waters will now be pushed back but impounded, says the government missive.

Taking up jobs in these trawlers could lead to possible detention, arrest or even endanger their lives.

Officials said the decision was taken after many instances of Indian fishermen working in the foreign vessels being detained by the Iranian authorities surfaced.

If these fishermen are seen as trespassers, they will face legal actions, including fines, jail term or both.

In view of these developments, the government has told registered recruitment agents not to process the cases of employment/engagement of Indian emigrants/workers on fishing vessels/trawlers moving towards Iran from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates

And instructions have been given to protector of emigrants that no application seeking issue of emigration clearance for work on fishing vessels/trawlers moving toward Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE are cleared.

Though there are no exact data of Indian fishermen who are employed in vessels in these countries which would possibly head towards Iran, a few thousand Indian fishermen work in the Gulf countries.

The Gulf nations are home to eight million Indian workers.
A crew member was killed while two pilots suffered injuries when a helicopter carrying five pilgrims crashed while taking off from Badrinath, one of the four famed Chardham shrines, in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand on Saturday.

The passengers were safe.

The deceased has been identified as helicopter engineer Vikram Lamba, who hailed from Assam.

Chamoli Superintendent of Police Tripti Bhatt said the incident took place at 7.35 am. The helicopter could hardly cover 100 mtrs towards Govindghat before losing balance due to insufficient air pressure and falling down. As it fell, 35-year-old Lamba jumped out of a window and was hit in the head by the rotor blades. He died at the spot.

Pilot Sanjay Wasi, a resident of Pune in Maharashtra, complained of slight backache, while co-pilot Alka Shukla, a resident of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, suffered minor injury.

The pilgrims --- Jashodaben, Naveen Bhai, Leela Ben, Harish Bhai and Ramesh Bhai --- were from Vadodara in Gujarat. They were provided transportation by road to Haridwar.

The Agusta-119 single engine helicopter belonged to Mumbai-based private operator and was on its way from Badrinath to Haridwar. The company is providing its services on the routes for the first time, officials said.

Teams of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have rushed to the spot. The AAIB will probe the accident, a senior DGCA official said.

On direction of state chief secretary S Ramaswamy, Commissioner, Garhwal, Vinod Sharma ordered a probe. A sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) will conduct the inquiry.

Meanwhile, there were reports that the helicopter lost balance due to overloading. It has been alleged that the chopper was six-seater but had eight people, including three crew members, on board.

The DGCA gives clearance to aviation companies for providing services on specified routes, Umakant Panwar, principal secretary, aviation, told the Hindustan Times.

The state DGCA has sent a technical report, which I am yet to see. If there was overloading, then action will be taken against the service provider, he added.

(With inputs from Arvind Moudgil in Pauri)

Rawat condoles engineers death, ex-CM attacks him

Dehradun: Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat condoled the death of an engineer in an helicopter mishap in Badrinath Saturday.

Saddened by the news of death of an engineer of a Mumbai based chopper company in SriBadrinath ji; pilot, co-pilot & all passengers are safe, Rawat said in a tweet.

My condolences to the family of the engineer - May God give them strength to bear this extremely unfortunate loss, he posted.

State tourism minister Satpal Maharaj also expressed grief.

The Opposition Congress, meanwhile, blamed the BJP government for failing to monitor the aviation industry. Former CM Harish Rawat said a project to constitute an apex civil aviation body in state was scrapped by the BJP government.

It is a failure on the part of the BJP government that they failed to constitute a body to directly monitor the aviation industry, the former CM said.

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A farmers organisation has announced that it will block traffic for three hours on all national highways across the country on June 16, upping the ante against the governments anti-farmer policies.

The announcement comes at a time when the Opposition has stepped up its campaign against the BJP government over its alleged failure to provide relief to the farming community and the death of five people in police firing during a Madhya Pradesh farmers agitation.

At a meeting in the capital on Saturday, the Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh, a group of 62 farmers unions, passed a resolution seeking the dismissal of Shivraj Singh Chauhan as the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh.

They would also approach the national human rights commission against the killing of the farmers in Mandsaur.

From June 11-15 there will be peaceful demonstration, we will wear black bans to register our protest. But on June 16 there will be a pan-India blockade of highways between 12 noon and 3 pm , Vinod Anand of the group said.

He said a concerted campaign to flag the governments anti-farmer policies is being carried out. The central government has taken no action (to address the problems), he said.

The group has also put forth a demand that 50% profit over input cost, as promised by the BJP before 2014 Lok Sabha elections, and loan waivers should be offered.
MP farmers unrest spreads, journalists protest CBI raids on NDTV, PM Modi meets Nawaz Sharif, Supreme Court rules on use of Aadhaar.

Top stories to bring you up to date:

1- Mandsaur farmers agitation: Death toll climbs to 6 as unrest spreads; CM Chouhan to begin indefinite fast

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will begin an indefinite fast from Saturday for peace and possible talks with farmers as a violent agitation demanding loan waivers and better prices for their produce raged across the state. Two debt-ridden men allegedly committed suicide at different places of the state in the past 24 hours, underlining growing woes of farmers in the countrys heartland where a bumper harvest has sent prices crashing. Farmers in Maharashtra, another BJP-ruled state, are also agitating over similar demands, mounting pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has promised to double their income by 2022.

Read the story here.

2- Modi-Sharif meet in Astana a pit stop in the rough ride that India-Pak ties are

Nothing happens until it has happened. The axiom best captures the rollercoaster that India-Pakistan ties are. Going against the script yet again, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday had a pull-aside with his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the annual Shangahi Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana on Thursday. It was more than an exchange of pleasantries, sources said.

Read the story here.

3- Journalists protest CBI raids on NDTV, claim govt undermining free speech

Hundreds of journalists came together on Friday to protest against recent CBI raids on the homes and offices of NDTV promoter Prannoy Roy, saying the investigation against him in an alleged bank fraud was reminiscent of the attack on press freedom during the Emergency. Veteran editors Kuldeep Nayar and HK Dua, senior jurist Fali Nariman and former BJP minister Arun Shourie were among the speakers who defended Roy and his TV channel at the two-hour event at the Press Club of India. In their speeches, Nayar, Nariman and Shourie took on the government, accusing it of undermining free speech and intimidating the media just as Prime Minister Indira Gandhi did during a 21-month period of Emergency in 1975-77 when she curtailed fundamental rights and tried to muzzle the press.

Read the story here.

4- Supreme Court says Aadhaar must be linked to IT returns for those who have it

The Supreme Court upheld on Friday a law that makes it mandatory for Aadhaar-card holders to give their identity numbers while filing income tax returns and applying for permanent account number (PAN). The top court, however, said it has not addressed privacy concerns over the scheme and said it will be decided by a separate constitution bench. A bench headed by Justice AK Sikri provided some relief for IT assesses who do not have Aadhaar  a 14-digit unique identification number scheme which critics say is vulnerable to misuse.

Read the story here.

5- NSCN (K) leader SS Khaplang dies in Myanmar

One of the most dreaded rebel leaders in the Northeast and a foe-turned-friend-turned-foe of the Indian armed forces, SS Khaplang, died in his Myanmar base Friday night. The 77-year-old Khaplang, chairman of the Khaplang faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K), died of renal complications, officials in Nagaland quoting reliable sources in Myanmar said. The Naga rebel leader is likely to be buried near the Taga camp on Saturday, and Akhio Konyak, one of the senior leaders after him, could take over as the next NSCN-K chairman to continue the fight the governments both in Myanmar and India, a senior police officer said.

Read the story here.

6- RSS affiliates blame NITI Aayog for anti-farmer policies

The BJP-led governments handling of the ongoing farmers unrest and job cuts has earned the criticism of not just the Opposition, but from the offshoots of its ideological mentor the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The labour and the farmers wing of the RSS, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) and the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) have blamed the government for failing to stem farm and services sectors crises and for allowing the government think tank NITI Aayog to steer policy towards reliance on foreign direct investment.

Read the story here.

7- Army foils infiltration bid in Kashmirs Uri, 5 militants killed

Five militants were killed in north Kashmirs Uri sector while trying to infiltrate into India, the army said on Friday. It was the latest infiltration attempt to the restive valley and at least 12 militants have been killed by Indian soldiers since Wednesday. Details were not immediately available. The army said, the total number of militants killed trying to enter India this year was 39.

Read the story here.

8- Your turn will come: Islamic State threatens attacks in Saudi Arabia

Islamic State (IS) threatened attacks in Saudi Arabia after the militant group claimed responsibility for assaults in Tehran that killed at least 17 people, Site Intelligence monitoring group reported on Friday. Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the Iranian parliament and Ayatollah Khomeinis mausoleum in Tehran on Wednesday. In a video that appeared to have been recorded before the attack on Tehran, five masked fighters were shown threatening Shiites in Iran as well as the Saudi Arabian government saying their turn will come. Know that after Iran, your turn will come. By Allah, we will strike you in your own homes... We are the agents of nobody. We obey Allah and His Messenger, and we are fighting for the sake of this religion, not for the sake of Iran or the Arabian Peninsula, a masked IS fighter said.

Read the story here.

9- US calls on Arab states to ease Qatar blockade as crisis deepens

The United States on Friday called on Arab states to ease their blockade on Qatar and demanded all sides move to calm tensions that intensified with a Turkish offer to send troops, warships and planes to aid its Qatari ally. In something of a reversal of US President Donald Trumps suggestion earlier this week that he sided with Saudi Arabia and other countries against Qatar, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made clear on Friday that he expected all parties to end the crisis. We call on the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt to ease the blockade against Qatar, he said in Washington.

Read the story here.

10- Comey testimony: Trump says vindicated, detractors allege obstruction

US President Donald Trump has claimed total and complete vindication in former FBI director James Comeys testimony, but his detractors insisted the deposition showed he tried to improperly stop and potentially obstruct the investigation into his then national security adviser Michael Flynns Russia dealings. In a blunt and dramatic three-hour testimony before the Senate intelligence committee on Thursday, Comey called Trump a liar multiple times and said he had asked him to drop the Flynn probe but repeated, in oral and written submissions, that the president was never under investigation personally.

Read the story here.

11- Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah lead Bangladesh to stunning win over New Zealand

Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan shared a superb 224-run partnership to lead Bangladesh to a memorable five-wicket victory over New Zealand who were knocked out of the ICC Champions Trophy on Friday. Chasing 266 to win the Group A game, Bangladesh slumped to 33 for four as Kiwi seamers Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Adam Milne swung the new ball.

Read the story here.
The Pakistani Army resorted to heavy shelling of Indias forward military posts and civilian areas in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday night.

Pakistani troops used mortar bombs and fired with automatic weapons from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Krishna Ghati sector, prompting Indian troops to retaliate, a senior army official said.

Pakistani Army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from 2030 hours along the Line of Control (LC) in Krishana Ghati sector, the official said.

Reports said Pakistani troops also targeted civilian population and hamlets along the LoC in Krishna Ghati and Balnoie areas of Poonch district, triggering panic among the area dwellers.

The Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively, the official said, adding the firing was presently on.

The Indian side said earlier in the day that it had killed 13 militants in the last 96 hours as it foiled multiple infiltration bids on the line of control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

The sinister design of Pakistan Army to push in multiple groups of armed intruders across the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir continue to be defeated by pro-active operations being carried out on the LoC, said a statement issued by the Udhampur-headquartered Northern Command.
Delhi sees in Naga rebel leader Shangwang Shangyung Khaplangs death an opportunity for Indians in his banned outfit to return to the mainstream.

The 77-year-old Khaplang, chairman of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K), died Friday evening at the outfits base in Myanmars Sagaing Division.

Khaplang was the heart and soul of NSCN-K, which will face a lot of difficulties without him. The NSCN-K has members from both India and Myanmar. The Myanmar nationals are not our concern, but we will appeal to the Indian NSCN-K rebels to return to the mainstream, Union minister of state for home, Kiren Rijiju said here on Saturday.

The minister said if the Indian Naga rebels of NSCN-K give up arms and abjure violence, they will be rehabilitated.

The NSCN-K is a banned illegal Myanmar-based organisation. The outfit abrogated the ceasefire unilaterally in 2015. Nagaland, eastern Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur faced a lot of problems, as did Assam because of its activities, Rijiju said.

The banned tag on NSCN-K, however, did not prevent Nagaland chief minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu from mourning Khaplangs death on behalf of the government and people of Nagaland.

Read more: NSCN(K) leader SS Khaplang dies in Myanmar

In a condolence message on Saturday, Shurhozelie said: It is tragic that such an important Naga leader like Mr Khaplang has expired, considering the fact that the protracted Naga political problem is on the verge of being resolved, and the need for all different Naga political groups to come together to air our views and aspirations to the Government of India in one voice is absolutely imperative.

He said the Nagaland government made several efforts to convince NSCN-K to re-enter the peace process with the Centre to find an early solution to the political problem.

It was encouraging to learn that Mr Khaplang had, a few months back, conveyed his willingness to have dialogues with the government provided the issues of substance were discussed. However, before things could be taken forward to its logical conclusion, it is calamitous that the Naga leader could not live long enough to see the proverbial Promised Land, Shurhozelie said.

Leaders of other Northeast rebel groups such as United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland also mourned Khaplangs death. These groups are dependent on the shelter and guerrilla training that NSCN-K provides in Myanmar.

Meanwhile, reports from Myanmar said NSCN-K vice chairman Khango Konyak would take over as the outfits chairman but there is no consensus among constituent rebel groups on who will lead the United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia (UNLFW).

Khaplang was the chairman of UNLFW, a conglomerate of at least six insurgent groups of the Northeast that carried out most attacks on the Indian armed forces after NSCN-K walked out on a 14-year-old ceasefire on March 27, 2015.

Paresh Baruah, the military chief of ULFA-I is a frontrunner for the post but NSCN-K is likely to have one of its own in charge.

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A class IX Hindi language textbook published by the Gujarat board mistakenly used the word haivaan (devil) before Jesus Christ instead of the intended word bhagwan (God) in a chapter, triggering protests from the Christian community that demanded withdrawal of the book.

The executive president of the Gujarat State School Textbook Board (GSSTB), Nitin Pethani, said it was a printing mistake, and assured of an internal inquiry into the matter.

Instead of word Bhagwan, the word haivaan got printed. We have already made the correction in the online version. Since books have already been distributed among students, it is not possible to withdraw them now, Pethani said.

To ensure that students are educated properly despite the printing error, Pethani added, To make sure that the corrected version is taught to students, we will issue a written advisory to all the teachers, asking them to take into account this correction while teaching this subject.

The controversial reference appears on page 16 in the chapter Teacher-student relationship in Indian culture, and reads as follows: Is sambandh me haivaan Issa ka ek kathan sada smaraniya hai. (In this context, a statement by demon Jesus is always memorable).

Several members of the Christian community gathered outside the office of the District Education Officer (DEO) in Ahmedabad and demanded withdrawal of the book.

The textbook has depicted our God in a bad light. We condemn the word used for Jesus Christ. It has hurt our religious sentiments. We want the government to withdraw the book immediately, an agitator said.

The Indian Christian Voice, an organisation representing the larger interests of the Christian community in India, also took umbrage to the incident, and released a statement saying the reference deeply hurt their religious sentiments.

We demand criminal action against the perpetrators and an unconditional apology from the state government... Such wild and reckless statements have the potential to spark off a conflagration that could seriously jeopardise communal harmony. In the larger interest of peace, this particular edition of the book must be withdrawn and banned immediately, ICV president Abraham Mathai told IANS.
Army chief Bipin Rawat claimed that allegations of incursion by Chinese helicopters or army men into Indian side of border are matters of perceptions by the two sides rather than incursion attempts.

Speaking to the media in Dehradun on the sidelines of the passing out parade of Indian Military Academy, General Rawat stated that perceptions in India and China about the Line of Actual Control (LAC) are different which leads to allegations of territorial or air space transgression.

Counter intrusions take place from both the sides of LAC. We also fly our helicopters on the space that may be considered intrusion by the other side, Rawat said emphasising on the need to improve relations with China.

He was referring to the recent incident of a suspected Chinese helicopter violating Indian airspace by hovering over Uttarakhands Chamoli area close to Sino-India border.

He denied that these cross overs were attempts by Beijing to intrude into Indian Territory.

Rawat further pointed out that the two sides hammer out these issues mutually.

The incidents of Chinese troops crossing over to the Indian side of the border often spark fear in the bordering areas and at times even lead to standoffs between the two countries.

Sources said that such violation of the Indian airspace in Chamoli and other areas of the state from the Chinese side have occurred in the past as well.

In July 2016, some members of the Peoples Liberation Army of China entered into Indian Territory in the states Chamoli area, triggering a nationwide outrage. The intruders even shooed away the Chamoli district administration officials who had gone to investigate the matter.
Yoga guru Ramdev said that India should immediately reclaim Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) as it was the root cause of all the problems emanating from Pakistan.

All the problems emanating from Pakistan is because of PoK and hence India should immediately reclaim PoK, Ramdev said.

He said India should destroy all terrorist camps operating from PoK.

The yoga guru was talking to reporters on the final day of a three-day yoga-cum-meditation camp organised by Patanjali as part of Champaran Satyagrah centenary celebrations at the historic Gandhi Maidan.

Holding terrorists like Azhar Masood, Hafiz Sayeed, Dawood Ibrahim responsible for bloodshed at the Indo-Pak border, Ramdev said that these terrorists should be handed over to India, dead or alive.

He, however, praised the people of Pakistan saying that they were good and peace loving people except some bad elements who believe in bloodshed.

Replying to a query on human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, Ramdev said that Indian army personnel too had their human rights.

In reply to another question, he said that Patanjali Yogpeeth would set up a unit in Bihar to process products like jaggery, honey and litchi among others this year.

Besides, Ramdev said that Patanjali would also start work on cow research and promotion centre in Bihar in near future.

Ramdev heaped praise on the Nitish governments decision to implement prohibition in the state and said that yoga education be included in the government and private schools in the state.

Inclusion of yoga as part of education would help better the future of students, he said while making it clear that Yoga is not a political agenda at all.
Protest meetings and beef feasts have begun across Tamil Nadu, with Muslim groups, a section of IIT Madras students, as well as the Dravidar Kazhagam, the mother organisation of the DMK are on the warpath against Centres ordinance regulating sale of cattle at animal markets.

Many see the move as an indirect ban on beef.

Strangely enough, there has been no word on the issue from chief minister Edappadi Palanisamy, though his predecessor O Panneerselvam issued a statement asking Prime Minister Modi to repeal the ban.

While it is not surprising for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Congress to protest the ordinance, Panneerselvams statement raised quite a few eyebrows.

The beef raw is not the only issue on which the states ruling dispensation is avoiding to be seen on the wrong side of the Union government that has been accused of taking advantage of a weak government in Tamil Nadu to call the shots, destroying countrys federal structure.

On May 28, in a move described by political experts as gubernatorial over-reach, states governor-in-charge C Vidyasagar Rao appointed retired Justice Lodha to oversee the search committee in charge of appointing vice-chancellors of various universities.

Vice-chancellor posts of various universities have been vacant, with the governor, who is the chancellor of all state-run universities, rejecting all candidates suggested by search committees for over a year.

Then the state government, on Raos orders, hurriedly passed an ordinance, altering the search panels formation itself.

Rao had also come under flak in February when he didnt swear Sasikala in for 10 days as chief minister, despite she being elected as leader of the legislature party of the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

On December 21, a few days after former chief minister J Jayalalithaa died on December 5, 2016, the IT department conducted raids on then chief secretary Ramamohana Raos residence, as well as his office, accompanied by armed CRPF personnel.

Then chief minister Panneerselvam didnt protest. The raids were in connection with the arrest of Shekhar Reddy, a sand mining baron in TN, who allegedly funnelled money through the companies owned by chief secretarys son.

Rao was removed as chief secretary and kept on waitlist till Girija Vaidyanathan took over.

Capitulation Begins

In the wake of a series of raids by the IT Department and CBI on ministers, their friends and aides amid reports of large-scale voter bribing by the ruling party ahead of the now stalled bypoll for Jayalalithaas RK Nagar seat, the EPS-led AIADMK (Amma) took the conscious decision not to rub the Centre on the wrong side.

According to the plan there should be no criticism of the Centre, only mild lip-service of opposition to NEET. It also decided not to push the Centre much for drought funds.

To please the Centre, on May 5, an unprecedented circular was issued instructing all district officers of department of information and public relations to identify and compile success stories of various Central government schemes in the state.

The state government also planned to celebrate completion of three years of the BJP-led central government.

At the inauguration of the Chennai Metro rails second phase on May 14, the Centre flexed its muscle with Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu saying, ... we will be giving all co-operation. My co-operation depends on your operation... otherwise there is a separationso please join together. Although, he quickly followed it with a rider saying I do not want to talk politics, he had already said too much.

This caused a furore within political circles, who were already fuming at what they saw as the Centres intrusion in governance and government in TN.

DMKs working president MK Stalin and state Congress chief S Thirunavukkarasar slammed Naidus remarks, calling the state government a puppet in Centres hands.

That Naidu had also reviewed Metro rail related files after the event, caused more consternation.

This is dangerous, said TKS Elangovan, DMK spokesperson and RajyaSabha MP, to HT. A minister of the Union government sits in the secretariat to review files, even issues a threat to the state government that the Union government is in command. This government is going against all Constitutional norms, he charged.

Political analysts agree. After Jayalalithaas death, the Centre is interfering in every issue, said Aazhi Senthilnathan. The Constitution provides certain rights to the states and the Centre. Strangely, the BJP is disturbing the state government even though it is not going to be politically benefitted. If elections are held it is the DMK that will gain the most, not the BJP, he explained.

The Centre is infringing on the rights of every state. On one side, Modi talks about co-operative federalism, on the other the Union government wants to convert states into a unitary government by decimating their rights, he said.

Meanwhile, BJPs ideological fountainhead, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was accorded permission for the first time in 16 years to carry out a route march in Chennai. It also held, for the first time, its national conclave in Coimbatore in TN where top RSS and BJP leaders and union ministers attended.

AIADMK (Amma) rubbishes allegations of it being BJPs B-team.

The ruling AIADMK (Amma) rubbishes the allegations levelled at them by rival parties, insisting that they are not BJPs B-Team.

The AIADMK [Amma] is not supporting the BJP and that is why our leaders are in jail and facing false cases,said Avadi Kumar, a spokesperson of the AIADMK (Amma). The BJP leaders in TN are openly saying that their aim is to finish off the AIADMK. We will fight it legally.

But at the same breath he added, Just because there are political differences, the people of TN should not suffer. We need the Centres support to resolve issues and therefore our relations with it must be good. We are adjusting so that the state is not affected.

The BJPs Stand

To round it all, the BJP too denies that its remote-controlling a weak state government, dangling the sword of IT raids over ministers. Nowadays, it has become a custom to criticise the BJP for everything, said Tamilisai Soundararajan, state party president. Those who are leveling such charges are in jittery. They think somehow BJP will come to power. As a party, we do not want to destabilise any government,she said.

On the warning issued by Naidu, Soundararajan says the Union minister had made the comment in a lighter vein.

Doubts Continue

But opposition and critics arent convinced. Most of the ministers are under CBI and IT Department scanner so they are afraid, said DMK MP TKS Elangovan. There is no government or administration in TN at present. So the Centre is taking command.

Political analyst Aazhi Senthilnathan said: The Centre wants to turn the states into colonies. A state is a constitutional body, not an administrative unit.. Tamil Nadu is one of the best states in the country in terms of governance. If they are trying to topple the government, consequences will be immense and terrifying, he cautioned.

(Published in arrangement with GRIST Media)
Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, also the chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, will be on a four-day visit to Israel from Sunday as Tel Aviv is set to offer manufacturing of Spike hand held fire and forget anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) to India under Make in India.

This is the last Indian high-profile visitor to Israel before Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in Tel Aviv on July 5. Admiral Lanba will be in Israel till June 15.

Admiral Lanba visit comes after a Parliamentary delegation led by minister of state for agriculture and parliamentary affairs SS Ahluwalia went all over the Jewish nation in search of state of the art agricultural technologies.

Top government sources told Hindustan Times that Lanba will be visiting Haifa naval port along with interactions with Army and Air Force chiefs of Israel. His visit will be to understand regional security without delving into hardware acquisition.

However, it is now clear that Israel wants to participate in the Make in India initiative with offer to making Spike ATGM.

Even though the Modi government wants to focus on ties with Israel beyond defence, India is looking towards making medium altitude long endurance armed Heron TP unmanned aerial vehicle under Make in India.

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Chief minister Raghubar Das suspended on Friday Seraikela-Kharsawan district deputy commissioner Ramesh Gholap and police superintendent Rakesh Bansal on charges of dereliction of duties.

A team appointed by the government comprising commissioner and DIG, Kolhan to probe the lynching of four men on suspicion of child lifting at Rajnagar on May 18 have found that the two administrative officials reached the place of incident five hours after an alert was sounded to them about a frenzy mob having taken four men hostage even though their offices and residences are around 25 km away from the spot.

The probe team observed that if the SP and deputy commissioner had taken punitive action on time, the lives of four men could have been saved.

Nine people were lynched in a week from May 12 to May 18 on suspicion of child lifting by frenzy mobs in states Kolhan division raising serious concerns over law and order situation in the BJP-ruled state that in 2016 ranked third in the ease of doing business in the country.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had asked Prime Minster Modi to speak on the growing lawlessness in BJP-ruled states in the country.

Various leaders also visited the affected villages and demanded the state government fix accountability of senior administrative officials of the two districts and take stern action against them.

The government set up a two-member committee to probe causes of lynching. The committee, besides holding superstition, cattle trade, WhatsApp messages and instigation by a tribal group as the main factors that led to lynching, also found grave callousness on the part of the two senior administrative officials.

A press note from the chief ministers office said the two suspended officials will report to their headquarters till their suspension is not relaxed.

Sources said the SP and deputy commissioner never spoke to each other, issued parallel orders and and hence coordination between the civil administration and police had touched rock bottom.
A jilted lover allegedly stabbed a 22-year old woman to death on Saturday at Yadagiripalli village of Yadadri Bhongir district in Telangana, a day before her engagement to another man.

Police said that M Gayatri, a final-year degree student in the famous temple town of Yadagirigutta near the village, was alone at her residence in the afternoon when Srikanth (27), attacked her and stabbed her six times in her abdomen. Her family members were out for making arrangements for her engagement ceremony on Sunday morning.

After the murder, Srikanth walked to the Yadagirigutta police station and surrendered. Neighbours who found Gayatri in a pool of blood informed her parents. They immediately shifted her to a hospital, but she was declared brought dead.

Yadagirigutta inspector P Raghuveer Reddy said Srikanth, a worker in a local plastic factory, had allegedly been stalking Gayatri for the last six months. But she rejected his proposals several times.

She, however, did not tell her parents about Srikanths overtures fearing that they might not allow her to go to the college. Her marriage was fixed with a man from Hyderabad and she thought her troubles would end with the marriage. But, Srikanth developed grouse against her and resorted to this extreme step, the police official said.

The police registered a murder case against Srikanth. Investigation is on.

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A man accused in a bar shooting in suburban Kansas City that left one Indian national dead and another wounded was indicted by a federal grand jury on hate crime charges, the US Justice Department announced Friday.

The indictment against Adam Purinton, 52, of Olathe, Kansas, comes after a February 22 shooting at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas. Witnesses have said Purinton, who is white, yelled get out of my country at two 32-year-old Indian nationals, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, before he began shooting. Kuchibhotla died and Madasani was injured. A third man, Ian Grillot, was wounded when he tried to intervene.

The shooting raised fears of more attacks on immigrants following President Donald Trumps election and his call for a ban on immigrants from some countries. Officials in India also expressed concern about their citizens safety in the US, where many work in technology and other industries.

Kuchibhotla and Madasani had come to the US from India to study and worked as engineers at GPS-maker Garmin.

I need an answer: Srinivas Kuchibhotlas wife holds press conference | Full transcript

An affidavit released in March said Madasani told detectives that the gunman asked if their status was legal before he opened fire.

The indictment announced Friday alleges Purinton shot the two Indian men because of their actual and perceived race, colour, religion and national origin. The indictment also alleges Purinton committed the crimes after premeditation and planning, attempted to kill more than one person and created a grave risk of death to others at the scene. The indictment also accuses Purinton of violating federal firearms laws.

After the shooting, Purinton drove 70 miles east to an Applebees restaurant in Clinton, Missouri, where he allegedly admitted the shootings to a bartender, who called police.

The Justice Department said in a news release Friday that it would determine later whether Purinton should face the death penalty.

Purinton was a Navy veteran who was a regular customer at Austins. Neighbours in the quiet Olathe cul-de-sac where he lived told The Associated Press that Purinton had become a drunken mess after his fathers death about two years ago and had physically and mentally deteriorated before the shooting.

Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland said in a statement that the hate crime charge was appropriate.

The intent of this one act was to spread hate. It failed miserably, Copeland said. It has spread love, and it has brought this community even closer together.

Police Chief Steve Menke said he hoped the charges would bring some comfort to Kuchibhotla loved ones and friends and to the survivors of the shooting.

Purinton is jailed in Johnson County, Kansas, on $2 million bond on murder and attempted murder charges.

His public defender, Michael McCulloch, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Grillot, who was hospitalised for 10 days after the shooting, was honored by Indian dignitaries for his efforts to stop the shooting. Three officials from the Consulate General of India in Houston traveled to Kansas City to meet Grillot in the days after the shooting. Consul General Anupam Ray told Grillot that his bravery was more representative of America than the violence at Austins, the hospital said.

In March, Grillot received a $100,000 check at a gala in Houston from The India House and three donors, with the money to be used toward buying a house.

A message left Friday with the Consul Generals office was not immediately returned. A message to the Indian Embassy in Washington DC also was not immediately returned.
Army personnel killed an infiltrator in north Kashmirs Gurez sector on Saturday, taking the total number of militants eliminated along the Line of Control to 13 in the last four days.

The army also said in a statement: The sinister design of Pakistan Army to push in multiple groups of armed intruders across the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir continue to be defeated by pro-active operations being carried out on the LoC.

The announcement came at a time when relations between the neighbours have nosedived following repeated ceasefire violations and the unrest in J-K. India accuses Pakistan of fomenting trouble in the militancy-hit state while Islamabad denies the charges.

Shortly after the army statement, Pakistan resorted to heavy shelling of Indias forward military posts and civilian areas in Poonch district of J-K.

Pakistani Army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from 2030 hours along the Line of Control (LC) in Krishana Ghati sector, news agency PTI quoted a senior army official as saying.

On Friday, five infiltrators were gunned down by the army in north Kashmirs Uri sector. It has been engaging with armed militants in four sectors  Machhil, Naugam, Gurez and Uri  across three frontier districts of north Kashmir since Wednesday morning.

While three militants were killed in Nowgam sector of Kupwara district on Thursday, four others were eliminated in Machhil the previous day. A soldier, identified as Tara Bahadur Roka, also died in Nowgam.

Relentless operations mounted by troops have successfully intercepted groups of intruders all along the LoC in Gurez, Machil, Naugam and Uri sectors leading to elimination of 13 intruders during the last 96 hours, the army statement said.

The explosives, arms and ammunition recovered from them are an indication of Pakistans designs to orchestrate high-profile terror attacks on innocent civilians and security forces during the holy month of Ramzan.

Forty militants have been killed in infiltration attempts since the beginning of this year.

Anantnag attack

Militants opened fire at two vehicles carrying Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel at Vessu along the Srinagar-Jammu highway in the wee hours of Saturday. However, they missed and injured a civilian driving a car behind them.

The man, Arif from Anantnag district, was on his way to Banihal when he was struck in the back. He was taken to the Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital in Srinagar, where doctors declared him stable.

Twenty empty cases of Kalashnikov ammunition were recovered from the spot. A hunt has been launched for the attackers.

This was the second militant attack on security forces at Anantnags Qazigund area over the last one week. Two soldiers were killed and four injured when militants ambushed an Army convoy near a toll booth at Qazigund on June 3.

In another development, security forces launched a brief search operation at Lal Chowk  Srinagars commercial hub  around noon on reports of militant activity. Police refused to comment on the matter.

(With agency inputs)
Youth in Jammu and Kashmir are being misinformed and misguided by forces inimical to peace, Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said on Saturday.

Security forces have to devise ways to counter this, he said while addressing cadets at the Indian Military Academy.

General Rawat had earlier said use of human shield is not a norm but individual officers are entitled to decide tactics depending on circumstances.

He also said India was ready for two-and-a-half front war in a reference to Pakistan, China and internal security threats.

Situation in Kashmir would normalise soon and was not as bad was being made out in the media, he said in interviews to two news agencies.
A 27-year-old woman police constable allegedly committed suicide at Jodhan police station, 18 km from Ludhiana, on Friday night.

The body of Amanpreet Kaur, who worked as a computer operator, was found hanging from the ceiling fan in the rest room of the police station, where turbans of her male colleagues were also lying on the table.

The family members of Amanpreet, a resident of Khadoor village, held a demonstration on Saturday and demanded registration of a case against her colleagues. They alleged that she was tortured by some of her colleagues.

They also blocked Ludhiana-Raikot road and sat on a dharna outside Jodhan police station.

Police later registered a case against head constable Nirbhay Singh, who worked as munshi at the police station, under Section 306 (abetment to suicide) of the IPC. The accused is on the run.

Victims brother Gurinder Singh alleged Nirbhay had been mentally torturing Amanpreet and could have murdered her.

Gurinder said they had submitted complaints regarding harassment of her sister to senior police officials in the past, but no action was taken against Nirbhay.

The family earlier refused to cremate the deceased and demanded immediate action against the police officials allegedly involved in harassing Amanpreet.

However, they cremated the body after an assurance from the senior police officials that action will be taken against the guilty.

Ludhiana (rural) senior superintendent of police (SSP) Surjit Singh said that besides the munshi, some other cops posted at Jodhan police station are also under scanner. He said SHO Mohan Das has been suspended.

The SSP, however, said the incident was a suicide and not murder as alleged by the victims family members. Prima facie, it seems to be suicide, but we will wait for the post-mortem report, he said.
Taking strong exception to BJP president Amit Shahs bahut chatur baniya comment on Mahatma Gandhi, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee demanded on Saturday that he withdraw it and apologise to the country.

He should withdraw his comment and apologise for it. It is a deliberate act. It is unfortunate, uncalled for and unethical, she told reporters in Siliguri.

Gandhiji is the father of the nation and he is an icon of the world. No one should think that he can say anything only because he is in power, she said.

In a tweet, Banerjee said, When we, in public life, speak about icons of our nation and the world, we must always show utmost respect and sensitivity with language.

The BJP chief referred to Mahatma Gandhi as a bahut chatur baniya (a very clever Baniya - the trading caste) while addressing a gathering in Raipur.
Nineteen years after 24 farmers were killed in a police firing in Madhya Pradeshs Multai, the cultivators in the state continue to be at the receiving end of the governments apathy despite a change of guard in Bhopal.

At least five farmers were killed and several injured in police firing in the states Mandsaur district on Tuesday.

Goli chalaane waale wahi log, goli khaane waale wahi log, kewal goli chalwaane waale badal gaye. (Its the same people (police) who fired bullets then; those who faced bullets too are same people (farmers); only those who ordered the firing have changed (government), said ex-MLA Sunilam, who had led the Multai agitation, drawing a parallel between the two incidents.

Then the main demands of the farmers were Rs 5,000 compensation per hectare for their soybean crop against Rs 400 as had been promised by the government. Now the main demands include fixing of minimum prices of agriculture produce including vegetables and fruits and loan waiver.

The crux of the issue remains the same  the farmers not getting their dues. The ongoing agitation and Mandsaur firing negate the states claim that Madhya Pradesh has made tremendous progress in the agriculture sector in the past 14 years of BJP rule. The drought-ravaged region also recorded a farm suicide every five hours in 2016-17.

This is the second time during the BJP regime that police fired on agitating farmers. A farmer was killed in Bareli a few years ago in the police firing. Former agriculture director GS Kaushal said farmers have witnessed hardly any difference in their life in all these years due to flawed policies of the governments.

Politicians on their part, however, continue to trade charges without addressing the real issue.

Cornered by the Congress on death of five farmers in Mandsaur, the BJP leaders including union minister Venkaiah Naidu and partys national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya were prompt to remind the former about the death of 24 farmers in Multai when it was in power. Incidentally, the then Congress government had blamed the BJP for the Multai violence. In a role reversal, the BJP is now accusing the Congress of inciting the violence.

In 1998 it was a state killing whereas the 2017 incident is the outcome of a horrible mistake committed by a police officer, said BJP leader Dr Hitesh Bajpai.

State Congress spokesperson JP Dhanopia said BJP is raising the 1998 issue out of frustration as its failure to do anything for the farmers got exposed.

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A Nigerian national was arrested on Friday night at Vadodara railway station after he was allegedly found in possession of drugs worth Rs 3.5 crore in the international market.

The operation was carried out by the Narcotics Control Bureau and the Western Railway Police, based on a tip-off they got on Thursday night. Identified as Peter Chinedu, he was travelling by the New Delhi- Goa Rajdhani Express and was allegedly carrying 842 gm amphetamine, 255 gm cocaine and 65 gm Ecstasy.

The drugs were concealed in items such as ladies footwear, bags and a pen stand.

NCBs Ahmedabad zonal officer Hariom Gandhi said that three mobile phones and Rs 3,000 were also recovered from Chinedu.

From his passport, it appears that he is from Lagos in Nigeria and has travelled to India on several occasions, said Gandhi.

The source of the contraband has been traced to New Delhi and the NCB has begun investigation in this regard.

(With inputs from PTI)
A Hyderabad high court judge on Friday declared the cow as a symbol of motherhood and sacred national wealth, and suggested that killing or injuring the animal be made a non-bailable offence.

This is the second instance of a judicial officer seeking stringent punishment against those guilty of cow slaughter in the last fifteen days. On May 31, Justice Mahesh Chandra Sharma of the Rajasthan high court had recommended life imprisonment for such offenders.

In this case, Justice B Siva Sankara Rao sought that Section 429 (mischief by maiming and killing cattle) of the Indian Penal Code be amended to make cow slaughter a non-bailable offence. He also wanted the Andhra Pradesh Prohibition of Cow Slaughter and Animals Preservation Act-1977 suitably amended to ensure that veterinary doctors who fraudulently certify healthy cattle as old and suitable for slaughter are punished.

The judge made these observations while dismissing an appeal by a cattle trader who wanted the Nalgonda police to return 63 cows and two bulls seized from his residence at Kanchanapalli village in February.

The petitioner, Ramavath Hamuna, had earlier moved the trial court at Nalgonda against the police action. While Hamuna claimed that he had bought the cattle for rearing purposes, police said he meant to sell them to slaughterhouses during the Bakr Id festival.

Citing a Supreme Court order, Justice Rao said it was not a fundamental right of Muslims to slaughter only healthy cows during the festival. He then posted the case for further hearing on July 14.

Justice Rao claimed that a number of Mughal emperors  including Babar, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir and Ahmad Shah  had prohibited cow slaughter for religious reasons. So, it is time to strictly enforce the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act-1960, and ensure that stringent punishment is meted out to offenders, he said, adding that veterinary doctors should also be prosecuted if they are guilty of driving cattle to slaughterhouses.

Muslim groups refused to react to the high court judges observations.

We stopped slaughtering cows a long time ago. We only consume the meat of buffalos and bulls, and that too after acquiring certification from veterinary doctors that these animals have outlived their utility, said a local Islamic scholar on the condition of anonymity. Its the Dalits who resist the ban on cow slaughter now, not members of our community.

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The Isak-Muivah faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) said Satuday it has forgiven SS Khaplang for all the political mistakes and crimes he had committed, however grave they may be.

Khaplang was the chairman of NSCN-K, a bitter rival of NSCN-IM since 1988. He died Friday in Myanmar.

Based on the declaration made by our former chairman late Isak Chishi Swu on forgiveness and reconciliation, we have forgiven Khaplang, NSCN-IM general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said in a condolence message.

Swu had died in Delhi on June 28 last year.

The tone of Muivahs condolence message indicated Khaplangs death could open the doors for unification of the Nagas.

Muivah and Khaplang had formed the NSCN in 1980 but differences between them led to a series of fratricidal battles and eventual split in the outfit eight years later.

Read| SS Khaplang: The elusive militant I met after trekking through jungles for hours

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The heckling of CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury in New Delhi two days ago has set off a series of political clashes between CPI(M) and RSS workers in many parts of Kerala. At least two dozen party offices and houses were attacked in the last two days.

The acrimonious ties between the two turned worse with counter clashes in different parts of the state. Bombs were thrown at the BJP district office here two days ago and CPI(M) district office in Kozhikode was attacked a day after in a similar way.

Several houses of party workers were also targeted. The worst hit north Keralas Kozhikode has been observing a shutdown for last two days. BJP state secretary VK Sajeevans house was attacked in Vatakara on Friday.

Blame game has begun with both accusing each other of beginning the fresh bout of violence. While the CPI(M) claimed that it was orchestrated by Sangh Parivar outfits deliberately after BJP president Amit Shahs three-day visit to the state but the BJP said CPI(M) let loose a series of attacks against party workers and offices citing the heckling of Yechury in New Delhi. Leaders of both admit that they were finding difficult to control their cadres.

Discuss killings, not cow: Fadnavis to CM

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday to discuss recurring political killings in the state rather than shedding tears about the new notification on cattle sale.

Cow is not an issue anywhere. Let the Kerala chief minister take some measures to check mindless political killings in the state. That is more important than cattle. It is sad many killings took place in chief ministers own constituency, Fadnavis said in Kochi.

He was in the port city to participate in a party function to mark three years of the Modi government.

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The US justice department on Friday announced the indictment of Adam Purinton, a white man accused of killing Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, on federal hate crime charges that could get him the death penalty if he is found guilty.

Purintnon, 51, had opened fire on Kuchibhotla and Madasani  friends and colleagues at Garmin  at a bar in Olathe, Kansas on February 22, after using ethnic slurs at them and telling them to go back to their country. He had also shot at Ian Grillot, a white American who had tried to intervene.

The indictment accused Purinton of shooting and killing Kuchibhotla for his actual and perceived race, colour, religion and national origin and attempting to kill Madasani for his his actual and perceived race, colour, religion and national origin.

And a third count of indictment accused Purinton of violating federal firearms statute by discharging a firearm at them and Grillot.

I need an answer: Srinivas Kuchibhotlas wife holds press conference | Full transcript

Announcing the charges on Friday, the justice department said: The indictment alleges that Purinton committed the offenses after substantial planning and premeditation, attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode, and knowingly created a grave risk of death to others on the scene.

The statute authorises a maximum penalty of death or life in prison; the justice department will determine at a later date whether, in this particular case, it will seek the death penalty.

Kuchibhotlas widow, Sunayana Dumala, who came to know of the indictment at a meeting with federal prosecutors on Friday, told the Kansas City Star: Im so glad that things are moving faster than we thought. I always had faith that justice would be served.

Michael Copeland, mayor of Olathe, said in a written statement: We believe the federal hate crime charge reflects the severity of this crime and is certainly appropriate.

Purinton was earlier charged by local prosecutors with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder and has been held in a jail.

The shootings had sent shockwaves through the United States  which was then struggling with a sudden spike in hate crimes against minorities after Donald Trump was elected president  and India, where studying and working in America had long been a dream for many such as Kuchibhotla and Madasani.

As outrage grew, the White House had seemed slow to condemn it at first, but President Trump addressed it at the very start of his first speech to a joint session of the two chambers of Congress, saying: Last weeks shooting in Kansas City reminds us that while we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms.
Headed for Shimla? Leave your car behind.

Thats because the summer tourist rush to Himachal Pradesh is peaking over the weekend amid road repair, leading to long traffic jams in Shimla.

Shimla deputy superintendent of police, traffic, RS Negi says the number of vehicles in town has gone up with more tourists flocking the hill station in the past week. Road maintenance is on and the tourist rush has added to the problem, he says.

At least 120 policemen are on traffic duty in the town yet the traffic jam starts at the entrance to Shimla. A portion of the road has caved in near the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT), leading to the jam from the ISBT bifurcation to Victory tunnel, a 3-km stretch.

PARKING PANGS

Shimla has four major parking lots but they are inadequate for the rush of tourist vehicles. We spent two hours looking for a parking space. First the jam wasted our time and now this hunt for parking, says Adarsh Trivedi, a tourist from Delhi.

However, Mashobra resident Ajit Kumar blames it all on the tourists. The tourist rush has gone up in the past four days. Thats why we are facing traffic and parking problems.

Tour planner Zampa Negi says the lack of parking space is a problem in all Himachal tourist towns of Mashobra, Kufri, and Narkanda. Its worse than Shimla there, he says.

Another tour operator Nishant Bharota says tourists are so tired of traffic jams in Shimla that they want to visit less-crowded destinations such as Kinnaur. Traffic snarls in the capital city have driven tourists to lesser-known destinations. The pressure is on those towns, he says.

In Manali, the traffic congestion grew after taxi operators called off their agitation last week. The tourist rush has picked up as people escape the heat in the plains and head for snow-bound areas in the upper reaches. Traffic jams welcome tourists in Manali and the administration has no solution to offer, says Sandeep Singh, a resident of Manali.

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Indra Bishnoi, the prime suspect in the Bhanwari Devi murder case, was on Saturday sent to judicial custody by a court in Jodhpur.

The central bureau of investigation (CBI), which is investigating the case, produced Bisnoi before the metropolitan magistrate court that ordered her to be sent to judicial custody for 14 days and will be lodged in the womens barracks of the Jodhpur central jail, officials said.

Bishnoi was absconding since 2011 and a reward of  5 lakh was also declared for information about her wherabouts.

Until now, 15 accused have been arrested in connection with the case. Former Congress legislators Malkhan Singh Bishnoi, along with former minister Mahipal Maderna are in jail.

Bhanwari Devi, a trained midwife and nurse, was killed on September 1, 2011, allegedly on the orders of the former Congress lawmaker and the then Rajasthan minister Mahipal Singh Maderna. She was abducted from Jodhpur`s Bilara area on September 1, 2011 and was murdered subsequently.

According to the chargesheet filed by the CBI in a Jodhpur court, it was on Indras advice that Bhanwari made a sex tape with Maderna, who was then Rajasthans minister for water resources.

The probe agency said that Indra wanted to disgrace Maderna so that her brother Malkhan could pitch for the ministers post. Bhanwari, instead of handing over the tape to Indra began blackmailing Maderna.

The chargesheet said Malkhan had a relationship with Bhanwari Devi and was the father of her youngest child, and she was constantly demanding money from him.

Maderna, whose reputation also took a beating after the sex tape became public, also wanted to take revenge. So the two political rivals got together and plotted to kill Bhanwari with the help of hired killers.

Remains of her body were found in January 2012 at Jaloda village near Jodhpur.

hired killers.

Remains of her body were found in January 2012 at Jaloda village near Jodhpur.
In a move that can again plunge Darjeeling hills into crisis and disrupt public life, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaders have called an indefinite bandh in offices of the state government, central government and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration from Monday.

All offices of the state government, central government and Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) will be indefinitely closed, GJM general secretary, Roshan Giri, announced in Darjeeling after the partys central committee meeting chaired by Bimal Gurung.

Giri also announced that all signboards in the hills should henceforth be written only in Nepali and English. However, he did not clarify whether Morcha workers will erase Bengali and Hindi words already written on signboards. The latest bout of agitations in the hills was ostensibly triggered by GJM's opposition to the chief ministers announcement that students in schools in the state have to learn Bengali till class 10.

Read: Darjeeling: State govt doubles special audit team for scrutiny of GTA accounts

We have taken up this programme in view of the pro-Gorkhaland sentiments among the people in the hills. GJM president Bimal Gurung has written a letter to the Union home minister mentioning that the GTA has failed because of the high-handedness of the state government, said Giri.

Courts and banks will come under the purview of the bandh. Educational institutions, hotels, shops and establishments and transport will be exempted.

Police vehicles set ablaze by GJM supporters in Darjeeling on Thursday. (Bikram Sashanker)

The banks will be allowed to operate only on Monday and Thursday. Banks will also operate on June 27 to 30 to facilitate distribution of salary.

GJM has also called an all-party meeting on June 13 to discuss the situation in the hills. Though they didnt specify which are the parties they will invite, it seems that all hill parties apart from BJP, which is an ally of GJM, may join.

The Morchas announcement came close on the heels of a 12-hour bandh called by the GJM Yuva Morcha on Friday, when it caused immense trouble to thousands of tourists.

The government will actively resist the design with all the force at its command, said tourism minister and president of Darjeeling district Trinamool Congress, Gautam Deb.

Read: If I dont fight for Gorkhaland, hill people will not spare me: Bimal Gurung

Ironically, chief minister Mamata Banerjee remarked on Saturday morning that GJM will refrain from calling bandhs again. We hope good sense will prevail and there will be no bandhs. The high court has declared bandhs illegal, she said.

GJM Youth wing members on an agitation programme at Darjeeling rail station on October 03, 2015. (Samir Jana)

A delegation of GJM leaders will soon go to Delhi to meet the Prima Minister and Union home minister.

Every Monday GJM will take out candle light processions between 7 pm and 8 pm. Every Thursday and Sunday, the Morcha will organise big rallies throughout the hills.

The decision to close down the GTA office may trigger confrontation between GJM leaders and the state government since the finance department will formally start from Monday the special audit of the GTA, the semi-autonomous body that runs the affairs in the hills.

While a six-member audit team reached Darjeeling on Friday, the state government is dispatching another six officers to wrap up the exercise as soon as possible. The chief minister has alleged that the GJM leaders have indulged in financial irregularities in the GTA for years, and it is clear that the ruling party wants to highlight the evidence that the special audit may unearth to nail Morcha leaders both politically and administratively.

The elections to the 45-seat GTA -- GJM made a clean sweep in 2012 -- may be held in July.

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Friday turned out to be a memorable day for the students and teachers of Alliance Francaise de Lucknow, the first official Indo-French cultural centre in the state, when they got an opportunity to interact with the French ambassador to India on his visit to the institute at Stobart Hall, La Martiniere College campus.

French envoy Alexandre Ziegler not only helped students explore jobs, business and study opportunities in France but also answered their queries. He also gave tips on learning French. Its not just an institute; its a gateway to France. Its an opportunity to peep into its history, know about its culture, higher education system and a lot more, said Ziegler.

Ambassador meets Chief Minister French envoy Alexandre Ziegler also met chief minister Yogi Adityanath. He said the French government planned to extend support in the field of education, agriculture, economy and renewable energy and was also going to ensure the establishment of more French companies in UP. He stressed on restoration of the ancient structures associated with Major General Claude Martin and expressed happiness over contribution of French technology in Lucknow Metro Rail Project.

In the interactive session, some students expressed willingness to move to France, while some said they joined the institute just to know more about France and to learn French. The history and culture of France fascinate me, said a student who is a dental surgeon.

Another student said he was learning the language as he planned to settle in France. Students also appreciated the teaching pattern of the institute.

The faculty here uses different techniques like games and movies that are helpful in learning French. In a mere three weeks time, I am able to speak simple sentences and my vocabulary has improved, said another student.

The institute has about 38 students for the courses it offers. It has recently started a programme of intensive summer courses. The registration for the next batch the monsoon session starting July 1 for two months-- is underway.

Zohra Chatterji, president of Alliance Francaise de Lucknow said, We are getting great response from the students, not only from the state capital but also from the neighbouring districts.

Chatterji said there was a plan to set up Campus France from where those interested in higher studies could get all relevant information.
This summer vacation, children in age group 6 to16 years are busy giving wings to their dreams at the Janeshwar Mishra Park (JMP). And morning walkers cannot help but stop to see the kids practising how to fly drones.

Nearly 30 children from the countrys best schools including Welham Boys School, Dehradun; The Scindia School, Gwalior; Mayo College, Ajmer; The Doon School, Dehradun; Seth MR Jaipuria; La Martiniere College and La Martineire Girls College, Lucknow and others are gaining first-hand knowledge on how to fly drones as part of a summer camp.

Utsav Jaiswal, 13, a student of Class 8 in Mayo College said, I like making new things and making a UAV was always a dream. Ive even made a motorbike in school. The experience I am getting from this camp is incredible and I am looking forward to learn a lot more.

Learning the know-how of the flying technology. (Deepak Gupta/ HT Photo)

The students are not only learning how to fly drones, but are also being told about the engineering part including programming and how to repair the drone if it hits the ground or an obstacle, said Mohsina Mirza, a drone pilot who is training children.

The camp has enhanced my knowledge in flying technology. After holidays, I will share my experiences here with Welhamites when I return to school after the grand finale, said Rishab Mishra of Welhem Boys School.

Highlights The organisers have asked participants to fly drones much below the permissible limit as mentioned in the draft of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Navniet Sekera, the inspector general of police in-charge of 1090 Women Powerline said, Drone flying rules are not very clear yet. The Act has to be changed as drone is a new phenomenon. But organisers should ensure that they do not fly in strategic locations like around Vidhan Sabha, airport, etc. SSP Lucknow Deepak Kumar said, If they are flying drones at a relatively low height and it is not conflicting with radio signals, there should not be much of a problem. The intention should be to promote scientific temper among students and not to create any panic among people.

The grand finale of the camp will be held at La Martiniere College (FairyDale Ground), Lucknow on June 15 from 8 am onwards. The event will be graced by deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma and cabinet minister Rita Bahuguna, said Milind Raj, who along with Mohsina is conducting the summer workshop.

Mohsinas Techno Kids Flying Club and Milinds InveroTech came up with this innovative camp this summer. Invero Techno Kids Club aims to educate children about robotics, flying robots, futuristic technology and more.

This is not a routine summer camp. It is a unique platform where children get exposure to aviation and flying technology, the duo said.

Read more: Lucknow to host first National Drone Competition this month

In this camp, children learn everything about making, exploring and repairing flying robots. They are also taught to make their own robots and trained to pilot self-made robots, said Milind.

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The Yogi Adityanath governments decision to rename the Mughalsarai railway station -- one of busiest in the country -- after RSS ideologue Deendayal Upadhyaya has not gone down well with many locals who are against any change of name.

Upadhyay was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Mughalsarai in February 1968 when he was travelling by train. The state government is celebrating the birth centenary of Upadhyaya and several programmes are being organised across the state.

At a glance Number of passengers per day: Over 1 lakh Number of railway staff on station 4,000 approx. Number of trains passing through the station: 280 (including 130 goods trains) Largest yard of Asia: It is 8.6 km long. Significance: It connects Bihar (30 km away) and Varanasi (20 km). It is the busiest route on the Kabul-Chittagong Grand Trunk Road

Mithai Lal Chaurasia, resident of Ali Nagar, says: There is no point renaming the station. The government should pay attention to employment generation and other important issues.

Maulana Bilal Ahmad Quasami of Madarsa Irfan-ul Uloom (an Islamic seminary), says, The Mughalsarai railway station is of historical importance. It should not be renamed.

Read more: Yogi Adityanath govt to name Mughalsarai railway station after RSS ideologue Upadhayay

Congress city president Ramji Gupta is also against the move. His party is staging an indefinite sit-in at Lal Bahadur Shashtri Park here.

Not many locals know who founded the town which has never witnessed a communal riot. It remained peaceful even after December 6, 1992 when the Babri Masjid was demolished in Ayodhya and many parts of the country was plunged into communal violence.

Mukesh Pratap Singh, who teaches history at Lal Bahadur Shastri Post Graduate College, Mughalsarai, says, The foundation of the town was laid during the rule of emperor Sher Shah Suri, who briefly controlled the Mughal empire, between 1542 and 1543.

A combination of the words Mughal and Sarai, the town derived its name from the inns set up here during Suris time and later, Singh said.

The Mughalsarai railway station building was constructed in 1880 and reconstructed in 1905, Singh said.

Station manager Narendra Kumar said 150 passenger trains and 130 goods trains pass through the station daily, making it one of the busiest in the country. It is part of East Central Railway.

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A BJP legislator on Saturday called for the Gateway of India to be renamed to Bharatdwar.

This is not the first time that Raj Purohit from Colaba has asked for British-era names to be changed. Earlier, Purohit had called for Marine Lines railway station to be renamed to Mumbadevi.

According to him, the Gateway of India, which was built in December 1924 to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder, is a symbol of slavery to the British.

I am going to write to Maharashtra chief minister and Mumbai Port Trust committee to rename Gateway of India to Bharatdwar, said Purohit.

He added that India should let go of its colonial hangover. The slavery is gone now. Names of many suburban railway stations have been changed. The city was named Bombay by the British, it was changed to Mumbai. Hence, Gateway (of India) should be called Bharatdwar along the same lines, he said.

The BJP-Shiv Sena government wants to change names of seven suburban railway stations: Mumbai Central, Charni Road stations on Western Railway, Currey Road on Central Railway and Sandhurst Road, Cotton Green and Reay Road stations on the Harbour Line.

Meanwhile, Elphinstone station has been renamed to Prabhadevi, name of a local deity in the area; Oshiwara has been rechristened Ram Mandir.

Moreover, the name of citys oldest railway terminus Victoria Terminus was changed to Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj terminus.

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The Bombay high court has sought the response of the state to a Pune residents plea seeking permission for his 26-weeks-pregnant minor daughter, a rape survivor, to abort the foetus.

The man claimed that his daughter was abducted and raped repeatedly by her neighbour when she was 17.

Her pregnancy thus must not be forced on her, he argued and urged the court to uphold the girls right to life.

According to the plea, on June 22, 2016, the girl left home for college but did not return. Her classmates recalled having seen her near the college gate waiting for her father to pick her up after class.

Her parents lodged a missing person complaint. The next day, they realised that a man from their neighbourhood was also missing.

The parents and the police tried to contact both of them but their phones were not reachable.

Eight months later, the police finally found them in Solapur.

The girl told the police that the neighbour had met her near the college gate on the day of the incident. He had allegedly told her that her father was busy and had sent him to pick her up. He took her to an isolated place where he raped her and later forced her to marry him.

The man was arrested and charged with rape and abduction under the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

But as the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act does not permit abortion after 20 weeks , the girls father was forced to approach the high court arguing that the marriage, if it was indeed solemnised, could not be considered valid since the girl was a minor at the time.

He added that the consequent pregnancy was unwanted, and would cause much mental agony to her.

He also sought monetary compensation for her on the grounds that the polices investigation was inefficient since it took them over eight months to find the girl and the accused.

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Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday appointed a high-powered ministerial group to hold discussions with farmers outfits staging agitations for a farm loan waiver and protection against falling prices of agricultural produce. The group will be headed by revenue minister Chandrakant Patil.

The move comes a day after farmers core committee on Thursday announced they would intensify their agitation if the state failed to consider their demands in three days.

Fadnavis had announced a Rs30,000 crore farm loan waiver for 31 lakh farmers last Saturday. While some farmer groups called off the agitation, several others, including the Shetkari Sanghatana and Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS), headed by NDA ally Raju Shetti, decided to intensify their efforts. These groups want loans taken by all 1.34 crore farmers in the state to be written off. Fadnavis has now responded to the farmers outfits and immediately opened a channel for talks with them.

The group comprises six senior ministers, including finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, agriculture minister Pandurang Fundkar, cooperation minister Subhash Deshmukh, water resources minister Girish Mahajan and transport minister Diwakar Raote, who is from the Shiv Sena. They will meet with farmers leaders and then submit a report to the government in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, the core committee of the farmers organisations is meeting on Saturday in Mumbai to decide the further course of action. The committee is then likely to meet the high-power group of ministers either in the evening or on Sunday. We are open for discussion with the government. We will have our meeting first to fix the agenda to be taken up during meeting with the ministers, Raghunath Patil, one of the members of the committee, told HT.

Fadnavis and Patil appealed to farmers to participate in the talks to work out a solution.

The loan waiver has already been announced. The committee will deliberate with various stakeholders, including Opposition, farm activists and experts to ensure the waiver is not given to wealthy farmers. The farmers with huge landholdings or with family members in government jobs should not benefit from the waiver. The committee will find out ways to keep such farmers out. We will submit our report at the earliest so that the waiver is announced before October 31, said Chandrakant Patil.

He said once the report was submitted by the committee to the state government, it will be sent to the finance department to examine the financial implications before putting it before the cabinet. He said the entire procedure will be completed before October 31 as announced by the CM.

Minister of state for agriculture and SSS leader Sadashiv Khot is not part of the high-powered committee. Farmers organisations and SSS leaders agitating against the government have being criticising Khot for not standing by the farmers.

Following their meeting in Nashik on Thursday, the members of the core committee of farmers outfits had announced protests at revenue offices across the states from June 12 and blocking rail lines on June 13. They also threatened not to allow any ministers to hold programmes anywhere in the state.
Hindu Janjagruti Samiti, a radical right wing group, was set up in 2002 with a vision to establish a Hindu Rashtra. Heres what we know about the group that has organised a conclave of 150 organisations in Goa:

1. It has its roots in Maharashtra and Goa and is involved in various activities aimed at uniting Hindus across the country. The head of the organisation is Dr Charudutt Prabhakar Pingale, an ENT specialist.

2. The organisations sister outfit is the Sanathan Sanstha,which is under the scanner for the alleged involvement of its members in the murder of rationalist and anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar. The organisations founder, Dr Jayant Balaji Athavale, is a hypnotherapist.

3. The organisation teaches self-defence classes, karate, stick-wielding, nunchakus and catapults to train its members to handle mobs and goons. Moral education classes are conducted for children. Workshops on how to be a good Hindu and awaken their dharma are held, where the futility of Indian secular democracy and the need for a Hindu Rashtra, learning what to wear and how to style your hair, how to perform daily worship, cow worship and Ganga worship are explained.

4. The group spreads its propaganda through a daily SMS service called Jago, by organising Hindu Dharmajagruti workshops, where it distributes VCDs and holds exhibitions, through press releases and daily newsletters. Members give lectures on Hindu revolutionaries or kings, atrocities perpetrated on Kashmiri Hindus by jihadis, pain of Hindus in Bangladesh, vandalism of Hindu temples and gods.

5. The organisation believes that a Hindu Rashtra cannot be built by modern day politicians, who are power hungry, but can only be brought about through a revolution led by dharma-abiding Hindus.

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This is an account of how Shaggy and his friends ran the call centre scam, based on conversations HT had with a man who knew the masterminds when they first set up operation. The man spoke on condition that his identity would not be revealed.

Recruitment

The fraudsters would not employ more than 70 people at a time at a centre. Most were hired with a 20% salary hike after a telephone interview on recommendation by an existing employee.

Salary/Facilities

Accommodation was free. Bachelors were put up three to a flat. Couples got separate flats. They worked Monday to Friday US hours, same as the Internal Revenue Service. Freshers got Rs25,000 plus incentives, which included Rs2 for every dollar extorted from US residents. Senior employees got Rs5. If an employee brought in more than $10,000, there was an additional spot incentive of Rs10,000. For the weekend, staffers got the alcohol or drug of their choice.

The calls

Owners tied up with vendors who supplied telephone records of US citizens. Each of these numbers was fed into a server which when initiated would send a voice message to individuals in the US stating: A law suit has been filed against you by the IRS. If there was no response for two hours, the server would send the message again. First human intervention would come when a citizen called back.

Openers and closers

New recruits, termed openers, took these calls and used a written script to intimidate and coerce. They would start by asking people their names and claim they owed IRS money and that their assets would be seized. If the caller took the bait, the call was transferred to a senior (6 months experience) termed the closer, whose job was to get the caller to deposit money in the fraudsters account. Team leaders monitored openers and closers.

Getting the money

Scamsters used three ways. First was the traditional method of direct bank deposit; the closer would claim the account belonged to the US government and get the victim to make a deposit. Another method was to get the money through iTunes gift cards and green prepaid cards. The closers would take card numbers, expiry dates and pass them on to a middleman who took a 10% cut, and transferred the rest to the scamsters. In the third way, if a victim said they did not have enough money, closers would ask them to sell their valuables at a pawn shop.

READ: Fake call centre in Mumbai suburb would offer Americans loans, dupe them of cash

Cruel cut

These closers acted with such audacity that at times, after they got money, they would tease their victims. The man HT spoke to recalled a case where a man was duped of $150,000.

Cop alert

The owners kept main servers 10 to 15 km away from the main call centre to ensure that they got sufficient time to erase data if a police raid was conducted.

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After more than a week of protests for a loan waiver and minimum support price for their produce, farmers representatives will have a second round of discussions with the Maharashtra government on Sunday, this time with a ministerial committee formed recently to end the stalemate.

The leaders, who had a meeting to decide their demands, said Sundays discussions will be preliminary and the agitation will go on as planned.

The leaders had a meeting on Thursday in which they decided to give the government two days to take a decision on their demands, pending which farmers will resort to street protests and rail traffic disruptions from June 12.

Raju Shetti, a leader from Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, said, Our leaders will attend the meeting tomorrow, hear out what the government is saying, and we will have an internal discussion again to decide the next course of action. Meanwhile the agitation will go on.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis first held a meeting with representatives of farmers leaders last week, after which he promised a Rs30,000-crore farm loan waiver for small and marginal farmers. A section of farmers outfits, however, was not happy with the decision, and criticised the chief minister for trying to break the unity of farmers and arrest the protests by calling and influencing a selective group of farmers leaders.

In Sundays meeting too, ministers plan to press for a loan waiver only for needy farmers. Last times loan waiver was completely misused. A number of banks are still reeling under the strain. We will discuss this and find ways to avoid those mistakes. Needy farmers should definitely get a loan waiver, but we are not sure of the modalities. We will know only after the discussions, said Subhash Deshmukh, minister for cooperation.

Read

CMs Gramrakshak Dal plan may face farmers disapproval at Ralegan Siddhi

The other ministers in the high-powered committee are revenue minister Chandrakant Patil, agriculture minister Pandurang Fundkar, finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, water resources minister Girish Mahajan and transport minister Diwakar Raote.

In their group meeting on Saturday, those leading the protests decided to stick to the original demand of a complete loan waiver for all 1.34 crore farmers in Maharashtra, along with a minimum support price and other recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee. A few leaders warned if the government does not pay heed to their demands, Maharashtra may see a Madhya Pradesh-like violent agitation.

A day before formal discussions with the government, those leading the protests had a number of disagreements. At least four active leaders who participated in the earlier meeting at Nashik did not turn up for the meeting in Mumbai and some were vocal about their resentment to the way decisions were being taken.

Budhajirao Mulik, an agriculture expert, said the state took decisions holding the farmers at gunpoint and farmers leaders entering discussions hastily.

I am also not in agreement with the rail roko planned on June 13. The entire agitation is getting political, he said.

There was also a disagreement on the number of people who should go to Sahyadri, the states official guesthouse, for a meeting with the ministerial committee on Sunday.

While Shetti and the Peasants and Workers Partys Jayant Patil said the panel will name 15 representatives to hold talks with the government, Raghunath Patil, a senior leader on the panel, publicly rebuffed them saying the entire panel of 35 members should go.

The government probably wants us to send a smaller group, but this is an agitation concerning the masses. Everyone should have a voice and hence all 35 leaders should go, Patil said.

Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena, which has been taking to the roads to protest for the farmers demands despite being in the government, too reiterated the partys demand for a complete loan waiver and not a selective reprieve for small farmers.

Speaking at a party meeting in Nashik, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said, Expect an earthquake in the state in July. Our ally is strategising to finish us and this is a question of the Senas existence. The Shiv Sena will begin its political fight in July. We dont want a partial reprieve for farmers, but a complete loan waiver.

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The Kherwadi police recently arrested a woman for ordering her lover to kill her husband in Bandra (East). Police said the woman, Sonali Chari, 35, planned to kill her husband Sachin, 40,as he was an alcoholic and would beat her often over trivial issues.

Sonali lives at the Ahinsanagar slum in Kherwadi. Her lover slit Sachins throat on the terrace of the government building in the area.

Police learnt that Sonali was in touch with someone who lived in the same vicinity and was seen with him on the day of the murder. Suspecting that this man was Sonalis lover, police went to his house and learnt that he had not been home for the past two days, said a police officer.

We interrogated Sonali. She confessed that she had asked her lover to kill Sachin as he would beat her, said inspector Rohit Khot, Kherwadi police station.

The man killed Sachin, then went to her house that same night to change his bloodstained clothes. He wore Sonalis clothes and asked her for money. She did not have cash and so gave him her gold chain. He then fled, he added.

Police booked Sonali and her lover under the charges of murder and other sections of the Indian Penal Code. Sonali was arrested and is now in police custody. We are searching for her accomplice, said the official.
The Social Service Branch (SS Branch) of the Mumbai crime branch busted a sex racket being run under the guise of an escort service and rescued two women in their early 20s, who were brought to the city from West Bengal.

They have been sent to a womens shelter home for rehabilitation.

The SS Branch conducted a decoy operation, acting on a tip-off that a sex racket was being run under the guise of an escort service using a website to reach out to potential clients.

A decoy customer called on one of the given numbers. The pimps sent photos of women to choose from, and a deal was struck.

The pimps asked the customer to meet them on a road near Mahakali caves in Andheri (East).

The two pimps arrived in a Swift car and a bike.

A team led by senior police inspector, SS Branch, Ravindra Gidde and inspector Pravin Kadam laid a trap.

Once the pimps accepted the money and brought the two women to the spot, the team arrested them.

Their vehicles were seized as well.

They have been booked under Section 370 (3) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for abducting and trafficking a person and under various sections of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.
Everyone has a Sophia College story. Growing up in Mumbai, you probably knew someone who attended Sophias, as it is popularly known, or stopped by during the annual inter-collegiate festival, Kaleidoscope, and chatted around the marble staircase.

This former palace off Peddar Road is a heritage structure. (Pratik Chorge/HT Photo)

Named after the Greek word for wisdom, this former palace off Peddar Road became a womens college with no cut-offs and a city icon with a massive footprint. As it celebrates 75 years, we caught up with some of its most celebrated and long-serving faculty. From first batch of 25 students in 1941 it now has more than 3,000 women applying each year. On June 19, the college will conclude its year-long platinum jubilee celebration.

From first batch of 25 students in 1941 it now has more than 3,000 women applying each year (Pratik Chorge/HT Photo)

Every womens college in the country has a huge role to play in social development, says author and visiting faculty Jerry Pinto. For every daughter of a conservative parent, a womans college is a refuge of creative and academic freedom, a place where women are encouraged to push the boundaries.

Thats a common view on campus  many of the longest-serving professors here are former students, or have taught there for 30, 40 and 50 years. (Pratik Chorge/HT Photo)

Or, as third-year psychology student Amanda Rodrigues, 20, puts it: I just dont want to be anywhere else.

Thats a common view on campus  many of the longest-serving professors here are former students, or have taught there for 30, 40 and 50 years. Ive had students come to me with their mothers, whom I had also taught, says Margarida Colaco, who held her first lecture here in 1964 and heads the mass media department. Thats an overwhelming feeling, its not just an institution; its an environment that nurtures and supports its students.

The college is named after the Greek word for wisdom. (Pratik Chorge/HT Photo)

Gail Carneiro has been a chemistry professor there for over 40 years. Psychology professor Jennie Mendes used to drop by as a little girl, to attend mass at the campus. I graduated and then did a Masters from Sophias, with the hostel as my home. I have lived here all my adult life, says Mendes, laughing.

Former principal Anila Verghese. (Pratik Chorge/HT Photo)

Its home, says principal Sister Ananda Amritmahal. We ensure students become a part of the family. Sometimes I take the girls out for a play after their hostel deadline, and when their parents find out, they can never believe that as the principal I took them out but thats the way of life here.

Floyd Gracias has been here only a decade and is a relative newbie. Im still learning new things every day, says the visiting faculty for the mass media department.

On June 19, the college will conclude its year-long platinum jubilee celebration. (Pratik Chorge/HT Photo)

So, whats it to be like among the few men on campus? Hes blessed among women, says Sr Ananda, with a twinkle.

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On Friday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) fined Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan for illegally parking a van inside the St Xaviers playground in Parel. Saif had not sought permission from the civic body to park his vehicle at the premises. Officials from F/South ward reached the site and ensured that Saifs crew moved the van.

HT looks at other celebrities were at loggerheads with the BMC.

Shah Rukh Khan

In 2015, the BMC demolished an illegal ramp outside the actors house Mannat in Bandra. Residents had accused Khan of encroaching on public property as the ramp obstructed movement to the Mount Mary Basilica during the annual Bandra fair. The actor allegedly used the ramp to park his vanity van.

Kapil Sharma

The popular comedian found himself in the soup in 2016. Sharma had tweeted that a BMC official asked him to pay a bribe of Rs5 lakh. The same day, the BMC dug out two notices that were slapped on the actor for alleged altercations to his office and house in Andheri and Goregaon.

The banyan tree inside Rishi Kapoors bungalow has been reduced to its trunk. (HT Photo)

Rishi Kapoor

In April, the BMC issued a show-cause notice to Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor for allegedly violating permission to trim the branches of a banyan tree inside his Krishna Raj bungalow at Bandras Pali Hill.

The actor received the approval from the BMC to trim six branches of the tree on April 13 as it obstructed planned construction at the plot, said a ward official. But, pictures shared by BMC officials revealed that the tree had been reduced to its trunk.

Anushka Sharma

In April, the BMC issued a notice to actress Anushka Sharma, asking her to remove an electric junction box outside her flat in Badrinath Tower, Versova.

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Bollywood actor Salman Khan visited Aarey colony with municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta on Friday to take stock of the sanitation facilities.

This was his second visit to a site after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) appointed him as the brand ambassador for their campaign against open defecation.

It feels good to do something for the cause but this is just the beginning, said Salman.

I think there are more than 3,000 houses here and six to eight people live in each of these houses. Also, some of these houses had toilets. We just rebuilt them and gave them water connections, the actor said.

He also said, For the rest of the houses, we will try to get permissions to build toilets if they have space for it.

The actor had earlier donated five mobile toilets with six seats each to the BMC and had urged citizens to use them instead of defecating in the open.

Khan asked BMC to build more toilets in the area and also promised to donate more for the cause.

(With inputs from IANS)

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After the conclusion of the mega job fair at its Noida campus on Saturday, Dr Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) administration said it will hold four such fairs a year across Uttar Pradesh.

This is a one-of-a-kind job fair that the university had come up with. We have now decided to hold four job fairs a year. A budget of Rs31 lakh per year has been allocated for this. The next job fair will be held on June 28 in Lucknow for all students who have graduated from AKTU-affiliated colleges, said Dr Rakesh Verma, registrar, AKTU.

The AKTU had organised a two-day job fair on Friday and Saturday wherein more than 9,000 applicants appeared before 59 companies.

A total of 16,400 students had registered for the job fair on the universitys website. Companies had come to the fair to select candidates with BTech, computer science and management background. It has been estimated that around 500 students will get a job after the fair.

We have decided to hold the next fair in Lucknow. The location of future fairs will be decided after June 28, depending on the number of students from each city. In the Noida fair, a majority of students was from Allahabad, Bareilly, Varanasi, Banda and Noida, said Sanjeev Sharma, advisor, Noida campus, AKTU.

Read more: AKTU Job Fair in Noida: Urban students pip rural ones to get better pay

A total of 900 colleges are affiliated to AKTU across UP and around 168 of them are in Greater Noida and Ghaziabad.

Dr Verma added that due to lack of proximity to metro cities, companies have been unable to reach students from far-off colleges in the state and the fair has been organised to overcome this.

It is difficult for a company to reach a technical college in Banda or Bareilly to hire desired candidates. That is the reason why, on an individual level, many colleges couldnt get their students the desired placements every year. We want the fair to be a meeting point for our students and industry so that both parties benefit, Verma said.

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The mega job fair conducted by Dr Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) at its Noida campus ended on Saturday evening with more than 9,000 applicants trying their luck at the two-day event.

A total of 59 companies participated in the fair and conducted several sessions of tests, group discussions and personal interviews to shortlist candidates.

Students of AKTU-affiliated colleges, who graduated in the academic session 2015-16 and 2016-17, were invited to the mega job fair.

Nearly 16,400 students had registered for the fair on the AKTU website. A majority of these students were from Varanasi, Allahabad, Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Bareilly, Banda and Noida. Earlier, 73 companies had given confirmation to attend the event, but only 59 turned up.

The university has not revealed the number of candidates who have been selected in the fair and said the complete list will be declared in a week.

However, according to sources, around 500 applicants landed a job at the two-day fair.

This was a one-of-a-kind experiment by the AKTU and it involved the participation of a large number of applicants and companies. We have performed better than what we expected. Providing 500 jobs in the current economic situation is no ordinary feat, said Dr Rakesh Verma, registrar, AKTU.

On Friday, 6,300 applicants  BTech, MBA and MCA graduates  had turned up at the fair while only 43 companies took part.

Day One saw companies such as HCL, Belco Pharma, Daphnis Lab, Elcomoponics, Nile Technologies, NIIT Software System, Business News and Information Services and Amtex Auto companies taking part. Day Two saw 2,500 applicants and 28 companies, said Sanjeev Sharma, advisor, Noida campus, AKTU.

Different companies had different sets of tests for the applicants. A few insisted on aptitude tests, group discussions and personal interviews while others made recruitments after conducting interviews and group discussions.

Many students were pleased with their performance. I have pursued BTech from UCER college in Allahabad. I applied in MidWay Solutions as a software developer. I have completed my group discussion and now I am waiting for the personal interview, Sharal Srivastava, an applicant, said.

I have applied in HDFC sales and have completed group discussions and personal interview. They are offering me a decent package of Rs3.39 lakh per annum. I am hopeful that I will be selected, said Muzzamil Haidar, an alumnus of AKTU from Jhansi.

Company representatives said they are pleased with the performance of applicants and will visit the AKTU campus next year as well.

We have shortlisted 70-80 students after conducting multiple rounds of tests and interviews. I am hopeful that we will get the best of the lot for our IT infrastructure team, said Kuldeep Singh Rawat, human resource, HCL.

We have shortlisted 80 students for our sales division. They will be selected soon after a visit to our site, said Ritu Chaudhary, human resource, HDFC sales.

However, a few candidates complained that they were not able to appear for all the companies they had opted for on the form. Every candidate could select a maximum seven companies from three slots given on the web portal of the university.

We were not told exactly which company will arrive to hold tests and when. While we were appearing for one test, another company had come and completed its tests, said Akash Kumar, AKTU alumnus from Kanpur.

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The wedding was scheduled for June 19, all arrangements were made and things were going well except for one single hitch. The groom had gone missing.

Putting to end speculations that he was abducted for ransom, the Ghaziabad police on Saturday brought back a 24-year-old man who ran away ahead of his wedding.

The reason: His family did not give him enough money to buy a wedding outfit.

The team found the man at a paying guest accommodation in Kolkata, West Bengal.

The Ghaziabad police said Vipin Chaudhary, the groom, fled his house on June 2 after hiring a cab and telling his family that he was going to Chandni Chowk, Delhi, for shopping.

When he did not return, frantic family members lodged a missing person complaint at the Kavi Nagar police station and electronic surveillance methods were used to trace Vipin.

A day before he went missing, Vipin had demanded Rs1 lakh to buy a wedding outfit. We rebuked him and gave him around Rs40,000 to buy an outfit. That did not go down well with Vipin and the next day he went missing, said Varun Chaudhary, Vipins older brother.

The entire family feared that something untoward had happened to him as there was a similar incident in our family about four years ago, he added.

Four years ago, Vipins cousin Mukesh Kumar had gone missing in similar circumstances in Dadri. Later, it turned out to be a case of abduction during which Kumar was murdered.

Our teams traced Vipin to a paying guest accommodation in New Town, Kolkata. He was in a small dingy room. We returned with him and called his family to the police station and they were reunited, said Ajay Verma, sub-inspector, Kavi Nagar police station.

We initially suspected an abduction, but it turned out to be something completely different, he added.

The police are also trying to find out whether Vipin had any objections to his wedding. Needless to say, the grooms escapade has put the question mark on the wedding.

We have discussed the matter with the brides family. It is now up to them whether they wish to go forward with the wedding or not. Vipin has returned and he too is free to make up his mind about the wedding, Varun said.

Vipin is a travel supervisor with a foreign bank branch in Noida.

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A month after he allegedly murdered his father, Anuj Tyagi alias Dabbu was arrested on Saturday. He is said to be suffering from schizophrenia and had allegedly shot his father Ishwar Tyagi in the head while he slept, in the early hours of May 11.

Dabbu is the fourth of five brothers, including IPS officer Sanjeev Tyagi. All of them are well-off and well educated, apart from Dabbu. He holds this as a grouse against his family and has alleged mistreatment at their hands.

While his family had claimed he had escaped with Rs5 lakh in cash and a Fortuner, Dabbu claimed on Saturday that he only had Rs12,000 with him. He also said he has travelled to around a dozen cities on the run, often ticketless in trains.

A team of the Ghaziabad crime branch had been trailing him for a month and had once even came close to nabbing him when he had come to Mehrauli in Ghaziabad to meet his friend, Johnny.

Johnny and his brother Rahul now stand accused in a case for criminal conspiracy as they allegedly helped get a pistol and 20 live cartridges for Dabbu, who allegedly bought them for his fathers murder, which he seems to have planned in advance.

On the day of the murder, everyone was sleeping. I fired a shot to my fathers head. No one got up, but my mother sensed something and peeped from her room to take a look. She also dialled my fathers mobile number, but he was dead by then. I left the house and escaped in the Toyota Fortuner. I left the car near Noidas Sector 63 and threw away the bag containing weapons in some bushes, Dabbu said.

He added that he later went to Agra and thereafter to Gorakhpur, from where he went to Sonauli border near Nepal and crossed over, staying in Kathmandu for several days. He added that he returned to Gorakhpur and boarded a train to Ahmedabad in Gujarat.

There, I also worked at a mill for a couple of days, but could not continue as the mill owner asked me for identification proof, which I did not have. I had switched off my phone as I knew the police would try to trace me. I stayed at Surat, Vadodara, Gandhinagar and Mehsana. As I was running short of money, I travelled ticketless and slept at railway stations, he said.

Crime branch officials said that after Gujarat, Dabbu arrived in Ghaziabad where he wanted to meet Johnny but could not find him at his residence in Mehrauli.

This was the time when he gave us the slip and fled to Jaipur and later to Udaipur. Then, he again returned to Modi Nagar and travelled ahead to Saharanpur. He also went to Haridwar and then to Alwar. After this, he returned to Delhi and again tried to meet Johnny in Ghaziabad. This was the time when we received information from informers that he was in the city, said SC Belwal, inspector, Ghaziabad crime branch.

Despite his arrest, Dabbu remained defiant and remorseless. I will seek revenge from four persons (his brothers) who treated me badly. I dont have any relations with my brothers or my other family members anymore, but I will not hurt my mother as she is a woman, he said.

Officials said Dabbu suffers from acute schizophrenia and has been talking about political parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he wanted to meet the PM to tell him about alleged mistreatment by his family.

He is basically upset that his four brothers are all well educated and have achieved a lot of success in life, this (resentment) gave way to the incident, Belwal added.

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The four women allegedly gang-raped in the Jewar robbery and murder case continue to be called to the police station to identify suspects, but not a single culprit has been caught so far. The victim families said the multiple identification parades and the delay are exposing them to ridicule in the neighbourhood.

On May 25, eight members of a family travelling to Bulandshahr from Greater Noidas Jewar were waylaid by six people around 1.30am. The gang looted around Rs50,000 in cash and valuables and allegedly gang-raped four women in a field. They also shot dead a 38-year-old male relative who tried to save the women.

It has been 17 days since the incident took place off the Yamuna Expressway and more than 50 suspects have been detained for questioning. Subsequently, identification parades are held to ascertain if they are the ones involved in the alleged gang-rape.

Whenever a suspect is nabbed, we are called to the police station to identify them. So far, we have not seen the culprits in any visit. I do not remember how many visits I have made, said one of the men who was robbed in the incident.

He said it is all the more difficult for the women who have to step out of their home to identify the suspects. They have been talking of committing suicide and, every day, someone has to console them, the man said. He added that the police are not serious about investigations, which is why the case has not been solved till now.

Whenever I walk down the street I am asked: Arey kya hua tumhare case ka, wo to thanda hi padh gaya (What happened to your case, it has been put on the back burner). When we return after visiting the police station, people ask if we identified anyone, said the man.

In their neighbourhood, people also taunt them about making up the whole thing.

Had the police been quick enough, no one would have dared to say anything to us. Earlier, when the initial medical findings were disclosed (which said that the women were not raped), we bore the brunt. If these delaying tactics continue, we will hang ourselves, said the brother of the man who was shot dead.

On their part, police said that the identification parades are a necessary part of the investigation. Station house officer (SHO), Jewar police station, Rajpal Singh Tomar, said, We nab suspects on the basis of leads and facts can be ascertained only with the identification.

The family members have not been called regularly, he added.

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The body of a missing 12-year-old boy was found bundled and buried in a pit inside his neighbours house at Shaheed Nagar in Delhi-Ghaziabad border, police said on Saturday.

The Ghaziabad Police have recovered the body of the victim, Sameer, from the pit.

Sameer went missing on the evening of June 5. In the morning the same day, the boy had an altercation with the neighbours grandson Innu, when he blew a balloon which burst near the latters face.

Over this, Innus grandmother Jannati rebuked and threatened Sameer. Later, Sameer went missing in the evening. We launched a search in the entire neighbourhood, but our efforts turned futile and Sameer couldnt be found. We even asked our neighbours, but they denied seeing him, said Gurfan, the victims uncle, adding that they finally filed a missing complaint on Friday.

While returning after offering namaz on Friday, the family found the main door of their neighbours house locked.

The door did not open till Saturday morning and even the mobile numbers of the neighbours were switched off. This made us suspicious. We called up one of their (neighbours) relatives, who is a police officer. He summoned Innus grandfather Abbas (55) to the police station. On questioning, Abbas broke down and revealed to have killed the boy and buried the boy inside their home. When police reached his house, they found a freshly dug pit in the main room. The boys dead body was found inside the pit, which was around 2.5 feet deep, Gurfan said.

Abbas and his three sons run a small cardboard factory in the main room of their house, while the family members stay in a room behind the house.

The boys body had injuries on head and also near his ear. It appears that he was hit on head with some blunt object. There is also a possibility that he was strangled and later bundled and buried inside the small pit. The body is sent for post-mortem and more details will be revealed later, said an officer from Sahibabad police station.

Sameer, a Class 5 student at a government school in Delhi, was the youngest among his five siblings. His father runs a tailor shop that stitches school uniforms, in Delhis Gandhi Nagar.

Following the discovery of the body, officials deployed a heavy contingent of police at Shaheed Nagar in order to prevent any escalation of law and order. The police arrested Abbas on Saturday and also launched a search for his wife and three sons.

One of the accused is arrested, while a search is on for other family members. The family is suspected to be behind incident. We will now add IPC Sections related to murder to the present case, said Akash Tomar, superintendent of police (city).

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As thousands of students battled it out at the Noida campus over the last two days to land jobs, the visiting company representatives said for them, an ideal candidate is one who has good soft skills.

For HCL, verbal communication was the priority while shortlisting candidates. Almost all candidates have similar academic qualifications, so what sets them apart from one another? We are looking for quality soft skills as that is what is needed to represent global companies such as HCL, said Kuldeep Singh Rawat, human resource, HCL.

Rawat was speaking to the press after the completion of the two-day job fair organised by Dr Abdul Kalam Technical University at its Noida campus.

Read more: Day One of AKTU mega job fair in Noida ends in chaos, students hassled

More than 9,000 applicants had appeared for tests and interviews held by 59 companies.

HCL has shortlisted 80 applicants for its IT infrastructure division. The company representatives revealed that in the age of IT education boom, focus on practical knowledge and verbal communication skills are equally important.

We can provide industry training to freshers in three months at our plants and offices, but we want them to have a good command over the language so that they can deal with our diverse clients. By strong communication skills, I dont mean a fancy accent, but confidence in appearance and speech. We are in the era of globalisation and applicants must adapt to the trend, Rawat said.

Other companies such as HDFC Sales and Maharani Paints also stressed on the need for polished skills.

We have come to the fair looking for members to add to our sales team. In an ideal candidate, gait, verbal communication and attitude are equally important. Candidates must possess skills, which can impress clients, said Ritu Chaudhary, human resource, HDFC Sales.

Read more: AKTU Job Fair in Noida: Urban students pip rural ones to get better pay

Dr Rakesh Verma, registrar of AKTU, said students mustnt lose heart even if they did not land a job at the two-day mega job fair.

Students must take this fair as a learning experience. It is not a hidden fact that there are limited job opportunities and only a few will be successful in getting one. But that doesnt mean they should lose heart and confidence. Company representatives have given invaluable tips to the students regarding the need to develop soft skills and they must learn from it, Verma said.

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Student politics these days centres on nationalism which divides campuses provoking battles, police intervention, and even allegations of sedition. On Monday I heard the Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking by video-conferencing to student nationalists on strengthening the unity of India by spreading knowledge and indeed love of Indian culture. They were the 1,200 students attending the 5th Five Day International Conference of SPICMACAY, The Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth . The Prime Minister told these students music and culture could a big step towards ending divisions and playing a vital role in connecting India.

Because we journalists are obsessed with controversies Modi speaking on an occasion no one could object to got little notice on TV or in the papers. In my view SPICMACAY has never had the notice it deserves for its remarkable achievements. It has 850 chapters spread all over India, and over the last three years they have organised some 1,500 events, mainly concerts. Most events are held in schools. SPICMACAY provides an opportunity for thousands of volunteers to work for the promotion of Indian culture. There are only three paid employees.

Perhaps the low profile of SPICMACAY has something to do with the low profile its founder Kiran Seth adopts. While reading mechanical engineering at Columbia University in America he was dragged reluctantly to hear a concert given by Aminuddin Dagar. He emerged walking on air. When he returned to teach at IIT Delhi 40 years ago he determined to convey his new found passion to others. But only five students turned up for the first concert he arranged and three of those walked out before the end. Undeterred Kiran persevered, building SPICMACAY quietly, shunning publicity for himself, an example of nishkaam seva as the Prime Minister pointed out.

Its sad but not surprising that a good news story centred on a man as modest as Kiran escapes the notice of the press. But its shameful that its been virtually ignored by the government. SPICMACAY doesnt have an annual grant. Its volunteers have to do go down on their knees to extract a comparatively meagre sum each year. They depend mainly on donations including a sizeable contribution from the Norwegian government and the generosity of the artists who perform for a pittance. The Santoor player Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma always hands back his cheque and wherever Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia goes for a public concert he finds time to play in a school. The renowned flautist has been performing for SPICMACY since its beginning.

Perhaps SPICMACAY has not been noticed by the government until the present Prime Minister took notice of it is because all the emphasis is on vikas, development. But this single-mindedness is creating a society which thinks material development is all important. That is leading to the rape of India. There is ugliness everywhere in a country once famed for its architectural tradition. Rivers are being denuded of stones, sand is being mined, and trees chopped down, to create all this ugliness. Indians once felt at one with nature, now they seem to see nothing wrong in defacing natural beauty and treating nature as expendable. The culture the Prime Minister was talking about when he praised SPICMACAY encouraged the realisation that we are one with nature, the understanding that material needs are important but are only part of a fulfilling life.

The students attending the SPICMACAY convention lived the way Modi would have them live. They started their days at 4 am with three hours of yoga. That was followed by shramdaan, cleaning the venue. Then students interacted with renowned artists and heard performances. What more does a Prime Minister who established World Yoga Day and launched a campaign to clean India want to persuade him this is a venture worth supporting? What more did the press need to attract them to the opening night of the SPICMACAY convention than the opportunity to hear Girja Devi, the Queen of Thumri, sing. She was followed by the violinist Vidwan TN Krishnan and his daughter Smt Krishnan playing together as though they knew exactly what was going on in each others minds. The musicians did connect North and South India. Girja Devi belongs to the Banaras Gharana and the Krishnans are from the Carnatic, or South Indian musical tradition.

The views expressed are personal
PATNA Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi (SuMo), alleged here on Saturday that Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Lalu Prasads fifth daughter, Hema Yadav,received 7.75 decimal of land worth Rs 62 lakh as an unexplained gift from a man named Lallan Choudhary, on February 13, 2014.

This was the latest in a series of exposes done by Modi, a former deputy chief minister of Bihar, over the past 40-odd days, purporting to show how members of Prasads immediate family had come to acquire firms and landed property in a manner that was unexplained.

The latest expose came on the eve of the RJD national presidents 70 th birthday, to be celebrated on Sunday.

Hema is the fifth member of Lalus immediate family, who Modi said, had acquired property in an unexplained manner.

Earlier, the BJP leader had named in this context Prasads wife and former CM Rabri Devi, his two sons Tej Pratap and Tejashwi Yadav, both ministers in the Nitish Kumar government and his eldest daughter Misa Bharti, a Rajya Sabha member.

Modi said just days ahead of gifting land to Hema, the same Choudhary, had, on January 25, 2014, gifted Rabri Devi his pucca house, with land measuring 2.5 decimal, at Naya Tola under Danapur police station in Patna district, worth over Rs 30.80 lakh.

Barely 19 days after this deal, Choudhary donated 7.75 decimal of land to Lalus fifth daughter, Hema Yadav, Modi told mediapersons on Saturday.

Modi alleged that Choudhary, whose name figures in BPL list of Siyadih panchayat of Barhariya in Siwan district, in these 19 days, donated property worth Rs 1 crore to Rabri Devi and her daughter Hema.

Its a matter of investigation as to how Choudhary, who got his house constructed through Indira Awaas Yojana housing scheme for the rural poor, and who has been working in Lalus farm house,feeding animals, acquired Rs 1 crore worth of property and under what circumstances he gifted his property to Lalus family, said Modi.

Modi asked Lalus family to disclose the identity of Choudhary and explain the circumstances under which a man from Siwan gifted his immovable asset to Devi. The family should also make it public how the deal benefited Choudhary and from where he (Choudhary) got the money to buy the property, he added.

Lalus family should clear the doubts or else people will believe that it is their benami property tthat was bought in the name of Lalan Choudhary, he said.

The former deputy chief minister said since the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the Bihar government, CM Nitish Kumar should order a probe into it or else the matter would be placed before the income tax department.

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When Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar presses a button at his office in Patna on Sunday to inaugurate two newly built road bridges across the Ganga river, his move will more than just cut the distance between towns and villages of south and north Bihar.

In doing the honours for inauguration of the Ara-Chapra and Digha-Sonepur road bridges, the chief minister will also signal a thaw in the relations between Bihars ruling grand alliance partners, the JD (U) and the RJD, which have not been on best of terms in recent months.

For, Kumar has consented to the inaugural function coinciding with the 70th birthday of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, who will be by his side during the inaugural function, which is being organised even though work on the two bridges is not complete as yet.

The Rs 800 crore, four- lane and 4.35 km long Ara-Chapra bridge, near Koilwar in south-central Bihar, will directly link the Bhojpuri speaking areas of Bhojpur with Saran in north Bihar, cutting the distance between them to around 20 km from 200 km, via Gandhi setu in Patna, at present.

The bridge, foundation stone of which was laid by Kumar in July 2010, will provide traffic coming from New Delhi and UP through national highway-2, direct access to north Bihar up to the Nepal border, without touching Patna, about 70 km to the east.

The Rs 3,800-crore, 5.25 km road-cum -rail bridge at Digha in Patna, connecting Digha to Sonepur in north Bihar and cleared in 2006 during Prasads stint as railway minister, will take pressure off the dilapidated Mahatma Gandhi Setu in Patna, which is set to undergo major repairs.

On Sunday, only the road portion of the Digha-Sonepur bridge will see its formal inauguration. The railways portion of the bridge was opened to traffic by minister of state for railways, Manoj Sinha, on February 3, 2016.

The two bridges will, however, be only partially opened on Sunday, said road construction minister Tejashwi Yadav, 26, Lalu Prasads younger son, who has supervised the constructions and pledged to open them on his fathers birthday, as some work on them still remains to be done.

Tejashwi is expected to be at the Chapra end of the Ara-Chapra bridge, while his father, Prasad, will be at the CMs side at the inaugural function, in Patna on Sunday.

.The chief ministers gesture of opening the twin bridges on Prasads birthday comes at a time when the relations between the two allies in the ruling Grand Alliance appeared to have touched a nadir.

Kumar has been very upset with Prasads inability to curtail outbursts against him (Kumar) by senior RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Prasad Singh, just as Prasad has been unhappy with Kumar for not defending him and his family on BJP leader Sushil Modis allegations suggesting they held dubiously sourced properties.

The relations soured to such an extent that when the income tax authorities raided 22 properties allegedly associated with Prasad, last month, the RJD chief made a cryptic remark suggesting the BJP led NDA had found another ally, which was read by many as a reference to Kumar.

Again, while Prasad attended Congress chief Sonia Gandhis luncheon in Delhi on May 27, Kumar skipped it, only to join the Prime Ministers luncheon on May 28, in honour of the visiting Mauritius Prime Minister, suggesting they were treading separate political paths.
Complaining might not win you friends, but it can certainly help you get more money for deficient service from the service provider that has inconvenienced you.

Two years after Jet Airways admitted to having lost her check-in baggage on a flight from Pune to Chandigarh in July 2015, the local consumer court has ordered the airline to pay Rs 28,750 as compensation to Sector-37 resident, Puneet Khanna. The airline had offered her Rs 6,750 as compensation, claiming that it was the maximum that she was entitled to under rules.

Puneet wrote to the airline, claiming the compensation as meagre. On receiving no response, she moved the District Consumer Disputes Forum, claiming that her bag contained clothes and items worth Rs 66,200. She also alleged deficiency in service and unfair trade practice.

Responding to the petition, Jet Airways pleaded that sincere efforts were made to locate/trace baggage of the complainant. Members of the forum remained unconvinced and noted that the staff had admitted that the baggage of the complainant was lost, but failed to trace it.

The harassment to the complaint is evident. The losing of baggage amounts to deficiency in service... the airline has to compensate for the same, the forum said in order.

The amount of Rs 28,750 that the airline will finally pay to Puneet includes Rs 15,000 compensation for unfair trade practice and causing harassment to the customer, Rs 7,000 as litigation expenses and another Rs 6,750 as mandated by rules governing transport of luggage by airlines.

BLURB

Complainant had said her bag contained items worth Rs 66,000; airline had offered Rs 6,700 compensation, saying this was the maximum she was entitled to under rules

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Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Saturday attacked chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh for defaming Punjabis ahead of the assembly elections.

The Akali leader, who is also the Union minister for food processing industries, alleged Amarinder and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had claimed that more than 70% youths, which is nearly 1 crore people of Punjab, were drug addicts.

Captain should clarify to which rehabilitation centres have these addicts been admitted, said Harsimrat. If he cant prove his claim, he along with Rahul should apologise to the people of Punjab.

On allegations against her brother and former revenue minister Bikram Singh Majithia of his involvement in drug trade, Harsimrat said: Why has the Congress government not raided the alleged drug factory in Majitha?

The Union minister also lambasted the Congress government for not fulfilling its promises to farmers. She said here ministry will launch Kisan Sampada Yojana to promote food processing units throughout the nation.

The beneficiaries will be directly incentivised by the Centre, with the state governments playing no role in it, she said. She said two food parks have already been inaugurated in Punjab and seven new cold storage clusters will be developed soon.
The Punjab Congress Legislature Party (CLP) will meet on June 13, ahead of the maiden budget session of the Captain Amarinder Singh-led government in the state.

A party release said in the meeting, to be chaired by Amarinder, the CLP will discuss various matters listed for the session, to be held from June 14 to June 23.

It would also chalk out a strategy for countering the Opposition effectively on various issues it is likely to raise in the House.

Sources in the Congress said the CLP would also discuss how to defend the government on the controversy relating to power minister Rana Gurjit Singhs former employees bagging sand mine contracts in the state.

Party MLAs will also deliberate upon the legislative business to be transacted in the Vidhan Sabha and any other matter to be taken up in the session with the permission of the leader, said a party spokesperson.

The budget session is scheduled to commence at 2 pm on June 14 with obituary references. The discussion on the governors address would be held on June 16 and June 19, as per the schedule approved by the cabinet.

The chief minister has already indicated that several important decisions, with financial implications, will be taken during the session to fulfil some key poll promises of his government.
Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Vijay Sampla, on Saturday questioned Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for his silence on the plight of farmers in the state.

Rahul, who had recently visited Madhya Pradesh to meet the agitating farmers after six of them were killed in police firing, was on a brief personal visit to Amritsar on Saturday.

Why have you turned a blind eye to farmers of Punjab while you are supporting their cause in Madhya Pradesh? said Sampla in a press release. In nearly three months of Captain Amarinder Singhs tenure as Punjab chief minister, 73 farmers have committed suicide and dozens of Dalits have been attacked brutally. Your silence seems politically motivated.

Sampla, who is also the Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment, alleged Punjab Congress goondas are killing Dalits, forcibly taking control of lands allotted to them, beating them mercilessly, parading them naked, trying to burn them alive, outraging the modesty of Dalit women, but Rahul cannot see that.

The Punjab BJP chief said he hoped the Congress vice-president would also visit and support Punjab farmers and order Amarinder Singh to waive their loan, which he promised before polls. Rahul ji dont have two different yardsticks to treat single problem, said the BJP leader.
The Arabic news network Al-Jazeera has been thrust into the center of the story as Qatar came under virtual siege by its Gulf neighbours, pressuring it to shut down the channel that has infuriated them with its coverage for 20 years.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed ties with Qatar this week over allegations it supports terrorism and, more specifically, that it uses Al-Jazeera as a mouthpiece to destabilize the region.

The Qatar-based network, one of the most widely seen Arabic channels in the world, had long angered Mideast governments, since at its start it was one the few that presented alternative viewpoints. Critics say it has in past years turned to promoting Islamist movements as a tool of Qatars foreign policy. The regions rulers see many of these movements, including the Muslim Brotherhood, as threats.

Qatar and the station deny the accusations. Qatars foreign minister told The Associated Press there was no way the country would silence Al-Jazeera, which says its channels reach 100 countries and 310 million homes worldwide.

If anyone thinks they are going to impose anything on my internal affairs or my internal issues, this is not going to happen. We are an independent country with our own sovereignty, said Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. He said the allegations are based on false and fabricated news.

But as Qatar became more isolated this week, so too did Al-Jazeera. Qatars opponents shut down access to the channel and its affiliate websites in their territories two weeks ago. On Monday, they blocked airspace to Qatari flights; Saudi Arabia sealed Qatars only land border; and it and Jordan closed Al-Jazeera offices on their soil. Qatars opponents reportedly demand a slate of actions, including shutting down or dramatically changing the tone of the network.

The UAEs Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said the decision to block the channel is not about Al-Jazeera, its not about the media.

The media aspect of it is part of what I would say an overall support for extremism, he said.

Al-Jazeera and Qatar have been intertwined since it was launched in 1996, with financial backing from the ruling emir at the time, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani  just months after the Qataris accused Saudi Arabia of a failed coup attempt.

Throughout its existence, the station has been mostly funded by the Qatari government. Its chairman is a member of Qatars ruling Al Thani family.

Energy-rich Qatar has long pursued an ambitious foreign policy, bucking many of the stances of Saudi Arabia and its fellow Sunni monarchies in the Gulf. For example, it has maintained good ties with Iran, Saudi Arabias regional nemesis, and backed the Brotherhood, which Gulf governments and Egypt have branded a terrorist group.

Similarly, Al-Jazeera has been a renegade in the Arab media landscape.

American viewers became familiar with Al-Jazeera after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, when its golden-hued Arabic logo became synonymous with video messages by Americas then-Most Wanted Terrorist, Osama bin Laden. The channel aired the messages it received, sparking frequent complaints by then-President George W Bushs White House. The station defended its policy, saying the messages were newsworthy.

Al-Jazeera was the first Arab satellite news channel to offer a range of views outside of heavily censored state media. It was the first Arab-owned news outlet to host Israeli officials and commentators, which some analysts note coincided with Qatars ties with Israel at the time.

Acting Director General of the Al-Jazeera Media Network, Mostefa Souag, told the AP he believes Al-Jazeera is being targeted because we tell the truth.

Certain people maybe dont like the truth, he said, or possibly too because of the networks relationship with Qatar.

Al-Jazeera is going to continue with its editorial policy. Were doing the job to the best that we can, he added.

Bassam Awaidah, media professor at Bir Zeit University in the West Bank, said despite Al-Jazeeras insistence that it is editorially independent, the regions media are tools in the hands of governments.

Al-Jazeeras coverage is clearly biased in favour of Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, Awaidah said. When there is a Hamas wrongdoing, Al-Jazeera hides it, and when a similar or lesser action comes from (the rival) Palestinian Authority, Al-Jazeera reports it and exaggerates it.

Al-Jazeeras counterweight is largely seen as Al-Arabiya, a Saudi-owned news channel that closely reflects Saudi policy. It was launched Al-Arabiya launched in 2003, the year after Al-Jazeeras coverage of a Saudi peace plan with Israel prompted the kingdom to pull its ambassador from Qatar for six years.

Al-Arabiya and other media outlets across the Gulf and Egypt have released an avalanche of criticism of Qatar, accusing it of terrorist activities. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain warned that anyone who supporting Qatar on social media could be fined and jailed.

Over the years, Al-Jazeeras reporters have not been spared of the regions politics and violence.

One of its reporters was killed by US fire in Iraq in 2003, though Qatar says it had supplied the military with its offices coordinates to avoid being targeted. Its bureau in Kabul was hit in 2001 by the US.

During the 2011 Arab Spring protests, Qatar threw its support behind groups seeking a change in leadership from Egypt to Syria. Qatar backed the Brotherhood-led government elected after the 2011 ouster of longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

When the military ousted the Brotherhood in 2013 and cracked down on Islamists, Al-Jazeera, again, was targeted. Three employees of its English-language affiliate were convicted and imprisoned over allegations of collaborating with the now-banned Brotherhood. Two spent well over a year in prison before receiving presidential pardons.

Separately, two other Al-Jazeera employees were sentenced to death in absentia in Egypt for allegedly passing secret state documents to Qatar in an espionage case that included Brotherhood members.

Gulf countries fell out with Qatar over its backing of the group. In 2014, Saudi Arabia and others recalled their ambassadors from Qatar over the rift. Eight months later, their ambassadors returned in a deal widely believed to have included stipulations on Al-Jazeeras coverage.

The foreign minister, Al Thani, denied Qatars foreign policy dictates Al-Jazeeras coverage.

Why would I need such a headache if I control it? he said.

If governments have grievances with Al-Jazeera, he said, they can come and talk to Al-Jazeera.
At least two people have been killed in a shooting incident in the outskirts of Moscow on Saturday, Russias news agency TASS reported.

Quoting a source with the Russian interior ministry, TASS reports that it was local resident who opened fire on passers-by with a hunting rifle in the village of Kratovo.

Russian National Guard fighters have begun storming the house, where the shooter is said to be still holed up. He fired shots at police officers who were attempting to retrieve the bodies of the victims and threw grenades, TASS reports. The area around the house has been cordoned off.

Russia Today, quoting neighbours, identified the gunman as Igor who is said to have served in the armed conflict with Chechnya. However, there is no official confirmation yet.
Beleaguered British Prime Minister Theresa May is appointing new members of her government after several of them lost their seats in Parliament in this weeks general election that proved disastrous for her Conservative Party.

Mays office has already said that the senior Cabinet members  treasury chief Philip Hammond, foreign secretary Boris Johnson and home secretary Amber Rudd  will keep their current jobs, but she is expected to reshuffle the lower ranks of ministers.

Mays party fell short of an overall majority following Thursdays vote, and plans to work with Northern Irelands Democratic Unionist Party.

Mays position seems safe for the near future because Britain must start negotiations later this month on leaving the European Union, but most British newspapers agreed Saturday that she is only just clinging on.
Saudi Arabia and its allies on Saturday welcomed an accusation by President Donald Trump that Qatar was bankrolling extremism but ignored a separate US call for them to ease their economic blockade.

Trumps comments came as Washington joins intensifying international efforts to heal the worsening rift between the key Western Gulf allies, which has escalated into the regions worst diplomatic crisis in years.

Qatar denies the allegations and has sent its top diplomat on a tour of European capitals in a bid to drum up support.

But its neighbours seized on Trumps remarks as vindication of their position and of the crippling sanctions they imposed on Monday.

The United Arab Emirates welcomed President Trumps leadership in challenging Qatars troubling support for extremism.

The next step is for Qatar to acknowledge these concerns and commit to reexamine its regional policies, its ambassador to the United States Yousef al-Otaiba told the official WAM news agency.

This will provide the necessary basis for any discussions, he added.

Saudi Arabia said an immediate change of policy by Qatar was essential.

Fighting terrorism and extremism is no longer a choice, rather... a commitment requiring decisive and swift action to cut off all funding sources for terrorism regardless of its financier, the Saudi Press Agency cited an official source as saying.

Bahrain stressed the necessity of Qatars commitment to correct its policies and to engage in a transparent manner in counter-terrorism efforts, its official BNA news agency said.

The three governments made no comment on separate remarks by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urging them to ease their land and sea blockade of Qatar, which he said was hindering the US-led campaign against the Islamic State group and having humanitarian consequences for ordinary people.

Qatars neighbours have given its citizens 14 days to leave, banned Qatari flights from their airspace and closed its only land border.

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani was in Moscow today after talks in Germany yesterday.

Qatar ally Turkey meanwhile hosted the Bahraini foreign minister for talks on the crisis.
At least three civilians were killed by gunmen inside a mosque in eastern Afghanistan on Friday, the interior ministry said.

The ministry said that nine others were wounded in the Friday night attack in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province, in a statement released on Saturday.

The ministry strongly condemned the attack and called it an act against Islam and humanity. It said the civilians were attacked while praying.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but the Taliban and Haqqani network are active in Paktia and neighbouring provinces and often target government officials as well as Afghan security forces in the region.

In a separate report from southern Helmand province, at least two border police officers were killed Friday night after their checkpoint was struck by US military forces during a joint operation, said Omar Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor in Helmand.

Zwak said that three other policemen were wounded in the airstrike carried out during the operation against insurgents in the Nad Ali district.

What we have so far is the initial report of the air strike said Zwak, adding that an investigation was underway and that the dead toll could rise.

There was no immediate comment from the US military on the airstrike in Helmand province.
Threats, resignations and bargaining marked the first day of the minority Theresa May government as recriminations began within the ruling Conservative Party to apportion blame for not only failing to gain a large majority but retaining the seats it had in Thursdays election.

Tory ire focused on two of Mays closest advisers  Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill  who were responsible for the campaign and the party manifesto that contained plans about social care that raised many hackles, seen to have cost the party several votes and seats.

May was reportedly told by party MPs to change her working style, sack Timothy and Hill, or face a leadership challenge. By Saturday mid-day, Timothy and Hill resigned, amid growing doubts inside and outside the party about the longevity of the minority government.

Much concern has been expressed that a decade of effort to transform the Conservative Party from what May herself said was seen as a nasty party in 2002 to a liberal right-of-centre party on issues such as gay marriage and climate change would be undone by alliance with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which has opposite views on the issues.

The support of DUP, with 10 MPs, is crucial to the continuance in office of the minority government, after the Conservative Party fell short by eight of the majority mark of 326 in the 650-member House of Commons in Thursdays election.

A politically hobbled May sought to refrain from rocking the boat by retaining incumbents in the top five cabinet posts: Philip Hammond (chancellor), Amber Rudd (home), Boris Johnson (foreign office), Michael Fallon (defence) and David Davis (exiting the EU).

May was expected to make further appointments over the weekend, particularly the several junior ministers who lost the election. The possible re-appointment of Priti Patel, international development secretary, and Alok Sharma, foreign office minister, is being keenly watched in the Indian community.

One of the most trenchant criticisms of May came from Evening Standard, a leading London-based tabloid now edited by George Osborne, who was the chancellor in the David Cameron government, but was sacked by May in 2016.

It said in an editorial comment: We now have a minority Conservative government that is in office but not in power. Its majority depends on the caprice of 10 Democratic Unionists in Northern Ireland.

The DUP does not support some central tenets of the Governments economic and welfare plans. In this topsy-turvy world, the decisions that affect London will now be taken in Belfast. That is not a sustainable position; this paper will subject it to intense scrutiny, starting today.

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India and Canada are close to concluding the long-pending bilateral Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA), according to Canadian minister of international trade Francois-Philippe Champagne.

Champagne was speaking at the Canada India Business Symposium, organised by the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce and Indo-Canadian Business Chamber in Toronto.

The minister indicated further progress on a date to complete the process was made as he met finance minister Arun Jaitley on the margins of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris earlier this month. Champagne had also visited India in March this year.

He said that both sides wanted to ensure FIPPA is concluded and brought into force as quickly as possible, as we have made good progress on that front. While pointing to increased growth in two-way trade between the countries, he said, Its just the tip of the iceberg of whats possible.

Speaking at the same event, Indian high commissioner Vikas Swarup said, Canada cannot find a better partner than India.

As Canada struggles in dealing with the Donald Trump administration south of its border, Swarup pointedly noted that India has a market of 750 million people, more than double the United States population: You need a market which can compete with the US market, because thats the market Canada is obsessed with, he said.

The symposium also featured around 150 Indian companies, and their presence was facilitated by the Canadian high commission in New Delhi as Ottawas envoy Nadir Patel wanted to mark 150 years of his countrys confederation by bringing a symbolic number of business delegates to Toronto to confer with Canadian industry, associations and decision-makers.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged Britain to quickly launch Brexit talks with the European Union after Prime Minister Theresa May suffered a harsh election setback.

We are ready for the negotiations. We want to do it quickly, respecting the calendar, Merkel said during a visit to Mexico. She said talks with Britain on its withdrawal from what will now be the 27-member EU would start in the coming days.

We were waiting for the election in Britain, but in the next few days these talks will begin. We will defend the interests of the 27 member states, and Britain will defend its own interests, she told a press conference.

At the same time, we say that we want to remain a good partner to Britain. Britain is part of Europe, even if it will no longer be part of the European Union.

May, who became prime minister after Britains June 2016 referendum on leaving the EU, called the election three years early in a bid to strengthen her hand in the looming Brexit negotiations.

But in a catastrophic setback, the bet failed and she lost her overall majority.

EU leaders expressed concern that Mays loss of her majority would raise the risk of negotiations failing, resulting in a legal limbo for people and business.

Merkel said Britain was part of Europe regardless of Brexit, and that she wanted the country to remain a good partner.

Britain is a member of Nato, so we have a lot of shared challenges to deal with, and thats the spirit we want to carry out these negotiations in. But obviously while also asserting the interests of the 27 member states that will make up the European Union in future, she added.
A Pakistani lawmaker has called for thorough investigations into the countrys nuclear proliferation to Iran and North Korea during former President Pervez Musharrafs regime.

Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Farhatullah Babar on Friday said AQ Khan  considered the father of Pakistans nuclear programme  had been singled out for nuclear proliferation and demanded that the entire network be exposed.

Babar said Musharraf, in his book In the Line of Fire, concedes that several tonnes of nuclear material and drawings had been smuggled from Pakistan to Iran, Libya and North Korea.However, only Khan was singled out, Dawn News quoted him as saying.

The PPP leader argued that it was impossible for any single individual to smuggle out huge centrifuge machines and other nuclear material without connivance and assistance of other players. He called for an enquiry into the matter and bringing to book all those involved in the scam.

Babars demand came after Hafiz Hamdullah of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl asked during a Senate session why Khans name had not even been mentioned during Yaum-i-Takbeer celebrations, which commemorate Pakistans detonation of seven nuclear devices .

Hamdullah said that Khan was a national hero but had been degraded and insulted by Musharraf.
An American woman raped by filmmaker Roman Polanski as a teenager four decades ago pleaded with a California judge on Friday to end the case so she could move on with her life.

Samantha Geimer, who was 13 at the time of the assault in 1977, said she has been serving a 40-year sentence that has kept a cloud over her and her family.

I would implore you to consider taking action which would finally bring this matter to a close as an act of mercy for myself and my family, the 54-year-old told Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon, reading from a statement.

I do not want to have to explain to my granddaughter why she cant go outside or answer the phone, or why there are cameras outside the home and eventually what happened to her nana in 1977, she said.

Geimers testimony marked the first time she has appeared in court in the drawn-out case involving the 83-year-old Oscar-winning filmmaker, who fled to his native France in 1978 and has been engaged in a legal battle to avoid further jail time if he returns to the United States.

Geimer, who now lives in Hawaii and was accompanied to Fridays hearing by her husband of nearly 30 years, told the judge he could explore various avenues to settle the matter, including dismissing it, sentencing Polanski to time served or recalling an international arrest warrant against the director.

She said Gordon could also unseal documents that Polanski claims prove he had struck a deal with the initial judge in the case.

The Los Angeles judge commended Geimer for speaking out, telling her: Your words mean a lot to this court.

Treated as lying gold diggers

Geimer, who has three sons, has said in the past that she has forgiven Polanski.

Following the hearing, Geimer told reporters she empathized with the filmmaker, who was now facing the same type of abuse that she endured after the assault.

When this happened, my mother and I were (treated) as lying gold diggers who were attacking poor unfortunate Roman. It was a much different story, she said.

Now everyone calls him a paedophile and says terrible things about him that arent true.

The director of Rosemarys Baby and Chinatown was accused of drugging the 13-year-old Geimer before raping her at the house of film star Jack Nicholson in Los Angeles.

Polanski admitted statutory rape after the more serious charges that he drugged, raped and sodomized the teen were dropped, and spent 42 days in custody to undergo psychiatric evaluation before being released.

French-Polish director Roman Polanski at the 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, in May 2017. Polanski fled the US in 1978 fearing a long jail sentence in the rape case. (AFP)

His attorney Harland Braun also filed a motion to dismiss the case on Friday saying his client had served time for his crime.

The prosecutor objected to the motion.

The director claims that he was promised that the six weeks he spent in custody would be the only time he would serve.

But in 1978, convinced the judge was going to scrap his plea deal and send him to prison for up to 50 years, he fled to France.

Polanski  who is married to French actress Emmanuelle Seigner, with whom he has two children  has since refused to return to the United States without assurances that he would not serve additional time in prison.

For decades, he has been engaged in a cat and mouse game with US authorities as they unsuccessfully sought to have him extradited from various countries.

He was arrested in Switzerland in 2009 and placed under house arrest for nearly a year while fighting extradition.

Polanski reportedly wants to return to the United States to visit the grave of his late wife Sharon Tate, who was murdered in 1969 by members of the Charles Manson family when she was eight months pregnant.
The government of Qatar has hired John Ashcroft, the US attorney general during the September 11 attacks, as it seeks to rebut accusations from US President Donald Trump and its Arab neighbors that it supports terrorism.

Qatar will pay the Ashcroft Law Firm $2.5 million for a 90-day period as the country seeks to confirm its efforts to fight global terrorism and comply with financial regulations including US Treasury rules, according to a Foreign Agents Registration Act, or FARA, filing on Friday with the Justice Department.

The firms work will include crisis response and management, program and system analysis, media outreach, education and advocacy regarding the clients historical, current and future efforts to combat global terror and its compliance goals and accomplishments, according to a letter by Ashcroft firm partner Michael Sullivan included in the filing.

Qatar faces isolation by fellow Arab countries after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt severed ties with Doha on Monday, accusing it of supporting Islamist militants and their adversary Iran. Qatar denies the allegations.

The crisis is a major diplomatic test for the United States, which is a close ally of countries on both sides but has given mixed signals on whether to isolate Qatar or bring it into talks with other Gulf countries.

Trump on Friday accused Qatar of being a high level sponsor of terrorism in remarks made shortly after his secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, pushed Qatars Arab neighbors to immediately take steps to de-escalate the situation.

The Ashcroft firm was hired to do a compliance and regulatory view of Qatars anti-money laundering and counterterrorist financing framework, Sullivan said in an email.

Qatar is confident that the review and analysis will confirm that Qatar has significant measures in place to prevent and detect efforts to launder funds and/or to use its financial systems to finance terrorist organizations, he said.

Ashcroft was US attorney general under President George W Bush from February 2001 to February 2005, turbulent years in which US policies and laws were reshaped by the so-called war on terrorism that followed the 2001 al Qaeda attacks.

Ashcrofts firm includes an array of former senior government officials including Sullivan, a former US attorney in Massachusetts appointed by Bush to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Thursdays election was not good news for Prime Minister Theresa May, who lost her majority in the House of Commons. However, the election was good for the 10 Indian-origin MPs elected in 2015, all of whom retained their seats comfortably.

The ten saw more votes cast in their favour, irrespective of whether they represented Labour or Conservative, and notwithstanding the fortunes of their parties at the national level.

The biggest gainer was Conservative Party candidate Rishi Sunak, who received 36,458 votes in the Richmond constituency, up from 27,744 in 2015. Another big gainers was Labours Keith Vaz  the longest-serving MP of Asian origin  who saw votes in his favour rise from 29,386 in 2015 to 35,116 in 2017 in the Leicester East constituency.

They were joined by two (both Labour)  Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) and Preet Kaur Gill (Birmingham Edgbaston), taking the number of Indian-origin MPs to a record 12.

The results show that the 12-member group of Indian-origin MPs won not only from constituencies with large population of Indian/Asian origin but also from seats where their presence is negligible, such as Richmond Yorkshire, Witham and Wigan.

The 12 are part of another record  they are part of the most diverse Parliament in Britains history, with 51 non-white MPs elected.

The latest election result is seen as a positive story of integration in Britain since the landmark election of 1987, when five non-white MPs were elected for the first time in British parliamentary history. Since then, their number has been growing.

Operation Black Vote (OBV), a non-partisan political campaign group, termed the 51 candidates from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities being elected as stunning. More candidates from the communities were standing and winning in non-urban areas such as Peterborough, Oxford, Hitchin and Harpenden.

This tells us that in spite of all the present challenges  rise in xenophobia, terrorism and tackling race inequality  Britain is comfortable with its multicultural society. Secondly, more BME people are voting, OBV said in a statement.

Its director, Simon Woolley, said: In many ways, the result is a great testament for multicultural Britain. More talented BME faces will help transform Parliament and inspire many more to believe that we all have a voice and a place in our society. Britains diversity is one of its greatest strengths. Today we celebrate that.

Thursdays election also saw the highest number of women candidates elected in history  207, up from 196 in the 2015 election.

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British Prime Minister Theresa Mays two closest aides announced their resignations Saturday after a crushing electoral setback that left her authority in tatters.

Senior members of the ruling Conservative party had reportedly made the departure of Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill a condition of allowing May to stay on after losing her parliamentary majority in Thursdays vote.

But it will be another blow to the Prime Minister, who has been heavily reliant on their advice and support since her previous job at the interior ministry.

Timothy said he had resigned on Friday after the result was confirmed, and took responsibility for the Conservative manifesto, including a botched plan for elderly social care that caused a major backlash.

But he wrote on the ConservativeHome website: The reason for the disappointing result was not the absence of support for Theresa May and the Conservatives but an unexpected surge in support for Labour.

A party spokesman confirmed Hill had also resigned.

Timothy and Hill have been accused of creating a toxic atmosphere in Downing Street.

Mays former director of communications, Katie Perrior, had earlier recounted the terrible atmosphere at meetings attended by the pair, whom she said showed no respect for other staff or even ministers.

I felt what the prime minister needs when youre going through a tough time like negotiating Brexit is diplomats, not street fighters, Perrior, who quit before the election, told BBC radio.

They really only know one way to operate and thats to have enemies and Im sure Im one of those this morning.

Furtive

The Conservative-backing Daily Telegraph newspaper had earlier warned: Mrs May must accept that the result is an indictment of the furtive way she does business.

She needs to be more collegiate, seeking the advice of the cabinet and backbench MPs while reducing her almost total reliance on a tiny cadre of advisors.

Timothy had been widely blamed for the social care plan, over which May was forced to backtrack in the middle of the election campaign following signs it was hitting the partys core support.

Hill has also made enemies with her combative style, confronting anyone -- including staff, ministers and journalists -- who seemed less than loyal to her boss.

Sky News anchor Adam Bolton read out a text message she had sent to him live on air after he mentioned the health of the prime minister, who has diabetes.

Tell Bunter (Bolton) that he should watch what he says about my bosss health. Utterly unfounded and untrue. We will be making a formal complaint, she wrote.

Last December, Hill also told senior Conservative lawmaker Nicky Morgan to keep away from Downing Street after criticising the premier for her expensive leather trousers.
What made Hernando de Soto think he could conquer thousands of Indians with just a small band of men?

ON A COOL OCTOBER MORNING IN 1540, the Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto rode into Mabila, a walled town in what is now central Alabama. Short and muscular, with a clipped beard and dark eyes, de Soto was resplendent in his Renaissance armor and bristling with self-confidence. A year earlier he had embarked from Cuba carrying a writ from King Charles I of Spain and ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, to conquer La Florida, which is what the Spaniards called the southeastern region of North America. Since then his small army of 650 men, equipped with 240 horses, steel swords, lances, crossbows and harquebus muskets, had cut a 2,000-mile swath through several pre-Columbian kingdoms of Indians ruled by powerful chieftains who fielded bands of warriors that often numbered in the thousands. The mere sight of de Sotos heavily armed cavalry and foot soldiers was enough to cow many of these native warriors and prompt them to lay down their longbows and spears. Even the chieftain Tascalusa, whom one of the expedition chroniclers described as lord of many lands and many peoples, surrendered without a fight and was now being carted in chains to Mabila. There he promised to provide food, women and servants to de Soto and his men.

De Soto was the quintessential conquistadora fearless risk taker who relentlessly pursued wealth, fame and glory even when the odds seemed overwhelmingly against him. His addiction to victory in the 25 years since arriving in the Americas had fueled his success as a treasure hunter and warrior, but also would result in his downfall. The same mindset was shared by two of de Sotos Spanish contemporaries: Hernan Cortes, the conqueror of the Aztecs in Mexico, who died discredited and deeply in debt after self-financing too many failed expeditions; and Francisco Pizarro, the conqueror of the Incan Empire in Peru, who was eventually assassinated by a young rival. Other famous conquerors who refused to quit while they were ahead include Alexander the Great, Napoleon and Hitler. Like de Soto, each ignored the wisdom of consolidating his gains, and each was eventually crushed by his enemies or failed to establish a lasting empire. Even today we can see the avaricious overreaching of modern conquistadors on Wall Street and in the political arenapeople with enormous intelligence, talent and bravado who try to parley one success into another and then another, until their arrogant obliviousness to danger results in catastrophe.

When de Soto rode into Mabila with a small advance guard from his army, he was confident that he was in complete command of the situation, with the local chieftain, Tascalusa, in shackles, on a packhorse at his side. It never occurred to him that Tascalusa was luring him into a trap. Instead of enjoying a few days rest, the Spaniards would soon find themselves engaged in one of the bloodiest battles ever fought between American Indians and Europeans. The battle marked the beginning of the end of his remarkable string of triumphs as a conquistador.

BY THE TIME he set out to conquer La Florida de Soto had already achieved outsized success in the Spanish conquista of the New World. This gave him a potent sense of invincibility, while also spurring him on to ever-greater risks and, he assumed, more triumphs.

From the outset, he was driven by an insatiable ambition. Born in the bleak hills of Extremadura in western Spain, probably in 1500, as the son of an impoverished lesser noble, de Soto believed with utter certainty in his own superiority as a Spaniard, a Christian and a warrior. In part this came from Spains recent victory over the Islamic Moors after nearly eight centuries of warfare, a signal event that unleashed legions of young Spaniards eager to seek wealth and glory through the conquest of other infidels in the Americas. Leaving home at age 14, de Soto rose rapidly even as a teenager in Panama, Spains first mainland colony. By age 19 he was a capitan, having saved a Spanish squadron from ambush by mounting a surprise charge against a larger native army. Before long de Soto began to amass a personal fortune from his share of plunder and estates, and from trading slaves.

De Soto also mastered the conquista strategy of systematic ruthlessness to crush and subdue the natives he encountered. The 16th-century historian Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo chronicled the savage tendencies of the Spanish invaders as they fanned out in search of gold and silver as well as slaves to carry their booty and supplies. Oviedo called the early years of Panama under Governor Pedrarias Davila the monteria infernal, the monstrous hunting. He said the young de Soto had been instructed in the school of Pedrarias Davila in the dissipation and devastation of the Indians and was very occupied in the hunt to kill Indians. Time and again, de Soto gave locals he had subdued two choices: Surrender and provide his army with food and scores of servants to carry their gear or face annihilation. Those who surrendered, however, didnt fare much better than those who fought back. Enslaved servants typically died from mistreatment within a few weeks, and the settlements where they were seized were devastated by the loss of able-bodied young men and women and critical food stores as well as the execution or public humiliation of rulers and religious leaders.

Counterposed with de Sotos brutal treatment of Indians was his ability to command the loyalty of his soldiers. In his 20s he played an important role in the conquest of Nicaragua, where he became a wealthy landowner and the leader of a powerful faction of men in the fractious politics of that embryonic Spanish colony. In 1531 he joined Pizarros expeditionary force in Peru, bringing 100 of his own men from Nicaragua and serving as a strategist and captain of the vanguard in the Spanish conquest of the Incas. The loyalty of his men during the Peruvian campaign provided de Soto a strong base for his ambition as he maneuvered for political advantage over Pizarro and his brothers. This obviously caused friction during the invasion, although the Pizarros needed the headstrong young captain and his men to prevail.

In particular they depended on a tactic de Soto had perfected as a teenager in Panama that became devastatingly effective in Peru: speed and surprise. No one in the conquista had mastered the art of the quick and decisive thrust into the midst of an Indian band of warriors like de Soto. He did this countless times during the Inca campaign, leading a few dozen men on horseback far ahead of Pizarros main army to rush past Incan sentries and guards who were on footthe New World had no horses yetmoving so swiftly that the invaders could rush the headquarters of Inca generals and commanders and kill or capture them before their forces could be rallied.

Above all, de Sotos success as a conquistador was rooted in the same absolute belief in himself that he had brought with him from Spain. The best example of his towering self-confidence was the cunning manner in which he helped engineer the defeat of Inca Emperor Atahualpa. In 1532, de Soto and Pizarro led 168 Spaniards into the heart of an imperial army. They invited Atahualpa to dinner in the Andes resort town of Cajamarca, a walled city provided for the Spaniards by the Incas, and then captured the emperor in a surprise attack on his royal guard.

The Spanish held Atahualpa captive in Cajamarca for months while his subjects paid a ransom by filling a room once with gold and twice with silver. Pizarro then put the emperor to death, violating his agreement to free him once the ransom was paid, an act that de Soto opposed and that King Charles in Spain later condemned. Spearheaded by de Sotos daring thrusts forward, the expeditionary force subsequently launched a successful campaign to capture Cuzco, the Incan capital, which was taken with just a few hundred men. In 1536, when the Inca campaign was over and de Soto had a falling out with the Pizarros, he returned triumphant to Spain, needing nine ships to carry all his gold and silver. He was 36.

DE SOTOS FATAL WEAKNESS was that he was not content with his success. He had heard rumors of fabulous wealth and great cities in the territory of La Florida, wild stories told by formerly shipwrecked Spaniards and others. So he set out in 1539 on the quest that proved to be his ruin.

The stories of sophisticated inland cities in La Florida turned out to be true. The Indians de Soto encountered as he made his way north were collectively known as the Mississippians. Dominating river valleys from the Gulf of Mexico to the Carolinas and Illinois, they had established settlements with up to several thousand people, a size comparable to all but the largest cities in Europe at the time. Over several centuries the Mississippians had developed a civilization that included a complex religion; highly developed agriculture, artistry and building; trade routes as far away as the Aztec Empire in southern Mexico; and a hierarchy of rulers, priests, merchants and artisans.

Yet these Mississippian polities were no match for de Soto and his small army. Once they had plunged into the interior, the Spaniards consistently overwhelmed the bands of native warriors they encountered, winning as much with their shrewd tactics and bravado as with their advanced weaponry. One of de Sotos most successful gambits was to take powerful chieftains hostage to gain passage through hostile territory. But he underestimated the wiliness of one proud Mississippian king. Tascalusa knew de Soto was coming and had decided to fight. He may even have formed a loose alliance with nearby kingdoms to fight the Spaniards. He realized, however, that it would be suicidal to attack de Soto directly, so he devised a strategy of deceit and surprise.

The plan unfolded when de Soto arrived in Tascalusas capital of Atahachi in central Alabama. Expedition chroniclers describe the king as greeting the Spaniards from a balcony built into an earthen mound, surrounded by servants, including one who held a large, dyed deerskin parasol above the king that a witness described as looking like taffeta, the colors were so perfect. This same witness said that Tascalusa was greatly feared by his neighbors and vassals. Despite a peaceful welcome, de Soto seized the king as a guarantee that servants and supplies would be delivered to the army as promised at Mabila. He then took Tascalusa to Mabila with a vanguard force while the main Spanish army dawdled in the countryside. At one point during the march, scouts got word to de Soto that native warriors seemed to be massing at Mabila. He ignored the warning.

On October 18, 1540, de Soto and his advance group entered Mabila with Tascalusa for a morning of relaxation and revelry. A few hours later a long line of native servants arrived with the expeditions stash of weapons and equipment. Most of the army lingered behind.

That afternoon, the natives launched an ambush. Warriors hiding in wooden houses and other structures burst out and attacked de Soto and his group. Incredibly, most of the Spaniards survived and fought their way out of the town, where the alarm was sent out to the main army. As de Soto waited for his troops to come forward, the native servants broke free and carried the Spaniards extra weapons and gear into Mabila. Tascalusas men pulled apart de Sotos packs and triumphantly waved clothes and swords from the tops of their ramparts.

Once de Sotos main army was mustered, he attacked Mabila from four sides. For the rest of the day and into the night, his troops and the Indians fought a fierce battle. In the end the Spaniards prevailed by breaching the towns wood-and-daub walls and setting the buildings inside on fire. The conflagration killed hundreds of defenders, including Tascalusa.

IT WAS A PYRRHIC VICTORY. Some 25 Spaniards died and dozens were wounded, but more ruinous was the loss of the expeditions gearweapons, helmets, lances, saddles, tents and clothing, without which the armys effectiveness would be greatly diminished. The flames also consumed a stash of freshwater pearls the soldiers had seized in the Carolinas the only treasure they had discovered in La Florida. De Soto made things worse because of his stubborn unwillingness to connect with a Spanish fleet then at anchor in nearby Mobile Bay. More than a year earlier de Soto had ordered the captain of the fleet that conveyed them from Cuba to return to the mainland and meet the expedition off the coast of Alabama. A prudent leader would have rendezvoused with this fleet and gone back to the expeditions base in Cuba to spend the winter and returned in the spring with a fresh and reequipped army. But de Soto was just the oppositeproud and rash.

Mortified that he had little treasure to show for all his troubles since landing in La Florida, de Soto opted to bivouac near Mabila for the winter and then press on into the interior. He spent the next two years leading his increasingly desperate expedition across another 1,500 miles, marching west to the shore of the Mississippi River, which he crossed in the spring of 1541. De Soto then pushed his army on to the eastern edge of the Great Plains. When he realized that hed left Mississippian territory, where he thought he was most likely to find gold, he doubled back to the Mississippi River. Along the way he fought a battle with a kingdom called the Chicasa in western Mississippi and suffered through another fire that burned what remained of his armys gear.

By April the next year, the expedition was encamped on the Mississippi River just south of the Arkansas River confluence. De Soto was seriously ill with fever and faced another powerful coalition of Mississippians massing to attack from land and from large war canoes on the river. Though he was near death and his army was in tatters, de Soto had lost none of his arrogance. He demanded that the natives surrender, declaring himself a godthe son of the sun. The local chieftain reacted with disdain, challenging de Soto to dry up the great river. But de Sotos worsening condition prevented any response; he died soon after, on May 21. His men stuffed his body into a hollow tree and secretly dumped it in the river so the Indians wouldnt know that the supposed god had perished.

After another year of fighting and privation, 311 survivors of de Sotos army built seven medium-sized sailing vessels to make their way down the Mississippi and into the Gulf of Mexico. Finally reaching northern Mexico in September 1543, they stunned residents of a small Spanish settlement when they revealed that they were members of an expedition everyone had given up for lost.

De Sotos obsessive desire to achieve ever more victories, and his quixotic quest for more gold, had not only doomed his expedition but also played a role in the apocalyptic collapse of the Mississippian culture. De Sotos brutal tactics, including the murder or emasculation of leaders with the knowledge and authority to maintain the culture, added to the chaos in kingdoms that in the following decades were decimated by disease and probably famine. Exactly how the cultural apocalypse unfolded remains largely a mystery, because the Mississippians had no written language. However, by the time British and French settlers arrived more than a century later, descendants of these once proud kingdoms had abandoned their towns and farmland as well as the great earthen mounds that had been built in the South and upper Midwest for religious ceremonies and housing for the elites. These scattered peoples could only conjure dim memories of their illustrious past.

David Ewing Duncan is the author of Hernando de Soto: A Savage Quest in the Americas.

Originally published in the April 2013 issue of American History. To subscribe, click here.
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Pandora was early to the online music business, introducing a free internet radio service just a few years after Apple started iTunes and enjoying a successful debut as a public company.

It was nice while it lasted.

Any first-mover advantage Pandora once had has long since dwindled, as rivals including Spotify and Apple Music have become the dominant forces in an industry where consumer habits change faster than the Billboard charts.

Now, in a bid to buy time, Pandora has found a partner that can give it some much-needed cash - and, perhaps down the line, become its new owner.

In taking a $480 million investment from Sirius XM, the satellite radio provider, Pandora has secured a crucial infusion of money it needs to cover basic expenses. And the deal has allowed Sirius XM - controlled by the shrewd media mogul John Malone - to become the leading candidate to one day buy Pandora outright.

"With this investment, we have the backing of one of the media industry's most successful investors and significant capital to accelerate growth," Tim Leiweke, a Pandora director, said in a statement.

Or, as Mark Mulligan, a music technology analyst with Midia Research, put it: "This gives Pandora a fighting chance of making a proper go at competing."

The investment is the latest deal to shake up online music streaming, an industry that is increasingly popular with entrepreneurs and investors but has proved to be a financial sinkhole.

Pandora lost $343 million last year, nearly triple what it lost in 2015. And its active monthly listener base shrank to a two-year low in this year's first quarter, to 76.7 million.

Spotify, which lets users listen to specific tracks on demand - in addition to themed stations, like Pandora's - has raised billions of dollars and is preparing for an unconventional listing on the New York Stock Exchange this year.

Tidal, a similar streaming service purchased by Jay Z, sold a stake to Sprint this year as it continued to hemorrhage cash.

Amazon, Apple and Google also have streaming music offerings, and all face the same fundamental challenge: Paying for music rights and marketing has proved an expensive proposition.

Pandora was particularly slow to adapt.

In recent years, the success of Spotify and Apple Music made it clear that on-demand services that let customers pick virtually any song to listen to at any time would lure customers away from Pandora's internet radio offering.

Its radio business is supported by advertising that generated a respectable $1 billion in revenue last year.

"Pandora's done something sensible," Mulligan said, "but sensible doesn't always get enough credit."

Internet radio ads, however, are not enough to compete with the likes of Apple and Spotify.

This year, Pandora rolled out Pandora Premium, a $10-a-month product that largely matches what its competitors offer.

Too little, too late, analysts said, suggesting that the expense of the new product would weigh down a company that has never reported an annual profit.

Enter Sirius XM.

The investment came as little surprise to Wall Street.

The deal announced on Friday includes an agreement for the two companies to work together on internet streaming on mobile devices and in cars. It also gives Sirius XM an edge in any possible takeover of Pandora, with the satellite radio provider taking not only a 19 percent stake but also three board seats, including chairman.

All that gives it a formidable advantage over any other potential rival who would seek to buy Pandora, although Sirius XM agreed not to make any such move for 18 months.

For Sirius XM - part of the constellation of companies controlled by Liberty Media - the new stake in Pandora will give it an important toehold in a number of businesses, including ad-supported radio and particularly internet radio. Despite Sirius XM's traditional strength in cars, its new partner has an attractive presence in the wider world of internet and mobile music outside cars.

Although Pandora was one of the first to let customers legally stream music online, it has grappled with a host of challenges. Among them has been battling with music labels over the royalties it pays each time it plays a song.

The agreement on Friday means Sirius XM will replace KKR, the giant investment firm, as Pandora's major backer. Just last month, KKR agreed to invest $150 million in the internet radio service.

Pandora will be penalized for swapping partners so quickly: As part of Friday's series of deals, it agreed to pay KKR a $22.5 million termination fee for what amounts to a month of work.
Let's say it's Friday night, 11:30 p.m. You stayed in to Netflix and Chill with Bae. But then you bolt upright in bed, wide awake, thinking: Exactly what kind of tax abatements did my city give out to attract that out-of-state manufacturing company, anyway?

Also, how many jobs will my tax dollars get out of the deal, and what's the average salary for those new jobs?

Darn it, now there will be no sleeping for hours.

We should all be sleepless if we can't figure out which private companies enjoy our public subsidies, because the opportunity for mischief is too great.

If you live in San Antonio or Houston, you need to wait weeks, at least, to get answers to your subsidy question - if you even know how to request them, which you probably don't.

If you live in Austin, however, you'd have answers on your laptop by approximately 11:34 p.m. through its online searchable database. Then you can fall right back to sleep.

In March 2017, a think tank named Good Jobs First published an excellent report titled "Show Us the Local Subsidies," grading the country's 50 largest cities on the quality of their economic development program disclosures for subsidies like tax abatements. Meaning, if somebody wants to know which private companies received city or county tax breaks or investments, this report described how a citizen could, or could not, access that information on the web. The report included the largest Texas cities and counties, and the results were quite mixed.

Austin scored 95 and 90 points out of 100 for two of its programs, best in class. Fort Worth earned an underwhelming 50 and 55, Houston scored a middling 45 and Dallas County a 30. Other Texas governments scored zeros for web-based disclosure - include the city of San Antonio and Bexar County (San Antonio), city of Dallas, city of El Paso, Harris County (Houston) and Tarrant County (Fort Worth).

To be clear, these scores do not indicate anything about the effectiveness of their economic development subsidies, but rather how easy it is for someone to get data online on the economic development deals cut by governments for private companies.

Scoring zero means that specific information about tax abatements for private companies is not available, at all, on the web. For the purposes of the Good Jobs First report, a perfect score requires not only that information be online, but that it be conveniently searchable through a database, including the value and type of subsidy, the private recipient's name, the date of the subsidy, and the estimated number of jobs to be affected, including average expected salaries. In addition, a perfect score would require multiple years of data for comparative purposes.

David Marquez, executive director of economic development for Bexar County, takes exception with the report's characterization of his program as not transparent. He points out that his office is in the habit of sending a spreadsheet of information whenever a reporter requests it.

"It's the accessibility, not so much the transparency," Marquez says. "It's clearly not hidden. That's not the case. There's a nuance there."

Gwen Tillotson, deputy director of economic development for the city of Houston, notes that all tax abatements awarded under a program called Chapter 380 agreements are posted online in PDF format, usually between 40 and 70 pages of text. In addition, she notes, public meetings notes are posted on a separate website, but "if somebody wanted to go deeper, people could contact us, and we could help them." Her office also told me that once a year they send a report to the Houston Chronicle on all the subsidies the awarded throughout the year.

Rene Dominguez, director of economic development for the city of San Antonio, also assured me that once a year his office sends a spreadsheet of his office's transactions to the San Antonio Express-News. His office also responds to requests from the public, as needed.

Reasonable people might disagree over the effectiveness of economic subsidies awarded to private companies, like whether Amazon really needed an estimate $1.8 million in tax relief to build a warehouse fulfillment center near Houston or whether CST Brands really needed $1.5 million to keep its headquarters in San Antonio - only to sell two years later to a Canadian company.

I'm not arguing - for the moment - about their effectiveness. But as citizens, we all need to be able to find this information easily in the first place, with or without a newspaper writing a story about the deal.

What has worked as a minimum standard of public disclosure in past years, however, is shifting.

Aiding the positive trend toward transparency, this year - for the first time  the Government Accounting Standard Board Rule 77 (GASB 77 for you cool kids) requires cities and counties to disclose the total amount of subsidies and tax abatements awarded to private companies for economic development. Although disclosure is voluntary and does not name individual beneficiaries, nor does it need to be detailed beyond a single total number, a failure to disclose could affect pesky things like bonds ratings and official annual financial audits.

The State of Texas, through Comptroller Glenn Hegar, instituted a "Transparency Stars" program last year to encourage best practices in local government financial reporting, specifically including economic development programs.

The comptroller's criteria for a star closely resemble Good Jobs First's requirements, including disclosure of data over multiple years, and data visualization. Local governments may apply to the comptroller's office for a review and eligibility for a star. So far five cities in Texas have earned a star in economic development.

Says San Antonio's Dominguez: "I think we as a city strive to be a leader in transparency. Transparency in economic development has become a critical issue, GASB 77 is a clear example of that, and we're going to provide additional disclosures. That's meant to increase transparency."

Although all of the officials I spoke with expressed a sympathetic interest in greater disclosure, a zero score for both San Antonio and Bexar, or even a 45 out of 100 for Houston, is not a good look.

I'm throwing down the gauntlet now because I hope to call everyone back in 2018 to congratulate them that they all scored at the top of next year's Good Jobs First report.
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Moored off the port of Rotterdam, Netherlands, Pioneering Spirit looms so large that it is difficult to recognize as a ship. The crew of 450 is dwarfed by the cranes and pipes that dominate the sprawling layers of decks.

For decades, Edward Heerema, head of Allseas, the Swiss-based energy services company, dreamed of building a giant vessel to install oil platforms offshore. But the Pioneering Spirit has found another purpose: dismantling oil fields in the British North Sea.

With oil prices dropping sharply in the last two years, Heerema said he was now just focused on finding enough work to meet his payroll.

"I can't say how long it will take to pay for itself. Maybe 10 years, maybe 30 years," he said of the ship.

The British North Sea was once a crucial source of oil for the world. At its peak in 1999, it produced about 2.9 million barrels of oil a day, more than Kuwait or Iraq at the time.

Since then, production has generally been in a long slide as oil fields discovered decades ago are exhausted and high costs discourage new exploration. Its diminishing fortunes have been cemented by the rise of renewables and the push for cleaner alternatives to oil.

"It is one of those signs that we may be at a tipping point," said Anthony Hobley, chief executive of Carbon Tracker, a nonprofit group that studies the investment risks of the shifting energy landscape. "We may well be at that critical point in history where people will say that this is the point where the oil industry reached its peak and began to decline."

This spring, the Pioneering Spirit headed to the Brent field in the North Sea, a major oil and gas trove named after the Brent goose. The field helped define the business, giving its name to Brent crude, the global price benchmark for oil.

After 40 years of production, the field is nearly pumped out. And a group of four platforms in the field - giant rigs that stand around 1,000 feet tall and weigh a combined million tons - are gradually being shut down.

This spring, the Pioneering Spirit transported one platform to its final resting place, a shipyard in Hartlepool in northeast England where it is being dismantled and sold for scrap. An industry in itself, this so-called decommissioning process creates jobs and profits along the journey.

Discovered in 1971, the Brent field was one of several major finds that turned the North Sea into a world-class oil region. Companies like Royal Dutch Shell, which operates the Brent field, and Exxon Mobil, its co-owner, focused their investments in the West, after a wave of nationalization in the Middle East and elsewhere.

The North Sea is a vast operation, with more than 300 fields scattered across 95,000 square miles. Shell built four giant platforms in the Brent field, called Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta, capable of withstanding giant waves and hostile weather.

Shell must safely dismantle these monsters and plug more than 100 wells below them. The company estimates that the process will last a decade and cost billions of dollars, some paid by British taxpayers.

Such exercises will be increasingly common in the North Sea and other oil regions. Around 100 platforms are expected to be dismantled in British waters over the next decade.

Shell figures that hiring Pioneering Spirit to cart the platforms to shore where they can be dismantled is cheaper and safer than busting them up at sea.

"The biggest risk is putting people on helicopters," said Alistair Hope, Shell's project director, referring to the usual means of transportation to offshore platforms.

Delta, the first platform to be taken apart, consists of what is known as a topside, a kind of offshore petroleum factory and hotel with accommodation for more than 160 people. The platform rests on concrete legs that weigh a combined 300,000 tons.

In late April, Pioneering Spirit lifted the ungainly structure off the legs and carried it off like a spider grasping prey. Shell wants to leave the concrete stumps, which contain some oil, in place at sea, saying they pose minimal risk to shipping routes and have less chance of polluting the environment that way.

Once Brent Delta reached the port in Hartlepool, the platform became the property of Able UK.

In the mid-1990s, Peter Stephenson, Able's owner, bought an old shipyard, capitalizing on the industrial area's decline. When the financial crisis struck, he took advantage of cheap steel prices to invest 28 million British pounds in facilities, like a reinforced dock to bear the weight of the platform.

As Able workers break apart the rig, Shell will continue to watch over the process, to make sure that hazardous or polluting material like asbestos or small amounts of remaining oil are handled properly.

Workers will strip off anything valuable, like brass valves or other metal equipment. Larger pieces will gradually be cut loose and brought to the ground. They will most likely be sold to steel mills, which melt scrap to make new metal.

Stephenson, 70, has squeezed a fortune of an estimated 430 million pounds out of unwanted properties over the last six decades. At 19, he started out buying a broken front loader, a machine for scooping dirt into trucks - then fixing it and hiring it out. He later moved into demolition.

In recent years, Able has dismantled ships for the U.S. Navy, as well as the French aircraft carrier Clemenceau. He recently began buying idled coal-fired power plants, breaking them up and redeveloping their sites.

Stephenson sees value in everything.

He has turned the living quarters of a scrapped BP offshore platform into a makeshift motel and office for workers of drilling rigs that come into the yard for maintenance. A helicopter deck is being cut up for bridging material.

The future of energy is represented, too. A torpedo-shaped device discarded by General Electric was a prototype for a machine that generates electricity from ocean waves.
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LAHORE, Pakistan - For a Pakistani Christian like Shameela Masih, divorcing her abusive husband meant two choices - both nearly as bad as staying in the marriage.

"I have to prove adultery allegations against him," said Masih, a 34-year-old mother of two. "The other option I have is to convert to Islam."

Masih recently filed for divorce from a husband she said "frequently beats me up" and a mother-in-law who she said burned her leg with coal.

But under the majority-Muslim country's laws, she must produce a witness who would testify to committing adultery with her husband. As a result, she's now reluctantly planning to renounce her faith.

"Converting is the easiest way out," she said. "My family tells me that they will disown me as a Muslim, but I don't have a choice."

Masih is one of thousands of Christians in Pakistan who have converted to Islam to divorce their spouses under laws stemming from the British colonial period, when traditional morals held sway.

Now Pakistani officials are considering revising the law to make it easier for couples to part ways.

"There are so many things in the existing 19th-century Christian Marriage Act that need to be revised and updated to stop the exploitation of people and protect the human rights," said Kamran Michael, the federal minister for human rights who is spearheading the drive for the legislation.

The law grants divorces to Christian couples on four grounds: adultery, conversion, marriage to another or cruelty. But proving adultery or cruelty is tough, especially in Pakistan, where adultery is a crime, and the stigma against domestic violence is weak in many parts of the country. Christians comprise less than 2 percent of Pakistan's population of 189 million.

Muslims, on the other hand, can easily obtain a divorce for a variety of reasons, including irreconcilable differences.

Formerly, Pakistan's laws on divorce mirrored those in Britain. But in the early 1980s, then-military dictator Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq restored older laws from the colonial period that applied to Christians divorcing. For Muslims, he left revised laws from the 1960s intact.

"The current law on Christian divorce undermines the dignity of women," said Fauzia Viqar, who chairs the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women. "Many Christian women are left in marriages where they are suffering cruelty by husbands without any relief from the state."

The law also puts needless stress on couples, said would-be divorcees.

"I want to divorce my wife amicably without charging her of adultery," said Emanuel Anthony, 29, a Christian street vendor in Lahore who has been married for five years. "She is the mother of my child. Why should I assassinate her character in public?"

His wife, Nabila, agreed.

"We have been separated for a year now. There is an understanding between us that we are not compatible and want different things from life," said the 25-year-old Christian who teaches mathematics at a Catholic school. "I don't understand what the issue is, and why a law should govern my right to divorce."

Slated to be unveiled in Parliament in the coming weeks, the new law would expand the grounds for divorce and separate it from the Christian religion. Couples would be able to marry by registering with the government and then solemnizing their nuptials in the church if they so choose, said human rights ministry officials.

"Pakistani Christian couples would be able to divorce amicably without hurtling adultery accusations or converting to another religion," said Haroon Sulaiman, a family lawyer in Lahore. "This will give the persecuted minority some relief."

The Catholic Church opposed the changes.

"Marriage is a lifelong and indissoluble union for better or for worse in Christianity - you cannot just amend the laws of God," said Catholic Bishop James Mathew. "Marriage is a sacrament, not a contract. This change is to defame our religion. Supporting the changes is like going against the Bible."

Masih said Christian leaders like Mathew can overlook her and other women because they weren't married.

"No one cares about us, we are left at the mercy of the Muslims and Christians alike," she said. "Once in power, they don't do anything for us. The Christian leaders are more worried about church politics instead of helping poor people like us."
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A Montgomery County grand jury indicted three men accused of robbing the Pappa's Bar-B-Q in Oak Ridge North in March on three robbery charges apiece Thursday.

Cameron Cordell Moore, 18, of Houston, Xavier Shquer Flowers, 18, of Houston, and Patrick Jacorkey Wilson, 18, of Tomball, face first-degree felony counts of aggravated robbery for their alleged involvement in the brazen dinnertime robbery. Oak Ridge North police detectives claim the three entered the Pappas Bar-B-Q restaurant in the 27700 block of Interstate 45 North shortly after 8 p.m. March 15 and held up customers and staff.

One of them went table to table demanding wallets, purses and cell phones, while the other two robbed restaurant staff, Oak Ridge North Police Chief Andrew Walters said in an interview shortly after the robbery.

"They pretty much seized the store," Walters previously said. "They robbed the store and they started to rob each individual customer."

One of the robbers pointed a gun at children in the restaurant, Walters said, while making small talk with others as he was robbing them.

"They were asking them, 'Are you having a nice day?' or 'How's your day going?' and stuff like that," Walters said.

As the robbery was going on, an off-duty Harris County jailer and his significant other were able to slip out the restaurant's back door and dial 911. The jailer strapped on a bulletproof vest and armed himself as he watched for the robbers to exit the building.

When they rushed out of the restaurant, the jailer wound up running alongside them toward Woodson Road. The suspects allegedly shot at two cars that were driving in the area during their escape, Walters said, which is what could lead to additional charges.

They allegedly made off with only $3,000 in cash, Wilson said.

Each faces up to life in prison, if convicted.

Montgomery County grand jury indictments for June 6:

Juan Salome Ventura, DWI  third or more

Charlotte Rebecca Elder, possession of controlled substance

Jesse Allen Davis, unauthorized use of motor vehicle and theft

Jose Ramon Guzman, evading arrest detention

Amanda Eggert, possession of controlled substance

Don Sterling True, DWI  third or more

Richard Lynn Sterling Sr., theft

Matthew James Hudgens, DWI  with a child

Suzanne Miller Matthews, possession of controlled substance

Darryl Sowell, possession with intent to deliver/manufacture controlled substance

Krista Kae Fuller, theft

Matthew Eric Borkowski, burglary of building and aggregate theft

Dylan Ray White, assault family strangulation

John Carlton Riley, repeated violation of court order/condition

James Bruce Beams, failure to report change of address

Andrew Lee Sadler, forgery

Christopher Lemann Hines, DWI  third or more

Jeremy James Knutson, assault family strangulation

Lukasz Henryk Zylik, possession of controlled substance

William Rodgers Jordan, DWI  third or more

Delvanair Deshaun Wright, manufacture or possession with intent to deliver controlled substance

Nicholas Anthony Jarvis, tampering with physical evidence and possession of controlled substance

Kimberly Ann Rodriguez, possession of controlled substance

Daniel Kelly Moses, possession of controlled substance

Robert Allen Owens, possession of controlled substance

Amy Ellen Mason, possession of controlled substance

Tina Chantil Cole, DWI  third or more

Christopher Lee Guzman, failture to report change of address

Eduardo Jesus Teran, injury to a child
When he closes his eyes, Brian Talbert can see each detail of the float he had planned to build.

It was going to be 27 feet long, have "a bunch of American flags," a replica of the Statue of Liberty, "female impersonators" and the "most patriotic music anyone has ever heard."

The design would be so powerful, Talbert said, that nobody at the 2017 Charlotte Pride Parade would ever forget it.

"You were going to look at this float and be filled with pride for being an American," Talbert told The Washington Post.

Now it appears that Talbert - a fervent and openly gay supporter of President Donald Trump and a member of a group called Deplorable Pride - will not get to ride his float through downtown Charlotte in August. Charlotte Pride, one of the largest pride organizations in the southeastern United States, has rejected Deplorable Pride's float application three weeks after the group submitted it, Talbert claims.

Talbert said that his application was denied because he's an outspoken Trump supporter and that Charlotte Pride accused him of being "anti-gay," a charge he forcefully rejects.

"I can't wrap my head around that," said Talbert, who has a Trump-Pence bumper sticker on his truck. "I'm gay, I'm proud, I'm open and I'm Republican. I don't see how I was going to be anti-gay anything because that would be anti-me."

"I'll defend any gay person from anyone who wants to discriminate against them because I fight for acceptance and gay rights," he added.

Talbert said he plans to file a lawsuit against Charlotte Pride accusing the group of discrimination. He started a GoFundMe page this week to collect money for potential legal fees. In a single day, the page has raised more than $4,000 of its $100,000 goal.

Deplorable Pride labels itself "a movement" within the LGBT community that supported Trump's presidential campaign.

Reached by email, Charlotte Pride released a statement saying the organization "reserves the right to decline participation" at events to groups that do not reflect the mission and values of the organization.

The statement said that policy is acknowledged in its parade rules and regulations, and noted that in the past, organizers have made "similar decisions" to decline participation from "other organizations espousing anti-LGBTQ religious or public policy stances."

"Charlotte Pride envisions a world in which LGBTQ people are affirmed, respected, and included in the full social and civic life of their local communities, free from fear of any discrimination, rejection, and prejudice," the statement added.

Charlotte pride did not respond to The Washington Post's request to clarify its decision and explain whether Talbert's application violated the organization's mission. The group's website said its annual festival attracts as many as 100,000 visitors.

The best-known conservative gay group remains the Log Cabin Republicans, which was formed in the late 1970s, according to the group's website.

"The name of the organization is a reference to the first Republican President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, who was born in a Log Cabin," the site says. "President Lincoln built the Republican Party on the principles of liberty and equality."

The Trump administration began removing LGBT information from WhiteHouse.gov shortly after Trump took office, according to The Washington Post's Colby Itkowitz. The Trump administration has not acknowledged June as gay pride month, Newsweek reported.

Pride month commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City, a pivotal moment seen by many in the gay community as the beginning of the gay rights movement.

Talbert - a 47-year-old North Carolina native - said he was one of about 50 people who attended the first pride parade in Charlotte in 1994. He recalled that Christian demonstrators threw rocks and bottles at the marchers and that someone spit in his face. More than two decades later, he said, the discrimination continues - but this time it's being directed at him by the gay community.

Talbert said he feels betrayed because it shouldn't matter who you vote for.

"I want them to realize that they're doing the exact same thing they say bigoted people are doing to them - they're the oppressors now," he said. "It's disgusting, and every gay person in America should feel ashamed."
Clarification: A story published June 9 about school funding legislation before the Legislature in Austin did not provide a complete description of the actions taken by the House and the Senate. HB 21 was originally proposed to pump about $1.6 billion into public education statewide and reduce the amount that some districts owed in recapture fees while helping with transportation costs, among other things. The House initially passed the bill and sent it to the Senate. But, as the session was ending, the House refused to go along with the bill after senators made major alterations and added a provision that would have provided school vouchers for special education. The House then voted to negotiate a final version of the bill with the Senate, but Senate leaders declared the bill "dead," leaving school finance reform unresolved. The story has now been corrected.

School districts across the state are grimacing as Gov. Greg Abbott's special session agenda is expected to include several last-minute mandates that could squeeze their already tight budgets.

The biggest ticket item is Abbott's call to require school districts to come up with $1,000 annual raises for teachers in the 2018-19 academic year. He's also proposing limiting how much school systems can collect in local property taxes.

The special session doesn't even begin until July 18, leaving administrators who were poised to approve budgets this month unsure of how to proceed.

"It's impossible for me to run a model" of what this year's budget could actually end up being, said Glenn Reed, Houston ISD's general manager of budgeting and financial planning. "There were so many scenarios, that building this budget was any man's guess."

More Information By the numbers $1,000: Raise Gov. Greg Abbott is pushing school districts give to teachers. Up to $137 million: "Recapture" payment Houston ISD must make in new school year. $26.4 million: Amount several small area districts could lose if subsidy is eliminated. See More Collapse

Houston ISD's payment of up to $137 million in so-called "recapture" to subsidize less property-wealthy districts in combination with the potential unfunded mandates have put Reed in what he characterized as the most difficult budgeting process of his 18-year career in the state's largest school district. Because Houston ISD's budget must be approved by June 30, extra expenses tacked on by the Legislature next month will have to be presented to the school board later in the year in the form of budget amendments. These could cost the district millions more.

Another move - eliminating a decade-old subsidy to districts who were forced to slash property taxes in 2006 - would cut $26.4 million from the budgets of several small Houston-area districts, including Sheldon, Texas City and Barbers Hill ISDs.

"We're already in a bind," said Abraham George, chief financial officer for Sheldon ISD. "Any additional requirements from the state will put us into the fund balance."

The special session won't address two of the biggest wishes of school districts: Providing more money and changing the state's unpopular school finance formula. Instead, Abbott charged lawmakers with forming a committee to study overhauling Texas' school funding system, appearing to hold off on concrete changes until at least the 2019 legislative session.

Wants voucher program

Abbott, however, wants lawmakers to consider a school voucher program for students with special needs, which won approval in the Texas Senate but didn't make it out of the House. The Senate pines for a program that would let the state deposit money into education savings accounts, which parents with special-needs children could use to subsidize tuition to attend private schools. Lawmakers originally wanted a program that applied to all 5.3 million public school students, but eventually narrowed the plan to serve children with special needs, writing it into House Bill 21.

HB 21 was originally proposed to pump about $1.6 billion into public education statewide and reduce the amount that some districts owed in recapture fees while helping with transportation costs, among other things.

The House initially passed the bill and sent it to the Senate. But, as the session was ending, the House refused to go along with the bill after senators made major alterations and added the special education vouchers. The House then voted to negotiate a final version of the bill with the Senate, but Senate leaders declared the bill "dead," leaving school finance reform unresolved.

But the House refused to vote on the bill after senators added the special education vouchers, leaving school finance reform in the lurch.

Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friends-wood, who championed special education vouchers, said allowing a small number of parents to chose whether to send their children to private schools with some state money should not have derailed long-awaited changes to school funding.

"When people realize that money's not coming, they may be willing to put up with a small number of parents having the opportunity to chose for their child," Taylor said Tuesday.

Legislators will also discuss changing the way, or the rate at which, local government entities collect property taxes. The governor and other conservative lawmakers have bemoaned rising local property taxes that they say have forced homeowners to shoulder too much of a burden in paying for local services.

They propose that tax increases be approved by voters before they are implemented and hinted at proposals that would cap how much individual homeowners can be taxed locally.

More than 200 Texas districts, including Sheldon and Texas City ISDs, that currently receive help from a special pot of money called the Additional State Aid for Tax Reduction program will take an extra hit. The money was added in 2006 to supplement districts that took a hit when the Legislature cut property taxes rates. The funds are scheduled to dry up this year, and without legislative intervention, could end entirely.

Likened to broken promise

In Texas City ISD, which serves about 6,400 racially and economically diverse students between Houston and Galveston, officials are preparing to lose 14 percent of the district's budget when the funding evaporates.

Officials there may eliminate some bus routes and worry that cuts could lead to overcrowded classrooms. The district this year could prevent layoffs by dipping into its fund balance, but it may have to leave some positions unfilled.

Texas City ISD Superintendent Cynthia Lusignolo equated the lack of that funding to a broken promise. She said the district is already taxing local properties at the maximum allowable rate to make ends meet.

"Texas City ISD is in this situation through no fault of our own," Lusignolo said. "Our local taxpayers are doing everything that can possibly be done at the local level to fund and protect the quality educational programs provided to students."

Without state intervention, she said, her students will suffer. So too will those in Sheldon ISD, George said.

The northeast Houston district is preparing to lose about $7 million when the fund is eliminated. George aims to keep instruction at its current level without dipping into the district's rainy day fund. The district already had to draw on some reserve funds a few years ago when an expected surge in student enrollment never materialized. Instead of exhausting its reserves, the district plans to cut back on administrative positions, salary raises and supplies.

"I'm hoping that it won't do more damage than what's already been done, what we're facing already," he said. "If there are more requirements financially for districts, we'll have to figure out something else. It's going to put more hardship on the district."

Andrea Zelinski contributed to this report.
KERRVILLE - The family of two girls who died Thursday after intentionally being left in an SUV for 15 hours, according to authorities, had been investigated by the state's Child Protective Services last year.

Mary Walker, CPS spokeswoman, confirmed the agency investigated Amanda and Isaac Hawkins in September but said she couldn't discuss any details or the outcome of that investigation.

Amanda Hawkins, 19, was arrested and charged with child endangerment Thursday in connection with the deaths of her two daughters, 1-year-old Brynn Hawkins and 2-year-old Addyson Overgard-Eddy. Isaac, estranged from Amanda, is Brynn's father.

"This is by far the most horrific case of child endangerment that I have seen in the 37 years that I have been in law enforcement," Kerr County Sheriff Rusty Hierholzer said in a news release Friday announcing Amanda Hawkins' arrest.

District Attorney Lucy Wilke said additional charges could be forthcoming after she reviews the case.

Mom visited friends

Hierholzer said the investigation began after Amanda Hawkins arrived with the girls "in grave condition" at Peterson Regional Medical Center about 1 p.m. Wednesday, saying they had collapsed during an outing at Flat Rock Park.

The girls were then transferred Thursday to University Hospital, where they died at 5 p.m. Thursday. Autopsies have been ordered.

Investigators determined that the girls had been intentionally left overnight in their mother's SUV starting at about 9 p.m. Tuesday while she visited friends inside the residence, the news release stated. Isaac Hawkins wasn't present, officials said.

Around noon Wednesday, the two girls were discovered unconscious in the vehicle, the release continued, and "the mother attempted to (bathe) them and did not immediately want to take the girls to the hospital because she did not want to get into trouble."

The windows of the SUV were partially down some of the time the children were in the vehicle, Hierholzer said. The temperature dipped to about 60 degrees overnight before climbing to about 85 degrees at noon Wednesday, according to online weather data. But the humidity topped out at 96 percent, meaning 85 degrees could have felt like 105 degrees, according to a heat index chart.

Hawkins was arrested in San Antonio and was being held in Bexar County on $70,000 bail on two charges of abandoning or endangering a child. She was still awaiting transfer to Kerr County late Friday.

The joint investigation by deputies and Kerrville police is continuing and Hierholzer did not rule out others being charged in connection with the deaths.

'Bewildered, confused'

The girls' deaths upset family and residents across the region.

Amanda Hawkins' mother, Alisha Eddy of Kerrville, was sobbing so hard she could barely speak during a brief phone conversation Friday.

"I had the two most beautiful grandbabies," Eddy cried. "I don't agree with what happened  but I love my daughter. I'm there for my daughter."

She then passed the phone to a woman who identified herself only as an aunt, who said, "We're just bewildered and confused."

Texas leads the nation in children dying from overheating in vehicles, with at least 112 fatalities from 1991-2016, according to KidsAndCars.org.

Eleven children died of heat stroke this year nationwide from being left in cars, not counting those in recent days, according to noheatstroke.org, which tallied 39 deaths nationwide last year.

Neither Isaac Hawkins nor Austin J. Overgard, the father of Addyson R. Overgard-Eddy could be reached for comment.
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Fourteen-year-old Jennifer Lee Willis first disappeared after she was punished for talking to strangers in an online chat room.

Her family filed a missing persons report with the Houston Police Department, noting she "never returned after school" on April 18. They found her, alive and well, the next day in their Hiram Clarke neighborhood.

Then, in May, she vanished again. Now, a month later, she still hasn't come back home.

The constant worry and lost sleep has emotionally drained family members, but they cling to their faith and pray for her safe return.

"Until Jennifer is back in here, life is at a standstill," her father, Lee Allen Willis, said recently. "You try to be productive, but you just get by."

The Willis family is not alone in their vigil. Two-thirds of the 566 lost and missing people reported to HPD in April were children, according to a Chronicle review of missing persons reports. The month's cases included 157 missing juveniles, 231 runaway minors and 178 missing adults.

They included a boy who slipped away from a Child Protective Services caseworker by saying he needed to go the bathroom, girls who left with their boyfriends, kids skipping school and one boy who allegedly stole his father's pistol as he left.

More for you Families turn out for help finding their missing loved ones

'Cat-and-mouse game'

"When they run away, it's a little more difficult because you're playing a cat-and-mouse game," said Senior Police Officer Darrin Buse. "With the amount we get, it's very time-consuming."

More Information How to report a missing person To report a missing person in Houston, call the Houston Police Department at 832-394-1840. Police say parents do not need to wait 24 hours before reporting a missing child. Be prepared to provide a photo and any other documentation that could be helpful. See More Collapse

Many of those children were located in short order, though Houston police don't maintain an active list of individual cases.

Some never return home, lost to the streets. Others end up in the morgue.

The thousands of lost and missing people in the Houston area - and the dozens of unidentified bodies at the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences morgue - persuaded officials two years ago to reach out to the community.

"Missing in Harris County Day" was founded in 2015 to help relatives connect with resources and organizations that could help them locate a loved one.

The public event, in its third year, is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Houston Food Bank Conference Center, 535 Portwall. The program includes resources for people with missing children and for potentially abducted or exploited relatives, as well as guidance for keeping those with dementia safe.

Relatives are asked to bring photos of the missing person, two close family members from the mother's side for voluntary DNA submissions and any relevant documents, including dental records, X-rays or police reports. Families are encouraged to wear memorial shirts or buttons or bring posters that celebrate the missing person.

The program has resulted so far in the identification of 12 people who died and the location of one living person, according to an institute spokeswoman.

Among those identified was Nidia Rodriguez, the 24-year-old mother of a young son who disappeared on New Year's Eve 2014. Her relatives attended the Missing in Harris County Day in April 2015 and submitted DNA samples.

Through a DNA profile obtained from the University of North Texas' Center for Human Identification last year, investigators were able to link the family samples to the unidentified remains of a young woman discovered in north Houston in August 2015.

The family DNA samples solved the case.

DNA from a second family in 2015 resolved the cold case of Reuben Hernandez, a father in his 30s who disappeared in the 1990s. He had been buried without identification and was exhumed to confirm his identity.

Mosaic of clues

Of the hundreds of unidentified bodies found in Harris County since the 1950s, dozens of open cases remain, according to forensic anthropologist Sharon Derrick, who leads identification efforts at the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences and was among the founders of Missing in Harris County Day.

One particularly intriguing cold case is the body of a teen recovered off Walters Road in north Houston in 2012.

Derrick created a profile based on the remains, which were found in a black garbage bag. The girl was petite, between 4-foot-7 and 5-foot-3. She could have been as young as 14 or as old as 17.

She is believed to be from mixed black and white ancestry but also could be Hispanic. Her clothing included a blue-green Smurfette shirt, a black push-up bra and pink thong panties. The teen had wavy hair dyed deep brown with purple streaks.

Her cause of death could not be determined.

"She was dressed in some relatively adult undergarments, which makes me think about trafficking," Derrick said.

The teen also had dental care at one time, evidenced by tiny molar fillings, but her teeth had begun rotting from unaddressed cavities. The mosaic of clues leads Derrick to believe the teen "was being used in some way."

Today, the young woman would be 19 to 22.

Two high-profile cases this year have drawn attention to missing teens.

In mid-February, the body of a young girl was found dumped on a southwest Houston curb, dead from multiple gunshot wounds.

She later was identified as Genesis Cornejo-Alvarado, a 15-year-old Jersey Village youth who disappeared in January. Her case made national headlines after police revealed she appeared to have been killed by members of the MS-13 Salvadoran gang in a Satanic ritual.

In April, a 15-year-old repeat runaway was fatally struck by a van after escaping CPS care.

Daphne Jackson had been included on local and national missing child alerts after being reported missing in August to Houston police. Her death marked the first time a child had died while sleeping overnight in a CPS office because of the lack of available foster care placements.

Lt. Manuel Cruz, who supervises HPD's 15-officer missing persons unit, urges parents not to wait 24 hours before making a report on a child.

"We want to make sure the public understands they can call immediately and report their loved one missing," he said. "On the Hispanic community side, we don't care what their legal status is. We'll look for anybody.  It doesn't mean they're going to be arrested. It just means that we're trying to find them."

Family members should provide a recent, clear photo to aid police, along with any other details that could be helpful, such as tattoos, clothing, jewelry and any other distinguishing characteristics.

'She'll be back'

Jennifer Willis remains classified as a runaway, but her parents believe she may have been abducted or lured from the home.

She didn't take her coveted cash - a $5 bill and quarters on her dresser - or her medication.

Her parents realized she was missing early on May 5, as her two younger sisters were getting ready for school.

Jennifer has mental health and behavioral diagnoses that affect her classwork, maturity and decision-making skills, her parents said.

Her medications were changed a few days before she disappeared.

"She's easy to be influenced," said her mother, Dedra Sykes.

"Especially when she's not on her meds," her father chimed in. "That's the thing that's troubling to me."

The 48-year-old boxer-turned-personal trainer created his own "Amber Alert" text to circulate after he didn't receive the cooperation he expected from police.

HPD spokesman John Cannon said the investigation into Jennifer's disappearance continues, but police believe the teen may be sneaking into the house to shower or eat when her parents and siblings are away.

Cloud technology has given the family hope that she is still alive. Thanks to joint social media accounts, a few photos of Jennifer uploaded since May 5 have shown up on family phones and tablets. She looks thinner, is wearing makeup and has a more adult hairstyle - a long weave or wig with blond highlights. In one photo, she is wearing her mother's shirt and shorts.

Jennifer's parents asked police to investigate the digital fingerprints that identify the devices used to make the posts and provide the approximate location from which they were sent. The latest post, on May 19, was uploaded from the neighborhood.

The teen's grandmother and namesake, 66-year-old Jennifer Lee Willis, said she was alarmed to find photos of her granddaughter on her phone. The teen had apparently taken selfies in a nightgown at the grandmother's Pasadena home.

Family members want Jennifer to know she's not in trouble and would be welcomed home. Her little sisters, Symora, 9, and Mysiah, 4, say they miss her.

"She'll be back here," her mother said. "I'm going to see my baby again."
Houston police have re-released a composite sketch Friday of a man suspected of impersonating a police officer and pulling over a woman whom he then kidnapped and sexually assaulted.

There is still an ongoing search for the man.
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While other states investigate whether voting last fall was affected by an apparent effort by Russian military intelligence to hack into election software, the Texas Secretary of State's office said this week that no Texas county had contracts with the company identified in a recently leaked report attributed to the U.S. National Security Agency.

Russian intelligence attempted to target voting software company VR Systems and then send spear-phishing emails seeming to come from the company to more than 100 local election officials.

"VR Systems does not operate and does not have contracts in the state of Texas, either with the state or with any of the 254 counties," said Sam Taylor, spokesman for the Texas Secretary of State, who is the state's chief election officer.

"Our office is unaware of any phishing scams that compromised or attempted to compromise voting systems or voter registration systems in the state of Texas, and we do not know of any elections officials in the state of Texas who have been contacted by companies who supply voting or voter registration software to report problems or potential phishing scams," Taylor said in an email Wednesday.

North Carolina is checking on whether any local systems were breached, while the revelation prompted an election security review in Virginia, according to The Associated Press. Both are considered presidential battleground states.

In Illinois, officials are trying to determine which election offices used software from the contractor that the report said was compromised.

The three are among eight states where election offices had contracts with VR Systems, a Florida-based company that provided software to manage voter registrations. The others are Florida, California, Indiana, New York and West Virginia.

The report, dated last month, asserts that hackers obtained information from company employees and used that to send phishing emails to 122 local election officials just before the election last November in an attempt to break into their systems.

So far, there is no indication that voting or ballot counting in any states were affected. Officials in at least five counties in Florida  a key political swing state  received the emails, the Miami Herald reported. It's not clear where else the emails may have been sent.

Kay Stimson, a spokeswoman for the National Association of Secretaries of State, whose members oversee elections in several states, said the group wants to know why federal officials did not warn potential victims at the time the attacks were allegedly happening.

Stimson said that with more specific information that breaches were possible, states could have offered help to local election officials and created firewalls to make sure any local problems would not have caused problems at the state level.

The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
We're proud to shout "ahoy" this weekend to the crew of a newly constructed ship flying our country's flag and bearing the name of a woman we hereby claim as an honorary Houstonian.

A high-speed U.S. Navy vessel built at a cost of $475 million arrived in Galveston last weekend for a commissioning ceremony scheduled on Saturday. Anyone driving past Pier 21 during the past few days has beheld the impressive sight of the USS Gabrielle Giffords.

Giffords, of course, is the former Arizona congresswoman who met and married one of our city's more accomplished professionals, the now retired astronaut Mark Kelly. After she was seriously wounded six years ago in an assassination attempt, she spent months undergoing rehabilitation here in Houston. When she returned to the floor of the House of Representatives in August 2011 to the sound of joyous applause, we joined her congressional colleagues in cheering her recovery. She's often appeared at social events here, both during and after her tenure in Congress. So we suspect she wouldn't mind that we like to think of her as one of our own.

After her departure from Congress, Giffords and her husband have become high-profile advocates for sensible gun policies. As an outspoken supporter of the Second Amendment who was seriously wounded by gunfire, she has distinguished herself as a compelling proponent of stronger firearms laws and a courageous challenger of the nation's powerful gun lobby.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus noted that courage when he announced the ship would be named after Giffords. He pointed out the Navy's motto is "Semper Fortis, Always Courageous," so it's appropriate to name a warship after a woman whose experience has become synonymous with courage and resiliency.

It's noteworthy that another honor has been bestowed on another family affected by the attempted assassination. By long-standing Navy tradition, someone who's held in high esteem serves as a ship's sponsor, whose spirit and presence guide the vessel throughout its life. The sponsor of the USS Gabrielle Giffords will be Roxanna Green, the mother of Christina-Taylor Green, the nine-year-old girl who had just been elected to her student council when she was killed in the same attack in which the congresswoman was wounded.

Galveston will host the celebration of a ship named after a congresswoman from Arizona because Kelly is a former Navy captain who was stationed in the area during his years with NASA. The former congresswoman's home state has some spectacular mountains and the Grand Canyon, but unlike Texas it doesn't have a coastline.

So today a host of dignitaries will gather in Galveston joining a former congresswoman and a former astronaut for the formal commissioning of the Navy's newest warship. We wish the USS Gabrielle Giffords, her namesake and her crew smooth sailing.
(Thumbs up) Today is Election Day in the city of Pasadena and we yet again remind voters to cast their ballots for John "J.R." Moon Jr. Moon would be a clean break from the good ol' boy club that has dominated the Ship Channel community for decades. Our reporter traveled south to interview the other runoff candidate, former HPD officer Jeff Wagner. The questions, no doubt, would have been about Pasadena's history of insider dealing, politicians ignoring Hispanic neighborhoods and, most recently, charges that Wagner stole his opponent's campaign signs. But the man who was once tough on criminals couldn't stand up to the press. He avoided a promised meeting by sneaking out of a back door at City Hall.

(Thumbs up) Stop the presses, part 1. We never thought Clarence Thomas would earn a coveted Thumbs Up. He has. The enigmatic U.S. Supreme Court justice made the correct move Wednesday when he effectively said Harris County must comply with a recent court order issued by U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal. She demanded the county put an end to discriminating against cash-poor defendants in misdemeanor cases. After Thomas' ruling, the county released 100 inmates, many unable to make $500 bonds for violations like trespassing. If they were smart - and that's a big "if" - county leaders including Judge Ed Emmett and County Attorney Vince Ryan would quit wasting taxpayer dollars on appeals and focus on creating an equitable criminal justice system.

(Thumbs up) Stop the presses, part 2. We never thought we'd agree with local shock jock Michael Berry on anything (and vice versa). He's a cigar guy; we prefer no smoking. But he posed an interesting question the other morning: "Is the state government of the state of Texas for sale to the political consultants of the lieutenant governor?" In other words, who's running the state, voters or campaign consultants? The issue is that Dan Patrick's long-time consigliere, Allen Blakemore, gets money in one pocket from telling Patrick what to do and then he has the other pocket stuffed by businesses trying to lobby the state. What's the answer? We say lobby and campaign finance reform.

(Thumbs up) The camera doesn't lie, so we weren't surprised to see Thursday's news that a Harris County sheriff's deputy and her husband were charged with murder in the death of John Hernandez. The couple is certainly entitled to a defense, they're innocent until proven guilty - but the video seems to show they used unnecessary force on the 24-year-old victim. District Attorney Kim Ogg acted quickly and decisively in getting the case to a grand jury. Many of her predecessors would have slowed down the process and shown extreme favoritism to the aggressors because one carried a badge. Justice, it appears, is being served.

(Thumbs up) Gabby Giffords (see editorial above) had more on her mind this week than the commissioning of a Navy vessel carrying her name. When an inane Donald Trump tweet seemed to take a swipe at those who support tougher gun laws, she offered a terse rebuttal: "Mr. President, every day we are having a gun debate because every day 90 people in our country die from gun violence."

(Thumbs down) State Rep. Victoria Neave, D-Dallas, was on the path to be freshman legislator of the year until her path took her bumper-first into a tree. Next up was posing for a mug shot after a DWI charge. According to the arrest affidavit, Neave refused a field sobriety test and told the officer at the scene, "I love you and will fight you and I'm invoking my Fifth Amendment rights." Neave led a hunger strike against the sanctuary cities bill. Next she should consider a strike against drinking.

(Thumbs down) When scientists develop a vaccine for ignorance, City Councilman Jack Christie deserves the first dose. He was the lone "no" vote this week as colleagues approved accepting a $1.4 million grant from the state for children's vaccine and immunization programs. "The human body is built to fight these diseases," Christie said, showing a complete disregard for science. If his statement were accurate, thousands upon thousands of young Americans wouldn't have died from measles, polio, whooping cough, etc., in the pre-vaccine era. Christie's actions and his rhetoric knowingly put the most vulnerable among us - children  in harm's way.

(Thumbs up) We say "happy birthday" to Houston's favorite couple. 41 turns 93 Monday. And Barbara (we never discuss a woman's age) had hers Thursday.
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The Liberals announced $62-billion in defence spending this week but you wouldn't know it listening to question period.

The NDP and the Conservatives barely mentioned the 70 per cent increased defence spending announced Wednesday -- the largest boost in decades and one the Liberals didn't specifically campaign on.

The Tories devoted four questions -- out of an allotted 72 over three days -- to comment on the government's surprise funding announcement.

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The NDP devoted no questions -- out of 33 -- on defence spending. The NDP did find time though to ask about cuts to the salmon classroom education program. That's the same amount of time the Tories used to question the Liberals on the rights of "self-determination of the people of the Falkland Islands."

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan's spokeswoman Jordan Owens suggested the opposition isn't standing up to criticize the new defence investments because well, they have nothing to criticize.

"The opposition has never hesitated to criticize when they disagree with government policy," she told HuffPost Canada.

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The Liberals' new defence policy is the result of a year's worth of consultation that sets out a framework for a well-resourced Canadian Armed Forces, she noted. "That's something we can all get behind."

When the Tories did ask about the funding, Conservative critic James Bezan wondered why the cash isn't immediately flowing.

"When will the prime minister take real action on national defence and not punt spending down the road until after the next election when the leader of the official opposition becomes our prime minister?" he asked.

Perhaps Bezan wanted to know why his leader might get stuck with the bill.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used the opportunity Bezan provided to slam the previous Tory government for under-investing in the military and for using them as props. "...the men and women of the Canadian Forces deserve a government that truly supports them, in deeds as well as in words, and that is what today's historic announcement was all about," Trudeau said.

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This week on HuffPost Canada's politics podcast "Follow-Up," former NDP adviser Karl Belanger noted it was "interesting" the parties avoided leading off question period by attacking the new defence policy

Listen to the podcast:

The NDP's socialist caucus is livid the party and the five candidates running for the leadership -- MPs Charlie Angus, Niki Ashton, Guy Caron, Peter Julian and Ontario MPP Jagmeet Singh -- haven't raised concerns.

"It is just astounding that they have been able to escape sharp and critical questions on the scale of the amount," said Barry Weisleder, the chair of the socialist caucus told me. "The fact that the NDP is silent on this and the fact that there is a leadership race is no excuse! ... They should have something to say about this Stephen-Harper-like policy -- this exceeds Harper.

"The Liberal government that advocated civil rights, feminism, peace, disarmament, greater equality and electoral reform ... is now advocating and promising to deliver the biggest defence increase in Canadian history. Canada has no business bombing, invading, occupying, punishing, powers abroad!"

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Angus is the only NDP leadership candidate to refer to the Grits' defence announcement. He tweeted:

Well @realDonaldTrump told Canada to jump and @JustinTrudeau asked "how high?" Time to set defence policy based on CDN values #ndpldrhttps://t.co/eQawVWQkd8  Charlie Angus NDP (@CharlieAngusNDP) June 8, 2017

In question period this week, the Conservatives and the NDP focused their attacks on former Ontario Liberal Madeleine Meilleur's withdrawal as the official languages commissioner. They raised concerns over the appointment of a new ethics commissioner, on the set-up of the infrastructure bank, and on the lack of a national security review on a Chinese takeover deal of a Vancouver company that builds satellite receivers for NATO. The Tories also asked about the cancellation of a planned high-risk child sex offender database, which the government says is a duplicate of the national sex offender registry.

On "Follow-Up," Greg MacEachern, a former Liberal advisor, and Rachel Curran, former prime minister Stephen Harper's policy director, noted that the opposition likely doesn't want to give the government a further chance to promote its policy.

"The headlines for the government are really good," Curran said. "[Foreign Affairs] Minister [Chrystia] Freeland came out and gave a substantive foreign policy speech talked about re-asserting Canada's place in the world and took a few swings at [U.S. President Donald] Trump.

"Minister Sajjan came out and talked about billions of new money invested in the military. So despite all the weaknesses underneath that it may just be a bit of a shell, the headlines are great and that is what most people see."

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Conservatives won't say if they'll keep Liberal promise

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer's spokesman denied the Tories paid little attention to the defence announcement. Jake Enwright pointed out that Bezan held a press conference Wednesday, stressing concern that Trudeau will fail to deliver on his promises given previous Liberal governments' records of cutting the Forces.

But while the Tories wonder if the Liberals will uphold their commitments, the Conservatives haven't pledged to do the same.

Asked if Scheer would respect the planned military spending, Enwright responded: "We are unable to give you an answer on that given the fact that the government hasn't given its plan to Canadians for how it will pay for this policy."

During the Conservative leadership race, Scheer promised to balance federal books within two years of taking office. It's difficult to see how the Tory leader could keep his promise and also maintain the Liberals new long-term spending pledge -- the bulk of which is planned for after the 2019 election, therefore tying any future prime minister for the next two decades or more to spending $10 billion to $15 billion in additional new money annually on defence.

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When asked repeatedly at their announcement this week, Sajjan and Transport Minister Marc Garneau declined to say whether this defence spending would take Canada deeper into the red, though government officials have made clear that the new military commitments will be funded through deficits.

"The government accounted for this in the fiscal framework released in the budget this year," Trudeau's spokeswoman Kate Purchase told HuffPost. "Overall, the spend is spread out over the framework over the course of several years. We planned for it."

The new spending wasn't included in the March budget. The Liberals' five-year projections suggest the overall deficit will drop to $15.3 billion by 2021-2022. With this week's announcement, the defence department's budget is forecast to increase by $6.4 billion, from $18.9 billion currently to $25.3 billion in 2021-2022. And the department's budget is projected to rise consistently until reaching a peak of $33.4 billion in 2027-2028.

While the Liberals can't say precisely what the budget deficits will be 10 to 15 years from now, a senior official told HuffPost that because the government spreads out the total costs of purchases over several years, the long-term impact will be about "$2 billion [annually] maybe on the total fiscal framework of $300 [billion] or $350 billion by that time."

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Liberals delivered on opposition's campaign pledges

Sajjan's announcement basically addressed all of the defence-related promises by the Conservatives and NDP from the 2015 election campaign.

During the last election campaign, the Liberals' promised they would not cut a planned increase to the defence budget of $11.8-billion over 10 years starting in 2017.

The Grits meanwhile pledged to "reinvest in building a leaner, more agile, better-equipped military, including adequate support systems for military personnel and their families."

The Liberals said they would not purchase the F-35 fighter jets and instead invest in the Royal Canadian Navy, by fully funding the 15 ships the Tories had intended to buy.

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The Conservatives, after decreasing the defence department's budgets as of 2011, used the campaign to re-announce their commitment to rebuild the Canadian Forces with that 10-year $11.8-billion injection.

The Liberals' announcement Wednesday adds another $10 billion more to that promise.

During the 2015 campaign, the Tories also promised "to help the Special Operations Forces maintain their top operational capacity" by bolstering their size by nearly 35 percent by 2022.

On Wednesday, Sajjan announced the Grits would increase Special Operations Forces by 605 personnel, about a 32 per cent increase over the current 1,900 members. The Liberals also outlined other investments for the Special Operations Forces including: new airborne intelligence platforms, armoured vehicles, a modern command centre and next generation soldier equipment.

In 2015, the Tories said they would increase the Reserves by 15 percent, to 30,000 in the next four years, shorten recruiting times, and broaden the eligibility criteria to include permanent residents.

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This week, the Liberals said they will increase the Reserves to 30,000 -- though they did not give a timeline -- and pledged to reduce recruiting time. They did not announce non-citizens could join but they expanded the types of jobs available to Reservists and aligned remuneration and benefits with those of regular members.

That is in addition, of course, to a plan to purchase 88 advanced fighter aircrafts, to invest in military family resource centres, to make salaries more generous, to expand the Forces space and cyber capabilities, to purchase drones, and to increase the total size of the force to 71,500 while making it more diverse and women friendly.

During the 2015 campaign, the NDP criticized the Tories for leaving the Forces with outdated equipment, bungled procurements, and showing "a shameful disregard" for troops when they need help.

"A new vision is necessary to ensure that our military can defend Canada, protect Canadians, and contribute to international peace and security with an agile, well-equipped, world-class force," the New Democrats said, pledging a new defence review and made-in-Canada strategy that reflects modern global realities.
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 13 : The Canadian government members including Minister of Health Jane Philpott, Minister of National Revenue Diane Lebouthiller (not seen), Minister of Justice Jody Wilson-Raybould (not seen), Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale (not seen) and Parliamentary Secretary Bill Blair (not seen) hold a press conference that announcing a new legislation about legalizing marijuana in Montreal, Canada on April 13, 2017. (Photo by Seyit Aydogan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

The last few years have seen some dramatic changes to the Canada Health Transfer (CHT), which in 2017-18 will total $37.150 billion - no small figure.

The Harper era saw the move to a full per capita funding formula without a tax-point equalizing adjustment in 2014-15 -- basically a top-down policy change. Prime Minister Harper did continue with the 6 per cent annual escalator, which was part of the original 2004 Health Accord. But he also unilaterally decided to end the escalator in 2017-18 and replace it with increases tied to the growth rate of GDP and subject to a floor of 3 per cent.

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The opening offer of the new Trudeau government was marginally better at 3.5 per cent annual raises to the Canada Health Transfer plus $11.5 billion over 10 years for mental health and home care. This brings the average annual increase of transfer payments to nearly 3.8 per cent.

The provinces pushed for annual increases of 5.2 per cent and rebuffed the initial federal offer.

Health Minister Jane Philpott then negotiated separate transfer agreements with each province rather than instituting a blanket agreement. Interestingly, this resulted in a growth formula similar to that proposed by Harper. Starting in 2017-18, the growth rate of total federal CHT cash transfers will be at the rate of growth of nominal GDP -- but with a minimum rate of 3 per cent.

About another half a per cent growth is expected from the $11.5 billion of new federal funds for mental health and home care, though this money is not coming right away. Indeed, the provinces are getting a smaller annual increase than the initial federal offer. Never the less, most of those individual deals with the provinces have now been made (Manitoba remains the only hold out to date).

So who wins and loses on health care funding in Canada? Perhaps the bigger question is if the provinces will ever be happy where federal transfer payments for health care are concerned.

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Let's look at the key changes in turn.

On the one hand, Harper's change to an equal per capita health transfer recognized the fixed upfront costs of funding a public health care system and dealt with this reality consistently across all the provinces and territories. It also limited federal fiscal exposure by making the grant size more predictable given regularly available population numbers.

On the other hand, a per capita formula did not take regional variations in health, socio-economic and demographic factors into account. For example, some provinces - particularly in the Atlantic region - have slow growing populations and more rapid aging, while other regions have larger aboriginal populations with often complex health needs with implications for future expenditure growth.

So how about the new 10-year deals?

The good news for the provinces is that there is no funding cut. Total federal funding for health care will continue to grow -- but at a lower rate than the previous 6 per cent escalator and the 5.2 per cent originally desired by the provinces.

However, there are differences across the provinces when it comes to their CHT growth next year given it is a per capita allocation and provincial populations are growing at different rates. Keep in mind that the 3 per cent minimum growth applies to the total size of the federal transfer pot and not the increase that each province will get.

Growth in CHT totals by province in 2017-18 will range from a high of 3.5 per cent for Alberta to a low of 2 per cent for New Brunswick. Saskatchewan will see 3.4 per cent growth, Ontario 3.1 per cent and BC 3 per cent. Even the lone holdout - Manitoba, will still see its CHT money grow 3.4 per cent this year. The rest of eastern Canada, including Quebec, will see their federal CHT money grow at less than 3 per cent.

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Worth noting, Minister Philpott has now established a precedent for province-by-province negotiations. Even wider variation in health services may indeed be a possibility in future negotiations if the provinces or the federal government decide to become more mercenary in their approach to federal-provincial negotiations.

In the end, under the new deals, each province will have more health care money from the federal government, but not as much as they would like. And some will see their CHT totals grow faster than others.
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"We don't do God," Tony Blair's director of strategy and communications Alastair Campbell famously said in 1996, an effort to prevent the then-prime minister discussing his faith in public. It was good advice.

Britain was and remains not only a secular country, but a rightly cynical place, scarred by religion's divisive blade throughout history, most recently by the violence of Christian sectarianism in Northern Ireland and the radicalised British Islamists swayed by a Wahhabi cult preached online.

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In the U.S., religion and politics have long been in lock step, prevailing opinion suggesting candidates for office must prostrate themselves before the Almighty's earthly representatives to get ahead.

The election of Donald Trump in 2016 chipped away at that presumption, the billionaire businessman proving that when it came to the support of white Christians, appealing to their whiteness could circumvent having to appeal to their faith. Race before religion, as it were.

Yet the disastrous election of British Conservative leader Theresa May last week has brought American-style faith-infused politics to the centre of British power. The use of the Democratic Unionist Party as a buttress for a minority government currently balancing on three legs means May will sit in debt to a small group of radical protestants with links to terrorism, whose views wouldn't look out of place on the 700 Club.

Same-sex marriage is illegal in Northern Ireland, thanks mainly to the efforts of the DUP whose faith demands they intervene in the prospective happiness of people they don't know and have never met.

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Likewise, abortion rights have been deliberately hobbled, forcing countless numbers of young, scared and vulnerable women to leave the country to receive medical help.

Moreover, the DUP counts legions of creationists amongst its cohort, with some 40 percent of the membership believing children's education should be deliberately stultified by the teaching of superstition in science class.

And like the U.S. Republican Party, the DUP embraces climate change denial, appointing a sceptic to the role of environment minister in 2008. After all, melting ice caps and the likely future starvation of millions of people is all part of God's celestial blueprint.

This is who May is now in bed with. She has signed up to a short-term toxic deal that will not only further ostracize the young, liberal generation which the Tories are already haemorrhaging, but also progressive members of her own party, not least the Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, a woman who single-handedly revived the Tories north of the border and whose reward for that feat is to find herself now sharing power with people who think her partnership with another woman is an abomination.

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And this says nothing of the politically disastrous ramifications of giving succour to just one of the parties in Northern Ireland, with the potential to disrupt the sensitive balance between the DUP unionists and the nationalists of Sinn Fein.

The British parliamentary system gives May an absolute right to try and form a government with whichever party she can. And politicians holding personal ambition over the good of the country is commonplace. Yet surely May knows that engaging with the DUP is too high a price to pay?

Fortunately, she is surrounded by equally ruthless vessels of personal advancement, who are already circling the prime minister with the stench of blood. Likely she'll be taken down soon by a member of her own cabinet.
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A carjacker who terrorised drivers across Hull and Hedon defended his rampage by telling police a sick lie he needed cash to help his sister who has cancer.

After pleading guilty to a string of offences , including aggravated vehicle taking, robbery, ABH and possessing an imitation firearm, Leon Ndenu, 24, was jailed for nine years on Friday.

He and a friend carried out a string of carjackings across Hull and Hedon, pointing an imitation gun in their faces and ordering them out of their cars in Westbourne Avenue, west Hull, Hessle Road, west Hull and Hedon. He was arrested when brave members of the public refused to surrender, instead chasing him down the street and sitting on him until the police arrived.

When he was arrested he tried to explain away his terrifying crimes by telling officers he carried out the carjacking because his sister needed 5,000 for a cancer operation. His accomplice remains at large.

He also told officers that his name was Leon Norman and appeared intoxicated before changing his story in interview, telling police his sister had been 'taken by Yardies', a term used to refer to Jamaican gangs.

Ndenu's barrister, Stephen Robinson, described him as an "immature young man" but conceded it would be difficult to defend his actions because he behaved "so badly".

Prior to admitting to his guilt last month, a psychiatric report was carried out to see if Ndenu was fit to plead.

That report concluded Ndenu suffers from a host of mental health problems, including schizophrenia, depression and emotionally unstable personality disorder as his troubled upbringing was laid bare in court and presented a "depressing picture".

Ndenu had an unstable family background and had been in and out of care throughout his childhood.

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He started smoking cannabis when he was just nine years old and would regularly drink alcohol from the age of 12. He left school with no qualifications and has never held down a permanent job.

Ndenu has been in and out of prison for most of his life and in 2013, when he was 19 years old, he was jailed for robbing an autistic boy at knifepoint.

Mr Robinson claimed Ndenu was remorseful for his carjacking spree and had little recollection of the events of Friday, March 3.

He was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time and from September 2016, he had started taking cocaine, amphetamines and acid following the death of his uncle.

Despite his protestations, Judge Simon Jack refused lenience on Ndenu, whose victims were left physically and mentally scarred from his wave of terror.

Many feared for their lives as Ndenu and his accomplice pointed an imitation gun in their faces and ordered them out of their cars.

One woman has had to move houses, another has lost all confidence in herself and the first victim shakes and trembles if he sees someone in his front yard.

Judge Jack condemned Ndenu's actions which left drivers traumatised as he sentenced him to nine years in prison and a further four on licence.

He said: "It must have been extremely frightening for them. This was an appalling series of offences and you were completely out of control doing whatever you wanted."

Humberside Police have praised the public for their bravery, especially Margaret Poole, 66, who when confronted by Ndenu, refused to surrender and helped stop him before police arrived.

Detective Inspector Rebecca Dickinson said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for all those involved. Their courage and assistance has been invaluable in our investigation and ensuring Ndenu was quickly stopped from committing further offences.

"Mrs Poole got out of the passenger seat and physically tried to stop Ndenu from taking the car, who pointed his gun at her and knocked her to the floor. But, she wouldn't give up. She got into the back of the car and again tried to stop him driving away.

"He gave up and tried to steal another vehicle, still with Mrs Poole in pursuit, and was finally stopped by the driver Barry Storey and bin lorry workers.

"In my opinion she deserves special praise for bravery as it was her actions that assisted others to detain Ndenu."
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A new skate shop has opened today in Hull's Old Town.

Matt Watson has opened EvoL Skates in Posterngate and hopes the new shop will become a part of Hulls success as a skateboard-friendly city.

Plans are in motion to turn Hull into the most skateboarding friendly city in the UK, with Hull City Council keen to create a skateboarding legacy.

Recent investment into the sport has included the planned 150,000 upgrade of Shaw Park in Orchard Park.

Mr Watson, the owner of the shop, said previously somewhere to buy skateboarding and skating gear was missing in Hull.

The store, which opens on Saturday, June 10, will sell blades, skateboards, scooters, parts and clothing.

Mr Watson said: Well be selling skates, boards, hardware, gear, and clothing.

With the skateboard-friendly city declaration it seemed like the right opportunity to open somewhere like this in town.

Ive been blading for about 20 years. I was raised in Hornsea but Im a Hull lad so know how great a city it is for skating.

The shop will cater for all based sport across the board, whether inline blading, skateboarding, skating - anything on wheels apart from bikes basically.

"Its mostly about having somewhere where people can buy the hardware.

Mr Watson said that reception for the shop had been positive and they are looking forward to becoming part of the city's offering.

So far flyering around town, the reception seems great and word seems to be getting out, he said.

I spoke a group of lads with boards who said they already knew about us so hopefully thats a good sign.

Weve been spreading the word online, but its not like weve had a huge amount of advertising. Weve been spending most of the time sorting the shop out, but people are interested.

Its an absolutely beautiful building with some real history here. The landlords have been outstanding so its been a good process.

The Old Town is a great place to be. There has been plenty of investment around here. I did look at a place on Humber Street but it was just too expensive for us.

I think the fact its quite niche should bring a lot of interest here. There arent any other places really other than Rock City, but we will be more about somewhere to buy all the bits and gear.
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Huge queues have built up at Tesco in St Stephen's shopping centre after the tills stopped working.

It is believed a power cut affecting part of the store has led to the main tills, the self-service checkouts and the scan and shop area going down.

Staff have been stopping people entering the store after the power cut on Saturday.

They used trolleys to block the entrance while a large crowd built up outside.

Staff told shoppers the tills suddenly stopped working just after 12pm. People who had loaded their shopping onto the checkout area were left waiting.

One shopper said: "It was chaos. The staff didn't know what to do and they were stopping people coming in.

"Only the tills at the kiosk were working and there was a massive queue. The staff said the tills had just stopped working and they had people who were waiting to be served."
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In recent weeks the country has experienced two devastating terrorist attacks.

Manchester Arena was targeted by a man wearing a homemade bomb at an Ariana Grande concert on May 22, killing 22 people including children.

And on Saturday night, three attackers drove into pedestrians before jumping out and stabbing people in the London Bridge Borough Market area of London. A total of eight people lost their lives and 50 were injured.

With the UK's current terror threat level at 'severe', meaning an attack is highly likely, this basic first aid advice has been released in a bid to save lives should anyone find themselves involved in a similar incident.

Joe Mulligan, head of first aid education at the Red Cross, said: "All the research we have done shows that the first people on the scene are absolutely crucial to the outcome for the victim."

Here's Joe's advice if you ever found yourself at the scene of a similar incident.

1. Focus on the quiet ones

"People who are injured and making a lot of noise clearly have their airways open," Emma Hammet, a former A&E nurse, first aid trainer, and founder of First Aid for Life told the Post.

"It is the quiet ones who can be slowly slipping away because they are not breathing.

"To check for breathing, ensure that the airway is open by tilting back the head and lifting the chin.

"Spit on the back of your hand and put it close to the victim's mouth. It will feel cool when breath is expelled.

"Someone should be breathing at least twice in a ten-second period. Don't assume that agonal breathing (the death rattle) is normal breathing. This can be a sign that death is imminent.

"If someone is not breathing, start CPR."

2. Comfort and reassure hurt people

"Cradling injured victims and comforting them is a very important part of first aid  connecting to the injured person," Joe Mulligan adds.

"Reassurance has been shown to be beneficial and improves a person's chances because stress levels decrease.

"It calms the person and it also gives the first aider valuable thinking time to assess the situation and decide what to do next."

3. Stabbing and bullet wounds

If the victim is unresponsive and not breathing, lie them on their back and make sure their airway is open.

You do this by tilting back the head and pushing up the chin. Start performing CPR.

If the victim is unresponsive but is breathing, roll them gently into the recovery position.

"Make sure that they are lying on the injured side. This will prevent blood and fluid entering the uppermost lung which is protected by gravity," Emma says.

"If the victim is still upright and moving around, they could collapse at any time due to blood loss, causing further injury.

"Don't remove clothing because they will go into shock due to blood loss and could develop hypothermia.

"Instead, cut or tear clothes so you can see the wounds. Apply pressure to the wounds using your hands or packing material like a scarf or T-shirt."

Going into shock is a real risk for victims with these sorts of injuries, so make sure you keep them warm and as comforted as possible.

Make sure you don't give them anything to eat or drink as they will almost certainly need to go into theatre when admitted to hospital.

Be aware that even a small or barely-visible wound could be indicative of major and fatal internal bleeding.

4. Using a tourniquet

Done incorrectly, these can have disastrous effects.

"It should only be used in a small number of cases where bleeding is catastrophic, and if direct pressure is not working," adds Emma.

Always treat heavy bleeding firstly and foremost with pressure and packing the wound.

5. Burns and shrapnel wounds

Both of these can be potentially fatal, however, Joe warns against trying to remove sharp objects embedded in flesh.

"They might be blocking a major artery so if you remove then, you could have catastrophic bleeding," he said.

Burns should be treated by being doused in cold fluids or bottled water - even beer or soft drinks will do.

Joe adds: "Never try and remove burnt on clothing however at the scene as this can cause further injury."

6. Head injuries

If you believe someone has sustained a head injury, make sure their airway is unobstructed and they are breathing. Then start CPR.

If the person is standing, get them to sit down.

Head injuries can worsen rapidly so acting fast is key.

7. Spine injuries

Emma warns against moving people you suspect have a spine injury as little as possible to avoid further damage "to the delicate spinal chord."

This includes cradling their head.

Instead, if you need to move the patient, ask other people to help you log roll him or her into a safer place.

8. Injuries from vehicle impact and falls

People who have suffered injuries from speeding vehicles - as with the Westminster and London Bridge attacks - and heavy objects may very well have grave internal injuries.

These could be broken bones, burst arteries or torn spleens.

"Follow the 15-minute rule," advises Emma. "If you can get someone out of a situation where they are crushed, then try it. If they have been crushed for longer than 15 minutes, leave them where they are.

"Removing them can suddenly release a flood of toxins which build up in crushed limbs."

Again, do not feed the injured party food or drink and if they appear to be unresponsive and not breathing, try CPR.

Apply pressure to wounds and only move them if you absolutely need to.
The Old Stone Church is on the Register of Historic Places. The church is used during the warmer months. Many aspects of the church are original to the 1836 building. This piece came to the church from First Church in Boston. PreviousNext

St. Luke's Celebrates 250 Years, Restoring Organ, Windows Of Old Church



The organ is in pieces right now but soon it will be back together and sounding like new. LANESBOROUGH, Mass.  It was in 1765 when Lanesborough officially became a town. And soon after, a group of local farmers decided they needed a church. St. Luke's Episcopal was founded in the living room of William Bradley's farmhouse on Oct. 2, 1767.

The congregation remains an integral part of the town will celebrate the milestone of 250 years on Sunday, June 25.

"We have planned a gala service," said Phil Allen, who is coordinating fundraising efforts. "The bishop is coming and we invited notables from all around and the town. It's going to be a big thing. We expect 200 or so people."

The bicenquinquagenary celebration starts at 10 a.m. and includes a baptism, confirmation, and reaffirmation. Then, after the ceremony, there will be refreshments on the lawn, a guest organ player showing off the restored instrument, and the choir has been practicing an anthem to sing.

As the church enters its next 250 years, it is preparing for the decades to come with the restoration of windows in the 181-year-old Old Stone Church and an 1862 Johnson organ that is currently being put back together after refurbishment.

St. Luke's has been saving money for a few years to do the two projects, each of which cost an estimated $70,000. The congregation is also seeking a state grant to help with the windows while at the same time launching a fundraising drive.

The organ was built for the church in 1862 and is one of the few hand-pumped organs remaining.

"It is one of three or four that are still hand pumped in churches. The others have all been either electrified so you don't have to pump them anymore or they've been changed and upgraded to more pipes so they are not in their original condition," Allen said. "This is one of the few that is in the original shape that it was built in."

The organ sits in pieces as it waits for Czelusniak et Dugal Inc. of Northampton, which has had the pieces all winter, to put it back together. The organ is expected to be like new again before the Old Stone Church is reopened for the summer. St. Luke's has already scheduled an array of concerts for the summer and the organ is expected to be in place within the next week or so.

The windows are the next in line, and the hope is to fix them next summer. A number of the small, diamond-shaped pieces need replacing, all of them need glazing and painting, and some of the window framings are in need of repairs.

Allen says he is applying for a grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission to help with that cost. The church is looking for help for both projects. It will be sending out fundraising letters in the coming weeks, and has already asked the membership to chip in.

The church is listed on the Massachusetts Register of Historic Places and has a storied history. The congregation was formed in 1767 and the Rev. Am Andrews became the first rector. It was 18 years later when Bradley donated a piece of land, directly next to the Bradley Farm, and a wooden building was erected.

"Eventually, they built a building on this location that was wood and had balconies on three of the sides. They tore that down. They had Easter service in here and then tore it down the next day and by Christmas they had this building built. It has been here since 1836," Sally Allen, the congregation's clerk, said.

In 1831, S.B. Shaw became the rector and, on Easter Sunday 1836, the communicants left the service, returned the next day and tore down the original structure. On Christmas Day, the Old Stone Church was fully built and opened.

The church didn't have central heat -- still doesn't -- but it did have two wood stoves. Small barns were built out back for congregants to tie their horses up. Large stones that sit outside of the current structure were used for carriages, to let people in and out.

In 1858, lightning struck the church tower, causing an entire wall to bow out when it pulled away from the balcony. That bowing out remains today, unchanged.

"Back in those days you bought your pew. We still have one family, one of the original founders, and they can tell you exactly what pews are theirs," Sally Allen said.

In 1875, the Old Stone Church became the first one in New England to feature a Christmas tree inside, and somewhat of a tradition has continued on as the church puts on an annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony for the town every year.

The congregation replaced the bell in the 1880s. And that, too, became a tale. A severe storm had knocked the previous bell off, and it was never found. The congregation ordered a new one and it when it was set to be delivered, they all had gathered that afternoon to install it. But the train it was on didn't stop in Pittsfield as it should have.

The bell ended up in Springfield, and the group had to travel there to get it. When they returned, they started to lift the bell into place. Then the ropes snapped, the bell fell, and the horses ran home. The Allens say the farmers believed Friday evening was "the devil's playground" and put the project off until the next day. That bell is still the one that calls people to worship on a Sunday morning.

Sally Allen said at one point in history the land was a graveyard and the bodies were moved to another cemetery, which had led some parishioners to comment that the building could be haunted. Allen doesn't think so, though some of the stories could support that belief. It is said that in 1842 the rector's son, who had been the organist, died. Shortly after a bird flew into the church and found dead on the keys of the organ.

The church stopped being used full time in 1898. The Eddy family had built St. Luke's Parish Hall, farther south on Route 7. It had electricity, bathrooms and, maybe most importantly, heat. What started as a parish hall soon became the church. But, the Old Stone Church wasn't abandoned. Each summer, St. Luke's moves into the Old Stone Church for services and then goes back to the parish hall during the winter.

The congregation continues to maintain the historic Old Stone Church.

"Back in the '70s, the whole building went into disrepair and it wasn't able to be used," Phil Allen said.

There was a major renovation then to get it up to snuff. Later a stone mason repaired the exterior. And about a decade ago, the bell tower was restored.

"We have been working continually," Phil Allen said.

Now, the building is "pretty sound, really. Since it doesn't have heat it winters better than buildings with temperature changing up and down. It changes slowly in the winter instead of fluctuating fast," Phil Allen said.

But, the maintenance work never ends. The top of that to-do list is the windows and the organ.

"I'm amazed at how many parts are in the organ," Phil Allen said when looking over the various pieces before the contractor arrived to start putting it all together.

Those who originally incorporated the church were very involved with the town. So while many things have changed over the last 250 years, St. Luke's continues to follow in those footsteps.

"We are very much involved with the town. We marched in the Memorial Day parade. We every week contribute to the veteran's food pantry. We help with St. Stephen's table," Phil Allen said, with Sally adding that the congregation holds the tree lighting and special Masses for veterans and first responders, and runs a program to give children Christmas presents.

"We are very much into being a healing ministry, living up to our name of St. Luke who was the great physician. We are very much into healing," Sally Allen said.
President and CEO Anne Nemetz-Carlson, right, greets speakers at Thursday's announcement of a $1 million grant to modernize Sarah T. Haskins School. Children in the school-age group blow bubble in celebration. The grant funds received will allow a new room to be built for them. Kelly Phillips, early child director; Alfred 'AJ' Enchill Jr. from state Sen. Adam Hinds' office; CCB board Chairman William Robinson and Mayor Richard Alcombright at Thursday's event. A first-floor bathroom that will be completely renovated. The gym will remain accessible but a new room will take up part of the upper area. A illustration of how the room will be bump out into the gym to keep the space and windows functional. A second floor office shows how the ceiling is lower in the gym; that will be raise in part for the new room. Previous smaller grants allowed refurbishment of rooms such as the infant room. The renovations will include modern secure doors for rooms and access. Phillips shows off the original schoolhouse clock in her office used for ringing period bells. The handwritten schedule is still tucked inside. PreviousNext

Child Care of Berkshires Plans $1.75M Renovation of Haskins School



President and CEO Anne Nemetz-Carlson says the organization has been pursuing the million-dollar grant for three years to modernize security, access and function of the century-old building. NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The historic Sarah T. Haskins School is about to get a $1.75 million facelift and modernization to better serve Child Care of the Berkshires and its programs.

The bulk of the funding, a $1 million grant from the state Department of Early Education and Children's Investment Fund was announced on Thursday afternoon with balloons and bubbles at the child-care center.

"I have to tell you we have chasing this grant for three years but the process started a long lont time ago," longtime President and CEO Anne Nemetz-Carlson said on the front lawn of the State Street school while children blew bubbles. "Rewards are so exciting that come late. They require hard work dedication passion and ... I am not just pleased but thrilled to get this award."

The goal, said officials, is to create an environment that is "warm, inviting, enriching and welcoming to both children and families. These improvements will transform the facility into an accessible, safe and modern space."

Over the next two years, an elevator will be added on the exterior; windows and interior and exterior doors will be upgraded for utility and security; the heating will be switched to natural gas; air-handling units will upgraded; bathrooms will be made handicapped accessible; the roof will be repaired and brick exterior repointed and the parking lot revamped; a new fire-suppression system will be installed along with updated technology; a new entrance will be designed with security and safety in mind; and a new classroom will be built on the second floor above the gym to accommodate school-aged children who now meet in basement classrooms.

"My program is going to benefit so greatly," said Kelly Phillips, director of the Monument Square Early Childhood Center. "Our school-age children who are blowing bubbles for you all will have a wonderful space to be in ... it's just so fitting that we have the families of North Adams [here] and how much we value the parents and the children and what they bring to our center and what we can bring to them."

The child-care program has been housed in the 1922 building since 1980 and initially shared space with the public school until it closed a few years later. There have been a few updates, including two small renovations of about $50,000 each that addressed flooring, storage, and rooms, particularly the renovation of an infant room a few years ago.

But the nonprofit has been limited in what it can do without triggering more extensive modernization to comply with state and federal codes, particularly the Americans with Disabilities Act. Nemetz-Carlson said a decision was made with the nonprofit's board to pull that trigger.

"We going to put an elevator on the outside that triggers all our building codes," she said. "It's just a really nice list of many, many projects to bring the facility up to code."

A clearly delighted Nemetz-Carlson said there were "a million things to do" that will probably start with a separate U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to begin addressing the bathrooms.

The grant, a big, thick application, took three years to be approved as the center pinned down the requirements  schematics, estimates, facts, and fundraising.

Nemetz-Carlson said the support of the board and especially of the faculty who ensure that CCB has a high-quality children's center  which is accredited and ranked by the state at Level 3 (4 being top)  were instrumental in obtaining the grant.

The board launched a capital campaign, run by former board member John Craig, that has so far raised $250,000 and has had 100 percent board participation.

"We had a lot of funders that really believed in us," she said, and received support from the Northern Berkshire United Way, Williamstown Community Chest, Barrett and Hardman funds, Adams Community Bank, the Ruth Proud Trust and Feigenbaum Foundation.

David Westall of Westall Architects was brought on to make the design plans submitted with the application.

William Robinson, chairman of the board, also gave thanks to those who helped with the grant application, including Mayor Richard Alcombright, CCB's landlord, who with the City Council approved a 25-year lease that gave the facility the site control needed for the grant to be approved.

"We're going to have a home here for the next 25 years ... without that wouldn't have this great opportunity," he said. "We have to do something if we wanted to do be here long term. ...

"To make this a state-of-the-art facility for child care that people want to be at for years to come."

The center serves 81 children ranging from infants to school age and sees some 2,000 parents and children a year. In addition to the child care, it operates the Family Center of Northern Berkshire providing parent resources and training, and a free clothing exchange. The Parent Child Home Program served 46 families in North Berkshire and, between that program and one in Pittsfield, conducted 2,650 home visits.

One of the requirements of the grant was that center serve a 25 percent population of low-income families; in fact, 95 percentof the children served through Child Care of the Berkshires come from low-income homes.

"The city of North Adams could not be more pleased to have this facility right here and guaranteed to be here for the next 25 years to provide services to families here that are just unprecedented anywhere in the region," Alcombright said.

Phillips later led a tour of the building, pointing out where improvements have been made over the years and where changes will be made. She's particularly focused on moving the school-age children out two rooms in the basement level and bringing them up to the new room that will be constructed by extending the second floor over part of the gym.

The plan is to continue keeping the gym as a place for movement and play as well as using its large arched windows to emit light into the new second floor room. The new room will allow the program to open up slots for five more children, for 30 total.

The building is not on the Register of Historic Places but the Historical Commission has asked CCB to continue to recognize Haskins, whose name is large across the front of the school. Haskins was a longtime educator in the North Adams Public Schools and had retired as principal of the former State Street School. Nemetz-Carlson said the name and her picture will remain up.

Robinson credited Nemetz-Carlson for her passion and perseverance  as well as her extensive contacts  in pushing the application through.

"She has such a strong vigor and so much clout through the state of Massachusetts," he said. "When they hear her name ... she puts North Adams and child care on the map of the the state."

Nemetz-Carlson is now focused on rejuvenating the nearly century-old school.

"We want it to be safe and secure and really warm and inviting," she said.
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Whether they admit it or not, all dads want to be showered in gifts come Fathers Day and, in case you missed the fanfare, this year it falls on June 18th.

Commercial nonsense it may well be, but nobody wants to be the one that left it too late to buy anything better than a pair of gaudy socks. So, why not buy him something he really wants instead.

If your old man, grandpa, step-dad or father-in-law isnt the power tool bearing, slipper-wearing type, updating his look for summer will really set his style  and your present-buying skills  apart from the crowd.

Shopping for a fashionable fella? Luckily there are plenty of options to spoil him.

If youre looking to splash the cash on a special present a watch proves both a indulgent and handy gift. For ultimate style points, invest in a minimalist one from Swiss brand Larson & Jennings that will promise to add a little flair to every look.

Father's Day 2017 Show all 8 1 /8 Father's Day 2017 Father's Day 2017 Le Labo, Santal 33, 120 libertylondon.com Father's Day 2017 Larsson & Jennings, CM Black PVD-Plated Watch, 225 selfridges.com Father's Day 2017 Lace-Up Sneakers, 79 cosstores.com Father's Day 2017 Yves Saint Laurent, La Nuit de LHomme Shower Gel, 27.50 selfridges.com Father's Day 2017 Common Projects Multi Card Holder, 69 endclothing.com Father's Day 2017 AMI, Striped Cotton Jersey T-Shirt, 85 mrporter.com Father's Day 2017 Aesop, London Travel Kit, 50 spacenk.com Father's Day 2017 Tom Ford, Black Orchid, 76 mrporter.com

Alternatively, opting for other high-style accessories like a sleek cardholder or bag will do the trick.

If youre brave enough, update his wardrobe by gifting a classic tee or a pair of blindingly-white but oh-so-versatile trainers. The trick here is to keep your sartorial gifts simple and effortless.

Recommended How to wear the camo print trend

Now, if you find that the man in your life has a knack for surreptitiously delving in to your stash of scrubs, shower gels and face creams, buying them their own this Fathers Day does everyone a favour.

If youre looking for a fragrance there are plenty of new season launches up for grabs but for a classic scent that will stand the test of time we suggest Tom Fords Black Orchid or Le Labo Santal 33.

Likewise, its always worth spoiling him when it comes to a bath time treat or some pint-sized skincare for his travels.
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What is a superfood? It depends on who you ask. We all know what a superfood should be: a panacea that will help us age slower, heal faster, live longer, and look better. One problem: there is no scientifically agreed upon definition of what takes an ordinary food and elevates it to super status.

Superfood enthusiasts will recite a long list that includes everything from blueberries to goji berries with some familiar names like Brussel sprouts and broccoli, and some like acai and chia that arent. The premise is that a superfood should be nutrient-packed but with what and how much? The NHS website points out that while a lot of superfoods undoubtedly contain nutrients that we know are good for us, wed have to eat a lot of them to get any medically recognised benefit.

So what do we do? I think the American food writer Michael Pollan hits it spot on when he says: Dont eat anything your great-grandmother wouldnt recognise as food and Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. If we can follow those two rules, were pretty much sorted. Id add one more thing: does it taste good? At the end of the day if it doesnt, do we really want to bother?

Drizzle with avocado and kefir dressing (Julia Platt Leonard)

Charred Broccoli with Kefir & Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

Youll find kefir in health food stores as well as many grocery stores.

Serves 3-4 as a side dish

Preheat oven to 220

1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets

2-3 tbsp olive oil

Salt

Green Goddess Dressing

15g chives, chopped

10g tarragon, leaves chopped

35g parsley, leaves chopped

 avocado, diced

115ml kefir (or buttermilk)

1 tbsp olive oil

Generous squeeze of lemon juice

Salt & pepper

Garnish

Pumpkin seeds

Sesame seeds

Blanch the broccoli in boiling, salted water for 1 minute. Drain well and place on a baking tray. Drizzle with olive oil to coat and season with salt. Roast in the hot oven for around 15 minutes until well charred on all sides.

While the broccoli is in the oven, make the dressing. Place the chopped herbs, diced avocado and  of the kefir in the small bowl of a food processor or a blender. You can also place them in a measuring jug and use a stick blender. Blend and then add the rest of the kefir in slowly. The mixture should be a light, bright green. Add the olive oil and blend again. Finally add the lemon juice and season generously with salt and pepper.

Place the broccoli on a serving plate and drizzle the dressing over it. Sprinkle with the seeds and serve hot or at room temperature.
U.S. supports helping N. Korean people, but Pyongyang ultimately responsible: State Dept. The United States supports and is taking steps to help the people of North Korea despite differences with the North Korean regime, a state department spokesperson said Thursday. ...

#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...
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Theresa May looks set to launch wide-ranging internet regulation and plans to fundamentally change how technology works despite not having won a majority.

In the speech in which she committed to keep governing despite calls to stand down, the prime minister made reference to extending powers for the security services. Those powers  which include regulation of the internet and forcing internet companies to let spies read everyone's private communications  were a key part of the Conservative campaign, which failed to score a majority in the House of Commons.

In the speech, given in Downing Street after losing her majority but still looking to form a government, she laid out a series of plans that she hopes to carry out at what she called a "critical time for our country".

General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Show all 7 1 /7 General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Nick Clegg Darren O'Brien General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Gavin Barwell Getty General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Angus Robertson General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Nicola Blackwood PA General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Alex Salmond PA General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Rob Wilson Rex Features General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Ben Gummer PA

One of those will be "cracking down on the ideology of Islamist extremism and all those who support it," she said in the short speech. And she will also "give the police and the authorities the powers they need to keep our country safe".

Recommended Theresa May tries to move on from humiliating result as critics circle

That statement  one of few policy proposals in the speech  seems to be a reference to new powers to regulate what is said and read on the internet, as set out in the Conservative manifesto.

Theresa May had already promised in the final days of the campaign to launch a worldwide plan to get "international agreements" to "regulate cyberspace". Her manifesto had laid out wide-ranging plans to regulate the internet, which included a commitment to become the "global leader in the regulation of the use of personal data and the internet".

During the election campaign, the prime minister refused to rule out Chinese-style internet censorship as part of that regulation plan, suggesting that she might look to shut down or ban companies that didn't comply with her controversial proposals.

Almost all of Ms May's plans for stopping terror have focused on internet communications, despite there being no proof that they are responsible for recent attacks. She said after the London Bridge attack that she planned four ways to stop terror, which included internet regulation alongside countering propaganda and segregation.

Experts have warned that those plans for internet regulation could in fact make life easier for terrorists.
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The Taliban has claimed responsibility for an attack in eastern Afghanistan that left two US soldiers dead and two others wounded.

"An Afghan army soldier opened fire and killed two American soldiers and injured two others," Attaullah Khogyani, spokesperson for the governor of Nangarhar province, told Fox News. "The Afghan army soldier was killed in return fire."

The Taliban claimed responsibility in a statement by Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid, who said the Taliban loyalist had infiltrated the Afghan army "just to attack foreign forces", according to Fox News.

According to US broadcaster ABC, insider attacks have been an ongoing threat to US military personnel in Afghanistan.

The number of such attacks spiked in 2012 but have become less common, partially as a result of improved security procedures and better vetting of Afghan security forces.

There are 13,000 Nato troops currently in the country, 8,400 of which are from the US.

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

More than 2,000 of them are involved in missions against terrorist groups Isis and al-Qaeda, but the majority are part of a mission that trains, advises and assists Afghan security forces in their fight against the Taliban insurgency.

The Trump administration is currently reviewing the overall US strategy in Afghanistan. Senior administration and military officials have reportedly proposed sending an additional 2,000 to 4,000 US troops to the country, but that suggestion has not yet been taken up by the White House.
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Not many people can lay claim to having had a worse Thursday night than Theresa May, but the gambler who placed a 70,000 bet on a Tory majority is certainly a contender.

William Hill took the wager from an unnamed punter shortly after the Conservatives crushed Labour in Mays local elections. The person was one of many who apparently believed the upcoming general election to be unlosable, the bookmaker said.

The Prime Minister was riding high with a seemingly unassailable double-digit lead over Jeremy Corbyn in the polls and the only question on pundits minds seemed to be, "how big will the landslide be?"

A month later, following one of the most remarkable turnarounds in British political history, whoever placed the bet will be rueing their decision.

But they werent alone. Bookmakers hailed a bumper evening as large numbers of people placed big bets on the Conservatives to romp to a convincing victory.

William Hill said around 20m was wagered, the majority of it backing the Tories.

Joe Crilly, a spokesperson for the bookmaker, said: The general election result was a good one for us bookies as the Tories managed to fluff their lines in what was being billed as the unlosable election.

We had a number of five figure bets on the Conservatives winning a majority, with some wagers at prices as short as 1/16, although one punter from London will be breathing a sigh of relief after backing the Conservatives to win the most seats to the tune of 200,000.

General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Show all 7 1 /7 General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Nick Clegg Darren O'Brien General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Gavin Barwell Getty General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Angus Robertson General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Nicola Blackwood PA General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Alex Salmond PA General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Rob Wilson Rex Features General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Ben Gummer PA

After what has been labelled one of the most disastrous election campaigns in living memory, bookies have slashed the odds on Theresa May being ousted from the Tory party top job.

William Hill has made Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson the 9/4 favourite to be the next leader, followed by Amber Rudd at 5/1 and Phillip Hammond at 12/1.

The bookmaker also reported a flurry of bets for Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson to move up to party leader and she is now 8/1 from 16/1 this morning.
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Vladimir Putin has said that he likes Senator John McCain  who has called the Russian president a butcher and a thug  but claimed that the congressman is living in the past.

In the latest teaser for the soon-to-be-released documentary of Mr Putin by film director Oliver Stone, Mr Putin said he wasnt joking after he commented that he likes Mr McCain to a certain extent.

I like him because of his patriotism, and I can relate to his consistency in fighting for the interests of his own country, Mr Putin said of the former US Navy aviator who spent more than five years as a prisoner of war.

Recommended Putin says Edward Snowden was wrong to leak US secrets

People with such convictions like [McCain] you mentioned, they still live in the Old World, he added. And theyre reluctant to look into the future, they are unwilling to recognise how fast the world is changing.

Mr Putin seemed to suggest that the US and Russia should focus on common threats, such as international terrorism, environmental deterioration and global poverty.

After all, weve piled up so many nuclear weapons that it has become a threat to the whole world as well, Mr Putin said. And it would be good for us to give it some thought. There are many issues to address.

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 Stones documentary The Putin Interviews has already been criticised by reviewers. In the four-part series, created from two years of conversations between Mr Stone and Mr Putin, the Russian leader lies by omission and pushes conspiracy theories, Foreign Policy magazine wrote.

Speaking on the Senate floor in February, Mr McCain, one of the Kremlins fiercest critics since the Cold War, labelled Mr Putin as a killer.

There is no moral equivalence between the United States and Putins Russia, Mr McCain said.

Washington is currently still dealing with the fallout from Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, which former FBI Director James Comey testified about this week, before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

The Russians interfered in our election during the 2016 cycle, he said. They did it with purpose. They did it with sophistication. They did it with overwhelming technical efforts.

Mr Putin has continued to deny any state role in the hacking, but suggested earlier this month that patriotically minded private Russian hackers could have been involved in the cyberattacks.

Mr McCain, a Republican, and Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, have introduced legislation that would penalise Russia for its election interference, as well as for ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Syria.

Senate Democrats are also pushing for broader sanctions that would make it more difficult for President Donald Trump to lift existing sanctions on Russia.

Congressional committees and a special prosecutor are currently investigating whether Trump campaign advisers colluded with the Russian government to influence the election.
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Londoners are being urged to visit the capitals bars and restaurants in a show of unity and resilience following last weekends terror attack.

The British Red Cross launched a campaign to encourage people to make a point of going out and refuse to be cowed after terrorists launched a deadly assault on London Bridge and Borough Market last Saturday, killing eight people and injuring dozens more.

The campaign will see restaurants donating proceeds from certain dishes and bars will ask punters to donate the price of a drink to the charitys UK Solidarity Fund.

Taxi firm Uber will also donate a pound for every journey between 8pm and midnight on Saturday.

The fund was set up in the wake of the suicide bombing in Manchester that killed 22 people less than two weeks before the London attack. It raised 400,000 in its first 48 hours.

"A Saturday night for London, a week after the terrible attacks at London Bridge, is a chance for people to show the unity and resilience of this great city and the generosity of Londoners in getting out and raising money to help the survivors, the victims and their families," comedian Amy Lame, appointed Londons "night czar" by mayor Sadiq Khan, said.

Donald Hyslop, Borough Market chairman of trustees, said: "Borough Market is not just a collection of stalls, restaurants and pubs; it is a community of people.

"Never has that been more apparent than it is now, in this darkest of hours."

London Attack victims Show all 8 1 /8 London Attack victims London Attack victims Christine Archibald, a Canadian woman who was killed in the latest London attack PA London Attack victims James McMullan, 32, who is believed to be one of victims who died in the London Bridge terror attack after his bank card was found on a body at the scene PA London Attack victims Australian nurse Kirsty Boden, aged 28. a staff nurse at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London, England, who died in the 03 June 2017 terror attack on London Bridge and Borough Market EPA London Attack victims Darren Mole Twitter / DarrenMole London Attack victims Oliver Dowling and his girlfriend Marie Bondeville were injured in the london terror attacks Facebook London Attack victims Candice Hedge London Attack victims Alexandre Pigeard, from Normandy, was knifed to death at Boro Bistro after three terrorists went on the rampage on Saturday night DoyouBuzz London Attack victims Geoff Ho Facebook

It comes as police continue to appeal for information on the attackers and their movements, following revelations that they held a midnight meeting at a gym in Ilford five days before launching the attack.

Relatives of suspected ringleader Khuram Butt said he was partly radicalised by extremist videos he watched on YouTube.

Recommended First pictures emerge of Borough Market after terror attack

He lived with his wife and children in Barking near fellow attacker Rachid Redouane, while the third attacker Youssef Zaghba lived in Ilford.

Police arrested a 28-year-old man in the early hours of Saturday morning in Barking on suspicion of being concerned in the preparation of acts of terrorism.

Searches of the residential address where he was arrested continue.
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The ringleader of the London Bridge terror gang tried to hire a 7.5 tonne lorry hours before the attack, police have revealed.

Detectives suspect the carnage inflicted could have been even worse if Khuram Butt had not failed to secure the vehicle because his payment did not go through.

Instead he resorted to plan B and rented a white van which ploughed into pedestrians as the perpetrators launched their deadly rampage last Saturday night, killing eight victims and injuring dozens more.

After leaving the vehicle, the terrorists used 12-inch ceramic knives with pink blades in a stabbing spree.

It also emerged that multiple petrol bombs were found in the van used in the outrage, while a copy of the Koran opened at a page describing martyrdom was discovered in the east London bolthole where the three men plotted the attack.

Commander Dean Haydon, head of the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command, revealed that Butt had attempted to hire a lorry online on the morning of the atrocity.

He said: Because of the fact his payment method failed he couldn't get hold of that lorry.

My view at the moment is that he then went to plan B and ended up hiring the van instead.

The van travelled over the bridge twice before it was driven at speed at pedestrians.

It is thought three victims were killed on the bridge - including one man who was thrown into the Thames - before the attackers left the vehicle and stabbed five people to death around Borough Market.

Police believe Butt was driving the van.

Mr Haydon said: When I come back to Butt trying to get hold of a 7.5 tonne lorry - the effect could have been even worse.

The potential for large vehicles to inflict mass casualties was laid bare in horrifying fashion last year when a lorry drove through crowds gathered to celebrate Bastille Day in Nice, killing 86 people and injuring scores more.

Fears that the London Bridge trio planned an even more deadly strike were also heightened by the discovery of items in the white Renault van they used.

In the back of the vehicle officers found 13 wine bottles filled with flammable liquid with rags wrapped around them in the shape of Molotov cocktails, along with two blow torches.

Mr Haydon said: It's feasible when you look at their actions, they were still fairly close to the van, there is a possibility they could have come back to the van.

Was there a plan B that, after they had stabbed individuals, were they then planning to come back to the van and ignite the Molotov cocktails and that was a secondary attack?

We don't know - I can only surmise.

Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack Show all 8 1 /8 Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack John Loughrey lays down flowers in Potters Fields Park, central London in honour of the London Bridge terror attack victims PA Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack People queue to lay flowers after a vigil for victims of Saturday's attack in London Bridge, at Potter's Field Park in London AP Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (centre) British Home Office Secretary, Amber Rudd (right) and British Shadow Labour Home Secretary (left) Diane Abbott arrive with flowers EPA Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack PA Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack Floral tributes left for victims of Saturdays London Bridge attack AP Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack People pay their respects, leaving floral tributes after a vigil for victims of Saturdays attack in London Bridge AP Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack People queue to honour those killed on Saturday. Police have arrested several people and are widening their investigation after the attack AP Crowds gather for vigil honouring victims of London Bridge attack Tributes lie outside City Hall in London EPA

Police also found a number of office chairs, bags of builders' gravel and a suitcase in the van.

Detectives believe the gravel may have been placed in the vehicle to make it heavier, or as part of a cover to justify hiring it, while the chairs may have been used to convince family and friends they were moving furniture.

Butt, a 27-year-old Pakistani-born British citizen, and his two accomplices, Rachid Redouane, 30, who claimed to be Moroccan-Libyan, and Youssef Zaghba, a 22-year-old Italian national of Moroccan descent, were shot dead by armed police eight minutes after the first emergency call.

The trio were wearing hoax suicide belts made of plastic water bottles wrapped in grey duct tape.

Mr Haydon said the belts were tested by explosives officers who found they were not viable.

I can only assume they were part of trying to cause fear amongst people who came across them, the senior officer said.

Asked if the vests may have been worn by the attackers to ensure they were shot dead, he said: It's possible, we don't know.

Three 12-inch knives with pink blades were recovered at the scene of the killings.

Each attacker brandished one of the weapons with leather binding strapped around their wrists.

On Tuesday counter-terror officers raided a top-floor bedsit in Barking Road, east London, which had been rented by Redouane since April.

This address is being treated as the safe house where the three men plotted the attack.

At the bedsit, police discovered an English language copy of the Koran opened at a page describing martyrdom, pieces of cloth which appeared to match material wrapped around the petrol bombs, and water bottles similar to those used in the fake suicide vests.

Luggage straps, plastic retractable craft knives and rolls of duct tape were also found.

A huge investigation was launched in the wake of the attack, with 18 people arrested so far.

Thirteen have been released without charge, while five men aged between 27 and 30 remain in custody.

Searches have been carried out at 12 properties, with eight ongoing. Detectives expect further searches and arrests to be made in the coming days.

Police have made a number of international inquiries as they work urgently to establish how the three attackers knew each other, as well as investigating whether they were helped through funding or any other means.

Mr Haydon added: We are not looking at the moment for a wider network.

It looks as if it is pretty much a contained plot involving the three of them, which is supported by the forensic evidence we've got back so far.

The officer appealed for vehicle hire and haulage firms with suspicions about rental attempts to come forward as security services work at an extraordinary pace to try to face down the wider threat.

He also asked for information about anyone buying odd quantities of petrol or lighter fluid for no apparent reason, as well as changes in behaviour and unusual activity at addresses.

Anyone with information can contact police on 0800 789 321 or visit gov.uk/ACT
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A motorcycle murderer blasted a man in the head and left him for dead during a ride-by shooting in southwest London, according to the Metropolitan Police.

The attacker opened fire on two men in a Volkswagen on Wellesley Road, Croydon, leaving the passenger with a fatal gunshot wound to the head at around 10pm on Friday.

The car driver, who suffered minor injuries, rushed the 24-year-old victim to a south London hospital, but he was declared dead within minutes.

Detectives believe a motorcyclist with a pillion passenger pulled up alongside the car before shots were fired.

They have launched a murder investigation and are appealing for information about the incident as enquiries continue.

The victim is yet to be identified.

A spokesperson for the Met Police said: Croydon town centre is usually very busy on a Friday night and detectives are appealing for anyone in the area who witnessed the shooting or the events leading up to the incident to contact them.

No arrests have been made and enquires continue.

Local road closures are in place and members of the public are advised to avoid the area to enable police to conduct a full examination of the crime scene.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8721 4054. Alternatively contact police on 101 or via Twitter @MetCC.

To give information anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit the www.crimestoppers-uk.org website.
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Brexit talks will begin as planned in the "next couple of weeks," German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Theresa May have agreed.

The news comes after Ms Merkel said the negotiations should go ahead as scheduled, despite the uncertainty caused by the UK's General Election resulting in a hung Parliament.

Speaking in Mexico, Ms Merkel told a news conference: "We are ready for the negotiations. We want to do it quickly, respecting the calendar.

"We were waiting for the election in Britain, but in the next few days these talks will begin. We will defend the interests of the 27 member states, and Britain will defend its own interests.

"At the same time, we say that we want to remain a good partner to Britain. Britain is part of Europe, even if it will no longer be part of the European Union."

Ms May called the snap election supposedly to "strengthen her hand" in the Brexit negotiations in the hope and expectation the Conservatives would increase their majority.

Downing Street has confirmed the Conservatives have reached an outline agreement to enter into a "confidence and supply" arrangement with the Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland which should allow the Prime Minister to form a minority government.

Ms May has faced calls to resign following the Conservatives' disastrous performance at the ballot box which left the party with 318 seats - 8 short of a majority - after a much-criticised campaign which saw a seemingly unassailable lead gradually diminished.

Speaking on Friday morning once it became clear she had no majority, the Prime Minister said: "This Government will guide the country through the crucial Brexit talks that begin in just 10 days and deliver on the will of the British people by taking the United Kingdom out of the European Union."

European Council president Donald Tusk warned the UK there could be consequences if negotiations did not begin as scheduled.

"We don't know when Brexit talks start. We know when they must end," said Mr Tusk.

"Do your best to avoid a 'no deal' as result of 'no negotiations'."

In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier listens at the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, delivers his speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Michel Barnier, European Chief Negotiator for Brexit reacts during a meeting at the European Parliament in Strasbourg EPA In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Member of the European Parliament and former leader of the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP) Nigel Farage wears socks with Union Jack flag at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty Images In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Nigel Farage, United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) member and MEP, addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcoming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier gestures during speeches at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker (L) speaks with European commission member in charge of Brexit negotiations with Britain, French Michel Barnier at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), addresses the European Parliament during a debate on Brexit priorities and the upcomming talks on the UK's withdrawal from the EU Reuters In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier delivers a speech during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg Getty In pictures: European parliament Brexit discussions The European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France Getty Images

But Brussels' chief negotiator Michel Barnier appeared to take a less hard-line approach than Mr Tusk when he said Brexit talks could wait until the new government was ready.

He said on Twitter: "Brexit negotiations should start when UK is ready; timetable and EU positions are clear. Let's put our minds together on striking a deal."

Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament's Brexit co-ordinator, described the election result as "yet another own goal" for the UK.

The former Belgian prime minister wrote on Twitter: "Yet another own goal, after Cameron now May, will make already complex negotiations even more complicated."
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The number of state-educated MPs sitting in the House of Commons has risen to a record high, new data has revealed.

MPs educated at comprehensive schools now make up 51 per cent of the Commons - the highest number since Sutton Trust began recording figures.

The report by the social mobility think-tank found 29 per cent of MPs in 2017s Parliament were privately educated, while 18 per cent attended grammar schools.

While the figures reveal undeniable progress in equal opportunities, the report also found one in ten MPs had attended Eton, one of the UKs most exclusive public schools.

Conservative MPs were disproportionately privately educated, with 45 per cent attending private schools, compared to 14 per cent of their Labour counterparts.

The data found 86 per cent of MPs to be university graduates, with 23 per cent attending Oxford or Cambridge.

General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Show all 7 1 /7 General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Nick Clegg Darren O'Brien General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Gavin Barwell Getty General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Angus Robertson General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Nicola Blackwood PA General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Alex Salmond PA General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Rob Wilson Rex Features General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Ben Gummer PA

This report shows that educational background is still a strong determinant of opportunity to become an MP, the authors wrote.

With independent and grammar schools still disproportionately attended by the better off, there is still a long way to go until there are truly equal opportunities in society.

However, Parliament now has more black and minority ethnic (BAME) MPs than ever before.

Ten new MPs from non-white backgrounds were elected in Theresa May's snap election, taking the total from 41 to 51 sitting in the Commons.

Recommended Theresa May tries to move on from humiliating result as critics circle

While this is still only around one in 13 MPs, it means the Commons is now more diverse than in any previous Parliament.

The new MPs include Labours Preet Gill in Birmingham Edgbaston  the first ever female Sikh MP. Sloughs new representative, Tanmanjeet Singh, also of Labour, becomes the first turban-wearing Sikh to sit in Parliament.

The new Parliament will also have a record number of women  up to 208 from 191 in the last Parliament, but still only 32 per cent of the total.

Four of the new female MPs are black women  a group that has traditionally been hugely underrepresented in Parliament.
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Theresa May is set to be propped up by the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) as she attempts to run a minority government following the Conservatives' disastrous performance at the General Election.

Downing Street said an outline agreement on a confidence and supply arrangement had been reached and will be put to the Cabinet for discussion on Monday.

The 10 MPs from the socially conservative Northern Irish party could prove crucial in supporting the Conservatives on key votes after Thursday's election saw Ms May lose control of the Commons.

Ms May faced calls to resign as Prime Minister amid fierce criticism for calling the snap general election after the Conservatives fell well short of their own expectations winning just 318 seats.

A total of 326 seats is needed for a majority in the Commons, and attempts to run a minority government are normally doomed to fail because of the inability to get any legislation through Parliament, meaning an arrangement with another party is necessary.

An agreement of confidence and supply means the supporting party will back the Government in motions of confidence by either voting in favour of abstaining, while retaining the right to vote otherwise in matters of conscience. "Supply" refers to bills required for a minority government to receive money to allow it to enact its policies.

It is a far looser arrangement than the coalition which the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats entered into in 2010, and the DUP will not have any of its MPs becoming government or cabinet ministers.

A Number 10 spokesman said: 'We can confirm that the Democratic Unionist Party have agreed to the principles of an outline agreement to support the Conservative Government on a confidence and supply basis when Parliament returns next week.

"We welcome this commitment, which can provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond.

The details will be put forward for discussion and agreement at a Cabinet meeting on Monday.

It is not known what concessions the Conservatives have agreed to in order to secure the support of the DUP, a party with religious origins and a known historical association with Unionist terrorist groups. But the DUP is thought likely to have asked for an agreement not to further cut benefits as the party is pro-welfare state and has consistently opposed the Government's austerity measures.

A coalition would have offered more stability but would have caused more controversy than the confidence and supply arrangement because of the DUP's stance on issues such as same-sex marriage.

The Conservative Chief Whip Gavin Williamson held hastily arranged talks with his DUP counterpart in Belfast today after a hung Parliament result was confirmed on the early hours of Friday morning.

The decision by the Conservatives to form such an agreement with the DUP is controversial, with more than half a million people already signing a petition opposing such an arrangement and protesters taking to the streets of London today to voice their discontent at the prospect.

Members of the DUP are known for their ultra conservative beliefs, including climate change denial, as well as for their evangelical Christian views of sexuality.

The party is led by Arlene Foster in Northern Ireland and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson in Westminster. It is the largest single party in Northern Ireland and is pro-Brexit as well as pro-Union.

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With Brexit negotiations with the European Union set to begin on 19 June, Ms May immediately faced calls to make clear the terms of the agreement.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: "Theresa May needs to make the terms of her confidence and supply deal with the DUP clear to the British people immediately.

"The actions of this Government will have profound implications for the Brexit negotiations and the future of our country.

"At such a critical time, the Prime Minister must be clear with the people about the deal she has stitched up with the DUP behind closed doors."

Ahead of the announcement, a former DUP member of the Northern Ireland Assembly said he does not expect a deal to last more than 12 or 18 months.

Alastair Ross told BBC Radio Ulster's Inside Politics programme he did not believe any agreement between the Conservatives and the DUP would be a formal arrangement.

"I would have thought the DUP would want to have as much flexibility in any arrangement as they can get, because they will not want to get tied into some of the less popular things," he said.

"They (the DUP) would perhaps support them (the Conservatives) in a budget and the Queen's Speech, but allow themselves the flexibility to take different positions to the Conservative Party if it's in the interests of Northern Ireland to do so.

"I'd be very, very surprised if there's any sort of formal arrangement."

The last time the UK Government was run on a confidence and supply basis was between 1077 and 1079 when Jin Callaghan's Labour Party remained in power thanks to such an arrangement with the Liberal Party, known as the Lib-Lab pact. In return, the Labour Party agreed to some modest concessions required by the Liberals, led by David Steele.

An under-pressure Ms May had made clear her determination to secure support from "friends and allies" in the DUP ahead of the Queen's Speech on 19 June.

Some Tory MPs have expressed concern over the prospect of close links with the Northern Irish penalty, which called for a debate on the return of the death penalty in 2011.

Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston said on Twitter: "I will always oppose the death penalty & would resign if others imposed it. They won't.

"I will always support the right for women to choose & access safe termination of pregnancy & will oppose any change to the legislation.

"I will never agree to any dilution of LGBT rights. Creationism in schools? Hell no.

"If any of that is a condition of confidence and supply it simply won't work."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party stands poised to form an alternative government in coalition with other parties if the Conservatives do not manage to get their Queen's speech through Parliament next week.

Mr Corbyn, whose party performed better than many expected to win 262 seats in the election , told the Sunday Mirror: "I can still be prime minister. This is still on. Absolutely.

"Theresa May has been to the palace. She's now attempting to form a government. She's then got to present a programme to Parliament.

"There's a possibility of voting the Queen's Speech down and we're going to push that all the way."
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More than 6,500 votes from an entire ward were lost in one of Britain's most marginal constituencies during the general election.

Plymouth City Council failed to include votes from the Efford and Lipson ward in the final count numbers for the Plymouth Sutton and Devonport constituency.

Labours Luke Pollard won the seat from Tory incumbent Oliver Colvile in Thursdays vote, but the discrepancy meant his reported margin of 6,002 was drastically lower than it should have been, the Plymouth Herald reported.

The Electoral Commission confirmed to The Independent it was aware of administrative problems at the count, and said it would be reporting on the administration of the polls after the election and will carefully consider these reports as part of that process.

Mr Pollard called the miscalculation yet another example of election incompetence by Conservative-run Plymouth City Council.

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"We were suspicious because the official turnout of just over 58 per cent seemed lower than in neighbouring constituencies, Mr Pollard told ITV.

"What appears to have happened is that while all the votes were counted on the night, the results of an entire ward were missing from the final total.

"There are eight wards in Sutton and Devonport, and it seems that the votes from one were not included."

He is now calling for a full investigation into the error, writing on Twitter: More election shambles from Tory-run @plymouthcc. Every vote must count. I won't let this rest until it's sorted."

Recommended Theresa May needs to face reality after the general election result

Acting Returning Officer Tracey Lee told The Independent: We have full confidence that all votes at the general election count were counted correctly but unfortunately we have now found that the figure for the final number of votes declared for the Plymouth Sutton and Devonport constituency was not correct. This does not affect the result of the election.

We are very sorry that this error has happened. We are making all paperwork and data available to the Electoral Commission and to candidates and agents to inspect.

It follows a host of administrative issues affecting the city's constituents, including 1,500 postal votes not being delivered ahead of Thursdays vote due to a computer error.

Other voters in Plymouth were reportedly turned away after they arrived to cast their ballot despite having a polling card, due to their named not being on the electoral register.
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An online petition demanding that the Conservatives scrap plans to form a government with DUP support has gained nearly 300,000 signatures in just 12 hours.

Signed by 278,843 people at the time of writing, it also calls for Theresa May to resign after she lost her parliamentary majority.

Speaking outside No 10 after the result became clear, the Prime Minister said that she would seek to form a minority government with a confidence and supply agreement with the Northern Irish party.

It would mean that they would vote with the Government on a case-by-case basis.

But the party is controversial for many of its illiberal stances on LGBT rights, abortion and climate change as well as its alleged links with unionist terrorists.

Many commentators have condemned the move, saying it could potentially destabilise the peace process in the country that is already under strain following the collapse of the power-sharing agreement earlier this year.

The UK and Irish governments are currently trying to mediate between the DUP and Irish nationalists to restore the Northern Irish government.

Under the terms of the power-sharing deal if a unionist is First Minister, a nationalist must serve as Deputy First Minister.

UK Election Day 2017 Show all 38 1 /38 UK Election Day 2017 UK Election Day 2017 Door of Number 10 Downing Street is seen on the morning after Britain's election in London REUTERS UK Election Day 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves his home in north 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" PA UK Election Day 2017 Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell arrives at Labour Headquarters on June 9, 2017 in London, England. After a snap election was called by Prime Minister Theresa May the United Kingdom went to the polls yesterday. The closely fought election has failed to return a clear overall majority winner and a hung parliament has been declared Getty Images UK Election Day 2017 Caroline Lucas, co-leader of Britain's Green Party, speaks after retaining her seat in the general election, in Brighton REUTERS UK Election Day 2017 Patrons watch the results for Britain's election in London REUTERS UK Election Day 2017 Leader of the Liberal democrats Tim Farron celebrates beating Conservative party candidate James Airey (R) following the announcement of the results at the Westmoorland and Lonsdale constituency count at Kendal Leisure Centre on June 9, 2017 in Kendal, United Kingdom. After a snap election was called, the United Kingdom went to the polls yesterday following a closely fought election. The results from across the country are being counted and an overall result is expected in the early hours Getty Images UK Election Day 2017 Paul Nuttal, leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party reacts after failing to win the seat of Boston and Skegness at the counting centre for Britain's general election in Boston REUTERS UK Election Day 2017 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon arrives at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, as counting is under way for the General Election. PA UK Election Day 2017 Anna McMorrin hugs Jo Stevens MP after winning Cardiff North for Labour at the Sport Wales National Centre on June 9, 2017 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. After a snap election was called, the United Kingdom went to the polls yesterday following a closely fought election. The results from across the country are being counted and an overall result is expected in the early hours Getty Images UK Election Day 2017 Vince Cable wins the Twickenham election for the Liberal Democrats. Richmond and Twickenham election Rex Features UK Election Day 2017 Britain's Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn rubs his face after arriving for the declaration at his constituency in London AP UK Election Day 2017 Emily Thornberry speaks after holding her Islington South and Finsbury seat at the Sobell Leisure Centre in Islington, north London PA UK Election Day 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May listens as the declaration at her constituency is made for in the general election in Maidenhead, England, Friday, June 9, 2017. British Prime Minister Theresa May's gamble in calling an early election appeared Friday to have backfired spectacularly, after an exit poll suggested her Conservative Party could lose its majority in Parliament AP UK Election Day 2017 Labour Party candidate Emily Thornberry smiles at a counting centre for BritainaAAs general election in London REUTERS UK Election Day 2017 A picture shows the Elizabeth Tower, commonly referred to as Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament in central London on June 8, 2017, on the night of Britain's general election. Prime Minister Theresa May is poised to win Britain's snap election but lose her parliamentary majority, a shock exit poll suggested on June 8, in what would be a major blow for her leadership as Brexit talks loom AFP/Getty Images UK Election Day 2017 DUP candidate for Lagan Valley Jeffrey Donaldson celebrates following his election at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn as counting is under way for the General Election PA UK Election Day 2017 Britain's Home Secretary Amber Rudd attends the count for her seat at a counting centre for Britain's general election in Hastings REUTERS UK Election Day 2017 Ballots are counted at a counting centre for BritainaAAs general election in London Reuters UK Election Day 2017 The London Eye is illuminated in blue, representing the Conservative Party, after the first exit polls announced in Britain's general election AP UK Election Day 2017 Election officials count votes in the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland EPA UK Election Day 2017 The London Eye is illuminated in red, the color of the Labour Party, after first exit polls of Britain's national election announced in London AP UK Election Day 2017 BBC Television centre is illuminated with the exit poll results for Britains general election Eddie Keogh/Reuters UK Election Day 2017 Labours Bridget Phillipson (centre) smiles after being announced as the winner of the election for the constituency of Houghton and Sunderland South at a counting centre Reuters UK Election Day 2017 Members of the election staff prepare to count ballots, in Theresa Mays constituency in Maidenhead AP UK Election Day 2017 Ballot papers are checked ahead of the count at the Westmoorland and Lonsdale constituency count at Kendal Leisure Centre Getty UK Election Day 2017 Ballots are counted at a counting centre for Britains general election in Kendal Reuters UK Election Day 2017 Theresa May arrives to vote at a polling station in Maidenhead AP UK Election Day 2017 Jeremy Corbyn arrives to cast his ballot at a polling station in north London EPA UK Election Day 2017 Lib Dems leader Tim Farron outside a polling station at Stonecross Manor Hotel in Kendal, Cumbria PA UK Election Day 2017 The leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (Ukip) Paul Nuttall arrives to vote at a polling station in Congleton Reuters UK Election Day 2017 Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon with her husband Peter Murrell (left) the CEO of the SNP after casting their votes at a polling station at Broomhouse Community Hall, Glasgow, Scotland EPA UK Election Day 2017 Caroline Lucas, co-leader of Britains Green Party, arrives with her husband Richard Savage, to vote in Brighton Reuters UK Election Day 2017 An advertising van showing caricatures of Tim Farron, Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn and Paul Nuttall with the message who will be looking for a new job as Britain goes to the polls to elect a new government Rex UK Election Day 2017 Performers pose with puppet caricatures of Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, leader of the Liberal Democrat Party Tim Farron and leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn, in front of the Palace of Westminster Reuters UK Election Day 2017 Dogs wait for their owner outside a polling station in Penally, Wales Reuters UK Election Day 2017 Police officers speak with a Labour Party activist outside a polling station in London AP UK Election Day 2017 Benedictine nuns from Tyburn Convent leave after voting in Britain's general election at a polling station in St John's Parish Hall, London AP UK Election Day 2017 A polling station sign is seen on a telephone box outside the polling station at Rotherwick Hall, west of London Getty

It was suspended in January when Sinn Fein withdrew from the agreement and said it would refuse to work with the DUP while First Minister Arlene Foster remained in her post.

Ms Foster has refused to resign over a scandal from her time as finance minister when it was found she had personally campaigned to keep a government-backed renewable-energy scheme opened despite it overspending by 400m.

Former New Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell, whose government got the Good Friday agreement signed in 1998, said Ms May was threatening the peace process by securing an alliance with one of the parties the Government is supposed to be mediating between.

Speaking on the BBCs Question Time, he said: She is playing fast and loose, on Brexit, on Margaret Thatchers greatest achievement  the single market. He also said that the Prime Minister was risking Tony Blair and Gordon Browns greatest achievement, which is peace in Northern Ireland.

She is putting that at risk with a sordid, dangerous, distasteful deal.

We have a situation in Northern Ireland right now where there has been a political crisis where the Government is the mediator between the DUP and Sinn Fein.

How can our Government be the mediator when the DUP is going to be part of our government?
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Bed-blocking in NHS hospitals has risen by more than half in the last three years, according to new figures.

Patients in England experienced some 177,000 days-worth of delays affecting more than 5,900 beds a day in April this year, NHS England said, leading opposition politicians, charities and union leaders to call on Theresa May to step in with extra funds.

Data on delayed transfers of care  the official term for bed blocking, when a patient is fit to be discharged or moved to a less acute stage of treatment but there is nowhere to receive them  was released following the general election.

It showed the tally of total delayed days had risen from 116,261 in April 2014 to 177,137 three years later, an increase of about 52 per cent. Estimated actual beds blocked rose from 3,875 a day in April 2014 to 5,905 in April this year.

Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrats health spokesman, called the rise shocking and said Ms May's new administration should establish, without delay, a cross-party commission on the NHS and care. This transcends narrow party politics, he told The Independent.

Nigel Edwards, the chief executive of the Nuffield Trust charity, told The Independent the Government must provide provide adequate and sustainable funding for the NHS to tackle delayed transfers.

Labour demanded a major and immediate funding boost and Dr Mark Porter, the chairman of the British Medical Association council, said: The new government cannot ignore this crisis any longer.

Fifty-five per cent of delays in April 2017 were down to the NHS internally and a further 38 per cent were attributable to social care, NHS England said, with the blame shared in the remaining cases.

Delayed transfers of care have increased by about 52 per cent in three years (NHS England/The Independent)

The body admitted the proportion of delays due to patients lacking a home care plan has been steadily increasing since February 2015, and said 36 per cent of all social care-related delays in April, or 23,900 days-worth, were for this reason.

The authority said: The main reason for NHS delays in April 2017 was patients awaiting further non-acute NHS care. This accounted for 28,500 delayed days [or] 29.3 per cent of all NHS delays.

When beds are taken up by patients who have not been discharged it means other people coming into accident and emergency, who may be more unwell, cannot be moved into wards or departments elsewhere in the system.

The problem was projected to cost the NHS 169m directly for the 2016-17 financial year, but the National Audit Office believes the overall related cost may reach some 820m annually, according to David Hare, the chief executive of NHS Partners Network.

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The future of social care and the NHS was a central issue in the general election, with Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May having faced off for months over funding and the pressure that bed-blocking puts on A&E departments, particularly during winter.

Local authorities across the country have raised council tax to help fund the care system and Chancellor Philip Hammond pledged an extra 2 billion over three years in his budget in March.

Mr Lamb told The Independent: The shocking rise in bed-blocking reinforces the case we have been making for the Government to establish, without delay, a cross party commission on the NHS and care. We need a new Beveridge report for the 21st century.

The new Government must commit to giving the NHS and social care the extra money they need in order to put an end to this totally unacceptable situation.

Jonathan Ashworth, Labour's Shadow Health Secretary, told The Independent: Theresa May's weak and unstable leadership is proving disastrous for the NHS with standards for NHS patients getting worse and worse, and it is astonishing that so many more people are stuck in hospital even when they're well enough to go home.

The NHS needs a major and immediate funding boost so that hospitals are able to deliver the best possible standards for patients.

Mr Edwards, of the Nuffield Trust, said: The poor availability of social care services is a growing part of the problem. But most delays are still due to issues within the NHS, whether this is a lack of NHS community services closer to people's homes, inadequate systems and process within hospitals, or simply not having the right staff in the right places.

The NHS and local authorities are already working together to shift more care out of hospital. But without additional funding for this change, and with problems in recruiting and retaining staff likely to get worse under Brexit, this will be an uphill struggle.

So, as well as looking at why so many people are stuck in hospital and unable to leave, the new Government must both provide adequate and sustainable funding for the NHS and ensure any Brexit deal means the health service can continue to access to the staff and skills it needs.

 John Major: The NHS is about as safe with Tory Brexiteers as a hamster is with a phython

Emily Holzhausen, the director of policy at Carers UK, told The Independent: Investment in care services, which have been consistently underfunded, must be high up on the new government's agenda.

A lack of consultation at the point when their loved one is discharged from hospital, or an inadequate support package at home, mean that many families are taking on a caring role in a crisis and feel unprepared. This inevitably leads to people being readmitted to hospital, piling more pressure on the already stretched NHS.

Dr Porter, of the BMA, added: These figures show the worrying reality of an overstretched NHS with restricted funding and resources, failing to meet unprecedented demand.

The Conservatives referred The Independent to the Department of Health for comment, who referred us to NHS England. NHS England has been contacted for comment.
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Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said she has received assurances from the Prime Minister over gay rights should the Tories do a deal with Democratic Unionist Party.

Ms Davidson, who is gay, spoke out after Theresa May outlined a plan to seek a deal with the socially hardline party, which has 10 seats in the Commons, to prop up her minority administration.

In an apparent criticism of the plan, Ms Davidson on Friday tweeted a link to a speech she made in favour of marriage equality, with the message: As a Protestant Unionist about to marry an Irish Catholic, here's the Amnesty Pride lecture I gave in Belfast.

Recommended Theresa May tries to move on from humiliating result as critics circle

Ms Davidson, who became engaged to partner Jen Wilson in May 2016, later told the BBC: I was fairly straightforward with her (Mrs May) and I told her that there were a number of things that count to me more than the party.

One of them is country, one of the others is LGBTI rights.

I asked for a categoric assurance that if any deal or scoping deal was done with the DUP there would be absolutely no rescission of LGBTI rights in the rest of the UK, in Great Britain, and that we would use any influence that we had to advance LGBTI rights in Northern Ireland

It's an issue very close to my heart and one that I wanted categoric assurances from the prime minister on, and I received (them).

Northern Ireland is the only part of the British Isles where same-sex marriage remains outlawed.

The DUP has repeatedly used a controversial Stormont voting mechanism - the petition of concern - to prevent the legalisation of same-sex marriage, despite a majority of MLAs supporting the move at the last vote.

The party has often found itself embroiled in controversy over its stance on gay rights issues.

Founded on the evangelical principles of the late Ian Paisley's Free Presbyterian church, Northern Ireland's largest political party has been repeatedly at odds with the region's LGBT community.

Their differences highlight Northern Ireland's often stark dichotomy between religious-based social conservatism and secular progressive liberalism.

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While the party insists it is protecting the traditional definition of marriage, critics have denounced its stance as homophobic.

Going back decades, the DUP was at the vanguard of the failed Save Ulster from Sodomy movement that campaigned against the 1982 legalisation of homosexual sex in Northern Ireland.

In more recent times, former first minister Peter Robinson's wife Iris, then an MP, described homosexuality as an abomination, while the MP son of Dr Paisley, Ian Paisley Jr, said he felt repulsed by homosexual acts.

A party councillor in Ballymena reportedly claimed Hurricane Katrina, which killed more than 1,500 people in the US, was God's revenge for New Orleans hosting an annual gay pride event.

Former DUP Stormont minister Edwin Poots once hit out at a gay rugby team in Belfast, accusing it of introducing a sporting apartheid against heterosexual players.

Mr Poots also ended up in court for upholding a ban on gay men giving blood and, in a separate case, objecting to gay couples adopting. In the former case an appeal judge overturned a finding that he was motivated by bias.

In the 2015 general election campaign, DUP health minister Jim Wells resigned amid a controversy about remarks he made about same sex couples.

Defending her party's stance on gay marriage in a recent interview, leader Arlene Foster insisted those who characterised the DUP as anti-gay were wide of the mark.

They are wrong and they need to understand why we take those positions from a faith point of view and why we want to protect the definition of marriage, she said.

I could not care less what people get up to in terms of their sexuality, that's not a matter for me, when it becomes a matter for me is when people try to redefine marriage.

PA
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The Conservatives will be supported in parliament by the right-wing Democratic Unionist Party on the basis of an agreement known as "confidence and supply", stopping short of the full coalition government that had been rumoured.

Theresa May said on Friday morning that she would seek to form a government with the assistance of the DUP, hours after losing her party's majority in the general election.

Government Chief Whip Gavin Williamson has been in Belfast on Saturday to open discussions with the DUP on "how best they can provide support" for the Tories, according to a Number 10 source.

That source also said the talks would include the possibility of coalition government, an option which is now understood to be off the table.

An online petition against any Conservative deal with the controversial DUP has already reached 500,000 signatures, and protests have taken place in central London against the alliance.

Under confidence and supply the DUP would not have any of its MPs become government or cabinet ministers, but would support Conservative legislation on a case by case basis. It potentially hands the party more leverage over the Conservatives than a coalition in which they were become part of the government. It will effectively give the Northern Irish politicians the freedom almost to pick and choose between various pieces of legislation they will support. On Brexit, there will be many.

A coalition would have been far more controversial, given the party's stance on issues such as same sex marriage and abortion, but it would have offered greater stability, and may have been the Prime Minister's preferred option.

The party, which is deeply informed by Protestant religious views, has prevented the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.

A coalition deal would have threatened to undermine the Good Friday agreement, the centrepiece of the Northern Ireland peace process.

 Two of Theresa May's closest aides quit following General Election result

Under the terms of the agreement, Unionists and Republicans are supposed to share power, with the Westminster government acting as a broker, and can step in if relations between the two groups, Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party, break down.

If the DUP were themselves part of the government, the neutral role of the UK government would be compromised.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has expressed grave doubts over the anticipated deal between the Conservatives and the DUP, in whatever form it takes.

"History will show, alliances between Ulster unionism and British unionism has always ended in tears," he said.

"It is far better to look to our own place, to all of the people here, to deal with the people of this island, this part of the island as one community."

The DUP said that no formal discussions would take place over the weekend. Leader Arlene Foster has said she will come to London on Monday to begin talks with Theresa May.

The Prime Minister has been forced into negotiations after calling a snap election with the expectation of increasing the slender parliamentary majority she inherited from David Cameron, but instead lost it altogether.

Having been twenty points ahead in the polls at the start of the campaign seven weeks ago, the Conservatives won just 318 seats, eight short of an overall majority, and dozens below even modest expectations.

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Any formal deal with the DUP will attract harsh criticism. The leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Ruth Davidson, said she had been "given assurances" by the Prime Minister that no concessions would be made over LGBTI rights, an issue Ms Davidson, who is gay and engaged to be married to an Irish Catholic, said was "more important" to her than her party.

Government sources indicate it will cede to demands to the DUP over issues concerning the border with Ireland, and will seek to guarantee on a frictionless border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, and no further checks on travel between Northern Ireland and the UK. But these are thing that all parties involved in the Brexit negotations, including the UK and Brussels, agree on.

The DUP will not seek to impose its hardline agenda on sex marriage and abortion. These matters are already devolved to the Northern Irish Assembly at Stormont.

Tory MP Sarah Wollaston insisted any deal with the DUP must not influence social policy.

The MP for Totnes and former Health minister said: "I will always oppose the death penalty & would resign if others imposed it. They won't.

"I will always support the right for women to choose & access safe termination of pregnancy & will oppose any change to the legislation.

"I will never agree to any dilution of LGBT rights.

"Creationism in schools? Hell no.

"If any of that is a condition of confidence and supply it simply won't work."
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A beleaguered Theresa May is facing a backlash after agreeing an outline deal with anti-gay Democratic Unionists to save her premiership.

Conservatives spoke out after a senior party figure was sent to Belfast seeking a deal that could have seen the DUP handed ministerial jobs, with one Tory telling The Independent it meant being pushed out to the right.

In the end, no formal coalition was agreed. But a confidence and supply arrangement was struck for the DUP to back the Tories on key votes. The Cabinet will discuss it on Monday.

It came as Ms May was also forced to let go of her two trusted aides Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill  described as her right and left arm  to prevent a leadership challenge following her disastrous election campaign.

The Prime Minister then came under pressure from the Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, strengthened by Tory success north of the border, who called on her to think again about leaving the EU single market.

The resignations will buy time for the Prime Minister, but she is still fighting for her political life amid a growing belief in Tory circles that she must go after a period of months as an interim leader.

Strikingly, her Cabinet again failed to come out publicly to support her and her planned reshuffle had to be postponed amid the turmoil.

Graham Brady, the chairman of the Tories backbench 1922 committee, is thought to have personally demanded the heads of Mr Timothy and Ms Hill to prevent an immediate leadership contest.

Meanwhile, Gavin Barwell, who lost his Croydon Central seat at the election, was quickly appointed as Downing Streets new chief of staff, bringing considerable experience to the post, the Prime Minister said.

As the twin chiefs of staff quit, Gavin Williamson, the Conservative Chief Whip, was in Belfast, pushing for the 10 DUP MPs to enter into a formal coalition agreement, rather than simply propping up the Government on key votes.

 Two of Theresa May's closest aides quit following General Election result

It appeared Ms May had decided she needed the strength of coalition to bolster her chances of keeping her Government alive, amid growing pressure from angry Tory MPs and members.

No 10 said the chief whip was exploring how best they can provide support to the Government. A source confirmed to The Independent that coalition was on the table.

However, it was thought the DUP was wary of coalition, given the miserable fate of the Liberal Democrats after entering government with the Conservatives.

Later, a No 10 spokesman said: We can confirm that the Democratic Unionist Party have agreed to the principles of an outline agreement to support the Conservative Government on a confidence and supply basis when Parliament returns next week.

We welcome this commitment, which can provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond.

It would mean the DUP backing the Government on its Budget and other key votes and  crucially  preventing it being brought down by motions of no confidence.

Neil Carmichael, a former select committee chairman who lost his Stroud seat last Thursday, said: The DUP has the potential to push the Conservative party out to the right.

On Brexit, I have argued that we need to come back to the middle, including people who voted to Remain. This has to be about where Britain goes  not just a chunk of Britain.

And theres Northern Ireland itself. The Government is apparently brokering a return to Stormont, but how can it if it has some of the politicians in its own camp?

UK Election Day 2017 Show all 38 1 /38 UK Election Day 2017 UK Election Day 2017 Door of Number 10 Downing Street is seen on the morning after Britain's election in London REUTERS UK Election Day 2017 Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves his home in north 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" PA UK Election Day 2017 Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell arrives at Labour Headquarters on June 9, 2017 in London, England. After a snap election was called by Prime Minister Theresa May the United Kingdom went to the polls yesterday. 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The results from across the country are being counted and an overall result is expected in the early hours Getty Images UK Election Day 2017 Paul Nuttal, leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party reacts after failing to win the seat of Boston and Skegness at the counting centre for Britain's general election in Boston REUTERS UK Election Day 2017 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon arrives at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, as counting is under way for the General Election. PA UK Election Day 2017 Anna McMorrin hugs Jo Stevens MP after winning Cardiff North for Labour at the Sport Wales National Centre on June 9, 2017 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. After a snap election was called, the United Kingdom went to the polls yesterday following a closely fought election. The results from across the country are being counted and an overall result is expected in the early hours Getty Images UK Election Day 2017 Vince Cable wins the Twickenham election for the Liberal Democrats. Richmond and Twickenham election Rex Features UK Election Day 2017 Britain's Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn rubs his face after arriving for the declaration at his constituency in London AP UK Election Day 2017 Emily Thornberry speaks after holding her Islington South and Finsbury seat at the Sobell Leisure Centre in Islington, north London PA UK Election Day 2017 Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May listens as the declaration at her constituency is made for in the general election in Maidenhead, England, Friday, June 9, 2017. 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Prime Minister Theresa May is poised to win Britain's snap election but lose her parliamentary majority, a shock exit poll suggested on June 8, in what would be a major blow for her leadership as Brexit talks loom AFP/Getty Images UK Election Day 2017 DUP candidate for Lagan Valley Jeffrey Donaldson celebrates following his election at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn as counting is under way for the General Election PA UK Election Day 2017 Britain's Home Secretary Amber Rudd attends the count for her seat at a counting centre for Britain's general election in Hastings REUTERS UK Election Day 2017 Ballots are counted at a counting centre for BritainaAAs general election in London Reuters UK Election Day 2017 The London Eye is illuminated in blue, representing the Conservative Party, after the first exit polls announced in Britain's general election AP UK Election Day 2017 Election officials count votes in the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland EPA UK Election Day 2017 The London Eye is illuminated in red, the color of the Labour Party, after first exit polls of Britain's national election announced in London AP UK Election Day 2017 BBC Television centre is illuminated with the exit poll results for Britains general election Eddie Keogh/Reuters UK Election Day 2017 Labours Bridget Phillipson (centre) smiles after being announced as the winner of the election for the constituency of Houghton and Sunderland South at a counting centre Reuters UK Election Day 2017 Members of the election staff prepare to count ballots, in Theresa Mays constituency in Maidenhead AP UK Election Day 2017 Ballot papers are checked ahead of the count at the Westmoorland and Lonsdale constituency count at Kendal Leisure Centre Getty UK Election Day 2017 Ballots are counted at a counting centre for Britains general election in Kendal Reuters UK Election Day 2017 Theresa May arrives to vote at a polling station in Maidenhead AP UK Election Day 2017 Jeremy Corbyn arrives to cast his ballot at a polling station in north London EPA UK Election Day 2017 Lib Dems leader Tim Farron outside a polling station at Stonecross Manor Hotel in Kendal, Cumbria PA UK Election Day 2017 The leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (Ukip) Paul Nuttall arrives to vote at a polling station in Congleton Reuters UK Election Day 2017 Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon with her husband Peter Murrell (left) the CEO of the SNP after casting their votes at a polling station at Broomhouse Community Hall, Glasgow, Scotland EPA UK Election Day 2017 Caroline Lucas, co-leader of Britains Green Party, arrives with her husband Richard Savage, to vote in Brighton Reuters UK Election Day 2017 An advertising van showing caricatures of Tim Farron, Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn and Paul Nuttall with the message who will be looking for a new job as Britain goes to the polls to elect a new government Rex UK Election Day 2017 Performers pose with puppet caricatures of Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, leader of the Liberal Democrat Party Tim Farron and leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn, in front of the Palace of Westminster Reuters UK Election Day 2017 Dogs wait for their owner outside a polling station in Penally, Wales Reuters UK Election Day 2017 Police officers speak with a Labour Party activist outside a polling station in London AP UK Election Day 2017 Benedictine nuns from Tyburn Convent leave after voting in Britain's general election at a polling station in St John's Parish Hall, London AP UK Election Day 2017 A polling station sign is seen on a telephone box outside the polling station at Rotherwick Hall, west of London Getty

A former minister, Ed Vaizey, highlighted the danger of any DUP tie-up, saying: I come from liberal wing of the Conservative party.

Im not going to support any legislation that I would regard as socially illiberal, or taking this country backwards.

Sarah Wollaston, chairwoman of the health select committee, insisted that any deal with the DUP must not be allowed to influence policies on the death penalty, gay rights, education or abortion.

I will always support the right for women to choose & access safe termination of pregnancy & will oppose any change to the legislation, she tweeted.

I will never agree to any dilution of LGBT rights. Creationism in schools? Hell no.

If any of that is a condition of confidence and supply it simply wont work.

Alex Maskey, a Sinn Fein member of the Belfast Assembly, said a deal could prove to be reckless for Northern Ireland, adding: The British public should have full scrutiny of the DUP and what that party represents.

Earlier, Ms Davidson, who is gay, revealed she had demanded assurances from the Prime Minister over gay rights should the Tories do a deal with the DUP.

She again challenged her leader when she refused to say that Britain should pull out of the EU single market, as Ms May wants.

Instead, she said: Theres an awful lot of issues surrounding Brexit that need to be discussed. Clearly, there is no majority government thats come through after this election.

That means we do have to listen to the other parties and that means we have to listen to others actors and agents  and that is exactly what we will do.

Meanwhile, a survey by the ConservativeHome website further undermined the Prime Minister by revealing most Tory members want her to resign after her election failure.

Almost 60 per cent of grassroots Tories said the Prime Minister must fall on her sword after destroying her Commons majority.

Outside the Downing Street gates, anti-DUP protesters chanted Tories out, refugees in and Tories out, Corbyn in, as a petition against a deal between the two parties topped 500,000 signatures in just 12 hours.
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A Conservative former Northern Ireland secretary has suggested that the legal abortion time limit could be reduced as part of his partys discussions over forming a government with the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party.

The MP Owen Paterson was speaking to BBC Radio 4s Today programme in the wake of growing anger over the DUPs extreme, religiously informed position on gay rights and abortion.

Mr Paterson said: I don't see many major social issues coming up in the next Parliament.

You might get a debate I suppose on further reduction of abortion times as medical science advances.

But the stuff you mention like gay rights and all that, which youre probably referring to, that is all devolved.

Its not only a free vote issue, most of this, but its nearly all devolved and thats down to the politicians in Northern Ireland to resolve.

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson, who is considered the driving force behind the partys revival in Scotland, and as such the saviour of her party in Thursdays disastrous general election, has expressed concerns about any agreement with the DUP.

Mr Paterson said: Shes perfectly fair to raise it... these issues are devolved, and if they were sorted in the UK Parliament theyd be free vote issues. I really dont see them colouring the talks.

Mr Paterson instead suggested the focus would be on Brexit.

Abortion is currently illegal in Northern Ireland, unless continued pregnancy poses serious medical risk to the mother. Last year DUP leader Arlene Foster said: I would not want abortion to be as freely available as it is in England.
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The government Chief Whip Gavin Williamson has flown to Belfast to open discussions with the Democratic Unionist Party for talks on "how best they can provide support" for Theresa May's government.

It is understood initial talks will include the possibility of a formal coalition, though there have been warnings that any deal would threaten to undermine the Good Friday agreement, the centre piece of the Northern Ireland peace process.

Under the terms of the agreement, Unionists and Republicans are supposed to share power, with the Westminster government acting as a broker, and can step in if relations between the two groups, Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party, break down.

There are fears that if the DUP are themselves part of the government, the neutral role of the UK government, via the Northern Ireland Secretary, would be compromised.

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has expressed grave doubts over the anticipated deal between the Conservatives and the DUP, in whatever form it takes.

"History will show, alliances between Ulster unionism and British unionism has always ended in tears," he said.

"It is far better to look to our own place, to all of the people here, to deal with the people of this island, this part of the island as one community."

What demands the DUP might make of the Conservatives in a coalition arrangement are not clear,

The DUP is pro-Brexit but, like all parties involved, does not want to see a hard border between on the Nothern Irish border.

It has hardline views on social affairs, and is against same sex marriage and abortion, but these matters are already devolved to the Northern Irish assembly.

The little known Mr Williamson is regarded internally as one of the party's most senior figures, having previously served as David Cameron's parliamentary secretary.

He keeps a pet tarantula on his desk in the Whips' office.

More to follow
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Donald Trump called Theresa May to congratulate her on her return to Downing Street after shock losses in the general election saw the Conservatives fail to form a majority Government.

The US President told the Prime Minister he looked forward to continued close cooperation with the UK.

It came as the Tories set in motion plans to form a minority administration backed by the Democratic Unionist Party, which strongly opposes same-sex marriage and abortion.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: "US President Donald Trump called the Prime Minister to offer his congratulations. Both sides agreed they look forward to continuing the close cooperation between our two countries.

French President Emmanuel Macron also offered his congratulations, telling Ms May he was pleased she would continue to be a close partner.

General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Show all 7 1 /7 General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Nick Clegg Darren O'Brien General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Gavin Barwell Getty General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Angus Robertson General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Nicola Blackwood PA General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Alex Salmond PA General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Rob Wilson Rex Features General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Ben Gummer PA

"The president invited the Prime Minister to visit France at the earliest possible opportunity, and they agreed that the strong friendship between our two countries was important and would endure, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

Ms May was attempting to move on from her botched election gamble, under intense pressure from members of her own cabinet and Tory backbenchers to dramatically improve her game.

The Conservative leader spent Friday in difficult conversations with senior ministers, whose support she now desperately needs despite having likely planned to sack some just 48 hours ago when she expected to win the election outright.

Recommended The social media bubble burst at this general election

The Independent understands a key issue raised was that of the role of her two most senior aides Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy, who many Tories see as having undue power at the centre of government.

Many commentators also condemned Ms May's DUP collaboration saying it could potentially destabilise Northern Ireland's peace process, which is already under strain following the collapse of the power sharing agreement earlier this year.

The UK and Irish governments are currently trying to mediate between the DUP and Irish nationalists to restore the government, leading many to question how the UK will be able to continue to do so when being propped up by the DUP.
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Bill Cosby has admitted to apologising to his accuser's mother over an alleged sexual assault, a Pennsylvania courtroom has heard.

Mr Cosby  the legendary comedian and television star - is on trial this week for allegedly sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, a former employee of his alma mater. Mr Cosby maintains their encounter was consensual, and has pleaded not guilty to aggravated indecent assault.

Ms Constands mother testified previously that she had called Mr Cosby to confront him about the incident after her daughter disclosed what had happened.

I keep harping at him, we kept talking about what had happened, Gianna Constand recalled of the conversation. I said the only thing Id like  from you is an apology.

According to the elder Ms Constand, she got it. She says Mr Cosby told her, I apologise to Andrea ... and I apologise to you, mom.

The jury on Friday heard the comedians version of the call, in which he admitted to apologising to Ms Constands mother  but only for fear of coming off as a a dirty old man.

I apologised to this woman, Mr Cosby said, in a deposition read aloud by a detective. But my apology was, My God, Im in trouble with these people because this is an old man and their young daughter.

Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby Winner of his first Emmy for 'I Spy' is Bill Cosby being congratulated by his wife Camille held at Americana Hotel, 1966 Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby Bill Cosby in 'I Spy', 1960s Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby Bill Cosby in July 1973 in Perth Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor in 'California Suite', 1978 Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby Bill Cosby and Elmo in Sesame Street, 1989 Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby Bill Cosby poses for a picture with Florence Griffith-Joyner in June 1989 Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby Comedian Bill Cosby back in 1992 Rex Features Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby A scene from a 1992 episode of 'The Cosby Show' AP Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby US Monica Seles breaks into laughter as she jokes with comedian Bill Cosby during a celebrity match in the stadium at the US Open for the Arthur Ashe AIDS Challenge on 27 August 1995 Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby Bill Cosby meets Toronto Blue Jays' All-Star Joe Carter after the Stars played the Stripes in the Celebrity All-Star game which preceded workouts for the 67th All-Star Game at Veterans Stadium on 8 July 1996 in Philadephia Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby Co-hosts Oprah Winfrey and Bill Cosby joke with each other during the opening of the 2000 Essence Awards 14 April 2000 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby Bill Cosby jokes with baseball great Hank Aaron after they both received the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award from U.S. President George W. Bush during a ceremony on 9 July 2002 at the White House in Washington Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby Bill Cosby poses backstage after winning the 'Bob Hope Humanitarian Award' during the 55th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on 21 September 2003 in Los Angeles Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby 'Tonight Show' host Jay Leno and comedian Bill Cosby laugh during a surprise visit by Cosby to sign a Harley-Davidson motorcycle that Leno is using to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina at NBC studios on 9 September 2005 in Burbank, California Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby Bill Cosby speaks during a taping of 'Meet the Press' at the NBC studios on 14 October 2007 in Washington Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby Bill Cosby at the 12th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the John F. Kennedy Center on 26 October 2009 in Washington Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby Bill Cosby speaks at the National Action Network's 20th annual Keepers of the Dream Awards gala in New York on 6 April 2011 Reuters Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby Bill Cosby during the 100th anniversary celebration of the Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows supporting the Motion Picture & Television Fund and the American Comedy Fund, 2012 Getty Images Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby Bill Cosby speaks onstage at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund 25th Awards Gala on 11 November 2013 in Washington Bill Cosby: Career in pictures Bill Cosby Bill Cosby performs at the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino on 26 September 2014 in Las Vegas

The deposition in question stems from a 2005 lawsuit that Ms Constand filed after detectives unexpectedly closed her sexual assault case. The deposition was unsealed in 2015, just seven months before detectives reopened the case against Mr Cosby.

Mr Cosby is not expected to testify at the trial, so the deposition is one of the only opportunities the jury will have to hear about the incident in his voice.

Jurors on Thursday heard excerpts from the deposition of in which Mr Cosby recounted his previous encounters with Ms Constand.

Mr Cosby described one instance, in which he admits to sexually touching the plaintiff, as such: I dont hear her say anything. And I dont feel her say anything. And so I continue to go into the area that is somewhere between permission and rejection.

Asked if he ever request Ms Constands permission, Mr Cosby said, She did not stop me. And I wanted to go.

The jury also heard from sections of the deposition in which Mr Cosby confessed to giving Ms Constand pills, which he called friends. Mr Cosby maintains the pills were Benadryl; the defence has suggested they may have been something stronger.

Mr Cosby said in a previous police interview that he used Benadryl as a sleep aid, and that he becomes drowsy and falls asleep shortly after taking them.

Ms Constand has described herself as frozen and seeing double after taking the pills Mr Cosby provided her.

The trial continues.
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Two toddler sisters died in a car after their mum intentionally left them in a car for more than 15 hours, authorities can reveal.

Amanda Hawkins has been named as the mother by Kerr County Sheriff W R Hierholzer in the US state of Texas.

In a news release on the tragic incident, he wrote: Both girls passed away around 5pm on June 8, 2017. This is by far the most horrific case of child endangerment that I have seen in the 37 years that I have been in law enforcement.

Nineteen-year-old Miss Hawkins and her 16-year-old male friend were charged with two counts of abandoning or endangering a child, but the charges against her may be upgraded if the case goes to a grand jury, he told KABB.

Although the cause of death has not yet been confirmed, he did say that temperatures had reached "into the 90s" during that day.

Ms Hawkins took the children to the hospital, where she told staff herself and her friend had been at Flat Rock Lake, and the girls were smelling flowers. According to her initial account the one-year-old child collapsed first, and then the two-year-old swiftly followed.

However, after an investigation was opened and the duo extensively question, it was determined: The two young girls had actually been left in their mothers vehicle intentionally for over 15 hours, overnight while she and other friends were inside a residence.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. 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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. 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"They were in the house all night. The male friend for a little bit went to sleep in the car a little while but then went back to the house, he added.

After discovering the girls, the mother reportedly attempted to give them a bath, and did not immediately take them to hospital for fear of reprisal.

Autopsies were scheduled to take place on Friday.
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Jared Kushner in the coming days is reportedly expected to meet with Senate Intelligence Committee staff, who are likely to ask Donald Trumps son-in-law and adviser about his interactions with a Russian official.

The meeting comes amid mounting investigations into whether Trump campaign advisers colluded with the Russian government to influence the 2016 US election.

Mr Kushner, 36, who is married to Mr Trumps eldest daughter, has been named a person of interest in special counsel Robert Muellers probe, and is believed to have significant information relevant to investigators.

Mr Mueller was appointed by the US Justice Department to oversee the Russia probe.

Senator Angus King, who is a member of the intelligence committee, told CNN that Mr Kushner will have a face-to-face meeting with panel staff as early as next week.

Unlike former Trump aides Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort, Mr Kushner is not considered a subject of the Russia inquiry.

Kushner met at least once in December with the Russian ambassador to the US, Sergey Kislyak, and he also met last year with a Russian banker, Sergey Gorkov.

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

He also reportedly attempted to establish a back-channel line of communication between Russia and Donald Trumps presidential transition team.

Back-channel diplomacy refers to unofficial but direct, high-level communications that bypass formal channels, according to Safires Political Dictionary, and has been used when Washington lacks formal ties with another government that it wants to speak with.

The White House has downplayed these revelations about Mr Kushner, saying it was common for officials to establish back-channel communications  even though Mr Trump was not president at the time, meaning his son-in-law had no official role yet in the government.

During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing this week, former FBI chief James Comey testified that the primary risk of arranging a back-channel is obvious.

You spare the Russians the cost and effort to break into our communications channels by using theirs, Mr Comey said. You make it a whole lot easier for them to capture all of your conversations. Then to use those to the benefit of Russia against the United States.

Mr Trump fired Mr Comey last month, which the ex-FBI director suggested on Thursday may have been because of the way he was conducting the Russia investigation.
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Donald Trump's private lawyer is planning to file a legal complaint against James Comey over the former FBI directors release of memos to the public that detailed his conversations with the President.

During a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, Mr Comey said he believed that Mr Trump had ordered him to drop a criminal investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.

Mr Comey had detailed this interaction in a memo, writing that the President told him: I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go.

Mr Comey told the Senate committee that he felt he needed to get this information out into the public square. So I asked a friend of mine to share the content of the memo with a reporter. The friend was later identified as Daniel Richman, a professor at Columbia Law School.

Mr Flynn was forced to resign from his post in February after it was revealed that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence about his conversations with a Russian official. The President fired Mr Comey last month.

According to CNN, Mr Trump's outside counsel Marc Kasowitz is planning to file a complaint against Mr Comey with the Justice Department Inspector General and the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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 Kasowitz said yesterday following the hearing that Mr Comey could be investigated for leaking information, and suggested he may have lied in his sworn Senate testimony.

Mr Comey has said that the memos he wrote were unclassified. Disseminating unclassified information is generally not considered leaking, CNN said, and Mr Trump did not assert executive privilege over Mr Comey's testimony.

But the President has accused Mr Comey of being a leaker anyway.

Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication...and WOW, Comey is a leaker! Mr Trump wrote in an early morning tweet on Friday, the day after the Senate hearing.
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Congressional investigators have asked the White House to provide any recordings or notes of conversations between Donald Trump and former FBI Director James Comey.

Leaders of the House Intelligence Committee said they had written to White House counsel, Don McGahn, asking him to provide any material that may exist.

Republican Mike Conaway and Democratic Representative Adam Schiff, said they had also written to Mr Comey with the same request. They asked that any material be made available by June 23.

 James Comey: Trump administration 'defamed' me and FBI with 'lies'

The issue has been in the spotlight since Mr Comey testified before a Senate committee earlier this week and urged Mr Trump to release any tapes he had of the several conversations he and the President had before he was fired last month.

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

Ive seen the tweet about tapes. Lordy, I hope there are tapes, Mr Comey told the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Mr Comey said he spoke with Mr Trump on numerous occasions and said that if the president had recorded those conversations, he hoped the President would make them available. He should release all the tapes, he said.

It was Mr Trump himself who had initially raised the suggestion that there recordings of their conversations when he tweeted last month: James Comey better hope that there are no tapes of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press.

Asked by the press whether there were any recording devices at the White House, a spokeswoman joked that she would hunt for them.

Sure, Ill try to look under the couches, said spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders.


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New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has laid down a few choice f-bombs during a speech at a technology and democracy conference at New York University.

Ms Gillibrand employed the expletive to criticise Donald Trumps record in office, and to assert that government is meant to be a forum for helping people.

Has he kept his promises? F*** no, Ms Gillibrand said of the President.

Its not the first time that the Senator has used the four letter word in public. She pulled it out during an interview with New York Magazine earlier this year during a push to pass legislation that would protect seniors against fraud.

If were not helping people, we should go the f*** home, Ms Gillibrand said during her New York University speech, and also during that magazine interview.

The junior senator of one of the most populous and left-leaning states in the country is said to be a potential 2020 candidate in the Democratic presidential primary, and has been establishing a reputation on Capitol Hill for progressive votes and for speaking out against the Trump White House.

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

Asked whether it is appropriate for Ms Gillibrand to drop f-bombs as a prominent member of the US Congress, a spokesperson for her office has said, I think its appropriate for a senator to be exactly who they are  Kirsten is going to continue to be exactly who she is and always has been.

If Ms Gillibrand throws her hat into the ring for 2020, shes likely to face a big bench of competition for the Democratic nomination. Less than six months into the Trump administration, speculation around who would run has already entered political discourse. Potential candidates range from well known veterans like Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders or former Vice President Joe Biden, to relatively unknown figures on the national stage like Ms Gillibrand, New Jersey Senator Corey Booker, and California Senator Kamala Harris, among others.
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Shining their flashlights into the darkest corners of Singapore, a small group of ant hunters searches for an elusive winged insect.

With luck they will find a queen ant to lay eggs and start a colony under the watchful eye of a collector.

You can search for a few hours without finding anything at all. So, its really luck, 14-year-old Leland Tan 14 says after he hits the jackpot, and finds two queen ants in one night.

Singapore, a tropical city-state home to more than 40 ant species, has a small but growing community of ant collectors.

Ants Singapore, a Facebook group that has grown to 380 members since December, aims to connect ant lovers and even those who are interested in keeping ants.

Followers share tips on catching and breeding ants, do-it-yourself ant farms and links to videos such as the giant killer ants in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

While most ants in Singapore are harmless, the insects are often regarded as a nuisance. That is something Chris Chan is hoping to change.

I want people to look at ants differently, says Chan, a 29-year-old Uber driver and member of Ants Singapore.

Now, a lot of people still think that ants are pests but with enough education, I can educate them that keeping ants can be safe, he says in an interview with Reuters TV.

Chan lives across the border in the southern Malaysian city of Johor Bahru with his girlfriend, her family  and up to 30 ant colonies living in 10 formicariums, or ant farms.

Helen Teh, the mother of Chans girlfriend, says she was curious why the couple needed so much sand and wood in their home.

Ant collectors in Singapore Show all 15 1 /15 Ant collectors in Singapore Ant collectors in Singapore You sure thats not taramasalata? A woman in a block of flats is intrigued bumping into ant enthusiasts Reuters Ant collectors in Singapore Egg factory: queen ants are viewed as such by their own communities and ant-collectors alike Reuters Ant collectors in Singapore Turn that off! A young collector in the business district checks a glass tube to see which of Singapores 40 species shes caught Reuters Ant collectors in Singapore We can geek it out: a troupe collectors takes to town with one mission  to catch ants unawares Reuters Ant collectors in Singapore Found one! Expect no peace with this lot if you're an ant in Singapore Reuters Ant collectors in Singapore Fate sealed: sophisticated as they are ants don't have a Facebook page to dodge collectors Reuters Ant collectors in Singapore Turn back! Needless to say, poor ants are only going to follow the lights Reuters Ant collectors in Singapore No it doesnt vend insects: but a drinks machine is just the sugary place ants might head to Reuters Ant collectors in Singapore Here honey: one enthusiast has rented out a house to keep his ants, pictured here with larvae Reuters Ant collectors in Singapore Ant-tastic: a formicarium or indoor ant farm  short of democracy ant society is out there Reuters Ant collectors in Singapore P***take: any ant would have a right to be, er, peeved, being accosted in a loo Reuters Ant collectors in Singapore High and low: some ants are, no doubt, somewhat adept at hiding Reuters Ant collectors in Singapore Not amused: a queen faces the paps Reuters Ant collectors in Singapore Heave-ho: a father lifts his son up to interfere with ants Reuters Ant collectors in Singapore Flashpoint: curious incident of the ant in nighttime Reuters

He said, Oh Auntie, Im keeping ants. says Teh, recalling her initial surprise.

Later, when I knew it is something that he loves... I said Its no harm done, she says.

Chan has turned to social media to promote his hobby. He has started a YouTube channel for new collectors and answers questions about ant care on the groups Facebook page. Chan also organises ant-hunting trips to teach people how to find and catch the tiny insects that he says can hold his attention for hours.

Some people can stare at an aquarium for hours. Same, just like my ants, says Chan.

Reuters
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Thailand has delivered its harshest sentence ever for insulting the monarchy, jailing a man for 35 years.

The Bangkok military court sentenced 34-year-old former insurance salesman Vichai Thepwong to 70 years imprisonment on 10 counts of lese-majeste, but halved the sentence because he had pleaded guilty.

The conviction is the heaviest sentence yet, beating a 30-year sentence handed down in 2015.

Lese-majeste  insulting the monarchy  is punishable by three to 15 years imprisonment per incident.

 Public pray for dying king in Thailand

There has been a sharp rise in cases since a military took power in a coup in 2014 and decreed that lese-majeste would be prosecuted in military courts. Critics of the law say it is often used as a tool of political repression.

The upsurge in cases came as Thailand was undergoing a royal transition, with the decline and death in October last year of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and his succession by his son, now King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Vichais apparent motive in posting the defamatory messages was to cause trouble for a former colleague he believed had cheated him, said a case summary on the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights website.

He was arrested in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai in 2015 and has been in a Bangkok prison ever since. His lawyer said Vichai would not appeal against the courts verdict.

He wants the case to end, and wants to petition for a royal pardon, said Khumklao Songsonboon, who works for Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

Thailands lese-majeste law is the worlds harshest and routinely draws criticism from the United Nations and human rights groups.

The lese-majeste provision of the Thai Criminal Code is incompatible with international human rights law, United Nations Special Rapporteur David Kaye said in a February statement, declaring that the law has no place in a democratic country.

The military government says the law is necessary to safeguard the monarchy and national security.

In recent months, several Thai officials have threatened Facebook with legal sanctions if it failed to remove defamatory posts in a timely matter.

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

Facebook says it complies after Thai courts order it to block illegal material.

On Friday, another Thai man was sentenced to five years in jail for uploading an audio-file regarded as insulting to the monarchy. His sentence was also halved after he pleaded guilty.

Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report
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Cross-dressed in bright silk garments and dancing with candles between his fingers, Nguyen Duy Nam leads a temple of worshippers in a ceremony honouring mystical goddesses of forest, water and heaven.

Nam is one of a growing number of spirit mediums who perform the Hau Dong ritual of blaring noise and vibrant colours, now enjoying a resurgence after once being banned by the ruling Communist Party.

It's like an illusion, like a soul has taken over my body, says the 24-year-old, who works in a garage in capital Hanoi when he is not performing Hau Dong.

Recommended The legacy of Agent Orange

Dating to the 16th century, Hau Dong centres on a belief in the mother goddesses of three realms: forest, water and heaven. It draws from elements of Taoism, Buddhism and animism.

During rituals, spirit mediums dance to loud folk music while appearing to transform themselves into different characters from legend and history. They display changing personalities as if different spirits have entered their bodies.

Sometimes they say it feels real. One time I couldn't even move my body and just cried for no reason, but then I returned to normal when the next character came, says Nam.

Spread on the floor are offerings for the goddesses and the spirits, which can be anything from money to instant noodles to big paper horses.

Its for every class of society, from rich to poor, from officials to citizens and from the mountain to the plain, says architect and researcher Doan Ky Thanh.

Thanh adds the appeal of the ritual broadened as it could attract participants of either gender.

Hau Dong Show all 21 1 /21 Hau Dong Hau Dong Phantom premise: An Chinh channels characters from mythology as she loses herself to spirit Reuters Hau Dong Plus-size: medium Nguyen Duy Nam dresses as a woman for his work REUTERS Hau Dong Gotta hydrate: water, along with forest and heaven, is one of three elements key to the practice Reuters Hau Dong All over the shop: until 2005 the Communist Party Hau Dong on the grounds that it was superstition Reuters Hau Dong Gourmet Crackers: cash, eggs, a riced and even packaged foods are used as votive offerings Reuters Hau Dong Papering over the cracks: figurines wait to be offered to saints Reuters Hau Dong Conking out: participants can lose themselves to assumed presences during the ceremony Reuters Hau Dong Call time: performers ready backstage in Hanoi REUTERS Hau Dong Civvies: Nguyen Duy Nam could be any man off the street without his costume Reuters Hau Dong Dressed to kill: medium Luong Nguyen performs in a temple in Hanoi  the ritual is available to rich and poor alike Reuters Hau Dong Model village: goddesses in full regalia REUTERS Hau Dong Girls who like boys: Hau Dong does away with traditional gender roles Reuters Hau Dong Mapped out: Hau Dong is recognised on Unescos Intangible Cultural Heritage list Reuters Hau Dong Dead ringer? Medium Pham Ha Thanh performs as a legendary military general Reuters Hau Dong Cashing up: money features strongly in the ritual and is dispensed by the shaman-like mediums REUTERS Hau Dong Dancing, yeah: tom-toms, cymbals and flutes make the music REUTERS Hau Dong Take a bow: the practice borrows from animism, Taoism and Buddism REUTERS Hau Dong Magic money tree: notes are dispensed by Hau Dong mediums  it is a status symbol to sponsor such ceremonies REUTERS Hau Dong Hau about that: deities can be of any gender so the medium has to be able to convey that Reuters Hau Dong Yin and yang: the fight between darkness and light is at the heart of Hau Dong REUTERS Hau Dong All a pantomime? Paper animals are offered as gifts during ceremonies REUTERS

Hau Dongs status was reaffirmed last year when it was recognised by Unesco as an item of lntangible Cultural Heritage.

In 2005, the Communist Party lifted a ban on Hau Dong, which until then it had regarded as superstitious. Interest in the ritual has since grown, as economic liberalisation has brought greater wealth and social openness.

Hau Dong is not predominantly about money, but offerings to the spirits and temples can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars for a single ceremony.

Although the state frowns on wasting money, sponsoring a ceremony can be a status symbol.

Nam said after being called by the saints to become a medium he had given up the reckless lifestyle of his youth. That spurred him to work hard in his daily occupation. Now he owns two garages.

He is dedicated to continuing as a medium, whatever anyone thinks of him dressing as a woman and summoning the spirits. For now, only his close family know its part of his life.

Its my lifetime duty, he said.
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US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has told Gulf allies to lay off Qatar, but says that the small Middle Eastern country would do well to respond quicker to extremism.

Mr Tillerson said that a diplomatic blockade placed on Qatar by several Gulf nations has humanitarian consequences and that it hinders Americas military efforts. Qatar is the home of the Al Udeid Air Base, which is the main regional centre for American air strikes against Isis.

The Gulf countries should immediately take steps to de-escalate the situation and make a good faith effort to resolve the grievances they have with each other, Mr Tillerson said during a statement at the State Department.

The governments in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with Qatar this week, after the governments state-owned media published an interview with the countrys emir. During that interview  which the Qatari government disputes as inaccurate  the emir criticised hostility to Iran, sympathised with three Islamist groups, and accused Saudi Arabia of adopting extremist ideology that encourages terrorism. He also said that US President Donald Trump wouldnt last long in the Oval Office.

Mr Trump initially expressed support of the blockade, but changed his tone just a day later to align better with Mr Tillerson.

Criticism of Qatar for supporting Islamist groups like the Muslim brotherhood are long-standing. Since the blockade was established, Saudi Arabia has demanded that Qatar meet a list of 10 demands. That wish list includes cutting off all links to Iran, as well as expelling resident members of the Palestinian militant group Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. Saudi officials have also demanded that Qatar stop funding terrorist organisations.

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

Still, Qatar is a critical military point for the American military. The USs largest military base in the region is located there, and it remains an important strategic location.
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The alleged mastermind behind a suicide cult targeting vulnerable children through social media has been arrested in Russia.

Ilya Sidorov, 26, is accused of encouraging youngsters to self-harm and kill themselves in a twisted game likened to the Blue Whale challenge that has been linked to more than 130 deaths.

Children who join the game are told to cut themselves, watch horror films, and go without sleep as they carry out a series of tasks apparently aimed at damaging their mental health.

Ilya Sidorov is reportedly facing up to five years in a Russian prison. (East2West Media Group)

On the 50th day of the challenge they are told to commit suicide.

Mr Sidorov is said to have recruited up to 32 schoolchildren to his group before his dramatic arrest in Moscow.

The humble postman was filmed sobbing as police questioned him over claims he challenged a 13-year-old girl to jump under a metro train.

He is being held in the Chelyabinsk region in the Urals as investigations continue and could face up to five years in prison.

Russian Interior Ministry spokeswoman Colonel Irina Volk said Mr Sidorov was tracked down after a 14-year-old girl attempted suicide earlier this year.

She told the Mail Online: Five mobile phones, a tablet, and several SIM cards were confiscated during the search.

The suspect clarified that he is the administrator of a so-called suicide group that had 32 members, all of them under age.

He assigned them tasks aimed at inuring themselves in order to incite suicide. The suspect has been detained and taken to Chelyabinsk.

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

Philipp Budeikin, 21, was arrested in May and accused of running a similar suicide cult known as Blue Whale, which has gained notoriety on Instagram.

The group could be linked to more than 130 suicides in Russia in the space of six months, according to investigative newspaper Novaya Gazeta.

The deaths of 15-year-old Yulia Konstantinova and 16-year-old Veronika Volkova are being investigated by state investigators in Krasnoyarsk, a city east of Moscow.

Konstantinova had left a note saying End on her social page, and earlier in the day posted a picture of a blue whale.

Her friend Volkova posted a similar message, with the worlds sense is lostEnd.

Recommended Samaritans receive record number of people contacting them

Police in the UK have issued warnings about online suicide groups targeting teenage social media users.

If you are feeling vulnerable, upset or suicidal there is always someone available to talk and help.

You can contact the Samaritans 24 hours a day for free via their website or phone line 116123

If you're LGBT and in need of someone to talk to, Switchboard LGBT offers advice and help every day from 10am to 10pm on their website and on 0300 330 0630.

Alternatively, if you suspect a young person might be feeling suicidal, you can call Childline for help and advice on 0800 1111.
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They say politics makes strange bedfellows and the DUP is fine with that  as long as its not two men, anyway. The right-wing Northern Irish party is set to prop up Theresa May as she seeks to form a minority government. For most people, the DUP is a relative unknown. Yet it looks set to become the most important power brokers in Westminster.

The party formed in 1971 and is the only sectarian party in Westminster. It is the unionist party (juxtaposed primarily against the republican and abstentionist Sinn Fein) in Northern Ireland, but it is also deeply socially conservative, opposing advances in womens rights and LGBT+ rights for decades.

 Arlene Foster: DUP will enter talks to explore ways it can work with a Conservative government

Im not talking about your run-of-the-mill Tory backbencher, either. As the Independent earlier reported, the founders son, Ian Paisley Jr, has referred to homosexuality as immoral, offensive and obnoxious. The party is so deeply opposed to equal marriage in Northern Ireland that it has threatened the power-sharing agreement that has brought peace to the province in order to prevent Sinn Fein bringing it forward. As former DUP health minister Jim Wells famously said, Peter will not marry Paul in Northern Ireland.

The DUP is also deeply opposed to reproductive justice. The party has opposed liberalising abortion laws in Northern Ireland  the strictest in the United Kingdom. According to the charity Marie Stopes, many Northern Irish women have to travel to England (and pay) for their abortions because of the strict laws supported by the DUP. And the DUP leader Arlene Foster was only last month accused of making sexist remarks about a Sinn Fein politician.

The DUP has been disastrous for LGBT and womens rights in Northern Ireland, and now, thanks to Theresa May, it can inflict its reactionary agenda on the rest of the country. If you think this unlikely, dont kid yourself  with the 10 DUP MPs, Mays majority is two. Shes not going to want to rock the boat in any way, meaning that shes unlikely to bring forward any legislation that would see progress on these issues. Equal pay? Doubtful. LGBT-inclusive PSHE? Dont count on it. Pushing Stormont to grant equal rights to women and LGBT people in Northern Ireland? Hard no.

What we should really worry about, though, is all those EU rights that have to be enshrined in British law. So much equalities legislation is underpinned by European law, whether through the EU or the European Convention on Human Rights, whose courts rulings are embedded in UK law through the Human Rights Act  which Theresa May has long dreamt of repealing and which the DUP would likely love to see go.

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If the DUP was willing to throw Northern Ireland back into turmoil over marriage equality, trust and believe that its willing to destroy Theresa Mays government if it doesnt get its way  which means it will get its way. This is horrible news for women, for LGBT people, and for equality in general.

By being so reliant on the DUP, Theresa May has basically given it control of the ship of state, and it has pointed the sails towards the past. Never mind leaving the European Union. With the DUP, were leaving the 21st century.
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Throughout the election campaign, Theresa May seemed reliant on banalities. Her speeches, often delivered to small, partisan audiences, were peppered with facile mantras  strong and stable overtaking Brexit means Brexit as the most tired phrase in Britain. Plainly she believed it would be enough to win the landslide she must have expected in April when she decided to go to the polls.

Now, having suffered the almost unthinkable ignominy of losing the majority she seemed certain to extend, Ms Mays first response shifted from the inane to the delusional. Speaking in Downing Street, the catchphrase morphed this time into safe and secure, and she repeated the need for certainty. She spoke about an agenda for the next five years, as though her position in the role were guaranteed beyond the next five weeks. There was no humility, no good grace; the Prime Minister seemed frankly divorced from reality. Not until she appeared for a second time, apologising to the MPs who had lost their seats, and offering contrite assurance that she will reflect on what happened, did Ms May show any sign that she understands the startling reverses her party has suffered.

Let us hope that such reflection helps the Prime Minister understand the crushing changes that have come thick and fast since that exit poll stunned us all. There has been no sign so far of any reassessment of her approach to hard Brexit, yet surely even this leader will struggle to pass off such a humiliating result as a mandate for her confrontational, uncompromising attitude to Europe, or of her willingness to take the UK out of the single market.

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What comes next for us all is uncertainty. In order to get any parliamentary business done, the Conservatives must govern hand in glove with the Democratic Unionists, working on a confidence and supply basis. The DUP  staunchly Eurosceptic, anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage  will demand a price for their cooperation; the kingmaker role has its advantages.

Theresa May and her supporters will argue  no doubt in parrot fashion  that the Conservatives won a share of the vote not seen by the party since Margaret Thatcher was in her pomp. Yet it should be abundantly clear that large swathes of the public are at best sceptical of her formula for hard Brexit, and at worst deeply hostile to her leadership. It is imperative to the democratic process and to Britains future relationship with the EU that Ms May and her cabinet reflect on these facts long and hard.

Similarly, the Prime Minister  if indeed it is Ms May who is in office in the weeks ahead  must recognise that the country has had enough of austerity. A continued refusal to acknowledge that the terms of public and political debate have changed will simply not do. Too many people are tired of the response that there isnt a magic money tree.

The other politician who should be chastened by the election result is Nicola Sturgeon, whose hubristic call for a second independence referendum was almost as disastrous as Ms Mays decision to call a snap vote. Remarkably, it was SNP losses which kept the Conservatives from absolute catastrophe and it should be clear that Scottish independence is off the agenda for the foreseeable future.

 Theresa May 'sorry' for Tory MPs who lost their seats

For Labour of course, there is jubilation. The outcome is better than almost anybody predicted and has demonstrated once again Jeremy Corbyns ability as a campaigner with a human touch. It is clear too that left-wing policies can gain traction in modern Britain. After all, the Labour Party has not won 40 per cent of the popular vote since 2001 and did so this time with a radical manifesto.

Yet there remains a great deal for the party and its leadership to prove, especially as a parliamentary force. For all the immediate glee, Labour must not lose sight of the fact that it is still some distance from power  this election felt triumphal but it was not a victory. Mr Corbyn must now consider how he will both hold to account, and work with, the Government during the difficult period of Brexit deal-making ahead. If he can do that  and especially if he can also restore alliances with talented MPs in his own party with whom he has previously had differences  he may indeed make Labour electable.

The challenges already facing the UK have been magnified by the outcome of this extraordinary election. But it has also shown that hope is alive and well in this country  it was Mr Corbyns optimistic vision which most obviously captured public attention. Most significantly, the election has demonstrated that young people can be engaged in the mainstream political process. Early estimates put the turnout among 18-24 year olds at a level not seen since 1992. Young people, growing up in such tough times, will not be ignored again in elections if they continue to turn up and vote. The challenge for politicians of all parties is to understand, as Mr Corbyn has done, that when they talk of the future, it is to the young that they should be looking.
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It was a couple of weeks ago, the first time I felt it. An odd twinge of compassion? Sympathy? No, pity. And the object was Theresa May.

Less than two months ago, May was supposed to the Tories biggest asset. In all the campaign materials, her name and face dominated, with the words Conservative Party sneaking in at the bottom in tiny print. The Spectator drew her as an iron-clad icon, alongside A N Wilson breathlessly declaring a phenomenon called Maymania. Mummy sweeps onwards, borne in heavenly chariots, floating above painted clouds, he wrote  mummy being a nickname for May among activists. Its a sentence that sounded fairly insane at the time and utterly deranged now.

May didnt have to call an election, and she shouldnt have. She bet national stability (and her partys fortunes) on the public loving her personal brand, and has found out that twitchily reciting empty three-word slogans isnt the magic charisma tree she thought. The iron lady mark two mythologising has been melted down in no time at all, with former staffers coming forward with damning stories about Mays susceptibility to the toxic influence of her key advisers, Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, who both resigned today. Whatever in May looked decisive and commanding at the start of the election, now looks antsy and autocratic.

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She has been a terrible, terrible leader. But it would be unfair to think there was any easy path for her. Like so many female leaders, Theresa May was handed power at a moment of crisis. Most people know about the glass ceiling, especially if theyre a female Labour MP trying to crack into the higher levels of the party.

The glass cliff is a parallel phenomenon where women do break into senior roles, but only when conditions are close to disaster.

Theresa May was pushed to the edge of the glass cliff. That she then ran towards it in stupid shoes was her choice: she got to exercise her judgement, and her judgement was incredibly bad. But all the same, this is a depressing outcome for the UKs second female prime minister, in an election that was otherwise very good for women. The 2017 parliament has a record intake of female MPs (in large part because Mays failure meant Labour, with its stronger record on womens representation, not only held seats but made gains).

There are people who would write off all that female talent on the basis of Mays disasters. Of course, no one ever thinks a male failure is a precedent for all men. David Cameron was not constantly compared with Iain Duncan Smith, Michael Howard or William Hague in the same way May has been compared with Thatcher. When a man is bad, its only on him. When a woman is bad, its her femaleness that takes the brunt: the nauseating mummy stuff is mirrored on the other side of politics with hateful misogyny. One allegedly left-wing writer denounced May as a whore for not resigning  whore, of course, being the centuries-old way for men to tear down any woman who doesnt keep herself tucked up in domesticity.

 General Election 2017: The final results

Being a target for sexism, of course, does not make one a feminist, and Mays womens movement scorecard is distinctly patchy. She put in some good work on male violence and won a reputation for lifting up female colleagues, but she also pushed brutalising policies affecting migrant women. She backed austerity policies that have decimated refuges and social care, pushing women back into the home whether theyre safe there or not, further burdening the hidden economy of unpaid female labour. Her voting record reveals a quietly pursued anti-abortion agenda that is now seemingly entering into a deal with the DUPs explicitly anti-choice policies.

But lets give Theresa May one last chance to earn that old This is what a feminist looks like T-shirt of hers. Let her stand instead for the right of women to be as rubbish as men. To be  even with all allowances for sexism  just not very good at the job, and for that to be a reflection only on them as individuals.

Theresa May, you have been an awful leader and an appalling prime minister. But meanwhile, Ruth Davidson, the Tories leader in Scotland, has played a blinder. Bring on the next woman.
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Welcome to weak government. Or at least get used to it, for that is what we are going to get in Britain for the foreseeable future. For the political pundits, to say that is heresy. They jeer at weak leadership and admire strong leaders  unless perhaps they happen to be running Russia. For the business community it is close to heresy, for the thing that supposedly they hate most is uncertainty. How can they plan when they dont know who is going to be running the show?

But I think there is a strong case to be made that countries that have a tradition of weak central government perform in economic terms just as well as those with strong ones. How so?

Lets start with a couple of successful weakly governed countries, one smallish, the other very big.

The smallish one is Switzerland, a country that some of us think should be the model for Britain post-Brexit. It has a strong currency, arguably the strongest in the world. It has a strong civic community and its people have a strong work ethic. It has powerful local government and a deep democratic tradition, including frequent referendums. But the central government has unusually little power.

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So in February last year there were four decisions the voters were asked to make. One essentially would have blocked gay marriage, for it proposed that marriage should be defined as a union between a man and a woman. The second was about the automatic expulsion of foreign criminals. The third was against speculation on food. And the final one was about building a second Gotthard tunnel under the Alps.

As it turned out the tunnel was the only one passed, and that was the only one proposed by the federal government. But imagine these decisions being put to a vote in the UK. We would find it odd that the people, not the government, should make these decisions  though many people might like the third runway at Heathrow to be subject to a referendum.

There were another nine issues on which the Swiss people had to vote last year, including one that would have shut down nuclear power. The government does usually get its way, but not always by any means, and that gay marriage vote was very close indeed. It can and does shape the agenda but its ability to drive things through is constrained.

Add in the further twist that many decisions are taken by the cantons, not the federal government, and you can see that the power of the centre is very limited. That has not stopped Switzerland becoming the richest sizeable country in the world.

Now take a huge country, the US: a powerful president, commander-in-chief, finger on the nuclear button and all that? Well no. The president has the trappings of power but actually his authority is extremely limited, as President Trump is discovering. We have a braggart in office, who gets massive coverage for everything that he says or tweets. But he is finding that he cannot do much. He could not get the repeal of President Obamas healthcare bill through Congress. He looks as though he will be unable to make meaningful tax reforms either. This is despite the Republicans controlling both houses of Congress.

 General Election 2017: The final results

Now it may be that he will learn to manage the system better, though I doubt it. But even much more accomplished presidents have found it difficult to get their policies through. The famous checks and balances of the Constitution are deliberately there to limit presidential power. As a result the US has, at least in peacetime, a rather weak government. Yet it is the richest country in the world.

To give these two examples of successful countries with weak governments is not to say that weakness is a virtue in itself. But if you think back to the strongest governments the UK has had since the demise of Margaret Thatcher, the three Blair/Brown administrations, they managed to make a grave foreign-policy error (the Iraq War) and a grave financial one (going into the 2008/9 downturn with a huge fiscal deficit).

So maybe we will be pleasantly surprised in the coming months. Or to put the point another way, maybe this weak government will not make as many errors as previous stronger ones.
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One of the reasons Theresa May decided to go for an early election was her anxiety over what would happen if she couldn't achieve her aims in the Brexit deal, or if she failed to get a deal at all.

She has promised Parliament a vote on the terms of our exit from the EU. She thought she could probably get those terms through the House of Commons. She had a working majority of 16, after all, plus a cushion of Labour Eurosceptics and the DUP. It was the House of Lords she was worried about.

The Lords had passed the Article 50 Bill, to start the formal procedure for leaving the EU, but it was not happy about it. Its members felt they had to accept the will of the people as expressed in the referendum, but Ms May was worried that when it came to the Brexit terms, a year and a half later, the mood would have changed.

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The election was supposed to solve this problem. Not only would it guarantee the backing of the Commons  she would have a majority of Conservative MPs elected on her Brexit manifesto  but it would force the Lords to yield. The Salisbury Convention, agreed in 1945 by Lord Salisbury, the leader of the Conservatives in the Lords, is that the upper house will not oppose measures that were promised in a governing partys manifesto. This was to get round the problem of a large Conservative majority in the Lords facing Clement Attlees government in the Commons, backed by a landslide democratic mandate.

But the Salisbury Convention supposes that the the governing party in the Commons has won a majority of seats on its manifesto. Theresa May failed to do so. That means not only will she  or her successor  find it harder to get the Brexit terms through the Commons, but that there is a real chance they will be opposed in the Lords.

Then what happens? No one knows. When May promised a vote in Parliament at the end of the Brexit process, she did not say what would happen if Parliament said no. But if it did, we might discover that triggering Article 50 was revocable after all. It would depend on the attitude of the other 27 EU member states. There is a provision in Article 50 for the negotiating period to be extended  if everyone agrees.

It may be that the EU 27 just want to get rid of us, in which case there is little point, but if they dont and they see the prospect of a change of mind and a second referendum, then we could be in for more years of negotiations.

The consequence of our indecisive election result is greater than whether Theresa May stays or goes  and it is certainly greater than todays departure of Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy, her joint chiefs of staff. Presumably May rushed to Buckingham Palace yesterday  and made a speech in Downing Street in such haste she forgot to commiserate with defeated candidates  because she wanted to pre-empt any attempt by Tory MPs to oust her. But they will probably force her out sooner or later.

 Two of Theresa May's closest aides quit following General Election result

And whoever succeeds her will face the same problem: that they will have no mandate for whatever form of Brexit they are able to negotiate. The problems will come sooner than that, too: the Great Repeal Bill, to convert EU law into British law in preparation for departure, is about to start its passage. That could be difficult in the House of Lords.

One way round this is to call another election and win it decisively. The idea of re-running this election and hoping for a better result is not a prospect Boris Johnson, David Davis, Amber Rudd or Philip Hammond would find attractive.

If the Conservative Party does go down that route, though, it needs to learn three lessons. One, it must have a full leadership contest that puts the candidates through the fire of the hustings so that it chooses someone who actually likes campaigning. Two, the general election campaign should be shorter than seven weeks. Three, fiscal responsibility can go hang: the party will have to offer free money to students, and shouldnt threaten to take away money from pensioners.

If there isnt another election, I suspect an idea I heard from a Labour MP on Friday will get more of an airing. He wasnt proposing a government of national unity, the kind of grand coalition of Conservative and Labour that was often proposed in the 1970s, the last time our politics seemed so deadlocked. But he was thinking aloud about party co-operation on Brexit and joint commission to oversee the negotiations and to try to secure a cross-party consensus for whatever came out of them.

I doubt that Jeremy Corbyn and Keir Starmer, his shadow Brexit Secretary, would offer such a thing, or that a Conservative prime minister would accept it. And it would be, by definition, hard to find a consensus between people who want to leave the EU and those, such as the majority of the House of Lords, who want to stay.

But something has to give. I now wonder whether Britain really will leave the EU at midnight on 29 March 2019 after all.
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Jim Kreindler was in his law firms offices in New Yorks midtown when the attackers struck on 9/11.

Since then, he has dedicated thousands of hours and millions of dollars trying to secure what he considers justice for the families of those who were killed  an admission, or else a court decision, that officials from Saudi Arabia provided material support to the 19 al-Qaeda hijackers.

Earlier this year, Kreindler filed a suit against Saudi Arabia on behalf of the families of 850 individuals who were killed and 1,500 who were injured. 9/11 could not have happened without Saudi Arabias support for al-Qaeda, he said.

Saudi Arabia was Trump's first stopping point on his maiden foreign trip as president (AP)

Last month, Donald Trump visited the kingdom during his first foreign trip as president, where he agreed a $100bn arms deal.

Saudi Arabia has always denied that it was involved in the attacks that left almost 3,000 dead. But Kreindler now believes Trumps engagement with Riyadh has created a situation whereby Saudi Arabia may be tempted to settle.

I believe this engagement helps, he said, seated at his desk, looking out over Manhattan. If they are going to make billions of dollars out of infrastructure deals and the Royal family is preserved, maybe some wise person is going to say we have to get out of this 9/11 mess. Because its not going away.

The issue is hugely controversial. The filing of the lawsuit against Saudi Arabia was only possible after the passing earlier this year of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA)  a piece of legislation that allows Americans to sue foreign states in US courts. Barack Obama had opposed the law, but the Senate overturned his veto of the legislation. (Trump, by contrast, strongly supported the bill.)

 Saudi Arabia cuts ties with Qatar over terror links

Saudi Arabia had spent millions of dollars lobbying against the law, and is now trying to have it modified. It was recently revealed that a Washington lobbying firm, Qorvis MSLGROUP, had paid scores of US military veterans to protest against the legislation, claiming that it could threaten US service personnel by making them vulnerable to retaliatory lawsuits by foreign governments.

The veterans were sent on all-paid four day trips to Washington DC, without being told that Saudi Arabia was picking up the tab. When they found out, most were horrified.

I joined the Marine Corps as a direct result of 9/11, so to be wined and dined by the very people I joined to fight against, that was sickening, Timothy Cord, who served as a Marine sergeant in Iraq, told the New York Post.

The suit, which was filed in federal court in the Southern District of New York and will be heard US District Judge George Daniels, seeks unspecified monetary damages.

It claims that Saudi Arabia supported al-Qaeda in four critical ways. Firstly, it names several Saudi charities that were alter egos of the government and ran terrorist training camps in Afghanistan. It says the Saudi Arabia directly funded Osama Bin Ladens terror group, and supported it by providing the hijackers with passports.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. 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Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. 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Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. 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Finally, it identifies Saudi officials in the US who worked with the hijackers in the 18 months leading up to the attacks, providing them with money, cover, advice, contacts, transportation, assistance with language and US culture, identification, access to pilot training and other material support and resources.

Saudi Arabia has long existed as a source of radical, extremist Islam  something that both the US and UK have been happy to exploit, or either look the other way, when it has suited them.

Yet it has retained its own lawyers in the US, as it has sought to defend itself and deny involvement in the attacks. Two years ago, lawyer Michael Kellogg told a court that plaintiffs seeking damages had failed to produce admissible, concrete, competent evidence that Saudi Arabia was involved.

Asked to comment on the lawsuit filed following the passage of JASTA, Kellogg said: Sorry. But I dont speak about pending cases.

Kreindler said Saudi Arabia had until 1 August to file a motion to dismiss his firms lawsuit. His response to that is due on 1 October. He believes that if all goes to plan, the case could begin in either December, or January of next year.

We have tonnes of evidence. Most of it is based on things the government has said  either the US government, or else other governments, such as the Germans, he said. Im an optimist.
The uncertainty around what impact Brexit may have on Irish exports has encouraged food producers here to broaden their European relationships.

The French market, in particular, has become an important market - not only for our food ambassadors, but also from a tourism standpoint.

Wicklow-born Sheena Dignam grew up in the Loire valley, where she studied Culinary Arts & Wine, and has spent the last number of years marrying her passion for gastronomy with promoting Irish produce abroad.

With over 15 years in the food industry behind her, Sheena has been active in showcasing the powerful innovation inherent in food producers in the west of Ireland to our mainland counterparts - and bringing French speaking people on unique tours here also.

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"Galway has been awarded the Region of Gastronomy for 2018, the first region in Ireland to receive this award for outstanding food culture, sustainability, gastronomy, and innovation," Sheena (of Galway Food Tours and Merveilles DIrlande) told independent.ie.

"On the back of that, myself and a number of food producers attended the Fete des vins de l'Anjou in the west of France in Pays de la Loire to showcase the diverse and unique range of locally sourced produce here."

The Galway food syndication - which included Athenry, Gran Grans and Tribal Foods - also highlighted key SMEs and start-ups in the food industry to the French market.

Over the course of the festival, close to 30,000 tastings took place and over 7,000 visitors turned out to sample what was on offer.

"A lot of the people were really surprised at what we had to offer," Sheena said.

"Rather than turn their nose up at what we had on display, we impressed the French with the innovative and high standard products that we brought with us. They were really surprised at what we achieved.

"Irish producers have been encouraged more recently to broaden our horizons; we have really strong products and we wanted to show France just how string we are."

President of the Fete des Vins DAnjou Dominique Pairochon remarked that he is confident that the relationship [between Ireland and France] will grow and that there will be economic and cultural benefits in both regions as a result of the work being undertaken.

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Food products like Connemara Smokehouse, Kellys Oysters, Galway Hooker Brewery and Independent Brewing already being exported to France, these along with Aran Islands Goats Cheese, Killeen Farmhouse Cheese and Mc Geough cured meats and Micil Poitin, being in high demand.

Sheena is currently in her second year of running Merveilles DIrlande, a tourism business which brings French people to Ireland to experience a "high end style of travelling in the west of Ireland" inspired by her passion to show French people our culture and food.

"At the moment, I'm targeting French but also French speakers so I am also looking at the French Canadian and the Swiss market. I'm also looking to get the tour translated to target the US market," she said.

A shockingly bad election result for Prime Minister Theresa May this week has plunged Britain into political chaos days before the start of Brexit talks.

Many Irish SMEs and food producers who export their products are unclear how relations and business will continue following upcoming negotiations.

But Sheena remains confident in the strength of what our producers have to offer.

"We are alway going to find a way [to continue trade]; it's just a matter of seeing where we are going to go. We're all still very much in the dark about how things are going to unfold.

"But, out of every circumstance, there is always going to become a positive outcome. Being encouraged to look elsewhere will be of benefit to our producers in the long term."
Ruth Davidson has dismissed a suggestion she will seek to break the Scottish Conservatives away from the UK party following a humiliating General Election result for Theresa May.

The Daily Telegraph reported that aides for Ms Davidson were working on a deal that would see the Scottish party split from the UK party.

It follows the Scottish Tories recording their best result in a general election for more than three decades on Thursday, with their tally of MPs increased from one to 13.

Writing on Twitter, the Scottish Tory leader dismissed the newspaper claim as "b****cks".

"Folk might remember I fought a leadership election on the other side of that particular argument," she added.

Ms Davidson was elected as leader of the Scottish Conservatives in 2011 after opposing a similar plan put forward by rival Murdo Fraser, now the party's finance spokesman.

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Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, he said: "I saw that piece in the Telegraph with some interest and it rang some bells for some things I said a few years ago but I'm assured that there's not a lot of truth in this particular story."

Ms Davidson has said she has received assurances from the Prime Minister over gay rights should the Tories do a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party, and has urged Mrs May to put the economy first by pursuing an "open" Brexit.

Mr Fraser said having a larger group of MPs in Westminster would "make a huge difference" to the influence of the Scottish Conservatives on issues including Brexit.

Read more:

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"What you'll see is the new group of Scottish Conservatives arguing for what is in the interest of Scottish communities and Scottish business.

"I think we can have a tremendous amount of leverage."

He repeated calls for the SNP to "drop indyref2" in the wake of the party losing 21 Westminster seats, including those of former first minister Alex Salmond and SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has conceded her plans for a second vote were "undoubtedly" a factor in the result and has said she will reflect on the results.

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Scotland's Finance and Constitution Secretary Derek Mackay, who directed the SNP's election campaign, told the same programme: "The First Minister has said that she'll reflect on the result but the fact that another Tory government that Scotland has not elected will rule over us with policies that Scotland just doesn't support I think has been another lesson on why Scotland should have a choice.

"Of course we'll listen and reflect, it's too premature to say what we'll do next around that."

The Scottish Daily Telegraph's Alan Cochrane said: "The story was impeccably sourced and I stand by every word."

Warning

A Conservative former cabinet minister has warned his party against the "chaos" of a leadership contest as it could further delay resolving Brexit matters.

Owen Paterson said Theresa May was right "despite all the disappointments" to try to find a way to govern with the support of the Democratic Unionist Party given that the Tories won the most seats and most votes.

But the MP was less sure about how Mrs May could continue to rule in such a manner, saying "let's see how it pans out" when asked.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the former Northern Ireland secretary told broadcaster John Humphrys: "We are nine days off from the Brexit talks starting, we've had two horrific security incidents, and to cast the Tory Party into yet another leadership contest I think would be very unwise.

"John, personally I wouldn't go and do it - I tempt you to go and talk to Brenda in Bristol..."

Mr Humphrys intervened: "She won't talk apparently, she's refusing all interviews. I don't know what that tells us of the state of the nation."

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Asked how long Mrs May would stay as PM, Mr Paterson replied: "Let's see how it pans out. There is an immediate problem to get a government fixed which has a workable majority so we can begin to work on Brexit.

"This is coming down the track, the train is approaching and we have to get that resolved.

"There has to be the Great Repeal Bill put through the Commons, and our neighbours want to know how the form is going to be.

"The other mega issue which came up the whole time, quite rightly, is the issue of right of abode for the EU citizens living here and our citizens living on the continent."

He said Mrs May and Brexit Secretary David Davis had made clear this issue was a priority, adding: "We want to get that resolved as rapidly as possible and to have the chaos and uncertainty of a leadership contest would put the whole issue on hold and I think that's really bad for the stability, not least because of the whole economics looking ahead, with the pound dropping and everything else.

"So I think she's right - despite all the disappointments, she's got the most seats, she's got the most votes by a long way and she's right to sit down and try to work this through."

Former Tory health minister Nicola Blackwood, defeated by the Liberal Democrats in Oxford West and Abingdon, said "no party has been a winner" at the election.

On Mrs May's future, Ms Blackwood told the same programme: "She has to have the right team around her but they need to support her and make sure they put aside partisanship right now because it's about making sure we survive the security challenges we face but also the Brexit negotiations."

Former Tory minister Gavin Barwell, who lost his Croydon Central seat to Labour, earlier said: "I don't think you can call a result where you have got a vote share up at nearly 43pc disastrous."

Reminded that the party had lost seats, Mr Barwell replied: "I'm not trying to pretend it's a triumph, clearly we didn't get the result we hoped to get. I'm just putting on record that she did better than (John) Major."

Asked if Mrs May has the authority to run the party and country, Mr Barwell said: "I believe there's a will in the Conservative Party to get behind her and support her.

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"I think she's the best person to take Britain into these crucial Brexit negotiations that are going to be so important to the future of the country."

Former Tory leader Lord Hague said "very serious lessons" had to be learned by the party but warned against a leadership contest.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, he said: "An overwhelmingly strong position at the time of the local elections on May 4 was turned into serious losses by June 8.

"The awful truth is that no party has given up such an advantageous situation with such speed in the modern electoral history of our country.

"Very serious lessons will have to be learnt from that.

"The Conservative campaign was strong on honesty and realism, but the next time the party enters a general election it will need to be just as strong on hope and vision for the future - and there's no reason it shouldn't be."

Stressing that a leadership battle was unwarranted, Lord Hague said: "Voters do not want further months of uncertainty and upheaval. They want to see ministers getting on with the job, while acknowledging democracy and their constrained circumstances."

Choosing top team

Theresa May is set to name the rest of her top team on Saturday after a humiliating showing in the general election left her authority as Prime Minister weakened.

Mrs May had limited room for manoeuvre after her presidential-style campaign saw the Tories shed seats and fall eight MPs short of a Commons majority.

After speculation the PM would use a solid win in the election to move Philip Hammond from the Treasury, he and other potential successors as Tory leader, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, and Home Secretary Amber Rudd, remained in place.

With Brexit Secretary David Davis and Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon also staying put, there were suggestions changes could just centre on replacing the eight ministers who lost their seats as the Tory Commons tally fell to 318.

Mrs May's decision to seek a deal with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), and the role of her two closest advisers in the faltering election campaign drew criticism in Tory ranks.

In an apparent side-swipe at a hook-up with the DUP, a party which strongly opposes marriage equality, Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson tweeted a link to a speech she made in Belfast in support of same-sex marriage.

Ms Davidson, who became engaged to partner Jen Wilson in May 2016, later said she had received assurances from the PM over gay rights.

She told the BBC: "I was fairly straightforward with her (Mrs May) and I told her that there were a number of things that count to me more than the party.

"One of them is country, one of the others is LGBTI rights.

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"I asked for a categoric assurance that if any deal or scoping deal was done with the DUP there would be absolutely no rescission of LGBTI rights in the rest of the UK, in Great Britain, and that we would use any influence that we had to advance LGBTI rights in Northern Ireland."

With talks between the Tories and the DUP expected to begin within days, Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey expressed concern about the impact of any deal on the peace process.

He told BBC Newsnight: "I think this current arrangement may well prove to be reckless, but we will have to wait and see.

"We will expect the British Government to honour their commitments in respect of the Good Friday Agreement. And that means they have to remain neutral. We will watch what's happening very carefully."

Former minister Anna Soubry called on Mrs May to sack her joint chiefs of staff, Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy, after she complained about their central roles in the campaign.

Amid reports that senior Tories were sounding out potential replacements for Mrs May, prominent Conservative MP Heidi Allen said the Prime Minister had six months at most left in Downing Street.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling sprang to Mrs May's defence, insisting she needed to stay in office for the national interest.

He told BBC Question Time: "Not only must she not resign, she has to not resign in the interest of the country because we need to move forward, we have got to go into the Brexit negotiations."

Asked if Mrs May should lead the Tories into the next election, Mr Grayling said: "The next election is a question for her. My view is we need her to stay as Prime Minister and stay as Prime Minister for the foreseeable future."

Pressed that Mrs May now had no mandate for her Brexit vision, Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi told BBC Newsnight: "You're absolutely right and to pretend otherwise would be insulting your viewers. But she is also a democrat. She will accept the outcome of this election. We are the largest party, we can govern."

A strong showing for Labour in the election was capped when the party snatched the final seat to declare, Kensington, by just 20 votes.

The win took Labour's tally to 262 MPs as Jeremy Corbyn's party soared to a 40% share of the popular vote.

Mr Corbyn called on Mrs May to stand aside and let Labour form a minority administration in light of the election results.

The Liberal Democrats gained four seats to stand at 12 MPs, but saw former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg ousted from the Commons.

The SNP saw its tally fall from the 56 seats it secured two years ago to 35, while Ukip leader Paul Nuttall quit after a disastrous showing for the party.
There are lots of frightening words flying around about the shortfalls in our personal and national pension pots. It seems we are all going to live much longer and are set to become major bothers to our children and their offspring.

According to figures from the World Economic Forum, and quoted by my colleague Ellie Donnelly in the Irish Independent last week, the average UK citizen in 1960 was expected to live for 6.1 years after retirement. The current average person is expected to live for 16.6 years after he or she clears out the locker and in 2050 the average Brit is expected to live for 20.9 years after they get the bus pass.

I am reminded of an old Brendan Grace gag about a mountain village in Kerry where the air was so good they had to hire a man on a FAS scheme to patrol the graveyard with a big stick while shouting "Lie down now lads, lie down will ye."

The 'golden years' are set to get longer but there won't be much gold to gild them. According to the aforementioned World Economic Forum the gap in pensions globally in 2050 will amount to 375 trillion, five times the size of today's entire global economy.

This ought to be worrying for many of us on the sliding side of 50 who are in rude good health but seriously lacking in the pension department. Apparently we are facing a retirement where luxury will consist of a Marietta biscuit and a cup of tea brewed from a recycled teabag.

In an attempt to establish how I myself am fixed or unfixed in relation to the pension gap I took to poking around the innards of the 'Net'. In the course of my perusals I came across an organisation called the Pensions Authority. This regulatory body is charged, among other things, with providing "information and guidance material to help you understand pensions." The Authority's website has a calculator that will tell you how bleak or how bright your financial prospects are as you face into the years of slippers and Complan. With not a little trepidation I clicked on this calculator and, to cut a short story even shorter, it told me I'm goosed. If I wish to maintain my income at only 45pc of its current level I will need to put aside a figure equivalent to a hefty monthly mortgage repayment.

There isn't a hope of finding that kind of loot in my coffers. With three little ducks toddling inexorably to the finish line at secondary education, every spare bob has someone else's name on it for at least the next ten years. It looks like I'll be going cap in hand to one of Leo Varadkar's successors in the Department of Social Protection when the time comes to hand in my badge.

I wonder if it is as bleak as all that? Maybe it isn't. As I reflect on these things I recall how, at the end and at the beginning of every new era in my life I was bombarded with dire warnings about the penury and hard labour that lay ahead. For instance, as I approached the end of secondary school I remember people telling me the best years of my life were over, that I was about to enter the land of adulthood, a place of weeping, wailing and dental gnashing.

Before our first child was born seasoned parents would look at the bump and proceed to paint a dismal picture of sleepless nights, a decimated social life and mountains of nappies.

In these last 12 months as my eldest approaches Leaving Cert the sirens have been wailing in unrelenting cacophony about the cost of further education and how it will leave me in the poorhouse.

Looking back, the prophets and prophetesses of gloom have been as accurate as British political pollsters. I've had a grand life since secondary school; while I loved the five years spent in my poor man's Brideshead I was glad to leave the rules and restrictions behind.

When it came to having children they transformed my life. The sleepless nights were few and far between while the moments of joy, delight and profound love have been numerous, nourishing and full of goodness. Of course there are days when bachelorhood seems beautiful but that hill is too far away and no longer very green.

Is it vain to hope that without a fat pension the years of amber twilight might be enjoyed in relative comfort? I am inclined to think, based on my experience of life to date, that the doomsayers might once again be wrong. What's more, the harbingers of late-life penury are often in a position to profit from frightening people into pumping money into uncertain futures.

The question I have begun to ask myself isn't what will I need for a comfortable retirement, rather, what will I not need, what is surplus to requirements and how can I continue to turn a few bob in my dotage?

I certainly have no intention of sitting beside a spluttering stove in an overcoat and gloves while my money is in the hands of a pension fund manager lounging in air-conditioned splendour in a penthouse suite in lower Manhattan wondering if the Dom Perignon is sufficiently chilled.

The four main kinds of pensions

 CONTRIBUTORY STATE PENSION: People from the age of 66 onwards who have made sufficient social insurance (PRSI) contributions over the years are eligible. It is not means tested and one can earn some income while receiving it but is then liable for tax. The eligible age will rise to 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028.

 The non-contributory state pension: This is means tested and also paid after age 66. People who have no social insurance contributions can claim this and the qualifying age will also rise.

 OCCUPATIONAL PENSION: Bigger companies or employers often have pension schemes for their employees. The customs and rules vary from company to company.

 A PRSA (Personal Retirement Savings Account) allows individuals to save for their retirement. PRSAs are tax deductible and available from a variety of providers that include insurance companies and banks
A County Antrim farmer today received nine month suspended prison sentence after he was convicted of 11 charges of causing unnecessary suffering to 11 cattle, one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to a sheep, three charges of failure to dispose of animal carcasses and three charges of failure to comply with an animal by-product requirement.

James Steele (48), Gobrana Road, Glenavy, Crumlin was disqualified from owning, keeping, participating in keeping farm animals, being party to an arrangement under which that person is entitled to control or influence the way in which farm animals are kept, from dealing in farm animals and from transporting or arranging the transport of farm animals for 25 years.
BANKS will have to check out the accounts of politicians and their families under new rules aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

The move to scrutinise the bank accounts of politicians is part of a new EU directive, being negotiated at the moment, to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, bankers were told.

Central Bank director of enforcement Derville Rowland warned that this would mean banks would have to considerably step up their compliance with anti-money laundering and terrorist financing rules.

Her comments come months after Ulster Bank, AIB and Bank of Ireland were separately fined for breaches of anti-money laundering legislation. The three banks had to pay the regulator a total of 8.8m.

Speaking at an event hosted by the Banking Payments Federation of Ireland yesterday, Ms Rowland said the fifth EU directive on anti-money laundering and terrorist financing was being negotiated at the moment by the 28 European Union members.

She explained: "There is an extension of the meaning of what constitutes a politically exposed person to include domestic politically exposed persons.

"This means that domestic politicians and their families will be subject to enhanced customer due diligence measures."

A politically exposed person is an individual who is or has been entrusted with a prominent public function.

Many hold positions that can be abused to launder illicit funds or commit other offences such as corruption or bribery.

Ms Rowland said there are also plans at EU level to introduce a register of beneficial owners that will require information on beneficial owners of companies and trusts to be stored in a central register.

"A statutory instrument has already been introduced setting out the requirement to collect this information and further legislation will be introduced to set up a central register."

Banks were warned that they "need to work harder" to ensure compliance with the anti-money laundering regime.

Among the serious issues identified were incomplete risk assessments, she said.

There were also failures to report suspicious transactions without delay and shortcomings in customer due diligence processes, including the identification of politically exposed persons, she added.

Compliance with anti-money laundering requirements is and will remain a key Central Bank priority, she said.
Tom Hardy has penned an emotional tribute to his best friend and pet dog, Woody, who has died aged six.

The actor posted on his Tumblr about the pooch, who had been battling a muscle disorder for the past six months.

Tom wrote: We at home are devastated by his loss I am ultimately grateful for his loyal companionship and love and it is of some great comfort that he is no longer suffering.

Above all I am completely gutted. The world for me was a better place with him in it and by my side.

The Peaky Blinders star adopted the 11-week-old stray after he ran across the road as Tom was driving in Atlanta, Georgia, during the filming of Lawless with co-star Jessica Chastain.

He took in the Labrador cross and recalled in the lengthy post about hauling him out of numerous rivers and ponds due to the poochs love of chasing ducks.

He wrote: He was an Angel. And he was my best friend. We went through so much together, adding that Woody fiercely guarded Toms wife Charlotte Riley when she was pregnant.

The 39-year-old added: Woody was the bestest of journey companions we ever could dream of having.

He didnt have a bad bone in his body. All he knew was love.

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He signed off the note with the words: Thank you Woody for choosing to find us. We will love you and be with you and you with us forever. Never ever ever forgotten.

With all of me I love you. Always. Thankyou for your love beautiful boy.
Writers of the award-winning prison drama, Orange is the New Black, have slowed time down to almost a complete standstill for the new season of the series, which is set entirely over the course of a three-day riot, writes Pat Stacey

All the smartest movie and television stars down the decades have known that appearing on Sesame Street is a badge of honour, so you know a series has really made it big-time when the beloved educational childrens programme pays tribute with a parody.

Sesame Street, which has been running for nearly half a century and is 20 times smarter and more entertaining than many shows aimed at adults that I could name, has a history of ragging grown-up television hits.

In the recent past, its spoofed such distinctly adults-only series as Game of Thrones, Mad Men, True Blood and Boardwalk Empire  minus, of course, the sex, violence and swear words, but with no shortage of humour and wit.

Its latest target is Netflixs prison dramedy Orange is the New Black. Entitled Orange is the New Snack (see what they did there?), it follows the first day in Litchfield Academy of newbie muppet Piper Snackman (see what they did there, too?), who is appalled to see cookies being served at snack time, challenges the academys snack time moderator Red, is threatened with a spell in the shoe (in this case, a real, oversized shoe that you sit in), but eventually wins everyone around to eating healthy oranges instead.

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Long-time Orange is the New Black fans will have no trouble recognising this as a nod to the first seasons showdown between the real Red (Kate Mulgrew) and Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling) over whether or not Reds cooking is edible.

The delightful five-minute parody has gone viral and drawn a hugely positive reaction  although one publications hasty claim that its an absurdist masterpiece is probably taking the whole thing a little more seriously than the smart cookies behind Sesame Street intended.

At any rate, this extra shot of publicity couldnt have come at a better time as the fifth season of Orange is the New Black arrived on Netflix first thing this morning. Not that the series really needs an extra shot of publicity; its turned into a phenomenon all by itself, thank you very much.

Netflix is notoriously tight-fisted when it comes to releasing viewing figures, but the streaming service is happy to admit that, globally, Orange is the New Black, or OITNB as its fans style it (although thats actually more trouble to type!), is its most-watched series, bigger even than House of Cards, once Netflixs flagship series and the jewel in its crown. Considering how much there is to watch on Netflix  and theres considerably more content on the American service than on the one we get here and in Britain  thats quite an achievement.

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Its doubly impressive when you remember that Orange is the New Black arrived pretty much out of the blue, with relatively little of the advance fanfare thats now common in television and on streaming sites, where TV series are promoted in the way only movies once were.

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House of Cards, for instance, already had a certain degree of audience recognition to build on, in that it was based on the successful BBC series. People familiar with the original knew to expect a labyrinthine tale of political ambition, skulduggery and murder.

But Orange is the New Black has its roots in a less salubrious source: a prison memoir written by a first-time author, Piper Kerman, that few people outside America had probably even heard of, let alone read  although the success of the series no doubt added quite a few international sales.

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I havent read it either, but by all accounts its considerably less expansive and humorous than the series: more an account of the journey of discovery of a white, middle-class woman thrown into an alien environment than an examination of the US womens prison system  in which the overwhelming majority of inmates, just like their male counterparts, are black  with little self-examination by Kerman of the crime that landed her behind bars in the first place.

Kerman spent little more than a year inside. In the uniquely elastic world of television, however, where days can be as long or as short as the proverbial piece of string, just 10 months have passed in the life of her fictional counterpart Piper Chapman, even though the series is now in its fifth year.

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The writers have slowed time down to almost a complete standstill for the fifth season, which is set entirely over the course of a three-day riot over poor conditions, a rebellion that began at the end of the previous season and which echoes the real-life riots in the notorious Attica mens prison in 1971.

Orange is the New Black returns trailing near-universal praise from critics and multiples of every award known to the television industry. More of an ensemble piece now than when it began, its been credited with bringing to the screen the kind female characters of all ages, classes, creeds, colours, sexuality and genders whose stories arent usually told on television.

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Its also been lauded for daring to put a character whos far from sympathetic or likeable front and centre of the action, and for giving American viewers, who otherwise might not know (or might not want to know), an insight into the appalling conditions endured by prisoners in the countrys 6,000 correctional institutions.

Commendable and creatively brave as all this is, Orange is the New Black still harks back to a long, and not always reputable, tradition of women-in-prison stories. Hollywood has been putting women behind bars  and putting them through the emotional and physical mangle  since the days of the pre-Code movies. This genre reached its lowest point in the Sixties and Seventies, when there was an avalanche of women-in-prison exploitation (and sometimes sexploitation) pictures with lurid titles like Caged Heat, Reform School Girls, Black Mama White Mama, Sweet Sugar, Bare Behind Bars, Sadomania and Ilsa the Wicked Warden.

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They tended to share the same basic plot: an innocent young woman is thrown into jail on trumped-up charges and suffers various physical and sexual degradations. Inevitably, there was a heavy emphasis on sado-masochism and lesbian sex, for the delectation of the male audience, naturally.

In a way, television rehabilitated the genre. Well, more or less. One of the most popular ITV series of the 70s was Within these Walls. Starring former British movie queen Googie Withers as a sympathetic governor, it focused more on the lives of the staff than the inmates and looks positively prim by modern standards.

The BBCs rather more hard-hitting 80s series Tenko put a novel spin on a familiar story by being set in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.

The cheerfully cheap Australian series Prisoner, which was called Prisoner: Cell Block H in other markets to avoid confusion with Patrick McGoohans cult favourite The Prisoner, reinstated the old cliches, not least the butch, heavily tattooed lesbian inmate who makes life hell for everyone else, but served them up in a soapy, toned-down version  not surprising, since the series was created by Reg Watson, the man who also gave the world Neighbours and Crossroads, and whose artistic signatures are wobbly sets and wobblier acting.

ITVs Bad Girls and the Australian series Wentworth Prison  which went into production after Orange is the New Black and is a direct updating of Prisoner: Cell Block H, but with considerably better production values  both met with considerable acclaim.

So did the Spanish series Vis a vis, which goes under the title Locked Up on Channel 4s on-demand service Walter Presents and strongly resembles Orange is the New Black, even if most of the inmates look more like dolly birds than jailbirds.

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Orange is the New Black stands head and shoulders above all them. Yes, theres violence, strong language, drug abuse and a considerable amount of lesbian sex; how could you expect there not to be when Americas prison population stands at 2.3 million?

But its taken components that had grown stale through overuse and refreshed them by applying them with intelligence, humour and humanity to characters which, for the most part, feel fleshed-out and real.

Orange is the New Black is riding high at the moment. Expectations for the new season are huge. How long can it continue, though, before it deteriorates into soap opera, which is whats already happened to House of Cards?

Even before the fifth season landed this morning, Netflix had already commissioned a sixth and seventh. Even for a prison drama, thats a long stretch.

Orange is the New Black season 5 is now available on Netflix.
Holding on: Poldark and Demelza (played by Eleanor Tomlinson) have had their ups and downs

Here we go again. Poldark is back, and even if you're not a fan of the series you will know that this means Aidan Turner oozing rugged manliness on our TV screens all summer long.

The Dublin actor is what the young call 'A Ride', and his Cornish hero Ross Poldark is manly in the way that men were manly before hair gel, paternity leave and yoga.

Watching him gallop along a clifftop (in all weathers), brood at polite parties, and generally behave like the man least likely to see the point of couples therapy, just does it - shamingly enough - for 21st-century womenfolk. Unfortunately for Turner, this means that he is, until further notice, carrier of the 'Real Man' torch, and he doesn't much like it.

He denies deserving the title and has even - who can blame him - tried to shift the focus on to his dad, describing him in a recent interview as the genuine article: "a real man" who can "fix a vintage car, do plumbing, lay flooring".

Point taken. But being a DIY whizz is the least of being a real man in 2017.

Here are 10 attributes that make a bloke, in our eyes, Just Poldark Enough:

1. Not fussing about your hair

It is hard to strike the balance between caring and preening peacock, but a manly man is never that interested in his hair (see Poldark's salty-dog do). Note: the Boris Johnson hair thing is something different.

2. Not having three kinds of waxed Barbour jacket

There's nothing wrong with being prepared but owning the just-so perfect outfit for every situation is a bit Meghan Markle and not that manly (see Poldark, who only has one coat).

3. Not being easily intimidated

By spiders. By waiters. By the bloke at the party who thinks he's smarter/richer than you.

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4. Entry-level DIY

Never mind tinkering with the car at the weekends (sounds a bit Top Gear to us) but being capable of basic crisis response in the home, like sorting out the beeping smoke alarm without taking a hammer to it.

5. Being good with children

Although Poldark's son Jeremy mysteriously vanishes for large stretches of time, it only takes a quick glimpse of Ross cradling a tiny baby in his muscular arms for viewers to melt. The manliest men are terrific with babies and are doting dads; we have known that for a long time (see that Athena poster, and Poldark).

6. Being a good driver

In the absence of a horse to gallop along the cliffs. Reversing with an arm slung over the passenger seat is particularly manly.

7. Dog confidence

Dogs that run rings around their owners are not the dogs of manly men. (If Poldark had a dog you know he'd be a firm but fair master and inspire panting devotion - his interactions with Demelza's dog Garrick are enough to make us swoon.)

8. Not being faddy about food

A manly man does not need to live on pies and ale. But making your own chia milk - tiny bit unmanly.

9. Not indulging in white-knuckle handshakes, in the style of POTUS

This is textbook overcompensation and the opposite of manly.

10. Respecting women

(Poldark's record on this is, admittedly, patchy, but it is the number one sign of manliness now.)

We're not interested otherwise - full manly package regardless.

The many moods of a successful marriage

Given his erratic mood swings and infidelity (not to mention that controversial sex scene), Ross Poldark doesnt immediately strike us as an ideal husband. But according to writer Debbie Horsfield, who adapated Winston Grahams Cornwall-set saga for the BBC, the hit drama is supposed to offer a guide to a successful marriage.

In the series, Aidan Turners Poldark hires his maid, Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson), after defending her in a street brawl. The pair fall in love and get married, but their relationship is marred by Poldarks obsession with his first love, Elizabeth (Heida Reed), and Demelzas trauma following the death of her newborn daughter, Julia. Horsfield said: I always bear in mind the advice Andrew Graham (son of Winston) gave me, which was that his father intended the Poldark saga to be a portrait of a successful marriage.

By successful he didnt mean perfect or idyllic, but real ... by series three, the fact that theyre still together at all demonstrates staying power.

So what can Poldark teach us about relationships?

First impressions dont count

When Ross meets Demelza, she is a street urchin, but once shes deloused and working in his home, the pair fall in love. On second thought, this may only apply if youre as ravishing as Eleanor Tomlinson...

The power of delayed gratification

The flirtation between Truros resident Hot Doctor Dwight Enys and Lady Caroline Penvenen was drawn out over several weeks before the two managed a rendezvous. By contrast, his hasty affair with a married woman in season one ended up getting her killed. Best not to rush these things.

Dont bury your feelings

Admittedly, a relationship has its ups and downs, so well mark Poldarks one-night-stand with Elizabeth plainly a down. But he and Demelza are trying to make things work  likely thanks to Demelzas whopping Poldark punch after she caught him sneaking home at dawn. If youve just learned your husband is cheating on you, as well as squandering your money on a doomed mining enterprise and neglecting your marriage, theres no time to waste bottling up your emotions, so let it all out.

Dont let social differences be a barrier to love

This is a big one  Poldark rejects respectable society by marrying the lowly Demelza, Caroline ignores her aristocratic fathers wishes to date Enys, and Poldarks cousin Verity elopes with Captain Andrew Blamey, whose temper caused the accidental death of his first wife. It might seem unwise to disregard the advice of your family in the blind pursuit of love, but such is not the case in the Poldark universe.

Scythe your way to marital bliss

Who can forget the moment in season one when a shirtless Poldark scythed his way into Demelzas, and the nations, heart? Men of Ireland, it may be time to ditch the lawnmower and pick up a scythe of your own. Patience may be required as you learn to handle the tool, but youll soon reap the benefits.

 Meadhbh McGrath
Daithi O Se has said his on-screen relationship with Maura Derrane on RTE's Today show works well because they probably will not speak to each other again until September.

The pair, who have co-hosted the chat show for the past five years, enjoy a break from filming during the summer.

"We finished a month ago and I probably won't speak to Maura again until September," he said.

The Kerry man (41) revealed it took the TV pairing time before they felt comfortable on camera together.

"It probably took us two years to get to know each other properly," he said.

"We had known each other before and had met at different events but when you sit next to someone, you get to know them a lot better.

"And then you're doing five shows every week," he said. "We can say anything to each other.

"We are similar enough in personality, I think. We don't take life too seriously."

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The Rose of Tralee host is grateful the pair get on so well.

"Maura and I had been doing two different shows before and we were unsure what was happening but thankfully it all went very well.

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"If they weren't happy and it wasn't working we wouldn't keep going back there."

The Today show team recently celebrated a wrap party for its fifth series in George's Street venue Nolita.

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Daithi feels the show has reached a "milestone" with the end of its fifth year.

"Five is a milestone. We were asked to Cork about five years ago to be down there for a year and then it really took off," he said.

"They gave an extra eight weeks to the show. Before, we finished in March. Now we finish in April, so it's going very well."

Daithi believes Today has a strong chance of carrying on for many years provded the programme continues to develop.

"I think the secret is to keep it fresh and not to be doing the same thing as we did last year or the year before," he said.

"That would get very repetitive for us presenting it and for the people at home.

Once you know what your audience want and who they are, you can then tailor the show to that."
A dad-of-two working as a taxi driver in Dublin fears he will now be almost 2k out-of-pocket as a rickshaw driver who crashed into his car is refusing to pay.

Lee Li (37) was waiting at a set of traffic lights on Hatch Street when a rickshaw driver rear-ended his car and cycled off.

The incident happened on May 20 at around 2am and Mr Li has been trying to get the driver to pay him for the damage caused ever since.

Mr Li drove after the rickshaw driver when the accident happened, pulled him over and called gardai.

However, after initially saying he would fund the repairs, the rickshaw driver has not yet paid Mr Li.

I have no idea what to do now as he hasnt paid me, the guards say they cant do anything as its to do with insurance and the Small Claims Court said they cant take on the case as it involves a bicycle, Mr Li told Independent.ie.

The back bumper of his Toyota car was damaged in the incident. He has received a quote of 1,500 for a new bumper and the cost of repairs.

Mr Li hasnt returned to work since the accident as he said it would be unsafe to drive with a damaged bumper.

I have been working in Ireland for thirteen years and I had only bought this car last month - its ridiculous that this is allowed to happen, he said.

They are working with no insurance and are creating chaos in the city. If you cause damage, you should have to pay. If I crashed into someone, I wouldnt get away with what he is doing.

Earlier this week, Dublin City Council issued a public advisory notice warning of the safety hazards of using rickshaws.

Dublin City council wishes to advise members of the public, for their own safety and the safety of others, that rickshaws operating in Dublin City are not regulated by DCC or otherwise, the notice said.

Some rickshaw operators appear not to have public liability insurance, it added.

The council had outlined plans to ban rickshaws from Dublin city centre earlier this year but these plans have not yet materialised.

Legislation introduced by the Road Traffic Act, 2016 gave the National Transport Authority the power to govern the use of non-motorised passenger transporters in towns and cities.

However, the NTA said the wording of the legislation made it doubtful that robust, and legally defensible, regulations governing rickshaws can be made.

This type of rickshaw would be outside the definition provided and would, therefore, remain unregulated, negating the objective of the amendment, the NTA said.

Independent.ie previously exposed how a number of rickshaw drivers were selling drugs on the streets of Dublin, and also highlighted cases where a number of people injured themselves after falling out of rickshaws.

Councillors and TDs have been calling for regulations to be introduced for some time.

In Galway, rickshaws were banned from all pedestrian streets and bye-laws were introduced, whereby rickshaw drivers had to apply to City Hall for a licence that was subject to tax clearance and insurance requirements.
Some changes in style on the Junior Cert higher level Maths Paper were welcome, according to Elaine Devlin of the Association of Secondary Teachers' Ireland (ASTI).

She said there was a departure from "very often having the harder questions left until the end, when they are often badly answered".

She said students had an opportunity to start every question. "There were hard bits throughout the paper; it was fairer."

Ms Devlin, of De La Salle School, Castleblayney Road, Dundalk, regarded it a fair paper, although she said question seven may have caused confusion and question eight was "quite challenging".

Eamonn Toland, of TheMathsTutor.ie, thought it was "quite challenging with a lot of wordy questions and some testing scenarios".

Ms Devlin said the ordinary level paper was easy for any student who had dropped back from higher level, but was quite challenging for those who struggle with maths. She said there was a question on beehives that "they would have stopped reading after the second line".

Mr Toland thought it an accessible paper, but some questions required good literacy, comprehension and analysis skills, which may be an issue for weaker students.
Alannah OCarroll (18), left, and Hannah Burke (18) from St Davids Holy Faith Secondary School in Greystones after their Leaving Cert Maths exam. Photo: Doug OConnor

Maybe a little harder than last year, but the Leaving Certificate higher level maths was very fair overall, according to teacher Robert Chaney.

He applauded the examiners for a new font style on both the higher level and ordinary level papers, which, he said, meant the display of questions was much clearer than previous years.

His view was that most students would have found the higher level paper accessible, with the exception of Question 8, on financial maths. He described it as "very challenging, even for the most able students".

Mr Chaney, a subject representative with the Association of Secondary Teachers' Ireland (ASTI) said the format of the question was a bit different than what students are used to, while the maths were "reasonably standard they found it difficult to know where they were going with it".

He said there was a table to fill in, which was slightly confusing, in the way some of the columns were labelled.

On the other hand, Mr Chaney of CBS Secondary School, Rossa Street, Thurles, thought Question 9 was nice in the way it was set in a context of high tides.

Eamonn Toland of The MathsTutor.ie described the paper as "mostly straightforward with a few testing elements" and some "interesting twists for the high fliers to show off".

He thought Question 4, about a science experiment, was probably the trickiest one in the Concepts and Skills section. "Quite a wordy question which tested students' ability to apply their knowledge of exponentials and geometric series," he said.

He regarded Question 8 as nice and said it would "make up for last year when there was some controversy because financial maths was largely ignored".

Aidan Roantree, a teacher at the Institute of Education, Dublin, reckoned there would be a mixed reaction to the paper.

"There was enough to get a pass grade in Section A, but some of the questions, especially in Section B, were quite challenging," he said.

He said many students would have been thrown by the occurrence of trigonometric functions in Question 9, as this topic would have been expected on Monday's Paper 2.

Among his comments on Section A, Mr Roantree said the algebra question was a nice one for students who had taken the trouble to review this method.

He thought Question 4 "was possibly the most difficult question in Section A". While he said Question 8 was anticipated, an "interesting deviation was the requirement for a weekly rate of interest".

Mr Roantree said Question 9, "although straightforward" was the one that students would have been more likely to expect on Monday and "some may not have been prepared".
A student aiming for high marks in Leaving Certificate geography would need to know what is going on in the world today, and not be relying solely on textbooks, according to teachers.

The higher level paper covered topics such as migration and challenges facing the EU.

Neil Curran, a subject representative for the Association of Secondary Teachers' Ireland (ASTI), said students could demonstrate what they knew about current issues such as the Syrian crisis, Donald Trump's immigration policy and Brexit.

Mr Curran, of St Columba's College, Glenties, Co Donegal, said there were no really difficult questions, but he had some concerns about language. He thought words like intrusive and extrusive might have challenged average students.

Mary Martin, a Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) subject representative, said higher level students she spoke to were generally happy, but time management was an issue with the short questions, which were "very skills-based".

Ms Martin welcomed the focus on skills in the ordinary level paper, with a lot of emphasis on map reading, sketching, statistics and graph drawing.

"It gives students an opportunity to show their skills and for ordinary level candidates, it makes it more achievable," she said.

A question on migration across the Mediterranean referred to the role of the Irish Naval Service and she welcomed that the examiners "bring things like that in"

Junior Cert students to whom she spoke were happy.
The Garda needs to utilise highly trained and experienced officers to deal with the Muslim community to combat the growing problem of Islamic extremism in this country, a senior terrorism investigator has warned.

He said the force "should be proactive" in how it is dealing with the threat in Ireland.

There are increasing fears Ireland is being used as a hub by jihadists and that gardai are ill-equipped to deal with the issue after attacks in England and continental Europe.

The investigator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, believes gardai need to change their tactics.

"Ireland is in the best position to deal with this issue. We have a reasonably small Muslim community semi-integrated with local communities here," the investigator, who has experience fighting domestic and international terror groups, said.

"Ireland does not have ghettos like what exist in the UK, France and Belgium and the opportunity is here to ensure that people in the Muslim community do not get marginalised.

"There are difficulties here, but to stop the problem getting worse we need experienced gardai to deal with these communities. There are a lot of people in the Garda who have the natural ability to communicate and these are the people who need to be utilised now.

"When dealing with the Muslim community, officers need to know the background of who they are dealing with, where they are from, what strand of the Islamic faith they are, their allegiances, their ideologies and most importantly to discover whether there are individuals who have a mindset towards violence," he said.

"If gardai are going to these communities without the necessary knowledge, these communities won't engage with gardai."
A man who punched a baby girl claiming he wanted to watch the X-Factor in peace was jailed on Friday for a total of 13 and a half years.

A judge at Belfast Crown Court branded Darren Eamon Fagan's version of how the baby sustained the horrific brain injuries in October 2014 at her Bessbrook home as "cowardly, vindictive and shameful''.

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Fagan (29), formerly of Clonavon Avenue in Portadown, pleaded guilty to a single charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to the baby who was aged just two years and four months.

A charge of attempted murder was "left on the books in the usual terms'' by the prosecution.

During the sentencing hearing on Friday, the court was told the Fagan had a previous conviction for assaulting the 20-month-child of a former partner.

Fagan was also handed an extended custodial sentence of three years "for the protection of the public'' after Judge Geoffrey Miller QC assessed him as posing a danger to society and a "significant risk of causing serious harm in the future''following the attack on the crying child in her cot.

He told Fagan that he would have to serve half his sentence in prison before the Parole Commissioners would decide whether it was safe to release him back into the community.

If he was assessed as being safe to be freed from custody at that point, Fagan will spend a further nine years and three months on supervised licence with the Probation Service.

Belfast Crown Court heard that as a result of the unprovoked attack by Fagan, the impact on the young child and her parents had been "life changing'' and her future prognosis is yet to be fully determined by doctors.

A recent medical report on the child said she had "difficulties with right upper limb, she is not independently mobile, she requires assistance for walking, reaches most things with her left hand to put them in her right hand.''

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She has also "speech and language difficulties, attention and concentration difficulties, and receives physical and occupational therapy. Her long term prognosis is that she will have life changing and long term difficulties,'' the report concluded.

Prosecution counsel Ciaran Murphy QC said that the mother was separated from the girl's father and at the time was in a relationship with Fagan "who she had met in person eight to ten times''.

The young girl had spent part of the weekend with her grandparents and also her father who had all reported her to have been in good health.

That same weekend, Fagan had stayed at the woman's house overnight and on the Sunday "started drinking cider from 1.30pm''.

The mother told police that the girl's father had dropped her home on the evening of Sunday, October 19, 2014, and she was "in good form'' but had then become unsettled when she was put to bed, describing her face as "red and sweating" when she went to check on her.

After going to the kitchen to look for Ibuprofen child medicine, she said she noticed that Fagan was no longer in the living room and it was as she went upstairs that her daughter "stopped crying" and she heard a "sudden noise...like a thud."

The court heard today that when she went upstairs she "noticed that the gate to her daughter's bedroom was open and the light was on.

"The defendant was standing crouched over the child's cot. He moved away and the mother noticed that the child was not moving and she had a large lump to the left side of her head just above the eye and there was an indentation beneath the lump.

The court heard that she "went instinctively to grab her daughter and shouted at him 'oh my God you've hit her' and the defendant replied 'no, it's not what it looks like'.

"She ran with her daughter down the stairs towards the front door but the defendant would not let her out saying, "I can explain''.

Mr Murphy said the mother managed to get out the front door, pushed past Fagan, and ran up the street to a house where a relative lived.

"The child was violently vomiting at this stage,'' the senior prosecutor told the judge. "The mother tried to use her mobile phone but it had no charge. She told people at the house to ring for an ambulance. Police arrived on the scene and the child was put on a stretcher.''

The "lifeless' child was brought into the house where a police officer performed mouth to mouth resuscitation on her before she was transferred by ambulance to Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry.

Police officers at the scene inquired about what had happened and a relative of the injured child told them: "That bastard was punching her.''

When police eventually caught up with Fagan, he told them: "I am the one you are looking for.'' He was formally arrested, cautioned, and replied: "Whaa? (sic) I did not do anything.''

He was handcuffed to the front before being put in the back of a police car to be taken away for questioning.

However, en route to Banbridge police station, Mr Murphy said Fegan started to become "agitated and violent and started head butting the inside window of the car. Police stopped the car and had to put restraints on his thighs and calves and the handcuffs were put around his back.''

A paediatrician who examined the child at Daisy Hill Hospital said she had a "large bulge to the left side of her head and had sustained an acute subdural haemorrhage (bleeding on the brain).''

She was transferred to the children's unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and an MRI scan revealed that the child had sustained "multiple fractures'' to the head.

Mr Murphy told the court: "It is clear that this was a serious injury to her head, It was a severe trauma injury to her head.''

The court heard doctors said the child would require "intervention and support in the future'' and there was also a "significant risk of developing epilepsy'' in the future.

The senior prosecutor told the judge that Fegan was "interviewed extensively by police'' who claimed the child had been screaming and the mother and fallen down the stairs with the child who hit her head.

Fagan "mendaciously'' claimed throughout his interviews that the mother had been "drinking and taking drugs''. But Mr Murphy said that was not the case and in fact the mother was pregnant at the time.

"These allegations were traumatic to the girl's mother. For a considerable period he distanced himself and put responsibility for what happened to the child on her mother.''

The court heard Fagan told a probation officer that he "punched the child to her head as she would not stop crying'', claiming he wanted peace to sit with the child's mother and watch X Factor on television.

He was asked by probation how he hit the victim and Mr Murphy said that "it is clear from this that he assaulted the child with extreme force.''

Mr Murphy added: "This was a serious assault on a defenceless toddler.''

Judge Miller was told that Fagan had an "extensive criminal record'' of 58 convictions, including convictions for violence. These included ten counts of assault and two of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. One of those convictions was for assaulting the 20-month-old child of a previous partner.

The Probation Service had assessed Fagan as "dangerous'' who posed a "high likelihood of reoffending and a significant risk of serious harm'' to the public in the future.

"This was a serious assault with high harm and high culpability. It is at the upper level of the range in terms of a determinate sentence,'' added Mr Murphy.

Defence counsel Ciaran Mallon QC told the court that there was "no premeditation'' on Fagan's behalf in assaulting the child, describing it as "explosive incident'' during which the defendant had lost self control.

"He had no hatred for the child whatsoever. In fact, in the days before his incident he took the mother and child to McDonald's and they had played in the park.''

He said that Fagan had had an "absolutely wretched childhood and upbringing'' and from the age of two onwards had been spent in either foster homes or secure foster accommodation. This resulted, said Mr Mallon, in Fagan having "no coping mechanism'' in dealing with his problems and his addictions.

The judge was told Fagan was forced into taking heroin by his mother at a young age and on the night in question had taken a "cocktail of drink and drugs''.

He said Fagan had expressed his remorse for the attack on the child and had also expressed this remorse in a letter which was handed to the judge.

"I want to make it absolutely,'' said Mr Mallon, "that it was a particularly mendacious thing to do to blame the assault on the mother. It is accepted by the accused in his letter that he put the mother through hell by pointing the finger at her.''

Passing sentence today, Judge Miller said that Fagan's reponse during police interview was "cowardly, vindictive and shameful'' in blaming the mother for the child's injuries.

The judge told Fagan that at police interview he had "concocted a story which was strong on detail but entirely false in which he sought to blame the mother for the devastating injuries the child sustained''.

Fagan claimed that they were sitting watching television when he received a text message from another girl and alleged the baby's mother "became angry, checked his text messages, started screaming and shouting and stormed out with her daughter''.

He also claimed that "slammed doors and went upstairs with the child to bed'' and claimed that he heard a "big, big thump''.

Fagan had claimed the mother had been "drinking cider'' and had also been "smoking weed going up the stairs'' when she fell down while carrying the child in her arms and the baby hit her head off the wall.

The defendant also alleged that police had assaulted him in the back of the car and were calling him a "thug'' and a "hood''.

But the judge told the court: "For the avoidance of any doubt it should be clearly understood that the baby's mother was neither under the influence of any drugs, prescription or illegal, nor was she in any way intoxicated on that eveving.''

Judge Miller said that in victim impact statements prepared for the court, the family spoke of the "ongoing trauma'' they were suffering following the assault on the child.

He added: "This will have life long consequences for the child and family members for which this defendant must bear sole responsibility.''

After handing Fagan a 13-and-a-half year determinate sentence, Judge Miller told prison guards: "Take him down.''
British Prime Minister Theresa May said she would form a new government with help from her unionist "friends" after an election debacle in which she unexpectedly lost her majority.

The Conservatives and the DUP are set to agree a written "programme for government", as the party's two most senior Westminster leaders fly to London to hammer out a deal.

The shock UK election result thrust the DUP into the role of kingmaker, with its 10 seats giving Mrs May a fragile but workable partnership.

While votes were still being counted, one of its MPs, Jeffrey Donaldson, called it "perfect territory" for the party, eyeing up a "very, very strong negotiating position".

He suggested the DUP could support the government on a vote-by-vote basis, meaning a so-called 'confidence and supply' arrangement was more likely than a formal coalition.

Westminster insiders said the two parties had enjoyed a "hand in glove" relationship for the two years following the narrow Conservative majority delivered by the 2015 election. That relationship was strengthened when the DUP backed the government in the vote to trigger Brexit in March.

One source said Mr Donaldson had "basically been in the boardroom of the government for the past two years. When Article 50 was passed - Tory whips held a Champagne party in the Whips' Office and Jeffrey was toasted by the [Conservative chief whip] Gavin Williamson."

As the dust settled on the election, Mrs May made the first public approach, reaching out to the DUP in a speech on the steps of Number 10. She said: "We will continue to work with our friends and allies in the Democratic Unionist Party in particular... our two parties have enjoyed a strong relationship over many years, and this gives me the confidence to believe that we will be able to work together in the interests of the whole United Kingdom."

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Hours later, DUP leader Arlene Foster confirmed talks will begin with Mrs May on the formation of a government. She said: "The prime minister has spoken with me this morning and we will enter discussions with the Conservatives to explore how it may be possible to bring stability to our nation at this time of great challenge."

But the DUP indicated that no deal was done, even though Ms May has asked Queen Elizabeth for permission to form a government.

It is understood the two parties are considering a written programme to set out the policies they agree on. Another possibility is a 'pick-and-mix' arrangement where the DUP and the Tories co-operate on a law-by-law basis. However, a formal coalition deal - where DUP MPs take Cabinet roles -was described by a No 10 source as "very unlikely".

There are yet fears that the DUP's hard line on gay marriage and abortion rights could be a stumbling block.

Both the Conservatives and the DUP support Brexit with a Common Travel Area to cover the Border in Ireland.

Mrs Foster said: "No one wants to see a hard Brexit, what we want to see is a workable plan to leave the European Union... we need to do it in a way that respects the specific circumstances of Northern Ireland, and, of course, our shared history and geography with the Republic of Ireland."

But a deal between the DUP and the Conservatives would risk destabilising the delicate political balance in Northern Ireland and could significantly complicate talks due to start next week to restore the power-sharing agreement.

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"It has made the possibility of successful talks more remote," said Naomi Long, leader of the Alliance Party. "There is now no credibility for the Tory government to be an independent chair, putting the entire process in real danger of collapsing."

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein won seven seats, although it does not take up its seats in Westminster. The party described its best ever result in a UK election as a further boost to the party's ultimate goal of an united Ireland.

"One thing we can say for certainty, there is going to be a referendum on Irish unity," said party president Gerry Adams.

The SDLP lost all three of its seats in a humiliating defeat which has sparked predictions of an existential crisis in its ranks.
The all-new Lansdowne Road Agreement looked like a done deal last Thursday. Public servants had to make up their minds if they want to vote for a deal that means they are in line for a 1.1bn pay boost over four years.

But yesterday there was a bit of a shocker.

The primary teachers' union threw a spanner in the works by advising its 36,000 members to reject it when they begin balloting next week.

In the normal course of events, the ratification of big pay deals, be they social partnership or public sector pacts, follow a predictable chain of events.

There is initial grumbling by the usual union suspects who always reject them before the first of the big players - the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (Into) - says yes.

This sets the tone for the rest of the ballots in the autumn and everyone can relax during the summer holidays, particularly the teachers who don't have to work through them.

But yesterday the old reliable union declared that it is not recommending the draft proposal to extend the Lansdowne Road Agreement because it fails to give new teachers equal pay.

It's a slap in the face for its general secretary Sheila Nunan - one of the four negotiators for the union side at the top table at the talks in Lansdowne House.

"The recent pay talks were an opportunity to draw a line under pay discrimination and right a wrong imposed on new entrants since 2011," she said. "The agreement has failed to signal an end to pay inequality imposed by Government on recent entrants."

Either the Government held a hard line, she did not argue well enough, or along with the rest of the union team failed to gauge the mood and pay enough attention to the issue.

On the subject of new entrants to the public service, the draft deal said the parties acknowledged concerns in relation to the two-tier set-up.

It said an examination of salary scale issues that are a result of recessionary cuts would be undertaken within 12 months of the start of the deal.

But after this, the parties would agree a way to address the matter that "does not give rise to implications for the fiscal envelope of this agreement".

It seems they had the go-ahead to find a way of addressing lower pay rates that did not involve looking for money.

Ms Nunan's executive could hardly be seen to have sold out the "yellow pack" workforce, when the TUI has recommended rejection on the issue and the ASTI is likely to do so.

Newly qualified teachers and indeed all new entrants to the public service begin on lower starting salaries than their colleagues.

But they only remain on lower wages for around two years before going on to the normal incremental pay scale.

The truth is that starting salaries in teaching are not the worst.

The first point on the scale for a newly qualified teacher is 33,806.

For gardai, for example, starting pay is in the early 20,000s.

Teachers will probably argue that they have higher qualifications, but there was a time when the two professions were pegged at the same level.

Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Paschal Donohoe recently revealed it would cost 209m to restore a single-tier pay system and insisted it was not having an impact on recruitment. Given the cost of the proposed deal, adding it to this would be a no-no, so it would have to be cut from something else. Pay rises, for example.

The Into stance will spur on unions who are objecting to the deal on other grounds.

The Civil, Public and Services Union will ballot its members if extra unpaid hours that add 20 minutes to its members' working day are not abolished by the end of this month. The deal says they're not going to be.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation wanted a Government commitment to put its members on a higher pay scale for professional staff because of retention problems. That didn't happen.

And those on Rolls Royce fast accrual pensions - including gardai, prison officers and Defence Forces personnel - are far from happy with the fact that they will have to pay a higher permanent pension contribution than anyone else.

The bottom line is that the Into vote, if it goes the way the executive wants along with those who have publicly objected so far, would not bring down the deal on its own. But there would be no deal without the big players Siptu and Impact.

Public servants don't have long to decide. They will have to make up their minds fast if they want a slice of the October budget.
The DUP's website crashed several times yesterday, such was the demand for information from British people in to who their new government partner was.

"I was one the thousands of people googling 'DUP'," admitted Tory voter Kirsty.

"I don't know all that much about them."

Meanwhile Josh Hinton (30) said: "From what I know they're socially conservative and comfortable bedfellows of the Tories.

"It doesn't bother me that they're not part of the mainland either," he said - arguing that Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.

"But it's certainly not the result I wanted," was his conclusion.

There are few people if any who can say with any conviction that the UK is better off following Theresa May's snap-election.

Conservative sources told the Irish Independent they're "livid" at the "bloody mess" she made of the campaign; in particular her refusal to debate Jeremy Corbyn and general lack of charisma throughout the past seven weeks.

Savaged

She is being savaged by the British press - that same press machine that lauded her decision in the first place. The day after she announced the election, the 'Daily Mail' led with "Crush the Saboteurs", adding that hers was a "stunning move".

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'The Times' led with "May heads for Election Landslide".

The prize for the most gleeful vitriol went to the 'Daily Express', the editor, her former cabinet colleague, George Osborne - whom she also fired when she took office.

"May's Irish bailout" - no doubt penned by the man himself.

And for the later edition yesterday, "Queen of Denial", the paper avenging his scorn for his sacking.

May has now lost all moral authority.

She was already almost fully depleted entering the election.

She has been Brexit prime minister since her first day at Number 10, yet now there is a sense that there isn't even a hint of what her plan or ambition is for the negotiations.

The only remarkable comment she has uttered regarding Brexit is her promise to fulfil a "red, white and blue Brexit", which was a comment which had no explainer.

Shona Murray is foreign correspondent with Newstalk
The leader of the Scottish Tories Ruth Davidson signalled her opposition to any deal with the DUP in blunt fashion - by tweeting a link to the same-sex marriage lecture she gave last year.

"As a Protestant Unionist about to marry an Irish Catholic, here's the Amnesty Pride lecture I gave in Belfast..." she tweeted, providing a link to a keynote speech about same-sex marriage she gave at the Belfast Pride Festival.

Her views could not be further from those of the DUP, which opposes same-sex marriage and supports of the "traditional" definition of marriage.

And there were further reports that Ms Davidson is to defy Theresa May's plans for a hard Brexit and tear her Scottish party away from English control after the UK Tories' disastrous General Election result.

Her aides are said to be working on a deal that would see the Scottish party break away to form a separate organisation.

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Ms Davidson's disquiet at the DUP deal was echoed in even more vocal fashion by liberals who baulked at the prospect of the unionists' greater role in governing the UK.

Many commentators focused on the DUP vetoing the introduction of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland in 2015, in opposition to the rest of the UK, and in stark contrast to this country which voted in favour of same-sex marriage in a referendum.

Former DUP minister Jim Wells' infamous quote "Peter will not marry Paul in Northern Ireland" was seized upon by many online, as thousands googled background information.

Others zoned in on the historic connections to paramilitarism, opposition to abortion, and noted that the DUP counts several "creationists" among its members.
Mars Chocolate is recalling a number of its most popular products from the Irish market over fears that they may contain salmonella.

Following tests on a number of products, the bacteria was discovered in certain packets and an immediate recall was issued.

It comes just weeks after more than 50 people, including four children, fell ill following an unrelated salmonella outbreak in north Dublin.

In a statement, Mars Chocolate described the measures taken as "precautionary due to the potential presence of Salmonella from the ingredients used in making chocolate.

"We have detected the possible presence of salmonella from the ingredients used in making some of our Galaxy products, including Smooth Milk Chocolate bars, Minstrels and Counters and Teasers bars, whilst carrying out our routine testing process," read the statement.

"A small number of these products have been distributed, and although we've had no related complaints, as a precaution we have made the decision to voluntarily recall the products potentially affected by this issue in order to ensure the safety and confidence of our consumers," a statement from the company said.

Salmonella is one of the most common causes of food poisoning as is normally contractedly eating contaminated food such as raw poultry and meat.

However, salmonella can also present itself in raw chocolate when cocoa beans are not roasted appropriately.

Symptoms can include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever. There are no reports of illness.

The products affected have a 'best-before' date of either May 6, 2018 or May 13, 2018, and Mars said only "a small number of these products" were distributed in the UK and Ireland.

A spokesperson said that Mars was "working closely with the relevant food safety authorities" as well as its customers "to ensure that the affected products are no longer available for purchase".

In Ireland, the products effected are Galaxy Counters (112g Pouch) with the best before date of May 13, 2018 and Malteser Teasers (35g Bar) with the best before date May 13, 2018.

The Food Safety Authority said that health and safety inspectors would probe a number of businesses to determine if the affected products are on sale.

"Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) are requested, as part of routine inspections, to check businesses to determine if the implicated batches are on sale.

"If found, EHOs should oversee a recall and ensure a point-of-sale notice is displayed in store," said the Food Safety Authority.

"Businesses that have sold the implicated batches directly to consumers must display a point-of-sale recall notice to inform their customers not to consume these batches.

"Food business operators that have sold these batches should inform their local EHO," it added.
When Paul McLoone (62) spearheaded an initiative to get a new oncology unit going at a regional hospital, he had no idea that one day it would become pivotal to his own health. But that's how it is with the vagaries of life.

His career is also no exception to the rule that anything and everything is possible. Following a happy childhood in Co Donegal, Paul moved to Dublin to take up a clerical position with the Eastern Health Board. "They recruited about 200 of us at the same time," he recalls. "We were all between the ages of 18 and 20. So we ended up having a great time. That's where I met my future wife, Marie Howe, who was also a clerical officer."

Having married in romantic Kilkea Castle near Marie's family home in Co Laois, the McLoones chose to go north, where Paul landed a job at Sligo General Hospital. The following year - 1986 - their son Ciaran was born; he was soon followed by Aisling, and then Shane.

Meanwhile, Paul was steadily moving up through the ranks, until 1995, when he was appointed general manager of the hospital. "I loved working there," he says. "Because I felt I was doing something worthwhile for our own community. One of my main challenges was to accommodate a new oncology unit. We did it on a small budget and recruited a new team."

Another exceptional challenge came Paul's way some years later, when he was appointed CEO of North West Ireland Tourism. "That, to me, was a dream job," he says, "because I was promoting a region I truly love." Naturally, Paul was expected to travel to meetings in his catchment area. In 2006, while on a visit to Monaghan, he was involved in a minor motor accident, which resulted in a painful arm. Once he got home, he went to see the family doctor. But it turned out that doctor was away, so Paul was seen by a locum.

"Having prescribed anti-inflammatories, the locum then suggested I have a full check-up, given that I was over 50," explains Paul. "We started with a colonoscopy, as I had mentioned a touch of rectal bleeding, which I'd put down to stress or haemorrhoids. Up until then, I'd been reluctant to mention it to anyone. I'm now embarrassed that I was embarrassed about that," he admits. A week later, Paul learned that some "suspicious" polyps had been discovered during the colonoscopy. Soon after, a formal diagnosis of bowel cancer was made, so he was admitted to Sligo Regional Hospital.

"The surgeon removed about four feet of intestine and then successfully reconnected the two ends," he explains. "I was able to go back to work eight weeks later. After that, I went for regular check-ups at the oncology unit I'd helped to set up." However, his sense that all was well again was soon shattered, when just a few months later, around Christmas time, he got a call asking him to return to the oncology department. During routine tests, they had discovered that the cancer had spread to Paul's liver.

Paul was referred to St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin, where they specialise in this form of cancer. In the meantime, he and Marie were so rattled, they invested some of their savings in getting second and third opinions. In the end, they became convinced that the team at St Vincent's offered the best care possible. Early in 2008, a resection was performed, which involved the removal of the part of the liver that was affected by cancerous cells.

Once he had recovered sufficiently, Paul returned to Sligo General for six months of out-patient chemotherapy. This, he says, was an incredibly daunting prospect. So he decided to return to work. "It was a distraction, but after three months I had to stop," he says. "My mind was all over the place and I was exhausted from all the side effects of the chemo."

Paul says another difficult aspect of this journey was dealing with the loss of fellow cancer patients; those who didn't make it, in spite of valiant efforts by their medical teams. "It was heartbreaking; like going to war and losing some of your buddies," says Paul.

An additional blow was the loss of Peter Mulligan, his friend and walking companion for over 20 years. "Peter died very suddenly of heart failure in 2008," says Paul. "He always insisted that, no matter what my health problems, I kept walking. His death was a terrible blow."

The following year, Paul faced yet more uphill battles when cancer cells were again found in his liver. So, it was back to St Vincent's for more surgery. This time, Paul felt absolutely and utterly defeated.

"After that surgery, my spirit was totally broken. I was at my very lowest point," he recalls. "But three days later my surgeon told me the biopsies were clear of any cancer cells." Paul was so elated, he discharged himself from hospital and went home to Donegal that very night, a decision that proved somewhat foolhardy, as he got an infection that took three months to resolve.

Four years ago, Paul had yet another skirmish with cancer when his prostate developed abnormal cells. This time, he had brachytherapy, which involved implanting 90 radioactive seeds, which slowly released radiation into his prostate gland, destroying the cancerous cells.

Nowadays, Paul is the picture of robust good health. He and Marie have become inveterate travellers and have visited, among other places, Australia, New Zealand, China, Africa, the US and South America. Throughout his many ordeals, Paul did his best to remain positive. He also prayed to his late parents and to his brother Philip, who died from cancer when he was just 26 years old.

A large part of what kept Paul going was the love and support he got from his wife, their children and extended families and friends. "Marie and the kids were like rocks to me throughout all that time. They were amazing," he says. He will also be eternally grateful for the support he got from the Irish Cancer Society (ICS). "The nurse there gave me wonderful advice and useful techniques to deal with the various issues - especially the emotional ones," says Paul. "Everyone deserves first-class treatment and the ICS tirelessly fights for that."

For further information on bowel cancer and to take the online Bowel Health Checker see cancer.ie/reduce-your-risk/bowel-cancer-awareness/online-bowel-health-checker
European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker: 'We are ready to talk. We are just waiting for visitors from London'. Picture: Reuters

First came surprise, but it swiftly gave way to concern as Europe got to grips with the results of the UK election. EU officials issued a series of barely concealed warnings to the UK to hurry up and get to the business of Brexit, one year on from the Leave vote.

"As far as the Commission is concerned, we can open negotiations tomorrow morning at 9.30. So we are waiting for visitors coming from London," said European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, who was attending an event in Prague. "I do hope that the result of the elections will have no major impact on the negotiations we are desperately waiting for."

The EU published its third set of negotiating texts earlier this month, focusing on citizens' rights and the UK's financial obligations.

EU leaders' guidelines and detailed negotiating "directives" were adopted last month, covering citizens, money and the Irish Border, amongst other issues.

The EU still hopes to begin talks on the week of June 19, providing Theresa May's cabinet and potential coalition with the Democratic Unionist Party holds firm.

She referred in her speech yesterday morning to "the crucial Brexit talks that begin in just 10 days", indicating her willingness to adhere to the EU's preferred timetable.

The exact date, time and format are still to be agreed with the UK, but EU officials say they will discuss that with their counterparts in London next week.

European Council president Donald Tusk, the former Polish premier who chairs EU leaders' summits, wrote in a letter to Mrs May there was "no time to lose".

"Our shared responsibility and urgent task now is to conduct the negotiations on the UK's withdrawal from the EU in the best possible spirit, securing the least disruptive outcome for our citizens, businesses and countries after March 2019," he wrote.

Earlier, on Twitter, he had been more pointed, echoing the UK conservative party's "no deal is better than a bad deal" mantra.

"We don't know when Brexit talks start. We know when they must end. Do your best to avoid a 'no deal' as result of 'no negotiations'," Mr Tusk tweeted.

The EU's lead negotiator, Michel Barnier, struck a more conciliatory note, tweeting: "Brexit negotiations should start when UK is ready."

EU budget commissioner Guenther Oettinger told German radio that the Brexit timetable was "very ambitious" to give Europe and national legislatures time to vote on the final deal. "Regardless of this disaster for the Tories...we need a government capable of negotiating, which is able to negotiate Britain's exit," Mr Oettinger said.

But some could not hide their glee at the Tories' lack of an overall majority.

The European Parliament's loquacious Brexit pointman, Guy Verhofstadt, called it "yet another own goal" for the Conservatives, an allusion to former prime minister David Cameron's referendum gamble.

The head of the Parliament's centre-right European People's Party, German MEP Manfred Weber, said on Twitter that Mrs May had "brought chaos to her country" and that "the date for the beginning of negotiations is now unclear".

The leader of the Socialist MEPs in Parliament, Italy's Gianni Pitella, said the result was a "disaster for Theresa May". "UK citizens have clearly rejected her vision of the UK and of Brexit and she should resign - she has no credibility in her own country or in Europe now," Mr Pitella said.

But there are many in Brussels who feel - as does Taoisaech-in-waiting Leo Varadkar - that the election results could soften the government's Brexit strategy.

Philippe Lamberts, co-chair of the EU Parliament's Green group, said Mrs May would have to "reconsider her position" in the talks.

"British citizens have refused to give her a strong mandate for negotiating a hardline position on their country's EU exit," Mr Lamberts said.

Juergen Hardt, the foreign affairs spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel's parliamentary caucus, said that "one way out of the self-inflicted dilemma might be that members of the British lower house rethink their Brexit strategy".

Meanwhile, EU negotiators are preparing for the talks to begin. Brexit attaches met again this week in Brussels to put the final touches on their latest negotiating texts, with their unity still holding - while commas and full stops were pushed around, there was little in the way of substantive changes.

A further meeting of diplomats is due on Thursday, with phone calls expected between the European Commission and London to firm up the logistics for the start of the talks proper.

The first Brexit meeting with the UK is likely to run over two days and will be followed by a regularly scheduled summit of EU leaders on June 22.

Many in Brussels are exasperated at what they see as the UK's delaying tactics, with goodwill fast running out. While nobody is out to punish the UK, negotiators insist that the country cannot get a better deal outside the EU than it does as a member.
OTTAWA: Canadian miner Barrick Gold on Monday launched a nearly $18 billion hostile merger offer for American rival Newmont to create a global gold juggernaut.



Together the worlds two biggest miners in the sector would form the worlds best gold company, according to a statement, which would be worth an estimated $42 billion, dwarfing its nearest rival.



The tie-up also would top a previous record deal set only last month when Newmont made a move for another Canadian company, Goldcorp, to leapfrog Barrick as top gold miner after years of waning investor interest due to lackluster bullion prices.



Newmont, however, pushed back against Barricks offer, saying it is focused on closing its $10 billion Goldcorp acquisition in the second quarter.



Barrick President and CEO Mark Bristow called the proposal logical and long overdue.



A combination of Barrick and Newmont would represent a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity to create the unrivalled leader in the gold sector and generate significant  and in our industry, unparalleled  value creation for our shareholders, Bristow said in a letter to Newmonts board of directors.AFP




A Dundalk student has been chosen from hundreds of applicants to take part in the prestigious Washington Ireland programme.

Aine Lawless, a second year Multimedia student at Dublin City University from Dundalk has been chosen to represent Ireland in Washington DC this summer as part of the programme.

Aine is one of four DCU students to secure a place on the programme following a rigorous selection process, with applications of over 380 students from 19 different universities and colleges.

Aine has a keen interest in cross border relations.

She is a graduate of the Glencree Young Peace Builders Programme and currently acts as a student ambassador for DCU.

For the past year she has been the campus coordinator of the 8x8 Photo and Film Festival, which has informed students on the global refugee crisis and refugee issues in Ireland.

One of her biggest passions is the Irish language and its relevance as a modern European language and she's an active member of the Irish language society, Cumann Gaelach.

Aine will be among a group of 30 talented students in total who will travel to Washington DC next week to complete the summer programme.

'This time spent in DC will include extensive opportunities for cultural exchange and personal development - including living with host families,' explained Aine.

'We will also be working closely with our American peers and will gain real life exposure to the US democratic process,' said the Dundalk student.

Upon completion, Aine and the other graduates will go on to become part of the active WIP alumni network who are working to make a positive difference in their communities.
Local people with memories of the halcyon days and nights of dancing to showbands are being sought to retell their tales as part of a new publication due out later this year.

'From The Candy Store to the Galtymore' will chronicle this unique time in rural and urban Ireland through the stories of the young men and women who religiously went to their local Ballroom of Romance each weekend.

The book will be co-edited by PJ Cunningham and Dr Joe Kearney who are seeking memorable stories from that golden era which saw the beginnings of thousands of romances.

'What we want are the stories of romance, of chance meetings or tales that are funny and maybe even mischievous,' said PJ.

'All human life gathered for the weekly dances in what was a cultural shift away from the more formal ceilis which held sway up until then. The showband dances were modern and slightly more brash occasions than the country had been used to but, if anything, the number of stories of love and loss, rows and ructions, fun and games grew in the new environment.

'We are seeking particular stories rather than people just remembering the night that Joe Dolan, Brendan Bowyer or Dickie Rock played their local hall.'Ideally there should be a bit of tension or drama, humour, love or loss involved in what people send in to us.'

Readers are invited to submit stories for inclusion in From The Candy Store to the Galtymore to ballpointpress1@gmail.com before June 30.
A man whom customs officers detected driving a Northern reg car outside a Dundalk supermarket has been fined 8,000 for failing to pay VRT on the vehicle after he didn't turn up in court to answer the summons.

Joseph Precious Omoruyi, (27), 1A Verbana, Dublin Road, Dundalk, had previously appeared but was not in court, or represented, last Thursday, State solicitor Fergus Mullen told Judge John Coughlan, who said the matter should go on without the defendant.

The court was told that on September 1 2015, customs stopped Omoruyi in Dundalk and because he was within the 30-day time frame for importing the vehicle, he was told about his obligations and allowed to continue. But just over 13 months later, on October 5 2016, the car was spotted, still with the Northern plates on it, at the car park of Lidl. A customs official watched Omoruyi go to the vehicle, open it and, as he was walking away, he approached him again. He showed them his Irish driving licence with a Dundalk address on it and the official told him he was going to seize the car under the Finance Act.

The officer asked Omoruyi to hand over the keys, but he refused and when he was told he was obstructing a customs officer, the defendant again refused to hand them over and left the car 'to continue his shopping'.

In the meantime, the official rang for a tow truck and Omoruyi came back to the vehicle as the truck was arriving. As the tow truck driver was putting the seized vehicle onto the back of the lorry, Omoruyi 'jumped onto the back of the truck and lunged at the driver'.

The customs officer said he got between the two men 'to ensure the driver was not assaulted'. Gardai arrived at the scene while this was going on and told Omoruyi the official was acting within the law and advised him to hand over the keys, which he did and the vehicle was initially brought to the customs office in Dundalk.

Omoruyi was summonsed for failing to pay the VRT on the vehicle and there was a second summons for obstructing a customs official. The officer said he was satisfied, from his own inquiries and from what the defendant had told him, that Omoruyi was ordinarily resident within the State, is a former college student and liable for the VRT.

The court was told the vehicle is now in the State warehouse in Dublin following its seizure.

Mr Mullen said the maximum penalty on both summonses is 5,000 and the court has discretion to mitigate the obstruction fine to 1250 and the VRT fine to 2,500.

Judge Coughlan imposed fines of 4,000 on each of the summonses.
The Department of Education's Whole School Report on St Brigid's NS Faughart, backs up the concerns of parents who have kept their children out of school for a number of days to highlight their worries about the quality of teaching and lack of leadership.

The numbers attending the school have almost halved in recent years and the parents fear for the school's future if more pupils leave.

The Department's report, issued after an evaluation on March 9, 2017, found that 'the mission statement states that the school will provide education of the highest quality for all pupils in a happy and healthy environment: evidence indicates that this mission is not being realised currently.'

Among the findings were that 'leadership for learning within the school was not prioritised sufficiently' and 'the oversight role of the board of management was not being discharged satisfactory'. While the quality of teaching was satisfactory overall, 'there was significant variation in the quality of teaching in certain subjects, ranging from outstanding to poor.'

Problems were identified in relation to maths and literacy. 'There was insufficient evidence of teacher correction and provision of formative feedback in copybook work for older pupils.'

Now, parents have organised a protest for this (Tuesday) night at 8pm outside the school gates, having kept kids off for one day a week over the past month. A spokesperson for the parents said: 'The evaluation only confirmed what we have known and witnessed for years.

'This week, our actions escalate to a protest at the school as all requests for meaningful efforts to address our deep rooted concerns have fallen on deaf ears and authorities have still not engaged with us. Parents have been trying to address concerns over the last five years in conjunction with the Board of Management. Since the evaluation, more children have been permanently removed from school and the indications are that a very significant amount of the remaining children will be removed if their concerns are not adequately dealt with urgently. Recently, parents' reps on the Board felt there was no option but to resign'.
Seamus Connor, chairman of Bray's Coastcare group, will be heading off tomorrow to tackle the 800km Camino for the charity Aware.

Starting in the south of France and continuing through Spain to the finishing point in Santiago De Compostela, the route will take over 30 days to complete.

'Mental health is something that I've realised is extremely important for all people, not just young people, for everyone,' he said.

'The sad statistic is that one in four people in their lifetime will suffer from some form of mental illness, whether that's alzheimer's, anxiety, depression or something else.

'I've lost people who meant a lot to me and took their own lives. I thought, I want to do something. I'm a teacher, I've got three months off during the summer.'

He wanted to do as much as he possibly could with his time off.

'Rather than sit around wasting my time, I thought I love walking and hiking. Why not do something and do it for a charity?'

He's not under any illusions about the difficulty of the hike.

'It's 800 km, it's not going to be easy, but I want to do it for Aware, and mental health.'

At the time of press, his online fundraising page had exceeded 1,900, with a target of 2,000.

He would like to achieve, and possibly even exceed this target.

Seamus is paying all his own expenses, so every cent donated will go to Aware. 'I'm not asking people to donate money for me to go on a holiday,' he said.

Seamus will send a video blog from the Camino, a suggestion made by one of his students.

He hopes that people will watch his journey, and continue to donate during his hike.

There will also be a coffee morning and raffle at the Martello this morning (Wednesday), from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Seamus is not heading out there unprepared. He went to the south of Spain at Easter and walked for the guts of two weeks. However he picked up an injury along the way.

'The problem was, the north and the south of Spain are very different. In the south it's very hot and humid and I was walking on beaches.

'I overdid it and ended up tearing my hamstring. I was nervous, I was thinking what if this happens on the Camino? But it's the north of Spain, it won't be as hot.'

He said that the climate will be more similar to that of Ireland, and he won't push himself harder than he should.

Last week he walked from Kilcoole to Bray, and in the days between then and the trip he was making his final preparations.

He will carry a rucksack on the Camino, but his strategy is to pack light and use a new backpack with an aerated back to help keep him cool. He packed a little too much for his Easter trip, and learned his lesson on the practice run, as it were.

The Cuala Road native is a teacher at Gonzaga College in Dublin, and his students are very supportive of Seamus' mission.

Now on the eve of the journey, Seamus is nervous, and a little excited about the challenge he faces.

'I'm really looking forward to it,' he said. 'I know for a fact I'm going to make loads of friends along the way. There will be people there from all over the world because the Camino is so popular these days. It's a pilgrimage route and people do it for all sorts of different reasons.'

To make a donation to the cause, go to justgiving.com and find 'caminoseamus'.
FRANKFURT AM MAIN: German prosecutors said Monday they had fined high-end carmaker BMW 8.5 million euros ($9.6 million) over diesel cars with higher harmful emissions than allowed, while adding the infraction was down to error rather than deliberate fraud.



Munich prosecutors have ordered a fine of 8.5 million euros for the administrative offence of negligence in quality control, investigators said in a statement.



Authorities had been probing BMW since early 2018 over suspicions it could have built a so-called defeat device into some diesel cars.AFP




Orlaith Brady and Charlie OConnell from 11th Wicklow Scouts (Kilmacanogue) accept a cheque from Cllr Steven Matthews

Cllr Steven Matthews makes a presentation to Kathryn Hickey and Kevin Delaney of Nomads Badminton Club

The Bray Municipal District Community Awards were handed out last Tuesday night at the Town Hall in Bray.

Each year, community groups apply to the council for grants.

As part of its commitment to supporting local community development, Wicklow County Council operates an annual Community Award Scheme. The fund for 2017 was distributed as grant aid to successful community groups and local organisations wishing to undertake community projects in their area.

The community grants were to a maximum of 2,000 and for small projects and group running costs.

In the Community Pride category, the maximum was 10,000, with funding for groups or projects that make a significant impact and difference to the lives of people in their communities.

Those projects were age friendly, communities reaching out to new communities, youth projects, or community enterprise.

Michelle Rogers of Bray Area Partnership accepted an award for the Wicklow Community Directory. She said that the funding will go towards running costs.

Michelle said that it was a very pleasant evening at the Town Hall. 'It was great to be there,' she said. 'It was a really warm and friendly event.'

Others to receive awards included the National Learning Network, Nomads Badminton Club and Wicklow Aquanauts, as well as Purple House and CASA.
A new art exhibition premiered last Wednesday across numerous parts of Cork celebrating the role of Irish women who are pushing barriers across the county.

Spearheaded by Jools Gilson, UCC's first Professor of Creative Practice, Unveiled Horizon celebrate the roles of six Cork women, all of whom have fascinating stories.

Once such woman is Lieutenant Commander Erika O'Leary of the Irish Naval Service, and one of the first female naval captains, who's naval ship is about to set out for the Mediterranean, where it will be picking up migrants crossing from Libya to Italy.

Other portraits focus on Nura Hagi, an Irish citizen who fled the Somali Civil War and made Ireland her adopted home.

Other women presented at the exhibition include Carmen Burns, a woman who completed the Lee Swim despite only learning to swim eight months previously, boat builder Elisenda Camaano, student and Government of Ireland India scholarship recipient Samar Khan and grandmother Mary Bishop, founder of domestic violence centre mnafeasa.

Jools Gilson, UCC Professor of Creative Practice said of the art exhibition "Its been extraordinary doing interviews and photoshoot's with this group of women based in Cork- hearing their stories and developing their portraits with them. Over the course of one day, we visited the naval base in Haulbowline to work with Lieutenant Commander Erika O'Leary, who wanted her portrait taken on board a naval ship about to leave to pick up migrants crossing from Libya to Italy, followed by a chilly swim in Myrtleville, where we photgraphed a retired nurse, who went from non swimmer to doing the Lee Swim in eight months," Gilson said.

The artwork will be on display for the Cork Midsummer festival from June 16-25.
Gardai investigating the disappearance of a North Cork woman missing since late March have begun searching a house in East Cork in the hoping of find some clues as to her whereabouts

Tina Satchwell (45), who is originally from St Bernard's Place in Fermoy, has been missing from her home in Youghal since March 20 and gardai have becoming increasingly concerned about her.

Mrs Satchwell, nee Dingivan, was reported missing by husband, Englishman, Richard Satchwell (66) when he contacted gardai in Youghal on March 24 after she left home and failed to return.

Gardai have made inquiries with Ms Satchwell's family in Fermoy and with friends in both Youghal and Fermoy but have been unable to find any trace of the woman.

On Wednesday, garda technical experts carried out a forensic examination of a house in Youghal as a preliminary step in the garda investigation into her disappearance.

It is understood Mrs Satchwell left her mobile phone behind, in Fermoy, and gardai are now examining mobile phone records and bank accounts to see if there has been any activity on either since she was reported missing in March.

Gardai said that Mrs Satchwell has no history of going missing from home and have described such behaviour is "out of character for her" for the woman who is currently unemployed.

Mrs Satchwell, who is described as 5'6'', of medium build with blonde shoulder length hair and blue eyes, has been living in the seaside town for approximately two years.

Gardai have appealed to anyone with information that can assist them trace Ms Satchwell to contact Midleton Garda Station on (021) 4621550 or the Garda Confidential line 1800 666 111.
A retired priest, who is a native of Boherbue, whose conviction for indecently assaulting a schoolboy in the 1970s was quashed, has been awarded legal costs for his successful appeal.

The Catholic Church had funded Tadhg O'Dalaigh's legal representation, according to lawyers for the Director of Public Prosecutions, who had opposed the costs application on grounds that he was "not out of pocket himself".

Last week, The 73-year-old, of Woodview, Mount Merrion Avenue, Blackrock, successfully appealed his conviction for indecently assaulting a schoolboy at Colaiste Chroi Naofa boarding school in Carrignavar, Co Cork in the 1970s.

O'Dalaigh had been found guilty by a jury and was sentenced to five years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Judge Donagh McDonagh on December 18, 2014 for the offence, a sentence which he had served by the time his appeal was determined.The single incident allegedly took place at night time when the complainant awoke to find himself being masturbated.

The Court of Appeal quashed O'Dalaigh's conviction over the trial judge's decision not to warn the jury about the dangers of convicting in the absence of corroboration and on Friday last, the three-judge court refused an application by the DPP for a retrial.

The three-judge court felt it would not be in the interests of justice to order the retrial of someone who had served their sentence in full. The antiquity of the case and O'Dalaigh's age were also factors in the court's decision.

Counsel for O'Dalaigh, Patrick Gageby SC, accordingly applied for legal costs for the appeal.

However, counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Garrett McCormack BL, opposed the application adding that O'Dalaigh's "legal representation was funded by the Catholic Church".

In circumstances where O'Dalaigh was "not out of pocket himself" for the appeal, Mr McCormack asked the court to refuse the application to award O'Dalaigh legal costs.

Mr Gageby said it wasn't a consideration that had ever been canvassed on the question of legal costs. He said it was not in the gift of the prosecution to speculate as to the source or origin of these matters. "Those are private matters in my submission," he said.

Ruling on the costs application today, Mr Justice Alan Mahon, who sat with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice John Hedigan, said the court believed it appropriate to award O'Dalaigh his costs.

Although not acquitted by the jury, O'Dalaigh now stood "no less innocent than if he had been".

The decision to quash the jury verdict was rendered necessary by the trial judge's decision not to give a corroboration warning, which had been sought by O'Dalaigh's lawyers and opposed by the prosecution at trial.

There can therefore be no blame or responsibility attributed to O'Dalaigh for what occurred, Mr Justice Mahon said.

No application was made to recover the costs of the Circuit Court trial and O'Dalaigh had "not benefited from State funded legal aid," the judge said.During his trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, the jury were told that O'Dalaigh had pleaded guilty in 1999 and again in 2014 to indecently assaulting a number of pupils at the same school. These convictions had been reported in the press and O'Dalagh had been named.

He had acknowledged that he had indecently assaulted other boys at the school but adamantly denied assaulting the complainant.

It had been pointed out that other priests had themselves been involved in the sexual abuse of pupils at the school. In effect, O'Dalaigh maintained that if the complainant had been abused as alleged, the abuser was another staff member.
The A.O.I.F.A. ( Association of Irish Floral Artists ) National Flower Festival will be hosted by Ardee Floral Art Club from the 9th - 11th June.

A.O.I.F.A. has 84 clubs countrywide so they expect to attract 3,000 to 4,000 additional visitors to the town of Ardee. The title of the festival is 'Celtic Way ' and exhibitors will come from all over the country to interpret this title in Floral Art.

The Festival will be opened on June 9th at 7.30pm by Mary Kennedy and Nationwide camera crew will film on Saturday.

The exhibits will be in the following venues: The Church of the Nativity of our Lady, John Street, Ardee and St Mary's Church of Ireland, Market Street, as well as The Parish Centre, Hale Street Ardee. The displays will run from 11am to 6pm on the Saturday and 1-6pm on the Sunday.

The Parish Centre will host local trade stands, plant sales, crafts, etc.

The organisers thank Canon Peter Murphy, Canon Joyce Moore and Rector Iain Jamieson for allowing the use of the churches. Also, Ardee CS 1st and 2nd Year students for art posters and also the primary schools.

They are also grateful to Louth CC, Ardee Parish Centre, Daycare Centre, Ardee Floral Art Club, neighbouring clubs, the concert band and the community and business people.

The nominated charity this year is Irish Cancer Research Association which will benefit from all the funds raised.
Ardee based Cathaoirleach of the Mid Louth Municipal District Area, Cllr Dolores Minogue, has admitted she was 'very embarrassed' after last week's AGM failed to make any mention of her year in the chair.

It is customary that words of congratulations and comment are made when a chairperson hands over the reins - but not in Ardee!

'Speaking to other councillors in the area, it is usual for some gesture to be made, even a few token words, but it didn't happen,' she stated.

'Maybe my colleagues didn't appreciate the effort I put in, but that's their problem,' she added.

'I have no doubt when the Cathaoirleach of Louth CC Paul Bell steps down shortly or Oliver Tully in Drogheda, there will be comments made as is always the case.'

'In my eight years in the council I have never seen it before.'

She has vowed that it won't impact on her ongoing efforts for the people of the area.

'I'm glad my fellow councillors, even in my own party. don't vote for me. It's up to the people to decide and that's based on hard work and getting results,' she continued.

In looking back on her year in the chair, she said the arrival of the GAA President for a tree planting ceremony to mark 60 years since Louth's All-Ireland win was special.

'It was something I proposed, but got no support from my colleagues on, but a committee of local people came together and we got it done.'

She also said the erection of new bus shelters, the ongoing campaign for a bypass and road improvements on the N2 and ministerial meetings were all part of a successful year.

'We must always battle for Mid Louth as we have Dundalk and Drogheda close by. I feel I did that at every opportunity,' she added.
My Life As A Courgette charms by virtue of pure, unvarnished emotional honesty

Claude Barras' stop-motion animated fable is a deeply moving and life-affirming addition to the pantheon of fantastically fruitful films that includes the Grapes Of Wrath, The Scent Of Green Papaya and Wild Strawberries.

Elegantly adapted by screenwriter Celine Sciamma from Gilles Paris' 2002 novel, My Life As A Courgette runs to a sprightly 66 minutes but packs a bigger emotional wallop than films twice the length.

Small is indeed beautiful and every hand-crafted frame is delicately threaded with themes of alienation, guilt, jealousy and redemption that should strike a deep emotional chord.

The film doesn't shy away from broaching issues of sexual abuse, self-loathing and immigration but does so with artful sensitivity, navigating dark waters without recourse to mawkish sentimentality.

In order to showcase this Oscar nominated little gem to the widest audience, Barras' film screens in two versions: subtitled and English language dubbing by Ellen Page, Nick Offerman, Will Forte and Amy Sedaris.

If you're fortunate to have a choice at your local cinema, err towards the French language original as naturalistic performances complement the stunning visuals.

Nine-year-old, blue-haired Icare (voiced by Gaspard Schlatter), who answers to the nickname Courgette, lives in a sparsely furnished room in the attic.

He shares an untidy home with his mother (Natacha Koutchoumov), who rages against her ex-husband by throwing empty beer cans at the TV screen.

During a drunken rage, the matriarch takes a tragic tumble down the stairs and a caring police officer called Raymond (Michel Vuillermoz) spirits the boy to an orphanage run by caring headmistress Madame Papineau (Monica Budde).

Other residents include Ahmed (Raul Ribera), Alice (Estelle Hennard), Beatrice (Lou Wick), Jujube (Elliot Sanchez) and Simon (Paulin Jaccoud), whose angelic smiles conceal horrific tales of abandonment and abuse.

Initially, Simon picks on Courgette and tries to extinguish the flickering flame of hope of escape: 'We're all the same. There's no one left to love us.'

The boys eventually bond and Courgette confesses his sin.

'I'm here because I think I killed my mum. I didn't mean to,' he confides.

The arrival of a spunky girl called Camille (Sixtine Murat), who is embroiled in a custody battle with her money-grabbing aunt Ida (Brigitte Rosset), changes everything and encourages Courgette to open his broken heart again.

'I'm happy I was brought here,' Camille tells him sweetly. 'Otherwise I wouldn't have met you.'

My Life As A Courgette is one of those rare films that charms by virtue of pure, unvarnished emotional honesty.

Barras' uncluttered direction maintains a steady pace and errs away from visual flourishes that would distract from the characters' healing.

Heartstrings are gently plucked by distinctive animation and a talented ensemble cast led by 13-year-old newcomer Schlatter, whose vulnerability is highlighted in an adorable additional scene embedded in the end credits.
The National Transport Authority has identified the Malahide to City Centre bus route as the worst performing bus route in Dublin at peak times.

Figures from the NTA show that it takes 69 per cent longer to travel on the Malahide corridor at peak times.

It's not much better for Swords residents where it takes 57 per cent longer at peak times to travel into the city.

The revelations came as BusConnects, a suite of initiatives to radically transform public transport in the Dublin region, was launched by Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, and Anne Graham, Chief Executive Officer of the NTA.

The ambitious proposals will put bus services at the heart of the solution when it comes to addressing congestion in the capital', according to the NTA.

The total cost of BusConnects is estimated to be over 1b, some 300m of which is already committed under 'Building on Recovery', the 2015 Government capital plan.

While the overall BusConnects strategy is aimed at improving travel times for all commuters including those frustrated commuters in Malahide, there is no BRT solution for Malahide in the plan, and the Fingal village is not one of the 'next generation bus corridor' routes in the plan either.

But what the NTA hopes is that routes like Malahide will see an improvement from the overall plan, delivering a less interrupted bus corridor to the city.

Local Fianna Fail TD Darragh O'Brien said urgent measures must be introduced to alleviate the delays. 'It is disappointing to learn that of the 136 routes that Dublin Bus serves across the city, the Malahide corridor is the worst affected by lengthy delays.

'It currently takes over 50% longer to travel from both Swords and Malahide at peak times, compared with off-peak.

'These figures are testimonies to how little investment has been allocated to improve the standard and performance of our capital's public bus structure.'

'In recent years we have seen the downgrading and cancellation of major crucial transport projects in Fingal, including Metro North. 'The North County is in desperate need of investment in our transport network to increase capacity and usability of public transport.

This Government must devise a solution that is aimed at relieving the existing strain on bus users, particularly those that travel from the North County. It is an absolute priority that Government deals with the challenges of a growing and working population that rely on a public bus system.'
CAEN, (France): The worlds largest Nutella factory restarted production on Monday after it stopped work for five days as a precautionary measure over a quality defect, owner Ferreros French branch said. The factory in Normandy, France stopped making the chocolate-and-hazelnut spread due to a suspected quality defect strictly limited to the production stage, Ferrero Frances communications service told AFP.



It added that the problem was very early in the process, at the stage of grinding and roasting hazelnuts.



The factory started up again this morning at 6:00 am (0500 GMT). We are at 100 percent production capacity.



The Villers-Ecalles site in Normandy produces around 600,000 jars a day, or about a quarter of all the Nutella made worldwide.



Nutellas Italian owner Ferrero, whose products also include Ferrero Rocher chocolates, first announced production had been suspended on Wednesday.



All concerns have been fully lifted, Ferrero France said on Friday. We can say that no products currently on the market are impacted by the situation and that the supply to our customers continues without interruption.



The Ferrero group, with 30,000 employees and 22 production sites around the globe, also makes Kinder surprise eggs and chocolate bars as well as Tic Tac mints.AFP




A man who was intoxicated and ended up walking for a number of hours after he got off at the wrong stop before he was found trespassing at a nursing home in the early hours of the morning has been given the benefit of the Probation Act.

Peter Feely (47) was stopped by security guards at Lusk Community Unit and because he was intoxicated he refused to leave the area. Gardai were called and he was arrested, Balbriggan District Court heard.

The defendant, of Bentley House in Dun Laoghaire pleaded guilty to trespass at Lusk Community Unit on November 11th, 2016.

He has one previous conviction for placing or abandoning a syringe dating back to 2015.

Defence barrister Annette Kealy said the 47-year-old, whose father accompanied him in court, had fallen asleep on a train.

'He ended up not knowing where he was as he had taken alcohol,' said Ms Kealy. She said instead of arriving home, the defendant ended up in Malahide and walked for a number of hours.

'He ended up in Lusk and didn't intend to do any harm to anyone,' she said.

Ms Kealy said the defendant's father was 'very surprised by the precis of evidence,' as the defendant is 'mild mannered' and 'fears other people.'

Judge Dermot Dempsey applied the Probation Act and condemned the defendant for 'dragging' his father into court.
The door remains open to a Swords BRT but its route depends on the progress of Metro North

Whether a previously ill-fated proposal to bring a 'Bus Rapid Transit' system to Swords is revived depends largely on the progress of Metro North, according to the NTA who outlined their plans for bus routes across Dublin in a new 1 billion strategy called 'BusConnects'.

A previous attempt to bring a BRT system called 'Swiftway' to Swords fell foul of local objections to the proposed route and failed to get a mention in the Government's capital spending plan that reintroduced Metro North to the public transport landscape of Swords in 2015.

At that time, local political representatives believed the BRT proposal for Swords to be effectively dead but the door remains open for a similar project to Swords in the latest 'BusConnects' plan.

Although the plan's maps for its intended BRT routes includes a route that heads north from the City Centre towards Swords, the route is shown on the map to stop at Dublin Airport. The map prompted a question to the NTA from the Fingal Independent asking whether Swords still featured in the BRT plans for Dublin.

An NTA spokesperson said it would be 'necessary to provide a higher level of public transport capacity than the existing provision, both in advance of new Metro North and also to serve areas south of the M50 subsequent to the implementation of new Metro North'.

The NTA spokesperson added: 'This additional capacity will take the form of a BRT service or a BRT type service or a conventional bus corridor upgrade along this route or parts of this route. The exact arrangements to be implemented will be determined in conjunction with the development arrangements for new Metro North, and will be designed to be complementary to the new Metro North proposal.'

All of that means the door remains open to a Swords BRT but its route depends on the progress of Metro North.

The NTA spokesperson explained: 'A BRT scheme is included for development along the Swords/Airport to City Centre corridor, but its extent may be reduced or it may be modified to a conventional bus corridor upgrade, in conjunction with the development of the new Metro North project.

'We are currently undertaking a detailed analysis of possible Metro alignments and possible station locations, following which a final route and station configuration for New Metro North will be established. We anticipate the identification of this preferred Metro alignment and station arrangement at the end of 2017, after which a public consultation process will be undertaken. At that stage we will be able to identify the extent of interaction or overlap between the two transport proposals, and will be in a position to make a final decision on the extent and nature of the BRT scheme along this corridor.'
Joe Nolan of Zurich Farm Insurance is pictured with Edward and Margaret Earle representing John Earle, and Graham Minogue from Zurich

Farmers John Earle from Gorey and Philip Reck from Enniscorthy were last week named as finalists at the Farmer of the Year awards which were held in Dublin.

John was named as a finalist in the Sheep Farmer of the Year category of the national competition, while Philip was named as a finalist in the Tillage Farmer of the Year section.

The Zurich Farm Insurance Farming Independent Farmer of the Year Awards, which are now in their fourth year, recognise excellence in all areas of the Irish farming industry, and shine a light on one of the most successful and important sectors in the Irish economy.

The awards featured six categories including beef, dairy, tillage and farm safety.

'The Farmer of the Year Awards are designed to celebrate excellence across a wide range of farming categories and to reward Ireland's farmers for their contribution to their communities and to society,' said Declan O'Halloran, head of sales and agri business for Zurich Insurance.

'John Earle and Philip Reck were recognised as being among the best in their categories and we're proud to help recognise these accomplishments,' he added. 'On behalf of Zurich Insurance, I would like to congratulate them both on reaching this standard, as well as all of the winners and finalists.'

'These awards are a celebration of their successes and a showcase of some of the world-class work carried out by Ireland's farming community,' he continued, adding that 'it's great to see them becoming an annual highlight in the farming calendar.'

Sponsors for the different categories of awards were as follows: the Health and Safety Authority; The ICMSA; The Irish Independent; and Teagasc.
A Wexford man working with an elite unit of the Metropolitan Police in London is at the centre of the city's intensified fight against terrorism following two Isis-related attacks in the heart of the UK capital in space of three months.

Stuart Foley, a native of Ferndale Park in Wexford, was on his way home from work last Saturday night when three men in a hired van mowed down pedestrians on London Bridge before going on a stabbing spree in London Borough Market, killing seven people and injuring 48 others.

A member of the Territorial Support Group, an elite team of armed officers dealing with terrorism and serious disorder across London, Stuart (38) has been working round-the-clock since the latest terrifying incident which brought shock and fear to the city.

His parents Pascal and Jean were concerned when they learned about the most recent attacks and texted Stuart to make sure he was okay.

'Naturally, we would contact him when we hear about a major incident that he might be involved in,' said his dad.

'He can't say too much about what is going on behind the scenes. He is involved in directing operations, deploying extra armed patrols on the streets and overseeing raids. I spoke to him on Monday morning and he was on his way down to London Bridge', said Pascal.

'He was a frontline officer when he joined the Territorial Support Group first but now he is more involved more at a tactical level, deploying units.'

Stuart, a former manager with Pettitt's SuperValu supermarket in Wexford who lives in Northampton with his wife Nicola and their four children, joined London Metropolitan Police in 2001, beginning his career in the borough of Ealing. He has received three bravery awards for outstanding courage in the course of his job.

The Wexford man is experienced in dealing with riot situations and terrorist attacks. He was involved in the aftermath of the London bombings of July 7, 2005 and in helping to bring the London riots under control in 2011.
Final year graduates of the BA Hons degree course in Visual Communications and Design joined with second and third years students to hold a showcase of their work at the Wexford Art and Design School of Carlow IT.

The exhibition was officially opened by Danielle Townsend, chairperson of the Education Committee of the Institute of Design of Ireland, who commended all the students on the outstanding quality of their work and wished the departing graduates success in their careers.

Predicting that the students had a bright future ahead of them, Ms Townsend remarked that due to ever-changing market and technology trends, some of the jobs they will be applying for in future years have not yet been invented.

The Visual Communications and Design students study graphic design, logo and packaging design, customer interface design, illustration, web design and corporate branding for print, computer, video and 3-D.

Course director Patrick Morgan congratulated the students on their hard work and commitment and encouraged the departing graduates to 'go forth and explore' all the opportunities open to them.
Dearbhla Long from Scoil Mhuire, Horeswood, recently won an award in an all-island 'Maths Eyes' posters competition.

Maths Eyes is a unique competition that gets people of all ages to look around and see the mathematics in their surroundings. They in turn capture this in a photograph adding a caption to show the maths to others. This competition was open to school categories and adult and community learners during Maths Week Ireland and attracted over 700 entries.

Dearbhla got to display her work at the award ceremony at Institute of Technology Tallaght on May 24 where she received her trophy.

Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton praised the winning posters and emphasised the importance of maths.

He said: 'The Maths Eyes project really encourages people to see mathematics as part of our daily lives and encourages a very positive attitude towards maths that can only enhance learning.'

Maths Eyes was developed by Dr Terry Maguire, Director National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Maths Week is an annual event and this year it will take place from October 14 to October 22. Founded and coordinated by Calmast at Waterford Institute of Technology, the festival is a partnership of groups interested in promoting maths and has become the largest event of its kind in the world.
Two appeals have been lodged with An Bord Pleanala against the decision of Wexford County Council to grant planning permission for change of use of an existing storage shed to facilitate the storage of biosolids for use as an organic fertiliser on surrounding agricultural lands in Adamstown.

The local authority recently granted permission to Patsy Moore for the storage of the biosolids at Misterin, Barronstown, Adamstown.

The appeals were lodged by Catherine Hanley, on May 18, and James Galway on May 23.

The case is due to be decided in mid-June.
Sligo's new historic trail has opened a new window into the quirky side of the town's history.

Phase 1 of the project was launched last Thursday, with Phase 2 to be launched later in the year.

The project was spearheaded by Jim Lawlor, former President of Sligo Tidy Towns.

Seven of 20 plaques were unveiled at the event on Thursday last.

Speaking at the event, Peter Tiernan, Chairman of Sligo Tidy Towns praised the efforts of Jim Lawlor, whose work eventually lead to the launch of his trail.

"I am so happy to see this project come to fruition. When the next phase is launched in the coming months, Sligo will have a great tourist trail for the enjoyment of everyone. The main driver of this endeavour is Jim Lawlor, who commenced work on the Project about a year ago, when he was Chairman of Sligo Tidy Towns.

"Together with his group of experts as outlined earlier, he headed up the group, and did an enormous amount of work personally, in overcoming the various hurdles along the way. I thank him for his persistence and energy.

"I thank his expert group as well. He had the support of Sligo County Council throughout, and without that the work could not have been done," he continued.

Mr. Tiernan went on to say that he believes Sligo's marks in the National Tidy Towns competition will continue to improve.

"Any Tidy Towns Committee that does not have the support of the Local Authority cannot succeed. In Sligo we are lucky to have that support, and I thank the Officials and Councillors for that. I would also like to thank Sligo Bid who are now our main funders from this year on. The Council give us a tidy sum each year as well.

"Last week we submitted our Tidy Towns 2016/2017 Entry for Adjudication. We have increased our marks in the Competition each year for the past 5 years and we are confident that they will increase again this time around.

"The Adjudicators will be doing their rounds anytime from mid June to mid August. The results will be announced in early September. We thank the business people of Sligo, as well as town residents, for keeping their areas clean and tidy in the past, during those weeks, and we ask for the same co-operation this year. This will help us to continue to achieve a further improvement in our marks," he said.

The nine plaques which form part of Phase 1 are as follows (numbers 6 and 8 were not launched yesterday):

1. William Partridge, Chapel Street. Off Teeling St/Courthouse area. 1874-1717. Leader of the Dublin workers during the 1913 lockout. Captain in the Irish Citizen Army. Served under Countess Markievicz in the Royal College of Surgeons in 1916.

2. William Pollexfen. McCanny's Building, corner of Wine St and Adelaide St. 1811-1892, Shipping and Corn Merchant with William Middleton. Grandfather to W.B., Lily, Lollie and Jack B Yeats.

3. Bernard Colleary, 1838-1907. Mayor of Sligo. Member of Parliament. Owned what is now Hargadon's Pub and Restaurant in O Connell St. The Plaque is on this building.

4. Yeats Memorial Building on Hyde Bridge. Built 1899, Former Bank. Donated to the Yeats Society in 1973 by AIB.

5. The Linen Hall, built 1799 by Thomas Holmes. Location of the Wesleyan Chapel, 1802-1831. Was located on what is now JFK Parade. Site is now Toff's Nightclub and Embassy Bars . (near the Bridge in Bridge St).

6. The Gillooly Hall. Opposite the RC Cathedral, Built 1904. Built as a Temperance Hall and dedicated to the memory of Bishop Laurence Gillooly, 1858-1895. His St is above the door.

7. St John's Cathedral. Near no 6. Built 1730. Designed by Richard Cassels , Architect of Hazelwood House, Sligo, and Leinster House. Gothic style. Many famous people buried in the Churchyard.

8. Charlotte Matilda Blake Thornley. 1818-1901. Mother of Bram Stoker, author of "Dracula". She experienced the great Cholera Epidemic in Sligo in 1832. Cholera is very contagious, and victims were buried very quickly. It is said that some were buried before they were quite dead, and that these stories told to Stoker by his mother, may have inspired him to write "Dracula" She lived in what is now Old Market St, just up from the Courthouse. It is now Louis Doherty's Antique shop.

9. Martin Moffatt, 1882-1946, Recipient of the Victoria Cross and the Belgium Croix de Guerre, for bravery in action in 1918, during the first World War. Lived at 21 Emmett Place. When standing at no 2, turn right at the end of Wine St. The Plaque is on a gable wall across from TD's pub.
Noel Hill will play in concert at The Coleman Music Centre, Gurteen Co Sligo on June 10th @ 8.30pm, Adm 15.

Noel Hill was born in Caherea in West County Clare, Ireland, into a big family with 7 siblings. His parents and grandparents were all concertina players. He was particularly influenced by his uncle, Padraig A Chnoic, (Paddy Hill).

He lived in a house which was the last house in the area to hold the traditional Irish House dance, where musicians were always welcomed; particularly towards the end of the year when farm work was done. It was at these events that he learned his early tunes, rather than from the radio, books or records.

He started playing at 9 and was lucky to have heard endless hours of Willie Clancy, Paddy Canny, Peter O'Loughlin, Paddy Murphy, and Micky Hanrahan. Much of the music in his repertoire today comes from the music he learned as a child from these great players.

To Book please call 071 9182599 or check out our website www.colemanirishmusic.com.

Above and Below the Tide

If a wide range of music is your thing, then this local band should serve up a treat on Thursday. Above and below the Tide" are playing the Roots Room Sessions in the Strand Bar on Thursday, 8th June.

The band create a unique sound blending many influences including folk, trad, classical, world music and rock. The band are: Dave Mcloughlin Bouzouki, (Guitar and Vocals), Bernard Tohill (Guitar),Collette Sheerin (Flute, Whistles and Vocals), Ray Coen (Guitars and Fiddle) and Anna Houston (Mandolin and Cello).
Finnish native Pamela Harju has recently published her debut English language novel, 'The Truth about Tomorrow', exclusive to Amazon.

The 35-year-old software licensing specialist is based in Coolaney and has managed to combine her day job with a career in writing.

She works two days a week in Galway and returns to Coolaney where she lives with her partner Francis - "a lovely Sligoman," she laughs.

"The book is about three young siblings who lose their parents in a car accident," Pamela tells The Sligo Champion.

The main character Kyle French was in the crash and Pamela centred the plot around how he and his siblings move on from that.

The interesting twist features a clairvoyant mother - when Kyle alone survives, the question haunts him, did she know it was going to happen? Through his grief and survivor's guilt, Kyle looks for answers and tries to heal with his remaining family.

The inspiration for the novel will have most wannabe writers racing to bed tonight: "It actually came to me in a dream. It was all inclusive," she says in perfect English.

"I woke up with all the characters ready. I just had to add some structure and plot to it," she says.

"I worked it around my coffee breaks, in the evenings and at weekends until I had it finished," she says.

It took her two years to write the book and she finished the first draft three years ago. Like many first time authors, Pamela put it to one side for a few years until she had the courage to publish it.

It's story about the choice of either running away from your problems or making the right decisions to carry on and an emotional journey about coming of age and moving on even as your world collapses around you.

Pamela's tale will appeal to readers who like strong characters, a distinctly Irish setting and a hint of the supernatural.

So how did a multi-lingual Scandinavian discover Coolaney?

As a young free and single twentysomething, Pamela came through Sligo on her travels and the place impressed her.

"I had been to Sligo on my holidays. When I returned to Finland, I didn't have a permanent job, had no commitments so Sligo was easy for me to move to," she says.

So she packed up and moved from her home town of Pietarsaari to Coolaney where she now lives with Francis.

Did she want to write for long?

"Always. Ever since I can remember I've wanted to write. It was always there," she says.

She wrote small novels in her teenage years which she says "got me in the habit of writing a full length novel."

She has written romance, mystery, fantasy and contemporary fiction. Her writing is character focused, and her ideas often stem from a character that Pamela then builds her story around.

She wrote a Finnish novel last year ('Etaisesti sinun') but admitted English has become her first language of choice now.

"If I was to write in Finnish now I'd find it harder," she says.

"Everything is in English around me. I'd find it very hard to write in Finnish now.

The landscape of Sligo has played its own role in the inspiration behind the book.

"It definitely did. The landscape and the scenery in Ireland is just stunning. The mountains and the sea. I love the peace and quiet of the countryside.

"The people are great characters in the little towns and villages here. They're definitely very inspiring," she smiles.

Pamela chose the self-publishing route after completing a self-publishing course once her novel was written.

"It's pretty easy. The course helped me through all the technical stuff. With the help from the online course It was very easy to navigate the tricky stuff.

Pamela's 'The Truth About Tomorrow' is available as an e-book on Kindle and other devices and also available in paperback on Amazon. co.uk.
Sligo Grammar School has become the first Second Level School in county Sligo to be awarded the Amber Flag for Promoting Positive Mental Health.

"It's important to keep reinforcing our support as a whole school community for Positive Mental Health especially during the exam season," said Grammar School Guidance Counsellor Cecilia McGuinness.

"We hope other schools in the county will become aware of this award so that they too might be encouraged to undertake tasks during the next academic year in order to achieve it," she said.

Ms McGuinness attended an awards ceremony in Cork and was presented the Amber flag by former Munster and Ireland rugby player Alan Quinlan.The school was awarded the flag on the basis of fulfilling three goals this past academic year which enhanced the existing structures of mental health promotion in the school.

Their successful Positive Mental Health Awareness week last January was especially a highlight during school year.

Key speakers such as Elma Walsh from the Donal Walsh Foundation, Brefini Earley and Munster rugby player Cathal Sheridan all attended the school and spoke about the importance of positivity and being mindful both of yourself and others.

IT Sligo has also been awarded the Amber Flag, from the voluntary national group Suicide Aware, in recognition of a number of successful mental health campaigns, which were run in conjunction with the Students' Union, IT Sligo Mental Health Society and Institute's Counselling Service.

The Flag was formally raised by IT Sligo President, Dr Brendan McCormack, at a ceremony attended by representatives of the college, student body and members of the Mental Health Society.

Speaking at the event IT Sligo Students' Union Welfare Office, Barry Clohessy said: "The aim of the Students' Union in earning this award with the support of the institute is to create a positive dialogue about mental health and thereby breaking down the stigma that is associated with mental health. "In doing this we hope to create an environment where students will seek help sooner, when mental health issues arise"
Over 1,600 Leaving Cert and Junior Cert students in Sligo will begin their State exams tomorrow, Wednesday June 7th.

There are 760 students in the county about to sit the Leaving Cert in total, the boys outnumbering the girls slightly with 389 boys doing the Leaving compared to 371 girls.

There will be just 29 teenagers sitting the Leaving Cert Applied in the county.

As for the Junior Cert, 425 boys are sitting it and 392 girls, 817 in total.

Tomorrow some 121,470 candidates will sit both State exams across the country, many of them facing almost six hours of exams in one day alone.

Examination superintendents involved in supervising the written examinations took possession of the locked boxes containing the four million examination papers last weekend.

The examinations will be held in over 5,000 exam centres around Ireland for the 13 day exam period.

First up for the Leaving Certs on Wednesday is English and Home Economics while the Junior Certs start off with English and Civic, Social and Political Education.

Engineering and English Paper 2 are on Thursday, while they will sit Geography and Maths Paper 1 on Friday.

Junior Cert students will sit their Irish exams all day Thursday and complete Geography and Maths on Friday.

The exams run until Wednesday 21st June for the Junior Cert and Friday 23rd June for Leaving Certificate subjects.

The written examinations in the Leaving Cert Applied programme finish on Thursday 15th June.

Leaving Cert results will be published on Wednesday 16th August while the results of the Junior Cert won't be published until mid-September.

Chairman of the State Examination Commission (SEC) sent his best wishes to all sitting exams this year:

"The State examinations is a significant event for students, their families and their wider school communities.

"Students will benefit from the continued calm reassurance of those who have supported them to this point. We will also ensure that candidates are facilitated to achieve their best in exams," he said.
Parkinsons patients in the Sligo and Donegal area are being urged to support the Killybegs clinic that is running one Sunday a month in Killybegs Community Hospital.

The National Office in partnership with the Donegal/Sligo branch have entered into a one year contract with Galway University Hospital to provide an outreach nursing service to the Donegal/Sligo area.

This pilot project will be delivered two Sundays per month in Killybegs County Hospital and Sligo University Hospital.

Initially a clinic will be held once a month in Killybegs Community Hospital and then depending on patient dispersal will continue this way or a clinic will also be established in Sligo, should there be a demand for such a service.

The aim is to develop services on a pilot project basis with a view to securing long term funding, once need is established.

University Hospital Galway's Movement Disorders Advanced Nurse Practitioner Outreach Service is being wholly supported by and fundraised for by the Donegal/Sligo branch of the Parkinson's Disease Association of Ireland.

This service development has come about as a direct result of needs expressed by patients and their families.

Referrals will be accepted from General Practitioners and Consultants for individual patient consultations, from which a liaison between the hospital-based health care provider or GP can be initiated.

A record of the assessment and subsequent recommendations will be sent to the referring doctor. If you are a member, or want to become a member, of the Donegal/Sligo branch and want to avail of this service contact your GP or our freephone 1800359359 for further information.
Description

New Life Community Church on Lakeland Ave., Sayville will be hosting a yard sale this coming Saturday, June 10, 2017 from 10am-2pm.

There will be loads of donations pouring in this week. Please consider coming down to the church to support our mission's team. We are getting ready to travel to Ecuador to help out at an orphanage and your donations will help us defray some of the costs of the trip.

We'll have items such as: toys, games, household goods, furniture, electronics, accessories, CDs, DVDs, books, kitchen items, knick-knacks & bric-a-brac (yep, even bric-a-brac!), sporting goods/cards/memorabilia, action figures, comics, vintage collectibles, and much more!!!

We are also accepting donations prior to the sale from Mon-Thurs. at the church office MORNINGS only this week. Please make donations of new or gently used items -nothing broken, ripped, torn, stained, etc. Thank you in advance.

We look forward to seeing you this Saturday -rain or shine.

Directions: 380 Lakeland Ave. -follow Lakeland Ave south of Sunrise Hwy about 1/4m on the right. The sale will be in the north parking lot of the church. If it rains, we'll hold it under the carport. Early birds are welcomed, but not too early or we won't have it all ready -you'll miss out if we don't have it all set up!
The story about the life of a pencil has won an award for a couple of Ballisodare schoolgirls.

The girls, Iga Manulak and Emma Jackson, both students at St. Mary's College, Ballysadare, are winners of the Environmental Protection Agency's The Story of Your Stuff competition.

The winning video told the story of a pencil, illustrating the pencil's journey from a tree in Brazil to a compost bin in Ireland and everything in between. The captivating video had some strong competition with over 100 entries received from secondary school students across Ireland.

Speaking about the winning submission campaign ambassador, photographer and music video director Christian Tierney said: "The winning entry is amazing with some beautiful shots. The story is told in a very creative and inspiring way."

Mr Tierney provided video-making tips to students on the campaign website www.thestoryofyourstuff.ie. He also inspired potential entrants with his own Story of Your Stuff video production.

Students were invited to choose an everyday object and use a visual medium to illustrate its lifecycle - where it came from, how it was used in its lifetime and more importantly, where it was going to end up.

The EPA encouraged students to conduct their research through the www.epa.ie/irelandsenvironment/ web resource.

Speaking about the winning entry, judge and Producer of RTE TV's Eco Eye Marcus Stewart said: "The winning video demonstrated brilliant artistry and creativity in delivering the message that all the products we use, even something as simple as a pencil, are sourced from materials all over the world.

"The video promotes the idea that these items should be respected during their full lifecycle and disposal.

"The film perfectly blends visual artistry with text and music to deliver a perfectly paced film that builds through the lifecycle of the forgotten pencil. The creators Iga Manulak and Emma Jackson are natural artists and film makers."

The winning students and their school will receive competition prizes. In addition, the school will get to enjoy a video workshop with Christian Tierney. Fellow judge the EPA's Helen Bruen said, "We were bowled over by the level of research, skill, time and effort that went into each project."
A District Court Judge has sentenced "a brazen young man" to two months in prison for kicking the door of a car of a concerned passerby.

British businessman Stephen Taylor had pulled on the main N15 Donegal road at Urlar, Drumcliffe and was on the phone to Gardai when 21 year old Chris McClafferty approached him and did a "judo kick" on the door of his car.

Mr Taylor told Sligo District Court that he was driving at Urlar, Drumcliffe when he saw an Opel car pulled in on the left hand side of the road.

"Two men were fighting, I had to slow down to pass them. A girl was crying in the back of the car, bawling her eyes out. She seemed in great distress," he told the court. The witness was so concerned by what he saw that he rang 999 and stayed on the phone to Gardai.

"This wasn't handbags at dawn, it was a real fight," he said.

He turned his car around and came back, pulling in at a farmers gate.

"I could see the girl screaming and the two men fighting. A lad came towards me, the lad getting hit.

"I thought he was looking for help but he does a judo kick on my door. I sped off," he said. The Gardai, who were still on the phone to Mr Taylor, told him to stay in the area.

When the Gardai arrived, he saw a different man fighting with them, he said.

He identified the person who kicked his car as having a chain around their neck.

Mr Gerard McGovern solicitor, agent for O'Gorman, Cunningham & Co. Solicitors in Donegal, said his client said he had "absolutely nothing to do with it."

Under cross-examination by Inspector Donal Sweeney, McClafferty, of Brookfield Heights, Letterkenny, denied kicking Mr Taylor's car.

"Why would Stephen Taylor say that?" said Inspector Sweeney.

"I'd like to ask him the same question," replied McClafferty.

He showed Judge Kevin Kilrane a heavy silver chain he was wearing in court.

"I would have had a doubt had the description by Mr Taylor not been so very accurate and rock solid," said the judge, adding that the identity of the culprit was confirmed in court.

The court heard McClaffety has previous convictions for damaging property, drink driving and dangerous driving.

Judge Kilrane convicted McClafferty of criminal damage: "There's absolutely no element of remorse. He's quite a brazen young man."

He sentenced him to two months in prison and fixed recognisance at 1,500 in the event of an appeal.
Eleven nursing students at St. Angela's College are preparing for their summer trips to Lourdes where they will volunteer.

Pilgrimages to the Marian shrine in Lourdes, France started in 1859 following the apparition of the Immaculate Conception to Bernadette Soubirous and has since become a major place of Roman Catholic Pilgrimage with approximately 5 million pilgrims annually.

Many pilgrims go to Lourdes to get a break from busy lives in search for inner peace. Others experiencing health challenges go there seeking miraculous healings, with some requiring helpers or ongoing medical or nursing support on a 24 hour basis.

This is the 4th year that nursing students will participate in the Lourdes pilgrimage. During their programme students undertake placements in various settings.

This placement is part of the community nursing experience where students work outside acute settings and helps them experience first-hand how people and families live and cope with challenges to health.

In Ireland each Catholic Diocese organises its own pilgrimage led by a voluntary team of dedicated, specialist and skilled people. Students Shannon and Jessica join the Kilmore Diocesan Pilgrimage with Bishop Leo O'Reilly, spiritual director Rev. Fr. Kevin Fay and their team. Ciana, Tracey, Stephanie and Hannah will join the Ardagh & Clonmacnoise Pilgrimage, whose team is led by Bishop Francis Duffy, spiritual director Rev. Mons Bernard Noonan and Rev Fr. Michael Scanlon, Chaplain to Assisted Pilgrims & Co-ordinator of Pilgrimage Staff. The nursing teams for both are headed up by Ms. Mary C Reilly, (Director of Nursing) and Ms. Paula Brady (Assistant Director of Nursing).

The students have to make a commitment to prior study, organisation of personal time, fundraise for their trip and a willingness to be up very early and work shifts while in Lourdes.
A fisherman found with six illegally caught salmon in the boot threatened to burn out an off-duty female Garda's car in "a fit of rage" after the salmon were seized.

Oisin Gethins (25) of Garavogue Villas, Sligo made the threat to Garda Ray Wims at Millfalls, Collooney last July 5th.

Garda Wims testified at Sligo District Court last week that he and a colleague were on patrol along the Oranmore River around 4.25pm on that date because there is a lot of illegal salmon fishing around this time of year.

He said they came across a car in the Falls estate, Collooney driving by Ivan Gethins, the defendant's brother.

There were six freshly caught salmon in the boot, with no tags on them. The Gardai seized the car and the salmon.

Garda Wims said Oisin Gethins "got very agitated" when Garda Ann Marie Grimes, who was off-duty at the time, walked past to her car.

Garda Wims alleged Gethins then said "a box of firelighters and some matches will sort out that car," referring to Garda Grimes car.

He took the comment as a threat and notified the Superintendent and an operation was put in place to protect her car.

Garda Wims then told Judge Kevin Kilrane that Gethins had proffered a letter of apology to him that morning (last Thursday June 1) which contained a "genuine apology."

Under cross-examination by Mr Mark Mullaney, defending, Garda Wims said illegal salmon fishing was "a huge issue" at this time of year.

"We handed the case over to the Fisheries Board," he added.

"Every day of the week we get threats but because the car was identified I was concerned," he told Mr Mullaney.

He agreed that no attempt was made to interfere with Garda Grimes car and agreed with Mr Mullaney that Gethins was "in a much better state then he was on that day last July."

Mr Mullaney told Judge Kilrane that Gethins had since gotten married and was expecting their first child. "It is a serious charge but I've heard from Garda Wims that in the apology Oisin Gethins has issued in a letter he says he's sorry for what he said and it was said in the heat of the moment.

"It was never his intention to damage any Garda's property. He should have kept his mouth shut," said Mr Mullaney.

Judge Kilrane agreed Gethins made the threat "in a fit of rage" and intended that Garda Grimes would be worried.

The court heard Gethins is under two suspended prison sentences for assault and Public Order.

However he did not activate the suspended sentences because the threat was made "in the heat of the moment".

He convicted and fined Gethins 300.
An Aughrim company is celebrating after achieving certification to key international business standards in Quality Management Systems, Environmental Management Systems and Occupational Health and Safety Management.

Woodfab Timber Limited now joins an elite group of over 3,000 organisations who are currently National Standards Authority of Ireland-certified in a variety of areas. All of the organisations who achieved certification were independently audited by NSAI inspectors in order to ensure they complied with the standards.

Representatives of the company were among 24 organisations honoured at a special ceremony at the NSAI offices in Dublin on Tuesday, May 23.

Speaking at the event, John Colclough, Sales Manager at Woodfab Timber said achieving certification to these standards will help give the firm a competitive edge.

'It was a very worthwhile project. The long-term business success of Woodfab Timber Ltd. depends on our ability to continually improve the quality of our products while protecting people and the environment,' said Mr Colclough.

'This commitment is in the best interest of our customers, our employees and the communities in which we live and work. The savings and opportunities identified during the certification process will allow Woodfab to set performance objectives, measure results, assess and continually improve.'

Operating since 1974, Woodfab Timber Limited is a processing and preservation company. Logs are bought in from Coillte and Private Suppliers for the manufacture and supply of timber Post and Rail, Fencing and Decking Components, Packaging Materials, Farm Fencing Posts, Biomass and Wood Shavings. It employs 47 people at its facility in Aughrim.
A West Wicklow farmer has branded it as a 'disgrace', the amount of thefts taking place on farms across the county following the theft of 3,500 worth of equipment from a relative's farm. Kevin Moore from Grangecon says that farmers all over Wicklow and the entire country are being targeted by criminals who are getting away with their crimes.

'It is a complete joke and it is happening every day of the week,' he said. Gardai in Baltinglass say that they have had reports of a number of thefts from farms across the county since the start of the year and that incidents do not appear to be confined to a single area. Cllr Jim Ruttle, who is chairman of the Wicklow Joint Policing Committee, has called for more visible daytime Garda patrols which would deter such crimes.
IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods said has said that, based on the most recent revelations regarding political and administrative corruption at the highest levels in the Brazilian meat industry and Government, it is not credible for the EU Commission to remain engaged in Mercosur negotiations on agriculture issues.

Calling on the EU Commission to suspend all negotiations on agriculture in the EU/Mercosur trade talks, Angus Woods said: 'The scandal in Brazil has shown that there are systematic failures in the controls in the country and the EU Commission can no longer credibly rely on the authorities there to certify meat exports to the EU.'

He said that by continuing to engage with Mercosur, the Commission is undermining the hard won position of European farmers and consumers based on high standards in the key areas of food safety, traceability, the environment and health standards.

The Ballinabarney beef farmer said stories being reported across the world media about bribery and corruption at the top of the Brazilian meat industry and among politicians are shocking. He said it appears that the Brazilian authorities are offering leniency deals to senior figures in the scandal who are reported as being involved in bribing hundreds of politicians and others over many years.

Angus Woods said he met with the EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis in Dublin recently and reiterated the IFA's strong views on the Brazilian meat scandal. 'Since the 'Weak Flesh scandal' story broke in the Brazilian media on March 17, the real story regarding the sheer extent and political involvement in the scandal and corruption is only beginning to emerge in Brazil.'

Angus said the EU Commission FVO (Food and Veterinary Office) has undertaken a number of investigations on standards in Brazil in recent weeks and he called for these reports to be published immediately.

He said this latest meat scandal and ongoing corruption in Brazil point to a systematic breakdown of standards and controls. Based on previous FVO reports and the work of the IFA/Irish Farmers Journal investigation in 2006/2007, the EU Commission is fully aware of the failure of the Brazil authorities to meet EU standards.

He said the EU Commission must withdraw from trade talks with Mercosur while this investigation into the scandal and corruption in Brazil is ongoing. 'Standards and controls have to be at the centre of any trade discussions. The EU Commission cannot stand over negotiations with the Mercosur group against the backdrop of these very serious issues in Brazil.'

The latest developments also highlight the need for a strong policy on standards in the context of Brexit. We have set out very clearly the need for equivalent standards on food safety, animal health and welfare.
Donald and Melania Trump leaving The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala May 07, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wait to welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, at the White House in Washington, DC, February 15, 2017. / AFP / SAUL LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Akie Abe and Melania Trump visit the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens on February 11, 2017 in Delray Beach, Florida. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe played golf with U.S. President Donald Trump, while North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun/The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump arrive for a concert of La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra at the ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina during the Heads of State and of Government G7 summit, on May 26, 2017 in Sicily

Donald and Melania Trump attend the MET Costume Institute Gala Celebrating Chanel at the Metropolitan Museum of Art May 2, 2005 In New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)

Ivanka Trump (R) and Melania Trump (L) appear before the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri on October 9, 2016. / AFP / POOL / RICK WILKING (Photo credit should read RICK WILKING/AFP/Getty Images)

US First Lady Melania Trump laughs with two guests before US President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of the US Congress on February 28, 2017, in Washington, DC. / AFP / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS (Photo credit should read ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images)

Body language is the new black in 2017.

Despite the fact we live in a time where there is greater access to information than ever, US President Donald Trump isn't exactly a fan of transparency. His wife, first lady Melania Trump is almost mythically private and first daughter Ivanka only shares with the world the image she wants us to see.

We caught up with body language expert Tracey Cox during her recent trip to Dublin to celebrate the launch of the new HTC U11, but mostly to analyse the Trumps.

Melania's alleged disdain for her husband is no secret, from videos of her knocking his hand, her visible scowl or the infamous #FreeMelania memes from inauguration weekend.

Cox believes the entire dynamic of their relationship changed when he was elected president, namely that being a trophy wife wasn't good enough anymore.

Expand Close Donald and Melania Trump attend the MET Costume Institute Gala Celebrating Chanel at the Metropolitan Museum of Art May 2, 2005 In New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Donald and Melania Trump attend the MET Costume Institute Gala Celebrating Chanel at the Metropolitan Museum of Art May 2, 2005 In New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)

"Before he became president, she was incredibly natural and spontaneous; she was used to being in an adored role, she was great for him because shes pretty, but shes not a first lady and hes punishing her," she told Independent.ie.

"When you compare them with the Obamas, when they look at each other and smile, the expression on their faces is completely different to anyone else. I think she just radiates anger with every possible pore."

As for the hand slap heard round the world during their trip to Tel Aviv, Cox explains: "They are well aware people are watching them, shes basically saying F you. He treats her like a child now, its a definite power move. Shes not making it easy, she was sidelined before she even got there [the White House] and there was no including of her because its all about her looks. She knows it and shes showing it in her body language."

Before Trump's presidential campaign, the pair were often pictured together side by side on the New York social scene - at the Met Gala or a premiere of The Apprentice, but she retreated from public life during his initial foray into politics.

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"I dont think Ive ever seen such awkward body language between two public personas, its just embarrassing," she added.

"I think beforehand his body language was very much like, look at this woman, here I am with this delicate model'. He would touch her in inappropriate places telling the world, I can touch her wherever I want.

"The minute he got to be president, he put her in her place as this subservient person. Shes really angry, you can see the tension: her shoulders are slumped and fists are always clenched. Shes unhappy, she doesnt look towards him or ever lean towards him, its a public battle of who is going to come out on top.

"He cant even compete with that, hes given her no power whatsoever. She looks absolutely miserable."

Expand Close US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump arrive for a concert of La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra at the ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina during the Heads of State and of Government G7 summit, on May 26, 2017 in Sicily / Facebook

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Whatsapp US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump arrive for a concert of La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra at the ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina during the Heads of State and of Government G7 summit, on May 26, 2017 in Sicily

So, we're confident that all isn't well between Melania and Donald, but how does the enigmatic first lady interact with others? She's often pictured laughing and joking while meeting her international counterparts - with Japanese Prime Minister's wife Akie Abe or Queen Rania of Jordan - and she's a far cry from her stony-face exterior while spending time with children.

"When you look back at all these pictures and you see her with other people, you get a good benchmark of what her normal body language is.

Expand Close US First Lady Melania Trump laughs with two guests before US President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of the US Congress on February 28, 2017, in Washington, DC. / AFP / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS (Photo credit should read ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp US First Lady Melania Trump laughs with two guests before US President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of the US Congress on February 28, 2017, in Washington, DC. / AFP / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS (Photo credit should read ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images)

"She looks lovely and really happy, her arms are crossed in front of her again but shes mirroring the girl next to her which people sometimes do to make the other person more comfortable. Weve forgotten she can smile," Cox explains.

Expand Close Akie Abe and Melania Trump visit the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens on February 11, 2017 in Delray Beach, Florida. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe played golf with U.S. President Donald Trump, while North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun/The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Akie Abe and Melania Trump visit the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens on February 11, 2017 in Delray Beach, Florida. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe played golf with U.S. President Donald Trump, while North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun/The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)

Cox also thinks her relationship with Ivanka is strained, which has been largely reported due to Ivanka's unofficial role as substitute first lady with her own office in the White House and living in Washington D.C., while Melania still remains in New York with 11-year-old son Barron.

"There is absolutely no love lost there, Ivanka is sitting there legs crossed, Melania is sitting with her legs crossed and her hand down, she looks like she wants to get up and walk away. Ivanka is very closed off, her face is turned away with an unwelcoming expression and everything is crossed. Theres no affection, they're sat as far as possible apart."

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It was the same case at the inaguration, although, admittedly, you didn't have to be an expert to see the wall between Melania and her stepdaughter. "Shes not so comfortable with Ivanka, who is just as moody. Thats called blocking, her arms are crossed in front of herself as if to say, keep away from me, its a self-protection gesture; Ivankas hands are like a steeple with her fingers and thumb intertwined saying, Im the dominant one here so dont try to pretend that Im not. You can imagine the relationship between the two."

Expand Close First lady Melania Trump (R), stands with Ivanka Trump as a parade passes the inaugural parade reviewing stand in front of the White House on January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump was sworn in as the nation's 45th president today. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp First lady Melania Trump (R), stands with Ivanka Trump as a parade passes the inaugural parade reviewing stand in front of the White House on January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump was sworn in as the nation's 45th president today. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

The HTC U11 will be available to purchase across all Irish phone networks in the coming weeks. The Sapphire Blue is available exclusively on the Vodafone network, while the Brilliant Black will be available on Three Ireland, Meteor and Carphone Warehouse. The HTC U11 can be purchased now, sim free on www.htc.com/ie from 749 and in a range of five colours.
Venues and businesses across London donated a share of their profits to the Red Cross on Saturday evening as part of an initiative to show defiance and raise money following the terror attack in London Bridge last weekend.

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A Night for London, organised by the Red Cross and backed by Borough Market encourages businesses to donate profits from one drink or meal on their menus to the British Red Cross UK Solidarity Fund.

The fund will go towards helping victims of terror attacks in need anywhere in the UK.

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Londoners tweeted about #NightForLondon from a variety of venues, both near the site of the attack last week and further afield, showing their meals, full glasses and surroundings.

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Donald Hyslop, chair of trustees at Borough Market said: At Borough Market, we believe that the cooking and sharing of food has the power to unite people like nothing else, so for Londoners to be able to show their support for the victims and their families by meeting up to enjoy a meal and a drink will offer a forceful reminder to those who sought to divide us.

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By backing the Red Crosss Saturday Night for London, we can all play our part. Last Saturday night ended horribly. Lets ensure that this Saturday night brings at least a little solace.

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Even those staying in for the night were able to get involved, as Deliveroo promised to donate 1 from every London order to the fund.

The Vodafone Foundation has committed to matching donations made up to a value of 100,000.
The man who invented probably the worlds most controversial pizza has died.

Sam Panopoulos, who has died at the age of 83, is credited as the man who brought the Hawaiian pizza to the world, complete with its most divisive topping  pineapple.

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Panopoulos moved from Greece to Canada in 1954 and opened a number of restaurants, and he subsequently invented the pineapple pizza to put on his menus.

Panopoulos told CBC earlier this year he put pizza on the menu because nobody in the country was serving it yet.

He said: Along the way, we threw some pineapples on it and nobody liked it at first. But after that, they went crazy about it. Because those days nobody was mixing sweets and sours and all that. It was plain, plain food.

Anyway, after that it stays.

Fans of the Hawaiian pizza celebrated its inventor after news of his death spread.

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But not everyone loves the Hawaiian  the distinctive pizza hit the headlines earlier this year when Icelands president Guoni Johannesson said he thought it should be banned.

That led to passionate debate online.

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Panopoulos reacted by telling CBC: I dont know the guy. He should know better. Im sure he is a lot younger than I am and I was doing pizza when I was a young guy, you know what I mean?

Panopoulos died suddenly in hospital with his family by his side, according to a short obituary posted online.
Four-month-old baby was one of the victims of gun attack on the outskirts of Acapulco

Six people from the same family have been killed by armed men in a rural community on the outskirts of Acapulco, authorities in Mexico said.

Guerrero state security spokesman Roberto Alvarez Heredia said the victims in San Pedro Cacahuatepec include three women, a four-month-old baby and a 17-year-old boy.

Three children were also wounded when the gunmen opened fire on Friday on their homes.

It is an area where the federal government wants to build a dam, but the territory is disputed between two community defence groups.

The vigilante-style police groups armed themselves in 2013 and 2014 to fight drug cartels.

AP
British Prime Minister Theresa May waits for the results to be declared at the count centre in Maidenhead yesterday. Picture: AFP/Getty

Senior Conservatives are taking soundings over whether to replace Theresa May as prime minister following her dismal general election performance.

With the Conservatives fighting to run a minority government, senior MPs are concerned that Mrs May now lacks the authority to negotiate a successful Brexit.

Party sources suggested Boris Johnson, Amber Rudd and David Davis were being sounded out as possible replacements.

Mrs May insisted she wanted to "get on with the job" while failing to acknowledge the scale of the humiliation she faced in Thursday's election.

She said she would lead a minority government backed by the DUP after she lost an election gamble days before the start of talks on Brexit.

Last night, senior MPs from the DUP arrived in London to negotiate the terms of a deal to prop up the Conservatives and keep them in power.

Mrs May had called the snap election confident her Conservative Party would increase its majority and strengthen her hand in the Brexit talks. Instead, Thursday's vote damaged her authority and made her negotiating position more vulnerable to criticism.

"I'm sorry for all those candidates and hard working party workers who weren't successful," Mrs May said yesterday after a surprise resurgence by the main opposition Labour Party under its left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn. "As I reflect on the results I will reflect on what we need to do in the future to take the party forward."

The Conservatives had won 318 seats, the Labour Party had 262 seats, followed by the pro-independence Scottish National Party on 34.

Mrs May now risks opposition to her Brexit plans from inside and outside her party.

Just after noon, Mrs May was driven the short distance from her official Downing Street residence to Buckingham Palace to ask Queen Elizabeth for permission to form a government - a formality under the British system. But meanwhile talk of a heave was already filtering through senior MPs in the Conservative party.

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The socially conservative, pro-Brexit Democratic Unionist Party's 10 seats are enough to give the right-wing Conservatives a fragile but workable majority, which Mrs May said would allow her to negotiate a successful exit from the EU.

"Our two parties have enjoyed a strong relationship over many years and this gives me the confidence to believe that we will be able to work together in the interests of the whole United Kingdom," she said.

However, DUP leader Arlene Foster's initial comments were non-committal: "The prime minister has spoken with me this morning and we will enter discussions with the Conservatives to explore how it may be possible to bring stability to our nation at this time of great challenge."

It was not immediately clear what the DUP's demands might be and one suggested support might come vote by vote. British business, already struggling with the uncertainties of the two-year Brexit negotiating process, urged party leaders to work together.

"The last thing business leaders need is a parliament in paralysis, and the consequences for British businesses and for the UK as an investment destination would be severe," said Stephen Martin, director general of the Institute of Directors business lobby.

Mrs May said Brexit talks would begin on June 19 as scheduled, though the election result meant it was unclear whether her plan to take Britain out of the bloc's single market and customs union could still be pursued.

EU leaders expressed fears that Mrs May's shock loss of her majority would raise the risk of negotiations failing.

"Do your best to avoid a 'no deal' as result of 'no negotiations'," Donald Tusk, leader of the EU's ruling council, wrote in a tweet.

"We need a government that can act," EU Budget Commissioner Guenther Oettinger told German broadcaster Deutschlandfunk. "With a weak negotiating partner, there's a danger that the (Brexit) negotiations will turn out badly for both sides."

There was little sympathy for Mr May from some Europeans. "Yet another own goal, after Cameron now May, will make already complex negotiations even more complicated," tweeted Guy Verhofstadt, the former Belgian premier who is the European Parliament's point man for the Brexit process.

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Norwegian Foreign Minister Boerge Brende said the outcome could mean a less radical split between Britain and the EU.

Ruth Davidson, leader of Conservatives in Scotland, said the results showed the Conservatives should prioritise good trade relations with the EU.

Mr Corbyn, revelling in a storming campaign trail performance after pundits had pronounced his Labour Party all but dead, said Mrs May should step down and that he wanted to form a minority government.

"The mandate she's got is lost Conservative seats, lost votes, lost support and lost confidence," he said. "I would have thought that's enough to go, actually, and make way for a government that will be truly representative of all of the people of this country."

Mrs May unexpectedly called the snap election seven weeks ago, three years early - polls predicting she would massively increase the slim majority she inherited from David Cameron.

Her campaign unravelled after a policy U-turn on care for the elderly, while Mr Corbyn's old-school socialist platform and more impassioned campaigning won wider support than any had foreseen, notably from young voters, say analysts.
"Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't."

Theresa May would do well to reflect on that line from the Tory queen Margaret Thatcher as she tries to piece her party, her government and her country back together today.

Her logic in calling a snap election was easy to understand.

When she broached the idea with her Cabinet on April 18, the Conservatives were 21pc ahead in the polls and analysts suggested she could win up to 400 seats in the 650-seat chamber.

Falling for a dangerous trap in politics, Mrs May had begun to believe in her own hype. But like many opinion polls, they were also too good to be true.

She set herself a further trap by insisting that if she lost just six seats she could lose power.

But in the background, Mrs May had drawn together a tightly-controlled campaign team which believed it could redirect history.

Wrapped in an over-inflated sense of self-importance, Mrs May banked on having the personality to carry the day with meaningless soundbites like 'Brexit means Brexit'.

Mrs May led from the front, ensuring high-profile Brexiteers like Boris Johnson and Liam Fox were only afforded cameo roles.

And initially it was all going according to plan. The polls wavered only slightly and a friendly print media set about savaging 'Crackpot Corbyn'.

But Mrs May set an unusually long run-in to polling day and then ran a terrible canvass - claiming on one hand to be the woman to take on the EU bureaucrats while simultaneously refusing to debate with the supposedly deadbeat Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

The debate was supposed to be focused almost exclusively on Brexit - but, as any seasoned politician will tell you, trying to predict the narrative of an election campaign is a dangerous game.

The Tories set about stoking fear of the Labour Party but this drew comparisons with the scare tactics used by the 'Leave' side in the Brexit campaign.

Mrs May tried to paint a nostalgic picture of an empire that is long gone. But the detail was weak and so was the personality.

She failed to put forward any specifics on what Brexit might look like. On policy she refused to recommit to David Cameron's "triple lock" pledge not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT.

Then came the row-back on her social care revolution which became dubbed the 'Dementia Tax'.

Even when she tried to have a bit of fun it went wrong: apparently the "naughtiest" thing she has ever done is run through a field of wheat as a child.

This was about being able to present a 'strong and stable' government that would wrestle the power back from Brussels.

Instead, Mrs May hung herself out to dry and shifted the balance of power to Belfast.
Jussi Halla-aho delivers a speech after he was elected to be new chairman of the Finns Party (Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva via AP)

An immigration hardliner has been elected as leader of a eurosceptic group in Finland.

The Finns Party voted in Jussi Halla-aho on Saturday as its chairman to replace Foreign Minister Timo Soini, who stepped down after two 10-year terms as chairman on the country's three-party centre-right government.

Mr Halla-aho, 46 - a member of the European Parliament - was convicted in 2012 for making racist statements.

His stance could mark a change for the Finns, which until now has distanced itself from far-right parties in Europe - something that enabled it to enter the government in 2015.

However, Mr Halla-aho may toughen the party's nationalistic line, spelling trouble for Finland's governing coalition. The two other partners have said there will be no changes in the government programme.

AP
Adam West is reprising his role as the Caped Crusader, this time in an animated adventure (AP)

Actor Adam West attends the Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders Press Room at New York Comic-Con - Day 1 at Jacob Javits Center on October 6, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Adam West, who starred as Batman in the 1960s television series, has died at the age of 88, according to his family.

Our dad always saw himself as The Bright Knight and aspired to make a positive impact on his fans' lives. He was and always will be our hero, they said in a statement published by The Hollywood Reporter.

According to reports the legendary actor died after a short battle with leukemia.

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West achieved global fame when he was cast as the caped crusade in 1966. The show only ran for three seasons before it was cancelled by ABC.

Despite this, the show was repeated constantly for the next two decades and generations of US and Irish children grew up watching it.

In a 2006 interview with the Archive of American Television, he said he read the pilot script and found the mix of absurdity and action impossible to resist.

"You cant play Batman in a serious, square-jawed, straight-ahead way without giving the audience the sense that theres something behind that mask waiting to get out, that hes a little crazed, hes strange."

Social media has been flooded with messages paying tribute to West:

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Eight suspects have been arrested in Iran accused of supporting the attacks claimed by Islamic State on the parliament and a shrine that killed 17 people in Tehran.

The state-run IRNA news agency reported the arrests, quoting Ahmad Fazelian, chief justice of Alborz province west of Tehran.

He said: "These agents who were supporters of the two terrorist groups, and had full coordination with them, were arrested and they were delivered to Tehran's judicial and security authorities."

Meanwhile, Iran police chief General Hossein Ashtari said several people with connections to the attackers were arrested around the capital area.

Two guards, 10 government staffers and five civilians were killed in the attacks that simultaneously targeted the country's parliament and the shrine of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

The Interior Ministry in a statement increased the number of wounded to 52.

On Thursday, authorities said the assailants were Iranian nationals and that they had arrested six suspects, including one woman, since the attack on Wednesday in Tehran.

On Friday, the Intelligence Ministry announced that it had detained 41 suspects in Tehran and the western Kurdish provinces.

It called the detainees "elements of the Wahhabi IS group" and said they were involved in operations, communication and logistics for the local Islamic State cell.

Last August, the government announced it had executed a number of Kurdish Islamic extremists from a group known as Towhid and Jihad after convicting them of armed robbery, killing civilians and planning bomb attacks.

AP
Three US soldiers have been killed and another wounded in eastern Afghanistan, the Pentagon said.

An Afghan official said the deaths and injury stem from an attack by an Afghan soldier, who also died.

In a statement from Washington, the Pentagon did not provide details about what led to the deaths of the US soldiers. It said the incident was under investigation.

A spokesman for the provincial governor in Nangarhar province, Attahullah Khogyani, said in a statement that the attack took place in the Achin district.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that a Taliban loyalist had infiltrated the Afghan army "just to attack foreign forces".

In March, an Afghan soldier was killed after he opened fire on foreign forces at a base in Helmand province, wounding three US soldiers.

White House spokesman Raj Shah told reporters travelling with the President Donald Trump in New Jersey that Mr Trump was "following the emerging situation in Afghanistan".

AP
Amnesty International's chairman in Turkey has been arrested on charges of membership of a terror group, the country's official news agency said.

Anadolu news agency reported on Saturday that lawyer Taner Kilic was arrested in the western province of Izmir with five other lawyers who are accused of using an encrypted communication programme.

Kilic was detained on Tuesday and is awaiting trial.

ByLock is allegedly used by the network of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, which Turkey blames for orchestrating last summer's coup attempt.

Amnesty International called Kilic's arrest a "devastating injustice". Its secretary general Salil Shetty said the case is proof of Turkey's arbitrary and sweeping crackdown in the aftermath of the failed coup.

More than 50,000 people have been arrested for alleged links to Gulen since last summer.

AP
New York, June 9(Just Earth News): The United Nations migration agency on Friday appealed for some $60 million to aid an estimated 16 million people suffering from the worst drought seek in decades in East and Horn of Africa.

In the coming months, we are likely to see many more needing humanitarian aid and being displaced, due to the poor rains, said Jeffrey Labovitz, Regional Director for East and Horn of Africa at the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Through the appeal, IOM said that it intends to target 2 million of the most vulnerable drought-affected people through December of this year in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.

The drought is fuelling migration between these borders, particularly from Somalia, and could impact how the people who are moving and the people who are receiving them recover from the drought.

It is estimated that cross border movements may increase significantly with the predicted poor harvest as a result of below average rains during March-May and the humanitarian response is not scaled up to meet the needs of affected populations, according to the appeal.

The $60,665,000 aid would include a combination of lifesaving and early recover interventions, as well as build long-term capacity to recover. These include shelter, protection, food, water and sanitation.

Labovitz stressed that due to the impressive efforts from local and international actors, the drought has not yet led to a famine as recorded in 2011, but there is need for sustained funding and international support to mitigate what could still deteriorate.

The current drought has already shown to be different from that in 2011, which was concentrated in South Central Somalia. This year, it is affecting more parts of the country, including the north-eastern and the Somaliland regions, with a higher total number of people at risk.

The drought is affecting the region's main source of water  the river basins.

Over the past six months, severe drought conditions have contributed to the displacement of more than 700,000 people within Somalia alone.

Photo: IOM/Muse Mohammed

Source: www.justearthnews.com
New York, June 10(Just Earth News): Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres on Friday stressed the importance of partnership between the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in achieving global development goals and combating some of on Friday's key threats to peace and security, such as terrorism.

Looking ahead, the United Nations will continue to be your strong partner, Guterres told the SCO's Council of Heads of State being held in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The Eurasian political, economic and security union was founded in 1996 in the Chinese city of Shanghai by Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan. It added Uzbekistan in 2001 and India and Pakistan on Friday as its full members.

The UN chief said that the SCO plays a valuable role in promoting mutual understanding, dialogue, stability and development across much of Eurasia, and its members are working together to combat some of on Friday's key threats to peace and security, including terrorism, violent extremism, drug trafficking and organized crime.

Ultimately, inclusive and sustainable development is the best form of preventing armed conflict and violent extremism, Guterres said, asking the SCO members to show leadership in efforts to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change and commitment to fight terrorism and address its root causes.

At a press conference on the same day, Guterres highlighted the important role of Kazakhstan at the regional and international level.

He said Kazakhstan can play a leading role in promoting cooperation among Central Asian countries toward peace and prosperity of the region, including ways to share water resources, combat terrorism more effectively and create a stronger solidarity in achieving sustainable development.

The Secretary-General said Kazakhstan has been a symbol of dialogue, a symbol of peace, a symbol of the promotion of contacts between cultures, religions and civilizations.

The country is serving on the Security Council and is playing an extremely important mediation role in conflict.

In its capital, Kazakhstan has been hosting the so-named Astana talks on Syria led by Russia, Turkey and Iran.

Photo: World Bank/Shynar Jetpissova

Source: www.justearthnews.com
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Leigh Day its co-founder and two of his colleagues faced misconduct charges

Firm alleged mistreatment of captives by British soldiers in Iraq in 2004

They were prosecuted after some claims were found to be 'entirely false'

SDT panel found that none of the allegations against the lawyers could be proved

MoD 'disappointed' by decision and vows to defend against 'false claims'

The Ministry of Defence has vowed to 'vigorously defend' against 'false' allegations after a law firm that pursued claims built on 'deliberate lies' against British troops in Iraq was cleared of any wrongdoing. Leigh Day and its solicitors Martyn Day, Sapna Malik and Anna Crowther, faced a string of misconduct charges over their handling of claims against the MoD. Allegations were made by Iraqis claiming they were subjected to inhumane interrogation techniques and torture by British troops after the Battle of Danny Boy in 2004. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) took the decision to prosecute the firm following the end of the 31million Al-Sweady Inquiry, which found the most serious claims of murder and torture were 'entirely false' and the product of 'deliberate lies'. But a Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal's (SDT) panel today found that none of the allegations levelled at the lawyers was proved. +2 Pictured left to right, Anna Crowther, Martyn Day and Sapna Malik Mr Day and Ms Malik were each cleared of 16 misconduct charges, while fellow solicitor Ms Crowther was cleared of four, including an allegation of destroying a key document. The firm was exonerated of 11 counts. All had denied any wrongdoing. The MoD said it was 'disappointed' by the panel's decision. A spokesperson for the ministerial department said: 'We have noted today's decision and are disappointed that the Tribunal has not agreed with the concerns we have raised. 'We will continue to both vigorously defend any opportunistic claims when we believe they are false or exaggerated, and to bring any evidence of wrongdoing to the attention of supervising bodies.'

The tribunal heard Leigh Day worked with now-disgraced solicitor Phil Shiner to represent Iraqi clients in parallel legal actions.





Mr Shiner was struck off by the SDT in February for dishonesty over his handling of war crimes allegations against the British Army.





He did not appear at his hearing and 22 misconduct charges were found proved in his absence.





+2 The tribunal heard Leigh Day worked with now-disgraced solicitor Phil Shiner (pictured)

Leigh Day's defence team, led by Patricia Robertson QC, accused the SRA of being 'unprincipled' in attempting to use the Shiner judgment as a 'short cut'.





Following the 22-day hearing, SDT panel chairman Simon Tinkler said: 'The tribunal has therefore found that none of the allegations made have been proved.'

The panel said a formal judgment will be issued in August.





The tribunal heard Leigh Day had spent at least 7.5 million defending the allegations, with their team comprising two QCs from Fountain Court Chambers.





It is also thought to be one of the costliest prosecutions the SRA has pursued, expected to exceed the more than 475,000 spent in the Shiner case.





In a statement, Mr Day said: 'We are pleased that the tribunal has cleared us of all the charges, and confirmed our view that we did not act improperly or dishonestly in these legal claims against the Ministry of Defence.





'For nearly 40 years I have battled on behalf of the ordinary man and woman in this country and abroad to ensure they get access to justice not least when they face the might of British multinationals or Government.





'I am very pleased that I and my colleagues can now get back to doing the work we love.

'We would like to thank our insurers and our fantastic legal team and counsel for all their hard work over the past couple of years, and during this hearing, and all those within the legal world and beyond who have given us such strong support.'






There are many stray dogs and cats that face the danger of being hit by cars or walking into paw traps, in Tainan city in Taiwan. This happens particularly in remote mountain areas, where farmers put up traps to prevent animals from devouring their crops.

A person named Pan Chieh got an idea of making wheelchairs for animals after one of his friends rescued an injured stray dog. He was charged by the animal hospital for the wheelchair costs after it became clear that the dog would not be able to walk on its own. Instead of paying for the expensive commercial dog wheelchair, Pan decided to make one himself. Here are some photos that show how these canines are using wheelchairs.

1. A disabled dog in a homemade wheelchair is seen at a shelter in Tainan, Taiwan.

reuters

Disabled dogs at an animal shelter in Taiwan's southern city of Tainan can now walk and run again, thanks to wheelchairs designed for them by a pet enthusiast.

2. Volunteers carry disabled dogs at a shelter in Tainan.

reuters

3. Pan Chieh, a 40-year-old machine operator, uses water pipes to make animal wheelchairs.

reuters

"The first dog recovered completely after using the wheelchair, which gave me a lot of confidence," Pan said, adding that he has been making wheelchairs for dogs and cats ever since, starting with heavy wooden models and finally arriving at the current cost-effective water pipe design.

4. A disabled dog walks with a homemade wheelchair at a shelter in Tainan.

reuters

The current model uses readily available plastic water pipes that are cut to size and connected by joints, enabling him to customise wheelchairs to the specific needs of each animal. The material costs for one wheelchair come in at around 1,000 TWD (USD $30), less than one-third of the price of commercially available models, according to Pan.

5. A dog with a congenital forelimb deformity is seen at a shelter in Tainan.

reuters

Pan, a 40-year-old machine operator, visits different shelters and homes of pet owners throughout Taiwan on weekends together with his girlfriend, building wheelchairs for animals in need. The couple charge a minimum of 5,000 TWD (USD $150) to cover travel and material costs but often offer to work for free in cases where animal patients have no one to sponsor them.

6. Disabled dogs walk with homemade wheelchairs at a shelter in Tainan.

reuters

Taiwan's many stray dogs and cats face the danger of being hit by cars or walking into paw traps, especially in the island's remote mountain areas where farmers put up traps to prevent animals from devouring their crops.

7. A disabled dog walks with a homemade wheelchair at a shelter in Tainan.

reuters

8. Disabled dogs are seen at a shelter in Tainan.

reuters

9. Stray dogs are seen at a shelter in Tainan.

reuters

10. A disabled dog in a homemade wheelchair is seen with stray dogs at a shelter in Tainan.

reuters
When I walked into Simi Dcostas hotel room in Tirupati, she was marveling at the twirl of her brand new yellow lehenga and quirky hairdo. I simply love the red lipstick on my lips and this sexy sway in my hip, she said and settled down to chat with me over a hot cup of coffee.

indiatimes/Sindhuja Parthasarathy

Simi lives a dual life of sorts; of a man and that of a woman. She is a 56-year-old biological heterosexual man settled in a comfortable Government job, living a quiescent life with her wife and 2 kids. If you ever met her in Delhi, she would come across as a dutiful, honest, traditional family man that would never risk breaking gendered social norms.

indiatimes/Sindhuja Parthasarathy

She is one of those hundreds of cross-dressers in India who regularly take 3 yearly vacations to participate in lesser known festivals where they can publically live the life of a woman. (Chamayavillaku in Kerala, Ganga jatre in Tirpati and Kulasai in Tamilnadu).

Simi cant explain to her wife what this means to her, given that most people in India believe that cross-dressing is a fetish, a homosexual behaviour or some form of a sexual dysfunction originating from deviant sexuality that needs to be treated or cured.

indiatimes/Sindhuja Parthasarathy

Asha, a 40 year old business man(and cross-dresser)from Mumbai explained, Most of us started wearing feminine clothes as early as 6 or 7 and have struggled with the desire to do so publically since then.Thanks to the societys disdain towards cross-dressing, we tried to fight and suppress our feelings initially. I even went to a therapist to get rid to this desire but through the sessions I grew to accept my need for feminine expression as normal.

Cross-dressing is not synonymous with one's gender identity and the need for it stems from complex psychological needs ranging from curiosity, experimentation, sexual stimulation or simply a desire to break norms.

indiatimes/Sindhuja Parthasarathy

At times it helps one in exploring suppressed emotions and at others, its just an escape from reality. While all transgenders have started their transition journey with cross-dressing, not all cross-dressers are transgenders. While some cross-dress are very articulate about their motives, others simply say; I love it, dont know why or It just makes me happy which are pretty valid reasons one would say, to pursue it.

indiatimes/Sindhuja Parthasarathy

Puvi, an IT employee (and cross-dresser)from Pune asked, Why are women wearing pants normal and men wearing sari a sexual dysfunction? I just love fashion, for me, its a legitimate hobby like photography or travel or painting.

It seems then what constitutes cross-dressing itself is largely socially constructed. As Purvi remarked, women who wear trousers or men who wear kilt or sarong arent considered cross-dressers. It seems though that the stereotypical association of masculine with power and feminine with submission would, therefore, implicate that a man who wears feminine clothes steps down in the gendered social order. He is seen as a quasi-female in sari (or any female attire), a personification of the conflicted gender dynamic and so scorn-worthy.

Home away from home

During these festivals, most people revere us like Goddesses. No judgments or ridicule here, unlike in the cities we come from. Some of the devotees at the temple fall on our feet to seek blessings, assuming we are transgenders. It is almost impossible to explain to the crowd at the festival that we are cross dressers and so we happily bless them, says Leena, a retired army officer who has been cross-dressing for 40yrs now.

indiatimes/Sindhuja Parthasarathy

A legend goes that the Goddesses Gangamma rescued the women of Tirupati from rape and harassment from the then ruler Palegondulu. So year on year, people celebrate woman power at the annual fest Ganga Jatre. The fest, therefore, has become a safe haven for the cross-dressing men who connect on Facebook and then congregate at the Jatre.

Akin to camaraderie in the transgender community, one sees a strong bond among the cross-dressers too. Well, Sanjana gets me in ways that no one ever has. I meet her only thrice very year yet we have a deep bond said Simi.

The community also takes an active part in Chamayavillaku, a festival that celebrates Goddess Bhagavathy in a small village near Kollam.

indiatimes/Sindhuja Parthasarathy

Traditionally, the men of the town have been dressing up as women over many generations, to please the Goddesses and seek her blessings.

Rani who has been to both the festivals said, Its nice when the boys just take a selfie with us, we even enjoy the attention. But sometimes they get abusive (especially in chamayvilalku) and thats torturous. In a way, though it helps us understand what women go through; the constant glare, the touch and the hooting! It must be all so painful if one has to live with it every day. In a way, cross-dressing is helping us gain this wholly different life perspective.

It seems then that these are a bunch of people who have intuitively and experientially realised that gender isnt a binary classification but a continuum. Their masculine behaviours and experiences are probably incomplete, thus leaving them with a craving for the feminine. However, given the gender role rigidity in our society, men who break away from masculine norms frequently encounter discrimination more so if they challenge heteronormativity.

indiatimes/Sindhuja Parthasarathy

While to some extent advocacy for social change has increased the acceptance of the transgenders, there is hardly any relaxation on the constructions of gender roles for men.For the common man, who is yet to even decipher what being a transgender is, cross-dressing is a far-fetched idea.

A 10yr old girl in the temple at Tirupati voiced the thoughts of many devotees when she asked, neenga gentsa ladiesa? (Are you a gentleman or a lady?); Simi replied cheekily, Guess correctly and we will give you a chocolate.





Sindhuja Parthasarathy is an Independent Humanitarian/Documentary Photojournalist based out of India who has been journeying across the country creating compelling visual narratives of human rights violation. The core of her work explores gender equity, indigenous human rights issues and environment sustainability; keenly highlighting the complex socio-cultural anthropology elements and their interplay with humanitarianism.

For more visit : www.sindhusarathy.com
One more farmer has allegedly committed suicide in Maharashtra apparently due to indebtedness, taking the number of peasants who have killed themselves in the recent past to five.

Sandip Shelke, 25, who had participated in the recent stir by cultivators for various demands, allegedly hanged himself from a tree in his field in Kahamaswadi village on Friday. Read more

1. BJP President Amit Shah Calls Mahatma Gandhi A 'Chatur Baniya', Gets Trolled On The Internet

Mahatma Gandhi was clear that Congress had no ideology, was not formed based on a principle, and did not have any principle to run the country or government, BJP President Amit Shah has said.

The BJP President who is on a three-day visit to Chhattisgarh made the comment during an interaction with a collection of eminent persons of the state. Read more

2. Learning A Lesson From MP Farmers' Protest, Yogi Asks Banks Not To Send Notices To UP Farmers

With a farmers agitation simmering in Madhya Pradesh over a loan waiver demand, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed banks not to issue any notices of default to farmers in UP till his government comes good on its loan waiver announcement.

The UP government had in a cabinet meeting in April announced a Rs 36,500 crore loan waiver for nearly 86 lakh farmers in the state, one of the biggest loan waivers done by any state from its own coffers. Read more

3. Amid Sanctions And International Pressure, North Korea Says It Is Ready To Test Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

The repeated efforts of the likes of US, China and Japan to prevent the rogue regime of Kim Jong Un from getting its hands on an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) seems to have failed.

North Korea will soon be ready to test fire an ICBM, a state-run daily has said. Read more

4. Women Will Be A Part Of Military Police, And Then Take Up Combat Role In Indian Army

Women personnel in the Indian Army would first be inducted into the military police before considering other options in the armed force for them, Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat said.

"Firstly, we will start with women as military police jawans, will take next step after success," General Rawat said after attending a Passing out Parade ceremony. Read more

5. RSS Wants Its Members To Have Some 'Family Time' With All-New Kutumb Prabodhan Project

Remember the adage A family that eats together stays together? Well, its none other than the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) that is trying to revive the concept of family time with its project, Kutumb Prabodhan, or family awakening.

Under this, all family members must meet at least once a week and have at least one meal together, says RSS' Ravindra Joshi, the co-convener for the project and a retired professor of economics. Read more
Mahatma Gandhi was clear that Congress had no ideology, was not formed based on a principle, and did not have any principle to run the country or government, BJP President Amit Shah has said.

PTI

The BJP President who is on a three-day visit to Chhattisgarh made the comment during an interaction with a collection of eminent persons of the state.

According to a report in The Indian Express, Shah went on to say that Gandhiji was a bahut chatur baniya, who knew that Congress had a bleak future as a party as it was merely a special purpose vehicle to secure freedom.

Amit Shah calls Mahatma Gandhi as Chatur Baniya.Time & again BJP leaders keep insulting GandhiJi but dont hesitate to ask votes on his name. pic.twitter.com/6HyhBdUOIw  Invincible (@i_me_my5elf) June 10, 2017

"The Congress is not a party based on one ideology or one principle, it is [sic] a special purpose vehicle to gain independencethis is why Mahatma Gandhi with foresight, he was a very clever baniya, he knew what was going to happen, he said immediately after independence that the Congress should be dissolved," Shah said.

PTI

Taking a dig at the current state of the Congress and the leadership, Shah said "some people are now completing the job of dissolving the party, which Gandhiji couldn't.

He also went on to claim that clarity of thought helped (the BJP) take firm stances on issues.

Shah's comments however did not go down well with many.

Amit Shah calls Mahatma Gandhi #hindutwa ideology h bjp ki#sikh,budhist,jains,adivasi aur muslims# chatur baniye ne azadi dilai amit shah  sk azhar (@skazhar001) June 10, 2017

By calling Father of the nation 'Chatur Baniya' @AmitShah has proved, Money & Power doesn't guarantee 'class'. A Cheap person remains cheap.  Sadhavi Khosla (@sadhavi) June 10, 2017

Very disgusting remark of CHATUR BANIA for Mahatma Gandhi ....reflection of casteist and rotten mind ... @amitshah  PANKAJ CHOUDHARY (@PANCHOBH) June 10, 2017
Women personnel in the Indian Army would first be inducted into the military police before considering other options in the armed force for them, Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat said.

bccl/representational image

"Firstly, we will start with women as military police jawans, will take next step after success," General Rawat said after attending a Passing out Parade ceremony.

"Because many times, when people go to the operation, we have to face the people and many times ladies come in front of us," he said.

General Rawat had announced a few days back that soon the Indian Army would be considering women for combat roles.

bccl/representational image

General Rawat said that the process to allow women in combat roles is ongoing and they will be recruited for positions in the military police. Presently, women are only being recruited into selective areas of the army like medical, legal, educational, signals and engineering wings.

bccl

India will be joining countries like Germany, Australia, Canada, the United States, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden and Israel that have already allowed women in combat roles in their army.

Last year, in a major step forward, Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh became the first women fighter pilots to be formally commissioned by the Indian Air Force.
This is high time that the nations of the world unite to save the oceans and aquatic life. And now it seems that majority of the countries in the world have decided to do something. The 193 UN member nations have issued an urgent call for action to reverse the decline in the health and productivity of the world's oceans, with the United States backing the action plan but rejecting its support for the Paris agreement to tackle climate change.

afp/representational image

Ministers and diplomats yesterday burst into applause as the final document was gavelled to approval by consensus at the end of the first-ever UN conference on oceans.

It recognises the critical importance of the world's seas to the future of the planet: Covering three-quarter of the Earth, they supply nearly half the oxygen that we breathe, absorb over a quarter of the carbon dioxide we produce, provide food, and play key roles in water cycles and the climate system.

The government leaders called on people and organisations everywhere to take action to reverse the threats from plastic garbage, illegal and excessive fishing, rising sea levels that could wipe out small islands, and increasing acidity of ocean water that is killing marine life.

afp/representational image

While the call for action was unanimously approved, countries are allowed to express reservations afterward. Egypt and Russia also dissociated their governments from specific provisions, but the United States was the only country to oppose the Paris accord. And when France and the European Union spoke after the US and urged implementation of the climate deal, they received loud applause.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Balton, who is in charge of oceans and fisheries, noted President Donald Trump's announcement on June 1 that the United States will withdraw from the Paris agreement or renegotiate US participation, which has already been rejected by other countries.

But Balton said the US remains committed to work inside and outside the U.N. to address "threats to the ocean and to promote its conservation and sustainable management for this and future generations."

afp/representational image

General Assembly President Peter Thomson, a veteran diplomat from Fiji, said his goal for the five-day conference was to start the reversal of the decline of the oceans.

"I am 100 per cent satisfied," he said. "From this point onward nobody can say they are unaware. The bar has been raised on global consciousness and awareness." Thomson stressed when asked why there was no serious fighting over the call for action that the ocean is the common heritage of mankind and restoring its health is a great challenge of our time.

afp/representational image

"If it's dying, it's dying on all of us," he said. "When it comes to the ocean there's no them and us. It's all of us or nothing."

The call for action, while not legally binding, urges all "stakeholders" to take a series of urgent actions to heal the oceans.

afp/representational image

Other actions the governments urged include measures to protect coastal ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs, and to "end destructive fishing practices and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing" and restore fish stocks "in the shortest time feasible at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield." Governments also called for an end to certain subsidies which contribute to overfishing and illegal catches.

In 2015, world leaders adopted new UN goals for 2030 including on conserving and managing the ocean's resources.

ap/representational image

Many countries announced steps to reduce or eliminate the single use of plastics and stepped up efforts to reduce the amount of sewage and pollution entering the ocean. Many commitments focused on expanding scientific knowledge about the ocean, and there were new commitments on fishing including "no-take zones" for certain species and measures to combat illegal fishing.
While the world is mourning Islamic State attack on the Iranian Parliament that killed at least 17 people, the dreaded terrorist group has now threatened Saudi Arabia, Site Intelligence monitoring group reported on Friday.

Reuters

In a video that appeared to have been recorded before the attack on Tehran, five masked fighters were shown threatening Shias in Iran as well as the Saudi Arabian government saying their turn "will come".

Sickchirpse

"Allah permitting, this brigade will be the first of jihad in Iran, and we ask our brothers the Muslims to follow us, as the fire that was ignited will not be put out, Allah permitting," one of the masked fighters said, according to SITE.

At the end of the video, he sent a message to the Saudi government.

"Know that after Iran, your turn will come. By Allah, we will strike you in your own homes ... We are the agents of nobody. We obey Allah and His Messenger, and we are fighting for the sake of this religion, not for the sake of Iran or the Arabian Peninsula."

Front Page

Iranian authorities said five of the attackers were Iranian nationals recruited by IS, while Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards Corps blamed the assault on regional rival Saudi Arabia and has threatened revenge. Sunni Saudi Arabia denied any involvement in the attacks.
The Evil of Killing Children

By Jacob G. Hornberger

June 10, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Ever since the U.S. government was converted to a national-security state after World War II, sanctions and embargoes have been one of the principal means by which the U.S. government tries to achieve regime change in foreign countries. (Other means include assassination, coups, and invasions.)

Sanctions and embargoes target the citizenry of a nation whose ruler the U.S. government is trying to oust from power. The aim is to inflict so much economic suffering on the citizenry that they will rise up, revolt, oust their ruler from power, and install a regime that is satisfactory to U.S. officials. An alternative hope is that the suffering citizenry will pressure their governments military-intelligence establishment to oust their ruler in a coup, take military control of the government, and pledge allegiance to the U.S. government.

A good example of this phenomenon was the sanctions that the U.S. government imposed and enforced on Iraq throughout the 1990s, which killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi children.

What type of person could ever knowingly kill innocent children? If a private individual were to intentionally kill innocent children, my hunch is that most everyone would recognize that as the epitome of evil. Yet, strangely, I hardly ever come across an U.S. op-ed or an editorial commenting on the evil of killing Iraqi children with the sanctions that the U.S. government enforced for more than 10 years.

In fact, during the decade those Iraqi children were dying, year after year, I dont recall seeing many op-eds and editorials in the U.S. mainstream press pointing out the evil in killing innocent children. Its almost as if the deaths of those children were considered to be no big deal, especially since the killings were part of an ongoing sanctions policy, which has become a well-established part of U.S. foreign policy. I think the notion was that killing children by sanctions was different from lining them up against a wall and shooting them or exploding a bombing within their midst.

In 1996, the television news show 60 Minutes asked Madeleine Albright about the high death toll among Iraqi children from the sanctions. Why Albright? She was the U.S. governments official representative to the United Nations  the governments diplomatic spokesperson to the world.

60 Minutes asked Albright whether the deaths of half-a-million Iraqi children were worth it. By it they were referring to the U.S. governments attempt to achieve regime-change in Iraq, which would oust Iraqs ruler (and a former partner and ally of the U.S. government), Saddam Hussein, from power and replace him with a new approved U.S. ruler.

Albrights answer was revealing. She said that while the issue was a difficult one, the deaths were nonetheless worth it.

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But from a moral standpoint, how can the killing of even one innocent child be worth achieving a political end, much less hundreds of thousands of innocent children?

To my knowledge, not one single U.S. official, from President Bill Clinton on down, criticized, expressed disagreement with, or condemned Albrights statement. I can only assume that thats because most of them agreed with her sentiment. I can only assume that there were some in the mainstream press who disagreed with Albright, but I have never come across any op-ed or editorial that did so.

I find that amazing. How can people not see the evil in intentionally killing innocent children, especially to achieve a political end? How can people not see that a policy that kills innocent children as a way to pressure families to oust their ruler is the epitome of evil?

Thats not to say that everyone failed to recognize the evil in killing those Iraqi children. There were high officials in the United Nations who resigned their positions in a crisis of conscience and in protest against the U.S. sanctions, which one of them labeled a genocide. In 1998, UN humanitarian coordinator Denis Halliday resigned in protest over the killing of the Iraqi children. In 2000, his successor, Hans von Sponek, resigned for the same reason, followed by the resignation of Jutta Purghart, head of the UN World Food Programme in Iraq.

What did the UN have to do with all this? The U.S. government not only had imposed its own sanctions on Iraq, it had also used its power and influence to persuade the UN to do the same.

The resignations of those three high UN officials, unfortunately, did not succeed in persuading U.S. officials to abandon their sanctions against Iraq. The sanctions continued killing Iraqi children all the way through 2003, when the U.S. military, using the 9/11 attacks to garner support, invaded Iraq to achieve the regime change that the sanctions  and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi children  had failed to achieve. And as everyone knows, that regime-change invasion has resulted in another million or so dead people, including children, not to mention the number injured, maimed, tortured, assassinated, executed, or exiled or who have had their homes or businesses destroyed.

Interestingly enough, while the U.S. mainstream press failed to recognize the evil of killing children, a terrorist brought the issue to the forefront in 1993. The terrorist was Ramzi Yousef, who was convicted for bombing the World Trade Center in 1993. At Yousefs sentencing hearing in federal court, he angrily called U.S. officials butchers and cited the killing of those innocent Iraqi children as proof.

Why is it that some people are unable to see the evil in killing innocent children, especially as a means to achieve a political end? For the life of me, I just dont know the answer to that one.

Jacob G. Hornberger is founder and president of The Future of Freedom Foundation. He was born and raised in Laredo, Texas, and received his B.A. in economics from Virginia Military Institute and his law degree from the University of Texas. He was a trial attorney for twelve years in Texas. He also was an adjunct professor at the University of Dallas, where he taught law and economics. In 1987, Mr. Hornberger left the practice of law to become director of programs at the Foundation for Economic Education.
Want to Stop Terrorism? Get out of the Middle East

By Dr Geoff Davies

June 10, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The tragic loss of innocent lives to terrorist acts will not stop until we admit to the folly of current policies.

Lost amid the genuine anguish, the outrage, the media frenzy and the political posturing after each terrorist event in the West is a simple question: Why are they so angry, these terrorists?

You dont really have to look far for an answer.

Western powers have been meddling in the Middle East for a very long time. A few examples will suffice.

In 1953, Britain and the U.S. conspired to overthrow democratically-elected Iranian Prime Minister Mossadegh and replace him with a tyrant  the Shah of Iran . Mossadegh wanted to nationalise a British oil company and reap the profits for Iran. It was Irans oil, after all. The Shah was more obliging, and let the flows of profits and cheap oil to the West continue.

We know how well that ended. The Shahs iron-fisted repression eventually produced a fundamentalist theocratic revolution and a regime since labelled as one of the  axis of evil .

Saudi Arabia is well-known to be the source of Wahhabism , the fundamentalist Islamic sect that promotes the Sharia law so loathed and dreaded by the likes of Pauline Hanson. Yet Saudi Arabia is an ally of the U.S. and, perforce, of Australia. How come? Well, Saudi Arabia sits on the worlds biggest pool of oil.

Saudi Arabia has also given the world Osama bin Laden and most of the terrorists who brought down the Twin Towers in New York in 2001. Saudi Arabia is widely reputed to be the major, though unofficial, source of funds supporting Middle Eastern terrorists. So why is Saudi Arabia an ally?

The 2003 invasion of Iraq has been an unmitigated disaster. A recent estimate is that there have been nearly 200,000 civilian deaths in the aftermath. Iraq quickly descended into civil war and anarchy (as widely predicted), the conflict spread into neighbouring Syria and Islamic State, or ISIS , spread out of Syria. The conflict has been the major recruiting incentive to Islamic extremism and terrorism. Assessments to that effect even by our own intelligence agencies are occasionally leaked or mentioned indiscreetly .

The invasion of Iraq was illegal and based on a transparently flimsy allegation that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction . It was inflicted by Western governments in the face of clear opposition from their citizens, voiced through polls and the biggest street demonstrations since the Vietnam War era. Even in the U.S. only 50% of the people supported it. It was principally driven by President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, with our own Prime Minister Howard enthusiastically yapping along behind.

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The U.S. regularly conducts remote drone assassinations around the world. They were presided over for eight years by the saintly Barack Obama. These regularly kill innocent people, along with the alleged enemy target. That is, if the intelligence supposedly identifying the target is even reliable. Can you argue that death falling unpredictably from the sky is not terrorism?

There are many more terrorist attacks and innocent casualties in the Middle East itself than in Western countries, though only the latter attract a Western media frenzy.

The collapse of Syria into anarchy, which is the source of recent tides of refugees into Europe, was precipitated by a combination of the war in neighbouring Iraq and a prolonged and severe drought , plausibly aggravated by global warming. The latter, of course, is due to burning fossil fuels, including Middle Eastern oil.

Middle Eastern terrorism has been generated or severely aggravated by a century or more of political interference by Western powers for reasons of empire and oil. The oil has been used for the maintenance of Western military and industrial superiority. Even so, it could simply have been purchased, more cheaply, for a fair market price.

The dark irony is that burning all that oil will bring down the Western industrial system anyway, along with much else, through global warming.

So why are these young terrorists so angry? Is it really so hard to figure out?

The currently escalating cycle of outrage and counter-attack is destroying their countries and our once-open, liberal democracies, as more and more draconian police-state measures are imposed on us in a futile quest for security.

Western blundering around in the Middle East has been profoundly counter-productive. Worse, many Western actions verge into tolerance of or active collusion in terrorism.

The remedy is obvious: withdraw from the Middle East.

We manage to ignore or tolerate plenty of other tyrannical regimes around the world, so the likely continuation of outrages within the Middle East is not a reason for us to stay on. Our presence routinely makes things worse. The sooner we get out the sooner they are likely to begin the slow process of settling into less lethal arrangements.

Dr Geoff Davies is an author, commentator and scientist. Geoff is the author of The Rise and Failure of the Radical Right (2017, BetterNature Books). He blogs at Better Nature .
Was Russia Probing U.S. Electoral Systems?





Maybe, but gathering intelligence is not the same as full interference.



By Philip Giraldi

June 10, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The most recent Russiagate expose comes from The Intercept, which was founded by Glenn Greenwald and Jeremy Scahill. The site has been the source of a number of stories that rely on stolen or leaked government documents, including material from Edward Snowden. It has also produced some exemplary investigative reporting on U.S. government high crimes and misdemeanors of various kinds, including its account of the Obama Administration assassination program and, more recently, the misrepresentation by the White House of the military action in Yemen that killed an American Navy Seal.

The article appeared yesterday and is entitled Top-Secret NSA Report Details Russian Hacking Effort Days Before the 2016 Election. The report mentioned is dated May 5. The leaker, an NSA contractor named Reality Leigh Winner, working out of Georgia, came to the attention of the authorities after The Intercept contacted the NSA and asked for comments before it ran the article. It was asked not to run the piece, but was willing to redact some material at the request of the government. Winner was identified by microdot keys on the paper that led to the copier she had used. She has been arrested and charged under the Espionage Act and is the first Trump-era leaker to be prosecuted.

The article has inevitably caused quite a stir among those like myself, who believe passionately that Russiagate is mostly a politically-motivated fraud, and those on the other side of the fence, who think that Moscow did interfere in the recent presidential election with the intention of helping Donald Trump win.

At risk of oversimplifying, I would summarize the article and the NSA document it is based on as follows: The report described two cyberattacks that its NSA authors attribute to Russias military intelligence unit, the GRU. The first attack evidently to obtain information on elections-related software and hardware solutions was on August 24, 2016, directed against a company that markets voter registration software. The second occurred about a week before the election, directed against 122 local election officials, presumably in the eight states where the company operated. The attacks employed spear phishing, which is using spoof emails to deceive users into accessing links or attachments that install malware on the computer of the user. The spoof emails were reportedly sent from two email providers, Googles Gmail and Microsofts Outlook.com, so they would look benign to a United States user.

According to the NSA report, the first attack on the American company, subsequently revealed to be VR Systems of Florida, was likely successful and the information obtained was used to create emails that would look authentic to the recipients for the second wave of attacks, which began on October 31 and November 1. The report describes the second series of attacks as a voter registration themed spear-phishing campaign targeting U.S. local government organizations.

VR Systems products are used by electoral commissions in California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

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In its article, The Intercept opines that the report indicates that Russian hacking may have penetrated further into U.S. voting systems than was previously understood. If everything related in the report is true, indeed it does, and it somewhat challenges Russian President Vladimir Putins recent emphatic claim that his country had not interfered in the U.S. election.

The Intercept article cites an unnamed intelligence official who cautioned against drawing too big a conclusion from the document because a single analysis is not necessarily definitive. To that I would add, even if it is all true as described. And I would also make some additional observations about what the report and Intercept article are suggesting. First and foremost would be the questions of scale and timing. There is no evidence that the Russians, or whoever carried out the probes, were able to tamper with either the actual voting process or the tabulation of votes. Indeed, the NSA report dismisses any such possibility. Second, corrupting an election in a country as large as the United States with an electoral system that is largely decentralized would require much more than a probe of 122 local officials starting a week before the balloting. So there was clearly no intention to disrupt the election or to tilt it in a certain direction based on the evidence provided by the NSA report.

I would also note that there is no proof provided in the report to support the assertion that the GRU, Russian military-intelligence service, carried out the probes. Would a highly-sophisticated intelligence service behave so transparently in an operation that would certainly be regarded as highly sensitive? I think not. Cut-outs would have been used to misdirect anyone looking to determine the hand behind the hacks.

All of which is not to say the Russian government didnt do it or order it done, but it seems to me that the revelations provided in the NSA report do not go very far beyond the kind of random probings that are part and parcel of foreign-intelligence operations as carried out by any sophisticated service. Did someone in Moscow think it might be useful to have some kind of idea of how to meddle with U.S. election technology if that type of info might prove useful down the road? Quite possibly. It should be noted that the U.S. National Security Agency illegally collects vast quantities of information on ordinary Americans but that does not necessarily imply intent to use it in a malicious way. It is a desirable capability and intelligence agencies are always working to expand their reach.

So was Russian intelligence probing U.S. electoral systems? Quite plausibly yes, and it should be a matter of concern for every American as it suggests a vulnerability in the electronics behind how we vote. But The answer is clearly no. The article and the document it is based on should serve as a wake-up call to those who are complacent about the security of our technologies. But on a political level, we are back to square one, with often hysterical allegations surfaced as part of the media and political storm we now refer to as Russiagate.

Philip Giraldi, a former CIA officer, is executive director of the Council for the National Interest
Venezuela  Confronting the Propaganda Media Machine

By Peter Koenig

June 10, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - On 8 of June, I had the privilege to attend a press conference hosted by the Venezuelan Ambassador in Bern, Switzerland. The purpose of the press conference was to clarify the current highly misrepresented situation in Venezuela, as well as explaining the process of electing a new National Constitutional Assembly (Asamblea Nacional Constituyente  ANC) on July 30, 2017.

In his hour-long presentation, the Ambassador introduced the issues at stake by explaining that Venezuela today has the largest known oil reserves in the world and the fourth largest deposits of gas; that the US is importing 60% of its lush energy use (a distant first of the globes per capita energy users), mostly from the Middle East, where it is subject to long and costly transport (40-45 days), and to many risk factors, including the Gulf of Hormuz, controlled by Iran, where today about one third of all the worlds petrol must pass through.

By contrast, shipments of petroleum from Venezuela across the Caribbean to the refineries in Texas takes only 4-5 days.

This is the main reason why Venezuela is in the White Houses crosshairs, plus, of course, the fact that for Washington it is totally intolerable to have a sovereign socialist Republic in its backyard  and so close, the same syndrome applies also for Cuba, a genuinely successful socialist nation, having survived almost sixty years of atrocious and criminal American strangulation. There is no tolerance for sovereign independent countries that do not bend to the dictate of the United States and her behind the scene handlers.

The Ambassador then went on explaining the process of the upcoming election of the National Constitutional Assembly (ANC). He described the process of direct democracy, where Venezuelans elect their delegates by region and by sector, and where of course, the opposition was also supposed to participate, although the oppositions leadership has already declared they would boycott the process.

The elected new ANC would then be called to amend the Constitution of 1999, to adapt it to todays circumstances. The current Constitution was approved in a similar democratic process by the people and sanctioned by the ANC one year after President Hugo Chavez Frias became President in 1998. The 1999 Constitution is still valid and adhered to until this day.

The July election will choose 545 members to the National Assembly, of which two thirds (364) would be elected on a regional or territorial basis, and one third (181) by sectors of professions or activities, i.e. students, farmers, unions of different labor forces, employees, business owners  and so on. This cross-section of peoples representation is the most solid basis for democracy.

The Ambassador assured the journalists that there will be a very high peoples participation in the elections, as was the case for the 19 democratic elections that took place since1998, when Comandante Chavez became President.

This election should be an opportunity for the opposition to gather as many Assembly seats as possible, and then help shape the new Constitution in a fully democratic process. Not by street violence.

The fact that the opposition is planning to boycott the election shows clearly, they are not interested in democracy. They have one goal only, to oust President Maduro and take power, privatize state assets, especially hydrocarbons (petroleum and gas) to hand them to international mainly US corporations to be exploited at no benefits for the Venezuelan people.

This was precisely the case before President Chavez took the reins of the country. Foreign corporations, almost all North Americans, left not a dollar in tax revenues in Venezuela.

Venezuela today is arguably the only true democracy in the western world, as said on numerous occasions by Professor Noam Chomsky, MIT.

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To counter the neoliberal mainstream medias (MSM) demonization of the Bolivarian Revolution and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and her President Nicolas Maduro, the Ambassador showed various videos demonstrating that the instigators of violence were clearly the armed opposition. They are constituted and led by a rich elite and supported ideologically and financially from outside.

Among different foreign sources of support and funding, most of them American, is the infamous National Endowment for Democracy  NED, a so called fake NGO think-tank (sic), receiving from the US State Department hundreds of millions of dollars per year to spread democracy American style around the globe, i.e. training local rebel groups abroad and within the targeted country to provoke instability through unrest and violence; distribute anti-government propaganda, infiltrate the media, universities and so on. They are the same who were responsible for the so-called Arab Spring and the Color Revolutions in former Soviet Republics, including Ukraine.

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The facts explained and demonstrated by the Ambassador showed clearly who was responsible for most of the 67 deaths and more than 1,200 injured within the last couple of months.

This is all supported by unmistakable videos, showing government supporters, who are despite what the western media are saying, the vast majority  between 70% and 80%, demonstrating peacefully and unarmed.

However, western media twists and manipulates the truth to become anti-Venezuela propaganda, including video clips presented out of context, or outright falsified, blame the aggression on the government supporters, accusing authorities and police of oppressing civil liberties, of dictatorship, of killing its own people.

The western MSM do not show the weaponized right-wing opposition attacking police with explosives, putting police cars on fire and throwing Molotov cocktails and more sophisticated explosives at police and authorities.

This point of opposition violence, blackmail and more, is clearly demonstrated by a recent US journalist covering the riots for the pan-Latin American TeleSur TV. Ms. Abby Martin, the host of the Empire Files, an investigative program, told RT (Russia Today) that she received numerous death threats from opposition fighters during her work on the ground in Venezuela. She says protesters threatened to lynch and burn her alive if she tried to contradict their narrative ( https://www.rt.com/news/391338-us-journalist-venezuela-threats/ ). This is to be taken seriously, because several journalists have already been murdered by the opposition.



The Ambassador made two very important points that the west should listen to. He said, that despite the violent social upheavals, the government is respecting the principles of democracy and has not declared a State of Emergency or Martial Law, nor curtailed private-owned foreign media slandering Venezuela with lies.

This contrasts with other countries, like France which for the past two years has been under a declared State of Emergency, just a small step below Martial Law, and is about to put this state of permanent militarization into her Constitution; or take Argentina which is suppressing foreign media like TeleSur (and were at the point of shutting down also RT), because they are telling Argentinians the inconvenient truth.



When the Ambassador opened the floor for questions and comments, most of the journalists present were polite, seeking clarifications of the election process. But there were two sore thumbs sticking out, the representatives of the two largest and most neoliberal Swiss newspapers, the Neue Zurcher Zeitung (NZZ) and the Tagesanzeiger.

They came with a specific agenda. It seems they didnt listen to anything the Ambassador said. They simply hurled their list of insults, accusations and offensive negative lie-propaganda at the Ambassador. Both of them are what one would assume in Switzerland, educated people. They must know the truth. If they dont say the truth, they are most likely bought agents of the Anglo-Zionist network that controls 90% of the news throughout the western world. After they accomplished their mission of insulting the Ambassador, they left the conference.

Isnt it a journalists foremost obligation to adhere to a code of ethics?  Thats what they were taught at universities, to seek the truth and portray the truth as objectively as possible.

And what about Switzerland? A country that boasts about its neutrality, appears to have completely abandoned her noble principles and moved to become Europes epicenter of neoliberalism. No wonder, such alternative international media like TeleSur and RT are not publicly offered to households by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG), the monopoly holder (90%) of Swiss television and radio providers.
The Crisis in Qatar



Yet another clumsy attempt by the Three Rogue States to weaken Iran



By The Saker

First, a quick whos who

June 10, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - We will probably never find out what truly was discussed between Trump, the Saudis and the Israelis, but there is little doubt that the recent Saudi move against Qatar is the direct results of these negotiations. How do I know that? Because Trump himself said so ! As I mentioned in a recent column, Trumps catastrophic submission to the Neocons and their policies have left him stuck with the KSA and Israel , another two rogue states whose power and, frankly, mental sanity, are dwindling away by the minute.

While the KSA and Qatar have had their differences and problems in the past, this time around the magnitude of the crisis is much bigger than anything the past. This is a tentative and necessarily rough outline of who is supporting whom:

Supporting the Saudis ( according to Wikipedia ) Supporting Qatar (according to me) United Arab Emirates , Bahrain , Egypt , Maldives , Yemen (they mean the pro-Saudi regime in exile), Mauritania , Comoros , Libya (Tobruk government), Jordan , Chad , Djibouti , Senegal , United States , Gabon. Turkey , Germany , Iran.

Questions, many questions

The situation is very fluid and all this might change soon, but do you notice something weird in the list above? Turkey and Germany are supporting Qatar even though the US is supporting the KSA. Thats two major NATO member states taking a position against the USA.

Next, look at the list supporting the Saudis: except for the USA and Egypt they are all militarily irrelevant (and the Egyptians wont get militarily involved anyway). Not so for those opposing the Saudis, especially not Iran and Turkey. So if money is on the side of the Saudis, firepower is on the side of Qatar here.

Then, Gabon? Senegal? Since when are those two involved in Persian Gulf politics? Why are they taking sides in this faraway conflict? A quick look at the 10 conditions the Saudis demand that the Qataris fullfil does not help us understand their involvement either:

Immediate severance of diplomatic relations with Iran, Expulsion of all members of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas from Qatar, Freezing all bank accounts of Hamas members and refraining from any deal with them, Expulsion of all Muslim Brotherhood members from Qatar, Expulsion of anti-[P]GCC elements, Ending support for terrorist organizations, Stopping interference in Egyptian affairs, Ceasing the broadcast of the Al Jazeera news channel, Apologizing to all [Persian] Gulf governments for abuses by Al Jazeera, Pledging that it (Qatar) will not carry out any actions that contradict the policies of the [P]GCC and adhering to its charter.

The Saudis also handed over a list of individuals and organizations they want banned (see here ).

Looking at these conditions it becomes pretty clear that Iran and the Palestinians (especially Hamas) are high on the list of demands. But why would Gabon or Senegal care about this?

More interestingly, why is ISRAEL not listed as a country supporting the KSA?

As always, the Israelis themselves are much more honest about their role in all this. Well, maybe they dont quite say we done it but they write articles like  Five reasons why Israel should care about the Qatar crisis  which lists all the reasons why the Israelis are delighted:

It hurts Hamas It brings Israel closer to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the Gulf It shows US influence is back in the region It delegitimizes terrorism It bolsters Israels hand in general and Israels government in particular

That kind of honesty is quite refreshing, even if it is primarily for internal, Israeli, consumption. Quick check with a Palestinian source  yup, the Israelis are backing the KSA. This is hardly surprising, no matter how hard the western corporate media tries to not notice this.

What about the USA? Do they really benefit from this crisis?

The USA has what might possibly the largest USAF base worldwide in Qatar, the Al Udeid Air Base . Furthermore, the forward headquarters of United StatesCENTCOM are also located in Qatar. To say that these are crucial US infrastructures is an understatement  one could argue that these are the most important US military facilities anywhere in the world outside the United States. Thus one would logically conclude that the very last thing the US would want is any type of crisis or even tensions anywhere near such vital facilities yet it quite clear that the Saudis and the Americans are acting in unison against Qatar. This makes no sense, right? Correct. But now that the US has embarked on a futile policy of military escalation in Syria it should come as no surprise that the two main US allies in the region are doing the same thing.

Besides, was there ever a time with the Trump Administrations policies in the Middle-East made any logical sense at all? During the election campaign they were, shall we say, 50/50 (excellent on ISIS, plain stupid about Iran). But ever since the January coup against Flynn and Trumps surrender to the Neocons all we have seen in one form of delusional stupidity after another.

Objectively, the crisis around Qatar is not good at all for the USA. But that does not mean that an Administration which has been taken over by hardcore ideologues is willing to accept this objective reality. What we have here is a very weak Administration running a rapidly weakening country desperately trying to prove that it has still a lot of weight to throw around. And if that is, indeed, the plan, it is a very bad one, one bound to fail and one which will result in a lot of unintended consequences.

Back to the real world

What we have here is a severe case of smoke and mirrors and what is really taking place is, yet again, a clumsy attempt by the Three Rogue States (USA, Saudi Arabia, Israel) to weaken Iran.

Of course, there are other contributing factors here, but the big deal, the core of the problem, is what I would call the rapidly growing gravitational pull of Iran and the corresponding orbital decay of the entire region closer and closer to Iran. And just to make things worse, the Three Rogue States are visibly and inexorably losing their influence over the region: the USA in Iraq and Syria, Israel in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia in Yemen  all three have embarked on military operations which ended up being abject failures and which, far from showing that these countries were powerful, showed how weak they really are. Even worse is the fact that Saudis are facing a severe economic crisis with no end in sight, while Qatar has become the richest country on the planet, mostly thanks to an immense gas field that Qatar shares with Iran.

It could appear that Qatar is not such a big threat to Saudi Arabia after all, being  unlike Iran  another Salafi country, but in reality this is very much part of the problem: over the past couple of decades the Qataris have felt their new wealth give them means completely out of proportion with their physical size: not only did they create the most influential media empire of the Middle-East, al-Jazeera, but they even embarked on a foreign policy of their own which made them key players in the crises in Libya, Egypt and Syria. And yes, Qatar had become a prime supporter of terrorism, but so are the United States, Saudi Arabia or Israel, so that is just a hollow pretext. The real Qatari crime was to refuse, on purely pragmatic reasons, to join into the massive anti-Iranian campaign imposed on the region by Saudi Arabia and Israel. Unlike the long list of countries which had to voice their support for the Saudi position, the Qataris had the means to simply say no and chart its own course.

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What the Saudis now are hoping for is that Qatar will yield to the threats and that the Saudi-lead coalition will prevail without having a hot war against Qatar. How likely they are to achieve this result is anyones guess, but I am personally rather dubious (more about this later).

What about Russia in all that?

The Russians and the Qataris have butted heads many times over, especially over Syria and Libya where Qatar played an extremely toxic role in being the prime financiers of various takfiri terrorist groups. Furthermore, Qatar is Russias number one competitor in many LNG (liquefied natural gas) markets. There were also other crises between the two countries, including what appears to be a Russian assassination of the Chechen terrorist Leader Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev and the subsequent torture and trial of two Russian Embassy employees accused of being involved in the assassination (they were sentenced to life in prison and eventually sent back to Russia). Still, the Russians and the Qataris are eminently pragmatic peoples and the two countries mostly maintained a cordial, if careful, relationship which even included some joint economic ventures.

It is highly unlikely that Russia will intervene directly in this crisis unless, of course, Iran is directly attacked. The good news is that such a direct attack on Iran is unlikely as none of the Three Rogue States really have any stomach to take on Iran (and Hezbollah). What Russia will do is use her soft power, political and economic , to slowly try to reel Qatar into the Russian orbit according to the semi-official strategy of the Russian Foreign Ministry which is to turn enemies into neutrals, neutrals into friends, friends into allies. Just like with Turkey, the Russians will gladly help, especially since they know that this help will buy them some very precious influence in the region.

Iran, the real target of it all

The Iranians are now openly saying that the recent terrorist attack in Tehran was ordered by Saudi Arabia . Technically speaking, that means that Iran is now at war . In reality, of course, as the real local superpower, Iran is acting with calm and restraint : the Iranians fully understand that this latest terrorist attack is a sign of weakness, if not desperation, and that the best reaction to it is to act the same way the Russians reacted to the bombings in Saint Petersburg: stay focused, calm and determined. Just like the Russians, the Iranians have now also offered to send food to Qatar but it is unlikely that they will intervene militarily unless the Saudis really go crazy. Besides, with Turkish forces soon deployed in Qatar , the Iranians have no real need for any displays of military might. I would argue that the simple fact that neither the USA nor Israel have dared to directly attack Iran since 1988 (since shooting down by the US Navy of the Iran Air Flight 655 Airbus ) is the best proof of the real Iranian military power.

So where are we heading?

That is truly impossible to predict, if only because the actions of the Three Rogue States can hardly be described as rational. Still, assuming nobody goes crazy, my personal feeling is that Qatar will prevail and that the latest Saudi attempt to prove how powerful the Kingdom still is will fail, just like all the previous ones (in Bahrain 2011, Syria 2012 or Yemen 2015). Time is also not on the side of the Saudis. As for the Qataris, they have already clearly indicated that they are unwilling to surrender and that they will fight . The Saudis have already taken the outrageous decision to impose a blockade of a fellow Muslim country during the holy month of Ramadan. Will they really now further escalate and commit an act of aggression against a fellow Muslim country during that month? They might, but it is hard to believe that even they could be that ignorant of the Muslim public opinion. But if they dont, then their operation will lose a lot of momentum while the Qataris will be given time to prepare politically, economically, socially and militarily. Qatar might be small, and the Qataris themselves not very numerous, but their immense pockets allow them to quickly line up any amount of suppliers and contractors willing to help them out. This is case where the famous market forces will act to Qatars advantage.

The Qatari Foreign Minister is expected in Moscow on Saturday and it is pretty obvious what the talks will be about: while Russia will not put all her political weight to support the Qataris, the Kremlin might accept becoming a mediator between the KSA and Qatar. If that happens, that would be the ultimate irony: the main outcome of the Saudi-Israeli-US operation will make Russia an even more influential player in the region. As for Qatar itself, the outcome of this crisis will probably articulate itself along Nietzschean lines: That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.

Conclusion

I see this latest crisis as yet another desperate attempt by the Three Rogue States to prove that they are still the biggest and baddest guys on the block and, just like the previous ones, I think that it will fail. For example, I just dont see the Qataris shutting down al-Jazeera, one of their most powerful weapons. Nor do I see them breaking all diplomatic relations with Iran as those two states are joined at the hip by the immense South Pars gas condensate field . The immense wealth of the Qataris also means that they have very powerful supporters worldwide who right now, as I write these lines, are probably on the phone making calls to very influential people and indicating to them in no unclear terms that Qatar is not to be messed with.

If anything this crisis will only serve to push Qatar further into the warm embrace of other countries, including Russia and Iran, and it will further weaken the Saudis.

The Three Rogue States have the same problem: their military capability to threaten, bully or punish is rapidly eroding and fewer and fewer countries out there fear them. Their biggest mistake is that instead of trying to adapt their policies to this new reality, they always chose to double-down over and over again even though they fail each time, making them look even weaker and their initial predicament even worse. This is a very dangerous downward spiral and yet the Three Rogue States seem unable to devise any other policy.

I will end this column by comparing what Presidents Putin and Trump are doing these days as I find this comparison highly symbolic of the new era we are living in:

Trump, after bombing a few technicals (44 trucks with a machine gun) and trucks in Syria, the proceeded to tweet that Comey was a liar and a leaker.

As for Putin, he participated the latest meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) which welcomed both Pakistan and India as full members. The SCO now represents over half of all the people living on our planet and one quarter of the worlds GDP. You can think of it as the other G8, or the G8 that matters.

I submit that this quick comparison of agenda really says I all.

UPDATE1 : Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is now telling the Saudis to cool it . The Saudi-Israeli plan is beginning to collapse.
Home The Resurrection Of Jeremy Corbyn: Truth As An Effective Political Weapon By Mark Weisbrot June 10, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the UKs Labour Party, has made a remarkable comeback after his political obituary had been written and widely accepted as recently as seven weeks ago. Although the Tories, led by Theresa May, will still have the largest number of seats, they have lost their majority, after calling the election in the belief that they would increase it. Labour has picked up at least 29 seats. The result is a hung parliament, and it is not yet clear whether a coalition government will be formed or new elections will have to be held. Observers have pointed to various historical causes that have brought Corbyn to his leadership position and kept him there, such as the failure of the centrist, neoliberal project of New Labour to provide economic security or even much of a future for the partys working class base; or Tony Blairs deeply unpopular foreign policy, including the Iraq War and the lies on which it was sold. Many have made the comparison to Bernie Sanders, who despite losing his primary bid last year is currently the most popular active politician in the US, and is especially well-liked among younger people. The appeal of these two senior citizens to youth is striking, and it bodes well for the future. But one of the most important lessons of the Corbyn comeback is that the truth, so often dismissed as the first casualty of politics, can be an effective weapon. After the Manchester terrorist attack, Corbyn said something that no party leader in the US would say during an election campaign: Many experts, including professionals in our intelligence and security services, have pointed to the connections between wars our government has supported or fought in other countries and terrorism here at home. Corbyn opposed UK involvement in the wars in Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, and Syria. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, a Trump-like buffoonish character with the moral compass of a sewer rat, responded in character, saying that Corbyns statement was absolutely monstrous and that it was extraordinary and inexplicable in this week of all weeks that there should be any attempt to justify or to legitimate the actions of terrorists in this way. But these dishonest attacks, echoed by some of the UKs largest media outlets, didnt stick because people knew that Corbyn was telling the truth. A poll this week for The Independent in the UK found 75 percent in agreement that interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya have made atrocities on UK soil more likely. There is an important lesson here: the only way to prevent the right from constantly capitalizing on, and perpetuating, the cycle of terrorism and foreign military intervention is to explain to people what is actually happening. President Obama actually said it for a few seconds in an interview with Vice News back in March 2015: ISIL is direct outgrowth of al-Qaeda in Iraq, which grew out of our invasion. But the major media looked the other way; in the US, it was the more right-wing outlets and blogs who took note because they thought it was scandalous and would hurt Obama. No Advertising - No Government Grants - This Is Independent Media Get Our Free Daily Newsletter Of course, Obama could have gone further and explained that al-Qaeda itself, including Osama bin Laden, was a product of billions of dollars of US support for jihadists in Afghanistan in the 1980s; not to mention Washingtons close alliance with what remains the ideological center and major financier of Islamic extremism: Saudi Arabia. [T]he only way to prevent the right from constantly capitalizing on... the cycle of terrorism and foreign military intervention is to explain to people what is actually happening. Few have the courage to say that the Wests threat from terrorism is overwhelmingly blowback from its interventions because they are afraid of responses like those of Boris Johnson and the UK media. But it needs to be said here too, not least because the War on Terror is the last refuge for discredited, right-wing politicians like Donald Trump, who is otherwise on the road to self-destruction. Republicans used the build-up to the Iraq War to keep the US Congress in 2002; and despite the fact that the war was already a disastrous failure by 2004, it helped George W. Bush get re-elected. The Labour Manifesto was also an act of courage, sticking to the principles of economic and social justice that had long motivated the partys base as well as most of its voters. It proposed a substantial expansion of the national health service, government-provided child care, labor rights legislation to increase the bargaining power of workers, prevented increases in the retirement age, and increased public investment. Taxes on corporations, high-income earners, and financial transactions would be increased to pay for new social spending. As with Bernie Sanders proposals for free college tuition, universal health care, and taxes on Wall Street, it has been a mass movement led by younger people that put these popular reforms on the political map. The UK election also, unfortunately, shows the power that the mass media has over what many people think, and therefore over electoral possibilities. In the US, the major media helped keep Bernie from the Democratic nomination mostly by giving him relatively little coverage. The UK media, especially the newspapers read by millions, are more aggressively partisan and they have engaged in a war of character assassination against Corbyn. By April 18, when Prime Minister Theresa May announced the elections, the media had almost succeeded in finishing off Corbyn and ensuring a Tory landslide. What gave Corbyn new life was partly the Labour Manifesto, which allowed many voters to see that he stood for things that they believed in. And he also got a boost from electoral laws regulating the TV media that kicked in at the beginning of May. These are intended to give equal television time to the contending parties. We will need a more fair and impartial media in the US, among other reforms , if we are going to move toward a more democratic political system. But the most important lesson from the UK election is that some of the most important truths that the media wont touch are not necessarily to be feared by genuine political leaders. Mark Weisbrot is Co-Director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington, D.C., and the president of Just Foreign Policy . He is also the author of the book  Failed: What the Experts Got Wrong About the Global Economy  (2015, Oxford University Press). You can subscribe to his columns here . The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Humor: Socialism Strikes Back! Jonathan Pie 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
Inside the US Fight to Fix Israels Global Standing

US and Israel lead a campaign of intimidation against the UN to forcibly rehabilitate Israels international standing

By Jonathan Cook

June 10, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The Trump administration is using unprecedented threats and financial blackmail against the United Nations and its agencies to end their focus on human rights abuses by Israel, according to analysts and Palestinian leaders.

They accuse the United States of joining Israel in a campaign of intimidation against the UN secretariat and member states to forcibly rehabilitate Israels international standing.

The offensive comes after the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu had faced several years of criticism in diplomatic circles for refusing to engage in a peace process with the Palestinians.

An early indication of the new campaigns success, analysts noted, was the election last week of Danny Danon as a vice-president of the UNs main representative forum, the General Assembly.

Danon has been Israels ambassador to the UN since 2015.

He is known as an arch-opponent of the two-state solution and, before heading to the UN in New York, had repeatedly called for Israel to annex most of the West Bank.

US attorney for Israel

It is views like Danons, which are increasingly dominant inside the Israeli government, that have driven a swelling boycott movement, as well as increasing comparisons between Israel and apartheid South Africa.

The US and Israel are now jointly engaged in street fighting at the UN, a Western diplomat, who wished to remain anonymous, told Al Jazeera. Washington is throwing its weight around and bullying people. The old rules of diplomacy have been thrown out of the window.

That view was confirmed by Hanan Ashrawi, a former Palestinian negotiator and member of the PLO Executive Committee.

The Trump administration has become a very vocal and aggressive attorney for Israel, she told Al Jazeera. It threatens consequences for anyone seen to be supporting the Palestinians or criticising Israel.

Danon will take up his new post in September, chairing sessions of the General Assembly, helping to set its agenda and overseeing enforcement of rules and decorum during its meetings.

New sheriff in town

The increasingly overt alliance between Israel and the US at the UN was highlighted this week when Danon escorted Nikki Haley, Trumps envoy to the UN, on a visit to Israel.

In a speech to the US pro-Israeli lobby group AIPAC in March, Haley promised to be a new sheriff in town at the UN.

On the way to Israel, Haley stopped in Geneva to berate one of the UNs chief agencies, the Human Rights Council (UNHRC), for what she termed its chronic anti-Israel bias. Its behaviour makes a mockery not of Israel, but of the Council itself, she added.

She threatened that the US would pull out of the UNHRC if it did not rein in its criticism.

In April, Haley issued a similar warning when she took over the rotating presidency of the UNs most powerful body, the Security Council. She told members that their monthly Middle East debates would now focus on Iran, Syria, Hamas and Hezbollah, not Israel.

Apartheid report retracted

Israel and the White House have been leaning on other key UN agencies.

In March, the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia was forced to retract an expert report after it concluded that Israel had established an apartheid regime ruling over the Palestinians.

And last month the US condemned a resolution by the UNs cultural agency, UNESCO, after it called on Israel to uphold international law and end policies that were changing the religious and cultural character of occupied East Jerusalem.

Although the resolution passed, most European countries either abstained or voted against it. Afterwards, Netanyahu crowed: The number of countries who support this absurd UNESCO resolution is getting smaller.

Threat to UN budget

All this has been occurring against the drumbeat of threats from the Trump administration that it is ready to impose drastic cuts to the UN budget. Washington is the UNs biggest contributor, covering nearly $13.5bn of the world bodys funding.

The main factor behind Danons promotion is blackmail by the Trump administration, said Ashrawi. It is threatening to withhold UN funding and it is clear member states are scared.

Nathan Thrall, author of a new book on Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy, The Only Language They Understand, said the campaign had forced the Palestinians to back off from diplomatic initiatives at the UN.

Over the past seven years, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas placed an emphasis on the struggle to win recognition of Palestinian statehood at the UN. That included joining a UN agency, UNESCO, in 2011. The US responded by suspending its UNESCOs funding.

The Palestinians are afraid what Trump might do, Thrall told Al Jazeera. If the US starts making global institutions collapse, the Palestinian leadership are worried they will get the blame from other countries.

Peacekeeping operations and humanitarian assistance would be among the UN operations expected to suffer. The Palestinians dont want to lose friends when they need them most, added Thrall.

Rights enfant terrible

Danon, aged 46, was selected for the role of General Assembly vice-president by a regional faction at the UN known as the Western European and Others Group. It includes most European countries, plus Israel, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

The election of vice-presidents is organised on a regional basis to ensure fair geographical representation.

Salah Bardawil, a senior Hamas official, tweeted that Danons elevation was a mark of Cain on the UNs forehead.

Israel has been the subject of dozens of resolutions condemning its violations of the UN charter  far more than any other member state. But in particular, the choice of Danon has disturbed Palestinian leaders. Until recently, his was widely seen as the enfant terrible of the Israeli right.

Netanyahu sacked Danon from his post as deputy defence minister in summer 2014, during Israels attack on Gaza, in which some 500 Palestinian children were killed. He called Danon irresponsible for describing Israels military operation as too lenient.

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Salam Fayyad blocked

When Netanyahu announced Danons posting as ambassador a year later, Israeli analysts described the decision as a cruel joke.

Ashrawi noted that Danons treatment at the UN contrasted strongly with that of Salam Fayyad, the former Palestinian prime minister.

Efforts by the US Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, to appoint Fayyad, a Palestinian moderate, as the UN envoy to Libya were blocked by the US in February. Haley described the move as against Israel and added: The United States will act, not just talk, in support of our allies.

Even before Trump, there were signs that Israels fortunes at the UN were changing.

Last year, Danon made history becoming the first Israeli ambassador to chair a permanent committee  dealing, paradoxically, with international law, the subject on which Israel has faced most criticism. Again, Danon received the backing of the Western European and Others Group.

However, Danons relations with the previous US administration were strained. In late 2012 he accused President Barack Obama of being no friend of Israel.

Security Council seat?

By contrast, Danon has been enthusiastically embraced by the Trump administration, observed Thrall.

Israel is doing well diplomatically, at the moment. There are rumours that it aspires to a seat in the Security Council. The climate is such that some Israeli politicians even seem to think that might be achievable.

Interviewed by the settlers news agency Arutz Sheva last month, Danon said there was a new spirit at the UN. They no longer focus only on Israel. The UN is no longer the Palestinian playground. Something is changing here.

Of his relationship with Haley, he told the Orthodox Jewish magazine Mishpacha in April: When it comes to Israel, we share the same views.

Making new friends

Although the world body has been viewed as traditionally hostile to Israel, experts have cited several factors that explain Israels changing fortunes.

In recent years, Israel has made strategic alliances with powerful states at the UN, in addition to its main ally in Washington. Israel has won favour often through arms sales and intelligence sharing.

The diplomat, who has worked in Israel, said: Israel has been reaching out to emerging economies in BRICS [Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa] as well as Mexico. That is starting to pay a diplomatic dividend.

Also, Europe, which is in growing disarray, has abandoned even the pretence of acting as a counterweight to Washington. That has made it easier to win over European countries to Israels side.

Thrall noted: The apparent calculus in countries like the UK is that the best way to ingratiate themselves with the US is to be good to Israel.

And the UN, mired in financial difficulties, is reeling from the threat of further penalties from the US and its allies if it continues to be seen as anti-Israel.

Israel and the US are ready to break the international order to get their way, said the diplomat. People are scared of what they might be capable of doing.

Jonathan Cook is a Nazareth- based journalist and winner of the Martha Gellhorn Special Prize for Journalism. http://www.jonathan-cook.net/
Saudi Royals Bring Trump into Line





Donald Trump once condemned Saudi sponsorship of terrorism but  after his lavish reception in Riyadh and Saudi promises of rich arms deals  he has fallen under the kingdoms spell, as Daniel Lazare explains.



By Daniel Lazare

June 10, 2017 " Information Clearing House " -Donald Trumps statements in response to the Qatar, Saudi and Iranian diplomatic crisis have been bizarre even by Trumpian standards. The fun started with a presidential tweet shortly after 9 a.m. on Tuesday in response to the decision by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to impose a state of siege on Qatar as payback for its funding of the Muslim Brotherhood and extremist groups.

During my recent trip to the Middle East, it said, I stated that there can no longer be funding of Radical Ideology. Leaders pointed to Qatar  look!  a favorable reference to the siege.

Then, less than two hours later, came another blast in the form of back -to- back tweets: So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off. They said they would take a hard line on funding extremism, and all reference was pointing to Qatar. Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism!

Trump thus sided with two U.S. allies against a third that happens to host the massive Al-Udeid airbase, home of some 10,000 American military personnel .

Then, on Wednesday afternoon, the White House issued a graceless statement regarding the Islamic State suicide attack a few hours earlier on the Iranian parliament and the shrine of revolutionary leader Ayatollah Khomeini: We grieve and pray for the innocent victims of the terrorist attacks in Iran, and for the Iranian people, who are going through such challenging times. We underscore that states that sponsor terrorism risk falling victim to the evil they promote.

The evil they promote? This sounded awfully close to they had it coming, a stunningly brutal response to an incident in which 17 innocent people died. If Tehran had said anything comparable about 9/11, there is no doubt that the U.S. would have forgotten about Saddam Husseins Iraq and invaded Iran instead.

It was Trump at his most disconcerting. But what does it all mean? One thing is that while everyone in Washington seems to think that Trump has been captured by the Russians, the real story, it suggests, is that hes been captured by the Saudis.

Wagging the Dog

There are any number of reasons why, but the bottom line is that if Adel al-Jubeir, the kingdoms unctuous foreign minister, says that Iran is the number one supporter of terrorism or that Qatar is a prime sponsor, then the orange-haired POTUS will scowl on cue and nod approvingly.

Henceforth, the U.S. will take its marching orders from Riyadh just as it does from Tel Aviv elsewhere in the region. Never before has the tail more firmly wagged the dog.

But thats only part of the story. The other part is that Trump has fallen into the rabbit hole of U.S. anti-terrorism policy. Hes trapped in an alternative universe filled with misinformation, false assumptions, and logical absurdities. The deeper he goes, the harder it is to find a way out.

This may sound strange since, at first glance, nothing seems simpler than anti-terrorism. After all, blowing up innocent people or slashing them to death on crowded city streets is something that all decent people abhor, so what could be more obvious than just saying no?

But when you probe a little more deeply, the structure proves surprisingly rickety. Yes, yes, bombing a rock concert is vicious beyond words. But what about firebombing an entire city, something the RAF did with regularity in World War II? Is that any better  and if so, why?

Osama bin Laden was, without doubt, a monster. But what about Air Chief Marshal Arthur Harris, the man in charge of the RAF raids, who once boasted, I kill thousands of people every night? [ See Stephen A. Garrett, Terror Bombings of German Cities in World War II, in Igor Primoratz, ed., Terrorism: The Philosophical Issues (Houndsmills, England: Palgrave Macmillan, 2004), p. 156.]

Is he a monster too? If your answer is no because he was fighting the Nazis, then youve fallen prey to consequentialism, the notion that the morality of any such act is impossible to assess without attention to the final goal. If incinerating women and children is what it takes to defeat Hitler, then we must all put our shoulder to the wheel, or so the consequentialists tell us.

Yet countless politicians have warned against such relativist thinking since 9/11 on the grounds that terrorism can never be justified regardless of its motivation because the act is uniquely evil and only evil people do it. Of course, this absolutism ignores the moral ambiguities of warfare throughout history. But it also locks Americans into a logical conundrum from which there is no escape.

Terrorists are evil-doers, and evil-doers are terrorists. If America decides that someone is evil, then the T-word almost inevitably follows. Since terrorism is impossible to define in a way acceptable to all, the United States, the global sovereign, gets to define it in as self-serving a manner as it wishes.

Trumps Truth

Once upon a time, Trump seemed to realize, in a dim way, that something was amiss. In 2011, he described Saudi Arabia as the worlds biggest funder of terrorism and said it was using our petro dollars  our very own money  to fund the terrorists that seek to destroy our people while the Saudis rely on us to protect them. [ Donald J. Trump, Time to Get Tough: Making America #1 Again (Washington, DC: Regnery, 2011), p. 20. ]

The broad-brush word terrorism may have made no more sense in this instance than it did in any other. But at least Trump grasped that the Saudis were the arsonist rather than the firefighter and that it was nonsense to try to cover that reality up.

On the campaign trail, Trump once declared that the Saudis blew up the World Trade Center, and said that American firepower was the only thing saving them from disaster. If it werent for us, they wouldnt be here, he told NBCs Meet the Press. They wouldnt exist.

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All of which was true. But that was before the Saudis agreed to purchase $110 billion in U.S. military hardware and projected a five-story image of his face on the side of the local Ritz-Carlton during his visit last month to Riyadh. So, in Trumps mind, the Saudis were transformed. Instead of bad guys, they were now good.

And since they were good, they could no longer be terrorists or sponsors of terrorism. Indeed, they were now so good that they were in a position to say who the real sponsors of terrorism were. When they pointed at Qatar, Trump instantly agreed.

Of course, Qatars role as a funder of Al Qaeda and ISIS (also known as ISIL, Islamic State, and Daesh) is also well known, as is the UAEs. In mid-2014, Hillary Clinton wrote in an email made public by Wikileaks that Qatar and Saudi Arabia  are providing clandestine financial and logistical support to ISIL and other radical Sunni groups in the region, while Vice President Joe Biden told an audience at Harvard a couple of months later that the Saudis, the emirates, etc.  were so determined to take down [Syrian President Bashar al-] Assad and essentially have a proxy Sunni-Shia war  [that] they poured hundreds of millions of dollars and tens of thousands of tons of military weapons into anyone who would fight against Assad, except the people who were being supplied were Al Nusra and Al Qaeda and the extremist elements of jihadis coming from other parts of the world. ( Quote starts at 53:35.)

Yet, U.S. officials continued to provide cover for these funders, as Donald Trump eventually did as well.

Our relationship is extremely good, Trump told the press as he sat down with Qatari Emir Hamad al-Thani in Riyadh on May 21. We have some very serious discussions right now going on, and one of the things that we will discuss is the purchase of lots of beautiful military equipment because nobody makes it like the United States. And for us that means jobs, and it also means, frankly, great security back there [i.e. in Qatar], which we want.

In other words, Qatar was a friend just a couple of weeks ago. But since the emirate (population 313,000 not counting foreign workers) is in no position to buy as many beautiful weapons as the Saudis (population 33 million), it cant be as good a friend and thus wound up on the defensive when the Saudis accused it of aiding and abetting the enemy.

Blaming Iran

As for Iran, this is where U.S. officials make the terrorism word mean whatever they want. In February, Secretary of Defense James Mattis called Iran the single biggest state sponsor of terrorism in the world while Trump followed up on May 21 with the charge that it funds, arms, and trains terrorists, militias, and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region. For decades, Iran has fueled the fires of sectarian conflict and terror.

This was standing truth on its head since the Saudis, the prime source of sectarianism in the Middle East, ban all religions other than Islam, routinely arrest Christians for the crime of praying and possessing Bibles , and have imposed a state of siege on Shiites in their own Eastern Province.

This is not to say that Iran is not also guilty of religious discrimination. But while its treatment of Bahais is despicable, at least it allows Christian churches and Sunni mosques to operate openly while, according to the U.S. State Department , there is little interference with Jewish religious practices. While Tehran has 13 active synagogues, Riyadh, needless to say, has none. Irans sins, in other words, are of a different order of magnitude than those of its rival across the Strait of Hormuz.

But if Saudi Arabia is now good and therefore anti-terrorist, then its enemy, Iran, must be a terrorist state par excellence and very, very evil. And, thus, Shiite-ruled Iran must be responsible for ISIS even though ISIS views Shiites with the same genocidal fury as state-salaried Wahhabist mullahs do in Riyadh.

By looking at terrorism through this peculiar prism, you can understand Trumps statement that Iran had it coming. Its at fault even if its the victim.

Needless to say, Iran sees things differently. Turning tables on the U.S., Mohammad Hossein Nejat, deputy head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards intelligence branch, charged that the incident was obviously the fault of America and the Saudis because it occurred just a couple of weeks after Trumps sit-down with the royal family in Riyadh.

For these two actions to happen  after this meeting means that the U.S. and Saudi regimes had ordered their stooges to do, he said according to the Fars news agency.

Unfortunately, Nejat provided no evidence, so we have no idea whether what hes saying is true or just speculation. But since ISIS is plainly a Saudi asset, its hardly implausible that a Saudi official might have telephoned a friend in Islamic State to let him now that such an operation would not be viewed with disfavor.

Or perhaps ISIS reached the same conclusion on its own after reading Trumps Riyadh speech on the Internet. Regardless, its an example of how Americas Alice in Wonderland war on terrorism is fanning the flames of sectarianism. The slaughter in Tehran, like that in Manchester and London, is a sign of a things to come.

Daniel Lazare is the author of several books including The Frozen Republic: How the Constitution Is Paralyzing Democracy (Harcourt Brace).
Laraba Bello, Chief Medical Director of Borno Specialists Hospital, said on Saturday that 23 of the 34 victims of last Wednesdays Maiduguri multiple bomb explosion on admission at the hospital, had been discharged.

Mr. Bello told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that the remaining patients were in stable condition, receiving adequate medical attention.

We received 34 patients, out of which two died within a short while; we have discharged 23 of them, while the remaining nine are responding to treatment and are in stable condition, she said.

Authorities at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), also confirmed that 29 victims of the explosion were still on admission at the hospital.

Bashir Tahir, Chairman of the UMTH Medical Advisory Committee, told NAN that the patients were also in stable condition.

Thirty two patients were brought in, out of which three died; the 29 remaining are receiving treatment, Mr. Tahir said.

He said the hospital had no challenges offering free treatment to the victims.

We have no problem of money in providing treatment to the patients because the Victims Support Fund (VSF) had provided some Money for free treatment of bomb blasts and other attacks, Mr. Tahir said.

The Borno Police Command had earlier confirmed the killing of 13 persons after the attack.

(NAN)
Legendary Nigerian musician, 2Baba has pledged to donate 60 percent of the proceeds from his song to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Nigeria, to assist Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The African Pop legend, who is the chairman of the Tuface Foundation, made the pledge on Thursday during his visit to the UNHCR office in Abuja.

According to him, the song would be launched in commemoration of the World Refugees Day on June 20.

2Baba said;

I have decided to dedicate my time, resources and my voice to support the UNHCR in this massive endeavor of alleviating the sufferings of displaced persons. On the June 20th which is the world refugees day, I am going to be commissioning a song and this song will be monetized. 60 per cent of the proceeds will be donated to the UNHCR to further its humanitarian effort to alleviating the plights of refugees and IDPs. We want people to join in this campaign by downloading the song to use it as their ring tones, caller back tones. This download, which would cost between N50 to N100, its an opportunity for every Nigerian to contribute in their own little way to the course of assisting displaced persons.

Deputy Representative on Protection, UNHCR, Bridgette Mukanga-Eno appreciated the Tuface foundation for supporting UNHCR in its intervention in the North-East.

She said that the collaboration started when the agency received a donation from the foundation in February to support its activities in the North-East.

She added that from the donation, vocational facilities including mechanic trainings, iron bending, carpentry for the men and sewing for the ladies among others.

Source: Naijaloaded
Popular Nollywood actor, Yomi Fabiyi, has assured that the daughters of late actress, Moji Olaiya, were going to be adequately catered for.

The actor who served as Press Officer on the committee that successfully brought down the actress corpse from Canada and organised a befitting burial ceremony for her said that the late actress spirit was already directing help towards her daughters.

In a chat with GreenNewsNGs Daniel Fayemi this afternoon, the actor said that a good number of individuals were making contributions to the childrens upkeep.

He said, Individuals have been doing that. A certain foundation has been trying to support which we encouraged. Friends gathered in UK and USA and planned to equally send their widows mites. If after eight days we have excesses, we have agreed to give their grandmother in addition to the ones we gave initially. The spirit of their mother will direct help from all corners to them. Most cases like this, help may not come from family and friends only.

Revealing the challenges the committee faced in organising the burial that took place yesterday at the Ikoyi Cemetary, Lagos, he confessed that it took the committee three days to convince the late actress family to fly her corpse home for burial as they had already decided to have her buried in Canada where she died. He, however, said that all their efforts were not in vain as they felt fulfilled that they got all desired results.

We ran on a very tight schedule. I guess there was a quicker decision by the family to have her buried over there as most saddled with the decisions were older and did not want to go through the rigours of bringing her home. We had a maximum of three days to convince the family that we had the resources to bring her down should they opt for our suggestion to let us bring her body home and re-unite the two months old daughter with the family as quickly as possible. Some of us terminated some filming engagements that may hurt our availability. We made frantic calls and had meetings and deliberations late at night each day. But we are not complaining though, were happy we did it he maintained.

Culled from Naijaloaded
The Bring Back Our Girls group have been denied access by the Federal Government to see the 106 rescued Chibok girls four weeks after 82 of them were released by the Boko Haram insurgents

Relatives of the girls, who are also members of the BBOG group, were also denied access to the girls now in the care of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in Abuja, it was learnt.

A member of the groups strategic team, Aisha Yesufu, told Saturday PUNCH on Friday in Abuja that their inability to meet with the girls had slowed its identities verification process.

She said, Right from the first girl that was found, none of us in BBOG was allowed to see them. We have 106 girls but we have never met them.

Some of our members who are relatives have been denied access based on the fact that they are members of the BBOG movement.

This is okay by us as long as the parents are able to see their daughters. The girls should be given the best type of education available.

Yesufu said that the coalition was not discouraged by governments attitude, noting that the group was still gathering data through unofficial sources to complete an independent verification of the girls identities.

She said, There is no collaboration between BringBackOurGirls and the Federal Government, if there was collaboration, we would have concluded the verification process.

The Federal Government has refused to establish that collaboration with us and so we are doing it on our own. Members of Kibaku Community that are members of the BBOG are liaising with the Chibok parents to get data for our verification process.

Corroborating Yesufus position, BBOG spokesperson, Sesugh Akume, stated that the movement had not been allowed to meet with the rescued Chibok girls.

He said, We dont know why, but they have not allowed us to meet the girls and this is why we have been unable to complete the identities verification process.

Director of Press, Ministry of Women Affairs, Roy Hassan, did not respond to calls and a text message sent to his telephone number by our correspondent.
Boko Haram have slit the throats of four Nigerian villagers in revenge for the arrest of a senior member of the jihadist group, residents told AFP on Friday.

Ten gunmen on motorbikes stormed the northeastern Cameroonian border village of Hambagda near Gwoza, once the capital of Boko Harams self-announced caliphate, on Thursday before kidnapping six people and killing four others.

They asked people to assemble but everyone started running towards the bush, said local resident Usman Buba.

They seized six people in the confusion and slaughtered four while two managed to escape.

The attack came a day after soldiers arrested Boko Haram commander Adamu Rugurugu during a village raid.

Buba said the jihadists who attacked Hambagda on Thursday afternoon decided to slit their victims throats instead of shooting them to avoid attracting the attention of troops stationed in Gwoza, two kilometres (1.2 miles) away.

The attack was evidently in reprisal for the arrest of a Boko Haram kingpin who has been terrorising the village, Buba said.

Another resident, Dahiru Alkali, confirmed his account, adding that villagers had complained to soldiers of incessant attacks by Rugurugu and his men.

The two witnesses were able to reach AFP by telephone after arriving in Maiduguri, capital of Borno state.

Boko Haram seized Gwoza in July 2014 and made it their headquarters at a time when they were seizing swathes of northeast Nigeria in their bid to form a hardline Islamist state.

Nigerian troops retook the town in March 2015 but Boko Haram have continued to raid nearby villages from their hideouts in the mountains along the border with Cameroon, despite the governments insistence that calm has been restored to the area.

In April, Boko Haram kidnapped 13 women who were picking fruit near Hambagda, while a month earlier its fighters abducted 18 girls from the nearby village of Pulka.

Large areas around Lake Chad and the Cameroon border remain inaccessible in an ongoing insurgency that has killed at least 20,000 since 2009.

Eleven people were killed on Wednesday when Boko Haram gunmen and suicide bombers launched a rare combined attack inside Maiduguri.

Source: ( AFP )
The current fortune of highly celebrated boxer, Anthony Joshua, has been revealed and you will be surprised by it.

Anthony Joshua, the highly celebrated heavyweight boxer may have only had 19 fights, but he has already earned more money than most boxers can dream of.

Joshua, 27, previously expressed his ambition to become the first ever billionaire boxer, and he may just do that.

The Bermondsey brawler netted 6.5 million when he knocked out Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium.

And Joshua is now, according to Daily Star UK, thought to have amassed more than 15 million after series of amazing performances.

Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that the Olympian could command a 50 million fee for every fight in the near future.

Despite his millions, Joshua recently moved back into his Mums former council flat, as he looks to stay grounded before his rematch with Klitschko.

But the Brit could be forced to pack his bags for a lengthy training trip if the fight is staged in one of the preferred venues.

Hearn is eyeing many locations round the world, and named Nigeria as one of the likely destinations.

He said: I think Nigeria is probably one of the frontrunners.

People have this perception that Nigeria is a place that makes fire by rubbing twigs together.

Its a very powerful economy with a huge middle-class sector and actually its a country that has a number of major events already  particularly pop music concerts.
Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir, Emir of Katsina has reinstated that Nigeria will continue to be united and remain one in spite of its multi-ethnic diversity.

This statement was made on Friday at the Emirs palace in Katsina, when he addressed leaders of Igbo community and other Nigerians residing in Katsina State.

I am responding to the quit notice given to some Nigerians residing in the North by some group of people who are enemies of peace.

Here in Katsina, I am ready to sacrifice my last drop of blood to ensure peace and protect all Nigerians residing in the state, he said.

The emir urged the different communities residing in the state not to panic as the Emirate Council and state government would take all necessary measures to ensure peaceful coexistence.

You are Nigerians, because some of you were born here and you dont have better place than Katsina.

So, continue to conduct your lawful business activities, we are behind you.

You are my sons and daughters like any other person, Katsina is your home, so, feel free, do not go anywhere, Kabir said.

The emir also urged them to continue to pray for peace and unity in the country.

Source: ( PM News )
Customary court judges in Plateau State have threatened to embark on strike over the non-payment of nine-year outstanding dressing allowances.

Already, the judges, under the aegis of Sharia, Area and Customary Court Judges Association of Nigeria, Plateau State chapter, has issued Governor Simon Lalong a two-week ultimatum within which he should pay the allowances.

The Chairman of SACCJAN, Ayuba Danzel, and secretary, Frank Lojok, in the strike notice dated May 23, 2017, lamented the discrimination in the payment of dressing allowances which their counterparts in the Ministry of Justice had been enjoying.

The letter read, We, the entire judges of the Lower Court Bench, do unanimously give 14-day ultimatum for the payment of our outstanding dressing allowances which have not been paid for about nine years.

In the event where our demands are not met within the said 14 days, we shall be left with no other option than to down tools and commence on a strike till our demands are complied with. This is with effect from May 23, 2017.

Danzel said although SACCJAN had consulted constituted authorities on the matter, no concrete step had been taken towards resolving the abnormalities.

According to him, the organisation is left with no alternative but to issue a 14-day ultimatum to notify the governor of their impending action.

The PUNCH reported that Plateau local government chairmen and councillors had been complaining about the lack of funds and the non-payment of their four-month salaries and allowances.

The17 LG secretariats of the state were recently deserted since there were no official activities happening.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
Ebony Vaults in Ikoyi was filled with people from all works of life, today, June 7, 2017, as colleagues, friends and family of the late actress, Moji Olaiya gathered in her honour.

Her body had arrived Muritala Mohammed airport in Lagos from Canada on Tuesday and has now been buried at the Ikoyi cemetery according to Islamic rites.

Six men dressed in black kaftan carried her remains which was wrapped in a white cloth and placed in a wooden see-through box.

Six men in black kaftan carried her remains into the cemetery

Her body was met by mourners who filled the hall to capacity and wailed as they saw her coffin arrive.

The mourners present exclaimed Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun (We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return) as her body was brought in amidst tears.

Moji Olaiyas 18-year-old daughter, Adunoluwa, was also consoled by family members, Nollywood actor, Muyiwa Ademola and other friends of her late mother.

She had died in Canada two months after giving birth to her second daughter there Mourners struggled just to get a glimpse of the late actress, whom many described as humble.

Moji Olaiya died of cardiac arrest on May 18, 2017, two months after she was delivered of a baby girl in Canada.
In a joint statement released on Friday, the coalition of Niger Delta militants, gave an ultimatum for northerners to leave their region, adding that they will declare the independence of the oil rich region on October 1.

Niger Delta militants have issued an October 1 ultimatum for northerners to leave their region, in response to the quit notice given to the Igbo by some Arewa youth groups.

According to TheCable News, the militants also said the federal government should hand over all oil blocs controlled by northerners to the people of Niger Delta.

In a joint statement released on Friday, the coalition of Niger Delta militants also said they will declare the independence of the region on October 1.

A communique was signed to this effect by General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs and Convener: Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators), General Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta Volunteers), General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors), and Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters), Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw (Bakassi Freedom Fighters), Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall (Niger Delta Movement for Justice), Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson (Niger Delta Fighters Network), and Major-Gen. Inibeghe Adams (Niger Delta Freedom Mandate).

A coalition of the Niger Delta militants met today in Port Harcourt to review the recent call by the Arewa Youths groups that the Ndigbo should vacate all the Northern states within three months, it read.

We see the declaration by Arewa Youths as a declaration which the northern elders, leaders, political elite, security heads from the North and governors were fully aware of .

We demand 100 per cent control of our resources. We demand that the Federal Government should hand over all oil blocs owned by northerners to Niger Delta indigenes. All the companies operating in such oil blocs/wells should vacate within three months.

The militants further said that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) should be relocated to the Niger Delta region.

The Federal Government should immediately relocate NNPC and all the offices that have to do with oil/gas sector back to Niger Delta states and immediately replace the Group Managing Director with an indigene of Niger Delta, the communique further read.

All northern indigenes working in NNPC and any other board that has anything to do with oil/gas should be sacked with immediate effect.

We demand an independent and sovereign Republic of Niger Delta. We are tired of living with the North under Nigeria. We are tired of the Presidents sentiments against the Niger Delta people.

The President can have time to receive the Chibok girls but could not have time to meet with the representatives of the Niger Delta agitators. Our money has been used to fund Boko Haram, a problem created by the Northerners in order to use it as conduit pipe to siphon the resources of Niger Delta.

On October 1, 2017 we shall declare our independence come rain, come shine. We shall take our destiny in our hands and free ourselves from the slavery of the North as they are tired of one Nigeria.

From October 1, 2017, we dont want to see any northerner close to (the) Niger Delta; any attempt to penetrate shall meet fierce resistance. This time, we are not going to play defence, but attack.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) have arrested two men identified as Okechukwu Joseph (59 ) for ingesting heroin, which he was smuggling to New York and Nnaji Austine (41) a safety officer, who was exporting Cannabis and Tramadol to Qatar.

According to a statement by the spokesperson of the NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, Joseph was arrested during the outward screening of passengers on a Turkish airline flight to New York while Austine was arrested as he tried to board an Ethiopian airline flight to Doha.

NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba, was quoted as saying that Okechukwu, who was put under observation, later excreted 1.105kg of heroin.

Austine on the other hand, reportedly concealed 11.54kg of cannabis and 490g of Tramadol in his luggage.

The suspects are currently being investigated by a team of narcotic officers.

Joseph, an Imo State indigene living in Surulere, Lagos, said he turned to drug smuggling because he was hugely indebted.

But Austine, an Enugu State indigene, told the NDLEA that the luggage did not belong to him. He said he was helping his friend out.

He said, l work as a safety officer in Qatar and I came to Nigeria to see my parents and make arrangements for my marriage.

My friend in Qatar called me and asked me to bring some foodstuff to him. When the bag was given to me at the airport, I almost rejected it because it was too heavy. Unfortunately, it contained drugs which were detected by officers.

The Chairman of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (retd.), said that the agency had perfected strategies to detect hidden drugs, adding that the suspects would be charged to court soon.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
Days after the threats issued to the Igbos by the Northern Youths, the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, have warned against the disintegration of Nigeria, saying Nigerians would be better remaining united than being disintegrated.

After a special convocation for his first visit to Crown-Hill University at Eiyenkorin, near Ilorin, Kwara State, that the unity of the country was not negotiable. A coalition of Northern groups had issued a three month ultimatum to people of Igbo extraction residing in the 19 northern states to quit or be forced out after the expiration of the October 1, 2017, deadline.

The coalition includes Arewa Youth Consultative

Forum, Arewa Citizens Action for Change, Arewa Youth Development Foundation, Arewa Students Forum,

Northern Emancipation Network and Northern Youth Vanguard.

Ogunwusi said, Our unity isnot negotiable. Even if they are aggrieved, we should look at why they are aggrieved but what is the essence of us breaking up? Our togetherness is far better than our disintegration.

I believe and belong to the school of thought of unity. I believe in our peaceful coexistence. But we should hear from all sides so that we can look at the basis and channel the course of our unity going forward.

The monarch, who is the chancellor of the university, added that it was imperative to encourage private ownership of educational institutions to complement governments effort to provide accessible, efficient and quality education.

Meanwhile, Ahmed who spoke during Oonis courtesy visit on him, said Nigerians should remain united to maximise the great potential of the nation.

Ahmed said, It is better for us to be one. The strength of Nigeria is in its diversity and we must tap into that, use it to move to those levels of developed countries. We have the people. We have the resources and we have the resourcefulness to get there. With leaders like you (the Ooni) shaping the youths better for the future, we have every confidence that Nigeria will be better.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
Senator Dino Melaye has once again called for the removal of Ibrahim Magu as the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ), this was made known by the Senator at the valedictory session marking the second anniversary of the 8th Senate on Friday.

Senator Dino Melaye, in his remarks at the session, accused President Buhari of selectively applying the law by retaining Magu as Acting Chairman of the EFCC.

The lawmaker said this in the presence of prominent guests at the special session, including two former Senate Presidents, Pius Anyim and Iyorcha Ayu; Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Walid Jibrin; National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; and wife of the incumbent Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki.

Melaye urged the Senate to take a decisive action on Magus retention.

He said, The persecution we went through in the first two years must not continue in the second half. Mr. President, in leading us in this second half, you must put on your seatbelt; it is dangerous to drive without a seat belt.

Where we need to speak the truth as senators, we must speak the truth no matter whose ox is gored. We must begin to identify that there is a uniform law in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. No longer shall we allow the selective application of the law of the land.

Mr. President (Saraki), we have passed some people on the floor of this Senate and these people that we have also disqualified by confirmation have been replaced by Mr. President (Buhari). That means that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, transparent Muhammadu Buhari, recognises the powers of the Senate to confirm.

Why is Magu still in office? Mr. President, the truth is the truth. We should not have selective application of the rule of law. It is one law for everybody. I may be arrested immediately after this session; prison is built for people and not for animals. I am telling you, Mr. President, posterity will not forgive us when we keep silent in the face of lies and persecution. As a Senate, we must preserve the integrity of this institution.

The Senate had rejected Magus appointment based on an indicting report by the Department of State Services.

The legislature had also asked the President to nominate someone else as head of the anti-graft agency.

But the Presidency had insisted on Magu, a development that caused a face-off between the executive and the legislature.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )
A young woman who went missing, causing some panic, has been found long dead in the most unexpected places.

A South African man has been arrested after the body of his baby mama was found under his bed. The lady was missing for a while before she was found under his bed.

According to a police source, the man was arrested on his way to work.

Daily Sun SA reports that the cops were notified by his older brother, who made the gruesome discovery. The man had gone to check up on his 32-year-old brother at his home in Mfekayi Reserve, Mtubatuba.

The source told Daily Sun the suspect claimed she was killed by beer mixed with Rattex he had prepared for himself. They had an argument after she allegedly ignored her cellphone.

He said he wanted to drink the poisoned beer but she drank it first. He apparently drank it too, after her, said the source.

He claimed they both vomited badly but he survived and she died. He then wrapped her in a blanket and hid the body under his bed.

He claimed he was scared of reporting it and was still trying to work out what to say.

The man (33) said he went to check on his brother, who had been quiet since Saturday.

He wasnt there but the door was open. There was a terrible smell so I looked under the bed and found the body wrapped in a blanket under his bed.

The man said hell have to raise his brothers kids, aged nine months and nine years.

The mum is dead and hes in jail. Theyll grow up without parents.

Captain Nqobile Gwala confirmed a case of murder is being investigated.

A 32-year-old suspect was arrested for murder, said Gwala.
A sewage spill has closed two city beaches in Dublin.

Swimmers have been banned at Dollymount and Sandymount strands.

It is understood heavy rain on Thursday caused sewage to spill into the Liffey which flowed onto Sandymount Strand.

Water samples have been taken and results are expected on Monday.

Labour councillor Dermot Lacey said the beaches were free recreational areas, and should be looked after better.

"It's not beyond the wit of engineers to devise a system that can resolve this problem. It should be a priority," he said.

"Thousands of families that cannot afford to fly off on holidays can afford to go to Dollymount beach, and that should not be denied to them. It's quite frankly wrong."
CNN has cut ties with author and television host Reza Aslan, less than a week after he profanely referred to President Donald Trump in a tweet about the London terror attacks.

The network said it was not continuing with a second season of Believer, Aslan's series about different religions, which premiered last year.

Only two weeks ago CNN dumped comedian Kathy Griffin, co-host of its annual New Year's Eve celebration, when she was photographed holding a depiction of Mr Trump's severed head.

Angered about Mr Trump's social media commentary on the London terror attacks, Aslan tweeted last Saturday that "this piece of s*** is not just an embarrassment to America and a stain on the presidency, he's an embarrassment to humankind."

Aslan also tweeted that Mr Trump was a "man baby that must be ignored in times of crisis".

The Iranian-born author later apologised "for my choice of words" and CNN issued a statement saying "that kind of discourse is never appropriate".

But it was not enough to save his show.

In a statement today, Aslan said he was grateful to CNN for giving his series a chance.

"In these politically charged times, the tenor of our nation's discourse has become complicated," he said.

"And I recognise that CNN needs to protect its brand as an unbiased news outlet. Similarly, I need to honour my voice. I am not a journalist. I am a social commentator and a scholar."
A hunt for a gunman has been launched by murder detectives investigating the drive-by shooting of a man in south London.

The 24-year-old man, who was a passenger in a car, was shot in the head in the attack in Wellesley Road, Croydon, south London, shortly after 10pm on Friday.
Body Shop, the purveyor of coconut body butter and seaweed cleansing gel, is set to become part of Natura Cosmeticos after the Brazilian cosmetics firm entered exclusive talks to acquire the British chain from LOreal.

Natura made a firm offer that values the UK retailer at 1bn, the companies said. The 1bn value of the proposed transaction includes debt.

A deal would open a new chapter for Body Shop, which was founded in 1976 by British entrepreneur Anita Roddick and has spent the last decade under the ownership of LOreal.

For much of that period, the 3,000-store business struggled to contend with tough competition, leading LOreal to announce in February that it was exploring its options.

In Natura, it will gain an owner that shares its ideology in terms of ethics and natural products.

For LOreal, the planned transaction is good news given the underperformance of the division in past years, Hermine de Bentzmann, an analyst at Raymond James, said. LOreal shares in Paris have risen over 15% in the past year, to value the firm at 106.5bn.

Natura shares have gained 42%, valuing it about $4.3bn (3.82bn). An acquisition by Natura would represent a major expansion of the Brazilian cosmetics companys retail activities, following up on its $70m purchase of Australias Aesop in 2013.

The ethical values and expertise of Natura make it the perfect new owner for The Body Shop to accelerate the rejuvenation of the brand and its future expansion, the UK chains chairman and chief executive Jeremy Schwartz said.

For Natura, the move will further strengthen our strategic aims of becoming more international and more diversified in terms of brands and sales channels, CEO Joao Paulo Ferreira said.

The Brazilian company looks to have beaten off competition from private-equity bidders.

CVC Capital Partners, Advent International and Investindustrial Advisors were among firms that also made proposals to LOreal, according to sources. Body Shop operates across 66 countries. Its operating profit fell 38% 33.8m last year.

Natura is coming out of a tumultuous year that saw the exit of CEO Roberto Oliveira de Lima, whose attempt to raise prices backfired. Sales rose 0.2% last year to $2.43bn. The Body Shops total sales, including e-commerce and franchises, fell 2% to 1.48bn.
Sterling, which since last summers Brexit vote has been the main indicator for political turmoil across Europe, sunk 1.5% before rallying somewhat to under 87.7 pence against the euro.

The yield on UK government gilts were little changed, with the 10-year bond trading only slightly higher at 1.04%. The Irish 10-year bond was little changed, at 0.67%.

Londons main FTSE 100 stock index composed of multinational companies that largely earn in foreign currency and therefore benefit when the pound falls, climbed as much as 1.3%, before easing back to trade up 0.7% on the day as the pound recovered a little.

Still, a leading Irish expert predicted the UK will end up striking a hard Brexit deal with the EU, an outcome that is widely seen as harming the Irish economy on both sides of the border.

Associate research professor Edgar Morgenroth, at the think tank the Economic and Social Research Institute, said he believed a hard Brexit was still looming.

I do not see them (the UK) being part of the single market because they want to control migration. And I suspect their being part of the customs union is also unlikely because there is no advantage to them, and prevents them from doing trade deals with third-party countries.

Mr Morgenroth said the effect of the potential deal between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionist Party was hard to call. But a delay in completing the Article 50 talks process in the next two years was likely, not least because it will require ratifying by many EU national and regional parliaments, he said.

Despite the hung parliament, Capital Economics in London said the markets reaction did not compare with last summers when the UK voted to quit the EU. The election had not led to Market Mayhem, they said.

So why has the decline in the pound, and the reaction in financial markets more generally, been so much less this time around? The key reason is the relative importance of the implications of the two votes. The result of last years referendum set the UK on a course to leave the EU, with potentially adverse consequences for the UK economy.

The outcome of this election is only likely to affect the timetable and outcome of the negotiations surrounding the UKs departure. Brexit remains almost inevitable, the economists said.
Already delayed by over a year, the IPO was slated to be one of the largest in Europe for some time and nerves of the expensively hired advisers were jangling.

The decision was taken to delay announcing the start of the sale process until after the French elections. That would avoid the chance far-right contender Marine Le Pen would defy the pollsters and plunge the eurozone into disarray.
He pleaded guilty to conveying drugs and contraband into the prison on April 21 last year.

Judge John OConnor adjourned sentencing at the Dublin Childrens Court to allow for a probation report to be completed.

The court heard that Garda Paul Griffin responded to a call from the jail and went to the search area where prison officers had detained the now 16-year-old boy.

Judge OConnor heard that the boy had gone on a visit to the prison with a woman who was in a relationship with his cousin.

When questioned if he had anything in his possession, he removed a clingfilm-wrapped package from his groin area.

The package contained two mobile phones, 97 Alprazolam and 99 Diazepam tablets, the court was told.

Garda Griffin agreed that the teenager had been in the company of a woman who was the girlfriend of his cousin.

Judge OConnor noted the teenagers personal circumstances but said it is a serious case involving two phones and a significant amount of tablets.

The boy, who was accompanied to court by his mother, was remanded on continuing bail.

The judge has asked the prosecuting garda for information from the prison service in relation to the effects of this type of crime.

The teenager, who did not address the court, is also awaiting trial over an alleged robbery.

Defence counsel Damian McKeone told the court that the boy has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and it was difficult to find a suitable mainstream school for him  however, he is on an educational course.

The court that heard he had developed a problem with tablets and smokes cannabis.

The judge remarked that these were not mitigating factors and in some cases they can be aggravating factors.
However, any changes to how prospective teachers are selected to better match supply with demand may take years, despite second-level school managers recent warnings that they are beyond crisis trying to find language teachers.

Education Minister Richard Bruton said consultations are to begin soon between colleges, the Teaching Council  which regulates the profession and qualifications  and the Higher Education Authority (HEA). He yesterday published a report from a working group of the council, commissioned by previous minister Ruairi Quinn in 2013 and received by Mr Brutons department 18 months ago.

The report is critical of what it describes as the current unregulated freedom of initial teacher education (ITE) providers to recruit student-teachers without trying to balance output with the particular needs of second-level schools.

The [working group] recognises and respects the right of providers to select students for programmes of teacher education, the report states. However, if this results in a shortfall of subject teachers and if some subjects are not recruiting sufficient teachers, there is a need to plan more carefully to ensure that the needs of students in Irish schools can be met, it said.

The report highlighted the enormous difficulty getting accurate data about numbers teaching particular subjects in schools, as distinct from the numbers qualified to teach them. However, it points to over-supply of teachers of subjects like English, geography and history, while schools are struggling to fill vacancies for teachers of Irish, home economics, and continental languages.

Mr Bruton said he has asked Department of Education officials to consider how a system can be developed to satisfy the crucial need for a more reliable supply of teachers to meet the needs of schools. He said the Teaching Council will meet shortly with all third-level colleges to consider how a more targeted and co-ordinated approach could be adopted, with the outcome of those deliberations to inform future progress.

Around three quarters of second-level teachers qualify from the four National University of Ireland colleges NUI Galway, Maynooth University, University College Cork, and University College Dublin. When applicants are being selected for their post-graduate teaching courses, which became a two-year masters in 2014, the subjects they wish to teach have no impact on the process.

The discussions about to begin will not have any short-term impact, but Mr Bruton said more immediate measures could include efforts to ensure more retired teachers stay registered with the Teaching Council, making them available to fill short-term vacancies.

The issue of substitute teachers was identified by the working group as a major issue at primary level where, the report said, informal arrangements for schools to locate substitutes are less than effective. It projects that the equivalent of around 5,000 full-time teachers is needed annually to provide substitution cover for primary schools, but says not all absences could be covered unless a more efficient mechanism to identify and employ subs is developed.

As well as causing problems for schools, current arrangements make it difficult for teachers to earn sustainable incomes from substitution work.

Most importantly, there is a risk that this dysfunction can have a negative impact on the quality of pupil learning, the working group reported.

It also cautioned that, while current output levels from primary teaching degrees may be sufficient to meet rising enrolments, any plans to reduce pupil-teacher ratios would need to be done incrementally to avoid teacher shortages.

The Irish National Teachers Organisation repeated its call on the Department of Education to establish panels of substitute teachers who would be available to cover teacher absences in their area on short notice.
The HSE took over management of the Camphill Communities of Ireland centre in Ballytobin on Tuesday after the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) cancelled its registration.

Hiqa said there was an ongoing failure by Camphill Communities of Ireland to address serious safeguarding issues at the centre.

The watchdog carried out three inspections of the centre earlier this year  one in February and two in May. The centre has been operating at Ballytobin since 1979 and has 19 residents with intellectual disabilities.

The HSE took charge of the centre after Camphill Communities of Ireland accepted Hiqas decision to cancel its registration. It admitted in a letter to the HSE that it did not have the capacity to ensure residents were safe within the centre.

Hiqa also found shortcomings in other centres operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland, particularly relating to protecting residents from the risk of abuse.

While improvements were made in safeguarding arrangments in the other centres, this was not the case at Ballytobin  Hiqa said it received information about the centre that made it more concerned about the safety of its residents.

An announced registration inspection of the Ballytobin centre in May last year had to be suspended so safeguarding issues could be addressed immediately. A further inspection in October 2016 found that management had not done enough to improve safeguarding, particularly about the supervision of staff, including voluntary co-workers.

After the October 2016 inspection, Hiqa received information about incidents of intimate care and physical restraint practices in the centre that could be considered abusive.

Last December, Hiqa warned the centre that it wanted to cancel its registration and that it should undertake a review of all allegations or incidents of abuse or staff misconduct.

Hiqa was later informed about allegations of serious physical and sexual abuse of vulnerable people, some of whom could not speak for themselves, and alerted the gardai, the Child and Family Agency (Tusla), and the National Safeguarding Office of the HSE.

The HSE said the serious concerns raised by Hiqa in the inspection reports will be fully addressed. It will keep the centre open, and residents can stay there if they wish.

A HSE review of all of the Camphill Communities of Ireland centres is underway.
Aaliyah, 26, whose name was Marcella before she converted to Islam aged 18, associated with the group of London attacker Khuram Butt and hate preacher Anjem Choudary in Britain.

Choudary is the British Islamist social and political activist convicted of inviting support for a proscribed organisation, Islamic State of Iraq. He was sentenced to five years and six months in prison in 2016.

She was engaged to one of their associates for eight months and claims that not only did London terrorist Rachid Redouane spend time in Ireland but so too did Butt. The extremists operated from a house in Santry, she alleges, as well as properties in Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary, as rent is cheaper there.

She said the extremists she associated with would have several cheap little phones, travel by air from the UK to Belfast to access the Republic of Ireland, and set up bogus immigration offices here.

Aaliyah, who has now been deradicalised, ceased contact with these extremists in September 2016.

She said that growing up between homes in Ireland left her confused.

Growing up I was really confused, she said. I looked to Islam after everything that happened with September 11 [2001 terror attacks]. I was easily brainwashed to think thats the way Islam is.

She said she met Butt and Choudary in London when they were speaking about fundamentalism. She was introduced to them by a young woman.

I was in a relationship with one of Choudarys friends, she said.

Aaliyah said they mainly spoke about planned activities in their own language but knows the men have a lot of friends living in Ireland currently.

There are definitely more than 150 [extremists living in Ireland], easily, she said.

They own properties in some places. I know a lot of them came here to apply for visas and stuff like that.

After being abused by her partner, Aaliyah decided to leave Britain.

The person I was in a relationship with attacked me when I was in London and I came back to Ireland just to get away from all that, she said.

Aaliyah then approached a Dublin-based imam in the wake of the Manchester attacks and he arranged for her to speak publicly to highlight the threat of radicalisation here.

She attended a project with a London-based imam and his wife who supported and deradicalised her.

Aaliyah said she saw Butt in Dublin and Limerick two or three times.

There are a lot of them living in Limerick City because the rent was a lot cheaper and in other Clare kind of areas, and in Tipperary, she said. So they were getting four- and five-bedroom houses but there was only one or two guys going there.

Aaliyah said Butt was visiting people in Ireland and giving talks, while staying here for a few weeks on and off. He also stayed in a house near the Santry area.

Aaliyah said once she was married it was expected she would bear children for the purpose of engaging in terrorist attacks.

She said they laughed about the accessibility of Ireland.

They used to laugh about Belfast, that you could fly from any airport in the United Kingdom to Belfast and they didnt check any documents, she said. They just easily let them in.

A spokesman for An Garda Siochana said Irish authorities are liaising with international counterparts in relation to terrorist activities, but they do not comment on statements made by a third party.

News: 5

Editorial: 16
In 2013, Samantha Azzopardi, who is now 28, was found wandering in a distressed state outside the GPO in Dublin.

Apparently speaking no English, she was taken into protective custody and kept under armed guard at Temple Street Childrens Hospital after officers became convinced she was a child trafficking victim.

However, two weeks into the investigation officers began to have concerns about the true nature of what was happening and sought permission from the High Court to publish a picture of the teenager to help with identifying her.

Within days, they were contacted by relatives of Ms Azzopardi, who confirmed her true identity  that she was a 25-year-old woman who had arrived in Ireland to visit a friend of the family in Clonmel, Co Tipperary.

It subsequently emerged that the woman had 40 different aliases in Australia for making similar claims. Ms Azzopardi was sent back to Australia from Ireland after the incident.

A number of months later, Ms Azzopardi told authorities in Canada she was kept in a cage in a childrens hospital and abused for two weeks.

She said she was a teenager called Aurora Hepburn, and had filed a false missing person report under a separate alias in an attempt to convince officers of her claim.

However, after becoming concerned about certain facts in the case, Canadian police contacted gardai to establish if they were dealing with the same woman. It was then determined that Aurora Hepburn was, in fact, Samantha Lyndell Azzopardi. She was subsequently deported from that country.

Now she has appeared in a court in Australia claiming to be a 13. A report by the Australian Associated Press said she recycled her previous claims of being a victim of sexual abuse and human trafficking.

She has now pleaded guilty to four counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception while going by the name Harper Hart.

She did not apply for bail and is due to appear again in court on June 28.
The discovery was made at Lough Na Glack near Carrickmacross after following an extensive search which has lasted three days.

The local soroner and the State pathologist have been notified. The remains have yet to be identified and inquiries are ongoing and will move onto a DNA analysis to determine if they belong to the 46-year-old, who had served jail sentences for rape and burglary.

Gardai launched a murder inquiry in 2011 into Nolans death after his dismembered arm was washed up on Dollymount Strand in Dublin. As part of that same investigation, his torso was found in Tolka Valley Park in Finglas last month.

Mr Nolan had previously spent 14 years in prison for a rape conviction in 1986. From Fairlawn Road in Finglas, Nolan was last seen on November 30, 2010, when he collected methadone from the Wellmount Clinic in his local area.

Marie Cassidy, the State pathologist, who carried out the autopsy on the torso, had also carried out the autopsy on the arm from 2011, and concluded that Nolan was dead at the time the limb was severed because there was no evidence of bleeding into the tissues.

A propeller can leave quite a clean mark on a body but they are usually longer, Prof Cassidy said at the time. These were very carefully and deliberately going around the whole circumference of the limb. It was deliberately cut.

No formal suspect has been identified in the case. However, at the time of the discovery of the torso, reports emerged about the alleged existence of a letter detailing Nolans murder and dismemberment, that was sent to Nolans family and later passed on to the gardai.

Detectives working on the case believe that Nolan may have been strangled before being decapitated and dismembered and his body parts moved to different parts of the country.
The hung parliament in Westminster has caused convulsions in Government here, particularly in the context of the ongoing uncertainty of Brexit.

This makes an already complicated situation even more complicated and that is not good, said one senior Government source.

Such is the sense of flux, the EUs chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, has indicated negotiations on Brexit will be delayed to allow clarity emerge in London.

Brexit negotiations should start when UK is ready; timetable and EU positions are clear. Lets put our minds together on striking a deal, he tweeted.

Fine Gael leader and the likely next taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said : The results of the UK election indicate to me that there is no strong mandate to proceed with a hard Brexit, which represents an opportunity for Ireland.

The Irish Government is ready to participate in negotiations on Brexit and to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland.

We must ensure that the Brexit talks are handled in a smooth and coherent manner to secure the best possible outcome for Ireland, for Europe and the UK.

Mr Varadkar also said the early restoration of the Northern Ireland executive is a priority and that there is now a strong opportunity for the parties in Northern Ireland to re-engage in discussions to form an executive.

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said he wants to see the negotiations process up and running again and the dissolved assembly put back in place before the end of June. Mr Flanagan said he has spoken to Mr Varadkar about the situation.

Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said the Government has to get on with the negotiation process in the aftermath of Brexit, regardless of whether Theresa May or anyone else is in charge at 10 Downing Street.

Mr Creed added that it is not possible for anyone to say with any degree of certainty that the vote makes it likely there will be a hard Brexit.

He said he is confident the new taoiseach and his government will hit the ground running next week.

Responding to the result, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin criticised Sinn Fein in the wake of the UK election result.

Mr Martin said it is illogical and incomprehensible, given the important issues facing the North regarding Brexit, that Sinn Fein would not participate as MPs in Westminster.

Hitting back at Mr Martin, Sinn Fein deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said if Mr Martin is concerned about Irelands representation at Westminster then he should stand candidates in the northern constituencies.

She said: Micheal Martin is a hurler on the ditch in this election. We will not take lectures from him. Sinn Fein represents the nationalist and republican people in the North of our country. Fianna Fail dont even attempt to represent people there, so Micheal Martin should either put up or shut up.

We put our position to the people and it has been overwhelmingly endorsed. We are mandated not to take our seats at Westminster and we will honour that mandate.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said a Conservative/DUP government have no good cards to play in the upcoming Brexit negotiations.
They say their religion is about peace and unity and they strongly condemn so-called Islamic terrorists.

Abdul Gafar, 37, attends the mosque at the Al-Mustafa Islamic Cultural Centre in Blanchardstown, Co Dublin. He is married to an Irish woman, who is not a Muslim and the couple have a baby together.

Abdul says he is completely against atrocities carried out in the name of his religion by extremists.

Its really bad what they are doing, he says. When a Muslim does something bad, it comes out to the whole world. What they are doing, we Muslims go against it completely.

Abdul said that, while he is a Muslim, his wife is not and they live in a peaceful household.

I personally am a Muslim, he says. My wife, she doesnt believe in God. My sister is a Christian. We live in a peaceful home. Islam is all about peace and unity.

Abdul said he is hesitant about coming out as a Muslim to strangers, in case he is considered an extremist just because of his religion.

Abdul Gafar at the Al Mustafa Islamic centre. He said his Irish wife is not Muslim and his sister is a Christian and they live in harmony.

When you say you are a Muslim, people look at you and they believe that all Muslims are extremists, he says. Its not all Muslims that are extremists. We go against it completely.

He says the actions of extremists are selfish and are in no way connected to Islam: It has nothing to do with Islam, just one group of people, that 1%, because of their own selfish interests  that is why they are doing all this nonsense.

Abdul says he tries to explain to people that Islam is non-violent and that if it was violent he would not be able to live with himself, nor would his wife tolerate it.

I try to explain to them what Islam is all about, he says. I think if I was a bad person or being someone who is violent, I dont think I would be able to live with my wife. I try to explain to people what the real Islam is all about. Islam is all about peace, tolerance and to be accommodating to people, be friendly with people, not being violent.

He explains his religions view of murder: Islam says if you kill a soul, you have killed a whole nation. If you save a soul, you save a whole nation. I dont see any reason why you should kill.

Imam Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri holding a picture of two of the London attackers at a press conference held at the Al Mustafa Islamic Cultural Centre in Blanchardstown, Dublin.

Meanwhile, Maisa Al Hariri, 19, also attends the mosque in Blanchardstown.

She is a Syrian refugee currently living in the direct provision centre in Mosney, Co Meath.

Maisa, who is fluent in English and Arabic, worked as a translator in the refugee camps in Greece, is eager to now integrate into Irish society but she fears that her religion may get in the way.

I feel really bad, she says about the attacks, and at the same time, scared also because while walking in the streets, Im covered, I feel afraid that they think about me the same [as they would an extremist], they would take me up the wrong way.

I dont want any harm to come to anyone. I feel afraid about peoples thoughts about Islam and how my way of dressing, or the path Im taking, I get afraid that they take it in the wrong sense.

From the point of studying, working, getting into the community, being a normal person, it makes me feel afraid  are they going to accept me between them because of the hijab.

Maisa says wearing her hijab is her choice and that it makes her feel relaxed and happy. However, she is conscious of how her image may impact upon her integration into her new community.

I try my best to follow my religion and at the same time, Im trying my best to engage with the community and try my best to be as simple and easy with everyone, she says.

Speaking about terrorists carrying out random attacks in the name of Islam, Maisa is unable to understand their motives.

I get really confused, she says. When they say they are Muslims and they are doing that in the name of Islam, I get confused. Islam never taught us to do that.

Ive known it since my childhood. My parents have raised me in the name of Islam, that its a peaceful religion and doing such things and harming people is not the right thing. I keep getting confused. Those that are harming people and killing innocent souls, who are they? Is it really Islam? What are they gaining? For what reason are they doing it? There are many questions in my mind that make me feel lost.

Maisa also says that her religion is to be found in a book, not in what people try to say it is. She also said that a woman does not need to wear a hijab in order to be a Muslim.

A woman has her own choice in wearing the hijab, says Maisa.

Its never strict in Islam, even if a Muslim lady you dont find her covered, she is Muslim, its by heart.

Its not strictness from men, like relatives  father, husband, or brother  who would insist on her wearing the hijab. In that way the lady would hate the religion.
During the night, the DUP began trending on Twitter and such was the interest in the potential alliance, the partys website crashed.

The grand irony is that while the DUP supported the decision to leave the European Union, in a perverse attempt to re-energise the UK, the fate of Northern Ireland played little or no role in the debate ahead of the Brexit referendum.

Now, Arlene Fosters band of merry men and women and their 10 seats will be enough to see May returned to Downing St but the cost, from an Irish context, will be high.

The DUPs price for supporting a Tory government will include a promise there will be no separate post-Brexit status for Northern Ireland, the partys leader in Westminster has confirmed.

Nigel Dodds, re-elected as MP for Belfast North, said among the DUPs conditions would be an insistence there would be no deal to keep the region with one foot still in the EU.

The DUP fears that separate status after Brexit  a key demand of Sinn Fein  would decouple Northern Ireland from the UK.

With one eye on the Brexit negotiations that begin in the next 10 days, Dodds said: There are special circumstances in Northern Ireland and we will try to make sure these are recognised. As regards demands for special status within the European Union, no. Because that would create tariffs and barriers between Northern Ireland and our single biggest market which is the rest of the United Kingdom.

Jonathan Powell, former adviser to Tony Blair and a key negotiator in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, said such a partnership would be a disaster for Northern Ireland.

I would appeal to the government not to go down this path. Since 1991, when a Tory minister said that Britain would be neutral in Northern Ireland  not take the side of unionists or take the side of the nationalists. If we now find ourselves taking sides, how on earth will we mediate between the two sides. We have a political crisis there, do we want to make this crisis worse, he said.

Even John Major at his weakest did not go into an alliance with the DUP because he did not want to be dependent on the DUP.

We have kept Northern Ireland off the pages of the newspapers since we signed the agreement, and do we really want to put it back there, he said.

Mr Powell also warned that the DUPs pro-Brexit stance is at odds with all other parties in the North and that could be damaging.
The 2017 Shelby American F-150 Super Snake was unveiled recently at the Carroll Shelby International headquarters in California. The muscle truck is the result of Shelby's partnership with Ford and Borla.

Shelby American CEO Joe Conway who's also co-CEO of Carroll Shelby International said that the "tremendous demand" for its off-road Shelby F150 trucks along with a clamor for a new Shelby muscle truck led the company to create the F-150 Super Snake. Shelby and Toyota previously worked together on other projects including the upcoming 2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.

Car And Driver reported that Shelby focused on adding more power to the Super Snake. The company also wanted its new truck to provide better handling experience while having a style and sound system that will impress everyone.

Digital Trends pointed out that Shelby is known for its Mustangs and Cobras but the Super Snake will definitely win the company more fans. The 2017 Shelby F-150 uses a familiar bright blue and white color scheme.

The 2017 Shelby F-150 Super Snake comes with a new aggressive-looking hood and bumpers. The Super Snake logo can be found in numerous places on the truck. The one on the grille gives the Shelby truck a fiercer look and indicates its horsepower just in case you don't know it yet.

The F-150 Super Snake packs a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine under its hood. It is capable of pumping out 750 horsepower. Compared to the Ford Raptor, the Super Snake is a lot more powerful as the Raptor only comes with a V6 engine that pumps out 450 horsepower.

Only 150 lucky people will get to own the might Super Snake as Shelby is scheduled to produce only that much of the prized F-150 truck. The 2017 Shelby F-150 Super Snake is available for a price tag of below $96,680. Those who get their hands on the truck can opt for all the 750hp to go to the rear wheels or all four.

When the Super Snake goes, it does so with a pleasing sound thanks to one of Borla's dual stainless steel-tipped exhausts. The ride is also as smooth as possible due to its improved suspension and better handling.
Sony comments on backwards compatibility have apparently irked some fans who requested the feature. It seems that Microsoft was its apparent target based on the feature being included on its consoles including the upcoming Project Scorpio. Microsoft Executive, Mike Ybarra, appears to disagree with the comments and shared his thoughts on social media. According to his Twitter post, Ybarra does not share the same sentiment with Sony.

The Microsoft exec said that they want "gamers to play the best games of the past, current, and future." Ybarra also stressed that a lot of gamers have really requested to have backwards compatibility, as indicated by Game Rant. Sony's Shawn Layden reportedly mentioned that they have no plans to include backwards compatibility in the future. He indicated that PS1 and PS2 games will appear "ancient" compared to what the PS4 can output with its current library. Layden claims that he does not know why gamers would want to play that on the new system.

Nostalgic gamers would most likely appreciate backwards compatibility as it allows them to revisit their older games. Microsoft seems to think the same way as it has included the feature on its consoles since the Xbox 360. However, analysts have pointed out that the data gathered do not really show Xbox One users maximizing the feature to play their older games. Kotaku notes that the information was collected from close to a million Xbox Live users and shows that only 1.5 percent actually uses the feature. It seems Sony did its research in order to come up with the opinion regarding the console's retro-gaming capabilities.

Scraping some data off servers gives an inaccurate view of what people do.  Mike Ybarra (@XboxQwik) June 6, 2017

Meanwhile, some fans argued that Microsoft won't even release the accurate figures of its players using backwards compatibility to the public. This has obviously created a divide among its users. Until the company presents more solid evidence for its stance on the feature, Sony might have a point to argue the importance of the retro-compatible consoles in the future.
As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles.

Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services.

These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience  the local community.

It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.

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It was the end of an era for Davie County High School Saturday as the 61st graduating class crossed the stage at War Eagle Stadium amid billowing orange and black flags.

The 395 graduates will be the last to complete four years at the school at 1200 S. Salisbury St. ahead of next years new facility.

While the idea of a new school is exciting, theres a great sense of nostalgia, Principal Doyle Nicholson told the graduates. We will always be a community because, as the yearbook staff stated, home is where the heart is.

Next year, school will be held in a new building on Farmington Road.

Many of the graduates had parents and grandparents who attended Davie High, which was established in 1956, so the impending move brought mixed emotions.

Its weird that no one else will walk these halls but cool to be the last class, said Jessica Beck, whose dad graduated from the high school in the 1980s back when the mascot was still the Rebels. I dont think its hit me yet.

As the graduates eagerly waited in the gym for their 8:30 a.m. graduation, garbed in orange and black robes, there was a quiet contemplation in the remembrance of all the lasts.

For one last time, for one last day its a great day to be a what? Assistant Principal Jonathan Sidden asked, breaking the silence.

War eagle, the graduates roared in response.

The students marched through a tunnel of teachers who cheered them on as they proceeded into the stadium one last time.

Theres a lot of little things Im going to miss, said the schools instructional management coordinator Darla Goldfuss. The student murals, driving through downtown Mocksville on my way to work. It makes me get misty-eyed.

Luke Carter, 18, said the day was bittersweet for him.

I wish theyd move us earlier, but Im glad the underclassmen will get a new school because we needed it, Carter said. I have fond memories of this place, like marching band, and thats something Ill never forget.

Nicholson lamented the moment students gathered in the parking lot to watch the sun rise over the stadium one last time. He also touted the many accomplishments of the students, including the $4.1 million in scholarships and the swim team having the highest cumulative GPA in the state.

It was a day of pride as thousands looked on.

For all the students, this is not a period, its just a comma for what comes next, said Kia Hood, as she watched her cousin DaParis Lytton cross the stage. Whether thats college, military or starting their own business, this is just a stepping stone.

Custodian Bob Bailey, who has attended the last eight graduations at the school, said the day was a chance to enjoy the present and celebrate the schools long history and its promising future.

I think I speak for all of us when I say Im going to miss this school but Im looking forward to the future, Bailey said. To me its the kids and the staff that make this place so great.
Officials at a Korea-headquartered company that makes automated teller machines are pushing back against the way their operation is being portrayed in an international trade dispute with a competitor that has a Greensboro manufacturing plant.

Representatives of Nautilus Hyosung America say that a letter to the International Trade Commission written by four North Carolina congressmen inaccurately depicts them as foreign interlopers in their patent infringement dispute with domestic ATM maker, Diebold Nixdorf.

Diebold Nixdorf fields a workforce of more than 200 employees and contractors at its Greensboro plant on Pleasant Ridge Road.

Four GOP congressmen, including U.S. Reps. Ted Budd and Mark Walker, who each represent parts of Guilford County, recently wrote a letter to the ITC stressing that Diebold is a homegrown manufacturer whose business prospects could be hurt if the ITC rules against it in the final phase of the patent case.

Were not this evil, Korean company in the shadows battling against the U.S. company, said Jason Kuhn, Nautilus Hyosung America vice president.

Budd and Walker partnered with U.S. Reps. Walter B. Jones and George Holding in writing the letter that said the patent battle pits Diebold Nixdorf against a foreign company complainant, Nautilus Hyosung, which manufactures its U.S. ATM products abroad and has a minimal U.S. presence.

In fact, Hyosung entered the American ATM market in 1998 and operates a plant in Irving, Texas, with staff levels similar to those as Diebold Nixdorfs local employment numbers, said Kuhn and company lawyer Kevin Wheeler.

From its United States headquarters in Irving, the company employs more than 500 workers across the nation, has other branches in Ohio and California and recently opened a service and operations center in Charlotte, Kuhn and Wheeler said.

The company dominates the United States market for the retail ATM machines often found in convenience stores and taverns, they said. And it has been making inroads into the banking industry where Diebold also has been a major presence for years, they added.

The two companies are disputing each others use of ATM components that allegedly infringe on different technologies that each has patented.

The ITC settles such disputes in the domestic marketplace. The agency has ruled in favor of Diebold Nixdorf in one part of the case, but entered a preliminary finding for Hyosung America in another phase.
BRUCE A. GUSTAFSON, Winston-Salem

The right decision

The discussion in the June 5 editorial Leaving the climate accord reads like any politician who uses irrelevant platitudes in arguing his/her position on a subject. We are talking about an accord (an agreement, not a treaty, which must be approved by the U.S. Senate), which the former president pursued without approval of Congress, which is called a climate change accord, which is little about climate, but a whole lot about redistribution of wealth from developed countries to Third-World countries. Consider that if all countries abided by their respective volunteered obligations, the effective reduction in global warming would amount to two-tenths of one percent Celsius by the year 2100  hardly measurable.

Consider that Germany, the renewable energy powerhouse, built its latest power plant to use clean coal so it doesnt run short of energy after prematurely shutting down all its nuclear plants.

Consider that China, the worst producer of CO2, can continue to increase its pollution for 13 more years before starting to reduce it, if it actually does.

Consider that EU countries pay three times what we pay for electricity. Consider that many of the company CEOs in favor of staying have a vested interest (Elon Musk in particular). So in my view, our president has made the right decision.

******

JAMES T. FULLER, Winston-Salem

An offensive idea

I grew up in a small North Carolina town in a small church in which we thought that only members of our denomination were true Christians, were saved. We thought everyone else, the majority, followed the wrong Christian doctrine because they were gullible.

Imagine my surprise when I moved to a larger city and discovered that there were other denominations full of people who thought the same thing about their own churches  and they could all support the accuracy of their beliefs with book, chapter and verse.

Thus, though the writer of the May 26 letter  Gullible voters takes offense at the idea that perhaps Trump voters were gullible fools who believed the lies of a master salesman, to me, thats just Tuesday.

Human beings are very good at a lot of things, among them, fooling ourselves. We fool ourselves about a lot of things, especially politics. Thats why its a good idea to learn how to think rationally and how to recognize shades of gray rather than just seeing black and white. Its a good idea to always consider that its just possible that we may be wrong. He who thinks he could be wrong will more often be right than he who thinks he is always right.

The letter writers argument is that Trump voters cant be gullible because there are so many of them. Thinking that their number means they cant be gullible seems to me to be proof that they are.

***

SUZANNE CARROLL, Clemmons

A terrible disease

As an oncology nurse I can attest that no one chooses to get cancer.

The same is true of addiction. Addiction is a chronic, progressive and as weve seen with the increase in opioid-related deaths in our own county, an often terminal disease.

Yet we dont recognize addiction for the disease it is. Society views drug use as a moral choice, and when treatment fails we blame the patient. They werent strong enough, they werent committed, they didnt pray hard enough. This is just wrong. We would never pass this judgment on any other disease and we need to stop doing it with the disease of addiction.

Drug use isnt about drugs, its about life. People medicate to avoid their feelings and usually those feelings are pain, heartache, loss or any number of things. Most problematic drug use is related to stress, trauma, genetic predisposition, mental illness or some combination of these factors. None of us are immune to the risk of addiction or the suffering that befalls the afflicted and their loved ones.

One in 12 Americans are addicted to drugs, and about 365 people die every day because of drugs. But the disease of addiction is preventable and treatable.

The $31 million federal grant North Carolina received to address the issues of opioid abuse will support efforts for outreach, engagement, treatment and recovery. Outreach needs to include education about addiction as a disease  a disease that deserves treatment with compassion, the way other diseases are treated.

SARAH SQUIRE, Winston-Salem

The side of caution

Most people with severe chest pain seek medical attention. Not because they are certain the pain is serious, but because they value their lives enough to err on the side of caution.

Our planet is having severe chest pain, compounded by sweating and shortness of breath. Temperatures and ocean levels are rising, weather is becoming more extreme, and air quality is plummeting. To all climate change skeptics: please consider the risks of dismissing these signs and symptoms.

If a loved one showed signs of a heart attack, would you pull the car over at the nearest ER? Or tell her it was possibly indigestion, hence not worth a disruption to your errands? I think most of us would choose the former. Why should it be different with Mother Nature?

***

JOHN WIGODSKY, Winston-Salem

Stop gerrymandering

Some say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. This definition seems wholly appropriate when applied to the North Carolina legislatures efforts to redraw the states congressional districts after the last census.

Twice, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the legislature has been overtly biased and discriminatory in its drawing districts. The process, known as gerrymandering, is intended to insure that the party in power, in this case the Republicans, have a distinct advantage in future elections. The courts have ruled that the Republicans raised the distinct advantage to the level of unconstitutional advantage.

In their defense, the Republicans have invoked the kindergarten defense: they started it in reference to previous gerrymandering by Democrats when they were in power.

It is time for voters to rise up and tell our elected officials that gerrymandering must end and districts should be drawn by a nonpartisan, independent commission. In 2016, a nonpartisan group of 10 judges joined Tom Ross, the former chancellor of the UNC system, to develop a map of N.C. congressional districts that was both compact and nonpartisan. It was not that hard! The result was more competitive districts that are free from partisan gerrymandering and accurately reflect the population of North Carolina.

Those in power will fight such a redistricting until they are not in power. It is up to the people to say that the time has come to stop the insanity.

***

PHIL RONALD TURNER, Winston-Salem

Stop messing around

Its time to stop messing around.

Our schools are in trouble. Our economy is getting worse. Tax cuts to millionaires arent going to do a damn thing to help. Neither is taking food away from children or taking medical care away from seniors.

I remember hearing complaints that President Obama was racial divisive. Does anyone think for a second that President Trump is better? Hes the hero of white supremacists and actual, real-life Nazis. Dont tell me hes a Christian. His religion is Trumpism.

Its time to stop messing around. Our legislators in Raleigh need to stop trying to pass the same wedge-issue laws over and over again even after the courts reject them. They need to stop trying to undermine the vote and the governor and start putting this state back together. If they cant figure out how to make things better for everyone in this state instead of just pushing their divisive agenda, they need to be kicked out and replaced.

Its time to stop messing around.

******

DANNY GREEN, Clemmons

A unique experience

All possible congratulations and accolades to conductor Matthew Troy and the Piedmont Wind Symphony. I attended their Metropolis and the Red Violin concert on June 1 at the Stevens Center (Innovation  old and new  will dominate PWS concert, May 28).

I have been an active musician for 50 years (conductor, performer, student, and listener) and I do not remember ever being treated to such a pleasant and appealing array of genres and styles. This program, as performed through the multitude of exquisite tones and colors provided by the outstanding Piedmont Wind Symphony musicians, provided such a unique and new experience for our community. Wonderful event!

I am anxious to see what Maestro Troy will be bringing us next season. This combination of artistic quality and innovative programming brings such a refreshing breath of fresh air to us all. Thank you so much.

******

BRENDA HERRON HUTCHINS, Winston-Salem

Trump represents Pittsburgers?

In my childhood (the 1950s), Pittsburgh, Pa., was so heavily covered with airborne particles that they sometimes had to turn on the street lights in the early morning. All buildings were gray. Trees were short-lived. Lung diseases were rampant. The mighty Ohio River was so toxic from raw sewage and industrial waste that the fish died and people were warned to never swim in it. While the Industrial Revolution created jobs, it prematurely took away and compromised many, many lives.

By the 1960s one person, David Lawrence, started an urban clean-up campaign. Pittsburghers got behind his efforts, clinging to the hope that they could make economic and healthy change. Today Pittsburgh is regarded as one of the most environmentally clean city in America and sparkles in its deserved recognition of sustainable economic growth.

President Trump not only got on the wrong side of an issue that impacts the entire planet, alienated our allies, dumbed down our position at the table of most influential/powerful nations, but he was so ill-informed in his decision that he picked the wrong example to justify his reasoning. Pulling out of the Paris accord so that he could represent Pittsburgh not Paris when 75 percent of Pittsburghers actually voted for his opponent and the city no longer has an environmental problem does not stand to reason.

The Paris accord is exactly what Pittsburghers have proven can work and maybe, with a universal commitment, even peace and understanding of one another could occur.

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A federal judge on Thursday denied bail to Reality Leigh Winner, the Georgia woman who is accused of leaking classified information to the media. Prosecutors successfully argued [AP report] that she remains a flight risk and a threat to the public after presenting a notebook in which she wrote, I want to burn the White House Down  find somewhere in Kurdistan to live. Ha-ha! Winner, who operated under Pluribus International Corporation in Georgia at the time she is alleged to have removed material from a US government facility, is the first person charged with leaking classified information during the Trump administration. She is charged [JURIST report] with gathering, transmitting or losing defense material. Winner is suspected of transmitting a report to The Intercept, an online news organization. The report at issue contained information alleging [AP report] a Russian cyber attack took place on a voting software supplier before the last US presidential election. If convicted, Winner could face up to 10 years in prison.

Possible hackings and data breaches have caused serious concern in recent years. In March the DOJ announced the indictments [JURIST report] of four Russian nationals in connection with hacking e-mail accounts. In January a group of ten US Senators introduced legislation [JURIST report] aimed at implementing mandatory sanctions against Russia for its involvement in cyber hacking during the 2016 presidential election. In October 2015, at the request of US government officials, Chinese authorities arrested [JURIST report] individual hackers that allegedly misappropriated commercial secrets from US firms with the intention to sell proprietary information to state-owned entities within the the Peoples Republic of China.
KEARNEY  Sidney Ray Joslyn died the way he lived  a traveling man.

He always said he was a gypsy soul. Thats the way he wanted to live his life, said Tanish Goldsmith, one of Joslyns four daughters.

Joslyn, 52, died earlier this week after disappearing Monday afternoon into the north channel of the Platte River, also known as Turkey Creek, from under the Second Avenue bridge north of Talmadge Street.

Goldsmith, 32, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., spoke with the Hub about her father who was born and raised in Canadian, Texas, on the eastern side of the Texas Panhandle and adjacent to Oklahoma. At age 30, Joslyn moved to Woodward, Okla., where he worked in the oil fields.

Although they never married, Goldsmith said, her parents were together for 20 years.

Joslyn got into trouble with the law, Goldsmith said, and went to prison for 10 years. She was 10 at the time.

Released in 2001, he reunited with his daughters and began living as a tramp, as Goldsmith said her father called it, going from place to place.

He didnt want to burden anybody, as he put it, and he loved to be out in nature. Thats how he chose to live his life.

Over the years, Joslyn stayed in contact with Goldsmith and her sisters via cell phone as he walked everywhere. Joslyn was in Nebraska, walking his way to Myrtle Beach to see Goldsmith and her family when he died.

Joslyn was in the water, clothed and bathing at the time he disappeared. The autopsy revealed he drowned, Kearney Police Department Investigations Sgt. Kyle Harshbarger said. Alcohol was involved in the incident, however, toxicology reports arent complete.

Rescue crews searched Monday afternoon and evening for Joslyns body, and located him at about 8 a.m. Tuesday, shortly after resuming their search, three-fourths of a mile east of where he was last seen.

Foul play wasnt involved in his death.

The last time Goldsmith talked with Joslyn was about six months ago when he was in California. Although they werent as close she wouldve liked, she still spoke with him periodically, and at least once she tried to convince him to live in South Carolina with her. But Joslyn enjoyed being a traveler.

His answer was he was a gypsy and he couldnt be caged in a house.

Goldsmith and her family are grateful to law enforcement and rescuers who took the time to search for him and to recover his body. The family wont have funeral services for Joslyn. He didnt want that.

Instead, his body will be cremated and his ashes will be spread over the Canadian River at Canadian, Texas.

So that he can drift from coast to coast, like he did in his life, Goldsmith said. Thats the way he wanted to live his life.

@HubChic
HOLDREGE  Forty years ago, 40 students converged in Holdrege to participate in the first Summer Honors Program.

This year, 129 students will take part in the gifted education program that runs Sunday to June 23.

We are the only service unit in the state of Nebraska that does something like this, said Janelle Jack, gifted education coordinator at Educational Service Unit 11.

We have 13 schools in our service unit, and they are all very good about supporting summer honors. They see the need for summer honors and how lucky they are to have it to offer to their students, as well.

Summer school may not sound appealing to some, but for students such as Yvette Pearson it was a no-brainer.

It sounded interesting. I really, really like school. So it was like, Oh, school in the summer, Pearson said about the program.

Pearson, the daughter of Kurt and Joyce Pearson, graduated from Holdrege High School this year and has participated in Summer Honors all five years she was eligible in math and science. Before attending the program, she was very shy, but Summer Honors has helped her open up.

It gives you the opportunity to grow as a person and learn who you are, she said. Its helped me open up a lot as a person. Now, I can talk to anyone.

The accelerated summer school began in 1978 as a way to provide more rigorous work for gifted students in the service unit. Students  from incoming freshman to graduates  are selected for the program after being nominated by their high school teachers. Finalists are chosen on the basis of performance on an exam or work sample. This year, the program had more than 500 applications.

In a two-week period, the instructors cover the same amount of material that a student would normally be exposed to in a semester of high school or college.

It covers a ton of information in a short amount of time, so they go at a really fast pace and do some really cool things, Jack said.

Instructors travel from the East Coast, the West Coast, across the Midwest and even abroad to teach 11 classes in agriculture, art, computer science, creative writing, drama, film production, logic, math, medical science, science and social science.

Agriculture is new to the class schedule this year, and students in the ag class will be able to get college credit.

Students are in class from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and many get the opportunity to learn outside the classroom. The ag class will travel to Ogallala this year. The film class travels in the area to get shots for its productions, and the medical science students spend their first week in Kearney and their second week shadowing at hospitals, Jack said.

For Austyn Perez, Summer Honors was a way to get involved and meet new people.

Some of my best friends have come from Summer Honors and some of my greatest connections, Perez said.

Perez, the son of Jessica Perez, has taken art and film and will do drama for his final year in the program. For the graduated senior from Holdrege High School, Summer Honors provided opportunities to be around people on the same level and to improve his art, he said.

Friendships formed at Summer Honors can be very important for these students, Jack said.

Its harder for (gifted students) to find friendships because they may be a little bit more unique or a little different from the rest. Its nice for them to be here, she said.

The program provides plenty of opportunities for students to get to know each other. Students traveling to Holdrege for Summer Honors stay with host families in the town, and there is no shortage of things to do when they arent in class.

Activities are planned for them in evenings such as a trip to Hastings, viewing a movie in Kearney, a cookout at Johnson Lake, a poetry slam, a game night, a dance and a lock-in at the YMCA.

Participants also get the opportunity to see the drama classs production of Nothing is the End of the World Except the End of the World June 21.

Summer Honors Program alumni will have a chance to relive their days in the program during a 40th anniversary reunion at 4 p.m. Friday at Taste of Texas in Holdrege.

Hopefully, they will come back and be able to talk and share memories, Jack said.

In the future, Jack said, the program is considering adding new classes such as a foreign language class or oceanography. For her, the best part every year is working with the students and instructors.

The kids are just so awesome. They are just so fun to work with, and they are just the best. The instructors, too, she said. I feel very blessed that I have an opportunity to be a part of it.
KEARNEY  Twice in one week, the Buffalo County Sheriffs Office has used a drone to help search for missing people.

After the drone was purchased in February 2016, drone pilots and sheriff investigators Joe Andersen and Harly Amy had to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration to fly. Theyve been operating the device since December and train with it monthly.

Fortunately we havent had a need to fly it until now, Andersen said. It worked like it was supposed to.

The drone was first used on June 1 when two teenage girls entered a branch of the Platte River south of the Minden Interchange, west of Bassway Strip. The girls were located before the drone could be deployed.

It was used again earlier this week to help in the search for Sidney Ray Joslyn, who disappeared in the north channel of the Platte River at Kearney. The drone was used until a Nebraska State Patrol helicopter took over the air search.

I feel we covered a lot of ground they didnt have to, Andersen said of rescuers on foot.

The drone, which can take still pictures and video, will be used for search and rescue incidents, officers looking for evidence or by the Fatality Accident Investigation Team. It has Bluetooth compatibility and can be livestreamed to other officers.

We view this as a much safer option for us, Sheriffs Capt. Bob Anderson said.

Regardless of the drones technical capabilities, government entities are regulated by the FAA in how its used. Although Andersen and Amy can pilot it, an observer is required by the FAA to scan the air space while it is being flown. Because of regulations, its pilots are limited on the distance it can be flown.

Visual sight of the drone must be kept at all times.

According to the FAA, Andersen and Amy are only allowed to fly the drone in Buffalo County. Once they receive additional certification, they can fly it anywhere in the United States, with some air space restrictions.

Deployment of the drone requires a supervisors approval, Capt. Anderson said.

The drone cost the sheriffs office $1,600.

@HubChic
The Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday upheld a $44 million jury award that followed a 2015 trial in Douglas County District Court over software that is used to process debit-card payments.

Omaha-based software developer BHMI prevailed in that trial over ACI Worldwide, another software developer now based in Florida but founded in Omaha in 1975. One of the attorneys who won the case said he believes it is the largest jury award to be upheld by the states highest court.

The Omaha company contended that ACIs dominant position in selling software that processes debit and credit card transactions put it in violation of state and federal antitrust laws.

BHMI also said the company interfered with BHMIs business by suing banks and merchants that installed BHMIs software, based on ACIs contention that BHMIs software was pirated from its own. BHMI in 2014 prevailed on that issue, after a jury found that its software was not misappropriated from ACI.

Also part of the dispute was BHMIs position that ACI stole its ideas and breached nondisclosure agreements after it was allowed to examine the Omaha companys software in an attempt to head off intellectual property disputes between the companies.

ACI, the Supreme Court wrote in an opinion released Friday morning, disputed the jury award based upon what it called the testimony of an unqualified expert witness and no evidence of damages incurred by BHMI.

Neither argument had any merit, the states highest court wrote.

The $44 million jury award was surpassed last year, after a Douglas County District Court jury found ConAgra responsible for a fatal 2009 explosion in a North Carolina Slim Jim meat snack factory. The jury award in that case was $109 million, which ConAgra said at the time it intended to appeal. A spokesman for the company, now known as Conagra Brands, said the jury award in its case is under appeal.

Requests for comment on the Nebraska Supreme Court decision left with the public relations department of ACI were not answered Friday.

Michael Coyle, the attorney from Omahas FraserStryker law firm who represented BHMI along with colleague Timothy Thalken, said in an interview Friday: To the best of my knowledge, this is the biggest jury award to have been affirmed by Nebraska Supreme Court.

Coyle said it had been a long and difficult journey for BHMI and that the company was glad it was over.
OMAHA -- Twelve electric shocks by a Taser  each five seconds long.

Three of the jolts when the mentally ill man did not resist.

Multiple punches to the head even as he sat motionless and unarmed.

The troubling actions by two Omaha police officers Monday morning while they attempted to control Zachary Bearheels, who later died, violated numerous policies, Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said in a Friday afternoon press conference.

Officer Scotty Payne, who used the Taser on the handcuffed man, and Officer Ryan McClarty, who dealt the blows, were recommended for termination, The World-Herald learned. Schmaderer could not say which of four officers involved in the crucial parts of the encounter with Bearheels were being fired, for legal reasons.

In this incident, despite our extensive training, we failed, Schmaderer said. The Omaha Police Department made a mistake on this occasion, and were doing whatever we need to to correct it.

If Schmaderers decision to fire the two officers is confirmed by the citys Human Resources Department, Payne and McClarty can appeal to the Personnel Board or through an arbitration hearing.

The chief said all officers will receive refresher training, and the department plans to beef up field supervision and recruit veteran law enforcement officers from other agencies.

Schmaderer said inexperience was a factor in the fatal encounter outside the Buckys convenience store at 60th and Center Streets.

It did not appear that anybody took charge of this call, he said. We were with Mr. Bearheels for almost an hour ... and thats too long.

Bearheels, 29, was not breathing and had no pulse when he was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he died.

Each of the four officers has had less than five years on the force. But Schmaderer said all four had received extensive training on use of force, de-escalation techniques and dealing with the mentally ill.

Officers Jennifer Strudl and Makyla Mead, who were at the scene before Payne and McClarty arrived, have been placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

Much of the encounter was caught on cruiser cameras, but video and audio will be released either after a grand jury decision or during a potential criminal court case.

Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said that, depending on what the evidence shows, he could decide to charge officers on his own without going through the secret grand jury proceeding. He is awaiting autopsy results and police reports to determine whether to file charges.

In general, Kleine said, excessive force cases could lead to an assault charge  or a manslaughter charge, if the use of force is believed to have caused the persons death.

Schmaderer said Bearheels death was not caused by blunt-force trauma.

Mitchell Chalepah, Bearheels brother, said he thinks Payne, McClarty, Strudl and Mead all should serve jail time for their roles in his brothers death.

They took my brothers life away, he wrote in a Facebook message. He was just trying to come home, thats all. He just wanted to come home. (I) want JUSTICE for my big brother.

McClarty, Mead and Strudl did not return calls Friday seeking comment. Payne referred a reporter to his attorney, but declined to provide the lawyers name.

Schmaderer opened and closed his Friday press conference offering sincere condolences for Bearheels family.

Tasers, he said, are a less lethal option officers can use before resorting to deadly force. Police are trained to deploy a Taser three times  any more is a risk of health concerns, Schmaderer said. If the three shocks do nothing, then officers should move on to other tactics, according to their training.

Bearheels was shocked with a Taser 12 times, the chief said, most of those while he was in handcuffs.

When you have somebody in handcuffs, oftentimes its best just to get a bunch of people around him and control it, Schmaderer said.

Bearheels was kicked off a bus that was taking him to Oklahoma City last Saturday, just before midnight. He is bipolar and schizophrenic, family members said, and was not taking his medication.

Officers first encountered Bearheels in the Aksarben area at 3:50 p.m. Sunday outside a Brazilian Wax salon where he was licking windows. Officers gave him water and offered to take him to a shelter or a hospital. Bearheels became agitated but did not commit any crime, so he was allowed to leave the area.

Renita Chalepah, Bearheels mother, was expecting her son to arrive in Oklahoma City at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. She called Omaha police Sunday night to report him missing.

Strudl and Mead were dispatched to the Buckys convenience store at 6003 Center St. at 12:36 a.m. Monday because Bearheels was refusing to leave.

Strudl arrived first, at 12:40 a.m.

Strudl has been trained as a crisis intervention team officer who received advanced certification in dealing with mentally ill adults.

Schmaderer said Strudl used some recommended tactics  speaking calmly, softly and clearly  in her encounter with Bearheels. His speech was garbled and unintelligible.

Strudl and Officer James Mosby were able to put handcuffs on Bearheels without incident and put him in the back of a cruiser.

Strudl spoke on the phone with Renita Chalepah for 23 minutes. Mead arrived and called a sergeant, who said there was insufficient justification to detain Bearheels or place him in emergency protective custody.

Kleine  whose office handles mental health commitments in the county  said he would like to know what the officers knew and relayed to the sergeant.

Bearheels behavior could have qualified him for a trip to a mental health facility, Kleine said.

Under state law, authorities can seek a commitment if the person is a danger to himself or others.

Officers decided to follow Chalepahs request to take Bearheels to the bus station.

Bearheels was in the cruiser for 36 minutes. When Strudl opened the door to put Bearheels seat belt on him, Bearheels leapt out of the car and walked away.

Payne, who had just arrived at the scene, joined Mead and Strudl in trying to maintain control over Bearheels, who was 5-foot-9 and 250 pounds. They requested backup at 1:32 a.m., and McClarty arrived three minutes later.

The four officers tried to move Bearheels back to the cruiser, and Payne warned him he would be shocked with a stun gun. The officers tried to carry Bearheels, Schmaderer said, but he broke free and landed on his feet.

After additional warnings, Payne loudly announced, Taser, Taser, Taser and discharged the Taser, which hit Bearheels in his abdomen and right thigh. The shocks did not effectively incapacitate Mr. Bearheels, the chief said.

For Schmaderer, the disturbing actions began when McClarty dragged Bearheels by his ponytail and waistband toward the cruiser.

Payne continued to activate the Taser. Bearheels then ended up in a seated position with his back against the rear of the cruiser. For the next minute and 45 seconds, as Bearheels sat on the ground and offered no resistance, the chief said, Payne activated the Taser three times.

These are egregious violations of the Omaha Police Departments policy, procedures and training on use of force and the use of a Taser, the chief said.

Bearheels was able to pull his left hand out of the handcuffs and turned toward McClarty, swinging his arms and kicking his legs. In the process, Bearheels ripped skin off his hand.

McClarty hit Bearheels in the head multiple times with his fists, Schmaderer said. While McClarty delivered the blows, the chief said, Payne activated his Taser.

Video showed Mr. Bearheels to be motionless on the final few strikes, Schmaderer said, which is in direct violation of our policies and culture at the Omaha Police Department.

Bearheels was placed on a gurney, his hands cuffed to the rails. Inside the rescue squad, he stopped breathing and didnt have a pulse.

He was pronounced dead at 2:16 a.m., about an hour and a half after Strudl first encountered him.

Renita Chalepah, Bearheels mother, could not be reached for comment Friday evening. Mitchell Chalepah said his mother was terribly hurt.

Victor Chalepah, Bearheels uncle, praised the chief online for his openness: At least he had guts to admit wrong for the department ... and that deserves some respect.

World-Herald staff writers Todd Cooper and Andrew J. Nelson contributed to this report.
With the opening of the new water trail on Kearney Canal and other streams, Kearneyites now are officially contributing to the exploding popularity of paddling sports. There may be more kayaks, canoes and paddle boards per capita in Kearney than anywhere else in Nebraska.

People are drawn to paddling for relaxation, exercise, family time, affordability, etc., so its good to see the water trail and Platte River emerging as recreational resources.

However, recent emergency rescues from the Platte and this weeks drowning in Turkey Creek remind us of the immense power of moving water and the need to become knowledgeable about the hazards in streams and rivers. Drownings can occur in the most innocent of circumstances, such as wading in shallow spots near the bank, not just when people challenge Mother Nature by attempting to navigate or swim in swift-moving streams.

The U.S. Forest Service and Army Corps of Engineers caution that even slow-moving currents can knock waders off their feet and carry them away toward downstream hazards where even strong swimmers may be unable to help. Debris and underwater tree branches and logs and narrow gaps between rocks can trap people under water.

Because many dangers arent visible above the surface, navigating streams and rivers calls for extreme caution, including the use of personal flotation devices and an awareness of water conditions, including temperature. The best time to employ safety measures isnt when an emergency occurs, but before the paddling begins. Know your limits, know the stream and always put safety first.

Be a tree expert

Heres an idea to enrich your outdoor time. For a $5 donation, the Arbor Day Foundation will send a tree ID book,What Tree Is That? Its a guide with a step-by-step approach and hand-drawn illustrations highlighting the characteristics of many species. What Tree Is That? fits in your pocket to bring on outdoor excursions. Youll be prepared when someone asks, What kind of tree is that?

To obtain a full-color tree ID guide, send your name, address and $5 for each guide to What Tree Is That?, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

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People demonstrate in Parliament Square against the possible Conservative and DUP coalition government following the Britain's general election result, in London, Saturday June 10, 2017. Prime Minister Theresa May's gamble in calling an early election backfired spectacularly as her Conservative Party lost its majority in Parliament. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
A U.S. P3 Orion surveillance plane flies over Marawi city, southern Philippines as Philippine Air Force helicopters and bombers continue air strikes on Friday, June 9, 2017. It's unclear how many people remain trapped in Marawi as government troops battle Muslim militants led by the so-called "Maute" group but army officers have put the figure this week at anywhere from 150 to 1,000. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
FILE - In a Monday, May 8, 2017 file photo, Berkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett gestures during an interview by Liz Claman of the Fox Business Network in Omaha, Neb. Buffett is auctioning off a private lunch in the hopes of raising millions of dollars more for a charity helping the homeless in San Francisco. Buffett has raised nearly $24 million for the Glide Foundation over the past 17 years. This year's eBay auction starts Sunday, June 4, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. PDT and runs through Friday. The largest bids typically come near the end. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
Im a fiduciary, and proud of it. I like that my clients know I always put their best interests first when Im working with their hard-earned money, and I take that responsibility seriously.

Still, I cant say Im happy that the Department of Labors long-delayed fiduciary rule finally went into effect on June 9, a little over two months after President Trump delayed its implementation (opens in new tab) for more study.

The rule emphasizes eliminating conflicts of interest among financial professionals. Until now, some financial professionals, such as brokers, were required to act under only a suitability standard. The products they recommended needed only to be suitable to the clients goals and objectives given their current situation, meaning that it was OK to recommend products that were suitable but that came with higher fees or expenses  from which the adviser could earn some extra money. Now, under the fiduciary rule, the advice they give for your retirement accounts is required to be in your best interest, not their own.

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

One thing to keep in mind: The rule applies only to your retirement accounts: those funded with pre-tax dollars, such as your IRA and 401(k), but not individual brokerage accounts.

Problems from the Start

If youre not sure what standard your financial professional is working under, ask. But there have been problems from the start with the way the rule came to be, the way companies are executing it and what it means to consumers.

That the regulation was delivered by a federal agency and pushed by the past administration (opens in new tab), circumventing Congress opposition, is troubling.

It isnt as though the problems the rule addresses havent been on Congress radar. Alternatives had already been proposed. And its possible there would be fewer objections if the changes had gone through the proper channels.

The financial services industry opposed the DOL rule from the beginning  arguing that it would make retirement planning too expensive for middle- and lower-income individuals seeking professional guidance. And yet, in fits and starts, the rule moved toward reality, and the industry began changing to deal with it. Large and small firms started reinventing themselves and how they do business.

Small Clients Being Squeezed Out

Already, weve seen companies raising their minimums; if you dont have enough in your portfolio to make it worth the work, and youre not paying those commissions and fees anymore, you may have a difficult time finding a good financial professional. Existing clients could have to look elsewhere for help, and new clients may have to go where their account size is welcomed or become do-it-yourselfers (opens in new tab).

The level of advice an individual receives should not be based on the size of their retirement portfolio. And DIYers will be facing a market due for a correction. They could ruin their retirement if they dont get it right.

And now that the rule has come to pass, I think firms will use it as a marketing angle. Theyll say, Weve been waiting for this, and were ready. But they wont be there for everyone.

Pressure on Financial Professionals

And every adviser wont be around, either. New costs, compliance obligations and other issues associated with the rule will force some financial professionals out of business. And a lot of older, experienced financial professionals may decide to retire rather than deal with the educational requirements, not to mention the thought of what could happen if a client decides they should have done better and takes the case to court.

So youll see options disappearing for lower-income individuals, but also any individual who simply prefers working with the financial professional theyve always had, in the manner theyve grown used to.

My Final Take on the Fiduciary Rule

Ive been a fiduciary for more than 20 years, and I think its the best way to conduct business. But there are problems with the DOL rule that I believe need fixing.

As President Trump said in his Feb. 3 memorandum ordering a review of the rule, further analysis is in order (opens in new tab).
So a professor said that he thought it was a bad idea to coerce white students and staff to leave campus for a day. Not an unreasonable view. So surely a civil discussion ensured:

It was a reasonable perspective and a prompt for discussion, not fury. It drew fury nonetheless. Dozens of students interrupted one of his classes, screaming at him about racism, white privilege and even white supremacy. The campus police chief advised him, for his own safety, to steer clear of school grounds until tempers cooled. Students demanded that he and two other college employees whom they deemed insensitive to minorities be fired. Hey hey, ho ho, these racist teachers have got to go! they chanted.

If I ran a university and students burst into a class screaming at a professor, Id expel them from the university.

Confronted with a loud barrage of questions, he asks the students, Would you like to hear the answer or not? No! several shout. And there you have it. Theyre not conducting an interrogation. Theyre staging an inquisition.

They are just another form of totalitarian ideology. And part of the reason why sensible moderate people vote for Donald Trump, because they saw him as the only person who would stand up this nonsense.
Without the partial collapse of the Scottish National Party and the big increase in the number of Conservative MPs from Scotland, Jeremy Corbyn might be trying to cobble together a governing coalition of Labour, the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Greens. That is how close Conservative Prime Minister Teresa May came to what wouldve been one of the most stunning defeats in British political history. As it is, she has limped back into No. 10 Downing St with the backing of the right wing Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of Northern Ireland. How did May managed to blow what was in some polls a 22% lead over Labour in the space of a 6-week campaign?

Voters dont like snap elections

Especially when they were promised by the newly sworn in PM May that shed see out her predecessors 5-year term. One of David Camerons more popular policies (which was enshrined in the Fixed Term Parliaments Act 2011) attempted to create election certainty by having a government last out its 5-year term. Cameron honoured that commitment by holding the first election as the sitting PM 5 years from when he first became PM in 2010. If there are valid reasons for a snap election, voters understand but sticking it to a weak and divided Labour Party to get a bigger majority was the real reason that people saw rather than the official reason given; to strengthen Mays hand in the Brexit negotiations.

Dont attack your base

Perhaps the single most damaging act of the May/Conservative campaign was the so-called dementia tax and the subsequent backtrack. The Tories banked on the fact that its wealthier base would be resentful if some of them were forced to use their own assets to pay for institutional care for the aged and infirmed but that most would hold their noses and still vote for them. In a country weaned on free medical care courtesy of the NHS, it went against the national consensus to make even the rich pay for such care and it came across as niggardly and mean. It was a spectacular own goal and the hasty reversal did great damage to Mays mantra of her being strong and stable. On the back of a coupe of prior fiscal related U  turns, it showed May to be fickle, indecisive and possessing poor political instincts.

UKIP voters returned home

The Conservatives had previously been the major electoral beneficiaries of the UKIP vote because a majority of UKIP voters had been Labour voters and with the FPP voting system, UKIP often split the lefts vote allowing a Conservative candidate through to win a formally Labour seat. With Farages work done with the successful Brexit vote, the raison detre for UKIP was gone and those voters returned home. Because Corbyn said he would honour Brexit, it meant a traditional Labour UKIP voter could safely return to the fold. The other non-Brexit bread and butter issues that working-class former Labour voters are concerned about were better catered for in Labours manifesto than the poorly executed Conservative manifesto and so in a ratio of 2:1, the collapsed UKIP vote favoured Labour. This helped Labour defend its at-risk marginal seats.

Young voters usually dont turn out  but this time they did

Youth and millennial voters across all the major 1st world democracies are notorious for their activism but not backing it up by actually voting. The overall turnout in the 2017 election was 3% up on 2015 but turnout was up over 5% in many of the key Labour seats that the Tories were targeting plus in some marginal Conservative constituencies. This was the key to Labours massive upset. Young voters were not swayed by the Conservative scare tactics about the massive downside of a state controlled economy (that Corbyn promised) nor Corbyns long history of pro IRA sympathies. The economic turmoil of the Callahan years in the 70s and the terror of the 70s and 80s IRA bombings are but chapters in textbooks to Millennials. Corbyn promised free tertiary education and a nirvana of state run trains and cheaper state-run power; no-brainer electoral choices to under 25s and they turned out in droves for Labour.

Wooden, safe, robotic campaigns are easily overshadowed by grassroots passion

Teresa May was the Hillary Clinton of the UK. Her lack of warmth and spontaneity was palpable and she and her inner circle foolishly built a presidential style campaign of personality around her when she was devoid of warm personality. Corbyn was able to shake off his torpor and was energised by a Bernie Sanders style grassroots campaign that had more seeming vigour and passion. This help juice the 18 to 25 year old turnout.

To win you have to be seen on TV and attend debates

One of Mays most bizarre decisions was to refuse to debate Jeremy Corbyn. And to refuse to front up to many of the TV talking head interviewers. Corbyn did both and his performance in interviews and in the free-for-all leaders debate helped Corbyn to portray himself as less threatening in the flesh than his frightening ideology. All leaders in the free worlds democracies show up to debate the rival or rivals to their crown  its part of the job of being the head of a government during an election campaign. May couldnt even do that basic part of the job of being Prime Minister.

The terrorist attacks ended up hurting May

Depending on how such attacks are handled, normally a capable incumbent Prime Minister or President can dominate the media space with grave messages of support for victims and outrage over the terrorists and thus see a poll bump after such attacks. The trouble was that in each of the three major terror incidents (two of which occurred during the campaign), almost every single one of the identified terrorists were found to have already been known to MI5 and/or the police. In a few cases, concerned family and citizens had called the authorities to warn of what they had seen or heard and nothing was done. Teresa May was Camerons Home Secretary all through the period when these terrorists were being radicalized unperturbed inside Britain and so some of the blame for the inaction of the security forces rubbed off on her. Labour skillfully tied the attacks to cuts in police numbers again something that was started by May as Home Secretary and carried on as PM. Finally, instead of attacking the real cause of the Islamic terror problem with a suite of radical measures such as the French have implemented, she talked tough but acted weak and then intimated that the internet would have to be regulated to stop the terror. In times of fear, May was not seen as someone who would do what it takes to protect the British people.

The huge poll leads helped Corbyn

With the Conservatives so far ahead and Corbyn written off and attacked as a left-wing terrorist-sympathising, corduroy-jacket-wearing socialist, voters wanting to object to the hubris of May in calling the election or protest her manifesto, thought they could safely vote for Labour as a protest secure in the knowledge that Corbyn would never make it to No 10.

May was seen as inauthentic regarding Brexit

She was a vocal and public Remain campaigner and clashed with her Brexit supporting colleagues like Boris Johnson, David Davis and Michael Gove (whom she dispatched to the wilderness). May made strengthening her hand in the Brexit negotiations the primary reason for the snap election. Voters judged that she was not really as up to that job as she shouldve been and turned away from her.

FPP throws up unpredictable results

The collapse of UKIP and the partial collapse of the SNP has seen a return to the dominance of the two major parties in a way not seen in British politics since the 1970s. The Liberal Democrats were caught up in this shift with a continuing decline in their influence but even the Lib Dems managed to pick up SNP seats in Scotland and the odd Tory seat. In some safe Labour seats in the north, there were swings to the Conservatives (on the backs of Brexit), whilst in the strongly Remain electorates of London and the south east, the swings to Labour were pronounced. This trend, coupled with the larger than predicted youth turnout, played havoc with the pollsters where, once again, most were off. Almost all polls used 2015 youth turnout models that ended up over sampling Conservatives and showing a larger Tory lead than was the case. The exit poll was however, unlike 2015, reasonably accurate this time.

Conclusion

It is highly unlikely that May will survive such a debacle and the odds are that Boris Johnson will be the new Conservative Prime Minister. With such a slim majority (with the DUP), the government will be weak and subject more to the vagaries of querulous back-benchers and adverse by-election results so a fresh election is highly likely given the track record of previous minority governments in the UK.

There is however one last crucial point that is worth bearing in mind and that is that the UK constituency boundaries have not been revised in well over a decade and a raft of distorting anomalies have arisen that will be corrected when the Boundary Commissions of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland complete their boundary re-drawing work in 2018. The number of Labour seats that have fallen well beneath the average population threshold is significant and it has been estimated by prominent Labour peer Lord Hayward that 30 Labour seats may be drafted out of existence. In other words, Corbyn was fighting on an electoral battlefield that was skewered in Labours favour and he may not get to fight with such a tail wind ever again. Also, Boris Johnson will be a far more formidable election foe than May if and when the next election occurs. As dramatic as Labours revival has been in this election, it was an election that Teresa May almost single handedly lost. Dont bank on the Tories making the same mistakes again as May made this northern hemisphere summer.

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Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 21F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 21F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.
By Andrew Salmon





President Moon Jae-in has pledged to look at ways to reopen the Gaesong Industrial Complex, or GIC, the stalled flagship project of inter-Korean commerce and cooperation. To do this, he will be forced to navigate a minefield of political and diplomatic issues.

And even leaving aside those issues, the thorny, practical question behind restarting Gaesong is: Which companies are going to (re)populate the complex?

After opening in 2004, the GIC was closed for five months by Pyongyang in 2013, and in February 2016, was closed by Seoul. Today, a complex which hosted 124 small South Korean companies and employed over 54,000 North Koreans stands silent.

Given these risks, which company would set up there? How many of the South Korean companies which formerly operated there will return? These companies are in business; they have clients. Plenty of destinations regionwide  Bangladesh, Vietnam, China  offer cheap labor, without the political risk of Gaesong.

If Moon wants to repopulate the GIC, he needs creative thinking. What kind of business could operate sustainably and viably in the zone?

Enter Doojin Hwang  a man with a brilliantly creative, highly feasible and very promising concept for the GIC.

Hwang is one of Korea's new-generation architects. He is also one of those behind the "neo-hanok wave" which has seen the architecture of Korean traditional cottages revived across South Korea.

Hwang's idea leverages the fact that the city of Gaesong, as the site of truce talks, was not bombed during the Korean War, so is today Korea's (and the world's) largest surviving cluster of authentic hanok.

Hwang's idea is this: Turn the GIC into a hub for the manufacture of prefabricated hanok, designed and made by North Koreans, for South Koreans. It would be  literally  "a cottage industry." The idea has sound grounds.

South Koreans despise traditional, historic, authentic hanok  virtually all of which have been bulldozed nationwide  but love neo-traditional, contemporary faux hanok. These modern versions of pre-modern Korean homes are sprouting up in erstwhile traditional hanok districts in cities, as bars, cafes, restaurants, guest houses, photo studios and art galleries. In the countryside, they are appearing as weekend homes, niche pensions and boutique hotels.

However, they are not cheap. The craftsmen who make them are in demand. Prices are high. Hence, Hwang suggests, North Korean workers could create economical, prefabricated hanok.

North Korean architects  who, Hwang assures me, are despite sanctions, fully familiar with the latest architectural software  would draft the plans. These professionals would not need to be in the GIC itself. They could work from, say, Pyongyang and could communicate via the North Korean Intranet.

With design work done, the manufacturing of various prefabricated hanok designs (home, bar, hotel, others) would be carried out in the GIC. This would involve the creation of the houses' wooden frames, beams, decorative windows, wooden floors, underfloor heating systems, roof tiles, and other fixtures.

The resulting kits would be packaged and exported to the South as "hanok in a box." All the buyer would have to do is to slot the pieces together on the land of his/her choice and - voila! An economical, attractive structure with Korean characteristics. If the idea really took off, Kaesong could help repopulate South Korean landscapes and cityscapes with attractive architecture. (Something this apartment-cursed land desperately needs.)

Moreover, enterprising South Korean entrepreneurs could buy the prefab kits in lots from the GIC, and market and export them overseas as a new element of hallyu.

And Hwang is thinking beyond manufacturing. As an adjunct to business, he suggests creating a culturally neutral educational/consulting space in the GIC, wherein North and South Korean architects and heritage experts could meet - perhaps leading to joint projects, North and/or South.

Granted, Hwang's idea would not employ tens of thousands. But it would be a brilliantly Kaesong-specific use of at least part of the GIC.

It is viable and sustainable. It is non-political, and requires no strategic, "dual-use" technologies. Above all, it is a uniquely Korean concept around which to package and restart cross-DMZ commerce, communication, cooperation and reconciliation.

President Moon: Get to it.

Andrew Salmon is a Seoul-based reporter and author. Reach him at andrewcsalmon@yahoo.co.uk.
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PRESS RELEASE

New Broadsides for Glass-Steagall Published

June 9, 2017 (EIRNS)"President Trump: Do You Want Glass- Steagall or Another Economic Meltdown?" is the title of a comprehensive open letter to the President by author and former investment banker Nomi Prins, published on TruthOut today and on several other widely-read sites. Prins has met with many Members of Congress and staff for Glass-Steagall since April, and will continue doing so. The House passage of the so-called "Financial CHOICE" bank deregulation bill, because it will not move in the Senate, has not ended but only intensified the debate involving Glass-Steagall reinstatement.

Prinss letter to the President includes a thorough history of the Glass-Steagall Acts passage and long success, and details how "For the first time since its repeal, a return to the Glass-Steagall Act [has] bipartisan support." But

"The division and the as-yet unresolved nature of the Trump administration response to the Glass-Steagall question could, in the face of another financial crisis, come back to haunt us all, if it translates into more bailouts and systemic failures."

Showing the 2007-08 financial panic a direct consequence of the elimination of Glass-Steagall, Prins writes: "In the fall of 2007, that system finally started buckling because of the problems of Citigroup, not because of the investment banks, which would not have been covered by Glass-Steagall. The catastrophe that hit Citigroup makes it clear just how crucial the repeal of that act was to the financial meltdown to come.... And Citigroup wasnt alone. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke would later testify that, by 2008, 11 out of the 12 biggest commercial banks were "insolvent" and had to be bailed out. The entire banking system was rotten to the core and the massive buildup of bad paper, high leverage, and speculative bets (derivatives) that made disaster inevitable can be traced directly back to the repeal of Glass-Steagall.

"Today, a fresh bubble is inflating. This time, its not U.S. subprime mortgages at the heart of a budding banking crisis, but $51 trillion in corporate debt in the form of bonds, loans, and related derivatives. The credit ratings agency S&P Global Ratings has predicted that such debt could rise to $75 trillion by 2020 and the defaults on it are starting to increase in pace. Banks have profited by the short-term creation and trading of this corporate debt, propagating even greater risk. Should that bubble burst, it could make the subprime mortgage bubble of 2007 look like a relatively small-scale event."

In another broadside, former Reagan Administration Assistant Treasury Secretary Paul Craig Roberts writes today, "Without Glass-Steagall America Will Fail." Roberts notes,

"What we can say about the repeal of Glass-Steagall is that it turned a somewhat egalitarian democracy with a large middle class into the One Percent vs. the 99 percent. The repeal resulted in the destruction of the United States as an open, prosperous society. The electorate is very much aware of the decline in their economic situation, and this awareness expressed itself in the last presidential election."

And further, "the repeal of Glass-Steagall forced the 99 percent to bail out the One Percent."

"The question before Congress today," Roberts writes,
PRESS RELEASE

Grassley Pursues British Role in Coup Attempt Against Trump

June 9, 2017 (EIRNS)The Hill reported June 9 that Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has had the appropriate response to the ongoing coup against Trump, whose leading spokesman inside the government (before President Trump fired him) was FBI head James Comey. Grassley has sent Glenn Simpson, who heads Fusion GPS, a letter stating that if the firm does not respond voluntarily to his prior requests for information about the dodgy British Steele dossier, he will subpoena the information under Senate rules. Christopher Steele prepared his dodgy dossiers under the auspices of Fusion GPS, a Washington D.C. opposition research firm working at the time for the Clinton campaign. Steele was the former head of British Intelligences Russia desk, and still collaborates with the highest levels of the Queens Secret Service, as well as the FBI. Grassley has asked about who paid Steele, and what the relationship was between Fusion, Steele, and Comeys FBI. Fusion has thrown up a score of privileges in an attempt to block Grassleys inquiry. Comey had also blocked similar inquiries by Grassley.

As Comey testified Thursday, on January 6th Comey presented the President with the Steele dossier in a one-to-one meeting, having cleared the nations other intelligence chiefs out of the room. The dossier contains salacious allegations of sexual misconduct by Trump with Russian hookers. As opposed to Comeys general rationale for this meeting, he blurted out in his Senate testimony that it could be construed as a J. Edgar Hoover moment; i.e., he was attempting to blackmail the President into acquiescing to the elites continuing warfare against Russia. The British intelligence product has otherwise served as the FBIs roadmap for its entire phony counterintelligence investigation involving Russian meddling in the U.S. elections.
PRESS RELEASE

Indias Modi and Chinas Xi Meet on the Sidelines of the SCO Summit

June 9, 2017 (EIRNS)The 17th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was held in Astana, Kazakhstan June 8-9, and culminated with the admission of India and Pakistan as new members of the groupthe first expansion of the SCO since its inception in 2001. China will assume the rotating presidency of the SCO for the coming year.

In addition to issuing a final communique and ten other documents, the two-day gathering saw a number of bilateral meetings on the sidelines which were of strategic importance. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping of course met, as expected, but there was also a meeting between the Chinese President and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which had remained unconfirmed until the last minute. There are numerous points of tension between the two countries, which led the Modi government to foolishly boycott the May 14-15 Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. As Helga Zepp-LaRouche explained at the time, the BRF and its global infrastructure development activity is precisely the contextand the only contextin which such pending geopolitical issues among nations can be successfully addressed. It is noteworthy that, in his speech to the SCO summit, Xi Jinping announced

"Chinas proposal for the SCO to draw up a 5-year outline for implementation of the Treaty on Long-Term Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation."

The Times of India reported that at their bilateral meeting, Modi thanked Xi for Chinas support of Indias membership in the SCO:

"I got the opportunity to meet you again during the SCO summit. I am grateful to you for your efforts and support for Indias SCO membership."

Modi later tweeted: "We spoke about India-China relations and how to further improve ties." Xi for his part emphasized that the two countries should work to "appropriately" manage their differences:

"There was also an understanding that where we have differences, it was important that differences should not become disputes, and in fact, if they were handled well, cold even become opportunities."

This was the first Modi-Xi meeting this year. The Times of India reported that they are expected to meet again in early July at the G20 meeting in Hamburg, and at the September 2017 BRICS summit in Xiamen, China.

Modi also met Uzbek President Mirziyoyev, and "exchanged pleasantries" with Pakistans Nawaz Sharif, as they both awaited in the Leaders Lounge for the beginning of the cultural gala that inaugurated the SCO meeting. India and Pakistan have long- standing territorial and other disputes, and this was the first encounter between Modi and Pakistans Nawaz Sharif since December 2015.

One of the central issues addressed at the SCO summit was that of the joint battle against terrorism. Xis speech called for

"the SCO to strengthen regional counter-terrorism institutional building and resolutely crack down on illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking."

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the fact that "the role of the regional anti-terrorist structure of the SCO is growing," and that:

"I have repeatedly stressed that this scourge [terrorism] can only be dealt with by way of honest and constructive joint efforts of all countries on the basis of strict observance of international law."

And Indias Modi in his remarks stated that
PRESS RELEASE

Robert Parry Warns: Soft Coup on Trump Hidden in Plain Sight

June 8, 2017 (EIRNS)Investigative Journalist Robert Parry exposes the "Soft Coup on Trump Hiding in Plain Sight" in todays Consortium News.

He begins with Intelligence Community (IC) head John Clappers decision that FBI head James Comey should go alone to brief then-President-elect Trump Jan. 6 on British agent Christopher Steeles phony dossier on Trump engaging in sex romps in Moscow, to be leaked in time to drain the dignity from Trumps Jan. 20 Inauguration.

"Substitute J. Edgar Hoover for Comey, and you get the picture," says Parry. It was this decision to tack the classified Steele report on prostitutes urinating on clients onto Trumps Jan. 6 briefing that gave press the chance to go wild with this report before Trumps inauguration.

Just as Comey said he inferred an improper order when Trump expressed "hope" that Flynn would not be prosecuted, Trump could have likewise concluded that the obscene sex-urination story amounted to blackmail by the Intelligence Community. J. Edgar Hoover was a master at such warnings conveyed as sincere concern about some political figures well-being, Parry reminds readers. Only three days prior, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) told MSNBCs Rachel Maddow that Trump was being "really dumb" to take on the IC, because "They can get you seven ways from Sunday."

Parry says Comeys testimony yesterday was aimed at an impeachment or a resignation by Trumpa "soft coup."

The use of the Logan Act "should have set off alarm bells," adds Parry. That law was enacted in 1799 during the "Alien and Sedition" period, and was meant to stop private citizens from trying to conduct foreign policy on their own. It was always suspect, and has never been used in 218 years. So for Obama holdover Sally Yates to use it to go after Michael Flynn, suggests an intent to entrap. Parry recounts Flynns history as DIA head in 2012 when the DIA produced "the U.S. governments most perceptive critique of Obamas proxy war in Syria, and his prediction of the emergence of an "Islamic State." Seymour Hirsch reported that Flynns DIA sent a

"constant stream of warnings about the dire consequences of toppling Assad, Parry says. Flynn told Hirsch that those reports got "enormous pushback from the Obama Administration."

Flynn was out of a job in 2015; joined a speakers bureau, and spoke at RTs gala 10th anniversary dinner in Moscow for a fee. Then, he signed up with the Trump campaign; Clintons defeat was a shock, and the ICs claims about Russian interference in the campaign made Flynn an obvious target.

Parry concludes,
PRESS RELEASE

Trump Spoke on U.S. Infrastructure Building at Roads and Rails Event; Focused on Regulatory Relief

June 9, 2017 (EIRNS)This morning at the Department of Transportation, President Donald Trump spoke at the Roads, Rails, and Regulatory Relief Roundtable, reiterating his commitment to building U.S. infrastructure. His focus was on "permit reform," to cut down the time and expense of the process of getting permits and approvals for projects. He announced that a new council will be formed to assist project managers to get through the process, and a new office will be created to prevent outdated Federal rules from holding things up. He displayed a 70-pound, three-binder environmental report that was done for an 18-mile road project in Maryland. The $29 million report worked out to $24,000 per page.

Trumps activities today top off his announced "infrastructure week" of meetings and initiatives. On Wednesday, he spoke at the Ohio River in Cincinnati, highlighting the need to rebuild the 12,000 mile waterway system, and other goals, which today, he referred to as, "roads, rails, runways and rivers."

A letter of support for Trump on this was sent this week by four Ohio Democrats, Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Tim Ryan, and Marcia Fudge, and Joyce Beatty. They commended Trumps efforts to invest in American infrastructure, and his visit to Ohio to highlight the needs, and stressed many areas needing work. They cited aged city water systems needing modernization and that the electric grid needs upgraded. They asked for improvements to the Great Lakes locks, dams, harbors and ship channel, including the St. Lawrence Seaway. In particular, finishing the Soo Locks upgrade is critical. They see expanding infrastructure as the way to "revitalize the domestic steel industry, a foundational economic sector."

Trump did not give further details this week on financing the infrastructure program, beyond his existing plan of the Federal government outlay of $200 billion, which then is to result in a one trillion dollar program, by local and state governments being involved , and private investors joining in.

Yesterday, Trump spoke at a White House infrastructure summit with state, local and tribal leaders from across the country. His five minute welcome said that these people are the "stewards" of most of the roads and infrastructure in the nation, and the Federal government will partner with them. He decried how, to build a highway in the United States, on average involves 10 to 16 government agencies. Approvals can take 12 years.

A new White House infrastructure document this week was posted June 8, "President Trumps Plan to Rebuild Americas Infrastructure," consisting of a short video and list, to present five intentions:

"Lower the average permit time from 10 years to 2 years;" "Unleash private sector capital and expertise to rebuild our cities and states;" "Invest in rural infrastructure;" "Reimagine Americas approach to infrastructure with transformative projects;" "Work-force training initiative focused on skill-based apprenticeship education."

A "by the numbers" section reiterates the Trump infrastructure intent, with selected quantification. There should be one million apprentices in two years. On the money side, there should be $200 billion of Federal infrastructure funding. Of that, $100 billion is for "local prioritization of infrastructure needs;" $25 billion for "rural infrastructure" and $15 billion for "transformative projects."
The giant La Paloma power plant has run hard since it opened in 2003, with owners boasting that its home near Bakersfield is ideal for sending electricity up toward San Francisco or down to Los Angeles area homes and businesses.

The independent power plant sits close to a key transmission connection between areas served by Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric. That has allowed La Palomas electrons to zip easily north or south despite a sometimes jammed transmission link-up between the utilities historic territories.

This advantage has helped the natural-gas power generator become Californias most heavily used independent power plant in the past decade behind only PG&Es Diablo Canyon nuclear plant.

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But now La Paloma is in bankruptcy proceedings and may be shut down because the agency that operates the states power grid has decided that the facilitys Kern County location isnt that great, after all. The power plant, about 110 miles northwest of Los Angeles, is too far to dependably provide electricity to the city and its environs, the agency has determined.

We cant rely on the La Paloma plant because its outside of the L.A. basin, said Neil Millar, executive director of infrastructure development at the California Independent System Operator, which manages the long-distance transmission lines for most of the state. It is here, all about location, Im afraid.

Instead, the agency has supported construction of the Puente power plant in Ventura County, which would cost about $250 million and would be paid for by electricity customers. La Paloma, just 14 years into a lifespan that could stretch 30 or 40 years, is all paid up, built by private developers at a cost of about $500 million.

We cant rely on the La Paloma plant because its outside of the L.A. basin.  Neil Millar, California Independent System Operator

La Paloma Generating Station may become a casualty of Californias power glut. (Gary Kazanjian / For The Times)

Critics say that effectively replacing La Paloma with an expensive new plant is shortsighted and wasteful, and underscores the arbitrary decision-making that has led to Californians paying about 50% more for electricity than the national average.

Other large independent power plants in the state, including the Sutter Energy Center, have closed decades ahead of schedule, while regulators have approved construction of new natural gas plants with utility customers covering the new costs.

Although a plant closer to Los Angeles might be marginally more reliable, the difference in distance isnt sufficient to justify sticking ratepayers with the costs of building a new power plant, especially given La Palomas long track record, critics contend.

La Paloma is a roughly 1,000-megawatt natural gas plant that can power more than 700,000 homes. It is near a natural gas pipeline, so isnt required to tap the troubled Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility, which has an uncertain future after a leak in October 2015 lasted four months and forced thousands from their homes in the nearby Porter Ranch community.

La Paloma is important, said Gary Ackerman, president of the Western Power Trading Forum, an association of independent power producers whose members include La Palomas owner.

Its capable of adjusting or accommodating a growing amount of renewable energy. It has flexibility. It has elements of reliability, and it doesnt need Aliso Canyon, he said.

La Palomas troubles came to a head last year with low market power prices, the lack of a guaranteed contract for its electricity and a new annual review by the grid operator of local electricity demand in the Los Angeles area and nine other state energy regions. That review didnt show La Paloma meeting the power needs of the Los Angeles area nor has any other study, the system operator told federal regulators in a July 2016 federal filing.

The review was conducted with a new premise: Each region should be energy self-sufficient, the agency determined, supplied with electricity primarily from natural gas plants within the region to more reliably respond to sudden drops in electricity supply from solar, wind and other renewable sources.

La Paloma fell outside the boundaries of the Los Angeles region as well as the regions containing the states major cities to the north. The plant, whose name means the dove in Spanish, suddenly found it had little market demand for its power and no state reliability must run contract that pays certain well-located suppliers to stand ready to ramp up their facilities at a moments notice.

The regional boundaries have been used to justify construction of as many as seven new natural gas projects in Southern California, in addition to the Puente plant in Ventura County, even though solar and other renewable power generation are growing rapidly and the state already has a glut of power generating capacity.

California Independent System Operator officials say the rapid growth of renewable power is why the agency is pushing for natural gas facilities close to where consumers use the electricity. Its important, they say, to ensure reliability for the times when the sun isnt shining and the wind isnt blowing.

The additional power plants, however, have created redundancies and excess power that is becoming expensive and ignores the changing dynamics of electricity production and storage.

A recent Los Angeles Times investigation found that power plants such as La Paloma are closing as a result of a glut of electricity capacity in the state. At the same time, regulators continue to approve more plants and increase electricity rates, even though California consumers are using less power.

The excess electricity and building of new power plants, transmission lines and related equipment means Californians are paying $40 billion a year for electricity, $6.8 billion more than nine years ago.

Some blame the high cost and the power glut on the states emphasis on clean energy such as solar and wind power projects, which dont produce electricity 24 hours a day. Others point to utilities wanting to build plants, transmission lines and other equipment to make profit.

The most vocal critics of Californias electricity system argue that La Palomas travails  along with other plants that have closed or are facing shutdown  resulted from poorly designed energy policy.

In filing for bankruptcy, La Paloma blamed market factors such as low natural gas prices, Californias increasing use of renewable energy and slow growth in electricity demand, exacerbated by an inhospitable regulatory environment.

Ackerman also pointed to state legislators and energy regulators.

You told them to build. You told the utilities to buy the energy, Ackerman said. That was the policy of the state and it overbuilt. It over-procured energy, and therein lies the problem.

The excess capacity  designed to help avoid another disastrous period like the 2000-2001 energy crisis that left Californians in the dark with rolling blackouts  might worsen the problem it was meant to solve, Ackerman said.

Its a pretty difficult situation, he said. Eventually, its just going to come crashing down.

La Paloma Generating Station sits near the transmission juncture between Southern Californian Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric territories. (Gary Kazanjian / For The Times)

La Paloma, the states 11th-largest power plant, has typically run far above the average natural gas plant, as much as roughly 78% of its potential to produce power. But it has experienced double-digit declines in usage over the last two years to a nearly all-time low of less than 50%.

Absent some change in compensation, La Paloma has determined that continued economic operation of the La Paloma facility is not justified, at least in the short to medium term, James Maiz, a partner in La Paloma majority owner Rockland Capital LLC, told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last June as part of a petition to save the plant.

Maiz added that the company projected an annual loss of $39 million without a reliability contract from the state or other support. Maiz did not return repeated phone calls seeking comment.

Unlike regulated, investor-owned utilities  Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric and San Diego Gas & Electric  La Palomas owner doesnt have retail customers who pay for the plant. Older independent plants such as La Paloma lack the kind of contracts newer plants receive that allow for recovery of construction costs from the utilities customers.

For example, the Puente power project in Ventura County that state regulators favor over La Paloma is being developed by Edison and will be built and owned by NRG Energy Inc., based in Houston. Edison customers would foot the bill for the plants construction over some 20 years, regardless of how much the plant runs.

The contract for a new plant is the ultimate security for the private company, said Bill Powers, a San Diego engineer who testifies in state utility cases. They get one of these contracts and theyre golden.

Without such support, plants such as La Paloma have difficulty competing in the market, unless they can secure a contract for their power  something the power plant has been unable to do at a price that makes sense. And no one is offering La Paloma a contract.

If La Paloma was not able to secure contracts it was because other facilities offered the utilities better value than La Paloma, said Terrie Prosper, a spokeswoman for the California Public Utilities Commission.

The ISO has a process where it can pay a power plant that provides critical capacity to keep operating even if the plant does not have a utility contract, Prosper said. In this situation, the ISO did not see a need to execute that process.

In October, federal energy regulators denied La Palomas request for contract help, stating that La Paloma did not indicate that it had made attempts to avoid financial losses other than seeking to cut operations to save money.

In December, La Paloma Generating Station LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, listing assets between $100 million to $500 million and liabilities of $500 million to $1 billion.

Times data editor Ben Welsh and staff writer Ryan Menezes contributed data analysis, which has been released as open-source software.

ivan.penn@latimes.com

For more energy news, follow Ivan Penn on Twitter: @ivanlpenn

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State regulators want a study of clean alternatives to an Oxnard natural gas plant

California regulators weigh whether the state needs more power plants

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State regulators have accepted a proposal for a study of clean-energy alternatives to a proposed natural gas power plant in Ventura County  the second decision within a week to reassess building new fossil fuel facilities.

The California Independent System Operator, which manages the electrical grid for much of the state, had offered to conduct the study after prodding by the organizations governing board.

Members of the California Energy Commission reviewing the planned Puente natural gas plant deliberated for much of last week before issuing a seven-page statement late Friday in support of the study. If a review can help determine whether energy storage or other sources can help meet Oxnards electricity needs, they should be considered as a substitute for building the planned Puente natural gas plant, the committee statement said.

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The committee understands development of such a study is normally a complex and intensive undertaking, but is hopeful that the California ISO will be able to derive a simplified set of assumptions that will allow the ISO to provide meaningful results, wrote energy commissioners Janea Scott and Karen Douglas, who conducted the committee hearings.

The commissioners gave the grid operator until June 16 to say whether it will conduct the study and requested that it be completed no later than July 19.

Representatives of the system operator told the committee last week that the study could be completed in three to four weeks.

The commissioners decision drew an immediate response from NRG Energy Inc., which would build and own the Puente power plant with Southern California Edison Co. as the electricity customer. Edisons ratepayers would foot the bill.

Six months ago, in December 2016, the [California Public Utilities Commission] approved  the Puente Power Project as necessary and appropriate to maintain reliable electric service in the Oxnard area, NRG spokesman David B. Knox said in a statement.

Since that time, no additional feasible, cost-effective and available preferred resources have been identified that would eliminate the need for the Puente Power Project, Knox said. We appreciate the commission striving to keep the project on schedule and remain confident that additional studies will continue to confirm the need for the Puente Power Project.

Edison said it contracted for the Puente project under a directive from the California Public Utilities Commission to ensure that there are sufficient electric resources available to serve the Moorpark area of Ventura County after aging, gas-fired plants close by 2021.

SCE was only responsible to ensure that sufficient resources were contracted, said Janet Clayton, Edisons senior vice president for corporate communications. SCE does not own or profit from the operation of any of these resources.

Environmentalists hailed the energy commissions decision as long overdue. They said similar reviews should have been conducted before final approval of several other natural gas projects they believe arent needed.

We have the technology to meet reliability needs without new gas plants. The only thing we need is political will, said Matt Vespa, senior attorney at the Sierra Club.

Billionaire Tom Steyer, president of NextGen Climate, said the study is a step in the right direction but that regulators shouldnt stop there.

The CEC must uphold its duty to California citizens by rejecting this plan outright, Steyer said. There are better clean energy alternatives that would cost less and protect the Ventura communitys environment and public health.

The review of the Puente project follows a decision Tuesday by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to conduct a study to determine if clean-energy alternatives could replace natural gas plants that the agency is set to rebuild.

The DWP study is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2018.

The Puente project and the DWP plants are among eight different projects in Southern California to build or retool natural gas plants.

Regulators and the utility industry have argued that the plants are needed close to customers to ensure reliability of the electrical grid, in particular when night falls or clouds reduce solar power and when the wind isnt blowing to generate electricity from windmills.

But since the plants were initially proposed and given preliminary approval, the cost of solar panels, wind power and energy storage have dropped so that the cost is on par with or less than fossil fuel plants. And energy storage has increasingly become viable and cost-effective.

The fresh scrutiny of the natural gas plant proposals comes after a Los Angeles Times investigation found that the state is operating with an oversupply of electricity, driven largely by the construction of gas-fueled generating plants, leading to higher rates. The states power plants are on track to be able to produce at least 21% more electricity than needed by 2020, according to the Times report.

Californians are footing a $40-billion annual bill while using less electricity, paying $6.8 billion more than they did in 2008 when power use in the state was at its all-time high. Electricity consumption has since fallen and remained largely flat.

ivan.penn@latimes.com

For more energy news, follow Ivan Penn on Twitter: @ivanlpenn

UPDATES:

4:25 p.m.: This article was updated to include reaction to the energy commission committee decision as well as additional analysis.

This article was originally published at 8:10 p.m. June 9.
A years-old dispute over whether to impose restrictions on three Middle Eastern airlines that fly into the United States has reached a new extreme: criminal allegations.

A coalition of U.S.-based airlines and their pilot and flight attendants unions have been calling for restrictions on flights to the United States by Emirates, Etihad and Qatar airlines, saying the carriers have taken subsidies from their oil-rich governments and therefore have an unfair advantage when competing with U.S. airlines.

The Middle Eastern carriers dispute the allegations.

Former President Obama did not show interest in putting restrictions on the Middle Eastern airlines, and neither has President Trump.

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Now the coalition, including United, American and Delta airlines, are taking shots at the U.S. Travel Assn., the nations largest travel trade group, which has opposed restrictions on the Middle Eastern carriers.

The coalition accused the trade group this week of failing to register as a lobbyist for a foreign agent because Emirates and Etihad became two of the U.S. Travel Assn.s 1,200 members this year and paid a combined $330,000 in membership fees.

Despite claiming to represent the American travel industry, the U.S. Travel Assn. is promoting the interests of the United Arab Emirates by lobbying on behalf of Emirates and Etihad Airways, said Jill Zuckman, a spokeswoman for the Partnership for Open & Fair Skies, the coalition that has been critical of the Middle Eastern carriers.

A violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which was enacted in 1938, is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or by imprisonment of up to five years.

The U.S. Travel Assn. dismissed the accusation, noting that it began opposing restrictions on the Middle Eastern carriers two years before Etihad and Emirates joined the trade group. The organization also says that the membership fees from the two carriers represents less than 1% of its $33-million annual revenues.

Their narrative doesnt add up in any way at all, U.S. Travel Assn. spokesman Jonathan Grella said.

hugo.martin@latimes.com

To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter.

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President Trumps nominee for a post as a powerful banking regulator has misrepresented a college degree on his resume, according to a spokeswoman for Dartmouth College.

Joseph Otting, the former chief executive of Pasadenas OneWest Bank whom Trump nominated Tuesday to be the next comptroller of the currency, has claimed to be a graduate of the School of Credit and Financial Management at Dartmouth.

Joseph Otting is not a Dartmouth graduate, Diana Lawrence, the colleges associate vice president for communications, said Saturday. Dartmouth does not have a school of credit and financial management.

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The degree was included in a short biography of Otting released by the White House on Monday when Trump announced his intention to nominate Otting.

The degree also was listed on a biography for a 2015 speech Otting gave at a conference hosted by the Hope Global Forums and in a 2014 announcement when he was elected as chairman of the California Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

Ottings misrepresentation of the degree was first reported by Bloomberg News.

There is is a continuing education program called the Graduate School of Credit and Financial Management offered by the National Assn. of Credit Management in Columbia, Md.

The program consists of a pair of two-week sessions in consecutive years and now is held at American University in Washington, D.C.

Bloomberg reported that the program used to be held at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., but wasnt affiliated with the school.

Records show that Otting graduated from the program in 1992 when he was a midlevel manager at Union Bank in Beverly Hills, Bloomberg said.

The White House confirmed Bloombergs description of the program but does not believe Otting misrepresented himself, said White House spokeswoman Natalie Strom.

Contact information for Otting, who lives in Nevada, could not be obtained.

Ottings biography says he has a bachelors degree from the University of Northern Iowa. He would be the first comptroller of the currency since 1981 without an advanced academic degree.

The job involves leading the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, an independent bureau of the Treasury Department that oversees federally chartered banks.

Those include the banking arms of some of the largest financial institutions in the country, including JP Morgan Chase & Co. and Bank of America Corp. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency played a key role in the $185-million settlement last year with Wells Fargo involving its creation of unauthorized accounts.

News that Otting misrepresented his degree is likely to add to opposition to his nomination already coming from Democrats, who have criticized OneWests foreclosure practices.

Otting ran the bank from 2010 to 2015. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin was the banks chairman from 2009 to 2015.

Also, the Justice Department announced last month that Financial Freedom, a OneWest subsidiary, had agreed to pay $89 million to settle allegations that it defrauded the Federal Housing Administration regarding reverse mortgage insurance payments from March 31, 2011, to Aug. 31, 2016.

Twitter: @JimPuzzanghera

jim.puzzanghera@latimes.com

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Hundreds of guests and dignitaries gathered at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, for a special session Tuesday marking the 1967 Six-Day War. It was a celebration of Israels lightning military victory over Arab armies in the Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights, West Bank and East Jerusalem that forever changed the landscape of the Middle East.

In an address that waxed nostalgic for the euphoria that swept Israel in the wars aftermath, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invoked the biblical history of the Jewish people in Hebron and Nablus, the West Bank cities that were captured during the conflict. The Six-Day War returned us to the country from where we had been cut off for generations, he said. This is our land.

Absent from the parliamentary party, however, were legislators from Israels pro-peace Meretz party. Not enough attention, they said, was being paid to the consequences of Israels unending control over millions of Palestinians who live in the lands occupied 50 years ago this week.

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Tamar Zandberg, one of the partys parliament members, complained that the celebrations ignored the fact that the West Bank has lived under military rule for 50 years.

This casts the biggest shadow over Israels democracy in its history  and for its continued existence, she said on the parliament television channel. This reality is really abnormal  its distorted, and we need as quickly as possible to reach a solution to this in the form of an agreement.

The dissonance between the prime minister and the opposition politician highlights the extent to which the anniversary of the war is stirring a debate in Israel over whether one of the countrys most storied military victories planted the seeds of a modern political disaster.

Israeli armored forces in action June 5, 1967, in the Sinai Desert. (AFP/Getty Images)

Israel scored a total defeat against Egyptian, Jordanian and Syrian forces, perhaps one of the last moments in the Middle East that a military conflict has been decided so decisively. The victory transformed Israel from a small, vulnerable outpost teetering on the eastern shelf of the Mediterranean into a regional power player with ample territorial buffers against any potential new attacks.

After surviving a traumatic surprise attack in 1973 by Egypt and Syria in an attempt to recover their territories, Israel eventually traded Sinai for a peace accord with Cairo in 1979 and established full diplomatic ties with Jordan in 1994.

But the 1967 war also began Israels self-declared military occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, along with its controversial annexation of East Jerusalem, which formerly belonged to Jordan.

Described as temporary, the occupation gave Israel control over the lives of a Palestinian population that today numbers 4.9 million.

It also opened the door to establishing hundreds of Jewish settlements and outposts in those territories  neighborhoods that many right-wing Israelis, including Netanyahu, now consider an inseparable part of the country.

At official ceremonies and academic symposiums and on the opinion pages of newspapers, the anniversary has become an occasion among Israelis for taking stock of what was gained, and the continuing costs of the countrys failure to turn those 50-year-old military gains into lasting security.

Its a moment of clarification that is forcing Israelis to be more honest about where we are heading, said Ehud Eiran, a professor of political science at Haifa University. Theres a growing belief that this reflects a permanent reality, rather than the stories we told ourselves that its a temporary occupation.

In a late May survey by the Israel Democracy Institute released this week, about 62% of Jewish Israelis disagreed with the idea that control over the West Bank constituted a military occupation.

Although a two-thirds majority considered control of the West Bank to be a boost for Israels security, the survey also found that the public was evenly split over calls by right-wing politicians to annex the territory.

Its a moment of clarification that is forcing Israelis to be more honest about where we are heading.  Ehud Eiran, professor of political science, Haifa University

For the religious nationalist leaders who lead the settlement movement, the jubilee anniversary is being hailed as a sign of the settlements permanence. Tens of thousands of religious nationalist supporters gathered at the Western Wall plaza on the Hebrew calendar anniversary of the capture of East Jerusalem in late May to celebrate.

When I am asked about what is the full vision, what is the future of Judea and Samaria in our eyes, I answer that I want to see, with the help of God, one million Israelis living in Judea and Samaria, Avi Roeh, who heads the Yesha settlers council, wrote on Facebook, referring to the biblical names for the West Bank.

It used to seem like a far off, impossible dream. But today, its possible to believe that were on the right track.

In an effort to push back against public perception that the Jewish settlements in the West Bank are an asset to security, the Molad center, a left-wing research institute, released a paper based on interviews with former Israel Defense Forces generals arguing that large amounts of resources are being diverted to the protection of settlements.

Israels left wing, which has seen its influence and power diminish over the last two decades, has also been focusing this week on the moral implications of continued control over Palestinians in the West Bank and what it means for the countrys democratic values.

The settlers have succeeded in creating, on the ground, exactly what they wanted. A reality in which it will be very difficult to draw a border line, which will prevent a separation between us and the Palestinians, David Grossman, a prominent Israeli author, told the daily newspaper Yediot Aharonot.

This forces us into making a choice between a few tragic options for those who want a democratic state and a Jewish home. In this sense, the settlers create a danger for the future of the state of Israel, they are dragging us into an abyss.

Writing in the same newspaper, the son of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon dismissed such concerns.

Those who say that we should have evacuated the territories at once need to be reminded what it was like here before the Six-Day War: a country whose border was near the outskirts of greater Tel Aviv, and which was only 15-kilometers wide, wrote Gilad Sharon. Does anyone want to go back to that? With all the problems, our situation today is a thousand times better.

Gerald Steinberg, a political science professor at Bar Ilan University, argued that Israelis on both sides of the political spectrum do agree that the government needs to come up with a definitive policy to end the state of political limbo started in June 1967.

Whether youre on the right or left, the continuing uncertainty for 10 or 20 more years is untenable, he said. The longer the temporary aspect of the situation lasts, the more unhealthy it is for Israel.

Mitnick is a special correspondent.

@joshmitnick
The Gay Signs, an installation of works by Bernadette Corporation, is not the worst exhibition to appear in a Los Angeles gallery this season. But five years from now it may have earned that honor.

Thats because exhibitions that are less compelling are also less memorable. The Gay Signs, a half-baked echo chamber at House of Gaga/Reena Spaulings Fine Art, stands out because it does so little with so much.

The title refers to Friedrich Nietzsches The Gay Science (also translated, in 1882, as The Joyful Wisdom) and to semiotics, which was the sexiest subject an undergraduate could study in the late 1980s.

Founded in 1994, Bernadette Corporation is an art, film and fashion collective committed to undermining institutional authority. Its members include Bernadette Van-Huy, Antek Walzcak and John Kelsey, who is also co-director of Reena Spaulings Fine Art in New York.

Bernadette Corporation, I love him who keeps back no drop of spirit for himself (Kayne Stream), 2017, Red LED banners, plastic trashcan, moving blanket. (Bernadette Corporation / House of Gaga / Reena Saplings Fine Art)

All but one of the works in The Gay Signs are simple things  tables, posters and, of course, signs (beer and bathroom)  on which lavish production budgets have been spent.

The tables are the most elaborate. Some do double duty as vitrines. One contains litter picked up in MacArthur Park. Others include LEDs and mirrors configured to create the illusion of infinite regress. Set in one table is a 40-minute video of Sylvere Lotringer. The mischievous professor, who was a magnet for wanna-be semioticians in the 1980s, has not lost his touch  or any of his charisma.

Words, like those an eager student might jot down during a lecture, have been engraved, laser-etched and printed on aluminum and acrylic panels, some clear and others mirrored. References to Antonin Artaud, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are interspersed with narrative snippets and nods to Heliogabalus, emperor of Rome from 218-222, when he was assassinated at the ripe old age of 18.

As a whole, the exhibition is far less interesting than any of its sources. Think of it as the visual equivalent of flatulence in a bubble bath.

Only one piece does more than highlight its desire to be academic. Its also the crudest. With a syringe for a beak, bent drinking straws for legs and a foam cup for its head, Gull Sculpture is an antidote to the overproduced nonsense that makes up the rest of the exhibition. This show would be better if it were forgettable.

House of Gaga/Reena Spaulings Fine Art, 2228 W. 7th St., L.A. Open Wednesday-Saturday, though July 8. (213) 908-5033, www.gagareena.com

Installation view of Bernadette Corporations The Gay Signs. (Bernadette Corporation / House of Gaga / Reena Spaulings Fine Art)

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For the Record

This article lists Antek Walzcak as a member of Bernadette Corporation. He is a former member.
I will begin this appreciation of the actor Adam West, who died Friday at the age of 88, with an apology. What follows will largely be about Batman, the role that half a century ago defined and to some extent constrained Wests career, and will now follow him into the hereafter.

Still, for what its worth, he remains  for me, and many  the best of all possible Batmans, the only Batman that matters. That he is permanently associated with the part in a way that Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Ben Affleck and Christian Bale are not, is as much or more a matter of his owning the role than of the role owning him.

In the mid-1960s, comic books  or to be specific, movies and television series featuring comic book characters  were not the world-dominating, industrial big business they have become. But the times had made them a subject of interest. Jules Feiffers seminal illustrated essay The Great Comic Book Heroes was published in 1965, Susan Sontags Notes on Camp the year before. Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol took comic-strip images and blew them up on canvas.

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Batman, which premiered on ABC in 1966, was the most successful expression of a cultural wave that also produced the CBS sitcom Mr. Terrific, NBCs Captain Nice and the Broadway musical, Its a Bird... Its a Plane Its Superman.

Its a comedy that presents itself as a drama  indeed, it may be the first television comedy to come without a laugh track, and it has a visual formality unusual for the time. There are winks and nods and jokes aplenty, but they are played straight. West, especially, underplays his part  this approach did set a template for his successors  pitching his voice low, rarely breaking a sweat. He is not uncomplicated; he has regrets, and his attraction to Catwoman (played variously by Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt and Lee Meriwether) crossed some line. But, like most contemporary superheroes, there was nothing pathological in his goodness.

West was nearing 40 when he took on the role, and that he is a little worn and seasoned is all to the good. He played Batman with authority and commitment, without ever trying to signal that he was in any way better than his material. His material, in fact, was very good  smart, literate, alliterative, rhythmic  and he handled it comfortably and with some evident relish. Its a surprisingly subtle performance, and a delightful one  delight being a quality notably absent from the franchise after the Caped Crusader was recast as a Dark Knight.

It is true that in his superhero togs  some sort of polyester blend, not the muscular Kevlar armor favored by his grimacing, grumbling successors  West can seem faintly ridiculous. But watching him now, out of costume as Bruce Wayne, Batmans millionaire playboy alter ego, he comes across as genuinely attractive and intelligent, a voice for learning, culture, good citizenship, mutual understanding and world peace. West is also strikingly handsome in a way that was not obvious to me as a child; indeed, he was handsome his whole life.

Batman lasted a little more than two years, logging 120 episodes and producing a theatrical feature. The wave it rode in on receded as the culture moved on, the swinging 60s grew psychedelic and desperate, and television made its way toward All in the Family and M*A*S*H.

I dont know if its fair to say that Wests career never recovered from Batman. He had enjoyed what most actors would consider an enviably healthy career; still, that he was not exactly a household name before then suggests that he might have achieved his high-water mark. For whatever reason  typecasting is real  he was never able to parlay that success into another hit series, as William Shatner followed Star Trek with T.J. Hooker and Boston Legal.

Still, there were nearly 50 years of life left to him after Batman was canceled, and he continued to work, most recently in the recurring role of Mayor Adam West in the Fox cartoon Family Guy. If he was always the man who had been Batman, well, so what? He did that beautifully, and seeing him onscreen in later years always occasioned a little shiver of happiness  whether as Principal Ken Schwinger on The Adventures of Pete and Pete, or in the extremely brief Funny or Die shorts, Adam West Hits on You  Hard, where, tropical drink in hand, slightly tipsy, he delivers a pick-up line straight to the camera. (Are you from Tennessee? Because youre the only 10 I see.)

It was just good to know he was out there, like Batman, waiting to be called.

robert.lloyd@latimes.com

Follow Robert Lloyd on Twitter @LATimesTVLloyd

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Adam West, the iconic star of the campy 1960s Batman TV series, died Friday at the age of 88 in Los Angeles after a short battle with leukemia, prompting reaction from Hollywood and beyond.

Although he was already immortalized as the Caped Crusader, a younger generation had embraced West for his role voicing the corrupt, crackpot Mayor Adam West in the animated comedy TV series Family Guy.

Mark Hamill, who voiced the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series remembered West as a wonderful actor [and] so kind.

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#AdamWest was such a wonderful actor & so kind, I'm so lucky to have worked w/ him & tell him how much he meant to me & millions of fans. pic.twitter.com/Bu0OOaRgX9  Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) June 10, 2017

Greg Berlanti, producer of comic book adaptations of Supergirl, Arrow, The Flash and Riverdale, thanked West for being a hero.

Mr. West, thank you for all those afternoons you helped me and other 70's kids dream about the fun of being a hero. RIP, good sir.  Love, Greg (@GBerlanti) June 10, 2017

Actor Kumail Nanjiani remembered West as the first person I saw who was funny, badass [and] cool all at once.

Director Edgar Wright paid tribute to West, calling him super funny, cool [and] charismatic.

You were MY Batman, he wrote on Twitter. Loved the show as a kid, still love the show now. POW!

And Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane posted a letter to Twitter honoring West, who played the mayor of Quahog, the fictional city in Rhode Island where the series is set.

Wests character made his first appearance during the second season in 1999 and has been recurring ever since. The series just wrapped its 15th season last month.

Family Guy has lost its mayor, and I have lost a friend, MacFarlane wrote. Adam West was a joy to work with.  His positivity, good nature, and sense of fun were undeniable.

Read The Times obituary.

See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour 

gerrick.kennedy@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter:@GerrickKennedy

MORE ON ADAM WEST:

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Jeremy Scott brought a slice of Sin City to Hollywood on Thursday night, transforming Milk Studios on North Cahuenga Boulevard into a catwalk version of the Las Vegas Strip, complete with a hodge-podge of neon signs, desert-appropriate boulders and the name Moschino spelled out in vintage light-up letters. And then he filled the runway with a Vegas-worthy assortment of showgirls, Playboy bunnies, denim-clad cowpokes and motocross thrill-seekers.

The June 8 show, a combined presentation of Moschinos 2018 womens resort collection and spring/summer 2018 menswear collection, marks the second time the labels Los Angeles-based creative director has chosen to show here as part of WME/IMGs Made LA lineup, and it made for the perfect point of departure for a rip-roaring Vegas-bound road-trip.

As soon as the first look hit the runway  a sheer pink chiffon prairie dress covered with pin-up girl appliques  it was clear that this presentation would be as much a trip into the past as a dash across the desert. That pinup girl imagery turned out to be one of the through lines for the womens collection, appearing on pale blue cardigan sweaters, sweatshirts and a range of dresses from barely-there lingerie-inspired looks. Some pieces took the pinup inspiration back a step further to riff on the Playboy bunny  part of a season-specific collaboration with the Playboy brand  that included models in classic bunny-club attire (shoulder-baring bodysuits, fishnet stockings, bow ties and bunny ears) and a few prints showing cartoon characters Betty Boop and Olive Oyl doing their bunny best.

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Looks from Moschinos Made LA runway show presented on June 8, 2017, at Milk Studios in Hollywood. (Willy Sanjuan / Invision / Associated Press far left and second from right and Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times second from left and far right)

Another recurring motif was an airbrushed tongues-of-flame design that flickered across button-front bustiers and bodysuits for women, while jumping the fireline into the mens collection where they gave a dash of hot-rod flair to three-piece suits and sleeveless SpongeBob SquarePants T-shirts. For what its worth, the fire-threatened SpongeBob  with bloodshot eyes, wagging tongue and maniacal grin  actually seemed to be enjoying his pending immolation. (Perhaps thats because its all for a good cause. A portion of proceeds from the SpongeBob pieces will benefit the AIDS organization (RED).) Burning up both collections were flame-kissed cowboy boots and cowboy hats.

The runway collections doubled-down on the Western vibe thanks to a range of denim that included patchworked and patchwork-printed skirts, suits and overalls (our favorite patchworked ensemble consisted of a denim peplum jacket and flared pencil skirt worn down the runway by Miranda Kerr that interspersed denim panels with floral-print ones) and slouchy, faded five-pocket jeans with studding and flame-shaped lace, satin and animal-print appliques.

A counterpoint to the blousy, breezy laid-back slip dresses came in the form of heavier motocross-inspired pieces including studded leather biker jackets, mens trousers with diamond-pattern quilting at the knees, a womens one-piece bathing suit in fire-engine red with a trompe loeil zipper at the decolletage and a couple of motocross sticker prints thrown in for good measure.

The runway finale of the Moschino womens resort 2018 and mens spring and summer 2018 runway show, which took place on June 8, 2017, at Milk Studios in Hollywood. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Cowhide coats, studded-lapel biker jackets and bra tops managed to key into both the theme of the collection and the designers penchant for animal prints  as did a knot of snakeskin-patterned pieces that included boots, suit lapels and form-fitting mens and womens trousers.

No Vegas-inspired runway show would be complete without over-the-top sparkle and towering feathered headdresses. And Scott didnt disappoint here either, serving up sequin-festooned finery that included double-breasted suits  standouts were a dusky purple number for the ladies and a sky-blue version for the guys - bodysuits, swimsuits and the piece de la resistance, a bra-like top that managed to combine the flame design, sequins and swaying fringe into a showgirl-worthy show-stopper.

Backstage after the show, we found Scott surrounded by a congratulatory celebrity scrum that included Tracee Ellis Ross, Courtney Love, Fergie, Ashley Graham, Vanessa Hudgens and Joe Jonas. In a millisecond of downtime between posing for pictures and air-kissing friends, we asked him if the Las Vegas inspiration had sprung from anything in particular.

No, he said with a shrug. I just love Las Vegas. Its a lot of fun. Then he promptly disappeared back into the swirling vortex of well-wishers and picture-takers.

The collections felt as fun as a Vegas road trip and whetted our whet the appetite for an impulsive dash across the desert decked out in a suit of flames.

adam.tschorn@latimes.com

For more musings on all things fashion and style, follow me at @ARTschorn.

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Sure, Kevin Spacey might be planning a song-and-dance number to rival previous hosts James Corden and Neil Patrick Harris, but dont expect him to talk about it before the big reveal.

Spacey is on deck to host Sunday nights Tony Awards, where nominations are led by Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, Hello, Dolly! and Dear Evan Hansen.

Less than a week after the Tonys, the House of Cards actor heads to Arthur Ashe Stadium for a two-night only run of Clarence Darrow, on June 15 and 16.

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We chatted with Spacey, who himself won a Tony for 1991s Lost in Yonkers, ahead of Sundays big night.

WWD: How are you approaching your hosting duties?

Kevin Spacey: To have a fantastic evening; to celebrate, to me, the most important form of expression that Ive ever been a part of, and where I learned my craft and continue to learn, which is doing theater. And to celebrate this season  and other than that, I really cant tell you anything. We all want it to be a surprise. I really cant talk about what were going to do  I can only say that were having a great time preparing. Ive been in rehearsals for two weeks.

WWD: As the host, do you have to stay neutral or are there particular shows youre rooting for?

K.S.: I absolutely have to stay neutral, and one way that Ive been doing that is that Ive been going to the theater every single night, and Ive been seeing every single thing thats on Broadway, and going back and seeing all the casts and congratulating them on their work. My first priority is to see all the nominees, and Im pretty close to completing that.

WWD: After the Tonys youll take on Clarence Darrow. What made you want to revisit that character?

K.S.: I think hes one of the most important figures certainly in the legal profession, but also just in how we live our lives. Clarence Darrow had a pretty big influence on labor laws in the United States; he was a brilliant fighter for workers rights and conditions. He is the reason we have an eight hour day, because of the Pennsylvania mining case. He was an extraordinary civil rights attorney, who fought on the rights of many many people who found themselves in terrible situations. He defended 102 men against the death penalty, and not one of them hung, which is a pretty amazing record when you consider that he was not only convincing juries but he was convincing judges as well, that no one  no one  deserved to die.

I supposed when I did the play a couple years back at the Old Vic, and now as Im working on it again it just strikes me that so many of the issues and the things that Clarence Darrow fought for and fought against are issues that were still fighting for and against. Many of these things have not be resolved; he was never afraid to take on unpopular causes, to defend unpopular cases and individuals. His logic and his reason and his celebration of life and his love of whats right and fair is a voice that maybe could be very powerful for people to hear right now.

WWD: Seats are being set aside for young people to come and see Clarence Darrow, either at discount or, for the 18-25-year-old seats, for free. Why is this cause so important to you?

K.S.: Its something Ive been talking about for 20, almost 30 years. I believe that there is a case to be made that we dont make theater accessible and inviting for young people. Im very delighted when I see shows like Hamilton who have a lottery and who do provide for students seats. I feel that if we dont make an effort to build the next generation of theatergoers, were going to lose out.

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In celebration of the French release of Wonder Woman, Liya Kebede teamed with Warner Bros. to host a charity auction of outfits donated by designers to benefit her Lemlem Foundation  drawing a bunch of real-life influential women who were only too glad to talk female empowerment.

Chantal Thomass, Aurelie Bidermann, Christine Phung, Sylvia Toledano, Pamela Golbin and Alithia Spurri-Zampetti were among the guests who joined Kebede at Pavillon Ledoyen, just off the Avenue des Champs-Elysees, for the event produced by public relations maven Dovie Mamikunian.

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Mannequins displayed outfits donated by 42 labels, including Dior, Givenchy, Haider Ackermann, Jean Paul Gaultier, Karl Lagerfeld, Kenzo, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Tommy Hilfiger and Versace.

Kebede recalled she first came across a cartoon of Wonder Woman as a 6-year-old living in Italy. She was an Italian Wonder Woman  she speaks all the languages in the world. Whether I understood everything she said or not, I dont know, but I thought she was pretty cool, the model and philanthropist said.

These days, the quality she admires most in other women is selflessness. I encounter a lot of women who are really passionate about making changes for other people, and its always so inspiring, she said.

The money raised by the event  20,000 euros, or $22,375 at current exchange  will go toward education and training for the artisans who produce her Lemlem clothing line in Ethiopia. The brand opened its first pop-up at Platform in Los Angeles this week and will unveil another at Maiyet in New York City on June 15.

While many designers selected looks from their most recent collections, some created items especially for the auction. Toledano donated a pair of oversized jeweled cuffs. I think its a weapon of power and seduction, she said with a laugh.

The accessories designer was looking forward to catching the movie to see how newcomer Gal Gadot matches up to Lynda Carter, star of the Wonder Woman TV series in the Seventies.

I saw that there was quite a lot of controversy regarding the fact that shes Israeli. I find that kind of incredible, Toledano said. Because Wonder Woman is really the opposite of all that  she is global and she strives for peace.

Despite the film being banned by some Arab nations, such as Lebanon, Jordan and Tunisia, Ingie Chalhoub recently saw the movie in Dubai, and she was all in.

Weve had a lot of James Bond, Batman, Superman, Mission Impossible with Tom Cruise. Today, we really needed a female equivalent and since I am very much a feminist and an entrepreneur, I like seeing the image of this new woman who is beautiful and strong, both physically and intellectually, she said.

Chalhoub is president and managing director of Etoile Group, which holds franchises in the Middle East for luxury brands including Chanel and Valentino, and she designs her own ready-to-wear line, Ingie Paris. She revealed that she has just taken on yet another role: chief operating officer of Arab Fashion Week.

Her first challenge will be dealing with the fallout from a number of nations, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, cutting diplomatic ties with Qatar, citing its support for regional rival Iran and for extremist groups. This has resulted in a land, sea and air blockade.

Its going to be a little difficult for trade, retail and human relations. Around 6 percent of our customers in Dubai were Qataris, and there is a lot of merchandise that transits through Dubai on the way to Qatar. This throws a spanner in the works, Chalhoub said.

Multitasking is a life goal for Phung, who donated a metallic pleated dress from her spring collection for Leonard.

I admire some womens capacity for successfully balancing their lives and combining several lives into one: businesswoman, lover, mother and friend, she said. When you manage to cover all the bases, you feel more fulfilled, but its harder.

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Much has been made of the greening of the Los Angeles River, especially in the areas between Griffith Park and downtown L.A. But the river has steadily been getting improvements upstream, too.

This is a very pleasant urban stroll along a section of the flood control channel as it passes across the southern end of the San Fernando Valley. It also offers a few choice spots for a shady picnic, if youre having lunch in the area.

1. Start this walk in Sherman Oaks, near the intersection of Fulton Avenue and Valleyheart Drive. On the southeast corner of that intersection, find the entrance to a landscaped riverside walk as it descends from street level.

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Find more great L.A. Walks  maps included >

2. Follow the riverside path as it passes seating areas and informational signs depicting the flora and fauna found here.

A view of the Los Angeles River North Valleyheart Riverwalk as seen from Coldwater Canyon. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

3. Leave the river as the path bends upward and deposits you on Coldwater Canyon Avenue. Turn left, walk across the bridge, and re-enter the riverwalk by turning left again just before you get to the corner  taking a sloping ramp back down below street level.

4. Follow the path along the northern side of the waterway.

5. Exit the riverside area by following the walkway back up to street level, to the right, and landing on Fulton Avenue. Walk to the right, to the corner of Moorpark Street. Cross Fulton to the left. Then cross Moorpark, and continue walking one block on Fulton, with the river at your back.

1 / 12 A poppy grows along the San Fernando Valleys L.A. River Walk in Los Angeles. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 12 Kevin Ackad relaxes and enjoys the view overlooking the Los Angeles Riverwalk in Studio City. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 12 Informational signs depicting the flora and fauna at the Los Angeles River North Valleyheart Riverwalk in Los Angeles. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 12 The Los Angeles River North Valleyheart Riverwalk in Los Angeles is a scenic place for a walk. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 12 The Los Angeles River North Valleyheart Riverwalk in Los Angeles is a scenic place for a walk. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 12 The mosaic mural of a steelhead trout created by artist Kevin Carman decorates the L.A. River Walk in Studio City. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 12 Students run along the San Fernando Valleys L.A. River Walk. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 12 Jerry Beber walks along the Los Angeles River North Valleyheart Riverwalk in Los Angeles. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 12 A view of the Los Angeles River North Valleyheart Riverwalk as seen from Coldwater Canyon. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 12 George and Michelle Bachoian and their dog Patron take a walk at the L.A. River Walk in Los Angeles. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 12 A man runs along the San Fernando Valleys L.A. River Walk in Los Angeles. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 12 Buffy Dakan strolls along the San Fernando Valleys L.A. River Walk in Los Angeles. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

6. Turn left onto Valleyheart Drive North. Walk four short blocks to Sunnyslope Avenue. Then turn left, and cross the river on an unusual, narrow pedestrian bridge.

7. Turn right off the bridge into the cul-de-sac end of Rye Street. Turn left after one short block onto Allott Avenue. Then turn left right away onto Moorpark Avenue.

8. Walk back to Fulton Avenue, turn right, and youll find yourself back at the starting point.

The stats

Distance: 2.3 miles

Difficulty: 1 on a scale of 1 to 5

Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Details: Dogs on leash welcome. Nearest buses: Metro 150, 167, 240.

Fleming is the author of Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles and Secret Walks: A Walking Guide to the Hidden Trails of Los Angeles. Each month, he leads a free walk at one of his favorite spots in Southern California. Find out more at his Facebook page, Secret Stairs. He can also be reached at charles.fleming@latimes.com.

Twitter: @misterfleming

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It started with the wallpaper almost every time.

Los Angeles designer Karen Frid-Madden proposed installing two contrasting yet complementary white and royal blue wallpaper patterns in her client Karl Thurmonds Westwood living room. Needless to say, it took a little convincing.

Then came the dining room, and her recommendation to put up a different wallpaper  a bold geometric pattern.

We fought over this the day it was going up, Thurmond recalls, laughing. As the guy is putting up the wallpaper, Im sitting there saying, No, no, no.

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The designer promised shed cover the cost of removing and replacing, if the choice still didnt sit right with Thurmond.

This is my favorite, he says now, happy to concede the victory.

A similar friendly disagreement happened again in the upstairs bedroom, but by that point, Thurmond had learned to trust. Heres how they did it:

Edgy elegance

The entryway includes another Murano glass lighting fixture as well as a wood door with glass placed at intervals created by an Israeli artist. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Ive always been someone who didnt want an Ethan Allen house, or every room to look the same, Thurmond explains. When he was ready to renovate more of his home following a kitchen remodel in 2012, a mutual friend suggested that I talk to Karen because I wanted someone who would push the envelope a little, but do it in a tasteful way.

The Westwood house built in 1947 was designed in an eclectic quasi-English cottage revival style, with very few right angles and situated on a slope. The somewhat traditional exterior does not dictate the interior, Thurmond observes.

Learning to trust

Thurmonds den features hunter green walls, patterned wallpaper and a sofa. I wanted it to be relaxing. This is where I spend a lot of my time, he says. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

With a demanding legal career, many community volunteer commitments and a high school-aged daughter, he hadnt had the time to give much thought to the houses aesthetics. But Thurmond knew he wanted to do something with the place, especially since he regularly hosts parties and salon-like gatherings. It took some time.

She really got to know me, so I felt like I could trust her, and trust the process, Thurmond says of Frid-Madden, a Mexico City native and self-taught interior designer who has a background in anthropology and Latin American studies.

Colorful response

When I met Karl I told him, I like color, Frid-Madden says. He went to my house and said, I like color, but not this [intensity]!

Her own Santa Monica home is an impossible-to-miss display of paints she personally brought over the border from Mexico in order to get the bright and deeply saturated Ricardo Legorreta- and Luis Barragan-inspired pink, yellow and blue shades she couldnt find in the U.S. Her house was also a collaboration with her father and brother, both architects who live in Mexico City and Tel Aviv, respectively.

You have to get into peoples brain. What is color for you? What is elegance for you? Frid-Madden explains.

Going all in

In response, Thurmond says, thats why I was comfortable giving Karen carte blanche, and I knew it would be interesting. What was only going to be a project downstairs wound up being extended to a bedroom, office and bathroom upstairs.

Over four-plus years, Frid-Madden got to understand Thurmonds needs and tastes.

A no sofa living room

Thurmond stands in his living room, which includes two contrasting yet compatible wallpaper designs along with swivel chairs from the Century Design Showroom at the L.A. Mart downtown. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

In some regards, Im a minimalist, Thurmond says, but he also insisted on a home that would be both conducive to conversation and a conversation piece. He didnt want a sofa in the living room, for instance, because the space is more interactive and flexible without one, Frid-Madden notes.

I preferred this sitting arrangement because more people can sit around and talk to each other. This is a fun place to entertain, he says, pointing to the two leather swivel chairs and the white baby grand piano, which his daughter plays. The adjacent intimate den with its hunter green accent and again, patterned wallpaper, is another inviting room for socializing, but is actually where Thurmond spends most of his down time reading on the comfortable sofa. Most of the furniture is custom.

Risks paid off

I call these Mexican yellow chairs, Thurmond explains. He showed Frid the color, which she used as a jumping-off point for the rest of the room. She was right about the wallpaper, Thurmond says. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

People have a reaction to the house, Thurmond says, pointing to the aforementioned wallpaper juxtapositions, and details such as the yellow dining room chairs and Murano glass chandelier. He finds deep red a restful chromatic theme for his bedroom, hardly an orthodox choice.

In the end, Thurmond proved game to taking decor risks, and he and Frid-Madden regularly found middle ground.

He sometimes would pick one detail, such as a color in a book, or a tufted ottoman, and ask Frid-Madden to design around that element. He loves blue, so that particular color is dominant in the living room and upstairs. Otherwise, his overt direction to the designer was minimal.

Before Frid-Madden left her unconventional imprint, it was just a place to come home and crash. Now its a place where I feel at home, Thurmond says.

I just love hanging out here and bringing people over.

home@latimes.com

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Good morning. Im Paul Thornton, The Times letters editor, and it is Saturday, June 10, 2017. Heres why it doesnt feel like summer (or close to summer) in Los Angeles yet. Lets take a look back at the week in Opinion.

Absurdly, President Trump claimed total and complete vindication after James Comey s testimony in the Senate Intelligence Committee Thursday  testimony that credibly tarred Trump as an unrepentant liar who directed the ex-FBI director to end an investigation of former national security advisor Michael Flynn , and that occurred only because the president fired Comey to, by his own admission, impede the bureaus Russia probe.

So, whom are Americans to believe? The besieged president who treated one of the darkest moments in modern political history as personal victory, or a lifetime public servant like Comey? The Times Editorial Board says it isnt even close:

Comeys performance was believable and deeply troubling, as he responded calmly and confidently to questions from members of the committee, including Republicans who acted more as defense counsel for Trump than as impartial investigators. Sen. James Risch of Idaho, for instance, tried to dismiss Comeys claim that Trump had told him, in a one-on-one meeting in the Oval Office, that I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. Risch said: He didnt direct you to drop the case, to which Comey replied, Not in those words [but] I took it as a direction. Given the context  the president of the United States leaning on a subordinate in a room from which everyone else has been dismissed  who wouldnt? Marc Kasowitz, a lawyer for Trump, contradicted Comeys assertions, saying the president had never sought a loyalty pledge from the director or tried to stop the investigation of Flynn. That strikes us, frankly, as far-fetched. Kasowitz also noted  correctly  that Comey had confirmed that he privately had told Trump at various times that he himself wasnt then under investigation by the FBI as part of its Russia probe. The problem for Trump is that Comey is an experienced public servant with a reputation for rectitude, while Trump is a serial prevaricator whose campaign is currently being investigated not only by two congressional committees but by a special counsel whose mandate could be expanded to include the circumstances of Comeys dismissal. Trump shouldnt be surprised that hes the one with the credibility problem. >> Click here to read more

Trump won because hes an outsider. Now hes behaving like one. The president may be stunningly incompetent in his handling of Comey and the FBIs Russia investigation, writes Matt Welch, but his being forced out of office by deep state leaks, the media and other members of the Washington establishment that despise him would set a deeply troubling precedent. Being ignorant and/or contemptuous of the mores and rituals of the political class was arguably Trumps biggest selling point as a candidate, Welch says. L.A. Times

Trump obsesses over terrorism but ignores a greater danger: gun violence. More than 30,000 Americans are killed every year by firearms, making guns an infinitely worse threat to Americans than the terrorism that draws so much of our attention politically, writes The Times Editorial Board. While its good news that we arent killing each other as often as we used to, were still committing acts of violence at levels unseen in any other industrialized, developed society, the board says. L.A. Times

Dani Mathers is sorry she body-shamed another woman. What does her victim think? In an interview with The Times Patt Morrison , Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuer speaks on the 70-year-old victims behalf; he reveals that Mathers, who posted a photo online of the woman naked in a gym locker room along with derogatory comments, had not reached out to her victim to apologize despite expressing contrition on TV. One thing that appears to be the case now is that Ms. Mathers is attempting to portray herself as the victim, Feuer says. She is not the victim. She is the perpetrator. L.A. Times

An hour-long bus trip to Watts caused her to miss a job interview. It also highlights why Trumps proposal to boost infrastructure in the United States by leaning heavily on the private sector will not serve the Americans who need it most, as the money for such projects tends to reside in wealthy areas. Instead of making the rich richer and well-off areas better off, a smart infrastructure investment plan would focus on vulnerable communities, making strategic improvements to benefit a greater number of people, writes Angela Glover Blackwell. New York Times

Actually, hate speech is protected speech. Political clashes across the country have led to a debate on controversial speech, which is not problematic in and of itself, writes 1st Amendment litigator Ken White. Problem is, the debate relies too much on useless and inaccurate cliches, including hate speech is not free speech and we must balance free speech and other interests. L.A. Times

Reach me: paul.thornton@latimes.com
Harassed people of the American workplace, listen and learn.

James Comey has something to teach you.

Last week, a lot of us thought former FBI Director Comeys interactions with President Trump were eerily reminiscent of the kind of harassment many women experience in the workplace.

Comey said he felt uneasy in meetings with Trump. Trump, he said, tried to get him alone, and then asked him to do things that made him squirm.

And then, when Comey appeared Thursday before the Senate Intelligence Committee, he was treated in a way that was reminiscent of how the Senate Judiciary Committee treated Anita Hill so many years ago, when she alleged sexual harassment by Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas.

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Why didnt you speak out at the time? Why did you take phone calls from him after that? Why didnt you quit?

Youre big, youre strong, said Sen. Dianne Feinstein. I know the Oval Office, and I know what happens to people when they walk in. There is a certain amount of intimidation. But why didnt you stop and say, Mr. President, this is wrong and I cannot discuss this with you?

Great question, Comey replied. Maybe if I were stronger I would have. I was so stunned by the conversation that I just took it in.

But now, after reading and rereading Comeys written statement to the Senate Intelligence Committee and closely watching his testimony on Thursday, Im inclined to change my view of the dynamic between Comey and Trump.

More columns 

Yes, Trump behaved like a classic harasser. But Comey, far from the confused underling he portrayed himself as, skillfully entrapped his ultimate boss.

I believe that Comey, a seasoned prosecutor, was not nearly as flustered by his meetings with Trump as he claims. Nor do I believe he was stunned into silence by Trumps requests for the FBI to drop its investigation into former national security advisor Mike Flynns ties to Russia. What Trump did was wrong, and perhaps even criminal.

But unlike most victims of workplace harassment, Comey was not suffering in silence.

Why didnt you stop and say, Mr. President, this is wrong and I cannot discuss this with you?  Sen. Dianne Feinstein, questioning James Comey

Instead, he was playing a long game, one for which he is uniquely qualified. This guy has a steel spine.

In 2004, he intervened at Atty. Gen. John Ashcrofts hospital bedside when George W. Bushs White House counsel and chief of staff tried to get the ailing attorney general to sign off on warrantless wiretapping, which Comey believed was illegal.

That took the kind of guts that no amount of Comeys folksy syntax  Lordy, I hope there are tapes  can disguise.

It only took one meeting with then-President-elect Trump for Comey to sense he was dealing with a guy more suited to running a closely held family real estate company than a democratic nation.

He knew, for his own good, that he should take detailed notes after every meeting with Trump because, as he told senators, he sensed the man would lie.

I knew there might come a day when I would need a record of what had happened, not just to defend myself, but to defend the FBI and our integrity as an institution, he said Thursday to the Senate committee.

So, he memorialized each conversation with the president on a laptop. He confided in his lieutenants. And he made sure that his version of events would be disseminated at a time convenient for Comey  say, after the president threatened him with the existence of recordings of their conversation, or upon the appointment of a special prosecutor, or perhaps during a Senate hearing.

Comey, as they say in the business world, can see around corners.

When his previous boss, then-Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch, directed him to call the investigation of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clintons email server a matter instead of an investigation, he reacted in a way that now feels familiar. Matter, as it happened, was one of the euphemisms the Clinton campaign was using.

But, instead of defying his bosss wrongheaded request to mangle the English language in service of politics, Comey kept quiet.

I said, This isnt a hill worth dying on, OK? he told the Intelligence Committee. But, he added, Lynchs request gave him a queasy feeling. Now the entire nation knows about her inappropriate request.

Was Comey really stunned by Trumps asking him to drop the investigation into Flynns relationship with Russia? Was he really queasy about Lynchs asking him to use the word matter instead of investigation? (And was the thought of having influenced the presidential election, as he told the Senate Judiciary Committee last month, something that really made him mildly nauseous?)

Doubtful hes as delicate as he makes himself sound.

In fact, I think that he is as delicate as a steel magnolia, and as dangerous as a scorpion.

Im not saying the Comey Method can work for everyone who has been mistreated in the workplace, or harassed or asked to do something unethical, but it provides a valuable template for fighting back with style.

Take notes, tell friends, and then, when the moment is right, unleash your stinger.

For more on politics 

robin.abcarian@latimes.com

Twitter: @AbcarianLAT

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Not that long ago you didnt have to travel far to find a well-stocked newsstand in greater Los Angeles. Im talking about those fabulous outdoor libraries with knee-deep piles of out-of-town newspapers and neatly arranged rows of magazines calling out to anyone hungry for gossip, history, culture.

The half-block-long buffets were neighborhood landmarks and meeting places, impossible to walk past without pausing over a headline or a captivating photo. But theyve been dying off for years, thanks to online content and other challenges.

Its about to happen again. This time in Brentwood.

Marck Sarfati, who has run the Brentwood newsstand for 28 years, is fighting an eviction notice by Whole Foods. (Gelnn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Or maybe not.

More than 900 customers have signed a petition to save the newsstand thats been ordered to vacate the Whole Foods parking lot on San Vicente Boulevard in the heart of the hamlet. Another petition has drawn roughly 500 signatures at change.org. The rabid defenders range from people youve never heard of to big-name celebs.

CMON!, wrote actor Luke Wilson, who signed the petition.

A save-the-stand Facebook page features a video of teen actor David Mazouz perusing a magazine.

Im here at my favorite newsstand, says Mazouz, of the Gotham TV series, and there arent a lot of places like this anymore. And I hear this ones going away. Sad.

And it isnt just Brentwood thats in danger of losing a little piece of its soul.

Heres the question:

How much are we sacrificing as Internet shopping kills off malls and empties once-bustling main streets, and digital devices become the only way we read, robbing us of chance encounters and serendipitous discoveries?

I used to work near Brentwood and can recall the simple pleasure of checking out the new arrivals at Duttons books and then picking up a newspaper at the nearby newsstand. Duttons, a beloved institution, shut its doors in 2008, and the death of the newsstand nine years later would be a double blow to neighborhood history, character and sense of place.

Owner Marck Sarfati, who has run the stand for 28 years, said Henry Winkler is a supporter and Dustin Hoffman signed the petition last week.

He wrote WHY in big letters, with a question mark after it, Sarfati said of Hoffman.

Why, indeed?

The official answer from Whole Foods was served up half-baked, drier than a toasted kale chip and nutrition-free.

We appreciate the longstanding relationship Mr. Sarfati has had with the Brentwood store and we did not make this decision lightly.

And?

And thats it. Thats all the corporate flack was willing to say on the record.

More useful information could be found in the letter Sarfati received March 27 and hung at the newsstand for customers to see. Its from the Whole Foods Real Estate Asset Manager, in response to Sarfatis request for a lease renewal.

We have seriously considered your request  and unfortunately it was concluded that it is time to make some changes at the store and with the parking situation. Therefore, your lease will expire per its terms on September 30, 2017. Again, thank you for your partnership and we sincerely wish you the best of luck going forward.

But Sarfati isnt ready to surrender.

Born in Greece, he looks after a father  now in his 90s  who survived a Nazi labor camp in Greece and came to the U.S. more than half a century ago. Sarfati got into the newsstand business in 1983 and once had five of them. Greater Los Angeles had about 60 newsstands back then, said Sarfati, who estimates that only 15 or 20 remain. He still has one at Pico and Robertson boulevards in addition to the Brentwood site, which he has operated since before Whole Foods took over 20 years ago from another grocer.

The problem isnt just rising rents and online reading, said Sarfati, but magazines are practically given away through discounted subscription offers, so people are less inclined to fork over eight or nine bucks for a single copy.

But Sarfati argues that the setup in Brentwood has been a symbiotic relationship. You pick up a newspaper and you buy a dozen eggs, or vice versa.

Maybe he can find another location, he told me, but hes not going anywhere without a fight.

These people are not just signing a petition to keep the newsstand open, he said of his supporters. It says that if were forced to close, they will not patronize Whole Foods.

Hard to say whether that will work. Whole Foods is slumping financially and shaking up its leadership, but its still an addiction for some people. You have to wonder if certain Brentwooders would be lost if, after a Pilates workout, they didnt have unfettered access to coconut water, hemp hearts and chia pudding.

Ill go to another Whole Foods, said Linda Garbett, a longtime new stand customer and Whole Foods shopper.

Prena Kunnath, whos been working the newsstand register for 14 years and supports a wife and two kids, handed Garbett the petition.

Im gonna sign it a hundred times, said Garbett. You can browse here, the guys are great, this is where you meet people. Its a lovely thing. I dont wanna go online, its too flat. This is 3-D.

Leonard Frank, a longtime customer and former city planner, said hes ready to walk a picket line if it comes to that. He said he doubts many more parking spaces can be squeezed into the lot, so hed rather keep the newsstand.

Its an integral part of the Brentwood community, he said. I dont think Whole Foods understands the community.

Shauna Sorensen bought a copy of BBC History magazine and wondered where shed go for obscure titles if Sarfati is run out.

Im interested in the British Reformation, said the retired book editor, who also picks up an archaeology magazine on occasion. Its very alarming for those of us who like books and paper and want to support the people who write the articles.

Ocean breezes or not, my forecast calls for a long, hot summer in Brentwood.

Ill keep you posted.

Get more of Steve Lopezs work and follow him on Twitter @LATstevelopez

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A major fire burned for hours at a company that produces cleaning chemicals in Anaheim, leaving three people injured.

Anaheim fire officials said the blaze was reported shortly after 3 p.m. Friday at American Chemical and Sanitary Supply Inc. in an industrial section of the city.

The fire burned for four hours and forced the evacuation of dozens of surrounding businesses.

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Anaheim police Sgt. Daron Wyatt said one employee and two firefighters were injured but were expected to recover. One firefighter had heat exhaustion, the other an electrical injury.

Company owner Luis Salazar told KNBC-TV that the 10 to 15 people inside his business all got out, but one woman injured an ankle when she ran back inside for her purse.

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Seventeen people had a dirty day Friday at the Happiest Place on Earth.

They enjoyed Disneyland just fine, but were hit by a mass of droppings from a flock of geese.

It was dramatic enough to bring police and firefighters to the Magic Kingdom.

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The Anaheim Police Department said they answered a call that guests had been hit with fecal matter, but determined it was from a flock of geese that flew over and no crime had occurred.

Eleven adults and six children were hit, but none was hurt.
Los Angeles firefighters used a water-dropping helicopter to stop the progress of a brush fire Friday afternoon near the 2100 block of Roscomare Road in Bel-Air.

The fire was held to two acres in a canyon near homes in the Westside neighborhood, officials said.

No injuries were reported and no structures were damaged, said Margaret Stewart, a department spokeswoman. The cause of the fire had not been determined, she said.

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kim.christensen@latimes.com

Twitter: @kchristensenLAT
Visitors to Los Angeles International Airport this weekend will find the towering, lighted pylons at the entrance bathed in the colors of the rainbow in recognition of LGBTQ pride events.

Los Angeles World Airports is proud to join City Hall and the city of Los Angeles in support of diversity and equality, Trevor Daley, director of external affairs, said in a news release Friday.

With the LA Pride Festival in West Hollywood this weekend, and on behalf of more than 4,000 LAWA employees, we stand strong with the LGBTQ community and are glad to play a role in reminding the public of this important fight, he said.

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The 1.5 miles of pylons along Century Boulevard increase progressively from 25 feet to 60 feet in height before culminating in a ring of 15 100-foot-tall columns at the airports entrance, Daleys statement says. The structures were installed in 2000 and updated five years later, when the original lamps were replaced with light-emitting diodes, or LEDs.

The pylons are capable of displaying more than 16 million colors, according to LAX officials. The rainbow hues were to be on display through the weekend, beginning Friday night.

But while the airport entrance will be awash in color this weekend, West Hollywood will be a little less so than usual for the annual pride celebration.

Colorful floats that typically roll down Santa Monica Boulevard in the LA Pride Parade will not make an appearance this year. Instead, thousands of people are expected to turn out Sunday for a demonstration called Resist March.

The march will begin in Los Angeles, with participants gathering at 8 a.m. for an opening ceremony at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. Marchers will walk south on La Brea Avenue, west on Sunset Boulevard, south on Fairfax Avenue, west on Santa Monica Boulevard and stop near West Hollywood Park.

Event organizers said House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) and West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman were among those lined up to speak at the end of the march.

kim.christensen@latimes.com

Twitter: kchristensenLAT

Times staff writer Hailey Branson-Potts contributed to this report.
Speaking out about what they believe are the ills of Islam, anti-Sharia law activists demonstrated nationwide Saturday, but were met by counter-protesters who assailed their rhetoric as insensitive and demeaning.

Members of Act for America, which has been labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, gathered in parks and plazas across the country, organizing nearly two dozen so-called March Against Sharia rallies, stoking concerns and counter-events by Muslim leaders who say the group is spewing hate.

In Atlanta, an assortment of militia men brandishing assault rifles, supporters of President Trump waving American flags and mens rights activists wearing helmets descended on Piedmont Park, a leafy oasis in the citys affluent, liberal Midtown neighborhood.

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In New York, nearly 100 people attended a rally near lower Manhattan. They were outnumbered by counter-protesters, and the two sides hurled insults across two rows of police barricades.

Commies, screamed the anti-Sharia demonstrators.

Fascists, retorted the counter-demonstrators.

Some anti-Sharia marchers in Orlando, Fla., such as Sheryl Tumey, noted the timing of event, two days before the one-year anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting, as a reason to protest. The gunman, who killed 50 people at the gay club, had been inspired by Islamic State extremists.

We live here and that touched us  and that was a terrorist, said Tumey, 50. We are here and they want to bring in a religion of hate and oppression.

And so it went around the country  in Chicago, Denver, Seattle, San Bernardino and elsewhere, where anti-Sharia marchers took to the streets and were met by their foes.

A Muslim supporter, left, argues with a demonstrator at the March Against Sharia protest in Chicago on Saturday. (Jim Young / AFP/Getty Images)

The demonstrators were protesting a set of religious and legal codes that have never been part of American jurisprudence and seem extremely unlikely to take root in the foreseeable future. Legal experts have said there is no mechanism by which any foreign criminal or civil code can trump U.S. laws, and laws mandating religious practices would be a clear violation of the Constitutions separation of church and state.

Nevertheless, joggers took out their earbuds and cyclists stopped pedaling, aghast as the small Atlanta crowd chanted, USA! USA! and spoke fervently of terrorism, female genital mutilation and beheadings. A small gaggle of counter-protesters held up placards and shouted, No Hate! No Fear! Muslims Are Welcome Here.

We have to protect America, our citizens and our way of life, said Lila Mercer, 49, an assistant manager for a big rig dealership who had traveled 40 miles from Auburn, Ga., for her first protest.

Sharia law does not belong in America, she said as she waved a homemade placard that said GOD BLESS USA.

Behind her, Michael Williams, a two-term Republican state senator who is running for governor, waved a tiny U.S. flag as he posed for photographs with armed members of Georgia Security Force III% militia

We all need to come together, put aside some of our petty differences and unite together to fight Sharia law, Williams shouted through a bullhorn to the crowd of about 50 people. We do not need it in our country. Overseas in Europe and other places, theyre throwing people off of buildings, theyre decapitating people because they do not believe the things they believe.

A supporter of President Trump waves a flag during an anti-Sharia law rally organized by Act for America on Saturday at Foley Square in New York. (Kena Betancur / AFP/ Getty Images)

The event, where some men gripped rifles, drew concerns from passers-by.

Is this safe? a mother asked, anxiously covering her babys head as she passed a cluster of men in camouflage fatigues wielding long guns. What is this? Im just trying to take a walk with my girlfriends.

Zack Schneeberger, an IT project manager, 36, who walked up to the group with his wife and 6-month-old while waving a rainbow flag, said the Atlanta neighborhood was a haven of love and diversity.

Why bring assault rifles? You do not bring bullets to get a clear understanding, he said.

Act for America, which boasts that it has more than 500,000 members, said the rallies were about defending democracy and pushing back against Sharia law. The law is a philosophical code derived from Islamic scripture and meant to guide observant Muslims. In addition to civil and criminal law, it prescribes a wide range of faith practices, such as abstaining from alcohol and praying five times a day.

Many aspects of Sharia law run contrary to basic human rights and are completely incompatible with our laws and our democratic values, the group wrote on its website touting the rallies.

Brigitte Gabriel, who founded Act for America in 2007, has in recent years made a barrage of anti-Muslim comments.

During a speech at the Joint Forces Staff College in 2007, Gabriel said a practicing Muslim who believes the word of the Koran to be the word of Allah  who goes to mosque and prays every Friday, who prays five times a day  this practicing Muslim, who believes in the teachings of the Koran, cannot be a loyal citizen of the United States.

Her group has worked in state legislatures pushing anti-Sharia law initiatives.

Gabriel has also touted her ties to Trump.

Last year, she posted a Facebook photo of her and Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. And in March, Gabriel tweeted that she was in Washington, D.C., for a meeting with members of the Trump administration. Officials with the administration later said she attended a brief meeting with a member of the legislative staff.

In recent months, she has lauded Trumps proposed travel restrictions, which would temporarily bar travel to the United States from six majority-Muslim countries. So far, the proposal has been stalled in federal courts and could be headed for the Supreme Court.

Heidi Beirich, director of the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center, a group that tracks the activities of hate groups nationwide, said Gabriels group is meant to defame Muslims and Islam as a whole.

They spew hate, Beirich said.

In February, the law center reported that its count of hate groups in the country increased for the second consecutive year and that the number of anti-Muslim organizations had nearly tripled within a year. The group, among other things, attributed the growth to Trumps incendiary rhetoric on Muslims.

Corey Saylor, a spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Saturday his group was helping to organize counter-protests. CAIR was among 129 groups that urged mayors of cities where the rallies were scheduled to disavow them.

Its simple: This group does not like Muslims, he said of Act for America.

Scene from Atlanta's Piedmont Park today as militia men and conservative activists rally for ACT for America's "March Against Sharia." pic.twitter.com/MrBYQJY3J8  Jenny Jarvie (@JennyJarvie) June 10, 2017

In Atlanta, many attending the rally insisted they were not against all Muslims.

Were marching against a politicized Islam, said Yosef Ozia, 23, a member of Proud Boys, a far-right mens group founded by Gavin McInnes, the libertarian provocateur and co-founder of Vice Media.

Yet there was some resistance to counter-protesters who chanted, Muslims are welcome here.

Theyre not welcome! one woman attending the rally shot back.

Do you have room in your home for them? another hollered.

Theres only one religion in the world that cant get along, and thats Islam, said Jacob Hudson, a small business owner and Trump supporter who traveled 150 miles to the rally from Birmingham, Ala.

Muslims who oppose violence need to stand up and disavow extreme terror in the name of Islam, said Hudson, 31.

Until they do that, well do it for them, he said.

Times staff writer Lee reported from Los Angeles and special correspondent Jarvie from Atlanta. Times staff writer Barbara Demick in New York and Caitlin Doornbos of the Orlando Sentinel contributed to this report.

kurtis.lee@latimes.com

Twitter: @kurtisalee

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UPDATES:

9 p.m.: This article has been updated with a higher reference to the unlikelihood of Sharia law being imposed in the United States.

7:50 p.m.: This article has been updated with more comments from Atlanta protesters.

6:25 p.m.: This article has been updated with additional protests in other cities.

This article was originally posted at 1:45 p.m.
When the American Medical Assn.s annual meeting convenes in Chicago on Sunday, the powerful physicians lobby could push for government intervention to lower the price of the heroin overdose-reversing drug naloxone.

A resolution written by a Michigan doctor and three medical students notes the skyrocketing cost of the drug  a two-pack of auto-injecting syringes went from $690 in 2014 to more than $4,000 this year, while other forms of the drug have doubled in price  and calls on lawmakers and regulators to increase public access to affordable naloxone.

The population I serve often has difficulty affording medications for chronic illnesses that they require daily, so the idea that they would be able to purchase an increasingly costly overdose reversal medication would certainly be out of the question for them, said Dr. Gunjan Malhotra, who works in Detroit.

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But in a sign of the labyrinthine and confusing world of drug pricing, some Chicago-area groups that distribute the antidote say they get it free from the manufacturers or at very little cost, while others say they pay dearly.

It really seems like one of the most important tools (to fight overdoses) is getting naloxone into the hands of as many people as possible; raising prices will not help us, said Gabriela Zapata-Alma of Thresholds, a mental health agency that pays $250 for a three-dose kit of naloxone that comes in the form of a nasal spray.

A spokesman for Adapt Pharma, which makes the Narcanbrand nasal spray, says the company offers two-packs to nonprofit groups for $75.

Naloxone reverses the effects of a heroin or narcotic painkiller overdose, and as Americas opioid epidemic has exploded over the last 20 years, it has become a front-line defense for people with little or no medical training.

Police officers across Illinois have stopped dozens of overdoses after they started carrying the kits, and naloxone is now commonplace in schools too. Organizations like the Chicago Recovery Alliance put the drug in the hands of heroin users and their friends and family.

Dan Bigg, head of the alliance, says the group has given out around 300,000 doses over the last 21 years, and that he has received more than 11,000 reports of overdose reversals in that time. The alliance distributes the cheapest form of naloxone  a vial of the drug and a syringe  which Bigg says he gets at a reduced cost from the manufacturer (at the companys request, he wouldnt reveal the price).

Anyone can come to us and get the low-tech, cheapest option, he said. Ive never heard of anyone being too squeamish to use the needle in an emergency.

Chelsea Laliberte, whose Live4Lali nonprofit does similar naloxone distribution, says she has been able to get the drug free via drug company grants. But the nonprofit is expanding its efforts this year, and has begun to pay for naloxone.

She, too, wouldnt discuss the exact price, but said it was under $20 per dose.

Were only willing to pay for what is the most viable, sustainable option, which is a syringe and vials, she said. We dont pay $4,400 a kit for [auto-injectors]. I would never do that with anyones donation dollars.

The auto-injector, sold under the brand name Evzio, is made by the drug company Kaleo. The device contains a recording that guides users through the process with voice commands. Kaleo says that in a study performed by its employees, 90% of people were able to use the Evzio successfully without training, while no one was able to administer the nasal spray correctly.

The company has donated thousands of units to various groups; one recipient is the Lake County, Ill., Health Department, which distributes its haul to local police departments.

Despite the high list price, which does not take into account negotiated discounts and rebates, a Kaleo spokesman said patients with commercial insurance and uninsured people making less than $100,000 pay nothing for the device. People paying cash can get it for $360 by calling a hotline, he said.

Those without insurance or a prescription can still buy naloxone at a drugstore. Walgreens says the cash price is $20 for a generic, single-dose vial and syringe, or $40 for a generic nasal spray; CVS says the uninsured pay $45 for a two-dose injectable version and $110 for Narcan brand nasal spray.

Researchers who examined the rising price of naloxone wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine last year that the cost might have contributed to the relatively slow adoption of the drug. Between 2009 and 2015, they wrote, naloxone prescriptions increased from 2.8 million to just 3.2 million, as opioid overdose deaths rose from 20,000 to 33,000.

Researchers have called for the federal government to take steps that are reflected in the AMA resolution, including negotiating cheaper prices with drug companies and making naloxone an over-the-counter drug, which would cut prices by attracting new manufacturers.

The AMA will hold a committee vote on the resolution Sunday, and if it passes, delegates will debate and vote on it later in the week.

Though the measure holds no force of law, Malhotra and her colleagues say they hope it will be a strong advocacy statement.

This tells legislators and citizens across our country that Americas physicians think we can do more to fight the opioid epidemic, said Eric Walton, a student at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. Naloxone affordability is a common-sense step toward ending opioid-related deaths.

Keilman writes for the Chicago Tribune. jkeilman@tribpub.com Twitter @JohnKeilman

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For sale: A 1782 fixer-upper with thick granite walls, 1950s decor and armed 24-hour security provided by both Canada and the United States of America.

The nearly 7,000-square-foot house, cut into five vacant apartments, is on a lot of less than a quarter-acre that, along with the building itself, straddles the border between Beebe Plain, Vt., and Stanstead, Quebec.

Selling a home in two countries is proving to be a challenge for the couple who owns it. The structure, which has an estimated rebuild cost of about $600,000, is on the market for $109,000. Its structurally sound but needs lots of work. And then theres that international border.

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In the day, it was a normal and natural thing, Brian DuMoulin, who grew up in the house and was accustomed to life literally on the border at a time when no one thought twice about crossing from one country to the other. Now it stresses everyone out.

The home, known as the Old Stone Store, was built by a merchant so he could sell to farmers in Vermont and Quebec. Brian and his wife, Joan DuMoulin, inherited it about 40 years ago.

Now the couple, in their 70s, who have dual U.S. and Canadian citizenship and a home in nearby Morgan, Vt., are hoping to sell it so they can move to Ontario to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Beebe Plain is a community in the Vermont town of Derby, which along with Stanstead, about 60 miles northeast of Montpelier, or 75 miles southeast of Montreal, have become the cliche of security changes on the U.S.-Canadian border brought on by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Residential streets that used to be open were blocked by gates. The back doors of an apartment building straddling the border in Derby Line village have been locked shut. The street next to the Haskell Free Library and Opera House, deliberately built in both countries, is blocked by flower pots, although Canadians are still allowed to walk to the librarys U.S. entrance without going through a border post.

The DuMoulins house is directly across Stansteads Rue Principale from the port of entry staffed by agents of the Canada Border Services Agency and adjacent to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection post.

Its always a fine line. We do the best we can to keep an eye on it. We do what we have to do, security first, but we also want the support of the locals.  Troy Rabideau, U.S. Customs and Border Protection assistant port director

Troy Rabideau, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection assistant port director for the area that includes Beebe Plain, said the agents know who live there, but keeping track can be a challenge.

Its always a fine line, Rabideau said. We do the best we can to keep an eye on it. We do what we have to do, security first, but we also want the support of the locals.

The DuMoulins house has entrances from the United States and Canada. Agents have come to know the people who live in the house, now unoccupied, and allow them to move back and forth freely as long as they stay in the house or the tiny front or backyard. Theres a small granite border marker just outside the front door.

There is a gate hidden in a backyard hedge. DuMoulin said U.S. agents wanted to be sure the gate was wired shut. It is.

Rosemary Lalime, their real estate agent, said that shes shown it 10 times since the time the house was listed near the turn of the year and the end of May when a Canadian magazine noted its odd location. In the last two weeks shes shown it six times and has six more appointments.

All but one person has come from the United States. One man called from Toronto.

He was inquiring more about the border situation and if he bought it, what are his rights, Lalime said. I put him in touch with the Border Patrol.

Brian DuMoulin said that usually the agents from both countries know who they are, but he told of a time when a new Canadian border agent saw him, his wife and her sister standing in front of the house, a good 18 feet into the States. He demanded they report to the Canadian border post.

He simply didnt know, DuMoulin said, noting it took about 45 minutes to resolve the situation after the agent called his superiors.

Thats the awkwardness, he said. If there is an awkwardness, its that you cant just go this way or this way, youve got to go through (the ports of entry) and then back through.
Former FBI Director James Comeys testimony Thursday before the Senate Intelligence Committee exacerbated concerns that President Donald Trump may have tried to kill an investigation into his national security advisor, and in so doing committed a criminal offense  obstruction of justice. On the same day but across the Atlantic, the British election that demonstrated surprisingly weak public support for Prime Minster Theresa May served as a reminder of how different the tools are here, in the United States, for dealing with an unpopular or failing elected leader than they are in a parliamentary system.

We cannot call snap elections or votes of no confidence. A president is elected to a four-year term and is not subject to recall. In four years, the people weigh in again and say yes or no to a second term, after they have some perspective on his performance. To cut short a presidents term in office before it is finished is to contravene the will of the people as expressed in the election  the most fundamental act of democracy  and should be done in only the rarest and most exceptional of cases.

Read the editorial series: Our Dishonest President 

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The Times has made no secret of its opposition to Trump  to his policies, certainly; but also to his fluid relationship with fact, to his embrace of fringe political theories and movements, to his disrespect for basic institutions of democratic government, to his careless handling of intelligence, to his cavalier attitude toward alliances and partnerships that have stood the country in good stead. We believe his election and continuing tenure as commander in chief are bad for the nation. We see no evidence that he will grow into the job. We look forward to the day when he is no longer president.

The option should be used if the president appears to have committed a serious crime, but also if his actions pose serious and irreversible danger.

The Constitution provides a procedure for a president to be impeached and removed from office. Although the criteria are treason, bribery and other high crimes and misdemeanors, and the impeachment process has some of the form of a legal prosecution  with the House of Representatives acting as grand jury and prosecutor and the Senate acting as judge and jury  impeachment ultimately is a question of political power. Congress will define for itself what constitutes an impeachable and removable offense, and no court can step in to override its decision. The option should be used if the president appears to have committed a serious crime, but also if his actions pose a serious and irreversible danger to the nation. If it is merely a question of policies with which we disagree, that is a problem better left for the next election.

So  should President Trump be impeached?

The question does not lend itself to a bright line. Instead, it opens up a kind of zone in which impeachment must be seriously considered. Thats where we find ourselves today. Credible assertions have been made that the president obstructed justice. A criminal prosecutor might even proceed to a grand jury at this point  but the time to draw up articles of impeachment is not here.

Why move slowly? For several reasons. All we have now is Comeys say-so on his own interpretation of statements Trump made in private meetings. Former FBI Director Robert Mueller is leading a Justice Department investigation into alleged Russian interference into last years presidential election, and the scope is wide enough to include the kinds of things Comey spoke of in the Senate hearings. It would seem precipitous to move toward impeachment before that probe is complete, absent some intervening revelation of intolerable action on the presidents part.

Furthermore, a majority of both houses is in the hands of Trumps party, so the amount of evidence needed to have any realistic chance of removing the president from office would be especially high. And a lengthy proceeding that weakens or embarrasses him but does not lead to his removal would certainly deepen the nations bitter divisions, probably even more than the 1998 impeachment of Bill Clinton and his acquittal the next year. These are reasons to move cautiously and deliberately.

Action to remove a president outside the course of a regular election is so serious a matter that it could inflict serious damage on the confidence that is needed to make our democratic institutions function. But there is certainly a point at which failure to act in the face of criminal or dangerous conduct becomes more damaging than moving forward.

Congress was approaching that point in 1974 when the House Judiciary Committee sent articles of impeachment against President Nixon to the floor  for obstruction of justice, abuse of power and contempt of Congress because of his role in a cover-up of the Watergate break-in. Nixon resigned before the articles came to a vote.

There is no path for Trump opponents to a quick and easy reversal of fortune. A Trump resignation does not appear likely in the near future. There can be no snap election or vote of no confidence. Impeachment cannot, of course, be ruled out, but we must be aware that it would be a long, painful and destructive path.

But we are now in the zone in which we dissect testimony for evidence of a crime, await more reporting and the results of investigations like Muellers, and wonder whether a move toward impeachment is any more damaging than failing to do so.

To read the article in Spanish, click here

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British Prime Minister Theresa May called a snap election for Parliament almost three years early so that the United Kingdom would have strong and stable leadership to negotiate the terms of Brexit, its withdrawal from the European Union approved by voters in a referendum nearly a year ago. Instead, May emerged from Thursdays election having lost her Conservative majority in the House of Commons and forced to try to cobble together a minority government with the help of a party from Northern Ireland. By Saturday, there were reports that she might even be ousted as prime minister by her party.

Call it the curse of Brexit. As many Britons who voted Leave have come to realize, Brexit was a political Pandoras box.

Mays Conservative Party won 318 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons compared to 330 seats in 2015. The Labor Party increased its representation from 232 to 261. On Friday, May announced that she would form a new government with the support of the Democratic Unionist Party, which was founded by Protestant firebrand Ian Paisley and which in the past has shared power with Sinn Fein, the longtime political wing of the Irish Republican Army, in Northern Ireland.

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If May was right that her partys narrow majority impaired her ability to negotiate optimal terms for withdrawal from the EU, its hard to see how she (or another Conservative prime minister) wouldnt be at an even greater disadvantage negotiating on behalf of a minority government.

Mays miscalculation in calling this election harks back to an earlier blunder by her immediate predecessor: former Prime Minister David Cameron and his decision to hold a referendum on Brexit in the first place.

Cameron assumed that the British voters would ratify Britains continued membership in the EU and thus allow him to silence so-called Euroskeptics within his own party. May, who after (mildly) opposing Brexit in the referendum accepted the verdict of the voters, thought that by holding an early election she could strengthen her ability to secure a definitive divorce from the EU on terms favorable to the U.K., a so-called hard Brexit. It was a huge miscalculation.

Ironically, although while Brexit was a key factor in the timing of this election, it didnt dominate the campaign. May emphasized toughness on terrorism, especially after recent attacks in Manchester and London, but proved to be an uninspiring campaigner who refused to take part in televised debates with her opponents. Jeremy Corbyn, the Labor Party leader often dismissed (even by many in his own party) as an ineffectual ideologue, galvanized younger and working-class voters with an egalitarian message of For the Many, Not the Few.

But neither May nor Corbyn would have been campaigning if Cameron hadnt promised to put Brexit on the ballot and then followed through with legislation to redeem that pledge. Instead, Cameron still would be prime minister, presiding over a majority government (however narrow) of a United Kingdom that was still part of Europe.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
To the editor: I have voted in every election since 1972, and I have heard some disturbing things from the campaign trail over the years. What topped everything was lock her up in 2016.

After listening to former FBI Director James Comeys testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday, where he actually called President Trump a liar, I have three words of my own: Release the tapes. Assuming they exist (Trump indicated they might in a tweet taunting Comey after he was fired), one of two things would become abundantly clear to the American public upon their release: Either Comey is telling the truth about what the president told him in a private meeting in the Oval Office, or he isnt.

Running the government on a Trump said, Comey said basis wont get us any closer to the truth about Russias involvement in the 2016 campaign. Trump promised to make American great again, a slogan that still resonates with millions of his supporters. Id like to add my own four words going forward: Americans want the truth.

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Denny Freidenrich, Laguna Beach

..

To the editor: Comeys performance Thursday did turn up some information worth pursuing.

We found out that he orchestrated the leak of his memorandums of his discussions with the president, and that then-Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch asked him to defuse the investigation of Hillary Clinton and its public presentation.

It appears virtually everything Trump says must be reinterpreted by an aide or other shill to be properly understood.  Paul Robinson, Los Angeles

Meanwhile, liberal legal eagle Alan Dershowitz has written that Trump, who has the authority to pardon former national security advisor Mike Flynn and thereby terminate any criminal proceeding against him, would have been well within his constitutional rights had he ordered Comey to end the investigation of Flynn. Given that, there is no need to get into subjective interpretations of hope vs. directive.

The Democrats took their best shot Thursday, and they fired blanks. Their nothingburger is on full display, and even their constituents are now telling them to get to the real work for which they were sent to Washington.

Jordan Chodorow, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Trumps comments to Comey were a normal New York City conversation and that Trump didnt realize his remarks were inappropriate. So I guess hes saying Trump didnt realize New York citizens holding public office were not exempt from the law.

It appears virtually everything Trump says must be reinterpreted by an aide or other shill to be properly understood.

Paul Robinson, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: The ethically and morally challenged White House and too many complicit members of Congress are pushing the notion that direct evidence of a president asking the director of the FBI to prematurely end a criminal investigation of a former top advisor doesnt constitute a smoking gun and strong evidence of obstruction of justice.

This is absolutely and totally ridiculous.

Trump may be trying to drag the country into the gutter with his insulting, bullying and sexist behavior, but the bar has not been lowered so far as to obviate the criminal nature of attempting to manipulate the justice system.

Comeys testimony constitutes solid evidence of an impeachable offense, and eventually well have a House with a working moral compass that will put the rule of law and the good of the country above partisanship.

Ray McKown, Los Angeles

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
To the editor: The Times Editorial Board again mistakenly focuses on one instrument use to commit violence  firearms  rather than the underlying causes of violence. It seems doubtful that absent a firearm, those who decide to commit suicide would not find other means, and many of the U.S. homicides committed using firearms occur in a few high-crime areas of large cities. (Trump obsesses over terrorism but ignores the bigger threat: Access to firearms, editorial, June 7)

As the tragic attack last weekend in London reminds us, other means exist beside firearms for terrorists and other criminals to commit heinous acts.

I suggest the editorial board and the state Legislature focus on a different but related subject: whether we would be safer in California by issuing concealed carry permits to law-abiding citizens who pass background checks and are qualified by proper training or experience in the use of firearms.

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The images of defenseless people being mowed down in London, Paris, San Bernardino, Newtown and elsewhere are horrific and inescapable. They keep reminding me of the harm that could have been avoided if a qualified person with a firearm were present to stop the carnage.

Robert C. Wright, San Diego

..

To the editor: Your editorial correctly highlights the gun problem we have, and the recent spate of killings is not only a reflection of too many guns in the wrong hands, but also a signal that our politicians have allowed us to view this carnage as the norm.

Although the events in London and Paris recently have highlighted the evil of Islamist terrorism, the absence of guns minimized carnage. Using knives or hammers to kill in countries where guns are hard to come by is exponentially more difficult than the ease of shooting someone.

Our politicians need to be lobbied incessantly on this issue.

David Radden, Venice

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
Last Saturday in London, three men ran over and then stabbed dozens of people, killing eight, and it was an act of international terrorism. In Orlando, Fla., the next Monday, a disgruntled ex-employee shot dead five of his former colleagues, and it was another day in America.

Such is the way some Times letter writers say this newspaper and other media outlets treated the two attacks. Over the last weak, readers have been asking why theres a sharp discrepancy between the coverage of the two incidents despite the similar casualty counts; once such letter has already been printed, touching off more discussion on what acts of violence count as terrorism.

Irvine resident Victoria Reiser puts the risk to Americans posed by terrorism in perspective:

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We continue to headline terror attacks by foreign extremists who use knives and vehicles as weapons, zeroing in on the attackers origins and extreme Islamist views.

In my book, murder is terrorism; it does not matter if it is committed by an Islamic State martyr wearing a explosive vest or an American citizen.  Allen F. Dziuk, Carlsbad

Meanwhile, in the back pages and with far less bravado, we report our home-grown national terrorism by native citizens wielding legal handguns and knives.

Facts are clearly less sensational than newspaper headlines, no matter how many times we read them. As reported by Business Insider, the lifetime odds of being killed in an assault using a gun are 1 in 358; in an attack by a foreign-born terrorist, 1 in 45,808; in an attack by a refugee terrorist, 1 in 46,192,893; and in an attack by an illegal immigrant terrorist, 1 in 138,324,873.

Responding to a letter to the editor, Flo Ginsburg of Santa Monica explains why not all acts of mass killing deserve to be called terrorism:

In the June 8 Times, Frank Ferrone of El Cajon suggests that the one-off massacre by a U.S. Army veteran in Orlando be deemed terrorism.

Terrorist acts are done to put fear into peoples psyche for the future. It is an ideological act to make people submit through fear to their future demands. It is building a history of terrorist acts in order to try to control the future. This is far different from a one-off attack by, say, an angry former employee, no matter how many are killed in the event.

It is true that some workplace violence is terrorism. However, that can usually be identified by the perpetrator, who will often announce his intention in order to help build that layer of fear that may make us bow to the future demands of people who share his ideology.

Allen F. Dziuk of Carlsbad takes a much broader view of what terrorism is:

It is refreshing that The Times has readers observant enough as letter writer Ferrone.

How did a report on the killing in Orlando end up buried inside The Times while another piece on a nut chasing a cop in Paris with a hammer landed on the front page?

In my book, murder is terrorism; it does not matter if it is committed by an Islamic State martyr wearing a explosive vest or an American citizen who is angry over losing his job and picks up a gun.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
The Burbank City Council unanimously voted to extend an interim ordinance that established standards for new accessory-dwelling units, commonly known as granny flats.

The city first adopted the temporary rules on April 25 after two state laws  AB 2299 and SB 1069  amended the regulations regarding granny flats in an attempt to address the housing shortage in California.

City staff will now have 10 months and 15 days to draft a new ordinance regarding accessory-dwelling units that best fits Burbank.

If the City Council does not adopt its own ordinance, then Burbank would have to follow state regulations.

Additional public meetings will be held throughout the process to gather more input from residents.

anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpio
About 400 people gathered Friday night to honor four of Costa Mesas most influential community leaders during the inaugural Mayors Charity Ball at the Westin South Coast Plaza hotel.

The honorees  Mary Hornbuckle, Kirby Piazza, Maria Elena Avila and Werner Escher  were praised for their contributions in business, civic involvement and the arts.

Mayor Katrina Foley said she decided to stage a ball rather than a typical awards dinner because dancing brings people together.

When I was a girl, dancing was a huge part of my life and it also brought people together in a positive way to celebrate and be productive, she said. So I thought, when I became the mayor, Why not have a mayors ball and bring people together to dance?

Hornbuckle  a former Costa Mesa mayor who is now vice president of the Coast Community College District board  received the Art of Public Involvement Award for her years of civic service.

If there is somebody on the planet who can herd cats, Mary Hornbuckle can herd cats, said Costa Mesa Mayor Pro Tem Sandy Genis.

Hornbuckle called Fridays event one of the nicest things thats ever happened to me.

I always thought it would have made sense if people had a memorial service while they were still alive to enjoy it, she joked, to laughs from the crowd. So thank you.

Piazza, who teaches digital art and photography at Costa Mesa High School, received the Art of Education Award.

Hes also one of the coordinators of the Academy of Creative Expression, a program that infuses the arts into other fields such as social science, math and world language.

He acts as an artist, as an arts educator, but also an arts advocate, said Charlene Ashendorf, a member of the Costa Mesa Senior Commission and an alternate member of the citys Cultural Arts Committee. And those three components are really what make Kirby special.

Piazza said hes tried to live up to the values his parents instilled in him  the thought of community first and thinking about working with people and getting people together to do things that are bigger than yourself.

The Art of Business Leadership Award went to Avila, who oversees quality control at all 13 family-owned Avilas El Ranchito Mexican restaurants.

Along with helping to lead the restaurant group, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, Avila has been a community leader, serving on the Latino Leadership Council and the Orange County Hispanic Education Endowment Fund.

Its really wonderful how you build community and you support your local community, Foley told Avila. Youre philanthropic, youre a great businesswoman and youre a great role model.

Avila dedicated the award to her parents, Margarita and Salvador, who she said believed the American dream was possible through hard work, perseverance and faith in God.

The American dream has come true for our family, she said.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented posthumously to Escher, a longtime executive at South Coast Plaza who died in January.

He truly was instrumental in bringing the world to South Coast Plaza and bringing South Coast Plaza to a global audience, said David Grant, the Costa Mesa malls general manager. His pioneering tourism accomplishments have become the new normal for the shopping-center industry worldwide.

Three of Eschers grandchildren accepted the award on his behalf.

After the award presentations, guests took to the dance floor and swayed to music provided by a Frank Sinatra tribute band.

Fridays event was presented by the city, the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and the South Coast Metro Alliance. Admission cost $125 per person, or $200 for couples.

Proceeds will benefit arts education programs at Costa Mesa and Estancia high schools, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, South Coast Repertory and Save Our Youth.

luke.money@latimes.com

Twitter @LukeMMoney
About 150 skateboarders from around the globe rolled into Costa Mesa this weekend to shred for a spot in the upcoming Tampa Am competition in Florida.

Skaters from as far away as Japan turned out for Damn Am Costa Mesa at Volcoms company headquarters at 1740 Monrovia Ave.

On Saturday, competitors went through a series of qualifying runs, with the top 30 advancing to the semifinals.

That field will be whittled down Sunday until 12 remain for the finals.

The top 10 skaters will qualify for the 24th annual Tampa Am in November.

For more information on the Costa Mesa contest, visit skateparkoftampa.com/spot/eventspot.aspx?I=161.
CicLAvia  a large-scale, open-street event that replaces motor vehicles on streets with human-powered transport such as biking, skating and walking  is coming to Glendale for the first time on Sunday.

The event, called Glendale Meets Atwater Village, will close a roughly 3-mile stretch of road, connecting Brand Boulevard at Doran Street in Glendale to Glendale Boulevard in Atwater Village.

A partnership between the city of Glendale, city of Los Angeles, Metro and nonprofit CicLAvia Inc. brought the popular event to Glendale. City Council approved funds for the event in April.

Glendales inaugural open-street event is part of a $4-million Metro grant program designed to help stage 17 car-free experiences in L.A. County.

CicLAvia in Glendale is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. A formal kickoff for the event will be held at 8:30 a.m. outside of the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd.

There is no start or end point along the route, and participants are allowed to enter the designated streets anywhere they please.

jeff.landa@latimes.com

Twitter: @JeffLanda
After the Glendale school board denied a petition Tuesday that would have allowed Options For Youth to establish a charter school within Glendale Unifieds boundaries, questions linger over the charter schools La Crescenta campus.

The Options For Youth site, located at 2626 Foothill Boulevard, is part of the San Gabriel Unified School Districts jurisdiction because that school district authorized the charter.

Glendale school officials, however, question the legality of Options For Youth operating a campus within Glendale Unified because local school officials never granted approval for Options For Youth to establish the site.

For the first time last month, representatives from Options For Youth proposed establishing a charter school in Glendale. Thats when some Glendale school board members learned that Options For Youth has been operating in La Crescenta.

I was shocked to find out they were here. They came within our boundaries without us even knowing, said Glendale school board member Greg Krikorian. Technically, they were operating illegally in our area.

I was shocked to find out they were here ... Technically, they were operating illegally in our area.  Greg Krikorian

The states education code states that a petition for the establishment of a charter school shall identify a single charter school that will operate within the geographic boundaries of that school district.

A 2016 court decision affirmed the law after the Anderson Union High School District sued Shasta Secondary Home School  now known as Shasta Charter Academy  for operating a resource center within the Anderson school district.

In light of whats known as the Shasta decision, John Pappalardo, superintendent of the San Gabriel Unified School District, said the San Gabriel school board voted April 11 to file a waiver with the state board of education regarding Options For Youth-San Gabriel, which includes the La Crescenta campus.

We understand that if the waiver is approved, Options-San Gabriel will have one year in which to transition these classes, Pappalardo said.

San Gabriel school officials are still waiting to hear the states decision on the waiver, he added.

Options For Youth first opened a site in La Crescenta in 1994, said its spokeswoman, Kimberly Brown, in an email. Its a charter school for students in seventh through 12th grades

Another Options For Youth representative, Lori Butler, told the Glendale school board the charter campus has 150 students.

Brown said 33 of those students are from the Glendale Unified district.

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Glendale school officials said they cannot confirm how many Glendale students attend Options for Youth in La Crescenta because they dont have the ability to track students who leave the district.

Until the Shasta ruling, the [Options For Youth] La Crescenta school site was within legal standards of operation, Brown said.

Now, as a result of the Glendale school board denying Options For Youth to charter a school within Glendale Unified, Brown said she is uncertain if the charter will continue to operate its La Crescenta site.

We do not know yet, Brown said, but our intentions are to continue operating the school site.

The Glendale school board voted to deny the recent Options For Youth petition following a staff recommendation that found the charter proposal was unsound.

Statistics in the report show that 27% of Options For Youth-San Gabriel students graduated, compared to 92% of Glendale Unified students.

During a public hearing May 9, one student and one teacher voiced support for opening the charter in Glendale. The teacher was Desirae Dickinson, who teaches at the La Crescenta campus.

We have been part of the Glendale community, and we would like to continue and cement that, she said.

With the denial of the petition, its uncertain how long the La Crescenta campus will continue to operate.

Glendale Unified Asst. Supt. Kelly King said school officials will help current Options For Youth students navigate whatever may come next.

We will definitely work with any GUSD families who may be enrolled in [Options For Youth] regarding next steps for them, she said.

kelly.corrigan@latimes.com

Twitter: @kellymcorrigan
France goes to the polls again Sunday for a vote expected to give the countrys new president, Emmanuel Macron, substantial backing to push through his reformist program.

Analysts predict the French leader will win an outright majority in the countrys National Assembly despite the fact that he heads a newly formed party, established only a month ago, that is fielding an army of amateur politicians.

Having smashed the traditional party system to win the bitterly contested presidential battle four weeks ago, Macron, relatively new to politics himself, is hoping to consolidate his leadership triumph with a sympathetic parliament.

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He seems almost certain to pull it off. Days before the first-round vote, pollsters believe he could gain between 380 and 415 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly. He needs to win just 289 for an absolute majority.

Edouard Lecerf, of the Kantar polling organization, said voting predictions are quite clear.

There may be doubts about the size, but the question of him getting an absolute majority  well, its not in question, Lecerf told journalists at the Anglo-American Press Assn of Paris.

Macron is confirming the idea that nothing can stop him. The period immediately after a presidential election is usually one of relief and a down time, but he is maintaining the tension; he was there being the president from day one.

Lecerf added that the French political landscape was Emmanuel Macron and all the rest.

Macron has been like a fragmentation bomb that exploded into French politics in the presidential first and is continuing to explode into the parliamentary elections. This explosion has caused a huge shock wave in French politics. We are forced to look again at how we see and analyze the political landscape.

Bruno Jeanbart of OpinionWay said if Macrons La Republique En Marche, or LREM, party won 400 seats, it would be an extremely large majority rarely seen since the end of World War II. He added that Macron was proving wrong those critics who said a young politician who had never been elected and had no political experience would not be up to the presidential task.

Voters are saying, we have to give him a chance. He met Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin and he did reasonably well, and 30% of heads of business are feeling optimistic, Jeanbart said.

LREM is fielding candidates in 526 of Frances 577 constituencies, and 266 of them are women. Half the candidates have been picked from civil society, have never been elected and lack any political experience either at the local or national level. Their average age is 46, and there are an average of 14 candidates battling for each parliamentary seat.

Caroline Janvier, 35, who works for an association for homeless, disabled and vulnerable youngsters in the Loiret, 150 miles south of Paris, is typical of one of Macrons newcomers. On the stump in the market town of La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin, most local people had no idea who the would-be lawmaker was.

I never ever imagined doing this.  Becoming a member of parliament seemed something totally inaccessible, Janvier said, adding that what she and the others like her lack in experience, we make up for in enthusiasm and energy.

Believe it or not, Ive had some people saying shouldnt I be at home looking after my three children, but most people have been positive and happy to see ordinary people like me standing up to represent them, Janvier said.

Pollster Jeanbart said the great unknown question was who would be standing up to oppose Macrons government in parliament after the June 11 and June 18 votes.

The center-right Les Republicains party is expected to finish second in the two-round legislative vote, with between 70 and 150 seats. The far-right National Front, led by Macrons presidential rival, Marine Le Pen, is predicted to get between five and 15 seats, and the hard-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon likely will get between 20 and 35.

The Socialist Party, which formed the previous administration under Francois Hollande but finished a humiliating fifth in the first-round presidential vote, is expected to crash out with somewhere between 15 and 40 seats, according to pollsters. Political parties need at least 15 seats in the National Assembly to form an official parliamentary group and be eligible for speaking time and funding.

Macron, 39, a former economy minister in Hollandes administration, had never even stood for election let alone won one before his May 7 presidential triumph. His movement En Marche! (Lets go!), was created a year ago, but became a formal political party only after Macrons victory.

Lecerf said it was clear Macron was attempting to position himself and France on the global scene, evidenced by his powerful hand grip with Trump during the American presidents visit to the NATO summit in Belgium last month, and his move to put Putin in his place, when during a news conference he described Kremlin-backed media as propaganda outlets.

The images played well with the French, who have been increasingly anxious that their country is losing its international status.

With Macron, ordinary French people are saying France is back,  Lecerf said.

Willsher is a special correspondent.

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Brazilian President Michel Temer triumphed Friday in a court case that had threatened to boot him from office and drive the country deeper into political chaos.

In a 4-3 vote, the nations top electoral court ruled that the 2014 campaign that earned him a second term as vice president  before he ascended to the presidency with the impeachment of Dilma Rouseff  did not break campaign finance rules.

The decision allows him to keep his job until his term ends next year.

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The case, which was brought by the Brazilian Social Democracy Party after the 2014 election, alleged that Temers ticket had received illegal contributions.

Without a deadline for the seven judges of the court to hear the case, it dragged on. A hearing was finally held in April, but then delayed until June to allowed new witnesses to testify. Legal experts accused Temers team of stall tactics.

Temer became president in August after Rouseff was impeached for illegally moving funds between government budgets.

The hearing this week was for both Temer and Rouseff. Both denied any wrongdoing.

A ruling against them would have annulled the 2014 election, forcing Temer out of office.

Initially expected to last three days, the hearing was extended by a day to allow for more debate, including over whether testimony in the countrys billion-dollar Lava Jato corruption investigation should be considered. It was.

The decision was 3 to 3 until the courts president, Gilmar Mendes, cast the final vote. His friendship with Temer, which both have acknowledged, has stirred debate over whether he should have recused himself.

The court released a statement saying that the judge frequently meets with politicians to discuss electoral reform and that all of his meetings with Temer have been transparent.

Temer, whose approval rate is 4%, is also being investigated on allegations of approving the payment of hush money to impeached lower house speaker Eduardo Cunha, who is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence for corruption, money laundering and tax evasion.

The president is also accused of receiving bribes by way of his former aide, Rodrigo Rocha Loures, who was arrested on June 3 after police released video that authorities said showed him carrying a suitcase containing $154,000.

Langlois is a special correspondent.
Prime Minister Theresa Mays two closest aides resigned Saturday amid the fallout over her Conservative Partys disastrous general election campaign.

Chiefs of Staff Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill became the first high-profile members of Mays core team to step down as the party worked out a way to regroup following a humiliating election that saw its majority wiped out.

The general election result was a huge disappointment, Timothy said in a statement posted on the Conservative Home website. One can speculate about the reasons for this, but the simple truth is that Britain is a divided country.

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The pair were two of the prime ministers top advisors and therefore many see them as responsible for her failure to connect with voters and win their support.

In his statement, Timothy made particular mention of a manifesto pledge to change the way older people pay for their social care, which is seen as a crucial turning point in the campaign where the tide started to turn toward the main opposition Labor Party.

It was dubbed a dementia tax by critics and so widely criticized that May was forced to modify her proposals.

Many saw her change of heart as a U-turn, and it alienated some of the Conservative Partys key older voters.

Timothy said he stood by the entire manifesto, which he still saw as an honest and strong program for government but also took responsibility for its shortcomings.

I regret the decision not to include in the manifesto a ceiling as well as a floor in our proposal to help meet the increasing cost of social care, he wrote.

But he said the key reason for the Conservatives failure to win an overall majority in Thursdays election was an unexpected surge in Labor support, under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn.

The Conservative Party won 318 seats in the election, eight short of the number it needed to secure a majority in Parliament and 13 fewer than it had going into the election.

Meanwhile, the Labor Party far exceeded expectations by securing 262 seats, an increase of 30.

When May called the election in April, all indications were that she was going to consolidate her majority  with some polls predicting the Conservatives could end up with a 100-seat majority.

But the campaign failed to inspire, Mays performance was described as stilted and lackluster and key manifesto pledges were roundly criticized.

She needed to broaden her circle of advisors. She needed to have a few gray hairs in there who had been around the block a bit in politics.  Katie Perrior, former Downing Street director of communications

Attempts to make the campaign about tough upcoming Brexit negotiations to pull out of the European Union and the prime ministers ability to provide strong leadership during a time of uncertainty also fell flat as the Labor camp stirred passions with talk of increasing healthcare funding and ending university tuition fees, along with the need to stop years of the Conservatives austerity cuts.

Corbyns message also crucially appealed to younger voters who are overwhelming opposed to Brexit and voted in unexpectedly high numbers.

Many [British citizens] are tired of austerity, many remain frustrated or angry about Brexit, and many younger people feel they lack the opportunities enjoyed by their parents generation, Timothy said in his statement.

Two terrorist attacks in the space of a few weeks also temporarily halted campaigning and called into question Mays tenure as home secretary where she presided over the elimination of 20,000 police jobs.

Despite immediate calls for May to resign, the prime minister appeared defiant on Friday and said the country needed certainty and would form a government with the support of Irelands Democratic Unionist Party, or DUP, which won 10 seats.

But there were reports that Conservative lawmakers were threatening to challenge Mays leadership as soon as Monday if she did not remove her two closest advisors, who followed her from the Home Office where she worked until becoming prime minister in 2016.

Former Culture Minister Ed Vaizey told the BBC that Tory legislators were actively discussing a new leader using the WhatsApp messaging service.

Even sections of the British press that had ardently backed the prime minister before the election soured in their attitude toward her.

Tories turn on Theresa, the Daily Mail headline said Saturday. May stares into the abyss, the Times of London wrote.

Former Downing Street director of communications, Katie Perrior, said the atmosphere within Mays camp had been pretty toxic with Timothy and Hill at the helm. Staff members felt they could not speak freely when the pair was around, she said.

She needed to broaden her circle of advisors, Perrior said in a BBC radio interview. She needed to have a few gray hairs in there who had been around the block a bit in politics.

Mays new chief of staff was announced on Saturday as former Conservative Party Housing Minister Gavin Barwell.

Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks at the launch of the partys race and faith manifesto at an event in Watford, England, on May 30, 2017. (Dominic Lipinski / Associated Press)

The resignations will probably buy May some time but many doubt she should, or can, last long-term.

Deputy Labor leader Tom Watson said on Twitter on Saturday that although Mays key advisors had taken the fall, she alone is the one responsible for her own defeat.

Mays immediate concern is to solidify a deal with the DUP ahead of the Queens Speech on June 19, when she will set out the new governments agenda for the next parliamentary term.

That is also the day that Brexit negotiations with the EU are scheduled to begin. But any deal she strikes with the DUP is likely to cause tensions, especially given the partys socially conservative stance on issues like same-sex marriage and abortion.

Northern Ireland is the only place in the U.K. where same-sex marriage is still illegal.

Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, who is a lesbian and due to be married to her partner, said there are obviously areas of social policy where the two parties differ hugely.

But she had sought and received a categoric assurance from the prime minister that there would be no rollback of LGBT rights, as well as womens rights.

A deal with the DUP also has the potential to disrupt the delicate balance between the British loyalists and Irish nationalists at a particularly sensitive time.

Britains split from the rest of the European Union could see the introduction of a new land border between Northern Ireland, which will remain part of the U.K., and mainland Ireland, which will stay within the EU post-Brexit.

Negotiations for a new power-sharing government in Northern Ireland are also due to restart soon, after breaking down this year, and London will not want to be accused of picking sides.

UPDATES:

3:35: This article was updated with throughout with additional staff reporting.

Noon: This article was updated with staff reporting.

This article was originally published at 9:55 a.m.
Three American service members were killed and another wounded Saturday when an Afghan soldier opened fire on them in the countrys eastern Nangarhar province, U.S. officials said.

A local Afghan official had said earlier Saturday that two U.S. soldiers were killed and two others wounded during the attack in Achin district, where U.S. Army special operations forces have been fighting with Afghan military against Islamic State-affiliated militants. The death toll later rose to three, with one injured.

In a statement, the Pentagon said the wounded soldier had been evacuated for treatment and the incident was under investigation.

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The so-called insider attack  the second of its kind this year  happened in Nangarhar, where Afghan troops and U.S. special operations forces have been locked in combat with an Islamic State-affiliated militant group for months.

Ismail Shinwari, a district governor in Achin, said the incident happened in the Pekha Valley region of the Achin district. He said it was an active combat zone, keeping investigators from being able to go to the area.

It wasnt immediately clear if the shooting involved a jihadist sympathizer, a personal dispute or a cultural misunderstanding. But the Afghan Taliban claimed that one of its members had infiltrated Afghan forces, opened fire on U.S. troops and killed four in Nangarhar province, according to private SITE Intelligence Group.

The shooter was killed immediately.

The infiltrator was killed by other Afghan soldiers on the ground, read a statement from the Taliban.

In March, another Afghan soldier was killed after he fired on U.S. forces at a base in Helmand province, wounding three Americans.

Since 2008, there have been more than 90 insider attacks in Afghanistan, with at least 150 foreign soldiers killed and 187 wounded, according to the Long War Journal blog.

The deadly shooting comes as the Trump administration weighs deeper involvement in the country after 16 years of war.

The U.S. has 8,400 troops deployed in Afghanistan to train and advise Afghan forces; most rarely participate in direct combat.

Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr., the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, wants 3,000 to 5,000 more troops to help train Afghanistans military and police forces as they battle Taliban insurgents, Islamic State militants and other militias, U.S. officials say. The Afghan government in Kabul has come under growing pressure from the Taliban and other armed insurgents.

Six U.S. service members now have been killed in Afghanistan this year. The three soldiers killed earlier this year died fighting an Islamic State affiliate in Nangarhar. All were members of U.S. Army special operations.

In a separate incident, two Afghan border police officers were killed in a U.S. airstrike in southern Helmand province Friday night.

An investigation is being conducted at this time to determine the specific circumstances that led to this incident, U.S. military officials said in a statement.

The airstrike was part of an ongoing operation that was led by Afghan forces on the ground.

Two were killed and three others wounded when the coalition air raid bombed an Afghan border police outpost, said Omar Zwak, the Helmand governors spokesman said. Several insurgents have also been killed during the same operations.

Faizy is a special correspondent.

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UPDATES:

2:20 p.m.: This article was updated with the death of the third U.S. soldier and other details.

This article was originally published at 11:45 a.m.
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto called for the defense of free trade, democracy and environmental protections during an appearance Friday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Though neither Pena Nieto nor Merkel mentioned President Trump by name during their joint news conference in Mexico City, his pugnacious relationship with both countries was the backdrop for much of what they had to say.

Pena Nieto said Merkels two-day state visit comes at a crucial time for the world.

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It is extremely important to defend the values we share, he said.

Those values include free trade, a principle at the core of Mexicos relationship with the United States, and one Trump has threatened in an attempt to erase a trade gap of roughly $60 billion in Mexicos favor.

They also include combating climate change, Pena Nieto said. After Trump this month announced he will be withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement, Mexico and Germany both announced they would stay in the accord and press forward.

In her remarks, Merkel emphasized the importance of nations having relationships with a wide range of countries instead of relying on alliances with just a few.

In recent weeks, as Trump has attacked Germany for its trade surplus with the U.S. and for not spending enough on defense to meet its commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Merkel has said that Europe can no longer rely on its longtime ally, the United States. Europeans, she said at a recent campaign rally in Munich, must take our fate into our own hands.

Some political scientists viewed Merkels visit to Mexico as an attempt to forge a global leadership role amid what some see as a possible rearrangement of international alliances in the Trump era. Before the trip, Germanys ambassador to Mexico called Merkels visit a sign of solidarity with the Latin American nation, which has been one of Trumps favorite targets since he launched his campaign for president in 2015.

If that was her goal, Merkel did not obviously embrace it Friday night. She side-stepped questions from journalists that would have offered her the chance to criticize Trump, and she declined to address a question about whether she is taking on a new global leadership role.

Rather, Merkel focused on the importance of the upcoming Group of 20 summit and emphasized the importance of her countrys trade relationship with Mexico, which is valued at $18 billion. Merkel traveled to Mexico with a large delegation of German business leaders looking to broaden an existing trade agreement with the European Union by the end of the year.

Though Merkel repeatedly praised Mexico, she also took the opportunity to gently scold Pena Nieto on his nations human rights record. She spoke of the importance of protecting journalists, who are killed in Mexico at an alarmingly high rate, and about bringing to justice those behind Mexicos high number of forced disappearances.

It is important to punish and find the culprits; it is vitally important, Merkel said.

The two leaders have a series of events and more talks scheduled for Saturday.

kate.linthicum@latimes.com

Twitter: @katelinthicum
Straddling the road from Jerusalem to Ramallah, the Palestinian neighborhood of Kafr Aqab is a confusion of illegally built apartment buildings, potholed streets lined with trash and snarled traffic.

Looming over it all are the massive concrete slabs of Israels separation barrier.

Immediately after conquering the West Bank during the Six-Day War, 50 years ago this month, Israel declared some of Kafr Aqab part of a united Jerusalem. But today the district feels abandoned by Israel to a Twilight Zone existence all its own.

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This is a place where the police seldom come, illegal guns are plentiful and the sole post office was shut down years ago. Yet most people, including the head of the Palestinian Authority-run local council, have Israeli residency cards and dutifully pay thousands of dollars in municipal taxes to Jerusalem.

Its complicated, said the council head, Imad Awad. Two countries are responsible for Kafr Aqab, the Palestinians and Israel. It has two municipalities, and, unfortunately, big problems.

Imad Awad, the head of the Palestinian Authority-run local council for Kafr Aqab shows his Israel ID. Two countries are responsible for Kafr Aqab. (Joshua Mitnick / Los Angeles Times)

When the Israelis arrived, Kafr Aqab, about three miles from the center of Ramallah and more than double that distance from Jerusalems Old City, was a rustic village of stone houses and olive groves with just a few hundred residents. Like the rest of the West Bank, including the eastern half of Jerusalem, it had been under Jordanian rule. The war ended that.

In the weeks after the war, part of the village was incorporated by Israel into an expanded East Jerusalem  which was annexed by the euphoric victors and declared part of their unified capital city. Kafr Aqab lies at the tip of a narrow corridor jutting northward that was gerrymandered to include an old airstrip that lies within the city limits. Part of the old village remained outside Jerusalem and lies formally within the West Bank.

Palestinian residents of Kafr Aqab and other East Jerusalem neighborhoods got Israeli blue residency cards and social welfare benefits. Most critically, they got the right to work in Israel and move about freely. Within years, Arabs from cramped neighborhoods in the center of East Jerusalem began moving to Kafr Aqab to buy larger homes at lower prices.

Over the years Kafr Aqab morphed from a village on the outskirts of Ramallah to a Jerusalem suburb.

But about 15 years ago, in the throes of a campaign of Palestinian suicide bombings, Israel built a several-hundred-mile barrier snaking around the West Bank and through East Jerusalem to keep out attackers. The Jerusalem wall physically severed the neighborhood from the city and orphaned a population estimated in the tens of thousands from most municipal services, while leaving it linked to nearby Ramallah.

Though nominally still part of Jerusalem, Kafr Aqab found itself adrift, facing a vacuum of authority. That, along with the daily trials of crossing through the West Banks main checkpoint to the rest of the city, underscored the uncertain political status of Palestinians as well as the difficulties of living under Israeli occupation.

We dont feel like we are really in Jerusalem because of the wall, said Raed Hamdan, a 55-year-old resident of Kafr Aqab.

On the eve of the 1967 war, Hamdan was a 5-year-old who lived in the Christian Quarter of the Old City. His father worked for the Jordanian police. He recalled non-uniformed soldiers hiding guns in the family bathroom. Adults spoke of blood running through the alleyways down from the Damascus Gate.

When Hamdan and his family emerged from their home, Jordanian soldiers had been replaced by Israelis greeting them with the Hebrew Shalom.

About one year later, his family moved to Kafr Aqab. Fifty years later, he lives near Kafr Aqabs wildcat apartment buildings and the graffiti-covered separation wall, and complains about the absence of police, Israeli or Palestinian.

Many people have guns here, said Hamdan. We have no government, or rules.

The neighborhood lacks sufficient school classrooms, ambulances or fire trucks. To reach Israeli hospitals, residents have to go through checkpoints.

The absence of any enforcement of building and planning codes has allowed the construction of a cluster of medium-rise apartment buildings just a few feet away from each other, overburdening the neighborhoods sewage system.

The backups at the heavily travelled Qalandia checkpoint snarl traffic in Kafr Aqab on a daily basis. (Joshua Mitnick / Los Angeles Times)

Garbage collectors contracted by the Jerusalem city government pick up garbage at their whim.

The Palestinian Authority in nearby Ramallah has not moved into the vacuum, though it did establish a local council in the part of Kafr Aqab just outside of the Jerusalem border.

Abu Mazen is making a state in Ramallah, and he doesnt care about Kafr Aqab or Jerusalem, said Jeries Tannous, 27, referring to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas by his nickname.

At a car wash on the main road to Ramallah, young Palestinian men remembered what things were like before Israel built the wall and the looming Qalandiya checkpoint, back when trips into the heart of the city took just a few minutes instead of more than an hour.

It was much better. There were jobs, Tannous said. This is a real chaos.

The anniversary of the 1967 war, known to Palestinians as the Naqsa, or defeat, has passed with little public commemoration in the West Bank.

Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian peace negotiator, complained that Israel has pursued a colonial settlement strategy aimed at taking Palestinian land over the last 50 years.

For the Palestinian people, marking 50 years of occupation means marking 50 years of oppression, subjugation and daily control over all aspects of peoples lives, Erekat said in an English statement. It means 50 years of attacks and aggression from occupation forces and settlers against a defenseless civilian population. At the same time, it has also meant 50 years of statements and international resolutions that Israel, the occupying power, has insisted on violating with impunity.

Israel, by contrast, has marked the anniversary of its victory with a month of official celebrations, academic conferences and media coverage, including tributes to Jerusalem and its Jewish holy places. Israeli leaders vow that the city will forever remain their undivided capital, but Palestinians insist that East Jerusalem will be the capital of their future state.

Daniel Seidemann, an Israeli peace activist and expert on Jerusalem, said Israeli talk of a united Jerusalem is belied by the disarray in places such as Kafr Aqab.

The fate of these people was decided by an Israeli whim in the week or two after the 67 war, when, completely and totally unprepared, we decided to annex not only East Jerusalem, but its environs. That dictate determines the fate of tens of thousands of residents to this day, he said.

Kafr Aqab is the quintessential expression of the hollowness of [the] Israeli fiction of the undivided city of Jerusalem. We annexed them by mistake. We never really wanted them.  We wont recognize the total failure of this fiction, so we condemn these people to live in limbo.

A spokeswoman for the Jerusalem municipality didnt respond to requests for comment. The signs of an Israeli government presence are few and far between. Along the Ramallah-Jerusalem road, a small placard in Hebrew with Jerusalems Lion of Judah municipal insignia marks an Israeli-funded school.

In recent months, blue and white street signs in Hebrew, Arabic and English have gone up, giving residents a proper address for the first time. As the signs have gone up, however, there have been reports in Israeli newspapers that the government is considering redrawing Jerusalems borders to cede Kafr Aqab and other Jerusalem neighborhoods beyond the separation barrier. Other reports have suggested there are plans for a new Israeli neighborhood just over the wall, where the old airstrip is located.

Obeideh Said, a 47-year-old teacher whose mother was forced out of the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalems Old City in the months after the 1967 war, looked out from her apartment over Kafr Aqabs jagged concrete wall to the old airstrip.

Unfortunately, we hear there is going to be a settlement there, and this fills us with agony, she said. Look at my neighborhood: theres garbage, theres lack of urban planning, and its the peak of disorganization and unhappiness.

For now, it seems, the schoolteacher and most of the neighborhood residents are waiting for Israel to come back to the place it claimed half a century ago.

ALSO

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Arab nations cut ties to Qatar, deepening rift in Persian Gulf

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Mitnick is a special correspondent.

@joshmitnick

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Notre Dame High School held its commencement Saturday at the school in Bethlehem Township.

Check out the celebration by scrolling through the photos atop this post.

LOOKING FOR A KEEPSAKE?

Are you one of the people pictured at this graduation? Want to buy the photo and keep it forever? Look for a link below the photo caption to order prints in a variety of sizes or products like shirts or coffee mugs.

Be sure to check out our complete graduation coverage at lehighvalleylive.com/graduation.

Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.
Whether you're in Allentown or Bethlehem, it's a good weekend to chow down in the Lehigh Valley.

Saturday sees the return of both the Food Truck Border Brawl at SteelStacks and the Blues, Brews and Barbecue Festival in Downtown Allentown.

At the Border Brawl, 20 food trucks from Pennsylvania and New Jersey will face each other to determine which state's mobile culinary scene reigns supreme. Attendees and judges will sample the 10 competitors from each state to decide awards like the People's Choice and Best Overall Food Truck.

Pennsylvania representatives in the contest include Fire Up Artisan Oven from Allentown, Uncle Paul's Stuffed Pretzels from Hamburg, Dos Hermanos Tacos from Hambler, and plenty of others. New Jersey boasts returning champions the Empanada Guy from Old Bridge (last year's People's Choice) and Surf and Turk from Hamilton (the reigning Best Overall Food Truck), plus much more.

The ticketed event runs in two session on Saturday, from noon to 3 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $12 on the day of the event. If you decide to splurge on a VIP ticket -- $20 in advance or $22 on the day of -- you can get in an hour early. About 6,000 people attended the Border Brawl last year. Get tickets at steelstacks.org.

Over in Allentown, the Blues, Brews and Barbecue Festival is celebrating its 10th year. Kicking off at noon and lasting until 10 p.m., the free festival on the 600, 700 and 800 blocks of Hamilton Street offers much more than a mouthwatering meal. New features to the festival this year include rides on a tethered hot air balloon, a fifth stage of music at Queen City BBQ, a car show, a fireworks display at the end of the night and more.

Leading the festival's music lineup are the Peterson Brothers, Albert Castiglia, and the Clarence Spady band. Kloby's Smoke House, Atomic Hogs, Grumpy's BBQ, Hillbilly BBQ, Licensed 2 Grill will all be dishing up food, and plenty of downtown restaurants will also be getting in on the fun.

After the festival ends, the party continues with live music at Fegley's Brew Works and Hamilton Kitchen.

Andrew Doerfler may be reached at adoerfler@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @adoerfler or on Facebook.
A Lehigh County man is accused of threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend and others at her job, sending a Lower Macungie Township warehouse into lockdown.

Pennsylvania State Police said Emanuel "Nuny" Rosa-Santiago became enraged Thursday morning in a phone conversation with his ex.

The 32-year-old Rosa-Santiago called the woman 22 times over more than an hour, troopers said.

Rosa-Santiago wanted to talk about their "personal problems" at the victim's workplace, where he used to work, according to troopers. When the victim repeatedly said she did not want to speak to Rosa-Santiago or see him, he reportedly told her he was on the way to her job to kill her.

"He was then going to kill anyone else that got in the middle of them," troopers said, as well as the victim's father.

Rosa-Santiago repeatedly called again, and, when the victim answered, told her he was waiting outside, according to state police.

At the time, Rosa-Santiago was free on $5,000 unsecured bail on charges of simple assault and harassment stemming from an Oct. 21 incident in Allentown, records show.

The warehouse off Congdon Hill Drive went into lockdown and operations were stopped until troopers arrived. While troopers were with the victim, Rosa-Santiago called the victim again, using his mother's cellphone.

Rosa-Santiago asked the victim why police were called, and then a trooper spoke with him. Rosa-Santiago reportedly denied making threats, said he was on his way to work and hung up, state police said.

State police said the trooper called the phone number back, and a woman answered, and identified herself as Rosa-Santiago's mother. The mother reported letting her son borrow her phone, and that he eventually gave it back to her and then left the house.

Troopers said there were a total of 22 calls from the mother's phone.

Rosa-Santiago, of the 3600 block of Little Wolf Circle in North Whitehall Township, is charged with making terroristic threats and harassment. He was sent to Lehigh County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail. His bail in the other case was also revoked.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Ocean City, Maryand, has a warning for women who bare too much skin this summer at the shore:

No top, big problem.

The town is not and will not become a topless beach, a news release said.

The city had told its beach patrol not to enforce rules about women baring their breasts on the beach, various published reports said late Thursday and on Friday.

"We want our lifeguards to have their eyes on the ocean, as the safety of our swimmers is their first priority," the city said in the news release late Friday afternoon attempting to clarify the situation. "Our police department, on the other hand, will respond to calls from the beach patrol and complaints from our beach patrons, should any activity of toplessness occur."

The city, in its news release, points to an activist's complaint to the Worcester County State's Attorney's Office saying it was her constitutional right to be bare chested ion the town's beaches.

Maryland's thoughts on indecent exposure aren't directly spelled out in the state statute, a legal expert told the television station. It's one of several states with such ambiguity, the report said.

The state's attorney's office asked the Maryland Attorney General's Office for a ruling, Ocean City said.

"The town is still anxiously waiting" that decision, the news release said.

The town spokeswoman didn't respond to a question how, with the ruling pending, police have any more ability to enforce that law than beach patrol members did.

Likely the resort's email was similar to that received by lehighvalleylive.com.

"What idiot thinks this is appropriate for a family resort town?" one person wrote. "Better yet, what ass---- didn't stop this from happening? Where is OC's Mayor; head in the sand! Who would bring their young children to OC anymore? I am canceling all reservations as I write this comment."

("I)f it is not forbidden, we will not be returning to Ocean City anymore," another person wrote on Friday. "We have been going there for years, and have seen a change in behavior and dress, but this is the worst."

The politicians in the resort that gets 8 million visitors agreed.

"The mayor and city council are unanimously opposed to women being topless on our beach or in any public area in Ocean City," Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan said in the news release. "While we respect Ms. (Chelsea) Covington's desire to express what rights she believes she may have, Ocean City is a family resort and we intend to do whatever is within our ability to also protect the rights of those families that visit us each year."

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Artist Heidi Morrison, a former Naas resident who has exhibited in the town, will stage an exhibition of her work on June 18.

The exhibition, titled 'The Meeting', takes place at the Inniscarra Art Gallery in Rathcoole (2.30pm to 5pm).

Ms Morrison is a native of Wales and came to live in Ireland in 1997. She lives with her husband Stephen Morrison and their four children on the family farm near Kill.

Stephen Morrison is a well known local beef farmer and their farm has hosted several agricultural events including a visit by Tom Vilsack, the US Secretary of Agriculture in the outgoing administration and former EU Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos.

Heidi Morrison

Ms Morrison has a degree in Fine Art, an MA in Art Therapy and an MSc in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.

She works as a professional visual artist and an art psychotherapist, as well as running art classes and art camps from her home for ten years.

Her solo exhibition will showcase paintings created over a two year period - mainly of Irish coastal scenes and local scenes.

I try to reflect certain elements in landscapes and seascapes, she said.

I'm interested in reflecting the simple yet dynamic meeting points between two different elements experienced in a landscape or seascape like the meeting between the sea and sand or the sky and tree tops, added the artist.
Local people with memories of the halcyon days and nights of dancing to showbands are being sought to retell their tales as part of a new publication due out later this year.



From The Candy Store to the Galtymore will chronicle this unique time in rural and urban Ireland through the stories of the young men and women who religiously went to their local Ballroom of Romance each weekend.

The book will be co-edited by PJ Cunningham and Dr Joe Kearney who are seeking memorable stories from that golden era which saw the beginnings of thousands of romances.



What we want are the stories of romance, of chance meetings or tales that are funny and maybe even mischievous, said PJ.

All human life gathered for the weekly dances in what was a cultural shift away from the more formal ceilis which held sway up until then.

The showband dances were modern and slightly more brash occasions than the country had been used to but, if anything, the number of stories of love and loss, rows and ructions, fun and games grew in the new environment.

We are seeking particular stories rather than people just remembering the night that Joe Dolan, Brendan Bowyer or Dickie Rock played their local hall.

Ideally there should be a bit of tension or drama, humour, love or loss involved in what people send in to us.

With 200 or 300 bands traversing the country every weekend, and dancehalls sprouting up all over the place, everyone has a favourite story from that era.



Co-author Dr Kearney remembers the influence that showbands had on his own youth working in London.

We lived for the visits of the Irish showbands to provide a flavour of the life we had left behind and an escape from the humdrum of ordinary living. The Galtymore, The 32 Club, The Gresham and the Hibernian in London were meccas for us.

Readers are invited to submit stories for inclusion in From The Candy Store to the Galtymore to ballpointpress1@gmail.com before June 30.
Relishing the fact that today, at least, is supposed to be all sunshine and glorious Summer - we've decided to take a nostalgic look back at the, sometimes bizarre ice creams that were produced in 1980s Ireland. What was your HB favourite?

1. Nogger

Despite bearing possibly the most singularly unappealing name for an ice cream, the Nogger was pretty awesome. (Source: Facebook/ hbicecreammemories)

2. That-a-way

Awkward to eat and so sweet you could feel your fillings rattling in your head....ah that-a-way, we miss you. (Source: Facebook/ hbicecreammemories)

3. Hiawatha

The lemon chocolate mix was something of an unusual taste sensation. We're not sure what marketing 'genius' thought Ireland would be the ideal market for of the Hiawatha - and yes there really was a Hiawatha in Native American history. This is probably the equivalent of someone in the US launching an ice cream named after Brian Boru.... (Source: Facebook/ hbicecreammemories)

4. Freaky Foot

As a child it seemed strangely appealing to eat an ice cream, shaped like a foot....not so much as an adult. (Source: Facebook/ hbicecreammemories)

5. Guitar

So do you remember the Guitar? No, neither do we..... (Source: Facebook/ hbicecreammemories)

6. Sparklies

Actually these were pretty nice and in this instance, pineapple flavoured - god how exotic of us! (Source: Facebook/ hbicecreammemories)

7. Fat Frog

The nostalgia for this ice cream is so universal that someone invented as alcoholic concoction in honour of the Fat Frog. Sadly there are no plans to start making the ice creams again. (Image: HB Ireland)

8. Chilly Willy

The unfortunately christened, Chilly Willy - yes we all made fun of the name but they weren't that bad in fairness!

So do you have any other firm ice cream favourites from your childhood in the 1980s?
The Conservative party likes to boast that it, combined with our FPTP electoral system, provides strong and stable government.

Well, a fat lot of strength and stability the Tory party and FPTP system have given us in the last two years!

Weve had two Prime Ministers, Cameron and May, who will have historians squabbling for years as to whether they are the worst or second worst or third worst Prime Ministers in the history of this country!

David Cameron put party before country when he promised an EU referendum, ending with his political shredding.

It is unbelievable that Theresa Mays snap election mistake (from her point of view) now looks even more stupid than David Camerons error.

I emphasise the words from her point of view.

I always told anyone who would listen that Mays decision to call an election was the right thing for the country. After the June 23rd 2016 referendum we needed a national democratic event to sort-out the situation. So I commend May for calling the election, just as, incidentally I commend Cameron for calling the EU referendum. The rub is that May didnt call the election for the good of the country, she called it for the good of herself.

The result of the election gives me great reason for optimism. The arrangement with the DUP wont last five years. It is constitutionally correct that the make-up of Parliament dictates the government. And the DUP will be involved long enough to stop a hard Brexit by means of keeping the porous Irish border. Dependent on which parties provide the deputy speakers, Theresa May will have a working majority of 8-10. With by-elections happening on average at the rate of 2-3 a year, that isnt going to last her five years, plus there are bound to be enormous complications in Ireland, because of the DUPs involvement in sustaining the UK government.

So we havent heard the last of this yet. The second shoe is yet to drop. That may be a Bouncing BoJo appearance or another election. If you count the June 23rd referendum as the first act in this madness, then perhaps we should say that there is yet to be the Third Act of this drama, which will hopefully turn out to be a Comedy of Errors rather than a Tragedy.

But once again, it is becoming more and more crazy that this country has not, at least as an interim holding solution, gone for the Norway (EEA/EFTA) option. The ludicrous and (I believe) unconstitutional decision by Theresa May to rule out membership of the Single Market, and even, unbelievably, the Customs Union, was one of the most heinous acts of any British Prime Minister ever. The sooner we come to our senses and realise that EEA/EFTA memberships offers us a temporary sanctuary while we compose ourselves, the better.

* Paul Walter is a Liberal Democrat activist and member of the Liberal Democrat Voice team. He blogs at Liberal Burblings.
This extraordinary election result has given us plenty to discuss, but one urgent topic concerns the implications for Brexit, the biggest issue of the day.

The next few days are going to be critical. Negotiations with the EU are due to start in little more than a week, and the Prime Minister is likely to be re-evaluating her negotiating strategy as you read this.

It is easy to say why she should re-evaluate: she went into the election saying that she wanted a mandate to implement her approach to Brexit, and the public hasnt given it to her.

In reality though, her next move is likely to be dictated less by this and more by the practical constraints on her, which are great.

Clearly she now needs DUP support to maintain a majority in Parliament. The DUP are anxious to avoid a hard border with Ireland, which would be easier if we remained in the customs union. But the DUPs demands will probably fall short of requiring that we remain in the single market.

In any event, though, the Prime Minister almost certainly cannot offer the DUP continued membership of the single market even if she wanted to, as there are at least 60 right-wing Tory MPs for whom securing a hard Brexit provides their reason for taking breath. If she loses them she loses her majority  and wont be able to get her final Brexit deal approved by Parliament without support from other parties.

Which brings us to the Lib Dems. There is an opportunity, should they be willing to do it, for Labour, the SNP and the Lib Dems to get together and say to Theresa May: we will support you in Brexit negotiations and approve any final deal  so long as it is based on the UK remaining in the single market, but otherwise we wont.

That would allow Theresa May to be confident of getting a final soft Brexit deal approved by Parliament even without the support of Tory right-wingers. It would dramatically reduce the economic risk of Brexit, calm the markets and make the negotiations quicker and smoother. And it would almost certainly be more in line with what most voters want.

A Brexit deal that leaves the UK inside the common market is consistent with the Labour party manifesto, and is probably as much as Nicola Sturgeon can realistically hope to achieve now that Scottish voters have killed the prospect of IndyRef2.

It would fall short, though, of the Lib Dem manifesto commitment to hold a second referendum, and would require Lib Dems to accept that Brexit will happen, albeit on soft terms.

Personally I think this is worth doing, even though I would much prefer not to leave the EU at all. There seems little public appetite for a second referendum and it is far from clear that Remain would win second time around, especially given that most of the economic pain would still to be felt.

Of course, it might not be possible to secure Labour or SNP agreement to such an arrangement. But in my view we should try.

For me it is a case of a bird in the hand being worth two in the bush. And securing this bird is vital for our countrys future economic prosperity.

* Julian Gregory was the Liberal Democrat candidate for Islington North at the 2015 General Election
The 12 Best Sources of Fiber on the Keto Diet

These foods in your meal plan will help you avoid some of the pitfalls of the diet, like constipation.
A COMPANY director was fined 250 after he was convicted of criminal charges relating to the illegal dumping of a considerable amount of medical waste in a field near Dromkeen.

Darren Lee, whose company has a registered address at 14 St Nessans Road, Dooradoyle, was prosecuted in relation to the waste at Drombane, Dromkeen which was first reported to Limerick City and County Council on November 19, 2015.

John Mullane, environmental control officer, told Limerick District Court when he examined the rubbish he found a large quantity of medical items such as pieces of plastic, face masks, sterile drug packs, and latex gloves.

He also found personal items and documentation which, he said, were subsequently traced back to the defendant.

I am satisfied he was the party responsible (for the waste). It was his and his companys waste, he told solicitor Ger Reidy, representing the local authority.

Mr Mullane said Mr Lee is the manager of a walk-in clinic near University Hospital Limerick and that the medical waste and personal documents were mixed with construction waste relating to works at the clinic.

The witness said it appears the rubbish was dumped in the field  on the side of the main N24  in one large go.

The waste, he added, was removed by the landowner at considerable expense  believed to be serveral thousand euro.

Solicitor Darach McCarthy said his client had contracted a Dublin-based firm to carry out construction works at the clinic in Dooradoyle and that it appeared a sub-contractor had retained some sort of a charlatan purporting to be a licenced waste disposal company.

He said his client had provided details of the contract as well as receipts to the local authority and that he did not believe he should be before the court.

He said Mr Lee had not contracted the named waste disposal company and had absolutely no knowledge as to how and where the waste was being disposed.

Its a very unusual scenario, it is the perfect storm for my client, he said submitting that he was not the person responsible for the waste at the time it was dumped.

Mr McCarthy submitted that contract law was a factor in the case and that his client could not be held responsible for what happened.

It was the building contractor who transferred control of the waste to another entity. Anybody is very much at the mercy of a sub-contractor, he said.

In reply, Mr Mullane said it was the defendants responsibility to ensure the waste was disposed of correctly and in accordance with regulations.

Mr Reidy said the case was not about contract law and that under the polluter pays principal, the onus is on the person in charge of the waste from start to finish.

After convicting the defendant, Judge Marian OLeary fined him 250.

Mr Lee was also ordered to pay 450 towards the costs and expenses of the local authority relating to the case.
THIS YEARs Novena celebrations in Limerick city centre will form part of major preparations for a triennial Catholic Church event in Dublin, which it is hoped Pope Francis will visit.

From June 16 to June 24, up to 100,000 people from across the Mid-West will visit the Redemptorist Church for the annual week-long religious festival.

The June festival of faith  the largest religious celebration in the Mid-West  has been described as the Munster final of religion in Limerick, and will look at marriage and the role of family life in modern society, explained Redemptorist rector, Fr Seamus Enright.

Speaking ahead of their digital promotion campaign this weekend, Fr Enright said that the focus will be on family life, as a way of preparing for the World Meeting of Families event in the capital city, in August 2018. It is hoped that there will be a papal visit at the event.

This three-day occasion, which takes place once every three years, aims to promote the pastoral care of families, and has been hosted so far in Italy, Spain, Brazil, the Phillipines, and Mexico.

Commenting on this years theme, Fr Enright said this week: I think family life has changed hugely. I think, pastorally, it is more challenging because we have to deal with families that can come in all shapes and sizes.

There were always challenges in family life. But in my youth, there was a more single model of family. There was always variety, but there is a lot more variety now.

The Mount St Alphonsus priest added: The definition of family isnt as simple as it was in the past. As well as married couples, there are couples who are living together, lone parents, couples who are divorced and remarried, same sex couples, single people living on their own, and so on. And this variety of family combinations brings a lot of challenges.

In recent years, the Redemptorists have made a conscious effort to attract the younger generations to celebrate the novena. He said that, in the two weeks leading up to the novena, fellow Redemptorists and lay people have preached at more than 40 churches in 27 parishes across the city and county, in order to promote the novena.

This is on top of the novenas biggest marketing campaign to date, where they have a billboard-sized advert on a double-decker bus passing through the city. This Friday, the annual Kilmallock Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Help will commence in Kilmallock Church at 10pm. This community-driven celebration will finish the day after the city centre event starts, on June 17.

Fr Gerard OLeary said that there will be a variety of themes discussed by a number of speakers.

He said that it is a great time for the people in Kilmallock to reunite and come together. Especially now with the exams on, as it coincides with them [students] starting. And you would find people coming for their grandchildren and their children. It is a totally different identity to the novena in Mount St Alphonsus, as this is a more community affair.
A LIMERICK fuel merchant who erected roadside posters advertising the sale of smoky coal' last Christmas was fined 300 for breaches of the Air Pollution Act.

Limerick City and County Council initiated legal proceedings against Killian Cleary who operates a business at Ashfort, Crecora over the posters.

Paul OGrady, senior executive engineer with the local authority, told Limerick District court he first became aware of the roadside signage on November 8, 2016.

He said they were located in the townland of Ballycummin on the R526 (old N20) between the Raheen Roundabout and Patrickswell and that legal proceedings were initiated after he failed to remove them.

Judge Marian OLeary was told the marketing of smoky coal is prohibited in certain areas and that the posters were erected in such an area.

Cross examined by solicitor Michelle Cosgrave, Mr OGrady accepted the defendant, who trades as Cleary & Sons Fuels, was not selling smoky coal within the specified area and that his fuel yard is located outside of the greater city area.

The witness said the defendant indicated he would remove the signage when contacted but that he failed to do so.

A 1,000 on-the-spot fine which was issued by the council on December 15, last was not paid by the defendant.

There has never been any engagement, said Mr OGrady.

Ms Cosgrave said her client accepts he should have taken action when approached and that he should have engaged with the council.

She said he had erected the roadside posters to drum up some business and accepts he had taken a chance. The posters have since been removed she said.

When asked why he had not paid the fine, Ms Cosgrave said Mr Cleary was not in a financial position to do so.

He wants the matter resolved he is putting his hands up, she said.

Judge Marian OLeary fined the defendant 300.

In addition, she ordered that he pay 390 towards the legal costs and expenses of Limerick City and County Council.
IRISH Water is to investigate an odour issue in Kilmallock that gets so bad it has cleared a pub and forced residents out on the street.

Cllr Mike Donegan, who raised the matter at a Cappamore-Kilmallock municipal meeting, said it is a public health issue.

It affects around 20 houses and a number of businesses on Wolfe Tone Street. The foul smell came in the door of a pub one night and it was unbearable. It is a huge inconvenience, said Cllr Donegan, who has been calling on Irish Water to do remedial works.

Following a query from the Limerick Leader, the national water utility said they have approved funding to carry out investigative work into the source.

This work is due to get underway in the coming weeks. When the contractor has completed this investigation and subject to the outcome, a further assessment will be made to determine what, if any, additional work is required to resolve this issue.

We would like to assure residents and business owners in Kilmallock that we are working to resolve this issue as a matter of priority, said a spokesperson.

Libby Maguire, who lives on Wolfe Tone Street, says the dry spell over the last six to eight weeks has compounded the problem.

Its 100% sewerage. It is scandalous. I have a manhole cover directly outside my door so its coming up there. That's how it comes in the door but its also coming in through the sink and the washing machine. Its absolutely chronic, and I mean chronic, said Libby, who has two children, Robbie, aged 9, and Millie, 2.

It happens, on average, about two or three times a week and dates back to around 2010. It did die down for a while but recently it has returned with a vengeance, she said.

There was a Sunday night about six or seven weeks ago  it got so bad that we were all out on the street at 10 or 11 at night. There was a good few local residents. We all descended on the street at the same time. We had to leave our houses, it was that bad. In saying all of that, for some unknown reason, it never comes up the stairs of the house, said Libby, who loves her house but hates where it is located.

The stink also causes stress and embarrassment.

I have a lot of money put into my council house but because of this smell I hate the positioning of it. Its terrible to be living with it and its very embarrassing if you have any visitors.

The smell starts to rise and you can see the eyes moving. They're thinking 'Oh my God what's after happening here' and you have to explain the whole thing to them, said Libby, who adds that the stench can last up to 40 minutes.

It depends how fast you open your doors and windows. If I come home and its in the house you're talking a good 40 minutes before its gone as it is stuck into everything.

Libby is one of the members of Wolfe Tone Street residents association, which is logging the times and dates of the odour and informing Irish Water.

Cllr Donegan said there are a number of schools of thought regarding the cause.

A pumping station, designed for a housing estate with 150 houses, was built but only around 20 houses were constructed. It is designed for a larger volume. It is supposed to pump frequently but it is not pumping frequently enough, that is my understanding, said Cllr Donegan.

Another possible reason is when the new treatment plant was built in Kilmallock a new network was due to be completed as well.

There was supposed to be new pipes for the sewerage down through the town - that never happened due to the Celtic Tiger crash, said Cllr Donegan. But whatever the problem he wants it solved.
A LIMERICK woman who converted to Islam has told a conference that a number of extremists are living in Limerick city and the surrounding areas due to cheap rent.

Sister Aaliya, 26, from Limerick, said she met one of the men who carried out the terrorist attacks in London and other extremists about 20 times in Ireland and the UK about two and a half years ago.

She said she also met terrorist Khuram Shazad Butt, one of three involved in the London attacks, in Limerick in the past.

Speaking at a press conference held by the Irish Muslim Pace and Integration Council in Dublin, Sister Aaliya, a convert to Islam at age 18, said she had been successfully deradicalised by a Muslim scholar at at mosque in London.

The woman, who identified herself only as Sister Aaliya and who wore sunglasses and black niqab covering the lower part of her face, said she feared for her safety and had been threatened several times by the extremists.

She had been in a relationship with a man who associated with extremists for about 10 months.

She said he was "very controlling and she had fled London late last year.

Ive been threatened on numerous occasions. I came back to Ireland to get away from all that.

Asked what the extremists she met in Dublin had discussed, she said their dream was to have an army for jihad.

She also claimed there were at least 150 radicalised Muslims living in Ireland.

She alleged some extremists were coming in to Ireland on buses and via Belfast to avoid immigration.

She said that growing up between homes in Ireland left her confused.

Growing up I was really confused, she said. I looked to Islam after everything that happened with September 11 [2001 terror attacks]. I was easily brainwashed to think thats the way Islam is.

There are definitely more than 150 [extremists living in Ireland], easily, she said.

They own properties in some places. I know a lot of them came here to apply for visas and stuff like that.

Aaliya approached a Dublin-based imam in the wake of the Manchester attacks and he arranged for her to speak publicly to highlight the threat of radicalisation here.

Aaliya said she saw Butt in Dublin and Limerick two or three times.

There are a lot of them living in Limerick city because the rent was a lot cheaper, she said, adding that others are in Clare and Tipperary.

So they were getting four and five bedroom houses but there was only one or two guys going there.

She said they laughed about the accessibility of Ireland.

They used to laugh about Belfast, that you could fly from any airport in the United Kingdom to Belfast and they didnt check any documents. They just easily let them in.

Former Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea has urged that said Islamic extremists identified by Irish intelligence services as being involved in terror-related activity should be deported.

The Fianna Fail deputy said that the Government has the powers to deport people living in Ireland who are suspected of being engaged in or facilitating terrorism.

Following the recent terrorist attacks in Manchester and London, in which 30 people were killed, sources close to Shannon Airport said that it has increased its security measures.

However, a spokesperson for the airport said that Shannon Airport has never and will not comment on its security measures.

John Lannon, of the group Shannonwatch, said that Shannon Airport has traditionally been viewed as a soft target given that it has been a stop-over for US military en route to the Middle East, and US President Donald Trump's anti-immigration policies has led to further cause for concern.

Security at Shannon Airport has cost the State close to 5 million in the past 13 years up to 2016, involved the payment of security duty allowance, as well as the provision of rations and fuel.
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A clutch of fire service vehicles were scrambled to the centre of Boston after concerns were raised about a possible blaze at a fast food restaurant.

The incident happened at around 10.30pm on Friday, June 9, when crews were called to KFC on Market Place.

The service has yet to release details but Lincolnshire Live understands that it was not as serious as first thought.

A worker at KFC said: "It was not an open fire - it was a faulty light bulb that was smoldering.

"It was on the second floor and no one was hurt."

Taxi firm partner James Lloyd saw the action unfold in front of him.

"I'm sure it was around 10.30ish when a multitude of fire service vehicles were attending what was rumoured to be a fire at KFC in Boston Market Place," he told Lincolnshire Live.

"There were around five fire service vehicles from engines to cars attending the scene."

People were alarmed to see such a big presence in the middle of town and took to facebook to find out what was happening.

One wrote: "KFC is on fire apparently."

Another added: "(I) saw 3 engines and several fire personnel walking near kfc but no obvious signs of fire."
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In one of the villages on the outskirts of Lincoln is a pub that describes itself as being 'charmingly unique' and it certainly lives up to that description.

The Five Bells at Bassingham is a pub serving British food which it promises to source locally, if possible.

On arriving at the pub it certainly has a quirky appearance. The outside looks like a traditional country pub with foliage over the building, but inside there was a variety of things that gave the pub a quirky feel.

I could not help but notice a taxidermy fox wearing glasses, a toy dog in front of the fire, and a well in the middle of the room - this is apparently 18 feet deep.

It's stated on the pub's website that part of the building dated back to the 18th century which also added to the traditional feel.

On walking inside we were shown to our table straight away. The pub was also packed which was a good sign.

Looking at the menu there was a variety of food on offer from squid to a tapas selection and everything in between.

When I looked at the starters there weren't very many vegetarian options but after mentioning this to the waiter they said all the food was made from fresh so I could choose a starter I wanted and they would make sure it was vegetarian - music to my ears.

I was also impressed to see a whole section for vegetarians on the main menu instead of the average two options.

I opted to go for a warm goats cheese salad - which was as described. The cheese was cooked to perfection and was a perfect amount to complement the salad. It did not leave a sickly aftertaste either.

My dining partner opted for soup of the day which turned out to be curried cauliflower. The dish was thoroughly enjoyed after feeling the decision was a bit of a gamble.

Both of the starters were of a decent size too.

Moving on to the main course I opted for the mushroom and red pepper stroganoff with wild rice. The dish was incredibly tasty and the wild rice gave the dish a twist.

My dining partner decided to go for a sirloin steak.

There was no weight given on the menu for the meat but when the meal came out it was huge, but again like the other food, had been cooked exactly how my dining partner had asked.

The staff were also on hand to check that everything was perfect and to take plates away as soon as we'd finished.

With the decent sized portions my dining partner and I decided not to opt for a dessert.

Overall the restaurant could not be faulted and was somewhere different to the average chain restaurant. It was also good value for money with decent sized portions.

In the know

Where: The Five Bells, Bassingham

Parking: There is a small car park at the back of the property and on street parking is also available

The damage: goats cheese salad 6.50, soup 5.25, Stroganoff 10.25, Steak 18.45, drinks 7.80, Total - 48.25

Veggie friendly: Yes

Visit again: Absolutely

Food hygiene: 5/5 last inspected February 2017

Rating: 5/5
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The following cases have been heard at magistrates courts in Lincolnshire:

Lee Ashley Briggs , 25, of 7 Dryden Court, Clinton Park, Tattershall, pleaded guilty to driving in excess of 30mph on the B1192. She was fined 215, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 30 and costs of 85. His licence was endorsed with six points.

Raymond Bushell , 67, of Acacia, Southfield Place, Horncastle, pleaded guilty to driving in excess of 30mph on the B1192. He was fined 176, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 30 and costs of 85. His licence was endorsed with six points.

Michael Crook , 51, of Fen Farm, Swineshead Road, Frampton Holme, Boston, please guilty to driving in excess of 30mph on Rawsons Lane. He was fined 40, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 30 and costs of 85. His licence was endorsed with three points.

Janice Currie , 49, of 14 Kime Court, Skegness, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention. She was fined 300, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 30 and costs of 85. Her licence was endorsed with six points.

Rajesh Jaganathan, 42, of 7 Snowdrop Place, Spalding, pleaded guilty to driving in excess of 60mph on the A16. He was fined 384, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 38 and costs of 85. His licence was endorsed with three points.

Mareks Kripeics , 28, of 27 Fydell Street, Boston, case proven for failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of a vehicle. He was fined 660, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 66 and costs of 85. His licence was endorsed with six points.

Lisa Jayne Maytum, 48, of Hill Rise, Hogsthorpe Road, Alford, case proven for failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of a vehicle. She was fined 660, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 66 and costs of 85. Her licence was endorsed with six points.

Andris Onuzans , 47, of 63 Granville Street, Boston, case proven for driving in excess of 40mph on the A17. He was fined 220, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 30 and costs of 85. His licence was endorsed with three points.

Daniel Payne , 35, of 1 Duchy Farm Cottage, Midville, Boston, pleaded guilty to driving in excess of 50mph on the A16. He was fined 175, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 30 and costs of 85. His licence was endorsed with six points.

David Smith , 56, of 91 Fydell Street, Boston, case proven for driving in excess of 30mph on the A52. He was fined 220, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 30 and costs of 85. His licence was endorsed with three points.

Derek Ronald Smith , 66, of 2 Park Avenue, Hundleby, pleaded guilty to driving in excess of 30mph on the B1192. He was fined 258, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 30 and costs of 85. His licence was endorsed with six points.

Peter Smith, 59, of 29 Tattershall Road, Boston, pleaded guilty to driving in excess of 30mph on Rawsons Lane. He was fined 80, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 30 and costs of 85. His licence was endorsed with six points.

Joshua Tilley , 23, of 4 West View, Langrick Road, New York, pleaded guilty to driving in excess of 30mph on the B1192. He was fined 333, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 33 and costs of 85. His licence was endorsed with six points.

Susan Marie Waller , 69, of 4 Kirkstead Court, Woodhall Spa, pleaded guilty to driving in excess of 30mph on the B1192. She was fined 80, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 30 and costs of 85. Her licence was endorsed with six points.

Egidijus Zukauskas, 45, of 203 Winsover Road, Spalding, pleaded guilty to driving in excess of 30mph on the A151. He was fined 100, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 30 and costs of 85. His licence was endorsed with three points.

Simon Andrew Bisby , 41, of 116 Carlton Road, Boston, pleaded guilty to theft of a quantity of batteries to a value unknown belonging to Halfords, food to the total value of 35.53, a quantity of cheese and coffee to the total value of 36.25, theft of Lynx deodorant to the value of 80 and shampoo and conditioner to the value of 52.68 belonging to Co-op Store. He was committed to prison for 16 weeks and ordered to pay compensation of 150.

Jamie Winnard , 31, of 28 The Paddock, Kirton, Boston, pleaded guilty to driving in excess of 30mph on the A52. He was fined 100 and ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 20. His licence was endorsed with three points.

Azher Malik , 38, of The Willows, South Crescent, Chapel St Leonards, case proven for driving without insurance and outside the authorisation class of a licence. He was fined 540, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 40 and costs of 85. He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for six months.

Ian Tilford, 46, of 25 Elliott Close, Grantham, case proven for failing to ensure a child of compulsory school age attended on a regular basis. He was fined 660, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 66 and costs of 190.

Samuel Hugh Gainey , 25, of 3 Richmond Road, Lincoln, case proven for driving without insurance. He was fined 660, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 66 and costs of 85. He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for six months.

Marcio De Sousa Medina , 31, of 10 Shakespeare Street, Lincoln, pleaded guilty to driving without insurance. He was fined 211, ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of 30 and costs of 85. He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for six months.
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The picturesque town of Louth has the best-performing market in the district of East Lindsey.

There is a real buzz about the market from both traders and customers, with it driving footfall for many of the town's independent shops.

East Coast and Wolds reporter Holly OFlinn paid a visit and discovered what makes it so great...

From fruit and veg, low fat sausages, cheese to woodwork inspired by Harry Potter - Louth market really does celebrate everything that is Lincolnshire.

Shoppers were out in their numbers to enjoy warm weather and fresh produce on sale.

Husband and wife, Kevin and Sandra Harris, own Cheesytimes Deli and have been selling at Louth market for five years.

The couple from Market Rasen stock 400 different cheeses  with 60 on display at one given time - as well as eggs, pickled eggs and preserves.

Kevin said: "The market is vibrant.

"The traders all get on and help each other and customers are wonderful here. I always look forward to Friday.

The customers are loyal and tend to come regularly and there are some characters on the market  I think Im probably one of them!

We love the town and always have.

"This was the first market we did and is the only market we have not left in five years. Louth, on a Friday, is head and shoulders above everywhere else.

We get a lot of people ringing up and asking for our cheese. Louth market is literally the best.

And cheese isnt the only food on offer at the market.

Mick and Marks Low Fat Sausages offer something different.

The family business from Barton upon Humber, run by Mick Edwards and his nephew Mark Loughran has been at Louth market every Friday for six years.

They were offering samples of apple, mustard and sweet chilli sausages for the public to taste.

Mark said: The market is an intricate part of the town. If this was not here, it would be totally flat.

You can see how many people come out and about, meet up and talk. It makes for a community atmosphere.

Before this, we had a butchers shop in Barton. There was nothing wrong with it but we decided to shut it overnight and get cracking with markets.

"Its an easier and simpler way of life with no stress.

But its not just food on offer at the market, one trader sells handmade woodwork  with some of it being inspired by Harry Potter.

John Leslie of Lesjoys Trading creates anything from small gifts to fitted kitchens. He also builds bespoke one-off units for people and makes items to order.

John, who has worked the market for two years, is in Louth every Friday and Horncastle every Saturday.

Louth is a nice market town and it seemed the right thing to do, he said.

I used to work in markets 45 years ago in London. I stopped and did other things and then came back to markets within the last three to four years.

I enjoy what Im doing, especially on days like today with the sunshine. You cant beat it.

Local trader Mike Cousins, 71, of Cosy Products has been selling hats and sheepskin rugs at Louth markets for four years, and has been a market trader for 40 years.

Its a good tourist town that draws in the public, he said.

Its local to me and I enjoy markets for the public.

Its a relaxing way to sell things. I just generally enjoy it.

I am 71 now and I could not get up and sit at home. I do it because I enjoy it.

The fact that its a good variety of stalls is also a good draw for the public. It sells pretty much everything you need. People come shopping to the town and its an addition to the shops.

And its not just traders that are raving about Louth market.

Shopper Erica Gibson from Holton le Clay was one of many filling the market place to enjoy the offerings.

She said: I come every Saturday and sometimes on a Wednesday and Friday.

Its a nice size for you to walk around. There is a wide variety and almost everything you need.

Asked why the market is so successful, Erica said: Its because it is friendly and convenient and we all want free parking to continue."

Shopper Janet Shawcross, 62, from Tetney, goes to the market a couple of times a month.

She said: "The variety of produce you can get and you can try things that are a bit different.

People like markets - its all in one place. Its old fashioned and better than going into a big supermarket.

Sarah Ingamells was shopping at the market with 10-year-old daughter Sammie.

We come most weeks said Sarah. Its convenient, people are friendly, and its good value for money. There is a variety of things.

Louth market is every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
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A pensioner claims to have been left fearing for her life after hearing a gunshot while walking through Lincoln city centre.

Pauline Richards, 75, who was visiting family in the city, says she was waiting at the St Mary's level crossing at 1.30pm on Friday, June 9 when the alleged weapon was fired.

She explained how panic ensued with two female pedestrians even running to nearby bridge to take refuge to hide in fear of an attack.

This follows the highly-publicised terror attacks committed in London and Manchester where a number of innocent civilians were killed by Islamic extremists.

The government saw the country placed on a critical alert with armed police officers patrolling the streets across the country, although they have since left.

"I was visiting family in Lincoln for a week, but was walking alone through the Lincoln city centre at the time," Mrs Richards said.

"I was waiting at the St Mary's crossing and saw two youths shouting and larking about.

"All of a sudden there was a bang. Everyone including myself just froze.

"Originally I was stood rooted to the spot and moved slowly backwards to see where exactly the gun shot had come from.

"Two women ran to the closest bridge to hide undercover."

The youths, who the pensioner described as being no older than 17 were understood to be using a toy guy.

They ran under the subway towards the Stonebow still waving the gun about according to Mrs Richards, who grew up in the area.

Police weren't called and there were no officers present at the scene  much to the astonishment of the retiree.

She added: "I don't know what a real gun sounds like but I wasn't hanging around to find out.

"There was not a police officer in sight which I couldn't believe. Wasn't it only a few weeks ago we had armed officers patrolling the streets?

"A lot of people on social media have criticised my calling for the police as they think the boys could have been seriously hurt over what was a joke.

"I wasn't laughing. None of us were.

"With everything that has gone I am absolutely dumbfounded that people can have such a complacent attitude about the whole thing.

"I plan to write to the police and report the incident with the social media comments as well to highlight to police just how worrying it really was."

Did you see the incident? Let us know in the comments below.
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Two thieves who raided a number of allotment sheds in a Lincolnshire village for thousands of pounds worth of tools and equipment were caught after their getaway car left evidence behind.

Barry Maltby, 35, of Dennis Estate, Kirton, near Boston and Michael Benson,43, of Hagnaby Road, Old Bolingbroke launched a series of raids on the locked up sheds, stealing lawnmowers, strimmers, a chainsaw and a generator which were valued at more than 3000.

A hearing at Lincoln Crown Court revealed that the pair would drive a vehicle across a field and through a fence to get onto the allotment site at Boston Road, Heckington.

Mark Watson, prosecuting, said the raiders would then force the locks off sheds and swipe the lucrative items which were loaded onto a trailer owned by one of the allotment holders and then driven off site.

A crowbar and two wrenches were found close to the allotments and were said to have been used by the two burglars to force open the locks.

They were caught when their getaway vehicle was damaged when they drove it through the fence. Police found debris from the vehicle which meant they were able to identify the make of vehicle used.

An officer then traced the car involved in the raids from evidence found on ANPR cameras.

Both admitted to stealing a trailer on the night of May 13/14 2016. They also admitted 11 charges of burglary.

Maltby, who also admitted breach of an earlier suspended sentence, was jailed for 22 months. While Benson was jailed for 20 months.

David Eager, who was representing Maltby, said his client had admitted the offences at an early stage and accepted that he faced an immediate jail sentence.

Neil Sands, who legally defended Benson, said that at the time of the raids Benson had a number of difficulties in his life and had lost his home.

"He accepts that he is utterly and entirely the author of his own misfortune," he told the court.
May 3, 2021, 4 AM

The United Nations is issuing this pane of 10 stamps and labels June 21, the third International Day of Yoga. The stamps show yoga postures.

By Denise McCarty

The United Nations Postal Administration is celebrating the International Day of Yoga, June 21, by issuing a pane of 10 stamps and se-tenant (side-by-side) labels.

The stamps are denominated $1.15 for use from the post office at U.N. headquarters in New York City.

The selvage of the pane depicts a photograph of the headquarters building lit up for the International Day of Yoga in 2016.

The illuminated design illustrates the yoga posture commonly known as downward-facing dog.

The same posture is pictured on the last stamp at lower right on the pane.

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Nine different yoga postures, or asanas, are illustrated on the other stamps in the pane.

The labels feature the mantra om in Devanagari script on different colored backgrounds that coordinate with the images shown on the stamps.

Although yoga originated thousands of years ago in India, the International Day of Yoga is fairly recent; it was first observed in 2015.

According to the website for the International Day of Yoga, Narendra Modi, prime minister of India, suggested the international day during his address to the U.N. General Assembly in September 2014.

Modi selected June 21 for the observance because it was the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and has special significance in many parts of the world.

He also said: Yoga is an invaluable gift of Indias ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.

The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution Dec. 11, 2014, declaring June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. The resolution was endorsed by 175 member states, a record number., according to the United Nations.

For ordering information for the International Day of Yoga pane of 10 stamps, visit the UNPA website; send an email; telephone 800-234-8672; fax 212-963-9854; or write to UNPA, Box 5900, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163-5900.
Children must triumph over their parents One of the biggest lies of parenting is that the parents are always right /relationships/raising-parents/children-must-triumph-over-their-parents-111646914082875.html 111646914082875 story

I had never heard of the young woman in our neighbourhood till we heard the news of her death one winter morning. She had died of burn injuries in her home. Our neighbour had come over and was talking to my parents about it. Was it suicide or murder?

It was the 1980s. I was 12 years old. Almost every day there was a news story of what were termed dowry deaths". The newspapers would carry a photograph of a young woman from her wedding album. Her distraught parents would accuse the in-laws of burning their daughter to death. The in-laws would claim that it had been an accident. Families that were supposed to be the secure support system for women were becoming the site of their brutal, premature deaths.

It played out similarly in our apartment complex too. As the adults around us discussed the details, we overheard that the familys immediate neighbours had been witnesses to the torture and abuse of the woman. She had been seen shivering outside her home on many nights when her in-laws would shut her outill-dressed and without any means to go anywhere.

Two days after her death, as my school bus slowed down to drop us back home, we saw a crowd of people outside the womans house. Her mother was part of a group that was protesting and demanding justice.

I remember the dissonance and extreme sadness I felt. Why were her parents not alarmed enough to rescue her when she was alive? If they were crying and screaming on the street now, why did they not save their child when she was being abused? How lonely and excruciatingly painful her life and death must have been.

I was still an adolescent but the world had stopped making rational sense to me. Today I am the mother of adolescent children and it is shocking that these questions still remain relevant.

Mamma, what is suicide?" asked our nine-year-old daughter at the lunch table last week.

Sometimes when someone kills oneself, it is called suicide," I said to her.

Why do people kill themselves, Mamma?" asked her elder sister.

Sweetheart, sometimes people feel trapped. They feel that their life will never get better. They are very sad. Or they feel that they are responsible for others in their family and they are unable to do what is expected of them."

All three children were listening to me now. They had read the news about the suicide of Manjula Devak, a PhD scholar who hung herself in her flat at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. They had seen happy photographs of her as a research scholar and wanted to know what could have been so bad that she chose death over life.

In another decade, they will themselves be young women like Devak.

The idea that a woman represents the honour of her family is deeply flawed," I say to my children. Anything that makes one feel so helpless that dying seems easier than living is wrong. It is untrue. You must reject it.

We are wired to choose life. We dont owe anyone else their happiness."

Im not sure how deep to take this conversation, but I know that children hear everything that is said in the house. They are clued in to the world of adults around them in ways we dont even want to think about. Devaks parents have spoken to journalists about the demand for dowry and harassment by her in-laws.

Perhaps the greatest delusion of my life has been the belief that the world in which I was a child may have been the dark ages, but the world in which I have grown up to be an adult has to be far more enlightened and equitable than before.

Social norms and attitudes that perpetuate injustice have remained tenacious. The news remains the same. Questions that had remained unanswered when I was a child still demand answers. If I do not want my daughters to internalize that violence is the inevitable fate of women in our society, I have to find a new language to speak to them.

Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare," Audre Lorde wrote in her book of essays, A Burst Of Light. The first time I had read this sentence, it cut through my cultural conditioning like a sheath of light. It demolished the notion that putting everyone elses needs before ones own is a virtue to be extolled.

A family and a culture that do not enable their youth to seek their own fulfilment by giving the permission to choose who they want to be, where they want to be and with whom they want to be, is essentially asking them not to exist. Against this pressure to conform, survival is a radical action. Suicide is a rejection of the shell of a life that is unjustly being imposed on the person. It is the final act of agency of one who has had helplessness imposed upon him/her.

I turned to my children at the lunch table and spoke to them. One of the biggest lies of parenting is that the parents are always right. The second lie is that it is the childrens responsibility to make their parents happy when they grow up."

They listen to me in silence. A commonly repeated lament I hear from grown-ups is that ultimately all parents are defeated by their children. I want to turn this on its head. Children must triumph over their parents. It is the only way forward.

All children must reject the narrow ideas and aspirations of their parents," I say to my daughters. Be ready to be a warrior. This is how you will survive. This is how you will win."

If I want to see change, I have to be the change myself. This is the only commitment life seeks from all of us.

Natasha Badhwar is a film-maker, media trainer and mother of three. The writer tweets at @natashabadhwar
Sorry, but expert studies show the non-binding accord will accomplish next to nothing at incredible, devastating expense, and the self-contradiction is this: Brown, for all his climate jabber, an environmentally correct trip to China and an effort to organize states against carbon dioxide, is himself a CO2 kind of guy.

His California war with non-emitting nuclear power has already led to far more CO2 emissions than there would have been otherwise, and his dirty deeds are not finished yet.

It is not that Brown does not talk a good fight, or even get things done. He has been near rabid about wind and solar power playing an ever bigger role in the state and has had emission successes that he has then worked to undo. His method has been to call a halt to the building of new nuclear reactors and to disallow renewal efforts for others.

With those projects left alone, the state would have 73 percent of its electricity generated by clean methods, it has been estimated. Instead, the figure is 34 percent. According to one group, Energy Collective Emissions, the CO2 emissions in California are 2 1/2 times what they would have been if Brown had permitted the new plants to be built and others to keep working. And he is not through yet.

Brown, wanting us to know that he is on the side of the angels, is contrarily devilish in plans to shut down the Diablo Canyon Power Plant. It is the last of the states nuclear plants and by 2025 it will be gone along with 1,500 jobs. Gaining ground, however, will be electricity prices and CO2 emissions, according to a report that tells us how James Hansen and other well-known anti-warming scientists wrote Brown a letter pleading that he give nuclear power a chance.

The loss of one-fifth of Californias clean electricity is of such significance as to merit the direct attention of the state legislature, Hansen and the others wrote, saying the decision by Brown and cohorts was disgracefully made in secret despite harm to the states economy and environment. The plant is in fact near earthquake fault lines but was built and then upgraded to withstand a whole lot of shaking going on.

Hansen, whose own unverified alarmism has made skeptics more skeptical, is nevertheless on target when the letter refers to the irrational fear about nuclear power. Maybe Brown will learn something about that during his trip to China. He went over there to reassure those folks about our love of their love of the Paris accord, which they wont start heeding until 2030. Meanwhile, despite their plethora of coal plants, they are moving in some healthy directions. Theyve got 37 nuclear reactors, while another 20 are being built, and not because they seek harm.

It is because they can thus clean up their air while helping their economy thrive, that modern technologies make waste recyclable and that these plants are as safe as anything. Yes, Communist incompetence once caused a major nuclear accident in the Soviet Union, but no one can pinpoint a single radiation death in the United States at a nuclear plant. At Fukushima, radiation was released after a tsunami hit and rules were not followed, but no one has died from the radiation yet.

Brown, who is identified in one assessment I ran across as the most anti-nuclear politician in the country, is trying right now to set up an organization of states to plot out their own climate agendas, and thats fine. But what might no be so fine is if they follow the leader Brown into misapprehensions modeling the Paris accords and rejecting the nuclear answer.
Steven G. de Polo / Getty Image

A 15-year-old boy was killed Thursday in what police are calling a tragic accident when his friend shot him in the chest with a pellet rifle in Antioch, officials said.

Police responded about 9:55 a.m. to the 4300 block of Palomar Drive and discovered Marcos Garcia of Antioch with a small wound to his chest, police said.
More than a month after the Trump administration purged data tracking climate change from the Environmental Protection Agencys website, the numbers are going back online in some unexpected places.

San Francisco and 11 other cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Houston and Seattle, were set to launch their own websites Sunday publishing the numbers. The information  posted here on a San Francisco city website  includes the science behind climate change, how weather patterns are impacted by it, and detailed data charting greenhouse gas emissions and temperatures around the globe.

Climate change is real and it is one of worlds greatest economic and health risks, the citys page notes. Despite federal actions, San Francisco will continue to take aggressive action on climate change.

Mayor Ed Lee, who recently committed to join the Paris agreement with 270 other mayors, says it is a way of stepping up and making sure important data and information is available. Lee has a local record of working to lessen San Franciscos carbon footprint, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the city 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2017, a goal he likes to tout.

Deleting federal web pages does not reset the scientific consensus that climate change is real, Lee said in a statement. The American people are entitled to the publicly funded EPA research on climate change. And while the federal government continues to undermine the progress weve made on climate change, cities are taking a stand.

Officials scrapped the EPA web pages hosting climate change research in late April, saying it was done to better represent the agencys new direction under President Trump. Some of the deleted documents include expansive data sets on rising global temperatures, fact sheets about greenhouse gas emissions and how specific demographic groups are impacted by them, and findings from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

As EPA renews its commitment to human health and clean air, land, and water, our website needs to reflect the views of the leadership of the agency, J.P. Freire, the agencys associate administrator for public affairs, said in an April statement of the deleted pages, which have been online since at least 1997.

In early May, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel was the first city official to launch his own website with detailed climate change information. The Chicago city website now chronicles data taken from the EPAs archives, with the addendum, while this information may not be readily available on the agencys web page right now, here in Chicago we know climate change is real and we will continue to take action to fight it.

In a May statement, Emanuel said that while the Trump administration could try to erase decades of work from scientists and federal employees, burying their heads in the sand wouldnt erase the problem.

Paul Steinberg, a professor of global environmental politics at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont (Los Angeles County), said the data dump is an example of how decentralized the United States system is, compared with other countries. Even if climate change is not a focus for the federal government, states and cities have discretion on how they respond to it.

The significance lies in the fact that addressing climate change and sustainability are now mainstream concerns for city officials, he said. They have insights and practical experiences with how to make the transition to a lower carbon economy. ... Local information can be a very powerful tool for catalyzing change.

Bruce Monger, a senior oceanography lecturer at Cornell University, said the move emphasizes the importance local governments now play in creating green environmental policies.

I knew when the Trump administration came into office that the shift would have to happen to make progress, said Monger, who teaches a class of 1,000 students. Local government is the most responsive to the people, and the states are the second most responsive. We have a matter of decades to protect future generations, and we need to get the entire planet to zero-carbon emissions.

In San Francisco, officials have vowed to generate 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020, and 100 percent by 2030.

Its important for us not to hide all of the facts about climate change, said Tyrone Jue, environmental adviser to San Franciscos mayor. You have an EPA that is systemically removing public information and research pointing to the evidence of climate change to further their own agenda. This is the time we need to come together to make sure we are sending the signal that it is not OK.

Lizzie Johnson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LizzieJohnsonnn
THE WOODLANDS - The Strong Firm, P.C., a business law firm based in The Woodlands, has recently been recognized as a community partner with ExxonMobil for providing pro bono legal services to Houston and Montgomery County areas.

Attorney Bret L. Strong, Founder and Managing Shareholder of The Strong Firm P.C., was recognized at the ExxonMobil 2017 Houston Pro Bono Awards Luncheon held Feb. 22 in Houston.

"The ExxonMobil Law Department has a strong and longstanding commitment to pro bono service, and we value The Strong Firm as one of our key pro bono partners," Rob Johnson, Assistant General Counsel  Legal Services, Law Management Pro Bono Liaison, Exxon Mobil Corporation, said. "Bret Strong and The Strong Firm have a tradition of giving back to the community, and we look forward to continuing to work with them on pro bono matters that assist our neighbors in South Montgomery County."

Strong said that the firm is proud to have had the opportunity and honored to be recognized.

"Our firm has a strong commitment to supporting the needs of our community," Strong said. "Our philosophy is to give back as we can; not just financially but with hands-on volunteering as well. Getting out and getting involved makes our community a better place to live."

Founded in 2004, The Strong Firm P.C. is a locally owned and operated business law firm based in The Woodlands which specializes in all aspects of business law including real estate; oil, gas and energy; mergers, acquisitions and sales; business law and contracts; corporations, LLCs and partnerships; trusts and estate planning; business disputes; commercial disputes; lending and borrowing; and trademarks.

In addition to Strong, the firm's team of attorneys includes Eric Thiergood, Income Shareholder; Wendy Lambie, Senior Associate Attorney; Royce Lanning, Associate Attorney; Laura Dumas, Of-Counsel; and Katherine Wilcox, Associate Attorney.

The Strong Firm P.C. serves individuals and businesses in The Woodlands and the Greater Houston area as well as clients around the country and the world. The firm has been voted the number one best Attorney, Lawyer and Legal Services in The Woodlands on Woodlands Online for eight years running.

Community-minded, The Strong Firm P.C. is an active member of The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Montgomery County, and serves as the official law firm of The Woodlands Township's three signature races: the Muddy Trails Bash, the CB&I TRI-The Woodlands Triathlon, and the Memorial Hermann 10 for Texas. In 2014, Bret Strong was named a "Hometown Hero" by Interfaith of The Woodlands.

The Strong Firm P.C. is located in The Woodlands at the Two Hughes Landing building overlooking Lake Woodlands at 1790 Hughes Landing Boulevard. For more information, call 281-367-1222 or visit the firm's website at www.thestrongfirm.com.

More information about ExxonMobil's pro bono program can be found on its corporate website.
NEW YORK CITY - Anti-Muslim activists hoisted American flags and delivered fiery speeches in rallies across the country Saturday, facing off against crowds of counter-demonstrators in several cities and exposing the visceral rage that has come to define America's political extremes.

ACT for America, a lobbyist organization with close ties to the Trump administration, organized nationwide marches to oppose Islamic law, which the group believes is a threat to American society.

The turnout was relatively small, with rally crowds of a few dozen in many cities outnumbered almost 10 to one by counter-demonstrators who tried to drown out their voices with drums, bullhorns and cowbells.

ACT, which has drawn condemnation from civil rights groups for its frequent criticism of Islam and its efforts to pass state-level bills targeting Islamic law and refugees, organized the protests as a nationwide "March Against Sharia" and a defense of human rights.

"We're here protecting their rights, and they're trying to shut us down!" Pax Hart, the organizer of the New York City rally told his audience, referring to the gathering of hundreds of leftist activists and masked anarchists across the street. "It's insane!"

ACT for America, which the Southern Poverty Law Center recognizes as a hate group, was founded in 2007. Its leaders, who claim a 500,000-strong membership nationally, have labeled Islam a "cancer," propagated theories of a secret plot by Muslims, Democrats, communists and the media to destroy America from within, and sponsored lectures on how to monitor and oppose American mosques.

RELATED: Fights, 3 arrests in Seattle's Pioneer Square after day of protests

The group's founder, Brigitte Gabriel, has said that she is anti-Sharia, not anti-Muslim, a point that a number of the group's speakers repeated Saturday. But Gabriel also has said that all practicing Muslims adhere to Sharia, and speakers on Saturday made sweeping statements about Islam as an enemy of the state.

"We understand what Islam is, and we say 'no,' " Pawl Bazile, a member of the right-wing Proud Boys group, told a cheering crowd of a few dozen people in downtown Manhattan. "You're in the land of Budweiser and bikinis, for God's sake." Anyone who doesn't like it can move to Saudi Arabia or Syria, he said.

At least two white supremacist groups also joined the rallies.

In New York, a dozen members of Identity Evropa, which seeks a whites-only state, came to support the ACT rally, wearing tucked-in dress shirts, sunglasses and slicked-down side-parts. In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a group that has claimed credit for white nationalist posters on college campuses said they wanted Muslims out of the United States entirely.

"I don't believe in having Muslims in the United States," said Francisco Rivera, a spokesman for Vanguard America. "Their culture is incompatible with ours."

Protesters on both sides blamed each other for the divisions on display Saturday, as anger surged through the crowds.

In New York, the cacophony from counter-demonstrators made it nearly impossible for them to hear their opponents' speeches. But many seemed to have already made up their minds.

"They're Nazis," said Krish Bhatt, a Barnard College student who held a sign identifying herself as a trans-Muslim.

RELATED: Islamic-law protesters meet opposition at Bay Area rally

Organized in part to memorialize the anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, the multicity demonstrations aimed to raise awareness of what ACT sees as the negative effects of Muslim immigration to the United States. The rallies were laden with many false and exaggerated claims.

"There's rampant rape happening because of Syrian immigrants, and we have to stop that from coming to America," said Joseph Weidknecht, a 25-year-old construction worker who attended a march in Austin.

In Harrisburg, Steven Moore, 35, said he joined the march because the Islamic State extremist group is trying to impose Sharia in America.

Islamic scholars describe Sharia, or Islamic law, as a set of guidelines for Muslim life, including finances, daily rituals, marriage and divorce. Sharia has a range of interpretations and practices, but certain guidelines for extreme types of criminal punishment, such as beheadings tend to be cited by ACT as evidence of Islam's extremism.

Muslim leaders have countered that such extreme practices are similar to those endorsed in traditional readings of the Bible and Jewish law, and that few American Muslims support such ideas.

In rallies in San Bernardino, Calif., New York and Seattle, columns of police moved in multiple times to separate rival protest groups as they shouted expletives at each other. In New York, masked anarchists tried on multiple occasions to get past the police cordon into ACT for America's rally, prompting one arrest, as ACT's speakers blasted the counterprotest as violent "idiots," "liars," and "Marxists," from a stage adorned with the American flag.

"F--- off, this is America!" ACT protesters in San Bernardino yelled as they rushed a group of counterprotesters shortly before fists began to fly. That rally had a few hundred supporters in a city affected by a 2015 terror attack that left 14 dead. In Seattle, police arrested two people and used pepper spray to end a scuffle between the opposing sides.

Roughly 200 counter-demonstrators marched toward Seattle City Hall, where they significantly outnumbered those gathered for the anti-Sharia law rally.

Several homeless people, many of whom live in the neighborhood where the rally was held, cheered as the demonstrators marched by chanting, "Muslims Are Welcome here, no hate, no fear" and "When Muslim rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back."

Lisa Jaffe, 52, who carried a sign saying "loving my Muslim neighbor since 1964" said she participated in the counter demonstration because she believes the growing lack of tolerance has no place in her America.

Earlier in the day in front of the capitol building in Harrisburg, anti-fascist protesters - wearing all black and balaclavas - played drums and cowbells, chanting "no hate, no Nazis." Separated by a police barricade, the anti-sharia protesters, some of whom were also masked and carried handguns, sang "America the Beautiful."

"This is a march against sharia, not Muslims," said Moore, a 35-year-old from Washington County, Pa., who works in the oil and gas industry. "We are not affiliated with any extremist groups. . . . Sharia is a barbaric system that the Islamic State is trying to impose in our country."

Timmy Wylie, a spokesman for East Shore Antifa, said the group showed up to shut down the anti-sharia march because they believe it is a march against Muslims. He grew up in the Harrisburg area and said citizens should instead focus on the region's struggling economy.

"There's a lot of people without two nickels to scrape together, but we still take care of each other," he said before the march.

- - -

Cat Cardenas in Austin, William Dauber in San Bernardino, Calif., Wiley Hall in Orlando, Fla., and Lornet Turnbull in Seattle contributed to this report. Hauslohner reported from New York and Moyer reported from Harrisburg, Pa.
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump lambasted former FBI Director James Comey on Friday as a "leaker" for engineering the release of details of their conversations to a news reporter.

The unflattering moniker might fit: Comey has conceded to Congress that he told a friend to give a reporter information about his recollection of the president's request that he shut down the bureau's probe into former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

But that does not make Comey a criminal, legal analysts said.

"He can fairly be criticized for whether that was the best way for him to address his discomfort with his conversation with the president," said Barry Pollack, a white-collar criminal-defense attorney at Miller & Chevalier who has been involved in leak cases. "But that's all a matter of how he conducts his job, and what his relationship is with the president is not a legal question."

Prosecutors who bring charges against people for sharing information with the public can do so only when classified or other national security material is at issue. Material cannot be classified to conceal legal violations or prevent embarrassment, according to an executive order from President Barack Obama. Telling a reporter nonclassified information of public interest is not only legal, but it's often the right thing to do.

"I think, on balance, this is one of these extraordinary circumstances where the issues are so important, that what Comey did and his acknowledgment that he did it is understandable and in his mind necessary, and he did something that I think is courageous," said Jeffrey Smith, a former CIA general counsel now in private practice at Arnold & Porter.

Comey told the Senate Intelligence Committee he did not share classified material.

By Comey's account, Trump - after a meeting in the Oval Office - cleared the room of other officials, isolating the two of them, and said of Flynn: "He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go."

At the time, the FBI was investigating Flynn for his contacts with Russians and possibly lying to government investigators about them. Trump and his lawyer have disputed that the interaction occurred as Comey described.

Comey said that he meticulously documented his interactions with the president, and he asked a friend to share the content of his memo about Flynn with a reporter, "because I thought that might prompt the appointment of a special counsel" in the probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 election. He said he did not reveal the information personally "because I was worried the media was camping at the end of my driveway at that point . . . and I worried it would be like feeding sea gulls at the beach if it was I who gave it to the media."

The maneuver was one of a veteran Washington power player - shielding Comey, at least temporarily, from any personal scrutiny about the information. Pollack said that, while not illegal, Comey's action belied his public persona.

"I think Mr. Comey had publicly always presented himself as somebody who does things by the book, and I think it's pretty hard to argue that leaking something to the New York Times through an intermediary so you don't leave any fingerprints on it is what most people would consider by the book," Pollack said.

But it achieved Comey's goal. The day after the New York Times published an article about Trump's request on Flynn, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein appointed former FBI director Robert Mueller III to serve as special counsel overseeing the Russia probe.

Trump's lawyer, his supporters and even the president himself have hammered Comey for his admission. The lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, said in a statement that Comey's talks with Trump were "privileged communications with the President" and referred to their release as "unauthorized disclosures."

A person close to the president's legal team said they were preparing to file a "complaint" early next week with the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Justice Department Office of the Inspector General - which can investigate criminal matters and also prepare public reports on current or former employees suspected of misconduct. A spokesman for the office declined to comment.

Trump has previously suggested on Twitter that he might have tapes of his encounter with Comey, and he told reporters who asked about them Friday, "I'll tell you about that maybe sometime in the very near future." He offered later, "You're going to be very disappointed when you hear the answer, don't worry."

Meanwhile, legislators continued their push to access Comey's memos. Comey told the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday that he had turned over his copy to Mueller, although he said that his friend, Columbia Law School Professor Daniel Richman, might still have the memos and that he would encourage him to release them.

Richman declined to provide the materials or comment to The Washington Post on Friday. The FBI declined to say whether they have copies of the memos at all, and a spokesman for Mueller declined to comment.

Federal records law prevents the removal or destruction of government documents - but that is generally meant to protect the documents, and analysts said they doubt Comey ran afoul of that rule.

"I'm not suggesting it's a good thing to leak. I think it's abhorrent conduct," said Shannen Coffin, a former Justice Department official and counsel to Vice President Richard Cheney. "But in terms of a criminal prosecution, I find that hard to imagine in this context."

At the same hearing in which Comey admitted engineering a leak, he said the "importance of aggressively pursuing leaks of classified information" was "a goal I share."

The context of his leak, of course, is different: By his account, none of the information he shared was classified. But legal analysts noted that those who leak often claim a pure motive - and prosecutors often discount them.

"To me, the guy who oversaw the most leak investigations and prosecutions of any administration in American history decides to become a leaker when it suits his own interests?" said defense attorney Edward MacMahon Jr., who represented a former CIA officer convicted in a leak case. "The irony is quite rich."

- - -

The Washington Post's David Nakamura contributed to this report.
HARBOR BEACH  City council this week addressed some issues pertaining the Harbor Beach Waste Water Treatment Plant.

The system is old and not working properly, said Mayor Gary Booms in regard to alarm inputs.

Council agreed to pay $8,820 to upgrade the alarm inputs and status points. The newly-revamped system will connect to employee cell phones, notifying them of problems and system failures.

The plant is also in need of a new computer. Superintendent Nick Roggenbuck requested a Macbook because it seems to be the best version for work done at the plant. Hearing the request and an explanation of the computer, council agreed to purchase the computer from Best Buy for $1,199.

The final piece of business for the plant required hiring a seasonal, part-time employee for the facility. The plant will be shorthanded due to maternity leave by one of the employees. Council agreed to hire Brendon Shedd on an as needed basis for the summer at a rate of $9 per hour.

In unrelated city business, council finalized an agreement with Janice Deaton of J-Lyn Charters. Deatons charter boat will take tourists to and from the Harbor Beach Lighthouse on Saturdays during the summer. The city had advertised for a charter service, and J-Lyn was the only one to apply. J-Lyn has chartered over the years to the city and is said to have done a phenomenal job.

Per a previous agreement with the Lighthouse Preservation Society, the city will pay the charter bill but will be reimbursed by the society with profits made from the charters. Any additional profits will be used to upgrade the Harbor Beach Lighthouse.

In other business, council:

 Hired Mitchell Hirn as a part-time seasonal employee at the parks and recreational department. Hirn is a Harbor Beach graduate who is attending Central Michigan University.

 Agreed to rent portable toilets from A-Johnson Portable Toilets for the Maritime Festival. The company will supply 15 toilets, one handicap unit and one wash station for the festival. In addition, A-Johnson will empty the units three times during Maritime for a total charge of $1,215.

 Harbor Beach signed a performance resolution for governmental agencies with the Michigan Department of Transportation. Booms said it is basically a permit that will allow the city to hold a variety of parades on M-142 and M-25 during the year.

 The city hired James Hunt as a part-time police officer for the Harbor Beach Police Department. Hunt is a full-time sergeant with the Huron County Sheriffs Office. He will be used to supplement vacation and time off in an effort to avoid paying overtime to Harbor Beach police officers.

 Councilman Robert Swartz said the Pro-King Fishing Tournament was a success. He said there were about 60 boats in the tournament, which featured a first place prize of $1,200.

 Swartz said the Harbor Beach Farmers Market is off and running. June 16 will be the first Bonus Friday. Harbor Beach Bucks will be given away, as will a number of tricycles and bicycles. A person entered in the drawings must be present to win a prize.

The council is scheduled to meet next at 7 p.m. June 19.
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LONDON - On the day after British voters delivered an astonishing repudiation of Prime Minister Theresa May at the very moment that she had expected to be her crowning glory, she tried to go on as though nothing much had changed.

She would stay on as prime minister. She would keep her cabinet's elite circle. Her plans for Brexit would go forward.

"That's what people voted for last June," she announced defiantly outside 10 Downing Street after meeting with Queen Elizabeth II to discuss her new government. "That's what we'll deliver. Now let's get to work."

But beneath the bravado was a creeping reality: A year after choosing to get out of the European Union, voters had stunned the establishment once more. In the process, they may have thrust a dagger through the heart of a young premiership that only days ago had looked to be on the verge of achieving power of Thatcheresque proportions.

"It's not clear to me that Theresa May is going to survive the next few days," said Ian Kearns, co-founder of the European Leadership Network, a London-based think tank. "The level of damage that she's done to her own brand is immense. The rebellion against her is just getting started."

At the least, Kearns and other observers said Friday, May will have to thoroughly rethink her plans for Brexit, only days before critical talks with the E.U. are due to launch. An uncompromising demand for a hard break from Europe may have to be downgraded to a far more modest rupture, Kearns said, perhaps one that does not look much like an exit at all.

Outwardly, May showed no signs of yielding to that pressure Friday. Just hours after her voice broke as she offered her first, shaky 3 a.m. response to an election that would end with her Conservative Party losing its majority in Parliament, she was grim-faced and joyless as she stood in the midday sun in front of her Downing Street offices and announced she would stay on as prime minister.

"I will now form a government - a government that can provide certainty and lead Britain forward at this critical time for our country," she said.

Not once did she mention the election, which she had gambled would give her enhanced powers but instead left her grievously wounded.

Behind the scenes, members of her party were discussing whether to keep her - with some concluding that, sooner or later, she would have to go. Some were taking their case public.

"I don't believe personally that Theresa May will stay as our prime minister indefinitely," Heidi Allen, a Tory member of Parliament, told LBC radio. "In my view, it may well be just a period of transition."

With murmurs of a party coup building, May sought to buy herself time. She reappointed Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond and other top ministers - several of whom are potential plotters and would-be replacements if she is deposed.

She also promised there would be no delays in negotiations with the E.U., which are scheduled to begin June 19.

"What the country needs more than ever is certainty," she said.

But that was one thing Britain clearly lacked.

The results from Thursday's vote did not create any immediate path for the country to retreat from the Brexit brink. But the outcome instantly complicated - if not scuttled altogether - May's meticulously laid strategy for getting out of the EU, while also heightening doubts that she can reach a deal with European leaders over the next two years.

Without an agreement, Britain would crash out of the bloc and face giving up all the privileges of membership. Some lawmakers have pushed for Parliament to be allowed an emergency brake that would keep the country in should the talks fail.

At least, May could be forced to rethink her objectives in the negotiations, perhaps pushing for a softer break than the one she had sold to the public this spring.

Late Friday, May suggested she could be considering a course change, telling broadcasters that she would take time to "reflect" on an election that left her authority in tatters and tipped the scales in favor of her political opponents, including the once-hapless far-left Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

Final results in every district nationwide put the Conservatives at 318 seats - eight short of what they would need for a working majority in the 650-member Parliament and well down from the 331 they won just two years ago.

The Labour Party won 262 seats - an unexpected gain of dozens of seats under Corbyn.

For May, those results were precisely the opposite of what she had hoped. May called the snap election seeking to strengthen her hand in the EU negotiations and to further sideline her political critics.

But with her slender majority having vanished overnight, May was put in the humiliating position of having to woo Northern Ireland's right-wing Democratic Unionist Party - with 10 seats it is Parliament's fifth-largest - into a deal just to have any hope of mustering the majority needed to keep the Tories in power.

Even that could prove difficult. May said outside 10 Downing Street that the DUP would back her government.

But a deal is not yet sealed. The leader of the Democratic Unionists, Arlene Foster, said Friday afternoon that talks were still underway.

When asked whether May would be able to remain as prime minister, Foster told the BBC on Friday that she was unsure, adding, "I think it will be difficult."

Foster's party is likely to strike a tough bargain with the Tories. The Democratic Unionists backed leaving the EU but have opposed elements of May's line in the divorce proceedings - especially provisions that could affect trade and movement on either side of the border separating Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland.

The political wreckage of Thursday's vote also included Paul Nuttall, who stepped down as leader of the U.K. Independence Party. The anti-immigration party had led the charge for Brexit, but its support cratered this year: It won just 2 percent of the vote, compared with 13 percent in 2015.

Scottish nationalists - seeking a boost ahead of an expected second independence referendum - were also dealt a debilitating setback that raised questions about whether the referendum plans will be scrapped.

But the election's biggest loser was undoubtedly the woman who had decided to call it: May.

The loss was widely interpreted in Britain as a personal repudiation of a politician who seemed to have charmed the country only months ago with her vow to be a "bloody difficult woman" in exit negotiations with her EU counterparts.

Now it is unclear whether she will even make it to the negotiating table when talks begin.

May has vowed a hard break with the bloc, one that leaves Britain outside the single market, the customs union and the European Court of Justice. But she has also promised to deliver a free-trade deal that would preserve the best elements of membership without many of the onerous burdens.

European leaders have insisted that such a sweetheart arrangement is not possible.

On Friday, continental leaders expressed fresh frustration with the latest twist in Britain's drama-laden departure.

European Council President Donald Tusk responded to the vote by saying there was "no time to lose" to start the talks, so they can be finished by the spring of 2019.

The EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, complained that "we still don't know the British position in the negotiations on Brexit."

Kearns, of the European Leadership Network, said May's best hope for keeping her job would be to "bin the entire approach she's taken so far to Brexit and go back to the drawing board."

Instead of the clean break from Europe she's sought, Kearns said, May would find cross-party support for a softer separation that leaves Britain formally outside the EU but with many of the same attachments that define its relationship to the bloc today.

But without that sort of pivot, he said, May's time in power is probably running out.

"If she tries to stick with the same approach, her own party will remove her," Kearns said, "because they understand that her strategy is doomed to failure."

---

What May's tepid win means for Britain

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Schools in Japan that train certified care workers - who play a core role in nursing care - have seen a rapid increase in the number of foreign students.

The change is mainly due to enforcement of the revised Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law, which changed the status of residence system to allow foreigners, from September this year, to work in Japan once they graduate from such schools and qualify as care workers.

"Types of care service include 'kyotaku' [at-home] and 'shisetsu' [facility]. Do you know what kyotaku means?" A lecturer posed this question in mid-April to about 30 foreign students who had recently enrolled in the Sunshine College of Social and Child Welfare in Tokyo.

The class was tailored to teaching foreign students phrases and terminology frequently used in nursing care. The textbooks had hiragana printed beside each kanji.

The school accepts up to 80 freshmen, and this year 60 are foreign nationals from Vietnam, Myanmar, China and other countries. Students are divided into two classes - one for the 60 foreigners, the other for 10 Japanese.

"Foreign students learn the proper greetings and other everyday tasks, in addition to knowledge and techniques necessary in the field," said Naomi Motoji, manager of the school's care worker course.

Motoji said learning Japanese customs and culture is crucial to communicating with elderly people.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Thanh, a 23-year-old from Vietnam, is a second-year student at the school. She studied at a Japanese language school before entering the school in April 2016.

"I want to work at a nursing care facility in Japan after graduating here. I'll gain a lot of experience before returning to my country, where I'd like to share the techniques and knowledge I've learned in Japan," she said.

According to the Japan Association of Training Institutions for Certified Care Workers, an organization based in Tokyo, that comprises professional schools, two-year colleges and other institutions, only 17 foreign students enrolled in care worker training schools designated by the health, labor and welfare minister in fiscal 2014. However, the figure increased to 94 in fiscal 2015 and 257 in fiscal 2016. By nationality, 114 are Vietnamese, 53 are Chinese and 35 are Nepalese.

Revisions to the status of residence system have spurred the change. Previously, foreign students were banned from working in nursing care jobs even if they qualified as certified care workers, except in special cases such as having a Japanese spouse. After the revised immigration law was enforced, foreigners who graduate from a relevant training school and gain certification as a care worker can change their status of residence from "student" to "care worker," allowing them to stay in Japan for work.

According to the association of training institutions, the proportion of enrolled students to the number of open spots at training schools in fiscal 2016 averaged below 50 percent nationwide, meaning schools have had a significant shortage of applicants.

"With the decline in the number of young Japanese people aiming to work in the nursing care field, an increase in the number of foreigners would significantly benefit the schools' financial situation," the association's spokesperson said.

This fiscal year, 27 people - 24 Japanese and three foreigners - enrolled in the Shinagawa School of Community Care Worker in Tokyo. The school has an admissions quota of 40.

"Our school's enrollment has fallen below the quota over the last couple of years. But we expect the number of foreigners to continue to increase," said Toshiko Arai, the school's chief of administrative duties. "Studying nursing care involves learning a large amount of specialized terminology. To help [foreign students] keep up in class, we want to enhance support measures such as offering after-school tutoring sessions."

The aging of society has increased the number of people using nursing care services, resulting in a serious manpower shortage in the field. The shortage mainly results from poor pay.

A care worker's monthly salary is about 100,000 yen (about $906) lower than the average salary across all industries.
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Five people are facing drug charges related to an investigation by the Montgomery County Pct. 4 Constable's Office.

Authorities say the investigation began after the constable's office received complaints about a possible drug house in the Holly Ridge subdivision off of Sorters Road in Porter.

"Undercover surveillance and a series of investigations led to a search warrant being secured and, in all, approximately 48 grams of heroin and a small amount of methamphetamine were found," said Sgt. James Slack, spokesperson for the constable's office.

Three of the five arrests came during two traffic stops of vehicles that were leaving the residence.

On May 22, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of FM 1314 and Briartree, where they arrested Renee Hemphill, 43, of Cleveland. Inside Hemphill's vehicle, deputies reportedly located syringes, a dirty spoon with brown residue, small electronic scale, edible marijuana, and envelopes with dollar amounts written on them with smaller clear plastic baggies holding a hard brown substance inside. The substance in the bags reportedly tested positive for heroin.

The following day, deputies and K-9 Dino performed a traffic stop on the second of the two vehicles. The occupants of the vehicle  Jennifer McKean, 41, of Conroe, and Thomas McKean, 40, of Willis  were arrested after deputies reportedly recovered a small baggie of heroin from Jennifer McKean. A small child also was in the vehicle. The child was turned over to Children's Protective Services after family members could not be located.

Later in the evening on May 23, Constable Rowdy Hayden and members of his Pct. 4 Special Response Team executed a search warrant for a property in the 23000 block of Holly Ridge.

"During the execution of the search warrant, 0.6 grams of methamphetamine and 42.6 grams of heroin, some of which were in envelopes, were recovered," Slack said.

At the home, deputies arrested Joshua Campbell, 34, of Crosby, and Jody Mueller, 52, of Porter.

Hemphill is charged with Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance, a first-degree felony.

Jennifer McKean and Thomas McKean are charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Child Endangerment. Both are state jail felony charges.

Joshua Campbell is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, a state jail felony.

Judy Mueller is charged with Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance, a first-degree felony.

"These narcotics were obviously destined for the streets of East Montgomery County. Heroin is an incredibly addictive narcotic and I'm glad we were able to intercept the narcotics before more of it hit the streets," said Hayden. "Our deputies strive each day to keep the area safe for you and your family."

The constable said his agency's website, www.mcco4.org, has been "an amazing tool, allowing residents to notify us of possible illegal activity in the neighborhood."
BAD AXE  Residents and some planning officials think that a safety manual belonging to a wind construction company will provide clues to the overall safety of the turbines.

The Huron County Planning Commission this week spent a lot of time debating disclosure of the Vestas manual, a copy of which has been provided to Jeff Smith, the countys building and zoning administrator, by Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, which is overseeing construction of the Apple Blossom Wind Park.

Some county residents have been requesting for months that Vestas provide a copy of the manual that reportedly contains information about health and safety standards for those constructing wind turbines.

Concern springs from the fact that they are 3.45-megawatt turbines  the first of that size to be constructed in Huron County.

The county has recently received some complaints about noise produced by 1.6 megawatt turbines, and critics are afraid these problems could increase.

Sempra emailed a copy of the manual to Smith that was marked confidential, and a message was attached saying that the manual was not intended for wider distribution without the permission of the company.

Smith then emailed Vestas asking for wider distribution, and the company declined his request.

The planners voted 6-2 Wednesday night for Smith to send a formal request to the company so that the 550-page manual could be distributed to members of the planning commission.

Commissioner Robert Oakes and commission Chair Bernie Creguer voted no, and Commissioner Mary Babcock was absent.

Creguer and Oakes said it was a non-issue because the commission approved the application to build the Apple Blossom Wind Park two years ago.

If you cant change anything, you dont need to know about it, Creguer said.

Once we pass it, its done, Oakes added.

Commissioner Terry Heck said that somebody is hiding something.

It doesnt do a lot of good to have the manual if we cant look at it, Commissioner Ken Walker said.

Commission Vice Chair Robert McLean said that the commission should ask Sempra to be the good neighbor that they claim to be.

He thought that the planning commission, Huron County Board of Commissioners and Corporate Counsel Steve Allen should all have access to the manual.

Prior to the vote Allen said that anyone wanting a copy of the manual should submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the county, because the manual may contain trade secrets.

Allen said that if the county is sued in a FOIA request, Huron County Circuit Court could then make the decision about who is allowed to see the manual. He noted he didnt want to walk the county into a lawsuit that could result in financial damages.

Allen added he would be comfortable with the distribution of the manual if Sempra released the county from liability.

Robin Luce-Herrmann, general counsel for the Michigan Press Association, told the Tribune that if Smith possesses the information as part of his official function, it is public record, but it may be protected under trade-secret-based provisions of FOIA.

According to Michigan law, the trade secrets or commercial information must be voluntarily provided to an agency for use in determining governmental policy, and would be exempt from FOIA if:

1. The information is submitted upon a promise of confidentiality by the public body.

2. The promise of confidentiality is authorized by the chief administrative officer of the public body (such as the planning commission chair) or by an elected official at the time the promise is made.

3. A description of the information is recorded by the public body within a reasonable time after it has been submitted.

All three criteria must be met to allow exemption.

If the planning commission is allowed access, the same applies, Luce-Herrmann said. The trade-secret provisions would have to apply if it is withheld from being public information.

Allen said that up to this point concerning the project, everybody has followed the law.

Heck and McLean were also concerned because the project will include seven turbines in one section.

When I see seven turbines in one section, I am very concerned, McLean said.

He said that, combined with the issue of a turbine being built in close proximity to the Scheurer Hospital helicopter landing pad means that weve got a potential disaster here.

The Michigan Aeronautic Commission and the Federal Aviation Association, however, have both cleared the turbine to be built.

In other business at Wednesdays meeting:

 D & W Salvage of Lincoln Township was given a special approval use permit to construct a 50-by-100-foot office/warehouse building; and an 11-foot-by-80-foot truck scale and other improvements.

 Commissioner Charles Bumhoffer was recommended to the county commissioners to be a member of the Huron County Zoning Board of Appeals.
RICHMOND, Va. - Tyson Foods has asked Virginia gubernatorial hopeful Corey Stewart to kill a TV ad, one that slams Republican rival Ed Gillespie for work his Washington lobbying firm did for the poultry giant as it faced criminal charges related to illegal-immigrant employees.

Stewart has seized on Gillespie's ties to Tyson in the homestretch of the GOP nominating contest, which will be decided in a statewide primary Tuesday.

"When Tyson Foods was indicted for human smuggling, who's the first guy they called? Ed Gillespie," the 30-second spot begins. "Gillespie was paid $1.1 million to make excuses for trafficking illegal aliens and lobby for amnesty."

The ad ran statewide this week during Fox News, according to the Stewart campaign.

Tyson hired Quinn Gillespie & Associates in December 2001, just days before the U.S. Justice Department charged it with illegally smuggling Mexicans into the country to work at processing plants in Virginia and elsewhere. Tyson acknowledged some smuggling at the time but maintained that it had been the work of rogue employees and was not sanctioned by corporate leaders.

The company was eventually acquitted, something the ad does not mention.

"You are certainly entitled to make immigration part of your campaign for governor; however, we respectively [sic] ask that you stop disparaging the reputation of Tyson Foods by immediately discontinuing your false and misleading ads and public statements about our company," Paul T. Kirchner, vice president and associate general counsel for Tyson, wrote in a letter Friday to Stewart campaign manager Spence Rogers.

"While Tyson Foods was indicted on immigration charges in 2001, the company was later cleared by a federal jury of all charges," the letter continues. "We did hire Quinn-Gillespie during that time, however, it was to help us with public relations, not lobbying. And, most of the work done by the agency did not involve Ed Gillespie."

Stewart spokesman Noel Fritsch stood by the ad and accused Tyson of trying to "silence Corey."

"It's quite obvious that Ed Gillespie is desperate to keep us from talking about his record of helping smuggle illegal aliens into the country to work for low wages," Fritsch said. "This is about Ed at the end of the day. . . . It's about Ed not wanting to come clean about his horrible record on immigration."

Gillespie and Stewart are in a three-way primary with state Sen. Frank Wagner (Virginia Beach) for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.

Stewart, who led a crackdown on illegal immigration as chairman of the Prince William County Board a decade ago, has run as a hard-liner on illegal immigrants, vowing to "hunt them down."

Gillespie, a former Republican National Committee chairman and adviser to President George W. Bush, has walked a finer line. He advocated for the 2013 "Gang of Eight" immigration initiative in the U.S. Senate that called for tighter border security as well as a pathway to citizenship for an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants, but he says he never supported the amnesty aspect of the deal. He promises to be a "governor for all Virginians" in TV spots but uses images of a massive border wall and a handcuffed illegal immigrant in more targeted Facebook ads.

Tyson retained Gillespie's firm through 2007, paying $1.1 million over that time to lobby Bush's White House, the Senate and the House on a range of issues, according to federal lobbying disclosures. Gillespie was listed as a Tyson lobbyist for several of those years, registered to handle issues that included "amnesty proposals," "immigration reform," "country of origin labeling," and "labor and workforce issues."

Gillespie told The Washington Post in May that said he did not recall doing any work for Tyson, one of many clients of the firm he left in 2007.

Stewart's ad opens with an image a New York Times headline from 2001: "Tyson Foods Indicted in Plan To Smuggle Illegal Workers."

Gillespie spokesman David Abrams said the campaign did not ask Tyson to write the letter but echoed the company's criticism.

Gary Mickelson, a Tyson spokesman, confirmed that.

"We've not been in contact with the Gillespie campaign nor with Mr. Gillespie at all," he said. "We're simply defending our reputation."
BROWNSVILLE  A dramatic prisoner escape that left one bystander dead and the prisoner fatally wounded in a hail of gunfire, has rattled locals and raised questions about staffing shortages at the Cameron County Sheriffs Office.

Brownsville police received a call early Thursday afternoon that Michael Garcia, a 38-year-old county prisoner, had overpowered the guard that was taking him to an area dentist. The van was found at the far end of a parking lot, with county detention officer Antonio Tella inside. He sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries, officials said.

Standard procedure calls for two guards to transport a prisoner, but the understaffed sheriffs office had assigned only Tella to the task, Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio said Friday. Garcia used a shank fashioned from a toothbrush and razor blade to slash at Tellas neck before escaping with Tellas service weapon. It is unclear how he freed himself from his shackles, Lucio said.

Brownsville police had arrested Garcia for assault, terroristic threats and a motor vehicle citation in 2015, and again in early 2016 for burglary of a habitation. Garcia had been in jail ever since.

Authorities believe Garcia, armed with a Glock 40, swam across an oxbow lake, known locally as a resaca, to a nearby neighborhood where he entered a home to demand keys to a vehicle.

As Garcia took aim at the hapless victims with his stolen weapon, Mario Martinez, a 56-year-old resident of Matamoros, across the border from Brownsville, attempted to calm the escaped prisoner. Garcia shot and killed Martinez, who was visiting the home with his wife. Garcia then fled in a 2014 Hyundai Elantra.

But Garcia didnt get far before he was spotted. He led authorities, including county constables and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, on a 20-mile pursuit to the neighboring town of San Benito. About an hour after the desperate escape was reported, an officer reported shots fired. Garcia was stuck twice in a shootout with police, and taken to Valley Baptist in Harlingen where he died.

(Garcia) just happened to find the right house for him with the door unlocked, Brownsville Police Chief Orlando Rodriguez told local media.

Brownsville police are investigating crimes that occurred within the departments jurisdiction, and the Cameron County Sheriffs Office will head up the investigation into the San Benito firefight. The officers who fired upon Garcia have been placed on paid leave while the case is under investigation.

anelsen@express-news.net

Twitter: @amnelsen
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By Mattie Fox

The Longford County Branch of Friends of The Children of Chernobyl are holding a fundraising concert in the Stags Head Ballinalee on Friday next, June 9.

Tickets are 5 each, but it's hoped most people will contribute more than that.

It is indeed a most worthy cause, spearheaded by several volunteers who give their time for free.

This is a cause, which will directly support around fifty orphaned children coming to Ireland for a recuperation month in July of this year.

Ten children will be accommodated in Longford.

This has been happening for some years now, and the Longford Branch is particularly lucky to have so many who volunteer their input for free, so as to allow the children benefit for a few short weeks. All Longford funds will be applied to the Longford project.

These children are average age 10, but most don't look it, as their development has been, and continues to be, hampered by the radiation which is forever prevalent in their home country. The incidence of birth defects and other ailments in and around Belarus is astonishing, and doctors predict that this will go on for a long time yet. After all, as one eminent doctor remarked "it's only 30 years since the explosion".

"Only"........

The Longford Branch was founded 30 years ago, in a response to the awful human devastation caused by the shocking explosion at a power plant in Pripyat, Ukraine, close to Chernobyl.

The 1,000 tonne roof was blown off by a catastrophic nuclear explosion, in the aftermath of which the entire area of Belarus was badly affected and for years to come will continue to contaminate the air with toxic gases, causing terrible cancers.

A red glow observed during the Chernobyl accident was the colour of luminescence for graphite burning at 700 degrees centigrade!

Ironically, the blast was caused by a not-so-simple, but careless human mistake.

During a late night safety test which simulated a station blackout power-failure and in which safety systems were deliberately turned off, a combination of reactor design flaws, together with the reactor operators arranging the core of the reactor ignoring the stringent checklist for the test, resulted in reaction conditions that generated a destructive explosion. The after effects of the explosion will be felt for years to come, and countless children have been born with terrible side effects. The detail is too horrific to recount here.

The fallout of radiation affects western Russia, and Europe.

Two people died in the blast, while 29 others - firemen and employees - died in the months following the explosion, from acute radiation.

To this day infants are still being tested for cancer.....

On the night of the fundraiser, there will be no raffle, instead every name who bought a ticket for the event, in advance or on the door on the night, will be joined to the list attending and will benefit from inclusion in the draw where up to forty generously sponsored gifts will be raffled.

Seamus Farrell is playing on the night with the Ramblers doing a spot, and others, including yours truly.

We really appeal to everyone to come and join us in enjoying the night, just to show our commitment to the cause of the children from whom this will benefit.

Everyone needs to understand that the majority of children aren't able to travel, and have to stay home with their mums and family, because it would not be possible to care for them in transit. Most need constant hands on care.

It's not an easy task.....

Finally I cannot leave this without mentioning Carmel Reynolds and Joan McLoughlin who are just two of the many volunteers. They both do Trojan work behind the scenes way ahead of time. I've known about this night for almost three months.

At that stage they had everything lined up, travel, accommodation, carers, and have followed up by asking for sponsorship wherever they can.

The generosity of people astounds, and is a great sign of the goodwill that exists once people know it's all above board and will go directly towards caring for the children.

Please support.

This may be the only holiday these children ever get.

Anyone wishing to donate to the fund can do so as follows:

Bank of Ireland

Sort Code : 901773

A/C : 58839351

IBAN : IE40BOFI9017 7358 839351
Sometime in the last few years, al Qaeda emir Ayman al Zawahiri got an editor. Known for his long-winded lectures, Zawahiri has increasingly recorded shorter messages with more focused arguments. The latest of these came yesterday, when As Sahab, al Qaedas propaganda arm, released the seventh episode in Zawahiris Brief Messages to a Victorious Nation series. The message is titled, One Ummah, One War on Multiple Fronts.

Zawahiri emphasizes a core part of his organizations ideology: jihad is an obligation for Muslims around the globe, especially when non-believers infringe of Muslim lands. Of course, many Muslim authorities are deemed illegitimate in this view of the world, as they do not adhere to the same version of Islam espoused by the jihadists.

The message opens with images of: Hassan al-Banna, the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood; Izz Ad-Deen Al-Qassam, a Syrian Islamic thinker who preached jihad; Abdullah Azzam, co-founder of the predecessor to al Qaeda and godfather of modern jihadism; al Qaeda founder Osama Bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Suri, an ideologue whose teachings are influential; Abu Muhammad al-Turkistani, a co-founder of the al Qaeda-affiliated Turkistan Islamic party; and Taliban founder Mullah Mohammed Omar.

Zawahiri and As Sahab portray these men as part of the same jihadist tradition, stretching back into the early 20th Century.

Our Ummah today is up against a global war in which Western and Eastern (Orthodox) Crusaders, Chinese, Hindus, Safavi Rawafidh [meaning the Iranians and allied Shiites] and secular nationalists are partners in crime, Zawahiri says. From the coasts of al-Maghreb (Western North Africa) to Eastern Turkistan, you will find a Muslim world confronted by aggression, occupation, repression, bombardment, and international alliances working hand[s] in gloves with client regimes, which are outside the pale of Islam and work for the interests of the leading international criminals.

Al Qaeda has repeatedly argued that Muslims are confronted by this supposedly grand alliance. It is an enlargement of the alleged Zionist-Crusader conspiracy that Osama bin Laden first made the cornerstone of his thinking in the 1990s.

Zawahiri is forced to explain how so many parties, which are often at odds with one another, are really part of the same unified effort.

In terms of peculiarities, one region may differ slightly from another, but there are obvious common denominators, namely fighting Islam in the name of the Fight against Terrorism and subservience to an International System, cleverly crafted by the victors of World War II for the mutual division and theft of the natural resources of the world  specifically the Muslim world, Zawahiri says.

The al Qaeda leader argues that the US is still the main enemy. You will find that the major role in this criminal alliance belongs to the Americans, and then the roles gradually differ as per the power wielded by each partner and its stakes in the system, he claims.

Zawahiri preaches unity in the face of these overwhelming odds. He quotes an Islamic verse  And hold on strongly to the rope of Allah and be not divided amongst yourselves  that al Qaeda routinely peppers throughout its productions.

And he says the jurists long ago ruled that the lands of the Muslims have the status of a single domain.

Zawahiri continues: There is a consensus amongst the jurists that if the disbelieving enemy occupies a Muslim land, it becomes obligatory on its residents to defend that land, and if they find themselves unable to do so, this obligation expands in a circular fashion to those nearest to them, and so on until it encompasses Muslims all over the globe.

Muslims have always risen up to defend their lands regardless of nationality or race, he continues. And this was the prevailing norm until the demise of the Ottoman state, which had defended the lands of Islam for five centuries.

After the fall of the Ottomans, Zawahiri says, the concept of nation-states with boundaries demarcated by the infidel occupiers started holding sway, and among Muslims arose some proponents of this notion. This is why the callers of the Islamic revival actively fought against this concept. (Supporters of Abu Bakr al Baghdadis Islamic State were quick to point out online that Zawahiri wanted to keep the jihad in Iraq separate from the war in Syria, which they say contradicts his stance.)

The al Qaeda emir then lists the men he counts as key revivalists, pointing out that they waged jihad far outside of their native lands.

Hassan al-Banna, an Egyptian, organized battalions for the liberation of Palestine. Izz ad-Deen al-Qassam, a Syrian, waged jihad in Palestine. Abdullah Azzam, the Palestinian, awakened the ummah to defend Afghanistan and declared most unequivocally that jihad has been a Fardh Ayn (a compulsory individual obligation) since the fall of al-Andalus (Muslim Spain).

Then emerged the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan [the Talibans state], and we saw Afghans and emigrants alike pledging allegiance to it, Zawahiri says. Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab al Suri  both Arabs  and Abu Muhammad al-Turkistani pledged allegiance to Mullah Muhammad Omar, the Afghani (may Allah have mercy on each one of them).

So may Allah reward these pioneers, who revived the spirit of one united ummah confronting a disbelieving enemy, Zawahiri says toward the end of his talk.

He then warns that some seek to divide the jihad according to national boundaries, which is unacceptable. It is an argument he has made in other recent productions. While it is a general point that al Qaeda has made often in the past, it is likely something that Zawahiri wants to emphasize, once again, as jihadi ideologues are currently debating the appropriate course in Syria.

But today, there are some who want to push us back behind the lines of division drawn by disbelieving occupiersPakistan for Pakistanis, Syria for Syrians, Palestine for Palestiniansin the interest of whom, may we ask? Zawahiri concludes: May Allah help us gather our strength, bring our hearts closer, unite our ranks, and not deprive us of victory because of our sins.

Zawahiris message was released with an English transcript. As Sahab and al Qaedas regional branches have increasingly released English-language content over the previous year. It is an indication that their media efforts have been substantially improved after facing multiple disruptions in 2014 and in the years thereafter.

[For context on the debate regarding the jihadist project in Syria, see FDDs Long War Journal reports: Pro-Al Qaeda ideologue criticizes joint bombings by Russia and Turkey in Syria; Hayat Tahrir al Sham leader calls for unity in Syrian insurgency; and Ayman al Zawahiri warns against nationalist agenda in Syria.]

Screen shots from One Ummah, One War on Multiple Fronts:

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.
Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Anatomy of the ISI: Providing Insights into its Valuable Pitfalls, Failures (...)

BOOK REVIEW

by Ahmad Zaboor

Faith, Unity, Discipline: The ISI of Pakistan by Hein G. Kiesling; Harpercollins India; 2016; pages: 307.

Writing about the intelligence agency is the most uphill task given their secretive protocols and apprehensions of infiltration jeopardising their working. But Hein G. Kiesling has taken up the most daunting job of writing about the Pakistan intelligence agencybetter known as the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The ISI was established in 1948 and is generally described as the consequence of the first Pakistan-India war over Kashmir in 1947 when there were supposedly substantial reconnaissance gaps on the Pakistani side.

However, its creation is not only the result of the Kashmir war but also the outcome of the British political interest in the post-colonial region of South Asia. Its founding father is considered to be Walter Joseph Cawthorne, who served as its head from January to June 1948. Since that period there has always been an Army professional heading the ISI as its Director and until the end of the 1950s, the tenure of the ISI head had been two years, being modest in size and its field of activity was manageable. During Cawthrones tenure, civilian personnel from the former Indian Intelligence Bureau were also working in it, including military, but civilians formed the backbone of the ISI in its early years.

The initial tasks of the new agency were intelligence collection outside Pakistans border in India and planning, coordination of the Pakistan Military Attache for foreign postings. It was posted under the Ministry of Defence but reported to the head of the government; however, the Army Chief decided what information from the ISI was to be passed on to the political leadership.

Under the Ayub Khan regime a covert action division was created in the ISI; that was supposedly involved during the 1960s in supporting militant groups in North-East India and it was during his period that the ISI was involved in the internal political intelligence, and those kept under observation were indivi-duals, parties, universities, and the Press. However, he personally relied on Military Intelligence as the ISI had failed to locate the coup plot made by six naval officers.

The disaster of the 1965 war with India was thought to be the failure of the ISI. As it involved too much in gathering internal intelligence leaving the external front vulnerable and most of the contacts of the ISI in India and Kashmir had gone dry during the war.

The ISI began to strengthen its ties with the secessionist Sikhs in India, which finally culminated in the visit of Daljit Singh Chauhan to Pakistan in 1971. Ayub Khan refused to increase the budget for the ISI and finally thwarted any plan to infiltrate the local administration. During the 1971 war, ISI agents were implicated in betraying Bengali academics and journalists and infiltrating the Awami League. By the end of the era of Yahya Khan, its main field of activity entailed collection of external information, coordination of secret work of all the three armed chiefs, monitoring own military cadre, observation of foreigners in Pakistan, media, political parties, diplomatic activities abroad, execution of secret operations.

In 1975 the Prime Ministers Office ordered the ISI to set up an internal political cell. Although it functioned in the Foreign Ministers office during Ayub Khans regime, it quickly expanded. The ISI was involved in Bhuttos fate after his overthrow as it applied pressure on witnesses and judges. It was a low-profile organisation with a strict professional mandate, but its role began to grow after the removal of Ayub Khan.

The development of the nuclear armament starting with the procurement of military wherewithals from abroad burgeoned the role of the ISI. Although Zulfikar Ali Bhutto created the Federal Security Agency as a rival to the ISI and relied more on it, it was soon finished off by the end of his regime. Z.A Bhutto democratised the ISI and restored the confidence of the ISI after it was punctured in the 1971 war and he did this by upgrading the position of the ISI head to that of a three-star General and increased its budget substantially.

As far back as in the 1960s, undivided Pakistan had provided weapons for the Naga fighters and Dhaka became an important station for these activities. Z.A Bhutto had supported the Khalistan idea in every forum and that deepened under Zia-ul-Haq. Terrorist training camps were set up in Karachi and Lahore. The ISI ran its own foreign policy throughout the 1990s. It was under Zia, because of himself being a leader without a power-base, that the ISI was used to control opponents. The fallout of this preposterous policy was that the ISI developed its own political agenda and its personnel gained power and prestige. The Afghan war enabled them to develop into a regional albatross with activities and goals not supervised or coordinated by any authority.

It is often believed that the ISI, pursuing its own agenda, was alleged to be out of control, undermining official policy and maligning the governments reputation, while hindering the democratic development of the country. All these are facts but with substantial exaggeration. It would be misleading to believe that the ISI is a state within state given its clout to influence and control the domestic and foreign policy of Pakistan. This view, writes the author, is far from the truth; the truth is that it is strictly led and managed and it contains no groups that pursue independent agendas.

During the tenure of Assad Durrani, the ISI became fully involved in various operations like in Afghanistan, Kashmir and the Line of Control became porous for the insurgents. In October 1990, the ISI organised a convoy of 40,000 trucks carrying rockets from Peshawar to Kabul intended for Gulbuddin Hekmatyar against the pro-Soviet regime of Najibulldah, but the plan was not carried out given the high casualty figures anticipated from rocket attacks.

After the 9 /11 attacks there was close cooperation between the CIA and ISI in the hunt for the Al-Qaeda. The ISI tracked down terrorists and handed them over to the CIA, receiving good bounties. The ISI provided the coordinates of the target and the CIA operated the drones, which reinforced their cooperation. Whenever there is murder, killing or major terrorist attack in the region, even if is no proof or connection to the ISI is revealed, suspicions of its involvement remains. The cooperation between the CIA and ISI runs mainly through the counter-terrorism wing; however, there is no interface between the MI and the ISI.

Well, an attempt was made by the PPP Government of 2008 for political control of the ISI. The attempt to subordinate the ISI to the Ministry of the Interior by decree was blocked by the General Headquarters (GHQ). Since the service collects information ranging from politics, economy, diplomacy to industry, it reveals that it functions outside the military framework, and its current name is misleading. It makes a case for the appointment of civilian experts as the head of the service. This would have a wholesome impact on the quality of its work.

The book provides little information on the role of the ISI in the Kashmir uprising in 1989. Given the uphill task that the author had taken to write about it, this can be overlooked. The noteworthy point is that it provides insight into the valuable pitfalls, failures and success stories of the ISI.

The reviewer is a Lecturer in Political Science. He can be contacted at e-mail ahmadzaboor[at]gmail.com
Kochi: The High Court ordered a vigilance probe against Tomin J.Thachankary IPS for appointing an unqualified officer as the Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector.

According to the case, while Thachankary was the Transport Commissioner, a person named Sreehari in Thrissur was appointed to this post. The HC added that the vigilance probe must be conducted by a senior officer.
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said he will sit on a fast from today to placate the farmers who have been protesting for over a week demanding better prices and loan waiver. It also follows the killing of six protesting farmers by the police during clashes in Mandsaur.



The fast will begin at 11 a.m at the Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal and will continue till peace is restored in Madhya Pradesh. Farmers will be allowed to meet him in person during that time and express their grievances. Chauhan said his government is open to discussions and requested people to go up to him with their problems.
New Delhi: The Intelligence Bureau (IB) reported that the Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is planning a terrorist attack within India in the next 15 days.

According to the report, four terrorists infiltrated India through the Bamtal sector in Punjab for a planned attack in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir and Gurdaspur and Pathankot in Punjab. It also said that the ISI have entered into arrangements with a drug dealer to provide arms and ammunition to the infiltrated terrorists.
The final tallies are in, the exit poll more or less held, and the UK now has a hung Parliament. Theresa May remains Prime Minister and is off to form a government with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). May lost her Conservative Party's majority, but the Tories' 318 seats plus the DUP's 10 equals 328-2 more than needed to win a confidence vote. As of now, it isn't clear whether May will aim for a coalition with the DUP or secure their support for a minority government, but either way, it looks like the UK will get plenty of political gridlock-bullish for stocks, as we wrote yesterday. Here are some other interesting nuggets, including a few underappreciated positives for investors.

MayDay! MayDay!

Perhaps the biggest surprise is that Ms. May still has a job. Calling a snap election three years early to increase your majority-only to lose 13 seats and be forced into a coalition or minority government-is the textbook definition of a political screw-up. Bookies are already making odds on her replacement, with Boris Johnson the favorite.[i] Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has decided to ignore math and claim victory, has called on her to resign. Tory MPs and cabinet ministers are a bit cagier, and party bigwigs don't seem to want the chaos of leadership challenge, but it's clear her hand is weakened. Maybe not to the extent portrayed by the Evening Standard, where former Chancellor-turned-editor George Osborne-sacked by May last year-had perhaps a bit too much fun with cover layout overnight,[ii] but it's hard to envision her accomplishing much now. Tory backbenchers have plenty of leverage over her. So do the DUP's 10 MPs. With Sinn Fein winning 7 seats and vowing to continue abstaining from Parliament, May needs just 322 votes to pass legislation, rather than 326, so she doesn't need every Tory and DUP MP to fall in line. But if all it takes is seven rebels to block a bill, that argues for a very inactive, squabbly Parliament. If you like riffing on campaign slogans, we invite you to call it a Strong and Stable Coalition of Chaos.

The Tories' manifesto raised a lot of hackles in the business and investing world, but we daresay investors needn't fear energy price caps, tax rises or the end of the pension "triple lock" passing anytime soon. Even though Labour likes energy price caps too, it's questionable whether they'll bless a bill they don't think goes nearly far enough. Comfort with the status quo usually spurs risk-taking and investment, which markets like.

So Much for IndyRef2

May wasn't the only party leader to have a terrible night. The Scottish National Party took a drubbing, losing 21 seats-including 12 to the Tories, 6 to Labour and 3 to the Liberal Democrats, embarrassing party leader (and Scotland's First Minister) Nicola Sturgeon. The Conservatives even unseated the SNP's parliamentary leader, Angus Robertson, and former SNP leader Alex Salmond. Scots largely blamed the SNP's bad night on Sturgeon's push to hold a second independence referendum, otherwise known by its hashtag, IndyRef2. Polls show Scots don't want it. Voters said as much when they took away Sturgeon's majority at the last Scottish election. And now they've reiterated the message, flocking instead toward unionist parties. Sturgeon seems to have received the message, saying IndyRef2 was "undoubtedly" behind her electoral failures and hinting she'll back off. Whether she does or doesn't, it seems fairly clear Scots don't have much appetite for independence at the moment, which should abate the uncertainty lingering over Scotland since Scots voted against Brexit last year. At the time, some feared Scotland's being forced to Brexit by the English and Welsh could tip voters fully toward independence, preferring union with Europe to union with fellow Brits. But now that looks highly unlikely, giving investors one less thing to fret.

The Polls Were Sort of Right. And Not Helpful.

Considering the last round of polls showed the Tories leading by anywhere from 1 to 13 points, it's pretty clear pollsters fixed the issues that plagued them in 2015, when they overestimated Labour turnout and underestimated Tory turnout. But some clearly overcorrected, underestimating the youth vote-and young voters are what swung the pendulum toward Labour. YouGov and Survation were the most accurate, while others have some work to do.

All that said, in the end, the Tories won about 42.5% of the vote, while Labour took about 40%. Both figures were within the margin of error for most polls. Most polls also nailed the Liberal Democrats' 7.4% showing right on the nose. Yet none of it really helped investors handicap the outcome, because the UK doesn't have proportional representation-they vote by constituency, using a "first past the post system" where whoever gets the most votes takes the seat. No runoff, no counting second or third preferences. This is how the country prefers it: A referendum to change to proportional representation, held in 2011 at the Liberal Democrats' insistence, failed with a resounding thud. But it makes gleaning anything useful from polls difficult even when they're right, as constituency-specific polls are few and far between. Pollster Lord Ashcroft tested a new seat-by-seat model using polling trends and demographics to estimate every constituency's result, but it showed the Tories winning between 351 and 373 seats. YouGov pretty much nailed it with a May 31 analysis projecting 317 seats for the Conservatives, but when a couple polls showed the Tories up 8 points a few days later, confirmation bias drove much of the investing world to presume May & Co. had it in the bag.

The lesson: Don't base investing decisions on polls alone-or presumptions about stocks' short-term reaction to any election. Stocks move on policies, not personalities, and the swing factor is always gridlock. For all the fear of a minority government, the FTSE 100 rose 1% on Friday and the domestically focused FTSE 250 rose 0.13%.[iii] The pound's overnight plunge sparked some chatter, but as we write, sterling is trading at $1.27. The day before May called the election-April 17, it was at $1.28.[iv] So it seems fair to say the election's net impact on the currency is basically nonexistent.

All the opinions and rumors that drive markets over short periods are fickle. Longer-term responses are usually more gradual and based on the likelihood of fundamental change. There is always plenty of time to figure that out after the results are in.

Brexit, Brexit, Brexit

Is happening, of course. But will it be "hard," or will it be "soft"? May has spent the past few months pontificating in favor of what many consider a hard Brexit, without free movement of people and a willingness to finalize a divorce without a trade agreement. But the DUP, though staunchly pro-Brexit, is dead-set on a softer approach. Last night, Foster told the BBC she wants to ensure there is no "hard border" between Northern Ireland and the Republic, with folks still free to live in one and work in the other. Speculation is rife that May might have to soften her approach to secure the DUP's support-nevermind the fact Labour, which wants a soft Brexit, is nipping at her heels. But May isn't exactly changing her tune yet.

While Brexit-related uncertainty thus persists, it's hard to argue uncertainty is materially higher than it was 24 hours ago. May was always going to have a difficult time getting any exit agreement through Parliament, given the varying views among her backbenchers. Labour and the Liberal Democrats were always going to try to influence the negotiations. All involved were probably always going to have to make concessions. Maybe May has a slightly harder time securing a final deal than she otherwise would have, but it's too far in the future for investors to handicap now, particularly because ...

There Could Be Yet Another Election

It's a distant possibility for now, but yes, another snap election isn't out of the question. Minority governments frequently don't last long. Labour PM Harold Wilson's lasted just seven months in 1974. If May's government falls and no one can get together enough votes to form a new one, we could do this all over again. Maybe not right away, but five years is a long time to try to sustain a weak administration, and if the Tories lose a few by-elections, even the DUP's support might not be enough to carry on. This shouldn't impact UK markets or investment decisions now, but still, food for thought.
MARTINSVILLE  Need a job? Get dressed up, grab your resume and head to Martinsville Speedway next week.

Forty-two area businesses will have more than 1,400 vacant positions to fill during a job fair to be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday. Those businesses include ones not just locally, but also from surrounding areas in Virginia and North Carolina. The first 150 visitors will receive a free hot dog, courtesy of the speedway.

No car to get there? No problem. Six shuttles stationed throughout the community will be available.

Participating businesses include ones in the manufacturing, health care and service sectors. Among them are Arconic (formerly RTI International Metals), Drake Extrusion, Eastman, Monogram Snack Foods, Carillion Medical, Blue Ridge Therapy, Stanleytown Health Care Center, Nelson Automotive, Piedmont Community Services, Lowes, ValleyStar Credit Union and the city of Martinsville.

The Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce is organizing the job fair. Also participating in the event are call centers such as ICF, The Results Companies and Faneuil, as well as some temporary staffing firms, Chamber President Amanda Witt said.

About 400 people attended a similar job fair last year. That was down from previous ones. Witt said she thinks the lower attendance can be attributed to lower unemployment rates locally.

Still, we hope to double that number by providing shuttle service this time around, she said.

After last years fair, the chamber heard from many people who said they wanted to attend but did not have transportation, she recalled.

Beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, shuttles will leave at the top of each hour from the Henry County Administration Building on Kings Mountain Road, Food Lion stores in Stanleytown and Leatherwood, Dollar General in Horsepasture, the Virginia Workforce Center on Commonwealth Boulevard and the former Paradise Inns parking lot on Fayette Street.

To hold down a job, a person must have a reliable ride to and from it. The West Piedmont Workforce Development Board has various types of assistance available to help workers with transportation needs, according to Witt and Lisa Fultz, the boards executive director and a member of the chambers board.

The job fair will be held in the speedways garage and pit areas. A media center will have computers available for people to use in filling out online job applications, Witt said.

Some companies dont take paper applications anymore, she pointed out.

Still, many firms will be conducting interviews on site at the fair. For that reason, Witt encourages participants to bring up-to-date resumes and dress to impress. That means suits, or at least a dress shirt, tie and slacks, for men and a dress or pant suit for women, she said.

You definitely want to dress your best to put your best foot forward to a prospective employer, she emphasized.

As has been evidenced in the past, some workers who qualify for available jobs and are interviewed might be offered employment within a few days after the event, if not before they leave it, Witt said.

Thats our goal, she said, recalling that at least several hundred people received jobs quickly during and after past fairs.

Because the fair will be held at sheltered parts of the speedway, plans are to hold it rain or shine. A chance of showers and thunderstorms is in the forecast for Wednesday, with daytime temperatures expected to climb into the upper 80s, according to the National Weather Service.

Children will not be allowed at the event.

You cant have a lengthy, uninterrupted conversation with an employer while tending to children, Witt said.

However, teenagers seeking either permanent or temporary jobs are welcome to attend, she said.

Along with the chamber and the Virginia Workforce Center, the Dan River Region Collaborative, Patrick Henry Community College and RideSolutions are involved in organizing the fair.

Anyone with questions about the event can call the chamber at 632-6401. Employers planning to take part are asked to confirm their commitments by calling Robbie Knight, the chambers business services manager, at that number or emailing him at robbie@mhcchamber.com no later than today.
HAVERHILL - A Lawrence man, who was stabbed two weeks ago as he tried to break up a fight in Haverhill, has died of his injuries, the Eagle Tribune reported.

The Essex County District Attorney's Office announced Friday that Matthew Sabatino, 28, died at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston Thursday night. Sabatino was airlifted to Boston soon after the incident. He remained in critical condition since the early morning hours of May 28 when he was stabbed.

Prosecutors now say they will charge a 21-year-old Haverhill man with murder. Hayden Delafuente had been charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and assault and battery with the intent to murder.

Sabatino was with his fiance and another couple when he attempted to try to break up a fight between his friend and Delafuente. Delafuente cut Sabatino's friend with a knife, then turned and stabbed Sabatino in the chest piercing his heart and a lung.

Delafuente remains held without the right to bail pending a June 13 dangerousness hearing. A spokeswoman for the District Attorney said Delafuente will be charged with murder early next week.
UNION, Connecticut - A 27-year-old Brookfield, Mass. man was killed Thursday when he apparently lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a tree.

Connecticut State Police told the Hartford Courant that Christopher Larson was riding his motorcycle on Route 171, known as Buckley Highway in the border town of Union just before 5:30 p.m. when he apparently lost control and laid the bike down on its side. It slid into a tree and Larson was thrown from the motorcycle. A LifeStar helicopter was summoned, but Larson was pronounced dead at the scene.

State Police investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact them at 860-896-3222, Ext. 8037.
CHICOPEE - A distribution company which employs nearly 500 people was given approvals to construct a large addition that will contain a new freezer and cooler area.

The about $9 million project in Willimansett is expected to add at least 22 jobs to the existing 486-person staff at the company.

As part of the plan to add a 37,500 square-foot addition to its main building on 705 Meadow Street, J. Polep owners will also rip up pavement in the front parking lot and plant trees to beautify what is now a huge expanse of asphalt along the road and the building, he said.

The distribution complex, which has been on Meadow Street for more than 30 years, has three buildings. Building 1 will be the one which is expanded, said Michael Gagnon, senior civil engineer for Milone and MacBroom who designed the plans.

The plans include a new gated entrance which will improve security at the location. The company has also made improvements to drainage, which has been difficult since the land is so flat, Gagnon said.

One of the biggest improvements the public will see isthe new strip of trees that will be planted in front of the property. J Polep officials are working with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the city to develop the green area that will improve the look of the property, he said.

"There will be a little bit of reduction in traffic issues because of the project," City Planner Lee Pouliot said. Now some trucks have to drive to two different spots to be loaded and unloaded, the addition will eliminate that movement because they will be able to drop off at one location.

The Planning Board approved the site plan in 5-0 votes and also agreed to a zone change for a small strip of property that runs through the J. Polep Property. While most of the property is zoned for business, there is a small strip running through the middle of the property which is zoned for residential, Pouliot said.

Pouliot said that strip is one of many spot zones in the city which were discovered in part when the Planning Department started creating a GPS map of the entire city. A spot zone is a property that is zoned differently than most of the surrounding land.

In this case, officials figured out that the strip was created as an extension of Meeting House Road, but the street was never developed. At one time all property which did not have a zoning designation was labeled Residence A for single-family housing.

The City Council must also approve the zone change. Tuesday members voted to send the issue to its Zoning Committee for further discussion.

The City Council has already approved a tax incentive agreement that will reduce taxes on the addition. The company will pay the same taxes it does now on the existing building.

In the first year of the agreement real estate taxes will be reduced by 70 percent of the value of the addition. The tax cut will then be reduced to 60 percent, 50 percent, 40 percent and then 30 percent of the value of the property in subsequent years. It expires in fiscal year 2024 when the company will start paying the full taxes on the assessed value of the addition.
SOUTHWICK -- Divers have recovered the body of a 33-year-old Enfield, Connecticut man who went missing in Congamond Lake, Southwick Police announced Saturday.

A recovery team, which had returned to the lake to search for the man who went missing on Thursday, found the body of Michael Chace in about 30 feet of water around 10:30 a.m., according to Southwick Police Chief David Ricardi.

The recovery came just two days after emergency crews responded to reports of a possible drowning at the Middle pond section of the lake. They searched the area on Thursday and Friday before resuming their effort Saturday morning.

Detectives with the Massachusetts State Police and the medical examiner have taken over the investigation, which remains ongoing, with assistance from Southwick Police Sgt. Robert D. Landis.

The Southwick Fire and Police Departments, Suffield Police, Massachusetts State Police's Special Operations Dive Team and the Massachusetts Environment Police assisted in the recovery effort.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated when more information becomes available.
SPRINGFIELD - Larry J. Johnson had two convictions for driving under the influence of drugs on his record and 25 bags of heroin in his car before a collision on Interstate 91 on May 18, according to the police report.

It was 8:30 p.m. and traffic was backed up to Longmeadow due to construction. A driver stopped in the northbound lane saw Thompson's SUV approaching from behind at high speed moments before it slammed into her car, the report said.

"Why the f--- did you stop?," Thompson, 55, of Jeffersonville, Vermont, asked the woman after the crash, according to the arrest report.

When state police arrived, Thompson was sitting on the guardrail. His speech was slurred, his eyeballs constricted and he stumbled while attempting to stand up, the report said.

He acknowledged taking methadone and gabapentin earlier in the day, but denied using any other drugs. By the guardrail, the trooper found a straw with a heroin-like residue, and 25 packets of heroin were eventually found in his vehicle, the report said.

The heroin, Thompson explained, must have belonged to a friend he had just dropped off at the airport, the report said.

Following his arrest, he fell asleep on the ride to police headquarters, and continued to nod off during the booking process, the report said.

"I had to raise my voice a few times so Thompson would stay awake," Trooper John O'Rourke wrote in the arrest report.

The next afternoon, Thompson pleaded not guilty in Springfield District Court to six charges, including operating under the influence of drugs (third offense), possession of heroin and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

Assistant District Attorney Frederick Burns, citing the new arrest and Thompson's criminal history, requested that he be held without right to bail for a dangerousness hearing. Defense lawyer Michelle Fredericks opposed the request, saying state law requires three OUI convictions before a defendant must submit to a dangerousness hearing.

At the state police barracks, Thompson's bail was set at $500, Fredericks said.

Judge Michele Ouimet-Rooke ordered him held pending a hearing on May 26. His bail was set at $1,500 during that session.

Thompson, who is single, unemployed and the father of three children, was released after posting bail on May 28, court documents show.

He is due back in court on June 13.
WESTFIELD -- The building housing Westfield District Court was dedicated Friday to John M. Greaney, a Westfield native and retired justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court described as the "epitome of public service."

Greaney served as an associate justice on the Supreme Judicial Court from 1989 until 2008.

His judicial work included stints in the state's housing, superior, and appeals courts. He earned a JD from the New York University School of Law and served briefly in the military.

As friends and colleagues told it at Friday's ceremony, The John M. Greaney Courthouse is named after a judicial official who can be remembered for an array of important moments and decisions made throughout a colorful, sometimes historic career.

A particularly powerful one of those moments is his writing of a concurrence in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health -- the landmark court case that made Massachusetts the first state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage.

In the historic case, LGTBQ organization GLAD (the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders) sued the Massachusetts Department of Health, lobbying in Superior Court on behalf of several same-sex couples who had been denied marriage licenses by the state. While Greaney did not write the high court's landmark opinion legitimating the marriages, he did author a consenting opinion that reaffirmed the rights of the couples.

Though Greaney stepped down from his Supreme Judicial Court position in 2008 at the age of 70, his "retirement" hasn't exactly been boring.

Now 77, Greaney has continued to remain active in civic, legal, and community affairs. In May, he joined the prominent Springfield law firm Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas, where he serves in an advisory capacity, contributing his experience and knowledge to areas such as trial and appellate practice.

This vigor for involvement and contribution was noted by the small cadre of speakers who gave remarks Friday regarding Greaney's life and career.

"I can think of no greater tribute to this man who has done so much for our court system, for the judiciary here in Massachusetts, and also for each and everyone of us in this room, than to name this courthouse after him," said State Sen. Donald F. Humason Jr., R-Westfield, who spoke Friday at the ceremony.

Humason worked together with State Rep. John C. Velis, D-Westfield, on the legislation that made the Friday ceremony possible. Initially introduced in 2015, the bill dedicating the building to Greaney was finally signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker in January.

Involvement, specifically involvement in the civic and community affairs of Westfield, was a noted motif among the speakers at Friday's ceremony.

Humason noted that he had known the now retired justice for the majority of his professional life, and had always known Greaney and his wife Susan to be deeply involved in the Westfield community.

"One of the things that's always appealed to me about Judge Greaney is his willingness to get involved in the community, to volunteer, and to just be out there," Velis said.

Velis called it a "true honor" to be involved in Friday's ceremony, calling the retired justice "the epitome of public service." Velis recalled the influence Greaney had had on him as a student at Suffolk University Law School, reading the court official's opinions and appellate court decisions. "It was just an enormous sense of pride" to see this work, Velis said, "knowing that the author of these opinions was from Westfield."

Grainey humbly thanked the ceremony attendees Friday, calling the dedication a true honor.
State Senate President Stanley Rosenberg probably surprised a few people by saying he thought the debate over school mascots and nicknames should be kept off Beacon Hill and handled locally.



Rosenberg tilts unmistakably to the left, and any opinion that veers away from removing Native American mascots by any means possible is mistakenly considered a conservative stance. But this is not about left-right politics, and Rosenberg is correct in treating it as we would treat almost any other public school issue  as a local matter, not one solved by orders from Boston, where legislation for a statewide ban has been proposed.

I oppose Native American nicknames, but not because I'm against tradition or because I bow to every random disciple of political correctness. I oppose them because in a world full of serious issues, it's just not worth the argument over whether a team is called the Indians or something else.

Nicknames, mascots and logos are supposed to unify a constituency, not divide it. But this issue is not one-size-fits-all, which is how an edict from Beacon Hill would have to treat it.

For one thing, not everyone agrees on what a Native American nickname is. Some people feel Warriors qualifies, for example, and some don't.

Some Native American groups are offended by team nicknames, and others (among them the Seminoles in Florida), consider it a way to positively advertise their heritage. Many polls indicate that those who endorse the message are much greater in numbers than the protesters care to admit  and that other Native Americans think the entire controversy is overblown while other, more important issues to their well-being are ignored.

Many Native Americans have expressed a deeper problem with the caricatures associated with the name than the nickname itself. The Cleveland Indians have had relatively little controversy over their name but plenty over Chief Wahoo, their goofy-looking, smiling Indian logo.

That distinction played out in Montague, where on May 15, voters by a 3-to-1 margin supported keeping the Turners Falls Indians tradition but altering the image to a more modern, presumably progressive version. It was a non-binding referendum but one unlikely to change the school district's decision to scrap the logo, especially since Native American objections do not appear mollified.

Cases differ. The University of Illinois still calls its teams the Fighting Illini, but the dancing Indian on the sidelines is gone. That seems to satisfy enough people on all sides, at least for now.

On the Massachusetts high level, changing nicknames isn't just about ordering new jerseys. It's not just about changing a name. It's about adjusting an attitude.

It's about acceptance within the community, however grudgingly at first. It is here that Rosenberg is right that state intervention would be a big mistake.

Every story plays out the same: a campaign that begins outside the school but draws in students, there's a raucous set of School Committee meetings, and often, an eventual name change that leaves some people happy, others angry and the town weary from the dispute.

Given time, the anger subsides in all but a few. The town watches its children win games under a new name, the pride it brings to the community is real, and life goes on. That's called progress, which takes time unless you're satisfied with shoving a solution down the throats of the people and not caring whether they accept it or not.

If the state mandates a change, even some people who support the change won't like being ordered by Boston to do it. State interference in local school decisions is an explosive issue already. This type of involvement would only make it worse.

The people who support state intervention think it's the fastest solution to rectifying injustices toward Native Americans over hundreds of years. That assumes all these names are injustices, and it also assumes that every community's makeup, history and relationship with its past is the same, which is not true but is the only way a state law could handle it.

If the goal is real change of attitude and community acceptance of a new name, the only way is the old-fashioned way. That requires neighbors to deal with it face-to-face, argue about it and call each other names, turn School Committee meetings into shouting matches and in most cases decide they'll be just as proud of their kids as the Red Hawks, Some Color or Some Animal as they were of an outdated Native American caricature.

If Boston butts in, the change will be only cosmetic and if anything, it will deepen the resistance to better attitudes and progress  real progress the town supports, not the force-fed version.

The controversy is much greater in some places than others. Students at many high schools are bothered by Native American names, and that should count because even though we tend to forget it, these schools and these teams are theirs, not Dad's or Grandpa's,

In other places, a state order would start a controversy that doesn't exist. I wouldn't change a name because one or two people showed up with picket signs at a School Committee meeting and presumed to speak for anybody but themselves.

If an identifiable group is being affected, that's another story. Treating every situation identically is a form of liberal stereotyping that puts every group, name, local history and circumstance under a single, generic umbrella.

That's why Rosenberg is right. The mascot debate has common themes but does vary from one location to another. It is the most local of matters.

That's where it should be resolved, if we really want it resolved the right way.
We hear again and again that AI and robots are going to take away human jobs. My broken kettle says otherwise.

Tim OReilly

Full Story: https://medium.com/the-wtf-economy/do-more-what-amazon-teaches-us-about-ai-and-the-jobless-future-8051b19a66af
Missoula-based Montana & Idaho Community Development Corp. https://mtcdc.org/ and Boise-based Capital Matrix http://www.capitalmatrix.org/ have set up a fund dedicated to loans for Idaho businesses.

Both nonprofits specialize in financing "nearly bankable" business that cant get bank loans.

Capital Matrix supplied a $150,000 seed fund for Montana & Idaho CDC to establish an Idaho lending fund. Until now, Montana & Idaho CDC has funded Idaho businesses from the same program that covers loans in both states.

By: Teya Vitu

Full Story: http://idahobusinessreview.com/2017/06/09/idaho-loan-fund-set-up-for-nearly-bankable-businesses/
On a fine day in a parking lot outside Boston, a man holding a smartphone steps in front of a 2015 Prius. The driver keeps pressing the accelerator. But a bunch of electronics hacked into the car brings it to a safe stop anywaythe system had already been tracking the pedestrian for some time using lasers and a camera. The vehicle wont budge until the pedestrian is safely out of the way.

Tom Simonite

Full Story: https://www.wired.com/story/self-driving-car-autonomous-guardian-angels/
According to a new study, drug dealers are either reverse ageists, treating young people more harshly than their older counterparts, or they respect their buzz-seeking elders.

So, if you stereotypically drive slowly in the left lane with your blinker on for five consecutive miles, you may get a better deal on weed than the punk on the scooter who passed you on the right and flipped you the bird.

According to a new study published on the website addictions.com and reported by Rolling Stone and AARP The Magazine (OK, Rolling Stone reported it but AARP really didnt, choosing instead a riveting expose on FICA), new code words are all the rage for buying illicit drugs and older people often get cut some slack for not keeping up with the latest trendy monikers. Also, anyone using the term trendy monikers can just forget about buying drugs altogether.

To understand the kinds of verbiage people use to describe drugs today, and how prevalent they really are in the drug community, we surveyed over 2,000 people for their insight into these underground trends, wrote the authors of the study which I swear is a real study and not something I made up for comedic purposes.

They list a number of drugs and what they are currently known as on the street, as Huggy Bear often told Starsky and Hutch. The celebrity names for drugs are Nixon (marijuana), Lady Gaga (cocaine), Kim Jong-Il (crack), Chuck Norris (heroin), Chris Farley (opiates), Nancy Pelosi (LSD), Mario (mushrooms), Donald Trump (meth), Ben Franklin (benzodiazepines), Malcolm X (ecstasy) and Justin Bieber (baby aspirin). One of those names is not in the actual study. Its a test to see if you are still paying attention or if you are all gooned out on Ben Franklin.

According to the survey, more than a third of participants between the ages of 18 and 29 told us theyd been denied drugs because they didnt use the proper code words to describe them.

The study indicated drug dealers seemed to go a little easier on those more likely to injure a hip than be hip.

Older participants were less likely to be required to utilize slang terminology in order to purchase narcotics. Slightly more than one in four respondents between the age of 30 and 39 said theyd been denied drugs for not using the proper colloquialisms, while 14 percent or less of respondents between the ages of 40 to 49 or 50 to 59 said the same, the authors noted.

If the study reflects reality, the following scenarios are commonplace:

Young Johnny pays a visit to his friendly neighborhood drug dealer.

Hello sir, I would like to purchase a small amount of your finest marijuana, he says.

Oh gosh, Im sorry, replies the drug dealer, but you did not use the current code word for marijuana so, according to the strict dealers ethical rules to which I adhere, I must say no. I suggest you dont do drugs and stay in school.

Johnnys grandpa visits the friendly neighborhood drug dealer.

Whats up, dawg? Ill take some Doans Pills, a bottle of horse liniment and some reefer, Grandpa says.

Welluhon the marijuana, you didnt exactly use the right code word.

What? Why, you little snot-nose punk. My ancestors smoked hemp with George Washington at Valley Forge, hit the peace pipe with Cochise and were extras in the movie Reefer Madness. If I cant get my buzz on for the Blue Oyster Cult reunion show I will beat you down to the ground with my cane and curb stomp you.

Sorry, sir. My bad. Here you go.

Thanks. And if my grandson Johnny comes around here, tell him not to do drugs and stay in school.

Yes, sir.

Scott Hollifield is editor/GM of The McDowell News in Marion, N.C. and a humor columnist. Contact him at rhollifield@mcdowellnews.com.
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Small or large, long-haired or short-haired, purebred or crossbred: dogs provide an infinite source of joy for their owners. With the health benefits of pet ownership stacking up, a new study adds increased physical activity to the list. Share on Pinterest Dogs: Furry friends or personal trainers? Previous studies have provided evidence on how our furry friends can benefit our health, such as by lowering stress and altering infants microbiota to lower their risk of allergies and obesity. Now, a new study published in the journal BMC Public Health suggests that older adults who own a dog may be more likely to achieve the activity levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Their guidelines for adults aged 65 and older suggest that this group should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity during a week, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity during this same time period. Doing regular physical activity such as walking can reduce certain health risks, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, certain cancers, and depression. Researchers from the latest study say that there is some evidence showing that dog ownership could improve physical activity among older adults, but previous studies have relied on self-reported data or incomplete datasets as a result of unreliable activity monitors.

Dog owners walk 22 minutes more per day For their study, the researchers gave participants an activPAL monitor, which is worn on the thigh rather than the hip, and uses gravity to distinguish sitting and lying from standing. They note that this monitor is the gold standard for measuring sedentary behavior. There were a total of 43 dog owners and 43 controls aged 65 years and over who took part in the study. All participants were from three regions in the United Kingdom, and they all wore an activity monitor during three 1-week periods between 2013 and 2014. The team assessed participants walking time, standing time, and sitting time, along with the duration and number of times they sat down. Results showed that the dog owners walked an average of 22 minutes more than the non-dog owners, and they also walked an extra 2,760 steps per day. Over the course of a week, this additional time spent walking may in itself be sufficient to meet WHO recommendations of at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, says study co-author Philippa Dall, a senior research fellow at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland. Additionally, the team found that dog owners had fewer continuous periods of sitting down, compared with non-owners. Total time spent sitting down did not differ between both groups, however. Based on their results, the researchers suggest that health professionals could promote dog ownership or shared ownership as a way to encourage older adults to be more physically active.
People have been shown to eat more and rate the food as more enjoyable if they eat with others. A new study finds that this effect still holds true if the other person is just their reflection in a mirror. Share on Pinterest A new study demonstrates that dining with a mirror might make it more enjoyable. Humans are social animals, and, as such, we are influenced by the presence of others. Some of these interactions have been studied in more detail than others. A study published this week in the journal Physiology & Behavior investigates a type of social influence that is not yet particularly well understood. When eating with family and friends, we tend to enjoy our food more and eat more of it. This is referred to as social facilitation of eating. A team of researchers from Nagoya University in Japan set out to tease this interaction apart and try to understand whether or not it can be manipulated. Although the effect might seem rather unimportant in the global scheme of science, the findings could have positive implications for the loneliest members of our society. Many people, particularly older adults, eat alone. As corresponding author Nobuyuki Kawai explains, Studies have shown that, for older adults, enjoying food is associated with quality of life, and frequently eating alone is associated with depression and loss of appetite. Therefore, simple interventions that could improve peoples enjoyment of food might impact their quality of life significantly.

Why is food tastier with friends? One theory that attempts to explain the social facilitation of eating involves mood. The theory goes that when we eat with friends and family, our mood is elevated, and that alone is enough to explain the phenomenon. Some studies have shown that people enjoy their food more and eat more of it when they eat with people they are close to, as opposed to strangers . But more recently, this theory has been brought into question. For instance, one study demonstrated that two strangers found chocolate more flavorful and enjoyable when they ate it together (without any communication). Also, mood changes did not seem to add to the effect. So, the jury is out. The authors of the current study wanted to uncover the minimum requirement for this effect to occur. They wanted to see if they could replicate the increased enjoyment and consumption without another person being present at all. Initially, they focused their study on a group of older adults, as they are most commonly impacted by the effects of eating alone. The team asked participants to eat popcorn either in front of a mirror or in front of a monitor displaying an image of a wall. They found that simply by eating in front of a mirror, the participants consumed more and experienced greater pleasure from the food. Next, they carried out the same experiment on a younger set of participants, and the findings were consistent: a mirror was enough to invoke the social facilitation of eating.
Writer, Shruti Sharma and her civil engineer husband, Tarun Chauhan, of New Delhi are doing something very unique for city commuters who use the Delhi Metro. The couple is leaving books in the metro trains for random passengers to find, keep and read. The month old initiative called Books On The Delhi Metro is a non-profit initiative by the pair to boost the art and culture of reading books in modern day Delhi by sharing their love of reading with strangers on a train.

Books On The Delhi Metro

The initiative is inspired by Book Fairies Worldwidean international community of book lovers across the globe, including India, who leave books in prominent public places around the world for strangers to find, read and pass on to others. The initiative, an idea by British actress Emma Watson, has found high regard amongst book lovers the world over who eagerly look forward to the book hunt, which is a lot like a treasure hunt around cities and landmarks.

Shruti and Taruns Books On The Delhi Metro works on a similar conceptthe couple leaves a book somewhere on one of the trains on the metro line, with a sticker on them. They then, take to their social media platforms to share with followers that a particular book has been left somewhere in the metro for a destined, yet, unexpected reader to find and keep for their own. They then, go on to encourage the finders to post about their newfound literary treasure on social media, and thereby, spreading the word, using the hashtag #booksonthedelhimetro. Their Instagram page already has 620 + followers, with a number of tags and posts already been made to the hashtag.

Instagram

Reading may not be anywhere close to becoming a dying practice, thankfully. Yet, it is slowly and increasingly becoming a scarce practice; what with most individuals dismissing the idea over choosing something more digitally oriented. At a time when technology and fast-paced ambitions are taking over every millennials life, initiatives like these reignite a lost passion within souls, to read and find and discover and seek out pleasure from pages. And thats whats so great about Shrutis and Taruns Books On The Delhi Metro.

Instagram

Least said, you will never consider your ride in the Delhi Metro as mundane ever again; especially since it will have become an interesting little adventure you anticipate while on your way to your destination. Through this endeavour, the couple has no doubt lent a sense of literary adventure to every passenger's journey. And over the next couple of days, whats going to be incredibly interesting is to try to track all the books that have exchanged handsfrom the couple to the metro passengers.

Reading books never seemed this exciting, thanks to these guys!
It looks like social media users have just become obsessed with trolling celebrities every now and then. Just a few days ago, Deepika Padukone, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Shruti Hasan were trolled online.

Shruti was trolled for her alleged plastic surgery. The actress, when asked about trolls, clearly said that she wasn't answerable to anyone else. And now desi girl, Priyanka Chopra is the latest victim on social media for the very same reason.

The Baywatch star' shared a photo on Instagram before landing in Mumbai and that's what drew everyone's attention. Well, every picture the diva shared grabs everyone's eyeball, but this particular one was subjected to nasty comments.

Priyanka captioned the picture, "Is it ok to be super excited about heading home?! #mumbaikar".

Is it ok to be super excited about heading home?! ??????#mumbaikar A post shared by Priyanka Chopra (@priyankachopra) on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:41am PDT

This particular picture drew everyone's attention to her nose, spreading rumours that she has allegedly gone under the knife again. People claimed that it looked unusual. From being called ugly' to getting a plastic nose, Priyanka received a lot of hate for her nose job'.

Here's what people commented:

 Instagram

 Instagram

 Instagram

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Deepika Padukone was trolled for posting a snap from a photoshoot donning a two-piece pristine white number. No doubt, she looked hot and sexy, but her sultry look attracted a lot of flak. People called her names and slut-shamed her for donning such an attire.

A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Jun 7, 2017 at 3:34am PDT

However, the leggy lass just ended up posting another snap looking just as hot as ever to shut the trolls up. Well, we like her way of silencing people.

A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Jun 8, 2017 at 1:55am PDT

Dangal' girl, Fatima Sana Shaikh was also criticised and shamed for posting a photo of her wearing a swimsuit during the month of Ramzan.

A post shared by Fatima Sana Shaikh (@fatimasanashaikh) on Jun 6, 2017 at 10:20pm PDT

However, this isn't the first time that Priyanka Chopra was trolled for getting some alleged cosmetic surgery done. She was asked about it on an American show and shared how she was once told by a producer-director that everything was wrong with her.

Well, well haters can hate all they want but they ain't getting anywhere near PeeCee's fame and fortune.
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The world of medicine is puzzling.

New medicines and treatments for ailments are introduced daily. Almost as often, new diseases are also discovered and we are diagnosed and sent for testing.

I often wonder how the pharmaceutical companies are ready with the medicines we need for new aliments before they are even named. As the population is aging, perhaps rebates should be available to those purchasing all the various medicines they are required to take. As soon as they have a 90-day supply on the shelf  because mail order is cheaper, you know  a new prescription is written that replaces it.

Every time someone gets a sniffle, burps or sneezes a medicine has to be taken. It may be a prescription or over-the-counter but it will put a dent in the budget so it is saved in case of a reoccurrence. Shelves are sagging from the weight of all the bottles of medicine.

Older folks who live in the northern climates travel south in the winter. This entails packing up all those meds to make the trip, just in case they are needed for the next time that sniffle starts up. Of course, when they settle in at their winter home and the sniffle does occur  the doctor announces there is a brand new treatment and writes a prescription that must be put on the winters sagging shelf. Many old-timers joke with each other saying they could open a drugstore with the amount of medicines they tote around.

Is anyone surprised that the insurance companies have joined forces with the pharmaceutical companies to rip us all off? They are now decreeing how often a prescription can be renewed and at what exact time. If you want to have on hand enough to meet your needs until your next opportunity to renew, they jump in and say No. Some of your prescriptions, that used to be available, are not even on the list of those you may purchase. You have to get a dispensation from the Pope saying you really, really need it  then they will let you spend the mega co-pay to get it.

Another devious way they increase their profits is to limit an order to 30 days, even though a doctor has written the prescription for 90 days. The 30-day supply cost more and places a burden on the purchaser to remember to refill it, and pay more, but the supplier gets a better return. Some of this action is driven by the tremendous abuse of illegal pain meds. All of the population must suffer the consequences because of those who are also profiting from the sale of the pain meds.

The over-the-counter business is just as bad. Most items come in containers large enough to hold a six-month supply but only have a 30-day amount in them. Sometimes they stuff cotton in the bottles  saying it is necessary to maintain freshness. Who falls for that statement? All of the products that are suggested be taken on a daily basis such as multi-vitamins, anti-acid, iron supplements are very expensive. The drug companies know what products the doctors recommend be taken daily.

The drug companies are also aware how all of us love to self-medicate. They design their TV ads announcing there is a wonderful new treatment for what ails us and we should ask our doctors to prescribe it. These ads will send us rushing to the drugstores to purchase it. Because its so great, and will cure our discomfort, the price is high. If anyone kept track of how much they spend on all the OTC meds they purchase in a given time  they would be appalled. Go take a look at that shelf  are you all cured?

As I see it, the drug companies, with the blessing of the insurance companies, will do whatever they can to make a greater profit. After all, the marketplace is full of willing purchasers. Why is no one representing them? Is it because everyones fingers are in the pot?

Capt. Fred Davis is a retired charter captain and nationally published author of boating articles. As I See It columns appear Saturday in the Huron Daily Tribune and his Boat Smart articles are published online at www.captainfredsboattips.com.
The U.S. military thanked Russia on Friday for intervening with the Syrian regime to ease tensions with U.S.-backed rebel forces on the Jordanian border.

"We asked the Russians to help," and the Russians have been "very helpful" in limiting clashes between the partnered force at the border town of Al Tanf and forces of the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad backed by Hezbollah fighters, said Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman.

At a Pentagon briefing, Davis stressed that the U.S. had no direct contacts with the Syrian regime but used the so-called "deconfliction channels" with Russia to convey concerns over the situation on the border and warn that the U.S. retains the right to self-defense.

Davis said the border area was fairly calm Friday as opposed to Thursday, when a U.S. F-15 shot down a large unmanned aerial vehicle, or drone, that had dropped a munition on an area controlled by the U.S.-backed force. The munition failed to detonate.

U.S. aircraft also attacked and destroyed two vehicles that were headed to a camp set up by pro-regime forces, Davis said.

Army Col. Ryan Dillon, a U.S. military spokesman in Baghdad, said Thursday that the drone was "about the same size as our MQ-1 Predator. It was kind of like that." The suspicion is that the drone was supplied by Iran, which has supported the Assad regime with troops and supplies.

Davis would not confirm that the drone came from Iran but said, "We do know that Iran, obviously in its support for the regime, provides them with equipment, provides them with assistance and support with funding."

Davis said the U.S. acted in self-defense out of concern for U.S. troops in the area. "We're certainly not there to occupy and control" territory, he said. "We're there to defeat ISIS -- full stop."

On other issues, Davis said that the battle for Mosul, which entered its 110th day Friday, has turned into a bitter slog in the tight streets and alleyways of the old city on the western side of the city, which is split by the Tigris River.

Iraqi Security Forces are slowly advancing against the remnants of ISIS fighters at a rate of about 100 meters per day, Davis said. He did not have a timeline on when the northeastern Iraqi city would be liberated from more than two years under the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

In Syria, the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces expanded a foothold gained earlier this week in Raqqa, the so-called ISIS capital in northeastern Syria. Davis said the SDF now control about one square kilometer in the eastern side of the city. He estimated that about 2,500 ISIS fighters are holding the city.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
Updated 6:08 p.m. EST

Three U.S. soldiers were killed and one wounded after an Afghan soldier shot them in eastern Afghanistan, the Defense Department confirmed.

The Associated Press initial reported two fatalities, citing Attahullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor in Nangarhar province, who said the Afghan soldier was killed after the incident in the Achin district.

ABC News later reported the three soldiers were slain in the attack.

A defense official told Military.com that the latest assessments indicated three service members were killed in the incident and one was wounded.

Navy Lt. Damien Horvath, a spokesman for the U.S. military in Afghanistan, initially said, "We are aware of an incident in Eastern Afghanistan. We will release more information when appropriate."

The Pentagon later released a statement saying the three soldiers were killed and one was medically evacuated from the scene. Officials were working to notify the family of the fallen troops, it said.

An investigation into the shooting is underway and additional information will be released as appropriate, the statement said.

The region has seen heavy fighting this year.

Excluding the reported casualties above, four U.S. troops have died in 2017 in Afghanistan. Three of those were combat deaths -- and all occurred in Nangarhar, where Achin is located, according to the website icasualties.org, which tracks American and coalition casualties in the country.

Achin is also the same area where the U.S. dropped the 21,600-pound "Mother of All Bombs," or MOAB, April 13 against a cave and tunnel complex used by fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria affiliate called Islamic State-Khorasan Province, or ISIS-K.

The U.S. has roughly 8,400 troops in Afghanistan, including a few hundred Marines who this spring returned to the southwestern Helmand province. NATO, meanwhile, has another 4,500 troops in the country.

President Donald Trump hasn't yet decided whether to grant the request by Army Gen. John Nicholson to send thousands more U.S. troops to Afghanistan.

-- Brendan McGarry can be reached at brendan.mcgarry@military.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Brendan_McGarry.
After more than three days of "an exhaustive search," the Navy has ended its search-and-rescue efforts for a sailor assigned to the guided-missile cruiser Normandy who went overboard June 6.

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Christopher W. Clavin was observed falling off the deck of the ship around 3 p.m. June 6, officials from Fleet Forces Command have said. The Normandy had been conducting routine training about 80 miles off the coast of Cherry Point, North Carolina.

The Navy called off the search for Clavin just after sunset Friday night. Officials announced the decision in a release made public around 9:30 p.m.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our shipmate, Petty Officer Chris Clavin. He was an important part of the team and a friend to so many on board," Capt. Derek Trinque, commanding officer of the Normandy, said in a statement. "We are not alone in our grief. Our hearts and thoughts are also with Chris' mother, sister and his entire family."

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Clavin, 23, was from Lincoln, Rhode Island. He enlisted in the Navy on July 23, 2012. The Normandy was his first duty assignment.

The effort to recover Clavin involved a small armada of Navy and Coast Guard ships, as well as a range of aircraft. The search would ultimately cover 6,300 square miles over 76 hours.

Among the assets involved in the search effort were the carrier Abraham Lincoln with four embarked MH-60 helicopters; the Coast Guard medium endurance cutter Forward; and guided-missile destroyers Bainbridge, The Sullivans, and Mason. Additional Navy and Coast Guard aircraft were also part of the search.

The crew of the Normandy is planning a memorial service for Clavin, according to the release from Fleet Forces Command. Clavin's disappearance and loss remain under investigation.

"I'm proud of the determined efforts of the Navy and U.S. Coast Guard search teams," Adm. Phil Davidson, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces, said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with our lost shipmate, his family, and the officers and crew of USS Normandy."

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at@HopeSeck.
A Marine Corps drill instructor accused of hazing and mistreating recruits aboard Parris Island, South Carolina, has pleaded guilty at a summary court-martial, officials with Marine Corps Training and Education Command said.

Staff Sgt. Matthew Bacchus pleaded guilty to violation of a lawful general order and maltreatment, but not guilty to false official statement at the Wednesday hearing, TECOM spokesman Capt. Joshua Pena told Military.com. He was convicted only of the charges he pled to.

Bacchus was sentenced only to 60 days' restriction, Pena said. He will not, however, lose rank or be forced out of the Corps.

He is the second of six drill instructors to face court-martial on charges related to two separate investigations of hazing within Parris Island's 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. The outcome of his trial was first reported Friday by Marine Corps Times.

On May 25, Sgt. Riley Gress was acquitted at a special court-martial on charges of violation of a lawful general order, cruelty and maltreatment, and false official statement.

Both Bacchus and Gress' charges were in relation with a 50-page investigation that described recruits being forced to conduct physical training in "the Dungeon," a dusty and airless abandoned squad bay. It also contained accounts of recruits being forced to fight each other while drill instructors watched, and multiple episodes in which recruits were called profane names and humiliated.

Two more drill instructors have yet to face trial on charges related to that investigation: Staff Sgts. Jose Lucena-Martinez and Antonio Burke.

Another two drill instructors are set to be tried in connection with an unrelated incident in which a Muslim recruit was allegedly thrown into a dryer and interrogated. Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Felix and Staff Sgt. Michael Eldridge will face courts-martial at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for alleged involvement with that incident.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
Camp Lejeune Town Halls Aim to Help Those Exposed to Toxic Water. Heres How You Can Go.

Retired Marine Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger made it his mission to tell the world that if they lived or served on Camp Lejeune...
In preparation for its deployment last October, the Marine Corps' crisis response task force for Africa met and trained with Navy SEALs in Dam Neck, Va.; with the Army's 3rd Special Forces Group in Fort Bragg, N.C.; and with MARSOC Raiders aboard nearby Camp Lejeune.

And when the task force arrived in theater, forward-staged in Sigonella, Italy, and Moron, Spain, there was no question what was emerging as the most pressing mission for the unit.

"What we found during our deployment was the preponderance of our effort and focus the entirety of our deployment, seven days a week, was focused on support to special operations," Col. Dan Greenwood, the rotation's commander and commanding officer of 2nd Marine Regiment, said at a deployment debrief Thursday.

The task force returned home in April after a seven-month deployment.

Greenwood attributed the shifting focus of the task force to the influence of Marine Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, who had recently been installed as the commanding officer of U.S. Africa Command at the start of the task force's deployment. Waldhauser, a graduate of Army Ranger school, had spent a tour as chief of staff for U.S. Special Operations command.

What he found upon his arrival in AfriCom was a mismatch: too many opportunities to use special operations forces in-theater, and not enough available troops to carry out the missions.

Unrest and violence continued to be a pressing problem in Libya and northern Africa, and newly updated rules governing operations in Somalia made a way for special operations troops to take a more active role in the fight against Al-Shabaab terrorists in the Horn of Africa.

"General Waldhauser viewed the problems he was faced with -- a limited number of assigned forces -- and he felt he could get after two missions with the one crisis response force and accept some risk if he needed to," Greenwood said. "We were able to do that for seven months."

To make communication smooth between the task force and special operations units in the region, Greenwood installed a Marine intelligence officer as a liaison at Special Operations Command-Africa (SOCAF) headquarters in Stuttgart-Mohringen, Germany.

Many of the support missions the unit performed for SOCAF were well within the mandate of the task force: quick response force capabilities; casualty evacuation; and tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, or TRAP.

The task force was also called upon to conduct intelligence operations, and began teaming up with special operations units on survey and assessment visits to U.S. embassies throughout Africa. It was the first time such a teaming operation had happened between Marines and SOF troops, Greenwood said.

"It got to the point toward the end of our deployment, where we were planning a Marine-led [assessment team] to Bangui, [Central African Republic], and SOCAF was just going to plug several of their members into us instead," Greenwood said. "So that relationship worked very well."

There were several points at which the unit had to focus more intently on the crisis response part of its mission, such as a brief period in which a small forward element was sent to Gambia amid tumult with the December presidential election, to be at the ready in case an emergency embassy reinforcement or evacuation was called for.

For future deployments to Africa, Greenwood hopes task force Marines will get more chances to train with SOF forces and practice functioning as integrated units. While the task force was able to conduct integrated training with MARSOC and spend time with other units, these pre-deployment opportunities were more limited than Greenwood would have liked.

"If you can do it in your pre-deployment training, that's fantastic," he said. "To make up for that when we got deployed, we did lots of integration and planning with task force elements in SOCAF while we were deployed. And that was how we overcame that lack of training prior to either element deploying."

But overall, Greenwood said, the partnership with SOF was smooth and mutually beneficial.

"What we benefit from is ... we gain incredible understanding of what's going on in that geographic location. And they're operating in some of these locations in Africa where we're very likely to have to go in to reinforce the embassy or help an ambassador," Greenwood said. "So we would support them with the missions they requested from AfriCom, and the benefit for us is, getting to talk to them and understand what's going on in that country, better intelligence flow between the two units."

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at@HopeSeck.

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U.S. special forces are assisting the Philippines armed forces to end the ongoing siege of a town by ISIS-linked militants, Reuters reported Saturday, citing a U.S. embassy spokesperson in Manila.

The spokesperson did not provide details about the level of involvement and there is reportedly no evidence the U.S. has troops on the ground there. The report said a U.S. surveillance plane was seen flying over the town, Marawi, on Friday.

"At the request of the government of the Philippines, U.S. special operations forces are assisting the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) with ongoing operations in Marawi," the spokesperson said, according to the report.

As it stands, the fighting has been unprecedented; while militants have launched major attacks before, never before has any group occupied territory in the heartland of the Philippines' Islamic faith for this long. Two weeks after the conflict began, at least 178 people have been killed and the army is still battling to regain control with airstrikes and artillery.

The militants, who are believed to be holding a Catholic priest and many other hostages, have torched buildings and destroyed at least one church. Ano said they occupy 10 percent of the city and have positioned snipers in tall buildings. Much of the city center has been devastated.

The crisis in Marawi, combined with fears that the Islamic State group is breathing new life into Muslim insurgencies in Southeast Asia, has put the Philippines and the region on edge.

On Friday, when a masked gunman began shooting and burning gambling tables in a Manila casino, terrified patrons immediately assumed an Islamic State siege was underway. The radical group claimed responsibility for the attack, in which dozens of people died of smoke inhalation, but there has been no evidence to back its claim. Police insist the motive was robbery, and the gunman's family says he was a disgruntled gambling addict.

Still, the episode highlighted what House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez described as the "unsettling inadequacy" of public security in the capital. The attack, he said, should "serve as a wake-up call" to do something about it.

A security conference this past weekend in Singapore attended by defense ministers and experts from 39 nations produced a flurry of alarmed statements. Among the topics: a fear that places like Marawi could become a new base for the Islamic State group as it loses territory in the Middle East.

"If the situation in Marawi in the southern Philippines is allowed to escalate or entrench, it would pose decades of problems," said Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen. "All of us recognize that if not addressed adequately, it can prove a pulling ground for would-be jihadists."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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PONTIAC, MI - The M1 Concourse is going international on Sunday by hosting a horde of exotic Italian cars, motorcycles and imported wines.

For the first time, the 87-acre automotive compound will play host to Italian Happening - the largest annual gathering of more than 600 Italian cars and motorcycles in Michigan. The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 11.

The M1 Concourse is located at 1 Pontiac St., in Pontiac, Michigan.

Tickets are available online on the Italian Happening website. General admission tickets cost $10. An expanded general admission and wine tasting package costs $40. An expanded package includes samplings of more than 40 Italian wines, beer and "Italian fizz" non-alcoholic beverages.

An Italian imports marketplace will offer olive oils, gourmet meats, cheeses, sauces, pastas, linens and handmade ceramics.

Activities for families include Bocce ball and a pasta making tutorial for children.

For more information, visit the M1 Concourse website.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Families visited the site of their future homes Saturday as Habitat for Humanity of Kent County volunteers constructed the affordable housing units they will soon call home.

Efforts from various local Catholic parishes, organizations and schools, along with Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, are working to construct four town homes for families who qualified for the affordable housing. After a west side apartment complex burned down in 2014, Habitat for Humanity purchased the land at 648th 4th St. NW for new housing.

So far, $270,000 of the $300,000 goal amount has been raised for the project.

Volunteers and families who will live in the homes gathered at the site on Saturday, June 10 as Monsignor Stasker, a pastor of the Basilica of St. Adalbert, blessed the project. Shortly after the blessing, volunteers from three different parishes were hard at work as they continued the construction project.

Affordable housing is hard to find for some families, especially with "increased economic stimulation" on the city's west side, said BriAnne McKee, executive director for Habitat for Humanity of Kent County.

"It's pricing some of our families out," McKee said.

To qualify for the housing, the four families couldn't earn more than 80 percent of the median income for the greater Grand Rapids Area, McKee said. For a family of four, that's around $50,000.

Three of the four families that will occupy the homes are single mothers with children. The other is a husband and wife and their kids.

They are hoping to complete construction at the end of the year, McKee said. Families will move in at different times, depending on when they've met the Habitat for Humanity qualifications and finalized their mortgage.

"I think we are experiencing a shortage of affordable housing in our community," McKee said. "The unique thing about (Habitat for Humanity's) housing program is that these units are long term. Families are purchasing them, so they're putting down roots not only for themselves but for their future generations."

Through the habitat program, families go through a "robust application process," McKee said. They also must attend financial classes and gain education through a home ownership program.

The families receive a zero-interest mortgage on their new home, but will still pay monthly fees that go back to Habitat for Humanity, McKee said.

"We adjust the terms of the mortgage based on what's affordable for them based on their housing cost, their income and their debt that they currently have," McKee said. "So we're able to be flexible with the terms of their mortgage so that they're likely to be the most successful."

The success rate of placing families in affordable housing and making on-time payments is 94 percent through the habitat program, McKee said.

This project marks the 25th house the program has built in the last four years on the west side. They've just broken ground on their 400th home in 35 years of serving the greater Grand Rapids area, McKee said.

The Kent County program sees an average of about 9,000 volunteers helping on projects annually. McKee expects about 600 volunteers will end up putting in volunteer time at the town home construction site.

"(Volunteers) want to come out and lend a hand, not only to their future neighbors or community members, but they also build teamwork and connectivity among each other while they're out here doing something that benefits the broader community," McKee said.
IONIA COUNTY, MI -- Two cousins from the Detroit area are accused of trying to cash a fraudulent check at a Belding credit union and may be behind a larger check-cashing scheme, police said.

Ionia County sheriff's investigators said Denell Littleton, 26, is charged with uttering and publishing and possession of a forged driver's license.

Sherray Littleton, 37, is charged with uttering and publishing.

Police arrested the pair this week after detaining one of them on June 6 at Preferred Federal Credit Union on Storey Road in Belding.

"These individuals were reportedly travelling throughout the state to Preferred Credit Union's passing these fraudulent checks," sheriff's investigators wrote in a news release.

Police think they were targeting different branches of Preferred Federal Credit Union in West Michigan to try to cash fraudulent checks.

Police also have identified a man involved with the scheme, but he has not yet been charged.

Detectives say they're working to determine the extent of the fraud.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The head of the Sierra Club stressed the importance of adopting sustainable practices in an address to West Michigan business owners Friday evening.

"We're in a challenging time where we have an administration that is mostly aligned with Congress on arguable the biggest problem our society faces -- climate change -- where the federal government is working in the opposite direction of where we need to go," said Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club.

"Now is our time to really step forward and to be much more thoughtful and aggressive with the kind of relationships we bring together to show that there is unstoppable energy and commitment for clean energy," Brune said.

The event was hosted by the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and the Sierra Club Michigan chapter, and drew a crowd of about 70 people to Rockford Construction.

The purpose of the event was to let both organizations network and exchange ideas on practicing environmental consciousness, said Gail Philbin, director of Michigan's Sierra Club chapter, which celebrates its 50th anniversary Saturday.

"We're all part of this problem and all have different ways we can work on solving it," Philbin said. "Businesses have their set of goals and realities about how they have to work and have perspectives we can bring to the table to figure out problems together. I don't see how you can solve a problem like climate change without everyone being at the table."

Brune and Philbin both praised attendees on their commitment to reducing their environmental impact. Even though President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, it's important for business owners especially, to stay committed to increasing environmental consciousness, they said.

Numerous businesses and public figures have denounced Trump's decision. Royal Dutch Shell, ExxonMobile and BP were among large corporations that endorsed the climate agreement.

Nearly 200 countries signed the Paris climate treaty last year, which is designed to be a global effort in reducing the negative human impact on the environment and global warming.

To be successful in addressing climate change, people need to start addressing climate change from a bipartisan viewpoint, Brune said.

"Our challenge isn't necessarily standing up and defying the president, it's to stand up for the world we want to create," he said.

Brune took questions from the crowd, and dodged an inquiry on his presidential pick for next term, but said Michelle Obama would be a good choice. He left the audience with a final call to action, saying that even if every country participated in the climate agreement and upheld their commitment, it still wouldn't be enough to stop climate change.

"Each of you find a way to engage as deeply as you can in the months and years ahead," Brune said. "We would still face an urgent challenge if every country and company made their commitments on the timeline they committed to doing."

Even though she says the decision to withdraw from the climate agreement is a "huge negative," Philbin remains "optimistic" about her group's efforts in addressing the problem.

"The flipside is something like that scares enough people and forces businesses to say, 'OK, we're going to make this happen anyway,' instead of relying on the federal government," Philbin said. "So that's a silver lining, but it's still an awful situation."

Brune will speak again Saturday in Ann Arbor at an anniversary celebration for the Michigan chapter of the Sierra Club.

The success of the long-standing chapter in Michigan is due to the grassroots approach the organization has, and the power of dedicated volunteers, Philbin said.
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Ron Kuhn is the West Michigan franchise owner of Window Genie, which offers window cleaning and other services.

(Courtesy | Window Genie)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Window Genie opened its first West Michigan location this week.

The national home service franchise specializes in residential and light commercial window cleaning, window tinting, pressure washing and gutter cleaning.

Ron Kuhn bought the rights to the West Michigan region from Grand Rapids to Grand Haven.

He previously owned Quiznos sub franchise while also running a business consulting firm.

"Even when the work was tough, being my own boss made it all worthwhile," said Kuhn, in a statement announcing the new business. "Being able to be in control of your own destiny, and make the big decisions that truly impacted the success of the business as a whole was the best part to me."

When his partner in the consulting company left in 2008, Kuhn took on more responsibility to keep the operations going. He sold the Quiznos franchise in 2009, and focused on the consulting business full-time.

"After the financial crisis in 2008, I had to travel a lot to find enough clients in need of our services," Kuhn said. "I still enjoyed what I was doing, but it was hard to justify all the travel needed just to stay afloat."

So, in 2013 when he was offered a job, he closed the consulting firm. Two years later, Kuhn was downsized.

The firm called him two weeks later asking if he would like his job back, but Kuhn declined. He calls the layoff a blessing in disguise because he realized he was happiest when he was his own boss.

After some soul searching, Kuhn began working with franchise consultant Mark Pasma of The You Network. Together they assessed Kuhn's strengths, weaknesses, interests and goals.

He decided on Window Genie, a Cincinnati-based franchise chain launched in 1994 by Richard Nonelle, that has grown to 100 locations in 29 states. His field technicians are fully trained, insured, bonded and have passed a background check, he says.

"For some reason, I had an idea that all franchises were retail type businesses," Kuhn said.

He credits Pasma for helping him zero in on a franchise that allowed him to create the kind of work life he wanted.

"Working from home while offering multiple services that I know are in demand excites me."
KALAMAZOO, MI -- The Home Builders Association of Western Michigan's 2017 Parade of Homes is underway.

The 27th Annual Spring Parade of Homes, which started Friday and continues through June 17, features 25 newly built homes as well as a look at the Hospital Hospitality House of Southwest Michigan, a project of the Home Builders Association.

A home-away-from-home for families with a member receiving treatment at one of the local hospitals, it is under construction at 1800 Henson Ave. But its rooms are available to see.

The Parade also features three stellar home remodeling projects. They will be open for touring on June 15, 16, and 17.

The Parade -- a self-guided series of open houses -- showcases new trends in home construction, interior design, woodworking, technology, architecture, energy efficiency, remodeling, landscaping and home products. Homes range in price from about $250,000 to those well above $500,000 and are located in a wide expanse of west Michigan, from South Haven in the west and Richland in the east, to Vicksburg in the south and Middleville the north.

The MLive Media Group is among the sponsors of this event.

Variety in terms of style, interior work and other offerings is expected to be evident this year.

"We kind of focused on the different styles -- and you can see them all," said Marie Frank, marketing manager for the Home Builders Association of Western Michigan. "You can see anything from lake living, cottage living, the coastals, two-story moderns, craftsman style, a modern farmhouse, and modern."

"The beach theme seems to be a real 'in' thing this year," Franks said.

Among those with water front access, are two winners of the HBA's Award of Excellence.

One is a 4,970-square -foot residence on Gun Lake in Middleville. Built by Pennings & Sons, it is a five-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom coastal two-story house with a wine cellar, a humidor and an enviable view of Gun Lake.

The other is a 5,440-square-foot modern farmhouse built by Roberts Development Group Inc. At 6265 E. QR Ave., it has four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms with lots of custom features, hickory floors and a picturesque view of Long Lake from many of its 200 acres of land. It is known as The Eagles Nest because it has been home to pair of nesting eagle.

Most of the Parade homes are open: from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday; from 1 to 9 p.m. on Saturday; and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. More information is available at www.kalamazoohomepage.com/parade-of-homes

Tickets are $15 per person (with children 12 and under free) and are available at any area Lake Michigan Credit Union and at various Harding's market locations.

The Harding's locations are:

8900 Gull Road, Richland

6330 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage

3750 W. Centre St., Portage

6430 W. Stadium Dr., Oshtemo

5161 W. Main St., Kalamazoo

2626 E Main St., Kalamazoo

54 W. Michigan Ave., Galesburg

618 N Riverview Dr., Parchment

533 Allegan St., Plainwell

114 S Farmer St., Otsego

The Lake Michigan Credit Union locations are:

3326 Gull Road, Kalamazoo

4084 W. Centre Ave., Portage

106 Grand St., Schoolcraft

487 S. Drake Road, Kalamazoo

6170 W. Main St., Kalamazoo

435 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo
CASS COUNTY, MI -- A two-car collision Friday afternoon sent a woman to the hospital.

Cass County Sheriff's deputies said the woman was a passenger in a car that collided with another on Calvin Center Road near at Starbrick Street in Cass County's Mason Township.

Deputies said they responded to a 3:18 p.m. report of a traffic crash near that intersection, which is not far north of the Michigan-Indiana border line.

They say Trevor Bennett, 25, of Elkhart, Ind., was southbound on Calvin Center Road when his vehicle collided with a vehicle driven by Thomas Rea, 83, of Edwardsburg. Rea was westbound on Starbrick Street.

"Mr. Rea disregarded the stop sign and entered the intersection colliding with Mr. Bennett," deputies reported. "Taneshea Wilson was a passenger in Mr. Bennett's vehicle (who) was taken to Elkhart General Hospital by the SESPA Ambulance for minor injuries in the accident."

Officers did not provide Wilson's age or her condition.

The Cass County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by SESPA ambulance and Fire Department. Deputies stated that alcohol was not a factor in the traffic crash but the incident remains under investigation.
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Pamela Flagg left her Breckenridge home on May 31 and hasn't been seen since.

(Facebook)

BRECKENRIDGE, MI -- Police are searching for a 52-year-old woman who left home eleven days ago without medication and hasn't been heard from since by family members.

While foul play is not suspected and it's not illegal to leave home, police say the woman's family is concerned and want to make sure she's OK, said Breckenridge Police Chief James Durham.

Pamela Flagg left her Breckenridge home in Gratiot County on May 31, telling family she was going to visit relatives in Midland, Durham said.

Flagg never made it to Midland, Durham said. She left home without her medication, only taking the clothes she was wearing and a 2002 Silver Chevy Impala with a Michigan registration of 1LU W50, the chief said.

Family has been unable to reach Flagg, and they say it's out of the ordinary for this to happen, Durham said.

The day Flagg left was the last time she was reported seen. After Flagg left home, a friend of hers spotted her at a Walmart in Alma and described the interaction as normal, the chief said.

Flagg stands about 5-foot, 9-inches and is roughly 150 pounds, according to a missing persons report.

Anyone with information about the incident can call Breckenridge police at (989) 842-5657, or Gratiot County Central Dispatch at (989) 875-7505.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- So what's next for James Comey?

The former FBI director boldly challenged the president who fired him, accused the Trump administration of lying and supplied material that could be used to build a case against President Donald Trump.

But after stepping away from the Capitol Hill spotlight, where he's always seemed comfortable, the 56-year-old veteran lawman now confronts the same question long faced by Washington officials after their government service.

His dry quip at a riveting Senate hearing that he was "between opportunities" vastly understates the career prospects now available to him -- not to mention potential benefits from the public's fascination with a man who has commanded respect while drawing outrage from both political parties.

Comey was pilloried for his handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation, yet is now seen as a critical cog in the inquiry into possible connections between Russia and the Trump campaign. He may be called upon to provide more detail about his interactions with Trump even as he turns attention to potential opportunities in law, corporate work or perhaps even politics.

"There's some jobs where the controversy would not be a benefit, but that's why I see him ending up in a place where he can be himself," said Evan Barr, a former federal prosecutor in New York City who worked under Comey in the U.S. attorney's office. "If he were the president of a college or an important think tank, he could pursue the issues that mean the most to him and not be worried about trying to make anyone happy."

Comey is unlikely to play any sort of direct role in the investigation now led by special counsel Robert Mueller, his predecessor as FBI director. But he almost certainly would avail himself as a witness to Mueller in any obstruction of justice investigation centered on his firing, or to further discuss requests he received from Trump that he interpreted as directives.

"I do think he is unquestionably, if this thing goes anywhere, one of the star witnesses," said Robert Anderson, a retired FBI executive assistant director. "It really comes down to his testimony, in some avenues."

Career options are generally plentiful for departing FBI leaders and attorneys general. Both Mueller and former Attorney General Eric Holder, for instance, took jobs with prestigious law firms after leaving public service. But few, if any, have as public a profile as Comey or have generated such intense feelings.

Some Democrats who disagree with his firing remain stung by his revival of the Clinton email investigation days before the November election. Republicans, pleased some seven months ago but who support Trump, may concur with the president's assessment of Comey as a "showboat."
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After last week's resurgence - this week saw pharmaceutical stocks extending their gains. Some big US approvals, domestic market numbers, impending drug shortages in the wake of GST rollout and WHO's revised guidelines on use of antibiotics grabbed the headlines.

How did pharma index perform?

The pharma stocks surged as investors flocked in to take advantage of low valuations. Some momentum in the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) approvals also aided the buying sentiments. The BSE Healthcare index gained 2.41 percent this past week, while the benchmark Sensex remained flat at 0.04 percent.

Cadila Healthcare (9.23 percent) was the top gainer, followed by Cipla (4.41 percent), Divis (4.17 percent), Dr.Reddys (3 percent), Aurobindo Pharma (2.29 percent) and Sun Pharma (1.31 percent). Sun Pharma, India largest drug maker broke into green zone ending its prolonged slide.

However, other names like Glenmark (-1.05 percent), Lupin (-0.31 percent) and Torrent Pharma (-0.36) declined.

Here's what kep the sector buzzing:

Cadila Healthcare got its first big approval from US FDA in form of generic Lialda used in treatment of ulcerative colitis drug. The market size of the drug is estimated to be USD 1.145 billion. The drug is manufactured out of its Moraiya plant in Gujarat.

The company also announced that its Baddi facility has received an establishment inspection report (EIR) indicating successful US FDA audit.

Dr. Reddy's was also announced the launch of anticoagulant medication Bivalirudin injection in the US.

The country could face an acute shortage of medicines in the second half of June if the government or manufacturers don't look into potential losses faced by pharmacists from GST's expected rollout on July 1.

Pharmacy retailers and stockists have warned companies that a mismatch between tax payouts and tax refunds arising from GST could force them to destock.

Indian drug market growth slows at 7.3% in May

The domestic drug market grew at 7.3 percent in May compared to 9.7 percent growth in the same period last year, according to data from market research firm AIOCD-AWACS.

The Indian pharmaceutical market grew at much slower pace in May due to declining sales of anti-infective medicines and sluggish growth in dermatology, gastro intestinal and cardiovascular drugs.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday updated the Essential Medicines List (EML) adding medicines for hepatitis C, HIV, tuberculosis and cancer. The UN agency concerned with public health also dispensed with new advice on use of antibiotics.
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev today said that India should immediately reclaim Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) as it was the root cause of all the problems emanating from Pakistan.

"All the problems emanating from Pakistan is because of PoK and hence India should immediately reclaim PoK," Ramdev said.

He said India should destroy all terrorist camps operating from there as well.

The Yoga guru gave out the statement while talking to reporters on the third and concluding day of a three-day yoga-cum-meditation camp organised by his brand Patanjali as part of Champaran Satyagrah centenary celebrations here at historic Gandhi Maidan.

Holding terrorists like Azhar Masood, Hafiz Sayeed and Dawood Ibrahim responsible for bloodshed at the Indo-Pak border, Ramdev said that these terrorists should be handed over to India, dead or alive.

He, however, praised the people of Pakistan saying that they were good and peace loving people except some bad elements who believe in bloodshed.

Replying to a query on human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, Ramdev said that Indian army personnel too had their human rights.

In reply to another question, he said that Patanjali Yogpeeth would set up a unit in Bihar to process products like jaggery, honey and litchi among others this year.

Ramdev also added that Patanjali would also start work on 'cow research and promotion centre' in Bihar in near future.

Ramdev heaped praise on the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's government and its decision to implement prohibition in the state. He also added that 'yoga education' be included in the government and private school curriculum across the state as well.

Inclusion of yoga as part of education would help better the future of students, he said while making it clear that "Yoga is not a political agenda at all."
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif meets Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China May 13, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Lee - RTX35MBM

In a rare snub to all-weather ally Pakistan, Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped a customary meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana after the murder of two Chinese teachers in Balochistan.

Sharif returned from Astana after attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on the sidelines of which he met Presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Russia, among which conspicuously absent was a meeting with Xi.

Meanwhile, Chinese state-run media highlighted Xis meetings with Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Xi's unprecedented snub followed deep disappointment and grief among Chinese public over the slaying of the two Chinese citizens who were kidnapped last month from Quetta in Balochistan.

The two were brutally murdered reportedly by Islamic State (IS) militants, the news of which was made public ahead of the SCO summit held on June 8-9 in which India and Pakistan were admitted as members.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that the murders were no way connected to the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which was opposed by the Baloch nationalists.

The CPEC is part of China's ambitious multi-billion Belt and Belt Road Initiative (BRI).

"This incident will not have any necessary connection with the BRI, nor with the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, meeting being held in Astana", Hua said.

China has deployed hundreds of workers for the CPEC which connects Gwadar port in Balochistan with China's Xinjiang through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Hua said Pakistan pays great attention to the protection of Chinese citizens in their institutions and made great efforts for their security.
US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump has spoken over phone with British Prime Minister Theresa May and offered his "warm support" after her Conservative party failed to muster a simple majority in Britain's snap polls.

"President Trump emphasised his commitment to the United States-United Kingdom special relationship and underscored that he looks forward to working with the Prime Minister on shared goals and interests in the years to come," the White House said in a statement yesterday.

May's gamble of calling snap polls backfired after the British electorate delivered a hung Parliament, forcing her to seek the support of a small Northern Irish party for staying in power, as the country braces for hard Brexit talks.

With results declared for all of the 650 seats of British Parliament, the Conservatives won 318 while the opposition Labour secured 262, leaving neither party anywhere close to the 326 seats required for an overall majority.
The World Trade Organization said today the United States had not fully complied with a 2012 ruling ordering it to halt subsidies to Boeing, in a partial victory for rival aircraft maker Airbus and the EU.

The ruling from a WTO panel was the latest blow in the decade-long clash between the titans of the civil aircraft industry, which has seen both Airbus and Boeing score points along the way.

The WTO ruled in March 2012 that billions of dollars of subsidies to Boeing were illegal and notified the United States to bring them to an end.

But just a few months later, the European Union filed a new complaint with the global trade body, alledging that Washington was not complying with that order.

In the ruling published Friday, WTO said it had concluded that the state of Washington had continued to dish out subsidies totalling USD 325 million in the form of tax cuts to Boeing between 2013 and 2015.

It agreed with Brussels that the United States had not taken "appropriate steps to remove the adverse effects or ... withdraw the subsidy."

The EU hailed the ruling, saying in a statement that it confirmed "that the United States has taken no appropriate action to comply with its obligation to withdraw subsidies declared illegal ... or to remove their adverse effects."

"The panel agrees that the US has simply ignored existing WTO rulings and has continued to subsidise Boeing," EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said in the statement.

But the WTO ruling also rejected significant portions of the EU complaint, finding that Brussels had failed to demonstrate that US subsidies after 2012 to Boeing's research and development programmes were harming EU interests through lost sales and price cuts.

Washington, therefore, chose to see the ruling as a victory, pointing out that the WTO panel had found that 28 of the 29 programmes it examined were in compliance.

"The panel found only one state-level programme ... to be contrary to WTO rules," the US government said in a statement.

"The United States disagrees and plans to appeal this limited finding," it added.

The EU has also been reprimanded by the WTO during the tit-for-tat conflict between Airbus and Boeing.

In September, a WTO panel found that Brussels had not respected a 2011 ruling ordering it to take steps to withdraw several support and subsidy programmes for Airbus.

The WTO did not put a value on those programmes but Boeing said they amounted to USD 22 billion worth of illegal support for Airbus development and sales.

The EU has appealed against that decision, insisting that the subsidies in question had been discontinued.

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer meanwhile insisted that Friday's ruling proved that "the United States does not provide subsidies even remotely comparable to the uniquely large and uniquely harmful EU subsidies to Airbus."

The WTO, which aims to create a level playing field in global trade, does not have the ability to force compliance with its rulings, but can approve retaliatory measures which in theory can pressure trade manipulators to fall into line.
As a result, all plans from Aetna and its subsidiaries, including Medicare and Medicaid plans, will not be accepted as in-network at nearly all LVHN-operated facilities when their current contract ends in 120 days.
CEDAR FALLS  The director of a Cedar Falls-based educational charity has pleaded not guilty to state charges alleging he was grooming a teen to have sex with the charitys president.

Christopher Charles Kaiser, 39, of rural Fredericksburg, entered his not guilty plea to a felony charge of enticing a minor on Friday in Polk County District Court in Des Moines, according to online court records.

He waived a preliminary hearing, and the court entered an order keeping him away from all minors.

Kaiser, the director of Blue Trunk Educational Series, had been indicted on federal enticing charges along with the groups president, 33-year-old Barry Dean Devoll, in April 2016.

Devoll, known by his stage name Bixby, pleaded guilty to the federal charge in April 2017 and is awaiting sentencing. Court records indicate that Kaisers defense attorney and federal prosecutors had been in negotiations to drop the federal charges against Kaiser in favor of prosecution on the state charges.

Federal court records also indicate that Kaiser plans to later plead guilty to the state enticement charge with sentencing in September.

Blue Trunk is known for traveling wildlife educational programs geared for children. It produced Bixby's Inflatable Rainforest, Give Back Wildly and other programs that featured Devoll playing to role of an explorer named Bixby.

Kaisers state charges alleged that between September and November 2015, he enticed a boy to have sexual contact with Devoll.

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Kaiser met the victim, who is described as being under age 16 at the time of the incidents, while they worked at Adventureland Amusement Park in Altoona, court records state.

Kaiser allegedly picked up the victim at high school and drove him to the Adventureland campground and to a location in Runnells where Devoll kept animals for his shows. He also allegedly texted the victim about sending photos.

The defendant would tell the victim Devoll was all hot, bothered and horny to see him and communicated that Devoll was so horned up to see and get naked with the victim, an Altoona police officer wrote in a description of the charges submitted to the court. Kaiser also helped arrange for the victim to go to Florida to see Devoll, court records state.

During a proffer with federal prosecutors, Kaiser allegedly told investigators he knew about nude pictures the victim and Devoll shared through text messages and social media, that Devoll sometimes asked him to tell the victim sexual things and that he occasionally left the victim and Devoll alone in Devolls camper.
MOVILLE, Iowa | An 18-year old Sioux City man is charged with indecent contact with a child after allegedly touching the 13-year-old girl in Moville.

Court documents show that Charles Sands was arrested Friday morning after spending the night at a home in Moville.

In the morning, Sands got up to use the bathroom and found the victim asleep. He then proceeded to touch the girl inappropriately, according to court documents. The victim woke up and made eye contact with Sands.

Later in the morning, Sands was stopped by police on his way home. During the stop he told police that he may have broken the law and he was taken into custody, explaining later during questioning what he had done, according to documents.

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Sands was being held in the Woodbury County Jail on $3,000 bond.
The Monahans Sandhills State Park is celebrating its 60th anniversary Saturday, and you are invited to the celebration.

The day will be filled with events for the entire family. The free event will start at 9 a.m. and will continue through 10 p.m., according to a press release.
MASON CITY | North Iowans expressed dismay on many fronts from the testimony Thursday of former FBI director James Comey before a Senate committee.

Cerro Gordo County Democratic Chairman John Stone said, "We're going to have to wait to see what happens when all the investigations are finished. Remember, Watergate started out as a third-rate burglary.

"I'm not a big fan of Jim Comey because I think he caused Hillary Clinton to lose the election," he said. "But I think his testimony was honest and straight forward. One thing is for sure -- one of these guys is not telling the truth."

Cerro Gordo County Republican Chairwoman Barb Hovland said she was troubled by several parts of Comey's testimony.

"I was disturbed as an American citizen that he felt the need to write down comments after meeting with President Trump," she said. "I was also shocked that a sitting FBI director would give memos, that were property of the FBI, to a friend to give to the media.

"Every president has the right to hire and fire an FBI director," she said.

"In retrospect, with so much going on in the world, we need to move on. We need to find a way to work together. We do it on a local level all the time. When someone needs help, it doesn't matter whether you're a Republican or Democrat, we work together. I hope we can do that on a national level."

Jim Collison of Mason City said, "What I liked about the hearing is Comey doing something you rarely see in political settings -- calling someone a liar. Comey called President Trump a liar, and remember, he was under oath.

"The hearings make me think about how sad it is that our American democracy has gotten to this point. The founding fathers never envisioned a system in which the electoral college would elect a nincompoop."

North Iowa Area Community College history instructor Bennett Smith said, "The Comey testimony was very significant in that the former director of the FBI asserted that the president of the United States lied about several issues related to the Russia investigation."

Smith said there are two key issues that emerged.

"The first is the issue of credibility. Whose statements can be relied upon to be trusted -- Comey's or Trump's? One thing to keep in mind is that Comey was testifying under oath and based his testimony on the notes of his conversations with the President.

"My understanding is that in any judicial proceeding, testimony by an FBI agent would be considered highly credible whereas by contrast, President Trump has a habit of making the 'truth' up as he goes along," Smith said.

He said the parts of Comey's testimony that Trump liked, he claimed were true, while the parts that went against him he claimed were false -- a tactic the president has used on many issues.

The second issue, said Smith, is whether any of what has taken place rises to the level of obstruction of justice.

"That will be up to Special Counsel Bob Mueller and his investigation. But ultimately, it will be up to the House of Representatives to bring a charge against the President if House members determine there is enough evidence to justify it, or any other charges related to the Russia investigation."
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The Make-A-Wish Foundation has been granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses for more than 25 years here in West Texas.. Wishes spark the imagination and inspire children to consider limitless possibilities while facing the unthinkable. Families are uplifted and communities surrounding these children are forever enriched.

The West Texas Regional office covers 41 counties of West Texas and all money raised stays right here. We grant anywhere between 30 and 50 wishes each year depending on the number of referrals.

Emme, a five-year-old from West Texas, has faced a constant battle with her health since the day she was born. In 2014, Emme was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, a rare genetic mutation that affects brain development in girls. Nicole, Emme's mother, noted that Emme was referred to Make-A-Wish three different times, however, refused to accept the wish the first two times. Why? She was under the impression that Make-A-Wish only grants wishes for children with terminal illnesses - a common misconception. When Nicole realized how transformational wishes actually are, she ensured Emme's one true wish - to go to Walt Disney World Resort and see the princesses - was made.

"Thank you so much for making Emme's wish come true," Nicole said. "I cannot begin to express how perfect this was for Emme and the rest of our family. It was truly life changing from beginning to end."

Emme and her family left for Walt Disney World Resort in 2016.

"We arrived at the airport and were greeted by Southwest Airlines representatives with a goody bag filled with all of Emme's favorite things. It was perfect for the airplane. We all wore our blue Make-A-Wish shirts, and many airport employees and even the pilots stopped to greet Emme. My son, Jake Ryan, even got to go into the cockpit of our plane for a while," recalled Nicole.

The memories didn't stop there.

"When we arrived at Give Kids the World Village, every single person went above and beyond to make Emme feel special. It was beyond humbling to know that all of these people were actually volunteers who were there just because they wanted to help make an impact on Emme's life. They were all so genuine and kind. Emme was even able to make a star that was hung in the castle of the village!"

Emme and her family were able to escape the daily rigors, treatments and obstacles involved with a critical illness.

"We were able to visit all of the Disney parks, including Universal Studios. We always wanted to take the kids to Disney in past years, but we knew it wouldn't be possible because Emme would not be able to sustain waiting in lines. With the pass she was given, Emme got to do it all. She rode everything -- even Space Mountain. I don't think she ever stopped smiling. It was such a joy to see her that happy. The smiles and the giggles seemed to never end."

Emme was even able to see some unique animals.

"On the last day of the trip, we decided to go to Gator World. Emme went zip lining over alligators. What a once-in-a-lifetime experience for her. This was possible because they had engineered a special harness for handicap kids. Everyone involved was so accommodating since Emme has a hard time walking and holding herself up. It was awesome."

When talking about the overall wish experience for Emme, Nicole certainly saw the impact it made.

"We were able to create so many wonderful memories on this trip that we will treasure a lifetime. None of this would have been possible for our sweet Emme without Make-A-Wish. I will forever be grateful for all of the generous people who helped make her wish come true. Make-A-Wish has provided hope, strength, joy and humility for my family, and we could not feel more blessed. From the bottom of all of our hearts, we thank you for everything."

Our goal at Make-A-Wish is to ensure every eligible child can count on their one true wish, like Emme's, but the reality is we need your help. There are 24 children in our community right now counting on a wish. Please help grant these transformational wishes by donating to the West Texas Office at 407 N. Big Spring, Suite 208 Midland, Texas 79701 or 432-683-9474. Or you can visit ntx.wish.org to donate, volunteer and become a wish granter today.
HOUSTON  The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo awarded 70 4-H members from 54 different Texas counties with $1.4 million in scholarships during the Texas 4-H Roundup in College Station on Thursday, June 8.

Area recipients include four from Hale County: Sarah Berry, Layne Mustian, Sherling Skinner and Colti Wright; two from Lamb County: Kambri Hanlin and Maleea Harper; and one from Swisher County: Savannah Wesley.

Each of these 2017 Texas 4-H Show scholars receives a $20,000 college scholarship, payable over four years.

Students were selected by Texas 4-H officials based on the students involvement with the program, academic achievements and financial need. Of the 70 recipients honored, 65 percent were female and 35 percent were male. In the fall, these students will attend 25 different Texas colleges and universities and will major in 44 different disciplines.

Since the first scholarship was awarded in 1957 in the amount of $2,000, more than 2,500 Texas 4-Hers have received scholarships from the Show.

This is the third of four scholarship presentations this summer in which the Show will commit $14.3 million in scholarships to Texas youth.
Like a major league pitcher in the late innings of a possible no-hitter or a bowler rolling a perfect 300 game, Wal-Mart DC 6012 driver Dwight Watson knew he was close to reaching the milestone of 4 million safe miles.

But he didnt realize he was that close until after he was notified to exit Interstate 27 just north of Hale Center to meet with DC 6012 Transportation Chief Ted Baker.

I didnt know what was going on since I thought I wouldnt reach 4 million until sometime in July, Watson said after rolling in from a roundtrip to El Paso at 4:05 p.m. Friday. I didnt know what was up since they had a police escort waiting for me.

Watson, who has been driving for Wal-Mart since July 7, 1986, is either the fifth or sixth driver companywide to hit 4 million safely driven miles. Hes the first Plainview driver to reach the plateau.

Weve had 40 drivers in Plainview reach 3 million miles, which is more than the next two closest distribution centers combined, notes Baker. Thirty of those drivers are still active, and another, Randy Wilson, will reach 3 million miles in the next two weeks.

Fleet wide, Wal-Mart has 168 active drivers with 3 million or more safe miles. Overall, Plainviews distribution center has 210 drivers.

In addition to hitting 4 million miles, Watson holds the distinction of being the last active driver who has been with the local distribution center since it opened in September 1986. A Wheeler resident at the time, he signed on with Wal-Mart in July 1986 and initially drove out of Bentonville, Arkansas, until the Plainview DC opened two months later. Weve lived in Plainview ever since, he said.

And Watson doesnt have plans to retire anytime soon. My wifes too young to retire, he joked Friday.

Watsons current schedule has him traveling to El Paso three times a week and Big Spring twice a week. He was on the return run from El Paso Friday when he reached his 4 million mile milestone  somewhere between Lubbock and Hale Center. The precise location was being calculated Friday.

That last million miles went pretty fast, Watson said. In fact, its been a really short 31 years.

For accomplishing the rare feat of 4 million accident-free miles, Watson will be issued a new Wal-Mart fleet truck. While most Wal-Mart drivers use trucks with white cabs, 3 million mile drivers usually can be seen piloting trucks with blue cabs. Most previous 4 million mile drivers have been issued red-cab trucks, although one 4 million mile driver in Loveland, Colorado, got a blue-cab truck. The color really doesnt matter that much, Watson said. Im just glad its over.
Drew Jerry Marzen

August 8, 1992 - June 4, 2017

Drew Jerry Marzen, born on August 8, 1992 passed away on the morning of June 4, 2017.

Surviving him are his mother, Stacy Diane Marzen and father, Scott Francis Marzen; grandparents, Dolores and Gerald Marzen; god parents, Jessica Ward and Chad Marzen; Dr. Lena Huebl of Vienna, Austria who was the dearest love of his life, companion and forever world traveler. He was also survived by many friends, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. The honorable Jerry L. Wilkerson and Sandra K. Wilkerson preceded him in death.

A time of gathering will be on Saturday, July 15, 2017 from 9:00AM-10:00AM at Holy Name Parish in Rockford, Iowa with a Mass in his honor to follow. Burial will take place at Dougherty Iowa Cemetery.

Drew lived his life without a complaint and accepted life's joys and challenges equally. He was an example to those who loved him until the end of his life.

In lieu of flowers the family has selected the charity called the Boot Campaign. Drew knew several people that were in the military and struggled with life's challenges. The Boot Campaign mission is to promote patriotism for America and our military community; raise awareness of the unique challenges service members face during and after post-service; and provide assistance to military personnel, past, present and their families. You can mail a check in Drew Marzen's name to Boot Campaign, 713 SWS Loop 323, PMB 160, Tyler, Texas 75701 or go directly to the website (www.donate.bootcampaign.org). Farley Funeral Home in Venice, Florida is handling the arrangements. To send a condolence or to share a memory of Drew please visit www.farleyfuneralhome.com.
A man triggered a power outage in Mountain View Thursday night when he crashed his drone into a high-voltage wire and caused tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage, officials said.

Police are now on the hunt for the man, who they say was flying the drone illegally. The power outage affected 1,600 people, according to the Mountain View Police Department.

Officers were called to the 200 block of Polaris Avenue about 8:15 p.m., where witnesses told them a man had been flying a drone in the area when it crashed into the wire, police said.

It is illegal to fly drones in the area, they said.

Please be aware, FAA regulations state that you cannot fly a drone within a five-mile radius of an airport unless you have properly notified officials, which includes areas such as Moffett Field. Drones can also not be flown near people and they must remain clear of surrounding obstacles, police said in a statement.

The power outage lasted a little less than three hours and affected Mountain View City Hall and the city library, according to police. The library was evacuated.

Police said the repair work wasnt finished until Friday morning.

Drones have caused other headaches for Bay Area law enforcement in recent months.

In January, a Pacifica man was arrested after flying his drone near a California Highway Patrol helicopter trying to save a man who had fallen off a cliff, hampering the rescue effort.

Drones have also interfered with the air operations that fight California wildfires.

Police are asking anyone with information on the drone owner to leave an anonymous tip at (650)-386-8063.

Filipa Ioannou is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: fioannou@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @obioannoukenobi
WASHINGTON (AP)  Emboldened by a business-friendly president, Republicans in Congress have set a goal that is nothing if not ambitious: To undo the stricter banking rules that took effect after the devastating 2008 financial crisis.

The House voted Thursday to approve its bill targeting the regulations. The landscape is far different in the Senate, where Democrats have the votes to block it.

The 2010 Dodd-Frank law imposed the stiffest restrictions on big financial companies since the Great Depression. It curbed many banking practices and expanded consumer protections to restrain reckless practices and prevent a repeat of the 2008 meltdown.

The House bill, pushed by Rep. Jeb Hensarling, the Texas Republican who leads the Financial Services Committee, would repeal about 40 of Dodd-Frank's provisions. Notably, it would sharply diminish the authority of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which oversees the practices of companies that provide products and services from credit cards and payday loans to mortgages and debt collection.

President Donald Trump launched his attack on Dodd-Frank after taking office, ordering a Treasury Department review of the complex rules that have put the legislation into practice. Trump called the law a "disaster" whose restrictions have crimped lending, hiring and the overall economy.

One part of Treasury's review is expected to be released soon. It could provide a blueprint for regulators to rewrite the rules. But Congress' legislation would be needed to actually revamp the law.

Unwinding a complex law that clocks in at 2,300 pages takes its own hefty bill: The Republicans' Financial Choice Act, as it's called, runs 580 pages. Here's a look at key changes it would make:

BANK REGULATION

Under the House bill, banks could qualify for regulatory relief if they held enough capital to cover potential big losses  a 10-1 ratio of capital over borrowed money. In exchange, such banks would gain exemptions or eased requirements for "stress tests" to assess their ability to withstand a downturn and for their plans to reshape themselves if they failed.

During the crisis, the government intervened to rescue the largest banks from collapse and saved some faltering institutions with bailouts and emergency loans or helped sell them to other banks. Trillions of taxpayer dollars were put at risk.

To avoid endangering taxpayers again, Dodd-Frank authorized regulators to dismantle a failing big firm, if they felt its collapse could endanger the entire system, and sell off the pieces. The Treasury would pay the firm's obligations and be repaid with industry fees and money raised from shareholders, bondholders and asset sales.

Critics argue that that means taxpayers could still end up on the hook. The new legislation would eliminate the regulators' power to dismantle firms.

VOLCKER RULE

This rule, which bars the biggest banks from trading for their own profit, would be repealed. The idea behind the rule was to prevent high-risk trading bets that could imperil federally insured deposits. Some banks argue that the Volcker Rule stifles legitimate trading on behalf of customers and the banks' ability to hedge against risk.

Republicans have stressed the need for regulatory relief from Dodd-Frank for community banks. And in a fairly rare area of bipartisan agreement, some Democratic lawmakers have indicated support for this, at least in theory.

The legislation would exempt smaller banks from a number of Dodd-Frank requirements. Banks with under $10 billion in assets, for example, would have to run "stress tests" gauging their ability to withstand a severe economic downturn  just once a year instead of twice.

CONSUMER WATCHDOG AGENCY

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was empowered by Dodd-Frank to scrutinize the practices of virtually any business that sells financial products and services, including for-profit colleges, auto lenders and money-transfer agents.

The legislation would reduce those powers. And it would let the U.S. president remove the CFPB director at will without citing a cause for firing. That's the subject of a battle now in federal court. No longer would the CFPB have a guaranteed funding stream from the Federal Reserve. Instead, it would depend on Congress for its funding just as most federal agencies do. The agency would also lose its authority to write rules, like those governing mortgages.

The bill's targeting of the CFPB especially rankles Democrats and consumer advocates. The agency has, among other things, conducted investigations across the spectrum of financial products and opened a database for consumers to lodge complaints against companies. As a result of its enforcement actions, the CFPB says it has recovered nearly $12 billion that it returned to 27 million consumers harmed by illegal practices.

REINING IN REGULATORS

Dodd-Frank established a Financial Stability Oversight Council of top regulators, led by the Treasury secretary, of top regulators to monitor the financial system and identify potential threats.

The council also has authority to review nonbank financial firms, like insurance companies, to determine whether they're so large and interconnected that their failure would threaten the entire system. Once the council deems a company "systemically important," it becomes subject to stricter rules. Its use of borrowed money is limited. And it must submit to close supervision by the Federal Reserve and make more detailed disclosures.

The new legislation would strip the council of its authority to designate financial firms as systemically important and would make its funding subject to Congress' budget process.

RETIREMENT INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDER POWER

The legislation would repeal the Obama-era Labor Department's so-called fiduciary rule. The rule tightened requirements for professionals who advise retirement savers. Wall Street and Republicans have been pushing against the rule, which compels financial pros who charge commissions to put their clients' best interests first in advising them on retirement investments.

The legislation also targets the frequency of "Say on Pay" shareholder votes on executive compensation as established by Dodd-Frank. Rather than hold a nonbinding vote at least once every three years, the legislation would allow it only when executives' compensation has changed "materially" from the previous year.

Shareholders with relatively small portions of company stock would find it harder to bring proposals to a vote by all shareholders. Individuals or groups of investors would have to own at least 1 percent of a company's stock for at least three years to put a proposal on the company proxy ballot. That compares with the current requirement of $2,000 worth of stock for one year.
The City of San Antonio is ready to dive in the summer season with the opening of public pools this weekend.

Beginning Saturday outdoor pools managed by the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department will be open to the public. Admission is free at all locations.
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The recent demise of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus, after a 146-year run, diminishes opportunities for the public to see acrobatics.

But the Georgia-based Cirque de la Symphonie company is one organization keeping alive the spectacle of remarkable human abilities in its shows with symphony orchestras in concert halls.

The San Antonio Symphony, for its season-ending program, presented Cirque de la Symphonie for the third time Friday night, after previous shows in 2011 and 2015, before an audience of nearly 1,200 people at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.

The cirque company of seven performers, nearly all of them with Russian backgrounds, continuously astonished the audience with feats from aerial flyers, jugglers, balancers and strongmen, drawing nearly continuous applause.

Janice Martin was the first to amaze by playing an electric violin while swinging above the stage on flowing nylon ropes while the orchestra played Camille Saint-Saens Danse macabre.

The comic juggler Vladimir Tsarkov was featured twice, once with hoops and then with illuminated bowling pins. Pavel Korshunov swung wide over the audience seating area as an aerialist to the orchestras Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner.

Elena Tsarkova drew gasps in a magic act in which she changed costumes numerous times in a blink.

Vitalii Buza did the unimaginable in a balancing act using a large hoop. He returned with Ekaterina Borzikova in an aerialist act that might best be described as ballet in the air while the orchestra performed Peter Tchaikovskys waltz from Eugene Onegin.

Cirque de la Symphonie traditionally ends its shows with its strongmen act. Korshunov and Vitaliy Prikhodko provided oohs and ahs with their mighty, slow-motion balancing and strength act to the orchestras performance of Jean Sibelius Finlandia.

The orchestra punctuated the acrobatic acts with its own virtuosity in four pieces without the cirque performers, especially with its exciting opening piece, Dmitri Shostakovichs Festive Overture. The musicians also crisply played Wolfgang Mozarts The Marriage of Figaro Overture, Mikhail Glinkas Ruslan and Ludmilla Overture and Johannes Brahms Hungarian Dance, No. 6.

Directing wonderfully was Associate Conductor Akiko Fujimoto in her final program before moving next season to the Minnesota Orchestra.

The program repeats at 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Tobin Center downtown.

dhendricks@express-news.net
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Hundreds of protesters, some of them armed, gathered at Hermann Park Saturday in an attempt to defend the honor of Sam Houston.

Carrying Texas and Confederate flags, participants seemed concerned the park's Sam Houston statue might be removed since the historical figure owned slaves.

"Erasing history for the sake of political correctness or to make somebody feel better, it's not just stupid  it's dangerous," said David Amad, an organizer of the demonstration.

VIDEO: Alt-right protester choked out at Sam Houston rally in Hermann Park

The group wants others to understand Sam Houston's contribution to Texas history. The demonstration was organized after rumors spread that a group called Texas Antifa was planning to show up to advocate removing the statue from the park.

But the group, This is Texas, was left advocating for a cause without the other side present. The anticipated anti-Sam Houston protesters were no-shows at Hermann Park. Throughout the week, media reports swirled that Saturday's protest advocating the statue's removal was fake.

READ ALSO: Hoax Texas group calls for removal of iconic Houston statue

Houston Antifia, a local chapter of the International Antifascist/Antiracist organization ANTIFA, called Texas Antifa fake and "alt-right trolls trying to use hot button issues to drum up ire," in a Facebook message.

Despite the no-show from the other side, the pro-Sam Houston demonstration continued.

Protesters hooped and hollered, while chants of "Lone Star State!" reverberated through the park.

"This is not yours to take," one protester proclaimed to the crowd. "This is our heritage. This monument is a reminder of why we are here."

READ ALSO: Things you never knew about Sam Houston

Amad said most participants were from This is Texas, a recently formed group that advocates for the state and wants to preserve its history.

He called slavery "horrible" and said he understands how some could have trouble dealing with the fact that Houston was a slave owner.

"Sam Houston owned slaves and that sucks, so say it sucks, but don't discount the fact that he led the army that freed this state from a dictator," Amad said.

A heavy police presence surrounded the park that was filled with families enjoying the weekend.

Police Chief Art Acevedo was on scene and said law enforcement likes to communicate with organizers to keep protests like the one at Hermann Park safe.

"We work very closely with organizers regardless of what the issue may be, no matter what their objectives are," Acevedo said. "We want to make sure that people work with us and we work with them and let them accomplish their goal, which is to express their views."

During the demonstration, Amad said different protesters spoke about Sam Houston's contribution to history and why it's important to preserve his statue.

Arlene Barnum saw on Facebook there was group threatening to take down the Sam Houston monument.

She came to protest, fearing that removing the monument eventually would lead to changing the names of schools and streets.

"When I heard about this monument threatened to be taken down, I knew it wasn't about the monument," Barnum said. "They were probably going to go after the streets and the schools."

One protester, Walter, felt compelled to show up and protect the monument.

"I'm out here to be a part of this and show a force," Walter said. "The more people out here show what we stand for."
SPRINGFIELD, Mass.  From the squiggly, pink handrails outside the entrance to the front hall decorated with scenes from And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street  a real street just blocks away  the new Amazing World of Dr. Seuss museum says Youre off to Great Places!

Walking into to the museum that opened to the public June 3 in the author and illustrators hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts, is like walking into one of his beloved childrens books.

The museum dedicated to Theodor Geisel  who under the pen name Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated dozens of rhyming childrens books including The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham  features interactive exhibits, artwork never before displayed publicly and explains how his childhood experiences in the city about 90 miles west of Boston shaped his work.

He would absolutely be at ease here, said Leagrey Dimond, one of Geisels stepdaughters (He didnt have any biological children). And to know that hes going to be here permanently, safe, protected, that people who want to know more are going to make this trip here to see him, its perfect.

Examples of Geisels early advertising work and World War II-era propaganda and political illustrations that critics consider racist are conspicuously absent, but thats because the museum is aimed primarily at children, said Kay Simpson, president of the Springfield Museums complex.

Kids are definitely the focus of the first floor of the museum, created in conjunction with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, the family company that protects Geisels legacy. It features games and climbable statues of Horton, the stack of turtles from Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories and Thing 1 and Thing 2 from The Cat in the Hat.

This museum is about visitors encountering the creatures that sprang out from Ted Geisels imagination  Horton, the Cat in the Hat, the Lorax, Sam I Am  that got kids excited about reading, which was really his preoccupation later on in his career, Simpson said.

Visitors are taken through Geisels boyhood bedroom, his grandparents bakery and brewery and different rooms painted in brilliant blues and radiant reds, and decoratedwith scenes from the books.

The museums second floor has a more intimate feeling with the actual furnishings and assorted knickknacks from Geisels studio from the La Jolla, California, home where he lived until his death in 1991 at age 87. Even his collection of 117 bowties is on display.

But by not referencing Geisels wartime work, which often stereotyped the Japanese, the museum is telling only half the story, said Katie Ishizuka, who has written on Geisels work.

They dont acknowledge the full picture of him or they try to minimize that or sweep it under the rug, said Ishizuka, director of The Conscious Kid Library, which lends what she says are more diverse and appropriate books for young readers.

Dimond never heard a prejudiced word out of Geisel, she said, and knows he had some regrets about the wartime work.

If there is criticism of Ted, it has its place, she said. I would never try to, and he would not want any of us to try to hide away anything he did. I know that he changed with the times.

Richard Minear, a professor emeritus of Japanese history at the University of Massachusetts, who wrote Dr. Seuss Goes to War about his political illustrations, says Geisel certainly had a blind spot on race, but its not fair to judge his entire career on that work.

He matured and he developed a whole lot from those early years, Minear said, noting that Horton Hears a Who! was an allegory about post-war Japan and the nations relationship with the U.S.
THE WOODLANDS - Ryan Hutson has joined The J. Beard Real Estate Company as a commercial real estate broker associate.

Hutson is a licensed professional real estate professional and prior to joining the firm, worked for Entergy, a Fortune 500 company in The Woodlands where he was responsible for the reliability of the company's operational assets.

Hutson holds a bachelor's degree in Information Systems from Louisiana State University and a master's degree in Information Systems from Texas A&M.

He has been a lifelong resident of the Greater Houston area.

"Ryan will be a great asset to our team of professionals, as he has already proven himself in his short time with the firm," company president Jeff Beard, CCIM, said. "With his focus on our Client driven commercial leasing and sales projects, he will be a welcome addition to our firm."

The J. Beard Real Estate Company, LP, headquartered in The Woodlands, is one of the largest full-service commercial real estate firms in the Greater Houston area. Services offered encompass leasing, brokerage, property sales & disposition, buyer & site acquisition, landlord/tenant representation services, commercial property management, and development & consulting services.

To learn more about The J. Beard Real Estate Company, visit www.jbeardcompany.com.
Countless businesses and entrepreneurs assume that building an app is a great idea. There is good reason for that: Research by Dot Com Infoway shows that mobile apps are expected to generate $77 billion in revenue for businesses this year.

Related: From Chipotle to Starbucks: 5 Chains That Do Mobile Apps Right

However, not all that wealth is being spread around: Forrester Research reveals that only a fraction of the 2.8 million available apps out there are ever actually used. What most businesses and entrepreneurs fail to realize is that just because you build an app -- even if there's a "cool idea" behind it -- doesn't mean people want it.

That's not to say that you should never build an app; it's just that your app has to add real value to users and be consistent with the value that the rest of your business provides.

A slice of the app pie

If you want an example of a company that has built such an app, grab your phone and order a pizza from Domino's. For nearly a decade, the company's stock has outperformed that of tech giants like Apple and Amazon. Now, the team has built an app that allows you to order a pizza at the click of a button; and if that's too much effort, there's even a voice-activated command to make the process easier. Once you've placed your order, you can use the Domino's app to track your pie all the way to your front door.

It's an app completely designed around making the customer experience as frictionless as possible, and its functionality is entirely aligned with the company's core business function, which is connecting hungry customers with hot pizzas. Judging by the number of downloads the app has received, customers are eating it up.

A company's brand is its most valuable asset. Customers learn to rely on and seek out the brands that have earned their trust. When you build and release an app, it becomes an extension of your brand.

Augmenting the customer experience

What Domino's understands is that a brand must be consistent across all platforms -- mobile included. And Domino's isn't the only company that knows this.

Another global brand, L'Oreal, is focusing less on facilitating the sale of products and more on fulfilling its mission of helping customers feel beautiful. With its Makeup Genius app, L'Oreal uses face-mapping technology to let users try out different looks and makeup styles, to determine what's best for them. Users don't need to scan any product codes or agree to purchase anything from the app itself.

L'Oreal's team understands that by simply adding value, the app instills trust in potential customers and makes them more likely to choose L'Oreal next time they purchase a beauty product.

Answering the call

The siren call of having a mobile presence is strong. Unfortunately, far too many businesses rush into building some kind of app -- any kind will do -- with little thought about whether it's the right move. This leads to low adoption rates or terrible reviews, which can lead in turn to regret and frustration for business owners.

Regardless of the industry you're in or the type of business you operate, it's critical to consider what specifically you hope to accomplish by releasing a mobile app. Once you establish your goals, you can begin to put together a business plan -- which should include strategies for building, launching and marketing the app.

Related: Getting Started With Small Business App Development

If your business offers an app or if you're in the process of building one, here are three steps you can take to ensure that your offering adds value and aligns with your business objectives.

1. Link up with your values. Define the core values you offer as a company, then make sure your app is in line with them. A mobile app doesn't have to be a mobile catalog or a smaller version of the corporate website. In fact, mobile is best when it offers something you can't get on another platform -- as long as that offering is an extension of your brand rather than a random set of bells and whistles.

Starbucks is a prime example of a company that has built an app that is entirely "on brand" and adds value to its customers. From its fonts and colors to its layout and seamless user experience, the app feels like a Starbucks in your pocket rather than a separate entity. It makes ordering and paying for a beverage easy, and it's paying dividends for the coffee giant.

No one should be implementing random features just for the sake of novelty. But by focusing in on your core offerings, you can ensure that people will get some new value from your app that still aligns with your brand.

2. Exploit the tools in front of you. Look toward catering to an underserved segment of your audience with quality visuals and UX to amplify the experience. The limitations of the mobile experience aren't limitations at all if you use them to your advantage: For example, smaller screens necessitate less complicated features.

Tinder, the popular dating app, relied on the simplicity of its mobile interface to completely revolutionize dating (for better or for worse), while Bumble flipped the script by incorporating familiar tools in a female-focused context.

Tap into the features and functionality that mobile delivers. Phones offer cameras, dedicated processing power, geolocation, gesture controls and more. Use those features to help push your core value out into the world.

3. Use mobile to supplement your brand's value. In many cases, if your customers want to buy something from you, they can do it via your website or brick-and-mortar store. Rather than attempting to drive sales with a mobile app, consider using that app to augment your product and provide an ecosystem for its adoption.

Audi has made it a point to showcase its commitment to cutting-edge technology in order to shape the way the public views its brand and products. The Audi Connect app lets users lock their cars, find their cars, set timers and more -- all from their mobile devices.

Few people would think of purchasing a vehicle with the swipe of a finger. Instead, the app reinforces the company's commitment to technology and adds to the brand's overall clout. So, design your app around addressing a specific customer pain point that the speed and ease of mobile can help alleviate.

Related: Why Your Small Business Needs a Mobile App

Your app can add value to current and future customers in a multitude of ways. If you prioritize users over the app itself and align its functionality with your core business, you may just rise above the multitudes and hit that "top downloads" nirvana you've always dreamed of.

Related:



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Although Radar Supports began operation May 1, its three directors have more than 50 years of combined experience in serving special needs clients of all ages.

Weve been working together for the past six years to benefit students with special needs, explains Lisa Gore, Hope Hastey and Ahnalisia Lopez. We now are able to work outside the school curriculum serving clients from newborn and children on through geriatric patients.

The Radar in Radar Supports stands for Remediation Assessment Development Advocacy Rehabilitation. The business is located at 2807 W. Seventh.

Hope Hastey, a certified reading teacher and bilingual educational diagnostician explains, After (her husband) Erics accident, we found out that there wasnt anywhere in Plainview for his rehabilitative services. Instead, we and others were having to go to Lubbock or Amarillo or beyond for help. In 2015, Eric Hastey was critically injured in an industrial accident. He faced months of rehabilitation after awakening from a lengthy coma.

Back then, we had little in the way of services in our area, Hope Hastey explains. That now has changed with the opening of Radar Supports.

And were willing to travel almost anywhere we are needed, she adds. We are willing to go to Olton, Lockney, Floydada, Silverton, Happy, Tulia, Denver City, Lamesa or wherever as necessary to meet the needs of our clients.

Lisa Gore has her own motivation for being part of Radar Supports. She and her husband Glenn Gore are foster parents who have cared for several children with special needs. Glenn is Special Ed teacher at Silverton ISD, and Lisa is a speech language pathologist, certified autism specialist, educator of the hearing impaired and certified Irlen screener.

Ahnalisia Lopez, an advanced certified autism specialist and bilingual speech language pathologist, chose her career path after the older of her two sons was diagnosed with autism and began receiving speech therapy services.

We all want to give a voice to those who are having these struggles, Lopez explains. While we provide treatment, we also realize there is a great deal of counseling involved in the process, for both client and parents. Its almost like a grieving process that families go through.

From children to adults and geriatric populations, we are deeply involved in advocacy, adds Hastey. We have the experience and know the laws and regulations involving special education, and the home health opportunities for funding. We know who to ask and where to look for help. We know the process, and we are here to help fill that void. So many of our clients dont know what services are available and the application process for various agencies.

The companys mission statement explains: To improve the quality of life of our patients while empowering both them and their families. We strive to enhance the experience of care by analyzing and improving communications environments.

Every individual poses individual issues, we understand the importance of completing thorough assessments, providing accurate diagnoses, and developing personalized treatment plans that will empower each patient to achieve to his and her greatest potential. In all cases, our mission remains the same: to provide personalized, comprehensive services in a manner that will empower our patients and their families to achieve an increased quality of life.

We want everyone to realize that our prices are reasonable and we are very affordable, the three point out. They are certified for Medicaid, and offer free community evening training on the second Tuesday of each month.

We are giving back to the community through training in such areas as Autism 101, dementia and Alzheimers, they explain. We offer training to both parents and students.

Instead of having to travel to Lubbock, Amarillo or the Metroplex, Radar Supports now offers assessment services in Plainview in either Spanish and English for autism, ADD/ADHD, speech and language, feeding, intellectual, achievement , Irlen screen, aphasia and dyslexia.

Other services include remediation (Dyslexia supports, reading/language arts tutoring); development (kindergarten readiness, early childhood/developmental); advocacy (Special Ed supports, 504 supports, geriatric care); and rehabilitation (speech and language therapy, feeding and swallow therapy, memory, functional living skills).

Hastey and Lopez were both raised in Plainview, Gore grew up in Tulia and now lives in Silverton.

Business hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment. Phone 1-888-679-1221 or visit radarsupports.com
NEW ORLEANS, June 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until June 20, 2017 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Ocwen Financial Corporation (NYSE:OCN), if they purchased the Companys securities between May 11, 2015 and April 19, 2017, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.



What You May Do

If you purchased securities of Ocwen and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com). If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by June 20, 2017.

About the Lawsuit

Ocwen and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On April 20, 2017, the Associated Press reported that the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Florida Attorney General had filed suit against Ocwen based on a myriad of failures by the Company to meet obligations to its customers over many years, resulting in increased borrowing expenses and even illegal foreclosures. Further, financial regulators in over 20 other states have issued cease-and-desist and license revocation orders against Ocwen alleging faulty escrow management and other licensing issues.

On this news, the price of Ocwens shares plummeted.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana.

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.
Washington

The FBI chief he fired called the president a liar, but the response from many Republicans was a collective shrug. The GOP still needs Donald Trump if it has any hope of accomplishing its legislative agenda and winning elections, and it's going to take more than James Comey's testimony to shake them.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Friday boasted of the GOP's accomplishments under Trump thus far, and promised more to come, making no mention of Comey in a speech. A group of House conservatives discussed taxes and the budget, with no reference to Comey or the federal investigations into Russia's election meddling and possible collusion with the Trump campaign.

Elsewhere, there were few outward signs of concern from the top Republican officials, donors and business leaders who gathered largely behind closed doors in Park City, Utah, for a conference hosted by former presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

"The people in this room, who give money to the Republican Party and who are focused on helping get Republicans elected, they do it because they believe in an agenda," Spencer Zwick, House Speaker Paul Ryan's fundraising chief, said in an interview. As for the Comey testimony, "there's nothing we can do about it," Zwick said.

It all underscored what's become a hardening dynamic of the Trump presidency: Republicans on Capitol Hill and off are mostly sticking with the president despite the mounting scandals and seemingly endless crises that surround him.

Though some are privately concerned, and frustration is regularly voiced about the president's undisciplined administration and the distractions he creates, Republicans have scant incentive to abandon him now. Trump's signature remains key to the still-nascent GOP agenda, and he has the ability to appoint judges to lifetime appointments, a thrilling prospect for conservatives.

And, despite Trump's low approval ratings nationally, his core base of supporters remains firmly behind him. Those voters will be key to the GOP's success in next year's midterms when Republicans will be defending a fragile majority in the House and looking to pick up seats in the Senate, thanks to a favorable map that has a large group of Democratic incumbents up for re-election in states that voted for Trump.

"I think the last 24, 48 hours were all good for the president, confirmed he was telling the truth all along, that he wasn't under investigation," GOP Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio said Friday, referring to Comey's confirmation he had informed Trump that the president wasn't being personally investigated.

Comey also bluntly accused the Trump White House of lying, asserted that Trump asked him to back off an investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, and contended that Trump fired him in an effort to change the course of the Russia investigation.
WASHINGTON - Congressional investigators demanded Friday that the president turn over within two weeks any recordings he made of his conversations with former FBI Director James Comey, as President Donald Trump refused to answer questions about whether such recordings exist.

The House Intelligence Committee's letter comes just one day after Comey testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee about notes and memos he kept to document interactions with the president that made him uncomfortable - memos he slipped to the press, using a friend as intermediary, after Trump suggested via Twitter that he might have taped their discussions. Comey said he hoped their contents would compel the Justice Department to appoint a special counsel to investigate the administration over possible links to Russia.

The House Intelligence Committee also sent a second letter Friday to Comey, asking him to turn over his memos. The committee gave Comey and White House Counsel Don McGahn until June 23 to produce the requested memos and tapes.

The Senate Judiciary Committee also has requested a copy of Comey's memos - but from the intermediary, Columbia Law professor Daniel Richman. They sent a letter Thursday night insisting that he turn the memos over to the committee by Friday in the format in which he received them.

Richman has been in touch with the committees through Special Counsel Robert Mueller III, who is handling the issue, said a person familiar with the matter. Richman declined to comment.

Trump spent Friday claiming "vindication" after Comey's testimony, while still accusing the former FBI director of lying about their interactions. At a news conference, Trump said that "some of the stuff [Comey] said just wasn't true."

But during his testimony, Comey invited Trump to "release all the tapes" he may have made, a sign that he believed they would corroborate his rendition of events, if they exist.

Comey recalled many details of his memos in written and spoken statements he gave to the Senate Intelligence Committee, testifying as part of their investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.

The president has instead remained cagey about the existence of the "tapes" - he referred to them in quotes in his initial tweet - that he hinted at just days after he fired Comey.

"I'll tell you about that maybe sometime in the very near future," Trump said Friday, in response to a reporter's question about whether the tapes exist.

When pressed by reporters to better specify when he intended to address the issue, Trump added: "I'm not hinting anything about it, I'll tell you about it over a fairly short period of time."

And then noted: "Oh, you're going to be very disappointed when you hear the answer, don't worry."

The continued mystery surrounding the tapes is fueling everything from confusion to Richard Nixon comparisons, as Trump rejects calls to set the record straight swiftly. It's not just the press, however, that is wondering whether these tapes exist.

Across Capitol Hill, congressional leaders and committee members of both parties are clamoring for the president to pony up the tapes of his Feb. 14 conversation with Comey in the Oval Office, if he even made them.

The most vocal demands are being raised by Democratic leaders, such as Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., Judiciary Committee ranking member Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and House Intelligence Committee ranking member Adam Schiff, D-Calif., all of whom have called for issuing the White House a subpoena to procure the tapes, if the administration doesn't provide them freely - or tell the public they simply don't exist.

Republicans have not yet joined the chorus of leading Democrats demanding stringent legal measures to unearth the recordings. But they, too, have been issuing formal and increasingly insistent requests for the recordings.

Before the House Intelligence Committee's Friday letter giving the White House a deadline of June 23, the Senate Judiciary Committee wrote to the FBI and the White House in May, demanding documents and records related to Comey and Trump's interactions - including any tapes or memos. The FBI and White House informed the committee recently that they would need more time to work on the request, according to a spokesman for the panel.

The House Oversight Committee also sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus in March requesting "all documents" and "all other components" relating to former national security adviser Michael Flynn's contacts with Russian officials after last year's election. A Democratic committee aide said Friday that request also would apply to any tapes of Comey and Trump's Oval Office conversation, given that the conversations focused on Flynn. A spokeswoman for panel chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, did not return a request for comment.

Whether these requests for materials are eventually enforced, however, depends on a more committed bipartisan effort to force the president's hand - something that to date, most leading Republican lawmakers have been loathe to do.

A spokesman for Judiciary committee chairman Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, stressed that the panel's effort to procure more information about the recordings was bipartisan, adding that the senator still had no knowledge about whether the tapes existed.

A spokeswoman for Senate Intelligence Committee Richard Burr, R-N.C., however, would not say Friday whether Burr knew that the tapes exist - or whether he felt the committee should have access to that information.
A Lake Conroe woman is growing increasingly distressed as an expanding chasm, or what she and legal documents are describing as a "sinkhole," next to her Lake Conroe waterfront home grows larger with every rainstorm.

Sue Horne says the home she has lived in for nearly 15 years in the gated Grand Harbor community, a pricey neighborhood billed as providing a fabulous backdrop with gorgeous wooded and waterfront estate size lots on the west side of the lake, is threatened because of what's being termed as "one continuous sinkhole."

The widening hole, on "common property" on a slope adjacent to her home that descends down to the lake, has damaged her pool, the pool's decking and caused her backyard kitchen to sink nearly a foot, she said. This, while according to Horne and the lawsuit she has filed, the homeowners association that maintains the community, Grand Harbor POA, has failed to stop the hole from expanding. The POA also is being blamed for additional damage to Horne's home by ignoring the advice of an engineer on how to address the issue, while instead hiring laborers at a cheaper cost to try fix the problem.

The issue dates back to October 2015 when the supply and return lines to Horne's pool inexplicably broke and her pool deck and the outdoor kitchen -- expensive improvements she made after buying the house in 2002 -- began sinking. Horne is the original owner of the East Cool Breeze Lane home. The nearly 4,500-square-foot house on a large lot just under 27,000 square feet is valued at over $600,000 by the Montgomery Central Appraisal District.

In her lawsuit, Horne is seeking $200,000 to $500,000 from the POA, as well as from a Harris County man who owns the vacant lot next to her home.

"There's been nothing done to mitigate," Horne said. As far as stopping the damage, they've done nothing."

The Houston-based law firm representing the homeowners association is denying the allegations Horne has made in her lawsuit. In a legal filing responding to the suit, Tekell, Book, Allen & Morris accuses Horne of being "negligent" by improving property on the nearby easement. But in its denial, the firm did not specify what sort of work supposedly has been done on the easement. The lawyer handling the case and the POA had not return calls seeking comment as of Friday.

Horne's lawyer, J. Randal Bays, says the claim by the POA's law firm regarding the easement encroachment "shows a basic misunderstanding of Texas law."

"You can't trespass on your own property. An easement gives another certain rights to use your land," Bays wrote in an email to The Courier. "Ms. Horne owns the land at issue and on a portion of her land the developer had an easement permitting the installation of a drainage pipe. It's still her land. And being a good neighbor and rule follower, Ms. Horne obtained the POA's approval before she landscaped the easement."

According to Horne, she was even forced to pay for expensive repairs to her house when a worker she describes as a "ditch digger" hired by the POA to work on repairing the hole, while operating a backhoe, grabbed the electrical lines from the side of her house, pulled the lines through the home's meter box and left, while "everything in my breaker box was arcing." Also damaged, according to Horne and neighbors, were cables that run down the hillside and are attached to and provide support to wooden bulkheads that run along the side of the lake.

In her lawsuit filed last month, Horne says after she reported the issue to the POA, the infrastructure committee for the association recommended to the POA's board that $120,000 be spent on a plan that would include repairing a 24-inch drainage pipes that had collapsed under the slope. The suit claims water from the damaged pipes was not being directed into the lake as intended, but rather was apparently saturating the slope and land above, creating the sinkhole, eroding the land on the slope, spilling silt into the lake and ultimately causing the problems on Horne's property.

But, according to Horne, instead of heeding the recommendation of the committee, the POA board decided to hire laborers whose previous experience included clearing drainage ditches. And according to her suit, members of the POA board even later bragged they were able have the work done at a "cost of some $40,000 rather than the $120,000 repair cost estimate provided by the engineer."

But the lower-cost laborers, according to Horne, not only caused the extensive electrical damage to her home, but also failed to slow the growth of the expanding hole.

"You can see, my property is going into Lake Conroe," Horne told The Courier.

"I'm concerned about my property and the property of others because we have a tunnel that's going behind my bulkhead that's 14 feet in length, tumbling back. It's moving and nothing's being done to stop it."

Although it's Horne's home that is closest to the growing sinkhole, chasm, tunnel, or whatever else one wants to call the expanding and unnatural opening in the ground, other neighborhood residents also share her worries about its growth.

Russell Hoch, who lives two houses away from Horne, is concerned about possible damage to the bulkheads now that their supporting cables have been cut, as well as the potential danger from the widening hole, especially when his grandchildren come to visit.

"They want to run down the hill, go to the dock, go fishing," Hoch said of his grandchildren. "They look over and see that, and they want to go investigate. It's hard to keep them away."

Another neighbor, Edward Griffith, who lives down the street from Horne, says the hole gets bigger with every rainstorm -- heightening worries during the heaviest rainfall period of the year. He also notes the increased volume of silt that is being washed into the boat canal that runs along the back of the houses.

Neither Hoch or Griffith are part of the suit, but both fault the POA for offering assurances that they were working on the matter, while the problem remains unresolved and the hole grows larger.
New Mexico instituted a new policy on Friday allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control directly to women, part of a wave of state efforts to make it easier for women to get contraceptives.

State health officials said the decision was based on a desire to make it more convenient for women to get medications for preventing pregnancy. Because New Mexico is predominantly rural, people often have to drive long distances to get medical care, said Ben Kesner, executive director of the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy, which approved the rule in April.

The decision comes as other states are taking similar steps, concerned that the Trump administration could roll back access to birth control.

The administration has signaled that it might ease a regulation issued under the Affordable Care Act that requires most companies to cover birth control without a co-pay as part of employee health plans. A draft revision of that rule, obtained by Vox.com, indicates that the administration might broaden exemptions for employers who claim a moral or religious objection to contraception. The White House has not confirmed the veracity of that draft.

In addition, Republicans in Congress are trying to block federal funds from flowing to Planned Parenthood, a well-known abortion provider that also helps many low-income women obtain birth control. Critics of the organization contend that other safety-net providers can take those patients if Planned Parenthood is defunded because of congressional action.

Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price have said they oppose the flow of taxpayer funds to Planned Parenthood because of its role as the nation's largest abortion provider. And they have both suggested that the contraception mandate under the Affordable Care Act went too far in forcing people of faith to pay for a service they do not support.

Trump signed an executive order that among other things directed HHS to reconsider the mandate. In a news release, Price said he welcomed the directive. "We will be taking action in short order to follow the President's instruction to safeguard the deeply held religious beliefs of Americans who provide health insurance to their employees," he said.

Fear that these actions will curtail women's access to birth control has led some states to take preemptive measures.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) last week signed a bipartisan bill requiring health plans to provide women with a 12-month birth-control supplies without a co-pay. Colorado and Washington enacted similar legislation earlier this year, and New York and Massachusetts are considering implementing their own versions.

In April, Maryland enacted a law that would use state money to reimburse Planned Parenthood for any cuts at the federal level.

More than a dozen states have taken some steps to protect contraception access in health insurance plans, said Elizabeth Nash, senior state issues manager at the Guttmacher Institute.

For instance, several states have taken steps to ensure that women are able to get a year's worth of birth control, rather than the shorter-term prescriptions insurance companies often cover.

Kesner said the New Mexico policy was not a result of the national political climate but rather a desire to streamline access to a common type of medication. Under the new rule, women will be able to walk into a pharmacy, talk with a trained pharmacist and then receive, on the spot, a prescription for pills, a patch or an injection.

"Pharmacists are easy-access people," Kesner said. "So instead of making an appointment with a primary care physician, you can easily go to a pharmacy and get your contraception that way. It's kind of a convenience thing."

Erin Armstrong, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, said a coalition of medical personnel and advocates such as the ACLU lobbied for the change, which also had to be approved by other medical boards. The effort predated the presidential election and received no significant pushback, she said.

But "in this new environment where we're seeing more and more threats to contraceptive access, I think we were all feeling a renewed sense of urgency to make sure our state really stands up and makes advances when it comes to reproductive care and contraceptive care," she said.

New Mexico joins a small group of states that allow pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives, including California, Oregon and Colorado. The District also allows pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives.

Fifty-five percent of pregnancies in New Mexico were unintended in 2010, according to Guttmacher, compared with 45 percent nationally in 2011.
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More than 60,000 people voted over seven days between May 30 and June 6, or less than nine percent of active registered voters in San Antonio.

Older voters represented almost half of all votes cast during this time. Voters 65 and older logged 44.5 percent of all early votes, while less than 1,500 adults 24 and younger made it to the polls, or 2.4 percent of votes cast.

While the Pew Research Center found millennials (defined as those between 18 and 35) made up about 31 percent of the electorate nationwide, in San Antonio adults 35 and younger accounted for 9.8 percent of early votes cast.

Voters from less than one-fifth of all precincts accounted for half of all votes cast, data show, or 100 precincts out of more than 560. Seventy precincts throughout the city didnt log a single voter.

Out of those 100 precincts, Mayor Ivy Taylor won 62 of them outright in May compared to District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenbergs 38. In the May 6 election, Nirenberg won precincts within District 8 boundaries on the North Side as well as precincts in downtown neighborhoods. Taylor won precincts on the far West Side, East side and northeast side.

The average voter turnout for May elections in Bexar County since 1997 has hovered around 10 percent. The 2005 mayoral race between Julian Castro and Phil Hardberger drew 115,194 voters almost 18 percent of the countys registered voters. That race also ended up in a runoff, which Hardberger won.

Polls will be open Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must cast a ballot in their precinct. Any voter, regardless of whether they voted in May, can cast a ballot on Saturday.

Under Texas voting law, people can bring one of seven accepted forms of identification to vote. They include a drivers license, an election identification certificate, a handgun license or a passport.

After the states law was found to violate a section of the Voting Rights Act this year, voters may bring other forms of identification, including a valid voter registration card, original birth certificate, current utility bill, original bank statement or paycheck, if the voter couldnt get one of the preferred methods in time to vote.

Those offering alternative identification methods will have to sign a declaration that he or she faced an undue burden in getting one of the accepted forms.

A June 8 article titled "Fewer early voters show up for runoff" mistakenly compared early voting data from the May election which included votes from precincts outside of San Antonio but within Bexar County to early voting data for the June 10 runoff which only included precincts within San Antonio. The article has been updated to reflect these changes.

frahman@express-news.net
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Courtesy San Antonio Police Department Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Courtesy San Antonio Police Department Show More Show Less 3 of 3





UPDATE June 15: Marquail Deon Rose Jr. has been found and is doing well

San Antonio Police is searching for two minors last seen Monday in the 100 block of Lakeshore Drive.
AUSTIN  The leader of the states sprawling family and protective services agency instituted a temporary departmentwide hiring freeze this week as the agency tries to adjust to fewer caseworkers quitting their jobs.

Commissioner Hank Whitman, in an email to employees earlier this week, said that while state lawmakers faced a very tough budget year, the Department of Family and Protective Services received more funding and resources than many other agencies and made huge strides in hiring new staff and retaining Child Protective Services caseworkers.

Citing that success, Whitmans email said the agency will pause new hiring for the time being until its leaders can sort through the allocation of new state funds, which included a $500 million boost for CPS and nearly 600 new caseworkers.

To ensure that the agency does not hire above our allotted number of positions or spend above the agencys appropriation, we are temporarily pausing any new job offers while we continue developing our hiring plan for the remaining months of fiscal year 2017, Whitman wrote.

Patrick Crimmins, a spokesman for the DFPS, said the hiring freeze is proof that the agency has retained caseworkers at a better rate than in previous years.

It is a temporary move so that we can catch up and make sure everything is being done exactly as it should be, hiring-wise, Crimmins said. It is good news because it means that caseworkers are staying, not quitting.

Whitmans decision was first reported Friday by the Dallas Morning News.

During the most recent legislative session, which ended in May, lawmakers passed several key reforms aimed at reversing the long-standing trend at CPS in which neglected and abused children were not seen by agency representatives in a timely manner.

One of those bills, House Bill 5, makes DFPS a stand-alone agency, bringing it outside the scope of the Health and Human Services Commission and allowing it to implement changes faster and cut down on bureaucratic delays, according to advocates. The DFPS commissioner will report directly to the governor, who signed the bill into law last month. It goes into effect Sept. 1.
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt mixed policking with pleasure on a reelection campaign swing through Texas on June 11-12, 1936.

The first stop on FDR's Lone Star itinerary was Houston, where the mayor proclaimed a holiday in eager anticipation of the unprecedented visit. All public buildings and many private businesses were closed, as the vast majority of the 350,000 inhabitants squeezed into the center of Texas' biggest city to see the popular New Deal architect in the flesh.

"Every inch of sidewalk space lining the parade route was taken," reported the Houston Chronicle. "Those with friends and relatives working in offices overlooking Main Street moved in to view the procession from above. Thousands perched on building tops, balconies and in windows of tall buildings to watch the parade."

Every able-bodied male with a uniform was drafted for crowd control. In addition to the police, highway patrol and National Guard, active-duty soldiers, naval reservists and even Boy Scouts were mobilized to contain the largest throng in Houston history.

Following a wildly enthusiastic welcome downtown, Roosevelt boarded a private yacht at the ship channel for the short cruise to the San Jacinto battleground. Accompanying the president were Gov. James V. Allred, U.S. Senators Tom Connally and Morris Sheppard, ex-governor William P. Hobby, Democratic Party power broker Jesse Jones, Congressman Joe Eagle and Houston mayor Oscar Holcombe.

The commander-in-chief saluted the 800 soldiers from Fort Crockett in Galveston along the road to the site of the final showdown with the Santa Anna. Twenty-eight thousand Texans, who had stood for hours in the blazing summer sun, burst into cheers and applause at the sight of the presidential procession.

The Rolls Royce convertible with the guest of honor drove up the ramp of a huge platform built for the occasion. This ingenious arrangement made it possible for the paraplegic politician to speak from the car without walking or climbing stairs in public.

"We love you for what you are," Gov. Allred said in his gushy introduction. "You have brought happiness to millions of people. We bid you welcome, Great Leader."

But Jesse Jones could not resist pointing out that Roosevelt was the first chief executive of his party ever to come to Houston. Even though Texas had voted Democratic in 19 out of 20 presidential elections since statehood, only Republicans (Grant, Benjamin Harrison, McKinley and Taft) had bothered to pay their respects in their person.

FDR paused in his praise of the San Jacinto victors to acknowledge the presence of Sam Houston's 81 year old son. "It is a special pleasure to meet Mr. Andrew Jackson Houston. I am proud to know that my father knew your father. I shall always remember how my father used to tell me that, when he was a very young man, he was sent to Washington by his law office to carry papers to Senator Houston."

After two action-packed hours in Houston, the president climbed back on his special train and headed for San Antonio. That afternoon following the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at the Alamo, he declared, "I welcome the opportunity to pay my small tribute to the heroes who laid down their lives 100 years ago in order that Texas might become, first, an independent nation and later a mighty state in our union."

It was late in the day, when Roosevelt reached Austin. But he made the most of the whistle-stop by giving John Nance Garner, the vice-president from Texas, a rhetorical pat on the back and flipping a switch that set off a dynamite charge to break ground for new construction on the University of Texas campus.

Day Two was spent in Dallas, where FDR was again greeted by a record turnout. The three-mile route from the business district to the Centennial Exposition was packed with 300,000 to 400,000 men, women and children in a city with a population of 260,000.

A remarkable thing, at least by present-day standards, happened as the president rode past the county jail. When the inmates shouted and waved through the bars, Roosevelt flashed his familiar smile and waved right back.

Mounted Texas Rangers met the motorcade at the front gate of the Centennial and cleared the way to Cotton Bowl, where a capacity crowd of 50,000 patiently waited in the 95-degree heat. In a half-hour address broadcast live across the country, FDR said, "I have come here to bear the tribute of the nation to you on your hundredth birthday. You are a hundred years young!

"With the return of better days," for which the incumbent naturally took credit, "we have witnessed three great expositions: the Century of Progress in Chicago, the California International Exposition in San Diego and this fine exposition commemorating the centenary of the independence of Texas. May you have all the luck you deserve."

Luck was something Franklin Roosevelt definitely did not need that November, when he carried Texas and 45 other states to win a second term in a no-contest with Republican Alf Landon.

Bartee welcomes your comments and questions at barteehaile@gmail.com or P.O. Box 130011, Spring, TX 77393 and invites you to visit his web site at barteehaile.com.
The 2017 regular session of the Texas Legislature was an ugly setback for the Lone Star State (a special session has been set for July 18).

Under the toxic sway of Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks extremist cultural agenda, lawmakers battled over social issues and a bold misdirection gambit on property taxes, leaving the needs of the states public school students unmet.

While playing hardball for the lieutenant governors priorities, the Patrick-led Senate callously guaranteed that public education was shortchanged.

In a news conference during the sessions final weekend, House Speaker Joe Straus sized up the situation accurately, saying, Its absurd that bathroom bills have taken greater urgency than fixing our school finance system.

The bathroom battle stemmed from Patricks demand that transgender Texans not be allowed to use the bathroom of their choice in government buildings and schools, but instead be restricted to the bathroom designated for the gender assigned on their birth certificate.

This was a key issue for Patricks social conservative bloc of lawmakers even as the move threatened the state economically. Patricks preferred law could cost the state significantly in lost conventions, sporting events and other tourism because of its transparent bias and hostility toward transgendered people.

The House passed a highly diluted version that didnt suit Patrick, leaving the issue pending at the end of the regular session.

Meanwhile, Team Patrick demanded legislation to limit the amount of revenue cities and counties could reap from rising property valuations. Local governments were opposed for obvious reasons.

And lawmakers targeted cities and counties while ignoring the fact that more than half of local property taxes are school taxes, which have grown because the state is shirking more and more of its responsibility to fund public education.

Patrick and his allies postured about providing tax property relief at the expense of local governments while passing legislation that shifted more of the public school burden on local property taxpayers.

The state takes an increasing amount of local property tax revenues and redistributes the funds while providing less state funding.

In an analysis of the $217 billion budget for the fiscal 2018-19 biennium, Eva DeLuna Castro, a budget expert for the progressive Center for Public Policy Priorities, wrote, There is basically no additional funding for public education from the state budget which means local property taxpayers will continue to foot well over half of the bill for public schools.

The Senates property tax sleight of hand was astounding.

Reacting to a Texas Supreme Court ruling that the states school finance system is constitutional but also a problem-plagued mess, the House attempted to address school finance inadequacies with a bill that would have added $1.5 billion in state funds to public education.

The Senate tried to force a school voucher plan down the Houses throat with an amendment to the finance bill. Vouchers were another Patrick priority. The House, which already had objected to broader voucher legislation, opted to let the bill die.

Castro wrote, Remember that as the Texas population grows rapidly so does the number of students enrolled in public school, to give just one example. So keeping overall spending flat is actually a significant cut to investments.

Texas has more than 5.2 million public school students, according to the Texas Education Agency. Enrollment grew 1.3 percent in the 2015-16 school year. Over a 10-year period the enrollment increase has totaled 17 percent.

While the House wanted to spend $2.5 billion from the states so-called rainy day fund, the Senate resisted, preferring instead to delay payments through a budget gimmick that would begin digging a hole for the next biennium.

In the end, Castro noted, less than $1 billion was spent from the states savings account despite the fact that about $11 billion is projected to be in the fund at the end of the next biennium.

Texas can do more for public school students, and the states miserly approach will spell trouble for the states economy in the long run. Fortunately, Gov. Greg Abbott added school finance to a special session call.

bwdavidson75@gmail.com
Bright young people, given the opportunity, will jump into murky waters.

Experience  humanitys most unforgiving teacher  has shown us that a bunch of those bright young people will get hurt.

Last week, it was reported that Harvard University rescinded admissions offers to at least 10 prospective students after the students were linked to offensive memes on Facebook.

And, just to be clear, this turn of events went down recently  not several years ago, when the realities of stuff going viral were vague caveats.

The Harvard Crimson, the nations oldest continuously published college newspaper, reported that a few students had formed a private Facebook group called Harvard memes for horny bourgeois teens. The Crimson reported that on screen shots it obtained of the chat, participants traded memes that joked about the Holocaust, sexual assault and the hypothetical hanging of a Mexican child, labeling it pinata time.

As a result  reported the school paper thats been reporting since 1873  several students with the smarts and strong enough applications to get accepted to Harvard were told in April they were no longer welcome at the university.

At the risk of sounding like an old goat waving a Harvard pennant while sporting a raccoon coat, let me be the first to say, Go Harvard. I didnt study at Harvard  I only stopped by the bookstore to buy a T-shirt  but I can say with certainty that there is nothing clever, edgy or even amusing about posting goofy, offensive memes.

And this has nothing to do with free speech, because while one can spout whatever trash one wants to at will, its been made clear that one has to be smart enough to read the room. One doesnt need to go to Harvard to see that, either.

Its understandable how this kind of thing happens. There must be some kind of headiness that comes with getting an acceptance letter from the oldest institution of higher education in the country. Youthful hubris burns hot when you are standing at the front door of what looks like an even brighter future. And social media has given every one of us little people the power to say what the giants have been saying in books, the radio, the television and, of course, online.

That, combined with our enviable first-world, participation-trophy culture, might have been the chorus that prompted those bright young people to dive. Derailment happens to young people everywhere, not because they are dim, but because they are young.

Harvard itself, however, isnt new to this; it was established in 1636. That means that it is older than radio, television, cable, mobile phones and the internet. It survived the American Revolution, the Civil War and the two world wars. If there is a place that can figure out how to help the world catch up to the social media blitz it was clearly not ready to harness, its the place where Facebook was born.

Its been through tougher things. Its been around since before Ben Franklin.

Those kids  and they are kids  who were not allowed to go to Harvard after all will recover. Theyll have learned something, hopefully, and will have helped experience teach others like them.

Meanwhile, Harvard has some work to do.

mariaanglin@yahoo.com
Gov. Greg Abbott has called a special session for July so lawmakers can duke it out over the pressing issues of which public bathrooms transgender people can use and how best to stick it to cities and urban counties.

We agree with the governor on at least one point. A special session should never have been needed. Lawmakers had plenty of time to address school finance and pass a sunset bill to keep a number of key government agencies open for business. But Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick sunk the sunset bill as leverage to force this special session for his priorities: bathrooms, and capping city and county property tax revenues.

Abbotts list speaks for itself. Of the 20 items he has named for the special session, few have public value or are worth the estimated $1 million the summer session will cost the public. The sunset bill and school finance reform are necessary  but only because of legislative malpractice in the regular session. Raising teacher pay is commendable. The balance is a regressive cocktail of unnecessary controversy.

The return of the bathroom bill stands out in this regard since it demonizes the transgender community, threatens Texas convention and tourism industry, and is a glaring example of a solution in search of a problem. San Antonio officials have estimated it could cost the region $412 million in annual spending  and maybe the 2018 NCAA Mens Final Four.

Patrick has sought to regulate which public bathrooms transgender people use, similar to controversial legislation in North Carolina. But that law sparked massive economic boycotts. House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, repeatedly said in the regular session that bathroom legislation is not a priority for him and cited economic concerns.

To avoid the economic hit, House Republicans put forth a bill in the regular session that would have focused solely on bathrooms in public schools. We understand the political rationale for such a watered-down bill, but this isnt worthy of compromise. Bathroom legislation demonizes a vulnerable group of people and stokes false fears for political gain. Just on principle, why accommodate it in any form?

Anti-annexation legislation is coming back, too  like a monster in a horror movie that just cant be put down. During the regular session, Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, championed legislation that would give residents the right to vote on annexation. Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, killed it with a filibuster.

The rationale behind Campbells legislation is understandable. Residents chose to live beyond the city limits and should have a say in whether they join a city. Many view annexation as a municipal revenue grab that will lead to higher taxes. But this view ignores the messy reality of sprawl. Many people outside the city drive on city roads, use the citys airport and play at city parks  all without paying city taxes.

Annexation is just a tool. It has value, which is why Campbell grandfathered the recent Converse-San Antonio annexation plan into her regular session legislation. Its also why area military installations opposed Campbells legislation, citing concerns that unmitigated growth could jeopardize their missions.

The attacks on cities and urban counties dont stop with anti-annexation legislation. The fight over capping city and county property tax revenues will resume. Supporters call this property tax reform, but this is misleading. Schools are the main drivers of property taxes, not cities and counties.

Abbott also wants caps on local and state government spending and an end to tree preservation ordinances. There is more anti-abortion legislation, and he wants legislation to provide vouchers to special needs students even though few private schools can provide adequate care. Abbott wants prohibitions on union dues being deducted from government paychecks, but police and fire unions would be exempt. Huh? This amounts to picking winners and losers among unions.

Abbott also wants tougher penalties on mail-in voter fraud. This at least identifies a type of voter fraud that does exist. In-person voter impersonation virtually does not, yet it is the stated reason for the states voter ID law.

None of these topics warrants a special session.

Lawmakers will have to pass the sunset bill before they can tackle these other issues. That opens the door for moderate lawmakers in the Straus camp to prioritize the substantive issues, such as school finance, and play defense on bad legislation Patrick has prioritized.

That was the dynamic in the regular session, a session unremarkable save for how mean-spirited it was. This special session promises to repeat that feat.
He talked a lot. He took some big hits. Maybe it wasnt all Parkinsons. Vietnam and politics may have downed the country, but neither kept him on the canvas. Frazier and Foreman awaited.

Picture a boxer skipping rope, a simple routine that is beautiful. Now replace him with Ali. Hear rope tapping rope, whipping the air. Watch the crossovers, the upright posture and sculpted body, the dancing feet and concentration. Magnificent.

The ancient Greeks would have been in near hysteria. Even Socrates, at least momentarily, would have marveled. To them, the full life was rich in health, strength, beauty, passion, means, adventure and thought. Ali had them all.

Ali died about a year ago. The Greeks didnt know what they missed. We know our loss. But, put another way, we were, for a time, lucky to experience greatness.

And thats the best kind of luck.

Tom McNair, San Marcos

The blame game

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick traveled through San Antonio recently, promoting his intention to have a special session.

He blamed the House  and Speaker Joe Straus  for not following his lead into the darkness of intolerance and bigotry. However, Gov. Greg Abbott did his bidding, as he always does, and called the special session so Patrick can get his bathroom bill.

Jesse Ortiz

Offensive photo

Re: Trump blasts comic for severed head video, Nation & World, June 1:

Daily, I read about hate crimes and bullying. So what do we call scaring the hell out of an 11-year-old with a photo of comedian Kathy Griffin holding what appears to be the blood-covered head of his father?

Excusing this with her apology is unacceptable. During the photo shoot, she stated that she would have to go to Mexico if this went viral. It has. Adios.

Mike Colley, Universal City

Target on Trump

President Donald Trump had an excellent trip to the Middle East and Europe, meeting with religious and political leaders to promote peace and accord. He and Melania represented the U.S. in a classy, dignified and understanding manner.

Your coverage May 28 ignored his great speech at the military base in Sicily just before he departed from Europe. Your only coverage dealt with the pope and his extremist views on climate change.

This is just one example of your extreme liberal bias and determination to destroy President Trump. You have lots of help from the New York Times and the Washington Post with the left-wing views and biased columnists.

Carol Glanville

Head in sand

U.S. Rep Lamar Smith has the notion that it is unnecessary to read the fake news or see it on TV. To get the true facts, we should listen to him and our president.

No longer will I need to believe my lying eyes that there were not 1.5 million people present at the inauguration, and we can believe our oil producer friends that the global warming that we cause is phony.

Once the border wall is built and paid for by the Mexicans, and we remove the 11 million illegal immigrants from our country, along with their U.S.-born children, everything will be well with the world.

Gene Toscano

Respect for military

Re: Civilian-military divide is growing; Smaller segment of the citizenry is tied to service, front page, May 25:

Part of the problem is that only a tiny portion of our political leaders have served in the military, and the number declines each year. I would venture to say that most of them lack the slightest clue about the military.

And yet these are the politicians who make policies and decisions about military size, funding, benefits and the deployment of units into harms way.

President Barack Obama and his administration had little use for the military, openly regarding it with disdain. He never served in the military, unless you include community organizing in Chicago, a city that genuinely qualifies as a war zone.

President Donald Trump never served in the military, either, but at least he has a high regard for the military. Its still too early to tell what he plans to do for the military. Hes been president for barely five months, so he needs a little more time, but I have high expectations.

Meanwhile, as a friend recently remarked, at least we have the Rolling Thunder motorcyclists who still appreciate military veterans for their service and sacrifice.

Donald A. Smith

Parents to blame

Re: A blind eye, Your Turn, May 30:

I agree that a well-fed child is a better student for many reasons. What I disagree with is give us a tax. Since substantially more than 50 percent of my yearly tax bill is spent on the school budgets of the area and I am also retired and on a pension, I oppose any more taxes.

But, more important, shouldnt the parents of these children be feeding them and helping them with their studies? When I grew up in the inner city, my mother always made sure my brother and I had breakfast before school, even if it was just a couple of slices of toast with peanut butter.

I dont believe it is written anywhere that the taxpayers must feed your children along with providing them with an education.

As far as kids being shamed in a school lunchroom, again it is the parents who are responsible. I was taught never to make fun of someone less fortunate than me and to share if I could. Apparently, these lessons are no longer taught to children by their parents. What a shame!

Paul Ottavio
Yves here. Rejecting environmental progress has been bad business as well as bad for Americans health and well-being. For instance, the Big Three automakers fought higher fuel efficiency standards designed to reduce pollution. Europe and other economies, by contrast, embraced them. That enabled European manufactures to gain share globally by having cars that were cheaper to operate as well as more environmentally friendly.

By James K. Boyce, who teaches economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is the 2017 recipient of the Leontief Prize for Advancing the Frontiers of Economic Thought. Originally published at the Institute for New Economic Thinking website

The alarm that greeted President Donald Trumps announcement that the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris climate accord was an overreaction in one respect. The pace at which the world moves away from fossil fuels wont, in fact, be greatly affected. The other countries that together now account for 85% of carbon emissions will not change course even if the U.S. drags its heels. In another respect, however, Trumps latest proclamation is truly alarming: in what it means for Americas economy.

The U.S. joins Syria and Nicaragua as the only countries in the world that are not parties to the Paris accord. Syrias absence stems from the fact that the country is in a horrific civil war and its leaders are under international sanctions. Nicaragua refused to sign not because it considered the accord too onerous, but because it didnt go far enough to combat climate change.

Oddly, Trump echoed Nicaraguas position when he said the accord would reduce global temperatures by only 0.2 degrees Celsius in 2100, calling this a tiny, tiny amount. His main rationale for pulling out, however, was not the modesty of the accords benefits. Instead it was the draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes on the U.S. Never mind that the agreement imposes nothing: All commitments under the Paris accord are voluntary and non-binding, and each countrys policies can be changed at will.

Trump asserted that the onerous energy restrictions it has placed on the United States could cost America as much as 2.7 million lost jobs by 2025. His source for this claim was a report by a Washington, DC consulting firm called National Economic Research Associates. In a footnote, the report acknowledges two omissions: First, it does not take into account potential benefits from avoided emissions, and second, it does not take into account yet to be developed technologies but instead is based on current technology costs and availability.

Both limitations have huge economic implications. Assuming zero technological change means ignoring the rapidly plummeting costs of renewable energy. And the motivation for pro-active climate policy is precisely to secure the non-trivial benefits of avoided emissions, like keeping Miami above water. A side benefit, also far from trivial, is cleaner air: The Obama administrations Clean Power Plan would have generated health benefits for Americans valued at $29 billion per year by 2020.

A third major omission is that the report does not take into account robust job creation in energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors. The U.S. coal industry today employs roughly 76,000 workers; the solar industry employs more than 250,000. As my colleagues Robert Pollin and Heidi Garrett-Peltier have documented, investments in energy efficiency and renewables yield substantially more jobs per dollar than spending on fossil fuels. At the same time, far from writing off coal miners and other fossil fuel workers as collateral damage of the energy revolution, they and others advocate just transition policies for their re-employment and pension guarantees.

The draconian financial burden called out by Trump is the UNs Green Climate Fund, which he claimed is costing the United States a vast fortune. National contributions to the fund are strictly voluntary. The U.S. has pledged $3 billion  less than $10 per American  a tiny, tiny amount, one could say, compared to climate adaptation needs in vulnerable countries. Sweden has pledged six times as much per person.

Trumps announcement will have little effect on the pace of the worlds transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. As before, all other countries (apart from Syria) remain committed to the Paris accord or stronger measures (as in Nicaraguas case). China is investing heavily in solar, wind and energy conservation, and starting to scrap plans for new coal plants. India, too, is canceling coal plants because they can no longer compete with cheaper solar power. In the US, Trump is moving in the opposite direction: before withdrawing from Paris, his administration decided to scrap the Clean Power Plan and other Obama-era initiatives.

The good news is that within the U.S., many remain committed to cutting carbon emissions. California, the worlds sixth largest economy, is proposing to extend its cap-and-trade program beyond 2020 by setting one of the highest carbon prices in the world and rebating the revenue directly to its people as carbon dividends. A dozen states that together account for 36% of U.S. GDP, including California, New York, Washington, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Virginia, have entered into a U.S. Climate Alliance committed to meeting or exceeding the Obama administrations goals. Major cities, along with corporations that compete in the global marketplace, have announced similar plans.

Still, Trumps announcement will handicap the US economy in the energy revolution that promises to be the defining technological breakthrough of the 21st century. Forsaking national movement toward energy efficiency and clean energy means foregoing opportunities for both cost savings and job creation. Compare this to the picture a century ago, when the U.S. pioneered the transition from horses to automobiles, averting the specter of cities drowning in manure. It is as if, today, the world was moving to automobiles while the U.S. was sticking resolutely to its horses.

For the American economy, this is a recipe for global non-competitiveness. Moreover, as other countries forge ahead in the energy revolution, Trumps policies expose U.S. exports to the risk of carbon sanctions.

Within the U.S. economy, those states, cities and businesses that persevere in the energy revolution will fare better than those that lag behind. Over time, this divergence will further widen the economic inequalities that are tearing American society apart.

The world energy revolution train has already left the station. It started late and its running behind schedule, but its gathering steam. Trumps announcement does not alter this reality. His policies will merely relegate the U.S. to the caboose. In the name of America first, hes really putting America last.
On Thursday, April 6, five students from Transition Year at Scoil Ruain in Killenaule, headed off with The Hope Foundations Schools Immersion Programme to Kolkata India for a seven-day trip to work with the children of the streets and slums in the city.

The girls, Eimear Lanigan, Katie OFlynn, Chloe Griffin, Sally Nagle and Meibh Maher along with Siobhan Tobin and her sister Fiona Downey had rasied the massive sum of 24,000 outside of school time for the Hope Foundation.

They joined many other schools in Dublin airport and headed off.

The trip was an amazing experience for all concerned. The emotional impact of both the poverty and the deprivation was immense. Kolkata, a city the size of Dublin, is home to over 17 million people, many of whom live in a state of dire poverty on a scale we here in Ireland cannot comprehend.

The School Immersion programme is hugely successful due in no small part to the amazing generosity of so many people.

These young teenagers are the adults of tomorrow and involvement in this programme creates compassionate, kind, caring and considerate global citizens.

This is the second year Scoil Ruain has participated in the programme. The girls and their parents, the accompanying adult leaders and all in The Hope Foundation thank everyone who contributes to their fundraising in any way. All support given was greatly appreciated.
(Natural News) If you are planning a trip to Indonesia, better watch out for the monkey mafia roaming around the Uluwatu Temple in Bali. These cheeky little monkeys are among the worlds best pickpockets. They grab glasses, cameras, and cash from tourists which they then try to sell for some food to other people. Pretty genius and effective of them. A hat for a cracker is a sweet deal for a monkey.

Researchers from the University of Liege in Belgium were the first to study this cultural behavior among animals. Their findings were recently published in the journal Primates. They believe these monkeys have developed amazing cognitive abilities, similar to humans, the Daily Mail Online reported.

The monkeys were always trying to steal my hat, my pen, even my research data, said primatologist Fany Brotcorne who led the study.

Dr. Brotcorne explained that these primates are able to learn by watching one another. This once again shows how small the barriers between us and other nonhuman animals are. These findings add more weight to the evidence that humans are not the only conscious living things on our planet, although many of us like to think so.

We see ourselves as unique in the natural world, sometimes forgetting there are other sentient creatures who are on a path to greater consciousness as well, wrote Christina Sarich for the Waking times.

Yes, animals think, feel empathy, and have consciousness

In a landmark book titled Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel Carl Safina, a marine conservationist and professor at Stony Brook University on Long Island, offers a unique view on animal behavior that challenges the scientific orthodoxy. His views on the similarity between human and nonhuman consciousness, self-awareness, and empathy lead us to re-evaluate how we interact with other animals.

He wrote: There is in nature an overriding sanity and often, in humankind, an undermining insanity. We, among all animals, are most frequently irrational, distortional, delusional, worried.

Competition is the law of the jungle. Only the strong and smart survive. Footage of animals learning to use tools to their advantage or show empathy is nothing new to the natural world. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that these monkeys have mastered the skill of picking someones pocket in return for food. Whats more, they have been doing this for years, passing this handy skill from one generation to another. Never underestimate the brain of animals.

Free monkey market capitalism  could we learn something here?

Unlike humans, these monkeys, however, have not learned that stealing is wrong. They provide goods and youll give them food in return. Nature is a free market, right? Though there is some room for improvement, their economic and social system is working just fine without any government interference. Could we learn something from the free market capitalism of these monkeys?

Just like these monkeys, humans are in an excellent position to collaborate and build social and economic orders based on cooperation rather than violent exploitation by governments and multinationals. Though there are a few reasons why our free market system is broken  with government interfere and irrational decisions of people playing key roles  some researchers believe free market capitalism, not government control, can make health care, among other things, more affordable and efficient.

According to these researchers, there is only one way to create more affordable health care: Get rid of government control and consolidation of physician services while creating more competition in the marketplace. Many believe this is an idea that would not only work to improve health care but the entire economy.

A free economic and political system in which a countrys health system, trade, and industries are controlled by open markets and consumers, rather than by governments, price-setting monopolies, or other authorities, is a system we should all strive for. Dont you think?

Sources:

DailyMail.co.uk

WakingTimes.com

RD.Springer.comPDF

NaturalNews.com

NYTimes.com
Civil rights advocates are calling for swift sanctions against a San Francisco police officer after an NBC Bay Area hidden camera investigation showed the officer threatening to deport a group of minorities.

Friday, the FREE SF Coalition called for Police Chief William Scott to discipline officer Joshua Fry alleging the officer violated San Franciscos Sanctuary City policy.

"We are deeply disturbed by the recent undercover video that captured an SFPD officer threatening a group of Latino and Asian people with deportation, the group said in a Statement. That an SFPD officer racially profiled and threatened people of color with deportation in perhaps the most well-known sanctuary city is shameful and an affront to our deepest values. Authorities must treat all people fairly, regardless of their background, where they were born, what they look like.

In February, the NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit went undercover to expose a black market for stolen items on the corner of 7th and Market streets. Our cameras were rolling when Officer Joshua Fry arrived in plainclothes and confronted a crowd of Asian and Hispanic men.

You know why people steal stuff? Its because people like you come down here and buy their [expletive] all day long, Fry said to the group. "Wait til we get INS [Immigration and Naturalization Service] involved in here too, it's going to be awesome. We're going to ship everybody back to their own country."

SFPD policy prohibits officers from working with federal immigration officials. Earlier this week, the Asian Law Caucus filed a complaint with the Department of Police Accountability condemning frys comments.

Officer fry declined to comment for our report. S-f-p-d confirmed the case is under internal investigation.

If you have a tip for Vicky Nguyen about this or any other story, you can email her directly at vicky@nbcbayarea.com or you can email theunit@nbcbayarea.com or call 888-996-TIPS.

Follow Vicky Nguyen on Twitter www.twitter.com/VickyNguyenTV and Facebookwww.facebook.com/VickyNguyenTV

 Click here to submit tips online
When a suspect pushed past an older man in Horton Plaza and tried to carjack him, two good Samaritans rushed to help the victim.

I didnt know what was going on. I just saw the old man get hurt and it just kind of kicked in," said Jay Berard, one of the men who ran to help during the incident Thursday night.

Berard was walking when he saw a car door flailing open in the distance. He wasn't sure what was happening at first, but soon realized it was an attempted robbery.

Aaron Logan, a concierge at the Sofia Hotel, said he was helping a customer when he heard a loud noise and the screeching of tires.

My adrenaline kicked in, said Logan.

He said he sprinted out of the hotel, ran across the road near Broadway and Front Street and stopped just feet away from a car crash.

They were hanging out the door. Doors were wide open. The drivers side door was wide open, and theyre doing doughnuts and theyre about to fall out the car," Logan told NBC 7.

Sean McNally, 31, suspected of an attempted carjacking in downtown San Diego, was taken into custody at Harbor Drive and Market Street, with the help of those two men, San Diego police (SDPD) said.

At 10:14 p.m. on the 100 block of West Broadway, the suspect tried to carjack the victim who was standing outside of his SUV. McNally pushed past him and got into his vehicle.

As they struggled, both the victim and the suspect ended up in the driver's seat and started driving away, said police. The vehicle spun wildly across the intersection, hit a tree and then came to a complete halt when it hit a lamp post, according to police.

"I asked the old man, 'Is he trying to jack your car?'" Logan said. "He said, 'Go get him.' So I went and got him."

Once the car stopped, the suspect jumped out of the car and ran away. Logan and Berard chased McNally from Broadway down to Seaport Village. Logan tackled him and then they pinned McNally while waited for authorities.

San Diego Police Robbery Detectives are investigating this crime. Anyone with information can call police or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
A 13-year-old boy in Millbrae, California, was injured after a knife-wielding man stabbed him outside a public library on Friday, in what police are saying was an unprovoked attack.



Police said a 44-year-old man from South San Francisco approached the teen, who had just finished the final day of classes at nearby Taylor Middle School, and began randomly attacking him with a four-inch pocket knife in front of the library.



"Once the kid was stabbed, obviously he was afraid, he was panicking so as he was doing so, he was moving around a lot," San Mateo County Sheriff's Office spokesman Sal Zuno said Friday.

The boy suffered multiple stab wounds on both of his arms and was taken to a hospital, police said. He is expected to recover.



Deputies were on scene seconds after the 911 call. They took the suspect into custody, police said. The suspect was taken to San Mateo County Jail in Redwood City, but authorities did not release his name. He has been charged with willful injury to a child and attempted murder, police announced Saturday.



Officers thanked the middle schooler's friends who helped him after he ran inside the library following the attack.



"After the attack, his friends did not leave his side," Zuno said Friday. "His friends actually gathered him and rushed him inside into the bathroom so his friends acted very bravely."

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

CORRECTION (June 10, 2017, 4:20 p.m. PST): Police originally stated that the suspect was 40 years old. They have since clarified and said he is 44 years old.


Attention and tension is building as two battling political groups plan to converge on Santa Clara Saturday and hold demonstrations right across the street from each other.

NBC Bay Area was first to report about the protest march by the group Act for America, scheduled near the Santana Row Shopping Center.

Act for America has been labeled an anti-Muslim hate group, a description the group emphatically denies.

The group said it is protesting parts of Muslim law, which it said leads to abuse of women. But the nation's largest Muslim American group, CAIR, said the march is really to promote hate. CAIR, along with 75 other community groups, will stage a counter protest against Act for America.

More than 100 organizations sent letters to the mayors of the 29 cities where marches are planned. The letters request mayors to "disavow" the marches.

Santa Clara and San Jose police are boosting staff and said they will monitor the events to prevent confrontations and violence.

Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor provided the following statement:

In the wake of recent events happening locally, nationally, and internationally, we, at the City of Santa Clara, would like to reassure our community that we stand in solidarity with those who have been the targets of discrimination and bigotry.

The City of Santa Clara strongly opposes all forms of discrimination and will not tolerate hate crimes. It is the commitment of the City of Santa Clara that it does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation.

The City of Santa Clara is devoted to promoting the public health and welfare of all who live and work in our city, and has policies in place to protect and safeguard the right and opportunity of all persons to be free from arbitrary discrimination. The Santa Clara Police Department is dedicated to the highest professional standards when investigating hate crimes to ensure that offenders are held fully responsible for their actions.

Our community is stronger and united when each person is treated equitably, and we will remain committed to ensure that everyone will be accorded with equal civil rights and civil liberties.
On June 21, the City of San Francisco will be hosting a free 50th anniversary Summer of Love Concert. 7x7 reported that the event will take place in Golden Gate Park and host a show packed with groovy music and psychedelic lights.

The road to this celebration hasnt been easy though. Permits have previously blocked the 1967 commemoration. Aspiring sponsor Boots Hughston had been denied twice by Rec and Park, being told that the concert failed to meet park protection expectations, according to SF Gate.

Now though, the San Francisco Rec and Park are hosting their own event called Surrealistic Summer Solstice. Listed on Eventbrite, it has been announced that individuals from Jefferson Airplane, ALO, and The Chamber Brothers will assist in reviving the summer of 1967.

Along with these artists, the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park will unveil a seasonal light installation. This art piece will run through October and create a spectacle overflowing with flowers and dancing lights. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that this piece was put together by Ben Davis of the company Illuminate. This business works to highlight the best of the San Francisco with surreal light projections. Guests will be able to enjoy the colorful creation for the first time when attending Surrealistic Summer Solstice.

While jamming out to some counterculture tunes, attendees will also have the chance to grab dinner from Off the Grid food trucks. With a variety of flavors to choose from, all guests are sure to find inner peace after chowing down.

Anticipation for a Summer of Love festival has been rumbling through the Bay for months now, leaving Surrealistic Summer Solstice already sold out. If unable to reserve a spot, take a look at the array of other events the Bay is hosting. More options to celebrate the summers 50th anniversary can be found on San Francisco Travel.

For more information on Surrealistic Summer Solstice, visit Eventbrite.
Police shot a suspect Friday night in Brentwood, according to police.



The shooting occurred at 9:48 p.m. along the 500 block of Birchwood Road, Lt. Tim Herbert said.

Another suspect suffered injuries that were not gunshot wounds. Both suspects were taken to a hospital and both were still alive Saturday morning, according to Herbert. No police officers were injured.

Witnesses reported hearing at least five gunshots during the incident.

"There was lots of shooting," witness Jentry Meza said. That's the first thing that occurred. And then after that, I heard [a] screeching noise and the car [crashed] into the building. It was like a huge, huge crash."

Images from the scene captured a car that had smashed into the front of a home in the vicinity of where the shooting took place.

Further information was not available.


The 22-year-old woman who authorities say shoved her 5-year-old daughter out of her car on a San Francisco street corner, and then sped off, denied the charges Friday and was ordered held on $100,000 bail.

Samantha Patton repeatedly shook her head in court Friday afternoon when she heard authorities recount the alleged details surrounding the single felony charge of child endangerment  a count she formally denied, by pleading not guilty.

Her attorney at the hearing, Jo-Anna Nieves, declined to comment outside court, but she urged San Francisco Superior Court Judge Sharon Reardon to release Patton on her own recognizance. She said was about start a new job, had long lived in the city and had no violent criminal history.

But prosecutor Supriya Perry told the court that Patton had a misdemeanor shoplifting conviction and was investigated in 2013 for felony child cruelty in Georgia without being charged. Perry cited the callous nature of the allegation, saying that the child told authorities that Patton didnt want to be her mommy anymore.

The court does have public safety concerns, Judge Reardon said in ordering bail increased from $75,000 to $100,000. She cited Pattons prior run-ins with the law as well as her having lived out of state in Georgia and Arkansas as evidence that she posed public safety and flight risks.

In arguing for higher bail, Assistant District Attorney Perry provided the most detailed account of what allegedly occurred on Monday evening. Perry said witnesses recounted that they saw a car and heard a woman screaming Get out! Get out! at the young girl near the city zoo at Sloat Boulevard and Great Highway.

She shoved the 5-year-old out of the car, Perry told the court. The victims head hit the asphalt and she landed on her back. The girl suffered no apparent injury.

Perry said witnesses, including two city paramedics, also reported seeing the driver toss out objects from the car and then drive over them as she sped off, narrowly missing parked cars. The defendant drove away recklessly, Perry said.

It was then that the medics and bystanders came to the childs assistance.

There was apparently nobody to take care of this child, Perry told the judge.

Another child, her 1 year old son, was still in the car. The boys father, who was spotted leaving the area on a skateboard shortly before the incident, was soon found and led investigators to where the boy was being cared for by a babysitter in Oakland.

He declined comment from outside court on Friday.

Both children are now with Child Protective Services and prosecutors say they are arranging for family members to care for them.
Police are searching for a woman posing as a substitute teacher and stealing purses and other items from schools in the South Bay.

The thefts have occurred in at least two schools, police said, adding the suspect may have been arrested earlier this year for similar crimes.

In the Santa Clara Unified School District, they call her the Birkenstock bandit. Police said earlier this year a woman was arrested for posing as a substitute teacher, walking into schools in Santa Clara and stealing various items.

Now police in San Jose are trying to figure out if surveillance images show the same suspect committing the same crime recently at Montgomery Elementary.

"We had a woman show up at Montgomery School and she was claiming to be a sub, and she sat in the office for a short time," Evergreen School District spokesman Charles Crosby said.

The district said the woman stole a staff member's purse with cell phone and credit cards inside. The school called police, who labeled the alleged crime a petty theft.

"It's unfortunate, but you look at how much more it could have been," Crosby said. "And we're glad protocols are in place to make sure it was limited to a minor theft."

A similar incident also recently occur ed at Dorsa Elementary in the Alum Rock School District.

Teachers said images of the so-called Birkenstock bandit appear to fit the description of the suspect in the new thefts.

Teachers at Dorsa Elementary said they did figure out something was wrong and escorted the woman off campus. The district said the suspect did not take anything, but sources tell NBC Bay Area the woman did manage to get a hold of a set of school keys.

Parents question why it appears to be so easy for an unknown woman to get onto at least four school campuses.

The district said they do have protocols in place. Specifically, all staff are told that anytime anyone shows up on campus who is not a known staff member, they are escorted to the office immediately.

It is unclear if the schools are re-examining the policy in the wake of these incidents.
Summary

If the devil is in the details, then war is particularly devilish because, for all its cruel drama, its a study in the mundane. Understanding war requires an understanding of things like supply lines, logistics, transportation, provisions, military hardware, command and control structures, and the like. Even the best and bravest soldiers in the world will have a hard time winning a war if they dont have food or ammunition or reliable communication or any other instrument of war.

It is with that in mind that we assess North Korea. As Pyongyang, Washington and other regional players prepare for the prospect of war, North Koreas nuclear program and ballistic missile capabilities have received undue amounts of attention. Important though they may be, they have less bearing on how the war will be fought than does North Koreas conventional military. It boasts a large arsenal of weapons, and a lot of soldiers available to man them, but it is old and decrepit, outmatched in nearly every respect by that of its enemies. In fact, North Koreas inability to keep up militarily with South Korea and the United States is what prompted the pursuit of a nuclear deterrent in the first place.

Weve written about what a first strike would look like in the event nuclear deterrence didnt do what it was supposed to: deter an attack. This deep dive, in some respects, is an extension of that analysis. It will focus on North Koreas military hardware, the size of its armed forces, the way it is structured and commanded, and what kind of war all these things will entail.

Introduction

The next Korean war will be informed by the first, which started in 1950 and technically never ended. That war, however, was fought in a very different world. The Cold War had just begun, and Stalin encouraged Kim Il Sung to proceed with his invasion of the South. It was a low-cost maneuver for the Soviet Union to expand its sphere of influence, and North Korea didnt believe that South Korea was important enough to the United States for Washington to intervene. It was a miscalculation by both; the United States, still formalizing its policy of containment, was unwilling to let the Soviets dominate the Korean Peninsula.

It would not be the only miscalculation made in the war. After Gen. Douglas MacArthur landed at Incheon, he pushed north toward China instead of establishing a defensive line at the neck of the peninsula, threatening China in the process.

Washington also misunderstood Chinas willingness to join the fray. It had, after all, just undergone a communist revolution of its own and was trying to manage domestic unrest. But join the war Beijing did, and for reasons consistent with its geopolitical imperatives: It wanted to prevent its own encirclement, much as it had done for millennia. It was not about to let a U.S. contingent amass on its border. China caught the United States off guard when it crossed the Yalu River in October 1950, and in doing so transformed the war from a war of mobility to one of stalemate.

Both sides learned valuable lessons. North Korea came to believe that the United States was a dangerous, irrational actor whose international moves could not be predicted. The United States learned that there are lines on the Korean Peninsula that cannot be crossed because they invite Chinese involvement. Neither side is likely to make the same mistakes again.

Forcing a Hand

A war with North Korea would consist of two battles with distinct objectives. The first would be to eliminate Pyongyangs nuclear capabilities. It would be the primary objective and indeed the justification for an attack. With no nuclear threat, there is no engagement.

The second objective would be to protect South Korea from North Korean retaliation. No one really knows the true status of Pyongyangs nuclear program, but suppose for a moment it has a deliverable nuclear weapon. Striking a U.S. asset or ally with one would force Washingtons hand into retaliating in kind, thus wiping out the North Korean regime. Its leaders will therefore rely on their large arsenal of conventional weapons  namely artillery. The artillery batteries, many of which are located near the demilitarized zone, can severely damage heavily populated areas in and around Seoul. The U.S. and its allies must plan accordingly.

Either way, the United States would have to somehow assess the damage it has inflicted on North Korean nuclear facilities. Washington surely has a good sense of what North Korea has, but its intelligence is inherently imperfect. If even one facility were left somewhat intact, the United States would have started perhaps the largest military conflict in a generation without achieving its primary objective. It cannot rely on air and satellite imagery alone to assess the damage, so either it or South Korea would have to deploy special operations forces to inspect suspected locations. All the while, North Korea would be retaliating.

Artillery

The primary instrument of its retaliation would be its large, diverse collection of artillery. Most was acquired from the Soviet Union during the Cold War, though some of it was designed and produced in North Korea. The problem is that much of this equipment is outdated.

As it developed its nuclear program, North Korea allocated more resources to ballistic missile technology than it did to its conventional weapons, leaving them to fall into disrepair. That they are poorly maintained and infrequently upgraded, however, doesnt mean theyre not functional; they can still inflict a tremendous amount of damage.

And the damage would come from a variety of weapons. Data on North Koreas military capabilities are obviously hard to come by. (In fact, all figures henceforth should be understood as estimates.) Still, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, North Korea has approximately 21,000 artillery pieces. This includes a mix of self-propelled and towed field guns, multiple rocket launchers, and mortars.

Self-Propelled and Towed Guns

In 2016, North Korea had approximately 8,500 self-propelled and towed artillery pieces (the former does not require a vehicle to transport it, the latter does). This includes guns and howitzers, which differ in their trajectory, caliber and angle of fire, but for the sake of this analysis guns will refer to both. The ages of the guns likewise vary, though self-propelled guns tend to be newer than towed guns, some of which predate World War II. Its newest self-propelled guns are from the 1990s.





Generally, newer artillery with larger calibers can fire their munitions farther. The 122 mm towed guns, which are a smaller caliber, have a maximum firing range of about 6-10 miles (10-15 kilometers). Larger caliber self-propelled guns such as the 170 mm M-1989s can fire up to 25 miles, placing Seoul squarely within range of those positioned on the demilitarized zone. North Korea also has 130 mm and 152 mm self-propelled and towed guns, the ranges of which vary and can be extended using rocket-assisted munitions.

There are downsides to bigger, longer-range guns, of course. They have a slower rate of fire and take longer to reload. Some of North Koreas smaller guns can fire as many as 8-10 rounds per minute, whereas its large guns may fire only 1-2 rounds per minute. Either way, they enable the military to maintain a constant barrage on South Korea.

Multiple Rocket Launchers

Another type of conventional artillery in North Koreas arsenal is the multiple rocket launcher. MRLs fire rockets rather than tube artillery shells. They have a greater range but are slower to load and less accurate. The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates that North Korea possesses 5,100 MRL pieces ranging from 107 mm to 300 mm.

The 300 mm MRL system warrants special note. First tested in March 2016, it is North Koreas newest and largest-caliber platform. (For the military junkies, it resembles Chinas SY-300, Russias BM-30 and Pakistans Hatf-9 Nasr platforms.) IISS notes that North Korea has some 300 mm MRLs but does not provide a quantity. 38 North, an organization that analyzes North Korea, believes the military has 18-36 of these. Their true maximum range is disputed; it is believed that a rocket traveled nearly 95 miles during the March 2016 test, though the South Korean Defense Ministry placed it closer to 110 miles.

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Some suspect that the 300 mm MRL platform is capable of carrying a nuclear weapon; Pakistan claims that it deploys small nuclear weapons on its slightly larger Hatf-9 Nasr MRL, according to 38 North. North Korea would, of course, first have to miniaturize a weapon small enough to fit it, and there is no evidence yet to suggest it can do so.



Still, MRLs are a useful addition to North Koreas artillery catalogue, though they dont provide the same cadence of attack as do artillery guns. And in any case, the military has fewer rockets, so it would therefore exhaust them more quickly.

Mortars

North Korea is believed to possess 7,500 mortar pieces of 82 mm, 120 mm and 160 mm calibers. Mortars are small and mobile enough to be carried in support of infantry. Since they are meant to be used much closer to enemy infantry positions, they have a much higher trajectory than artillery guns, and therefore a much shorter effective range. They cant reach Seoul, but they would be used against advancing infantry.

Command and Flexibility

The utility of North Korean artillery depends on two related issues: the ongoing availability of ammunition and leaders ability to effectively issue orders. Formally, North Koreas military command structure borrows much from the Soviet model; that is, it is highly centralized and depends heavily on orders issued directly by the supreme leader. If artillery teams cannot receive orders, they naturally become less effective.

A study by Andrew Scobell and John M. Sanford of the U.S. Army War College titled North Koreas Military Threat: Pyongyangs Conventional Forces, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Ballistic Missiles describes the command structure as a highly inflexible Soviet-style military doctrine which emphasizes decisions being made at the top and carefully scripted war plans (which no one outside of North Korea has seen), discouraging operational flexibility and initiative. This suggests that North Korean war plans  plans that will almost certainly need to change, as is the case in every war  will be slow to adapt to developments on the battlefield. In a paper called Party-Military Relations in North Korea and the Security Situation on the Korean Peninsula, Robert Collins, a U.S. Army veteran and North Korea observer, elaborates on the implications of this highly centralized command structure: [It]  leaves very little, if any, flexibility for the unit commander. The issue is that on the battlefield, the [North Korean army] commander will lack the initiative to adjust to battlefield conditions due to inflexibility based on orders that are subject to political approval, not subject to situational assessments.

The problem with studies such as these is that they run the risk of underestimation. The North Koreans know that the United States has studied their military structure and that, therefore, one of Washingtons first moves would be to cut lines of communication. If it cut those lines, and if Pyongyang failed to delegate some aspects of command to those in the field, North Korea would almost certainly lose the war quickly. Its reasonable to believe, then, that the North Koreans have a plan that accounts of this possibility.

This line of reasoning is corroborated by the existence of distributed artillery ammunition stores. While North Korea has major national-level storage facilities, it also has a number of unit-level storage depots, according to a 2000 report by the secretary of defense to the U.S. Congress. Many of these are hardened artillery sites, or HARTs, which are located at multiple spots along the DMZ. A report by the Nautilus Institute for Security & Sustainability, a defense analysis firm, describes the HARTs as heavily fortified, in the interior of caves or tunnels, with spaces that are large enough to hold artillery and ammunition. The report is notably dated  its from the 1980s  but that only reinforces the point: The military, already protected by the terrain, has had decades to entrench itself, overcome disruptions to lines of communication and supply, and disperse its ammunition depots. The existence of these stores suggests that isolated emplacements are expected to continue to fight.

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In gaming out a war, we need to consider the possibility that the southern emplacements are a bluff and that the regime would never delegate command for fear of rebellion. This is something that U.S. intelligence suspects. And in this scenario, command would remain centralized.

In the Air

The nature of the North Korean command structure, and the extent to which artillery punctuates the countryside, requires U.S. air power to fully neutralize. And the United States has a lot of aircraft close to theater. The B-1, B-2 and B-52 strategic bombers, for example, are located in Guam and would be deployed to take out North Korean target sites. But a bombing campaign would expose them to attack either from the North Korean air force or North Korean surface-to-air missiles.







North Koreas air force is lackluster. Its most modern plane is the Soviet-designed MiG-29, which was designed in the 1970s and introduced in the early 1980s. Many of its planes are even older. The U.S. aircraft carriers deployed to the region could, in theory, intercept North Korean aircraft, but if Pyongyang is relying on its planes, its already lost the war, since it would mean its SAMs were largely destroyed.

Indeed, SAMs, and anti-aircraft artillery, are the way in which the military compensates for its air forces obsolescence. The country has a variety of these kinds of installations throughout the country. Some examples of them include:

SA-4: A mobile system designed to target high-flying bombers. The SA-4 has a range of about 34 miles and can reportedly reach altitudes of around 80,000 feet.

SA-5: A medium- to high-altitude system with a relatively long minimum range of about 37 miles. This limits the system to engagements against relatively large, lumbering targets at ranges up to 155 miles.

SA-17 Gadfly: This system has four missiles laid abreast of each other on the launcher. The SA-17 reportedly has a range of about 19 miles and an altitude of 46,000 feet. Both the missile launcher and its radar system are mobile.



None of these individual systems would stop the U.S. Air Force. But together they create a web of good defensive capability. Their value stems from their abundance and their arrangement, a configuration the United States has yet to face. It is, therefore, not something to be taken likely. The SAM systems may not be particularly sophisticated, but scrappy and plentiful can win battles too.

Given their range and altitude, these three SAM systems are more likely to threaten U.S. strategic bombers. But North Korea has other SAMs in its arsenal. In fact, it is suspected of having a SAM battery comparable to Russias S-300  a similar apparatus was seen during a 2010 military parade. The S-300 is a long-range SAM developed in the Soviet Union in 1979, but it has continually been modified and upgraded and is still used by Russia today. Depending on the specific model, the S-300 can have a range up to 190 miles.

One way to eliminate North Koreas air defenses would be with a Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses attack. This would be carried out by aircraft equipped with radar-targeting missiles. The United States had three squadrons of F-16s configured for this kind of attack in South Korea even before it deployed a fourth in February. North Korea would have to decide whether it wanted to use its radar to detect enemy aircraft and thus reveal itself to radar-targeting systems, or turn its radar off and hope for the best.

In addition to SAM systems, North Korea is also believed to have 11,000 anti-aircraft guns, the calibers of which range from 14.5 mm to 100 mm. These are rapid-fire machine or heavy guns that often fire an explosive charge to increase the chance of damaging aircraft as they fly by. As with artillery, firing rates decrease as caliber increases. The 14.5 mm guns  the ZPU-1, ZPU-2 and ZPU-4  can fire approximately 450-600 rounds per minute. The 100 mm KS-19, however, can fire only about 15 rounds per minute. Anti-aircraft guns are less effective at targeting and bringing down aircraft than are missile installations.



Of course, the United States could also suppress North Korean artillery with stealth bombers, which can, in theory, evade the militarys air defense systems. There is some speculatio n that these bombers would be in danger  Russia claims that some of its later-model S-300s are designed specifically to detect stealth planes, and over the weekend North Korea tested an anti-aircraft missile the government claims can shoot down stealth fighters. Its very unlikely, however, that its SAMs are as advanced as Russias  even if the Russian claim were true  and the weekend test proves only that North Korea is acting provocatively, not that its air defense systems are so far ahead of where most experts believe they are. In fact, there are few instances of stealth fighters being shot down. In 1999, an F-117, a stealth attack bomber, was shot down over Serbia. Using modified Soviet radar systems, the Yugoslav air defense systems were able to spot the aircraft.

South Korea in the Meantime

South Korea, meanwhile, will take massive amounts of casualties as the United States tries to neutralize North Korean artillery. If air power cannot suppress the barrage or the air defenses, the government in Seoul will be in a difficult situation: It will have to decide whether it will take out artillery positions the only reliable way it can  through an infantry assault.

This is a highly unpalatable solution. It would be slow and violent, with infantry moving position by position, supported by mechanized cavalry needed to penetrate the caves and mountains the soldiers alone cannot. And all the while, Seoul would continue to be battered by artillery.

If it comes to this, the United States could use something in its arsenal that would neutralize all of North Koreas artillery: tactical nuclear weapons. Washington would inform Pyongyang of its intention to use them, forcing North Korean leaders to make a tough decision of their own: If the U.S. had already knocked out North Koreas nuclear facilities (Pyongyangs primary deterrent) and threatened to take out its artillery (Pyongyangs secondary deterrent) with tactical nukes, the Kim Jong Un regime would have to weigh the costs of sacrificing its only remaining means of survival. If the governments objective is to survive, it seems unlikely that it would be willing to forfeit its only remaining source of leverage, so it would probably capitulate to its enemies before it surrendered its artillery.

In the Sea

North Korea knows that time isnt on its side. Its oil reserves will quickly dwindle, leaving its vehicles and naval vessels without fuel. Some estimate that North Koreas oil reserves would last a few weeks; others estimate closer to two months. But all the oil in the world wont change the fact that its means of waging war are, in any case, limited.

And so North Korea could deploy just two strategies. The first and more likely is that it will hold down in a defensive position and use the threat of its artillery to exact concessions from the United States. North Koreas army boasts 1 million soldiers. (That number climbs to about 6 million if its Red Guard  a force consisting of untrained peasants that could nevertheless be mobilized and provide some degree of resistance  is included.) The United States and South Korea have no desire to fight that many people, or the artillery batteries they helm. The risk to this strategy is that North Korea will simply run out of oil and ammunition. Still, the government would probably stop firing and try to negotiate a settlement. After all, it loses all its leverage once its ammunition runs out.

The U.S. and South Korea could, notably, try to break the stalemate by launching an amphibious assault, but doing so would incur many casualties on land and on sea. North Koreas navy may be old and inferior, but it could lay mines that would damage U.S. vessels even after it was destroyed. Submarines, difficult as they are to detect, could also threaten U.S. aircraft carriers. The U.S. and South Korea would win the naval contest, of course, but not without cost.

The second and far less likely strategy would be a North Korean assault on the South. The DMZ is too heavily fortified to do so by land, so it would do so by sea, opening up a second front behind enemy lines with amphibious landings using its sizable special operations forces. North Korea is estimated to have 10 landing ships and about 260 landing craft that can each carry 35-50 troops ashore. According to Scobell and Sanfords U.S. Army War College paper, North Korea can transport as many as 15,000 troops at sea at a given time, though the military would likely use smaller groups to avoid detection. The principle behind the strategy is to occupy as much of the Korean Peninsula as possible to maximize its leverage in peace negotiations. But as with the rest of the North Korean military, the equipment that would be used for such an assault is unlikely to make the strategy a success. And even if it did land its troops successfully, North Korea would still have to face South Korean and U.S. soldiers. Conclusion

North Korea would be hard-pressed to win this war, if in fact it breaks out. The U.S. and South Korean militaries are strong and sophisticated, and they would likely be joined by international allies  as evidenced by the arrival of French and British naval deployments in the Pacific for joint military exercises. The North Korean military may have more bodies, but that will take it only so far. And the fact that it has few natural resources, not to mention few partners willing to trade with it in the event of a war, puts victory even further from Pyongyangs grasp. The best that North Korea can hope for is a peace agreement that allows the regime to survive.

Still, North Korea wont go down without a fight. The very legitimacy of the Kim regime is built on its perception of defender of the realm. If it fails to respond to an attack, it would be putting itself at risk of internal rebellion. So while it may lose the war, the chances are good that the conflict will spill over to the South, implicate a lot of countries, and inflict a lot of damage.

And this is due to the composition of the North Korean military, the analysis of which has enabled us to predict how a potential war would be fought. But war is unpredictable. Leaders can attempt to game out every possible scenario in war, but once it begins, there are so many variables that new scenarios have to be constantly examined. There are aspects to this war, then, that we have not even addressed. What if China enters the conflict? What if Japan closes off its airspace to U.S. aircraft? What if there is a coup in Pyongyang that overtakes the Kim regime? All of these are extremely unlikely to happen but need to be considered nonetheless.

On May 28, U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis said a war with North Korea would be catastrophic, a statement many have interpreted as an excuse not to fight. This is the wrong interpretation. Washington believes a nuclear North Korea is a direct threat to its national interests, and it does not make the kinds of preparations it has made if it isnt serious about following through. Both sides are finding it more difficult to back down.
The sole suspect in the shooting death of a 37-year-old DeKalb woman was killed during a gun battle with police in a west suburban intersection Friday evening, authorities confirmed.

Multiple police and emergency response vehicles could be seen in the 8100 block of Ogden Avenue in the village of Lyons about 7:12 p.m. after the chaos of gunfire had subsided.

State police were assisting Sycamore police in Lidia Juarez's shooting death investigation. Juarez's body was found in Sycamore at 1629 Afton Road earlier in the day, police said. ISP investigators located the suspect in Juarezs homicide driving a vehicle and began following him, police said, with multiple agencies assisting in the surveillance operation.

The suspect opened fire on the officers near Ogden Avenue and Joliet Road, police said. Officers returned fire and fatally wounded the suspect, according to police. The suspect was declared dead at the scene and a firearm was recovered, police said.

The identity of the suspect shot by police was not immediately released as next of kin notifications were still pending, state police said.

A witness said officers had attempted to pull the suspect over before the shooting.

No officers were injured, police said.

Lyons police did not immediately respond to request for comment. A dispatcher who answered the phone at the department's main number Friday evening said they were "very busy" and could not release any information.

A large police response was visible near a strip mall in the west suburban village of Lyons Friday evening.

A black sedan surrounded by crime scene tape sat in the intersection. A white sheet was draped over the passenger side door. The sedan's front bumper was pressed up against what appeared to be a black police SUV.

Dimitra Kostadinov, the owner of P J Klem's restaurant on the corner where the shootout took place, said she saw police chasing a vehicle down the street before gunfire erupted.

"I was packing an order to go, as I turned around, the first thing I heard was shots," she said in a phone interview.

Kostadinov said after the shooting she never saw anyone get out of the car officers had fired into. She said no one in the restaurant, which had about 40 people in it at the time, was harmed.

The first thing I did is start screaming everybody down, everybody down, she recalled. "And that's what they did, all the customers just jumped to the floor."

Kostadinov added that a waitress taking a to go order out of a service window said she saw someone in the vehicle shoot out of the car toward police before officers returned fire.

Yellow evidence markers littered the street between a Lyons police SUV with its trunk ajar and what appeared to be the suspect's vehicle.

The investigation was ongoing Friday evening, according to state police.
Glastonbury police are investigating the death of a man at a home on Woodhaven Road but said it no longer appears to be suspicious.

Officers and Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crimes Squad responded to the home around 8:30 p.m. Friday and found Thomas McAuliffe.

Officials said the conditions at the scene left many questions, which prompted police to label the death suspicious.

When investigators reconstructed the scene, interviewed witnesses and obtained the medical examiners initial findings from an autopsy, they had some of the answers they were looking for.

Police are still trying to determine how McAuliffe died, but said the circumstances no longer appear suspicious.
Waterbury police are on hand as two groups are holding competing rallies on Saturday.

A group called ACT for America is holding a march and rally against Islamic law on Grand Street beginning at 10 a.m. It is one of several similar marches being held around the country on Saturday.

"Not all women at killed. Some are beaten or attacked with acid. We must do more to protect these women. We must stand with them," one presenter said.

A woman at the rally against Islamic law urged attendees to take a selfie to post on social media with the group's hashtag.

"You hear stories of what goes on in Europe and we don't want any of those things going on here in the U.S." an attendee Mike Mercier told NBC Connecticut.

"(We're here) both for the Muslim women, but also infiltrating our schools saying that the Muslim faith is peaceful and watering the religion down to something that it's not and starting to have our children think that it's OK," Ruth Mercier, Mike's wife, said.

At the same time, a Waterbury Muslim Community Outreach group is holding an informational session and rally on the same street.

"Discrimination is illegal," one demonstrator with the outreach group said in response to the anti-Sharia law rally. "We want to end the hate in the State of Connecticut."

"Love trumps Hate," the crowd chanted shortly after.

Samia Hussein, the president of the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, said



"It's common sense. What we got to do is we got to get together, we got to show our community, show Connecticut, show the U-S of A that we are here to support everyone. We're not going to paint a picture of just one community, we're here for everyone," the president of the coalition said.

Hussein said she was not at the rally to clash with protesters but wanted to come together. She explained that Sharia is the freedom to prayer and a lifestyle guideline, just like other religions have.

"This is really anti-Muslim because if they even know what Sharia is they would not be against it," Hussein said.

The president of the Muslim Coalition also said Sharia practices the "law of any land its in", which means the laws of the United States are the laws followed by Muslims in the country.
A flyer sent to Virginia residents ahead of the primary election Tuesday lists reasons why, according to one Republican state senator, voters should pick him and not a rival with a "liberal voting record in Richmond."

The first reason: She "voted to approve the first openly gay judge in Virginia and [sic] only Republican to vote for special rights for gays and transgenders."

Fellow Republicans say the candidate for lieutenant governor, state Sen. Bryce Reeves, is using anti-gay bigotry to try to sway voters from longtime rival State Sen. Jill Vogel.

In 2013, Vogel voted with the majority to confirm decorated Naval aviator Tracy Thorne-Begland as a Richmond judge. Reeves abstained.

Reeves' campaign defended the flyers.

"My criticism of Ms. Vogel is that she voted to put a liberal on the court," a statement from his campaign said.

Vogel's campaign chairman defended her vote for Thorne-Begland, citing his "exceptional qualifications" and said Vogel believes "discrimination is wrong."

Republican Brian Schoeneman edits the conservative website Bearing Drift. He said the flyers from the Reeves campaign were wrong because it came across as "a straight-up attack on a judge because he happened to be gay."

State Sen. Adam Ebbin, a Democrat, was the first openly gay lawmaker in the General Assembly and said Reeves' actions were "wrong."

"He was wrong to have not voted on that nomination, and he's wrong to call out his fellow Republican on it and especially to scapegoat and use bigotry to do it in the waning days of the campaign," he said.

Glenn Davis, a Republican who also is seeking to be Virginia's lieutenant governor, also criticized the Reeves campaign for sending the flyers.

"It's stuff like this that turns people off to politics, turns people off to serving in office, and, honestly, turns a lot of Republicans off," he said in a Facebook video.

This is not the first bad blood between Reeves and Vogel. Earlier this year, Reeves filed a civil lawsuit accusing the Vogel campaign of spreading false rumors about him. That case will not be resolved until after the primary.
If you've ever shared a home with a kitty, you do know this: They're a curious, exploratory lot.

One minute they're sniffing around a cupboard, and the next they're up on the bed, making a nest with your pillows. Cats frankly amaze on many feline fronts, but surely their ability to stay on the move, with sleekness and sure-footed confidence, is one among many of their stand-out qualities.

Same goes for another famous cat around town, The Cat & Fiddle Pub & Restaurant. If you were a regular at The Cat back in 1982, the year it opened, you were happily prowling about its first location in Laurel Canyon. Later, the foam-serving feline popped up on Sunset Boulevard, and more fans found it over the decades, in large part because of that picturesque front courtyard.

Of course, that much-loved courtyard wasn't the whole story: The warm atmosphere, and the convivial spirit conveyed by a close-knit band of regulars, wove into The Cat's steadfast character. And while the Sunset lease was lost, fans hoped that the friendly pub would land on its paws, somewhere close, sometime soon.

Brilliant news: The Cat's at it again, with a fresh 'n frisky location, still in Hollywood, though at a more southerly location than the Sunset spot: Best pad for the corner of Highland and Melrose for your next dish of milk.

Er, ale.

The Grand Reopening Week? It's on now, through Sunday, June 11, with daylong specials like Cat's Cider for six bucks and a Pie & Pint for $13. The address? Head for the "Little European Corner" that's cropped up in that spot on Highland, and look for 742 N. Highland Avenue.

The pub has a Tudor-style exterior, and a traditional hanging sign, further Brit-ing up the charming enterprise.

Southern California does rock some authentic British pubs, with The Cat & Fiddle coming in strong on the cool cred. It was founded by The Gardner Family, and fans of the British Invasion scene of the 1960s and '70s will recognize the name of bassist Kim Gardner, who passed away in 2001.

The music legacy'll live on at the latest incarnation of The Cat, so keep an eye on the pub's social media to see if some rockin' tunes, or traditional Irish pipes, are in store that night.
A Whittier native whose efforts to honor Vietnam War veterans spread coast-to-coast was presented with his own high school diploma on Friday.

Jose G. Ramos, founder of Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, attended Garfield High School's graduation ceremony and received the long-awaited honor.

Ramos was a medic with the 101st Airborne Division and served in Phan Tiet, Vietnam from October 1967 to October 1968.

"Veterans never forget those who helped," said Alfred Lugo, a spokesman with the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Committee, in a news release. "Medics put themselves in harm's way to save their fellow soldiers' lives. A medic will never leave a man behind."

When Ramos returned from service, he suffered from PTSD, alcoholism, depression and he was suicidal, Lugo said. Ramos believed veterans were treated unfairly post service and wanted to do something to properly honor them.

That's when Ramos formed the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Organization and advocated for a day that would officially honor the servicemen with a well-deserved thank you. He rode his bicycle from Irwindale, California to Washington, D.C. and even stood in front of the White House to demonstrate.

Now, most states celebrate March 29 or 30 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.

"Jose G. Ramos, as energetic in giving Vietnam veterans their due reception and appreciation, never thought of himself," Lugo said.

"He will now be able to enjoy receiving his Garfield High School diploma. In my opinion, he will be a Ph.D -- 'A Person Having a Diploma.'"


A 14-year-old boy was killed and two other teens were injured in a crash on Florida's Turnpike in southwest Miami-Dade, police say.

According to Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson Yosdany Veloz, a vehicle was traveling southbound on Florida's Turnpike Extension near the exit ramp to State Road 989, when the 17-year-old driver lost control and the vehicle traveled into the grass.

FHP says the driver over corrected the steering and started to slide on the wet grass, eventually striking palm tree. The vehicle then began to spin out and struck another palm tree .

Officials say the two passengers, both 14 years old, were also in the car.
What to Know Diego Ismael Puma Macancela, a 19-year-old Ecuadorean national, was detained by ICE on the day of his prom this week

Diego Ismael Puma Macancela's mother was detained the day before; he stayed at a family member's home, where he was taken into custody

The mayor of Ossining criticized ICE for not notifying local officials beforehand, but ICE said it had in fact informed them

A Westchester high school student was detained by federal immigration police on the day of his senior prom, and a day after his mother was taken into custody for deportation, according to officials and family.

Diego Ismael Puma Macancela, a 19-year-old Ecuadorean national is a senior at Ossining High School. He arrived in the U.S. with his mother in 2014. They fled their native country because of gang violence.

Puma Macancela was just weeks away from graduation when his mother was detained Wednesday.

Fearful after her detainment, Puma Macancela went to his cousin's apartment that night. But U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents came knocking at the door Thursday.

His cousin, Gabriela Macancela, said they hid in fear as ICE agents surrounded the home because he was "really scared."

Puma Macancela eventually walked out and was detained. Macancela said she heard the agents say, "He's coming out, he's coming out," as he left the apartment.

"They grabbed him like he's a criminal," Macancela said. "He didn't do anything wrong, he was just doing the best he could for his future."

ICE told News 4 New York that the arrest was the result of an immigration judge's final order back in November 2016.

Relatives said they didn't know about the order for Puma Macancela to leave the U.S. and thought there would be a chance to appeal as the teen finished his schooling.

"He came here to start a new life, and now he's going to have to go back and start all over again," Macancela said.

Ossining Mayor Victoria Gearity told News 4 she learned about the ICE raid by watching it unfold outside her window. She has criticized the federal agency for not notifying village officials beforehand.

However, in a statement to News 4, ICE spokeswoman Rachael Yong Yow said officials were notified.

"Contrary to a statement issued from the Ossining Mayors Office, local police received prior notification that ICE would be in the local area conducting targeted enforcement actions," she said in a statement.

The New York Attorney General has shut down a non-profit in the Bronx that an investigation by Telemundo 47 Investiga and WNYC Radio revealed was selling bogus ID cards that promised protection from deportation. Pablo Gutierrez reports.

Gearity said she's concerned about the impact ICE raids will have on immigrant communities.

"When people are very scared, it's tough to distinguish between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials," she said. "What that means is people won't report crimes."

Puma Macancela's family said they're exploring legal options and working with local immigration groups.

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (D-Rockland/Westchester) called on ICE to postpone his deportation so that he can graduate from high school.

Top Tri-State News Photos

In a statement, Lowey said the teen was well-liked and admired, and that "young people who were brought to the United States as minors and have no criminal record should never be subject to such a cruel, deportation-first policy."

"While it is critical we work to improve our nations immigration system, the Trump Administrations increasingly aggressive assault on immigrant families does not reflect the values on which this nation was founded," the statement continued.

An online petition in support of Puma Macancela had more than 2,000 signatures by Friday evening, as he and his mother await deportation in ICE holding centers.
When a northwest suburban Chicago mother brought her son to a public pool for a day of swimming, she left feeling heartbroken.

Kristen Miller Rumphol, of Palatine, wrote in a widely-shared Facebook post last week that she watched as her son Brandon, who has Down syndrome, enthusiastically tried to play with other children at the Algonquin public pool, but no children would play with him.

He would go up to other kids and say hi boy or hi girl. He is still categorized as nonverbal and he is hard to understand but he was trying his best, Rumphol wrote. Every single time the kids would either look at him weird and say nothing or just swim away.

And each time, Rumphol said her son would look back at her in disappointment.

The popular post, which has been shared more than 12,100 times, calls for parents to educate their children.

Tell your children that children with special needs want the same thing they do, they want to be accepted, the post reads. They want to be included and treated just like every other "normal" child. They want friends that won't judge them and will just accept them as they are.

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Rumphol said she secretly hoped her post would go viral and raise awareness for children with special needs.

They just want to be loved, accepted and included, she wrote.
President Donald Trump is expected to announce plans to undo Obama-era Cuba policies in Miami next Friday, a source with knowledge of the visit told NBC 6/Telemundo 51.

Trump will travel to Miami to detail the plan, which has been in the works for weeks. The location of the announcement has not been made public.

Several sources told NBC News last week the White House's plan to reverse U.S.-Cuba policies. Trump would announce the rollback in an executive order, citing human rights abuses on the communist-run island, according to NBC News.

The rollback is unlikely to completely sever diplomatic ties or shutter the U.S. Embassy in Havana, but it would prohibit business with the Cuban military, according to a Trump administration official and a person involved in the ongoing policy review.

Towards the end of former President Barack Obama's term, policies were changed to allow travel from the U.S. to the isolated country, and reauthorized U.S. businesses to operate in Cuba. Obama's approach to Cuba was one of engagement, his administration arguing that isolationist tactics would not fix Cuba's communist government.

In January, the Obama administration ended the "wet foot, dry foot" policy, which allowed any Cuban who made it to U.S. soil to stay and become a legal resident. He did this in an effort to treat the citizens of Cuba like every other country.
Kirk Gafill has seen this before  winter rains playing havoc on all roads into Big Sur. No traffic in or out. No tourists. No supplies. Choking-off business to Nepenthe, the famous restaurant his grandparents founded 69 years ago.

But this time the duration is much longer. The February storms that caused the collapse of the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge left this small coastal community mostly cut-off from the rest of the world. And that was before the recent massive landslide that closed Highway 1 to the south. Its already been four months with scant access to the outside world  save for a two-mile hike down a dirt trail  open only to residents.

Its part of the drama of Big Sur, Gafill said, sitting in the midst of his empty restaurant during what would normally be the frenetic afternoon rush. And Big Sur has always been a dramatic place.

This drama has all the frustrations of a Sisyphean dilemma and would likely be even worse if not for the tenacity and creativity of Big Surs residents and business owners like Gafill  who opted to keep the restaurant open seven days a week despite the absence of one crucial element  many customers.

Gafill said his motivation for the less-than-lucrative offering is to keep at least a few of his once 120-member staff working  and to contribute some sense of normalcy for the roughly 400 people stuck inside the scenic enclave.

What were trying to accomplish here, Gafill explained, is just enough kind of energy that we can get the recovery of our area going.

But until the recovery arrives, Big Surs inhabitants are weathering a lot of inconvenience; Gafills wife and kid are temporarily living North from where crews are racing to rebuild the collapsed bridge  so his child doesnt have to walk down the trail every day to go get to school.

The trail has become a human highway as residents and business owners lug backpacks filled with supplies, groceries and anything else needed to survive. Each weekday the trail is filled with dozens of young students hiking toward school buses.

You see the guys carrying the case of beers, said Alicia Hahn Peterson who hikes the trail to get to her manager job at Nepenthe. A lot of Trader Joes bags, a lot of backpacks.

Gaffill calls the trail the great equalizer with people of all ages, all economic brackets making the same trek in or out.

If you own a business, if you are an entry employee, if you are well-educated or no education, Gafill said, everybody is going through the pipeline of that trail  and were all carrying our own burdens.

Gafill said business at Nepenthe has plummeted to about 30 or 40 customers a day instead of its usual thousand people a day. He said the restaurant is getting a little help from nearby businesses like the Post Ranch Inn which began offering vacation packages that included a helicopter ride in and out  the only way the public can access the area.

We are trying to be as creative as possible to create as much energy here, Gafill said. Were doing ping-pong tournaments, were having a luau this Saturday.

Gafills sister Erin Gafill, a fine arts painter, began creating online painting courses after the Big Sur art school where she teaches closed due to lack of student access. Instead she and her husband filmed instructional videos which she posted to Facebook, resulting in more than 50 paying online pupils.

Im absolutely able to maintain my livelihood as a teacher, Gafill said, and Im also able to share my work.

Kirk Gafill said the closure not only sparked a wave of resourcefulness, it thrust Big Sur back into a time before the 1930s when the highway was constructed, leaving the area in a peaceful, carless tranquility  reemphasizing the areas remoteness. The few visitors making the journey to Nepenthe are rewarded with staggering views, choice seating and an appreciative staff.

We get very excited as soon as we see anyone walk across the deck, said Hahn Peterson.

On a recent morning, as the restaurant sat empty  even after the doors opened sharply at 11:30 a.m.  customers Dominique and Lauren DeCruz slid into two seats on the deck that opened to a vast view of the Monterey Bay. The pair said they were there to support the restaurant  which in turn was supporting locals with a familiar destination.

It might be challenging but life continues, Dominique said. And lets have a good time.

That was a sentiment Gafill echoed as he glanced across the restaurant, having just done an interview with an Australian news crew documenting the closure. He noted the bridge wasnt scheduled to reopen until September, presenting a summer of diminishing returns. Yet he said the challenges posed by the areas severed lifeline also created a unique period for Big Sur  which would only register as a blip on the restaurants long timeline.

Its inconvenient  its not what everybodys looking for, Gafill said. But there is a certain kind of magic to it.
Switzerland, anyone?

Getting to Switzerland from San Diego just got easier: Edelweiss Air  the newest airline to serve the San Diego International Airport  has just launched a new nonstop service that takes travelers straight to Zurich.

On Friday evening, the inaugural nonstop flight from Zurich will arrive at the San Diego International Airport. The inaugural outbound flight from San Diego to Zurich will depart from the airport at 6:40 p.m.

With two European airlines now offering non-stop flights to Germany and Switzerland from San Diego, the local economy may have received a tourism boost. NBC 7s Elena Gomez has more.

According to the Edelweiss Air website, the flight from Zurich to San Diego clocks in at around 12 hours and five minutes. Theres a nine-hour time difference between Americas Finest City and Zurich.

The airline operates in conjunction with Swiss International Air Lines. The San Diego Airport Authority said the flight would also be able to take San Diegans, via Zurich, to other destinations in Europe.

This marks the second nonstop San Diego to Europe flight to debut at the San Diego International Airport in just over a month. In early May, Condor Airlines launched its new nonstop service between San Diego and Frankfurt, Germany.

Raw video from the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority of Condor Airlines' new seasonal nonstop service between San Diego and Frankfurt, Germany.

While the flights are certainly convenient for travelers, the nonstop services may also give a boost to San Diegos tourism and economy.

For information about this flight, travelers can call Edelweiss Air at (877) 359-7947.
Virginia's attorney general appealed new sentencing hearings for convicted D.C. sniper Lee Boyd Malvo Friday.

Last month, a federal judge ordered Malvo to be resentenced, NBC News correspondent Pete Williams reported.

Two notices of appeal were filed because Malvo has convictions in Spotsylvania and Chesapeake. The commonwealth also filed a stay pending appeal.

The ruling affects Malvos sentence, not his conviction.

Malvo is one of two men convicted for a string of shootings that terrorized the Washington, D.C., area in the fall of 2002, when Malvo was 17. Ten people died and three were wounded.

Malvo is serving life without parole. Public defender James Johnston argued the sentence is illegal because the U.S. Supreme Court determined such sentences are unconstitutional for juveniles. In 2012, the Supreme Court struck down life sentences without parole for juveniles. In 2016, it said that holding applied retroactively to cases on appeal.

Federal district court judge Raymond Jackson ruled because of those two Supreme Court decisions, Malvo must be resentenced, Williams reported.

John Allen Muhammad, the other man convicted in the sniper shootings, was executed in Virginia in 2009.

Malvo was first put on trial in Chesapeake, Virginia, in 2003, in a trial that was moved from Fairfax County. He was convicted of capital murder. The jury only had the option of a death penalty or life in prison without parole and opted for a life sentence.

Subsequently, Malvo struck plea bargains in Maryland and Spotsylvania County, Virginia, in which he agreed to accept a life sentence.

He also admitted to shootings in other states.
One person has been killed in a crash involving a truck and a motorcycle Friday afternoon in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Authorities said earlier that two adults and a child were injured in the crash, which happened about 4:45 p.m. on northbound Richmond Highway (Route 1) at Hollyhill Road in the Hybla Valley neighborhood.

A medivac helicopter was called to the scene to take the motorcyclist to a hospital.

Witnesses told police the motorcycle driver was speeding when the truck made a left turn and the motorcycle hit the truck head-on.

The motorcycle driver was thrown off the bike, police said.

Three passengers in the truck were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Richmond Highway was closed while police investigated the crash. The road has since reopened.
A Boston artist is aiming to uplift others and support the community-building efforts of victims' advocates through his latest mural.

Alex Cook is working in downtown Burlington, Vermont, on a large mural that spells out the words "You Are Loved" along a brick wall on Cherry Street, just steps from the city's famous Church Street Marketplace. Community volunteers picked up brushes Friday to help him paint.

"If this message really lands with somebody, it can be life-changing," Cook told NBC Boston.

While the kind thought is sure to reach a broad spectrum of locals and visitors to Burlington, a specific target for the mural's message is people experiencing drug addiction and human trafficking.

The U.S. Attorney for Vermont invited Cook to create the mural as something of a community-wide group hug in one of the busiest and most visible parts of the city.

"What is it that drives the U.S. Attorney's office to prosecute human trafficking  other than actual care for other humans in our community?" Cook noted. "It's love for others that is behind their work."

Cook's been telling people they are loved all over the country through a multi-year project to uplift others. His website shows murals completed in seven states and two countries, so far.

The Vermont mural follows a sharp jump in human trafficking cases through the federal prosecutor's office, said victims' advocate Aimee Stearns. Often, addicts looking for a drug fix end up exploited by dealers.

When asked if she thought survivors of human trafficking felt loved before they entered that world, Stearns answered, "They definitely don't. And I think that's why they get into drug abuse and get into the trafficking life, and what we're hoping to do is really change that message and them on a different trajectory."

Human trafficking survivor Megan McCarthy said she once spent two months in hell: in a Connecticut hotel room, forced to trade sex with strangers for heroin.

She was proud to say she is now sober, on a good path living in the Burlington area, and hoping Cook's colorful project opens eyes to the problem.

"A lot of people would rather it be hidden so that they don't have to think about how it's a real thing that happens," McCarthy said of human trafficking. "And I think its time that it comes to light and people take it more seriously."

Even folks not battling drugs or their horrible side effects should be able to take something away from the new "You Are Loved" mural, the artist bet: after all, who couldn't use a little more love?
By PTI

TEHRAN: Iran's Aseman Airlines has finalised an agreement to buy 30 Boeing 737 MAX jets for USD 3.0 billion, the company said today, with an option to buy 30 more.

The deal, announced in April, was signed at a ceremony in Tehran and the first 30 planes are due for delivery between 2022 and 2024.

"I'm glad that we can... upgrade the air fleet in an appropriate manner so they can take over regional markets," said Labour Minister Ali Rabii at the signing, according to the ISNA news agency.

However, the deal could be scuppered if US President Donald Trump goes ahead with threats to reimpose sanctions on Iran.

The White House is in the midst of a 90-day review to decide if it will stick by the 2015 deal between Iran and world powers, in which Tehran agreed curb on its nuclear programme in exchange for an easing of sanctions.

Washington must renew sanctions waivers every few months to keep the deal alive, and another set of renewals is due in the coming days.

Even if Trump sticks by the nuclear deal, the Boeing sale must be cleared by the US Office of Foreign Assets (OFAC).

"We have finalised the deal and now we are waiting for OFAC permission within the next month," Aseman spokesman Amir Reza Mostafavi told AFP.

He said Aseman would pay five per cent of the contract in cash, with the remainder paid through a financing deal organised by Boeing.

Boeing, which is also building 80 planes for national carrier Iran Air, faces heavy criticism from US lawmakers who say Iranian airlines have been used to ship weapons and troops to Syria and other conflict zones.

The aerospace giant has therefore emphasised the employment potential of the deals, saying in April that the Aseman contract "creates or sustains approximately 18,000 jobs in the United States".

Iran has been desperate to renew its ageing fleet of planes, but was largely blocked from dealing with major aircraft manufacturers until the 2015 nuclear accord.

The US has maintained its own sanctions, which block almost all trade with Iran, but plane manufacturers were given a specific exemption under the nuclear deal.

OFAC approved the sale of the 80 Boeing as well as 100 Airbus planes to Iran Air. The first few Airbus jets have already arrived in Tehran.

Aseman currently has a fleet of 36 planes -- half of them the 105-seat Dutch Fokker 100s.

Its three Boeing 727-200s are almost as old as the Islamic revolution, having made their first flight in 1980.

TEHRAN: Iran's Aseman Airlines has finalised an agreement to buy 30 Boeing 737 MAX jets for USD 3.0 billion, the company said today, with an option to buy 30 more. The deal, announced in April, was signed at a ceremony in Tehran and the first 30 planes are due for delivery between 2022 and 2024. "I'm glad that we can... upgrade the air fleet in an appropriate manner so they can take over regional markets," said Labour Minister Ali Rabii at the signing, according to the ISNA news agency. However, the deal could be scuppered if US President Donald Trump goes ahead with threats to reimpose sanctions on Iran. The White House is in the midst of a 90-day review to decide if it will stick by the 2015 deal between Iran and world powers, in which Tehran agreed curb on its nuclear programme in exchange for an easing of sanctions. Washington must renew sanctions waivers every few months to keep the deal alive, and another set of renewals is due in the coming days. Even if Trump sticks by the nuclear deal, the Boeing sale must be cleared by the US Office of Foreign Assets (OFAC). "We have finalised the deal and now we are waiting for OFAC permission within the next month," Aseman spokesman Amir Reza Mostafavi told AFP. He said Aseman would pay five per cent of the contract in cash, with the remainder paid through a financing deal organised by Boeing. Boeing, which is also building 80 planes for national carrier Iran Air, faces heavy criticism from US lawmakers who say Iranian airlines have been used to ship weapons and troops to Syria and other conflict zones. The aerospace giant has therefore emphasised the employment potential of the deals, saying in April that the Aseman contract "creates or sustains approximately 18,000 jobs in the United States". Iran has been desperate to renew its ageing fleet of planes, but was largely blocked from dealing with major aircraft manufacturers until the 2015 nuclear accord. The US has maintained its own sanctions, which block almost all trade with Iran, but plane manufacturers were given a specific exemption under the nuclear deal. OFAC approved the sale of the 80 Boeing as well as 100 Airbus planes to Iran Air. The first few Airbus jets have already arrived in Tehran. Aseman currently has a fleet of 36 planes -- half of them the 105-seat Dutch Fokker 100s. Its three Boeing 727-200s are almost as old as the Islamic revolution, having made their first flight in 1980.
Shruthi H M By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: Ever since the GST tax slabs were announced, restaurants across the country have criticised the government for high taxation, which would have a direct bearing on the food price points in restaurants. Last week, restaurants under South India Hotels and Restaurants Association (SIHRA) kept their shutters down for a day, as a mark of protest.

There are four slabs of GST rates applicable to the service sector: five per cent, 12 per cent, 18 per cent, and 28 per cent. Small restaurants with a turnover of Rs 50 lakh will be taxed at a composite rate of 5 per cent, non-AC restaurants and those restaurants with no liquor licence will attract 12 per cent, restaurants with AC 18 per cent, restaurants with a liquor licence 18 per cent tax, and AC restaurants inside 5-star hotels 28 per cent.

In the case of hotels, there will be no tax for those with a tariff lower than Rs 1,000. Those in the range of Rs 1,000-2,500 will be at 12 per cent, the rate for hotels between Rs 2,500 and Rs 5,000 per day will be 18 per cent and those with a tariff of Rs 5,000 and above per night will be taxed at 28 per cent.

Banquets and outdoor catering will attract 18 per cent tax.

Restaurant owners say that the 12 per cent tax for non-AC restaurants will be heavily burdened, while AC and five-star restaurants will be the worst-hit.

There will be no option for us but to pass on the tax burden to customers, which means increase food prices in restaurants, said Veerendra Kamath, member of Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association. He added that this would lead to mushrooming of roadside and unauthorised restaurants.

Riyaaz Amlani, president of National Restaurant Association of India, said, While we applaud the governments effort to keep GST at 5 per cent for restaurants below Rs 50 lakh and 12 per cent for restaurants without AC, we are disappointed with the high GST slab of 18 per cent for organised restaurants and 28 per cent for 5-star restaurants. This will not go a long way to promote tourism and tourism-related jobs.

However, hotels that are into the lodging segment have welcomed the GST rates. We welcome this step by the government. A lower tax rate for budget hotels sector will ensure that the industrys quality upgrade continues while delivering standardized accommodation to millions of middle-class travellers. This will also save and create thousands of new jobs which could have been impacted under higher tax-rates. Hotels are the single biggest contributor to the tourism sector, which accounts for 7.5 per cent of the GDP. The industry is expected to contribute $280 billion to the GDP by 2026 and will pass on benefits of uniform taxation across the country to travellers, said Ritesh Agarwal, founder and CEO, OYO Rooms.

BENGALURU: Ever since the GST tax slabs were announced, restaurants across the country have criticised the government for high taxation, which would have a direct bearing on the food price points in restaurants. Last week, restaurants under South India Hotels and Restaurants Association (SIHRA) kept their shutters down for a day, as a mark of protest. There are four slabs of GST rates applicable to the service sector: five per cent, 12 per cent, 18 per cent, and 28 per cent. Small restaurants with a turnover of Rs 50 lakh will be taxed at a composite rate of 5 per cent, non-AC restaurants and those restaurants with no liquor licence will attract 12 per cent, restaurants with AC 18 per cent, restaurants with a liquor licence 18 per cent tax, and AC restaurants inside 5-star hotels 28 per cent. In the case of hotels, there will be no tax for those with a tariff lower than Rs 1,000. Those in the range of Rs 1,000-2,500 will be at 12 per cent, the rate for hotels between Rs 2,500 and Rs 5,000 per day will be 18 per cent and those with a tariff of Rs 5,000 and above per night will be taxed at 28 per cent. Banquets and outdoor catering will attract 18 per cent tax. Restaurant owners say that the 12 per cent tax for non-AC restaurants will be heavily burdened, while AC and five-star restaurants will be the worst-hit. There will be no option for us but to pass on the tax burden to customers, which means increase food prices in restaurants, said Veerendra Kamath, member of Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association. He added that this would lead to mushrooming of roadside and unauthorised restaurants. Riyaaz Amlani, president of National Restaurant Association of India, said, While we applaud the governments effort to keep GST at 5 per cent for restaurants below Rs 50 lakh and 12 per cent for restaurants without AC, we are disappointed with the high GST slab of 18 per cent for organised restaurants and 28 per cent for 5-star restaurants. This will not go a long way to promote tourism and tourism-related jobs. However, hotels that are into the lodging segment have welcomed the GST rates. We welcome this step by the government. A lower tax rate for budget hotels sector will ensure that the industrys quality upgrade continues while delivering standardized accommodation to millions of middle-class travellers. This will also save and create thousands of new jobs which could have been impacted under higher tax-rates. Hotels are the single biggest contributor to the tourism sector, which accounts for 7.5 per cent of the GDP. The industry is expected to contribute $280 billion to the GDP by 2026 and will pass on benefits of uniform taxation across the country to travellers, said Ritesh Agarwal, founder and CEO, OYO Rooms.
M Rajendran By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: France is looking at India as a strategic business partner than a market and a handful of French firms are close to finalising major partnership deals with Indian firms, according to Alexandre Ziegler, ambassador of France to India. Such deals will help both the countries capture European and global markets, he added.

Most French companies are seeing India as a partner destination and they are investing big in India and making in India, Ziegler told Express.

A few start-up companies in aeronautical space are likely to sign major partnership deals during the Paris Air show starting on June 19. Ziegler also highlighted that French companies have helped in job generation. Companies like Alstom are making in India and has about 3,000 employees against 300 three years ago, he said.

The Ambassador stressed that India is a big business partner, as 25 out of 40 top French companies have research and development centres in India. The idea is for long-term commitment and inventing solutions in India that would be relevant all over the world. What we invent here, we would not invest in Europe or any other place This is the specific approach of French companies in India, said Ziegler.

He said that during the past three years, India has remained investor-friendly backed by reforms in ease of doing business. Further infrastructure reforms like development of smart city, urban transport (Railways) and thrust on clean energy fits in with the potential that the French companies can offer to India, he said.

The Ambassador highlighted that the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron was critical and important from strategic, political and business as both leaders showed a lot of trust.

It was a very positive meeting. Both leaders showed a lot of personal trust and it is important between leaders There is a lot of trust between France and India. It is of importance in a world which we live in. It is important for strategic, diplomatic and business relations, said Ziegler.

He said telecom companies in France are looking for opportunities in rural areas with the technologies available with them. Ziegler said some start-up firms are also looking to partner with Indian firms. Some of them with renewable energy storage, smart grid connectivity and making it accessible are looking to co-develop products for India, he said.

NEW DELHI: France is looking at India as a strategic business partner than a market and a handful of French firms are close to finalising major partnership deals with Indian firms, according to Alexandre Ziegler, ambassador of France to India. Such deals will help both the countries capture European and global markets, he added. Most French companies are seeing India as a partner destination and they are investing big in India and making in India, Ziegler told Express. A few start-up companies in aeronautical space are likely to sign major partnership deals during the Paris Air show starting on June 19. Ziegler also highlighted that French companies have helped in job generation. Companies like Alstom are making in India and has about 3,000 employees against 300 three years ago, he said. The Ambassador stressed that India is a big business partner, as 25 out of 40 top French companies have research and development centres in India. The idea is for long-term commitment and inventing solutions in India that would be relevant all over the world. What we invent here, we would not invest in Europe or any other place This is the specific approach of French companies in India, said Ziegler. He said that during the past three years, India has remained investor-friendly backed by reforms in ease of doing business. Further infrastructure reforms like development of smart city, urban transport (Railways) and thrust on clean energy fits in with the potential that the French companies can offer to India, he said. The Ambassador highlighted that the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron was critical and important from strategic, political and business as both leaders showed a lot of trust. It was a very positive meeting. Both leaders showed a lot of personal trust and it is important between leaders There is a lot of trust between France and India. It is of importance in a world which we live in. It is important for strategic, diplomatic and business relations, said Ziegler. He said telecom companies in France are looking for opportunities in rural areas with the technologies available with them. Ziegler said some start-up firms are also looking to partner with Indian firms. Some of them with renewable energy storage, smart grid connectivity and making it accessible are looking to co-develop products for India, he said.
By Express News Service

KOLKATA: To cash in on the popularity of Mexican snack food nachos, PepsiCo India is bringing its own brand of tortilla chips, Doritos, to India.

Jagrut Kotecha (L)

, V-P, snacks, PepsiCo

India with Niteen

Pradhan, V-P of supply

chain & operations

Doritos, introduced in the 1960s by Frito-Lay, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PepsiCo, has been manufactured in the US. The company will now manufacture the product at Kolkata. After Lays and Kurkure, Doritos is the third masterbrand product in PepsiCos snack portfolio to be introduced in India, it said.

Niteen Pradhan, V-P (operations) at PepsiCo India, termed this initiative as the firms commitment to Make in India. Our goal has been to develop local ecosystems and produce locally to address the consumption needs of India.

Doritos, which is present in 55 countries globally, will be available in two flavours  Nacho Cheese and Sweet Chilli  in India.

KOLKATA: To cash in on the popularity of Mexican snack food nachos, PepsiCo India is bringing its own brand of tortilla chips, Doritos, to India. Jagrut Kotecha (L) , V-P, snacks, PepsiCo India with Niteen Pradhan, V-P of supply chain & operationsDoritos, introduced in the 1960s by Frito-Lay, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PepsiCo, has been manufactured in the US. The company will now manufacture the product at Kolkata. After Lays and Kurkure, Doritos is the third masterbrand product in PepsiCos snack portfolio to be introduced in India, it said. Niteen Pradhan, V-P (operations) at PepsiCo India, termed this initiative as the firms commitment to Make in India. Our goal has been to develop local ecosystems and produce locally to address the consumption needs of India. Doritos, which is present in 55 countries globally, will be available in two flavours  Nacho Cheese and Sweet Chilli  in India.
Manju Shettar By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: Saraswati is still numb from the tragedy of losing her husband Shanthakumar, a 34-year-old JCB operator who was washed away while fixing an overflowing drain in Kurubarahalli on May 20. The body was never found.

The 24-year-old mother of two young sons is now facing another tragedy: Official callousness.

BBMP officials responsible for handing over the promised compensation have put forth a condition before Saraswati: First produce Shanthakumars body as proof of death, then claim the money.

Mayor G Padmavathi and Bengaluru development minister K J George had announced Rs 10 lakh for the family. But 20 days down the line, the family is yet to receive even a single rupee.

Saraswati says this is what BBMP officials told her: Bring your husbands body and then take compensation. If you want immediate compensation, come along with the area MLA and take Rs 1 lakh.

When asked about the callousness of the civic agency officials, BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad told Express, If the family specifies the names of those officers who asked to produce Shanthakumars body, we will take appropriate action against them. Legally it takes seven years for a person to be declared dead if the body is not recovered.

Shanthakumar

But he added, On humanitarian basis, we are doing our best to support the family by processing the compensation file faster.

Meanwhile, Saraswati has no time to even grieve her husbands death in her Peenya home as she worries over the next meal. She has two boys to look after, one 3 years old and the other just 9 months, and has no job in hand.

He was the sole breadwinner. Had the family of any government or BBMP official been in a similar situation, would they be asked the same question, she asks, adding, I do not think they care about the poor. They searched for Shanthakumar for four days and then forgot about him.

Since the day her husband Shanthakumar was washed away while fixing an overflowing drain in Kurubarahalli on May 20, Saraswati has not stepped out of her house. I come out only when my older son returns from school. I do not know why the search operation was called off after four days. My relatives also searched for him for a week. But it all went in vain, she said.

Recalling that fateful night, she said though Shanthakumar came near their house two hours before the incident, he did not come inside as he feared his children would prevent him from going back to work.

My nine-month-old son Druhith cried nonstop on the night his father did not turn up. Every night since my husband went missing, my older son Mounish asks when his father will return home.

Saraswatis husband Shanthakumar, a BBMP contract worker, was washed away while repairing a drain in Kurubarahalli on May 20.

Basavaraju, brother-in-law of Saraswati, had repeatedly visited the BBMP head office in connection with the compensation. They always told him to bring the area MLA to get Rs 1 lakh as compensation. When we asked about the announcement of Rs 10 lakh before the media, they questioned as to how they could give the compensation without the body being recovered, Saraswati said. She added, I am shocked. How could they break their promise despite giving us an assurance in front of mediapersons. What was the basis on which they made this promise?

Basavaraju told Express that he has spent the last 10 days chasing the compensation file from one official to another. Initially the file was sent to the Commissioner who referred it to the Special Commissioner. He referred it to the Mayor. The file was returned to the Special Commissioner who approved it and sent it to the Mayor. However, the compensation is yet to be paid.

Responding to the delay in payment, Mayor Padmavathi said the council has to approve the allocation of money. The government will give Rs 1 lakh and I have announced Rs 9 lakh from the Mayors fund. The special commissioner signed on the file but it has to be approved in the Council meeting. I will visit the family within a week to hand over the cheque.

Saraswati with her two children and pet dog at their house in Peenya in Bengaluru

Dog refuses food

Eversince Shanthakumars disappearance, the family pet dog Jockey has refused to take food. Shanthakumar had brought him home four years ago. The dog was so devoted to Shanthakumar that he would follow his master up to the road on the way to work daily.

WASHED AWAY WITHOUT A TRACE

May 20: Shanthakumar was called by his contractor in the night to operate a JCB to fix a drain in Kurubarahalli near Mahalakshmi Layout. But he was washed away in the heavy rain even as co-workers tried to rescue him. Fire personnel began search ops that lasted till midnight.

May 21: Three rescue teams at different sewage clearing points lifted silt along a 3-km distance till Sumnahalli ring road. Bengaluru in-charge minister KJ George along with Mayor visited the spot and announced compensation of Rs 10 to the family.

May 22: Search operation continued with NDRF team around Kengeri. Residents alerted that he saw a floating body at Kengeri gate on Sunday evening. But after a through search, no body was found.

May 23: Search operation called off as body remained untraced. Later more than 80 relatives of Shanthakumar searched for the body the next day.

BENGALURU: Saraswati is still numb from the tragedy of losing her husband Shanthakumar, a 34-year-old JCB operator who was washed away while fixing an overflowing drain in Kurubarahalli on May 20. The body was never found. The 24-year-old mother of two young sons is now facing another tragedy: Official callousness. BBMP officials responsible for handing over the promised compensation have put forth a condition before Saraswati: First produce Shanthakumars body as proof of death, then claim the money. Mayor G Padmavathi and Bengaluru development minister K J George had announced Rs 10 lakh for the family. But 20 days down the line, the family is yet to receive even a single rupee. Saraswati says this is what BBMP officials told her: Bring your husbands body and then take compensation. If you want immediate compensation, come along with the area MLA and take Rs 1 lakh. When asked about the callousness of the civic agency officials, BBMP Commissioner Manjunath Prasad told Express, If the family specifies the names of those officers who asked to produce Shanthakumars body, we will take appropriate action against them. Legally it takes seven years for a person to be declared dead if the body is not recovered. ShanthakumarBut he added, On humanitarian basis, we are doing our best to support the family by processing the compensation file faster. Meanwhile, Saraswati has no time to even grieve her husbands death in her Peenya home as she worries over the next meal. She has two boys to look after, one 3 years old and the other just 9 months, and has no job in hand. He was the sole breadwinner. Had the family of any government or BBMP official been in a similar situation, would they be asked the same question, she asks, adding, I do not think they care about the poor. They searched for Shanthakumar for four days and then forgot about him. Since the day her husband Shanthakumar was washed away while fixing an overflowing drain in Kurubarahalli on May 20, Saraswati has not stepped out of her house. I come out only when my older son returns from school. I do not know why the search operation was called off after four days. My relatives also searched for him for a week. But it all went in vain, she said. Recalling that fateful night, she said though Shanthakumar came near their house two hours before the incident, he did not come inside as he feared his children would prevent him from going back to work. My nine-month-old son Druhith cried nonstop on the night his father did not turn up. Every night since my husband went missing, my older son Mounish asks when his father will return home. Saraswatis husband Shanthakumar, a BBMP contract worker, was washed away while repairing a drain in Kurubarahalli on May 20. Basavaraju, brother-in-law of Saraswati, had repeatedly visited the BBMP head office in connection with the compensation. They always told him to bring the area MLA to get Rs 1 lakh as compensation. When we asked about the announcement of Rs 10 lakh before the media, they questioned as to how they could give the compensation without the body being recovered, Saraswati said. She added, I am shocked. How could they break their promise despite giving us an assurance in front of mediapersons. What was the basis on which they made this promise? Basavaraju told Express that he has spent the last 10 days chasing the compensation file from one official to another. Initially the file was sent to the Commissioner who referred it to the Special Commissioner. He referred it to the Mayor. The file was returned to the Special Commissioner who approved it and sent it to the Mayor. However, the compensation is yet to be paid. Responding to the delay in payment, Mayor Padmavathi said the council has to approve the allocation of money. The government will give Rs 1 lakh and I have announced Rs 9 lakh from the Mayors fund. The special commissioner signed on the file but it has to be approved in the Council meeting. I will visit the family within a week to hand over the cheque. Saraswati with her two children and pet dog at their house in Peenya in BengaluruDog refuses food Eversince Shanthakumars disappearance, the family pet dog Jockey has refused to take food. Shanthakumar had brought him home four years ago. The dog was so devoted to Shanthakumar that he would follow his master up to the road on the way to work daily. WASHED AWAY WITHOUT A TRACE May 20: Shanthakumar was called by his contractor in the night to operate a JCB to fix a drain in Kurubarahalli near Mahalakshmi Layout. But he was washed away in the heavy rain even as co-workers tried to rescue him. Fire personnel began search ops that lasted till midnight. May 21: Three rescue teams at different sewage clearing points lifted silt along a 3-km distance till Sumnahalli ring road. Bengaluru in-charge minister KJ George along with Mayor visited the spot and announced compensation of Rs 10 to the family. May 22: Search operation continued with NDRF team around Kengeri. Residents alerted that he saw a floating body at Kengeri gate on Sunday evening. But after a through search, no body was found. May 23: Search operation called off as body remained untraced. Later more than 80 relatives of Shanthakumar searched for the body the next day.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said he expected insurance companies to clear compensation claims for fishermen affected by the oil spill within 10 days. He was reacting to State fisheries minister D Jayakumars request to expedite it.

The compensation for fishermen affected by the oil spill following a collision between two vessels in the Ennore Port channel is pegged at Rs 203 crore.

On the controversial Sethusamudram project, Gadkari said the Ramar Sethu would not be dredged. We are looking at four to five options. Since the issue is before the Supreme Court, it is sub judice, he said.

Under the Sethusamudram project, there was proposal to create a navigation channel that would shorten the journey of vessels by not circumventing Sri Lanka. He also said Sri Lanka is keen on Indias help in developing Colombo Port, adding that talks are on.

Gadkari also expressed the Centres keenness on developing fishing beyond 11 nautical miles.

The minister earlier inaugurated the much-awaited Kamarajar Port-Adani Groups Rs 1,270 crore container terminal, Rs 151 crore multi-cargo terminal by Chettinad International Bulk Terminal, railway connectivity to container and multi-cargo terminal, e-office and RFID gate entry system.

CHENNAI: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said he expected insurance companies to clear compensation claims for fishermen affected by the oil spill within 10 days. He was reacting to State fisheries minister D Jayakumars request to expedite it. The compensation for fishermen affected by the oil spill following a collision between two vessels in the Ennore Port channel is pegged at Rs 203 crore. On the controversial Sethusamudram project, Gadkari said the Ramar Sethu would not be dredged. We are looking at four to five options. Since the issue is before the Supreme Court, it is sub judice, he said. Under the Sethusamudram project, there was proposal to create a navigation channel that would shorten the journey of vessels by not circumventing Sri Lanka. He also said Sri Lanka is keen on Indias help in developing Colombo Port, adding that talks are on. Gadkari also expressed the Centres keenness on developing fishing beyond 11 nautical miles. The minister earlier inaugurated the much-awaited Kamarajar Port-Adani Groups Rs 1,270 crore container terminal, Rs 151 crore multi-cargo terminal by Chettinad International Bulk Terminal, railway connectivity to container and multi-cargo terminal, e-office and RFID gate entry system.
By AFP

LOS ANGELES: "Beatriz at Dinner" -- a film that takes a hard look at class, racism and environmental destructions -- is seemingly perfectly suited for the Trump era, even though it was filmed before the Republican billionaire took office.

The film stars Salma Hayek as a Mexican immigrant living in the United States who was separated from her family after a failed real estate project decimated her small town.

The woman, who describes herself as "ugly, old and fat," now makes her living as a massage therapist among the wealthy in posh Orange County, in southern California.

Salma Hayek attends a "Beatriz at Dinner"

screening in New York. (Photo | AP)

Hayek plays Beatriz in plain clothes, no make-up and awkward hair -- a world away from the sultry good looks showcased in "From Dawn to Dusk" (1996), or her Oscar-nominated performance as Frida Kahlo in "Frida" (2002).

After finishing a massage session at the house of a wealthy patron, Beatriz's car breaks down. As she is far from home, where she lives with her dogs and a small goat, Beatriz's customer invites her to stay for dinner while she waits for help.

The dinner turns into a free-for-all when Beatriz decides to dispense with decorum and take on another guest, billionaire real estate developer Doug Strutt (John Lithgow), who at first mistakes her for a servant.

- 'Where are you from, originally?' -

At one point, Strutt -- who builds projects with disregard for the environment and its effect on local residents -- asks Beatriz where she is from.

When she answers "From Pasadena," he presses: "Where are you from originally?"

The painful exchanges that follow -- including one about Beatriz's immigrant status -- reflect the kinds of debates now commonplace in Donald Trump's America, and fueled by the president's promise to deport three million "illegal immigrants" and build a wall on the border with Mexico.

America's rich-poor divide is sharply depicted in the film: the petite, plain-Jane Beatriz is clearly out of place with the tall, white, well-manicured women in high heels and their husbands, who smoke cigars as they discuss business deals.

"I love this character because it represents so many people," Hayek, who is of Mexican and Lebanese descent, told AFP in a telephone interview in Spanish.

"People think that (Mexicans) still get around on donkeys. There is a lack of understanding over who we are, where we come from, what we feel and what we want."

- 'More relevant' with Trump -

The movie, presented at the Sundance Film Festival in January, opens in the United States on Friday -- one week after Trump announced that he is pulling Washington out of the Paris climate agreement.

"There are things that my character says that seems like they were written now," said Hayek, who has earned some early Oscar buzz for her work.

"With time, the movie will become more relevant."

Director Miguel Areta and screenwriter Mike White say they were inspired by the slaying of Cecil the Lion by an American dentist in Zimbabwe in June 2015.

There are people "who have a sense of entitlement and don't realize the consequence of their actions," Hayek said.

In the middle of filming, Hayek turned 50. To mark the occasion, she was serenaded on set by a mariachi band.

"It felt incredible, to share it with a director that I've been dreaming of working with for years and finally managed to do it at the age of 50," she said.

"And for a writer, one of my heroes, to have written a film for me -- you can't imagine (the joy)," she said.

LOS ANGELES: "Beatriz at Dinner" -- a film that takes a hard look at class, racism and environmental destructions -- is seemingly perfectly suited for the Trump era, even though it was filmed before the Republican billionaire took office. The film stars Salma Hayek as a Mexican immigrant living in the United States who was separated from her family after a failed real estate project decimated her small town. The woman, who describes herself as "ugly, old and fat," now makes her living as a massage therapist among the wealthy in posh Orange County, in southern California. Salma Hayek attends a "Beatriz at Dinner" screening in New York. (Photo | AP)Hayek plays Beatriz in plain clothes, no make-up and awkward hair -- a world away from the sultry good looks showcased in "From Dawn to Dusk" (1996), or her Oscar-nominated performance as Frida Kahlo in "Frida" (2002). After finishing a massage session at the house of a wealthy patron, Beatriz's car breaks down. As she is far from home, where she lives with her dogs and a small goat, Beatriz's customer invites her to stay for dinner while she waits for help. The dinner turns into a free-for-all when Beatriz decides to dispense with decorum and take on another guest, billionaire real estate developer Doug Strutt (John Lithgow), who at first mistakes her for a servant. - 'Where are you from, originally?' - At one point, Strutt -- who builds projects with disregard for the environment and its effect on local residents -- asks Beatriz where she is from. When she answers "From Pasadena," he presses: "Where are you from originally?" The painful exchanges that follow -- including one about Beatriz's immigrant status -- reflect the kinds of debates now commonplace in Donald Trump's America, and fueled by the president's promise to deport three million "illegal immigrants" and build a wall on the border with Mexico. America's rich-poor divide is sharply depicted in the film: the petite, plain-Jane Beatriz is clearly out of place with the tall, white, well-manicured women in high heels and their husbands, who smoke cigars as they discuss business deals. "I love this character because it represents so many people," Hayek, who is of Mexican and Lebanese descent, told AFP in a telephone interview in Spanish. "People think that (Mexicans) still get around on donkeys. There is a lack of understanding over who we are, where we come from, what we feel and what we want." - 'More relevant' with Trump - The movie, presented at the Sundance Film Festival in January, opens in the United States on Friday -- one week after Trump announced that he is pulling Washington out of the Paris climate agreement. "There are things that my character says that seems like they were written now," said Hayek, who has earned some early Oscar buzz for her work. "With time, the movie will become more relevant." Director Miguel Areta and screenwriter Mike White say they were inspired by the slaying of Cecil the Lion by an American dentist in Zimbabwe in June 2015. There are people "who have a sense of entitlement and don't realize the consequence of their actions," Hayek said. In the middle of filming, Hayek turned 50. To mark the occasion, she was serenaded on set by a mariachi band. "It felt incredible, to share it with a director that I've been dreaming of working with for years and finally managed to do it at the age of 50," she said. "And for a writer, one of my heroes, to have written a film for me -- you can't imagine (the joy)," she said.
Magandeep Singh By

Express News Service

In times when Carbon Footprint and Food Miles are hot topics for people who claim stake to the title Foodie in their social media intro, the idea of burning fuel to get to food far flung might seem a bit capitalist. I say if you earned it, relish it. And not just me, as a recent trip Down Under took me destination dining. With a country as large as a continent and a population no larger than a modest-sized colony in India, the idea of covering a few hundred kilometres for a meal seemed less daunting.

Destination dining is about serving food and also providing an overnight stay. You may go for the food, but if youve driven in from far, stay overnight and make a quick getaway out of a meal. Not only will the drive to the place heighten the anticipation of the awaited gourmet experience but how delightful to enjoy a hot post-prandial soak in the bath with a nightcap to ease us into slumber the ultimate climax to any dinner, ever. Which is precisely what I did on one of my meals. So picturesque was the quaint town of Beechworth that I went for a run the next morning along their gorgeous gorge to compensate for the night before. So if you happen to be planning Victoria as a plausible vacay spot, here are a few restaurants that are worthy of your attention.

Provenance, Beechworth: Chef Michael Ryan, Chef of the Year 2013, Age Good Food Guide, has created something of a Mecca for fine dining lovers in Beechworth. Japanese-influenced modern Australian with an exhaustive wine list that showcases plenty of local options. Equally luxurious on all your senses are the four adjoining suites where you can retire after your meal or get into your own personal jacuzzi. If you think getting a table here is tough, try booking a room to go with it.

Brae, Birregurra: One of the two Oz entries on the Worlds Fifty Best places to eat puts Brae in the limelight and the small town of Birregurra on the map. The 30-acre property houses the restaurant, farms and orchards, and six suites that put the most talked-about of resorts to shame. Dan Hunter has many accolades to his creditChef of the year 2016, Age Good Food Guide and Top Chef in Australias top Chef Awards 2016.

Lake House, Daylesford: This spa town is famous for its mineral-rich source water, not to forget that picturesque lake, a 90-minute drive out of Melbourne downtown. The property has studios, suites and lodges to accommodate large families or groups. The restaurant is highly acclaimed with two Chef Hats (Australias Age Good Food guides rating system with three Chef Hats being the highest) and a wine list to match. They even have packages that entail a massage before a delectable meal. The grounds are massive and suited to host large wedding receptions and corporate functions.

Eleanores Restaurant, Chateau Yering Hotel: Situated in the postcard-perfect Yarra Valley, this is a boutique hotel with a fine dining restaurant. The property holds historic significance, linked as it is to the birth of the Yarra valley wine region and now with a luxury on-site hotel, which occupies the same space and building as the original edifices. A treat of a getaway.

The writer is a sommelier.

mail@magandeepsingh.com

In times when Carbon Footprint and Food Miles are hot topics for people who claim stake to the title Foodie in their social media intro, the idea of burning fuel to get to food far flung might seem a bit capitalist. I say if you earned it, relish it. And not just me, as a recent trip Down Under took me destination dining. With a country as large as a continent and a population no larger than a modest-sized colony in India, the idea of covering a few hundred kilometres for a meal seemed less daunting. Destination dining is about serving food and also providing an overnight stay. You may go for the food, but if youve driven in from far, stay overnight and make a quick getaway out of a meal. Not only will the drive to the place heighten the anticipation of the awaited gourmet experience but how delightful to enjoy a hot post-prandial soak in the bath with a nightcap to ease us into slumber the ultimate climax to any dinner, ever. Which is precisely what I did on one of my meals. So picturesque was the quaint town of Beechworth that I went for a run the next morning along their gorgeous gorge to compensate for the night before. So if you happen to be planning Victoria as a plausible vacay spot, here are a few restaurants that are worthy of your attention. Provenance, Beechworth: Chef Michael Ryan, Chef of the Year 2013, Age Good Food Guide, has created something of a Mecca for fine dining lovers in Beechworth. Japanese-influenced modern Australian with an exhaustive wine list that showcases plenty of local options. Equally luxurious on all your senses are the four adjoining suites where you can retire after your meal or get into your own personal jacuzzi. If you think getting a table here is tough, try booking a room to go with it. Brae, Birregurra: One of the two Oz entries on the Worlds Fifty Best places to eat puts Brae in the limelight and the small town of Birregurra on the map. The 30-acre property houses the restaurant, farms and orchards, and six suites that put the most talked-about of resorts to shame. Dan Hunter has many accolades to his creditChef of the year 2016, Age Good Food Guide and Top Chef in Australias top Chef Awards 2016. Lake House, Daylesford: This spa town is famous for its mineral-rich source water, not to forget that picturesque lake, a 90-minute drive out of Melbourne downtown. The property has studios, suites and lodges to accommodate large families or groups. The restaurant is highly acclaimed with two Chef Hats (Australias Age Good Food guides rating system with three Chef Hats being the highest) and a wine list to match. They even have packages that entail a massage before a delectable meal. The grounds are massive and suited to host large wedding receptions and corporate functions. Eleanores Restaurant, Chateau Yering Hotel: Situated in the postcard-perfect Yarra Valley, this is a boutique hotel with a fine dining restaurant. The property holds historic significance, linked as it is to the birth of the Yarra valley wine region and now with a luxury on-site hotel, which occupies the same space and building as the original edifices. A treat of a getaway. The writer is a sommelier. mail@magandeepsingh.com
Express News Service

The setting sun seems particularly intense, throwing saturated colours into the Mediterranean. The beach is filled with people, lounging, sunbathing, reading or playing beach volleyball. There are scores more in the water, swimming or just treading water. To one side are surfers trying to catch the waves. As soon as the sun sets, an outdoor stage comes alive with loud, thumping music, and an air of revelry is in the air. Tel Avivs reputation as the party capital appears to be intact.

Ilana Goor Museum in Jaffa

This is so different than the morning. Tel Aviv is a young Mediterranean city, just a hundred years old or so. It has taken on the mantle of a new-age capital and is the hub of finance, commerce and technology.

Yet, Tel Aviv is all business during the day, and roads are crowded with people. In Carmel Market, locals and tourists mingle amidst a lively bustle. Theres everything heregroceries, vegetables, fruits, baked goods, souvenirs and jewellery, and much more.

To understand Tel Avivs beginnings, the place to start is Jaffa, south of Tel Aviv, mostly undulating with stunning vantage point views of the sea and of the city. Estimated to be over 9,000 years old, it has been continuously inhabited ever since. The most fascinating story goes back to Greek mythology; this is where Andromeda was chained and then rescued by Perseus. Its popular associations, however, are relatively recent, with Biblical connections to Solomon and St. Peter.

At Jaffas entrance is a clock tower, behind which the old town spreads out. It is a maze of narrow cobbled streets and alleys, interspersed with arched passages and little nooks and corners that open into lovely stores and boutiques. The Jaffa Museum of Antiquities is housed in an eye-catching Ottomon building where an ancient fortress stood earlier, or the Alana Goor museum with its quirky and creative exhibits. At one end of Jaffa , on a vantage point, stands the beautiful pink and white 17th century St. Peters Church, a Roman Catholic basilica. From here, there are unhindered and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean as well as Tel Avivs skyline. This is also a comparatively quiet place and offers serenity.

Come evening, and the place to be is Tel Avivs Beach Road, when the beach transforms into one big party zone and the glitzy lights add a strange allure. But thats not to say that theres no action elsewhere. Especially in summer, open squares and in parks, marquees come up and makeshift bars and dancing areas pulsate with energy and revelry. Elsewhere, on Rothschild Boulevard, the Neve Tzedek section and the Port area are filled with snazzy bars and chic clubs. But no matter where you are, theres usually music and good cheer well past midnight and almost into the early hours.

And yet, its back to business the next morning. There are hardly any signs of the night before, and its as if the morning has swept clean everything only to make way for another day and another night of festivities. All of which gives ample credence to Tel Avivs party-city reputation.

The setting sun seems particularly intense, throwing saturated colours into the Mediterranean. The beach is filled with people, lounging, sunbathing, reading or playing beach volleyball. There are scores more in the water, swimming or just treading water. To one side are surfers trying to catch the waves. As soon as the sun sets, an outdoor stage comes alive with loud, thumping music, and an air of revelry is in the air. Tel Avivs reputation as the party capital appears to be intact. Ilana Goor Museum in Jaffa This is so different than the morning. Tel Aviv is a young Mediterranean city, just a hundred years old or so. It has taken on the mantle of a new-age capital and is the hub of finance, commerce and technology. Yet, Tel Aviv is all business during the day, and roads are crowded with people. In Carmel Market, locals and tourists mingle amidst a lively bustle. Theres everything heregroceries, vegetables, fruits, baked goods, souvenirs and jewellery, and much more. To understand Tel Avivs beginnings, the place to start is Jaffa, south of Tel Aviv, mostly undulating with stunning vantage point views of the sea and of the city. Estimated to be over 9,000 years old, it has been continuously inhabited ever since. The most fascinating story goes back to Greek mythology; this is where Andromeda was chained and then rescued by Perseus. Its popular associations, however, are relatively recent, with Biblical connections to Solomon and St. Peter. At Jaffas entrance is a clock tower, behind which the old town spreads out. It is a maze of narrow cobbled streets and alleys, interspersed with arched passages and little nooks and corners that open into lovely stores and boutiques. The Jaffa Museum of Antiquities is housed in an eye-catching Ottomon building where an ancient fortress stood earlier, or the Alana Goor museum with its quirky and creative exhibits. At one end of Jaffa , on a vantage point, stands the beautiful pink and white 17th century St. Peters Church, a Roman Catholic basilica. From here, there are unhindered and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean as well as Tel Avivs skyline. This is also a comparatively quiet place and offers serenity. Come evening, and the place to be is Tel Avivs Beach Road, when the beach transforms into one big party zone and the glitzy lights add a strange allure. But thats not to say that theres no action elsewhere. Especially in summer, open squares and in parks, marquees come up and makeshift bars and dancing areas pulsate with energy and revelry. Elsewhere, on Rothschild Boulevard, the Neve Tzedek section and the Port area are filled with snazzy bars and chic clubs. But no matter where you are, theres usually music and good cheer well past midnight and almost into the early hours. And yet, its back to business the next morning. There are hardly any signs of the night before, and its as if the morning has swept clean everything only to make way for another day and another night of festivities. All of which gives ample credence to Tel Avivs party-city reputation.
G Parthasarathy By

Assessments of the first three years in office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly with regards to issues of domestic policies, have been subjects of lively discussions across the country. But, in the meantime, there has been broad agreement that the PM has put his own personal stamp when it came to his conduct of foreign policy. Predictably, differences of views have arisen, largely over the conduct of relations with Pakistan, even as there has been a more robust response by India to Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism. Modi, in his first three years in office, has confirmed that our country is viewed internationally today, by the strength and resilience of its economy, and by the domestic popularity of its leadership.

Modi receives high marks for the fact that India is now universally perceived among the fastest-growing economies in the world, with rising FDI, hitting a record $60-billion mark last year. The UP polls were seen as confirming Modis domestic popularity, eliciting compliments from even Americas mercurial President Donald Trump. It must be acknowledged that controversies have arisen in public perceptions abroad over reports of sectarian divisions in India, among other reasons, because of writings by our own people.

The major surprise in many parts of the world has been the remarkable dexterity shown by the government in dealing with the Islamic world. Modi had been the recipient of vicious propaganda even before he assumed office. He has, however, visited every important Islamic country across the Indian Ocean. He discarded our past hypocrisy of keeping our relations with Israel hidden, on considerations of vote bank politics, by scheduling a visit to the country, even as he kept the Palestinians engaged. We are seeing the emergence of a coherent strategy to establish our regional profile across the Indian Ocean, by Modis visits to key East African countries with immense potential for economic cooperation. A coherent policy of challenging the Chinese hegemony in our neighbourhood is also emerging by Indias refusal to back Chinas controversial Economic Corridorsdesigned to encircle us, while using Pakistan as its prime instrument for containment.

Our relations with European powersGermany, France, the UK and Spainhave been strengthened, and efforts are underway to see that Russia does not get overly influenced by China. New Delhi has noted that despite President Vladimir Putins visit to Beijing to inaugurate Chinas grandiose plans of dominating land and sea routes across and around Asia, there are serious reservations in Russia about it. It is also vital to avoid complacency in our relationship with the US, given the unpredictable ways of President Trump.

While PM Modis Summit meetings have given new dynamism to the conduct of foreign policy, we should also carefully look at what remains to be done. While important agreements have been reached during Modis visits across our Indian Ocean neighbourhood, there is a feeling that India has not shown vigour in actual implementation of decisions agreed upon at the highest levels.

This has remained an endemic problem for decades, in the conduct of our foreign policy, especially on economic issues and projects. It needs to be addressed by constant monitoring and assigning responsibilities to individual ministers, for implementation of projects abroad. Moreover, the reduction in expenditure on defence, to a record low of 1.7 per cent of GDP, has been noted at a time when our armed forces need rapid modernisation in the face of threats from China and Pakistan. Important recommendations on streamlining and professionalising the archaic patterns of staffing and working in the Defence Ministry need to be implemented without further delay. All these issues need to be addressed urgently.

G Parthasarathy

Former diplomat

dadpartha@gmail.com

Assessments of the first three years in office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly with regards to issues of domestic policies, have been subjects of lively discussions across the country. But, in the meantime, there has been broad agreement that the PM has put his own personal stamp when it came to his conduct of foreign policy. Predictably, differences of views have arisen, largely over the conduct of relations with Pakistan, even as there has been a more robust response by India to Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism. Modi, in his first three years in office, has confirmed that our country is viewed internationally today, by the strength and resilience of its economy, and by the domestic popularity of its leadership. Modi receives high marks for the fact that India is now universally perceived among the fastest-growing economies in the world, with rising FDI, hitting a record $60-billion mark last year. The UP polls were seen as confirming Modis domestic popularity, eliciting compliments from even Americas mercurial President Donald Trump. It must be acknowledged that controversies have arisen in public perceptions abroad over reports of sectarian divisions in India, among other reasons, because of writings by our own people. The major surprise in many parts of the world has been the remarkable dexterity shown by the government in dealing with the Islamic world. Modi had been the recipient of vicious propaganda even before he assumed office. He has, however, visited every important Islamic country across the Indian Ocean. He discarded our past hypocrisy of keeping our relations with Israel hidden, on considerations of vote bank politics, by scheduling a visit to the country, even as he kept the Palestinians engaged. We are seeing the emergence of a coherent strategy to establish our regional profile across the Indian Ocean, by Modis visits to key East African countries with immense potential for economic cooperation. A coherent policy of challenging the Chinese hegemony in our neighbourhood is also emerging by Indias refusal to back Chinas controversial Economic Corridorsdesigned to encircle us, while using Pakistan as its prime instrument for containment. Our relations with European powersGermany, France, the UK and Spainhave been strengthened, and efforts are underway to see that Russia does not get overly influenced by China. New Delhi has noted that despite President Vladimir Putins visit to Beijing to inaugurate Chinas grandiose plans of dominating land and sea routes across and around Asia, there are serious reservations in Russia about it. It is also vital to avoid complacency in our relationship with the US, given the unpredictable ways of President Trump. While PM Modis Summit meetings have given new dynamism to the conduct of foreign policy, we should also carefully look at what remains to be done. While important agreements have been reached during Modis visits across our Indian Ocean neighbourhood, there is a feeling that India has not shown vigour in actual implementation of decisions agreed upon at the highest levels. This has remained an endemic problem for decades, in the conduct of our foreign policy, especially on economic issues and projects. It needs to be addressed by constant monitoring and assigning responsibilities to individual ministers, for implementation of projects abroad. Moreover, the reduction in expenditure on defence, to a record low of 1.7 per cent of GDP, has been noted at a time when our armed forces need rapid modernisation in the face of threats from China and Pakistan. Important recommendations on streamlining and professionalising the archaic patterns of staffing and working in the Defence Ministry need to be implemented without further delay. All these issues need to be addressed urgently. G Parthasarathy Former diplomat dadpartha@gmail.com
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Several senior journalists today came together to protest against an "Emergency-like situation" which they alleged was due to "attempts to muzzle the voices" of media with NDTV founder Prannoy Roy demanding that issues involving his channel be resolved in time-bound manner.

The protest, which saw some senior journalists like Kuldeep Nayyar, Arun Shourie, H K Dua and S Nihal Singh in attendance at the lawns of the Press Club of India here, came days after the CBI conducted searches at the residence of Roy here and three other locations for allegedly causing losses to a private bank.

The NDTV had described the actions as a "witch-hunt" based on "same old" false accusations. Former Union minister and veteran journalist Shourie alleged that the government has been controlling the media through two major instruments -- one by "offering bribe" through advertisements and the other by "subterranean spreading of fear". "Now they are using the third instrument, which is overt pressure and they have made NDTV an example of that.

I believe this will intensify in the coming months," he said. Shourie alleged that the government would in future not only resort to managing but also suppressing the voices of dissent. "If you (journalists) think that if you give prominence to articles of some of the ministers in newspapers or give them air time, they will help you in crisis. "In fact, when the assault comes on you, none of them will help," Shourie said.

He said the present government is run by "two and half men", without elaborating whom he referred to. "There is no minister here.

The government is of two- and-a-half men," he alleged. "Instead of buying peace with concession, I would urge non cooperation...just boycott their (government's) press conferences, deny them that," Shourie said.

Eminent jurist Fali S Nariman said no one is immune to being prosecuted from criminal offence. "But the manner and circumstances and the so-called justification of the CBI raids give me reason to believe that all this is definitely an unjustified attack on press and media," he said. "We are meeting here to stop future deligitimisatioon of the media," he said, adding similar attempts to muzzle the voices of media were made by the Indira Gandhi government.

Veteran journalist Kuldeep Nayyar urged journalists to rise to the occasion in this battle for independent media. "We cannot and should not allow anybody to muzzle the voice of media. We are facing more or less the same situation as in the Emergency," he said.

Addressing the gathering, Roy said, "I commit here today that we will answer all the charges openly and transparently. What all I ask is to please make it a time-bound process."

Members of the Press Club of India, the Federation of Press Clubs of India, Delhi Union of Journalists, the Press Association, the Foreign Correspondents Club, the Indian Women's Press Corps and the Editors Guild of India were also present.

NEW DELHI: Several senior journalists today came together to protest against an "Emergency-like situation" which they alleged was due to "attempts to muzzle the voices" of media with NDTV founder Prannoy Roy demanding that issues involving his channel be resolved in time-bound manner. The protest, which saw some senior journalists like Kuldeep Nayyar, Arun Shourie, H K Dua and S Nihal Singh in attendance at the lawns of the Press Club of India here, came days after the CBI conducted searches at the residence of Roy here and three other locations for allegedly causing losses to a private bank. The NDTV had described the actions as a "witch-hunt" based on "same old" false accusations. Former Union minister and veteran journalist Shourie alleged that the government has been controlling the media through two major instruments -- one by "offering bribe" through advertisements and the other by "subterranean spreading of fear". "Now they are using the third instrument, which is overt pressure and they have made NDTV an example of that. I believe this will intensify in the coming months," he said. Shourie alleged that the government would in future not only resort to managing but also suppressing the voices of dissent. "If you (journalists) think that if you give prominence to articles of some of the ministers in newspapers or give them air time, they will help you in crisis. "In fact, when the assault comes on you, none of them will help," Shourie said. He said the present government is run by "two and half men", without elaborating whom he referred to. "There is no minister here. The government is of two- and-a-half men," he alleged. "Instead of buying peace with concession, I would urge non cooperation...just boycott their (government's) press conferences, deny them that," Shourie said. Eminent jurist Fali S Nariman said no one is immune to being prosecuted from criminal offence. "But the manner and circumstances and the so-called justification of the CBI raids give me reason to believe that all this is definitely an unjustified attack on press and media," he said. "We are meeting here to stop future deligitimisatioon of the media," he said, adding similar attempts to muzzle the voices of media were made by the Indira Gandhi government. Veteran journalist Kuldeep Nayyar urged journalists to rise to the occasion in this battle for independent media. "We cannot and should not allow anybody to muzzle the voice of media. We are facing more or less the same situation as in the Emergency," he said. Addressing the gathering, Roy said, "I commit here today that we will answer all the charges openly and transparently. What all I ask is to please make it a time-bound process." Members of the Press Club of India, the Federation of Press Clubs of India, Delhi Union of Journalists, the Press Association, the Foreign Correspondents Club, the Indian Women's Press Corps and the Editors Guild of India were also present.
By PTI

MUMBAI: Virtually putting its ruling ally in Maharashtra on notice, the Shiv Sena today asked the BJP to announce a "complete farm loan waiver" if it wanted to avoid a mid-term election in the state.

Toughening of stand by the Sena at a time when the Devendra Fadnavis government is on the backfoot due to farmers' protests assumes significance amid reports that the BJP is weighing its options vis-a-vis an early Assembly election. The BJP-led NDA government was formed in the state in October, 2014.

Though the chief minister had announced a loan waiver for the small and marginal farmers amid a farmers' protest, the Sena had been insisting on a "complete farm loan waiver".

Sena MP Sanjay Raut today told a Marathi news channel that the party will not be affected if it relinquished power.

"We will not lose anything and it will not affect us even if we relinquish power. We are better prepared than the BJP in case of a mid-term election. If the government wishes to avoid it, it should immediately announce a complete farm loan waiver," he said.

Asserting that the Sena would withdraw from the government "in no time" if it wanted to, Raut asked the BJP to clearly state that the Uddhav Thackeray-led party's stand on various issues was indeed "causing anguish" within the saffron party.

"Take it as our warning...announce a complete (farm) loan waiver or we will not take much time to throttle the government," he said.

The Rajya Sabha member accused Fadnavis of playing "dirty politics" over the issue of farm loan waiver.

"It is the chief minister who created a rift between (Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana chief) Raju Shetti and (Minister of state for Agriculture) Sadabhau Khot," he alleged.

Referring to Fadnavis' statement that the government will withdraw the cases only against the protesting farmers and not the others, Raut asked, "Can a worker of a political party also not be a farmer?"

Replying to a query on the upcoming presidential polls, the Sena MP said his party had no intention of putting pressure on the BJP when the latter proposed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's name for the country's top constitutional post.

Referring to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar's "reluctance" to throw his hat in the ring for the presidential polls, Raut said, "Pawar does not seem to have agreed on the proposal, but if he files nomination, we will see."

MUMBAI: Virtually putting its ruling ally in Maharashtra on notice, the Shiv Sena today asked the BJP to announce a "complete farm loan waiver" if it wanted to avoid a mid-term election in the state. Toughening of stand by the Sena at a time when the Devendra Fadnavis government is on the backfoot due to farmers' protests assumes significance amid reports that the BJP is weighing its options vis-a-vis an early Assembly election. The BJP-led NDA government was formed in the state in October, 2014. Though the chief minister had announced a loan waiver for the small and marginal farmers amid a farmers' protest, the Sena had been insisting on a "complete farm loan waiver". Sena MP Sanjay Raut today told a Marathi news channel that the party will not be affected if it relinquished power. "We will not lose anything and it will not affect us even if we relinquish power. We are better prepared than the BJP in case of a mid-term election. If the government wishes to avoid it, it should immediately announce a complete farm loan waiver," he said. Asserting that the Sena would withdraw from the government "in no time" if it wanted to, Raut asked the BJP to clearly state that the Uddhav Thackeray-led party's stand on various issues was indeed "causing anguish" within the saffron party. "Take it as our warning...announce a complete (farm) loan waiver or we will not take much time to throttle the government," he said. The Rajya Sabha member accused Fadnavis of playing "dirty politics" over the issue of farm loan waiver. "It is the chief minister who created a rift between (Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana chief) Raju Shetti and (Minister of state for Agriculture) Sadabhau Khot," he alleged. Referring to Fadnavis' statement that the government will withdraw the cases only against the protesting farmers and not the others, Raut asked, "Can a worker of a political party also not be a farmer?" Replying to a query on the upcoming presidential polls, the Sena MP said his party had no intention of putting pressure on the BJP when the latter proposed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's name for the country's top constitutional post. Referring to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar's "reluctance" to throw his hat in the ring for the presidential polls, Raut said, "Pawar does not seem to have agreed on the proposal, but if he files nomination, we will see."
Pradip R Sagar By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: In an attempt to minimise casualties and collateral damage, Indian Army plans to acquire hand-held radars to detect militants hiding in houses in Jammu and Kashmir during counter insurgency operations. At least two through the wall radars will be inducted in a short time followed by 40 more such devices.

Official sources said these radars mounted on tripods can see movement or an image behind the wall from a range of 50 to 70 metres and cost Rs 60 lakh each. The radars will come from Israel and US. The Army will procure them through the Army commanders discretionary fund.

An Army official said that these wall radars are capable of capturing signature or silhouette of a human body apart from body heat or breath via electromagnetic rays and will help to ferret out militants from hideouts.

These hideouts built within houses in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, especially in heavily-populated districts are virtually undetectable. In fact, some of the hideouts can accommodate three to four militants in cramped places for hours together even as security forces are trying to locate their presence, officials said.

Officials said that in the past few months several hideouts had been constructed by terror sympathisers.

NEW DELHI: In an attempt to minimise casualties and collateral damage, Indian Army plans to acquire hand-held radars to detect militants hiding in houses in Jammu and Kashmir during counter insurgency operations. At least two through the wall radars will be inducted in a short time followed by 40 more such devices. Official sources said these radars mounted on tripods can see movement or an image behind the wall from a range of 50 to 70 metres and cost Rs 60 lakh each. The radars will come from Israel and US. The Army will procure them through the Army commanders discretionary fund. An Army official said that these wall radars are capable of capturing signature or silhouette of a human body apart from body heat or breath via electromagnetic rays and will help to ferret out militants from hideouts. These hideouts built within houses in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, especially in heavily-populated districts are virtually undetectable. In fact, some of the hideouts can accommodate three to four militants in cramped places for hours together even as security forces are trying to locate their presence, officials said. Officials said that in the past few months several hideouts had been constructed by terror sympathisers.
By Online Desk

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan sat on an indefinite fast at Dussehra Maidan here today for "restoration of peace" amid a farmers' agitation in the state.

Chouhan, clad in kurta-pajama and a Nehru jacket, sat on fast at a pandal erected at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited's Dussehra Maiden here at around 11 am after former chief minister Kailash Joshi put a 'tilak' on his forehead.

Chouhan's wife Sadhana was by his side.

Also Read: Mandsaur peaceful, curfew relaxed for 12 hours

"I know of the bumper crop production that has sent the prices crashing down in the state. I know your (farmers) problems," he said addressing a gathering, including cultivators, here.

"The state government stands firm with the farmers. We are going to buy the farm produce and give profitable prices for it," he assured.

The CM also said, My each breath in last few hours has been taken for the development of Madhya Pradesh, adding that the governments priority was farming in the state. More than 65 percent of our population is dependent on farming. So the state cannot move ahead without the farmers."

Chouhan asserted that after him becoming the chief minister, farmers in the state got 40 lakh hectares of land which was initially 7.5 lakh hectares only.

Highlighting his various schemes for the farmers, Chouhan further said, "Whenever, there has been a crisis, I did not sit at my office and visited the farmers myself."

I wont sit in my office at Vallabh Bhawan on Saturday, but instead start a fast at the Dussehra ground in the BHEL campus at Bhopal from 11 am. I invite all those indulging in the violent stir to start a dialogue with us there, Chouhan said yesterday.

I have been appealing to the protesters for peace as those pelting the stones and those giving them the stones are all our own. Only dialogue can resolve the crisis. Anyone who wants to talk to the government in peace is welcome to come to the Dussehra ground on Saturday, the chief minister added.

The CMs call for dialogue was welcomed by the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh (RKMS), the farmers body, which has been spearheading the ten-days long stir since June 1.

However, all farmers' organisations, including RKMS, which have been agitating for better support prices for farm produce, loan waiver and other demands across the state, have already said that the stir would end on the tenth day today.

Not only us, but the representatives of all farmers bodies, including the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) and Aam Kisan Union (AKU) have accepted the CMs invitation and hope a peaceful resolution to the impasse, said RKMS spokesperson Sunil Gaur.

However, the opposition Congress dubbed the CMs invite and politics of fast as drama.

If he is so serious about talking with the farmers, why did he wait for nine long days and the deaths of six farmers in Mandsaur? asked MP Congress president Arun Yadav.

Also, State Congress' chief spokesperson K K Mishra remarked that Chouhan should tell people whether his so-called fast is a "nautanki" (drama), an event or an act of repentance for his misdeeds that "set the state on fire".



"Though he is trying to send a message that he is doing Gandhi-giri (using a Gandhian way), it is absolutely not so. He neither sat at the foot of the statue of Gandhi nor did he garland the statue before launching his 'nautanki'," Mishra added.



"He should remember that (demon king) Ravana is burnt every year at the Dussehra Maidan," the Congress leader said.

Earlier, the leader of opposition in the state assembly Ajay Singh and the MP Congress chief Arun Yadav had demanded a special session of the assembly on the farmers issue.

The chief whip of the opposition party Ramniwas Rawat has already written a letter to the state governor on Thursday, requesting to convene the special session.

Meanwhile Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders slammed the BJP government saying that in BJP-ruled states, farmers were getting bullets instead of their rightful dues.

The death toll in the ongoing crisis rose to six yesterday, when a 32-year-old farmer, Ghanshyam Dhakad, who was brought by police from Bhaugarh (Mandsaur) to Indores MY Hospital on Thursday late night, died. On duty cops prevented Ghanshyams wife from attempting to end her life at the hospital.

Ghanshyams kin alleged that he was detained by police from Daloda-Sapra village during the farmers agitation in Bhaugarh, Mandsaur, on Thursday afternoon and was brutally beaten in custody.

It was police beating that killed Ghanshyam, they alleged.

Opposition Congress leaders and workers, including former MP from Dewas Sajjan Singh Verma, reached the hospital and supported allegations of custodial death. He also demanded a panel of doctors to conduct the autopsy of Ghanshyam and show him the video.

City SP (Sanyogitaganj-Indore) Pawan Mishra, who reached the hospital with his force confirmed over phone to the New Indian Express that Bhaugarh police had brought Ghanshyam Dhakad to MY Hospital in a critical state.

When Ghanshyam was brought by Mandsaur police to the hospital at around 10.30 pm on Thursday, he was vomiting. He died at around 11.15 pm and only the autopsy will establish what actually happened said Mishra.

In Mandsaur district, senior police officials remained tight-lipped over this recent development.

On June 6, five agitating farmers were previously killed in police firing in Bahi Chowpati of Mandsaur district.

Also yesterday, the curfew in Mandsaur and Pipliyamandi towns was relaxed from 10 am to 4 pm.

However, violence was reported from different spots on the Bhopal-Indore highway since 11.30 am in Sehore district.

Trouble started when over a 1000 farmers blocked the highway near Fanda village and pelted stones and burnt tyres. When police used force and fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob, they had first retreated and then set ablaze a private four-wheeler vehicle.

The mob subsequently moved to Fanda village and continued stone pelting on the police and paramilitary force personnel chasing them.

Dozens of people indulging in violence have been detained and heavy police force has been deployed on the highway, said SP (Bhopal North) Arvind Saxena.

Among those who were detained yesterday by MP cops had also included a farmer named Raju Rajput, who was at the forefront of the violent protests.

(With inputs from ANI, ENS and PTI)

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan sat on an indefinite fast at Dussehra Maidan here today for "restoration of peace" amid a farmers' agitation in the state. Chouhan, clad in kurta-pajama and a Nehru jacket, sat on fast at a pandal erected at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited's Dussehra Maiden here at around 11 am after former chief minister Kailash Joshi put a 'tilak' on his forehead. Chouhan's wife Sadhana was by his side. Also Read: Mandsaur peaceful, curfew relaxed for 12 hours "I know of the bumper crop production that has sent the prices crashing down in the state. I know your (farmers) problems," he said addressing a gathering, including cultivators, here. "The state government stands firm with the farmers. We are going to buy the farm produce and give profitable prices for it," he assured. The CM also said, My each breath in last few hours has been taken for the development of Madhya Pradesh, adding that the governments priority was farming in the state. More than 65 percent of our population is dependent on farming. So the state cannot move ahead without the farmers." Chouhan asserted that after him becoming the chief minister, farmers in the state got 40 lakh hectares of land which was initially 7.5 lakh hectares only. Highlighting his various schemes for the farmers, Chouhan further said, "Whenever, there has been a crisis, I did not sit at my office and visited the farmers myself." I wont sit in my office at Vallabh Bhawan on Saturday, but instead start a fast at the Dussehra ground in the BHEL campus at Bhopal from 11 am. I invite all those indulging in the violent stir to start a dialogue with us there, Chouhan said yesterday. I have been appealing to the protesters for peace as those pelting the stones and those giving them the stones are all our own. Only dialogue can resolve the crisis. Anyone who wants to talk to the government in peace is welcome to come to the Dussehra ground on Saturday, the chief minister added. The CMs call for dialogue was welcomed by the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh (RKMS), the farmers body, which has been spearheading the ten-days long stir since June 1. However, all farmers' organisations, including RKMS, which have been agitating for better support prices for farm produce, loan waiver and other demands across the state, have already said that the stir would end on the tenth day today. Not only us, but the representatives of all farmers bodies, including the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) and Aam Kisan Union (AKU) have accepted the CMs invitation and hope a peaceful resolution to the impasse, said RKMS spokesperson Sunil Gaur. However, the opposition Congress dubbed the CMs invite and politics of fast as drama. If he is so serious about talking with the farmers, why did he wait for nine long days and the deaths of six farmers in Mandsaur? asked MP Congress president Arun Yadav. Also, State Congress' chief spokesperson K K Mishra remarked that Chouhan should tell people whether his so-called fast is a "nautanki" (drama), an event or an act of repentance for his misdeeds that "set the state on fire". "Though he is trying to send a message that he is doing Gandhi-giri (using a Gandhian way), it is absolutely not so. He neither sat at the foot of the statue of Gandhi nor did he garland the statue before launching his 'nautanki'," Mishra added. "He should remember that (demon king) Ravana is burnt every year at the Dussehra Maidan," the Congress leader said. Earlier, the leader of opposition in the state assembly Ajay Singh and the MP Congress chief Arun Yadav had demanded a special session of the assembly on the farmers issue. The chief whip of the opposition party Ramniwas Rawat has already written a letter to the state governor on Thursday, requesting to convene the special session. Meanwhile Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders slammed the BJP government saying that in BJP-ruled states, farmers were getting bullets instead of their rightful dues. The death toll in the ongoing crisis rose to six yesterday, when a 32-year-old farmer, Ghanshyam Dhakad, who was brought by police from Bhaugarh (Mandsaur) to Indores MY Hospital on Thursday late night, died. On duty cops prevented Ghanshyams wife from attempting to end her life at the hospital. Ghanshyams kin alleged that he was detained by police from Daloda-Sapra village during the farmers agitation in Bhaugarh, Mandsaur, on Thursday afternoon and was brutally beaten in custody. It was police beating that killed Ghanshyam, they alleged. Opposition Congress leaders and workers, including former MP from Dewas Sajjan Singh Verma, reached the hospital and supported allegations of custodial death. He also demanded a panel of doctors to conduct the autopsy of Ghanshyam and show him the video. City SP (Sanyogitaganj-Indore) Pawan Mishra, who reached the hospital with his force confirmed over phone to the New Indian Express that Bhaugarh police had brought Ghanshyam Dhakad to MY Hospital in a critical state. When Ghanshyam was brought by Mandsaur police to the hospital at around 10.30 pm on Thursday, he was vomiting. He died at around 11.15 pm and only the autopsy will establish what actually happened said Mishra. In Mandsaur district, senior police officials remained tight-lipped over this recent development. On June 6, five agitating farmers were previously killed in police firing in Bahi Chowpati of Mandsaur district. Also yesterday, the curfew in Mandsaur and Pipliyamandi towns was relaxed from 10 am to 4 pm. However, violence was reported from different spots on the Bhopal-Indore highway since 11.30 am in Sehore district. Trouble started when over a 1000 farmers blocked the highway near Fanda village and pelted stones and burnt tyres. When police used force and fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob, they had first retreated and then set ablaze a private four-wheeler vehicle. The mob subsequently moved to Fanda village and continued stone pelting on the police and paramilitary force personnel chasing them. Dozens of people indulging in violence have been detained and heavy police force has been deployed on the highway, said SP (Bhopal North) Arvind Saxena. Among those who were detained yesterday by MP cops had also included a farmer named Raju Rajput, who was at the forefront of the violent protests. (With inputs from ANI, ENS and PTI)
By Express News Service

BHOPAL: The violent agrarian agitation in Madhya Pradesh, which was largely confined to the western districts, spread to Sehore, hometown of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Friday. Sehore is barely 30 km from the State capital Bhopal. Meanwhile, a farmer, who was in police custody, died at a hospital, allegedly due to torture, and another reportedly committed suicide due to mounting loans.

Kishan Lal Meena, 45, allegedly killed himself by consuming celphos  a commonly-used pesticide  on Thursday. Kishan, a native of Sagonia village in Raisen district, told his family before dying that he had taken the extreme step of consuming pesticide due to mounting loans and electricity dues worth around `17 lakh.

Kishans family told police officials he was under pressure to repay the loans, including `10 lakh he had taken from a bank, `5 lakh from money lenders and outstanding power dues worth `2 lakh. He was under pressure due to constant threats from moneylenders and his inability to get his three daughters married, they claimed.

Over the last 16 years, over 20,000 farmers committed suicide in the State over a variety of reasons, according to government data. Between Feb 2016 and 2017, 1,982 farmers and farm labourers took their lives.

Meanwhile, 32-year-old ryot Ghanshyam Dhakad, who was brought to Indores MY Hospital by police late on Thursday night, died hours later. The farmers kin reached the hospital from Mandsaur on Friday morning, where his wife attempted to commit suicide. The victims family alleged he was detained by police in Daldoa-Sapra village during the agitation on Thursday and beat brutally in custody.

It was due to police torture that Ghanshyam died, they alleged.

When Ghanshyam was brought by the Mandsaur police to the hospital in Indore at around 10.30 pm on Thursday, he was vomiting. He died around 11.15 pm. Only postmortem will establish what actually happened to him said City SP Pawan Mishra.

Senior police officials in Mandsaur district remained tight-lipped as the death toll in the agitation climbed to 6. Earlier on June 6, five agitating farmers were killed in police firing in the same district.

Chouhans upwaas politics:

BHOPAL: The violent agrarian agitation in Madhya Pradesh, which was largely confined to the western districts, spread to Sehore, hometown of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on Friday. Sehore is barely 30 km from the State capital Bhopal. Meanwhile, a farmer, who was in police custody, died at a hospital, allegedly due to torture, and another reportedly committed suicide due to mounting loans. Kishan Lal Meena, 45, allegedly killed himself by consuming celphos  a commonly-used pesticide  on Thursday. Kishan, a native of Sagonia village in Raisen district, told his family before dying that he had taken the extreme step of consuming pesticide due to mounting loans and electricity dues worth around `17 lakh. Kishans family told police officials he was under pressure to repay the loans, including `10 lakh he had taken from a bank, `5 lakh from money lenders and outstanding power dues worth `2 lakh. He was under pressure due to constant threats from moneylenders and his inability to get his three daughters married, they claimed. Over the last 16 years, over 20,000 farmers committed suicide in the State over a variety of reasons, according to government data. Between Feb 2016 and 2017, 1,982 farmers and farm labourers took their lives. Meanwhile, 32-year-old ryot Ghanshyam Dhakad, who was brought to Indores MY Hospital by police late on Thursday night, died hours later. The farmers kin reached the hospital from Mandsaur on Friday morning, where his wife attempted to commit suicide. The victims family alleged he was detained by police in Daldoa-Sapra village during the agitation on Thursday and beat brutally in custody. It was due to police torture that Ghanshyam died, they alleged. When Ghanshyam was brought by the Mandsaur police to the hospital in Indore at around 10.30 pm on Thursday, he was vomiting. He died around 11.15 pm. Only postmortem will establish what actually happened to him said City SP Pawan Mishra. Senior police officials in Mandsaur district remained tight-lipped as the death toll in the agitation climbed to 6. Earlier on June 6, five agitating farmers were killed in police firing in the same district. Chouhans upwaas politics:
By PTI

PANAJI: Hindu organisations from various parts of the country and abroad will demand a nationwide ban on consumption of beef at the four-day convention scheduled at Ramnathi village in Goa on June 14, a Hindu Janjagruti Samiti functionary said today.

HJS leader Charudatt Pingle announced that more than 400 delegates representing over 150 Hindu organisations from across the country, and also from Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will attend the sixth Hindu convention being organised by the HJS. "All 150 Hindu organisations from 21 Indian states besides three countries will demand a nationwide ban on beef consumption. The supreme court directives on beef ban are clear.

We should implement the supreme court order," he told reporters. Samiti national spokesman Ramesh Shinde said the "differences" between Goa government and the Centre over the recent notification banning trade of cattle for slaughter at animal markets indicate that democracy has failed. "There is no unanimity between the government of Goa and Union government.

Though both the governments are led by one party, they are not unanimous over the notification. This is a failure of democracy," he said.

PANAJI: Hindu organisations from various parts of the country and abroad will demand a nationwide ban on consumption of beef at the four-day convention scheduled at Ramnathi village in Goa on June 14, a Hindu Janjagruti Samiti functionary said today. HJS leader Charudatt Pingle announced that more than 400 delegates representing over 150 Hindu organisations from across the country, and also from Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will attend the sixth Hindu convention being organised by the HJS. "All 150 Hindu organisations from 21 Indian states besides three countries will demand a nationwide ban on beef consumption. The supreme court directives on beef ban are clear. We should implement the supreme court order," he told reporters. Samiti national spokesman Ramesh Shinde said the "differences" between Goa government and the Centre over the recent notification banning trade of cattle for slaughter at animal markets indicate that democracy has failed. "There is no unanimity between the government of Goa and Union government. Though both the governments are led by one party, they are not unanimous over the notification. This is a failure of democracy," he said.
RED LODGE  It was Carbon County Sheriffs Office deputy Quentin Thompson who responded to a call in Belfry and first noticed a dead body after looking through the front window.

Thompson went around the house and peered through a side window. A streak of blood stained the hallway. More deputies were on the way to the small, quiet town.

When Thompson, another deputy and Carbon County Sheriff Josh McQuillan first entered the home, they found two more residents in pools of dried blood. Some of the nearly 20 gunshots came at very close range.

Assistant Attorney General Dan Guzynski characterized the acts earlier this week.

This is personal, he said.

On Friday, experts testified about what exactly the killer did.

Robert James LeCou sat quietly through the fifth day of trial in Red Lodge. He was charged with three counts of deliberate homicide for the killings, which took place in April 2016.

In court Friday, Montana Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Robert Kurtzman described the aftermath of a brutal assault.

Sharon Hill-Lamb, 72, was shot seven times  four times in the face. Marks left on her face suggested she was shot at a close range. She was found on the couch in the living room.

If the skin is exposed to a gun within that close range, those particles of gun powder will produce a tiny abrasion on the skin, Kurtzman said.

The same marks on her arm suggested a defensive posture, he said.

The body of Karen Hill-LeCou, who was Hill-Lambs sister and LeCous wife, was found face down in the bathroom. She was dragged into the room and out of the hallway, leaving a trail of blood, according to testimony. She was shot six times, four of which were in the back.

Hill-LeCou was 54.

Lloyd Lamb, an ill 76-year-old whose family took care of him, was shot and killed in his bed. His legs were left hanging off the side. He was shot at least five times, and some bullets went through his hand or arm before hitting him again.

Because the bodies sat for days after the killings, Kurtzman was not able to determine an exact time of death. He gave a multi-day range, which fits prosecutors timeline.

Lynette Lancon, a forensic firearm examiner for the Montana State Crime Lab, testified that shell casings  found in the home, in an RV where LeCou sometimes stayed and in trash cans on the property  all came from the same 9 mm handgun.

That handgun has not been recovered. Prosecutors believe LeCou used Lloyd Lambs 9 mm, which had previously gone missing. LeCou was seen with his wife as she bought boxes of 9 mm ammunition weeks before the killings.

In an interview with Montana Division of Criminal Investigation Agent John Sullivan, LeCou said that he had previously been in the back yard showing his wife how to fire the gun. He claimed he didnt know the caliber.

Footprints left in blood in the house and found in the RV belonged to a Solomon hiking boot, said Kaitlin Moe, a forensic scientist at the Montana State Crime Lab. Those boots were also not recovered.

To close the day, a DNA expert testified that Robert James LeCous DNA was on the shirt his sister-in-law wore when she was killed. It was also a strong match on bottle caps and shell casings found outside the house.

But DNA for the sister-in-law, Hill-Lamb, was also a probable match for five bullet casings found in the living room where she was shot.

The samples were tested by Heather Nelson, a scientist at the forensic biology lab at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in New York City. She gave her results in court Friday.

The shirt worn by Hill-Lamb was preserved after a detective noticed a crumpled section near the collar, which looked like it could have been grabbed. Nelson tested that section of shirt and matched LeCou within a probability of 1 in 260 males.

His DNA also matched that on bottle caps and fired bullet casings found outside the home.

Hill-Lambs DNA was a strong probability to be among more than one persons DNA found on fired bullet casings found in the living room, beneath the couch where she was found dead. An absolute DNA profile for a specific person could not be identified.

Nelson testified that the process of firing a bullet can eliminate some DNA evidence. Biological substances can also get onto the casing after its fired, adding to the mixture.

The trial will resume Monday.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: At a time when US President Donald Trump accused Qatar of being a "high level" sponsor of terrorism, potentially hindering the US Department of State's efforts to ease heightening tensions and a blockade of the Gulf nation by Arab states and others, India has asserted that it has "vital stakes" in peace and stability in the Gulf, while asking countries in the region to resolve the Qatar crisis through constructive dialogue and well-established international principles of mutual respect.

Making his official reaction for the first time since the crisis in Gulf began, External affairs ministry here in New Delhi said India is closely following the emerging situation in the region in the wake of the recent decision by Saudi Arabia and some other countries to break diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar.

On Monday, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain had announced that they were cutting diplomatic ties and closing all connectivity links with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism. The charge has been denied by Doha.

"India has time-tested friendly relations with GCC countries. With over eight million Indian expatriates living and working in these countries, we have vital stakes in the regional peace and stability," according to the statement, issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

In this context, the government is closely monitoring the situation and is also in regular contact with the regional countries. Their authorities have assured the government continued support for welfare and well-being of the resident Indian communities, MEA statement further said.

"We are of the view that all parties should resolve their differences through a process of constructive dialogue and peaceful negotiations based on well-established international principles of mutual respect, sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries," it said.

India believes that peace and security in the Gulf are of paramount importance for the continued progress and prosperity of the countries in the region.

International terrorism, violent extremism and religious intolerance pose grave threat not only to regional stability but also to global peace and order and must be confronted by all countries in a coordinated and comprehensive manner, MEA statement reads.

MEA has also asked Indian expatriates in the region to contact the Indian Embassy or Consulate concerned should they require assistance or advise consequent to the developing situation.

NEW DELHI: At a time when US President Donald Trump accused Qatar of being a "high level" sponsor of terrorism, potentially hindering the US Department of State's efforts to ease heightening tensions and a blockade of the Gulf nation by Arab states and others, India has asserted that it has "vital stakes" in peace and stability in the Gulf, while asking countries in the region to resolve the Qatar crisis through constructive dialogue and well-established international principles of mutual respect. Making his official reaction for the first time since the crisis in Gulf began, External affairs ministry here in New Delhi said India is closely following the emerging situation in the region in the wake of the recent decision by Saudi Arabia and some other countries to break diplomatic relations with the State of Qatar. On Monday, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE and Bahrain had announced that they were cutting diplomatic ties and closing all connectivity links with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism. The charge has been denied by Doha. "India has time-tested friendly relations with GCC countries. With over eight million Indian expatriates living and working in these countries, we have vital stakes in the regional peace and stability," according to the statement, issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. In this context, the government is closely monitoring the situation and is also in regular contact with the regional countries. Their authorities have assured the government continued support for welfare and well-being of the resident Indian communities, MEA statement further said. "We are of the view that all parties should resolve their differences through a process of constructive dialogue and peaceful negotiations based on well-established international principles of mutual respect, sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries," it said. India believes that peace and security in the Gulf are of paramount importance for the continued progress and prosperity of the countries in the region. International terrorism, violent extremism and religious intolerance pose grave threat not only to regional stability but also to global peace and order and must be confronted by all countries in a coordinated and comprehensive manner, MEA statement reads. MEA has also asked Indian expatriates in the region to contact the Indian Embassy or Consulate concerned should they require assistance or advise consequent to the developing situation.
By ANI

DEHRADUN: Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat on Saturday said that the women cadets would first be inducted into the military police before considering other options in the armed force for them.



Firstly, we will start with women as military police jawans, will take next step after success, General Rawat told media after attending a Passing out Parade (PoP) ceremony here.



Because many times, when people go to the operation, we have to face the people and many a times ladies come in front of us, he said.



Reportedly, General Rawat had announced a few days back that soon the Indian Army would be considering women for combat roles.



General Rawat said that the process to allow women in combat roles is ongoing and they will be recruited for positions in the military police.

WATCH VIDEO:

Presently, women are only being recruited into selective areas of the army like medical, legal, educational, signals and engineering wings.



According to reports, India will be joining countries like Germany, Australia, Canada, the United States, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden and Israel that have already allowed women in combat roles in their army.



Last year, in a major step forward, Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh became the first women fighter pilots to be formally commissioned by the Indian Air Force.



Answering a question on the ongoing unrest in Kashmir, General Rawat claimed youth in the valley are being instigated through a campaign of misinformation on social media.



Youth in Kashmir are being instigated by a misinformation campaign on social media, he said.



On June 8, General Rawat said the situation in Kashmir would be normal soon.



Kashmir has remained in a volatile state since July 2016, following the elimination of poster-boy militant Burhan Wani in an encounter in Tral. Some of the protests have taken place in the middle of active security operations, leading to security forces adapting a tougher stance under duress.



The army chief said social media is an important tool being used by Pakistan to create unrest in Kashmir.



He said, "Pakistan is spreading disinformation among the youth of Kashmir with doctored videos and messages. This is further supported by some of the people in the valley who spread it and glamorise the young boys who have joined terrorist organisations."

Also on the government radar are social media networks like WhatsApp which aid in the spread of disinformation to stone-pelting protesters.

DEHRADUN: Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat on Saturday said that the women cadets would first be inducted into the military police before considering other options in the armed force for them. Firstly, we will start with women as military police jawans, will take next step after success, General Rawat told media after attending a Passing out Parade (PoP) ceremony here. Because many times, when people go to the operation, we have to face the people and many a times ladies come in front of us, he said. Reportedly, General Rawat had announced a few days back that soon the Indian Army would be considering women for combat roles. General Rawat said that the process to allow women in combat roles is ongoing and they will be recruited for positions in the military police. WATCH VIDEO: window.__ventunoplayer = window.__ventunoplayer||[];window.__ventunoplayer.push({video_key: 'OTQ4Mzk0fHw4fHw2fHwxLDIsMQ==', holder_id: 'vt-video-player', player_type: 'vp', width:'100%', ratio:'4:3'});Presently, women are only being recruited into selective areas of the army like medical, legal, educational, signals and engineering wings. According to reports, India will be joining countries like Germany, Australia, Canada, the United States, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden and Israel that have already allowed women in combat roles in their army. Last year, in a major step forward, Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh became the first women fighter pilots to be formally commissioned by the Indian Air Force. Answering a question on the ongoing unrest in Kashmir, General Rawat claimed youth in the valley are being instigated through a campaign of misinformation on social media. Youth in Kashmir are being instigated by a misinformation campaign on social media, he said. On June 8, General Rawat said the situation in Kashmir would be normal soon. Kashmir has remained in a volatile state since July 2016, following the elimination of poster-boy militant Burhan Wani in an encounter in Tral. Some of the protests have taken place in the middle of active security operations, leading to security forces adapting a tougher stance under duress. The army chief said social media is an important tool being used by Pakistan to create unrest in Kashmir. He said, "Pakistan is spreading disinformation among the youth of Kashmir with doctored videos and messages. This is further supported by some of the people in the valley who spread it and glamorise the young boys who have joined terrorist organisations." Also on the government radar are social media networks like WhatsApp which aid in the spread of disinformation to stone-pelting protesters.
Abhijit Mulye By

Express News Service

MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday announced the formation of a high-powered Group of Ministers (GoM) to hold talks with the agitating farmers, just a day after they threatened to intensify their agitation.

We are of the view that any issue can be resolved through dialogue and we have time and again reiterated our stand that we are open for dialogue. This is yet another step in that direction, chief minister Fadnavis said urging the farmers to come forward for a dialogue.

The high-powered group of ministers under the leadership of the minister for cooperatives Chandrakant Patil will submit its recommendations to the chief minister, after discussing the issues with the farmers and agriculture experts from across the state, a government communique said.

Agriculture minister Pandurang Fundkar, Maharashtra minister for marketing and textiles Subhash Deshmukh, finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, minister for water resources Girish Mahajan and transport minister (Shiv Sena) Diwakar Raote are part of the GOM. Water resources minister Girish Mahajan said that the farmers organisations had responded positively to the appeal for a dialogue.

The farmers leaders too have welcomed the step. The government should not delay the process now and refrain from time killing tactics. The issue should be resolved as soon as possible, said farmers leader Raghunath Patil. Swabhimanu Shetkari Sanghatana leader and MP Raju Shetti demanded that the government should ensure justice for all. The core committee of farmers agitation would take the final call, he added.

MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday announced the formation of a high-powered Group of Ministers (GoM) to hold talks with the agitating farmers, just a day after they threatened to intensify their agitation. We are of the view that any issue can be resolved through dialogue and we have time and again reiterated our stand that we are open for dialogue. This is yet another step in that direction, chief minister Fadnavis said urging the farmers to come forward for a dialogue. The high-powered group of ministers under the leadership of the minister for cooperatives Chandrakant Patil will submit its recommendations to the chief minister, after discussing the issues with the farmers and agriculture experts from across the state, a government communique said. Agriculture minister Pandurang Fundkar, Maharashtra minister for marketing and textiles Subhash Deshmukh, finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, minister for water resources Girish Mahajan and transport minister (Shiv Sena) Diwakar Raote are part of the GOM. Water resources minister Girish Mahajan said that the farmers organisations had responded positively to the appeal for a dialogue. The farmers leaders too have welcomed the step. The government should not delay the process now and refrain from time killing tactics. The issue should be resolved as soon as possible, said farmers leader Raghunath Patil. Swabhimanu Shetkari Sanghatana leader and MP Raju Shetti demanded that the government should ensure justice for all. The core committee of farmers agitation would take the final call, he added.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday grilled Altaf Ahmed Shah, son-in-law of hardliner Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in connection with terror funding case.

Shah, popularly known as Altaf Fantoosh, was questioned by agency sleuths about the alleged funding of the Geelani-led Tehrek-e-Hurriyat by Pakistani agencies and entities, official sources said. Shahs questioning comes after the agency raided his residence in Srinagar recently and recovered relevant materials during the searches.

The agency has roped in domain experts like Computer Emergency Response Team-India (CERT-IN) to analyse around 100 mobile phones, nearly 200 pen drives and memory sticks seized during the searches. Besides analysing the electronic devices, the CERT-IN will also seek to retrieve data deleted from these gadgets.

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday grilled Altaf Ahmed Shah, son-in-law of hardliner Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani in connection with terror funding case. Shah, popularly known as Altaf Fantoosh, was questioned by agency sleuths about the alleged funding of the Geelani-led Tehrek-e-Hurriyat by Pakistani agencies and entities, official sources said. Shahs questioning comes after the agency raided his residence in Srinagar recently and recovered relevant materials during the searches. The agency has roped in domain experts like Computer Emergency Response Team-India (CERT-IN) to analyse around 100 mobile phones, nearly 200 pen drives and memory sticks seized during the searches. Besides analysing the electronic devices, the CERT-IN will also seek to retrieve data deleted from these gadgets.
By ANI

ANATNAG: One civilian was injured in a cross-fire between militants and Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel in the Qazigund area of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.



The injured civilian has been shifted to the nearby hospital.



Ammunition has also been recovered from the location.



On June 3, one Indian Army soldier was killed in an attack by militants on a convoy in Qazigund.



Two others have been injured while two other personnel are critically injured.



On the same day, one civilian was also injured in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Poonch sector.



Yesterday, at least five militants were gunned down, as the Indian Army continued to thwart cross-border infiltration along the Line of Control (LoC).



Yesterdays security operation took place in the Uri Sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

ANATNAG: One civilian was injured in a cross-fire between militants and Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel in the Qazigund area of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday. The injured civilian has been shifted to the nearby hospital. Ammunition has also been recovered from the location. On June 3, one Indian Army soldier was killed in an attack by militants on a convoy in Qazigund. Two others have been injured while two other personnel are critically injured. On the same day, one civilian was also injured in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Poonch sector. Yesterday, at least five militants were gunned down, as the Indian Army continued to thwart cross-border infiltration along the Line of Control (LoC). Yesterdays security operation took place in the Uri Sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
By Express News Service

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Saturday launched an indefinite fast at the Dussehra Maidan in Bhopals BHEL campus with an appeal for peace and met farmer leaders, but failed to reach a compromise, while the opposition Congress dismissed it as mere drama.

Representatives of two premier farmers outfits--including the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh (RKMS) and the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU)--met with the CM in the makeshift cottage behind the upwaas (fast) venue on Saturday.

The office bearers of both outfits maintained that talks have started in a positive direction, though a concrete solution could not be reached.

We have decided to allow the supply of vegetables, milks and other essentials to various markets in the state, the RKMS spokesperson Sunil Gaur and BKU spokesperson RK Patel told the New Indian Express.

The dialogue is also believed to have failed to result in consensus on waiver of farm loans which has been the prominent demand of all agitating farmers. The CM has told us that waiver of loans cannot be decided alone by state government, said RKMS spokesperson Sunil Gaur, adding, that with CM on fast, his organisations office bearers to have started fast outside the same venue.

The BKU spokesperson RK Patel, while expressing satisfaction over talks with the CM, blamed the wrong policies of Narendra Modi government at the centre instead for farmers plight. Can the Modi government tell us why the recommendations of Swaminathan Committee are yet not implemented, he questioned.

While the CM met with farmers at the venue throughout the day, BJP national general secretary and Mhow (Indore) MLA Kailash Vijayvargiya claimed to have met over 2,000 farmers in two days in Indore, including Saturday. The violent movement is not being staged by farmers of MP. Our farmers can never pelt stones on buses carrying children and women, its the handiwork of anti-social elements as the violence has been sponsored by the Opposition Congress, said Vijayvargiya.

Meanwhile, in a dramatic development in the evening, the kin of four of the five farmers killed in police firing on June 6 in Mandsaur district, met the CM at the venue of fast along with former BJP MLA Radheyshyam Patidar. The kin of the deceased farmers have urged the CM to end his fast and demanded stern action against those found guilty for firing on their loved ones, said state BJP president Nandkumar Singh Chauhan.

The chief minister, who addressed the gathering twice in the day, reiterated that his fast was aimed at establishing peace in the state. Ive met with representatives of 15 farmers outfits and over 250 other farmers from across the state and carefully listened to their concerns. The government is concerned about their concerns and well work over it. Ill run the government from this venue only and break my fast only after violence ends and peace returns to the state. Ill also review the developments in the state from here only, said the CM.

He added that his government was committed to making agriculture a profit making business in the state.

The leader of opposition in State Assembly, Ajay Singh, meanwhile, mocked at the CMs fast and instead asked him to go to Mandsaur to meet the families of deceased farmers.

Around 48 Congress leaders and workers, meanwhile, were arrested and later released by police for protesting the CMs politics of fast around three km from the venue of the fast.

Meanwhile, no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the state on Saturday, excepting the arrest of state level AAP leaders in Jabalpur, while trying to stage a protest rally and the arrest of a Congress MLA in Rajgarh district, also for same reasons.

In violence-hit Mandsaur district, curfew was relaxed in the two police station areas from 8 am to 8 pm, however, nothing untoward was reported.

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Saturday launched an indefinite fast at the Dussehra Maidan in Bhopals BHEL campus with an appeal for peace and met farmer leaders, but failed to reach a compromise, while the opposition Congress dismissed it as mere drama. Representatives of two premier farmers outfits--including the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh (RKMS) and the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU)--met with the CM in the makeshift cottage behind the upwaas (fast) venue on Saturday. The office bearers of both outfits maintained that talks have started in a positive direction, though a concrete solution could not be reached. We have decided to allow the supply of vegetables, milks and other essentials to various markets in the state, the RKMS spokesperson Sunil Gaur and BKU spokesperson RK Patel told the New Indian Express. The dialogue is also believed to have failed to result in consensus on waiver of farm loans which has been the prominent demand of all agitating farmers. The CM has told us that waiver of loans cannot be decided alone by state government, said RKMS spokesperson Sunil Gaur, adding, that with CM on fast, his organisations office bearers to have started fast outside the same venue. The BKU spokesperson RK Patel, while expressing satisfaction over talks with the CM, blamed the wrong policies of Narendra Modi government at the centre instead for farmers plight. Can the Modi government tell us why the recommendations of Swaminathan Committee are yet not implemented, he questioned. While the CM met with farmers at the venue throughout the day, BJP national general secretary and Mhow (Indore) MLA Kailash Vijayvargiya claimed to have met over 2,000 farmers in two days in Indore, including Saturday. The violent movement is not being staged by farmers of MP. Our farmers can never pelt stones on buses carrying children and women, its the handiwork of anti-social elements as the violence has been sponsored by the Opposition Congress, said Vijayvargiya. Meanwhile, in a dramatic development in the evening, the kin of four of the five farmers killed in police firing on June 6 in Mandsaur district, met the CM at the venue of fast along with former BJP MLA Radheyshyam Patidar. The kin of the deceased farmers have urged the CM to end his fast and demanded stern action against those found guilty for firing on their loved ones, said state BJP president Nandkumar Singh Chauhan. The chief minister, who addressed the gathering twice in the day, reiterated that his fast was aimed at establishing peace in the state. Ive met with representatives of 15 farmers outfits and over 250 other farmers from across the state and carefully listened to their concerns. The government is concerned about their concerns and well work over it. Ill run the government from this venue only and break my fast only after violence ends and peace returns to the state. Ill also review the developments in the state from here only, said the CM. He added that his government was committed to making agriculture a profit making business in the state. The leader of opposition in State Assembly, Ajay Singh, meanwhile, mocked at the CMs fast and instead asked him to go to Mandsaur to meet the families of deceased farmers. Around 48 Congress leaders and workers, meanwhile, were arrested and later released by police for protesting the CMs politics of fast around three km from the venue of the fast. Meanwhile, no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the state on Saturday, excepting the arrest of state level AAP leaders in Jabalpur, while trying to stage a protest rally and the arrest of a Congress MLA in Rajgarh district, also for same reasons. In violence-hit Mandsaur district, curfew was relaxed in the two police station areas from 8 am to 8 pm, however, nothing untoward was reported.
Balbir Punj By

Barring The New Indian Express, I did not see the story on China launching its own Nalanda in any other newspaper. Though, the development appears trivial, it is pregnant with an important message, that China can go to any extent to pip India and ensure its domination in the region.

Meanwhile there was yet another declaration by assistant foreign minister of China Li Huilai. He said in Beijing on Monday last that Indias bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) had become more complicated, effectively ruling out any immediate backing for New Delhis application to enter the bloc that controls trade in nuclear technology and know-how. The new description of Indias application by Chinas assistant foreign minister came within weeks of New Delhi boycotting the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing.

Li merely echoed what the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said last month, indicating China will not support Indias entry at the NSGs plenary meeting in June till the bloc evolves a universal formula to accept applications from all countries that havent signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Recently, China had taken umbrage over Prime Minister Modi inaugurating the new Bhupen Hazarika Bridge which connects Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Prior to that China had protested strongly against the Dalai Lamas visit to Arunachal.

On the surface, all these may appear to be small isolated incidents. But put together, they form a pattern and reveal socialist Chinas unabashed imperial mindset. China of course has dropped all its socialist pretensions now. Its a remorseless capitalist system (reminiscent of Charles Dickens novels) run under a ruthless communist dictatorship, sans any human rights or rule of law. No wonder, China tops the world in the number of executions.

Fired by its expansionist ambitions, China has been trying to increase its footprint in the neighbourhood. Apart from Japan (its traditional rival), India is the only other nation in this part of the globe which refuses to fall in line with its hegemonic plans, is difficult to buy over with freebies, stands up against threats or a show of force, notwithstanding her humiliating defeat in 1962.

No doubt China is far ahead of India in terms of physical infrastructure, weapons, number of troops and the size of the economy. Its economy ($11 trillion) is roughly five times that of India. While it exports manufactured goods, its imports from India mostly consist of basic materials such as ores and raw hides. China has an annual trade surplus of over $55 billion with India.

However, India, with its vibrant democracy, a healthy record of human rights, stable institutions and fast-growing economy acts as a counter magnet to China for the neighbourhood and rest of the world.

To cap it all, India scores over China in terms of soft powerit is the birthplace of Buddhism which has enormous influence in South, Southeast and East Asia and in the rest of the world as well.

The decision by China to launch its own Nalanda is to be seen in this context. Close to Patna in Bihar lie the ruins of original Nalanda which was an 800-year-old global university, with 2,000 strong faculty and 20,000 residential scholars on its rolls, when an Islamic fanatic Bakhtiyar Khilji burnt it down circa 1200 AD. A decade ago, the Indian government decided to rekindle the spirit of Nalanda. While millions have been spent, the project has failed to take off. Over 400 acres of land acquired for the dream project has nothing tangible to show till date.

In contrast, the Chinese have quickly gone ahead with their project of creating a duplicate Nalanda. Keeping in mind the strategic socio-political goals, the new university will have close association with the Buddhist centres in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Cambodia.

Spread over an area of more than 600 acres, the sea-facing structure is situated on the scenic Nanshan Mountains. Borrowing a concept from Yoga Vashistha and Mahayana Buddhism, the Chinese have rechristened the university coastline Brahma Pure Land. While a detailed syllabus is to be worked out, the university will offer courses in Pali, Tibetan and Chinese.

Over the years, China has shown special interest in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. Its in Nepal, just across the border with India. China has been aggressively promoting Lumbini to counter Saranath and Bodh Gaya in India, the two sites associated with the enlightenment of Buddha. The entire exercise is aimed at bringing down Indias predominant position in the Buddhist world.

In fact China has been trying hard to establish itself as a claimant to Buddhist heritage an intrinsic part of Indias myriad spiritual traditions. Even relics connected with the Buddha are now being discovered in China. Few years ago, Chinese archaeologists claimed to have found a skull bone of Buddha inside a model of a stupa.

China, a communist anti-God state, is resorting to Gestapo-type operations to squash all traces of original Buddhism in Tibet, killing and arresting monks and demolishing ancient monasteries. Simultaneously, it is also striving hard to emerge as a great promoter of Buddhist traditions.

The reasons for this contradiction are not very difficult to seek. The Chinese will do anything to achieve their national goals even steal Indian Buddhist heritage, stamp it as made in China and market it as their own.

The Chinese are ingenious in manufacturing duplicates of global brands which look and feel as good as the originals. But their products enjoy a poor reputation for their quality and dont last long. Will the fates of the made-to-order Chinese brand of Buddhism and the duplicate Nalanda be different?

Balbir Punj

Former Rajya Sabha member and Delhi-based commentator on social and political issues

Email: punjbalbir@gmail.com

Barring The New Indian Express, I did not see the story on China launching its own Nalanda in any other newspaper. Though, the development appears trivial, it is pregnant with an important message, that China can go to any extent to pip India and ensure its domination in the region. Meanwhile there was yet another declaration by assistant foreign minister of China Li Huilai. He said in Beijing on Monday last that Indias bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) had become more complicated, effectively ruling out any immediate backing for New Delhis application to enter the bloc that controls trade in nuclear technology and know-how. The new description of Indias application by Chinas assistant foreign minister came within weeks of New Delhi boycotting the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. Li merely echoed what the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said last month, indicating China will not support Indias entry at the NSGs plenary meeting in June till the bloc evolves a universal formula to accept applications from all countries that havent signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Recently, China had taken umbrage over Prime Minister Modi inaugurating the new Bhupen Hazarika Bridge which connects Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Prior to that China had protested strongly against the Dalai Lamas visit to Arunachal. On the surface, all these may appear to be small isolated incidents. But put together, they form a pattern and reveal socialist Chinas unabashed imperial mindset. China of course has dropped all its socialist pretensions now. Its a remorseless capitalist system (reminiscent of Charles Dickens novels) run under a ruthless communist dictatorship, sans any human rights or rule of law. No wonder, China tops the world in the number of executions. Fired by its expansionist ambitions, China has been trying to increase its footprint in the neighbourhood. Apart from Japan (its traditional rival), India is the only other nation in this part of the globe which refuses to fall in line with its hegemonic plans, is difficult to buy over with freebies, stands up against threats or a show of force, notwithstanding her humiliating defeat in 1962. No doubt China is far ahead of India in terms of physical infrastructure, weapons, number of troops and the size of the economy. Its economy ($11 trillion) is roughly five times that of India. While it exports manufactured goods, its imports from India mostly consist of basic materials such as ores and raw hides. China has an annual trade surplus of over $55 billion with India. However, India, with its vibrant democracy, a healthy record of human rights, stable institutions and fast-growing economy acts as a counter magnet to China for the neighbourhood and rest of the world. To cap it all, India scores over China in terms of soft powerit is the birthplace of Buddhism which has enormous influence in South, Southeast and East Asia and in the rest of the world as well. The decision by China to launch its own Nalanda is to be seen in this context. Close to Patna in Bihar lie the ruins of original Nalanda which was an 800-year-old global university, with 2,000 strong faculty and 20,000 residential scholars on its rolls, when an Islamic fanatic Bakhtiyar Khilji burnt it down circa 1200 AD. A decade ago, the Indian government decided to rekindle the spirit of Nalanda. While millions have been spent, the project has failed to take off. Over 400 acres of land acquired for the dream project has nothing tangible to show till date. In contrast, the Chinese have quickly gone ahead with their project of creating a duplicate Nalanda. Keeping in mind the strategic socio-political goals, the new university will have close association with the Buddhist centres in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Cambodia. Spread over an area of more than 600 acres, the sea-facing structure is situated on the scenic Nanshan Mountains. Borrowing a concept from Yoga Vashistha and Mahayana Buddhism, the Chinese have rechristened the university coastline Brahma Pure Land. While a detailed syllabus is to be worked out, the university will offer courses in Pali, Tibetan and Chinese. Over the years, China has shown special interest in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. Its in Nepal, just across the border with India. China has been aggressively promoting Lumbini to counter Saranath and Bodh Gaya in India, the two sites associated with the enlightenment of Buddha. The entire exercise is aimed at bringing down Indias predominant position in the Buddhist world. In fact China has been trying hard to establish itself as a claimant to Buddhist heritage an intrinsic part of Indias myriad spiritual traditions. Even relics connected with the Buddha are now being discovered in China. Few years ago, Chinese archaeologists claimed to have found a skull bone of Buddha inside a model of a stupa. China, a communist anti-God state, is resorting to Gestapo-type operations to squash all traces of original Buddhism in Tibet, killing and arresting monks and demolishing ancient monasteries. Simultaneously, it is also striving hard to emerge as a great promoter of Buddhist traditions. The reasons for this contradiction are not very difficult to seek. The Chinese will do anything to achieve their national goals even steal Indian Buddhist heritage, stamp it as made in China and market it as their own. The Chinese are ingenious in manufacturing duplicates of global brands which look and feel as good as the originals. But their products enjoy a poor reputation for their quality and dont last long. Will the fates of the made-to-order Chinese brand of Buddhism and the duplicate Nalanda be different? Balbir Punj Former Rajya Sabha member and Delhi-based commentator on social and political issues Email: punjbalbir@gmail.com
Pavitra Sriprakash By

Last week President Donald Trump declared he would rather protect Pittsburgh than Paris, which signaled the reneging of the US commitment to the world. Following this announcement, the good denizens of Pittsburgh held marches to support actions recognising climate change!

In December 2015, the Paris Agreement marked the negotiation by 196 countries restricting global average temperature rise to less than 2C above pre-industrial levels; lowering greenhouse gas emissions in a manner that does not threaten food production; and providing developing nations the access to latest technologies at competitive financial terms. Since then 175 countries including India have passed laws and taken measures to abide by this historic Agreement. Trumps action will surely have considerable consequences, which will reverberate immediately, as well as decades into the future.

India is the third largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world after China and the US. We maybe the fourth largest energy producer but our per capita consumption is one sixth of China, and one sixteenth of the US! Above all, around 300 million Indians do not have access to electricity. These facts should put in perspective government policies aimed to ensure continuous and uninterrupted electricity supply to all households, industries and commercial establishments by creating and improving necessary infrastructure.

As of April 2017, wind power was about 10% of the installed power generating capacity of India, solar power constituted around 4%, and bio mass was 2.5%. The Government of India claims that in 2016 the installed wind power generating capacity was 5.7 gigawatts (Gw). The cost of photovoltaic cells is falling and there have been significant gains in efficiencies powered by perovskite type solar cells  from 4% in 2009 to 22% in 2016!

Solar power generation has increased steeply by 370% in the last 3 years to 12.2Gw. In 2014, the cost of power from a coal fired plant was around `3.05 per unit; but the current cost of solar power is `2.44 per unit and that of wind power is `3.46 per unit! It is significant that the Draft National Electricity Plan, prepared by GoI states that India does not need to plan for new coal based power plants from 2016 till 2027.

The deep questions are, what can a government do with aging coal powered plants that pollute the environment and humanity; and by when will it be possible to replace the 195 Gw or nearly 60% of Indias coal based dirty power by clean renewable energy? Like China, India has reiterated its active support to plug the fallout caused by the US. As an individual you can lead by example. If possible, install a solar power plant at home.

Then apply to the Electricity Board for a Nett Meter, so that the excess power that is generated can be fed back to the grid, and adjusted against your power bills. It will put to severe test the governments proclamations for cheaper and cleaner solar power. Individual actions alone contribute to low-carbon lifestyles which in turn help India and Earth reach sustainability goals.

Do not wait for the US to fight climate change, and certainly Trump should not matter!

Last week President Donald Trump declared he would rather protect Pittsburgh than Paris, which signaled the reneging of the US commitment to the world. Following this announcement, the good denizens of Pittsburgh held marches to support actions recognising climate change! In December 2015, the Paris Agreement marked the negotiation by 196 countries restricting global average temperature rise to less than 2C above pre-industrial levels; lowering greenhouse gas emissions in a manner that does not threaten food production; and providing developing nations the access to latest technologies at competitive financial terms. Since then 175 countries including India have passed laws and taken measures to abide by this historic Agreement. Trumps action will surely have considerable consequences, which will reverberate immediately, as well as decades into the future. India is the third largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world after China and the US. We maybe the fourth largest energy producer but our per capita consumption is one sixth of China, and one sixteenth of the US! Above all, around 300 million Indians do not have access to electricity. These facts should put in perspective government policies aimed to ensure continuous and uninterrupted electricity supply to all households, industries and commercial establishments by creating and improving necessary infrastructure. As of April 2017, wind power was about 10% of the installed power generating capacity of India, solar power constituted around 4%, and bio mass was 2.5%. The Government of India claims that in 2016 the installed wind power generating capacity was 5.7 gigawatts (Gw). The cost of photovoltaic cells is falling and there have been significant gains in efficiencies powered by perovskite type solar cells  from 4% in 2009 to 22% in 2016! Solar power generation has increased steeply by 370% in the last 3 years to 12.2Gw. In 2014, the cost of power from a coal fired plant was around `3.05 per unit; but the current cost of solar power is `2.44 per unit and that of wind power is `3.46 per unit! It is significant that the Draft National Electricity Plan, prepared by GoI states that India does not need to plan for new coal based power plants from 2016 till 2027. The deep questions are, what can a government do with aging coal powered plants that pollute the environment and humanity; and by when will it be possible to replace the 195 Gw or nearly 60% of Indias coal based dirty power by clean renewable energy? Like China, India has reiterated its active support to plug the fallout caused by the US. As an individual you can lead by example. If possible, install a solar power plant at home. Then apply to the Electricity Board for a Nett Meter, so that the excess power that is generated can be fed back to the grid, and adjusted against your power bills. It will put to severe test the governments proclamations for cheaper and cleaner solar power. Individual actions alone contribute to low-carbon lifestyles which in turn help India and Earth reach sustainability goals. Do not wait for the US to fight climate change, and certainly Trump should not matter!
Helena could be the next to join a group of cities vowing to uphold an international climate agreement rejected by President Donald Trump.

Last week, Trump announced the United States would withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, which is intended to help reduce the effects of climate change worldwide. Citing numbers prepared for a conservative think tank by NERA Economic Consulting, Trump said complying with the agreement could cost the United States 2.7 million jobs by 2025 and shave trillions from the U.S. economy, according to national media reports.

This week, Helena Commissioner Andres Haladay proposed a resolution saying the city will support the Paris agreement by joining the Mayors National Climate Change Action Agenda.

Some 294 cities throughout the United States have joined the group, which in a June 1 statement committed to "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."

Bozeman is the only Montana city that has joined so far, according to the organizations website.

The Helena City Commission could take a vote on Haladay's resolution at its June 26 meeting.

The resolution says Helena recognizes that humans are contributing to global warming and that reductions in greenhouse gasses are necessary to avert the negative consequences of a changing climate. It proposes that the city prepare an annual report that documents specific activities it has implemented to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, track its emissions and use of resources, and recommend future sustainability measures.

City of Helena will continue to support action to meet the Paris Agreement, it says.

The resolution says the state is projected to lose 11,000 outdoor recreation jobs and $281 million in labor earnings in recreation and tourism by 2050 as a result of climate change, and that the city is being directly threatened as well. Haladay cited a report prepared for the Montana Wildlife Federation by Power Consulting Incorporated as the source of those figures.

Helena is already being negatively impacted by warmer weather from climate change, including increased risk of catastrophic wild fires and threats to Helenas principal municipal water supply, earlier snowmelt and reduced stream flows, the resolution says.

The resolution also says the federal government has rolled back critically important climate policies, including the Clean Power Plan and vehicle fuel efficiency standards.

These irresponsible actions will exacerbate the threat of devastating climate risks today, prove harmful to Helenas environment and economy tomorrow, and put in jeopardy the health, safety and well-being of generations to come, it says, adding that Gov. Steve Bullock has called withdrawing from the Paris agreement short-sighted and dangerous.
Ajay Kanth By

Express News Service

KOZHIKODE: On June 5, three Maoists - Suresh, Kanyakumari and Chenamma - who have been operating in Nilambur forests in Kerala, surrendered before the Karnataka government. They opted to surrender there as the Karnataka government has a comprehensive surrender policy while Kerala has yet to formulate one. Now, this is only partly true.

The state police involved in the anti-Maoist operations did prepare a surrender policy in April 2017 and send it to the state Home Department. Forest areas in Wayanad, Malappuram, Kannur and Palakkad have been the principal operational zones for Maoists in the state. It is the state police departments contention that fighting Left Wing Extremism (LWE) without a surrender policy will not yield the desired results.

Though many from the LWE cadre are ready to give up arms, the state governments drive against the insurgents will not see fruition unless it acts on the policy thats awaiting clearance for the past two months, it is widely felt. On being asked why there was such a long delay, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Subrata Biswas told Express he was yet to get an official communication on such a policy for dealing with Maoists in the state.

Former DGP Jacob Punnoose agreed it was good to have a surrender policy as the police will then be armed with an official instrument to make the insurgents surrender. The police need to confirm how many Kerala natives are in the LWE group as a surrender policy will come in handy only if there are more locals. Basically, Maoist cadre from other states operate in Kerala, he said.

An internal security assessment conducted by the state police, following the November 2016 Nilambur encounter that claimed the lives of two Maoists, had identified nearly 100 from the LWE operating in Kerala. Many among them were ready to give up arms if there was a provision to officially accept their surrender and rehabilitate them.

In the first quarter of 2017, a surrender policy was prepared to offer the insurgents a window to shun anti-national activities. We have identified nearly 100 Maoist activists, including senior cadre who belong to the state. Chasing them and finishing them off in encounters is not a sustainable solution. We should give them an option to surrender and it will help the police to contain the activities of LWE, admitted a senior police officer involved in combating the Maoists.

The states draft surrender policy

It highlights the need to rehabilitate surrendered Maoists. Apart from offering a one-time surrender fund and a stipend for three years, it moots a support scheme. The police have also apprised the government of the need to announce rewards on those Maoists against whom several cases have been pending.

KOZHIKODE: On June 5, three Maoists - Suresh, Kanyakumari and Chenamma - who have been operating in Nilambur forests in Kerala, surrendered before the Karnataka government. They opted to surrender there as the Karnataka government has a comprehensive surrender policy while Kerala has yet to formulate one. Now, this is only partly true. The state police involved in the anti-Maoist operations did prepare a surrender policy in April 2017 and send it to the state Home Department. Forest areas in Wayanad, Malappuram, Kannur and Palakkad have been the principal operational zones for Maoists in the state. It is the state police departments contention that fighting Left Wing Extremism (LWE) without a surrender policy will not yield the desired results. Though many from the LWE cadre are ready to give up arms, the state governments drive against the insurgents will not see fruition unless it acts on the policy thats awaiting clearance for the past two months, it is widely felt. On being asked why there was such a long delay, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Subrata Biswas told Express he was yet to get an official communication on such a policy for dealing with Maoists in the state. Former DGP Jacob Punnoose agreed it was good to have a surrender policy as the police will then be armed with an official instrument to make the insurgents surrender. The police need to confirm how many Kerala natives are in the LWE group as a surrender policy will come in handy only if there are more locals. Basically, Maoist cadre from other states operate in Kerala, he said. An internal security assessment conducted by the state police, following the November 2016 Nilambur encounter that claimed the lives of two Maoists, had identified nearly 100 from the LWE operating in Kerala. Many among them were ready to give up arms if there was a provision to officially accept their surrender and rehabilitate them. In the first quarter of 2017, a surrender policy was prepared to offer the insurgents a window to shun anti-national activities. We have identified nearly 100 Maoist activists, including senior cadre who belong to the state. Chasing them and finishing them off in encounters is not a sustainable solution. We should give them an option to surrender and it will help the police to contain the activities of LWE, admitted a senior police officer involved in combating the Maoists. The states draft surrender policy It highlights the need to rehabilitate surrendered Maoists. Apart from offering a one-time surrender fund and a stipend for three years, it moots a support scheme. The police have also apprised the government of the need to announce rewards on those Maoists against whom several cases have been pending.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: In a significant judgment amid the raging controversy over new cattle trade rules, the High Court on Friday referred to cow as a sacred national wealth and directed the AP and TS governments to amend penal laws for taking severe action for offences committed against animals including cows and buffaloes.

Justice B Siva Sankara Rao passed the order on a petition filed by Ramavath Hanuma of Nalgonda against a local court which, on Feb 3, dismissed a plea for return of 63 cows and two bulls seized at Kanchanapalli.

The petitioner and other accused secured cows and bulls for slaughtering and distributing the meat on Bakrid. He engaged the petitioner (A2) to buy cows and bulls from farmers. Following a tip-off, police seized the cattle and registered cases for offences under Sections 5, 6 and 10 of Prohibition of Cows Slaughter and Animal Preservation Act II of 1977 and 11 (1)(b) of Prohibition of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The local court ordered the cattle be handed over to Gowshala.

Seeking return of the cattle to the petitioner, his counsel said animal sacrifice to god in religious functions or otherwise was no offence. The public prosecutor said police were entitled to seize cows and bulls if they smelt a rat and it was not wrong to entrust their custody to Gowshala.

Justice Siva Sankara Rao observed: In this country, Bharat, to the majority of population cow is a substitute for mother who, in turn, is a substitute for god. The cow acquires a special sanctity and is called Aghnya (not to be slain). Thus, cow is a sacred national wealth and no one can kill or sell it for slaughter.

Also Read: Prices of fish, flesh and fowl go through the roof in Kerala

From the wording of Section 102 CrPC, it is very clear that any police officer may seize any property which may be alleged or suspected to have been stolen or found in circumstances which create suspicion of commission of any offence. The cows and bulls in question are within the meaning of such property. As for religious sacrifices, he said, the SC had, in Ashutosh Lahiri case, concluded there was no fundamental right of Muslim to insist on slaughter of healthy cows on Bakrid.

While refusing to interfere with the lower courts order, Justice Rao directed the chief secretaries of the two states to take steps for amending Section 429 of IPC to make it non-bailable and Sections 11 and 26 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 for enhancing punishment at par with Section 429 IPC, if not more equally in Section 10 of AP Cow Slaughter Act, 1977, and to appoint a competent authority for taking care of the cow and other animals.

Dismissing the petition, he said issuance of certificate by a veterinary doctor that a healthy cow or bull or calf is not fit should be made a cognisable and non-bailable offence. For this, Section 10 of Cow Slaughter Act needs to be amended, he said and posted the matter to July 7.

BJP trying to suppress minorities, Dalits



CPI state secretary Chada Dvenkat Reddy alleged that prohibition of cow slaughter rules is a conspiracy of the BJP and RSS. They are trying to suppress minorities and Dalits, he said.

Speaking to mediapersons at party office along with district secretary K Ramgopal Reddy on Friday, he said the BJP government has issued ban of cow slaughtering in order to suppress certain sections of people. CPI fights for the rights of eating habits and not to curb liberty, he said. In another programme, as part of Central committee directions, CPI activists staged protest at Kaman crossroads.

HYDERABAD: In a significant judgment amid the raging controversy over new cattle trade rules, the High Court on Friday referred to cow as a sacred national wealth and directed the AP and TS governments to amend penal laws for taking severe action for offences committed against animals including cows and buffaloes. Justice B Siva Sankara Rao passed the order on a petition filed by Ramavath Hanuma of Nalgonda against a local court which, on Feb 3, dismissed a plea for return of 63 cows and two bulls seized at Kanchanapalli. The petitioner and other accused secured cows and bulls for slaughtering and distributing the meat on Bakrid. He engaged the petitioner (A2) to buy cows and bulls from farmers. Following a tip-off, police seized the cattle and registered cases for offences under Sections 5, 6 and 10 of Prohibition of Cows Slaughter and Animal Preservation Act II of 1977 and 11 (1)(b) of Prohibition of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The local court ordered the cattle be handed over to Gowshala. Seeking return of the cattle to the petitioner, his counsel said animal sacrifice to god in religious functions or otherwise was no offence. The public prosecutor said police were entitled to seize cows and bulls if they smelt a rat and it was not wrong to entrust their custody to Gowshala. Justice Siva Sankara Rao observed: In this country, Bharat, to the majority of population cow is a substitute for mother who, in turn, is a substitute for god. The cow acquires a special sanctity and is called Aghnya (not to be slain). Thus, cow is a sacred national wealth and no one can kill or sell it for slaughter. Also Read: Prices of fish, flesh and fowl go through the roof in Kerala From the wording of Section 102 CrPC, it is very clear that any police officer may seize any property which may be alleged or suspected to have been stolen or found in circumstances which create suspicion of commission of any offence. The cows and bulls in question are within the meaning of such property. As for religious sacrifices, he said, the SC had, in Ashutosh Lahiri case, concluded there was no fundamental right of Muslim to insist on slaughter of healthy cows on Bakrid. While refusing to interfere with the lower courts order, Justice Rao directed the chief secretaries of the two states to take steps for amending Section 429 of IPC to make it non-bailable and Sections 11 and 26 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 for enhancing punishment at par with Section 429 IPC, if not more equally in Section 10 of AP Cow Slaughter Act, 1977, and to appoint a competent authority for taking care of the cow and other animals. Dismissing the petition, he said issuance of certificate by a veterinary doctor that a healthy cow or bull or calf is not fit should be made a cognisable and non-bailable offence. For this, Section 10 of Cow Slaughter Act needs to be amended, he said and posted the matter to July 7. BJP trying to suppress minorities, Dalits CPI state secretary Chada Dvenkat Reddy alleged that prohibition of cow slaughter rules is a conspiracy of the BJP and RSS. They are trying to suppress minorities and Dalits, he said. Speaking to mediapersons at party office along with district secretary K Ramgopal Reddy on Friday, he said the BJP government has issued ban of cow slaughtering in order to suppress certain sections of people. CPI fights for the rights of eating habits and not to curb liberty, he said. In another programme, as part of Central committee directions, CPI activists staged protest at Kaman crossroads.
By Associated Press

KABUL: The Interior Ministry says at least three civilians have been shot and killed by gunmen inside a mosque in eastern Afghanistan.

In a statement released Saturday the ministry says that nine others were wounded in the attack Friday night in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province.

The ministry strongly condemned the attack and called it an act against Islam and humanity. It said the civilians were attacked while praying.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Taliban and Haqqani network are active in Paktia and neighboring provinces and often target government officials as well as Afghan security forces in the region.

KABUL: The Interior Ministry says at least three civilians have been shot and killed by gunmen inside a mosque in eastern Afghanistan. In a statement released Saturday the ministry says that nine others were wounded in the attack Friday night in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province. The ministry strongly condemned the attack and called it an act against Islam and humanity. It said the civilians were attacked while praying. No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Taliban and Haqqani network are active in Paktia and neighboring provinces and often target government officials as well as Afghan security forces in the region.
By AFP

MEXICO: A four-month-old baby and a 17-year-old boy were among six people shot dead Friday at a house near the Mexican resort of Acapulco, authorities said.

Gunmen burst into the house in the small southern town of San Pedro Cacahuatepec and riddled it with gunfire, according to emergency officials.

Three women and a man were also killed in the hail of bullets.

Three children were wounded -- ages one, eight and 11.

Local media reports said some of the victims were from the same family.

Some witnesses blamed the attack on a vigilante group called the Union of Towns and Organizations of Guerrero State, or UPOEG.

The group denied the claim. It said it had gone to the scene to fend off the attack, which it blamed on a gang.

Guerrero is one of the most violent states in Mexico, caught up in a bloody drug war pitting rival cartels against each other and the army

MEXICO: A four-month-old baby and a 17-year-old boy were among six people shot dead Friday at a house near the Mexican resort of Acapulco, authorities said. Gunmen burst into the house in the small southern town of San Pedro Cacahuatepec and riddled it with gunfire, according to emergency officials. Three women and a man were also killed in the hail of bullets. Three children were wounded -- ages one, eight and 11. Local media reports said some of the victims were from the same family. Some witnesses blamed the attack on a vigilante group called the Union of Towns and Organizations of Guerrero State, or UPOEG. The group denied the claim. It said it had gone to the scene to fend off the attack, which it blamed on a gang. Guerrero is one of the most violent states in Mexico, caught up in a bloody drug war pitting rival cartels against each other and the army
By AFP

KANO: Boko Haram have slit the throats of four Nigerian villagers in revenge for the arrest of a senior member of the jihadist group, residents told AFP on Friday.

Ten gunmen on motorbikes stormed the northeastern Cameroonian border village of Hambagda near Gwoza, once the capital of Boko Haram's self-announced "caliphate", on Thursday before kidnapping six people and killing four others.

"They asked people to assemble but everyone started running towards the bush," said local resident Usman Buba.

"They seized six people in the confusion and slaughtered four while two managed to escape."

The attack came a day after soldiers arrested Boko Haram commander Adamu Rugurugu during a village raid.

Buba said the jihadists who attacked Hambagda on Thursday afternoon decided to slit their victims' throats instead of shooting them to avoid attracting the attention of troops stationed in Gwoza, two kilometres (1.2 miles) away.

"The attack was evidently in reprisal for the arrest of a Boko Haram kingpin who has been terrorising the village," Buba said.

Another resident, Dahiru Alkali, confirmed his account, adding that villagers had complained to soldiers of incessant attacks by Rugurugu and his men.

The two witnesses were able to reach AFP by telephone after arriving in Maiduguri, capital of Borno state.

Boko Haram seized Gwoza in July 2014 and made it their headquarters at a time when they were seizing swathes of northeast Nigeria in their bid to form a hardline Islamist state.

Nigerian troops retook the town in March 2015 but Boko Haram have continued to raid nearby villages from their hideouts in the mountains along the border with Cameroon, despite the government's insistence that calm has been restored to the area.

In April, Boko Haram kidnapped 13 women who were picking fruit near Hambagda, while a month earlier its fighters abducted 18 girls from the nearby village of Pulka.

Large areas around Lake Chad and the Cameroon border remain inaccessible in an ongoing insurgency that has killed at least 20,000 since 2009.

Eleven people were killed on Wednesday when Boko Haram gunmen and suicide bombers launched a rare combined attack inside Maiduguri.

KANO: Boko Haram have slit the throats of four Nigerian villagers in revenge for the arrest of a senior member of the jihadist group, residents told AFP on Friday. Ten gunmen on motorbikes stormed the northeastern Cameroonian border village of Hambagda near Gwoza, once the capital of Boko Haram's self-announced "caliphate", on Thursday before kidnapping six people and killing four others. "They asked people to assemble but everyone started running towards the bush," said local resident Usman Buba. "They seized six people in the confusion and slaughtered four while two managed to escape." The attack came a day after soldiers arrested Boko Haram commander Adamu Rugurugu during a village raid. Buba said the jihadists who attacked Hambagda on Thursday afternoon decided to slit their victims' throats instead of shooting them to avoid attracting the attention of troops stationed in Gwoza, two kilometres (1.2 miles) away. "The attack was evidently in reprisal for the arrest of a Boko Haram kingpin who has been terrorising the village," Buba said. Another resident, Dahiru Alkali, confirmed his account, adding that villagers had complained to soldiers of incessant attacks by Rugurugu and his men. The two witnesses were able to reach AFP by telephone after arriving in Maiduguri, capital of Borno state. Boko Haram seized Gwoza in July 2014 and made it their headquarters at a time when they were seizing swathes of northeast Nigeria in their bid to form a hardline Islamist state. Nigerian troops retook the town in March 2015 but Boko Haram have continued to raid nearby villages from their hideouts in the mountains along the border with Cameroon, despite the government's insistence that calm has been restored to the area. In April, Boko Haram kidnapped 13 women who were picking fruit near Hambagda, while a month earlier its fighters abducted 18 girls from the nearby village of Pulka. Large areas around Lake Chad and the Cameroon border remain inaccessible in an ongoing insurgency that has killed at least 20,000 since 2009. Eleven people were killed on Wednesday when Boko Haram gunmen and suicide bombers launched a rare combined attack inside Maiduguri.
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani lawmaker has called for "thorough investigations" into the country's nuclear proliferation to Iran and North Korea during former military ruler Pervez Musharraf's regime.

Pakistan Peoples Party senator Farhatullah Babar said yesterday that the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme A Q Khan had been singled out for nuclear proliferation and demanded that the "entire network" be exposed.

Seeking "thorough investigations" into nuclear proliferation, Babar said 73-year-old Musharraf, in his book 'In the Line of Fire', concedes that several tonnes of nuclear material and drawings had been smuggled from Pakistan to Iran, Libya and North Korea.

But only 81-year-old Khan was singled out for nuclear proliferation, he was quoted as saying by Dawn News.

Babar argued that it was impossible for any single individual to smuggle out huge centrifuge machines and other nuclear material without connivance and assistance of other players.

He called for an inquiry into the matter and bringing to book all those involved in the scam. He said that the "entire network" should be exposed and insisted that it must include big names, the report said.

Babar's demand came after Hafiz Hamdullah of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl asked during a Senate session why Khan's name had not even been mentioned during Yaum-i-Takbeer celebrations on May 28.

Hamdullah said that Khan was a national hero but had been degraded and insulted by Musharraf.

Musharraf ruled Pakistan till 2008 after toppling the government of Nawaz Sharif in 1999 to come to power.

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani lawmaker has called for "thorough investigations" into the country's nuclear proliferation to Iran and North Korea during former military ruler Pervez Musharraf's regime. Pakistan Peoples Party senator Farhatullah Babar said yesterday that the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme A Q Khan had been singled out for nuclear proliferation and demanded that the "entire network" be exposed. Seeking "thorough investigations" into nuclear proliferation, Babar said 73-year-old Musharraf, in his book 'In the Line of Fire', concedes that several tonnes of nuclear material and drawings had been smuggled from Pakistan to Iran, Libya and North Korea. But only 81-year-old Khan was singled out for nuclear proliferation, he was quoted as saying by Dawn News. Babar argued that it was impossible for any single individual to smuggle out huge centrifuge machines and other nuclear material without connivance and assistance of other players. He called for an inquiry into the matter and bringing to book all those involved in the scam. He said that the "entire network" should be exposed and insisted that it must include big names, the report said. Babar's demand came after Hafiz Hamdullah of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl asked during a Senate session why Khan's name had not even been mentioned during Yaum-i-Takbeer celebrations on May 28. Hamdullah said that Khan was a national hero but had been degraded and insulted by Musharraf. Musharraf ruled Pakistan till 2008 after toppling the government of Nawaz Sharif in 1999 to come to power.
By PTI

Adam Purinton, a US Navy veteran accused of killing Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injuring two others at a suburban Kansas City bar, has been indicted on federal hate crime and firearms charges.

The indictment OF Purinton, 51, of Olathe, Kansas, by a federal grand jury comes after the February 22 shooting at the city bar.

The indictment announced by the Department of Justice has accused Purinton of shooting and killing Kuchibhotla, and attempting to kill Alok Madasani, also an Indian national, because of their actual and perceived race, colour, religion and national origin.

Witnesses said Purinton yelled at the two Indian men to "get out of my country" before pulling the trigger in the attack.

Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American man, was also injured while intervening in the shooting.

The announcement of the indictment was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General Thomas E Wheeler, II, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, and United States Attorney Thomas E Beall of the District of Kansas.

Srinivas was tragically shot dead in a Kansas bar by a man, and the entire incident seemed to be a hate crime as the shooter spewed racist comments before shooting. (File | EPS)

Puritan faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison. The Justice Department will determine at a later date whether, in this particular case, it will seek the death penalty, a statement said.

A third count in the indictment charges Purinton with violating a federal firearms statute by discharging a firearm at Kuchibhotla, Madasani, and Grillot, during the violence.

It alleges that Purinton committed the offences after substantial planning and premeditation, attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode, and knowingly created a grave risk of death to others on the scene.

Purinton, a US Navy veteran, is currently being held in the Johnson County jail on a USD two million cash bond on murder and attempted murder charges

Adam Purinton, a US Navy veteran accused of killing Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injuring two others at a suburban Kansas City bar, has been indicted on federal hate crime and firearms charges. The indictment OF Purinton, 51, of Olathe, Kansas, by a federal grand jury comes after the February 22 shooting at the city bar. The indictment announced by the Department of Justice has accused Purinton of shooting and killing Kuchibhotla, and attempting to kill Alok Madasani, also an Indian national, because of their actual and perceived race, colour, religion and national origin. Witnesses said Purinton yelled at the two Indian men to "get out of my country" before pulling the trigger in the attack. Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American man, was also injured while intervening in the shooting. The announcement of the indictment was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General Thomas E Wheeler, II, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, and United States Attorney Thomas E Beall of the District of Kansas. Srinivas was tragically shot dead in a Kansas bar by a man, and the entire incident seemed to be a hate crime as the shooter spewed racist comments before shooting. (File | EPS)Puritan faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison. The Justice Department will determine at a later date whether, in this particular case, it will seek the death penalty, a statement said. A third count in the indictment charges Purinton with violating a federal firearms statute by discharging a firearm at Kuchibhotla, Madasani, and Grillot, during the violence. It alleges that Purinton committed the offences after substantial planning and premeditation, attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode, and knowingly created a grave risk of death to others on the scene. Purinton, a US Navy veteran, is currently being held in the Johnson County jail on a USD two million cash bond on murder and attempted murder charges
By AFP

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump punched back Friday against James Comey, accusing the ousted FBI director of lying about their private conversations -- and saying he is "100 percent" willing to testify under oath.

Comey delivered scathing testimony a day earlier in a highly-anticipated Senate hearing, saying Trump sought to derail a probe into onetime national security advisor Michael Flynn -- at best, a political miscalculation, and at worst a criminal obstruction of justice.

Trump was addressing reporters at the White House for the first time since Comey's explosive appearance, in which he branded the president a liar and said he believed he was fired over his handling of the FBI probe into Russian election meddling.

WATCH VIDEO:

"Yesterday showed no collusion, no obstruction," Trump said in reference to the twin controversies dogging his administration -- accusations his aides colluded with the Russian effort to tilt the vote, and that he sought to block the related Flynn probe.

Trump lashed out at Comey, branding him a "leaker" for indirectly providing to reporters the contents of memos summarizing their private conversations in the weeks before he was sacked. A person close to Trump's legal team has said a complaint would be filed with the Justice Department.

"Some of the things that he said just weren't true," added the president who, when asked if he would be willing to speak under oath to special prosecutor Robert Mueller about the encounters, responded: "100 percent."

"I would be glad to tell him exactly what I just told you," Trump said.

The White House has seized on Comey's confirmation that Trump personally was not under investigation over his ties to Russia to declare a victory of sorts.

Earlier in the day on Twitter, the Republican president claimed "total and complete vindication."

The Trump administration has also highlighted the fact Comey stopped short of accusing the president of obstructing justice -- a potentially impeachable offense. The former FBI chief has said the decision was now in the hands of special counsel Mueller.

Questioned about Comey's central claim that Trump told him to lay off Flynn, the president responded: "I didn't say that."

"And there would be nothing wrong if I did say it according to everybody that I read today."

Tapes?

During almost three hours of statements Thursday before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Comey described himself as "stunned" by Trump's "very disturbing" and "very concerning" behavior towards him.

Detailing one-on-one talks with a sitting president -- which under normal circumstances are private -- Comey said he took painstaking notes for fear Trump might "lie" about the unusual encounters.

And Comey admitted he asked a friend to leak those notes to a reporter, betting -- correctly -- that the details would prompt the appointment of a special prosecutor.

Comey said he had done so after Trump suggested in a tweet that their conversations may have been recorded.

Trump demurred when asked whether tapes of his talks with Comey actually exist.

"I'll tell you about that maybe in the very near future," he said.

Meanwhile the leaders of the House Intelligence Committee, which is also probing Russian election meddling, wrote Comey requesting his notes memorializing his conversations with Trump.

The separately wrote the White House counsel Don McGahn asking whether White House recordings exist, and if they do, that they be produced to the committee by June 23.

Inappropriate

Pundits and legal experts were divided on whether Trump's actions rose to the level of obstruction of justice, a potentially impeachable offense.

But while Republicans in general have continued to back the president, some have begun openly questioning and criticizing his actions.

"It was clear that the president asked Mr. Comey to do an inappropriate action, and that was to drop the investigation of General Michael Flynn," Senator Susan Collins told CNN.

"It crossed a boundary that the president should not have crossed."

Bob Inglis, a Republican former congressman who voted to impeach Bill Clinton in 1998, suggested Trump might be in particularly hot water.

"Yes, I was on Judiciary Cmte that impeached Clinton/sent him for trial in the Senate for matters less serious than the ones before us now," Inglis tweeted Friday.

In his testimony, Comey recalled that during a private White House dinner on January 27, the president asked him for "loyalty" and to lay off his former top aide Flynn -- who is under investigation over his Russia ties -- imploring Comey to "let this go."

"I didn't say that," Trump insisted Friday. "I hardly know the man. I'm not going to say, 'I want you to pledge allegiance'."

Trump abruptly fired Comey as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on May 9, admitting later that the Russia probe was on his mind at the time.

Harvard Law School professor Mark Tushnet said onlookers should keep in mind that Comey knows much more than he can say, calling his testimony a "big deal."

US lawmakers will get another chance to hear from a top administration official, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, when he testifies Tuesday before the Senate Appropriations Committee.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump punched back Friday against James Comey, accusing the ousted FBI director of lying about their private conversations -- and saying he is "100 percent" willing to testify under oath. Comey delivered scathing testimony a day earlier in a highly-anticipated Senate hearing, saying Trump sought to derail a probe into onetime national security advisor Michael Flynn -- at best, a political miscalculation, and at worst a criminal obstruction of justice. Trump was addressing reporters at the White House for the first time since Comey's explosive appearance, in which he branded the president a liar and said he believed he was fired over his handling of the FBI probe into Russian election meddling. WATCH VIDEO: window.__ventunoplayer = window.__ventunoplayer||[];window.__ventunoplayer.push({video_key: 'OTQ4MzI3fHw4fHw2fHwxLDIsMQ==', holder_id: 'vt-video-player', player_type: 'vp', width:'100%', ratio:'4:3'});"Yesterday showed no collusion, no obstruction," Trump said in reference to the twin controversies dogging his administration -- accusations his aides colluded with the Russian effort to tilt the vote, and that he sought to block the related Flynn probe. Trump lashed out at Comey, branding him a "leaker" for indirectly providing to reporters the contents of memos summarizing their private conversations in the weeks before he was sacked. A person close to Trump's legal team has said a complaint would be filed with the Justice Department. "Some of the things that he said just weren't true," added the president who, when asked if he would be willing to speak under oath to special prosecutor Robert Mueller about the encounters, responded: "100 percent." "I would be glad to tell him exactly what I just told you," Trump said. The White House has seized on Comey's confirmation that Trump personally was not under investigation over his ties to Russia to declare a victory of sorts. Earlier in the day on Twitter, the Republican president claimed "total and complete vindication." The Trump administration has also highlighted the fact Comey stopped short of accusing the president of obstructing justice -- a potentially impeachable offense. The former FBI chief has said the decision was now in the hands of special counsel Mueller. Questioned about Comey's central claim that Trump told him to lay off Flynn, the president responded: "I didn't say that." "And there would be nothing wrong if I did say it according to everybody that I read today." Tapes? During almost three hours of statements Thursday before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Comey described himself as "stunned" by Trump's "very disturbing" and "very concerning" behavior towards him. Detailing one-on-one talks with a sitting president -- which under normal circumstances are private -- Comey said he took painstaking notes for fear Trump might "lie" about the unusual encounters. And Comey admitted he asked a friend to leak those notes to a reporter, betting -- correctly -- that the details would prompt the appointment of a special prosecutor. Comey said he had done so after Trump suggested in a tweet that their conversations may have been recorded. Trump demurred when asked whether tapes of his talks with Comey actually exist. "I'll tell you about that maybe in the very near future," he said. Meanwhile the leaders of the House Intelligence Committee, which is also probing Russian election meddling, wrote Comey requesting his notes memorializing his conversations with Trump. The separately wrote the White House counsel Don McGahn asking whether White House recordings exist, and if they do, that they be produced to the committee by June 23. Inappropriate Pundits and legal experts were divided on whether Trump's actions rose to the level of obstruction of justice, a potentially impeachable offense. But while Republicans in general have continued to back the president, some have begun openly questioning and criticizing his actions. "It was clear that the president asked Mr. Comey to do an inappropriate action, and that was to drop the investigation of General Michael Flynn," Senator Susan Collins told CNN. "It crossed a boundary that the president should not have crossed." Bob Inglis, a Republican former congressman who voted to impeach Bill Clinton in 1998, suggested Trump might be in particularly hot water. "Yes, I was on Judiciary Cmte that impeached Clinton/sent him for trial in the Senate for matters less serious than the ones before us now," Inglis tweeted Friday. In his testimony, Comey recalled that during a private White House dinner on January 27, the president asked him for "loyalty" and to lay off his former top aide Flynn -- who is under investigation over his Russia ties -- imploring Comey to "let this go." "I didn't say that," Trump insisted Friday. "I hardly know the man. I'm not going to say, 'I want you to pledge allegiance'." Trump abruptly fired Comey as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on May 9, admitting later that the Russia probe was on his mind at the time. Harvard Law School professor Mark Tushnet said onlookers should keep in mind that Comey knows much more than he can say, calling his testimony a "big deal." US lawmakers will get another chance to hear from a top administration official, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, when he testifies Tuesday before the Senate Appropriations Committee.
By PTI

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's main Muslim party today alleged role of an "external hand" behind a series of attacks on Islamic religious centres in the country in recent weeks. "With all our political experience we can seen an external hand to disturb the peace in the country," Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem said.

Muslim civil society groups had claimed that there have been over 30 incidents of racial hatred attacks against the community in the last seven weeks.

They have also accused the police of inaction to prevent the attacks. "Those responsible for maintaining the law and order are being directed by an invisible hand," Hakeem, who is also a government minister, told a gathering in the central town of Kandy.

Hakeem said the issue needs to be taken up with the highest levels of the government. "We will try to resolve the issue with talks internally," he said.

Several centres of Muslim minority have been facing arson attacks since mid April.

The attacks were largely blamed on the Buddhist extremist group, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS).

BBS leader and monk Galagodaatte Gnanasara was seen publicly slamming Islam last month. Gnanasara is wanted for contempt of court and has been ordered by a court not to leave the country.

Sri Lanka's population practises a variety of religions. As of the 2011 census, 70 per cent of Sri Lankans were Theravada Buddhists, 12 per cent Hindus, 9.7 per cent Muslims and 7.4 per cent Christians. Galagodatte Gnanasara is wanted by the police in around 19 complaints of harassment filed by the Muslims.

Police has launched a search for him, but have not arrested him. Envoys of many countries, including Australia and Canada, have visited a prominent mosque here to express their solidarity with minority Muslims.

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's main Muslim party today alleged role of an "external hand" behind a series of attacks on Islamic religious centres in the country in recent weeks. "With all our political experience we can seen an external hand to disturb the peace in the country," Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem said. Muslim civil society groups had claimed that there have been over 30 incidents of racial hatred attacks against the community in the last seven weeks. They have also accused the police of inaction to prevent the attacks. "Those responsible for maintaining the law and order are being directed by an invisible hand," Hakeem, who is also a government minister, told a gathering in the central town of Kandy. Hakeem said the issue needs to be taken up with the highest levels of the government. "We will try to resolve the issue with talks internally," he said. Several centres of Muslim minority have been facing arson attacks since mid April. The attacks were largely blamed on the Buddhist extremist group, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS). BBS leader and monk Galagodaatte Gnanasara was seen publicly slamming Islam last month. Gnanasara is wanted for contempt of court and has been ordered by a court not to leave the country. Sri Lanka's population practises a variety of religions. As of the 2011 census, 70 per cent of Sri Lankans were Theravada Buddhists, 12 per cent Hindus, 9.7 per cent Muslims and 7.4 per cent Christians. Galagodatte Gnanasara is wanted by the police in around 19 complaints of harassment filed by the Muslims. Police has launched a search for him, but have not arrested him. Envoys of many countries, including Australia and Canada, have visited a prominent mosque here to express their solidarity with minority Muslims.
By AFP

BRASILIA: Brazil's Supreme Court lashed out Saturday after a report that President Michel Temer had ordered the country's intelligence services to dig up dirt on the judge overseeing his corruption case.

The report in Veja magazine on Friday quoted an unnamed aide to Temer saying that the Brazilian Intelligence Agency, known as Abin, had been tasked with finding compromising material on Supreme Court Justice Edson Fachin.

Although the presidential palace quickly issued a statement denying the report, the Supreme Court came out with an unusually strongly worded statement of its own Saturday to denounce any pressure on its judges.

"It is inadmissable to commit a very serious crime against the Federal Supreme Court, against democracy and against liberty," said the statement signed by Chief Justice Carmen Lucia.

Describing pressure against judges as "the practice of a dictatorship," Lucia said the court "vehemently rejects spurious, unconstitutional and immoral snooping against any citizen and even more so against one of its members -- even more so if aimed at embarrassing a judge."

The statement warned of "legal, political and institutional consequences" if the reported operation were "proven at any time."

The Supreme Court is overseeing scores of corruption cases against Brazilian politicians, including ministers, senators and lower house deputies, whose cases are not handled by lower courts.

The slew of graft cases have been unleashed by investigators with the "Car Wash" operation against embezzlement and bribery at the top levels of politics and business. Fachin is the head judge for "Car Wash" matters.

Now it's war

Temer himself is now under investigation for bribe taking and obstruction of justice related to the array of interlocking "Car Wash" corruption scandals.

In a separate case Friday, Temer was narrowly exonerated by the seven judges on the Supreme Electoral Tribunal who had been examining whether his 2014 election was marred by illegal campaign donations.

Temer denies all the charges against him, but now that the election controversy has been put aside he is believed to be gearing up for an intensified fight with prosecutors over the corruption allegations.

Veja, which specializes in political scoops, published its story on the alleged use of the intelligence agency against Justice Fachin with a cover showing Temer dressed as a soldier and the headline: "Now it's war."

The presidential palace quickly responded, saying Temer "never deployed (Abin) to investigate the life of Supreme Court Minister Edson Fachin, as was reported."

"The government does not use the public machinery against Brazilian citizens, much less in any sort of action that would not respect the strict rules of the law."

The statement also insisted on the Temer government's support for "Car Wash."

BRASILIA: Brazil's Supreme Court lashed out Saturday after a report that President Michel Temer had ordered the country's intelligence services to dig up dirt on the judge overseeing his corruption case. The report in Veja magazine on Friday quoted an unnamed aide to Temer saying that the Brazilian Intelligence Agency, known as Abin, had been tasked with finding compromising material on Supreme Court Justice Edson Fachin. Although the presidential palace quickly issued a statement denying the report, the Supreme Court came out with an unusually strongly worded statement of its own Saturday to denounce any pressure on its judges. "It is inadmissable to commit a very serious crime against the Federal Supreme Court, against democracy and against liberty," said the statement signed by Chief Justice Carmen Lucia. Describing pressure against judges as "the practice of a dictatorship," Lucia said the court "vehemently rejects spurious, unconstitutional and immoral snooping against any citizen and even more so against one of its members -- even more so if aimed at embarrassing a judge." The statement warned of "legal, political and institutional consequences" if the reported operation were "proven at any time." The Supreme Court is overseeing scores of corruption cases against Brazilian politicians, including ministers, senators and lower house deputies, whose cases are not handled by lower courts. The slew of graft cases have been unleashed by investigators with the "Car Wash" operation against embezzlement and bribery at the top levels of politics and business. Fachin is the head judge for "Car Wash" matters. Now it's war Temer himself is now under investigation for bribe taking and obstruction of justice related to the array of interlocking "Car Wash" corruption scandals. In a separate case Friday, Temer was narrowly exonerated by the seven judges on the Supreme Electoral Tribunal who had been examining whether his 2014 election was marred by illegal campaign donations. Temer denies all the charges against him, but now that the election controversy has been put aside he is believed to be gearing up for an intensified fight with prosecutors over the corruption allegations. Veja, which specializes in political scoops, published its story on the alleged use of the intelligence agency against Justice Fachin with a cover showing Temer dressed as a soldier and the headline: "Now it's war." The presidential palace quickly responded, saying Temer "never deployed (Abin) to investigate the life of Supreme Court Minister Edson Fachin, as was reported." "The government does not use the public machinery against Brazilian citizens, much less in any sort of action that would not respect the strict rules of the law." The statement also insisted on the Temer government's support for "Car Wash."
Championship game berths on the line for Island football teams

The stakes dont get much higher for the Portsmouth, Middletown and Rogers high school football teams this weekend.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

A few passing clouds. Low near 45F. SSE winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low near 45F. SSE winds shifting to WNW at 10 to 20 mph.
Reporter

Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk).
Reporter/Columnist

Julie Wurth is a reporter covering the University of Illinois at The News-Gazette. Her email is jwurth@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@jawurth).
Adult male farmers in Malaysia are more than twice as likely to contract Plasmodium knowlesi malaria - an infection usually found only in monkeys - than other people in their communities, according to a new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health.

The research team found that farmers in the country's Sabah region who work on plantations, clearing vegetation and taking part in forestry work were most at risk.

The study is the first comprehensive assessment of factors associated with contracting symptomatic P. knowlesi infection which is threatening efforts to eliminate malaria in South East Asia.

It was conducted by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, and the Department of Health, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

Plasmodium knowlesi is a zoonotic malaria parasite which is common in forest-dwelling macaque monkeys and transmitted between hosts by mosquitoes. It has a rapid growth rate in the blood that can lead to high levels of parasites in a short time and can cause severe and fatal disease.

Recent deforestation in the Sabah region has brought humans into closer contact with the forest. P. knowlesi is now the most common form of human malaria in many areas of Malaysia, and has also been reported across South East Asia. In 2014, the Malaysian Health Ministry reported 2,584 out of the country's 3,923 malaria cases derived from P. knowlesi, and that proportion is known to have risen further.

The researchers conducted a large case control study of more than 1,000 people in the Sabah districts of Kudat and Kota Marudu. Individuals with P. knowlesi were compared with individuals with other types of human malaria and a control group without malaria. Detailed questionnaires collected information on daily activities, residence and the frequency with which participants saw monkeys.

Men were four times more likely to have P. knowlesi infection than women, but although male farmers were more likely to contract monkey malaria, they were not at higher risk of contracting other types of malaria. Indoor work such as shopkeeping, traditional female household duties, and studying were associated with a lower risk of P. knowlesi malaria in these communities.

Chris Drakeley, Professor of Infection & Immunity from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and principal collaborator on the study said: "P. knowlesi is a complex and potentially life threatening parasite. The rise in cases not only threatens the great gains Malaysia has made towards eradicating malaria, but is of concern for other countries in South East Asia. Conventional approaches used to tackle malaria such as drugs or bed nets can't be used to combat P. knowlesi as monkeys are the host and risk is associated with outdoor work. Our study offers important insight into where social interventions are likely to have the biggest impact.

"This is a unique interdisciplinary study which harnessed the expertise of a range of partners and organizations to help describe the risk of P. knowlesi infection. We will continue to work with our colleagues in the Malaysian Ministry of Health to improve awareness and education for local residents about areas of risk and how they can prevent mosquito bites."

The findings suggest that humans working on the fringes of the forest are at risk of contracting P. knowlesi, as well as in the forest itself when they carry out activities such as hunting.

The study also identified methods of housing construction and surrounding forest and agricultural land types which contributed to the increasing number of rural P. knowlesi cases. A number of cases in women and children were also found which, along with the characteristics of mosquito and macaque populations, need further investigation.

Dr. Matthew Grigg, Menzies Research fellow and lead author of the study, said: "Malaysia's national malaria eradication plan is proving extremely effective in reducing case numbers of other types of malaria, however we have found cases of P. knowlesi are on the rise due to a number of human behavioral factors. Our research indicates adult males are most at risk of contracting this type of malaria including from activities such as farming, land clearing activities, working on palm oil plantations, and traveling or sleeping outside."

The authors acknowledge the limitations of the study including that participants infected with P. knowlesi who were aware of their diagnosis were potentially more likely to recall seeing monkeys or describe childhood malaria episodes.

Source: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Almost 6,000 new cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, are expected to be diagnosed this year in the United States. The blood cancer can affect both children and adults. Scientists have found up to 30 percent of adult ALL patients have what's called a Philadelphia chromosome, where two segments of chromosomes have aberrantly fused together. (The fusion chromosome is much less common in children.) Adult ALL patients exposed to standard treatments often see high relapse rates, and treatment-related deaths remain high. But researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah have discovered new science, published this week in the journal , that could provide better therapeutic options for patients.

In the Leukemia study, HCI scientists learned how to inhibit and override the negative activity of this chromosome. The findings could possibly lead to future novel drug treatments.

Srividya Bhaskara, PhD, HCI investigator and assistant professor of radiation oncology at the University of Utah, led the study. She says the ALL cancer cells containing the Philadelphia chromosome are addicted to repairing DNA. "Repairing DNA may sound like a good thing when you're talking about healthy cells," she explains, "But in this case it's a bad thing. When you treat these leukemia cells with chemotherapy, you want DNA damage to accumulate so the cancer cells will die. But because the Philadelphia chromosome continually causes repair, these cells don't retain enough DNA damage to die. Essentially they resist any kind of drug you use on them. So we had to find a new way to overcome this DNA repair addiction."

Bhaskara says the Philadelphia chromosome promotes repair through numerous proteins. But putting together a cocktail of drugs to inhibit them all would likely be too toxic and affect normal cells. So Bhaskara focused on two specific proteins she found were directly involved in DNA repair, called histone deacetylases (HDAC) 1 and 2. She then collaborated with a company to make a drug that inhibits HDAC1,2 activity. After a comprehensive analysis of how the drug worked, Bhaskara tested the HDAC1,2 inhibitor in patient samples and mice and saw encouraging results, either alone or in combination with a chemotherapy drug called doxorubicin. (Doxorubicin is one of the components of the chemotherapy cocktail regimen currently used for Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL patients). The drugs broke down the central hub of DNA repair, and the HDAC1,2 inhibitor actually reduced different repair protein functions.

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"This inhibitor can work at multiple steps and at multiple levels of repair without causing major toxicity," says Bhaskara. "The treated mice didn't get sick from the drug, and we did not see any apparent toxic side-effects in them. And when the drug was combined with a low concentration of doxorubicin, it had additional therapeutic benefits. We actually show in the patient-derived mouse models that using the combination of drugs, or HDAC1,2 inhibitor alone, is sufficient to decrease the leukemia load."

Leukemia is a white blood cell disease where the body produces too many white and not enough red blood cells. When the mice in this study were treated with the HDAC1,2 inhibitor or the HDAC1,2/doxorubicin combination, their bone marrow started turning from pale to red, indicating the white blood cells were being replaced with red blood cells.

In mouse models, a 50-70 percent reduction in leukemia was observed with either HDAC1,2 inhibitor alone or when the inhibitor was used with doxorubicin. Bhaskara says this kind of decrease can give a patient several more years of survival.

In addition, the repair proteins identified by the Bhaskara Lab can also be used as potential biomarkers to predict a patient's response in the clinic.

Bhaskara is encouraged and excited by the findings and their future implications. "We completely nailed down how the HDAC1,2 inhibitor affects DNA repair," she says. "This is so important, not just for this cancer, but any cancer that is repair-addicted. We know there is a specific type of lymphoma that is also repair-addicted."

The next steps will include initiating human clinical trials, which are now being discussed between Bhaskara's team and appropriate clinical and pharmaceutical partners.
The US Food and Drug Administration this Thursday (8th June 2017) directed pharmaceutical company Endo Pharmaceuticals to remove one of its powerful opioid painkillers Opana ER, that provides a long term relief of pain but also poses a risk of drug abuse.

According to FDA officials, this is the first instance when an opioid medication has been asked to be removed from the market due to the concerns of the drug leading to the public health consequences of abuse. FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb has clarified that there is currently an opioid epidemic which could be called a public health problem in a large scale. There is a massive degree of opioid misuse and abuse among the general public he said. Necessary steps should be taken to stop this menace. He explained that drugs of this nature need to be stringently regulated and their use is to be strictly on the basis of whether their benefits outweigh their risks. This could target their potential for misuse and abuse, he said.

Opana ER contains oxymorphone hydrochloride in a formulation that can have a longer duration of pain relief lasting for several hours. It has been prescribed in pain that is more severe that requires round-the-clock, daily, long term opioid therapy. The FDA approved it for this use in 2006. This drug came under the scanner in 2015 when it was the main culprit preferred by many addicts in a centre of an HIV outbreak in Indiana. One of the other often abused drugs is OxyContin. Oxymorphone is twice as powerful as OxyContin.

Many experts including Dr. Andrew Kolodny, co-director of opioid policy research at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University have lauded this effort and believe several other opioids too need to come off the market.

Endo Pharmaceuticals, the drug makers have formulated Opana ER in a special way by coating it with a hard cover that makes it difficult to crush. The drug is supposed to release the effective opioid in the blood stream slowly and steadily throughout the day to provide pain relief. This has been made to prevent abuse. However, addicts have gotten past this hurdle and are crushing it all the same and taking the drug all at once to get one major high. This could be dangerous to say the least. The formulation was changed in 2012 after which the addicts began to inject the drug. Sharing needles while using this drug has led to spread the HIV infection which happened in the outbreak at Indiana in 2015 where 142 people were tested positive.

This latest decision from the FDA has come after a review of all the data gathered by the company after the drug has been in the market. This is called post-marketing surveillance data. This data showed that earlier people were snorting the drug and now after change of the formulation, they are injecting it. This poses a risk of spread of blood borne diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C etc. There is in fact a known serious outbreak of Hepatitis C linked to use of this drug said the Agency. The FDA subjected the decision to a vote this March by an independent panel of experts. The experts voted 18-8 that this change in formulation of the drug has failed to make it safer and the benefits do not outweigh the risks of this drug.

Endo Pharmaceuticals spokespersons have said that they are evaluating the options and reviewing the situation to opt for an appropriate path forward. Opana ER brought in $158 million in sales for Endo last year. This was a 10 percent reduction from 2015 said trade analysts while its shares fell.
A new study looks at the experiences of African American Christian counseling students from the Black church as they seek to balance their faith and ethical responsibilities in working with lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) clients.

Findings from the study, which included 7 participants from 3 counselor education programs, suggest that attitudes toward LGB clients are intertwined with faith, race, and community allegiance. The results provide counselor educators and supervisors with important considerations as they train African American students from the Black church to be ethical, culturally competent counselors.

"Counselors are expected to provide culturally competent services to clients from diverse backgrounds. As counselor educators, we were curious as to how students' own personal values and life experiences may impact their development as a counselor," said Dr. Janee R. Avent Harris, lead author of the Counselor Education & Supervision study. "The results from this study provide important implications for counselor educators. We will continue researching the ways spirituality and counseling intersect for counselors-in-training and clients."

Source: http://newsroom.wiley.com/press-release/counselor-education-supervision/experiences-african-american-christian-counseling-stud
Jodhpur: In a new twist to the sensational Bhanwari Devi murder case, accused Indira Bishnoi on Saturday told a court that she is alive and living in Bengaluru.



The counsel for Bishnoi, who was arrested on June 3 from Madhya Pradeshs Dewas, supported her claim saying the bones recovered from a canal by the CBI were not of Bhanwari and that the forensic report was not conclusive.



While the assertion left the CBI officials in the court amused, the defence counsel said, It is only the version of the CBI that Bhanwari has died and that too on the basis of the statements of the witnesses".



He said that the CBI had claimed that some bones had been found in a canal and that too after four months of Bhanwari disappearance.



Even the examination report of those bones is not clear, which means Bhanwari may be alive," he added.



The court also sent Bishnoi to judicial custody after the CBI said that it no longer needed her remand. Among the accused in the case, 16 are now in judicial custody, one is out on bail.



Bhanwari, posted as an auxiliary nurse midwife at a sub- centre in Jaliwada village, around 120 km from Jodhpur, had gone missing on September 1, 2011. She disappeared after a CD allegedly showing then Rajasthan minister Mahipal Maderna in compromising position with the 36-year-old nurse was aired by some news channels.



The CBI had said Bhanwari was allegedly abducted from Jodhpur's Bilara area on September 1, 2011 and murdered. Her body was handed over to another gang which burnt it in a limestone quarry and dumped the remains in a canal, it alleged.



Maderna (65), who then represented the Osian Assembly constituency, was arrested on December 2, 2011 in Jodhpur by the CBI.
: Seeking Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's resignation on moral grounds, Aam Aadmi Party leaders on Friday demanded registration of cases of murder on policemen who shot dead farmers in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh.AAP national spokesperson Sanjay Singh claimed that ever since the Narendra Modi government has come to power, farmer deaths have spiked.The Modi government waived off loans of corporate but farmers are jailed for few thousand rupees of loan, Singh alleged. "PM Modi is concerned for other countries and their people but not for farmers."A delegation of the AAP was stopped here by the police from entering Mandsaur a day after RahulGandhi and other Congress leaders were turned back by authorities.The delegation consisting of Sanjay Singh, Bhagwant Mann andew Somnath Bharti and sat on a dharna in Dhodhar area of Ratlam district after officials denied them entry into Mandsaur as curfew had been imposed there and told them it would not be safe.AAP spokesperson Ashutosh alleged that MP Home Minister Bhupendra Singh created confusion with his contradictory statements after the Mandsaur incident. Wherever BJP is in power, its behaving in brutal, ruthless and inhuman manner, he alleged.
Lucknow: The railway ministry has given technical clearance to the Lucknow Metro, clearing the way for its commercial run to be flagged off by chief minister Yogi Adityanath later this month.



Sources told News18 that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also expected to be present at the inauguration, which is said to be scheduled along with his visit to the state capital on June 20.



The only clearance left is from the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety. The Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation sent a letter, on Friday, to Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety requesting him to visit the depot and corridor and inspect all the lifts, escalators, security systems, etc. The ministry has approved a speed limit of 80 km per hour for Lucknow Metro.



Akhilesh Yadav had inaugurated the trial run of Lucknow Metro in November last year and it was supposed to begin commercial operations on March 26, 2017. Post polls, SP lost to BJP and Yogi Adityanath took over as the new CM of the state. The project has since then assumed a backseat due to delays in getting the approval of necessary central agencies.



Lucknow Metro along with the Agra-Lucknow expressway and the Lucknow IT city were among the dream projects of Akhilesh Yadav.



The Lucknow Metro would operate in an 8.5 km stretch between Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport and Charbgh Railway station in the first phase. This phase is a part of 23km long North South corridor comprising of 21 stations.
New Delhi: SS Khaplang, chief of the Naga rebel group NSCN-K, who had engineered many attacks on the security forces, including the killing of 18 Army soldiers in Manipur, died late on Friday in the Kachin state of Myanmar. He was 77.



PTI reported quoting sources that the leader of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), who had been ailing for some time, died after cardiac arrest.



Shangwang Shangyung Khaplang was a Hemi Naga from Myanmar and was based mostly in that country where the outfit maintains several camps, PTI reported.



Since the 1980s, the outfit has engaged in subversive activities, including attacks on Indian security forces, extortion and looting.



The NSCN-K was involved in the killing of 18 Army soldiers in an ambush in Manipur on June 4, 2015.



Following the Manipur ambush in 2015, the Indian Army carried out cross-border raids on NSCN-K camps inside Myanmar killing several militants.



The ambush on the Army convoy was carried out by the group despite it being involved in peace negotiations with an interlocutor of the central government.



Subsequently, the government snapped the dialogue and in September 2015, the NSCN-K was declared as an unlawful organisation for five years.



Born in April 1940 in Waktham village, east of Myanmar's Pangsau Pass, Khaplang joined the Naga nationalist movement as early as 1964 and was one of the key people in the formation of the NSCN. However, Khaplang split and formed his own group NSCN-K in 1988.



He formed the group following differences with the NSCN (IM) leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah. Swu died in June 2016 in a Delhi hospital.



Khaplang also entered into a ceasefire with the central government in 1997 but abrogated it on March 28, 2015.



Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) Secretary General Neingulo Krome said the news of Khaplang's sudden demise has come as a "rude shock".



There was no immediate reaction from the rebel group or key tribal bodies, including Naga Hoho and Naga Mothers' Association.



(With PTI inputs)




My condolences to the family of the engineer - May God give them strength to bear this extremely unfortunate loss  Trivendra S Rawat (@tsrawatbjp) June 10, 2017

A helicopter engineer died on Saturday when he got caught in the blades of the chopper in Uttarakhands Badrinath on Saturday. The pilot, co-pilot and five passengers were reported to be safe.The accident reportedly occurred at 7:45am when the Haridwar-bound chopper took off but failed to gain altitude due to low pressure.IANS reported that the helicopter took off normally but soon lost balance. Chopper engineer Vikram Lamba, a resident of Assam, fearing for his life, reportedly jumped out mid-air and was sliced by the rotor of the helicopter.The chopper, an eight-seater AgustaWestland AW119 Koala, belonged to Mumbai-based Krestal Aviation, Tripti Bhatt, SP of Chamoli district told CNN-News18. The pilgrims, who belonged to Vadodra in Gujarat, had resumed their journey by road, she added.Condoling the engineers death, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat tweeted:Officials said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had been informed of the accident.DGCA Chief Secretary S.Ramaswamy has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident, IANS reported.Commissioner of the Garhwal region, Vinod Sharma informed that Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Joshimath has been assigned the probe.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is sitting on a fast for restoration of peace at the Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal where he has invited agitating farmers for talks. The killing of six farmers in police firing in the states Mandsaur district has fuelled protests for higher minimum support prices and loan waivers in several other states.

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Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will sit on fast on Saturday for restoration of peace and has invited farmers on protest for an amicable dialogue. Chouhan said he will work from the Dussehra Maidan where he invited farmers for talks."I will sit on indefinite fast from 11 am tomorrow at Dussehra Maidan for restoration of peace," a visibly upset Chouhan said at a hurriedly convened press conference at his official residence on Friday evening."I will be available at the Dussehra Maidan. I welcome all farmers to come there for resolving the impasse peacefully through an amicable dialogue with me. I won't sit in my office at Mantralaya (secretariat)... (but sit at) Dussehra Maidan and do all work from there," he added.However, he categorically said that all unruly elements would be dealt with strictly."I am deeply saddened that stones are being placed in the hands of young people aged 18, 21 and 22 by some persons during attempts to stage road blockades. It is painful that these young people are our own and the elements leading them are also our own," he said."I appeal to the people, farmers to come to the negotiating table," he said.The CM said that the agitation has gone "anarchic" and anyone trying to ignite the flames of violence would not be spared.The Congress has demanded Chouhans resignation over the deaths of six farmers in Mandsaur in police firing. Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi dubbed the BJP governments at the Centre and state as "Band, Baaja, Bullet" regimes that responded to protesting farmers with bullets instead of providing them remunerative prices for their produce.
As Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan began his fast to placate angry farmers, the agriculture minister in his government, Gaurishankar Bisen, surprised many by claiming that the state government wont waive off farm loans.Why would we waive off farm loans if we are not charging the farmers any interest, Bisen told reporters.His comment contradicts Chouhans statement a day before wherein the CM had said he was open for a dialogue with farmers. It is likely to fuel the anger among farmers a day after a debt-ridden farmer from Raisen committed suicide.The state government is under fire over the death of six people in police firing during the farmers protest in Mandsaur district. The deaths and the eventual flip-flop over the police action has fuelled farmers protests in several other states as well.Chouhan had announced his peace fast at a hurriedly convened press conference at his official residence on Friday evening.The Congress has dubbed the fast as a farce, with senior party leader Mukesh Nayak calling Chouhan another Kejriwal.State Congress chief spokesperson KK Mishra said Chouhan should tell people whether his so-called fast is a "nautanki" (drama), an event or an act of repentance for his misdeeds that "set the state on fire".
: Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday exuded confidence that the Centre will be able to find a solution to the Kashmir as he accused Pakistan of creating unrest in the Valley.He said that certain people are misleading and provoking the youth of Kashmir."Our government will solve the Kashmir issue. Our government wants a permanent solution while taking people in confidence," Singh said at a programme in Jaipur."Pakistan is creating unrest in Kashmir and wants to divide the nation. Terrorists infiltrated into India from Pakistan and attacked on our soldiers but our Army gave befitting reply by carrying out strike on terrorists (across LoC)," he said.The Union minister said that there are certain elements who are misleading and provoking the youth in Kashmir and giving them stones (for pelting on the Indian forces) and such people are playing with their future.Singh said that insurgency in the northeast and Maoism has reduced during the NDA government's rule."The Centre has a strong government and under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has emerged as a strong nation," he said.
Adam Purinton, the man accused of killing Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injuring two others at a suburban Kansas City bar, has been indicted on federal hate crime and firearms charges.Fridays indictment by a federal grand jury against Purinton, 51, of Olathe, Kansas, comes after a February 22 shooting at a city bar.The indictment announced by the Department of Justice has accused Purinton of shooting and killing Kuchibhotla, and attempting to kill Alok Madasani, also an Indian national, because of their actual and perceived race, colour, religion and national origin.Witnesses said Purinton yelled at the two Indian men to "get out of my country" before pulling the trigger in the attack.Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American man was also injured while intervening in the shooting.The announcement in this regard was made by the Acting Assistant Attorney General Thomas E Wheeler, II, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, and United States Attorney Thomas E Beall of the District of Kansas.Puritan faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison. The Justice Department will determine at a later date whether, in this particular case, it will seek the death penalty, a media release said.A third count in the indictment charges Purinton with violating a federal firearms statute by discharging a firearm at Kuchibhotla, Madasani, and Grillot, during the violence.It alleges that Purinton committed the offences after substantial planning and premeditation, attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode, and knowingly created a grave risk of death to others on the scene.Purinton, a US Navy veteran, is currently being held in the Johnson County jail on a $2 million cash bond on murder and attempted murder charges.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has warned Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung to not cross the Lakshman Rekha as protests intensify in the Hills against the state governments decision to make Bangla compulsory in government schools.While comparing Gurung with poet Kalidas, she said, He is cutting the branch he was sitting on. We will not tolerate this and stern action will be taken against all who are responsible for the current situation in the Hills. So many tourists got stranded and they (GJM) indulged in dirty politics.Addressing a press conference, she alleged that Gurung supporters stored arms and ammunition inside Bhanu Bhawan (the administrative building of Gorkha Territorial Administration). This is nothing but hooliganism. We never said that Bangla will be compulsory for the students in the Hills. He (Gurung) is creating problems to hide his failure as GTA chief, she said.The Gorkha Territorial Administration chief was quick to respond to Mamatas assertions and also used the row to step up the demand for a separate Gorkhaland.TMC supporters hurled stones at the policemen and now she is blaming us for the law and order problem. We dont trust the state government anymore. It is high time for me to quite GTA to intensify our movement foe separate Gorkhaland, Gurung said.I am happy that Army is here and we are feeling safe from TMC. Bangladesh was created because of struggle based on language. So, where is the problem in our struggle. We want Presidents rule in West Bengal, otherwise our agitation will continue, he said.On Friday, the state government stepped up pressure on Gurung to end the protests and also withdrew his official security guards. An FIR has been lodged arson and rioting and it is likely that he will be arrested soon, said sources.A six-member team to conduct a special audit of GTA had reached Darjeeling on Friday. The secretary of GTA, Ravinder Singh, has also been removed and is being replaced by Barun Roy, the secretary of the north Bengal development department.Speaking to News18, a former GJM leader said, This situation could have been averted (because state government clarified that Bangla is not compulsory in Hills) but due to poor leadership people are now complaining against Gurung. A large number of tourists are stranded in Darjeeling and this is sending a wrong message to people across the globe.For us the real issue is separate Gorkhaland but Bimal Gurung for the last one year did nothing for it. People supported him only because he raised the issue of Gorkhaland. But he was quiet all these months and suddenly he decided to make Bangla issue to pitch his separate Gorkhaland movement. He is losing popularity in the hills and this was evident with the results of recently held civic elections. Now it is high time for the GJM to understand BJPs actual stand on separate state issue, he said.Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has stayed back in Darjeeling to ensure safety of stranded tourists.Since morning there were no reports of any violence in Darjeeling. Army was deployed to restore law and order situation. The chief minister has announced to keep its offices in the hills open despite 12-hour bandh called by the GJM.
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday reiterated Kashmiri youth were being brainwashed through a disinformation campaign and stressed on the need for better technology to fight terrorism.A disinformation campaign is being run in Kashmir where the youth is being brainwashed. They then resort to stone-pelting, General Rawat said at an Indian Military Academy (IMA) parade in Dehradun.We need to think ahead of the insurgents. Technology is important to fight terrorism. If we have modern technology and it is used properly, citizens will not be inconvenienced and we will also be successful, the Army chief told reporters.General Rawats statement comes two days after he said Pakistan was spreading disinformation among the youth of Kashmir. Pakistan is spreading disinformation among the youth of Kashmir with doctored videos and messages. This is further supported by some of the people in the Valley who spread it and glamorise the young boys who have joined terrorist organisations, he had told ANI. We are raising our modernisation issues with the Government of India. The discussions are going well.Referring to internal conflicts and Pakistan and China, the Army chief had said India was ready for two-and-a-half front war.General Rawat has also batted for the induction of women in combat roles. "I am looking at women coming as jawans. I am going to start it soon. Firstly, we will start with women as military police jawans," he had told PTI last month.
DECATUR  Years of lobbying and support of black businesses in Central Illinois earned Gail Evans the first Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the MetroDecatur Black Chamber of Commerce on Friday.

Evans, 72, oversaw the the Decatur-Macon County Opportunities Corp., a nonprofit that spearheaded a number of anti-poverty programs in the area. She was presented with the honor as part of the Chamber's Community Awards Gala at the Decatur Club.

Evans was one of DMCOC's first hires and became its executive director in 1974. The organization recently celebrated 52 years of service to the area's low-income population.

"It's unheard of, anyone staying anywhere for 52 years. She understands the total picture, and she's truly truly dedicated to this community," said longtime friend Ingrid Smith, who presented Evans with the award.

Evans said it felt good to be recognized. "It's encouragement personally, so that, even though I'm retired, I can continue to work on behalf of the community," she said.

Keynote speaker J. Alexander Martin, co-founder of the FUBU (For Us By Us) clothing line, gave a talk encouraging entrepreneurship and creativity. "Everyone wants to be a leader, but no one wants the responsibility," he said to the black-tie crowd.

Gov. Bruce Rauner was also expected to speak at the event, but organizers said a scheduling conflict prevented him from doing so.

The audience did include state Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, City Councilman Pat McDaniel and Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe. The mayor described Evans as "an amazing woman who has given more than half a century of service to improve the lives of people in Decatur."

The Chamber also recognized Ameren Illinois with its Outstanding Corporate Leadership Award, which was accepted by Gussie Reed, a regional division director for for the company.

Other awards included the Alpha & Omega Transit Network for New Business of the Year; Walker Funeral Services for Outstanding Minority Business; and the city of Decatur for Outstanding Leadership.

The MetroDecatur Black Chamber of Commerce was founded two years ago, after several members of the Decatur Black Chamber of Commerce Inc. decided to leave and form a new organization. The new organization highlighted the inroads made in minority participation of vendor contracts and employment in the city of Decatur.

The city and recently the Decatur School District have initiated policies that require a share of contracts to go to minority-owned businesses.

"As far as making sure there is inclusion for minority business, we're taking their model and emulating it in other places in the state," said Larry Ivory, president of the Illinois State Black Chamber.

Darrell Reynolds, Sr., the owner of New Beginnings Contractors Inc., said the ordinance helped him get on the city's list of vendors.

"A lot of major companies here give me a call now to give them bids now, and that's what opens the door," he said.
In a shocking move, Nagaland Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu has condoled the death of SS Khaplang, the chief of banned Naga terror group NSCN-K, who passed away late on Friday after cardiac arrest in Myanmar.I am grieved to learn about the sudden demise of SS Khaplang last evening in Myanmar. It is tragic that such an important Naga leader like Khaplang has expired considering the fact that the protracted Naga political problem is on the verge of being resolved, and the need for all different Naga political groups to come together to air our views and aspirations to the Government of India in one voice is absolutely imperative, the CMs condolence message, on the governments letterhead, said.I appeal to all grieving Nagas to resolve and dedicate ourselves to endeavour with renewed vigour and determination to find a solution to the Naga political problem which is honourable and acceptable to all stakeholders; and that this protracted problem be resolved during our lifetime and not to bequeath it to the future generations. In memory of the departed leader who had dedicated all his life to the cause of the Naga people, let all Naga people dedicate ourselves to strive for peace, harmony and well-being of the entire Naga family so that we and our children can march ahead with the rest of the world as equals in the 21st century and for ever more.Since the 1980s, Khaplangs outfit has engaged in subversive activities, including attacks on Indian security forces, extortion and looting. Khaplang entered into a ceasefire with the central government in 1997 but abrogated it on March 28, 2015.Khaplang's NSCN-K was involved in the killing of 18 Army soldiers in an ambush in Manipur on June 4, 2015. The ambush on the Army convoy was carried out by the group despite it being involved in peace negotiations with an interlocutor of the central government.Khaplang joined the Naga nationalist movement as early as 1964 and was one of the key people in the formation of the NSCN.Subsequently, the government snapped the dialogue and in September 2015, the NSCN-K was declared as an unlawful organisation for five years.Born in April 1940 in Waktham village, east of Myanmar's Pangsau Pass, Khaplang joined the Naga nationalist movement as early as 1964 and was one of the key people in the formation of the NSCN. However, Khaplang split and formed his own group NSCN-K in 1988.Shangwang Shangyung Khaplang was a Hemi Naga from Myanmar and was based mostly in that country where the outfit maintains several camps.Few hours after Khaplangs death, the banned outfit reportedly appointed Khango Konyak as the new chairman of the group. Konyak was the outfits vice-president.Khango Konyak, who was unanimously elected vice-president in 2011, had an illustrious career as a military man and served the nation in different capacities.
BJP spreading love pic.twitter.com/0EhOjom740  Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) June 10, 2017

: Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday mocked Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is sitting on an indefinite fast to end the farmers' crisis in the state.A photo shared by Rahul on Twitter shows Shivraj Singh Chouhan in one-half, while the other half appears to show two policemen attacking an elderly woman. Rahul captioned this photograph: "BJP spreading love."The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh has come under fire over the ensuing farmer crisis and ever-spiralling protests. Six farmers were killed in police firing on Wednesday, inviting flak to the government from all quarters.BJP and the chief minister have alleged that "anti-social elements", backed by the Congress party, have contributed towards aggravating the crisis further.Rahul Gandhi was denied permission to enter the state by the administration keeping the disturbance in mind. The Congress Vice-President used every trick in the book to sneak into the state on a motorbike.Chouhan had on Friday announced that he was ready to talk to farmers to reach a peaceful end to the crisis. However, the Congress had attacked the CM saying Chouhans comments were too late and he should resign claiming responsibility for the situation. The Chief Minister broke his silence after a week of violence. He should resign to maintain law and order in the state, said Congress leader JP Dhanopiya.Chouhan is sitting on a fast for restoration of peace at the Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal where he has invited agitating farmers for talks. The killing of six farmers in police firing in the states Mandsaur district has fuelled protests for higher minimum support prices and loan waivers in several other states.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has removed Darjeeling Superintendent of Police Amit Javalgi after he reportedly failed to control the violence in the hills.Deputy Commissioner (Central), Kolkata Police, Akhilesh Chaturvedi, is likely to be the new SP.Mamata was very annoyed with the failure of SP, Darjeeling. She was forced to request the Army to help in bringing the situation under control, said a top TMC leader.The Chief Minister has set up a three-member team of IPS officers  Jawed Shamim, Ajay Nand and Siddhinath Gupta  to oversee the law and order situation in the hills.On Friday, Banerjee left Darjeeling around 10 pm and reached Siliguri to monitor the situation from Uttar Kanya, the mini secretariat in North Bengal. She has termed the bandh called by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha as illegal.Meanwhile, the six-member team appointed by Banerjee to conduct a special audit of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has started its work. The secretary of GTA, Ravinder Singh, has been removed and is being replaced by Barun Roy, the secretary of the North Bengal Development Department.Things went out of control in the Hills on June 8 after Mamata held her first Cabinet meeting in Darjeeling. Angry over Mamatas political move, GJM chief Bimal Gurung called a 12-hour bandh in the Hills.Two columns of Army were deployed in Darjeeling town after GJM supporters clashed with the police, damaged public property and set police vehicles on fire.On Saturday, special buses were pressed into service to ferry stranded tourists to Siliguri, Bagdogra and Kolkata.On Saturday, there will be two special flights for the tourists from Bagdogra airport. We have also provided special trains for those who were stranded in Darjeeling. The trains will be available from New Jalpaiguri Railway station. We are going to take action against those who indulged in violence and the situation in Darjeeling in peaceful now Banerjee told reporters.The situation is peaceful in Darjeeling and some tourists have decided to continue with their holiday.Trouble started in hills after the state government on May 16 made Bangla compulsory in all schools, including private English medium schools of the state.GJM opposed the move as anti-Gorkha, but Mamata said the real issue was Bimal Gurung-run GTAs failure in developing the region.Hitting out at Bimal Gurung, state education minister Partha Chatterjee, said, We will not let Bengal be divided at any cost. These people are just trying to find an issue to foment trouble. There is no relation between these protests and reading Bengali in schools; Bengali will be an optional fourth subject.
Mumbai: Virtually putting its ruling ally in Maharashtra on notice, the Shiv Sena on Friday asked the BJP to announce a "complete farm loan waiver" if it wanted to avoid a mid-term election in the state.



Toughening of stand by the Sena at a time when the Devendra Fadnavis government is on the backfoot due to farmers' protests assumes significance amid reports that the BJP is weighing its options vis-a-vis an early Assembly election. The BJP-led NDA government was formed in the state in October, 2014.



Though the chief minister had announced a loan waiver for the small and marginal farmers amid a farmers' protest, the Sena had been insisting on a "complete farm loan waiver".



Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Friday told a Marathi news channel that the party will not be affected if it relinquished power.



"We will not lose anything and it will not affect us even if we relinquish power. We are better prepared than the BJP in case of a mid-term election. If the government wishes to avoid it, it should immediately announce a complete farm loan waiver," he said.



Asserting that the Sena would withdraw from the government "in no time" if it wanted to, Raut asked the BJP to clearly state that the Uddhav Thackeray-led party's stand on various issues was indeed "causing anguish" within the saffron party.



"Take it as our warning...Announce a complete (farm) loan waiver or we will not take much time to throttle the government," he said.



The Rajya Sabha member accused Fadnavis of playing "dirty politics" over the issue of farm loan waiver.



"It is the chief minister who created a rift between (Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana chief) Raju Shetti and (Minister of state for Agriculture) Sadabhau Khot," he alleged.



Referring to Fadnavis' statement that the government will withdraw the cases only against the protesting farmers and not the others, Raut asked, "Can a worker of a political party also not be a farmer?"



Replying to a query on the upcoming presidential polls, the Sena MP said his party had no intention of putting pressure on the BJP when the latter proposed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's name for the country's top constitutional post.



Referring to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar's "reluctance" to throw his hat in the ring for the presidential polls, Raut said, "Pawar does not seem to have agreed on the proposal, but if he files nomination, we will see.
New Delhi: CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Saturday accused the BJP-led central government of turning farming into a "loss-making profession" and meeting farmers' genuine grievances with "bullets".



"The essential point is this: We are not remunerating farmers adequately for their labour and produce. The BJP instead, is meeting their genuine grievances with bullets," Yechury wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday, referring to the protests in Madhya Pradesh in which six farmers were killed in police firing.



Farmers have been protesting in Madhya Pradesh for debt waiver and hike in crop prices.



"The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is low, and Modi government has stopped state-level bonus. Market prices, lower than MSP, make farming a loss-making profession," the Facebook post read.



The leader also said that farm loan waiver is a temporary measure and the central government needs to raise MSP and also allow states to announce bonuses and government should procure the produce.



"Allowing cheap imports while the farmer is increasing production, just to keep prices low for the traders is an anti-farmer move by the government," the post read.



On Friday night, all entry and exit points to Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh, which has become the epicenter of the farmers' protests were sealed.



Farmers in Maharashtra, Bihar, Haryana and Tamil Nadu have also threatened to hit the streets over their demands of better remunerations and loan waiver.
Thiruvananthapuram: Congress mouthpiece in Kerala on Saturday attacked Kerala Congress (M) leader K M Mani, erstwhile partner of the Congress-led UDF, and said his political history was not that of 'righteous'.



Party mouthpiece 'Veekashanam', Malayalam daily, in a hard-hitting editorial said Mani's politics was always that of "business, not righteous and unethical".



However, in a damage control exercise, KPCC President M M Hassan came out with a clarification that the views in the editorial was not that of the Congress and the party expressed apology for publishing the editorial.



'Veekshanam' came out with the article in the wake of an editorial in KC(M)'s mouthpiece that the party chief K M Mani had an offer of "Chief Ministership" from the then CPI (M) led LDF opposition, but saved the previous UDF government not accepting the offer.



In an article in KC-M mouthpiece "Pratichaya", the party, which severed ties with UDF following bar bribery allegations against Mani after assembly elections last year, said history would have been something different had he then accepted the offer made by the LDF.



The 84-year-old Mani, who was the finance minister in the previous UDF regime, had to resign from the cabinet led by Oommen Chandy in the wake of bar bribery allegations, that led to friction in the three decades old relation between KC-M and Congress.



KC-M had also stated that bar bribery case was a "deliberate attempt" by a section in the Congress to clip the wings of the party, which had a large following in the Central Travancore region especially among Christians.



The relation between KC-M and Congress further worsened after UDF lost the state assembly polls resulting in KC-M snapping its ties with UDF in November 2015.



KC-M with six MLAs decided to sit as a separate block in the assembly.



"Mani's political immorality was clearly exposed with admission by the party that it had held talks with LDF while in UDF", the 'Veekashanam' editorial said.



It also said Mani had only tried to promote his son Jose K Mani, MP, in the party.



The editorial ended with an appeal to Congress that the party should not be ready to call Mani back to UDF fold for an another political reunite even if UDF gets defeated in polls hundred times.



Hassan in a statement said that views in the editorial was not that of the Congress and the party expressed apology for publishing the editorial.



It was a unilateral decision of KC-M to leave UDF, Hassan said.



KPCC had only expressed dissatisfaction and protest over KC-M for the deceitful stand taken during the Kottayam District Panchayat polls, Hassan said.



Though KC-M had snapped ties with UDF, the party had maintained its political arrangements in the civic bodies in the state.



During a recent election to Kottayam District Panchayat President, KC-M captured the post by unseating a Congress nominee with the support of CPI-M members.
Talking to CNN-News18, however, Keshav Rao said he hadn't done anything wrong. "Yes, we had bought the land from a private firm but as per the law. We got the registration done after Supreme Court orders only."

: The ruling Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS) in Telangana has come under attack after reports that its senior leader and Rajya Sabha Member, Keshav Rao, and his family, are allegedly involved in a multi-crore land scam.Documents accessed by CNN-News18 show TRS leader Keshav Rao's daughter Vijaya Lakshmi and other family members had purchased 50 acres of land in Ibrahimpatnam area. Now, the government audit has exposed that 38-acre of this 50-acre land belongs to the government.Recently, a multi-crore land scam was unearthed in Hyderabad, where 693 acres of government land in Miyapur was illegally transferred to private companies, causing loss of about Rs 600 crore to the government.An official at the sub-registrar office confirmed, "After irregularities were found, the in-charge registrar has been suspended by the government. 38-acre of the land belongs to the government. The registration of the land is a mistake."The said land was bought from Goldstone Infra Ltd, whose director is accused of being a part of Miyapur land scam and is also suspected to be the kingpin of the aforementioned multi-crore land scam. This revelation has brought TRS government under the scanner.Talking to CNN-News18, however, Keshav Rao said he hadn't done anything wrong. "Yes, we had bought the land from a private firm but as per the law. We got the registration done after Supreme Court orders only."Alleging the involvement of ministers, senior TRS leaders, and top bureaucrats in the multi-crore land scam in Telangana, the opposition is demanding Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to order CBI probe.Krishna Sagar Rao, BJP spokesperson, said, "Thirty-eight acres of illegal transfer of land by Goldstone to MP's family shows TRS government is fully complicit. Why is the CM silent? CM KCR needs to give an explanation of this massive scam. We demand CBI probe as it will only be a fair probe."Attacking the government, Congress spokesperson, Krishank said, "There seems to be a direct link. Keshav Rao's family purchased the land from Goldstone Infra Ltd., who is the kingpin of the scam. Did they not know they were buying land from a criminal? Mr Rao says they have court orders. But they went to court after the file was put on hold by the sub-registrar, who knew it was a government land. The larger question is if officials are confirming it's government land, then were the documents fabricated? There are many unanswered questions, which the TRS government must answer."Padmanabha Reddy, Secretary of Forum for Good Governance, said, "In most land scams, there is some link to politicians. There is a need for stricter action against the guilty."The Telangana government has already ordered CID probe and an inquiry into all irregularities that have come to light in the Stamps and Registration Department. The government has taken a serious note of the fact that Benami transactions were done without an official record in about 20% of registrations.With State Assembly elections due in 2019, the opposition does not want to miss any opportunity to attack the government.
The state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on Friday signed an agreement with the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) to set up 25,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in its rural exchanges by next six months.The memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard was signed here in the presence of Communications Minister Manoj Sinha.The setting up of 25,000 Wi-Fi hotspots shall be funded from the USO Fund, with the government providing full capital expenditure and operational expenditure (OPEX) support to the tune of Rs 940 crore for the project, a BSNL statement said."The OPEX support of 100 percent shall be provided by USOF for the first year and thereafter 75 percent in the second year, 50 percent support in the third year of operation shall be extended to BSNL," the statement said."Under this project, one Wi-Fi Acess Point shall be set up initially in each rural exchange," it added.Speaking about the market share of the telecom operator, the Minister said: "Since last year, our (BSNL) market share has increased by 0.30 percent. It rose from 9.05 percent to 9.35 percent.""Estimates from the financial/economic side, the operating profit would be greater this fiscal from the last financial year," he added.The minister said the government is committed to provide internet connectivity in rural far-flung areas as well and bridge the digital divide."In the past few days, the trend had changed. The consumption of data from the first quarter to the second quarter has increased almost 60 percent, and in the third quarter, it rose by 3.5 times the consumption of the second quarter," the minister told reporters here."That is why it was necessary that when this project is completed, the digital divide in the rural areas will be ended. The government has taken some immediate (urgent) solutions to that such as the step of providing services through 25,000 Wi-Fi Hotspots and it has been entrusted to the BSNL."BSNL CMD Anupam Shrivastava said BSNL is already in the process of deployment of Wi-Fi hotspots in a big way and will be able to deliver this Wi-Fi project in six to eight months time.The statement said reliable internet service through these Wi-Fi hotspots shall be provided through robust fibre backhaul of the BSNL and Gigabit Passive Optical Network connectivity being extended through BharatNet Project."About 93,000 optical fibres has been laid by now. The phase 1 of laying shall be finished by June 30. The first phase has a target of one lakh and the target of 2.5 lakh will be completed by Dec 2018," the minister said on the sidelines of the event.
HMD Global has gone astray their regular smartphone Nokia line-up to announce two sets of earphones: Nokia Active Wired and Nokia Active Wireless earphones.Built for outdoor activities, the earphones sport a metal build and come with dust and water proof capabilities.Nokia Active Wireless and Active Wired earphones have an inbuilt mic and controls to receive calls, pause/play songs and change the volume.The Wireless earphones come with Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity, weigh 15.6 grammes and are powered by a 45X2mAh battery which is expected to last 8 hours, as per the reports Included, are a Micro-USB cable with a USB A port for charging the Nokia Active Wireless earphones.Both the Nokia Active earphones support passive noise cancelling and use 9mm dynamic drivers.As of now, the price and availability of the earphones in India have not been revealed by HMD Global. Though Nokia Android smartphones are set to launch in India next week
Islamabad: A Pakistani lawmaker has called for "thorough investigations" into the country's nuclear proliferation to Iran and North Korea during former military ruler Pervez Musharraf's regime.



Pakistan Peoples Party senator Farhatullah Babar said on Friday that the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme A Q Khan had been singled out for nuclear proliferation and demanded that the "entire network" be exposed.



Seeking "thorough investigations" into nuclear proliferation, Babar said 73-year-old Musharraf, in his book 'In the Line of Fire', concedes that several tonnes of nuclear material and drawings had been smuggled from Pakistan to Iran, Libya and North Korea.



But only 81-year-old Khan was singled out for nuclear proliferation, he was quoted as saying by Dawn News.



Babar argued that it was impossible for any single individual to smuggle out huge centrifuge machines and other nuclear material without connivance and assistance of other players.



He called for an inquiry into the matter and bringing to book all those involved in the scam. He said that the "entire network" should be exposed and insisted that it must include big names, the report said.



Babar's demand came after Hafiz Hamdullah of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl asked during a Senate session why Khan's name had not even been mentioned during Yaum-i-Takbeer celebrations on May 28.



Hamdullah said that Khan was a national hero but had been degraded and insulted by Musharraf.



Musharraf ruled Pakistan till 2008 after toppling the government of Nawaz Sharif in 1999 to come to power.
MAROA  The skyline in the northwestern part of Macon County is changing as wind turbines begin sprouting, reaching into the sky for the promise of cleaner energy. But even as the machines will soon tower over farmland west of Maroa, pending litigation is casting a shadow over a project that's been years in the making.

The 139 turbines of Radford's Run Wind Farm, a subsidiary of E.ON, the American unit of Germanys largest utility company, are expected to be operational by the end of the year.

Not everyone is pleased.

Three dozen landowners in the area of the wind turbine filed a lawsuit to halt the project in 2015, and a summary judgment hearing is scheduled for June 27. The court could determine whether the landowners case has merit and halt the turbine project or let it move forward.

When they decided to move forward with this project despite the pending lawsuit, they did it at their own risk, said Richard Porter, a Rockford attorney representing 36 landowners in the lawsuit. And they may have to remove all of those turbines.

The suit argues the county did not properly provide statutory notices for a public hearing leading up to the boards decision or allow them to view the wind farm applications in time for the hearing.

Several landowners contacted by the Herald & Review declined to comment due to the pending litigation, deferring questions to Porter.

Porter said the parties responsible for the wind farm are constructing the turbines "at their own risk." He reiterated several of the health concerns raised in the lawsuit, such as shadow flickers and ultrasound emissions.

Matt Tulis, communication manager for E.ON, did not directly respond when asked about the lawsuit, instead focusing on what the company sees as the long-term community benefit for the turbines.

The wind farm will help grow the areas economy through creating jobs and driving construction spending, while also contributing millions of dollars in tax revenue for local schools, roads and other needed projects, Tulis said.

Since May 22, the area west of Maroa and north of Warrensburg has turned into a massive construction site. Up to 300 workers will spend the rest of the summer assembling the wind farm, formerly known as the Twin Forks Wind Farm project.

As of Friday morning, one 400-foot turbine was standing tall just a few miles west of U.S. 51 and another turbine nearby was set to be completed.

When the turbines are running at under normal wind conditions, Tulis said, they will produce about 300 megawatts per hour, which would provide power to about 90,000 homes.

The county board approved a special permit in 2013 to allow the construction of a 5-acre electric substation that acted as the starting point for the wind farm. Public discussions of a wind farm in Macon County date back to 2008.

Radfords Run Wind Farm will operate in Macon County for 30 years, with an estimated $46 million in new property tax revenue generated over the project's life, according to the original application to the county.

Macon County would receive $6.1 million, while the Austin, Maroa, Illini and Hickory Point townships would split the remaining $7.8 million.

Calculating the new revenue for school districts is more complicated because increased property values also mean a reduction in general state aid for the district, according to an economic impact study submitted as part of the application.

Over the course of three decades, Maroa-Forsyth School District would receive an additional $17.1 million in property taxes, according to the study. However, it would also lose millions in state aid during that time, so overall gain for the district would be just $4.4 million. Similarly, Warrensburg-Latham School District would receive $14.6 million more in property taxes but a net revenue gain of just $4.1 million, the study said.

Clinton and Mount Pulaski school districts would receive $305,000 and $440,000 in net revenue, respectively.

Once operational, the wind farm is expected to create 10 full-time service jobs.

With the timing of the construction, the wind farm will not be assessed for property taxes until next year, said Joshua Tanner, chief county assessment officer. That means tax dollars will not be collected for the wind farm until 2019.

The county would collect $95,000 to $100,000 in the first year on the turbines, said board Chairman Jay Dunn. That number would decrease each subsequent year of the turbines' lifespan.

It will definitely help us some, Dunn said. Were just happy to see the project finally starting.

The county has already brought in about $3 million in special permits for the turbines. Part of that money went toward purchasing new election equipment in the Macon County Clerks office.

The application for the wind farm states turbines will not be placed within 1,500 feet of any residence. Energy generated by the wind warm would go into the PJM Interconnection, a massive grid spread throughout 13 states in the Midwest and East.

For those not directly affected by the wind farm, opinions are mixed.

Just a few miles away at the Casey's General Store in Maroa, Clint Johnson said he did not know much about the the project, but he did not look forward to seeing the the turbines in the fields.

"They're kind of an eyesore," he said.

But as Diane Roberts stopped by the store, she said she was happy to see Central Illinois move toward clean energy.

"We should be promoting clean energy projects like wind and solar," she said.

While clean energy's impact on the environment is often lauded, some worry about birds and other animals and the effects on their habitat when a wind farm is operational.

The American Wind Wildlife Institute is a nonprofit partnership of leaders in the wind industry, science and environmental organizations, and wildlife management agencies. Its goal is to promote wind energy while protecting wildlife.

In a 2016 report by the institute, the annual fatality rate for birds in most studies ranged from 3 to 5 birds per megawatt. Radfords Run Wind Farm will have turbines that produce just over 2 megawatts per hour.

The report does note that newer, larger turbines seem to have a lower fatality rates due to fewer overall rotations.

"The amount of research in the peer-reviewed literature continues to grow, reflecting the continued interest in understanding wind-wildlife interactions," the reported noted.

As for why this location was chosen for its latest wind farm, Tulis praised the area and the wind that sails through Central Illinois.

The wind resource in Illinois is one of the best in the country," he said, "and there was transmission capacity to get the power to market."

This story has been corrected to reflect the correct location of the wind farm, west of U.S. 51 in northern Macon County.
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia and Bahrain welcomed on Saturday US President Donald Trump's demand for Qatar to stop supporting terrorism, but did not respond to a U.S. Department of State call for them to ease pressure on the Gulf state.



After severing ties with Qatar on Monday, Saudi Arabia said it was committed to "decisive and swift action to cut off all funding sources for terrorism" in a statement carried by state news agency SPA, attributed to "an official source".



And in a separate statement issued on Friday, the United Arab Emirates praised Trump's "leadership in challenging Qatar's troubling support for extremism".



Trump accused Qatar of being a "high level" funder of terrorism on Friday, even as the Pentagon and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson cautioned against the military, commercial and humanitarian effects of a blockade imposed by Arab states and others.



A separate SPA report on Saturday acknowledged Tillerson's call for Qatar to curtail support for terrorism, but did not mention his remarks that the crisis was hurting ordinary Qataris, impairing business dealings and harming the U.S. fight against the Islamic State militant group.



Saudi Arabia said its action followed the conclusions of last month's Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, where Trump delivered a speech about Islamic extremism.



Trump said he helped plan the move against Qatar, although a senior administration official told Reuters earlier this week that the U.S. had no indication from the Saudis or Emiratis during the visit that they would sever ties with Qatar.
Hilla (Iraq): A suicide bomber on Friday blew himself up in a market in the town of Musayyib, south of Baghdad, killing at least 20 people, medical and security sources said.



At least 34 other people were wounded in the attack in the centre of Musayyib, a town that lies about 60 kilometres south of the capital, a police officer and a medic at the local hospital said.



"A suicide bomber blew himself up in Musayyib market, causing 20 civilian martyrs," an interior ministry spokesman said.



A source at Musayyib hospital said at least four of the wounded were in very serious condition following the blast, which rocked the market at around 11:30 AM (0830 GMT).



The attack in Musayyib came hours after another, apparently failed attack in the Shiite shrine city of Karbala, a few kilometres to the southwest.



Four civilians were wounded when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance of the city's main bus station early on Friday, police sources said.



Both attacks were claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group through its propaganda agency Amaq, which in both cases spoke of a "martyrdom-seeking operation" using an explosive vest.



IS has carried out dozens of deadly suicide bombings targeting civilians but Iraq has been on heightened alert since the start of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.



More than 40 people were killed and dozens wounded in a spate of attacks on May 30, a few days after the beginning of Ramadan, including a devastating blast at an ice cream shop in central Baghdad's Karrada neighbourhood.



It was during Ramadan last year that IS carried out its deadliest ever attack in the Iraqi capital with a truck bomb that set two shopping arcades ablaze, also in Karrada, resulting in more than 320 deaths.



The bombings in Baghdad come as Iraqi forces fight to retake the last IS-held areas of Mosul, a city that was the jihadist group's emblematic stronghold.



Iraqi forces are almost eight months into a massive operation to recapture the second city and have already taken back its whole eastern side and much of the west.
London: British Prime Minister Theresa Mays two closest advisers, Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, resigned on Saturday after taking responsibility for the poll debacle for the Conservative Party which lost its majority in the House of Commons.



Timothy and Hill, considered part of Mays inner circle of confidants as her joint chiefs of staff, quit their Downing Street top jobs after coming under fire as the duo responsible for convincing May to call a snap general election with claims that she was assured a landslide victory.



According to reports, May had been given an ultimatum by her own Conservative party colleagues that the pair had to go if she wanted to avert a leadership challenge on Monday.



The duo are widely credited with running Mays election campaign, which focused attention entirely on May rather than the Cabinet, a move that clearly did not pan out well as the Tories ended up losing their majority in the House of Commons and winning just 318 seats, well short of the 326 overall majority and forced to form a minority government with the support of Northern Irelands regional Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).



Timothy accepted responsibility for his role in the Conservative party manifesto, which was criticised by many party MPs for its policies on social care and pension, which are believed to have cost heavily in the polls.



In a statement confirming his departure, Timothy said: Clearly, the general election result was a huge disappointment. I take responsibility for my part in this election campaign.



"In particular, I regret the decision not to include in the manifesto a ceiling as well as a floor in our proposal to help meet the increasing cost of social care, he added.



But I would like to make clear that the bizarre media reports about my own role in the policy inclusion are wrong: it had been the subject of many months of work within Whitehall, and it was not my personal pet project," Timothy said.



He also claimed that the Conservative party failed to notice the surge in Labour party support during the campaign.



Hills departure was announced soon after by a Conservative party spokesperson as the news of Timothys resignation went public.



The twin departures will ease some of the pressure on May, who was accused of ignoring party colleagues and taking unilateral decisions based on advice from her joint chiefs of staff, dubbed toxic by some Tories.



Katie Perrior, a former director of communications at 10 Downing Street, said she respected May but her office was "pretty dysfunctional" with Timothy and Hill being accused of bullying behaviour.



Writing in the Times, she said: What I could never work out was whether May condoned their behaviour and turned a blind eye or didnt understand how destructive they both were. For all the love of a hierarchy, the chiefs treated cabinet members exactly the same - rude, abusive, childish behaviour.



For two people who have never achieved elected office, I was staggered at the disrespect they showed on a daily basis. I never hated them. I felt sorry for them and how they measured success by how many enemies they had clocked up, she added.



May has said she intends to stay as prime minister despite failing to win a Conservative majority in the election.
Washington: President Donald Trump is expected to visit Miami as early as next Friday to announce a new Cuba policy that could tighten rules on trade and travel, rolling back parts of former President Barack Obamas opening to the island, according to a US official and people familiar with the matter.



Trumps aides were nearing completion of a comprehensive review of relations with Cuba and are expected to send recommendations to his national security team and then to the president in coming days, a US official said.



Plans are in the works for Trump to roll out his new approach next Friday in a speech in Miami, fulfilling a campaign pledge. But a delay is still possible if it takes longer to make a final decision, according to two people familiar with the discussions.



While specific changes have not yet been finalised, the sources say Trump is likely to unveil a partial rather than complete rollback of Obamas actions, which included restoration of relations and reopening of embassies after a diplomatic breakthrough in 2014 with Americas former Cold War foe.



Earlier on Friday, a group of Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Trump urging him not to rescind Obamas measures, which included significant easing of trade, travel and investment rules with the communist-ruled island.



With the Cuba review approaching its final stages, both sides of the issue have recently stepped up lobbying to sway Trumps decision on how far to go.



In the letter, seven of Trumps fellow Republicans expressed deep concern that he is considering rescinding Obamas policies and said that such a move would incentivise Cuba to once again become dependent on countries like Russia and China.



The warning reflected growing unease on Capitol Hill over returning to a more contentious approach to Cuba, even within a Republican Party that has traditionally hewed to a harder line against Havana.



POLICY DELIBERATIONS STILL UNDER WAY



Senior officials at the National Security Council met on Friday to begin finalising a list of recommendations, the sources said.



Trump's changes are expected to stop short of breaking diplomatic relations restored two years ago after more than five decades of hostility, administration officials say.



Among the options under consideration are banning US companies from doing business with Cuban enterprises tied to the military and tightening rules on Americans travelling there, according to people familiar with the discussions.



Divisions remain within the Trump administration, especially given that rapprochement with Cuba has created opportunities for American companies.



Some aides have argued that Trump, a former real estate magnate who won the presidency promising to unleash US business and create jobs, would have a hard time defending any moves that close off the Cuban market.



The US airline and travel industries have made clear they do not want to see reinstatement of Cuba restrictions.



But Trump has come under heavy pressure from Cuban-American lawmakers, including Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, to roll back Obamas rapprochement.



Trump threatened shortly after his election in November to terminate Obamas approach unless Cuba made significant concessions, something it is unlikely to do.



Obama implemented his normalisation measures through executive actions, and Trump has the power to undo much of it.
SO TRUE: He was more than willing to leak something against @realDonaldTrump but not something that exonerates him? Classy guy https://t.co/UqTtp3b6Nm  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) June 8, 2017

President Donald Trump surprisingly refrained from tweeting during James Comey's testimony. Donald Trump Jr, not surprisingly, did not.The president's eldest son, whose Twitter feed can at times be as inflammatory as his father's, was a one-man rapid-response team as the fired FBI Director testified before a Senate panel Thursday.He delivered denunciations with the same force that made him an effective if controversial, campaign surrogate and could signal his own political ambitions.Donald Trump Jr tweeted more than 80 times Thursday, defending his father and attacking Comey.Trump Jr's Twitter barrage was all the more striking when compared to his father's silence, which the president broke with a Friday morning tweet accusing Comey of lying under oath.Trump Jr declined to comment on Friday about his tweets, leaving unanswered questions as to whether they were urged by the White House, which outsourced its Comey response to the Republican National Committee and the president's personal lawyer.Trump Jr has certainly been willing to go on the attack for his father before.He crisscrossed the United States during last year's election, doing hundreds of interviews on Fox News and local conservative outlets. He attacked "Crooked Hillary," his father's derogatory nickname for opponent Hillary Clinton, and delivered a well-received speech at the Republican National Convention.That moment sparked speculation about his political future. But while Trump Jr told The Associated Press this spring that he would not, as had been rumoured, be a candidate for governor of New York, he left the door open for a political run down the road."Maybe someday," Trump said then. "It's not something I'm doing now. But you never know, it's fascinating stuff."He's done a number of Republican campaign events since then, including fundraisers in Texas and Indiana and campaigning for a congressional candidate in Montana.ALSO READ | Trump Legal Team to File Complaint Over Comey Testimony But Trump Jr, who along with his brother Eric is running their father's former company, has said he does not discuss the details of politics or their business with the president.He outpaced the national Republican Party with his Twitter defence Thursday. In particular, he seized on Comey's assertion that he interpreted the president's statement that he "hoped" the FBI would drop its probe into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn as an instruction."Knowing my father for 39 years when he 'orders or tells' you to do something there is no ambiguity, you will know exactly what he means," Trump Jr wrote.
British voters spent Friday frantically Googling the name of a small Northern Irish party whose 290,000 votes and 10 seats in parliament hold the balance of power in the national parliament representing the United Kingdom's 65 million people.As Britons awoke to news that Prime Minister Theresa May would have to turn to the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) for support after unexpectedly losing her parliamentary majority in an election, the Northern Irish party's website crashed under the weight of curiosity.A giant screen on Sky News asked "WHO ARE THE DUP?" and data from Google showed searches spiked significantly in the hours after the election results emerged.Some remembered it as the party of Ian Paisley, the firebrand Protestant cleric who once heckled the Pope himself, calling him the antichrist.The DUP forged its combative brand of British nationalism in the Protestant areas of 1970s Belfast as the bloody "Troubles" pitched hardline unionists fighting to remain part of Britain against mainly Catholic nationalists seeking a united Ireland.Others noted that the party now was one of the most socially conservative in Europe, having sought to maintain some of the continent's strictest restrictions on abortion and consistently opposed gay marriage.It recently backed the right of a Belfast bakery to refuse to make a cake with a gay rights slogan and proposed a law to allow religious business people to refuse to serve people where that would conflict with their religious beliefs.At least one senior party member has defended creationism, the theory that the world was created by God 10,000 years ago.And Paisley once declared the country and western style of dancing as "sinful".In a pointed Twitter post linking to a speech describing the legalisation of same-sex marriage as life-changing, the openly gay Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson reminded the potential new partners of the government that she was a "Protestant Unionist about to marry an Irish Catholic."Davidson's Scottish Conservatives went from one seat to 13 in the election, giving the national party one of its few success stories on the night.On Facebook, a post by a group calling for a protest against the Conserative-DUP tie-up attracted the interest of over 3,000 people.May's former cabinet colleague George Osborne also could not resist a dig with a cartoon in the Evening Standard newspaper he edits which made an unflattering reference to the Orange Order, the group founded in 1795 who march the streets of Northern Ireland every year to protect Protestant interests.The cartoon showed a member of the order in a trademark black bowler hat and orange sash with a tiny, angry-looking May in his front pocket.
: Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped a customary meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana after the murder of two Chinese teachers in Balochistan.This was a rare snub as Pakistan is seen as a close ally of China.Sharif met Presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Russia on the sidelines of the SCO meet. However, there was no meeting with the Chinese president, PTI reported.Chinese state-run media highlighted Xi's meetings with Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.A Pakistani man injured during kidnapping of two Chinese language teachers by unidentified gunmen lies on a hospital bed in Quetta (in Pakistan) on May 24, 2017. (Xi's unprecedented snub followed deep disappointment and grief among the Chinese public over the killing of the two Chinese citizens who were kidnapped last month from Quetta in Balochistan.The two teachers were brutally murdered, reportedly by Islamic State militants. The news of their murders was made public ahead of the SCO summit held on June 8-9 in which India and Pakistan were admitted as members.On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying explained that the murders were in no way connected to the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which was opposed by the Baloch nationalists.The CPEC is part of China's ambitious multi-billion Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)."This incident will not have any necessary connection with the BRI or with the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, being held in Astana," Hua had said.China has deployed hundreds of Chinese workers to work for the CPEC which connects Gwadar port in Balochistan with China's Xinjiang through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.Hua said Pakistan pays great attention to the protection of Chinese citizens in the institutions there and made great efforts for their security."As per BRI we should be prepared for risks if we want to go global," she had said.(With PTI inputs)
Registered Virginia voters may cast their ballots between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday in primary contests. Voters who are in line by 7 p.m. will be permitted to vote.

This months local primary races only contain Republican candidates, while the state primary races include Republicans and Democrats.

Voters in Virginia are free to choose a primary but are not permitted to vote in primaries for both political parties.

Local races:

Lynchburg Commonwealths Attorney

Republicans

Tim P. Griffin

Bethany A. Harrison

Lynchburg Sheriff

Republicans

John C. Romano

Donald T. Don Sloan

Bedford County Board of Supervisors District 3

Republicans

Charla Bansley

Steve Wilkerson

Bedford County Board of Supervisors District 4

Republicans

Gary Hostutler

John Sharp

Campbell County Board of Supervisors Brookneal District:

Republicans

Dean Monroe *

Charlie Watts

Statewide races:

Governor

Democrats:

Tom S. Perriello

Ralph S. Northam

Republicans:

Edward W. Ed Gillespie

Corey A. Stewart

Frank W. Wagner

Lieutenant Governor

Democrats:

Justin E. Fairfax

Susan S. Platt

Gene J. Rossi

Republicans:

Glenn R. Davis, Jr.

Bryce E. Reeves

Jill H. Vogel

*Dean Monroe has dropped out the race and endorsed Charlie Watts for supervisor, but Monroe still will appear on the ballot.

Voters may find their polling place location, which candidates will be appearing on their ballot and other information at vote.virginia.gov. Voters may also call (800) 552-9745 and select option (1) for additional information.

For more information, visit:

State Department of Elections

Lynchburg Registrar

Bedford County Registrar

Campbell County Registrar

Appomattox County Registrar

Amherst County Registrar

Nelson County Registrar
When Lynchburg City Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand announced his resignation on June 1 to take another position, it came as a surprise, with no prior notice he had interviewed elsewhere.

That surprise, was in large part, due to the secrecy that shrouds superintendent searches in Virginia.

Brabrand was hired away by Fairfax County Public Schools  where he began his career in education after a closed search process where final candidates were not announced or publicly interviewed.

In an open process, finalists for the position are named and interviews are open to the public.

For LCS, its too soon to say whether the school board will embrace an open or closed process, though school board Chairman Michael Nilles noted the last superintendent search was closed. The search for Brabrand, who was hired in December 2011, was led by a search firm, which is a possibility to find his successor.

Brabrands predecessor, Paul McKendrick, was the only candidate interviewed for the vacant position before being appointed in 2005. McKendrick had served for three years as deputy superintendent of LCS before taking over from John McCormick when he resigned.

We could either try to run the search ourselves, or engage a search firm, Nilles said. He added the Virginia School Boards Association also offers help with superintendent searches.

Previously the school board contracted the search firm of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, which matched the division with Brabrand.

One advantage of a search firm is they take care of a lot of the legwork and give you feedback, Nilles said.

As part of the hiring process the search firm held community forums to solicit public input on what Lynchburg residents wanted in a superintendent, and interviewed school personnel and city officials.

Nilles said the selection process likely would be discussed at the next school board meeting, set for June 20.

Nilles noted the first priority for the board is to find an interim superintendent. That process is likely to move fast. When former LCS Superintendent McKendrick exited on June 30, 2011, the division appointed interim superintendent, Larry Massie, in less than a month, and he began serving on Aug. 1, 2011.

According to Virginia law, in the case of a vacancy at the superintendent position, divisions are required to appoint someone to that role within 180 days.

But there is little guidance on how to do so.

Unlike some states that announce superintendent finalists and conduct open interviews with candidates, Virginia law does not require the same transparency when hiring a new school head. Other states, such as Florida, have a more open process, releasing names of candidates and conducting public interviews with finalists, which are occasionally televised.

Some neighboring states, such as Maryland and North Carolina, share Virginia's secretive superintendent search process, whereas Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky codes call for more transparency when hiring the new head of a school division.

Across the world of education, experts are torn about the merits of a covert search process. Some argue it undermines the publics right to know, others claim secrecy yields better, more qualified candidates.

How important is transparency in the search for a superintendent?

Extremely, said Terre Davis, a former superintendent, who runs TD & Associates, a Colorado-based search firm that helps school divisions find new leaders. She also authored the book Seeking New Possibilities? Be a Search Consultant! on how to conduct a superintendent search.

The community owns the schools, and the school board  as a group  are the caretakers of the communitys assets. They hire someone to run and care for those assets, therefore, however they choose the person to run it should be wide open, as far as Im concerned, Davis said.

To Davis, that means naming finalists and conducting public interviews with the candidates.

Daniel Domenech, the former superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools from 1997-2003, and the current executive director of the American Association of School Administrators, believes that naming finalists and interviewing them in public scares away potential applicants for the job.

There are candidates who will not subject themselves to that kind of a process, Domenech said.

He added there is a risk associated with publicly pursuing a job the candidate may not get.

Superintendents that are already placed in districts and are doing well, and are successful, dont want their names being bandied about as an applicant in another district, because if they dont get the job it does not bode well for them in the district that they came from, Domenech said.

Davis believes despite the potential backlash from candidates in their home school divisions, they need to be transparent about the fact they are seeking a superintendent position elsewhere.

You need to be open, you need to let the people know  that you work for  that you are looking for another job, Davis said.

She added, as a search consultant, she doesnt work with divisions that perform closed searches.

Both Davis and Domenech agree a new challenge has emerged in recent years that has made the superintendent search process simultaneously more difficult and contentious: social media.

You cant do the job of a superintendent without getting criticized and making decisions that some people love and other people hate, Domenech said.

Those reactions often play out via social media, both said, where the public searches the background of the candidates when they are announced and form conclusions before the interviews.

But open interviews, Davis said, are a good way for the public to meet the finalists, see what the candidates can do for the school system, and whether that person can mold to the community.

Domenech believes the closed search process allows school boards to pursue a broader pool of candidates and generates a more talented group of applicants to choose from because of anonymity.

That doesnt mean that theyre not going to be able to find someone that can do a great job; it just limits their candidate pool, Domenech said about naming candidates for the position.

With candidates possibly scared away by being named as finalists and asked to participate in public interviews, Domenech noted the closed search in Fairfax County was successful based on the result of Brabrand being hired as the next superintendent and returning to a division that hes familiar with.

He noted Brabrands name did not emerge until he was hired, avoiding friction in Lynchburg.

During his time as superintendent of Fairfax County, Domenech worked with Brabrand, and hired him as a high school principal. Domenech said he expected the move to be a good fit for both parties.

Hes familiar with it, and hes up to the challenge, so I wish him the very best, Domenech said.

Brabrand was officially named superintendent of FCPS on Thursday when the school board there formally approved the hire.
On paper, there's every reason to be in favor of the new residency requirement for incoming city employees.

Most new city hires will be required to live in the city for at least five years, part of the new bargaining agreement between the city and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 and Local 268.

For years, the discussion at the council level has been about the importance of those who represent the city also living in the city. Which is a good idea, in spirit. It's important that people who work for the city have a stake in the city. If you're willing to accept a paycheck from a municipality, you should be willing to make your residence there.

Certainly people who have a direct role in making decisions that affect taxpayers should be among that taxpaying base. If tax increases are being pondered, it's only reasonable that those making the decisions should be affected themselves, and see how those decisions affect others.

But can residency requirements have an effect on recruiting? In the new economic climate, downturns often arrive in Central Illinois first, and recovery has a tendency to crawl on its way here. If a member of a family is pondering a job offer from Decatur, the other wage-earner might struggle to find a position in Decatur. The option of finding employment in a nearby community and living in an in-between city evaporates in this scenario. Granted, that's a far-from-ideal solution, but it also would seem to open up the employment field and increase the odds of a superior hire.

The discussion can turn into a Mobius strip of the chicken or the egg. Does Decatur have a negative reputation that would make it fine in which to work but problematic in which to live? Does the residency rule seem like a reaction to that type of attitude?

If that's the case, it shows we have a perception issue that must be addressed. That's an issue even older than the residency rule discussions. All cities have their good and bad, and all cities have their citizens who dwell too much on either. Does Decatur have issues? Yes. Are they being dealt with? Some of them are.

Issues need to be identified before they can be addressed. That's part of the Mobius strip considerations of the residency rule. Is the rule a good idea overdue? Is it an overreaction to some perceived shortcomings, or an overreaction to a problem that doesn't really exist? Is it the right step to take? Or is the idea of city employees not living in the city a result, and do we still need to identify the cause?

Some observers critical of the residency rule point to the police department, and say there are a number of good officers who would not be employed by the city if the rule were a requirement for them. Now, the Decatur Police Benevolent and Protective Association Labor Committee is the sole city employer without a residency requirement.

Negotiations are ongoing between that union and the city, and city manager Tim Gleason said they hope to have a residency requirement for new employees in that agreement.

If we are certain the residency rule does not hamper recruiting, there's no good reason to oppose it. Does the rule seem restrictive? Potentially, at least.

Here's hoping none of these questions are an issue.
LEAVE FRANK ALONE

He is not responsible for nor has any control over the assignment of cases to his docket, the statement, signed by Association president Douglas Mendes, SC, said yesterday. This follows allegations in a newspaper which questioned how Seepersad came to be assigned to three cases brought by lawyers closely associated with the United National Congress.

Mendes went on to note, as had the Judiciary on Thursday, that assignment of cases to judges is done through an electronic system administered by the High Court Civil Registry. Neither can any inference be properly drawn from the alacrity with which he approaches his judicial functions or the efficiency with which he discharges them, Mendes said.

Mendes also warned the media to be mindful that blindly repeating what is pedalled on social media, serves only to legitimize unsubstantiated statements of persons who are not bound by a journalistic code of ethics. Mendes made no specific reference, but on Wednesday the Trinidad Guardian published a front page story headlined Judge Jitters which spoke of a, dangerous cocktail of politics mixing with the judiciary, and used social media posts in its story which raised questions and ridiculed Seepersad, for his case assignments although he was in Tobago, and his ability to pen a 22-page ruling within hours.

Only yesterday, the Trinidad Express, in a front page story, reported on a recently appointed judges social media postings, alleging some of his tweets on the Twitter platform were about womens bodies and pornography.

Several tweets from High Court Judge Kevin Ramcharans Twitter account were published in the article.

Ramcharan was appointed in April along with former chief magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar and former magistrate Avason Quinlan-Williams.

SOCIAL MEDIA NOT CREDIBLE His tweets were said to be dated after his Supreme Court appointment on April 12. In his statement yesterday, Mendes said, Tweets and social media posts may not be credible sources of news. Otherwise responsible members of the profession and society as a whole ought to also desist from posting, re-tweeting, sharing or circulating online messages, which unless substantiated, could only serve to undermine public confidence in the judiciary. In his brief statement, Mendes called on the Registrar of the High Court to take steps to ensure that any suspected attempts of forum shopping were immediately brought to the attention of the Judiciary so that remedial action can be taken.

Allegations of forum shopping - a practice adopted by litigants to get their cases heard in a particular court that is likely to provide a favourable judgment  were levelled against attorneys representing former UNC Senator Devant Maharaj.

These allegations were vehemently denied by Maharajs lead counsel Anand Ramlogan, SC, who said it was preposterous and ridiculous to suggest there was anything untoward in the filing of the high court actions which challenged the implementation of the property tax and the composition of the JLSC.

The possibility that an attorney may seek to manipulate the system by filing and re-filing proceedings until it is assigned to a judge of his liking is also beyond the particular judges control, Mendes said.

Both of Maharajs cases were presided over by Seepersad, who granted injunctions in favour of the former politician. These orders have since been overturned by the appeal court. The coincidence of the same judge hearing the same claimants case over a matter of weeks have raised eyebrows, however, the procedure for the assignment of cases to judge has been clarified by the Judiciary in a statement on Thursday.

On May 25, six days after Justice Seepersad granted the first injunction in the property tax case, the attorney for the Chief State Solicitor Department, wrote to Supreme Court Registrar Jade Rodriguez questioning how the case came to be assigned to Seepersad.

The Registrar provided answers to the queries on June 5, the day before the appeal court heard the property tax appeals filed by the Commissioner of Valuations and the Attorney General.

In her response, Rodriguez said Maharajs judicial review application was first filed at the Registry of the Supreme Court sub-registry in San Fernando on May 18 at 3.18 pm - the same day Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced an extension to the deadline for citizens to file their document.

Maharajs claim was given a case number - CV2017-01837 - and was docketed to Justice Robin Mohammed. Rodriguez said the next day at 8.56 am, a notice of withdrawal was filed. Maharaj has said he gave these instructions to his attorneys since he needed to reconsider his case following the ministers announcement of an extension.

CASE RE-FILED From an administrative standpoint, it made better sense to discontinue and re-file the claim with the necessary changes, Maharaj said. Rodriguez said a new ex-parte application was filed a few minutes earlier and this was given case number CV2017-01839 and docketed to Seepersad.

She explained that cases when filed in the civil court office are assigned at random to a judge selected by the computer automated docketing system. The Registrar added at the time of filing, no oral or written request was made by Maharajs attorneys but the attorneys asked for a hearing that day.

She provided an explanation on the process involved in filing a judicial review application. The filing of an application for leave for judicial review is customarily treated with some urgency wherein the counter clerk enquires from the attorneys clerk as to whether there is any urgency as to the date of hearing.

This information is then communicated by the counter clerk to the listing unit. I am informed that this procedure was followed on the morning of the May 19, 2017, when CV20101839 was filed and the request was made orally by the attorneys clerk for the matter to be heard on the same day.

This information was communicated to the listing unit, she said. In her eight page response, Rodriguez noted the judges Judicial Support Officer (JSO) was emailed with the notice and at approximately 9.37 am, the file was collected and the JSO Tracey Headley was instructed by Seepersad to arrange a court and to contact Maharajs attorneys.

This was done. Seepersad commenced hearing at 11.30 am at the San Fernando High Court, in open court. The order staying the implementation of the property tax was granted at 6 pm.

Rodriguez also said that attorneys for the Commissioner of Valuations were sent an email at 2.07 pm.

Told that attorneys for the State were informed by court staff that no Registrar was present when they made frantic efforts to ascertain whether an ex parte application was being heard, Rodriguez said although she and the assistant registrars were attending a seminar hosted by the Judicial Education Institute of the Judiciary, they were all available via telephone to deal with any urgent applications and were on call to deal with Maharajs matter.

She said at approximately 5.20 pm upon receiving notification that the case was still ongoing in the San Fernando Court, assistant Registrar Priscilla Rampersad proceeded to the San Fernando court and signed the judges order at 7 pm.

She also noted that the assistant Registrar did not place the penal clause on any of the five office copies of the judges order which were requested by the attorney.
1,415 illegal Venezuelans between January and May

It is the largest number of any national group staying illegally over that period as Venezuelans grapple with food shortages.

Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Dennis Moses told the House of Representatives yesterday in response to a question that the Ministry of National Security has on record a total of 15,042 illegal immigrants.

Among them for the January 1 to May 31 period are 183 Chinese nationals, 326 Colombians, 39 Nigerians, 65 Guyanese, 217 Dominicans and 20 Jamaicans.

As of May of this year, there were 30,200 people who were granted permanent resident status by the Ministry of National Security, Moses said.

There are those, he said, who would have entered Trinidad and Tobago through illegal ports of entry, and whose presence is detected through reports and exercises undertaken by the Ministry of National Security. Information in relation to people who would have been granted permanent status and details of those in the country illegally as a result of the expiration of their landed certificate, he said, is not readily available.
In Armenia, a state agency may borrow millions of dollars giving approximate and inflated promises, not implement them and not be subjected to any liability.

In this case, its Center for Education Projects (CEP), an arm of Armenias Ministry of Education and Science.

The Armenian government took out a $30 million loan from the World Bank and handed it over to the CEP to implement the Education Improvement Project in Armenia launched in 2014.

The inflated promise made by the CEP was that the money would go to renovating 17 high schools in Armenia. So far, work on only five has started.

The Ministry of Education and Science and its subordinate Center for Education Projects deem the rehabilitation of the remaining twelve schools with the existing funds impossible.

Theyve recalculated expenses and now say an additional $19 million is needed to complete the program.

The World Bank, the education ministry, and the CEP all have arguments at the ready to explain the problem.

All of them say that the precise number of schools to be renovated was never specified.

"The final number of schools receiving support for rehabilitation was not specified during the evaluation of the project document," said Vigen Sargsyan, External Affairs Officer of the World Bank Yerevan, in reply to one of our queries.

Contracts with 90% deviation from the average price

According to the Education Improvement Project, $18 million of total financing was to go towards the rehabilitation of 17 high schools in Armenia. In other words, the average price of each schools rehabilitation was about $1 million in the pre-approved budget.

Despite this, Center for Education Projects has signed three contracts out of five with 45-90% deviation from the average price.

In particular, the high school rehabilitation contract in Martouni, Gegharkounik Province, was signed for about 700 million AMD, the one for the school # 2 in Metzamor, Armavir province - for about 918 million AMD, and for the one in Ararat town, Ararat province - 722 million AMD.

All three contracts, ranging from $1.14-$1.9, exceeded the average cost of about $1 million.

Since the Center for Education Projects is directly responsible to the Ministry of Education and Science, Hetq sent a query to the ministry, asking whether they had conducted any audit to clarify why the contracts were signed with more than 50% deviation from the average price.

The ministry replied that for five high schools the design documents had been prepared in the beginning, which calculated the repair costs without considering the costs associated with the seismic construction component.

Ministry of Education and the World Bank justify the illegal calculations

Hetq sent a query to the World Bank's main office in Washington D.C. We asked whether the World Bank had ever audited the expenses under this loan project. If so, why didnt they realize that the loan wouldnt be enough.

...Higher cost estimates may relate to the wider scope of the rehabilitation work due to the poor physical conditions of facilities, seismic reinforcement that requires extensive strengthening of foundation, wall and pillar support with significant amounts of steel and concrete, as well as wide surface areas of school sites which include more site development and reconstruction of large enclosure of walls or fences," the World Bank replied.

During our interview with one of the draftsmen, he revealed that the schools cannot be rebuilt without increasing their seismic resistance.

According to Decision N 87 by Armenias Minister of Urban Development dated March 24, 2014, the minimum acceptable level of educational institutions rehabilitation (schools, colleges, vocational education and training institutions, etc.) involves increasing their seismic stability. Thus, these works should always accompany the rehabilitation works. (See Annex 1).

This means that the seismic stability expenses are factored in from the start and shouldnt lead to such increases in the project costs.

In your opinion, doesnt it mean that those who presented the financing project were not professional in their calculations? we asked in our second query sent to the WB main office.

The WBs Washington office readdressed the query to Yerevan office again, which expressed the hope that the issues raised have already been clarified. The Yerevan office suggested we contact the CEPs Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for more details.

The World Bank offices in the U.S. and Yerevan justify the illegal transaction, made without seismic construction component calculations, and the loan project based on it, while its contrary to the norms of Armenian urban development.

More than 38 million AMD spent unproductively and no criminal case

Official documents of the World Bank show that Engineer League LLC was paid 7,656,998 AMD by the Center for Education Projects for preparing the initial drafts of five high schools.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Education and Science didnt provide us with any information about this company when we asked which firms had prepared the initial drafts of schools to be rehabilitated. Thus, we couldnt find anything about this payment in the ministrys and the CEPs PIUs reports.

Instead, the companys name can be found in the 2016 Annual Report of Armenias Control Chamber (CC).

The CC revealed that the PIU didnt accept the draft designs prepared by the Engineer League, "due to some changes that schools are not being repaired but reconstructed. It turns out that the design work, for which the PIU already paid 80% of the contract amount to the company, does not meet the requirements for reconstruction, and new designs are needed."

7,656,998 AMD, according to the CC, is only 20% of the contract amount signed. The full amount of the contract, according to the report, was around 38 million AMD, 80% of which was paid not from the loan but from the grant for the loan preparation.

7.6 million AMD, composing 20% of the contract, should have been paid by the PIU after accepting the drafts presented by the company. The PIU didnt accept the drafts but paid the remaining 20%.

World Bank documents also show that Engineer League not only received the money, but also signed a contract with the PIU without any tender. The single-source selection procurement method was applied.

"Single-source selection of consultants does not provide the benefits of competition in regard to quality and cost, lacks transparency in selection, and could encourage unacceptable practices. Therefore, single-source selection shall be used only in exceptional cases - this is an extract from the World Bank procurement procedures.

Thus, signing a single-source selection contract with Engineer League was an exceptional case. There is no data about the companys shareholders in the State Corporate Registry.

Arevik Khachatryan, Head of the Department of Information and Public Relations of Prosecutor's Office, told Hetq that there were some studies regarding the CCs revelations about the Education Improvement Project, but no criminal case has been initiated. Instead, the Prosecutor's Office reported to the Ministry of Education and Science about the recorded allegations, asking to "eliminate them and report to the Prosecutors Office about it".

Three contracts resulting from one tender: Did the PIU pay twice for the same service?

Hetq sent a query to the Ministry of Education and Science to obtain copies of the contracts signed for the draft designs of 17 high schools.

The ministry provided us only with copies of contract notices published on the World Bank website. The answer was prepared by the PIU. We talked to an employee there, who promised to check with the manager about sending us the copies of the contracts, but we did not receive them.

The PIU sent us notifications of the award of the three contracts.

According to them, one of the contracts was signed on August 10, 2015, with Babayan-Lat Nakhagitz and Modul 2015 LLCs for the preparation of 5 high school drafts (companies participated in the tender jointly). Contract value amount was 81,639,960 AMD. We tried to find the same contract in the database of World Banks signed contracts.

See agreements with Armenia under the code P130182

It turned out, however, that there are two contracts signed on August 10, 2015, with Babayan-Lat Nakhagitz and Modul 2015 LLCs. We can confidently say that these contracts are different, because they have different numberings and contract amounts.

One of the contracts is named Finalizing the designs for five schools under the Education Improvement project, with a contract amount of $170,723, the second one is Finalization of architectural and technical designs for rehabilitation of 5 high schools, with a contract amount of $171,584.

The WB documents show that the PIU paid the above-mentioned LLCs twice for the same purpose.

One more contract with Babayan-Lat Nakhagitz and Modul 2015 LLCs was signed the following month, For conducting authors monitoring of 5 high-schools civil works. The contract amount was $28,820.

All these three agreements were signed by the PIU within one tender.

Hetq sent a written request to the Ministry of Education and Science for copies of the tender announcements. Apparently, the tender, which the LLCs won, was intended for review and study of five high school draft project documents. The company that won the tender, according to the requirements, should have included the author's monitoring of works in the services. It shouldnt have become a separate contract with additional cost of $28,820.

The Ministry of Finance has never checked Education Improvement loan project costs

None of Armenias oversight bodies, not the Prosecutors Office or the Ministry of Finance has ever subjected the PIU to any liability.

Neither have they suspended the project, nor did they conduct an audit to find out why the budget was incorrectly calculated or where the spent funds have gone.

The Ministry of Finance told Hetq that its Financial and Budget Control Inspectorate didnt carry out any checks on the CEPs PIU for the Education Improvement loan project during 2013-2016.

The Ministry of Finance also mentioned in their reply that in the second half of 2017, by a decision of the prime minister, they plan to review the loans and grants given to Armenia by foreign countries and international organizations, as well as the accuracy and objectivity of the funds allocated from the state budget.

The ministry doesnt specify when these reviews will take place. It is not known whether they will precede the government's new loan application to World Bank for around $ 19 million, if such a decision is taken.
Retired judge dies

Ibrahim served as a High Court judge for ten years before being elevated to the Appeal Court, where he served for another ten years.

After retiring, Ibrahim remained active in judicial matters and served for five years in the Bahamas Court of Appeal.

He sat on a commission of enquiry in St Lucia and returned to Trinidad as a temporary judge on the invitation of Chief Justice Satnarine Sharma.

Ibrahim presided over the second trial of Jamaat al Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr on a charge of conspiracy to murder two expelled members of his Jamaat, acquitting Bakr on a no-case submission.

In January 2015 he famously chaired the Commission of Enquiry into the Las Alturas Towers.

He also headed the investigative team to probe the death of baby Simeon Cottle, whose head was slashed during a C-section at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex.

The Law Association has promised a statement on his passing.
Amazon Is First Company to

Lose $1T in Market Value
Craig Newmark, who started Craigslist way back in the 20th century, is a man who likes to be in the shadows. He is an observerone of his favorite hobbies, fittingly, is birdwatching, notes a profile by Alyssa Bereznak at Ringer. He's also rather quietly amassed a fortune, and has just as quietly been giving lots of it away. His little site, after all, grew to have a global but modest presence, and took in $694 million of revenue in 2016. (He remains on its board, but no longer manages the website.) In the profile, Newmark says that back in '99, "I just decided on a different business model. ... I decided no one needs to be a billionaire. You should know when enough is enough." So he chose what he calls a "minimal" strategy, instead of trying to reach eBay-like scale. As it turns out, the 64-year-old now has a net worth of $1.3 billion.

The story points out an ironic twist: These days, Newmark throws his money into journalism, the very industry he so famously disrupted with his free classified listings. In fact, he's generally "accused of killing newspapers," writes Bereznak. Now, however, he's especially interested in preventing the spread of fake news. This may have something to do with how Craigslist was covered in 2010, when CNN found its adult services section being used for underage sex trafficking. (Newmark says he'd been working with the FBI to track criminals, for which he later won an award.) Last year, Newmark gave Poynter $1 million toward journalism ethics, and this year he gave another $1 million to ProPublica. He's especially interested in the harassment of reporters, which he says poses "real consequences for democracy." Read the full profile here. (Read more Craigslist stories.)
The sage grouse, which is known for its unique mating dance and only found in North America, has lost up to 90% of its population over the past few decades, dwindling to between 200,000 and 500,000 birds. Now a plan to save the sage grouse that took years to negotiate is in danger. The Trump administration announced this week it's reviewing the 2015 Greater Sage Grouse Conservation Plan to address concerns from the 11 western states where the bird is found and give greater consideration to "local economic growth and job creation," NPR reports. According to Reuters, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke says he wants to give states concerned the conservation plan is too "heavy-handed" more "flexibility" in choosing how they protect the sage grouse.

Environmentalists worry the sage grouse could be under greater threat than ever if the conservation plan is altered. The bird relies on sagebrush and is highly sensitive to development; everything from roads to cattle fences to wind turbines can hurt populations. The conservation plan controls commercial development on 67 million acres of federal land. It was opposed by the oil, gas, and mining industries, who claimed it could cost them billions in lost profits. Already two governors from sage grouse states have come out against changing the conservation plan, and the Audubon Society says Zinke could be about to "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory," the Washington Post reports. The group reviewing the plan has 60 days to issue a recommendation. (Read more conservation stories.)
A Florida man is facing misdemeanor charges after he allegedly unplugged the fans inflating a birthday party bounce house, causing it to deflate on the children inside, the AP reports. Charles Wotruba of Port St. Lucie was arrested Friday, charged with disturbing the peace and trespassing.

Police say the 70-year-old Wotruba is the man caught by a surveillance camera last month unplugging the Disney princess bounce house, which had been rented for a girl's first birthday party. Six children ages 2 to 10 were inside. None were hurt. Police say Wotruba may have believed the extension cord powered a DJ's stereo equipment. He lives about 500 feet away on the other side of a parkway. (Read more bounce house stories.)
Reza Aslan has lost his CNN hosting gig over controversial comments about President Trump. Following last week's London terror attack, Trump promoted his travel ban, prompting Aslan to tweet that the president is a "piece of s---" who "is not just an embarrassment to America and a stain on the presidency. Hes an embarrassment to humankind." Uproar followed, and on Friday, CNN released a statement saying it would not move forward with the planned second season of special series Believer with Reza Aslan, Politico reports. The acquired series had just finished its first season after launching in January. Aslan had previously apologized for his Trump tweet. (Read more CNN stories.)
A scandal rocked the Alexander Spendiaryan Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Yerevan yesterday evening when musicians refused to take the stage at a performance of Aram Khachatryans Gayaneh ballet.

1,110 ticket holders got their money back for the performance that never happened.

The striking musicians today sent a letter explaining their action to theatre management, the details of which have not yet been publicized.

Karineh Kirakosyan, the acting director of the theatre, held a press conference, but she offered nothing in the way of clarifying what had happened. She only said that a general meeting was convened at the theatre during which Armenian Minister of Culture Armen Amiryan described the incident as shocking, hinting that the troublemakers would be punished.

In a press release, Amiryan called on the striking musicians to rally around Konstantin Orbelyan, the theatres artistic director.

Orbelyan had spent his own money to invite art agents to attend yesterdays performance and had been talking with them about organizing theatre performance tours.

Someones personal problem was rated higher than all of us when it comes to presenting our art to the world. If you regard this as normal, then I understand nothing of this mentality. I regret losing such an opportunity, Orbelyan said at the meeting.

Minister Amiryan called on the musicians to present their creative and work-related issues to management.

Together, well try to improve the environment and the theatre system. Voice the most complex of problems, but never undermine a performance, he said at the meeting.

No one accepted his offer at the meeting. According to a ministrys press release, members of the ballet troupe were waiting and ready to dance upon hearing the final bell for the curtain to go up.

At her press conference, Kirakosyan chided the artists for behaving so untowardly towards the spectators who purchased tickets.

All of the artists are now drafting explanations as to why they didnt show up for work yesterday, said Kirakosyan, adding that the troublemakers number around 80-90.

Kirakosyan and rumors circulated at the culture ministry point to ten administrative employees at the theatre recently let go as the masterminds of the trouble.

What is surprising is that some ninety musicians refuse to play at such an important performance and theatre management seem unable to grasp that some serious problems are afflicting the theatre, a major cultural asset in Armenia.

Either theatre management has its head in the sand, and are incapable of running such an institution, or they are deliberately covering up the problem. Both are equally bad.

Two days ago, the theatres former deputy director Narek Antonyan spoke with Araratnews.am, saying that the dismissed employees asked Orbelyan for an explanation. In response, according to Antonyan, Orbelyan said the decision had been made by higher-ups.

As far as theatre management is concerned, the dismissed employees have conspired to sabotage the theatre and have incited the musicians to join in the sabotage.

This reporter finds such an explanation hard to believe at an institution with 583 employees. There has to be some real underlying issues to convince ninety musicians not to play at such an important performance.

At todays press conference, Minister Amiryan reaffirmed the official line that yesterdays incident was pure sabotage.

It proved the necessity of making changes to the administrative unit as proposed by Maestro Orbelyan and that we support. Only by implementing them will we have the theatre weve dreamt about, the minister said.

Kirakosyan told reporters that three of the five theatres deputy directors had been dismissed and replaced.

Asked if Kirakosyan thought that yesterdays incident had anything to do with her or Orbelyans management style or policies, she brushed off such speculation.

The administrative changes taking place at the theatre have just one aim, to revitalize the theatre and turn it into an active participant in world culture. All the changes, staff and administrative, are painful to some who then burden the entire collective with their problems, Kirakosyan said.

Hetq spoke to two artists at the theatre. Heres a summary of what they had to say.

While Maestro Orbelyan is a decent man, hes totally unaware the artists problems, personal relations, and much of whats transpiring internally. Hes a typical musician mainly concerned with the theatres creative development and success. Buts he not aware of the nitty-gritty administrative or organizational issues involved. Karineh Kirakosyan deals with those.

Some say the opera theatre has a curse hanging over it from the days when Hasmik Pohghosyan was culture minister. Karen Dugaryan, the orchestras main conductor, left Armenia teary-eyed after being dismissed.

Cursed or not, major problems plague the theatre and yesterdays boycott was merely a manifestation.

If the culture ministry doesnt implement improvements in the theatres administrative end, the problems will grow and incidents like yesterdays will continue.

Problems will not be solved by pressure tactics and threats.

If it is true that the musicians are following the call made by now former deputy director Narek Antonyan to boycott, this is really disquieting news for Minister Amiryan. It shows that the authority of those now running the theatre is low and on shaky grounds.

Armenias government must make a choice between protecting its own rank and file or saving the opera theatre.

Were not referring to the building, but rather the artists and musicians inside who for years, regardless of whos the prime minister or culture minister, have been the true face of the theatre, both in Armenia and on the world stage.

Photos: Gagik Aghbalyan
A Kansas man accused of shouting "get out of my country" as he opened fire on two Indian men, killing one of them, will face federal hate crimes charges along with murder, the Washington Post reports. A federal grand jury on Friday indicted Adam W. Purinton, 51, on two counts of hate crimes and a firearms charge in connection with the February attack in a bar in Olathe. Purinton allegedly shouted racial slurs when he shot Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, who later died, and Alok Madasani, 32, both of whom worked for the tech firm Garmin. A third man who stepped in was wounded. Local authorities charged Purington with first-degree murder and other charges, but federal prosecutors were under pressure to act at a time when President Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric was being blamed for sparking violence, the New York Times reports.

Local media reported Purinton thought he had shot two Iranians. Justice Department officials said they had not decided whether to seek the death penalty for Purinton or life in prison, per Reuters. Kuchibhotla's widow, Sunayana Dumala, tells the Times that although the indictment was "a reminder to me that Srinivas is not here with us  the federal charges will give us national visibility to help spread the message of reducing hate crimes." Effects of the attack reverberated far beyond Kansas, with the father of one of the injured men in India warning parents there "not to send their children" to the US, per the Post. (The White House condemned the attack six days later.)
The FDA is asking an Irish pharmaceutical company to take one of its pain medications off the market because of its contributions to America's opioid epidemic, USA Today reports. The FDA says it's the first time it's ever asked a company to withdraw an opioid pain medication "due to the public health consequences of abuse," according to NBC News. Endo International's Opana ER was first approved by the FDA in 2006; a reformulated version of Opana ER, meant to lessen the potential for abuse, was released in 2012. But the FDA, in an 18-8 vote, ruled the benefits of the reformulated version are outweighed by the risk of abuse, largely from crushing and injecting the drug. Endo argues its drug is both safe and effective.

Endo states it's evaluating the FDA's request. The company sold $158 million worth of Opana ER in 2015. The FDA states that if Endo doesn't voluntarily take Opana ER off the market, it will begin the process of withdrawing its approval of the drug. I really did not think that the FDA would follow through, says a woman who lost her 21-year-old son to an Opana overdose and later testified before the FDA. In addition to being linked to the growing opioid crisis in the US, Opana ER was blamed for an outbreak of HIV and hepatitis C in 2015 in Indiana, the AP reports. Approximately 2 million Americans are addicted to prescription opioids. According to the CDC, opioid overdoses killed more than 40,000 Americans in 2015a record high. (Read more opioids stories.)
President Trump delivered a sharp message to Qatar to halt funding terrorisman order that appeared to undermine his own secretary of state, the Washington Post reports. Trump told reporters Friday that Mideast leaders had complained to him about Qatar, which he said has "historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level." He called the Saudi-led blockade of the kingdom "hard but necessary" and declared, per the AP, "the time had come to call on Qatar to end its funding." One hour earlier, however, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told Arab states to ease up on Qatar, saying the blockade was hurting Qataris, impeding the fight against ISIS, and "impairing US and other international business activities in the region," per NPR.

At Trump's request, Tillerson has played mediator in the stand-off, urging Qatar to step up efforts to stop funding terrorism but also pointedly saying that "others" need to battle extremists "within their own borders." When asked for comment on the apparently conflicting speeches, a State Department rep gave NPR a chart comparing parts of the text that appeared to jibe. A White House official tells the Washington Post, "I think the policy is consistent." He adds that Trump is not opposed to easing the blockade but he believes that Qatar "deserves it." It wasn't clear what effect Trump's comments would have on relations with Qatar, which the AP notes is home to major US air base used as a base for operations in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. (Trump's tweets might make things harder for the US military in Qatar.)
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand gave a fairly standard speech critical of President Trump on Friday, save for two lines: "Has he kept his promises? No. F--- no, she told the Personal Democracy Forum in New York City. And: "If we are not helping people, we should go the f---home." Innocent slip-ups? More like a calculated strategy, with the Hill noting that she used the latter line in an interview with New York magazine in April.

A spokesperson defends the choices, per CNN. "I think it's appropriate for a senator to be exactly who they areKirsten is going to continue to be exactly who she is and always has been." Gillibrand, though, isn't the only politician swearing publicly, and a piece in Politico that rounds up other examples suggests it might be an asset in an "age of Trumpian combativeness." CNN's piece points out that Gillibrand is mentioned as a Democratic presidential candidate, but her spokesperson dismissed the idea that she's trying to shape her public image toward that end. The senator herself has fended off the speculation. (Read more Kirsten Gillibrand stories.)
Bill Maher got a scolding from Ice Cube in his first show since he dropped the N-bomb on air, the Daily Beast reports. "It's a word that has been used against us; its like a knife, man," the rapper-turned-actor told Maher on Friday night's Real Time. (See video here.) "What made you think it was cool to say that?" he asked, to which Maher replied: "I just explained there was no thought put into it. And it was wrong. And I apologize. And you know, more than that I cant do." Ice Cube said he accepted the apology, but pressed the issue.

"We need to get to the root of the psyche," he said, and explained that the slur has "been used as a weapon against us by white people, and were not gonna let that happen again by nobody.  Thats our word now. And you cant have it back." Earlier, Maher got a standing O from the audience, per Deadline Hollywood. He told his first guest, the author Michael Eric Dyson, "I wanted you to come by here because I want you to school me. ... I did a bad thing. Dyson told him, "Thats a great place to begin, Bill." Maher said the word "brought pain to people.  I'm not here to do that. I reiterate tonight, and thats sincere. Im not that big of an ass----." (Al Franken was originally supposed to appear, but he canceled.)
Adam West, best known to the world as Batman, died Friday in Los Angeles at the age of 88, according to the Hollywood Reporter. A family spokesperson says the actor had been battling leukemia. Our dad always saw himself as The Bright Knight and aspired to make a positive impact on his fans' lives. He was and always will be our hero, his family said in a statement. West played the caped crusader in Batman for three seasons and a movie starting in 1966. The campy role was his big break. You cant play Batman in a serious, square-jawed, straight-ahead way without giving the audience the sense that theres something behind that mask waiting to get out, that hes a little crazed," West once said of the character.

After Batman ended, West came to resent the role, which kept him from getting work, Variety reports. He resorted to appearing as Batman at car shows and other events, moving from Hollywood to Idaho. He later popularized himself with a new generation as the voice of Mayor Adam West on Family Guy while eventually coming around to his famous role. "I decided that since so many people love Batman, I might as well love it too ... I saw the love people had for it, and I just embraced it. West received a star on the Hollywood Hall of Fame in 2012. Two years later, he told fans: "Im so grateful. Im the luckiest actor in the world, folks, to have you still hanging around. West is survived by his wife, six children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. (Read more obituary stories.)
Three US soldiers were killed Saturday when an Afghan army solider opened fire on them in eastern Afghanistan, US officials tell CNN. One other US soldier was wounded in the attack, which took place in the Achin district. An Afghan official said the Afghan soldier was killed after the attack. The AP reports the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that a Taliban loyalist had infiltrated the Afghan army "just to attack foreign forces."

A statement from the US military said merely that the military was "aware of an incident in eastern Afghanistan." White House spokesperson Raj Shah told reporters traveling with President Trump in New Jersey that Trump was "following the emerging situation in Afghanistan." Such insider attacks have happened before in Afghanistan. In March, another Afghan soldier was killed after he opened fire on foreign forces at a base in Helmand province, wounding three US soldiers. (Read more Afghanistan stories.)
Former Vice President Joe Biden has encouraged onetime GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney to run for the Senate in Utah if longtime Republican incumbent Orrin Hatch decides to retire next year, the AP reports. Biden made the recommendation to Romney on Friday evening at the Utah resort where Romney was hosting an annual invitation-only business and politics summit. The Biden-Romney event, like most of the discussions and speeches at the gathering, was closed to reporters. But people who were there confirmed the conversation and described it as a warm, bipartisan talk. Romney did not give any indication he was considering a run, should Hatch, 83, decide not to run again next year, said one person in attendance, but the idea has been making headlines for a while.

Hatch, who has been in office since 1977, has said he hasn't decided if he'll seek another term but he might step aside if Romney ran. The 70-year-old former Massachusetts governor now lives in Utah, where he's remained popular as the man who led a turnaround of the scandal-plagued 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and as a prominent Mormon businessman and politician in a state that's home to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In April, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he reached out to Romney about running for Hatch's seat, but said he'd support the longtime senator if he decided to run again. In other news related to both Romney and bipartisanship, Romney revealed on Friday that Hillary Clinton recommended he take the gig as President Trump's secretary of state if it was offered to him. (Read more Mitt Romney stories.)
Army deployed in Darjeeling as Gorkha Janmukti Morcha protest turns violent

Darjeeling : The army was called in on Thursday after thousands of angry Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) activists demanding a separate Gorkhaland state indulged in arson and pelted stones at police, injuring 15, as around 45,000 tourists were stranded in the northern West Bengal hills due to the violence.

In Kolkata, a Defence Ministry spokesman said two army columns based in Darjeeling were being requisitioned. The GJM has called a 12-hour shutdown in the north Bengal hills on Friday in protest against "indiscriminate police action on the peaceful demonstration" by its workers.

"Requisition from state government received. Two army columns based in Darjeeling moving out," said Wing Commander S.S. Birdi, Chief Public Relations Officer of Defence, at Kolkata.

One column comprises 43 personnel. On a day Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held her cabinet meeting in Darjeeling - the first time in 45 years that the state cabinet had met in the hill district - the GJM workers went on rampage demanding a separate state of Gorkhaland.

They staged demonstrations, raised slogans against Banerjee and engaged in a pitched battle with the police, as panicked tourists tried to rush out. The GJM supporters broke through police barricades, damaging and torching five police vehicles, set fire to a traffic outpost and a state bus, and indulged in massive stone pelting at the police.

The police, who initially beat a hasty retreat, made repeated baton charge and lobbed tear gas shells at the mob to quell the violence that erupted near Bhanu Bhawan on the tourist hub Mall Road, that was virtually taken over by the GJM workers.

At least 15 police officers, including Jalpaiguri range Deputy Inspector General of Police Rajesh Kumar Yadav, sustained severe injuries, as shops and hotels downed shutters in fear.

The Morcha supporters also forced the markets in the neighbouring Kalimpong district to shut down. Banerjee, after her cabinet meeting, claimed the Morcha's agitation was based on a "non-issue".

"Every political party has a right to protest. So have they. But what is the issue on which this agitation is based? There are no issues at all. The Morcha is trying to gain political relevance by holding these protests," Banerjee observed at the end of her Cabinet meeting. Banerjee and two other ministers have stayed back in Darjeeling after the cabinet meeting in view of the volatile situation and the plight of the tourists.

"We have no enmity with anyone. We want the hills and the entire state to be well," she added. The GJM claimed that 45 of its supporters were injured in the police action.

"Our party has called for a 12-hour shutdown in the North Bengal hills, including Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts and the Mirik subdivision, in protest against the indiscriminate police action on our peaceful demonstration," GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri told IANS.

"We condemn the police action on our supporters today in Darjeeling. At least 45 GJM supporters including women got injured in the police beating," he said.

State Tourism Minister Gautam Deb said around 15,000 tourists were stranded in Darjeeling town, and around 30,000 in the other parts of the hills.

Holding the Banerjee government responsible for the violence, the opposition Left Front urged the Chief Minister to take immediate steps to restore peace in the region.

"The situation in the hills is a matter of grave concern. The Chief Minister's policy on the north Bengal hills is similar to the Prime Minister's policy on Kashmir. There should be discussions on peace, not provocation," said LF major Communist Party of India-Marxist state Secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra.

State BJP president Dilip Ghosh blamed Banerjee for "stoking the fire" in the hills with her repeated visits there. "Now she is trapped there, and seeking army help to return home," he said.

The political temperature soared in North Bengal hills after the GJM -- the dominant party in the region for close to a decade -- seized on Banerjee's earlier announcement that Bengali would be a compulsory subject in schools across the state.

The GJM, looking for a confrontation with the ruling Trinamool Congress which has in recent elections emerged as its main rival in the region, immediately hit the streets, dubbing the move as a bid to "impose Bengali in the hills" and revived the demand for Gorkhaland.

Banerjee on Monday tried to cool passions by announcing that Bengali would not be compulsory in schools in the Darjeeling hills and in certain areas of the Dooars and the Terai.
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19-year-old Artur Melikyan, whos serving a nearly four-year sentence for embezzlement at Armenias Armavir Penitentiary, swallowed the handles of three small spoon on May 24, ostensibly to get prison officials to transfer him to another facility.

Melikyan recently telephoned Hetq to say hes in pain and needs medical care.

The 19-year-old has been behind bars for the past two years at various penitentiaries in Armenia.

He was sentenced to three years, eleven months and 25 days in 2014, and was also fined 500,000 AMD.

Melikyan says that he indeed committed a crime and that he must be punished, but that he should have been granted conditional release as hes eligible under the law.

A review panel denied Melikyans request for conditional release six months ago. He told Hetq that the reason for the denial was his proclivity to inflict self-harm and that the fine hadnt been paid.

Armenias Department of Corrections told Hetq that Melikyan was medically examined after swallowing the spoons and that hes currently under medical supervision.

Melikyan told Hetq by phone that hes asking the head of the corrections department and the ministers of health and justice to have him transferred to the Convicts Hospital.

Im requesting to be operated on. The objects arent being flushed from my system. I could die at any moment, Melikyan said.
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Georgian citizen Nona Toloriana has telephoned Hetq, concerned about the health of her brother Zviad Toloriani whos been imprisoned in Armenias Nubarashen Penitentiary since November 2015 after being convicted for attempted robbery.

Nona Toloriana says that her brother has been on hunger strike for the past few days and has written to Armenias Human Rights Defender on the matter.

Armenias Department of Corrections confirmed that Zviad Toloriani and Edward Gugushvili, also sentenced on the same charge, have been on hunger strike since June 6.

They are demanding a review of the court verdict.

Nona Toloriani wants to get her brother back to Georgia but extradition seems out of the question for now.

The two were arrested after a Yerevan woman claimed that two men attempted to gain access to their Yerevan apartment ad burglarize them.
In 2011, we started the project called Coming Full circle, dedicated to the Mass Repatriation, by looking for families in Armenia, immigrated from different countries. There were families from everywhere, except from the USA.

It seemed strange to us: wasnt there at least one Armenian American family in Armenia? We tried to understand the reason of their absence.

In 1947 and 1949, 313 people moved to Soviet Armenia from the United States of America, by two caravans (respectively 151 and 162 people). According to archive documents, the Soviet Armenia authorities (doubtlessly, with Moscows consent), showed special care for Armenian American repatriates, by accommodating them in the capital and providing housing. And that was, when other immigrants, without being asked about who they were, about their profession and craft, were being sent to remote (agricultural, cattle-breeding) regions, and instead of providing housing for them, they were being squeezed into already narrow houses of local people.

Such kind of care towards former citizens of the USA was conditioned by noticeable strained relations between the Soviet Union and the USA. In March 12, 1947, the U.S. President Harry Truman, former ally of the Soviet Union, had published his famous doctrine, one or most important goals of which was the limitation of the Soviet Unions influence. Thus, in fact, Moscows plan to occupy territories from Turkey (Kars, Ardahan) and to unite them to Soviet Armenia was closed, which was an encouraging and consolidating factor for immigrants.

Nevertheless, Armenian Americans, though few, but were a mass, testifying Soviets supremacy. Mass, which in spite of consistent preparedness, had neither real idea on host country, nor on political and legal orders prevailing in it.

During the immigration preparations, there was some enthusiasm among Armenian American communities, but compared to other countries, the Armenians there were restrained and cautious, or rather they were practical while making decisions, the proof of which are the documents conserved in the national archives of the RA.

The panel, supporting immigration of Armenian Americans of the USA wrote in its letter addressed to Astvatsatryan, head of committee of reception and accommodation of foreign Armenians adjunct to the Council of Ministers of the Armenian SSR: Most people, personally or by means of letters, ask questions, which concern the organization of personal, family and material conditions (in Armenia). Captain Changalyan, the head of the panel, and doctor Bnakuni, the secretary, ask Astvatsatryan to clarify a number of the following issues.

The first group of questions, which try to find out voltage and power of electric energy in Soviet Armenia, is obviously related to Armenian Americans intention to start a business in Homeland, especially when the letter presents their readiness to organize production artels, to import equipment.

The other group concerns housing conditions. People ask about new houses, their internal furniture, cost, and winter heating ways. Also they are interested in rent rates.

The two last questions are from civil law sphere: Can the Soviet Armenia immigrant go back, if he/she doesnt want to stay? and How long can he/she stay in Armenia, and if he/she wants to stay, can he/she become Soviet citizen?

Soviet officials were giving detailed answers to them, avoiding this kind of questions. They were not likely to understand or they pretended not to understand the meaning of if they want to stay expression. The Soviet totalitarianism did not tolerate ifs: if you come, you should stay. Period!

This, of course, was complicating the panels mission of organizing immigration on the spot and, at the same time, repulsing the reluctants. In September 24, 1946, the panel supporting immigration of Armenians of the USA, circulated a message entitled Clarifications on immigration, N 2, which was supposed to answer all the questions of people willing to immigrate.

The last, 14th question of the message is the following: Can a resident of Soviet Armenia or an immigrant go abroad to meet his/her relatives or for other reason? The answer follows: Yes, a resident of Soviet Armenia or an immigrant can go abroad any time to meet his/her relatives or for other reason. For this, he/she should submit a request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, filling in an application the way it is done in the USA, England, and France and in all free countries. On behalf of the panel, the message is signed by Doctor Bnakuni, the head-secretary.

As there are no such other assurance-confirmations in the documents of Soviet Armenia authorities, and we have already witnessed that unwanted questions had been avoided, we can suppose, that Bnakuni tried to dispel doubts of people. The message ends with the following paragraph: As regards this, we would like to once more sincerely warn the public not to believe in inappropriate, ill-intentioned and even hostile rumors reigning in various classes of the population, the only aim of which is to cause harm to the cherished mission of immigration by messing up peoples minds. Those, who want to get information on immigration or Soviet Armenia, should solely address to the Armenians immigration head office. It is better to drink the water from the clean bank.

This water, drank from the clean bank strengthened the idea among many immigrants, especially the youth, that they would live in the Soviet Union as free and easy, as in the USA, without having any obstacle or difficulty to leave the host country for any reason and any time or to choose citizenship.

Tiran Tashchyan, immigrated from the USA in 1947 and now residing in Pasadena (California, USA), recalls: I was against, then my mom persuaded me, that we should leave. She said Id do well at school, Id learn Armenian, etc. Back then I thought Id keep on leaving and coming back after graduating.

But the reality was quite different and bitter. Coming to the Soviet Union, the former citizens of the United States found themselves in a cage. It is true that, according to our data, only 12 (4%) out of 313 Armenian Americans underwent political persecution and violence, passing long years in the Soviet prison camps, and though none of them had ever been a part of the mass exile (1949, June 14), the offence of deception remained in almost all of them.

Three years later after Stalins death, in June 1956, a group of Armenian Americans addressed the US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, remorseful, asking to be granted a possibility to leave the Soviet country.

To the President of the United States of America

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Washington D.C.

An appeal

We, undersigned American citizens left our country, the United States of America, in November, 1947-49 and came to Armenia, in the U.S.S.R.

None of us departed with any ill feeling, dissatisfaction or disheartment towards America. But, on the contrary, having found there the freedom and sanctuary, the progressive spirit, the energetic creativeness and ingenuity, which our ancestors had dreamed and fought and lost (like many other oppressed people) we felt inspired to pioneer to the East, believing this to be the era of the brotherhood of man, especially after a global war had been fought, hand in hand with many countries, including Russia, against tyranny. Certainly in peace a greater understanding will come. For this we came as self appointed ambassadors of good will.

Diring the last nine years we have done our utmost, ander the most trying conditions and rstrictions to serve truth and show whomever we came in contact that Americanism is synonymous with sportmanship, human liberties, precise methods in production and better living conditions for all. We repeat that we have gone thru all manner of hardships and discrimination to maintain our sustenance, but the greatest of our suffering has been the lack of Freedom and Justice. It is solely this reason for which we and our children cannot adept ourselves to this mode of life and remain here.

Many among us tried to get in touch with our ambassador since 1948, for which attempt they were arrested and exiled from 10 to 15 years, often without trial. Included were boys of 17, young girl 18, woman an men.

We now appeal to the magnanimity of the government of the United States, to forgive us, her errant children, who want to return home. We feel we have paid the penalty of our mistake and we did our American born children a great injustice in depriving them of their right to live as Americans.

In closing we plead for precaution and not to expose us to publicity until such time as you think safe. For the threat of Siberia is ever imminant. Also if you ever hear or receive anyting that we are not desirous to return, please understand that such a paper forged or forced upon us.

The published letter is conserved in the President Eisenhowers archives. In July 20, 1956, some parts of it appeared in Armenians seek to return to U.S. article of New York Times newspaper.

Translator Siranush Yesayan

.

This article is prepared as part of the Two Lives: The Cold War and the Emigration of Armenians project financed by National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
New Delhi:

A fire broke out on Saturday morning in Okhla Phase 1 area in the national capital. Sixteen fire tenders were rushed to the spot.



A fireman was injured in the fire after a concrete block fell on him while fighting a blaze in afactory. Ram Ratan, is posted at the Sarita Vihar fire station and is currently undergoing treatment at the AIIMS Trauma Centre, said an official from the Delhi Fire Services.



A call was received about the fire in a ready-made garments factory around 7.30 am. A dozen fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire, he added. The fire was doused by 10.50 am. Cooling operations were underway.
New Delhi:

JEE Advanced Result 2017 will be declared on June 11 at the official website i.e jeeadv.ac.in. This year JEE Exam was conducted by IIT Madras for granting admission to the Bachelor's, Integrated Master's and Dual Degree programmes (entry at the 10 plus 2 level) in all the IITs.

JEE Aspirants can check their JEE Advance 2017 results at the official website jeeadv.ac.in.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras will release the category wise All India Ranks (AIR) of successful candidates.

Since the answer key for the paper has already been released, most students are already aware of their marks. Results will only give a confirmation on these scores, an official from the organising JEE team said.

The answer keys were released on June 4 and the organising Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) said that all students will be awarded 11 bonus marks for three ambiguous questions that were asked in the JEE (Advanced) paper.

The entrance test was held in two phases under the conduction of the IIT Madras. While the first phase will take place from 9 AM to 12 PM, the second one will be conducted from 2 PM to 5 PM. Candidates appearing for the exam must be go through both the papers.

Earlier, IIT Madras has made the admit cards available for the aspirants from 1OTH of May and further directed them to download it within 21 May 9 AM.

JEE Advanced 2017 is the second state of Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and provides admissions to eligible candidates into the B.Tech programmes offered by 23 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).



The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are institutions of national importance established through Acts of Parliament for fostering excellence in education. Through JEE (Advanced), IITs offer admission into undergraduate courses leading to a Bachelor's, Integrated Master's or Bachelor-Master Dual Degree in Engineering, Sciences, Architecture, or Pharmaceutics.
New Delhi:

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra who is one of the first Indian stars to achieve success in the arena of Hollywood on Saturday paid an emotional tribute to late father Ashok Chopra.

It was the fourth death anniversary of Priyanka's late father Ashok and a bunch of heartfelt messages poured in on social networking sites.

Giving response to all those wishes the 'Baywatch' actress took to twitter and shared her heart out with fans and followers.

Being emotional Priyanka wrote, "Thank u to all for your wishes. 4 years today. Some things will always hurt."

Ashok Chopra, a Lieutenant Colonel by profession breathed his last in the year 2013 after a prolonged battle with deadly disease cancer.

The diva used to possess a very strong connection of heart with his father and the tatto inked on her right wrist 'Daddys li'l girl' is the proof.

Also Read: Priyanka poses at south beach of Miami, sets temperatures soaring

However, its been four years since she has lost the fisrt hero of her life and achieved tremendous success all over the world with his unconditional love and blessings. Earlier, on the occasion of the 64th National Film Awards, Priyanka has also dedicated her award winning film 'Ventilator' to her father.

Thank u to all for your wishes. 4 years today. Some things will always hurt. https://t.co/DNcomLhL7w  PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) June 10, 2017

On the work front, the 'Barfi' actress is currently busy shooting her another upcoming venture 'Gustakhiyan'.

Also Read: Priyanka to be featured in Jim Parsons' new drama 'A Kid Like Jake'

Also starring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead the 'Bhansali' project is expected to release in 2018.

Besides some of her Bollywood projects the diva is also working on her home production namely Purple Pebble Pictures banner. The production aims to produce a series of content driven movies which will mainly focus on exploring the regional film market all over the country.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

1960s television series 'Batman' star Adam west lost life on Friday night at the age of 88 in Los Angeles.



The actor died after a brief treatment for leukemia told a representative to Variety.



Our dad always saw himself as The Bright Knight, and aspired to make a positive impact on his fans lives. He was and always will be our hero, his family said in a statement.



West worked as an actor until death. He did voice work for animated prjects that included Family Guy- in which he played himself and Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders.



In 1959, Mr West made his feature debut in 'The Young Philadelphians'. The film starred Paul Newman. Mr West got a universal recognition with his role in 'Batman'. The onscreen fight-scene graphics of Wham! and Pow! in Batman series were hit.



West was born in the year 1928 in Walla Walla, Washington state.



He is survived by his wife, Marcelle, six children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Hollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Motihari:

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Saturday advised India to immediately reclaim Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) as it was the root cause of all the problems emanating from Pakistan.

"All the problems emanating from Pakistan is because of PoK and hence India should immediately reclaim PoK," Ramdev said.

He said India should destroy all terrorits camps operating from PoK.

Yoga guru was talking to reporters on the third and concluding day of a three-day yoga-cum-meditation camp organised by his Patanjali as part of Champaran Satyagrah centenary celebrations here at historic Gandhi Maidan.

Holding terrorists like Azhar Masood, Hafiz Sayeed, Dawood Ibrahim responsible for bloodshed at the Indo-Pak border, Ramdev said that these terrorists should be handed over to India, dead or alive.

Also Read| Motihari: Baba Ramdev inaugurates three-day free yoga camp

He, however, praised the people of Pakistan saying that they were good and peace loving people except some bad elements who believe in bloodshed.

Replying to a query on human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, Ramdev said that Indian army personnel too had their human rights.

In reply to another question, he said that Patanjali Yogpeeth would set up a unit in Bihar to process products like jaggery, honey and litchi among others this year.

Besides, Ramdev said that Patanjali would also start work on cow research and promotion centre in Bihar in near future.

Ramdev heaped praise on the Nitish governments decision to implement prohibition in the state and said that yoga education be included in the government and private schools in the state.

Also Read: UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Baba Ramdev perform Yoga in Lucknow

Inclusion of yoga as part of education would help better the future of students, he said while making it clear that "Yoga is not a political agenda at all."

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Jodhpur:

In a new twist to the sensational Bhanwari Devi murder case, accused Indira Bishnoi on Saturday told a court that she is alive and living in Bengaluru.



The councel for Bishnoi, who was arrested on June 3 from Madhya Pradeshs Dewas, supported her claim saying the bones recovered from a canal by the CBI were not of Bhanwari and that the forensic report was not conclusive on this.



While the assertion left the CBI officials in the court amused, the defence counsel said, It is only the version of the CBI that Bhanwari has died and that too on the basis of the statements of the witnesses.



He said that the CBI had claimed that some bones had been found in a canal and that too after four months of Bhanwari disappearance. Even the examination report of those bones is not clear, which means Bhanwari may be alive, he added.

ALSO READ: Bhanwari Devi murder case: Jodhpur court sends Indira Bishnoi to CBI custody



The court also sent Bishnoi to judicial custody after the CBI said that it no longer needed her remand. Among the accused in the case, 16 are now in judicial custody, one is out on bail.



Bhanwari, posted as an auxiliary nurse midwife at a sub-centre in Jaliwada village, around 120 km from Jodhpur, had gone missing on September 1, 2011. She disappeared after a CD allegedly showing then Rajasthan minister Mahipal Maderna in compromising position with the 36-year-old nurse was aired by some news channels.



The CBI had said Bhanwari was allegedly abducted from Jodhpurs Bilara area on September 1, 2011 and murdered. Her body was handed over to another gang which burnt it in a limestone quarry and dumped the remains in a canal, it alleged.



Maderna (65), who then represented the Osian Assembly constituency, was arrested on December 2, 2011 in Jodhpur by the CBI.

ALSO READ: Bhanwari Devi murder case: ATS arrests accused Indira Bishnoi from Madhya Pradesh

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New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Delhi on late Friday night after attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kazakhstan's Astana.

India and Pakistan joined SCO in first ever expansion since its inception 2001. SCO has Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as members.

In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the SCO leaders for ensuring Indias entry into the grouping and said it will give a new momentum to the bloc in dealing with terrorism and other pressing challenges facing the region.

Impossible to reach a solution till all make concerted efforts, on radicalisation, terrorist recruitment/training/financing issues. Will have to make coordinated efforts to counter the menace of terrorism, said PM Modi.

PM Modi met Xi on the sidelines of the Summit and underscored the need to respect each others core concerns and appropriately handle the disputes.

During the meeting, Modi said India and China should tap their potential in cooperation, strengthen communication and coordination in international affairs, respect each others core concerns and appropriately handle their disputes.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) strongly resolved to step up efforts to combat threat of terrorism and extremism while calling for political initiatives to resolve regional conflicts and differences.

ALSO READ | PM Modi meets Pak PM Sharif, enquires about his health and family



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New Delhi:

The US Department of Justice has charged Kansas shooting accused Adam Purinton of federal hate crime and firearms act which carries a possible death sentence or life imprisonment in America.

Federal prosecutors announced on Friday that Adam W. Purinton of Olathe, Kansas was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly targeting two Indians, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani because of their actual and perceived race, color, religion and national origin.

The unfortunate incident took place on February 22 at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas where Adam Purinton, a 52-year-old American national shouted get out of my country at Srinivas and Alok before opening fire on them. Srinivas died and Alok was seriously injured in the incident. Another US national, Ian Grillot, was also wounded when tried to intervene.

Kansas hate attack: Family blames Donald Trump after Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla shot dead in US

The announcement in this regard was made by the Acting Assistant Attorney General Thomas E Wheeler, II, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, and the United States Attorney Thomas E Beall of the District of Kansas.

Puritan faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison. The Justice Department will determine at a later date whether, in this particular case, it will seek the death penalty, a media release said.

It alleges that Purinton committed the offences after substantial planning and premeditation, attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode, and knowingly created a grave risk of death to others on the scene.

Purinton, a US Navy veteran, is currently being held in the Johnson County jail on a $2 million cash bond on murder and attempted murder charges.

Trending Now: India joins Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: PM Modis message to China, Pakistan; key points

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Haig Khatcho, a Syrian-Armenian physician who escaped ISIS persecution and resettled in Artsakh a couple of years ago, celebrated housewarming today in the Ishkhanadzor Village of the Kashatagh region. The house has been built by the Tufenkian Foundation, in the framework of a program aimed at providing housing support to Armenians willing to relocate to Kashatagh. Tufenkian Foundation Trustee and Director of Development John Antranig Kasbarian, Tufenkian Foundation Executive Director Raffi Doudaklian, as well as Stepan Sargsyan, assistant of the Kashatagh Adminsitrative Regions leader and chairman of Hayrenaser organization, local media, the mayor of Ishkhanadzor and others attended the event.

Haig Khatcho relocated to Artsakh together with his three daughters in 2015, in the midst of the Syrian war, after he was captured by ISIS and forced to renounce his Christianity. After being released and deciding to find refuge in Artsakh, the physician started a new life in the Ishkhanadzor village of the southern Kashatagh region.

A neuropathologist by specialty, Dr. Khatcho now works as a general practitioner in the only clinic of the village, established by the Tufenkian Foundation during 2004-2005.

When I first came to Ishkhanadzor, I immediately felt at home. The people were very welcoming and accepted me with open arms and hearts. I and my three daughters, all teenagers, feel very safe here. Thank you for this house, it really gives a new life to us said Haig.

The construction of Dr. Khatcho's house began in September 2016 and was completed in June 2017. Transformed from deserted ruins into a fully renovated residence, this house is now ready to become a new home to ensure dignified living for Haig Khatcho and his family.

We are happy that he has found a home in the land of his ancestors. Haig was captured twice by ISIS and both times they threatened to kill him. He was lucky to survive because he escaped death twice. It is our honor and duty to support all those who want to come and live on this liberated Armenian land, said Raffi Doudaklian, TF Executive Director.

Antranig Kasparian, TF Trustee and Director of Development, mentioned in his remarks the importance of Ishkhnadzor as a strategic town in the southern part of the Kashatagh region. This town is a crossing place and it is our obligation to make sure that it prospers and is populated accordingly. Haig Khatcho will bring his part in the development of this region. This town has welcomed Armenians from Lebanon, Syria and many other places in Armenia and elsewhere. We are happy to say that this is Armenia, the homeland of all Armenians, stated Kasparian.
New Delhi:

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday rubbished reports of trouble saying nobody was facing any difficulty in the Northeast following the Centres notification on cow slaughter.

Rijiju had charged the Congress party and pseudo secular groups with raising an obsolete issue. In order to make media persons aware of the present situation in the Northeast region, he asked media persons to visit Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.



The Minister of State for Home Affairs further said, It is not at all an issue. There is no difficulty in the north eastern region. Everyone is eating what they like. (There is) no clash, no arrest. No one is put behind the bars.

ALSO READ: Govt seriously considering ULFA demands, Rijiju assures final solution 'very soon'



The Congress is making an issue out of nothing as there is no issue for them. Congress and some pseudo secular groups are raising unnecessary issues which are obsolete. People have rejected them, he said.



He had termed the protests in some tribal states as political. Only Congress and some others are making it an issue. Do not make an issue out of an individual resignation from the party, he said when asked about two BJP district unit chiefs resignation in Meghalaya.



The Union minister stressed his government would transform the country into a developed one. The North East was devastated in these years. We will correct it. We will not allow ourselves to get trapped in their (Congress and others) diversionary tactics, Rijiju said.



With inputs from PTI.

ALSO READ: Arunachal people may get compensation of Rs 3,000 crore for land acquired during 1962 China war

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Patna:

Patna Meteorological Centre on Saturday forecast onset of southwest monsoon in Bihar from June 14 that will hit parts of Seemanchal area first. The weathermen said that monsoon would be arriving in Bihar by its normal date i.e. June 10-15.



There is the possibility of onset of southwest monsoon in Bihar from June 14. It will hit some parts of Seemanchal area first in the state, Patna Meteorological Centres scientist Anand Shankar told PTI.



In its forecast, Met department said that it will be partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain or thunderstorm in major cities of Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur and Purnea on Sunday. As per bulletin, Gaya was the hottest place at 39.1 degrees Celsius followed by Bhagalpur at 37.7 degrees Celsius Patna 37.0 degrees Celsius and Purnea 36.5 degrees Celsius.

ALSO READ: Met dept says monsoon in Mumbai to arrive on June 10-11



The weather was hot and humid in Patna which recorded 75 and 57 per cent of humidity in the morning and evening respectively. Bahgalpur and Purnea too recorded more than 70 per cent of humidity while Gaya recorded more than 60 per cent humidity making weather uncomfortable.



Light to moderate rainfall occurred in some places in northern and eastern parts of Bihar with Bhagalpur recording a trace while Purnea registering 1.6 mm of rain in the past 24 hours. Weather remained mainly dry in other parts of the state, Met office said.

ALSO READ: Breezy morning in Delhi as rain showers in parts of national capital

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Bhopal:

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday began his indefinite fast for peace at the Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal and promised profitable prices to farmers for their produce. The opposition Congress has called his a "drama."

I know of the bumper crop production that has sent the prices crashing down in the state. I know your (farmers) problems, he said addressing a gathering, including cultivators in Bhopal.

The state government stands firmly with the farmers. We are going to buy the farm produce and give profitable prices for it, he assured.

The farmers are, among other things, demanding satisfactory prices for their farm produce. Their stir turned violent when five persons died in police firing, while six others were injured on Tuesday in Mandsaur district.

We have already bought huge quantity of onions at Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 8 per kg. Each onion of farmers will be bought.

Your labour wont go waste, he promised.

We are going to buy different varieties of pulses at MSP, the chief minister said.

Chouhan said his government was pro-farmer and recalled efforts underway to make farming a profitable business in MP. He said the irrigation facility has increased manifold and due to abundant water, farmers were reaping rich harvest.

As it happened: Shivraj Singh Chouhan's fast for "peace"

The BJP leader also hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for trying hard to make agriculture a profitable venture.

Chouhan said the government had extended Rs 4,800 crore as relief amount to farmers when their soyabean crop was destroyed last year. Similarly, Rs 4,400 crore went as crop insurance compensation sum last year.

Earlier, the chief minister, clad in a kurta-pyjama and a Nehru jacket, with wife Sadhana on his side, commenced his indefinite fast around 11 AM at a pandal erected in the BHEL Dusshera Maidan after former chief minister Kailash Joshi put a tilak on his forehead.

As the CM entered the venue, his supporters shouted Kisan ka Samman hai, Shivraj Singh Chouhan hai, Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Bharat Mata ki Jai.

The Opposition Congress dubbed Chouhans fast as a nautanki (drama or empty theatrics).

Chouhan should tell people whether his so-called fast was a nautanki or an act of repentance for his misdeeds that set the state on fire, state Congress chief spokesman K K Mishra told PTI on Saturday.

Though he is trying to send a message that he is doing Gandhigiri (Gandhian way of protest), it is not so. He neither sat beneath the statue of Bapu nor garlanded Mahatmas statue before launching his nautanki.

After all, against whom has he started his fast at Dussehra Maidan? He should remember that (demon king) Ravana is burnt every year at the Dussehra Maidan. His Nautankibaji wont work as he has done such drama in the past against the UPA-2 government, he said.

Under fire over the farmers unrest spiralling out of control, the chief minister had last evening announced to go on a fast for restoration for peace in the state.

He had also said that the agitation had turned anarchic, and appealed to farmers to come to Dussehra Maidan and have a dialogue with him.

I wont sit in my office at Mantralaya (Secretariat)... (but sit at) Dussehra Maidan and do all work from there, he had said, adding that those instigating the violence would not be spared.

Suggested Read: Push for digital payment one of main causes behind farmers' protest

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Bhubaneswar:

To protest against the death of five farmers in Madhya Pradeshs Mandsaur district, the Youth Congress activists in Odisha on Saturday hurled eggs at Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singhs vehicle and waved black flags near the state guest house.

The incident took place when the union minster left the state guest house and was on his way to attend a programme on Sabka Sath Sabka Bikas in Jatani.

Though the eggs did not hit the minister, one or two eggs fell in front of his vehicle, according to an eye witnesses.

The police arrested five Youth Congress workers including its state president Loknath Maharathy in this connection, DCP Satyabrata Bhoi said.

Radha Mohan Singh has no moral right to remain in-charge of agriculture ministry after the killing of farmers in BJP ruled Madhya Pradesh, said Maharathy before he was taken into custody.

Meanwhile, BJP strongly condemned the incident and blamed the state government for the incident.

The Congress has lost its credibility across the country. I suspect the egg were hurled at the instance of the ruling BJD, Odisha BJP leader in-charge Arun Singh said.

Also read: Shivraj Singh Chouhan: My Govt stands firmly with farmers, will buy farm products and give profitable prices for it

It is the responsibility of the state government to provide security to the visiting union ministers, BJP leader Bhrugu Buxipatra said.

However, senior Congress leader Pradeep Majhi said that there is nothing wrong in the protest. The union government needs to know the sentiment of the people.

BJD vice-president Damodar Rout said, Hurling eggs at the union minister will not help to solve any problem.

Also read: Farmers protest: Mandsaur remains peaceful, curfew relaxed for 12 hours

#WATCH Youth Congress workers hurled eggs at Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh's vehicle near Odisha state Guest house, 5 detained. pic.twitter.com/2NjBz8isFg  ANI (@ANI_news) June 10, 2017

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Patna:

Meteorological Centre of Patna on Saturday forecast onset of southwest monsoon in from June 14 which is going to hit parts of Seemanchal area first.



The weathermen said that monsoon would be arriving in by its normal date i.E. June 10-15.

"There is the possibility of onset of southwest monsoon in from June 14. It will hit some parts of Seemanchal area first in the state," Meteorological Centre's scientist Anand Shankar told PTI.

In its forecast, department said that it will be partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain or thunderstorm in major cities of Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur and Purnea on Sunday.



As per bulletin, Gaya was the hottest place at 39.1 degrees Celsius followed by Bhagalpur at 37.7 degrees Celsius 37.0 degrees Celsius and Purnea 36.5 degrees Celsius.

Also Read: Breezy morning in Delhi as rain showers in parts of national capital



The weather was hot and humid in which recorded 75 and 57 per cent of humidity in the morning and evening respectively.

Bahgalpur and Purnea too recorded more than 70 per cent of humidity while Gaya recorded more than 60 per cent humidity making weather uncomfortable.



Light to moderate rainfall occurred in some places in northern and eastern parts of with Bhagalpur recording a trace while Purnea registering 1.6 mm of rain in the past 24 hours.



Weather remained mainly dry in other parts of the state, office said.

Also Read: Low pressure likely to cause heavy rains in Odisha

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Rio de Janeiro:

Brazil's top electoral court has given embattled President Michel Temer a big victory,voting to reject allegations of campaign finance violations that would have removed him from office.

After four days of deliberations, judges on Friday voted 4-3 in a case that many viewed as a measure of whether Temer could remain in office amid a growing corruption scandal and single-digit popularity.

Last month, a recording emerged that apparently captured Temer endorsing hush money to ex-House Speaker Eduardo Cunha, a former Temer ally serving 15 years in prison for corruption and money laundering.

Soon after that, another bombshell cameout: that Temer was being investigated for allegedly receiving bribes. Temer has denied wrong doing and vowed to stay in office.

"The facts are very serious, unbearable," said Judge Luiz Fux,who voted to remove Temer, adding the campaign finance case was about "very serious crimes."

Judge Gilmar Mendes, who has called Temer "a friend of many years," cast the decisive vote to keep Temer in office.Mendes, also a justice on the Supreme Federal Tribunal, the country's highest court, argued that electoral laws needed reform, suggesting that politicians should not pay the price for a broken system.

"The system needs stability. It is very easy to talkabout morality, fighting against corruption. I want that too,"said Mendes, who in the past has come to the aide of other politicians facing legal trouble.

"A president can't just be replaced at any time, even if the desire is there." The campaign finance case was filed shortly after the 2014 presidential election by one of the losing parties. It alleged that the ticket of President Dilma Rousseff and running mate Temer, then the vice presidential candidate,gained an unfair advantage through illegal campaign contributions.

Temer took over the presidency last year after Rousseff was impeached and removed for illegally managing the federal budget. The campaign finance allegations were bolstered in recentmonths by stunning testimony from plea bargains signed by current and former executives at the construction giant Odebrecht, a company at the center of a colossal investigation into billions of dollars in inflated contracts and kickbacksto politicians.

The executives provided shocking details of tens of millions of dollars in bribes and illegal campaign contributions, including to the Rousseff-Temer ticket.

Over four days of deliberations, the judges argued about whether those plea bargains should be considered in their decision. They also clashed over the strength of the original evidence and whether punishments should be doled out when illegal campaign finance was widespread.

A guilty verdict would have annulled the 2014 victory,thus stripping Temer of the rest of his mandate. It could also have stripped both Rousseff and Temer of political rights foreight years.

While Temer had vowed to appeal a conviction, it would have weakened his hand in a climate of several corruption scandals and a public furious about it.

"Temer will stay in office and probably face many demonstrations in the streets," said Alexandre Barros, a political risk consultant with the Brasilia-based firm Early Warning.

"I don't think anybody is in the mood to decide something unexpected at this point." The political turmoil in Brazil, that began with the push last year to remove Rousseff from power for violating budget laws, has reached a fever pitch.

There are near weekly protests calling for Temer's ouster, frequent shouting matches in Congress, and a simmering debate in the media over whether Temer will manage to finish out his term. That atmosphere was reflected in the court room, where there were several tense moments.

Among the most dramatic cameduring the opening of the afternoon session , when aprosecutor requested the disqualification of one of the judges who had once been a lawyer for Rousseff and one justice decried articles in the press that linked him to a corruption investigation. As the tension in the chamber rose, the court's president called a brief break.

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Islamabad:

A Pakistani lawmaker has called for thorough investigations into the countrys nuclear proliferation to Iran and North Korea during former military ruler Pervez Musharrafs regime.

Pakistan Peoples Party senator Farhatullah Babar said on Friday that the father of Pakistans nuclear programme A Q Khan had been singled out for nuclear proliferation and demanded that the entire network be exposed.

Seeking thorough investigations into nuclear proliferation, Babar said 73-year-old Musharraf, in his book In the Line of Fire, concedes that several tonnes of nuclear material and drawings had been smuggled from Pakistan to Iran, Libya and North Korea.

But only 81-year-old Khan was singled out for nuclear proliferation, he was quoted as saying by Dawn News.

Babar argued that it was impossible for any single individual to smuggle out huge centrifuge machines and other nuclear material without connivance and assistance of other players.

He called for an enquiry into the matter and bringing to book all those involved in the scam. He said that the entire network should be exposed and insisted that it must include big names, the report said.

Also read: Three men, 96 children: Tale of Pakistan's growing population

Babars demand came after Hafiz Hamdullah of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl asked during a Senate session why Khans name had not even been mentioned during Yaum-i-Takbeer celebrations on May 28.

Hamdullah said that Khan was a national hero but had been degraded and insulted by Musharraf.

Musharraf ruled Pakistan till 2008 after toppling the government of Nawaz Sharif in 1999 to come to power.

Also read: Pak's US envoy laughed at for saying 'no safe terror sanctuaries in his nation'

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New York:

President Donald Trump surprisingly refrained from tweeting during James Comey's testimony. Donald Trump Jr, not surprisingly, did not.

The president's eldest son, whose Twitter feed can at times be as inflammatory as his father's, was a one-man rapid-response team as the fired FBI director testified before a Senate panel on Thursday.



He delivered denunciations with the same force that made him an effective, if controversial, campaign surrogate and could signal his own political ambitions. Donald Trump Jr tweeted more than 80 times Thursday, defending his father and attacking Comey.



Trump Jr's Twitter barrage was all the more striking when compared to his father's silence, which the president broke with Friday morning tweet accusing Comey of lying under oath.



Trump Jr declined to comment on Friday about his tweets, leaving unanswered questions as to whether they were urged by the White House, which outsourced its Comey response to the Republican National Committee and the president's personal lawyer.

ALSO READ: Donald Trump accuses James Comey of lying, says hes willing to testify



Trump Jr has certainly been willing to go on the attack for his father before. He crisscrossed the United States during last year's election, doing hundreds of interviews on Fox News and local conservative outlets. He attacked "Crooked Hillary," his father's derogatory nickname for opponent Hillary Clinton, and delivered a well-received speech at the Republican National Convention.



That moment sparked speculation about his political future. But while Trump Jr told The Associated Press this spring that he would not, as had been rumored, be a candidate for governor of New York, he left the door open for a political run down the road.



"Maybe someday," Trump said then. "It's not something I'm doing now. But you never know, it's fascinating stuff." He's done a number of Republican campaign events since then, including fundraisers in Texas and Indiana and campaigning for a congressional candidate in Montana.



But Trump Jr, who along with his brother Eric is running their father's former company, has said he does not discuss the details of politics or their business with the president. He outpaced the national Republican Party with his Twitter defense Thursday. In particular, he seized on Comey's assertion that he interpreted the president's statement that he "hoped" the FBI would drop its probe into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn as an instruction.



"Knowing my father for 39 years when he 'orders or tells' you to do something there is no ambiguity, you will know exactly what he means," Trump Jr wrote.

ALSO READ: Ex-FBI chief James Comey blames White House of defaming him

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New Delhi:

At least 4 people were reportedly killed on Saturday as shooter randomly fired at by-passers near Moscow in Russia. The shooters immediately opened fire at the people.

Police operation is currently underway in the village of Kratovo, southeast of Moscow, where a man barricaded himself in his house and opened fire on by-passers.

"On the territory of the house from which the shots were fired, two more dead bodies were found. This brings the total number of dead to four, a police source told RT.com.

More details are awaited on this.

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New Delhi:

Shangwang Shangyung Khaplang, commander-in-chief of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland, Khaplang faction (NSCN-K) who changed the face of insurgency in the North East, died in the hospital in Burma due to a cardiac arrest. He took his last breath at 8.05 pm.

He was also the president of the Government of the People's Republic of Nagalim (GPRN), run by the group in Nagaland, parts of Arunachal Pradesh. He was the person who has opposed an ongoing peace talks with India passed away in Myanmar's Kachin on Friday.

Shangyung Khaplang controlled the insurgency over a vast tract territory also known as mud and bamboo thatched hut in Taga.

He gave Indian Government several sleepless night, he was the mastermind behind the formation of an united platform of Northeast rebel groups - United National Liberation Front of Western South Asia (UNLFWSA) - that has carried our several attacks on security forces in northeast in past few years.

His deputy in NSCN (K) - Khango Konyak will replace his as the new chairman, sources within NSCN(K) added.

The NSCN came into existence after the Shillong accord was signed in 1975, accepting the supremecy of Indian Constitution. Khaplang, along with T Muivah and Isak Chisi Swu, had formed the NSCN in 1980 but broke ranks with the latter in 1988 to create his own faction, NSCN (K).

Headquartered in the hills of Taga, Myanmar, NSCN (K) was responsible for several attacks since on Indian security forces since abrogation of ceasefire violation in 2015.

Since 1980s, the outfit has engaged in subversive activities, including attacks on security forces, extortion and looting.



The NSCN-K was involved in the killing of 18 Army soldiers in an ambush in Manipur on June 4, 2015.



Following the Manipur ambush in 2015, the Indian Army carried out cross-border raids on NSCN-K camps located inside Myanmar killing several militants.



The ambush on the Army convoy was carried out by the group despite it being involved in peace negotiations with an interlocutor of the central government.



Subsequently, the government has snapped the dialogue and in September 2015, the NSCN-K was declared as an unlawful organisation for five years.



Born in April 1940 in Waktham village, east of Myanmar's Pangsau Pass, Khaplang joined the Naga nationalist movement as early as 1964 and was one of the key people in the formation of the NSCN.



However, Khaplang split and formed his own group NSCN(K) in 1988.



He formed the group following differences with the NSCN (IM) leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah. Swu died in June 2016 in a Delhi hospital.



Khaplang also entered into a ceasefire with the central government in 1997 but abrogated it on March 28, 2015.



Meanwhile, Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) Secretary General Neingulo Krome said the news of Khaplang's sudden demise has come as a "rude shock".



This was so especially at a time when the Naga people are extremely in need of elderly and experienced wisdom of their national movement leaders, to set right the course of the Naga destiny, which is being misinterpreted and re-interpreted in the present day scenario of internal conflicts, he said.



"We will always treasure and cherish his commitment to do what the upcoming Naga generation wants as the Naga national movement is for the well being of future Naga generation who should live in dignity and peace," he said in his condolence message.



There was no immediate reaction from the rebel group or key tribal bodies including Naga Hoho and Naga Mothers' Association.

(With PTI Input)

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America's student loan debt has mushroomed over the last decade, rising from approximately $500 billion in 2007 to $1.44 trillion in the first quarter of 2017. The New York Fed's Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit shows that 11% of cumulative student loan debt is either ninety days delinquent or in default.

Given those facts, it's no surprise that the Department of Education estimates that over 8 million student loan borrowers are in default. What is a surprise is this finding from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): 90% of the borrowers who are exiting a default on their student loans are not taking advantage of federal repayment programs that allow income-driven repayment (IDR).

When you default on a federal student loan, you have few good options. Ignoring the debt is not one of them. Student loan debts generally cannot be discharged by bankruptcy, and the government has many options to collect on debt that others do not  even seizing tax refunds, garnishing up to 15% of your disposable income until the debt is retired, and, if all else fails, suing you for the loan balance.

The Department of Education offers two ways to get your loan out of default: loan rehabilitation and loan consolidation.

To rehabilitate a loan, you must make nine consecutive payments using a payment amount equal to 15% of your discretionary income, or less if you can negotiate terms based on your documented income and expenses. Loan servicers may then help borrowers enroll in an income-based repayment plan that is appropriate for the longer term. Under a loan consolidation, you agree to repay under a federal Direct Consolidation Loan that already incorporates income-based repayment.

Rehabilitated loans and Direct Consolidation Loans also become eligible for student loan benefits that were available prior to default, such as deferment and forbearance.

Unfortunately, the CFPB found that less than 2% of borrowers enrolled in the affordable repayment plans immediately after becoming eligible, and only 10% had enrolled within a year after becoming eligible. CFPB found that almost half of previously defaulted borrowers face a second default within three years, and over three-quarters of those with a second default did not make a single payment to their loan servicer. Continuous missed payments and multiple defaults will wreak havoc with your credit. You can check your credit score and read your credit report for free within minutes using Credit Manager by MoneyTips.

There is clear evidence that the programs work when borrowers use them. Less than 10% of defaulted loans undergo a second default after entering an affordable repayment option.

Where is the breakdown? In some cases, students may just be shirking responsibilities, but the CFPB report cites "a series of administrative, policy, and procedural hurdles" as part of the reason for poor enrollment rates. That could apply to the Department of Education or the contract collection agencies that provide loan servicing.

Ironically, the Department of Education may be aggravating the situation. A previous action against contract collection agencies resulted in a recent Court of Federal Claims ruling that stopped the collection of defaulted student loans through certain agencies. Some students attempting to do the right thing and follow through with an income-driven repayment plan are stuck in limbo, with no place to send their payments and/or get advice on how to proceed.

It's one thing if your plans to remove your default through an affordable repayment plan are being disrupted through no fault of your own, but there's no excuse for not signing up at all. Too many student borrowers may be following the line of reasoning cited by Adam Carroll, Founder and Chief Education Officer of National Financial Educators: "Students think, 'If I can't make my payment I'll defer, or I'll get a forbearance.' They kick the can down the road for a year or two or five or ten, and by the time they start around to paying it back again it has capitalized on itself ... they may have borrowed $40,000 and it's ballooned to $70,000."

If you are in this unpleasant situation, don't put your head in the sand. Follow through with an affordable repayment plan. Your student loan debt won't go away by itself, and the longer you wait, the nastier the surprise may be.

Find out quickly at what rate you can refinance your student loan.

Read the previous article in our Student Loan Crisis series to discover why the government stopping the collection of defaulted student loan debt is bad for borrowers. In the fourth part of our series, learn how you risk losing your home by not paying your student loans.
A recent action by a Court of Federal Claims has effectively stopped the collection of defaulted student loans  but for those affected, this is cause for concern, not celebration. To understand why, it's important to look at the fate of defaulted loans and how those attempting to recover from the situation are being harmed by this gridlock.

You have several options when you are struggling to keep up with student loan repayments, but once you have reached the point of default, the options are few and grim. One of the preferable options is entering a federal loan rehabilitation agreement with the Department of Education. You establish a repayment program that falls within their guidelines, and while missed payments stay on your credit report, the record of the default is removed. You can check your credit score and read your credit report for free within minutes using Credit Manager by MoneyTips. The Department of Education uses contract collection agencies to oversee collection of these repayments.

In 2015, five of these collection agencies had their contracts cancelled by the Obama administration after an audit concluded that the agencies were giving incorrect information to debtors trying to escape default. Four of those agencies took legal action against the Department of Education, thus setting in motion the actions that led to the recent court ruling.

Fast forward to February 2017, where the Trump administration attempted to settle the ongoing litigation by reconsidering assigning accounts to the agencies and disregarding the audit results  but without suitable compensation for the lost business to date. Two companies accepted the deal while two rejected the deal.

Meanwhile, a second dispute arose over the contract opened for bids in December 2015. Continental Services Group (ConServe) filed a bid protest with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in December 2016, along with other rejected bidders. The GAO filing is supposed to trigger an automatic stay on work done within that contract. The restraining order was issued on March 29 after ConServe charged that the Department of Education was finding ways around the stay.

On April 21, the government mandated that all of the debt collectors involved in the legal action must stop working on any activity related to defaulted accounts, including answering questions regarding defaulted loans and accepting withdrawals from student accounts.

Unfortunately, those affected by the halt in collections are stuck in limbo. The loan rehabilitation programs generally require consecutive payments, and there's no guidance on what happens when borrowers are willing and able to make those payments but the collection agency is prevented from receiving them.

The Department of Education and the affected collection agencies are already swamped with calls that they cannot or will not address  but if you are in this situation, your best bet is to keep trying to contact both the collection agency and the Department of Education to make sure that you do not fall through the cracks. Make sure that you keep records of your attempts to contact the collection agency and evidence of the ability to pay (such as rejected auto-payments to the collection agency).

Keep in touch with current news on the topic (besides reading MoneyTips, that may require boring Google searches through legal sites). Unless the Department of Education is able to grant some form of temporary amnesty or suspension of the rules, borrowers run the risk of a secondary default or being kicked out of the loan rehabilitation program  an outcome that is not in anyone's best interests but could easily come to pass.

In that worst case, you may have to look at loan consolidation options that can still allow you to set up reasonable repayment plans, although you will not be able to remove the default from your credit history. Further information may be found at the Federal Student Aid website.

Consider contacting your representatives in Congress and apprise them of the situation. They may have trouble getting major issues passed, but the opportunity to help a number of their constituents caught in a bureaucratic nightmare is likely to draw their attention.

If you are still paying off student loans but are not in default, you are not affected by this action. Consider yourself lucky, but also consider yourself wise because you avoided potential default in the first place. You took the advice of Millennial Money Expert Stefanie O'Connell regarding student loans: "Paying it back is not a passive practice. The best thing you can do about tackling your student loan debt is to be proactive."

Find out quickly at what rate you can refinance your student loan.

June 6 is National Higher Education Day. In observance of the day and graduation season, MoneyTips has prepared an exclusive five-part series to highlight how student loans are affecting current and potential student borrowers. Read the first article in the series to learn how the shutdown of an important government tool has caused issues for those applying for student loans. Check out the third article in our Student Loan Crisis series, which reveals that many borrowers defaulting on their student loans surprisingly are not making use of affordable repayment plans.
A man who was caught on video unleashing a racist tirade and then turning violent outside a Chicago Starbucks has been arrested and charged with battery, police say.

According to police, 23-year-old William Boucher "became irate" after someone spilled a drink on him inside the Starbucks on Tuesday afternoon.

A local television photographer who was in the store at the time captured the incident on his cellphone camera. In the video, a man later identified as Boucher can be heard shouting "you're disgusting!" and other insults as other customers and employees stand by.

The incident escalated after Boucher left the coffee shop and spit on a 30-year-old male and 34-year-old female, police said.

In additional video footage, Boucher, who is white, can be seen hurling racist insults at two black bystanders. He appears to be wearing a cream-colored suit that still has visible drink stains.

"Shut up, slave! Do not talk to me!" Boucher yells at the two black men, as someone who appears to be a Starbucks employee tries to intervene. "Your children are disposable vermin!"

Moments later, Boucher continues yelling toward one of the men, who is walking away: "Get on all fours! Do not walk off on two legs!"

Shortly after that, police said, Boucher punched a 59-year-old male without provocation. The man was taken to a hospital with an eye injury, ABC7 News reported.

Bystanders, including the man who was spit on, detained Boucher near the Starbucks until officers arrived to arrest him, police said.

Boucher has been charged with three misdemeanor counts of battery, according to Chicago police. He is scheduled to appear in court July 5.

Local Starbucks employees told ABC7 News reporter Eric Horng that Boucher has been a "problem customer in the past, but never violent."

The incident is the latest in a string of hate-filled public confrontations captured on camera in recent months.

Shortly after the presidential election, a Florida man complained of "anti-white discrimination" and lashed out at a Starbucks barista who he claimed refused to serve him because he supported Donald Trump. Witnesses disputed the man's account and said he simply became angry because he waited too long for his coffee.

"You're trash!" the man, identified as David Sanguesa, was heard telling the barista on the video, which went viral. "I voted for Trump! You lost!"

That same month, a Delta passenger's pro-Trump rant was caught on video. "We got some Hillary b-- on here?" the man shouted.

"Come on, baby!" he continued. "Trump! That's what I'm talking about. Hey, baby! Donald Trump! He's your president, every g-- one of [you]. If you don't like it, too bad."

The man was allowed to remain on the flight, but Delta later apologized for the disruption and declared that the man "will never again be allowed on a Delta plane."

Around the same time, a woman was filmed berating a black Michaels employee, in an ordeal that allegedly lasted 45 minutes. In the viral video clip of that confrontation, the woman can be heard yelling that she was being discriminated against.

"And I voted for Trump! So there! What, you want to kick me out because of that?" the woman can be heard shouting in the video. "And look who won! And look who won! And look who won!"
Government of Canada funding will support Canada 150 festivities and projects in the Fredericton area

FREDERICTON, June 10, 2017 /CNW/ - Matt DeCourcey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament (Fredericton), on behalf of the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced funding for Canada Day celebrations and a series of Canada 150 community projects in the Fredericton area.

New Brunswickers and visitors will be able to celebrate Canada 150 by taking part in activities that showcase the province's linguistic and cultural diversity, including Indigenous and Acadian communities. Many of the activities encourage young people to play an active role, giving them an opportunity to get involved in our society and shape the Canada of tomorrow.

The public will be able to celebrate Canada Day in the provincial capital by participating in a variety of activities and community art projects. Acts will include English- and French-speaking performers, as well as artists from multicultural and First Nations communities.

The Government of Canada is providing $168,000 for community projects in the Fredericton area, as well as $250,000 for Canada Day celebrations in the city, for a grand total of $418,000. This funding is provided through the Canada 150 Fund, which supports local, regional and Canada-wide activities designed to help Canadians across the country take part in the celebrations.

Mr. DeCourcey also took advantage of the opportunity to officially inaugurate the 3D Canada 150 sign in Fredericton. A number of 3D Canada 150 signs are being installed in cities and tourist destinations across Canada.

Quotes

"Canada 150 presents a unique opportunity to bring communities together to celebrate what it means to be Canadian. Events will be taking place from coast to coast to coast, culminating in Canada Day. Bring friends and family to take part in the festivities during this exceptional year!"

The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"An anniversary like Canada 150 is a defining moment in our history, and we're celebrating it like we should in villages, towns and cities across the country. Our government is pleased to support numerous initiatives to get Canadians involved in this once-in-a-generation celebration."

Matt DeCourcey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament (Fredericton)

"We are very happy to participate in marking our country's sesquicentennial by hosting this celebration sculpture sign in the Historic Garrison District, one of Fredericton's national historic sites that played a key role in the birth of the Canadian military. The many events and activities like Canada Day happening this year to celebrate the 150th offer a wonderful opportunity for visitors and locals to celebrate our nation's history together and share our national pride. These celebrations would not have been possible without the significant financial commitment of Canadian Heritage."

Mike O'Brien, Mayor of Fredericton

Quick Facts

The Government of Canada is providing funding of $168,000 for 4 new community projects in Fredericton and $250,000 for the Canada Day celebrations in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Several of the communities where 3D Canada 150 signs are being installed will also host memorable Canada Day festivities. Installation of the signs will be complete by June 21.

The main themes of the Government of Canada's vision for Canada 150 are diversity and inclusion, reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, the environment and youth.

The Canada 150 Fund was created in April 2015 and has a total budget of $200 million.

Related Products

May 11 news release announcing the 3D Canada 150 sign project in Calgary https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2017/05/canada_150_sign_tobeunveiledincalgary.html

Associated Links

Canada 150 http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1468262573081/1468262646675

Data Tables











Name of organization Name of activity Amount 1 East and Central African Association for Indigenous Rights Inc. (ECAAIR) Common Future, Shared Dreams - Canada Beyond 150 To celebrate Canada 150, the East and Central African Association for Indigenous Rights (ECAAIR) is delivering a three-pronged project, centred on Canada's role in fostering inclusivity of culturally marginalized groups as it pivots beyond the 150 year mark. $15,000 2 Fredericton Outdoor Summer Theatre Calithumpians Present Canada Can: A Community Engagement Project The Fredericton Outdoor Summer Theatre is presenting an educational theatre production coupled with a workshop process to address all four objectives for the Canada 150 program. Canada Can will bring the objectives of Canada 150 to life through engaging theatre and music in such a way as to challenge youth in schools to find their voice in addressing these issues. $38,000 3 St. Mary's First Nation Maliseet Treaty Day and Canada 150 Celebration St. Mary's First Nation coordinated an event that included the transfer of land to the Maliseet People after 248 years. Under the theme of "Spirit of Peace, Friendship and Reconciliation", this celebration included a water ceremony by the river, a traditional feast, presentation of views from leadership on reconciliation and moving forward as a country. There was also an evening of art, music and recognition of Maliseet youth athletes. All Maliseet communities in New Brunswick, Maine and Quebec were invited to participate, and the celebration was opened to the general public. The event took place on June 4, 2017. $15,000 4 MI'GMAWE'L TPLU'TAQNN INCORPORATED Moving Toward Reconciliation in New Brunswick Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Incorporated (MTI) , in partnership with its member communities, is raising awareness among citizens of New Brunswick about ways to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) Calls to Action. Through workshops and consultations, MTI will use the work prepared by the TRC to develop initiatives that will be specific to the Mi'gmaq, and to the broader community, within the Mi'gmaq territory of New Brunswick. $100,000

SOURCE Canadian Heritage

For further information: (media only): Pierre-Olivier Herbert, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, 819-997-7788; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.pch.gc.ca


TORONTO, June 10, 2017 /CNW/ - Mayor John Tory celebrated the efforts of five local safety projects at the Mayor's Community Safety Awards at Toronto City Hall this afternoon. He was joined by Inspector Chris Boddy, Community Response Unit Manager, Toronto Police Service and Lena Demarco, Regional Director, Community Affairs, Bell Canada. Two projects that received honorary mentions were also recognized at the event.

"Congratulations to the winners of the Community Safety Awards," said Mayor Tory. "We recognize and celebrate your leadership and the dedication you've shown to building safe communities in Toronto."

Each winner received a cheque for $1,000 from Bell Canada, a long-time sponsor of the awards, to continue their work improving safety in Toronto.

"This is a great opportunity to showcase the work happening in neighbourhoods across the city," said Inspector Boddy. "We're all responsible for safety in our communities, and these projects have made a wonderful contribution."

The winners of the Mayor's Community Safety Awards are:

Aboriginal Walkabout Program

The Aboriginal Walkabout program pairs three police officers with several elders from Toronto's Aboriginal community for a walkabout along Yonge Street and its adjacent laneways, alleyways and parks to address negative behaviours impacting local businesses. As members of the Aboriginal community are encountered along the way, officers and elders engage them in conversation. This approach allows members of the Aboriginal community to see elders working hand in hand with police toward a common goal, keeping people safe.

Ephraim's Place

Ephraim's Place works with residents in the Jane-Sheppard communities to provide programs and services that give youth the skills they need to build a successful future and bring about positive personal and community transformation. Their program, Project HEARTcore, is a free after-school program that empowers youth from Grades 9 to 12 to make a difference in their school and community. This program encourages youth to help others and get involved in positive ways.

Support and Knowledge for Young Women (SKY)

The SKY project is designed to enhance awareness around sexual violence and provide support in healing. This project teaches youth skills around negotiating consent and healthy relationships, and provides a safe space for disclosure and counselling. SKY equips participants with skills and knowledge to navigate difficult situations, while increasing access to supportive community resources and services.

Chalkfarm Safe Walk Program

The Chalkfarm Safe Walk Program aims to engage local parents and volunteers to escort local children to Chalkfarm Public School in the morning and back home or to local community programs in the afternoon. The program creates a visual presence in the community and builds relationships between residents with local service providers including teachers at the school, Toronto Police Service and others.

Surveillance of the Body: A Public Drawing Class For Body Conscience LGBTTIQQ2SA Youth

The Surveillance of the Body project converts an activity traditionally associated with commercial art and design practices to a vehicle to reach LGBTTIQQ2SA youth who often feel left behind or isolated. This project provides a platform and opportunity to build on the skills to understand what it means to negotiate, own and be in control of their minds and their bodies, and how to address violence aimed towards them. Building positive self-image and creating safe space for growth contributes to the development of young leaders and the peers that support them.

The two safety projects that received honourable mentions are:

The Forgiveness Project

The Forgiveness Project was created to build a space for youth to explore themes in forgiveness and conflict management. It grew into a book series and a travelling art exhibit, and now involves working with people affected by crime, including perpetrators, to discuss what forgiveness looks like.

Impact 'N Communities Violence Intervention Ambassadors Project

The Violence Intervention Ambassador Project (VIA) was started to build the capacity of young people to act as ambassadors against violence. Through training and workshops youth develop the skills and tools needed to be proactive in dealing with violence in their communities and become leaders in their neighbourhoods.

More information about the awards, the selection criteria and previous winners is available at http://toronto.ca/safety.

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. In 2017, Toronto will honour Canada's 150th birthday with "TO Canada with Love," a year-long program of celebrations, commemorations and exhibitions. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/TorontoComms and on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/cityofto.

SOURCE City of Toronto

For further information: Media contact: Jane Arbour, Strategic Communications, 416-338-0944 (office), 437-346-2815 (cell), [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.toronto.ca


NIAGARA FALLS, ON, June 10, 2017 /CNW/ - Over 700 members and supporters of Canada's housing co-ops are gathered in Niagara Falls for the annual meeting of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada (CHF Canada). Among other things, they are exploring exciting new initiatives for investing and partnering towards the creation of more co-op housing to address Canada's growing housing affordability crisis.

The federal government's National Housing Strategy is expected later this year, and many provincial and municipal governments eager to address an urgent need for affordable housing. CHF Canada members will consider proposals to potentially leverage billions of dollars worth of existing co-op housing real estate to secure new investments and partnerships required to develop new co-op homes.

Such development is already taking place thanks to innovative community land trusts in Ontario and British Columbia. This has led to the construction of Fraserview Housing Co-op in Vancouver, scheduled to open as BC's largest housing co-op in 2018 thanks to a creative partnership between the CHF BC, the City of Vancouver and other public and private partners.

"This model could be applied very successfully elsewhere across Canada," said CHF Canada Executive Director Nicholas Gazzard. "And if members approve today's resolution CHF Canada will work to bring financial and real estate assets of Canada co-op housing sector to the table in partnership with government and the private sector to develop secure, community-oriented affordable co-op housing for the benefit of Canadians."

Another concern of Canada's housing co-ops is the looming end of federal operating agreements and rent subsidies for over 20,000 co-op households which threatens residents with homelessness unless action is taken. Although the federal government promised to address this issue in Budget 2017, housing co-ops are still waiting to hear the details of a solution so they can assure low income households that the future of their housing is secure.

"The people most at risk here are Canadians with low incomes, the elderly, people with disabilities and new Canadians," said CHF Canada President Nicole Waldron. "We look forward to getting news to these vulnerable households that their housing will remain affordable."

CHF Canada's Annual Meeting also includes education workshops, a national business meeting and tourist activities designed to give conference participants a taste of Niagara Falls.

CHF Canada is the national voice of the Canadian co-operative housing movement. Its members include over 900 non-profit housing co-operatives and other organizations across Canada. More than a quarter of a million Canadians live in housing co-ops, in every province and territory.

SOURCE Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada

For further information: Nicholas Gazzard, Executive Director, 613-293-8913, [email protected]; Douglas Wong, Program Manager, Policy and Government Relations, 613-293-0142, [email protected]; Scott Jackson, Program Manager, National Communications, 778-227-3864, [email protected]

Related Links

www.chfcanada.coop


Company Reports Eighth Consecutive Quarter of Same Restaurant Sales Growth

MONTREAL, June 9, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Imvescor Restaurant Group Inc. ("IRG" or the "Company") (TSX: IRG), a leading franchisor of restaurants with 260 locations in Eastern Canada, reported financial results today for the 13 and 26 weeks ended April 30, 2017 ("Q2 2017" and "YTD 2017"). This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's management discussion and analysis (the "MD&A") and unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for Q2 2017 which are available on the Company's website at www.imvescor.ca/investor-relations and have been posted on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

"Same Restaurant Sales increased for the eighth consecutive quarter on the strength of contributions from Toujours Mikes, Baton Rouge and our latest acquisition, Ben & Florentine," said Frank Hennessey, President and Chief Executive Officer of IRG. "Ongoing execution against our strategic plan, in combination with the acquisition of Ben & Florentine, supported solid growth across key financial metrics including a 2.4% improvement in Same Restaurant Sales ("SRS") with four out of five brands showing SRS growth. This growth helped contribute to a 9.8% increase in revenue, a 5.2% improvement in Operating EBITDA and a 12.2% increase in net earnings over Q2 2016."

"As an organization, we remain focused on the four pillars that are supporting the ongoing improvement in our business, including franchisee performance and profitability. During the second quarter, we continued to streamline menus across our brands and invest in training initiatives to support improved guest experience. We also accelerated the pace of our restaurant rejuvenation plan ("RRP") by completing the renovation of eight restaurants, more than doubling the number of renovations completed in the first quarter, and opened four new Ben & Florentine restaurants. Looking to the second half of the fiscal year, the RRP remains a core priority as does the opening of new Ben & Florentine, Toujours Mikes and Scores locations. We are also continuing to look for ways to improve the agility and efficiency of the organization over the longer term to ensure we capitalize on emerging new business opportunities that can support further growth."

Q2 2017 Financial and Operational Highlights

(All comparable figures are to the second fiscal quarter 2016 ("Q2 2016") unless otherwise specified. Note that Q1 2017 had 13 weeks compared to 14 weeks in Q1 2016 and the year-to-date highlights include variances on a normalized basis, removing the impact of the additional week in Q1 2016.)

Q2 2017 SRS grew 2.4% over SRS growth of 1.2% in Q2 2016, representing eight consecutive quarters of positive overall SRS growth. On a year-to-date basis, SRS grew 1.8% over SRS growth of 2.1% in year-to-date fiscal 2016, led by Toujours Mikes, Baton Rouge and Ben & Florentine.

Eight restaurants were renovated under the RRP in Q2 2017 and 11 in YTD 2017. A total of 44 restaurants have been renovated since the inception of the RRP.

Four new Ben & Florentine restaurants were opened during Q2 2017.

Q2 2017 and year-to-date System Sales increased 5.4% and 2.2%, respectively, on a normalized basis, primarily from the newly acquired Ben & Florentine brand, partially offset by restaurant closures.

Q2 2017 and YTD results from operating activities decreased 5.4% and 12.0%, respectively (6.7% on a normalized basis).

Q2 2017 Operating EBITDA increased 5.2% from Q2 2016, mostly from the two-month contribution of the Ben & Florentine brand acquired during the quarter and improved results from the Baton Rouge and Toujours Mikes brands, partially offset by increased share based compensation, a lower retail contribution from the shifting of promotional activities to later in fiscal 2017, listing fees for new retail products and income recognized in Q2 2016 on a supplier agreement for certain Toujours Mikes licensed retail products. Operating EBITDA increased 5.6% on a normalized basis for year-to-date fiscal 2017.

Q2 2017 net earnings increased 12.2% from Q2 2016 and on a year-to-date basis increased 3.9% (7.9% on a normalized basis).

Q2 2017 Free cash flow increased 15.5% from Q2 2016 due to an increase in cash flows generated from operating activities, partly offset by renovations at company-owned restaurants during the quarter. On a year-to-date basis, free cash flow decreased 31.8% over the comparable period of fiscal 2016 (28.5% on a normalized basis) due to the corporate buy back of a franchised location and renovations at three company-owned restaurants.

Highlights Subsequent to Quarter End

On March 7, 2017, the Company announced that it had entered into a binding definitive agreement to sell substantially all of the assets of its wholly-owned subsidiary Groupe Commensal Inc., to an affiliate of Pasta Romana Foods Inc. for an aggregate sum of approximately $4.2 million payable upon closing. Management believes that the divestiture of Commensal is consistent with IRG's desire to remain focused on its core restaurant franchising business and to remain an asset light entity. The transaction is scheduled to close on July 14, 2017 and is subject to certain customary closing conditions and purchase price adjustments.

Capital Allocation Strategy

On April 15, 2015, the Company announced a strategic plan and approach to capital allocation that charts a roadmap for the transformation and growth of the Company until the end of fiscal 2018, including an investment by the Company of up to $5.5 million over that period of time to rejuvenate its restaurant network under the RRP. To date, the Company has renovated 44 restaurants, and expects to renovate over 125 restaurants in total under the RRP. Since April 15, 2015, being the date of the announcement of the strategic plan, the trading price of the common shares of the Company has more than doubled from $1.79 to $3.80. Finally, the Company fully repaid its long-term debt in fiscal 2016, and used the availability under its credit facility to fund a portion of the Ben & Florentine acquisition in Q2 2017.

On January 13, 2016, the board of directors of the Company (the "Board") approved an increase of 12.5% in the Company's quarterly cash dividend payable under the Company's dividend policy from $0.02 to $0.0225 per common share. The dividend policy has been designed to allow sufficient flexibility to continue investing in the Company's growth and its franchise network, while providing returns to its shareholders. The Company also renewed its normal course issuer bid, which allows for the repurchase and cancellation of up to 3,024,297 common shares during the period commencing January 20, 2017 and ending no later than January 19, 2018, representing approximately 5% of the 60,485,954 common shares outstanding as at the close of market on January 9, 2017.

In addition to the expansion of its business through organic growth under the four-pillar strategy, the Company is continuing its pursuit of other brands it can add to its portfolio via acquisition. The goal of the Company's acquisition strategy is to leverage its current platform and to seek opportunities to expand its base in other markets. The Company plans on using cash on hand and available capital under its credit facility to finance the cash portion of such acquisitions while using its common shares as an attractive acquisition currency when appropriate. In evaluating any potential acquisition candidates, the Company will take into account whether such acquisition is accretive for the Company and whether it provides an opportunity for substantive growth, while allowing the Company to leverage the fixed cost of its shared services platform. There is no certainty that the Company will be able to identify targets that will fit its objectives or that the Company will be able to complete a transaction.

The Company carefully explores, as it has done from time to time, any commercially reasonable strategic opportunity that could maximize the value of IRG.

Q2 2017 Selected Financial Data









(in thousands of dollars, where applicable) Q2

YTD















April 30, 2017 May 1, 2016 % April 30, 2017 May 1, 2016 % Number of weeks 13 13

26 27















System Sales (i) $ 98,184 $ 93,154 5.4% $ 190,189 $ 192,969 -1.4% SRS (i) 2.4% 1.2% 1.2% 1.8% 2.1% -0.3% Restaurant operating weeks 3,155 2,896 8.9% 5,966 6,049 -1.4% Restaurant count













Total





260 226 15.0%

Company-owned





7 4 75.0%













Consolidated results:











Revenue 13,258 12,073 9.8% 23,874 24,343 -1.9% Operating expenses 9,826 8,446 16.3% 17,343 16,922 2.5% Results from operating activities 3,432 3,627 -5.4% 6,531 7,421 -12.0% EBITDA (i) 4,053 4,053 -% 7,646 8,112 -5.7% EBITDA as a % of revenue 30.6% 33.6% -3.0% 32.0% 33.3% -1.3% Restaurant rejuvenation plan expense 323 216 49.5% 568 348 63.2% Operating EBITDA (i) 4,233 4,024 5.2% 8,136 8,143 -0.1% % of Adjusted revenue (i) 37.5% 40.7% -3.2% 37.1% 40.9% -3.8% % of System Sales 4.4% 4.3% -0.1% 4.3% 4.2% 0.1% Profit from discontinued operations, net of tax 254 169 50.3% 473 217 63.2% Net earnings and comprehensive income 2,825 2,518 12.2% 5,370 5,168 3.9% Net earnings as a % of revenue 21.3% 20.9% 0.4% 22.5% 21.2% 1.3%













EPS:













Basic 0.05 0.04 25.0% 0.09 0.09 - %

Diluted 0.05 0.04 25.0% 0.09 0.09 - %













Cash flow:











Free cash flow (i) 2,353 2,037 15.5% 3,823 5,605 -31.8% Free cash flow as a % of revenue 17.7% 16.9% 0.8% 16.0% 23.0% -7.0% Dividends paid 1,363 2,499 -45.5% 2,724 2,499 9.0%













Cash





3,085 2,896 6.5% Working capital excluding gift cards liability





254 7,210 -96.5% Total debt





14,000 - 100.0%

(i) EBITDA, Operating EBITDA, Adjusted revenue and Free cash flow are non-IFRS measures. Refer to the "Non-IFRS Measures and Financial Metrics" section of this press release for the respective definition of such terms.

Dividend Declaration

Pursuant to its previously announced dividend policy, the Board today declared a dividend of $0.0225 per common share. The quarterly cash dividend will be paid on July 7, 2017 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 23, 2017.

The declaration and payment of any future dividend remains at the discretion of the Board and will depend on the Company's current and anticipated cash requirements and surplus, capital expenditures requirements, regulatory restrictions, financial results, future prospects, current and future contractual restrictions, such as restrictions under credit or other arrangements, the satisfaction of solvency tests imposed by the Canada Business Corporations Act for the declaration of dividends and other factors deemed relevant by the Board. Any dividend policy established by the Board, including the Company's current dividend policy, can be changed at any time and is not binding on the Company. There can be no guarantee that the Company will maintain its current dividend policy or any dividend policy or that any dividend will be declared or paid.

Conference Call Details

Frank Hennessey, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Tania M. Clarke, Chief Financial Officer will host a conference call to discuss Q2 results today at 8:30 am E.S.T. To access the conference call by telephone, dial 1-888-231-8191 (Toll-Free), 514-807-9895 (Montreal) or 647-427-7450 (Toronto).

A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available at http://www.imvescor.ca/investor-relations. A recording of the conference call will be archived for replay by telephone until Friday, June 16, 2017 at midnight. To access the archived conference call, dial 1-855-859-2056 (Toll-Free), 514-807-9274 (Montreal) or 416-849-0833 (Toronto) and enter the reservation number 19240965.

About Imvescor Restaurant Group Inc. Imvescor Restaurant Group Inc. is a dynamic and innovative organization in the family and casual dining restaurant industry. The Company is a franchise and licensing business that operates restaurants in Eastern Canada under five banners: Baton Rouge, operating in Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia in the casual dining segment, Pizza Delight, operating primarily in Atlantic Canada, in the family/mid-scale segment, Scores and Toujours Mikes, operating primarily in Quebec in the family and casual dining segments and the take-out and/or delivery segments, and Ben & Florentine, operating primarily in Quebec, with individual stores in Ontario and Manitoba, in the breakfast and lunch industry. The Company also licenses to third parties the right to manufacture and sell prepared food products under the Baton Rouge, Pizza Delight, Scores and Toujours Mikes brands.

This press release refers to trademarks, such as Pizza Delight, Toujours Mikes, Scores, Baton Rouge and Ben & Florentine, which are protected under applicable intellectual property laws and are the property of the Company or of one of its subsidiaries. Solely for convenience, such trademarks and tradenames referred to in this press release may appear without the  or  symbol, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that the owner of any such trademarks will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, its rights to these trademarks and tradenames.

Key Performance Metrics and Non-IFRS Measures: The information contained in this press release includes some measures that are not performance measures consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). The key performance metrics and non-IFRS measures include measures that are not recognized measures under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. Because the measures included in the key performance metrics and the non-IFRS measures do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS, they may not be comparable with similar measures presented by other issuers.

Key Performance Metrics

"System Sales" is the aggregate sales achieved by all "Pizza Delight", "Toujours Mikes", "Scores", "Baton Rouge" and "Ben & Florentine" restaurants, whether they are company-owned restaurants or franchised restaurants. System Sales include sales from existing locations as well as new restaurants. This performance measure indicates the Company's overall growth and reflects the direct impact of restaurant openings and closures. The Company's franchisee and supplier royalty revenues vary directly with the level of System Sales in its franchisee restaurant network.

"Net new restaurants" represents the aggregate number of restaurants openings net of restaurant closures.

"Normalized System Sales" is defined as System Sales less the sales from the additional week of operations in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.

"Same Restaurant Sales" or "SRS" or "SRS growth" is a metric used in the restaurant industry to compare sales earned in established locations over a certain period of time, such as a fiscal quarter, for a given period against sales in the same period in the previous fiscal year. SRS growth provides the portion of System Sales growth that is from established locations rather than from the opening of Net new restaurants. The Company defines SRS as sales generated by company-owned and franchised restaurants that have been open for at least one year compared to the sales from the same group of restaurants in the comparable period.

Non-IFRS Measures

The Company uses non-IFRS measures to complement IFRS measures, to provide investors with supplemental measures of its operating performance and to provide further understanding of the Company's results of operations from management's perspective. The Company also believes that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties frequently use non-IFRS measures in the evaluation of issuers. Non-IFRS measures should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of the Company's financial information reported under IFRS. The definition and rationale for the use of each non-IFRS measure used by the Company in this press release is as follows:

"EBITDA" is defined as earnings or loss before interest income, interest expense, depreciation and amortization and income tax expense. The Company believes this measure is used by investors to compare and value companies in the Company's industry. The Company uses EBITDA because the measure enables management to assess the Company's operational performance and is a financial indicator of the Company's ability to service and incur debt. The most comparable IFRS financial measure is results from operating activities. Refer to "Reconciliations of Non-IFRS Measures" section of the MD&A for more details.

"Operating EBITDA" is defined as EBITDA adjusted for the following items: impairment or impairment reversal of non-current assets, impairment or impairment reversal of IRG rights, gains or losses on sale of property, plant and equipment, change in onerous contract provisions, costs of special committee, shareholder proposal costs, impairment of goodwill, bargain purchase gains, reorganization costs, Restaurant Rejuvenation Plan expenses, acquisition and disposition costs, gains or losses on derivative financial liability and earnings or losses from discontinued operations. The Company excludes these items because they affect the comparability of the Company's financial results from period to period and could potentially distort the analysis of trends in the performance of its business. Excluding these items does not imply they are non-recurring. The definition of Operating EBITDA can change from time to time to account for unusual items or items not considered to be consistent with the Company's normal recurring operations. The Company uses this measure and believes it is useful to investors because it can facilitate period-to-period comparisons as it excludes items which, amongst other things, do not necessarily arise as part of the Company's day-to-day operations or are not reflective of the Company's underlying business operations. The most comparable IFRS financial measure is results from operating activities. Refer to "Reconciliations of Non-IFRS Measures" section of the MD&A for more details.

"Normalized Operating EBITDA" is defined as Operating EBITDA less the estimated impact from the additional week of operations in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.

"Free cash flow" is calculated as cash flows from operating activities less cash used for the purchase of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. The Company believes this measure is used by investors to value businesses and their underlying assets and to evaluate their financial strength and performance. The Company uses Free cash flow because it enables management to assess the Company's ability to generate cash and profits. The most comparable IFRS financial measure is cash flows from operating activities and investing activities. Refer to "Reconciliations of Non-IFRS Measures" section of the MD&A for more details.

"Adjusted revenue" is calculated as revenue less construction sales related to the turnkey operations of Ben & Florentine and sale of manufactured goods related to the manufacture of certain Toujours Mikes licensed retail products on a temporary basis. The Company believes this measure is useful to investors since it facilitates period-to-period comparisons by excluding the new revenue stream from the Ben & Florentine turnkey operations and revenues earned in the first three quarters of fiscal 2016 from the temporary manufacturing of certain Toujours Mikes licensed retail products. The most comparable IFRS financial measure is revenue. Refer to "Reconciliations of Non-IFRS Measures" section of the MD&A for more details.

These non-IFRS measures should not be considered by an investor as alternatives to earnings, indicators of operating performance or cash flows, or as measures of liquidity. Refer to the Reconciliations of Non-IFRS Measures section of the MD&A for more details.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including but not limited to, IRG's business objectives, estimates, outlook, strategies and priorities and all other statements other than statements of historical facts. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, intentions, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "may", "should", "would", "will", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential, "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "continue", "outlook" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of applicable securities laws.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors outside of the Company's control. A number of factors could cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: risks associated with the acquisition of Ben & Florentine, risks relating to the Company's expectations with respect to the sale of its manufacturing segment, including the timing of the completion of its previously announced transaction, risks associated with quality control, food borne illnesses and health concerns, the Company's ability to retain certain key personnel, the Company's ability to respond to various competitive factors affecting its operations, franchise development and growth of the retail licensing opportunities, changes in consumer preferences, the Company's retail products dependence on the strength of the Company's restaurant brands, the protection of the Company's intellectual property and brand, the success of the restaurant rejuvenation plan, the Company's dependence on its franchisees' ability to generate revenues and pay franchise fees and other amounts to the Company, the Company's reliance on suppliers and availability and quality of raw materials, changes in the Company's relationships with its franchisees, the Company's ability to open new restaurants, the closure of restaurants, the impact of an increase in Company-owned restaurants, the Company's ability to renew leases and limit lease exposure, negative publicity and its impact on the Company's reputation, compliance with regulations governing confidentiality and privacy of guest information, potential litigation and other complaints, compliance with government regulations, the Company's dependence on third parties, changes in laws concerning employees, changes in the Company's relationships with its employees, the Company's ability to ensure workplace health and safety, franchise regulations, compliance with regulations governing alcoholic beverages, environmental risks and regulations, public safety issues, the Company's dependence on technology, underreporting of sales by franchisees, inherent risks associated with internal control over financing reporting, the indebtedness of the Company and the restrictive covenants to which it is subject, the impact of sales tax upon System Sales, payment of dividends, the impact of seasonality and other factors on quarterly operating results, uninsured losses or claims that the Company believes are not economically reasonable to insure, changes in commodity prices and other factors referenced in the Company's Annual Information Form and the Company's other continuous disclosure filings which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These factors are not intended to represent an exhaustive list of the factors that could adversely affect the Company and its results but should, however, be considered carefully.

Further, although the forward-looking statements contained herein are based on information currently available to the Company's management and on the current intentions, plans, expectations, estimates, opinions, forecasts, projections and other assumptions made by the Company's management in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments (such as the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance and opportunities as well as the future of the economic environment in which it operates), as well as other factors that the Company's management believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances and on the date of this press release, there can be no assurance that such intentions, plans, expectations, estimates, opinions, forecasts, projections and other assumptions will prove to be correct or that actual results will not differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise noted or the context indicates, forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release.

Forward-looking statements are provided herein for the purpose of assisting the Company's security holders, investors and others in understanding its current strategic priorities, expectations and plans, as well as its financial position and results of operations as at and for the periods ended on the date presented. Readers are cautioned, however, that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes and should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Except as otherwise indicated, forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any non-recurring or other special items or of any transactions that may be announced or that may occur after the date of this press release. The financial impact of these transactions and non-recurring and other special items can be complex and depends on the facts particular to each of them. The Company therefore cannot describe the expected impact in a meaningful way or in the same way it presents known risks affecting the business. The Company's forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE Imvescor Restaurant Group Inc.

For further information: Imvescor Restaurant Group Inc: 514.341.5544, http://www.imvescor.ca; Investor Relations: [email protected], Frank Hennessey, President and Chief Executive Officer; Tania M. Clarke, Chief Financial Officer; Media Relations: ACJ Communication, Daniel Granger, 514.840.7990

Related Links

http://www.imvescor.ca


NYSE MKT Equities Exchange Symbol - UEC

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, June 9, 2017 /CNW/ - Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE MKT: UEC, the "Company" or "UEC") is pleased to report, in accordance with NYSE MKT requirements, the filing of the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the nine months ended April 30, 2017 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). This Form 10-Q filing, which includes the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements, related notes thereto and management's discussion and analysis, is available for viewing on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml or on the Company's website at www.uraniumenergy.com.

About Uranium Energy Corp

Uranium Energy Corp is a U.S.-based uranium mining and exploration company. The Company's fully-licensed Hobson processing facility is central to all of its projects in South Texas, including the Palangana in-situ recovery ("ISR") mine, the permitted Goliad ISR project and the development-stage Burke Hollow ISR project. Additionally, the Company controls a pipeline of advanced-stage projects in Arizona, Colorado and Paraguay. The Company's operations are managed by professionals with a recognized profile for excellence in their industry, a profile based on many decades of hands-on experience in the key facets of uranium exploration, development and mining.

Stock Exchange Information:

NYSE MKT: UEC

Frankfurt Stock Exchange Symbol: U6Z

WKN: AJDRR

ISN: US916896103

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans, "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements". Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of exploration activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation or realization of mineral resources, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry including, without limitation, those associated with the environment, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance coverage. Although the Company 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 contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release.

Certain matters discussed in this news release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Federal securities laws. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Many of these factors are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities.

SOURCE Uranium Energy Corp

For further information: Contact Uranium Energy Corp Investor Relations at: Toll Free: (866) 748-1030 , Fax: (361) 888-5041, E-mail: [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.uraniumenergy.com/










Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, has refuted the allegation of non-inclusion of South-East states in the rail line projects across the country for which $5.8 billion loan is currently being sought from China.Amaechi, who spoke during the hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign debts also explained the technicalities of the rail-line project before the loan request from the China Exim Bank can get the approval of the lawmakers.According to the minister, I do not know where the information that the South East States were excluded in the rail projects is coming from.Amaechi also explained that the two major rail projects of the Federal Government are the coastal rail project, which is from Lagos to Calabar traversing Lagos-Ore-Benin City-Sapele-Warri-Yenegoa with sidings to Otuoke, Port Harcourt, Aba, Uyo, Calabar and branch line from Benin-City, Abudu, Onitsha, including Onitsha rail bridge.He said: There is the Lagos-Kano rail project, which traverses Lagos-Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osogbo, Ilorin, Jebba, Minna, Kaduna, Zaria, Kano with branch line from Minna and Abuja and Abuja/Kaduna.There is also the coastal rail project from Lagos-Calabar, which traverses Lagos-Sagamu-Ore-Benin City-Sapele-Warri-Yenagoa.The coastal rail line already has its route alignment passing through Aba in Abia State and Onitsha in Anambra State, both of which are in the South East geopolitical zone.The minister refuted the allegation of non- inclusion of the South-East states against the argument of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia South) who resolved that the loan would not be considered except all regions were carried along in the utilization of the loan.He said: The loan being a Federal Government loan would be paid by all sections of the country. Therefore, every section of the country should be taken into consideration. For the railway project to have meaningful impact on the development of the country, it should cover all parts of the country.Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Shehu Sani told the minister that he was invited to explain the technical details of the rail-line project, which he said the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, could not answer due to the technicalities involved.
FG to Borrow N1.24tn via TBs in Q3 CBN

The Federal Government is planning to borrow N1.24tn in the third quarter via the issuance of Treasury bills by the Central Bank of Nigeria.A CBN debt calendar for the third quarter released on Friday showed that it would sell N1.24tn ($4.1bn) worth of treasury bills from June 15 to August 31.The apex bank aims to auction N226.64bn in 91-day bills, N311.32bn in 182-day and N698.64bn in 364-day debt.The central bank sells TBs twice a month to help fund the governments budget deficit and support commercial banks in managing liquidity.The Federal Government has set out a budget plan worth N7.44tn for this year.The country is grappling with its first recession in 25 years after a slide in global oil prices and due to the impact of attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta.The country is expected to face a budget deficit of about N2.21tn for the year as it tries to spend its way out of recession. It expects to raise money to cover more than half that deficit through domestic borrowing.The Federal Government had on Thursday announced plans to start an international road show next week for the sale of a diaspora bond.The DMO said in a statement that the government had named Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Standard Bank of South Africa as joint lead managers for the sale.The country first unveiled in 2013 plans to sell diaspora bonds worth between $100m to $300m from Nigerians living abroad. But the government at the time did not appoint a bookrunner until an election brought the opposition into office.A roadshow will start on June 13 with meetings planned in Britain, Switzerland and the United States, the debt office said in a statement.Nigeria has filed a registration statement for the bonds with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, the statement said.The DMO said the bonds would be listed in London but gave no price expectations, Reuters reported.
Global Oil Falls For Third Week

Global oil prices plunged for a third week as shale and OPEC production continued to surge amid global oil glut.The West Texas Intermediate, WTI, declined to $45.84 a barrel, while Brent crude traded at $48.15 a barrel from $52 it traded last week.On Tuesday, Shell Nigeria announced it has lifted exports restrictions on a key Nigeria crude oil pipeline. Boosting production by 250,000 barrels a day, according to loading report.Accordingly, the US crude oil production is expected for the first time in almost 50 years to reach 10 million barrels per day by March 2018, the US Energy Information Administration said on Thursday.Increased drilling activity in US tight oil basins, especially those located in Texas, is the main contributor to oil production growth, as the total number of active rigs drilling for oil in the United States has more than doubled over the past 12 months, the EIAs acting Administrator, Howard Gruenspecht, said in a statement.Also, Libya has resumed production at the Sharara oil field, its largest oil field with 213,000 barrels a day capacity to boost its production. This according to experts would boost global supplies and further plunge oil prices if OPEC giants failed to cut equal production.The US oil rig count jumped to 741 rigs last week, suggesting continuous production and renewed confidence. Therefore, OPEC will need to do more henceforth, said Samed Olukoya, a foreign exchange research analyst at Investors King Ltd.OPEC newest member, Equatorial Guinea, called on other oil producers in the region to join OPEC to protect the value of their oil resources.








The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta has described the Nigerian telecom consumer as the most central stakeholder in the telecom ecosystem.The consumer, he stated spent US$6.6b in 2016 and the figure is expected to rise considering the array of emergent value added services.Danbatta stated this at Oredo LGA secretariat in Benin where NCC organised the Consumer Conversation yesterday.He spoke through Kenneth Uzoekwe, NCC Zonal Controller Lagos Office, who represented him at the event.The Conversation, a programme of the ongoing Year of the Nigerian Telecom Consumer campaign implemented by the zonal operation department of the Commission, is initiated by the NCC to interact deeper with the consumer and exchange ideas in order to ensure that telecom consumers enjoy an enhanced experience content in time and quality.The Commission declared 2017 as the Year of the Nigerian Telecom Consumer having considered the Consumer as the weakest link in the telecom ecosystem. Danbatta told the large audience gathered at Oredo LGA secretariat.He said NCC was worried about the challenges telecom consumers faced, which explained why it declared 2017 as Year of the Telecom Consumer, and that in keeping with its mandate to inform, educate and empower telecom consumers, the Declaration is to heighten engagement with the consumer to address the challenges.Danbatta said consumers should activate the Do Not Disturb (DND) 2442 code to curb incidences of unsolicited Short Message Services (SMS) and calls, and added that NCC ensures the code is active in the Operators switch and vigilantly monitoring compliance with other directives.The 622 Toll Free Line is also dedicated to the consumer by NCC to enable the escalation of grievances that may not have been addressed satisfactorily by The operators.Danbatta said the immediate and remote causes of deteriorating Quality of Service such as Vandalism, Multiple Taxation, Multiple Regulation, Epileptic Power Supply, Foreign Exchange fluctuations which have taken a toll on telecom service provision, among others are being addressed.This is important to enable us to heighten our regulatory roles to ensure drop calls are reduced to less than 1%; monitor and review KPIs in this regard; strengthen our Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement activities; and continue to educate stakeholders on concerns and misconceptions about Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) radiation, he emphasized.Danbatta expressed the Commissions gratitude to the Head of Administration and all stakeholders in Oredo LGA for providing the venue for the Conversation at no financial cost to NCC and for mobilizing the people to ensure the success of the event.
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 ...
The United Nations has called on different ethnic tribes and groups in Nigeria to be more tolerant to ensure unity and peace in the country.Edward Kallon, the UN resident coordinator in Nigeria, said this in reaction to an ultimatum issued by northern youth groups calling for all Igbo people to leave northern Nigeria by October 1.We have to work together to resolve peacefully any concern that different groups in the country may have, Kallon said in a statement.I am heartened by reactions of leaders from all over the country condemning this ultimatum.UN calls for tolerance and a spirit of togetherness in transparency to address the concerns of all the citizens in a peaceful manner.He said this should be done in such a way that no one was left behind in the quest for sustainable development.The coordinator especially urged cultural and religious leaders to play their part in guiding the youth to settle differences peacefully.Kallon also stressed the need to re-invigorate the national peace committee, as it could play a role in addressing the current concerns that impinge on the peace of the country.He recalled that the committee worked tirelessly during the election period in 2015.Nigeria is a great country with immense potential to build the welfare of its population and lead Africa in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.This can only be achieved in an atmosphere of the rule of law and peace where all citizens live happily irrespective of their ethnic or religious backgrounds.I commend the Federal and State Governments, youth and civil society leaders, security agencies, cultural and religious leaders for their efforts to promote peace in the country.The UN is ready to continue supporting Nigeria to build an enduring democracy in peace, prosperity and respect for diversity, Kallon said.Source: The Cable
Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, has refuted the allegation of non-inclusion of Southeast states in the rail line projects acr...

Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, has refuted the allegation of non-inclusion of Southeast states in the rail line projects across the country for which $5.8 billion loan is currently being sought from China.

Amaechi, who spoke during the hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign debts also explained the technicalities of the rail-line project before the loan request from the China Exim Bank can get the approval of the lawmakers.

According to the minister, I do not know where the information that the South East States were excluded in the rail projects is coming from.

Amaechi also explained that the two major rail projects of the Federal Government are the coastal rail project, which is from Lagos to Calabar traversing Lagos-Ore-Benin City-Sapele-Warri-Yenegoa with sidings to Otuoke, Port Harcourt, Aba, Uyo, Calabar and branch line from Benin-City, Abudu, Onitsha, including Onitsha rail bridge.

He said: There is the Lagos-Kano rail project, which traverses Lagos-Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osogbo, Ilorin, Jebba, Minna, Kaduna, Zaria, Kano with branch line from Minna and Abuja and Abuja/Kaduna.

There is also the coastal rail project from Lagos-Calabar, which traverses Lagos-Sagamu-Ore-Benin City-Sapele-Warri-Yenagoa.

The coastal rail line already has its route alignment passing through Aba in Abia State and Onitsha in Anambra State, both of which are in the South East geopolitical zone.

The minister refuted the allegation of non- inclusion of the South-East states against the argument of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia South) who resolved that the loan would not be considered except all regions were carried along in the utilisation of the loan.

He said: The loan being a Federal Government loan would be paid by all sections of the country. Therefore, every section of the country should be taken into consideration. For the railway project to have meaningful impact on the development of the country, it should cover all parts of the country.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Shehu Sani told the minister that he was invited to explain the technical details of the rail-line project, which he said the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, could not answer due to the technicalities involved.
Leicester Citys Ahmed Musa, has dismissed reports linking him with a move to Turkish club Fenerbahce.The winger is currently with the Super Eagles squad, preparing for Saturdays 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa in Uyo.Musa insists he is unaware of any offers from the former Turkish champions.No I dont know anything regarding this report neither have I been contacted.Im focused on Saturdays game, Musa told journalists.The 24-year-old joined Leicester City from CSKA Moscow for a fee of 17m last season.He scored four goals in 32 appearances in his debut season for the Foxes in all competitions.
Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has urged Nigerians to avoid inflammatory remarks that can bring disunity among the people.He made the plea on Friday evening when he invited the members of the resident communities in the state to break fasting with him.He spoke against the backdrop of the ultimatum given to the Igbo to leave the northern part of the country by some youths in Kaduna.The governor said Nigerians must feel free to stay in any part of the country without fear of molestation.In a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to the governor, Malam Imam Imam after the event, he assured the citizens of his readiness to provide adequate security for them.I align myself fully with the position of the Northern Governors as enunciated by our chairman, Gov. Kashim Shattima of Borno.We have enjoyed a robust relationship with all members of the resident communities; you have no reason to fear. Sokoto is your home and it will continue to remain as such, Tambuwal said.Nigerians now need to team up as a people and find lasting solutions to the myriad of challenges confronting the nation.We are a blessed nation and we should continue to develop our strengths so as to provide the needed leadership for Africa and the black world.So, as far as your stay is in the northern part of the country and in Sokoto, do not feel threatened by anyone, the governor assured Nigerians.During the event, the representative of the Igbo community in Sokoto, Mr Steven Okoro, commended the state government for making Nigerians living in Sokoto to feel at home.We have never felt threatened in Sokoto. We and our families have stayed here in peace for hundreds of years.Our relationship with all groups of people here is based on mutual trust and respect for one another, he said.Speaking in the same vein, both the leaders of the Yoruba community in Sokoto, Alhaji Abdulfatah Coker and the Chairman of the Association of Resident Communities, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, pledged to continue to support constituted authorities to deliver on their mandates.They lauded Tambuwal for what they described as his open door policy which had enabled all citizens to reach out to him directly.
Bauchi State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Alhaji Nuru Kobi, on Saturday urged students in the state to contribute to the anti-corruption crusade by blowing the whistle to expose unwholesome practices in their schools.Addressing students of Annes Queens and Kings College, Bauchi, during a sensitisation lecture, Kobi said students were the future leaders of the country, as such the Change Mantra of the Federal Government must also begin with them.He said moral values and civic education were key in the learning process, adding that the knowledge garnered would effect a positive change in their mindset.Moral and civic education will make the students to end all malpractices because they would be aware of the negative consequences.Using sticks on students as punishment should end, while dialogue and clear reasoning should be employed to train the younger ones.Students should also blow whistle in their school whenever they notice unwholesome practices, especially examination malpractices immoral acts in their schools, he urged.In his remarks, Principal of the College, Mr Lawrence Oluyemi, thanked NOA for embarking on the campaign in schools in Bauchi, adding that students were key to the future development of the nation.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in recent times, the Bauchi government had been battling with reported cases of unwholesome practices in secondary schools, resulting in the closure of some of the schools.In two incidents, government-owned Saadu Zungur Model School in Bauchi metropolis had to be shut indefinitely when some male and female students illegally organised marriage ceremony and tied the nuptial cord amongst themselves, right within the premises of the school.Also, Annes Queens and Kings College had to be sanctioned some time ago over reports of alleged immoral behaviour displayed by some students of the school.This development prompted NOA to embark on sensitisation campaign in schools to check the ugly trend.
Boko Haram have slit the throats of four Nigerian villagers in revenge for the arrest of a senior member of the jihadist group, resident...

Boko Haram have slit the throats of four Nigerian villagers in revenge for the arrest of a senior member of the jihadist group, residents told AFP on Friday.Ten gunmen on motorbikes stormed the northeastern Cameroonian border village of Hambagda near Gwoza, once the capital of Boko Harams self-announced caliphate, on Thursday before kidnapping six people and killing four others.They asked people to assemble but everyone started running towards the bush, said local resident Usman Buba.They seized six people in the confusion and slaughtered four while two managed to escape.The attack came a day after soldiers arrested Boko Haram commander Adamu Rugurugu during a village raid.Buba said the jihadists who attacked Hambagda on Thursday afternoon decided to slit their victims throats instead of shooting them to avoid attracting the attention of troops stationed in Gwoza, two kilometres (1.2 miles) away.The attack was evidently in reprisal for the arrest of a Boko Haram kingpin who has been terrorising the village, Buba said.Another resident, Dahiru Alkali, confirmed his account, adding that villagers had complained to soldiers of incessant attacks by Rugurugu and his men.The two witnesses were able to reach AFP by telephone after arriving in Maiduguri, capital of Borno state.Boko Haram seized Gwoza in July 2014 and made it their headquarters at a time when they were seizing swathes of northeast Nigeria in their bid to form a hardline Islamist state.Nigerian troops retook the town in March 2015 but Boko Haram have continued to raid nearby villages from their hideouts in the mountains along the border with Cameroon, despite the governments insistence that calm has been restored to the area.In April, Boko Haram kidnapped 13 women who were picking fruit near Hambagda, while a month earlier its fighters abducted 18 girls from the nearby village of Pulka.Large areas around Lake Chad and the Cameroon border remain inaccessible in an ongoing insurgency that has killed at least 20,000 since 2009.Eleven people were killed on Wednesday when Boko Haram gunmen and suicide bombers launched a rare combined attack inside Maiduguri.afp
British Prime Minister Theresa May was forced to relinquish her two closest aides on Saturday as she struggled to reassert her authority...

British Prime Minister Theresa May was forced to relinquish her two closest aides on Saturday as she struggled to reassert her authority following a crushing electoral setback.The Conservative leader has been warned her days are numbered after calling Thursdays vote three years early, only to lose her majority in parliament.Senior party figures have cautioned against any immediate leadership challenge, saying it would only cause further disruption as Britain prepares to start Brexit negotiations as early as June 19But reports suggest they demanded the departure of Mays joint chiefs of staff, Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, as the price for allowing the 60-year-old vicars daughter to stay in office.May announced Friday she would seek to form a minority government with the help of a small Northern Irish party, the far-right Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).She put on a brave face, refusing to show any contrition for the election gamble that spectacularly backfired, but observers say she has been deeply wounded.From hubris to humiliation, said the left-leaning Guardian. May stares into the abyss, wrote The Times, while Conservative-supporting The Sun tabloid said succinctly: Shes had her chips. Toxic atmosphere May had relied on Timothy and Hill for advice and support since her previous job at the interior ministry, and their resignations will be a personal blow.Timothy said he took responsibility for the Conservative manifesto, including a plan for elderly social care that caused a backlash among many core voters.A party spokesman confirmed the resignation of Hill, a combative character who one ex-colleague said had helped create a toxic atmosphere at the heart of government.The news came as May prepared to name the rest of her cabinet, after revealing Friday that her five most senior ministers would remain in their posts.Before the election, she had been widely expected to sack finance minister Philip Hammond following a reported clash over her Brexit strategy. No time to lose The Conservatives won 318 seats in Thursdays vote, down from 331 in 2015, falling short of an overall majority in the 650-seat House of Commons after the opposition Labour Party, led by socialist stalwart Jeremy Corbyn, scored hefty gains.The DUP, which won 10 seats, said it is ready to talk with May about supporting her government, although such an alliance would be far from straight forward.Londons neutrality in Northern Ireland is key to the delicate balance of power in the province once plagued by decades of unrest.But the Protestant DUP was founded to defend Northern Irelands place in Britain against demands by Catholic republicans for a united Ireland.On Brexit, the DUP supports leaving the EU but opposes a return to a hard border with Ireland  which could happen if May carries through her threat to walk away from the talks rather than accept a bad deal.The prime minister has vowed to pull Britain out of Europes single market in order to end mass migration from the bloc, despite fears of the economic impact.The DUP is likely to increase the pressure on Theresa May to secure a comprehensive free trade agreement, said Stephen Booth of the Open Europe think tank.European Council President Donald Tusk has warned there was no time to lose in starting talks, after May started the two-year countdown to Brexit on March 29.The DUPs opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion has also alarmed some in Mays party, particularly Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who is gay.Davidson, who led her party to its best result for three decades, winning 13 seats in Scotland, said she had sought and received assurances from May on the issue.I told her that there were a number of things that count to me more than the party. One of them is country, one of the others is LGBTI rights, she told the BBC. Further upheaval May was interior minister for six years before taking over from David Cameron in the political chaos that following last Junes Brexit referendum.She inherited a 17-seat majority in the Commons, but called the snap vote to take advantage of opinion polls putting her on course for a landslide.May sought to frame the campaign around her personal leadership heading into Brexit, but this was undermined by public performances derided as robotic.Two terror attacks put scrutiny on her record of cutting police numbers, playing into the hands of the opposition Labour party and its promise to end austerity.Conservative lawmaker Anna Soubry said May should consider her position, while another, Heidi Allen, said she may not last six months.However, former Conservative party leaders warned against any immediate change, with Iain Duncan Smith saying leadership contest would be a catastrophe.Voters do not want further months of uncertainty and upheaval, William Hague wrote in the Daily Telegraph, while adding that very serious lessons would be learned.Share Tweet Pin it
Prosecutors will ask for no more than a three-year prison sentence for Gregg R. Irwin under a plea deal Irwin took Friday. But prosecutors under the agreement are not restricted on how long to recommend extended supervision.

Irwin, 49, of Boyd is charged in a Sept. 28, 2015, crash that killed 20-year-old Erica M. Strandt.

Irwin pleaded guilty to a felony, homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle, and no contest to an amended count of driving while intoxicated-first offense.

Irwin had a blood alcohol content of 0.156 percent, which is nearly double Wisconsins standard of 0.08 percent for first time intoxicated driving.

Judge Steve Cray ordered a presentence investigation report and set sentencing for 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6. He also continued Irwins bond.

I think its going to be beneficial to all parties that there is a settlement, Assistant District Attorney Roy LaBaton Gay said.

He said the cap of three years of a prison recommendation is consistent with that in other cases.

The maximum sentence Irwin could get for the felony charge is 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. But judges seldom levy the maximum sentence.

Under Wisconsin law, first time intoxicated driving is a forfeiture offense. Wisconsin is the only state in the U.S. to give out tickets for the offense instead of considering it a crime.

On Wednesday, Judge Steven Cray ruled Strandts driving would not be allowed during a trial that had been set for later this month.

Defense attorney Harry Hertel argued that Irwin would present what he termed an affirmative defense, and that Strandt was driving at 81 mph until a second before the crash.

But Cray ruled that evidence would be prejudiced and would not be relevant during a trial.

Hertel said based on Crays ruling, Irwin wanted to take responsibility for Strandts death.

Two felony charges against Irwin, homicide by use of a vehicle-prohibited alcohol level and second degree reckless homicide, were dismissed and read into the court record. Cray can consider them in his sentencing.

According to the criminal complaint:

Irwin was driving a 2009 Dodge truck, and Strandt driving a 2000 Saturn DL when the vehicles crashed at 8:20 p.m. Irwin said he was northbound on 300th Street when he stopped at a stop sign and crossed Highway 29. He said it was then that he was hit by another vehicle.

Strandt suffered multiple traumatic injuries to her head and torso.

Jennifer Grau, Strands mother, was also the mother of 17-year-old Jason Grau, who was murdered in February 2010 in Chippewa County. In 2011, Shane Hawkins was sentenced to life in prison for Jason Graus death.

Jennifer Grau watched Fridays court session intensely, propping her arms on a railing.

When Cray was looking for a sentencing date, one possibility was Sept. 28.

Thats the two-year anniversary of her death, Grau said.

Thats not a good date then, Cray said, moving on to the Oct. 6 sentencing date.
Their protest was registered in a letter written to the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson urging him not to process the sale of fighter ...

Their protest was registered in a letter written to the US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson urging him not to process the sale of fighter jets due to the federal governments refusal to follow court orders in the detention of the leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) Sheikh El-Zakzaky









The two lawmakers also cited the killing of Shiites by the army in early 2015 and the accidental bombing of an IDPs camp as reasons why the aircrafts should not be sold to Nigeria.

It could be recalled that Donald Trump-led administration had promised to sell 12 weaponised aircraft to Nigeria for $600 million.





Read the letter below:

Dear Secretary Tillerson:

We are writing to convey our concerns regarding reports that you intend to proceed with plans to sell A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircrafts, with mounted machine guns and related parts and logistical support, to help the Nigerian government combat Boko Haram. We request that before you approve this sale, you brief us on the steps Nigeria has taken to investigate and hold accountable those that have committed human rights abuses.

We believe the security threats Nigeria is facing are very real but that a sale of this nature, and at this time, is ill-advised. Boko Haram  a 5,000 to 10,000 strong insurgent force with ties to the Islamic State  will not be defeated through expanded air power alone.

Despite your comments that values will not impact national security policies, we believe proceeding without any clear indications of progress from the Nigerian government on the protection of human rights and enforcement of accountability would run contrary to our national security objectives.

With proper training of pilots, the sale of more sophisticated aircraft could lead to more accurate targeting of insurgents by the Nigerian Air Force and potentially a reduction of civilian casualties. But there is evidence that the Nigerian military routinely flouts the laws of war and there remains an absence of adequate safeguards and accountability mechanisms.

This means that the Tucano aircraft could be used in a manner inconsistent with international human rights and humanitarian law  and that ultimately helps to strengthen Boko Haram.

Given that the Nigerian military still lacks the ability to mount a sophisticated counterinsurgency cooperation combining group and air assets, and the A-29 airframes will not be ready for delivery for at least another year at the earliest, we see no rush to complete the sale.

Because this sale is an important point of leverage to encourage critical reforms necessary to defeat Boko Haram, we recommend that you require the Nigerian government to complete these steps before proceeding with the sale. Some of the important and specific benchmarks that would show progress include:

Progress from the authorities in Abuja on the Kaduna governments investigation into the December 2015 alleged massacre on Shiite Muslims in the northeastern town of Zaria, where at least 347 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, a Shia Muslim group, were killed by army soldiers. Credible organizations found that the armys attack was unjustified.

An investigation launched by the local Kaduna government found the General Officer in command of the army to have authorized the massacre and recommended prosecution. Nearly a year after this report was published, there has been no follow-up from the federal government in Abuja.

Authorities also failed to comply with a court order for the release of the movements leader, Ibraheem El Zakzaky, and his wife who remain in detention without charges since December 2015.

Completion of the investigation into the January 2017 attack on a displaced persons camp in Rann, northeastern Nigeria, by the Nigerian Air Force, which killed at least 236 people and injured thousands more.

The government was quick to acknowledge the attack, which officials said was an accident, and agreed to undertake an investigation but it has yet to be finalized and then made available to the public. Even if it was accidental, the Rann incident demonstrates the urgent need for safeguards and accountability.

Progress on a fair investigation into the 2014 killing by the Nigerian security forces of over 600 people, on the heels of Boko Harams attack on Giwa army barracks. Hundreds of mostly unarmed detainees, including children, were killed in extrajudicial executions and likely buried in mass graves around the city.

At the same time, there continues to be additional allegations of corruption, abuse, and misconduct throughout the Nigerian military. While some soldiers have been released or retired, there has yet to be any real or meaningful accountability for the systemic challenges that have plagued Nigerias security forces for decades.

Without addressing these problems at an institutional level, reform is merely cosmetic and will only perpetuate longstanding patterns of abuse, which could serve as propaganda for Boko Haram and other insurgent groups seeking to discredit the Nigerian government.

We are concerned that the decision to proceed with this sale will empower the government to backtrack even further on its commitments to human rights, accountability, and upholding international humanitarian law, which in turn could spur greater unrest and violence, particularly in the northeastern part of the country.

Accordingly, we strongly urge you to reconsider your decision to sell A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircrafts to Nigeria without any meaningful reform or any clear safeguards in place. Instead we recommend you make clear to Abuja that the sale of these aircraft can proceed only if there is positive and measurable progress on reforming the security institutions.




Alexis Sanchez has picked Alex Iwobi, as the Arsenal youngster who caught his eye last season.The Chilean, who recently spoke to the Gunners official website, hailed the Nigerians winning mentality, as well as his versatility.I really like Alex [Iwobi].Hes a player that can play up front, in the centre, hes good at one on ones.If he has a winning mentality and keeps pushing forward I think he can do very well. I really like him, Sanchez said.Iwobi made 38 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions last term, scoring four times.The 21-year-old was even given Sanchezs old number 17 shirt.
At the valedictory session marking the second anniversary of the 8th Senate on Friday, the controversy over President Muhammadu Buharis failure to remove Mr. Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was reopened.Senator Dino Melaye, in his remarks at the session, accused President Buhari of selectively applying the law by retaining Magu as Acting Chairman of the EFCC.The lawmaker said this in the presence of prominent guests at the special session, including two former Senate Presidents, Pius Anyim and Iyorcha Ayu; Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Walid Jibrin; National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; and wife of the incumbent Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki.Melaye urged the Senate to take a decisive action on Magus retention.He said, The persecution we went through in the first two years must not continue in the second half. Mr. President, in leading us in this second half, you must put on your seatbelt; it is dangerous to drive without a seat belt.Where we need to speak the truth as senators, we must speak the truth no matter whose ox is gored. We must begin to identify that there is a uniform law in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. No longer shall we allow the selective application of the law of the land.Mr. President (Saraki), we have passed some people on the floor of this Senate and these people that we have also disqualified by confirmation have been replaced by Mr. President (Buhari). That means that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, transparent Muhammadu Buhari, recognises the powers of the Senate to confirm.Why is Magu still in office? Mr. President, the truth is the truth. We should not have selective application of the rule of law. It is one law for everybody. I may be arrested immediately after this session; prison is built for people and not for animals. I am telling you, Mr. President, posterity will not forgive us when we keep silent in the face of lies and persecution. As a Senate, we must preserve the integrity of this institution.The Senate had rejected Magus appointment based on an indicting report by the Department of State Services.The legislature had also asked the President to nominate someone else as head of the anti-graft agency.But the Presidency had insisted on Magu, a development that caused a face-off between the executive and the legislature.
The Indigenous People of Biafra on Sunday backed the three-month quit noticed served on Igbo living in northern parts of the country by Areas youths.In a press statement made available to our correspondent in Awka by IPOBs media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, the group commended the northern youths and Arewa Elders forum for somewhat quickening the Biafra exit by their pronouncements.The group maintained that the quit notice had a human face unlike previously when the people perceived as Biafrans would be attacked without any notice or provocation.It said IPOB would prevail on Igbo living in the north to adhere to the quit notice.Their statement read in part, The members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leadership worldwide wish to sincerely thank the Arewa Elders Forum(AEF), Arewa Youths and Arewa Consultative Forum for seeing sense in what IPOB has been saying about the need for a referendum to be conducted in Nigeria to decide the fate of the component ethnic nationalities criminally lumped together by the British in 1914.Biafrans in general also wish to thank these vocal Northerners for at least having the courtesy to issue advance warning this time before embarking on their routine massacre of Igbos and other Biafrans living in Northern Nigeria; unlike what their fathers did in 1966 when death, destruction and mayhem were unleashed upon unsuspecting innocent civilian populations from the South comprising of mostly Igbo men, women and children.Igbo massacres in Northern Nigeria have occurred so many times that it has almost become some sort of an annual sporting activity for bloodthirsty Northern youths. That is why we are particularly grateful to Arewa Youths and Elders for having the decency to give us prior notice before the slaughter commences. We promise to adhere to your warning to leave Northern Nigeria because a word is enough for the wise. Biafrans and other Southerners should start packing their properties to come down to the South.We also advice the Northern youths and their Elders to keep it on because all they have done is to exercise their right to free speech which is not a crime under any law known to man.We are therefore against those calling for the arrest of these Arewa Youths and their Elders.
The South East Governors Forum (SEGF) has dispelled rumours that the governors have met and agreed to mobilise vehicles and cash for the...

The South East Governors Forum (SEGF) has dispelled rumours that the governors have met and agreed to mobilise vehicles and cash for the evacuation of Igbo resident in the north.The rumours should be disregarded, as they are nothing but tissues of lies, the Chairman of SEGF and Ebony governor, Mr. David Umahi, said in a statement on Friday. No amount of provocation would lead us to such a precipitate and irresponsible action at this time.Those exploiting such vacuous tittle-tattle as a basis for divisive rhetoric in public spaces are simply playing juvenile politics and we urge them to cease and desist.He appealed to Igbo resident in the North to go about their lawful daily engagements without fear of intimidation, hindrance or molestation and assured them that of corporate existence of Nigeria.The Forum has repeatedly reiterated its commitment to and preference for the existence of a virile, united, prosperous and progressive Nigeria where justice, fairness, equity, mutual respect and equality of opportunity to all citizens regardless of creed, ethnicity or gender will reign supreme under the inflexible rule of law.We have had occasions recently to take this position publicly in response to the agitation, but peaceful actions of some Igbo youth.The governors, he said, would continue to take a similar stance in response to any action that might threaten the cohesiveness of Nigeria or designed to cause its rupture.He said that the lives and property of law-abiding citizens Igbo were as precious as the lives and property of all Nigerians, irrespective of the region of their abode within this Republic.These must be guaranteed and defended against all forms of threat and aggression, both domestic and external, by the security forces and agencies ofthe Federal Republic of Nigeria.The governors are collaborating effectively with the security agencies to ensure that no harm of any description was done to any law-abiding Nigerian citizen resident in the South East, including those from the North.H called on all serious minded patriots, religious leadership in the North; the leadership of other socio-cultural groups; Nigerian Governors Forum; and all the service branches to rise up with voices of peace and wisdom to counteract the mischievousness and exuberant excesses of the northern youth.The ugly lessons of history are too grim to be stoked with carelessness, he warned and that as leaders, we must exert the full measure of our powers and influence to forestall a repetition.He expressed appreciation to all Nigerians, including the presidency; reputable socio-cultural group, including Afenifere, who have declaimed the threat by the northern youth, and thus underscored the unity and oneness of this nation.The forum also appreciated Senate President Bukola Saraki; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; our brother Governors particularly Alhaji Kashim Shetimma (the Chairman of Northern Governors Forum).The Forum also thanked Rtd. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, the Honourable Minister of Interior;, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna state; the leadership of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF); the security agencies and many others.
Deputy Leader of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Paul Unongo has said Igbos are welcomed in the North.

Deputy Leader of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Paul Unongo has said Igbos are welcomed in the North.





He made the remark while reacting to a statement credited to the spokesperson of NEF, Professor Ango Abdullahi, who backed Northern youths for asking Igbos to vacate the region in three months.

Unongo, in a statement said Abdullahi was speaking for himself and not NEF, and that as such the statement should be disregarded.





NEF deputy leader stressed that the body could not have adopted the position of ignorant youths, who were not there when Nigeria lost three million of its citizens to the civil war.

Unongo maintained that they fought the civil war to keep the country as one united nation.





According to Unongo, I am the Deputy Leader of the Northern Elders Forum and Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Sule is the leader. So, only the two of us can speak for the forum on sensitive matter like this. Therefore, if Professor Ango Abdullahi is backing those ignorant youths, then he is speaking for himself.

We cannot support the nonsense those boys said. We fought civil war with our blood to keep Nigeria one. So, any Nigerian can live in any part of the country he feels like. Igbos are welcome in the North, they are welcome in Yoruba land and my own village in Tiv land and they have right to pursue their daily bread and own property.

We couldnt have killed three million people to keep Nigeria one and come back and allow these kids (the Northern Youth Groups) to insult our intelligence.

We knew why we fought the war, we knew why we killed the people we loved. We knew why we made the sacrifice of three million men dead. So, Northern Elders Forum cannot take same position as those young men, if at all they took a position.

So, if the young men cannot build a nation, they should not destroy the one we put our lives on the line to build for them. We cannot allow young men who did not fight the civil war with us to destroy our country, because Nigeria cannot afford another civil war, he said.
Facts have emerged on how the Federal Government allocated the first tranche of N516.38bn reimbursement made to the 36 states of the federa...

Facts have emerged on how the Federal Government allocated the first tranche of N516.38bn reimbursement made to the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory from the Paris Club debt refund.





According to the schedule of reimbursement released by the Federal Ministry of Finance on Friday in Abuja, five states got the highest amount of refund from the Federal Government.

The states are Rivers N34.92bn, Delta N27.6bn, Akwa Ibom N25.98bn, Bayelsa N24.89bn and Kano N21.7bn.

Analysis of the payment schedule showed that these five states got a total sum of N135.09bn representing 26.1 per cent of the entire amount refunded by the Federal Government to all the states.

This was followed by Lagos N16.74bn, Katsina N16.4bn, Kaduna N15.44bn, Borno N14.68bn, Jigawa N14.2bn, Imo N14.01bn, Niger N14.42bn, Bauchi N13.75bn, Sokoto N12.88bn and Osun N12.62bn.

Others are Cross River N12.15bn, Anambra N12.24bn, Edo N12.18bn, Kebbi N11.95bn, Kogi N11.05bn,Abia N11.43bn, Ogun N11.47bn, Plateau N11.28bn.

Similarly, Yobe state got N10.82bn, Zamfara N10.88bn, Ebonyi N9.01bn, Ekiti N9.54bn, Enugu N10.7bn, Gombe N8.95bn, Nasarawa N9.1bn, Oyo N13.31bn while Kwara got N10.24bn.

The rest are Adamawa N10.25bn, Benue N13.7bn, Ondo N14.01bn, Taraba N9.32bn and Federal Capital Territory N1.36bn.

The statement signed by the Director of Information in the finance ministry, Salisu Dambatta, said the payments were made upon the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari on November 21 2016.

It reads in part, The funds were released to state government as part of the wider efforts to stimulate the economy and were specifically designed to support states in meeting salary and other obligations, thereby alleviating the challenges faced by workers.

The releases were conditional upon a minimum of 50 per cent being applied to the payment of workers salaries and pensions. The Federal Ministry of Finance is reviewing the impact of these releases on the level of arrears owed by state governments.

A detailed report is being compiled for presentation to the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, as part of the process for approval for the release of any subsequent tranches.
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Adamawa State claims it has rescued a 19-year-old lady who allegedly escaped fro...

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Adamawa State claims it has rescued a 19-year-old lady who allegedly escaped from Boko Haram insurgents in Sambisa Forest.The state Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Aliyu Ndanusa told reporters in Yola yesterday that Mumina Hamidu was rescued with her eight-month-old baby on Thursday.Ndanusa said that the lady was abducted in Mubi town when it was occupied by the insurgents in 2014.According to him, she succeeded in escaping from Sambisa to Cameroon, where she was picked up by men of the corps while returning to Mubi.He said that the lady and her baby would be handed over to the relevant authorities for proper rehabilitation.The commandant also said that the corps had, between January and now, rescued two such women from Sambisa and arrested one Boko Haram suspect escaping from Sambisa.He urged members of the public to be security conscious and feel free to volunteer information to security agencies.Also speaking to newsmen, Mumina said that she was abducted in Anguwan Barkono in Mubi and taken to Sambisa, where she was forced to marry one of the sect commanders, Bana Kura.Mumina said that Kura had paid N30,000 dowry to the authorities, adding that he was still alive when she escaped from the forest.
Cristiano Ronaldo is unlikely to play against Manchester United in the UEFA Super Cup.The 32-year-old netted a brace last weekend, as Real Madrid beat Juventus in the Champions League final. The victory means the La Liga champions will take on United in the European season curtain-raiser on August 8.However, Ronaldo may not line up against his former club.With Portugal in the Confederations Cup, Ronaldo is set for another busy summer.After his countrys Euro 2016 triumph, he was given a month off ahead of the new season. He is set to be afforded another extended period following this summers tournament.The Confederations Cup final in Russia is set for July 2, meaning Ronaldo will be back in pre-season training just days before the encounter with United.Portugal open their Confederations Cup campaign on June 18 against Mexico.
A total of seven Nigerians have been elected into the UK parliament after Thursdays election. Most of them retained their constituencies...

A total of seven Nigerians have been elected into the UK parliament after Thursdays election.

Most of them retained their constituencies, having secured victory in the 2015 general election.









They are:

1. Chi Onwurah: The 52-year-old has been the Shadow Minister (department for business, energy and industrial strategy) (Industrial Strategy). She contested in 2010 under the Labour Party and got elected as the Member of Parliament for Newcastle upon Tyne Central, replacing the previous Labour MP Jim Cousins, who decided to step down. She is Newcastles first black MP.





2. Kate Osamor: In 2014, the 48-year-old was elected a member of the national executive committee of the Labour Party. In June 2016, Osamor was appointed shadow secretary of state for international development.





3. Kemi Badenoch: She has been a member of the parliament since September 2015. Badenoch, 38, is the GLA Conservatives spokesman for the Economy and also sits on the Transport Committee and Policing and Crime Committee.





4. Chuka Umunna: He has been a member of the Parliament for Streatham since 2010. The 38-year-old was adopted as the Labour partys prospective parliamentary candidate for Streatham in 2008 and polled a majority of 3,259 votes at the 2010 general election, to become an elected member of Parliament for Streatham.





5. Bim Afolami: A conservative politician in the parliament and works as a corporate lawyer. Winning the election, Afolami told Comet: Im feeling completely over the moon to be the new MP for Hitchin and Harpenden. Its such a great feeling. Im completely honoured. I would like to pay tribute to my opponents who fought a fair and democratic fight.





6. Fiona Onasanya: She ran on the platform of Labour Party and beat Stewart Johnson of Conservative Party to Peterborough seat in the election. Until her election, she was the deputy leader of the Labour group on the Cambridgeshire County as well as its councillor.





7. Helen Grant: She has served as the Member of Parliament for Maidstone and The Weald since 2010. Grant, who is 55, is the first black woman to be selected to defend a Tory seat and her election in 2010 also made her the Conservatives first female black MP.
John Gruber will get $200,000 from Columbia County for his former auto repair shop, and another $50,000 for expenses related to finding a new location.

But how much of that Gruber will get to keep remains to be seen.

Mark Hazelbaker, the attorney who represents Columbia County in the protracted Gruber eminent domain case, said that, in accordance with a settlement, the county has cut a check for $110,000, to be deposited in a trust under the care of Grubers attorney, Rose Marie Yanke.

Of that amount, $60,000 represents the amount by which the county is sweetening the $140,000 offer made by the countys Condemnation Commission 10 months ago. The remaining $50,000 is for relocation expenses, which is in addition to the $50,000 for moving expenses that the county had previously set aside for Gruber.

The County Boards Ad Hoc Building Committee on Friday voted unanimously to accept the terms of the settlement.

In reacting to the settlement, Hazelbaker echoed the thoughts that retired Judge James Evenson shared, from the bench, in April  that in a successful mediation, almost no one is happy with the outcome. The county is paying more than it wanted to pay, and Gruber ended up getting less than he wanted.

In exchange for the agreement, Gruber agreed to drop both his state and federal lawsuits against the county, over the countys effort to exercise eminent domain to acquire Gruber Automotive, formerly at 208 E. Edgewater St. The site is now part of a parking lot for the Columbia County Administration Building, 112 E. Edgewater St.

John can move on  and I hope he does, Hazelbaker said.

In April court proceedings on the state lawsuit, Evenson also ruled that Gruber owed, at the time, more than $156,000 on a pair of $65,000 mortgages that developer Richard Lynn holds on Gruber Automotive. That amount represented, at the time, the principal, plus accrued interest and attorneys fees.

Lynns attorney, William Smiley, said on Friday that he does not yet know what the settlements implications are for his client; in fact, he had not yet been officially notified of the terms of the settlement.

Before deciding how to proceed next, Smiley said, hell need to consult Lynn.

Stay tuned. I dont know what will happen next, he said.

Hazelbaker spoke highly of Yankes work, and noted that the presence of an attorney on Grubers side did a great deal to facilitate the settlement.

Gruber had previously been represented by Biersdorf and Associates, a Minneapolis-based law firm that specializes in eminent domain cases. However, Gruber has, in the last year or so, represented himself in the filing of lawsuits and in filing motions related to the suits.

Yanke, an associate with the Madison law firm Krekeler Strother, became Grubers lawyer after the April proceedings before Evenson in Columbia County Circuit Court.

The County Board voted in June 2015 to authorize eminent domain proceedings regarding the Gruber property and Grubers neighbor to the south, the Big Chicken antiques store at 131 E. Mullett St. At that time, the county had successfully acquired several other pieces of property alongside the Portage Canal and in the vicinity of the courthouse, 400 DeWitt St., for the $45.51 million project that entailed building new Administration and Health and Human Services buildings alongside the canal and renovating the courthouse for court-related uses.

The Big Chicken sale was finalized in February 2016 without condemnation. But Gruber continued to hold out.

He said, in January 2016, that the county had offered him a total of $237,000 for his property, but that it would take about $500,000 to relocate his business to a comparably-equipped facility elsewhere in Portage.

The Condemnation Commission in August awarded Gruber $140,000, plus $50,000 for moving expenses. The county deposited that money with the court, but Gruber did not accept the offer of $140,000.

The recent settlement brings an end not only to Grubers suit in Columbia County Circuit Court, but also a federal suit that he filed in the autumn of 2016. In addition to seeking a higher price for the property, the federal suit also alleged that Portage police were plotting to harm Gruber, that the entire county building project was unlawful and that previous property acquisitions for the project should be vacated.

In December, Dodge County Circuit Court Judge Brian Pfitzinger ordered Gruber to vacate Gruber Automotive in 30 days. Gruber received an extension on that deadline, but he eventually moved out in late February. A month later, the Gruber Automotive building was razed.

The Administration Building has been open for business for about a week  housing most of Columbia Countys non-court-related offices on three floors of a structure on the northwest side of the Portage Canal.
By now you must have heard that a group of Northern Nigerian youths have issued an ultimatum to NdiIgbo resident in the North of Nigeria to quit the region in three months or face dire consequences.The President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, handed down the ultimatum in company of his cohorts at a well-attended conference at the Arewa House, in Kaduna, on Tuesday June 6th, 2017.This same Alhaji Yerima Shettima is also one of the mischievous individuals who, in an interview with the Sun Newspapers on Saturday, June 3rd, 2017, falsely accused the acting President of appointing mostly his Yoruba kith and kin as well as members of his Redeemed Christian Church of God Family.Said Yerima in that interview, why should somebody, a professor of law, former commissioner, a pastor of a highly reputed church like the Redeemed Christian Church of God, will descend this low to appoint people from one side in a multi-ethnic society?After the acting President published his staff list to prove that Yerimas allegations were false, Yerima and his band of fallacious rumour mangers did not think it wise to apologize.And this is the character that has given what in essence is a quit notice to people who have only added value to the economy of the North in the decades that they have lived there.What many Nigerians have not noticed in the whole melee is that the press conference where Igbos were asked to quit the North was held at Arewa House.If Nigeria had a perspicacious press (thank God for ThisDay that tries) the media would have dug into how the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum was able to secure such a venue with its strong ties to the Kaduna State Government in particular and the nineteen Northern States in general.To those who do not know what Arewa House is, go and research it. It is almost impossible to hold a press conference at Arewa House without the knowledge of the Kaduna State Government. Is someone flying a kite?Could Alhaji Yerima Shettima have been flying a kite to gauge the response of the Nigerian public to the inner intents of the hearts of his sponsors?This antic, coming so soon after the very successful sit at home order by Nnamdi Kanu which paralyzed economic activities in the Southeast on the 30th of May, 2017, cannot be a coincidence!Could it be that someone somewhere is rattled by the feat Nnamdi Kanu pulled off and wants to counter with their own response?Yes, many leading lights of the North including the Kaduna state Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, have condemned Yerima and even called for his arrest, but talk is cheap and getting cheaper by the day in Nigeria.How Alhaji Yerima Shettima and his cohorts are treated following their misadventure will determine to a large extent whether what we have just witnessed from him is a case of the voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau!That being said, In 2015, Nnamdi Kanu was jailed by the Buhari administration for two years and charged with treason because he called for an independent state of Biafra. In 2005, Asari Dokubo was jailed for two years by the Obasanjo administration and charged with treason because he called for self-determination of the Niger-Delta.In 1993 and 1996 the Abacha administration jailed Gani Fawehinmi for months and charged him with treasonable offenses (holding a political rally against the government). Nigerians are waiting to see if the same treatment will be meted out to Alhaji Yerima Shettima, President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, who has also committed an act of treason by declaring war on Nigerian citizens of Southeast origin when he and his group ordered them to leave Northern Nigeria.If he is treated with kid gloves then we will know that President Buhari meant what he said about treating 97 per centers differently from 5 per centers.How South Africa must be laughing at us for condemning their xenophobia when we practice an even worse xenophobia Internally in Nigeria!If you want to show you have influence, do not give ultimatums. Simply declare your own sit at home and see if people obey you like Kanu was obeyed. Leadership is influence. If you have to threaten people to show your influence, then you have no influence. Those with influence do not threaten. Influence is when people willingly obey you even when you have no position, no money and no army. Influence is when people obey you because they believe in you.Anybody that denies the fact that Nigeria needs restructuring is living in a fools paradise. Open your eyes! A young Igbo man without any formal authority gave a directive and the entire Southeast of Nigeria was shut down!Last Independence Day, according to Google analytics, more Nigerians followed the Platform Speech of Peter Obi than the Independence Day broadcast by President Muhammadu Buhari.Nationwide, Fulani herdsmen are killing mostly Christians with impunity yet it is IPOB members who are not killing anyone that our military are sent after. And Nigeria, the leading nation in West Africa, boycotted an ECOWAS meeting just because Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu was there! Cant you see what is happening here? If we do not reform Nigeria, Nigeria will keep getting deformed.And our system has gotten so deformed to the extent that the Buhari administration no longer feels ashamed to lie!The other day, on Tuesday the 6th of June, 2017, Presidential spokesman (spooksman?), Femi Adesina had the guts to say that President Muhammadu Buhari only made three promises to Nigerians during the 2015 Presidential campaigns.His exact words were what are the promises the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari made before they came into power? Of course, they were three. The campaign was on three major planks: secure the country, fight corruption and restore the economy. And two years down the line, I can confidently say that those promises are being fulfilled.What a big lie!The ironic thing is that on the same day Femi was lying to the Sun, Boko Haram was carrying out a daring raid on, wait for it, Maiduguri!They were not raiding some backwater village, they were raiding the Borno state capital! After shooting at citizens and entering the city, they boldly went to Giwa barracks and engaged the army in a shootout!Femi Adesina and his master have just proven one thing to be true which is this: When a man is desperate for sex or for votes, do not trust what he says because he will say anything to get both of them. Instead of trusting what he says, look at his past.Take Donald J. Trump for example. He has spent his life creating jobs. Is it any surprise then that four months after he was sworn in the US has its lowest unemployment since 2001? Take Muhammadu Buhari for example. He has never succeeded in any of his private businesses. Is it a coincidence then that Nigeria went into recession just months after he was sworn in? Can you give what you do not have? Focus on what cannot lie. This is the lesson that Nigeria has to learn ahead of 2019.But back to the issue. That Nigeria badly needs reform is obvious. Even President Muhammadu Buharis morganatic wife has said as much in public much to the dismay of her achievements challenged consort who has announced to all who care to follow that her audacity has earned her other room arrest!The question is no longer whether we will reform Nigeria. The question is who will reform Nigeria? For sure, President Buhari will not do it. He has already indicated that his future ambition is to consign the report of the 2014 National Conference to the dustbin!You see, Nigeria needs reform and only one person has been consistent in advocating and promoting the type of reform Nigeria needs to get out of the cesspit that Muhammadu Buhari has put her in.Bola Tinubu had been championing structural reform and preaching true federalism for decades, but when he finally saw an avenue to power through Muhammadu Buhari, he jettisoned his almost lifelong principles and fought against the 2014 National Conference, the very thing he had been calling for, dismissing it with the question National conference is by whom, for whom, and at what stage? How many level of deception?Only former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been consistently supporting these ideas. He has pushed for true federalism, arguing that that is the only way Nigeria can thrive. And I must say that his prompt response in condemning the Igbo quit notice by Yerima and his band of sectionalists has endeared me to Atiku.And he is living proof of the fallacy that true federalism will impoverish Northern Nigeria.Atiku Abubakar is the largest employer of labour in Adamawa state, employing more people than the state government. However, not one of his multi-faceted business interests depends on the state.He is into agriculture all the way through the value chain. He is into education, he is into port logistics and he is into manufacturing.With or without the monthly federal allocation paid to Adamawa state, Atikus business will continue to thrive.If one man, Atiku Abubakar can achieve this, why cant a state, a region or a country?The yearly budget for Atikus American University of Nigeria in Yola compares favorably with the budgets of many Nigerian states. And the beauty of this is that the student body cuts across Nigerians regions, religions abs ethnicities.You see, in 2019, only a Northerner can convincingly make the argument that Nigeria needs to reform on the basis of true federalism and merit because the North will be suspicious of any such argument from a Southerner and it is certain that Muhammadu Buhari would never make that argument. He is as status quo as they come.As 2019 approaches, the usual suspects who have fed on the status quo will begin to retool their arguments against Atiku in the media, but the man is the most investigated man in Nigeria alive today. Surely, if there was evidence to back up their claims, it would have come out by now!And not only has Atiku demonstrated through his personal life that he has fidelity to the principles of reform which he preaches, he has actually enhanced the reform movement in government.Almost all the people in Nigerias public life that we know to be reform minded were recruited by Atiku. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nasir El-Rufai (who betrayed him, but then, who has El-Rufai not betrayed?) and others I would not want to mention were recruited by Atiku into the Obasanjo administration.And now let me talk about Onukaba Adinoyi Ojo, a man I personally knew during my first stint at Aso Rock Presidential Villa.Onukaba died on the 6th of March, 2017 as he returned from Abeokuta after attending former President Olusegun Obasanjos 80th birthday party.Onukaba Adinoyi Ojo did not go for and neither was he returning from an Atiku function when he had the encounter with robbers that led to his death. In fact, he had traveled for the 80th birthday of Atikus arch foe.After his death, the person who he had gone to honor did not even pause from his celebrations to issue a statement after Ojos death and his world just moved on.But Atiku did not move on. He mobilized mutual friends and held a memorial for Adinoyi at which he first eulogized him the best endowed an education fund for the late journalists children with a substantial sum of his own money.Ironically, the man who most feeds this false narrative of Atiku as tainted was the person whom Ojo had just visited to celebrate with him on his birthday. It is this same man who carried on as if nothing happened after Ojo died on his return journey. It was the man who he regularly attacks that did the honorable thing.President Obasanjo waited until he was attacked in the media for his callousness before issuing a grudging condolence nine days after Onukabas death!So I ask you, who between the duo of Obasanjo and Atiku is really the villain?If NdiIgbo and Omo Oduduwa are tired of being played against each other and want to chart a new and better course for their future and their childrens future, they should look no further than their in law (Atiku is in-law to both the Yoruba and Igbos).Renos Nuggets:Dont marry a slay queen, marry a pray queen because you cant slay lifes challenges with beauty but you can with prayer. If the pray queen can slay, all the better for you, but the priority is pray not slay. And, marry someone that will compensate for your weaknesses instead of marrying someone that will complain about your weaknesses. And finally, look for happy, positive people and befriend them. Attitudes are contagious. You will act like the people you hang out with #RenosNuggetsReno Omokri is a Christian TV talk show host and founder of the Mind of Christ Christian Center and the Helen and Bemigho Sanctuary for orphans. He is the author of three books, Shunpiking: No Shortcuts to God, Why Jesus Wept and Apples of Gold: A Book of Godly Wisdom. His upcoming fourth book, Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years: Chibok, 2015 and Other Conspiracies, is set for release in June.
RACINE  A Racine man is facing an attempted murder charge after he allegedly shot a man who had a relationship with his wife while he was in jail, authorities reported.

Trent Funderburg, 35, of the 1400 block of Geneva Street, was charged Friday with felony attempted first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon.

According to the criminal complaint:

At 11:49 a.m. Saturday, June 3, police responded to Ascension All Saints Hospital regarding an assault and attempted homicide. The gunshot victim, who had been arrested due to an alleged assault in the 1400 block of Geneva, had arrived at the hospital and was being treated for a gunshot wound to the back of his thigh.

While being interviewed at the Racine County Jail on Monday night, the gunshot victim said he had been walking with a friend when he was confronted by Funderburg about allegedly having a relationship with his wife while Funderburg was in jail.

The gunshot victim allegedly hit Funderburg for getting in his face and, as he was walking away, felt a gunshot hit him in the back of the leg, causing him to fall. He was then taken to the hospital by his cousin.

When officers spoke with Funderburgs wife on Tuesday, she admitted that while her husband was in jail, she had a relationship with the gunshot victim and corroborated the gunshot victims story. She also said she had observed Funderburg shoot the gunshot victim four times before accompanying the gunshot victim to the hospital.

Officers reportedly found three shell casings at the end of the driveway in the 1400 block of Geneva Street shortly after the incident.

Funderburg, who remained in custody at the County Jail as of Friday afternoon, has been assigned a June 15 preliminary hearing in Racine County Circuit Court.
A Lyndon Station man faces four counts of possession of child pornography after being arrested May 24.

Clifford A. Petrusky, 70, could face a $100,000 fine or a prison term of 25 years, or both, for each count if convicted. In addition, Petrusky may have to pay a $500 surcharge for each copy of an image associated with the crime. The court could also impose a bifurcated sentence including a term of initial confinement for at least three years.

According to a criminal complaint:

The investigation into Petruskys alleged crime began on Feb. 26 when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a tip from Yahoo! Inc. that several images uploaded to two email addresses contained child pornography. An online search for the IP address matching the computer came back to Bug Tussel wireless.

Between late February and mid-May, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation, which led to obtaining Petroskys email and cell phone records information through subpoena.

On May 22, a detective with the Juneau County Sheriffs Office was assigned to investigate the cyber tip. The detective received the images and, based on his training and experience, determined nearly all were child photography. The department received a search warrant from Judge John Roemer and investigated the property with help from the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

When questioned by police, Petrusky admitted to uploading the images and while they were sexual in nature, he didnt believe the subjects were young. He said he had photos on a disk but had deleted it because he didnt feel right about them. Petrusky said he received the photos online through chat rooms and believed they were adults.

He also said he had uploaded images for about a year, but denied having any on his computer. When asked why he started using chat rooms, he told police he was bored. Investigators confiscated several items from Petruskys home, including two computer towers, an external hard drive, a couple laptop computers, several items of software and cell phones.

An examiner from DCI found several child pornographic images on an SD card, which matched the photos found through Yahoo! Messenger. Petrusky was taken to the Juneau County Jail for further questioning. He told a detective he had been putting pornography on an SD card for four years and tried to keep it hidden. He admitted there were images on it that would not be acceptable to the general population.

Detectives continued the investigation and found many images and videos of child pornography, often with the same children in a series.

Petrusky is scheduled to have a pre-trial conference at the Juneau County district attorneys office at 10:30 a.m. July 12. He signed a cash bond of $7,500 May 30 with stipulations he is to not use any device connected to the internet, have no contact with children under 18 and cannot leave the state.
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 
Solar power is on the move, and that will not be more evident than what will be displayed in Avoca on Monday.

Iowa State Universitys student-run solar car team, PrISUm, has completed the manufacturing phase of Penumbra, the 14th solar car to be produced by the team since it was formed in 1990, and the worlds first solar utility vehicle. This revolutionary vehicle will be displayed from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the East Pottawattamie Extension Office.

The Avoca stop is part of a 99-county Iowa SunRun tour to educate and advocate for solar energy.

Penumbra functions very similarly to todays average car. With top speeds of 70 mph, the car weighs about 850 pounds and seats up to four people.

The infotainment system within the car will be the most elaborate Team PrISUm has ever produced. Passengers will be able to listen to music, get directions and view information about other systems in the vehicle.

The production of the car totals $750,000 in materials  machine time and cash  with around two-thirds of funding coming from sponsors.

SunRun is where we inspire youth to engage in creative endeavors, show them that anyone can accomplish what we have and show the world that Iowa State University is where innovation happens, said Smeet Mistry, SunRun lead for Team PrISUm.

As Penumbra takes shape, the future of innovation draws nearer, added Dylan Neal, project director for Penumbra. We plan to set the standard for what it means to be on the forefront of innovation.

Following SunRun, Team PrISUm will shift into high gear for an event in Australia later this year, the Bridgestone World Solar Car Challenge. Team PrISUm will send 15 students in mid-September to prepare for the big race. The team will have from October 8 through October 15 to race across the entire continent, starting in the northern city of Darwin and traveling 1,864 miles to the southern city of Adelaide.

Donations to help students continue their work on solar vehicles start can be made at prisum.org.
The Pottawattamie County Democratic Party will host a Toast and Roast of former Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal.

Linda Nelson, head of the county Democratic Party, said shes hoping for about 200 attendees at the July 15 event.

Well fall off our chairs laughing, and Mike will have his time, she said of the roast.

Nelson served two terms in the Iowa House in the early 1990s.

Gronstal was first elected to the state Senate in 1984, after one two-year term in the Iowa House. He became majority leader after the 2006 election. He was defeated in the November of 2016 election by Sen. Dan Dawson. He also served as head of the county Democratic Party in the mid-1980s.

Nelson said Gronstal had an impact on the Council Bluffs area and the entire state during his tenure in the Legislature.

Mike gave so much to our community and the state of Iowa, she said. We wanted to have a chance to demonstrate to Mike one more time what he means to us and the county party.

The event will be held at Iowa Western Community College, 2700 College Road, in the student center dining room.

The dinner menu has a picnic theme, according to Nelson, with hamburgers, hot dogs and sides. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., with the roast beginning at 7 p.m.

The event will serve as a county Democratic Party fundraiser. The cost to attend is $50 per person or $400 for a table of eight.

For more information on the event, go to pottawattamiecountydemocrats.com.
A 25-year-old Madison man was fatally shot early Saturday in his parked car on the citys Far East Side, police said.

The citys fourth homicide of the year occurred around 3:30 a.m. in a parking lot in the 900 block of Vernon Avenue, Police Chief Mike Koval said.

Witnesses told investigators that a man in his 20s came out from between two buildings and opened fire, Koval said. Semi-automatic shell casings were found at the scene, along with damage to several vehicles and an apartment door.

Authorities had not released the name of the victim. Koval said the man was a West Side resident with two young children.

The shooter fled the scene, but witnesses could not say whether he was on foot or in a vehicle, Koval said. As of Saturday night, police had not identified a suspect and no arrest had been made, Koval said.

Investigators found blood, but the victim was not at the scene, Koval said. Three people nearby took the victim from his vehicle and drove him to a local hospital where he died from his wounds.

Police recorded statements from the three people, but they are not considered persons of interest in the case, Koval said.

They were obviously aiding someone who is in distress as good Samaritans would, Koval said. I appreciate the fact that he was not left in his car to die alone.

Koval said he didnt know if or how the three people knew the

victim. Koval said he didnt know for certain if the shooting was targeted but evidence was pointing to that conclusion.

Were trying to walk back all those events that might have led up to this shooting in the parking lot to understand or try to get a sense of what motive might there be for this, Koval said.

Investigators will also view camera footage from the area to search for information, he said.

At about 10:15 p.m. Saturday, shots were apparently fired during a vigil for the victim but it did not appear that anyone was injured, police said.

Rising rates of

gun violence

While the number of homicides this year is following a similar path to last year, Koval said, the number of shots-fired calls has increased.

Weve clearly had more shots-fired calls to date this year over last year, Koval said. Weve had more incidents where the shots fired occur that there are more people collaterally wounded or injured in some sense.

Community and city support and programs for at-risk youth are vital to reducing disparities among residents and violence, he said.

We by no means can assume that we have the long-term subject matter expertise to do the difficult work of preemption and prevention, Koval said.

Public policy makers, including City Council members and the mayor, have important complementary goals, Koval said, and they have the access to resources and funding that can make violence prevention efforts effective.

One project the city and several local organizations are developing is a rapid response support program for victims and witnesses of crimes.

Ald. Amanda Hall, who represents the 3rd District where the shooting took place, said a lack of community involvement could be hindering the investigation.

One of the things thats holding back the investigation right now is that folks dont trust the system, Hall said. They fear that if they provide information that leads to someone being brought up on charges that they will personally suffer retribution, and I think that thats tragic.

Hall said that city officials should increase efforts to earn the trust of all Madison residents so anyone would feel safe aiding in a police investigation.

Despite recent public disputes between Koval and Mayor Paul Soglin, and frictions in the rapid response program, Koval said hes optimistic about reducing gun violence in the city.

Its clear to me that the public policy makers, those who have access to resources and funding, in conjuncture with the not-for-profit and private sectors and the mayors office, I think theres a widespread spirit  a sense of urgency  and Im encouraged by that, Koval said.
Miss Nebraska Aleah Peters year was filled with travels to places like North Carolina, Washington, D.C., and New York, but visiting schools across Nebraska is what Peters will miss the most.

Thats something Im not ready to give up, Peters said between rehearsals for the Miss Nebraska pageant this week.

Peters uses her baton twirling  which shes performed at the 2017 pageant, often tossing her batons to an emcee after juggling them to an upbeat routine  to connect with a crowd. She then tells them about her experience with a high school bully and talks about cyberbullying. The highlight, she said, is when she gets to hear their stories.

On one such trip, Peters visited a school that was recovering after a students suicide.

It was a pretty recent, fresh wound there, she said.

After her presentation, in which Peters often shares her tagline, Make kindness viral, kids raised their hands and asked about suicide.

It definitely threw me off, she said, but she appreciated it and talked to students about how dangerous bullying can be.

At another visit, to Ralston High School, the issue also hit close to home. Superintendent Dr. Mark Adlers son had committed suicide last year because of bullying. Adler thanked Peters for her work against cyberbullying.

It was kind of a revelation for me, of how relevant it is, she said.

Peters advice, both to school officials and parents, is to listen.

It can be so easy to brush it off as drama, or just someone being mean, she said. Be available to your students. Be available to your kids.

But as Peters traveled and spoke, not every part of her year was as serious. In Washington, she toured FBI headquarters  her dream job, she says, is in communications for the FBI.

Other highlights were in her home state of Nebraska, but farther west than her hometown of Omaha: an event that featured years of wedding fashions in Crofton, a fun host family in Alliance and a young chefs competition in North Platte.

I was so blown away, she said of the future chefs competition. I was so impressed.

Peters also spent the year booking her own events, managing finances, keeping track of mileage and doing her own social media. A few months into her reign as Miss Nebraska, Peters ran into an old friend. He asked if she was sticking around Nebraska. Peters laughed, realizing that her friend, who would be stationed in the U.S. Navy in Florida, obviously didnt know her title.

The next night, the two went on a date. Within a few short months, he told her he would like to attend the Miss America competition  his first pageant. He stayed in a beach home with her family but barely saw his new girlfriend.

Peters is now planning a September wedding, and a move to Florida. She plans to explore different career options in Florida, with her degree in communications studies and a years experience from wearing the Miss Nebraska crown.

With new adventures ahead, Peters is setting aside an old one: baton twirling.

Im retiring, she said, adding that physically, she is aging out of the sport.

Still, she joked, someone who can juggle is always fun at a party.

Asked if she had any final thoughts about leaving Miss Nebraska, Peters thanked North Platte, calling it her second home.

I wouldnt want to be anywhere else, she said.

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The Canberra Raiders have secured Joey Leilua for a further two seasons, with the hulking centre agreeing to a new deal which will see him at the club until the end of the 2020 season.

Leilua has been amongst the Raiders top performers since his arrival at the club mid-season in 2015, with his combination with Jordan Rapana on the Raiders right edge shaping one of the most dangerous attacking duos in the NRL.



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[2017] Telstra Premiership: Joseph Leilua

Tackle Breaks, Try Assists, Tries, Offloads.



The new deal continues the Raiders' push to secure the bulk of their squad long-term and Raiders CEO Don Furner said it was great to add Leilua to the list of players re-signing with the club.

"Joey has taken his game to another level since joining the club and were excited about what he can bring to the team over the next couple of seasons," Furner said. "Were working on securing a squad which will represent the club long-term and Joey is a very important part of that."
MIDDLETON  During his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump called on the Muslim world to confront extremism. He said, A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and extremists.  Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities. Drive them out of your holy land, and drive them out of this Earth!

Partnering with the Muslim world to combat terrorism is a good first step. But this alone will not lead to success unless we understand the root causes of terrorism and the role each key participating organization has to play.

Heres what needs to happen:

1. Most mainstream media and elected officials need to stop calling Muslim terrorists Islamic terrorists. Start calling all terrorists criminals regardless of their faith, beliefs, ethnicity or color, and stop associating any terrorist with his or her religion. This is used as a tool by terrorist organizations to recruit more terrorists.

2. America must stop invading countries. Do not overthrow leaders in exchange for oil and natural gas, and stop killing innocent people. If we kill five people in a family of six, most likely number six will become a terrorist. Do not forget terrorists take revenge against America for invading Afghanistan, Iraq and other Muslim countries. Do extreme vetting of those who are on the list of terror suspects.

3. Countries must start providing job opportunities, particularly to youth. Uneducated and unemployed people experiencing social injustice and inequality are prime targets for terrorist organizations for recruitment. Instead of spending billions to combat terrorism, start spending on education.

4. Its easy to kill a person if you think killing is an ideology. Muslim leaders must start educating Muslim youth about the correct interpretation of the Quran and the teaching of our prophets. Terrorists attract restless and bored young Muslims who are misguided, and many have criminal records. Many have been denied their fundamental rights and are discriminated against. They no longer care about their lives and become suicide bombers. Unite the Muslim world against terrorism, and capitalize on the power bestowed on you by the almighty to solve world problems. Muslim communities are in great need of reform.

5. Stop terrorists from using social media as their propaganda machine to attract recruits. Allocate resources to identifying and disrupting terrorist accounts.

6. The United Nations should stop giving veto power to any country. Make decisions based on super-majority votes. Countries with veto power sometimes misuse their power to favor one country over others, which leads to terrorism.

7. The public must search for facts, be honest, understand each other, speak up against any evil and dont be misguided by inaccurate and misleading information. Consider Muslims as your good partners, co-workers, friends and neighbors in fighting terrorism. Recognize that Muslims have alerted law enforcement about terrorist suspects more than others and will continue to do so. Killing the terrorist doesnt end terrorism. It only helps ignite it more. We are all in this fight together  not to win one battle, but to win the war. Together we can create a peaceful and prosperous world for all.
Antitrust experts say the possible merger between Franciscan Alliance and Methodist Hospitals likely will face regulatory scrutiny.

Hospitals intending a merger of that size are required to notify the Federal Trade Commission, which in recent years has successfully blocked several such mergers it deemed anti-competitive.

"Does it look like competition in this market is likely to be harmed if the merger happens?" asked Martin Gaynor, professor of economics and health policy at Carnegie Mellon University. "If that's the case, the antennae go up."

In March, Franciscan and Methodist announced they had signed a 120-day exclusive letter of intent to discuss a merger. Methodist is seeking a partner to increase its access to capital, ability to recruit providers and positioning for the shift toward population health management, hospital officials say.

Gaynor said the FTC will weigh the competition factor against the hospitals' alleged reasons for the merger and whether they could happen without the institutions joining forces.

Franciscan and Methodist are the second- and third-largest hospital systems in Lake County, respectively  in terms of revenue, employees and hospital beds  behind Community Healthcare System. Franciscan operates hospitals in Crown Point, Dyer, Hammond and Munster, while Methodist has campuses in Gary and Merrillville. Community's hospitals are in East Chicago, Hobart and Munster.

"If there are less than three big systems left, you would start to get concerned," said Bob Town, professor of health economics at the University of Texas. Reduced competition can lead to increased prices and a dip in quality of care, he said.

"The vast majority of mergers pass without an FTC challenge," noted Jim Landman, director of health care finance policy for the Healthcare Financial Management Association, a nonprofit membership organization for health care financial leaders. "They're pretty selective in what they take on."

The Indiana attorney general also has the authority to sue to stop hospital mergers under state antitrust law.

The FTC only seeks to block a small percentage  in the low single digits  of hospital mergers, experts say. But when it challenges a merger, it wins, in recent years at least.

Market control a key factor

In the past year, the FTC successfully stopped mergers between Advocate Healthcare and NorthShore University Health System in the Chicago area, and Penn State Hershey Medical Center and PinnacleHealth in Pennsylvania. The FTC alleged the resulting entities would command more than 60 percent of their local markets.

"They don't want anyone to get large enough to control the market," said Joshua Nemzoff, president of Nemzoff & Co., a hospital merger consulting firm. "A hospital would be able to turn around and set rates and fix prices to the detriment of the community."

The Times used 990 tax forms to estimate the annual revenues in Lake County of the three hospital systems here. The merger would leave Franciscan with an estimated $1.09 billion ($355.82 million of it from Methodist) in annual revenue in the county, or about 52 percent of the market, compared to $1.01 billion for Community, or about 48 percent.

In that case, Nemzoff said, "I think the FTC would look at this as an increase in competition. It would potentially be seen as making No. 2 and No. 3 stronger instead of leaving No. 1 as the big game in town."

"So I think they will be OK," he said. "I have seen other deals like this get done."

Conversely, Christopher Sagers, a law professor at Cleveland State University who specializes in antitrust, said: "That to me sounds like a nightmare. That's going to suck money out of people's wallets."

"This sounds like one the agencies are going to take very seriously," he said.

Experts note the FTC has a more complex formula for determining market share than The Times' analysis, incorporating factors such as the services the hospitals provide and their geographic reach. The FTC also might consider the market to include any number of surrounding counties.

In 2012, the FTC successfully stopped a hospital merger in Rockford, Illinois, in part because the new entity would have controlled 37 percent of primary care physician services in that market. Analyzing data provided by the hospitals and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Times' estimated that Franciscan would control about 30 percent of that market in Lake County if the merger with Methodist were to go through.
The locally produced documentary "Shifting Sands on the Path to Sustainability" has made its impact across the country since its release 14 months ago and is now going to hit the big screen.

The 60-minute documentary was filmed along the south shore of Lake Michigan, an area known as the birthplace of ecological science in North America. It describes the 90-year history of Indiana Dunes State Park as well as the controversy around the designation of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore 50 years ago. It also focuses on the emerging partnerships between government, business and environmentalists on restoring the dunes and making it sustainable for future generations.

As part of Coastal Awareness Month, the film will be aired June 20 at the Portage 16/IMAX.

"The response to the film has really been incredible," said Pat Wisniewski, one of the film's producers.

Wisniewski said the film has been aired on PBS stations from New York to San Francisco, hitting a potential audience of nearly 2 million people.

"Even if 10 percent of those people watched it, we'd be happy," she said.

In addition to airings on PBS, the film has been shown at private events and at film festivals.

Producer Tom Desch said a viewing at a film festival in Golden, Colorado, gathered a full house.

The showing on the big screen, however, is bound to be a more immersive experience for viewers, Desch said.

The documentary was the idea of local environmentalist Lee Botts.

"It is a one-hour short course in how the Indiana Dunes became the great national park it is," Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Superintendent Paul Labovitz said. "Every time I watch it, I learn something new."

Labovitz said the film also prompted his efforts, along with U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, to effort changing the IDNL's status from a lakeshore to a full-fledged national park designation.

At the screening, representatives of the Lake Michigan Coastal Program will be present to provide information on its efforts to take care of the local shoreline.

"Basically, its purpose is to bring awareness to local people and visitors of the uniqueness of the coastal area in Northwest Indiana," LMCP education assistant Doreen Carey said about Coastal Awareness Month.

The film's airing is one of several activities going on in June to bring awareness to Indiana's 45 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.

Wisniewski said they have rented a 130-seat theater within the Portage 16 for the viewing and hope the local community will attend to learn about the efforts to save the dunes, including the cooperation and collaboration of many partners.

"I have lived in Northwest Indiana half of my life and never heard of the coastal program until the documentary," Wisniewski said. "We hope to reach people who go to the beach. We hope to reach those people who don't know of the struggles."

This fall, the group will be taking the film into classrooms throughout the three-county Lake Michigan shoreline area by providing DVDs of the film along with an 80-page teacher's guide, Wisniewski said.
HAMMOND  A 50-year-old man suffered a stabbing death early Saturday morning following an argument over the alleged perpetrator moving out of an apartment and getting a job, police said.

Leterr Levert Petty, 19, of Hammond, was arrested and charged with murder after police responded to an apartment on the 6000 block of Hohman Avenue at about 1:40 a.m. Saturday, according to Hammond police.

Upon arriving at the apartment, police encountered several people standing around Xavier Curtis, of Hammond, who was on the ground bleeding, police said.

Curtis was transported to Franciscan Health in Hammond, where he was pronounced dead of multiple stab wounds.

Petty was arrested and charged with murder, manslaughter, battery by means of a deadly weapon and aggravated battery, according to police.

Curtis had been dating the mother of Petty's girlfriend, a probable cause affidavit stated.

The two allegedly got into an altercation over Petty moving out and getting a job, the affidavit states, with Curtis punching Petty. At some point during the altercation, Petty allegedly saw a knife, grabbed it and stabbed Curtis multiple times, according to affidavit.
INDIANAPOLIS  The Indiana Court of Appeals sided with a Long Beach man this week in regards to his claims that he can not receive a fair trial in the 2012 shooting of his wife.

The state now has 30 days to decide whether to challenge the decision before the Indiana Supreme Court.

The appeals court on Wednesday voted 2 to 1 in favor of claims by John Larkin, who was charged with voluntary manslaughter in the 2012 fatal shooting of his wife, Stacey, 41, inside their Long Beach home.

Larkin never denied shooting her, but claimed she had a gun when he confronted her about her substance abuse and that the gun went off during a struggle.

In 2016, the case was dismissed by Patrick Blankenship, a special judge from Pulaski County, who agreed with Larkin that his rights had been violated during the investigation and that would prevent him from having a fair trial.

Among the violations cited by the special judge were that conversations between Larkin and his attorney had been recorded and processed for use as evidence and that police, early in the investigation, continued to question him despite turning down his request for legal counsel.

Blankenship also cited evidence tampering by detectives from Michigan City and Long Beach and felt any testimony offered from those investigators would be soiled.

The appellate judges cited mistakes, including conflicts of interest.

"Although the trial court did not enter specific findings as to whether the misconduct was done deliberately or in bad faith or whether substantial prejudice resulted, it is clear to us the several acts of misconduct were done, at the very least, in bad faith and such acts severely prejudiced Larkin to the extent he could not receive a fair trial," the appellate court stated.
CROWN POINT  Hot and humid weather, cold drinks, music, festival and ethnic food and, of course, corn on the cob  its all part of the annual Hometown Festival that kicked off Friday with the two-day Corn Roast and Family Fun Day.

Longtime festival patrons and newcomers flocked to the streets around the Old Lake County Courthouse for the old-fashioned street celebration organized by the Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Lawrence and Shiela Lerit, of Crown Point, pulled their two young sons around the festival in a red Radio Flyer wagon. Oscar, 4, and Vinny, 2, drank orange Gatorade and took nibbles of corn on the cob prepared by the South Lake County Shrine Club.

We come every year on Friday so we can get to the food and vendors without any hassle, Lawrence Lerit said. Now they want to go to the kids area.

Arriving early with her husband and daughter, Donna Trembczynski of Hebron, enjoyed her first ear of corn sitting at a picnic table near the Shrine Club cooking tent.

We come every year. Its great! she said. We used to live in Crown Point. My husband likes the Sausage King.

Nick Bickers, of Winfield, said keeping his 6-year old son, Phoenix, busy was the reason for attending Fridays festivities.

I like the bounce house and the slushies, said the youngster who attends Porter Lakes Elementary School.

Hes been bouncing and now hes thirsty, Nick Bickers said as the pair headed for refreshments set up all along Main Street.

Erica Tolle said she walked to the festival from her Crown Point home with her 11-year old granddaughter, Sierra Han, who is visiting from Louisville, Kentucky.

I go mostly for the corn and the frozen ice, said Han, as the pair sat at a picnic table munching on ears of corn steamed in their husks.

Big fundraiser for nonprofit

The Corn Roast has become an annual family tradition for Evelyn Lowe and her 16-year old son Lester Lowe III, and 15-year old daughter Brooke Lowe. This year, the Crown Point resident also brought along her 7-year-old nephew, Steven Bryant, and 5-year-old niece, Laila Bryant, of Merrillville.

Weve been coming for years and years, Evelyn Lowe said. When Lester was Stevens age, he was mentioned in the newspaper because he was trying to eat the corn, but he didnt have any front teeth.

Gathering around one of the picnic tables, the family sampled the corn, elephant ears and other festival foods. Laila, however, seemed reluctant to try some of the food.

Shes trying to go to the bouncy house, Evelyn Lowe said.

Walking through Main Street, Kelly Snyder, of Cedar Lake, also enjoyed the corn on the cob with friend Davonne Powell, who is visiting from Indianapolis.

Ever since I had the corn, I know Ill be back for a couple of ears, said Powell, a former Gary resident.

Preparing and serving up that corn on the cob has been a tradition for the South Lake County Shrine Club for nearly 50 years.

Shriners arrived at the festival site during the morning on Friday to set up their tent and cooking equipment.

We started the corn at 1 p.m., said John Cotton, a club member for 20 years. We brought in 70 cases this morning. Theres about 48 to 50 ears of corn in each case. Theres another 70 cases for Saturday.

The technique of cooking the unhusked corn is what makes it so popular, Cotton said. Huge pots of water are fired up, but the corn never touches the water because it sits on a rack inside the pot. As each batch is finished, the ears are transferred to containers to keep them hot. As customers place orders, the hot corn is husked and the bottom wrapped in paper towels.

The corn costs $2 an ear. We dont charge for the butter, salt or pepper, Cotton said about the fundraiser that helps the South Lake County Shrine Club donate to a variety of causes.

Military personnel in uniform and first responders receive complimentary ears of corn, he said.

Without them, we wouldnt be here, Cotton said.
LOWELL  The long-awaited project to repair and reopen 171st Avenue on the town's north border will begin Monday.

The east/west roadway has been closed since March 31, when the culvert that carries the McConnell Ditch flow under 171st Avenue collapsed.

Austgen Construction of Lowell will do the repairs. The company said the culvert had to be special ordered, and delays in receiving the culvert in a metal arch pipe design delayed the project.

If the weather permits, Town Manager Jeff Sheridan said, the construction company expects to complete the work by June 16.

Because the goal is to reopen the road as soon as possible, Sheridan said 171st Avenue will be paved later this year.

Those traveling through Lowell are also experiencing slowed traffic due to the Indiana Department of Transportation curb and sidewalk project along a portion of Ind. 2, the town's main thoroughfare locally known as Commercial Avenue. That project has been in the works for six years.
LaPorte County electrical inspector John Niegos does not hesitate when asked about the various state requirements for assuring safety in and around residential swimming pools.

It's part of his job to inspect pools as they are being installed to make sure no shortcuts are taken that later could result in injury or death.

"Whatever the state requires, that's what we have to enforce," Niegos said.

The importance of this role came into focus last week when a 2-year-old girl drowned after wandering out of a house and into a neighboring swimming pool in rural Jackson Township.

The girl was found by her mother, who along with paramedics, was unable to revive her.

While the incident is being treated as an accident by police, who did not report any safety violations, the county Sheriff's Department did send out notice last week encouraging homeowners to familiarize themselves with state code (675 IAC 14-4.3-296) regarding safety precautions for residential pools.

The Indiana State Department of Health has a public swimming pool and spa program, but a spokesperson there said last week that oversight of residential pools is a function of local government.

Steve Nigro, planning and building administrator at the Lake County Plan Commission, said pool inspections done by his department are directed by state codes.

Those codes say a residential pool should have "a suitable handhold around its perimeter in areas where depths exceed three (3) feet six (6) inches."

Access to all residential pools also should be restricted by a wall, fence or other impenetrable barrier at least 4 feet in height or by a power safety pool cover that cannot be retracted without a key or touch pad.

Residential pools also are to be equipped with a ring or throwing buoy, a pole not less than 12 feet in length and access to a telephone, according to state code.

The city of Portage has opted to go beyond state regulations in calling for a fence at least 6 feet high around all pools, according to information provided by John Siroky, supervisor of municipal code enforcement.

Bob Thompson, executive director of Porter Countys Department of Development & Storm Water Management, said homeowners are required to obtain a permit before beginning installation of a pool.

The permit serves to notify county government of the new pool and triggers some oversight to help assure compliance with state regulations, he said.

Niegos said his experience has been that most people comply with the permitting process and safety requirements.

"But you always have people who don't want government getting in their business," he said.

Compliance is difficult to monitor in an area as large and rural as LaPorte County, Niegos said.

The permitting process is an important element in combating problems, he said.

"We know the codes," Niegos said. "The average person does not."
INDIANAPOLIS  Twelve employees of a Democrat-linked group focused on mobilizing black voters in Indiana are accused of submitting fake or fraudulent voter registration applications ahead of last year's general election in order to meet quotas, according to charging documents filed Friday.

Prosecutors allege that 11 temporary workers employed by the Indiana Voter Registration Project created and submitted an unknown number of falsified applications. According to a probable cause affidavit, a supervisor for those canvassers, Holiday Burke, was also charged, as was the group.

Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry said State Police found no evidence of voter fraud or voter suppression and that the charges against the workers arose from "a very bad, ill-advised business practice" of setting canvassers what appears to be a daily quota.

The Indiana Voter Registration Project's effort to register primarily black voters was overseen by Patriot Majority USA, which has ties to the Democratic Party, including Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and former President Bill Clinton.

Patriot Majority has denied any wrongdoing. Spokesman Bill Buck on Friday declined to comment.

State Police began investigating the group in August after a clerk in Hendricks County near Indianapolis flagged about a dozen registration forms that had missing or suspicious information. That investigation expanded to 56 counties where Patriot Majority said it had collected about 45,000 voter registration applications before last November's election.

All 12 defendants face one count each of procuring or submitting voter registration applications known to be false, fictitious or fraudulent. Eleven of them face one perjury count each, while the 12th  their supervisor  faces one count of counterfeiting.

If convicted on all the charges each defendant faces up to 2  years in prison.

The Indiana Voter Registration Project faces the same charges as the supervisor. If convicted, the group could face a fine of $10,000.

During the campaign, then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, raised the possibility of a "rigged" election. They offered no proof. Patriot Majority meanwhile asked the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights division to determine whether the police investigation was an attempt to suppress black voters.

In October, Curry, a Democrat, urged all sides to tone down the rhetoric.

The investigation found workers had submitted bogus applications on behalf of nonexistent residents, submitted new applications for people who were already registered, and at least one application was submitted on behalf of a minor, he said.

A search warrant unsealed on Nov. 14 says some workers admitted to falsifying registrations, saying they faced the possibility of losing their temporary job if they didn't register at least 10 new voters a day.

The probable cause affidavit says supervisors told canvassers "to obtain their quota by any means necessary." Canvassers were paid $10 an hour and worked five-hour shifts.

"By giving someone a financial motive to (meet a quota) is what caused these canvassers to cut corners and do things that not only undermined the goal of having legitimate registered voters but led to a situation where we allege it bled over into criminal conduct," Curry said.

Patriot Majority President Craig Varoga said last year that canvassers weren't paid according to a quota system and had been instructed that it is illegal to provide false information on voter registration forms.

The search warrant indicates that Patriot Majority submitted several hundred voter registration applications that included false, incomplete or fraudulent information. The warrant's contents allowed State Police to raid the Indianapolis offices of Patriot Majority USA in October.

Curry said it's unclear how many problematic applications were submitted, but that it was "a relatively small number."
This State Journal editorial ran on June 9, 1967:

If you are following the letters to the editor lately, you will note that many Madison people are hopping mad about the way motorists constantly threaten the life and limb of pedestrians in this capital city.

More than just complaining, a good many pedestrians are demanding improvements.

The chief of police tells us Madison has a good law which obligates motorists to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. His view is the law is being ignored because the people of Madison dont want it enforced.

Nonsense.

The State Journal sharply disagrees and calls on the Madison Police Department to start enforcing the law every day in all parts of the city. We say that the pedestrian should be king in the crosswalk and that motorists should stop. ... Madison is among the worst cities in American on pedestrian courtesy. ...

Put 10 policemen in plain clothes on 10 different intersections for a couple of high traffic hours every day until everyone understand the law will be enforced.
Safety was one of the reasons Ryan Spangler chose to build a home in St. John.

Its the safest place in the state if not the country, said Spangler, who owns Ryan Spangler State Farm in St. John and is president of the towns Chamber of Commerce. Its a great place, because its wonderful for raising a family. It still has that small town feel but with a developing urban vibe.

According to Nick Johnson of HomeSnacks, a media/news company that uses data, analytics, and a sense of humor to determine quality of life for places across the nation, an analysis of 87 communities in Indiana with a population of more than 5,000 found that St. John was the safest place to live in the state.

Its about the places where crime is mostly what you see on Facebook and not in the news, he said.

As town manager I couldnt be prouder of St. John, said Steve Kil, town manager for the Town of St. John. A distinction such as this speaks volumes to the pride and commitment our residents have in our town and our public safety personnel are to be commended.

Because St. John, population 15,456, is ranked one of Indianas top places to reside, it was the perfect setting for their customized, high-end and quality homes, said Tom Vespa, who with Tim Pisarski owns Legacy Group, which is offering homes in Cardinal Cove in St. John.

As a custom home builder, we chose St. John as one of our featured communities for a number of reasonsthe close proximity to Chicago, extremely reasonable property taxes, safety and great schools were contributing factors, said Vespa, president of Legacy Group. St. John is also a beautiful, inviting community with spacious lots to accommodate the types of homes we build. It is an upscale community that continues to attract new home buyers that have very distinguished and discerning tastes.

St. John home values have gone up 5.3 percent in the last year, according to Zillow, with predictions that theyll rise another 2 pecent in the next year. With a median home price of $369,500, median income of $95,777 (nearly double that for the state) and an unemployment rate of 2.9 percent, St. John was recently ranked as the wealthiest small town in Indiana, according to a study by 24/7 Wall St. Based on data from the U.S. Census Bureaus American Community Survey, the study included median household incomes, poverty rates and median home values from towns across the country with populations ranging from 1,000 to 25,000 residents.

St. John for quite a while has been one of our premier communities with a highly ranked school district, low crime, easy proximity to the state line and attractive housing options, said Peter Novak, Chief Executive of the Greater Northwest Indiana Association of Realtors (GNIAR). When you see higher income and education and better schools, you typically see less crime because thats one of the things that attracts people to an area.

Other factors making St. John desirable, according to the survey, is that its high level of education. Almost 40 percent of the town's population has a bachelor's degree, compared to 24.1 percent for the state, and approximately 97.1 percent of adults in St. John had a high school diploma, compared to 87.8 percent for the state.

It's really outstanding to receive such a great recognition for our community, said Mark Barenie, St. John Town Council. We are blessed with an outstanding group of employees who take pride in their work and community. The residents of St. John should be proud and feel very good about their community.

"I'm really proud of my staff and our community," adds St. John Chief of Police James Kveton. "I think everyone works together here at making St. John a wonderful place. There's a high degree of professionalism that makes me very proud of my staff."

For Spangler, St. John is a caring community that includes business men and women, town hall and police and fire departments.

Thats part of the small-town feel, he said. Its still Mayberry. I like to say that its still country, which keeps you grounded, but St. John has a bit of rock and roll to it as
Anti-Islamic law marches are being held in several cities across country Saturday, including in the city.

Dozens of people gathered at Foley Square on Saturday morning as part of the "March Against Sharia."

ACT for America, which says it believes Sharia law or Islamic teachings are threatening Western democracy, organized the rallies.

The conservative grassroots organization is known for criticizing Islam, and the Southern Poverty Law Center considers it a hate group.

Across from the city's protest, demonstraters held a counter-protest.

Critics say the "March Against Sharia" protests are anti-Muslim and spur intolerance.

Counter-protests are planned in other cities as well, with organizers calling on people of all faiths to turn out in a peaceful demonstration against hate.
A Bronx man who cannot use his arms or legs has become a comic book author  with an unusual way of writing his stories. Borough reporter Erin Clarke tells us more.

Luis Cruz was born with a muscle and joint disease called Arthrogryposis.

"The doctors told my mother he won't amount to nothing," Cruz said. "He'll be physically disabled. He won't be able to use no arms. He'll probably die by the age of three."

Forty-five years later  he's written six comic books.

"I actually write and draw and type with my mouth," Cruz said. "I can type about 25 words a minute with a pen in my mouth."

His comics have been published by an independent company and now he has his own  Cruzin' Comics.

Cruz sometimes draws a quick sketch of how he envisions his characters, but most of the time he sends a lengthy description to one of three comic artists he works with in Spain and Australia.

"Drawing for me to do an entire comic book it would take me forever," he said.

All of his comics have a very personal touch.

"I always put people with disabilities in my stories because I feel that that's something, other than Professor X, there's really no handicapped characters, prominent characters," he said.

Last year he participated in his first Comic Con as an exhibitor and was at the Five Points comic Festival.

"I'd like to see that doctor now and prove to him that he was wrong," Cruz said.
Belmont Park will be in the spotlight on Saturday with the annual running of the Belmont Stakes. The old race track just across the Queens border in Nassau County is fighting a long-term trend of declining attendance  but a group of loyal horse racing fans keeps coming back. NY1's Ruschell Boone reports.

The stands at Belmont Park are mostly empty... but for the die-hard horse racing fans who turn out, the track is full of excitement .

"We have a good time, compare notes, lose together," Deirdre Hynes says

Hynes comes out to Belmont every season. She has been going to the track since she was a little girl and remembers when it was crowded all the time -- and not just on the day of the Belmont stakes.

"I feel like it's shrinking unfortunately, although I am seeing a lot of advertising for the online betting so I feel like that is going to have a surge back into the industry. I do think it's a wonderful experience and people should come out and enjoy it."

The popularity of horse racing in America has been fading for decades, and Belmont is no exception.

Average daily attendance fell to about 5,000 in 2016, from 6,400 in 2006. But the total amount of legal wagering at the track and offsite on Belmont races has ticked up to $12.8 million every racing day, from $11.5 million a day a decade ago.

The New York Racing Association sees a silver lining in some of the numbers.

"We are seeing younger people come out to the track on Fridays and Saturdays. We are seeing younger people at Aqueduct and certainly when you get to Saratoga," says Pat McKenna, the associations director of communications.

Harry Rice is among the 2,000 employees at Belmont. His father worked here before him and his son works here now. After 43 years, he says his job as a valet never gets old.

"Everyday is something different. Every race is something different," he says.

The Staten Island resident assists the jockeys and their trainers and he's prepping for the Belmont Stakes this weekend. There will be no Triple Crown winner this year, but says the race will be electric.

"It's fun and you get excited for it....especially when the crowd gets so ramped up," he says.

It's a feeling that the die-hards know very well every day, and one that many casual fans will experience Saturday, at the Belmont Stakes.
Harlem residents are stepping up their battle against a push to rename their neighborhood SoHa  with a proposal to make the rebranding illegal. NY1 Manhattan Reporter Michael Scotto has the story.

For the second time in a month, Harlem residents took to the street Friday to fire back at realtors, developers, and retailers trying to rebrand the historically black neighborhood as SoHa.

"To come now, yesterday, and rename our community  where do they get off at? Where do they get off at?" resident Cordell Cleare said. "It is disrespectful to us!"

The name SoHa, short for South Harlem, refers to West 110th to 125th St.



Residents say the name has been given visibility by real estate agent Keller Williams, which has set up a SoHa-branded team.

Newly-elected state senator, Brian Benjamin, announced Friday legislation to make it harder to change neighborhood names.

His bill would fine real estate firms, like Keller Williams, for using terms like SoHa.

"This bill, if passed, would mandate the city to take action to create a process for doing what we're asking for, which is to make sure that traditionally recognized neighborhoods' names are not changed," Benjamin said with demonstraters.

The Real Estate Board of New York says it agrees with the general thrust of the legislation, but it's unclear how such a law would withstand a First Amendment challenge.

What isn't disputed is the fierce backlash from long-time residents, who say newcomers are trying to erase Harlem's history as a center of civil rights and African-American culture.

"It's almost like a Ku Klux Klan-veiled attack on a neighborhood," Manhattan City Councilman Bill Perkins said.

Officials at Keller Williams refused to talk with us on camera:

Official: Can you please step away?

Scotto: But why can't you make a comment?

Official: We'll call the police.

Other realtors are staying away from the term SoHa to describe the neighborhood. That's because they say Harlem is an iconic name.

"I don't think by trying to rename or segment, I think that it does it a disservice," said Faith Hope Consolo of the real estate company Douglas Elliman. "I think Harlem speaks for itself."

The legislation is unlikely to move forward in the state senate, but that's not going to stop Harlem's powerful residents from trying:

"Don't mess with Harlem," former Congressman Charles Rangel said at the rally.


A Georgia man was arrested following a stabbing incident Thursday that authorities are reporting as a domestic situation.

Tony Deshawn Bentley Jr., 29, of Moultrie, Ga., was charged with domestic violence second degree after stabbing his girlfriend, the Lee County Sheriff's Office announced in a news release Saturday.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call in reference to a female needing medical assistance around 12:51 p.m. Thursday and deputies responded to a business on Alabama 169 in Opelika where they discovered the victim was suffering from multiple stab wounds, according to the news release.

The 32-year-old victim came running into the business screaming for help while bleeding profusely from several different places on her body, according to witnesses. She was flown by Life Flight to Midtown Medical Center in Columbus, Ga. for injuries not considered to be life threatening.

A black SUV belonging to the suspect was found in the driveway of another business where the assault took place, according to the news release. The offender, later identified as Bentley, fled the scene on foot but was found hiding in a friends vehicle attempting to escape capture.

Lee County Investigators recovered a knife in the suspects vehicle believed to be the weapon used in this crime, the release stated.

Bentley is being held in the Lee County Detention Facility on a $15,000 dollar bond. The charge is considered a class B felony.

Anyone with information about this case or any other case is requested to contact the Lee County Sheriffs Office at 334-737-7150 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-522-7847.
All ages and abilities will team up Sunday to raise awareness about brain injuries.

The Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska, a nonprofit, will host its first 5K fundraiser at Zorinsky Lake.

The event, Blazing Trails for Brain Injury, includes a 5K and 1-mile walk and roll. Organizers expect it to draw about 150 participants.

Our purpose is to provide a fun and engaging experience for people of all ages and abilities, said Cathy Wyatt, community outreach director for the nonprofit.

The statewide organization provides education and advocacy for brain injured individuals and their families. The group also monitors legislature and works on injury prevention.

More than $4,000 has been raised so far through sponsorships, race registration fees and donations.

In addition to the race and walk, the event will include a Jazzercise warm-up, music, face painting, doughnuts and coffee.

Registration costs $35 and includes a T-shirt. Online registration is open until race day. Participants can sign up in person on race day.
The Omaha violinist who sees musical notes as colors has played with Michael Buble and Mannheim Steamroller. Shes earned a neuroscience degree and built her own social network.

Now shes embarking on something entirely different: a prime-time game show.

Kaitlyn Hova, 28, will be a contestant on the series premiere of Foxs Superhuman at 8 p.m. Monday. The show, hosted by Kal Penn (Kumar of the Harold and Kumar movies), invites people with extraordinary abilities to compete for a $50,000 prize, using their special skills in memory, hearing, taste, touch, smell and sight.

Hovas ability is synesthesia.

Its a phenomenon in which two senses are neurologically crossed, said Hova, who now lives in San Francisco with her husband, Matt Hova. For example, numbers and letters could be colors for some people. For me, I can physically see sounds.

For her, musical notes pop up as dots of color.

Hova came to be on Superhuman because of her contacts in the synesthesia community. She knew a guy, who put her in touch with the show, and here we are.

The challenges were really crazy, and Im grateful I got to be a part of it, Hova said.

She shot the episode last summer and was sworn to secrecy until now. It was so long ago and such a strange experience, Hova began to wonder if it wasnt all a dream.

Shes found continual confirmation that this did, in fact, happen from her fellow contestants. She kept in touch with her new friends. They like to text about Game of Thrones.

The contestants took the same bus from the airport to the shows shoot, Hova recalls. Imagine being on a bus ride with the most interesting people you have ever met, she said. Youre, like, How did I get here? 

Hova was the only contestant on the bus with synesthesia. Other superhumans included a muscle-memory contortionist, a man with stereoscopic depth perception and a guy with the ability to distinguish a multitude of frog calls.

Hova discovered that her own ability was, in fact, an ability while in college. She was getting her music degree when she learned that not everyone saw music as color.

I was about to graduate, in my last music theory class, and our teacher was trying to kill some time, Hova said. He was, like, Hey, guys, how interesting is it that some people can physically see sound? And he thought this was really interesting. I was, like, Duh. 

After she discovered the singularity of her perspective, Hova dumped her music degree and became the first woman to enroll in the new neuroscience major at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, later graduating with a bachelors degree.

Not long after that she got married, released a few singles and rebooted her life.

In 2014 Hova and her husband quit their jobs and went to Omaha Code School.

It completely changed our lives, she said. After graduation, dude, we got jobs within 24 hours of each other.

Those jobs took them to San Francisco, where shes now a senior developer for the organization Women Who Code.

Before they left Omaha the Hovas co-created the Synesthesia Network, a social network for people with synesthesia, through which Kaitlyn has met some interesting folks.

Like a guy whos mapping out the London Underground by the tastes he associates with words. Or like the person who affiliates personalities with numbers (the number 5, for instance, is a sad old man).

Whats interesting about synesthesia is that a lot of people have some form of it, Hova said. Maybe its not like you can physically see sound, but statistics say that one in 23 people have some form of cross-sensory experience.

If theres one thing her synesthesia has taught her, Hova said, its that we dont all see the world in the same way.
A surprise rise in U.S. oil inventories sent the market tanking when the Department of Energy released its weekly update Wednesday. Oil had its biggest one-day loss since March, falling to a one-month low near $45 per barrel.

U.S. stockpiles of crude oil, gasoline and diesel fuel are at historically high levels, which is keeping a lid on fuel prices, even as other global producers are reducing oil output. OPEC nations and Russia have largely been holding to their promise to reduce production, but U.S. producers have been drilling more wells over the last five months, replacing foreign oil with domestic crude.

This has helped to keep energy prices relatively affordable for consumers, with retail gasoline under $2.50 per gallon for most Americans over past two years.

British election turmoil

In April, British Prime Minister Theresa May called for a snap election to shore up support for her Conservative Party in Parliament. May has been leading Great Britain since the Brexit vote last June and had been expected to gain a mandate in this weeks election.

Instead, her party lost seats and control of Parliament, which may derail Mays bargaining position domestically and with the EU as Great Britain negotiates its exit from the EU.

Market watchers reacted swiftly to the election results, dumping the British pound as they feared a hard Brexit with harsher terms from the EU, knocking the pound near a two-month low at $1.27 early Friday morning.

USDA projects healthy harvest

On Friday morning, the USDA updated its monthly Supply & Demand and Crop Production reports, showing continued projections for ample corn, wheat and soybean crops this year.

The USDA raised its estimates of grain stockpiles as well, which could continue to put pressure on prices in the coming months, although weather concerns will continue to dominate these markets.

As of midday Friday, July Kansas City wheat was worth $4.55 per bushel, July soybeans stood at $9.40, and July corn carried a value of $3.88.

Walt and Alex Breitinger are commodity futures brokers in Silver Lake, Kansas. They can be reached at 800-411-3888 or www.paragoninvestments.com.
LINCOLN  A prison inmate charged with killing his cellmate deserves the death penalty because he had committed a prior murder and has a history of violence, Johnson County Attorney Rick Smith says in a new court filing.

Smith and prosecutors with the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office had previously announced that they would seek the death penalty against Patrick Schroeder, who is accused of choking Terry Berry Jr. to death on April 15 inside their cell at the Tecumseh State Prison.

By law, the state must declare which aggravating circumstances exist that warrant a death penalty in a first-degree murder case.

On Friday, Smith filed a court document stating that he intends to prove that two aggravating circumstances existed in the crime: Schroeder had previously committed a murder (hes serving a life sentence for the 2006 murder of a Pawnee County farmer); and he has a substantial history of serious assaultive or terrorizing criminal activity.

If Schroeder, 39, is found guilty of first-degree murder in Berrys death, a second sentencing trial would be held to weigh whether he deserves the death penalty. Part of the process involves weighing the alleged aggravating circumstances against any mitigating circumstances that might have existed.

Schroeder is next scheduled to appear in Johnson County District Court on June 20.
A 23-year-old man was given four years in prison after being convicted in Sarpy County District Court of human trafficking.

Judge Stefanie Martinez sentenced Jesse Blum to the prison time followed by two years of probation. Blum pleaded guilty to the felony. Two other charges against him were dismissed. He was given credit for 227 days served.

Blum was one of three people arrested by Bellevue police and accused of making arrangements and then having a 15-year-old girl have sex with adults for money. He was convicted of helping another adult have sex for money.

Sarpy County Deputy Attorney Phil Kleine asked for the maximum sentence of four years and told the judge that Blum already benefited from the plea deal.

The two other co-defendants in the case, Branden L. Felt and Kylie M. Ray, pointed fingers at each other, but everyone said Blum was involved, Kleine said.

The minor involved in the case said Blum once pointed a gun at her and took her to houses to perform sex acts in exchange for drugs and money, Kleine said.

Blum also sent messages to friends seeking clients for the females, Kleine said.

Blums attorney, Tom Petersen, said that while his client has a significant criminal history, its related to poor decisions Blum made while using controlled substances. Petersen said he had known Blum since 2014, and there was a 180-degree difference between when his client was using drugs and when he was not.

Petersen added that both victims in the case had recanted.

At one point during the hearing, Martinez asked Blum if he was paying attention to the proceeding before continuing with the sentencing.

In April, Douglas County District Judge Michael Coffey sentenced Blum to three years in prison followed by 18 months of post-release supervision. In that case, Blum pleaded guilty to felony attempted theft by receiving stolen property.

The separate sentences from the two counties will run consecutively, meaning Blum must finish one before serving the other.

One of the other defendants in the trafficking case has been sentenced.

Ray, 20, pleaded guilty to attempted human trafficking and was sentenced to two years of probation.

Felt, 20, pleaded guilty to attempted human trafficking, human trafficking and tampering with physical evidence. He is to be sentenced later this month.
Ashley Lin, 22, had never been to the United States, let alone Nebraska.

All the student from Guangzhou, China, knew about Omaha is that Warren Buffett lives here.

Not confident in her English skills, and always having lived with her parents, Lins move to attend Bellevue University two years ago was her first step toward independence. Last weekend, Lin took another big step.

Lin and 81 other Chinese students graduated from Bellevue University, the first class of a partnership between Bellevue and Guangzhou College of Commerce, a school near Hong Kong. About 100 parents and relatives traveled more than 7,000 miles to attend the commencement at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs. For some, it was their first time in the U.S.

While the graduates arent the universitys only international students  Bellevue hosts students from more than 70 countries  they are the first to participate in the joint-degree program that awards degrees from both colleges.

The students attended two years of classes in China, then transferred to Bellevue to finish their studies in supply chain and logistics management. Recruited out of high school, they started college knowing they had to keep their grades up and show a commitment to improving their English to stay in the program.

Recruiting students out of high school can be a gamble, said Mary Hawkins, president of Bellevue University. You have no way of knowing how theyll do in college, she said.

But, to Hawkins surprise, the first class of students had a 100 percent retention rate, with every student recruited four years ago graduating.

Although they walked the stage last weekend, the students still have two months of summer courses to finish. But come August, theyll either be headed to graduate school or back to China.

This is intended to prepare them for good jobs to help the workforce in China, Hawkins said. Study in the United States, and take the skills and knowledge home.

Two days before graduation, Chinese parents filled the humanities auditorium at Bellevue. They held up their smartphones and snapped pictures as their children presented their final projects, with slides that included English and Chinese captions.

Hawkins and Julie Verebely, program director, have maintained a relationship with the parents and students for about five years. The pair started visiting China once or twice a year to lay the groundwork for the program about eight years ago.

Being able to put names to faces and learn about the Omaha area put on-edge parents more at ease, Hawkins said.

What would your parents do if you told them you were going to China for two years? she said.

Having Verebely by her side to translate is an added bonus.

Verebely moved to Nebraska from China 20 years ago when she married her husband, whos now the schools assistant vice president of information technology. Speaking little English, she had only her husband and his family for help. Having been through it herself, Verebely helps to make the transition as smooth as possible for the students and the university.

She helps with necessities, such as how to wire money or make a doctors appointment. But she also helps with smaller things, such as telling the university cafeteria not to put salt in the rice, because the Chinese students will think it tastes funny.

The students have come to call her Zhou-Ma, like saying Mother Julie, Lin said.

She has done a lot of things for us from the beginning, Lin said. She helps us adapt to the new environment and she tries her best to give us more opportunities to take part in American activities and culture.

After two years in Bellevue, Lin isnt afraid to speak up in class anymore. Classroom discussions are one of her favorite things about studying in America. She cooks Chinese food for herself, manages her finances and has learned to drive.

Our parents come here and we can prepare everything for them, she said. In China, always, parents prepare things for us. That is what we learned here.
Some like it hot. Yeah, right.

Gusty south-southwest winds are expected to usher in hot and slightly more humid air this weekend in the Omaha area, forecasters said.

Temperatures will peak around 95 degrees today and Sunday, which will be near record highs for the Omaha area, according to the National Weather Service office in Valley.

Dew points in the low to mid-60s, combined with the high temperatures, will create a heat index, or feel-like conditions, ranging from 95 to 105 degrees.

For us, said KMTV meteorologist Ryan McPike, its going to be hot, hot and more hot through the weekend.

This one (heat spell) is pretty good for early June, he said. Its going to feel more like August.

The Salvation Army said Friday that its opening cooling stations in Omaha and Council Bluffs next week for anybody who needs a break from the heat. And the Humane Society reminded drivers not to leave their pets in cars.

McPike said the jet stream is tracking well north of the Omaha area, creating a heat bubble over eastern Nebraska and western Iowa that is driving up temperatures and drawing in moist air from the south.

The average high temperature for June in Omaha is 87 degrees. The record high in Omaha for today is 106 degrees in 1933; the record high for Sunday is 101 degrees in 1952.

Today in the Omaha area, expect mostly sunny skies, a high around 95 and south winds gusting as high as 25 mph. Tonights low will be 75.

The weather service said Sunday and Monday in the Omaha area should also be mostly sunny and breezy, with highs around 95.

The good news, said McPike, is we dont have to worry about any severe weather in our area.

Tuesday will bring sunny skies, a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. and a high around 95.

Forecasters said Wednesday and Thursday will be also be mostly sunny with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. The highs both days are expected to reach the mid- to upper 80s.
Motorists, rejoice.

The southbound Interstate 480 ramps in Omaha to eastbound I-80 and southbound U.S. Highway 75 are now open.

A construction project on the ramps began in early March, with some traffic rerouted into Council Bluffs.

Also, the southbound lanes of I-480 were resurfaced from about Dewey Avenue south to the I-80 interchange. That work was done each night from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. The lanes were open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The ramps were scheduled to reopen and the resurfacing work completed before the College World Series first pitch on June 17, Nebraska Department of Roads officials said.

The next phase of the project begins July 5, officials said, when the northbound lanes of I-480 will be resurfaced during the overnight hours. That work also will take about 3 months.

The ramp closings were for bridge-deck repair work, roads officials said. The work included a 3-inch asphalt overlay and protective membrane layer, replacement of bridge approaches and remodeling of bridge abutments, officials said.

Cramer & Associates Inc. of Grimes, Iowa, was awarded the contract for the ramp work  $9.8 million. The resurfacing contract  $5.9 million  went to Omni Engineering of Omaha.
Walking up a stone path beneath a canopy of green leaves, billionaire Joe Ricketts rattles off all the places he splits his time. Hes a resident of Wyoming. His work takes him to New York, Illinois, Colorado and across the border to Canada. Work and family pull him to Nebraska, too. But its his faith and a passion project years in the making that bring him to this wooded hilltop near the Platte River on a warm Wednesday afternoon in early June.

For me personally, walking through the forest allows me a sense of greater communication with the Lord, said Ricketts, who founded Omahas TD Ameritrade and is the father of Gov. Pete Ricketts. I feel better praying when Im in the forest, when Im in the woods.

That desire to bolster his spiritual health through nature  and a hope to share that experience with others  is why Ricketts is building this sprawling religious retreat on 931 acres off Nebraska Highway 31 and Fishery Road.

The Cloisters on the Platte will cost at least $20 million, according to building permits filed with Sarpy County. The land cost Ricketts an additional $13.6 million in 2014. He declined to offer a total cost estimate for the whole undertaking.

The project isnt seeking property tax exemption, project organizers said.

On this particular Wednesday, about 300 workers were on-site. But by the time the dust settles, about 700 construction workers, 100 subcontractors and suppliers, and three general contractors will have had their hands on the project, said Kurt Halvorson, project manager.

Its like building a small city, Ricketts said. We have to put in our roads, our own sewers.

The retreat center isnt set to open for about a year, but its buildings and grounds are beginning to take shape. A drive up a winding dirt road affords glimpses of work on a gatehouse and an underground parking garage. Round the bend and atop a hill theres the chapel, modeled after St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Omaha, and the main retreat center building. To the north, seven guest lodges fan out from the main campus. In a nearby forest, a path winds around cement platforms that will one day be adorned with sculptures marking the Stations of the Cross.

Each of the seven lodges will have 10 bedrooms and a living room, but each building is also unique, designed by a different architect and different interior decorator. The chapel will feature easy chairs and kneelers for attendees. Walking trails will allow people to explore the grounds.

But the facilities, while beautiful, should not be the focus, Ricketts said. Its about the retreats.

The Cloisters on the Platte will host retreats of up to 80 men or women each weekend, 47 weekends a year. The retreats will be gender specific and silent.

People will come here to enhance their spiritual life, to make it deeper, Ricketts said. And really to make that whole aspect of their lives healthier.

The retreat center site is across the river from Mahoney State Park. Its remote enough that you cant hear the Interstate in the summer but accessible enough that its an easy drive for people in Omaha or Lincoln.

Its a beautiful spot, Ricketts said.

Retreat attendees can go to Mass, confession, benediction and lectures, as well as meet with spiritual directors for people who want to have one-on-one consultation. But people are allowed a lot of time to be by themselves, Ricketts said. The experience centers on meditation and contemplation.

And if youre caught talking? You get the boot, Ricketts said.

The operation will employ about 20 people  office staff, groundskeepers, kitchen and cleaning staff. Retreat leaders will be volunteers and will come and go throughout the year.

The Stations of the Cross walk will span 2,500 feet  the length Jesus is said to have walked on His way to the cross  and its poised to be the biggest Stations of the Cross in the world.

Nine sculptors around the country are working on the massive and ornate bronze sculptures that will mark each station. The sculptors are working in Oregon, California and Colorado, and theyve spent two years already working on the pieces.

The Stations of the Cross will be open to the public Monday through Thursday, Ricketts said, and it may have an international draw. Hes already gotten inquiries about it from people in Europe and Asia.

Marketing efforts have been successful, Ricketts said. A letter sent in March to area Catholics requested that people mail in cards expressing interest in attending one of the centers retreats. About 6,500 people from Omaha and elsewhere have sent in those cards or have indicated online that they have interest in visiting the retreat center or getting more information.

The target community is Catholics in the Midwest, but anyone of any faith from any place is welcome to attend a retreat, Ricketts said.

As the retreat center is being built, The Cloisters on the Platte Foundation is hosting retreats at other retreat centers around the metro. But even once The Cloisters site is done, those centers wont be considered competition, Ricketts said.

The Ignatian retreat is special and unique, he said. Putting this facility here isnt going to have any effect on the other ones. Theyre here for different reasons. They fulfill a different need.

There are 25 other Ignatian retreat centers around the United States, according to Jesuit.org. The Cloisters on the Platte is unique in that Ricketts is building it independently. Normally, Jesuits establish the retreat centers.

Halvorson sends Ricketts videos filmed by drones to keep him apprised of site progress when hes not in town, but Ricketts makes a point of visiting the site every few weeks.

He loves this project, Halvorson said.

On Wednesday afternoon, Ricketts stood among the trees and detailed another component of his project: returning the land to its natural habitat. His crews have removed cedar trees. Theyre bringing in prairie grass and planting more trees in the forest. They hope to attract native wildlife.

The forest is beautiful, he said. Despite the clanging, drilling and occasional yelling of the construction effort, the wooded area is mostly quiet.

I think its kind of healthy for people to think Who am I? What am I? Why am I here? What are the most important things to me in my life, and what are the least important things in my life?  Ricketts said. You need that environment that leads to contemplation in order to work.
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.
A soldier in Kashmir is also human, lest we forget

India

oi-Prabhpreet

By Prabhpreet

A lot has been said in the last month or so about the role of the Army in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Most of it has surrounded allegations of violation of human rights of the people of the Valley by the armed forces.

Though the topic has been debated for decades, it was the incident of Major Leetul Gogoi using a Kashmiri as a 'human shield' that brought the issue back into the spotlight.

Most sides have had their say on the matter by now. These include politicians from either side of the fence, the media with leanings towards the Left, Right and the Centre, Kashmiris, human rights activists, senior army officers, both past and present, and the government.

And these groups have either lambasted Major Gogoi's actions or backed them to the hilt. The debate was charged with emotions, and strong feelings were obvious in the arguments that were made.

All this talk though has very conveniently managed to bypass the side of the debate which may matter the most but is by training and convention not allowed to talk about its emotions and feelings.

This is the voice of the soldier fighting a battle that he was not supposed to but does for the good of the country. While the rest of the nation has chosen to forget that underneath the uniform and the bravery that comes with it is a human being who feels exactly what all the others do, yet goes above and beyond what the rest are expected to.

In return, no demands are made, at least not more, and probably less, than by any civilian. Even though a soldier's life is uncomparable to those who do not have to pick up arms and sacrifice themselves for their country and its people.

In case such a life was not hard enough, the conditions and posting in Kashmir have just made it tougher. As if facing bullets from enemies across the border was not tough enough, they now have to face threats like stones, bullets, bombs from their own countrymen, and including abuse from those around the country on how they try to protect others and themselves.

Kashmir

In an ideal situation, an army is not to be deployed in a civilian setting. But based on the reality on the ground, those in power have chosen for it to be so when it comes to Kashmir. While the merits of such a decision can be debated, the point that the soldiers did not ask for it and are still working with bravery and at the cost of their lives cannot be forgotten.

Especially given that the tough conditions in the Valley, are unlike the border areas where they are ideally to be posted, throws up multiple problems that soldiers of only a few other armies in the world have to face.

Not only is the army posted on the line dividing the country from a hostile neighbour, but in a division that is not a conventional border and is instead a Line of Control, which is also not clearly demarcated and is porous in nature due to the terrain. Such details have made the army the main security force manning the LoC instead of the Border Security Force which has the duty to guard the other borders with neighbours.

In addition to an already complicated situation, the facts that terrorists supported by Pakistan, are also the cause of violence, and problems of unrest, well inside an Indian state, have deemed it necessary for soldiers to operate in it.

And this has lead to a situation where the soldier, instead of facing a known and visible opponent, have to battle an enemy who moves in the shadows and in the midst of the general public. What makes it even more difficult is the fact that such terrorists also enjoy support among the sections of the public.

How else can last years protests, following the killing of well-known terrorist Burhan Wani, the commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen by the security forces, have been able to push the Valley to a point of turmoil unseen in decades.

Despite all this and the fact that they had no say in the matter, they continue to work in an environment that they were not initially meant or trained to. And it should not be forgotten that for all the problems that they face on the ground, they continue to do so to the best of their abilities.

The soldier in Kashmir

For all the hopes that the rest of the world may have about soldiers being like machines who have no emotions or feel no pain, this is not true. And the Indian soldier is no different. Underneath all the bravado, sweat, blood and wounds, they are also humans who have the same strengths and weaknesses like all the rest.

Yet they mask all vulnerabilities and move on doing things and committing actions that only a soldier can while forgetting or at least burying, thoughts of his family and friends at home, about responsibilities towards them, his own needs, working at all times while faced with a real and constant threat to life.

And in Kashmir, this is as much, if not more, a reality as any place on the planet. As the stones and bullets thrown and fired at them from all sides, the attempt to judge who did so is near impossible compared to an open battlefield. And unlike other agencies of the government, they do not have the luxury to find out who in the mob are the enemy and who are not.

Such conditions make the threat to not only their duty but their life ever present. And this unconventional nature of the situation made the Army Chief describe it as a "dirty war." Not only is it a dirty war but also one fought on a daily basis.

In addition to these, even the simple fact that while during conventional wars, like those with Pakistan in the past, the people of the country would openly support the army and its soldiers, in Kashmir the same mob instead of cheering it, is part of increasing the danger for those trying to save lives and protect them.

Should they be absolved of all judgment

None of this though should mean that all actions of the soldiers should be absolved of any judgment. Even though to hold them accountable has been made difficult due to the imposition of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, which gives soldiers immunity from criminal prosecution in civilian courts, was deemed necessary as without it an army would not be able to achieve any of its goals in a state like Jammu and Kashmir.

But this difficulty should not lead to all soldiers being painted with the same brush. To do so would be an act of illicit generalisation which would only make the situation worse for those trying to do their duty with all honesty.

Mistakes will be made in the heat of battle, but they will still be fewer than those made by the general civilian population in their daily lives. Along with mistakes made in all honesty, there will also be soldiers who break laws on purpose, and instead of generalising it should be made sure that they are brought to justice according to the procedure set up.

Though they should be judged it is wrong to think they can be scrutinised by the media, by activists, by politicians, on the same scales as others. And it would be a bigger mistake if it is thought that if the law makes it tough for soldiers to be brought to justice, it is right to do so on TV or through column inches in newspapers were little thought is given to the morale and conditions of the foot soldier and end up demonising every soldier.

As this would be as unfair to the man guarding the country as it would be to eulogise all of them including those who have allegedly committed a crime would be on those who suffer from such mistakes.

An army would not exist if the world was an ideal place. But it is not, and the soldiers are those who fight and make sure that it remains a place where civilisations can survive and flourish, by doing the dirty work that others choose to believe does not even exist.

The soldier did not ask for any of it yet he performs it every day without worrying about himself or those who care for him. The least that the rest can do is not demonise all of them while trying to discuss a policy whose implementation the soldier on the ground had little, if any, say in.

OneIndia News
FM Nirmala Sitharaman hints at possibility of Centre considering restoration of state status to J&K

In J&K, 14,000 dropouts find their way back to schools

Army operations in Kashmir: 13 militants killed in 96 hour

India

oi-Madhuri

The Army on Saturday said its operations in Kashmir resulted in the deaths of 13 militants in last 96 hours.

#JKOps Total 13 armed intruders killed so far. Relentless ops on to thwart Pak attempts to upsurge terror in Kashmir. Statement att @adgpi pic.twitter.com/l5asDasFP5  NorthernComd.IA (@NorthernComd_IA) June 10, 2017

''Around 13 armed intruders killed in different ops in last 96 hours. Operations on to thwart Pak attempts to upsurge terror in Kashmir,''the defence spokesman of the Northern Command said.

In the last 96 hours, 13 heavily armed intruders and terrorists have been successfully eliminated, he said.

The Army on Friday claimed to have killed five infiltrators on the Line of Control in North Kashmir's Uri sector. Two soldiers were injured in the operation that began three days ago. The infiltrators were intercepted by troopers of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry and Rashtriya Rifles near Gawalata in an area covered with dense vegetation, officials said.

Army officers have blamed Pakistan for trying to push infiltrators into the Valley from various sectors.

He said that armed intruder groups were getting active support, including cover fire, from Pakistan army posts at the LoC.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 17:15 [IST]
Chhota Shakeel ordered hit on Tarek Fatah: Hitman arrested

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Delhi police arrested an aide of Chhota Shakeel has learnt that he had planned on killing Tarek Fatah, a Pakistan born Canadian writer and TV personality. Junaid Chaudhary, 21 is in police custody now.

Junaid a sharpshooter and close aid of Shakeel was told to eliminate Fatah. Junaid was promised a sum of Rs 10 lakh to get the job done. Junaid who was arrested from Wazirabad road in north-east Delhi said that he was paid an advance of Rs 1.5 lakh.

Court issues NBW against Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Shakeel

According to the Delhi police Junaid had even carried out a reconnaissance of Fatah's house. The police managed to arrest Junaid on the basis of leads provided by the Intelligence Bureau.

The police is questioning Junaid for further information. He said during the initial round of investigations that the job was ordered to him as Shakeel did not like Fatah's views on Islam. Fatah has made several controversial statements on Islam. He is also famous for criticising Pakistan and its policies.

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 9:57 [IST]
"Cow is sacred national wealth, no fundamental right to slaughter," Hyderabad HC

India

oi-Anusha

An order passed by the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana said that 'cow was a sacred national wealth'. Justice B Siva Sankara Rao in his March 1 order had even held that slaughter of cows for Bakrid was not an essential religious practice under Islam.

An order that was passed in March by the Andhra HC is now gaining media attention. On a petition seeking custody of 63 cows and 2 bulls from a Gaushala, Justice Siva Sankara Rao held, "In this Country-the Bharat, for those in belief who represent a majority of the population, the cow is a substitute for mother, who is a substitute to God. The cow, in particular, acquires a special sanctity and was called "Aghnya" (not to be slain). Thus, the cow is a sacred national wealth and no one merely owned can claim, but for to rear, either to kill or to sell for slaughter."

The petitioner had approached the court after the police seized his cattle. Police told the petitioner that the cattle was being shifted to a Gaushala since they received information that cows and bulls had been procured to be offered for slaughter during Bakrid. A case under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Prohibition of Cows Slaughter and Animal Preservation Act II of 1977 was registered against the owner.

The petitioner moved the High Court after a lower court held that there was a prima facie case under the 1977 Act. Petitioner contended that sacrifices to God in the religious functions is not an offence. The High Court bench quoted the Veda, Upanishads as well as the Bible and laws passed by Muslim rulers in India to express its views against the killing of animals, especially cows.

The court even said that only those who have knowledge of Vedas and those who are spiritually developed understand why one should abstain from all animal killing. The court concluded that there is no fundamental right of Muslims to insist on the slaughter of healthy cows on the occasion of Bakrid.

The petition was dismissed by the court that urged for amendments to the law with stringent penal consequences and better enforcement of Prevention of Cruelty against Animals by amending the Act.

OneIndia News
Darjeeling: GJM calls indefinite bandh in GTA from Monday

India

oi-Madhuri

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha general secretary Roshan Giri on Saturday called for all party meet called on June 13. He also said that offices of Gorkhaland Territorial Admin, Bengal government and central govt will be shut from Monday.

However, Court will be open on that day. Meanwhile, school and colleges will be exempted from bandh. Also, revenue generating sources of state will be closed.

He further appealed to put all sign boards in Darjeeling, Kerseong, Kalimpong, Mirik & other places in Nepali and English.

The demand for a separate Gorkhaland was first initiated back in the 1980s, which ended with the Government settling the issue with an agreement with the past protestors. But now, the Trinamool has been, until now actually, been in an agreement with the GJM and the Centre and had formed the GTA.

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 19:18 [IST]
Explaining the Supreme Court's Aadhaar-PAN verdict in a nut-shell

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the law that made the UID number a must for filing income tax returns and its linkage to PAN card. This was a major victory for the Narendra Modi government which has been making Aadhaar mandatory for many transactions.

The centre had to defend before the SC, the validity of Section 139AA of the Income Tax act introduced through the Finance Act, 2017. In the 155 page judgment, the court said, "We hold that Parliament was fully competent to enact Section 139AA of the I-T Act and its authority to make this law was not diluted by the orders of this court."

[SC on Aadhaar: Congress welcomes order]

The court clarified that, "those assessees who are not Aadhaar card holders and do not comply with the provision of Section 139(2), their PAN cards be not treated as invalid for the time being". Broadly this would mean that those who have a PAN and are yet to get their Aadhaar can still file their IT returns this year.

Further the court said that Section 139AA would be applied prospectively. The government needed to take urgent measures to assuage citizens' apprehension about the leakage of data concerning Aadhaar and PAN linkage, the 155 page judgment also read.

Verdict in a nut-shell

"A person who is holder of PAN and if his PAN is invalidated (for want of Aadhaar linkage as he did not have Aadhaar number), he is bound to suffer immensely in his day-to-day dealings, which situation should be avoided till the Constitution bench of the SC authoritatively determined the validity of Aadhaar."

"If failure to intimate the Aadhaar number renders PAN void ab initio with the deeming provision that the PAN allotted would be invalid as if the person had not applied for allotment of PAN, it would have rippling effect of unsettling settled rights of parties. It has the effect of undoing all the acts done by a person on the basis of such a PAN."

"It may have even the effect of incurring other penal consequences under the Act for earlier period on the ground that there was no PAN registration by a particular assessee. Hence, the law would apply prospectively."

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 6:25 [IST]
Should Kashmir be given to Pakistan: Row erupts after this question appears in MP civil service exam

Get ready to deal with 'the scourge,' General Rawat tells cadets

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Misinformation on the social media is instigating the youth of Kashmir said Indian Army Chief, General Bipin Rawat. Security forces have to devise ways to counter this", he said while addressing cadets at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun.

If we have modern technology it should be used properly, that way the public won't face so many hardships and we can become more capable too," General Rawat said.

He also said that terrorism is the biggest challenge the country is facing. He urged the cadets to be ready to deal with "the scourge".

Pakistan is spreading disinformation among the youth of Kashmir with doctored videos and messages. This is further supported by some of the people in the valley who spread it and glamorize the young boys who have joined terrorist organisations," Rawat also said.

The statements by the Army chief come in the backdrop of the government devising a strategy to tackle the social media. The new Ajit Doval doctrine also involves dealing with the social media. The government plans on blocking misinformation being spread on the social media as it has been the primary reason for the youth to get instigated.

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 15:40 [IST]
Guns and girlfriends: The new craze in the Kashmir Valley

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Danish Ahmed's surrender was a huge victory for the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. His interrogation report has some very interesting points. Ahmed says that not all youth are living by the gun because they believe in Azaadi. It is to impress girls, he says.

Ahmed who had joined the Hizbul Mujahideen was seen at the funeral of terrorist, Sabzar Bhat who was gunned down by security forces in May.

Ahmed's story is an interesting one. In 2016 he was arrested for stone pelting, but was let off after counseling. He however went on to join the Hizbul Mujahideen and was part of the camp run by Sabzar Bhat who succeeded Burhan Wani.

Victory for Indian Army as top militant Danish Ahmed surrenders

The police and the security forces who identified Danish Ahmed through the videos shot at the funeral of Bhat wanted him to surrender. Finally they spoke with his parents and coaxed him to surrender.

The Danish Ahmed story tells a take of disillusionment. He speaks about a carrot that was promised which ultimately turned out to be a stick. His interrogation report states that he got in touch with militants in South Kashmir. He says that they instigated him to join the Hizbul.

"My job was to recruit youth into the Hizbul from north Kashmir. The Hizbul has a considerable presence in south Kashmir, but wanted to scale up operations in the northern part of the state," Danish said.

He said that after a few days became disillusioned. It is not just me. There are many other youth who are upset that they joined the militant ranks, he says. There are many waiting to surrender. However they are scared to do so because the Hizbul militants have threatened to kill them, he said.

However the most interesting part of his confession comes in the later half of his interrogation report. "Most youth pick up the gun to impress girls. He says that many local girls treat these youth as heroes. With a gun in hand, they feel strong and powerful and this impresses many girls," he says. He goes on to add that the likes of Reyaz Naikoo and Zakir Musa and Abu Dujana have multiple girlfriends.

He says that these persons project themselves as Robin Hood before the girls in a bid to impress them. He further says that not all the money looted by the militants goes into funding the terror organisation. He says that in most cases the money looted from banks or got from extortion is used to buy fancy gadgets and expensive clothes.

OneIndia News
Grieving family forced to bribe Coimbatore hospital staff to get daughter's body

India

oi-Anusha

A grieving family in Tamil Nadu was forced to pay a bribe to get their daughter's dead body. The family alleges that the staff of the general hospital in Coimbatore demanded money to release their 17-year-old daughter's body from the mortuary. Rs 3,000 was sought from the family to bring Bhagyashree's body from the mortuary.

17-year-old Bagyashree died after a weight loss procedure went horribly wrong. Her family alleged that she died due to wrong medical treatment at a private herbal care centre in Salem while undergoing a weight loss program. She was administered some herbal medicine after which she fell unconscious and is said to have died. The nature care centre, the family alleges, did not inform them of Bhagyashree's death and shifted her to a hospital in Coimbatore.

When the family approached the general hospital, they were asked to pay a bribe of Rs 3,000 to get their daughter's dead body. Post-mortem procedure had been conducted at the Coimbatore hospital and her body was kept in the mortuary. Hospital staff, the family claims, refused to bring her body out of the mortuary and hand it over to them without paying a bribe. When the family refused, the staff asked them to take the body themselves and shift it to an ambulance without a freezer. The body of the 17-year-old girl had to be taken all the way to Salem for last rites with no dignity for the dead as hospital staff refused to budge.

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 12:33 [IST]
Gujarat board's Hindi textbook says 'Demon' Christ, probe ordered after uproar

India

oi-Anusha

In supposed 'printing mistake' of mammoth proportions, Gujarat board's Class IX Hindi textbooks refer to Jesus Christ as 'Demon' (Haivaan) instead of 'God' (Bhagwan). The supposed 'mistake' has led to massive controversy with parents from the Christian community demanding the withdrawal of faulty textbooks.

While the textbook has created a massive uproar, the Gujarat State School Textbook Board has maintained that it was a genuine and unintended mistake. "Instead of the word 'Bhagwan', the word 'haivaan' got printed. We have already made the correction in the online version. Since books have already been distributed among students, it is not possible to withdraw them now," said Nitin Pethani the Executive President of the board. He added that a probe has been ordered into the incident.

The board now wants to issue advisory to all teachers and schools to correct the mistake while teaching. The Christian community is, however, seeing red over this development and have demanded that nothing short of a new textbook with necessary corrections will make up for the error.

The reference is made in one of the chapters on page 16 that describes the relationship between teacher and student in Indian culture. "Is sambandh me 'haivaan Issa' ka ek kathan sada smaraniya hai," the line reads. It translates to 'In this context, a statement by 'demon Jesus' is always memorable'.

Members of Christian community gathered outside the District Education Officer (DEO) in Ahmedabad and demanded that the book be withdrawn. They have also demanded an unconditional apology and have sought criminal action against those responsible for the error which is being looked at as an attempt to hurt religious sentiments.

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 13:25 [IST]
Know why Arun Shourie thanked PM Modi and made fun of Venkaiah Naidu's writing skills

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

New Delhi, June 10: Since Friday, senior journalist and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Arun Shourie is trending on Twitter. The reason, the speech he gave at the Press Club of India, Delhi, on Friday, where several journalists gathered to raise their voice against the recent CBI raids on the properties owned by the promoters of NDTV channel recently.

Beginning his speech, Shourie, who of late has been vocally speaking against the government, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing together so many journalists under one platform. The tone of the veteran was definitely sarcastic and the message was clear--to fight for freedom of speech.

"I want to begin by expressing my deep gratitude to Narendra Modi. He has brought so many friends together. And as a return favour, I want to read him a couplet.... Tujh se pehle jo yahaan takhtnasheen thha/ Usko bhi apne khuda hone pe itna hee yakeen thha (He who occupied this throne before you, also believed, like you, that he was God)....," the former editor of The Indian Express said to a cheering crowd.

It was perhaps in decades that so many journalists of repute came together to openly voice their anger against the ruling dispensation at the Centre. Some of the prominent names from the media who gathered at the meeting included--Kuldip Nayar, Nihal Singh, Shourie, HK Dua, TN Ninan, Shekhar Gupta and Prannoy Roy, to name a few. Jurist Fali S Nariman also spoke at the meeting.

"Never delude yourself into believing that a little concession will buy you peace. Many of you think that if you give prominence to some of the articles of these ministers or if you give them airtime, they will help you in a crisis," said Shourie.

During his speech, the 75-year-old also took a dig at union minister Venkaiah Naidu for his "writing skills".

"Venkaiah Naidu is my friend. In our own paper, The Indian Express, he gets three quarters of a page. Kuldipji, nobody would give me that kind of space. That is Venkaiah Naidu's article. Give Venkaiah Naidu that small third-standard notebook, and ask him to fill one page coherently on any random topic. But you keep printing his articles, when you know very well that he cannot write."

"Because you think that by giving him that space, that much airtime to these fellows, you are buying peace. No. In fact, when the assault comes on you, none of them will help," he added.

He alleged that the current government is run by two-and-a-half men, without elaborating whom he referred to.

"Ek toh baat hai yahaan toh koi minister koi hai nahi. Sarkar dhai aadmiyon ki sarkar hai. Yeh bichare toh Swami Agnivesh ke bandhua mazdoor hain. (No one is a minister here. It is a government of two-and-a-half people. These unfortunate people are (anti-slavery campaigner) Swami Agnivesh's bonded labourers).They cannot do anything. In fact, what they will be doing is that if one of them is a friend of Prannoy Roy, he will be fearing that."

"Modi will think I am a friend of Prannoy Roy, toh ussey dur raho (stay away from him)," he added.

Shourie asked the journalists to start a non-cooperation movement against the government by boycotting its press conferences.

"Instead of buying peace with concessions, I would urge non-cooperation--boycott. Dua sahib reminded us of the defamation bill. Sir, one of the most effective things we did at the time was by just telephoning editors across the country. We said, please do one thing. If a minister of Rajiv Gandhi's government comes to your city, in the press conference, first ask him 'Are you for or against the defamation bill?'"

"If he does not answer, or he gives an ambiguous answer or if he says, 'Yes', just get up and leave. Publicity is the oxygen of terrorists as it is for these bandhua mazdooron (bonded labourers). They want to show Modi, "I got such good coverage."

Deny them that, just boycott their press conferences. Never call to your meetings, your functions, somebody who you would not call just for the fact that he is a minister. Just do that little non-cooperation and see the effect....," he added.

Continuing with his speech, Shourie said, "The first thing we must do is recognise that a new phase has begun.... There is a Zulu proverb that a dog with a bone in its mouth can't bark. So they are converting the media into a dog with advertisements in its mouth, that cannot bark at them.

They were controlling and managing the media by the subterranean spreading of fear.... They have got what they could from those two instruments. Now they are using a third instrument, which is overt pressure and they have made NDTV an example of that."

"And this will intensify in the coming months: one, because of the nature of the regime--its genes are totalitarian. What does totalitarian mean? Total domination. The entire geography of India, in every sphere of life. In all fora, they must dominate. They are extending it step by step, if you look at the pattern.

The second is the gap between what the claim, if you look at their advertisements and speeches, and what the people feel on the ground in their lives," he added.

"If you are a farmer or person losing his job. That gap is so wide already but that will become wider in the next two years as investment doesn't revive and so on. And for that reason, they will then take to not just managing but suppressing voices of dissent....

This is not the time to sit in judgment on each other.... They will try to divide the press by insinuating such things and they will use the existing media to defame the rest of the media. Please do not become instruments in that," Shourie said.

Shourie asked the journalists to come up with an united front.

"In the end, please remember that we have only three protections. One is our solidarity. Second is the courts.... The third is the protection of our own readers or viewers.... You must go into the depth and facts to real life-and-death issues for the reader so that when the hand is raised against you, the reader feels that the hand is raised against him or her....," he said.

"When they control the media completely, people will see the great distance between what they are being made to swallow through the media and what is happening in their own lives and this government which worships cows will be left holding dead cows," he added.

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 7:43 [IST]
Why Punjab farmers burn stubble at this scale when others do not

30 per cent down: How Haryana aced the decrease in stubble burning

MP agriculture minister refuses to give crop loan waiver to protesting farmers

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Bhopal, June 10: It seems Madhya Pradesh government could face further ire of the farmers who have been protesting since June 1.

State agriculture minister Gauri Shankar Bisen on Saturday said that it was impossible to give loan waiver to farmers as the government was already providing interest free loans. He added that there's no need for a waiver.

The protesting farmers are mainly demanding crop loan waiver and right prices for their produce, to name a few.

"There is no chance of a loan waiver because when I became the minister in 2008, I promised to provide loans at three percent. And next year we provided loans at one percent interest and thereafter loans were distributed at zero percent. When we did not impose any interests on loan, how can it be waived off? I am never in favour of complete loan waiver. Not then, not now," Bisen told ANI.

He added that the farming sector in the state has been growing well.

"With the support of farmers, our government achieved 20 percent growth rate in the agriculture sector and the same has been maintained for the last five years," Bisen revealed.

The BJP leader accused the Congress for using the farmers' protest for political gains.

"The farmers of the state are being misguided by the Congress. They are trying to add fuel to the fire. The party is using this agitation for their political gain," he said.

The comments of the minister has come on a day when Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has started an indefinite hunger strike "for peace" at the Dussera Maidan.

The CM and his colleagues have asked the farmers to come and meet them at the hunge strike venue. Chouhan said he wanted to talk to the agitating farmers to solve the crisis.

On Tuesday, five farmers were killed in a police firing in Mandsaur after their protest turned violent.

The violent protest has now spread to neighbouring districts of Neemuch, Indore, Khargone, Ujjain, Shahjanhanpur, Sehore, Raisen and Harda in the last few days.

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 12:58 [IST]
Mysuru set to beat Rajpath, to attempt Guinness record on International Yoga day

India

oi-Anusha

As the world gears up to celebrate Yoga on June 21, Mysuru will attempt to create a Guinness record. The cultural capital of Karnataka will host a mega mass Yoga event that is expected to see more than 60,000 participants.

The iconic Mysuru Palace is going to play host to tens and thousands of Yoga enthusiasts who are expected to congregate to perform Yoga simulataneously at the mega convention on International Yoga day. The government of Karnataka has dedicated an entire website for the event and is encouraging citizens to register themselves and be part of this world record.

All you have to do to be part of this mega event that celebrates Yoga is log on to yogadaymysuru.com and register yourself. The June 21 event will be held between 6 AM and 8 AM in front of the Mysuru Palace. In 2015, a mega Yoga event in Rajpath of Delhi saw 35,985 people participate. It made it to the Guinness book of world records but Mysuru is all set to beat the same with almost double the number of participants.

It may not be a cakewalk for Mysuru to create the record. Uttar Pradesh government is hopeful that at least 55,000 participants will be present at Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to participate in Yoga day celebrations. Despite the challenge, the district administration in Mysuru is hopeful that they will organise the largest Yoga convention in the world. While the registration counter is at 6347 on Saturday, enthusiasts have another 10 days to register themselves.

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 11:20 [IST]
Nimma Dooru, Namma Nooru

The Bengaluru police's new Namma100 app will function on the moto 'your complaint, our 100'. The extended version of Dial 100 emergency number, the new app and the state of the art command centre that will help respond faster to emergencies were launched on Saturday. With this, the Bengaluru police promise to respond to emergencies in lightning speed.

State of the art command centre

A full-fledged command centre with more than a hundred trained communication officers will operate 24/7. Hundreds of CCTV cameras placed across the city will help the staff monitor every division locality. Dozens of display screens on the walls of the command centre will play out visuals from various locations across the city. The perfect combination of technology and policing.

Promise of timely response

Any complaints lodged through the Namma 100 app will be responded to in less than 15 seconds and Hoysala will reach a citizen in less than 15 minutes. The Bengaluru police said that they are now equipped to respond to calls in 6 seconds.

Citizen-friendly approach is the mantra

Communication officers at the command centre can provide multi-lingual support. Call back will be initiated for every missed call that the centre receives. Victim's location can be tracked using GPS so that help is rushed in time. Commissioner of Bengaluru city police, Praveen Sood took the initiative of explaining how the citizen-friendly app works.

Special app for Bengalureans

The first call on the Namma 100 app was received by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday. The woman on the line complaint of a missing passport. Much like the dial 100 or Suraksha app, the Namma 100 app promises swift and effective action for citizens of Bengaluru. The government is now mulling initiatives on the same lines for other emergency services as well and hope to emulate the service in other districts too. While this has been launched on a trial basis, the police department is confident of its success.
Odisha: Eggs hurled at Union Agriculture Minister's vehicle; 5 arrested

India

pti-PTI

Bhubaneswar, Jun 10: The Youth Congress activists in Odisha on Saturday hurled eggs at Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh's vehicle and waved black flags near the state guest house in protest against the death of five farmers in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur district.

The incident took place when the union minster left the state guest house and was on his way to attend a programme on "Sabka Sath Sabka Bikas" in Jatani. "Though the eggs did not hit the minister, one or two eggs fell in front of his vehicle," according to an eye witnesses.

The police arrested five Youth Congress workers including its state president Loknath Maharathy in this connection, DCP Satyabrata Bhoi said. "Radha Mohan Singh has no moral right to remain in-charge of agriculture ministry after the killing of farmers in BJP ruled Madhya Pradesh," said Maharathy before he was taken into custody.

Meanwhile, BJP strongly condemned the incident and blamed the state government for the incident. "The Congress has lost its credibility across the country. I suspect the egg were hurled at the instance of the ruling BJD," Odisha BJP leader in-charge Arun Singh said.

"It is the responsibility of the state government to provide security to the visiting union ministers," BJP leader Bhrugu Buxipatra said. However, senior Congress leader Pradeep Majhi said that "there is nothing wrong in the protest. The union government needs to know the sentiment of the people."

BJD vice-president Damodar Rout said, "Hurling eggs at the union minister will not help to solve any problem."

PTI
On a day Rahul Gandhi is to visit Bengaluru, Kannada organisations call for bandh

India

oi-Anusha

Vice President of the Congress Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit Bengaluru on June 12. While Rahul Gandhi will release National Herald's Commemorative Publication, pro-Kannada organisations have called for a bandh over farmer crisis.

On a day Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit the city, organisations led by Vatal Nagaraj have decided to take a rally to Vidhana Soudha in support of farmers in Karnataka. Rahul Gandhi is expected to take part at an event to release 'India at a Crossroads: 70 years of independence' after which he will attend a meeting of Pradesh Congress Committee's extended general body.

In what can come as a security nightmare for the police, Kannada organisations have called for a bandh on the same day. "We have called for Bengaluru bandh on June 12. We are tired of the centre and state government's false promises to farmers. The bandh has been called over collective farmers issues like Cauvery, Mahadayi water sharing dispute, loan waiver and support price for farmers," said Vatal Nagaraj, the man who is leading the protests.

The call for Bengaluru bandh comes days after farmers in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra took to the streets to demand loan waiver. The pro-Kannada organisations have also condemned the government for issuing Re 1 cheques in the name of compensation to farmers. The protesters plan to congregate at the city centre and rally towards the Vidhana Soudha on Monday.

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 16:52 [IST]
Tamil Nadu farmers call off protest in a day, issue a fresh deadline

India

oi-Anusha

A day after they resumed their agitation, farmers from Tamil Nadu called it off. In less than 24 hours, farmers led by Ayyakannu who had gathered in Chennai announced that they were suspending their protests. They, however, issued a fresh two-month deadline to the Tamil Nadu government to fulfil their demands.

The decision to suspend their protest came after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy assured them of fulfilling all their demands. Farmers have sought action in the next two months, failing which, they have threatened to resume their stir.

Farmers from across the state who had earlier protested in Delhi's Jantar Mantar had come together once again on Friday. Farmers claimed that they had resumed their protest in solidarity with farmers of Mandsaur and Maharashtra and to condemn the state and central governments. The union leader Ayyakannu had even stated that the union government had failed on its promises earlier this year.

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 12:44 [IST]
The R&AW double agent who helped fund the Kashmir unrest

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The National Investigation Agency on the hot pursuit of a double agent who may have been the link between Pakistan and the separatists. Nasir Shafi Mir who was once roped in by Indian agencies to be a go in between for the Hizbul Mujahideen also worked for the ISI.

Mir was arrested in February 2006 at Delhi. He was released one year later on bail and has been absconding since. The 45 year old was enlisted by both the Research and Analysis Wing as well as the Intelligence Bureau. It was however known that he was linked to the ISI.

He was roped in when the Indian Government tried to negotiate with the Hizbul Mujahideen. This was back in 2000 when the IB had enlisted him to bring Syed Ali Shah Salahuddin to the talks table.

He even met with the then Union Home Secretary Kamal Pandey in Srinagar. The talks however did not go through. The officer notes that he was considered to be useful for India. However it was found that he was more beneficial for the Pakistanis. The Indian agencies had also found that he was helping Pakistan channelise money to the separatists in Kashmir. Mir now has a Pakistani passport. He regularly shuttles between Pakistan and Gulf where he has business interests.

He had some usefulness for now an officer in the know of the episode told OneIndia. We were aware that he was linked with the ISI. He was useful for us at that time and hence he was enlisted the officer also said.

The NIA has now learnt that Mir the son of a wealthy carpet businessman from Kashmir has been channelling funds for the separatist leaders in the Valley. The NIA is conducting a probe in this regard and has unearthed several documents which suggest that the Lashkar-e-Tayiba has been pumping in funds into accounts of separatists to fund the unrest in the Valley.

Mir is currently believed to be in the Gulf where he runs a business. The NIA suspects that he could be the main person involved in the money trail. Several probes have revealed that Kashmiri businessmen from Saudi and other Gulf nations have been channelling funds into the Valley.

It may be recalled that OneIndia had reported on August 18 2016 how Kashmiri businessmen in Saudi Arabia were helping fund the separatists.

Read the story here:

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 16:11 [IST]
Why we must celebrate the death of dreaded terrorist S S Khaplang

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

From extorting the government and the poor to killing soldiers of the Indian Army, over the years, S S Khaplang of NSCN-K had become one of the most dreaded terrorists in Nagaland. On Friday, he died at the age of 77 at Myanmar where he was hiding.

Khaplang who broke the cease fire deal with India a few years back launched several attacks. In 2015 he masterminded the attack at Manipur in which 18 soldiers were martyred.

Who is controlling NSCN(K) head, S S Khaplang?

Khaplang, a Myanmar national had forged ties with ULFA(I) and decided to wage an all out war in North East. Khaplang until 2014 was believed to be towing India's line. However a meeting with the ULFA(I) heads changed that perception and it was then he decided that an umbrella body of all North Eastern militant groups needed to be formed.

Khaplang had taken shelter in Myanmar after being declared a terrorist by India. He controlled the NSCN-K which refused to talk peace withIndia. He had been shuttling between between Taga in Myanmar and the Yunnan province in China to avoid coming under the radar of the Indian agencies. It is said that he had been in touch with Prakash Baruah of the ULFA who has been spotted several times in the Yunan province.

The Khaplang-Myanmar deal that India missed

The dossier on Khaplang states that he was a dedicated leader. He made sure he was available at all times for his cadres. He was one of the most influential leaders in the North East. Khaplang's influence was seen when he went ahead and formed the United Liberation Front of Western South India an outfit which shelters several other North Eastern militant groups including the ULFA(I), NDFB(S) and the KLO.

Khaplang was hell bent on creating this umbrella outfit and also becomes its chairman. However he was opposed by R K Meghen the leader of the United National Liberation Front, Manupur.

NSCN-K Chairman SS Khaplang passes away after a diabetic stroke

Meghen who is in jail wanted to become the chairman of the umbrella group, but was prevented by Khaplang. Meghen had even sent messages to his followers from a jail in Guwahati to prevent Khaplang from becoming the chairman of the group.

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Women in combat roles? Army plans to 1st induct females in military police

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Dehradun, June 10: The issue of inducting women in combat roles in the Indian Army has been a debatable subject for long. However, it looks like soon we are going to see women fighting tough battles in the border terrains.

Thanks, to the recent announcement made by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat where he said that soon the Indian Army is planning to induct women in combat roles.

On Saturday, Rawat said that army would first induct women into the military police before considering other options in the armed force for them.

"Firstly, we will start with women as military police jawans. We will take the next step after success," Rawat told reporters, after attending a Passing out Parade ceremony in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

"Because many times, when people go to the operation, we have to face the people and many a times ladies come in front of us," he said.

The army chief said that the process to allow women in combat roles is ongoing and they will be recruited for positions in the military police.

Currently, women are only being recruited into selective areas of the army like medical, legal, educational, signals and engineering wings.

If the army starts recruiting women in combat roles, India will be joining a select group of countries like Germany, Australia, Canada, the United States, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden and Israel, where women are allowed to fight wars.

Last year, Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh became the first women fighter pilots to be formally commissioned by the Indian Air Force.

Those who want to see women in combat roles say that it is high time the Indian Army achieve gender neutrality by inducting females too for tough roles.

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 10:55 [IST]
Guess what? Chinese President watched Dangal and told PM Modi he liked it

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By Oneindia Staff Writer

Astana, June 10: So, if you thought, when two top world leaders meet they only discuss politics, then you are definitely wrong.

As all the focus was on the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Astana, Kazakhstan, on Friday, the former told the latter that he has watched Dangal--the Bollywood movie that has won the hearts of all Chinese--and liked it.

Aamir Khan-starrer Dangal, which was released in China on May 5, has broken several records in the Chinese movie industry and raked up over Rs 1,100 crore.

It became only the 33rd film in China to cross a whopping collection of one billion yuan (USD 147 million). It continues to play in over 7,000 screens across China.

Xi said Dangal is doing well in China and he himself watched it, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said after the talks between the two leaders on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), where India and Pakistan on Friday became full members of the grouping.

Dangal has also become the first top-grossing non-Hollywood film in China. The film is inspired by the real-life story of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat, who went against a patriarchal society to train his daughters to become champion wrestlers.

Khan had recently said he hoped the film would be loved in China but never dreamt of such a spectacular success.

"I always believe that language is not a barrier when it comes to creative endeavours and its success in China has proved that," Khan said.

Jaishankar said both Modi and Jinping also deliberated on enhancing cultural cooperation between the two countries. Xi also talked about upcoming Yoga Day celebrations in China.

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 6:11 [IST]
Kuchibhotla murder: Widow of Indian-techie can stay in US for now

Kansas shooting: Prosecutors call murder of Indian engineer 'hate crime'

International

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By Vicky

The Justice Department has said that the Kansas man charged with the killing of Indian origin engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been indicted on federal hate crime and firearms charges.

The Justice Department announced that Adam Purinton was indicted by a federal grand jury. Purinton allegedly shot at Kuchibholta killing him and wounded his friend, Alok Madasani in the incident.

US Bar shooting: Suspect asked victims if 'status was legal'

The indictment statesthat Purinton had shot Kuchibholta and Madasani because of their perceived race, colour, religion and national origin. A press release by the Justice Department says that it would be decided later whether Purinton will face death penalty.

On February 22 2017, Srinivas was shot fatally at a bar in Kansas. His friend Madasani was injured in the incident.

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 5:54 [IST]
Mask off: China calls Pakistan a risky place

International

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By Vicky

It appears as though the mask is off and China has now termed Pakistan as a risky place. Pakistan and China which call each other all weather friends appear to be having some problem over the killing of two Chinese citizens.

The initial information from the Pakistan side says that the two Chinese citizens kidnapped may have already unfortunately been killed," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, adding, "We are highly concerned". She also said China had "always been advising its citizens to not visit highly risky regions".

China has been urging Pakistan to rescue a Chinese teacher couple from Balochistan. The couple were abducted two weeks back.

While the killing is a sore point between the two countries, one would also have to wait for an official warning from China to Pakistan.

Hua however added that the incident has no necessary connection either with the

China Pakistan Economic Corridor or the SCO meeting. She said that Pakistan "pays great attention to the protection of Chinese citizens and institutions and has made great efforts in this regard.

The abduction and killing has been claimed by the Islamic State. The same was announced on the Amaq news agency, a mouth piece of the ISIS.

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 7:27 [IST]
You are next: Islamic State warns Saudi Arabia

International

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Days after the Iran Parliament attack claimed by the Islamic State, the outfit had a stern message for Saudi Arabia as well. You are next, the IS said. SITE Intelligence group reported that , IS claimed responsibility and threatened more attacks against Iran's majority Shi'ite population, seen by the hardline Sunni militants as heretics.

In a video that appeared to have been recorded before the attack on Tehran, five masked fighters were shown threatening Shi'ites in Iran as well as the Saudi Arabian government saying their turn "will come".

"Allah permitting, this brigade will be the first of jihad in Iran, and we ask our brothers the Muslims to follow us, as the fire that was ignited will not be put out, Allah permitting," one of the masked fighters said, SITE also reported.

At the end of the video, he sent a message to the Saudi government.

"Know that after Iran, your turn will come. By Allah, we will strike you in your own homes... We are the agents of nobody. We obey Allah and His Messenger, and we are fighting for the sake of this religion, not for the sake of Iran or the Arabian Peninsula."

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Saturday, June 10, 2017, 11:45 [IST]
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Acute Lymphocytic/Lymphoblastic Leukemia Therapeutics Market Size and Forecast by 2024

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Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) also called as lympholastic leukemia is a cancer that starts from the early version of white blood cells called lympholastic in the bone marrow. Over production of cancerous lymphoblast is the main reason behind this type of cancer. ALL is characterized by the over production of cancerous lymphoblasts. When a person is suffering from ALL, lymphoblasts are generally overproduced in the bone marrow and constantly multiply, causing damage to the bone marrow by restraining the production of normal cells such as platelets and red blood cells (RBC).View Report @These lymphoblasts are also called as leukemia cells. As the number of lymphoblast increases in the bone marrow and blood, there is less room for healthy RBCs, white blood cells and platelets. This may cause anemia, infection and bleeding. The cancer can also spread to the brain and spinal cord.Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Therapeutics market: CategoriesAcute lymphocytic leukemia can be categorized into two types, childhood acute lymphocytic/lymphoblastic leukemia and adult acute lymphocytic/lymphoblastic leukemia. Some of the signs and symptoms associated with acute lymphocytic/lymphoblastic leukemia are weakness and fatigue, anemia, loss of appetite, fever, paleness, shortness of breath, bone and joint pain, bruising, petechiae, swollen glands in the groin, neck and under arms,enlarged lymph nodes, spleen and liver.Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Therapeutics market: Available treatmentsProper medications, including antifungals, antineoplastics, antimicrobials is necessary take as soon as the disease detects. Apart from this, radiation therapy, biological therapy and immunotherapy should be taken by patients of ALL.Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Therapeutics market: TrendsIn terms of geography, North America is the leading market for acute lymphoblastic leukemia therapeutics market owing to the large base of leukemia patients. The American Cancer Society, estimates that in 2016 in the U.S, about 6,590 new cases of acute lymphocytic/lymphoblastic leukemia would be diagnosed out of which 3590 would be males and 3000 would be females. The organization also estimated that during the same year, almost 1430 deaths would occur in the U.S. from acute lymphocytic/lymphoblastic leukemia. Such growing base of leukemia population would further contribute to the growth of the overall acute lymphoblastic leukemia therapeutics market. However, other market such as Asia-Pacific tends to witness high growth in this market owing to the increased incidence of cancer cases in the recent years.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Acute Lymphocytic/Lymphoblastic Leukemia Therapeutics Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Currently, the global acute lymphoblastic leukemia therapeutics market is highly lucrative, and is primarily driven by the growing incidence and prevalence of leukemia. Moreover, other factors such as high demand for improved cancer therapies; along with focused towards addressing the unmet medical needs are also driving the growth of this market. Furthermore, increasing burden of cancer among geriatric population and increased focus on retaining superior quality of life are some of the factors contributing to the growth of this market. However, rise in overall healthcare expenditure and patent expiries of antineoplastic drugs are some of the major factors; that might hinder the growth of the acute lymphoblastic leukemia therapeutics market in future.The major companies involved with the acute lymphoblastic leukemia therapeutics market are Biogen Idec, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene Corporation, ERYTECH Pharma, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Genzyme Corporation, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited, Pfizer, Inc. and Spectrum Pharmaceuticals.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:
Electrophysiology (EP) Laboratory Devices Market Trends and Dynamics 2024

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An electrophysiology (EP) laboratory is an operating room or a theatre equipped with high-tech equipment used in the treatment of cardiovascular problems such as arrhythmia, fibrillation, congestive heart failure and stroke among others. EP lab offers patients the opportunity to have their arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, tested, diagnosed and treated. An irregular heartbeat can lead to heart complications, fatigue, congestive heart failure or stroke. The EP lab focuses on the electrical function of the heart and treats various conditions on the spot.View Report @Electrophysiology laboratory devices market: DevicesCardiac mapping can map and detect specific electrical activity of the heart in real time. Any electric irregularities can be immediately diagnosed and potentially treated. Ablation studies can identify a patients electrophysiological weaknesses and diagnose diseases to provide suitable preventive measures. This non-surgical, minimally invasive process involves threading a small catheter into the heart. Electric impulses are studied and then potentially blocked or treated to create a regular rhythm in the heart. Defibrillator implantation are for those with a dangerously irregular heart rhythm and a very high risk of cardiac death. In such cases, cardiologists may choose to implant a defibrillator. This device can detect a dangerous rhythm and shock the heart back into regular pace. The device is implanted into a small incision near the heart and connected electrically to the heart. Cardiac electrophysiology assists the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias which causes abnormal electrical activities in heart.Electrophysiology laboratory devices market: WHO reportAccording to World Health Organization, around 17.5 million people die every year due to cardiovascular diseases. It is expected that, by 2030 about 23 million people may die each year due to cardiovascular diseases. This increasing prevalence of cardiac diseases is expected to boost the electrophysiology market as more and more patients will need medical attention. The prevalence of cardiac diseases is higher in developing nations.With the potential of 12 million atrial fibrillation patients by the year 2050 and improvements in technology for atrial fibrillation ablation therapy, significant growth is predicted for the number of hospitals building electrophysiology labs. It is estimated that there are about 2,000 electrophysiology labs in the U.S. and 2,000 electrophysiology labs outside the U.S., each with an electrophysiology recording system costing an average of approximately $250,000.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Electrophysiology (EP) Laboratory Devices Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Since past few decades cardiovascular disease prevalence is rising in populated countries such as China and India. Thus indicating a large market in Asia-Pacific in near future. Mobile and modular EP labs are a growing demand due to rise in emergency medicine and unmet on-field military applications. The market for electrophysiology devices is also expected to benefit due to quick adoption of ablation techniques for treating atrial fibrillation. As the technology advances, patients are exposed to less radiation, making it diagnosis and treatment safer for patients.Electrophysiology laboratory devices market: Key playersCurrently University of Rochester Medical Centre, Jeffrey M. Carlton Heart & Vascular Institute, London Bridge Hospital and many others are equipped with electrophysiology laboratory set-up. Corporates are continuously trying to acquire market share in this competitive market. In August 2013, St. Jude acquired Switzerland based Endosense. The deal was valued at USD 331 million, where St. Jude will gain access to TactiCath technology. In November 2013, Boston Scientific completed acquisition of C.R. Bards electrophysiology business. Other players in the market include Philips Healthcare, Medtronic, Inc., and GE Healthcare.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:
Blood and Fluid Warmer Market - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Trends, Forecast 2024

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Normal human body temperature falls between 96.8 degrees Fahrenheit and 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The prolonged body exposure to cold temperature leads to hypothermia condition which drops the body temperature below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Hypothermia can increase risk during surgeries and cause prolonged healing time. Proper patient temperature management is crucial during the patients stay in hospitals to accelerate healing after surgeries. Therefore, hospitals and other treatment centers adopt blood and fluid warmer systems to monitor and control the core body temperature of a patient. Also, the conditions such as severe trauma, thyroid conditions, diabetes and consumption of abusive drugs can increase the risk of hypothermia. A blood and fluid warmer instrument is used to warm fluids or blood prior to transfusion to a patient during the temperature management treatment. This treatment is mostly used in operating rooms, intensive care units, and emergency settings for hypothermia prevention. Blood and fluid warmer systems enable patient treatment by maintaining normal body temperature to avoid hypothermia.View Report @The demand for blood and fluid warming instruments is fuelled by increased burden of hypothermia cases. The incidences of hypothermia is high in cold countries. For instance, according to Center for Disease Control (CDC), in the U.S. there were around 1,301 annual deaths caused due to hypothermia. The incidence of hypothermia is high in geriatric and infant population. Worldwide a gradual increase in surgical procedures along with aging population is the major factor which is anticipated to fuel growth of the global blood and fluid warmer market during the forecast period. Also, the increasing consumption of abusive drugs, growing incidences of thyroid conditions and diabetes are the other hypothermia causing factors which are expected to boost the demand for blood and fluid warming instruments. Increase in mergers and acquisitions among the major global players is one of the major trend in the global blood and fluid warmer market. However, high research and development expenses in product development and the low awareness about blood and fluid warming instrument treatments in the developing countries is anticipated to hamper growth of the global blood and fluid warmer market growth.The global market for blood and fluid warmer systems is segmented on basis of product, end user, application and geography:Segmentation by ProductSurface Warming SystemIntravenous Warming SystemPatient Warming AccessoriesSegmentation by ApplicationAcute CarePreoperative CareNew Born CareHome CareOthers (Obstetrics and Gynecology Care, etc.)Segmentation by End UserHospitalsClinicsE-commerceBased on product type, surface warming segment is expected to contribute largest share in global blood and fluid warming market due to increasing adoption in developed countries such as U.S, Germany and U.K. The segment is expected to grow rapidly over the forecast with increased penetration in Asia Pacific. Hospital end user segment is expected to contribute the maximum share among end users. Based on application the acute care segment is expected to contribute the maximum share owing to rise in geriatric population with different diseases.On the basis of regional presence, global blood and fluid warmer market is segmented into five key regions viz. North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to dominate the global blood and fluid warmer market in terms of value due to high demand from U.S.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Blood and Fluid Warmer Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Some of the major players in global human papillomavirus testing market are 3M Company, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Barkey GmbH, CareFusion, GE Healthcare, Smiths Medical, Meridian Medical Systems, The 37Company, EMIT Corporation, etc. The blood and fluid warming market is mostly dominated by some key global vendors and is expected to witness steady CAGR in terms of revenue owing to increasing adoption in the patients. This patient pool includes people suffering from chronic diseases such as thyroid conditions, and diabetes among geriatric population along with rising number of surgical procedures performed globally. The entry of existing players in emerging countries and product development with enhanced technology in the blood and fluid warming market is expected to create competition in the 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:
Single Port Surgical Platform Market- - Advanced technologies & growth opportunities in global Industry by 2024

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Single port surgical platform (SPSP) is a minimal invasive laparoscopy technique in which, a single incision is made on the body through single trocar which have multiple ports or single skin incision site with multiple facial incisions that have an individual trocar, are used to conduct the surgery. Single port surgical platforms are also called Single Port Access Surgery (SPA), Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS), and Laparo-endoscopic Single-Site Surgery (LESS). Normally, in abdominal surgeries, large incisions are made to conduct the surgery. Although, they are effective but they usually cause postoperative pain, wound infections, and prolonged hospitalization. Current rate of incisional hernia is 4-18% and wound infections are 2-25% in the U.S whereas, in case of conventional laparoscopic surgeries, multiple incisions are made on the body to conduct the surgery. To overcome the above challenges, companies are focusing on developing the novel single-port surgical platform, which creates single incision on the body. This surgical platform also helps in speedy recovery, small incisions, and are less prone to infections and pain conditions. In addition to these, it does not leave any scars on the body after the surgery.View Report @The market is driven mainly by factors such as technological innovations, increase in adoption of SPSP, growing preference towards minimally invasive surgery process, and exploration of their utility in other applications Ex: General Surgery, Gastroenterology, Urology, Gynecology and Bariatric Surgery. Increasing preference towards scar-less slimming surgeries is a major factor responsible for boosting the market growth. This platform allows surgeons to conduct surgeries in the abdominal cavity by accessing through small holes. Furthermore, SPSP reduces treatment costs by reducing hospital stay of the patients. Hence, patients and surgeons are prefer SPSP as compared to others. The major constraints of this market are high cost, lack of skilled professionals, and triangulation problems. The single port surgical platform (SPSP) is segmented based on its application and technology.Segmentation by ApplicationGeneral SurgeryGastroenterologyUrologicalGynecologicalBariatricSegmentation by TechnologyRobot/ Remote controlled AssistedManual  AssistedNew products are being launched into the market to alleviate the disadvantages of the current SPSP platforms. SPSP is a lucrative segment in the laparoscopic surgeries, due to its technical aspects and patient benefits. On the basis of application, SPSP is mainly used in Bariatric surgeries. However, they are gaining traction of the other application areas such as gynecology, urology, gastroenterology, and general surgery due to its advantages.On the basis of its technology, the manual assisted SPSP holds major market share as compared to robot-assisted. In future, robot/ remote controlled technology is expected to dominate the market because surgeons can perform the complex surgeries in a more accurate and flexible way than the conventional surgery process by using the robot/ remote controlled technologyGet accurate market forecast and analysis on the Single Port Surgical Platform Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Recently, Intuitive surgical, a U.S.-based company, received FDA approval for its da Vinci Sp single port robot-assisted surgical system.SPSP is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. North America is holds a major market share on the basis of application of the SPSP owing to factors such as spending power of the people and introduction of new technologies into the market. Asia-Pacific markets are growing relatively fast due to cost effective surgeries and advancements in healthcare infrastructure.Key players in this market are Covidien, Applied Medical, Ethicon, Olympus Gyrus-ACMI, Novare Surgical, Cambridge Endo, Karl Storz, Intutive surgical, Fortmedix Surgical, and Trans Enterix. The market is relatively dominated by major players however, new players are trying to hold a major part of the market share by developing innovative products.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:
Opioid Induced Side Effects Treatment Market - Opportunities and Forecasts 2024

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Opioid Induced Side Effects Treatment Market: OverviewOpioids are strong analgesics that are highly addictive in nature. These are narcotic medications, which are to be administered cautiously to prevent serious side effects. Opioids are recommended for severe pain, which is not expected to be relieved effectively by normal analgesics. The opioid class of painkillers includes codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphonw, methadone, meperidine, morphine and oxycodone. These opioids are available as single drug product as well as in combination with other analgesic such as oxycodone in combination with acetiaminophen. As these drugs attach to specific proteins called opioid receptors present in brain, spinal cord, gastrointestinal tract and other parts of the body, it can negatively affect these organs if taken for a longer term.View Report @Opioids can cause various side effects such as nausea, constipation, interruption in the CNS functions, prutitis, hyperalgesia, seizures, hallucination and respiratory depression. Long-term use or abuse of opioids can depress respiration and may lead to death if continued. Certain identified opioid induced side effects treatment options to minimize adverse events include dose reduction, symptomatic management and opioid rotation. Physicians support the clinical use of opioid rotation in which, one opioid is exchanged for the other to improve pain control or manage the adverse effects. Symptomatic management includes administration of drugs providing relief from the various side effects.Opioid Induced Side Effects Treatment Market: SegmentationThe opioid induced side effects treatment market is categorized based on the side effects caused by opioids and the medications used to treat or reduce the intensity of those side effects. Therefore, based on the side effects, the global opioid induced side effects treatment market is segmented as medications for nausea, constipation, CNS adverse effects and pruritis. Medications for treating opioid induced nausea include antihistamines, antipsychotics and related agents, prokinetic agents and serotonin antagonists. Medications for opioid induced constipation include methylcellulose, polycarbophil, psyllium, lactulose, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, magnesium citrate, bisacodyl, docusate sodium and senna. Medications for opioid induced CNS adverse effects include haloperidol, risperidone, dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Medications for opioid induced pruritis include antihistamines such as cetrizine, diphenhydramine, fexofenadine, hydroxyzine and loratadine. Some of the other recommended treatment drugs include buprenorphine and naloxone.Rising drug abuse and further research development in this field leading to introduction of new products would drive the global opioid induced side effects treatment market. In April 2014, the FDA approved naloxone (Evzio) as an autoinjector dosage form for home use by family members or caregivers.Opioid Induced Side Effects Treatment Market: Region-wise OutlookBased on geography, the global opioid induced side effects treatment market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. North America leads the global opioid induced side effects treatment market owing to higher drug abuse levels in this region which demands the need for treatment of the side effects induced by opioids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention death due to opioid overdose rose from 4,030 deaths in 1999 to 16,651 in 2010. In addition, nearly 60% of the overall drug overdose deaths in 2010 (22,134) in the U.S., was on account of pharmaceutical drugs of which opioid drugs were the reason for three out of every four pharmaceutical overdose deaths. Thus, the need for prevention and control has been recognized in the U.S. healthcare market. However, the Asia-Pacific opioid induced side effects treatment market is expected to grow at a faster rate owing to rising drug abuses in this region which is alarming the need for treating the drug induced side effects.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Opioid Induced Side Effects Treatment Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Some of the key players in the global opioid induced side effects treatment market include AstraZeneca plc, S.L.A. Pharma AG, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and AIKO Biotechnology, 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.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Cholera Treatment Market: Brand Analysis and Forecast upto 2024

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Cholera disease spreads because of contamination of water and food and is closely associated with poor sanitation and lack of clean drinking water. The global disease burden is around 35 million cases and 100 000 130 000 deaths per year. In recent time the frequency of cholera epidemics has increased. The disease is caused by Vibrio cholerae a rod-shaped waterborne bacterium. The toxins released by bacterium causes loss of intravascular and extravascular fluids and essential electrolytes in the small intestines.View Report @Cholera disease is generally characterized as acute, profuse watery diarrhea of one or a few days duration. In extreme condition the patients may suffer severe dehydration within 34 hours. Rehydration is the mainstay of treatment of Cholera or antibiotics are indicated for severe cases only.According to reports published by W.H.O Cholera control should be the main priority in the endemic areas. Right now there are only two types of oral cholera vaccines available. These oral vaccines should be used in conjunction with other preventive measure in areas where the disease is endemic. The vaccination provides an immediate short-term response while to completely overcome the disease other interventions such as availability of clean water and proper sanitation should be put into place.To control endemic cholera vaccination should be targeted at individuals with higher risk, the best way to counter cholera can be periodic mass vaccination campaigns, for example such as pre-school and school aged children, HIV-infected individuals and pregnant women. Older age individuals may also be taken into consideration for cholera vaccination. Currently protection induced by current cholera vaccines is 2 years, therefore initial vaccination of 2 dose should be followed by a booster dose after every 2 years.In recent times W.H.O. and its partners are considering newer ways to complement the traditional methods. The oral cholera vaccines have proven to be effective against the disease, the evidence provided by the use of cholera vaccines has paved way for investigation for mass vaccination for protection against cholera disease. As of now there are three types of oral cholera vaccines available Crucell, Dukoral and ShanChol, which are approved by W.H.O. Out of these three vaccines one is monovalent and the other two are bivalent vaccines. Several other oral cholera vaccines are under development. Currently the demand for cholera vaccines is uncertain as it depends on the immunization strategy which may vary total demand requirement.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Cholera Treatment Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.The W.H.O strongly recommends monitoring for confirmed cases of cholera disease must be integrated in already existing surveillance programs so that the impact of the disease and vaccination could be monitored.The global market for Cholera Vaccines is segmented into type of product type, vaccines type, end-user and region:Global Cholera Vaccine market segmentation on the basis of product type:SuspensionInjectableGlobal Cholera Vaccine market segmentation on the basis of vaccine type:Monovalent VaccinesDivalent VaccinesGlobal Cholera Vaccine market segmentation on the basis of end-user:HospitalsDrug StoresRetail PharmaciesGeographically cholera disease is a rare disease in the U.S. and other countries who have good sanitation system and clean water, however it is more prevalent in other parts of the world like developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America which do not have such kind of sanitation system and clean water.Key players in cholera vaccines manufacturing are Janssen Global Services, LLC, Shantha Biotechnics Pvt. Ltd, EuBiologics Halfkin Bio-Pharmaceuticals Corporation Ltd.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.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:
Healthcare Scanners Market: Trends, outlook and Opportunity Analysis 2024

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Healthcare scanner are used to Imaging of different body part which create visual representations of the interior of a body for clinical analysis and medical intervention, as well as visual representation of the function of some organs or tissues. The healthcare industry is continuously evolving as new and emerging technologies to improve and extend lives. Healthcare scanner market will play a key role in the future of medical diagnostics and therapeutics. Imaging systems enable medical professionals to make processes within the human body visible so that they can diagnose pathological changes and precisely target therapeutic procedures. Demand for such systems is expected to be particularly strong in developing economies. Scanners are used for different disease conditions such as cancer, heart disease, Parkinsons disease etc. According to American Academy of neurology Alzheimers disease is ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. 5.4 million Americans are currently diagnosed with Alzheimers disease and the number will triple to 16 million by the year 2050.View Report @Different type of scanner functions differently, such x-ray scanners use ionizing radiation for imaging whereas ultrasound scanner use sound wave to create images of the inside body. Other healthcare scanners use radio wave, magnetic field and radiopharmaceuticals for imaging of inside body. Effective, safe, and high quality imaging is important for medical decision-making. The growing focus on R&D to provide high-quality imaging for better diagnosis and treatment of diseases is a critical factor that drives the global demand for healthcare scanner market. The improved health care policy and increasing availability of medical equipment has been increased the global imaging-based procedures.The factors such as growing prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer etc., growing number of diagnostic imaging procedures, increasing number of geriatric population, improving healthcare infrastructure in emerging markets, technological advancement and growing awareness for early diagnosis will drive the overall healthcare scanner market globally. However, high cost of diagnostic imaging systems, procedures and risk of high radiation exposure, are some factors that will hinder the overall healthcare scanner market growth globally.Healthcare Scanners Market is segmented By Product Type, By Application, By End Users and By Geography. By Product type includes Positron emission tomography (PET) scanner, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanners, Computed tomography (CT) scanner, Ultrasound Scanner, X-Ray film Scanner. In medical imaging, especially X-ray based examinations and ultrasonography, are crucial in a variety of medical treatment. By Application includes cardiology, Neurology, Cancer, Respiratory and others. By End Users includes Hospitals, Clinics, Ambulatory surgery centers and Diagnostic centers. By Geography it includes North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Healthcare Scanners Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Geographically, the market is dominated by North America, followed by Europe, Asia Pacific. Growth in the North America segment is primarily driven by aging baby boomers, high end-user purchasing power, sophisticated healthcare infrastructure, and reimbursement policies. According to Epilepsy foundation the average incidence of epilepsy each year in the U. S is estimated at 150,000 or 48 for every 100,000 people. Asia pacific is expected to grow at a highest rate due to booming healthcare sectors, increasing incidence of chronic diseases, rising awareness about the benefits of early disease diagnosis, growing medical tourism in APAC countries, and increasing government initiatives will fuel the overall healthcare scanner market in Asia Pacific. Emerging markets, including China, India, Australia, South Africa and Brazil have become attractive destinations for companies engaged in the development and marketing of healthcare scanner products.Some of the Key players in this market includes General Electric Company, Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Philips Healthcare, Toshiba Medical Systems, Mediso, Cubresa, Fujifilm Holdings, Shimadzu Corporation, Carestream Health, Hitachi Medical Corporation and others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Flu Detection Device Market: Brand Analysis and Forecast upto 2024

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Influenza, commonly known as flu, is a contagious respiratory ailment caused in humans by influenza virus A and influenza virus B. There are three types of influenza viruses, namely, A, B and C; of these, type A virus is the most virulent strain. Type A strains can infect humans as well as animals, while influenza type B viruses exclusively infect human. Type C viruses are less common and cause mild diseases in children. Influenza viruses are RNA viruses and have two large glycoproteins, namely hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), which are targets for antibody detection devices. Flu usually spreads during seasonal epidemics, which brings about deaths of thousands of people every year and millions during pandemic outbreaks. According to a World Health Organization report, seasonal epidemics worldwide are responsible for 3-5 million cases of severe illness, leading to 250,000 to 500,000 deaths every year. Currently used Influenza detection devices are either class I devices or class II devices. Flu detection devices detect antigens using specific labeled antibody or they work on nucleic acid amplification principle. In the 20th century, three influenza pandemics were reported, each of these pandemic being brought on by new strains of viruses in humans. There are fifteen subtypes of influenza viruses, of which H1N1, H2N2, H3N2, H5N1, H7N7 and H1N2 strains outbreaks were reported by WHO. In April 2009, a new influenza strain called Influenza A/H1N1 or swine flu emerged that consolidated genes from human, pig and bird avian virus. The flu emerged in the U.S., Mexico, and several other nations.View Report @Influenza is a contagious ailment and is easily communicable and thus, requires rapid and accurate diagnosis for infection control and patient management. Influenza is treated using three types of products namely, prevention products, treatment products and diagnostics products. Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, rising government initiatives and growing consumer awareness about pandemic and seasonal epidemics are some of the driving factors of flu detector device market. Rising geriatric population and advancements in influenza diagnostics tests are factors supporting growth of the flu detector device market. However, high development cost of flu detection device is projected to restrain growth of flu detector device market in the near future.The global flu detection device market is segmented on the basis of product type, disease indication, end users and region. On the basis of product type, the global flu detection device market can be further segmented into Rapid Influenza Detection Test (RIDT), Direct Fluorescence Antibody Tests (DSFA), Direct Fluorescence Antibody Test (DFA) and Point of Care Detection device. These flu detection device products fall under FDAs Class I devices and Class II devices. Flu detection devices provide diagnosis on the basis of various techniques such as reverse transcription-PCR, ELISA, antibody binding, and electrospray ionization- mass spectrometry. On the basis of disease indication, flu detection device market is categorized into Influenza A, Influenza A/B and RSV virus detection. On the basis of end users, the market is segmented into hospitals, specialized clinics, diagnostic centers, research laboratories and contract research organizations.Worldwide outbreak of seasonal and pandemic influenza ailments and emergence of novel influenza viruses is increasing risk to public health due to which, the rapid influenza detection test segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global flu detection device market. However, the FDA pointed out the poor performance of RIPD test during 2009 pandemic outbreak which is projected to restrain growth of this segment in flu detection device market to a certain extent. As per CDC estimations, around 60.8 million cases of H1N1 influenza were reported in the U.S. in 2009. Thus, on the basis of disease indication, Influenza A segment is expected to expand at a high CAGR over the forecast period.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Flu Detection Device Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.The global flu detection device market is divided into five key regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa. In terms of geography, North America is expected to account for major market share in the global flu detection device market. Asia and Europe also account for considerable market share in the flu detection device market and are expected to witness significant growth in the near future. Rapid growth of the market in these regions is attributed to increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and rising geriatric population.Some of the key players in this market are Cepheid (U.S.), Roche Molecular Systems Inc. (U.S.), Becton, Dickinson and Company (U.S.), Alere (U.S.), Meridian Life Sciences (U.S.), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Fast-track diagnostics Ltd., R-Biopharm AG, Sekisui Diagnostics, DiaSorin Molecular LLC., Maccura, and LifeSign PBM.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:
Atrial Septal Defect Market Size and Forecast by 2024

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Global Atrial Septal Defect Market: OutlookAtrial septal defect is one of the most common congenital cardiac diseases and usually affects women more than men. It is characterized by a hole or defect in the interatrial septum that separates the hearts two upper chambers, i.e., atria. The opening in the septum usually closes when the baby is born, but in few cases if the opening does not close, the hole is referred to as atrial septal defect. Huge and long-term atrial septal defects may lead to serious heart and lung damage. In some cases, extra blood volume can overfill the lungs and increases the blood pressure of the lungs, leading to pulmonary hypertension.View Report @Most of the congenital heart diseases are caused by certain genetic defects. The three most common types of atrial septal defects are ostium secundum atrial septal defect, ostium primum atrial septal defect and sinus venosus atrial septal. Various symptoms associated with atrial septal defect are as follows:Difficulty in breathing (dyspnea)Frequent respiratory infectionsSwelling of legs and feetHeart palpitationsFatigueGlobal Atrial Septal Defect Market: Key SegmentsBased on diagnosis, the atrial septal defect market can be segmented as follows:Electrocardiogram (ECG): ECG records the electrical activity of an individual and identifies heart problemsChest X-ray: With the help of X-ray, condition of the heart and lungs are detectedCardiac catheterization: In this test, a catheter is inserted into the heart via vein and any congenital heart defects can be diagnosed including amount of oxygen in the bloodTransesophageal echocardiography (TEE): The test provides an ultrasound image to provide a clearer image of the atriaPulse oximetry: This test helps to detect whether oxygenated blood is mixing with deoxygenated blood, thereby confirming any type of heart defectThe medications which are used to reduce the signs and symptoms of atrial septal defect include beta blockers (Lopressor, Inderal), anticoagulants (Coumadin) and anti-platelet agents (aspirin). In some instances, surgery is also done to repair an atrial septal defect such as open-heart surgery and cardiac catheterization.Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Atrial Septal Defect Market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market.Global Atrial Septal Defect Market: Regional AnalysisBased on geography, the atrial septal defect market can be segmented into four major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). Out of these regions, North America holds a leading position in the market followed by Europe. The prime factors which are driving the growth of atrial septal defect market in these regions are high prevalence of genetic heart disorders, and growing awareness of the population regarding atrial septal defects. Moreover, technological advancement in the treatment of congenital heart diseases is also accentuating the growth of the market. Asia Pacific is the most lucrative market for the growth of atrial septal defect market. The advantageous factors which would propel the growth of the market in Asia Pacific are presence of large population base and emerging economies such as China, Malaysia, India and Vietnam. Furthermore, favorable reimbursement policies and increasing disposable income of the Asian population would further boost the growth of atrial septal defect market in the coming years.Global Atrial Septal Defect Market: Companies Mentioned in the ReportVarious pharmaceutical companies are constantly trying to come up with novel therapeutic developments for the treatment of atrial septal defect. Some of the top major players operating in the atrial septal defect market are Asklepion Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Actelion Ltd., Novo Nordisk A/S, Abbott Laboratories, INO Therapeutics, LLC and others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector  such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
FMI Releases New Report on the Time-Temperature Indicator Labels Market 2016-2026

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Time-temperature indicator label is a part of intelligent packaging that displays accumulated time-temperature history of the product. Interest towards this technology has been growing and it is considered as smart packaging. Time-temperature indicator label is used to monitor the shelf life of packaged perishable products. Depending on the response tool, the time-temperature indicator label indicates partial history or full history of the temperature. Time-temperature indicator is witnessing gradual adoption in the food products market.Time-Temperature Indicator Labels: Market DynamicsThe global time-temperature indicator labels market is driven by increasing adoption in the food industry, especially for sea food packaging, which in turn is expected to fuel growth of the market during the forecast period. Additionally, increasing growth of the food retailing industry is also expected to fuel sales of time-temperature indicator labels. Time-temperature indicator labels market is expected to witness significant increase in revenue growth owing to increasing application to deliver high quality and safety of packaged foods such as fresh food, vegetables, fish and meat. Export of products, changing lifestyles and hectic work schedules are factors expected to positively influence the growth of the global time-temperature indicator labels market during the forecast period. For food suppliers, time-temperature indicator labels play a crucial role, as it indicates the overall temperature abuse over packaged food. Also, sales of time-temperature indicator labels is expected to increase during the forecast period in the medicine and pharmaceutical markets, as these markets can utilize time-temperature indicator labels during transportation. However, varying regulations and norms in different countries can impact sales of time-temperature indicator labels.Request Report Sample@Time-Temperature Indicator Labels Market: SegmentationThe global time-temperature indicator labels market is segmented on the basis of label types:Blank LabelsPrinted LabelsThe global time-temperature indicator labels market is segmented on the basis of end use:Lab samplesVaccinesDiagnostic KitsFood & BeveragesRequest For TOC@Time-Temperature Indicator Labels Market: Regional OutlookIn terms of geography, the global time-temperature indicator labelsmarket is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East & Africa. North America is expected to be dominant in the global time-temperature indicator labels market in terms of revenue contribution during the forecast period. Markets in Europe and Latin America are expected to register healthy revenue growth over the forecast period. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market during the forecast period, particularly developing countries such as China and India. However, markets in the Middle East & Africa is expected to witness relatively slow growth during the forecast period.Time-Temperature Indicator Labels Market: Key PlayersSome key players in the global time-temperature indicator labels market include 3M, BASF SE, Vitsab International AB, Timestrip, Avery Dennison Corporation, Temptime Corporation, Dry Pak Industries, Inc. and DeltaTrak.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Market Research on Cling Film Market 2017 and Analysis to 2027

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Cling films are the plastic coatings found in the food packaging. Cling films has globally transformed the packaging in food and beverages market, owing to the increasing need for innovative packaging solutions in the food & beverage industry. Cling films are the soft plastic wraps of polyvinylidene chloride (PVC). Cling film coating is preferred as it majorly contributes to the health and hygiene of the food article, also preventing it from contaminants and preserving it. Furthermore, the cling films are considered as a cost effective way for food presentation. The global cling films market is expected to register a healthy growth rate during the forecast period.The global cling films market is primarily driven by the eminent properties of cling films, which in turn is augmenting the demand for cling films in food and beverage industries. Cling films are permeable to water vapor and oxygen, which in turn extends the shelf life of the product or increases the peak freshness of the wrapped food articles. Cling films are now an indispensable non-food item for the food and beverages industry. Cling film being smooth surfaced will cling on to some of those surfaces which are smooth and thus can remain tightly fixed over the opening of the container without any use of adhesives. On the plus side, the cling films can keep the food articles moist in the fridge without any flavor and odor loss. Cling films can be ideally used to wrap sandwiches, leftover food, cover plated meals or fruits in a basket while travelling and to preserve food on a general note. The above mentioned factors are anticipated to drive the demand for global cling films market.Request Report Sample@The cling films are available in 8 micron, 9 micron and 10 micron thickness. The cling films application is based on thickness of the film. Also, it is available in 60,70,80,90,100,115 and 150 Gauge. They are used based on the strength and capacity of the film to carry the product. Cling films are segmented into two forms namely Cast cling film and Blown cling film. The cast cling film is made from a continuous melting procedure of a thermoplastic and extracted from a flat die on a chill roll. This has a good clarity and a good tear resistance. It is comparatively less expensive. The blown cling film is manufactured using blow extrusion process. It is tougher and more resilient than cast cling film. It can take higher loads as compared to cast cling film. But blown cling film has poor clarity and is more expensive than cast cling film.However, there are some disadvantages of cling films that can hamper the product wrapped which includes, low resistance of cling films to extreme weather, rough transport, and extreme temperature. The above mentioned factors might hamper the growth of global cling films marketRequest For TOC@The major end users of global cling films market are food and beverages, chemical, animal feeds and pharmaceutical companies. Cling films market is prominent in North America followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The cling films market is slowly gaining phase in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America markets and is expected to account significant shares in the global cling films market over the forecast period. Some of the key players identified in the global cling films market includes Graco Adhesives, Anchor Packaging, Berry Plastics, AEP Industries Inc., Bemis Company Inc., Dow Chemical Company, FUJI Seal International Inc, Intertape Polymer Group Inc. and E I du Pont de Nemours and 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.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
PVDC Food Packaging Market Shares, Strategies and Forecast Worldwide, 2017 to 2027

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Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVDC) is a vinyl polymer which is a preferred raw material for food packaging. The use of PVDC material in food packaging improves the appearance of the packaging through its gloss, transparency, print-adhesion, and scratch resistance. PVDC is applied as water-based coatings to plastic films such as BOPP and polyester. PVDC plays an important role in blister packaging as coating or lamination on PVC. The gas and moisture permeability of PVC blister packaging is reduced to certain extent with the use of PVDC. Moreover, it provides an excellent barrier to both water vapor and oxygen.PVDC Food Packaging Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe global PVDC food packaging market is expected to register decent growth during the forecast period driven by the middle class of developing countries. Demand for packaged food is rising in emerging regions due to the rapid urbanization and growing disposable income. Growth in such regions in expected to impact the food packaging industry positively. Specialty material such as PVDC is gaining importance in the food packaging market. The increasing demand for packaged food and beverages together with growing use of packaging material in various food service outlets and expanding working population has given impetus to PVDC food packaging market. The feasible properties of PVDC make is one of the most favored raw material for food packaging. The PVDC material meets the requirements of the governing authorities of North America and European region as it has lower environmental impacts. This factor acts as a driver for the global PVDC food packaging market. The PVDC film is environment-friendly which makes it suitable for the use of food packaging. The PVDC increasing demand of PVDC films in the packaging of processed meat, cheese, bread, snacks and the instant food is anticipated to grow the market during the forecast period. The market for PVDC food packaging can be segmented on the basis of application as dairy products, fruits and vegetables, pet food, baby food, confectionary, Meat, Poultry & Seafood, and others. The meat, poultry and seafood segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period.Request Report Sample@PVDC Food Packaging Market: SegmentationOn the basis of Application,Dairy ProductsFruit & VegetablesPet FoodBaby FoodConfectioneryMeat, Poultry & SeafoodOthers (Snacks, Oils, etc.)Request For TOC@PVDC Food Packaging Market: Region Wise OutlookThe global PVDC Food Packaging Market is segmented into the seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and Middle East and Africa (MEA). The North America region is the leading market in the global PVDC Food Packaging market. The APEJ region shows a huge potential to grow in PVDC food packaging market. The increasing disposable income of the middle-class population in countries like India and China is expected to drive the PVDC food packaging market over the forecast period. The Western Europe region is expected to emerge as another attractive market for PVDC Food Packaging.PVDC Food Packaging Market: Key PlayersInnovia FilmsBilcare SolutionsPerlen PackagingCryovacKrehalon Food PackagingFILCONCaprihans India Ltd.Marubeni Europe plcMSP CorporationSKC Inc.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Compounding Pharmacy Market To Register A Robust Growth By 2022

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In this report, the United States Compounding Pharmacy 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 Compounding Pharmacy in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast).Get sample copy@United States Compounding Pharmacy market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Compounding Pharmacy sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players including, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Fagron, PharMEDium Services, Institutional Pharmacy Solutions, Cantrell Drug Company, Triangle Compounding Pharmacies, Lorraine?s Pharmacy, Fresenius Kabi AGBuy a copy of United States Compounding Pharmacy Market for single user price of $ 3800@On the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume, revenue, product price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into, Oral Medications, Topical Medications, Suppositories. On 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 Compounding Pharmacy for each application, including, Pain Management, Hormone Replacement Therapy, OthersKey factors for this report:1 Compounding Pharmacy Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Compounding Pharmacy1.2 Classification of Compounding Pharmacy by Product Category1.2.1 United States Compounding Pharmacy Market Size (Sales Volume) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 United States Compounding Pharmacy Market Size (Sales Volume) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Oral Medications1.2.4 Topical Medications1.2.5 Suppositories1.3 United States Compounding Pharmacy Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 United States Compounding Pharmacy Market Size (Consumption) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Pain Management1.3.3 Hormone Replacement Therapy1.3.4 Others1.4 United States Compounding Pharmacy Market by Region1.4.1 United States Compounding Pharmacy Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 The West Compounding Pharmacy Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Southwest Compounding Pharmacy Status and Prospect (2012-2022)2 United States Compounding Pharmacy Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1 United States Compounding Pharmacy Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 United States Compounding Pharmacy Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.3 United States Compounding Pharmacy Average Price by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.4 United States Compounding Pharmacy Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.4.1 United States Compounding Pharmacy Market Concentration Rate2.4.2 United States Compounding Pharmacy Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Players/Suppliers2.4.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion in United States Market2.5 United States Players/Suppliers Compounding Pharmacy Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area, Product TypeView this report@About us:Research Trades has team of experts who works on providing exhaustive analysis pertaining to market research on a global basis. This comprehensive analysis is obtained by a thorough research and study of the ongoing trends and provides predictive data regarding the future estimations, which can be utilized by various organizations for growth purposes.We distribute customized reports that focus on meeting the clients specific requirement. Our database consists of a large collection of high-quality reports obtained using a customer-centric approach, thus providing valuable research insights.Contact Us:Address: Flat No.10, Wing C, S. No. 245/4/2+245/5/1, Baner, Pune-411045Email: sales@researchtrades.comCall us: +91 7507349866Skype ID: researchtradesconWeb:
United States Se-enrIched Yeast Market Report 2017

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "United States Se-enrIched Yeast Market Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.Notes:Sales, means the sales volume of Se-enrIched YeastRevenue, means the sales value of Se-enrIched YeastThIs report studIes sales (consumptIon) of Se-enrIched Yeast In UnIted States market, focuses on the top players, wIth sales, prIce, revenue and market share for each player, coverIngAlltechLesaffreAngelPharma NordLallemandNovus InternatIonalAssocIated BrItIsh FoodsMIro ChembIotechCypress SystemsDIamond VADMBIorIgInTIanxIangyuanPrInce AgrI ProductsAlerIsEmbrIa Health ScIencesJaconoMarket Segment by States, coverIngCalIfornIaTexasNew YorkFlorIdaIllInoIsFill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @SplIt by product types, wIth sales, revenue, prIce, market share and growth rate of each type, can be dIvIded Into1000ppm Type2000ppm TypeSplIt by applIcatIons, thIs report focuses on sales, market share and growth rate of Se-enrIched Yeast In each applIcatIon, can be dIvIded IntoFunctIonal Food IndustryFeed IndustryTable of Contents1 Se-enrIched Yeast OvervIew1.1 Product OvervIew and Scope of Se-enrIched Yeast1.2 ClassIfIcatIon of Se-enrIched Yeast1.2.1 1000ppm Type1.2.2 2000ppm Type1.3 ApplIcatIon of Se-enrIched Yeast1.3.1 FunctIonal Food Industry1.3.2 Feed Industry1.4 UnIted States Market SIze Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) of Se-enrIched Yeast (2012-2022)1.4.1 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.4.2 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Browse Press Release of this Research Report:2 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast CompetItIon by Manufacturers2.1 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Revenue and Share by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.3 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Average PrIce by Manufactures (2015 and 2016)2.4 Se-enrIched Yeast Market CompetItIve SItuatIon and Trends2.4.1 Se-enrIched Yeast Market ConcentratIon Rate2.4.2 Se-enrIched Yeast Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.4.3 Mergers & AcquIsItIons, ExpansIon3 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by States (2012-2017)3.1 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Sales and Market Share by States (2012-2017)3.2 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Revenue and Market Share by States (2012-2017)3.3 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast PrIce by States (2012-2017)4 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by Type (2012-2017)4.1 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)4.2 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)4.3 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast PrIce by Type (2012-2017)4.4 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Sales Growth Rate by Type (2012-2017)5 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Sales (Volume) by ApplIcatIon (2012-2017)5.1 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Sales and Market Share by ApplIcatIon (2012-2017)5.2 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Sales Growth Rate by ApplIcatIon (2012-2017)5.3 Market DrIvers and OpportunItIes6 UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Manufacturers ProfIles/AnalysIs6.1 Alltech6.1.1 Company BasIc InformatIon, ManufacturIng Base and CompetItors6.1.2 Se-enrIched Yeast Product Type, ApplIcatIon and SpecIfIcatIon6.1.2.1 Product A6.1.2.2 Product B6.1.3 Alltech Se-enrIched Yeast Sales, Revenue, PrIce and Gross MargIn (2012-2017)6.1.4 MaIn BusIness/BusIness OvervIew6.2 Lesaffre6.2.2 Se-enrIched Yeast Product Type, ApplIcatIon and SpecIfIcatIon6.2.2.1 Product A6.2.2.2 Product B6.2.3 Lesaffre Se-enrIched Yeast Sales, Revenue, PrIce and Gross MargIn (2012-2017)6.2.4 MaIn BusIness/BusIness OvervIew6.3 Angel6.3.2 Se-enrIched Yeast Product Type, ApplIcatIon and SpecIfIcatIon6.3.2.1 Product A6.3.2.2 Product B6.3.3 Angel Se-enrIched Yeast Sales, Revenue, PrIce and Gross MargIn (2012-2017)6.3.4 MaIn BusIness/BusIness OvervIewLIst of Tables and FIguresFIgure PIcture of Se-enrIched YeastTable ClassIfIcatIon of Se-enrIched YeastFIgure UnIted States Sales Market Share of Se-enrIched Yeast by Type In 2015FIgure 1000ppm Type PIctureFIgure 2000ppm Type PIctureTable ApplIcatIon of Se-enrIched YeastFIgure UnIted States Sales Market Share of Se-enrIched Yeast by ApplIcatIon In 2015FIgure FunctIonal Food Industry ExamplesFIgure Feed Industry ExamplesFIgure UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)FIgure UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Table UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Sales of Key Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)Table UnIted States Se-enrIched Yeast Sales Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)QYReseachReports.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
China Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Industry 2015 Market Research Report

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "China Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Industry 2015 Market Research Report" to its huge collection of research reports.The China Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Industry Report 2015 is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cells industry.The report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Solid Oxide Fuel Cells market analysis is provided for the China markets including development trends, competitive landscape analysis, and key regions development status.Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and Bill of Materials cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.Obtain Report Details @The report focuses on China major leading industry players providing information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand analysis is also carried out. The Solid Oxide Fuel Cells industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally the feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.With 172 tables and figures the report provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @Table of ContentsChapter One Industry Overview1.1 Definition and Specifications of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells1.2 Classification of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells1.3 Applications of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells1.4 Industry Chain Structure of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells1.5 Industry Overview of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells1.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells1.7 Industry News Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel CellsChapter Two Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells2.1 Bill of Materials(BOM) of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells2.2 BOM Price Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells2.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells2.4 Depreciation Cost Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells2.5 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells2.6 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel CellsChapter Three Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of China Key Manufacturers in 20143.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of China Key Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Manufacturers in 20143.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of China Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Key Manufacturers in 20143.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of China Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Key Manufacturers in 2014Chapter Four Sales Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells by Regions, Product Type, and Applications4.1 China Sales of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells by Regions 2010-20154.2 China Sales of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells by Product Type 2010-20154.3 China Sales of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells by Applications 2010-20154.4 Price Analysis of China Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Key Manufacturers in 20154.5 China Capacity, Production, Import, Export, Sales, Price, Cost and Revenue of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells 2010-2015Chapter Five Sales Revenue Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells by Regions,Product Type, and Applications5.1 China Sales Revenue of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells by Regions 2010-20155.2 China Sales Revenue of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells by Product Type 2010-20155.3 China Sales Revenue of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells by Applications 2010-20155.4 Sales Price Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells by Regions,Product Type, and Applications 2010-2015Chapter Six Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Production, Supply, Sales and Demand Market Status 2010-20156.1 Capacity Production Sales Revenue of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells 2010-20156.2 Production Sales Market Share Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells 2014-20156.3 Import, Export and China Local Sales of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells 2010-20156.4 Supply(Production), Local Sales and Relationship between Supply and Demand of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells 2010-20156.5 Price,Cost, Gross Margin of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells 2010-2015Chapter Seven Analysis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Industry Key Manufacturers7.1 Company One7.1.1 Company Profile7.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications7.1.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross, and Revenue7.1.4 Company One SWOT Analysis7.2 Company Two7.2.1 Company Profile7.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications7.2.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross, and Revenue7.2.4 Company Two SWOT Analysis7.3 Company Three7.3.1 Company Profile7.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications7.3.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross, and Revenue7.3.4 Company Three SWOT Analysis7.4 Company Four7.4.1 Company Profile7.4.2 Product Picture and Specifications7.4.3 Capacity, Production, Price, Cost, Gross, and Revenue7.4.4 Company Four SWOT AnalysisQYReseachReports.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
Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents Market Report 2017

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents Market Report 2017" to its huge collection of research reports.In this report, the Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents 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 Asia-Pacific into several key Regions, with sales (MT), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Blood Bank Reagents for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), includingChinaJapanSouth KoreaTaiwanIndiaSoutheast AsiaAustraliaAsia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Blood Bank Reagents sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingBeckman CoulterBio-Rad LaboratoriesCardinal HealthOrtho Clinical DiagnosticsQuotientLorne Laboratories LimitedImmucorThermo Fisher ScientificBioMRieuxObtain Report Details @On the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume (MT), revenue (Million USD), product price (USD/MT), market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoAnti-Sera ReagentsReagent Red Blood CellsAnti-Human GlobulinBlood Bank SalineOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume (MT), market share and growth rate of Blood Bank Reagents for each application, includinHospitalsClinicsOtherFill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @Table of Contents1 Blood Bank Reagents Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Blood Bank Reagents1.2 Classification of Blood Bank Reagents by Product Category1.2.1 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Types (2012-2022)1.2.2 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Anti-Sera Reagents1.2.4 Reagent Red Blood Cells1.2.5 Anti-Human Globulin1.2.6 Blood Bank Saline1.3 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Applications (2012-2022)1.3.2 Hospitals1.3.3 Clinics1.3.4 Other1.4 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents Market by Region1.4.1 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.8 Australia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)2 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents Sales Volume and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents (Volume) by Application2.4 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents (Volume and Value) by Region2.4.1 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.2 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3 China Blood Bank Reagents (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 China Blood Bank Reagents Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 China Blood Bank Reagents Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 China Blood Bank Reagents Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 China Blood Bank Reagents Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 China Blood Bank Reagents Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.3 China Blood Bank Reagents Sales Volume and Market Share by Application4 Japan Blood Bank Reagents (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 Japan Blood Bank Reagents Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 Japan Blood Bank Reagents Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 Japan Blood Bank Reagents Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 Japan Blood Bank Reagents Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 Japan Blood Bank Reagents Sales Volume and Market Share by Type4.3 Japan Blood Bank Reagents Sales Volume and Market Share by Application5 South Korea Blood Bank Reagents (Volume, Value and Sales Price)5.1 South Korea Blood Bank Reagents Sales and Value (2012-2017)5.1.1 South Korea Blood Bank Reagents Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.2 South Korea Blood Bank Reagents Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)5.1.3 South Korea Blood Bank Reagents Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)5.2 South Korea Blood Bank Reagents Sales Volume and Market Share by Type5.3 South Korea Blood Bank Reagents Sales Volume and Market Share by Application6 Taiwan Blood Bank Reagents (Volume, Value and Sales Price)6.1 Taiwan Blood Bank Reagents Sales and Value (2012-2017)6.1.1 Taiwan Blood Bank Reagents Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.2 Taiwan Blood Bank Reagents Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)6.1.3 Taiwan Blood Bank Reagents Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)6.2 Taiwan Blood Bank Reagents Sales Volume and Market Share by Type6.3 Taiwan Blood Bank Reagents Sales Volume and Market Share by Application10 Asia-Pacific Blood Bank Reagents Players/Suppliers Profiles and Sales Data10.1 Beckman Coulter10.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.1.2 Blood Bank Reagents Product Category, Application and Specification10.1.2.1 Product A10.1.2.2 Product B10.1.3 Beckman Coulter Blood Bank Reagents Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)10.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.2 Bio-Rad Laboratories10.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.2.2 Blood Bank Reagents Product Category, Application and Specification10.2.2.1 Product A10.2.2.2 Product B10.2.3 Bio-Rad Laboratories Blood Bank Reagents Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)10.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview10.3 Cardinal Health10.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors10.3.2 Blood Bank Reagents Product Category, Application and Specification10.3.2.1 Product A10.3.2.2 Product B10.3.3 Cardinal Health Blood Bank Reagents Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)10.3.4 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
Squalene Market Dynamics And Growth Rate 2017-2022

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In this report, the Asia-Pacific Squalene 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 Asia-Pacific into several key Regions, with sales (MT), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Squalene for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), including, China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Southeast Asia, AustraliaAsk sample copy@Asia-Pacific Squalene market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Squalene sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players including, Seadragon Marine Oils, Amyris, Maruha Nichiro Corporation, Sophim, Kishimoto Special Liver Oil, Nucelis, Arista Industries, EKIZ Olive Oil & Soap, New Zealand Green HealthOn the basis of product, this report displays the sales volume (MT), revenue (Million USD), product price (USD/Kg), market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into, Animal?sourced, Vegetable?sourced. On the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, sales volume (MT), market share and growth rate of Squalene for each application, including, Cosmetics, Food, Pharmaceuticals.Buy a copy of Asia-Pacific Squalene Market for single user price of $ 4000@Key elements for this report:1 Squalene Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Squalene1.2 Classification of Squalene by Product Category1.2.1 Asia-Pacific Squalene Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Types (2012-2022)1.2.2 Asia-Pacific Squalene Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Animal?sourced1.2.4 Vegetable?sourced1.3 Asia-Pacific Squalene Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Asia-Pacific Squalene Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Applications (2012-2022)1.3.2 Cosmetics1.3.3 Food1.3.4 Pharmaceuticals1.4 Asia-Pacific Squalene Market by Region1.4.1 Asia-Pacific Squalene Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.8 Australia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Asia-Pacific Market Size (Value and Volume) of Squalene (2012-2022)1.5.1 Asia-Pacific Squalene Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Asia-Pacific Squalene Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Asia-Pacific Squalene Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 Asia-Pacific Squalene Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Asia-Pacific Squalene Sales Volume and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Asia-Pacific Squalene Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Asia-Pacific Squalene (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Asia-Pacific Squalene Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Asia-Pacific Squalene Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Asia-Pacific Squalene (Volume) by Application2.4 Asia-Pacific Squalene (Volume and Value) by RegionView this report@About us:Research Trades has team of experts who works on providing exhaustive analysis pertaining to market research on a global basis. This comprehensive analysis is obtained by a thorough research and study of the ongoing trends and provides predictive data regarding the future estimations, which can be utilized by various organizations for growth purposes.We distribute customized reports that focus on meeting the clients specific requirement. Our database consists of a large collection of high-quality reports obtained using a customer-centric approach, thus providing valuable research insights.Contact Us:Address: Flat No.10, Wing C, S. No. 245/4/2+245/5/1, Baner, Pune-411045Email: sales@researchtrades.comCall us: +91 7507349866Skype ID: researchtradesconWeb:
Electroceutical Market To Maintain Healthy Growth By 2022

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This report studies the global Electroceutical market, analyzes and researches the Electroceutical development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, like, Medtronic, St. Jude Medical, Abbott, Boston Scientific, GlaxoSmithKline, Omron Healthcare, Cochlear, B Braun Melsungen, Livanova, Covidien, Biotronik, Lepu Medical Technology, Shenzhen XFT Electronics, Shanghai NCC Medical.Ask for exclusive sample copy for this report@Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers, United States, EU, Japan, China, India, Southeast Asia. Market segment by Application, Electroceutical can be split into, Hospitals, Clinics, Other. Market segment by Type, Electroceutical can be split into, Implantable, Non-ImplantableBuy a copy of Global Electroceutical Market for single user price of $ 3300@Table of Contents:1 Industry Overview of Electroceutical1.1 Electroceutical Market Overview1.1.1 Electroceutical Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Electroceutical 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 Electroceutical Market by Type1.3.1 Implantable1.3.2 Non-Implantable1.4 Electroceutical Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Hospitals1.4.2 Clinics1.4.3 Other2 Global Electroceutical Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Electroceutical 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 FutureView this report@About us:Research Trades has team of experts who works on providing exhaustive analysis pertaining to market research on a global basis. This comprehensive analysis is obtained by a thorough research and study of the ongoing trends and provides predictive data regarding the future estimations, which can be utilized by various organizations for growth purposes.We distribute customized reports that focus on meeting the clients specific requirement. Our database consists of a large collection of high-quality reports obtained using a customer-centric approach, thus providing valuable research insights.Contact Us:Address: Flat No.10, Wing C, S. No. 245/4/2+245/5/1, Baner, Pune-411045Email: sales@researchtrades.comCall us: +91 7507349866Skype ID: researchtradesconWeb:
Global LASIK Surgery Devices Market Set To Record Exponential Growth By 2022

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In this report, the global LASIK Surgery Devices market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.In this report, the global LASIK Surgery Devices market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of LASIK Surgery Devices in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth America Europe China Japan Southeast Asia IndiaGlobal LASIK Surgery Devices market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingAbbott Medical Optics Inc. Alcon Laboratories, Inc. Bausch & Lomb Inc. Carl Zeiss, Inc. Nidek, Inc.Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AGTo Receive a Sample Copy of Global LASIK Surgery Devices Market Research @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoType I Type IIOn 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 LASIK Surgery Devices for each application, includingHospital Clinic OtherBuy a Copy of Global LASIK Surgery Devices Market Research for single user price of $ 2900@Key Chapters1 LASIK Surgery Devices Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of LASIK Surgery Devices1.2 LASIK Surgery Devices Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global LASIK Surgery Devices Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global LASIK Surgery Devices Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Type I1.2.4 Type II1.3 Global LASIK Surgery Devices Segment by Application1.3.1 LASIK Surgery Devices Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Hospital1.3.3 Clinic1.3.4 Other2 Global LASIK Surgery Devices Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global LASIK Surgery Devices Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global LASIK Surgery Devices Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global LASIK Surgery Devices Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global LASIK Surgery Devices Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global LASIK Surgery Devices Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)3 Global LASIK Surgery Devices Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global LASIK Surgery Devices Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global LASIK Surgery Devices Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global LASIK Surgery Devices Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global LASIK Surgery Devices Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America LASIK Surgery Devices Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)To View Full Report @Who we areResearch Trades has team of experts who works on providing exhaustive analysis pertaining to market research on a global basis. This comprehensive analysis is obtained by a thorough research and study of the ongoing trends and provides predictive data regarding the future estimations, which can be utilized by various organizations for growth purposes.We distribute customized reports that focus on meeting the clients specific requirement. Our database consists of a large collection of high-quality reports obtained using a customer-centric approach, thus providing valuable research insights. The research encompasses information gathered and examined by subject-matter experts, laying down growth opportunities and developmental strategies for enterprises.Reach at us:Flat No.10, Wing C,S. No. 245/4/2+245/5/1,Baner, Pune-411045Email: sales@researchtrades.comCall us: +91 7507349866Skype ID: researchtradesconWeb:
Smart Pills Market To Witness An Outstanding Growth By 2022

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In this report, the global Smart Pills market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Smart Pills in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering, North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, IndiaGet sample copy@Global Smart Pills market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players including, Medimetrics, Proteus Digital Health, Capsovision, Given Imaging, Olympus, Karl Storz, Novartis, BDD, Boston Scientific, GE, Proteus, Cerner Corporation, Pentax Medical, Fujifilm Holdings CorporationOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into, Endoscopy, Monitoring Use Drugs, 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 Smart Pills for each application, including, Capsule Endoscopy, Drug Delivery, Patient MonitoringEnquire for discount@Table of Contents:1 Smart Pills Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Smart Pills1.2 Smart Pills Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Smart Pills Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Smart Pills Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Endoscopy1.2.4 Monitoring Use Drugs1.2.5 Others1.3 Global Smart Pills Segment by Application1.3.1 Smart Pills Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Capsule Endoscopy1.3.3 Drug Delivery1.3.4 Patient Monitoring1.4 Global Smart Pills Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Smart Pills 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)2 Global Smart Pills Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Smart Pills Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Smart Pills Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Smart Pills Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Smart Pills Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Smart Pills Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Smart Pills Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Smart Pills Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Smart Pills Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Smart Pills Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, ExpansionView this report@About us:Research Trades has team of experts who works on providing exhaustive analysis pertaining to market research on a global basis. This comprehensive analysis is obtained by a thorough research and study of the ongoing trends and provides predictive data regarding the future estimations, which can be utilized by various organizations for growth purposes.We distribute customized reports that focus on meeting the clients specific requirement. Our database consists of a large collection of high-quality reports obtained using a customer-centric approach, thus providing valuable research insights.Contact Us:Address: Flat No.10, Wing C, S. No. 245/4/2+245/5/1, Baner, Pune-411045Email: sales@researchtrades.comCall us: +91 7507349866Skype ID: researchtradesconWeb:
Global Rollator Walker Market By Manufacturers, Type and Application 2022

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Rollator Walker which is also named as the rolling walking, rollator is a walker with a wheel at the bottom of each leg. There are 3 wheel rollators and 4 wheel rollators, and most have some kind of a pouch or basket to carry your things. Rollators are perfect for use outdoors where the surfaces may be uneven. They can also be used indoors, and some are even narrow enough to navigate through tricky halls and doorways.Get sample Copy of this report@Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Rollator Walker 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 coversGraham-FieldDrive DeVilbiss HealthcareKarmanHuman CareMeyraRoscoe MedicalKaiyang Medical TechnologyPurchase copy of this report for single user price of $3480 @Table of Content1 Market Overview1.1 Rollator Walker Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 3 Wheel Rollators1.2.2 4 Wheel Rollators1.2.3 Others1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 65 to 85years Old1.3.2 Above 85 Years Old1.3.3 Young Population1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 USA Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.2 Japan Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.3 Korea Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.4 India Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.2 Egypt Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.4 South Africa Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.4.4.5 Nigeria Market States and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Graham-Field2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.2 Rollator Walker Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 22.1.3 Graham-Field Rollator Walker Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2 Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare2.2.1 Business Overview2.2.2 Rollator Walker Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Type 12.2.2.2 Type 22.2.3 Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare Rollator Walker Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3 Karman2.3.1 Business Overview2.3.2 Rollator Walker Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Type 1.Browse Complete Report@About us:Research Trades has team of experts who works on providing exhaustive analysis pertaining to market research on a global basis. This comprehensive analysis is obtained by a thorough research and study of the ongoing trends and provides predictive data regarding the future estimations, which can be utilized by various organizations for growth purposes.We distribute customized reports that focus on meeting the clients specific requirement. Our database consists of a large collection of high-quality reports obtained using a customer-centric approach, thus providing valuable research insights.Contact Us:Email: sales@researchtrades.comCall us: +91 7507349866Skype ID: researchtradesconWeb:
This weekend, Portland State University celebrates the centennial of the birth of Portland native Lou Harrison, considered one of the great 20th-century American composers.

Harrison, who died in 2003, was known for what critic Brett Campbell calls "alluring fusions of Asian and Western music." According to a new biography co-authored by Campbell and California composer and music professor Bill Alves, "Lou Harrison: American Musical Maverick" (Indiana University Press, 602 pages, $55), that musical journey began with Harrison's childhood in Portland, where he was surrounded by Asian artworks that inspired his creations.

Portland State University's "CeLOUbration" June 16-17 will feature Harrison compositions from the 1930s through 1990s and new music by Cascadia Composers members Bonnie Miksch, Susan Alexjander, Greg Steinke, Lisa Ann Marsh and Matt Andrews in the Harrison tradition. Performers include the Venerable Showers of Beauty gamelan ensemble, Portland Percussion group, Portland State faculty and student performers, and other Portland musicians. The festival also includes a screening of the documentary "Lou Harrison: A World of Music" by Eva Soltes.

Here is an excerpt from "Lou Harrison: American Musical Maverick."

***

Whenever Lou Harrison came home, it was like stepping into another culture. From as early in childhood as he could remember, wherever he looked in his family's apartment in Portland, Oregon's Silver Court Apartments, young Lou saw colorful paintings from various Asian cultures mounted on walls covered by Japanese grass wallpaper. Chinese carved teak furniture perched on Persian rugs, colorful Japanese lanterns dangled from the ceiling, cloisonne objects filled the mantel, and the rooms boasted other artifacts from Asia and the Middle East. Compared to the prosaic furnishings and fixtures of the rest of the young Harrison's post-World War I Pacific Northwest life, his home was an almost magical place.

The exotic decor sprang from the ambitions of his mother. Born in Seattle in 1890, Calline Silver grew up in the Alaskan frontier with her sister, Lounette. Despite these rough circumstances, their father saw to it that both girls had music lessons, at a time when music was an important marker of good breeding and refinement for young women. After her father died and Cal raised herself from this rustic beginning to a middle-class ideal, she became a woman of strong will and determination, qualities that her son would inherit. She married affable, fair-skinned Clarence Harrison, a first-generation American born in 1882, whose Norwegian father had, like many immigrants, changed his surname from exotic (de Nesja) to blend-in conventional: Harrison.

Like many upwardly mobile West Coasters, Cal Harrison was attracted to the allure of Asia and regarded exotic artifacts as exemplars of refined taste. Such decorations were common in Portland homes since the 1905 Lewis and Clark Centennial and American Pacific Exposition and Oriental Fair. Japan alone spent a million dollars on its exhibit, which featured exotic (to American eyes) arts and crafts, sparking a local infatuation with Asian art and culture. Many middle- and upper-class houses boasted "Oriental Rooms" festooned with Asian and Middle Eastern furniture and art, "Turkish corners," and other symbols of what many Americans still regarded as the mysterious East.

That Pacific exoticism also manifested in music. When Lou was born on May 14, 1917, Hawaiian music was the most popular genre in America. Radio broadcasts of Hawaiian slide guitars and the clacks of his mother's mah-jongg tiles supplied the soundtrack to some of his earliest memories--and inspired his final great composition eight decades later. ...

Throughout his eventful career, Harrison would pursue the magic first experienced amid the Asian art treasures gracing his childhood home in Portland's Silver Court apartments. He'd find it in mysterious shops in San Francisco's Chinatown, in Korean temples and Indonesian percussion orchestras, Medieval music modes, ancient Greek tunings, in new instruments contrived from junkyard detritus. From these unlikely ingredients, he would fashion beguiling new sounds far removed from the conventional music of his time and place. Like his mother, he would embrace beautiful strangeness - and make it feel like home.

Excerpted from "Lou Harrison: American Musical Maverick," copyright 2017 by Bill Alves and Brett Campbell.

***

CeLOUbration: Concert Series

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, June 16-17

Where: Lincoln Hall, 1620 S.W. Park Ave.

Tickets: $15-$20, $30 weekend pass, free for students; pdx.edu/music or 503-725-3307
SEATTLE -- In the near future, your phone might be smart enough to know whether you are driving a car, or going along for the ride.

Anti-distraction software by a tech startup called Cellepathy would automatically go into a restrictive "driver mode" when a phone is within a moving vehicle. Online features such as texts, video, games and social media would be blocked, as well as some or all nonemergency telephone calls.

Your cellphone is like an airplane's black box. It contains a compass, a gyroscope, an accelerometer and GPS tracking.

Using those features and the software, vehicle passengers could perform a verification task, lasting seven seconds or less, to unlock all the apps in "passenger mode." For instance, they would hold a phone level and type in a series of numbers.

Cellepathy co-founder Dan Abramson recently moved from Tel Aviv to Sammamish, where he says the company will recruit engineers from this region. The pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca in Israel and some European firms are requiring employees to use Cellepathy, which he said has begun to market to customers in North America.

"Our contribution to the world is our ability to differentiate between drivers and passengers," he says, a useful goal until self-driving cars someday rule the road.

"We can prevent a lot of deaths, injuries and tragedies over the next 40 years, and if we can make an honest wage for our efforts, that's great."

The quest for technical solutions comes while states gradually pass laws to reduce distracted driving, including Washington's Driving Under the Influence of Electronics act, which takes effect July 23. It bans watching video or using a handheld phone or other device while driving. In Oregon, drivers have been prohibited from talking on cell phones or texting while driving since 2010.

Apple announced this week its "Do Not Disturb While Driving" mode, to be installed in iOS 11 software this fall. Once a phone owner has chosen this mode, the iPhone would know when it's in a moving car and automatically reply to an incoming call or message: "I'll see your message when I get where I'm going."

Cellepathy-equipped phones would automatically go into driver mode when a car moves, unlike Apple's feature, which is voluntary.

No law now requires a driver's phone to be disabled. Device makers oppose any government guidelines or mandates that call for software that automatically locks phones in moving cars.

"Ultimately, this is a behavioral problem," said Jamie Boone, government affairs director for the Consumer Technology Association. "There are tons of different distraction problems. Daydreaming, eating, putting on your makeup."

Cellepathy is marketing to companies that seek to improve safety and avoid liability for employees who drive on the job. That applies not only to fleets, but traveling salespeople, or anyone using private cars to deliver food or packages.

Employers can order settings to allow calls, such as those to and from the boss. Calls to 911 would not be restricted. Employers typically allow finger or voice-activated maps, and music apps. Employers could configure Cellepathy software to either allow or block hands-free calls via Bluetooth, Abramson said.

"I also have the curiosity and compulsion to see who has texted me, and to check emails all the time," confessed Hilla Nissani, general manager of AstraZeneca Israel, on a newscast there. "The software really lets me drive in peace without knowing that mails are coming in, without the ability to read the texts."

Cellepathy is developed for Android phones and being beta-tested on Apple products, according to Abramson.

Staffers from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) are informally trying three Cellepathy-equipped phones on drives around Olympia.

Facing addiction

Of course, turning off your phone is a voluntary form of driver mode. You may toss your phone in the trunk, or study a map before turning on the ignition.

Few people do so.

"Ideally we would say put it away," said Shelly Baldwin, legislative liaison for the WTSC. "That's a little like promoting abstinence. That's 100 percent effective  if you follow the code."

The goal is harm reduction, she says, as a public-health strategy.

On a brief drive with commission staff leaving downtown Olympia, Washington, one Cellepathy-equipped phone announced "driver mode" after traveling one block and another after three blocks, locking out many uses, including Google search.

Erika Mascorro, anti-distraction program manager, set her thumb on her phone, held it level, and typed numbers to allow passenger mode. She could easily make the verification test fail by tilting the phone 10 degrees. "I've had it about a week, and I'm already accustomed to it," she said.

They were surprised driver mode let people type an address within a navigation map. (The new state law limits drivers to "minimal use of a finger.") In real life, Cellepathy buyers would decide which mapping apps they would deem safe for employees, Abramson said.

One question is passenger collusion.

What's to stop a friend or spouse from attaining passenger mode, then handing the driver a phoneload of temptations?

That situation is rare, Cellepathy Vice President Sean Irtold a national conference, because 60 percent of vehicles contain one person, and federal surveys show three-fourths of riders feel unsafe enough to tell a texting driver to stop.

Universal tech

At least in theory, passenger-verification software could become ubiquitous on cellphones  which is why Baldwin said she was eager to give Cellepathy a test drive.

Think about that.

Your phone would be disabled once a car moves, until a passenger takes action. Some motorists would consider that an imposition on their freedom.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued draft guidelines in November about phones, tablets and other mobile devices inside a car. The agency hopes for a "passive mode," where phones automatically know who drives and who rides. Drivers might be identified by bodily electric current, or camera images of where people sit in a car.

If that's unworkable, the guidelines would recommend a passenger verification task.

Abramson said the country could wait 10 years for such passive-driver detection, compared with a couple of years to reach millions of people through software updates or new phones.

NHTSA is willing to tolerate 1.5 seconds per glance at a screen, totaling 12 seconds for multiple glances  compared with choosing a satellite radio station. Texting consumes an average 36 seconds.

The Consumer Technology Association endorses state enforcement against distracted driving. But it argues NHTSA lacks authority to issue guidelines for nonautomotive products. That would limit innovation, industry groups say.

"Who decides which apps get blocked? Who decides which maps are usable and which aren't? It's a big ecosystem and a whole lot more complicated than it looks," Boone said.

Carmakers have advocated features that connect phones to built-in dashboard infotainment systems. The National Safety Council objects that pairing enables the myth that hands-free calling is safe.

Council President Deborah Hersman wrote that widespread adoption of automatic driver mode for smartphones is maybe the "best hope" to overcome a dangerous compulsion.

"NSC believes we must go beyond education and laws if we want to successfully solve the problem. Technology created this problem, but it can also provide the solution."

-- The Seattle Times
MOLALLA -- Rain usually means a day off for firefighters; however, on a rainy Friday afternoon in Molalla, 55 firefighters from 19 departments gathered to practice skills they will need to fight wildfires this summer - rain or shine. Despite soggy conditions, they were still able to set their practice materials ablaze.

The program is the last school of its kind in Oregon, making it the only opportunity for area firefighters to check certain techniques off in their task book, like directing helicopter water drops, before becoming certified to perform them during major campaign fires. The school is tuition-free thanks to a grant from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.

According to Lieutenant Damon Simmons, public information Ooficer for Portland Fire and Rescue and Oregon State Fire Marshalls Type 2 Incident Management Team, out of the 35 students there were, "people from the basic firefighter level on up to people who are going to be managing teams of firefighters," like division supervisors and engine bosses.

"Grasses that we normally see that are ankle- high are knee-high this year, and they've already dried out," said Jeff Wheeler, a firefighter who traveled from Camp Umatilla in eastern Oregon to attend the training. "And then grasses that are normally waist-high are head-high." He said that heavy winter rain has increased the "fuel load," though that doesn't guarantee a busy season.
Ethiopian-American Portland native Ihsaan Mohamed remembers feeling isolated as a Muslim student when she started her freshman year at Wilson High School three years ago.

Coming from a small private school that catered to Muslims to Wilson, with 1,400 students, "was an adjustment," she says. She worried about sticking out and longed for a sense of community.

"I knew there were other Muslim kids here, but we never really sat together or talked much," Mohamed said. "I always felt like kind of a loner in my classes."

She is now a junior and vice president of the Muslim Students Association, a club founded at the high school last fall. For her and other members, the club has helped allay that sense of isolationproviding support for Muslim students at the school and a space to talk about everything from annoying comments by peers to larger political issues.

Mohamed, who wears a hijab, usually rides a TriMet bus home after school. But in the aftermath of the MAX train stabbings last month that began with verbal attacks on a girl wearing a head scarf, she says she's felt a little worried doing so. Having a Muslim group has helped, she sayssince the attack, members have offered each other rides and tips on how to stay safe on public transit.

The group, which meets every Wednesday at lunch, has held discussions this year on the Muslim ban, discriminatory comments written in a school bathroom and steps Wilson teachers can take to help Muslim students during Ramadan. The group has been especially close in recent weeks, as members are fasting for the Muslim holy month.

The group has also held panels for the larger student community on what it's like to be a Muslim student. Members of the club, which is made up mainly of young women, most of whom wear hijabs, laughed about some of the questions they've received, including, "Do you have hair?" and "Do you shower in that?"

Club president Athraa Alhayyak said that while it can get tiring to answer those kinds of questions, she hopes the club can help students get over misconceptions about Islam.

"They ask things that are often really funny, but it's something they're curious about," she said. "If they can't ask without feeling scared, they will make up their own answers in their heads."

In the confines of the group, members talked freely about islamophobic and racist incidents they've experienced over the years. Several are also part of the school's Black Student Union, and many grew up in immigrant families with roots in countries including Somalia, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Mohamed remembered an incident during her freshman year at Wilson, when she sat at a table in art class with two boys and another Muslim girl. She considered the boys friends, until one of them posted a photo on social media of her and the other Muslim girl talking, with the caption, "I just heard them say the word 'boom'."

"I remember I was crying that day, I was so mad," she said. "I told him he couldn't do stuff like that, but he said it was just a joke. And then the next week, he took a photo of the backs of our heads and was like, 'Oh they have bombs in there [under their hijabs].'"

Many members spoke of various stresses of navigating Wilson, where 75 percent of students are white, as a minority. "I have to represent myself in a community of people who are very different from me," said one club member who didn't want her name printed. "Most students here are not Muslim, they're not black, and the way that I show myself to them, maybe that's how they're gonna think everyone who's similar to me is like."

Another student, who immigrated with her family from Somalia when she was 7, said, "Kids at this school will test you. They'll say little things to you. Like when you're in class and you're talking about Africa, and some kid asks you if you used to live in a hut."

She added, "People have this picture of you in their head. It makes me want to say, 'I'm as American as you are.' "

For many members, it's the small acts of kindness and understanding from teachers that have made them feel more at home at Wilson.

Abdul Mohamed, a junior, remembered his geometry teacher asking him how he was doing the week after the MAX train attack. "That made me feel relieved," he said, "and like people at the school care about Muslim students."

Mohamed said he doesn't come to group meetings too often, but he appreciates that the club is around. "Just knowing that there's a group here to go to if you're going through something is really reassuring."

--Janaki Chadha

jchadha@oregonian.com

503-221-8165; @janakichadha
SB 1068, a bill aimed at easing public employers' crippling pension costs, accomplishes the rare feat of being measly and consequential at the same time. Measly, in that the proposed changes would barely move the needle in addressing the escalating contributions that government agencies and school districts will be making to the underfunded pension system for years to come. But consequential for what the bill reveals: Legislators who have long insisted that there was nothing they could do to legally and meaningfully address Oregon's mounting pension problem finally appear willing to try.

In the abstract, SB 1068 seems a promising way to help the government absorb rising Public Employees Retirement System costs. The bill, sponsored by Sen. President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, and Sen. Mark Hass, D-Beaverton, would require public employees to contribute to their own pensions, just as almost all other public employees across the country do. The idea is for workers - who already contribute 6 percent of their salary to "supplemental" retirement accounts - to divert a portion of that to the main pension fund, which owes $22 billion more in benefits than it has on hand. Those payments would help offset the skyrocketing contributions that public employers are required to make to chip away at the pension funding gap and allow them to reserve more money to provide the schooling, health care and other public services that Oregonians are paying for.

Editorial Agenda 2017

Boost student success

Get Oregon's financial house in order

Help our homeless

Honor our diverse values

Make Portland a city that works

Expand access to public records

________________________

Read more about the

.

Unfortunately, while the concept is good, the details leave much to be desired. The bill, which was written with the guidance of the state's largest public employees union, seems more like window dressing than serious reform at this point. Among the provisions: Employees would redirect only 1 percent of salary to the pension fund in the first year of contributions, 2 percent the following year and no increases until 2021 at the earliest. Given the mechanisms in the bill designed to limit further increases, it's unclear if employee contributions would ever rise above 2 percent, much less to the bill's 4 percent cap, which itself is far below the 6 percent that public employees in other states contribute to their pensions, as The Oregonian/OregonLive's Ted Sickinger reported.

The bill also would not require any higher contributions from current employees at "Tier 1 and Tier 2," whose retirement benefits are not only richer than newer workers', but account for more of the unfunded liability. And the proposed contributions wouldn't even begin until July 1, 2018, which, with the paltry 1 percent rate, would produce only $100 million in savings for the 2017-2019 biennium, with less than $50 million going to the state's general fund.

While those savings projections improve modestly in later years, they're still woefully inadequate in light of the pension funding tsunami that Oregon is facing. Employer contributions are poised to eat up about $900 million more in the next biennium, increase another $1 billion-plus in the biennium after that and take still more in the two-year-cycle after that. That's money that would otherwise go to employing teachers, counselors and librarians in schools, providing quality child-welfare services and keeping basic health services for Oregon's poorest residents.

Still, there's hope. The involvement by both Courtney and the Service Employees International Union Local 503 is a sign that they recognize the need to at least start the discussion, even if SEIU doesn't support the proposal. But Courtney and other leaders must show that this bill is a first step, not a done deal.

Oregonian editorials

Editorials reflect the collective opinion of The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board, which operates independently of the newsroom.

Members of the editorial board are Laura Gunderson, Helen Jung, Mark Katches, John Maher and Len Reed.

To respond to this editorial:

Post your comment below, submit

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If you have questions about the opinion section, contact Laura Gunderson, editorial and commentary editor, at 503-221-8378 or lgunderson@oregonian.com.

That means dialing back on the rhetoric. As Sickinger reported, Courtney declared that he would not move the bill forward without a significant revenue package with corporate tax increases to go with it. The fatal flaw in that ultimatum? Courtney thinks he's holding a royal flush when all he's got is a pair of twos. It's hard to imagine businesses, Republicans and anyone racing to the table for fear of losing a bill that, as it stands, would do next to nothing.

Instead, Courtney and other leaders should be looking at how to incorporate some of the extensive and valuable work done this session on two other PERS reform bills, SB 559 and SB 560, sponsored by Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend. Those bills look at modestly limiting future pension benefits and redirecting a greater percentage of employee contributions to the pension fund. With only a few weeks left in the session, they should seek to put together a comprehensive slate of reforms that still provide a fair package to employees but helps reroute the devastating course we're currently on.

It's taken far longer than it should, but elected leaders are recognizing they can no longer claim that there's nothing that they can do about PERS. Now it's up to them to show they can deliver something more consequential than simply acknowledging the truth.

- The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board
By Irene Kalonji

Like any mother, I had worries and dreams for my children. Will they get a good job? Will they find love? Will I become a grandmother?

Like any mother of black sons, I also worried about their safety with police. How could I not when day after day there are stories of profiling and police violence against young black men?

My worst nightmares came true when my 19-year-old son Christopher was killed by police in our home after we called them for help. Making the nightmare worse, my husband and I have serious doubts about whether the district attorney truly advocated for our son in the investigation into his death.

Christopher struggled with mental health issues. After a rough encounter with police, his mental health suffered and he became convinced he would be killed by law enforcement. On the day he was supposed to appear in court as a result of his police encounter, Christopher had a mental breakdown and locked himself in his room with his gun. We called 911 for help, and so did Christopher from his room.

When the police showed up, Christopher stripped down to his boxer shorts to show that he was unarmed and sat in his window to talk to them. What happened next is unclear. My son was shot and tear gas canisters were thrown into his room. No one checked on him for four hours, while he lay there bleeding on his bedroom floor. Finally, my son was taken to OHSU, but it was too late. It breaks my heart that he died without any of his family by his side.

We weren't with him when he died because during the standoff, my husband and I were taken to the police station to answer questions about our son's mental health. We later realized that these interrogations were not to help Christopher, but rather to build justifications for shooting our son. When police finally told us Christopher had been killed, we were overcome with grief. We also felt deeply betrayed.

Did you know that the police investigate themselves when they shoot someone? Then the same district attorney who works side-by-side with police on criminal cases takes the police findings to a grand jury to decide whether or not to bring charges against the officers involved. You won't be surprised to hear that officers are rarely charged with misconduct under this scheme, but you probably don't know that here in Oregon, there is hardly any record kept of this process.

My husband and I wanted to know the truth about our son's death, so we asked for the grand jury proceedings to be recorded. For reasons that still confuse us, the Clackamas County District Attorney's office refused. We have been told that the only records that exist of the grand jury are one page of handwritten notes and a jury form. And we will need a court order to see even that.

What evidence was the jury shown? What testimony did they hear? Was it a foregone conclusion that the officers who killed my son would not be indicted? I have my suspicions, but the hard truth is that we will probably never know.

There is an easy solution to this problem: Record all grand jury proceedings. The Oregon Legislature is currently considering a bill to do just that, Senate Bill 496. But district attorneys are opposing it. What are they afraid of?

The grief and pain of losing our teenage son has taken its toll on us. We will never be the same. The feeling that justice was not served for Christopher adds to our pain. As a mother, how will I ever find peace? Oregon legislators should support SB 496 to bring transparency to the grand jury process, so that no other family will have to go through what we have.

Irene Kalonji lives in Canby.
Oregon refuge occupier Jason Patrick, who offered to be taken into custody just over two months ago after he was convicted of felony and misdemeanor charges, is asking to be released, pending his sentencing this fall.

"I think he's just tired of being at the local jail,'' his defense lawyer Andrew Kohlmetz said Friday.

Patrick, 45, this time will abide by the conditions set for release, including electronic monitoring and home detention at his mother's residence in Washington state, his lawyer said.

Prosecutors are not opposed, but U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown will consider the request at a hearing next Friday.

Patrick, 45, stunned some in Brown's courtroom when he stood up at his defense table on March 21 and offered to go to jail, after the judge announced she was finding him guilty of misdemeanor charges stemming from the 41-day armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

That day, Patrick removed his blazer and belt, emptied his pockets, placed his cigarettes on the table and offered to be handcuffed and led away to jail. At that time, he said he'd rather spend time in jail, instead of being fitted with an electronic ankle bracelet for GPS monitoring pending sentencing.

Eleven days earlier, a federal jury had convicted Patrick of conspiracy to impede federal employees at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge through intimidation, threat or force. On March 21, the judge found Patrick guilty of other misdemeanor charges, including trespass, tampering with vehicles and equipment, and destruction of property.

That day, pretrial services officer Nick Nischik had recommended Patrick be placed on home detention and electronic monitoring. Nischik argued that Patrick had been difficult to contact pending trial because he had no stable residence, has remained unemployed for close to a year despite a pretrial condition that he find work, and hadn't resolved a pending charge in Georgia.

But Patrick and Kohlmetz, his standby lawyer, argued then that GPS monitoring was unwarranted since he had made all his court appearances.

Patrick was initially held at the downtown Portland jail since he was taken into custody on March 21, but soon was transferred to the county's Inverness Jail.

With his sentencing postponed until Nov. 15, Patrick is asking to be released from custody under the conditions proposed in late March, Kohlmetz said.

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com

503-221-8212

@maxoregonian


KCR order for officers on grain procurement



Buy all the grains brought by farmers .. Pay them immediately without delay



Provide necessary funds



This season, already 37 lakh tonnes of grain procurement and 2 lakh tonnes



June 11 ,Hyderabad(suryaa): Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has ordered the authorities to stop the farmers from collecting grain from farmers. The farmers are advised to pay the money on purchases. In the state, this time grains have gone up, as a result, the supply of food supplies to the procurement centers is a record.

The Chief KCR reviewed the matter with Civil Supplies Commissioner CV Anand and other officials in Pragati Bhavan on Saturday. The government is ready to provide the necessary funds for the procurement of food grains. It has been ordered to take all steps to make farmers without any delay. Though state funds were released, it would take some time for the farmers to take steps to prevent this delay.
Chemical Bank employees used their banking knowledge in April to encourage and inspire more than 8,800 students in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana to become life-long savers as part of National Financial Literacy Month and National Teach Children to Save Day.

As part of Teach Children to Save Day, Chemical Bank representatives provided basic financial education to second graders at schools across the Midwest. In celebration of its 100th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of the Teach Children to Save Program, Chemical Bank also ran a contest through social media where it gave out 20 $100 gift cards for teachers to purchase schools supplies.
SAGINAW  Eight men, including two Midland residents, will be ordained permanent deacons by the Most Rev. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw, at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. This will be the largest group in the history of the diocese, part of a nationwide trend that has seen the number of permanent deacons rise from 898 in 1975 to 18,173 in 2016. The diocese currently has 12 permanent deacons in active ministry.

The candidates being ordained to the permanent diaconate include: Daniel Corbat, St. Brigid of Kildare Parish, Midland; Lawrence Deford, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Midland; Librado (Larry) Gayton, St. Joseph Parish, Saginaw; Steven George, Holy Spirit Parish, Shields; Timothy Hartwig, St. Jude Thaddeus Parish, Essexville; Kenneth Kochany, Our Lady of Peace Parish, Bay City; Todd Lovas, Nativity of the Lord Parish, Alma, and Richard (Rick) Warner, St. John Vianney Parish, Saginaw.

Also during the Mass, Cistone will ordain Dr. Jerome (Jerry) Green, pastoral administrator of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Shepherd, to the transitional diaconate. This means that he, unlike the other eight, plans to continue discerning priesthood for the Diocese of Saginaw.

I want to serve Gods people, said Warner, of Saginaw. Whether at my job or in ministry, I seek to help and serve others. I want to ease their daily burdens.

Warner currently works as a director at The Dow Chemical Co., a career that has taken him to four continents. Despite his work schedule, Warner has embraced the Deacon Formation Program for the past four years and looks forward to carrying out works of charity, baptizing, proclaiming the Gospel, and more.

Gayton is a semi-retired attorney from Saginaw.

People have encouraged me to become a deacon and the Lord is leading me this way, said Gayton. Im particularly looking forward to serving the Spanish speaking community, as well as reaching out to immigrants and others in need.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend this Mass. A live stream of the Mass also will be available via the diocesan website, www.saginaw.org, and on the diocesan Facebook page. Procession and live streaming video will begin at about 2:20 p.m.

The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw was established by Pope Pius XI on Feb. 26, 1938. Today, it includes 6,955 square miles across Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Sanilac, Saginaw and Tuscola counties. In 1938, The Most Rev. William Murphy, the first Bishop of Saginaw, dedicated the entire diocese under the patroness of Mary of the Assumption.
MSU Extension of Midland County and cooperating parent educators sponsor the Parents Corner. Send submissions to Midland County MSU Extension Educator, Lisa Treiber, 220 W. Ellsworth St., Midland, MI 48640.

Families in Nature: Frogs & Pollywogs

Venture out to Chippewa Nature Center for the monthly Families in Nature program series. Join CNCs naturalists for this outdoor program from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 10, to explore the wonders of Michigans seasons. Use dippers and nets to try to catch pollywogs and frogs in the ponds or vernal pools.

Wednesday Wanderings: Turtle Trek

Spend some time looking for one of natures more timid predators  the turtle, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, at Chippewa Nature Center. Join Educator Victoria Zablocki to trek the Nature Center property in search of shy Blandings turtles, robust Snapping turtles, sunny Common Map turtles and more.

Story Hour: Butterflies Fly

Spend an hour learning about nature at Chippewa Nature Center from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. or from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, June 15. Youth 3 to 5 years of age along with an adult are invited to participate in the activities, which will include a story, crafts, time outdoors and other age appropriate events.

Trinity Lutheran Preschool

Trinity Lutheran Preschool has openings for 2- to 4-year-olds this fall. Classes focus on kindergarten development, self-exploration, and STEM technology. The preschool offers affordable tuition, scholarships and a longer calendar year. Children can also join the lunchtime learners program. If families are interested in a Young 5s program, call for information. Visit www.tlcmidland.org or call 989-631-0692 for more information or a tour of the facility.

Babysitters Training Class

Great Lakes Safety Training Center will offer a Babysitters Training class, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students will learn how to care for children, basic first aid, child development, safety skills and the business basics of babysitting. This class is designed for 11- to 15-year-olds. Class will be held at 1900 Ridgewood Drive, Midland. The cost is $60. Call 989-837-2332 to pay and register. Students will need to bring a lunch.

Painting & Card Making With Your Peanut

Have a peanut (child ages 2 to 4) who loves to create? Jacqueline, from Creative 360, will introduce your peanut to fun painting projects that you can turn into cards to send out. Join in the fun on June 16, 23 and 30; sessions are 9 to 10 a.m. and cost is $25. Registration is required by calling 989-837-1885 or at www.becreative360.org

Summer Camp  Emotions & Art (Grades K-2)

Each day will be focused on making a specific emotion into paintings, plays, music and more at Creative 360 in Midland. It is a fun and new way of translating sometimes tricky emotions into works of art. Jacqueline Licquia, masters degree in art therapy, will lead the sessions from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday-Friday, July 5-7. Registration is required by June 30, at www.becreative360.org or 989-937-1885. Cost for camp is $55.

Summer Camp  Emotions & Art (Grades 3-6)

Each day will be focused on making a specific emotion into paintings, plays, music and more at Creative 360 in Midland. Basic emotions will be explored in a safe and understanding environment aimed at creative fun. Jacqueline Licquia, masters degree in art therapy, will lead the sessions from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday  Friday July 10-14. Registration is required by July 5, at www.becreative360.org or call 989-837-1885. Cost for camp is $95.

NEMCSA Head Start Preschool Programs

NEMCSA Head Start is a free preschool program for qualifying families with children ages 3 to 4. Head Start also serves children with special needs and/or disabilities. Head Start is a member of the Midland County Regional Preschool Partnership. Complete a preschool interest form online at www.michiganpreschool.org NEMCSA Head Start offers full day and half-day preschool classrooms that run four days a week. Classroom locations in the Midland and Sanford areas include sites at Longview Early Childhood Center, First Baptist Church, Grace Bible Church and Sanford Early Childhood Center. Contact Katie Estelle at (989) 832-0968 or Kelly Scoles at (989) 832-7520 to schedule an application appointment.
Students will gain a number of important skills during BaySails Windward Bound sail training program aboard the schooner Appledore V.

Lessons include the value of working in a team, The importance of respecting authority, how rewarding it is to be responsible and how empowering it is to be self-sufficient. BaySail is currently accepting applications for the 2017 Windward Bound season which includes seven separate voyages spanning four Great Lakes and two countries. The program is open to people between the ages of 14 and 18.

The Windward Bound sail training program is not designed to teach young people how to sail, rather it teaches them the critical skills they need to succeed as adults through the process of sailing, said Shirley Roberts, BaySail executive director. 2017 will mark the 12th year we have offered the Windward Bound program. In that time, approximately 20 graduates have pursued paid careers in the maritime industry. Five are currently working on ships around the country and three more are studying marine architecture and engineering at maritime academies.

Windward Bound 2017 voyages range in length from five to 12 days, include sailing in lakes Huron, Erie, Ontario and Michigan, with stops at festivals in Hamilton, Bath and Amhertsburg, Ontario; Sorel-Tracey and Quebec City, Quebec; and Ludington. Cost per trainee ranges from $750 to $1,500 and includes (where necessary) ground transportation to/from destination cities and room, board and shore excursions to destinations like Niagara Falls. A limited amount of scholarship funds is available to trainees in the Great Lakes Bay Region of Bay, Midland, Saginaw and Isabella counties. Each voyage is limited to a maximum of six trainees.

The Windward Bound program is a great opportunity to learn about sailing and Great Lakes ecology. Experiencing the beauty of nature from the water is a truly unforgettable experience, said Lewis Wolf, a former trainee whos participated in three Windward Bound voyages.

The 2017 sailing season includes Appledore Vs participation in Rendezvous Quebec, a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation and the largest gathering of international tall ships in North America.

The Appledore V is one of two vessels owned and operated by BaySail, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Bay City. BaySail holds a travel camp license through the State of Michigan and its vessels are licensed and inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard.

For more information, visit www.baysailbaycity.org or call BaySail at 989-895-5193.
Women of Michigan Action Network members gathered Thursday at U.S. Rep. John Moolenaars office on Main Street to deliver petitions to demand he oppose the so-called CHOICE Act and its Wall Street-backed attack on consumer protections.

We are here today to urge Congressman Moolenaar to protect and defend the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, organizer Jon Arlt said. This is an essential piece of the government that looks after the American people and helps to protect them from predatory lenders. We dont want another Great Recession. The CFPB helped 26 million citizens last year with debt relief.

The WOMANs group delivered 43,000 signatures from the national organization, Peoples Action, which states on its website that the its, .... a powerful new force for democracy and economic fairness. From family farms to big cities, from coast to coast, were fighting for community over greed, justice over racism, and people and planet over big corporations.

Moolenaar still voted for CHOICE as the House took up the bill Thursday afternoon and it passed the House 233-186 along party lines.

The Financial Choice Act benefits everyday Americans by reining in Washington bureaucrats and freeing up money to invest in hometown projects, Moolenaar stated in a media release. Wall Street banks that benefited during the Obama Administration oppose todays bill because they enjoy advantages the status quo provides them over Michigan community banks and credit unions.

The CHOICE Act would make significant changes to Dodd-Frank, especially in the area of the financial regulatory regime. The bill would decrease the powers of the CFPB, require congressional approval of significant agency rules and would subject financial regulators, including the National Credit Union Administration and the CFPB, to the appropriations process.

The Credit Union Times stated on June 7 that, Republicans argue that Dodd-Frank has restrained financial institutions, slowing economic growth. Democrats contend that Dodd-Frank instituted much-needed consumer protections following the economic crisis.

U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., stated, in The Hill, that the Choice Act would: ....provide regulatory relief to the financial services industry by rolling back unnecessary government intrusion into our financial system. This result is that American consumers and small businesses will have more access to capital. This will, in turn, create jobs.

But, Pamela Banks, senior policy counsel for Consumer Union, stated that the ...bill would render the CFPB virtually powerless and leave families vulnerable to unfair and abusive financial practices.

An article in Consumerist, published by Consumer Media LLC, a not-for-profit subsidiary of Consumer Reports, said that since 2011, when the CFPB began, the bureau had won almost $12 billion in refunds and relief for an estimated 29 million Americans.

I have been the watching the CFPB as it has gone after the banks. A lot of people dont understand that when the banks are paying back money, its the CFPB that has gone after those institutions and made them pay back money to the people that have been hurt, Connie Glave said Thursday as she stood with about 20 other people in Moolenaars office.

Along with the petitions, WOMAN had created a simulated check written out to Moolenaar in the amount of $200,000 from First Megabank of Wall Street.

Congressman Moolenaar has taken almost $200,000 from the lending industry, said Arlt, who teaches sociology at Central Michigan University and is a visiting instructor of sociology at Alma College. We want him to hear today about how this affects the people in his district. This is about Wall Street once again trying to destroy the lives of everyday Americans for a short-term profit. We know that protecting consumers is better, in the long term, for the economy. We know that its better for economic growth and job security. We know that the only people that stand to benefit from this are the lending industries in the short term and those politicians that are on their payroll.

Even with passage in the House, CHOICE must still gain approval in the U.S. Senate, which is not a given. A June 7 article in Forbes stated, The Senate has shown little interest and has no alternate bill of its own, suggesting instead it might cherry-pick select provisions to advance. With respect to Senate approval of a bill to materially repeal Dodd-Frank, even Majority Leader Mitch McConnell flatly said he is not optimistic.
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The newest permanent exhibit at the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art in the Midland Center for the Arts, Spark!Lab Smithsonian, was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday.

Members of the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce were on hand to celebrate the opening of the exhibit, located on the fourth floor of MCFTA. Representatives from the Midland Mall, Zentx Media Group, Isabella Bank, Northwood University and others joined sponsors of the lab and MCFTA staff at the event.

Spark!Lab Smithsonian is a collaboration with the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation. The exhibit provides a location where visitors can work on challenges that inspire them to invent solutions. There are opportunities to work on every part of the invention process including exploring, testing and experimenting.

Tricia Edwards, head of education at the Lemelson Center, also attended the event.

The labs allow kids to invent or create. They dont have to follow someone elses design, she said. They use their own ideas, and that is really empowering for kids.

While the Spark!Lab Smithsonian at MCFTA is the sixth site for the labs, more are in the works. The projection is three to four new sites each year.

Our vision is one in every state, Edwards said.

Michigan currently has two, with the other location at the Detroit Museum of Science.

Midland has such a heritage and history of invention. It was a natural fit with the community, Edwards said. But it also brings something a little bit different, as the challenges change.

Jeffrey Brodie, deputy director for the Lemelson Center, attended the preview of the Spark!Lab Smithsonian at MCFTA on June 1. He recently discussed facilitator training.

The key aspect in facilitation is helping visitors through the process without provided specific instructions or direction of what to do, Brodie said. There is no single solution to any challenge, the facilitators help the visitors find and develop their own solutions.

Facilitators went through three rounds of training which included information about how we study the history of invention.

Debbie Anderson, education director at MCFTA, said the activities are constantly evolving, and each activity has multiple challenges.

I most look forward to families working together in this learning atmosphere, she said.

Patti Kepler of Midland attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and watched her grandson, Jensen, work on one of the challenges.

I most look forward to my grandkids in town wanting to be here all the time, she said.

Terri Trotter, president and CEO of the Midland Center for the Arts, thanked the sponsors of the Spark!Lab Smithsonian at the ribbon-cutting. The Kepler Family Foundation provided funding to build the lab, she said. She also thanked The Dow Corning Foundation and SC Johnson.

Julie Dukes, communications manager at MCFTA, said The Dow Corning Foundation provides funds to MCFTA for STEM initiatives, and also provides financing for the partnership with the Smithsonian. SC Johnson will be underwriting daily operations of our Spark!Lab for two years.

The lab incorporates STEM elements with other disciplines.

In Spark!Lab, the activities are interdisciplinary and focus on art, design, and music, as well as electricity, engineering, math, and science  but always calling attention to the inherent connections between them, Brodie said.

Empowering the younger generation is also a goal.

It is our collective hope that Spark!Lab excites the inherent inventive thinking and creativity in young people and their families  to create, innovate, and problem solve  and that they will have the confidence to use these skills to succeed and overcome challenges throughout their lives, he said.

Admission to Spark!Lab will be free with museum admission. For more information, visit mcfta.org
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department.

Friday, June 9

12:01 a.m.  Police responded to a domestic assault at an Oakmont Grove address.

Thursday, June 8

12:41 a.m.  Police were called to a domestic assault at a Boston Street address.

1:29 p.m.  A Porter Township man, 71, reported a gas can containing fuel, a total value of $45, was stolen.

8:12 p.m.  A sink hole was reported in an Ingersoll Township roadway. The road commission was notified and made repairs.
This week, 159 prospective state troopers, including one Midlander, started the first of 26 weeks of training at the Michigan State Police Training Academy in Lansing.

These prospective troopers are part of the 133rd Trooper Recruit School, which has the distinction of being the largest trooper recruit class since 2000.
BLOOMINGTON  One of Chicago's most famous pizza chains is coming to the Twin Cities.

Giordano's, called "Chicago's Best Pizza" by the Chicago Tribune, CBS Chicago, NBC and others, according to its website, is expected to open in August in the former Qdoba restaurant at 1505 N. Veterans Parkway in Bloomington.

We are one of the Chicago originals, and were looking forward to bringing that true Chicago-style pizza to the Bloomington-Normal market, said Aaron Uftring, who will own the franchise location. We think theres a strong demand for the product down there."

Uftring said the restaurant will employ about 50, seat about 70 and offer the standard menu of a full-service Giordano's, including stuffed deep dish pizza, sandwiches, soups, salads, appetizers and desserts.

The Bloomington Liquor Commission will consider granting a license for beer and wine sales when it meets on Tuesday.

The restaurant will have seating on the patio when weather permits, Uftring said, and the site will receive some renovations to make that possible, which could include a brick wall around the seating and a pergola.

Were planning on upgrading the patio and making it a much more inviting space, he said. We think that location has great visibility and potential.

Takeout and delivery service will be available, too.

Aix Indigo LLC will lease suite A at 1505 N. Veterans from the owner, listed in county property records as HOS II LLC and Stark Management. Edible Arrangements is located next door; other nearby businesses include Biaggi's restaurant and FedEx Office.

Uftring, a Minonk native and Illinois State University graduate, said he's long hoped to see Giordano's in the Twin Cities. He worked for the company for eight years and still lives in Chicago.

Bringing that great pizza back to Bloomington-Normal was always a dream of mine, he said. "I'm really excited."
Robbery  A woman told police she was able to escape a robber's grasp by biting him early Thursday morning in downtown Bloomington, but he then hit her, knocking her to the ground, before he fled.

A 32-year-old Bloomington man was arrested Friday on initial charges of robbery and aggravated battery in the case. The Pantagraph does not name suspects in such cases until they are formally charged.

Bloomington police officers were dispatched about 1:20 a.m. to the scene in 200 block of East Washington Street.

Police did not specify what was taken in the robbery or whether the victim was injured.

While an arrest has been made, anyone who has information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Tim Power of the Bloomington Police Department at 309-434-2379 or tpower@cityblm.org. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact McLean County Crimestoppers at 309-828-1111.

Marijuana, weapons  A Bloomington man is charged with illegal marijuana and gun sales.

Barry Guyton, 20, of the 600 block of West Jefferson Street, is charged with unlawful delivery of marijuana in two drug transactions in March. He also is charged with selling a handgun to a person without waiting the required 72 hours and selling the firearm to a person who did not have a valid firearm owner's identification card.

Guyton was jailed in lieu of posting $5,035.
NORMAL  At the request of his family, the death of a Special Olympics Illinois athlete will not cast a shadow over the remainder of the weekend summer games.

Out of respect for the individual, who would have wanted to carry on, thats what we will do, said Dave Breen, CEO of Special Olympics Illinois. We spoke with family members (of the deceased athlete). They felt it was appropriate to go on.

The athlete, identified as Barr Mogk, 43, of Bloomington, died after a medical emergency during a swimming competition Saturday at Normal Community West High School. McLean County Coroner Kathy Davis said he died from a fatal cardiac arrhythmia.

Special Olympics Illinois is hosting its state summer games this weekend at several sites in Bloomington-Normal.

A Special Olympics statement said lifeguards and emergency medical technicians were already at the aquatics center at Normal West as part of event protocol when the incident occurred around 2 p.m.

"After much medical effort by the first responders and medical team at the hospital, the athlete was not able to be resuscitated and passed away," Special Olympics said in the statement.

We have a medical committee that oversees events and EMTs on site at all sports, said Breen. In this case, for swimming and aquatics, we had two certified lifeguards and two EMTs on deck. There were also four police officers present because of their connection with the Torch Run.

He said full medical supplies also are available at all event stations.

A street dance for athletes Saturday evening in uptown Normal was still on, but was to include a moment of silence to honor the deceased athlete.

Our thoughts and prayers go to this family, said Breen.
SEATTLE (AP)  Small but raucous demonstrations across the country Saturday targeted the notion that extremist interpretations of Islamic law might somehow infect American democracy, but many of the rallies drew even more boisterous counter-protests by people who called such fears an unfounded distortion of Islam.

Hundreds of counter-protesters marched through downtown Seattle, banging drums, cymbals and cowbells behind a large sign saying "Seattle stands with our Muslim neighbors." Participants chanted "No hate, no fear, Muslims are welcome here" on their way to City Hall, while a phalanx of bicycle police officers separated them from an anti-Shariah rally numbering in the dozens.

In front of the Trump building in downtown Chicago, about 30 people demonstrated against Islamic law and in favor of President Donald Trump, shouting slogans and holding signs that read "Ban Sharia" and "Sharia abuses women." About twice as many counter-protesters marshaled across the street.

A similar scene played out in a park near a New York courthouse, where counter-protesters sounded air-horns and banged pots and pans in an effort to silence an anti-Shariah rally. In St. Paul, Minnesota, state troopers arrested about a half-dozen people when scuffles broke out at the close of competing demonstrations at the state Capitol.

"The theme of today is drowning out racism," said New York counter-protester Tony Murphy, standing next to demonstrators with colorful earplugs. "The more racists get a platform, the more people get attacked."

The rallies, held in more than two dozen U.S. cities, were organized by ACT for America, which claims Islamic law is incompatible with Western democracy.

The organization said it opposes discrimination and supports the rights of those subject to Shariah. However, the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups, calls it the largest American anti-Muslim group.

"I don't believe Islam can peacefully co-exist with the Constitution," said Seattle anti-Shariah demonstrator Aaron Bassford, 29. "We need unity in this country under no ideology and no banner except the Constitution of the United States of America."

But the overwhelming majority of Muslims don't want to replace U.S. law with Islamic law, known as Shariah, and only "radical extremist groups" would call for that, said Liyakat Takim, a professor of Islamic studies at McMaster University in the Canadian city of Hamilton, Ontario.

Shariah, Takim said, refers to guidelines or principles  how Muslims should live. "Fiqh" refers to jurisprudence, or specific laws. The values embedded in Shariah do not change and are shared among Muslims, he said, while fiqh is open to interpretation and change, and in fact differs among Islamic sects and communities.

"The Quran allows slavery. So does the Old Testament. That doesn't mean we allow it today, too," Takim said. "Laws are amenable to change."

In Seattle, activists set up an "Ask an American Muslim" booth to give rally participants on either side a chance to speak with a Muslim.

"American Muslims support the American values and freedoms we all cherish," said Arsalan Bukhari, executive director of the state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

The marches come amid a rise in reports of anti-Muslim incidents in the U.S., including arson attacks and vandalism at mosques, harassment of women wearing Muslim head coverings and bullying of Muslim schoolchildren.

In California, small but raucous demonstrations were held in a handful of cities, including San Bernardino, where a husband and wife inspired by the Islamic State group killed 14 people and wounded 22 in a 2015 shooting attack.

Clusters of protesters and counter-protesters gathered on four corners of an intersection at a memorial to the slain, yelling and waving American flags and posters proclaiming various causes. Anti-Islamic law demonstrators marched past the building where the shootings occurred.

"There's an anti-Trump, a pro-Trump, anti-extremists, so there are a variety of messages here," San Bernardino police spokeswoman Eileen Hards said. "There are so many messages going on that I'm not sure who's who."

Anti-Islamic law protester Denise Zamora, 39, said she and others in her group were not opposed to all Muslims.

"We're anti-Shariah. We're anti-radicals," the Upland woman said. She added, of Shariah: "It's coming in very slowly, and a lot of the refugees are bringing that ideology here. All of it is just barbaric."

About 300 people attended San Bernardino's rallies. Three were arrested on suspicion of vandalism for smashing windows of two cars, Hards said.

-- Associated Press writers Andrew Selsky in Portland, Oregon; Deniz Cam in New York; Jeff Karoub in Detroit; Kimberlee Kruesi in Boise, Idaho; Robert Jablon in Los Angeles; Dave Kolpack in Fargo, North Dakota; and Michael Tarm in Chicago contributed to this report.
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No, it's not Sermon on the Mount but close. Apple's CEO on Friday spoke to the graduates and tech faithful at the church of MIT, a pioneer in fields like computers and robots today. Cook urged the Graduates to infuse values in their future endeavors because technology alone could be dehumanizing without it.

Cook noted that "I'm not worried about artificial intelligence giving computers the ability to think like humans. I'm more concerned about people thinking like computers, without values or compassion, without concern for consequence."

Speaking to thousands of students and their families at MIT's Cambridge, Massachusetts, campus, Cook praised the benefits of new devices and social media. But he also cautioned that the same technologies can divide people through threats to privacy or security, and said technology must be tempered with human knowledge."

"MIT and Apple share so much. We both love hard problems, we love to search for new ideas, and we especially love finding these ideas  the ones that change the world," Cook said.

The MIT Review interviewed Tim Cook while at MIT. In the exclusive interview, Cook talked about artificial intelligence in iPhones and why he doesn't want to talk about the future.





Cook said in his interview that it's a "fact that the press doesn't always give Apple credit for its AI may be due to the fact that Apple only likes to talk about the features of products it is ready to ship, while many others 'sell futures.'

Cook added that 'We are not going to go through things we're going to do in 2019, 2020, 2021. It's not because we don't know that. It's because we don't want to talk about that.'

While he calls AI 'profound' and increasingly capable of doing unbelievable things, on matters that require judgment he's not comfortable with automating the human entirely out of the equation. 'When technological advancement can go up so exponentially I do think there's a risk of losing sight of the fact that tech should serve humanity, not the other way around.'" You could read more of the interview here.





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Although its most likely brash political posturing, withdrawing from the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement is still an egregious faux pas on the part of the Trump Administration.

Come on! Mr (Jack*ss) President. And you want to make us the pawns?

And no, your sleazy quip, I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris, wont cut it, Mr. President. Not when you leave the citizens of the world gasping for breath when global temperatures from fossil fuel emissions could spike to 3.6 C by the end of the century  if this blunderhead U.S. withdrawal actually transpires.

Yes, economic growth, jobs, and homespun energy production are important. No ones disputing that. But when the energy you are referring to is not clean, sustainable, or renewable, and your only focus is on short-term gains, the world will have something to say about it.

And the Real World Leadership has spoken:

As noted on the BBC World News:

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, opening a summit with China in Brussels, said, There is no backsliding on the Paris agreement.

President Jean-Claude Juncker, opening a summit with China in Brussels, said, There is no backsliding on the Paris agreement. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that the fight against climate change was unstoppable.

Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that the fight against climate change was unstoppable. Indian Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said, As far as the Paris accord is concernedour government is committed, irrespective of the stand of anyone, anywhere in the world.

said, As far as the Paris accord is concernedour government is committed, irrespective of the stand of anyone, anywhere in the world. The 48 least developed countries were deeply disappointed, but believed the global climate momentum would continue with or without the United States, said chairperson Gebru Jember Endalew.

were deeply disappointed, but believed the global climate momentum would continue with or without the United States, said chairperson Gebru Jember Endalew. Small island nations, whose existence is threatened by rising sea levels, were also critical. The President of the Marshall Islands, Hilda Heine, said it was highly concerning for those of us that live on the frontline of climate change.

whose existence is threatened by rising sea levels, were also critical. The President of the Marshall Islands, Hilda Heine, said it was highly concerning for those of us that live on the frontline of climate change. Japans Finance Minister, Taro Aso, said, Im not just disappointed, but also feel anger.

Thankfully, three years notice must be given by any of the 148 countries that ratified the 2015 Paris Agreement on Emissions Reduction. And you can add another year onto that before it would take effect.

By then we may have dumped our demagogue White House incumbent in favor of a more globally accountable and visionary leader.

Getting back to the question of climate change and the choosing of a new direction . .

I have hope: In my debut book, Do It Anyway: Deep Spirituality Meets Real Life (published by Patheos Press), I reflect on the direction I believe we need to take:

I believe it is well within our grasp to clean up our fossil fuel energy mess around the world, and start investing our time, resources, and ingenuity in developing clean, renewable, inexhaustible, and freely available energy sources. For this to happen, it will inevitably come down to our will for change and the radical transformation in human consciousness that needs to emerge in order for these possibilities to become vibrant realities. And they will become vibrant realities. Because new movements of ecological vision and sustainability are springing up all over the world. New spiritualities and cultures centered on loving communion with all sentient and non-sentient beings are emerging. Eco-activists are drumming to a new beata new energy of hope even in the face of unlistening and dispassionate leaders. And their voices and initiatives will be heard, because they are the voices of new ecological birthing in our midst. Exploding oil trains, nuclear plant disasters, fractured mountains and ocean floors, contaminated soil, addiction to petrochemical products and fossil fuels, and synthetic foods are symptomatic of the greatest human misadventure of our timesindustrialization and mechanization gone AWOL. Weve literally, and unintentionally, taken leave of our senses. Weve severed the one vital connection that grounds us to who we are: our interrelatedness with the entire web of life. We are living, conscious beings who are only living, breathing and conscious, because everyone and everything else around uspast and presentmake this possible. Buddhism has an eloquent term for this. It is called, Interdependent Co-Arising. In other words, everything arises in dependence upon multiple causes and conditions. As a human species we are not, individually or collectively, a singular, insulated entity. We are in a mutually interdependent relationship with the whole created order. We can deny, overlook, deride, dilute, and forget this all we like; and we can continue to feed our pathological arrogance for some years to come. But, the writing is on the wall for our eventual demise, if we stubbornly persist in this mass delusion. Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh was once asked what we need to do to save our world. What we most need to do, he replied, is to hear within us the sounds of the Earth crying.[i] ~ Chapter 12, Batten Down The Hatches

The planet itself is a natural survivor. As I note in my book:

The earth is a living, breathing, conscious organism. Im not concerned about its survival. It has cleansed and restored itself before and will do so again, if necessary. But this time around, we may have gone too far. Such a deep planetary ablution may necessarily herald our demise.

The Good News is our presidents latest faux pas on the world stage has only inflamed the passionate will of the world to regroup and take this fight to the next level.

Are you with me?

[i] Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, ed., Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth (Point Reyes, California: Golden Sufi Center, 2013)

Cover Photo: Pixabay

Image Insert: Pixabay
Iranian Cleric's Comments Likening Loosely Veiled Women To Prostitutes Spark Backlash

06/09/17

By Golnaz Esfandiari, RFE/RL



Iranian women celebrating victory of President Rohani in the May 2017 election

(photo by ISNA)



Judging women by the degree to which they respect the compulsory hijab is nothing new in Iran.

In the past, hard-liners have accused so-called "badly veiled women" of being responsible for everything from social ills to natural disasters.

But recent comments by the Friday Prayer leader of the central Iranian city of Saveh, who likened women who don't fully respect the Islamic head scarf to prostitutes, appear to mark a new low.

Hojatoleslam Seyed Ebrahim Hosseini reportedly made the comments during his Friday Prayers sermon on June 2. He criticized those who are against compulsory veiling while defending it as one of Islam's "most-pressing issues."

"The white veil, like those green and purple wristbands -- they all smell of sedition. They're all like flags that prostitutes would hang over their roofs in the [Dark Ages]," Hosseini said, according to an audio recording of his comments posted online.

Hosseini appeared to be referring to a campaign called White Wednesdays, in which some women have been wearing white veils in public for one day each week. They have also recorded antihijab messages and posted them on social-media platforms such as Instagram.

The movement was launched by exiled Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad, who has been campaigning against the compulsory hijab from outside the country.



Ebrahim Hosseini (file photo)





Hosseini's reference to green and purple wristbands appeared to target both supporters of Iranian President Hassan Rohani, who chose purple as his campaign color, as well as backers of Iran's opposition Green Movement, which was formed to protest alleged fraud in the 2009 presidential vote and which was violently suppressed by authorities.

At some of Rohani's campaign events held before the May 19 presidential vote, loosely veiled women were seen holding signs criticizing the hijab and the morality police who enforce the law. Many Rohani supporters also wore purple and green wristbands and other items.

The hijab became compulsory following the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the creation of the Islamic republic. For nearly four decades, tens of thousands of women have been harassed because of their appearance. Those who fail to fully observe the hijab are fined, detained, and publicly harassed by the country's dreaded morality police, which launches regular crackdowns, especially in summer.

Hosseini's comments have been condemned by several lawmakers and activists, who have accused him of insulting Iranian women and of being overly sensitive about their political activism.

Lawmaker Hojatoleslam Abdollah Mazani blasted Hosseini in a post on the popular Telegram app used by millions of Iranians. "Those who wore green and purple wristbands were 24 million Iranians who voted for Rohani," he wrote, adding that if Hosseini was worried about women wearing the hijab, he should guide them while also respecting "Islamic ethics and manners."

"Based on what religious, moral, and legal right do you allow yourself to accuse millions of Iranians of depravity from the sacred tribune of Friday Prayers?" he asked.

Lawmaker Parvanhe Salahshouri was also critical of Hosseini's comments. "I don't understand why some are so concerned about women's political participation. And such concerns aside, why the insults?" she was quoted as saying by the reformist Sharq daily.

She said Hosseini should apologize to women to preserve the "dignity" of Friday Prayer leaders.





Iranian women celebrating victory of President Rohani in the May 2017 election

(photo by ISNA)



Women's rights activist Minou Mortazi Langaroudi said relevant authorities should interfere and prevent a repetition of "such insults."

Sharq journalist Ameneh Shirafkan wrote on Twitter that several different women's rights groups are considering launching a formal complaint against Hosseini.

Hosseini has not publicly commented on the controversy sparked by his comments.

Friday Prayer leaders are said to receive their talking points from the office of Iran's highest authority, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Friday Prayers are often used as a platform to sends messages to Iran's "enemies," usually the United States, and critics of the establishment.

The physical appearance of Iranian women, and their hijab habits, have been a recurring theme at Friday Prayers.

In an episode that made international headlines in 2010, Tehran's temporary Friday Prayer leader, Ayatollah Kazem Sediqi, suggested that women who don't respect hijab rules fully and who wear revealing clothing instead increase the risk of earthquakes.


Major Maxwell Adam Mahama was a soldiers soldier. A soldier is he or she who commits to die, so that the Nation may live; so that we may live in peace and tranquility.



Major Maxwell Adam Mahama lived the creed of the Ghana Armed Forces to its letter.



At the gates of the Military Academy and Training School where his career as a soldier began, there is an inscription that states that they who pass through that gate commit to defend the Nation on land, in the air and on the seas, even at the cost of their lives.



If there is ever a soldier who lived this commitment as a religious duty, that was Major Maxwell Adam Mahama. This was a soldier who was legitimately armed, and could legitimately shoot at his attackers. But he refrained from doing so. Even as they sought to take his life, he sought to protect theirs. This is a soldiers soldier.



The Nation cannot mourn Major Maxwell Adam Mahama enough. Our tears cannot stop flowing as we lay to rest, such a fine example, of not only what it takes to be called a soldier, but indeed what it takes to be called human.



How do we explain to his young children when they grow, that their father lost his life at the hands of fellow Ghanaians, not at the hands of foreign invaders and not in a battlefield? How do we reconcile the irony that Major Maxwell Adam Mahama died while protecting our environment and our future? If ever there was a person who did not deserve to die, it was Major Maxwell Adam Mahama.



But such is life. Sometimes the worst happens to good people. May the death of Major Maxwell Adam Mahama serve as the death that heralded the death of impunity in our nation. May the tears of his wife, children and family never ever again be shed by another soldiers family.



Major Maxwell Adam Mahama! may it be known to you, even as you journey into eternity, that we, the government and people of Ghana shall immortalise you; we shall celebrate you; we shall do right by your family. Let the angels sing to you, that you left behind a nation in appreciation. There are names that are given to various categories of special soldiers; seals, rangers, commandos, and such other epithets as depict valour, honour, commitment and bravery. If we were to confer all these titles on you, they would not be enough to describe that which you embody.



If all the seas were ink and all the trees were pens, they would not be enough for us to express our sorrow and our gratitude to you for your contribution to this nation. We know that the modest package that the President has announced for the maintenance of your family is not enough to compensate for your demise.



We are truly sorry that your fellow Ghanaians did this to you. We shall try within our human capacity, to make restitution no matter how inadequate it may be.



March on, gallant soldier! Let the trumpets of heaven sound at the arrival of a soldiers soldier. March on Major Maxwell Adam Mahama. Rest in perfect peace, as we await our turn to join you. We shall continue to show our appreciation to you until the last day of the resurrection when we meet again.

Da yie!





Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, in a tribute on behalf of the People and Government, to Major Maxwell Adam Mahama, described the Fallen Hero as a Soldiers Soldier.



The Vice President said the nation would immortalise and celebrate the courage of the late soldier, but his death should herald the end of impunity and indiscipline in the country.



He explained that although the Government had announced a package for the maintenance of his family, it was not enough compensation for his demise.



We are truly sorry that your fellow Ghanaians did this to you; We shall try within our human capacity to make restitution no matter how inadequate it may be.



He said a soldier was the one who was committed to die so that the nation would live and enjoy peace and tranquility.



Vice President Bawumia explained: There are names that are given to various categories of special soldiers: Seals, Rangers, Commandos, and such other epithets, which depict Valour, Honour, Commitment and Bravery, and if we were to confer all these titles on you, they would not be enough to describe that which you embody.



He said Major Mahama lived the creed of the Ghana Armed Forces to its letter, and he exemplified the inscription on the gate of the Military Academy and Training School, which states: Those who pass through this gate commit to defend the Nation on Land, in the Air, and on the Seas, even at the peril of their lives.



Vice President Bawumia said Major Mahama lived the commitment as a religious duty because he was legitimately armed, and could legitimately have shot at his attackers.



However, he restrained himself and sought to give his life to protect others.



He said: How do we explain this to his children that their father died at the hands of fellow Ghanaians, while protecting our environment and our future?



If ever there was a person who did not deserve to die, it was Major Maxwell Adam Mahama!



Major Maxwell Adam Mahama was born on 1st November, 1985 to Captain Denis Adam Mahama and Madam Veronica Bamford.



He was commissioned into the Ghana Armed Forces on the 7th September 2007, and by dint of hard work rose through the ranks to become a Captain at the time of his demise.



However, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, promoted him posthumously to the rank of a Major with effect from May 29, 2017.



He met his tragic death on Monday, May 29 at Denkyira-Obuasi, in the Upper Denkyira District in the Central Region, when he was allegedly mistaken for an armed robber and lynched by a mob, while jogging along the Diaso-Dominase-Anyanfuri-road.



Ghana honoured him with a state burial and funeral service, which was organised at the Forecourt of the State House.



The event attracted high-level dignitaries, including the former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama and the Speaker of Parliament, Right Honourable Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye.

Source: GNA









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Zambia's opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, who's facing treason charges, said Friday he had been moved from a prison in the capital Lusaka to a maximum security jail in a small town.

Hichilema was arrested in April for allegedly failing to give way to President Edgar Lungu's motorcade and has so far been held in detention for two months.



A magistrate court on Thursday ruled that he should face trial for treason in the High Court, dismissing requests by his lawyers to throw out the charge."We can confirm that we have been moved to Mukobeko Maximum Prison in Kabwe. We arrived a few minutes ago," he said in a Facebook post. "We don't know what is happening but we are not bothered by processes," he added.



According to his lawyer, Jack Mwiimbu, armed police officers at the Lusaka prison had earlier bundled Hichilema and five co-accused into a van and drove them to the city airport,



Mwiimbu described his transfer to Kabwe, about 150 kilometres north of Lusaka, as 'illegal'.



"There was a court order that they should be at Lusaka prison but they have gone against it. He was forcibly removed from Lusaka prison," Mwiimbu told reporters outside Lusaka Central Prison where Hichilema had been detained since April 11.



The treason case against Hakainde Hichilema, a wealthy self-made businessman who turned 55 last Sunday comes after he made a fifth unsuccessful bid for the presidency last year.



He has, however, refused to recognise Lungu as president and has challenged the narrow poll defeat in court.

Source: reuters.com









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Politicians always nose around for funerals, where they can get the opportunity to unleash their venom and propaganda, insulting each other in desperation for political mileage. The situation at the funeral of Major Maxwell Adam Mahama was different. Politicians who attended the funeral exhibited maturity and decency throughout the funeral.



This time it was Ghanaians (public) who attended the funeral, who out of desperation and frustration, used the occasion to demand for the return of the former President John Dramani Mahama. The former leader who is an uncle to the deceased, entered the funeral ground quietly with his aides only to be barricaded by some of the mourners who shed tears and shouted slogans expressing regrets for voting against him in the last election. The former President's aides had to intervene to avert moves which could have affect the programme.



When the former President walked to the body to lay a wreath on behalf of the family, the whole atmosphere suddenly got charged with shouts and chants from the crowd applauding him and shouting for his return. When the announcer mentioned his name as one of the dignitaries present, all present stood up with ears splitting applause for the former leader. According to Rev Thomas Ahenkora, what happened at the place is unprecedented. For a leader who just exited office to receive that massive applause, is mind boggling.



It represents the situation in the country, it shows the extent at which Ghanaians have missed his leadership style and should at the same time serve as a warning and wake up call for the incumbent said Rev Ahenkora. With the next election scheduled for December 2020, remorseful Npp voters have just under four years to reevaluate their choice and cast their vote again. Many have started questioning their own decision and boldly expressed their disappointment in the current administration today at the forecourt of the state house.



What happened at the funeral of the Major and comments being made on radio and social media about happenings in the country today, can best be equated to happenings in America presently.



According to a recent poll conducted by Fox News a close media ally of Trump, only 36% of Trump's voters said they would vote for him again in the 2020 election with 55% saying they would vote for someone else. Majority of Ghanaians aren't happy about the policies of the current administration and its failure to keep to the promises they made during the campaign.

Video below-

Source: Andrews Krow/ghanaweb.com









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Food - Uneven preparations

Service - Prompt and attentive

Atmosphere - Cool, low-lit metropolitan-chic makeover

As much as I rave about the Federal Taphouse in Harrisburg, I'm not as thrilled about the third Federal Taphouse to open in Camp Hill.

Federal Taphouse in Harrisburg brought something totally novel to the downtown with 100 craft beers on tap and wood-fire licked char-blistered pizzas.

The bar was set high.

"We were looking for a place on the West Shore that people could walk to, something close to Camp Hill Borough rather than farther out on the Carlisle Pike, which seems more industrial," said Judd Goodman whose partner in the business Corey Fogarty, both Penn State alumni, also helps oversee the Lancaster Federal Taphouse.

The owners are busy as they open a fourth Federal Taphouse later this month on June 19 in State College on the second floor of the Fraser Centre connecting to Hyatt Place Hotel. Perhaps, the Camp Hill one suffers from lack of attention - not in design, but more specifically in the kitchen.

The renovation from brewpub to taphouse is impressive. Stamped concrete inlay, cork columns, stacked stonewalls bring texture and character to the former Appalachian Brewing Company's lackluster space. You'll love this month's featured artist, Jennifer Hofman Savo, whose brightly colored license plate artwork splashed along barroom walls.

The dining room still feels a bit austere in comparison to the Harrisburg older sibling, but it's quiet (no flat-screen distractions) and comfortable. Chairs, especially for older clientele, are hard to scoot in and out due to uneven floor topography.

At lunchtime, the dimly lit bar and dining areas appear rather lonely. Customers eat meals at room-length bar counter, seated around high top tables or spaced out in big booths. The place picks up at happy hour, beginning at 4 p.m. On weekends, parking spaces can be hard to find.

"We're trying to keep menus about 85 percent the same at all of the restaurants," Goodman said.

At the Harrisburg locale, wood-fired oven pizzas have blistering, charred puffy crusts. Camp Hill boasts a gas fired state of the art Marra Forni brick pizza oven. These pies come out crispy thin with brown specks around the perimeters of the pie. Both style pizza crusts have chewy elasticity due to proofing then baking them quickly in the super hot ovens at 770 degrees.

A roasted mushroom $13 suffers from an overwhelming showing of raw garlic, faintly nutty fontina and barely discernible ricotta cheeses. A fig and prosciutto $15 handsomely displays crackling, candy-jar sweet figs marinated in stout between airy flaps of meat and fresh handfuls of arugula.

An appetizer of crab mac n' cheese $12 has pinches of crab over small pasta shells covered in white sauce enriched by fontina and cheddar. This large portion is very rich and filling, which doesn't allow room for a second Apricot Wheat brew from Weins Brewing or Baby Bob Stout made in Aston.

Crispy, crunchy bland-battered calamari $12 has large squid rings intermingled between softened shriveled tomatoes, fiery-hot pepperoncini and pickled celery. Tinny tasting three-pepper aioli comes on the side.

Calamari

A scant presence of pickled red cabbage, mashed avocado, radish, loose cilantro leaves and chipotle remoulade cradle long, deep fried pieces of mahi mahi in an order of citrusy, fish tacos $14. There needs to be more of these buried goodies to enhance the flavor of the fish.

One dish unique to this West Shore locale is the organic coal fired half chicken, $23. "French cut" partially deboned, brined half chicken is split in two pieces horizontally, then coal fired, resulting in very moist and flavorful meat beneath char-laced chicken skin. Dark, liquid sweet pool fills in beneath chicken surrounded by pureed sweet potatoes, chopped beets, roasted mushrooms and softened carrots.

Coal Fired Organic Half Chicken

Don't expect a lot of sweet sauce dripping from wispy strands of streamlined Carolina pork barbecue $12. The meat is tender and mouth-watering without barbecue sauce. Vinegar splashed, tarragon, carrot, cabbage and onion slaw, wafer thin, homemade pickles and freshly made potato chips accompany this toasted sandwich. Wash it down with one of fifty craft brews or 10 wines on tap (they didn't have room for 100 taps featured at the other three locales).

We passed on the only dessert available, Nutella pizza, after having eaten several slices of two savory pies.

According to Goodman, the 8,200 square-foot State College flagship restaurant will set the standard for all four locations. Hopefully the food at Camp Hill will improve once expectations have been raised.
HARRISBURG - They came to march against the "March Against Sharia."

The two groups were separated by Third Street and police, but their voices and ideologies were often clear Saturday morning.

READ MORE:

On the steps of the State Capitol Building were approximately 60 members of ACT for America, an organization that describes itself as the "NRA of national security."

The Southern Poverty Law Center calls ACT for America a hate group that has grown into one of the largest anti-Muslim coalitions in the country.

On Third Street, and sometimes at other points around the capitol, were about 30 counter protesters dressed in black, calling ACT for America a group of fascists.

You can watch in the video above.

Some of the protesters were handcuffed and taken away by police.

Simultaneously, a unity rally of about 200 people kicked off at the Goodwin Memorial Family Life Center.

Ann Van Dyke of Community Responders Network said they started to plan the event immediately after seeing the anti-Sharia rally on social media.

"We are very aware that when hate comes to town, it is so important that there be a positive, unifying voice and activity that is even stronger than the hate event," Van Dyke said.
Many midstate food establishments are inspected each week and come through with no problems.

But some in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster Lebanon, Perry and York counties had violations during inspections conducted from May 14 to May 20.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture oversees restaurant inspections in the state. Inspection reports are "snapshots" of the day and time the inspections took place. In many cases, violations are corrected on site prior to the inspector leaving.

In Dauphin County, food utensils were used for cooking with being sanitized.

In Perry County, inspectors found mold growing inside a display cooler.

Bleach was stored with food at a Cumberland County establishments.

At a Lancaster County establishment, the area around the cook line in the kitchen was extremely dirty and greasy.

Food was held at unsafe temperatures at a Lebanon County food facility.

The inspector at a York County establishment found evidence of rodent activity.

Click on the links below to see how restaurants and other food establishments in the region fared:
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.
Ten-year-old Chelsea Mungo was blunt about the conditions at her school when she recently wrote a letter to State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D., Phila.), pleading for more equality in the state's funding of low-income, black schools vs. wealthier, white schools.

"Every day I go to school, I feel like I'm in a prison or a junkyard," Mungo, who is black, wrote about Lewis C. Cassidy Academics Plus School in West Philadelphia, where she is in the fourth grade. "Why does the color of the students' skin matter how much money we get for our school?"

Mungo, whose class plans to meet Tuesday with Hughes to discuss funding, was among dozens of students across the Philadelphia School District who presented projects Saturday on quality-of-life issues ranging from school funding to littering to bullying.

The presentation at Girard College was part of the National Liberty Museum's Young Heroes Outreach Program.

Mungo, whose letter to Hughes was presented with her school's project, said she believes the problems at Cassidy  leaky pipes, mold, overflowing bathrooms  gain less attention because she and other students are black.

She has a point. A study by data researcher David Mosenkis in 2015 found more state funding went to Pennsylvania school districts with white students than districts with nonwhite students. Such money could be used to repair infrastructure.

"White schools get more money, and black schools get less money," Mungo said, stating the point simply. "The race and your skin color  that's a part of racism."

The School District has estimated it would cost $26 million to repair Cassidy and $32 million to replace it.

At William Rowen Elementary School, 9-year-old Laniyah Wilson and other students focused their project on trash cleanup in the city's West Oak Lane neighborhood.

"People see trash cans, but they still just want to throw it on the ground," Wilson said.

Dr. James Murray, the school's principal, had students use their math skills to analyze the amount of trash on nearby streets, and then talk to neighbors and business owners about ways to clean it up.

Murray said students are "frustrated by traveling to and from school and looking at all of the trash on the street."

In response, they painted a mural at the front of the school. It reminds everyone, he said, to keep the school and neighborhood clean.
A 23-year-old man died in a one-vehicle crash on I-95 in Bucks County on Friday night, State Police said.

The driver was identified Saturday as Alex Quinones, of Hamilton, N.J.

Police said that about 11:20 p.m. Friday, Quinones was driving a 1998 Honda Civic at high speed south on I-95 when he tried to pass a tractor trailer on the right shoulder, near Woodbourne Road in Langhorne. He lost control of his car and overturned several times into a ditch on the side of the highway.

Quinones, who was not wearing a seat belt and suffered head injuries, was pronounced dead at the scene.
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George W. Bushs ethics lawyer is warning that Trumps threat to legally come after James Comey could result in new charges, including obstruction of justice against the President.

Former Bush ethics lawyer Richard Painter told NBC News:

The Department of Justice reports to the President of the United States. And the President of the United States is saying, youre going to be a witness against me? Im going to open an investigation against you  thats clearly witness intimidation, and that itself is obstruction of justice, Painter said.

So theyre going to compound the problem, he said.

Every solution that Trump comes up with to make himself feel better only serves to add to his troubles. Going after James Comey for an act that wasnt a crime is a horrible idea. Instead of moving on after Comeys testimony, the President is trying to intensify and personalize the conflict. Trumps motivation for attacking Comey isnt to save his presidency, but to punish the former FBI director for testifying before the Senate.

Trump has used bullying and legal threats throughout his entire adult life, but he is in way over his head as president. Donald Trump is getting a hard lesson in the realities of presidential power. If Donald Trump tries to take legal action against James Comey, he will only add fuel to the fire that is burning down his presidency.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Tropical storm conditions possible. Thunderstorms. Low near 70F. Winds SE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Tropical storm conditions possible. Thunderstorms. Low near 70F. Winds SE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Mary Katherine, who also goes by MK, covers health care for The Post and Courier. She is also pursuing a master's degree in data science. She grew up in upstate New York and enjoys playing cards, kayaking and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Edisto Recycling and American Scrap Iron & Metal each contend they have a right to a scrap yard in southeastern Columbia, which is also the subject of an appeal from the city and two environmental groups over a zoning exception. Read moreCompanies contesting ownership of Columbia scrap yard in midst of zoning appeal
From headlights to desk lamps, Rochester native Chris Holter has traveled a unique course.

Holter, 42, is a professional race car driver turned lamp maker.

After driving a Mazda2 for Breathless Performance Racing in the 2015 Pirelli World Challenge at the Circuit of the Americas, Holter took a break from professional racing.

"Professional racing is a rich man's sport," he said. "I wasn't able to race last year. Financially, it wasn't a good idea to spend more money. I had to find something to cure my problem."

The cure for Holter was embracing a creative urge to make one-of-a-kind lamps.

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"I wanted to make something I hadn't seen around here and something that is unique," he said. The first lamps he made were made from books. Holter would drill a hole through several stacked books to create lamp bases.

"For his book lamps, he puts together a collection of books with some type of common theme, most of the time with some humor in it," said Paul Bennett, owner of Dwell Local , a shop that features the work of local artists, including Holter's lamps.

Holter frequently shops the vintage book sections at thrift stores to find just the right combination of titles to build his lamps. He recalls one lamp made entirely from F. Scott Fitzgerald books that he "reluctantly drilled through."

"Chris is a very interesting combination of opposites, car racing and artistic," Bennett said. Those opposites united when Holter's love of racing led him to use camshafts and cam gears in his lamps. He scavenged used car parts from Labelle Auto , a Rochester repair shop.

"He stopped by the shop  looking for some various parts to make lamps," said owner Denis Labelle. "I figured that if it can be transformed into something cool and someone has the ambition, skill and ingenuity, then go for it!"

With the introduction of the camshaft lamps, which require the meticulous cleaning of filthy engine parts, Holter named his lamp business Dirty Hands, Clean Metal .

Soon, Holter expanded his repertoire to include so-called "steampunk" lamps, that have the look of 19th century steam technology infused with science fiction. These lamps are made from pipes, vintage bulbs, antique pressure gauges, and glass insulators. Holter developed switches from water faucet handles. When the faucet is turned on, the light pours out. Labelle also helped Holter make holes in thick glass insulators with a diamond-tipped hole saw.

"I like the lamps (Holter) makes because they fit in with my industrial and automotive mindset," Labelle said. "I have seen similar lamps online, but they appear too mass-produced. His are genuinely one-of-a-kind, built locally from locally sourced parts that most people would just throw away."

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One of Holter's steampunk lamps has found a permanent home at The Doggery , a basement speakeasy in downtown Rochester. Lamps like it might include as many as 30 discrete segments he assembles and then threads with electrical wire.

Holter's unique lamps now include everything from antique blow torches to silver teapots, and he's sold them to customers as far away as South Dakota and Arizona, but he's looking forward to selling them at two Thursdays on First & Third street festivals this summer. According to Holter, "Each lamp is a learning experience."

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Learn more

 See samples of his work and read about Chris Holter's lamps and his Dirty Hands, Clean Metal business at www.facebook.com/Dirtyhandscleanmetal .

 Find Chris Holter's Dirty Hands, Clean Metal lamps at the Thursdays on First and Third street market on June 15 and July 13. If you haven't found your dad the right gift for Father's Day, Holter's June 15 sale might be the perfect solution.
Little by little, Peter Eng is gaining control of his life again.

After a cancer diagnosis his sophomore year of high school derailed just about everything  his heath and relationships with family and friends  it put him on track with something he'd never given much thought to: school.

For Eng, who described his report card as riddled with D's and F's early on in high school, the diagnosis flipped a switch. Today, he'll graduate from Century High School with his classmates  the Class of 2017.

But getting to this point wasn't easy. In April 2015, just weeks after his 16th birthday, Eng woke up with swollen lymph nodes and a half-paralyzed face. He wasn't sure what to make of it, but a trip to the school nurse's office quickly turned into blood tests at Olmsted Medical Center.

The diagnosis came back: acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of cancer that affects white blood and bone marrow and is the most common childhood cancer.

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He spent the next 12 days in the hospital for treatment, unable to do anything except sleep and take pills.

"Twelve days doesn't seem that long, but, for me, it felt like a decade," Eng said. "That was one of the hardest points in my life. It really changed my personality and everything I stood for."

The treatment and medicine made him irritable, gave him mood swings and caused him to drop 30 pounds. He felt himself lash out at his mother and push his family and friends away  but he couldn't stop it.

When he returned to school, his counselor told him he likely wouldn't graduate on time.

But he wasn't going to let that happen, so he set a goal  the first he ever had created for himself  he wanted to be part of the Class of 2017.

"Even though I had a feeding tube through my nose, and I had to take my meds, and I had trouble getting up the stairs to the second floor of the school, I still focused on school," he said.

He started piling on as many credits as he could and earning straight A's  all while maintaining a job at Buffalo Wild Wings and rebuilding relationships with friends and family.

Today, he'll achieve that first goal, walking across the stage with his class, just as he planned.

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Building a work ethic

Eng learned the value of working toward a goal a day at a time after his diagnosis.

After he got out of the hospital, he was set up with a trainer at the YMCA to help him with rehabilitation. He started working out each day, setting and achieving a goal each day to slowly rebuild his body.

"Sometimes I can't meet my goal, but the next day, I work as hard as the last, knowing that in time, I'll be able to meet my goal with ease," he said.

He was clear about one thing: He doesn't want any special treatment.

"To this day, I still want people to see me as a regular kid, not a cancer survivor, because then they start treating me differently."

Now, he's set a second goal: He plans to join the Air Force, just as soon as he can  in 2018, when he's cleared and officially out of remission. He'll take his general courses at RCTC next year, which will leave some time for him to get into the right physical shape for the Air Force.

"I'm not focused on getting stronger than before I was a cancer survivor, I'm focused on getting stronger so I'm military fit once I join the Air Force," he said.

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After that, he's set on pursuing a career that will allow him to help people, "like everybody has helped me," he said. But he doesn't want to go the medical route  he's spent more than enough time in hospitals.

"That's why the career path I want to follow is to help somebody by giving them a second chance," he said, listing an EMT, police officer and firefighter as options.

"Something that will also physically challenge me so that people will know cancer can't hold me back," he said. "I can do things that other people can, even though I've had dark days."
A Rochester man shot his 24-year-old friend early Saturday morning while showing off his AR-15 rifle in an incident authorities are calling accidental.

Police were called about 4 a.m. to an apartment at 24 11th Ave. NE in Rochester, where they found the victim with a through-and-through gunshot wound to the lower abdomen, said Capt. John Sherwin.

The three men at the scene told authorities they are all friends and had been out drinking at bars earlier in the evening. When they returned to the apartment, the 24-year-old who owned the gun was showing it to the two others.

"He believed (the rifle) had been loaded with blank rounds and was showing it off to his friend when a round was fired, striking his friend in the abdomen," said Manguson said.

The victim was transported to Mayo Clinic Hospital - Saint Marys Campus and underwent surgery. Officials weren't able to speak with him much, Sherwin said, but the man confirmed the shooting was accidental.

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The men were all cooperative, the report says; no one has been arrested and no charges have been filed, though the incident remains under investigation.

The man accused of pulling the trigger allegedly had an alcohol content more than twice the legal limit.
ST. PAUL  Bracing for a lawsuit from the Republican Legislature over a funding dispute, Gov. Mark Dayton on Friday singled out new tax breaks for cigarettes and premium cigars as "terrible public policy" that GOP leaders should agree to remove.

Dayton signed those tax breaks into law after lawmakers wrapped up an overtime session settled and sent a new, $46 billion state budget to his desk. The measures slash taxes on premium cigars from $3.50 to just 50 cents each and remove automatic increases for cigarette taxes, freezing those taxes at roughly $3 a pack.

But the Democratic governor has accused Republicans of forcing his signature on the tax bill, and he vetoed funding for the Legislature itself to push them to rework tax provisions and other policies. Surrounded by youngsters in bright yellow "Smoke-Free Generation" T-shirts and armed with a state report showing smoking rates have decreased since the Legislature imposed higher taxes on cigarettes in 2013, Dayton blasted the tobacco tax breaks as reckless for their impact on the state's financial stability and harmful for public health.

"I think that the health of all of these young people ... is a lot more important than appeasing big tobacco," Dayton said.

But Republicans have shown little interest in reworking what they believed was a finished deal to assemble the budget. They took initial steps last week to sue Dayton over the line-item veto, calling it an unconstitutional breech of the separations of power. It was unclear when that lawsuit may be filed.

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Dayton has tried to shift the focus away from legal questions about his action and how a case may proceed and onto what he says would be the dire impacts of several provisions of the budget. While dangling legislative funding, he's also said lawmakers should limit tax breaks for wealthy estate owners and commercial properties, remove a duplicative rulemaking ban on expanding driver's license access to immigrants living in the state illegally, and retool changes to how teachers are licensed.

But he focused on the tobacco tax changes Friday and pointed to a new state report showing smoking among Minnesota 11th graders had dropped by more than a third since the tax hike. State budget officials estimate that freezing the cigarette taxes alone would cost the state more than $300 million in the next decade.

"The consequences for Minnesota's fiscal stability over the next decade and beyond are extremely serious," he said.

Tobacco industry expense filings with Dayton's administration  required by a landmark 1998 settlement  show intense interest in tobacco policy. Tobacco giant Phillip Norris reportedly spent more than $250,000 on lobbyists and political organizations in the six-month period ending in March, including more than $100,000 to GOP-leaning political organizations.
Yesterday the House of Representatives passed legislation to repeal Dodd-Frank on a 233-to-186 vote, with all Democrats voting to retain the failed law. It is important to understand that Dodd-Frank was an ill-conceived disaster. It has driven community banks out of business because they cant afford the red tape, thereby increasing the market shares of a handful of mega-banks. It has hurt small business, which relies on community banks for financing. And it has accomplished nothing to balance these baleful consequences. We need to drive a stake through its heart.

Investors Business Daily hails the House vote:

Former FBI director James Comeys testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee was the fixation of Washington on Thursday. But the big story was on the House side of Congress, which passed a bill to repeal the ruinous Dodd-Frank banking law.

***

Put simply, Dodd-Frank has been a complete failure. Signed into law by President Obama almost seven years ago in the wake of the financial crisis, this massive law was supposed to, in his words, be good for the economy  foster innovation  stop taxpayer bailouts once and for all. It has lived up to zero of those promises. Dodd-Franks 22,000 pages of regulations, which cost $36 billion to comply with in the first six years, has choked competition in the banking industry, made banking more expensive, harmed economic growth and, to top it off, failed to make the banking system safer or end too-big-to-fail. Since Dodd-Frank became law, for example, more than 1,700 banks have disappeared  more than one a day, on average. The banking industry got more concentrated. Left in place, Dodd-Frank will cut the nations GDP by nearly $900 billion by 2025, according to the American Action Forum. American Enterprise Institute Fellow Peter Wallison, who was a member of the official financial crisis investigation committee, argues that without the repeal or substantial reform of Dodd-Frank, the U.S. economy will continue to grow only slowly into the future.

My think tank, Center of the American Experiment, hosted Peter Wallison at a lunch forum last year. You can read his speech, titled How Dodd-Frank Damaged Community Banks and Hurt Small Businesses, here.

IBD continues:

Dodd-Frank created an unaccountable regulatory monster in the form of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Within the span of just a few years, the CFPB exploded in size and regulatory might, using its unchecked authority to attack credit bureaus, auto lenders, education loans, payday lenders and prepaid cards. It also started collecting massive amounts of sensitive financial data on millions of Americans. The Credit Union National Association figures that CFPB regulations cost credit unions more than $7 billion in compliance costs in one year alone. Late last year, a U.S. appeals court ruled that the design of the CFPB was unconstitutional because it gave the director more unilateral authority than any other officer in any of the three branches of the U.S. government, other than the president.

The Houses Financial Choice Act, IBD concludes, would strip the worst elements of Dodd-Frank and rein in the CFPB. The result will be a healthier financial sector and faster economic growth.

Sadly, Dodd-Frank repeal wont happen. Why? Because Senate Democrats who dont care about economic growth or competition in the banking industry will block it. What will probably emerge, IBD says, is a Dodd-Frank reform bill that is tepid enough to attract sufficient Democrats to overcome a filibuster. Which is probably better than nothing, but nowhere near enough.

Which, once again, raises the question: Why should a Senate minority have the power to frustrate the will of the majority of the House, the majority of the Senate, the President, and the many millions of voters who elected them? The filibuster is obviously undemocratic. Does it have a redeeming virtue?

Historically, the conservative argument for the filibuster is that it makes it harder for the federal government to do anything. If we lived in the world imagined by the Founders, and efforts to expand the reach of government by temporary majorities in Congress were being blocked by a 60-vote requirement in the Senate, the theory would make sense.

But that world is long gone. We are now living with generations worth of terrible legislation that needs to be reformed or repealed. Moreover, Congressional deadlock doesnt mean that nothing happens. Rather, the vacuum is filled by the administrative state, which rolls merrily along, asserting non-constitutional powers that only grow. All of which means that conservatives should want a Congress that is able to act, not a Congress that is unable to acteven though we recognize that Congresss actions will often be unwise.

It is time to do away with the filibuster.
No. I dont think he should. The hornets nest has already been sufficient stirred up, and weve already heard enough Watergate comparisons without replicating the Saturday Night Massacre.

But after James Comeys testimony, there is a new argument for firing Mueller and handing the Russia hacking investigation back to the FBI and its new director. Newt Gingrich explains:

When asked Thursday by Senator Susan Collins of Maine whether he shared the memos he wrote about his conversations with President Trump with anyone outside the Department of Justice, Comey answered: I asked a friend of mine to share the content of the memo with a reporter  didnt do it myself for a variety of reasons  but I asked him to, because I thought that might prompt the appointment of a special counsel. This statement is tremendously important because it completely delegitimizes Robert Muellers so-called independent investigation and reveals it as poisoned fruit.

I dont see Comeys actions as necessarily delegitimizing Muellers investigation, but the poisoned fruit analogy isnt far off. Comey leaked the memos, arguably illegally (I may consider the legal issue in another post), for the purpose of creating pressure on the administration to appoint a special counsel. Without the leak, its quite possible that no such counsel would have been appointed.

Gingrich continues:

Think about it: Comey was the top law enforcement officer in the nation before he was fired on May 9. Had he felt a special counsel was necessary to investigate possible Russian influence in the 2016 election, he could have requested one from Congress at any time. If he felt his conversations with President Trump warranted additional attention, he could have approached Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein about it. But instead he decided to do nothing. Comey apparently didnt think there was need for a special counsel until the Monday after he was fired, according to his testimony. In a clear act of retaliation, Comey went outside the system and shared secret information with the media via a college professor-friend, in a calculated attempt to inflict pain on the Trump Administration.

The main pain he wanted to inflict was a special counsel. That special counsel turned out to be Comeys friend Robert Mueller.

During his testimony, Comey effusively praised Mueller several times. This may be another argument in favor of firing Mueller.

The counterargument, apart from the political problems another firing would cause, is that, regardless of how the memos became public, they suggest the need for an investigation headed by someone with as much independence from the president as possible (assuming the memos state the facts accurately). Its a fair point.

But lets put the matter of firing Mueller to one side. I find Comeys leaking inexcusable, and think it undermines any claim that he is the fair-minded, above reproach figure he holds himself out as.

The memos were government documents. Comey removed them, quite possibly illegally.

He then had a third party do the leaking for him, undoubtedly in the hope that he would never be revealed as the real leaker. So much for Comey, the stand up guy.

As a friend has pointed out to me, Comey handled the matter with callous disregard for the impact of his behavior on the FBI, the agency he claims to revere. Why do I say this? Because allowing the memos to become public as he did would cause many people to believe that the leakers were high level FBI officials. This would tend to damage the reputation of the FBI and the FBI officials with whom Comey was associated.

If Comey did not understand this problem when he initially contacted the Columbia professor, he should have realized it immediately after the publication. At that point, rather than waiting for a hearing and allowing the reputation of the FBI and Comeys FBI associates to be questioned, Comey should have acknowledged that he was the real source at the first opportunity.

Thats how a stand-up, beyond reproach guy would behave. Comey behaved like a creature of what President Trump likes to call the swamp.

So, no, Trump probably shouldnt fire Robert Mueller. But we should take a dim view of Comey and a suspicious view of his good friend Mueller.
1. Remember a few weeks ago when the media were breathless with reports that Steve Bannon was on his way out from the White House? Almost completely unremarked upon during Comeypalooza this week is that Bannon appears to be firmly back in the first saddle (if he was ever in jeopardy in the first place), and Jared Kushner is the person in eclipse at the White House.

Recall that Bannon was opposed to firing Comey, while Kusher reportedly told President Trump that hed get a free pass from Democrats because they hated Comey. Oops. Whose political judgment looks better now? Combine this with Bannon winning the fight to convince Trump to dump the Paris Climate Accord (Jared and Ivanka wanted pop to remain), and the omission of a mention of Article V in Trumps speech to NATO a couple weeks ago (also attributed to Bannons influence), and suddenly the media narrative, which was probably wishful thinking guiding their story lines, doesnt look very good.

But can Trump fire Kushner? It would make Thanksgiving dinners rather awkward. It is a bad idea to have family members in senior positions.

2. Comeys behavior is a classic case study in how the permanent government protects its undemocratic supremacy. Thesis: Comey took it upon himself to prevent Hillary Clinton from becoming president, and is now taking it upon himself to try to destroy and drive from office President Trump. His public conduct in the Hillary email matter (heh), albeit prompted in part by Bill Clintons outrageous airport meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, was completely unprecedented. Now Comey has admitted leaking to prompt the appointment of a special counsel to harass President Trump. His humble Im just protecting the reputation of the FBI from a liar shtick is as palpably phony as San Ervins Im just a country lawyer bit in the Watergate hearings. To be sure, Trump brought a lot of this trouble on himself, with his inappropriate (but not illegal) conversations with Comey, and his unnecessary tweets and statements about Comey after the firing.

3. Even if you grant that Trumps behavior toward Comey and the Russia has been problematic, it falls far short of obstruction of justice or other fevered dreams of the left. Still, it is not too early to see how this might play out. Right now it is possible Democrats will regain a majority in the House in next years mid-term election. After which there will be intense pressure on House Democrats to begin impeachment hearings and bring a bill of impeachment to the House floor. (From Tom Steyer, for example.) After which the whole thing would die a quick death in the Senate, where impeachments are tried. It will be a rerun of the Clinton impeachment in 1999. But could House Democrats avoid doing it? Not with their insane base to keep happy.
On Thursday the Department of Justice announced the arrests of New York man Ali Kourani and Michigan man Samar El Debek as Hezbollah agents. They have been charged with providing material support to Hezbollah. They were on the prowl looking to do damage in the United States and elsewhere. Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim made the announcment:

Today, we announce serious terrorism charges against two men who allegedly trained with and supported the Islamic Jihad Organization, a component of the foreign terrorist organization Hizballah. Recruited as Hizballah operatives, Samer El Debek and Ali Kourani allegedly received military-style training, including in the use of weapons like rocket-propelled grenade launchers and machine guns for use in support of the groups terrorist mission. At the direction of his Hizballah handlers, El Debek allegedly conducted missions in Panama to locate the U.S. and Israeli Embassies and to assess the vulnerabilities of the Panama Canal and ships in the Canal. Kourani allegedly conducted surveillance of potential targets in America, including military and law enforcement facilities in New York City.

The Department of Justice press release has much more in the way of detail along with comments on Hezbollahs status as an Iranian asset. The alleged facts set forth in the press release are chilling.

Iran maintains a sophisticated network of agents in the United States. Jordan Chandler Hirsch opens his review of Jay Solomons book on Iran and the Obama administration with this story:

In April 2009, a young Iranian, Shahram Amiri, disappeared in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Ostensibly there to perform the hajj, Amiri had in fact brokered a deal with the CIA to provide information on Irans nuclear program. Leaving his wife and child behind in Iran and a shaving kit in an empty Saudi hotel room, Amiri fled to America, received asylum, pocketed $5 million, and resettled in Arizona. Formerly a scientist at Malek Ashtar University, one of several institutes harboring Irans nuclear endeavors, Amiri conveyed the structure of the program and intelligence about a number of key research sites, including the secret facility at Fordow. The story might have ended there. But according to Jay Solomon, chief foreign affairs correspondent for the Wall Street Journal and author of The Iran Wars, what happened next emerged as one of the strangest episodes in modern American espionage. A year after Amiri defected, he appeared on YouTube, claiming that the CIA had drugged and kidnapped him. In fact, Iranian intelligence had begun threatening his family through their intelligence assets in the United States [Ed. note: Solomon reports in the book that Iranian threats against Amiris wife and son left in Iran had been conveyed to Amiri through a sophisticated network of assets maintained in the United States]. Buckling under that pressure, Amiri demanded to re-defect. In July 2010, he returned to a raucous welcome in Tehran, claimed he had been working for Iran all along, and reunited with his son. Of course this was not the end of the story. Amiri soon disappeared, and in August 2016, shortly after Solomons book was published, he was hanged.

This past August David Sanger reported on Amiris execution for the Times in How an Iranians spy saga ends, 6 years later: Hes executed.

Students of ancient history may also recall Irans 2011 effort to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States in Washington, D.C. The Houston Chronicle updated the story in its 2015 report How a plot to kill Saudi ambassador went from fiction to fact.

Against this background, one wonders what the New York Times was thinking when it drew on the usual anonymous sources to expose Michael DAndrea, the CIA officer newly appointed to run the agencys Iran operations. The Times explained:

The C.I.A. declined to comment on Mr. DAndreas role, saying it does not discuss the identities or work of clandestine officials. The [current and former intelligence] officials spoke only on the condition of anonymity because Mr. DAndrea remains undercover, as do many senior officials based at the agencys headquarters in Langley, Va.The New York Times is naming Mr. DAndrea because his identity was previously published in news reports, and he is leading an important new administration initiative against Iran.

A footnote about those previously published news reports. In the version of the story posted online, the Times linked to its own 2015 story by Mark Mazzetti and Matt Apuzzo as I have above.

The Times and its gaggle of current and former officials are guilty of mind-boggling irresponsibility. They have put a target on DAndreas back. They omit only DAndreas home address. They have damaged the national security of the United States to no public purpose. Their action is deeply nasty, gratuitous and, given its role in hyping the alleged outing of Valerie Plame into a crisis of the first order, unbelievably hypocritical. Yet so far as I am aware Marc Thiessen stands among mainstream media columnists in calling out the Times for what it has done.
CNN has joined the New York Times and the Washington Post (along with the perennially hysterical MSNBC) in the front rank of the Resistance to Americas duly elected government. Cranking out over-the-top anti-Trump propaganda is mostly what the network does these days.

But even at CNN, there are limits. First the network fired comedian Kathy Griffin from what was apparently her only CNN gig, co-hosting the networks New Years Eve show. Griffins offense, as we all know, was displaying a model of the presidents severed, bloody head. Given the magnitude of the offense, finding a new New Years Eve co-host didnt seem like much of a price to pay.

Now CNN has brought down the hammer again. It has fired Reza Aslan, who hosted a CNN series. Aslan has a degree, among others, from Harvard Divinity School. Divinity isnt what it once was; his offense was this tweet about President Trump:

So maybe publicly calling the president a piece of shit is a bright line for CNN.

Then again, maybe not. Aslans Twitter feed is one long rant against President Trump. Aslan tweeted last September:

CNN didnt seem to have a problem with it then. And, as the Free Beacon has pointed out, Aslans Twitter feed has long been filled with such references, directed to the president and to Republicans. This famous one related to Todd Akin, a GOP Senate candidate:

More recently, Aslan tweeted this scatological attack on the president:

Translation: "I will piss on America the way I had prostitutes piss on your president and there's not a damn thing you can do about it" https://t.co/QrAdm8DnI0  Reza Aslan (@rezaaslan) June 2, 2017

So Aslan has been behaving this way repeatedly and for a long time. After CNN announced that it wouldnt be renewing his program on religion (!) for another season, Aslan issued an apology in which he said:

In these politically charged times, the tenor of our nations discourse has become complicated. And I recognize that CNN needs to protect its brand as an unbiased news outlet.

If CNN ever had a brand as an unbiased news outlet, it was gone a long time ago.

Meanwhile, one is left to ponder: is Reza Aslan a raving lunatic, or a typical Democrat? Or both?
In my stray thoughts about former FBI Director James Comeys public testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday, I declared that the clock struck thirteen when Comey purported to explain his use of Columbia Law School Professor Daniel Richman as a cutout to leak a memo of one of his conversations with the president to New York Times reporter Michael Schmidt. Now George Washington University Professor Jonathan Turley zooms in on Comeys leak in The Hill column The damaging case against James Comey.

I found Comeys explanation patently absurd. Among other things, it belies his reputation for truthfulness and his self-presentation as a straight shooter. Comey testified that he used a cutout [b]ecause I was weary [of] the media [that] was camping at the end of my driveway at that point. I was actually going out of town with my wife to hide. I worried it would be feeding seagulls at the beach, if it was I who gave it to the media.

We are apparently to believe that Comey feared Michael Schmidt would have unleashed his colleagues to hound Comey on vacation if Comey himself had made the call that Comey assigned to Richman. This makes approximately no sense. It does not compute.

Turley takes an informed look at the impropriety involved in Comeys conduct. After providing the context, Turley dives in here:

As a threshold matter, Comey asked a question with regard to Trump that he should now answer with regard to his own conduct. Comey asked why Trump would ask everyone to leave the Oval Office to speak with Comey unless he was doing something improper. Yet, Trump could ask why Comey would use a third party to leak these memos if they were his property and there was nothing improper in their public release. In fact, there was a great deal wrong with their release, and Comey likely knew it. These were documents prepared on an FBI computer addressing a highly sensitive investigation on facts that he considered material to that investigation. Indeed, he conveyed that information confidentially to his top aides and later said that he wanted the information to be given to the special counsel because it was important to the investigation. Many in the media have tried to spin this as not a leak because leaks by definition only involve classified information. That is entirely untrue as shown by history. Leaks involve the release of unauthorized information  not only classified information. Many of the most important leaks historically have involved pictures and facts not classified but embarrassing to a government. More importantly, federal regulations refer to unauthorized disclosures not just classified information. Comeys position would effectively gut a host of federal rules and regulations. He is suggesting that any federal employee effectively owns documents created during federal employment in relation to an ongoing investigation so long as they address the information to themselves. FBI agents routinely write such memos in investigations. They are called 302s to memorialize field interviews or fact acquisitions. They are treated as FBI information. The Justice Department routinely claims such memos as privileged and covered by the deliberative process privilege and other privileges. Indeed, if this information were sought under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) it would likely have been denied. Among other things, the Justice Department and FBI routinely claim privilege inter-agency or intra-agency memorandums or letters which would not be available by law to a party other than an agency in litigation with the agency. Of course, Comey did not know if there was a privilege or classification claim by either the Justice Department or the White House because he never asked for review. He just woke up in the middle of night upset about Trumps name calling and released the damaging information. In doing so, he used these memos not as a shield but a sword. Besides being subject to nondisclosure agreements, Comey falls under federal laws governing the disclosure of classified and unclassified information. Assuming that the memos were not classified (though it seems odd that it would not be classified even on the confidential level), there is 18 U.S.C.  641, which makes it a crime to steal, sell, or convey any record, voucher, money, or thing of value of the United States or of any department or agency thereof.

Read the whole thing here. And as the Democrats move on from the fabricated collusion campaign against Trump to the fabricated obstruction campaign, you may want to review Alan Dershowitzs column Trump did not obstruct justice.
Nigerian air carrier, Air Peace, on Friday threatened to go to court and demand compensation over what it described as loss incurred for the disruption of its operations at the Enugu Airport.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the disruption followed disagreements over a N7 million debt the airline allegedly owes the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

But the chairman of the airline, Allen Onyema, said the airline had paid its debt, and threatened to sue the federal government, calling the disruption a sabotage.

Mr. Onyeama blamed the manager of the airport, Mgbemena Orjiakor, for the disruption.

He said if the airline was not adequately compensated for its losses, it will go to court.

I got a call this that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) stopped our operations in Enugu over N7 million naira debt, which we have already paid.

The airport manager did not go back to check his books to know if we actually paid or not but hurriedly stopped our operations, a situation that is costing us millions of naira.

We do not know if the airport manager is sponsored by someone to bring down Air Peace because even after Lagos sent evidence of the payment, rather than own up to the fact that the agency lacked proper accounting system, the agency said the airline is owing an outstanding N1.8 million. This is why I said this act is sabotage, he said.

According to Mr. Onyeama, another airline that owes over N11 billion to the government was allowed to operate that morning but Air Peace was temporarily shut down over N7 million it already paid.

When I called the Enugu Airport manager to complain to him about the situation, he answered me rudely, saying I was talking like a riffraff, he said.

This same airport manager does not know that he is employed today because of the airline. How can he call me riffraff?

If we are not adequately compensated for our losses, we promise the government that we will go to court. This is part of the reasons why airlines in Nigeria do not survive, he said.

Commenting further, Mr. Onyema added: I had to call Saleh Dunoma, the managing director of FAAN who was not aware of the situation. He politely told me that he will handle it and he was very sorry about the situation.

The director of commercials also got across to me and also told me he was looking into the situation and they will get back to me.

The director of human resources also got across to me and pleaded with me. Orjiakorwill have to explain to the world who sent him because I believe this is outright sabotage. That station manager was not remorseful.

When contacted, FAANs spokesman, Henrietta Yakubu, said Air Peace had paid N2 million out of its outstanding N7 million debt prior to the disruption of its operations.

Mrs. Yakubu who apologised for the inconvenience the situation might have caused the airline and its passengers. She assured that FAAN would ensure there was no recurrence.

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The Federal government has assured the Egyptian government of its support for the countrys candidate for the post of Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO.

Egypt is sponsoring Moushira Khattab for the position, and Nigeria said assured the northern country of maximum support.

A press statement Friday, said the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, spoke when Khattab visited his office in Abuja.

He noted that Nigeria and Egypt have had a cordial bilateral relationship and cooperation, especially in education.

Mr. Adamu commended the Egyptian government for the scholarships awarded to Nigerian Students, saying Nigeria will continue to collaborate with Egypt.

Khattab, a former Ambassador of Egypt to South Africa spoke of the need for the two countries to continue to work together.

My focus will be to promote human right, world peace and empowerment of youths, she said.

The Egyptian ambassador to Nigeria, Assem Hanify, said his country and Nigeria had a friendly relationship and were co-members of the E9 countries.

He said many Nigerians were studying in Egypt, and added that Egyptian Cultural Centre awarded nine scholarship offers to Nigerian students from Jigawa, Kano, Katsina and Bauchi in 2011.

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The chair of Amnesty Internationals Turkey branch has been remanded in custody, following a court hearing, drawing strong condemnation from human rights organisations.

Imprisonment of our Turkey Chair is mockery of justice, Amnestys Turkey researcher, Andrew Gardner, said in a statement released on Saturday about the hearing the night before.

Taner Kilic, the head of the branch, was detained this week by anti-terror police in an early morning raid in Izmir province.

Kilic was alleged of having links to those who carried out an abortive military coup in 2016.

Human Rights Watch, the New York-based group, also condemned the moves against Kilic.

Jailing Amnesty Turkey head pending trial on membership of terrorist group shows again the horror show of Turkeys courts, Emma Sinclair-Webb, the groups Turkey expert, said on her Twitter feed.

Kilic was one of almost 20 lawyers detained in the Izmir raid.

One was released on bail in the hearing, while the rest are waiting to see a judge or were formally arrested.

Turkeys government blames U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen for the bloody coup attempt and has carried out sweeping purges of the civil service and made mass arrests.

Some 50,000 people are in jail on allegations of having links to Gulenists.

A report says Gulen, however, denies links to the coup and remains in the U.S., where authorities have so far declined Turkeys request for extradition, citing a lack of evidence.

Taner Kilic is neither a supporter nor a follower of the Fethullah Gulen movement and has in fact been critical of its role in Turkey, Salil Shetty, the head of Amnesty International, said defending Kilic.

The U.S. and EU have been sharply critical of Kilics detention. (dpa/NAN)

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One year ago, the Nigerian Army compulsorily retired 38 officers, many of them the countrys brightest in internal and external security operations, but, ironically, forced out of service without recourse to the rules of disengagement in the Nigerian military.

Most of the affected officers were neither queried nor indicted by any panel, but got flushed out for reasons that smack of high-level arbitrariness, witch-hunting and partisanship by authorities of the Army, a reason the victimised officers petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari in keeping with the armed forces rules to seek redress. But even so, a year after their petitions were delivered to the presidency, their fates still hang in the balance. No response!

On June 9, 2016, in letters to the affected officers, their compulsory retirement was hinged on provisions of Paragraph 09.02c (4) of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers 2012 (Revised).

The referenced section  09.02c (4)  of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers 2012 (Revised), shows the officers were laid off on disciplinary grounds i.e. serious offence(s).

Emphasising service exigencies and that the military must remain apolitical and professional at all times, Army spokesperson, Sani Usman, on June 10, released a statement, disclosing what could have constituted the serious offences which warranted the 38 officers to be compulsorily retired.

It should be recalled that not too long ago some officers were investigated for being partisan during the 2015 general elections, the statement said.

Similarly, the investigation by the Presidential Committee investigating Defence Contracts revealed a lot. Some officers have already been arraigned in court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Usman said.

However, contrary to the claim by the Army, our investigations showed that only a few of the affected officers were queried, tried and indicted.

Others simply had their careers abruptly cut short for without any trial, indictment or even warnings.

I want to respectfully state that I was not in any way involved in any of the 2 issues stated as reasons for compulsory retirement of 38 officers of which I was among, Abdufatai Mohammed, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, wrote in his petition. I was never investigated at any time and have not committed any serious offence.

ARBITRARY DISMISSAL

PREMIUM TIMES findings show that nine major generals, 11 brigadier generals, seven colonels and 11 lieutenant colonels, amounting to 38 officers in sum, were laid off by the army in that mass sack.

Highly placed sources in the Army told PREMIUM TIMES that out of the major generals, only one  Emmauel Atewe (N/7674) faced a panel and was indicted. Mr. Atewe was indicted by the presidential arms probe panel, and he is currently being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Although S.D. Aliyu (N/7711); M.Y. Aliyu (N/8114) a former GOC 7 Division; and Fatai Alli, (N/7914) a former Director of Operations in the Army, also faced the presidential arms panel, they were cleared. Yet they were laid off for serious offence, our investigations revealed.

Other five major generals  L. Wiwa (N/7665), who is late Ken Saro-Wiwas brother; I.N. Ijeoma (N/8304); T.C Ude (N/7866); L.C. Ilo (N/8320); and O. Ejemai (N/8340) were neither queried nor indicted by any panel.

BRIGADIER GENERALS SACKED BECAUSE OF ALLEGED LOYALTIES

The cases of the affected brigadier generals are not different; only one of them  A.I Onibasa (N/9072)  was indicted by the presidential panel on arms procurement.

Sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the remaining 10 officers were simply retired because they were suspected to have failed to help the Buhari administration regime to power.

For instance, two officers were laid off because of their ties to the embattled former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, our sources said.

The two officers  A.S.H. Saad (N/8392), who was at the Directorate of Military Intelligence; and Mormoni Bashir (N/8396), former principal staff officer to Mr. Dasuki  were retired without indictment. Although, Mr. Saad faced a panel, he was not found to have engaged in any wrongdoing.

For his alleged close ties to a former Army Chief, Kenneth Minimah, D. Abdulsalam (N/9169) was sent away.

Koko Essien (N/8794), a former Brigade Commander, 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, faced the election panel but was cleared. Mr. Essien was laid off nonetheless, like Bright Fibioinumana (N/8399); L.N. Bello (N/8799), former Brigade Commander, 34 Brigade Owerri; and M.G. Alli Moundhey, former Director, Campaign Planning in the North-East Operations, who were even not queried in the first place.

Although, the Nigerian Army said the affected officers were retired for either involvement in the 2015 general elections or arms procurement fraud, our investigations showed that officers who were not in Nigeria at the time of the elections were also sacked.

That was the case of I.B. Lawson (N/8812) and G.O. Agachi (N/9363) who were defence attaches at Nigerias missions in China and Benin Republic respectively.

According to a document seen by this newspaper, they were retired for allegedly committing serious offence.

But they were never informed of their offences nor were they invited to face any panel of inquiry, army insiders say.

THEY AIDED PDP TO GET VOTES

Many colonels and lieutenant colonels who were laid off on June 9 were merely suspected of failing to cooperate with the All Progressives Congress to garner votes in the 2015 elections, sources told PREMIUM TIMES.

In one instance, T.A Williams (N/11469) a major; and A. Mohammed (N/10659), a lieutenant colonel, both attached to the 195 Battalion, Agenebode, Edo State, with the latter as Commanding Officer, were said to have been flushed out because of complaint of not cooperating with the APC, brought against them. But Mr. Mohammed was said to be away in the North-East at the time and played no role during the election. Yet he was retired.

Similarly, in Rivers State, Army insiders said, APC officials accused four officers: B. Odiankpa (N/10417) attached to the 332 Air Defence Regiment; A.S. Mohammed (N10662) attached to 5 Battalion, Elele; A. Adimoha (N/10421) attached to 2 Brigade Garrison, Port Harcourt; and T.O. Oladuntoye (N/10338) then of the 29 Battalion Port Harcourt of aiding the PDP in the state.

Our findings revealed that these officers, accused of partisanship, were not queried or investigated before they were forced to leave the army.

In one curious case, documents seen by this newspaper revealed that Lt. Col A. Mohammed was in the North-East involved in the fight against Boko Haram, not Agenebode, but somehow his name was among those listed for alleged partisanship.

The former Commanding Officer, 93 Battalion, Takum, O.C. Egemole (N/10423), who was also compulsorily retired, was also accused of not doing enough to avert APC loss in Taraba State. He was also neither queried nor investigated.

Seven colonels on the list of the compulsory retirees had no formal charge issued to them nor did they face any panel for fair hearing before they were laid off.

For instance, O.U. Nwankwo (N/9678) was studying at the University of Ibadan while M.A. Suleiman (N/10030) was in Chad as Defence Attache before they were suddenly retired.

Then, C.K. Ukoha (N/10319) was in Abuja during the elections, insiders told us, but was accused of taking part in electoral fraud in Benin and was retired.

Also, without probe or indictment for any offence, T. Minimah (N/10185), brother to former Army Chief, Kenneth Minimah, was also removed from his post in Benin and retired.

PREMIUM TIMES checks indicated the army violated its own rules in the ways the officers were disengaged.

The Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers whose paragraph 09.02c (4) was relied upon to remove the officers, originates from the Armed Forces Act.

The section cited by the Army provides that an officer may be compulsorily retired on disciplinary grounds i.e. serious offence(s) without defining what constitutes serious offences.

But the principal law  the Armed Forces Act  establishes all actions that constitute offences in the Military.

The Act prescribes steps to be taken in punishing offences, and a review shows no section empowers the Army Council to arbitrarily punish or compulsorily retire officers for any offence.

In fact, the Army Council, in Section 11(a-f) of the Act, has no power to retire any officer on disciplinary ground without compliance with the steps prescribed by law including setting up a panel to try the accused officials.

SEEKING REDRESS

Paragraph 09.02(e) of the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers, 2012 (revised)  provides that any officer compulsorily retired or dismissed can appeal to the President through the Chief of Defence Staff within 30 days.

Our investigation revealed that 22 of the affected officers exploited this window, and had their petitions conveyed to the President by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonisakin, via a July 2016 letter referenced CDS/6/1/A.

It was in that CDS covering letter, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, that the military first stated specific reasons for which the officers were compulsorily retired  though most of them were never probed or indicted for the purported offences. The reasons ranged from alleged money laundering and arms procurement scam to illegal sale of military vehicle and professional misconduct in election matters.

Nevertheless, none of the officers has received any response from the President.

I dont have information about that, presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, had said months before now.

Asked if he would conduct checks and revert back, he replied, No, just quote me I dont have that information.

One of the affected officers, Ojebo Baba-Ochankpa, died, while waiting for justice, in January this year.

Apart from the military rules, some of the officers, like Abdufatai Mohammed and Nwokoro Ijioma, took authorities to the National Industrial Court to reverse their dismissals.

But nothing has come of their efforts as the army has largely ignored the court.

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NAFDAC) has claimed its operations at the ports had been endorsed by the federal government, despite evidence to the contrary.

In a statement issued by the agency Thursday, the NDLEA said the anti-narcotics agency was among the eight agencies approved to operate within the ports by acting president, Yemi Osinbajo.

According to the statement, issued by Mitchell Ofoyeju, NDLEAs spokesperson, and circulated to media houses, the agency said it received the presidential mandate to work at the ports.

NDLEA has been cleared by the presidency to work at the seaports, Muhammad Abdallah, a retired colonel and the chief executive of the NDLEA.

This official position must be respected by all port agencies and stakeholders. Attempt to violate this directive shall be considered as a conspiracy to advance the nefarious activities of drug cartels to the detriment of our national security.

An Executive Order on the ease of doing business issued by Mr. Osinbajo had listed seven government agencies  the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), and the Ports Health  to operate within the ports facilities.

On duty staff shall be properly identified by uniform and official cards while off duty staff stay away from the ports except with the express approval of the agency head, read the order signed by Mr. Osinbajo last week.

The FAAN Aviation Security (AVSEC) and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Security shall enforce this order.

The implication of the order is that agencies that hitherto operated within the ports, such as the NDLEA, the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), and the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), would no longer have access to the facility.

It is unclear how the NDLEA arrived at eight agencies, itself inclusive, cleared to operate within the ports; several media reports on Thursday led with the headline NPA sacks NAFDAC, SON, NDLEA from Nigerian Ports.

To reinforce its position, the NDLEA quoted the managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala Usman, as making a clarification at a stakeholders meeting in Lagos on Wednesday that eight agencies have been mandated and approved to operate within the ports.

Agencies that are operating in the port apart from the approved list should be aware that they need to vacate whatever location they are currently occupying.

Ms. Usman did meet with ports operators at the Western Ports in Apapa, Lagos, but she had listed seven agencies cleared for operation within the ports.

I want to first recognize the seven approved agencies of government that operate in the port, the Daily Nigerian quoted the NPA boss as saying.

I will like to reiterate those agencies of government that are operating at the port. We have NPA as the landlord, Customs, NIMASA, DSS, Police, Nigerian Immigration Service and the Port Health.

These are the seven agencies that are mandated and have approval to operate in the port. Any agency that is operating in the port outside of these seven agencies is not required to be in the port and should be aware that they need to vacate whatever location they are currently having within the port, because the current approval and position provides that they are not to operate in the port.

We have the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, which is required to come in and provide their function as at when is required. This is the current position on agencies of government that operate in the port.

When contacted, the NPA denied Ms. Usman made the statement credited to her by the NDLEA.

Ibrahim Nasiru, NPAs spokesperson, told PREMIUM TIMES on Friday that his principal couldnt have mentioned eight agencies because they are the ones charged with enforcing the executive order.

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A lawmaker representing Magajin Gari constituency, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Salisu Isah, has been kidnapped.

Family sources said Mr. Isah was abducted on his way to Birnin Gwari from Kaduna around 5:17 p.m. after attending a special session of the assembly.

Yes, he was abducted between Kaduna International Airport/ NDA round about and Buruku while on his way to Birnin Gwari after closing from the State Assembly.

His abductors left the car he was driving along the road. The car has been recovered and taken back to Kaduna, a source who sought anonymity as he was not authorised to talk to journalists said.

He said the abductors are yet to contact them, hence no ransom yet.

Officials at the State Assembly, when contacted, said they were not aware of the incident.

He was in the House with us this afternoon and had also attended todays special sitting, an, official who does not want his name mentioned, said.

The spokesperson of Kaduna State Police Command, Aliyu Usman, did not respond to calls and text messages sent to his number on the kidnap.

The kidnap occurs less than two weeks after a federal lawmaker, Garba Durbunde, was also abducted.

Mr. Durbunde was eventually released by his abductors amidst reports that a N6 million ransom was paid.

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Abdallah Uba Adamu, a professor, is the vice chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN. In this interview with PREMIUM TIMES Festus Owete, Ashafa Murnai and Ebuka Onyeji, he speaks on the institutions activities and challenges. Excerpts:

PT: You have been in the academic system for a long time, what was your perception of the open distance learning before your emergence as NOUN VC?

Adamu: The open distance learning concept was very hard for people to accept throughout the entire spectrum of the Nigerian education learning system. When the Open University system was conceptualized in 1983, nobody expressed confidence in it. Nobody wanted to be associated with the university and because of this there was crisis of confidence in the university. By 25th April 1984, the government simply decided to suspend it. That suspension was very painful to all of us who were not even involved in the process as at that particular time. I started working in the university in July 1980. Three years later I had a Masters degree. I heard of the open distance learning system first in the UK. I was one of those who were cynical about it because I was aware of the Open University of UK. When I was doing my masters in the University of London, one of the lecturers taught us about the open learning system. So, when I came back in 1983 and I saw Open University in Nigeria, I said you are kidding, this cannot be here. My perception of it at that time was very poor. At that time they recorded lectures in cassettes and then sell the video cassettes. When you are watching it on TV sometimes light goes off and you lose concentration. The problems were too much. The internet came to Nigeria in 1991. So we didnt have ICT then and so the government suspended it in 25th April, 1984. There was no stable electricity for it to work. The open distance learning was revived in 2003. I found the sense of irony when Dr. Aminu Ibrahim, one of the facilitators, visited me in Bayero University and recruited me to come and revive the university. When we came to Lokoja I discovered that other professors were there and we spent a whole month writing the programmes. After we finished, the coordinator, Dr. Olugbemiro Jegede, who happened to be my teacher in Ahmadu Bello University, pulled me aside and said, I want you to become the dean of faculty of education and I said no. Again there was that cynicism in me and lack of confidence in the Open University system. So I just switched it off. Now zoom to 2016 and I heard on the radio and on NTA that I was the VC of NOUN. Earlier, somebody told me we are thinking of sending your name but I said dont do that, I dont want it. Previously, I was told to be a VC five times. It was twice in Bayero University, in Kano University of Technology and even in NOUN in 2010 when Prof. Jegedes tenure finished. I repeatedly said I was not interested. So suddenly I am here again with the same old offer. I asked them why they didnt remove my name. They said that it had already been announced. Somebody who is cynical about the university, someone who initially didnt believe in open distance learning, who didnt think Open University is a university is now being called upon to become the VC of that same University. Therefore I saw this as a direct assignment from God. Since I have so much cynicism about the university, now go and see things for yourself if you can defeat that cynicism. So, when I came in, I came with a messianic mission. I came in with all guns blazing pulling out every intellectual ideas that I know in order to turn the university around so that nobody will ever look at it with cynicism just like me. I considered it as tournament from God.

PT: You took us through the memory lane. Are you satisfied with the level NOUN has got to at this moment?

Adamu: University can exist in one or two states. A university can be either evolutionary or revolutionary. A university that is trying to improve itself should have all the two states but I will say most universities are evolutionary  it means it grows under normal circumstance. The system will always be there and that is evolutionary. But I decided to take NOUN to revolutionary stage which is total transformation. The first thing I did was to bring to the board this idea of open distance learning, ODL. Prior to my coming in, people didnt understand what open distance learning meant. Some of our regulators dont even understand it. To them it is part time education, but it is not so. The university has become revolutionary by embracing the internet. It has walked away from that ancient technology, cassette and things like that. But now with your phone you can get admitted, you can take exams, you can do everything so far you can access the internet. Its the revolutionary thing we have done. We have brought education to your pocket.

PT: But if you look at Nigeria today its not as developed as other countries in terms of technology. Can people in the rural areas access your portal?

Adamu: Just like the MTN slogan, where ever you go there is a network. We also have Glo, Etisalat and the Airtel which are almost covering the country in terms of data provision. However, we are not even naive enough to think you are in a deep village and cannot access our data and that is why we have study centres. We have 75 study centers. We have nine additional study centres which we have approved but not yet active. We have about 84 study centres which are scattered throughout the federation. So, we can reach out to anybody anywhere even in the village. Its an ODL.

PT: Your option to relocate the headquarters of NOUN from Lagos to Abuja was not welcomed by some Nigerians. What prompted the relocation?

Adamu: NOUN has never been in Lagos. This is the only university that says national and if its national then it should be were the national capital is and the national capital is in Abuja, not Lagos. The Act establishing the university did not state a specific location for the university but since its national it means that wherever the capital is that is where the university should be. When the school was created its first location was in Kushingoro in Abuja. This is the land that was given for the university to be established. Then they were given lands for offices in Area 2 or 3 (Garki District) for offices to share with the Ministry of Education. So, we started there. Then the university started expanding. Even after it was suspended, the university was still in Abuja. When the school now returned in 2006, government now said look, establishing the university in Abuja will take a lot of time and money. The Federal Ministry of Education in Lagos is vacant in the meantime because the ministry had moved to Abuja. So we were told to go over there till we sort things out here. So that is how NOUN moved to Lagos in three days from Abuja. We renovated the buildings and we moved in. Then when I became VC I did not know that this campus (Abuja) had been built and when I went to collect the letters of appointment I ask them where the university was located. They laughed and said it can either be in Lagos or Abuja, its up to you. So I set up an internal meeting with the former VC and the contractor that built this place and some staff after which I discovered that President Buhari gave approval and this building was built in just eight months. I asked the contractor when the building would be fully ready and he said before the end of March. During my inauguration on 1st March, 2016 I told my people that we were officially moving to Abuja on 25th of March. Although nobody expected such drastic movement, it was not disputed. The challenges of dislocation came up but I told them its either you do it my way or you go the highway but all I know is that I am moving on the 25th. We eventually moved here on 29th because 25th was Easter. That was one of the most courageous move I made and I didnt even think it through.

PT: So, you didnt even consider dislocation of families by your decision?

Adamu: I considered the fact we are serving Nigeria. For me I had to relocate from Kano because of the job and service to the country.

PT: Where was the opposition coming from?

Adamu: There wasnt any single opposition that I am aware of. People might be grumbling but nobody came to my face to say it. One thing about NOUN is that the staff and students are people I deeply respect because they deeply respect me. I have introduced a lot of reforms and they have supported me.

PT: Why does NOUN still have low recognition in terms of university rating in the country?

Adamu: NOUN is fully recognized by the National University Commission. We have programmes that are accredited by NUC and we cant go farther than that. NUC says we know you, we accept your existence. We offer Bench Mark Minimum Academic Standard (BMMAS). It is a curriculum created by the NUC and it is the same BMMAS in all universities. Lets take political science for instance. Our political science BMMAS is same as that of University of Ibadan, UNILAG and other 151 universities across the nation. NOUN is the only university recognized as an ODL institution. About 10 universities provide distance learning programmes but NOUN is the only one recognized. For the others, its dual mode ODL because sometimes they will go to the campus to meet their lecturers, but in NOUN it is fully ODL. I can spend five years as a VC without seeing a single student. Same as the deans, HOD and lecturers. They dont need to see the students physically. We dont have to have face to face interaction with students because at all the study centres we have facilitators who guide the students. But the reason why people are looking down on us is because of the nature of learning in the African society. The system of learning in Africa recognizes apprenticeship system. You want to learn, you go in front of a master, there has to be face to face interaction. But our system says you are on your own. The textbook are there as well as the handouts, read and guide yourself. So even the students lack confidence to do it on their own. For us in Africa, that system of learning is unsettling, it is something we are not used to. We are used to hanging on to an apron of someone who is going to lead us, someone who will guide us and someone who we will blame when we fail. But here the power to pass or fail is in your hands. If you pass it is because you read well and if you fail it means you didnt read. If the students are doing the E-exams which are timed automatically by the computer and the time is up, you cant complain because its a timed exam and your time has finished. The moment you put your hands on the keyboard, the time starts reading. So, its that level of investment and responsibility on you that makes people feel uncomfortable with our system.

PT: So dont you think there is need for some kind of enlightenment?

Adamu: Yes, that is what we are doing. We are doing our best to enlighten people. We have been bombarding the internet with information about us. We didnt matriculate students in June last year because we didnt have enough students to matriculate. So we started the media pleas and campaign in July and then last month the director told us that the total number we have registered was 13,932. That was quantum leap and all this information is on the website. The awareness we have created has created confidence in the university. Last year we negotiated that the Committee of Postgraduate Studies should hold their annual meeting here in NOUN. Hosting a meeting is expensive but this was part of our media campaign. Every single dean of post graduate studies was there on that day. We learnt that this committee had been looking for a secretariat and we said we will give them a secretariat here and by that we captured them and brought them closer and brought them in.

PT: Graduates of NOUN do not participate in the NYSC program. Why is it so?

Adamu: We have come out very aggressively to tackle that issue. We have been going on air. I can count the number of times we have gone to the National Assembly on this same issue of NYSC. In 1983 when this university was conceptualized, it was meant for civil servants, people who are matured and already working, for very few students. Then the issue of part time comes in. Students only come on part time basis. By mid-2000, the number of students seeking admission into institutions across the country via JAMB had doubled. Out of over a million that applied, only 300,000 will be admitted and so the vast number of people who cannot gain admission have to find employment as they try again and again. Some will keep trying and keep failing to gain admission. I know someone who tried eight times and failed. So some brave souls decided to try the NOUN. They found out that we are actually doing something and that most of the study materials are written by professors. You can work in a supermarket or as a danfo driver or even if you kill somebody and they lock you up in jail, you can still continue your studies. There was a rush in NOUN and we didnt think of it till the issue of NYSC came up. The fact is that the NUC law doesnt allow those who do part time studies to do NYSC. And the original Act that established NOUN says we offer courses by correspondence and that is the expression NYSC is using to say if it is a correspondence course then it is part time, if its part time then the students are not eligible for NYSC. That is why our students cant go for NYSC. So we have to remove that clause from our Act that indicates we are part time. We want to amend the Act. That is why we have been going to the National Assembly. We even had a public hearing. It has passed the first reading at NASS. We have inserted the ICT and luckily its not even us that is now initiating it, its now the legislators themselves. They sponsor the bill themselves. It passed the first and second reading and then we went for public hearing and it passed public hearing and they brought it back to us for any amendment before it will go for final hearing before it goes to the president for assent. The reason why we dont participate in NYSC is the perception by NYSC that we are part-time and that perception is in our old Act which we are about to amend. That is the same problem we have with the Council for Legal Education which also says we are part time. They dont allow students who go through part-time studies go through law school. So, it is a question of misconception based on our Act. When the bill is passed into law, then they have no right to block our students from participating. In fact we can even sue them for denying them their rights because we are no longer part time.

PT: So now what happens to the people who graduated previously without going for NYSC or law school?

Adamu: I am a teacher. We have the list of NOUN students who have graduated but could not go for NYSC. They are given exemption certificates and we are taking care of that. The only problem are those who are not up to 30 years who couldnt collect exemption letters. Maybe by the time the process of amending the Act is over they will be up to 30 and then we give them exemption letters.

PT: Is there any form of discrimination when it comes to getting job with the NOUN certificate compared to others that graduated from other universities?

Adamu: There will always be discrimination. If you present a Harvard certificate and someone presents xyz certificate, there will always be discrimination. So its normal. Its not about the quality of the university but the perception of the people about the university. But legally if you present a NOUN certificate and they refused to give you a job because you are from NOUN, tell us so we can pick up the fight because NUC have told us that any employer that doesnt employ you because you are from NOUN then he is committing a crime. He/she can reject you on other reasons not because of your school.

PT: How affordable is education in NOUN and how assignable is it?

Adamu: It costs N41, 000 to register now but education in Nigeria is free. We dont charge fees but our registration costs 41,000. The allocations we get is for salaries. Government deals with that. They pay us for capital expenses. Look at private universities, they are charging between N2 million and N3 million and they are using the same BMASS we are using. Education is free but every institution is allowed to charge for administrative costs. They call it Internally Generated Revenue in other schools but in NOUN we call it paid services revenue. N41, 000 is for new students while returning students pay N13,000. Then you also pay for course registration. The beauty of it is that you can register for 10 courses but if you are not ready to take them all at the moment, you can just pay for the ones you are ready for and take the other ones later. It is flexible. We have almost 400,000 students in our system but only about 95,000 are currently taking exams. So its flexible. You can take the exams at your own time.

PT: Your portal was reportedly hacked recently. What caused the problem and how were you able to resolve it?

Adamu: When I came into this university I discovered two companies were in charge of data management- Cyberspace and Emerging Platform. Cyberspace is responsible for the portal, admission, exams and so on. Emerging Platform on the other hand is responsible for e-facilitation. They supervise facility for people to come online to access our data, watch videos and so on. Then I discovered that 70% of what we got goes to Cyberspace. Students are to pay N10, 000 for ICT administration and N7, 000 goes to Cyberspace and N3, 000 comes to NOUN. Thats unfair. It is my students, my data and yet you take the bulk of the money. Also we have e-facilitation, where we charge about N15, 000 and 85% of that goes to the company, 15% comes to NOUN. That is unfair. So I said lets call a meeting. One of the companies said take 60% and lets take 40%. I said no, if we are going to work out any formula at all, you take 10% while I take 90%. So there was no agreement and I came up with a committee within the school. The committee said lets create our own. So we created our own. We have a Computer Science department which has a concentration of intellectuals. Why will I now get someone to design my data for me? So that is how we cut off from them. I taught System Analysis. I know there are two ways of system converting method and the most dangerous is switch off, switch on. You switch off the old one and switch on the new one and that is the one we did. Its risky but very necessary for security purposes. The other service providers said they will help us move the system gradually, little by little until the transfer is complete, but I disagreed. I am a businessman from Kano. How can I remove 70% from someone and expect him to help me and show me the way? Is that possible? So, I said no. We then created a dead zone between June and November, which there was no portal. That was the period we had challenges. We signed an MOU with the companies to help manage somethings until that November because the portal is no longer ours and that is where we started facing problem. I said I have no problem, I can shut down the university for a whole year and sort myself out first. I have that power but I said no we need to tackle the issue. In January this year, we launched the new portal and now we have 14,000 students registered in it. Within the first few weeks the system almost crashed because there was a rush. But the most important thing you should know is that the portal that is not working is nounonline.net. But our portal is nouonline.net because technically speaking there is nothing like the National Open University of Nigeria. We have amended that in our Act so our name is National Open University. So we maintained that on our portal which is nouonline.net but someone came up with nounonline.net and the natural tendency for people looking for us online is to say noun and the moment you go there you will see site not working or site under construction. That is what they see and say this man has come and changed the entire system and the portal stopped working. But if they go to nouonline.net, its there. That is the challenges we are facing, people are coming up with series of fake website to cheat people or to confuse people. We reported this to NITDA. Another challenge we faced is that when we cancelled our MOU with our old partners, we asked them to give us back our data which was in their system but they refused. They refused to give us the wallet balance system. Someone will come and tell you he registered about two years ago and has about N25,000 in the system, how will I get money now? We tell him that we will sort it out and then tell him to give us evidence that he paid the money. But we cant access these information on our data because our old partners refused to give us our old data.

PT: So, the website was not really hacked?

Adamu: There were attempts to hack the website and we have been hit to the extent that our system is totally damaged. There are many attempts. You know hackers can do anything to attack anybody but we have made sure that we provide up to date security to prevent these attacks. We are also a victim of our own success because sometimes we find out that the software put in place to block attackers might as well block a genuine user. When we see an IP trying to hit the site so many times, the program might blacklist that IP till we sort it out and say that the IP is legitimate.

PT: How much did you save by disengaging from your old partners?

Adamu: That is what is called confidential information. We have not saved much though but we have saved time, energy and efficiency. In the past when we needed information from our old partners we had to send it to them in Lagos. You know they are handling other things so it takes time for them to respond but now everything is here with us. If there is any issue now we tackle it here and we have put a hotline number on the portal. So what we have saved is efficiency and service delivery. Our clients now know us and work with us directly and again by creating this our own portal through our computer science department shows we have confidence in what we do.

PT: There was a report of imbalance and disparity over registration of students in some sections of this country. What is the situation and how are you trying to bridge this gap?

Adamu: The situation is that states like Sokoto has only about 648 students while Delta has about 33,000. That is the disparity. The gap is huge. The northern states are very poorly represented in NOUN. I think the reason is lack of awareness and again that old suspicion of not being comfortable to study on your own is another factor. People normally believe in the conventional way of learning by going to the class rooms and so its hard to accept the system we run over there.

PT: Could the long stay of the institution in Lagos have been partly responsible for the disparity?

Adamu: Not necessarily. It is just that the level of awareness is not enough in the north. The study centres are not probably doing enough advocacy over there. And of course they are not being empowered enough but we have decided to create regional medium of resource in each of the six geopolitical zones in the country. We will assign one officer in the zone who will now liaise with facilitators in the study centers in zones and create more awareness and it is working. We didnt have this in the past. It is this kind of strategy that we use to make people become more aware of what we are doing and with this we can now generate more interest in the university. Another thing we did is that we are giving total free education to prisoners. Anybody who happened to be locked up in prison for whatever reason, if they want they can become students of NOUN free of charge, no registration fees or anything. Now we have about 104 registered students from the prisons, newly registered which doesnt include those who are already in the system. Last year someone graduated from the prisons.

PT: Even people on death row can register?

Adamu: Yes, of course. At least when you die, you die a graduate. You can take your certificate to your grave or be buried with it if you want.

PT: Is there any imbalance in the staffing of the institution?

ADAMU: There is an imbalance because the institution is not well known. Not many people were willing to apply because it was in Lagos. Even I was not willing to apply.

PT: The current government is now two years in office. What do you think it has achieved in the education sector?

Adamu: I am not in position to answer for the entire education sector but I can say that there is more liberalism, transparency, openness and debate on the quality of education. We no longer operate under an oppressed atmosphere or under uncertainty. We now operate under a much relaxed open system of learning. Most importantly this openness has generated innovations. We always come up with something new and that desire to innovate is because we are given a free hand to operate.

PT: There is the problem of low quality graduates in Nigeria. What is your view on this?

Adamu: Universities are there to provide services and there is this old cliche that says you can take a horse to the water but you cannot force it to drink. This issue of low quality of education has been going round and round. I studied in the 60s. The students we have now are even smarter than us due to the advent of modern technology. So, its not just about education but about knowledge. Education is a straight forward process; you read, you understand but knowledge is about the way you integrate within the larger picture. I dont see a problem in the education system because if I say so, it means I dont have confidence in what am doing.

PT: What legacy do you want to leave in NOUN?

Adamu: I want to leave NOUN better than I found it. I want to make it easier for someone who will take over after me. I want to create a robust system that is transparent so that when I leave, NOUN will no longer be a noun but a verb, a doing word.

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A former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, told Swiss investigators former Nigerian officials accused of bribery did no wrong and could not be prosecuted, a claim that shocked authorities of that European country, PREMIUM TIMES can authoritatively report.

The officials were public officers when part of the alleged bribe was paid to them and, by Nigerian law, barred from engaging in private business.

But Mr. Adoke, responding to a mutual legal assistance request from Switzerland, claimed the officials were only paid legitimate fees for their consultancies.

The documents on further findings of the executing competent authority of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission revealed that the money were (sic) paid as consultancy fee to the various recipients, Mr. Adoke told Switzerland in a 2012 letter.

Swiss authorities had in May 2012 wrote the Nigerian government to request support of the countrys anti-graft agency in unearthing further crucial details that could strengthen their investigation, which was already underway at the time.

Switzerland was probing suspicious transactions to the tune of $20 million between Nigerian officials and a firm in Europe.

A former Managing Director of the NPA, Adebayo Sarumi; a former Managing Director of NPAs Eastern Ports, Felix Ovbude; a former Executive Director of Finance at the NPA, Abba Murtala Mohammed; and Sullivan Nwankpo, ex-President Goodluck Jonathans special adviser on technical matters, were said to have participated in the illicit scheme.

Swiss authorities believe Daniel Afam-Obi, a former executive assistant to Mr. Nwankwo, stood in as front for his principal.

Mr. Adoke subsequently requested the EFCC, under its erstwhile chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, to investigate the Nigerian aspect of the multinational bribery scandal.

But after the EFCC forwarded its report to him, Mr. Adoke wrote to European investigators saying the agency found no acts of wrongdoings on the part of the Nigerians named in the scam.

But in May 2017, Switzerland prosecutors indicted Messrs Sarumi, Ovbude and Mohammed alongside Dredging International Services (Cyprus) Ltd, which was sentenced to a fine of one million Swiss Francs and asked to refund 36 million Swiss Francs in illegal profits for allegedly making illicit payments to the Nigerian officials.

Mr. Afam-Obi was said to have been paid $157,000 for unknown reasons.

In his letter to Swiss authorities, Mr. Adoke said he attached documents containing EFCC investigators findings in Nigeria, which allegedly uncovered no fraudulent activities on the part of the targeted Nigerians.

The former Attorney-General was yet to respond to PREMIUM TIMES request that he forwards the documents he claimed to have attached to his letter to Swiss authorities.

Nonetheless, an EFCC source familiar with the investigation told PREMIUM TIMES there was no truth in Mr. Adokes claim that the anti-graft agency did not implicate the Nigerian officials in its findings.

These were public officers and there is no way we could have told the minister they received legitimate consultancy fees, the source said. We only sent him our findings. Sad that he drew inaccurate conclusion.

The official, who pleaded strict anonymity because of the sensitivity of his new post outside the EFCC, said there was no way they would have cleared the officials of wrongdoings.

The former AGF obviously wrote his own personal opinion to Switzerland, the source said.

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When Boko Haram invaded Mubi town of Adamawa state sometimes in 2014, they did not only occupy and destroyed the community, they left with many abducted females, mostly teenagers.

Just like the Chibok schoolgirls, many of the females were forced into marriages to their abductors to whom they were turned into sex tools and even bear children.

Not many of them were able to escape their captivity except some that were rescued either by the military or through negotiations with the federal government of Nigeria.

One of the girls abducted in Mubi town was Mumina Hamidu, who was taken at the age of 16. She had been held within the deadly forest of Sambisa for three years. During that period Mumina was put into family way.

She delivered her baby in the forest before the military began its major operation in the forest last year, during which Mumina was able to escape into the Cameroonian territory with her eight months old baby.

From Cameroon, Mumina, now 19 years old, tried to trace her path back to her hometown, Mubi.

She was intercepted while wondering in the bush by operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Adamawa State.

I was abducted from Nguwan Barkwano in Mubi town and I and some other girls were taken to Sambisa, where I was forced to marry one of the sect commanders, known as Baana Kura, said Mumina.

I was forced to accept the sum of N30, 000 from Baana Kura as dowry, she said.

She said her supposed husband, Baana Kura, was still alive at the time she managed to escape into Cameroon.

Speaking to journalists in Yola on Friday, the state Commandant of the NSCDC, Aliyu Ndanusa, said his men saw her trekking in the with an eight-month baby.

When she was questioned, the young lady narrated that she was escaping from Sambisa forest where her Boko Haram abductor kept since 2014, said the Commandant.

She succeeded in escaping from Sambisa to Cameroon, where she was picked up by men of the corps while returning to Mubi.

The lady and her baby would be handed over to the relevant authorities for proper rehabilitation.

Mr. Ndanusa said such rescue of abducted girls was not new to his command. According to him his operatives had, been between January to date, helped in rescuing two such women from Sambisa.

He said his men were also able to arrest an escapee Boko Haram suspect fleeing from Sambisa forest.

Apart from the over 200 Chibok schoolgirls that are officially being recognised as female abductees in the custody of Boko Haram, the outlawed group had abducted hundreds of women and girls mostly from the villages and hinterlands of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa state.

Some of the rescued females, especially those found in the main camps of the Boko Haram are said to be deeply radicalised  with some sharing strong sentiments of the insurgent groups.

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The police in Lagos have arrested a man they described as the most wanted abduction specialist who led a massive kidnap syndicate with presence in major parts of the country, PREMIUM TIMES can report.

Chukwudidumeme Onuamadike, a 36-year-old native of Anambra State, was nabbed inside Magodo Phase II around noon Saturday, marking an end to a near decade-long manhunt by law enforcement authorities.

Police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, who confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES Saturday evening, said Mr. Onuamadikes arrest was a major success and a moral booster in the war against incessant kidnapping, which has become a lucrative enterprise for hardened criminals in recent years.

Mr. Moshood, a chief superintendent of police, said the suspect was arrested by police intelligence monitoring unit put together by the Inspector-General, Ibrahim Idris.

Millions of Nigerians in different parts of the a country who dreaded this suspect will now be able to sleep with their two eyes closed, Mr. Moshood said.

The police first caught wind of Mr. Onuamadikes activities when he allegedly began terrorising resident of several Lagos neighbourhoods, especially Festac Town and its environs.

It was in Festac that Mr. Onuamadike allegedly masterminded the abduction of Vincent Obianudo, the billionaire owner of Young Shall Grow Motors, in 2013.

Mr. Onuamadike, a.k.a.: Evans, has presence in the South-South corridor, where he allegedly established many kidnap formations that operated in major settlements along the East-West Road, including the Port-Harcourt and Warri, both with a high number of oil workers.

The Vanguard reported earlier this year that Mr. Onuamadike, whom the paper described only by his alias, had orchestrated more than a dozen high-profile kidnappings.

The paper suggested that the syndicate pocketed up to $1 million dollars each in three different abductions in of citizens in Lagos in 2015.

Mr. Moshood said the suspect had allegedly deviced a unique method of extracting ransom from victims.

He keeps his victims for up to six to seven months in captivity until when their families pay amounts ranging from N300 to 400 million as ransom in several installments, the police spokesperson said.

Dozens of suspects attached to Mr. Onuamadikes kidnap formations across the country have been killed in shootouts with law enforcement officers since 2010, the police said.

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The National Judicial Council has responded to the recent statement by President Muhammadu Buharis special assistant on prosecution, Okoi Obono-Obla, over the councils decision to recall suspended judges.

The NJC had on last Saturday, after its 82nd meeting, recalled six judges including Justice Adeniyi Ademola of an Abuja division of the Federal High Court.

Some of the judges were suspended after a search was carried out at their residences by the State Security Service on October 7, 2016. Three of the affected judges were later arraigned for alleged corruption.

The charges against Mr. Ademola were later dismissed after five months of accelerated trial at a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

But the presidency expressed concerns with the decision to recall the judges.

Mr. Okono-Obla said on Thursday that the council could not claim it was unaware of pending appeals against Mr. Ademola, filed since April.

But in its statement on Saturday, signed by the director of communication, Soji Oye, the NJC explained why it decided to recall the judges.

Read parts of the statement below:

Council is particularly concerned about the Press statement issued by Okoi Obono-Obla, Esq, Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution on 8th June, 2017; that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation filed a Notice of Appeal against the Ruling of Hon. Justice Jude Okeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for discharging and acquitting Hon. Justice A. F. A. Ademola and 2 ORS on 7th April, 2017.

Contrary to the above statement, the Registry of the High Court of the FCT, Abuja, informed the Department of Information of the National Judicial Council that the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation filed two Notices of Appeal in the Court; the first one on 7th April, 2017, against Hon Justice A. F. A. Ademola, his wife, Olabowale Ademola and Joe Agi, SAN. The second one was filed on 6th of June, 2017, two days after the Press Release was issued by the National Judicial Council, with additional grounds of appeal against only Hon. Justice A.F.A. Ademola.

It is on record that when the Parties were invited by High Court of the FCT for settlement of records to be transmitted to the Court of Appeal on 18th April, 2017, the Appellant failed to turn up. The Registrar of the Court further adjourned the settlement of records to 21st April, 2017, and invited all the Parties, but the Appellant again did not come to Court. The total number of 45 days allowed for compilation of record in all circumstances expired on 7th May, 2017, for the Registrar of the Lower Court and 22nd May, 2017, for the Appellant.

Council noted that the Office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice only filed additional grounds of appeal in the Court on Tuesday 6th June, 2017, three days after the Press Release by the Council that the Judicial Officers have been directed to resume their Judicial duties. It was on 6th June, 2017, that letters were again issued by the Registrar to the Parties for settlement of records against 14th June, 2017, the statement said.

The NJC further said the initial appeal could not be regarded as proper, because parties failed to make the necessary agreement and settlement of records as expected.

For avoidance of doubt, by the Rules of the Court of Appeal, there cannot be a proper appeal before the Court until Parties have agreed and settled records before the Lower Court and transmit copies of such records to the Court of Appeal before an appeal number is given. It is only after an appeal number is given that an appeal is said to be entered in the Court of Appeal.

The Council confirmed from Registry of the Court of Appeal that there is no such Appeal till date. The only matter that is pending is a Motion with Number CA/A/371M/CR/2019 filed by Joe Odey Agi, SAN, against the Federal Republic of Nigeria seeking the dismissal of Appellant/Respondent appeal between the Federal Government of Nigeria Vs Joe Odey Agi for failure to transmit the Records from the Lower Court within 45 days.

According to the statement, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation had filed charges against two Supreme Court Justices and Mr. Ademola at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in February, but letter withdrew the charges against one of the Supreme Court Justices, Inyang Okoro, and Mr. Ademola, with a motive to amend the charges.

Council is aware that at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the Federal Government filed Suits against Hon. Justices N. S. Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court and A. F. A. Ademola of the Federal High Court on 8th February, 2017.

However, the Federal Ministry of Justice later withdrew the files pertaining the Suits against Hon. Justices Inyang Okoro and A. F. A. Ademola, with the intention of filing additional evidence against them.

In the case of Hon. Justice Ngwuta, he has since been arraigned before the Code of Conduct Tribunal for non-declaration of his assets.

In effect, there is currently no Suit filed against Hon. Justices Inyang Okoro and A. F. A. Ademola J. at the Tribunal, the statement said.

The council also defended itself against alleged hasty decision made against it (NJC) by chairman presidential advisory committee against corruption, Itse Sagay.

According to its statement, persons recommended by the council for dismissal over alleged fraud have remained active in their various capacities long after they were recommended for dismissal to the executive arm of government.

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The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has reminded electricity consumers not provided with prepared meters by March 1 to stop paying electric bills presented by Distribution Companies (DISCOs) on the basis of estimated billing methodology.

The commission also ordered the DISCOs not to disconnect any such customer that refuses to pay the bills and further advised such customers to report to the commission if disconnected.

NERC gave the directive on Wednesday in a statement on its website and said it was part of its sanctioning of defaulting DISCOs who failed to provide meters for its customers before the March 1 deadline.

In line with its mandate of protecting the rights of customers, NERC had in June 2016 after consultation with the operators, directed DISCOs to conclude metering of all customers before November 30, 2016.

According to NERC, the commission at the expiration of that notice, granted three months moratorium which expired on March 1, to enable the DISCOs effectively execute the metering deployment plan for MD (maximum demand) customers.

According to the statement, the sanction was sequel to the expiration of the initial directives by NERC and the moratorium period given to DISCOs to meter consumers.

The statement reads in part:

A directive was issued to distribution companies by the Commission in June 2016 for all MD customers to be metered by 30 November 2016.

The Commission received appeals on compliance deadline from distribution companies prior to the expiration of the 30 November 2016 deadline. The deadline was extended to 1 March 2017 after consideration of appeals received from distribution companies.

Upon due consideration of facts above and the expiration of the compliance deadline granted to distribution companies on the metering of MD customers; the Commission hereby directs as follows 

1. Any MD customer that was not metered by 1 March 2017 shall not pay any electricity bill presented by a distribution company on the basis of estimated billing methodology and these customers are advised to report this to the Commission.

2. No distribution company shall disconnect any MD customer that was not metered by 1 March 2017 on the basis of the customers refusal to pay a bill issued after the compliance deadline on the basis of estimated billing methodology.

3. Any MD customer that was not metered by 1 March 2017 should notify the Commission directly.

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A UK-based Nigerian scientist, Ify Aniebo, has criticised the Nigerian Academy of Science over its position on the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) foods in the country.

Speaking during a tweet chat on Friday, Ms. Aniebo, an Oxford University alumni, said the academys endorsement of GMOs without its own independent investigation, was against the tenets of science.

NAS didnt do any laboratory studies or epidemiological studies to come to that conclusion. They claim its safe because big Agric companies say so, said Ms. Aniebo, a molecular geneticist specializing in clinical medicine, infectious diseases and public health.

Every scientist should be able to carry out independent tests to either confirm or dispel this notion and NAS not doing so goes against the very tenet of being a scientist.

Secondly, these companies that sell GMOs have not done any proper laboratory or epidemiological studies to ascertain safety of their products. Neither have the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). So humans who eat GMOs are basically lab rats.

Thirdly, there are published data that show the health effects of eating GMO including cancer, infertility, kidney disease to name a few.

The Nigerian Academy of Science had, last November, declared that genetically modified foods were safe for consumption for now based on carefully documented evidence from developed countries.

Oyewale Tomori, the academys outgoing president, had said the GMOs technology would help boost agriculture and resolve the food crisis in the country.

We cannot predict the future and what is going to happen with these GMOs, but so far so good, there are no problem from where they have been used; but that does not mean that it is going to be good forever, Mr. Tomori, a professor of Virology, had stated.

On Wednesday, a coalition of civil society groups staged a rally in Abuja demanding an end to the planned introduction of GMOs into Nigerias foods and farming scheme.

The groups also delivered a petition to the National Assembly seeking a repeal of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) Act which was signed into law in April 2015 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The groups demand followed last years issuance by the NBMA of two permits for the Commercial Release and Placing on Market of genetically modified cotton and the confined field trial of maize, to Monsanto Agriculture Nigeria Limited.

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said this week that it had not licensed any genetically modified products in the country.

During her tweet chat on Friday, Ms. Aniebo said her disagreement with the NAS position on GMOs was based on all the peer reviewed published scientific papers that show evidently, GMOs are bad news for our health.

I think considering the fact NAS represents the country, its disappointing they didnt back up their claim with any scientific evidence, Ms. Aniebo continued.

Just to be clear  A GMO (genetically modified organism) is the result of a laboratory process where genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and artificially forced into the genes of an unrelated plant or animal.

The foreign genes may come from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even human.

Stay away from GMOs as they have been proven to cause liver and kidney damage.

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Laraba Bello, Chief Medical Director of Borno Specialists Hospital, said on Saturday that 23 of the 34 victims of last Wednesdays Maiduguri multiple bomb explosion on admission at the hospital, had been discharged.

Mr. Bello told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that the remaining patients were in stable condition, receiving adequate medical attention.

We received 34 patients, out of which two died within a short while; we have discharged 23 of them, while the remaining nine are responding to treatment and are in stable condition, she said.

Authorities at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), also confirmed that 29 victims of the explosion were still on admission at the hospital.

Bashir Tahir, Chairman of the UMTH Medical Advisory Committee, told NAN that the patients were also in stable condition.

Thirty two patients were brought in, out of which three died; the 29 remaining are receiving treatment, Mr. Tahir said.

He said the hospital had no challenges offering free treatment to the victims.

We have no problem of money in providing treatment to the patients because the Victims Support Fund (VSF) had provided some Money for free treatment of bomb blasts and other attacks, Mr. Tahir said.

The Borno Police Command had earlier confirmed the killing of 13 persons after the attack.

(NAN)

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Less than two weeks after the All Progressives Congress, APC, won every seat in the council polls in Benue State, some members are threatening to quit the ruling party over alleged imposition of candidates.

Members told PREMIUM TIMES there was discontent within the party, and accused former Governor George Akume of imposition of candidates.

The party initially denied the claims, but later told this newspaper a committee had been set up to reconcile aggrieved members.

One federal lawmaker who asked not to be named, said the development had led to a serious crisis and may factionalise the APC in the state.

The source said the party primaries were stage-managed after the candidates for the council polls had been handpicked by Mr. Akume and his loyalists.

A lot of the local government areas in the state did not hold their primaries but names were submitted to the state electoral body, he said.

He said although the governor, Samuel Ortom, promised change, his government was being perceived even by party members as worse than that of Gabriel Suswam, the immediate past governor.

Many stakeholders of the party are gearing up to leave the party he said.

He lamented the refusal of the national body of the party to intervene in the crisis.

The National body of the party does not seem to be conversant with the situation in Benue, he added.

He said to underscore the level of grievances, more than 20 lawsuits were pending in the courts over the elections.

He cited the instance of the chairmanship candidate for Gwer-West LG, Francis Ayagah, who has been dragged before a Makurdi Magistrate Court for allegedly receiving salary after resigning from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to contest in the election.

He alleged that Mr. Ayagah resigned his appointment on the March 31, 2016 but was still being paid four months after.

According to him, Ayagahs salary account with First Bank was credited for the months of April ,May, June and July last year, after which he alleged that a cashier in SUBEB fraudulently issued receipts to the APC candidate for returning the money to the coffers of the State Government.

But the State APC spokesman, Berger Alfred, denied knowledge of crisis in the party.

Benue APC is in peace, Mr. Alfred said.

We shouldnt be talking about APC primaries now because elections have come and gone and we have moved on.

The party spokesman, however, said the state chapter had set up committees to reconcile aggrieved members.

He described any claim of crisis as a figment of imagination of the opposition who want to see the downfall of APC in Benue.

On the several cases in court, he said most of those cases that were filed in the court have been withdrawn.

The APC had won all the 23 local government chairmanship seats in the council elections.

The party also won all the councillorship positions in the 276 wards of the state with some of the candidates returned unopposed as the opposition PDP did not participate in the process due to the leadership crisis in the party.

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The Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, has asked Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, SPDC, to establish some significant presence in the state.

Mr. Dickson made the request Friday when the Managing Director and Country Chair of Shell Group of Companies, Osagie Okubor, visited him at the Government House, Yenagoa.

Mr. Dickson said the relationship between the state and the BritishDutch multinational oil and gas company dates back to 1956 when the company first discovered oil in commercial quantity in Oloibiri.

He however said there was nothing really to show for the many years of oil production in the state.

For over 60 years, we have just been producing crude from our creeks, forest, and rivers but we dont have much to show by way of investment here that can really impact on the local economy, Mr. Dickson said, adding that the state could attract more industries, especially in the oil and gas sector, if Shell establishes its presence in the state.

The state government, Governor Dickson said, was willing and ready to provide office and residential accommodation to the company.

Shells head office is in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The company also has offices in Lagos, Abuja and in Warri, Delta State.

Let me also remind you of the discussion we have had on the need for Shell and other companies that are operating in this state to have some respectable presence in the state, the governor said to the Shell MD.

We are not saying they should all relocate back to Bayelsa even though we will love to see that happen.

The idea is to connect the oil industry back to its roots so that the story can change. Let us open a new partnership that will make people here change their minds about you. Because right now they see you people as buccaneers.

The governor thanked Shell for its interest in the Brass Fertilizer project and its contribution to the construction of the Ogbia-Nembe road. He appealed to the company to revisit the Brass LNG project.

The Shell MD, Mr. Okubor, said he visited the governor to thank him and the people of the state for creating a peaceful environment for the company to operate in the state.

We have quite a number of state facilities here and it is to the credit of the governor and the good people of Bayelsa that we have been able to operate with no disruptions, Mr. Okubor said.

Since the acting President Yemi Osinbajo started his tour of the Niger Delta region to market President Muhammadu Buharis new vision for the oil producing communities, there has been renewed clamour for the International Oil Companies, IOCs, to relocate their head office to the Niger Delta.

Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited too has been under pressure to relocate its head office from Lagos to Akwa Ibom State where the company is drilling oil.

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The workers of Enugu State under the auspices of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Thursday passed a vote of confidence on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for what they described as his administrations giant strides in just two years in office.

Rising from a one-day symposium organized by the state chapter of the TUC to assess the two-year performance of Governor Ugwuanyis administration in the state, the workers after listening to speeches delivered by the guest speakers, such as the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo and Chairman of Enugu State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ESCCIMA), Ugo Chime, unanimously said the governor had performed well in office.

Presenting their speeches, the speakers highlighted the achievements of Governor Ugwuanyi with emphasis on peace initiatives, security, good governance, workers welfare and infrastructural development especially in the rural areas of the state.

They noted that Enugu State has been enjoying peace and security of lives and property since the inception of the Governor Ugwuanyi administration, saying such feats have made it possible for the entrenchment of good governance in the state despite the current economic challenges in the country.

Mr. Nwodo noted that he was delighted at the kind of peace, love and unity being enjoyed in the state today, telling the workers that it was as a result of the above that none of you has been arrested or intimidated since the inauguration of this administartion.

He noted that in spite of the fact that Enugu State is third from the bottom in the federal allocation list, the governor has been able to execute numerous road projects mostly in the rural areas and installed street lights to the excitement of dwellers, among others.

Also speaking, the states Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Cornelius Nnaji, commended the governors achievements, adding he gave the Transitional Chairmen of the 17 Local Government Areas a free hand to manage our due allocations without any interference as seen in the transparent management of the Local Government share of the Paris Club refund used to offset arrears of salaries and pensions of council workers and pensioners.

The ESCCIMA Chairman said that Mr. Ugwuanyis good governance has attracted foreign investors to the state, disclosing that over N20 billion foreign investments are underway in Enugu State as a result of the conducive business environment created by the governor.

Earlier in his welcome address, the state Chairman of TUC, Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe, stated that the symposium themed Good Governance and the Development of Enugu State: A focus on the present administration was designed by the Congress to generate opinion pool from the various sectors of the economy of Enugu State on the performance of this administration.

In his response, Governor Ugwuanyi thanked the State Chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for deeming it fit and in collaboration with all the civil/public servants in Enugu State to organise this event.

According to the governor, we have always said (and I reaffirm), that we will forever be grateful to the organized labour and to all civil servants in Enugu State for the exceptional support and cooperation that they have offered my administration since inception.

They have indeed remained our trusted allies and partners in the quest to enthrone good governance in Enugu State and I must once again, express my gratitude for their kindness in conferring on me the award of The Most Labour Friendly Governor in the history of Enugu State during the last Workers day or May day celebrations.

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MIDDLE TOWNSHIP  The line stretched to the back of the store as volunteers hurried to restock merchandise and ring up customers Saturday at the Cape May Cape May County Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

Its amazing. I think were going to do 50 percent more revenue than our goal. It has been remarkable, Executive Director Shawn Lockyear said.

It was the first day of business at the ReStore after months of preparation.

The 16,000-square-foot ReStore inside a portion of the former Super Fresh in Cape May Court House works as a thrift store for building materials and large furniture. Proceeds are recycled into the nonprofit to help build more homes in the county.

By Saturday afternoon, Lockyear said, ReStore had sold more than 30 percent of its merchandise.

Outside, volunteers Richard Parkes and Dot Cinowski helped Crystal Gross move a blue-and-white patterned dresser to her car.

This is my anniversary gift. Im so excited, Gross said.

Gross, of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, was visiting family when her mother told her about the deals she got at ReStore earlier in the day. She was impressed with the store and its prices.

There are great pieces. People are friendly, she said. Its amazing.

The word amazing was used frequently to describe the organization Saturday.

Jessica Lloyd, of the Villas section of Lower Township, found the store through a Facebook post.

I love it. This place is awesome, she said.

Karen Thompson, the Habitat chapters first homebuyer, said having the ReStore is a great way for people to give to a worthy cause.

Where the moneys going to contribute to, thats the best part of it, she said.

Thompson said she just finished paying off her home in the Whitesboro section of Middle Township after 20 years.

I know in 20 years I would not have been able to pay it off if it wasnt for Habitat, she said. The support that you get is amazing.

Cape May County was the last of the Habitat chapters in New Jersey without a ReStore. Cape May County Habitat for Humanity also received an $85,000 economic development loan from Middle Township to finance the space.

Lockyear said Habitat had struggled to find a location big enough to fit its needs.

We wanted to be central in county, she said.

The landlord happened to rent to a ReStore in Pennsylvania, so he was familiar with it.

So we had a great situation, somebody that gets the power of the ReStore brand and then a great location, she said.

Volunteers began Jan. 1 to clean up the building, which had been vacant for several years.

It looks nothing like it used to, Lockyear said.

More than 155 volunteers contributed 5,200 hours of time to getting the store ready to open.
Shut down meat industry

Recently animal rights activists shut down the 146-year-old Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus after years of effectively exposing them for animal abuse. Can the meat and dairy industry be far behind?

The shift toward plant-based eating is everywhere. Fast-food chains offer plant-based options. Magazines tout vegan recipes.

Global Meat News reports that nearly half of consumers are reducing their meat intake. Beef consumption has dropped by 43 percent in the past 40 years.

Google CEO Eric Schmidt views replacement of meat by plant protein as a top technical trend. The financial investment community is betting on innovative start-ups, while warning clients about death of meat.

The industry needs to transition to plant-based foods, or shut down like the Greatest Show on Earth.

Pete Torrell

Pleasantville

Takeover benefits lawyers

State representatives, tasked with financially rehabilitating Atlantic City, are using taxpayers as their own personal piggy banks. Dictating terms and bypassing laws, opposing litigation against them is a near certainty. That way, they always cash out on the back end, with $400 phone calls and thousand dollar afternoons. Not to mention trying to sell off assets for a quick buck, losing millions in potential revenue.

Now state officials have their eyes on the Beach Patrol. Seasonal lifeguards can work a maximum 109 days this summer, but they say you need 120. This permanent pay freeze punishes working class lifeguards, many of whom are students, teachers and firefighters, for decades of reckless spending, caused by no fault of their own.

When will enough be enough? Without being held accountable, they will continue to do whatever they want simply because the takeover bill allows them to. The more discontent they create, the more we will be charged for their days in court. Atlantic City is finally on the rebound. Time for Atlantic County residents to start reaping the benefits, not lawyers in Trenton.

Terry Mooney

Mays Landing

Lock Trump up

President Donald Trump is the last person on this planet who should be calling someone crazy and a real nut job as he said about fired FBI Director James Comey. I am no Comey fan. Trump could be impeached or even resign for many issues. But if that does not happen, then he should be removed from office and locked up for mental problems. Under the Constitution, he could be removed for inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office. What a disgrace to the nations presidency.

Walter H. Johnson Jr.

Mays Landing

Syrian crematorium should be bombed

Recently people were shown satellite photos of a Syrian crematorium at a prison murder site.

There are aerial photos from 75 years ago from Allied and U.S. bombers flying over Auschwitz concentration camp in Germany, where about a million people were murdered and then cremated, to destroy the evidence of the atrocities. Bombing the train lines into the automated murder machine at Auschwitz would have slowed and disrupted the tragedy.

The U.S. should send in cruise missiles or another MOAB to show these murderers in Syria that it is on to them and will stop or slow the murder machine down.

David Sykes

Linwood
BAGSVRD, Denmark, June 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Poster Presentations #999-P, #1010-P, #1014-P

Findings from the real-world study, EU-TREAT (EUropean TREsiba AudiT), were presented today at the American Diabetes Association's 77th Scientific Sessions (ADA) in San Diego, US. The study showed that people with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes experienced a significant reduction in HbA 1c (-0.2% for type 1 diabetes and -0.5% for type 2 diabetes) six months after switching to Tresiba from another basal insulin, primarily insulin glargine U100 and insulin detemir, in a real-world setting. These results were sustained at 12 months.[1],[2]

Rates of overall hypoglycaemia were also significantly lower at six months after switching to Tresiba. In people with type 1 diabetes, the rate of severe hypoglycaemia was reduced by 85% and by 92% in people with type 2 diabetes. Hypoglycaemia outcomes at 12 months were in line with these results.[1],[2]

In addition, a significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose was observed at six months (-18.7 mg/dL for type 1 diabetes, and -23.7 mg/dL for type 2 diabetes) and maintained for 12 months.[1],[2] The total daily insulin dose also decreased significantly in people with type 1 diabetes (-4.9 units) and type 2 diabetes (-2.5 units) at six months, and remained stable at 12 months.[1],[2]

"Real-world studies are important to understand how outcomes from clinical trials translate into real-world practice," said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, executive vice president and chief science officer at Novo Nordisk. "Our real-world data presented at ADA reinforce what we have seen in the clinical trial programme, demonstrating improved glycaemic control and significantly reduced risk of hypoglycaemia when patients switched to Tresiba from other basal insulins such as insulin glargine and insulin detemir."

Also presented at ADA were analyses from the US, using the IBM Explorys platform, that similarly assessed the clinical effectiveness of switching from any other basal insulin to Tresiba in people with type 2 diabetes. After switching to Tresiba, HbA 1c decreased significantly (-0.75%), and the percentage of people reaching their target HbA 1c of <7% more than doubled (increased from 5.3% to 12.4% at 90 days). In addition, the proportion of people who experienced one or more hypoglycaemic events decreased from 7.3% to 6.9% with Tresiba.[3]

About Tresiba

Tresiba (insulin degludec) is a once-daily basal insulin that provides a duration of action beyond 42 hours with a flat and stable glucose-lowering effect.[4],[5] It provides low within-day and day-to-day variability and a lower risk of overall, nocturnal and severe hypoglycaemia vs. insulin glargine U100.[4],[6] On occasions when administration at the same time of day is not possible, Tresiba allows for flexibility in day-to-day dosing time with a minimum of eight hours between injections.[4] Tresiba received its first regulatory approval in September 2012 and has since been approved in more than 80 countries globally. It is now commercially available in more than 50 countries.

About EU-TREAT

EU-TREAT (EUropean TREsiba AudiT) is a European, multicentre, real-world evidence study (n=2,550) investigating the effect of switching to Tresiba from any other basal insulin in people with type 1 (n=1,717) and type 2 (n=833) diabetes. Patients were switched from any other basal insulin to Tresiba 6 months prior to data collection. Outcome measurements were collected at 63 and 123 months after initiation on Tresiba and was compared to baseline measurement taken from the prior basal insulin during a 3-month period prior to initiation on Tresiba.[1],[2]

About the US real-world study

The US real-world analysis is a retrospective cohort analysis using anonymised electronic records, medical billing and payor claims data from the IBM Explorys platform for people with type 2 diabetes (n=225). The IBM Explorys platform is a database which combines patient data from different sources across clinically integrated networks. People with type 2 diabetes who used a basal insulin 90 days prior to initiating Tresiba were included. Measurements were collected 90 days prior to, and 9045 days after, initiating Tresiba.[3]

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to help people defeat other serious chronic conditions: haemophilia, growth disorders and obesity. Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 42,000 people in 77 countries and markets its products in more than 165 countries. For more information, visit novonordisk.com , Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube

References

1. Siegmund T, Tentolouris N, Knudsen TS, et al. EU-TREAT 1: Switching to insulin degludec reduces the risk of hypoglycaemia in patients with T1DM in a real-world setting. Poster presentation. 77th American Diabetes Association (ADA), San Diego, California, US. June 2017.

2. Schultes B, Tentolouris N, Knudsen TS, et al.EU-TREAT 2: Switching to insulin degludec improves glycaemic control in patients with T2DM in a real-world setting. Poster presentation. 77thAmerican Diabetes Association (ADA), San Diego, California, US. June 2017.

3. Tibaldi J, Hansen B, Wolden ML, et al. Real-world assessment of clinical effectiveness when switching to insulin degludec from another basal insulin among type 2 diabetes patients in the US. Poster presentation. 77th American Diabetes Association (ADA), San Diego, California, US. June 2017.

4. EMA. Tresiba Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/EPAR_-_Product_Information/human/002498/WC500138940.pdf. Last accessed: May 2017.

5. Haahr H, Heise T. A review of the pharmacological properties of insulin degludec and their clinical relevance. Clinical Pharmacokinetics. 2014; 53:787-800.

6. Novo Nordisk. Tresiba demonstrates a safe cardiovascular profile and reduces the risk of severe hypoglycaemia compared to insulin glargine U100 in the DEVOTE trial. Company announcement 29 November 2016. Available at: http://www.novonordisk.com/media.html. Last accessed: May 2017.

Further information



Media:

Katrine Sperling

+45-4442-6718

krsp@novonordisk.com



Asa Josefsson

+45-3079-7708

aajf@novonordisk.com



Investors:

Peter Hugreffe Ankersen

+45-3075-9085

phak@novonordisk.com



Hanna Ogren

+45-3079-8519

haoe@novonordisk.com



Anders Mikkelsen

+45-3079-4461

armk@novonordisk.com



Kasper Veje (US)

+1-609-235-8567

kpvj@novonordisk.com



SOURCE Novo Nordisk
The transition from pediatric health care to adult health care is challenging for young people with T1D, partially due to the high level of self-care involved. Once patients make the change from pediatric to adult care, their success at effectively managing diabetes during adolescence often predicts their success and maintenance of A1C levels as a young adult. This study evaluated the benefit of a text messaging system on the teens' A1C levels (glycemic control). The text messaging system was designed to remind the teens to check blood glucose, and the teens receiving the text messaging intervention were compared with teens receiving a problem-solving intervention versus teens receiving standard care.

The study was a 12-month, randomized, controlled trial that enrolled 301 teenagers with T1D from two clinical sites in the U.S. The patients had an average age of 15 years and had lived with T1D for an average of 6.5 years. At the beginning of the study, the participants had an overall average A1C of 8.5 percent. Insulin pumps were used by 63 percent of the sample, and all patients were seen by their health providers quarterly.

All study participants were randomized to one of four groups. The first group, the text messaging (TM) group, received texts with daily reminders to check and to send reply texts with their blood glucose levels at self- selected times. The patients in the TM group started with one text on weekend days and gradually increased to a maximum of four texts daily. The second group, the problem-solving (PS) group, received five self-care modules that emphasized increased blood glucose monitoring and insulin bolus dosing (insulin dosing at mealtimes), as well as self-advocacy and transfer preparation. The third group, the TM+PS group, received both the text message and problem-solving interventions. The fourth group did not receive any intervention. There were 74 teens in the TM group; 74 teens in the PS group; 77 teens in the TM+PS group; and 76 teens in the standard care group

The research indicated that text message reminders appeared to preserve and potentially improve glycemic control. Additionally, in a multivariate mixed linear model, the frequency of response to text messages significantly predicted A1C levels (p<.003), while the problem solving intervention did not. During the 12-month period, the teens who responded to the majority of the text message remindersthose with a response rate of 68 to 100 percentdemonstrated the best glycemic control, with A1C levels an average of 8.1 percent. Further, the A1C benefit resulting from teens responding to the majority of text reminders was similar for teens in both the TM and TM+PS groups.

Researchers plan to further evaluate durability of the text messaging intervention on glycemic control over the next 6 to 12 months.

"It is important to recognize the challenges faced by teens with type 1 diabetes as they navigate increasing independence in self-care," said lead study author Lori Laffel, MD, MPH, chief of the Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult Section and senior investigator/co-head of the Section on Clinical, Behavioral and Outcomes Research at Joslin Diabetes Center; and professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. "Given the current landscape of cell phone use among teens, it is fitting to evaluate the potential impact of text message reminders aimed at assisting teens and young adults with their diabetes self-management as they transition from pediatric to adult diabetes care."

To speak with Dr. Laffel, please contact the Association's media relations team on-site at the San Diego Convention Center on June 9 - 13, by phone at 619-525-6250 or by email at [email protected].

The American Diabetes Association's 77th Scientific Sessions, to be held June 9-13, 2017, at the San Diego Convention Center, is the world's largest scientific meeting focused on diabetes research, prevention and care. During the five-day meeting, health care professionals have exclusive access to more than 2,500 original research presentations, participate in provocative and engaging exchanges with leading diabetes experts, and can earn Continuing Medical Education (CME) or Continuing Education (CE) credits for educational sessions. The program is grouped into eight interest areas: Acute and Chronic Complications; Behavioral Medicine, Clinical Nutrition, Education and Exercise; Clinical Diabetes/Therapeutics; Epidemiology/Genetics; Immunology/Transplantation; Insulin Action/Molecular Metabolism; Integrated Physiology/Obesity; and Islet Biology/Insulin Secretion. Brenda Montgomery, RN, MSHS, CDE,1 President of Health Care and Education, will deliver her address on Saturday, June 10, and Alvin C. Powers, MD, President of Medicine and Science, will present his address on Sunday, June 11. Eight abstracts were selected by the Scientific Sessions Meeting Planning Committee to be presented on Tuesday, June 13, in the President's Oral Session. These abstracts represent important research being conducted in the field of diabetes today. In total, the 2017 Scientific Sessions includes 378 abstracts in 49 oral sessions; 2,152 poster presentations including 50 moderated poster discussions; and 360 published-only abstracts. Join the Scientific Sessions conversation on Twitter, #2017ADA.

About the American Diabetes Association

More than 29 million Americans have diabetes, and every 23 seconds another person is diagnosed with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association (Association) is the global authority on diabetes and since 1940 has been committed to its mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. To tackle this global public health crisis, the Association drives discovery in research to treat, manage and prevent all types of diabetes, as well as to search for cures; raises voice to the urgency of the diabetes epidemic; and provides support and advocacy for people living with diabetes, those at risk of developing diabetes and the health care professionals who serve them. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both of these sources is available in English and Spanish. Find us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).

194-LB Text-Message Intervention for Teens with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) Preserves A1C: Results of an RCT

77th Scientific Sessions

News Briefing: Youth with Diabetes, Saturday, June 10, 4:00 p.m. PT

Presentation: Late-Breaking Poster Session

Location: Hall B

Session Time: Sunday, June 11, 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Authors: LORI M . LAFFEL , LISA K. VOLKENING, WENDY L. LEVY, DEBORAH A. BUTLER, BARBARA J. ANDERSON, Boston, MA, Houston, TX

Healthcare transition for young persons with T1D remains challenging; success in adult care (visit frequency and A1c) post-transfer is best predicted by self-management during adolescence. We aimed to support self-care during transition and assessed the impact on A1c of 2 interventions, text messaging (TM) and problem-solving (PS), in a 2x2 factorial design.

In a 12-month, 2-site RCT, 301 teens (50% male, 22% minority) were randomized to TM, PS, TM+PS, or neither. At baseline, teens were 15.01.3 y/o with T1D for 6.51.3 yr; mean A1c 8.51.1%, 63% pump-treated; groups did not differ by baseline characteristics. All participants were seen quarterly. TM group received 2-way texts with daily reminders to check and reply with BG levels at self-selected times, starting with 1 text/day and gradually increasing to a max of 4 texts/day. The PS group received 5 modules focused on self-care emphasizing increased BG monitoring and insulin bolus dosing as well as self-advocacy and transfer preparation. Over 1 year, A1c increased overall to 8.71.2% (p<.008). In a multivariate mixed model, frequency of response to TM significantly predicted A1c (p<.003, Figure), while PS did not. A1c benefit in the TM+PS was similar to that in the TM group.

With heightened mobile use by teens, 2-way TM appears to preserve and may improve glycemic control in teens in T1D. Continued texting through transition may offer a means to support self-care post-transfer.

Author Disclosures: L.M. Laffel: Consultant; Author; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Dexcom, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute, LLC, LifeScan, Inc., Menarini Diagnostics, Novo Nordisk Inc., Roche Diagnostics, Sanofi US, Oshadi, Animas Corporation. L.K. Volkening: None. W.L. Levy: None. D.A. Butler: None. B.J. Anderson: Advisory Panel; Author; Sanofi. Consultant; Author; Sanofi, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. Research Support; Author; National Institutes of Health, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

1 Disclosures for Brenda Montgomery. Employer: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. Montgomery's role as President, Health Care & Education of the American Diabetes Association (Association) is a voluntary position to which she was elected by the members of the Association in 2015. She continues to recuse herself from any and all discussions, decisions or votes that have or could be perceived as having a conflict of interest with her employer.

SOURCE American Diabetes Association

Related Links

http://www.diabetes.org


LUXEMBOURG, June 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Consolidated Energy Finance S.A. (the "Company") announced today that all of its outstanding $200,000,000 Floating Rate Notes due 2019 (the "Floating Rate Notes) and $884,440,000 of its outstanding 6.75% Senior Notes due 2019 (the "Fixed Rate Notes" and together with the Floating Rate Notes, the "Notes") were validly tendered by holders of the Notes at or prior to the early tender deadline of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 9, 2017 (the "Early Tender Deadline"), pursuant to the Company's previously announced cash tender offer (the "Tender Offer") to purchase up to $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount (the "Floating Rate Notes Maximum Tender Amount") of its Floating Rate Notes and up to $551,200,000 aggregate principal amount (the "Fixed Rate Notes Maximum Tender Amount" and, together with the Floating Rate Notes Maximum Tender Amount, the "Maximum Tender Amount") of its Fixed Rate Notes. The Tender Offer is being made pursuant to the offer to purchase dated May 26, 2017, as supplemented by the release dated May 31, 2017 and this release (the "Offer to Purchase").

Since the aggregate principal amount of the Fixed Rate Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn exceeded the Fixed Rate Notes Maximum Tender Amount, the Company will only accept for purchase Fixed Rate Notes up to the Fixed Rate Notes Maximum Tender Amount. The Company will prorate the Fixed Rate Notes accepted for purchase using a proration factor of approximately 60.6%. If after proration is applied and proration causes the returned Fixed Rate Notes to fall below the minimum denomination of $200,000, the returned Fixed Rate Notes would be accepted in full.

The following table summarizes the early tender results as of the Early Tender Deadline and the aggregate principal amount of Notes that the Company has accepted for purchase:

Title of Security CUSIP / ISIN Outstanding

Aggregate

Principal Amount Total

Consideration(1)(2) Principal Amount

Tendered at Early

Tender Deadline Principal Amount

Accepted for

Purchase at Early

Tender Deadline Senior Floating

Rate Notes due

2019 Reg S: L1957QAA8 / USL1957QAA87 Rule 144A: 20914UAA4 / US20914UAA43 $200,000,000 $1,000.00 $200,000,000 $200,000,000 6.75% Senior

Notes due 2019 Reg S: L1957QAB6 / USL1957QAB60 Rule 144A: 20914UAB2 / US20914UAB26 $1,050,000,000 $1,034.50 $884,440,000 $551,200,000











_____________________ (1) Per $1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and accepted for payment. (2) Includes the Early Tender Payment of $30 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes.

The Company has accepted for purchase (i) $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its Floating Rate Notes and (ii) $551,200,000 aggregate principal amount of its Fixed Rate Notes validly tendered prior and not withdrawn to the Early Tender Deadline. The early settlement date on which the Company will make payment for such Notes accepted in the Tender Offer is expected to be on June 12, 2017 (the "Early Settlement Date"). The total cash payment to purchase the accepted Notes on the Early Settlement Date will be approximately $777.6 million.

The Tender Offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions as described in the Offer to Purchase in relation to the Tender Offer that is being sent to holders of the Notes, including (1) the successful closing of the offering of new senior notes on terms reasonably acceptable to the Company, and (2) certain general conditions, in each case as described in more detail in the Offer to Purchase. If any of the conditions are not satisfied, the Company may terminate the Tender Offer and return tendered Notes, may waive unsatisfied conditions and accept for payment and purchase all validly tendered Notes.

Holders of Notes that validly tendered their Notes on or prior to the Early Tender Deadline and whose Notes have been accepted for purchase are entitled to receive the "Total Consideration" for each $1,000 principal amount of (i) Floating Rate Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer in an amount equal to $1,000.00 and (ii) Fixed Rate Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer in an amount equal to $1,034.50, which each include an "Early Tender Payment" of $30.00 per $1,000 principal amount of Floating Rate Notes and Fixed Rate Notes, as applicable. Holders of Notes who validly tendered their Notes on or prior to the Early Tender Deadline and whose Notes have been accepted for purchase will also receive accrued and unpaid interest on their accepted Notes from the last interest payment date to, but not including, the Early Settlement Date.

All Notes purchased pursuant to the Tender Offer will be cancelled.

The Tender Offer will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on June 23, 2017, unless extended or earlier terminated by the Company. Because the Tender Offer has been fully subscribed as of the Early Tender Deadline, holders of Notes who tender Notes after the Early Tender Deadline will not have any of their Notes accepted for purchase. Any Notes tendered after the Early Tender Deadline, together with tendered Fixed Rate Notes that are not accepted for purchase due to proration, will be promptly returned or credited to the holders thereof as described in the Offer to Purchase.

The complete terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are set forth in the Offer to Purchase. Holders are urged to read the Offer to Purchase carefully.

The Company has engaged Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC to act as dealer manager (the "Dealer Manager") for the Tender Offer. Persons with questions regarding the Tender Offer should contact Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC toll-free at (800) 624-1808 or collect at (212) 761-1057. Requests for documents should be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc., acting as tender and information agent (the "Tender and Information Agent") for the Tender Offer, at (212) 269-5550 (for banks and brokers) or (888) 605-1958 (for noteholders) or by email at [email protected].

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to purchase with respect to any of the Notes. The Tender Offer is being made pursuant to the Tender Offer documents, including the Offer to Purchase that the Company is distributing to holders of the Notes. The Tender Offer is not being made to holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or other laws of such jurisdiction. None of the Company, the Dealer Manager, the Tender and Information Agent or their respective affiliates is making any recommendation as to whether or not holders should tender all or any portion of their Notes in the Tender Offer.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this news release which describe the Company's intentions, expectations, beliefs or predictions may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements preceded by, followed by, or including the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," or similar expressions. Examples of forward looking statements in this news release are statements about the expected size and timing of the Tender Offer. The Company cautions that, by their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty and the Company's actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. The Company does not intend, and the Company disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ from the results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include, among other things the risks described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company Report dated May 23, 2017.

SOURCE Consolidated Energy Finance S.A.
MAYWOOD, Ill., June 9, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Grateful for the life-saving care they received at Loyola Medicine, Peter and Heidi Huizenga have made a generous gift to further oncology research and to honor Kathy Albain, MD, FACP, FASCO.

The gift will fund the Huizenga Family Endowed Chair in Oncology Research at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Dr. Albain is the first professor to hold the chair.

"The appointment to a named and endowed chair is among the highest academic recognitions for a University faculty member. Dr. Albain is an accomplished clinician scientist who is dedicated to improving human health, and we are thrilled to be presenting her with this most deserving honor," said Margaret Faut Callahan, CRNA, PhD, FNAP, FAAN, provost, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division.

An investiture ceremony for Dr. Albain was held May 31 at Loyola University Chicago's Center for Translational Research and Education in Maywood.

The gift will enable Dr. Albain to devote more time to cancer research, said Larry M. Goldberg, president & CEO of Loyola University Health System. "This gift also is in recognition of the outstanding contributions Dr. Albain has made as a physician, researcher, teacher and mentor."

Mrs. Huizenga credits Dr. Albain for successfully treating her for cancer and twice saving her life. First, in 2003, Dr. Albain diagnosed and treated Mrs. Huizenga for breast cancer. In a follow-up exam two years later, Dr. Albain discovered tumors in Mrs. Huizenga's neck, which proved to be an indolent form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In 2008, an inoperable tumor was found on the optic nerve of Mrs. Huizenga's eye. The tumor could not be biopsied, but Dr. Albain's earlier diagnosis helped identify the growth as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The cancer was treated successfully by Patrick Stiff, MD, director of Loyola's Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center.

Dr. Albain has become Mrs. Huizenga's close friend as well as her physician.

"Kathy treats the body and nurtures the human spirit," Mrs. Huizenga said. "She takes time with each patient, listens to their concerns and makes the correct diagnosis. Dr. Albain carries this dedication, thoroughness and work ethic into her research. Her strong Christian commitment also is very evident in her professional life."

Peter Huizenga added, "Heidi and I are very pleased to support Dr. Albain's contributions in research and medical services. The endowed chair provides her with the recognition and resources she so richly deserves. She has been a great help to me as well."

Dr. Albain said the therapies used to treat Mrs. Huizenga were made possible by the type of research the Huizenga endowed chair will fund.

"I'm extremely honored to be appointed to the first Huizenga endowed chair," Dr. Albain said. "I greatly appreciate the Huizenga family's support, both for my research and for that of faculty members who will hold this chair in the future."

Dr. Albain is a professor in the division of hematology/oncology in the department of medicine of Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. She is director of Loyola's breast clinical research program, co-director of the multidisciplinary breast oncology center and director of the thoracic oncology program.

Dr. Albain is a leader in national clinical trials of new treatments for breast and lung cancer. She also studies cancer survivorship. She chaired the Committee on Special Populations for SWOG, a National Cancer Institute cooperative research group, since the committee's inception. Dr. Albain is a member of SWOG's working groups for breast and lung cancer, devoting her career to research in both diseases, and also sits on SWOG's Cancer Prevention and Control Executive Committee. She is a member of the international Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group and its Steering Committee. She served on the National Cancer Institute Concept Evaluation Panel for lung cancer. She was a charter member of the NIH Committee on Research on Women's Health and completed a four-year term on the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee of the FDA, followed by service as a consultant to the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

Dr. Albain is an author of nearly 200 publications in peer-reviewed journals and textbooks. She is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) and a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO).

Dr. Albain was co-valedictorian of her high school and graduated summa cum laude from Wheaton College. She earned her medical degree from University of Michigan Medical School. Dr. Albain completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center and a fellowship in hematology/oncology at University of Chicago. She was granted tenure at Loyola in 2005 and appointed Dean's Scholar in 2011.

Dr. Albain is a member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in River Forest, Illinois and enjoys travel, reading and fitness training.

Mrs. Huizenga is a graduate of DePauw University. She has served on the board of Loyola's president's advisory council and has volunteered with many Christian, civic and educational organizations, including Prison Fellowship, which was founded by Chuck Colson. The Huizengas live in Oak Brook, Illinois and have four children and 10 grandchildren.

Mr. Huizenga graduated from University of Illinois College of Law in 1963 and practiced law for eight years. During that time he became one of the founders of Waste Management, where he spent a career as vice president, secretary and member of the board of directors. In 1990, Mr. Huizenga retired from Waste Management and established Huizenga Capital Management, an Oak Brook-based financial services business. He also has chaired and served on many civic, educational and Christian organizations.

Provided by Newswise, online resource for knowledge-based news at www.newswise.com

Jim Ritter, 708-216-2445, [email protected]

SOURCE Loyola University Health System

Related Links

http://loyolamedicine.org


SAN DIEGO, June 9, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Males who are overweight in childhood but achieve normal weight as young adults do not have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in adulthood, compared to men who were never overweight, according to a study titled "Are Adverse Effects of Child Overweight on Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Reversible by Remission to Normal Weight in Young Adulthood?" presented today at the American Diabetes Association's 77th Scientific Sessions at the San Diego Convention Center.

Being overweight in childhood and young adulthood is typically associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. To determine whether overweight boys who normalize their weight from age 7-18 could reverse the negative impact of being overweight in childhood, this study examined the links between overweight patterns defined as combinations of weight status in childhood and young adulthood, and later development of type 2 diabetes.

The study, part of the DynaHEALTH project, funded by the European Commission's Horizon 2020 program, analyzed the health data of 62,565 men from the Copenhagen School Health Records Register in Denmark, and the Danish Conscription Database, who had weight and height measured at the age of seven, and in young adulthood (17-26 years). The study defined "overweight" based upon the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for childhood obesity and the World Health Organization Body Mass Index (BMI) classifications for young adulthood.

The research analysis indicates that being overweight in childhood (5.4 percent of the men) and in young adulthood (8.2 percent of the men) was associated with increased risks of type 2 diabetes (HR 7years =1.53 [1.40-1.68]; HR adult =2.96 [2.78-3.15]). A total of 6,710 of the men were classified as having type 2 diabetes at 30 years of age or older, according to the Danish National Patient Register. While 40 percent of the males in the study who were overweight as children were also overweight in young adulthood, boys who normalized their weight by young adulthood had a comparable risk of type 2 diabetes as men who were never overweight (HR=1.01 [0.87-1.16]). Men who were persistently overweight or became overweight as young adults had three times the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as compared with non-overweight men who were overweight as children (HR=2.88 [2.40, 3.44] and HR=2.95 [2.53, 3.45] respectively). Hazard ratios (HR) and 95 percent confidence intervals were estimated by Cox regressions.

"These findings suggest that adverse metabolic health consequences of being overweight in childhood may possibly be reversed," said the study's lead author Lise G. Bjerregaard, PhD, postdoctoral research fellow in the department of clinical epidemiology, Frederiksberg Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark. "We expected that overweight boys who reach normal weight by age 18 could reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, we were excited to discover that achieving normal weight by young adulthood resulted in the same risk level as men who had always been of normal weight."

"Our results highlight the need for normalizing weight among overweight children before they reach adulthood," explained Bjerregaard. "Prevention and treatment interventions of overweight pediatric populations should be a priority in many countries around the world, especially where there are higher incidences of obese children and rising rates of type 2 diabetes."

To speak with Dr. Bjerregaard, please contact the Association's media relations team on-site at the San Diego Convention Center on June 9 - 13, by phone at 619-525-6250 or by email at [email protected]

The American Diabetes Association's 77th Scientific Sessions, to be held June 9-13, 2017, at the San Diego Convention Center, is the world's largest scientific meeting focused on diabetes research, prevention and care. During the five-day meeting, health care professionals have exclusive access to more than 2,500 original research presentations, participate in provocative and engaging exchanges with leading diabetes experts, and can earn Continuing Medical Education (CME) or Continuing Education (CE) credits for educational sessions. The program is grouped into eight interest areas: Acute and Chronic Complications; Behavioral Medicine, Clinical Nutrition, Education and Exercise; Clinical Diabetes/Therapeutics; Epidemiology/Genetics; Immunology/Transplantation; Insulin Action/Molecular Metabolism; Integrated Physiology/Obesity; and Islet Biology/Insulin Secretion. Brenda Montgomery, RN, MSHS, CDE, President of Health Care and Education[1], will deliver her address on Saturday, June 10, and Alvin C. Powers, MD, President of Medicine and Science, will present his address on Sunday, June 11. Eight abstracts were selected by the Scientific Sessions Meeting Planning Committee to be presented on Tuesday, June 13, in the President's Oral Session. These abstracts represent important research being conducted in the field of diabetes today. In total, the 2017 Scientific Sessions includes 378 abstracts in 49 oral sessions; 2,152 poster presentations including 50 moderated poster discussions; and 360 published-only abstracts.

About the American Diabetes Association

More than 29 million Americans have diabetes, and every 23 seconds another person is diagnosed with diabetes. The American Diabetes Association (Association) is the global authority on diabetes and since 1940 has been committed to its mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. To tackle this global public health crisis, the Association drives discovery in research to treat, manage and prevent all types of diabetes, as well as to search for cures; raises voice to the urgency of the diabetes epidemic; and provides support and advocacy for people living with diabetes, those at risk of developing diabetes and the health care professionals who serve them. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both of these sources is available in English and Spanish. Find us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).

11-OR Are Adverse Effects of Child Overweight on Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Reversible by Remission to Normal Weight in Young Adulthood?

77th Scientific Sessions

News Briefing: Youth with Diabetes, Saturday, June 10, 4:00 p.m. PT

Oral Presentation: Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in ChildrenWhat's New?

Location: 23

Session Time: Friday, June 9, 2017, 4:15 - 6:15 p.m.

Authors: LISE G. BJERREGAARD , BRITT W. JENSEN, LARS ANGQUIST, MERETE OSLER, THORKILD I.A. SRENSEN, JENNIFER L. BAKER, Frederiksberg, Denmark, Glostrup, Denmark

Background and Aim: Childhood overweight is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. It remains unclear whether children who grow out of their overweight reverse the adverse effects of childhood overweight. We studied associations between overweight patterns defined as combinations of weight status in childhood and young adulthood and development of type 2 diabetes later in life.

Material and Methods: We included 62,565 men who had weight and height measured at age 7 years and in young adulthood (17-26 years) available from the Copenhagen School Health Records Register and the Danish Conscription Database. Overweight was defined by Center for Disease Control (childhood) and World Health Organization BMI classifications (young adulthood). Type 2 diabetes status (age 30 years) was obtained from the National Patient Register (n=6,710). Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated by Cox regressions.

Results: Overweight in childhood (5.4%) and in young adulthood (8.2%) were associated with increased risks of type 2 diabetes (HR 7years =1.53 [1.40-1.68]; HR adult =2.96 [2.78-3.15]). Only 40% of boys who were overweight as children were also overweight in young adulthood. Boys who grew out of their overweight had a similar risk of type 2 diabetes as men who were never overweight (HR=1.01 [0.87-1.16]). Men who were persistently overweight or became overweight in young adulthood had a 3-fold increased risk of type 2 diabetes as compared with non-overweight men who were overweight as children (HR=2.88 [2.40, 3.44] and HR=2.95 [2.53, 3.45] respectively).

Conclusion: Overweight boys who grow out of their overweight do not carry an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in adulthood as compared with men who were never overweight. These findings suggest that adverse metabolic health consequences of childhood overweight are reversible and underscore the potential beneficial effects of treatment interventions in overweight pediatric populations.

Author Disclosures:

L.G. Bjerregaard: None. B.W. Jensen: None. L. Angquist: None. M. Osler: None. T.I.A. Srensen: None. J.L. Baker: None.

[1] Disclosures for Brenda Montgomery. Employer: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. Montgomery's role as President, Health Care & Education of the American Diabetes Association (Association) is a voluntary position to which she was elected by the members of the Association in 2015. She continues to recuse herself from any and all discussions, decisions or votes that have or could be perceived as having a conflict of interest with her employer.

SOURCE American Diabetes Association

Related Links

http://www.diabetes.org


Chennai, Jun 10 (IBNS): Very soon, pregnant women in Tamil Nadu will be required to enroll with the state health department, according to media reports.

The state government plans to make the registration mandatory starting July, media reports said.

This will ensure that women undergo safe pregnancy and childbirth, the media quoted the health officials as saying.

The registration will be helpful in tracking the expectant mother's health records by the health department, media reported.

According to reports, if a woman fails to register, the child's birth will also not be registered, which means the child will not have a birth certificate.



Women can register by calling a non-emergency medical number, 102, or through any private hospital, reports said.

Media quoted health secretary J Radhakrishnan as saying, "It's an ambitious project that attempts to bring down maternal and infant mortality rates by keeping a tab on every pregnant woman in the state."

According to media reports, the Tamil Nadu government has been has been testing a special platform called Pregnancy Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluations (PICME), in three districts the state for the past one year.
New York, June 6 : Oil prices settled lower on Monday as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East raised market concerns.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing the Gulf state of supporting and financing "terrorism" as well as interfering in their internal affairs.

The decision of a number of Arab countries to sever diplomatic relations with gas-rich Qatar would impose a strict regional isolation on Doha and raised concerns about a global deal to reduce oil production, Xinhua quoted analysts as saying.

The West Texas Intermediate for July delivery lost $0.26 to settle at $47.40 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for August delivery erased 0.48 dollar to close at $49.47 a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.
Lucknow, June 8 : The mastermind of the communal clashes in Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh has been arrested from Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Uttar Pradesh Police.

Chandrashekhar alias Ravana, head of Bhim Sena, a regional caste based outfit working for Dalits, has been taken on a transit remand and is being brought to Uttar Pradesh, a police officer here said.

A cash reward of Rs 12,000 was placed on his head. Chandrashekhar is accused of inciting clashes between Dalits and Thakurs in Saharanpur, which led to violence later and claimed a few lives.

He had a non-bailable arrest warrant issued against him and had been in hiding. Political parties have been accusing each other of patronising Chandrashekhar.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati has alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was using the Bhim Sena leader to bait Dalits against her party.

The BJP, however, rebutted the charges and said it was an offshoot of the BSP and Mayawati, worried of her slipping vote base, was using Chandrashekhar to defame the Yogi Adityanath government in the state.

Chandrashekhar was named the prime accused by the police on May 9, alleging he led a violent attack on a police station, vandalised government property, set afire many cars and bikes, and attacked the police.
Bengaluru, June 8 : Delayed by a week, the southwest monsoon has hit coastal and south interior Karnataka and is expected to cover the entire state in two days, the India Meteorological Centre - Bengaluru said on Thursday.

The Bengaluru Met Centre confirmed the onset of monsoon after assessing rainfall on Wednesday and the early hours of Thursday.

"The southwest monsoon has arrived in south interior Karnataka and coastal Karnataka. Some parts of north interior Karnataka received rainfall on Thursday," India Meteorological Centre - Bengaluru Director M. Sundar Metri said.

According to IMD sources, the southwest monsoon arrived in Kerala on May 30 and it was supposed to hit Karnataka on June 5 but got delayed due to the low pressure off the Arabian Sea.

Most parts of southern and coastal Karnataka experienced heavy rain. Coastal Karnataka received 27 mm rainfall on Thursday while north interior Karnataka received 26 mm rainfall. South interior Karnataka received 13 mm rainfall.

The IMD forecast generally cloudy sky with light rain or drizzle in Bengaluru for Thursday and Friday.

"Till now, the rainfall is normal. We will caution people when the rainfall crosses region-wise rainfall thresholds," Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre Director G.S. Srinivasa Reddy said.
Brussels, June 10 : European Council President Donald Tusk on Friday congratulated British Prime Minister Theresa May on her reappointment, underscoring that Brussels and London should press ahead with the Brexit talks.

"Our shared responsibility and urgent task now is to conduct the negotiations on the UK's withdrawal from the European Union in the best possible spirit, securing the least disruptive outcome for our citizens, businesses and countries after March 2019," Tusk said in his congratulation letter to May.

"The time frame set by Article 50 of the Treaty leaves us with no time to lose. I am fully committed to maintaining regular and close contact at our level to facilitate the work of our negotiators," he added.

European Commission President Jean Claude-Juncker, also said earlier on Friday in Prague that the EU "can open negotiation tomorrow morning at 09.30."

"We are waiting for visitors coming from London. I hope that we will not experience a further delay in the conclusion of these negotiations," Juncker said at a joint press conference together with Bohuslav Sobotka, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, and Rose Gottemoeller, NATO Deputy Secretary-General, following a high-level conference on defence and security.

"First, we have to agree on the divorce and exit modalities and then we have to envisage the architecture of our future relations. I do hope that the result of the elections will have no major impact on the negotiations we are desperately waiting for," he said.

May confirmed Friday afternoon she will form a Westminster government, helped by members of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

Speaking minutes after a 15-minute audience at Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth, May announced her plan outside 10 Downing Street.

She said the Conservatives and the DUP, "having enjoyed a strong relationship over many years", will work together.

The 318 seats won by the Conservatives in the election on Thursday, plus the 10 DUP seats will give May the majority she needs in the House of Commons.

In the election the Conservatives won most seats, but short of winning enough for an overall majority.
Dubai, June 10 : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) top diplomat said on Friday that the list issued on Thursday of 59 individuals and 12 organisations linked to terrorism gives Qatar a chance to change its policy.

The list is an opportunity for Qatar "to change direction away from petulance and escalation," after the list of Qatar-linked "terrorists and terror groups" was issued by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, Anwar Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said on his twitter account, Xinhua reported.

A solution can only be achieved "through diplomacy, not resort to 'ally' Turkish and Iranian, and the starting point addresses concerns of siblings about their security and stability targeted policy," he added.

"Despite the difficulty of the crisis on the Gulf and its people, but in clear relief, it is difficult to deal with a partner in his duplicity to undermine world partners," Gargash noted.

Iran has offered to provide food to Qatar after Saudi Arabia closed the country's only land border and its own airspace for Qatari aircraft.

On Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ratified a fast-track decision by the Turkish parliament to send up to 5,000 troops to Qatar.
Los Angeles, June 10 : Actress Rachel Weisz says she was a wild child and was expelled from her school because of her behaviour.

"I was very badly behaved and was expelled from school, although my mother likes to say, 'They asked you to leave,' which is an important distinction," Weisz said on "The Graham Norton Show", reports dailymail.co.uk.

"I didn't do just one bad thing. It was multiple things. I had an authority problem and was very disruptive," she added.

The 47-year-old appeared on the show on Thursday to promote her new film "My Cousin Rachel".

"When I first read the script I asked the director about my character and did she or didn't she murder her husband? He said, 'I don't know. It's a mystery.' So, I had to make a decision on what she was up to in order to play her, but I didn't ever tell anyone on set," Weisz said.
Brasilia, June 10 : Brazil's top electoral court has voted against a decision that could have potentially stripped Brazilian President Michel Temer off his presidency.

President of the Supreme Electoral Court Gilmar Mendes on Friday broke a three-three tie between the other six judges on the panel to absolve Temer of illegal campaign financing charges, Xinhua news agency reported.

It was alleged that Temer had used the illegal financing to secure a win in the 2014 presidential elections when he ran as Vice President and Dilma Rousseff as President.

Rousseff was impeached in 2016, putting Temer in charge, but if their electoral victory had been ruled invalid and nullified, his current status as president would have come under fire.

Judge Herman Benjamin, the rapporteur for the case, had said earlier in the day that sufficient evidence existed to invalidate the electoral outcome.

Benjamin presented e-mails, testimony, bank records and other proof linking the winning ticket to corporate interests that made secret campaign contributions.

His arguments swayed two of the other judges, but fell short of consensus.

The trial was the first of its kind in Brazil.
Berlin, June 10 : Chancellor Angela Merkel said that as a federal government and a member of the European Union (EU), Germany is prepared for Brexit negotiations, after the UK general election came to an end.

"We are preparing for Brexit. We will wait for the results of these elections but meetings (on Brexit) are going to begin and we are going to defend the interests of the 27 countries which will be in the EU in the future," Merkel said on Friday.

The Chancellor did not comment on elections that concluded on Friday, in which British Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative Party lost the absolute majority.

The party won 318 seats, eight less than the total 326 required, which forced her to join hands with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party.

On the other hand, Merkel also stressed that the EU will hope to continue to be the UK's partner.

"From our side, we are ready for the talks, we are prepared (...) I understand that the UK is going to respect the timetable. We want to do it (Brexit) fast, respecting the timetable. As of now, I don't see any obstacles for negotiations to start as expected," said Merkel.

The Brexit negotiations are slated to begin on June 19.
San Francisco, June 10 : Google which until now used to prompt users to confirm whether they were robots is now rolling out a new application programming interface (API) that will radically simplify the reCAPTCHA experience.

Google's reCAPTCHA is a free service that protects website from spam and abuse. reCAPTCHA uses an advanced risk analysis engine and adaptive CAPTCHAs to keep automated software from engaging in abusive activities on your site.

The company is also bringing its bot-fighting programme to Android and the mobile version will launch with "Invisible reCAPTCHA", meaning websites will be able to tell you are not a bot automatically.

"On websites using this new API, a significant number of users will be able to securely and easily verify they are human without actually having to solve a CAPTCHA. Instead, with just a single click, they will confirm they are not a robot," said Vinay Shet, Product Manager, reCAPTCHA, Google, in a blog post.

Today's Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology can solve even the most difficult variant of distorted text at 99.8 per cent accuracy. Thus distorted text, on its own, is no longer a dependable test, the post added.

To counter this, last year Google has developed an "Advanced Risk Analysis" backend for reCAPTCHA that actively considers a user's entire engagement with the CAPTCHA -- before, during, and after -- to determine whether that user is a human.

With the new API humans can just check the box and in most cases, they are through the challenge of typing the text.

"This new API also lets us experiment with new types of challenges that are easier for us humans to use, particularly on mobile devices. Early adopters, like Snapchat, WordPress, Humble Bundle, and several others are already seeing great results with this new API," added Shet.
Srinagar, June 10 : A civilian was injured on Saturday in a militant attack on security forces on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

A civilian moving in his car was injured when militants fired at two vehicles of security forces plying on the national highway in Vesu area of Anantnag district, a police official said.

"The injured civilian has been shifted to hospital and his condition is stable," the official said.

Militants had ambushed an army convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway in Lower Munda area earlier in the month killing two personnel.
Image: Screen Grab form YouTube

New Delhi, Jun 10 (IBNS): In a rebuttal to union minister M Venkaiah Naidu's jab, where the senior BJP leader accused the Congress of politicising the Madhya Pardesh farmer's agitation, the latter said it is not responsible for the worsening scenario and blamed the government instead.

Congress leader PL Punia was quoted by the ANI news agency as saying that the saffron brigade has ordered the police to open fire at farmers.

"Congress leader P.L. Punia said, "Why will Congress spoil the situation in Madhya Pradesh when the BJP is ordering the police to open fire at the farmers that is leading to their death and creating coax in the state? This allegation has rightly proved that the Government does not consider the farmers, poor and the Dalits as a priority in the country," he told the agency.

Another Congress leader P.C. Chacko has asked the centre to look into their own stable before pointing fingers at others.

"Whether it is Venkaiah Naidu or the BJP Government, their certificate or opinion is not important for the Congress party. We strongly feel that the farmers are on the war path and they are genuinely raising their voices. Firstly, the BJP should understand that the Congress is not instigating this act of violence, but the farmers have not been getting their price from the Government, which the Centre should look into," he was quoted as saying by ANI.

Meanwhile, MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will go on an indefinite fast, starting from Saturday morning, in an order to restore peace in the agitation-hit state.

The agitation started after at least six farmers were killed in a police firing in Mandsaur city of Madhya Pradesh.

It snowballed further after Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi tried to reach the place and was detained in the process, however, he was released later.

A video of a Congress MLA inciting an angry mob to perform arson attack has also done the rounds.

The MLA in question, Shakuntala Khatik, was seen inciting the mob into torching a police station.
Kohima, June 10 : Shangwang Shanyung Khaplang, chairman of the Myanmar-based Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland who died on Friday night, in his last will urged the younger generation of Nagas to continue "to hold the torch of freedom".

Khaplang died at the NSCN-K council headquarters in Takka in Myanmar's Sagaing Division.

In his last will, Khaplang said: "I have done my part for the freedom of my people with the little capacity God has given me. And now, the younger generations of Nagaland need to continue the legacy left to you, like passed down to us by the elders. Never waver nor be carried away by the ideologies of the aliens that Nagas do not deserve to be a Nation."

"As a human, I have done many wrongs and forgive me all my failures in this noble venture of our cherished freedom. My sons and daughters, please continue to hold on the torch of our freedom until we reach the promised land," Khaplang said in his will.

"I have stood under the banner of 'Nagaland for Christ' with the hope that my people may see both physical and spiritual freedom from the oppression of the ruthless occupiers," he added.

Khaplang, 77, who was popularly known as "Baba", belonged to the Hemi Naga tribe from Myanmar's Eastern Naga Hills in Sagaing Division. He had been ailing for quite sometime and also underwent medical treatment in the Yangon Civil General Hospital.

"He had protected the Naga nation from the occupational forces in the best way he can in the interest of the Naga people," a senior NSCN-K leader, who did not wish to be identified, told IANS.

The powerful rebel leader had two homes - one in China's Yunan province and another in Myanmar. He leaves behind four children, including a daughter. None of them are involved in the armed struggle.

Born in April 1940, in Waktham village in Myanmar, Khaplang sheltered at least seven rebel groups from India's Northeast in his bases in Myanmar's thickly forested Sagaing Region, bordering India. He was also chairman of the United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia (UNLFW), an umbrella organisation of various northeast-based militant groups.

Khaplang started the Naga armed struggle in the early 60s by forming the Naga Defence Force after Zapu A.Z. Phizo declared war on India. Later, he became vice chairman of the Eastern Naga Revolutionary Council.

Khaplang was instrumental in paving the way for the Phizo-led Naga National Council rebels, including his former friend-turned rival Thuingaleng Muivah, to reach China for guerrilla warfare training.

After the failure of the Shillong Accord signed between the Indian government and Phizo's Naga National Council in 1975, Khaplang and Muivah went underground and formed the NSCN.

The two Naga rebel leaders -- Khaplang and Muivah along with Isak Chishi Swu - formed the National Socialist Council of Nagaland in 1980.

However, the group split in 1988, with Khaplang parting ways with Swu and Muivah due to clan rivalries between the Konyaks of Nagaland's Mon district and the Tangkhuls of Manipur's Ukhrul district.

Swu died in June 2016 in a Delhi hospital.

Khaplang also entered into a ceasefire with the central government in 1997 but abrogated it on March 28, 2015.

The National Investigation Agency had filed a chargesheet against Khaplang and announced a reward of Rs 7 lakh on him and even sent a detailed dossier on him to Myanmar through diplomatic channels.

Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) Secretary General Neingulo Krome termed Khaplang's demise as a "rude shock".

"This is so especially at a time when the Naga people are extremely in need of experienced wisdom of their national movement leaders, to set right the course of the Naga destiny, which is being misinterpreted and re-interpreted in the present day scenario of internal conflicts," Krome said.

"We will always treasure and cherish his commitment to do what the upcoming Naga generation wants as the Naga national movement is for the well-being of future Naga generations who should live in dignity and peace," Krome said in his condolence message.
Mumbai, June 10 : On her fathers fourth death anniversary, Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra paid an emotional tribute to him.

"Thank you to all for your wishes. Four years today. Some things will always hurt," Priyanka said in response to a fan club of hers on Twitter.

Priyanka's father Ashok Chopra died after battling cancer in 2013. A doctor by profession, he retired from the Indian Army in 1997 as Lieutenant Colonel.

The actress and her father were very close, and she even has a tattoo inked on her right wrist that reads, 'Daddy's li'l girl'. Earlier this year, when Priyanka's production venture "Ventilator" won three honours at the 64th National Film Awards, she had told IANS that she wanted to make the film for her father.

Priyanka and her mother now run Purple Pebble Pictures banner, under which they produce content-driven movies, mainly focussed at exploring the regional film market in the country.
Darjeeling, June 10 : The Army continued to patrol Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong towns, as life returned to normal in the northern West Bengal hills with no further violence reported so far on Saturday.

Six Army teams, each comprising 43 personnel, have been deployed in the three hill towns after Thursday's flare up during a protest by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) pressing for a separate Gorkhaland.

Three Central Reserve Police Force companies were also deployed.

A case has been launched against GJM activists including chief Bimal Gurung on various counts including criminal conspiracy, arson, incitement of trouble, the police said.

The district administration has also sealed the GJM run Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) headquarters Bhanu Bhavan following allegations that the leaders had incited people to resort to violence.

Shops, restaurants and hotels have reopened after a 12-hour hill shutdown called by the GJM on Friday against "indiscriminate police action" on their activists during the protests.

A substantial number of tourists were seen at the picturesque Mall and the other famed spots of Darjeeling.

The Trinamool Congress brought out a peace rally in the hill town on Saturday morning decrying the violence "perpetrated by the GJM".

Meanwhile, the state government removed Darjeeling police superintendent Amit Javalgi, and sent a team of three senior Indian Police Service officers to monitor the situation.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who stayed put in the hills since Thursday, came down to the plains on Friday night and is now camping at neighbouring Jalpaiguri district.

She is scheduled to chair a high level meeting at Uttar Kanya, the north Bengal secretariat on Saturday. Chief secretary Badudeb Banerjee, and state police director general Surojit Kar Purokayastha will be present.

Meanwhile, the GJM has called a meeting of its central committee to decide whether it would continue in the GTA and also to decide on the future course of the movement.

"Our single point agenda now is Gorkhaland," said Gurung.

Attacking Banerjee for having followed a policy of "divide and rule" in the hills by setting up multiple development boards for the various communities, Gurung said: "We will agitate everywhere, Darjeeling, Delhi, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura".

Asked about the speculation that he may be arrested, Gurung said: "I will go to custody with a smile. The second rung leaders will take over. There will be a lot of unrest."
Ottawa, June 10 : An Ontario man who invented the Hawaiian pizza, a style of pizza known for its inclusion of pineapple and ham, has died at the age of 83, leaving a legacy that has delighted, confused and appalled diners worldwide, the media reported.

Sotirios "Sam" Panopoulos, 83, died suddenly on Thursday at University Hospital in London, Ont., an obituary posted online on Friday said.

Panopoulos was born in Greece in 1934 and immigrated to Canada in 1954, reports Global News Canada.

He settled in Ontario and operated a number of restaurants alongside his two brothers, Elias and Nikitas.

"An unforgettable personality, Sam was respected by many for providing strong and dependable advice, and for his exceedingly generous nature," the obituary said.

Far from the tropical paradise that bears its namesake, the Hawaiian pizza was in fact invented in Ontario in 1962.

With canned pineapples and a handful of ham shards, Panopoulos invented the contentious fare at his restaurant, The Satellite, in Chatham.

In February, Panopoulos recounted to the BBC how he and his brothers came up with the idea for the pizza, topped with pineapple and ham.

"We just put it on, just for the fun of it...We were young in the business and we were doing a lot of experiments."

Whether or not pineapple belongs on a pizza remains a divisive culinary choice.

Pineapple as a pizza topping can spark sharp debate, even Icelandic President Gudni Johannesson weighed in on the idea in February, lambasting the topping in a Facebook post and stoking a decades-old debate.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, on the other hand, threw his support behind the beleaguered fruit with the hashtag #teampineapple.
Kolkata, June 10 : Exactly thirty years after auteur Satyajit Ray was honoured with France's highest civilian award, the coveted Legion of Honor, thespian Soumitra Chatterjee, arguably, the most prominent face of Ray's films, is set to receive the prestigious award.

"I believe I am probably the first Indian actor to be honoured with the award. To be honoured in the same league as my mentor (Ray) is unbelievable because one does not work keeping awards and prizes in mind. One works for the love of the job," Chatterjee told IANS.

Ray was awarded the Legion of Honor by then French President Francois Mitterrand in 1987.

The octogenarian, who worked with Ray in 14 of his films, says he is drawn to the "sensitive treatment of human characters" in cinema.

Chatterjee expressed gratitude to Indian cine-goers for their constant love and affection.

"There must be something in my work that won over hearts abroad. As a Bengali, I feel proud and as one who has been inspired by French art and cinema, I feel it's a special honour," he said.

He counted French novelists and playwrights Honore de Balzac and Emile Zola as his inspiration while he picked iconic French filmmaker Francois Roland Truffaut as a favourite.

He dedicated the award to his audiences and fans.

He said the Ambassador of France to India Alexandre Ziegler will be in the city to present the honour.

Congratulating the thespian, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called him the "hallmark of Indian and Bengali cinema".

"From Apu Sansar to Legion d Honour. The legendary Shri Soumitra Chattopadhay, hallmark of Indian and Bengali cinema. A tribute and honour to the great actor of Bengali cinema by France. This makes us very proud. Congratulations," Banerjee tweeted.

"When we, in public life, speak about icons of our nation and the world, we must always show utmost respect and sensitivity with language," she added.
Kolkata, June 10 : Summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Narada sting video probe, Trinamool Congress legislator Iqbal Ahmed on Saturday sought time citing ill health and the ongoing Ramadan fast.

Kolkata Deputy Mayor Ahmed, who had received a notice from the CBI to appear at its office in south Kolkata's Nizam Palace, instead sent a letter through his lawyer seeking "seven to 10 days' time".

"I just came to give a representation that we want seven to 10 days' time. He is indisposed and Ramadan is also on," said the lawyer.

"We have given a written submission. I am sure they will consider it," he said.

Ahmed was one of the Trinamool leaders purportedly seen receiving money in exchange for a promise to dole out favours to a fictitious company in a video footage uploaded by the Narada news portal last year.

His brother and Trinamool Lok Sabha member Sultan Ahmed, who was also seen accepting wads of currency notes in the purported sting operation videos, said Iqbal Ahmed was unwell for the past one year.

"He is keeping fast. He has been unwell for the last one year. He is sleeping now. It seems he is not in a position to go today (Saturday),"said the MP.

The controversy erupted in the assembly election-bound West Bengal in March last year after the portal uploaded the videos.

The Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI preliminary inquiry into the case on March 17, and asked the federal investigation agency to submit the report within 72 hours.

The Trinamool Congress appealed to the Supreme Court, which extended the deadline for the preliminary probe to one month.

On April 17, the CBI filed a FIR against a dozen senior Trinamool leaders, including some former and current state ministers, MPs and an MLA, besides an IPS officer.

Among others whose names figured in the FIR were Trinamool Vice President and Rajya Sabha member Mukul Roy, and the party's Lok Sabha members Sougata Roy, Kakali Ghosh Dastidar, Aparupa Poddar and Prasun Banerjee.

Also featuring in the list were state ministers Subrata Mukherjee, Firhad Hakim, Suvendu Adhikari, city mayor and state minister Sovan Chatterjee, legislator Iqbal Ahmed and former minister Madan Mitra.

IPS officer S.M.H. Mirza was the other person named in the list.

The accused have been charged with criminal conspiracy and under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Baghdad, June 10 : Fifteen people were killed on Saturday when a group of Islamic State (IS) militants attacked a village in Iraq's Salahudin province, a security official said.

About 20 IS militants attacked Mseihly village, some 280 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, sparking heavy clashes with the paramilitary Sunni tribal fighters at the village, the official told Xinhua news agency.

The victims comprised 10 villagers, including three women and a child, and five IS militants, the source said.

The attackers apparently infiltrated from the IS-held eastern bank of Shirqat across the Tigris River, which bisects the town, the source added.
Astana/Islamabad, June 10 : Russian President Vladimir Putin has termed Pakistan as an important partner for his country in South Asia, a media report said.

He conveyed this to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana on Friday.

The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, including trade and economic cooperation, and also current international issues during the meeting. Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir were present at the meeting, Pakistan Today reported.

Putin congratulated Sharif on Pakistan's accession to the SCO. Putin said: "I am glad that we met for a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the SCO Summit."

He said Russia-Pakistan relations have been constructive and mutually beneficial. "our relations are developing in many areas, and our trade has increased, even if only by a few percentage points. Of course, we are able to do much more than we are doing now," he said.

In turn, Prime Minister Sharif thanked President Putin, and the Russian Federation for supporting Pakistan's full membership in the SCO.

Sharif said, "while in Ufa we did agree on improving Pakistan-Russian bilateral trade, there is improvement but not the level that we agreed upon. It has been always my endeavour to build and strengthen our relationship and I am continuing to strive for that."

There has been growing bonhomie between Russia and Pakistan, with both holding their first-ever joint military exercise in September 2016 in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, and the first-ever Russia-Pakistan consultation on regional issues in mid-December 2016 at Islamabad. Both sides also inked a deal for Mi-35 helicopters.

Russia's ambassador to Pakistan, Alexey Y. Dedov, is reported to have said that Moscow and Islamabad have held discussions to merge the China-backed CPEC with the Russia-backed Eurasian Economic Union.
New Delhi, June 10 : There has been a substantial shift in the bilateral, regional and multilateral foreign trade policy of the United States post Trump taking over as the President.

Author Amiya Chandra's latest book "Indian Foreign Trade: Trumped Up or Down" attempts to demystify and understand Trump's approach to deal-making through current events within and outside the US.

Chandra in his book also explains whether the accession of Trump as the US President is in India's interest or against it and the impact on bilateral foreign trade policies.

Published by Pentagon Press, the book was launched here on Saturday. The event was followed by a session on "Indian foreign trade and India - US dynamics under the new leadership".

"The book is an attempt to study and analyse a critical topic. The equation of India - US trade is not just relevant for the big corporates or decision makers, but has close effect on our home grown businesses," said Chandra while speaking at the event.
Tehran, June 10 : Iranian authorities arrested another seven persons linked to the two deadly terror attacks in the capital Tehran earlier this week which killed 17 people, police said on Saturday.

The arrests were made in Alborz province's Fardis town, reports Xinhua news agency.

The seven persons were affiliated to terrorist groups, the police added.

On Friday, Iran's Intelligence Ministry said since the attack on Wednesday security forces have arrested 41 individuals linked to the Islamic State (IS) in Tehran, Kermanshah, Kurdistan and West Azarbaijan provinces.

The two simultaneous attacks were carried out by IS militants in Iran's Majlis (parliament) and the mausoleum of the founder of the Islamic republic Ayatollah Khomeini.

Six attackers were killed by Iran's security forces.
Srinagar, June 10 (IBNS) : A civilian was injured after misfired shots from militants hit him in the Vesu area of south Kashmir's Anantnag on Saturday morning. Police said.

A police spokesman said that Meenu Arif, 45, a resident of Bakshiabad area of Anantnag, who works with a construction company in Banihal, got injured after shots fired at Government forces missed the target and hit his car.

Arif, according to the spokesman, said that he was on way to Banihal at 5 am when unknown militants fired upon the forces' vehicles moving ahead of his car.

"The fire missed the target and hit his car and he was injured in the back," said the spokesman.

He said that Arif was shifted to SMHS hospital where his condition is stated to be stable.

"About 20 empty cases of AK ammunition have been recovered from the spot. A case has been registered and investigation has been taken up," added the spokesman.



(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)
New Delhi, June 10 : The Congress on Saturday demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah for his remarks about Mahatma Gandhi being a "clever baniya".

"Amit Shah's remark about the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi is an insult to him, it's an insult to the freedom struggle and the sacrifices of the freedom fighters. Has the entire struggle become a mere business? Was building the nation was a business?" asked Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.

"Only Amit Shah, who does trade of power and BJP can give such indications. Would Mahatma Gandhi be now identified with his caste?" he questioned.

Surjewala said: "By associating Mahatma Gandhi with a business model, he has insulted the sacrifices that were made during the freedom struggle. The Britishers used Hindu Mahasabha and the Sangh as a special purpose vehicle for the partition of the country."

"After independence, they have become a vehicle to oppress Dalits, and the weaker sections. This is their real face and character," he added.

Slamming Shah, Surjewala said: "Identifying Gandhi with caste exposes the real face, character and mindest of Amit Shah."

"We demand that Amit Shah, BJP and Prime Minister Narendra should apologise to the people and the families of the freedom fighters of the country for insulting their struggle. Shah has indulged in a heinous crime and an anti-national act. There can't be a bigger crime than this," he said.

Shah, while addressing a group of people in Raipur, on Friday said: "The Congress is not a party based on one ideology or one principle, it is a special purpose vehicle to gain independenceA this is why Mahatma Gandhi with foresight, he was a very clever baniya, he knew what was going to happen, he said immediately after independence that the Congress should be dissolved.

"He didn't do it, but some people are now completing the job of dissolving it. He had said this because the Congress had no ideology, was not formed based on a principle, and did not have any principle to run the country or government," Shah had said.
Patna, June 10 : Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) on Saturday slammed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah's remark describing Mahatma Gandhi as a "chatur baniya".

JD-U Spokesperson Neeraj Kumar told the media that Shah had insulted the nation and its people by using a "caste" name to address Mahatma Gandhi.

"At a time when the country is celebrating 100 years of Champaran Satyagrah of Gandhi, the BJP President has insulted him and the 1.25 crore people of India."

Neeraj said Shah, who was himself an accused in serious criminal charges and jailed for his criminal acts, was now targeting Mahatma Gandhi by naming his caste. "It is shameful and unforgivable."

On the other hand, JD-U ally Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders said that Shah, by calling Gandhi a "chatur baniya", had exposed his own and the BJP's mindset and their real agenda.

However, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday refused to say anything over the BJP President's statement.

Nitish Kumar, also President of the JD-U, maintained silence over Shah's speech.

He simply ignored queries from the media on Shah's remarks and walked to his vehicle surrounded by security personnel after attending an official function here.
New Delhi, June 10 : The CBI has registered a fresh case against six directors of a Delhi-based perfume making company, Surya Vinayak Industries Limited, for cheating the Development Bank of Singapore of Rs 122.49 crore between 2007 and 2012, an official said on Saturday.

The agency sleuths conducted raids at the residential premises of Sanjay Jain, Rajiv Jain, Rohit Choudhary, Sanjeev Agarwal, Rajeev Jain, Kamal Kant Sharma and some unidentified persons in connection with this case on Saturday.

The accused are the directors and promotors of Surya Vinayak Industries Limited and Surya Vinayak Hospitalities Limited.

A CBI official said the six accused have been booked under sections of criminal conspiracy and cheating of the Indian Penal Code, and the Prevention of Corruption Act following a complaint by the bank.

"They are accused of cheating the bank of Rs 122.49 crore between 2007 and 2012," he added.

The official said the CBI has so far registered six cases against the promoters and directors of Surya Vinayak group.

In April, the CBI arrested Sanjay Jain, Rajiv Jain, Rohit Choudhary and Sanjeev Agarwal in connection with ongoing cases relating to cheating a consortium of banks to the tune of Rs 2,240 crore, the official said.

"They were held on a complaint from the Punjab National Bank (PNB)," he said, adding that all of them are in judicial custody.

The accused allegedly used a number of shell companies to launder funds availed through a consortium of banks led by the PNB.

Sanjay Jain and Rajiv Jain are the promoters of Surya Vinayak while Rohit Choudhary and Sanjeev Agarwal are the other directors of the Delhi-based company that deals in making perfumes.

The CBI investigation revealed that the accused fraudulently used more than 100 shell companies for round tripping and diversion of bank funds.

"There was no genuine business transaction between the said firm and shell companies. The said firm also allegedly diverted Rs 376 crore out of the working capital limit obtained from a consortium of banks to six wholly owned foreign subsidiaries based in Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Indonesia, Ghasa and China," a CBI statement said.

The company had availed credit limits from the PNB-led consortium to the tune of Rs 2,240 crore and diverted the funds to the subsidiaries owned by it in countries like Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai in violation of bank guidelines for use of loan amount, sources said.

Sources said that the company had defaulted in loan repayments following which it was declared a wilful defaulter by the banks.
Mumbai, June 10 : Superstar Shah Rukh Khan got trolled online by a Twitter user for the title of his next film "Jab Harry Met Sejal".

It was actor Ranbir Kapoor who suggested the title for the Imtiaz Ali directorial. Though he is thrilled about it, not all seem to be happy.

A Twitter user, Sejal Badala, wrote: "SRK thanks for turning me into a meme."

The superstar then took a potshot at her surname. "I am so sorry Sejal Badala. Hope you like my next film title better. It's called 'Badala... oops 'Badle Ki Aag'," he tweeted on Saturday.

Meanwhile, SRK's "Dear Zindagi" co-star Alia Bhatt also got "very upset" as her title didn't make it to the finals.

To her, he said: "Your title I have kept for the film you and I do next."

-*-Arjun Rampal celebrates rights of children in US

Actor Arjun Rampal took out time to celebrate the rights of children in New York.

"About tonight (Friday). New York City. CRY gala dinner. Child rights, CRY foundation, CRY America," Arjun tweeted along with a photo in which he is all suited up.

The CRY Gala Dinner at New York - Pledge 2017 took place on Friday. Arjun attended the dinner as a special guest in support of CRY that aims to work towards giving underprivileged children a brighter future.

-*-Nimrat Kaur wants to be Rajkummar Actress Nimrat Kaur fell in love with "Behen Hogi Teri" and Rajkummar Rao's character so much that she gave a shout-out to the actor saying she wants to be just like him.

"Loved 'Behen Hogi Teri! Thrilled to bits for Ajay K Pannalal and his labour of love and Rajkummar Rao, you just make me wanna be you," Nimrat tweeted on Saturday.

"Behen Hogi Teri" is about a man who falls in love with his childhood friend and neighbour, but the girl treats him like a brother.
New Delhi, June 10 : Police arrested two juvenile boys from the south Delhi area and recovered two stolen scooters and eight mobile phones from them.

"The juveniles are from Delhi and belong to poor families. As of now, it appears that the two were operating on their own and were not part of any gang," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Chinmoy Biswal told IANS.

The arrests on Friday led to the cracking of 28 snatching cases, according to police.

On June 9, police were conducting regular checking near a Gurudwara in the Moti Bagh area when they noticed two boys riding a scooter without a number plate.

When grilled, they revealed that the scooter was stolen from Delhi University's South Campus area.

Police later recovered one more scooter and eight mobile phones from the accused.
Thiruvananthapuram, June 10 : The BJP on Saturday filed a complaint against Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury here over his "baseless tweet" holding the Sangh Parivar forces responsible for the attack on him at a press conference in New Delhi.

Kerala BJP General Secretary V.V. Rajesh told IANS that he has filed a complaint against Yechury with state Director General of Police T.P. Senkumar.

"I spoke to T.P. Senkumar (state police chief) and have filed a complaint against Yechury because it was after his tweet, which said he was attacked by the Sangh Parivar forces, did the violence escalate in Kerala," he said.

Rajesh said this was a "baseless tweet", as the RSS has no connection with the Hindu Sena. Two youths belonging to the Hindu Sena were arrested for the attack on Yechury at a press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The Kerala BJP General Secretary in his complaint states that Yechury is solely responsible for the political violence that has gripped the state.

"His tweet has been proven to be factually incorrect and politically provocative. This is a clear case of exhorting violence, abetting and aiding it. Hence, I request you, as the state DGP (Law and Order) to immediately direct registering of a criminal case against Sitaram Yechury for exhorting violence, abetting the attacks on the offices and cadre of Sangh Parivar," he said in his complaint.

The complaint was lodged a day after Kerala CPI-M Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that attacks on the party by the BJP and RSS have increased dramatically after BJP President Amit Shah's visit to the state.

Since Wednesday, peace in Kerala has been affected with frequent clashes erupting in several parts of the state between party activists of the BJP and RSS and the CPI-M.

Kozhikode district, which witnessed the worst clashes, has for the past two days seen the BJP and CPI-M observing a shutdown, one after the other.

Expressing displeasure in the way Kerala is witnessing skirmishes, Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said the party that rules the Centre and the one that rules the state have spoilt the peace and tranquility which prevailed here, demanding that they must end this impasse.

Congress legislator and son of former Kerala Chief Minister K. Karunakaran, K. Muraleedharan, said not a single investor will now come to Kerala with this "volatile atmosphere".
Bhubaneswar/Bhopal, June 10 : Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, who has remained silent over the deadly protest by Madhya Pradesh farmers, was on Saturday greeted with eggs in Odisha by Congress activists, angry over the killing of six protesters in the neighbouring state.

The Youth Congress activists also waived black flags as soon as the minister's cavalcade left a state guest house in Khurdha district for an official function "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas" in Jatani, near Bhubaneswar.

However, the egg missiles missed the intended target but a couple of them broke in front of Singh's official vehicle, witnesses said.

At least five Congress workers were arrested, a police official said. Odisha Youth Congress chief Loknath Maharathy was among the arrested.

Calling him anti-farmer, Maharathy said Radha Mohan Singh had no moral right to be the Agriculture Minister "after the brutal killing of farmers in Madhya Pradesh ruled by the BJP".

Congress leader Pradip Majhi said the "egg attack was carried out to sensitise (the central government), so that the problems of the farmers of Odisha and other parts of the country are addressed".

The angry Congress activists were demonstrating in protest against the death of six farmers in police firing in Mandsaur district, the epicentre of the farmers' agitation in Madhya Pradesh, which remained calm but tense as authorities allowed a 12-hour relaxation in curfew from 8 a,m, to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Local markets in the Mandsaur city opened as people came out in droves to stock daily essentials, District Magistrate O.P. Srivastava said, adding no untoward incident had taken place anywhere in the troubled region.

"If the situation continues to be normal, curfew will be lifted (from Sunday)," Srivastava said.

But the wholesale agriculture market -- Mandsaur Krishi Upaj Mandi on the outskirts of Mandsaur city -- was deserted as farmers, who began protesting from June 1 to demand debt relief and price hike in their produce, stayed away from selling for the 10th day on Saturday.

According to estimates, this has led to losses of several crores of rupees to the agriculture sector in the state. The market on a normal day sees some 5,000 farmers from across Madhya Pradesh and parts of neighbouring Rajasthan selling their produce in an estimated daily turnover of Rs 5 crore.

Mandsaur and its adjoining Neemuch district were the epicentre of the peasant stir even as protests spread to other parts of the state after police opened fire at farmers on June 6.

Amid the spiralling protests by Madhya Pradesh farmers, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday began his indefinite fast here "until peace is restored" in the state.

The Chief Minister has decided to run his office from the BHEL Dussehra Maidan, where he is sitting on fast. He said it would serve as an open forum where farmers and people would be able to approach him directly.

The opposition slammed Chouhan's decision to go on fast.

Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Arun Yadav said the act was "a farce". "He has never considered visiting the families of the dead farmers in Mandsaur and also the houses of the 25 persons who died in a blast at a fireworks factory."

In Delhi, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury accused the BJP-led central government of turning farming into a "loss-making profession" and meeting farmers' genuine grievances with "bullets".

"The essential point is this: We are not remunerating farmers adequately for their labour and produce. The BJP instead, is meeting their genuine grievances with bullets," Yechury wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday, referring to the protests in Madhya Pradesh in which six farmers were killed in police firing.
New Delhi, June 10 : Raids were conducted on premises on six directors of city-based perfume company, Surya Vinayak Industries Ltd, here on Saturday after the CBI filed a fresh case against them for cheating the Development Bank of Singapore of Rs 122.49 crore between 2007 and 2012, an official said.

Agency sleuths conducted raids at the residential premises of Sanjay Jain, Rajiv Jain, Rohit Choudhary, Sanjeev Agarwal, Rajeev Jain, Kamal Kant Sharma, as well as some other unidentified persons, in connection with this case.

All these six, directors and promoters of Surya Vinayak Industries Ltd and Surya Vinayak Hospitalities Ltd, have been booked under sections of criminal conspiracy and cheating of the Indian Penal Code, and the Prevention of Corruption Act following a complaint by the bank, said a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) official.

"They are accused of cheating the bank of Rs 122.49 crore between 2007 and 2012," he added.

The official said the CBI has so far registered six cases against the group's promoters and directors.

He said that directors of the group, which was in the business of manufacturing of perfume compounds and trading of agro commodities, arranged to show bogus sale and purchase of both these items.

"The stock of perfumery claimed by the company was Rs 887 crore. When evaluated by FFDC (Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre), it turned out that the alleged value was Rs 4.83 crore. The accused also allegedly submitted forged and fabricated documents as well as valuable securities to the bank for enhancement of credit limit," the official said.

In April, the CBI arrested Sanjay Jain, Rajiv Jain, Choudhary and Agarwal in connection with ongoing cases relating to cheating a consortium of banks to the tune of Rs 2,240 crore, he said.

Sanjay Jain and Rajiv Jain are the promoters of Surya Vinayak while Choudhary and Agarwal are the other directors of the Delhi-based company.

"They were held on a complaint from the Punjab National Bank (PNB)," the agency official said, adding that all of them are in judicial custody.

The accused allegedly used over a 100 shell companies to launder funds availed through a consortium of banks led by the PNB.

"There was no genuine business transaction between the said firm and shell companies. The said firm also allegedly diverted Rs 376 crore out of the working capital limit obtained from a consortium of banks to six wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries based in Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Indonesia, Ghana and China," a CBI statement said.

The company had availed credit limits from the PNB-led consortium to the tune of Rs 2,240 crore and diverted the funds to the foreign subsidiaries in violation of bank guidelines for use of loan amount, sources said.

Sources said that the company had defaulted in loan repayments following which it was declared a wilful defaulter by the banks.
New Delhi, June 10 : A second person was arrested for allegedly honey-trapping Bharatiya Janata Party MP K.C. Patel, police said on Saturday.

Ajay Kumar, 40, a resident of Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested on Friday evening, said Deputy Commissioner of Police B.K. Singh, adding that the accused was already involved in a murder case, besides a case under the Gangster Act being registered against him.

In May, a woman who alleged rape by the BJP MP was arrested from Ghaziabad, after the MP said that he was drugged and filmed in compromising positions with the woman.

Later, investigation revealed that the woman had extorted over 20 politicians by levelling charges of sexual assault and molestation.

"We were looking for Kumar for the past one month and there is one more accused who we are trying to arrest," the DCP told IANS.

He added that police is trying to get custody of Kumar and the woman, who is currently in jail, so that they could get details of the other accused.
Guwahati, June 10 : A day after the death of NSCN-K chairman S.S. Khaplang in Myanmar, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Saturday appealed to the Indian Nagas in the outfit to surrender and join the national mainstream.

Making the appeal while talking to media on the sidelines of a government programme here, he assured that the government is ready to rehabilitate everyone who is ready to shun violence.

"NSCN-K chairman S.S. Khaplang was a Naga from Myanmar and influentialone in Myanmar. The NSCN-K has Nagas from Myanmar as well as Nagas from Indian side. I cannot comment anything on the Myanmarese Nagas but I am appealing to the Indian Nagas in NSCN-K to return and surrender and government of India is ready to rehabilitate them provided they are ready to abjure violence," he said.

Rijiju also contended that the death of Khaplang will also affect other militant outfits from the northeast, currently sheltering in Myanmar. "Khaplang was very influential in Myanmar and many organisations were dependent on him. The NSCN-K will also suffer and it will be difficult for them to achieve their goal now without Khaplang," he said.

Asked about the ongoing peace talks with Ulfa's pro-talk faction, Rijiju said that these were moving in right direction and have reached almost their final stage.

"Most of the demands put forward by the Ulfa pro-talk faction are worth consideration and we are genuinely considering them," he said.

He reiterated that talks are being held under the framework of the Constitution and that the government is ready to even talk to the Paresh Baruah faction of Ulfa's anti-talk group provided they adhere to Indian Constitution and come for talks.

Rijiju made it clear that there cannot be talks on "sovereignty" and that if "sovereignty" is on the agenda, there cannot be any talks.
New Delhi, June 10 (IBNS) : S S Khaplang, chief of National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) and the most wanted militant leader in India, died on Friday after a prolonged illness in Myanmar, The Hindu reported quoting a senior government official said. he was 77.

"S.S Khaplang died around 7 p.m. on Friday at the outfits camp in Taga, R.N Ravi, joint intelligence committee (JIC) chief and the interlocutor for Naga peace talks told The Hindu.

Khaplang, a Hemi Naga from Myanmar led the Naga insurgency movement for decades.

He was a co-founder of the deadly NSCN besides two other Naga leaders, Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah.

Later he formed his own outfit in 1988 after differences with Swu and Muivah.

Naga outfits envisage a Greater Nagalim or a contiguous land for the Nagas spanning the States of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Myanmar.

In 2015, the NDA government signed a framework agreement with the NSCN (IM) and banned Khaplang's faction for five years for its alleged involvement in a series of attacks on security forces, including an army convoy on June 4 in Manipurs Chandel district that left 18 army, men dead.

NIA even declared a reward of Rs. 17 lakh for Khaplangs arrest.

India has on multiple occasions asked Myanmar to hand over four top leaders of NSCN-K, including Khaplang.
Bengaluru, June 10 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday launched Namma 100, a re-christened and upgraded emergency response service Dial 100 of Bengaluru police.

"The police department should focus on utilisation of latest technology to reach people in emergency. The state government is ready to allocate funds for this purpose," Siddaramaiah said after launching the Namma 100 at the Police Command Centre here.

"Similar helplines will be launched in the districts in the near future," he said.

The Rs 30-crore upgraded emergency response service has 100 phone lines as against 20 of Dail 100. Around 275 employees will take up to 8,000 calls per day as against around 3,000 calls received by Dial 100 on a daily basis.

Namma 100 aims to be the go-to telephone number for emergency services, much like 911 in the US and 999 in Britain. It will also cater to people seeking help on social media.

The service aims to drastically reduce the time to address a complaint and rush police patrol cars to crime spots.

The police control room staff will take just two minutes to understand a complaint and a mere 30 seconds to alert the nearest Hoysala patrol car to reach the spot.

The staff will be able to identify the exact location of the caller with an enhanced Global Positioning System (GPS) and assisted real-time technology with the help of the telecom department.

"Call response will be in 15 seconds and Hoysala intervention in less than 15 minutes," Bengaluru Commissioner of Police Praveen Sood said.

Namma 100 has added features. One can dial 100 and press one for police, two for traffic and three for enquiry and appointments.
Rome, June 10 : G7 Environment Ministers were on Saturday gearing up for a gathering in the Italian city of Bologna where they face the challenges of defending and implementing the Paris climate accord following withdrawal from the pact by the US.

The two-day Environment Ministerial Meeting of the G7 will begin on Sunday and would see participants from the seven nations seeking to clarify what US President Donald Trump intended to do in order to curb climate change, in light of his decision.

The G7 meeting would be important as the US would have to clarify its position on the matter, Italy's Environment Minister Gian Luca Galletti was quoted as saying by Efe news.

He said that while it was not possible to renegotiate the Paris agreement, ministers wanted to know which policies the US might be able to fulfil.

The meeting will address the G7's commitments on the reduction of greenhouse gases.

Along with Galleti, other participating ministers would be Barbara Hendricks of Germany, Koichi Yamamoto of Japan, Nicolas Hulot of France and Catherine McKenna of Canada.

It was uncertain whether Britain's Andrea Leadsom would attend due to this week's general election.

Also, there were doubts about the attendance of Scott Pruitt, Administrator of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA).

European Commissioners for Environment and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella and Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias CaAete were expected to attend.

Though Trump's decision on the Paris agreement was set to feature heavily on the agenda, other topics to be addressed included waste in the oceans, ecological finance, circular economy and resource efficiency.
New Delhi, June 10 : Diminishing grasslands and wetlands is costing the national capital yet another elegant species -- the Weaver Bird or Baya, showed a survey on Saturday.

The week-long survey, conducted throughout the country to count the number of Weaver Baya, did not find a single bird in Delhi and the areas around it.

What is more concerning is that over a period of one week, about six fragile empty nests were spotted in Delhi's Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, indicating the birds had migrated due to a loss in the habitat.

The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), an NGO involved in conservation and biodiversity research, conducted the bird monitoring programme.

The bird watcher spotted only 880 individual Baya throughout the country between June 4 and 10. Worried experts are calling for immediate conservational efforts for the grasslands, to preserve their habitat.

The yellow coloured sparrow sized Baya or Indian Weaver makes the distinct hanging nests using different types of grasses. However, due to loss in vegetation and grasslands in urban area, especially Delhi, the birds are moving away.

According to officials, while not a single bird was spotted in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR), a total of 56 birds were spotted during a two-hour walk at the Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary in Haryana's Jhajjar district, about 52 km from here.

"About five years back there were many Baya in Delhi but these birds need grasslands to construct the nests. Due to loss in habitat, we don't have grasslands around Delhi anymore, so the birds moved away," Mugdha Singh, Education officer at Conservation Education Centre (CEC) Delhi - a sanctuary runs by BNHS - told IANS.

"Beside Jhajjar, the birds were spotted at NH-24, Agra-Mathura highway due to presence of farms and supportive habitat along the road," said Singh, adding that in Maharashtra several inhabited nests of Baya were spotted.

Baya are colony birds and male construct the nests around the mating seasons to attract the females. According to experts, on an average it takes about 15-20 days to construct a nest.

Generally a male constructs more than one nest so as to use others as safe houses.

"Most of the nests are above a water body so that predators may not reach them easily. The extra nests are constructed so that in case prey birds or snakes spot the nest with eggs or chicks, the birds may shift to one of the safe houses," said Singh.

Generally a nest sustains one season and the safe houses are also used to shift in case the main nest gets fragile.

Once a very common species across India, Baya are now slowly undergoing a population decline, according to BNHS.

"Their habitats are turning into human dominated landscape like, factories, canals and roads," BNHS pointed out.

"Through monitoring we can collect the population data of these birds to further reduce rates of habitat loss and degradation, along with promoting conservation and awareness," Sohail, Project Manager and Head of CEC, said.
New York, June 10 : An estimated 40,000 children are trapped in extremely dangerous conditions in Raqqa as fighting intensifies in and around the Syrian city, the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) said, warning that "many are caught in the crossfire."

"Heavy violence in the city of Raqqa is threatening the lives of children," said Geert Cappelaere, Unicef's Regional Director in the Middle East and North Africa Region.

Cappelaere said on Friday that hospitals and schools were under attack and that those attempting to flee were in danger of getting killed or injured.

He emphasised that children were being deprived of the most basic and life-saving necessities and that little aid had reached Raqqa since 2013 due to violence and access restrictions.

Cappelaere added that the conflict had resulted in massive displacements in and around the city, with some 80,000 children from Raqqa city now internally displaced and living in temporary shelters and camps.

Unicef called on all parties to protect children inside Raqqa, provide safe passage to those wishing to leave the city and grant a protected environment to civilians who fled the city.
Islamabad, June 10 : Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani have agreed to revive the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) of Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the US for promotion of peace and security.

Sharif met Ghani in Astana, Kazakhstan, on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, which was seen as an ice-breaking meeting in view of the tense relationship between the two neighbours, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The two leaders agreed to use QCG mechanism as well as bilateral channels to undertake specific actions against terror groups and to evolve a mechanism to monitor and verify such actions," Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The QCG had been almost dysfunctional after a US drone strike killed Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour in May last year, just three days after the member countries met in Islamabad to discuss a peaceful solution to the Afghan militancy.

However, Pakistani officials said that the killing of the Taliban chief had not only hit the QCG process but also had a negative impact on efforts to encourage the Taliban to come to the negotiation table.

Sharif stressed the importance of reconciliation and a politically negotiated settlement as the best solution to the Afghan conflict.

He highlighted the efforts undertaken by Pakistan for facilitating an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led process, according to the ministry.

Sharif joined Ghani in condemning the recent terror attacks in Afghanistan.

The Pakistani leader said that terrorism remained a common threat to both the nations, adding that close cooperation was important for eliminating the scourge of terrorism from the region.
New Delhi, June 10 : A minor girl has been allegedly raped by her cousin in Delhi, police said on Saturday.

The incident took place in Sultanpuri area of North West Delhi on Friday evening, police said.

"We have filed a case under POSCO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act) and are investigating the incident," a senior police official told IANS.

No arrest has been made in the case yet.
Dehradun, June 10 : Blaming social media for fomenting trouble in Jammu and Kashmir for the second time in two days, Indian Army chief Bipin Rawat on Saturday said that a Pakistan-backed misinformation campaign on it was instigating the youth in the valley.

Advocating devising of new ways to combat these new challenges, he said that the armed forces will have to wake up to the new form of violence.

Addressing cadets at the passing out parade at the Indian Military Academy here, Rawat also called for "proper use of technology" for public good.

Terming terrorism as the biggest scourge of modern times, the army chief exhorted the cadets to brace up to take on the menace and deal with it effectively. He also accused Pakistan of spreading misinformation among the Kashmiri youth with doctored videos and messages.

On the issue of women in combat roles, he said that "it's important to have women in combat roles in the army even in rank and file positions". Noting that on many occasions during Army operations, soldiers had to deal with the public including women, he said the induction could benefit the forces.
Tura (Meghalaya), June 10 : Former BJP leaders in Meghalaya on Saturday organised a "bitchi-beef" fest to protest against the Central government's new rules that aims to prevent sale of cattle for slaughter.

The three Bharatiya Janata Party leaders - Bernard Marak, Bachu Marak and Wilver Graham Danggo - resigned after senior party leaders opposed their plans to organise a "bitchi-beef party" to celebrate three years of Narendra Modi government. Bitchi is the Garo word for rice beer.

"By hosting the fest, we wanted to show to the world that there is no law that can prevent our way of life and food habits," Bernard Marak, the former district president of the BJP in West Garo Hills, told IANS.

Most of the people who participated in the bitchi-beef party were mostly former BJP members, who slammed the new cattle trade and slaughter rules.

"Our Bitchi-beef fest is a strong message to our leaders to not intrude into our areas and not try to violate our local laws. And we having beef is a freedom we enjoy which should be respected by all outsiders. We are Garos, we are Christians. We are proud of the law of the land, our culture, custom, faith and practices," he said.

"As a responsible leader, I cannot mislead the people and allow them (BJP) to impose the non-secular ideology on us. They cannot impose the beef ban in our state," said Bachu Marak.

Over 5,000 BJP workers from Garo Hills region, which has 24 seats of Meghalaya Assembly's 60, had resigned from the party over the issue. Many more leaders have threatened to do if the rules are not rolled-back.

The BJP's state chief Shibun Lyngdoh said: "The issue of cow slaughter is a state subject. The matter has been clarified by our leaders. There is nothing more to say."
Darjeeling, June 10 : The Gorkha Jamumkti Morcha on Saturday called an indefinite shutdown in the northern West Bengal hills from Monday, principally targeting public offices, to press for a separate state of Gorkhaland, causing fresh uncertainty in the region which earlier seemed to be returning to normalcy with the Army deployment.

"All central and state government offices, banks, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (hill development body) offices will be closed as part of the shutdown from Monday," GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri told media persons after the party's central committee meeting chaired by its President Bimal Gurung in this picturesque tourist town.

Block Development Offices, Sub-divisional Offices and District Magistrate offices will also be closed, said Giri, throwing a virtual challenge to the Mamata Banerjee led state government.

However, schools and colleges, transport and tourism - hotels, eateries, shops - will be outside the purview of the shutdown, the call for which was given two days after the GJM activists clashed with police in Darjeeling injuring a number of men and women on both sides.

Banks will remain open on Mondays and Thursdays.

Giri said the state government's revenue sources like electricity, mines and boulders will also be part of the shutdown, that threatens to throw the hills back to the chaotic days of the past three decades when similar disruptions badly hit its economy based on the world famous Darjeeling tea, tourism and timber.

With the present round of volatility sparked off by the state government's decision to make Bengali compulsory up to class 10, the GJM decreed that signboards in Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Mirik and several parts of Dooars and Terai could be written only in Nepali and/or English.

In another indication of its hardened stand, the GJM also decided that all posters/banners in Bengali will be removed from the hills.

Every Monday there would be torchlight rallies in various wards of the hills from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m, while people will hold mass rallies every Sunday and Thursday in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik.

"There will also be mass signature campaigns in favour of Gorkhaland. The signatures will be sent to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister," said Giri.

He also announced that the shutdown will be relaxed for four days - June 27 to June 30 - when central and state government offices and banks would be open.

He disclosed Gurung has written to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh complaining against the failure of the GTA run by his party and the highhandedness of the state government which, he accused, of "committing atrocities on the hill peoplea.

Meanwhile, the Army continued to patrol Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong towns, where no fresh violence was reported on Saturday.

Six Army teams, each comprising 43 personnel, have been deployed in the three hill towns after Thursday's flare up during a protest by the GJM.

Three Central Reserve Police Force companies were also camping in the towns.

The state government has already removed Darjeeling's Superintendent of Police Amit Javalgi, and sent him on compulsory waiting. A team of three senior Indian Police Service officers have reached the hills to monitor the situation.

Earlier in the day, Banerjee claimed peace had returned to the hills and announced that the elections to the GTA might be held anytime soon as the present body's term ends on August 2.

Talking tough after a high-level meeting attended by top bureaucrats and police officer at Uttarkanya, the state secretariat in North Bengal, she reiterated that strict legal action would be taken against those behind the recent violence.

Police have already lodged cases against GJM activists including Gurung on various counts including criminal conspiracy, arson, and incitement.

On the other hand, shops, restaurants and hotels reopened after a 12-hour hill shutdown called by the GJM on Friday against "indiscriminate police action" on their activists during the protests.

A substantial number of tourists were seen at the picturesque Mall and the other famed spots of Darjeeling.

The Trinamool Congress brought out a peace rally in the hill town on Saturday morning decrying the violence "perpetrated by the GJM".
Mumbai, June 11 : Jyotii Sethi and Sharib Hashmi, lead actors of "Phullu" -- a film aimed at spreading awareness on sanitary pads -- say they are not ashamed or uncomfortable in talking about menstruation to anybody.

Jyotii, who plays the female lead, says she is totally at ease talking about the natural process of menstrual cycle even with a male member in her family or society if needed.

She feels that in a progressive society, it is pointless to make a natural process of a woman's body taboo.

Asked if there was any discomfort with the subject of the film, Jyotii told IANS: "No, not at all. In fact, I got goosebumps when I was sitting through the narration because I related to the character so much/ Even my mother did not allow me to use a sanitary napkin when my menstrual circle started.

"She told me that napkins have some harmful chemical."

Directed by Abhishek Saxena, the film "Phullu" talks about the journey of a man who tries to create awareness about sanitary pads among women and starts making cheap pads to help them. However, he faces a lot of flak as the villagers through him out of the society.

Giving an insight of her character, Jyotii said: "I am playing Phullu's wife who has a very crucial role in his journey because she made Phullu aware of chums and how as a woman she struggles. It's an interesting character."

But does that image in the film bother her?

"No, I am proud of the film and the subject because it creates awareness among women about the use of sanitary napkins. It talks about getting rid of the social taboo. What more rational and progressive image can an actress get in her first film?"

Born in Uttar Pradesh, brought up in Punjab, the actress started working in South Indian and Punjabi films before entering the world of hindi cinema with "Phullu."

"I am a pan-India actress. Glamour does not bother me much, but the story does. So I am open to acting in any film -- whether it is regional or Bollywood," concluded Joyti.
Bhopal, Jun 10 (IBNS): Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan began his indefinite fast on Saturday morning at the Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal, in response to the ongoing farmers' agitation and related violence in the state, according to media reports.

The Chief Minister has said that he will continue to fast 'until peace is restored'.

Tweeting from the CMO Madhya Pradesh handle, he said, "Non-violence is Gandhiji's principle. I have decided to follow his footstep."

He also addressed the farmers from the Dussehra Maidan.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that when he first became the chief minister, around 7.50 lakh hectares were under cultivation in the state whereas now more than 40 lakh hectares are being tilled.

In another tweet, he said, "In last 11.5 yrs have worked tirelessly for all classes of young, women, farmers. Development is focus."

He also tweeted, "All efforts are directed at doubling farmers income & making agriculture remunerative."

He said that there will be a full inquiry into who instigated the violence during the protest and the culprits will not be spared, media reported.

The CM said he will meet the farmers while fasting.

Tweeting in Hindi, he said that he can feel the pain of the farmers who were subjected to beating ("kisan ke pith pare dande ki chot meri pith par lagati hai, pida mujhe mahsoos hoti hai").

He further tweeted, "My life is dedicated to farmers. Their wellbeing is the mission of my life. I request people not to burn up the state. All problems can be resolved peacefully."

Last week, farmers in Mandsaur began agitating, demanding better prices for their produce and for debt relief. On Tuesday, police had to resort to firing when the protesters turned violent and damaged property and set vehicles on fire. Five farmers died on the spot and one more succumbed to his injures on Friday.

The situation was further aggravated when, on Thursday, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, wanted to visit Mandsaur to meet the families of the farmers who had died. He was prevented from entering MP and later arrested. Finally, the state government allowed him to meet the family members at the MP-Rajasthan border, according to media reports.

Opposition Congress Party has derided the fasting by the Madhya Pradesh as "false" and has commented on it in a series of tweets from their handle INC India.



Images: CMO MadhyaPradesh Twitter
Dubai, June 11 : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State tweeted on Saturday that the sanctions against Qatar are to urge the latter "to stop support and finance of extremism and terrorism".

The remarks by Anwar Mohammed Gargash are among a series of tweets on the diplomatic rift between the UAE, plus a Saudi-led group of more Arab countries, and Qatar, Xinhua reported.

UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt cut last Monday diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing the Gulf state of supporting and financing "terrorism" as well as interfering in their internal affairs.

Gargash reiterated the pan-Arab coalition's demand for a political solution of the ongoing Gulf crisis which has disrupted regional civil aviation and increased the geopolitical risk. "Diplomacy only way forward," tweeted Gargash.

The Saudi-led coalition against gas-rich Qatar grew to nine states on Saturday when Niger said it earlier in the day it would cut diplomatic ties with Doha.
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The Newark Museum Explorers Program has been selected as a 2017 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award finalist. The honor, selected by the Presidents Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, is given to outstanding after-school and out-of-school programs that transform the lives of young people.

The Committee received 342 applications from throughout the United States and the Explorers Program was one of 50 finalists that were selected. These finalists are being reviewed by a national jury of experts in the field of arts and humanities, and NAHYP award winners will be selected in June. Each will receive a $10,000 award and an invitation to an awards ceremony in Washington, DC.

The Newark Museum has long been a national leader in arts education, and we are committed to using our resources and renowned art and science collections to improve the lives of the people we serve, said Steven Kern, the Museums Executive Director and CEO. Since its inception in 1995, the Explorers Program has provided Newark area high school students with a range of experiences that give them valuable skills that will aid them in college and beyond.

The Explorers Program is a three-year, year-round experience that serves 30-35 students in grades 10-12 annually. Explorers participate in a variety of learning activities including small group instruction, student-led projects involving different aspects of running a museum, workshops on an array of art topics, field trips, personalized college guidance, life skills workshops focusing on themes ranging from etiquette to financial literacy, and mentoring relationships with Museum staff and other professionals representing a wide range of fields.

Over the past several years, 100% of Explorers have graduated high school and gone on to attend four-year colleges or universities. Recent Explorer graduates are attending institutions that include Wellesley College, Penn State University, Rutgers University, Parsons School of Design, Lehigh University, Cornell University and American University. In the Class of 2017, two Explorers received full scholarships: Arif Uddin will be majoring in Engineering Science at NJIT and Inique Bristol will be majoring in Computer Science at Rutgers University.

According to the Presidents Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, programs that receive the NAHYP Award exemplify how arts and humanities programs outside of the regular school day enrich the lives of young people throughout the country by teaching new skills, nurturing creativity and building self-confidence. These programs offer high-quality and intensive instruction on weekends, afternoons and summer vacations, providing a safe and productive space for young people in the hours when they are often the most vulnerable. Their carefully focused projects supplement in-school curricula with exposure to a wide variety of artistic and scholastic pursuits.

Major support for the Newark Museums Explorers Program has been provided by the PSEG Foundation; The Walton Family Foundation; The New York Community Trust, Wattles Family Charitable Fund; The Provident Bank Foundation; the AT&T Foundation; United Airlines; and the Laura J. Niles Foundation. Additional generous support has been provided by the Victoria Foundation; the Prudential Foundation; the Charles E. and Edna T. Brundage Charitable Scientific and Wild Life Conservation Foundation; The Eleanor Upton Charitable Foundation; the Aviation Development Council; and Rochelle and Ronald Karp.

For further information, follow the Museum on Facebook at facebook.com/newark.museum or Twitter at twitter.com/newarkmuseum; or visit http://www.newarkmuseum.org.
We are honored to have 9 of our franchisees receive this great recognition." - Jim Hunter, CEO of House Doctors

House Doctors is proud to announce that 9 of our franchise locations have won the 2017 Best of HomeAdvisor Award, which recognizes top-rated professionals in the HomeAdvisor network. By providing quality handyman services to homeowners in their territories, the 9 House Doctors sites were recognized through positive customer ratings and reviews in the last 6 months.

Each year millions of homeowners trust HomeAdvisor to help them find a prescreened professional for their home projects, explains HomeAdvisors CEO Chris Terrill. House Doctors business exemplifies this trust by exhibiting superior work practices, premier customer service, and overall being a valued resource for the home improvement industry. This prestigious award is only presented to the top professionals in the HomeAdvisor network.

The 9 Best of HomeAdvisor recipients are:

House Doctors of Andover, MA owned by Douglas Coyle

House Doctors of Charleston, SC owned by Jack Ross

House Doctors of Lake Norman, NC owned by Sheri Decker

House Doctors of Mason, OH owned by Brian Daily

House Doctors of Northern Richmond, VA owned by Dennis Hatcher

House Doctors of Colorado Springs, CO owned by Al Cazares

House Doctors of Elizabethtown, KY owned by Franko Antolovich

House Doctors of Mclean, VA owned by Rich Marzan

House Doctors of Scotch Plains, NJ owned by Ken Bendetto

House Doctors CEO Jim Hunter also weighed in on the award recipients.

We are honored to have 9 of our franchisees receive this great recognition. HomeAdvisor is an excellent platform for helping our franchisees provide superior service to their communities. We are excited for the future of our business owners as they continue to grow in this partnership with HomeAdvisor.

About House Doctors

House Doctors Corporate is the franchisor of multiple locations throughout the United States. House Doctors Handyman Service has been helping homeowners with home repair and light remodeling projects for more than 20 years. Our friendly, insured and bonded craftsmen are scheduled to be there on time and are committed to complete customer satisfaction. Each of our technicians is experienced in home maintenance, product installations and a variety of home improvements. Were so confident in our team and products that every job we perform comes with a one-year guarantee.

To learn more about the services we provide, or to find a local handyman team in your area, visit http://www.housedoctors.com.

About HomeAdvisor

HomeAdvisor is a nationwide digital home services marketplace providing homeowners the tools and resources for home repair, maintenance, and improvement projects. HomeAdvisors marketplace lets homeowners view average projects costs coast-to-coast using True cost Guide, find local prescreened home professionals, and instantly book appointments online or through HomeAdvisors award-winning iOS and Android mobile apps. Access to all of HomeAdvisors resources is free for homeowners, with no membership or fees required. HomeAdvisor is based in Golden, CO.
HealthSmart is pleased to announce the appointment of John M. Murphy to the Board of Directors. He is a senior executive in the health insurance industry, whose wide range of skills include managing profit/loss, mergers/acquisitions and leading health plans and brokerage firms.

Murphy was the Managing Director of Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA, Inc. from 2005 to 2013 and was responsible for managing all aspects of the company. He served at Anthem, Inc. for 17 years as a Senior Officer and was instrumental in preparing the public offerings of both Acordia, Inc. in 1992 and Anthem, Inc. in 2001. From 2000 to 2005, he served as President of Anthem Specialty Business, which included Prescription, Behavioral, Life, Dental and Vision benefits, increasing revenue from $300M to $1.2B. Murphy also served as General Manager and Head of Operations at Anthem Midwest from 1997 to 2000.

Previously, Murphy served as President and CEO of Acordia Senior Personal Benefits, President and CEO of Anthem Life of Indiana, and Vice President of Marketing at American National Insurance Company. He began his career as an auditor for the New York Insurance Department and later as Chief Accountant for GEICO.

Murphy has been President of the Ivy Tech Community College Foundation since 2013. He has been instrumental in making it the largest community college foundation in the United States, by increasing major gifts, fund donations and creating a collaborative, teamwork-based culture.

We provide every service that plan sponsors need to reduce healthcare costs; we manage members with dignity and respecta mark of our excellence in service. Johns vast experience and personality make him a perfect fit and leader for our Board and our Company, said Phil Christianson, CEO.

I am honored to join the HealthSmart Board of Directors and look forward to working with the company, said Murphy. HealthSmart is poised to be the gold-standard of the industry.

Murphy received both his B.S., Accounting and MBA, Finance from St. Johns University.

About HealthSmart

For more than 40 years, HealthSmart has offered a wide array of customizable and scalable health plan solutions for selffunded employers. HealthSmarts comprehensive service suite addresses individual health from all angles. This includes claims and benefits administration, provider networks, pharmacy benefit management services, business intelligence, onsite employer clinics, care management, a variety of health and wellness initiatives and webbased reporting. The Companys headquarters is in Dallas, Texas, with regional hubs throughout the country. HealthSmarts mission is to improve member health and reduce healthcare costs.
Ziegler is fortunate to have had a long-standing relationship with BRS going back to our first financing with them in 1996...Buckner is a strong organization with deep roots in providing seniors with exceptional living accommodations and health care...

Ziegler, a specialty investment bank, is pleased to announce the successful closing of the $232,345,000 tax-exempt, fixed-rate Series 2017 financing for Buckner Senior Living, Inc. (the Obligor), a Texas not-for-profit corporation established in December of 2012. The Obligor was formed for the purpose of construction, ownership and operation of an entrance fee-based senior living community in Dallas to be known as Ventana by Buckner (Ventana or the Community).



Buckner Retirement Services, Inc. (BRS), also a Texas not-for-profit corporation, was established in 1994 and is the sole member of the Obligor. BRS is a member of a group of affiliated corporations, the parent of which is Buckner International (BI), a Texas not-for-profit established in 1906. BRS currently owns four retirement communities in Texas: Buckner Villas (Austin); Buckner Westminster Place (Longview); Calder Woods (Beaumont); and Parkway Place (Houston) which are part of an obligated group (the Buckner Obligated Group). Ventana is not part of the Buckner Obligated Group.



BRS is also the sole member of Baptist Memorials Ministries (BMM), which owns Baptist Retirement Community, a not-for-profit retirement community in San Angelo, Texas. BRS provides management services to BMM and each retirement community included in the Buckner Obligated Group. In addition to BRS, the affiliated corporations are: Buckner Foundation, Inc. (the Foundation); Buckner Children and Family Services, Inc. (Family Services); and Buckner Adoption and Maternity Services, Inc. (Maternity Services).

The Obligor and BRS are separate corporations. The Buckner Obligated Group, BI, BRS and BMM are not obligated to pay debt service on the Series 2017 Bonds. Under the terms of a liquidity support agreement (LSA), the Foundation has agreed to provide liquidity support to the project in an initial amount of $10 million to be funded at closing and in an aggregate amount of up to $15 million.



The Community will be located on approximately 3.08 acres nearly seven miles from downtown Dallas and adjacent to the Park Cities and Preston Hollow neighborhoods. The Community is planned to consist of 189 independent living units, 38 assisted living units, 26 memory support assisted living units, and 72 skilled nursing beds which consist of 48 long-term beds and 24 short-term rehabilitation beds. The Communitys levels of care will be located in two, 12-story towers. Greenbrier Development, LLC serves as the development consultant and marketing agent for the Community. BRS will provide management services for the Community.



Proceeds of the Series 2017 Bonds will be used to (i) finance the development and construction of the Community; (ii) repay interim debt used to fund pre-development costs of the Community; (iii) fund 31 months of interest; (iv) fund separate accounts of the debt service reserve fund for each series of bonds; and (v) pay the costs of issuance. The taxable Series 2017C Bonds are primarily used to fund the issuance costs of the bonds and fund a portion of the funded interest exceeding tax law restrictions on the tax-exempt bonds.

Ventana by Buckner will be the flagship senior living community for Buckner, and we look forward to serving senior adults in Dallas through this exceptional, unique community, said Charlie Wilson, executive vice president of BRS. Ziegler has been a tremendous partner, helping Buckner fulfill our mission over the last three decades and we are very excited to bring Ventana to the Dallas market. It will offer adults 62 and over with an unprecedented vantage point from which to witness and engage with the wider world.

Ziegler is fortunate to have had a long-standing relationship with BRS going back to our first financing with them in 1996. We have worked with BRS since the late 1990s as they have tried to find a suitable location in Dallas to serve as their flagship, the Ventana site and design has been well received by Buckners Dallas supporters. Buckner is a strong organization with deep roots in providing seniors with exceptional living accommodations and health care. Ventana will certainly live up to their reputation, added Rich Scanlon, Managing Director in Zieglers senior living practice.

Ziegler is one of the nation's leading underwriters of financing for not-for-profit senior living providers. Ziegler offers creative, tailored solutions to its senior living clientele, including investment banking, financial risk management, merger and acquisition services, investment management, seed capital, FHA/HUD, capital and strategic planning as well as senior living research, education, and communication.

For further information on the structure and use of this issue, please see the Official Statement located on the Electronic Municipal Market Access system's Document Archive.

For more information about Ziegler, please visit us at http://www.Ziegler.com.

About Ziegler:

Ziegler is a privately held investment bank, capital markets, wealth management and proprietary investments firm, celebrating its 115th anniversary this year. Ziegler is ranked No. 1 in the country in healthcare/senior living underwriters by issuance and No. 4 by par amount (Thomson Reuters, 2016), and is ranked in the top 20 municipal underwriters in the country by volume (Bloomberg, 2016). Specializing in the healthcare, senior living, education and religion sectors, as well as general municipal and structured finance enables Ziegler to generate a positive impact on the communities it serves. Headquartered in Chicago with regional and branch offices throughout the United States, Ziegler provides its clients with capital raising, strategic advisory services, equity and fixed income sales & trading, wealth management and research. To learn more, visit http://www.ziegler.com.

Certain comments in this news release represent forward-looking statements made pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This clients experience may not be representative of the experience of other clients, nor is it indicative of future performance or success. The forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, in particular, the overall financial health of the securities industry, the strength of the healthcare sector of the U.S. economy and the municipal securities marketplace, the ability of the Company to underwrite and distribute securities, the market value of mutual fund portfolios and separate account portfolios advised by the Company, the volume of sales by its retail brokers, the outcome of pending litigation, and the ability to attract and retain qualified employees.

# # #
Express Kitchens' Norwalk Grand Opening Our growth is a testament to our customers belief that we can deliver the kitchen of their dreams within their timeline and most importantly, within their budget."

Express Kitchens, the fastest-growing kitchen cabinet and countertop retailer in the Northeast, is celebrating the Grand Opening of its 10th location in Stamford, Connecticut on Saturday June 17th. Throughout the celebration, being held from 11am-1pm, Express Kitchens will be giving away valuable door prizes and coupons. 95.9 WFOX (Fairfield Countys only Classic Rock Station), will be doing their own giveaways throughout the Grand Opening during their live on-site radio broadcast. We are honored to have Stamford Mayor David Martin in attendance for our ribbon cutting ceremony. Refreshments will be served.

The new Stamford store represents the best of Express Kitchens. Our growth is a testament to our customers belief that we can deliver the kitchen of their dreams within their timeline and most importantly, within their budget, says CEO Max Kothari. As a company, we take great pride in that. Express Kitchens offers one-stop shopping for the kitchen homeowner and professional remodeler. We offer free 3D design services, allowing the homeowner to envision their finished kitchen before the project begins. For the professional remodeler, we have our own on-site cabinet shop, laminate countertop shop, and granite shop so we can provide same-day cabinets and countertops at extremely affordable prices.

Headquartered in Hartford CT, Express Kitchens is known for its tagline, Growing, Growing, Growing!, and is doing just that. Our next location in New London CT will be opening soon, joining the existing showrooms in Bridgeport, Brookfield, Hamden, Hartford, Newington, Norwalk, Orange, Stamford, Waterbury, and West Springfield, Massachusetts.
This recognition emphasizes the high quality of our teams knowledge and expertise, as well as our dedication to superb client service and interaction with our community and peers.

Givens Givens Sparks attorneys Stann Givens, Robert Sparks, Chris Givens, Ellen Ostman and Victoria Cruz-Garcia were selected for the 2017 Florida Super Lawyers list, an honor received by only 5% of attorneys in the state.

A rigorous selection process that includes peer nominations and evaluations combined with independent research by the publication ensures that the Super Lawyer recognition is reserved for attorneys who exhibit excellence in their practice. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement, such as verdicts/settlements, experience, honors/awards, special certifications, professional activity, and more.

We are extremely honored and proud to have five of our firms attorneys appear on this years Super Lawyers list,  said managing partner, Robert Sparks. This recognition emphasizes the high quality of our teams knowledge and expertise, as well as our dedication to superb client service and interaction with our community and peers.

Four attorneys specializing in family law made the 2017 list, including: founding partner Stann Givens (Super Lawyer 2006-2017), Ellen Ostman (Super Lawyer 2006, 2014-2017), Chris Givens (Florida Rising Stars 2013-2017) and Victoria Cruz-Garcia (Super Lawyer 2012-2014, 2017). Managing partner, Robert Sparks, runs the firms personal injury division and appears on the Super Lawyer list for a second consecutive year in 2017.

Givens Givens Sparks is a trial law firm representing individuals and their families in state and federal cases ranging from personal injury and wrong death actions, to commercial insurance litigation and complex high net-worth divorce cases. With more than 135 years of combined professional experience, the Givens Givens Sparks team of lawyers is dedicated to the advocacy and protection of their clients and their families. To learn more about Givens Givens Sparks, please visit: http://www.givenssparks.com.
Left to right, Greg Laskey, General Manager Electrical & Body at Toyota, Rosa Santana, CEO of Forma, Lisa Navarro-Gonzales, General Manager of Forma and Aaron Emi, Analyst Toyota Supplier Diversity Our team continually strives to drive performance improvements and we are grateful to be recognized for our results.

Forma Automotive, under the direction of CEO Rosa Santana, was selected as Supplier of the Year by the Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council (SMSDC). Forma Automotive, established in 2014 as Toyotas first Hispanic woman-owned direct Tier I supplier, received this prestigious award during the 2017 SMSDC Face Time Expo & Awards Ceremony held at the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio on June 8th.

Corporate members of SMSDC nominate certified minority owned suppliers who demonstrate continued excellence. From these nominations, SMSDC honors one supplier for their business acumen and community service. Forma Automotive was nominated by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas.

Karen Box, CEO of SMSDC and Greg Laskey, General Manager Electrical & Body at Toyota presented Rosa Santana with her award. Congratulations to Rosa and the Forma team on winning SMSDC Supplier of the Year, says Greg Laskey. This award is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and commitment to quality that this strategic business partner contributes every day. If we are measured by the company we keep, we cannot think of a better supplier to be associated with.

To have been nominated by Toyota within two years of becoming a direct Tier I supplier highlights Formas commitment and determination to deliver quality products on time, says Forma Automotive CEO Rosa Santana. Our team continually strives to drive performance improvements and we are grateful to be recognized for our results.

The Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council (SMSDC), a National Minority Supplier Development Council affiliate, serves Southwest Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico and is the minority business owners direct link to corporate America.

Forma Automotive, part of the Santana Group of companies and Toyotas first Hispanic woman-owned direct Tier I supplier, was launched in 2014 to provide fully assembled Tacoma truck beds to Toyota Motor Manufacturing in San Antonio, Texas. http://www.formaautomotive.com

About the Santana Group:

The Santana Group of companies provides innovative outsourcing solutions to organizations across all industries.

http://www.santanagrp.com


Francoise Gilbert, a shareholder in global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, will speak at the Lexing Networks Conference, in Milan, Italy, June 14-16. The conference, held at the Milan Sheraton Diana Majestic hotel, will focus on the new EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which will be enforced as of May 25, 2018.

Gilbert will participate in the panel discussion on Data Protection by Design. She will analyze the legal compliance issues associated with the Data Protection Design provisions of the GDPR, and will propose structures, strategies, tools, and techniques to be used in the implementation of the Data Protection by Design requirements.

Gilbert, located in the firms Silicon Valley office, focuses her practice and research on U.S. and global data privacy and cybersecurity in a wide variety of markets, including, among others, internet, big data, connected devices, sensors, artificial intelligence, robotics, and other emerging technologies. Her clients include large, multinational entities, big data analytics companies, connected device developers, cloud service providers, publishers, internet stores, insurance companies, financial institutions, manufacturers, service providers, trade associations, non-profit organizations, software developers, and others. Gilbert is the author of the two-volume treatise Global Privacy and Security Law, published by Wolters Kluwer (http://www.globalprivacybook.com), and the co-author of a dozen other law books, including for example Robotic Technologies Law, published by Larcier, and Internet of Things and Data Analytics, published by Wiley. She has received law degrees and obtained bar admissions both in the United States and in France, and holds CIPP/US, CIPP/EU, and CIPM certifications from the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

About Greenberg Traurigs Cybersecurity, Privacy and Crisis Management Practice

Greenberg Traurigs Cybersecurity, Privacy and Crisis Management Practice is comprised of a multidisciplinary group of attorneys and professionals located throughout the world. The team is dedicated to developing strategies to address privacy, data security, and information management issues including privacy audits, policies and procedures, compliance with data security laws and industry standards, employee privacy, record retention/electronic discovery, cross-border data transfer, data breach readiness and response and litigation and dispute resolution, as well as the defense of data privacy, security breach, and TCPA class action suits.

About Greenberg Traurigs Intellectual Property & Technology Practice

With more than 180 intellectual property attorneys and agents in the United States, Asia, and Europe, Greenberg Traurig provides a broad range of patent, trademark and copyright protection and strategic counseling. Greenberg Traurig was named a National Tier 1 Law Firm for IP Litigation, Patent Law, Trademark and Information Technology Law by U.S. News and Best Lawyers, 2017 Best Law Firms Rankings.

About Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GTLaw) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East and is celebrating its 50th anniversary. One firm worldwide, GTLaw has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, was named the largest firm in the U.S. by Law360 in 2017, and among the Top 20 on the 2016 Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law.
The Union Springs Memorial Day Planning Committee would like to extend sincere appreciation to all the volunteers who wanted to participate in the Memorial Day Program and/or Parade. Unfortunately, the weather dampened our parade but there is always next year. Thanks to: The Cayuga County Sheriffs' Department, The New York State Police, Members of the Masonic Lodge, Members of the Lions' Club, A.J. Smith Marching Band, Cub & Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Southern Cayuga Little League, Community Band, Frontenac Elementary School, Union Springs Academy, Pre-School Program at the Frontenac School, Frontenac Historical Society and Museum, all the antique/vintage cars, Union Springs Fire Department, Cayuga Fire Department, Aurora Fire Department, Aurelius Fire Department, Fleming Fire Department, Trade-A-Yacht Inc. at Hibiscus Harbor and Frontenac Harbor. You will all get invitations next year!

We would also like to thank the Village of Union Springs and the Union Springs Central School District for their support.

The Walter T. Conley American Legion POST 1107 hosted the day with the program at the cemetery before the rain. The Commander Deb Johnson led the ceremony honoring the fallen soldiers with a prayer, laying of the wreath at the Soldiers Monument and then ordering the gun salute. Then the rain came. Some of the people went to the lake to witness the tossing of the wreath into the water while it poured and with the wind blowing. It would have been impossible to hold the service at the park.

The rest of the ceremony was held indoors at the Legion. After prayers, Deb Johnson spoke that this is the 100th Anniversary of the start of World War I. She then read the 79 names from the Union Springs Community that served to keep us free. The Union Springs Academy Chorus sang and the voices rang out to touch every heart in the Legion. Deb then ordered the gun salute. The playing of TAPS concluded the ceremony.

While cancelling the Parade was unfortunate, the true meaning of Memorial Day was at the cemetery, the park and the ceremony at the Legion. Thanks to all for your support!
New Delhi, Jun 10 (IBNS): Bharaitya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah and the Congress locked horns over Mahatma Gandhi on Saturday following Shah calling Gandhi a 'chatur baniya' according to media reports.

The BJP chief is in Chhattisgarh as part of his nationwide tour in preparation for the next round of elections in 2018 and 2019.

He made the remark in his address at Raipur on Friday, media reports said.

According to reports, Shah said that Mahatma Gandhi even contemplated dissolving the Congress post independence. Amit Shah called Congress a special purpose vehicle formed to secure freedom and being a clever "baniya" (meaning merchant) Gandhi knew the bleak future of Congress.

He said BJP was always clear that anyone who shouts anti-national slogan will be called an anti-national.

Meanwhile, the Congress had demanded an apology from the BJP chief for his remarks. Congress MLA Randeep S Surjewala has said that the BJP cheif must apologise for insulting Mahatma Gandhi, according to media reports.

The Congress also tweeted earlier: "Know the truth of BJP & its ideological master, RSS. While Congress leaders were fighting for freedom, RSS was siding with the British Raj."
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Srinagar, June 10 (IBNS) : A suspected militant was killed in a gunfight in Gurez sector of north Kashmir's Bandipora district as security forces foiled an infiltration attempt from across the Line of Control on Saturday, media reports said.

The reports quoted defence sources as saying that a group of militants was intercepted close to the LoC in Gurez sector during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday by the soldiers.

They said that militants opened fire leading to a gunfight.

One suspected militants was killed in the encounter. His body was recovered later, the reports said.




A minority government needs to rely on the support of other parties to get through these votes and anything else it wants to get done. They lend their support to form a working majority on issues with which it agrees

When a hung parliament is returned, there are three main outcomes:

The Tory Party opted for a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats in 2010, the last time a hung parliament occurred. This meant that the two parties officially agreed to go into government with each other and draw up a shared legislative program. However, the Liberal Democrats ruled out a coalition in 2017's election.

Democratic Unionist Party was, that its website crashed on Friday morning as Brits tried to figure it out.

The Northern Irish party has long remained on the fringes of mainstream British politics. They don't have a presence on the mainland, and they rarely get a look in on the national debate  which is dominated by the likes of the Conservatives, Labour, and smaller parties like Green and UKIP.

But the party has shockingly evolved into an
Schmidt is now the executive chair of Alphabet, Google's parent company and one of the world's most influential conglomerates. It has more than 60,000 employees and a market cap of about $663 billion.

It was the early years, when growth was especially rapid, that gave him the foundation of both his and all of Google's management philosophy, he explained to LinkedIn cofounder and chairman Reid Hoffman for an episode of Hoffman's "Masters of Scale" podcast.

One of these lessons concerned finding a "smart creative" who could "thrive in chaos," Schmidt said.

He told Hoffman that as Google scaled, they kept hiring "glue people," people who may be pleasant and competent but "who sit between functions and help either side but don't themselves add a lot of value." He and Google's cofounders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, decided it was time to overhaul their hiring system.

They developed various processes for finding talent  including peer interviews, tests, and lines of questioning  but Schmidt said that ultimately two simple things matter more than anything in a job candidate, and they're the same for a startup or a massive corporation.

They are persistence and curiosity.

Schmidt told Hoffman that "persistence is the single biggest predictor of future success. ... And the second thing was curiosity. What do you care about? The combination of persistence and curiosity is a very good predictor of employee success in a knowledge economy."

He said it matters less how you discover those traits in the hiring process than the actual discovery of them. And then finally, ask yourself if you would enjoy working with that person, since your final decision "has a lot to do with if the person is interesting or not."
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The latest development comes after the Finance Minister briefed parliament about the processes leading to the issuance of the bond.

He told Citi FM: I can confirm to you that the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America has formally communicated to us and informed us that a case manager by name Jennifer M. Carr has been appointed as the case manager on this case.

"The communication indicates that they are launching a full scale investigation into the US 2.25 billion bond issue which as you do know has generated considerable controversies."

According to him, the Minority "still insist that there is the need to raise concerns over the general lack of transparency, the general abuse of process, conflict of interest and violation of the laws of Ghana and other international financial laws, and that is why we continue to ask all the questions.

Surprisingly, when the Minority filed a "Half Hour Motion" in parliament seeking clarification and documentation from the Finance Minister, allegations of lack of transparency, abuse of the process and conflict of interest were dropped.

On Wednesday, Ofori-Atta told parliament that the recent 2.25 billion dollar bond was processed without violating the laws of Ghana.

He said the allegations by the minority may only be a result of a genuine lack of understanding of the processes of bond issuance.

Mr Ofori Atta said, the issuance was transparent and was done in accordance with how bonds and government securities have been issued over the years.

He added that that the Ministry of Finance, had no direct dealings with investors during the issuance of the bond.

All prospective bidders bid through their primary dealers, who in turn submitted the investors bids through the Central Securities Depository platform. The joint transaction advisers then collate these bids to build up a book on which the bonds are issued. At no time during the book building process did the Ministry of Finance negotiate with any investor in any way, and it will indeed be quite difficult to manipulate the process when the three financial institutions are governed strictly by the Bank of Ghanas rules and regulations.

Mr Ofori-Atta added that there were no breaches of integrity either on governments part or on the joint book runners part.
This was made known by the Chief Executive Officer COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, in an interview with Accra-based Joy FM.

It has been reported that the price fall has cost the economy $1 billion in revenue.

Mr Aidoo said measures are being put in place to forestall any effect on production next season, adding that farmers would be guaranteed their minimum price.

Early this week, Ghana and Ivory Coast, the two largest producers of cocoa, took steps to tackle cocoa price volatility.

Ivory Coast produced a total of 1.7 million metric tonnes of cocoa and Ghana produced some 840,000 tonnes in 2016 production year.

Ghana is targeting to hit one million metric tonnes for the 2016/2017 production year.

During the Cocoa and Coffee Council meeting in Abidjan, the two top cocoa producing countries have therefore agreed to deepen collaboration and coordinate their production strategies in order to tackle price volatility.

Massandje Toure-Litse, director general of the Coffee and Cocoa Council of Ivory Coast reportedly told journalists in Abidjan.

Its become imperative that our countries take decisions on points concerning production and sustainability and on points concerning the prickly question of the volatility of prices.

Africa produces about 75 per cent of the worlds cocoa, but only 20 per cent of the grinding process takes place in Africa.

With Africa's annual $100 billion value of the worlds chocolate industry, only two per cent comes to Africa.

Meanwhile, about 85 percent of the cocoa feeding the multi-billion euro chocolate industry in The Netherlands comes from African countries, with Ghana and Ivory Coast being the largest producers.
The Ghana Education Service has attributed the development to better supervision by Education Minister, Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh, the Director General of Ghana Education Service (GES) and the regional Education Directors.

READ MORE: Chief prevents about 260 candidates from writing BECE

Speaking Friday, Rev. Jonathan Betty, the Public Relations Officer of GES said: they were all involved in making sure that this year should be one of the best. With their monitoring and strategies and few things that they added have proven really really profitable.

He told Radio Ghana that there is no exams written [in Ghana] without little little leakage, but said this years has improved compared to previous years.

Victor Degraft, Secretary of the heads of Conference of Basic Schools, said for the first time we are having a smooth BECE as compare to that of previous years. We heard of pocket of leakages, pockets of malpractices, but I believe for this year so far so good.

He recommended that all stakeholders "must put their shoulders to the wheel to have examination conducted in a successful way as it has been done this year.

A total of 468,053 candidates are sitting for this years BECE which ends June 9, 2017.

Out of the total number of candidates, 241,148 are males, while 226,905 are females.
At the launch of the 2017 edition of the pageant, she revealed that the pageants International organisers have made her its new director alongside her company, MALZ Promotions who will be in charge of running the pageant.

The launch which took place at Carbon Night Club, Airport City was attended by several Ghanaian personalities including Bola Ray, Benny Blanco, Sulley Muntari and Deborah Vanessa (Sister Derby)and was hosted by Radio/TV host, Kofi Okyere Darko.

Miss Universe has opened a lot of doors for me, the beauty queen who doubles as an entrepreneur imitated, having this license as the new Director for Miss Universe Ghana 2017 is such an amazing feeling...I was once a title holder representing Ghana internationally and I feel that it is my objective to assist the next title holder in making Ghana proud [and] represent Ghana internationally at the Miss Universe level.

Menaye Donkors new role as the director will be a herculean one as the pageant has been hit with sex scandals, court suits, bribery allegations and organisers inability to award prizes to winners.
"I feel there's a need to touch society positively no matter how small it seems. I want to show Ghanaians that, a lot of the problems we are dealing with in our various societies can be fixed by us if each one of us invest our time, resources or skills to solve the problems," Kosi Bone said in an interview.

"I did this to prompt my fellow rising stars on the need to support the suburbs we come from because we make music for the people but it's not also about the music and making money but being a part of solving societal problems."

Kosi Bone has tasked himself and his team to undertake projects including a visit to Nungua Children's Home to donate some items to the children. He will also pay the hospital bill of a needy patient very soon.

"I've come to realize that, music is meaningless if those who listen to it are not happy. I therefore see the need to touch the lives of people in society in every way I can. Currently, Make a Million is supporting my charity drive heavily."
Ayo who is facing a one-count charge of rape, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp. Nurudeen Thomas told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 2, at about 12: 00 p.m. at Jakande Estate, Lagos.

He said that the accused, a bartender, bundled the 10-year-old into a store at the back of the bar and forcefully had anal sex with him.

The boys mother sent him to the bar to greet his uncle who came to visit them but went to the bar to drink with his friends.

Unknown to the boy that his uncle had left the bar, the accused lied to him that his uncle was at the back of the bar.

The accused bundled him into the store, locked the door and forcefully had anal sex with him.

The boys mother noticed that the boy could not walk well and was limping on his arrival from the bar and asked what was wrong.

He told his mother what happened to him which led to the arrest of the accused, the prosecutor said.

He said the offence contravened Section 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, which prescribes life imprisonment for offenders.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Kikelomo Ayeye, granted the accused bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

She said the accused must provide two responsible sureties who must be civil servants not below grade level 15.

The chief magistrate admonished parents and guardians to be cautious of where they send their under-aged children and wards.
Bhopal, Jun 10 (IBNS): Farmers from all over Madhya Pradesh have been meeting the state's chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at the Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal, on Saturday, where the CM is on an indefinite fast, according to media reports.

The CM began his fasting on Saturday to end the violence that has rocked parts of the state, especially Mandsaur, following protests by farmers.

Last week, farmers in Mandsaur began agitating, demanding better prices for their produce and for debt relief. On Tuesday, police had to resort to firing when the protesters turned violent and damaged property and set vehicles on fire. Five farmers died on the spot and one more succumbed to his injures on Friday.

On Saturday, the CM said that he will continue with his regular Mantralaya work sitting at the fasting venue and also meet the farmers if they wanted to speak to him, media reports said.

In between he also welcomed President Pranab Mukherjee through a tweeted message, "We warmly welcome Rashtrapati Shri Pranab Mukherjee to the state of Madhya Pradesh."

Tweeting in Hindi, BJPMadhyaPradesh said that who else can understand the sorrows of a farmer but the son of a farmer, CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan?

Opposition parties, including Congress, have called the CM's move a 'drama'.

Madhya Pradesh is set to go for polls next year.



Image: CMO Madhya Pradesh Twitter
The accused is facing a two-count charge of assault and threat to life.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Kehinde Omisakin, told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in April 2013 and in June 2017, at Trade Fair Complex, Alaba, in Lagos.

She said that the accused assaulted his wife, Anthonia Igboeli, by punching her in the face and using a pestle to hit her, breaking two of her fingers.

Omisakin said that the accused had also threatened to burn down the shop of the complainant.

The offences contravened Sections 56(1) and 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The accused, a trader, who resides at Salako St., Agege, a suburb of Lagos, is facing a one-count charge of defilement.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Raphael Donny told the court that the offence was committed on May 30 at the accused residence.

Donny said that the accused called the 7-year-old girl into his room on the pretext of sending her on an errand.

The accused shut the door after her and defiled her, he said.

Donny said that the girl who was in pain and bleeding, cried to her mother and the accused was apprehended.

The offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Folakemi Davies-Abegunde, granted the accused bail of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.
Scores of Ghanaians trooped to the State House to witness the funeral of the 31-year old soldier who was gruesomely murdered over a week ago. The whole atmosphere, as expected, was cringed with sorrow, grief and low-spirits.

Who would ever have thought that this could happen in Ghana? For a country that prides itself as the ultimate hub of hospitality, how did it ever get to this?

--- June 9, 2017 will forever be remembered in the history of Ghana. Just like the 6th Marchs, 1st Julys and the 21st Septembers, this day will also not be forgotten anytime soon.

But while the aforementioned dates inspire hope and joy, June 9 marks a day of reflection; a day when we were reminded of how we lost all our humanitarian and altruistic senses.

The late Major Mahama was a noble man with dreams just like everybody else. He was in Denkyira-Obuasi as part of his assigned duties. A duty which meant he should protect Ghanaians at all cost, however, he was betrayed by his own people. He was beaten, stoned and burned without any provocation.

His killers claim they thought he was a thief, and so they lynched him. They did not just kill his body, but also his soul.

But this is a man whose death is set to make a statement in the life of every Ghanaian. For so long we condoned mob (in)justice and made it look like the ideal punishment for the wayward. Today, regrettably, we mourn a man whose death was as the result of a mad system we created.

We created a monster and today it has hit us where it hurts most. We claim we are a democratic country, but we throw our laws to the dogs when it comes to some selected people. Even if Major Mahama was a thief, did he deserve such inhuman treatment?

Nobody deserves to die this way; not even the worst of criminals. But we have played the unconcerned card all these years. We have watched 100s of innocent people lose their lives as a result of this absurd reasoning. We always kept quiet and pretended not to care.

It had to take death of this soldier to wake us up from this folly. We had to be dealt a reality-check, but unfortunately it was Major Mahama who paid the price. That is why we, as Ghanaians, are all guilty. Instead of uprooting the bad seeds, we allowed them to grow poisonous fruits.

Today the late Major Mahama lays cold. His passion stopped, his dreams brought to a halt and his family separated from him, but we must all take the blame. If we had banished the demons of mob justice earlier, it wouldnt have gotten to this point.

Now he is gone, but the circumstances of his death will always be remembered. And the guilt will also always hover around the head of every Ghanaian. Tales will be told of this day: we will narrate it to our children and grandchildren when we turn old.

But more importantly, now we know the way forward. A way which has always been clear, yet we refused to see. The security services should be up and doing. After all, the fact that many people no longer trust our Police is the reason why this insane reasoning began in the first place.

The 42 persons  and hopefully the rest hiding are sniffed out too  that have been arrested in connection with Major Mahamas death should be made to face the full rigors of the law to serve as deterrent to others.

Never should this happen again. Major Mahama may be dead now, but his spirit breathes an awakening wind that has taken over the length and breadth of this country. That is why as his coffin  wrapped with the red, gold and green of Ghana  was being marched for burial, cries could be heard from all angles.
The Forestry Commission of Ghana is responsible for the regulation of utilization of forest and wildlife resources, the conservation and management of those resources and the coordination of policies related to them.

Speaking on Joy FMs Newsfile Saturday, June 10, 2017, Mr Baako said the top management member has been caught on tape giving out the nations forest reserves and concession for money.

He said: There is a big fishat the Forestry Commission who is making all sorts of noise and calling the army, calling the police, doing this, doing that, but that gentleman is caught on tape selling forest reserves and concessions to Chinese and other Ghanaians and collecting money. He is there at the Forestry Commission, hes a big man.

The Akufo-Addo administration has announced a sweeping ban on mining following the pollution of the nations river.
Major Mahama was lynched by residents of Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central region on Monday, May 29, after he was allegedly mistaken for a thief.

Police have so far arrested a total of 42 persons in connection with the murder of the young military officer.

A memorial and burial service has held for him on Fridayat the forecourt of the State House in Accra.

He has been buried at the Osu Military Cemetery, Accra.

In a tribute, the Vice President has described the fallen soldier as 'a soldier's soldier'.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia said the slain soldier was one who was dedicated to his duty and one who deserved to be emulate.

"At the gates of the Military Academy and Training School where his career as a soldier began, there is an inscription that states that they who pass through that gate commit to defend the Nation on land, in the air and on the seas, even at the peril of their lives. If there is ever a soldier who lived this commitment as a religious duty, that was Major Maxwell Adam Mahama," he said.
The Police have announced that 42 people have been arrested in connection with Major Mahamas death.

READ MORE: A death every Ghanaian should feel guilty of

On Friday, he was laid to rest at the Military Cemetery in Accra after a memorial service at the forecourt of the statehouse.

In an emotional tribute to her late husband, Barbara said she sent her last text message to her husband on Monday May 14, at 9:12 am after they spoke at 6am.

For the first time in my life, I experienced a ripping heart on Monday night, I woke up to throw up, I had tummy issues too, I just felt sick, she said.

Top government officials, MPs, former presidents and celebrities attended Major Mahamas memorial service.

He died as a Captain but was promoted posthumously to the rank of Major by president Nana Akufo-Addo.

In a tribute, the Vice President has described the fallen soldier as 'a soldier's soldier'.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia said the slain soldier was one who was dedicated to his duty and one who deserved to be emulate.

"At the gates of the Military Academy and Training School where his career as a soldier began, there is an inscription that states that they who pass through that gate commit to defend the Nation on land, in the air and on the seas, even at the peril of their lives. If there is ever a soldier who lived this commitment as a religious duty, that was Major Maxwell Adam Mahama," he said.
He also added 50 cartons of Adonko Bitters to be used to serve mourners who would visit the family to mourn the late Major Mahama.

Dr Kwaku Oteng said he will also help with the education of the two kids left behind.

Major Mahama was lynched by residents of Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central region on Monday, May 29, and he will be laid to rest this Friday, June 9, 2017.

Police have so far arrested a total of 42 persons in connection with the murder of the soldier, Major Maxwell Mahama.
Speaking in Wa on a working visit as part of efforts to fraternise with the Muslim community in Ghana, the Vice President said: Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo is a man of his words. He is a man who keeps his promise. He is the man who has sympathy for the suffering of the Ghanaian man, and when he said if given the opportunity he will establish the Zongo Development Fund to help the people in the Zongos, he has actually done exactly that.

He has allocated GHC 219 million to help the Zongo Development Fund, and this will be given this year and the passage of the Zongo Development Fund law this year will make sure that every year funds are allocated in the budget for this fund, and we will see a lot of development in the Zongos.
Patna, June 10 (TheBiharPost/IBNS): Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Saturday asked the Indian government to annex Pak-Occupied Kashmir without any further delay, describing it as the root-cause of all troubles.

Its time India should forcibly occupy the Pak-Occupied Kashmir. How long we will be seeing the duplicate PoK on the map of India? he told the media on Saturday, describing PoK as the root-cause of all troubles.

Ramdev is currently on three-day tour of Bihar to attend a function making the Chamaparan centenary celebrations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will become immortal if he is able to annex PoK to India, he remarked and wondered the way a small country like Pakistan had been constantly challenging the might of India.

He demanded that all the terrorist camps operating across the border should be dismantled without any delay.

The Yoga guru also asked Pakistan to hand over terrorists like Dawood Ibrahim, Azhar Mehmood and Hafiz Sayeed to India.

(thebiharpost.com)


The NDC must continue to champion the agenda of the people of this country and this agenda is simple. We have to protect the interest of our people. We have to ensure that the NPP government meets all the promises that they made. I have been told that they have made 170 promises," he said.

"They have to ensure that all those 170 promises are fulfilled so the people of Ghana can also benefit from the work that they came to do. 

He also charged the party to "move on" despite a painful electoral defeat, stressing that the 2016 election is over.

The 2016 election is over and it is important for us to move on because the agenda of the Ghanaian people is important," he said.
The three MPs of Ghanaian-origin are all from the Conservative party

Adam Afriyie who has a Ghanaian father won Windsor for the Conservative. He won by 64.4 percent of the vote.

Sam Gyimah, whose both parents are Ghanaian, won Surrey East for the Conservative with 59.6 percent.

And Kwasi Kwarteng, both parents from Ghana, won by 57.3 percent for the Conservative.

Shortly after the election, Labours Jeremy Corbyn urged Mrs May to resign.

But the Prime Minister said: At this time more than anything else, this country needs a period of stability.
The Trump administration had intended to roll out its plans to revitalize US infrastructure  one of its biggest policy proposals after immigration and healthcare.

The infrastructure rollout was seen by some as a counterpunch to the highly publicized Senate testimony of former FBI director James Comey, who appeared before lawmakers to give his account of the tumultuous months that led up to Trump firing him.

The fallout to Comey's testimony was massive.

"Just landed from China, trying to catch up.... How did "infrastructure week" go," Blankfein quipped on Twitter Friday afternoon. That followed another tweet Blankfein sent on Tuesday: "Arrived in China, as always impressed by condition of airport, roads, cell service, etc. US needs to invest in infrastructure to keep up!"

Blankfein joined Twitter in 2011, but sent his first tweet just last week to rebuke Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement.

Despite Republican Party plans to hit back at Comey's testimony, viewers in the US were nonetheless captivated. Comey's appearance before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday drew in nearly 20 million viewers, according to Nielsen.
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The change.org petition has secured 500,000 signatures in just 24 hours. Set up by a user named Winston Churchill, it calls on 10 Downing Street to ditch plans to partner with the DUP.

The petition said May's ambition is a "disgusting, desperate attempt to stay in power." Talks between her party and the DUP progressed on Saturday after Tory Chief Whip Gavin Williamson was sent to Belfast to negotiate a deal.

The petition lists some of the DUP's most controversial policies. The party, for example, does not believe in gay marriage, is anti-abortion, and is sceptical about climate change.

There are also fears it could further destabilise the political landscape in Northern Ireland following the collapse of the power-sharing agreement earlier this year. The UK and Irish governments are currently trying to mediate between the DUP and Irish nationalists to restore the Northern Irish government.

The Tories needed 326 seats to win but fell short by eight. The DUP won 10. May will need the Northern Irish MPs' votes to force policy through parliament.
Theresa May's joint chiefs of staff Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill have resigned after the prime minister failed to win a majority in Thursday's general election.

May was under huge pressure to sack the pair on Saturday. There were reports that if they did not go, the prime minister would face a leadership challenge.

But by lunchtime, both announced they had resigned. In a blog for Conservative Home, Timothy said the Conservative election campaign "failed" to get May's "positive plan for the future" across to voters. "It also failed to notice the surge in Labour support," he added.

Timothy was the architect of the disastrous social care plan in May's manifesto, according to reports. She was forced to backtrack on the vision, which included the so-called dementia tax, just days after it was published. Timothy reflected on this in his blog:

"I take responsibility for my part in this election campaign, which was the oversight of our policy programme. In particular, I regret the decision not to include in the manifesto a ceiling as well as a floor in our proposal to help meet the increasing cost of social care.

"But I would like to make clear that the bizarre media reports about my own role in the policys inclusion are wrong: It had been the subject of many months of work within Whitehall, and it was not my personal pet project."

Hill's resignation was confirmed by a Tory spokesperson. In a statement on Conservative Home, she later added: "Its been a pleasure to serve in government, and a pleasure to work with such an excellent prime minister. I have no doubt at all that Theresa May will continue to serve and work hard as prime minister  and do it brilliantly."

She and Timothy were May's closest confidants at 10 Downing Street and political commentators have questioned how she will cope without them by her side. But it appears that May had little choice but to accept their resignation.

Cabinet ministers and a "string of Conservative MPs" told The Guardian that the joint chiefs of staff are "monsters who propped her up and sunk our party."

BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith tweeted on Saturday that senior Tories issued an ultimatum over Timothy and Hill: Sack them or there will be a leadership challenge.

Others were honest about the advisers' record since May became PM last year. Katie Perrior, the director of communications at Downing Street between July 2016 and April 2017, said she was "staggered at the disrespect they showed on a daily basis" towards ministers and others in government.

In an article for The Times, she wrote:

"The chiefs of staff were great street fighters but poor political leaders. Great leaders lead by bringing people with them, not alienating them before having even digested breakfast. What I could never work out was whether Mrs May condoned their behaviour and turned a blind eye or didnt understand how destructive they both were."

Australian strategist Sir Lynton Crosby was also under fire for overseeing May's election campaign. He set the tone of her bid to win a larger majority, including what became known as "Mayism"  a relentless focus on the prime minister rather than the Conservative Party.

The resignations came as May finalises her cabinet.

Boris Johnson, Philip Hammond, and Amber Rudd will remain as foreign secretary, chancellor, and home secretary respectively. David Davis will also stay on as Brexit secretary and Sir Michael Fallon will keep his role as defence secretary. The PM was expected to confirm other roles, such as health secretary, on Saturday.

May is also focused on securing a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). The Tories needed 326 seats to win but fell short by eight. The DUP won 10. May will need the Northern Irish MPs' votes to force policy through parliament.

Tory Chief Whip Gavin Williamson was sent to Belfast on Saturday to negotiate a deal, according to ITV political editor Robert Peston. He said ministers would prefer a coalition deal, rather than a less formal vote-based one, under which the DUP would agree to support May on key policy issues.

"A coalition would be much better than a looser alliance", one senior minister told Peston. "We don't want the DUP demanding money for this or that project they fancy every time we need them to support us in a vote. That would be deeply unstable".

The Telegraph reported that the Tories and DUP will agree a written "programme for government" over the coming days. The document will set out the policies they both agree on. It will form the basis of a series of new laws to be announced in the Queens Speech on 19 June.

Speaking about the partnership on Friday, May said: "We will continue to work with our friends and allies in the Democratic Unionist Party in particular.

"Our two parties have enjoyed a strong relationship over many years, and this gives me the confidence to believe that we will be able to work together in the interests of the whole United Kingdom."

The "coalition of crackpots"

There are significant concerns about the relationship, however. Left-wing newspaper The Daily Mirror dubbed it the "coalition of crackpots," pointing to the DUP's hardline views. The party, for example, does not believe in gay marriage, is anti-abortion, and is sceptical about climate change.

Ruth Davidson, the gay Scottish Conservative leader, tweeted a link on Friday to a speech she gave on the importance of equal marriage. She was given assurances by May, however, that the DUP partnership will not impact the Tory support of LGBTI rights.

"I was fairly straightforward with her and I told her that there were a number of things that count to me more than party. One of them is country, one of the others is LGBTI rights," Davidson told the BBC. "It's an issue that's very close to my heart and one that I wanted categoric assurance from the prime minister on, and I received."

Separately, The Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday that Davidson's aides "are working on a deal that would see the Scottish party break away to form a separate organisation." But she branded the story "b****cks" on Twitter. "Folk might remember I fought a leadership campaign on the other side of that particular argument," she said.

Germanys message over Brexit talks

Looming over May is the June 19 date when Brexit talks are due to start. The prime minister is confident that talks can begin as planned and this was echoed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"I assume that Britain, from what I heard from the Prime Minister today, wants to stick to its negotiating plan," Merkel said during a visit to Mexico City, Mexico.
May is negotiating a partnership with the Northern Irish party after failing to secure a majority in this week's election. But there are significant questions about the DUP's hardline stance on gay rights and other issues, including abortion and climate change.

The DUP opposes same-sex marriage and Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where it is not legal. It's a fact that has concerned Davidson, the gay Tory leader in Scotland.

On Friday, she tweeted a link to a speech she gave on the importance equal marriage. She also told the BBC that she sought assurances from May that the Tory approach to gay rights will not change if the party enters into an agreement with the DUP.

"I was fairly straightforward with her and I told her that there were a number of things that count to me more than party. One of them is country, one of the others is LGBTI rights," Davidson said. "It's an issue that's very close to my heart and one that I wanted categoric assurance from the prime minister on  and I received."

Davidson is an increasingly important voice in the Conservative Party. She led the party to an astonishing result in Scotland, winning an extra 12 seats in Thursday's election. The MSP has even been touted as a possible leadership contender if May is forced to resign.
Kolkata/Darjeeling, Jun 10 (IBNS): Nearly 48 hours after West Bengal's "queen of hills" Darjeeling was turned into a war zone due to a political violence, superintendent of Darjeeling district police, Amit Javalgi, has been sent on a compulsory waiting, officials said.

According to reports, replacing Amit Javalgi, Deputy Commissioner (Central division) of Kolkata Police, Akhilesh Chaturvedi, took charge as Darjeeling SP on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal government on Saturday morning removed the Inspector-in-Charges (ICs) of Kurseong and Kalimpong police stations- Dipankar Som and Barun Rai respectively.

Parijat Sarkar and Tirthasarathi Nath have been appointed as the new ICs of Kurseong and Kalimpong police stations, where political clashes erupted on Thursday, reports said.

Earlier on Thursday late afternoon, a skirmish broke out between Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and local police in Darjeeling hills when state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was holding her cabinet meeting there.

Protesters threw stones, bricks and glass bottles and allegedly hurled crude bombs aiming at policemen and set at least 12 vehicles, including state-run buses and police jeeps, and a police booth on fire.

At least 50 security personnel, including three officials and few women cops, were injured in the clash and over 10,000 tourists were stranded due to the standoff.

Later state government shout Army help to restore situation and as many as six Army coloumns were deployed there to bring the situation under control.

After overseeing tourist-evacuation process in the hills, Mamata Banerjee came down to Siliguri on Friday night and she arrived in Kolkata on Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, an official of state finance department told IBNS that the government has formed a twelve-man team, comprising the senior officers of West Bengal Audit and Account Services (WBAAS), to audit the accounts of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).

"We have received a strict direction from the government to lodge police complaint immediately if any misappropriation of funds is found in the GTA," the official said.

However, a local police official claimed that the situation in the hills is completely under control as no more violence has been reported since Friday evening.

Meanwhile, GJM chief Bimal Gurung on Saturday told IBNS that their movement, demanding a separate state of Gorkhaland, will be continued in future and the party has decided to go on indefinite strike from Monday (Jun 12).

"We held a meeting today to set the next steps of our movement and after hour-long discussion, we have decided to call for an indefinite strike, starting from June 12 (Monday)," Bimal Gurung said.

"All educational institutions, shops, hotels, tour and tourism, transports and emergency services will be exempted from the strike and banks will be allowed to open on every Monday and Thursday," Gurung added. "No government offices, neither state government nor the Central, will open here from Monday."

GJM general secretary, Roshan Giri, said that the party will request all political parties soon to hold an all-party meeting on their demand for Gorkhaland.

"We will send letter to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh describing how the state government torturing Gorkhas," Giri told IBNS.

GJM leaders, however, assured that tourists won't face any trouble in Darjeeling hills due to the indefinite strike.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)
This was recorded at Fadaman Rake located at Hong Local Government Area of the state, report says.

Baba Yerima, a local vigilante in the vicinity told the Premium Times News that an unknown man had handed the explosive to a boy asking him to deliver what he described as money to his father.

The item however exploded before he could get home to deliver the message.

The man just stopped his starlet as if he is looking for help. He gave one of the boys playing a polythene bag that he should take it to his father as it contained money and valuables.

The boys didnt know and in the process of taking it to home, we just heard the blast.

Two kids lost their lives instantly, while the remaining two and one passerby were seriously injured and rushed to nearby hospital unconscious," said the vigilante.

ALSO READ: How dog died while trying to stop suicide bomber in Maiduguri

Othman Abubakar, a spokesperson to the police confirmed the sad incident in a statement that reads:

It was one unknown starlet driver that approached some children at Fadaman Rake holding a polythene bag and there he delivered it to one of the kids with a pretence that it was money and other valuables meant for their father.

Unknowingly the children collected it and while in the process of taking it to their home, the bomb exploded.

Two children were confirmed died instantly as three others including a passerby injured and were rushed to hospital in Hong.

It is yet to be confirmed if the happening was an assassination attempt directed at the boy's father or simply an act of terror.
This is as a result of a confrontation between a soldier and a civilian named Sunny, now deceased, who was gathering a heap of sand from a gutter close to a military school at Television junction located in the state.

According to the Daily Post News, the unknown soldier ordered him to terminate his activity and subsequently shot him dead for disobeying.

This led to street protest by some angry youths, who took the corpse of the deceased to the front of the school and barricaded the road.

ALSO READ: Nigerian soldiers force man to swim in dirty water (Video)

More soldiers responded to this by opening fire on them killing two more people.

DSP Aliyu Usman, the Police Public Relations Officer for Kaduna confirmed the incident to the Daily Post News but directed them to the army for more information.

Yes, I can confirm to you that the incident happened but call the Army PRO. They are in a better position to react. Thank you, he said.
He said that the Federal Government was committed to restoring Nigerias place in agro-commodities export market, which had been lost for decades as a result of poor quality control.

According to Ogbeh, Nigeria would officially export its first consignment of certified yams to the UK and U.S. by the end of June.

This will mark a milestone in the efforts we are making to bring Nigeria back into reckoning in the agricultural export market.

We lost this, decades ago, as a result of poor quality control and subsequent rejection of our agricultural exports.

Among a number of initiatives to fast-track these interventions and solidify our base, the Federal Government has empowered the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Services (NAQS), to make it more responsive to issues of safety and phytosanitary standards in food exports.

The NAQS reports will become acceptable globally and this will forestall the national embarrassment arising from the rejections of food exports on account of quality deficiency, he said.

He said that the Federal Government had also established a standing inter-ministerial technical committee on zero-reject of agricultural commodities/produce and non-oil exports in Nigeria.

Ogbeh said that the committee is co-chaired by the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and technically supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

He added that the committee consists of membership from critical and relevant agencies of the Federal Government.

These agencies are the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Customs Service, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

They include Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) are also part of the project.

ALSO READ:Audu Ogbeh says price of rice will drop in June

He informed that the inter-ministerial committee had commenced work on an export control plan to target the country beans rejection and develop HS codes for other exportable commodities from Nigeria as recommended by the EU as part of the terms for lifting the ban on the beans export.

I affirm the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to end the embarrassing rejection of Nigerian commodity and produce at the international market is irrevocable.

The health of Nigerians is also paramount and the populace needs good quality food as well.

There is nothing like Nigerian or local standards, but international standards to which we cannot but adhere in our local handling of food, consumption and export drive, the minister said.
The Nnamdi Kanu-led IPOB also thanked the northerners for giving the Igbo an advance warning to vacate the north.

Some Arewa youth groups had a three-month quit notice from the north to Igbo residing there.

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, and other northern Governors had kicked against the notice but some elders in the region backed the eviction of Igbo from the north.

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on Friday, June 9, threw its weight behind the call for Igbo to vacate the region.

In a statement signed by Emma Powerful, IPOB called on all southerners in the north to start leaving the region as soon as possible.

"We the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leadership worldwide wish to sincerely thank the Arewa Elders Forum (AEF), Arewa Youths and Arewa Consultative Forum for seeing sense in what IPOB has been saying about the need for a referendum to be conducted in Nigeria to decide the fate of the component ethnic nationalities criminally lumped together by the British in 1914," the statement read.

"Biafrans in general also wish to thank these vocal Northerners for at least having the courtesy to issue advance warning this time before embarking on their routine massacre of Igbos and other Biafrans living in Northern Nigeria; unlike what their fathers did in 1966 when death, destruction and mayhem were unleashed upon unsuspecting innocent civilian populations from the South comprising of mostly Igbo men, women and children.

"Igbo massacres in Northern Nigeria has occurred so many times that it has almost become some sort of an annual sporting activity for blood thirsty Northern youths. That is why we are particularly grateful to Arewa Youths and Elders for having the decency to give us prior notice before the slaughter commences.

"We promise to adhere to your warning to leave Northern Nigeria because a word is enough for the wise. Biafrans and other Southerner should start packing their properties to come down to the South. We also advice the Northern youths and their Elders to keep it on because all they have done is exercise their right to free speech which is not a crime under any law known to man. We are therefore against those calling for the arrest of these Arewa Youths and their Elders.

"It is abundantly evident from the genocidal statements coming from certain influential segments of Northern Nigeria that the British socio-political experimentation and economic fraud we know today as Nigeria, should not have been created in the first place. IPOB is very much aware of the covert blackmail and implied threat inherent in the utterances emanating from Islamic Northern Nigeria.

"Furthermore, the assumption that economic investments of Biafrans in the Northern part of the contraption called Nigeria is an impediment to Biafra restoration project is misguided and most definitely misplaced. This is cheap blackmail designed to trigger rancour among Biafra populations because the North have always assumed and wrongly too, that Igbos will place economic well being over and above their life. This assumption is based on a false premise and one we are determined to prove same as events unfold in the coming weeks and months.

"IPOB under the divine leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is the instrument Chukwu Okike Abiama (God Almighty) is using to restore Biafra, therefore we are not afraid of our enemies, neither will any threat or violence from any quarter deter us. We remain peaceful in our noble quest to restore Biafra but we must caution that we always retain the right as a people to defend ourselves should the need arise.

"The civilised world is aware that we IPOB have been adopting peaceful means to restore Biafra since 2014. It is the Arewa Islamic Northern Nigeria dominated Army, Police, Navy and Civil Defence that has brought torture, killings, massacres and mayhem to communities and populations in the South. Till date, nobody has been held to account despite the existence of a comprehensive Amnesty International report to this effect.

"We are aware that these Northern youths and their sponsors Britain, have perfected plans to begin another round of killing of innocent people as the did in 1966. We advise them not to make this mistake because Britain will no longer protect Islamic Northern Nigeria because in this digital age, the world is watching. Allow Biafrans time to relocate peacefully back to Bafraland, that is all we ask."

Other northern stakeholders against the quit notice include, Sokoto governor Aminu Tambuwal and the Emir of Katsina Abdulmumini Kabir.
He charged the Senate to take a decisive action on the retention of Magu as the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Melaye stated this on Friday, June 9, at the special session marking the second anniversary of the 8th Senate.

In his remarks, the Kogi lawmaker accused President Muhammadu Buhari of selectively applying the law by retaining Magu.

He made the statement in the presence of prominent guests at the special session.

The guests included two former Senate Presidents, Pius Anyim and Iyorcha Ayu; Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Walid Jibrin.

Others are the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; and wife of the incumbent Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki.

He said, "The persecution we went through in the first two years must not continue in the second half. Mr. President, in leading us in this second half, you must put on your seatbelt; it is dangerous to drive without a seat belt.

"Where we need to speak the truth as senators, we must speak the truth no matter whose ox is gored. We must begin to identify that there is a uniform law in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. No longer shall we allow the selective application of the law of the land.

"Mr. President (Saraki), we have passed some people on the floor of this Senate and these people that we have also disqualified by confirmation have been replaced by Mr. President (Buhari). That means that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, transparent Muhammadu Buhari, recognises the powers of the Senate to confirm.

"Why is Magu still in office? Mr. President, the truth is the truth. We should not have selective application of the rule of law. It is one law for everybody. I may be arrested immediately after this session; prison is built for people and not for animals. I am telling you, Mr. President, posterity will not forgive us when we keep silent in the face of lies and persecution. As a Senate, we must preserve the integrity of this institution."

ALSO READ: Senator caught on tape boasting that he framed Kogi Govs Chief of Staff

Magu's appointment as the substantive EFCC Chairman was rejected by the Senate based on an indicting report by the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to The Nation, the governor is happy with the verdict because it proves that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot deny the truth that he won the election square and fair.

He said, I had no doubt in my mind that given the quality judiciary we had, it would go straight to the matter."

One thing you must always know is that the truth never changes. I won the election. God has affirmed that I won the election. The court has now affirmed that I won the election.

No matter how hard they (opposition) try, they cannot change the truth. I am sure they will appeal."

"We will meet at the Supreme Court and it will be the same verdict," he added.

Obaseki also thanked the people of his state for their patience while making promises.

I thank Edo people for their patience with us. We want to assure them that we are not distracted and we will continue on our path to recovery, on our path to progress?.

We have done a little bit of work. I know that people are pleased with what we have done. But I want to assure them that it is only the beginning.

I want to assure them that with the continued support we are receiving from Edo people, we will put in everything we have to make sure that Edo State becomes the state that it should be," he said.

Obasekis immediate predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has also reacted to the court's verdict.

He also warned the PDP that its rigging machine had no place in the state.

When I said that PDP petition was like the petition filed by Mama Akara, they tried to twist it. Now, if you listen to the judgment, you will see that the Court of Appeal even has more harsh words for them; that the findings of the tribunal were unassailable so they did not have to beat around the bush.

This is clear and I just hope that the PDP can understand that their rigging machine that was dismantled in 2007, they cannot return it and our people can never welcome them back," he said.

Moving on, Oshiomole gave some advice to the current state governor.

He said, I think it is now for Godwin (Obaseki) to concentrate fully. Happily, he is doing very well. And now with this clarity of his position, we have no doubt that he won the election. Even if the PDP wants to go to the World Court we are ready.

But the government will not be distracted and Edo people can be reassured that they voted wisely and they are getting the dividends of democracy that they voted for.

I am excited. The only thing is that we have to review the rules of the court in a manner that when a man has no case and files a fictitious petition, he should be asked to pay for the time wasted by the judges and others, so that we will have penalties for frivolities.

Like I said, he who dies in sin can never resurrect. The PDP died in sin."

The Court of Appeal came to it's decision after counsels to both parties had argued their cases on May 30, 2017.

After everything, the court, which held in Benin, ruled that the PDP had no case for the nullification of the election or the declaration of Ize-Iyamu as the winner.

The court, led by Hon. Justice Dongban-Mensen, commended the Justice Ahmed Badamasi-led tribunal for a job well done in the proper evaluation of all the witnesses evidence and ascribing probative value to it.
Alain Castany, one of four Frenchmen convicted in the so-called "Air Cocaine" case, arrived in France on Friday morning for medical treatment, lawyer Karim Beylouni told AFP.

Castany, 70, has been hospitalised after a motorcycle knocked him over while he was out on bail.

He will undergo surgery in France to try to avoid amputation of his leg, his Dominican lawyer Luz Diaz told AFP in Santo Domingo.

Castany and three other Frenchmen were arrested at the airport in the resort city of Punta Cana as their small Dassault Falcon 50 jet prepared to take off with what authorities say was a cargo of suitcases stuffed with some 700 kilograms (1,500 pounds) of cocaine.

Castany was convicted in 2015 of brokering the plot and was sentenced to 20 years in prison along with the two pilots and a passenger on the aircraft. His sentence was upheld in November last year.

The pilots, Pascal Fauret and Bruno Odos, managed to flee back to France. But they were re-arrested and are now under investigation by French authorities.

Last week the prosecutor's office in Marseille demanded that all four, along with seven other suspects in the case, be handed over to the court in Bouches-du-Rhone.
Guwahati, June 10 (IBNS) : A day after the death of SS Khaplang, the Chairman of Naga outlawed NSCN-K, Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said that all the Indian citizens of the Naga outfit will be rehabilitated if they give up violence.

While flagging of an ambulance service launched by Hindustan Prelab Limited in Guwahati, Rijiju said, "We welcomed those who abjures violence and respects Indian constitution."

"Anybody who gives up violence, we will rehabilitate them. Th centre will provide them special rehabilitation package,"Rijiju said.

The Union minister appealed to the Indian citizens of NSCN-K to come mainstream.

Rijiju said that NSCN-K is a banned organisation and the Centre had banned the organisation by issuing special notification in 2015.

Rijiju further said that, the Centre cannot talk with Myanmarese citizens who are involved with NSCN-K.

The minister said about Khaplang death that, he was the heart and soul of the rebel group and the organisation will be suffered without him.

"The organisation will face difficulties without any leadership. Khaplang was a Myanmar citizen and he had strong influence in Eastern part of Myanmar. Under the influence of Khaplang, many Indian insurgent groups had taken shelter in the neighbouring country. Now all the Indian insurgent groups will face difficulties, " Rijiju said.

On the other hand, the Union minister said that, the ongoing talks with pro-talk faction group of United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) is in confidence level.

"Maximum demands and conditions raised by the pro-talk ULFA is a worthy consideration. The Centre is serious to meet a fruitful end over the issue," Rijiju said.

Rijiju said that, the Centre is ready to talk with Paresh Baruah led ULFA (I) in all issues apart from sovereignty.

"We will not talk with anyone in sovereignty," Rijiju said.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Nationals from nearly 60 countries currently do not need to have visas to travel the Schengen zone, including those from the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Chile, Argentina as well as European neighbours like Albania and Bosnia.

The proposal, agreed to on Friday by the interior ministers of EU member countries, still needs to be approved by the European Parliament, but supporters hope to have it in place as early as 2020.

Under the proposed system, citizens from the designated countries would still be allowed visa-free travel, but would have to pay a fee of five euros ($5.60) and submit to the checks.

The fee would also apply to post-Brexit Britain.

"ETIAS will help improve security and protect European citizens," Malta, which currently holds the EU rotating presidency, said in a statement.

The proposal will "allow us to control in advance entries into the EU and better tackle the problems that people who come to commit acts of banditry and terrorism could pose," French interior minister Gerard Collomb told reporters.

The EU is trying to clamp down on security after several European cities were hit by terror attacks claimed by the Islamic State group, while the bloc has also been overwhelmed by the arrival of more than one million migrants.
Dozens of youths wearing balaclavas threw stones at security forces, who responded with tear gas, the correspondent said.

The clashes ended before dawn, with the police deploying around 50 vehicles in the area.

There were no immediate reports of any casualties.

Last Saturday, both sides had also clashed in the town, some 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the city of Al-Hoceima, a centre of social unrest since the gruesome death of a fishmonger there last year.

Mouhcine Fikri, 31, was crushed to death in a rubbish truck in October as he tried to prevent the destruction of swordfish which had been confiscated because it was caught out of season.

Calls for justice in Morocco's neglected Rif region have since snowballed into a grassroots movement demanding jobs and an end to corruption, dubbed Al-Hirak Al-Shaabi, or Popular Movement.

Protesters have rallied nightly in Al-Hoceima since the arrest on May 29 of Al-Hirak leader Nasser Zefzafi and the subsequent detention of dozens of other activists.

Late Friday, more than 1,000 demonstrators -- mostly young men and women, some with children -- gathered in Al-Hoceima under a heavy police presence to call for Zefzafi and fellow activists to be freed.

Participants cleaned the streets as the protest came to an end shortly before midnight (2400 GMT).

The mainly Berber Rif region has long had a tense relationship with the central authorities in Rabat, and it was at the heart of the Arab Spring-inspired protests in Morocco in February 2011.
The move came after Attorney General Luisa Ortega on Thursday mounted a separate challenge in the Supreme Court against President Nicolas Maduro's efforts to rewrite the constitution, in a sign of division within the government camp.

Various opponents of Maduro also went to the court on Friday to try to add their names to the list of plaintiffs in that lawsuit, but found the tribunal closed and blocked by riot police vans.

Opposition lawmaker Delsa Solorzano told reporters that armed government supporters beat her group as it was leaving.

Clashes at daily protests by demonstrators calling for Maduro to quit over an economic crisis have left 66 people dead since April 1, prosecutors say.

Maduro has launched moves to reform the constitution in response to the protests, but his opponents say that is a ploy to cling to power.

Maduro says the crisis is a US-backed conspiracy.

Ortega is the highest-profile official to defy him in the crisis.

Maduro retains the public backing of the military. However, its commander Vladimir Padrino Lopez sounded a moderate note this week when he warned security forces against attacking protesters.

Analysts said Ortega's suit could build bridges between the opposition and disgruntled officials and widen divisions in Maduro's camp, making it harder for him to stay in power.

"The attorney general has proposed something that they all agree on, the radical and moderate opposition and the radical and moderate critics" of Maduro within his own camp, political analyst Felix Seijas said.

"There is near-unanimous support for it. A bridge has been raised to join the two sides together."
Kolkata/Cooch Behar, Jun 10 (IBNS): A large number of Trinamool Congress (TMC) activists allegedly scuffled with police force during the court production of a local TMC leader, who is the prime accused in a murder case, in front of Cooch Behar court in West Bengal on Saturday, reports said.

According to reports, a local TMC activist, Subhash Roy, was killed on May 18 and after starting investigation into the matter, police booked 13 persons, including TMC leader Kalishankar Roy, in connection with the case.

While the accused were being produced in a local court in Cooch Behar district on Saturday morning, followers, companions and relatives of killed party activist Subhash Roy attacked their prison van and scuffled with the security personnel.

Few policemen and civic volunteers were hurt in the incident.

Later, a heavy police force rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control.

However, all accused were produced in the court later safely amid a huge police presence and the court sent them to 14-day judicial custody.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)
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As Henan Province fell under Japanese control, Wuhan became the next defensive objective for the Chinese. Wuhan was the capital city of the Hubei Province, and it was actually consisted of three small cities of Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang. It was the second largest Chinese city by population. It sat in the midstream of the Yangtze River, and was strategically important both as an industrial center as well as a transportation hub. The Japanese understood its importance, and further ventured that should the Chinese regulars be defeated at Wuhan, coupled with the capture of top ranking Chinese leaders, Chinese resistance might be brought to an end entirely.

Aerial attacks on Wuhan began long before the actual ground invasion. The first air strike began on 28 Feb 1938, with rather inconsequential results. On 29 Apr, another aerial attack was called for in celebration of Emperor Showa's (Hirohito) birthday, but the prepared Chinese air units achieved a small tactical victory by shooting down 21 Japanese aircraft, losing only 12 of their own. To defend against the eventual ground invasion, the Chinese gathered one million men, 200 aircraft, and 30 naval vessels.

The battle of Wuhan invasion began on 11 Jun with the Japanese advance toward Anqing as a base for further advances. Anqing was captured two days later.
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Guwahati, June 10 (IBNS) : In a move to expedite the development of the people belonging to scheduled tribe communities of the state, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday discussed several issues with Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram at Brahmapura State Guest House.

During the meeting Sonowal and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram extensively discussed welfare schemes of the Scheduled Tribe and the people belonging to 6th scheduled area as well as other tribal areas.

Duo discussed at length on Ekalavya Model Residential School for the tribal students the construction of two of which are going on in full swing and the construction of other two would start shortly.



It may be mentioned that the construction of two Ekalavya Model Ekalavya School is on the verge of completion in the tribal areas of the state.

The Assam CM requested the Union Minister to set up another Ekalavya School in the Mising dominated area of Majuli district so that the school can act as a force-multiplier in the development of Majuli in general and Mising community in particular.



Oram also requested Sonowal to extend all possible assistance for the completion of the schools expeditiously.



Altogether four Ekalavya Residential Schools to be set up in Assam and the Central government would spend Rs 42000 for every student every year in these schools.



Sonowal and Union Minister Oram also discussed at length the implementation of Forest Rights Act which enables any tribal family living in the designated forest area for three generation to own land patta of that land.



Moreover, Sonowal stated that the State Government would submit a proposal to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs regarding an exhaustive plan for the development of three Autonomous councils under 6th schedule and other six autonomous councils in the State.

Union Minister Oram also assured to take all steps for the development of the Autonomous Council once his Ministry receives the proposal. The Union Minister also enquired about the status of post matric scholarship for the students belonging to ST communities to which Additional Chief Secretary to the Assam government, Rajib Bora informed that the state has no pending cases of post matric scholarship.

The meeting also discussed the pending cases of the welfare schemes for ST communities where the Centre bears 100 per cent share under Article 275 (1).

The Union Minister said that his Ministry would shortly disburse all funds of the schemes under Article 275 (1) for speedy development of the ST communities.



Additional Chief Secretary Rajib Bora was also present at the meeting.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath,Image: Sarbananda Sonowal Twitter page )
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The bell in the Warwick Unitarian Meeting House steeple. The clock striker can be seen to the right. June 9, 2017. Recorder Staff/Paul FranzPaul Franz

The pendulum, about the size of a basket ball, swings in a box below the clock works in the Warwick Unitarian Meeting House. June 9, 2017. Recorder Staff/Paul FranzPaul Franz

A. George Day Jr. winds the 1884 Howard Clock Co. clock weights back up to the steeple of the Warwick Unitarian Meeting House in Warwick Center. Recorder Staff/Paul Franz

A. George Day, Jr., in the clock room of the Warwick Unitarian Meeting House steeple where he has been winding the town clock for 50 years. Recorder Staff/Paul Franz

A. George Day, Jr., wends his way down the narrow, steep belfry stairs the Warwick Unitarian Meeting House steeple where he has been winding the town clock for 50 years. June 9, 2017. Recorder Staff/Paul FranzPaul Franz

Initials from 1937, just below the belfry, perhaps from a past painter of the Warwick Unitarian Meeting House steeple. June 9, 2017. Recorder Staff/Paul FranzPaul Franz

The worm gears and universal joints that distribute the drive shafts to the three clock faces in the Warwick Unitarian Meeting House. Recorder Staff/Paul Franz

WARWICK  Twice each week, 75-year-old A. George Day Jr. parks his car in front of the Unitarian Meeting House on Orange Road. Unlocking the church door, he ascends the cream-colored stairs to the balcony looking out over pews below, reaching a door just large enough to duck through comfortably.

The door, tucked away at the side of the balcony, opens to darkness. Two more sets of steps hide inside, nestled between rafters, but Day knows exactly where hes going.

I can go up there blindfolded, he said. When hes alone, he never brings a flashlight.

Once all the stairs have been climbed, theres a room no larger than the bed of a pickup truck.

Lit only by one small window at the top of the stairs, the room contains an elaborate green piece of machinery, with gold-colored letters reading E. Howard & Co., Boston, Mass embossed on the side. A monotonous ticking breaks the silence.

For the past 50 years, as of June 30, Day has been responsible for winding the town clock, the faces of which show on three sides of the church. Since the clock was installed in 1884, no clock winder has held the position for as long as Day.

However, Day recently announced to the Selectboard that hell be retiring, finishing his service on a nice round number.

Its time, he said simply. I think its better to give it up and be around to help (train the next clock winder).

Ill do it for awhile

Being a town-owned clock, the clock winder is appointed by the Selectboard and paid a stipend of $213 annually, Day said. But when he began his service as clock winder back in 1967, he received $1 per week.

Day remembered how when he was 25, one of his friends on the Selectboard approached him about the position.

The gentleman that had it before me, (Kenneth Matthews), was selling his house and moving out of town, Day remembered. I said Sounds OK, Ill do it for awhile.

Matthews showed Day the ropes. Winding the clock, Day explained, involves cranking up two separate boxes of rocks. One, which weighs 500 pounds and requires 156 cranks weekly, controls the chime. The other, which weighs more than 200 pounds and requires 26 cranks, controls the time.

As the week passes, the boxes of rocks  which Day said have been replaced by weights in most other clocks that are still wound  descend down two raceways, one of which goes all the way down to the churchs basement.

At first, Day made weekly visits. But over the years, the physical aspect of the job has led him to come twice a week, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. He also oils the machines bearings every three to four months.

The passing of time

Day recounted the clocks history, which began with its manufacturing in Boston. It was shipped by rail to the depot in Orange and taken by horsedrawn wagon the rest of the way to Warwick. The shipping crate which held the clock was even repurposed to build the room where it now sits.

Based on town meeting records Day found and a plaque on the machinery, the clock was donated to Warwick by Martha Clapp and her sisters Catherine C. Humphreys, Rebecca C. Trask and Mary C. Weis of Dorchester in honor of the 100th anniversary of their mothers birth. Their mother, Mary Blake Clap, was a Warwick native.

Over the years, the clock has seen its share of repairs, Day said, as well as some icy days that freeze the clock faces hands. For example, in 2007, the chime side weight broke, falling down to the cellar and smashing apart.

We had to have it all rebuilt because it damaged some gears in the clock, he said.

Though the clock didnt chime for two or three years, the time side of the mechanism still worked, and Day continued to make his regular trips to wind the clock.

Serving Warwick

Though Orange Road is one of the better-traveled roads in town, many residents are oblivious to what goes on inside the Unitarian Meeting House, on the other side of the clock face.

Ive been living in town for five years and I never knew the clock had to be wound, Day remembered Selectman Lawrence Doc Pruyne saying during this years annual town meeting.

Learning that Day had been winding the clock for 50 years, residents applauded. But to some, having a clock  and a chiming one  is essential, Day said, recounting a story from 2007 when the clock wasnt chiming.

There was this elderly woman who said No way were going to have a clock without it chiming in town, Day said. As a child, she had said, before cell phones, a clock chiming was the only way to know when it was time to come home for supper.

Maybe Day didnt think he would be clock winder for 50 years back in 1967, but from being fire chief for 27 years to sitting on numerous town committees, hes been determined to support Warwick, one tick-tock at a time.

Its just another way of serving the town, he said.

Reach Shelby Ashline at: sashline@recorder.com

413-772-0261 ext. 257
Guwahati, June 10 (IBNS): The sleuths of Assam police CID on Saturday arrested another official of state excise department from Delhi in connection with the multi-crore rupees BG bonded warehouse scam.

A CID team led by Additional Superintendent of Police arrested excise superintendent Amarendra Nath from South Extension Kotla Mubarakpur area in Delhi.

Earlier, the CID had issued red corner notice against the excise official, who fled in past two months.

Meanwhile, the Patiala house court had sent the arrested official to 4-day transit remand to CID.

Police had already arrested liquor mafia Rajesh Jalan and proprietor of BG bonded warehouse Bonti Gogoi Pegu in connection with the Rs 40 crore scam.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that those who have been found guilty in the scam, they will be punished as per law.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
'Fall in line or you will be in the line of fire.'

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com

On Monday, June 5, the homes of NDTV promoters Dr Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy in three cities were raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Since the raids, independent journalists and others have alleged that the raids were intended to muzzle NDTV, which has refused to take a pro-government line unlike some other television channels.

On Friday, a well attended meeting at the Delhi Press Club -- addressed by the likes of legal legend Fali S Nariman and Dr Arun Shourie -- condemned the government's alleged efforts to intimidate the independent media.

Gurbir Singh, a veteran journalist and a former chairman of the Mumbai Press Club, reflects on the NDTV raids:

The raids on NDTV and Prannoy Roy is sad because very few are standing up for them and in support of them.

Most television networks are gloating; some PR types are distancing themselves from the 'Commie'; others are conjuring charges of 'fraud'.

It is time again to quote Bertolt Brecht:

'First of all, they came to take the gypsies

and I was happy because they pilfered.

Then they came to take the Jews and I said nothing, because they were unpleasant to me.

Then they came to take homosexuals, and I was relieved, because they were annoying me.

Then they came to take the Communists,

and I said nothing because I was not a Communist.

One day they came to take me,

and there was nobody left to protest.'

You have to remember that Indian banks have NPAs of 4 lakh crore rupees. Every big industrialist's name is on that list.

How come none of them have been raided? Compared to them, NDTV's default (NDTV says it paid back the loan in full) is miniscule.

The ED (Enforcement Directorate) has been threatening NDTV with notices for a while now, and now this CBI raid.

Just because NDTV is criticising the government -- particularly their gau rakshaks -- the government is using their financial problems against them (NDTV).

This is clearly a case of crony capitalism. Those who are with the government can get away with anything and those critical of the government will be harassed.

What is happening is that the minute you criticise the government they will have every investigative agency pursuing you.

Normally when you default on a bank loan, the bank seizes your property. They don't set the CBI on you.

Also, the bank involved is ICCI and it has not complained to the CBI. It is a private bank.

This is politics being used against the media.

It is also a warning to other media outlets to fall in line or you will be in the line of fire.

As told to A Ganesh Nadar/Rediff.com
'This book is really the story of the woman whose destiny takes her onto the path of an inordinately iconic man whom the world reveres as God!'

'It is the day-to-day demolition of her dreams that are at stark variance with those who view him as a trail blazer on the holy path to redemption, while he wrecks the peace of those whom he loves the most; his family.'

IMAGE: Mahatma Gandhi with Kasturba Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Photograph: Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons

When Neelima Dalmia Adhar decided to write a fictional diary, she didn't choose an ordinary person.

She chose to write the 'secret diary' of Kasturba Gandhi, the Mahatma's wife.

In this, her third book, The Secret Diary Of Kasturba -- she has also written a biography, Father Dearest: The Life And Times Of R K Dalmia and a fictional book, Merchants Of Death -- she praises Kasturba but makes her husband, the Father of the Nation, sound very un-Mahatma-like.

Dalmia Adhar tells Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar that, while she admires Gandhi as a remarkable politician, she cannot accept him as a Mahatma.

IMAGE: Kasturba washes her husband's feet. Photograph: Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Do you believe Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a Mahatma?

While I revere Gandhi as one of the loftiest and iconic men the last century produced, being 'Mahatma' entails a whole gamut of attributes.

While we cannot dismiss the contribution of the frail 'naked fakir' in the attainment of Independence from the imperial rulers, the moral ambiguity of the man who we revere as a saint may perhaps be in sharp contrast to that perception.

While he acknowledged that he was frail and vain like any mortal, he got away with his idiosyncrasies, reckless projects, unilateral decisions and manipulations that allowed him to exercise enormous power and circumvent certain processes in both nation-building as well as in his personal life.

To call him a Mahatma is putting him on the pedestal of the divine.

At best, he was a social reformist, a thinker, a yogi, a seeker of self-realisation with all the human frailties that ordinary people possess, but unmistakably a man of the masses.

IMAGE: Kasturba Gandhi and her four sons in South Africa, 1902. Photograph: Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Though you start off trying to show Kasturba Gandhi's strength, The Secret Diary Of Kasturba ends up showing Gandhi's weaknesses.

What was your aim?

The Secret Diary Of Kasturba is a fictional diary that speaks in the voice of the wife of the Mahatma.

My attempt has been to chronicle the life of the forgotten shadow woman who I believe had a larger role to play in the making of the man and the Mahatma than it is perceived to be.

This book is really the story of the woman whose destiny takes her onto the path of an inordinately iconic man whom the world reveres as God!

It is the story of the challenges and ordeals she faces, as a wife, and as the mother of his children, dealing with the ordinariness of that extraordinary man whom she watches through the filter of her own eyes.

It is the day-to-day demolition of her dreams that are at stark variance with those who view him as a trail blazer on the holy path to redemption, while he wrecks the peace of those whom he loves the most; his family.

In my narrative I have indeed illuminated the strengths of Kasturba because I feel there were serious gaps in the understanding of that woman character who stayed by his side as a constant alter ego, a staunch loyalist.

Strengths and weaknesses both are imperative to character building and I have not played up or played down one for the other. In fact, I have been ultra careful to avoid pejorative observations.

It is, however, possible for the strengths of one to delineate the weaknesses of the other.

Much like Sanjay in the Mahabharata, my role was to report events as I saw them through the eyes of Kasturba.

I leave it to the readers to form their own opinions.

IMAGE: Mahatma Gandhi at Dandi, picking salt on the beach at the end of the salt march, April 5, 1930. Behind him is his second son, Manilal. Photograph: Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons

You give so much space to the son who hated Gandhi, but you don't give the same space to the sons who got along well with Gandhi?

Harilal, the eldest son, does form a major portion of the chronicles in The Diary because I was deeply moved by his plight.

I found it resonating within my being as I am a product of a dysfunctional family and a broken home, ridden by paternal neglect.

I could easily understand him and his troubled mother.

And I often wept while writing about his tragic, failed life.

I have also delved on Manilal, who was subjected to similar treatment by his tyrannical father and the younger two do find brief mention in the book.

However, to say that Harilal hated his father and the others did not is incorrect.

Harilal, like his younger brothers, adored his father. He wanted to emulate him and be extolled by him in every possible way.

His waywardness was a heart-rending cry for attention from his parents, as is the case with most progeny that goes to seed.

IMAGE: Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru at an All-India Congress Committee meeting in Bombay. Photograph: Central Press/Getty Images

Though a large part of the book is about Gandhi's politics, there is no detail about his friendship with Jawaharlal Nehru that influenced his politics.

This book is Kasturba's story.

It is her voice from the womb to the tomb and beyond. It is her prerogative to relate what she wants us to know.

Even so, I have preserved the trajectory of the freedom movement as the canvas of this portraiture.

That is a much-travelled journey that the world knows in all its glorious detail.

My attempt was to look at the Mahatma from the other side; the lesser-known illustration of a man through the eyes of his wife.

Nehru and many others leaders were not relevant to this narrative in its present form.

That Gandhi ignored his family for his politics is a well documented fact, but you have, in many instances, shown that he purposely went against them?

This story is the story of Kasturba, the wife of 'Gandhi, the human being'.

Like all ordinary people, he was ridden with flaws and failings.

His autobiography is a candid admittance of his ordinariness.

In his own words, 'what is not kept hidden from the public is not a sin', so his discourse is laced with confessions of his practices that some may find objectionable, yet we rarely hear anything about Gandhi's moral dilemmas as well as the aberrant and sometimes cruel behaviour that drove one of his sons to alcohol and some of his staff to quit.

My objective was to resurrect Kasturba, not to demolish Gandhi and I daresay I have accomplished just that.

IMAGE: Harilal Gandhi, photographed in 1910. Photograph: Kind courtesy Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal & Gandhi Research Foundation

Harilal is shown as a weakling, prone to making mistakes, but the book blames his friends more than him. It also blames Gandhi.

When a child goes to seed, who or what is to blame?

Faulty parenting, overly dominating and tyrannical behaviour from either one or both parents, lack of a warm cohesive family, neglect and bad company.

Sadly for Harilal, he was a victim of all of the above.

And as a student of psychology, to me, he is a textbook case study of an aberrant and wayward child who would not have been wasted had his circumstances been different.

As a mother, his torment resonates deep within my soul.

During Partition, the entire north was engulfed in violence, but Calcutta was calm because Gandhi was present there. It finds no place in your book.

This diary is not a historical documentation of the freedom struggle, even though the trajectory of Gandhi's life forms the backdrop of my narrative.

Many more gaps may be found here as I have not touched upon the details of all the events that landmark Indian history.

My endeavour was merely to bring Kasturba to life and nothing more.

Though Kasturba did not like Gandhi sleeping next to his grandnieces, she never objects.

Kasturba was the quintessential Indian woman. She was the devoted wife and the accepting partner.

She realised Gandhi's greatness somewhere in the midst of her mid-life and began to believe that he strove for a higher and greater cause that was difficult for ordinary mortals to comprehend.

She understood his angst and sympathised with his failures.

She understood the importance of his satyagraha and vow of celibacy in his path to redemption and did not attempt to stymie it.

Yes, she did object to his drastic measures several times.

Whenever anything violated the limits of her tolerance, she stepped in.

I may add that she had begun to believe in his cause and did not impede his quest for self-realisation.

But there is no evidence to show that she objected to Gandhi's sexual practices. And much of those practices that were made public in Noakhali happened after she died in 1944.

IMAGE: Mahatma Gandhi with Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Photograph: Photodivision

The Muslims who appear in your book appear as villains. Gandhi had a big following among Muslims too, a fact that is largely ignored in your story.

This is absolutely untrue.

For a start, I make no secret of my secular and liberal views about all castes, creeds and religions.

I have innumerable Muslim friends so you can lay that to rest.

We all know that Gandhi was completely secular in his approach to the minorities and the Muslims enjoyed a special status in his heart.

In fact, it was that very bias that drove the fundamentalists away from him and created a divide amongst the hardliners on either side.

I have brought that out very clearly in my narrative wherever it was necessary.

IMAGE: Rabindranath Tagore with the Mahatma and Kasturba Gandhi in Santiniketan. Photograph: Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Kasturba was said to be absolutely devoted to Gandhi, a fact that does not come out in your book.

This is Kasturba's story and she has the license to tell it like she sees it.

I have quite literally let Kasturba direct the narrative on her terms, so she is NEVER intimidated by the enormous burden of painting the larger than life canvas of the man, who we all revere as a Mahatma.

For her, he's merely a husband, the father of her children; one she sees filled with frailties of the human race and all else pales into the landscape.

So, in effect, I have separated history from the woman, if not the man.

My Kasturba is not aspiring to find a place in the haloed hall of fame that her husband inhabits.

She merely attempts to 'humanise' him and earn her 'slice of the sky' denied to her by providence and the conquerors who wrote history.

Kasturba is the quintessential Indian woman, the sacrificing devoted wife, the tender loving mother, the ferocious protector of all she holds sacred, the eternal feminine Shakti that was never created, nor can she ever be destroyed.

My Kasturba lives and breathes and speaks and emotes and traipses effortlessly through the pages of this chronicle, as perhaps I would if I were her.

And I would want everyone, particularly 'young India' and the youth of the rest of the world to invade that space with me and relive the saga of this phenomenal woman, who transcends the distorted image of Rohini Hattangady in Richard Attenborough's biopic, Gandhi, and beats Father Time who buried her unsung, in the tomb and womb of the Mahatma.
'The farmer is furious because the MP government is trying to crush their agitation violently.'

'Such actions will have nation-wide repercussions.'

'Why this drama (MP Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan's fast) after violently crushing the farmers' agitation?'

'He should resign immediately.'

Raju Shetti, the Shetkari Sanghatna Member of Parliament from Maharashtra's Hatkanangale, will meet the five-member committee appointed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to negotiate with farmers' representatives about their charter of demands at 1 pm, Sunday, June 11.

When Rediff.com's Prasanna D Zore asked Shetti, (below, left) if the second phase of the farmers' agitation will be peaceful, the MP, who is part of the ruling National Democratice Alliance in New Delhi and Maharashtra, said, "We will try, but won't guarantee anything."

Shetti -- whose Shetkari Sanghatna's Sadabhau Khot is a minister of state for agriculture in the Fadnavis government -- was non-committal when asked if he would ask his minister to quit his ministry if the farmers' demands fail to pass muster with the Maharashtra government.

Shetti, who visited Madhya Pradesh in disguise because the MP police is clamping down on farmers' leaders meeting their counterparts in Mandsaur, alleges the violence in the neighbouring state was incited by a Bharatiya Janata Party leader and claims he has video evidence to support his belief.

"The hope that farmers had from the prime minister has developed cracks. The farmers are feeling let down by Modi," Shetti said.

What will be on the table from the farmers' side when you meet the group of ministers constituted by the state government to solve the crisis in Maharashtra?

Complete waive off of loans, immediate implementation of the Swaminathan Committee recommendations, uninterrupted electricity supply at reasonable rates.

There are reports that various farmers' organisations are already divided among themselves about their demands... How true are these reports?

There is no truth in this report.

There are some misunderstandings among some section of farmer leaders and we are in talks with them.

We will persuade them before our meeting and I am confident of putting a united front to the government at tomorrow's meeting.

Which decision of ours have these farmer leaders opposed? We haven't yet made any decision which these leaders are allegedly opposing.

These leaders were part of the meeting that was held yesterday (June 9) in Nashik.

Could you tell us what has gone so wrong with the farmers of Maharashtra that they are out on the streets protesting against the government?

The most important reason for this situation is the natural calamities with which these farmers have been struck in the last three years.

There were droughts, excessive rainfall, hailstorms and storms across Maharashtra; that has led to huge capital investment losses for farmers.

Simultaneously, their agricultural produce failed to get a fair, remunerative price, and that led to a huge increase in the losses suffered by Maharashtra's farmers.

Their combined effect has led to farmers getting into a debt trap.

Why isn't the farmer getting a fair price for his crop or the minimum support price?

The way in which minimum support price id decided is flawed.

Whose responsibility is it to deliver a fair, minimum price for farmers' agricultural produce?

It is the central government's job.

Then what purpose will it serve to meet the state's ministers? You should meet Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh?

While I admit that, and the Centre too has been shirking its responsibility by saying that agriculture is a state subject, shouldn't the state government be forced to pressurise the Union government for meeting the demands of its farmers?

We want the state government to put forth our demands effectively to the central government. It is the central government that decides on the minimum support price.

Doesn't the Maharashtra government have any responsibility towards its farmers?

Who do you blame in the state government for failing to articulate farmers' demands to the central government?

The Centre has been trumpeting that agriculture is a state subject, but the state government has failed miserably in putting forth farmers' demands to the central government.

It is the state that must forcefully tell the central government that is its responsibility to fix fair and remunerative MSP.

The Maharashtra government has failed its farmers.

Do you think that demonetisation and digital transactions have also played a role in bringing farmers to their knees?

I will not say there is a direct link between the two. But it is equally true that farmers faced severe hardships because of demonetisation.

When demonetisation was announced the farmers were reaping the Kharif crop and later the Rabi sowing season began.

During this crucial period of 50 days the farmers could not make use of his own money because of the restrictions on withdrawal and deposits imposed by Narendra Modi.

Circulation of more than Rs 5,000 crore belonging to the district cooperative banks came to a standstill because of demonetisation.

Because of this the farmer was unable to withdraw money from his own account and today at the onset of monsoon they are not getting farm loans because this money is still trapped.

District cooperative banks are saying their old notes are yet not remonetised by the RBI (Reserve Bank of India).

The RBI is saying not all accounts are KYC-compliant (know your customer).

We have got nothing to do with if that money is black or white, but the only truth is this money (Rs 5,000 crore) belongs to the farmer and since this money is trapped in the system, farmers are not getting loans.

The farmers can't withdraw their own money and that is how the farmer is getting distressed.

Let the government imprison all those who deposited money (during those 50 days) without complying with the KYC norms.

Why are you grinding the farmer in this mess?

This (demonetisation) is also one of the reasons why the farmers not just in Maharashtra, but throughout India furious with the (central) government.

What message would you like to convey to Prime Minister Modi?

The farmers in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana are out agitating against central government policies, and gradually this movement is spreading to Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh.

The farmers of India are slowly uniting against unjust agricultural policies.

In this situation, you cannot wash your hands off over loan waivers and MSP by saying that agriculture is a state subject.

The prime minister should take the lead in resolving this agrarian crisis and help states reeling under farmers' agitations.

The central government has a bigger responsibility in waiving off farmers' loans than the state governments.

Even if agriculture is a state subject, it is the central government that makes policies for agricultural trade and commerce.

Do you think the prime minister is running away from the promises he made to farmers during his 2014 Lok Sabha campaign, of waiving off farm loans and implementing the Swaminathan Committee's recommendations?

He should honour his promises to the farmers.

The hope that farmers had from the prime minister has developed cracks. The farmers are feeling let down by Modi.

And I am saying this based on my recent visits in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

What is the situation of farmers in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh?

Shetkari atyant santaplela aahe (The farmer is extremely furious).

He is furious because the MP government is trying to crush their agitation violently.

Such actions will have nation-wide repercussions.

The MP government is attacking farmers' freedom to agitate for their just rights.

People are restricted from meeting the farmers there.

I went there in disguise yesterday (June 9) from a Rajasthan village into Madhya Pradesh. The situation there is dangerous.

They have banned the Internet and WhatsApp too.

Basically, the violence in Madhya Pradesh is instigated by BJP leaders.

Is this just an allegation or do you have proof?

I have all the necessary evidence to prove that a BJP leader is responsible for inciting violence in Madhya Pradesh.

I have the video clips of how this leader incited the farmers.

Will you present these clips to the MP police?

If they ask us, why not?

And why do the police need any proof?

The entire sequence of this event happened before the MP police and they chose to remain mute spectators because a BJP leader was involved.

It began with this event in Pipliyamandi where while the entire area had shut shops in support of farmers, only two shops -- one belonging to a trader who sold Patanjali products and the other owned by the BJP leader -- were open.

When villagers went there and requested these two shops down shutters, the BJP leader beat them up mercilessly with an iron rod.

One person beat up 25 people?

I have the video clip of this entire sequence.

The video shows the BJP leader running after and beating farmers with an iron rod.

All this happened in front of the cops and they did nothing to stop this man from attacking farmers.

They were, in fact, enjoying the proceedings.

One of the farmers' spine was broken in this attack and he succumbed to his injuries later.

His wife too committed suicide yesterday (June 9).

This is what has been happening in Madhya Pradesh under the watchful eye of the police since this agitation began and that has made the farmers very furious in Mandsaur and they went on a rampage.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has begun a fast for peaceful resolution of the farmers' agitation.

Why this drama after violently crushing the farmers' agitation?

He should resign immediately.

The Shetkari Sanghatna, of which you are a founder and MP, is in coalition with the BJP-led Maharashtra government.

Are you planning to withdraw support to the government if your demands are not met?

The reason that I am part of the government gives me courage to speak up against this government.

But you will not withdraw from the government?

We have not supported this government to do injustice on the farmers.

You are demanding Shivraj Chouhan's resignation for crushing the farmers' agitation, but want to continue in the Maharashtra government despite launching an agitation against it.

I have started feeling suffocated in this government, but I cannot take the decision to withdraw from the government without holding a meeting of our executive council.

Will you promise the nation that your agitation will not make use of violence to put pressure on the state government to accept your demands?

We will try, but won't guarantee anything.
'We are asking for the resignation of the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government for killing six farmers in Mandsaur district.'

'His is a killer government.'

'The anti-farmer policies of these state governments have brought ruin for the farmers.'

As the state governments in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh try to douse the fires that have been raging since June 1 on account of the farmers' agitations in these states, farmers in yet another Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled state are preparing themselves for a similar agitation.

Indeed, except for one demand, the demands of the Rajasthan farmers are almost similar to those of agitating farmers in Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

Pema Ram -- a Communist Party of India-Marxist MLA from Dhod in Rajasthan's Sikar district from 2008 to 2013 -- says the Narendra Modi government's recent notification that bans the sale of cattle for slaughter is anti-farmer and will kill farmers who rear cattle like sheep, goat and buffalo, for sale.

Pema Ram -- the All India Kisan Sabha's Rajasthan president -- spoke to Rediff.com's Prasanna D Zore about how the AIKS, with a membership of 500,000 farmers in Rajasthan, plans to bring the state government to its knees if the farmers' demand is not accepted.

What are the main demands of your agitation?

Hike in minimum support price (MSP), waiver of farmers' loans, and immediate implementation of the Swaminathan Committee recommendations.

We also oppose and demand the rollback of the central government notification that bans the sale of cattle for slaughter.

How does the ban on sale for slaughter impact farmers?

This notification will kill farmers.

We won't be able to sell our cattle.

We rear cattle like goat, sheep, and buffalo and because of this notification we won't be able to sell them.

Where will farmers keep these cattle?

By this new law, they have banned sale of all cattle for slaughter.

The Modi government is propagating its Hindutva agenda under the guise of cow protection.

This government wants to kill farmers.

By this notification, this government has proved it is anti-farmer and so this law is a conspiracy to ruin farmers who rear cattle for sale.

How will you go ahead with your agitation?

It will be peaceful and we will request the state government to accept our demands and plead with it for implementation of our demands.

Now that the state and central governments belong to the BJP, we expect the state government to work for farmers' benefit.

During the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign, Narendra Modi had promised the farmers in Rajasthan that he will hike the MSP and implement recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee.

Now that he has won the election we only hope he accepts our demand.

What if your demands are not accepted?

Then we will bring the state administration to a standstill.

The state government must remember that the All India Kisan Sabha made the government change its decision to hike electricity prices by the Vasundhara Raje government.

Rajasthan is among the first states to force the state government rollback its decision to hike electricity prices.

What are the grievances faced by Rajasthan farmers?

They (the state government) are not buying single grain from the farmers and they talk of hiking minimum support price!

The onion crop from Rajasthan's Shekhawati region, just like in Maharashtra's Nashik, was completely destroyed for want of prices above their cost of production.

The same is true about vegetables, pulses; the farmers are not getting fair prices for their crops.

Additionally, the farmers are trapped in debt because of the state government's anti-farmer policies.

When are you launching your agitation?

In about a week, the farmers of Rajasthan will petition all the district collectors about their demands and if they are not accepted we will have no option but to intensify our stir in the streets.

We will gherao all the collectorates and dump our agricultural produce in front of them.

During our agitation against hike in electricity prices we had gheraoed the collectorates in every district with thousands of farmers and demanded that district collectors come and meet us where we were, else we had threatened to lay siege to their offices.

We had dared them to fire bullets and kill us.

Ultimately, the government had to wilt before our strength and we will do the same again for farmers' demands.

As we speak, the farmers in Rajasthan are expressing their solidarity with their brothers in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, who are also agitating for their just demands from their governments.

We have started petitioning each and every district collector about our support to the farmers in these two states for accepting their demands.

We are also asking for the resignation of the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government for killing six farmers in Mandsaur district. Hatyari sarkar hai woh (His is a killer government).

In logon ne milkar kheti karne walo ko choupat kar diya (the anti-farmer policies of these state governments have brought ruin for the farmers).

IMAGE: A scene from Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, where 6 men were killed in police firing on June 6. Photograph: PTI
Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah dubbed Mahatma Gandhi as a "bahut chatur baniya", a reference to his mercantile caste, sparking a political row with the Congress and other opposition parties demanding an apology from him for insulting the Father of the Nation.

Shah made the reference to the mercantile caste to which Gandhi was born while telling a select audience of "prominent citizens" in Raipur on Friday how the "bahut chatur baniya" (very shrewd baniya) had rightly advised dissolution of the Congress after Independence.

Shah had also said the Congress was not rooted in any ideology or principles and was sort of a "special purpose vehicle" to secure freedom.

Facing flak, Shah on Saturday said the import of his comments was heard by the people who were present at the gathering.

"Maine jis reference me kaha hai waha sab logo ne suna, Surjewala ji ko abhi Gandhiji ke bahut sare siddhanto ka jawab dena hai. (Those present during the programme heard my comments and the reference in which they were made. Surjewala is yet to answer about many principles of Gandhi ji)," Shah told a press conference in Raipur when asked about Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala's demand for his apology over the remark.

Leading the opposition charge, Surjewala demanded an apology from Shah, BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Calling Shah a "trader of power", Surjewala said his remarks were "an insult to freedom fighters, their sacrifices and also to Gandhi."

While West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee termed the comments "uncalled for and unethical", CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy demanded that Shah tender an apology for making the "derogatory" remarks.

Former CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat also hit out at Shah, saying his remark reveals "the contempt the BJP-RSS has for Gandhiji."

Shah had said, "the Congress party... was constituted as a club by a British man. It was later converted into an organisation engaged in freedom struggle."

It had in its fold both right and left-leaning people like Maulana Azad, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and many others, he said.

"People of various ideologies and thinking associated themselves with Congress to gain independence. Congress didn't have any ideology or set of principles and it was only used as a special purpose vehicle to secure freedom.

"And therefore, Mahatma Gandhi, with a lot of foresight -- he was a very shrewd baniya -- he knew what was going to happen in future. He had said immediately after the Independence that Congress should be dissolved."

Mahatma Gandhi couldn't do that, but now some people are completing the task of dissolution of Congress, the BJP chief added, in an apparent jibe at the present Congress leadership.

"Rather than fighting casteism, they (BJP) identified even the Father of the Nation with his caste. This shows the character and ideology of the ruling party and its president. Where will these people take the country?" Surjewala asked.

"We demand that Amit Shah, BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to the country, the families of freedom fighters and every citizen for insulting the freedom movement... and the father of the nation," Surjewala told reporters in Delhi.

In a hard-hitting response, Surjewala alleged that "Amit Shah, who himself is a trader of power, is today saying that the freedom movement was a business model. But in reality, before independence, Britishers used RSS and Hindu Mahasabha as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for partition of the country."

He also said, "Similarly, today BJP is acting as a SPV for few corporates for taking care of their business interests."

According to the Congress leader, Shah's remarks were "an insult to freedom fighters, their sacrifices and also to Gandhi".

CPI national secretary D Raja said Shah, being president of the ruling party, should be aware of the language to be used while describing a leader of Gandhi's stature.

"We have no problem when he criticises Congress or other opposition parties (during political discourse). But dragging Mahatma Gandhi's name, using such a language is denigrating Gandhi," Raja said.

According to Karat, Shah only revealed the BJP's actual opinion about Gandhi.

"Such a comment on the father of the nation is highly condemnable. Shah has crossed limits of politics," said Chattisgarh state Congress general secretary Shailesh Nitin Trivedi.

Talking about other issues, Shah said that among the 1,650 political parties in India, only the BJP and the Communist Party of India have upheld internal democracy.

"There are some parties where only dynastic rule prevails. It was clear that after Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi would take over, but nobody can predict who would be the next BJP president after me," Shah said.

Referring to alleged anti-national slogans raised in Jawaharlal Nehru University, Shah said whoever does so will be termed as anti-national.

Shah, who is on a visit to Chhattisgarh since June 8, has interacted with MPs, MLAs, BJP office-bearers and booth representatives in a bid to strengthen the party ahead of the next year's Assembly polls in the state and 2019 parliamentary elections.

Gandhi would have laughed at 'chatur baniya' remark: Mahatma's grandson

Gandhi laughed at cartoons of himself. He would have chuckled at the chatur baniya description also, but for its "utter tastelessness" and the hidden mischief in it, the Mahatma's grandson Gopalkrishna Gandhi said.

"Gandhi laughed at cartoons of himself. He would have laughed at this one also but for its utter tastelessness and the hidden mischief in it," Gopalkrishna Gandhi, former West Bengal Governor said.

Historian Ramachandra Guha said the remark made by Amit Shah was "crude" and "unworthy" of the president of BJP, the country's ruling party.

Guha, the author of India After Gandhi, strongly reacted to the comment made by Shah.

"The comment was crude and ill-informed, unworthy of the president of India's ruling party," Guha said.
Boeing has pitched its FA-18 aircraft, while Dassault is building case for its Rafale jet.

American aerospace giant Boeing and France's Dassault Aviation are among the four entities that have responded to Indian Navys 'Request for Interest, (RFI)' to provide 57 multi-role carrier borne fighters, industry sources said.

The other two are Sweden's SAAB and Rosoboronexport of Russia.

While Boeing has pitched its F/A-18 Super Hornet, Dassault has briefed the navy on its Rafale.

SAAB has offered the maritime variant of its Gripen single-engine fighter jet.

Naval Chief Sunil Lanba confirmed the development.

"We will examine the RFI and take it forward," he told this newspaper. The deal is valued at over Rs 50,000 crore.

Sources say it is now mainly between Boeings FA-18 and Dassaults Rafale, as the navy would prefer a twin-engine aircraft against SAABs single-engine Gripen.

While the navy did not specify a variant, there is a clear preference for a twin-engine model, a senior industry executive said.

As it had earlier done a deal with the Indian Air Force (IAF), Dassault is seen as having an upper hand.

The government signed an $8.7-billion deal with France last year for 36 Rafale warplanes for the IAF.

Dassault, defence ministry sources say, has argued it makes sense to equip IAF and navy with the same platform, for better logistics, maintenance and industrial support.

"It would help in cost control like manpower training, pilot training, simulators and make it easier to get spare parts, sources said.

All the four companies refused to comment on queries sent to them.

Dassault with joint venture partner Reliance has a Make in India proposal already in place and envisages all 57 aircraft to be delivered from its facility at Mihan (near Nagpur), a company executive said on condition of anonymity.

The navy had on January 25 put out an RFI for the 57 fighter planes, giving manufacturers four months to respond.

In the technical evaluation, the foreign companies had to answer queries on technical parameters, budgetary estimates, likely level of indigenisation, transfer of technology and schedule of deliveries after a contract is inked.

Image used for representational purpose.
Security forces on Saturday launched a cordon and search operation in Lal Chowk -- the commercial hub of Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar.

Sources said that the operation was launched by the Special Operations Group in the Court Road and the Bund area following inputs about the presence of militants there.

Entry and exit points to the Court Road area adjacent to Lal Chowk were sealed.

According to reports, the operation concluded without any positive results.

Earlier in the day, a terrorist was killed as the army thwarted another infiltration attempt along the Line of Control in Gurez sector of Bandipora district in north Kashmir.

With the latest operation, the number of terrorists killed in encounters along the LoC in north Kashmir in the past four days has gone up to 14.

This year, army foiled 24 infiltration attempts killing 41 armed intruders along the LoC.

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:

All photographs: Umar Ganie for Rediff.com
Guwahati, June 10 (IBNS): A two-year-old child, who was kidnapped from her house in Assamas Silchar nearly a week before, was rescued by police from Meghalayaas Khliehriat area in East Jaintia Hills district by police on Saturday.

According to the reports, the girl was abandoned by the abductors at a barber shop at Khliehriat and local people had informed the police who rescued the girl into their safe custody.

Assam police ADGP (Law and Order) Mukesh Agarwala said that, Trisha is now safe.

Following the abduction, we have taken the matter very seriously and taken adequate measures to rescue the girl safely from the kidnappers clutches. We have formed a special team for the rescue operation and also contacted with the counterpart of nearest states. Finally the girl was rescued safely, the top Assam cops said.

Trisha, daughter of Assistant Professor of Assam University Subhadeep Roy Choudhury andMedical officer of the versity Dr Satabisha Roy Choudhury, was abducted from the residential quarter of the university campus on June 5 last.

Police suspected that, their absconding maid namely Neha Bagdi alias Rambha Bagdi is involved in the abduction case.

Earlier, Assam police had announced a cash reward of Rs 4 lakh for any one providing about information of the kidnapped child.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Will N Chandrababu Naidus son Lokesh be able to manage the old guard the way his father did?

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, 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.

Harikrishnas name was called out as one of the speakers. He was not present. Balakrishna, an actor, was said to be abroad, shooting. Many senior TDP members said it was possible that Harikrishna had not even got an invitation.

What is important is not fact but perception.

Prior to this Mahanadu, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidus son Lokesh was appointed minister in the Andhra Pradesh cabinet.

Although the TDP came to power in 2014, Naidu did not make Lokesh a minister immediately or even nominate him as a member of the legislative council. The CM waited nearly three years, possibly anticipating resistance to a son-rise within the party, while giving Lokesh responsibilities in the party (he became a general secretary of the TDP in 2015).

He was nominated as a member of the legislative council on March 7 this year and later inducted as minister.

Those who were present at the Mahanadu describe the scene: There were 15 to 20 young people, mostly sons and daughters of former TDP leaders, who flanked Lokesh, keeping him informed all the time about what was happening.

K Greeshma Prasad, daughter of former speaker and TDP leader K Prathibha Bharathi, seemed to be one of his trusted lieutenants, as was K Malli Naidu, son of the states minister for energy K Kala Venkata Rao, who owns a two-wheeler showroom and will shortly be launching a chemical factory.

Sudheer Reddy, son of former minister and Srikalahasti MLA Bojjala Gopala Krishna Reddy, was also on hand.

There almost seemed to be an inner core to the core of the TDP. This comprises Lokesh and his youthful supporters who are themselves sons and daughters of influential TDP leaders.

So the baton in the TDP is being passed to younger hands. How will the succession play out politically? Does Lokesh have the political savvy of Chandrababu Naidu? Will he be able to manage the old guard in the way that his father did?

You have to give Chandrababu Naidu full marks for political flexibility.

In July 2013 (soon after Narendra Modi had commented in reply to a question on the 2002 Gujarat riot killings that even if a puppy comes under a car, one feels bad), Naidu had called a press conference at his Hyderabad residence and said: Muslims were killed in huge numbers during the 2002 Gujarat riots; comparing that to a puppy getting crushed under a car is shameful. It is disgraceful that the man holding the post of CM has such feelings.

He added that Modi had shown no remorse for the killings of Muslims right under the nose of his government.

He has overlooked the fact that his comments would hurt the sentiments of families, who lost their loved ones in the riots, and will boost communal rogue elements, Naidu said.

And guess what? Naidu joined the National Democratic Alliance in 2015, cast aside his squeamishness and got two ministerships in the Union government in the bargain.

To seal the relationship with the BJP, he even went for the swearing-in ceremony of Yogi Adityanath, against whom, too, many cases of fostering ill-will against communities are pending.

Andhra Pradesh and the TDP are going great guns.

Capital is fleeing Sriperumbudur and setting up shop in Sri City just across the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border.

The creation of a new state and several cities is consuming Chandrababu Naidu.

It is an arduous and lucrative business. He is minding the shop.

It helps that political challenges to him are limited.

Y S Jaganmohan Reddy has not posted any significant electoral victories.

The BJP, so long as it is an ally of the TDP, is forced to swallow its rage at the TDPs depredations -- financial and political.

Jana Sena, the outfit floated by Pawan Kalyan, extended its support to the BJP-TDP combine, but is now moving out. The Congress is virtually non-existent.

So Chandrababu Naidu is the monarch of all he surveys.

There are some festering issues like special status to AP, but that is a matter of optics.

If there is rebellion, it has to come from within the TDP. But who will it be?

Image: Lokesh Nara with his father, N Chandrababu Naidu. Photograph: Lokesh Nara/Facebook.
Pipliyamandi becomes the epicentre of the current farmers agitation across the country, demanding better price for their produce and loan waiver and a political hot-potato for all.

I had told him to not go near the agitators or pelt stones, then why did they kill my young son? He was just running away from the mob, asks 55-year-old Dinesh Patidar.

A class 12 student, Dineshs young son Abhishek was one of the five killed in Tuesdays police firing against angry farmers demanding better price for their produce, and a loan waiver.

Alongside his education, Abhishek, his father says, was interested in farming. He used to help his father with the farm before Dinesh sold his share of land in February to pay off a bank loan of Rs 5 lakh. Now I dont have any debt on me... absolutely no debt, he says.

Surrounded by well-wishers, fellow farmers, and neighbours in Pipliyamandi near Mandsaur, Dinesh says Abhishek had sustained two bullet wounds -- in his stomach, and shoulder. Clearly, he wasnt part of the mob and might have been trying to run when violence broke, he explains.

Five farmers were killed in police firing in the area on Tuesday after, a nearly week-long, state-wide farmers agitation price turned violent. The toll rose to six on Friday after a farmer succumbed to his injuries in Indore.

Just a day before the shooting, Pipliyamandi had seen an altercation between traders and farmers over the enforcement of a state-wide bandh called by the farmers. The altercation snowballed into a fight the next day, with both sides fighting open pitched battles on the streets.

The farmers alleged the local police sided with the traders and opened fire on them, while the district administration says they were forced to retaliate after the lone police station in the area was attacked, and the agitators tried to set a policeman on fire.

The agitators ransacked a local liquor shop and stole beer bottles. Do you think farmers will drink and make merry when they are fighting for their demand? These were anti-social elements from nearby villages that infiltrated and created trouble, a senior police officer manning the towns main thoroughfare said.

He requested not to be identified as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

But locals are not willing to buy this theory.

Yes, we know the village is surrounded by hamlets where nomads and Bedouins live who dont have good reputation. But, how just a day before the firing, the wife of a local trader told a farmers son to wait for a few days, as all of them would have to buy shrouds from the traders. Doesnt this indicate the killing was pre-planned, says Anuj Goswami, who owns a two-acre farmland near the village and had come to express grief.

The Madhya Pradesh government has ordered a high-level probe to ascertain the truth.

But locals said the unease between traders and farmers in Pipliyamandi was not just because of the enforcement of the bandh, but was part of a larger problem of the latter feeling cheated due to dipping price of farm produce, mainly soybean, grown by over 90 per cent of farmers in the area.

Till a few years back, these traders bought soybean from us at over Rs 4,000 per quintal, but since last year they are not willing to pay us even Rs 2,500, while the same is sold at higher prices to oil companies. How are we expected to make our ends meet when the basic price of soy seed is more than Rs 4,500 per quintal, asks Phoolchand of Khatikhedi village, who owns one hectare of land and has been farming for long.

The agitation and the subsequent firing have put the village under the limelight with a slew of leaders, including Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi trying to meet the victims, before being stopped by the local administration. Politically, the village is dominated by people from the Patidar community who have traditionally been BJP supporters.

We have made five demands to the administration, some of which have been accepted. These include a comprehensive farm loan waiver for farmers, a thorough investigation into causes of Tuesdays police firing, action against local policemen and district administration, withdrawal of all fake cases against farmers, jobs for the kin and declaring the dead as kisan shaheed (martyr), Krishna Patidar, a local community leader, said.

As Pipliyamandi becomes the epicentre of the current farmers agitation across the country, demanding better price for their produce and loan waiver and a political hot-potato for all, for Dinesh and his family comprising two elder sons, wife, and grandparents, the loss is difficult to fulfil.

Only I know what I have lost, rest all is fine, he says amid wails of crying women in the adjoining room.

IMAGE: A bus in flames after it was torched by farmers at Bhopal-Indore highway in Dewas.
After the Naga leader's death, Chinese intelligence may ensure ULFA terrorist Paresh Barua takes over as leader of the anti-India rebel groups operating out of Myanmar, says Nitin A Gokhale.

Indian intelligence officials, with the active help of the Myanmar army, are keeping a close watch on the funeral of veteran Naga insurgent leader S S Khaplang, left, who died on Friday, June 9, at Taga in the Sagiang division of Myanmar, top sources in India's north-east told me.

The reason: They expect Paresh Barua, the head of the recalcitrant faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom, ULFA, and Khaplang's closest ally in recent years, to try and attend the last rites of the Heimi Naga insurgent leader who had formed an anti-India alliance aided and abetted by Chinese intelligence officials since early 2010.

Barua -- who is believed to be based in Ruilli in north-east Myanmar, on the Myanmar-China border -- is apparently being assisted by Chinese intelligence operatives to reach Taga, a stronghold of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) or NSCN (K), which has been led by Khaplang since 1988.

Villages around Taga are considered more or less a 'liberated' zone where the writ of the Myanmar government or the Tatmadaw (the Myanmar armed forces) is absent.

It, however, remains to be seen if Barua makes it to the funeral.

Khaplang and he among others had formed the United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia, UNLFW, earlier this decade.

The UNLFW claimed responsibility for the June 4, 2015 ambush in Manipur that killed 20 Indian soldiers and triggered an Indian cross border raid on a common camp of the alliance near Momo and Onzia villages inside Myanmar, just four or five km from the border on June 9, 2015.

The raid carried out by the Indian Army's 21 Para Special Forces had killed at least 40 to 45 insurgents and sparked off a minor diplomatic crisis between India and Myanmar until National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Dr S Jaishankar rushed to Nai Payi Taw in the immediate aftermath of the Indian forces raid.

After the generals were mollified by the Doval-Jaishankar duo, intelligence and military cooperation between India and Myanmar has been stepped up in the past two years.

Army chief General Bipin Rawat was the latest high ranking Indian official to have visited Myanmar this past fortnight.

Khaplang had co-founded the NSCN in 1980 with two senior comrades-in-arms, Thuingaleng Muivah and Issac Chisi Swu after they had rejected the largely farcical Shillong Accord signed in 1975 between the Indian government and the Naga insurgency leadership.

However, in 1988, Khaplang split from Muivah and Swu and formed his own faction and held sway in the Nagaland districts of Mon, Tuensang and partly Mokokchung, besides making inroads into the two eastern Arunachal districts of Tirap and Changlang.

The Issac-Muivah faction came to be known as the NSCN (I-M) since 1988 and was considered more powerful and influential.

In fact, according to one of the topmost Meitei (Manipur) insurgent leaders, Rajkumar Meghen alias Sana Yaima, leader of the UNLF (the United Nationalist Liberation Front), Khaplang and his men had almost succeeded in assassinating Muivah and Swu at a large common camp the NSCN used to share with other insurgent groups on the India-Myanmar border.

Alerted in the nick of time by their followers, Muivah, Swu and other top NSCN leaders, escaped by a whisker in the pre-dawn raid by Khaplang loyalists.

They were given shelter and protection by the UNLF, Sana Yaima had recounted to this reporter more than a decade ago.

Sana Yaima is currently in jail after he was caught in Bangladesh by Indian sleuths with the active assistance of their Bangladeshi counterparts in 2010.

With the passing away of Khaplang and Issac Swu's death in June 2016, only Th Muivah, among the most influential, second generation Naga insurgent leaders, remains active and alive.

Muivah and Swu had entered into a ceasefire agreement with the Indian government in July-August 1997 followed by the NSCN (K) in 2001.

While the government has signed a framework agreement with the NSCN (I-M) in August 2015, Khapalang walked out of the ceasefire in early 2015 and decided to team up with the Paresh Barua faction of the ULFA and KYKL (a Manipur insurgent group).

Khapalang's death will force Barua to take on the mantle of leadership of the group in the coming weeks.

This will also mean that the Chinese, who have been supporting and facilitating Barua's movements, will consolidate their grip over this anti-India grouping currently active in three states -- Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal.

Earlier this week, an Indian Army major was killed while three ULFA cadres were eliminated in an encounter in Mon district of Nagaland bordering Myanmar.

Khaplang may have gone from the scene, but the challenge he posed to the Indian State all these years, is far from over.

Nitin A Gokhale is a well-known national security analyst and founder BharatShakti.in
It has been an honor to serve as a participant and volunteer for The Wall That Heals, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial traveling replica and mobile education center this past weekend in Port Byron. The wall is a 250-foot replica to honor the more than 3 million men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in Vietnam. It now contains 58,315 names of service members who died on the battlefields of that war.

Thank you to Port Byron Central School District, Dr. Linda Townsend and colleagues for organizing this special event for Cayuga County and neighboring central New York. Many people from the far southern and northern parts of our county and neighboring communities volunteered to serve during the walls presence in Port Byron June 1-4.

Classmates from Red Creek, Cato, Fair Haven and Martville were casualties in the war. Those with names on the wall from northern Cayuga County are: Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Lawrence W. Hoyt from Cato, Army Sgt. Starrett J. Ingleston from Martville, Army Sgt. John D. Livingston from Red Creek, Air Force Master Sgt. Edward D. Smith Jr. from Red Creek, and Army Sgt. 1st Class Daryl K. Stannard from Fair Haven.

The Wall That Heals leaves Port Byron, but education won't stop PORT BYRON  Even though The Wall That Heals has left Port Byron after its four-day visit, S

Army Pfc. Robert S. Barnes from Port Byron was also a casualty in the war. Robert Barnes' mother, Ethel Barnes, is a staunch patriot and Gold Star Mother from the Port Byron/Cato area and is fondly remembered as the flag lady who always handed out flags to children at school programs and was a faithful participant in the town of Victory's Veterans Day programs for many years. Ethel now lives in Oswego.

As The Wall That Heals tractor-trailer truck drove from Oneonta the previous weekend, it was met on Wednesday, May 31, at the American Legion Post 800 in Groton on Route 38, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway of Valor. Over 200 veteran motorcyclists of the Patriot Guard and Blue Knights, including many local veterans, escorted it north to Moravia through Auburn and on to Port Byron Central School. The wall was welcomed along the way by schoolchildren waving flags. The Wall That Heals will go to Swoyersville in northeastern Pennsylvania next.

A drone from Port Byron Central School District captured the moment as the motorcade came into town along Route 38. Along with the drone in the sky were the veteran and patriot airplane pilots from the town of Victory. Led by Vietnam veteran Lauren Dates, the other pilots were Edmund Dates and Lee Jackson. These pilots are often found in the air during Memorial Day and Veterans Day events in northern Cayuga County. They also participate in local veteran funeral services.

On Saturday, July 15, the Vietnam veterans will have their ninth annual tribute ride along Route 38, starting with registration at 8 a.m. at Owego Free Academy on Sheldon Guile Boulevard in Tioga County. The ride starts at 11 a.m. and stops in Groton at the American Legion to recognize Medal of Honor recipient Marine Corp 2nd Lt. Terrence Graves, and also stops in Throop to recognize Medal of Honor recipient Army Spc. 4th Class Robert F. Stryker. About 100 miles and five counties later, the ride ends at the northern section of Route 38 in the town of Sterling and continues on to the American Legion post in Hannibal for lunch.

The tribute ride is free and open to the public  motorcycles, cars, trucks, planes and helicopters are welcome to participate. For more information, contact Harvey Baker, Chapter No. 377, Vietnam Veterans of America, at (607) 898-3507.
Mumbai, June 10 (IBNS): Actress-producer Neetu Chandra on Saturday said she feels that India never got a leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She expressed her desire to meet the Indian politician and discuss with him issues related to education.

"I agree. Never got a leader like U @narendramodi ji 2 guide d youth country #India ever. Would like 2 meet You. Only #education matters !," the actress tweeted.

Image: Neetu Chandra Twitter page


New York, June 10(Just Earth News): Protracted fighting and unrest are swelling the ranks of displaced and hungry ins some parts of the world, even as large agricultural harvests in some regions are buoying global food supply conditions, according to a new report by the United Nations agriculture agency.

Civil conflict continues to be a main driver of food insecurity, having triggered famine conditions in South Sudan and put populations in Yemen and northern Nigeria at high risk of localized famine, said the UN Food and Agriculture Organization on on Friday's release its Crop Prospects and Food Situation report.

FAO also notes that adverse weather conditions are exacerbating the threat of famine in Somalia. Refugees from civil strife in countries such as Iraq, Syria and Central African Republic are putting additional pressure on local food supplies in host communities.

It also points out that some 5.5 million people are estimated to be severely food insecure in South Sudan, where maize and sorghum prices are now four times higher than in April 2016. In Somalia, about 3.2 million people need food and agricultural emergency assistance, while in Yemen the figure is as high as 17 million.

In northern Nigeria, disruption caused by conflict has left 7.1 million people facing acute food insecurity in the affected areas, with even more deemed to be in less dire but still stressed conditions, according to the report.

According to FAO, 37 countries require external assistance for food, namely Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Haiti, Iraq, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

Southern Africa rebounds, East Africa is parched

While worldwide cereal output is near record levels, production outcomes are mixed across the globe.

According to the report, South America is expected to post strong increases, led by Brazil and Argentina.

Regional production in Southern Africa is expected to jump by almost 45 per cent compared to 2016 when crops were affected by El Nino, with record maize harvests forecast in South Africa and Zambia. This should help to reduce food insecurity in countries, such as Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

After two consecutive years of bumper crops, the report notes that the overall food supply situation in the Sahel region is satisfactory.

However, at the start of the 2017 season, East Africa has suffered insufficient rainfall, armyworm infestations and local conflicts, leaving in the sub-region a record 26.5 million people in need humanitarian assistance.

The report warns that the situation could be aggravated further as the lean season peaks, saying, An estimated 7.8 million people are food insecure in Ethiopia, where drought has dented crop and pasture output in southern regions.

Moreover, cereal domestic prices reached exceptionally high levels in May, with the local cost of maize jumping by as much as 65 per cent this year in parts of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

The report also notes that a severe drought in Sri Lanka, followed by heavy rains and local flooding in late May, will likely reduce the country's paddy production by nearly a third, compared to the average.

Photo: OCHA/Guiomar Pau Sole.

Source: www.justearthnews.com
From 2-7 to sectional champs, Monrovia has one question: 'Why not us?'
New York, June 10(Just Earth News): An estimated 40,000 children are trapped in extremely dangerous conditions in Raqqa as fighting intensifies in and around the Syrian city, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported on Friday, warning that amany are caught in the crossfire.a

Heavy violence in the city of Raqqa is threatening the lives of children, said Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Regional Director in the Middle East and North Africa Region, in a statement, which noted that at least 25 children were reportedly killed and scores injured in the city.

He explained that hospitals and schools have reportedly come under attack and that those attempting to flee are at danger of getting killed or injured. He emphasized that children are being deprived of the most basic and life-saving necessities and that little aid have reached Raqqa since 2013 due to violence and access restrictions.

He added that the conflict has resulted in massive displacements in and around the city, with some 80,000 children from Raqqa city now internally displaced and living in temporary shelters and camps.

UNICEF called on all parties to protect children inside Raqqa, provide safe passage to those wishing to leave the city and grant a protected environment to civilians who fled the city.

Vaccine-derived polio virus detected in children

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that a vaccine-derived polio virus has been detected recently in two children in Syria, who have been paralyzed as a result.

Speaking at the regular briefing in Geneva, WHO spokesperson Oliver Rosenbauer said a third child was also detected with the virus, but has not been paralyzed.

He said these strains of polio detected in these children are rare but can arrive. The area affected is Deir-Ez-Zor Governorate in eastern Syria, which in 2013-2014 had been affected by a wild polio outbreak.

WHO is preparing an outbreak response to stop the virus' spread.

In New York, Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, told reporters that UN humanitarian workers are alarmed that no UN convoys have moved to besieged and hard-to-reach locations in Syria in over two weeks, with the last such convoy on 22 May.

He said that the UN continues its concern for the safety and well-being of some 4,000 people who have reportedly fled from the Tel Safuk area and surrounding villages along the Iraqi border to Markada town in Al-Hasakeh Governorate, due to ongoing fighting in the area.

Also, as fighting advances into Raqqa City, we have reports that over 95,000 people have already fled the city. We remind all parties to the fighting of their obligations to protect civilians under international humanitarian law, he said.

Photo: UNICEF/Souleiman

Source: www.justearthnews.com
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Mary Catherine Stout has lived on a battlefield most of her life, literally. Stouts farmland was once the hot spot of the Civil War Battle of Cloyds Mountain, where a bloody 60-minute clash left 1,226 casualties on the field.

Stout has collected reminders of the 1864 battle  a chain from a Union cannon, chunks of cannonballs, and scary, fat bullets with their inner makers mark stars exposed. She grew up on the farm and acts as keeper of its history; her home is always on the ready to double as a museum, especially for groups of schoolchildren.

I just love it when someone comes to the door and starts out by saying, Are you the lady who knows about the battle? Stout said. Yes, I am. If someone comes here to learn about the history, Ill stop whatever Im doing to give them a tour.

The May 9, 1864, battle was a victory for Union Gen. George Crook, although it resulted in heavy casualties for both sides. The Union went on to what is now Fairlawn to destroy the railroad bridge over the New River, the Confederacys crucial link to East Tennessee.

From her kitchen window, Stout, 73, can see the 1847 house where she started life as well as the 1790 house known as Cloyds Mansion, where she grew up. Her father, George Farris, bought the Cloyd farm in the early 1950s. Although Stout is not related to the Cloyds, she feels deeply connected to them through the land she holds.

In the Cloyd Mansion, bloodstains still mark the floor of an upstairs bedroom where wounded soldiers were treated during the battle. A corner of the farms stone barn bears the scar of a cannon ball fired by U.S. artillery.

Legend has it that an underground tunnel surfaces in one of the outbuildings. No tunnel has ever been discovered, but Stout thought it would be fun to incorporate a secret door in the house she built on a ridge above the farm. Its a hit with schoolchildren.

Stout left Pulaski County for about a decade, studying nursing at the University of Virginia and moving to Pennsylvania with her first husband. But when that marriage ended, she returned home with her two sons. The house she designed and built on the family farm nudges up against a 250-year-old oak, a tree she has groomed and nourished like a thoroughbred horse. From her deck, she can see an even larger oak, the largest tree in Pulaski County.

The Witness Oak, estimated to be centuries old, also benefits from Stouts care and protection. The tree is about 72 feet tall and measures a little more than 20 feet around the trunk. Scars show that lightning struck the tree at least once, but it appears to be healthy and benefiting from Stouts care.

Stouts home itself is a monument to her love of the land, rocks and forest of the county. The wall and ceiling of the family room incorporate an ancient corncrib, possibly made by slaves, that she salvaged from the Cloyd farm. Local rock is featured in paths, outbuildings, and interior and exterior walls of the house.

More than 40 years ago, furniture manufacturing executive Jim Stout asked the young divorcee what shed like to do on their second date. Dinner? Perhaps a movie in Radford? Nothing so conventional, it turned out.

I told him what Id really like to do was to go pick up rocks over the mountain on Little Creek, Mary Catherine Stout said. And he was willing. He doesnt really love picking up rocks, but hes helped me collect about 300 pickup loads of them. Im always looking for the next rock, and Jims always looking for what he hopes will be the last rock.

Her favorite rock is the pebbly Cloyd conglomerate. She developed her love of rocks, she says, from playing along the rock wall of the Cloyd cemetery and in the antebellum stone Cloyd barn.

When the Stouts married, they added a 600-square-foot room and deck to the house, both faced in local rocks that they collected that Mary Catherine scrubbed with a toothbrush. Together they designed kitchen cabinets, a pantry and furniture.

Jim did the building, even though he began some discussions declaring a particular project wasnt doable, not physically possible. But, as Vaughan-Bassett Furnitures manufacturing technology director, Jim was knowledgeable enough to figure out a way to construct whatever project Mary Catherine dreamed up.

In between projects, they had a son, built more stone buildings, and decorated the house with antique tools and handmade crafts. It looks like a beautiful museum, made to live in.

Stout says she plans to leave all her artifacts to a real museum some day, but she hasnt yet determined where. In addition to the objects her family has found, she has relics donated by others to help with her educational efforts.

These include a bullet pounded into a poker chip, a patched lunch pail and a lead bullet riddled with small dents, possibly teeth marks by a unanesthetized soldier undergoing an operation .
Kabul, June 10 (IBNS): Security officials have arrested a suspected suicide bomber from Afghanistan's Kabul city on Saturday, media reports said.

He has been arrested with a Vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED).

According to the security sources, the suicide bomber was looking to carry out an attack using the vehicle packed with explosives but was arrested by the security forces, Khaama News reported.

Several terrorist attack incident shave hit Afghanistan and its capital Kabul in recent times.

The attacks have left several people killed.


Today marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Six-Day War. Since then, Israel has occupied the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and  although it withdrew from Gaza in 2005  has blockaded Gaza for the past 10 years. This is a time for sober reflection upon the effects of Israeli subjugation  of the Palestinians, who are denied unfettered rights, and of the Israelis, who deny themselves unfettered consciences.

The issue of Israel/Palestine is often described as very complex. Although the solutions may be complex, the issue itself is not complex at all. It is simply a matter of human rights.

What makes it difficult for Jews to see the issue clearly is the fear that if we allow ourselves to consider the rights of Palestinians, then our beloved state of Israel  the only safe haven for our persecuted people  will come to an end. We are still haunted by the images of the Holocaust. And today, as anti-Semitism grows, we perceive renewed fears and calls for never again. I understand this.

Any Jew who tries to come to grips with what goes on in Israel must go through a heart-wrenching process. Many of us are unwilling to face the truth, and in not doing so we compromise the values and ethical teachings that are in fact the heart of Judaism. It is very difficult for Jews who have been taught from an early age that Israel is a miracle. As children, we put our coins into little boxes so that the Jewish National Fund could plant trees in Israel. I visited Israel in high school, but I never once considered moving there  as so many Israelis were urging me to do. I considered myself to be an American Jew, and that was good enough for me. But I did harbor a deep love for all things Israeli.

I lost my innocence researching Israeli history. One account, as told by former Israeli Gen. Mattiyahu Peled, convinced me that Israels occupation of Palestinian territory after the 1967 Six-Day War marked the end of Israels innocence.

Peled served with Yitzhak Rabin in the 1948 war. He was military governor of Gaza during the Suez crisis of 1956. While in Gaza he studied the Arabic language and literature, which helped him to understand the Palestinians and their aspirations. By the start of the Six-Day War, Peled had risen to the rank of general. Initially, Peled believed that he was leading his troops into a limited war with Egypt, not a war to conquer territory.

But of course Israel went on to conquer the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza. Peled opposed the occupation; he wanted Israel to return the land to the Palestinians. He said, If we keep these lands, popular resistance to the occupation is sure to arise, and Israels army will be used to quell that resistance, with disastrous results. But no one listened. Peled resigned his position and spent the rest of his life pursuing peace between Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs.

As Peled predicted, the occupation has been a disaster for both Israelis and Palestinians. Israel, a self-described democracy, has become increasingly isolated from the community of nations for building illegal settlements in the West Bank. The International Court has condemned Israel for restricting Palestinians freedom of movement by building a security wall that divides Palestinian communities, and checkpoints that are designed to humiliate Palestinians as they go about their daily lives.

Palestinians live in fear of Israels arbitrary authority. Home demolitions are regularly used to collectively punish a household for the transgression of a family member. Extra-judicial killings, as in the case of the Israeli soldier who shot Abdul Fatah al-Sharif as he lay unconscious, are lightly punished. Administrative detention of an indeterminate length can be used against children caught throwing stones.

While I am in the minority within the Richmond Jewish community, the numbers of Jews who understand the problem and seek justice for Palestinians is growing, especially among the young. Just ask your children or grandchildren.
Washington, Jun 10 (IBNS): American President Donald Trump reiterated his 'America First' stance and said it's time for his country to incorporate its own people in various jobs, while using its own resources.

"It is time to rebuild OUR country, to bring back OUR jobs, to restore OUR dreams, & yes, to put #AmericaFirst! TY Ohio! #InfrastructureWeek," his tweet read.

In another tweet, Trump wrote, "Time to start building in our country, with American workers & with American iron, aluminum & steel. It is time to put #AmericaFirst."

The US President, who remained adamant and pulled out of the Paris Accord a week ago, had stated that it was his solemn duty to protect Americans first.

"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's statement read.

The move invited scathing criticism from all corners of the world, with some suggesting that the US President is out of touch with reality.

Trump however has been floating hastags of 'Make America Great Again' and 'America First' on Twitter, from his campaign days.

Image: Internet Wallpapers


The saga of stolen artwork that plagued a Taubman Museum of Art exhibition has a happy ending.

New York artist Paul Villinski created Flower Bomber, a 30-foot wide replica of a B-25 bomber, for the Taubmans atrium.

Saturday, the artist loaded Flower Bomber and three other sculptures into a rental truck parked outside his Long Island City studio. Sunday, he discovered the truck had been stolen.

Thursday, the museum hung a similar work by Villinski in the atrium  Passage, a 33-foot-wide sculpture modeled on a 1950s-era glider.

Friday, a representative from Penske Truck Rental called Villinski with the news that the missing truck had turned up in Brooklyn. The company located it using OnStar.

A photo sent to the artist by Penske showed the trailer loaded with tires. Villinski said police told him its common in New York for trucks to be stolen and loaded with tires or construction debris and then abandoned, a form of illegal dumping.

A second set of photos from Penske shows that when workers unloaded the tires, they found all of Villinskis artwork, strapped in place exactly as hed left it. The fiberglass sections of Flower Bomber are scuffed up from having tires piled on them but otherwise intact.

Im really, really thrilled and happy, Villinski said. Its really miraculous to me.

Taubman officials plan to keep Passage in the atrium through January, then replace it with Flower Bomber in February. Villinski said hes considering leaving some of the damage to Flower Bomber visible. It might become part of the history of the piece.
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Washington, June 10 (IBNS): U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria on Friday, conducting 27 strikes consisting of 70 engagements], Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported on Saturday.

Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports, the US Department of Defence said in a statement.

The statement said in Syria, coalition military forces conducted 21 strikes consisting of 30 engagements against ISIS targets.

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted six strikes consisting of 40 engagements against ISIS targets
Danielle Bunch, photo by PhotoRun.net

Stuart Weir wrote this third piece on the Rome DL about the person sitting next to him on the bus to the Golden Gala, Danielle Bunch, who took second in the shot put. We thank Stuart for this fine piece, where we learn about the complexity of changing shot put technique after eleven years and an athletes love of horror movies.



How scary Daniella Bunch changed from gliding to spinning.

I confess that I did not know much about Daniella Bunch before she sat next to me on the bus to the stadium. We became quite close on the journey  Daniellas seat was broken and she kept sliding towards me  almost gliding towards me in fact. My plan for the journey to the stadium was to do my homework and read the excellent biographical notes on athletes that the Diamond League provides.

It certainly helped me to make small talk with Daniella when I read that she had studied Biology at Purdue and enjoyed watching scary movies  more on that later. However, she told me she had graduated in Criminology, having transferred from Biology. She is 26 and is already in her 14th year as a shot putter.

Daniella came second in Rome with a throw of 18.95, beating Olympic Champion, Michelle Carter (18.86) and the Olympic bronze medallist, Anita Marton of Hungary. She also came second in the Shanghai Diamond League last month with 18.98 and threw a PR this year.

She told me her first two years at the elite level had been really hard but 2017 had been good. She felt she was becoming better known and getting that confidence boost.

She attributed her 2017 successes partly to a significant change in her training routine: I kinda ditched the traditional training that shot putters do, working with heavy implements. I just concentrate on the competition shot and really connecting with that. And its helped at all my meets this year so far. I lift enough weights so I dont need to throw heavy too.

The PR of 19.12 meters came at a meet in Lafayette, Indiana. It was a very relaxed meet, where I went to college so I was familiar with everything. It just happened that day and I actually had a throw which went further but I fouled it. That was my opening meet so it made me very confident going into the outdoor season. It set me up for the rest of the year.

Another reason for her improvement this year is that she is now a full-time athlete: I did work part-time but it was cutting into my training so I am now full-time. I self-funded my training which was very hard but now I hope with my numbers this year I will get more support and not have to worry about the job part for now.

You also need to know that she is a spinner, not a glider! Pardon? Its OK she explained it to me: Gliding is when you sort of shuffle from the back to the front of the circle, a very speed orientated technique. Im not the fastest person. The spin is where you do a full turn from the back to the front of the ring. For that the technique requires more strength than speed and Im stronger than I am fast. I started the spin two and a half years ago. So I have only been learning to rotate for two years having spent eleven years as a glider. Got it now?

Finally, I had to find out more about the scary movies. She told me: Its the adrenalin rush I guess. I like action movies and comedies too. But Im at the point now when I can call out the plot because Ive seen so many scary movies. I can tell you who the bad guy is an hour before he is revealed. I just love them but I do get scared though!

I would be happy to share a bus ride with Daniella again any time.
This dynamic helped Gov. Laura Kelly win reelection in Kansas

Gov. Laura Kelly won a second term in a historic win in the Kansas governor's race. Her performance in Johnson County helped deliver a narrow victory.
Dear Editor,

Re: President Trump, climate change and P.M. Tuilaepa

Solar use and renewable energy use is growing because of the efforts of the last globally respected president of the US - Barack Obama.

You and your lunatic presidents hubris thinking that 195 countries will suddenly agree to get rid of the Paris Accord after it took years to negotiate is hilarious.

You guys are dreaming. Your right-wing propaganda machine is telling you the same stupid things that the voices in George W. Bushs head were telling him when he thought the Iraq war was mission accomplished.

The mess arising from that stupid war is still happening with ISIS today.

To renegotiate another climate change accord on the scale of Paris will take a decade.

For the US to lead, it needs followers.

Who is following the lunatic in the White House after this decision? The Germans and French have said there is no way Paris is going to be renegotiated. Britain has said no. The Chinese and Russians are not in the mood to go back to years of negotiation.

Japan isnt even playing ball with the US on a bilateral trade deal instead Japan is leading Australia and New Zealand towards another TPP (without the US). The Pacific bloc has condemned Trumps decision. Even Nicaragua is not technically on Trumps side because the only reason they didnt sign Paris is because they did not think it went far enough.

That leaves a grand total of Syria and Trumps United States in the coalition of dreamers. Syria is a failed state and in the middle of a civil war. Therefore, the truth staring you in the cold hard light of day is that the United States quite literally has never been more politically isolated than ever before.

No matter how much the voices in your head continue to scream fake news, that is the reality of the situation that your Dear Leader has led you Trumpanzees into.

PS Jeffrey
The Central Bank of Samoa has issued a warning to members of the public against get rich quick schemes and the use of digital currency.

The warning was offered by the Banks Financial Intelligence Unit yesterday in light of growing concerns about such schemes fooling unsuspecting members of the public.

We wish to advise the general public to be very cautious and diligent in dealing with get rich quick schemes or digital currency investments, a statement from the Bank said.

It has been brought to our attention that a lot of get rich quick schemes and digital currency investment opportunities being spread around the country through presentations and through social media  ie. facebook!

Please be aware and extra cautious of these investments. Please contact the Central Bank of Samoa if you are not quite sure about these types of investments.

According to a source, one such scheme is making rounds among church members and pastors where members are encouraged to sign up and collect membership for the promise of thousands of tala in return.

The scheme involves buying into a travel project where members will get cheap travel, accommodation and other perks.

In the statement from the Central Bank, they are encouraging members of the public to contact them if anyone is not sure about anything in particular.

The Bank has also moved to educate people about digital currency and terms like Bitcoin.

What is digital currency? Digital currency is the use of electronic money which is different from the money we use physically like our tala notes or coins or even our A.T.M cards.

Digital Currency allows for instant transactions and borderless transfers from one person to another without going through a bank or a money transfer operator. An example of this digital currency is BITCOIN.

What is Bitcoin? At the aftermath of the Financial Recession of 2007, an entity or alias by the name of Satoshi Nakamoto invented a new concept called Bitcoin in 2009.

In this concept, they claimed that the financial crisis was caused by financial institutions such as Banks. Their solution to the financial crisis was to remove the financial institutions and let the people deal directly with each other using Bitcoin.

If you come across these difficult and complex financial concepts and investments, please contact the Central Bank of Samoa for more information.

Before you invest in these types of ventures, please ensure that you fully understand how it works and the benefits and risks of doing so.

Also, please avoid getting into these get rich quick schemes. If its too good to be true, then most likely it is!

Members of the public are asked to contact the Central Bank of Samoa on phone 34-100 (extension 120 or 133).
A suspended Police officer, Aiolupotea Laauli Talataina, has entered a not guilty plea to 10 criminal charges against him - including the discharging of a firearm.

The Officer entered the plea yesterday when he appeared in the District Court before Judge Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma.

The prosecutor is Lupematasila Iliganoa Atoa from the Office of the Attorney General while Leiataualesa Komisi Koria is representing the defendant.

Judge Fepuleai denied an application for a stay in proceedings presented by the defense counsel.

I have already looked into the application presented to me by your counsel and I have already received a submission from the prosecution, Judge Fepuleai said.

I have decided to refuse the application but it is now a matter for you to give your plea to the charges against you. My written decision will be available after.

It was then that lawyer Leiataualesa entered a not a guilty plea on behalf of his client.

Judge Fepuleai then adjourned the matter until 24 July 2017 for hearing.

If you have witnesses that you would like to testify for you this will be the day for you to bring them.

Aiolupotea is facing one count of presenting a firearm in Apia on the 01/01/2016 where he presented a 12-gauge pump action to Vaioleti Telesia.

He is also accused of one count of presenting firearm at Malololelei in or between 01/08/15 and 31/08/15 where he presented a loaded 22 rifle bolt action to Lene Epa.

He faces a charge of discharging a firearm at Malololelei, involving a 22 rifle bolt action endangering the life of Lene Epa.

He is also accused of being armed at Malololelei with a 22-rifle bolt action, being armed in Apia on the 01/01/16 with 12-gauge pump action.

Other charges include presenting a firearm at Afiamalu in or between 01/08/15 and 31/08/15 presented a loaded rifle bolt to Lene Epa.

He is accused of being armed at Afimalu with 22 rifle bolt action, discharging a firearm at Afiamalu, presenting firearm in Apia on the 01/01/16, presenting a gauge pump action to Lene Epa vand being armed in Apia on the 01/01/16 with a 12-gauge pump action.
A delay in the submission by the prosecution has forced the Court to reschedule the sentencing of two Chinese men who have been convicted of stealing more than $70,000 from the A.T.M machines of the Bank of South Pacific.

Yang Quigreen and Zhong Shuiming, who are under police custody, are represented by lawyer, Alex Sua.

Presiding is District Court Judge Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma.

Yesterday, Lupematasila Iliganoa Atoa, of the Office of the Attorney General, informed the Court that their sentencing submission was not ready.

Your Honor we are asking if we can adjourn the matter for the prosecution to submit our final submission, Lupematasila said.

For your information Your Honor the counsel who was responsible for this matter from the beginning of the hearing is not here.

Shes been ill and she has been away from our office so just for that reason your Honor we are unable to submit our final submission.

Fepuleai then ordered the prosecution to submit their sentencing submission by 12:30 of 23 June.

The court has received Mr. Suas sentencing submission for the defendants however, the Court has not received any sentencing submission from the prosecution, he said.

An application from the prosecution to adjourn this matter has been granted and therefore by Friday afternoon on the 23rd of June prosecution will have to submit their sentencing submission.

Therefore the matter will be re-called on the 28th of June at 12:30pm to see if there are any other matters arises from the submissions and then the court will decide a sentencing date.

Last month the pair were convicted.

Judge Fepuleai pointed out the defendants were initially charged with 16 charges however prior to the trial, they both pleaded guilty to four charges.

These include intentionally accessing A.T.M. without authority; theft of $9,700; theft of $1,000; theft of $12,500. The total amount for this is $23,200.

During the trial, two more theft charges were dismissed, leaving 10 other counts which were the subject of the trial.

For theft charge in the amount of $24,900, they were found guilty in the lesser sum of $19,150; theft of $16,200 they were found guilty in the lesser sum $12,400; theft $6,150 they were found guilty in the lesser sum $3,100; theft of $23,950 they are found guilty in the lesser sum of $11,700; theft of $15,700 they were found guilty in the lesser sum of $1,000.

They were also found guilty of intentionally accessing A.T.M. without authority and intentionally accessing A.T.M. without authority with the purpose of committing a crime of dishonesty.

They were however acquitted of three theft charges, involving two separate withdrawals of $300 each and theft of $20,500. Total amount for these theft charges was $47,350.
Julie Fechter is simply in love with Samoa.

During a five-week visit en-route to Tonga to swim with the humpback whales, Fechter, aged 30, found the relaxing environment sensational and exactly what you need.

She couldnt keep it to herself.

So much so, that friend Susan Adams, aged 31, travelled from Seattle, United States of America to experience the island for herself.

Its beautiful and its everything you would imagine a tropical island to be, said Susan, having recently arrived in Samoa.

Both have found the warm-hearted people a refreshing change as Susan describes the welcome she received from the locals previous even to touching down on the island.

Before I even landed, the lady on the next aisle, who lives here in Samoa offered me a place to stay.

Overwhelming generosity continued to greet them at the Vaiula Beach Fales on the south coast of Upolu.

Dining with the family each night on local produce cooked in the traditional Samoan manner, the pair were enthralled by the rare cultural experiences and the exceptional show of hospitality. Everybody is much friendlier here, Julie agreed.

We eat a lot of taro, and after a month Im really starting to enjoy it.

Julie adding that a trip she took to Hawaii put her off the food but her appetite for taro has been restored by flavoursome Samoan cooking.

Travelling alone, Julie much prefers a relaxing dip in a cool waterfall than a visit to one of Samoas vibrant clubs and bars: Samoa caters for all interests.

The waterfalls and natural things are great places to cool off because you can jump right in.

Sharing images on social media, Julie and Susan plan to spread the word that Samoa is the budget friendly place to be!
I suppose we should now say thank you to Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and Attorney General, Lemalu Hermann Retzlaff, for making sure that freedom of religion in this country is immune to threat today, and at any time in the future.

Incidentally, that assurance of theirs was spelled out clearly on the front page of the Weekend Observer, of 9 June 2017, under the headline that read: Freedom of religion not threatened: A.G.

The questions then are: Who today believes that freedom of religion in Samoa is under threat?

Indeed, are there citizens of this country today who are afraid that that their freedom to practice the religions of their choice are, under threat?

We would dearly want to know.

All we know is that Parliament had endorsed an amendment called the Constitutional Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2017, and since then it had been made a part of Samoas Constitution.

And that Bill, as Attorney General, Lemalu Hermann Retzlaff, has pointed out would not in any way, endanger freedom of religion anywhere in Samoa.

He said: The amendment did not amend, alter or change the rights of individuals within Samoa, to exercise their religious beliefs as they deem fit.

He also said: This individual right is outlined in Article 11 of the Constitution, Freedom of Religion, and it remains untouched.

Now thats fine.

So while the national religion is now confirmed as Christianity, he explained, the individual freedom of religion of all citizens within our nation, remains intact.

Now is that so?

Still, when was the so-called national religion that Lemalu is talking about, confirmed as Christianity?

Indeed, why is it that it feels as if hes just skirting around the dirt, if youd kindly excuse this little pun here?

Since as far as were aware, this countrys national religion was Christianity, it was confirmed way back when its Constitution was written and ratified, and it is still considered valid today.

That way, the amendment Bill in question, according to Lemalu anyway, is effectively a declaration placed within Article 1 of the Constitution, which is an Article that legally describes Samoa as a nation.

Whatever that means though we have no idea.

And if our opinion was sought, wed be quite happy to say that this is the ill-intentioned wave of confusion, were drowing in today.

Still, Lemalu points out: The Amendment has now taken the step of placing these acknowledgements of our Christian faith, within the body of the actual law itself.

He then reminds that when the Bill was introduced, Prime Minister Tuilaepa said the Constitutions reference to Christianity was only in the Preamble, and this was inadequate.

He said it was inadequate in terms of how Samoa as a Christian State is not included in the body of the Constitution, and instead it is in the cover.

Now the question is: Were the framers of the Constrituion blind which was why they did not insert the preamble inside the Constitution, but outside it instead?

Which follows that this is why the preamble is not a part of the Constitution?

And because of that little anomaly, Tuilaepa reckons: This does not stand in Court as it is not included in the body of the Constitution.

Fine.

Anyway, that was what he said he understood that the main reason the preamble was not included in the body of the Constitution then, was that there were no religious wars in Samoa when the Constitution was written.

Now is that so?

And so the question now is:

Are there wars in Samoa today? And if so, would Prime Minister Tuilaepa Malielegaoi, be kind enough to show the country where those wars, are being fought?

Still, Tuilaepa said perhaps our ancestors were not thinking about wars at the time.

Now is that so? Does that mean weve been misleading ourselves all these years, so that every time weve been saying Samoa is founded on God because that is what our Constitution has been telling us, weve actually been fooling ourselves as well as everyone else?

Indeed, now that our government  after it has been bragging around the world over the last 55 years that it was both politically and religiously free, and yet it has just added that silly amendment to its Constitution which has now made it officially free for the first time - what are we going to do about it now?

Indeed, what are Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and Attorney General, Lemalu Hermann Retzlaff, going to do about it?

Tell us what you think.

In the mean time, have a peaceful Sunday Samoa, God bless!
Dear Editor,

My heart hurt when I read your story titled Church Man Jailed for 16 years for rape in June 6/17 Samoa Observer edition. I felt so sorry for the young victim who was raped by a taxi driver.

I would hope that the church this man belongs to would investigate into any other complaints regarding this person.

I doubt very much if this is his first offense, and I would encourage any who may have been subject to his abuse to have the courage to come forward as this young lady has and to find out the full extent of this abusers past.

How could such a man have held such a prominent position after several other incidents? Or had he been discharged from President of Elders Quorum position sometime in 1997-2011 when the other convictions were upheld?

The LTA and whoever else is responsible for issuing licenses for public vehicles should immediately adjust their policy so that a criminal check is required from all seeking such a license.

What can a women learn from such a horrific incident? You can always try to put practices in place but animals like this person will always be out looking for vulnerable persons.

My advice would be of course to try not to travel alone, but if you have to use public transport such as a taxi is to sit in the back seat. Try to keep the distance from the other person. Would it be safer to sit in the seat directly the driver?

When being taken against your will as this young person was, could you start banging on the windows, kicking the person when stopped at a traffic light, pulling hair, scratching his eyes? Just making as much noise as you can. Scream, scream, scream and dont stop. Try to get attention of other persons around. If the person has threatened you with death if you dont obey then who is to say that they wont kill you after they have had their way.

Once someone has threatened you with death then you have nothing to lose because you dont know if he will still carry that threat out.

Its easy to sit here and write these things and quite different to be in that actual position and trying to keep a calm head so you can take some evasive action.

I feel so sorry for the young victim. They should take that man and cut his private parts off. It is the only way to discourage this kind of crime.

The Samoa Observer reported the man as saying he wanted to appeal the decision. That is his right.

What possibly could be his defense? A married man. A church leader. Taking a young person somewhere against their will?

Going to an isolated area. Would he stoop so low as to suggest she propositioned him? Hes still a married man and a church leader! I do not see any defense on his behalf.

If he wants to appeal then I would even suggest he has little or no remorse at all. Cold-hearted animal. Lock him away! (but of course in Samoa such criminals are regularly let out of jail for holidays and weekends!) Samoa is going downhill like everywhere else.

C.A.L

Hi there, I read your news all the time and comment regularly on yes there is poverty in Samoa and about how Samoas gilt covered churches extort money off those that can not afford to donate or to Register
The former Director of the National Prosecution Office (N.P.O.), Mauga Precious Chang, has now been convicted of negligent driving causing injury.

The decision was delivered by Supreme Court Justice Mata Tuatagaloa on Friday, overturning a previous District Court decision to acquit the former National Prosecution Director of the charge.

The appeal on the charge of negligent driving causing injury is upheld. Pursuant to section 154(b)(iii) of Criminal Procedure Act 2016, the respondent is convicted of the charge of negligent driving causing injury, Justice Tuatagaloa ruled.

A date for sentencing will be determined on Wednesday 14 June 2017.

Last year, the District Court Judge Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma found Mauga not guilty of three traffic-related charges.

The charges include negligent driving causing bodily injuries, an alternative charge of dangerous driving and failure to stop to ascertain whether anyone was injured at the scene.

The decision was appealed by independent prosecutor, hired by the Attorney Generals Office, Satiu Simativa Perese.

Mauga is represented New Zealand based Attorney, Aaron Perkins and former Attorney General, Aumua Ming Leung Wai.

Satiu in his appeal noted that Judge Fepuleai Ameperosa Romas decision to acquit the former N.P.O. Director, of traffic related charges was plainly wrong.

It cannot be sustained and supported on any basis whatsoever

The lower Courts decision was not open on the evidence, and, it was plainly wrong, he said.

The crash did not happen as the Court below held, but rather the respondent was negligent in turning the Tuscon in an unsafe manner in front of an oncoming bus which had the right of way.

The lower Courts decision cannot be supported on any proper basis, and at times the decision was unprincipled.

Satiu pointed out that the trial Judge erred in law and/or in fact in deciding to acquit Mauga.

According to Satiu, the Judge misunderstood the evidence and also erred in his understanding and treatment of the evidence and the inferences.

Among other issues, Satiu said the Court needs to consider fresh evidence such as diagrammes and illustrations of the incident.

He noted that using diagrammes or illustrations is a well-accepted practice in the presentation of submissions, particularly helpful in understanding matters requiring the use of spatial awareness.

The charges against Mauga was the result of a traffic incident involving three cars on Beach Road, Apia, in front of Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi building.

The following is Justice Tuatagaloas decision in full:

The crash did not happen as the Court below held, but rather the respondent was negligent in turning the Tuscon in an unsafe manner in front of an oncoming bus which had the right of way.

The lower Courts decision cannot be supported on any proper basis, and at times the decision was unprincipled.

Satiu pointed out that the trial Judge erred in law and/or in fact in deciding to acquit Mauga.

According to Satiu, the Judge misunderstood the evidence and also erred in his understanding and treatment of the evidence and the inferences.

Among other issues, Satiu said the Court needs to consider fresh evidence such as diagrammes and illustrations of the incident.

He noted that using diagrammes or illustrations is a well-accepted practice in the presentation of submissions, particularly helpful in understanding matters requiring the use of spatial awareness.

The charges against Mauga was the result of a traffic incident involving three cars on Beach Road, Apia, in front of Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi building.

The following is Justice Tuatagaloas decision:

DECISION OF TUATAGALOA J

Proceedings:

1. This is an appeal against the decision of Judge Roma delivered orally on 12 December 2016 (with the written reasons delivered on 14 December 2016); acquitting the Respondent on the following charges under the Road Traffic Ordinance 1960:

(i) Negligent driving causing injury pursuant to section 39A;

(ii) An alternative charge of dangerous driving pursuant to section 39(1); and

(iii) Failing to stop and ascertain whether any person has been injured and to render all practicable assistance pursuant to section 44(1) and (4).

2. Essentially, the appellant appealed the decision on the grounds that the trial Judge erred in law and/or in fact in deciding to acquit the respondent on all charges.

3. I understand the appellants grounds of appeal for each charge as follows:

(a) Negligent driving causing injury:

(i) The trial Judge erred in fact when he found the respondent not negligent;

(ii) The trial Judge was wrong in law as to what amounts to injury.

(b) Dangerous driving:

(i) If correct in dismissing the negligent driving charge, the trial Judge erred in fact and/or in law in dismissing the alternative charge.

(c) Failure to stop and ascertain:

(i) The trial Judge failed to correctly apply the law with respect to sections 44(1) and 44(4) of the Road Traffic Ordinance 1960;

(ii) The trial Judge also erred in his understanding and treatment of the evidence and the inferences which could be drawn from it.

The relevant law:

4. The Court of Appeal in Attorney General v Tavui, held that where there is an appeal on error of law such ground of appeal is normally confined to three situations:

(i) An error made in answering a conventional legal question arising from unchallenged facts;

(ii) A positive factual finding unsupported by any evidence; or

(iii) A failure to draw the only reasonably available inference from unchallenged primary facts.

5. Where the appeal is on error of facts the Chief Justice in Kerslake v Attorney General, an appeal on the facts will succeed:

(i) If the conclusion reached was not open on the evidence, i.e., where there was no evidence to support it; or

(ii) The trial judge was plainly wrong in the conclusion reached .

6. The test is whether the verdict (in this case the decision of the Trial Judge) is unreasonable, having regard to all the evidence because the jury (assessors or Trial Judge) could not having regard to all the evidence have been satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the respondent was not guilty.

7. An Appellate Court is required to carefully scrutinise all the evidence and ask, whether taken at its highest, the evidence available could have properly led to an acquittal.

8. I approach such task reminding myself of the principles stated in R v Munro that the Appellate Court performs a review function, not substituting its own view of the evidence and that reasonable minds may differ on matters of fact.

9. An Appellate Court is therefore, to take a very cautious approach and only in exceptional circumstances depart from the findings of fact of a Trial Judge, for the Trial Judge has had the opportunity to see and hear the witnesses first hand.

Preliminary Issue

10. A preliminary issue arises as to whether or not certain documents annexed to the appellants submissions amount to fresh evidence. If they do, s.157 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2016 applies. It provides that:

157. Fresh evidence on appeal  (1) The appellant court may, on the hearing of an application to admit fresh evidence in the appeal, admit fresh evidence if:

(a) The fresh evidence could not reasonably have been given at the trial; and

(b) The fresh evidence must be such that when viewed in combination with the evidence given at trial it can be said that the Judge or assessors acting reasonably would have acquitted or convicted the defendant; and

(c) The fresh evidence is credible in the sense that it is capable of belief.

(2) If the fresh evidence is suspicious and unreliable the appellant court may reject the fresh evidence.

(3) An appellant who intends to adduce fresh evidence on appeal must:

(a) give the respondent 20 working days notice of the appellants intention to do so; and

(b) provide the respondent with the fresh evidence within 10 working days of the giving of the notice.

(4) If fresh evidence has been produced to the respondent under subsection (3)(b), the appellant Court may, on application, adjourn the hearing of the appeal to another date to allow reasonable time to respond.

11. The documents which the appellant seeks to introduce are:

(a) An edited version of the scene plan produced by Constable Fetu at trial as EXH P1;

(b) Specifications of the vehicle the respondent was driving obtained from the official Hyundai website.

12. I understand the appellants submissions as follows that:

(a) The scene plans (x5) is not fresh evidence because they are illustrations of what the trial Judge said in his decision. He (appellant) has used the scene plans as diagrams to describe his understandings of what the trial Judge said or meant in his decision. Therefore section 157 of Criminal Procedure Act 2016 does not apply.

(b) The Hyundai specs printout obtained from the Hyundai website which says the Tucson of 2012 vintage (as Tucson in this case) to be 4.4metres long should be accepted by way of judicial notice as uncontroversial fact which fact he (appellant) says assists neither the Prosecution nor the Defence.

13. The respondent objected to the introduction of the documents upon the following grounds:

i. The scene plans amount to fresh evidence. Someone (we dont know) has drawn in the Tucson car in various positions on these scene plans; theres been no test of the accuracy of those drawings by way of cross examination. Furthermore, there were two (2) scene plans (EXH P1 & D1) produced at the hearing. EXH P1 by Constable Fetu and EXH D1 by Sergeant Pule. EXH D1 was more accurate in terms of the skid mark in relation to EXH P2 (photo of the skid mark) and was accepted by the trial Judge in his findings. The scene plans sought to be introduced perpetuate the same fundamental flaw as on EXH P1 and are, therefore unreliable. It is inappropriate and impermissible to introduce these documents without first seeking leave of the court under s.157 of Criminal Procedure Act 2016.

ii. The Hyundai specs are also fresh evidence for the reasons that their accuracy and reliability cannot be tested on appeal.

iii. Sections 104, 105 and 124 of Evidence Act 2016 apply to evidence sought to be introduced in a trial but not to appeal.

14. I find both documents amount to fresh evidence for the following reasons:

(a) Pivotal to the scene plan is the skid mark. The various positions of the Tucson vehicle drawn on the scene plans sought to be introduced centre around the skid mark. There was never any evidence given at trial as to the various positions of the Tucson. Furthermore, the location and length of the skid mark on EXH P1 was not accepted by the trial Judge. Therefore, the various positions of the Tucson represented on the copies are based on evidence that was not accepted as fact by the trial Judge and are therefore unreliable. Furthermore, the authenticity and accuracy of the drawings on the copies of the scene plan has not been tested by way of cross-examination in a trial. This is an appeal not a re-hearing of evidence.

(b) The Hyundai specs do not fall under documents to be judicially taken notice of, under section 124 of the Evidence Act 2016. The documents also do not fall under sections 104 and 105 of the Evidence Act in relation to uncontroverted facts. I agree with the respondent that these sections of the Evidence Act apply to trial process and not to appeal hearings.

15. Fresh evidence is not admitted as of right. Its admission is a matter of discretion under s.157 of Criminal Procedure Act 2016.

16. I find that the documents could have been with reasonable diligence given or called at the trial given that the appellant produced other documents as evidence at the trial. The documents therefore, do not qualify for admission as fresh evidence under s.157(1). If they do qualify under s.157, for the reasons in paragraph [15] above they are to be rejected for being suspicious and unreliable under s.157(2) not to mention that the appellant have not complied with s.157(3) and (4).

17. The said documents sought to be introduced are not accepted.

18. I now turn to consider the grounds of appeal.

Negligent driving causing injury:

(i) The trial judge erred in fact when he found the respondent not negligent;

19. The appeal point advanced in respect of this charge is that the conclusion or decision reached by the trial Judge, having regard to the evidence was so unreasonable or that the trial Judge on the evidence was plainly wrong, and should have convicted the respondent.

20. The issue of fact challenged by the appellant is the finding of the trial Judge that the Tucson vehicle (driven by the respondent) had cleared the inside lane and was well on the outside lane when the collision happened. The appellant submitted that the finding was an unreasonable conclusion to draw if he had found the point of collision to be more to the middle of the outside lane.

21. The respondent submitted that all of the above findings of fact by the Judge were available to him on the evidence and that the trial judge was not wrong in any of the conclusions he reached. In other words, the trial Judge was entitled to make the conclusions he made and the inferences he drew on the evidence available to him.

22. The trial Judge drew his conclusion from the following evidence (paragraphs 58-69 as summarised):

(i) The Tucson stopped and indicated to turn right;

(ii) The Tucson commenced its right turn slowly and drove slowly across the 2 westbound lanes;

(iii) The bus was travelling on the inside westbound lane and it was a fair distance away;

(iv) The Tucson cleared the inside lane and was well on the outside westbound lane;

(v) The bus was travelling on 3rd gear at a speed of more than 15mph;

(vi) The bus swerved to the outside lane and struck the Tucson on the left;

(vii) The point of contact was more to the middle of the outside lane;

(viii) The bus could have stopped as it was a fair distance away but could not because it had defective brakes;

(ix) The length of the skid mark is indicative of the distance that the Tucson was pushed across by the bus. In my view (trial Judge), it required speed for the bus to have pushed the Tucson across that distance.

(x) The skid mark ran past the TATTE exit and onto the footpath.

23. On reviewing the evidence (transcript, scene plans and photos) I find the following evidence crucial to the issue as to whether the Tucson has cleared the inside lane:

(i) The evidence of Ms Loretta Teueli (transcript), whose evidence was accepted by the trial Judge:

Pros: if you look at P1 again, where do you say the car was hit by the bus.

Wit: I think it was on the outside lane not the lane that the bus was on but I think the lane closer to the entry, all I remember was, I closed my eyes before the bus hit, so I can recall accurately, I just remember that we had gone passed that lane that the bus was on.

Pros: so when you say when you had gone passed that lane that the bus was on, is that you as in the whole of the vehicle or is it just you and Ms Chang in your car?

Wit: where I was sitting, yes.

Pros: yes it was the whole vehicle?

Wit: Im not sure.

Under cross-examination she said:

DC P: but at some stage, do you recall seeing it come over into the lane that youre in, the outer lane, the lane closest to the TATTE Building?

Wit: yes well we had gone passed, I recall we had passed the centre lane before got hit, yes so we got hit after we had gone, well at least after where I was sitting had gone passed the centre lane onto the outer lane.

(ii) Photo 4 [p.38] of Record of Evidence shows the damage to the Tucson to be above the left front tyre and front part of the left front door.

(iii) The scene plans, EXH P1 prepared by Constable Fetu and EXH D1 prepared by Sergeant Pule both show the skid mark to start on the middle of the outside lane.

24. The issue of the skid mark play a pivotal part in the evidence as to the point of contact. All witnesses identified the point of contact as being on the outside lane. The trial Judge accepted the evidence of Constable Fetu who prepared EXH P1 and Sergeant Pule who prepared EXH D1 which both scene plans show the skid mark to start in the middle of the outside lane. As to the length of the skid mark the trial Judge accepted EXH D1 and EXH P2 (photos) that the skid mark goes past the TATTE exit onto the footpath. The trial Judge made no finding as to whether it was the front or back tyres that caused the skid mark. He did however conclude the point of collision more to the middle of the outside lane.

25. Ms Teueli from the evidence was passenger and was sitting in the front of the Tucson on the left. Ms Teuelis evidence is, that at least the part of the car where she was sitting had cleared the inside lane and was on the outside lane when they were hit by the bus. The damage to the Tucson was to the left front side. The trial Judge did not say precisely where, that is, whether it was the front, middle or the back. Photo 4 of Record of Evidence [p.38] shows the damage to the Tucson to be above the left front tyre and front part of the left front door. The skid mark indicates the point of collision to be the middle of the outside lane as accepted by the trial Judge.

26. The only inference available from these facts is that the bus collided with the front left part of the Tucson, around the front left tyre and left door region around the middle of the outside lane.

27. On appeal, the appellant sought to introduce evidence of the length of the Tucson, to demonstrate that, given the length of the vehicle, it could not have cleared the inside lane. I have declined to admit this new evidence on appeal as it fails to meet the statutory test. The trial Judge concluded that the Tucson was well on the outside lane, a finding that may be unavailable to him had the actual length of the Tucson been admitted in evidence.

28. But without that evidence, the findings of the trial Judge are inconsistent: he concludes that the whole vehicle was well on the outside lane yet finds that the point of collision was to the middle of that lane. The irrefutable evidence is that the point of collision was in the region of the left front wheel and passenger door  i.e., the front of the vehicle. In the absence of evidence as to the length of the vehicle, the only inference available is that the front of the vehicle was in the middle of the outside lane.

29. The trial Judge at [58]of his decision went on to conclude:

I am not satisfied that the accused was negligent in the way she commenced right turn and drove slowly across the 2 westbound lanes when the bus was approaching.

At [70] the trial Judge provided his findings:

On the totality of the evidence, I find that the bus had travelled westward on the inside lane. It passed the lights on 3rd gear and at a speed of more than 15mph. Approaching the TATTE gates, the Tucson travelling from the opposite direction had commenced a right turn into the TATTE gate entrance. The Tucson cleared the inside lane heading into the TATTE gate entrance. The Tucson was a fair distance from the bus not to cause concern for Ms Teueli. It was also far enough for the bus to brake and/or slow down. But with defective brakes, Mr Filipo was unable to slow down or brake in time. In an attempt to avoid the collision, he swerved to the outside lane struck the left side of the Tucson around the middle of the outside lane directly in front of the TATTE entrance and pushed the Tucson past the TATTE gates and onto part of the footpath.

The trial Judge went on to say at [71]:

I accept the submission by Mr Perese that the Court is obliged to focus on the driving of the accused. But in the circumstances of this case, I cannot see how there can be negligence on the part of the accused. She and Ms Teueli had cleared the inside lane on which the bus was travelling. They were well on the outside lane. Their distance relative to the bus was sufficient for the bus to slow down and avoid a collision. She could not be expected to know of the condition of the bus brakes and accommodate for that defect

30. In other words, the trial Judge concluded that the respondent turned in front of the bus with sufficient distance to avoid a collision only if the bus slowed down to avoid that collision. The responsibility therefore has been shifted from the driver making the right hand turn across two lanes of potentially oncoming traffic to the driver in those lanes with right of way. That is an error of law in my view.

31. The respondent was coming from the Tanoa Hotel direction going east or heading in to town. Vehicles travelling from the Tanoa Hotel do not have a right of way if they want to turn right into the TATTE Building. Therefore, even if they indicate to turn right into the TATTE building they still must wait, until they are given way to by vehicles going west or when the lanes going west are free or clear of any vehicle.

32. Whether the respondent indicated to turn right or whether the bus brakes were defective is not the issue, it is whether the respondent was negligent when she turned right while there was a bus travelling on the inside westbound lane at a speed of more than 15mph. The Chief Justice in Kerslake refers to the decision of Kos J in Love v Police at [23]:

The Court is to consider the actions of the driver charged, not the lack of care of the other driver: Readings v Police HC Auckland CRI  2006-404-00437, 26 April 2007. The fact that the truck driver may have some culpability is not the appropriate focus in considering whether in fact the appellant was careless.

33. The test for the standard of care in negligent driving is whether in the circumstances the respondent drove in a reasonable and prudent manner .

34. The reasonably prudent driver would not commence a right turn across two lanes of traffic without ensuring that such turn could be safely completed without relying on the conduct of the oncoming driver. In this case, the trial Judge accepted that the bus driver could have stopped to avoid a collision; that finding itself reinforced the fact that the respondent made the right turn when it was not safe or clear to do so. While Ms Teuelis evidence was difficult to reconcile (on the one hand the way was clear and the turn is made slowly, yet on the other within seconds the bus is upon her) the distance travelled (as accepted by the trial Judge) was across one lane and to the middle of the second or outside lane. This is a very short distance and such a turn required, again on the evidence before the trial Judge, an immediate response from the bus driver. In the circumstances, the respondent was clearly negligent.

35. In reaching the conclusion the respondent was not negligent, the trial Judge observed that he found it difficult to accept that, at 5-10 metres away, the respondent could not have noticed the bus travelling in the opposite direction. The respondent did not give evidence but her passenger did. In his decision the trial Judge noted at [17] that she (passenger) could not see the vehicles coming from the opposite direction. The Judge appears to have accepted that evidence. In such circumstances, the inference he appears to have drawn was not available to him.

36. The trial Judge erred in fact in proceeding on the basis that the Tucson has completely cleared the inside lane given his findings as to the points of collision (on both the car and the road) and in law in concluding that the respondent was not negligent because she was entitled, in effect, to rely on the actions of the oncoming bus to slow down or in some other way avoid colliding with her.

37. This ground of appeal succeeds.

38. I now turn to the second limb of the appeal that:

(ii) The trial judge was wrong in law as to what amounts to injury.

39. The trial Judges found in relation to injury that (at paragraph [76]):

I accept that Ms Teueli was in severe pain. But in the absence of bruising or actual physical injury and applying Clements v Gill [1953] SASR 25 and R v McArthur [1975] 1 NZLR 486 referred to in paragraphs 45 and 46 above I am left in a reasonable doubt that, that pain amounted to bodily injury within the meaning of the charge.

40. The question on appeal is whether the trial Judge erred in fact and/or in law in concluding that, in the absence of visible bruising or actual injury, bodily injury was not proved.

41. What amounts to bodily injury whether grievous or actual is that established in the case of Police v Posala , upheld by the Court of Appeal in Posala v Attorney General and also adopted by the Chief Justice in Police v Papalii at paragraphs [61]- [63].

42. The trial Judge rightly referred to the decision of Police v Papalii and quoted what the Chief Justice adopted in that case as to bodily injury. That is the law or the approach accepted and applied by the Samoan courts:

Bodily harm has its ordinary meaning and includes any hurt or injury calculated to interfere with the health or comfort of the victim; such hurt or injury, need not be permanent but must be more than merely transient or trifling it may include a momentary loss of consciousness; where there is injurious, impairment to the victims sensory function; it is axiomatic that the bodily harm was actual.

43. The evidence of Ms Teueli was that she felt numb on her left side shortly after the collision; she had internal muscle bruising with pain which lasted for 1-2 weeks resulting in her remaining at home for that period.

44. In her report, Dr Agape Amituanai noted:

There were no abnormalities noted in spite of her severe pain and obvious emotional distress. There were no bruises nor were there any other external injuries. There were no signs indicative of any visual injuries. Radiographic investigations revealed neither fractured bones nor other significant abnormalities.

45. In her evidence in chief the Doctor said that Ms Teueli had soft tissue injuries which she described as injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, usually bruises or strains, not usually manifesting in external appearance.

46. In cross-examination, some attempt was made to challenge the Doctors professional opinion of these soft tissue injuries but I do not find that diminishes her evidence in any significant way. She is a professional experienced doctor who expressed her professional opinion. In the absence of any professional evidence to the contrary, her evidence was available to the trial Judge who did not reject it. Instead, in reliance on two earlier decisions (1953 and 1945) he (trial Judge) concluded that there must be visual evidence of bruising or actual physical injury amount to bodily injury.

47. With respect to the trial Judge such a finding is contrary to the dicta of the Chief Justice in Papalii. To that extent he erred in law in concluding that the injury suffered by Ms Teueli, as described by the doctor, could not amount to bodily injury.

48. From the evidence of Ms Teueli and Dr Amituanai, Ms Teueli obviously suffered injury(ies) from the accident which may not be visual but have nevertheless caused Ms Teueli some amount of discomfort and interfered with her health because she took 1-2 weeks to recover. Doctor Amituanai also referred to obvious emotional distress.

49. The injuries sustained by Ms Teueli which may not be visual nevertheless amount to bodily injury.

50. The trial Judge has erred in the law he applied and in his finding that the injury suffered by Ms Loretta Teueli did not fall within the meaning of bodily injury.

51. This ground of appeal also succeeds.

The alternative charge of dangerous driving

52. Given my finding on the grounds of appeal for the negligent driving causing injury I do not need to consider the grounds of appeal for the alternative charge of dangerous driving.

53. I now turn to consider the last charge.

Failure to stop and ascertain

(i) The trial Judge failed to apply or correctly apply the law with respect to sections 44(1) and (4) of the Road Traffic Ordinance 1960;

54. The appellant submitted that this is a statutory duty that the respondent had breached because she had failed to stop and ascertain whether any person other than her passenger Ms Loretta Teueli was injured.

55. Section 44 (1) says:

(1) If an accident arising directly or indirectly from the use of a motor vehicle occurs to a person or to any horse or vehicle in charge of any person, the driver of the motor vehicle shall stop, and shall also ascertain whether he or she has injured any person, in which event it shall be his or her duty to render all practicable assistance to the injured person including transportation of that person to hospital.

.....................................

(4) A driver who fails to comply with any obligation imposed on him or her by subsection (1) in any case where no other person is injured in the accident commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 2 penalty units or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months.

56. I agree with the appellant that section 44(1) imposes 3 obligations on the driver as follows:

a. The driver shall stop;

b. The driver shall ascertain whether a person has been injured; and

c. To render all practical assistance to the injured person including transportation of that person to hospital.

57. The trial Judge decision at paragraphs [83] to [85] held:

a. That the Respondent could not have done more.

b. That Ms Teueli demanded the Respondent to immediately take her to the hospital, and she (the Respondent) could not have known the seriousness or otherwise of her condition. Therefore, the Respondent did what any reasonable person would do in the circumstances.

c. That it cannot be the intention of s44 that the accused (respondent) would delay taking Ms Teueli who was affected by the collision, to check on the passengers of the bus, taxi or any other persons, when there were other people around the vicinity who would inevitably make the inquiry.

58. I have found no local authorities regarding this particular law. The appellant has referred to (and provided) a number of New Zealand cases where there is a similar provision to section 44. I am mindful that Samoa (before becoming Independent) adopted New Zealand laws to become laws of this land. The Road Traffic Ordinance 1960 is one of those laws (with the exception of some amendments) has not been revoked. This then, would make the New Zealand cases referred to by the appellant more relevant.

59. The word stop was held to be capable of two meanings (a) ceasing to move and (b) stopping and remaining stopped. Houten v Police was an appeal from the Magistrates Court. The respondent was charged under section 65(1) of Transport Act 1962 (similar to s.44(1) Road Traffic Ordinance 1960) for failure to stop and ascertain. It was held that, the Court should interpret the duty to stop in such a way as will enable to fulfil some useful purpose. Richmond J in Waddington v Boyd said the meaning to use depends on the context of s65 (1) and said:

I think that the actual purpose of subs (1) is to ensure that a driver must ascertain whether anyone is injured at a time when his own vehicle is stopped and not merely by observation from a moving vehicle. It follows that the duration of the stop which is required by the Act must be measured at least by the time reasonably necessary in all the prevailing circumstances to enable proper inquiry to be made. Possibly it may also have to be measured by reference to the duty to render assistance, but that question does not arise in the present case as nobody was in fact injured.

60. As to ascertain the appellant referred to Osten v Police where that court held to mean to find out for a certainty, which section 44(1) requires, if someone has been injured and that all practical assistance be rendered to that person including transporting that person to hospital. The duty to stop and ascertain is imposed only on the driver.

61. I agree with Richmond J in Waddington that the meaning of stop to use depends on the context of section 65(1); The actual purpose of subs (1) is to ensure that a driver must ascertain whether anyone is injured at a time when his own vehicle is stopped.... The whole point of stopping is to ascertain whether anyone is injured. The duration to stop is the time reasonably necessary to ascertain whether any person is injured and to render assistance. In the circumstances, was there a need for the respondent to stop when her passenger Ms Teueli had suffered an injury and whatever that was, was sufficient to meet the ascertain injury test?

62. Section 44(1) imposes a duty to stop and a duty to ascertain whether anyone is injured. There is no dispute that the respondent failed to stop, that straight away after the accident reversed and drove off. Section 44(1) has to be given liberal interpretation applicable to the circumstances to give it practicality. The purpose of section 44(1) is about ascertaining whether any person is injured where there is a vehicle accident. The duty to stop is imposed in order to achieve this purpose.

63. In the present circumstances, the purpose behind s.44(1) has been achieved regardless that the respondent did not stop but the respondent did ascertain that her passenger (Ms Teueli) had suffered an injury. Ms Teueli insisted to the respondent to take her to the hospital straight away. Understandably, the respondent took her straight away to hospital. No one else was, in fact, injured in any event.

64. The words any person in s.44(1) is not defined to mean a person or persons other than the passenger(s) of your vehicle. Those words must be given ordinary meaning and would therefore, include Ms Teueli who was a passenger of the respondent.

65. As to section 44(4) I fail to see what relevance this section is as, it refers to where no one is injured.

66. This ground of appeal is dismissed.

Conclusion:

67. The appeal on the charge of negligent driving causing injury is upheld. Pursuant to section 154(b)(iii) of Criminal Procedure Act 2016, the respondent is convicted of the charge of negligent driving causing injury.

68. The appeal on the charge of failure to stop and ascertain is dismissed.

Justice Mata Keli Tuatagaloa
The Police spokesperson, Sua LeMamea Tiumalu, has cautioned members of the public against spreading vicious rumours and lies, saying they need to be sensitive about peoples feelings.

The caution was issued yesterday when the Sunday Samoan contacted him for a comment about reports that a New Zealand Samoan who disappeared from the seaside of the To Sua trench last month had been found.

We have heard the same rumors last week and also this week, Sua said.

I can tell you they are not true. I have contacted all our Police posts and they have no information about any such findings.

Sua said whoever started such rumour, which ended up on a local radio station, should think twice about what they are doing.

Stop making up these stories to stir up rumors, he said, adding that people should sensitive about the feelings of families who are affected.

Sua added that they have still not found Royal New Zealand Navy sailor, Kilino Joseph Lemafoe Tua, who was last seen at To Sua.

Based at the Devonport Naval, the 24-year-old came to Samoa for a short vacation and visited the famous To Sua trench.

According to a spokesperson for To Sua at the time, Mr. Tuas belongings were found at a lava pool not far from the popular trench.

She said they suspect he was there enjoying the view and the scenery when he got in trouble.

Sua told Samoa Observer yesterday on the phone that so far they have no new information regarding this missing persons case.

These missing cases are valid and the file will be opened for a year, said Sua.

After that the Police have to file a report with the Court for other proceedings. We dont want to preempt that.

All I can say is that for now, there are no new developments.

Sua assured that the Police will continue to follow any leads that could lead to the missing man.

The file is still open. This case is not closed.

Colleagues of Mr. Tua from the New Zealand Navy had flew to Samoa to help with the search.
The National Prosecution Office (N.P.O.) has been dissolved.

As of Tuesday last week, the governments prosecuting lawyers are back under the umbrella of the Attorney Generals (A.G.) Office.

The change comes after Parliament unanimously passed the Constitution Amendment Bill (No.1) 2017 last week.

The decision was confirmed by Attorney General, Lemalu Hermann Retzlaff.

With Parliament unanimously confirming that criminal prosecutions will return to the Attorney Generals office, we are fully prepared and are looking forward to serve, Lemalu told the Sunday Samoan.

He noted that there are no major initial changes to processes in place for prosecuting matters.

The Attorney General also acknowledged the importance of a healthy working relationship between the A.G.s office and the Ministry of Police.

I have confirmed the importance of the on-going cooperation and working together with the Ministry of Police, which we hope to formalise with a M.O.U. [Memorandum of Understanding] shortly, and we will be seeking police prosecutors to join the team to assist with District Court matters."

There will otherwise be no major initial changes and the Criminal Division will remain in the current location for now.

Lemalu added that currently Criminal Division prosecutors attend to both the District and the Supreme Court.

The Attorney Generals office has requested and they will be offering more assistance in terms of attorneys in the District Court.

In February 2017 Cabinet appointed a Tribunal to determine the future of the N.P.O.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi had hinted at abolishing the Office completely following problems between the N.P.O., the A.G.s Office and the Police.

Cabinet has to review the processes that have led to the recent clashes between government agencies, Tuilaepa said.

The N.P.O has a clear responsibility to uphold the rule of law and objectivity of the criminal justice system. What we've seen has been the opposite of that. There has been a distinct lack of wisdom in decision-making, stemming from conflicts of interest that have not been handled in the proper manner.

The N.P.O. was headed by Mauga Precious Chang, who has since resigned.
One of the partners in a failed nonu juice project, Apulu Lance Polu, has testified in the hearing of a lawsuit brought against him and two others by a former business partner.

Apulu told the Court about his disappointment in Peseta Vaifou Tevagas lack of trust in their business relationship.

That really hurt me up to now,Apulu said. My integrity was questioned by Peseta Vaifou Tevaga. The things that happened afterwards and leading up to what happened now goes back to my point, the element of trust right from that time, up until now.

Apulu was giving evidence in the hearing the lawsuit filed by former business partner and current Associate Minister of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Peseta Vaifou Tevaga.

Apulu and his business associates, Laauli Leuatea Schmidt and Martin Jonathan Schwalger, are being sued for more than $3million by Peseta over the nonu business deal.

Supreme Court Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren is presiding.

The plaintiff is represented by Leuluaialii Olinda Woodroffe and Lealiifano Dr. Iopu Tanielu. The defendants are represented by Semi Leung Wai.

Apulu was the last to testify of the L.P.A. partners and indicated that he played a major part in preparation and negotiation of the bid.

According to Apulu, everything started to fall apart after their first order from Wilex Company, of $36,000.

For me it was in the early months of operation, he said. I think the distrust that Peseta had on myself (was a real problem)."

We were struggling, when we had our first order with Wilex. The order was $36,000 and the arrangement was that 50 per cent was paid first yet we had to pay $24,000+ for our monthly repayments [for N.P.F loan] and here we are with only $16,000-$18,000.

Apulu said they had to wait for three month to get the remaining balance of the $36,000 from Wilex.

Peseta was pressuring me about where is the money. I explained, everything several times, not once but several times. "

Then I found later that he [Peseta] actually went to Wilex and asked for the invoices, the payments and all the information. That really hurt me up to now, because my integrity was questioned by Peseta."

The things that happened afterwards and leading up to what happened now goes back to my point."

The element of trust right from that time, up until now, we are before the court."

Apulu pointed out that their Nonu Juice Company, was trying to make ends meet during the early stages.

Were talking about a company that is running without funds, without orders. Of course there are stock but without a market, and without orders, without a sale, whats the point?

According to Apulu, they were not paid for the work they did given the status of the company. And yet he was taken away from his media company, Talamua Media, as he was trying to help with this business.

Apulu said he first heard of Pesetas involvement when they were trying to secure the bidding.

We were planning for the receivership, and then Laauli brought in Peseta who offered up his land for security.

Apulu said they brought Peseta into the fold.

We were the ones who had the knowledge about the Nonu business, we knew about the receivership."

And we were the ones who opened the door for him [Peseta] and let him know about this very lucrative position and then mind you, he has actually had associations with Laauli."

Im thinking that him coming over to offer his land is actually his contribution to this business proposition and we let him in.

Regarding the business license in which the name Samoa Nonu Delights was incorporated, this had to do with marketing aspect of the business.

You see this is where we found out that there is no connection between L.P.A. and our product, the Nonu."

We saw the need from the marketing and promotion side, and given that our main market was China, this is why we adopted a new name, Samoa, and Nonu."

The Chinese are mad about the Nonu and delights, its a word that you see on Chinese businesses all over [in China].

Apulu said thats why there is a trading name Samoa Nonu Delights said Apulu.

The hearing has been rescheduled for later this month.

More witnesses are scheduled to testify.
The first intake of Dentistry students from Otago University for a five-week placement at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital in Motootua has been a huge success.

Having started last year, the programme founded and supervised by Dr. Peter Sese of Samoa, has continued to gain prestige among the students from New Zealand.

This years successful applicants are Hannah Maher and Rupert Wockner.

Both aged 23, they have recently finished their placements and only have great things to say about their time in Samoa.

We feel hugely privileged to be here in Samoa; we have some very jealous classmates back home.

Due to the rural nature of the hospitals in both Upolu and Savaii, the islands Dentists must be ready for anything that comes their way, resulting in an extensive skill set.

The scope of practice of a Samoan Dentist is far wider than youd normally see; theres no specialists, so they have to be able to do absolutely everything, Rupert said.

As a consequence, the trainees have had exposure to a wide variety of dental problems and been given the opportunity to practice procedures usually undertaken by the surgical team.

With the aim of returning to their respective rural villages in mind, having a wide knowledge is a particularly important, and arguably one of the reasons for their selection.

The Samoan dental team has been able to provide a rare experience with an abundance of hands-on work.

The trainees said they believe they gained as much experience in extraction during their five-week placement, as a year in New Zealands private practice would afford.

With such a high prevalence of dental issues in Samoa, perhaps its worthwhile to investigate the root of the problem.

Rupert argued that there is an underlying problem in the way some individuals in Samoa perceive their health and how they value it.

Hannah added that she believes that both oral and general health is not high on the priority list of the Samoan people.

To tackle this fixed mind set is no easy task.

However, Dr. Sese and Dr. Loapo and the entire dental team have accepted the challenge.

Rupert praised their work.

Peter Sese is incredibly active in the promotion of oral health in Samoa, theres no way wed be here without him.

He expressed gratitude to the team.

Theyll take the time to sit with you and teach you what they know, he said.

This is not an experience they take for granted back in busy New Zealand. The pair attributes this to the Samoan culture and its ability to always ensure its visitors feel welcomed.

This atmosphere unquestionably stretches outside the clinic.

They agreed that one of the main reasons behind their applications to study in Samoa was that everyone speaks really highly of the Samoan culture and the hospitality.

The vibrant culture, as Rupert observed, kept them busy during their time off, diving to the depths of Savaiis corals, exploring the Return to Paradise beach, and relaxing with yoga beside the sea.

With a trip to the dentist rarely at the top of most peoples wish list, communication is vital to effectively placate their patients.

Developing not only their dental skills, the students both felt that their experience here in Samoa has been such an eye opener in terms of developing cultural awareness and sensitivity.

The language barrier has forced them to adapt and cultivate new ways of co-operating with patients.

Its guaranteed that for the rest of our lives we will be treating patients from Polynesia, indigenous New Zealand and Samoa, said Rupert, thus signifying the invaluable nature of their experience here in Samoa.

The next pair of students will be arriving on the island in July.

Lets hope they find the unique experience of studying in Samoa equally as enjoyable and worthwhile. And that they are able to throw themselves into island life, following in Rupert and Hannahs footsteps.
Tanoa Tusitala Hotel values its partners.

And so on Friday evening, they invited their business partners, clients and guests to join them for an opportunity to say thank you.

The Hotels Human Resource official, Lafo Fuimaono Teramo, said this is not the first they have hosted such an event.

This is what we do every year and its our way of saying thank you to all our partners and those who have helped us, she said.

We have been the mainstay of the Samoan Tourism landscape for over seven years and our success has been built on the loyalty of our guests that have stayed and grown with us over this period with the hotel going from strength.

The ideals and ethos instilled by our Chairman YP Reddy is prevalent throughout the team with basic family values driving the success of the business.

The event was also a celebration for their General Manager, Jay Krishna.

The night also served to announce the promotion of Jay Krishna to the position of Hotel Manager and also that of Selau Solofa, our longest serving Senior Manager to Executive Manager and Sialofi Faaumato Front Office Manager.

Former General Manager Jason Strickland and Regional Director of Sales Nick Ridling and Director, Kamini Reddy, attended the event.

Jason is currently heading up the Tanoa Groups recently opened Tongan property but will lend his ongoing support to the team in Samoa.

The Tanoa Tusitala team is encouraged by the status of growth of the Tourism sector and also acknowledged the ongoing support of Papalii Sonja Hunter and the efforts of S.T.A.
The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Lautafi Fio Purcell, is in Geneva, Switzerland, this week.

His is leading the Samoa Tripartite delegation at the 106th International Labour Conference (I.L.C.) being held there.

The delegation includes government officials from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, employers representative from the Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a workers representative from the Public Service Association

The I.L.C. is the International Labour Organizations (I.L.O) highest decision making body that meets once a year bringing together tripartite delegations of more than 5,000 government, workers and employers from 187 Member States to discuss the Director-Generals Report, and set international policies on improving social justice in the world of work.

This years conference is focusing on the I.L.O Director-General, Guy Ryders Report for 2017 entitled Working in a changing climate: the Green Initiative.

The Minister during his intervention emphasised Samoas support of the I.L.Os strategic goals to create and promote decent work for all.

He highlighted some of Samoas achievements, specifying priority areas in Samoas Decent Work Country Programme (D.W.C.P.) 2017-2020.

The Minister also raised the concern of many Small Island Developing Countries vulnerable to natural disasters and rising sea levels.

He said Pacific Islands need assistance of the global community, in addressing climate change to prevent, mitigate and adapt to it, thus ensuring a just transition of the world of work to environmental sustainability.

He stressed the importance of effective policies to address current concerns with regards to the Future of Work, and to generate employment with particular focus on vulnerable groups.

Furthermore, he accentuated that; D.W.C.P. will be the tool for building a future of decent work, promoting fair working terms and conditions for Workers, and ensuring productivity for Employers.

The Minister concluded with a statement that to be successful in this regard requires collaborative efforts between governments, employers and workers through effective and meaningful social dialogue.

During the Conference this year, committees of workers, employers and government representatives will be considering how best to promote peace and stability at work.

They are also discussing labour migration, fundamental principles and rights at work with particular focus on occupational safety and health.

The Conference also addresses Member States that have failed to comply with international Labour Standards Reporting.

(Read the Ministers full intervention)




The Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Afamasaga Rico Tupai has credited Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaois weekly radio show for improving communications with the people of the Pacific island nation.

The Minister heaped praises on the programme when he was interviewed by Asia Radio Today in China where he is attending the Asia Media Summit.

The government recently privatised its television station, but has held onto its radio station because radio is very important for government dissemination of information.

The P.Ms weekly radio program reaches the whole country plus neighbouring islands.

It started back in 2011 it raises awareness for everyone of what government developments are, he said.

The weekly show also helped the current government to a landslide win in the most recent election.

It won 47 out of Samoas 50 seats in parliament.

In the previous three elections the margin was very close, but now we have this program, the result of the last election was a landslide. That program is a very popular program every week, especially close to the election [because] the prime minister told everyone about what the government was doing.

Also, as a result of this program people were coming to government to ask how the development work could benefit them and our government started working harder to make sure the benefits of the development work reaches everyone to improve the livelihood of everyone in the country.

Internet penetration has been poor in Samoa, as in other pacific islands, until now, but change is coming the Minister told Asia Radio Today:

We are awaiting the arrival of our first submarine [internet] cable which will be commissioned by the end of this year our connectivity will not be a problem any more. Our objectives are efficiency in connectivity and communications and to be affordable. The growth of our country will depend on internet connectivity which we will share with our neighbouring islands, we will be a hub to them.

The introduction of cheaper more efficient internet will challenge the existing broadcasters, but the Communications Ministry is helping them plan for that.

We are doing consultations with local broadcasters. They have to start planning to change their business models and adjust to what is to come. Now is the time [for broadcasters] to prepare their technology and financial processes to change.

Minister Afamasaga spoke about the importance of media at the Asia Media Summit in China last week, making an impassioned plea to the worlds media to spread the message of climate change, which is affecting the Pacific islands more than most other places on earth.

Some of these islands are already one meter below sea level With Trump pulling out of [the climate change agreements] it makes me wonder if he is really aware of what is happening to us.

Are the media playing their part to get awareness to Trump about what is happening to the Pacific island nations, it is the part of the world that is really affected by climate change.

Thats what I am asking the media please play your part and tell our stories, they are very emotional stories of families losing land its all about awareness, media can influence this decision by Trump on climate change.
Author Megan Westfield is a true friend of the library.

In doing research for her second book, which will be published later this year, Westfield said she must have checked out 40 books from the Rancho San Diego Library.

The married mother of two young children said she currently has 15 library books at her Rancho San Diego home.

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I would not have been able to write (Leaving Everest) without the library, Westfield said. I was able to tap into the university library system through Rancho San Diegos library and get academic research books, all for free.

Plus Im a big library user, she said. I read a lot as an author, and my kids and I are in there every week.

On June 17, the El Cajon Library hosts Westfield and two other East County authors at its second Local Author Expo. The afternoon event, at 201 E. Douglas Ave., will feature Westfield, Samuel Santana and Vincent Freda.

The free expo starts at 2 p.m. and will feature presentations by the three local writers, followed by a reception.

Westfields first book, Lessons in Gravity, was published last year, five years after she started working on it. The outdoor adventure story centers on a young cinematographer who films a rock climber in Yosemite National Park.

She said the story closely parallels the June 3 feat of Alex Honnold, the first person ever to free solo climb Yosemites 3,000-feet tall El Capitan.

Its a woman-centered story, she said, with a message about empowering women to get outside and have adventures.

Santana, who lives in Santee, is a former sheriffs deputy and Border Patrol officer. He will talk about his first novel, Send Me an Angel.

Santanas historical fiction book is about a young girl who grows up to become a pilot and joins the Women Airforce Service Pilots.

Freda, a retired construction worker who lives in La Mesa, will talk about his book A New Beginning.

The novel is about Peter, a young officer in the Nazi army who rises through the ranks but has a dark secret he is trying to conceal.

For more information on the event, call (619) 588-3718.
Even though it took two hours of searching, Neil Murphy and Amanda Joyner were more than happy when they finally found their $19 cocktails, a Gold Rush and a Singapore Vling.

Thats because the La Mesa couple were sipping their concoctions inside Jade Peacock, the San Diego County Fairs secret new speakeasy. Hidden on the fairgrounds and accessible only via password, the Jade Peacock has been quietly drawing a stream of cocktail-lovers on Friday and Saturday nights since the fair opened on June 2.

Every year, Murphy, 37, and Joyner, 35, buy season passes to the fair and visit multiple times. But they had no idea this years fair included a speakeasy, the name for the clandestine cocktail bars that flourished during the Prohibition era.

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The couple was trying to find a quality craft cocktail at one of the fairs outdoor bars without success when a bartender said hed heard there was a speakeasy at the fairgrounds, but he didnt know where.

That set Murphy and Joyner on a quest that led them to virtually every drinking establishment at the Del Mar Fairgrounds until they ended up at the Painted Pony, the vintage saloon inside the Where the West is Fun themed exhibit. There, the bartender quietly slipped them a card.

After a clandestine walk that snaked through a farming exhibit and an underground tunnel, among other twists and turns, they arrived Jade Peacock. The elaborately decorated, opium den-style bar and lounge has red curtains, a corner bar and a spectacular view of the fairgrounds and Del Mar.

The couple didnt mind the extended location hunt or the price of their cocktails and vowed to come back for another visit.

I love how it feels kind of secret and special, Joyner said this past Friday. Here we are, above everyone else and we can see them but they cant see us.

Jade Peacock was dreamed up by Sue Walls, director of catering and dining services for the company Premier Food Services, which serves the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Every year she tries to come up with a special concept tied to the fairs theme, like last years Alice in Wonderland-style tea parties. She thought an old-fashioned Asian-style bar would honor the history of the Chinese immigrants who worked on the Western railroads and in gold-mining camps during the late 1800s.

The response has been excellent, said Walls, who is considering adding a speakeasy to the Scream Zone attraction next fall.

Walls said fair-goers are always looking for new and different experiences, and speakeasies are a growing trend. San Diego has a half-dozen hidden speakeasies at restaurants and bars from the Gaslamp Quarter to Oceanside, and some of the citys distilleries are building secret cocktail lairs.

Filled with paper lanterns, Buddha and lucky-lion statuary, peacock paintings and bowls filled with Chinese bar snacks, Jade Peacock serves beer and wine. But most visitors come for the cocktails mixed by costumed bartender Traci Brighouse.

The cocktails feature locally made spirits that won medals at last years Distilled: San Diego Spirit & Cocktail Festival, which is scheduled to return to the fair this year on June 24. Among the companies featured are Tequila Fortaleza, Liberty Call Distilling, Cutwater Spirits, Malahat Spirits and Henebery Spirits.

Some of these distillers are doing tastings inside the speakeasy, like Scott Nixon, who was pouring samples Friday of his Copper Collar Artisan Vodka. Nixon co-founded the Santee company last year with his friend Jason Pelle. Both men are retired Navy divers and copper collar is a nickname for their job, inspired by the copper-like helmets divers used back in the 1930s and 40s.

Our vodka is sort of a speakeasy product because were like a best-kept secret. Were doing all of our marketing through word of mouth, Nixon said.

Jade Peacock is open from 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through July 1. Admission is free to ages 21 and over, but limited to a maximum of 45 guests at a time. When the bar is at full capacity, guests can leave their cellphone number at the check-in area for a callback. So far, about 145 to 160 people have visited each night and stayed for about an hour, Walls said.

To get into Jade Peacock, check in after 6:30 pm at the Painted Pony to receive a card with instructions and a password that changes nightly. On Friday, it was catawumpus.

A costumed actor leads groups of six at a time on a serpentine path through the fairgrounds marked by peacock drawings. Before customers can embark, they must recite an oath not to divulge the location to law enforcement or other fairgoers.

Symonn Still, 20, of Dulzura was the bar-goers guide on Friday evening. Dressed in a Western-style skirt, woven Chinese shawl and tiny bowler hat, the Grossmont College drama student said everyone seems to be enjoying the cloak-and-dagger concept of the speakeasy.

The secretive nature of the place was the main attraction for Victoria Valdez, 22, of Imperial Beach and her friend Adriana Fernandez, 36, of Chula Vista.

I love the whole idea of speakeasies and Prohibition and the history behind it, said Valdez, sipping a gin cocktail named Tombstone Rickey. I love that I can say Ive been here and none of my friend have.

San Diego County Fair

When: Through July 4. Closed Mondays (except July 3) and Tuesdays (except June 27 and July 4.)

Where: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar

Admission: $11 to 18; free for kids 5 and younger. Parking is $13.

Phone: (858) 793-5555 (24-hour recorded information)

Online: sdfair.com: sdfair.com

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
There was a time in the past century when lookout towers sat atop mountains and hills all over Southern California, manned by professionals from the U.S. Forest Service who scanned the horizon searching for the slightest puff of smoke.

Across San Diego County  from Cuyamaca Peak to Mount Woodson to Black Mountain and beyond  the towers offered the best way to detect wildfires quickly.

Most of the structures have long been abandoned, replaced by back-country cameras, satellite technology and better communications systems. Today there are just three lookout towers in the county, including two on Palomar Mountain that have recently been brought back to life by dedicated volunteers in partnership with the federal and state government.

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For the spotters, the work is both peaceful and challenging.

The big thing is I really enjoy trying to identify the small little wisps of smoke out there, said Dave Cuthbert, 69, a retired operations manager at the San Diego Zoos Safari Park who became a volunteer with the San Diego-Riverside chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association two years ago. Its almost like a game where Im trying to beat my own eyes.

Cuthbert was one of three volunteers staffing the Boucher Hill Lookout on Palomar Mountain Tuesday. The Boucher site is the most recent tower to be brought back into service and has quickly become what experts believe is the most visited lookout tower in the United States.

Located in Palomar Mountain State Park and owned by the park system, the Boucher Hill Lookout is staffed every day from May 1 to Thanksgiving by at least one of 90 volunteers. The lookouts work full days, stretching roughly from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This past month, eight fires were reported first by lookouts at the Palomar sites, said Neil Cadwallader, the assistant chairman of the local lookout association.

The other tower, High Point, reopened in 2009 roughly five miles from Boucher, on a remote piece of Cal Tech property on the northern side of the mountain. Boucher is much easier to access, with paved roads just past the entrance to the state park.

Boucher is also is a historical site that, according to Lookout Association website, has held some kind of lookout tower since 1921. The current structure was built in 1948 and was in service until 1983, before being shuttered for roughly nearly three decades. The California Parks Department spent about $350,000 refurbishing the tower, which reopened in 2012.

Visitors can now climb the 43 stairs to the top where they will be given a lesson on the towers past.

The first year it reopened, the Boucher tower recorded 1,438 visitors. Each year the number has increased, and in 2016 more than 11,000 people dropped by. Some of them have since become lookout volunteers themselves.

We dont know for sure because there arent any statistics, but I like to claim that ... this is the most visited lookout in the world, said Cadwallader. He said the next busiest tower doesnt get half as many visitors.

Over at High Point, Scott McClintock  chairman of the local lookout chapter and a retired San Diego Sheriffs Department commander  was staffing the tower Tuesday. The High Point tower takes 94 steep steps to ascend.

We dont get many visitors here, McClintock said. The tower is run in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, so volunteers there wear a different uniform than when they work at Boucher Hill, which is controlled by the state.

Its a whole different experience (than busy Boucher) he said. I like revolving between both just to get a little taste of each.

Most volunteers serve just once or twice a month through the lookout season. About 75 percent of them are retired and many have previously worked for the forest service. Most have always loved the forest and outdoors.

Nathan and Jenna Pyle dont quite fit that mold. The younger couple have full time jobs  like Cuthbert, they also work at the Zoo  but both volunteer once or twice a month at the towers.

We like it, said Nathan Pyle, who is helping establish a ham radio system at the towers. Its nice to get out of the city and the usual hustle and bustle.

The Pyles and the other volunteers also get a kick out of the attention to detail that was paid when the towers were refurbished. Each tower looks like it did from years ago. Boucher Hill has been retrofitted to look exactly like it did when the tower was rebuilt in 1948.

We even used the same ugly green paint, Cadwallader said.

Sixty miles to the south is the countys third tower, Los Pinos, which has been in continuous operation since the 1930s and is owned and run completely by the fire service. Curt Waite is a full-time employee who spends four days a week and three nights inside the lookout near the US/Mexico border near Lake Morena and the Corral Canyon State Off-Highway Vehicle Park.

Waite was at one time the volunteer associations chairman. Los Pinos was formerly the domain of Norm Mitchell, who held the main lookout job for 27 years until his death earlier this year. Waite was offered the position after Mitchell passed away.

He said he doesnt get lonely, even though the tower is deep in a wilderness area and visitors are far and few between.

A former missionary who operated Christian radio stations in the Caribbean, Waite said he was drawn to the lookout association after reading a story about High Point coming back on line.

Its really homey here in the cab, Waite said about his three-nights-a-week accommodations. We have a nice comfortable bunk, a stove, a microwave, and a sink  all the amenities. Its not bad.

Los Pinos is the only tower to have never closed, partly because of its proximity to Mexico, where people crossing the border have been known for decades to accidentally start blazes, and because of its closeness to the off-road area and popular hiking trails.

jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones
The Oceanside Transit Center opened its third railroad track last week, making it the first place in North County to triple-track a section of the 125-year-old railway.

About two-thirds of San Diego Countys 60-mile coastal railway has been double-tracked in recent years, mainly to allow Coaster, Amtrak and freight trains to pass each other and speed up service on what is one of the busiest rail corridors in the United States.

The third track and a new 1,000-foot-long boarding platform in Oceanside will help prevent delays that sometimes occur while trains wait for space to discharge and board their passengers. A delay at any one station can affect stops up and down the entire route.

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Its not only solving a problem now, it helps the operators to add new trains in the future, said Linda Culp, a principal planner at the San Diego Association of Governments. Rail commuters are expected to increase steadily as freeways become more crowded.

The track is part of $26 million in improvements being finished up at the Oceanside station, including crossover sections that allow trains to switch tracks, and the new boarding platform with seating, shelters and electronic signs.

Work began a year ago on the project and the final piece  raising the level of the original platform No. 1  is expected to be completed this fall, Culp said. The surface will be raised several inches to make it quicker and easier for passengers to board trains.

Oceanside has one of the busiest train stations in the county, where the rails are shared by Coaster, Sprinter and Metrolink commuter trains, Amtrak passenger trains, and freight trains.

Its a little intimidating, said Ronald OBrien, an Oceanside resident who waiting on the new platform to board the Coaster for the first time on Friday.

Finding the platform was a little confusing, he said. Some of the stations boarding signs are temporary, to let people know that platform No. 1 is closed for construction.

But I did find it, because Im here, said OBrien, seated on a bench at platform No. 3.

Buying his ticket from an automated kiosk was easy, he said, and the $5.50 one-way trip to National City was a bargain. If the rest of the trip went as well he would ride the train again, he added.

The Oceanside station has up to 33 Coaster, Metrolink and Amtrak trains and up to 40 Sprinter trains daily, said North County Transit District Chief Administrative Officer Karen Tucholski in an email on Friday.

NCTD Executive Director Matt Tucker posted a letter on the districts website earlier this week addressing what he said was feedback about the Oceanside project.

In the letter, Tucker stated that efforts are underway to address platform security, locomotive emissions, noise from the trains horns and other potential impacts on the environment and surrounding neighborhoods.

Any future Metrolink trains that remain at the Oceanside station for 60 minutes or longer will be required to shut down their locomotives or move to the maintenance yard five miles away at Stuart Mesa on Camp Pendleton, he said in his letter.

The transit district will also evaluate the possibility of providing auxiliary power for air conditioning and other key systems on trains that do shut down in Oceanside, he said. The district is also investigating the possible purchase of Tier IV locomotives, which are quieter, have more horsepower and produce fewer emissions than the locomotives.

The Coaster and Amtrak both plan to increase the number of trains on San Diego Countys coastal rail corridor over the next few years. In the meantime, there could be more inconveniences for passengers during construction.

The intent is not to have any trains delayed, Culp said. We appreciate people being patient.

Coaster trains now stop at each station along the route every 30 to 35 minutes during peak hours. The goal is to increase Coaster stops to every 20 minutes during peak hours within the next five years, Culp said.

The Oceanside work is part of nearly $1 billion budgeted for double-tracking, new boarding platforms, wider bridges, additional pedestrian undercrossings and other improvements SANDAG has planned for the rail corridor between the Santa Fe Depot in San Diego and the Orange County line.

The work is being funded largely through the countys Transnet sales tax, along with state and federal transportation grants.

philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @phildiehl
Bob and Andrea Raibert experienced a shock when they moved from a smaller property to their new home in Poway and then got the water bill for last July and August. The existing landscape was mainly Bermuda grass that required a lot of irrigation to keep it green. There were a few bushes planted along the street, and two diseased birch trees needed to be replaced.

With this and the ongoing drought and mandates to cut water use, we wanted to do our part, Bob said.

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The Raiberts also wanted more color in the landscape, and plants that would attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Making a plan: Bob Raibert attended the WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Series, a four-class program offered by the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA). Then the couple hired Sills Landscape Design to create a new design for the large front yard with moderate- to low-water-use plants that are drought tolerant.

The details: The total area landscaped was about 4,000 square feet. Most of the work was contracted out, but Bob removed trees and bushes himself, picked out plants at Evergreen Nursery and Village Nurseries and marked their new locations in the yard. He also installed the landscape lighting. This was a great way to meet the neighbors (who were) out for walks, Bob said.

David Kays Landscaping took care of all the turf removal. Installation of the new landscaping (including site prep, rock installation, irrigation and planting) was done by Mike Johnsons company, Green Concepts Landscaping.

About 15 percent of the front yard is now covered by dry creek beds, with rocks from KRC Rock in Poway; this helps to retain water when it rains. The rest of the area is covered with soil-enriching compost and mulch, both from San Diego Mulch in Lakeside.

Lions tail is one of the new drought-tolerant plants in the Poway front yard. (Eduardo Contreras / U-T)

Plants featured in the new design include: Multicolor century plant (Agave celsii), Yankee Point Carmel creeper (Ceanothus griseus horizonalis), multi-trunk Dynamite crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia Whit II), blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens), Bush Gold kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos), Spreading orange lantana, lions tail (Leonotis leonurus), Santa Barbara Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha), Rainbow Queen New Zealand flax (Phormium), Furmans Red sage (Salvia greggii) and May Night sage (Salvia sylvestris).

Costs: Bob Raibert said the entire cost for the project was about $16,000, a third of the cost going for labor and the rest for materials.

However, since the Raiberts participated in the SDCWA Sustainable Landscapes Program, rebates from that program will cover about a third of the cost, reducing the Raiberts expenses to about $11,000.

Water saved: The landscaping is still new, so its too early to know exact water savings. But Bob Raibert said his hope is that water consumption from May through October this year will be down by 40 percent over the previous year. This would save about $100 a month on their water bill.

Andrea and Bob Raibert in their Poway front yard. (Eduardo Contreras /U-T)

Lessons learned: Bob Raibert urges other homeowners considering a yard makeover to educate themselves about sustainable landscaping, and to carefully follow the steps required in any rebate programs.

He said its important to use good quality materials and plants, to achieve a well-finished landscape.

Another plus: In his WaterSmart classes, Bob learned that a benefit of water-wise landscaping is reduced maintenance.

Previously it took almost two hours to mow, trim and blow the grass about every 10 days, he said. Now, this work is eliminated.

chris.ross@sduniontribune.com

WaterSmart Makeover is a monthly series in partnership with the San Diego County Water Authority.
An Afghan soldier opened fire on U.S. troops in a restive eastern province of Afghanistan on Saturday, killing three and injuring a fourth, authorities said.

The shooting occurred in the Achin district of Afghanistans Nangahar province, according to a U.S. defense official, an area where both Islamic State and Taliban insurgents are contesting territory.

The wounded soldier has been evacuated for medical treatment, the Pentagon said in a statement. The incident is under investigation and the identities of the fallen soldiers were not released. Their families are still being notified.

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Early media reports suggested the assailant was an elite Afghan commando, although that is not confirmed. The gunman was killed by American troops, according to a security official in the province.

Achin has been the site of heavy fighting in recent months as U.S. Special Operations forces  including elite Army Rangers and Green Berets  have been working alongside Afghan commandos to rout the Islamic State from the area. Three U.S. soldiers had died there this year before Saturdays shooting.

The Taliban are also active in the area, and there have been reports of clashes between the two insurgent groups in recent weeks. A Taliban spokesman sent a text message to journalists Saturday claiming the alleged assailant was an infiltrator of the Afghan army.

Allied commanders provided limited details.

We are aware of an incident in Eastern Afghanistan. We will release more information when appropriate, Douglas High, the public affairs officer for Operation Resolute Support, the NATO mission in Afghanistan, said in a statement.

Also Saturday, at least two Afghan border policemen were killed by U.S. aircraft fire during a joint operation in the southern province of Helmand. The U.S. military in a statement apologized for the deaths and said the incident was under investigation.

The three previous U.S. soldiers deaths in Achin make up the entirety of U.S. combat fatalities in Afghanistan in 2017. In early April, Staff Sgt. Mark R. De Alencar, 37, was killed by small-arms fire, followed by Sgt. Joshua P. Rodgers, 22, and Sgt. Cameron H. Thomas, 23, at the end of the month.

Rodgers and Thomas were killed during a joint Afghan-U.S. nighttime raid on an Islamic State headquarters building. The Pentagon is investigating whether they were mortally wounded by friendly fire. The raid resulted in the death of Abdul Hasib, the emir of the Islamic States branch in Afghanistan, according to the Pentagon and Afghan officials. More than 30 other militants were also killed.

Achin was also the site where U.S. Special Operations troops in April dropped the GBU-43, a 22,000-pound bomb known as the MOAB, on a purported cave complex where insurgents were believed to be hiding. The blast flattened a swath of the countryside. While Afghan officials said dozens of militants were killed, the Pentagon has remained mum on what exactly the bomb accomplished.

The Afghan branch of the Islamic State, known as ISIS-K, is mainly composed of militants pulled from other groups and has turned into one of the main counterterrorism issues for the United States in Afghanistan. Although military officials say the group is far smaller than it was at its height in 2015, an estimated 600 to 800 militants located mainly in remote mountainous areas continue to pose an ample threat to U.S. and Afghan troops.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani surprised everyone at a peace conference Tuesday when he said that up to 11,000 foreign fighters have penetrated Afghanistan, a number far higher than previous estimates by the U.S. military and his own government.

The deaths come as the Trump administration is weighing whether to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan, including a proposal to send U.S. Special Operations forces to train up to 17,000 new members of Afghan special forces. The Afghan special forces units have quickly become the most reliable force in the more than 15-year-old war, American officials believe. Once trained to conduct raids much like their U.S. counterparts, the majority of Afghan commando units have turned into a backbone force for the fledgling Afghan army.

The deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan was underscored by a massive truck-bomb blast on May 31 in a heavily patrolled diplomatic area of the capital, Kabul, that killed more than 150.

The bomb blast was one of the worst such attacks in the country since the arrival of American troops in 2001. That was followed by violent anti-government protests that left six dead on June 2, as well as a triple suicide bombing during funeral prayers for one of the protesters on the following day.

Gowens and Gibbons-Neff write for The Washington Post.
More than 200 anti-sharia protesters faced off with counter-demonstrators Saturday at the site of the San Bernardino terrorist attack as part of a nationwide March Against Sharia event sponsored by the conservative group Act for America.

Protesters chanted USA! and waved signs that read, Islam is not American, No Sharia, no polygamy and No more terrorist attacks. Many held American or Gadsden flags and wore pro-Trump merchandise.

Sharia encompasses a set of moral principles and general religious law that can influence the legal systems of Muslim-majority countries.

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The protest took place near the Inland Regional Center, a nonprofit that serves people with developmental disabilities, where a Pakistani American couple fatally shot 14 people in 2015. The attack was cited by President Trump as one reason for his controversial travel restriction policy, which seeks to temporarily ban refugees and immigrants from six Muslim-majority nations.

Demonstrators added their own signs to a memorial for the San Bernardino attack victims, including one that read Sharia = death 4 LGBTQ  a nod to the 2016 mass shooting inside a gay nightclub in Orlando.

Anti-sharia rallies around the U.S. denounce Islam while stoking concerns among Muslim groups 

Protesters faced off against about 100 anti-Trump demonstrators during the rally. Things heated up when counter-protesters packed up to leave just before 1 p.m. As they headed to their cars, anti-sharia protesters smashed in the rear window of one vehicle as the driver pulled away, then hit a second as it drove off.

Sirens blared and police vehicles pulled to the scene as counter-protesters linked arms, standing side by side on the street.

One anti-sharia demonstrator said: Glad we ran into each other in a place like this. We can form a wall too, communist scum. As fellow demonstrators began lining up next to him, police on horseback interjected, telling the group to move back across the street.

Three pro-Trump demonstrators were arrested on suspicion of vandalism, said San Bernardino Police Department spokeswoman Eileen Hards.

One counter-protester was Crystal Keshawarz, a human rights advocate and founding member of Qalbu Maryam Womens Mosque in Berkeley. Keshawarz, who lives in Corona, said their goal was not to outdo the anti-sharia protesters, but to make their presence known.

If their ideas were righteous, they wouldnt have to employ acts of injustice to prove their point, she said.

After Keshawarz and the other counter-protesters left, the scene quieted somewhat.

The March Against Sharia rally was one of several demonstrations held in more than 20 cities across the country, including New York, Chicago, Boston, Dallas and Atlanta. On its website, Act for America, which sponsored the rally, calls itself the NRA of national security.

A statement posted on Act for Americas website says: Our nation is built on the freedom of religion  a pillar of our democracy  which we must always respect, protect, and honor. However, many aspects of Sharia law run contrary to basic human rights and are completely incompatible with our laws and our democratic values.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has called Act for America an anti-Muslim hate group. The center noted that the organizations protests are attracting a host of anti-government and far-right extremists. This week, the group canceled its Batesville, Ark., rally after the law center revealed that neo-Nazi Billy Roper was the main organizer.

Any event held by this individual is not sanctioned by Act for America, and is not supported or endorsed by Act for America in any manner, the group said in a statement. We regret any confusion that this individuals actions may cause, and are working with our counsel to demand he cease and desist promotion of his event in a way that will confuse it as being sanction or approved by us.

In response to Saturdays rallies, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Communitys Los Angeles East Chapter, the largest organized Muslim community in San Bernardino County, is holding an interfaith event later in the day. It is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Baitul Hameed Mosque and expected to draw more than 700 guests. Rep. Norma Torres (D-Pomona) is the scheduled guest speaker.

We seek to build bridges and educate our community about true Islam, and even invite those who will be attending the anti-Muslim rallies to visit us and understand our message of peace and tolerance, said Ahsan M. Khan, a spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

andrea.castillo@latimes.com

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Make America Great Again march returns to O.C.  this time without incident

UPDATES:

6 p.m.: This story has been updated with more from police and demonstrators.

2:25 p.m.: This story was updated with more details about the demonstration.

This story was originally posted at 11:30 a.m.
Twenty-two people have been accused of operating a cross-border drug trafficking organization in a scheme that used houses in the San Gabriel Valley to store illicit merchandise, according to a federal indictment unsealed Thursday.

The prosecution follows a two-year wiretap investigation into associates of the Sinaloa cartel, which was previously led by the notorious drug kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, now jailed in the U.S.

During the investigation, a team of federal and local agents seized nearly 300 pounds of methamphetamine, 280 pounds of cocaine and 30 pounds of heroin, along with $1.3 million in cash, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office in Los Angeles.

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Of those charged, seven people were arrested Thursday and one was already in a California state prison. Fourteen others  four of whom have unknown identities  remain at large and investigators suspect they are in Mexico.

The lead defendant, Jeuri Limon Elenes, is accused of obtaining the drugs in Mexico and arranging their transport, prosecutors said.

Limon, as he is referred to in court papers, remains at large, but his mother, Maria Ernestina Limone Elenes, 64, was arrested Thursday in Azusa and was described by prosecutors as an alleged facilitator of the trafficking ring.

Prosecutors said Limon, who is also known as Prude, Fox and Royal Nuevo, was accused of orchestrating deposits of money derived from drug sales in Memphis, Tenn.; San Francisco; Omaha, Neb.; Phoenix and Baldwin Park, among other areas.

Audrey Rose Urrea, of Chula Vista, who is accused of attempting to transport narcotics across the international border, was arrested Thursday morning.

Others taken into custody Thursday include a Bakersfield man who allegedly transported drugs; a Long Beach man who allegedly moved narcotics across the U.S.-Mexico border; and Froilan Villarreal, whose El Monte home had large amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine as well as seven illegal firearms, all of which investigators seized.

The 19-count indictment handed down by a federal grand jury on April 7 painstakingly documents how the group used Blackberry phones and discussed  often in coded language  smuggling drugs across the border in cars like a Mini Cooper or Chevy Cavalier.

Investigators also monitored the defendants as they allegedly set up drug deliveries and reacted to associates arrests.

Once in the U.S., the drugs were kept in homes and apartments in Modesto, El Monte and Azusa, where vacuum-sealing equipment and bags were also found, according to court papers.

The case is the first major drug trafficking case for the Los Angeles Strike Force, a multiagency team including FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration agents as well as representatives of the Department of Homeland Security, Internal Revenue Service and Azusa Police Department. The team was launched in 2014 to focus on Mexican drug cartels that base their U.S. drug distribution in the greater Los Angeles area.

The indictment and todays arrests demonstrate the strike forces ability to reach both sides of the border, impacting the Sinaloa cartel by disrupting their drug supply chain and neutralizing key players in the organization, said DEA Special Agent in Charge David J. Downing.

Weve sent a message to the cartels  they wont be allowed to operate freely in Los Angeles or conduct business as usual, Downing said.

matt.hamilton@latimes.com

Twitter: @MattHjourno
Wayne Flanders can claim some credit for helping to bring back hot dinners to 150 people who, like himself, are homeless.

Two Pacific Beach churches recently had to stop preparing meals for the homeless after the county received complaints that they didnt have health permits. One of them, Pacific Beach United Methodist Church, is already back in business.

The church resorted to serving the homeless ready-to-eat food while it worked to get the necessary permit from San Diego County to prepare meals in its commercial kitchen.

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Flanders, who is 71 and sleeps in a Pacific Beach alley, was one of the people who volunteered to meticulously scrub the churchs kitchen to make sure it was up to health standards.

Its a job, and its one that keeps this place open for cooking, he said Wednesday night as volunteers served up fresh food to the homeless.

After a follow-up inspection by the county, the church scored 97 percent out of 100, received its permit and was able to resume its regular operations on Wednesday.

About 150 people came for a vegan version of sweet and sour pork, beef and broccoli, fried wantons, and egg rolls. They were made by members of the Tsu Chi Foundation, a Buddhist organization that partners with the Methodist church.

The county received complaints last month against four Pacific Beach churches that provide meals to homeless residents. The kitchens at the United Methodist church and at St. Brigid Catholic Church lacked permits. Two other churches, Pacific Beach Christian and St. Andrews by-the-Sea Episcopal, were also inspected but were in proper order, a county official said.

The kitchen at St. Brigids hasnt received a permit and is serving pre-packaged foods in small amounts, the official said. The Roman Catholic diocese did not return a request for comment, but the parishs website shows it makes meals for the homeless several times a month and regularly provides sack lunches.

The Rev. Bob Rhodes, pastor at Pacific Beach United Methodist, said his church was in the wrong and worked quickly to get the permit. Other services provided to the homeless, including doctors appointments, dental care and meetings with social workers, were not interrupted, he said.

Rhodes said he suspects the complaints came from someone who sees the meals as lures that bring homeless people into the neighborhood. The church is on Thomas Avenue near Ingraham Street.

The sense in the community is that were giving out food to whoever wants it, and we just give to those homeless bums, the pastor said. But we help connect people with services so they can get out of homelessness. Our goal, our ultimate goal, is not to have enough people to serve.

The complaints filed with the county Department of Environmental Health redact who filed them, but each one references the meals being served to the homeless. No other issues were detailed.

Beth Rhodes, executive director at Shoreline Community Services, talks with Paul Arnold, a regular at the Pacific Beach United Methodist Churchs weekly dinners for the homeless. (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune)

The Methodist church has been feeding the homeless for 20 years, but the program was in jeopardy once before when San Diego neighborhood code enforcement officers in 2007 said it was illegal. The church sued the city in federal court, claiming its religious freedom rights were being violated. The city settled with the church and the meals were allowed to continue.

The Wednesday night meals at the churchs hall are a good chance to feel safe and relax, said Paul Arnold, a regular at the dinners. But he said the experience changed after the complaint was filed.

Id say it was subdued. Kind of a little depressed, maybe, Arnold said as he ate a slice of birthday cake. He turns 61 this month.

He said it seemed like the churches were targeted, making for another item in a long list of challenges homeless people face in Pacific Beach.

There are opposing sets of groups, Arnold said. One is trying to make a bridge between the homeless, and the other is trying to eliminate the homeless. And I feel the latter group is winning.

As hundreds of homeless  mostly men  ate dinner this past Wednesday, doctors, dentists and social workers were in other areas of the church providing care to the needy.

Dr. Natalie Rodriguez, a physician from UC San Diego who runs a clinic with medical students, said most of the people are not living on the street. They are bouncing from from place to place. Many have chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high-blood pressure and asthma, Rodriguez said.

At the clinic, they can receive treatment and schedule appointments, and pharmacists are there to provide prescription medicines.

Down two flights of stairs from the medical clinic, Don Phillips, an adjunct professor at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, prepared a room to give as many as 20 people acupuncture sessions, in part to relieve stress.

The mental and emotional side of homelessness is probably one of the biggest things we treat in people, Phillips said.

Across the hall from him is a dental clinic, complete with an X-ray machine.

While these are important services, the meals  and the good company around the dinner table  are what help the most, Arnold said as the crowd began to thin out.

We always know what were going to get. The food is pretty good, and the people are nice, he said.

Twitter: @jptstewart

joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1841

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About half of the 108 asylum seekers who came to the U.S. as part of an organized caravan in early May remain in detention, according to activists who have been monitoring the groups outcomes.

The caravan journeyed across Mexico to advocate for the right of those persecuted in their home countries to seek asylum. After a month-long trip, the group reached Tijuana in early May and split into groups to come to the U.S. border.

Those from the caravan who have sought protection so far come from Cameroon, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Sierra Leone. Forty-eight of them are children.

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Whether to detain asylum seekers, who are fleeing persecution or torture in their home countries, has been part of the immigration debate for years. In what was seen by many as an effort to deter people from coming, former President Barack Obamas administration increased detention of asylum seekers as Central Americans fleeing violence at home came in large numbers to the U.S. border. President Donald Trump has called on immigration officials to increase detention capacity beyond the levels under Obama.

Those against holding asylum seekers in detention say that living in what feels like a prison can exacerbate the trauma that they are fleeing in their home countries. They also point to statistics that show being held in detention makes it much less likely for an asylum seeker to find a lawyer, and that having a lawyer makes a difference in whether someone wins a case in immigration court.

Those who advocate for keeping asylum seekers in detention say that the U.S. government needs time to vet the new arrivals before allowing them out into the community. They worry about being able to properly identify individuals who might be trying to sneak into the U.S. to do harm to its citizens.

That indefinite detention isnt because we dont trust them, said Ian Philabaum, an advocate tracking the caravans cases. Its a tool to get them to self-deport. They cant take it.

All of the caravan members who have been released so far were in family detention, which means a group consisting of one parent and any minor children the parent came with to the border. If both parents came with their children to the border, one would go to family detention with the children and the other would end up in adult detention.

Over half of the asylum seekers from the caravan were separated from family members when they were processed by U.S. immigration officials, said Alex Mensing, another of the activists monitoring the situation. That means some of those released from family detention have family members still being held in adult detention.

After arriving at the U.S. border, members of the caravan were split between seven immigration detention facilities in California, Arizona, Texas and Pennsylvania.

Men and women are held separately in immigration detention facilities. Immigration officials have a few family facilities designated for women traveling with their minor children. One facility in Pennsylvania has beds for men with their minor children.

Family separation increases the likelihood that family members receive different decisions on their asylum applications, according to a report released in May by the American Immigration Council, a pro-immigrant advocacy group based in Washington D.C., which studied thousands of cases at a family detention center in Texas.

One man who asked for asylum came with his son, who is a U.S. citizen, Philabaum said. When border officials found out that the sons mother was in Mexico, they sent the boy back to her and placed the father in adult detention, Philabaum said.

We dont know when hes going to see his son again, Philabaum said. Every time he complains, theyre going to say he has something that he can do about it and thats self-deport. Behind the scenes, thats what happens.

Those seeking asylum must meet the same criteria as refugees. They have to show that they were persecuted at home because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a specific social group. The difference between refugees and asylum seekers is that refugees register with the United Nations and wait abroad to be resettled by participating countries and asylum seekers come to the U.S. and ask for help after they arrive.

Most of the caravan group requested asylum at the San Ysidro port of entry, according to Mensing. Thirteen tried crossing without authorization between ports of entry and were caught by Border Patrol.

Regardless of whether they come to a port of entry or are caught crossing, once asylum seekers tell U.S. immigration officials that they are afraid to return home, officials are required by law to process the cases as potential asylum claims.

The person is generally detained and interviewed by a trained asylum officer. That interview, known as a credible fear interview, determines whether an asylum seeker has a valid claim to be allowed to go through the immigration court process or whether the person will be sent back without a hearing.

Its hard to be in detention, Philabaum said. You talked to an asylum officer and told them the worst story of your life. Waiting to find out the answer is one of the most stress-filled moments that individuals experience while theyre detained.

All 45 caravan members who have received decisions for their interviews passed and are waiting for their hearings with immigration judges.

Immigration court generally prioritizes cases for those who remain in detention and hears them more quickly, but detainees can still wait over a year for a hearing.

In order to be released from detention, those who pass credible fear interviews must be able to prove their identities, according to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy document from 2010. Since many asylum seekers do not have government-issued identification from the countries they are fleeing, that requirement can be difficult to meet.

Immigration officials also consider asylum seekers likelihood to show up in court and whether they might be dangerous before deciding to release them.

Many who work in the immigration system believed Obamas administration did not fully follow that policy and held people who could have been released. They believe that policy is followed even less by the Trump administration.

San Diego immigration attorney Emily Arnold said that since Trumps inauguration, shes been told by immigration officials that her clients have a slim chance of being released, though she thinks they meet all of ICEs requirements. She has clients who provided similar information to ICE and were released prior to Trumps taking office, she said.

One deportation officer told me there was a zero percent chance my client would be released even before looking at the documents, she said by telephone. It seems that there is a change in policy, but its nothing official.

Some of the caravans asylum seekers who have been released from detention have to wear ankle monitors while they wait for their hearings, Mensing said. He was not sure how many.

Others who were part of the caravan and are still in Mexico plan to come to the border and request asylum soon.

Immigration Videos On Now New developments in family separation case 9:53 On Now A San Diego woman volunteered as a medic in Texas helping migrant families 2:35 On Now Immigration policy protests in Carlsbad nearly cancelled after permit issue 1:38 On Now When children are separated from their parents at the border, here is where they go next On Now Prospects of a deal for 'Dreamers' may hinge on separating Trump from hard-liners on his staff On Now What is DACA? On Now Border wall prototype contractors selected On Now Video: Ukrainian boxer wins asylum in U.S. On Now 30 apprehended after Border Patrol agents discover tunnel On Now Video: Kurdish diaspora prepare to vote on independence

Follow me on Facebook for live updates about immigration news

kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate on Twitter
AURELIUS  While walking by multiple cages of rabbits at the Cayuga Lake Rabbit & Cavy Festival, Tom Bishop said rabbit competitions aren't that different from other animal contests  as the four-legged entrants, like dogs and other species, have pedigrees, and can cost hundreds of dollars.

"Think of them as small hopping horses, and you'll get the idea," Bishop said.

Bishop, speaking at the festival at the Fingerlakes Mall in Aurelius late Saturday morning, said he had no clue an entire culture of rabbit showing existed until he met his fiance, Caitlin Damoth  whose parents breed rabbits  two years ago.

He has one of multiple people who came out for the festival  the 10th annual event put on by the Cayuga Lake Rabbit & Cavy Club. People from other parts of New York and other states came by for the festival, Saturday and Sunday, which featured rabbit and cavy  also known as guinea pigs showings. Other tests like agility competitions were also held.

At one point, Johnny Haussener, a youth judge, who said he has been an arbiter for competitions not only in the U.S. but in countries like Malaysia, was judging two Holland Lop rabbits from 15-year-old Chase Petro, Raymond and Preston. Haussener was examining the animals to get a sense of elements like bone structure, muscle mass and ear placement  as the ears are supposed to be right behind the creature's eyes.

Haussener said he has been judging since 2005 and loves being able to interact with so many animals.

"Instead of being an exhibitor of only one breed, and I get to handle all 49 recognized breeds,"Haussener said.

Petro, who has been to contests in multiple states, won best in breed and best opposite of breed  the best of that breed that was the opposite gender of the first winner  for a showing at the festival earlier in the day.

Petro, who has been working with rabbits for the last six years, said showing is something he likes to do and work on.

"It's a hobby and to have a hobby you have to work towards that hobby," Petro said.

Haussener said he believes many people get involved in showings in order to meet others  he said rabbit judges are some of his best friends.

"I think people make friends, feeling the love and passion of raising animals and understanding genetics," Haussener said.
Three to four robbers tied up an employee and stole several large bags of marijuana from a dispensary in the Encanto neighborhood of San Diego Saturday, police said.

One robber threatened the employee with a gun at Fleet System Marijuana Dispensary on Federal Boulevard near 60th Street, San Diego police Officer Tony Martinez said.

The holdup was reported about 10:50 a.m. The robbers left in two vehicles, including a rented Chevrolet van. An employee followed the van briefly, noted the license plate and reported it to police, Martinez said.

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Officers found the van a short time later at Enterprise car rental shop on Broadway in Chula Vista. The driver was detained and questioned, then released, Martinez said.

He said officers didnt have enough evidence to identify the driver as having been involved. The driver was white and the victim had said the robbers were black.

Martinez said the victim wasnt able to give any description of the second getaway vehicle.

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
Mayor Kevin Falconer has a lot on his plate these days. Not the least of which should be solving the homeless crisis. Immediately. He did after all declare it his highest priority for 2017.

So far he has failed to step up and show the leadership necessary to actually solve this crisis in any meaningful ways. Sure, he added $66,038 to his revised budget to create a new Homeless Committee. That doesnt feel like leadership.

Other mayors in large cities have declared state of emergencies to quickly tackle their homeless problems with a sense of urgency. Here is what urgency looks like in our city:

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The City Council, after three years of doing almost nothing, is now going to create a committee to explore potential solutions to solving the homeless crisis. It is making another bold move by updating the citys Comprehensive Homeless Council Policy. Seeing as how it hasnt been amended since 1995, it would seem the council recognizes there is a problem!

Union-Tribune columnist Dan McSwain has been reporting on our homeless crisis in a series of hard-hitting and definitive stories over the past year. He has described it as a national disgrace and embarrassment to our entire community.

The Guardian newspaper quoted McSwain in a recent story featuring San Diegos homeless crisis describing Americas Finest City as a tableau of squalor and suffering. The story is part of The Guardians series on Homelessness in the Western U.S. The story states that San Diego is among top five U.S. metro regions for homelessness based on the sheer number of citizens living unsheltered, although we rank as the eighth-largest city in the U.S.

The story points out that driving through East Village, a gentrifying neighborhood on the edge of downtown, its tough to find a street that doesnt have a tarp or tent  or dozens.

As we know, you literally cannot drive into or out of downtown on any street, in any direction, without seeing people, even families, camping and sleeping on city sidewalks.

The homeless are spread out from the convention center to Hillcrest, from the harbor to East Village and beyond. They lay, sleep and pass out on Gaslamp sidewalks. They take over swaths of city parks including the pricey Horton Plaza Park. I trust the mayor saw the front page of Sundays U-T business section (Rejuvenating Horton Plaza Park, May 28). The story basically would discourage any taxpayer from going to the park to enjoy the million-dollar fountain.

The bottom line to all this negative and disturbing publicity is simply this: Will Mayor Falconer actually now take full responsibility for this crisis, take full command and provide the leadership necessary to start working on this crisis? And do it immediately in a meaningful way? Dont create or appoint more committees to tell us what we already know. Lead.

Do this by partnering with and listening to the many smart, dedicated and knowledgeable homeless advocates and organizations that have been working with the problems for years. There have been millions of dollars from many sources spent on trying to end homelessness for years. Sadly the results all seem to be the same, not enough shelter beds, not enough available housing and the biggest problem of all, how to fit the mentally ill into the equation.

The mayor is logically the only one who can and should get all the players and their money into one room with a singular goal: Get our homeless population off the streets and do it now, starting today!

Other cities have done it by organizing all the stakeholders in the community to declare homelessness the emergency it is, and make it a unifying goal of getting our less fortunate citizens sheltered immediately.

Downtown San Diego has many vacant buildings that could be converted to emergency temporary shelters to start the process. Our community leaders must take that first step to start solving the crisis one day at a time. It starts with leadership and a commitment to figure it out and get it done. Now.

Powell, a resident of East Village, has volunteered with the VA, Veterans Village and Father Joes to help homeless vets get off the streets.
In a letter to the U-T (Comey has cleared Trump of collusion, June 9), the writer cited the U-Ts New York Times article Comey: Trump tried to influence probe (June 8) as slanderous.

James Comey in fact stated under oath that after clearing the Oval Office once, Donald Trump said, I hope you can let this Mike Flynn investigation go, which Comey took as a direction.

He also testified that in their many Trump-initiated contacts, Trump requested his loyalty, to which Comey finally said Youll always get honesty from me. Trump curiously replied, Thats what I want, honest loyalty.

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Now who are you going to believe, a dedicated career law enforcement official who took meticulous contemporary notes after each bizarre encounter with Trump, precisely because he was concerned that Trump might lie, or the person who still maintains that the Russia investigation is a hoax, that Obama wiretapped him and that there were millions of illegal votes cast?

Bill Leonard

Del Mar Heights

The editorial decision for large headlines blaring Comey decries White House lies (June 9) is misleading.

As a registered independent who dislikes Trump, I nonetheless find your headline to be strongly biased and not at all objective considering Thursdays Comey hearing, which I watched in its entirety.

Please strive for objectivity in news reportage.

William Campbell

Tierrasanta

Comey vs. Trump. Who are we to believe? As a Republican, I have to ask the question.

One party to this saga is a former career and respected Department of Justice employee and former FBI director (and formerly a registered Republican like me) who has testified before Congress under oath. He has also accused the president of lying, attempting to cover up an FBI investigation and demanding loyalty from Comey.

President Trumps personal lawyer delivered a five-minute denial of Comeys accusations.

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This can be easily resolved in one or more ways. President Trump can testify under oath as Comey did or investigators can review the White House audiotapes that President Trump referred to in a tweet after firing Comey.

Let the people listen to the tapes. The tapes will either exonerate Trump of Comeys charges or prove that the president of the United States is a liar and a potential criminal.

Ken Blalack

La Mesa

Somebody should tell Loretta Lynch the complete name is Federal Bureau of Investigation not Federal Bureau of Matters. It is so hard to believe that she asked Director Comey to call the Hillary Clinton investigation a matter and not an investigation.

Even crazier, via his own testimony, is that he agreed to this outrageous request. Also, considering his own admission that he leaked records to a buddy of his, Trump obviously did the right thing to fire Comey.

But Trump is now making the same mistake that Richard Nixon made, which is bringing in an outsider to become the director of the FBI. Having been there when Mark Felt (aka Deep Throat) was keeping Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein on the right path, this mistake by Trump is huge.

Glenn Bernard

Carlsbad

Donald Trump should bring out the tapes he talked about. Or was he lying about that as well? I think we all know the answer.

Phil Kirk

Encinitas

As a conservative, after listening to Sen. Kamala Harris during the Comey hearings, it makes me pine for the days of Sen. Barbara Boxer.

Jon Holmerud

Bonita

Former FBI Director James Comeys self-serving testimony against President Trump at the Senate hearing failed to shed any more light on his investigation into the Hillary Clinton email scandal during the Obama administration.

Indeed, Comey was but one of President Obamas operatives remaining in government for the sole purpose of first, preventing Clintons election, then undermining President Trump and his administration  leading toward Trumps impeachment  clearly, all President Obamas men and women.

Surely Comey should be in deep trouble for leaking his privileged memo information undermining Trump to The New York Times.

Hopefully Comeys closed Senate hearing will answer questions vital to our national security and provide directions to deeper revelations.

The American people must have the truth.

Daniel B. Jeffs

Carlsbad

Want to see more letters that appear only online? Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook.

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KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  The family of an Afghan woman killed by a frenzied mob in an attack that shocked the world with its brutality is living in isolation and fear as they wait for justice they believe will never come.

Since Farkhunda Malikzada was killed on March 19, life has come to a standstill for those she left behind, said her father, 72-year-old Mohammad Nader Malikzada.

We cannot live a normal life, our children cannot go to school or college, we cant even go shopping, he told The Associated Press. We are under such psychological pressure. It is hell in this house,

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His despair was compounded this month when Afghanistans Primary Court released 37 of the 49 people convicted of Farkhundas murder pending their appeals against sentences the family has said are too light.

After a peddler at a Kabul shrine falsely accused Farkhunda of burning a Quran, a mob attacked her as police watched. After punching, kicking and beating her with wooden planks, the crowd threw her from a roof, ran over her with a car and crushed her with a block of concrete. They then set her body alight on the bank of the Kabul River.

Footage of the attack captured on cellphones circulated online, and the killing fueled widespread outrage. Protesters demanding womens rights and judicial reform carried posters showing Farkhundas bloody face and held candlelight vigils. Her killing was re-enacted outside the shrine on the 40th day of her death by activists determined to keep her memory alive.

But in the months since then, Farkhundas family  elderly parents and most of her seven sisters and two brothers, their wives and children  say they have been neglected by those who sought to use her name to further their own interests.

Fearing violence, kidnapping, or retribution from police or members of the mob who have been released, they rarely leave the house. The adults dont go to work, and the children no longer go to school or university. What will happen if the children cannot go to school? Will they be illiterate? said Najibullah, Farkhundas 37-year-old brother.

Farkhundas mother Bibi Hajira, said she feels their lives are in constant danger. We want to see justice and we want to be moved to a safe place, she said. I dont have power or money to fight for it.

In the days after Farkhundas murder, family members met with First Lady Rula Ghani, who said the horrible, barbaric tragedy had highlighted how violent Afghan society has become after more than 30 years of war.

At the murder trial, four people were found guilty and sentenced to death. Charges against 18 men were dropped for lack of evidence, and eight others were sentenced to 16 years in prison. Of 19 policemen charged with dereliction of duty, eight were acquitted due to lack of evidence, and 11 were sentenced to one year in prison. This month, the Appeals Court upheld a decision to release 37 defendants ahead of their appeals.

These decisions are completely unacceptable, said Mohammad. Anyone who witnessed this brutal killing of an innocent girl and stood by and did nothing, they are also guilty, he said. All these people have been freed, others who were clearly involved have not been arrested.

The Malikzada family has meanwhile retreated into the agony of their loss. We dont eat, we dont sleep, we cry, said Mohammad. If at mealtime we remember that Farkhunda liked what were eating, we cant eat anymore, we just cry.

___

Follow Lynne ODonnell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lynnekodonnell.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jun 10 (PTI) The government today made it clear that the linking of the Aadhaar and the Permanent Account Number (PAN) will be a "must" for filing Income Tax Returns (ITRs) and obtaining PAN from July 1.

The assertion comes a day after the Supreme Court upheld the validity of an I-T Act provision making Aadhaar mandatory for allotment of PAN cards and for ITR filing, but had put a partial stay on its implementation till a Constitution bench addressed the issue of right to privacy.

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The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), policy-making body for the I-T department, said the apex courts order had only given a "partial relief" to those who do not have an Aadhaar or an Aadhaar enrolment ID, and the taxman, hence, "will not cancel" the PAN of such individuals.

The Board said it was issuing a three-point gist of the SC order and called it the "effect of the judgement" in order to clear any doubts in the minds of taxpayers.

"From July 1, 2017 onwards, every person eligible to obtain Aadhaar must quote their Aadhaar number or their Aadhaar enrolment ID number for filing of ITRs as well as for applications for PAN.

"Everyone who has been allotted PAN as on the 1st day of July, 2017, and who has Aadhaar number or is eligible to obtain Aadhaar number, shall intimate his Aadhaar number to income tax authorities for the purpose of linking PAN with Aadhaar," the CBDT said.

It explained what will happen in a case of "non- compliance" or the instance where a person does not possess Aadhaar.

"Only a partial relief by the court (SC) has been given to those who do not have Aadhaar and who do not wish to obtain Aadhaar for the time being, that their PAN will not be cancelled so that other consequences under the Income Tax Act for failing to quote PAN may not arise," the CBDT said.

The CBDT quoted relevant portions of the SC order to endorse its stand of Aadhaar-PAN linking and said the apex court "in its landmark judgement has upheld Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act as constitutionally valid which required quoting of the Aadhaar number in applying for PAN as well as for filing of ITRs."

It added that the apex court has only granted a "partial stay for the time being, pending resolution of the other cases before the larger bench of the Supreme Court" to Section 139AA(2) which states that all those who have a PAN and are eligible to get Aadhaar, as on July 1, 2017, should intimate it to the I-T department else their PAN will be declared invalid.

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The CBDT quoted the SC order in this context:

"...those who are not PAN holders, while applying for PAN, they are required to give Aadhaar number. This is the stipulation of sub-section (1) of Section 139AA, which we have already upheld.

"At the same time, as far as existing PAN holders are concerned, since the impugned provisions are yet to be considered on the touchstone of Article 21 of the Constitution, including on the debate around Right to Privacy and human dignity, etc. as limbs of Article 21, we are of the opinion that till the aforesaid aspect of Article 21 is decided by the Constitution Bench a partial stay of the aforesaid proviso is necessary," the Board said quoting the SC order.

A senior I-T official said the CBDT decided to announce the non-cancellation of PAN provision as such a situation will lead to a person not being able to do his or her normal banking and other financial operations.

An another official said the apex courts order given yesterday was "studied" by a high-level team from the Prime Ministers Office, the Law Ministry, the Finance Ministry, the CBDT and the Income Tax Department after which the latest clarification has been issued.

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The government, under the Finance Act 2017, has made it mandatory for taxpayers to quote Aadhaar or enrolment ID of Aadhaar application form for filing of income tax returns (ITR).

Also, Aadhaar has been made mandatory for applying for PAN with effect from July 1, 2017.

The department, till now, has linked over 1.16 crore Aadhaar numbers with its PAN database.

While Aadhaar is issued by the UIDAI to a resident of India, PAN is a ten-digit alphanumeric number alloted in the by the I-T Department to a person, firm or entity. PTI NES RT

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Jun 10 (PTI) Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, announced today that it plans to establish two new data centers in Mumbai in India and Jakarta in Indonesia during the current financial year.

Together with the recently announced data center in Malaysia, Alibaba Cloud will significantly increase its computing resources in Asia, allowing greater support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) throughout the region with powerful, scalable, cost-effective and secure cloud capabilities, it said in a statement here.

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"Establishing data centers in India and Indonesia will further strengthen our position in the region and across the globe," Simon Hu, senior vice president of Alibaba Group and President of Alibaba Cloud said.

With the three new data centers planned, Alibaba Cloud will increase its total number of data center locations to 17, covering mainland China, Australia, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

The new Asian data centers will offer a full suite of services, providing the flexibility for enterprises and organizations to build their entire IT infrastructure for business on Alibaba Cloud or run mission-critical and core applications on it.

Alibaba Cloud will be the first leading global cloud computing company to establish an international cloud data center in Indonesia, significantly enhancing the local IT infrastructure on the back of Alibaba Clouds global data center network.

Servicing thousands of customers from India, Alibaba Cloud has partnered with Global Cloud Xchange (GCX), a subsidiary of Reliance Communications to directly access Alibaba Cloud Express Connect via GCXs CLOUD X Fusion. PTI DSK DK DK

--- ENDS ---
Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/09/2017 -- With the increasing enterprise size, need for robust communication tools has also increases. Such factors have resulted in the increase in demand of hosted PBX market in Canada. The hosted PBX market in Canada is expected to experience higher demand during the forecast period 2017 to 2025. Considering this fact, a new research report titled "Hosted PBX Market - Canada Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017  2025" has been recently published on the huge online repository of Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE). This report is a professional and in-depth analysis of the present situation as well as the future outlook of the Hosted PBX Market in Canada.



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The report predicts that the Hosted PBX Market in Canada will surge at a remarkable CAGR of 18.2% during the forecast period 2017 to 2025, reaching US$1.75 billion by 2025. Factors responsible for this growth are rising demand for enterprise mobility and workforce and the multiple benefits offered by hosted PBX services such as elimination of additional set up costs and minimized operational expenses. Increasing adoption of wireless services in small, medium and large enterprises is also likely to fuel the demand for hosted PBX market in Canada.



This report identifies the market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, risks and opportunities that influence the present nature and future prospects of this market along with the major indicators and trends. An attractiveness analysis has also been included for each segment and sub-segment in the report, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the overall scenario in the hosted PBX market in Canada. Additionally, the study provides an overview of different strategies adopted by the key players operating in the Canadian market. It also provides all the vital information required to understand the major developments of different segments and sub-segments and companies' business strategies to efficiently compete in the market.



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The hosted PBX market in Canada is broadly classified on the basis of enterprise size and end-use application. On the basis on enterprise size, the market is bifurcated into small and medium enterprises and large enterprises. Based on application, the major segments in the Canadian hosted PBX market are telecom and IT, banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), healthcare, government, hospitality, retail, education and others. The prominent vendors engaged in the hosted PBX market in Canada are 3CX, Bell Canada, BroadConnect Technologies Inc., Mitel Networks Corporation, Cisco Systems Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Alpha Telecom Services Inc., Allstream Inc., Birch Communications, Voysis IP solution Inc., AstraQom International, Ringcentral and Telus Communications. Details such as business strategies, SWOT analysis and product offerings have also been provided in the research report.



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Sarasota, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/09/2017 -- Zion Market Research, the market research group announced the analysis report titled "Trona Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts 20162024"



Trona Market: Overview



Trona is a non-marine mineral and is a natural form of sodium sesqui-carbonate. It is also known as sodium carbonate and its molecules are made of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and two waters of hydration. Its molecular formula is Na2CO3NaHCO32H2O. The name trona has derived from a Swedish term which means native salt. Trona forms efflorescent crusts on the walls of mines and caves in the arid regions and is found in deposits. Trona is the light brown solid, odorless dust, or crystal used in glass manufacturing and other varied industrial applications. It is majorly used for water conditioning and also used as a food additive. Trona is a common source of soda ash. Use of soda ash is mainly seen in paper, chemicals, glass, and textiles industry.



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Trona Market: Segmentation



The global trona market is segmented into its industrial use segments, functional use segments, and geography. On the basis of the industrial use segments, the market is divided into chemicals which further includes soaps, detergents, and glassl, air pollution control, animal feed, paper and pulp, and mining and metals. Based on functional use segments, the market is divided into bath salts and water treatment which is further sub-divided into softening agent and cleaning agent.



Diversification of the market on the basis of the regions is seen into Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.



Trona Market: Growth Factors



The trona market is an emerging market owing to increasing demands from the glass manufacturers which is majorly driving the market growth. Trona is extensively used in industrial applications of soda ash in detergents, glass, and textiles. Wide industrial applications, availability of trona in the mines and concentrated source of mines are other major factors fuelling the market growth. However, prolonged contact with the trona may cause skin and eye irritation. Also, carbon dioxide and heat are emitted when trona reacts with acid which results in major air quality concerns and environmental issues. Owing to these negative factors, the growth of the trona market may be hampered.



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Trona Market: Regional Analysis



The largest share of the trona market is held by North America. Soda ash and trona are largely exported by the U.S. which accounts for the growth in North America. It is in the Southwestern Wyoming mines in the Wilkins Peak Member of Green River where the largest deposit for trona is found across the world. Apart from the U.S., trona is also mined in Turkey, China, Mexico, and Africa. Hence, North America is steadily followed in its growth by regions such as Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa. Growth in Europe will be moderate as compared to the other regions in the coming years.



Trona Market: Competitive Players



Some of the prominent market players in the global trona market include OCI Chemical Corp., Tata Chemicals North America Inc., and Solvay Chemicals Inc.



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Trona Market: Regional Segment Analysis



North America(U.S.); Europe(UK, France, Germany); Asia-Pacific(China, Japan, India); Latin America(Brazil); The Middle East and Africa
New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/09/2017 -- The urease market is primarily driven by its increasing use in the industrial applications such as biosensors. Since plant sourced urease results in less toxicity and almost no side effects further benefits the growth of global urease market. The agronomic and eco-friendly benefits of urease in the inhibitors will fuel the global urease market. Also, the global trend of adoption of organic items over synthetic ones and increasing consumption in clinical diagnostics will aid the growth of global urease market.



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The primary source of urease are plants, algae, fungi and yeast. Among the plant sourced, urease jack bean urease are the best characterized and bacteria sourced yield low quantity of urease. Urease has wide industrial applications which includes diagnostic kits for measuring urea, as reducing agent in alcoholic beverages. Besides, urease find major use in the biosensors which are required for hemodialysis systems. Urease inhibitors are also widely used in controlling (slow down) the rate of hydrolysis of urea. Some of the mostly used inhibitors are N-(n-Butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBTPT or NBPT) which has less toxicity and ability to get mixed or coated on urea fertilizers. The fertilizers industry and the clinical requirements will boost global urease market during the forecast period.



The global urease market is segmented on the basis of source and application.



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The global urease market is geographically divided in to five key regions including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa. North America, especially US holds major share of urease market due the increase consumption in clinical research. Followed by North America is Europe and Asia Pacific, Latin America and MEA. In Asia Pacific India, Korea, and Bhutan possess major prospectus for urease consumption with majority use as inhibitors for agro industries. The consumption of urease in Latin America is expected to increase during the forecast period with companies such as DASA, the renowned medical diagnostic company in Brazil. The global urease market will show increasing trend of consumption due to industrial applications and clinical diagnostic tests during the forecast period.



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Some of the key players identified in the global urease market are BBI Solutions, Sekisui Diagnostics Limited, Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC., Sisco Research Laboratories Pvt. Ltd etc.
Congress has demanded an apology from BJP president Amit Shah for calling Mahatma Gandhi a 'chatur baniya'. Amit Shah has, in turn, said that it is the Congress, which needs to explain a lot on Mahatma Gandhi's principles.

By India Today Web Desk: BJP president Amit Shah has rebuffed the Congress for demanding an apology from him over his remark about Mahatma Gandhi.

Amit Shah had reportedly said that Mahatma Gandhi was a 'chatur baniya', who knew that Congress was a tool to fight for freedom and suggested that the party be dissolved after Independence.

The Congress party slammed Amit Shah for using such phrase for Mahatma Gandhi. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala demanded an apology from Amit Shah for 'belittling' the Father of the Nation.

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AMIT SHAH BELITTLED MAHATMA GANDHI: CONGRESS

"Amit Shah has belittled Mahatma Gandhi and the Independence struggle... He should apologise for slinging mud on the Father of the Nation and shaming the freedom struggle," Surjewala said.

Surjewala further said, "After Independence, the BJP's Kala Angrez (black Englishmen) are doing the same what the British used to do. This statement shows what is going inside Amit Shah's head. It is scary that this party is leading the nation."

Congress workers were and with the farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Surjewala said, adding, "Our voices are with the farmers. They cannot use certain media to paint the Congress in negative light."

Responding to Surjewala's demand for apology, Amit Shah today said in Raipur that "everyone present in the public meeting knows with what objective, I called Mahatma Gandhi a baniya. Randeep Surjewala has a lot to answer on Mahatma Gandhi's principles."

Also read:

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on indefinite fast to placate angry farmers

Why loan waivers are not good for farmers, India

Farmers protest: After Madhya Pradesh, UP's Ghaziabad to be Rahul's next battleground

WATCH | Amit Shah defends chatur baniya remark on Mahatma Gandhi, flays Congress' Randeep Surjewala

--- ENDS ---
FLORENCE, S.C.  The Florence County Museum has a banner hanging out front with an image of an African-American man in a World War I military uniform.

The image is of a Florence County native, Sgt. James H. Spears. His photograph is on exhibit in the museums Pee Dee History Gallery. The banner, on the front of the museums eastern wing, was installed last week, in honor of Memorial Day.

James Holloway Spears was born in 1892, in the Claussen community of Florence County. He was 25 at the time of his enlistment.

The military was segregated during WWI, and companies were very often organized on the basis of geography. His company was full of men from South Carolina.

Stephen Motte, curator for the museum, said that like most men from Florence County, Spears trained at Camp Jackson, Columbia.

When I saw his picture, it was the first photograph of an African-American WWI veteran that I had ever seen, Motte said. I recognized very quickly that it represented a rare opportunity to educate museum visitors about this little-known aspect of Florence Countys history.

Spears was assigned to the 93rd Division, which was composed of African-American men who were trained as a French unit. Spears was integral in the 93rd Divisions 371st Infantry Regiment, Company F.

According to official records, Spears rose fairly quickly in the ranks, Motte said. He was promoted to the rank of corporal less than one month after his arrival at Camp Jackson, and again promoted to sergeant less than one month before his arrival in France.

Motte said social attitudes of African-Americans in France were different than in America. He said that was probably Spears first time being treated fairly as an African-American.

Sergeant Spears was one of few who fought alongside the French against the Germans on the Western Front in France, Motte said. He participated in the fierce battles at Sechault, Ardeuil and Montfauxelle, from Sept. 28 to Oct. 6. He survived the war. However, seven members of his company did not.

On Nov. 11, 1918, just five weeks after the engagements at Sechault, the Armistice drew hostilities on the Western Front to a close. Sergeant Spears remained attached to the command of the French Army until the following February. He received an honorable discharge on Aug. 26, 1919.

After Spears returned to Florence he started a neighborhood drill team, and became involved in several community youth volunteer programs. He was scoutmaster of one of Florences earliest

African-American Boy Scout troops, and director of the youth choir at Cumberland United Methodist Church.

Spears and his wife, Louise Jenkins, had three children  all three now deceased  and only one grandchild.

Spears worked for the United States Postal Service for 26 years, until his retirement in 1955. He married Louise Jenkins and lived on East Kershaw Street with their three children until his death in 1956.

Motte tried to have the banner up for one of Spears children, James Junior Spears, but he died about a month ago. Pearl Spears, Juniors widow, talked about the stories she has heard about her father-in-law, a man she never had the chance to meet.

He always wanted to share with the community. He took them sightseeing, started a cadet drill team and being a scoutmaster, Pearl said.

She explained that back then a lot of African-Americans did not have access to automobiles, so he chartered buses for them. They would pay a small fee, and take a bus trip to Atlantic Beach, known for blacks, and Wilmington, North Carolina.

He took them to places that without transportation, they would have never even gone, she said.

Motte has talked to people who knew Spears after the war. Based on what others have said, Spears had an attribute for leadership and service.

If you look the banner or the photo, his face shows a strong person, physically and mentality, Motte said.

Pearl added: He shared wisdom, knowledge and a lot of love for people from different walks of life. I was told he had a lot of good qualities.

Motte said the banner will be on display for the next six months.
FLORENCE, S.C.  The hottest topics in Columbia over the past several years have been roads and the states failing pension system, while fixes for failing education standards in low-income, mostly rural areas seem to have taken the back burner.

While a gas tax increase and $150 million toward shoring up the pension fund remained out front, lawmakers included money for K-12 education as well.

The state House and Senate added money for public school building maintenance and repairs. The House wanted $100 million, while the Senate had $46 million in its budget.

The conference committee settled on $55 million for repairs at schools in low-income areas of the state, and $28.9 million for new school buses.

There are also increases in funding under the state Education Finance Act, bringing the per-pupil spending allocation up by $75 to $2,425 per student. Last year that number was increased by $130 per student.

The per-pupil spending amount recommended by the state law is $2,984 per student.

Gov. Henry McMaster has been fairly reticent on education, but he told the Morning News that more money isnt necessarily the answer.

There are a lot of good ideas from charter schools to magnet schools, and others. We probably need to combine some of our school districts as well, he said. There are innovative ideas that are out there and we need to pursue them vigorously. Money is not always the answer.

Earlier this year, McMaster showed support for several bills that would change the state Constitution to end popular election of the state superintendent of education and instead make the job a cabinet position.

This historic measure will bring accountability and unity of vision to how South Carolina's children are educated, McMaster said in a Facebook post at the time.That measure stalled in the Senate and was tabled for discussion at a later time.

Senate President Pro Tempore Hugh K. Leatherman Sr., a Florence Republican and the states head budget writer, said education fixes for the state wont come overnight but funding to poor districts is a good start.

We put in money for the districts named in the Abbeville suit and we increased the per-student spending, he said. Were trying to address those issues. Its something were going to have to keep looking at.

More than three years ago the state Supreme Court ordered lawmakers to improve poor, rural school districts, arguing that decades of neglect had prevented students in those schools from getting a good education.

Rep. Jay Jordan of Florence said there were no major changes to the funding mechanisms for education this year, rather a focus on more funding. Education is a lot like medicine; the better it gets the more expensive it gets, he said. Technology is expensive and its critical to move our education system forward.

At former Gov. Nikki Haleys urging last year, the state allocated about $30 million over three years to school districts to buy more computers and tablets, and to improve internet connectivity. That spending was cut to $12 million for the budget year starting July 1.

Gov. McMaster has yet to approve the compromised budget and hasnt announced what he will veto, if anything.
Protesters denounced Sharia law in dozens of US cities at demonstration that critics said were inspired by anti-Muslim hatred. Some US towns even saw counter-protesters coming out against the rallies.

Demonstrators gathered to protest against Islamic law, foreground, stand across from counter demonstrators Saturday, June 10, 2017, in New York ((AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

By Reuters: Protesters held rallies across the United States on Saturday to denounce Sharia law, the Islamic legal and moral code that organizers say poses a threat to American freedoms, but critics believe anti-Muslim hatred is behind the condemnation.

ACT for America, a self-described grassroots organization focusing on national security, staged rallies in New York, Chicago, Boston, Denver and Seattle, as well as many smaller cities. Hundreds of people pledged on social media to attend an event that ACT billed as "March against Sharia."

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On the steps of the Pennsylvania state capitol in Harrisburg, barricades and a heavy police presence, including officers mounted on horses, separated about 60 anti-Sharia demonstrators from an equal number of counter-protesters. Many of the latter were dressed in black masks and hoods and chanting "No Trump, no KKK, no Fascist USA."

The atmosphere was tense but the protest went off with no violence and only one arrest, police said.

More than a dozen men belonging to the anti-government Oath Keepers were on hand, invited by ACT to provide security. Most of them carried handguns.

Chris Achey, 47, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, said he did not hate Muslims but believes that much of Islam is incompatible with Western culture.

"The Constitution is the law of the land," he said. "We have to be careful with who we let in the country."

'SHARIA INCOMPATIBLE WITH HUMAN RIGHTS'

On its website, ACT described Sharia, which covers many aspects of Muslim life including religious obligations and financial dealings, as incompatible with human rights. It said Sharia justifies the oppression of women and homosexuality, and advocates female genital mutilation.

But critics say the organization vilifies Muslims and has repeatedly equated Islam with extremism. In their view, the rallies are part of a wave of anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiment fueled by President Donald Trump, who called for a ban on Muslims entering the country during his election campaign.

Molly Freiburg, 33, of Philadelphia, was one of the counter-protesters but not part of the larger group clad in black.

"America is not in danger from Sharia law," she said. "This manifestation at the Capitol is actually a way to make our Muslim neighbors feel uncomfortable."

A representative for ACT for America could not be reached for comment.

In Seattle, about 75 anti-Sharia protesters were outnumbered by counter-protesters at a rally that was moved from Portland, Oregon. Tensions are running high in Portland after a man yelling religious and racial slurs at two teenage girls on a commuter train fatally stabbed two men who tried to stop him.

Counter-protestors stand behind a line of Seattle Police officers across the street from an anti-Islamic law protest rally Saturday, June 10, 2017, in Seattle (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Click here to Enlarge Counter-protestors stand behind a line of Seattle Police officers across the street from an anti-Islamic law protest rally Saturday, June 10, 2017, in Seattle (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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Talbot Sleater, a 62-year-old construction foreman, said that the Seattle protest was the first of the kind that he had attended. A Briton who moved to the United States, he said he had decided to go after recent attacks in his home country.

"People are being run over in the street with trucks and little kids are being blown up," Sleater said, referring to recent attacks in London and Manchester. "I don't want that to happen here."

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the country's largest Muslim advocacy group, urged Americans to participate in one of several local educational events being organized in "a peaceful challenge to Saturday's hate rallies."

It also warned Muslims to take extra precautions against potential violence over the weekend.

Anti-Muslim incidents rose 57 percent last year, including a 44 percent jump in anti-Islamic hate crimes, CAIR said in a report released in early May.

Oath Keepers said on its website that it was "answering the call to defend free speech against those who would use terrorist violence or the threat of violence to shut it down."

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The Southern Poverty Law Center says Oath Keepers is "one of the largest radical antigovernment groups in the United States," organized around a "set of baseless conspiracy theories."

Refuse Fascism, a coalition of activists advocating confrontational tactics to oppose what it calls the Trump "regime," said it would show up at the rallies "to counter the xenophobic hatred and lies, defy intimidation and drown it out."

ALSO READ | Lashes for love: Gay couple sentenced to caning by Sharia court in Indonesia

ALSO READ | India a victim of terror, says Donald Trump, calls upon Muslim nations to do their bit to defeat terrorism

ALSO WATCH | Triple talaq debate: Is Sharia greater than India's Constitution?

--- ENDS ---
Relentless operations mounted by Indian troops have successfully intercepted groups of armed intruders all along the LoC in Gurez, Machhil, Naugam and Uri Sectors leading to the elimination of 13 armed intruders in the past 96 hours.

By Manjeet Negi: The sinister designs of Pakistan army to push-in multiple groups of armed intruders across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir continue to be defeated by proactive operations being carried out by the Indian security forces.

Relentless operations mounted by troops have successfully intercepted groups of armed intruders all along the LoC in Gurez, Machhil, Naugam and Uri Sectors leading to the elimination of 13 armed intruders in the past 96 hours.

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This includes groups of four and three armed intruders who were tracked and eliminated in the Machhil and Naugam sectors respectively on 8th June. Since then, the operations in Uri and Gurez Sectors have further progressed. Five armed intruders have been killed in Uri so far and one intruder has been killed in the Gurez Sector close to the LoC.

The explosives, inflammable material, arms and ammunition recovered from the armed intruders indicate Pakistan's designs to orchestrate high profile terror attacks targeting innocent civilian population and security forces during the holy month of Ramzan.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Indian Army foiled an infiltration attempt in Bandipora's Gurez sector and killed a terrorist.

The slain terrorist's weapons were seized and a combing operation was launched in the area.

While in another incident, a group of militants fired at two security forces' vehicles in Anantnag's Qazigund town.

According to reports, a civilian, who was caught in the crossfire, suffered injuries.

ALSO READ:

Pakistan violates ceasefire in Krishna Ghati sector of Jammu, India hits back

Jammu and Kashmir: 5 terrorists killed as infiltration bid foiled along LoC in Uri, high alert sounded

ALSO WATCH:

--- ENDS ---
As the days turn drier in the Oakland hills and a major source of fire prevention funding evaporates, fire safety advocates say there are inadequate resources to combat the perennial risk of wildfire, especially on neglected public lands.

The threat this season could be especially perilous following ample growth of grasses and shrubs, driven by months of rain, that will soon dry out and create long wicks from which flames can soar and spread.

We have a huge fuel load, and Im at a zero fund balance, said Vincent Crudele, who supervises the Oakland Fire Prevention Bureaus vegetation management unit. We know what we have to do, and we want to get it accomplished. We fully understand the consequences of what happens when it doesnt get done.

Scott Stephens, a fire science professor at UC Berkeley and co-director of the Center for Fire Research and Outreach, said that while some factors like late-season rains will help reduce the risks, the grass just grew and grew this winter, making fuel per acre roughly 1 to two times the normal.

The loss of funding in Oakland has loomed ever since voters narrowly rejected a 2013 measure to support the efforts of the Wildfire Prevention Assessment District. The things the $65 parcel tax funded  like goat grazing to chomp away at dry grasses  have continued with leftover money that ran out this month. Now, fire prevention efforts that used to be supported by the special district are at the mercy of the City Councils general fund appropriations.

Since the Oakland-Berkeley firestorm of 1991, properties in the threat zone of the East Bay hills must pass an annual inspection to ensure they have defensible space on their properties  a buffer that fire experts say could halt the onslaught of flames, saving homes and lives and giving firefighters an entry point of attack.

But residents frequently complain in online neighborhood forums and at town hall meetings that the city is failing to maintain its own lands. A city report in October, for instance, showed that almost a third of public property, from vacant lots on the side of roads to parks, failed to pass inspections.

The criticism and lobbing of double-standard accusations have only amplified in recent weeks, as bills went out to residents to collect overdue fines for failing previous inspections. Some residents say that their invoices were not correct and that no one communicated they would be coming. Collection efforts have been postponed amid the backlash.

Steve Hanson, a member of the citizen board that made recommendations for the wildfire prevention district, said the issue has brought together a lot of upset people.

The fact is, if you tell a dog to stay off the table and you hit it 30 minutes later, its not going to learn the reward-punishment issue, Hanson said. If residents get a fine two years later, its not going to be a learning experience and you cant expect them to be very happy about it.

The committees chairwoman, Sue Piper, said the problem is not just that the city isnt following the state fire code and setting a bad example for residents. Its that public properties are not brought into compliance with the rules until midway through the high-fire season, she said.

They have to abide by the same rules as I do, said Piper, who served as former Mayor Jean Quans spokeswoman. A raging fire doesnt distinguish between public and private land, she added, and the city is exposing itself to enormous liability should a wildfire disaster happen on its acreage.

But Crudele, of the Fire Prevention Bureau, said he simply does not have the resources to get every single city parcel into compliance and must therefore focus on the places that pose the biggest danger. He said he does so by looking at the type of vegetation, moisture levels, wind exposure, micro-climates, topography, number of nearby homes and the presence of potential ignition sources like power lines.

He and a few inspectors are responsible for overseeing the vegetation management of more than 16 square miles of public land, hundreds of miles of roadways, 2,000 vacant private properties and another 2,000-plus residences. The rest of the property inspections are divided among the fire stations in the vicinity  another source of grumbling among residents, who say that some firefighters are too strict and others too lenient.

To be honest, Im not even sure if my particular property should have passed, or if my neighbors should have, Hanson said.

In the wake of 41 deaths from fires in city limits in the past six months, including at the Ghost Ship warehouse and a West Oakland halfway house, Mayor Libby Schaaf pledged to nearly triple the number of fire inspectors to prevent another tragedy.

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But none of those inspectors deal with vegetation management, a much smaller unit of the Fire Prevention Bureau that will lose two positions now that the parcel tax doesnt exist.

Some firefighters, like Lt. Dave Roberts, said wildfires in the terrain can be much more challenging to suppress than structure fires, and the risks should be given the proper attention.

Youve got water supply issues, youve got to scamper up the terrain and fight the fire on a steep slope, and who knows whats underneath this growth or what footing youll find, he said while on a recent inspection blitz, looking up uneasily at a particularly sharp incline, where a large log sat. This is not good  you cant have dead, dying fuel on your property.

The issue of how the city should manage fire risks on its public land will be the subject of an intensive review in the coming year as a contractor develops a vegetation management plan for Oakland that aims to balance the concerns of fire safety hawks, who want everything cleared and sometimes advocate herbicide use, against those of certain environmentalists, who want everything outdoors to be left alone.

Crudele said the plan will help the city figure out what strategies to use, where and when to deploy them, and who should be responsible. Goats cant graze everywhere, he said, as much as people like them.

Until an event like a wildfire has been witnessed firsthand, people dont understand the absolute destructive power it can have on a community, he said. A wildland fire driven straight into residential homes will destroy everything in its path.  By the time it gets to your door, the flames are 100 feet tall. You stand there, and it just growls.

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com
A San Francisco federal judge stepped aside, at least temporarily, from the case of antiabortion activists who posted secretly taped recordings of abortion providers meetings after the activists accused him of bias because of his former work for a charity associated with Planned Parenthood.

U.S. District Judge William Orrick III had scheduled a hearing next Wednesday on whether to hold David Daleiden, leader of the Center for Medical Progress, and his lawyers in contempt for posting links to the recordings despite Orricks February 2016 injunction prohibiting any public disclosure.

In a brief order Thursday, Orrick denied bias and questioned whether the filing was timed to delay the contempt hearing. But he postponed the hearing and referred the request to another federal judge, James Donato, randomly selected under the courts rules. Donato scheduled a hearing for June 22 on whether to remove Orrick from the case.

In their filing Wednesday, Daleiden and his organization said they had learned only recently that Orrick had been a board member of the Good Samaritan Family Resource Center in 2001, when the charity agreed to let Planned Parenthood place a clinic on the centers property in San Francisco. They also said Orricks wife has publicly endorsed Planned Parenthood and criticized the Center for Medical Progress.

In addition, they contended, Orrick revealed prejudice at a hearing last month when he said Daleidens release of the videos could cause real harm to human beings.

A lawyer for the National Abortion Federation called the request groundless in a court filing and said Orrick, assigned to the case in 2015, had fully disclosed his background many years earlier.

Daleiden and his colleagues, posing as fetal researchers, entered the annual members-only meetings of the National Abortion Federation in San Francisco in 2014 and in Baltimore in 2015 and made clandestine videos of conversations with some of the participants.

They argued that they were acting as investigative journalists, but Orrick ruled last year that they had obtained the information by fraud and barred any public release of the recordings, including those they had already posted. A federal appeals court upheld his ruling this March.

Also in March, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra charged Daleiden and his employee, Sandra Merritt, with criminal violations of state laws against recording private conversations without consent.

Last month, Daleidens lawyers in that case posted YouTube links to many of the recordings, and the names of some of the people attending the meetings. Former Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley, Daleidens lead attorney in the criminal case, said his office had obtained the information from Becerras office as evidence and thought it should be shared with the public.

But Orrick said at a May 25 hearing that his injunction barred Daleiden and his lawyers from any release of the material. He ordered the postings taken down immediately.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday highlighted what he sees as the upside of President Trumps unwillingness to confront climate change: Much of the rest of the world may be inspired to fight harder.

The governor spoke during a visit with Germanys environmental minister in San Francisco, where the two leaders pledged to curb greenhouse gas emissions a week after Trump rescinded the U.S. commitment to the Paris climate agreement.

Brown, who has emerged as one of Trumps most outspoken critics on the climate issue, returned a day earlier from a five-day trip to China, where he met with the nations president and provincial heads to discuss ways to halt global warming in the absence of leadership in Washington.

With President Trump taking such an outlandish position, he has actually heightened the focus on climate change, Brown said. Hes given the climate action movement a thrust that it could never have generated on its own. Were taking much more aggressive action because of what Trump has done.

California and Germany were early backers of the Under2 Coalition, an international climate pact that now has the support of 175 cities, states and nations representing nearly 40 percent of the global economy.

The coalition was a precursor to last years landmark Paris accord, with the same goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions so that temperatures dont rise more than 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels  the point at which scientists expect catastrophic problems.

German Federal Minister for the Environment Barbara Hendricks, who joined Brown to address reporters at the state building in San Francisco after a closed-door meeting between the two, was critical of Trump and his decision to abandon the Paris deal. But she said she was encouraged by the alternate route chosen by California and its Democratic governor.

After the disappointing news we received from the White House, weve also heard strong voices raised in the United States that want to continue the progressive way toward a climate-friendly society, Hendricks said through a translator. The trend toward an eco-friendly world is unstoppable and irreversible.

Trump, who has been relatively silent on the dangers of global warming since calling the concept a hoax before becoming president, called the Paris agreement that was ratified by 148 nations a bad deal for the United States. He said countries like China and India werent bearing a fair share of the costs of greenhouse gas reductions and said he would consider renegotiating the deal.

Many political analysts say reworking the hard-won agreement is a nonstarter, though Hendricks said the world hadnt given up on finding a way to get Trump back on board.

We will continue to reach out to the U.S. administration to come back to the table for climate action, she said.

Brown also expressed hope that the president would come around.

You cant go against every country in the whole world except, what is it, Nicaragua and Syria? he said, referring to t he other nations who chose not to join the accord. And if youve noticed, Trump doesnt always stay the course. He does change his mind. I believe that the federal government, at some point, will turn to a more environmentally friendly policy.

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Following Trumps decision to pull out of the Paris deal, Brown joined the governor of Washington state, Jay Inslee, and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, both Democrats, in rolling out the U.S. Climate Alliance. The initiative marks an attempt by U.S. states that are concerned about global warming to maintain their commitments under the Paris accord.

In the past week, nine additional states have signed on to the alliance: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.

The United States, by withdrawing under Trump, has taken a backseat, but thats very temporary, Brown said.

The governor cited his trip to China as evidence that other world powers were still looking to the United States to help tackle the issue.

China has become the de facto leader in the climate change fight, hosting a series of meetings this week on clean technology and carbon reduction between global energy ministers. While the conference was scheduled before Trumps Paris decision, the symbolism was not lost on its participants.

China is very serious about dealing with global warming, Brown said. And the fact that they would link with California and give me the reception they did, tells me that California is respected worldwide. ... I think its a positive sign for what were doing.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander
In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Sabiha Basrai felt her Muslim identity was a political statement and that her Americanness was in question.

Once again, the 34-year-old Oakland woman feels like her identity is even more under attack as nationwide anti-Shariah rallies are scheduled to take place on Saturday. One is set to occur on the Santa Clara-San Jose border, hosted by ACT for America  which the Southern Poverty Law Center says is the largest grassroots anti-Muslim group in the country.

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After years of being on the defensive and months of listening to President Trumps plans for a travel ban on mostly Muslim countries, fueling more mistrust of the Muslim American community, Basrai said shes had enough.

She is planning to join scores of interfaith leaders, activists and residents in a unity rally on Saturday, right across the street from the anti-Shariah law rally.

For a lot of us in the Bay Area, who grew up here, theres been this feeling like we have to prove ourselves, prove our humanity, prove the fact that our values are just like yours, that we deserve civil rights just like you, said Basrai, a member of the Alliance of South Asians Taking Action.

Basrai said that like most Americans she watched in horror from her home as hijacked planes slammed into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, the Pentagon and crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pa. She said she mourned with the rest of the country for the nearly 3,000 people killed.

But as the days went by, she started feeling anti-Muslim bigotry was legitimized  a sentiment that many say has only grown since Trump moved into the White House.

I was personally fearful for my safety and for the safety of my family in a way I had never experienced before, Basrai said of the growing anti-Muslim climate in the wake of Trumps election.

Diana Gibson, an ordained Presbyterian minister and religious studies professor at Santa Clara University, scrambled to organize the unity rally when she first saw the anti-Shariah event online a week ago. She called on leaders of different synagogues, Buddhist temples, churches and mosques to come together to stand in solidarity with Bay Area Muslims.

To me, this is both a threat to Muslims, but also a threat to our whole community and to the kind of community we want to have where we are all treasured, Gibson said.

ACT For America was founded in 2007 by Brigitte Gabriel in response to the 9/11 attacks and works to push anti-Muslim legislation, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups in America. Since its founding, the group has grown to over 280,000 members and 1,000 chapters nationwide, according the law center.

The group was first designated as a hate group by the the law center in 2015, making it part of a network of the most of the dangerous groups propagandizing out there, said Heidi Beirich, the director of Intelligence Project, part of the the law center that tracks hate groups.

But ACT for America claims not to be anti-Muslim.

ACT for America supports peaceful practice of any religious faith, an ACT spokesman said in a statement to The Chronicle. In fact, we stand steadfast with the right of every American to their beliefs. This includes peaceful Islam. The elements that make up much of Sharia law, however, are not about religion, but oppression.

The organizations March Against Sharia is being billed as a call for human rights for women and children who are impacted by Shariah law in the United States, according to the groups website.

The point of the counter rally isnt to inflame tensions, but to send a strong visual message that hate isnt welcome in the Bay Area, said Zahra Billoo, the executive director of the San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, whos working with Gibson and over 100 other organizations to co-sponsor the rally.

In the wake of recent events happening locally, nationally, and internationally, we, at the city of Santa Clara, would like to reassure our community that we stand in solidarity with those who have been the targets of discrimination and bigotry, said Santa Clara Mayor Lisa M. Gillmor.

Both the San Jose and Santa Clara police departments will send officers to the rallies, but officials for the agencies said they dont expect any violence.

The March Against Sharia rally is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stevens Creek Boulevard and Winchester Avenue in Santa Clara. The unity rally is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. across the street at Stevens Creek and Santana Row in San Jose.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
The previous Portals related how the December 1883 opening of the Park and Ocean Railroad brought unprecedented crowds to Ocean Beach. It also led to the creation of one of the weirdest neighborhoods in San Francisco history, a squatters colony known as Mooneysville.

During Mooneysvilles short, illegal life, it provided as much amusement  and whiskey  to the citizens of San Francisco as it did frustration to the authorities.

Mooneysville was named after a well-known San Francisco character, a rabble-rousing sandlot orator and sporting man named Cornelius Con Mooney. He and his fellow squatters, who included another famous sandlot orator, Denis Kearney, realized they could make bank selling coffee, doughnuts and whiskey  their three most popular comestibles  to the day trippers on the beach.

In keeping with their populist political stance, the squatters said they were justified in seizing beachfront land because the Park and Ocean Railroad, which was owned by the all-powerful Southern Pacific Railroad, had been equally unscrupulous in obtaining its franchise. They also argued that the beach was owned by the federal government and that the city had no jurisdiction over it. And if there had been some way they could have worked in their other favorite whipping boy, the Chinese, they would have blamed them, too.

But these political and legal justifications were basically a fig leaf. Mooneysville was all about making money. Playland-at-the-Beach, which later stood on almost exactly the same spot, would later fleece customers with impossible toss-the-dime-in-the-glass-dish games, but Mooneysville was the original Scamsville-by-the-Sea.

As soon as the new steam line opened, in December, Mooney, Kearney and a few dozen other entrepreneurs began erecting refreshment stands on Ocean Beach. Within weeks, a raggle-taggle line of shanties, tents and shacks, with one or two frame houses, extended from the base of the Cliff House down to Golden Gate Park. It was one long unnamed street between the station and the breakers, with most dwellers on the seaward side, reported the Daily Honolulu Press, which noted that its chaotic, thrown-up quality made it look like a mining camp.

As beachcombers exiting the train at what is now Balboa and La Playa streets walked the short distance northwest to the Cliff House, they came upon Mooneys eating house and bar, a large tent made of striped material erected atop a wooden platform two feet above the sand.

Mooneys lot was 60 feet wide and ran 280 feet to the low-water line. Behind the Hotel Del Mooney, as the press called it, was a coffee and doughnut stand run by Kearney and another flamboyant character, a poet, former sandlot orator and future preacher and homeless-shelter proprietor named Stephen Maybell. The Daily Alta California described Kearney and Maybells business as a mere shed of boards, hastily knocked together, and containing a second hand range, a coffee boiler, cups, saucers, pies, doughnuts and a counter of the standup and eat order.

The fact that Kearney, who just a few years earlier had been a populist political hero so formidable that an encyclopedia about California devoted an entire page to him, was now hustling coffee and doughnuts for a dime at the beach was one of the oddest of the many odd things about Mooneysville. It was as if Donald Trump, after departing the White House, found employment as one of those silver-painted, boom-box-accompanied human statues on Fishermans Wharf.

The Alta reporter could not refrain from referencing Kearneys rabble-rousing past, saying the Kearney stock of edibles looked about as hard as the adjectives he used to hurl at his enemies in the old days of the sand lot.

Those edibles may have been made more palatable by Kearney and Maybells coffee, which according to the Call newspaper was so heavily doctored that no one who drank more than one cup could stand. Whether that was true or not  and much of the reporting on Mooneysville consisted of obviously made-up quotes from Kearney or Mooney, like that devilish ocean is one of the most insinuating, treacherous monopolies in existence  many Mooneysville enterprises made most of their money by selling booze.

In addition to bars, coffee stands and restaurants, Mooneysville featured various amusements, including shooting galleries, a racist ball-toss game in which customers tried to hit black baby dolls to win a five-cent cigar, and tents featuring such curiosities as the only living wild man, from the South Seas, covered with hair, the celebrated tattooed lady and the educated pig.

Grifters offered skin games of the very worst sort, including a 19th century version of three-card monte in which the hustler collected $5 from marks who tried to choose which of three purses contained $20. Peanut and candy vendors also worked the sands. There was even a barber.

Observing this chaotic scene with disapproval was park commissioner, Southern Pacific crony and Argonaut editor Frank Pixley. Pixley caustically observed in his journal that the sound of Kearney and Mooney working as waves crashed at the beach was a more agreeable symphony than that of Irish adventurers throwing vile epithets at each other, to the delectation of a sweating and vile smelling mob of Irish on the sandlot of a Sunday.

He called for the authorities to close Mooneysville, saying it was attracting a bad element to Ocean Beach, which so far has been reserved for the use of decent people.

Initially, the city and the press treated Mooneysville as a harmless amusement. But as the weeks passed, the unlicensed sale of liquor soared and violence began to break out, the press began to clamor for the shantytown to be removed.

Mooneysvilles end would come after a campaign that the press dubbed Pixleys march to the sea. That glorious episode will be the subject of the next Portals.

Gary Kamiya is the author of the best-selling book Cool Gray City of Love: 49 Views of San Francisco, awarded the Northern California Book Award in creative nonfiction. All the material in Portals of the Past is original for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: metro@sfchronicle.com

Trivia time

The most recent trivia question: Who was the Blind Boss?

Answer: Unelected political boss Christopher Buckley, who wielded power from 1882 to 1891

This weeks trivia question: What was Portsmouth Square before 1847?

Editors note

Every corner in San Francisco has an astonishing story to tell. Gary Kamiyas Portals of the Past tells those lost stories, using a specific location to illuminate San Franciscos extraordinary history  from the days when giant mammoths wandered through what is now North Beach to the Gold Rush delirium, the dot-com madness and beyond. His column appears every other Saturday, alternating with Peter Hartlaubs OurSF.
Prakash Sharma, the Officer in Charge of the Gharmur Chowki Police Station, fainted after Assam BJP MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa threatened him inside the thana for arresting a close associate of his.

By Manogya Loiwal : A public representative managed to threaten a public servant with dire consequences for not obeying his orders, and guess what? The officer fainted.

Believe it or not but this actually happened in Assam where a Member of Parliament, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, threatened a police officer in charge of Gharmur Chowki Police Station.

Prakash Sharma, the Officer in Charge of the Gharmur Chowki Police Station, fainted after Tasa threatened him inside the thana for arresting a close associate of his.

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Police of the Gharmur Chowki Police Station in the Jorhat district of Assam had received a tip that Lonkon Nayak, a known criminal, was in possession of illegal arms and ammunition.

Cops raided his house and seized a fully loaded 6 cartridge pistol along with bombs.

Nayak was arrested from the location with the arms and was thereafter taken to the Gharmur Chowki Police Station, but the police vehicle was stopped on the way there by Ashwini Tasa, brother of the MP.

Ashwini Tasa halted the police vehicle saying that cops cannot arrest Nayak and that they were harassing an innocent person of the locality.

Despite repeated warnings by the police, Ashwini continued to protest against the arrest and police arrested him on grounds of obstructing them in their work.

Both Nayak and Ashwini were then taken to Gharmur Chowki Police Station where they were taken into preventive custody.

Within minutes the MP arrived at the police station with an entourage and proceeded to threaten and pressurise the OC present claiming that the charges against Nayak and his brother were baseless and both should be released immediately.

An intense intimidation game followed and the decibel of the fight went higher and higher till finally the Officer in Charge fainted.

An ambulance was called to the police station and the unconscious OC was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, while MP Tasa left the scene with both his brother Ashwini and the accused Nayak.

The question arises as to why a public servant was stopped by a BJP MP from doing his duty and from arresting a man possessing illegal arms and ammunition.

(With inputs from Manoj Dutta in Assam)

--- ENDS ---
Andy Wong/Associated Press

Go green: Gov. Jerry Browns green jaunt to China, where he met with President Xi Jinping, certainly grabbed the international spotlight, especially with the governors quips about how America is going AWOL under President Trump.

Behind the scenes, it was a sales trip as well, that included about 30 clean-energy leaders assembled by the business-friendly Bay Area Council.
Contra Costa Countys district attorney, who admitted months ago to improperly diverting $66,000 in campaign contributions for his personal use, is under criminal investigation by the state attorney general.

A spokesman for Attorney General Xavier Becerra said Friday that a search warrant had been served in connection with District Attorney Mark Peterson, who was elected to a second four-year term in 2014 as Contra Costa Countys top prosecutor.

Peterson, 58, confirmed to The Chronicle that he was under investigation.

I was contacted by the attorney generals office yesterday, and we are fully cooperating with the investigation, Peterson said Friday.

He declined to discuss the details around the case or the search warrant, and a spokesman for Becerras office declined to say what charges could be brought against the district attorney. Peterson said he has not been arrested or charged with any crime.

WATCH: "No confidence" in Contra Costa County DA (story continues below):

For months, Peterson has fought allegations of misconduct and misuse of campaign funds, even as he prepares to run for re-election.

Peterson, first elected district attorney in 2010, admitted in December to spending more than $66,000 from his political campaign fund on personal expenses  a violation of state law, for which he was fined $45,000 by the states Fair Political Practices Commission.

The commissions investigators found Peterson used campaign funds between 2011 and 2015 for meals, gas, clothes, movie tickets, hotels, phone bills, cash withdrawals and other personal expenses. He also transferred money from the political account to his personal bank account, according to a settlement between Peterson and the commission.

Although I have fully reimbursed the committee for all of the personal expenditures, I make no excuses, Peterson said in a statement to The Chronicle at the time. I am humbled and embarrassed by my mistakes, for which I take full responsibility, and I apologize for my regrettable errors.

Investigators totaled 600 personal expenditures that Peterson made from his political account. Peterson reimbursed the political account for about half of what he spent, but not all of it was paid back until he learned in October 2015 that state tax auditors would be launching a review. After he was notified of the audit, Peterson reimbursed the campaign fund for the rest of what he had spent, according to the commission investigation.

Last month, a Contra Costa County civil grand jury recommended that Peterson be removed from office in connection with the campaign fund spending. The president of the prosecutors union, Aron DeFerrari, said Friday that Petersons malfeasance cast a shadow over their work.

Every single day the prosecutors in this office work hard to protect the people of this county and get justice for victims of crime, DeFerrari said in a statement. As line prosecutors, our efforts to bring justice will never relent, but we are ready to close this chapter in our office history.

In addition to the criminal case, Peterson is the target of civil proceedings that could result in his removal from office. The grand jurys report prompted a hearing in Contra Costa County Superior Court set for Wednesday, at which a judge could appoint a special prosecutor to potentially seek Petersons removal.

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov
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The wife of the Oakland Ghost Ships master tenant, who is charged with manslaughter in the fire that killed 36 people in December, told reporters Friday that she and her husbands decision to live in the warehouse with their children shows the prosecution case is unfounded.

We would never have lived in a place that was unsafe, Micah Allison said at a news conference called by lawyers for her husband, Derick Almena.

Allison, Almena and their two children lived on the second floor of the converted Fruitvale District warehouse that Almena leased and ran as an artists collective, without a legal permit for residential use. They were not there on the night of the Dec. 2 fire  not because of fear, Allison said, but because a loud music event was scheduled there.

Flames broke out during the electronic music event, from a cause investigators said might never be determined. The building was powered by a tangle of electrical cords and had only one exit stairwell. All 36 victims died of smoke inhalation.

On Monday, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley charged Almena, 47, and the collectives creative director, Max Harris, 27, with 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter.

Prosecutors said Almena stored enormous amounts of flammable material inside the warehouse and was aware of the dangerous conditions he had created. They said Harris had encouraged attendance at the music event and had blocked a second stairwell in the building.

The two are being held on $1.08 million bail each.

Almenas lawyers have accused prosecutors of scapegoating their client, and pressed the point Friday.

The charges were filed in order to shield the true culprits, said veteran defense attorney J. Tony Serra. We will defend by pointing the finger at the real culprits.

According to Serra and fellow defense lawyer Jeffrey Krasnoff, those most responsible are:

Pacific Gas and Electric Co., which had wires and a meter in the building. Krasnoff said the wires were too small to handle the voltage, and the meter was of a type that had a tendency to overheat.

Building inspectors from the city of Oakland, who had visited the warehouse numerous times and allowed it to stay open.

A tenant in a neighboring unit, who installed a transformer without a permit.

And the Oakland Fire Department. Instead of hoisting a ladder to the second floor windows as an escape route, Krasnoff said, firefighters went to the roof and poked holes, allowing more smoke into the building and increasing the casualties.

Although the warehouse had only one available staircase, Krasnoff said, it was not a rickety staircase assembled from pallets, as Almenas accusers have alleged, but prefabricated and installed with a wooden pallet at the bottom for a landing.

There were ample ways to get out of that warehouse, Krasnoff asserted.

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.

Serra said the case belonged in civil court  where Almena, PG&E and others have been sued for damages  and not in criminal court, where Almena and Harris are the only defendants.

Civil damages can be awarded for negligence  carelessness that caused harm  and can be apportioned by a jury according to a defendants share of responsibility. Criminal negligence, which must be proven for involuntary manslaughter, requires a higher level of fault, such as being aware that one is creating a danger and doing nothing to avoid it.

They will never prove it, Serra said. Just because theres a death doesnt mean there has to be a head on the stake.

He also contended OMalley, the district attorney, is politically ambitious, wants to be attorney general, and is using the case to promote her career.

OMalleys office did not respond directly. We do not try our cases in the media, spokeswoman Teresa Drenick said in a statement.

But she added that the charges followed a lengthy and detailed investigation, and that the office files a criminal case only when there is proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
Two months ago, British Prime Minister Theresa May called for a snap election. It should have been a slam dunk for May, whose Conservative Party was 20 points ahead in the opinion polls, and who needed a stronger hand to push through the difficult realities of Brexit, the United Kingdoms withdrawal from the European Union, which passed by a razor-thin voter margin last year.

But theres no such thing as an easy political victory in these chaotic times.

In a dramatic turn of events, Mays written-off rival, the Labor Party, had its greatest surge in vote share since the end of World War II. Labors leader, Jeremy Corbyn, widely dismissed by the majority of British political experts, ran a smart, effective campaign, turning out younger and poorer voters to win 40 percent of the total votes.

Meanwhile, Mays Conservative Party actually lost seats. Now its parliamentary majority  and her leadership  are at risk, just a few days before the United Kingdom sits down for its Brexit negotiations with the European Council.

The next several weeks will be chaotic. May has indicated that she will form a minority coalition government with the backing of a right-wing party from Northern Ireland, which will enable her to remain as prime minister. But her leadership has been hobbled, and her negotiating power is now much weaker.

Its hard to see how she can successfully persuade the British public to swallow the difficult changes necessary for a hard exit from the European Union, for example. The majority of analysts say a hard exit will cost Britain dearly, both in terms of its trade balance and its role on the world stage.

Pursuing hard-line social and economic policies may backfire for May at home, too.

British voters just sent a strong signal that they are increasingly weary of xenophobic rhetoric and public policies based on the principle of economic austerity. They will be even more furious when the Brexit-related economic contractions begin.

Its hard to draw an exact comparison for the American political class, but one lesson seems to be especially germane: When the voters are hungry for change, the candidate with the strongest message can shift their direction quickly.
Say youre Vladimir Putin, and you did a deal with Donald Trump last year.

Im not suggesting there was any such deal, mind you. But if you are Putin and you did do a deal, what might Trump have agreed to do for you?

Heres a hypothetical list:

1 Repudiate NATO.

NATO is the biggest thorn in your side  the alliance that both humiliates you and stymies your ambitions in the Baltics and elsewhere. Trump almost delivered on this during his recent European trip by pointedly not reaffirming Article 5 of the NATO pact, which states that an attack on one ally is an attack on all.

2 Antagonize Europe, especially Angela Merkel.

Merkel is the strongest leader in the West other than Trump, and youd love to drive a wedge between the U.S. and Germany. Your larger goal is for Europe to no longer depend on the United States, so you can increase your influence in Europe. Trump has almost delivered one on this, too. Merkel is already saying Europe can no longer depend on America.

DON EMMERT /AFP /Getty Images

3 Take the United States out of the Paris accord on the environment.

This will anger Americas other allies around the world and produce a wave of anti-Americanism  all to your advantage. Nothing would satisfy you more than isolating the United States. Trump has just delivered on this.

4 Then unravel the accord.

Youd love for the whole Paris accord to unravel because you want the world to remain dependent on fossil fuels. Russia is the worlds second-largest exporter of oil after Saudi Arabia, and the biggest exporter of natural gas. The oil-and-gas industry contributes about half the revenues to your domestic budget. Trump has promised to help.

5 Embark on a new era of protectionism.

Or at least spew antitrade rhetoric. This will threaten the Wests economic interdependence and loosen Americas economic grip on the rest of the world. Trump is on the way to delivering on this one.

6 End the economic sanctions on Russia imposed by the United States in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea and Russias backing of separatists in eastern Ukraine.

The sanctions are costly. Oil production on land is falling, so you want to tap the vast petroleum and gas reserves offshore in the Arctic. In 2011, you and ExxonMobils Rex Tillerson signed a $500 billion deal to do this. But the sanctions stopped it cold. Tillerson, now U.S. secretary of state, and ExxonMobil lobbied against the sanctions. Trump has promised to lift them so that you can get on with oil and gas extraction in the Russian Arctic.

Trump hasnt delivered on this yet, but you understand why. He has to cope with all the suspicions in America about a possible deal with you. (Why cant he stop all those leaks? Why doesnt he have better control over U.S. intelligence?) Once it dies down, hell end the sanctions.

In the meantime, hell hand back to you the two diplomatic compounds in America that were taken by the U.S. government in late December as punishment for your interference in the 2016 presidential election.

So that would be Trumps side of the deal, if there was a deal.

And what would you have agreed to do for Trump in return, Vlad?

First, youd help him win the presidency. Your operatives would hack into Democratic Party servers and leak the results. And your Internet trolls would create bots capable of sending millions of fake news stories about Hillary Clinton to targeted voters.

Second, after he was elected, youd shut up about your help so Trump wouldnt be impeached and convicted of treason.

In other words, if you did a deal (and, again, Im not suggesting you did), you both still have every incentive to keep the deal going. Trump has delivered on part, but you need him to deliver the rest.

And youve delivered in part, but Trump needs you to deliver on the rest or his presidency will be destroyed.

This way, each of you maintains pressure on the other. Its the art of the deal.

 2017 By Robert Reich

Robert Reich, a former U.S. secretary of Labor, is professor of public policy at UC Berkeley. He blogs daily at www.facebook.com/RBReich/ To comment, submit your letter to the editor at http://bit.ly/SFChronicleletters.
By Press Trust of India: agitation

Darjeeling/Kolkata, Jun 9 (PTI) The Army was out on streets in Darjeeling and two other hill towns in West Bengal which observed a shut-down today amid a renewed call by the influential Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) for revival of Gorkhaland agitation.

The GJM, which rules the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), had called a 12-hour bandh against the Mamata Banerjee governments decision to introduce Bengali language in schools even in the hills, a day after Darjeeling, the verdant north Bengal town known the world over for its tea industry, witnessed large-scale violence.

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Banerjee, who held a meeting of her cabinet in Darjeeling yesterday, and stayed back to take stock of the situation in view of the bandh, called it "illegal" and warned of "stern" action against those who engaged in violence and vandalism.

GJM chief Bimal Gurung while declaring that the agitation would be taken forward in a "democratic way", challenged Banerjee to stop it, asserting "his writ runs in the hills". He also proclaimed himself as the "chief minister of the hills".

Six Army columns conducted flag marches in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong, a defence spokesperson said, adding the situation was under control.

Darjeeling town, brimming over with tourists, had witnessed violence yesterday when GJM supporters clashed with the police and burnt government vehicles.

Banerjee asked tourists not to panic and said government buses would ferry them out of the town to Siliguri on the plains. The state government has also arranged buses to take the tourists from Siliguri to Kolkata, she said.

The chief minister said a three-member team of senior IPS officers has been constituted to look after the law and order situation in Darjeeling.

Though shops and business establishments remained closed, Banerjee claimed government offices recorded 98 to 100 per cent attendence in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Mirik.

Gurung, whose GJM has been ruling the GTA since 2011, said the agitation would continue until the time Gorkhaland was created.

The GJM leader said he will directly talk to the Centre over the deployment of Army and "police atrocities" on innocent people.

"I will talk to the Centre, we are an ally of NDA. We will give them all the details of police atrocities on the innocent people of the hills," he said.

Gurung also accused the West Bengal government of hatching a conspiracy by announcing a "special audit" of funds allotted to the GTA.

He also questioned the "arbitrary" removal of GTA secretary Ravi Inder Singh last night by the state government.

"The state government is trying to undermine the authority of GTA. They are violating the GTA pact. Who gave the state government the right to arbitrarily remove the principal secretary of GTA without informing us?" he wanted to know.

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"We are open to any kind of audit. The state government is plotting to malign us in the name of special audit. That is why they had removed the principal secretary of GTA," Gurung told PTI.

Banerjee, who visited some areas and interacted with people during the bandh, warned the GJM against crossing the "Lakshman rekha".

"There is a limit to everything. Strong action will be taken if they cross the limit," she warned.

"The police will do its work and law will take its own course. Nobody is above law. Government is very tough. They will take action against those who are doing this vandalism," she said when asked about the kind of action the government was contemplating against the GJM chief.

Last night, an FIR was filed under non-bailable sections at the Darjeeling Sadar police station against Gurung and GJM general secretary Roshan Giri.

Maintaining that introduction of Bengali language in schools was not the issue, Banerjee said, Gurung-led Gorkhaland Territorial Administration had failed to carry out development work in the hills, and when its term was scheduled to be over next month, it has started "torturing the public".

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"The previous Left Front government and the Centre had shown them (GJM) indulgence," she said. She admitted her own government also "compromised" with them for some time.

Urging people in the hills not to support Gurung, she said GJM was scaring away tourists from the hills which would adversely affect people who were dependent on tourism for their living.

The chief minister, who visited the injured police personnel in the hospital, said the state government would give compensation to their families and bear their medical expenses.

She said a policeman, who received injuries in his eyes during yesterdays violence, will be airlifted to Kolkata for further treatment. If necessary, he would be taken abroad, she said.

When asked about deployment of Army in Darjeeling, Governor K N Tripathi said in Kolkata, "I am yet to receive any official communication."

Darjeeling hills had seen a violent movement for a separate Gorkhaland in the mid 1980s under Subhash Ghisingh. The movement ended with the establishment of a semi-autonomous administrative body in 1988 called Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, which was headed by Ghisingh.

As Ghisinghs influence waned over time, the GJM launched another movement for a separate state of Gorkhaland. In 2011, the GJM signed an agreement with the state and central governments and another semi-autonomous administrative unit GTA was born replacing the DGHC. PTI PTI SCH AMR PNT SUN MD SRY SK SK

--- ENDS ---

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The narrator begins as if to put it all on the table, as if to assure you of his straightforwardness: My name is Howard W. Campbell Jr. I am an American by birth, a Nazi by reputation and a nationless person by inclination.

Ultimately, though, this protagonist remains unknowable, which is written into Kurt Vonneguts 1961 novel Mother Night but more frustrating in Brian Katzs world premiere adaptation of the book, seen Thursday, June 8, at Custom Made Theatre.

Howard (Chris Morrell) catalogs the every move that led him from playwright to Nazi to spy to prisoner, omitting not even his erotic games with his wife, Helga (Megan Briggs). If hes long on what, though, hes short on why, offering only his hamminess as explanation for both why he wrote and broadcast Nazi propaganda and why he then betrayed his patrons. Working as an American spy offered him another chance to play a role, he says, but a craving for the spotlight doesnt count for much as a theatrical characters inner life.

A mysterious Howard works in prose for Vonnegut, much as understatement does for Camus in The Stranger. You the imaginative reader can endlessly speculate about, project onto an enigma who perpetrates evil less as a result of inborn malice than of a psychic shrug, a total surrender of individuality and will to circumstance. Its the very lack of explanation that makes it easier, and more terrifying, for you to see yourself in the protagonist.

Theater inherently leaves less to the imagination, though. It has so many more tools than do words on a page. In making flesh of the riddle that is Howard, the show saps him of his power, especially since Katzs script reproduces so much of Vonneguts notoriously omniscient and declamatory narration, rather than translating it into a language native to the stage.

Morrell makes Howard inviting, a Mr. Rogers-like storyteller youre eager to lean in toward, especially early in the play, when a parade of lines beginning with I am or I feel might otherwise grate and distance. Soon, though, Morrells natural winsomeness clashes with his character. You keep expecting a hero to emerge from someone who is so emphatically not one  someone who keeps proclaiming, I am an artist. But the script never gives Howard the chance to show he cares about his work. Its much more generous with the quirky side characters of Howards observations  a eugenicist dentist (Catz Forsman); another spy, one whos also a Renaissance man (Dave Sikula)  but these finely wrought impressions are incidental flights of fancy.

Maxx Kurzunskis lighting is among the shows most effective devices. So often in contemporary theater the overriding mandate from director to designer seems to be, Just let me see everything. Refreshingly, Katz, who also directs, keeps the show shrouded in darkness, so that even on a tiny stage, Kurzunski can create myriad hermetically sealed little worlds, each in isolated cones of peach, blue and red light. In this twilit universe, its easy to see how Howard could remain so cut off from the consequences of his actions.

Any contemporary show that broaches Naziism inevitably thrusts itself into our own political moment of demagoguery, bigotry and invective, but Mother Night doesnt add anything to that conversation you havent already heard in fatuous exchanges on social media. History repeats itself, this production tells us, but didnt we already know that? What next?

Lily Janiak is The San Francisco Chronicles theater critic. Email: ljaniak@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LilyJaniak

Mother Night: Written and directed by Brian Katz. Adapted from Kurt Vonnegut. Through June 24. $20-$42. Custom Made Theatre, 533 Sutter St., S.F. Two hours, 25 minutes. (415) 798-2682. www.custommade.org
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Alice Hoagland clutched an American flag and screamed, No Shariah in the USA. She was joined by a few dozen other protesters in an anti-Shariah rally Saturday at Stevens Creek Boulevard and Winchester Avenue in Santa Clara  one of a number of rallies nationwide.

Hoaglands calls were quickly drowned out by chants of No justice, no fear, immigrants are welcome here, from across the street at Stevens Creek and Santana Row in San Jose, where a Unity rally had been organized in protest of the anti-Shariah rally.

ACT for America, which organized the anti-Shariah rallies, is a nonprofit that bills itself as the (National Rifle Association) of national security. The group argues that Shariah, the Islamic law code, is incompatible with Western democracy and the freedoms it affords. The organization is designated as the nations largest grassroots anti-Muslim group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Hoagland, 67, said she doesnt hate all Muslims, but that the flood of Islam into the U.S. is something to be feared.

All I need to know about Islam, I learned on 9/11, the Los Gatos resident said. I lost my son on 9/11. How broad-minded am I expected to be?

Hoaglands son, Mark Bingham, was aboard United Airlines Flight 93 when it crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pa., after a group of passengers attempted to retake the plane from hijackers.

Hoagland said her son had plenty of Muslim friends and that she didnt know if her son would approve of her presence at the anti-Shariah rally, but Im standing here.

Standing nearby, Jack Smith, 20, waved a Trump, Make America Great Again sign. He was surrounded by people in red Make America Great Again hats and Pro-Life T-shirts.

The San Jose resident said he didnt care if Muslims moved to the United States as long as they were properly vetted and would conform to an American society.

However, he had issues with the number of people he said were advocating for Shariah law, though he didnt list any examples. And that wasnt his only concern.

Can you name one Christian country thats throwing gays off rooftops? he said. Do you support womens rights and gays rights?

A Muslim man and several women in hijab came over with a box of store-bought cookies, offering it to the anti-Shariah protesters.

Most of the rally participants didnt take them up on the offer.

They were met with signs that read, Sharia (sic) Law Mutilates Little Girls and Women Are Bought and Sold As Slaves.

Across the street, a large contingency from the Unity rally held signs that read Everyone is created equal in the image of God and We all belong here. We will defend each other.

They outnumbered the group of anti-Shariah law protesters and took up the entire sidewalk that led up to the entrance of Santana Row, a sprawling upscale shopping center in San Jose.

The Unity rally was organized by a Presbyterian minister and was co-sponsored by more than 100 other civil rights and interfaith groups including the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Meet a Muslim and Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice.

The different groups kept to their sides, with a few stragglers from the anti-Shariah law side coming over and waving a Sharia Law Opposes the Constitution sign before hurrying back to their side. The rallies were both peaceful, police said.

Amani Hamed, a 28-year-old San Jose resident, stood amid the crowd at the Unity rally with her black hijab secured around her face. She was standing with other Muslims, who had come out with their children, and by people of other faiths and backgrounds.

What the anti-Shariah law protesters didnt understand about Islam, she said, was that Muslims arent allowed to govern other people by our religion and that Muslims believe in the power of separation of church and state.

We only govern ourselves, Hamed said.

She came to the counter-rally not just to support Muslims, but also to stand in solidarity with anyone feeling targeted by President Trumps administration and his supporters, Hamed said.

A report released by the council on relations in May found a 57 percent increase in anti-Muslim incidents in 2016 compared with 2015. In addition, the council reported that there was a 44 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes during the same period.

If we dont stand together, we fall apart, Hamed said.

The protesters were outnumbered in cities across the nation.

Hundreds marched through downtown Seattle, banging drums, cymbals and cowbells behind a large sign saying Seattle stands with our Muslim neighbors. Participants chanted No hate, no fear, Muslims are welcome here on their way to City Hall, while a phalanx of bicycle police officers separated them from an anti-Shariah rally numbering in the dozens.

In front of the Trump building in downtown Chicago, about 30 people demonstrated against Islamic law, shouting slogans and holding signs that read Ban Sharia and Sharia abuses women. About twice as many counterprotesters marshaled across the street.

A similar scene played out in a park near a New York courthouse, where counterprotesters sounded air-horns and banged pots and pans in an effort to silence an anti-Shariah rally.

The theme of today is drowning out racism, said counterprotester Tony Murphy.

The Associated Press contributed

to this report.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
Sierra Club recruitment: The Sierra Club is seeking volunteers to recruit new members and educate people on environmental issues at Sunday Streets, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Golden Gate Park. The Sierra Club booth will be on John F. Kennedy Drive, near Spreckels Lake at 36th Avenue. For information, contact Katherine Howard at sfoceanedge@earthlink.net.

Equality march: Marchers to mobilize and call for the protection of rights for LGBTQ people and those targeted due to immigration status, ethnicity, religion, skin color, gender and disability. The event begins at 11 a.m. at San Jose City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara St. A rally will begin at 1 p.m. at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park, 1 Paseo De San Antonio in San Jose. For information: http://equalitymarchsj.domoreproject.org.

Monday

Refugees: Oxfam America and Microsoft will host an interactive event exploring the Syrian refugee crisis. The free event is from 5 to 7 p.m. at Microsoft Conference Center 1065 La Avenida St., Building 1 in Mountain View. For information: www.refugeeroad.info.

Saturday

Nuclear weapons march: Womens March to Ban the Bomb, in support of U.N. negotiations on a treaty to ban nuclear weapons. Demonstrators will meet at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of El Camino Real and Embarcadero Road in Palo Alto. For information: wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com. In San Francisco, marchers are planning to meet at noon at U.N. Plaza. For information: bln.sf.ca@gmail.com.

Anti-Trump discussion: Hosted by the Freedom Socialist Party, a conversation on countering racism and fascism. The event begins at 2 p.m. A $3 to $5 donation is requested at the door. The event is at New Valencia Hall, 747 Polk St. in San Francisco. For information: (415) 864-1278 or www.socialism.com.

Nuclear weapons film: A screening and discussion of The Nuclear Requiem, on the challenges of controlling nuclear weapons. The free, two-hour event starts at 3:30 p.m. at the Los Altos Public Librarys Orchard Room, 13 South San Antonio Road. For information: wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com.

June 21

Electoral system presentation: Californians for Electoral Reform and FairVote California will present an overview of local election systems and discuss possible reforms. The free event is from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Richmond Progressive Alliance, 2540 Macdonald Ave. in Richmond. For information: (510) 412-2260.

June 22

Coal film: A free screening of From the Ashes, a National Geographic documentary about coal, followed by a discussion on the environment and climate. The film begins at 7 p.m. at La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley. For information: www.nocoalinoakland.info.
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Police shot and injured a man in a car that struck a home in Brentwood, officials said Saturday.

A police officer was near the 500 block of Birchwood Road when the incident took place around 10 p.m. Friday, according to Lt. Tim Herbert, a spokesman for the Brentwood Police Department.

More for you 2 Officers Injured During Rollover Collision On Great Highway

The shooting occurred after the vehicle went across the lawn of a residence and hit the home, Herbert said.

One man in the car was shot at least once and another was injured in the collision. Both are expected to survive and are currently at a hospital, Herbert said.

No further information was provided.

The Brentwood Police Department and the Contra Costa County District Attorneys Office are investigating the incident.

Hamed Aleaziz is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: haleaziz@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @haleaziz
Miscreants attacked a puja mandap and vandalised idols on Friday night at Ganeshpur village under Mahadevpur upazila in Naogaon district.

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: Miscreants attacked a puja mandap and vandalised idols on Friday night at Ganeshpur village under Mahadevpur upazila in Naogaon district.

Police could not arrest anyone involved in the incident.

Locals said that a dispute was going on for the last one week between the residents of Ganeshpur and adjacent Jalalpur village over taking photos of a girl. And over this issue, a group of people from Jalalpur village attacked the puja mandap. At the time of the attack, the priest was performing Jhasti Puja. The attackers removed the priest and demolished the mask called Dhak and Chamunda.

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Bhimpur Union Parishad Chairman Ram Prasad Bhadra said that a group of miscreants is doing such work to destroy the peace and harmony of the area.

District Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mozammel Haque said, "The police officers have visited the site after receiving the news. There will be no compromise in terms of the safety and security. A case has been filed and the police are working to take legal action against those involved in the vandalizing."

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Ready to be at the beach holding an umbrella drink in your hand?

Airline deal site Scott's Cheap Flights sent out an email Friday morning alerting its subscribers of round-trip flights from the West Coast to Hawaii "in the $300s."

The site displayed a round-trip fare between Portland and Honolulu in November for $343 on United Airlines found on Google Flights.

SFGATE reached out to the founder of the site, Scott Keyes, and he said the flights from the Bay Area aren't quite as cheap as those from the Northwest but he helped us find an Oakland to Maui round-trip on Alaska and Hawaiian for $397 in late August. Keyes said there are lots of deals to be discovered for Oakland-Maui flights in late August, September and October.

"I'd typically expect a fare like that to be in the $550 to $650 range right now," Keyes said.

RELATED GALLERY: Secret tips and tricks for enjoying Hawaii

He said round-trip flights this fall and winter (except during Thanksgiving and Christmas) between Oakland and Honolulu can be found for as low as $450 right now, and he'd also expect those fares to be about $550.

Keyes likes to use Google Flights to search for deals because the search function is easy to navigate with a calendar feature showing the lowest fare for each day. Once he identifies a flight, he types it into the airline deal site Momondo, and often finds a price on the same itinerary that's cheaper.
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SAN DIEGO  A Mexican woman was released from custody Friday while the U.S. government seeks to deport her after a judge rejected arguments she should wear a monitoring device because she was arrested twice while demonstrating in support of people in the country illegally.

Claudia Rueda, 22, plans to apply for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a program started in 2012 under President Barack Obama that shields immigrants who came to the U.S. as young children from being deported. Her case has drawn attention because she has no criminal record and is an immigration activist.

The immigration judge, Annie Garcy, said holding Rueda without bond was unduly severe and allowed her to be released on her own recognizance. She noted Ruedas academic and other achievements and was incredulous when a government attorney asked that Rueda be required to wear a monitoring device.

Wow, an ankle bracelet? Really? said Garcy, who is on temporary assignment from Newark, N.J., under an administration effort to give higher priority to cases along the U.S. border with Mexico.

The government attorney, Matthew Hanson, responded that Rueda was arrested twice, once for trespassing and once for disorderly conduct.

Her attorney, Monika Langarica, said those arrests occurred during peaceful demonstrations to support people in the country illegally. She was charged in only one case and it was dismissed.

Rueda, a student at Cal State Los Angeles, was arrested on immigration charges May 18 outside a relatives Los Angeles home in connection with what the U.S. Border Patrol said was a drug smuggling investigation.

Her mother, Teresa Vidal-Jaime, was arrested on immigration violations in April in connection with the same investigation and later released from custody. Neither Rueda nor her mother was arrested on drug charges.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it would comply with the order to release Rueda.

Langarica submitted legal arguments in support of Rueda that included letters from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and U.S. Rep. Karen Bass, a Los Angeles Democrat.

During President Trumps first 100 days in office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it arrested more than 41,000 people on immigration charges, an increase of nearly 40 percent from the same period a year earlier. Nearly 75 percent had criminal convictions.

Elliot Spagat is an Associated Press writer.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A man accused in a bar shooting in suburban Kansas City that left one Indian national dead and another wounded has been indicted by a federal grand jury on hate crime charges, the U.S. Justice Department said.

The indictment against Adam Purinton, 52, of Olathe, Kan., comes after the Feb. 22 shooting at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe. Witnesses have said Purinton, who is white, yelled get out of my country at two 32-year-olds from India, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, before he began shooting. Kuchibhotla died and Madasani was injured. A third man, Ian Grillot, was wounded when he tried to intervene.

The shooting raised fears of more attacks on immigrants following President Trumps election and his call for a ban on immigrants from some countries. Officials in India also expressed concern about their citizens safety in the U.S., where many work in technology and other industries.

Kuchibhotla and Madasani had come to the U.S. from India to study and worked as engineers at GPS maker Garmin.

An affidavit released in March said Madasani told detectives that the gunman asked if their status was legal before he opened fire.

The indictment announced Friday alleges Purinton shot the two Indian men because of their actual and perceived race, color, religion and national origin. The indictment also alleges Purinton committed the crimes after premeditation and planning, attempted to kill more than one person and created a grave risk of death to others at the scene. The indictment also accuses Purinton of violating federal firearms laws.

After the shooting, Purinton drove 70 miles east to an Applebees restaurant in Clinton, Mo., where he allegedly admitted the shootings to a bartender, who called police.

The Justice Department said in a news release Friday that it would determine later whether Purinton should face the death penalty.

Purinton was a Navy veteran who was a regular customer at Austins.

Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland said in a statement that the hate crime charge was appropriate.

The intent of this one act was to spread hate. It failed miserably, Copeland said. It has spread love, and it has brought this community even closer together.

Margaret Stafford is an Associated Press writer.
Samuel DuBois Cook, a lifelong educator who was widely saluted as the first tenure-track black professor appointed by a predominantly white university in the South since Reconstruction, died on May 29 at his home in Atlanta. A boyhood friend of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., he was 88.

His death was announced by the university, Duke, where he taught political science from 1966 to 1974 before serving 22 years as president of Dillard University, a historically black institution in New Orleans. No cause of death was given.

If there were any doubts about how the first full-time black professor would fare at a Southern university whose student body had only just been integrated, they were quickly dispelled. By Mr. Cooks second year of teaching at Duke, in Durham, N.C., his students presented him with their outstanding professor award.

In 1973, he also became the first black president of the Southern Political Science Association. President Jimmy Carter later named him to the National Council on the Humanities.

A political scientist by training, Mr. Cook was a staunch defender of all-black colleges and a crusader for interracial harmony, especially between blacks and Jews.

At Dillard, he established a National Center for Black-Jewish Relations. He also increased student enrollment by 50 percent and started a Japanese-language curriculum.

Mr. Cook was born on Nov. 21, 1928, in Griffin, Ga., a city in metropolitan Atlanta. (His middle name was a tribute to Charles DuBois Hubert, a former president of the historically black Morehouse College in Atlanta.) His father, the Rev. Marcus Emanuel Cook, was a Baptist minister. His mother was the former Mary Beatrice Daniel.

The summer after high school, Samuel Cook and his friend King were sent by their fathers, both preachers, to work in Connecticuts tobacco fields to earn money for college. That fall, as precocious 15-year-old freshmen, they entered Morehouse under an early-admissions program aimed at filling classrooms emptied by students drafted for World War II.

Mr. Cook married the former Sylvia Fields, who survives him along with their children, Samuel Jr. and Karen J. Cook, and two grandchildren.

In 1948, he graduated with a bachelors degree in history from Morehouse, where he was student body president and founded the campus chapter of the NAACP.

He earned a masters (in political science) and a doctorate from Ohio State University. Mr. Cook taught at Southern University, in Baton Rouge, La.; Atlanta University; the University of Illinois; and UCLA, before Duke hired him as an assistant professor of political science. His legacy there includes the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity.

He and King remained in touch over the years. During the Montgomery, Ala., bus boycott in 1956, he struck a hopeful note in a letter that began Dear M.L.

My mind, heart and spirit go out to you and to all the others for heroic efforts in behalf of human dignity and freedom, the letter said. Freedom is not a gift but an achievement. Historically and morally speaking, it is the fruit of struggles, tragic failures, tears, sacrifices, and sorrow. Likewise, social changes, if more than accidental occurrences, if constitutive of moral goodness, are products of imaginative constructions and presuppose the will to make the is conform to the ought.

After quoting philosopher Morris R. Cohens The Meaning of Human History (1947), Mr. Cook continued:

The tragic lesson of American Negro history is not so much rooted in the activity of evil spirits but the inactivity of men of good will  in their willingness to yield instead of fulfill. Your activity and that of others similarly located reveal a radical departure, a new orientation.

About a decade later, Mr. Cook replied more colloquially when asked by black students how to succeed.

Have a vision, he replied, a dream of success, and work like hell.

Sam Roberts is a New York Times writer.
Security has been tightened outside the Kerala House in Delhi amid reports of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers planning to hold a beef party there.

By Arvind Ojha: Security has been tightened outside the Kerala House in Delhi amid reports of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers planning to hold a beef party there in the evening today.

There is a heavy deployment of police officers outside the Kerala House on Jantar Mantar road. All roads leading up to the Kerala House have been sealed.

Delhi Police said that they got information from Kerala House officials about the issue and security was stepped up as a precautionary measure.

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Deputy Commissioner of Police of Delhi Brij Kishore said, "Policemen, including Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and DCP-level officials, have been deployed at the Kerala House.We were alerted by the Kerala House officials about an unverified information they received that some people belonging to a political party were planning to celebrate beef festival there at 6.30 pm. So we have deployed police force to handle them. We will stop anyone who holds a beef party here."

Kerala House Resident Commissioner Vishwas Mehta had written a letter to the Delhi Police earlier in the day informing about the same.

NCP MP TERMS BEEF PARTY REPORT 'BASELESS'

Meanwhile, DP Tripathi, MP of the Nationalist Congress Party, termed the report "baseless".

Last week, a "cow vigilante" group, claiming to belong to the Bharatiya Gauraksha Kranti, had allegedly barged into Kerala House to protest against the beef festivals recently held in the southern state.

Mehta had sought more security for Kerala House to protect it from "groups with vested interests", who could create trouble over the ongoing beef controversy.

Two years ago, Kerala House was embroiled in a similar controversy after the Delhi Police raided its canteen on receiving a complaint that it served beef.

However, the Kerala government and the canteen authorities had denied the charge, saying it was buffalo meat.

(WITH INPUTS FROM PTI)

Also read | Beef fry breakfast effect? Kerala's sole BJP MLA says Modi govt ready to revise cattle slaughter order

Also read | Kerala: Beef fry for breakfast before MLAs debate new cattle slaughter rules

WATCH VIDEO

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Northern Arizona University will be getting a new recital hall and adding to its masters degree program in 2018.

The Arizona Board of Regents approved NAU spending $15 million to build a new 26,863 square-foot recital hall alongside Ardrey Memorial Auditorium and the Performing and Fine Arts building. The new building includes a 250-seat recital hall, a choral rehearsal room, an instrument rehearsal room, a choral library, an instrument library and a lobby.

According to information give to ABOR, NAU has been working on plans for the new building and renovations to the College of Arts and Letters since March 2016, plans for the project were finished in November 2016. NAU hopes to start construction soon and plans to have the building finished by October 2018.

The university plans to pay for the project with $9.25 million in bonds and $5.75 million in gifts/donations. NAU has already collected $2.1 million in gifts for the project. The university estimates the cost to operate the building at $80,000 per year.

Regent Lyndel Manson asked how the university planned to generate the $3.5 million in gifts it needed to complete the project.

NAU President Rita Cheng said the university was planning to start a second fundraising campaign on July 1 and had already sent out several proposals to donors.

Im confident we can reach the amount we need, Cheng said.

ABOR also approved a new Masters of Social Work degree program for NAU. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics information provide to ABOR by NAU, employment of healthcare, mental health and substance abuse social workers is projected to grown by 19 percent from 2014 to 2014. The university expects to start teaching the first students in the program in the fall of 2018.

The university also asked permission for a land transfer between NAU and the city of Flagstaff. According to information provided to ABOR, the city of Flagstaff would transfer a total of 61,162 square feet from four parcels that are currently located within NAUs property to the university. And NAU would transfer 64,033 square feet of land along Lone Tree Road to the city.

The first of the four city owned parcels is located under the Drury Inn and is about 4,874 square feet. The second strip of land is around 4,195 square feet and is located under the High Country Conference Center. The third and largest piece of land is 34,046 square feet and is under Mountain View Residence Hall. The last parcel is an 18,047 square foot section of Humphreys Street south of Butler Avenue.

NAU will transfer the right of way on the 64,033 square-foot section off of Lone Tree Road to the city. The parcel will probably be used if the construction of an interchange at Lone Tree Road and Interstate-40 is ever built.
Azad, the founder of Bheem Sena - a newly formed organisation that fights for Dalit rights - loves to play with symbolism. If BR Ambedkar epitomised blue suit, Azad has worn the blue scarf all along.

Azad is allegedly one of the main instigators of the recent caste riots in Saharanpur.

By Anindya Banerjee: His name is Chandrashekhar Azad. And he considers himself a revolutionary too. So much so that he proudly refers to himself as the 'Raavan of Saharanpur'.

Today, he stands arrested under various sections of IPC, including 147, 148 and 325, on charges of inciting caste riots in UP's Saharanpur.

On Friday, he was sent to judicial custody for 14 days.

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Azad, the founder of Bheem Sena - a newly formed organisation that fights for Dalit rights - loves to play with symbolism. If BR Ambedkar epitomised blue suit, Azad has worn the blue scarf all along. In his many interviews, Azad has reiterated his struggle as a Dalit. By his own admission, his father, despite being a senior schoolteacher, was repeatedly called 'Chamar' by students.

AZAD AND IMRAN MASOOD COME TOGETHER

After the grand debacle in the UP assembly elections, the Congress state vice-president and a well-known Muslim face of the party hailing from Saharanpur, Imran Masood has been trying to reinvent political opportunities for the party in the state. Saharanpur district has a 30 per cent Dalit population, which by and large voted for the BJP this time. But cashing on reported disenchantment with upper caste influence and the police machinery allegedly refusing to intervene in cases of harassment, Masood and Azad came together with a prospect of Muslim-Dalit bonhomie.

A local reporter in Saharanpur, Anil Bhardwaj told Mail Today, "For quite some time, there has been a buzz of political support to Chandrashekhar. Now with Masood openly supporting him, threatening protests if he is tortured inside jail, and addressing the media along with his family, the association is out in the open."

AZAD ON THE RUN

Sources say he initially fled to Uttarakhand and then to Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. His first stop was Haridwar. If sources are to be believed, he first took shelter at a girl friend's house in Haridwar. He stayed there for barely a couple of days before fleeing to Dehradun, where he stayed in a hotel.

Every time he called any one, he used a new mobile phone and SIM card. But the UP Police Crime Branch was already alerted.

Saharanpur DIG Sunil Emmanual dispatched teams comprising more than 30 cops to different locations in Roorkie, Dehradun and Rudrapur. Azad received a tip-off and left for Punjab.

In Punjab, he stopped making calls or SMSes. An advocate by profession, he was aware of electronic surveillance. So he minimised contacts with his family and whatever contact had to be maintained, he used WhatsApp for they cannot be tracked as of now by agencies.

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He first went to Kapurthala from where he headed to Hoshiarpur. One STF team comprising six cops and another UP Police team comprising another six cops reached different parts of Punjab on a nonspecific input. But then came the breakthrough.

THE BREAKTHROUGH

The car description in which Azad left Hoshiarpur for Dalhousie was known to the STF team chasing him. Another valuable input that came along was that he was travelling with one male and one female passenger.

The hotel was tracked down. "But we didn't want to barge in and arrest him. There were many tourists in that hotel. We waited till he came out to have food. We stopped the car and arrested Azad and let go of the two accompanying him," said a senior police officer.

Today, an uneasy calm prevails over Saharanpur. Four companies of Rapid Action Force and eight companies of PAC are stationed across the city to maintain law and order.

Also Read:

Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan new general for Dalit army Bhim Sena?

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Sources say Shakeel was in contact with Junaid, a sharpshooter and close aide of the gangster, to give him directions about eliminating Fatah.

By Chayyanika Nigam: Pakistan-born Canadian writer and TV personality Tarek Fatah has made many enemies with his controversial statements on Islam. One of them appears to be Chhota Shakeel, considered the left-hand man of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

Delhi Police's special cell this week arrested an alleged Shakeel aide who, cops say, was planning to target Fatah. A court on Friday sent the man, Junaid Chaudhary, 21, to three-day police custody.

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Fatah, who hosts a talk show on an Indian news channel, often has provocative views, denouncing aspects of Islamic belief and practice, and discussing jihadi terrorism.

He is also a staunch critic of Pakistan. However, detractors say he stereotypes Islam by extrapolating the behaviour of a few extremists to represent the religion as a whole.

SHAKEEL IN CONTACT WITH JUNAID

Sources say Shakeel was in contact with Junaid, a sharpshooter and close aide of the gangster, to give him directions about eliminating Fatah. The mobster was one of the early members in the so-called D-Company run by Dawood. After the 1993 Mumbai blasts when Ibrahim and another close aide Chhota Rajan split, Shakeel took over the day-to-day operations of D-Company. Cops in recent years have cracked down on Shakeel's communication network in India as he had started to use private phone numbers and social networking sites.

Special cell sleuths arrested Junaid early on Thursday from Wazirabad Road in north-east Delhi.

"Even though Fatah was not in Delhi, the aide was here to carry out a recce," said DCP (special cell) PS Kushwah.

Sources said Shakeel promised to pay Junaid Rs 10 lakh for the job. "So far, only a token amount of Rs 1.5 lakh was sent to him through hawala," they added." Junaid was nabbed with a pistol and four live cartridges.

JUNAID'S ARREST LAST YEAR

He was also arrested in June last year along with three others - Robinson, Yunus and Manish - with arms and hawala money sent by Shakeel.

Junaid came out of Tihar Jail on bail. However, later his bail was cancelled and he again went back to the prison. In October, he again managed to get bail.

"Since then, Junaid was in touch with Shakeel. Activating an old profile on a social networking site, he poked the gangster. Further, as per the new plan introduced by Shakeel, the information was exchanged using a chain method and not by directly talking to each other.

TAREK FATAH TWEETS ON SHAKEEL

The whole process of indirect conversation was carried out in coded language," a source close to the probe told Mail Today. Fatah, who's reportedly abroad, remained unavailable for comments. He, however, tweeted: "Meet #ChhotaShakeel, the Indian Muslim mobster who wants me dead," with online links about the mafia boss. Senior officials said raids are being conducted to nab Junaid's accomplices and more arrests are likely soon.

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They added that at the moment only Fatah was on Shakeel's hit list.

When Junaid was arrested last year, Shakeel had asked him to eliminate Hindu Mahasabha leader Swami Chakrapani who bought and burnt down a car reportedly once owned by Dawood.

Chakrapani had said that he would use the remains to build a toilet.

Also Read:

Is Dawood Ibrahim critical in Pakistan hospital? Family reportedly denies

Gangster Chhota Shakeel's aide detained by special cell in Delhi

Also Watch:

When will India have a policy to deal with Pakistan sponsored terror?

--- ENDS ---
A group of Muslim women gathered Friday at a Berkeley mosque to learn about self-defense from a veteran martial arts instructor.

The women met at the Qal'bu Maryam Women's Mosque to tumble, grapple and learn the basics of keeping safe as fears continue to mount nationally over racist attacks against Muslims and people perceived as immigrants.

The woman teaching the class, Mollii Khangsengsing, founder and head instructor at Tough Love Fitness Collective, has been teaching ju-jitsu for several years.

By launching the "Intro to Self-Defense for Muslim Women: A hate Crime Survival Seminar" Khangsengsing hopes to help students learn to thwart some common types of attacks, including someone trying to grab a hijab from a woman's head.

"I thought if anybody needs self-defense right now it's these women," Khangsengsing said. "I am a minority, a petite Asian woman, (and) being a minority and a woman I can understand where they're coming from."

More for you Interfaith groups to counter anti-Shariah rally in South Bay

The women learned awareness strategies, how to set boundaries, how to use commanding and assertive voices while fending off possible attacks.

"The best self-defense is to really not be caught by surprise," Khangsengsing said.

They also learned the basics of ju-jitsu based techniques that focus on using leverage, rather than brute strength or blind panic, to survive assaults.

"It's perfect for women," Khangsengsing said. "My focus is to teach women how to protect themselves, especially in our current climate."

Khangsengsing said she hopes today's seminar was the first of many to come. It was open to Muslim women ages 9 and up.

"Martial arts have given me so much and I like to give back and hopefully do some positive social change," Khangsengsing said.
Zaira, who starred in 'Dangal', was travelling along with her boyfriend Arif Amin. They were rescued from the lake by locals, eyewitnesses said.

By Ashraf Wani: Bollywood actor Zaira Wasim had a narrow escape after the car she was travelling in skidded off the road and fell into the Dal Lake on Thursday evening.

Zaira, 16, who starred in Aamir Khan's blockbuster 'Dangal', was travelling along with her boyfriend PA to Waheed ur Rehman Para identified as Arif Amin. They were rescued from the lake by locals, eyewitnesses said.

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"Both of them survived, but her friend suffered several injuries," said a local, who identified himself as Mudasir Bashir. The incident happened around 9 pm on Boulevard Road in Srinagar. Officials said the vehicle in which she was travelling belongs to a politician.

At the time of the incident, the politician was not in the city, the officials said. They said she was rescued by the timely action of locals. Locals said the vehicle was moving at a high speed and the driver lost control over it.

ALSO READ:

Jammu and Kashmir: Magisterial probe ordered into rumoured bus accident case in Rajouri

Eight killed, two injured in road accident in Odisha

WATCH VIDEO:

Srinagar: Narrow escape for Dangal star Zaira Wasim after car falls into Dal Lake

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Dr Vijay Sabharwal, chairman of Shree Jeewan hospital told Mail Today that they would be challenging the order of the state consumer disputes redressal commission.

The staff of Shree Jeewan Hospital left a needle in Rubina's uterus because of which she can never be a mother again.

By Sneha Agrawal: Rubina's perfect family picture had four kids and her husband. Unfortunately, a medical tragedy in 2009 has shattered her dream and left her with medical complications that are still uncured.

While delivering her third child, the hospital staff of Delhi-based Shree Jeewan hospital left a needle in her uterus as a result she went through a traumatic painful nights in the hospital before the needle was taken out.

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Alleging negligence and deficiency in service, she moved the consumer court where she was awarded compensation.

The hospital moved the state consumer commission where presiding officers NP Kaushik and Salma Noor not only upheld the order but also fined the hospital Rs 30 lakh.

RUBINA STILL SUFFERS

Sharing her order with Mail Today, she said, "I cannot stand for long in the kitchen, nor can I climb the staircase. Even now, every month, I spend close to Rs 4,000 on the treatment of my uterus. The infection has been consistent for nine years. I am facing multiple health problems because of this. The hospital is taking my husband run from pillar to post for the compensation and is even harassing us. I was operated by an unqualified staff, and now they have stooped so low," she added.

Witnessing a protracted legal battle, Rubina says, "I will make my eldest daughter a lawyer so that she can stand for common people like us." I have two daughters and a son. I wanted a family of four children. Monthly doses of medicines is making me weak. My children need me and if something happens to me, who would be responsible?" she added.

"That night, I was made to live with a needle in my stomach for two days. I bled so much. Doctors say I can never be a mother," she rued.

Dr Vijay Sabharwal, chairman of Shree Jeewan hospital told Mail Today that they would be challenging the order of the state consumer disputes redressal commission.

"Various medical boards and hospitals in their expert report said that the incident is not a medical negligence and the patient's family was made aware of it," he said. "The needle was timely taken out from her body," he added.

Also Read:

Australia: 'Deeply distressing' footage shows mentally ill woman suffering before death due to hospital's negligence

Jaipur: Doctor gets badly beaten up by relatives of patient who died while undergoing treatment

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The president's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, whose Twitter feed can at times be as inflammatory as his father's, was a one-man rapid-response team as the fired FBI director testified before a Senate panel Thursday.

By AP: US President Donald Trump surprisingly refrained from tweeting during James Comey's testimony. Donald Trump Jr, not surprisingly, did not.

The president's eldest son, whose Twitter feed can at times be as inflammatory as his father's, was a one-man rapid-response team as the fired FBI director testified before a Senate panel Thursday.

He delivered denunciations with the same force that made him an effective, if controversial, campaign surrogate and could signal his own political ambitions.

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Donald Trump Jr tweeted more than 80 times Thursday, defending his father and attacking Comey.

Trump Jr's Twitter barrage was all the more striking when compared to his father's silence, which the president broke with a yesterday morning tweet accusing Comey of lying under oath.

Trump Jr declined to comment yesterday about his tweets, leaving unanswered questions as to whether they were urged by the White House, which outsourced its Comey response to the Republican National Committee and the president's personal lawyer.

Trump Jr has certainly been willing to go on the attack for his father before.

He crisscrossed the United States during last year's election, doing hundreds of interviews on Fox News and local conservative outlets. He attacked "Crooked Hillary," his father's derogatory nickname for opponent Hillary Clinton, and delivered a well-received speech at the Republican National Convention.

That moment sparked speculation about his political future. But while Trump Jr told The Associated Press this spring that he would not, as had been rumored, be a candidate for governor of New York, he left the door open for a political run down the road.

"Maybe someday," Trump said then. "It's not something I'm doing now. But you never know, it's fascinating stuff."

He's done a number of Republican campaign events since then, including fundraisers in Texas and Indiana and campaigning for a congressional candidate in Montana.

But Trump Jr, who along with his brother Eric is running their father's former company, has said he does not discuss the details of politics or their business with the president.

He outpaced the national Republican Party with his Twitter defense Thursday. In particular, he seized on Comey's assertion that he interpreted the president's statement that he "hoped" the FBI would drop its probe into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn as an instruction.

"Knowing my father for 39 years when he 'orders or tells' you to do something there is no ambiguity, you will know exactly what he means," Trump Jr wrote.

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The Modi government has focussed immensely on providing loans and credits to farmers. But, it seems, it overlooked the fact that farming in India works beyond the limits of farm credits.

By Prabhash K Dutta: On March 2, 2015, Narendra Modi became the first serving Prime Minister to visit Parliament canteen as a customer and have lunch. After paying Rs 29 for his lunch, PM Modi wrote in the visitors' diary: Annadata Sukhi Bhavah (May provider of food prosper).

Two years later, the same provider of food is angry, hitting the streets from Chennai to New Delhi. Massive agitations are going on in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, where six protesters were killed in firing reportedly by CRPF and police jawans. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan blamed it on the Congress and began his 'solidarity fast' from today at Dussehra maidan in Bhopal.

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All eyes are on PM Narendra Modi, who the BJP believes will be able to pacify the farmers. But, the current situation is a kind of paradox for the Narendra Modi government, which has always maintained that the farmers are a priority for it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote Annadata Sukhi Bhavah in Parliament canteen diary in 2015.

MODI GOVERNMENT'S SCHEMES FOR FARMERS

Ever since taking over at the Centre, PM Modi has maintained that his is the pro-poor, pro-farmer government.

The Modi government has launched a few schemes aimed at benefitting the farmers. Its initiatives include the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, the National Food Security Mission, the National Horticulture Mission, the Gramin Bhandaran Yojana, the Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil palm and Maize and the much publicised Soil Health Card Scheme.

The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) announced more than 40 dairy projects with an outlay of over Rs 220 crore. The government is working on a Rs 50,000 crore plan to revive fertiliser plants. The Food Processing Ministry is also working to give boost to the food processing industry to make the farm sector more profitable.

The government launched an e-marketing programme - E-NAM - for agricultural produce. A host of apps were launched to help farmers. These apps include Kisan Suvidha, Pusa Krishi, Crop Insurance, Crop Insurance Portal, AgriMarket and CCE Agri.

PRO-RURAL, PRO-FARMER BUDGET

In this year's budget, a steep increase of 24 per cent was made in the total allocation for the rural, agriculture and allied sectors. Nearly Rs 2 lakh crore was committed for farmers and rural India.

The government has set a target of electrifying all the villages by May 1 next year. This is considered a great move to benefit the farmers and farm sector. The Modi government allocated a record Rs 48,700 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS).

The target for farm credit, in the budget, was fixed at a new high of Rs 10 lakh crore. The government has planned to build 1 crore pucca houses for the poor by 2019. A large share of this will come up in the villages.

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To make villages drought-proof, the government announced building 5 lakh more ponds in addition to an equal number built last year. All these measures were expected to help the farmers and farm sector. But, it seems something is missing, forcing farmers to go up in arms.

THEN, WHAT PUSHED FARMERS TO STREETS?

The Modi government has focussed immensely on providing loans and credits to farmers. But, it seems, it overlooked the fact that farming in India works beyond the limits of loans.

Farmers in Madhya Pradesh are protesting. The protesters burnt effigy of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. (Photo: Reuters)

Though, the Modi government seems to be against the idea of Centre announcing loan waiver packages, it is in favour of loan waivers by state governments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself said during the election campaign for Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls that if voted to power, the BJP government would announce loan waiver.

IMPACT OF LOAN WAIVER

The announcement of farm loan waiver of about Rs 36,000 crore by Yogi Adityanath government now seems to have prompted the farmers of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to take to the streets with the hope that the respective state governments - headed by the BJP - would announce a similar package.

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Maharashtra government has announced one. Madhya Pradesh has also said that it has accepted all demands of the farmers, who want a loan waiver and an increased Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce.

Farmers are demanding better prices for their agriculture produce: Picture for representation. (Photo: Reuters)

But, all the experts including the RBI and NABARD have termed farm loan waivers temporary and inadequate measures, which will provide short-term gain for long-term pain. The beneficiary farmers become defaulters in the eyes of banks, who deny them loans in the future. The 2008 loan waiver scheme announced by the then UPA government had a similar impact.

In February this year, MP Finance Minister Jayant Malaiya had said, "The debt of the state government increased to Rs 1,11,101.10 crore in March last year from Rs 77,413 crore in March 2014. So the average debt of every citizen of Madhya Pradesh was Rs 13,853 as of 31 March, 2016." If Madhya Pradesh goes ahead with a massive loan waiver, it will throw its economy out of bounds.

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IMPACT OF CATTLE SALE BAN

The recent notification by the Environment Ministry placing a ban on the sale of cattle for slaughter in animal markets has complicated matters for farmers.

The estimated average cost of maintenance of a cow or ox is about Rs 40,000 a year past their age of economic utility. Earlier, they used to sell such animals without bothering about what happened to their lives. Now, they are expected to ensure that these animals are not bought for slaughtering.

The new regulation - intended to bring discipline maintaining hygiene and legality in cattle trade - has caused panic among a section of farmers and meat traders, who subsist on tanning and leather works industries. These sectors provide a large number of employment options to many job seekers, who are otherwise dependent on farm-related vocation.

It is estimated that 90 per cent of cattle are sold for slaughter through common livestock markets not designated animal markets. The Centre's notification has brought this practice to a halt. This has, in turn, shocked the rural economic cycle.

If old cattle are not sold, money for new cattle is hard to come. In comparison to bigger and organised farmers and meat traders, smaller ones are worse hit by the new set of rules.

India's development paradox: While ISRO's breaking records, many villages don't even have power. (Photo: Reuters)

IMPACT OF DEMONETISATION

Although demonetisation was a big reform to clean up the system, it came as a shock to the farming community. On the night of November 8 last year, the money supply tap suddenly went dry - albeit for nobler reasons.

November and December are the months of sowing of Rabi crops in most parts of the country and Samba in Tamil Nadu. This requires a lot of cash in hand for purchasing seeds, pesticides, fertilisers, hiring labourers. These activities were severely impacted.

Most small farmers deal with rural cooperative banks and district cooperative banks and primary agriculture societies. These were not allowed to exchange demonetised currency notes. Small farmers were the worst-hit.

Further, about 85 per cent of the total holdings are small and marginal - having less than 45 per cent share in the total agricultural land area. As the customary practice in agricultural family is to divide the lands among sons, and now daughters also, the number of small and marginal farms and farmers are increasing every year.

Demonetisation impacted sowing of Rabi crops adversely: Picture for representation. (Photo: Reuters)

According to the Socio-economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 , 15-20 lakh small and marginal farms are being added every year. Such a vast majority of farmers was impacted adversely by demonetisation. This is also the section, which is least covered by the bank credit system.

Farmer crisis is deep and the government machinery, it seems, has failed to communicate with the farmers effectively with regard to government schemes and the hazards of loan waiver. Now, the BJP hopes that its most effective and influential communicator PM Modi will weave a magic to cool the tempers of farmers down.

Also read | MP farmers' protests: Sitaram Yechury calls Shivraj Chouhan's fast 'tamasha'

Also read | Shiv Sena is playing double role on farmers' issue, says Sachin Pilot

Also read | Maharashtra protests: Devendra Fadnavis forms ministerial group for talks with farmers

Also read | After Madhya Pradesh, now Tamil Nadu farmers to relaunch protest in capital Chennai

WATCH VIDEO

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French President Emmanuel Macron this week launched a website called Make Our Planet Great Again - a not too subtle dig at US President Donald Trump's Make America Great Again. The website criticises the Trump government's 'climate skepticism' and invites American climate scientists to settle in France.

By Santosh Chaubey: Taking his criticism of US President Donald Trump's stand on climate change to the next level, French President Emmanuel Macron has launched a website inviting US scientists and research scholars to live in France and do research there on climate change. Earlier this month, after the US exit from the Paris Climate Agreement, he had assured the US scientists that France was like a second homeland for them.

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The website 'Make Our Planet Great Again', an apparent dig at Donald Trump's favourite slogan 'Make America Great Again', says it is an initiative of President of France Emmanuel Macron who launched it to invite American scientists to "come work in France after facing the climatic skepticism of the new government of the United States."

Macron says "he wants to make our planet great again" and appeals to the scientists that "the planet needs their innovative skills" and asks "if they you IN to change (literally) our daily lives and make our planet great again?" While terming the US decision unfortunate, he says "it has only reinforced our determination. Don't let it weaken yours. We are ONE planet and together, we can make a difference."

On June 1, US President Donald Trump had pulled the US out of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, a global climate pact to deal with emission of greenhouse gases. 195 countries signed the agreement document in December 2015 and 147 countries have ratified it so far and the agreement came into effect on November 4, 2016. Trump has been a vocal critic of the Paris climate deal and he had promised to cancel the deal if he became the US President.

After Trump's announcement, according to France 24*, while slamming Trump for making a historic mistake, Macron said the US scientists and entrepreneurs "disappointed" by Trump's decision "will find in France a second homeland: I call on them, come and work here with us."

It was unprecedented when he chose to address the world in English from Elysee Place, the official residence of the French president, after Trump's no to Paris Accord. It was, in fact, a first for a French president, The Telegraph** said. Also, the press release sent to French journalists from the Elysee Palace on the website launch was in English, again "an unprecedented move by a French president", the France 24 report said.

Macron, in fact, had released a video statement in English on Twitter on February 10, while he was campaigning for the French presidential polls, calling the US scientists and entrepreneurs working on climate change to relocate to France after Trump had decided to curtail the climate change research budget.

I have a message for you guys. #ScienceMarch pic.twitter.com/ZnkFIIksdx- Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 10, 2017

US withdrawing from the Paris Accord is certainly a bad news as the country is the second largest emitter of the greenhouse gases. China, the European Union and the US account for more than half of the global greenhouse gas emissions, an analysis from the World Resources Institute says. The US exit is bound to affect the norms and goals of the Paris Accord even if other large emitters including India, Russia, European Union and China have reiterated their commitment.

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ALSO READ:

Donald Trump second US President to withdraw from a global climate deal

Modi in Paris: Climate deal shared legacy of world, article of faith for India

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India and South Africa face-off in a must-win game at the ICC Champions Trophy.

By Jepher Christopher Nickels: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly and former Australia skipper Michael Clarke have urged Virat Kohli to recall Ravichandran Ashwin into the playing XI against South Africa in their must-win ICC Champions Trophy game on Sunday. The winners will qualify for the semi-finals while the losers crash out.

"I think Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja must play. Batting has done splendidly well, India need a bit more variation in the bowling attack. Drop Hardik Pandya, bring back Ashwin. India should play five bowlers against South Africa," Ganguly told India Today.

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Even after posting a challenging total, India suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka. However, Ganguly backed India bowlers to perform against the Proteas on Sunday.

"Not only batting, India's bowling has also looked good except for just one game. Sri Lanka batted exceptionally," Ganguly said.

WATCH FULL VIDEO

Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have been in good form and will look to give India a good start against South Africa.

Kohli and Yuvraj Singh will look to click in Sunday's tie after failing to reach double digits against Sri Lanka. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav and Hardik Pandya meanwhile, will look to inflict some damage on the opposition bowlers lower down the order.

"Really impressed with the way India's top order has performed in Champions Trophy, especially Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma," Clarke said.

Clarke further said, "South Africa are No.1 team in the world. Interesting to see how they play under pressure."

Ganguly wants India to play sensibly in the must-win match and also praised Kohli.

"Play sensibly, it's about absorbing pressure. Virat Kohli is a terrific player, one of the best in this format. He is a world class one-day batsman," Ganguly said.

Clarke said India go into the clash as favourites.

"This Indian team can deliver under pressure. AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli are two great players and different captains. Hard to compare. De Villiers has been a great player for a long time but hasn't had much success in big tournaments," Clarke said.

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Han Ongs Grandeur has beautiful and wise things to say, much like its subject, Gil Scott-Heron, of The Revolution Will Not Be Televised fame. In envisioning an interview between the poetic, sui generis musician and a cub essayist, Magic Theatres world premiere anoints words with religious potency. Their power to pinpoint and lay bare devastates, yet their infinite capacity to combine and recombine elevates. The right verbal rhythms, Mr. Heron (Carl Lumbly) says early in the script, float on the lips; they glide in the mind.

But in the shows current incarnation, which opened Wednesday, June 7, under the direction of Loretta Greco, its not yet clear that Ongs radiant language is best served on a stage.

Youve seen this set-up too many times before. A groundbreaking artist now past his prime lives in undignified seclusion, his genius still flaring, still able to drop exquisite bits of craft as if they were nothing. Now, though, his passion lies less in art and politics than in his next fix.

He speaks in koans designed to frustrate and humiliate Steve (Rafael Jordan), his latest fanboy interlocutor, whom Ong has engineered to commit so many journalistic faux pas (at which Scott-Heron can conveniently quibble) that you half-expect the plays central revelation to be that Steve doesnt write for the New York Review of Books at all, as he claims. That isnt the case, but you might still wish it so, just so you could witness something happen in real time.

Instead, you see stasis. A jonesing Scott-Heron remains unknowable to the point of one-dimensionality; a hubristic Steve stays naive. Thankfully, the young journalist doesnt have to make some grand discovery that his idol has fallen from grace, or about how Scott-Heron feels about being called the godfather of rap, or about why he had such a lengthy fallow period.

Steve already knows most of that spelunking into Scott-Herons crepuscular apartment, where piles of books and records shoot up as might stalagmites in a cave. (Hana S. Kim did the claustrophobic scenic design.) But without asymmetry in knowledge, little drives the plot forward, and Ongs alternative mainspring, revealing too little, too late, feels just as contrived, like a gotcha moment that got precisely nobody.

Most surprising is Safiya Fredericks as Scott-Herons adopted niece Julie, who has suffered long at the artists riddles and manipulations but isnt mere victim. She gets to manipulate and deceive in her own right. And if the play doesnt let Julie declare in words that shes done with these men and their limitless selfishness, a drill-like Fredericks nonetheless, in one moment, bores out a deadly silence that lets everyone know her Julie is capable of anything, anything at all.

Youre best off forgetting how dialogue comes to pass and instead savoring words out of context. Heres the prophetic Scott-Heron on the deaths of black American men before Black Lives Matter: Each song you wrote, each book you started, was a detective story in disguise, all of them asking the same question: Whos killing all these black men? Here he is toward the end of the play, speculating about his words legacy: The lyrics remain young, and they fly like they were intended to ... when I first snatched them from the air.

For their snatching, we remain indebted. For their transposition to the stage, we remain hopeful.

Lily Janiak is The San Francisco Chronicles theater critic. Email: ljaniak@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LilyJaniak

Grandeur: Written by Han Ong. Directed by Loretta Greco. Through June 25. One hour, 50 minutes. $35-$75. Magic Theatre, Fort Mason, 2 Marina Blvd., Building D, S.F. (415) 441-8822. www.magictheatre.org
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The mystery of a devastating algal bloom that killed large numbers of Monterey Bay's sea creatures and closed commercial fisheries from California to Washington has finally been solved.

Upwelling and and imbalance of nutrients created ripe conditions for a toxic bloom to flourish, researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) determined. Their findings, published in Geophysical Research Letters this week, may provide essential information for predicting future algal blooms in the Pacific Ocean.

In the late spring of 2015, scientists and fishermen scrambled to comprehend massive die-offs of sea lions, sea birds, and shellfish, all of which tested positive for domoic acid, a potent neurotoxin that can cause seizures and death in animals. When consumed by humans, domoic acid can be fatal, which spurred a near shutdown of shellfish fisheries from Santa Barbara in California to Juan de Fuca Eddy in Washington.

ICYMI: Sea lion survival skills impaired by California algae bloom

Localized blooms of algae are common in springtime, but scientists called the extent of the 2015 bloom the largest and most severe in at least a decade.

"This is unprecedented in terms of the extent and magnitude of this harmful algal bloom and the warm water conditions we're seeing offshore," explained Northwest Fisheries Science Center leader Vera Trainer in a 2015 press release.

Like Trainer, many researchers suspected warm water to be the cause of the bloom, but the findings of a large-scale biology experiment in the Monterey Bay proved the hypothesis wrong.

When the bloom occurred, the waters of Monterey Bay were not unusually warm, a press release explained. The water was cooled by local upwelling, a phenomenon that occurs when strong winds push surface water away from the shore, allowing cool, nutrient-rich water to surface. These nutrients, such as silicate and nitrate, spur the growth of algae.

Diatoms require nitrate for many biochemical processes, and silicate to grow and reproduce. Typically, Monterey Bay's waters carry more silicate than nitrate, but the opposite was true during the spring of 2015. Researchers, led by MBARI oceanographer John Ryan, discovered almost no silicate in the water that spring. Presumably, diatoms had devoured it.

The researchers discovered that the Pseudo-nitzschia diatoms in the bay become more toxic when nitrate, but not silicate, is present. In this instance, the diatoms fail to reproduce quickly but continue producing the toxic domoic acid. This leads to a concentration of the acid in individual diatoms.

When this unusual aquatic chemistry coincided with upwelling events, the "unprecedented" algal bloom was born.

Armed with new monitoring technologies developed during the Monterey Bay study, scientists hope to predict where and when future blooms will occur.

Said Ryan, "One of the takeaways of this research is that we need good chemical as well as physical data to understand and predict harmful algal blooms."

Read Michelle Robertsons latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.
The Army today foiled an infiltration bid in Bandipora's Gurez sector and killed a terrorist.

By India Today Web Desk: The Indian Army today foiled yet another infiltration bid in Bandipora's Gurez sector and killed a terrorist.

His weapons have been recovered and a combing operation has been launched in the area.

Whereas in a separate incident today, a group of militants opened fire at two security forces' vehicles in Anantnag's Qazigund town.

According to reports, a civilian has suffered injuries after he was caught in the cross fire.

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The injured civilian was caught in the fire while travelling in his car on the national highway in Vesu area of Anantnag district, where the attack took place, said a police official.

"The injured man has been shifted to hospital and his condition is stable," the official said.

More details awaited.

With inputs from Ashraf Wani and IANS

Also read: Women to be inducted as military police jawans first: Army Chief Bipin Rawat

Also read: Delhi hospital fined Rs 30 lakh for leaving needle in womb

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By Press Trust of India: By Lalit K Jha

Washington, Jun 10 (PTI) Adam Purinton, a US Navy veteran accused of killing Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injuring two others at a suburban Kansas City bar, has been indicted on federal hate crime and firearms charges.

The indictment OF Purinton, 51, of Olathe, Kansas, by a federal grand jury comes after the February 22 shooting at the city bar.

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The indictment announced by the Department of Justice has accused Purinton of shooting and killing Kuchibhotla, and attempting to kill Alok Madasani, also an Indian national, because of their actual and perceived race, colour, religion and national origin.

Witnesses said Purinton yelled at the two Indian men to "get out of my country" before pulling the trigger in the attack.

Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American man, was also injured while intervening in the shooting.

The announcement of the indictment was made by Acting Assistant Attorney General Thomas E Wheeler, II, head of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division, and United States Attorney Thomas E Beall of the District of Kansas.

Puritan faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison. The Justice Department will determine at a later date whether, in this particular case, it will seek the death penalty, a statement said.

A third count in the indictment charges Purinton with violating a federal firearms statute by discharging a firearm at Kuchibhotla, Madasani, and Grillot, during the violence.

It alleges that Purinton committed the offences after substantial planning and premeditation, attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode, and knowingly created a grave risk of death to others on the scene.

Purinton, a US Navy veteran, is currently being held in the Johnson County jail on a USD two million cash bond on murder and attempted murder charges. PTI LKJ CK ASK AKJ ASK

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WASHINGTON  Republican and Democratic members of a House panel agreed Thursday that many factors have led to the rising number of wildfires in the U.S.

That was all they agreed on.

While Republican lawmakers said that burdensome litigation and frivolous lawsuits have led to widespread mismanagement of forests, setting the stage for wildfires, Democrats argued for greater focus on the climate aspect.

Meanwhile, Bruce Hallin, director of water supply for Salt River Project, said both issues factor in to the unhealthy state of the forests, allowing wildfires that threaten not only wildlife and recreation but also the reliability, sustainability and quality of drinking water to millions of Arizonans.

Its real impacts, and its unfortunate that the federal government doesnt have that same sense of urgency or that same understanding of what those real impacts are on individuals, stakeholders and the state itself when it comes to these wildfires, Hallin said after the hearing by a House Natural Resources subcommittee.

The title of the hearing by the Republican-controlled committee said it all: Oversight Hearing on Burdensome Litigation and Federal Bureaucratic Roadblocks to Manage Our Nations Overgrown, Fire-Prone National Forests.

Rep. Tom McClintock, R-California, said that regulations and litigation force the federal government to spend forestry funds defending sound management practices from the perpetual environmental litigation machine.

Our parents gave us green, healthy, thriving national forests, said McClintock, the subcommittee chairman. We will give to our children incinerated forests, economically devastated local economies and fabulously wealthy environmentalist attorneys.

Lyle Laverty, president of the Laverty Group, a forest and natural resource consulting firm in Denver, pointed to the National Environmental Policy Act process as one piece of regulation that is leading to the mismanagement of forests.

I think agencies have strayed way beyond the original intent of Congress to do a NEPA project, Laverty said. We do NEPA projects on reoccurring timber sales that weve been doing for over 100 years.

But Susan Jane M. Brown, who described herself as a proud environmental litigator, defended laws and regulations protecting the environment. She said it is possible for groups like the Western Environmental Law Center where she works to collaborate with loggers, miners and others.

Climate change cannot be ignored, however, said Brown.

That didnt sit well with Republicans on the committee like Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Arkansas, who said that forest fires in his state have either held level or seen a slight decrease over the past 20 years.

Apparently, the climate change hasnt affected forest fires in my state, Westerman said.

When asked directly whether climate change was a major reason for the difficulty managing forests, all the witnesses agreed it is a contributing factor. But most said mismanagement was the biggest issue.

Hallin pointed to forest overgrowth, citing forests at the turn of the century that supported anywhere from 20 to 50 trees per acre, that today now support over 1,000 trees per acre, potential fuel for a catastrophic wildfire.

While climate may be changing, and while those forests arent as resilient to respond to that climate change, the issue from our perspective is the fact that we havent been managing our forests correctly, Hallin said.

Witnesses and lawmakers both said one of the biggest constraints to proper management has been a lack of wildfire funding for the Forest Service, which has had to focus a majority of its money on fighting wildfires in recent years.

That comes at a cost to the other resource programs that can deal proactively with the forest health issues that are in front of us today, Laverty said.

Hallin said the Forest Service also lacks the ability to move swiftly and, at times, work cooperatively.

Poor maintenance can lead to wildfires, which costs the communities where they occur, said Hallin, noting a wildfire near Sedona that cost the town an estimate $100 million in tourism revenue.

Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Prescott, asked what kind of effect proper management of forests would have on northern Arizona and rural communities.

That would have a significant impact in increased jobs, increasing those rural economies that are suffering right now because of the lack of jobs and lack of opportunity, Hallin said.
The indictment announced by the Department of Justice has accused Purinton of shooting and killing Kuchibhotla, and attempting to kill Alok Madasani, also an Indian national, because of their actual and perceived race, colour, religion and national origin.

Adam Purinton accused of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla and wounding Alok Madasani, as well as Ian Grillot, an American who tried to intervene. Photo: Reuters

By Press Trust of India: Adam Purinton, the man accused of killing Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injuring two others at a suburban Kansas City bar, has been indicted on federal hate crime and firearms charges.

The indictment yesterday by a federal grand jury against Purinton, 51, of Olathe, Kansas, comes after a February 22 shooting at a city bar.

The indictment announced by the Department of Justice has accused Purinton of shooting and killing Kuchibhotla, and attempting to kill Alok Madasani, also an Indian national, because of their actual and perceived race, colour, religion and national origin.

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Witnesses said Purinton yelled at the two Indian men to "get out of my country" before pulling the trigger in the attack.

Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American man was also injured while intervening in the shooting.

DEATH OR LIFE IN PRISON

The announcement in this regard was made by the Acting Assistant Attorney General Thomas E Wheeler, II, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, and United States Attorney Thomas E Beall of the District of Kansas.

Puritan faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison. The Justice Department will determine at a later date whether, in this particular case, it will seek the death penalty, a media release said.

A third count in the indictment charges Purinton with violating a federal firearms statute by discharging a firearm at Kuchibhotla, Madasani, and Grillot, during the violence.

It alleges that Purinton committed the offences after substantial planning and premeditation, attempted to kill more than one person in a single criminal episode, and knowingly created a grave risk of death to others on the scene.

Purinton, a US Navy veteran, is currently being held in the Johnson County jail on a USD two million cash bond on murder and attempted murder charges.

Also Read:Indians are valuable, ashamed of killing of Kuchibhotla: Kansas governor

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Baba Ramdev has urged Prime Minister Modi to deal with Hafiz Saeed, Dawood Ibrahim and Masood Azhar apart from taking PoK back as measures to quell unrest in Kashmir.

Baba Ramdev has urged PM Modi to take back PoK as the only solution to quell unrest in Kashmir. Photo: PTI

By Rohit Kumar Singh: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev has come out with a very specific demand for the Narendra Modi government- take Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) back from Pakistan.

Terming PoK as the root cause of the persistent Kashmir unrest, he said PM should work in this direction to rid the northern state from its longstanding turmoil.

"PoK was the cause of all the problems in Jammu and Kashmir. The only solution I think at this point of time is India acquiring the PoK territory into its own. It's because of PoK that Pakistan was successful in pushing terrorists in to India. PM should look into this issue and make a start in a phased manner to acquire PoK", said Baba Ramdev.

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Baba Ramdev who is holding a Yoga camp in Motihari for last three days said that apart from the problem of PoK, Hizbul chief Hafeez Sayeed, Jaish chief Masood Azhar and 1993 Mumbai serial blasts mastermind Dawood Ibrahim also need to be dealt with.

"Dawood, Masood Azhar and Hafeez Sayeed have also become a cause of problem for India and I would urge PM Modi to either eliminate them or bring them back to the country. If Modi does any of the two, he would become immortal", added the Yoga guru.

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The plan was chalked out at a party meeting on Thursday. The idea was to create awareness among children about governance and politics, said Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari.

Manoj Tiwari said top 10 students in each constituency will be awarded.

By Rakesh Ranjan: Children are in for exciting prizes in a quiz devised by the BJP to celebrate three years of the Narendra Modi government.

With summer vacations on, the party has organised special camps for school children where they will be asked questions on PM Modi and various initiatives taken by the government like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Beti Padhao Beti Bachao and demonetisation.

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The plan was chalked out at a party meeting on Thursday. The idea was to create awareness among children about governance and politics, said Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari.

The fest will be organised in all seven Lok Sabha constituencies. Local BJP units will form teams of interested students and camps will be organised for them. Tiwari said top 10 students in each constituency will be awarded.

THE AIM OF THE QUIZ

"The BJP government has initiated a number of reforms in the social and economic sectors. This quiz aims at creating awareness among students as well as engaging them with the idea of developing India," Tiwari said.

"Apart from the quiz, a short film will be shown to the students on the government's initiatives. Parents accompanying the children will also be briefed about the government's achievements. Further, a separate intellectual meet will be organised in each constituency to collect feedback from the public," the BJP president said. While the Modi fest was initially planned till June 15, Tiwari said, the programme could be extended for another week.

SIX PROGRAMMES TO CELEBRATE THREE YEARS OF MODI GOVERNMENT

Meanwhile, the BJP has planned six different programmes to celebrate three years of the Modi government. Addressing a meeting of Delhi BJP office bearers, the party's national general secretary Arun Singh elaborated on these programmes. They include creating awareness about Deen Dayal Upadhyay among people at the booth level.

Further, a show will be held highlighting achievements of three years of Narendra Modi government.

Of the more than 100 initiatives by Union government, 99 are meant just for the poor, a BJP leader said. The other programmes include a bimonthly meeting at the booth level, celebration of the party's Foundation Day on April 6 and Martyr Day of Shyama Prasad Mookerjee on June 23, and the birth and death anniversaries of party ideologue Upadhyay.

Two programmes will be decided by the state unit.

Also Read:

Saffronisation project: BJP to hold mega GK quiz on August 20 for UP students

3 years of PM Narendra Modi: Here's how NDA government performed on economic front

Also Watch:

PM Narendra Modi has met aspirations of people: Amit Shah on NDA government's third anniversary

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By Press Trust of India: London, Jun 10 (PTI) Had the Pakistani-origin London Bridge attacker succeeded in hiring a 7.5 tonne truck, the number of casualties in the carnage would have been much higher, the British media reported today.

Ringleader Khuram Shazad Butts efforts to hire the bigger truck failed when his payment was declined, the BBC reported.

27-year-old Butt had ganged up with two other accomplices to carry out the terror attack on June 3 that killed eight persons and injured nearly 50.

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They tried to hire a seven-and-a-half tonne lorry to carry out their attack but failed to provide payment details and the vehicle was not picked up, prompting them to use a smaller van from a DIY store instead, the report said.

The truck they had wanted to hire was smaller but similar to the one used in last years Nice attack in which more than 80 people were killed in France.

The three terrorists had tied 12 inch (30cm) pink ceramic knives to their wrists and had petrol bombs in the van, it said.

Butt drove the van into pedestrians on the iconic bridge. He then went on a stabbing spree along with Rachid Redouane, 30, of Moroccan and Libyan descent and Moroccan-Italian Youssef Zaghba, 22, in Borough Market.

The trio were shot dead by the police.

The Metropolitan Police said the men had rented a flat in Barking to use it as a safe house.

Police have discovered equipment for making petrol bombs, plastic bottles and duct tape for constructing fake suicide bomb belts, and an ID card for Redouane.

Butt hired the van used in the attack from a B&Q store in Romford in the morning of the attack, it said.

On June 3, the van crossed London Bridge heading south. Six minutes later it returned, crossing over the bridge again and making a U-turn at the northern end, the report said.

The attack began with the van driving back along the pavements of the bridge, running down three pedestrians before crashing outside the Barrowboy and Banker pub opposite London Bridge station, it said.

They stabbed five people who had been enjoying the areas pubs and restaurants.

In the back of the white Renault van used in the attack officers found wine bottles filled with a flammable liquid with rags tied to their necks, the report said.

There were blow torches for lighting these "Molotov cocktails". They had added bags of building gravel and several chairs possibly to suggest a reason for having hired the van.

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The massive police probe into the attack continues and by today, 20 arrests have been made and 13 buildings searched.

Meanwhile, police said today they have arrested two men linked to the attack on suspicion of preparing terrorists acts after carrying out raids in Ilford and Barking, London.

Scotland Yard, seeking more witnesses to come forward, is appealing to companies who hire out vans to report any suspicious activity.

So far, 282 witnesses from 19 countries have been questioned but police still want more people who saw what happened to come forward.

Police are also appealing for information about the "distinctive" pink "Ernesto" brand knives the men were carrying. They said they had not found evidence of anyone else being involved in the plot - or inspiring the attackers to carry it out. PTI CPS AKJ CPS

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An EasyJet flight from Slovenia to the United Kingdom made an unscheduled landing in Germany after its pilot became concerned about a suspicious conversation on board.

Passengers of the EasyJet were evacuated via emergency slides (Photo: Twitter/@AirportWebcams)

By AP: An EasyJet flight to London has made an unscheduled stop in Germany after the pilot became concerned about a suspicious conversation on board.

The plane coming from the Slovenian capital Ljubljana landed at Cologne-Bonn airport at about 6.30 pm (10 pm IST) Saturday.

Airport authorities said in a statement that the 151 passengers on board disembarked the plane using emergency slides and were taken to a transit gate where they were checked by police.

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German news agency dpa reports that police also destroyed a piece of baggage that couldn't be assigned to anybody on board.

Take-offs and landings were suspended for three hours, causing 10 flights to be diverted to other airports and delays to over a dozen more.

ALSO READ | Delhi: Mid-air fire forces GoAir flight to make emergency landing, no casualties reported

ALSO READ | Ban on laptops, iPads in US-bound flights: Here is how Indian travellers will be affected

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The Afghan branch of the Islamic State, known as ISIS-K, is mainly composed of militants pulled from other groups and has turned into one of the main counterterrorism efforts for the United States in Afghanistan. Although military officials say the group is far smaller than it was at its height in 2015, an estimated 600 to 800 militants, located mainly in remote mountainous areas, continue to pose an ample threat to U.S. and Afghan troops.
Essendon were the big winners from Saturday's AFL action with a thumping 70-point win over Port Adelaide catapulting them six spots up the ladder.

The Bombers (12th) headed into their encounter seven spots adrift of the Power (5th) but are now sixth - one position and just percentage behind the men from Alberton.

It was a stunning performance from John Worsfold's men who started the game all guns blazing with a seven-goal first term and never looked back as they scored their biggest win against Port Adelaide in 17 years.

Cale Hooker starred with five first-half goals while Joe Daniher (four goals) and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (four) were also magnificent in attack.

Zach Merrett (37 disposals), Dyson Heppell (34), Brendon Goddard (31), Jobe Watson (30) and Michael Hartley, who nullified Charlie Dixon, were also crucial to the victory.

It leaves plenty of question marks over Port Adelaide's premiership credentials. The Power were woeful tonight and given they have not yet beaten a team in the top eight, they have to be left out of the contenders conversation for now.

Essendon smashed the Power for pace, which is no mean feat given how quick Port Adelaide are, and owned the centre corridor for large chunks of the game in what was their best performance of the season.

Meanwhile, Fremantle have slipped out of the top eight following their insipid 57-point loss to the bottom-placed Brisbane Lions.

The Lions snapped their nine-game losing streak in emphatic fashion as they "obliterated" the Dockers, according to Freo coach Ross Lyon.

And earlier in the day, Gold Coast scored just their third ever win at the MCG as they held off a fast-finishing Hawthorn by 16 points to incredibly be just a game outside the top eight.
Kimberley always sounded like she was smiling when she spoke. Her voice was smiling when she re-told the story of how she wanted to be the one to explain the birds and the bees to her boys. She knew they were probably too young but she wanted to be a part of her boys' big life conversations. So she sat them down for "the talk" and Jasper's eyes widened. When she was finished he asked only one question: "does my bum do anything else?" That story always made her smile.

Understanding the situation they were in Kimberley and Sim decided to travel. Others looked after Sim's menswear shop in Camberwell and they went to Europe first when Kimberley was still mobile then later, when walking was too much, they wheeled around the US  Disneyland and New York.

Kimberley's voice was failing by then, a bit more than Neale Daniher's is now. She found it hard to speak and she was hard to understand. But Harvey could always understand her. In New York he had to interpret what she was saying for Sim.

The whole trip Sim reckons Jasper sat on his mum's knee. With one thumb in his mouth he'd grab her loose arms and pull them tight around him like his seatbelt and cry out "Dad, push. Faster!" Kimberley would laugh. Harvey ran alongside.

Sim and I have been mates since school. Kimberley was his wife so my mate too. As the disease hacked at Kimberley's body and stopped her using her hands, Sim would do what she couldn't. He would button those tiny buttons on her clothes, cut her food and brush her hair when Sandra was not there to do it. He'd pick her up from her chair and carry her to bed.
Macquarie Group will acquire Cargill's North America power and gas business for an undisclosed amount, the companies said on Friday.

The deal comes just months after Macquarie agreed to buy Cargill's global petroleum business. That sale is expected to close in the second half of this year.

The deal comes just months after Macquarie agreed to buy Cargill's global petroleum business. Credit:Bloomberg

Commodities trader Cargill has been streamlining its business in the past year following a nearly three-year slump in global oil prices.
By Ashutosh Mishra: CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury today fired a fresh salvo at Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over his indefinite fast, called 'for peace'. Calling the chief minister's fast a 'tamasha', Yechury took to Twitter and wrote, "Hypocrisy at its worst: On the one hand, unleash police to kill poor farmers, and on the other, tamasha of a 'fast'".

Hypocrisy at its worst: On the one hand, unleash police to kill poor farmers, and on the other, tamasha of a 'fast' https://t.co/zbKdBUCEIU&; Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) June 10, 2017

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Shivraj Chouhan began his indefinite fast at Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal today against the violence in Mandsaur, which lead to killing of at least six farmers.

Escalating fire on Shivraj and the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh, Yechury wrote on Twitter, "MSP is low, and Modi govt has stopped state-level bonus. Market prices, lower than MSP, make farming a loss-making profession."

MSP is low, and Modi govt has stopped state-level bonus. Market prices, lower than MSP, make farming a loss-making profession.&; Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) June 10, 2017

The farmers' agitation has now reached Maharashtra and farmers in Punjab have also decided to launch a state-wide protest on June 12 demanding waiver of farm loan. The larger demand of the agitating farmers is to provide them minimum support price by 50 per cent as promised by the BJP during 2014 polls and waiver of farm loans.

"Farm loan waiver is a temporary salve. Also, the Centre must raise MSPs, allow states to announce bonus, govts must procure all produce," the CPI(M) leader posted on Twitter.

Cheap imports by the government is also a major concern of farmer unions as they feel this will discourage the local market and domestic purchase of farm products. Escalating attack on the government over the cheap imports, Yechury said, "Allowing cheap imports while the farmer is increasing production, just to keep prices low for the traders is an anti-farmer move by the govt".

ALSO READ | Shivraj Singh Chouhan on fast: BJP pins its hope on PM Narendra Modi to counter belligerent Opposition

ALSO READ | Sitaram Yechury manhandled during press conference, CPM leader accuses Sangh outfit

ALSO WATCH | My priority always been farmers; ready for peaceful dialogue, says Shivraj Chouhan as he begins fast

--- ENDS ---
They call themselves "sidewalk counsellors" and they gather around reproductive health clinics, which are (whisper it!) the places where women go to procure abortions.

If you find that uncomfortable, or if you believe there is a moral distinction between women who want their pregnancies and those who don't, rest assured these clinics are also attended by women who have had miscarriages and need treatment.

Anti-abortion demonstrators block the doorway of the Preterm Clinic in Cooper Street, Surry Hills, in 1985. Credit:Bruce Miller

Whatever the case, they still get harassed, as do the clinic's staff. The sidewalk counsellors brandish photos of late-term fetuses in their faces. Sometimes they jostle. They pray publicly for the souls of the fetuses. They cajole. They take photographs of the women entering the clinics. They do everything they can to make sure the woman entering the clinic, on what is probably one of the worst days of her life, has an even worse day.

Most of the sidewalk counsellors are from the ludicrously named group Helpers of God's Precious Infants. Of course, the group helps no infants  it does not exist in labour wards or in infant health, in post-natal care or in the foster system.
The British election results presages a fascinating possibility: Britain might soon have its first republican Prime Minister in Jeremy Corbyn. Even if May holds on this time, there is already talk of another election before Christmas.

No, I don't say Britain becoming a republic is imminent, but I might note that if Corbyn moves into No.10 Downing Street it is closer than ever, and it raises a point most eloquently raised by our own Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in 1992. That is that under our Constitution, if Britain becomes a republic, their first president automatically becomes Australia's first president! Yup. I know. Completely ludicrous.

Here in Oz at least, the ARM  which I chair  is surging and, following the PM addressing our gala dinner in December last, on July 29 we will have Bill Shorten delivering his pathway to the republic address to dinner with a thousand of us in Melbourne at the Royal Exhibition Building. Interesting times!

As to Prince Harry weakening our cause, please. He is an international celeb, doing a good thing with the Invictus Games and good luck to him. Enthusiasm for him, and his cause, should not be confused with a lack of desire for us to be a free-standing people, 'neath the Southern Cross. Ask Premier Gladys Berejiklian.


VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORKS

As privacy becomes a precious commodity, a virtual private network offers an online cone of silence.

WiTopia: has VPN servers in more than 50 countries.

You can't trust open public Wi-Fi hotspots which aren't password protected, but even supposedly secure networks can be compromised. The best way to protect your privacy and security when using someone else's Wi-Fi is to engage a VPN  creating an encrypted tunnel from your computer, smartphone or tablet out across the internet to the VPN server. This secure connection prevents anyone in between listening in on your activities in search of passwords and other sensitive information, plus it stops them tracking the websites you visit.

For the fastest download speeds you should connect to the closest VPN server, but one side effect of using a VPN is that the websites you visit believe you're in the same country as the VPN server. It's a handy trick for bluffing your way into foreign video services, as well as watching Australian services when you're far from home, although your mileage may vary depending on the video service and the VPN provider.
A long-simmering dispute over brumbies in the Kosciusko National Park is set to heat up with the Berejiklian government ready to ditch a plan to reintroduce shooting to control feral numbers, a local advocate of the wild horses has said.

Peter Cochran, president of the Snowy Mountains Bush Users Groups and a former NSW Nationals MP, said the government is set to reject key measures outlined in its draft management plan released a year ago.

The draft called for the elimination of 90 per cent of the estimated 6000 wild horses in the national park over 20 years to limit impacts on the sensitive upland environment. Ground-based shooting was one proposed control method.

"They have ruled out all shooting  aerial and ground  unless there are exceptional circumstances," such as an injured animal, Mr Cochran told Fairfax of the revised plans. He attended last month's Nationals conference in Broken Hill.
The Turnbull government is preparing for a frenzied fortnight of negotiations with the Senate crossbench as it seeks to pass its Gonski 2.0 school funding changes into law.

With Labor opposed to the controversial new funding model, the government is still short of the numbers needed to overhaul the way the nation's schools are funded.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham is lobbying the Senate crossbench to support the government's school funding changes. Credit:James Hall

Education Minister Simon Birmingham will bring his school funding legislation to a Senate vote over the next two weeks, before Parliament rises for an extended winter break.

The government is moving quickly on the issue because the changes would take effect next year and principals need certainty to plan their budgets.
Therefore the government wants to make sure the law is "sufficiently strong to require companies, if need be, to assist in response to a warrant to assist law enforcement or intelligence to decrypt a communication", he said. The government wants to co-operate with tech and telco firms to stop terrorists "going dark"  the spy term for becoming impenetrable online  and is looking at strengthening legislation to ensure that co-operation. Senator Brandis will ask like-minded countries with whom Australia shares intelligence to make similar changes and also to improve mechanisms for warrants enabling Australian agencies to seek access to data from overseas counterparts and vice versa. Encrypted messaging has become increasingly popular among terrorist groups to plan attacks. Jailed Melbourne Anzac Day plotter Sevdet Besim used messaging app Telegram, as did the Islamic State-linked attackers killed 130 people in Paris in 2015. Australian IS poster boy Neil Prakash was a keen user of the app Surespot during his time as a recruiter and propagandist and recruiter.

There are serious technical and jurisdictional challenges however. With the end-to-end encryption now commonly used by apps such WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Signal and Wickr Me, the companies themselves don't have the decrypted messages. The companies are invariably based overseas, often in the United States. Encryption is also vital for the privacy protection of ordinary app and internet users, and many experts warn that any fundamental weakening of encryption software would leave law-abiding users vulnerable to hackers. Given the difficulty of cracking end-to-end encrypted messages during transmission, one option would be to improve warrant-based access to communications at the sender or receiver ends, Senator Brandis said. "At one point or more of that process, access to the encrypted communication is essential for intelligence and law enforcement," he said. "If there are encryption keys then those encryption keys have to be put at the disposal of the authorities."

He stressed Australia wanted to do this in co-operation with other countries. He will put the issue high on the agenda at the next "five eyes" intelligence meeting later this month with the US, Britain, Canada and New Zealand. "I think we've got to take a common position on the extent of the legally imposed obligations on the device-makers and the social media companies to co-operate," Senator Brandis said. Senator Brandis also said wanted to improve the mechanisms for warrant exchanges between Australian agencies and counterparts in the US and other partners. ASIO should for instance be able to provide US counterparts with a warrant signed by the Attorney-General to access data that related to an Australian investigation but "that arrangement does not exist as simply as that at the moment". Countries needed "common standards as to the nature of the obligation", so that if a US agency were to approach an American company on Australia's behalf, that company would know that agreed legal tests were being met, Senator Brandis said.

Mike Burgess, former chief information security officer at Telstra and former deputy director at cyberspy agency the Australian Signals Directorate, said any solution was likely to be imperfect. Terrorists could write their own encryption software or migrate to apps that were based in out-of-reach jurisdictions. But he said it was better to have some coverage of the problem than little or none. "There are really clever evil people and then there are not so clever evil people. We can't just use the debate about the difficulties to say we're not going to do anything," he said. "I personally want to live in a world where reasonable people and companies would say, 'You know what? Under the rule of law, and with the right oversight and a warrant, communications can be listened to when it's needed to protect us.'" Jacinta Carroll, a counter-terrorism expert with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and former national security official, said traditional communications companies had always helped stop their services being used for crime or terrorism, and laws needed to be updated so that tech and telco firms did the same.
The success of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn at the UK election hasn't just left the British political class searching for answers.

Predicted to lead his party to a resounding defeat in the UK snap election, Mr Corbyn instead defied expectations, winning an additional 30 seats and sweeping away the ruling Tory party majority, forcing leader Theresa May into a coalition with the Democratic Unionist Party in order to stay in Downing Street.

His message of "for the many, not the few", as well as his unapologetic focus on generational inequality and service cuts has resonated with Australian Labor MPs, as the nation's major parties attempt to map out their paths to the next election.

The success of the Corbyn campaign has "huge lessons" for the ALP, according to Senator Sam Dastyari, who spent the last week volunteering in the UK election.
The image of Prince Charles sitting at his bureau at Highgrove trapped in a loveless marriage to Princess Diana and pouring his heart out to Nancy Reagan in a stream of correspondence that would flow over four decades is certainly an intriguing one.

The unlikely pen pals apparently struck up their letter writing relationship after meeting each other in Washington in 1981.

'One day I will tell you the whole story': Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981. Credit:Getty

Following a White House dinner, Charles wrote that he was sold on the first lady: "I am a devoted admirer for life!"

In a letter, released publicly for the first time last week and dated June 21, 1992  barely six months before the royal couple announced their separation  Charles wrote to "my dear Nancy":
I AM WEARING a Cretan outfit as I just came back from a commemoration of the Battle of Crete, where Anzacs fought alongside the Greeks against the Germans. I'm wearing this handmade headpiece that represents the tears of the Cretans when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire. I'm wearing a black shirt in honour of the fallen men, cargo pants made in Crete and boots regularly worn in Cretan villages. They're locally made and very comfortable. I assembled the outfit at the Cretan Brotherhood in Brunswick. I feel comfortable wearing this because it's Northcote and you can wear what you want. I didn't bring a change of clothes but I was like, you know what, it doesn't matter. This is who I am. I'm not embarrassed.

Alexander Vounisios: It's Northcote and you can wear what you want. Credit:Ellie Stanton

MY STYLE IS traditional casual.

I ADMIRE THE STYLE OF European bloggers. I think a lot of unique stuff comes out of Greece, Italy and France. I like that it's not stuff they would have here, so I'll be different from everyone else.

MY FAVOURITE PLACES TO SHOP ARE Chapel Street, Lygon Street and those small shops on Smith Street. My favourite brands are Diesel and Ralph Lauren.

MY BIGGEST FASHION MISTAKE WAS wearing shorts at a formal dinner. Everyone said I pulled it off because I had a nice shirt and shoes, but it was a bit embarrassing at the beginning.

WHEN I WAS A KID I WORE a lot jumpers and skivvies. I'd like skivvies to come back in fashion.
The "placebo effect" is a phenomenon in medicine whereby patients feel better without the use of drugs. It was widely thought that, for a placebo to work, doctors had to deceive patients that they were getting the real deal, and that's problematic for a profession keen to promote informed consent. But a new study casts doubt on whether deceit is necessary at all and, along with a swag of research showing some remarkable placebo effects, raises big questions about whether placebos should now enter the mainstream as a legitimate item for doctors to prescribe. A pain killer can be twice as effective if the patient is told they are getting it compared to receiving it unknowingly. Led by Oxford University's Jeremy Howick, the study examined five trials of so-called "open label" placebos, in which participants are told they are getting a dummy pill, sometimes with the advice that it has been shown to work through a "mind-body" healing mechanism.

And for conditions that included lower back pain, irritable bowel syndrome, hay fever, depression and ADHD, giving a placebo honestly, the researchers concluded, worked. "If there's evidence it's effective, I don't see huge harm with a health professional openly administering a placebo which the patient is fully aware of," says Ben Colagiuri, a psychology researcher at the University of Sydney. In April, Colagiuri published a meta-analysis of 13 studies that concluded placebo sleeping pills, whose real counterparts notched up nearly 3 million prescriptions in Australia in 2013-2014, significantly improved sleep quality. The possibilities would seem almost limitless. Adding a fake pill to the doctor's bag could reduce medical costs and undercut the burden of disease  adverse reactions to prescription drugs are, on one estimate, the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.

But both Finniss and Colagiuri point out that leveraging the placebo effect isn't just about giving fake pills. The key is to raise patients' expectations of a positive result, something that also kicks in when real drugs are prescribed. For Finniss, a striking example of placebo power is the so-called "open-hidden" effect. A pain killer, such as morphine, can be twice as effective if the patient is told they are getting it (open) compared to receiving it unknowingly via an infusion (hidden). "For every medical treatment, part of what we do is a receptor  or an anatomical-based treatment  and part of it is a treatment of a patient's brain, through ritual," says Finniss. For the pain management doctor, that means the theatre of medicine is key, from the austerity of the consulting room, to taking the time to explain a treatment's likely effects, even their decision to dress more formally.

But behind the performance of healing is some strong science. Simply believing an analgesic will work releases the body's endogenous pain killers and activates the same brain regions as the bona fide drug. "Part of the outcome of what I do on any given day is the way I interact with the patients and not necessarily the technology, or the tablets, or the anaesthetic," says Finniss. That interaction is also the focus of Colagiuri's research. He's looking at the placebo's evil twin, the so-called "nocebo" effect, which happens when a patient's pessimism about treatment becomes self-fulfilling, and they get bad results.

"We've shown that if you give a placebo treatment for sleep difficulty, and you warn half of the people about side effects but don't warn the other half, the people you warn report more side effects," says Colagiuri. He's aiming to reverse that by exploiting a psychological quirk familiar to anyone who's made more than a cursory survey of supermarket shelves. Those bright food packets are labelled "98 per cent fat-free" not "2 per cent fat" because, although they're statistically identical, positive reference to the F-word could send the weight-conscious scurrying. Colagiuri is deploying similar tactics to reduce drug side effects. An antidepressant with, for example, a 30 per cent chance of causing sexual dysfunction, can be reframed as having a 70 per cent chance of not causing the problem.

"You're giving exactly the same information so, therefore, maintaining full informed consent, but framing it in such a way to try to minimise negative expectancies," says Colagiuri. There is, however, an important caveat over the entire placebo project. In 2011 a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that asthmatics treated with a placebo inhaler felt nearly as good as those who got the real treatment. And while that might sound positive, the problem was their lung function barely improved, which prompted criticism that placebos could make sick people merely feel better, and cause them to delay potentially life-saving treatment. That concern is real, but there is also a growing tranche of research showing placebos can produce a genuine biological response that could affect the disease process itself.

And it traces back to a gold-plated study from the archive. In the 1970s the late psychologist Robert Ader was trying to condition taste-aversion in rats. He'd give them a saccharine drink and, at the same time, inject them with Cytoxan, a drug that suppresses the immune system, but also makes you feel sick. It worked. The critters learned to hate the sweet drink, which they linked with nausea. But when Ader kept forcing the rats to drink it, they experienced something worse than a mere distaste for saccharine.

They started dropping dead, one by one. The reason? Their immune system had "learned" to fail by repeated pairing of the drink with the cytotoxic drug. Incredibly, the drink alone turned off their immunity and they succumbed to infection. Andrea Evers, Professor of Health Psychology at Leiden University, the Netherlands, is running a study that exploits this conditioning effect and may benefit patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The immunosuppressant drug methotrexate is a common treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, a disorder where the person's immune system attacks their own joints. In Evers' study, patients are getting methotrexate, but with a twist.

Instead of receiving the same dose each time, Evers is mixing it up, so patients get a higher dose followed by a lower dose. The idea is that when the higher dose is given, the body links the pill with a damped-down immune system. When the lower dose is taken, the theory is it will work because the body has "learned" to curb immunity as a placebo response to simply taking the pill. Results are pending, but Evers' hope is that it will mean effective drug regimes that use lower doses with fewer side effects. "There is no question at all that immune and endocrine parameters can be conditioned" says Evers, who has just published a meta-analysis of 16 studies in humans. She found conditioning could reduce levels of the immune protein Interleukin-2, produce antihistamine effects in hay fever, and even alter insulin levels in diabetes.

But how does it work? "Conditioning probably simulates the pathway of the original response of the medication. It duplicates the original response," says Evers. This is somewhat mind-contorting, until you think harder about Pavlov and his dogs. After repeatedly having their meat snack announced with a bell, Pavlov's hounds learned to drool just on hearing the bell. Over time, the bell, all on its own, could activate the unique physiology of the body's salivation pathway. Placebos, it seems, can work on the immune and endocrine systems with similar precision.

The medical profession, however, remains less than enthusiastic. "I'm one of, I believe, two researchers in the country who speak on placebo, and I've been invited to one university to give a lecture at undergraduate level," says Finniss, who will host an international placebo symposium in Sydney in November. According to Charlotte Blease, a philosopher of science at University College Dublin, this antipathy may go to the core of what it means to be a doctor. "Medical education is largely about biomedical facts. So called 'softer' sciences, such as psychology, get marginalised because it's the hard stuff that is associated with what it really means to be a doctor," she says. The result, says Blease, is a large, placebo-shaped hole in the medical curriculum.
The families of four farmers who died in police firing in Mandsaur on Tuesday, today asked Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan to end his indefinite fast, the news agency ANI reported.

Families of 4 farmers who died in Mandsaur firing ask CM Chouhan to end fast (ANI Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: The families of four farmers who died in police firing in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur earlier this week, have asked Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to end the indefinite fast he began today.

But Chouhan today reiterated that his fast would continue until peace was fully restored in his state.

Madhya Pradesh - the districts of Mandsaur and Dewas in particular - has witnessed protests by farmers who want debt relief and better crop prices.

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Five farmers were killed in police firing on Tuesday, and another was beaten to death, allegedly by police personnel.

Meanwhile, Mandsaur's Superintendent of Police said no curfew would be imposed after 8 pm in the region, but that Section 144 would remain in effect.

The curfew in Pipliya Mandi would remain overnight, he added.

(Inputs from ANI)

ALSO READ | Shivraj Singh Chouhan on fast: BJP pins its hope on PM Modi to counter belligerent Opposition

ALSO READ | Leaderless farmers in Madhya Pradesh using social media to help agitation gain momentum

ALSO WATCH | Madhya Pradesh: CM Shivraj Chouhan to begin indefinite fast in wake of growing farmer agitation

--- ENDS ---
The organisation behind the Australian of the Year awards has watered down its biography of accused fraudster Eman Sharobeem in an apparent move to distance the disgraced finalist from its flagship awards.

The National Australia Day Council this week dropped a reference to Ms Sharobeem being an Australian of the Year finalist from an official profile on its website after questions from Fairfax Media.

Reference to Sharobeem being an Australian of the Year finalist in 2015 was changed after queries from Fairfax Media.

Before and after changes have been captured in screen shots.

Fairfax Media approached the National Australia Day Council about the impact of a corruption investigation into Ms Sharobeem and whether the council had reviewed vetting procedures on nominees.
Higher than average levels of impulsiveness, sensitivity to anxiety, sensation seeking and hopelessness. These four personality traits have been shown by researchers to predict those teenagers at high risk of becoming binge drinkers with 90 per cent accuracy.

In the first Australian trial, a program targeting 438 year 8 students with one of these traits successfully halved the onset of drinking and the incidence of binge drinking for up to three years following the intervention.

A new online course called Climate Schools has been proven to halve the rate of kids binge drinking and delay drinking compared to children doing the standard curriculum. The course is interactive and uses engaging cartoons. Credit:ClimateSchools.com.au

The Preventure program was designed by Professor Patricia Conrod from the University of Montreal more than 10 years ago to modify a teenager's behaviour and thinking. It has now been tested on thousands of teenagers around the world  including in the Czech republic, Canada, Britain and Australia  with similar results.

In the first Australian trial in NSW and Victorian schools, students were classified as high risk using the "Substance Use Risk Profile" scale, which measured whether they had higher than average levels of one of the four personality traits. Some had more than one.
SY Ena, with her raked spars and funnel and gleaming wooden doors and windows, may be Australia's most elegant yacht.

Built to ferry the cream of Edwardian society around Sydney Harbour in the 1900s, Steam Yacht Ena will soon be owned by the people.

Telstra chair John Mullen (left) and Kevin Sumption, director and CEO of Australian National Maritime Museum, on the SY Ena last week. Credit:James Brickwood

Her owner, Telstra chairman John Mullen, has donated the 117-year-old steam yacht to the Australian National Maritime Museum.

He spent a small fortune restoring the iridescent white 27-metre yacht since purchasing her two years ago. Today she is all brass, copper and gleaming varnished timber above deck, while below the main saloon, gentlemen's saloon and ladies' cabin feature inlaid tables, a folding card table, etched glass murals and even a flower-decorated porcelain WC.
An accused illegal arms trafficker charged in connection with the fatal Brighton terror siege allegedly used code words including "bicycle" and "two-seater" in text messages to ply his trade.

Kane John Dalrymple, 30, of St Albans in Melbourne's west, spent the night behind bars after being arrested and charged with a string of illicit firearms offences, including for operating an illegal gun-dealing business.

Defence lawyer Felix Ralph on Saturday applied to have Mr Dalrymple's name suppressed, arguing his client had "no ideological link ... to radical Islam or ISIS", and claiming that releasing his identity could jeopardise his safety in prison.

"Mr Dalrymple will be in custody for quite some time," he said, "and I have protective concerns about how others in the prison population are likely to view him, considering the gravity of the Brighton terror incident."
An inmate has been taken to hospital after being assaulted inside Loddon Prison, north-west of Melbourne on Saturday.

Police are investigating after the 39-year-old man was injured shortly after 5pm.

Loddon Prison in Castlemaine, Victoria. Credit:Midland Express

A Corrections Victoria spokesman confirmed that a prisoner had been treated for minor injuries, and said police were investigating as was standard practice.

The circumstances of the assault are not currently known.
Beirut: In the quiet streets and malls of the Qatari capital of Doha, the reassuring routines of the annual Ramadan fast have been interrupted by an incomprehensible shock.

People in this tiny country, dominated by a metropolis built on enormous wealth from selling natural gas, are trying to understand why their Gulf neighbours want to cut them off from the outside world to punish their leaders for supporting Islamist militant groups. At least one supermarket is limiting purchases, the airport is no longer bustling and families are being separated in a region where nationalities are interwoven.

For many Qataris the shock of waking up on Monday to the showdown with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates hasn't worn off. Nor can they make sense of the accusations that Qatar is destabilising the region by sponsoring terrorism. The country's US ally, under President Donald Trump, also backs the isolation.

"The emotional damage is much greater than any financial or other damage," said Hessa al-Muhannadi, 30, a Qatari mother of a two-year-old daughter whose family had to return from a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia via Kuwait when flights were stopped and their credit cards blocked. "What has changed is trust."
Brasilia: Brazil's embattled President Michel Temer scored a breakthrough in his struggle to cling to power as the country's top electoral court acquitted him of illegal campaign financing charges.

Four out of seven members acquitted Temer of charges that he and then President Dilma Rousseff accepted illegal contributions to their 2014 election campaign. A condemnation could have forced Temer out of office, plunging the country further into a leadership crisis just over a year after his predecessor was impeached.

Brazil's President Michel Temer smiles as he receives military honors during a ceremony in Brasilia on Friday. Credit:AP

The court's decision will buy Temer some time to address allegations of corruption and influence-trafficking that surfaced last month and prompted calls for his resignation or impeachment. The electoral court was seen as one of the most immediate threats to Temer's mandate. According to Eurasia Group political consultancy, the chances of Temer not finishing his term now fall to 30 per cent from 60 per cent.

"It removes the main obstacle to Temer's continuation in office," said Thomaz Favaro of consultancy Control Risks in a phone interview. "He's cobbled together enough support to see off fresh threats, such as impeachment or indictment."
The Greek migrant who invented Hawaiian pizza from his restaurant in Canada has died. He was 83.

Sam Panopoulos created his original - and controversial - take on the popular Italian dish in 1962.

Sam Panopoulos, inventor of the Hawaiian pizza.

In an interview with Canadian broadcaster CBC in February, Mr Panopoulos said he first added pineapple to pizza as an experiment.

"Along the way, we threw some pineapples on it and nobody liked it at first," he said. But after that, they went crazy about it. Because in those days nobody was mixing sweets and sours and all that. It was plain, plain food."
Delhi: Indian citizens cannot be forced to enroll for a 12-digit unique identity number to be able file tax returns, the country's top court said in a ruling that may be a hurdle for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plan to move transactions online.

The Supreme Court partially stayed a law that made the Aadhaar card mandatory for filing returns or for obtaining a 10-digit alpha-numeric code the Income Tax Department issues to tax payers. The stay is needed till a question on the right to privacy under Indian laws is decided by a constitution bench of the top court with at least five judges, a two-judge panel ruled.

Homeless workers scan their irises and fingerprints for a national ID at a market in New Delhi in 2011. Credit:New York Times

It also urged the government to address the issue of data security.

"These concerns need to be addressed by the government so that confidence is instilled in the public at large," Justices A.K. Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said in their ruling.
Bonanza, Nicaragua: Rescue workers have freed 20 miners who were trapped in a goldmine after a landslide in northern Nicaragua.

Government spokeswoman Rosario Murillo said it was believed 29 miners had been trapped by the landslide. The whereabouts of the remaining miners was not immediately clear.

Near the town of Bonanza: Relatives, friends and fellow miners wait as rescuers try to reach the trapped workers. Credit:AFP

Ms Murillo told local radio on Friday that rescue efforts would continue into the night.

Julio Quintero, head of Nicaraguan miner Hemco, a unit of Colombia's Mineros SA, said the mine in the Bonanza project, 420 kilometres north-east of Nicaragua's capital Managua, was closed about four years ago after being deemed unsafe.
By Rohini Swamy: Pro-Kannada organisations have called for a Karnataka bandh on June 12 to highlight various issues including Mahadayi river water dispute with Tamil Nadu.

Kannada Okoota, an umbrella organisation of Kannada bodies, has called the dawn to dusk bandh.

Vatal Nagaraj, who heads Kannada Okoota, said," We have been fighting for two years on the issue of Mahadayi and Kalasa Banduri. Tamil Nadu has been fighting against us on the Mekedatu issue as well. They want to protest against us on all issues, be it Cauvery, Mekedatu. They should not be opportunistic. If they protest, our protest will be much more stronger than theirs."

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Nagaraj also said, "We have requested the Karnataka government to begin work on Mekedatu immediately. We are asking the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti to be removed out of the state completely. Also the issue of how Kerala govt has stopped the teaching of Kannada in Kasargod. They have thrown out Kannada textbooks and introduced only Malayalam. We are protesting that as well. We will also fight for the farmers who have been denied compensation. We are requesting all to be a part of the June 12th bandh."

Their charter of demands among others include removal of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) activists from the state, dropping of Kannada as a subject in Kerala's Kasargod and farm loan waiver issue.

--- ENDS ---
PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday, June 6, 2017, the Chief Executive Officer of the port Mr. Mark T. Mingo was detained by the local authorities in connection with the ongoing Emerald investigations. The investigation team has placed Mr. Mingo under restrictive custody due to which no further details can be shared at this stage.

On Friday, June 9, 2017, the Council of Minister of St. Maarten, as a shareholder of the Port St. Maarten Group of Companies, authorized Shareholder Representative Minister Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher to appoint port management officials Tonny Wouter van Kooten and Richard van der Mark as persons temporarily entrusted with the management of the port.

Minister responsible for port affairs Mellissa Arrindell Doncher explained that Van Kooten and Van der Mark will form a managing board for the company for as long as CEO Mark Mingo is not able to fulfill his function as CEO of the company. The appointments were made in accordance with the company's articles of incorporation.

The Minister stressed that the everyone deserves a fair trial under the law and that Mr. Mingo is innocent until proven otherwise. Mr. Mingos attorney has issued a press release that Mr. Mingo denies any wrongdoing and faces the future with complete confidence. According to port officials, the justice authorities explicitly stated that the Port is not a suspect in any ongoing investigation.

The Minister met with the Supervisory Board of the port on Friday morning to discuss the immediate future as business at the port continues. In this regard, the Minister spent the day reaching out to stakeholders, in particular, the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and its President Michele Paige, to assure the association and it's cruise lines that Port St. Maarten is open for business and ready to provide its usual quality service and operational excellence.
ST. JOHNS, ANTIGUA June 9, 2017 - The Management of LIAT continues to work towards resolving the current impasse with The Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA). LIAT denies reports that it has "abandoned its pilots and left them stranded throughout the network LIAT operates 10 ATR aircraft, the smaller ATR 42 which seats 48 passengers and the larger ATR 72 which seats 68 passengers. By refusing to fly the ATR72 on the morning of June 7th, several aircraft and passengers were delayed at points of departure, including Trinidad, St Vincent, Tortola, and Guyana. The company can confirm that some pilots found themselves away from the base as a result of the current action by LIALPA. The company was therefore forced to transfer other pilots to these locations to fly the aircraft to move passengers impacted by the delays and cancellations. In this situation, the companys priority remains to transport our loyal and paying passengers. LIAT's acting CEO Julie Reifer-Jones stated that "The company remains committed to meeting the needs of its pilots away from the base while acting on the instructions of the company through its Operations Control Centre." LIAT is calling on LIALPA to let common sense prevail and to return the operations of the company to normalcy so we can serve the region. -
Cause of historic downtown LaPorte building collapse determined

Former Lows store was more than 150 years old. City looking to ensure several other buildings more than 100 years old are secure.
By Press Trust of India: By Fakir Hassen

Johannesburg, Jun 10 (PTI) The "warm and heartfelt" friendship between former South African President Nelson Mandela and Namibian freedom fighter Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, who passed away yesterday, was recalled here by the Mandela Foundation.

Mandela spent around 10 years in the same section on Robben Island with Toivo, who was sent there before the then South West Africa, a protectorate of the white minority South African government, became independent Namibia.

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Ya Toivo died yesterday at the age of 92 in Windhoek, Namibia.

"Madiba (the name by which Mandela is fondly known) was impressed by Toivo who refused to co-operate with the authorities and even would not participate in the system of grading prisoners to earn them a higher ranking and more privileges," the Foundation said.

The foundations CEO Sello Hatang says Madiba often described him as a stubborn freedom fighter, who was determined to win independence for his people in Namibia.

Hatang said it is important to note that their friendship was warm and heartfelt.

"He was quite militant. He wanted very little to do with whites, with the warders," Madiba had said.

Ya Toivo was released from prison in 1984 and rejoined Swapo in exile in Lusaka, Zambia.

He continued the fight in exile and returned to the independent Namibia in 1989 to serve in several cabinet positions under President Sam Nujoma until his retirement from active politics in 2006.

He returned to Namibia in 1989 and served as a member of parliament and cabinet minister. He retired from active politics in 2006.

Besides a naval vessel and a school named in his honour, Toivo also received South Africas highest national honour, the Order of O R Tambo, for his courageous contribution to the fight for independence and freedom in South Africa and Namibia. PTI FH KJ

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But Corbyn -- who calls himself "Monsieur Zen" -- didn't let this faze him and did what he had already done during his campaign for the Labour leadership: He sidestepped the media that was hostile toward him and directly wooed his greatest fan base, young British voters, on social networks. Furthermore, he tirelessly toured the country to personally explain his political agenda to as many people as possible, in stark contrast to Prime Minister May, who strung together platitudes as she addressed hand-picked crowds of elated British voters.

By contrast, Corbyn condemned throughout the country the harsh austerity policies that have meant that some British have had to wait for months for medical treatment, even in urgent cases. He described the consequences of the millions slashed from the budgets for schools, daycare centers and the nursing care system. He promised affordable housing for young families and higher corporate taxes. How exactly he intended to raise the billions and billions needed to finance his socialist program remained in many respects a mystery, but two out of three British voters didn't mind. Corbyn spoke their language.
Brussels, June 10, 2017 (SPS) - MEP Paloma Lopez denounced the "arbitrary" nature of the accusations and court proceedings that led to the 14-month prison sentence imposed on Sahrawi journalist Waleed Al Batal, urging the European Union (EU) Put pressure on the Moroccan authorities of occupation to obtain his release, as well as that of his father Salek Al Batal.

"The arbitrary nature of the charges and court proceedings reflect the colonial nature of the Moroccan administration in the occupied territories of Western Sahara", she wrote in a question addressed to the European Commission.

According to Paloma Lopez, the sentence imposed on the Saharawi journalist, Waleed Al-Batal, is an act of retaliation for his legitimate and peaceful activism in favor of human rights in Western Sahara.

"He has been sentenced as retaliation following his participation in Smara in the demonstrations for the right of self-determination of the Saharawi people," she said, denouncing the arrest of the father of the Saharawi journalist, Salek Al Batal, for participating in similar events in Smara in 2009.

The MEP wondered, as such, about the measures taken by the EU so that the sentence imposed on Waleed Al Batal is annulled and that the journalist and his father are released.

Paloma Lopez regretted that the European Union (EU) was merely repeating, every time it was questioned about the human rights situation in Western Sahara, that it was monitoring them and that it was continuing the political dialogue with Morocco, without even raising the possibility of imposing sanctions, as the situation "worsens".

The MEP considered, in this context, that the judicial reforms carried out by the EU in its attempt to eliminate the colonial methods of the Moroccan administration have failed.

On December 5, 2016, a court of first instance sentenced Mr. Waleed Al-Batal to 14 months in prison. The latter refutes all the accusations against him after his participation in a peaceful demonstration in favor of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights in Western Sahara.



If the Chief of European diplomacy, Federica Mogherini, affirmed she knew the situation of Waleed Al-Batal for having informed the National Council of Human Rights (CNDH), she argues, however, that she has no information on the case of his father Salek Al-Batal.

Nevertheless, Mogherini assured that "the EU regularly expresses its concerns" regarding alleged cases of ill-treatment or non-respect of freedom of expression.

"Our political dialogue goes hand in hand with our convinced and firm support through our programs of financial support for institutions and for civil society to reform the judicial system in Morocco so that it is in compliance with the international standards and the constitution ", she wrote in her answer to Paloma Lopez.

The Chief of European Diplomacy reiterated, in this context, her support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western in the framework of arrangements consistent with the principles and objectives of the Charter of the United Nations. (SPS)

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WESTPORT  In a clunky protective suit and trying to reach a woman struggling in the Saugatuck Rivers current, Firefighter Earl Hill made the choice to let go of the rope tethering him to sure safety.

Assured by another firefighter approaching in the water and other emergency officials converging on the scene, his sole focus was on getting to the drowning woman.

The current was pulling her away from what would have been Earls tether, said Fire Chief Robert Yost recalling the actions that saved the womans life. He made the decision to have them let go of the rope, so that was his individual act of bravery. He really put himself at risk.

Working under a unified command, police, firefighters and EMS worked to rescue the woman from the cold and churning river, as heavy rain fell the night of Feb. 25. The woman later identified as Stephanie La Mendola had been in a car with her husband, Richard La Mendola, that went into the river off a State Boat Launch near Elaine Road around 7 p.m.

Rescuers found the car and Lamendola, 76, who died from drowning that night. Police suspect no foul play and are considering the role of the dark, rainy conditions and other circumstances that may have contributed to the accident.

Hill and the crew hes a part of were just a minute away from the Bridge Street Bridge when the call came in. They raced to the area, where Hill put on an exposure suit and moved to the dock behind Parker Mansion restaurant to jump into the water.

Realizing his 150-foot tether wouldnt let him reach the woman, Hill could see firefighter Ted Crawford entering the water from the opposite bank and a firefighter and police officer boarding a civilian boat to commandeer it and come pull the woman from the water. He could see firetrucks and police cars all around.

Its not that big of a deal for me because I feel safe because all of my brothers and sisters are there, he recounted, describing his thoughts as he signaled for his crew to let go of the rope. Its a team, so if something goes wrong with me, Teds going to get there. Were going to help the person in distress. If something really bad happens to me, Ive got all these other people that are there that are going to help me or whoever needs help.

At that point, Im just like swim, keep swimming. Swim as hard as you can, said Hill, a member of the Westport Fire Department since 2003 who formerly worked as a professional lifeguard and in EMS. Originally from Florida, he now lives with his wife and six-year-old twin daughters in Newtown.

Hill reached the woman and Crawford arrived just seconds later, holding the woman above water on each side. The boat was there a moment later to bring her to the dock.

You have to go as fast as possible because theres a minimal amount of time we have to make a rescue like that, said Crawford, a Connecticut native and Westport firefighter since 2011 who lives with his wife, son, and daughter in Bethlehem. Hypothermia was a significant concern and if the woman slipped under the water, the rescues could lose track of her in a situation where seconds counted.

Yost watched from a dock with a flashlight on Hill as he made the call to untether himself. The chief was concerned for Hill, in the water and very exposed. He kept his light on Hill, relieved that Crawford was close and the boat reached the men quickly.

There were a couple of seconds there where this could go horribly wrong, he said.

After the rescue, both Hill and Crawford moved onto the next task at hand, searching for the man missing in the river. Hill patrolled the shoreline and ran a search pattern near the boat ramp later, remaining suited up. Crawford switched to work with the Dive Team. He is a member of the joint police-fire unit.

It feels good that we were able to do our jobs and help somebody, Hill said. But Crawford added, I feel bad we werent able to rescue both victims though, so its kind of bittersweet.

lweiss@hearstmediact.com; @LauraEWeiss16
A young man has died after he was blasted in the head by a gun-toting killer on a motorbike in south London, police say.

Detectives think the 24-year-old was sitting in the passenger seat of a Volkswagen car which was being driven down Wellesley Road in Croydon when the attack happened.

A motorcyclist with a pillion passenger pulled up alongside the car and shots were fired at the vehicle.

The car driver, who suffered minor injuries, took his stricken friend to hospital.

He died on arrival after suffering a gunshot wound to the head, police say.

A large section of the street, a main road through the town centre, was cordoned off by officers as they investigated the scene.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: Police were called at 10.06pm on Friday, 9 June, to reports of a shooting in Wellesley Road, Croydon.

Six minutes later, officers were notified that a 24-year-old man had been taken to a south London hospital suffering a gunshot injury to his head. He died upon arrival at the hospital.

He said: Croydon town centre is usually very busy on a Friday night and detectives are appealing for anyone in the area who witnessed the shooting or the events leading up to the incident to contact them.

No arrests have been made and enquires continue.

Local road closures are in place and members of the public are advised to avoid the area to enable police to conduct a full examination of the crime scene.

Sarah Jones, MP for Croydon Central, said: "It's devastating to hear about the fatal shooting in Wellesley Road last night.

I have spoken with the police and we are asking anyone who witnessed anything to come forward. I will be getting a full briefing on this issue shortly. The rise in violent crime in Croydon is something we must tackle."

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4054, dial 101, or tweet @MetCC or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit the www.crimestoppers-uk.org website.
P olice are hunting a knifeman after a broad daylight stabbing at a busy south London rail station.

British Transport Police said the incident took place after a row broke out between two men at East Croydon station.

The pair, who knew each other, began brawling at the station before one of them was knifed in the leg, it is claimed.

He was rushed to hospital but has since been discharged.

Police have now released CCTV images of a man they want to trace over the attack, which took place at 1pm on May 20.

Investigating officer, PC Alfred Iswa, said: We are working to establish the circumstances of the incident, who was involved and why, and I would appeal to anyone who has any information about this man, or who saw what happened at East Croydon that Saturday lunchtime, to contact me as soon as possible.

As well as the obvious danger to the men who were involved in the fight, there were members the public nearby, using the station during the day.

It is not acceptable that people armed with knives should be fighting and causing injury to each other anywhere, let alone in a public place like this. We are doing everything we can to identify the offender and bring him to justice.

Anyone with information should call police on 0800 40 50 40 or text information to 61016, quoting reference number 219 20/05/17.
By Akshaya Nath: "The last meal I took was at home before leaving for the airport yesterday. I was told that I am blacklisted and they asked me if I was an LTTE," said Vaiko, MDMK leader, who was not permitted to enter Malaysia by the country's immigration department stating that he was a dangerous person to the country.

Vaiko was to attend the wedding reception of Malaysian state Penang's Deputy Chief Minister Ramasamy Palanisamy's daughter and was provided with the Malaysian visa before heading for his foreign visit. "This is because of the Sri Lankan government. In 2014, at n international forum, I had presented a key note on how Sri Lanka had conducted a genocide during the civil war. This is the reason behind why they have tagged me an LTTE and have blacklisted me from many countries," said Vaiko.

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He has not been able to travel to Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom, America because of the Sri Lankan government's pressure and due to the fact that they had listed him as an LTTE. Vaiko clarified that he was an LTTE sympathiser but not an LTTE member, but the clarification was not taken into account by the Malaysian officers. He further said, "In 1989, I had visisted Sri Lanka to learn the situations of the Tamils. For which, I had dressed up like them and had stayed with Prabakaran but that was when the LTTE was not banned in the country. Those photographs are being used against me now."

VAIKO TO WRITE TO PM

The MDMK leader has said that he would be writing a strong letter to the prime minister regarding the injustice. He said that he has not been able to visit his grand children, who are in the US, for the last nine years because of the blacklists he has been put on by the Sri Lankan government.

"The immigration officer did not check my passport. As soon as he heard my name, he said I was blacklisted and considered a danger to the country. The deputy CM and CM of Malaysia tried a lot but it was of no use. Finally, the Deputy PM's office sent an instruction that I should not be allowed and so was the instruction from the home affairs ministry in Malaysia. I am not angry, but I am shocked that something like this happened inspite of me trying to tell them that I was an MP in India and showed my card to them," Vaiko said.

The leader profusely thanked leaders like Anbumani Ramadoss, Thirumavalavan, GK Vasan who spoke in support of his cause. Vaiko said that the representatives of the Indian embassy in Malaysia are helpless but sympathetic towards his situation. Though he was denied entry into Malaysia, he was given a royal welcome by his party men in Tamil Nadu.

Also Read:

Tamil Nadu: DMK cadres pelt stones at Vaiko who went to meet Karunanidhi

May 17 movement: Chennai Police denies volunteers permission to gather at Marina beach

Watch:

Vaiko denied entry into Malaysia for alleged LTTE links

--- ENDS ---

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A man has died after a car careered into a wall in an early morning crash near Hyde Park Corner.

Police were called to the junction of Park Lane and Piccadilly just after 5.30am on Saturday, where they found a car crashed into a wall.

Dramatic pictures of emerged of the estate car smashed in the crash, with the entire front end caved in.

Firefighters pulled a man out of the car who was then treated by paramedics, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

A car which hit a wall at the junction of Park Lane and Piccadilly in London / PA

The man's age is currently unknown.

A second man was also taken to hospital, where he is in a critical condition.

DS Andy Davison said: "The drivers of a number of vehicles stopped to assist at the scene, some of whom drove off prior to the arrival of police. I would ask the occupants of those vehicles, and any other witnesses, to contact police by calling 101 or via Twitter @MetCC.

Officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.
V iolent and sexual offences on Londons rail network rose by almost 1,000 last year with more than 16 incidents per day, the Standard can reveal.

According to figures obtained under Freedom of Information rules, there were 6,057 violent and sexual offences on the capitals railways, tube trains and stations in 2016, compared to 5,137 the year before.

Most of the offences took place on Londons railway network, though there were more than 2,000 of the crimes on the Underground.

There was also a 15 per cent rise in the number of sexual offences on the capitals transport network, rising from 1,251 to 1,449.

320 offences took place on trains heading to London Victoria or at the station / Getty Images

City Hall said the number of offences are deeply worrying.

However, British Transport Police (BTP) put the rise down to an increase in the number of journeys on Londons trains, with the long-awaited Night Tube opening in summer last year.

A spokesman said: Were committed to providing a safe environment for all passengers, rail staff, and officers  the rail network is a CCTV rich environment, and we deploy uniformed officers every day to patrol stations across the network to reassure passengers and staff.

We have also introduced a number of new officers to the network since the introduction of Night Tube, to ensure were there if people need us.

Victoria station was the worst in London for the offences, with 320 incidents on trains heading to or at the station in 2016.

The number of racially aggravated offences also rose from 1,101 to 1,323.

The figures come after Transport for London (TfL) re-launched a major campaign to tackle sex attacks on Tube trains.

In March, a woman anonymously came out and spoke of being sexually assaulted on Londons rail network in a bid to encourage others to report incidents.

Under the fake name of Christine, she said she was followed onto a packed train by a man in a suit, who started rubbing himself against her.

She said: I was listening to music on my phone and the gentlemen kept gradually coming towards me, so I thought maybe he wanted to steal my phone or something.

When I put my hand down to put (my phone) in my pocket that is when I felt he was erect and rubbing himself on my hand.

I got off the train and I just ran. I just wanted to escape."

Her attacker, who also assaulted another woman, was arrested at Cannon Street Tube station and ordered to do 60 hours of unpaid work last year.

In November 2016, just 67 crimes had been reported on the Night Tube after 1.5 million journeys, which TfL hailed as due to creating a safe, low crime environment.

British Transport Police put the rise down to more reporting and a busier transport network / Getty Images

Since 2011, the number of passenger journeys on the London Underground has risen from 1.17bn journeys to 1.35bn.

Siwan Hayward, TfLs head of transport policing, said that the increase in offences was down to low level crimes such as verbal assaults being reported.

She said: We are extremely encouraged to see the increased reporting of sexual offences which is a direct result of our high profile Report It to Stop it campaign.

This behaviour has no place on our transport network and alongside the police we urge victims to come forward so reports can be fully investigated and perpetrators brought to justice.

Sophie Linden, deputy mayor for policing and crime, said: Keeping Londoners safe is the mayors top priority, and the number of reports of sexual offences and racially aggravated assaults is deeply worrying.

We are working with the Met, British Transport Police and TfL to make sure each report is taken extremely seriously, and to make improvements in line with changing demands.

People can report unwanted sexual behaviour on public transport by texting 61016 or call the police on 101 and give details of what, where and when.
A ngela Merkel has said Brexit negotiations should still go ahead as on schedule despite the political fallout in the UK from the General Election.

Negotiations are set to begin in just nine days, with the German chancellor saying the European Union wants talks to progress "quickly" despite UK politcians still reeling from Thursday's shock election result.

She also warned the UK that the EU would defend the interests of its members during what is expected to be gruelling negotiations.

After calling a snap election in a bid to strengthen her hand in the talks, Prime Minister Theresa May now faces heading to Brussels with a weaker mandate and with her own position under threat.

General Election: How the day unfolded

The Prime Minster lost her majority in the Commons, but was still able to form a Government as the largest party.

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel made the comments on a visit to Mexico this week / REUTERS

Speaking during a visit to Mexico, Ms Merkel ended her brief period of "polite" restraint from commenting on Mrs May's catastrophic poll.

"We are ready for the negotiations. We want to do it quickly, respecting the calendar," she said in comments reported by Sky News.

"We were waiting for the election in Britain, but in the next few days these talks will begin.

"We will defend the interests of the 27 member states, and Britain will defend its own interests."

On Friday, European Council president Donald Tusk warned Mrs May there is "no time to lose".

With talks due to start in Brussels on June 19, Mr Tusk said it was their "urgent task" to get on with the negotiations in "the best possible spirit".

In a letter to the PM congratulating her on her reappointment, he said the two-year time frame set out under Article 50 of the EU treaties left no room for delay.

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker also said he hoped there would be no further delay to the negotiations "we are desperately waiting for".

Brussels' chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said the talks would begin when Britain was ready, suggesting he would consider a short delay.

Theresa May faces tough negotiations in Brussels having lost her majority Government / Getty Images

"Brexit negotiations should start when UK is ready; timetable and EU positions are clear. Let's put our minds together on striking a deal," he said on Twitter.

However there was clear frustration with the EU at the failure of the election to deliver a decisive result.

The European Parliament's Brexit co-ordinator, Guy Verhofstadt, said: "Yet another own goal, after Cameron now May, will make already complex negotiations even more complicated."

Mrs May's plans laid in tatters on Friday after an unexpected surge in support for Labour saw the Conservatives lose seats, falling short of an overall majority.

A the PM sought to secure a parliamentary majority by striking a deal with Northern Ireland's DUP, a spokesman for Ms Merkel said they would refrain from commenting out of "politeness and respect".
M ore than half a million people have signed a petition to block a possible deal between Conservatives and the socially hardline Democratic Unionist Party.

Theresa May is seeking an agreement with the 10 Northern Irish MPs after her party lost its majority in an ill-judged snap election - but anger over the move continues to grow.

Over 500,000 have backed the call in the 24 hours since it was posted on Change.org on Friday.

It calls for Mrs May to resign and labels the DUP deal a disgusting, desperate attempt to stay in power.

Who are the DUP?

The DUP has been criticised for its right-wing stance on social issues including gay rights and abortion.

The party opposes gay marriage and Northern Ireland remains the only part of the UK where women cannot access abortion unless their life is endangered by the pregnancy.

In 2016, DUP leader Arlene Foster said: I would not want abortion to be as freely available here as it is in England.

On Saturday Mrs May faced a backlash over the DUP's "deeply worrying" stance on abortion after former Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Paterson said: You might get a debate I suppose on further reduction of abortion times as medical science advances.

Meanwhile, in London on Saturday hundreds of protesters marched on Downing Street to protest against a "confidence and supply" agreement between Conservatives and the DUP.
T heresa May was savaged in Saturday mornings newspapers after her failed General Election gamble forced her into a minority government propped up by the DUP.

The Prime Minister lost her majority in the Commons after a shock Labour surge on Thursday, weakening her position just days before negotiations begin on Brexit.

The Guardian branded the result a humiliation for Mrs May while many national newspapers questioned whether the PM would be able to survive a Conservative Party revolt.

Mrs May apologised to Tory MPs who lost their constituency, with the party now reliant on the DUPs ten MPs to push legislation through the Commons.

The Conservative Party won 318 seats, eight short of a majority.
J eremy Corbyn could have been Britains next Prime Minister  if it wasnt for the performance of the Conservatives in Scotland.

Theresa May returned to Downing Street and will govern with support from Northern Irelands Democratic Unionist Party after a disastrous election night for the PM saw her party lose its Commons majority.

But north of the border the Tories performed strongly under the leadership of Ruth Davidson, winning 12 new seats as the Scottish National Party lost ground.

On a humiliating night for the Prime Minister the Tories slipped from a total of 331 seats to 318, while Labour gained 32 seats to reach 262.

Strong performance: Ruth Davidson (Jane Barlow/PA ) / Jane Barlow/PA

Without the 14 seats won by the Scottish Conservatives, Mrs Mays party would have been languishing on just 305 seats.

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Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the SNP, who are likely to have mopped up the votes between them, would have outnumbered the Tories and are likely to have defeated the PM in a Queens Speech vote, paving the way for a coalition led by Mr Corbyn.

Ms Davidson has already begun wielding her influence by warning Theresa May not to pursue a closed Brexit.

Scotland voted to remain in the EU, and Ms Davidson has called for a softer approach to the withdrawal process.

It is incumbent on us to listen to other parties in Parliament, and people outside it, about the best way forward.

"It is the policy of both the Conservative party and the UK Labour party to respect the Brexit referendum result. "That means we are leaving the European Union. We must leave the Common Fisheries Policy.

"At the same time we must in my view seek to deliver an open Brexit, not a closed one, which puts our countrys economic growth first."
J K Rowling has blasted a left-wing writer in a series of explosive Twitter posts for branding Theresa May a whore over her deal with the DUP.

Labour-supporting John Niven, who has 58,000 followers on the social media site, raged about the PMs deal with the Northern Irish party on Friday.

The Scottish screenwriter tweeted: May 'our friends and allies in the DUP'.

Straight face. The lot. The f****** balls on this whore.

But in an epic series of tweets, Ms Rowling said the comment had forced her to unfollow the account, accusing Mr Niven of filthy old insults and misogyny.

The Harry Potter author wrote: Just unfollowed a man whom I thought was smart and funny, because he called Theresa May a whore.

If you cant disagree with a woman without reaching for all those filthy old insults, screw you and your politics.

The author went on to liken Mr Niven to men who send rape threats.

Im sick of liberal men whose mask slips every time a woman displeases them, who reach immediately for crude and humiliating words associated with femaleness, act like old-school misogynists and then preen themselves as though theyve been brave, she said.

When you do this, Mr Liberal Cool Guy, you ally yourself, wittingly or not, with the men who send women violent pornographic images and rape threats, who try by every means possible to intimidate women out of politics and public spaces, both real and digital.

She continued: C***, whore and, naturally, rape. Were too ugly to rape, or we need raping, or we need raping and killing.

Every woman I know who has dared express an opinion publically has endured this kind of abuse at least once, rooted in an apparent determination to humiliate or intimidate her on the basis that she is female.

If you want to know how much fouler it gets if you also happen to be black or gay, ask Diane Abbot or Ruth Davidson.

I dont care whether were talking about Theresa May or Nicola Sturgeon or Kate Hooey or Yvette Cooper or Hillary Clinton: femaleness is not a design flaw.

If your immediate response to a woman who displeases you is to call her a synonym for her vulva, or compare her to a prostitute, then drop the pretence and own it: youre not a liberal.

Youre a few short steps away from some guy hiding behind a cartoon frog.

In a seemingly dismissive one-tweet response, Mr Niven replied: My bad x
N early two-thirds of Conservative Party members want Theresa May to resign following her disastrous decision to call a General Election, according to a survey.

The Tory faithful are furious after the snap poll cost the party their majority and led to Mrs May doing a deal with the DUP.

Following the embarrassing result, website Conservative Home held a snap poll of its own on whether Mrs May should announce her resignation.

Nearly 1,500 members responded, with just under 60 per cent saying she should go.

General Election: How the day unfolded

Just a third of members wanted her to stay in the role, the survey showed.

Writing on the website, editor Paul Goodman said: That two in three of her own members, according to this survey, believe that a Conservative leader should resign is astonishing.

It is the most damning finding that in one of our polls that I can remember.

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The survey came amid fierce criticism of the way the Tory campaign was run with speculation that Mrs May may not last much longer in the top job.

Amid reports that senior Tories were sounding out potential replacements for Mrs May, prominent Conservative MP Heidi Allen said the Prime Minister had a maximum of six months left in Downing Street.

Former minister Ed Vaizey indicated that Tory MPs were actively discussing Mrs Mays position using the WhatsApp messaging system.

Asked if there were phone calls being made between Tories about the next leader, Mr Vaizey told the BBC: "That's so 20th century. It's all on WhatsApp."

He added: "We all talk on WhatsApp ... lots of MPs are in lots of different groups."

Mrs Mays former spin doctor Katie Perrior also hit out today at the PMs top aides, who she claimed had created a toxic atmosphere at Number 10.
S cottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson says she is concerned about gay rights should the Tories do a deal with the DUP.

Ms Davidson, who is gay, spoke out after Theresa May outlined a plan to seek a deal with the socially hardline party, which has 10 seats in the Commons, to prop up her minority administration.

In an apparent criticism of the plan, Ms Davidson on Friday tweeted a link to a speech she made in favour of marriage equality, with the message: "As a Protestant Unionist about to marry an Irish Catholic, here's the Amnesty Pride lecture I gave in Belfast."

Ms Davidson, who became engaged to partner Jen Wilson in May 2016, later told the BBC: "I was fairly straightforward with her (Mrs May) and I told her that there were a number of things that count to me more than the party.

Democratic Unionist Party MPs (DUP) - In pictures 1 /12 Democratic Unionist Party MPs (DUP) - In pictures Ian Paisley Jr: The son of the Rev Ian Paisley Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Emma Little-Pengelly (centre): Her father Noel Little was a member of the Ulster Resistance involved in a foiled plot to procure weapons for loyalist paramilitaries. PA Nigel Dodds: His office was targeted by the Continuity IRA in 2003. Getty Images David Simpson: The Free Presbyterian has voted against same sex marriage PA Sammy Wilson: He courted controversy in 2016 when he was recorded allegedly agreeing with a member of the public who said get the ethnics out AFP/Getty Images Gavin Robinson: Partys youngest face in Westminster. PA Gregory Campbell: He has supported bringing back the death penalty in the case of mass murder. Rex Features Jeffrey Donaldson: He was in the Ulster Unionists negotiating team for the Good Friday Agreements PA Jim Shannon: He has topped the Westminster expenses list BBC

"One of them is country, one of the others is LGBTI rights.

"I asked for a categoric assurance that if any deal or scoping deal was done with the DUP there would be absolutely no rescission of LGBTI rights in the rest of the UK, in Great Britain, and that we would use any influence that we had to advance LGBTI rights in Northern Ireland

"It's an issue very close to my heart and one that I wanted categoric assurances from the prime minister on, and I received (them)."

Northern Ireland is the only part of the British Isles where same-sex marriage remains outlawed.

Who are the DUP?

The DUP has repeatedly used a controversial Stormont voting mechanism - the petition of concern - to prevent the legalisation of same-sex marriage, despite a majority of MLAs supporting the move at the last vote.

The party has often found itself embroiled in controversy over its stance on gay rights issues.

Founded on the evangelical principles of the late Ian Paisley's Free Presbyterian church, Northern Ireland's largest political party has been repeatedly at odds with the region's LGBT community.

Their differences highlight Northern Ireland's often stark dichotomy between religious-based social conservatism and secular progressive liberalism.

General Election Night 2017 - In pictures 1 /41 General Election Night 2017 - In pictures Theresa May waiting in Maidenhead for the result to be announced Alastair Grant/AP Labour leaders Jeremy Corbyn at the Election count in Islington Jeremy Selwyn Leader of the Liberal democrats Tim Farron celebrates beating Conservative party candidate James Airey, Independent candidate Mr Fishfinger and Labour candidate Eli Aldridge following the announcement of the results at the Westmoorland and Lonsdale constituency count at Kendal Leisure Centre Dave Thompson/Getty Images Armed police outside the home of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in north London Yui Mok/PA Vince Cable pictured with his wife Rachel, is elected once again in Twickenham after losing his seat in 2015 Alex Lentati Nick Clegg loses his Sheffield Hallam seat and is no longer an MP Sky News Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts as her party loses their seat at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, Robert Parry/EPA Britain's Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn, right, tries to high-five with Labour's Emily Thornberry after arriving for the declaration at his constituency in London Frank Augstein/AP Ballot boxes are run in during the count at the Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre as the general election count begins Ian Forsyth/Getty Images Boris Johnson at the Brunel Indoor Athletic Centre for the declaration of his Uxbridge and South Ruislip Constituency which he retained Rex Features Zac Goldsmith with his mother Lady Annabel Goldsmith Alex Lentati Close call for Zac Goldsmith as a recount is called for Richmond Park Alex Lentati Labour supporters react as Paul Sweeney (not pictured) is announced as the new MP for Glasgow North East for the British Parliamentary Elections at the Emirates Arena EPA UKIP leader Paul Nuttall at the Peter Paine Performance Centre in Boston during the counting Joe Giddens/PA Labour's Rupa Huq celebrates with her sister, TV presenter Konnie Huq, after increasing her majority from 274 to 13,807 in Ealing Central and Acton Matt Writtle Displays show the current rate of the British pound against the Japanese yen and a news program reporting on the British general election at a foreign money brokerage in Tokyo Roru Yamanaka/AFP/Getty Images Theresa May leaving CCHQ this morning Jeremy Selwyn Police watch as counting staff sort through ballots at a counting centre in Islington, London Niklas Halle'n/AFP/Getty Images Britain's Home Secretary Amber Rudd's speaks after retaining her seat in Hastings Kevin Coombs/Reuters Prime Minister Theresa May's chief of staff Nick Timothy and Joint-chief of staff Fiona Hill leave Conservative Party HQ in Westminster Rick Findler/PA Patrons watch the results for Britain's election in London. Alex Salmond loses his seat Peter Nicholls/Reuters Chuka Umunna kisses with his wife, Alice Sullivan at the London Borough of Lambeth UK Parliamentary Elections Lucy Young Prime Minister Theresa May waits with other candidates for the results to be declared at the count centre in Maidenhead Geoff Cadick/AFP/Getty Images Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson at Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh Jane Barlow/PA Vote counters wait for Ballot boxes to arrive at the Peter Paine Performance Centre where the vote count for the constituency of Boston and Skegness Getty Images Kate Hoey who retained her Vauxhall seat at the London Borough of Lambeth Lucy Young Conservative's Gavin Barwell loses his seat to Labour at Croydon Central Chris Gorman Labour's Sarah Jones takes the Conservative seat of Croydon Chris Gorman DUP leader Arlene Foster and deputy leader Nigel Dodds cheer as Emma Little Pengelly is elected to the South Belfast constituency at the Titanic exhibition centre in Belfast Niall Carson/PA Exit poll results from Britain's general election are projected on to the BBC's Broadcasting House, London Jeff Overs/BBC The front door of 10 Downing Street in Westminster, London, as votes are being counted in the 2017 General Election Rick Findler/PA

While the party insists it is protecting the "traditional" definition of marriage, critics have denounced its stance as homophobic.

Going back decades, the DUP was at the vanguard of the failed Save Ulster from Sodomy movement that campaigned against the 1982 legalisation of homosexual sex in Northern Ireland.

In more recent times, former first minister Peter Robinson's wife Iris, then an MP, described homosexuality as an "abomination", while the MP son of Dr Paisley, Ian Paisley Jr, said he felt "repulsed" by homosexual acts.

A party councillor in Ballymena reportedly claimed Hurricane Katrina, which killed more than 1,500 people in the US, was God's revenge for New Orleans hosting an annual gay pride event.

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Former DUP Stormont minister Edwin Poots once hit out at a gay rugby team in Belfast, accusing it of introducing a sporting "apartheid" against heterosexual players.

Mr Poots also ended up in court for upholding a ban on gay men giving blood and, in a separate case, objecting to gay couples adopting. In the former case an appeal judge overturned a finding that he was motivated by bias.

In the 2015 general election campaign, DUP health minister Jim Wells resigned amid a controversy about remarks he made about same sex couples.

Defending her party's stance on gay marriage in a recent interview, leader Arlene Foster insisted those who characterised the DUP as anti-gay were wide of the mark.

"They are wrong and they need to understand why we take those positions from a faith point of view and why we want to protect the definition of marriage," she said.

"I could not care less what people get up to in terms of their sexuality, that's not a matter for me, when it becomes a matter for me is when people try to redefine marriage."

Additional reporting by the Press Association.
T heresa May has been congratulated on surviving the election by Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Mrs May returned to Downing Street yesterday despite the Tories losing their majority.

The Conservatives have formed a Government after reaching a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party, giving them a wafer-thin majority in the House of Commons.

In a phonecall, the US President told the PM he looked forward to continued "close co-operation", while Mr Macron invited her to visit France.

General Election 2017: The final results

A Downing Street spokesman said: "US President Donald Trump called the Prime Minister to offer his congratulations.

Both sides agreed they look forward to continuing the close cooperation between our two countries.

"The French President Emmanuel Macron called to congratulate the Prime Minister, and said he was pleased that she would continue to be a close partner.

"The president invited the Prime Minister to visit France at the earliest possible opportunity, and they agreed that the strong friendship between our two countries was important and would endure."
Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation: 510 N. Leroux St. It is said, the only constant is change. Sunday morning, Rev. Kevin offers reflections upon this ancient and yet so very current fact of living. beaconuu.com/.

Calvary Bible Church: 6555 Townsend-Winona Road. Sunday teaching by Dib Hampton. Adult Bible study, "Grace: How much do you have? How does one grow in grace?" from Romans 8:32, Heb 4:6. Worship service, "How the Body of Christ should work together" from 1 Cor 12:24. Evening service Wednesday with prayer and Bible study. Studying 2nd Peter. Every second Wednesday of the month, potluck at 6 p.m. calvarybiblechurchflagstaff.com.

Center for Spiritual Living, Flagstaff: Our Sunday service this week will be at Bushmaster Park. Due to road repairs on Locket Road, travel on Steves Blvd. north of Route 66, then turn right on Elder. This will take you straight to the parking lot by the South Ramada where will be holding our service. Join us for an inspirational message from Deb Haass, RScP., followed by a potluck barbecue. 522-9103. cslflagstaff.org.

Christian Science Society of Flagstaff: 619 W. Birch Ave. The subject of this week's sermon is "God, the Preserver of Man." We also have Wednesday testimony meetings. Our Christian Science Reading Room, a quiet place for prayer and study, is open from 4-5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and 10 a.m.-noon on Saturdays or by appointment. 556-0510.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon): Sunday services held at four Flagstaff locations: 4165 S. Lake Mary Road, 625 E. Cherry Ave., 2401 E. Linda Vista Dr. and, for young single adults, 239 E. Saunders Dr. Meetings are also held in Williams at 1111 Stockmens Road and at the Shrine of the Ages on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Check azdailysun.com or "Locations and Schedules" at LDS.org for meeting times by ward/branch. Sunday services consist of Sacrament Meeting, Sunday School and special instruction for various age and interest groups (Priesthood Meeting for men, Relief Society for women, Young Men/Young Women for youth and Primary for children).

Church of the Resurrection: 740 W. University Heights Drive South. Join us this Sunday as Pastor Bob Norton preaches on "Congratulations! You're gifted!" based on 1 Corinthians 12. We'll close the service with prayers for healing. Our worship team is led by Patty Gross. Volunteers needed for light construction, painting and cleaning at Indian Bible College on Saturday, June 17. Register now for this local mission trip through FaithWorks. The cost is $30 and covers snacks, lunch, bottled water and work supplies. Today is an all-church hike at Sandys Canyon off Lake Mary Road. Meet at the church at 8:45 a.m to carpool. VBS is coming July 31-Aug. 4. 699-2715. cor-pca.org.

Episcopal Church of the Epiphany: 423 N. Beaver St. For Trinity Sunday, the first Sunday after Pentecost, Priest Marianna Gronek preaches and celebrates at all services this weekend. 774-2911. epiphanyaz.org.

First Congregational Church of Flagstaff, United Church of Christ: 740 N. Turquoise Dr. Rev. David Cooper, Pastor Emeritus, will preach on "An Honorable, Cheerleading Bird?" based on Matthew 28:16-20. Semi-annual congregational meeting will follow Sunday worship today. 774-0890, fccflagstaff.org.

Flagstaff Christian Fellowship: 123 S. Beaver St. The message for Sunday will be "Why Join the Church?" from various Scriptures by Pastor Steve Cole. Nursery is available for both services. Adult Sunday School continues the series on "Grace" with Ken Vaughan. Pastries and fellowship in the Fireside Room. At 6:30 p.m. we will start a series on Apologetics. This Sunday night is "Argument from "Design & Moral Argument for God." Tuesday: Women's Summer Study "Building Community in the Spirit of Hospitality" (breakfast and childcare provided). Wednesday: Financial Peace University Class, last chance to register for this class at daveramsey.com/fpu. Vacation Bible School will be held June 19-23 from 9:30 a.m.-noon for children 4-11. Register at vbs.fcfonline.org. 774-3603.

Flagstaff Unity Church: 417 W. Santa Fe Ave. Rev. Charli Tupper will be speaking. Her message is "What's your Cornerstone?" Children's program is available. Service will be followed by a potluck and workshop lead by Rev. Tupper titled "What's My Line?" It will cover ways to tell with others about Unity. 526-8893. unityofflagstaff.org.

Greenlaw Baptist Church: 3400 E. Lockett Road. Sunday School classes for all ages. Pastor Barry Hall will bring the message "Forever Yours" from John 10:22-29 at our morning service. Thursday worship service is followed by dinner and breakout groups, including our Celebrate Recovery program. If you have an addiction, we can help you in this program. This is a non-judgmental, caring approach to your problem. 526-4939.

Harvest Bible Chapel Flagstaff: Coconino High School, 2801 N. Izabel St. Pastor Kyle Maycumber will be preaching from 2 Peter 3:8-13, "What sort of people will we be?" 773-1615. harvestflagstaff.org.

Holy Cross Orthodox Church: 6134 Black Bill Road. Join us for Divine Liturgy with Fr. Jeffrey. (480) 991-3009. holycrossflagstaff.org/.

Hope Community Church: 3700 N. Fanning Dr. Basic #10: Our Mindset in Christ Brings Us Peace (part 1). Sermon - "Let's Be Reasonable." Study from Philippians 4:1-7. Communion Sunday. 526-0677. hopeflagstaff.org.

Living Christ Lutheran Church: 6401 N. US Highway 89. We gather weekly on Sundays to worship through music, teaching, prayer and sacraments. Fellowship time after service. Pastor Kurt Fangmeier will be leading worship. 526-8595. livingchristflagstaff.org.

Peace Lutheran Church: 3430 N. Fourth St. For Holy Trinity Sunday Deacon Mark Freeman will speak on Matthew 28:16-20. Speaking on the Great Commission. We will have fellowship and Bible study between services. Holy Communion is always celebrated at our Contemporary Service. 526-9578. peacelutheranflagstaff.org.

Refuge: A Flagstaff Community Church: 4000 Cummings St. We meet weekly to enjoy God's word, fellowship and worship. Sunday school available for children. 607-5728. facebook.com/refugeinflagstaff/.

The Religious Society of Friends (Quaker): Flagstaff Friends Meeting House, 402 S. Beaver St. We meet in silence of expectant listening. A meeting may be completely silent, or, as more often happens, someone will feel moved to speak, to share something which may be of help or guidance to others. 779-3517. flagstaffquakers.org/.

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church: 1601 N. San Francisco St. Pastor Linda will be leading our services as we celebrate Pentecost. Her sermon is titled "Action Required." Nursery is available during both the contemporary and traditional services.

Trinity Heights United Methodist Church: 3600 N. Fourth St. The morning message is titled "It's What We Do!" and will be taken from passages from John 21:15-17. Children's Sunday School is offered for kids through 5th grade and nursery care is available at both services. Adult Sunday School class meeting. 526-1397. thumc.com.
After MK Stalin accused Palaniswami of running a puppet regime at the behest of the BJP, EPS hit back at the DMK leader, calling his allegations baseless.

By Pramod Madhav: A heated exchange of words has ensued between DMK Working President MK Stalin and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edapadi K Palaniswami after the Opposition criticised the state government as 'Benami' (puppet) government.

Since Palaniswami took charge as chief minister of Tamil Nadu, Stalin has been accusing him of running a puppet government for Sasikala's family. Recently, the DMK leader alleged that EPS was running a puppet regime at the behest of the BJP.

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In an event at Pudukottai, Chief Minister Palaniswami dismissed Stalin's allegations as baseless. Reacting to the same, Stalin released a statement, claiming that Palaniswami became a chief minister as the disputed leader of AIADMK (Sasikala) went to prison. Stalin added that the earlier puppet government (again referring to EPS) had shifted its allegiance from Sasikala to the BJP now.

Stalin launched these salvos against Palaniswami, upset over the latter's calling the earlier DMK government a 'minority government'. The DMK leader said that if they thought so, why didn't they move a 'vote of confidence' motion to dissolve the DMK government.

TAMIL NADU HAS SEEN 3 CHIEF MINISTERS UNDER AIADMK RULE: STALIN

"AIADMK is only known to give names like 'permanent CM' to their leaders. Yet within a year, Tamil Nadu has seen 3 chief ministers under their rule", he said.

Replying to this in Coimbatore, Chief Minister Palaniswami said that Stalin was ranting in such a manner as none of his plans to topple the government had succeeded. "All his plans to topple the government didn't succeed. He is criticising BJP now but failed to do so when they were in an alliance", replied EPS.

Palaniswami also questioned the authenticity of Stalin's allegations and asked why couldn't they resolve any issue - be it the Cauvery water or the Mullaperiyar dam dispute when DMK was in power.

The political pundits of Tamil Nadu see Palaniswami's reply as a way of his attempting to show that he is in charge now. But they feel that the political rivalry of today is way different from the one between Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi, when allegations levelled by these two against each other were also backed by accurate and specific proof or information.

Also read | Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami meets PM Modi, discusses Cauvery issue, demands Central funds

Also read | Trouble in Palaniswami camp? 11 AIADMK legislators hold secret meeting inside MLA hostel in Chennai

Also read | Stalin slams Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami for asking his ministers not to criticise Centre's policies in public

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ALSO WATCH VIDEO

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T heresa May was today set to name the rest of her top team as a bitter civil war threatened to engulf her party.

The PM has positions to fill in her government after a humiliating election in which the Conservatives shed seats as Labour made stunning gains across the country.

In London, two ministers were ousted in Battersea and Croydon Central as blue constituencies turned red.

Eight MPs short of a majority, Mrs May now has limited room for manoeuvre after her presidential-style campaign left senior figures keen to pin the blame on the party leader.

General Election: How the day unfolded

Amid reports that senior Tories were sounding out potential replacements for Mrs May, prominent Conservative MP Heidi Allen said the Prime Minister had six months at most left in Downing Street.

Former minister Anna Soubry called on Mrs May to sack her joint chiefs of staff, Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy, after she complained about their central roles in the campaign.

The PM has already confirmed that key names will keep their jobs in her new government, which is set to be propped up by Northern Irelands Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

After speculation the PM would use a solid win in the election to move Philip Hammond from the Treasury, he and other potential successors as Tory leader, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, and Home Secretary Amber Rudd, remained in place.

With Brexit Secretary David Davis and Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon also staying put, there were suggestions changes could just centre on replacing the eight ministers who lost their seats as the Tory Commons tally fell to 318.

Mrs May's decision to seek a deal with the DUP, and the role of her two closest advisers in the faltering election campaign drew criticism in Tory ranks.

General Election Night 2017 - In pictures 1 /41 General Election Night 2017 - In pictures Theresa May waiting in Maidenhead for the result to be announced Alastair Grant/AP Labour leaders Jeremy Corbyn at the Election count in Islington Jeremy Selwyn Leader of the Liberal democrats Tim Farron celebrates beating Conservative party candidate James Airey, Independent candidate Mr Fishfinger and Labour candidate Eli Aldridge following the announcement of the results at the Westmoorland and Lonsdale constituency count at Kendal Leisure Centre Dave Thompson/Getty Images Armed police outside the home of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in north London Yui Mok/PA Vince Cable pictured with his wife Rachel, is elected once again in Twickenham after losing his seat in 2015 Alex Lentati Nick Clegg loses his Sheffield Hallam seat and is no longer an MP Sky News Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon reacts as her party loses their seat at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, Robert Parry/EPA Britain's Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn, right, tries to high-five with Labour's Emily Thornberry after arriving for the declaration at his constituency in London Frank Augstein/AP Ballot boxes are run in during the count at the Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre as the general election count begins Ian Forsyth/Getty Images Boris Johnson at the Brunel Indoor Athletic Centre for the declaration of his Uxbridge and South Ruislip Constituency which he retained Rex Features Zac Goldsmith with his mother Lady Annabel Goldsmith Alex Lentati Close call for Zac Goldsmith as a recount is called for Richmond Park Alex Lentati Labour supporters react as Paul Sweeney (not pictured) is announced as the new MP for Glasgow North East for the British Parliamentary Elections at the Emirates Arena EPA UKIP leader Paul Nuttall at the Peter Paine Performance Centre in Boston during the counting Joe Giddens/PA Labour's Rupa Huq celebrates with her sister, TV presenter Konnie Huq, after increasing her majority from 274 to 13,807 in Ealing Central and Acton Matt Writtle Displays show the current rate of the British pound against the Japanese yen and a news program reporting on the British general election at a foreign money brokerage in Tokyo Roru Yamanaka/AFP/Getty Images Theresa May leaving CCHQ this morning Jeremy Selwyn Police watch as counting staff sort through ballots at a counting centre in Islington, London Niklas Halle'n/AFP/Getty Images Britain's Home Secretary Amber Rudd's speaks after retaining her seat in Hastings Kevin Coombs/Reuters Prime Minister Theresa May's chief of staff Nick Timothy and Joint-chief of staff Fiona Hill leave Conservative Party HQ in Westminster Rick Findler/PA Patrons watch the results for Britain's election in London. Alex Salmond loses his seat Peter Nicholls/Reuters Chuka Umunna kisses with his wife, Alice Sullivan at the London Borough of Lambeth UK Parliamentary Elections Lucy Young Prime Minister Theresa May waits with other candidates for the results to be declared at the count centre in Maidenhead Geoff Cadick/AFP/Getty Images Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson at Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh Jane Barlow/PA Vote counters wait for Ballot boxes to arrive at the Peter Paine Performance Centre where the vote count for the constituency of Boston and Skegness Getty Images Kate Hoey who retained her Vauxhall seat at the London Borough of Lambeth Lucy Young Conservative's Gavin Barwell loses his seat to Labour at Croydon Central Chris Gorman Labour's Sarah Jones takes the Conservative seat of Croydon Chris Gorman DUP leader Arlene Foster and deputy leader Nigel Dodds cheer as Emma Little Pengelly is elected to the South Belfast constituency at the Titanic exhibition centre in Belfast Niall Carson/PA Exit poll results from Britain's general election are projected on to the BBC's Broadcasting House, London Jeff Overs/BBC The front door of 10 Downing Street in Westminster, London, as votes are being counted in the 2017 General Election Rick Findler/PA

In an apparent side-swipe at a hook-up with the DUP, a party which strongly opposes marriage equality, Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson tweeted a link to a speech she made in Belfast in support of same-sex marriage.

Ms Davidson, who became engaged to partner Jen Wilson in May 2016, later said she had received assurances from the PM over gay rights.

Ruth Davidson with her partner Jen Wilson / Lesley Martin/AFP/Getty Images

She told the BBC: "I was fairly straightforward with her (Mrs May) and I told her that there were a number of things that count to me more than the party.

"One of them is country, one of the others is LGBTI rights.

Theresa May 'sorry' for Tory MPs who lost their seats

"I asked for a categoric assurance that if any deal or scoping deal was done with the DUP there would be absolutely no rescission of LGBTI rights in the rest of the UK, in Great Britain, and that we would use any influence that we had to advance LGBTI rights in Northern Ireland."
T heresa May's joint chiefs of staff have resigned following the Conservatives' disastrous election performance.

Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill stood down after prominent Tories urged the Prime Minister to ditch two of her closest advisers or face a leadership challenge.

The pair were labelled "toxic" and blamed for the party's catastrophic performance in the snap election which cost the Tories a majority.

It comes as Mrs May sent her Chief Whip Gavin Williamson to hold talks with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in the hope of shoring up her position as PM with a deal to back her minority government.

Prime Minister Theresa May is clapped into 10 Downing Street in by staff after seeing the Queen / PA

In a blog for website ConservativeHome, Mr Timothy said he resigned yesterday after the "huge disappointment" of the election outcome.

Theresa May's ex spin doctor hits out at Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill

He said: "I take responsibility for my part in this election campaign, which was the oversight of our policy programme."

Mr Timothy, a close confidant of Mrs May since her time as Home Secretary, blamed the disappointing result on a surge in Labour support rather than the "absence of support for Theresa May and the Conservatives".

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He admitted plans to fund social care which were labelled a "dementia tax" marked a key mis-step in the campaign.

"In particular, I regret the decision not to include in the manifesto a ceiling as well as a floor in our proposal to help meet the increasing cost of social care," he wrote.

"But I would like to make clear that the bizarre media reports about my own role in the policys inclusion are wrong: it had been the subject of many months of work within Whitehall, and it was not my personal pet project.

"I chose not to rebut these reports as they were published, as to have done so would have been a distraction for the campaign.

"But I take responsibility for the content of the whole manifesto, which I continue to believe is an honest and strong programme for government."

Ms Hill said in a statement to ConservativeHome: "It's been a pleasure to serve in government, and a pleasure to work with such an excellent Prime Minister.

"I have no doubt at all that Theresa May will continue to serve and work hard as Prime Minister - and do it brilliantly."

Earlier today Mrs May's ex-spin doctor Katie Perrior said the atmosphere created by Mr Timothy and Ms Hill in Downing Street was "toxic and destructive".

Interactive map: London election results

She said: There was not enough respect shown to people who spent 20 years in office or 20 years getting to the top seat in government.

They would send people text messages, rude text messages, which is not acceptable."

Mrs May was expected to make further appointments to her Cabinet on Saturday, but the damage to her standing gives her limited room for manoeuvre.

After speculation the PM would use a solid win in the election to move Philip Hammond from the Treasury, he and other potential successors as Tory leader, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Amber Rudd, remained in place.

With Brexit Secretary David Davis and Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon also staying put, there were suggestions changes could just centre on replacing the eight ministers who lost their seats as the Tory Commons tally fell to 318.

General Election Front Pages 2017 - In pictures 1 /24 General Election Front Pages 2017 - In pictures

There was also unease within the party about the link-up with the DUP, which strongly opposes same-sex marriage and abortion.

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said she had demanded a "categoric assurance" that gay rights would not be affected by a deal with the DUP, which strongly opposes marriage equality.

Ms Davidson, who became engaged to partner Jen Wilson in May 2016, told the BBC: "I was fairly straightforward with her (Mrs May) and I told her that there were a number of things that count to me more than the party."

Tory MP Tom Tugendhat said: "I joined a party that introduced equal marriage, backs civil rights and defends freedom of faith. Those principles won't be compromised."
H undreds of thousands of people have signed a petition against a Tory pact with Northern Irelands Democratic Unionist Party.

More than 300,000 people backed the call in just 12 hours after it was posted in response to an emerging deal with the socially hardline party.

The petition calls for Theresa May to resign and labels the move a disgusting, desperate attempt to stay in power.

The DUP has been criticised for its right-wing stance on social issues including gay rights and abortion.

DUP leader Arlene Foster and deputy leader Nigel Dodds celebrate their success in the General Election / PA

The party opposes gay marriage and Northern Ireland remains the only part of the UK where women cannot access abortion unless their life is endangered by the pregnancy.

In 2016, DUP leader Arlene Foster said: I would not want abortion to be as freely available here as it is in England.

The Prime Minister has been forced to seek a confidence and supply deal with the DUP after losing her majority in a snap election that spectacularly backfired.

Eight seats short, she plans to lead a minority government relying on the DUPs 10 MPs for support to push through legislation.

What is the DUP?

The deal has sparked fears the business of government could face paralysis. And Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, appeared to voice concern that the pact could threaten gay rights in the rest of Britain.

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Ms Davidson, who became engaged to partner Jen Wilson in May 2016, tweeted a link to a speech she made about marriage equality in an apparent criticism of the plan, but since has said shes received assurances from the PM the LGBT rights will not be affected.
H undreds of people marched towards Downing Street in protest of Theresa Mays hateful alliance with the socially hardline Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

Protesters chanted outside Downing Street, blasting the Conservative Party for uniting with the DUP, which has drawn criticism for its right-wing stance on issues such gay rights and abortion.

People carried placards reading anti-DUP and pro-Jeremy Corbyn messages, while chants of Tories out, refugees in echoed across Parliament Square.

The protest comes the day after Mrs May formed a minority government propped up by the DUP, having failed to win a majority in Thursdays General Election.

Hundreds gathered in Parliament Square before marching towards Downing Street / EPA

Organisers from Stand Up To Racism and the Stop The War Coalition spoke to the crowd, who cheered at the mention of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyns name.

Musicians performed to the protesters, who seemed in good spirits. One organiser led chants of "racist, sexist, anti-gay, the DUP has got to go".

The protest then moved to outside the gates of Downing Street, where they were met by a wall of uniformed police officers.

Luke O'Neill, who voted for Labour in Kensington, said he felt Mr Corbyn had motivated young people.

The 27-year-old said: "May's mandate has gone, that's probably the best news and Labour is gaining - that is the best news as well.

"Jeremy Corbyn gave us power, that's what he's all about."

Police stand guard as protesters hold placards outside Downing Street / Getty Images

The nursery worker said he was "angry" that Mrs May had done a deal with the DUP, although he admitted he did not initially know who they were.

"I've never seen people more hateful in my life," he said.

"I didn't know who the DUP were, I had to Google them, as many people no doubt in this country would have had to Google them."

The DUP opposes gay marriage and Northern Ireland remains the only part of the UK where women cannot access abortion unless their life is endangered by the pregnancy.

The Prime Minister has been forced to seek a confidence and supply deal with the DUP after losing her majority in a snap election that spectacularly backfired.

An online petition has also gathered almost 500,000 signatures, with the political party branded dangerous on the page.
M anchester bomber Salman Abedi carried a rucksack full of small metal objects that travelled at high velocity through the air when detonated, a court heard.

The device appeared to be designed to kill the largest number of innocent people inquests into the 22 victims of the Manchester Arena attack was told.

A map shown during a hearing at Manchester Civil Justice Centre suggested the nearest victim, 14-year-old Cheshire schoolgirl Nell Jones, was just five yards from Abedi.

The furthest away was school receptionist Jane Tweddle, 51, some 20 metres away.

Bomber: Salman Abedi

Senior coroner for Manchester Nigel Meadows opened the inquests as brief summaries to the background circumstances of each of the fatalities was outlined.

None of the victims families attended the hearing, which was preceded by a minute's silence for those who died in the May 22 bombing and the London Bridge atrocity.

A photograph of each of the victims was shown on a large screen along with their dates of birth and then the map.

The photograph pinpointed Abedi, 22, in the middle of the large foyer area of the indoor arena and where each person was when he detonated the device.

Manchester Arena Terror Attack: Victims 1 /21 Manchester Arena Terror Attack: Victims Nell Jones, 14, who died in the Manchester attack PA Jane Tweddle, 50 of Blackpool, was also killed 'Inseperable couple' Chloe Rutherford, 17, and Liam Curry, 19 Scottish teenager Eilidh MacLeod, 14, was confirmed to have been killed in the blast PA Michelle Kiss died in the blast. Her family have said they are "absolutely devastated" PA Saffie-Rose Roussos eight, from Lancashire, had been at the concert with her mother and sister when she was killed in the blast Wendy Fawell died in the attack Collect Olivia Campbell, 15, is also confirmed among the dead after a desperate search to find her Ariana Grande superfan Georgina Callander, 18, was one of the first victims to be named Lisa Lees and Alison Howe were killed while waiting in the foyer to collect their children Facebook Kelly Brewster died shielding her niece from the blast John Atkinson, 26, was also killed in the suicide blast Polish couple Angelika and Marcin Klis are confirmed among the dead in the Manchester attack Credit: Family photograph Victim: Martyn Hett has been confirmed as one of those killed in the attack Confirmed dead: 14-year-old Sorrell Leczowski Facebook Victim: Elaine McIver, an off-duty police officer Greater Manchester Police

Nineteen of the concert-goers died at the scene while three - including the youngest victim, eight-year-old Saffie Roussos - were rushed to hospital but pronounced dead shortly afterwards, the inquests were told.

Detective Superintendent Jonathan Chadwick, the senior identification manager for the incident, told the hearing: "The device [used] had been contained in a rucksack he [Salman Abedi] was carrying on his back.

"It was packed with a massive number of small metal objects which on detonation flew through the air at high velocity in all directions.

"It appears it was designed to kill and maim indiscriminately the largest number of innocent people."

A total of 220 people received medical treatment as a result of the blast, Mr Chadwick said.

Family of Manchester attack victim pay tribute in London

A number of those have life-changing injuries and a small number remain critically ill.

Updating the investigation by the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, he said 21 people had been arrested in connection with the attack, of whom 18 have been released and three remain in custody.

He said 32 addresses had been searched and 10 were still under police control.

Each of the 22 inquests was opened and adjourned until November 24 for pre-inquest review hearings.

Concluding the inquests Mr Meadows said: "I must pay tribute to the truly unbelievable dignity and strength of spirit that all the bereaved families have demonstrated in the face of such overwhelming grief."
F ormer Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond has reportedly been airlifted to hospital after a horror crash in a Swiss mountain race.

The 47-year-old was involved in the "terrifying" crash in the Bergrennen Hemberg race on Saturday but avoided serious injuries.

Photos have emerged on social media showing a wrecked car in flames that the TV star was reportedly driving.

It is believed he was driving a 2 million supercar for the Amazon show The Grand Tour before it burst into flames.

Richard Hammond has reportedly been airlifted to hospital / Getty Images

Co-star Jeremy Clarkson tweeted that despite the "frightening" crash, Mr Hammond seems to be "mostly okay".

Images on the race's official Instagram showed vehicles drifting rally-style around a tarmac track.

Richard Hammond was left in a coma after a crash in 2006 / BBC

A source told the Sun: Richard is conscious but very shaken.

He is currently being treated in hospital for a fractured knee and having the once over. Its quite incredible hes come away from this with nothing more serious quite frankly.

"The crash was really bad. The car completely flipped and then burst into flames.

"There was real concern for Richard but the emergency services were quickly on hand and hes a very lucky boy.

Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May (Picture: PA) / PA

"It brought back horrendous memories of the 2006 crash for those who witnessed it."

It is the second time that Mr Hammond has been involved in a serious crash, having been left in a coma following a crash at 288mph in 2006.

Richard Hammond escaped serious injury in the crash / PA

He was filming an episode of Top Gear at the time.

Jeremy Clarkson tweeted: "It was the biggest crash I've ever seen and the most frightening but incredibly, and thankfully, Richard seems to be mostly OK."

Mr Hammond was in Switzerland filming new episodes for the series The Grand Tour, which he co-stars in alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May.

The show's statement said: "Richard Hammond was involved in a serious crash after completing the Hemburg Hill Climb in Switzerland in a Rimac Concept One, an electric super car built in Croatia, during filming for The Grand Tour Season 2 on Amazon Prime, but very fortunately suffered no serious injury."

"Nobody else was in the car or involved in the accident, and we'd like to thank the paramedics on site for their swift response. The cause of the crash is unknown and is being investigated," the statement added.

In March this year, Hammond assured fans he was fine after falling off a motorbike "many times" while filming for The Grand Tour.

He was in a remote part of Mozambique in east Africa shooting the programme when the accident occurred, according to The Sun.
By Press Trust of India: Ghaziabad, Jun 10 (PTI) Launching a scathing attack on the Modi government at the Centre, UP Congress chief Raj Babbar today said that BJPs promise to waive loans of farmers across the country was nothing but a political gimmick.

"If dhartiputras (farmers) who provide food to the people are lathi-charged, then how will a state or country progress," he said at Mandola village here while addressing members of farming community.

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Babbar today met the protesting farmers of Mandola in connection with a lathi-charge on them earlier this month and assured them of partys support in getting adequate compensation for their lands acquired for an affordable housing project.

The farmers have been pressurising the authorities to revise the compensation rates for the lands acquired under the Avas Vikas housing scheme.

"Mandola and Mandsaur incidents during the NDA rule are not different from each other," he alleged.

"When farmers leader Rahul Gandhi and party members go to meet those affected, this government gets them arrested," he said.

Babbar, who was flanked by local party leaders, said the Congress will fight for the welfare of farmers and they will get the appropriate compensation up to their satisfaction.

Targeting the state government over destruction of farmers crop on the acquired land here, he condemned the action and sought the district magistrates report in this connection.

DM Ministhy S has assured him of a written clearance through the administration.

He also appealed to the protesters to not take any step on the issue and said that if a decision is not taken in their favour, the Congress party will face the baton, before the farmers do. PTI COR ARK

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Pakistani troops have violated the ceasefire on the Line of Control in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch in Jammu. India has retaliated effectively.

By Ashwini Kumar: Pakistani troops on Saturday violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan resorted to heavy mortar shelling of 120 mm of four Indian Army posts and civilian areas.

A senior army officer said, "Pakistani Army initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars from 2030 hours along the Line of Control (LC) in Krishana Ghati sector."

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According to reports, the Pakistani troops also targeted civilian population and small villages along the LoC in Krishna Ghati and Balnoie areas of Poonch district, triggering panic among the people there.

The Indian Army was giving a befitting reply to Pakistan's shelling, the officer said. Firing was on when reports last came in.

INDIAN ARMY FOILS INFILTRATION BID IN GUREZ SECTOR

Earlier on Saturday, the Indian Army foiled an infiltration attempt in Bandipora's Gurez sector and killed a terrorist.

The slain terrorist's weapons were seized and a combing operation launched in the area.

In another incident on Saturday, a group of militants fired at two security forces' vehicles in Anantnag's Qazigund town.

According to reports, a civilian, who was caught in the crossfire, suffered injuries.

(WITH INPUTS FROM PTI)

Also read | Jammu and Kashmir: Army foils infiltration bid foiled in Uri sector, 5 terrorists killed

Also read | Army jawan detained at Srinagar airport with live bullets in luggage

ALSO WATCH VIDEO

--- ENDS ---
Weak farm income will continue to slow down the Nebraska economy in 2017, but growth may be around the corner in the coming years, according to a new long-term forecast.

Nebraskas net farm income is projected to decline by nearly 16 percent in 2017 to $3.7 billion  the fourth straight year of declines.

But forecasters at the University of Nebraska-Lincolns Bureau of Business Research and the Nebraska Business Forecast Council say the agriculture sector should bottom out in 2017 and begin trending upward in 2018 and 2019.

Farm income is projected to grow by 4 percent in 2018 and more than 7 percent in 2019, mostly as a result of improved productivity.

Forecasters said they dont expect a rebound in crop prices. As a result, manufacturing is expected to suffer. Jobs in durable goods manufacturing are projected to fall in 2017 as farmers continue to limit purchases of new machinery and equipment.

The sector also has faced shortages of skilled workers. Costcos new chicken-processing plant near Fremont will help add more manufacturing jobs in nondurable goods in 2019.

Non-farm income is expected to grow by an annual average of about 4 percent over the next three years. Job growth will hover around 1 percent a year.

Other highlights from the forecast:

 Construction will be Nebraskas fastest-growing job sector, fueled by new roads and new homes. The sector is projected to add 4,500 jobs, a nearly 9 percent increase, by the end of 2019.

 Nebraskas services industry also remains strong. Health-care employment is expected to grow by 1.2 percent to 1.4 percent per year. The business services and hospitalities sectors also are anticipated to grow. Forecasters project 19,000 jobs will be added in the services sector by the end of 2019.

 Transportation job growth will be limited as the sector faces a shortage of long-haul truck drivers and railroads declining coal business. The sector is projected to add only about 500 jobs as of 2019, or an annual growth of about 0.5 percent.

 The retail sector also is facing challenges. As more people turn to online shopping, many retail chains have halted expansion. The sector is projected to add 2,100 more jobs through 2019, an annual increase of less than 1 percent.

 Financial services employment is projected to add as many as 2,100 jobs by the end of 2019, with annual growth of 1 percent in 2017 and 2018 and 0.8 percent growth in 2019.

 Government jobs are expected to grow slowly during the next several years as state and local governments wrestle with budget deficits.
SCOTTSBLUFF  Scottsbluff Police are seeking the publics help in identifying two teens suspected in the break-in at a Scottsbluff business.

Capt. Brian Wasson said police investigated a burglary at Rincon Latino, in the 1000 block of East Overland, on May 30. Two boys, believed to be between the ages of 15 and 17, are shown on video surveillance and believed to have burglarized the business.
The Wildcat Hills Nature Center puts on a Wildflower Walk in honor of Nebraska Wildflower Week.

Saturday morning, Amanda Filipi and Ben Backus, education specialists for the nature center, led a group on a hike where they identified wildflowers.

The hike was less than a half-mile, making it friendly for families and all ages.

Some of the flowers we will see are blooming a lot earlier than normal. Some that are supposed to bloom in July are already blooming, Filipi said before the hike began.

On the Wildcat Hills nature trail, Backus and Filipi identified flowers and plants such as the Blue Flax, the Scarlet Guara, the Cactus Flower and even the Death Cama, a poisonous plant.

Hikers also learned the use of some of the plants. Backus told the group that most plants including the words bane or wart were used for medicinal purposes.

Not only did the hikers learn to identify the flowers, they learned the difference between flowers that may be poisonous and their similar flowers. Death Camas often grow next to wild onion, which often makes it hard to make a distinction. Backus helped guests tell the two apart.

While the hike was for Nebraska Wildflower Week, more Wildflower Walks will occur on June 24 when the new building for the Wildcat Hills Nature Center officially opens.

For the new opening, Filipi invites everyone to come out for all the activities planned for the day. A ribbon cutting will occur at 11 a.m., with kids crafts and more activities to follow.

Wildflower Walks will begin about 1 p.m. for those interested in finding the beauty of nature that is right in our backyard.

The first 200 people at the opening will receive a free lunch.
SCOTTSBLUFF  St. Agnes School recently completed their annual Penny Drive, which benefits a community charity or project of their choice, and allowing them to give back to the community. This year, the school chose United Way of Western Nebraska as the recipient of their generous efforts. The attached photo is three triplet students from the winning 1st grade class, and their kindergarten sister, presenting a $250 check to United Way.
The members of Youth Congress today threw eggs at the car of Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh in protest over his apathetic statements on the MP farmers' violence.

By Manogya Loiwal : The Youth Congress members today hurled eggs and waived black flags at the Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh's vehicle in Bhubaneshwar.

Radha Mohan was on his way to Janti to attend the Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas event, when en-route, eggs were hurled on his car as mark of protest over his apathetic stance on the Mandsaur violence.

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Days back, the Union Agriculture Minister was attending a Yoga event organised by Baba Ramdev in Bihar's Motihari, while Madhya Pradesh was simmering with farmer protests.

#WATCH Youth Congress workers hurled eggs at Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh's vehicle near Odisha state Guest house, 5 detained. pic.twitter.com/2NjBz8isFg- ANI (@ANI_news) June 10, 2017

On being asked to comment on the Mandsaur violence that claimed the lives of six innocent farmers, he had allegedly said, "Practise Yoga."

According to latest reports, law enforcement has detained the Youth Congress activists for hurling eggs at the minister's convoy.

Also read: Farmers strike: 3 reasons why MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan may not be a worried man

Also read: Shivraj Singh Chouhan on fast: BJP pins hope on PM Modi to counter Opposition

With inputs from Mohammad Suffian

--- ENDS ---
A white University of Kentucky student accused of physically assaulting a Black student worker while repeatedly using racial slurs says she will withdraw from the school. The decision announced Tuesday by a lawyer for 22-year-old Sophia Rosing came after hundreds of students rallied on campus the night before. News outlets report the students called for unity and for the university to quickly address the situation. Officials say Rosing has been charged with assault, public intoxication and disorderly conduct. She pleaded not guilty during an arraignment Monday afternoon. The altercation at Boyd Hall was captured on video and posted to multiple social media platforms.
BELLEVILLE  Authorities cant prove who killed 6-year-old Alysha Quate.

But on Friday they accused her parents of concealing her homicidal death four years ago and abandoning her body in a vacant garage in Centreville.

Brendan Kelly, St. Clair County states attorney, told reporters at the courthouse in Belleville that more investigation was necessary before filing charges in her death, because Alyshas remains were so badly deteriorated an autopsy on Friday could not determine what had caused it.

Jason Quate, 34, and his wife, Elizabeth Quate, 35, who moved to Las Vegas in 2015, were both in police custody there on Friday. Kelly said people in his office would coordinate with Nevada authorities to bring the parents to Illinois to face the felony charges.

These are dark, disturbing allegations, and we will go wherever we need to go to pursue the evidence because thats what justice requires, Kelly said. The charges are punishable by up to five years in prison. Bail for each was set at $750,000.

It marked the first time that the girls mother has been named in connection with the case, or treated as more than a victim. It was her tip to police in Las Vegas on Monday that led authorities to Alyshas remains, wrapped in blankets and stuffed in a plastic storage tote with cat litter. Police said Elizabeth Quate accused her husband of killing their daughter four years ago.

According to Las Vegas police reports obtained by the newspaper, Elizabeth Quate went to a womens shelter on Monday and claimed that her husband was forcing her to work as a prostitute.

She told police officers who responded that the couple had moved to Nevada with their two older daughters ahead of Illinois investigators trying to check on their childrens welfare. She said he was abusing their two older daughters, 13 and 11.

That led to Jason Quates arrest on Tuesday. Police said it appeared the girls had suffered abuse and had not been allowed to leave the apartment.

Jason Quate appeared at the Clark County Courthouse in Las Vegas on Friday for arraignment on felony charges of sex trafficking of an adult and accepting earnings of a prostitute. Judge William Jansen asked a handcuffed Quate if he understood the charges.

Yes, sir, Quate replied. He looked down at the floor for most of the hearing.

District Attorney Sam Martinez asked that Quate be held without bail on the Nevada charges. His court-appointed public defender, Katrina Ross, did not object, and the judge granted the request.

Jason Quate is also being held on suspicion of child abuse and possession of child pornography, prosecutors said, and he is expected to return to court Monday for arraignment on those charges.

Elizabeth Quate was being held in Las Vegas as a fugitive from a probation violation in a 2014 forgery case in St. Clair County. She has declined to comment.

Jason Quate told Las Vegas TV station KSNV on Wednesday that his wife was lying about the murder. She said that she was going to adopt her off and then after that I havent seen her anymore, he said.

In an interview with the Post-Dispatch on Thursday, he said Alyshas death had been an accident. He said she choked to death about four years ago when their family lived in Belleville, and said his wife hid her body because they were afraid authorities would take their two older girls.

FLEEING

ILLINOIS

It was unclear to what degree Illinois had investigated tips about the Quates.

Elizabeth Quate told police that her family had been contacted three times by investigators with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

One was after a school principal reported seeing Jason Quate inappropriately kiss one of the daughters on the lips when he dropped her off at school. Another was when someone reported bruises on one of the girls heads, Elizabeth Quate said in her statement to Las Vegas police.

She said both of these cases were determined to be unfounded.

Representatives of DCFS again on Friday declined to speak about any contacts with the Quate family.

The department is reeling from a series of controversies, including several child deaths that pointed to deficient abuse investigations.

Testimony at a legislative hearing on May 23 revealed that investigators with the agency faced high caseloads and felt pressured to quickly wrap up abuse investigations. The hearing came after the Chicago Tribune highlighted four cases in which children died of beatings or starvation soon after the department had closed investigations of mistreatment at their homes.

Elizabeth Quate said that in November 2015, she was approached by a DCFS representative who said she and her husband were under investigation. She told her husband, who told her to pack up and go to the Casino Queen in East St. Louis.

She said her husband rented a room near the casino and told her that if she cared about the children she would start working as a prostitute.

She worked the area for about two months, she told police, telling her husband several times that she didnt like it and couldnt continue. But she said he threatened to harm or kill her, and demanded she come home from a night of work with no less than $200, in order to save money for a move to Las Vegas.

By January 2016, she said, Jason Quate had saved about $1,500 of her earnings. He rented a vehicle, and the couple and their two older daughters drove to Las Vegas. He immediately started looking for areas where she could work as a prostitute, she said.

Within 20 minutes of arriving in Las Vegas, he pulled into a parking garage and ordered her to enter the casino and start looking for customers.

She told police she worked almost every night to bring her husband money. She made about $3,800 a month. The family stayed in hotels at first but eventually moved to an apartment about five miles northeast of the Strip, where one neighbor told a reporter he heard frequent screaming and what sounded like someone being thrown against walls in the Quates unit.

Jason Quate, in his comments to the Post-Dispatch, said it had been his wifes idea to move to Las Vegas to work as a prostitute, and said he never forced her and was not the monster she was making him out to be.

Elizabeth Quate told police that about June 1, she started keeping money for herself because shed had enough. On June 5, she had a friend drive her to a shelter, where she told workers about her situation. Police were summoned.

She showed an officer a text she had sent Quate that said my Scottish guy had come to town and wanted her to spend two nights with him about an hour outside of town. She said she left $100 for her husband on the dresser and would have rent when she got back. Only reason I did this, she wrote.

Police arrested Quate, who confirmed he told his wife to work as a prostitute in Illinois, the police report said.

He said he was a stay-at-home dad while his wife worked as a prostitute to pay the bills. He insisted he was not a pimp and would never be a pimp.

Christine Byers reported from Las Vegas. Denise Hollinshed and Kim Bell, of the Post-Dispatch, contributed to this report.
By Press Trust of India: (Eds: Adding more details)

Amritsar, Jun 10 (PTI) Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today paid obeisance at the Golden Temple here, during an unscheduled visit to the city.

It was his first visit to Punjab after the Congress stormed to power in the state following the Assembly elections, the results of which were declared in March.

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Gandhi reached Darbar Sahib after 4 pm and spent nearly one-and-a-half-hour in the temple complex here.

He did not take VIP entry facility and stood in the queue along with other devotees for about 20 minutes to reach sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple.

"He spent nearly one and a half hour in the Golden Temple and paid obeisance. He stood in the queue along with devotees and did not obtain VIP entry facility," said Amritsar (North) MLA Sunil Dutti, who accompanied Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress vice president also interacted with many devotees and obliged to requests of clicking selfies with them.

"Rahul Gandhi also spent 25 to 30 minutes outside the sanctum sanctorum. He sat with the sangat and listened to Gurbani (religious hymns)," Dutti said, adding, "He came as a devotee not as a politician."

However, Congress MP from Amritsar Gurjit Singh Aujla, who had also accompanied Gandhi, said the SGPC should have given a Siropa (rob of honour) to the Congress vice president.

Rahul first performed Parikarma and then offered Karah Prashad at the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. He also bowed down before the Akal Takht (the highest temporal seat for Sikhs) .

The scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family also took water from the sarovar (holy tank) and sprinkled it on his face as per Sikh maryada.

"He was on private visit," party sources said.

Rahul visited the holiest Sikh shrine four days after the 33rd anniversary of the Operation Bluestar. No big leader from the Congress, except Aujla and Dutti, was present along with him. He also did not talk to media.

While going back, Rahuls plane returned minutes after taking off at 6 pm from Amritsar airport because of bad weather.

The plane finally took off at 8:30 pm, Aujla said. PTI CHS VJ NSD

--- ENDS ---
ST. LOUIS  The day after a human rights law firm called on Republican Gov. Eric Greitens to remove former state Rep. Don Ruzicka from the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole for toying with inmates during hearings, two top prison officials stood by the panel on Friday.

A previously undisclosed state investigation found that Ruzicka and an unidentified Department of Corrections employee entertained themselves at some parole hearings by trying to get inmates to say words and song titles such as platypus and All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight. They even kept score.

We have very credible members who take their job seriously, insisted Parole Board Chairman Kenneth C. Jones, who is also a former Republican state representative as well as a former sheriff. There is no joking around. Its a very serious job.

Sitting beside him, Anne Precythe, director of the Corrections Department, agreed.

We have a very good parole board that is very conscientious about the decisions they make when it comes to the hearings they hold, she said. You cant let one person represent all.

The parole board decides whether a person confined in prison will be paroled or conditionally released. The board also supervises thousands of people on probation and parole.

Precythe and Jones are both new to their leadership positions this year. They wouldnt answer specific questions about Ruzicka, one of seven parole board members. Ruzicka, a Republican, was appointed to the board Dec. 21, 2012, by former Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon. Board members serve six-year terms.

I stand behind the chairman and any selection Gov. Greitens made to the parole board, Precythe said.

Jones said disciplining members of the board and telling them what to do arent within the chairmans responsibilities. Board members are appointed by the governor and approved by the Senate.

Interviewed at a rally in St. Charles on Friday evening, Greitens said he had only read about the situation on Friday and planned to look into it.

Ruzicka, a former conservation agent and state representative from Mount Vernon, could not be reached for comment. He makes $85,000 a year as a member of the board.

On Thursday, the Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center at St. Louis released a Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General report that accused Ruzicka and the unidentified government employee of trying to get prisoners to say predetermined words during some parole hearings.

Inspector General Amy Roderick concluded in her report that Ruzicka and the employee who attended parole hearings violated a governors executive order and other procedures by failing to conduct state government in a manner that inspires confidence and trust.

The report was completed Nov. 1, 2016, but was never made public. It mentioned recordings of parole hearings that involved Ruzicka and the other employee. Each time one of them used a predetermined keyword while interviewing an offender they earned a point. Two points were granted if the offender repeated the word.

Hootenanny and biomass were two of the words used. Soul Man and Hound Dog were two of the songs mentioned.

Ashley Lisenby of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
Its sickening the way politicians use veterans like Joe Schicker to burnish their own patriotic, pro-military credentials. They honor the war-wounded in flag-waving ceremonies, such as the one Gov. Jay Nixon held in 2013 to pin the Purple Heart on Schickers battle fatigues. The Legislature gave him a standing ovation.

Once the news cameras have turned elsewhere, too many politicians have a way of treating war heroes like Schicker as if they never existed. Dont let them get away with it.

As the Post-Dispatchs Tony Messenger wrote last week, Schicker got a heros welcome as the Missouri National Guardsman recovered from wounds received while serving in Afghanistan. A 2012 Taliban attack left 26 pieces of shrapnel embedded in his body. Now 57, Schicker suffers lingering effects, including dizziness and uncontrolled shaking.

As a full-time master sergeant with an E-8 rank, Schicker would have been in line for promotion to the rank of sergeant major. But when he sought work with his unit back home, he was told no E-8 rank slots were available. Commanders gave him two options: demote himself voluntarily to an E-7 rank or seek work with another unit. Nearing retirement, he asked for an exception to let him keep his rank, but they refused.

The demotion meant a significant cut in retirement pay  $600 a month  and he no longer qualified to become a sergeant major. This demotion was based strictly on the expediency of filling a job slot, not Schickers performance.

Now that he needs help appealing his case, all those politicians who bravely stood up for the war hero are, all of a sudden, silent or missing in action.

Except for U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., who wrote a letter in August to Gen. Stephen Danner, the adjutant general in charge of the Missouri National Guard, requesting an exception. Danner replied that rules are rules. McCaskill wrote again in April, prompting an acknowledgment from Danner that rules arent always rules, and sometimes exceptions are made. Yet Danner still wouldnt budge for Schicker.

Our government makes a promise that our service members will be treated fairly after returning home, McCaskill said. If that promise wasnt fully kept in this case, then I want to get to the bottom of it.

The politicians who were present in the state Capitol to give Schicker a heros welcome must now stand up as the patriots they claim to be. Republican Sen. Roy Blunt should add his voice to McCaskills appeal. And our current Republican governor, Eric Greitens, who never misses an opportunity to parade his own military credentials as a Navy SEAL, needs to lead the charge for justice in Schickers case.

Its time to defend Sgt. Schicker. Because hes done his part defending you.
After severing ties with Qatar on Monday, Saudi Arabia said it was committed to decisive and swift action to cut off all funding sources for terrorism in a statement carried by state news agency SPA, attributed to an official source.

By Reuters: Saudi Arabia and Bahrain welcomed on Saturday US President Donald Trump's demand for Qatar to stop supporting terrorism, but did not respond to a US Department of State call for them to ease pressure on the Gulf state.

After severing ties with Qatar on Monday, Saudi Arabia said it was committed to "decisive and swift action to cut off all funding sources for terrorism" in a statement carried by state news agency SPA, attributed to "an official source".

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And in a separate statement issued on Friday, the United Arab Emirates praised Trump's "leadership in challenging Qatar's troubling support for extremism".

Trump accused Qatar of being a "high level" funder of terrorism on Friday, even as the Pentagon and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson cautioned against the military, commercial and humanitarian effects of a blockade imposed by Arab states and others.

A separate SPA report on Saturday acknowledged Tillerson's call for Qatar to curtail support for terrorism, but did not mention his remarks that the crisis was hurting ordinary Qataris, impairing business dealings and harming the US fight against the Islamic State militant group.

Saudi Arabia said its action followed the conclusions of last month's Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, where Trump delivered a speech about Islamic extremism.

Trump said he helped plan the move against Qatar, although a senior administration official told Reuters earlier this week that the US had no indication from the Saudis or Emiratis during the visit that they would sever ties with Qatar.

--- ENDS ---
Iran has rallied to Qatars aid, offering the Gulf state the use of three of its ports to import supplies as its Arab neighbours seek to isolate the emirate. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Qatars foreign minister, said Doha would be able to import all the goods it needed. He described the de facto blockade imposed on Qatar by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain as collective punishment.

We have been isolated because we are successful and progressive. We are a platform for peace not terrorism, Sheikh Mohammed told reporters.

Riyadh and its allies on Monday announced their move to isolate Qatar, accusing the Gulf state of supporting terrorist groups and being too close to Iran, Saudi Arabias regional rival.

Irans offer underlines how the dispute is taking on regional dynamics. Turkey on Wednesday threw its weight behind Doha, fast-tracking plans to deploy extra Turkish troops to Qatar, potentially putting Ankara on a collision course with Riyadh.

Qatar, which hosts the USs main military base in the Middle East, admits that it supports Islamist groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, the Palestinian faction. But it denies it backs terrorism.

The small nation imports virtually all its goods, but Sheikh Mohammed said that only 16 per cent of food supplies come into Qatar via the countries that have imposed the de facto blockade.

Its replaceable and has been replaced in one day, he said. They [Qataris] can survive at the same standard forever, he said.

But he decried the humanitarian cost of Qatars neighbours actions, which has meant that Saudis, Emiratis and Bahrainis have to leave Qatar in two weeks. Qataris also have the same amount of time to leave those nations.

What is really hurting here is the families, Sheikh Mohammed said. He cited the examples of a Qatari mother split from her son in the UAE and a Saudi mother forced to return home, leaving her sick children in Qatar.

We have never seen these actions anywhere else, even between enemies, he added.

He said Qatar would discuss accusations made against the country, but would not discuss shifting its foreign policy.

Donald Trump has called for talks to settle the worst diplomatic crisis in the Gulf for decades. After initially lending his backing to Saudi Arabias clampdown, the US president called Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, emir of Qatar, on Wednesday.

Mr Trump offered to help the parties resolve their differences, including through a meeting at the White House if necessary, according to a US statement released on Wednesday night.

The dispute pits important US allies against each other just as Mr Trump is seeking to forge an Arab alliance to counter Irans influence in the region.

Kuwait has been leading efforts to mediate between the rival parties.

Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah, Kuwaits emir, visited Doha on Wednesday as part of his shuttle diplomacy, but did not present a list of demands to Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed said.

Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabias foreign minister, said Gulf states could settle the dispute themselves.

We have not asked for mediation, we believe this issue can be dealt with among the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, he told a news conference with his German counterpart during a visit to Berlin broadcast on Saudi state television.

Omar Saif Ghabash, the UAEs ambassador to Russia, told BBC radio on Thursday that Qatar had to choose between supporting extremism or its neighbours.

We have all kinds of recordings taking place where they [Qatar] are co-ordinating with al-Qaeda in Syria, he said. Qatar needs to decide: do you want to be in the pocket of Turkey, Iran and Islamic extremists? They need to make a decision; they cant have it both ways.

The Financial Times Limited
National Security Adviser (NSA) Lt Gen (retired) Nasirr Janjua has reaffirmed that Pakistan was following the policy of respectful and safe repatriation of Afghan refugees. Matters regarding management, regulation and return of Afghan refugees were discussed during the meeting.

The national security adviser highlighted that Pakistan had always been remained supportive for Afghanistan and its people, adding that the same will continue.

UNHC country director hailed role of Pakistan in giving safe shelter to Afghan refugees for nearly four decades.

Both vowed to continue consultations regarding better management and safe return of the remaining refugees with the help of the international community.

Some 4.2 million Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan voluntarily under the UNHCR-funded voluntary repatriation programme since 2002.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday arrived in Pakistan after concluding his two-day official visit to Astana, Kazakhstan.

The prime minister, during his stay in Astana, participated in 17th meeting of the Heads of State Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

On the sidelines of the SCO Summit, the Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Russia. He exchanged views with these leaders on matters of mutual interest and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations with these entities and to promote stability and prosperity in the region.

The UN Secretary General also called on the Prime Minister.

The prime minister along with other participating SCO Heads of States also attended the inaugural ceremony of the Expo 2017 where he also visited Pakistani and Belarusian stalls.

Advisor to PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir and Minister of State for Petroleum Jam Kamal accompanied the prime minister during his visit.
Indian troops resorted to unprovoked firing in Chirikot Sector along the Line of Control (LoC) claiming a 70-year-old locals life in another violation of ceasefire on Saturday.

Media cell of the army reported that aggressive troops opened fire in Chirikot Sector leaving a senior citizens Shabbir Khan hailing from Polas village dead.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that Indian fire was retaliated with full force.

Earlier in the day, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa paid a visit to troops in Muzaffarabad Sector. COAS was given detailed briefing by the local commander regarding operational situation, Indian ceasefire violations and response by own troops, Director General (DG) of ISPR reported.

While interacting with the soldiers, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa appreciated their state of operation readiness, exemplary high morale and motivation of fulfillment of assigned mission.

Lieutenant General Nadeem Raza, Commander Rawalpindi Corps, DG FWO and GOC Murree accompanied the COAS during the visit.

On the occasion, troops unreservedly shared with COAS their feelings about Indian atrocities and ceasefire violations targeting innocent civilians and pledged that no Indian misadventure shall go without a befitting response.

We are aware of defence and security challenges being faced by the country and we are capable to defeat all threats irrespective of the front, the Army Chief said.

He hailed Kashmiris on both sides of the LoC for their determination against Indian brutalities and reiterated that Pakistan shall continue its support for right of self-determination to Kashmiris in Indian Occupied Kashmir.

General Bajwa was also briefed on ongoing communication infrastructure development by the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO). He appreciated the work saying that Army shall continue to play its role in nation building projects.

Pakistan Army earlier this month released two separate videos showing destruction of Indian checkposts across the border after the aggressor did not halt ceasefire violations.
The United Arab Emirates depends on imported gas to generate half of its electricity, and the recent diplomatic row with neighboring Qatar risks glittering skyscrapers in the sheikhdoms largest and most populous city of Dubai to go dark for lack of power.

Qatar reportedly pumps about 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day through a 364-kilometer (226-mile) undersea pipeline to the UAE and Oman. The fuel is processed gas from Qatars North Field and transported to the Taweelah terminal in the Emirati capital city of Abu Dhabi, English-language Bloomberg television news network reported.

Abu Dhabi-based Dolphin Energy Ltd., which operates the gas pipeline, is a joint venture between Mubadala Investment Co., which holds a 51-percent share, plus Occidental Petroleum Corp. and Total SA that possess a 24.5-percent stake each.

Despite the rupture of diplomatic relations between Abu Dhabi and Doha, Qatar continues to send natural gas to both the UAE and Oman through the pipeline, and there are indication that the supplies will be cut.

This is while Abu Dhabi Petroleum Ports Authority on Wednesday night imposed a ban on international tankers and Qatar-flagged ships traveling to and from Qatar, preventing them from calling at ports in the UAE.

Earlier in the day, Emirati port authorities had eased the restrictions.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain all cut off diplomatic contact with Qatar on Monday morning, after officially accusing it of sponsoring terrorism.

The administration of Saudi-backed and resigned Yemeni president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, Libya, the Maldives, Djibouti, Senegal and the Comoros later joined the camp in ending diplomatic ties. Jordan downgraded its diplomatic ties as well.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry, in a statement published on Monday, announced that the decisions by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt to cut diplomatic ties were unjustified and based on false claims and assumptions.

"Qatar has been the target of a systematic incitement campaign that promoted outright lies, which indicates that there was a prior intent to harm the state," the statement said.

On Friday, Qatar strongly dismissed allegations of supporting terrorism after the Saudi regime and its allies blacklisted dozens of individuals and entities purportedly associated with Doha in yet another attempt to pressure the energy-rich Persian Gulf state.

The recent joint statement issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE regarding a terror finance watch list once again reinforces baseless allegations that hold no foundation in fact, the Qatari government said in a statement.

Press TV
A child spends his/her maximum time in school as a student. The school infrastructure then becomes a major factor behind how a child sees the world as he/she grows up.

By India Today Web Desk: Schools, being the second home, serve a number of purposes in a child's life. From boosting their confidence to making them learn the importance of team work and socialisation, schools do it all. Away from home, schools become the place for children to spend their maximum time.

Kids are sent to school considering the fact that there is an experienced hand to guide them and also a safe environment promoting growth. We also accept the fact that infrastructure plays a budding hand in creating a favorable environment for a child's growth.

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Sending children to a school where the building looks rundown and playgrounds need work can never be a good idea. Can parents feel safe sending their child to an environment like that? Well, even children won't feel satisfied in a place that lacks physical comfort and other basic facilities. Let's read between the lines to understand the impact of a school's infrastructure on the overall growth of students.

Schools should create an environment that not only assures learning, but also pays special attention to the mental and physical well-being of the students. Studies and researches conducted to figure out the effect of infrastructure suggest that students in schools with poor infrastructure can have lower achievement scores as compared to the ones studying in schools that have better infrastructure and facilities.

What about students who perform well in any kind of school infrastructure?

However, there are times when irrespective of poor infrastructure, students perform meritoriously. People may argue that physical space is secondary and concentration is what matters but researchers and psychologists suggest that environmental factors can increase the academic performance and motivate attendance.

It's proven that overcrowded and stressful environment can affect the learning capabilities of children. The site for educational institutions like schools is a crucial concern as noise and temperature levels are said to affect the understanding levels in students. Physical conditions can leave both positive and negative effects on the students' all-inclusive development.

School buildings, classrooms, playgrounds and libraries are the most important aspect of school infrastructure. Spacious and refurbished buildings and well- ventilated classrooms are a must in schools.

Well-equipped labs enable them to perform lab activities more effectively. Facilities like extracurricular workshops, libraries, halls, games equipment, assembly area and proper sanitation facilities are some of the infrastructure essentials that every school should provide to its students.

As per the belief of one of the world's best education system - Finland's, play and recreation is crucial and a prerequisite to effective learning. Properly planned school infrastructure is an out-and-out key factor in effective teaching and learning. This can also be an encouragement for the school faculty.

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Authored by Geeta Varshney, Education Director, Khaitan Public School Rajendra Nagar, Sahibabad.

Read: 10 activities to boost your brain

Read: Schools use computer based technique to activate 'mid-brain' of students

Click here for more education related news.

For more details, follow India Today Education or you can write to us at education.intoday@gmail.com

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Price wars, oversupply cloud countrys thriving leisure sector View(s):

Price wars, lack of a national plan and proper regulation, and oversupply are plaguing Sri Lankas tourism and hospitality sector, according to several companies in the business. Price wars, lack of a national plan and proper regulation, and oversupply are plaguing Sri Lankas tourism and hospitality sector, according to several companies in the business.

These concerns have been reflected by many hotel companies namely John Keells, Aitken Spence, Hemas Hotels, Grand Hotel (Nuwara Eliya) and Pegasus Reef in their 2016/17 annual reports issued over the past fortnight. The following is a synopsis of the concerns:

Setting proper standards

Nuwara Hotels veteran Chairman George Ondatjee:

Our tourism policy framework is not properly designed to meet the current situation. To meet the 2.5 million tourists in 2016 there was a shortage of rooms supply in the island, but I personally feel that while the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has given approvals to build tourist hotels in major cities it has not been properly planned as there is an oversupply situation. As a result price wars have begun and hoteliers find it difficult to meet their obligations such as meeting the energy bills, payroll and other fixed overheads, finally guests suffer for value for money services cannot be given to them.

Our neighbouring countries will reap the harvest and attract more tourists to their destination for a lower rates. Sri Lanka has failed to market the country as one that offers a different product from that of the Maldives to both Chinese and Italians who travel to the Maldives in large numbers. In this connection, another issue that arises is which kind of tourists are we targeting  high-end, middle or the lower-end. Some argue that we must target the higher-end and focus on smaller number of tourists who are high spenders and bring more foreign exchange earnings. To attract high end tourists our service standards should improve for that government should give more concessions to this industry without taking more taxes. New standards should be set for new, upcoming hotels about the facilities, only then can we have a quality product.

Informal sector unregulated

Aitken Spence Deputy Chairman J.M.S. Brito:

Considering the environment in which the local hotels operate, the informal sector, which is largely unregulated, continued to pose obstacles in the development of a level playing field in the industry. Inadequate regulations have meant that the informal sector is not properly governed in terms of desired industry standards and as a result do not fall within the regulated tax regime, which gives them an unfair advantage and would impact the legitimate foreign exchange earnings of the country. Moreover they are often not aligned with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and in most cases do not participate in the collective efforts by the formal sector to build a credible platform for the countrys tourism industry. As such, I continue to urge the authorities to put in place necessary regulatory controls that would create a level playing field for the betterment of the industry. Further, I cannot overemphasize the importance of having a cohesive country strategy in order to strengthen the countrys value proposition as a tourist destination.

Urgent need for a national plan

Dolphin Hotels (Hemas) Chairman Abbas Esufally:

From a macro perspective, it is clear the industry needs a comprehensive national strategy to sustain continuous industry growth and to target specific growth opportunities. Global geopolitical and technology changes are creating new opportunities and challenges for the Sri Lankan tourism industry. The instability in parts of the Middle East and some other parts of the world, coupled with exchange rate volatility, is changing global travel paradigms. More people are opting to visit safer regions of the world, including ours which is considered relatively stable. Increasing digitisation of lifestyles is also generating opportunities for a more flexible and cost efficient tourism business. New technology applications are driving reservations, hotel design and hotel operations for leaner, more efficient functioning.

However, the domestic travel and tourism industry is already facing some serious challenges. Competition in Sri Lanka is intensifying in certain areas where there is capacity oversupply. In this situation, maintaining price levels, revenues and occupancy, is a challenge. On the other end of the spectrum, the informal sector is gaining market share using a lower-cost operating model. The informal business sector is outside the tax net, while the tax burden on the formal tourism sector companies is currently over 29 per cent. This unequal playing field puts the formal sector, which is better regulated for quality standards relating to health, food hygiene, fire and safety at a significant cost disadvantage.

Sri Lanka requires a structured national plan, which is crucial if we are to succeed in the current globally competitive environment.

We should also look at the arrival numbers from a more qualitative perspective. Arrivals should not be the only measure of the industry Rising cost structures in the formal sector are also eroding overall country competitiveness. Our regional competitor destinations, such as Thailand, Bali, Malaysia, Vietnam, etc offer a similar, or better, product at a cheaper price. This poses a serious sustainability concern for our industry.

Steep increase in room supply

Pegasus Reef Hotel Chairman Chandima Gunawardena:

Competition is intensifying across the industry with a large number of graded rooms being pumped into the market at a fast pace. In an environment characterised by such stiff competitiveness, it is distressing to see the unregulated informal tourism sector still enjoying unfair advantages. While the Governments decision to impose mandatory minimum standards on such accommodation is commendable, I hope to see the fast and smooth implementation of such decisions in the foreseeable future.

Headwinds of competition remain challenging amid tough operating conditions.

Specifically, there is a steep increase in room supply visible in and around Colombo, where most of the star-class hotels are offering rates as low as US$75-80, hence going forward Pegasus Reef hotel would be operating in such an environment identified with intense price competition.

Focus on online bookings

John Keells Hotels Chairman Susantha Ratnayake:

Growth in the informal accommodation sector in the Maldives and Sri Lanka is expected to continue, together with an increase in star category rooms.

In order to combat pressure from competition, the company will continue to focus on enhancing online bookings with online travel agents and its own web site, coupled with a focus on digital marketing initiatives. Additionally, there will be focus on sales strategies targeting selected cities in India through our representatives in India to drive the MICE market, particularly events and weddings.

(Feizal)
Sri Lanka, China conclude 6th round negotiations View(s):

Sri Lanka is closing in on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China after ending the sixth round of negotiations on trade in services with senior officials hopeful that the deal could be concluded soon.

According to agreed minutes of trade in services working group meeting held in Beijing, China recently, both sides further exchanged ways to enhance cooperation and investment on the construction and engineering sectors, which is of win-win for the two countries.

Sri Lanka has agreed to the suggestion on establishing the Construction and Engineering Services Cooperation Group (CESCG) considering it as an encouraging progress for trade in services.

The two sides will consult domestically in arriving at a consensus on international completion bidding (ICB) projects or bilateral negotiated projects at the next round of negotiations.

China welcomed the improved offer from General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) commitment of Sri Lanka on banking sectors.

The Sri Lanka side extended an invitation to the China Banking Regulatory Commission and Bank of China representatives to visit the island for discussions on establishing a branch in the country.

An agreement was reached on articles related to Most Favoured Nation Treatment (MFN) and Ratchet Mechanism (Standstill clause) which is considered as another progress in the sixth round of negotiations.

Ratchet clauses in a trade agreement means a country cannot re-introduce a particular trade barrier that it had previously and unilaterally removed in an area where it had made commit commitment.

Several economic experts told Business Times that this clause would not be favourable for Sri Lanka as it has to list all the barriers at the moment of taking commitments and afterwards cannot introduce and new barriers. (BS)
Matara-Beliatta rail track: Lankan engineers signal danger View(s):

By Namini Wijedasa

The Chinese company extending the railway line from Matara to Beliatta is not qualified for the contract and follows practices and standards that seriously endanger the lives of those who will travel on that track, an influential engineers union has said.

The project is being carried out by China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC). It was an unsolicited proposal approved under the previous administration. The Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) was appointed as project consultant.

The contract was not only overpriced at Rs 40bn (US$ 278.2m), several instances have been identified of CMC using substandard materials and construction methods, the CECB Engineers Association (CECBEA) said at a news conference in Colombo. These were repeatedly brought to the notice of the authorities, including the Ministry of Transport.

CECB responded by removing the team head who supervised the project from its start; and replaced him with an engineer who, it is claimed, has little or no experience in railway or track works. The latter has also now handed in his resignation from the assignment.

The 400-member CECBEA called for Engineer M.M. Akram to be reinstated as team leader for the project. The Department of Railways has separately written to the CECB Chairman saying the replacement does not have the required know-how and that the proposed change of Team Leader at this junction will hamper the quality output of the Project. The CECB has not responded.

The union is speaking out because it fears there could be a disaster in future, its President Harshana Bulathsinhala said. The authorities, to whom complaints were made, removed Mr Akram from the project more than three weeks ago but are yet to take action on serious issues he raised regarding the companys errant construction practices.

The choice of CMC for the Matara-Beliatta railway extension was questionable from the start, the union said. In 2012, the Exim Bank of China told the Sri Lankan Government that the company did not have the relevant experience to execute the project. The Bank insisted that the firm forms a joint venture with or subcontracts an engineering company.

CMC then tied up with China Railway No. 5 Group (CR5) but the CECB team repeatedly found serious shortcomings in their work. Mr. Akram made a presentation to substantiate his claims. He showed, for instance, how the company had tampered with a concrete beam (to be used in a bridge), even shearing off iron rods that were essential to guarantee the strength of the beam.

The CECB team detected instances where concrete was diluted beyond acceptable levels due to construction being done during heavy rains. As the contractor did not use suitable methods and machinery, certain works had to be performed over and again, leading to prolonged delays. When cracks appeared in the Wewurukannala Bridge, the contractor tried to cover them up with a cement mix. However, the CECB team forced the company to rectify the faults following due process.

The contractor on several occasions disregarded CECB instructions to maintain acceptable standards in the construction of stone walls. Engineers, once again, had to expend considerable energy to have the situation corrected. Many other defects were found.

The estimates given by CMC for both material and manpower were highly inflated, Mr Akram said. For instance, the company has priced one cubic metre of rubble masonry work at Rs 57,588 when the market price was only Rs 18,000; and one cubic foot of rubble masonry work at Rs 1,630 against a market price of Rs 509. The daily wage for a skilled worker is specified as Rs 3,960 when the market price is Rs 2,000; and for an unskilled worker as Rs 3,000 against a market price of Rs 1,500.

Chinese workers on several occasions threatened the CECB team, even prompting fears over their physical safety, the union said. And while the project is now in its final stages, there have been significant delays for which the Government should have claimed substantial compensation. Instead, the Transport Ministry extended the deadline for handing over the track, even against CECB recommendations.

Since August 2013, the contractorwho hails from a country with the worlds second longest railway networkhas struggled to put in place the 27km track from Matara to Beliatta. A third deadline has now been given till December 2017, although the CECB insisted it should not go beyond September.

Despite all this, the Transport Ministry is now set to award another US$ 15m (Rs 2.2bn) project to CMC to install signals at four stations on the extended line, yet another job the company has no experience to carry out. It might, once again, tie up with another venturethereby pushing up costs to the Sri Lankan Government, owing to respective profit margins.

Tenders have not been called for the signalling contract. The basis for placing its cost at US$ 15m is not known. And an offer by the Railway Departments own engineers to execute the project at Rs 250m has been ignored.

This sort of thing also gives the Chinese Government a bad name, said Sanjeewa Wijesinghe, CECBs Deputy General Manager (Civil Works). One errant contractor must not be allowed to spoil the overall reputation of Chinese project activity in Sri Lanka. He said efforts were being made to convey this message to the Chinese Foreign Ministry through the Embassy in Colombo.
Qatar crisis: Lanka unlikely to be affected much View(s):

Sri Lanka is unlikely to be affected in the Qatar-Gulf spat unless the situation escalates into a protracted crisis that affects the sizeable migrant worker population there. Four Arab nationsSaudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egyptcut diplomatic ties with Qatar on Monday, claiming the country supports terrorist groups. Qatar has denied the allegation.

In Sri Lanka, there was confusion on Tuesday over currency acceptance when certain banks briefly stopped exchanging Qatari riyals.

They included State-run banks at the Bandaranaike International Airport. They later said this was because Singapore money changers, through whom the Sri Lankan banks convert various currencies into US dollars, had stopped accepting Qatari riyals.

But the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) quickly intervened: First, to say it had not issued instructions for financial institutions to suspend the exchange of Qatari riyals; then, to assure banks that CBSL was even willing to facilitate the physical transport of riyals to Qatar to have them changed into US dollars, if it were to come to that.

Sri Lankas trade with Qatar is also negligible, a Central Bank analyst said. Department of Commerce statistics show that, in 2015, Sri Lanka exported just US$ 13.31m worth of goods to the West Asian nation while imports amounted to US$ 35.58mn. Qatar bought only US$ 1.18m worth of Sri Lankan tea in 2015.

There were 1,547 Qatari tourists in Sri Lanka in 2015, according to Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority data. Qatar Airways ferried in 137,091 of Sri Lankas total tourist arrivals of 1,798,380 the same year.

All our flights are now going through Iraq, said a Sri Lankan Qatar Airways pilot based in Doha. It is a slightly longer trip and increases the cost slightly but we are operating as usual. We are catering to all destinations but the four countries that cut diplomatic ties with Qatar

Where Sri Lanka could experience a negative impact is with regards to its estimated 140,000 strong workforce in Qatarthat, too, if the crisis last so long as to affect the countrys economic relations and commercial activity, the CBSL analyst said. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Kuwait were the major labour receiving countries in 2015, capturing more than 84% of the Sri Lankan labour market.

In 2014, Qatar surpassed Saudi Arabia as the country receiving the highest number of Sri Lankan workers. The next year, Saudi Arabia regained its slot as the most popular employer but Qatar still ranked second accounting for 25 percent of Sri Lankan worker departures. Migrants to Qatar in 2015 typically hailed from Batticaloa, Ampara, Colombo, Kandy, Kurunegala and Gampaha districts.

Certainly, this could be one channel through which we get affected but it will take time to come to that, the analyst explained. The belief is this problem will be resolved before long.

Kasun Gaya Ratnayake, an employee of an auditing firm in Doha since 2006, said there was no fear or insecurity among expatriates in the country. The stock market is a bit down but civilian life goes on as usual. He believed that UAE companies that have invested heavily in Qatar will be the worst affected in the ongoing diplomatic spat.

The Qatari leadership has assured all residentscitizens and expatriates, alikethat the country has sufficient resources, including food. Dairy products were affected but are now being imported from Turkey, which stands with Qatar, Mr Ratnayake said.
Hina Khan is currently in Spain shooting for reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi.

By India Today Web Desk: Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai fame actress Hina Khan is currently busy shooting for reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi in Spain, and she is missing someone terribly. Someone special.

Yes, we are talking about the actress' boyfriend Rocky.

Hina recently posted a picture on social media site Instagram of herself with Rocky. The caption of the picture read, "#Throwback #memories #missingspree, I would absolutely kill to see u right now @rockyj1, to hug u, to talk to u, missing u terribly, plz come n see me soon, let's do some stunts together in Spain. Missing, missing, missing, missing, missing u."

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Here's the post:

Adorable, isn't it?

Also read: Anusha Dandekar slut-shamed on a social media site; beau Karan Kundrra hits back at trolls with a string of comments

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Threats to free media in South Africa: Worlds Press calls for renewed solidarity View(s):

The Board of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), meeting in Durban, South Africa on 7th June 2017 ahead of the 69th World News Media Congress, has called on the South African government to ensure an environment that better protects media freedom and the independence of journalists, notably in the face of proposed legislation that threatens a free press.

The Board drew attention to the Cybercrime Bill as an assault on the right to digital privacy and a threat to the protection of journalists sources, while it also supported on-going efforts to challenge the 2002 Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related Information Act.

The Board of WAN-IFRA denounced the draft Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill, which would criminalise bringing contempt and ridicule onto figures of authority, as well as the Film & Publication Board Amendment Bill, which broadens state power to censor content.

The Board also noted that the controversial Secrecy Bill could still be signed into law after Parliament recommended President Jacob Zuma give it his final approval, despite vigorous opposition from media and civil society groups.

WAN-IFRA has expressed its deep concern that the government is considering a range of measures that will intimidate the press, promote self-censorship and silence criticism. In order to address the shrinking space for independent journalism, WAN-IFRA has urged the South African authorities to adopt a more open, inclusive approach to dialogue and to work with media and legal and civil society organisations to craft legislation that seeks to enable, rather than restrict, a more positive environment for freedom of expression.

During its meeting in Durban, the WAN-IFRA Board also passed six other press freedom resolutions, calling on global solidarity for media facing extreme challenges in Botswana, Cameroon, Tanzania, Zambia, Mexico and Turkey.
Two MPs of Sri Lankan parents voted to UK parliament View(s):

By Neville de Silva in London

London-born Ranil Jayawardena whose father is of Sri Lankan origin, was re-elected from the Conservative Party to the British parliament from the North East Hampshire constituency with a healthy majority of almost 28,000 votes. Jayawardena who first won this seat at the 2015 general election got 65.6 per cent of the votes cast garnering 37,754 votes, up from the 35,573 votes he received in 2015.

His majority this time was slightly diminished but way ahead of his closest rival. Jayawardena who was previously a local councillor serving as deputy leader of the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane before he took to national politics served on the Commons Home Affairs Committee after he entered parliament in 2015.

The Labour Partys Thangam Debbonaire whose father is a Sri Lankan Tamil retained the Bristol West constituency winning almost 2/3rd of the vote in a constituency that saw a huge turn out of 77 per cent. She gained 47,213 votes over her Conservative Party rival who obtained 9,877 votes.

Rathy Alagaratnam said to have Sri Lankan connections contested as a candidate of the United Kingdom Independence Party (Ukip) but fared badly in a night that proved disastrous for Ukip which did not win a single seat.

Meanwhile Conservative candidate James Berry, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils lost the Kingston and Surbiton seat to veteran Lib Dem Sir Ed Davy who returned to parliament after having lost the 2015 election to the Conservatives. During his days in the Commons he has been highly critical of the Sri Lanka government and especially its human rights record and treatment of the Tamil population.

Though Theresa May has returned to No 10 as the prime minister of a minority government, her hold on power is extremely tenuous and she may not last one year given the tough Brexit negotiations that lie ahead with the talks due to begin in a few days.

If the highly shaky May government falls long before its five-year period a Jeremy Corbyn-led Labour Government ruling the country seems fairly certain given the present public mood delineation of political power.
A sacred ground in the shadow of the Kelaniya temple Randima Attygalle visits Kithsirimewan Raja Maha Viharaya or Megoda Pansala where Lord Buddhas bathing robe (jalasaatikawa) is believed to be enshrined in the stupa View(s): View(s):

On the invitation of the Naga King Maniakkhika, Lord Buddha in the eighth year after his Enlightenment, visited Kelaniya with his followers on a Vesak poya day, chronicle the Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa. It is common knowledge to Lankan Buddhists that the king built Kelaniya Raja MahaViharaya enshrining thejewelled throne on which Lord Buddha is said to have been seated while preaching Dhamma to the King and his followers.

The history of this hallowed place of worship for Buddhists dates back to pre- 500 BCE as the sacred ground visited by Buddha on his third visit to the island, having visited Mahiyanganaya and Nagadeepa previously. Intertwined in this famed legend of Kelani Raja MahaViharaya is the lesser known saga of Kithsirimewan Raja Maha Viharaya or Megoda Pansala in the vicinity of the former.

The rustling of bo and naa leaves in the evening breeze is the only hum which envelopes the few devotees on a weekday at Kithsirimewan Raja MahaViharaya. Come Poya, devotees throng the viharaya. So much so, it takes nearly two hours of waiting at times for the devotees to pay homage to the siripathula (sacred footprint of Lord Buddha) marked in the sacred compound says the Viharadhikari, Venerable Unana Upananda Thera. It is only after the construction of the bridge along the old Kandy road that public access to the temple became easier, especially with the Kelani river overflowing several times a year, reflects UpanandaThera who could recollect a footpath from the main road accessing the temple when he first arrived ten years ago. Villagers used to call the surrounding thickets wawulkele, he adds.

Shedding light on the historical significance of the temple which comes under the guardianship of Kelani Raja Maha Vihara, the prelate says: Having preached Dhamma to King Maniakkhika and partaken alms, Lord Buddha had bathed in the Kelani river before leaving for Siripada with his followers. The bathing robe (jalasaatikawa) he was clad in, is enshrined in the stupa of this temple, which is known as sivurudageba. It is also believed that 500 rahathun accompanied Lord Buddha and the stupa is the repository of their begging bowls or paaththara as well. The stupa which is said to have been originally built by the Naga King Maniakkhika had been restored and rendered royal patronage from time to time by several monarchs and most notably by King Kithsirimewan or Kirthi Sri Meghawanna, the son of King Mahasen, after whom the temple is known. A special gaatha paying homage to the temple further speaks for the reverence it attracts.

Generations of villagers who have been associating Kithsirimewan Raja MahaViharaya believe in the miraculous powers of this revered place as a sacred ground touched by the grace of Lord Buddha. Vows or baara are made at the siripathula for recovery from ailments and many a trial and tribulation in their lives. Neela Silva is one such devotee who comes to the temple after work whenever time permits to help ease her mind from financial constraints she faces after her husbands untimely death. Im in serious debt and I come here very often to receive blessings to help me face adversity, teary eyed Neela says. Kamani Alwis and her forefathers lives are closely intertwined with both Kithsirimewan Raja MahaViharaya and Kelani Raja MahaViharaya. We have been patronising the temples for generations both as donors and devotees, she says.

Ruins of ancient stone sculptures and a stone tablet are also found in the temple grounds. The dates of these ruins are not yet determined according to the prelate of the Temple. When the ground was dug to lay some pipes, a sandakadapahana (moon stone) was also unearthed. However, no archaeological assessment of these items had yet been done. A sannasa of Kotte era confirms that the temple had been restored by several monarchs, most notably by King Kithsirimewan and it further records that Kelaniya including the temple, had suffered serious damage during the Portuguese times in the Battle of Mulleriya, explains Upananda Thera who also notes that according to the legend, King Buwanekabahu of Kotte used to visit the Kelaniya Temple on his tusker.

Interestingly Kithsirimewan Raja MahaViharaya had been an integral part of Kelani Raja MahaViharaya before a tsunami struck during King Kelanitissas time, as the Chief Incumbent of Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya, Professor Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera points out. Ancient chronicles record the incident of Princess Devi (later Queen Vihara Maha Devi), daughter of King Kelanitissa being sacrificed to the tidal waves from Kelaniya as means of a ritual to spare the country of further catastrophe and how the boat carrying the princess was salvaged at Kirinda by King Kavantissa of Magama who made the brave princess his queen who became the mother of warrior king Dutugemunu.

This tsunami had altered the route of the Kelani river which inevitably separated Kelani Raja MahaViharaya and the premises where the present Kithsirimewan Raja MahaViharaya is found. Although geographically, it is so, Kithsirimewan Raja MahaViharaya still comes under the custodianship of the KelaniViharaya, says the Chief Prelate. The sacred stupa of Kithsirimewan Raja MahaViharaya as it is found today, is credited to the latter part of the Kandyan Kingdom. It is believed that a Minister of King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghes court renovated the stupa to its present glory. The shrine room of Kithsirimewan Raja MahaViharaya is adorned with attractive murals which according to the Chief Prelate, dates back to the very early phases of the Colombo Era.
Rahul Gandhi mocked Shivraj Chouhan's indefinite fast by juxtaposing the chief minister's comment to bring 'peace and love' as he began his fast with a photo of an old woman being lathicharged during the protests.

By Poulomi Saha: Congress and BJP continued to spar over farmers' agitation in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who recently tried to reach Mandsaur from where protests started after farmers were killed in alleged police firing on June 6, took potshots at CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Twitter.

Juxtaposing a comment by the chief minister as he began his indefinite fast at Bhopal's Dusshera Maidan to bring "peace and love" to the state of Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi posted a front-page photograph from a local daily showing policemen lathcharging an old woman during the protests, tagging the post "BJP spreading love".

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Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has been in the eye of the storm since the protests resulted in police firing and the killing of five farmers, sat on an indefinite fast in Bhopal today.

WILL BUY FARMERS' PRODUCE AT PROFITABLE PRICES: CHOUHAN

He promised farmers that the state government would buy their farm produce at profitable prices. "I know of the bumper crop production that has sent prices crashing down in the state. I know your problems. Your labour won't go waste", he told farmers of Madhya Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the Congress too has courted controversy with videos emerging of its leaders, including state MLA Shakuntala Khatik, allegedly inciting people to resort to violence against the state machinery during their agitation. Not surprisingly, party vice-president has had little to say about these videos, let alone take action against the errant leaders and party workers.

Also read | Madhya Pradesh: Families of 4 farmers who died in Mandsaur firing ask CM Chouhan to end fast

Also read | Shivraj Singh Chouhan on fast: BJP pins its hope on PM Narendra Modi to counter belligerent Opposition

WATCH VIDEO

--- ENDS ---
By India Today Web Desk: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today embarked on his indefinite fast to placate the agitated farmers in the state.

Chouhan is facing the ire of the farmers after six people were killed in a firing carried out by police on protesters demanding loan waiver.

His fast at Bhopal's Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal began at 11 AM where he will also be holding an open 'durbar' for farmers to meet him.

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"I request people to come up to me with their problems...We have always been open to discussion. So, I have decided from tomorrow I will be listening to grievances in-person," the chief minister said.

Farmers across Madhya Pradesh have been protesting over the price rise and have been demanding loan waiver. The protests have been politicised following death of another farmer injured in Mandsaur police firing a mob gathered near Fanda on the outskirts of Bhopal to stage protest.

HERE ARE THE LIVE UPDATES:

Madhya Pradesh farmers' agitation: Congress workers protest in Bhopal. #Mandsaur pic.twitter.com/Wgy9U1qCny

- ANI (@ANI_news) 10 June 2017 Police is for the safety of the people. What happened in Mandsaur was very unfortunate: Chouhan

No land will be acquired without the consent of farmers: Chouhan

We are ready to have a peaceful dialogue with our farmers: Chouhan

MP government and BJP is standing by our farmers: Chouhan

Middlemen in MP wont make profit more than 2 per cent hereafter: Chouhan

Our government will never lag behind in giving farmers the right & profitable price for their produce: MP CM S.S Chouhan in Bhopal #Mandsaur pic.twitter.com/I2iZmgHd4B- ANI (@ANI_news) 10 June 2017 Farmers will get profitable deals for their crop produce: Chouhan

Prices will be set keeping farmers of this state in mind: Chouhan

I have only worked for the welfare of the state: Chouhan

More than 65 per cent of our population is dependent on farming. The state can't progress without farmers: Chouhan

Whenever there's been crisis, I have stood by our farmers: Chouhan

We want water to reach our farmers and help their fields: Chouhan

We depend on our farmers and their crop produce: Chouhan

My priority has always been farmers and their crops: Chouhan

Madhya Pradesh farmers' agitation: CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan reaches Bhopal's Dussehra Maidan to sit on fast "for peace" #Mandsaur pic.twitter.com/5QJW20nI3D - ANI (@ANI_news) 10 June 2017

Also read:

Shivraj Singh Chouhan on fast: BJP pins its hope on PM Narendra Modi to counter belligerent Opposition

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on indefinite fast to placate angry farmers

Why loan waivers are not good for farmers, India

Madhya Pradesh: CM Shivraj Chouhan to begin indefinite fast in wake of growing farmer agitation

--- ENDS ---
The Wyland Foundation, which held the national Mayors Water Challenge, will be hosting the raffle for the grand prize of a Toyota Prius at the Flagstaff City Hall on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m.

One person from one of the five winning cities will be chosen to win the car, and residents from the winning cities who took the water conservation pledge will be entered to win other prizes, including a green your home kit and other eco-friendly products.

The Wyland Foundation is donating artwork created by Robert Wyland, valued at $1,500 to be raffled off to attendees of the event Tuesday.

Other cities to win the challenge in categories based on size were Laguna Beach, Calif.; Athens, Ga.; Aurora, Colo.; and Dallas.
The BJP hopes that PM Narendra Modi will effectively counter Opposition charge of neglecting the pressing issues of farmers in the country. The Centre is likely to announce new MSP soon.

By Himanshu Mishra: As an aggressive Opposition is trying to intensify campaign to corner the NDA government over the farmers' issue, the BJP hopes to use 'Modi Magic' to counter the criticism that may affect party's electoral performance in Madhya Pradesh.

MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been asked not to take any decision without prior consultation with New Delhi. Shivraj Singh Chouhan today began his indefinite fast on the issue in Bhopal. He said his fast would continue till there is peace in his state, ANI reported.

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The BJP had been waiting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to return home from Astana, Kazakhstan after attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The decision on the farmers' issue is likely to be taken soon now after PM Modi returned home early today.

The top central leadership and the BJP governments in states, where farmers are agitating, had been asked to keep silent over the issue till PM Modi returned. The BJP strategy was to keep attacking the Congress for provoking farmers in Madhya Pradesh and inciting violence at Mandsaur and surrounding areas.

BJP COUNTER OFFENSIVE

The Centre is not in mood to oblige the Congress on loan waiver demand. The BJP has already made its stand clear that it is states, who will have to take a call on loan waiver issue.

The Centre is likely to announce new Minimum Support Price (MSP) - which is a key demand of the protesting farmers in both Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

The decision to on the new MSP had been taken in the Wednesday's cabinet meeting before Prime Minister Modi left for Astana SCO summit. But, the announcement was put on hold till his return from the foreign tour.

PM Modi had discussed the issue of farmers' protest in Madhya Pradesh during the cabinet meet. Modi had held consultation with his senior ministers including Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Nitin Gadkari and Venkaiah Naidu over the situation in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh.

Following his meeting with the senior ministers, the press briefing of the cabinet was cancelled. Another scheduled press conference by Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh was also cancelled. The party and the government went tight-lipped over the issue except for blaming the Congress for protest by farmers and Mandsaur violence.

PLAN FOR MADHYA PRADESH

The BJP leadership directed MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to 'expose' the political people behind the farmers' protest with evidence.

The BJP believes that the Congress leaders instigated the protesting farmers. The BJP wants that evidence should be gathered against such Congress leaders including national secretary of the party Jitu Patwari.

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Following the BJP leadership's direction, the Madhya Pradesh government has registered 18 cases naming 54 local Congress leaders. Besides Jitu Patwari, Shankuntala Khatik and DP Dhankad have also been booked in this connection.

The BJP is of the view that with evidence against the local Congress leaders, it can turn the tide in its favour in the upcoming Assembly election in Madhya Pradesh.

ISSUE OF LOAN WAIVER

A section of the BJP believes that the farmers' agitation is part of a grand strategy of the Opposition as it was planned at a time when farmers across the country don't generally work on their farms and are not engaged in agricultural activities. So, there should not be excessive focus on the farmers at this point of time, the party faction believes.

However, the BJP leadership believes that Mandsaur firing can become a serious issue in the country in days to come. This anticipation has prompted the central government to state that the decision to announce loan waiver would be taken by the individual state governments - on the lines of the Yogi Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh.

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The cost of loan waiver would be borne by the state exchequer. The Centre, as per the strategy, will not extend financial help to the state governments in the matters of loan waiver.

BJP president Amit Shah has warned the chief ministers in the states, ruled by the party, that the Congress or other Opposition parties may try to take advantage of the situation by raising farmers' issues including the demand of loan waiver.

Amit Shah has asked all the ministers, party MPs and leaders to organise farmers' meet as they plan to celebrate three years of Modi government at the Centre. According to BJP sources, the party may soon announce a grand rally for farmers.

BJP BANKING ON MODI MAGIC

The BJP believes that Modi magic will again work in party favour like it did during demonetisation. After announcement of note ban, the Opposition went berserk raising the troubles faced by the farmers, small traders and the common populace.

Prime Minister Modi held a series of public rallies justifying demonetisation by calling it a step towards fighting black money. The electoral success in Uttar Pradesh convinced the BJP that Modi magic squared off the political negative impact of demonetisation.

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The BJP is also planning to highlight the steps taken by Modi government in farmers' favours - including schemes like kisan fasal bima yojana, soil health card and easy availability of urea to farmers. The BJP is also planning the use the loan waiver scheme announced by the Uttar Pradesh government as a way forward in other states.

The BJP is confident that this time again party will be able to turn the table in its favour once PM Modi holds public rallies.

ALSO READ |

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on indefinite fast to placate angry farmers

Why loan waivers are not good for farmers, India

Farmers protest: After Madhya Pradesh, UP's Ghaziabad to be Rahul Gandhi's next battleground

ALSO WATCH | Karnataka: Farmers given Rs 1 as compensation for crop loss

--- ENDS ---
Google has released the third preview for Andriod O and it has confirmed a few interesting things about the update, including the version number which will, unsurprisingly, be Android 8.0.

Expected Release Date

While Google has not yet given us a concrete date, it is expected that Android O will launch in August of this year. This tracks with the timeframe of Android Nougat's release, which was launched in August 2016, a few months ahead of the Google Pixel. It is expected, though unconfirmed, that the second version of the Pixel will be released in the months following Android 8.0. If we had to guess, we would assume that the release would be timed around the release of the Android 8.1.

Android O Features

Android O will be a fairly significant improvement over Nougat and will bring a host of new features to the popular OS. One of the most intriguing is picture-in-picture mode, which will allow a level of multitasking. This feature originally launched for Android TV with Nougat, but the upcoming update will bring it to the entire OS including smartphones and tablets.

Notification dots is another new feature that is coming to Android O. This feature will make it easier to track which apps notifications come from. In addition, Google is adding notifications levels so that users can set it in different tiers. Those tagged with a higher tier of importance will be more prominent than lower-tiered ones. Hopefully, this will make organizing apps easier.

The Third Android O Preview

Google has one more public preview slated to come out before the official launch of the software. It is expected to launch in July and will finalize the API so that developers can ensure their apps are ready for the latest version of Android.

Availability And Issues

Android O is currently available through the Android Beta program for the following platforms: Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel C, Nexus 5X, and Nexus 6P.

Google has warned that the beta is not as stable as release versions of the software and can cause issues such as slowdowns, weaker battery life, and app compatibility issues. As a general warning, the company has said that the current version of Android O is meant for developer and testing purposes.

Beta programs such as this one are useful for developers and testers, but general users are probably better off sticking with Nougat for the time being.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The parents were shocked to find their daughter's dead body in a freezer box at their doorstep, who they had left for few days in the care of a herbal treatment centre.

By Pramod Madhav: A 17-year-old girl in Tamil Nadu's Erode district who was being treated for epilepsy and weight loss by a herbal treatment centre died under mysterious circumstances.

BhakyaSri was left under the care of the herbal treatment centre owner and relative Naveen Balalji by her parents on June 2 to attend a wedding function.

To their shock, when they returned, they found BhakyaSri's dead body in a freezer box kept at the doorstep.

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Her parents then rushed her body to the General Hospital in Coimbatore for autopsy and filed a complaint in the Kavundhapadi Police Station against Balaji.

BhakyaSri's father believes she was administered wrong dose of medicine which turned to be fatal and is now demanding strictest of action against Balaji.

He also added that when they called in between June 2-6 to inquire about their daughter's health, the authorities said she was responding well and relaxing.

According to testimony of BhakyaSri's neighbours, they saw the staff of the treatment centre drop off the freezer box on June 3.

To add to their plight, the parents had to face blatant apathy at the Coimbatore General Hospital, where they were asked to pay Rs 3,000 as bribe to collect BhakyaSri's body from the morgue.

Clash between the family members of BhakyaSri and Balaji broke out when he visited the family at the Coimbatore hospital.

BhakyaSri's relatives claim that Naveen Balaji who runs the herbal treatment centre in Erode is a fraud and has no authorisation from medical bodies or the government.

Also read: Why Tamil Nadu politics involving frequent AIADMK reshuffles is like a game of poker

Also read: Beef ban: How BJP plans to milk the cow in West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu

WATCH | Tamil Nadu horror: Parents return to find epileptic daughter's body in freezer box at doorstep

--- ENDS ---
We knew that Google was planning on releasing a new version of the Pixel later this year, but beyond that, details were scarce. However, a new leak has shed some light on Google's upcoming smartphone and it looks to be every bit as awesome as the first Pixel.

Pixel 2 Display

One of the most important and noticeable features on a smartphone is the display. Whether it's watching videos, sending texts or browsing the web, a good screen is one of the defining features of smartphones. In recent years, we've seen a trend towards larger screens with minimal bezels. The Samsung Galaxy S8 launched with Infinity Display and the iPhone 8 is expected to feature a similar design. Now, it turns out that Google's Pixel 2 will follow the same path.

The leak  first reported by WinFuture  describes a 5.6-inch screen with a near 2:1 ratio of 2,560 x 1,312, placing the Pixel 2 in line with the S8 and LG G6. This would imply that Google and HTC may be creating an edge-to-edge screen.

Pixel 2 Specs

In terms of technical specs, the Pixel 2 will allegedly feature a 2.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip backed up by 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage space. This would give the Pixel 2 the same amount of RAM as the S8, but more storage space as the latter only offers 64GB of internal storage  at least in the United States.

In terms of operating systems, the leak reports that it will use Android 7.1 Nougat. However, with Android O expected to launch sometime this summer, it is likely that the Pixel 2 will launch running that version of the OS unless it is delayed for some reason.

The leak did not give us any information on the type of battery that is being used and that's one area where Google and others could stand to improve. Short battery life is one of the biggest weaknesses of modern phones and we're still waiting for someone to address that issue.

Pixel 2 Cameras

The leak shows that the Pixel will feature a 12-megapixel camera capable of 4K recording and a front-facing 7-megapixel camera. Beyond that, we don't know much about the camera, but the original Pixel featured one of the best cameras of its class so the Pixel 2's should be pretty good.

Leak Accuracy

As with all leaks, this one should be taken with a grain of salt until an official announcement is made. Some of the details outlined in the spec sheet match up with what we expected, but the OS gives us pause. Assuming Android O does launch this summer, it would be surprising if the newest version of the Pixel did not launch with the latest version of Android. After all, one of the selling points of the Pixel is the ability to get updates directly from Google.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Last week has been a bit of a contentious one between the tech industry and the Trump administration. Tim Cook and several other CEOs tried to dissuade Donald Trump from leaving the Paris Agreement, but were not successful.

Despite the difference, several CEOs will be heading to the White House soon for the inaugural American Technology Council meeting, and some surprising names will be attending.

American Technology Council

According to a report from Bloomberg, Tim Cook is going to be one of the 11 CEOs that will be attending the White House meeting on June 19. Other CEOs that will be attending include Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Microsoft's Satya Nadella, and Oracle's Safra Catz. Several other companies were invited, including Facebook, but haven't responded to the invite and, given Trump's recent decisions, may not attend.

The meeting will be led by Jared Kushner, Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law, and Council Director Chris Liddell, former CFO of GM and Microsoft. Trump set up the council in May with an executive order in an effort to modernize the government's digital services and information technology. It's also believed that cloud computing will be a point of focus when the council meets for the first time.

Cook vs. Trump

This is surprising, especially from Tim Cook, given the contentious relationship the tech industry has had with the Trump administration. Leaving the Paris Agreement was just the latest rift between the two entities. It first came to a head earlier this year when Trump issued his travel ban on inbound flights from select countries that are predominantly Muslim. In response, Google and several other companies signed an effort to block the ban.

Cook was especially vocal about the Paris Agreement. As mentioned above, Cook was among the several CEOs that reached out to Trump trying to change his mind and stay in the Paris Agreement. Cook was said to have called the White House and spoke with Trump on the matter but obviously wasn't successful. Cook also found himself on the other side when Trump signed orders dismantling environmental protections put in place by Barack Obama.

Cook also took shots at the President during his commencement speech at MIT. Cook brought up Trump's Twitter habits, joking about MIT students hacking in and putting up posts at three in the morning. While made in jest, Cook's tendency to take a position opposite Trump could cause a strain on the working relationship with Trump's administration.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) head Scott Pruitt addressed local officials about a one-year extension for states to develop air quality plans in relation to the Obama-era 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone.

One-Year Delay

On June 6, Pruitt sent a letter to state governors informing them of the EPA's current decision and efforts regarding the new NAAQS that was finalized on October of 2015. Apart from giving each state more time to formulate a better plan for ensuring cleaner air, it also gives the agency an extension to further study the current regulations.

Under the current NAAQS, states are submitting their proposals for area designations under the lessened standard of 70 parts per billion (ppb) from the previous 75 ppb. In the press release, the business consequences for states that are in "nonattainment" of the current regulation was stated, including restrictions on infrastructure investments, increased regulatory burdens, and increased business costs.

The press release also states that the one-year delay will give states more time to formulate an air quality plan that is more flexible to each state, something that Arizona Senator Jeff Flake agrees with.

"Nowhere are the flaws of previous administration's one-size-fits-all approach to regulating ozone more evident than in Arizona, a desert state where naturally-occurring ozone makes it impossible to meet the new federal mandate," said Sen. Flake.

Further, the press release also announces the establishment of an Ozone Cooperative Compliance Task Force that will evidently be responsible for developing flexibilities for states to comply with the standard.

In addition to giving states a one-year extension to their submissions, the implementation delay also allows for the department to further study the current regulation based on latest information. This reevaluation includes taking time to study complex issues including understanding the role of background ozone levels and international transport.

'Tremendous Progress'

In his letter to the governors, Pruitt applauded the states for what he described as tremendous progress and significant investments to clean the air. He states that since 1980, there has been a 63 percent drop in principal air pollutants and a 33 percent decline in ozone levels. Still, Pruitt stresses that despite the improvements, costs for improving air quality have continued to increase.

As such, he stated his commitment to working with local officials in their quest to working toward cleaner air without compromising their economic growth.

The 2015 NAAQS was set under the Clean Air Act that was last amended in 1990. It identifies two types of NAAQS: the primary standards, which provide public health protection for the more "sensitive" members of the population including asthmatics, children, and the elderly; and the secondary standards, which provide protection against damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The next set of iterative iPhones, in addition to the iPhone 8, reportedly launching sometime in the fall, won't be capable of gigabit cellular connections, largely because of Apple's legal battle with Qualcomm.

The Next iPhone Models Won't Feature Faster LTE Speeds

Apple relies on both Intel and Qualcomm for mobile modems, but currently, the only one able to deliver gigabit internet speeds is Qualcomm's X16 LTE modem. That's a shame, because all major U.S. carriers are scrambling to incorporate faster download speeds this year to have a leg up in the race and outpunch everyone else along the way. Similarly, manufacturers are launching new components to push this reality further.

As Bloomberg reports, carriers are trying to boast this year's crop of smartphones thanks to network upgrades, and such devices will be able to download data 100 times faster than previous  with the exception of Apple's upcoming flagships.

Intel is making its own modem with the same capability as Qualcomm's, but it reportedly won't be ready in time for the iPhone 7s and iPhone 8's arrival, the report adds, so Apple can't come running toward Intel for the modem. In theory, Apple could instead approach Qualcomm, but its relationship with the company is rocky at best.

Apple And Qualcomm Aren't Very Good Friends At The Moment

Apple is currently in a legal fight with Qualcomm, accusing the supplier of maintaining an illegal monopoly on modems.

By contrast, Samsung relies on Qualcomm's X16 LTE modem; that's why the Galaxy S8 is capable of delivering gigabit internet connections. When the next batch of iPhones launch  rumors suggest three models: iPhone 7s, iPhone 7s Plus, and the iPhone 8  they'll certainly pale in comparison with the Galaxy S8's network capabilities.

Needless to say, Apple wants to rely on Qualcomm in any capacity. Sure, the forthcoming iPhone units will still come with Qualcomm modems, but Apple is making sure that not all of them will: Some models will pack in Intel modems, for good measure.

Apple will refuse to enable faster speeds on iPhones will Qualcomm modems, because as Bloomberg reports, it doesn't want to divide its iPhone audience into two categories: those who can get faster connections, and those who can only receive standard LTE speeds. The move also serves a different purpose, altogether  to undermine Qualcomm's dominance in the smartphone market.

Does It Even Matter, Though?

But of course, we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves here. Apple might have nothing to worry about after all, since it's not certain exactly when all major U.S. carriers can confidently say that their network boasts gigabit speeds. Obviously, even with a faster smartphone modem in place, it'll be useless without the proper network coverage  the equipment and technology are there, but not the intended functionality. It's akin to having headphones with no sound coming out.

At present, carriers are one-upping each other to become the first to offer a faster version of LTE, but it's hard to paint a landscape without knowing what it looks like. The Verge thinks it could take two to three years before we reach true gigabit speeds. So, the forthcoming iPhones not supporting faster LTE connections won't even matter.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
SpaceX is already well under way with test firing its Merlin engines for Falcon Heavy, the company's biggest and most powerful rocket to date, so it's no surprise that Elon Musk is already confident that its maiden flight will proceed as planned.

As a matter of fact, Musk tweeted that SpaceX expects all the huge rocket's cores to be delivered within three months and the actual Falcon Heavy maiden flight to happen just a month after that. Musk's revelation was a response to a Twitter follower who asked about the megarocket's launch.

All Falcon Heavy cores should be at the Cape in two to three months, so launch should happen a month after that  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 8, 2017

It will not be a surprise if some people would bring up the number of times Musk's companies  both Tesla and SpaceX  did not meet the deadlines, and it is possible that the launch could be delayed. After all, Falcon Heavy was originally intended to lift off in the first quarter of 2017, if not for the string of unfortunate events that caused major delays in 2016. Musk, however, is an ambitious man who learns from previous failures, so everything that the lengthy investigation has revealed about the Launchpad explosion in 2016 have most likely been resolved. It does not hurt that the Falcon Heavy demo is already listed in the SpaceX flight manifesto, even if there is no definite date yet. SpaceX also seems confident that things will go well. The company even posts videos of completed static fire tests it has accomplished for the Falcon Heavy rocket, such as the two tweets below showcasing both the Falcon Heavy center core and side booster.

First static fire test of a Falcon Heavy center core completed at our McGregor, TX rocket development facility last week. pic.twitter.com/tHUHc1QiKG  SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 9, 2017

Static fire test of a Falcon Heavy side booster completed in McGregor, TX last week. This booster previously launched Thaicom 8. pic.twitter.com/nWrNCXtu13  SpaceX (@SpaceX) May 25, 2017

Of course, both tests were completed successfully.

A Closer Look At Falcon Heavy

Falcon Heavy, as mentioned above, is SpaceX's biggest rocket, and it is also the same space vehicle the company specifically designed to bring tourists to space and send crewed missions to the moon and, eventually, Mars. It can also be used to bring larger payloads into orbit. The rocket is designed with 27 Merlin engines housed in Falcon 9 nine-engine cores and is three times more powerful than Falcon 9.

Falcon Heavy is this times three. One way or another, launch is guaranteed to be exciting ... https://t.co/FPUNALj0Hd  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 25, 2017

Perhaps one of Falcon Heavy's most important aspects, aside from its power, is its reusability.

The Falcon Heavy rocket's first stage is composed of two reusable Falcon 9 boosters and a reusable central core booster that together generates about 22,819 kilonewtons (5 million pounds) of thrust during liftoff.

It is currently the largest and most powerful rocket in the world, so we can also expect huge accomplishments from Falcon Heavy.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The much rumored Google Pixel XL 2 has just surfaced on GFXBench, revealing its core specifications to confirm it will be a powerful flagship.

Google started releasing two flagship smartphones at once in recent years and in 2016 it moved from the Nexus branding to the Pixel one, launching the Pixel and Pixel XL.

The company is expected to stick to the Pixel branding from now on and the purported Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 are already making waves ahead of their expected debut later this year. Rumors also hinted at a Pixel 2 XXL, which would be the largest of the bunch. A slew of leaks and reports hint at powerful specifications for the upcoming flagships and a new GFXBench listing now reveals what the larger flagship will bring to the table.

Google Pixel XL 2 Specs On GFXBench

German publication WinFuture spotted the Pixel XL 2 on the GFXBench database, listed with a number of core specifications. According to the benchmark listing, the Pixel XL 2 will sport a 5.6-inch display with an odd resolution of 2,560 x 1,312 pixels, which could translate to an 18:9 aspect ratio like the LG G6. If it's tall and slim, it could resemble the Samsung Galaxy S8, which has an 18.5:9 aspect ratio.

The listing further reveals that the Google Pixel XL 2 will pack the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor under the hood, gunning at 2.4 GHz and paired with 4 GB of RAM and Adreno 540 graphics. The smartphone will apparently come with 128 GB of native storage space. Other specs include a 12-megapixel main camera and a 7-megapixel selfie cam, both with 4K video recording capabilities.

Benchmarks Accuracy

It is worth pointing out here that benchmarks can offer valuable hints about what's in the mix, but they may not always turn out to be spot on. In some cases, benchmarks list the specifications of the prototypes they're testing, which may or may not coincide with the final product.

For instance, although the benchmark listing for the Pixel XL 2 mentions the Snapdragon 835 processor, it wouldn't be too surprising to see the smartphone boast the upcoming Snapdragon 836 chipset. The processor has already been rumored to fire up the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 expected later this year, and possibly the upcoming LG V30.

On the other hand, it's also possible that the Snapdragon 836 will be exclusive to the Galaxy Note 8 for a while, which would leave the Pixel XL 2 with the Snapdragon 835.

The Google Pixel 2 family of smartphones will serve as launch vehicles for the new Android 8.0 O (likely Oreo), so Google will likely go all in with the hardware specs as well. The Pixel XL 2 should go head to head with the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, the iPhone 8 Plus, and other powerful flagships of comparable size.

With no official news available at this point, however, it's highly recommended to take all rumors and leaks, including this benchmark listing, with a hefty grain of salt. As always, we'll make sure to keep you in the loop as soon as more information becomes available.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Gurmeet Choudhary said that he was taken aback by the affection of his Indonesian fans.

By India Today Web Desk: TV star and film actor Gurmeet Choudhary is happy as can be. And no, this has nothing to do with an upcoming project.

Gurmeet, who is currently in Indonesia, was surprised by all the love and warmth he received from his Indonesian fans.

The actor's hit show Geet---Hui Sabse Paraayi was released in Indonesia and the people loved the show and Gurmeet's performance in Geet.

Gurmeet Choudhary with fans in Indonesia

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When the fans came to know about the actor's presence in the country, they gathered in huge groups at the airport to catch a glimpse of the actor.

He even received gifts and cards from his female fans.

"It was an amazing experience interacting with the fans. I was deeply moved by their love and affection. It felt like I was in India," Gurmeet said in a statement.

Also read: Now Indonesia to get its own version of Naagin

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The Philippines military said the United States was providing technical assistance to end the siege of Marawi City by fighters allied to Islamic State, which is now in its third week, but it had no boots on the ground.

By Reuters: US special forces have joined the battle to crush Islamist militants holed up in a southern Philippines town, officials said on Saturday, as government forces struggled to make headway and 13 marines were killed in intense urban fighting.

The Philippines military said the United States was providing technical assistance to end the siege of Marawi City by fighters allied to Islamic State, which is now in its third week, but it had no boots on the ground.

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"They are not fighting. They are just providing technical support," military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jo-Ar Herrera told a news conference in Marawi City.

The US embassy confirmed it had offered support, at the request of the Philippines government, but gave no details.

A US P3 Orion surveillance plane was seen flying over the town on Friday, media said.

The cooperation between the longtime allies is significant because President Rodrigo Duterte, who came to power a year ago, has taken a hostile stance towards Washington and has vowed to eject US military trainers and advisers from his country.

The seizure of Marawi City on May 23 has alarmed Southeast Asian nations which fear that Islamic State - facing setbacks in Syria and Iraq - is establishing a stronghold on the Philippine island of Mindanao that could threaten the whole region.

About 40 foreigners have fought alongside the Philippine militants in Marawi City, most of them from Indonesia and Malaysia, though some came from the Middle East.

The Philippines military suffered its biggest one-day loss on Friday since 10 troops were killed in a friendly-fire incident on June 1. Herrera said 13 marines conducting clearing operations died after an "intense" house-to-house firefight during which they encountered improvised explosive devices and were attacked by rocket-propelled grenades.

The deaths took to 58 the number of security forces killed, with 20 civilians and more than a hundred rebel fighters also killed in the Marawi fighting.

REPORTS OF MAUTE BROTHERS KILLED

An OV-10 aircraft releases a bomb during an airstrike against the so-called Maute group, who have taken over large parts of Marawi city on June 10, 2017. Photo: Reuters

At least 200 militants are holed up in a corner of the town. An estimated 500 to 1,000 civilians are trapped there, some being held as human shields, while others are hiding in their homes with no access to running water, electricity or food.

The military said it was making headway in the town but was proceeding carefully so as not to destroy mosques where some of the militants had taken up positions.

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"We give premium to the mosques, because this is very symbolic to our Muslim brothers," Herrera said.

The Philippines is majority Christian, but Mindanao has a significant population of Muslims and Marawi City is overwhelmingly Muslim.

One of the main Islamist factions dug in around the heart of the city is the Maute group, a relative newcomer amid the throng of insurgents, separatists and bandits on Mindanao.

Herrera said the military was "validating" reports that the two Maute brothers who founded the group had been killed.

"We are still awaiting confirmation," he said. "We are still validating those reports but there are strong indications."

Maute joined forces with Isnilon Hapilon, who was last year proclaimed by Islamic State as its Southeast Asia "emir". Military officials believe Hapilon is still in the town.

The military has said it is aiming to end the siege by Monday, the Philippines' independence day.

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President-elect Lula da Silva and Sonia Gujajara are expected to meet at the 2022 UN Climate Change next week. | Read More
All the pilgrims were from Vadodara district of Gujarat.

By India Today Web Desk: A crew member died and two pilots were injured after the helicopter ferrying pilgrims met with an accident while taking of from Badrinath in Uttarakhand.

Five passengers have been reported to be safe. An official at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in Delhi said that an engineer, who was part of the crew, died in the accident, while the two pilots suffered injuries.

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Chamoli Superintendent of Police Tripti Bhatt said that the phone that the engineer, identified as Vikram Lamba, who hailed from Assam, was hit by rotor blades.

The police officer said the helicopter got disbalanced while taking off due to insufficient air pressure and fell down. The accident took place around 0745 hrs.

Helicopter accident in Badrinath.

All the pilgrims were from Vadodara in Gujarat and they had left for their respective destinations, the police officer said.

The Agusta 119 helicopter, belonging to Mumbai-based private operator Krestal Aviation, was on its way from Badrinath to Haridwar. The DGCA said it was investigating the matter.

With inputs from PTI

Also:

IAF's Chetak helicopter crashes in Allahabad, pilots safe

Chopper carrying Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis crash-lands in Latur. Me, my team are safe, he tweets

WATCH | Uttarakhand: Engineer killed, pilot injured after private chopper meets with accident in Badrinath

--- ENDS ---
Gal Gadot and Tanushree Dutta competed against each other in the Miss Universe 2004 pageant.

By India Today Web Desk: The name on everyone's lips right now is Gal Gadot, who is creating ripples globally with her brilliant portrayal of Wonder Woman in Patty Jenkins's film of the same name. Did you know Gal is a beauty pageant winner and represented Israel at the Miss Universe 2004 competition? We bet you didn't know that she fared worse than our very own Aashiq Banaya Aapne girl Tanushree Dutta.

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While Tanushree was the eighth runner-up, Gal did not even make it to the Top 15. Surprised? This discovery is making Twitteratti go berserk.

#TIL In Miss Universe 2004 @GalGadot was competing against Aashiq banaya aapne actress Tanushree Dutta ???Tanushree came in top 10 pic.twitter.com/PHJPYvUHcF- Od (@odshek) June 8, 2017

Gal Gadot: Wonder WomanTanushree Dutta: Wonder where Is this Woman https://t.co/wXAnWLMbP2- Amit (@Goddamittt) June 10, 2017

and yet... look at where she is (i mean.. Wonder Woman.. come on).. and look at tanushree dutta. Rewards > Awards https://t.co/G0bg2D5ejx- Unknown handle (@unknownhandle10) June 9, 2017

It looks like the tables have turned now, as Gal is a global name, with Wonder Woman smashing records to rake in $223 million in its opening weekend, worldwide. The actor has received a thundering applause for her portrayal of the Amazon princess, while Tanushree, after a spate of flops, has disappeared from the Bollywood scene.

MOVIE REVIEW: WONDER WOMAN

ALSO READ: Is Wonder Woman bisexual? Gal Gadot says she can be

ALSO WATCH: Host crowns wrong contestant at Miss Universe 2015

--- ENDS ---
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For years after he cheated death, Sgt. Myron Daniels recalled the shooting every time he buttoned up his Baton Rouge Police Department uniform.

On that day nine years ago, Daniels chased a career criminal who ran a red light and then holed up in an apartment off Hanks Drive. He radioed for help and, after rounding a corner inside the residence, spotted the fugitive kneeling on the floor of a back room, aiming a gun at the doorway.

The bullets struck Daniels in short succession, grazing his leg and piercing his abdomen below his bulletproof vest. He lay in a coma for several days and spent nearly two weeks in the hospital undergoing surgeries.

"He and his family have suffered tremendously," State District Judge Anthony Marabella said of Daniels in 2011 during the sentencing of the shooter, laying out in detail how the wounded officer described his state of mind after he got out of the hospital. The judge sentenced the fugitive, Christopher Johnson, to 115 years in state prison.

Those who have worked alongside Daniels weren't surprised by the courage the U.S. Marine Corps veteran showed in pursuing Johnson. He's risked his life repeatedly since joining BRPD in 1998, serving stints as "shield man" when the department's Special Response Team carries out no-knock drug raids.

"One could only hope that he reflects the future of the Baton Rouge Police Department because of his professionalism," a supervisor wrote of Daniels in 2000 letter of commendation.

Sources say the BRPD veteran indeed does have greater ambitions within the agency. With a change in leadership on the horizon, Daniels has made no secret of his interest in becoming Baton Rouge's next police chief, according to several friends and colleagues. Daniels' name also has been floated in law enforcement circles as a selection that would be more palatable to the main local police union than hiring a chief from outside the department.

Whether he gets the job will be up to Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, who intends to conduct a national search to replace Police Chief Carl Dabadie Jr. Daniels applied for the job in 2013 following the firing of then-Police Chief Dewayne White, scoring a point higher than Dabadie on the civil-service exam used to screen applicants.

"He lives, breathes and talks law enforcement," said Mike McClanahan, president of the Baton Rouge chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

If chosen for the job, Daniels would be the city's first black police chief since Jeff LeDuff, who retired in 2010. But Daniels' strongest appeal, McClanahan said, stems from his experience on the front lines of law enforcement. He's racked up a host of commendations while keeping a relatively low profile, including officer of the year honors in 2002.

"I see a benefit of having someone who's been in the trenches, who wants to do the right thing," McClanahan said. "He knows the community and the community knows him. He doesn't see black and white  he sees right and wrong."

Daniels, who is assigned the department's Special Response Team, has remained active in community outreach throughout his career, teaching self-defense courses and organizing fundraisers and toy drives. He has served for years as president of the capital area branch of the Magnolia State Peace Officers Association, a statewide organization for black police officers, and as an instructor in the department's training academy. Last summer, as floodwaters inundated his home in the Monticello area, he joined his colleagues in working long shifts away from his family.

"Even if you talk to the chief, he'll tell you how well respected Myron is," said state Rep. Ted James, D-Baton Rouge. "I'm sure he doesn't want him to take his job, but when we've had conversations about seniority and being able to promote based on merit, the chief would probably tell you he'd be one of the folks that's very high-ranking."

Despite his popularity, Daniels faces a number of challenges in his bid to become the next chief, not the least of which is Broome's vow to look outside the department for Dabadie's successor. During her campaign for mayor, Broome promised a top-down reform of the department following the shooting death last year of Alton Sterling.

"When the position becomes vacant, as I have consistently stated, my goal is to do a national search for the BRPD police chief," Broome said in a statement to The Advocate last week. "BRPD officers interested in the position will certainly be welcomed to apply."

Daniels, who did not respond to requests for comment, has been among the most frequently mentioned contenders for police chief. But his support is far from universal.

Gary Chambers, a black activist and vocal critic of the BRPD, said he's concerned about deeply pro-union views Daniels has expressed over the past several months. Chambers, who served on an advisory council on policing for Broome, said he'd be opposed to naming Daniels to the job for anything more than an interim basis.

"He's not progressive-minded, not willing to move the department where it needs to go," Chambers said. "I think he's a good guy but, with his current stances, I would not want to see him as chief of police."

Chambers said public comments from Broome during her campaign last fall gave him the impression that she would look beyond Baton Rouge "to find fresh eyes." He disputed the perception that black community advocates are dead-set on the hiring of an African American chief.

"Everyone thinks the black community is hell-bent on having a black chief," Chambers said. "Do we want qualified black candidates to be given a fair chance? Yes, of course. But we want somebody who embodies the values of good policing, black or white. We don't want somebody just because they're black, we want somebody who can do the job."

The question of who will succeed Dabadie may be somewhat premature given the stalemate that has developed between the mayor and police chief. Broome cannot simply remove Dabadie from office under local civil service rules, which require the police chief be fired for cause and give him the opportunity to appeal the disciplinary action. James sponsored a bill this past legislative session that would have removed the Baton Rouge police chief from the protection of civil service, but the legislation never made it out of committee.

When former Mayor-President Kip Holden terminated White in 2013, he cited a host of departmental policy violations and insubordination as grounds for the firing, calling the police chief a "master of deception." White appealed his termination, but later abandoned his attempt to get his job back ahead of a scheduled civil service hearing.

Broome pledged to replace Dabadie during the campaign, and before she took office declared she was moving forward with a national search. But there hasn't been much evidence of a search since then, and both the mayor and police chief this spring emphasized their solid working relationship on implementing changes at the department.

More recently, however, the relationship has appeared more contentious.

Last month, Broome wrote a letter to Dabadie imploring him to fire Blane Salamoni, the officer who fatally shot Sterling last summer. Dabadie responded a day later, telling the mayor it would be premature to fire Salamoni before the state Attorney General's Office decides whether to pursue criminal charges in Sterling's death.

"I urge you to reconsider your position and let the criminal process conclude," Dabadie wrote.

Sgt. C. Bryan Taylor, the head of the local police union, said last week that Dabadie "hasn't done anything to be removed from his position." Should the position become vacant, Taylor added, "obviously we'd like to see someone from within" become the next chief. "They understand how this department works, and they're emotionally attached to the people of this community," he said, noting the union will work with whomever is selected. "It's not just a job."

Asked about Daniels specifically, Taylor called him "an excellent police officer, an excellent supervisor and you couldn't ask more of a police officer. Is he qualified? Absolutely.

"We've been in (situations) where I know I was very glad he had my back," Taylor said, noting Daniels has literally bled for the department.

The shooting that briefly sidelined Daniels followed a routine traffic stop in June 2008. Johnson, who had failed to appear in court on an earlier weapons charge, sped away from Daniels after the officer asked him for his driver's license. Court records show he told Daniels "you're going to have to catch me."

Daniels gave chase to an apartment complex. He and another officer, Brandon Ogden, entered a unit. They found a woman inside the residence and asked where Johnson was. Daniels took the lead in the search and took fire from Johnson as soon as he spotted him in the back room.

The officers returned fire, and Ogden also was struck by a bullet in the arm. Ogden and another officer dragged Daniels to safety, engaging in a gun battle in which Johnson was shot several times before being taken into custody.

Daniels was rushed to the hospital, where he was greeted by a former senior police official who asked that his name not be printed. "I remember when they took him out of the ambulance and his eyes were closed," the official said. "I said, 'Myron, open your eyes. Let me see your eyes.' He looked at me, and I remember him saying, 'I'm not dead.'"

Advocate staff writer Andrea Gallo contributed to this report.
A three-line amendment on a three-page bill added nearly 46,000 students to Gov. John Bel Edwards' measure to ban the paddling of public school students with disabilities.

The little-noticed change to House Bill 79 means that nearly one out of five students will be off limits for corporal amendment, well above the original target.

Even the sponsors of the bill did not know how much the amendment would expand the prohibition in a state where corporal punishment remains an option, especially in rural areas.

+2 Paddling students with disabilities in Louisiana is about to be illegal A bill that would ban paddling of public school students with disabilities cleared its final

But Rep. Franklin Foil, R-Baton Rouge, who the governor asked to back the measure, said he was pleased with the addition after initial concerns that it might make the bill too controversial. "I would rather have the bill broad to cover those who are vulnerable," Foil said.

The House had rejected a separate proposal  House Bill 497  that would outlaw corporal punishment entirely, amid arguments voiced for years that local school systems should make that call.

"We did not want to make my bill too broad," Foil said.

While 31 states have outlawed paddling, it remains an option in 38 of 69 school districts in Louisiana, including the Livingston Parish School District.

About 16 percent of students paddled had disabilities in the 2015-16 school year, according to figures compiled by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The legislation, which Edwards included as part of his modest public schools agenda, was originally aimed at students with Individual Education Plans, or IEPs. That includes about 88,000 students with autism, speech or language impairment, developmental delay and emotional disturbance, according to state figures.

The change that expanded the students covered by more than 50 percent was added in the Senate Education Committee by Sen. Mike Walsworth, R-West Monroe.

Walsworth said that that, before the alteration, the proposed law was drawing too fine a line, and that lots of other students with medical issues should be off limits to paddling.

His amendment expanded the bill to include students with Individual Accommodation Plans, or IAPs, also known as 504 students after the 1973 federal law aimed at assisting them. That added 45,638 students, according to figures from the state Department of Education. More than half are those with attention deficit hyperactive disorder, officials said.

Walsworth said that, while some medical issues are obvious, others are known only to school officials and the amendment would give those systems needed flexibility.

In some cases, he said, discipline problems could erupt simply because a parent forgot to give a child medicine before school. "Just because he is acting up does not mean he should be paddled," Walsworth said.

Foil, Walsworth and others knew the amendment would widen the scope of the governor's bill.

However, no one seemed to know exactly how much.

"I don't think we ever got a number," Walsworth said.

Senate Education Committee Chairman Blade Morrish, R-Jennings, said the same thing.

Despite widening the ban on paddling, and years of defeats for bills to make all corporal punishment illegal, the expanded legislation sailed through the Legislature with questions but no major pushback.

It won Senate approval 36-0 one week before adjournment and the House endorsed it 89-0 with two days left.

The governor on Thursday night cited the measure as one of the success stories in a session that ended in chaos, forcing a special session to approve an operating budget.

Officials of the Southern Poverty Law Center, which favors an outright ban on corporal punishment, supported Walsworth's amendment, said Sarah Omojola, policy counsel for the group.

"This is a welcomed and long-overdue policy change that will ensure that our most vulnerable students are protected from this cruel and ineffective practice," Omojola said in a statement issued when the bill won final approval.

The ban includes using physical force to discipline a student with or without an object. That includes hitting, paddling, striking, slapping or any other physical force that causes pain or physical discomfort.

The bill excludes students who are gifted or talented.

Foil said he heard from parents who wanted children protected from paddling sparked by medical issues beyond the original intent of the plan.

"I do want to protect children who do not understand the reason for the punishment," he said.
House Republicans on Friday accused a New Orleans Democratic senator of verbally assaulting a House member in the final chaotic moments of the regular legislative session and said the senator should be censured.

The criticism is aimed at state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans and chair of the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee, a post that House GOP members said she should lose.

In a statement, the group said as the House was finishing on Thursday evening that state Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton, asked a group of senators who were gathered on the House floor to quiet down so she could hear the debate.

The Republicans said Peterson responded by telling Horton to "shut the f*#k up" and that her comment was heard by several House members.

"This type of behavior is utterly outrageous and inexcusable," said Rep. Lance Harris, R-Alexandria and chairman of the House GOP caucus. "To verbally assault one of our members is unbecoming; to verbally assault one of our members on the House floor completely disrespects the legislative process and the people who sent us here."

"Not only should Sen. Peterson publicly apologize to our members and the public for her outrageous remark, she should be censured and should lose her leadership position," he said.

The group said Peterson should be censured by Senate President John Alario, R-Westwego.

In a tweet on Friday Peterson said she has addressed the issue. "Sincere apology extended shortly thereafter directly to Rep. Horton, apology accepted ... onward! Back to work," the tweet says.

Horton, who said she was appalled by the comment, said she got a text apology from Peterson about 30 minutes after the incident and plans to accept it when she sees the senator. "I know that is what God would want me to do," she said.

Peterson did not respond to a telephone call or email.

The House was jammed just before 6 p.m. on Thursday as leaders tried to finish action on the state's $29 billion operating budget. That effort failed and the Legislature is in a 10-day special session to craft a spending plan that starts July 1.

The exchange is the second time in recent days that GOP lawmakers blasted a state official.

A total of 19 House Republicans, including Harris, criticized a tweet by Shawn Wilson, secretary of the state Department of Transportation and Development, after a gas tax hike of up to 17 cents per gallon died in the House. The group said Wilson appeared to be threatening retaliation against House members who opposed the bill.

Wilson said his tweet was misinterpreted.

The 61-member House Republican delegation also said Peterson recently co-authored a resolution that calls for civility in public discourse.

Peterson, who chairs the state Democratic Party, is something of a firebrand in the Legislature, and usually at odds with GOP positions.

Roger Villere, chairman of the state Republican Party, issued a statement Friday that says Peterson should resign as party leader.

"No state party chair should behave this way in public," Villere said. "It is embarrassing to our state."

Peterson's committee was in the news recently when the panel killed a high-profile, House-passed bill that would have required local officials to hold referendums before removing Confederate and other military monuments owned by the local government.
Diplomatic sources said it is highly unusual for the Chinese and Pakistani leaders to not meet at a summit, especially when a China-India bilateral meet takes place given Pakistan's usual sensitivities.

This comes amid anger in China over the reported killing of two Chinese nationals who had been kidnapped in Balochistan May-end.

By Ananth Krishnan: In a rare development, Chinese President Xi Jinping who held talks with Prime Minister Modi on Friday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Astana, did not hold talks with Pakistan's Nawaz Sharif.

China's State media on Saturday reported Xi only had held talks with PM Modi, as well as with leaders of Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan and the King of Spain who is in Astana for a world expo held alongside the SCO summit.

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Diplomatic sources said it is highly unusual for the Chinese and Pakistani leaders to not meet at a summit, especially when a China-India bilateral meet takes place given Pakistan's usual sensitivities.

While Xi and Sharif met on May 14 at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, the Chinese President also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin both in Beijing and Astana.

For Pakistan, the meeting in Astana was all the more significant given that at the SCO summit, the entry of both India and Pakistan as the newest members of the six-nation grouping was confirmed. Considering the symbolic value for embattled Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif, who held bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, the absence of a meeting with the Chinese leader was all the more glaring.

WHY XI DID NOT MEET SHARIF?

This comes amid anger in China over the reported killing of two Chinese nationals who had been kidnapped in Balochistan May-end. China on Friday said it was "gravely concerned" by reports that ISIS had claimed the kidnapping and had reportedly killed the two young Chinese, who were language teachers in a town near Quetta.

The case has received wide attention in Chinese media and underlined the concerns in China even as the government goes ahead with major investments in Pakistan.

On Friday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, "We are highly concerned." Hua said China had "always been advising Chinese citizens to not visit highly risky regions" but did not clarify if any prior warnings for Balochistan had been issued.

Hua, however, said the incident "has no necessary connection" either with the Belt and Road Initiative or the SCO gathering and that Pakistan "pays great attention to the protection of Chinese citizens and institutions and has made great efforts in this regard".

Also read: China denies violating Indian airspace in Uttarakhand, says patrols 'regular'

Also read: PM Modi meets China's Xi Jinping during SCO summit in Kazakhstan

Also read: No bullets fired in 40 years despite border dispute with China: PM Modi

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--- ENDS ---
As this year's regular legislative session drew to a chaotic close, three men dominated the House's last-minute fight over whether to pass a budget for the fiscal year that starts in three weeks: The two ambitious New Orleans lawmakers who had hoped to become House speaker, and the easygoing Acadiana banker who actually got the job.

Walt Leger III, a New Orleans Democrat, had been Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards' choice for the powerful post, and until opening day last year, he thought the Legislature would go with tradition and accept the governor's choice despite the chamber's Republican majority. His cause was helped by the fact that his chief rival was Cameron Henry, of Metairie, not just a Republican but a hardliner who got his start under Steve Scalise, now the Republican whip in the U.S. House.

When Henry and his supporters concluded that enough moderates were prepared to go with Leger over him, they got behind Taylor Barras, a New Iberia Republican who'd never before held, or appeared to aspire to hold, a leadership position. In theory, Barras' compromise candidacy allowed the GOP majority to claim its independence but avoid drifting into zero-sum party politics.

If anyone thought things worked out that way, Thursday's close-of-business frenzy should disabuse them of that notion.

First Henry, who emerged from the speaker fight with a big consolation prize in the form of the Appropriations Committee chairmanship, took to the mic and said the House would not agree to a conference committee report on the budget.

Leger, who is speaker pro tem and remains a close Edwards ally, tried a series of procedural maneuvers to force the House to vote on a Senate-passed budget that included many Republican policy wins  no new revenue, fully funded TOPS scholarships, and more  but not the House's proposal to hold back some revenue in case of another mid-year shortfall. One procedural vote indicated that just enough Republican House members were prepared to side with Leger, but Barras ruled it out of order and didn't allow a vote.

And so the session ended with no budget, prompting a deeply unpopular special session and still more questions over where the House goes from here.

Barras is widely liked, and several times during the session, news reports questioning his leadership  most recently a scathing editorial from his hometown paper calling him a "good man but a bad speaker" and asking him to step aside  inspired his fellow Republicans to circle the wagons. Hours before the session ended amid shouting and finger-pointing, he was awarded the annual "gentleman of the House" cup.

But none of that quelled the impression that the compromise speaker vote had done little to pull the House back to the center.

Barras personally backed an increase in the state gas tax, the proceeds of which would have gone toward a huge backlog in roadwork, but although it had a Republican sponsor in state Rep. Steve Carter, of Baton Rouge, and support from some major pro-business groups, even a scaled-back version never made it to vote. That led Ken Naquin, chief executive officer of the Louisiana Association of General Contractors, to pen a furious memo asserting that the real powers in the House are Henry and GOP caucus chair Lance Harris of Alexandria, whose main motivation is to keep Edwards from winning legislative victories.

There's evidence beyond the gas tax debacle to back that up. Barras' assignments to the chamber's key money committees skew conservative, which has limited the revenue-raising ideas that even get an airing before the full chamber.

Barras said at the outset of the session that, rather than come up with a GOP agenda to tackle the state's ongoing budget woes, he planned to let proposals bubble up. Some did, but the leadership never got behind them, and one after another, they died.

Afterward, Edwards felt entirely vindicated in saying he told us so. In his post-session press conference, the governor said House leaders "ought to grow up." He argued that the majority of House members came to Baton Rouge to get things done, but that a "minority" didn't let that happen.

What he didn't need to say was this: By now, it's entirely clear that the compromise House members came up with back at the start of the term has done little to fend off partisan politics.
An anonymous fan of Warren Buffett agreed to pay $US2.68 million ($3.5 million) at an online charity auction to have lunch with the billionaire chairman of Berkshire Hathaway.

The winning bid came in the closing seconds of the five-day eBay auction, which drew 41 bids before ending on Friday night.

It was lower than the record $US3.46 million bid in similar auctions in 2012 and 2016.

Money will go to Glide, a San Francisco charity that provides food, health care and other services to the homeless, the impoverished, and people struggling with substance abuse.
Kirsty Boden, 28, the South Australian nurse who was attacked by knife-wielding terrorists while coming to the aid of others this week in the latest act of bastardry in London. "As she ran towards danger, in an effort to help people on the bridge, Kirsty sadly lost her life," her family said of their beloved.

Not that they wanted to be. But fate sent these heroes on a path they couldn't ignore or wouldn't. And I am personally grateful for each and every one, bless their beautiful souls

But when used in its true sense, there is no better homage to describe those who truly deserve to be dubbed such. And this week I was moved to tears by several real heroes in every sense.

The funeral for campaigner aginst child sex abuse Anthony Foster at the Melbourne Recital Centre.

'We are so proud of Kirsty's brave actions, which demonstrate how selfless, caring and heroic she was, not only on that night, but throughout all of her life."

Yes, seven others died in this attack, all tragedies. But to think of this girl running into the fray rather than from it, caring for others before herself, to me is heroism personified. If terrorists see her death as a victory then they are mistaken. It only highlights their total lack of humanity and that they are the antithesis of godly or good. They are murderous mongrels, nothing less. And I loathe them with every fibre of my being.

The fact these terrorists believe they are actually heroes of their cause is again one of the reasons we need to use this word sparingly. Because when you attach the term hero with religious extremists, it's hard to find too many that deserve the accolade regardless of what or who they identify as God. And while Islam is getting much attention in this regard thanks to the lunacy of some, let's not forget Christianity, the creed Australians most identify with. Because if you want to see a history of vile injustice, of sanctified bastardy, of greed and avarice and lust and violence, you will find plenty.

Just take a lesson in Catholicism for a start. And while this may offend many who believe there is a still baby worth saving in the putrid bathwater of the church's sexual abuse travesties then so be it, I'll cop it. But before you lash out at me I ask you to read up on a real hero who was laid to rest this week, a man who has inspired me more than I can ever adequately explain.
It takes an actor of a certain stature to stand head to toe in Lycra, taking seriously the menace posed by a loose menagerie of ham-acting co-stars dressed as a penguin, a cat, a man with question marks on his underpants and another with an egg for a head.

And yet Adam West, lovingly remembered by a generation as Batman  despite many more dramatic and arguably more authentic interpretations  was that actor: fabulously grand, a whisker from absurd and still, somehow, wholly relatable.

Today, pop culture's pantheon of living gods, has lost its Zeus: Adam West, 88, has died after a short battle with leukemia.

West's Batman might have been consigned to the dustbin of television history, along with an assortment of other 60s sitcom oddities, were it not for the seriousness with which he approached the part.
The 'cold cap' requires careful fitting to each patient to ensure it sits as closely as it can to as much of the scalp as possible. Credit:Nic Walker I am a cancer patient, but I do not want to look like one. My situation is piteous, but I do not want to be pitied. I want to stay unremarkable and anonymous as I go out into the world. I want to stay myself in front of my children, family and friends. My littlest child has just started to say and point to "hair". Her older sister has started drawing our family as stick-figures; I am the one with the big smile and the long brown scribbles on my head. My sister-in-law  while scrolling through her Instagram feed  remembers a friend of a friend who'd had cancer treatment the year before. The woman kept her hair during chemo with something called "scalp cooling". I scoff, but look at the photos taken during treatment. In them, she does indeed have hair. It turns out that my oncologist knows all about this scalp-cooling process and will send me to a hospital that offers it. But there are several catches. First, it will be uncomfortable, perhaps painful. Also, the hair will still thin out  possibly a lot. But the last, and perhaps most significant caveat, is that it might not work for me at all.

I have been told that some women cope with relative ease with the loss of their hair. I havent met one. It sounds implausible, but in some parts of the world, it's been known for decades that "scalp hypothermia", or scalp cooling, can reduce or even prevent the hair loss that comes with chemotherapy. For the technique to work, the scalp must be kept cold during every chemo infusion  and for a period before and after the drugs are delivered. Various methods of achieving this have been tried over the years. Research papers published in the US in the 1970s reported success using chilled air or cryogel packs. By the 1990s, systems using ice or gel packs strapped to the head were common in the UK and parts of Europe. These systems required the packs to be changed every half hour, and their success was variable, say doctors and nurses who saw them in action. "[It was] literally cold packs and crepe bandages," remembers Melbourne oncologist Richard de Boer, who worked in London as a young doctor during the 1990s. De Boer was used to seeing breast cancer patients suffer complete hair loss, but some of his patients kept some hair. "Not great," he says. "But the scalp cooling clearly worked to an extent." In Australia, it was almost unheard of. Former oncology nurse Jane Bartlet says patients who asked about scalp hypothermia during the 1980s and the 1990s were often given the brush-off and told it didn't work.

After returning to Australia, de Boer remembers raising it with other medicos. "They would say, 'Oh, it's a waste of time, it doesn't work, don't bother, it's not worth it,' " he says. "And I'd say, 'Well, it sort of does work.' " But by the 2000s, at least two companies were pro-ducing systems that could stay reliably, but bearably, cold. Both employ high-tech cooling units to pump chilled liquid through silicone caps. "What has happened," de Boer says, "is that the technology has caught up." There's the DigniCap system, developed in the early 2000s by a Swedish oncology nurse; produced by listed Swedish company Dignitana, the DigniCap is widely used in Europe. Then there is DigniCap's English rival, the Paxman system, which is made by a family-owned company based in West Yorkshire. It was developed by Glenn Paxman and his brother Neil after Glenn's wife Sue  a mother of four aged in her 30s  was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 1992. She lost all of her curly blonde hair to chemo, despite trying the scalp-cooling techniques available at the time. The Paxman brothers re-purposed techniques from the family refrigeration business, which specialised in beer cooling, to produce their first prototype in 1997. Sue Paxman died three years later. "She was a great person, a special lady," says her son, Richard Paxman, who is now the chief executive of the scalp-cooling company. Today, there are about 2500 Paxman units in use around the world, with about 80 per cent of UK hospitals  both public and private  having at least one. In the Netherlands, almost 90 per cent of hospitals offer scalp cooling.

Australia has been slow to catch on. The first of the modern units arrived here in 2012; but even two years ago, there were still only a few hospitals that offered it. Now, close to 80 machines are in operation across 50 to 60 hospitals, most of them in the private system. Paxman dominates the market, accounting for about 60 of those 80 machines in use. In Australia, as in the UK, scalp cooling is offered free of charge to patients where it is available. In the US, patients  or, if they're lucky, their health insurers  pay up to $US3000 (about $4000) for a course. The availability of scalp cooling in Australia remains patchy, especially outside Sydney and Melbourne, and in the public hospital system. According to experts who spoke with Good Weekend, the treatment is now offered at somewhere between 38 per cent and 50 per cent of decent-sized chemo units. Still, hundreds of Australians  and by one estimate, more than 2500  have saved their hair by using the technique. "It is gaining significant momentum," says Bill Houghton, who sells Paxman units in Australia through Regional Health Care Group. Both Houghton and Bartlett  who sells the DigniCap system in Australia through Aurora BioScience  say this is in large part due to increasing awareness and demand from patients. "In the old days, people used to come in and they did what they were told," Bartlett says. "Now, everyone has a choice about all sorts of things, and that's a good way to be."

No one quite knows why scalp hypothermia works, though there are theories. One is that it constricts blood vessels in the scalp, reducing the flow of blood and the chemo drugs along with it. Another is that the cold slows down the rate of cell division in hair follicles, making them less of a target to the chemo agents, which home in on fast-growing cells. What is known is that, for the process to work well, the scalp must be cooled to below 22 degrees Celsius  and to achieve this, the cold cap needs to be very cold indeed. For this reason, the fit of the cap is crucial. When I arrive, jittery and anxious, for my first round of chemo, the nurses give me a spray bottle to wet my hair and some towels. Then the cap-fitting process begins. My hospital uses the Paxman system. The aim is to have the cap sit as close as possible to as much of the scalp as possible. If the cap is too tight around the side of the head, it will rise up and not sit properly on the top. If it's too loose, there won't be enough contact around the sides, and bubbles will form. When the silicone cap is in place, an outer neoprene cap with a chin strap is pulled over it. Plastic clips secure the outer cap more tightly still. It's a fiddly, time-consuming process. The cap is then attached via a hose to its cooling unit, about the size of a wine fridge. As the cap fills with cold liquid, a chill begins at the crown and creeps out to the sides. An intense headache spreads with it. But after a while, perhaps 20 minutes, the pain plateaus, then fades  perhaps the meds are working, or perhaps my head is just numb. The cap goes on about half an hour before the drugs go in, remains in place as the chemo is delivered, and stays on for at least an hour after. When the nurses finally remove the cap, there are tiny icicles in my hair.

I take this as a good sign. Hair loss  or chemotherapy-induced alopecia, to use its medical term  has long been seen as an unfortunate, but unavoidable, part of life-saving cancer treatment. Cancer patients, so the thinking goes, have much more important things to worry about than how they look. "[Hair] has always been seen as something that will grow back," says Professor Fran Boyle, oncologist at the Patricia Ritchie Centre for Cancer Care and Research at North Sydney's Mater hospital. "That completely underplays the impact it has on the patient, which is not, fundamentally, about vanity. It's about identifying you, in a very public way, as a cancer patient. You lose control over who knows." Hair loss consistently ranks among the most-feared side effects of chemo. One study found that for some breast cancer patients, the loss of their hair was more distressing than losing a breast. A 2001 study reported that up to eight per cent of patients may actually refuse chemotherapy to save their hair. Boyle is a vocal advocate of scalp cooling. The Mater was an early adopter; in 2010 it introduced Penguin Cold Caps, a modern iteration of the early frozen gel-pack systems. The hospital's first DigniCap arrived in 2012, and a Paxman in 2014.

She notes that health professionals have often given "bland reassurance" that hair loss is temporary. The problem is that hair does not always grow back. Taxotere, one of the chemo drugs in my regimen, has been linked with permanent alopecia  a rare but real occurrence. US class-action lawyers have filed claims on behalf of hundreds of people, arguing that the drug's manufacturer failed to properly warn of this risk. And sometimes, the hair grows back differently  curly when it was straight, or soft "like baby's hair". Or white. Some people don't mind, says Boyle. "But others say, 'I just want it back the way it was. That was me. I liked it.' " For a time, there were fears that cooling the scalp during chemo made it a haven for cancer cells. Research has largely put these fears to bed. "All of the data that we have got so far says it is not an issue," Boyle says. Not every chemo drug results in hair loss, but pretty much every modern chemo cocktail used to treat breast cancer  as well as prostate cancer  contains at least one that does. These include the class of chemo drugs known as the taxanes, derived from the toxic bark of yew trees of the Taxus genus. The drug Taxotere belongs to this class. Then there are the bacteria-derived anthracyclines, the most notorious of which is nicknamed "red devil" for its crimson hue and hellish side-effects. The recently published results of landmark US trials show that scalp cooling prevented significant hair loss  regarded as loss of more than 50 per cent of hair  in at least 50 per cent of patients. The research also found that the discomfort of the process was mostly well tolerated. But that 50 per cent figure obscures some intriguing details about which patients scalp cooling tends to work for. For people whose chemo includes a taxane, like mine, the success rate is as high as 65 per cent. For those getting an anthracycline  such as Adriamycin, the "red devil"  it will work for only about 22 per cent.

I am trying to be pragmatic about the process. "If it buys me a few more weeks with hair, I'll be happy," I tell my friends. But I don't fool anyone; I'm desperately hoping it will work, and fearfully certain it won't. Nine days after my first dose of chemo, I am brushing my hair in the bathroom when I notice strands floating to the floor. More come out in my hand. They've come out at their very ends, like uprooted plants. I tell myself this is the normal shedding I'd been warned to expect. But more comes out over the next few days. My scalp becomes tender, and my hair feels unbearably heavy. I know what it means: the scalp cooling has not worked. I must cut my elbow-length hair off before it comes out everywhere, blocking drains and covering floors. My regular salon has no openings, so I walk in the rain to one in the next suburb. I explain things as sensibly as I can to the young hairstylist. We settle on a choppy, long-bob haircut; the shortest it's been since I was 21. I try not to look at the piles of hair on the floor as I leave. The next day, I'm exhausted from what would have once been an easy walk. Three days later, I wake in the night with a raging fever  the chemotherapy has wiped out my white blood cells, and an infection has taken hold. In the late-night rush to hospital, I still think to grab a headscarf, glum that I am to spend my last weekend with hair on a ward. But when I leave the hospital three days later, I still have hair. I turn up for my second round of chemo, then my third, also with hair.

I quickly lose the hair beyond the reach of the cap  in front of my ears, at the nape of my neck. My widow's peak evaporates; the crown thins. But, to my astonishment, most of my hair clings on. The glossy brunette wigs I'd been lent by a friend stay neatly in their boxes. Cooling the head with a 'cold cap' reduces blood flow to the scalp during chemo, lowering the amount of chemotherapeutic drugs reaching the hair follicles. Credit:Nic Walker Fran Boyle is cheered by scalp cooling's spread across the country, but points to the need for a directory of hospitals that offer it. She hopes that soon it will be available to anyone who wants it. But there are some challenges. There's the cost of the machines  from $42,000, though this can be negotiable. Sometimes they are paid for by fundraising and philanthropy groups linked to hospitals, or charities like Dry July. But there is also the crucial issue of "chair time". Scalp cooling can add hours to a patient's stint in a busy oncology day ward, stretching the unit's capacity and potentially taking time that could be used by someone else. And once a hospital has a machine, high demand can spark difficult questions about who should be first in line. For various reasons, scalp cooling has often been linked to patients with breast cancer  partly because, as cancers go, it attracts substantial research and fundraising efforts. But, apart from capacity, there is no reason why it can't be given to women with some other form of cancer. Or men  why should they miss out? If it can't be offered to every patient, surely it is better to offer it to some than none at all? "These are really hard questions, not easy to answer," says de Boer. And scalp cooling adds yet more work and responsibility to the nurses, who must fit the caps and monitor the machines. For all these reasons, some oncology units have balked at the idea of introducing the treatment.

Western Sydney's Campbelltown Hospital last year became the first public hospital in NSW to offer the service  in part at the urging of oncologist Belinda Kiely, who "didn't think it was fair" that it wasn't available in the public system. Currently, at Campbelltown, scalp cooling is offered only to patients with early breast cancer, and only those receiving certain chemo regimes. It was a compromise, Kiely says, given available resources and the big adjustment needed. Plans are underway to expand that. Initially, there were some "very negative" reactions among nurses says Denise Burns, manager of the hospital's chemo unit, amid fears about the increased workload and impact on chair times. But two nurses volunteered to be scalp-cooling "champions", learning how to fit the caps, work the machines and manage its impact. Scalp cooling is simply "part of our treatment plan now", Burns says. "You adjust. This is about progress, and this is what we have to be offering people. The general public know about it and they want it." For me, it feels like freedom. At the shops, on the street, even in the hospital, no one knows I am unwell unless I choose to tell them. I don't have to worry if it is too hot for a wig, or too windy. I don't have to fuss with a headscarf before I leave the house, or avoid eye contact with strangers when I do. I don't have to put energy into putting on a brave face, when just leaving the house is exhausting enough. My children know of my illness, but because my appearance has not changed dramatically, they have no reason to be terrified by it.

Although the scalp cooling is working, I remain anxious. As I count down my chemo cycles  three to go, then two  my hair keeps thinning. I fear that I'll eventually run out of hair to lose. Along the way, on what some people might term my "journey", I meet and speak with other women in treatment, and with survivors. I have been told that some women cope with relative ease with the loss of their hair. I haven't met one. "You lose your identity  you feel stripped," says my friend Janine Le Febour, 44, whose long dark hair fell out within two weeks of her first chemo treatment four years ago. "And you don't have a choice." It was Janine who lent me her wigs. If she'd known there was a way to save her hair, she would have jumped at it  even flying from Perth to Melbourne for treatment. Scalp cooling can prevent such anguish; it helped Maria*, 50, a high-ranking executive in the education sector, hold on to some normality. She found the discomfort of scalp cooling "not too bad", and by keeping her hair, she was able to keeping working when she felt well. Maria's employer knew, but those around her were oblivious. "I was quite keen not to have that ['cancer patient'] label attached to me," she says. But some people find the cold intolerable  and for others, it just doesn't work. Like me, Paula*, 39, went into chemo with long brown hair. But Paula was prescribed the "red devil". She found scalp cooling unbearable, reeling as she was from the side effects of her fortnightly chemo. With her hair already coming out in patches, she halted the process after two rounds. "I felt like it was going to be almost harder than the treatment, because I disliked it so much," she says. She doesn't regret her decision, but still found losing her hair incredibly distressing.

Marisa Stevens is the oncology liaison nurse at my hospital, East Melbourne's Epworth Freemasons. In the three years since Freemasons introduced scalp cooling, Stevens has seen more than one patient struggle with the inherent uncertainty of the process. "It's not a guarantee, and it's physically and emotionally hard, psyching yourself up for every [chemo] cycle," she says. Stevens sees its enormous benefits for patients, but she believes there needs to be more recognition of its challenges, too  especially for those receiving anthracyclines, for whom the chances of success are lower. Scalp cooling offers hope  the chance to wrest back some control. But the flip side of this is that if it doesn't work, the disappointment can make it "10 times harder" to cope with. "It's quite easy to go, 'Scalp cooling is easy and it's great,' " Stevens says. "It is great, but it's not easy for the patient or the health professionals. It's another element for both people." Scalp cooling, it turns out, can be a whole other "journey" in itself. My sixth and final chemo  and scalp-cooling  session is by far the hardest. With less hair between my scalp and the cap, the cold seems to bite. This time, when the cap comes off, I have a small burn on my hairline. That night, I sleep for 14 hours.

I have finished chemo with enough hair to get by. It is not great hair  it is very thin, and has not been coloured for months  but I know I am lucky and feel intensely grateful, even elated, to have anything at all. One day, chemo will be supplanted by something less gruelling, and become a medical relic of the past. In the meantime, scalp cooling may just succeed in diminishing chemo's fearsome reputation. Richard Paxman says his company is researching how to improve results in patients receiving anthra-cyclines; it is aiming for an overall 80 per cent success rate by 2020. Professor Fran Boyle and her team, meanwhile, are researching ways to protect eyebrows and eyelashes during chemo. I now recognise my panicked decision to chop my hair short  needlessly losing a decade's worth of length in minutes  as an attempt to regain control, to do something in the face of terror and powerlessness. It turned out that, despite the pain and the stress, scalp cooling gave me a more constructive avenue for that very human compulsion  to be an active protagonist in my own life. Saving my hair feels like a victory.
After a seven-year feud, Roxy Jacenko and Sara Huegill (nee Hills) seemed to have reconciled, with Huegill taking up her former post as publicist for Jacenko's PR company, Sweaty Betty.

But less than three months later, the BFFs-turned-frenemies-turned-BFFs again have unfollowed each other on Instagram  the modern-day equivalent of a friendship split.

When contacted by Fairfax Media, both confirmed Huegill was no longer at Sweaty Betty, but denied claims of another stoush.

"Sara was brought on in a short-term-project basis, which has now finished," Jacenko said.
The shocking incident took place in Indonesia, where Aly has been busy interacting with his fans.

By India Today Web Desk: TV actor Aly Goni has been busy interacting with fans in Indonesia with his friends from the industry. The actor has been overwhelmed by the response he received from people in the country. Women are obsessed with him. But a recent incident involving a fan shook the actor.

Also read: Ishita to die in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein? This is what Ekta Kapoor has to say

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According to reports, a female fan and a few of her friends were not allowed to meet the Yeh Hai Mohabbatein actor while he was busy exchanging greetings with other fans; the group of women had been waiting for a long time to meet Aly, but after they were refused entry, one fan slit her wrist, and a couple of others fainted after sobbing continuously.

When Aly heard of the incident, he rushed to the hospital where the woman was admitted. He then spent some quality time with the lady and her friends.

"The entire experience was scary. I knew there was a lot of love towards me, but I did not think such things would happen. I am just glad that I was informed on time and I could go visit them," Miss Malini quoted the actor as saying.

--- ENDS ---
Corby's follower numbers on the social media platform have skyrocketed. Credit:@schapelle.corby on Instagram However Mercedes has been uncharacteristically quiet since Schapelle returned home from Bali, doing only one interview with Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O, for which PS was told she was not paid and agreed to do only because "she likes Kyle". Meanwhile rumours have been flying about supposed deals in the making which have materialised to nought. "With every post her value as a story has diminished," says Woman's Day editor in chief Fiona Connolly told PS. Credit:@schapelle.corby on Instagram Last week paparazzi were hunting for Schapelle around Balmoral after receiving a tip she was in "lock down" after supposedly signing a deal with Channel Seven's Sunday Night, the same program that had their previous efforts thwarted by the Balinese authorities when she was released from prison in 2014.

Then chatter emerged she may soon take part in a new series of Britain's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here which is shot in the Gold Coast hinterland. Schapelle Corby at the airport in Denpasar. Not quite. As Corby's friend told PS: "No one knows her in England so I don't see how that could be the case." Marital woes takes toll on Bell's image Anthony Bell has had some interesting choices in confidantes in recent months as his marriage to his beautiful wife Kelly Landry imploded so spectacularly.

And while Landry ultimately failed in her bid for an apprehended domestic violence order against Bell, the battle has now moved from the court of law to the court of public opinion. Celebrity accountant Anthony Bell. Credit:Ben Rushton Next Thursday Landry, a former presenter with the Getaway program on Channel Nine, will join the panel of Channel Ten's morning chat show Studio 10, though she is unlikely to delve too deeply into her marital woes, rather her appearance is in her guise as an ambassador for the Heart Foundation, for which she has been busy doing the media rounds in recent weeks. Though it would seem likely that Landry will land a more permanent television gig in the not too distant future. Meanwhile the troops - not in the least Alan Jones - have been rallying around embattled "celebrity accountant" Anthony Bell, who is yet to resurface on the Sydney social radar and was not seen at his good friend, millionaire care dealer Neville "Croaky" Crichton's star studded wedding to Nadi Hasandedic last month.

Kelly Landry. Credit:AAP PS hears Bell has been confiding in several media types during his ordeal, seeking counsel on how to improve his public image since the explosive details of his loveless marriage were made so public. Presumably it won't be too long before he does a "tell all". But the question remains, who will write it? Madeleine Madden joins Foxtel series Picnic at Hanging Rock

It would seem highly doubtful that an Aboriginal girl would have attended the posh Appleyard College For Young Ladies back in 1900, but the new television adaptation of iconic Australian novel Picnic At Hanging Rock is set to re-write our showbiz folklore. Playing one of the three school girls who goes missing at the fabled picnic site in the big-budget Foxtel series is young Indigenous actor Madeleine Madden, who takes on the role of Marion Quade. Indigenous actor Madeleine Madden has joined the new adaptation of Credit:Damian Bennett Madden will play a pivotal character in the six-hour long series, which is estimated to be costing around $12 million to create, putting it among the most expensive Australian television productions ever. Filming on the series wrapped a fortnight ago at Hanging Rock, though the series is not expected to air until 2018. On Tuesday night Madden graced the stage at Foxtel's big relaunch and proudly spoke of her Indigenous heritage hinting that it would become part of Picnic At Hanging Rock's new adaptation, though exactly how is not clear.

Indeed Madden comes from a proud Indigenous history in the real world. Her grandfather was the late activist Charles Perkins, who in 1965 organised a bus tour of western NSW towns to highlight discrimination, which later became known as the Freedom Ride. Reimagining: Cast members from the new version of Picnic at Hanging Rock at the Foxtel launch. Credit:Foxtel In the original Picnic At Hanging Rock novel by Joan Lindsay, written a year after Perkins' Freedom Ride, the character of Marion was very much that of a white girl, as she was in the Peter Weir film of 1975, played by Jane Vallis. However according to Foxtel director of television Brian Walsh, Madden's role was symbolic of "how far we have come" since Picnic At Hanging Rock first emerged 50 years ago. "It is going to be a very contemporary reimagining of the story, not a carbon copy of the Peter Weir film ... we look at the story through a very female lens," Walsh told PS, adding the production would rank as one of the most expensive and ambitious in Australian television history.

PS understands the new series is costing more than $2 million per episode, and cements Foxtel's position as the leading provider of quality Australian television drama, for which it won recognition at this year's Logies. Peter Weir's 1975 film of Joan Lindsay's novel Picnic At Hanging Rock is regarded as a classic. "We are getting a lot of international interest in this production and we are about to announce a very major deal with a US network ... it will be a profitable venture for us," Walsh assured PS. Game Of Thrones star Natalie Dormer is playing the role of headmistress Hester Appleyard. On screen Marion will be joined on screen in the new adaptation by Samara Weaving (niece of actor Hugo Weaving) playing Irma and Lily Sullivan in the role of Miranda.

"These are the new wave of leading Australian actors ... they are the new generation of Nicoles and Cates," Walsh enthused. Real Housewives' first meeting It had to be a big room, and indeed it was on Tuesday night when Real Housewives of Sydney star Victoria Rees, or Queen Victoria to her fans, met her Melbourne equivalent, Gina Liano, in all her teak-stained, big haired, bedazzled finery at the Hordern Pavilion for Foxtel's big relaunch. "She's fun, and a bit of a diva," Rees confided to PS. Interestingly it was the first time Rees and Liano had met, though Rees confided to PS that she is actually an old business associate of Gina's sister, the embattled fashion designer Bettina Liano.

Victoria Rees arrived at the Hordern Pavilion draped in the fluffy pelt of unknown species. However that relationship ended many moons ago, and these days Bettina's denim empire is in tatters after being liquidated. Needless to say Rees didn't bring it up on Tuesday night as she caressed the fluffy pelt of unknown species she was draped in. Indeed she was too busy mingling with Liano and Foxtel's other galaxy of stars, including Sky News' Kristina "Winged" Keneally, who was sporting aerodynamic hair but shied away from talking about the demise of her nemesis Mark Latham from the airwaves. Meanwhile Real Housewives Of Melbourne star Janet Roach has been hatching plans for a "State Of Origin" special, where the Melbourne and Sydney housewives could face off each other in a battle to the last fake nail. Bedazzled finery: Gina Liano at the Foxtel launch.

"It would be sooooooo much fun!" she assured PS. Missing from the action on Tuesday was Lisa Oldfield, who apparently had a work dinner on that night though PS later discovered she had been mistakenly left off the invite list. And Oldfield's buddy Athena X Levendi was also said to be miffed to be missing the party, though she appeared to make up for it in her happy snaps from her holiday in Europe. Also missing was Real Housewives of Melbourne alumni Pettifleur Berenger, who remains adamant that she quit the show on her own terms. Man Hitchcock said attacked her unlikely to be charged

Nearly a fortnight after a bruised and bloodied Shari Lea Hitchcock took to social media accusing a man she knows of causing her horrific injuries, it now appears police are unlikely to lay any charges against the man Hitchcock named as the culprit. Shari Lea Hitchcock has spoken to police after claiming she was assaulted. While the socialite has made a statement to Rose Bay Police and the man allegedly involved has also been questioned, Hitchcock has been told it is unlikely charges would "stick" given the circumstances around the incident and the lack of an independent witness to back her claims. Hitchcock says she was attacked at a Vaucluse property after responding to a friend's plea for "help". Hitchcock told PS: "As if I would have done this to myself?" Dom Perignon soiree lights up Vivid

As the hordes descended on Vivid this week, swarming with screaming children and mothers using prams as battering rams to cut through the vast queues, hats off to Dom Perignon for providing some respite on Monday night from the madding crowds. Dom Perignon provided some well-needed respite from the crowds at Vivid. To celebrate Vivid the good folk from the swanky champagne house threw what must rank as one of the best soirees of 2017 atop the Museum of Contemporary Art Sculpture Terrace, which had been transformed into a glow-in-the-dark playground, replete with smoke machines, laser shows and three fluorescent showgirls. Party planner extraordinaire Naomi Parry teamed up with creative guru Tony Assness, who was responsible for the glowing floral leis and fishing lure necklaces which greeted guests, while the Dom Perignon bikers hauling the world's biggest bottle of champagne were a hit. Spotted in the crowd were Stephen Ormandy, Louise Olsen, Christopher Esber, Michael Lo Sordo and real estate queen Monika Tu.
Patients are again being warned not to take their valium tablets after a second pharmaceutical company recalled the medication over evidence of drug tampering.

Batches of Arrow Pharmaceuticals Valpam 5 5 mg tablets have been affected by the same alleged tampering that prompted pharmaceutical company Roche to recall its 5mg valium medication, Fairfax Media understands.

Arrow and Roche have recalled their 5mg valium medications over evidence of tampering and alleged theft. Credit:Rob Banks

Issuing an alert late Friday evening, the Therapeutic Goods Administration said blister pack sheets containing the medicines had been substituted for other medications in some boxes of Valpam 5.

It is understood the tampering of both valium batches are linked to an alleged theft at a factory in Rydalmere.
One of Australia's most prized war artefacts that was captured by a battalion consisting mostly of Queenslanders in World War I has returned home to the south-east after almost two years.

The German tank Mephisto made the journey back up from Canberra during a delicate three-day operation, to take its place at The Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich.

It was recovered in July 1918 near the French town of Villers-Bretonneux, salvaged by soldiers from the 26th Battalion, which was comprised mainly of Queenslanders, who helped to drag it behind allied lines.

Since July 2015, the 33-tonne, eight-metre tank had been on display at the Australian War Memorial as part of the Anzac Hall exhibition. However, on Thursday it arrived back in the south-east to the delight of Queensland Museum director Alexander Hayward.
A developer has been given seven days to pull down a crane swinging over an Elwood family's home, after a Supreme Court judge ruled it was "trespassing" on their property.

Developer Steller erected a six-level crane on the Ormond Road site in Elwood where it is building 28 luxury apartments.

The crane on Ormond Road, Elwood, that developer Steller must take down. Credit:Joe Armao

But since the crane was put up last month, it has regularly swung over Haydn Janney and wife Suzanne Foti's home, where they live with their children, aged six and seven.

Steller told the couple that, while the apartments could have been built using another style of crane that would not go over their home, using the larger crane would cut the developer's build time by three months and be less disruptive to traffic.
Tributes are flowing for a 24-year-old Cranbourne man who died in a monkey bike crash while on a camping trip in Gippsland.

Luke Staveley was killed after two bikes crashed near Stradbroke early Saturday morning.

A monkey bike is removed from the campsite at Stradbroke, Victoria. Credit:7News Melbourne

He was with a group of mates at a remote campsite when, at about 12.30am, two went for a ride on their monkey bikes.

When Mr Staveley followed, he collided with a mate on an unnamed road near Baldwins Lane.
Road bollards are to be installed in crowded areas around Melbourne, as part of an upgrade in security measures announced by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews to prevent terrorism and hinder vehicle attacks.

The move follows a recent spate of terror attacks at home and abroad, including the fatal siege in Brighton on Monday.

The state government and City of Melbourne have begun installing the temporary concrete blocks in Bourke Street Mall and along the northern edge of Federation Square.

Mr Andrews said although money was set aside in the budget to upgrade security, including improvement to CCTV and permanent bollards, a rapid response was needed to ensure public safety.
Police have cracked an alleged drug ring after charging seven men with cultivating commercial amounts of cannabis in Melbourne's west.

Detectives from the Altona North Divisional Response Unit raided a number of properties across the western suburbs, culminating in the seven arrests.

Seven men from Point Cook faces charges for cannabis cultivation.

Six men from Point Cook, aged 23, 36, 37, 55 and two aged 24, have each been charged with cultivation of a commercial quantity of a drug of dependence.

A 28-year-old Point Cook man has been charged with cultivation of large commercial quantity of a drug of dependence.
Manila: US special forces are helping the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to end a siege of the southern town of Marawi by militants allied to Islamic State, a US embassy spokesperson in Manila said on Saturday.

The seizure of Marawi by hundreds of fighters who have sworn allegiance to Islamic State, including dozens from neighbouring countries and the Middle East, has fuelled concern that the ultra-radical group is gaining a foothold in Southeast Asia.

A US P3 Orion surveillance plane flying over Marawi, in the Philippines, earlier this month. Australia is expected to soon send P3 Orions to join the fight. Credit:AP

"At the request of the government of the Philippines, US special operations forces are assisting the AFP with ongoing operations in Marawi that help AFP commanders on the ground in their fight against Maute and ASG militants," the spokesperson said. ASG stands for the Abu Sayyaf militant group.

Until now there had been no confirmation that the Philippines had sought US assistance in the battle for Marawi City on the island of Mindanao, which is in its third week.
Washington: The day after former FBI director James Comey testified before Congress, the morning shows on Fox News and MSNBC seemed set - as they often do - in parallel universes.

The hosts of Fox & Friends, joined in one segment by former Donald Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, fixated on Comey's revelation that he orchestrated the leak of a personal memo to the New York Times.

"A month ago, under inquiry by Charles E. Grassley, the senator from the great state of Iowa, Mr Comey said, 'I have never leaked any top-secret stuff,' " Steve Doocy told viewers. "Then, yesterday, he was talking, giving testimony, and this is when he revealed, as Corey said, he is a leaker."

Doocy's framing was rather misleading. The way he juxtaposed Comey's testimony on May 3 with his statements on Thursday suggested that the former director had leaked "top-secret stuff". To be clear: the memo in question was not classified.
WASHINGTON (AP)  For all of the things that came into clearer focus with Thursday's testimony from fired FBI Director James Comey, plenty of other questions remain.

A few takeaways from Comey's appearance before the Senate intelligence committee:

THE OBSTRUCTION QUESTION

A central  and unresolved  question from the hearing revolves around whether President Donald Trump was trying to derail the Russia investigation by pressuring, and ultimately firing, the man in charge. Comey delivered his answer clearly.

"It's my judgment that I was fired because of the Russia investigation," he said. "I was fired in some way to change, or the endeavor was to change, the way the Russia investigation was being conducted."

The firing came, Comey said, after he was pushed to drop the probe into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. The president told him, "I hope you can let this go," and he took it as more than a mere suggestion.

"I took it as a direction," Comey told the committee.

Trump's lawyer says the president "never, in form or substance" directed Comey to stop investigating anyone, and Republicans suggested Comey was reading too much into it.

"You may have taken it as a direction, but that's not what he said," said Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho.

Whether Trump's behavior and comment amount to obstruction of justice, however, depends not on how Comey understood the comment, but Trump's intent in delivering it.

Finding that out, as Comey noted, is now up to the special counsel, Robert Mueller.

"MY WORD AGAINST HIS"

In one of the unexpected moments of the day, Comey essentially took credit for Mueller being on the case.

The former FBI director and media-savvy operator acknowledged he shared with a friend the memos detailing his conversations with the president and specifically asked the friend to pass them on to reporters.

"My judgment was I need to get that out into the public square," Comey said.

But the goal wasn't just to tell his story. Comey said he wanted to spur the Justice Department to appoint a special counsel to take over the investigation.

Comey knew the whole thing could come down to his word against the president's, and he wanted the memos to serve as proof of his version of events.

With trademark flair, Comey told the committee, "Lordy, I hope there are tapes" of his conversations with Trump.

"If there are tapes," Comey said, "it's not just my word against his."

SESSIONS INTRIGUE

Comey added an element of intrigue to the hearings when he said he knew of a "variety of reasons" why Attorney General Jeff Sessions' involvement in the Russia investigation would be problematic but that he couldn't discuss those reasons "in an open setting."

Sessions recused himself from anything related to the Russia inquiry in March, after it was revealed that he had spoken with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak twice during the presidential campaign. Sessions failed to disclose those contacts during questioning at his Senate confirmation hearing, when he told senators he hadn't had any contacts with Russia.

Even before Comey's cryptic reference Thursday, Democratic senators had been raising more questions about Sessions' contacts with Kislyak.

Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Al Franken, D-Minn., have asked the FBI to check into the possibility of a third 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.

BIPARTISAN DISCOMFORT

It wasn't just the Trump administration that made Comey anxious about the need to protect the integrity and independence of the FBI.

He'd had moments of discomfort during the Obama administration as well.

Comey described an episode during the inquiry into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server when then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch directed him "not to call it an investigation but to call it a matter, which confused me and concerned me."

Comey said that language "tracked" how the Clinton campaign was talking about the FBI's work.

"We had an investigation open at the time so that gave me a queasy feeling," he added.

MCCAIN'S CONFUSING QUESTIONS

Sen. John McCain suggested that he was tired when he questioned Comey, a performance that lit up Twitter and the Internet with unsparing criticism.

The 80-year-old Arizona Republican joked that maybe he shouldn't have stayed up late watching the Arizona Diamondbacks playing a night game out West.

"What I was trying to get at was whether Mr. Comey believes that any of his interactions with the president rise to the level of obstruction of justice," McCain said in a statement after his questioning.

Instead, McCain flummoxed Comey with a question about why "the investigation of anything former Secretary Clinton had to do with the campaign is over and we don't have to worry about it anymore?"

Comey pointed out they were separate investigations, begun at different times.

"I'm a little confused," Comey responded. "With respect to Secretary Clinton, we investigated a criminal investigation in connection with her use of a personal email server."

McCain said he doesn't understand how Comey could be done with the Clinton probe having concluded no charges were warranted, but wouldn't say the same about the Russian investigation. Comey said the Russian investigation is ongoing as far as he knows.

McCain, who can alternate between gruff and self-deprecating, afterward made light of the mess.

"I get the sense from Twitter that my line of questioning today went over people's heads," McCain said in a statement. Turning more serious, McCain said, "while I missed an opportunity in today's hearing, I still believe this question is important, and I intend to submit it in writing to Mr. Comey for the record."

The Diamondbacks joined in, retweeting McCain's statement with the "shrug" emoticon.

 ANDREW TAYLOR , Associated Press

___

Follow Nancy Benac on Twitter at twitter.com/nbenac
Updated packaging for Southern Comfort

Sazarac's liqueur brand Southern Comfort has updated its packaging and launched a new positioning named 'The Spirit of New Orleans.' The move is a nod to the brand's connection with the city, that has spanned over 140 years.

The label has been designed with a brief to better represent the brand's whiskey credentials and New Orleans affiliation.

Other improvements to the brand include the UK introduction of a 100 proof (50% ABV) expression specifically developed for the UK on-trade, in addition to the existing Southern Comfort Original 35% ABV variant. The bottles have been made taller and slightly narrower and will retain their longstanding fluted shoulders plus the signature of the creator, M.W. Heron. An upscale cap rounds out the packaging enhancements.

Sazerac senior marketing director, Kevin Richards says: We believe the new packaging reinforces the brands authentic whiskey and New Orleans roots. New Orleans was an integral part of Southern Comforts positioning for decades. Were excited to reinforce that critical connection into the future. Like Southern Comfort, New Orleans is adored for its uniqueness and spirited character.

Mark Brown, president and chief executive officer, Sazerac Company says: Were incredibly excited about our plans to strengthen Southern Comforts position as an iconic global whiskey brand for the next fifty years. We believe Southern Comfort can be a 10 million case brand one day.

Dan Bolton, managing director of distributor Hi-Spirits, says: Southern Comfort in the UK is the same high quality, premium spirit that it has always been, with whiskey at the heart of the recipe. With the brands whiskey roots and heritage in New Orleans, a city known for good times and great cocktails, the new-look packaging and positioning captures that spirit perfectly.

Amanda McLeod, marketing director of Hi-Spirits adds: Were very pleased to be launching Southern Comfort 100 Proof exclusively to the on-trade in the UK and Ireland. It still features the distinctive Southern Comfort blend of whiskey, fruits and spices created by M.W. Heron, but at 50% ABV, its a premium spirit that will inspire bartenders to create some interesting new cocktails and mixed drinks.

Southern Comfort Original 70cl has an ABV of 35%, with an RRP of 21.

Southern Comforts new packaging and 100 proof expression will roll out in Summer 2017 in the UK and Ireland.

10 June 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor
WACO gets a crack at the first state championship game in school history
During a recent Click It or Ticket Mobilization effort, Hall County Sheriffs deputies issued 163 citations and 176 written warnings.

Five deputies worked a total of 131 overtime hours during the statewide effort, which ran May 22 through June 4. There were a total of 352 contacts.

The deputies issued 12 violation/vehicle defect cards. In addition, one custody arrest was made  that for driving during suspension, speeding and a seat belt violation.

Of the citations, 107 were for speeding, 18 for registration/license plate violations and 16 for seat belt violations.

Ten were issued for having no proof of insurance, five for having no operators license and two for driving during suspension.

One each was issued for stop light/sign violation, driving the wrong way on a one-way, following to closely, careless driving and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

During the Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign, troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol issued 224 citations for seat belt violations.

In addition, NSP issued 46 child restraint citations and arrested 76 drivers for driving under the influence. Troopers wrote 1,938 citations for speeding.

102 drivers were cited for driving under suspension. Thirty-two were cited for open container and 28 for being a minor in possession. The State Patrol wrote a total of 3,055 citations.

Roadway assistance was provided to 612 travelers during the special enforcement period.

The effort is designed to reduce the potential for serious injury through voluntary compliance with all traffic safety laws.
Many adults get their exercise walking through Conestoga Mall. This summer, kids are getting their workout in on Wednesday evenings.

Fruit, one of the stores in the mall, is sponsoring a kids Zumba class, which runs from 5 to 6 p.m. every Wednesday in the south court of the mall. Belkin Gonzalez leads the class, which is free of charge.

Thirteen kids showed up Wednesday for the second installment in the series, which began May 31. The sessions will continue the rest of the summer.

Following Gonzalezs lead, the kids danced along to such songs as Taylor Swifts Shake It Off, Justin Biebers Sorry and Shakiras La Bicicleta.

Gonzalez plays music that just makes you want to move your feet.

In sponsoring kids Zumba, Fruit is doing something wonderful for the community, Gonzalez says. The stores motto, she said, is to stay healthy.

There are not enough ways to encourage kids to get moving and keep moving, Gonzalez says. A sedentary life of watching TV and playing video games has become the norm, she says.

But when you exercise to music and make it fun and interactive, Then youre going to appeal to children.

Kids really want to move, she said. You just need to encourage them.

Its important to play music that appeals to them  music with which they can sing along. That way they dont get bored, she said.

Once you get kids out of their shells, Theyre going to jump around and theyre going to be happy.

Kids dancing to music brings life to the mall. Not only do customers take a look while the kids exercise, but so do the employees of nearby businesses.

One of the nearby stores is Fruit. That store, which arrived in the mall March 1, is owned by Jenny and Diego Lopez, who are natives of Columbia.

Two of their kids, Juan and Mariana, take part in the Zumba class.

During the class, Jenny Diego brings bottles of water to the young workout warriors.

Ideally, kids who take part are 5 to 12 years old. But younger kids are welcome as long as they know how to follow instructions.

You can just drop in any Wednesday at 5 p.m. But, if possible, Fruit would like you to visit the store first to register.

During the class, Gonzalez tells the kids to think about staying active. Taking your dog for a walk is one way to get some exercise.

Comparable Zumba classes might cost $5 a person. Mothers who face tight finances will appreciate the chance to bring their kids in for free, she said.

Gonzalez, 40, is a big supporter of Grand Island. I love it. And I love doing this for kids, said Gonzalez, whos lived in Grand Island since 1993.

She tells the kids to play the songs and practice their dance moves at home. That gets them moving.

Gonzalez loves dance. But she loves fitness even more.

During the business day, Gonzalez works as an interpreter. Some of her work is done at the Hall County Courthouse. If she had her way, Gonzalez would be a Zumba instructor full time.

Her sister, Alma Rawlings, leads the free ZumbaChicas class for women at Lincoln Elementary School. Rawlings is also a certified Zumba instructor.

When talking about Zumba, Gonzalez avoids using the word exercise. Because exercise doesnt sound fun.

Two adults who were looking on happily at the Zumba class Wednesday were Bryce Enck and Morgan Cemper.

Encks two children, Irelynn, 5, and Josue, 9, were part of the class. He was glad they were having some fun, getting some exercise, and spending time around other people.

The week before, Enck had even joined in the dancing for a while. He stopped when the kids started running around, because he didnt want to trample anybody.

Cempers 5-year-old daughter, Cozette, was also dancing.

Participant Jasmine Rivera, 10, likes the class because you get to move and exercise.

She got a ride to the class from Claudia Ramirez, whose 9-year-old son, Brandon, also took part.

Sofia Aguilera was watching her 6-year-old daughter, MaKenzie, in the class. Sofia plans to return to Zumba with MaKenzie next week. She was happy, because her daughter was happy.
I have just completed my first session in the Nebraska Legislature and I want to share some of my thoughts and impressions of this year. As slow moving as it may have seemed for most of you, it went by extremely fast for me.

We witnessed a divided Legislature to begin the session, resulting in a battle over the rules for the first 30 days. Near the end of the session, we experienced almost the same division when we voted to override the governors veto on the budget.

There were 667 bills introduced this year and we worked together to pass more than 170. We worked through a major budget shortfall and passed a balanced budget for the next two years.

Each senator has his or her motive for supporting or opposing a bill and I understand that it is next to impossible to please everyone. Before voting on a bill I would make sure I understood how the bill would affect my constituents, and all Nebraskans for that matter, and then come to a decision on whether to support or oppose it. When asked about my position, I was honest with my response in explaining my decision.

The experience I gained this first session was invaluable and I have enjoyed my time working in Legislature, even though there were times I was disappointed in how a vote turned out.

I would say the most disappointing moment for me was when we voted to override the governors veto on the budget. Even though several of us voiced our concerns and shared our personal stories, we could not muster up the votes to override the veto. This was a cut to provider rates for facilities that provide care to people with behavioral health issues, those with disabilities and for the elderly.

The Appropriations Committee did an excellent job of putting a budget together that was balanced and took care not to cut needed services too deeply so Nebraskans would not be harmed. I put my trust in them and I wish others had as well.

When I was going door-to-door before the election, many of you expressed the need for property tax relief. LB461 was brought to the floor during the session, but it didnt offer true property tax relief and it came at a time when we were dealing with a $1.1 billion shortfall.

This bill gave income tax relief and changed the formula for agricultural land from property value to more of an income value based tax. There would be no property tax relief for those living in urban areas. The income tax portion provided tax relief to corporations and higher wage earners and provided little to no tax relief for working families.

Another problem is that schools, municipalities, counties, and many other local boards rely on property tax revenue for their budgets. If we are going to reduce revenue we need to make sure we have revenue from somewhere else to help fund them.

On the bright side, I did have two of my bills pass this year. One is LB383, which allows for a member of planning commissions to hold another office within a community of the first class, second class or village if they do not already serve as mayor, on a city council or village board, as a member of any community redevelopment authority, or a citizen advisory review committee. This would solve a problem in some smaller communities where elected positions go unfilled because there are not enough people interested in holding those positions.

The second bill is LB455 which updates the minimum standards set forth in the National Electrical Code issued and adopted by the National Fire Protection Association, which governs the State Electrical Board. It allows the State Electrical Board to continue to have the power to adopt, promulgate, and revise the rules and regulations necessary to enable it to carry into effect the State Electrical Act.

I still have three other bills on general file awaiting debate during the next session, which begins in January 2018.

I introduced LR164 to request an interim study which will examine the need for restoration, development, and capital improvement of sites that attract tourists to Nebraska. During the summer and fall I will be involved with several interim studies through the committees I serve on. Some will have hearings in Lincoln and others in outstate Nebraska, including Grand Island. Interim studies are open to the public and there will be notification of a location and time for all hearings.

I recently made a trip along with Sen. Lynn Walz to Washington, D.C., to speak with Nebraskas congressmen and senators. Sen. Walz and I were appointed as the legislative commissioners to the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission or MIPRC. There is intercity passenger rail as well as long distance, which would be Amtrak that runs through Nebraska.

In Nebraska in 2016 there were 54,593 passengers who used Amtrak with the most riders traveling from Omaha to Chicago and Omaha to Denver. Another 118,692 passengers traveled by Amtrak through our state with some detraining here in Nebraska. President Trumps current budget proposal would cut funding for long distance passenger rail which means no funding for Amtrak in Nebraska.

We were visiting our representatives in Washington, D.C., to express our concerns and educate them on the importance of Amtrak to our state and to find out what their feelings were on the presidents plan.

Please feel free to contact my office if you have an issue or would like to schedule a meeting.

Sen. Dan Quick of Grand Island represents District 35 in the Nebraska Legislature.
A sentencing date of June 26 has been set for former Edwardsville Police officer Brian Barker.

He faces up to 40 years in prison when Circuit Judge Richard Tognarelli sentences him at a hearing at the Madison County Criminal Justice Center in Edwardsville.

The 47-year-old Barker pleaded guilty in January to official misconduct, aggravated unlawful possession of stolen firearms, residential burglary and three counts of burglary. He is being represented by veteran attorney William Lucco, of the Edwardsville law firm Lucco, Brown, Threlkeld & Dawson.

The case is being prosecuted by First Assistant Madison County States Attorney Jennifer Mudge.

Barker was arrested in December of 2014 after he was caught on videotape, armed and in uniform, entering Reality Spa & Salon in Edwardsville and emptying the cash drawer. That led to an investigation by the Madison County Sheriffs Department that resulted in Barker being charged with arson and 21 other felonies, including multiple burglary charges.

Barker had been living with former Edwardsville police dispatcher Keri Knight at a home they shared at 814 South Moreland Road, in Bethalto. After the spa break in, detectives came to the home and questioned Knight. Prosecutors say that after that she handed over a rubber tub filled with cash, bank bags, diamond rings, bracelets and bars of silver and gold to a friend. They later accused her of taking about $17,500 from the tub and giving it to a friend to post Barkers bail.

Knight was arrested and found guilty on two counts of obstructing justice following a day-long bench trial. Circuit Judge Kyle Napp sentenced her to two years of probation for trying to cover up the investigation into Barkers activities.
The days of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn heading off to the fishing hole may be behind us.

But kids still like to cast a line.

That much is evident every June as the Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Department conducts its annual Fishing Derby.

This years event is scheduled to begin with registration at 9:30 a.m. on June 24 at Leclaire Lake.

The derby itself will run from 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Previous fishing experience isnt necessary.

This year, fishing classes, instructed by a representative from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on June 20 and June 22.

The fish at Leclaire Lake might be in trouble.

Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Assistant Recreation Coordinator Hayley Verheyen said both the derby and the lessons have proven popular over the years.

We usually have a good turnout for both the lessons and the derby. We always want more kids because we think its a great event, she said.

While the focus is on children, its apparent to Verheyen that fishing in general isnt the pastime it was years ago.

Its not something thats as common, she said. With the lessons, there are a lot of parents who have never been fishing before, so they are learning, too.

The derby is designed for children up to age 15 so participants do not need a fishing license.

Trophies, provided by BJs Printables, will be awarded for biggest fish caught and most fish caught.

Participants will have 90 minutes to see what they can catch.

Immediately before the derby begins, an IDNR representative will give a 15-minute talk on fishing safety and fishing tips at the Leclaire Park Gazebo.

Participants should bring their own fishing pole and bait.

Walgreens and Sonic are also sponsors of the event, which always produces its share of memorable moments.

The best part for me is when a kid whose never been fishing before catches his first fish and reels it in, Verheyen said. The look on their face is priceless. And then holding the fish for the first time. Theres some nervousness.

The first 50 participants to register will receive a goodie bag.

The two classes, meanwhile require advance registration and may be done through www.cityofedwardsville.com under City Departments then Parks and Recreation then Community Event.

Fishing poles and bait will be provided for the lessons.

Lessons are great because parents dont have to buy the bait or the fishing pole, Verheyen said.

The lessons will be virtually identical so there is no reason to attend both. Further, derby participants are not required to attend the lessons.

All participants  in the derby or the classes  must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, contact the parks department at 692-7538 or visit the citys website at www.cityofedwardsville.com.
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Linkedin Joseph Dyke (Agence France-Presse) Tel Aviv, Israel  Sat, June 10, 2017 16:06 1979 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a4b61d8 2 Lifestyle Gay-Pride,Tel-Aviv,LGBT,#LGBT,Israel,parade,gay Free

Tens of thousands of revelers from Israel and abroad packed the streets of Tel Aviv on Friday for the city's annual Gay Pride march, billed as the Middle East's biggest.

Police said they were expecting around 100,000 people, while organisers put the figure at closer to 200,000, with an estimated 30,000 of them from overseas.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that security forces would be keeping a close eye on the event.

"Hundreds of police have closed off the area and are carrying out security measures," he told AFP. "Police units and border police units and undercover units are in the area."

A 2015 Gay Pride parade in conservative Jerusalem ended in tragedy when an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man got among the marchers, stabbing a 16-year-old girl to death and wounding five others.

This year's Tel Aviv festival is themed in support of bisexuality under the slogan "Let it B," organisers said on their website.

"Bisexuals tend to be more prone to suicide and risk behaviour than gay men and lesbians," they said.

The festival kicked off on Friday morning in a central Tel Aviv park with music, dancing and performers, before the mostly young revellers set off for the Mediterranean seafront.

About 10 floats took part in the beachside procession, one of them depicting an ancient warship built by staff at the British embassy in Tel Aviv, the embassy website said.

Read also: Bangkok to hold first gay pride parade in 11 years

Tens of thousands of revellers from Israel and abroad packed the streets of Tel Aviv for the city's annual Gay Pride march, billed as the Middle East's biggest.(AFP/Jack Guez)

Britain's ambassador to Israel is David Quarrey, an openly gay man.

Israel regularly publicises its vibrant gay scene, often contrasting it with neighbouring Arab countries where homosexuality is illegal.

Critics accuse it of trying to use gay rights to downplay, or "pinkwash", military abuses in the occupied Palestinian territories.

At Friday's celebration, Mattan Segev, 36, said he had been attending Gay Pride events since he came out at the age of 13.

"There is a natural contrast between what is going on in Israel and what is going on in Muslim countries around us but I dont see why we equate ourselves with them," Segev said.

"Israel tries to see itself as part of the European countries or the West. If you equate us to the West, the situation looks very different," he added.

Same sex marriage is not technically illegal in Israel but there is no institution permitted to perform it and couples must travel abroad to wed.

Maya Gatman, 17, said she had been coming to the Gay Pride parade for five years and it was an "amazing atmosphere."

Eitan Schwartz, CEO of Tel Aviv Global -- part of the mayor's office -- said the event, funded by the municipality, was part of a month of events supporting Gay Pride.

"Gay tourism is one of the pillars of our economy," he said.
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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, June 10, 2017 12:57 1979 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a4b154a 2 Business tax,Sri-Mulyani,finance-ministry,AEOI Free

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has warned that failure to comply with the requirements of the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) by the end of June will create hurdles for the government to enforce fair tax treatment on big and small taxpayers.

Sri Mulyani said even with only partial compliance to the AEOI, a global initiative to combat tax evasion, Indonesia would not be able to get reciprocal information from other governments about Indonesian taxpayers assets abroad.

"It means that to fulfill the tax revenue, we have to seek mostly from the taxpayers who placed their assets in Indonesia, and we cannot 'catch' the big taxpayers who moved their assets abroad. It will be unfair," Sri Mulyani said on Friday.

(Read also: Higher bar set to improve tax fairness)

To comply with AEOI rule, Indonesia for example, must have legislation that allows the tax office to access financial information from financial institutions for tax purposes, while following the common reporting standard (CRS). As Indonesia stated it would comply with the AEOI by 2018, the requirements must be fulfilled before June 30.

President Joko Jokowi Widodo issued earlier this year Presidential Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perppu) No 1/2017 regarding financial information access for taxation purposes. Sri Mulyani also recently issued Finance Ministerial Regulation (PMK) No. 70/2017 as technical guidance for the implementation of the AEOI initiative. (hwa)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, June 10, 2017 14:34 1979 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a4b484b 1 City ahok,blasphemy,#ahok,#AhokTrial,#AhokDetention,basuki-tjahaja-purnama,Brimob Free

Blasphemy convict Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnamas lawyer, I Wayan Sudirta, has asked authorities to guarantee the safety of his client if the non-active Jakarta governor is to be transferred from the Mobile Brigades (Brimob) detention facility to a penitentiary.

Sudirta said a guarantee of safety was needed, as Ahok had faced intimidation when he was taken to Cipinang Penitentiary in East Jakarta following his trial, leading to his transfer to the Brimob detention facility in Kelapa Dua, Depok.

He was threatened before. Thats why he was moved [to the Brimob detention facility]. This must be given serious attention. Dont take it lightly, Sudirta said as quoted by kompas.com on Saturday.

Certainty over where Ahok will serve his sentence depends on when his blasphemy charge document is returned to the North Jakarta District Court.

Ahok had filed an appeal with the Jakarta High Court after the North Jakarta District Court sentenced him to two years in prison, however, the appeal was withdrawn on May 22.

Prosecutors from the North Jakarta Prosecutors Office subsequently withdrew their appeal against the sentence on June 6. Ahoks ruling is now final and legally binding.

So the question is no longer where he will be detained because his status will be that of an inmate, not a detainee. He will serve his sentence at a penitentiary, not in a detention facility, said Sudirta. He said Ahoks final verdict letter would state where he would serve his sentence. (hol/ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, June 10, 2017 12:25 1979 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a4b0b90 1 City kalijodo,Satpol-PP,basuki-tjahaja-purnama,RPTRA-Jakarta,Operation-Pekat Free

Police officers, supported by Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) and Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel, carried out on Friday Operation Pekat to combat social problems in the society.

The operation was conducted below a toll road near the Kalijodo child-friendly integrated public space (RPTRA) in North Jakarta at around 10:30 p.m.

Penjaringan Police chief Adj.Sr.Comr. Bismo Teguh said personnel found several bottles of liquor and condoms, among other items.

After searching shanty buildings in the location, we found condoms, drug paraphernalia, sharp weapons and bottles of liquor. This is not in line with the spirit of Ramadhan, which we should honor, said Tegus as quoted by kompas.com on Friday.

During the raid, the police asked squatters to show their IDs, a request to which they complied.

Over the past few weeks, dozens of people have started building semi-permanent dwellings under the toll road, which lies across Kalijodo Park. It was suspected the dwellings had been used for prostitution.

Kalijodo, a former red-light district, began a transformation into an RPTRA in February last year under the leadership of then-Jakarta governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama. (cal/ebf)
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Linkedin Rendi A. Witular (The Jakarta Post) Astana  Sat, June 10, 2017 20:30 1979 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a4b8fbb 1 World exhibition,Kazakhstan,renewable-energy Free

The prestigious Expo 2017 Astana, with the theme of "Future Energy," opened on Saturday in the capital of Kazakhstan, heralding a global call for governments and businesses to foster control on fossil-based energy consumption and to minimize damage on the environment.

The expo, which will last until Sept. 10, is expected to draw as many as five million visitors into the pavilions run by more than 110 countries and international organizations.

During his speech on Friday Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said the event aims to be a magnetic center that bonds together ideas from participating countries and organizations on types of alternative and renewable energy.

"Humanity is on the point of creating a highly efficient source of energy, and our expo will contribute to the development of clean energy. Millions of Kazakhs and thousands of foreign guests will get to know and understand the latest trends and ideas," Nazarbayev said.

Seventeen heads of state and governments attended the opening ceremony on Friday, including President of China Xi Jinping, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif.

Nazarbayev pointed out that one object of the visitors' admiration was Kazakhstans Nur Alem pavilion, a symbol of the expo and the world's largest spherical construction measuring 80 meters in diameter.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, June 10, 2017 08:08 1979 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a4a7558 1 City Asian-Games,toilets Free

The Jakarta Environment and Sanitation Agency is planning to provide 33 mobile toilets during the Asian Games to be held in the capital next year.

Currently we have 11 trucks and we plan to procure 22 more this year, agency head Isnawa Adji said on Friday.

Jakarta and the South Sumatra provincial capital of Palembang are slated to host Asia's biggest quadrennial sporting event, involving 484 events in 42 sports.

The cost of each truck is around Rp 800 million [US$ 60,173], he said.

President Joko Jokowi Widodo has instructed all relevant parties to speed up the preparations and the completion of infrastructure projects that will be used to support the 2018 Asian Games. (fac)
He has a video blog (vlog), he wears jeans and sneakers and on Friday President Joko Jokowi Widodo turned up at the most iconic radio station for Indonesian youth, Prambors FM, possibly cementing his position as the coolest president the country has ever had.

After months of political turbulence triggered by the blasphemy charges leveled against his political ally, non-active Jakarta governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, the President seemed more relaxed as he sought to woo Indonesian youth in his latest political outing.

Teaming up with top hosts Desta and Gina at Prambors, a radio station aimed at the nations youth, he went on air on Friday morning to chat about on lighthearted matters such as bicycle prizes, his vlog activities, favorite musicians and his distinctive bomber jacket.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, June 10, 2017 12:15 1979 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a4afdd9 2 Business Krakatau-Steel,steel-industry,industry-ministry Free

The Industry Ministry has said PT Krakatau Nippon Steel Sumikin (KNSS) will start operating its galvanized steel plant in Cilegon, Banten, in September.

The ministrys director general for metal, machinery, transportation equipment and electronics industries, I Gusti Putu Suryawirawan, said on Friday that the plant would have an annual production capacity of around 500,000 tons.

Putu spoke to journalists after accompanying Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto in a meeting with managing director Yoichi Furuta of Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation (NSSMC) in Jakarta.

(Read also: Cilegon plant to supply steel for car makers in 2017)

KNSS, established in late 2012, is a joint venture between NSSMC and state-owned steel maker PT Krakatau Steel. KNSS says on its website that with the partnership, the two companies aim to manufacture and market cold-rolled steel and hot-dipped galvanized steel products for Indonesias automotive industry.

Investment for the plant, which is expected to employ at least 300 people, is estimated at US$400 million.

Putu said Indonesia, which recorded sales of approximately 1 million cars a year, had until now imported galvanized steel sheets for car manufacturing owing to limitations in domestic supply. (dis/hwa)
A staffer at the Jakarta administrations lighting division monitors street lamps accross the city at the Jakarta Energy and Industry Agency control room in Jakarta on Friday. The division has installed more the 90,000 LED lamps in Central, North and South Jakarta and plans to install 94,000 more lamps in West and East Jakarta this year. The LED lamps are expected to save the city around Rp 8 billion (US$601,620) a month.(JP/Seto Wardhana)(US$601,620) a month.(JP/Seto Wardhana)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, June 10, 2017 13:00 1979 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a4b1805 1 National hacking,arrest,Press-Council Free

The National Polices cybercrime division apprehended Adi Syafitrah, 28, for allegedly hacking and defacing the Indonesian Press Councils website on May 31.

He was apprehended at a hotel in Sukoharjo, Central Java where he worked as a housekeeper, said Sr. Comr. Himawan Bayu Aji, cybercrime division chief, on Friday.

He added that Adi told the police he had hacked into around 100 Indonesian websites and others based elsewhere since 2013. According to the police investigation, the suspects motive was to gain recognition.

There is suspicion that he defaced the website for recognition in the hacking community, Himawan said.

Police have yet to determine whether financial losses were incurred from the hacking, as Adi reportedly told the police he did not retrieve any data from the website. However, Himawan said the press council might have experienced losses when its website was inaccessible due to Adis alleged hacking.

Several pieces of evidence were confiscated during the arrest, including the suspects ID, a laptop and wireless modem. The cybercrime unit is collecting more evidence from digital forensics.

Adi could be charged under Article 50 of the 1999 law on telecommunications, which carries a maximum punishment of six years in prison and a fine of Rp 600 million (US$ 45,126). He could also be charged under Article 32 of the 2016 Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, which carries a maximum punishment of eight years imprisonment and a Rp 2 billion fine. (kuk/dmr)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, June 10, 2017 16:29 1979 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a4b6af0 1 National Riau,land-fires,forest-fires,BPBD,BNPB Free

The Riau Land and Forest Fire (Karhutla) task force has arrested a suspected land burner in Meranti Island regency.

They found equipment such as a chainsaw, a kerosene jerry can, a lighter and a cell phone, Karhutla Riau task force deputy commander Edwar Sanger said as quoted by Antara in Pekanbaru on Saturday.

He said the suspect, S, was arrested on Friday evening in Tebing Tinggi district, Meranti.

Suspicion of unlawful activity was raised during a routine patrol conducted by the Riau Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) together with the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police.

During the patrol, personnel found traces of burned soil. A hut allegedly inhabited by land burners was found not far from the location.

Following up on the report, the task force, comprising personnel from the 462 Command Battalion of the Air Force Special Forces (Paskhas), the Riau Polices Special Crime Detective Directorate and BPBD Riau flew to the location on a Puma HT-3310 helicopter and another helicopter provided by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

Paskhas and police personnel later searched the hut where they found a man strongly suspected to have burned the land. The 40-year old was flown to Pekanbaru for further questioning and the police sealed the burned land.

We will pursue the mastermind of the land burning. We will uphold the law to create a deterrent effect, said Edwar. (ebf)
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Linkedin Shoko Oda (Bloomberg)  Sat, June 10, 2017 09:02 1979 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a4aa2aa 2 Destinations tsukiji,tsukiji-fish-market,market,#market,fish-market,Japan,#Japan,travel,tourism Free

If you're visiting Tokyo and looking forward to eating well, chances are youve been told not to miss Tsukiji, the oldest and biggest fish market in the world. From being the focus of such popular movies as Jiro Dreams of Sushi to being the backdrop of pop music videos (remember Clean Bandit?), the iconic market has become synonymous with Japan's world famous food culture. Tripadvisor.com ranks it among the top five things to do in the Chuo Ward, the heart of the city that includes the booming Ginza district. Its here that a single Bluefin tuna sold for $632,000 in January.

Yet its fate remains in waters as muddy as Tokyo Bay.

Back in 2001, citing safety and sanitary concerns about the dilapidated structures, the Tokyo metropolitan government decided to relocate the market to some reclaimed land in the Toyosu district, about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) away. The move would also allow construction of a major road to connect Olympic venues for 2020, the Asahi Shimbun reported. But with an "astonishing" $5.7 billion price tag and a series of safety investigations into contaminated soil at the proposed site, Tokyos new governor, Yuriko Koike, postponed the move indefinitely in August 2016; it had been scheduled for November.

The debate remains hot for the Tokyo government, which recently started mulling a restructuring of the current site from scratch. (To complicate matters further, recent investigations found that the current market site at Tsukiji also tested positive for higher-than-legal levels of pollutants such as arsenic, reported the Asahi Shimbun. Tokyo Governor Koike has said that the levels are not high enough to raise public alarm.)

However it shakes out, Tsukiji will certainly change. So there is no time like the presentto join the throngs of people exploring the nooks and crannies of the market, gawking at sea creatures seldom seen whole.

Read also: New Tokyo leader postpones plan to move famous fish market

Buyers inspect frozen tuna prior to the first auction of the year at Tsukiji Market, on Jan. 5, 2017. A single 212-kilogram (467-pound) bluefin tuna hammered that morning for 74.2 million yen ($636,000).(Bloomberg/Noriko Hayashi)

Tsukiji is one of the great wonders of the world, said celebrated American chef David Chang, founder of the Momofuku restaurant group. There are fish markets all over the world and throughout Japan, but there's nothing like Tsukiji. The freshness is staggering, and so is the variety. Everyone is a specialist: You have the clam guy, the uni guy, the mackerel guy.

According to last years government pamphlet (PDF), the market handles about 480 types of seafood and about 270 types of produce, both domestic and imported. A day at Tsukiji see about 1,628 tonnes (3.6 million pounds) and 1.6 billion yen ($14.6 million) worth of seafood move through on average. That $250-a-tray Shakotan uni makes a pit stop here after being plucked from the cold waters around Hokkaido; a top sushi master in New York crafts his nightly omakase based on the days catch.

Outside the wholesale market lies an additional dimension of restaurants and shops, serving everything from kitchenware, dried seafood goods, Japanese knives, and sweets. Up to 42,000 people pass through in a day.

Tsukiji dates back to 1935, after a massive earthquake in 1923 eventually forced the fish market to be relocated to the current location, next to posh Ginza. The rusty, old structures, some more than 80 years old, contrast starkly against neighboring skyscrapers. From the end of World War II through the first Tokyo Olympics and up to the 1980s, when the country enjoyed its economic bubble, Tsukiji has been there.

It's its own city, its own culture, its own everything, said Chang. You might not see anything new there, but Tsukiji isn't about new, it's about craftsmanship and excellence and tradition."

Read also: Top concierges share the secrets of Asias busiest cities

Seeing the tuna auction

Customers gather around a seafood shop in Tsukiji fish market.(AFP/Kazuhiro Nogi)

If you're feeling ambitious and ready to take advantage of your jet lag, consider visiting in the wee hours of the morning to observe the famous tuna auction.

The market is typically closed on Sundays and Wednesdays, as well as on national holidays. Because tickets are restricted, you'll have to head before 5 a.m. to sign up at the Fish Information Center near the Kachidoki Bridge (PDF: Tsukiji market map) to win one of 120 available spots. If a lot of applicants turn up early, registration might open and reach capacity well before 5 a.m., so many recommend getting there as early as 3 a.m. or 4 a.m.

Visiting the main market

It might be early in the morning, but it's serious business time for experts seeking the best catch, so be careful not to interfere with any transactions. The official market website warns that flash photography is prohibited in the auction area as it's heavily trafficked by forklifts and trucks. In the main market, use your judgement.

Most of the shops close up by 3 p.m. No reservations are required to wander around the hundreds of fishmongers outside the auctions. But as much as a tourist attraction it may be, remember that this is an active commercial site. Parents are advised to leave babies, small children, and strollers behind.

Read also: Tsukiji still charms even after morning fish auction

Guided tours

A fishmonger arranges his stall.(AFP/File)

It's fun to wander around the market on your own, but if you're someone that wants a bit of guidance on the market's rich history and background (and all the food your eyes will be bombarded with), consider a guided tour group. Tsukiji Sushi Insider Workshop offers tours of the fish market and can clinch you a spot at the tuna auction, too.

Where to eat, what to eat

Whether youre a newly arrived tourist or a local with some sake running through your veins, a late-night, early-morning sushi session can be an experience that stays with you for life.

Park Hyatt Tokyo concierge Rena Kawakami said that sushi restaurants within and outside the fish market are all very good. But one that's widely discussed by travelers and locals is Sushi Dai. As with the tuna auction, visitors line up as early as 5 a.m. to have a bite of sushi; wait times have been known to stretch four hours. The menu has omakase setsthe chef gives you his selection of the sushiranging from 2,600 yen to 4,000 yen. Go ahead and treat yourself to some beer; after all, it is lunchtime for the workers in the market.

If you're not feeling up for sushi, walk over to Chosei-an for some hearty soba noodles with tempura.

And for those with a sweet tooth, there's Mosuke Dango, a locals favorite amongst our own Tokyo bureau. Its been serving sweet rice-flour dumplings on a stick smothered in red adzuki beans since it was founded 119 years ago.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, June 10, 2017 14:33 1979 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a4b4377 1 News Bali-Arts-Festival,live-streaming,Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,festival,#festival,bali,tourism,#tourism Free

Bali Arts Festival 2017 is collaborating with media company Bali Go Live to conduct live streaming throughout the festival slated for June 10 to July 8.

We are collaborating with Bali Go Live [] theyll make the event go viral through live streaming that will be available on their website, as well as social media engagements on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn, said Bali Tourism Agency head Anak Agung Yuniartha Putra.

Read also: Gili Ketapang: Many goats, ample fish  but leave your bikini at home

Bali Go Live director Paulus Herry Arianto says interesting content will be presented during the live streaming. Moreover, he says Bali Go Live doesnt just promote Bali but also encourages Balinese youths to be more proud of their own culture and philosophies.

Bali Go Live is a video channel that is connected to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media platforms. Our mission is to become the digital encyclopedia for everything about Bali and strengthening Balis position as one of the best tourism destinations in the world, said Paulus. (kes)
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Linkedin Ni Nyoman Wira (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, June 10, 2017 10:36 1979 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a4aba5a 1 Activities Jakpost-guide-to,Bendungan-Hilir,jakarta,iftar,travel,#JakpostGuideTo Free

As part of Tanah Abang district in Central Jakarta, Jl. Bendungan Hilir, or better known as Benhil, is located near Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Penjernihan II.

It is known for its plethora of eating spots, digital printing as well as photocopy shops and beauty salons. During Ramadhan, Benhil is also one of the most sought-after places to buy iftar (breaking-of-the-fast meal) items.

How to get there

For those who are interested in visiting this place, there is a Transjakarta bus stop on Jl. Sudirman that goes to Benhil. If you are coming from Menteng, you can hop on a Transjakarta bus via the Sarinah bus stop. You also can get on a Transjakarta bus at the Blok M bus stop with Blok M  Kota as the route.

Bemo (three-wheeled public transportation vans) are still plying routes on Jl. Bendungan Hilir, Central Jakarta.(Tribunnews.com/File)

Benhil also has public transportation that moves along the street, among them are APB JP03, which serves the Bendungan Hilir  Roxy route, and bemo (three-wheeled public transportation van) that serves the Bendungan Hilir  Pejompongan route.

What to wear

It is suggested to wear casual, comfortable clothes if you decide to walk along Benhil, especially if you want to explore various street food vendors that open hours before iftar. Also, wear shoes since there are not many sidewalks.

What to visit

One of the renowned landmarks of Jl. Benhil is the Mintohardjo Navy Hospital (RSAL). It used to be known for its hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber that is used to help athletes recover. The hospital also offers other medical services, such as gynecology and physiotherapy.

What to do

There are beauty salons on Jl. Benhil to pamper yourself, among them are Inan Salon and Laris Love Salon. Inan is situated not too far from the border between Jl. Benhil and Jl. Penjernihan II and focuses on womens treatment only. It is recommended to try their spa treatment with the price starting from Rp 125,000 (US$9). The salons operational hours start from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Inan Salon, a female-only establishment, on June 1.(JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

Meanwhile, Laris Love Salon is located not too far from Benhil Market. With services starting from Rp 30,000, it is recommended to try their blow dry treatment. The salon opens from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.

Where to shop

Jl. Benhil is haven for street food vendors, especially several hours before iftar. There are two main spots that should be visited. The first one is an area right beside Benhil Market that sells many traditional foods, snacks and beverages. You can find various types of gorengan (fried snacks), Padang dishes, lemang ( food made from glutinous rice, coconut milk and salt, then cooked in a hollowed bamboo stick), bubur sumsum (rice porridge with palm sugar sauce), kolak pisang (sweet banana dessert) and other sweet treats. Prices start at Rp 15,000.

If you drive your own vehicle, there is sufficient parking for both cars and motorcycles.

Read also: Jakpost guide to Rawa Belong

There are two main spots that should be visited on Jl. Bendungan Hilir. The first one is an area right beside Benhil Market that sells many traditional foods, snacks and beverages.(JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

The second spot is near the 7-11 minimarket and Community Space RW 01 Benhil that provides various snacks and main dishes for iftar, among them are gorengan, dim sum, tahu gejrot (fried tofu in sweet spicy sauce), nasi uduk (steamed rice cooked in coconut milk with side dishes) and tempe mendoan (batter-fried tempeh).

A plethora of Indonesian street foods can be found on Jl. Bendungan Hilir.(JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

In addition to the aforementioned spots, you can also find street food sellers throughout Jl. Benhil. Some of them offer es buah ( fruit cocktail), Padang dishes, gorengan and other types of foods to eat during iftar.

In addition to street foods, Jl. Benhil is also known as the center of digital printing and photocopy shops. One of the shops is Bintang Sempurna that is situated not too far from Balai Warga RW 01 Benhil. It specializes in digital copy up until size of A0++, binding service and printing.

Bintang Sempurna specializes in digital copy (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

What to eat

Located not too far from Mintohardjo Navy Hospital, Goedkoop offers Indonesian-Dutch delicacies. Aside from providing a homey ambiance inside the cafe, Goedkoop also offers interesting menus, such as Patate that consists of crispy, savory potato fries, and Pannekoek with Apple & Homemade Classic Caramel Sauce. As for beverages, you should try their Frappie and coffees. The average prices start from Rp 25,000.

Mie Aceh udang at Mie Aceh Seulawah restaurant.(JP/Wienda Parwitasari)

During and after iftar, you can visit Mie Aceh Seulawah that is located across the Mintohardjo Navy Hospital. The restaurants popular menu, mie aceh (thick yellow noodles with curry sauce), consists of some variants, namely mie kepiting (noodles with crab) and mie udang (noodles with shrimp). It is also advised to try their roti cane (canai flatbread) whether it is sweet or savory, ayam tangkap (Aceh-style fried chicken) and sambal ganja (weed chili). The average prices start from Rp 20,000.

Tips:

Be careful when crossing the street in Benhil, as it does not have a proper crosswalk.

If you want to hunt for iftar street foods, it is highly recommended to come around 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. when the street is still not really packed.

One of the popular restaurants in Benhil that sells Padang food, RM Surya, is closed this Ramadhan for renovation and will open three days after Lebaran.

During the holy month, Mie Aceh Seulawah will open at 6 p.m. Prior to iftar, its delivery service is still available before and after 6 p.m.

Bring some cash if you want to buy iftar street foods.

It is highly recommended to visit Inan Salon as early as possible because the beauty spot can be full with customers in the afternoon and you cannot book your spot in advance. (kes)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, June 10, 2017 11:37 1979 4065a5a8898c7cc661d4adf97a4aed19 1 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Jember,Airport,carnival,Carnival-City,Jember-Fashion-Carnival Free

Jember has one more thing to be excited about in August apart from the Jember Fashion Carnival (JFC) 2017 slated for Aug. 9 to 13 as the Tourism Ministry has announced that the East Java regency will be crowned as Carnival City prior to the annual event.

Jember Fashion Carnival has been inspiring other local carnivals for 16 years, said Tourism Minister Arief Yahyy, adding that the ministry would publish an official decree on the new title.

Read also: Bawah Island of Anambas Islands nominated for most popular diving spot

Arief says the carnival has indirectly improved MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) tourism in Jember. In terms of aviation, Jember Airport has become a successful go-between airport. It currently also hosts around 35 new hotels."

He added that Jember needed to improve its other destinations. "August is always a busy month, but then it returns to normal after the carnival. It needs to offer other tourism packages, Arief explained.

Read also: Jakarta Fair to offer plethora of culinary delights

JFC president Dynand Fariz expressed his appreciation of the ministers idea of making Jember the Carnival City, which will make it more creative and excited about competing in the international league.

Thats why [JFC 2017], which is entering its 16th year, will be themed Victory because the carnival has earned a lot of international awards throughout its operation, said Dynand.

Some of the awards received by JFC so far are Best National Costume at Miss Tourism International 2016 in Malaysia, Best National Costume at Miss Grand International 2016 in Las Vegas, in the United States, and Best National Costume at Miss Supranational 2015 in Warsaw, Poland. (kes)
For those of you who have been living under a rock, or in an exam-haze for the past few weeks, this is your wake-up call: watch Hasan Minhajs comedy special Homecoming King on Netflix ASAP!

You might know Minhaj from his work as a correspondent on The Daily Show alongside Trevor Noah, or perhaps from his now-infamous speech from this years Press Correspondents Dinner, where he effortlessly and hilariously dragged Donald Trump without breaking a sweat.

But to be honest, if you dont know much about him, thats okay. Homecoming King, as well as being a stand-up show, is an autobiography, telling the story of his life.

Comedy specials have become a staple of Netflix, but Minhajs show is like none youve ever seen before. Its rib-splittingly hilarious, but the humour is woven into a narrative stretching from his early youth to the present day. Minhaj lets us in to his childhood as a second generation Indian immigrant in America, struggling to connect with his emotionally closed father, throughout his experiences in high school, and as a struggling comedian, right up until his current success.

His relationships with his father, his mother, the sister he didnt know he had, his high-school sweetheart and his wife provide much in the way of the emotional rollercoaster he leads his audience through. So much of the show, alongside this, is about his experiences with racism; How 9/11 changed his life; How differently his generation and his parents generation dealt with that crisis; How he, born and raised in the US, has the audacity to demand equality.

I dont want to spoil any of the storyline, because each moment is so powerful in its own right, but suffice it to say, Minhajs showmanship brilliantly carries the audience through the ups and the downs. One moment hes leaping around the stage in the highest of spirits drawing laughs and whoops from his hometown crowd, the next hes standing stock still with tears in his eyes, and I for one was right there with him.

As a second generation Indian immigrant myself, so much of what he was saying hit so close to home. The funny moments and the serious ones  all of them felt so familiar to me. I connected to it in a very personal way, but that doesnt at all mean that its inaccessible to other audiences.

Anyone with immigrant heritage would be able to relate personally to some of the material, and for non-immigrant audiences the show carries a powerful message. Minhaj jokingly claims to be the cure for racism, and though hes just being flippant, theres a note of truth to that too. By speaking so openly about his experiences, in such an entertaining and raw way, theres a shred of hope that viewers can learn something about how to overcome prejudice.

My whole family wont stop talking about how this is the best thing theyve ever seen, and that ability to strike a chord with a whole range of generations is something that Ive never seen a comedian utilise with such effectiveness and charm.

Watching this was genuinely the most cathartic hour of television Ive ever experienced  you all deserve that too.

Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King is available to stream on Netflix now.
Thursday night was night of highs and lows for the main parties, whilst some smaller parties and independents definitely struggled.

In order to make the ballot paper, candidates have to have 10 nominations from constituents and pay 500, a deposit which is not returned if they fail to reach 5% of the vote.

Here are the ten candidates with the lowest amount of votes.

10. Mark Shuker (Compass Party) /Joe Westridge (Social Democratic Party)  38 votes each

Cheers. Half over last time. Maybe starting a Party wasn't the way forwards. But I love to be chilled :-) thanks again  Mark Shuker (@Shukezz) June 9, 2017

Mark Shuker, an engineer from Worcester, is a former Liberal Democrat who ran for newly formed party Compass on Thursday. He stood in the 2015 election gaining almost double what he managed this time with 69 votes.

He is tied with Joe Westridge, who stood for the Social Democratic Party in Sheffield Central.

9. Gavan Reynolds (Independent)  37 votes

Gavan Reynolds stood as an independent in Down North. The seat was swiped by another independent, ex-Ulster Unionist Sylvia Hermon.

8. Daniel Lambert (Socialist Party of Great Britain)  32 votes

(PA)

Daniel Lambert represented the Socialist Party of Great Britain in the constituency of Battersea on Thursday. He told the BBC in May that the party is the most democratic organisation you will find in the world and, as such, has no leader.

7. Rodney Maile (The New Society of Worth)  31 votes

The candidate for the New Society of Worth stood in Preseli Pembrokeshire. The partys policies included a system of email referendums, curbing mind control for political purposes and wages for women bringing up children.

6. DaleKalamazad (Independent)  29 votes

Independent parliamentary candidate for Hackney South & Shoreditch Dale Kalamazad failed to win back his deposit. Labours Meg Hillier ended up taking the seat with 43,974 votes  considerably more than 29.

5. Peter Clifford (Communist League)  27 votes

Communist League candidate Peter Clifford struggled in the Manchester Gorton constituency following an unsuccessful bid for mayor. The butcher campaigned on issues such as combating anti-Semitism and improving health care.

4. BillMartin (Socialist Party of Great Britain)  21 votes

The Socialist Party of Great Britain made the bottom 10 again with Bill Martin. Its not surprising  he stood against Jeremy Corbyn, who was returned with 40,086 votes. In fact, the four lowest vote totals were for people standing against the two main party leaders.

3. YemiHailemariam (Independent)  16 votes

Yemi Hailemariam stood in Maidenhead in the hopes of securing a meeting Theresa May to talk about the imprisonment of her husband, human rights activist Andy Tsege, in Ethiopia.

1054 days #FreeAndyTsege has been on death row in Ethiopia. This week @theresa_may ignored this & hosted Ethiopian PM without raising case. pic.twitter.com/TCAMLxA6uz  Andargachew Tsege (@FreeAndargachew) May 13, 2017

She wore a t-shirt bearing the slogan Free Andy Tsege for the count.

2. Andres Mendoza (Communist League)  7 votes

106 For Monster Raving Looney Party!

They beat the Communist League, which only got 7, which is half as many people that voted for 2+ pic.twitter.com/D9Xbq05j9d  jonathankoren (@jonathankoren) June 9, 2017

Another entry from the Communist League, as Andres Mendoza stood in Islington, bringing in fewer votes than the number of nominations required to stand.

1. Bobby Smith (Independent)  3

( Stefan Rousseau/PA)

stood against Prime Minister Theresa May Bobby Smith, dressed as Sesame Street character Elmo,. He brought in what is thought to be the second lowest amount of votes ever.

Its a significant slide from his last general election: in 2015 the fathers rights activist stood against David Cameron in Witney, pulling in 37 votes.

Catherine Taylor-Dawson from the Vote For Yourself Rainbow Dream Ticket still holds the title. She achieved two votes in the Cardiff North constituency in 2005.
You know that one piece of clothing that just gets you? Justin Taylor from Palos Verdes, California has that special relationship with a T-shirt hes been modelling for quite some time.

Taylor, 34, posted this image of a collection of school photos on Twitter, and if you look carefully, youll notice theres a running theme: the T-shirt.

So from 6th to 12th grade i wore the same shirt in every school photo. My parents weren't fans. I thought it was pretty hilarious. pic.twitter.com/2iL6Hc80ln  Justin Taylor (@TheSmarmyBum) June 5, 2017

As Taylor explains, from sixth grade to 12th grade (around year seven to year 13 here in the UK) he put on the same Billabong T-shirt for seven consecutive years of school photographs.

The second year was kind of accidental if I remember correctly, said Taylor. From there I thought it was hilarious so decided to keep going with it. Since this tweet has done so well I think Ill bring it back next time I need an official photo taken for something.

Asked if it was his favourite T-shirt, Taylor was in no doubt. For sure, he continued. I mean Im 34 and got it when I was, what, 12? So its for sure been with me the longest.

You were doing the selfie-a-day idea before the selfie.  Matt Halfhill (@MattHalfhill) June 5, 2017

Thats more than 20 years of commitment to a T-shirt, and while that fact alone is incredible, theres an even more dramatic tale behind the garment.

It disappeared for like 10 years, said Taylor. I was constantly telling my mom how upset I was that she probably threw it away, and then she found it, which Im so happy about.

But one question remains: does it still fit?

It does!
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[June 09, 2017] Ulmart Leads Discussion on Benefits and Risks of Internet of Things at SPIEF 2017

ST PETERSBURG, Russia, June 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer education is key to success Ulmart, Russia's leading online retailer, has brought together a number of top international and Russian experts at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) to discuss ways of how to make the Internet of Things (IoT), one of the hottest concepts of today's tech world, work effectively for the benefit of all market participants. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151015/277241LOGO ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/521807/SPIEF_17_IOT_Ulmart_1.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/521808/SPIEF_17_IOT_Ulmart_2.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/521809/SPIEF_Dmitry_Kostygin.jpg ) (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/521810/SPIEF_Mike_Butcher.jpg ) The panellists of 'Internet of Things: Overcoming Obstacles', a designated session organised by Ulmart and the Roscongress Foundation and moderated by Mike Butcher, Editor-at-Large of TechCrunch, agreed that the interconnection of products will soon become an integral part of our daily lives and the global economy. However, they admitted that there are a number of obstacles that may prevent the Internet of Things from flourishing and benefiting the consumer and businesses alike. Opportunities: Dmitry Kostygin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ulmart, commented: "It is no doubt that the Internet of Things is the future, with its own risks and benefits. We can call the concept the 'Things of Internet' as fewer and fewer items remain non-digitaized nowadays. Ulmart as one of the pioneers of the digital revolution in Russia and a market leader in the country's e-commerce sector understands that with vast opportunity comes strict responsibility. Technology is evolving faster than any legal and moral frameworks that would be required to manage it, and we need to be able to use Big Data and other tools effectively to protect the consumer while focusing on further growth potential."



"In ten years the Internet of Things may create a market that would be the size of China's economy, with the commercial segment accounting for two thirds of its value." said Vladimir Cernavskis, Partner, Head of Telecom, Media and Technology Practice in Russia, McKinsey & Company. "The Internet of Things is much more than just the communication of things. It combines technology and platforms that ensure the collection and storage of information. It is realistic to develop the Internet of Things without waiting for a specific standard to be developed, simply by adjusting technology to customer needs," said Andrey Kuzyaev, President and Chairman of the Management Board, Member of the Board of Directors, ER-Telecom Holding.

"Devices are fast and smart, and artificial intelligence is developing quickly, so it is possible that devices will create their own protocol and language," commented Mark Gazit, CEO of ThetaRay. Obstacles: Cybersecurity, regulation and lack of consumer education were named the key challenges for the successful growth of the IoT. A number of technological and operational barriers will also need to be eliminated to ensure smooth integration and interconnection of things, according to the panelists. "People use the Internet, social media and electronic payment systems without the fear of a hacker attack because the opportunities are often greater than the risks. It is important to start educating people about cybersecurity. When devices start talking to each other, the vulnerability is not in the devices, it's with the human beings that use them," noted Mike Butcher. "The moral and legal issues revolving around the IoT perhaps don't seem so obvious today, in 2017, but in the next five-seven years we will be so deep into the IoT that it will be too late to act. We must at least begin now by asking these questions," commented Brian Kean, Chief International Officer of Ulmart. "There are issues related to the security of data, cyberattacks and privacy of communication, while the consumer is not necessarily informed of potential risks," said Irmgard Glasmacher, Managing Director, Lead of Accenture Strategy in Middle East, Africa, Russia, Turkey. "It is important to be able to properly analyze and use Big Data, as well as ensuring the technical compatibility of devices to develop the full potential of the Internet of Things," commented Vladimir Cernavskis. "Devices need to be able to speak the same language with each other." "As a user of Internet systems, I provide my data to such systems and am no longer able to control it. People need to be educated about cybersecurity and new technology as early as at school," said Sven Wagenknecht, Editor-in-Chief, BTC-ECHO. "I believe that only evolution will help provide an adequate level of cybersecurity," said Andrey Kuzyaev. "Excessive regulation can stop the Internet of Things from developing, therefore ensuring proper balance between security and progress is key. Humans and computers need to be trained to communicate effectively with each other." About ULMART Ulmart is Russia's largest privately held Internet company specializing in e-commerce. The company was founded in 2008, and its headquarters are located in St. Petersburg. Ulmart has over 450 infrastructure facilities (fulfilment centres and pick-up points) in more than 240 cities and towns across Russia. http://www.ulmart.ru Contact: Brian Kean, Chief International Officer at Ulmart, +7-812-336-37-77 ext. 4575

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[June 09, 2017] AHF Promotes "One Community, One Love" at Capital Pride

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, is proud to once again join the LGBTQ community in celebrating the 2017 Gay Pride season through its planned participation in more than two dozen Pride events across the country. Founded in Los Angeles as AIDS Hospice Foundation in 1987 to provide a facility for terminally ill AIDS patients in California, AHF is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year and continues to support LGBTQ equality and the expansion of health care services to treat people living with HIV/AIDS. At festivals throughout the 2017 Pride season, AHF will give away free condoms, share information on STD prevention and treatment, and provide free HIV testing. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170609005599/en/ AHF's "One Community, One Love" custom-wrapped bus is scheduled to appear in Pride parades in U.S. cities including Brooklyn (6/10); Long Island (6/11); Washington, DC (6/10); Columbus, OH (6/16); Houston (6/24); New York City, NY (6/25); San Diego (7/15); Oakland, CA (News - Alert) (9/10); Dallas (9/16); Atlanta, GA (10/14); and Las Vegas (10/20). (Photo: Business Wire) At the Capital Pride parade on Saturday, June 10, AHF staff, patients and members of the Impulse Group will take part in the annual parade that steps off Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 4:30 pm from 22nd & P Streets, NW, Washington, DC. The Pride Parade travels 1.5 miles through Dupont Circle and 17th Street, passes by the Logan Circle neighborhood and ends along the revitalized 14th Street corridor at S Street. AHF is proud to support the LGBTQ community in the Washington, DC area through its AHF Healthcare Centers located at 2141 K S. NW, Suite 606 and 1647 Benning Road NE, Suite 303 in Southeast Washington, DC. AHF also operates a healthcare center in Temple Hills, MD located at 4302 Saint Barnabas Rd., Suite B.



"Our AHF staff and patients always look forward to joining with the LGBTQ community in celebrating life and being out and proud at gay pride celebrations across the country each year. Our presence at this year's Pride is particularly meaningful for us as we mark our 30th Anniversary of providing care to people living with HIV and AIDS," said AHF President Michael Weinstein. "After 30 years of being on the frontlines in the fight against AIDS, we remain grateful to be able to provide access to medical care and breakthrough treatments that have allowed people with HIV to live longer, healthier lives and to help prevent transmitting the virus to others. Today, we are currently providing care to over 740,000 patients around the globe and we're working to expand our operations internationally to be able to help even more people." In addition to providing free HIV testing and giveaways at Pride festivals nationwide, AHF patients, volunteers and staff will also march with its signature "One Community, One Love" Pride bus wrapped with smiling faces that represent the diversity of LGBTQ individuals and families. The bus is scheduled to appear in Pride parades in U.S. cities including Brooklyn (6/10); Long Island (6/11); Washington, DC (6/10); Columbus, OH (6/16); Houston (6/24); New York City, NY (6/25); San Diego (7/15); Oakland, CA (9/10); Dallas (9/16); Atlanta, GA (10/14); and Las Vegas (10/20).

For a complete list of Pride festivals in which AHF will participate in 2017, visit www.ahfparticipate.org. For more information on AHF Healthcare Center locations, AHF Pharmacy, and Out of the Closet Thrift Stores, visit www.hivcare.org, www.AHFpharmacy.org, and www.outofthecloset.org. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 720,000 individuals in 36 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook (News - Alert): www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter (News - Alert): @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170609005599/en/

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[June 09, 2017] AHF Mobilizes for LA Pride; Will Join #ResistMarch

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, is proud to once again join with the Los Angeles LGBTQ community in celebrating LA Pride, June 5-11. Founded in Los Angeles as AIDS Hospice Foundation in 1987 to provide a facility for terminally ill AIDS patients in California, AHF is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year and continues to support LGBTQ equality and the expansion of health care services to treat people living with HIV/AIDS. At festivals throughout the 2017 Pride season, AHF will give away free condoms, share information on STD prevention and treatment, and provide free HIV testing. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170609005601/en/ AHF's "One Community, One Love" custom-wrapped bus is scheduled to appear in Pride parades in U.S. cities including Brooklyn (6/10); Long Island (6/11); Washington, DC (6/10); Columbus, OH (6/16); Houston (6/24); New York City, NY (6/25); San Diego (7/15); Oakland, CA (News - Alert) (9/10); Dallas (9/16); Atlanta, GA (10/14); and Las Vegas (10/20). (Photo: Business Wire) On Sunday, June 11th AHF staff, patients and members of the Impulse Group will take part in the #ResistMarch, a march for human rights organized by LA Pride in solidarity with the National Equality March for Unity and Pride taking place in Washington, DC on the same day. AHF's marchers will gather at 8:00 a.m. at AHF's Public Health Division office, located at 1710 N. La Brea, and join in with the #RsistMarch participants on the march route that will end near West Hollywood Park.



AHF is proud to support the LGBTQ community in the Los Angeles area through its multiple AHF Healthcare Centers, AHF Pharmacy sites, and Out of The Closet Thrift Store locations in Los Angeles County and the San Fernando Valley. "As the home of our global headquarters, AHF always looks forward to joining with the local LGBTQ community to celebrate Pride in Los Angeles. Our participation in this year's march is particularly meaningful for us as we mark our 30th Anniversary of providing care to and advocating for the rights of people living with HIV and AIDS," said AHF President Michael Weinstein. "After 30 years of being on the frontlines in the fight against AIDS, we remain grateful to be able to provide access to medical care and breakthrough treatments that have allowed people with HIV to live longer, healthier lives and to help prevent transmitting the virus to others. Today, we are currently providing care to over 740,000 patients around the globe and we're working to expand our operations internationally to be able to help even more people."

In addition to providing free HIV testing and giveaways at Pride festivals nationwide, AHF patients, volunteers and staff will also march with its signature "One Community, One Love" Pride bus wrapped with smiling faces that represent the diversity of LGBTQ individuals and families. The bus is scheduled to appear in Pride parades in U.S. cities including Brooklyn (6/10); Long Island (6/11); Washington, DC (6/10); Columbus, OH (6/16); Houston (6/24); New York City, NY (6/25); San Diego (7/15); Oakland, CA (9/10); Dallas (9/16); Atlanta, GA (10/14); and Las Vegas (10/20). For a complete list of Pride festivals in which AHF will participate in 2017, visit www.ahfparticipate.org. For more information on AHF Healthcare Center locations, AHF Pharmacy, and Out of the Closet Thrift Stores, visit www.hivcare.org, www.AHFpharmacy.org, and www.outofthecloset.org. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 720,000 individuals in 36 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook (News - Alert): www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter (News - Alert): @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170609005601/en/

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RSV infections spreading quickly, causing severe illness among kids

An earlier-than-normal and more virulent strain of RSV infections in South Dakota is causing severe illness in young children.
[June 09, 2017] Veterinary Vaccines Market - Global Forecast and Opportunity Assessment by Technavio

According to the latest market study released by Technavio, the global veterinary vaccines market is expected to reach USD 6,893.72 million by 2021, growing at a CAGR of almost 5%. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170609005620/en/ Technavio has published a new report on the global veterinary vaccines market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire) This research report titled 'Global Veterinary Vaccines Market 2017-2021' provides an in-depth analysis of the market in terms of revenue and emerging market trends. This market research report also includes up to date analysis and forecasts for various market segments and all geographical regions. The global veterinary vaccines market is expected to benefit from the growing concern over food safety. The dependency on livestock products like meat, milk, and other products is increasing, and the mortality rate associated with infection transmission from animals to humans through these products is increasing. These factors are pushing the vendors to invest in R&D to improve and expand their product portfolios, thereby driving the market growth. An increase in the number of pets worldwide and improved treatment options will fuel the market to grow during the forecast period. Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Technavio's healthcare and life science research analysts categorize the global veterinary vaccines market into the following segments by technology. They are: Live attenuated vaccines

Inactivated/Killed vaccines

Recombinant vector vaccines

Toxoid vaccines

DNA vaccines



Live attenuated vaccines

The live attenuated vaccines segment accounted for a market share of almost 40% in the global veterinary market in 2016. Live virus vaccines are prepared from attenuated microbial strains that are almost free from virulence and can produce a protective immune response. They exhibit long-lasting immunity within one or two doses, as they produce strong cellular and antibody responses and can multiply in the host cells to continue antigenic stimulation. The major diseases in animals such as rabies, anaemia, anthrax, Newcastle disease, and WNV are controlled using attenuated vaccines. According to Amit Sharma, a lead infectious and rare disease research analyst from Technavio, "The demand for live attenuated vaccines is higher in developed economies such as the US and the UK due to their enhanced infrastructure, which allows them to follow the strict storage conditions successfully. As per the United States Department of Agriculture, 310 live attenuated vaccines were approved for animals, which contributes to almost 40% of the total vaccines approved." Inactivated/Killed vaccines The inactivated vaccines segment accounted for a market share of almost 40% in the global veterinary market in 2016. It is produced by killing disease-causing microorganisms by thermal, chemical, or radiation methods. Compared to live vaccines, inactivated vaccines are more stable and safer. This stability makes them more accessible for people in developing countries. "The market penetration for inactive vaccines will be smooth as there are no stringent requirements of storage conditions. Inactive vaccines cover a wide spectrum of diseases. The market is expected to grow in a stable manner in developed countries. However, in developing economies, inactivated vaccines are expected to boost the overall share," says Sapna. Recombinant vector vaccines The recombinant vector vaccines segment accounted for a market share of more than 11% in the global veterinary market in 2016. Recombinant vector vaccines mimic a natural process of infection, but they contain the harmless or attenuated virus and a specific portion of the genetic code, which produces antigens within the cell. The recombinant vector vaccines have added a new dimension to the current veterinary vaccines market with their multiple advantages. Merial is one of the leaders in recombinant vector vaccines. They have the maximum USDA approvals for various indications like Bursal disease, canine distemper, encephalomyelitis, and equine influenza. Biomune is also a growing company in the market, with USDA approval against diseases like avian encephalomyelitis, Marek's disease, and New Castle disease. The top vendors highlighted by Technavio's research analysts in this report are: Elanco

Merck

Merial

Zoetis Browse Related Reports: Global Rabies Treatment Market 2017-2021

Global Orphan Drug Market 2017-2021

Global Animal Parasiticides 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 in-vitro diagnostics, cardiovascular devices, and life science research tool. 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/20170609005620/en/

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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.
[June 09, 2017] Washington State University Identifies and Addresses Security Incident Involving Stolen Hard Drive

PULLMAN, Wash., June 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Washington State University (WSU) announced that it is addressing a security incident involving certain community members' personal information. Though there is no evidence the personal information has been accessed or misused, WSU is notifying impacted individuals and offering free identity protection services to those individuals whose personal information may have been accessed. On April 21, 2017, WSU learned that a locked safe containing a hard drive had been stolen. The hard drive was used to store backed-up files from a server used by the university's Social & Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC). Immediately upon learning of the theft, WSU initiated an internal review and notified local law enforcement. On April 26, WSU confirmed that the stolen hard drive contained personal information from some survey participants and, as a result, the university retained a leading computer forensics firm to assist in the investigation. The drive contained documents that included personal information from survey participants, such as names, Social Security numbers an, in some cases, personal health information. Entities that provided data to the SESRC include school districts, community colleges and other customers. WSU is also notifying the entities that provided SESRC with data that included personal information.



Immediately upon learning of the theft, WSU initiated an internal review, notified local law enforcement, and retained a computer forensics firm to assist in the university's investigation. As soon as it was determined which individuals might be impacted, the university sent them notification letters and information about how they can enroll in one free year of credit monitoring and identity theft protection services through Experian. More information is available on WSU's website: www.wsu.edu/security-incident. Individuals with questions should call 866-523-9195 between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Pacific time, Monday-Friday. WSU remains committed to protecting the security and confidentiality of all personal information, and deeply regrets any concern this may cause. The university is taking steps to help prevent this type of incident from happening again. These steps include strengthening WSU's information technology operations by completing a comprehensive assessment of IT practices and policies, improving training and awareness for university employees regarding best practices for handling data, and employing best practices for the delivery of IT services.

Contact:

Phil Weiler

509-335-1221

[email protected]

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/washington-state-university-identifies-and-addresses-security-incident-involving-stolen-hard-drive-300471703.html SOURCE Washington State University

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[June 09, 2017] ezDI Launches ezCDI Essential and Announces Partnership With HCPro at ACDIS 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ezDI proudly introduces the most powerful workflow management and optimization software in the CDI application market, ezCDI Essential. Additionally, ezDI is announcing that they have joined forces with HCPro, a leading provider of integrated information, education, training, and consulting products and services in areas of healthcare regulation and compliance. With the ezDI/HCPro partnership, the ezCDI Essential application will deliver HCPro's industry acclaimed training modules for CDI staff and coders within ezCDI Essential. ezCDI Essential is a no-nonsense CDI software designed by CDI professionals for CDI departments. ezDI can deliver best-in-class CDI software to hospital CDI teams in a matter of hours at an economical price. ezCDI Essential brings the CDI team, an Encoder, Physician Queries and CDI metrics together in single easy-to-use application. It empowers the CDI team to maximize chart reviews and send pertinent physicians queries with 2-3 mouse clicks within a convenient user interface. ezCDI Essential incorporates electronic code books and encoder components that are fundamental for a CDI specialist to function at peak performance. MS-DRG and all specialty groupers are available as add-ons, based on hospital requirements. ezCDI Essential provides CDI leadership with pivotal capabilities like configurable worklists, work assignment and prioritization capability. There are over 90 distinctive query templates delivered out-of-the-box with a query design tool that allows CDI staff to add new templates. ezCDI Essential automatically tracks queries and creates reports and dashboards on CDI query metrics. Collaboration with coders and automated reconciliation of DRGs between CDI and coders is available, but does require additional interfacing. ezCDI Essential elegantly tackles two of the biggest hurdles that hospitals face with implementing a full-blown NLP-based, computer-assisted CDI software: 1) No lengthy commitment of already stretched IT resources for interface development. With ezCDI Essenial, hospitals needn't worry about complex interface projects and long implementation cycles. There are no server-grade hardware requirements and zero IT footprint. Packaged beautifully and delivered via a HIPAA-compliant cloud, ezCDI Essential simply requires an ADT interface to get the CDI team up and running.



2) Capital budget approval and lengthy software licensing agreements. ezCDI Essential, is furnished as month-to-month, pay-as-you-go software-as-a-service (SaaS) at a reasonable cost; $499 - $999 per month/user. This allows finance to allocate software expenditure as an operating expense line item, eliminating the need for capital request approval. For organizations that are implementing a new CDI program, or have a mature CDI program in place, ezCDI Essential delivers all of the tools necessary to streamline the workflow within the department. In this era of limited travel budgets and increasing workload, providing HCPro's e-learning modules within ezCDI Essential ensures that CDI staff are afforded vital initial and follow-on training and the ability to take full advantage of this unique learning opportunity to enhance their professional skills.

About ezDI

Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, ezDI, Inc. focuses on developing healthcare IT solutions that leverage cutting-edge technologies including Natural Language Processing (NLP), Machine Learning, Semantic Web, and High Performance Computing. The goal is to put operational data in the hands of healthcare professionals to help them proactively identify patients at risk, patterns in disease and treatment outcomes. ezDI builds intuitive healthcare IT solutions spanning Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI), Computer-assisted Coding (CAC), Medical Transcription, Analytics, and more. ezDI has been named as one of the top 100 highly innovative companies at TiECon 2014 and ranked #1 in the Semantic Evaluation of Clinical Data (SemEval) competition for the year 2015. About HCPro

HCPro, an H3.Group brand, is a leading provider of integrated information, education, training, and consulting products and services in the vital areas of healthcare regulation and compliance. HCPro is a pioneer in the delivery of Web-based information, resources and content on "The Business of Healthcare" to managers in the healthcare industry. HCPro developed a series of unique Internet-based solutions, including Web sites, online information centers, electronic product distribution, electronic site licenses, and strategic distribution alliances. For more information, please visit http://www.ezdi.com/ Media Contacts:

ezDI, Inc.

Terry Ciesla, EVP

813.787.5629

[email protected]

www.ezdi.com Related Files ezCDI Essential vs Professional.pdf Related Links ezCDI Fact Sheet ezDI Fact Sheet To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ezdi-launches-ezcdi-essential-and-announces-partnership-with-hcpro-at-acdis-2017-300471800.html SOURCE ezDI, Inc. and HCPro, an H3.Group brand

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Gandhi laughed at cartoons of himself. He would have chuckled at the "chatur baniya" description also, but for its "utter tastelessness" and the hidden mischief in it, the Mahatma's grandson Gopalkrishna Gandhi said on Saturday.

Historian Ramachandra Guha said the remark made by Amit Shah was "crude" and "unworthy" of the president of BJP, the country's ruling party.

"Gandhi laughed at cartoons of himself. He would have laughed at this one also but for its utter tastelessness and the hidden mischief in it," Gopalkrishna Gandhi, former West Bengal Governor said.

When contacted, Guha, the author of 'India After Gandhi', strongly reacted to the comment made by Shah at an event in Raipur yesterday.

"The comment was crude and ill-informed, unworthy of the president of India's ruling party," Guha said.

The BJP chief had yesterday referred to Mahatma Gandhi as a "chatur baniya" (a clever Baniya  the trading caste) while addressing a gathering in Raipur.

Shah's also said the Congress had never been a party based on principles and it was merely a "special purpose vehicle" to secure freedom.


A day after the death NSCN(K) chairman SS Khaplang, the Centre on Saturday said all Indian citizens in the Naga rebel group will be rehabilitated if they abjure violence.

"We appeal that all the Indian Nagas in NSCN(K) should surrender and return to the mainstream. We will rehabilitate them. Anybody who gives up violence, we will rehabilitate them. We are giving rehabilitation package from the Indian Government.

"Anybody who abjures violence and respects Indian Constitution is welcome," Union Minister Kiren Rijiju told reporters.

The rebels should take advantage of the rehabilitation package and return, he added.

Rijiju, however, said India cannot talk about Myanmarese citizens, who are part of NSCN(K).

The minister said Khaplang was the "the heart and soul" of NSCN(K) and without him, the organisation will be in a disarray.

Without any leadership, the organisation will face difficulties. "The objective of the organisation will never be fulfilled now. So they (rebels) should come back for the sake of the society," the minister of state for home affairs added.

Khaplang died last night following a cardiac arrest at Takka in Kachin state of Myanmar at the age of 77.

The minister said that Khaplang was a Myanmar citizen and he had strong influence in Myanmar.

"So some of the Indian insurgent groups were taking shelter under the influence of S S Khaplang. So his death is a setback for all dependent organisations," he added.

Rijiju said the Indian government had withdrawn ceasefire with NSCN(K) after banning it in 2015 through a special notification.

"We are facing lots of difficulties due to NSCN(K) in areas like Nagaland, east of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and some impact in Assam as well. It's an illegal organisation," he said.
Four hundred and twenty-three new officers joined the army after graduating from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun on Saturday. Marching to tunes of `Col Bogey and `Sare Jahan Se Achha with pride and elan, the parade of the young officers left the audience spellbound.

Besides this, 67 foreign cadets from ten friendly countries also passed out of the academy to bid adieu to India and proceed to their home land. The Gentlemen Cadets showed tremendous enthusiasm, vigor and zeal to put up an excellent parade before the reviewing officer and Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat.

A total of 490 gentlemen cadets of 140 regular course, 123 technical graduate course and 25 university entry scheme course graduated from the academy on Saturday.

Addressing the young officers, Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat said, I compliment all cadets for the excellent parade, immaculate turnout as well as the crisp and energetic drill movements indicating the high standards of training and discipline imbibed by the young officer cadets. He further went on to say that the IMA is a world class institution with a great reputation.

Gentlemen Cadets were presented individual awards for their performance. sword of honour and gold medal-for the gentleman cadet for standing first in the overall order of merit-was presented to Avinash Chhetry. Vikas Sangwan received silver medal for standing second and Rohit Joshi bagged the bronze medal in overall merit list. While the Chief of Army Staff Banner was awarded to Singarh Company.

The passing-out-parade was witnessed by military and civil dignitaries and the family members, relatives and friends of the newly commissioned officers. Uttar Pradesh with 74 officers topped the list of producing maximum number of officers among all other states in this batch. Haryana with 49, Uttarakhand with 40 and Rajasthan with 30- finished second, third and fourth respectively in the all India tally of states.

Photo: Chief of the Army Staff General Bipin Rawat felicitating gentlemen cadets with individual awards at Indian Military Academy in Dehradun on Saturday.
Sri Lanka has denied the growing impression in New Delhi that China's influence in the island nation has been increasing at the cost of India, saying Colombo was desirous of enhancing ties with all friendly nations in the larger interest of its own economic development.

In an interview to The Statesman, Lankan High Commissioner to India Chitranganee Wagiswara also ruled out the possibility of the LTTE raising its ugly head again in her country. ''Some people outside the country are trying to indulge in propaganda and whip up emotions but they are marginal in numbers'' and will not succeed, he said.

''We went through a very difficult phase of three decades of conflict. Now as the conflict is behind us, we have to look at developing the country for the people. But one cannot say our ties are improving with one nation at the cost of another,'' she said.

The Lankan envoy said Colombo would like to work with India, China, Japan, the US and ASEAN and EU nations to attract investments in the island nation. The country has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India and is negotiating one with China.

While she would not comment on India's decision to boycott the recent One Belt One Road (OBOR) Forum hosted by China, Wagiswara said her country favoured connectivity links. ''Lanka wants to project itself as a hub in the Indian Ocean and work closely with India as well.''

Acknowledging that India was keen on signing an agreement for participating in the economic development of the Trincomalee region in Lanka, she said she was not in a position to say by when the two sides would arrive at an accord.

She did not agree with a suggestion that there were still complaints of violation of human rights of Tamils in Lanka, saying the government was doing its best for the community. ''The main thing is that there is no war, no killing, no child is anymore taken to fight as a soldier. Human rights issues like these were there in the North and stretched to the East but now people can move about freely and get access to educational and employment opportunities.''

Wagiswara said India and Lanka were hopeful that they would find a permanent settlement of the fishermen issue with the mechanisms they had put in place now.

Asked how Lanka looked at the South Asian Satellite launched by India and Pakistan's refusal to join the project, she said it was entirely for Islamabad to take its own decision but Colombo had welcomed the project since it would help the entire region in communication and in projects like weather forecasting, disaster management, information systems and health.

She admitted that the progress of SAARC had been slow at the political level but pointed out that the regional grouping had succeeded in establishing linkages in nearly 100 areas, including trade, culture, student welfare, judges, legislators and journalists. ''We need to look at soft areas where there is an understanding before moving on to political issues,'' she said.
Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday said women will be inducted into the military police before taking the discourse further on their combat positions in the force.

First, we will start with women as military police jawans, will take next step after success, General Rawat said while attending a Passing out Parade (PoP) ceremony in Dehradun.

Because many times, when people go to the operation, we have to face the people and many a times ladies come in front of us, he said.

At present, women are allowed only in a few selected areas such as medical, legal, educational and engineering wings of the Indian Army but combat roles are kept off limit for them due to operational concerns and logistical issues.

According to reports, India will be joining countries like Germany, Australia, Canada, the United States, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden and Israel that have already allowed women in combat roles in their army.

Last year, in a major step forward, Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh became the first women fighter pilots to be formally commissioned by the Indian Air Force.

According to reports, General Rawat had on 8 June said that the situation in Kashmir would be normal soon.
Javier Bardem was visiting his pregnant wife Penelope Cruz on the Hawaiian set of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides in 2010 when he got his first taste of life onboard Disneys blockbuster franchise.

I saw how well everything worked and how much they respected the fact she was pregnant while she was shooting. And I remember talking to (producer) Jerry Bruckheimer saying how I would love to be a part of it. I wasnt asking for a job, but more saying how fun it looked, recalls Bardem, who had wed Cruz in a small, private ceremony in the Bahamas prior to her filming the fourth Pirates movie.

Five years later he would receive a call from Bruckheimer inviting him to follow in his wifes footsteps, starring as the ghostly Captain Salazar in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.

Not quite a ghost, Salazar has been under the sea for 25 years trapped with his crew in a maritime limbo where theyve become underwater creatures, preying on other pirate ships. Blaming Johnny Depps Captain Jack Sparrow for his plight, his thirst for revenge runs deeper than any of Sparrows previous adversaries. Best known for his complex portrayals of villainy  as James Bonds nemesis Silva in Skyfall and as a psychopathic assassin called Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men, for which he won an Oscar  the Spanish leading man is barely recognisable beneath a chalk white face and hollow sunken eyes, black squid ink spitting from his mouth every time he speaks. Not to mention the special effects, which render him with his brain rotting away beneath long-flowing black hair that seems to have a life of its own.

I see Salazar as a wounded bull, full of rage and revenge. One of the things that attracted me as an actor to play it is because Salazar has a point. I can understand his mentality. Of course, hes a villain, but we can also find empathy for him, recalls the actor when we meet at a Beverly Hills hotel. Sporting a few weeks facial stubble, hes dressed in jeans and a pale blue shirt, the top buttons opened to reveal a muscular hairy chest.

The idea I wanted to bring is that if somebody is so taken by the rage that, even if he succeeds in his goal, he would never be liberated of that pain, no matter what they do. And we see that with the death penalty, people dont get freedom with that either. Born in the Canary Islands to a family of actors, Bardem originally shunned the family business. Playing rugby for the junior Spanish national team, he went on to enrol at art school in Madrid, only taking acting jobs to support his art.

Ultimately concluding he would never be a great painter, he was 20 years old when his mother, Pilar Bardem, helped swing a small role for him in her 1990 drama The Ages of Lulu. Immediately hitting his stride, two years later he received broader recognition in romantic comedy Jamon,Jamon, costarring with his future wife Cruz, although they didnt become a couple until 2007 when they worked together again on Woody AllensVicky Cristina Barcelona. Jamon, Jamon proved to be his calling card to Hollywood, Al Pacino and John Malkovich both recognising his talent and expressing a desire to work with him.

As an actor, Bardem always seems to choose characters that force him spend long sessions in the make-up chair. Ive been taught how to be patient after making The Sea Inside, he says referring to the 2004 drama based on the true story of quadriplegic Ramon Sampedro and his 30-year campaign for his own right to die. Delivering a moving portrayal as Sampedro, the film would win an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

In that movie I had to stay still for six hours every day so that was a very good baptism, compared to that, nothing is that long. When I know that Im going to go through make-up, I record all my notes so I can listen to them, but still you go through different states and you curse and you stand up and you go, I dont want this anymore! And then they say, One more hour to go  so its many things, he says, his command of the English language only allowing for brutal honesty, delivered with a wily humour.Filmed on locations around Australia, on this fifth Pirates movie it was Cruzs turn to visit her spouse on set, now with their two children Leo, six and Luna, four, in tow.

However, he was careful not to let his children see him in his scary make-up. Theyre too young. They were on set but I only brought them to set when I was alive and proud, he says, referring to the two different states of his Captain Salazar. I didnt want them to miss the chance to be on a pirate boat full of cannons and extras dressed like pirates, which was something extraordinary, like a Disney ride.

Considered one of the finest actors of his generation, 48-year-old Bardem, allows a chuckle when he reflects on his early ambitions as a younger man. I think when you are younger, its important that you have ambition and you make some plans and you realise, as they say, If you want God to laugh, tell him your plans, says the lapsed Catholic who now considers himself an atheist. But I am a very lucky, blessed person who has had the gift of working with great people; sometimes the movies were better than others, but I have been very blessed to have the chance to make a living out of my job. Asked if he feels a sense of pride representing his Spanish countrymen for an audience of millions, he says, I dont know. I do my job. I dont represent anybody otherwise it would be too much weight on me I have enough representing myself.

Taking mock offence at the notion he has become typecast as a villain, he argues that Captain Salazar is only his third true villain, coming behind his roles in Skyfall and No Country for Old Men. I think Ive only played three, he grins.But then I also play people that are in the line of evil but thats life, we are always playing with good and bad. But I see them all as people, I try not to make them as caricatures, maybe I fail I try to see whats behind them.

The independent
The predicament of Qatar, the worlds richest country in terms of per capita income, goes beyond its borders. In point of fact the Gulf contends with the biggest diplomatic crisis, of a kind that is rather unusual in the contemporary context of international cooperation. It is not often that a nation is reduced to a state of unsplendid isolation by no fewer than six others in the region. It is hard to escape the conclusion that the strife within Islam has intensified in the holy month of Ramzan. The Concert of Arab Nations and presumably led by Saudi Arabia and Egypt has severed ties with Qatar, accusing the country of destabilising the region with its support for Islamist groups. The geopolitical crisis deepens with the expulsion of diplomats and the dislocation of land, air, and sea traffic routes.

The timing of Mondays diplomatic blitz is unmistakable ~ 48 hours after London suffered yet another terrorist outrage and in the immediate aftermath of Donald Trumps visit to Saudi Arabia. Given its rich reserves of oil and gas, the decision is bound to affect the people of Qatar no less severely, as well as the Middle East and the Western bloc in the wider canvas. Almost immediate will be the impact on food supplies in a country largely dependent on imports from its neighbours. Fears of a food shortage are dangerously real as Saudi Arabia has sealed its land border in parallel with the reprisal. It would be presumptuous to imagine that the severance of ties will minimise the fundamentalist zeal to kill and kill with abandon. The dispute with Qatar is believed to have led to the worst crisis in the Gulf since the formation of the Gulf Cooperation Council in 1981. The concerted reprisal is an anathema to cooperation. Both in terms of domestic turmoil and foreign policy, the Gulf is today as fractious as it is strategic. Matters would appear to have come to a head over Qatars support of Islamist movements, including Egypts Muslim Brotherhood, and Dohas fairly cordial equation with Iran, Saudi Arabias arch-rival.

Markedly, Qatar has not rebutted the charges. But the Emirates claim does call for reflection by the Arab region and the comity of nations in the wider perspective ~ The state of Qatar has been subjected to a campaign of lies that have reached the point of complete fabrication. It reveals a hidden plan to undermine the country and its sovereignty, has been the official reaction. Though the UAE, Yemen, the Maldives, and the government in eastern Libya have joined Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the essay towards a remedy must lie through negotiations, and not severance of ties and connectivity. Qatar is much too resourceful to wilt in the wilderness.
Virjesh Upadhyay, 55, was reelected as general secretary of Indias largest national trade union, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), for a second three-year term at its triennial session in May. BMS has been Indias No 1 union for over 18 years now, and has a membership of 1.75 crore workers. The Kanpur triennial of the union was noted for its unusually strong resolutions on the Modi governments policies and functioning, coming as they did from the BMS, perceived to be a part of the ruling Sangh parivar. In an interview with DEEPAK RAZDAN, the BMS leader answered questions on what he thought of the NDA governments three years, its economic policy and the jobs situation. Excerpts:

Q: How do you rate the three years of the Modi government?

A: This governments initial initiatives, thought process, policy-making, transparency, corruption-free record have made it distinctive from other governments. It has been far better than any previous government in all these aspects.

Q: What are the achievements of the government, in your view?

A: Achievements, especially in the economic fields, employment sector it is too early to make any conclusions, or to say whether things are right or wrong. We have to wait for some time to judge the results. The policy-initiatives will take some time to deliver results.

Q: In what ways has the Modi government been different from the UPA government?

A: The difference is clear to see. There has been no scam since the government came into office. The UPA government was full of scams.

There have been many pro-poor initiatives, though their results are not visible. Compared to the earlier government, the number of initiatives has been many, though their results are yet to be computed. Looking at their policies, thought process, decisionmaking, we can say they are doing better,

Q: Which economic policies will you want this government to modify or change?

A: The entire economic policy needs a paradigm shift. The global economy is in a crisis. There is recession. Unemployment, poverty, inequalities are rising. The whole world, IMF, World Bank, are looking for solutions. The World Bank has said both capitalist and socialist systems have failed to give answers. We need a third way out. So, we are asking for a paradigm shift in the economy. There has been no change in the economic policy or roadmap since Independence and no positive results are showing.

Q: In what ways should this paradigm shift in policies become evident?

A: We agree all initiatives cannot belong to the government; both public and private participation is required. What is happening in our economy is that wealth generated is getting centralised. Thats why we see unemployment and poverty rising. Even 70 years after Independence, we are unable to ensure payment of minimum wages.

Market economy is buyer-purchaser economy, and purchasing power comes from wages, which we are not able to ensure. There are inequalities in income; there should be some ethical cap on the higher wages. Even the Pope advocated observance of ethics in business. This was Hindu philosophy too. The world is now accepting the Indian concept of trusteeship. We need an ethical economic framework. This is what we are seeking.

Q: How is the job situation today?

A: Jobs are declining world-wide. We are all part of a global economy, India is not out of this. We are very much in a crisis of unemployment and under-employment. We are unable to create jobs. The government never provided jobs to all; the maximum employment was in the selfemployed sector. If the government wants jobs for all, it should concentrate on self-employment and traditional vocations followed by people. The government should promote, subsidise and compensate the selfemployment sector.

We are an agro-based economy. They want to convert agriculture into industry; that is just the reverse of what should happen. If we could promote agriculture and the self-employment sector, we could bring ease in the employment situation.

Q: At the Kanpur conference, you complained you are not consulted on economic issues?

A: We want all stakeholders to have their say in the policies issued by NITI Aayog. There are no representatives of farmers, workers or micro and small industry in NITI Aayog. All big shots, Harvard students are making policies. They dont have a real connect with Indian concerns or concepts. That is why we are saying it should be reconstituted and stakeholders should be made part of this policy-making body.

Q: Your conference opposed disinvestment in public sector units, called them temples of modern India, but the disinvestment proposals come every day.

A: The government is wrong. Disinvestment in PSUs is totally against the interest of the Indian economy. Public sector in India is not doing business only. We are wrong in comparing or equating them with private players, forgetting they fulfill many social obligations. Public sector is not outside the market economy, which runs on purchasing power of the people, for which a decent wage is required. Public sector is a model of decent wages. The Indian market is surviving because of the public sector employees purchasing power. This was proved when the market waited every day for the Seventh Pay Commission report because that meant better wages for government and PSU employees, and their expenditure could push the economy.

We have the best doctors in the country, engineers, professionals ~ 90 per cent of them are wards of gover nment and public sector employees.

Only 10 per cent come from the business community and others. Suppose this public sector with permanent employees was not there. Contract workers with Rs 10,000 monthly wage would not have produced such highly educated children. Disinvestment of Indian public sector is therefore not desirable.

Q: Do you think MGNREGA wages should have parity with minimum wages?

A: Better living cannot be ensured without better wages. MGNREGA workers should be treated as workers and given minimum wages. Whosoever is called a worker, the concept of worker should be applied to him and minimum wage should be paid to him.

Q; Do you think Indian labour is more secure today?

A: There is no security at all. No labour laws are being observed.

Enforcement mechanism is poor. After 70 years of Independence, we have not been able to ensure payment of even minimum wages. There is no safety or security at all. We have a large number of laws.

The government enacts legislation and is responsible for implementing them.

The Contract Workers Act prohibits employment of workers on contract for jobs of perennial nature, but all government departments and PSUs are appointing workers on contract. This is violative of law.

Even the Supreme Court directive for equal pay for equal work is not being implemented.

In the case of violation of law by private firms, there is provision for prosecution. But here the government itself is the rule-maker and the government itself is violating the rules.
Neither kisans nor Dalits have reason to hail Rahul Gandhi as their champion: indeed outside Congress circles many would wonder who the partys vice-president actually leads. Yet because of pathetic performances by BJP governments in Madhya Pradesh and UP, he has been able to project himself as a hero to both those distressed sections. The administrations headed by Yogi Adityanath and Shivraj Singh Chouhan were so shaken by their bungling in Saharanpur and Mandsaur respectively that they allowed panicstricken local officials to ban Rahuls entry to the two trouble spots. And that played right into Rahuls hands.

Ever one to favour the melodramatic over the politically-substantial, Rahul went to town, riding pillion on a motor-cycle towards Mandsaur (again sans a safety helmet as he had done in Noida), running across a railway track, seeking cover in fields while bumbling cops gave chase, he provided the TV cameras the footage on which they survive. And when he did eventually meet family members of those killed by a trigger-happy Madhya Pradesh police he provided the microphones sound bytes aplenty to flesh out the story. Would heavens have fallen, it may be asked, if Rahul (and other Opposition leaders) been allowed to visit both places with a minimum of police arrangement? Their popularity would have been subjected to severe test, in the legislatures of neither state does the Congress have the numbers to pose a genuine threat: a damp squib was allowed to become a flashbang. It is an open question if Rahul has the political skills to gain from his stunts ~ the track-record does not convince.

What does become apparent is that the BJP leaders lack the resilience to tackle adverse situations. The problems of both Dalits and farmers have a multi-state dimension, and the Central government has displayed adequate indifference to fuel dissent, agitations etc. Keeping Opposition leaders away only complicates problems. The unleashing of upper-caste forces, packing administrations with officials of specific communities, cattle bans and cow vigilantes running amuck expose the divisive nature of the BJPs thinking.

There may be no such motivation when allowing agrarian distress to snowball out of control, yet the negative image of a trader-favouring government does stick. Never mind if Rahuls questions about the right to protest would have been asked during an equally hot June 1975, they did resonate a little. The BJPs central leadership is not entirely off-target when accusing Rahul of seeking photo-ops ~ those opportunities were created by ineptitude in Lucknow and Bhopal. BJP governments, an in-house critic observed, are focused on managing headlines, hence their taking umbrage at somebody else playing the same dubious game. The bold print Yogi Adityanath attracted with his farm-loans waiver has come to haunt all state governments. Rahuls antics are just a side-show.
As the glitter of the recent One Belt, One Road (OBOR) spectacle in Beijing wears off, some stark, yet concealed, assertions about the project seem to be tumbling out, as the Dawn has reported. This is relevant to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The world viewed the multi-layered Belt and Road projects as a stimulus for Chinas domestic economy as much as a quest for President Xis China dream, indeed a rise to pre-eminence. India on its part has protested against OBORs lack of transparency, questionable economics, negative impact on communities, and for arrogantly ignoring Indias core concern of sovereignty while planning projects across the Gilgit-Baltistan. However sensitive President Xi is about one China, he appears to be remarkably insensitive towards one India.

Now is the time for India to give an impetus to its Neighbourhood First policy. All around India, China shares land borders with five SAARC countries, looks over the Chickens Neck at a sixth, and has a long border with Myanmar. China has for long wanted to fill the South Asian space that nature has gifted to India. Viewing Nepal and Pakistan to be critically important for its security and territorial integrity in Xinjiang and Tibet, it has been propping up Pakistan financially and strategically, to make things difficult for India. By hyphenating India with Pakistan, Beijing is anxious to ensure that India never becomes equal to China in the global system. In Nepal, often referred to as the yam between two boulders, China has often tried to intrude into its affairs, political and developmental.

A trans-continental rail connectivity is Chinas unique stratagem of statecraft. It is constructing a railway network around Indias neck. Be it road or rail links along and inside Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, its connectivity initiatives are geared towards Indias encirclement. To that can be added its String of Pearls strategy which envisages a port in southern Sri Lankas Hambantota, the Kyaukpyu deep sea port on Myanmars Arakan coast, the Gwadar port in Balochistan. It has pledged support for constructing a deep-water port in Chittagong.

China is trying to attract Indias ring of neighbours. India is perceived more like a poor Lazarus. Having galloped at an average annual growth rate at around 10 per cent since 1991, China today boasts a $10.3 trillion GDP (India: $2 trillion), its exports in 2015 at $2.2 trillion (India: $310 billion), and imports at $1.6 trillion (India: $450 billion). The worlds largest exporting country, having overtaken Germany, it has built a war chest worth $3.2 trillion of foreign exchange (India: $366 billion). True, inscrutable China speaks little; India is voluble. They speak in one voice; we in a babel of tongues. We procrastinate till next year and beyond; they act today. India is seen as chugging along, metaphorically, with a bullock-cart mentality; China has zipped ahead like a Formula One racing car. The tortoisehare fable is no longer valid. That India has no deep pockets is understandable; what is inexcusable is its bureaucratic sloth and inertia. The whole machine here moves slovenly; it doesnt deliver on promises made at the highest levels.

Consider how India habitually drags its feet on connectivity projects for the North-east with the mainland via Bangladesh and Myanmar. Bangladesh is critically important for regional connectivity for Nepal, Bhutan and India, as well as for linking South Asia and South-east Asia by road and rail. Take the missing rail link between Agartala on the Indian side and the Akhaura rail-head in Bangladesh, a mere 15 km stretch. During her state visit to India in January 2010, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had signed an agreement on its construction. But it was only on 31 July last year that Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, joined by his Bangladesh counterpart Mohammed Mazibul Hoque, laid the foundation for this stretch in Agartala. After the World Bank pulled out of the $3b Padma Bridge four years ago, India could have stepped in not least because Bangladesh had indicated its keen interest. China stepped in with an offer to complete the bridge on BOT terms, extending the suppliers credit of $2billion.

Myanmar is the only ASEAN country which shares a land border with India. For long, India has spoken in terms of improving road and rail connections and the building of a new port on Myanmars Arakan coast, but its slothful style of functioning has discouraged neighbours. The Kaladan multimodal transit transport project has since 2008 had to contend with unacceptable time and cost overruns. This combination of road and riverine transport projects would give the landlocked North-east access to the Indian Ocean and save a distance of about 625 km from the circuitous route through Assam and Siliguri corridor.

India had once eloquently acclaimed a grand strategy project off the Persian Gulf, 75 km from Gwadar. Chabahar port in southeastern Iran was first considered during former Iranian President Mohammed Khatamis visit to New Delhi in January 2003. It provides linkage via an Iranianbuilt road to the western Afghan border connected to the ZaranjDelaram road that India has built in Afghanistan. As the Chabahar Free Zone CEO Abdolrahim Kordi has lamented: It is all on paper and nothing on the ground.Questions have been raised as to why India has dithered over a mere 18 km rail link for Biratnagar in Nepal, a 15 km line for Bhairahwa, and reconstruction of JaynagarBijalpura line, and the 18 km Hashimara-Phueontsholing line in Bhutan. Instead of whining at Chinas initiative to extend its rail network to Kathmandu, India could well deliberate with Nepal, which ten years ago had recommended a 174 km rail line to be built, connecting Birgunj with Kathmandu at an estimated cost of NRs 2,965 crore.

Besides such projects with bilateral economic and social implications, India needs to work for the fruition of important projects for regional/subregional integration such as the motor vehicle agreement, involving Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal; address the infrastructural deficiency in its east and North-east for the BCIM (Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar) corridor; the 1,360 km India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway.

India would need to generate confidence for the willing participation of countries, avoiding pitfalls that bedevil the countries that stand to benefit from the OBOR project. The $ 7b cost of the China-Laos railway exceeds half of Laoss GDP. Pakistan is estimated to annually repay $ 5b from 2022. Recall the political and social discontent in Central Asian countries where loans of $10b for Kazakhstan, $4b for Turkmenistan, and $10b for SCO members had enjoined upon the debtors provisions like buy China and employ Chinese. A debt to equity swap affords a questionable option to China owning the strategic assets. Sri Lanka has witnessed protests over the port at Hambantota, in which China had invested. With the ongoing Yunnanisation of northern Myanmar, its forests in north and east chopped down, jade mines of the Kachin Hills denuded, China is termed a plundering behemoth. In 2011 Myanmar suspended work on a Chinesefinanced dam at Myitsone. There have been protests in GilgitBaltistan and Balochistan against Chinese imperialism.

Geographically, India commands the centre-stage in South Asia, with 51 per cent of the regions surface area, 71 per cent of the population, and 40 per cent of GDP. Most of its neighbours share borders not only with it, also in most cases with one more country in the region. They perforce depend on India for region-wide connectivity. Not as a big brother but an elder brother, it devolves on India to carry forward the process of improving connectivity in the region with understanding, vigour and speed.
Recent developments in the USA, Britain and certain other parts of the world, including India and South Asia in general, are based on a skewed perception of the idea of nationalism. This can have dangerous implications for peace, security and human welfare. Tagores idea of nationalism and the differences that had developed between the poet and a section of Japanese intellectuals are fairly well known; what is not always recognised is the subsequent change in the views of these intellectuals about the relevance of Tagores ideas for the contemporary world. Tagores views on nationalism, as expressed in his lectures during his visits to Japan, China, the US as well as in his speeches and writings in India, seem to have spurred a fresh evaluation of the traditional concept of nationalism as it had developed in the West, not only in Japan but also in other parts of the world as well.

The poet visited Japan in 1916, 1924 and in 1929, but his interest in that country had deeper roots. He was a great admirer of Japanese art and culture, and appreciated the countrys economic and scientific achievements, and industrial progress. He particularly appreciated Japans great art, marked by simplicity and harmony. He rejoiced at the news of the Japanese victory in the war against Russia (1905). In his reckoning, it represented to him the victory of the spirit of Asian nationalism, based on the cultural values of Asia, over the evils of Russian (Western) imperialism. He had also developed friendship with many Japanese intellectuals, preeminently Okakura who stayed with the Tagore family in Calcutta during his visit to India in 1902 and completed his book The Ideals of the East in collaboration with Sister Nivedita. It was published in England in 2003.

After he won the Nobel Prize in 1913, Rabindranath was invited to visit Japan, but he was reluctant to go apparently because he was deeply hurt by the untimely death of Okakura in 1910. He was distressed no less by Japans gradual drift towards militarism, going by his letter to CF Andrews written on 11 January 1915. He wrote: I have given up Japan and I feel more and more sure, it is not for me (Quoted by Krishna Dutta and Andrew Robinson in Rabindranath Tagore: The Myriad Minded Man, 1996). Nevertheless he visited Japan in 1916 and his host was the reputed Japanese newspaper, Asahi Shinbum. He was welcomed by the Japanese when he landed in Kobe on 25 May 1916 and his articles and speeches were widely reported in the Japanese press, making him almost a household name. He addressed large audiences in Osaka and Tokyo Universities. In his presentation on nationalism at Tokyo University, he expressed dismay over what he considered to be the signs of militant nationalism which ran counter to the cultural and literary traditions of Japan that emphasised simplicity and harmony. West is dangerous for Japan is not the imitation of the outer features of the West, but the acceptance of the motive force of Western nationalism as her own. (Rabindranath Tagore, Nationalism in Japan. In his view, the belligerent and chauvinistic nationalism that had developed in the West was responsible for the war in Europe two years earlier and he pleaded with the Japanese to shun the path of violence.

Tagores ideas were criticised in Japan, particularly by those who had studied and worked in the US and subsequently returned to Japan, such as Noguchi. He was a poet who had worked in the US and had taught in a university. Noguchi also criticised Romain Rolland as an escapist, because he was praising Tagore from his safe home in Switzerland, rather than serving his homeland at the critical hour. After Tagore delivered his lectures in Japan criticising nationalism, the Japanese weekly Chronicle published an unsigned article titled Tagore and his critics in which the author wrote: Tagores contempt for mere nationalism is naturally the bitterest pill for the Japanese to swallow since from the cradle to the grave the importance of being Japanese in firmly impressed upon them. How can they put nationalism behind them? Surely such can only be preached by a man whose country has lost its independence ~ by an inhabitant of a pale and decaying land, where all things droop to ruin (Quoted in Debojyoti Bandyopadhyay; Rabindranather Jatiyotabad-Birodhi Swadeshprem, 2015, p. 65), Perhaps this was a reflection of the views held by a large segment of theJapanese population at the time, after Tagore had delivered his lecture criticising nationalism. Although Tagores criticism of the Western concept of nationalism did not go down well with some Japanese intellectuals, he visited Japan again in 1924 and in 1929. His fears over the rise of militarism in Japan seemed to be confirmed during the Manchurian crisis (1931).

Nevertheless, he and his friends in India believed that there were still many in Japan ~ artists and intellectuals in particular ~ who were sceptical of the governments policies and by developing mutual understanding with them Japan could be saved from this slide into an aggressive militarism that had characterised the countrys foreign and defence policies during the third decade of the last century.

With this objective, he invited Japanese scholars and artists to come to Santiniketan and work in Visva-Bharati University. He also invited Noguchi to India in 1935-36 and was treated as a national guest wherever he went. But differences between Tagore and Noguchi surfaced again after the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese war in December 1937. When the Japanese forces attacked Nanking, the terrible massacre of Nanking shocked the poet who condemned it in unequivocal terms. He expected Noguchi to condemn the brutality. But the Japanese poet, in separate letters to Tagore and Gandhi sought to justify this on patriotic grounds by using the rhetoric of Asia for the Asians which failed to satisfy the Indians. The letters exchanged between Tagore and Noguchi that were published in Amrita Bazar Patrika, reveal the differences between the two on the issue of nationalism as it had developed in Japan during the 1930s. (Nobuko Yamasaki, The Letters Between Tagore and Noguchi, 1938 in Patrick Chogan and Lalita Pandit (ed); Rabindranath Tagore: University and Tradition, 2003).

Tagores views on nationalism as expressed in his speeches in the US in 1916 and in China in 1924 were severely criticised in both these countries as well, although they were appreciated by Albert Einstein and Romain Rolland.

Nor for that matter were Tagores views on nationalism appreciated in his own country. Sharp differences had developed between him and many nationalist leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, in the wake of the noncooperation movement. The Mahatma failed to convince him that the kind of nationalist movement being waged in India to gain freedom would indeed make Indians free in the true sense of the term.

What were the reasons behind this? So far as China was concerned, there was a specific historical context against which the Chinese views of India and Indians were developed ~ the use of Indian soldiers by the British in their battles with the Chinese for nearly a century after the first opium war of 1841. Indians had played an important role in the annexation of Hong Kong, as part of the British Indian Army.

(To be concluded)
The last days of the Newfie Pride

There were many nights he didnt sleep. The numbers and scenarios turned over and over in his mind, making rest impossible. Id get up two, three oclock in the morning, night after night, come out to the kitchen table and work the numbers every ...
But the tribe has a long way to go
Western manufacturers are shying away from supplying equipment for an Iranian port that India is developing for fear the United States may reimpose sanctions on Tehran, Indian officials say, dealing a blow to New Delhi's strategic ambitions in the region.

Lying on the Gulf of Oman along the approaches to the Straits of Hormuz, the port of Chabahar is central to India's hopes to crack open a transport corridor to Central Asia and Afghanistan that bypasses arch-rival Pakistan.

India committed $500 million to speed development of the port after sanctions on Iran were lifted following a deal struck between major powers and Tehran to curb its nuclear program in 2015.

But the state-owned Indian firm that is developing Chabahar is yet to award a single tender for supplying equipment such as cranes and forklifts, according to two government sources tracking India's biggest overseas infrastructure push.

U.S. President Donald Trump denounced the nuclear agreement on the campaign trail, and since taking office in January has accused Iran of being a threat to countries across the Middle East.

Swiss engineering group Liebherr and Finland's Konecranes (KCRA.HE) and Cargotec (CGCBV.HE) have told India Ports Global Pvt Ltd, which is developing the deep water port, they were unable to take part in the bids as their banks were not ready to facilitate transactions involving Iran due to the uncertainty over U.S. policy, the two officials said in separate conversations with Reuters.

These firms dominate the market for customized equipment to develop jetties and container terminals. One official said the first tender was floated in September, but attracted few bidders because of the fear of renewed sanctions. That fear has intensified since January.

"Now the situation is that we are running after suppliers," one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of matter.

A Konecranes spokeswoman declined to comment beyond confirming the company was not involved in the project.

Cargotec and Liebherr did not respond to requests for comment.

Some tenders have been floated three times since September because they failed to attract bidders. A Chinese firm, ZPMC, has since come forward to supply some equipment, the same Indian official said.

THREAT OF SANCTIONS

Trump has called the agreement between Iran and six major world powers restricting Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting of sanctions "the worst deal ever negotiated".

Last month his administration extended relief on Washington's broadest and most punitive sanctions, while carrying out a wider policy review on how to deal with the Islamic Republic.

Uncertainty over U.S. policy is already causing long delays in contracts that Iran has sought with international firms to develop its oil fields and buy planes for its aging airlines.

The lifting of United Nations and European Union sanctions in 2016 partly reconnected Iran with the international financial system crucial to trade.

But large international bankers with exposure to the United States remain unwilling to facilitate Iranian deals for fear of running afoul of narrower, unilateral U.S. sanctions that remain outside the nuclear deal and uncertainty over whether wider sanctions relief will continue.

India's ambassador to Iran said the process of procuring equipment for the Chabahar port was under way and that some of the customized cranes needed take up to 20 months to build. The banking situation was slowing improving, he added.

"Tenders are re-floated for a variety of reasons including technical specifications not being met, etc. Banking channels, in recent months, have in fact somewhat eased," Saurabh Kumar said in an emailed response to Reuters from Tehran. "If some companies do not participate, it really is their business."

India has been pushing for the development of Chabahar port for more than a decade as a hub for its trade links to the resource-rich countries of central Asia and Afghanistan. Access to those countries is currently complicated by India's fraught relationship with Pakistan.

Bureaucratic delays, difficult negotiations with Iran and the risk of incurring Washington's displeasure during the financial embargo in Tehran had meant there was little progress on the port until now.

But, prodded in part by China's development of Gwadar port, which lies barely 100 km (60 miles) from Chabahar on the Pakistani coast, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has unveiled massive investment plans centered around the Iranian port, offering to help build railways, roads and fertilizer plants that could eventually amount to $15 billion.

So far, even an initial credit line of $150 million that India wants to extend to Iran for development of Chabahar has remained a non-starter as Tehran has not been able to do its part of work.

"They have not sought the loan from us because they haven't awarded the tenders, either because of
William Shakespeare is one of the most recognized writers in history, coining many of the phrases we use even today, his many plays are still popular because of the universal truths of the human experience they relate. However, the vast differences in culture between Shakespeare's time and now can make the language of his plays tricky to understand.

Random House publishing company began a project in 2015, called Hogarth Shakespeare, that has best-selling authors of our time write a modern version of one of Shakespeare's works. In May 2017, they released "New Boy," a modern retelling of "Othello" by Tracy Chevalier, author of "Girl with a Pearl Earring."

Chevalier's work places versions of Othello, Desdemona, Iago and the rest into an elementary school in the 1970s. Rather than being the gentry and military of Venice, the characters now rule the playground as sixth graders on the verge of moving on to junior high. Osei replaces Othello's African living in Venice as a black student moving to an all-white school near Washington, D.C. Instead of Desdemona the beloved wife of Othello, there is Dee the popular teacher's pet who likes and immediately befriends Osei. And our villain, Iago, has been traded for Ian, school bully.

In Ian we have the truest translation of Shakespeare's characters. While Iago set out to ruin Othello and Cassio out of a resentment at their promotions and a jealousy bred of a rumor of adultery with Iago's wife Emilia, Ian's motivations are much simpler and yet the same - he sees a new kid in school as a potential challenger to his status as the king of the playground. However, where the backstabbing Iago was viewed by most of the others as a good person until the truth comes out at the end, Ian is loathed and feared by many in the school because of his years tormenting others. He only appears nice to Osei, who has just met him and does not know his reputation. Ian and Iago both use others, manipulating the few who spend any time with them in order to destroy the targets of their jealousy.

On the other end of the spectrum, Osei is a more sympathetic character than Othello because we see some of his internal struggles. We learn Osei's family is constantly moving due to his father's job, and always being the new kid has taken its toll on him. The only real ally and friend he has ever had in America, his sister, has withdrawn from the family - no longer living with them or even speaking much to them. He feels exceptionally alone with no one to confide in or trust.

Othello may have been an immigrant to Venice, but he had established relationships to some extent before the story begins, having married and been promoted to general. Osei, on the other hand, knows no one - "New Boy" takes place entirely on his very first day at the school. Iago was able to twist Othello's mind to hatred and jealousy because Othello had grown to trust Iago, but it is just as easy for Ian to manipulate Osei to anger because he manages to make it seem as though the only other people who had been nice to Osei that day were just using him and Osei doesn't know any of them well enough to know any better.

Is this book necessarily about race? While the overt racism on display in the book may seem shocking to some of us now, its effects are no more or less dangerous than the subtle racism alive today - a racism that was also very much alive in the original play over four hundred years ago. Ian probably would have done something awful to any new kid in school, and it would have been rough, but Osei is one of a kind in his school, and students and teachers all have preconceived notions about him due to the color of his skin, leaving him with very few people even willing to be kind to him. His appearance being so different, he doesn't have the defense mechanism of hiding or trying to blend in.

However, it is only a small part of what this story is about. People like Iago/Ian are not just villains in a fictional setting but exist all around us. It's easier to target anyone who is different from the majority because they have less of a social support system. Bullies are everywhere, and some of them never grow out of it. Chevalier's book might be set in the 70s, but the feelings at play will resonate with anyone no matter their age. It's a wonderful and stirring read in its own right -- even if one has never read "Othello" -- but fans of Shakespeare will especially enjoy the way Chevalier has modernized small details from the play for her version.
Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez loves animals so much so that the actor is urging people to sign a petition for a global ban on animal testing of cosmetics and ingredients.

Jacqueline Fernandez | Reuters

Real beauty cannot be achieved at the cost of harming anyone especially animals. The concept of animal testing for cosmetic brands should be banned, says the actor, who has joined hands with cosmetic brand The Body Shop for a campaign titled Forever Against Animal Testing' (FAAT) for a global ban on cosmetics animal testing on products and ingredients by 2020.

A socially responsible conglomerate would prefer not to implement testing measures that prove hazardous to anyone's health. That's why I extend support to The Body Shop's noble initiative to end this atrocious practice across this industry by launching a campaign to spread a global ban on animal testing of cosmetic products and ingredients. I request you all to sign the petition and save our animals, adds the actor.

Aiming to take the campaign to the highest authority, the United Nations, and request an international convention banning cosmetics testing on animals, The Body Shop has partnered with a leading non-profit organization working to end animal testing, Cruelty Free International, for the campaign.

Shriti Malhotra, COO, The Body Shop India says, "India was the first country in South Asia to ban Animal Testing in 2013. We are proud to be a cruelty free brand and a staunch supporter of effective, modern, non-animal alternatives to cosmetic animal testing. With our campaign we are asking our customers to help us end the unnecessary and out-dated practice of animal testing for good by signing the petition in our stores or on our website."

Rules on animal testing in cosmetics are currently patchwork, with legislation differing around the world leaving consumers ill informed. Traditional animal tests have never been validated for their use in reliably detecting the safety of cosmetic products and ingredients. There are now modern alternatives such as artificially grown human skin, that are, in the majority of cases, as effective as the animal test they replace and have been validated by authorities, he adds.
After the arrest of Bhim Army founder, Chandrashekhar, police are preparing to slap the National Security Act (NSA) on him so that he spends more time in jail. In this regard, police and the district administration of Saharanpur have been gathering evidence against him.

They have been gathering facts that will establish his and the Bhim Armys role in fanning violence in Saharanpur and adjoining areas. So far, the police have registered four cases against him, and his role is being investigated in 19 other cases so that the police could consolidate its case of imposing NSA on him.

The administration is also planning to shift Chandrashekhar to another jail in a remote place. He is presently in Saharanpur jail.

It may be recalled that between April 20 and May 23, four riots broke out in Saharanpur, the most gruesome was the clashes between the Dalits and Thakurs of Shabbirpur village in the district. In these clashes, Chandrashekhar had allegedly provoked Dalits with the help of social media that had aggravated violence in the region. The probe team set up by the state government that investigated the matter had found Chandrashekhar's deep involvement in instigating violence.

Chandrashekhar was arrested from Himachal Pradesh a few days ago.
Advertisements of liquor and other commercial ads on the LED screens along the Heritage Street in Amritsar have so offended the people of the city and pilgrims that Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarender Singh has ordered a probe into this violation of sanctity of the place.

The Heritage Street is the last one kilometre leading to the Golden Temple Complex. It was rebuilt early last year by redesigning structures and face of buildings giving them a period flavour, and was inaugurated in early November last.

There are five LED screens, with the biggest of them at 100 feet x 30 feet said to be the largest screen in India. They were installed to relay kirtans and gurbani from within the Darbar Sahib and also give pedestrians outside a continuous glimpse of what was happening inside the Golden Temple complex.

People, particularly pilgrims and the devout local Sikhs, complained to the Golden Temple Reception Office that eventually took up the matter with the Amritsar Municipal Corporation. The corporation is believed to have got the revenue from these ads.

The probe will be conducted by the additional deputy commissioner of Amritsar, and a report will be submitted to the chief minister within a week.
The UK election results have rattled Theresa May's belief of 'Strong and Stable Britain'. On Friday morning, Britain woke up to a hung parliament, with soaring popularity of the Labour party under Jeremy Corbyn and May's broken spirit.

There were even speculations if she would step down and give way to Boris Johnson, India's son-in-law (as his wife is half Indian) to take over the Tory leadership. But by mid-day May had already clarified that she was not going to resign, and forge ahead with stronger convictions and tougher resolutions, along with support from the DUP.

Before David Cameron became the leader of the Tory party, it is well known that Indians favoured the Labour party over the Conservatives. Cameron came in, and very tactically divided the Asian votes into Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Muslims, and established the identity of Asians by their faith or religion. He even called himself the first 'British Asian Prime Minister', and fostered a very close relationship with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Cameron visited India three times as a Prime Minister and invited Modi to the UK, who addressed 60,000 Indians in Wembley Stadium, London, during his November 2015 visit. What was significant was PM Cameron's closeness with PM Modia bond that seemed unbreakable and unparalleled.

Ironically, what actually started was a sort of a 'one way' relationship where Britain expected better defence deals and stronger bilateral ties with India, and nobody addressed the elephant in the roomthe subject of immigration.

Tories from Cameron's time have been harping on reducing immigration by hundreds and thousands. When Theresa May was the Home Secretary in Cameron's cabinet, she ensured that foreign students should get added to the final figure of immigration. She also shut down the post study work (PSW) visa arrangement, that allowed foreign students including Indians to live in the UK, two years after their degree finished, to gain relevant work experience. Also they abolished the HSMP (Highly Skilled Migrant Programme) or Tier 1 visa that allowed a foreigner to have an independent permit to work in the UK, whatever may have been his skills.

So as it stands, if Indians have to work in the UK now, either they have to qualify for graduate scheme when they finish their degree, or they have to be offered a job by a company that has a sponsor license to recruit foreigners, as well as willing to pay 2,000 per candidate to the Home Office. The candidate also cannot be earning less than the minimum requirement by the Home Office, more if they wished to bring their dependents over to the UK.

When Theresa May visited India in November 2016, besides announcing the UK-India Year of Culture, immigration was indeed a point of discussion. May did not change her stance, and even in the Tory manifesto, it was very clear that she remained firm on her decision to reduce immigration by hundreds and thousandsincluding that from India. May's victory today proves the theory that Indians would not be welcomed to the UK like before, unless they are extremely rich, are sought after for talents or with businesses willing to invest.

May's decisions also affected the case of Adult Dependent Relatives (ADR), where Indians settled in the UK, in given circumstances, hoped to bring over their elderly parents to live with them. Refused on a number of grounds, it proved that vulnerable and lonely parents could not join their children for more than six months (as tourists)may how strong their children's financial status be. Rajni Kapur, a professional living in Newcastle, spoke to THE WEEK, and described how disappointed she is with this election results.

Kapur's father was a Professor in Mathematics at Benghazi University, Libya for a very long time. With roots in India, they have lived away for almost two decades, with no immediate family left in India. The 75-year old professor with his 66-year old wife were visiting daughter Rajni, when the war broke out in Libya, stranding them in the UK. Disabled and frail, they wanted to continue living with their daughter, who could support them financially, physically as well as emotionally. But they lost the ADR case at High courtand now with May's comeback, they have very little hopes left for a further appeal.

Kapur's decision to vote Labour reflected what she truly felt about May's government and said, I voted for Labour yesterday. Even in their manifesto, the Labour party assured us that they would not split families like ours and give us a fair chance. But today's election result is a proof that things are likely to get tougher. There are so many well-to-do Indians living in the UK, who earn almost 200,000 per annum. They are more than capable of supporting their elderly parents living with them and pay higher taxes in the UK. This government is dividing the society, and I call this 'subtle racism', showing us that we don't belong here, may what our contributions be.

On the other hand, May's victory helps her to press for a globally-engaged Britain and bargain for a stronger trade relationship with India. Manoj Ladwa, the founder of India Inc and a political strategist in an article about what the UK election means to India said, This will be good news for the 800-odd Indian companies that have established their businesses in the UK not only to tap its large and prosperous market but also to serve as a bridge-head to the economic colossus that lies across the English Channel.

A hard Brexit, on the other hand, would have put their investmentsmade on the basis of assumed easy access to the EUat risk. That is a fallout neither the UK nor Indian investors would have enjoyed, and possibly leading to a longer term strain in relations. Indian companies are, collectively, the third-largest investor group in the UK and among the largest employers in that country.

That apart, this vote could actually (and contrary to some belief) give a fillip to closer UK-India economic ties. There is a broad bi-partisan political consensus in the UK on the importance of India and trading relations with New Delhi. It is clear that UK ministers will need to work harder and be sharper in helping to get deals done and issues resolved Prime Ministers May and Modi should urgently review the work of the Working Group that has been set up to explore deeper trade and investment ties. So far there has been scant information...

Besides trade, May and Modi also have a chance to foster a better deal about Commonwealth markets and also fight terrorism together with shared expertise. If Labour would have won this election, we do not know what would have been the exact dynamics between the two countries. While PM Modi would perhaps not have been allowed back in the UK by the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, their pro-immigrant values may have had softened the blow. In the given situation, UK-India relationship probably have great prospects. But what PM Modi should not let go of is, an upper hand over the issues of immigration, especially in the light of Vijay Mallya's extradition, as well as safeguarding the rights of his NRI followers.
In a startling disclosure, Nagaland Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu said the late chairman of NSCN (K) S.S. Khaplang was ready to initiate a dialogue with the Union government and he had expressed his willingness quietly to the Nagaland government a few months ago.

The disclosure has been made in the condolence letter written by Liezietsu in his official capacity mourning the death of Khaplang. Liezietsu termed it nothing less than tragic and calamitous that an important leader like Khaplang had expired considering that the protracted Naga political problem is on the verge of being resolved.

..However, before things could be taken forward to its logical conclusion, it is calamitous that the Naga leader could not live long enough to see the Proverbial Promised Land, he wrote.

The demise of Khaplang is being mourned by both elected and self styled leaders in the state who have sent condolence messages ahead of his funeral.

In his letter, the chief minister said it was the need of the hour for all different Naga political groups to come together to air their views and aspirations to the government of India in one voice.

Importantly, Khaplangs desire to revive the dialogue with the government would have changed the course of the peace talks as it would have brought in voices of NSCN (IM)s rebel outfit and other leaders who were not keen to dilute their demand for a sovereign Nagalim state.

The Nagaland chief minister, however, wanted peace in the region and it was in continuation of these efforts that the state government was sending delegations to Myanmar to talk to Khaplang in recent times.

Disclosing that his efforts had yielded positive results in the past few months, Liezietsu said, It was encouraging to learn that Mr Khaplang had a few months ago conveyed his willingness to have a dialogue with the government provided 'issues of substance' were discussed.

Khaplang had abrogated the ceasefire with the government in 2015 following which he had launched multiple attacks on Indian security forces.

But his death has brought focus to the sacrifices of the leaders of the Naga movement at this juncture. The chief minister invoked Khaplang's sacrifices to appeal to the people to strive for peace and a lasting solution to end the longest running insurgency.

In memory of the departed soul, and before the mortal remains are interred below ground, I appeal to all grieving Nagas to resolve and dedicate ourselves to endeavor with renewed vigour and determination to find a solution to the Naga political problem which is honourable and acceptable to all stakeholders, and that this protracted problem be resolved during our lifetime and not to bequeath it to the future generations.

The elected chief minister did not mince words as he acknowledged the dedication of the NSCN (K) chairman saying that in the memory of the departed leader who had dedicated all his life to the cause of the Naga people, let all Naga people dedicate ourselves for peace, harmony and well-being of the entire Naga family so that we and our children march ahead with the rest of the world as equals in the 21st century and for ever more. He expressed his condolences to the family members of Khaplang and prayed for peace for his departed soul.

Liezietsu was not alone in mourning the demise of Khaplang. Neingulo Krome, secretary general of Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) said Khaplangs death was a rude shock at a time when the Naga people are extremely in need of elderly and experienced wisdom of Naga National Movement leaders to set right the course of the Naga destiny, which are being misinterpreted and reinterpreted in the present day scenario of internal conflicts.

In his condolence letter, Krome wrote that the Nagas will always "treasure and cherish Khaplang's commitment to do what the upcoming Naga generation wants as the Naga National Movement is for their well-being so that they live in dignity and peace."
The Army staged flag marches in Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Kurseong towns on Friday, as sporadic violence was reported in the northern West Bengal hills during a 12-hour shutdown called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM).

The shutdown, beginning at 6 am, badly hit vehicular communication, as private buses, jeeps and small cars kept off the roads and toy train services were cancelled due to security reasons, much to the dismay of the 45,000 tourists who had been stranded on Thursday in the violence-hit hills.

But with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally monitoring the situation by camping in the tourist town of Darjeeling, the state government ran additional fleet of buses to bring down the visitors to the plains from various hill pockets.

A day after they clashed with police in Darjeeling over their demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland, GJM activists set fire to the under-construction Industrial Training Institute at Mungpoo in Kurseong sub-division of Darjeeling district.

The GJM supporters were also seen picketing on the National Highways and other roads across the hills and stopping the few jeeps and cars that plied with the tourists. A car was damaged at Kurseong and tourists were forced to get down from their vehicles at Teesta Valley under Runglee-Rungliot block and Kalimpong.

"Since Thursday night, 26 small and large buses have transported trapped tourists to various points in the state and a majority to Kolkata. At the moment we can't say how many are still stranded but their safety remains our priority," state Tourism Minister Gautam Deb said.

A Defence Ministry spokesperson said in Kolkata that six Army columns have been deployedthree in Darjeeling, two in Kalimpong and one in Kurseong. Each column comprises 43 personnel. Three companies of Central Reserve Police Force have also been pressed into service.

"The Army carried out flag marches in Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Kurseong today (Friday). The Army, CRPF and the civil administration are coordinating with each other and the situation is under control of the civil administration," the spokesperson said.

Banerjee, who has stayed put in the hills in view of the volatile situation, termed the shutdown as "illegal" and warned of "strict legal action" against those taking part in it.

"The state government has declared today's shutdown as illegal. Whoever takes part in the shutdown will face strict legal action," she said as she moved around town to oversee arrangements to help stranded tourists in Darjeeling.

She claimed normalcy has been restored in the hills, but said the violence was premeditated.

"Now I can say the area is calm, hills are at peace, everyone is fine. On Thursday, they (GJM) wreaked havoc for an hour or two all of a sudden. They had stockpiled arms, bombs, guns and indulged in stone-pelting using large stone pieces. Police was injured and even women were beaten up. Despite all odds, our police showed restraint," Banerjee told the media here.

The shutdown badly affected normal life, as private offices, commercial establishments and educational institutions remained closed.

However, Banerjee claimed government offices functioned normally and recorded very high attendance. "The attendance was 99 per cent in Kalimpong and Darjeeling towns, 98 per cent in Kurseong and 100 per cent in Mirik sub-divisional office," she said.

In Kolkata, Governor K.N. Tripathi said he is "yet to receive any official communication" over the situation in Darjeeling, while the the state opposition parties yet again lambasted the Banerjee government for the flare-up in the hills.

"The different ethnical groups in the hills are not united as the state government is forcibly dividing them. This has damaged the unity and integrity of the different ethnical groups living in the area," said Left Front chairman Biman Bose.

Echoing him, the state Congress president Adhir Chowdhury accused Banerjee of unnecessarily provoking different communities of the hills and destroying their "bond of brotherhood" by creating seperate developmental boards.

In a scathing attack, state BJP president Dilip Ghosh said: "Didi (as Banerjee is known) had gone to Darjeeling to provoke the people of the hills. Now she is getting paid back in her own coin."
Soon, astronauts would be practicing surya namaskars and shirshasanas in space. The department of space physiology at AIIMS has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of San Diego, California to research on how yoga can benefit astronauts.

Dr K.K. Deepak, professor, department of physiology, AIIMS said that since astronauts end up with bone loss because their muscles are not used, yoga could benefit them immensely. "The lack of gravity leads to no muscle pull for those in space. This causes demineralization of bones and osteoporosis. By practising yoga, the muscles will get pulled and bone loss can be averted," said Deepak.

Deepak said he hit upon the idea when he learnt that the blood pressure simulator that he had developed in the 90s, had been adopted by NASA for their space research activities.

In 2015, after the Indo-US agreements on collaborations on scientific projects, Deepak says that he had sent a concept note to NASA on the research on space physiology, which was accepted. Later, an MoU was signed with the University of San Diego to work on yoga for astronauts. "We will need to do a lot of work on this, and specific experiments will be undertaken to see how we can apply the concepts in space," said Deepak.
In her fathers footsteps: Indira Gandhi is said to have inherited her love for nature from Pandit Nehru | Courtesy: Teen Murtilibrary

On March 20, 1977, when Indira Gandhi lost the general elections, she wrote two letters. The first was to the chief minister of Assam, regarding protection of forests. The other was to the ministry of petroleum, regarding protection of the Sunderbans.

She was amazing. At the most crisis-riddled moments in her lifeand there were plenty of themIndira Gandhi was worrying about the environment, says former environment minister Jairam Ramesh, a Rajya Sabha member. Ramesh is out with an interesting biography of a woman who has been much written about. It looks at Indira, on her birth centenary, through the prism of environment.

Indira Gandhi: A Life in Nature is a compilation of her correspondence, which Ramesh collected mainly from the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, National Archives, the Smithsonian Institution and Sonia Gandhis personal collection. It traces the journey of Indira, from a child communicating with her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, who was often in jail during her formative years. She grew up reading The Life of the Bee, The Faber Book of Insects and The Life of a Butterfly. There is a young Indira, incarcerated at Naini jail in 1943, fascinated by a birdsong. She writes to her father, who was in Ahmednagar jail: was singing on a warbling, whistling note. It took me quite a while to locate the sound as coming out of the peepul (this is a feat, the sound being thrown back and forth by the high walls). Just as I got under the trees, the bird gave an extra loud whistle and away he flew. All I saw a bit of beige, a bright tail in two dazzling shades of blue, a long dull red curved beak. Can you tell us what it is?

The father replies, two months later: give me a vague description of a new bird you saw and want me to name it from here! This faith in my extensive knowledge is very touching but it has not justification.

As a young lady, Indira writes about her travels through Switzerland with Feroze Gandhi, and here again, the description of nature is vivid, personal, and heartfelt. Says Ramesh: I joined the government in 1983, and in 1984, she was assassinated. I discovered her when I became environment minister. As I looked up files and read more about the laws in India, I realised her stamp was everywhere. She was single-handedly responsible for the Wildlife Protection Act, Water Pollution Act and Project Tiger. She inherited her love for nature from her father, but when it came to ecology and environmental protection, she was a pioneer.

In 1992, Ramesh notes, heads of 130 nations met at Rio to commemorate 20 years of the Stockholm meet, the first global meet on environment. But Indira was the only head of government (apart from Olaf Palme, the host) who had attended the Stockholm meet. She was ahead of her time.

There is her correspondence with the famous ornithologist Salim Ali, which, also reveal her sense of humour. In one letter she regrets how she can no longer go birdwatchingshe attracts more stares than the birds. in her reply to Alis condolence letter over Sanjay Gandhis death, Indira goes on to discuss ecological issues. In another letter, this one to a young Priyanka Gandhi, she writes about a trip to the northeast. Its unmistakably a letter from a grandmother. She writes about her visit to visit Itanagar, and cannot resist informing the child that it is the capital of Arunachal Pradesh.

Discovery of Indira: Jairam Ramesh | Sanajy Alawat

Ramesh has got all his anecdotes from the written word (letters and some lesser known speeches), except one. Indira, along with Narasimha Rao and Ralph Buultjens, a Sri Lanka-born political scientist, was travelling from Bangalore to Mysore, with her giving a commentary on each tree that she could identify. When she stepped out to interact with the people waiting for her by the roadside, Rao muttered: She should have been a botany teacher, not politician.

She created time to be concerned about the environment, and you cant do that unless you feel for it, says Ramesh. The year 1971 marked the Bangladesh war, and she found time to make a new law on wildlife. In 1969, she was nationalising banks, and at the same time, reconstituting the Wildlife Board. She took unpopular decisions. The CPI(M) and the Congress wanted the hydel project at Silent Valley, but she saved it.

The book would undoubtedly have been richer if it had the correspondence between Indira and her younger son, Sanjay Gandhi, who inherited her pro-environment genes. Ramesh, however, could not access it. Sanjays wife, Maneka, told him that the letters were consumed by termites.

Indira Gandhi: A Life in Nature

By Jairam Ramesh

Published by

Simon & Schuster India

Price Rs 799;

pages 448
MATTOON -- A Dr. William L. and Margaret Podesta Park may be established on the Lake Land College campus in an area between the campus pond and Podesta Drive.

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees is scheduled to consider proposals to name and create this park during its meeting at 6 p.m. Monday in Webb Hall 081.

Jacqueline Joines, executive director for college advancement, reported in a memo to the board that the Lake Land College Foundation has received $193,000 in donated funds that are designated for creating the proposed park.

Joines said much of the funding was given by Willie Podesta Young in memory of her parents, adding that this donation also includes memorial gifts made at the time of her fathers funeral. She said the late Melvin Lockard also was a major contributor to the fund.

Plans for the park include hardscape areas, natural habitat, planting areas, and a paved walking path.

The park would also be used to recognize veterans of the community who have attended Lake Land College. As plans develop, it is anticipated that sculpture art will also be a part of the veterans recognition in the park, Joines said. She added that further fundraising will be conducted to complete the veterans portion.

Dr. William Podesta, who operated a dental practice in Mattoon for many years, served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps during World War II and retired from the Army Reserves in 1976 as a lieutenant colonel. Mrs. Margaret Podesta served in various supporting roles for the war efforts during World War II, including working with first aid units and the USO.

Both Dr. Podesta and Mrs. Podesta, who taught at Jefferson Junior High School in Mattoon, were active in a wide variety of community organizations, particularly regarding education.

The Podestas actively promoted the establishment of Lake Land. The college was developed on land previously owned by the Podesta family. Dr. Podesta served on the Lake Land board in 1970-76 and 1978-81. He was responsible for the establishment of the dental hygiene and dental assisting programs at the college.

Dr. William L. and Margaret Podesta served their country and community well. Their impact on Lake Land College and the surrounding community is felt even today, Joines said.

In other matters, the board is scheduled to consider entering into a one-year contract with the Illinois Department of Corrections to provide post-secondary vocational educational services at the Kewanee Life Skills Re-Entry Center.

Jim Hull, vice president for workforce solutions and community education, reported in a memo to the board that the contract provides for the offering of two programs initially  commercial custodial maintenance and restaurant management.

The contractor will employ a total of four full-time positions, including an associate dean, office assistant, custodial maintenance instructor and restaurant management instructor, Hull said.

The total estimated expenditure over the life of the contractor is $262,033. Under the terms of this contract, all costs are reimbursed to Lake Land either through Illinois Community College Board reimbursements or through Illinois Department of Corrections funds.

Other actions that the board will consider taking include:

-- Placing a Resource Allocation Management Program funding request on file with the Illinois Community College Board. The request identifies needs for renovating the Kluthe Center, Luther Student Center, Northwest Building, Field House, Neal Hall, and Child Care Lab.

-- Renewing Lake Lands lease of space at the Workforce Development Center, 305 Richmond Ave. East, to the Local Workforce Investment Board and the CEFS Economic Opportunity Corp.; and renewing the colleges lease of property in Marshall for the Pathways Program.

-- Accepting the donation of 100 New Holland service factory manuals, valued at a total of $10,000, from Birkeys Farm Store Inc. for Lake Lands agriculture power technology program.
President Trumps son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner is expected to meet with staff from the Senate Intelligence committee in coming days, according to a senator on the panel.

Kushner will likely be asked about his meetings with the Russian ambassador to the United States.

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, who is a member of the committee, says Kushner will have a face-to-face meeting with panel staff as early as next week. A spokeswoman for King on Friday confirmed the senators comments in an earlier interview on CNN.

A Trump administration official says no meeting had been formally scheduled and discussions about possible dates were ongoing. The official insisted on anonymity because the person was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.

Congressional staffers say the committee would reserve the opportunity to ask Kushner for documents or to answer further questions at a later date.

(AP)
Sales at Sir Philip Greens family firm Taveta were weighed down by the poor performance of his high street chains Evans, Burton and Miss Selfridge, according to analysis of dozens of accounts filed by the company in recent days.

The accounts reveal the year-on-year performance at Greens six flagship businesses for the first time.

The worst performer was plus-sized store Evans, where turnover fell 12 per cent to 83million. Sales at menswear chain Burton declined 9 per cent to 116million while at Miss Selfridge they fell 7 per cent to 132million.

Falling star: Sir Philip Green with Kendall Jenner, Cara Delevingne and Rita Ora

The managing directors at Evans and Burton left earlier this year, along with Miss Selfridge brand director Yasmin Yusuf, the former fashion boss at Marks & Spencer.

The slide contributed to an overall drop in sales of 2.5 per cent in the 12 months to the end of August 2016 to just over 2billion, as revealed by The Mail on Sunday last weekend.

Few fashion firms on the high street have escaped the squeeze that has followed the rapid rise of online retailers such as Asos and Boohoo.

Lord Wolfson, chief executive of Next, has said consumers are also finding other things to spend money on instead of clothes, such as gadgets and going out.

But the performance of Taveta, formally owned by Greens wife Tina, who lives in Monaco, caps a torrid year for the group, including the collapse of his former chain BHS.

The closure of concessions in BHS stores hit sales at several Taveta-owned businesses. Green has already promised staff he will stem the slide of the business and has earmarked 100million for investment in growth, particularly online.

Tavetas sales were helped slightly by Topshop (which includes Topman) where sales fell by just 1.7 per cent to 991million.

Falling: Sales at Miss Selfridge they fell 7 per cent to 132million

Topshop made an operating profit of 118million, well over half of Tavetas profit, which is about 200million.

Taveta incurred an exceptional charge of 129million, which includes impairments on the value of assets and leases on loss-making stores.

The accounts reveal a complex business that is part retail group, part property empire.

A number of property investment businesses, including Gresse Street and Redcastle, contribute to the overall turnover and profit. Many of the property firms are used to manage the freeholds and leases of the shops.

Each retail chain pays a management charge to Taveta-owned holding company Arcadia, mainly for IT and distribution services, which amounts to more than 100million a year across the six chains. Before the charges are paid, all six chains are profitable.

The biggest company in the group after Topshop is Dorothy Perkins, where sales fell 6 per cent to 335million. Sales at the remaining chain Wallis, which sells womens clothes, fell 3 per cent to 156million.
Fashion boss Anika Islam is glad of the day she dropped out of college.

If she had continued with her womenswear degree she would have graduated only this year. Instead, she heads a brand stocked in more than 200 UK stores and expanding into Taiwan and China.

The founder of Scandi-inspired denim brand Waven realised she and her brother already knew what they wanted to do and she did not need to study any more.

Vision: Anika Islam shunned a career in finance

Islam, whose family has been in denim manufacturing for 30 years, already had an economics degree and masters from Edinburgh University.

She said: I knew I could get into banking, private equity or finance, but I dont believe in working to make money. I wanted to make an impact.

At 22, she applied for a womenswear degree at Central Saint Martins in London. She said: I got in and then dropped out sort of after day one. I guess I had a clearer vision of what I wanted to do than the students at that age. It was a really good decision!

Two-and-a-half years on, Waven is a rapidly expanding success story.

She said: Our top customers are Asos, Zolando, House of Fraser, Topshop and Topman.

Im in Bangladesh at the moment developing for 2018. Were sending out samples to Japan, Italy and Australia. Were opening up in China, in Taiwan for next season as well. So were healthily growing.

Top customers: Asos is one of Waven's customers

The business has used invoice finance from Bibby Financial Services to manage cash flow. Islam said: We just got to a point where we thought, how are we going to do it? How is it possible to keep suppliers happy and make sure we have enough stock ready for our customers who are repeat orders?.

But Brexit is a big concern. She said: Its difficult to give an opinion on this without sounding too negative. Its been this long sour divorce and were all the children really suffering from it. The exchange rates were the biggest hit for us because we buy everything in US dollars and we sell in pounds. Its been a massive hit on margins  no one else will take the squeeze.
Few industries today can match the growth rate of legal cannabis, and marijuana stock investors have certainty taken notice. A quick scan of the largest marijuana stocks (those with market caps of $200 million, or higher) finds that many have doubled or tripled in value over just the past year.
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By Philip Newman

JAMAICA  A 28-year-old man has been arraigned on a 76-point indictment charging him with sex trafficking, rape and other crimes, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.

Brown identified the defendant as Reagan Flex Conception, of Jamaica, who allegedly forced a 14-year-old girl into prostitution and pocketed the proceeds over the course of three months.

Conception was arraigned last Friday before Supreme Court Justice Richard Buchter, charging him with kidnapping, rape, criminal sexual act, sex trafficking, compelling prostitution, promoting prostitution, assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

Conception, who faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted, was ordered held without bail, with his next court appearance set for July 5.
Chuck Berry, CHUCK. CHUCK, Chuck Berrys first studio album since 1979, is out, three months after he duck-walked off the stage forever.

Its a fitting, well-crafted farewell -- Berry started working on the material that makes up CHUCK in the 80's and certainly never lost it -- writing, singing or playing guitar -- as he approached 90.

That means there are some real gems on the record. Lady B. Goode, his decades-later sequel to Johnny B. Goode works as both a rockin follow-up and, along with the spry opener Wonderful Woman, pays tribute to Themetta, his wife of 68 years.

Big Boys, which finds Tom Morello adding his roaring guitar to the mix, is another exploration of the rock n roll life, and Dutchman, a spoken word track on which Berry tells a barroom story, demonstrates a sense of the dramatic.

Theres also a funny, live take on Tony Joe Whites 3/4 Time (Enchiladas), the tropical Jamaican Moon, which connects, at least for me, to Richard Berrys original version of Louie, Louie, and "Darlin,'" a very nice duet with his daughter, Ingrid.

CHUCK finds Chuck revving up his signature guitar licks and playing some blues, singing with feeling and, as always, with a wry sense of humor. He delivers strong songs with verve, making it a perfect finale from the founding father of rock n roll. Grade: A-

Glen Campbell, Adios. Adios, Glen Campbells final album, is a bittersweet affair, a collection of some of the songs hed play around the house written by, among others, Jimmy Webb, Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson.

Recorded in 2012, after he had received his Alzheimers diagnosis, and guided by producer Carl Jackson, the songs on Adios find Campbells voice a bit weakened, but still distinctly recognizable and his guitar playing strong.

Recognizing his condition, songs like Roger Millers Am I Alone (Or Is It Only Me) take on a new meaning as does Funny How Time Slips Away, on which Willie joins in on guitar. Jacksons Arkansas Farmboy finds Campbell telling his life story one last time while hes touchingly joined by his children on Postcards from Paris, one of the four Webb songs on the record.

Appropriately, the album ends with the Webb-penned title cut, a heartrending goodbye from Campbell, who is now in the late stages of Alzheimers. Grade: B
British Prime Minister Theresa May was expected to hold her first cabinet meeting on Saturday in an early test of her hopes of forming a stable government after a crushing election setback.

Facing demands to quit after her electoral gamble failed, May on Friday scheduled an early weekend meeting of her governing circle in an apparent bid to reassert authority and project stability.

But the firestorm of criticism continued unabated early Saturday after May announced she would keep her ministerial team unchanged and planned to stay in power with the aid of a small Northern Irish party.

Media commentators agreed she had been badly damaged, and some predicted she and her strategy for Brexit could struggle to survive.

"May fights to remain PM," the Daily Telegraph headlined. "Tories turn on Theresa," said the pro-conservative Daily Mail. The Times wrote: "May stares into the abyss." The tabloid Sun said succinctly: "She\s had her chips."

May was interior minister for six years before rising to premier in the political chaos that following last June\s Brexit referendum.

She has vowed to steer Britain unerringly out of the European Union, unwinding a complex economic and institutional relationship that has developed over 44 years.

After inheriting a 17-seat overall majority in the House of Commons, May in April announced a snap election three years ahead of time, declaring she needed a stronger hand in the Brexit haggle.

That move, by a vicar\s daughter who styled herself as pragmatic and risk-averse, stunned the country.

May was initially forecast to be on course for a landslide.

But cracks in her campaign-trail performance began to show, and widened with a bad tactical misstep she made on health care for the elderly.

Those flaws were skilfully exploited by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, a veteran grassroots activist who hammered away at May as cold and uncaring.

Polling day on Thursday delivered a slap to May, leaving her eight seats short of the 326-seat mark for an overall majority.

Forced into minority government, May is reaching out to Northern Ireland\s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which won 10 seats, in the hope of forging a working majority.

But any deal between the two parties has yet to be announced, and details of how they may cooperate remain sketchy.

"It\s too soon to say what we\re going to do yet. I think we need to see the final make-up of parliament and then we\ll reflect on that," DUP leader Arlene Foster told Radio Ulster late Friday.

"I certainly think that there will be contact made over the weekend but I think it is too soon to talk about what we\re going to do."

The DUP is rooted in a hardline form of Protestantism that opposes Ulster\s reunification with the predominantly Catholic Irish Republic.

It is socially conservative, notably opposing same-sex marriage, and supports Brexit, but opposes a return to a "hard" border between the Irish Republic and the British province.

The inner Irish border is expected to be one of dozens of thorny issues in the Brexit talks.

The formal parlay, considered by diplomatic veterans as likely to be one of the most daunting negotiations in recent memory, begins on June 19.

But there is only a two-year timeframe for sealing a deal, under a process unleashed by May herself on March 29 and further delayed by her own election gambit.

May\s pitch to the eurosceptic rightwing of the Conservative Party has nudged Britain closer to a "hard Brexit," in which it may cut ties with Brussels at the cost of damaging itself economically by losing access to the lucrative single European market, say analysts.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Britain Friday to quickly launch Brexit talks, saying "We are ready for the negotiations. We want to do it quickly, respecting the calendar."

European Council President Donald Tusk also warned there was "no time to lose" in starting the negotiations.

"We don\t know when Brexit talks start. We know when they must end. Do your best to avoid a \no deal\ as result of \no negotiations\."

EU budget commissioner Guenther Oettinger, meanwhile, warned that May was now likely to be a "weak" negotiating partner, which could also be bad for Europe.

SOURCE: AFP
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
ATHENS TOWNSHIP  A third man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a 21-year-old Erie man that took place at a large party in th
Its summer, so theres no academic component to nonObjectives.

There are no labels designed to stimulate thought and discussion about the 13 pieces on view in the Sheldon Art Gallerys second floor rotating exhibition galleries.

And there is no related programming for University of Nebraska-Lincoln students, faculty and staff accompanying the museum's primary summer show.

Instead, the exhibition is a showcase of some of the museums large, abstract paintings -- dating from Dan Christensens 1968 spray-painted Mallee to Amy Feldmans Body Buddy, painted just this year.

That dating isnt as arbitrary as it seems -- Sheldon will be presenting a show of its New York School works in the fall in which abstract expressionist works from the 1950s and early 1960s will be presented.

Theres also no effort made to put together the paintings stylistically, a la The Geometric Unconscious, the museums 2012 exhibition of geometric abstraction.

But it could easily be argued that nonObjectives is a showcase of color.

That starts with Peter Halleys Colortron (1999), which utilizes acrylic paint, DayGlo fluorescent pigment and metallic acrylic and Roll-a-Tex paint additive to create a neon-bright piece that has always brought to mind a circuit board.

It shares a gallery with Rome I, a 1982 acrylic painting of reddish ovals over a yellow pole and framework by Al Held that takes its name from the city where it was either created or inspired, the bright colors coming from Italian candy wrappers.

Bookending that gallery are a pair of red paintings -- Leon Polk Smiths rarely exhibited 10-by-10-foot Red-Violet Diamond (1980), the largest piece in the show, and Carmen Herreras Gemini (2007), a pair of red bars over a black surface, a fine work by the Cuban American abstract minimalist who turned 102 on May 31.

While theres nothing that screams Cuban in Gemini, Donald Odili Oditas Passage (2010) unmistakably reflects Nigeria, where the Philadelphia painter was born, with its distinctly African palette that juxtaposes colors in manners unlikely in European-rooted painting and in its sharp shards of color angling up the canvas.

nonObjectives pulls out some big names out of storage and one masterpiece -- Richard Diebenkorns Ocean Park No. 89.5" (1975).

Part of Diebenkorns most celebrated series, the light blue-over-yellow painting isnt as directly reflective of the artists Ocean Park neighborhood in Santa Monica, California, as some of the series' 145 paintings. Rather its a subtle, but continually revealing study of light.

It also reclaims Frank Stellas 1973 construction, Cieszowa II that, for years, was inappropriately hung above a staircase in the museums Great Hall.

Made of acrylic on canvas, felt, corrugated cardboard, Masonite and wood, Cieszowa II is part of a series done by Stella that was inspired by Wooden Synagogues, a book by a pair of Polish architects that recorded the wooden synagogues of the title, destroyed by the Nazis during World War II.

With that understanding, Cieszowa II carries far more emotional weight and, hung on a wall by itself where it can be properly seen, delivers visually as well, a study in angles, variation in material and, in a way, architecture.

The exhibition, curated by Wally Mason, Sheldons director and chief curator, also features work by lesser known or even forgotten artists.

They include Willy Heeks, whose The Bells (1988), filled with organic forms and lines, could be easily attached to the graffiti-inspired neo-expressionist movement of the era, and Lorser Feitelson, whose Untitled" (1969), with its curved yellow line through a blue field, is the exhibition's most elegant piece

nonObjectives introduces a pair of new acquisitions: Feldmans acrylic of interlocked gray modules, just the second museum purchase of a work by the acclaimed young abstractionist, and Cary Smiths Shape #1." A splat painting from 2016, Shape #1 is the large-scale version of a series constructed in multiple sizes that utilizes bright colors, in this case yellow, with shapes suggested by a splattered drip of water or paint.

In every such exhibition, theres an object or two that doesnt work. In this case, it is Sean Scullys drab Barcelona White Bar (2004). Its a decent example of Scullys work -- a painting inspired by the stones in streets.

But the black, muted yellow and green and tan colors and fuzzy-edged rectangles lacks the visual pop of the rest of the show and detracts from the conversation among the works that makes nonObjectives more than just a pulled-from-storage show.

Given the space available, 13 is a small number of works for a show. But Masons curatorial philosophy of allowing adequate space for each object in an exhibition is particularly effective for the large works that need the room to breathe and resonate.

And their placement, the Diebenkorns familiar piece across from Feldmans new work, creates the kind of talk" between them that illuminates each and enlivens the entire show.

nonObjectives wont be running as long as the usual Sheldon summer show. The museum will be closing from July 24 to Aug. 10 to allow for installation of LED lighting in the great hall. It will reopen with new exhibitions and rehung permanent collection galleries.

So theres just over a month to see another example of the quality of the art in Sheldons permanent collection and a show that illustrates the visual power of the lines, colors, fields and shapes of abstract painting.
[June 09, 2017] BARRICK GOLD SHAREHOLDER ALERT by Former Louisiana Attorney General: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Reminds Investors with Losses in Excess of $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Barrick Gold Corporation - (ABX)

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until July 10, 2017 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE: ABX), if they purchased the Company's securities between February 16, 2017 and April 24, 2017, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. What You May Do If you purchased securities of Barrick Gold and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn ([email protected]). If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by Juy 10, 2017.



About the Lawsuit Barrick Gold and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) the internal safety framework at the Veladero mine was not adequate for preventing gold-bearing chemical spills; (ii) as a result, local authorities would restrict the addition of cyanide to the Veladero mine's facility and require corrective work; (iii) these complications would have a detrimental effect on the production capacity of the Veladero mine; (iv) as such, the Company's Veladero mine production guidance and total gold production guidance were overstated; and (v) as a result of the foregoing, Barrick Gold's financial statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170609005603/en/

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[June 10, 2017] Foresters Financial, KaBOOM! and Volunteers Create More Ways for Kids to Play at Komensky Elementary School

The Berwyn community was revitalized today thanks to a new playground built at Komensky Elementary School. In less than eight hours, more than 200 volunteers from Foresters FinancialTM, Komensky Elementary School and non-profit KaBOOM! created the new playspace, which will serve more than 1,000 children and their families in the local community for years to come. "We believe in enriching lives and building strong communities - that's our purpose," said Tony Garcia, President and CEO, Foresters Financial. "Playgrounds are important because they provide a public space where children can play safely, families can spend quality time and the community can come together. An investment in a playground is an investment in community, and we are happy to provide the Berwyn community with a place that families can enjoy for years to come." The design for the new playground is based on drawings created by neighborhood children at a special Design Day event held in April when community members met with organizers from KaBOOM! and Foresters Financial to design their dream playground. The drawings inspired the final playground design. Foresters Financial, an international financial services provider, helps families reach their financial goals, protect themselves and make a lasting difference in their communities. Since 2006, Foresters has invested more than $13 million with KaBOOM! to build more than 140 playgrounds across the US and Canada by the end of 2017. Over their 15-year lifespan, these playgrounds will help to strengthen the community and provide more than 5 million children and their families with an opportunity to spend quality time together. "The whole idea of this playground was it was supposed to be a playground for all. The kids did a great job in surveying the needs and coming together to fundraise for this cause. They realized that some students could not use the playground and they wanted to improve it for their younger brothers and sisters so they could benefit from it. This year's 5th grade class continued in the tradition of working for the playground," said Daniel King, Leader of Our American Voice Club at Komensky Elementary School "This year, I took over the task of continuing with this project and bringing it to fruition. This playground will enable all the students in our school community, including those with special needs, to feel included during play time. The students, staff and community have done an excellent job of coming together to fundraise over the past 2 years and now we are ready to build our brand new playground thanks to KaBOOM! and Foresters Financial," said Mariaa Nicasio, Principal of Komensky Elementary School



Green spaces and safe play structures where children and families can enjoy and spend time together are sparse in many high density communities. Playing outdoors is an important part of every child's healthy development and the creation of this new playground will allow thousands of children to play safely and be active in their community. Foresters Financial is a KaBOOM! Founding Partner and National Partner. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has been dedicated to ensuring that all kids get the balance and active play they need to thrive.

About Komensky Elementary School

Komensky Elementary is a preschool to fifth grade building. Our student population includes bilingual classrooms at the 1st to 3rd grade levels and dual language program in kindergarten. We are an inclusive school meaning that our special needs students are integrated into co-taught classrooms alongside their peers. Komensky also houses the elementary Developmental Learning Program which services students with moderate to severe disabilities. Students in this program use technology to communicate, demonstrate learning, and access curriculum through the use of accessibility features on their iPads. Our teachers have used a wide range of technology resources including programs to individualize instruction and meet the needs of all their students. Students are free to learn in flexible learning environments and collaborate with each other using a wide range of programs. We are a PBIS/Responsive Classroom school where students take the lead to monitor their own behavior and teachers continuously model expectations of our school life. About Foresters Financial

Foresters Financial is an international financial services provider with more than three million clients and members in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, and total funds under management of $44 billion.1 With a history of more than 140 years, we provide life insurance, savings, retirement and investment solutions that help families achieve their financial goals, protect their families and improve their communities. For more information, visit foresters.com. Foresters Financial and Foresters are trade names and trademarks of The Independent Order of Foresters (a fraternal benefit society, 789 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9) and its subsidiaries. Products offered vary by country. Not all products are available for distribution in all jurisdictions. In the United States, products are offered by The Independent Order of Foresters and its subsidiaries, including Foresters Financial Services, Inc. a registered broker-dealer. Securities, life insurance and annuity products are offered through Foresters Financial Services, Inc. or independent producers. Insurance products are issued by Foresters Life Insurance and Annuity Company, New York, or The Independent Order of Foresters. Investment advisory products and services are offered through Foresters Advisory Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser. 1 in Canadian dollars as of December 31, 2015 About KaBOOM!

KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all kids, particularly those growing up in poverty in America. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,700 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 8.5 million children. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy lives and communities. To learn why #playmatters: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170610005001/en/

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The worst biggest issue with PC-based VR has been that a cord physically connects you to the computer, limiting your movement and hindering immersion. Take too many steps the wrong way and -- Bam -- your $1,500 computer is yanked onto the ground.

But what if your HTC Vive or Oculus Rift were wireless? It soon may be.

(Image credit: DisplayLink XR in use on an HTC Vive. Credit: Shaun Lucas / Tom's Guide)

DisplayLink, a company that makes the hardware inside laptop docking stations is an unlikely source of VR innovation. But at E3, it's showing DisplayLink XR, a new technology that lets you cut the cord on headsets like the Vive, to the public for the first time.

Prior to the show, DisplayLink execs stopped by the Toms Guide offices to give us an exclusive first look at the technology and tell us the story of how they became the unlikely steward of wireless VR with a product that's set to launch either late this year or early next year for around $249.

DisplayLink XR, as the company showed us, is a module that attaches to the back of the headset (we saw it with an HTC Vive) and connects to your computer with a series of 60GHz radios. Alternatively, the tech could also be built into future headsets. And it turns out that its not so different from a wireless enterprise dock.

The companys core technology is a chip combined with a low-latency video codec, perfect for moving a mouse across multiple desktops. It has been been developing these chips and selling them to dock-makers such as Dell, Targus and Plugable since 2003.

While the company had ordered and played around with an early Oculus Rift development kit, it wasnt until Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in March 2016 when the idea of developing for VR clicked in.

I actually filmed this; I still have the video of a guy who had been in line for 30 minutes, said Graham OKeeffe, chairman and CEO of DisplayLink. He put it on, I think he was playing Space Pirate Trainer, or whatever, and he was shooting some stuff. And suddenly he sort of ducked and I was like he really believes hes on a pirate ship. Theres a lot more than meets the eye.

MORE: Best VR Headsets - Virtual Reality for PCs and Smartphones

Graham said he and Jonathan Jeacocke, DisplayLinks vice president of technology, discussed the matter later over coffee, and remarked that the wire was a problem. It got in the way. But they were already part of the way to a solution.

Our technology, its low-latency, Graham said. We've done wireless displays before and we started looking at [VR] going 'we could do this wirelessly and we could adapt some of the stuff we've done. We've worked on a lot of docks on and off over the years. Lets just use the guts of a wireless dock and get something that works.'

They brought a prototype to Computex in Taipei in 2016, but it was in a backpack and had a tendency to crash. But the concept was there, so DisplayLink assigned a team to work on it for six months to have it ready for CES in Las Vegas in January, which was the first time I saw the device. Even that was difficult, OKeeffe and Andy Davis, director of marketing told me. Despite having a nicer-looking, 3D-printed model, a team was still working the week before the show to get it ready to show to the press and industry reps.

(Image credit: The CES prototype (front) with the reference model attached to an HTC Vive. Credit: Shaun Lucas / Tom's Guide)

At CES, however, it didnt look like a finished product, including a battery pack meant for a drill (they could get them easily from hardware stores, which was perfect for travelling, OKeeffe said) and an older DisplayLink 3000-series chip that could leave 3 to 4 milliseconds of latency.

But it impressed and the company would go on to show the same prototype at this years Computex before the current version, which has an 8000-series chip with better graphical fidelity and almost no latency at all. This version puts the batteries in the headset (theyre medical-grade, which OKeeffe says makes them safe to put on your head).

DisplayLinks docks typically run dual 1080p monitors (though 4K is certainly an option) at 60Hz. An HTC Vive or Oculus Rift have two lenses, one per eye, at 1080 x 1200, each at 90Hz. OKeefe says you can tolerate about 100ms of delay through a dock without noticing your mouse isnt moving perfectly, but you will sure as heck notice it in VR.

In VR, youve got 20 milliseconds to do the whole thing, OKeefe said. 20 milliseconds is two frames. That includes detecting the heads moved, sending that computer back to the computer, the computer generates a scene, it streams the video out and you have to be able to display it all in 20 milliseconds. The DisplayLink team had to modify existing docking chips to get the latency down, including adjusting their compression method.

DisplayLinks codec is network-aware. If theres any issue with the 60Ghz WiGig radios, it can stretch frames and change compression levels to prevent stuttering. And it should be future-proof, the team says. It can handle 4K resolution and support HDR.

Its in the secret sauce of what we do, he said. We dont talk about how we do that.

Theyre not taking this first public showing lightly, especially with the new tech. In fact, when company execs arranged to go to E3, they werent yet aware that it would be the first year that anyone could buy a ticket to attend.

It was literally a couple of weeks after [booking] that we realized they were opening it up to everybody, Davis said. Were going to see some of the worlds pro gamers appearing and the challenge is really going to be there.

Of course, you dont take this kind of product to E3 without the hopes of making deals. DisplayLink execs tell me that theyre already talking to any partner you would expect them to be, but were careful not to explicitly name anyone. They also say developers will be interested.

I think we're going to see a content explosion because studios have wrapped their minds around [it]. Davis said. Studios will be able to focus more on motion in game and not be restricted, to, say, forward-facing shooting games.

We should see how well DisplayLInk XR catches on in a few months. While they couldnt provide firm dates, OKeeffe and Davis suggested we could see more news, or even early devices based on the tech, this fall, including a module you can attach to current-generation headsets like the Vive and Rift selling for around $249.

When DisplayLink XR hits the market, we can start truly exploring VR, without that strange tugging feeling on the backs of our necks.
The Pixel 2 XL is the best pure Android phone you can buy, with a gorgeous 6-inch OLED screen, easy access to Google Assistant, sharp cameras and very long battery life.

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

Update: Google has discontinued the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, although you can buy them used. We recommend the newer Google Pixel 4a.

The Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are anything but conformists. Unlike with other flagship phones, you won't find dual-lens cameras or edge-to-edge screens on these handsets.

Instead, Google focused on making these the smartest smartphones ever. And based on my testing, the new Pixels aptly fit that description, with a versatile Google Assistant you can now summon with a squeeze and a new object-recognition feature in the camera app that's truly impressive.



Design

"Send it back  it still needs more bezel!" Thats how I imagine the insane conversation about the regular Pixel 2 took place at Google's headquarters. At a time when other phones are stretching their screens to reach practically from one corner to the other, the front of the Pixel 2 is a throwback in the worst possible sense of the word.

I measured the top and bottom bezels at over 0.6 inches, compared to 0.2 inches for the Galaxy S8. Seeing that gorgeous 5-inch OLED screen sandwiched between such large blocks of black glass is downright offensive.



It's not all bad news, though, as the two front-firing stereo speakers get nice and loud, offering richer audio than the speaker on the bottom edge of the Galaxy S8. Plus, if you're adamant that a phone be easy to use with one hand, you'll prefer the Pixel 2's more-compact dimensions of 5.7 x 2.7 x 0.3 inches, versus 6.2 x 3 x 0.3 inches for the Pixel 2 XL. The Pixel 2 weighs a fairly light 5 ounces, compared to 6.2 ounces for the Pixel 2 XL.

The Pixel 2 XL also has a much more modern vibe, as its 6-inch display covers much more of the phone's face. The top and bottom bezels measure a more eye-pleasing 0.4 inches and 0.35 inches thick, respectively. This handset also sports stereo speakers above and below the screen.



Around back, you'll find Googles trademark two-tone design on both phones, with a stripe of black glass across the top around the camera and flash, and sturdy aluminum covering the bottom three-quarters of the phones. The fingerprint sensor is positioned right in the center, beneath the stripe, making it easy to reach.

Google offers a range of colors for the Pixel 2, including Just Black, Clearly White, Black and White (which reminds us of the cookie), and Kinda Blue. The Pixel 2 XL comes in Just Black and Black and White.

Unfortunately, neither the Pixel 2 nor the Pixel 2 XL features a headphone jack. Google includes a USB-C dongle in the box, but you're probably better off just going wireless.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL: Specs Compared



Pixel 2 Pixel 2 XL Price $649 $849 OS Android 8.0 Android 8.0 Display 5 inches (1920 x 1080 pixels) 6 inches (2880 x 1440 pixels) CPU Snapdragon 835 Snapdragon 835 RAM 4GB 4GB Storage 64GB, 128GB 64GB, 128GB Rear Camera 12 MP (f/1.8) 12 MP (f/1.8) Front Camera 8 MP (f/2.4) 8 MP (f/2.4) Battery 2700 mAh 3520 mAh Headphone Jack No No Charging USB-C USB-C Size 5.7 x 2.7 x 0.3 inches 6.2 x 3 x 0.3 inches Weight 5.01 ounces 6.2 ounces

Durability: Not the toughest phone

We tested the Google Pixel 2 XLs toughness by dropping it on its face onto wood from a height of 4 feet and 6 feet; we then dropped it on its edge and face onto concrete from 4 feet; we then dropped it on its edge and face from 6 feet onto concrete.

The Pixel 2 XL survived drops from 4 and 6 feet onto wood with no issues. However, when this phone landed on its face from 4 feet onto concrete, the screen cracked, obscuring the front camera.

An edge drop from 6 feet didn't do too much more damage, but a face drop from that height caused half the screen to go black. As a result, the Pixel 2 XL earned a fairly weak toughness score of 4.3 out of 10.

To see the results of other smartphones, as well as our complete scoring methodology, check out our smartphone drop tests.

Google Assistant: Squeezable and smart

When I first heard about Active Edge on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, I thought it was a gimmick. But after using it just for a few minutes, I changed my mind. With a firm, quick squeeze toward the bottom of the phone, you can activate Google Assistant, which is faster and more accurate and versatile than Siri.

For instance, I said, "Play BoJack Horseman on my living room TV," and Google Assistant on the Pixel 2 launched the Netflix app right to this deranged cartoon on my big screen. Of course, it helps that I had a Chromecast plugged in to the set, but that's exactly Google's plan: to show you how its hardware and software work well together across its growing ecosystem of products. The Google-owned Nest thermostat also works with Google Assistant, so you could say, "Set the temperature to 68 degrees."

With the Assistant just a squeeze away, I had no problem finding out how the Yankees were doing against the Astros (not great), telling the Pixel 2 to snap a selfie, summoning up all the photos I took that day, or firing up my Liked from Radio Playlist on Spotify. Sure, I could do all of this by saying, "OK, Google," first, but I found it more convenient and less awkward to use Active Edge.

You can also adjust the sensitivity level of the squeeze required and allow the Active Edge feature to work when the screen is off. I rarely activated the Assistant by accident.

While Apple charges $999 for the privilege of owning a colorful OLED display and enjoying its wide viewing angles and perfect blacks on the iPhone X, and while the OLED Galaxy S8 starts at $750, you can get this screen tech on the Pixel 2 for $649

The Pixel 2's 5-inch screen isn't the sharpest, at 1920 x 1080 pixels, and it's much smaller than the 5.8-inch Galaxy S8, but it produced an excellent 148 percent of the sRGB color gamut. When I watched the Star Wars: The Last Jedi trailer on the Pixel 2's display, the golden orange around the insanely cute porg's eyes popped against its white fur, and the reflection of two clashing weapons in Captain Phasma's gleaming, silver helmet looked gorgeous.

The Pixel 2 XL's 6-inch screen sports a sharper, 2880 x 1440-pixel resolution. This panel registered a slightly lower 130 percent of the color gamut, but its colors are just about as accurate on paper. The Pixel 2 XL's display scored 0.26 on the Delta-E error test (0 is perfect), and the Pixel 2 hit 0.29.

The Pixel 2 XL's had some issues at launch. We found that there is a blue tint present on the Pixel 2 XL's panel at off-angles and that there was some graininess when viewing solid colored backgrounds. The Pixel 2 XL was also reportedly suffering from burn-in issues, with the icons at the bottom of the display staying on the screen even when they're not supposed to be present.

MORE: The Best Smartphones You Can Buy Today



Fortunately, a new update from Google provided more saturated hues via a new mode, and it should also mitigate burn-in.

The Pixel 2 XL is the phone you want to have outdoors, as it registered a higher 438 nits on our light meter, compared to just 346 nits on the Pixel 2. The Galaxy S8 notched 437 nits. The smartphone category average is 433.

Similar to the Galaxy S8 and Note 8, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL offer always-on displays, which show you the time and notifications at a glance. But the new Pixels go even further, with a Now Playing feature that can recognize music playing in the background and automatically display the title and artist.

From there, you can double tap the track to learn more about the song or to play it. It sometimes took 30 seconds or more for Now Playing to kick in, but it's not designed to replace Shazam; it's more about serendipitous discovery.

Google Lens: Amazing potential

While the cameras on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL take great-looking images, that's not what really makes the photo experience stand out. That would be Google Lens, an object-detection feature in the Camera and in Google Photos app.

With Google Lens, the Pixel 2 can recognize landmarks with ease, such as the Flatiron Building in New York City. I just snapped a photo, then tapped on the lens icon on the bottom of the screen; Google Assistant then displayed an information card on the building with info from Wikipedia.

I had mixed results when taking pictures of businesses. After I took a shot of the neon sign for Gleason's Tavern, Google Assistant gave the the star rating and a brief description of the establishment, along with its hours of operation. But Google Lens didn't recognize the sign for Dough, which is a premium donut shop.

Google Lens worked pretty well on a business card; the phone easily picked up the email address of the contact and his phone number. Last but not least, I tried photographing a Spider-Man Homecoming movie poster, and the phone returned a synopsis and rating from Rotten Tomatoes.

Google Lens will be coming to other Android phones later, but for now at least, it's a Pixel exclusive.

There's one other camera feature that's coming that I did not have a chance to test, which is AR stickers. With this perk, you'll be able to insert characters from franchises like Stranger Things and Star Wars right into your images.

Cameras and Image Quality: Great, but no iPhone 8 killer

Considering the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL sport single rear 12-megapixel cameras, you might think that they're snapping pics with one arm tied around their backs compared to dual-lens camera phones. Nope. They aren't, and that's because these phones are smart enough to offer a Portrait mode (bokeh effect) through software that works even on the phones' front 8-MP camera.



In one portrait I took of my colleague Cortney with the Pixel 2, the New York City skyline blurred into the background, but not too much  just enough for her red-orange hair, blue shirt and green jacket to pop. As I zoomed in, though, I noticed that one part of a building behind her didn't have the blur effect. It's too bad that you can't preview Portrait Mode results in real time, as you can with the iPhone 8 and Galaxy Note 8; the bokeh effect is applied after you take the shot.

In terms of overall image quality, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 Plus give the best camera phone, the iPhone 8 Plus, a run for its money. But they don't surpass it.

In this shot of the Flatiron Building, the Pixel 2's HDR+ setting brought out more details in the shadows than the iPhone 8 Plus did. The iPhone's image has a bit better contrast, but overall, the Pixel 2's image is the one I would share on Facebook or Instagram.

The iPhone 8 Plus pulled ahead with this shot of an outdoor art piece. The iPhone 8 Plus delivered a brighter image with more vibrant oranges, blues, purples and pinks.



Indoors, at the Lego store, it was a toss-up between the Pixel 2 and iPhone 8 Plus. The image of a Lego man in a top hat captured by Google's phone delivered more-realistic hues, while Apple's camera delivered a brighter image.

The iPhone 8 Plus won on this close-up of a lantana flower. The image turned out brighter than the Pixel 2 XL's shot, making it easier to tell that the sun was shining, although I could make out a great amount of detail in the leaves on both photos.



If you're an Android fan and you've been jealous of Apple's Live Photos, you'll get a kick out of the Motion photos feature on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 Plus. It captures a few seconds of video with each image and plays it back with a loop-like effect, as I noticed in one shot I took that had moving cars in the foreground.

Performance: Faster real-world speed

With the same Snapdragon 835 processor as the Galaxy S8 and the same 4GB of RAM as the Galaxy S8 and S8+, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL might be expected to offer the same performance. Actually, they're faster in real-world tasks.

On our video-editing test, in which we transcode a 2-minute 4K video clip to 1080p in the Adobe Clips app, the Pixel 2 took 2 minutes and 55 seconds, compared to 4:07 for the Galaxy S8. The Galaxy Note 8 took 3:03, and that phone packs 6GB of RAM. The Pixel 2 still wasn't nearly as fast as the iPhone 8 and its A11 Bionic chip, which needed 42 seconds.

Next, we opened up a 5.1 MB PDF file. The Pixel 2 took just 2 seconds, compared to nearly 6.41 seconds for the Galaxy Note 8. The iPhone 8 took 0.74 seconds.

The Pixel 2 didn't fare as well on synthetic benchmarks. On Geekbench 4, which measures overall performance, the Pixel 2 notched 6,282. That's a little bit behind the Galaxy S8's score (6,295) and well short of the Galaxy Note 8's showing (6,564). The iPhone 8 was in another league, at 10,170.

When performing everyday tasks, like running two apps side by side in split-screen mode, the Pixel 2 felt snappy and responsive. I played the demanding Warhammer 40,000: Freeblade game  busting up tanks with my mech  without any lag.

Battery Life: Excellent

Both the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL beat their Apple and Samsung foes in endurance. On the Tom's Guide Battery Test, which involves continuous web surfing over 4G LTE (in this case on Verizon), the Pixel 2 lasted a strong 11 hours and 7 minutes. The Pixel 2 XL lasted about an hour longer, at 12:09.

These runtimes far surpass the 9:40 smartphone average, and they beat the respective times of the iPhone 8 (9:54) and iPhone 8 Plus (11:16) and the Galaxy S8 (10:39) and Galaxy S8+ (11:04).



The Pixel 2 XL easily makes our list of the longest-lasting phones. Plus, you can expect even longer battery life should you choose T-Mobile for your Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL, as we've found that phones tend to last longer on that network.

One bummer, though, is that neither the Pixel 2 nor the Pixel 2 XL supports wireless charging. You'll need to plug in a USB-C cable if you want juice. Google claims that you'll get up to 7 hours of power in just 15 minutes. On our tests, we saw the Pixel 2 get up to 19 percent capacity in just 10 minutes, reaching 39 percent by the 30-minute mark.

Android Oreo: Minor (but welcome) upgrades

It's no surprise that Google's own phones are the first to ship with the new Android Oreo software installed. The updated OS doesn't offer dramatic improvements, but there are some worthwhile new features.

The new picture-in-picture mode isn't one of them. Although you can already run two apps side by side, picture-in-picture lets you exit an app and still see a floating window of one of the supported apps, such as YouTube and Google Maps. In the case of YouTube, you need to be signed up for YouTube Red ($9.99 per month) for this feature to work. I was able to easily drag a small window of the playback window around the screen as I worked in another app, but I just didn't see it as very practical.

I found the app shortcuts feature, which is similar to the 3D Touch feature on iOS, more useful. You long press an app icon to activate various shortcuts without having to open the app; for instance, you can long press the Phone app to quickly dial one of your top three contacts, or long press the Camera app to Take a video or Take a selfie.

Similarly helpful are the notification dots. When you log press an icon that has a dot on the upper right corner, you'll see the waiting notification without having to open the app. This came in handy for the Gmail app.

With Google's new ARCore initiative, compelling augmented reality apps will be making their way to certain Android Oreo phones, such as the Galaxy S8. The apps will be hitting the Google Play store this winter.

Oreo has lots of other features, including ones under the hood to optimize performance and battery life, as well as to enable stronger security. See our full Android Oreo review along with a look at the top 21 Oreo features.

Accessories: Not your average add-ons

With a lot of phones, the accessories are an afterthought, but not with the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. The new Pixel Buds ($159) are wireless headphones that let you carry on a conversation with someone else in their native language. Leveraging Google Translate and Google Assistant, these headphones help you say phrases in any one of 40 languages, and your Pixel 2 will utter that phrase aloud so that the person you're speaking with can understand you.

(Image credit: Google Pixel Buds. Credit: Google)

I did not have an opportunity to test out the Pixel Buds yet, but I look forward to it.

Another new accessory on the way is Google Clips, a pricier $249 camera that you can attach to pretty much anything to record video of loved ones, allowing you to keep your hands free. Because it uses machine learning, the Clips camera not only knows when there's a person in the frame to take a shot, but it can also learn who your friends and family members are over time.

If you're looking to get into virtual reality, there's also a new version of the Google Daydream View headset ($99), which offers improved comfort and optics with a wider sweet spot for content and increased resolution.

Bottom Line

With the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, it's clear that Google has chosen AI as its weapon of choice to fight the smartphone war. And given the company's prowess in machine learning, this is a smart move that has paid off. I found myself using Google Assistant a lot more in just a few days than I do Siri in a whole month with the iPhone, and not just because I was testing the new Pixels. Google Assistant understood me even when I didn't utter the exact right words, and I loved being able to summon it with just a squeeze.

If you own other Google gear, such as the Google Home Mini (which you can get for free right now when you order the Pixel 2) or Chromecast, the Assistant's powers multiply. In a way, Google is starting to pull away from other Android phone makers, because the company is creating its own Apple-like walled garden. It's a more purposeful fragmentation.

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL also benefit from faster performance than the Galaxy S8, stellar front and back cameras and long battery life. Overall, I prefer the sleeker designs and curved edge-to-edge displays on the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, and the iPhone 8 Plus remains the king of camera phones. But if you want a pure Android experience, you'll love the $849 Pixel 2 XL. The Pixel 2's bezels are just way too big and it's screen too small for me to take this phone seriously, even for its relatively low $649.

Credit: Shaun Lucas/Tom's Guide


Blue Collar Star James Johann At Stanfords This Weekend

It was Larry The Cable Guy, Ron White, Bill Engvall and James Johann who were the original 'Blue Collar Tour.' Their big days began at Universal Studios Theater in Los Angeles. Sold out shows and our guy James Johann the first man up. James had just signed with William Morris Agency, he was discovered right here in Kansas City at a showcase at Stanford and Sons in Overland Park. Johann had allready been a hot comic all over the country at the time. After the 'Blue Collar Tour' took off, management decided to have Johann and The Cable Guy do theater and stadium events together, just the two of them. In fact they did Kemper Arena during that run and James played even with Larry that night. Sold out show in front of over 10,000 right here in KC.Since those days James went on a two man tour with Jeff Foxworthy, became radio's 'Rural Genius', got his own show on CMT, had a show on Comedy Central and late night with Craig Ferguson. He's been busy, besides doing comedy clubs all over the nation for years. James took time out to raise his daughter and area comics like Jeff Vaughn his co star this weekend at Stanfords, improve their acts. He is a wonderful, clean cut performer with plenty of KC fans. James grew up in this area, Miami County.You can see James Johann with Jeff Vaughn this weekend at Stanfords. For tickets call 913 400 7500 or get them online at stanfordscomedyclub.com. As most know Stanfords is at the Legends, Village West, next to Dave and Busters. You will be glad you came. Shows at 745/945pm this Friday and Saturday night. Next week 'clean comedy' with God's little smart pants Michael Joyner and Elliot Threat both have emmy and grammy nominated comedy albums.#############
Please Don't Hold Your Breath Waiting For That Great Cowtown Tech Job

Kansas City ranks as top U.S. tech, entrepreneurship hub Kansas City's emerging tech hub and entrepreneurial ecosystem continue to attract national attention. On Thursday, Kansas City ranked among the top tech cities in the U.S., according to the Tech Cities 1.0 report by Cushman & Wakefield. The report showcased the nation's top 25 cities, with Kansas City nabbing the No.

Another Kangaroo Beat Down Lesson

Police investigating aggravated assault near UMKC campus Authorities are investigating an aggravated assault that occurred near the University of Missouri-Kansas City after a woman told Kansas City police a person she knows shot at her. The woman told police a person in a silver 2000-2003 Pontiac Grand Am pulled beside her vehicle and fired a pistol at her about 9:15 p.m.

The Kansas City Weekend Is For Fatties

Food Truck Frenzy & Other Weekend Possibilities It's a Food Truck Frenzy. The city of Lenexa is hosting a food truck extravaganza from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today at Lenexa City Center (southeast corner of 87th Street Parkway and Renner Boulevard). It's a dozen trucks offering up everything from meatballs to waffles to Asian fare.

Fear of Sewer STANK Unites Us All

Plumbers warn about smell coming from your pipes during hot weather If you smell a sewage-like smell while inside your home, it could be coming from your pipes. When the heat outside intensifies, water evaporates inside of pipes that aren't often used. With an ozone alert being issued for the metro area, that can intensify the sewer smell which could cause hydrogen sulfide poisoning.

Royals Return To Wonderful Mediocrity

Szczur's pinch homer helps Padres to 6-3 win over Royals SAN DIEGO (AP) - Pinch-hitter Matt Szczur's home run couldn't have come at a better time for Jhoulys Chacin and the San Diego Padres. Szczur hit a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning while batting for Chacin and the Padres beat the Kansas City Royals 6-3 on Friday night to snap a five-game losing streak.

We're up early to celebrate the pr0n legacy of this Internets hottie along with some of the less miserable Kansas City mainstream media links. Checkit:is the song of the day and this is thefor right now . . .
Lancaster County Commissioners pulled out the checkbook and pen this week in giving preliminary approval to requests for $1.79 million to help fund renovation of Pinewood Bowl and $10,000 to develop a smartphone application offering a virtual tour of Lincolns public art.

Known as Otocast, the app offers more than 100 guides for cities such as Dallas and Indianapolis with 1,900 points of interest, including art, historic sites, landmarks and architecture, according to the companys website.

The Lincoln Partners for Public Art Development, dedicated to expanding the citys art collection, requested money from the county-directed Visitors Improvement Fund to develop an audio walking tour that will showcase 50 art pieces and draw attention to the citys growing collection.

Jeff Maul, director of the Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the app will help guide travelers to the citys sites, which fits well with the lodging tax's goal of increasing tourism.

It takes the arts in Lincoln, which is cultural tourism  and ties it into a national network. When people are looking for art opportunities in the community theyre traveling to, this app will allow them to find it, find restaurants and hotels and shopping around it. Its a comprehensive look at what the destination is all about, Maul said.

The Lincoln art app is expected to be up and running by next spring.

Commissioners suggested doubling the amount that the advisory Visitors Promotion Committee recommended be spent from the Improvement Fund on renovations at Pinewood Bowl, effectively fully funding the $1.79 million request from operator SMG-Lincoln. Commissioners directed County Budget Director Dennis Meyer to develop a four-year schedule of payments from lodging tax funds, beginning in 2018.

The biggest chunk, $750,000, will pay for construction of a building for performers at Pinewood Bowl.

Commissioners said they hope the building will help attract world-class entertainers who might not want to deal with the current changing rooms set up in a wood cabin reminiscent of a 1940s summer camp.

A few of the other upgrades to the circa 1947 outdoor concert venue at Pioneers Park include $200,000 for a new concessions facility, $130,000 for a backstage parking and loading plaza, $100,000 for spotlight towers, $20,000 to modify the orchestra pit and $10,000 for VIP seats.

The city hired Clark Enersen Partners in 2014 to draft a master plan for Pinewood Bowl renovations included in the funding request.

Commissioners were much less receptive of a request for $175,000 to pay half the cost of renovating the 27-year-old seats in the Lied Center for Performing Arts.

Both commissioners Bill Avery and Deb Schorr questioned the need for new seats and what replacing them would do to attract people to Lincoln.

When you look at people from the outside planning a weekend trip, I cant imagine the seats would even venture into their decision-making, Avery said.

Schorr moved to reject the request, which the advisory committee had recommended for funding, but Commission Jennifer Brinkman interjected. Brinkman noted that Pinewood Bowl representatives attended Thursday's meeting to pitch their plans.

I think that it is bad practice to allow one of the applicants to be here to make an argument for their grant application and not indicate for others, that we might not be approving, to have the same opportunity, Brinkman said.

Commissioners opted to postpone a vote on the Lied Center request for one week.

Lied Center Executive Director William Stephan, who was in New York on a work trip Thursday, said in a phone interview that he hopes to convince the commissioners to support the $362,000 renovation of the seats, half of which is being funded with donations.

We want to maintain the pristine condition of the Lied Center, he said. This is a great investment of hotel tax revenue.

The county Visitors Improvement Fund is expected to have a $2.4 million balance by the end of this month. Lodging tax revenues have been growing and are expected to reach $1.85 million this fiscal year, and $2 million next year, Meyer said.

County staff will draft contracts that will have to be approved by County Board members at a future meeting.
TEAM SLY IS ALREADY PUTTING TOGETHER AN ELECTION SLATE THAT INCLUDES TRANSIT DUDE ROBBIE MAKINEN AS A MAYORAL HOPEFUL!!!

Nevertheless, Robbie Makinen now joins the fray as a potential KC Mayoral contender in the next election and one of Team Sly's faves.

The mayor's buddies and fanboys have devised a horrible plan over many beverages and Kansas City insiders are surprised to hear it repeated during the light of day.Accordingly . . .Never mind that the guy might be very nice but not really qualified for the job he has now. This plan also doesn't consider so many complaints across the metro about quality and service of KC bus transit. Finally, the plan also fails to mention resistance and annoyance to so many hapless KCATA plans like their silly move to try and take over the airport.Again, while we respect the struggle and the hustle of Mr. Makinen . . . His affiliation with Team Sly reveals that the Mayor's acolytes have become increasingly out of sync with the electorate and hopes for KC moving into the future. While insiders and corporate patronage currently rule the last days of Mayor Sly, it's doubtful that KCMO will remain an "open city" for brazen subsidy for very long. At the very least, the money is going to run out . . . Again.And so, this bus dude might have traveled a long way but he shouldn't expect a free pass from the voting public just because he's friendly with the Mayor.Developing . . .
Greekcitytimes.com published the following guide on alternative Greek islands:

Now I know Mykonos and Santorini are amongst almost everyones favourite Greek islands, due to the unbeatable beaches and breathtaking views respectively (plus, you can fly directly there from many countries) but for those willing to make the extra effort, I can suggest dozens of islands, less popular and touristy, yet amazingly beautiful. If you want to spend a few days relaxing within tranquility and living true local authentic experiences, then this post is for you!

Anafi

Anafi is a small island located on the southern east of the Cyclades complex. According to Greek mythology, Anafi emerged from the bottom of the Aegean Sea in order to give shelter to the Argonauts. Its still untouched by mass tourism, with crystal clear waters, keeping its authentic character alive. The capital, Chora, is a blend of white houses, flowers and picturesque alleys.

The beaches are few but truly wonderful. Mikros and Megalos Roukounas and Klisidi are the ones you have to swim at.

Astypalaia

This island can be described as a little drop of heaven, where the deep blue sea meets the whitewashed characteristic houses. The Chora of Astypalaia is imposing and its the place to explore the real, authentic island life. On the top, you will see the castle. Enjoy your day by strolling around the picturesque alleys, discovering colourful corners and at dusk, be prepared for the most magical scenery! Astypalaia carries a mystery, an energy that will overwhelm you. It has a magnetic force that youll understand only when you visit.

The nearest beaches are Livadi, Pera Yalos, Plakes and Ble Limanaki, whilst Vatses and Kaminakia are more on the wild side. Moreover, there is Vathy, a beach that looks like a lagoon. Its worth renting a boat and visiting Koutsomiti, Kounoupes, Diaporia, Chondro and Ligno, tiny islands that lie in a very close distance.

Nisyros

This volcanic little island, is part of the Dodecanese complex, situated between Kos and Tilos. Its lovely and untouched by the tourism growth. Nisyros was shaped by the volcanos explosion. You can actually visit it and get to see the crapers, with Stefanos being the most popular. The island is also ideal for the ones interested in religion tourism, as it has many monasteries to visit, with Panagia Spiliani being the most scenic.

You can swim at Mandraki, the capital, at Chochlaki, known for the big black stones, at Lefki and Gialiskari beaches.

Donousa

The northern island of the Small Cyclades complex is ideal for the ones aiming to escape the crowds. Its among the first choices for free campers, who seek for a space at Kedros or Livadi beaches. Stavros is the capital and the place which is basically the meeting point for visitors. Donousa is perfect for those who love hiking, attributed to its size and path options. The aforementioned beaches are known for the crystal clear waters and white sand. Be prepared, though, and bring with you water and other necessary equipment.

TIP: Donousa island is really close to Schoinousa and Iraklia, two more little and undiscovered islands, which belong to the Small Cyclades complex. Its worth visiting and why not make it an island hopping trip?!

Samothrace

The mountainous island on the northern Aegean Sea is blessed with natural beauty. Samothrace (or Samothraki) stands out for its natural surroundings, the imposing waterfalls and the rich ancient history and mysteries. One time is enough to encompass you in its atmosphere. Dont miss the Sanctuary of the Greek Gods. This place was worshipped for over 1.000 years and you can still feel the awe and the aura. Samothrace is also ideal for those of you seeking adventure and activities, like trekking, crossing gorges or rafting. You should discover the paths of Mountain Saos, experiencing a refreshing dip in the fairytale waterfalls and go to Agios Andreas for birdwatching.

Pachia Ammos is the most cosmopolitan beach of the island, whilst Vatos is the most exotic one, reached by boat from Kamariotissa. Therma is a sandy beach with wonderful surroundings and Karkani is known for the blue waters, being kind of difficult to approach though.

Thassos

The island of green and blue colours fascinates with its spectacular natural beauty. Emerald waters and virgin natural surroundings create the best scenery for your vacation. The Village of Theologos is a must visit, as its the most wonderful one, with rich cultural interest. The island is ideal for the ones who want to be active, offering options of hiking, mountain biking, horse riding in Skala and diving in Panagia Isle shipwreck.

An interesting visit, due to its special geological formation, is Giola, a natural pool in the sea. The tricky part here, though, is that you have to walk a lot and make sure that the weather is suitable. If its windy, its difficult and dangerous to swim in this little pool. Saliara beach is one of the best. Right after Saliara there is Porto Vathy (youll need a jeep type of car to reach but its worth the ride). Alykes is known for the cold water, Paradise is popular for its turquoise waters and Glyfoneri is again a must visit. All three of them have superb taverns to eat after swimming.

Additionally, Cave of Drakotripa is one more visit you have to make, due to its interesting stalagmites formation. From the monastery of Archagel Michael in Limenaria you will take pictures of an amazing view. Lastly, the Ancient Theatre is very atmospheric, but check before you go, it was under renovation until recently.

Ithaca

The symbolic end of Odysseuss travels and adventures is the island of Ithaca. Odysseus found his Ithaca, he found peace. Odyssey, one of the greatest stories ever told, ends here, in the island with the mythical soul. Its located close to Kefalonia. Vathy is the capital and the most wonderful part. It combines perfectly the Aegean Sea and the aura of the Swiss lakes scenery. Perachori village offers splendid views over the island (there is also a tavern there that locals embrace for its grilled meat). Its worth visiting the Cave of the Nymph or Marmarospilia. Legend has it that Odysseus hid here the gifts of King Alkinoos of the Phaeacians.

Filiatro is a very nice beach, with tourist facilities, but make sure to be there no later than noon, in order to find sunbeds. Nevertheless, it has many trees offering natural shadows, so dont worry, youll definitely find a spot. Gidaki is a beach reached by boat, but here is a tip. You can go to Skinos, a secluded beach (make sure to bring with you water or snacks) and there, you can follow the easy to cross- path which ends at Gidaki. From Vathy now, you can rent a small boat and visit astonishing beaches that lie in a very close distance. If you are interested in that, make sure to book in advance.

A very nice ride that will lead you to one more splendid and panoramic view of the island is the one to Moni Katharon. During the ride, you have two options. Either you cross by Frikes or you take the road through Anoyi, both being lovely villages.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
The Labour ministry tabled an amendment in parliament on Thursday which freezes pension increases until 2023 to free up funds to support other social spending in which Greece is lagging behind, the ministry said.

The increases in main pensions were initially scheduled for 2022. According to the ministry, postponing the increases by one year will save the unified social security fund EFKA about 250 million euros in 2022.

Further cuts in pension expenditure and postponing the increase in pensions to the end of 2022, will allow for the release of funds that support other social expenditures in which Greece lags significantly over other EU countries, which results in a lack of adequate protection for vulnerable social groups, the ministry said.

The amendment is included in a draft bill on fishing which will be voted on Friday.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Seafront projects are vital for Bahrain as they will play a significant role in turning the kingdom into an important touristic destination, said the Minister of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Essam bin Abdulla Khalaf.



He was speaking at a meeting with senior officials of Bahrain Bay Company including the CEO Ghaghan Suri, development director Ken Sweeni and associate manager Shaima Noor Al Dein. Present from the ministry was also chairman of the Central Planning Office Dominic Mc Polin.



Khalaf stressed the ministrys support to plans aimed at improving the seafront in Bahrain. He also commended Bahrain Bay Companys development plan.



Suri expressed his trust in the ministrys expertise and viewpoints with regards to enhancing the development plan of Bahrain Bay. He also lauded the ministrys contribution to improving infrastructure in Bahrain and providing a decent life to the Bahraini citizens.



The meeting shed light on Bahrain Bay Companys development plan, which contains several stages to develop the seafront. Al Khalaf also lauded the successful events held in Bahrain Bay like the recent Food Festival.



According to Bahrain Bay Company officials, several other events have been lined up this year.-TradeArabia News Service
US President Donald Trump accused Qatar of funding terrorism at a high level, just hours after his secretary of state urged Saudi Arabia and its allies to end a blockade of the gas-rich state because it was creating economic hardship and hitting counter-terrorism efforts.

Speaking from the White House, Trump said Qatar has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level, reported Financial Times.

His comments came at the end of a week that saw Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt sever ties with the Gulf state over concerns that it was fuelling terrorism and supporting Shia proxies of Iran.

Trump said Saudi Arabia and other nations had talked to him about confronting Qatar in the wake of his recent visit to Riyadh.

We had a decision to make: do we take the easy road or do we finally take a hard but necessary action? We have to stop the funding of terrorism, said Trump. I decided, along with secretary of state Rex Tillerson . . . the time had come to call on Qatar to end its funding . . . and its extremist ideology in terms of funding.

Earlier on Friday, Tillerson asked Saudi Arabia and its allies to halt the blockade because of humanitarian consequences and also because it was hindering US military actions in the region and the campaign against Isis.

The US is seeking to stem a region-wide diplomatic crisis that is threatening its focus on counter-terrorism.

The countries accuse Qatar, which hosts a large US air base crucial for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, of funding terrorist groups throughout the region. The expanding crisis has since drawn in Turkey, Russia and Iran.

Qatars ambassador to the US told the Financial Times on Thursday that Saudi Arabia and its allies planned to give a list of demands - expected to include issues related to terrorism - to Doha within 10 days and that the Qatari leadership would consider taking action where they felt it was appropriate.

We are courageous enough to acknowledge if things need to be amended, said Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani.

Tillerson praised efforts by Kuwait to mediate the crisis and said Washington would support the emir of Kuwait.

While the US is publicly offering to help mediate, Saudi Arabia and its allies in the Gulf have made clear that the dispute should be resolved among them, reported FT.

Tillerson on Friday urged Qatar to be responsive to the concerns of its neighbours as he called on Doha to halt financial and other support for terrorists.

Qatar has a history of supporting groups that have spanned the spectrum of political expression, from activism to violence, he added.
European energy markets started to feel the impact of the escalating diplomatic row in the Middle East after natural gas prices soared when tankers full of Qatari fuel abruptly changed course, reported Bloomberg.



Two ships bound toward Europe veered course on Thursday, taking them away from the Red Sea and Suez Canal, the transit route for gas into the Mediterranean Sea and a point of focus amid the Qatari crisis.



The vessels may be sailing around Africa to Europe to avoid the Suez Canal, the Paris-based cargo-tracking company Kpler SAS, wqs quoted as saying in the report.



European gas traders count on Qatar, the regions biggest LNG supplier, to help refill storage sites depleted after the key winter heating season.



Front-month gas in the UK jumped the most since January after the turnaround surprised traders, who had been bearish the fuel according to a survey earlier in the day, before fluctuating on Friday.



The LNG tankers, the Zarga and Al Mafyar, turned around off the coast of Yemen, according to ship-tracking data on Bloomberg.



Both ships were expected to go to the UK, and sailing round the Cape of Good Hope would delay their journeys by five to 10 days, Kpler said by email.



The Zargas easterly course may be an attempt to avoid high-risk areas off Somalia, it said, anticipating arrival in the UK on July 7.



While this would delay receipts for a couple of weeks and would lead to ripple effects felt over the remainder of June, it would have a smaller impact on price differentials and would still allow large year-on-year increases of LNG imports in Europe, Trevor Sikorski, head of natural gas and carbon at Energy Aspects Ltd. in London, said by email.



If the ships stay east of Suez, that would mean more Qatari gas left in the Pacific basin, pressuring Asian LNG spot prices and supporting European hub prices, he said. More North American LNG, which this week reached northern Europe for the first time, would focus on the region as the premium global market for gas, he said.



Europe isnt short of gas as Russias Gazprom PJSC is shipping winter volumes through pipelines and the heating season wont start until October, reported Bloomberg citing experts.



Europe is well supplied by Russian gas, can pull US LNG at short notice, and there is plenty of time to replenish gas storage volumes, said Claudio Steuer, director at SyEnergy, a Poole, UK-based consultant. The risk of prolonged tension with Qatar is more troublesome for Europe, and the next winter.



Qatars relations with its Gulf Arab neighbors Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain deteriorated Monday when the three countries, along with Egypt, severed diplomatic ties as well as land, sea and air travel with the Gulf state over supporting extremist groups.



The shipping industry is likely to feel the impact of the crisis as entry bans on vessels from Qatar at some ports will force shippers to find alternative routes to refuel, potentially increasing costs and causing delays in LNG deliveries, according to FGE.



UK front-month gas on Thursday rose 4 per cent to 37.46 pence per therm ($4.75 a million British thermal units), the biggest gain since January 30 on ICE Futures Europe. It fell 1.5 per cent Friday.
RACINE PUBLIC LIBRARY

RACINE  The Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St., is offering these free events:

Maker Mondays, 9 a.m.-noon Monday, June 12. Attendees watch the librarys 3D printer in action, use Tinkercard, explore Minecraft and more during this drop-in program.

Tuesdays @ 2: Movie Series Just for Adults, 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 13. A movie will be shown (contact library for title).

Summer storytimes, 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesday, June 13-July 19. Tuesday storytimes focus on community helpers and Wednesday storytimes focuses on families.

Teen Advisory Council, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 13. Open to teens entering grades six through 12 and new members, participants will brainstorm library events and parties, discuss books and movies and receive community service hours for school. For more information, email Carrie Richmond at carrie.richmond@racinelibrary.info.

Teen Lock-in, Friday, June 16. A kick-off for the summer reading program, the event will feature pizza, a finger printing workshop, gaming, crafts and more. In-person registration is required at the Youth Services Desk and parents must sign a permission slip.

Repair Cafe, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 17. Various volunteer repair experts will be available to help make repairs free of charge. Tools and materials will also be on hand.

To register for an event, call 262-636-9217, unless otherwise listed, or go to www.racinelibrary.info. A valid library card is required.

WATERFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY

WATERFORD  The Waterford Public Library, 101 N. River St., is offering these free events:

Imagination library beach party, 10-11 a.m. Monday, June 12. Celebrate reading and summer with a beach party storytime which kicks off the summer reading program. Children in attendance will receive a free book compliments of United Way.

Kohls Wild Theater presents: Great Global Extravaganza, 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, June 13. Program by Kohls Wild Theater featuring puppets, music and stories. Children will discover how small actions at home can impact the planet.

George Barry presents: Nobody Earns a Badge of Honor for Stress, 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 13. Barry will discuss the harmful effects of stress and the effects of being overworked on the mind and body. Registration is required.

Storywagon performance, 10-10:45 a.m. Wednesday, June 14. Circus Boy will perform.

Build it Challenge, 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, June 14. Tweens and teens may use materials provided to complete several building challenges for prizes and fun. Recommended for ages 8 and older. Advance registration required.

Storytime with Ronald McDonald, 10-10:45 a.m. Thursday, June 15. Ronald McDonald will lead a reading program featuring magic, music and comedy.

June Dairy Days, 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, June 16. A collaboration between the Farm Bureau Womens Committee, several 4-H clubs and the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, this free program will be held at Village Hall Park, 413 Racine St., Waterford, and feature 4-H animals, games and dairy treats.

For more information, call 262-534-3988 or go to www.waterford.lib.wi.us.

BURLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

BURLINGTON  The Burlington Public Library, 166 E. Jefferson St., will offer a free first-time homebuyers program led by John Sustachek from Envoy Mortgage at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 20. For more information, call 262-763-7623 or go to www.burlingtonlibrary.org.
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 9

In yet another seizure, the Special Task Force (STF), constituted by the Punjab Government to eradicate drug abuse from the border state, confiscated 260 gm of heroin valued at Rs 1.25 crore in the international black market.

The STF arrested one person in this connection, identified as Jagjit Singh alias Jaggi of Havelian village in Tarn Taran. He now resides at Harkrishan Nagar at Ghanupur Kale here. His accomplice and prime suspect in the case, Majinder Singh of Mule Chak village, also located in Tarn Taran, was yet to be arrested.

BK Singla, DSF, STF, while confirming the development said a raid was on to arrest Manjinder Singh, who is considered as the kingpin of the gang. The police have impounded the vehicle the accused were travelling in.

Singla said they were yet to ascertain whether this gang had any link with the previous gang. He said investigations were under progress, adding that the STF suspected the same persons used to supply the contraband to them who used to provide narcotics to the previous gang.

Earlier, the STF had arrested three persons with a similar quantity of heroin a couple of days ago.
Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 10

A militant was killed in a gunfight as the Army foiled an infiltration bid in Gurez sector of Bandipora district in Kashmir.

Defence sources said a group of militants was intercepted close to the Line of Control in Gurez sector during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday by the soldiers.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

As militants were challanged, they opened fire triggering a gunfight. The body of one militant was recovered this morning and one weapon was also recovered, they said, adding that the combing operation is still underway.

At least 13 militants have been killed in four gunfights in Nowgam and Machil in frontier Kupwara district, Uri in Baramulla and Gurez in Bandipora since Wednesday.

An Army jawan was also killed in one of these gunfights. Since Wednesday multiple infiltration attempts backed by Pakistan Army have been foiled along the LoC in Kashmir.

Large quantity of arms and ammunition has been recovered from the gunfight sites.
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 10:

As many as 150 people attended a free orthopedics health check-up camp at Iqbal Nursing Home here today.

A team of orthopedic surgeons headed by Dr Manuj Wadhwa including Dr Gaurav Sharma , an orthopedic surgeons and Dr Navjot Singh, senior physiotherapist.

Expert orthopedic consultations and checkups including diagnostic services such as bone mass densitometry (BMD) tests and consultation and counseling related to knee and hip replacements and implants were also provided during camp. Dr. Manuj will attend an OPD on hip and knee problems at Iqbal Nursing Home on June 11 from 10 am  2 pm.

Talking about the way arthritis is crippling the young nowadays, Dr Wadhwa, said contrary to the misconception that arthritis only affects elderly this disorder is increasingly found in the younger population. Earlier, patients around 65-year-old and above suffered from arthritis and underwent surgeries. But now the younger ones in age group of 40 to 45 years are facing arthritis. Higher levels of stress coupled with modern day lifestyles are increasing incidence of arthritis.

Dr Wadhwa further said that arthritis affects approximately 180 million people in India, which is higher than many well-known diseases.
Our Correspondent

Khanna, June 9

The Samrala police claimed to have seized 29 boxes of illicit liquor and arrested one person in this regard.

The accused has been identified as Madan Lal of Lopon village. Khanna SSP NS Mahal told the media that the accused had stored illegal liquor in his house and he was selling it to residents.

The police had raided his house and recovered 29 cases of English liquor  Imperial Blue, four boxes of Mcdowell and six boxes of country-made liquor  from his possession. The SSP said the recovered liquor was meant for sale in Chandigarh, but the accused had stored in his house and was selling it in the area. The SSP said a case under the Excise Act was registered in this regard.

Liquor meant for sale in Chandigarh

The police had recovered 29 cases of English liquor Imperial Blue, four boxes of Mcdowell and six boxes of country-made liquor  from his possession. The SSP said the recovered liquor was meant for sale in Chandigarh, but the accused had stored the liquor in his house and was selling the same in the area.
New Delhi, June 10

BJP chief Amit Shah dubbed Mahatma Gandhi as a "bahut chatur baniya", a reference to his mercantile caste, sparking a political row with the Congress and other opposition parties demanding an apology from him for insulting the Father of the Nation.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Shah made the reference to the mercantile caste to which Gandhi was born while telling a select audience of "prominent citizens" in Raipur yesterday how the "bahut chatur baniya" (very shrewd baniya) had rightly advised dissolution of the Congress after Independence.

Shah had also said the Congress was not rooted in any ideology or principles and was sort of a "special purpose vehicle" to secure freedom.

Facing flak, Shah on Saturday said the import of his comments was heard by the people who were present at yesterday's gathering.

"Maine jis reference me kaha hai waha sab logo ne suna, Surjewala ji ko abhi Gandhiji ke bahut sare siddhanto ka jawab dena hai. (Those present during the programme heard my comments and the reference in which they were made. AICC spokesperson Randeep Surjewala is yet to answer about many principles of Gandhi ji)," Shah told a press conference in Raipur when asked about AICC spokesperson Randeep Surjewala's demand for his apology over the remark.

Leading the opposition charge, Surjewala demanded an apology from Shah, BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Calling Shah a "trader of power", Surjewala said his remarks were "an insult to freedom fighters, their sacrifices and also to Gandhi."

While West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee termed the comments "uncalled for and unethical", CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy demanded that Shah tender an apology for making the "derogatory" remarks.

Former CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat also hit out at Shah, saying his remark reveals "the contempt the BJP- RSS has for Gandhiji."

At yesterday's event, Shah had said, "the Congress party... was constituted as a club by a British man. It was later converted into an organisation engaged in freedom struggle."

It had in its fold both right and left-leaning people like Maulana Azad, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and many others, he said.

"People of various ideologies and thinking associated themselves with the Congress to gain independence. The Congress didn't have any ideology or set of principles and it was only used as a special purpose vehicle to secure freedom.

"And therefore, Mahatma Gandhi, with a lot of foresight -- he was a very shrewd baniya -- he knew what was going to happen in future. He had said immediately after the Independence that the Congress should be dissolved."

Mahatma Gandhi couldn't do that, but now some people are completing the task of dissolution of the Congress, the BJP chief added, in an apparent jibe at the present Congress leadership.

"Rather than fighting casteism, they (BJP) identified even the Father of the Nation with his caste. This shows the character and ideology of the ruling party and its president. Where will these people take the country?" Surjewala asked.

"We demand that Amit Shah, the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to the country, the families of freedom fighters and every citizen for insulting the freedom movement... and the father of the nation," Surjewala told reporters in Delhi.

In a hard-hitting response, Surjewala alleged that "Amit Shah, who himself is a trader of power, is today saying that the freedom movement was a business model. But in reality, before independence, Britishers used RSS and Hindu Mahasabha as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for partition of the country."

He also said, "similarly, today the BJP is acting as a the SPV for few corporates for taking care of their business interests."

According to the Congress leader, Shah's remarks were "an insult to freedom fighters, their sacrifices and also to Gandhi".

CPI national secretary D Raja said Shah, being president of the ruling party, should be aware of the language to be used while describing a leader of Gandhi's stature.

"We have no problem when he criticises Congress or other opposition parties (during political discourse). But dragging Mahatma Gandhi's name, using such a language is denigrating Gandhi," Raja said.

According to Karat, Shah only revealed the BJP's actual opinion about Gandhi.

"Such a comment on the father of the nation is highly condemnable. Shah has crossed limits of politics," said Chattisgarh state Congress general secretary Shailesh Nitin Trivedi.

Talking about other issues, Shah said that among the 1,650 political parties in India, only the BJP and the Communist Party of India have upheld internal democracy.

"There are some parties where only dynastic rule prevails. It was clear that after Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi would take over, but nobody can predict who would be the next BJP president after me," Shah said.

Referring to alleged anti-national slogans raised in Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU), Shah said whoever does so will be termed as anti-national.

Shah, who is on a visit to Chhattisgarh since June 8, has interacted with MPs, MLAs, BJP office-bearers and booth representatives in a bid to strengthen the party ahead of the next year's Assembly polls in the state and 2019 parliamentary elections. PTI
Darjeeling (WB), June 10

A day after a 12-hour bandh called by the influential Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) for revival of Gorkhaland agitation, life limped back to normalcy here as people resumed their daily work with hotels, shops, eateries and markets opening for regular business on Saturday.

Following Thursdays violence between GJM supporters and the police, the GJM Yuva Morcha had called a bandh yesterday protesting against alleged imposition of Bengali language in the schools in the hills as well as for a separate Gorkhaland, among other issues.

Tourists gradually started arriving in Darjeeling after transportation facilities were put back in order.

Several hotel owners, however, said they have been receiving calls to cancel the bookings of many tourists.

This is a peak season and we have seen a surge in tourism here. If this continues, our business will take a dip as we depend on this season for our living. We are trying to convince the tourists that everything is fine but many of them are insisting on cancellation of bookings, Shibshankar Majumdar, manager of a hotel near Mall area, said.

Several tourists reached Kolkata availing the free bus service provided by the state government in the wake of the unrest in the hills.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was already in Darjeeling on Thursday, had stayed back after trouble broke out and supervised the entire operations.

State government sources said the chief minister, who had descended to the plains of Darjeeling district late last night, will take stock of the situation in the hills from there itself.

Banerjee, who spent last night at Uttar Kanya, the mini- secretariat in north Bengal, is likely to hold a meeting there with Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee, Home Secretary Malay De, Director General of Police Surajit Kar Purkayastha and other senior officials in the afternoon regarding the next step to tackle the situation in the hills.

With the state government announcing a special audit of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administrations (GTA) handling of finances in another two weeks, GJM chief Bimal Gurung is also likely to meet his party colleagues to decide their next strategy.

Meanwhile, the state government has replaced Darjeeling superintendent of police Amit Javalgi with Akhilesh Chaturvedi, who was serving as the deputy commissioner (Central), Kolkata Police.  PTI
Mandsaur (MP), June 10

Mandsaur, the epicentre of the farmers agitation in Madhya Pradesh, remained peaceful on Saturday with authorities relaxing curfew for 12 hours from 8 am to 8 pm.

As the situation eased, markets reopened and locals stepped out to stock essentials such as vegetables and milk.

District Collector OP Srivastava said normalcy was returning and there was no report of any untoward incident.

Curfew, which was imposed after five people were killed in police firing during a farmers protest on June 6, was relaxed for 12 hours in five police station areas of the district. Internet services, however, remained suspended in the area.

If the situation remains normal, curfew will be withdrawn tomorrow, Srivastava said.

Farmers in the state began protests over low prices for their crops on June 1. The Mandsaur-Neemuch region, about 300 km from the state capital Bhopal, became the nerve centre of the gathering storm of farmer distress. Later, protests spread to some other parts of the state.

On the allegation that 26-year-old farmer Ghanashyam Dhakad died in police custody, the district collector said the authorities were looking into the charge and that appropriate action would be taken if anyone was found guilty.

He said the kin of the deceased would be provided Rs 1 crore as compensation and a member of his family would be given a government job, as announced by the state government for the five other victims.

The last rites of Dhakad were performed at his native Badavan village in the violence-hit Mandsaur district.

Villagers had alleged that he was beaten up by policemen, leading to his death.

Earlier today, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan sat on an indefinite fast at Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal for restoration of peace. He has appealed to farmers to come to Dussehra Maidan and have a dialogue with him.  PTI
Bhopal, June 10

State Agriculture Minister Gauri Shankar Bisen said on Saturday that farmers could not be given a loan waiver, a statement that comes even while Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is sitting on an indefinite hunger strike "until peace is restored".

"The demand for loan waiver to farmers in Madhya Pradesh holds no justification as we are taking back loans at a rate of 10 per cent less than the principal amount. When we did not impose any interests on loan, how can it be waived off," Bisen told reporters.

Read: Curfew lifted from Mandsaur city, prohibitory orders to remain in force

Farmers' protests that started in the state on June 1, demanding better prices for their produce and debt relief, turned violent on June 6 when six farmers were killed in police firing in Mandsaur. The violence has spilled over to several other districts, including the Malwa-Nimad area and even reached the state capital. Angry farmers have been blocking roads, vandalising property and setting vehicles on fire.

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Meanwhile, Chouhan started his indefinite fast at BHEL's Dussehra Maidan here on Saturday till peace is restored in the state. He is also running is government from the venue.

Chouhan, clad in kurta-pajama and a Nehru jacket, sat on fast at a pandal erected at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limiteds Dussehra Maiden here at around 11 am after former chief minister Kailash Joshi put a tilak on his forehead. Chouhans wife Sadhana was by his side.  IANS/ PTI
Mumbai, June 10

A 25-year-old woman, who threw acid at her former boyfriend in Mumbais Goregaon, was arrested by the police on Friday.

The victim has been admitted to a nearby hospital.

The accused has been charged under Sections 326-A, 323 and 504 of the IPC and sent to police custody till June 14.

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The couple had recently fought with each other, following which the man broke up with her.

Upset over the incident, she threw acid at the mans face at the latters workplace.

Om Singh Solanki, 26, and Meera Sharma had been in a relationship for four years.

But Solanki broke up with Sharma recently.

The police said the break-up did not go down well with Sharma.

Solanki was working with a private company in Goregaon.

Lately, the couple had started having several heated arguments following which Solanki decided to break up with her.

Annoyed over the incident, the woman first brought acid and met the boy outside his workplace.

After a heated argument, the woman threw acid on Solanki.

Solanki suffered minor injuries on his face and hands as the acid was not too strong. ANI
Dehradun, June 10

Youths in Jammu and Kashmir are being misinformed and misguided by forces inimical to peace, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said on Saturday.

Security forces had to devise ways to counter this, he said, while addressing gentlemen cadets at the prestigious Indian Military Academy here.

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Rawat said terrorism was the biggest challenge in front of the country as he urged the cadets to gear up to grapple with the scourge.

The Army chief presided over a colourful passing-out parade by 490 gentlemen cadets on the completion of their course.

He said it was time they put the lessons of valour and military skills learnt at the academy to the service of the nation.

The Army chief, himself an alumnus of the IMA, said the academy imparted the best training to its cadets which matched up to international standards.

Earlier, the immaculately turned-out cadets put up a well-synchronised parade before Rawat at the academys famous tarmac drill square with the historic Chetwode Building in the background.

As the passing-out parade started two army choppers flew over the drill square to shower rose petals on the tarmac, carpeting it with flowers.

The 490 cadets who passed out include 67 cadets from friendly countries. Uttar Pradesh accounts for the highest number of cadets with 74, followed by Haryana 49, Uttarakhand 40, Rajasthan 30, Bihar 28 and Delhi with 23.

Later, speaking to reporters, Rawat said women needed to be given combat roles in the army as terrorists often used women as shields. PTI
Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 9

It was a double delight for the Dhesi family of Jalandhars Raipur village. Sarwan Singh Dhesi, 95, the family patriarch, broke into a gentle dance when told about the victory of his grandson Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (38) from Britains Slough constituency as well as that of relative Preet Gill (44) from Birmingham Edgbaston. Preets sister is married to Tanmanjeets cousin Taranjeet.

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Well-wishers, who swarmed the Dhesi residence, were served sweets even as local residents organised langar at the village gurdwara. Tanmanjeet faced several hurdles initially. A former MP was against his candidature. Some minority communities too were reluctant to back him. But he was eventually able to turn the tide in his favour, said a resident, barely able to contain his excitement.

Tanmanjeets uncle said his nephew, who was born in Slough, came to India when he was four years old. After schooling in Mohali, he returned to England for further studies. Now his two sons were studying in a reputed school in Jalandhar. Such is his love for his roots, he observed.

Tanmanjeets father Jaspal Singh was president of Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar in Gravesend for more than 20 years. Elected councillor, Tanmanjeet was later appointed the Mayor of Gravesend.

There were celebrations at Preet Gills native village Jamsher Khehra too with residents organising langar and distributing sweets. Preets nephew Balraj said his uncle Davinder Singh, who migrated to the UK in 1962, had served as president of Smethwick Gurdwara, Birmingham, for over 20 years.

It was owing to his contribution to the people there that Preet, his eldest daughter, was elected councillor in 2011 and is now MP from Birmingham. He is the man behind my bhuas victory, he said.

Sikh community backs labour
Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 9

In a statewide crackdown, more than 26 per cent private buses were today found plying without any permit, registration certificate and road tax papers. Some had fake number plates. Inspecting teams, comprising Vigilance and Transport Department officials, found non-AC buses plying on permits meant for AC buses, pointing to tax evasion.

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Having ignored the issue for months, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had on June 7 ordered a crackdown on illegal bus operations after the matter was highlighted in the columns of The Tribune.

During the checking today, it was found that buses belonging to a particular company (owned by an influential political family) had the registration number mentioned on a slip attested by the Secretary, Regional Transport Authority, whereas it is required to be displayed on the route permit. Sources said this showed that several buses were being plied on a single permit. The surprise checking saw the daily route receipts of state transport undertakings and private transporters with valid permits recording a substantial rise. MS Narang, Managing Director, PRTC, said: Details of the route receipts will be available only tomorrow but the crackdown on illegal players is bound to boost the income of the state transport.

Of the 1,715 buses checked, 454 buses did not have a route permit or registration certificate, BK Uppal, Chief Director, Punjab Vigilance Bureau, said.

Some drivers carried only photocopies of permits. Some did not even have the drivers licence. Also, several private buses were disregarding the time schedule.

Buses with permits to carry tourists were found picking ordinary passengers, causing losses to the public transport system.

With private bus operations affected, bus stand fee collectors at the Jalandhar bus stand reported a 40 per cent fall in collections.

(With inputs from Deepkamal Kaur, Nikhil Bhardwaj and Harinder Singh)
London, June 9

Britain today got its first female Sikh MP and first turban-wearing MP as the UK general election results threw up a small increase in the number of Indian-origin MPs in the House of Commons.

The latest tally indicates the Labour Party has improved its record from five to seven MPs, with the Tories retaining their five Indian-origin MPs, taking the total number up from 10 in the 2015 general election to 12.

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Labours Preet Kaur Gill won her Birmingham Edgbaston seat by polling 24,124 votes, defeating her Conservative Party rival by 6,917 votes.

I am delighted I have been given the opportunity to become the next MP for Edgbaston where I was born and raised. I want to engage with the people of Edgbaston and with hard work, passion and determination I think we can achieve great things together, she said.

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, known as Tan, won his Slough seat decisively, polling 34,170 votes, to become Labours first turban-wearing MP. He defeated his Conservative rival by a whopping 16,998 votes. He said he was humbled and wanted to serve the town where he was born and raised.

Credit to the Labour Party leadership for taking the bold step of giving Sikhs the opportunity to fight for winnable seats. Labour now needs to turn its attention to having visible Sikh representation in the House of Lords so Sikhs are better represented and can bring fresh thinking and ideas, Sikh Federation UK said in a statement.

A second turban-wearing Sikh, Labours Kuldip Sahota, lost out narrowly to his Conservative rival by just 720 votes. Among some of the other Indian-origin contestant results, Conservatives Priti Patel held on to her stronghold of Witham in Essex with a solid majority of 18,646, Alok Sharma held on to Reading West by 2,876 votes and Shailesh Vara won in Cambridgeshire North West by 18,008 votes.

The 2015 general election first-timers for the Tories, Rishi Sunak and Suella Fernandes, have also held on to their seats decisively with a margin of 23,108 and 21,555 votes, respectively.

For the Labour Party, the longest serving Indian-origin MP Keith Vaz held on to his Leicester East seat and his sister Valerie Vaz also won to hold on to her Walsall South seat. Lisa Nandy won in Wigan for Labour, Seema Malhotra held on to Feltham & Heston and Virendra Sharma polled 31,720 in his safe seat of Ealing Southall.

Among some prominent losses, Labours Dr Neeraj Patil, the ex-Mayor of the London Borough of Lambeth, lost to Justine Greening, the UKs education minister. Paul Uppal, who was expected to regain Wolverhampton South West for the Tories, also lost out to his Labour rival. Other Tory Indian-origin hopefuls  Rahoul Bhansali, Samir Jassal, Ameet Jogia, Resham Kotecha, Reena Ranger, Meera Sonecha and Minesh Talati  all lost out to Labour.  PTI

12 Indian-origin lawmakers in House
Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, June 10

A 60-member special team of the Gurdaspur Police, which included sharp shooters and members of the elite SWAT squad, arrested Gian Kharal, a key Vicky Gounder aide, in the wee hours on Saturday after a brief encounter in which Kharal sustained a bullet injury in his leg.

Two of his accomplices, whom the police have refused to identify, fled. At the time of filing this report, they were still at large despite the cops throwing a massive dragnet in all villages surrounding the crime scene.

The encounter occurred near the Tugalwal police chowki, falling under the jurisdiction of Kahnuwan police station.

A profusely bleeding Kharal, wanted in more than a dozen cases, was admitted to the civil hospital amid tight security.

Acting on a specific input, we learnt that Kharal and his gang would be using a particular stretch of road near Tugalwal to make good their escape from the district. A special team led by SP (D) Harpal Singh, DSP (D) Dev Dutt Sharma and DSP (City) AD Singh challenged the troika who were travelling in a Bolero car. Kharal, who was driving, stopped the vehicle and was fired at just as he was about to escape. In the resultant pandemonium, his accomplices fled, said SSP Bhupinderjit Singh Virk.

Vicky Gounder, Kharal and Sukh Bhikhariwal were involved in the April 20 shootout near Kahnuwan by-pass in which three members of a rival gang were killed. On May 19, Kharal was involved in the kidnapping of an Amritsar doctor.

The accused has given some information about Gounder. However, at this stage we can not reveal what exactly it is, said an investigator.

A .32 pistol, three live cartridges and three empty ones were recovered from the crime spot.

A case under Section 307 of the IPC (attempt to murder) has been registered against all the accused.
Ludhiana, June 10

A 23-year-old woman constable, who was allegedly harassed by a colleague, committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan in a police station here, officials said.

The police said they had registered a case against her colleague on the basis of a complaint by her father.

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Amanpreet Kaur was posted at the Nidhan police station in the Ludhiana Rural police district.

Her body was found hanging to a ceiling fan in one of the rooms in the police station last night, the police said.

The victim's father, in a complaint alleged that one of her colleagues, identified as Nirbhay Singh, used to harass her.

SSP, Ludhiana, (Rural), Surjit Singh said that "a case has been registered against Nirbhay, who was posted as the police station 'munshi', under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the IPC on the complaint of her father.

The body has been sent for post-mortem, the SSP said. PTI
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 10

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday paid obeisance at the Golden Temple here, during an unscheduled visit to the city.

It was his first visit to Punjab after the Congress stormed to power in the state following the Assembly elections, the results of which were declared in March.

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Gandhi reached Darbar Sahib after 4 pm and spent nearly one-and-a-half-hour in the temple complex here.

He did not take VIP entry facility and stood in the queue along with other devotees for about 20 minutes to reach sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple.

"He spent nearly one and a half hour in the Golden Temple and paid obeisance. He stood in the queue along with devotees and did not obtain VIP entry facility," said Amritsar (North) MLA Sunil Dutti, who accompanied Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress vice president also interacted with many devotees and obliged to requests of clicking selfies with them.

"Rahul Gandhi also spent 25 to 30 minutes outside the sanctum sanctorum. He sat with the 'sangat' and listened to Gurbani (religious hymns)," Dutti said, adding, "He came as a devotee not as a politician."

However, Congress MP from Amritsar Gurjit Singh Aujla, who had also accompanied Gandhi, said the SGPC should have given a 'Siropa' (rob of honour) to the Congress vice president.

Rahul first performed 'Parikarma' and then offered 'Karah Prashad' at the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. He also bowed down before the Akal Takht (the highest temporal seat for Sikhs).

The scion of the Nehru-Gandhi family also took water from the 'sarovar' (holy tank) and sprinkled it on his face as per Sikh 'maryada'.

"He was on private visit," party sources said.

Rahul visited the holiest Sikh shrine four days after the 33rd anniversary of the Operation Bluestar. No big leader from the Congress, except Aujla and Dutti, was present along with him. He also did not talk to media.

While going back, Rahul's plane returned minutes after taking off at 6 pm from Amritsar airport because of bad weather.

The plane finally took off at 8.30 pm, Aujla said. Inputs from PTI
H. Kishie Singh

The car that I drive is a direct import from Japan and has specifications for the American market. The remote unlocking has a special feature. The first time you press the unlock button, only the drivers door opens. To open the rest of the doors, you must press the unlocking button a second time.

Many friends have pointed out that my unlocking system is malfunctioning. It should not be necessary to press twice to unlock all doors, they insist. But that is not correct. This feature is designed to unlock only the drivers door on the first press.

There is a very good reason for unlocking the door this way. It is to solve the problem that was very prevalent in America. A lady would approach her car in the parking lot of a mall. Her hands would be full with her hand bag, grocery bags and the car key. She would press the unlock button and all four doors would open. She would dump her shopping into the back seat, get into the drivers seat and like a good, law-abiding citizen, fasten her seat belt and be tied down the next second. Thats when the baddy who had been hiding on the other side of the car, would open the passenger side door and get in. In America, it is entirely possible that the intruder would have a gun. In India, a knife will do.

A number of top-end cars have this double-press unlocking. It is a safety device, especially for women.

I have another safety feature on my car. I press one button and all doors and electric windows are locked. Only I can operate them.

Do you know what a child lock is? No? Then you have not read the owners manual or the warning on the rear door jamb. There is a child lock on the rear door. Just slide a little lever into lock position and the rear doors cant be opened from inside. Manufacturers know that children are naughty, inquisitive and fidgety. They want to press buttons to see what happens. Inadvertently, they could open the door. Hence, the child lock.

In India, we never use things properly. Misuse, disuse and abuse is more likely. In the recent years, there has been a spate of molestations, rape and even murder in the back seat of cars.

A taxi driver and people with evil intentions are aware of the child lock. If you are a woman and using a taxi, the driver opens the door, you get in, he shuts the door and you are a prisoner. Unless someone opens the door from outside, she cant get out. Chances are the electric windows wont work either. So she cant lower them and yell for help.

Ladies, please read this carefully. It may prevent a nasty experience. Before getting in, get the driver to lower the window. Close the door. Then reach inside the car and open the door. If it opens, the child lock is off. If it doesnt open, beware. Dont take this taxi; report it to the service provider. There is no reason for a child lock to be on in a taxi where the customer has to get in and out easily.

Happy Motoring!
16m euro grant deal for energy development

Nepal and Germany signed an agreement on 16 million euros grant assistance committed by the German Federal Government last year on energy sector cooperation on Friday at the Ministry of Finance.
London, June 10,

A record number of 208 women have won parliamentary seats in the 2017 General Election that was held on Thursday.

The previous record was 191 in 2015. After failing to secure a majority in the parliament in the election, Prime Minister Theresa May has announced plans to form a government with the backing of the Democratic Unionist Party.

In a statement after returning from Buckingham Palace, where she received the Queen's permission to form the government, May shrugged off a growing backlash in the Conservative Party, and said she would provide the "certainty" the country needed, reports the Guardian.

She insisted she would press ahead with Brexit talks, which are to begin in 10 days.

Many believe the results of the 2017 General Election will also impact Britain's exit from the 27-nation bloc, as the main reason behind calling for sudden elections was to strengthen May's hands in parliament to negotiate with Brussels and pass necessary legislation.

The results left the Tories 12 short of the required majority and this will embolden anti- Brexit parties.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has already called on May to resign, saying 'Politics has changed" as Britons had rejected her policies of "austerity".

He urged May to "go and make way for a government that is truly representative of this country." ANI
Mexico City, June 10

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she spoke with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto about two of the countrys touchiest subjects: journalist murders and widespread disappearances.

The German leader says she was pleased to hear about steps to protect journalists. Six have been killed in Mexico so far this year.

In a joint news conference in Mexico City yesterday, Merkel said she expected meetings about Great Britains exit from the European Union to begin within days of that country forming a new government.

Both leaders expressed optimism about the upcoming renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement demanded by President Donald Trump. Pena Nieto says he hopes a global agreement between Mexico and the European Union could be finalised by years end.

Merkel is in Mexico on a two-day visit.  AP
London, June 10

Embattled British Prime Minister Theresa May on Saturday began finalising her cabinet of ministers and held talks with the Democratic Unionist Party to determine the contours of the party's support for her minority government.

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Many of the key cabinet posts have already been declared as unchanged from the previous government, including Philip Hammond as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Amber Rudd as home secretary, Boris Johnson as foreign secretary, David Davis as Brexit secretary and Michael Fallon as the in-charge of the ministry of defence.

May remains in 10 Downing Street with a much diminished power base after her Conservative party fell short of an overall majority in the House of Commons, the lower house of the UK Parliament, as the general election results threw up a hung Parliament yesterday.

She reportedly abandoned plans for a major reshuffle of her cabinet to keep her senior Tory party colleagues on her side.

She is expected to meet with her newly re-assembled ministerial team over the weekend in an attempt to quell any rebellion within Tory ranks.

While May's top team has been left unchanged, she will have to fill gaps in her ministerial team after nine junior ministers lost their seats in what has been characterised as a disastrous election night for the ruling party, with the shock results going against every pre-election opinion poll forecast and the Jeremy Corbyn-led Opposition Labour faring far better than predicted.

Yesterday, May declared her intention to lead a government with the support of the Northern Ireland MPs of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) -- describing the tie-up as a government of "certainty".

"This government will guide the country through the crucial Brexit talks that begin in just 10 days and deliver on the will of the British people by taking the United Kingdom out of the European Union," she had said.

However, there have been serious doubts on the stability of such a government and May's own leadership of the Tory party.

A snap survey conducted by the Conservative Home website revealed that 60 per cent of party members believe May should quit while just 37 per cent of the 1,500 members who took part said she should stay in her post.

Boris Johnson, Amber Rudd and David Davis are among the possible replacements, should May be forced out by her own party in the coming months.

Many of the party members are also uncomfortable with the kind of deal that will have to be struck with the DUP, a socially conservative party that takes an opposing stance on issues such as abortion and same sex marriages.

There is also anger among the party membership over the huge election losses and May's gamble to call a snap general election a full three years ahead of when it would have been officially due in 2020.

Instead of a projected landslide in her favour, May ended up throwing away the small majority that the former David Cameron-led party had won in the 2015 general election.

The Conservatives finished the election with 318 seats, eight short of the 326 needed for a majority, and the party is now dependent on the 10 DUP MPs to ensure legislation can be passed through a hostile House of Commons.

The DUP finds itself in the unique position of being kingmakers and are expected to demand a host of concessions for their support to shore up a Theresa May-led shaky Tory government.

The DUP had campaigned for Brexit in the June 2016 referendum but are considered against a so-called 'hard Brexit', which would see Britain leave the European Union (EU) single market and customs union.

This is expected to have an impact on the Brexit negotiations, which are due to open with the EU on June 19.

PTI
Beijing, June 10

In a rare snub to all-weather ally Pakistan, Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped a customary meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the SCO summit in Astana after the murder of two Chinese teachers in Balochistan.

Sharif returned from Astana after attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on the sidelines of which he met Presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Russia.

Also read: IS claims it killed two Chinese kidnapped from Balochistan

Conspicuously absent was a meeting with Xi.

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Chinese state-run media highlighted Xi's meetings with Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Xi's unprecedented snub followed deep disappointment and grief among Chinese public over the slaying of the two Chinese citizens who were kidnapped last month from Quetta in Balochistan.

The two were brutally murdered reportedly by Islamic State (IS) militants. The news of their murders was made public ahead of the SCO summit held on June 8-9 in which India and Pakistan were admitted as members.

Yesterday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying explained that the murders were no way connected to the US$ 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which was opposed by the Baloch nationalists.

The CPEC is part of China's ambitious multi-billion Belt and Road intuitive (BRI).

"This incident will not have any necessary connection with the BRI," nor with the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, meeting being held in Astana, Hua had said.

China has deployed hundreds of Chinese workers to work for the CPEC which connects Gwadar port in Balochistan with China's Xinjiang through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Hua said Pakistan pays great attention to the protection of Chinese citizens in the institutions there and made great efforts for their security.

"As per BRI we should be prepared for risks if want to go global. Since the three years after the BRI," she had said.

PTI
2 kidnapped by armed gang in Dang

Two persons have been kidnapped while on their way to Salyan from Dang district on Friday night.
A 26-year-old Ottawa County Jail inmate died in 2015 after being denied medical treatment for days and being told by jail staffers to quit faking his symptoms, a civil rights lawsuit filed Friday in Tulsa federal court claims.

The family of Terral Brooks Ellis II filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, seeking an unspecified amount of actual, compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $75,000.

The lawsuit names several past and current Ottawa County officials, a nurse who it alleges said Ellis was faking his symptoms, and an ambulance company.

It is our firm belief that Terral should be here today, and that his death resulted from negligence and deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs, attorney Dan Smolen said in a statement issued in response to a request for comment on the lawsuit. There is evidence, Smolen said, that jail personnel told a paramedic that Ellis was faking an illness and that he should not be taken to a hospital.

Ellis was in good health when he was booked into the Ottawa County Jail in early October 2015, according to the complaint. An unspecified time later, his health began to decline and he exhibited serious and obvious health needs, the lawsuit states.

For many days prior to his death, Ellis had exhibited a serious medical need, and/or complained to detention staff and medical staff  of seizures, convulsions, uncontrollable sweating, dehydration and the inability to walk, along with pain in his back, ribs and internal organs, according to the complaint.

One day prior to his death on Oct. 22, 2015, Ellis and another inmate, who had been helping him eat and urinate in a cup, requested medical attention but were denied, according to the lawsuit.

A nurse, identified as Theresa Horn, told Ellis that he needed to stop faking it and to lay down and serve his time, the lawsuit alleges.

Later the same day, Ellis had multiple seizures, according to the complaint. After initially ignoring Ellis, jail staff summoned an ambulance. Officers at the jail told paramedics that Ellis was still faking his illness and that the county was not going to foot the bill for his care at the hospital, the complaint alleges.

Ambulance personnel left the jail without treating or taking Ellis to the hospital, the complaint says.

Jail staff then moved Ellis to an isolation cell, where he was found to be in respiratory distress about 1:50 p.m. Oct. 22, according to the complaint.

Ellis was pronounced dead about an hour after being taken to a Miami, Oklahoma, hospital, the lawsuit states.

The state Medical Examiners Office determined that Ellis died of sepsis and pneumonia.

The lawsuit names as defendants the Ottawa County Board of County Commissioners, Ottawa County Sheriff Jeremy Floyd in his official capacity, former Ottawa County Sheriff Terry Durborow, Horn, three jail employees, two ambulance workers and Baptist Healthcare of Oklahoma, which operated the ambulance service.

Floyd, who was not sheriff at the time of Ellis death, is being sued as a representative of the Sheriffs Office. He could not be reached for comment.

In addition to the civil rights and wrongful death claims, the lawsuit alleges that Durborow or others acting on his behalf removed two digital video recorders and hard drives from the jail and replaced them with new ones in an attempt to cover up the deliberate indifference to Ellis medical needs.

The lawsuit bears some of the same claims as those made against Tulsa County in a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of Elliott Williams, who died in 2011 after languishing for days with a broken neck in a jail medical cell.

The Ellises are represented by Smolen, Smolen & Roytman, the same firm that won a $10.25 million jury verdict for the Williams family in March.

In that case, evidence showed that jail staff ignored Williams pleas for help, with some staff believing that he was faking his symptoms.

The Ellis lawsuit is assigned to U.S. District Judge John Dowdell, who presided over the Williams trial.

Terral Ellis was just 26 years old when he died, Smolen said. He left behind a young child. He had his whole life ahead of him. We have filed this lawsuit in hopes of uncovering and exposing the truth, and in seeking a level of justice for Terrals estate.
Stories abound of Oklahoma teachers heading for Texas, but what does that career move look like in the rear view mirror?

For former Tulsa Public Schools teacher LeAnna Snyder, it has helped her rediscover what drove her to teach in the first place.

If this wasnt going to work out this year, I was done. I was walking out of the classroom, finished forever. Because of being at Powell (Elementary School) and in Grand Prairie ISD, Im there for good, Snyder said. I have found that passion again.

A Tulsa World story about Snyders August 2016 departure blew up on the internet, landing her in the Dallas Morning News and even as fodder on the Glenn Beck show.

Tulsa Superintendent Deborah Gist had been lamenting the loss of a highly respected, mid-career teacher who decided to split up her family to move alone to Texas so she could sock away more money for her kids college educations.

Snyder just returned to spend summer break with her husband and daughter, who will remain in Tulsa until her daughter graduates from Edison Preparatory School in May 2018.

It was pure heaven, she said of her first year as a teacher in a Dallas suburb.

The main difference  besides the ability to earn nearly $58,000? To feel successful.

Snyder had only 21 or 22 students at any given time in her classroom in Grand Prairie, compared to 27 or 28 at Tulsas Carnegie Elementary. To Snyder, it meant the difference in being able to stay on top of each and every childs academic struggles, personal problems at home  and even who was having a bad day.

When it comes to keeping track of students and where they are, constantly assessing them, Snyder said, five or six kids makes a big difference.

Snyder said she also enjoyed the better air quality in Grand Prairies modern school facility and not having to fund classroom supplies out of her own pocket.

If you run out of something, you just request more. Its all there, Snyder said.

She also said she enjoyed perks not available here. There was a fully funded field trip to AT&T Stadium, where the Dallas Cowboys play, a teacher convocation headlined by Grand Prairie alumnus Jamie Foxx and even a teacher appreciation week full of surprise gifts.

Shes also pursuing an additional certification in teaching English Language Learners, and her district will reimburse her for all of the training and testing expenses.

The drawbacks? Learning another states student testing system and having access to less classroom technology. But Snyder said the latter will be addressed next year by a new partnership between Grand Prairie and Apple.

Respect  that was the big key word. And I found it. That means more than anything to me, Snyder said.

The big salary hike has also taken a load off for Snyder and her family. Right before she left Tulsa in August, car troubles landed her at a mechanics shop, where she learned her 11-year-old car wasnt safe to drive any more.

After borrowing her dads pickup for a few months, Snyder easily saved up enough to purchase a new compact car that gets great gas mileage for trips home to see her husband and daughter.

She laughed when she recalled critics comments about the cost of living being higher outside of Oklahoma.

There is no difference except gas is maybe 10 cents more a gallon. There is no tax on food in the grocery store, and there is no state income tax, so its a wash, Snyder said.

The most common feedback has been from other teachers  wanting to know what leaving has been like.

There are a lot of men and women in my profession who dont know what to do, she said. At some point, I decided I have to take care of me and my family.

She stays in close touch with former colleagues and students parents through social media. Theyve told her the unthinkable is happening.

Six teachers are leaving this year, and teachers dont leave Carnegie, Snyder said. When I started, there were three new teachers  and that was a big deal because Carnegie is a school thats hard to get into and if you do, you retire there.

While Snyder is already positive shes never coming back, its not as though she isnt still looking back at the state where her parents and sister still live and call home.

I was watching this year, saying, Come on, do something! And then the state did nothing, she said. Im a true Okie. Im proud to be born here. But Im embarrassed by what has happened.

She confessed that before leaving Tulsa, her frustrations had grown to the point of making her consider a career change altogether.

Ill be in education until I retire now, and fortunately, it will be a lot earlier, Snyder said, laughing again.
Bangladesh Army Chief wraps up visit

Bangladesh Army Chief Abu Belal Muhammad Safiul Haq, who arrived here at the invitation of Nepal Army, returned home on Saturday after wrapping of his five-day official visit.
CEC: Vote on schedule

Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav has said that the second phase of local level elections scheduled for June 28 would not be postponed under any circumstances.
Echoes from the past reverberate on

Even a full minute after the auditorium lights came back on at Shilpee Theatre on Wednesday, the audience didnt stir. Shell-shocked, they looked on at the stage, perhaps unwilling to acknowledge the play had come to an end.
Head over heart

No matter how much we deny or conceal it, emotions play an important and omnipresent role in world politics. The most obvious example would be the inherent emotional nature of global terrorism.
House panel: Stop VVIP motorcade menace in Valley

The Parliamentary Development Committee on Friday directed the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Urban Development and traffic police to come up with a way to make VVIP motorcades less of a hassle for the general public.




This beautiful color film footage will take you back to August 14, 1945 Honolulu, when the first word hit the streets that WWII was over. Military and citizens celebrate joyfully in the streets and old Waikiki.No commercial color movie film medium other than Kodachrome has survived deterioration for three quarters of a century. This footage, save for easily-remedied color fading and color shift, which has been color corrected using 2009 technology, is virtually unchanged after nearly 70 years.Germany's Agfachrome movie film from the 1930s and 1940s, for example, was inferior to Kodachrome from the get-go, with present-day surviving Agfa motion picture and photographic color slide film from that era having shifted dramatically in overall color tint toward green. Even Adolf Hitler turned his back on Agfachrome, preferring instead Kodak's products to document his rule. Today's surviving Nazi-era color films were virtually all shot on Kodak's Kodachrome film.Properly stored Kodachrome, like this footage was shot by a U.S Navy sailor, has survived amazingly well, but it is ultimately beginning to show its age. Common Kodachrome problems due to the passage of time and less-than-ideal storage conditions are often seen as a shift in overall color toward red, and the crackling of the emulsion in a spider-web-like pattern similar to that seen in the glazes on antique pottery, which dulls the overall moving image and allows mildew and emulsion loss to take hold.Before natural conditions caused by time's passing can diminish this unique record of the euphoria of VJ Day and the wrapping-up of the military's wartime role, this footage deserves and requires the best quality digital scanning, dirt and scratch removal, and color balancing to return it as close to possible to its original 1945 state.( Richard Sullivan, via Kickstarter
Legislators and experts are torn over the starting point of bad debts settlement (illustration photo)

Solving bad debts or handing out punishment

The Resolution on Bad Debt Settlement is expected to enter into force on July 1, 2017. Currently, the draft is controversial because of worries about possible loopholes. Some delegates even proposed dealing with those responsible for bad debts first, then settling the debts themselves later.

The resolution should find out the causes of bad debts and deal with individuals or organisations behind them, so that bad debts can be settled properly, Mai Sy Dien, a delegate from the central province of Thanh Hoa said.

However, many experts said that authorities should clearly distinguish between solving bad debts and dealing with those behind them. Confusion between the two matters may extend the timeline of bad debts settlements.

Bad debts may be caused by commercial banks and enterprises, however, settlements are beyond their reach. Thus, if we force these individuals and organisations to handle debts on their own, maybe the will stay for decades, Dr Le Xuan Nghia, member of the National Council of Consulting Finance and Monetary Policies, said.

Besides, setting up a mechanism for quick bad debt settlement does not mean forgiving the primary sources or giving them a chance to evade responsibility.

According to economist Truong Dinh Tuyen, bad debt settlement is not a kind of loan write-off for commercial banks or a method to evade responsibility, instead, it is a leverage to spur economic growth. Still, there should be strict punishments for those racking up the heaviest volume of bad debts. Indonesia is an example, as besides bad debt settlements, this country also sentences those responsible to prison sentence by the dozens.

Le Minh Hung, Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, said that individuals and organisations found in violation are strictly judged in accordance with Vietnamese laws and regulations. There is no regulation in the draft that would give these individuals and organisations a chance to profiteer or evade responsibility.

Over the last five years, according to statistics of the Ministry of Public Security, police officers (excluding local ones) found and prosecuted 95 economic cases of and started procedures against 200 bank officers.

Recently, related agencies have investigated and prosecuted 128 bank officers, many of whom were chairmen, general directors, or deputy general directors.

Awaiting a legal mechanism

According to Nguyen Van Thang, chairman of Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (VietinBank), the main reason behind bad debts derives from the Vietnamese economy. For example, the soaring bad debts in 2012 originated from the crisis of the real estate and securities market. However, commercial banks cannot deny their responsibility in contributing to the growth of bad debts recently. A range of cases when big shareholders of banks violated and illegally withdrew capital for their companies are typical examples.

Le Minh Hung agreed that one of the causes behind bad debts is that the credit process in many banks is not strict enough. In addition, some banks risk management and internal control systems are weak, while bank officers may abuse their power to violate regulations.

However, at present, enacting a mechanism to solve bad debts is more important than punishing guilty individuals and organisations. According to Dr Le Xuan Nghia, the separation between solving bad debts and punishing those behind them will speed up settlements.

One more important thing is to protect the legal rights of creditors, especially the right to collect collaterals. If regulations are strict enough, debtors will have to seriously follow the rules.

State agencies should have put in place a specific legal corridor for bad debts as soon as possible, so that commercial banks will have a foundation to work on, Nghia said.
A sharp increase in foreign arrivals to Vietnam at the start of 2017 has injected a huge development impetus into the coastal resort sector, and there have also been a raft of investments, mergers and acquisitions in other real estate sectors.

Vietnams largest property consultancy firm Savills recently released a report on the investment and transfer of real estate projects that have taken place so far this year.

One of the stand out transactions was made by CapitaLand Group with the purchase of a 0.6-hectare (1.5-acre) piece of commercial land in downtown Ho Chi Minh City to build Vietnams first A-class international complex.

The project will receive more disbursement from a US$500-million investment fund committed by Singaporean developers last November.

CapitaLand also announced the acquisition of a 90 percent stake in a 0.8-hectare project in Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City, to build over 300 apartments.

Another Singaporean developer Keppel Land has paid VND 846 billion (US$37 million) to raise its share to 16 percent in the Saigon Center project in downtown Ho Chi Minh City.

In March, Hong Kong Land officially became a strategic partner of the Ho Chi Minh City Infrastructure Investment Joint Stock Company (CII) to build housing projects in the new Thu Thiem urban area.

In another popular residential area in the southern economic hub, local group An Gia and its Japanese partner Creed Group continued their takeover of five apartment blocks in La Casa project in District 7 worth some VND 910 billion (around $40 million).

In the resort sector, Malaysias Berjaya Land sold its 70 percent stake in a four-star resort on Phu Quoc Island to Sulyna Hospitality for $14.65 million.

According to Savills, Vietnam's tourism sector enjoyed a great start to this year with around 3.2 million foreign arrivals in the first quarter, up 29 percent on-year.

This growth follows record numbers in 2016 when Vietnam welcomed over 10 million international tourists. The country is forecast to receive 11.5 million foreign visitors this year.

This should provide the ideal conditions for further growth in the resort sector, said Savills.
Illegal arms a major security threat

Illegal arms and ammunitions, cross-border crimes pose major security threats to the second phase of local elections scheduled to take place in 43 districts on June 28, according to security agencies.
A view of Thai Hoa Industrial Zone in Long An Province. The province creates many conditions to attract more investors. - VNS Photo

They account for half of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta provinces $4 billion annual trade, it said in a report.

Long An, which neighbours HCM City, has 28 industrial zones (IZs) and a similar number of industrial complexes (ICs), some operational and others under construction.

The 25 that are operational have attracted over 1,000 domestic and foreign projects worth over US$5 billion.

Phan Nhan Duy, director of the provinces Department of Natural Resource and Environment, said the number of industrial zones and complexes have kept increasing in the province, and the focus is now on quality instead of quantity.

The province is now soliciting investment in them, he said.

Thai Hoa Industrial Zone in the Duc Hoa III Industrial Zone, for instance, offers incentives such as tax holidays and flexible land leasing policies to attract high-tech companies. To be invested since 2014, the zone now has attracted over 80 foreign and domestic investors.

With an area of over 100ha, the zone is planned to become a modern industrial zone in the province. It has been now an ideal destination for foreign and domestic investors to have plant here and then export their goods to many neigbouring markets of Laos, Thailand and Cambodia.

Truong Van Trieu, head of the Long An industrial zones management, said many other IZs too are striving to offer the best incentives and facilities to investors.

But projects in the zones should be environment-friendly, he underlined.

The province does not welcome projects that harm to the environment, he said.

Long An has the highest economic growth rate of all provinces in the delta. It has good transport infrastructure and borders Cambodia.

Its average economic growth in the 2012-20 period is estimated at 13 per cent a year.
In a market economy, companies compete in terms of efficiency and creativity. Pictured: production at Chu Lai-Truong Hai complex. Photo by Duc Thanh

Dysmorphic market

Mai Huy Tan, 72, is starting a plant that would burn household garbage to produce electricity. This is the second time he started a company. The first time, at the age of 52, he has been very successful with the Duc Viet sausage brand.

With his hefty business experience, he still cannot quickly realise his aspiration to replace the current practice of burying garbage. His equipment was imported from Germany, but the procedures are very complicated, he said. He also said that there is strong opposition out there, but he did not want to call names.

Economists were less squeamish about throwing around names as to his opposition. They said public services providers, including garbage treatment, make a lot of profit. Hanoi authorities spend VND8 billion ($352,000) a day or VND3 trillion ($132.24 million) a year on garbage treatment.

Out of the 5,400 tonnes of waste produced in Hanoi each day, 4,000 tonnes are treated at Nam Son solid waste processing complex in Soc Son district, operated by Hanoi Urban Environment One Member Co., Ltd. (URENCO) since 1999. The company has just started operation of an industrial waste-to-power plant at the Nam Son complex. The plant cost about VND612 billion ($27 million), but currently only treats 75 tonnes of garbage a day. Where is the opportunity for projects the likes of Tans?

Nguyen Dinh Cung, director of the Central Institute of Economic Management (CIEM), said that according to the three resolutions issued on June 3 by the 5th plenary meeting of the 12th Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, state-owned companies will withdraw from areas where private sector companies are able to join. The administrative interference mechanism and the practice of giving state-owned companies state capital to compete with other companies will stop, then companies will compete in terms of efficiency, creativity, and technology.

Resolutions referred to by Nguyen Dinh Cung Resolution 11-NQ/TW 2017 on completing the mechanism of the socialist-oriented market economy

Resolution 12-NQ/TW 2017 on continuing reforming, renewing, and increasing the efficiency of SOEs

Resolution 10-NQ/TW 2017 on growing the private sector into an important driver of growth in the socialist-oriented market economy, also set the target for the private sector to contribute 50 per cent of the GDP in 2020, 55 per cent in 2025, and 60-65 per cent in 2030.

Benefit for state-owned companies

According to Resolution 12, by 2030 most state-owned companies will be owned by shareholders other than the state, and they will primarily operate in the joint stock company form. The number of state-owned companies will be small and their operations will be limited to some fields.

Nguyen Quoc Hiep, chairman of GP Invest, who has been working at SOEs for 20 years, said, During the 20 years managing leading state-owned companies in the construction industry (from 1987 to 2007), I did not do as much as I wanted to. Meanwhile, at GP Invest, in just 10 years I did a lot of things. Our shareholders since 2007 have got a 190 per cent return on their investment.

Hiep used to manage Vinaconex Corporation, then Constrexim. He used to be very excited about the reform and equitisation plans for SOEs.

According to Hiep, managers at SOEs do not earn more when the companies do well. Therefore, none of the managers feel the need to be creative or push reforms. There is no room for risk, he said, that is why these companies can never have a breakthrough.

For more than 10 years, the leading names in construction were Vinaconex, Song Da Corporation, as well as Licogi and Lilama in industrial construction. They were all SOEs. Now the three most prestigious contractors of 2017, according to Vietnam Report, were Coteccons, Hoa Binh Corporation, and Uniconsall private sector companies. In the top 10 there is only one SOE, Urban Infrastructure Development Investment Corporation (UDIC).

Even when SOEs are equitised, if the state holding remains high, the mindset will stay. Managing these companies is very difficult, Hiep said.

Pham Duc Trung, head of the Research Department on Enterprise Reform and Development at CIEM, said that the government should separate the states regulatory function over all types of companies (state-owned or private sector) and its function as the owner of the state capital at SOEs.

Resolution 12 stipulates that by 2018 there should be a government agency that would represent the state capital at SOEs.

This body will be responsible for explaining their efficiency in managing the state capital. This mechanism will stop the relationship between government regulatory agencies and SOEs. SOEs will have to follow market economy mechanisms and there will be no discriminatory treatment between SOEs and private sector companies, Trung said.

Hope for the next period

Some economists are saying that these three resolutions will solve the main weaknesses of the Vietnamese economy.

Tran Dinh Thien, director of the Vietnam Economic Research Institute, said A reform of state-owned companies is all that the economy needs right now. The private sector cannot grow if the state-owned sector does not shrink and if the market economy mechanisms are not complete.
The BMW M3, a CBU introduced at Vietnam International Motor Show 2016

The general public and industry insiders were taken by surprise by the regulations on the import of CBUs outlined in the draft decree on conditions for auto manufacturing, assembling, importing, and maintenance and warranty business (the draft) developed by MoIT and the Ministry of Transportation (MoT) in coordination with other related agencies and offices.

Overly lax conditions

Article 5 of the draft stipulates that enterprises engaged in the automotive manufacturing, assembling, and importing business must be responsible for the recalling and disposition of defective vehicles. However, Article 21 removes the right of importers to demand accountability from manufacturers over the recall of defective units. Specifically, the draft only requests that importers file written commitment with MoIT in fulfilling their responsibilities in the warranty, maintenance, recall, and recollection of imported cars.

Meanwhile, according to the website of Vietnam Register, the recall must be executed by the manufacturers, both domestic and foreign, through their authorised agencies. No commercial importers are allowed to initiate recalling efforts.

On this matter, Tran Ba Duong, Chairman of Truong Hai Auto Corporation (THACO), said it is unprecedented for a trading company that is not a representative of any manufacturer to initiate product recall due to defects, since such companies merely act as the intermediary in the recall.

Studies of the global automotive industry also point to the practice where government or governmental agencies directly request the manufacturers to issue recalls. Toyota Japan has even been fined for $16.4 million for failure to disclose information with the intention to delay a recall.

In 2016, THACO, an assembly and distribution partner to Mazda, reported a Check Engine Light defect on the Mazda 3 model. It was only after Mazda, for multiple times, delegated experts to review, assess, and collect information on the reported defect that they decided on a recall in Vietnam.

Without permission from the manufacturer, THACO cannot initiate a recall even if we want to, due to technical and safety issues, said Duong.

Commenting on the Draft loosening up the requirements on warranty, maintenance, and recall for imported CBUs, Le Ngoc Duc, CEO of Hyundai Thanh Cong Corporation, echoed the sentiment, saying there is no way a distributor can start a recall without the manufacturers consent.

The National Assembly classified the automotive industry as one subject to conditions prescribed by the laws due to concerns over assuring the safety of users and road participants. The essential factor is to protect consumers rights. There needs to be coherent policies on automotive warranty, maintenance, and recall so that the vehicles satisfy technical requirements before taking to the roads, as well as ensure the safety of people and the society, remarked Duc.

Lacking in fairness

The Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA) proposed three categories of documents that automotive trading companies must obtain. They are: (1) authorisation by the manufacturer for import, distribution as well as the provision of warranty and maintenance services, and recall; (2) technical support agreement; (3) authorised parts and components provision agreement.

The draft stipulates that car importers must be responsible for the provision of warranty and maintenance services as well as the recall of products. However, these activities must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturers permission and instructions and importers are not allowed to act on their own will. The aforementioned documents are to protect consumers rights and assure safety for the vehicles through providing technically appropriate maintenance, replacement with brand-guaranteed components and parts, as well as product recall upon the manufacturers request, said Toru Kinoshita, chairman of VAMA.

According to a suggestion by Hyundai-Thanh Cong, there needs to be requirements for the importers to attain Certificates of Quality (CQ) provided by the manufacturers in order to assure the quality of the vehicles circulating on the market. This is also to avoid cases where cars produced experimentally, not meeting quality standards, are imported into Vietnam and circulated on the market, while consumers often lack access to adequate information to demand their rights.

Domestically manufactured vehicles are required to attain CQ for 100 per cent domestically assembled vehicles. Therefore, CBUs must also satisfy this requirement to ensure fairness, said Duc.

Only the manufacturer possesses precise knowledge of the systematic errors incurring in the design and production process. The diagnosis of defects related to the details, parts, and components as well as how to fix them can only be carried out by the manufacturer, with their adequate tools, equipment, and technical knowledge.

Notably, in a recent assessment of the automotive industry, MoIT remarked that MoTs current regulations regarding quality control for imported cars have yet to hold manufacturers accountable for the protection of consumer rights and the environment in activities such as warranty, maintenance, recall due to defects, and collection of disposed products. The regulations on quality control of imported cars are currently not as strict and comprehensive as those imposed on domestically manufactured and assembled vehicles.

Therefore, despite the opinion that additional requirements for importers in terms of documents would be taxing and limiting the freedom to do business, it is evident that no manufacturer could entrust its reputation and quality to a profit-driven distributor.

Unrestricted automotive imports until the end of 2017

In 2016, Vietnam spent $2.3 billion to import CBUs and $3.54 billion to import car components. Car and component net import is far ahead of rice net export ($2.1 billion from 4.8 million tonnes), or crude oil net export ($2.36 billion from 6.87 million tonnes extracted from Vietnams continental shelf).

Another point considered odd in the draft is permitting unauthorised importers of passenger cars of nine seats or below until the end of 2017.

Circular No.20/2011/TT-BCT of MoIT on additional procedures to import passenger cars of nine seats or below, which requires authorisation from manufacturers, has been effective since May 12, 2011. However, MoIT is repeatedly pushing back the deadline to stop the operation of unauthorised importers.

In June 2014, MoIT issued Public Letter No.4582/BCT/XNK allowing unauthorised importers until May 28, 2015. The reason was that a reported number of 2,000 vehicles, valued at $17.75 million, had been imported before the issuance of Circular 20. In mid-2017, MoIT again prolonged the process until the end of 2017.

According to experts, the extension given to these unauthorised importers causes confusion and is perceived unfair amongst compliant industry players.

These liberating regulations for CBU imports are introduced against the backdrop that the Vietnamese government wants to attract investments from renowned international car manufacturers and to increase production capacity in Vietnam in order to prevent the economy from sinking further into trade deficit.
People paying tax at the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Taxation (illustration photo)

According to the figures of the General Department of Taxation on the inspection and assessment of 130 enterprises regarding transfer pricing in the period of 2010-2015, total losses were reduced by VND2.962 trillion ($130.3 million), taxable incomes increased by VND3.430 trillion ($150.9 million), and the tax arrears, refunds, and penalties were VND724 billion ($31.86 million). Why do these figures not match with those annually released by tax agencies?

In 2016, tax agencies inspected 329 enterprises that conducted controlled transactions. After all the inspections, the total tax arrears, refunds, and penalties were VND607.52 billion ($26.73 million), losses were reduced by VND5.162 trillion ($227.1 million), deductible taxes decreased by VND2.04 billion ($89,760), and taxable incomes were adjusted upwards by over VND2.121 trillion ($93.3 million).

Previously, in 2015, the total tax arrears, refunds and penalties were over VDN1.062 trillion ($46.7 million), deductible taxes decreased by nearly VND303 billion ($13.3 million), and losses decreased by over VND10.050 trillion ($442.2 million).

These inspections were for enterprises that conducted controlled transactions, transactions among associated enterprises at any stage of operation, during manufacturing, trading, securing production machinery, or providing any kind of servicesthe deals were present across the whole spectrum of doing business. However, controlled transactions do not necessarily include transfer pricing.

These figures show that the losses from tax arrears, refunds, and penalties, as well as deductible taxes in 2015 were much lower than in 2016. Why was this so?

After the Ministry of Finance (MoF) issued Circular No. 66/2010/TT-BTC on guiding the determination of market prices in business transactions between associated parties, tax agencies focused on inspecting controlled transactions to press enterprises to obey the tax laws better. Many enterprises have yet to be inspected by tax agencies, but they actively adjusted their manufacturing and business results, recalculated taxes, and paid full tax to the national budget.

Increasing inspections is a way to fight against transfer pricing. However, in accordance with Directive No.20/CT-TTg on reforming the inspection practices of government agencies that the prime minister signed less than a month ago, state agencies are not allowed to inspect enterprises more than once a year. How will this affect the activities of the General Department of Taxation?

Inspection not only raises the national budget, it also creates a transparent and fair business environment for enterprises. However, state agencies should facilitate enterprises manufacturing and business operations, as well as their investment expansion. In particular, state agencies should avoid causing trouble and annoying enterprises.

As stipulated in the directive, tax agencies should only inspect enterprises with actual signs of tax fraud, or those in fields with a high possibility of tax fraud, and especially previous violators.

Every year, enterprises must file their tax, which the tax agencies will duly check. If we find tax fraud, they will be on the list of on-site inspections. This process closely follows the procedures on inspection and Directive 20.

Also, the cooperation with MoF, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC), the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), and municipal and provincial peoples committees will increase the efficiency of this whole process and further discourage transfer pricing.

Enterprises are now more ready to voluntarily obey the tax laws, is it necessary to cooperate with seven ministries and municipal and provincial peoples committees?

Transfer pricing is a global matter, as the more deeply Vietnam is integrated into the world economy, the more frequent and complicated transfer pricing becomes. Thus, MoF and tax agencies need support from other ministries and municipal and provincial Peoples Committees.

In particular, SBV will be responsible for the supply of information and figures on foreign borrowings and loans of enterprises that conduct controlled transactions.

MPI has to provide figures on business registration and the structure of investment capital (as recorded in the business registration), and track any adjustments to investment and business registration certificates and other relevant information of projects that show signs of tax fraud or tax evasion.

MoST and MARD has to provide information on technology transfer contracts, industry ownership transfer contracts, plant breed transfer contracts, and registration documents of intellectual property rights, so that tax agencies can perform their tasks.

What about MIC?

Part of the success of the fight against transfer pricing is thanks to public communication. Thus, Decree No.20/2017/ND-CP required MoF to cooperate with MIC to raise public awareness of state administration on controlled transactions. Besides, MIC also has to provide information on firms under its management and keep tabs on controlled transactions in the digital economy as proposed by MoF.
This article was written as a rudimentary introduction to the startup process, of what to keep an eye for, and a short glossary of the obscure terms and stages involved.

Stages of funding

Setting up a startup can be best broken down to the stages of the so-called funding process, the timeline denoting the milestones of growth and increased funding, as well as the emergence of new partners and co-owners.

Probably the best (and simplest) run-down on the process was compiled by information designer and infographic author Anna Vital, whose chart is widely used as the best introductory tool to the stages of start-ups, running from the idea stage to the eventual IPO.

Anna Vital's handy infographic on the startup funding process (Source: http://fundersandfounders.com)

Idea stage: It all starts with a single person who decides on realising an idea, to bring out a product or service, and build an enterprise around it. During this preparatory stage, this single person is working on the idea alone, drawing up plans, crystallising the rough outline of the actual product, and while he/she is nowhere close to the end product yet, actual value is already being created, 100 per cent of which belongs to him/her.

Co-founder stage: After a while comes the time when a single person has to admit that his limited resources, be it product-specific knowledge or finances, may not be enough to go ahead. While it is possible to bootstrap an enterprise from the get-go, aspiring entrepreneurs usually look for a trustworthy partner to share the workload and help with networkinga large number of startups went bust because the founders spent way too much time tinkering with the product in the backyard, while ignoring looking for customers or further funding.

Having a second (or third) person on the team, while diluting ownership rights, provides an enterprise with much-needed expertise and access to larger audiences or funding opportunities. On the other hand, this setup is also rather limited in its resources and it usually does not stretch far enough to show a working product before more funding is needed.

Family and friends round: Further funding is only available by formalising the enterprise, registering it and securing the relevant documentation, after which it accept funds from the public (otherwise it would be public solicitation, which is largely against the law). In this round of funding, entrepreneurs have two options: either going around friends and family or hitting up accredited investors and making your pitch.

Either way, capital contribution means handing out equity, partial ownership of the company. While entrepreneurs are understandably against the idea of giving up ownership and control, there is a lot going in favour of this from a financial perspective, the primary argument being that there are no better alternatives to grow.

A significant amount of capital may be acquired without giving away controlling interest in the enterprise itselfas Anna Vital put it, Your slice of the bigger pie will be bigger than your initial bite-size pie.

Simple maths of capital contribution An angel investor values the startup company at $1 million and offers to invest $200,000. By pre-money valuation, $200,000 should be worth 20 per cent of company ownership. However, by putting in $200,000, the angel investor would hold 20 per cent of a $1,200,000 companyhigher than his share in the total company capital, which is only about 16.7 per cent. Thus, when angel investors make a capital contribution, startups need only give them ownership equity proportional to their share post-money valuation, which is in this case 16.7 per cent.

Seed/Angel round: Startups need to be constantly on the lookout for funding, growing complacent after securing the first capital contribution usually spells doom for the company: founders need to be constantly planning for success, growth, and additional expenses.

After their initial contribution, friends and family might not have the resources to provide sufficiently large funds, especially not to a formal startup company. This is when incubators, accelerators, and excubators come into the question, along with angel investorsthe time for the well-honed pitch to sway business professionals and force open their purses.

Venture capital round: After building the first version of the product and establishing some traction with users through (hopefully) working with incubators and accelerators, even angel investment might seem relatively small funding. The next step would be approaching venture capitalists, who are essentially bigger, financially more capable angel investors.

The first VC investment will be the companys Series A, after which Series B, C, and the rest of the alphabet may follow in good order. In case everything is going well, the product sells like hotcakes, customers maintain heavy demand, and the enterprise itself remains financially viable, the company will reach its end-game fantasy: either acquisition by a larger firm or the long-aspired IPO.

Keep lean and clean

After clarifying the growth stages of a startup company and seizing up the long road ahead, aspiring entrepreneurs need to turn their attention to the essential business processes without which the enterprise cannot function. It cannot be stressed enough that without sufficient forethought and organisation even the best product idea may not find the appreciative target audience and that haphazard management can be the death of any company. This is especially true for startups that by their very nature attempt to build a castle out of thin air.

Business Insider provides a hefty list of the eight most crucial business processes to look out for, but first and foremost startup founders need to keep one thing in mind: a startup is all about innovation, even in the smallest nuances. There is no sure-fire sample to follow and the most successful companies have managed to tailor the smallest facets of business management to give them the edge. It is all about streamlining, keeping every process small and compact, monitored and customised at every turn of eventssmall businesses at their heart are all about efficiency.

The success of a startup rides on efficient and innovative management (illustration, source: http://sujanpatel.com)

Many of these points might seem obvious, yet a whole legion of startups went bust from not actually paying due attention to them. Most of them (save for the ones with the most inane management) started off doing them, but they failed to pay constant and unwavering focus on keeping and revising their processes, thinking the initial plan was good to golosing a couple of dollars at each turn, expenses mount up and bury a company over time.

Managing financial and physical assets: A good idea alone hardly ever sells the product. A company needs to be financially viable to provide the optimum price, and simple accounting is a must to keep track of the companys available funds, of where the money comes from and where it goes.

Developing a business plan: Jot down the key elements and keep the list updated. The first version of the plan may need to include critical processes, such as market opportunity, requirements, product definition, business model, sales process, organisation. Never forget to keep revising, expanding, and changing these points, they become obsolete surprisingly fast as the product gains shape, the market develops, and funds shift.

Illustration, Source: http://www.spinachandyoga.com

Funding process: Create a clear plan on what networking and documents are required to get to friends and family, angel investors, and institutional investors. Make sure all legal procedures are observed and keep track of your networking options and activities.

Product development process: Continuously document product requirements, features, metrics, and milestones in its development.

Manage human resources: Recruit, hire, pay, and train others, while ensuring effectiveness and consistency. In addition, keep track of legal obligations and tax considerationsstartups and small enterprises are famous for being informal and lax workplaces, which promotes creativity and inclusion, but the legal foundations should be solid as stone.

Leverage IT: Prepare a plan well in advance on how to acquire, utilise, and implement IT solutions in your business. As the enterprise grows, teamwork and common working surfaces will become all the more important and a few handy features can go a long way towards making operations more effective. In case of technology startups, it is advisable to decide early on how the company will access the internet, what servers will be required, and how the databases will work. Additionally, do not ever forget the scheduled backup.

Billing and revenue collection: Companies need to explore their options on the most economical sales methods and collecting revenue. Sales methods not only include finding the right website to sell on, other alternatives, including delivery services also need to be evaluated.

Customer service and support: Customers need a readily-available contact that can offer professional and quick response, attesting to real expertise. Remember: if you do not hold yourself a business, people will not see you as a business.

Startup dictionary

Below is a rudimentary glossary of terms associated with startups. While the list is (very) far from exhaustive, it could serve as a starting point for further, more in-depth research whereby readers may learn about the evolution of angel investors over the recent years and more technical dimensions of equity and convertible debt/notes. For a fuller list, click here.

Angel investors: accredited investors who inject capital for startups in exchange for ownership equity or convertible debt. In the US, angel investors need to have at least $1 million in the bank or an annual income of $200,000.

Bootstrapping: funding a company only by reinvesting profits

Business excubators: fee-based comprehensive suite of services from the beginning to the end that are, unlike free incubators and accelerators, available for any paying applicant

Business incubators: a company that helps new and startup companies develop by providing services, such as management training or office space.

Option pool: shares of stock reserved for employees of a private company. Option pools are a way of attracting talented employees to a startup company, as when the company goes public, the employees will be compensated with stock. Early-joining employees usually receive a greater percentage of the pool.

Venture capital fund: an investment fund that manages the money of investors who seek private equity stakes in startup and small- to medium-sized enterprises with strong growth potential. Generally characterised by high-risk, high-return investment decisions.

Startup/seed accelerators: fixed-term, cohort-based programmes, that include mentorship and educational components and culminate in a public pitch event or demo day
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Adam West was in on the joke, but he played Batman as if he didnt know there was a joke. That was Wests genius.

West, who died Friday at 88 in Los Angeles after a struggle with leukemia, was initially frustrated by the way that his most famous role defined him; but in the end, he embraced it. Born William West Anderson in Walla Walla, Washington  the sort of comic-bookish town name that showed up on suitcase stickers in Looney Tunes shorts  he built his resume in Eisenhower-era genre shows, including Perry Mason, The Outer Limits, Sugarfoot, Lawman, and The Rifleman. He finally got his big break at 37 when ABC turned DC Comics defining superhero comic into a knowingly kitschy series.

Created by William Dozier and developed by Lorenzo Semple Jr., the show made West and his co-stars (including the once and future Robin, Burt Ward) into international celebrities. Batman sent up comic-book traditions via pun-saturated dialogue, primary-colored costumes, outrageous tools and machines, hammy bad guys, and colorful fight captions (Biff! Zlonk! Kpow!) that exploded across the screen, accompanied by atonal horn blasts that suggested the noise Duke Ellingtons brass section might make if the ceiling collapsed on it.

To everyones surprise (including ABCs), the series became a hit. Its audience included comic-book-loving adults and children, urban aesthetes, and counterculture-minded teens and twentysomethings. The latter would normally have sneered at anything appearing on a medium that Newton Minow once dubbed the vast wasteland. They made an exception for Batman, because the series seemed to gently mock the same conventions that powered everything else on TV, as well as the self-image of a nation that hyped a black hats vs. white hats view of morality after living in a grey zone for two centuries.

Wests lead performance tied everything together with the incidental perfection of Jeff Lebowskis beloved rug. But it also added a mysterious, extra something that alchemized all of the shows spoofy, campy elements, and made the most obsessive Batman viewers wonder if the show was really kidding  and if so, about what.

Wests Batman/Bruce Wayne is, and will always remain, the single most important screen incarnation of the character, for better or worse: For better because it was the most surprising, at times confounding, interpretation of the Caped Crusader, feather-light and hilarious precisely because of the characters seeming lack of self-awareness; for worse, in the eyes of some fans, because it encouraged millions of people who had never picked up a Batman comic, or any comic, to be amused by the sight of adults dressing up in wild outfits and pretending to punch each other in the face. Every subsequent, high-profile reinvention of Batman, whether in Frank Millers The Dark Knight Returns, Alan Moore and Brian Bollands The Killing Joke, Tim Burtons alternately perverse and sincere Batman and Batman Returns, Christopher Nolans operatic trilogy, and Zack Snyders funereal Batman vs. Superman, is, first and foremost, a reaction against the Adam Westdriven Batman series.

Thats how important the show was: It was cancelled 50 years ago and hasnt been a force in syndication since the 80s, yet the whole superhero-industrial complex is still defining itself in opposition to it, subconsciously or with intent. The two 1990s Joel Schumacher Batmans, Batman Returns and Batman and Robin, made many Bat-fans furious precisely because they embraced the 60s TV aesthetic that postFrank Miller Batman comics did their best to expunge; they were seen as a step backward because they werent dour. Whenever a thinkpiece about comics appears in a mainstream publication declaring theyre not for kids anymore and have moved beyond Zap! and Pow!  I wrote a few myself, 20-plus years ago, and theyre still being written, amazingly  its the 1960s Batman series theyre addressing. As comic-book expert Glen Weldon put it in a 2014 NPR interview, Without Adam West making Batman into a fad, and without [comic-book writer and editor] Denny ONeil saying, OK, lets take him back to basics, you dont get anything that comes after that. You dont have the Frank Miller Dark Knight, you dont get the Bruce Timm animated series Batman, you dont get Tim Burton, you dont get Joel Schumacher, and you dont get Christopher Nolan.

The face of that series was Adam West. The chin, really.

In interviews, West reveled in the absurdity of the series and the character, and talked about how much fun he, Ward, and their co-stars and crew had while shooting  and after shooting; apparently the team were as besieged by groupies as the Beatles. I have the curse of thinking funny! West told Den of Geek in a 2008 interview. And so with each script and new situation, I saw something funny in it. But I could never let the audience think that I thought it was funny. I think if you hold that back, theres kind of a twinkle or a sense that the audience gets of something trying to burst out of that mask, and tell us something more.

It was the holding back part that made the performance so special. West and Wards deadpan delivery anchored the show. The Dynamic Duos just-doing-our-jobs attitude made it possible for guest villains such as Cesar Romeros Joker, Burgess Merediths Penguin, and two-fisted bombshells like Catwoman (played by Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt on the series and Lee Meriwether in 1966s Batman: The Movie) to slink about or ham it up without exploding the machine. Ward and West kept working together throughout their lives, even though their relationship on set was not harmonious. He spoke his lines so slowly that snails could make love while hes doing it, Ward told Montreal DJ Peter Anthony Holder in a 1996 interview. And he did it on purpose, because his theory was, If I speak twice as slowly as Im supposed to, the camera will be forced to stay on me twice as long.

The pervasive sense that Batman was never kidding about the importance of law and order, honesty and kindness, righted the shows balance whenever it threatened to become too much of a spoof. The world of TVs Batman was a joke, but to Wests Batman, goodness was no laughing matter. When Batman comforted a scared child, he was the kind father that a lot of viewers could only dream about, somebody who really cared. Hippies and downtown artists could goof on the show all they wanted and talk about it as postmodern art or a satire on American values; Wests Batman was impervious to their mockery, because on some level he knew that his decency was more powerful than their barbs  or maybe he just couldnt sense that kind of humor, in much the same way that certain species of animals cant see colors.

West gave strong performances before Batman, notably as a psychopath in a 1968 episode of The Big Valley, and as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in a 1971 installment of Rod Serlings Night Gallery. And he managed to show different sides of his talent both on- and offscreen post Batman, including a self-mocking performance as a pompous star in 1978s stuntman comedy Hooper and as the voice of the grandiose, incompetent mayor on Family Guy. West had the square jaw, narrow eyes, and measured voice of an action hero. They carried him a long way, toward both stereotypically heroic roles and parts that subverted our expectations of what a man with that look would do, such as his role as a troubled young rich man who commits suicide in 1959s The Young Philadelphians. The producers of the James Bond series asked West to take over the part in the 1970s; he refused because, as he told one interviewer, I didnt want to seem greedy. He later admitted there were moments afterward when he wished hed said yes.

For a while, particularly in the 70s and 80s, he felt typecast, even stigmatized, by the role that made him rich and famous. He was a drunk for a while. As The Express noted in a 2014 profile, He drove a car through the side of an 18-wheeler juggernaut at a celebrity daredevil show and took roles in excruciating films such as The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood, Zombie Nightmare and Young Lady Chatterley II. I went to cattle calls for two or three years  I went out and did dinner theatre, regional theatre, any role that came along. Id read a script and say this is terrible but did it just to keep working. I resented it. By the early 1970s he had hit rock bottom, finding himself squeezed into a giant cannon, wearing his old Batman costume, waiting to be fired across a carnival in Evansville, Indiana.

In the end, though, West made peace with the fact that the Caped Crusader defined him, perhaps because he realized the extent to which his performance in the role defined Batman, for all time.

The night our first episode aired on ABC, Hi Diddle Riddle, I stopped at the market on the way home, he told Esquire. I thought, Tonight I just want to be alone. Ill stop, get a steak and a six-pack, whatever, then go home and watch the debut of the show. As I walked through the checkout line, I heard people saying, Cmon, cmon, hurry up! Batmans coming on! And I said to myself, Good-bye, anonymity. I didnt dwell on it, because Id asked for it. Later, he admitted, There was a lot of booze and so on. But then I said to myself, Hey, kid, how many actors get to create a character thats enduring because its part of pop culture? How many actors become an icon? I mean, I should be damn grateful.

He played Batman over and over again, in animated series and movies. In one notable instance, a 1992 episode of Batman: The Animated Series, he played a worst-case version of himself: Simon Trent, an actor who became famous starring in an TV action series called The Grey Ghost but now had a tough time finding other work. In the animated series Batman: The Brave and the Bold, his casting in a specific role even doubled as a commentary on Wests pop-culture legacy: He played Thomas Wayne, Batmans father.
Photo: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

While Dick Van Dyke is ready to chim chim cher-ee his way into a brief appearance for Disneys upcoming Mary Poppins Returns sequel  as a greedy heir, no less!  Julie Andrews wont be following his toe-tapping lead. Out of respect to Poppinss new portrayal by Emily Blunt, Andrews has chosen to forgo any cameo opportunities so Blunt will have her full chance to shine in the iconic role. Julie was incredibly gracious, and we talked about it in a very general way but she made it clear right up front, the sequels director, Rob Marshall, recently explained to EW. She said, This is Emilys show, and I really want it to be Emilys show. I dont want it to be, Oh, here comes that Mary Poppins. I dont want that. I really want her to take this and run with it, because she will be brilliant.



Despite that reluctance, Andrews is still quite enthused for Poppins to be returning to the big screen after all of these years. She said its time and she said, I know itll be cared for, Marshall continued. And thats the thing I think about every day when Im at work. We all do. Because once a Dame, always a Dame.
Photo: Netflix

Netflixs CEO Reed Hastings became vocal last month about the streaming services plans to cancel more shows on its burgeoning television roster, and that it most certainly did  within days of Hastingss comments, Sense8, the Wachowskis ambitious international drama, was abruptly canceled after two seasons. But despite a hearty amount of #RenewSense8 fan campaigning, Netflix hasnt pulled a Timeless and reversed course on its decision, although the service has now offered an additional statement to apologize to fans. To our Sense8 family  weve seen the petitions. Weve read the messages. We know you want to #RenewSense8, said a statement on the shows official Facebook page. We wish we could #BringBackSense8 for you. The reason weve taken so long to get back to you is because weve thought long and hard here at Netflix to try to make it work but unfortunately we cant. Thank you for watching and hope youll stay close with your cluster around the world.

Along with Sense8, Netflix also cancelled its other big-budget drama, The Get Down, after one season earlier this year. Last fall, Bloodline was also canceled after three critically acclaimed seasons, a decision of which ushered in a new phase for the service.


Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images

Richard Hammond, who is unfortunately no stranger to serious motorsport incidents, has experienced yet another severe car crash while filming Amazons The Grand Tour in Switzerland. According to Swiss newspaper 20 Minuten, which was translated by The Telegraph, Hammond and his co-stars Jeremy Clarkson and James May were filming a segment on a closed road in St. Gallen for the famed Bergrennen Hemberg race, when Hammond lost control of his vehicle and crashed in the mountainous area. After the accident occurred, he was able to climb out of the Rimac electric supercar without help before it was engulfed in flames. It was the biggest crash Ive ever seen and the most frightening but incredibly, and thankfully, Richard seems to be mostly OK, the usually sardonic Clarkson tweeted out on Saturday afternoon.



It was the biggest crash I've ever seen and the most frightening but incredibly, and thankfully, Richard seems to be mostly OK.  Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) June 10, 2017

The Grand Tours social-media accounts later posted an official statement that said despite Hammond being conscious and talking, he was still airlifted to a nearby hospital to receive medical attention, where he only suffered a fractured knee and no serious injuries. The cause of the crash is currently unknown and is being investigated.



Richard Hammond was involved in a serious crash, but very fortunately suffered no serious injury. pic.twitter.com/4Oib32IJvj  The Grand Tour (@thegrandtour) June 10, 2017

Earlier this year, Hammond also suffered from serious injuries when he fell off his motorbike in a remote part of Mozambique while filming The Grand Tour. But most notably, back in 2006 he spent several weeks in a hospital  in and out of a coma  after crashing a high-speed Top Gear dragster that was traveling at over 260 miles per hour. In both instances, he was able to make a full recovery.



Update, June 11: New details are coming to light about Hammonds accident, with an eyewitness describing the scene as near-catastrophic. The Grand Tours showrunner, Andy Wilman, recounted how Clarkson and May ran to the vehicle moments after the crash. When they saw the wreckage on fire they thought Richard was dead. It was really bad, Wilman told the Sunday Mirror. If Richard had been a few seconds slower getting out, he would have been incinerated. They were staggered he had got out of it alive, because there was just nothing left. Hammond has since posted a video titled Im Not Dead from his hospital bed on his DriveTribe website, where he seemed to be in good spirits.


Still from Black Panther.

Its not unusual for a Marvel Studios flick to be hotly anticipated, but sheesh, even by Marvel standards, people are very excited about Februarys Black Panther. The Ryan Cooglerhelmed, Chadwick Bosemanstarring picture follows the adventures of TChalla, king of the fictional African nation of Wakanda, and features a cast thats practically a whos-who of top black talent in Hollywood. But whats actually going to happen in the damn thing? We finally got a glimpse when Marvel dropped the first teaser-trailer for the movie, and its chock-full of characters and locations that moviegoers have never seen before. First, give it a watch in full, then well dig into all the stuff that might be confusing you.

Appropriately stoked? Lovely, now lets get into the nitty gritty.

Marvel Entertainment

These fellas are just about the only white characters youre likely to spend much time with in the film. The stern-looking one on the left is Martin Freemans Everett K. Ross, an employee of the U.S. government whom we first met (briefly) in last years Captain America: Civil War. Hes skeptical about superheroes, but in comics mythology, his destiny regularly gets wrapped up with that of the much-cooler TChalla. Hes staring down Andy Serkiss Ulysses Klaue, a South African smuggler and general neer-do-well who has traditionally been one of TChallas greatest foes, and who we met (briefly) in 2015s Avengers: Age of Ultron. It appears that Ross is in the dark about the true nature of 

 Wakanda! Hello and welcome to the most technologically advanced nation on earth, an unconquered African country that has existed in isolation and has, according to Ross and Klaues convo, falsely presented itself to the world as just another Third World also-ran in the global race to the bottom. Up until the events of Civil War, it was governed by King TChaka, TChallas dad, who was killed by a bomb in that flick. Its quite nice there this time of year.

This sexy back belongs to Chadwick Bosemans TChalla, a.k.a. the Black Panther. The latter is a title bestowed upon the kings of Wakanda, but also doubles as a badass superhero name. In this I Am Cubaesque sequence of shots, we see him walking through some secluded passageways before emerging into 

 what looks like some kind of ceremonial body of water, where his cheering subjects greet him. The gent in the purple is Forest Whitakers Zuri, a longtime royal adviser. But why is everyone hanging out here?

Well, it seems that theyre sending TChalla off as he flies away in his hella advanced flying vehicle. This mix of nature and tech is a key part of the Wakandan aesthetic.

Uh oh, looks like some baddies are trying to eff up some stuff within the Wakandan borders. Nuh-uh, yall  dont you know youre about to get pounced upon by 

 the person this movie is about!

His armor is bulletproof. TChallas superpowers are a mix of stuff thats in his armor and mystical things that are bestowed upon the kings of Wakanda. We dont know the cinematic version of the guys exact power-set just yet.

Were back at Klaues interrogation in  I wanna say New York? Maybe Washington? We see TChalla and Okoye, the head of Wakandas all-female squad of super-soldier royal bodyguards, the Dora Milaje. Played here by Danai Gurira, she is having none of Klaues nonsense.

This here is the Golden City, capital of Wakanda. Think Blade Runner, except with greenery and better sanitation services.

Zuri gets to work on something ceremonial. I think its safe to assume that Whitaker will get at least one Save the Rebellion! Save the dream!esque line, no?

A group of youths and elders assists Zuri in his task. Whitakers definitely gonna have some big, meaningful death scene, right? That seems pretty safe to assume.

This is a masked jerk who busts Klaue out of the interrogation, and it appears that hes none other than Erik Killmonger, another longtime Panther baddie, played here by Michael B. Jordan. Killmongers deal is that hes a brilliant and cunning Wakandan exile who resents TChalla and the whole ruling class of the country. In the comics, hes usually a giant bruiser; here, hes trim and extremely hot, because hes Michael B. Jordan.

Meet Lupita Nyongos Nakia, another member of the Dora Milaje and TChallas romantic interest. Shes in a nightclub where everything seems to be going just fine, until 

 a tussle breaks out! Dont worry, the Dora Milje have got it under control.

TChalla appears before the United Nations. But what brings him there? Is he telling the world about what Wakandas really like? Or is he just promoting his new line of classy scarves? Only time will tell.

Good lord, I am having some feelings about Erik Killmonger, who is apparently captured by the Wakandan government at this point. His escort is TChallas buddy WKabi, played by Daniel Kaluuya.

Im not sure who this character is, but Im into it.

The Dora Milaje on guard in the Wakandan capital. Make a joke about their haircuts. I freaking dare you.

A gang of our protagonists walks through a snowscape of some kind. Wakanda during the winter, perhaps? Or some icy peak in the mountains? Its also possible that this is related to a concept from the comics, which is the Wakandan Necropolis, a city-within-a-city thats populated by dead souls.

Wherever they are, theyre chilly, and they include Queen Ramonda, TChallas mom, played by IRL royalty Angela Bassett. Bow down.

Trial by combat between Killmonger and TChalla? Or just the setup to my erotic fan fiction about the two of them realizing they can only settle their differences via kissing?

Killmonger escapes! Did I mention that Im very attracted to him?

A brief but memorable appearance from Letitia Wrights Shuri, younger sister of TChalla and general tech expert. Shell bleep you up with those laser fists.

I believe this is Winston Duke playing MBaku, known in the comics as Man-Ape, a Wakandan tribe leader who doesnt much care for the ruling regime. His clan is, apparently, a beefy one.

And last, but certainly not least, we get to see TChalla go adventuring and hopping around on a crashing car without breaking a sweat. I mean, we cant see whether hes sweating, what with the catsuit and all, but given everything weve just seen, sweat seems unlikely on a man this cool.
Sarita Giri joins forces with Upendra Yadav

The Sarita Giri-led faction of the Nepal Sadbhawana Party has joined the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal (SSF-N), in a show of support for the local level elections.
The Baked Bliss Bakery at 1114 N. 15th St. continues to receive rave reviews since it officially opened to the public about a week ago.

Owner Kim Cutler previously prepared baked items for a single retail customer and will continue to do so. But she has decided to sell her goodies to all who visit the shop between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. Fridays.

Her offerings include sausage and jalapeno kolaches, sausage and cheese kolaches, monkey bread, bacon cheddar scones, sweet potato coffee cake and blueberry muffins, just to name a few items on the menu.

Mission Waco and its executive director, Jimmy Dorrell, celebrated Baked Bliss public unveiling June 2 by hosting an early morning event on the establishments new deck and treating visitors to baked goods and coffee.

It is our welcoming party to this outstanding bakery for bringing more economic development to North Waco, Dorrell said in a press release.

Cutler said in an interview that public response to the opening of Baked Bliss has been heartening, and she appreciates Mission Wacos gesture aimed at spreading the word about her presence in the neighborhood.

Crab Shack bankruptcy

For years, it seems, anytime there was speculation about the next restaurant that should open in Waco, readers of the Tribune-Herald would respond with hopes that Joes Crab Shack would come to town.

Alas, the chain never saw fit to choose Waco for expansion and may never get the chance. Its corporate parent, Ignite Restaurant Group, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to a press release from the company.

Houston-based Ignite said it will auction off assets of Joes Crab Shack and Brick House Tavern + Tap restaurants. Locations of both restaurants will remain open during the bankruptcy and sales process, according to the press release. Beyond that, however, there is no promise of the Crab Shack remaining in business.

Allergan scholarship

Allergan, which operates a manufacturing facility in Waco that produces eye- and skin-care products, announced that Denis Barbus, of Hewitt, has been awarded a 2017 National Merit Allergan Foundation Scholarship.

Barbus attends Midway High School and plans to attend Baylor University in the fall to study business and marketing, according to an Allergan press release. He was among 10 winners of Allergan scholarships nationwide.

The scholarships are available to children of Allergan employees in the United States and Puerto Rico and are administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corp., which chooses winners on a competitive basis.

Alpha Omega coffee bar

Alpha Omega Grill & Bakery, 929 Franklin Ave., has opened a new coffee bar and announced new operating hours.

Owner Dorothy Lentis said in an email the new operating hours are from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.

The Mediterranean-style restaurant opened a year ago in a former transmission shop, with a coffee bar operated by McGregor-based Pinewood Roasters inside. The new coffee bar opened June 1 to fill the space Pinewood left at the end of last month.

Pinewood left with plans to open a new shop at 2223 Austin Ave. It has not publicly announced an opening date for the new location.

New Verizon store

Verizon Wireless has opened its third store in the Waco area, this one in a shopping center at South Valley Mills Drive and Bagby Avenue.

The store will operate with 10 employees, including three managers, and will hire more if traffic dictates, a company spokeswoman said.

Verizon also operates stores in Central Texas Marketplace and at 5301 Bosque Blvd.

Restoration 1 expansion

Waco-based Restoration 1 has announced it is expanding into Wisconsin and Michigan, making its services available in 28 states.

Our record-setting growth now represents a coast-to-coast organization, CEO Gary Findley wrote in a press release. We are attracting the best of the best to our system among prospects who want to be their own boss and follow a proven business in a recession-resistant industry.

Entrepreneur Magazine recently named the company one of the fastest-growing franchises in the country, according to the press release.

Restoration 1 was founded in 2008 and specializes in an array of emergency mitigation services for residential and commercial properties damaged by water, smoke, fire, mold and storms, according to the press release. It has grown to 120 locations across the U.S. and hopes to grow to more than 500 nationwide within the next four years.
The city of Wacos new attempt to find a developer for the former Sanger Avenue Elementary School property has drawn interest from several nonprofit and for-profit homebuilders.

Waco Community Development Corp., Neighborworks Waco, Waco Habitat for Humanity and CapRock Texas Construction Co. sent representatives to an interest meeting in the request for proposal process. Applicants have until July 11 at 2 p.m. to submit proposals for redeveloping the site, and the Waco City Council could consider a finalist in August.

City bid officials said they want to see a vision for something special on the property at 17th Street and Sanger Avenue. It was the site of the historic Sanger Avenue School building until it burned nearly a decade ago and was torn down.

The development should reflect the historic architecture of the adjacent Sanger-Heights neighborhood and preserve some distinctive elements of the site, including a giant live oak tree and the remaining masonry door arch of the old school, city property manager Kendra Anderson-Zadnik said.

City officials are open to a wide variety of uses, possibly mixing incomes, densities, rentals and owner-occupancy, and residential and commercial uses.

The location would be excellent for an employment center that would stabilize the neighborhood and bring jobs to the area, Anderson-Zadnik said.

She said she thinks Wacos economy and real estate market have improved in the past few years, making the site more attractive than ever for development.

The city sought proposals in 2013 and got only one, from Waco Community Development Corp. The nonprofit home-ownership agency proposed 12 detached homes and 13 townhomes, along with a pocket park around the live oak tree. The city never took any official action on the proposal.

Community Development Corp. executive director Mike Stone said he was unclear on the reason, but he said hes interested in applying again.

Stone said he envisions about 20 owner-occupied homes on the block, connected with an interior driveway.

Waco CDC typically builds homes in the inner city that cost between $105,000 and $115,000, but he said these homes would have to be somewhat more upscale to make the economics of the project work.

He said one cost to the project would be dealing with the old school basement, which was filled with construction debris during the demolition process.

Roy Nash, executive director of Neighborworks Waco, also expressed interest but also questioned some assumptions in the citys request for proposal. Nash said he suspects the old masonry arch would be an obstacle to develop around and might break if moved.

He said the city advertises the presence of water and sewer on the property, but old pipes might have to be replaced, as Neighborworks discovered when it developed Legacy Square on former city property in East Waco.

Nash also questioned the requirements of conforming to the neighborhoods architecture, noting that, in the case of Legacy Square, neighbors wanted conventional, suburban-style housing.

Philip Humber of CapRock Texas, who drove up from College Station for the proposal meeting, was enthusiastic about Wacos economic growth and real estate potential. His firm is developer and builder of the 100-acre CapRock Crossing power center on Highway 6 in College Station and has also built custom homes.

Were really interested in this market, Humber said. Its similar to the one were in, though a little bigger. Its centered around a college, has the same kind of economics and is growing fast.
The Texas Education Agency found Marlin Independent School District committed several violations involving seven special-needs students in the districts Success Academy throughout the past school year, including improperly reducing course requirements and failing to offer the required continuum of resources and placement options for the students.

The TEA findings come after an internal investigation that uncovered deficiencies, but not to the extent reported by the state.

The TEA started investigating at the Success Academy in April after Marlin High Schools former assistant principal, RoShon Jackson, filed a complaint with the state agency on behalf of students in March.

The academy started last fall and is meant to help students at risk of dropping out close achievement gaps and handle credit recovery issues.

Jackson alleged the academy was cutting content requirements short and was not implementing the students individualized education programs, which outline special-education students specific instructional needs. The TEA found both of Jacksons allegations to be true, according to a 20-page report the TEA sent the district Wednesday.

I feel happy for the kids, Jackson said after the report came out. I feel like the kids will now get the proper help they need. The kids were the ones I was actually trying to help. I had students who stood up to the administrators trying to the same thing. For them to receive a free and appropriate public education, thats all I ever wanted.

According to the report, Marlin ISD:

Failed to ensure students with disabilities were given multiple alternative placement opportunities.

Failed to ensure placement determinations were based on state law.

Failed to ensure individualized education programs were implemented.

Failed to develop, review and revise individual education programs according to law.

Failed to give students with disabilities a full school day comparable to students without disabilities.

Allowed a teacher not certified to teach high school courses or teach special-needs students to serve as the teacher of record for special-needs high school students in the Success Academy.

District employees the TEA interviewed reported that students were placed in the academy for behavioral issues and credit recovery, but only two of the seven students had documented behavior issues. All seven students were taking the classes for the first time, not participating in credit recovery, the TEA reported.

Staff members were asked why alternative placements, like resource classes, werent considered, and they said no other options were available for students, the report states.

None of the students individualized education programs called for reduction in course content, but, in many cases, content was drastically reduced, the TEA report states.

All seven students were also designated to the same teacher, one who wasnt certified to teach any high school course work and was not certified in special education, the TEA found. Along with information gathered by the TEA through the software program students were using to complete work, the teacher admitted to shortening assignments and tests.

Shortened courses

For example, one student completed a yearlong biology course in only 21 lessons, with no projects, one quiz and five tests, while the amount required for the course is 80 lessons and 76 other activities, including essays, projects and experiments, according to the TEA.

Another student completed an entire business law course in 16 hours and 42 minutes and an English course in 15 hours and 44 minutes, and received credit for both, the report states.

Report cards for the students also did not show any grades for the 2016-17 school year, and listed classes and teachers that didnt line up with the classes students were enrolled in at the Success Academy.

I do think we can do a better job for all students in the Success Academy, and I think the changes we will implement to the Success Academy will benefit all students, not just special education students, Superintendent Michael Seabolt wrote in an email Thursday. I think maybe two of the seven (students in the TEA report) were seniors.

Marlin ISD, a district of more than 800 students, has been saved from closure more than once after failing state academic accountability ratings for five years in a row. If it fails state academic ratings again this year, the state could close the district for good. Marlin ISDs school board was replaced by a state-appointed board of managers earlier this year and state and local officials say the TEA findings arent tied to the possibility of closure in any way.

Marlin has about 100 students who fall under special education and about 12 life skills and preschool children, Seabolt said earlier this year.

According to the TEA report, Jackson and others alleged they were following the directive of Remy Godfrey, the districts assistant superintendent and high school principal, to appoint students to the academy based on students behavior and her desire to remove them from the main high school campus.

Placement decisions for special-needs students are required to be made by an Admission, Review and Dismissal Committee that includes the students parents and other members laid out by state law, not by individual administrators.

Jackson, who alleged two administrators made moves to designate students to the districts Success Academy and improperly award students course credit, was part of those committees, according to the TEA.

Documents obtained by the Tribune-Herald in May revealed Jackson and several others who make up the Admission, Review and Dismissal Committee were responsible for making recommendations to place students in the academy. However, the committees never refused to place a student in the Success Academy who had been recommended, according to this weeks TEA report.

One individual suggested to the TEA that if an IEP team had refused to accept the placement determination, the refusal would have been detrimental to the career of each staff member who attended the IEP team meeting because the principal would have retaliated against them, the report states.

Jackson said Thursday she, like others in the district, signed off on the placements because she was afraid of losing her job.

Jackson filed the TEA complaint six days after she was placed on administrative leave for unknown reasons. The high school assistant principal position she was in was also recently eliminated as part of a reduction in force by district officials to save money. She will have a hearing in front of the board in the coming weeks as she works to reverse her removal.

She couldnt answer why the district might have missed the violations during its own internal investigation, but said the TEA findings are accurate.

I believe the TEAs report is self-explanatory and I just pray Marlin students get the best education possible, and God be the glory, she said.

She did not want to comment further.

Seabolt called the allegation against Godfrey absurd and noted the complaint was filed by a disgruntled employee. He said many of the people questioned by TEA are close friends and allies of Jackson, and some of the teachers making the claims were the same ones who were supposed to be properly documenting the individualized education programs.

If Jackson had a problem with that, she could have went to the special education director or me. She did neither, Seabolt stated. If the principal made a mistake at all, it was letting Jackson have free reign over the Success Academy. The person who should be held accountable in this situation is Jackson.

Godfrey didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday, but she and Seabolt both stated earlier this year the districts internal investigations didnt discover much. There were some deficiencies in how officials were using software to get through courses, she said in May. She also mentioned students were sharing passwords between one another to take each others courses.

The TEA report confirmed the software and password issues and staff members stated students were also just clicking through a course to get the answers to course questions.

The districts internal investigation didnt find anything more than those few things initially because investigators were grasping at vague allegations and anonymous sources, Seabolt stated. He also wrote the district didnt find the same things the TEA did because Marlin ISDs special education department did not and does not have the expertise to analyze detailed special education documents the way TEA does.

He claimed Jackson tried reporting the allegations anonymously to the Region 12 Education Service Center in February, during the time Jacksons position was placed on a list for elimination as part of a reduction in force. Seabolt immediately went to Godfrey at the time of the anonymous complaint to let her know the district needed to make sure the Success Academy was working properly, he wrote.

He then directed Van LeJuene, the districts teaching and learning director, to conduct the internal investigation, he said. He said LeJuene had no connection to the high school, the Success Academy or any complaint related to the issue. LeJuene started the investigation during spring break, Seabolt said.

It was quite literally drip, drip, drip, and we chased down every drip we could, Seabolt wrote. No. 1 issue was to determine if students graduated without the proper credits. We did not find that, and neither did TEA.

Revising policies

From here, the TEA is requiring Marlin ISD to revise policies and guidelines to prevent the issues from reoccurring, to provide alternative placement options for special education students and to offer compensatory services to all seven students involved in the complaint, whether they have already graduated or will continue school next year.

The district must also address individualized education program team meeting issues related to the allegations before July 31. And prior to the first day of school next year, the district must secure technical assistance to address the laws violated and provide training to all special education personnel, general education personnel and all administrative personnel to Marlin High School, the report states.

The district then has to meet three deadlines between now and Dec. 1 and submit proof it has implemented state requirements, according to the TEA report.

First, I think the word wrongdoings is misleading to the readers. If you look at the corrective actions required, the findings are mostly procedural deficiencies in nature. I do understand TEA finds academic wrongdoing in Marlin is a catchy headline, but I think it is misleading, Seabolt wrote. It implies some nefarious act, which is simply not substantiated by the investigation. Also, this was a special education complaint, and as a result, the investigation focuses on the legal and procedural intricacies specific to special education students. This complaint nor the investigation was into some broad academic wrongdoing.

Lastly, I agree with at least 90 percent of the deficiencies TEA identified. We noted many of these ourselves and began making corrective actions weeks ago.

The district has the option to submit a written request within 15 days of being notified about the findings and ask the TEA to reconsider the report, but Seabolt said the district wont be doing that.

Instead, the district will follow the corrective action plan, and the Falls County Co-op will be a big part of the solution, Seabolt stated. Earlier this school year, the districts board of managers voted to rejoin the co-op after a few years of separation and have the co-op take over the responsibilities and duties for special education.

Marlin ISD is too small to run an efficient and effective special-education department. That is the purpose of the Falls County SSA. That was part of my contention all along, Seabolt wrote. In addition to saving money, I was telling the board of trustees last year we are just too small to do the job effectively and efficiently. No one had bad intentions or engaged in any organized wrongdoing. Mistakes were made, certainly.
Twenty-five years ago we took our children on one of those vacations-of-a-lifetime to Disneyland in Los Angeles. We bought a used van for the summer and coaxed it across the desert to the west coast. When we took the kids to the beach we were unable to see the surf on the horizon because of the greenish-yellow haze trapped against the shore.

For years I commuted to work in Dallas listening to reporters declaring orange and red alerts for air quality. At some point TV weather forecasters added reports on the days pollution index to the routine reports on temperature, rain and humidity. In the last two decades we have seen improvements.

The first photos of earth sent back by the Apollo crews in the 1970s dramatically impressed us that our tiny blue planet rotating in space is precious and fragile. The thin layer of air that surrounds us not only contains the oxygen essential to life, but protects us from the suns ultraviolet rays, regulates earths temperature and distributes moisture on dry land. Three-fourths of the atmosphere lies within 6.5 miles of the earths surface. Sixty-two miles up we leave earths atmosphere and enter outer space. We are dependent on an amazingly thin film of atmospheric gases to sustain life on our planet.

The Bible clearly predicts that the earth will wax old like a garment. Our finite earth will wear out. Of course, I also know that one day I will wear out. We are all mortal. None of us lives forever. But my own mortality doesnt mean I should start smoking, drinking, indulging in high fat foods and refusing to exercise. Instead, I am motivated to discipline my body so that I can experience greater health and longevity. In the same way, we must learn to discipline ourselves regarding the creation that God has entrusted to our care. In the very first chapter of the Bible, with His very first words to mankind, God instructs us to be fruitful and multiple and replenish the earth (Genesis 1:22).

The reaction to President Donald Trumps decision to pull the United States out of the Paris climate agreement has been swift. While some celebrated and others demonstrated, many responded with their own resolves to protect our environment. Thirty states resolved to stay the course to pursue lower greenhouse gases. Individuals, businesses and local governments are making commitments to make a difference. Renewable energy has taken root and is growing.

In their groundbreaking book, Abundance, Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler dare us to imagine a world of nine billion people with clean water, nutritious food, affordable housing, personalized education, top tier medical care, and non-polluting, ubiquitous energy.

I doubt that pollution will become intolerable in my lifetime, though it seems to already be so in Beijing, at least until the wind kicks up and blows it our way. But I wonder about the world we are bequeathing to our children and grandchildren. Will they continue to enjoy a pristine world with all its life-giving beauty and majesty? When God commanded us to replenish the earth, he placed the responsibility in our hands.
Patricia Carpenter Ling

May 6, 1947 - June 8, 2017

Patricia "Pat" Carpenter Ling, 70, returned to her heavenly home on June 8, 2017 after a valiant battle with a long illness. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace. She was a loving wife, mother, Nanny, sister, aunt, and friend.

Pat was born to the late James and Frances Carpenter, in Waco, Texas, on May 6, 1947. She graduated from University High School in 1965.She married the love of her life, Clarence Lee Ling, on August 22, 1964 in Waco, Texas, and they were almost married for 53 years. Together they raised two sons with patience, values, and lots of laughter.

Pat was very involved with the Young at Heart class at her church, First Baptist Church Lorena, and was a member for over 35 years. She loved helping others in need in any way she could. She enjoyed driving them to movies, to doctor's appointments, or to get an ice cream at Dairy Queen. She was kind and compassionate, and always had time for others.

She worked at Baylor University for almost 20 years. She received "Faculty Member of the Year" and was lovingly known as a second mom to students in the chemistry and physics department.

Pat is survived by her husband, Clarence, of Eddy; son, Calvin Ling of Woodway; son, Travis Ling and wife, Heather, of The Woodlands; grandchildren include, Chance Ling and wife, Lisa; Collin Ling and fiancee, Hailey; Aubrey and Canton Ling, and Sophie, Bradford, Carrigan, and Anabeth; great-grandchildren include, Tristan and Ryleigh. She leaves behind two brothers, James Carpenter of Arizona, and Don Carpenter and wife, Gayle, of Oakwood.

The family will receive visitors from 3 to 5 p.m., Sunday, June 11, at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Drive, Waco. Her funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, June 12, at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, with a graveside service following at Cottonwood Cemetery. A reception for the family will follow at First Baptist Church Lorena.

Pallbearers include: Raymond Wilcox of Lorena, Carl Geer of Hewitt, Butch Dulock of Lorena, Chance Ling of Lorena, Collin Ling of Temple, and Canton Ling of The Woodlands.

The family would like to thank the staff and nurses at Westview Manor Nursing Home in McGregor and the staff and nurses at Baylor Scott and White Hillcrest Medical Center and Hospice in Waco for their devoted care and attention she was provided. Also, a special thank-you to all who visited and who sent all their love and prayers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Foundation in Pat's name, or http://www.lbda.org/.
This column veers dangerously into I told you so territory for my friends and clients. I take neither pleasure nor credit for recognizing that a once-in-a-generation opportunity is slipping away.

In February, I warned that President Donald Trump was repeating his predecessors rookie mistakes. In March, I noted that the odds of passing important economic legislation had fallen meaningfully. This missive offers the most dire warning of all, with significant ramifications for equity markets.

Lets begin with the observation that the long-awaited pivot towards being presidential hasnt arrived and, by all indications, never will. Those of us who harbored hopes for a comprehensive corporate tax reform, for repatriation of trillions of overseas dollars, for an infrastructure plan and perhaps even for a lowered personal income tax rate are coming to recognize the folly of our wishful thinking. That window of opportunity now looks like casements in South Florida during hurricane season.

The good news is that the global economy keeps expanding as corporate profits rise and the post-credit-crisis recovery continues apace. Left to its own devices, even as the Federal Reserve normalizes rates, the economy has the potential to grow for several more years before its next cyclical stumble.

The bad news is that the self-inflicted wounds of the most undisciplined presidency in history are increasingly likely to blow its chances of passing any of the aforementioned economic stimulus measures. The trifecta of tax reform, repatriation and infrastructure investment could put the United States on very strong footing for the next several decades. Such was the legacy of Ronald Reagan, who oversaw a similar once-in-a-generation economic boost that resonated for the next 30 years. (Credit goes to former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, whose contributions to that 1980-90s economy cannot be understated.)

Trump is no Reagan. The current president started with a generational opportunity, in the form of a GOP sweep of the White House and Congress. On Nov. 9, I placed the odds of passing a robust economic legislative agenda at 96 percent. The day Trump took office, cracks in my optimism appeared  Trumps obsession with the size of his inaugural crowd was an early warning sign of his narcissism and obliviousness to his role as the leader of the free world. By March, I had lowered the odds to a still healthy 75 percent. Now Im thinking 25 percent, and even that might be optimistic.

Let the weight of that missed opportunity sink in for a minute.

Whats astonishing is that every misstep has been an unforced error. The president has served every ball into the net, blown every opportunity, and never encountered a situation that he couldnt make worse. It is incredibly frustrating to witness this sort of gross incompetency.

If only Trump was merely repeating Obamas rookie mistakes. What we have seen since then is much, much worse. Inviting an FBI investigation  via Twitter!  that has brought damning testimony from one former FBI chief and a special investigation headed by another. Alienating allies on Capitol Hill for petty reasons. His staffers never know who will be thrown under the bus next. Antagonizing the intelligence community and the entire press corps save Fox News (and even that shows signs of cracking). Demonstrating zero comprehension of the gravitas of the office.

The president is becoming radioactive. He is having problems hiring outside counsel: four top law firms have reportedly turned him down. Resignations are mounting. Diplomats are revolting. Hundreds of key positions have gone unfilled as people increasingly perceive working for Trump as a career killer.

Less than six months into Trumps White House stay, there is no evidence of any sort of discipline, planning, thoughtfulness or maturity. When you have the fate of 325 million people in your hands, not to mention much of the rest of the world, you best take that obligation seriously.

Investors concerned about the presidents impact on their portfolios should be furious. I have no crystal ball, but I can imagine a few scenarios, presented here in order of likelihood:

Drawn-out misery: The worst-case scenario from a sentiment perspective is years of investigation. A never-ending drama of testimony, depositions and public hearings means the economic agenda never gets out of the starting gate. Malaise spreads among consumer and investors. Odds: 50 percent

President Pence: Trump, who I suspect never really wanted to be president anyway, decides he has had enough. He blames the media and the Democrats and the deep government or whatever he heard on Fox News that day and resigns before the 2018 election season begins. Pence takes over and reaches across the aisle to do a repatriation and infrastructure plan. Following that easy success, he does a full-on corporate tax reform, even a tax cut. Odds: 30 percent.

Mid-term 2018 elections: The economist and PIMCO advisor Richard Clarida observed that presidents typically get about a 14-month window to implement their agenda before Congress begins to focus on mid-term elections, where the party that controls the White House typically loses seats. Perhaps the rancor settles down, the investigations amount to nothing and a wounded president finishes out his one and only term. Odds: 20 percent.

Total vindication: The president and his long-standing personal attorney are proven correct. He is completely vindicated. Investigations find no collusion with the Russians, no obstruction of justice. Riding high on the political victory, a magnanimous Trump pivots toward becoming presidential. (The dumbest among us publish articles including the sentence He became president today and are immediately set upon by black crows, an ominous but confusing omen.) GOP leaders and even #NeverTrumpers embrace the newly invigorated president. The full legislative agenda passes, and a century of peace and prosperity begins. Odds: How many decimal places am I allowed to use?
WAHOO  District 23 Sen. Bruce Bostelman plans to build on what he believes was a successful first session in the Nebraska Legislature.

It was a real learning time, one of those things where you learn as you go, but it went well overall, Bostelman said.

Seven bills Bostelman and his staff worked on were signed into law, he said.

One bill Bostelman said he was particularly proud of was LB635, which was amended into LB566, increases penalties and fines for poaching.

It was needed to help the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission stay on board with most other states, he said.

The fines for many infractions are now $500 and there is no maximum time frame for permit suspension.

Bostelman said LB566 and another hes still working on with the Department of Motor Vehicles, LB177, were brought to him by a constituent and are good as they help improve processes within systems.

They make things more streamlined and help those systems work more efficiently, Bostelman said.

However, not all goals for the first session were met.

Im disappointed we were not able to do more with property tax and tax relief in general, he said. We werent able to get that accomplished. It was disappointing.

Bostelman said property tax remains at the top of the list regarding goals for next session, but also has a few other bills in mind.

Property tax is something were always working on. Its a continual process, he said.

Until next session starts in January, he and his staff will be working on bills for that session and interim studies through committees he is on.

He is working on LB177, another bill for the DMV, another minor bill with Nebraska Game and Parks and a few others, he said.

He said he is not able to fully comment on the bills to be introduced during the next session at this time.

Bostelmans priority bill, LB144, which would change agricultural and horticultural adjusted valuations for calculating state aid to schools is also still in referral.

Building Maintenance and the Nebraska Information Technology Commission committees will have their quarterly meetings between sessions, he said.

Transportation and Telecommunications and Natural Resources committees are also working through the late summer and fall on interim studies as well.

Those wont start until maybe August or September, he said.

There will also be ongoing visits to communities, groups and other meetings across the district between sessions, he said.

One of his first stops will be to co-host the first open house at the University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center June 29.

His staff of two, Legislative Aide Loguen Blazek and Administrative Assistant Andrea Mick, worked well together, he said.

They worked well to connect with the communities in the district as well as working through the day-to-day during the session, he said.
Statute amendment after local polls: PM

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has made it clear that an amendment to the constitution as demanded by the Madhes-based parties will happen only after the second phase of local polls scheduled for June 28.
Domestic airlines have two distinct advantages over most other industries  they have a duopoly in the Australian market and they are not victims of the digital disruption that has decimated so many other industries like retailing, media and even banks. Qantas was seeking a government bailout in 2014 after reporting a loss of $2.8 billion. Credit:Getty Images They are a protected species because the economics of starting a new domestic airline don't stack up. Several have tried and all have failed. For a while Qantas and Virgin tried to engage in the fare-cutting war but both were wounded. Ansett managed to go belly up even when it operated in an effective duopoly. Credit:Bryan Charlton

All Qantas and Virgin needed to do was act rationally  avoid fare and capacity price wars  and regain pricing power. Until recently, investment markets have been unconvinced that any airline could report reliable earnings. (Remember, Ansett managed to go belly up even when it operated in an effective duopoly.) A few years back, Qantas was looking to the government for a financial bailout after reporting a loss of $2.8 billion in 2014. And even though Qantas engineered one of the most extraordinary Lazarus-like financial comebacks, there have been plenty of investors that simply can't stomach the traditional rollercoaster earnings ride that has marked the aviation industry.

Therefore, despite the strong earnings performance Qantas has achieved over the past couple of years, it has been valued by the stock market a discount to other listed non-airline companies. But it increasingly seems that Qantas, at least, is winning over the sceptics. Already this year, Qantas' share price has gone up more than 60 per cent. Citi is predicting there is more in the tank for the share price. It released a report on Friday arguing that Qantas' share price could be the subject of a re-rating if it were valued on the same multiple of earnings as other companies and its international airline peers. It says the share price discount is less justified now because the earnings are more sustainable than ever. And Citi increased its target price for Qantas from $4.71 to $7.09 with an expectation other investment banks will also revise up their Qantas forecasts.

It was enough to push up Qantas' share price on Friday morning by 2.1 per cent to $5.26. The other side of the ledger, particularly for Qantas, is the costs it has taken out of the business. "Three years ago, we said we would deliver on $2 billion in transformation, and we've now given ourselves our targets for the next three years and management's focused on delivering on that," Qantas boss Alan Joyce told Businessday this week. Joyce backed the continued rise in the share price, which he said "would look after itself" if its self-imposed cost savings targets of $400 million annually are met. Taking costs out of their businesses allows the airlines to improve their yields even when taking a cut in airfares.

Virgin's cost-cutting and reorganisation program is not as large nor as well advanced as Qantas'. Another factor tantalising Qantas investors is the prospect of further capital management. Several analysts have forecast share buybacks to continue, and Citi is expecting an increase in dividends beyond the stated minimum of 7 cents per share per half. Loading Whether the optimists' views prove prescient now depends on how well Qantas can improve the performance of its international division  and increase its Asia focus.
UML lawmaker injured as passenger bus hits his car

CPN-UML lawmaker from Sindhuli district constitutency-1, Ganesh Pahadi, was injured when a speeding passenger bus hit the car he was travelling in near Kaliaap of Golenjor Village council-1 in Okhaldhunga district on Saturday.
The large-scale, long-life assets are next to mines already owned by Glencore, which has predicted continued demand for coal, especially in Asia, despite environmental opposition to the most polluting form of fossil fuel.

Swiss miner-trader Glencore said it had offered $US2.55 billion ($3.37 billion) cash for coal mines owned by Rio Tinto in the NSW Hunter Valley, outbidding a previous offer from Chinese-owned Yancoal.

The terms allowed Rio to engage in negotiations with another party if it made a better offer.

Glencore has predicted continued demand for coal, especially in Asia, despite environmental opposition to the most polluting form of fossil fuel. Credit:Michelle Mossop

Glencore's proposal is $US100 million higher and fully funded, but Rio Tinto has to give Yancoal the chance to make a counter offer, opening the way for a bidding war.

Rio said in a statement it had received the offer and would respond "in due course".

Analysts say Glencore has long been interested in the assets and predicted its offer could succeed.
"House of Home's focus is to help bricks and mortar retailers by raising brand awareness and point of interest online, to then increase foot traffic offline by driving consumers in-store," Mr Jones said.

An Amazon warehouse in Germany. Local retailers are divided over what effect the internet giant will have when it arrives in Australia.

According to Stephen Jones, the co-founder of website marketplace House of Home, Amazon is "purposely attempting to exploit small, local business" but he is not intimidated by its entry "as 93 per cent of retail sales in Australia happen in-store".

The pending arrival of the internet giant Amazon has seen mixed reactions from the retail sector, with advocates saying it will boost all channels of consumerism, while others have said it will "destroy and exploit" smaller local businesses.

"Never before has the consumer been so empowered and they want to buy their own way  that is via the web or in a brick and mortar shop.

"With Amazon and other websites, it's a case of 'here is the product and get it while it lasts'."

Mr Jones said the focus for retailers and the consumer should be on the 93 per cent of people who still shopped in a physical store and supporting that side of the market.

"It is about putting the power back to the consumers," Mr Jones said.

"We know that customers are researching and discovering online more and more, but they are still heading in store to actually purchase, particularly with the larger furniture items like sofas and coffee tables. House of Home makes it easy for the retailers to have their products found online, and even easier for the customer looking for that perfect product."
Sydneysiders will need to keep an umbrella on hand for at least a week - the remainder of the Vivid Festival - as the rain settles in, bringing the city's wettest stretch in months.

The wet weather will hang over Sydney on Saturday, with the chance of a storm threatening to drench the city further after 20-30 millimetres fell across the city from 9am on Friday.

Lighting up the night: more of the wet weather ahead. Credit:Kate Geraghty

The mid north coast and the Northern Rivers region will continue to endure the brunt of the bad weather, after being lashed by heavy rain and thunderstorms on Friday.

A severe weather warning, including flash flooding, have been issued for both areas, amid forecasts of rainfall totals in excess of 200 millimetres over the weekend.
When JK Rowling indicated that her first tweet was "1/14", her Twitter followers knew they were in for a manifesto of sorts.

The Harry Potter author, who has become somewhat notorious for her quick-witted and progressive Twitter presence, took to the social media platform on Friday to call out sexist language used against UK Prime Minister, Theresa May.

JK Rowling has an unpublished manuscript in her closet. Credit:Getty Images

In a series of tweets, Rowling criticised left-leaning men who used demeaning language to describe the UK Conservative Party leader, who announced she would be forming a minority government overnight following the country's general election on Thursday.

"Just unfollowed a man whom I thought was smart and funny, because he called Theresa May a whore," Rowling began.
Sarah Ferguson has opened up about her battles with an eating disorder during her marriage to Prince Andrew.

The Duchess of York, 57, who was once regarded as the "The Duchess of Pork" by the British press, revealed how she struggled with an eating addiction and wished for bulimia to cure her.

Britain's Duke and Duchess of York married in 1986 and divorced 10 years later.

Speaking on a podcast with Dr Vijay Murthy, who practises holistic medicine and naturopathy, she canvassed her binge-eating past which took hold during her 10-year marriage to Prince Andrew.

"To wish you could have a mental illness to that level is a very serious place to get to," the reformed "comfort eater" said.
A Sydney surgeon who was subjected to a "vicious" campaign of harassment by a former patient, including an offensive website and death threats, has been awarded $480,000 in damages for defamation, after a judge lauded him as the "perfect plaintiff".

Munjed Al Muderis, an Iraqi refugee and pioneering surgeon celebrated for giving amputees the ability to walk, considered leaving Australia after a former patient and his brother made a series of threats and put grossly defamatory posts about him online.

Surgeon Dr Munjed Al Muderis. Credit:Tim Bauer

This included a website styled similarly to Dr Al Muderis' official business site along with posts on Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest.

The Supreme Court heard former patient Gerardo Mazzella and his brother Rodney Duncan waged an online campaign against Dr Al Muderis after he performed a hip operation on Mr Mazzella in 2010.
Two adults and four children are being flown to Perth for treatment after they were involved in a crash on the North West Coastal Highway, about 800km north of Perth.

The single vehicle crash was reported just after 9am near the intersection of Shark Bay Road, in the Hamelin Pool region.

The RFDS attended the scene. Credit:RFDS

The car - a white Nissan Patrol - was towing a trailer when it rolled.

On Saturday afternoon police said the two adults, a man and a woman in their 30s, were being flown to Royal Perth Hospital.
It was the Roman senator and historian Tacitus who observed how unfair it was that "victory is claimed by all, failure to one alone".

This is not the case with the Conservative Party's electoral disaster. There is an awful lot of blame to go around, but most of it is being sheeted home to two people: the party's leader, Theresa May, and the Australian hired gun who ran the campaign, Lynton Crosby.

Crosby, a former Liberal Party staffer, masterminded four victories for John Howard before moving to the United Kingdom to apply his dark arts for the Conservatives in 2005 for Michael Howard.

Howard (Michael, not John) lost a bitter election campaign in which he had focused on the perils of unchecked immigration, the same issue Mr Crosby had used to help propel John Howard's victories.
One of the most astonishing was Canterbury  which held the Guinness World Record for the longest time held by the same party. Jeremy Corbyn attends a campaign rally with young activists in May. Credit:Getty Images The Conservatives and their earlier counterparts held it for 160 years, but Labour snatched it away on Thursday by just 187 votes. The Tories said the seat had been taken away by students in this university campus city attracted by Labour's promise to scrap tuition fees. But locals interviewed by the Guardian said the appeal of Corbyn's Labour was much broader than raw self-interest. The Labour leader won over younger voters. Credit:Getty Images

Similar results popped up across the country: where young voters were concentrated, Labour swings rose  the pattern was repeated in Bristol, Cardiff, Ipswich, Warwick and Leeds, often resulting in Labour gains. The result was foreseen by Survation  the pollster whose prediction of a hung parliament was widely dismissed before the election, but which stuck to its guns. Theresa May was popular with voters aged over 55. Credit:Bloomberg In a blog post defending their figures just days before the vote, Survation CEO Damian Lyons Lowe said he had found an "unusual voting intention boost among the 18-24s"  more young people than usual were telling them they were 'absolutely certain' to vote. Other pollsters refused to believe them, and mapped their predictions onto 2015 turnouts.

Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Downing Street to go to Buckingham Palace for the Queen's permission to form a UK government. Credit:Dan Kitwood But Survation decided to take them at their word. And they found that these groups were much, much more likely to back Labour. "There is some evidence the younger voters will play a more crucial and active role in this election," Lowe wrote ahead of the election. He noted that it wasn't unreasonable, as Labour had a "retail offer" for younger voters on tuition fees. Protesters outside Downing Street in London call on the PM to resign. Credit:PA This generational divide was seen last year too, in the Brexit referendum where 75% of the under-25s voted Remain.

But in that case, turnout of that demographic was a long way below that of the retirees  an astonishing 90% of over-65s voted. There simply weren't enough young people in the country to compensate. This time, there were. And Labour MP Catherine West believes it was about more than just the fees. It was the change in Labour's campaign, inspired by Corbyn's deliberate focus on idealism and hope rather than retail politics. "The way we campaigned was person to person rather than the more robotic approach from the Tories," she told Fairfax. "Young people were telling other young people to vote on Facebook. It was quite a breakthrough for a campaign that is often quite old fashioned, using old media. "The swelling number of people going out to vote I think was quite a new element. Particularly in large young populations we saw that surge."

West doesn't put it all down to youth. She believes the Conservative manifesto 'dementia tax' scared off a lot of older potential Tory voters. The growing age gap The rise of the generation gap was also seen coming by Strathclyde university's Prof John Curtice. A week before the election, he said polls were showing a "very remarkable" breaking of young people to Labour and old to the Tories  at a level much greater than in 2015. "The Corbynista strategy was avowedly to persuade young people to vote Labour and to turn out," he said.

He had seen the first part of the plan work: on election night he saw the second. In England and Wales there was only a 2.5% swing to Labour in seats where less than 7% of the population was aged 18-24. But in seats where at least one in 10 voters were under 25, there was a swing of 5%. On the other hand, only 15 of Labour's 35 gains had more 18-24 year olds than average, so there were clearly other factors at work on the night. It may seem like good news for Labour.

But former deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, who lost his seat in the election to Labour, used his concession speech to warn of the consequences of this demographic divide. The next parliament, he said, would be "presiding over a deeply, deeply divided and polarised nation". "We saw that in the Brexit referendum and we see it here again tonight  polarised between left and right, between different regions and nations and areas of the country. "But most gravely of all, this huge gulf now between young and old. Loading
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Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 10/06/2017 (1979 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As Canadians are being asked to dig deep in response to the deepening famine in parts of Africa, a rather twisted debate is unfolding south of the border under U.S. President Donald Trumps America First policy.

The Canadian response, in which the federal government will match donations by citizens dollar for dollar, is just another example of how distant this countrys foreign policy is from the America that is emerging under Donald Trumps administration.

The scope of the famine in South Sudan, combined with severe food shortages in northeastern Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen has not been seen since the end of the Second World War, said Canadas Minister of International Development Marie-Claude Bibeau in an op-ed published in the Huffington Post June 8.

Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press Minister of International Development Marie-Claude Bibeau.

Approximately 20 million people are at risk. Imagine half of Canadas population going hungry.

Until June 30, every dollar donated by Canadians to the relief agency of their choice will be matched by the federal government to help the aid effort.

The governments Famine Relief Fund will then be distributed through development and relief agencies operating in the affected regions.

Meanwhile, the debate unfolding in the U.S. over Trumps plans to slash foreign aid budgets by roughly 28 per cent is more cynical than altruistic.

The farm lobby, a key supporter base, is opposed to the cuts because farmers have historically cashed in on that countrys blending of famine relief, foreign policy and farm supports.

To be fair, most countries, including Canada, have a history of tying foreign aid to commodities produced, processed and transported by the donor country. The origins of the Winnipeg-based Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) are rooted in physically transporting grain grown on Prairie farms to people in need.

However, CFGB was instrumental in convincing Canada to fully abandon the concept of tied aid in 2008. Most other countries have done the same. Grain donations are turned into cash, which is used to buy food aid in the most efficient way possible.

Not so in the United States, where aid is still considered key to promoting American interests abroad.

Ron Suppes, a Kansas farmer representing U.S. Wheat Associates, testified at a House agriculture committee hearing June 7 that foreign aid is one of the top 10 export customers for U.S. hard red winter wheat. In the last marketing year, purchases for aid programs made up 10 per cent of total wheat exports.

Thomas Jayne, co-director of the Alliance for African Partnership at Michigan State University, testified that investing in global food security is an investment that pays back.

Strong agricultural growth in Africa and the broader income growth that it generates, will accelerate the rate of food imports, and most of the main food imported into Africa are crops exported by North American agribusiness, Jaynes written testimony says.

He also noted 43 of the top 50 consumer nations of American agricultural products were once U.S. foreign aid recipients.

Americans are big-hearted folks who love seeing the U.S. flag on a donated bag of rice, agriculture committee chair K. Michael Conaway said in his opening remarks.

Big-hearted is a relative term. Data tracked by the Organization for Co-operative and Economic Development (OECD) shows the U.S. ranks 23 out of 28 countries when measuring development aid as a percentage of gross national income (GNI). It contributes 0.18 per cent of its GNI. Canada ranks 16th by contributing 0.26 per cent.

Only six countries on that list, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom are meeting a United Nations target to keep development aid at or above 0.7 per cent of GNI.

However, when it comes to total spending, the U.S. is at the top of the list with annual contributions of US$33.59 billion. Cutting that by almost a third would decimate global support at a time when the need is urgent and growing.

So, as crass as it seems, the best hope for these programs  and the people whose lives depend on them  is to convince Trump that Americas interests are best served by helping others.

Laura Rance is editorial director for Glacier FarmMedia. She can be reached at laura@fbcpublishing.com or 204-792-4382
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 10/06/2017 (1979 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Tom Tessier was inspired to develop his niche business when he helped launch rockets at the short-lived Akjuit Aerospace Inc. in Churchill.

Solara: Remote Data Delivery makes a device called the Solara Field Tracker, a portable GPS tracker and two-way messaging device designed for harsh conditions and used by Canadian Forces in the North as well as defence departments and resource development companies in 40 countries.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Tom Tessier's company makes an expensive, rugged hand-held communication device that links to satellites and uses GPS to keep track of people in remote areas.

Even though there are thousands of the $1,000-plus devices in use around the world, Tessier runs a lean operation in a small shop in Winnipeg with only one other full-time employee.

In addition to its super-heavy-duty construction and reliable connection to the Iridium low-orbit satellite network, the Solara Field Tracker also includes patented technology specially designed to save battery power and emit signals in remote locations.

About a year ago, Tessier heard that a competitor might be infringing on that patent when one of his Alberta re-sellers cancelled his order, saying he was going with a cheaper competitor that was new to the market.

Called the idle mode, Solara launched the feature at a trade show in Victoria in 2007. Tessier had already secured a patent for the technology in Canada and the U.S. and received testimonials from senior industry executives that it was a novel feature.

The discovery that another manufacturer was using the idle mode feature was worrisome, but Tessier figured it would be dealt with because he had a patent with the understanding that he had a 20-year monopoly on that particular technology.

He found out fairly quickly was on his own and all the monopoly really meant was that he had the right to spend around $1 million in legal fees to compel others to acknowledge his market rights.

Over the last year or so, Ive learned an awful lot about patent protection, Tessier said. Now I have to ask, why bother with a patent in the first place?

His concerns are not just the fevered thoughts of a harried entrepreneur whose hard-won market share is being encroached on unfairly by a competitor with much greater resources and market heft.

It is, in fact, a long-standing gap in the dynamics of patent protection regulations thats been well-known to patent professionals for some time.

Adrian Battison, a veteran patent agent with Ade & Company of Winnipeg, said, It is a problem I have been worrying about for a long time. There is no question the enforcement of patents is a significant problem. You can obtain a Canadian patent for between $5,000 and $10,000 but to litigate it can cost $500,000 to $1 million. The average person with no access to sums of money simply cant manage that kind of situation.

Tessier has communicated with the company but they are nowhere near common ground. He has learned that whereas in the U.S. there are less expensive ways to at least have imported goods stopped at the border, no such mechanism exists in Canada.

Unfortunately, Ive become very knowledgeable about patent issues, he said.

Tessiers Winnipeg patent lawyer, Silvia de Souza, a partner at Thompson Dorfman Sweatman, said the government will issue patents that comply with the legislation, but it does not enforce them.

If there is someone who decides to manufacture the product that is covered under your patent and is infringing your patent you, the owner of the patent, have to spend your own money and stop the bad guy.

In response to a query, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office said there are a number of ways to address the issue when faced with possible patent infringement, including: finding a business arrangement, using dispute-resolution mechanisms, the use of cease-and-desist letters, or launching legal proceedings.

Its really not much help to a guy such as Tessier. Patent litigation involves expensive expert testimony and costly court time.

For a little company like us, we would have to stop everything and just put all our resources into it, Tessier said. I cant do that.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Tom Tessier with the Solara Field Tracker, a portable GPS tracker and two-way messaging device designed for harsh conditions.

De Souza said, Its brutal. You pay to protect but cant afford to enforce, and now you have a competitor who should never have been a competitor, but is because you cant stop him.

Battison said that scenario rears its head most often when there is a large disparity between the two parties  that is, a large company versus a small company.

In many cases, patents enforce themselves by the deterrent effect, Battison said. No one wants to get into a dispute. Nobody wants to fight about things. No one wants to spend money on lawyers. So having a patent usually acts to get you what you want. But problems come up when the other party is somebody who is somewhat bloody-minded who says  I am just going to fight you for this.

Patents are widely used around the world for territorial protection of innovations. With so much technological innovation occurring in the information technology and life sciences fields, companies develop patent strategies and patent portfolios even before they generate revenue, let alone profits.

Startups are encouraged to apply for patents even while the product is being developed.

Jeff Ryzner, the CEO of North Forge Technology Exchange, said he encourages companies to take out patents for every milestone in the development process to create a trail of patents that can protect against a competitor from coming up too quickly behind them.

Even at the very end of the journey, just before they are ready to go to market, I always ask the engineer: how would you build this without violating the patent? If they come up a with a way, I advise them to patent that, too, Ryzner said.

Few would deny the wisdom of such an approach, but it will not provide a sufficient defence if the competitor whos coming up behind them is a much larger company.

The reality is the patent system is set up and at least, in part, designed by the big players to reinforce their position, said Jim Hinton, a patent lawyer with Bereskin & Parr LLP in Kitchener, Ont.

It is always going to be a challenging scenario for the little guy. The patent system is not fair as much as we would like to think it is. It is constantly being massaged and negotiated and lobbied by the strong parties to get what they want.

Tessier knows hes working in a niche market, but he has sold thousands of his devices, and hes also developed other technologies hed like to commercialize.

Who knows if and when a product will attract mass appeal? And that would be when a patent really becomes important.

Hinton said the system is not fair, but that doesnt mean inventors should leave themselves exposed by not patenting. He points out patents are used if the inventor is successful.

If youre not successful and not selling and someone else is, patents dont work well, he said.

If you do well and have resources, then you can own the market. It is sort of like an insurance policy, if you are successful. The thing is, you never know. Most patents are not valuable  only a handful get to be very valuable. It doesnt have to do with the technology in many circumstances, its all about the market and what people want.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 10/06/2017 (1979 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There are people you can tell a lot about by the way others speak of them.

Two such people are Leonard and Eleane Baranyk, local business owners who were commemorated on Friday in a ceremony in which a section of Hutchings Street named in their honour.

This is a blessing, said Eleane Baranyk, with tears in her eyes. Were blessed with what we have. Our family, our friends, our co-workers, everybody worked together to make us what we are today, and were very thankful for them. I never thought in a thousand years wed ever have a street named after us, but its the best gift they could have given us.

RYAN THORPE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Leonard and Eleane Baranyk are being recognized for their contributions to the community.

For the next five years, Hutchings Street from Inkster Boulevard to Sheppard Street will be known as Leonard & Eleane Baranyk Way. Its in the Inkster Industrial Park.

Winnipeg streets can be assigned an honorary name. Applicants must justify the rationale for why an individual, or individuals, should be recognized.

In the case of the Baranyks, it was because of their significant contributions to the community through their business endeavours.

The Baranyk family has owned the independent food distributor Pratts Food Service for 37 years and provides food wholesale to a number of businesses, restaurants, grocery stores and hospitals around the country.

Leonard joined Pratts  which has operated since 1910  as an accountant in 1967 and purchased the company in 1980.

Under his leadership, the company has gone from being Winnipeg-based with eight employees, to having locations across Western Canada and employing more than 540 people.

Their three sons are also employed with the company, and Leonard and Eleane still go to work every day.

This was the first real surprise of my life, said Leonard laughing. The people who work here are like a big family. We cant do it without them. Its them, our customers and everyone else who makes the wheel go.

RYAN THORPE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Hutchings Street from Inkster Boulevard to Sheppard Street will be known as Leonard & Eleane Baranyk Way for the next five years.

This isnt the only milestone this month for the family. Friday was Leonards 73 birthday and today is Leonard and Eleanes 50th wedding anniversary. July 3 will also be the 50th anniversary of Leonard joining the company.

We wanted to celebrate them and everything theyve done, said Tom Tetlock, vice-president of the retail division.

Theyre fantastic people whove not only survived, but thrived, in the business environment of today, all with family values.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 10/06/2017 (1979 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

So much blood spilled. So many lives lost and lives ruined. So much pain and heartache. There have been countless shootings, stabbings and swarmings. Targeted attacks and random acts of violence. Detentions and deportations.

And still, the gang pressed on, leaving its mark primarily in Winnipegs West End and a trail of despair in its wake. For more than a decade, community leaders, social workers, police and justice officials struggled to find answers.

Finally, there is a glimmer of hope. The numbers are down dramatically. There are believed to be as many members behind bars as there are on the streets. Others have been kicked out of the country. Some have aged out. A handful have been killed. Only one original member, co-founder Evan Murphy Amyotte, is still believed to be involved.

Have the Mad Cowz  at one point Winnipegs most violent, youngest (with members as young as 12) and most active street gang  finally been corralled?

A lot of them moved on, theyve been arrested, theyve rolled out of the gang or been rolled out, Det. Steve Mitchell, a veteran investigator in both the street crime and organized crime ranks, told the Free Press this week. He estimates the gang is about half the size it was at its peak, although specific numbers are difficult to gauge, given the transient nature of the members.

Its not like theres a census, he says.

Nobody is ready to declare victory, not with a long, hot summer on the horizon and the possibility of new recruitment to bolster membership ranks. There is particular concern as it relates to new young arrivals to the city  whether theyre from First Nations communities up north or immigrants fleeing war-torn countries who are seeking a fresh start.

History has shown the Mad Cowz are especially cunning when it comes to corrupting some of the most vulnerable and impressionable in society.

Theres always those one or two new kids trying to make a name for themselves, says Jamil Mahmood, the executive director of the Spence Neighbourhood Association.

He also serves as co-chair of the Gang Action Inter-Agency Network, which unveiled a new strategy this week that brings together more than 180 community stakeholders.

Definitely on the street were seeing less activity, especially with the Mad Cowz. But its always a matter of waiting for the right few guys to be released and it could fire up again, he says.

The Mad Cowz formed around 2004 but were most prominent in 2012, when they were engaged in a dangerous battle with rival members of the B-side gang. At the heart of it  like most gang conflicts  was a battle over drug turf and profits

Winnipeg police launched an elaborate undercover investigation, dubbed Project Recall, which culminated in a series of raids and arrests in April 2013. Police nabbed 11 key Mad Cowz members and several associates. It left a major mark, one the gang has not fully recovered from; most of them remain locked up.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Winnipeg police Det. Steve Mitchell talks about Winnipeg gangs at a community meeting Monday. He says its tough to pin down the number of gang members in the city.

We tried to identify the lines that were operating. This is where it became clear as day that gangs were just a sham for drug trafficking, says Mitchell, who was a part of that probe. The party life in the gang is what initially attracts you. But you will be schooled very quickly on the drug trade. They need to sustain their lifestyle. In order to do that, they have to traffic in drugs. Removing the underlying distribution network crippled them.

Mitchell says its important to remember police arent social workers and he admits arresting gang members  without addressing many of the root social causes  is not a recipe for long-term success. Indeed, several other new gangs have emerged in the area in recent years looking to fill the void. While they may not be nearly as co-ordinated or large as the Mad Cowz, the potential for violence is a concern.

The trend is shifting from one large gang having control, to youth forming their own little cliques, and theyre operating on their own solely focused on drug trafficking, he says.

Thats where GAIN and its strategy come into play. Co-ordinator Robyn Dryden told the Free Press it is estimated there are as many as 1,500 active youth gang members in the city, believed to be connected to as many as two dozen different groups. The majority are with well-established gangs such as the Manitoba Warriors, Indian Posse, B-side and Mad Cowz.

Incarceration isnt a deterrent. Kids involved in gangs dont see that as the end of the road. We really need to shift to more preventative measures and intervention like this strategy, she says.

Incarceration is just a Band-Aid solution. Its not looking at the root causes of why people commit crimes or looking at the structures and systems that put them in the position where crime is a viable option for them. Until we look at the broader picture and really try to address some of those larger system issues, movement on issues like this will be slow.

Mitchell says the Mad Cowz are unique in that they are the most cannibalistic street gang hes seen. He points to a major fracture within the gang about a decade ago, when many immigrant members broke away to form a rival dubbed the African Mafia. It occurred in the aftermath of the August 2004 murder of Mad Cowz member Sirak Shaggy Okbazion, who had moved to Winnipeg with his family four years earlier after fleeing Eritrea. Four B-side members were charged. Only one was convicted, of manslaughter.

Other immigrant members of the Mad Cowz, who formed a big part of the gang in its early years, wanted to seek instant revenge, Mitchell says. But others within the gang opted to lay low.

The split was connected to the lack of response, she says.

Police had their hands full as the two sides went at each other, and eventually several members of the Mad Cowz and African Mafia were deported following criminal convictions.

I was a beautiful kid who had a dream at one time to be a doctor, but I became a street hustler, selling crack, Yassim Ibrahim told the Free Press in a jailhouse interview before he was deported to Somalia in 2008.

As a boy, Ibrahim saw his father being murdered. He immigrated to Winnipeg in 1999 with his mother and four siblings, and in less than 10 years, at age 23, he was the co-founder of the Mad Cowz along with Amyotte, a Canadian citizen. His criminal record included the attempted murder of a rival gang member.

Mitchell says those moves sent a chill through the gang structure  especially after Hussein Jilaow, a high-ranking Mad Cowz member racked up a massive criminal record in Winnipeg and was returned to Somali, where he was quickly killed.

Its no secret Winnipeg has been opening its doors to asylum seekers in recent months, many of whom come from African countries. As a result, those working on the front lines say they are taking extra care to try to prevent gangs from swooping in.

Those kids have experienced a lot of trauma. Its crazy that we just expect them, with very little support, to have a whole different life here, when all theyve grown up in is around violence and war, Mahmood says.

We expect them to be healthy members of society immediately gangs prey on people who are weak, who have mental-health and trauma issues. People have to heal before they can move on to positive things.

Mahmood says the same goes for First Nations youth who are suffering the effects of colonization. He says one of the keys is making the transition from their old lives to their new ones in the city as seamless as possible, especially at school, where many newcomers feel ostracized.

Lets bridge these gaps, lets make sure their first interaction with the system isnt a failure, he says. Thats the key, whether its an asylum seeker, someone coming from the north, a reserve community. Theyre all in the same situation. Its just how quickly they get doors closed on them or pushed down into poverty before they turn to crime and gangs.

Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files Jamil Mahmood, executive director of the Spence Neighbourhood Association, says a 24/7 drop-in centre has helped keep teens out of gangs.

Mitchell often talks of the idle hands theory  a concept those involved in the GAIN initiative are looking to address.

If you have time on your hands, youre going to be filling it. How young people chose to fill their time can either help them or get them involved in things like gangs if theyre not spending it in pro-social ways, Dryden says, adding typical recruitment tactics include flashing money and designer clothing and shoes while also promoting a sense of belonging and family to young people struggling to adjust.

Its giving them that sense of identity and purpose that really gets young people involved, she says.

In the moment it seems really good and you have all these things, money and influence. But none of that stuff really belongs to you.

Winnipeg immigration lawyer Bashir Khan recalls one Somalian family in which the father won his refugee claim, then brought over the rest of his family on a sponsorship. It wasnt long before the mans son was in trouble with the law and was later sent back to his homeland.

However, Khan says he never brings the subject up with clients when dealing with refugee claims. He doesnt believe new immigrants are any more susceptible to being recruited by gangs than long-standing citizens.

That would be offensive if I said, Hey, make sure your kids dont get involved in crime. If you want to, you could go into every school and tell kids not to commit a crime and promote a pro-social message, as well, he says. Nobody is joining a gang in front of me.

Mahmood says the Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre on Langside Street between Portage and Ellice avenues was once a key hunting ground for the Mad Cowz, who would try to take advantage of youth using the facility. Various measures, including having staff at the site 24/7, have helped.

Weve had some success getting those kinds of understandings, that these are places you cant do recruiting, he says.

Mitchell says Mad Cowz has moved away from its roots as an ethnically focused gang and will take in just about anybody  on one condition.

If you can work a dial-a-dealer phone, youre in, he says.

The veteran street cop has a final word of warning for anyone who thinks the gang life is for them.

Most young people dont know what theyre getting into. Until theyre asked to go into custody for that gang (by committing crimes), it doesnt really set in, he says.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Lawyer Bashir Khan says children of newcomers are no more susceptible to the lure of gangs than people born in Canada.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 10/06/2017 (1979 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NORWAY HOUSE CREE NATION  Jordin Bailey was an eight-year-old girl with the soul of a wise elder.

But last summer, a doctor told her mother, Lisa Kematch, that Jordin probably wouldnt live to be nine years old. And by autumn, before the brain cancers progression crippled her, a Winnipeg charity that tries to make dreams come true for gravely sick children asked Jordin if she wanted to go to Disney World. Maybe even become a Princess for a Day.

But she didnt want that, or anything for herself, she told Howard Koks, the executive director of The Dream Factory.

GORDON SINCLAIR JR / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Const. David Schulz (left), Lisa Kematch and Cpl. Fred Walker attend the opening of a park that was created in Norway House to fulfil the wish of Kematchs daughter Jordin Bailey.

All she wanted was a playground for the friends she would leave behind; a park in a Norway House subdivision on this sprawling First Nation of more than 6,000 perched at the top of Lake Winnipeg, where, despite its progressive ways and recreation focus, boredom can be a curse for the youth. Such boredom can bring on an early end for vandalized playgrounds that become so damaged and dangerous they have to be torn down.

As early as February, the community, the local RCMP, The Dream Factory and other donors had combined to raise $60,000 to cover the cost of her dream, and probably then some. By then, though, the cancer had taken her sight and later that same month it would take her life.

Four months would pass.

Finally, on Friday morning, as her mother watched more than 400 school children mob the play structure and swings and pile on the horseless merry-go-round, the vandal-resistant Jordins Wish Play Park officially opened with a blessing, a ribbon-cutting and a balloon release into the blue and misty white heavens.

Oh, yes, and with speeches, as a pair of red-coated honour guard Mounties looked on.

Im very thankful that Jordins park came together, Lisa, the proud mother, said before her nerves and emotions stopped her from saying much more. There was so much more she wanted to say, though. About building more playgrounds to keep the legacy alive. About who Jordin was, although most everybody knew by then.

She was everybodys friend, Lisa told me, saying Jordin often wandered the community, looking for families in need of food. We called her the old lady, her mother laughed, because she was nosy.

But there was more to her than being an old lady. There arent many playgrounds left in Norway House, although Lisa recalled how she would take Jordin to the one at the local school named after Helen Betty Osborne, the teenager from Norway House who, in 1971, was abducted from a street in The Pas and murdered. Jordin didnt know about her. But soon after she was diagnosed, Jordin learned about Christine Wood, another young indigenous woman who went missing 10 months ago, and whose body was located in a ditch outside Winnipeg last week.

She talked a lot about her, Lisa said.

She wanted to go find her. And then when I saw on the news she was found, it just hurt. Because I knew my daughter wanted to find her.

Howard Koks, for one, wouldnt be surprised to hear that. Koks spoke here, too, Friday, just as he had at Jordins memorial service when he referred to what he called her caring essence. Because it wasnt just the wish she asked him for that amazed him that day in his office. He recalled something else in particular.

Her mom got sad at one point  just crying maybe a little bit  and Jordin reached out and took her moms hand and was sort of petting it. Comforting her.

Crystal Bonner, who also spoke Friday, is the patient advocate at 333 Maryland St., the Norway House-owned residential building in Winnipeg where the family stayed and Jordin was cared for during her last months.

And where Jordin took her last breath.

Crystals office is located in the basement, and when Jordin was still able, she would visit every day.

Wed talk, Crystal told me, about the things that affected her throughout her lifetime as a child.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS files Jordin Bailey holds an artists rendering of the playground as her mom, Lisa Kematch, comforts her at her bedside in Winnipeg in February.

And Jordin would draw.

She was drawing a picture all the time. Shed be drawing the sun. And shed be drawing her mom. As she was drawing she would be talking about these things that bother her. And what she hoped for all the time.

Early on, Jordin told Crystal she wanted to live.

And then she said, I know I cant have that wish. But I want my mom to be OK. I want my family to be OK all the time. And I want kids to be happy. Like you know, she would talk like that all the time. And she would also talk about how alcohol and drugs affected a lot of people. And I told her, You know, people make choices.

Lisa can see the playground from her back window.

There are maybe a hundred kids that are playing on her play structure right now, she told me over the phone the day before it officially opened.

Obviously, thats why Jordin wanted the park there because she knew there was nothing else for the kids to do but wander the way she had when she was looking out for everyone she met.

But I wondered  given how Jordin seemed to have grown up so fast and was always concerned about others  if there was a deeper meaning for why she wanted a playground for the friends she left behind. I asked Lisa if she thought Jordin wanted it because it was a place where kids didnt have to deal with what was happening in the adult world.

Yes, she said, I think so.

I think so, too, but Jordin might have said it differently.

A place where kids can just be kids.

And wise elders, too.

gordon.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 09/06/2017 (1980 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Nearly 150 years after Louis Riel fought to preserve Metis culture, his great, great, great nephew is using art to spread Metis teachings across Canada.

Donovan Stevenson, a Grade 8 student at Archwood School, painted an interpretation of the traditional medicine wheel on a six-metre metal shipping container thatll travel to various communities this summer as a part of the Canada 150 celebration.

It makes me proud that a part of me is shipped around Canada, he said.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Artist Donovan Stevenson at the launch of the WAGs Canada 150 initiative, Art Expressd, at The Forks Friday.

Its part of a project called Art Expressd by the Winnipeg Art Gallery thatll see three shipping containers go from town to town via train, truck and cargo ship.

Each stop will give local people the opportunity to create art with their own style on the themes of identity, what Canada means to them, and truth and reconciliation.

The medicine wheel is important to Stevenson, who learns indigenous teachings from his family. It is a central point of many indigenous cultures and shows the interconnectedness of all things. Stevenson took care to paint the colours and animals of each part of the wheel.

Hes a really talented artist, said Clinton Viehweg, the student support teacher at Stevensons school. He got to see the students artwork before it was shipped out and said it was really quite remarkable.

In each community, more art will be added inside the containers before being shipped to the next stop.

Im hoping itll come together to represent all the individual voices, said Jessie Buchanan, one of the artists travelling with the containers. She spoke via video message at Fridays Art Expressd launch.

Buchanan is joined by two local artists, Evin Collis and Becky Thiessen. Each is on a separate route with a shipping container and leading art workshops in communities along the way.

WAGs Allison Moore will head workshops in Winnipeg. She said art is more than something nice to look at.

Its a way to communicate, express feelings, work things out, bring people together, and a way for activism to happen, she said.

Stevenson agreed.

Art has been a really fun way to express my feelings and when I got the opportunity to come down here and express my take on this culture, it was really, really fun, he said.

Its also a way for Canadians to learn about each other and identify with one another, said Rochelle Squires, provincial minister of sport, culture, and agriculture.

Theres no better way to discover our own identity and to share our identity with one another than through the expression of art, she said.

The project was one of just three proposals from Manitoba that the federal government chose to be a Canada 150 Signature Initiative. Itll receive $300,000 from the Canada 150 Fund.

The containers will stop in 15 communities before returning to Winnipeg, in time for Culture Days Manitoba from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 and Nuit Blanche Winnipeg on Sept. 30.

Moores free workshops will take place near a fourth and immobile Art Expressd container at Parks Canada Place at The Forks throughout the summer.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 10/06/2017 (1979 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Youre in the intensive care unit to withdraw ventilatory support. The dying person is most likely unconscious.

You lean in, take the tube from their throat and quiet the machine forcing air in and out of their lungs. You wait.

Dr. Kim Wiebe was chosen to lead Manitobas medical assistance in dying team in part due to her extensive experience in critical care. (Phil Hossack / Winnipeg Free Press)

That moment is the closest anything in Dr. Kim Wiebes medical career has come to preparing her for what she does now: help people who want to die, die. And yet still, she says softly, theres no real comparison.

In one room, the outcome is uncertain: you unhook the machine and the person lives or doesnt. You dont get to choose. In the other, she says, death is foreseeable, a deliberate act.

Immediately before Wiebe administers the first of three medications that will put a person to sleep and stop their heart, she asks  again  if they are absolutely certain they are ready to die. They say yes, and she administers the drugs.

The patient is very much in control, she says. For the doctor theres rare certainty: You know that the persons going to die.

Their eyes close, their heart stops.

  

By the time the Supreme Court struck down Canadas ban on physician-assisted dying on Feb. 6, 2015, Wiebe had been following the debate with only peripheral interest.

As an intensive care unit doctor in Winnipeg, shed seen plenty of end-of-life care. She had such an affinity for the work, shed gone back to do a second medical residency in palliative care. She followed the news and thought assisted dying was an important option for people to have, but didnt give it much more attention.

Assisted dying by the numbers Note that each province reports, tracks and releases data pertaining to assisted dying slightly differently. British Columbia: 338 assisted deaths as of March 31. Eight occurred before federal legislation went into effect on June 17, 2016. Alberta: 143 assisted deaths as of May 29. Six occurred before federal legislation went into effect on June 17, 2016. Saskatchewan: 21 assisted deaths as of March 31. Manitoba: 46 assisted deaths as of June 1. Ontario: More than 400 assisted deaths as of May 1. Quebec: Assisted-death legislation was implemented before the federal government acted, giving Quebecers access to the service beginning in December 2015. Since then, there have been at least 450 assisted deaths. New Brunswick: 17 assisted deaths as of March 31; at that time there had been 31 official written requests, none of which had been rejected. Nova Scotia: 31 assisted deaths as of March 31; 67 requests. Prince Edward Island: Zero assisted deaths as of April 27. At that time, Health PEI noted, there has been at least one, but fewer than five, requests. Newfoundland: Nine assisted deaths as of April 28; 13 requests. The numbers could be higher; reporting on assisted dying in the province is currently voluntary. Yukon: Statistical information not available due to privacy concerns. Northwest Territories: Statistical information not available due to privacy concerns. Nunavut: Statistical information not available due to privacy concerns.

She wouldnt until later that year, when the Winnipeg Regional Health Authoritys chief medical officer, Dr. Brock Wright, asked her to serve as the ICU representative on an advisory panel that would help shape Manitobans access to medical assistance in dying.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court had suspended its decision for one year to allow governments time to respond. Although the suspension was extended until June 6 last year, Manitoba  like all the other provinces and territories  needed a plan. Especially since, in the interim, people seeking relief through death could apply via the courts.

That was the urgency, Wright says. It was January 2016 and the question was, How do we quickly develop a capacity in Manitoba to provide medical assistance in dying if as early as February we were directed to by a court order?

Wright, who was chairing the provincial medical leadership council at the time, gathered the group at the governments request. He was given a few names of senior officials from the regional health authorities, but he reached out as well to the provincial medical colleges. He knew the involvement of the colleges of nurses, physicians and pharmacists would be crucial to creating a comprehensive program.

At that first meeting, Wright had a thought. What if the advisory panel formed a clinical team? What if they actually helped people die?

There was anxiety around the whole idea of medical assistance in dying and what are we allowed to do and what arent we, he says. Creating a team, he felt, would set the standard, create provincial experts in the field.

It would prove a unique approach. No other province or territory would rely on one travelling team to offer the service.

Still, it wasnt what Wiebe had gone to the meeting expecting.

Its one thing to support the right, she says, but its another to actually, actively help somebody.

Everyone in that room took time to think before saying yes, Wiebe says. She thinks almost all of them came to the same conclusion: (It) was here, it was going to happen regardless, and if it was going to happen we wanted to do it to the best level.

At the start, the team was kept fairly small: three doctors, two nurses, two social workers and two pharmacists. Wright picked Wiebe to lead it. She was kind, caring and organized, he says, with extensive critical care experience and the kind of leadership tenacity he felt would propel the team forward.

They had their first request for assisted dying at their second meeting. It was February 2016. Since then, the demand has only grown, and the team with it.

But the team has kept a fairly low profile over the last year. Wright says they didnt know how the public would react and were worried about peoples safety.

Slowly, he says, Wiebe has become more comfortable going public with her own role as team lead. Still, it has always been Wright speaking to the media about assisted dying in Manitoba.

This is Wiebes first interview. Its her first time speaking about the team, its dynamics and how challenging, yet fulfilling, it is to help someone who wants to die.

  

Every so often, Cheri Frazer teaches advanced care planning in the community classroom at Winnipegs McNally Robinson bookshop.

What do you want to happen if you get sick or diagnosed with a terminal illness, if youre close to dying? Shell help people sketch out a health directive and sometimes, after the class, theyll approach her with a favour.

Conversations around faith At least six faith-based health-care institutions across the province have made it clear they wont allow assisted dying on their premises. But Winnipeg Regional Health Authority chief medical officer Dr. Brock Wright says conversations about what they will allow are ongoing. Wright says discussions are underway to determine which, if any, of the required steps patients must go through  inquiry, medical-chart review, two independent assessments, a 10-day reflection period  before their assisted death request can be approved, could in faith-based facilities. The question, he says, is during that assessment period that would involve our team, does the faith-based institution or that faith look at that as contributing towards medical assistance in dying? In other words, do the institutions see the process during which a patient is ruled admissible or inadmissible for the service as being complicit in ending a persons life? So far, Wright says, the discussions have been very respectful. Still, the organization Dying with Dignity is adamant they shouldnt even be necessary. I think if an institution receives public funding then it doesnt have the right to limit a Canadians access to legal services, says Cheri Frazer, an institution doesnt have values. That discussion is likely only going to get more heated in the near future considering the provincial government introduced Bill 34, the Medical Assistance in Dying (Protection for Health Professionals and Others) Act, last month. While Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen said it would ensure medical professionals are not disciplined for their beliefs, Dying with Dignity sees such bills as a Trojan horse to try to suppress assisted-dying access. In an email, a spokesman for the non-profit said many of the groups supporting conscience rights protected in Bill 34 and others are the same groups waging legal battles against patients right to referral for assisted dying. Its not that we dont think that conscience rights are legitimate, or that these groups arent sincere in their work to have those rights protected, he wrote, Its just that we dont believe their objectives stop there. Late last year, several Manitoba hospitals made it clear they had no intention of offering the service, including St. Boniface General Hospital and other medical care facilities under the Catholic Health Corp. of Manitoba umbrella, including St. Josephs residence in northwest Winnipeg, Ste. Rose General Hospital near Dauphin, and Winnipegosis and District Health Centre. Mennonite-affiliated Concordia Hospital and Archdiocese of Winnipeg-affiliated Misericordia Health Centre also said they would not provide assisted dying. Concordia even took out an ad outlining its position.

They want to die or, at least, to write up a directive that stipulates no intervention if they begin to lose control of automatic bodily functions because of a disease like Multiple System Atrophy or if they start to forget their family and friends as dementia ravages their brain.

But  and here is where they often stumble  their family either doesnt agree or gets so upset at the mere mention of such a directive that the conversation stalls. They ask Frazer, a co-ordinator with Winnipegs Dying with Dignity chapter, would she help them talk to their family?

Frazer has found one explanation that resonates most.

Imagine youre called to the hospital, she tells them, and theres been a horrible accident.

The way that we express love is by saying do everything you can, but that isnt necessarily how the patient wants to be treated, she says. If the patients quality of life has already started to erode and they really dont want to be lingering, they dont want that intervention, then its a cruelty rather than an expression of love.

Frazer has been a key element in Dying with Dignitys Winnipeg chapter for several years. The non-profit pushed nationally to decriminalize physician-assisted dying and now works to ensure equitable access.

Frazer interacts often with Manitobas team, either by helping connect people or serving as a witness when they sign their name to the form stipulating, unequivocally, they know they are asking to die and they want to end their life.

Sometimes it takes a toll, she admits, but then the practical kicks in and, for the most part, people are just so grateful that youre there, that they have someone to help them.

But, no two deaths are the same.

The parameters are  a medical-chart review, a written request in front of two witnesses, two independent assessments, a legal form followed by a 10-day reflection period  but thats where similarities end.

For Wiebe and her team to feel comfortable performing assisted dying, they have to almost become experts in another persons unbearable pain. On average, they spend a month or so getting to know someone, although that time period lengthens if a person has an auspicious death date in mind.

A nurse will field the initial inquiry and review the persons medical chart, making sure they meet the current federal requirements for medical assistance in dying:

they must be at least 18 years old;

they have to have an illness, disease or disability that is serious and incurable;

their suffering  physical or psychological  must be intolerable;

they must be in an advanced state of irreversible decline; and

their death must be reasonably foreseeable.

A doctor, a nurse and a social worker from the team will do the first assessment, Wiebe says, while a different doctor, nurse and social worker will do the second.

Social workers have proven essential, she says, not just for the support they can provide the person who wants to die but also the support they can offer to close family and friends throughout the process and after the death.

Their presence is part of what makes Manitobas team so unique. While other provinces have co-ordination services  matchmaking is how Wiebe describes it  to connect a person who wants to die with someone who will help them, the Manitoba team comes equipped. Theres no need to provide phone numbers and introductions to other willing professionals; everyone is on hand.

Dr. Brock Wright, Winnipeg Regional Health Authoritys chief medical officer, believes creating a team will lead to developing provincial experts in the field. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press)

Many of the Manitoba requests come from people already enrolled in some form of palliative care, Wiebe says, so the in-person assessments are really an opportunity to see whether there is some way they can improve a persons care.

Neither the doctor, nurse nor social worker present for the assessment will mince words. We ask, Wiebe says, If we could change this about your situation, would it change your mind about assisted dying?

The questions arent asked to force someone to live or, conversely, to encourage them to pursue a more immediate, controlled death. The team considers itself neutral.

Members dont advocate and they dont critique; its just a service, albeit a very emotional one.

The only way it feels right is to really identify with how theyre suffering, Wiebe says, and because we connect with people, its sad when they die. You know its the right thing for them, but theres still emotion there.

For that reason, and a few others, there have been numerous headlines declaring doctors across the country have asked to be removed from official lists of assisted-dying providers.

Wiebe has a possible explanation: its because theyre alone, doing it by themselves.

I couldnt imagine doing it solo, she says. Theres concern and anxiety I dont think any of us could have done it without the team, without being part of a team.

  

One night each week, Wiebes team meets to talk about the people whove died.

There have been 46 people between June 17, 2016  when federal legislation came into force  and June 1st, although the team currently has 22 active cases and 51 inquiries still to sort through.

In nearly a year, theyve turned down 49 requests and seen 69 people die either before they could offer the service or because they chose to opt out.

Some people die in hospital, while other people die at home. Its been a fairly even mix, Wiebe says.

As the number of requests grows, so too has the teams ranks.

There are nine doctors  three are bilingual  mostly family physicians, although one works in anesthesia and Wiebe works in critical care and palliative care. While six work in Winnipeg, three are in rural areas.

The team recently added a third nurse; two of them work part time, the other is full time.

There are four social workers and two pharmacists. There is also a speech language pathologist, hired when the need presented itself, and the team is working on adding an educational co-ordinator.

They meet and they talk, an informal, much-needed debrief.

At the beginning, Wiebe says, everyone felt like they were providing an important service. But the more they helped people die, the more their sense of whether it was fine that they felt fine about the deaths became fuzzy.

Twice, Wiebe says, outside psychologists have come in to help them. It was the first one, she says, that really helped her recognize that its OK to feel OK about this work. The plan now is to have a psychologist come in every few months to consult with the team.

Only one person has stepped away so far, Wiebe says, but that had more to do with family commitments.

Everybody on the team is very conscientiously participating, she says.

  

Sometimes Sherry Marginet will have a focal seizure in the kitchen of her Winnipeg home. Shell switch off the stove and slide to the floor and wait for it to pass.

Her husband and two adult sons have become accustomed to these moments. She has epilepsy and the entire right half of her body was paralyzed during brain surgery when she was 11. She wears fancy electronics that shocks her right leg to help her walk. Shes being treated for depression.

Little struggles is how Marginet characterizes her circumstances. As the other co-ordinator at Dying with Dignity in Winnipeg, shes well aware that people struggle with more extreme, more debilitating issues. But in the same breath, she knows, this is the best Im going to be.

Sherry Marginet, with Dying with Dignitys Winnipeg branch, has epilepsy. She wants options when things get worse, for herself and for others. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press)

Marginet wants options when it gets worse, for herself and for others. She has an advanced health directive and her boys know: no heroics.

Its interesting, she notes, to see people so opposed to assisted dying completely change their mind when a loved one falls ill, when theyre suddenly desperate to ease someones suffering.

But even now, a year after the federal legislation went into effect, the process is mired in uncertainty, and stories about barriers to access persist.

Federally, the Council of Canadian Academies is currently undertaking reviews of assisted dying at the request of the government. In addition to doctors asking to be removed from registries, at Dying with Dignity, Marginet hears stories from people whose doctors refused to even provide a referral.

Even the Manitoba bill that would see protection for health-care professionals who dont want to provide the service is inadequate, Marginet says.

And there are concerns about adequate protection for the people who want to provide it.

The uncertainty and hesitation around assisted dying is part of why Frazer and Marginet see the provincial assisted dying team as uniquely beneficial here in the Prairies. Parts of southern Manitoba  sometimes referred to as the Bible Belt  are deeply conservative and religious. Now, Marginet says, imagine a rural doctor whose practice is comprised largely of people vehemently opposed to assisted dying.

If a doctor said, yeah, Ill do it, they could lose a good portion of their patient base, she says. Theres stigma in small towns.

The assisted-dying challenge In late May, the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association announced it had added a new plaintiff to its fight against federal assisted dying legislation. The BCCLA, whose landmark 2015 case forced the government to introduce legislation, has been waging another legal battle for nearly a year now challenging the constitutionality of the federal provision that to access assisted dying a persons death must be reasonably foreseeable. That leaves many people suffering intolerably in indefinite pain, the BCCLA argues. It added Robyn Moro, a 68-year-old grandmother diagnosed in retirement with Parkinsons disease, to its challenge. The BCCLA argues that under current federal legislation, Moro doesnt qualify despite her desire to die. I have so much pain every day, and I know my Parkinsons will only continue to get worse. I know what my future holds and I dont want to endure it, shes quoted as saying in a release, I want to be able to die peacefully, with my family by my side.

Dr. Jeff Blackmer, the Canadian Medical Associations vice-president of professionalism, says he doesnt think rural doctors are concerned as much with losing their patients. If anything, he says, its more than likely the doctors share similar values with most of their patients.

What I hear are doctors who say, Look, I dont want to do it because of my moral views and I have a lot of patients in my practice who hold those same moral views and its important to them to be with a doctor that feels the same way as they do.

That, coupled with anecdotal stories about physicians backing away from providing assisted dying, is part of why Blackmer thinks the Manitoba model seems to be working well.

Each province, he notes, is trying to find a model that works based on its own population and geography. Most provinces have some form of a co-ordination service to connect patients with providers, while some larger cities and hospitals have their own teams.

Besides providing built-in support for providers of assisted dying, Blackmer says the team model has another key advantage: It does really help with making sure that physicians conscience rights can be respected and, at the same time, making sure that access isnt an issue.

And if the numbers are any indication, more Manitobans are seeking assisted death. The team has fielded roughly 200 inquiries in the last year, about half of them in recent months.

Doctors, nurses and social workers will continue being added to the team as necessary, Wright says. Weve had more referrals this year than we had last year, but where that will level off, I have no idea.

The requests, when they come, are diverse in origin. Wiebe meets people in palliative care, but is careful to note that assisted dying isnt a subset of a specialty that tries to make dying as comfortable an experience as possible, even though death is foreseeable in both cases.

Shes met people on surgical wards, in gynecology and oncology. Assisted dying is somewhat amorphous.

To me, Wiebe says, assisted dying belongs nowhere and everywhere.

jane.gerster@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @Jane_Gerster
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 09/06/2017 (1980 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Catastrophic flooding has caused such severe damage to the Hudson Bay Railway line on the last stretch of the track to Churchill that railway owner, Omnitrax, says it likely wont be fixed before the winter.

And a company official made it clear that Omnitrax may never fix it.

Service from Amery, 46 kilometres northeast of Gillam, to Churchill has been suspended since May 23 because of overland flooding. It means the 900 residents of the town of Churchill will have no land link to the rest of the province and will have to rely entirely on air transport for months to come.

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Operational headquarters of the Hudson Bay Railway in The Pas.

Peter Touesnard, chief commercial officer of Denver-based Omnitrax, said he has never seen anything this bad in his 20-plus years in the railroad business.

In an 84 kilometre section we have 19 washouts that we can observe from the sky that vary in size, with five bridge structures severely damaged, he said.

Earlier, there were sections as long as one kilometre in length that were completely under up to six metres of water.

In addition to that he said there is another 80 kilometres of track where the water is lapping up against the railway ties with an additional 30 bridges and 300 culverts that will need to be inspected from the ground before the full extent of the damage is understood.

The calamity occurs just days after Omnitrax Canada officials said they were getting near the final stages of a $20 million deal to sell the railroad and Port of Churchill to Missinippi Rail Consortium, a First Nation-controlled entity led by Mathias Colomb Cree Nation chief Arlen Dumas.

But many believe that deal is far from ready.

Omnitrax has been been sparring with the provincial and federal government for more than a year about the fate of the railroad. Now Touesnard is saying the damage far exceeds its insurance coverage and Omnitrax does not have the money to fix it.

We have been concerned for some time about the financial viability of this railroad, so it is difficult for us to wrap our head around how we would fund the reconstruction, he said. Its very difficult for a private company like ours to be funding what is in essence a public utility. We have been saying for some time that we believe this railroad is a public utility. It is extremely important to the people of the North and we believe all levels of government in Canada have some responsibility to ensure that this infrastructure stays in place.

It may bring to a head a bitter dispute that has been raging for more than a year that has caused the Port of Churchill to shut down last years shipping season and a reduction of freight service to Churchill from two trains per week to one.

On Friday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Manitoba government said, We are aware of the recently announced rail closure and continue to be actively engaged with our affected stakeholders in the North to ensure essential services are in place. The Emergency Measures Organization has assembled a team to coordinate provincial support.

Senior provincial officials have met with Churchill Mayor Mike Spence and are engaged with community groups and businesses in the region.

Spence said, Its really disappointing. There is a bit of work to do alright.

He said the town needs freight subsidies to get supplies airlifted and was adamant that repairs to the rail line need to be expedited.

But he also said, People need to remember, the town is not closed. Yes, there will probably be some cancellations but we can still salvage the tourist season.

Mike Pyle, the CEO of Exchange Income Corp., the company that owns Calm Air, said two additional cargo flights per week between Thompson and Churchill have already been added. As well, Calm Air, through its partnership with First Air, provides twice daily 737 jet service between Winnipeg and Churchill. Pyle said there is already excess cargo capacity on those flights.

There is no issue with capacity, he said. And if we need more we can add additional flights, that is not a problem. We are there to help. We will bring in whatever capacity is required to look after the people.

The provincial spokesperson said, We will take further steps as warranted to ensure the safety and well-being of all Manitobans.

Judy Klassen, MLA for Kewatinook and interim leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party, said, The Pallister government must come up with a plan now to help area residents and local businesses impacted by the closure.The communities simply cant wait until the winter for delivery service to resume.

The suspension likely means the entire 2017 shipping season will be cancelled.

The news hit Churchill Chamber of Commerce chairman Dave Daley hard Friday.

Its just been one thing after another. (In 2014), we lost the whole summer (tourist) season because of a derailment. That was five weeks the train was out.

In 2016, the Port of Churchill was shuttered, costing the community some 100 jobs. This year, the series of blizzards that buried the town in March cutting off all modes of transport came at the end of the Northern Lights season, a peak time.

Omnitrax has had a huge economic impact on us. Especially when they closed the port last year and all the jobs in town. That was a blow. Theres just no money around. We rely on tourists 10-fold now and now this news. For the summer, cancellations are pouring in because air fare is super expensive compared to the train. Thats our lifeblood.

 with files from Scott Emmerson

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 10/06/2017 (1979 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Lies, plain and simple.

Thats the blunt assertion levelled by former FBI director James Comey on Thursday during his testimony before the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, while responding to questions about the reasons offered by U.S. President Donald Trump for his firing last month.

It was an event, watched by rapt millions around the world, that fully lived up to the hype drummed up by Americas 24-hour news channels. Under intense questioning from members of both U.S. political parties, Mr. Comey pulled a few punches, a necessity when being asked about matters of national security, but he also delivered a series of political haymakers that left no doubt about the former FBI directors assessment of Mr. Trumps integrity.

Olivier Douliery / Abaca Press / Tribune News Service Former FBI director James Comey

Whats left, in the aftermath of Mr. Comeys riveting three-hour open hearing (followed by a closed-door session in which more sensitive national security issues could be discussed), is for American citizens to decide just exactly who has been telling those plain, simple lies.

The answer, despite several moments of stunning clarity in Mr. Comeys testimony, is anything but simple to discern in a country that remains polarized to the point of legislative and ideological paralysis. The only thing thats safe to say is that few, if any, minds will have been changed by Thursdays revelations.

Among the more noteworthy bits of testimony from Mr. Comey were his assertion that his dismissal was, without doubt, related to the investigation of former national security adviser Michael Flynns ties to the Russian government, his unease at the presidents pursuit of inappropriate one-on-one conversations (nine in total) with Mr. Comey  including one session at which he instructed attorney general Jeff Sessions and adviser/son-in-law Jared Kushner to leave the room before expressing his hope that Mr. Comey would lay off the Flynn probe  and his explanation that he kept fastidious notes of his conversations with the president because he was honestly concerned that he might lie about the nature of our meeting.

Mr. Trump, notorious for his social-media outbursts, remained muted during Thursdays hearing. Early Friday, he posted a tweet that both embraced Mr. Comeys testimony that the president was informed numerous times he wasnt personally under investigation and rejected most other aspects of the interview. At the same time, Mr. Trump criticized the former FBI directors decision to have a friend pass portions of his personal notes to a media outlet in hopes that their publication would lead to the appointment of a special prosecutor for the Russian-hacking investigation.

Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindicationand WOW, Comey is a leaker! Mr. Trump tweeted.

All of which, of course, sets the stage for the next chapter in Americas ongoing game of Who Do You Trust? This weeks contestants are a former top investigator with a decades-long record of accomplishment while serving under both Democratic and Republican administrations, and a commander-in-chief who has  among other things  falsely claimed his presidential predecessor was Kenyan, boasted that his modestly attended inauguration attracted record crowds, complained erroneously that millions of people voted illegally for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election (which he won), implied that Republican rival Ted Cruzs father was involved in the Kennedy assassination and claimed to have a secret plan to defeat ISIS within 30 days of taking office.

One would think the correct answer would be clear, simple and plain. In the United States in 2017, it is anything but.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 10/06/2017 (1979 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The greatest achievement of Finlands 100 years of independence? Survival.

What has largely been a distant threat to many countries in the West has been a matter of life and death in the northeastern corner of the European Union. For Finland, which shares a 1,300-kilometre border with Russia, safeguarding its sovereignty remains the focus of policymakers, a century after the then-Grand Duchy of Russia declared its independence.

Russia is a permanent dilemma for Finland  a problem without a solution that it needs to manage, said Rene Nyberg, a retired diplomat who once served as ambassador to Moscow and Berlin.

In the worst of worlds, Finlands 100 years of history now risks repeating. How it has managed to stay independent all this time could hold valuable lessons. Russias annexation of Crimea has raised tensions on the continent to their highest level since the end of the Cold War and the election of President Donald Trump in the United States is raising doubts about the post-Second World War political order.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whom many now regard as the unofficial leader of Europe, underlined the stakes late last month by saying that Europe now has to stand up for itself. Trump alarmed fellow North Atlantic Treaty Organization members by declining to explicitly reaffirm his commitment to Article 5, NATOs pledge of collective defence. He has repeatedly complained about the fact that most NATO allies are not honouring a promise to devote at least two per cent of their gross domestic products to defence spending.

Thats a complaint that would resonate in Finland. While it has officially stayed out of the alliance in deference to Russia, its one of the few European nations that plan to boost defence spending above that threshold. Finland is in the process of replacing its aging fleet of F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets with next generation F/X military aircraft, with the project expected to cost 5 billion to 10 billion euros ($7.5 billion to $15 billion).

Finnish anxiety is deeply rooted after a bloody modern history thats unprecedented in the Nordic region. A civil war that pitted socialist Reds against non-socialist Whites in 1918 left almost 40,000 people dead, while more than 93,000 Finns died fighting two wars against the Soviet Union between 1939 and 1945, according to the National Archives. The peace accords of 1947 meant ceding about a 10th of its land to the East and paying onerous war reparations by delivering costly industrial goods to its neighbour.

In the decades that followed, Finland focused on remaining outside the Warsaw Pact, seizing every opportunity to move closer to the West without angering Moscow. Deference to the Soviet Union, in the form of a policy known as Finlandization, became a pragmatic survival strategy. The countrys special relationship with the USSR was manifested in, for example, Moscows influence over Finnish cabinet appointments and self-censorship by local policymakers and the media.

Such acquiescence helps explain why Finland never joined NATO and only became a member of the EU in 1995, alongside Austria and Sweden.

Security policy perspectives permeate Finnish thinking  for a good reason, Nyberg said. Whereas for Sweden, EU membership was primarily an economic question, for Finland it was a security issue first and foremost. It brought Finland into the sphere of western solidarity. Before that, our position could always be contested.

Although its defence forces are already fully compliant with NATO and Prime Minister Juha Sipila reiterated recently that Finland retains the option of seeking membership, its unlikely to join.

Finlands relationship with NATO is like smoking without inhaling, Nyberg said.

The next step is even more co-operation with the West, especially with Sweden and other Nordic nations. Their heads of state  the kings and queens of Sweden, Denmark and Norway, as well as Icelands president  were in Helsinki on June 1 to celebrate the centenary and rub elbows.

Finlands active bilateral agenda with Russia remains an important asset, said Martin Kragh, head of the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. Finland knows its neighbour in the East well.

 Bloomberg News
Dick Otto representing the American Legion and Neil Hinkley representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be the Military Grand Marshals for the 2017 Steamboat Days Grande Parade.

Otto entered the US Army in New York City and served for four years. His tour included being one of the first units sent into South Korea. He was wounded near Kason, North Korea, then he was sent to hospital ship to heal and returned to his unit in Korea. He received several medal during his service including a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Otto was a Corporal at the time of his discharge. He returned to New York City where he married his wife and had two children. They lived in New York for six years.

Hinkley was born in St Paul. His family later moved to Minnesota City. He enlisted in the United States Army on Sept. 13, 1949 at the age of 18. His tour landed him in Japan as the Korean War broke out; he was sounded in September of 1950 becoming the first combat causality of the Korean War from Winona County. Hinkley was Honorably discharged May 31, 1952 as a Corporal. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, Army of Occupation (Japan) medal, Korean Service medal with two bronze stars and the United nations Service medal for his service to our country.

Returning to Winona, he met and married his wife of 64 years, Lillian. They had a son, Larry, and daughters, Mary and Kay. Hinkley worked for Badger construction for 35 years.

Hinkley is a life member of the VFW Post 1287, Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 5555, and American Legion Post #9 in Winona. He is also a lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 28 in Rochester.

Neils wife, Lillian, will accompany him in the Grande Parade.
Summers going to be a hot time at the Winona Public Library.

The librarys summer youth summer has program coordinator Tricia Wehrenberg  and a lot of Winona kids  excited.

She said she spent several hours at each elementary school in the area this year talking with students about the summer program, and all the fun activities the library has planned.

The summer program kicks off on Monday with an introduction to pottery basics for children, who will leave the workshop with a piece of art to be proud of.

The kids seem really excited for this one, Wehrenberg said. Its not often they get to work with clay, so I think theyll like it.

Wehrenberg said it seems like the library is busier at this time compared to last year with parents registering their kids for various programs. Theres a community of kids forming there, which is one of her goals for the program.

Some come to meet new friends, some come to see friends they dont get to see often, and Wehrenberg said its fun for them to build their own little community (at the library).

Theres been lots of first time sign ups, kids coming into the library who have never been inside the building before, Wehrenberg said.

Next Friday the library will have a float in the kiddie parade for Steamboat Days. Wehrenberg encouraged kids to sign up and walk with the library. The Concert in the Park series takes place after with a $1 hot dog lunch, and all the proceeds go to the library to purchase new materials and books.

Later in the summer, Minnesota Jack Sparrow will entertain the kids with his pirate antics and educate them about the history of pirates and their artifacts.
There has been a lot of news about Madison Area Technical Colleges plans to enter into a ground lease agreement for the redevelopment of our Downtown Education Center in Madison, as well as our plans to expand the colleges presence on Madisons south side. To be sure, these items are big news.

But, there is another placeholder in the storied narrative of Madison College that is no less significant. We are reviewing 681 applications from prospective students who wish to be part of the inaugural cohort of the Madison College Scholars of Promise program. Of those applications, 12 came from Portage High School students, six from students attending Pardeeville High School and four from Baraboo High School students.

It was just one year ago  May 24, 2016  when we unveiled this program with the ambitious goal of covering the cost of tuition for promising high school students who are academically equipped to go to college but do not have sufficient funds to close the gap between federal and state financial aid and the cost of tuition.

The 2017 Scholars of Promise applicants represent 50 high schools from throughout our 12-county district. These students have carried a minimum GPA of 2.25 in high school and will be expected to maintain those marks at Madison College to remain eligible for the program. Scholars also must comply with prescribed attendance guidelines and meet what are known as Financial Aid Satisfactory Progress Standards as prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education and the college.

We expect to enroll 400 students in the program this fall to begin their pathway to completion of a certificate, diploma or degree.

According to a report issued by Georgetown Universitys Center on Education and the Workforce titled Recovery: Job Growth and Education Requirements through 2020, 65 percent of all jobs in the U.S. will require postsecondary education. That number is expected to grow as the demand for advanced educational credentials and upskilling across numerous industries increases. A tuition bill shouldnt be the barrier between ones ambition and pursuing a postsecondary credential.

Due to the enthusiastic and substantial support of private donors  no tax dollars are being used to support this initiative  we have the funds in place to provide financial support to cover the cost of tuition for students who meet the eligibility guidelines and are prepared to enter college this fall.

Though the direct beneficiaries of the Scholars of Promise program are students to whom it will offer financial relief, the benefits of this program reach far beyond those who bear the title Madison College Scholar. When these individuals complete their education at Madison College, they will be prepared to enter the workforce with the knowledge and skills that are in high demand by Wisconsins employers. Many of them will pursue careers in fields that have an acute shortage of workers, such as information technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing and other STEM disciplines. Some will receive technical training that prepares them for employment in one of the skilled trades, while others will transfer to a four-year university.

Regardless of the path they choose, when more individuals are equipped with a college education, everybody benefits.

Our challenge now will be to sustain this program in perpetuity. There always will be students who face financial barriers. In keeping with Madison Colleges mission of providing open access to quality higher education, we stand committed to helping these individuals realize their full potential.




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Aurizon, Australias largest rail freight operator, announced this month it will close its maintenance workshops in the Queensland regional centre of Rockhampton, as part of a broader restructure that threatens to eliminate more than 300 jobs.

The sackings are part of an offensive being waged by major rail haulage corporations against the jobs, wages and conditions of workers in the sector, in response to the collapse of the mining boom and an associated drop in freight volumes.

A number of trade unions that cover the workers, including the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), demagogically denounced the job cuts. But they made clear that, as in every previous round of restructuring, they will do nothing to oppose the sackings.

Some 180 workers will be affected by the closure and redevelopment of the Rockhampton workshops, set to be completed by the end of next year. Another 126 permanent train crew positions are to be eliminated over the next 12 months at the companys depots in Callemondah, Bluff and Stanwell in central Queensland.

A further 62 permanent jobs will be destroyed at Aurizons Mackay and Townsville depots, including freight operators, train crews and team leaders. The Mackay depot is to be closed entirely.

Aurizons head of operations, Mike Carter, made plain the companys intention to boost the proportion of contract and casual employees, who can be hired and sacked based on fluctuations in the market, and have few rights and entitlements.

Carter declared that the greater number of contract workers would ensure greater flexibilitya code word for subjecting wages, jobs and conditions to the unrestricted requirements of productivity and profits.

The sackings are set to intensify a social crisis in northern and central Queensland, hit by decades of sackings in manufacturing, and the elimination of mining jobs over the past four years. A Rockhampton Morning Bulletin report in January noted that the number of welfare recipients in the Rockhampton region increased by 1,800 between March 2013 and March 2016.

Shaun Jones, a 25-year-old worker who has been at Aurizon since finishing high school told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation it was gutting to see his career as a fitter and turner taken away. Ive got a young family, a young lad and just started a mortgage last year.

Other workers pilloried the companys suggestion that 40 Rockhampton workers may be redeployed to other Aurizon sites. Some said they had lived in the town for generations, had families there and could not travel the potentially long distances.

The sackings are part of a restructure of Aurizons operations across the country. The companys net profit for the fiscal year of 2016 was $72 million, down from $604 million the previous year.

The sharp decrease was partly a result of asset impairments, where an asset has a lower current market price than recorded on the companys books. Aurizons rail revenues, however, were down 10 percent overall, including a 9 percent decline in freight revenue.

Aurizon announced last August it was preparing to sell-off its intermodal division, which transports containerised goods by rail and truck, after it registered an annual loss of $35 million and was written-down by $162 million.

The auction for the business is being run by UBS, a major international financial entity and shareholder in Aurizon. Last month, the Australian reported that the division, which has freight terminals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, may be broken up, rather than being sold as a going concerna move that would jeopardise up to 500 jobs.

Aurizon restructures have already eliminated thousands of jobs, with the collaboration of the RTBU and the other major unions. A statement by the RTBU Queensland branch on June 1 alluded to this record, saying the latest sackings were an appalling attack on workers who have gone out of their way to try and accommodate the needs of their employers over the last few years.

To accommodate the needs of the company, the RTBU and other unions enforced 2,000 sackings at Aurizon between 2010 and 2015. In 2015, the company slashed another 800 jobs nationally in a bid to save up to $380 million. Last July, a further 300 job cuts were announced in infrastructure production, maintenance, yard operations and train crews, along with management.

The unions role in pushing through these sackings, and associated cuts to conditions, is replicated throughout the industry. Last month, the RTBU responded to a week-long lockout of Pacific Nationals Victorian freight train drivers by resuming eight weeks of backroom negotiations with the company over a new enterprise bargaining agreement.

The company imposed the lockout after drivers staged a 48-hour strike in opposition to its moves to slash working conditions and cut annual wages by up to $19,000 per year, through the introduction of a new base rate of pay.

The unions actions, which included grovelling apologies for the strike, highlighted its willingness to sign a sell-out deal acceding to the companys main demands. As in every other sector, the unions primary concern is to maintain its privileged position at the negotiating table, by bargaining away the rights and conditions of workers.

To the extent that the RTBU has criticised previous sackings at Aurizon and Pacific National, it has been because there was insufficient consultation with the union.

That is why a struggle in defence of jobs at Aurizon and across the industry can only proceed through a rebellion against the RTBU, the AMWU and associated unions.

The posturing of the local Labor MPs in Rockhampton against the job cuts is no less fraudulent than the crocodile tears of the union officials. Successive Queensland Labor governments played a central role in selling-off public assets, including in rail.

It was a Labor government that in 2010 sold the state-owned freight carrier Queensland Rail to Aurizon, destroying hundreds of jobs and clearing the way for endless restructuring aimed at securing the maximum profit for the companys shareholders.
The state of Alabama carried out the 13th state sanctioned killing of the year in United States Thursday night in its death chamber at Holman Correctional Facility.

Robert Melson, a 46-year-old African American man, was killed by an injection of three drugs, including midazolam, which has been used in recent so-called botched executions. The execution went forward after the US Supreme Court denied his final request for a stay, despite his attorneys concerns over the possible negative effects of the drug.

Midazolam, the first drug in the process, was injected into Melsons veins at 9:59 p.m. His attorneys report that as the drug entered his body Melsons arms began to shake against the restraints which held him to the death bed. As the drug took effect his breathing became labored and his chest moved up and down before slowing. Ten minutes after the first injection his breathing had slowed to point at which it was imperceptible.

It took just over half an hour from the time that Melsons death warrant was read to out to the time that prison medical staff pronounced him dead at 10:27 p.m.

Melson spent 21 years on death row after he was convicted of shooting and killing three fast food restaurant workers in 1994 during a robbery. He maintained his innocence from the time of his arrest until his death.

The details of Melsons case point to the state sanctioned murder of an innocent man on the basis of a police frame-up.

According to the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC), a fourth shooting victim who survived the holdup identified Cuhuatemoc Tempo Peraita, a former employee at the restaurant, as one of the attackers. He could only identify the accomplice as a black male, and did not pick Melson out of a photo lineup.

An hour after the shooting, Peraita and Melson, who were friends at the time, were riding together in a car and pulled over by police. Both were arrested.

Under pressure from the police Peraita, who was 17 years old at the time and suffers from intellectual impairments, confessed to being present at the robbery, but fingered Melson as the shooter. Peraita later recanted the accusation.

Investigators failed to uncover DNA or fingerprint evidence that could directly tie Melson to the killings.

The only forensic evidence that placed him near the crime scene was shoeprints discovered by a police investigator in a drainage ditch near the restaurant five days after police first arrived at the scene of the robbery. These reportedly matched shoes he was wearing when he was arrested. Two inches of rain had fallen between the day of the crime and the discovery of the prints, making it unlikely that shoeprints would have remained in the muddy ditch.

Police had confiscated Melsons shoes during his interrogation, giving them the ability to plant shoeprint evidence. Melson was convicted and sentenced to death on the basis of evidence that the National Academy of Sciences has determined to be unscientific.

DPCI reports that Melsons legal defense suffered from criminal incompetence on the part of his attorneys during his post-conviction appeals. He was represented by a volunteer attorney, with limited experience who was not licensed in the state, and another attorney with a history malpractice.

The attorneys completely bungled Melsons chances to avoid the death chamber, improperly filing his post-conviction petition and then filing the documents in the wrong court, resulting in a dismissal of his appeal. The attorneys did not inform Melson of the dismissal. As a result he only learned of the dismissal after the time limit for filing a federal habeas corpus appeal had run out.

It is not unusual for innocent men and women to be railroaded by the police and the courts and sent to face the death chamber. Since 1972, 159 people have been exonerated and released from death row. It is difficult to determine the number of innocents who have been executed, since courts do not hear appeals after a defendant has been killed.

In 2015 Anthony Ray Hinton was released after spending nearly three decades on Alabamas death row. He had been convicted of a double murder despite being at work in a locked warehouse at the time of the killings. Five other inmates on Alabamas death row have been exonerated and released.

Regardless of these facts the Alabama legislature is considering a bill, misnamed the Fair Justice Act, which would further limit the amount of time death row inmates have to prove wrongful conviction or innocence, speeding up the process by placing new limits on the time in which convicts can appeal and judges can hand down rulings on appeals.

Since 1976 when the US Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty 1,455 people have been executed in the US. While the number of executions in a year peaked in 1999, the practice has not fallen out of favor with Democratic and Republican state officials.

In a particularly gruesome episode earlier this year, the Republican governor of Arkansas, Asa Hutchinson, pressed for the killing of eight death row inmates in 11 days as the state ran up against an expiration date for one of its execution drugs. After a dramatic week of appeals the state succeeded in ending the lives of four of the eight.
1. Yes. Taxpayers are funding its operation; they should have a voice in the naming process.

2. Yes. The city should operate with a spirit of inclusivity. Residents will be responsive.

3. No. Public input can be problematic; rejection of suggestions can be divisive for residents.

4. No. Residents elect council members to make decisions on their behalf. No input is needed.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say whether public input would be more of a benefit or a hindrance.

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Ever since Joschka Fischer assumed the office of foreign minister in 1998 with the remark that there was no Green foreign policy, but only a German one, he has been regarded as a reliable pillar of German imperialist interests. The Green Party politician was responsible for the first foreign military engagement of the Bundeswehr (armed forces), in Yugoslavia, and developed a close friendship with the then US secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, with whom he still operates a joint policy consulting company.

The articles which Fischer writes in the Suddeutsche Zeitung to improve his considerable wealth are therefore always of interest. Not because he says something new, but because he expresses the foreign policy consensus under dispute within ruling circles, and brings it to the point.

In his latest contribution, The Spirit of Trudering, Fischer praises a speech that Chancellor Angela Merkel delivered in a beer tent in the Trudering suburb of Munich. She said, The times when we could completely rely on others are, to an extent, over, and therefore I can only say that we Europeans must really take our fate into our own hands.

Fischers enthusiasm knows no bounds. One wonders, he writes, if Merkel had been inspired by the Holy Spirit. Or whether it was only the many hours in the company of US President Donald Trump.

Merkels beer tent speech was generally understood as heralding a turning point in foreign policyas a departure from the political and military alliance with the US in favour of a German and European great power policy, which pursues its goals independently and also against the US.

This is how Fischer also interpreted the speech. He denies that the Trudering speech means Germany is turning away from the transatlantic alliance, pursuing a strategic realignment, only then to confirm exactly that in the following sentences.

The chancellor was not questioning the future of the transatlantic alliance, he writes, rather she was calling for a stronger Europe. If the US sacrifices its place at the top of the international order, no other leading power could take its place. Rather, it creates a power vacuum, marked by chaos. This would force the Europeans to come together to defend our interests. ... So, Merkels speech was first and foremost about strengthening Europe.

According to Fischer, with the election of Emmanuel Macron as French president, Merkel has found a partner to stabilize the eurozone, restore economic growth, and strengthen Europes security with a joint border force and a new refugee policyin other words, to arm the state for action abroad and at home.

Not everything Donald Trump says was wrong, Fischer concludes. Germany, and Europe generally, will have to do far more to ensure its own security. He adds: And as we pursue that project, we must stick firmly to the liberal values that make us the envy of aspiring democrats, and the bete noire of authoritarians, around the world.

It is significant that Fischer is now also advocating an independent European foreign policy that will inevitably bring it into conflict with the US, even if he tries to deny this. Fischer has long been one of the most consistent Atlanticists in German foreign policy. The SPD-Green federal government had not least failed prematurely in 2005 because Fischer, as foreign minister, did not agree with the orientation of Chancellor Gerhard Schroder (SPD), who had close political and personal relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Merkel, too, has previously advocated an emphatically pro-American course. In 2003, as CDU chair, she even supported the Iraq War of President George W. Bush, which Fischer, as foreign minister, had rejected. That both now vehemently advocate a more aggressive European foreign policy shows that this is a fundamental development for which Trumps America first policy only provides the occasion.

This is not about liberal values, about climate protection or the other fine things with which Merkel and Fischer promote their policies, but about naked economic and power-political interests.

Between the NATO and G7 summits, where she clashed with Trump, and her speech in Trudering, Merkel met with Indian President Narendra Modi and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, with whom she agreed on close economic and political cooperation.

When Fischers commentary was published, she was speaking in Buenos Aires with Argentinean President Mauricio Macri, a wealthy entrepreneur, who since taking office 18 months ago has driven 1.5 million Argentinians into poverty. Since South America urgently needs new trade partners to fend off Trumps protectionist trade policy, she travelled with a huge delegation of business representatives to ensure that these partners are not only found in China, as a report says.

From Argentina, Merkel flew to Mexico, where she met President Enrique Pena Nieto for the same reason. In Berlin, it was emphasized that this was by no means an anti-Trump trip. But the long shadow of Donald Trump undoubtedly accompanied her, writes the Suddeutsche Zeitung.

The real reason for the return of German militarism and the growing transatlantic tensions is the deep global crisis of the capitalist system. The struggle for markets, raw materials and influence is once again leading to conflicts like those that heralded the First and Second World Wars.

Fischer, the former anarchist and street fighter, speaks for those sections of the better-off middle classes who long ago abandoned their pacifism and now enthusiastically support German imperialism.

In 1999, he justified the war that destroyed Yugoslavia and ruined the Balkans economically with the perfidious argument that Auschwitzi.e., the crimes committed by the Nazisobligated Germany to prevent an alleged genocide of Kosovans. In this, he worked closely with the Kosovan UCK militia, which in turn committed massacres and was closely linked to organized crime. Now he is trying to justify a further escalation of German militarism with reference to liberal values.
A coalition of protest groups in the orbit of the Democratic Party called a press conference last week attended by Flint residents to promote the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) infrastructure program being advanced as a supposed alternative to the Trump administrations infrastructure proposal.

The CPC, a self-styled progressive faction of the Democratic Party, is pushing its 21st Century New Deal for Jobs which it claims to be a bold jobs and infrastructure package.

The CPC proposed $2 trillion budget over ten years ostensibly will cover everything from rebuilding roads, bridges, waterways, ports, dams, levees, public schools, transportation and even high-speed internet facilities, and updated Veteran and Federal Aviation Authority facilities.

The CPC says the effort would be paid for by closing unspecified corporate tax loopholes, enacting other tax reforms and by repatriating funds held by US companies overseas.

Minnesota Democratic Congressman Keith Ellison is quoted on the CPCs web site: Its about replacing the pipes in Flint that poisoned an entire community, making our roads and bridges safer, and rebuilding crumbling schools.

As Democrats, we believe we must improve the lives of millions of hardworking families, putting millions of Americans to work at good jobs, and make our tax system fairer by making the wealthiest pay their fair share. The Republican infrastructure plan is nothing more than another tax break for millionaires and billionaires.

What hogwash! The CPC plan has no chance of being enacted. Further, the proposal to close tax loopholes is a dodge that has been used by Democratic and Republican administrations going back to Ronald Reagan to avoid any real inroads on the income of the super rich.

Funding for a serious infrastructure program could only be secured by a sharp rise in taxation on the incomes of the wealthy elite and the dismantling of the bloated Pentagon budget. Of course the Democratic Party will never advance such a program, tied as they are to the apron strings of Wall Street.

This is demonstrated by the records of successive Democratic administrations going back to Jimmy Carter, which have carried out a continuous assault on the jobs and living standards of the working class. Indeed, no serious infrastructure investment has been carried out for decades.

One would think from the CPCs proposal that the Democratic Party has been in the forefront of government funding to repair and replace the crumbling infrastructure instead of a policy of starving funds to public works projects. The record shows that both Republican and Democratic administrations since 1998 have never received a report card higher than a D+ according to American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). In 1988, the National Council on Public Works warned of convincing evidence that the quality of Americas infrastructure is barely adequate to fulfill current requirements and insufficient to meet the demands of future growth and economic development.

The 2017 report issued by the ASCE on the condition of infrastructure in the United States gave the country an overall grade of D+, the same as in 2013. The latest ASCE report is a damning indictment of the state of American society under capitalism, and particularly the Obama years, which saw essential social needs starved of funding while the stock market tripled in value and vast public resources were squandered on war. This is only accelerating under Trump.

According to the American Water Works Association, an estimated $1 trillion is necessary to maintain and expand service to meet demands over the next 25 years. Many of the over one million pipes that carry the nations fresh water were laid in the early and mid-twentieth century, with an operational lifespan of 75-100 years.

Three years after the poisoning of their water, Flint residents confront an entrenched political establishment, determined to bury the water crisis. In addition to the pressing issue of the infrastructure, the immense health care and educational needs of children, adults and seniors are not being addressed.

City and state officials claim that tap water can be used with filters and have been pressing to stop the free distribution of bottled water and move forward to normalcy. All the Democratic and Republican politiciansfrom Flint Mayor Karen Weaver to the City Council to Governor Snyder and Congressional Democratsare abandoning the pretext of sympathy for Flint residents. Instead, they are demanding payment for undrinkable water. Using the threat that back water bills will be attached to property taxes, the city is holding the prospect of home foreclosure over the heads of thousands of Flint residents, whose property values have already plummeted due to the disaster. Desperately needed health care is still being denied to many, and residents are discovering that the supposed program to rebuild the citys water infrastructure is little more than a public relations ploy.

To tell Flint residents to once again put their faith in the Democratic Party serves to conceal the actual record of this party. One of the defining moments for Flint families was Obamas visit to the city a year ago in May, when he spoke at a rally at Northwestern High School. He did not propose replacing the pipes that poisoned the citys residents, nor any resources for education, health care, nutrition or counseling. Instead his message was, Shut up and drink the water. Your kids will be okay. This was a slap in the face to residents who know that lead remains within the body for thirty years leaving young children particularly damaged.

The Democrats were deeply involved in the ill-conceived and criminal decision to switch the citys water supply to the polluted Flint River, the ensuing disaster, and the cover-up that followed the poisoning of the population. Under conditions of growing opposition by the working class to the entire political establishment, calls to once again pressure the Democratic Party are bankrupt and aimed at forestalling an independent political movement of the working class.

Three years since the water crisis began the politicians and media are gone. What are the lessons of this bitter experience? The enormous anger and hostility to the entire political establishment is growing in Flint as part of a wider process of social opposition. Those who are promoting more protests to the Democrats or the Republicans are setting a dangerous trap for workers.

There exist ample resourceshuman, material and technologicalto rebuild the nations infrastructure and create millions of new good-paying jobs. But these resources cannot be marshaled under a system that subordinates social needs and human life itself to the ever-greater enrichment of a modern-day aristocracy. Clean water, along with decent schools and housing, and health care, are not privileges, but social rights. Securing these rights requires a struggle against the capitalist system and all its parties and political representatives.

A new way forward must be based on organizing the working classthe overwhelming majority of societyto fight for its own class interests. Workers and young peopleblack, white, and immigrantmust organize independently from both Democrats and Republicans, the representatives of the financial oligarchy.

As part of its fight to build such a leadership, the Socialist Equality Party and International Youth and Students for Social Equality will be holding a public meeting Thursday June 15 at the University of Michigan, Flint. We encourage all those interested in finding out more about the socialist answer to the Flint water crisis to attend.

3 Years on: The Flint Water Crisis and the Case for Socialism

Thursday, June 15, 7:00 pm

University of Michigan - Flint

Murchie Science Bldg, Room 306
This speech was delivered by Trotsky at an emergency session of the Petrograd Soviet dealing with attacks by the Provisional Government against the increasingly restive sailors at the Kronstadt naval base. When some directives of the Provisional Government had been defied by the sailors, they were unjustly accused of intending to have Kronstadt secede from Russia.

Two separate newspaper accounts of Trotskys speech differed so much that the editors of his Works included both in this publication. The first was originally published in Novaia zhizn (New Life), No. 33, 9 June (27 May) 1917. The second was published in Izvestiia, No. 76, June 9 (May 27) 1917. [1]

* * *

Trotsky delivered a major speech. [2] His speech was interrupted by noise and protests by some, and stormy applause by others. He showed that the four resolutions of the Kronstadt Soviet, adopted on 16, 21, 24 and 25 May, [3] did not contradict each other, and were not directed against [4] the Provisional Government, but were a natural consequence of the situation that had developed, when neither the Provisional Government nor the Petrograd Soviet possessed powera situation that Trotsky characterized as dual lack of power [dvoebezvlastie].

Later, in reference to an article by Rozhkov, Trotsky pointed to the counterrevolutionary activity of the government commissars within Russia, and expressed his perplexity: why were the socialist-ministers wasting time subduing Kronstadt, instead of directing attention to the organization of local power, by removing the Black Hundred commissars who in the coming counterrevolution would play the role of the revolutions executioners?

The bad organization of local power aroused the fully legitimate distrust of the Kronstadters toward the Provisional Government, and so long as the government has not armed itself with an iron broom and has not begun to sweep away all the Black Hundred filth, conflicts like the one at Kronstadt are inevitable.

Trotsky proposed that people refrain from inflaming passions, or sharpening the conflicts, but adopt a resolution [5] declaring the incident resolved and pointing to the necessity of the immediate organization of revolutionary power in the localities.

* * *

Comrade Trotsky indicated that if one adopted the standpoint of Tsereteli, then there would be a colossal contradiction between the declarations of the Kronstadt Soviet and what was being ascribed to it. The Provisional Government, the majority of the Executive Committee, and the bourgeois press, which supports the Executive Committee, all claimed that Kronstadt had seceded from Russia, but the Kronstadters said that this was not so. After the visit by Tsereteli and Skobelev, the press interpreted the results of their visit as a victory of the Provisional Government and a surrender by Kronstadt of its positions. The Kronstadters declared, however, that they had surrendered nothing, that there had been no victory by the Provisional Government, and that what had been achieved was an agreement which the newspaper Voice of Truth interpreted as a victory of the Kronstadt Soviet over the undemocratic principles of the Provisional Government. Without doubt, the agreement had not been violated.

The resolution by the bureau of the Executive Committee cannot be accepted, since it is filled with threats to the Kronstadters. This is a case where the old regime is interpreting any movement as a product of the activity by agitators. But we say that movement is caused by life, and the movement in Kronstadt is provoked by the fact that many Black Hundred representatives of power have remained at their posts, which explains the distrust toward the ministries. Our socialist-ministers are not fighting the Black Hundred danger, but are declaring war on the Kronstadt sailors and soldiers. If reaction triumphs, then the Black Hundred commissars will prepare a noose for us, and the Kronstadt soldiers with die along with us. People talk about dual power, but what we have is dual lack of power, since the Provisional Government has no firm power, and you have not decided to take it.

Trotsky proposed the adoption of two resolutions: (1) acknowledging the Kronstadt incident resolved due to the agreement that has been achieved, and (2) obligating the executive Committee to adopt all measures with revolutionary urgency for the all-round democratization of local power.

Notes:

[1] This question was raised at a session of the Petrograd Soviet in connection with the conflict that had arisen between the Kronstadt Soviet and representatives of the Provisional Government at Kronstadt. The initial cause of this conflict was the fact that our party headed the Kronstadt Soviet; it is completely natural that the coexistence of bourgeois plenipotentiaries and the local revolutionary regime could not help but lead to conflicts. The unwillingness of Kronstadt to submit to several directives given by the government commissar provided a pretext for the bourgeois social-compromise press to begin howling about the supposed secession of Kronstadt from Russia. The session of the Kronstadt Soviet was held in order to influence the Kronstadters. This was preceded by the visit of Tsereteli and Skobelev to Kronstadt, made in the name of the Provisional Government. The result of this visit was the resolution provided below (see note 3).

[2] In view of the fact that a transcript has not been preserved, and the account of the speech in Novaia Zhizn [New Life] and Izvestiia differ in content, we are providing both versions. One must keep in mind that the presentation of speeches in these newspapers often were reportorial, i.e., the speeches were given both in the first and third persons.The editors [of Trotskys Works ].

[3] Unfortunately, we have not managed to locate all the resolutions. We are providing only the following ones (from 21 May):

In response to the question from representatives of the Provisional Government, minister I. G. Tsereteli and M. I. Skobelev, about the attitude toward the central authorities, the Kronstadt Soviet of Workers and Soldiers Deputies declares: being in agreement with the resolution of the majority of the revolutionary democracy of the Petrograd Soviet of Workers and Soldiers Deputies, which has acknowledged that the present Provisional Government is invested with full state power, in common for all revolutionary Russia, we, on our part, fully recognize this power. Recognition does not of course exclude criticism and the wish that the revolutionary democracy create a new organization of central power, having transferred all power into the hands of the Soviet of Soldiers and Workers Deputies. We hope that, by ideological pressure on the opinion of the majority of democracy, we will manage to direct this majority onto the path which we recognize to be the only correct one. But since this has not been achieved, and the majority is not in agreement with us and supports the present Provisional Government, we recognize this government and consider that its directives and laws apply just as much to Kronstadt as to all the remaining parts of Russia. We decisively protest against attempts to attribute to us the intention of separating Kronstadt from the rest of Russia in the sense of organizing some kind of sovereign or autonomous state power within a united revolutionary Russia, in opposition to the present Provisional Government.

195 votes for the resolution, 26 against, 22 abstaining.

On the question of representation of the Provisional Government in Kronstadt, the Soviet of Workers and Soldiers Deputies declares that it chooses for this post the head of affairs for the civilian part, who will be subject to confirmation by the Provisional Government and be responsible to it.

202 votes for this resolution, 9 against, 26 abstaining.

All military and navy heads are guided by the directives of the high command. Relations between the local command staff and control organizations within it remain as before.

213 for, 9 against, 14 abstaining.

On the question of the need to quickly introduce democratic organs of local self-rule and judicial bodies on common foundations for all Russia, the Kronstadt Soviet of Workers and Soldiers Deputies declares that these laws, as general state laws, cannot meet any impediments on its part.

203 for, 7 against, 18 abstaining.

On the question of the arrested officers, the Soviet of Workers and Soldiers Deputies declares that it will cooperate with the investigative commission appointed by the high court, given mutual work in it by representatives of the local investigative commission from the Soviet of Workers and Soldiers Deputies of the city of Kronstadt, during the preliminary investigation in Kronstadt so that the people whom this commission will put on trial are sent for trial to Petrograd along with representatives of the interested command from Kronstadt engaged in investigating the case. Those who prove to be innocent in the process of investigation are to be freed in Kronstadt by the investigative commission, and this shall be communicated to the Executive Committee of the Soviet of Workers and Soldiers

Deputies and all units of the garrison.

160 for, 57 against, 16 abstaining.

In view of false information spread by several organs of the press that the arrested officers are held in exceptionally harsh conditions and are being tortured with instances of death, the Soviet invites representatives of parties, social organizations and press to visit the prisoners and personally see them to become convinced of the absurdity of such rumors. Permission to visit is given by the Executive Committee, without delay, at any time except holidays. The visitor must be supplied with credentials from political parties, a social organization or the press.

[4] Here, the report of the speech is clearly wrong. From L. D. Trotskys entire position on this question, and from the actual status of things, it is clear that he could not have said that the resolutions of the Kronstadt Soviet were not directed against the Provisional Government. Trotskys main idea was that Kronstadt had no intention of seceding from Russia, as was being reported by the majority of the compromisers and by the reptilian press. This, by the way, is clearly evident from the report of the same speech given by Izvestiia.

[5] Unfortunately, these resolutions have not been found. Izvestiia only reports that comrade Trotsky removed one of the two resolutions that had been introduced, but since the chairman did not want to present the second to a vote, declaring that the question of the democratization of local power was not on the agenda, the Bolsheviks and the united Social-Democrats left the hall where the session was being held.
Asia

Indonesia: Mass sackings continue at Freeport mine

More than 3,000 striking workers have now been fired at PT Freeports Grasberg mine in Papua, Indonesia. Several hundred more have been dismissed from PT Smelting, a joint venture between Freeport and Mitsubishi that processes copper from Grasberg. Freeport escalated the sackings at the end of May after the Chemical, Energy and Mining Workers Union (SP-KEP) announced that its strike had been extended for another month.

More than 8,000 permanent and contract workers at the mine struck on May 1 over mass lay-offs. Freeport claims that the industrial action is illegal, that strikers are absent without leave, and all those who had struck for five days would lose their jobs. The company is issuing voluntary resignation notices with a final payment of just one months salary. Some workers received negative amounts because they had outstanding debts to the company. They were told they would not be reemployed.

Prior to commencement of the strike the company laid off (furloughed) thousands of employees claiming it was necessary due to production cuts caused by its ongoing contract dispute with the Indonesian government. Under new government rules the company has to obtain a new mining permit, divest a 51 percent stake, build a second copper smelter, relinquish arbitration rights and pay new taxes and royalties. Freeport claims that production at Grasberg could be reduced by 60 percent.

Freeport had introduced a furlough policy, putting 10 percent of its permanent workers on long-term leave at short notice. Although the furlough is paid, workers lose many benefits, including overtime and accommodation. Workers were evicted from company barracks on two days notice.

PT Freeport Indonesia, the local subsidiary of Phoenix, USA-based Freeport-McMoRan, employs 12,000 permanent workers, and 20,000 contractors. The union accused the company of implementing the terminations as part of its negotiating strategy with the government.

Pakistan: Government hospital nurses in Quetta on strike

Nurses from government hospitals in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, walked off the job on Monday and demonstrated outside the Civil Hospital saying they would not resume duties until their demands were met. The nurses ended a four-day strike in February over the same issues after the government falsely claimed that all their demands would be met without delay and promised a government committee to find a solution.

The nurses want a health professional allowance and improvement in their service structure. A Nurses Action Committee (NAC) spokesperson said that nurses had been demanding the health professional allowance since 2011. She said despite acceptance of the demand the government had so far not issued an official order. Nurses want the service structure and professional allowance on par with neighbouring provinces.

NAC and Balochistan Nurses Association representatives have said that nurses would protest outside the provincial assembly on the eve of the budget session and hold rallies in Quetta if their demands were not resolved soon. The nurses were still on strike on Wednesday.

Public school teachers in Sindh province protest

Around 300 public school teachers in Sindh province demonstrated outside the Sindh Assembly in Karachi on Monday to demand release of their salaries, which they have not received since their recruitment in 2012. Teachers complained that around 3,850 teachers were recruited at the time but following the 2013 elections, which brought a change of government, the recruitments were declared illegal and salaries stopped.

Pakistani teachers are heavily exploited and survive by working part-time jobs after school hours. The teachers who have not been terminated and are performing their teaching duties have been isolated by the major teaching unions.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa college professors and lecturers protest

Hundreds of professors and lecturers from state-run colleges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa demonstrated in Peshawar on June 1 over government delays in upgrading pay-scales and allowances. Their action followed demonstrations in November over the same issues. The professors and lecturers are demanding their pay-scales be brought into line with other government employees, including university teachers, and for teaching assistants and ad-hoc lecturers to be made permanent.

The 6,000 teaching staff affected are represented by the Pakhtunkhwa College Teachers Association and the Pakhtunkhwa Professors and Lecturers Association, which accused the government of failing to honour commitments made in November and again in May to address their demands.

Punjab municipal workers continue protests over pay

Municipal workers and retired employees of the Municipal Committee in Toba Tek Singh district protested on Monday and Tuesday to demand the district government distribute wages and pensions for the past two months. Police intervened when protesters demanded to meet with government officials.

Workers said that if their salaries were not paid soon they would lock down the council premises, shut off city water supplies and boycott street-cleaning and other sanitary work.

Tata Motors workers in Gujarat protest

Around 450 workers at Tata Motors car manufacturing plant in Sanand, Gujarat are boycotting the companys food canteen in protest over extended negotiations for a new work agreement [long term settlement (LTS)]. Workers are demanding a higher wage offer for the first year of the agreement. Their union claims that the company has dragged out negotiations for 18 months.

According to media reports, Tata is attempting to sign up workers at its plants in Sanand, Lucknow and Jamshedpur to the same performance-based LTS that the union accepted at its Pune plant in March. The Pune agreement covers three years with annual pay increases totalling 8,600 rupees, plus 8,700 rupees in bonuses. At least 10 percent of their pay is linked to performance.

Karnataka health workers strike

At least 200 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in Bengaluru held a one-day strike on June 5 to demand eight months unpaid wages and the issuing of identity cards. The workers, who are supposed to be paid a meagre 5,000 rupees per month, including allowances, are trained social workers. They administer vaccines door-to-door and provide health education under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM). The striking workers said they had been told by the NUHM that they were no longer listed as employees on its new software.

Cambodian garment workers strike

More than 1,000 workers from the Southland hat factory in Dangkor district, Cambodia walked off the job on Tuesday after the company announced they would lose three days pay for taking time off to vote in the communal elections. Cambodian workers usually are granted time to travel to their home town to vote in elections.

While the company said workers would be paid as usual, three days would be cut from their holiday entitlement. Workers complained that when they previously approached management to see if they could take time off to vote they did not get a clear answer. The workers were still refusing to return to work on Wednesday.

Australia and the Pacific

New South Wales coal mine workers on strike

Around 1,400 workers at Glencore coal mines in the Hunter Valley, north of Sydney walked off the job for 48 hours on Thursday affecting five sites, with another 48 hour strike beginning next Tuesday and impacting on seven sites. The protected industrial action followed rolling two-hour stoppages at several mines last weekend.

A Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) representative said that several enterprise agreements expired in 2012 and 2014 and that wages have been frozen since then. Workers rejected a proposed 2 percent annual pay rise from Glencore, saying that it did not make up for no pay increases since their agreements ended.

The CFMEU wants a guarantee that permanent positions are not to be threatened by the use of casual contract labour. It alleged that Glencore is increasingly using contract labour and in some mines it is as high as 50 percent.

The union also wants Glencore to match other redundancy agreements in the region which calculate payments using the average rostered hours of employees rather than the current base 35-hour week. The miners work 12-hour shiftsa 44-hour weekwhich they say should be the basis of redundancy calculations.

Far-north Queensland bus drivers strike

Drivers from commuter service provider Sunbus Cairns, in far-north Queensland, walked off the job for 48 hours on Tuesday in a dispute over a proposed enterprise agreement. Their action followed two 24-hour strikes in October and February over the stalled negotiations.

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) members want a pay rise and the same conditions as other regional drivers. The union claims that Sunbus drivers in Cairns are paid between two and four dollars an hour less than their counterparts in the state.

Sunbus has offered a 2.8 percent annual pay increase with productivity increases. The TWU wants a first-year increase of 6.1 percent. Sunbus claimed that Translink, the state government authority, does not provide enough funding to meet the drivers pay demand.

Queensland power station workers vote for strike action

NRG workers at the Gladstone Power Station in Queensland have voted to strike in their eight-month dispute for a new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA). Some 99 percent of the power plants 160 workers rejected the companys proposed EBA in April. Last month NRG responded by applying to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to terminate the current EBA, which, if successful, would force workers onto an inferior industry award with severely reduced wages and conditions.

Last week members of the Services Union, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, Electrical Trades Union and the Australian Workers Union overwhelmingly voted for industrial action. Management and unions were to meet with the FWC last Wednesday for a conciliation hearing regarding the EBA. No date has been set for industrial action.

NRG is claiming its offer contains no changes to current wages, hours, leave, superannuation and other benefits to existing employees and that all award protections such as consultation and redundancy provisions are maintained. Workers claim, however, that the agreement offer is two-tiered and that if accepted would allow the company to employ new recruits on contract and on reduced wages and conditions.

Department of Agriculture workers to vote on pay deal

Over 4,000 federal public servants at Australias Department of Agriculture will vote this month on a proposed enterprise agreement (EA), which they have rejected four times over three years of negotiations. Voting starts next Tuesday and ends on June 16.

The departments offer includes a 6 percent pay riseall of it to be paid in the first 18 months of the three-year dealbut in return for stricter control over sick-leave and other productivity gains. The pay increase in effect is a pay cut considering these workers have not had a pay rise for three years.

The Community and Public Sector Union said it expected its members will reject the offer, citing concerns about the loss of a public holiday at Christmas, the removal of consultation rights on rostering, and the end of job permanency at the department.

The dispute in the Department of Agriculture is part of a three-year conflict over proposed EAs covering 160,000 federal public sector workers. Nearly 75 percent have rejected the governments multiple offers. The Liberal-National federal government wants all federal public sector annual wage increases capped at 2 percent and that these be combined with cuts in benefits or working conditions. It has also declared that there will be no back-pay from the last agreement.
Amid the deepening factional struggle within the American state, Thursdays testimony by former FBI director James Comey has been seized upon by the Democratic Party to advance its right-wing campaign centered on claims that the Russian government sought to subvert the 2016 election.

The New York Times responded to Thursdays congressional testimony by Comey with a series of articles and columns hailing the former FBI director as the heroic embodiment of democracy and justice.

Fridays lead editorial in the Times, titled Mr. Comey and All the Presidents Lies, declares that the conflict between Comey and Trump is one between the legal principles at the foundation of American democracy, and a venal, self-interested politician who does not recognize, let alone uphold, them.

It further rhapsodizes: There is an aspect to public servants like Mr. Comey that Mr. Trump and his administration seem unable to comprehend, to their perila dedication to their roles that places service above any presidents glory.

Other Times editorial page writers sing the same tune. Comey, conscientious to a fault, is an American patriot who understands that the law and defense of the Constitution stand at the core of the nations being, writes Roger Cohen.

The Times fawning over Comey is particularly striking given the role he played in the 2016 election. On July 5, Comey declared that Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and her aides had been extremely careless in their handling of very sensitive, highly classified information during her tenure as secretary of state, even as he closed the investigation with the recommendation that the Department of Justice file no criminal charges relating to the Clinton email controversy.

On October 28, Comey sent a letter to Congress informing it that the FBI was renewing its probe of Clintons handling of classified information because agents investigating former Congressman Anthony Weiner had discovered emails on Weiner's computer between his wife, Huma Abedin, a close Clinton aide, and Clinton. This sudden development cast further suspicion on Clinton just days before the election.

Just last month, Clinton accused Comey of costing her the election, declaring, I was on the way to winning until the combination of Jim Comeys letter on October 28 and Russian WikiLeaks raised doubts in the minds of people who were inclined to vote for me but got scared off.

To the extent that there was interference by any intelligence agency in the 2016 election, it was carried out by the FBI. The Times published numerous statements denouncing Comey for having tipped the scales in favor of Trump.

* On October 31, 2016 Times columnist Paul Krugman wrote that Comey violated longstanding rules about commenting on politically sensitive investigations close to an election; and he did so despite being warned by other officials that he was doing something terribly wrong.

* On November 2, Times writer Andrew Rosenthal declared, Comey, the director of the FBI, set out to interfere in the campaign on behalf of the Republican Party, a shocking act that would render him unfit for his powerful office. He added, We know his announcement went against policy and tradition, which call for the FBI to stay out of politics Comey has always enjoyed flexing his power.

* On November 4, Krugman declared that Comey broke with policy to lay a heavy thumb on the election scales, and decided to politically weaponize his position on the eve of the election. Krugman called this an abuse of power.

* On November 7, the Times published an editorial declaring: The damage Mr. Comeys back-and-forthing has done to the election, to his own reputation and to that of the FBI is profound. The statement denounced Comeys harmful intrusions into the democratic process and declared that he was under the suspicion of partisanship. It concluded: The question for him now is whether he can identify a path to restoring the credibility of his leadership, and of the FBI.

* On November 18, Krugman declared that its quite reasonable to argue that James Comey, whether it was careerism, cowardice or something worse, tipped the scales in favor of Trump.

What is to explain this extraordinary flip-flop by the New York Times ? How is it capable of presenting an individual as a careerist and a coward one day, and a hero the next?

The Times functions as little more than a clearinghouse for powerful sections of the US intelligence apparatus engaged in a furious factional struggle. Its columnists are a bunch of hacks who write on command, adjusting their line to conform with whatever is required of them by the intelligence agencies for which the newspaper speaks.

This conclusion is reinforced by Comeys own remarks about the Times in his testimony. Asked by Republican Senator James Risch to comment on a February 14 New York Times article titled Trump Campaign Aides Had Repeated Contacts with Russian Intelligence, Comey said of the report that in the main, it was not true.

In an article posted Thursday evening responding to Comeys statement, the Times wrote: One possible area of dispute is the description of the Russians involved. Some law enforcement officials took issue with the Times account in the days after it was published, saying that the intelligence was still murky, and that the Russians who were in contact with Mr. Trumps advisers did not meet the FBIs black-and-white standard of who can be considered an intelligence officer.

The newspaper added in its defense: But several former American intelligence and law enforcement officials have said that other American agencies have a broader definition, especially when it comes to Russia.

In other words, the Times all but admits to lying for blatantly political purposes, i.e., to paint the US president as a Russian agent. This from a newspaper that howls about fake news and alternative facts.

The right-wing, neo-McCarthyite campaign to paint Donald Trump as a Russian agent has nothing to do with the broadly felt opposition to Trumps anti-working class policies. Rather, it is an expression of divisions within the state over the conduct of foreign policymost directly what sections of the political establishment and the state see as Trumps insufficiently aggressive stance toward Russia.

In the furious struggle that has erupted between the various factions within the American state, there does not exist anything resembling a progressive or democratic element. In order to oppose Trump, the working class must mobilize itself on an independent basis, fighting for its own social interests.
Britains snap general election delivered a major political blow to Prime Minister Theresa Mays Conservative government. The outcome was the product of an outpouring of anti-Tory sentiment among millions of workers and youth and anger over the devastating consequences of endless austerity, the relentless decline in wages, cuts in welfare benefits and the destruction of essential social services.

This produced the surge in support for the Labour Party under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, which saw Labours vote share increase by 10 percent and come within two percent of the Tories 42 percent total. Among the younger generations, two thirds of those aged 1824 voted Labour and more than half of those aged 2534.

For the media, the result came as an enormous shock. To the extent that their universal predictions of a Tory landslide were not raw political propaganda, the outcome demonstrated just how far the well-heeled, cosseted, six-figure salaried commentariat are removed from the experiences and concerns of the broad mass of the population.

The election was another major indication of the ongoing political radicalisation of workers all over the world. Corbyns gains show that had Bernie Sanders been the Democratic presidential candidate, he, not Donald Trump, would be in the White House.

There is, of course, a degree of satisfaction and even euphoria among workers and youth at Mays humiliation. This is understandable, but what is needed in the aftermath of June 8 is sober analysis and a clear political perspective. After all, the Tories are still in power and, despite their political crisis, are working to create the necessary political shifts to impose their austerity agenda and plans for escalated warfare in Iraq and Syria.

The greatest political danger is to identify the radicalisation of the masses with its initial and undeserving political beneficiaries such as Corbyn and the Labour Party.

A lesson can be drawn from the warning made in 1967 by the Socialist Labour League, then the British section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), to the then-French section, the Internationalist Communist Organisation (OCI). The OCI was moving in a pronounced centrist direction, under conditions of the beginning of a major political shift in the working class that was soon to take on revolutionary dimensions.

The SLL cautioned the OCI:

There is always a danger at such a stage of development that a revolutionary party responds to the situation in the working class not in a revolutionary way, but by adaptation to the level of struggle to which the workers are restricted by their own experience under the old leaderships, i.e., to the inevitable initial confusion. Such revisions of the fight for the independent party and the Transitional Programme are usually dressed up in the disguise of getting closer to the working class, unity with all those in struggle, not posing ultimatums, abandoning dogmatism, etc.

The OCI ignored these warnings, broke with the ICFI and went on to play a critical role in building up the Socialist Party (PS) as the French capitalist class main left party of government.

To those now inclined to accept the portrayal of Corbyn by the British Socialist Party, Socialist Workers Party and other pseudo-left groups as the natural leader of the working class, we say: Remember Alexis Tsipras and Syriza.

The pseudo-left groups claim that Corbyns victory has transformed the Labour Party. This is a lie.

Throughout the almost two years since he took leadership of the party, Corbyn has blocked any struggle to expel the right wing. Instead, he went into the election on a manifesto that incorporates all of the Blairites essential demandsfrom support for NATO and Trident nuclear weapons to a commitment to fiscal responsibility and Britains retention of membership of the European Single Market.

As a result, he now heads an expanded Parliamentary Labour Party drawn from the same fetid pool of coup plotters and saboteurs that sought his removaland who will no doubt be included in his shadow cabinet.

Even as the election was proceeding, Corbyn was shifting ever further to the right. His response to the terrorist atrocities in Manchester and London was to abandon his earlier critique linking the terror threat to the UKs regime-change wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria and to instead chastise May for cutting police numbers and pledge extra funding for the army and secret services.

The process of politically molding Corbyn will only accelerate in the aftermath of the snap election.

Speculation is rife as to whether Mays proposed working arrangement with the Democratic Unionist Party will blow up in her face, whether she can survive at all, and how early a new election will have to be called. With Mays hard Brexit strategy in ruins, no less than the Financial Times made a direct pitch to Corbyn, declaring that it is surely time to press the pause button on a hard Brexit, and calling for cross-party support for the closest possible relationship with the EU...

If it proves impossible to achieve these goals through the Tory Party, then a second general election may be held fairly quickly. There will already be discussions in ruling circles about whether Corbyn could provide the necessary mechanism for implementing such a major policy shift thanks to the popular support he enjoys.

The Labour Party has more than a century of experience in utilising the rhetoric of its left wing as a means of disciplining the working class and ensuring its subordination to the party and its allies in the trade union bureaucracy.

Today, some among the Blairites sense a new political opportunity to do the same with Corbyn. Before Thursdays result, the co-architect of New Labour, Peter Mandelson, said that he was working every day for Corbyns removal. Now he declares that Corbyn has earned his right to lead the party, but will have to become more ecumenical and ditch policies that prevent the formation of the broader coalition urged by the Financial Times.

Corbyn, the apostle of party unity, will not offer much resistance and he will be supported by the pseudo-left groups. During the election, they all backed Corbyn and urged a vote for all Labour candidates, making a point of including the right wing. In the elections aftermath, the same position holds, with Left Unity urging all those in the Labour Partyincluding the Parliamentary Labour Partythat have not previously supported Corbyns leadership and policies to recognise the reality and get on board.

No line will not be crossed.

Should Corbyn begin the process of forming a coalition or a confidence and supply agreement with the Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party and others, this too will be justified as the progressive alliance needed to get Labour into office. This was prefigured in Greece, where the left endorsed Syrizas coalition with the right-wing, anti-immigrant Independent Greeks right up to Syrizas betrayal of the anti-austerity struggle.

The working class is moving to the left, towards revolution. However, its consciousness remains reformist. The task of the SEP is not to adapt to the existing level of consciousness, but to bring it into alignment with the revolutionary tasks made necessary by the escalating crisis of British and world capitalism.

This means opposing all efforts to subordinate the development of the class struggle to the parliamentary fortunes of the Labour Party.

What is needed is the development of an independent struggle by the working class against social inequality and war through the building of a new Marxist political leadership.
The strike of 1,800 field technicians, warehouse workers and engineering department workers against the Spectrum cable company in New York City and northern New Jersey has gone on for two and a half months. The mass media continues to ignore an important industrial struggle in the largest city in the US. Meanwhile, a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign is being carried on by Spectrum, which has about 2.5 million residential and business subscribers. The company was known as Time Warner cable prior to its purchase by Charter Communications in 2016.

The workers, members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 3, have been working without a contract since 2013. They are opposing company demands to shift the cost of health care and pensions onto their shoulders. In addition, workers are often disciplined for problems arising from the companys cost-cutting measures.

The strike takes place under conditions of continuing attacks on telecommunication workers. Verizon announced this week that it would lay off 2,100 employees as it takes over Yahoo and combines it with AOL, both of which have carried out repeated layoffs.

In May the Communications Workers of America (CWA) called out AT&T workers in a token three-day strike. It ordered a return to work despite the fact that 21,000 wireless workers in 36 states are still without a contract.

Meanwhile, the telecom unions have done nothing to mobilize the millions of workers in New York behind the Spectrum strike. Instead, the IBEW has focused on lobbying Democratic politicians, such as New York Mayor Bill De Blasio, claiming they can be pressured into supporting the strike. In fact, de Blasio played a rotten role during the 2016 Verizon strike, sending police to escort scabs past picketing workers to enforce an injunction imposed by a National Labor Relations Board appointed by the Democratic Obama administration.

This strategy has left workers defenseless as scabs hired by Spectrum are being used to break the strike. The treacherous role played by the IBEW is illustrated by the fact that the union did not mobilize Spectrum workers, who were without a contract at the time, to join the Verizon workers during their 2016 strike, which resulted in the imposition of higher health plan costs and increased job insecurity.

The World Socialist Web Site and its Telecommunications Workers Newsletter has called on rank-and-file telecom workers to form committees independent of the unions to spearhead a fight against job cuts and concessions and to unite workers in joint industrial and political action.

The WSWS spoke with workers on the picket line in front of the Spectrum center on 5th Avenue in Brooklyn.

Emmett Hardy, with 18 years service, explained, I knew something like the Verizon offer was going to happen. Then, Verizon went on to outbid everyone and buy out Straight Path. Straight Path owned the high frequency pathways that make 5G possible. The 5G networks are not being offered now, but this is where the future profits are because the 5G network will be faster. AT&T offered $1.6 billion, and it looked like the deal was going through, but Straight Path felt they could get more. They held out for more, and Verizon has just bought Straight Path for $3.1 billion. A year ago, Charter, the number three cable company in the country, bought out Time Warner Cable, the number two cable company, for about $70 billion, and now we are on strike.

I think our situation is connected with the elimination of net neutrality as well. I think this is because at City Council last week, when Spectrum was asked whether they were in favor of net neutrality, they talked around it and didnt answer the question.

With these deals and the money making elimination of net neutrality, nobody says anything about the 1,800 workers on strike. I think they are all in this together. They are rich now and getting richer. But they wont pay us.

Between the corporate greed and the unions, the workers are in the middle, and we take the hit.

Ricardo Dopson, also on the Brooklyn picket, condemned the government aid for Spectrum: I saw that the unemployment board posted a list of jobs for Spectrum for a job fair held June 1st. They even told workers applying that these were union jobs, even though the union is on strike.

I talked to a tech, who has turned scab. Management had sent forms to us before the strike for resigning from the union to send back to them so that we could keep working during the strike. This person was told he didnt have to send the letter but could come in anyway. I have seen they have brought in scab replacements from Illinois, Rhode Island, Texas, California, Florida and Georgia.

The police are helping the company. The police told the pickets at the other line in Brooklyn on Paige Avenue that covers the work for South Manhattan that they had to stop using their whistles and drums even though it is an industrial area. They cordoned off the legal parking spots there to make it harder for us, even though it is a dead-end street. Spectrum is powerful.

Asked about the political issues facing the working class faces, Dopson explained, The corporations basically have taken over the government. They had a meeting of the G7 summit. It was to decide who stays poor. That is world dominance. Arizona, New Mexico, in the desert they could provide solar power that would be enough for the entire country. But the oil companies dont want that.

The CEO of Spectrum, Rutledge, met with Trump and said he will create 20,000 jobs in the next four or five years. But he laid off 10,000. Call centers are shutting down right through the country. They are claiming they create jobs. But they are trying to get rid of me if I am making $42 an hour. Then they hire four guys for a low wage and say they created jobs.

Asked about the scapegoating of immigrants, he said, Why pick on the Mexicans? Why build a wall instead of schools? Instead they build prisons.

Since Reagan, it is all about the rich. No politicians mention the poor. They only mention the rich and the middle class. A lot of poor dont vote anymore because they realize no one cares about them.

Bryan Campbell, with 13 years, also spoke to the WSWS. Asked about the leadership and strategy of the strike, Campbell related, Growing up, all you know is a union. That is what your parents told you would save you from these situations. If there was something better, Im sure the whole working class would go for it. The working class having its own party is a good idea.

At the IBEW picket line on 96th Street and Broadway in Manhattan, Juan Diaz told the WSWS, Spectrum has hired 300 to 400 scabs, some from prison work release programs. They put them to work with only two weeks training, although 12 weeks is needed to train regular Spectrum workers. Training for field technicians is even longer, 16 weeks.

I think that Charter Communications is forcing the strike because they want to sell Spectrum. Comcast had wanted to buy Spectrum but was blocked by the government with an anti-trust charge because Comcast was already the largest US cable-TV company. Charter Communications, only the fifth largest telecom company in the US, then bought Time-Warner, the second largest, changing the name to Spectrum.

Where did Charter get the money for that? Comcast? Maybe they think they will be allowed to buy Spectrum now that Trump is in. Comcast wants to control all the major cities. There are commercials on TV for Comcast in New York even though they have no footprint here yet. I am concerned for what happens when Spectrum gets sold. We will be out of our benefits plans.
In a show of force, more than 150 Victorian state and federal counter-terrorism police raided homes in Melbournes northern suburbs before dawn yesterday, and Victorias deputy police commissioner Shane Patton foreshadowed more raids in coming days.

The operation was said to relate to the supply of firearms used by Yacqub Khayre, a mentally-ill and drug-addicted young man, when he killed a man and took a hostage in the bayside suburb of Brighton on Monday.

Victoria Polices para-military Special Operations Group and Australian Federal Police (AFP) counter-terrorism officers searched homes and detained occupants, reportedly seeking evidence for potential charges of aiding and abetting a terrorist offence, a crime that carries life imprisonment.

As intended, the raids generated fresh media headlines about the terrorist threat, seeking to drown out an examination of all the unanswered questions about Mondays event, particularly the revelations that the police had targeted Khayre to become an undercover agent.

As with nearly every terrorist-linked attack internationally, including the latest atrocities in Manchester and London, the perpetrator was well known to the police and intelligence agencies, yet inexplicably fell through the cracks of their massive surveillance networks.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews rushed to take credit for yesterdays police raids. They are in connection with the terrible, tragic events of Monday in Brighton, he told Sky News as the operation began.

Andrews also stepped up the bipartisan exploitation of the hostage-taking incident. Both his state Labor government and the federal Liberal-National Coalition government have falsely depicted Khayres actions as a terrorist attack in order to call for even greater police-state powers.

Andrews advocated more draconian laws, including the expansion of control orders and preventative detention orderstwo forms of detention without trial that were introduced in 2005 on the pretext of responding to an imminent terrorist emergency that never materialised.

These powers were on top of arbitrary detention and interrogation powers handed to the political spy agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), in 2002, in the first sweeping batch of measures under the banner of the war on terror.

Andrews and other state and territory leaders met Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull yesterday for a Council of Australian Governments (COAG) gathering to further bolster the powers and resources of the security forces.

Turnbull announced a special terrorism summit to be convened as soon as possible to discuss the proposals of Andrews and others. In the meantime, the COAG leaders agreed to a presumption against parole and bail for people with terror links. They also decided that parole and prison officials would be briefed by ASIO on terror suspects.

It is not for want of such sweeping powers that Khayre supposedly slipped through the net. Among the unanswered questions about Mondays hostage incident the following are the most critical:

* Why did senior commanders of the AFP and Victoria Police set out to recruit Khayre as an informant?

A secret US diplomatic cable previously published by WikiLeaks demonstrates that in August 2009, AFP counter-terrorism coordinator Damien Appleby and Victoria Police detective inspector Andrew Gutske proposed grooming Khayre, who was in prison, as an undercover agent.

In an assessment provided to Michael Thurston, the US consul-general in Melbourne, Appleby and Gutske stated: The AFP believes that Khayre may be turned while in prison to serve as an informant in related cases.

Such vulnerable recruits are employed to infiltrate groups, often acting as agent provocateurs to entrap others into making statements or taking steps that can then be cited as evidence of plans for a terrorist act.

That kind of frame-up is known to have taken place in 2009, when Khayre was charged with involvement in an alleged plot to make a far-fetched suicide attack on the Holsworthy army base in Sydney. According to the evidence at the trial, the plot was proposed by a police undercover plant.

As a result, three young men were convicted and sentenced to 18 years imprisonment, but Khayre was found not guilty by the jury. Meanwhile, he had been held in a super-maximum security prison between August 2009 and December 2010.

* Why was this briefing given to the US consulate?

The US consul-general relayed the assessment, via a classified cable, to a high-level list of US addresses, including the US embassy in Canberra, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Security Council, Secretary of State and Department of Justice.

Consul-general Thurston further stated: Our contacts within the AFP and the Victoria Police praise intelligence collaboration between Australia and the United States, but request that more cooperation be carried out between countries with large Somali populations such as Sweden, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom. Specifically, these contacts appreciate roving witness programs with the FBI and would like to see their application expanded. Positive public relations could be an added benefit of this increased collaboration.

This cable points to the intensive collaboration between the US, Australian and allied intelligence agencies, including the use of witness protection programs for undercover agents. It also indicates the key role of public relationsthat is, media deceptionin the operations conducted by the globally coordinated network.

* Did Khayres police recruitment proceed?

There has been no statement from the AFP or Victoria Police denying that Khayre became an informant. It is entirely possible that he provided information about the supposed Holsworthy conspiracy and may have remained in the grip of the authorities right up to Mondays violent events, in which the police gunned him down, ensuring his silence.

Khayre may have been a participant in a police de-radicalisation programanother vehicle for cajoling young men into working with the security agencies, under threat of being returned to jail, prosecuted on new charges or being deported if they fail to cooperate.

Fairfax Media reported that in 2011 the AFP rejected a recommendation for Khayre to participate in such a program. But Victoria Police this week said 22 people were currently enrolled in its Community Integration Support Program, and Khayre was a participant.

Many other questions remain. They include why Khayre, then 19, was initially released on probation in 2007, with a three-year jail sentence suspended, after being convicted of more than 40 violent offences? Did his probation require collaboration with the police?

Khayre had a traumatic background. He arrived in Australia as a child in 1991, fleeing the conflict in Somalia. All the evidence points to a deeply troubled young man with a long history of ice addiction and alcohol abuse, being preyed upon by both Islamic fundamentalists and police-intelligence agencies.

Islamists and Western security agencies internationally have exploited unstable and vulnerable young men. Enraged by the US-led wars that have devastated the Middle East, killing and displacing millions of people, in pursuit of Washingtons hegemony over the strategic and resource-rich region, such teenagers and men have become the dispensable cannon fodder of intensifying geo-political conflicts.

The author also recommends:

Understanding the geopolitics of terrorism

[08 June 2017]
A study has revealed that Texas has the highest maternal mortality rate, not only within the United States, but also among industrialized nations. According to the research directed by the University of Maryland in 2016, pregnancy-related deaths in Texas nearly doubled within two years, rising from 72 in 2010 to 142 in 2012.

Between 2000 and 2010, state records reported 17.7 to 18.6 pregnancy-related deaths per 100,000 births. In 2011, the ratio of deaths nearly doubled to 33 per 100,000. The research shows that African-American women are at higher risk, constituting 28 percent of the fatalities.

The trend in Texas is part of a larger problem concerning the continuing decline in the quality of life and health within the United States. A new study just released shows that the US surpasses most of the world in health care inequality, related to both the quality and access to health care and peoples perceptions of their own health.

According to the World Health Organization, the United States is the only developed country to experience such a rise in maternal mortality rates since 1987. The average number of pregnancy-related deaths in the rest of the developed world is 12 deaths per 100,000 births. Compared to these nations, Texas has not only surpassed the average rate, but also transcended it by nearly three times over!

A study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology in 2016 showed that between 2000 and 2014, under the Bush and Obama administrations, the US maternal death rate rose by a staggering 27 percent.

Throughout the United States, researchers have pointed to heart problems, and other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, to explain the rise in pregnancy-related deaths. The rise in these conditions coincides with declines in the quality and accessibility to health care, especially among low-income families.

Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the United States, yet lawmakers rejected a federally funded expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act that would have covered 1.1 million more Texans. The budget passed by the state legislature once again underfunds Medicaid.

More than half of all births in Texas are paid for by Medicaid, but coverage for new mothers ends just 60 days after childbirth. The majority of the 189 maternal deaths from 2011 to 2012 occurred after the 60-day mark.

The issue continues to be exacerbated by Trump administration and state level attacks on health care and Planned Parenthood. In April, President Trump signed anti-abortion legislation aimed at cutting off federal funding to Planned Parenthood and other organizations that perform abortions, even though only 3 percent of Planned Parenthood funding goes to abortion services.

Last month, Planned Parenthood announced that it was closing 10 clinics across the Midwest and Southwest due to decreases in funding and attacks from legislators. Sarah Wheat, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas spokesperson, has pointed out that family planning clinics are entry points for women accessing the health care system. With family planning clinics closed because of the budget cuts, women may be delayed in receiving the care they and their baby need to thrive.

Texas lawmakers have refused to direct serious attention in the 2017 legislative session to the declining state of health within Texas, instead opting to debate over securing the shared border with Mexico and the so-called transgender bathroom bill.

Rather than confront the skyrocketing rate of pregnancy-related deaths among Texan women, they have worked to legislate a measure that will further deny a womens legal rights to obtain both contraception and abortion services.

On Tuesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, signed into law the anti-abortion bill SB8. The legislation, parts of which are set to go into effect in September, prohibits what it refers to as dismemberment abortionsa term adopted by anti-abortion zealots to target abortions via dilation and evacuation, or D&E, the safest and most common form of abortion after 12 weeks gestation.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, just 11 percent of abortions nationwide take place after the first trimester, and roughly 95 percent of these are done via D&C. Critics of SB8 say that a ban on this procedure is therefore an effective ban on abortion after 13 weeks. Any physician performing an abortion with a D&C could face up to two years in prison.

Also under the law, women who have abortions and clinics will be prohibited from donating fetal tissue that can help with scientific research, whether or not payment is offered for the tissue. The bill also requires all facilities that treat pregnant women to dispose of any embryonic and fetal remains by burial or cremation. This means that women who miscarry, as well as those who undergo abortions, will be further stigmatized.

The combined result of the closing of clinics providing reproductive services, the lack of access to contraception and restrictions on abortion will inevitably lead to more unwanted pregnancies, and more women bringing these unwanted pregnancies to term. Desperate womenwho cannot afford to travel a long distance to a clinic and pay for an abortionresort to self-induced abortions.

Researchers from the Texas Policy Evaluation Project surveyed 779 women ages 18 to 49 from across the state. In their study released in 2015, they found that 1.7 percent reported ever having attempted to end a pregnancy on their own without medical assistance. Applying these proportions to the almost 6 million women of childbearing age living in Texas, they arrived at an estimate that between 100,000 and 240,000 women of reproductive age in the state had attempted to end a pregnancy on their own.

The study showed that Latinas living near the US-Mexico border and women who report barriers to accessing reproductive health care were significantly more likely to have tried self-induced abortion. These numbers will undoubtedly rise with the introduction of SB8 and other draconian legislation denying women their constitutionally protected reproductive rights, placing them in danger of unnecessary suffering and death.
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening with thunderstorms becoming likely overnight. Low 61F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with thunderstorms becoming likely overnight. Low 61F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
FORT MYERS, Fla. (WTXL)  The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has arrested 6 suspects for a prostitution ring ran out of 13 Asian Massage Parlors located from Naples to Tallahassee.

Agents say that they started investigation after the Collier County Sheriffs Office and Sarasota Police Department called them saying they suspected prostitution at massage parlors in their area.

The investigation revealed that women of Chinese descent were offering sex acts in exchange for additional money after providing massages.

We are focused on conducting interviews to determine whether human trafficking is part of this criminal enterprise, said FDLE Ft. Myers Special Agent in Charge Shane Pollard. The arrests are just the beginning of this investigation.

The massage parlors are owned by Robert Neil Jones, 67, of Naples, Fla. with co-owners or managers running each location.

Arrests were made on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning:

Robert Neil Jones, 67, 13415 Kent Street, Naples, Fla., arrested 6/9/17 in Kauai, Hawaii and booked into the Kauai County Jail.

Conduct of or Participation in an Enterprise Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity -1 st Degree Felony

Degree Felony Use or Investment of Proceeds from Pattern of Racketeering Activity  1 st Degree Felony

Degree Felony Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering  1 st Degree Felony

Degree Felony Money Laundering  3rd Degree Felony

Xuan Lang, 47, 833 Meadowland, Drive, Naples, Fla., arrested 6/7/17 in Naples and booked into the Lee County Jail.

Conduct of or Participation in an Enterprise Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity -1 st Degree Felony

Degree Felony Use or Investment of Proceeds from Pattern of Racketeering Activity  1 st Degree Felony

Degree Felony Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering  1 st Degree Felony

Degree Felony Money Laundering  3rd Degree Felony

Jun Lang, 40, 1300 Jeronimo Drive, Naples, Fla., arrested 6/7/17 in Lee County and booked into the Lee County Jail.

Conduct of or Participation in an Enterprise Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity -1 st Degree Felony

Degree Felony Use or Investment of Proceeds from Pattern of Racketeering Activity  1 st Degree Felony

Degree Felony Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering  1 st Degree Felony

Degree Felony Money Laundering  3rd Degree Felony

Jing Zhang, 32, 1300 Jeronimo Drive, Naples, Fla., arrested 6/7/17 in Naples and booked into the Lee County Jail.

Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering  1st Degree Felony

Lianying Ma, 61, 13415 Kent Street, Naples, Fla., arrested 6/7/17 in Tallahassee and booked into the Leon County Jail.

Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering  1st Degree Felony

Ziyi Lang, 44, 8635 Ibis Cove Court, Naples, Fla., arrested 6/7/17 in Naples and booked into the Lee County Jail.

Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering  1st Degree Felony

FDLE says 10 more people were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit racketeering as a result of the case.

All of the following Asian Massage establishments have an organizational link to each other via ownerships, operators and familial ties:

BUSINESS NAME LOCATION CITY Asian Massage of Naples 5007 Tamiami Trl East Naples Asian Massage 5019 Tamiami Trl East Naples Asian Massage of Naples 2800 Davis Blvd, Ste 202 Naples Asian Massage of Naples 2033 Pine Ridge Rd, Ste 2 Naples Asian Massage 5600 Trail Blvd, Ste 5 Naples Asian Massage 10565 Tamiami Trail North, Ste 3 Naples Asian Massage 5644 Tavilla Cir, Ste 203 Naples Jade Spa 428 Del Prado Blvd North Cape Coral Asian Massage 2130 Bispham Rd Sarasota Asian Spa 1974 Adams Ln Sarasota Asian Massage 4502 North Tamiami Trl Sarasota Asian Massage 1503 57th Ave West Bradenton Jade Spa 326 Williams St Tallahassee

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact FDLEs Ft. Myers Regional Operations Center at (239) 278-7170.
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Contraband discovered inside the Franklin County Jail is prompting a crackdown by law enforcement.

Correctional officers found cell phones and also illegal alcohol made by inmates.

Two inmates, Lataska Harris and Fred Cargill are facing charges for possession of the cell phones.

WTXL spoke with Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith Friday at the Florida Sheriff's Association. He says this is a wake up call.

"We are still trying to figure out how it got in," said Sheriff Smith. We don't know if trustees brought it in or if it was tossed over the fence. One of the issues we have at our jail is we don't have a perimeter fence. There is a fenced in area where the inmates go to exercise."
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Tallahassee Police Department is looking for two people they say went into the Macy's at Governor's Square Mall and stole $1,400 worth of merchandise.

They said that three suspects came in to Macy's on May 30 and on June 5, only two of the three came back into the same store.

During the May 30 incident, three suspects, two women and one man, entered the Macys, loaded up empty shopping bags, and walked out of the store without paying.

TPD says the estimated value of the merchandise stolen was $1,400.

On Monday, two of the three same people came back into Macys. They say suspects hid clothing inside large Dillards shopping bags. They said the suspects then walked out.

A Loss Prevention Detective who works for Macy's, attempted to stop the suspects outside of the store, but was pepper-sprayed by the male suspect.

Both suspects got away in a large white SUV.

The suspects were described in the following manner:

Black male suspect

o Approximately 5'7 200-220 pounds

o Wearing dark colored flip flops w/ light blue hat

o Blue/White pants (possible sweatpants) w/ black shirt

o Carry several Dillard's bags

Black female suspect

o Approximately 5'11 170 pounds

o Wearing white hat

o Dark pants and blue shirt

o Carrying a Dillard's bag

If you know who these three are, call The Tallahassee Police Department at (850) 891-4200.
MEXICO CITYGerman Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday she was concerned about the situation in Qatar, adding that all Gulf nations, and also Iran and Turkey, should work together to resolve the regional dispute.

Merkel, who was speaking in Mexico City alongside Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, said it would be impossible to sort out the "very unsettling" situation unless all regional actors were involved. She added that it was vital the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council worked together to end the crisis.

"We have to see that the political solution of conflicts ... such as the situation in Syria, such as the situation in Libya or the situation in Iraq, won't happen if certain players are no longer even included in the conversation, and that includes Qatar, it includes Turkey, it includes Iran," she said.
Fifty years ago, it was the Paratroopers Brigade that fought the pitched battle with Jordanian troops that led to Israel's conquest of the Old City of Jerusalem and the Western Wall. Perhaps the most famous photo of that war is photographer David Rubinger's picture of three paratroopers at the Wall, one holding his helmet, gazing in awe at the site.

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As the commander of the brigade, later IDF Chief of Staff Mordechai Gur, approached the Old City and announced to his company commanders: "We're sitting right now on the ridge and we're seeing the Old City. Shortly we're going to go in to the Old City of Jerusalem, which all generations have dreamed about. We will be the first to enter the Old City"

Shortly afterwards, he broadcast from the commanding headquarter of his division his famous words: "The Temple Mount is in our hands! I repeat, the Temple Mount is in our hands!"





(Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

"It's a big honor to be part of the paratroopers," Guy Laron, a professor of international relations at Hebrew University told The Media Line. "They have a signature uniform with a red beret and reddish-brown boots. They were involved in all of the major infantry battles."

But the only time the paratroopers actually jumped during wartime was in 1956. Then almost 400 paratroopers jumped into the Sinai desert to fight the Egyptian army. But as the years have passed, some in Israel question whether Israel should still invest the money and effort to teach paratroopers to jump out of planes.

The classic photo of paratroopers (Photo: David Rubinger/GPO)

As part of their training, every paratrooper does a two-week jump school and jumps from a plane at least once. Some paratroopers jump three timesonce without equipment during the day, once with equipment during the day, and once with equipment at night.

In an exclusive interview with The Media Line, the commander of the parachuting academy, Lt. Col. Lior Agasi, said that the ability to conquer one's fear and jump out of a plane has a profound effect on Israeli recruits.

"To listen to your commander and jump from an aircraft is the closest experience you can have to hand-to-hand combat," Agasi said. "The soldier needs to face the fear of jumping for a safe place into danger. He has to trust his equipment and his commander."

The soldiers build up to the actual jump gradually, he said. They start on the ground and gradually work their way up. The instructors at the parachuting academy, which is located at the Tel Nof airbase, are trained to encourage recruits who are nervous.

(Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Defense)

"To jump out of a plane is not natural," Agasi said. "Not everyone was born to do it. A very small percentage give up in advance or freeze at the last minute. In each case, it is the instructor's decision on how to handle it, because if he jumps in this situation he can hurt himself."

Agassi admits that some soldiers are injured while jumping, although almost all of them return to combat service. He said that during the first Gulf War in 1991, Israel considered sending paratroopers into Iraq by air.

"In the end we decided not to use them because there was another way to fight this war," Agasi said. "But we also understand that knowing that someone came from above does something to the spirt of the war and the options that the government has."

In the past two years, he said, Israel has replaced all of its parachutes with a new model, the T-11, known as the Stork in Israel. Its square canopy allows it to carry more weight, while offering a gentle landing.

Article written by Linda Gradstein
DUBAIIranian authorities have arrested seven people suspected of helping militants involved in this week's attacks in the capital Tehran, a judiciary official said on Saturday. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the suicide bombings and gun attacks on parliament and the mausoleum of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, that killed 17 people on Wednesday.

Ahmad Fazelian, a provincial judiciary official, said the seven, suspected of "providing support for the terrorist team", were detained in Fardis, about 50 km west of Tehran, the judiciary's online news agency Mizan reported.

On Friday, authorities announced the arrests of 41 suspects in connection with the twin Tehran attacks.
PORTLAND, OreMarches against Islamic law are scheduled in more than two dozen cities across the United States.

Counter-demonstrations were also planned for Saturday by opponents who called the marches anti-Muslim and an attempt to stoke hatred. The group organizing the rallies, ACT for America, claims Shariah is incompatible with Western democracy

But Liyakat Takim, a professor of Islamic studies at McMaster University in the Canadian city of Hamilton, Ontario, says most Muslims don't want to replace US law with Islamic law, known as Shariah. He says only "radical extremist groups" would call for that.
The Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations, Ambassador Nikki Haley, visited Israel's national Holocaust memorial on Friday as part of her visit to Israel.

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Haley was guided through the Holocaust History Museum by Dr. Robert Rozett, Director of Yad Vashem Libraries, participated in a memorial ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance, visited the Children's Memorial and signed the Yad Vashem guest book.

Nikki Haley at Yad Vashem (Photo: Jorge Novominsky/Yad Vashem)

During her visit, the ambassador was presented with the Yad Vashem album, "To Bear Witness," a catalog of stories and images displayed at the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, as Yad Vashem terms itself. Additionally, she received the "Echoes and Reflections," course book, a comprehensive multimedia program designed for secondary-school educators in the United States to teach about the Holocaust.

At the end of the visit Haley wrote, "We must always honor and remember the lives lost during one of the most horrible times in history. There is a lesson here. Leadership is not about power. Leadership is the acknowledgment and value of human dignity. We must always choose a side."
If the looks on the faces of West Bank mayors, regional council heads and residents of the settlements didn't tell enough of a story of frustration when they left their meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday, it only took until Thursday morning for settlement leaders to unleash six months of pent-up anger at the prime minister.

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Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Ma'aleh Adumim Mayor Benny Kashriel, Avi Roeh, head of the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, Gush Etzion Regional Council Head Shlomo Ne'eman and Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan took pains to stress their "very solid support" for the prime minister as well as Netanyahu's insistence that "there is 'no issue' of settlement blocs." Efrat Mayor Revivi added praise for both Netanyahu and Trump, saying the new US administration has led to concrete achievements on the ground over the past five months.

"(During the Obama administration there was a) deep freeze in building and a declared policy of 'not one more brick.'

Yesha Council Press Conference announcing the cancellation of the protest tent outside the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem. From left to right: Avi Naim, Beit Aryeh Municipal Council Head, Avi Roeh, Chairman of the Yesha Council and Binyamin Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, Head of the Shomron Regional Council, Davidi Perl, Head of the Gush Etzion Regional Council (Photo: Hillel Maeir/TPS)

"In contrast, we heard yesterday from the prime minister that there are no building limits and an understanding about where building will take place: all over Judea and Samaria, where there are existing settlements, and the building is going to happen in proximity to existing settlements. From there outwards, we will expand as demand is met, both close (to settlement blocs) and further out," Revivi told Tazpit Press Service (TPS).

In reality, however, the meeting was a far cry from the leaders' demand for nearly unlimited building in all areas of the West Bank. Revivi issued a tepid statement following the meeting reminding the prime minister that Israelis in the West Bank "had shown patience" for a de facto building freeze during the Obama administration, but one could almost feel the pleading, almost prayerful tone in the statement that "there is no question that the change of administration in the United States has given the government more room to work, (but) we hope to see results on the ground."

By Thursday, however, some leaders had dropped their figurative gloves. Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan told Army Radio that it is "no secret" that the settlers are very disappointed with the fact that Netanyahu has not reversed building policy in the West Bank, especially after all the prime minister's talk about "after Obama."

"The prime minister promised us a rush of building after Obama left office, but he hasn't kept his promises," Dagan fumed. "We will no longer accept a situation in which a half-million Jews in Judea and Samaria, alongside 400,000 Jews and Israeli citizens in Jerusalem are treated as fourth-class citizens."

The West Bank settlement of Ma'ale Adumim (Photo: AFP)

Dagan went on to threaten a large-scale public campaign against the prime minister, but in reality the pro-settlement community finds itself today at a difficult crossroads. In political terms, the right wing has no plausible candidate to support for prime minister other than Netanyahu. True, the settlement movement has built a strong bloc of representation inside the Likud party, with powerful MKs such as Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Minister of Environment Ze'ev Elkin, Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely, Tourism Minister Yariv Levin and UN ambassador (and former MK) Danny Danon.

But none of those legislators appear poised to challenge Netanyahu for the party leadership anytime soon, if at all, and there is no indication that the 67-year-old prime minister is planning to step down before the next election, currently scheduled to be held no later than November 2019. Inside the Likud party, Netanyahu is deeply unpopularmembers of the party's central committee have told this reporter repeatedly that Netanyahu acts like a "dictator" who will not hesitate to implement the policies he sees fit to oversee, regardless of party votes or decisions.

Around the government table, Kulanu member (and Housing and Construction Minister) Yoav Galant made headlines earlier this week with a demand to build 67,000 new homes in the western Samaria foothills, a short drive from Tel Aviv. Taken in the context of the settlers' frustration with the prime minister, the statement appeared to be an early pre-election trial balloon to West Bank voters, but the comment received little coverage in settlement communities.

Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett is unlikely to expand his support beyond the national religious population.

It would appear, then, that the settlement community finds itself today between a rocka Trump administration that does not support widespread building in the West Bankand a hardplacean Israeli prime minister whose primary policy focus is to block Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Syrian troops and allied militia in the southeast Syrian desert reached the Iraqi border on Friday, near the Tanf base where US special forces train local rebels to fight ISIS, a pro-government commander said.

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The advance follows an escalation of tensions between the United States and the Syrian government with its backers over control of the southeastern frontier with Iraq.

Syrian army at the border with Iraq

"The first units of the army and its allies arrived to the Syrian-Iraqi border northeast of al-Tanf," said the non-Syrian commander in a military alliance fighting in support of President Bashar al-Assad.

The area is seen as crucial to Assad's Iranian allies and could open an overland supply route from Tehran to Iraq, Syria and Lebanona major concern to US allies in the region.

A range of Iranian-backed militias from the region, including the Lebanese Hezbollah group, have supported the Syrian government in the six-year war against rebel groups.

The Tanf base lies in the Syrian Badia, a vast sparsely populated desert territory that stretches to the Jordanian and Iraqi borders. Damascus has declared the Badia region a military priority.

Syrian army at the border with Iraq

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Months of advances by US-backed rebels against ISIS have allowed them to secure swathes of territory in the Badia, alarming the Syrian government and its allies.

The Americans had blocked them through rebel groups in the area, the commander said, so the Syrian army and allied forces opened a new route and pressed on to the border.

"It's a message to everyone," he said without elaborating.

The pro-Assad alliance had threatened this week to hit US positions in Syria, warning that "self-restraint" over American air strikes would end if Washington crossed "red lines."

The US launched air strikes on Tuesday against pro-government forces that it said posed a threat to American forces and the Syrian rebel groups they support in the area, the second such strike in recent weeks.

Hezbollah's al-Manar television channel said on Friday the army and its allies had "expanded their area of control" in the Badia.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitoring group, said dozens of soldiers and pro-government forces had arrived at the border.

They reached a point nearly 50 km north of al-Tanf, after going through the desert around the area held by US-backed rebels, it said.
In light of the Arab boycott of Qatar due to its support for terrorism, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said in an interview with the Russian RT channel during his visit to Moscow that in the eyes of Arab countries, Hamas is a legitimate resistance movement. However, he added that Hamas would no longer be governed from Qatar and in fact confirmed that its members were no longer in the Gulf state.

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Al-Thani made his comments after a meeting in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov aimed to solve the row that Qatar does not support Hamas, but rather the Palestinian people. "Our support for the Palestinian people is clear; we are cooperating with the official Palestinian Authority. The presence of Hamas in Qatar does not mean there is support for Hamas in Qatar.

Al-Thani (L) and Lavrov (Photo: MCT)

"Now the leadership of the movement is in Palestine, but Qatar is responsible on behalf of its international partners to support the Palestinian cause."

"We act on this issue with all transparency, everyone knows that," added al-Thani. "There are senior Hamas figures and senior Fatah members. These are the two main components of government in Palestine."

The Qatari foreign minister then criticized the Arab countries which now accuse Qatar of supporting the movement, asking "If they think Hamas is a terrorist organization, why is it not included in the list of terrorist organizations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and its member countries?"

"Hamas is not included in their terrorist lists, and is, in fact, a legitimate resistance movement in the eyes of every Arab nation," answered al-Thani.

Photo: MCT

Hamas thanked the Qatari foreign minister for his statement that Hamas was a "legitimate resistance movement." Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for the organization, said that the statement reflected Qatar's true values and principles towards the Palestinian people and its legitimate resistance.

"As a matter of policy, we do not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries or their bilateral relations with each other. But it does not give us joy when relations between our partners deteriorate," Lavrov told Qatar's foreign minister.

Meanwhile, the rift continues as other countries pitch in to voice their opinion on the matter.

Earlier Saturday, US President Donald Trump called on Qatar to stop funding terrorism, claiming credit for and endorsing the decision of Gulf nations to ostracize their neighbor, even as US Cabinet officials said their blockade is hurting the campaign against ISIS.

Trump scolds Qatar, urges it to stop funding terrorism (Credit: Reuters)

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"We had a decision to make," Trump said, describing conversations with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. "Do we take the easy road or do we finally take a hard but necessary action? We have to stop the funding of terrorism."

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain welcomed Trump's demand for Qatar to stop supporting terrorism, but did not respond to a US Department of State call for them to ease pressure on the Gulf state.

(Translated & edited by Lior Mor)
Some 1,700 Arabs and Jews demonstrated Saturday in Kfar Qasim in solidarity with the Taha family, whose son Muhammad was shot dead by a civilian security guard during the riots that took place there on Monday.

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Demonstrators carried signs and shouted slogans condemning violence and the conduct of police. Recent murders in the city have claimed the lives of six residents in the last two months, while police have made no arrests nor identified suspects.

Demonstrators in Kafr Qasim

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Ahmed Sarsour, a resident of Kafr Qasim, described the situation in the city, saying, "It is tense, there is anger. The police continue to arrest people in the late hours of the night. The police need to stop these vengeful methods that they're using. It's bad enough that they were part of the murder of the martyr, the hero Muhammad Taha. Where were all these police forces roaming the city when the recent murders were happening?"

Mayor of Kafr Qasim, Adel Badir, said, "The criminals will not deter us. We will continue the struggle against them, until we see a change that can provide us with a quiet life. I say to the police, you are either fighting with us against the criminals, or you will have to admit you're incapable."

MK Issawi Frej (Meretz) said that vigilance in the city can provide security to residents, saying, "From decades of experience we have seen that they can protect Kfar Kassem from many phenomena that disturb the residents. We oppose crime and criminals. We will not let harm pass us in silence."

MK Jamal Zahalka (Joint List), said, "Alsheikh and Erdan failed to deal with the growing crime in Arab society and they need to resign. The police are abandoning Arab citizens to criminal organizations. There is no justice and no judge. The police know how to deal with organized crime and did it very well in the Jewish cities. It actually caused the prosperity of the Arab criminal organizations, which benefited from the elimination of their competitors and the disappearance of the police surveillance."

Zahalka added, "Citizens in Israel who feel that the police are not protecting them will look for ways to defend themselves, and that could create chaos. Crime in Arab society is not only a problem for the Arabs. All citizens will pay the price of racial discrimination when it comes to dealing with crime."
US President Donald Trump on Friday accused Qatar of being a "high level" sponsor of terrorism, potentially hindering the US Department of State's efforts to ease heightening tensions and a blockade of the Gulf nation by Arab states and others.

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"The nation of Qatar unfortunately has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level," Trump told reporters at the White House.

Trump scolds Qatar, urges it to stop funding terrorism (Credit: Reuters)

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"So we had a decision to make, do we take the easy road or do we finally take a hard but necessary action. We have to stop the funding of terrorism. I decided ... the time had come to call on Qatar to end its funding," Trump said, adding that he helped plan the Qatar action with Arab leaders after a recent summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

A senior administration official told Reuters earlier this week that the United States had no indication from the Saudis or Emiratis in Riyadh during Trump's visit last month that they would sever ties with Qatar.

The crisis is a major diplomatic test for the United States, which is a close ally of countries on both sides. Trump has called key players in the region since they severed ties with Qatar on Monday.

The Trump administration has given mixed signals on whether to isolate Qatar or bring it into talks with other Gulf nations.

Trump meets with Emir of Qatar in Saudi Arabia (Photo: Reuters)

The confrontation in the region intensified on Friday as Arab states tightened their squeeze on Qatar by putting dozens of figures with links to the country on terrorism blacklists, while Qatar's ally Turkey rushed to its side with plans to send troops.

The Pentagon said the blockade was hindering US ability to plan for long-term operations in the region. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is home to more than 11,000 US and coalition forces and an important base for the fight against Islamic State. It is the US Air Force's largest base in the region.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said he expected all parties to find a resolution.

"We call on the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt to ease the blockade against Qatar," he said in Washington.

Rex Tillerson (Photo:Reuters)

Tillerson told reporters at the State Department that the crisis, which has cut transportation links and trade, had begun hurting ordinary people in Qatar, and that it was impairing business dealings and harming the US battle against the Islamic State militant group.

Tillerson demanded that Qatar, as well as the other countries, take steps to curtail support for terrorism. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have accused Doha of supporting extremist groups, but Tillerson suggested that all sides needed to do more.

"The emir of Qatar has made progress in halting financial support and expelling terrorist elements from his country, but he must do more and he must do it more quickly," Tillerson said. "Others must also continue to eliminate factions of support for violent organizations within their own borders."

On Trumps Air Force One flight to New Jersey, a senior White House official told reporters that Trump and Tillerson were on the "same page" on Qatar.

"The United States wants a resolution to the situation but it wants a resolution on terms consistent with the principles the president laid out in Riyadh, the official said, adding that Trump was concerned about the humanitarian impact of the crisis but also Qatar's support of "terrorist finance."

Trump with Arab world leaders (Photo: Reuters)

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain welcomed Trump's demand for Qatar to stop supporting terrorism, but did not respond to a US Department of State call for them to ease pressure on the Gulf state.

In a separate statement issued on Friday, the United Arab Emirates praised Trump's "leadership in challenging Qatar's troubling support for extremism".

Riyadh, Cairo and their allies have accused Qatar, the world's richest country per capita, of supporting militant Islamist movements across the region. They have imposed what Qatar said was a blockade of shipping and air traffic and closed Qatar's only land border, causing panic buying at supermarkets and provoking confusion and anxiety across the population.

Qatar, which has developed an assertive foreign policy over the past decade, denied that it supports militants and said it was helping to reduce the threat of terrorism by backing groups that fight poverty and seek political reform.

Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani called the moves by Arab neighbors and others "clear violations of international law and international humanitarian law.

"They will not have a positive impact on the region but a negative one," the minister said during a visit to Germany.

The United Arab Emirates said on Friday that Qatar must acknowledge concerns about its "troubling support for extremism" and "re-examine its regional policies."

"This will provide the necessary basis for any discussions," UAE ambassador to the United States Yousef Al Otaiba said in a statement on Friday.
A Russian Su-27 jet fighter intercepted a US B-52 strategic bomber on Russia's border over the Baltic Sea on Tuesday; the bomber was flying along the Russian border but over neutral waters.

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A Russian Su-27 (R) and a US B-52

Russia scrambled a fighter jet on Tuesday to intercept a nuclear-capable US B-52 strategic bomber it said was flying over the Baltic Sea near its border, in an incident that had echoes of the Cold War.

The appearance of the B-52, a long-range bomber that first went into service in the 1950s, irked Moscow. A Russian Foreign Ministry official said the plane's appearance in Europe would not help ease tensions between the West and Russia. A former Russian Air Force commander called the move "disrespectful."

Russian air defense systems detected the US bomber at around 1000 Moscow time as it was flying over neutral waters parallel to the Russian border and sent a Sukhoi Su-27 jet to intercept it, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"The Russian SU-27 crew, having approached at a safe distance, identified the aircraft as an American B-52 strategic bomber and escorted it" until such time as it changed course and flew away from the border area, the ministry said.

Russia said the SU-27 took off from its Baltic Fleet air defense unit, which is based in the European exclave of Kaliningrad.

The US military said its aircraft was in international airspace and declined immediate comment on the Russian plane's actions.

"We can confirm that the US Air Force B-52 was operating in international airspace but we dont have any information to provide at this time regarding the behavior of Russian aircraft," Air Force spokesman Colonel Patrick Ryder said.

A still photo released by the Defense Department shows the Russian Su-27 intercepting a US Air Force B-52H. Another photo captures the Russian plane intercepting a formation of US Air Force aircraft, including two B-1B Lancers, a KC-135R Stratotanker and B-52H Stratofortress.

A Russian Su-27 (L) and a US B-1B

NATO members such as Britain regularly report scrambling jets to intercept Russian nuclear-capable bombers flying close to their air space. It is less common for Russia to report using its fighters for the same reason.

In a separate incident, Russia said that a MiG-31 jet fighter had intercepted a Norwegian patrol plane over the Barents Sea. Russia's Defense Ministry identified the plane as a P-3 Orion anti-submarine aircraft.

The Russian Defense Ministry complained that the Norwegian plane had flown close to Russia's state border with its transponders switched off. The Norwegian military confirmed the encounter, but said it was "normal."

Moscow was more put out by the B-52's appearance.

The state-backed Sputnik news agency cited a Foreign Ministry official, Mikhail Ulyanov, as saying Moscow believed a number of US B-52s had recently been transferred from their base in Louisiana to Britain to take part in military exercises.

"The fact that NATO forces are converging near Russia's borders and carrying out military exercises supported by strategic bombers from the USA capable of carrying nuclear weapons hardly helps de-escalate tensions in Europe," Sputnik quoted Ulyanov as saying.

US forces are engaged in various exercises with Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and other partner nations as part of the Saber Strike war games. The United States is also taking part in the annual BALTOPS naval training exercise in the Baltic Sea which runs until June 16.

Pyotr Deinekin, a former Russian Air Force commander, was cited by the Interfax news agency as saying that he could not recall the last time a B-52 had flown over the Baltic Sea and that the incident raised troubling questions.

"Such behavior does not deserve respect," said Deinekin, who said Russia needed to establish what weaponry the B-52 was carrying.

The B-52 was designed to attack Moscow's most vital targets via the North Pole in the event of a nuclear war when the Soviet Union still existed, Deinekin said.

"Strategic bombers should not fly so close to our land borders," he said.
WASHINGTON -- The government of Qatar has hired John Ashcroft, the U.S. attorney general during the Sept. 11 attacks, as it seeks to rebut accusations from U.S. President Donald Trump and its Arab neighbors that it supports terrorism.

Qatar will pay the Ashcroft Law Firm $2.5 million for a 90-day period as the country seeks to confirm its efforts to fight global terrorism and comply with financial regulations including U.S. Treasury rules, according to a Foreign Agents Registration Act, or FARA, filing on Friday with the Justice Department.

"The firm's work will include crisis response and management, program and system analysis, media outreach, education and advocacy regarding the client's historical, current and future efforts to combat global terror and its compliance goals and accomplishments," according to a letter by Ashcroft firm partner Michael Sullivan included in the filing.
YORK  Elijah (Lige) Levitts college diploma was once a whisker away from the trash bin, but there will be no such risk ever again.

Levitt, a Russian immigrant who came to America with his brother to seek his fortune and escape an environment of religious and family rigidity in Kiev, arrived here in 1904 at the age of 20.

What happened between 1904 and his death in 1987 at age 103 is a rags-to-riches story like few others. Just one of the chapters in the life of this successful and most generous of businessmen took him to Ohio Wesleyan University, the Methodist institution from which he was graduated in 1913 with a business degree.

The large diploma generated by that commencement ceremony came with Levitt to York, his American home, where it languished in storage in the family garage.

Upon the death of Lorraine Levitt, Liges wife, many years later a next door neighbor, the late Carol Sprague, helped the couples family collect and box whatever items they wanted. Many of the items remaining after the family had gone through everything went to the York Community Playhouse.

The warped and water-stained diploma, however, was still on course to the dump.

Thats when Bob Sautter of the York County Visitors Bureau rode to the rescue.

Sautter said he didnt want to see the impressive document discarded so he took it home and, a few years ago, donated it to the museum.

I thought thats where it belonged, Sautter said Friday. He (Levitt) was so instrumental in the growth and development of Yorks business community and overall quality of life.

Palmer Museum curator Kent Bedient, in partnership with Kelly Holthus who credits all of his own business success to the mentorship of Levitt, recently had the diploma restored the best it could be. Next will be to place it in a historically appropriate frame so the piece may be exhibited for the public at the museum.

Holthus underwrote all costs of the restoration and framing.

The badly curled and damaged paper was brought back to life at the Gerald R. Ford Restoration Center of the Nebraska State Historical Society in Omaha.

Lige was a firm believer in people and the good that was in people, said Holthus. He remembered his roots.

Levitt came to York to work in a lumber yard as a young man. Holthus, in turn, came to York to work for Levitt. The year was 1965.

He was my mentor, Holthus said, he taught me an awful lot. A lot about life.

Holthus and others from Cornerstone accompanied Levitt to Ohio Wesleyan where, at age 97 or 98, he was to deliver a speech.

He walked with a cane by then, said Holthus, but not that day. Chuckling, he described how Levitt strolled across the stage to the podium twirling his cane instead of relying upon it for support.

Holthus recalls how Levitt drew a big laugh when he told his audience, When you travel you need to be prepared, so I brought my bankers to take care of me.

Projects Levitt made possible are obvious in York, but also in Delaware, Ohio, where the Levitt Library on the campus of Ohio Wesleyan also bears his name.

People ask me about Lige, said Holthus, author of the book From Country School to Cornerstone in which he gives great tribute to Levitt, and then they have to shut me up, he said with a laugh. I worked 15 years for him, he said of Levitt, a man who walked to work most days until age 99, Even in the worst blizzard, Holthus added.

Levitts father was a rabbi who was much less open-minded about religion than was his son. That was one of several reasons Levitt and his brother stowed away aboard a ship to New York City.

Holthus said Levitt worked in a dairy in Ohio, converted his religion to Methodist and took a friends advice to come to York and work for E.S. Clarke at his lumber yard.

Levitt eventually bought the lumber yard. Later he was asked to serve on the board of directors for First National Bank (now Cornerstone) in York which he also went on to purchase.
ZIONSVILLE  Sixty-two young women from across Indiana will gather in Zionsville Sunday to begin competition for more than $40,000 in scholarships and the titles of Miss Indiana and Miss Indianas Outstanding Teen 2017.

Madison Seifert, 22, of Auburn, will compete for Miss Indiana as Miss Collegiate North. A recent graduate of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne with a degree in business management and marketing, her personal platform is Leading the Way: Leader Dogs for the Blind, and her talent is clogging.

Kennedy Barry, 16, of Garrett, will compete as Miss Collegiate Norths Outstanding Teen. A student at Garrett High School, Kennedy has chosen a personal platform of Beautifully Blessed: Bridging the Barriers. She will performa a contemporary/lyrical dance for the talent portion of the pageant.

Three nights of preliminary competition on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings will culminate in the Miss Indiana final competition on Saturday, June 17, starting at 6 p.m. By the end of the evening, both Miss Indiana and Miss Indianas Outstanding Teen 2017 will be crowned.

Tickets are available for purchase at form.jotformpro.com/70922076814962.

The final night of competition will be broadcast live by webcast for those who cant make it to Zionsville. Webcast details will be available soon on the Miss Indiana website and social media.

Miss Indiana 2016 Brianna DeCamp and Miss Indianas Outstanding Teen 2016 Jordan Axel, both of Kendallville, will be passing on their titles.

Fans, friends and family members can vote for their favorite contestants at missindianapageant.com/peopleschoice.html. Only the Top 10 contestants in Miss and Teen, plus the Peoples Choice winners from the online vote, will compete for the titles on finals night. Each vote costs $1.

Other local Miss Indiana contestants are:

 Lauren Butler, 21, of Kendallville, as Miss Limberlost;  Mary Tremaine, 21, of Kendallville, as Miss Purdue; and

 Lydia Tremaine, 19, of Kendallville, as Miss Southern Heartland.

Other local teen contestants are:

 Elayna Hasty, 15, of Angola, as Miss Fort Waynes Outstanding Teen;

 Madilyn Kazmucha, 16, of Wolcottville, as Miss Northeasts Outstanding Teen;

 Hanna Malaise, 16, of Spencerville,a student at Leo Junior/Senior High School, as Miss Wabash Valleys Outstanding Teen;

 Malana Pashea, 16, of Avilla, as Miss Kosciuskos Outstanding Teen;

 Anna Wicker, 17, of Kendallville, as Miss Limberlosts Outstanding Teen; and

 Jenna Zabona, 14, of Kendallville, as Miss Northern Lakes Outstanding Teen.
Mexico/Berlin: Chancellor Angela Merkel is seeking to bolster support among G20 members for tackling climate change ahead of a summit in Hamburg next month, while trying to avoid giving the impression she is rallying an anti-U.S. alliance, German government sources say.

Merkel is ready for dissent at the meeting, however, after U.S. President Donald Trump`s withdrawal from a global climate change agreement, they said.

Merkel told an audience in Argentina on Friday that as host of the G20, she would have to be up front about differences if all 20 highly industrialised countries failed to see eye to eye on climate and other issues, as the final communique requires unanimous consent.

"There will be issues where not everyone gets what we want," Merkel said, a clear nod to Trump`s move to pull out of the 2015 Paris accord to combat climate change days after refusing to endorse it at summits in Europe.

At the same time, Merkel, a strong advocate of the Paris accord, must stay true to her views at home, where she is seeking a fourth term in office in September national elections and where Trump remains deeply unpopular.

During visits to Argentina and Mexico, Merkel highlighted her shared views with the leaders of both countries on climate change, trade and other issues.

"Germany is looking for allies on issues that are important to us," Merkel said after a meeting with Argentine President Mauricio Macri.

German magazine Der Spiegel reported on Saturday that her staff have drawn up a 13-page paper for the July G20 summit that includes specific references to the 2015 Paris agreement - setting up a potential showdown with Trump.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has suggested striking out the references to enable Trump to sign the communique, the magazine reported.

Government sources say Merkel needs Trump`s support to make the G20 summit a success, however, and his willingness to compromise could wane if he perceives her as his enemy.

Indeed, she told students in Buenos Aires that it was vital to maintain dialogue even with those who hold different views.

"Because if I talk with someone, I can no longer simply say he is stupid," she said.

Complicating the issue further for Merkel, however, her foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel of junior coalition partners the Social Democrats, wants as many G20 countries as possible to underscore their continued support for the Paris deal at the July summit.

"The G20 cannot result in a silent unity against the climate agreement," he told the magazine.

A recent poll by Infratest dimap showed that only 21 percent of German voters viewed the United States as a reliable partner, a drop of eight percentage points from April that put it on the same level as Russia and far below China on 36 percent.
Washington: President Donald Trump is expected to visit Miami as early as next Friday to announce a new Cuba policy that could tighten rules on trade and travel, rolling back parts of former President Barack Obamas opening to the island, according to a US official and people familiar with the matter.

Trumps aides are nearing completion of a review of relations with Cuba and are expected to send recommendations to his national security team and then to the president in coming days, a US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Plans are in the works for Trump to roll out his new approach on June 16 in a speech in Miami, where he is expected to claim fulfillment of a campaign promise and justify it, at least in part, on human rights grounds, the sources said.

But they cautioned that a delay in the announcement is still possible if it takes longer for Trump to make a final decision.

While specific changes have not yet been finalized, the sources say Trump is likely to unveil a partial rather than complete rollback of Obamas actions, which included restoration of relations and reopening of embassies after a diplomatic breakthrough in 2014 with Americas former Cold War foe.

Among the options under consideration are banning U.S. companies from doing business with Cuban enterprises tied to the military  which controls a large part of the communist-ruled islands economy  and tightening rules on Americans traveling there, according to people familiar with the discussions.

With the Cuba review approaching its final stages, both sides of the issue have recently stepped up lobbying to sway Trumps decision.

In the letter sent to Trump on Friday, seven of his fellow Republicans warned that rescinding Obamas policies would incentivize Cuba to once again become dependent on countries like Russia and China.

Senior officials at the National Security Council met on Friday to begin finalizing a list of recommendations, the sources said.

Trump`s changes are expected to stop short of breaking diplomatic relations restored two years ago after more than five decades of hostility, administration officials say.

But divisions remain within the Trump administration over how far to go, especially given that rapprochement with Cuba has created opportunities for American companies.
New York: President Donald Trump surprisingly refrained from tweeting during James Comey's testimony. Donald Trump Jr, not surprisingly, did not.

The president's eldest son, whose Twitter feed can at times be as inflammatory as his father's, was a one-man rapid-response team as the fired FBI director testified before a Senate panel Thursday.

He delivered denunciations with the same force that made him an effective, if controversial, campaign surrogate and could signal his own political ambitions.

Donald Trump Jr tweeted more than 80 times Thursday, defending his father and attacking Comey.

Trump Jr's Twitter barrage was all the more striking when compared to his father's silence, which the president broke with a yesterday morning tweet accusing Comey of lying under oath.

Trump Jr declined to comment yesterday about his tweets, leaving unanswered questions as to whether they were urged by the White House, which outsourced its Comey response to the Republican National Committee and the president's personal lawyer.

Trump Jr has certainly been willing to go on the attack for his father before.

He crisscrossed the United States during last year's election, doing hundreds of interviews on Fox News and local conservative outlets. He attacked "Crooked Hillary," his father's derogatory nickname for opponent Hillary Clinton, and delivered a well-received speech at the Republican National Convention.

That moment sparked speculation about his political future. But while Trump Jr told The Associated Press this spring that he would not, as had been rumored, be a candidate for governor of New York, he left the door open for a political run down the road.

"Maybe someday," Trump said then. "It's not something I'm doing now. But you never know, it's fascinating stuff."

He's done a number of Republican campaign events since then, including fundraisers in Texas and Indiana and campaigning for a congressional candidate in Montana.

But Trump Jr, who along with his brother Eric is running their father's former company, has said he does not discuss the details of politics or their business with the president.

He outpaced the national Republican Party with his Twitter defense Thursday. In particular, he seized on Comey's assertion that he interpreted the president's statement that he "hoped" the FBI would drop its probe into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn as an instruction.

"Knowing my father for 39 years when he 'orders or tells' you to do something there is no ambiguity, you will know exactly what he means," Trump Jr wrote.
Washington: US House and Senate investigators have requested former FBI Director James Comey`s memos of his private discussions with President Donald Trump and any records the White House kept of their discussion including audio recordings.



The leaders of the House Russia investigation, Representatives Michael Conaway, a Texas Republican, and Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, sent the request on Friday directly to Comey for copies of his memos, reports CNN.



They also sent a separate request to Trump`s White House counsel, Don McGahn, for any record the administration had of their meetings.



The investigators requested Comey and the White House to provide the records by June 23.



The Senate judiciary committee, meanwhile, sent a request to Columbia University law professor Daniel Richman for Comey`s memos. Richman had confirmed on Thursday that he was the friend Comey testified who had discussed the memos with the media.



The leaders of the Senate judiciary`s probe sent Richman the request on Thursday and asked he provide it by Friday. A source familiar with the matter said Richman has been in touch with Senate judiciary through special counsel Bob Mueller`s office, and that there will be movement after the weekend.



Four members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, including Chairman Chuck Grassley and ranking Democrat Dianne Feinstein, had set a Friday deadline for Richman to respond after Comey testified that he gave the memo to him and asked him to anonymously disclose it to the media in an attempt to prompt the naming of a special counsel, reports CNN.



Comey testified Thursday that Trump asked him to drop an investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn and implied the President may have become the subject of investigation himself for interfering in the Federal Bureau of Investigation`s work.



Under oath, Comey repeatedly called Trump a liar. Trump responded Friday by saying Comey was a liar.
New Delhi: Chinese President Xi Jinping has reportedly skipped a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during the just concluded SCO summit in Astana after the murder of two Chinese teachers in Balochistan.

Though Sharif had met the presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Russia, a customary meeting with Xi was 'conspicuously absent', PTI reported.

Chinese state-run media highlighted Xi's meetings with Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Xi's unprecedented snub followed deep disappointment and grief among Chinese public over the slaying of the two Chinese citizens who were kidnapped last month from Quetta in Balochistan.

The two were brutally murdered reportedly by Islamic State (IS) militants. The news of their murders was made public ahead of the SCO summit held on June 8-9 in which India and Pakistan were admitted as members.

Yesterday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying explained that the murders were no way connected to the USD 50 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which was opposed by the Baloch nationalists.

The CPEC is part of China's ambitious multi-billion Belt and Road intuitive (BRI).

"This incident will not have any necessary connection with the BRI," nor with the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, meeting being held in Astana, Hua had said.

China has deployed hundreds of Chinese workers to work for the CPEC which connects Gwadar port in Balochistan with China's Xinjiang through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Hua said Pakistan pays great attention to the protection of Chinese citizens in the institutions there and made great efforts for their security.

"As per BRI we should be prepared for risks if want to go global. Since the three years after the BRI," she had said.

(With PTI inputs)
Lahore: A minority Shia Muslim man in Pakistan was on Saturday sentenced to death by an anti-terrorism court for posting blasphemous content on Facebook, the first death sentence handed for blasphemy on social media in the country.

The sentence is the harshest among cyber-crime related sentences handed down so far in the country. Pakistan has never executed anyone convicted of blasphemy.

Judge Shabir Ahmed of the Anti-Terrorism Court in Punjab province's Bahawalpur district announced the sentence for 30- year-old Taimoor Raza after holding him guilty of posting derogatory content on Facebook.

According to the Counter Terrorism Department of Punjab Police, Raza, who hails from Okara, some 200 km from Lahore, was arrested last year at Bahawalpur following complaints by his co-workers that he had shared blasphemous content on Facebook.

Blasphemy is an extremely sensitive issue in Pakistan where 97 per cent of the population is Muslim.

Pakistan's tough blasphemy law has attracted criticism from rights groups, who say they are frequently misused to settle personal scores.

Pakistan last year passed a controversial cyber crime bill (Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016) that proposed strict punishment for cyber crime offences.
Mumbai: Budget carrier GoAir on Saturday said it will launch an additional flight service between New Delhi and Patna, starting tomorrow, as part of its route network expansion plans.

With the addition of the new service, the city-based airline will be flying four daily flights between the two capital cities, GoAir said in a release.

The launch of this additional daily service between Patna and New Delhi aims at strengthening GoAir's extensive network of flights to Patna, the airline said.

This additional flight will benefit the large number of passengers travelling from Patna to New Delhi and further bolster the airline's already extensive network, it added.

The Wadia Group-owned airline currently operates across 23 destinations with over 975 weekly flights with a fleet of Airbus A320 family planes, including Airbus A320Neo.

The airline flies to Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Guwahati, Jaipur, Jammu, Kochi, Kolkata, Leh, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Port Blair, Pune, Ranchi, Srinagar and Hyderabad.
New Delhi: The Delhi Police stepped up security at Kerala House on Jantar Mantar road here after receiving information of a political party planning a 'beef festival' there on Saturday evening.

The police said that they received an information from Kerala House officials that Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers were planning to hold a beef party there and thus security was stepped up there as precautionary measure.

"We were alerted by the Kerala House officials about an unverified information they received that some people belonging to a political party were planning to celebrate beef festival there at 6:30 pm. So we have deployed police force to handle them," said Deputy Commissioner of Police BK Singh.

Police sources, however, said the information appeared to be nothing but a rumour.

There was report that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has planned a 'beef festival' at the Kerala House in the evening.

Last week, a cow vigilante group, claiming to belong to the Bharatiya Gauraksha Kranti, allegedly barged into Kerala House to protest the beef festivals recently held in the southern state.

Kerala House Resident Commissioner Vishwas Mehta had 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.

Two years ago, Kerala House was mired in a similar controversy after the Delhi Police raided its canteen on receiving a complaint that it served beef.

However, the Kerala government and the canteen authorities denied the charge, saying it was buffalo meat.

(With ANI inputs)
New Delhi: With the looming July 1 deadline for new indirect tax regime, GST Network has asked the GST Suvidha Providers to get their systems audited as per ISO standards before they start feeding data into the network.

This assumes significance as the country is gearing up for an overhaul of its indirect tax regime and thousands of businesses will upload their purchase-sale invoices on the GST Network (GSTN) on a daily basis.

GST Network - the company building the IT backbone for the new tax structure - has also asked the 34 GST Suvidha Providers (GSPs) to ensure security of their systems.

The GSPs will assist taxpayers in interacting with GST systems, from registration of entity to uploading of invoice details to filing of returns under the new regime.

"GSPs were told that they must have their systems audited as per the prevailing ISO standard on security from one of the auditors on the panel of CERT-IN before they connect with and start pushing data into the GST System," a finance ministry statement said.

At a meeting with GSPs, GSTN Chairman Navin Kumar assessed their preparedness. Besides, GSTN presented the timelines of the release of updated specifications for the new GST Return forms.

"GSTN also published and explained the method and manner in which the GSPs would be able to integrate with the GST system to be able to submit all the return forms on behalf of their clients and tax payers," the statement added.

GSTN also advised all GSPs to continue to visit the GSP ecosystem webpage on the GSTN website (www.Gstn.Org/ecosystem) for all information, updates and guidelines, which are regularly updated.

For the convenience of taxpayers, GSTN has also come up with an offline tool where data on invoices (business to business), exports, supplies to consumers etc., which are required to create GSTR-1 can be entered in an excel sheet in offline mode.

The tool can be run to upload all such data on the portal. Only while uploading the data on GST portal, internet connectivity will be required.

The offline tool will be provided free of cost and taxpayers will be able to download it from the GST portal (www.Gst.Gov.In) from last week of June.

GSTN will also release the format of excel in which businesses will start maintaining the data from July 1 for using the offline tool for uploading the invoice data and other return data.

Taxpayers using offline tool will not require services of any GSPs. Similarly, those having small number of business-to- business invoices, like retailers and small traders, can do the data entry on portal itself and they will also not require the services of GSPs, the statement said.
Mexico City: German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Britain Friday to quickly launch Brexit talks with the European Union after Prime Minister Theresa May suffered a harsh election setback.

"We are ready for the negotiations. We want to do it quickly, respecting the calendar," Merkel said during a visit to Mexico.

She said talks with Britain on its withdrawal from what will now be the 27-member EU would start "in the coming days."

"We were waiting for the election in Britain, but in the next few days these talks will begin. We will defend the interests of the 27 member states, and Britain will defend its own interests," she told a press conference.

"At the same time, we say that we want to remain a good partner to Britain. Britain is part of Europe, even if it will no longer be part of the European Union."

May, who became prime minister after Britain`s June 2016 referendum on leaving the EU, called the election three years early in a bid to strengthen her hand in the looming Brexit negotiations.

But in a catastrophic setback, the bet failed and she lost her overall majority.
Washington: Adam Purinton, the man accused of killing Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injuring two others at a suburban Kansas City bar, faces federal hate crime and firearms charges, the US Justice Department said on Friday.

Purinton was involved in a 22 February shooting at Austin`s Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas.

The 52-year-old is accused of fatally shooting Srinivas Kuchibhotla and attempting to kill Alok Madasani based on their actual and perceived race, color, religion and national origins.

Witnesses said Purinton yelled at the two Indian men to "get out of my country" before pulling the trigger in the attack.

Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old American man was also injured while intervening in the shooting.

Purinton`s indictment comes amid growing concern about a wave of hateful actions across the United States aimed at blacks, Jews, Muslims and other groups targeted by inflammatory rhetoric that gained prominence during the 2016 presidential election.
Darjeeling: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has assured that she will restore normalcy in restive Darjeeling district, which has been badly hit by a shut down called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) over the government`s proposal to make Bengali a compulsory language in all government schools.

The GJM has been demanding Nepali or Hindi as a language instead of Bengali.

"Everything will be normal tomorrow. Buses will start plying. We have informed Kolkata Police to help in the matter. We will also conduct a meeting with the police and other DGPs to review the situation," Banerjee said.

Normal life has come to a halt in the hills after the GJM staged a shutdown to protest against the move to impose Bengali in government schools. Many shops and markets were shut down and vehicles stayed off the roads in Darjeeling. An under-construction building near Darjeeling was reportedly torched by the GJM workers.



A senior West Bengal minister on Friday alleged that the BJP has a hand in Darjeeling violence and had held parleys with GJM leaders in Kolkata a few days before the protest.



"When the chief minister was holding a series of meetings to provide drinking water and other civic amenities to the people of the hills, leaders of GJM were holding parleys with BJP leaders in Kolkata," Education and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee told in a press conference.



The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) on Friday said that there was no other alternative but a separate state of Gorkhaland. GJM general secretary Roshan Giri, who has been booked along with party chief Bimal Gurung under non-bailable sections, said: People of the hills now want nothing but Gorkhaland. There is no other alternative. We are hearing that the government is trying to frame charges against our leaders and arrest them. If they dare to do so, the crisis will worsen.



The chief minister took the decision to seek the Centre`s help in an emergency meeting held at Rajbhawan in which 30 ministers and delegates, including Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee, participated. Two army columns were deployed in the town at the request of Banerjee to maintain law and order.

(With Agency Input)
New Delhi: Pakistan's Army Chief general Qamar Bajwa has said that his country would keep supporting the "Kashmiris' movement of self-determination" from across the border, according to a media report on Saturday.

The general in his comments also 'specified' that the military intends to support the Kashmiri struggle not in the PoK but across the border, the Times of India reported.

Bajwa reportedly made the comments during a visit to Muzaffarabad in PoK.

Addressing the troops at the LoC, Bajwa reportedly said that "no Indian misadventure shall go without a befitting response".

"We are aware of the defence and security challenges being faced by the country and we are capable of defeating all threats, irrespective of the 'front'" Citing the Pakistani media, TOI quoted the general as saying.

His reaction was presumably a response to a recent statement by the Indian Army chief that the "Indian Army is fully ready for a two-and-a-half-front war".
Dehradun: Indian Army Chief General Bipin Singh Rawat on Saturday said youth in Kashmir are being misled to take wrong path.

While attending the Passing Out Parade held at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, the Army Chief said, "Youth in Kashmir are being instigated by a misinformation and disinformation campaign being run on social media.

Youths there (Valley) are misleaded to take wrong path. We always try that youth, who are misled, should drop their weapons and come with us, the Army Chef said.

Jammu and Kashmir has been on the boil since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in July last year.

Kashmir has been witnessing frequent clashes between security forces and stone-pelting mobs since then.

'Indian Army will appoint women in military police first'

The Army Chief said the force needed women in combat positions to tackle the women members of the public, often encountered during operations.

Women will first be inducted in military police before combat positions in the force, General Rawat asserted.

After reviewing the parade at the Chetwode drill square, General Rawat addressed the 67 foreign Gentlemen Cadets from 10 foreign countries and also led to the culmination of training of 423 Indian Gentlemen Cadets.While addressing the passing cadets, General Rawat congratulated and welcomed them in the team by boosting up their confidence and enthusiasm to work in this field.
Thiruvananthapuram: The BJP on Saturday filed a complaint against Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury here over his "baseless tweet" holding the Sangh Parivar forces responsible for the attack on him at a press conference in New Delhi.

Kerala BJP General Secretary V.V. Rajesh told IANS that he has filed a complaint against Yechury with state Director General of Police T.P. Senkumar.

"I spoke to T.P. Senkumar (state police chief) and have filed a complaint against Yechury because it was after his tweet, which said he was attacked by the Sangh Parivar forces, did the violence escalate in Kerala," he said.

Rajesh said this was a "baseless tweet", as the RSS has no connection with the Hindu Sena. Two youths belonging to the Hindu Sena were arrested for the attack on Yechury at a press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The Kerala BJP General Secretary in his complaint states that Yechury is solely responsible for the political violence that has gripped the state.

"His tweet has been proven to be factually incorrect and politically provocative. This is a clear case of exhorting violence, abetting and aiding it. Hence, I request you, as the state DGP (Law and Order) to immediately direct registering of a criminal case against Sitaram Yechury for exhorting violence, abetting the attacks on the offices and cadre of Sangh Parivar," he said in his complaint.

The complaint was lodged a day after Kerala CPI-M Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that attacks on the party by the BJP and RSS have increased dramatically after BJP President Amit Shah`s visit to the state.

Since Wednesday, peace in Kerala has been affected with frequent clashes erupting in several parts of the state between party activists of the BJP and RSS and the CPI-M.

Kozhikode district, which witnessed the worst clashes, has for the past two days seen the BJP and CPI-M observing a shutdown, one after the other.

Expressing displeasure in the way Kerala is witnessing skirmishes, Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said the party that rules the Centre and the one that rules the state have spoilt the peace and tranquility which prevailed here, demanding that they must end this impasse.

Congress legislator and son of former Kerala Chief Minister K. Karunakaran, K. Muraleedharan, said not a single investor will now come to Kerala with this "volatile atmosphere".
Bhopal: Facing an agrarian unrest in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday launched an indefinite fast here with an appeal for peace and met farmer leaders, but failed to reach a compromise, while the opposition Congress dismissed it as mere "drama".

No major violence was reported from the state and curfew was lifted from three of the four police station areas in Mandsaur district, the epicentre of the farmers' agitation.

Farmer leaders, however, asserted that they will continue the agitation till their demands, including loan waiver and better price of their produce, are met. Earlier, they had said that the stir, which started on June 1 and saw the death of five persons in police firing, will last till June 10.

Situation in Mandsaur

The western Madhya Pradesh districts, especially Mandsaur remained peaceful today following which authorities decided to lift the curfew from all the three police station areas of the Mandsaur city.

However, prohibitory orders under section CrPC 144, which bans assembly of more than four persons, will remain in force in the district.

The curfew will remain in Pipliamandi police station area, 15 kms from Mandsaur district headquarters.

The district administration also said the internet services in the district, which were suspended on June 5 after out break of violence, will be restored by tomorrow morning.

In Mandsaur district, the curfew, which was imposed after five people were killed in police firing during a farmers' protest on June 6, was relaxed for 12 hours, from 8 am to 8 pm, in five police station areas of the district.

Chouhan's bid to quell frayed tempers

Clad in a kurta-pyjama and a Nehru jacket, with wife Sadhana on his side, Chouhan began his fast around 11 am at a 'pandal' erected in the BHEL Dusshera Maidan in the heart of Bhopal. Former chief minister Kailash Joshi put a 'tilak' on his forehead.

As the CM entered the venue, his supporters greeted him by raising the slogan "Kisan ka Samman hai, Shivraj Singh Chouhan hai, Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Bharat Mata ki Jai". The place, where Chouhan sat on his fast, had a picture of Mahatma Gandhi in the background.

Chouhan, under attack over the agitation during which five farmers were killed in a police firing, said the government stood firm with the farmers.

"I will not end my fast till peace is restored in the state," Chouhan said in the evening.

The chief minister added that he met 15 delegations of small farmers and 236 panels of big farmers through the day. The delegations pressed for loan waiver and "satisfactory" prices for their produce.

Earlier in the day, while addressing the gathering, he said, "I know of the bumper crop production that has sent the prices crashing down in the state. I know your (farmers) problems."

He also enumerated steps taken by the government to help the farmers. "The state government stands firm with the farmers. We are going to buy the farm produce and give profitable prices for it," he assured.

"Madhya Pradesh is my temple and people are god and I am a priest," he said.

The BJP veteran, who has been at the helm in the state for over a decade, said his government was pro-farmer and recalled measures that are underway to make farming a profitable occupation in MP.

He also hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for trying hard to make agriculture a profitable venture.

Chouhan said the government had extended Rs 4,800 crore as relief amount to farmers when their soyabean crop was destroyed last year. Similarly, Rs 4,400 crore went as crop insurance compensation sum last year.

After addressing the gathering, he also looked carried out the official business.

Farmer leaders to continue stir

After meeting the CM, the Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Sangh, which is part of the farmers' stir, said it would continue with the agitation till their demands are met. Earlier, the farmers' bodies had declared that the stir would last 10 days (till today).

Sangh state president Dev Narayan Patel after meeting Chouhan said, "We asked him to waive the loans of the farmers and pressed for the minimum support price (MSP) for farm produce.

"Our meeting with Chief Minister was cordial, but we will continue our agitation till our demands are met," he declared.

Asked about their next move, he said it would be communicated when the higher-ups take a decision on it.

Criticism from the Congress and the BJP's ally Shiv Sena

BJP ally Shiv Sena hit out Chouhan, saying instead of sitting on a fast here, the CM should have visited Mandsaur to comfort the farmers, while the Congress dubbed his fast as mere "nautanki" (drama).

"Chouhan should tell people whether his so-called fast was a 'nautanki' or an act of repentance for his misdeeds that set the state on fire," state Congress chief spokesman K K Mishra told PTI.

"Though he is trying to send a message that he is doing 'Gandhigiri' (Gandhian way of protest), it is not so. He neither sat beneath the statue of 'Bapu' nor garlanded Mahatma's statue before launching his 'nautanki'.

"After all, against whom has he started his fast at Dussehra Maidan? He should remember that (demon king) Ravana is burnt every year at the Dussehra Maidan. His Nautankibaji won't work as he has done such drama in the past against the UPA-2 government," he said.

The Congress also sought imposition of central rule in Madhya Pradesh, saying that the state was in turmoil.

Meanwhile, some Congressmen were rounded up near Board Office Square in Bhopal, when they were on their way to show black flags at Chouhan's fast site.

Sena's media in-charge Apoorva Dubey, who reached the Dusshera Maidan, told reporters, "Instead of sitting here, he should have gone to Mandsaur to comfort and help the farmers. Chouhan should sit indefinitely on the fast till the farmers' woes are mitigated, or else we will launch an indefinite fast in support of the farmers."

"Those farmers who have come to the Dussehra Maiden had been brought by the ruling BJP. Farmers' stir is the result of the failure of Chouhan, the state bureaucracy and the police," he alleged.

Farmers in the state began protests over low prices for their crops on June 1. The Mandsaur-Neemuch region, about 300 km from the state capital Bhopal, became the nerve centre of the gathering storm of farmer distress. Later, protests spread to some other parts of the state.

Death of a farmer allegedly in police custody

On the allegation that 26-year-old farmer Ghanashyam Dhakad died on Thursday night in police custody, Mandsaur district collector said the authorities were looking into the charge and that appropriate action would be taken if anyone was found guilty.

He said the kin of the deceased would be provided Rs 1 crore as compensation and a member of his family would be given a government job, as announced by the state government for the five other victims.

The last rites of Dhakad were performed at his native Badavan village in the violence-hit Mandsaur district.

Villagers had alleged that he was beaten up by policemen, leading to his death.
Bhopal: Various farmers' organisations from around the country will be assembling in Ratlam on Sunday to support the ongoing unrest in Madhya Pradesh and pay tributes to the farmers killed in police firing.

LIVE updates:

- Congress workers stage a demonstration against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Bhopal.

- Non-violence is Gandhiji's principle. I have decided to follow his footstep, Chouhan says.

- I can feel the pain of caning farmers and genuinely want to stop this violence, Chouhan further says.

- I request people not to burn up the state. All problems can be resolved peacefully, he adds,

- My life is dedicated to farmers. Their wellbeing is the mission of my life, the CM says.

- Will ensure an enquiry into the violent incidents. The culprits will not be spared, Chouhan announces.

- All efforts are directed at doubling farmers income and making agriculture remunerative, the CM asserts.

- Will leave no stone unturned for the betterment of the farmers, he adds.

- In last 11.5 years have worked tirelessly for all classes of young, women, farmers. Development has been the focus of my government, says Chouhan.

- Chouhan addresses the gathering, says more than 65 percent of the country's population is dependent on farming, adding that MP can't progress without farmers.

- State Agriculture Minister Gauri Shankar Bisen categorically refuses to provide any relief, saying the government has already been providing interest free loans and hence there`s no need for a waiver.

- Amid farmers' stir, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister begins indefinite fast in Bhopal for restoration of peace.

- CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan reaches Bhopal's Dussehra Maidan to sit on fast "for peace".

Mandsaur, the epicentre of farmers' agitation in Madhya Pradesh, remained peaceful on Friday.

While addressing a press conference, the CM said he would be available at the Dussehra Maidan from 11 am Saturday for farmers to come and discuss their issues but asserted that unruly elements would be dealt with strictly.

The opposition slammed him for his "drama" and "hypocrisy".

The farmers in the state are protesting over a demand for loan waivers from June 1 and setting suitable prices for the crops. During the protests six farmers have been killed in police firing in Mandsaur district while other regions of the state are also staging violent protests.

A wary central government, meanwhile, asked states adjoining Madhya Pradesh to keep strict vigil against the spread of farmers' protest.

The central government is in touch with states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra, and sensitising them against any possible protest by farmers, officials said in Delhi.
Bhopal: BJP ally Shiv Sena on Saturday hit out at Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the farmers' unrest in the state, saying instead of sitting on a fast here, the CM should have visited Mandsaur to comfort the farmers.

Congress also dubbed Chouhan's fast as mere "nautanki" (drama).

As the farmers' protests entered its tenth day in the state, Chouhan launched his indefinite fast at the Dusshera Maidan here today promising profitable prices to farmers for their produce.

Sena's media in-charge Apoorva Dubey, who reached the Dusshera Maidan, told reporters, "Instead of sitting here, he should have gone to Mandsaur to comfort and help the farmers. Chouhan should sit indefinitely on the fast till the farmers' woes are mitigated, or we else will launch an indefinite fast in support of the farmers."

"Those farmers who have come to the Dussehra Maiden had been brought by the ruling BJP. Farmers' stir is the result of the failure of Chouhan, the state bureaucracy and the police," he alleged.

Later, a delegation of Shiv Sena met Chouhan and suggested ways, including a loan waiver, to end the farmers unrest. After meeting the chief minister, Dubey did not speak to reporters.

State Congress chief spokesperson K K Mishra said, "Chouhan should tell people whether his so-called fast is a nautanki, an event or an act of repentance for his misdeeds that set the state on fire."

"Though he is trying to send a message that he is doing Gandhi-giri (using a Gandhian way), it is absolutely not so. He neither sat at the foot of the statue of Gandhi nor did he garland the statue before launching his nautanki," Mishra said.

"He should remember that (demon king) Ravana is burnt at the Dussehra Maidan every year," the Congress leader said.

Parts of western Madhya Pradesh has been on the boil ever since the farmers launched an agitation last week seeking loan waiver and better crop prices.

The situation has been volatile in Mandsaur and Neemuch in the last few days. Five farmers were killed in police firing at Mandsaur on Tuesday, while six others were injured.
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who began his indefinite hunger strike on Saturday asserted that he would not let the state engulf in violence and would ensure that peace returns.

"I discussed many problems and its solution. There are some issues which have already been addressed and there are some on which we have to take a decision. We are considering every issue seriously whether it is small or big. We will think about it and discuss it and thereafter, we will definitely take a decision in the interest of farmers," the Chief Minister said.

While appealing to the farmers to come forward and discuss all the issues, the Chief Minister further said he would not call off his hunger strike unless there is peace in the state.

"My fast will continue till there is peace in the entire state. Madhya Pradesh is a temple to me and its people are my God. People's pain is my pain," he added.

Claiming that the majority of the population in Madhya Pradesh is dependent on farming, Chouhan earlier in the day said that the state cannot progress without farmers.

"More than 65 percent of our population is dependent on farming. So the state cannot move ahead without the farmers," he said.

Highlighting his various schemes for the farmers, Chouhan further said, "Whenever, there has been a crisis, I did not sit in my office and visited the farmers myself."

Earlier in the day, Chouhan began his 'peace fast' for the solidarity of the state at the Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal where he has invited agitating farmers for talks.

Farmers in Madhya Pradesh are demanding better prices for their produce as also a waiver on loan repayments.

Reacting to Chouhan's indefinite fast, the Congress party earlier in the day accused the latter of doing political drama to gain the people's sympathy.

"I do not understand that instead of maintaining law and order which was their responsibility, they fired on farmers. The Chief Minister is doing these kinds of gimmicks to gain the people's sympathy," a state Congress leader Jeetu Patwari told ANI.

On the other hand, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)and the opposition Congress have locked horns over the farmers' agitation in Madhya Pradesh, with the former claiming that the latter was behind the chaos and violence in Mandsaur district that claimed six lives.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav attempted to reach Mandsaur earlier this week to commiserate with the agitating farmers, but police prevented their movement into the area.

Rahul Gandhi was even detained by the police under Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) before being released on bail after several hours.

He has claimed that the Centre is only firing at the farmers rather than providing them with solace and justice.

Meanwhile, Shivpuri Congress MLA Shakuntala Khatik has been seen on video repeatedly inciting party workers and farmers to burn down a police station in the area, even as she is being requested not to do so.

The video, which has gone viral, may further cement the Bharatiya Janata Party's ( BJP) allegation that the " Congress is instigating farmers for political gain."
Jerusalem: Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas has denied that it or any other militant group built a tunnel under two UN schools in Gaza after its discovery drew a strong UN protest.

Over the years, Gaza`s Hamas rulers have built a labyrinth of tunnels, some passing under the border into Israel which they used to launch attacks during their last conflict in 2014.

On June 1, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) found "part of a tunnel that passes under two adjacent agency schools in the Maghazi camp" during construction work, spokesman Christopher Gunness said on Friday.

Hamas "strongly condemned" the UNRWA statement, saying it would be exploited by Israel to "justify its crimes".

Hamas had clarified the issue "with all factions and resistance forces, who clearly stated they had no actions related to the resistance in the said location," the movement said, adding that it respected UNRWA`s work.

But Israel`s UN envoy Danny Danon said the Jewish state viewed the tunnel discovery "with the utmost seriousness".

"The discovery of this terror tunnel operating directly under the classrooms of young children is not an isolated incident, but rather the latest of deeply concerning attempts by Hamas terrorists to systematically exploit the organs of the UN," he said.

"The latest finding verifies once again that the Hamas cruelty knows no limits including endangering centres of education and using children as human shields," Danon said.

Gunness said that the tunnel "has no entry or exit points on the premises nor is it connected to the schools or other buildings in any way".

"UNRWA condemns the existence of such tunnels in the strongest possible terms. It is unacceptable that students and staff are placed at risk in such a way," he said.

Gunness said the agency had "robustly intervened and protested to Hamas in Gaza".

He said UNRWA will seal the tunnel, which was discovered while the schools were empty during the summer holiday.

Attack tunnels were a key weapon for Hamas during the 2014 Gaza war.

Hamas also built a vast network of tunnels under Gaza`s border with Egypt to smuggle goods and allegedly weapons.

The Israeli army found and destroyed several tunnels during the 2014 war.

Israel and Hamas have fought three wars in the Gaza Strip since the group wrested control of the territory from the rival Fatah movement of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in 2007.
Kohima: Veteran separatist Naga leader Khango Konyak will take over as the new chief of Myanmar-based National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) following the demise of S.S. Khaplang, a source close to the outfit said on Saturday.

However, no official announcement has been made from the NSCN-K yet on the appointment of a new chairman.

Khaplang, 77, died at the NSCN-K Council Headquarters in Taga in Myanmar`s Sagaing Division on Friday night.

The central government had in November 2015 declared the NSCN-K, all its formations and front organisations as terrorist organisations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Konyak, who held the rank of Lieutenant General in the Naga Army -- the armed wing of the NSCN-K, was elected as Vice Chairman of NSCN-K in May 2011. He had undergone guerrilla warfare training in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and in China.

Apart from military services, Konyak had held the post of Chairman, Konyak Region, and president of the Tuensang-Mon Regional Union.

Meanwhile, NSCN-IM General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and ULFA-I Chairman Abhizeet Asom have condoled the death of Khaplang.

In his condolence message, Muivah said: "Based on the declaration made by our Chairman late Isak Chisi Swu on the forgiveness and reconciliation, we have forgiven S.S. Khaplang of all the political mistakes and crimes he had committed, how grave they might be."

"The Naga Nation has lost a true and uncompromising Nationalist," Asom said, adding that as the Chairman of the United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia, Khaplang brought about a rare affinity amongst the armed cadres and the united stand had been reverberating across the region and beyond ever since".

Khaplang started the Naga armed struggle in the early 1960s by forming the Naga Defence Force after Zapu A.Z. Phizo declared war on India. Later, he became Vice Chairman of the Eastern Naga Revolutionary Council.

Khaplang was instrumental in paving the way for the Phizo-led Naga National Council rebels, including his former friend-turned-rival Thuingaleng Muivah, to reach China for guerrilla warfare training.

After the failure of the Shillong Accord signed between the Centre and Phizo`s Naga National Council in 1975, Khaplang and Muivah went underground.

The two Naga rebel leaders, along with Isak Chishi Swu, formed the National Socialist Council of Nagaland in 1980.

However, the group split in 1988, with Khaplang parting ways with Swu and Muivah due to clan rivalries between the Konyaks of Nagaland`s Mon district and the Tangkhuls of Manipur`s Ukhrul district.

Swu died in June 2016 in a Delhi hospital.

Khaplang also entered into a ceasefire with the central government in 1997 but abrogated it on March 28, 2015.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had filed a chargesheet against Khaplang and announced a reward of Rs 7 lakh on him and even sent a detailed dossier on him to Myanmar through diplomatic channels.
Mumbai: Actress Jacqueline Fernandez, who has signed a petition for a global ban on the practice of cosmetic animal testing, says as humans everyone needs to show responsibility towards animals.

Jacqueline on Friday launched The Body Shop's campaign Forever Against Animal Testing (FAAT), and the brand has pledged to generate 500,000 petitions towards the cause in India.



Talking about it, Jacqueline told the media here: "Animals are such innocent creatures as they don't have a language to communicate with. There is an immense need of pet education and animal welfare to be taught at the school level.



"India is one of the few countries which have banned animal testing, but through this initiative we want ban on animal testing across the world and I feel we should have responsibility towards animals as well."



The campaign aims to get a global ban imposed on cosmetics animal testing on products and ingredients by 2020. It has partnered with NGO Cruelty Free International for the same, and hope to take the matter to the United Nations.



Jacqueline, who is from Sri Lanka, is all for ethical beauty brands.



"It's so important for us, for our skin -- the more natural and organic you go the better it is for the maintenance of your skin," she added.



On the film front, Jacqueline is reportedly playing Karisma Kapoor's part in the remake of 1997 film "Judwaa", in "Judwaa 2". She features in the movie with Varun Dhawan and Taapsee Pannu, who recently completed the shoot of the original film's iconic song "Lift teri band hai".



Asked about the shooting experience, Jacqueline said: "It was a lot of fun to shoot for 'Judwaa 2'. We all went crazy shooting. Recreating the magic of Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor and David Dhawan again on screen, has been a phenomenal journey"



Other than that, Jacqueline has "A Gentleman" and "Drive" in her kitty.
New Delhi: Sri Guru Hargobind ji happens to be the sixth Sikh Guru. He is also known as 'Miri Piri Ka Malik' among the devotees as he carried two swords of Miri and Piri. This year, the birth anniversary or Prakash Utsav of Guru Hargobind Ji happens to be celebrated on June 5, 2017.

It is believed that the Sikh Guru was only 11 years of age when acquired the title of a 'Guru' on June 11, 1606, after his father Guru Arjan was executed by the Mughal emperor Jahangir.

In fact, he is the one who started the military tradition in Sikhism to fight with the Mughals. He had the longest tenure as Guru, lasting 37 years, 9 months and 3 days. Guru Hargobind Ji had three wives Mata Damodari, Mata Nanaki and Mata Maha Devi.

He built the Akal Takht in 1608  which is now one of five Takhts (Seats of Power) of the Sikhs.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the state government has declared June 10 as a holiday. Also, on July 5, an event will be held at the historical Gurudwara of Guru Hargobind Ji in Srinagar.

Sikhs across the nation celebrated the big day with offering prayers and seeking blessings of the Guru.
Chennai: MDMK chief and ex-lawmaker Vaiko, who arrived here after not being allowed to enter Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur to attend a marriage, claimed on Saturday that he was deported because he was considered "a security threat" by the Malaysian authorities due to his links with the LTTE.

Vaiko returned to Chennai Friday night. The MDMK leader had been invited to attend the wedding of Penang Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy's daughter on June 10.

"As soon as I reached the check-in counter, they saw my name and said that I am blacklisted and can't enter Malaysia. Thereafter, I was taken to the immigration office where I was questioned for several hours," Vaiko said.

"They asked whether I was a Tamilian from Sri Lanka, I said no. I even showed them my ID card. They said that a lot of cases have been charged against me and asked me whether I belong to the LTTE. I said I am a supporter of the LTTE," he added.

Vaiko said he informed Ramasamy of the development, who contacted Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Young so that they could inform the security and immigration officials about the purpose of his visit.

"I showed them a wedding invitation. I told them that I had travelled to Kuala Lanpur in 2015 as well. Later, I apprised Deputy Chief Minister Ramasamy about this. He contacted Penang Chief Minister Lim Kuan. He later contacted Deputy Prime Minister to talk about my release," he said.

"The Penang Chief Minister told me that the officials are stubborn and that I am (seen as) a security threat to Malaysia. Later instructions came from the Deputy PM's office not to allow me to enter Kuala Lumpur," he concluded.
Lima: Since March 27, it was decided to exempt, with some restrictions, the temporary tourist and business visa to the citizens of India who visit Peru, according to Supreme Decree No. 006- 2017-RE of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As India is the second most populated country in the world and with an economic growth that places it among the four largest emerging economies in the world, this becomes an exceptional opportunity to strengthen our strategies and increase the arrival of Indian visitors to our country.

According to the Supreme Decree, the exemption will apply to Indian citizens holding valid ordinary passports and proving that they will comply at least one of the following conditions:

A) Hold visas with a minimum validity of six (6) months of the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom -Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Australia or any State belonging to the Schengen Area.

B) To have permanent residence in the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Australia or any State belonging to the Schengen Area.

The document stipulates that Indian citizens will have a maximum period of stay that will be up to one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days, whether as a continuous visit or several consecutive visits, during the period of one year.

It is worth noting that in 2016 there were 5,900 international arrivals coming from India, representing a growth of 4% with respect to the previous year. In addition, Indian travelers look for destinations rich in culture and unique natural beauty, are frequent travelers and have a travel culture to destinations such as Europe and North America. Therefore, PROMPERU will work in activities directed to the Indian tourist, revealing the extent of culture and history that our country has to offer.
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday sought explanations from 10 "worst performing" development authorities and nagar nigams in addressing public grievances under their jurisdictions.

The development authorities of Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Saharanpur, Jhansi, Meerut, Agra, Allahabad, Gorakhpur and Gautam Budhnagar are under the watch.

The Chief Minister has asked for clarification from the vice chairpersons of these agencies.

Also, explanations have been sought from the nagar ayukts of Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Jhansi, Agra, Bareilly, Allahabad and Saharanpur.

Asserting that his government is committed to a time- bound and qualitative redressal of public grievances, the Chief Minister said all those found lax in this regard will be taken to task.

He directing the Chief Secretary to seek explanation from officials of these Development Authorities and Nagar Nigams, and esnure proper and timely redress of public grievances.
Kannauj: The Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday arrested a tantric who was on the run after sexually assaulting and murdering a 14-year-old girl in what has turned out to be a case of human sacrifice.

The incident took place in Bhadausi village of Kannauj district earlier this week, when accused occultist cum teacher Krishna Kumar Sharma took the girl into a corn field and raped her before murdering the minor.

Kannauj: Man molested & killed 14-year old on pretext of performing rituals to get her father gold; father dreamt of gold hidden in a field. pic.twitter.com/bbWG40SJml  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 10, 2017

Giving details about the crime, Kannauj Assistant Superintendent of Police Keshav Chandra Goswami told ANI, "The father of the girl, Mahaveer Prasad, contacted the occultist to seek his help in finding gold buried in the premises of the former's house. Police said he told them that he advised Mahaveer and his wife Pushpa (50) that if they sacrificed their daughter they would get five kilos of buried gold within hours of the ritual."

The accused agreed to help and invited the family to a local temple, where he recited some prayers and then took the girl, who was semi-conscious, to the field on the pretext of completing the ritual. The girl was stripped for the ritual in front of the parents. He then strangulated her as a part of the ritual and the dumped the body in a nearby field.

While dumping the body of the girl, the tantric raped it as her parents stood nearby. After the crime, he then slightly cut open the neck to collect the blood to be offered to the deity.

The accused made the parents believe that the girl would regain her consciousness in some time and fled from the scene.

The victims father, Mahaveer Prasad (55), who is a jeweller, then complained to the police against the tantric for kidnapping his daughter, Kavita.

The police recovered the body on June 8 from the field and has sent it for postmortem. The girls parents have been taken into custody for questioning.

The ASP told the media that the victims father could be involved in the murder plot, however the facts could be ascertained only once the investigation is completed.
Kabul: The Interior Ministry says at least three civilians have been shot and killed by gunmen inside a mosque in eastern Afghanistan.



In a statement released today the ministry says that nine others were wounded in the attack last night in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province.



The ministry strongly condemned the attack and called it an act against Islam and humanity. It said the civilians were attacked while praying.



No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Taliban and Haqqani network are active in Paktia and neighboring provinces and often target government officials as well as Afghan security forces in the region.
Baghdad: Iraq`s paramilitary Hashed al-Shaabi forces said Saturday that they had retaken all areas west of Mosul from the Islamic State group except the town of Tal Afar.



The umbrella organisation, which is dominated by Iran-backed Shiite militias, has been fighting primarily on a separate western front since the battle to retake Mosul was launched in October last year.



Their main objective has been to isolate IS fighters battling elite forces inside the city by cutting off their supply lines to remaining strongholds in the Syrian part of their now crumbing "caliphate".



"Hashed forces declare the liberation of all areas west of Mosul except Tal Afar," the organisation said on social media.



Tal Afar is a large town that lies about 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Mosul on the way to Syria and is still at the hands of the jihadists, although almost completely surrounded by anti-IS forces.



While the Counter-Terrorism Service and other federal forces were retaking Mosul one neighbourhood after another as well as urban areas around it, Hashed forces worked their way north and west through mostly desert regions of Iraq.



The Hashed`s top Iraqi military commander, known as Abu Mahdi al-Mohandis, spoke overnight to hail the achievements of his forces.



"The Hashed are awaiting orders from the prime minister and commander-in-chief of the armed forces (Haider al-Abadi) to storm the district of Tal Afar," he was quoted as saying in a statement.



He said that Hashed forces had taken control of an area about two kilometres from Iraq`s western border with neighbouring Syria, where another alliance of forces backed a US-led coalition is battling IS.



"The Hashed have not entered yet," he said, without elaborating.



Abadi has repeatedly said that no Iraqi forces should cross the border into Syria.



The Hashed al-Shaabi is nominally under his command but some of its components have for years been sending fighters to support Damascus in its six-year-old conflict against various rebel groups.
Islamabad/Beijing: The Islamic State terror group has claimed that it had killed two Chinese hostages, including a woman, who were abducted by armed gunmen from Pakistan's restive Balochistan province recently.

The hostages were studying Urdu language at a local teaching center in the provincial capital of Quetta when they were forcibly kidnapped by unknown gunmen last month.

Another Chinese woman had escaped the abduction.

The ISIS on its propaganda news agency 'Amaq' uploaded a statement in Arabic yesterday, saying it had killed the two abducted Chinese nationals.

Confirming reports of the killing of its nationals, China today said the murders have not been connected to China- Pakistan Economic Corridor but asserted that such risks are unavoidable as its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) goes global.

China had worked closely with Pakistan to rescue them but "the two may have unfortunately been killed", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said in Beijing, stating that Pakistan has informed China about their deaths.

This incident will not have any connection with the BRI, nor with the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting being held in Astana, Hua said.

China has deployed hundreds of its workers to work for the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is being opposed by the Baloch nationalists.

Hua said contrary to reports the two were not married and hailed from different provinces in China.

Pakistan pays great attention to the protection of Chinese citizens in the institutions there and made great efforts for their security, she said.

After this incident, the Pakistan side had made their utmost efforts to rescue the hostage. Pakistan has also pledged to continue to take necessity actions to protect the Chinese citizens and institutions in the country, she said.

She, however, said Chinese people should be prepared to take risks as the multi-billion BRI spreads to different parts of the country. "As per BRI we should be prepared for risks if want to go global," she said.

"The world today is far from tranquil. In the process of promoting BRI it is inevitable that we will counter all kind of security issues and it should be taken seriously all the countries promoting economic cooperation," she said.

Pakistan Foreign Office said the government is working to confirm authenticity of the reports of the killing of two Chinese nationals.

"We are in constant contact with the Chinese Government. Pakistan remains committed to fight terrorism in all its forms. Dastardly acts of terrorism cannot weaken our resolve to eliminate this menace," the Foreign Office said in a statement.

It said Chinese living in Pakistan are "our honored guests and brothers, and we will continue to take all measures to ensure their safety."

The ISIS claim came a day after the Pakistan Army said that it had carried out an operation against ISIS in Balochistan, killing at least 12 militants.

Local media had reported that the operation was launched after intelligence reports suggested that the militants were hiding there with the Chinese hostages.

Pakistan has been grappling with Islamist and nationalist insurgencies in Balochistan since 2004, with hundreds of soldiers and militants killed in the fighting.

ISIS has been making inroads in Pakistan with the help of its ties with local militant outfits like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. However, the government has largely downplayed the presence of the dreaded terror outfit.
Pyongyang: North Korea will soon be ready to test fire an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), a state-run daily said on Saturday.

Rodong Sinmun, the official daily of the Workers` Party of Korea, in an article said the latest series of weapons tests show that the country is not too far away from test-firing an ICBM, reports Efe news.

The article indicates that Pyongyang has made advances in its missile technology since North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said in his New Year`s speech that the country was in the final stages of developing ICBM technology.

Pyongyang has test-fired several missiles this year, with the latest on Thursday when it launched several anti-ship cruise missiles from its southeastern coast - its 10th missile test of the year.

The regime also tested a mid-range ballistic missile on May 29.

North Korea is convinced it can successfully carry out an ICBM launch and it would be a blow to the policies of the United States against Pyongyang, the official newspaper said.

The US has never initiated a war against a state that possesses nuclear weapons or ICBMs, the daily added.

Pyongyang`s repeated weapons tests have hardened Washington`s rhetoric following Donald Trump`s arrival in the White House, whose administration has hinted at the possibility of pre-emptive strikes.
Astana/Islamabad: Russian President Vladimir Putin has termed Pakistan as an important partner for his country in South Asia, a media report said.

He conveyed this to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana on Friday.

The two leaders discussed bilateral relations, including trade and economic cooperation, and also current international issues during the meeting. Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir were present at the meeting, Pakistan Today reported.

Putin congratulated Sharif on Pakistan`s accession to the SCO. Putin said: "I am glad that we met for a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the SCO Summit."

He said Russia-Pakistan relations have been constructive and mutually beneficial. "our relations are developing in many areas, and our trade has increased, even if only by a few percentage points. Of course, we are able to do much more than we are doing now," he said.

In turn, Prime Minister Sharif thanked President Putin, and the Russian Federation for supporting Pakistan`s full membership in the SCO.

Sharif said, "while in Ufa we did agree on improving Pakistan-Russian bilateral trade, there is improvement but not the level that we agreed upon. It has been always my endeavour to build and strengthen our relationship and I am continuing to strive for that."

There has been growing bonhomie between Russia and Pakistan, with both holding their first-ever joint military exercise in September 2016 in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, and the first-ever Russia-Pakistan consultation on regional issues in mid-December 2016 at Islamabad. Both sides also inked a deal for Mi-35 helicopters.

Russia`s ambassador to Pakistan, Alexey Y. Dedov, is reported to have said that Moscow and Islamabad have held discussions to merge the China-backed CPEC with the Russia-backed Eurasian Economic Union.
Moscow: Moscow called today for dialogue between Qatar and its neighbours in the Gulf, promising help in mediating the crisis, as Russia's foreign minister met his Qatari counterpart.



"We have observed with concern the news of this escalation," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in opening remarks of his meeting with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani in Moscow.



"We cannot be happy in a situation when the relations between our partners are worsening. We are in favour of resolving any disagreements through dialogue."



Qatar is reaching out for support abroad as it has fallen out with its Arab neighbours, who accuse it of sponsoring extremist groups and resent its ties to the Muslim Brotherhood movement and sponsorship of Al-Jazeera network.



Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have cut diplomatic ties Monday and are trying to blockade Qatar by air and sea.



Lavrov said that Russia is "ready to try to do everything in its power" to help resolve the crisis and said unity is needed to fight terrorism.



"For us, unity is clearly necessary for maximum effect on this front (against terrorism)," he said.



Qatar has denounced the allegations against it and Al- Thani during his meeting with Lavrov called the measures against the country "illegal".



Some reports alleged that Russian hackers helped spark the crisis but Moscow has dismissed this as a "stale claim" with "zero evidence."
Dubai: Saudi Arabia and its allies Saturday welcomed an accusation by President Donald Trump that Qatar was bankrolling extremism but ignored a separate US call for them to ease their economic blockade.



Trump`s comments came as Washington joins intensifying international efforts to heal the worsening rift between the key Western Gulf allies, which has escalated into the region`s worst diplomatic crisis in years.



Qatar denies the allegations and has sent its top diplomat on a tour of European capitals in a bid to drum up support.



But its neighbours seized on Trump`s remarks as vindication of their position and of the crippling sanctions they imposed on Monday.



The United Arab Emirates welcomed "President Trump`s leadership in challenging Qatar`s troubling support for extremism".



"The next step is for Qatar to acknowledge these concerns and commit to reexamine its regional policies," its ambassador to the United States Yousef al-Otaiba told the official WAM news agency.

"This will provide the necessary basis for any discussions," he added.



Saudi Arabia said an immediate change of policy by Qatar was essential.



"Fighting terrorism and extremism is no longer a choice, rather... a commitment requiring decisive and swift action to cut off all funding sources for terrorism regardless of its financier," the Saudi Press Agency cited an official source as saying.



Bahrain "stressed the necessity of Qatar`s commitment to correct its policies and to engage in a transparent manner in counter-terrorism efforts", its official BNA news agency said.



The three governments made no comment on separate remarks by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urging them to ease their land and sea blockade of Qatar, which he said was hindering the US-led campaign against the Islamic State group and having humanitarian consequences for ordinary people.



Qatar`s neighbours have given its citizens 14 days to leave, banned Qatari flights from their airspace and closed its only land border.



Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani was in Moscow on Saturday after talks in Germany on Friday.



Qatar ally Turkey meanwhile hosted the Bahraini foreign minister for talks on the crisis.
Marawi: United States special forces are providing support to the Philippine military battling to dislodge Islamist militants in a southern city, the US embassy said today, as 13 Filipino marines were killed in fresh fighting.

Philippine troops are struggling to defeat hundreds of fighters, who rampaged through Marawi on May 23 flying black flags of the Islamic State (IS) group, and have used civilians as human shields, bomb-proof tunnels and anti-tank weapons to fortify their positions.

Yesterday's ferocious, street-to-street gunbattles with the militants saw 13 troops killed, in a dramatic surge in the toll from the conflict, Philippine military spokesmen said.

A 15-year-old boy was also killed by a stray bullet as he took part in Friday prayers at a mosque in Marawi as the skirmishes raged outside, an AFP video journalist said.

It was among the heaviest fighting seen in mainly Muslim Marawi as the air force battered parts of the city with strikes to support ground troops. Some 40 marines were wounded in the gunbattles that lasted 14 hours, according to military spokesman Colonel Edgardo Arevalo.

As the conflict intensified, the US embassy in Manila said American forces were providing assistance to the Filipino troops, although it declined to give details for security reasons.

"At the request of the government of the Philippines, US special operations forces are assisting the (Philippine military) with ongoing operations in Marawi," the embassy said in a statement.



Marawi-based military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jo-ar Herrera confirmed the US help, adding that the special forces were not fighting, but "providing technical support".

He told AFP yesterday's deaths amounted to the military's biggest single-day loss in the campaign.

"There were intense firefights, house-to-house gunbattles," Herrera said at a news conference in Marawi earlier, adding that the total number of government troops killed in the conflict was 58.

Over 20 civilians have been confirmed killed due to the fighting, according to the government, but the true number is likely to be higher with authorities yet to fully assess the roughly 10 per cent of Marawi still being held by the militants.

Tens of thousands have fled Marawi, which is the Catholic country's most important Muslim city, as the fighting ripped through residential neighbourhoods, with more than 200,000 displaced people now living in precarious conditions and vulnerable to deadly health risks, the International Committee of the Red Cross warned yesterday.

About 2,000 people are also believed to still be trapped in militant-held areas as insurgents continue to entrench themselves in the city two weeks ito the conflict, which saw them take a

Catholic priest hostage, open up two jails and destroy many buildings.

Herrera said security forces were struggling to contain the fighters without causing civilian casualties.

"The local terrorist groups are using the mosque, they are entrenched there. They also used civilians as human shields... We are very precise in our operations to avoid collateral damage."
Marawi City: U.S. special forces have joined the battle to crush Islamist militants holed up in a southern Philippines town, officials said on Saturday, as government forces struggled to make headway and 13 marines were killed in intense urban fighting.



The Philippines military said the United States was providing technical assistance to end the siege of Marawi City by fighters allied to Islamic State, which is now in its third week, but it had no boots on the ground.



"They are not fighting. They are just providing technical support," military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jo-Ar Herrera told a news conference in Marawi City.



The U.S. embassy confirmed it had offered support, at the request of the Philippines government, but gave no details.



A U.S. P3 Orion surveillance plane was seen flying over the town on Friday, media said.



The cooperation between the longtime allies is significant because President Rodrigo Duterte, who came to power a year ago, has taken a hostile stance towards Washington and has vowed to eject U.S. military trainers and advisers from his country.



The seizure of Marawi City on May 23 has alarmed Southeast Asian nations which fear that Islamic State - facing setbacks in Syria and Iraq - is establishing a stronghold on the Philippine island of Mindanao that could threaten the whole region.



About 40 foreigners have fought alongside the Philippine militants in Marawi City, most of them from Indonesia and Malaysia, though some came from the Middle East.



The Philippines military suffered its biggest one-day loss on Friday since 10 troops were killed in a friendly-fire incident on June 1. Herrera said 13 marines conducting clearing operations died after an "intense" house-to-house firefight during which they encountered improvised explosive devices and were attacked by rocket-propelled grenades.



The deaths took to 58 the number of security forces killed, with 20 civilians and more than a hundred rebel fighters also killed in the Marawi fighting.

REPORTS OF MAUTE BROTHERS KILLED



At least 200 militants are holed up in a corner of the town. An estimated 500 to 1,000 civilians are trapped there, some being held as human shields, while others are hiding in their homes with no access to running water, electricity or food.



The military said it was making headway in the town but was proceeding carefully so as not to destroy mosques where some of the militants had taken up positions.



"We give premium to the mosques, because this is very symbolic to our Muslim brothers," Herrera said.



The Philippines is majority Christian, but Mindanao has a significant population of Muslims and Marawi City is overwhelmingly Muslim.



One of the main Islamist factions dug in around the heart of the city is the Maute group, a relative newcomer amid the throng of insurgents, separatists and bandits on Mindanao.



Herrera said the military was "validating" reports that the two Maute brothers who founded the group had been killed.



"We are still awaiting confirmation," he said. "We are still validating those reports but there are strong indications."



Maute joined forces with Isnilon Hapilon, who was last year proclaimed by Islamic State as its Southeast Asia "emir". Military officials believe Hapilon is still in the town.



The military has said it is aiming to end the siege by Monday, the Philippines` independence day.

(Additional reporting by Karen Lema in MANILA; Writing by John Chalmers; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)


YEREVAN, JUNE 9, ARMENPRESS. Talks are underway on the issue of relocating traders of Yerevans Firdus Street market, Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan told reporters on June 9, reports Armenpress

He added that the traders were aware of the issue a year ago. We must create favorable conditions for our traders to carry out their activity. We are holding talks with other markets so that to provide traders free and convenient places for conducting their works, the Mayor said.

Taron Margaryan expressed hope the Firdus district will be constructed in a short period of time. There are already investors, and we want to complete the process as soon as possible, he said.

The construction of Firdus district is planned to be carried out in the upcoming 4-5 years. The total investment of the program will cost nearly 300 million USD.
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS. The Turkish President has promised to continue supporting Qatar after Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt severed ties with tiny but resource-rich emirate, accusing Doha of funding terrorist organizations, RT reports.

Now, there are ones who are bothered because of us being together with our Qatari brothers or sending and exporting food supplies, drugs etc  no matter if they are in hunger or thirst  should excuse us. We will continue to give all our support to Qatar, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at an iftar (fast-breaking meal) with members of his Justice and Development (AK) Party in Istanbul.

The Turkish leader has urged Saudi Arabia, as the largest and most powerful state in the Gulf, to reduce tensions and lift sanctions.

It is wrong to add more troubles on top of everything in the term that the Muslim world is already struggling with a lot of problems, he said. I am calling you: There won't be any winners in the brother's fight.

You have to work for bringing brothers together. This is what we expect from Saudi, the Custodian of the Holy Mosques [in Mecca and Medina], Erdogan added.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut diplomatic ties and traffic links with Doha Monday, after accusing Doha of sponsoring terrorism. On Thursday, they designated 59 individuals and 12 Qatari-linked entities as terrorist organizations.
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS. CNN  Americas major news broadcaster, has fired Reza Aslan, the host of a documentary series on the network, whose profane anti-Trump tweets were widely criticized earlier this week, CNN reported.

The network said Friday that it has "decided to not move forward with production" on Aslan's "Believer" series.

Season one of "Believer" premiered in March. Season two was announced at an event for advertisers in mid-May. Aslan's production company had already started working on the new episodes.

But the network decided to break off the production relationship after Aslan called President Trump a piece of excrement, using an expletive, last Saturday.

CNN's decision came about a week after it split with Kathy Griffin, the comedian who has co-hosted the network's New Year's Eve show for the past decade. Griffin was shown in photos holding up a bloodied head depicting the president. First she defended it as artistic, then she issued an apology. CNN fired her the next day.
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS. Arthur Javadyan  president of Armenias Central Bank, held a meeting with participants of the annual meeting of the IMF and World Bank Belgium and Netherland-led subgroups countries.

The Cenbank told ARMENRESS that upon greeting the guests, Javadyan mentioned that he is glad to host the participants of the meeting this year and especially thanked his Croatian counterpart BorisVujcic for supporting the relocation of the meeting venue to Armenia.

Javadyan mentioned that for the past 25 years Armenia has been productively cooperating with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

He emphasized that during these years this institutions have played a significant role in the development of Armenias economy, by supporting both public and private sectors. Javadyan highly appreciated the IMF and WB assistance in the reforms.

The Cenbank president noted that these annual meetings of the subgroups remain one the best platforms for exchange of new ideas and discussion of ongoing projects.

Ongoing economic issues are planned to be discussed during the meeting.

Earlier the participants of the session were hosted in the Presidents Office.
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS. Russian writer Eduard Limonov, who has published numerous articles about the Repuplic of Artsakh, has been blacklisted by Azerbaijans foreign ministry, Lenta reported.

After visiting Artsakh, Limonov wrote articles in the Opinions section of Russian media outlets about his impressions.

In an article for   (Free Press) he urged to recognize the Republic of Artsakh.

They only have a population of 160 thousand, however of high quality. Mountainous Armenians have the most combat morale. Lets make them our partner and friend. We dont have anyone else other than them there, do we, he said.

In another blog article, the Russian writer said I was in the independent Republic of Nagorno Karabakh.
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS. Armenias minister of foreign affairs Edward Nalbandian held a meeting on June 10 with OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs Igor Popov, Stephane Visconti, Richard Hoagland and personal representative of the OSCE chairperson in office Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk.

FM Nalbandian drew the attention of the Ambassadors on the fact that an agreement was reached during the meeting of the foreign ministers of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan in Moscow in the presence of the Ambassadors themselves regarding a similar press release, which was published by the foreign ministries of Armenia and Russia, while the Azerbaijani foreign ministry, as always, not only didnt implement the agreement, but also made an absurd comment that allegedly the foreign ministers in the Moscow meeting didnt highlight the implementation of the agreements reached at the previous years summits, but rather the negotiations of the summits were discussed during the negotiations.

Nalbandian underscored that although the May 18 targeted statement of the Co-Chairs wasnt the first one, Azerbaijan continues to not only ignore the urges and calls of the Co-Chairs, but also to do the complete opposite.

Nalbandian said situation is maturing where the Co-Chairing countries, as a format having international mandate of mediation and conflict settlement efforts, should not only make statements, but also take relevant specific actions, in order to restrain this destructive and provocative policy of Azerbaijan.
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan held a meeting on June 10 with Dimitry Kumsishvili - First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Georgia.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the IMF/WB Belgium and Netherlands subgroup countries.

Karapetyan and Kumsishvili discussed the Armenian-Georgian relations, namely economic cooperation.

The sides touched upon joint projects in various branches and discussed future actions. They were pleased to note that the commercial turnover volume between Armenia and Georgia is steadily growing, which must be enhanced even more.

Karapetyan and Kumsishvili reaffirmed mutual willingness on continuing active cooperation for boosting business ties between the countries, attracting investments, partnership in FEZs and tourism sectors, deepening inter-cultural ties and other directions.
This article originally ran in the June 2017 issue of AVN magazine. Click here to see the digital magazine.

For as long as he can rememberand long before he became the most sought-after DJ with a gay porn connectionChi Chi LaRue has had a passion for music. His sister turned him on to bands like the Beatles and the Cowsills, and he has fond memories of listening to the Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack in his basement as a kid growing up in Hibbing, Minnesotathe hometown of Bob Dylan.

The very first record album I ever had was The Carpenters Greatest Hits. I bought it at a gas station; I think it was on sale for like a dollar, LaRue recalls fondly. There was also a local store near my house called Shopko that on Tuesdays would have any record album for like a dollar. Needless to say, I bought a lot of record albums. They would even sell record albums at the grocery store, and there was a music store that had them. So sometimes when I was supposed to be going to Wednesday night Bible study, I would not go to that, and go to the record store.

He would often buy records simply based on the covers. While going to school in the 70s, he loved the Village People and Donna Summer (the Bad Girls album was fucking my life, forever), and then discovered bands like the Runaways, Cheap Trick and Blondie.

I wasnt really into heavy punk rock; I liked the Ramones, but I was scared of the Sex Pistols and those kind of bands, he laughs. I liked the idea of the all-girl bands, and I loved KissI drove to Duluth from Hibbing as a kid. I would go to concerts whenever possible. And the very first time I was ever in a disco, I went with my sister after a Runaways concert in Minneapolis. We went to First Avenue, which was called Uncle Sams then, and it had the lighted disco floor like Saturday Night Fever. I was only a senior in high school.

He loved dance music and anything female-vocalist related, including France Joli and Cher (she was my queen, and still is)even albums from television stars like Lisa Hartman and Kristy McNichol would excite him. LaRue soon started playing music during his open study period at school: Nobody studied. I would play music up there for everyone, and no one really cared for my musical tastes. They wanted to listen to Foreigner, which I like, but I wanted to play the Runaways, Donna Summer and the Village People.

In college, he got more positive responses while controlling the jams at his own parties. Then off to the big city, he continued the trendand discovered the Minneapolis sound pioneered by Prince, a connection that seemed destined.

I was lucky enough to be in Purple Rain. I filmed for many days on that movieI sat right in front of Apollonia when she sang Sex Shooter. I saw Prince at many surprise concerts at First Avenue, I went to a couple of his birthday parties. He would play a show in these warehouses  my roommate was dating Jimmy Jam at the time, so we would get invited. I met Prince many times. He told me how to get my hair cut once, and I did it immediately.

LaRue then started to do drag, incorporating music into his performanceslip syncing to the likes of the Weather Girls, Madonna and the Flirts. I was always wanting to be a DJ, I was always friends with the DJs, I was always requesting songs and giving new songs to DJs in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Music influenced my life, and still does.

After moving to Los Angeles and becoming an instantly famous porn director, LaRue would continue to host parties and play music: I was making mixed tapes, trying to get songs as close as possible so there was no break. It seemed that people liked my musical choices at parties. And then I just became a little bored with doing drag. I wasnt bored being in drag, I was just bored with doing shows and stuff. I wanted to be more in control because, well, Im a control freak, you know? Whatever, he says with a laugh.

On a trip to Fubar in Los Angeles around 2005, LaRue saw Jackie Beat in the DJ booth. I was thinking to myself, Okay, if this bitch can DJ, I can DJ. She actually let me come in the booth and play a round  so thats how I kind of started.

LaRue started booking similar places like Mickys in West Hollywood, and soon helped acclaimed designer friend Michael Schmidt start a night at Fubar called Dirty Deeds. It included go-go dancers and gay porn starsappearance payments that left LaRue breaking even at the end of the night.

It was fun, but I was getting tired of doing it for nothing, so I started getting gigs in different places, and I really  wasnt that good, he admits. I still could be better. I dont really mixI call myself a drag queen jukebox. I just play songs, and Im pretty good at musicality and know when to start the next songtheres no break in between. But I dont necessarily mix beats or beat matchand Im not into circuit club music, tribal, heavy house or anything like that. I like happy gay music with words. I call myself a 15-year-old girl trapped in a 57-year-old mans body.

His sets are a mix of pop and dance, with plenty of 80s and disco music. I like throwbacks. What Im known for I guess is my ability to play current music along with hip-hop, pop and throw in classics  Im kind of all over the board, but Im pretty good at knowing how to take people on kind of a journey.

LaRue laughs that its kind of strange, but he usually starts his sets with the same three songs: Break Free by Ariana Grande, Tik Tik Boom by Britney Spears and Rollercoaster by Bean. Theyre comfortable for me, and I know they go well together.

He has recently experimented with some other starter songs based on where hes performing. During GayDays in Orlando, he often has to follow a heavier DJand admits its sometimes a weird segue way from aggressive house to Britney Spears, but Im pretty good at picking my songs. Ive got musicality on my side.

I still play CDs. People still look at me like I have four heads when I walk in with CDs and not a computer, and I tell them Im a 57-year-old man who needs glasses and I cant see the computer screen, so shut up. I dont use headphones, I dont do any of that. I have mad props for DJs that can mix so seamlessly. Its something I would really like to learn, but with the kind of music I play, I dont know if thats really necessary.

LaRue says he is blessed and grateful for the gigs he hassome that have been recurring for a decade, like GayDays in Orlando. He also DJs Skin Trade, the Grabbys opening night party in Chicago; and annually does Southern Decadence in New Orleans. He recently returned from Australia after DJing the after party for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and performed at the Globe Theatre in Los Angeles for RuPauls DragCon.

I was the opening before they did the big show. I was DJing and it was amazing because I was on stage, and it was like a freakin concert, he gushes. I felt like Calvin Harris up thereall these people in this huge theater watching the DJ. It was fun because I would step out from behind the booth and perform, kind of play with the crowd a little bit and lip sync to the songs like I did at Mardi Gras, too.

Other upcoming gigs include DJing at a new club in Fort Lauderdale, a trip to NYC Pride and DJing the Closing Dream Dance Cruise for the Gay & Sober Men Conference. Hes then off to Faces Nightclub in Sacramento before putting his DJ hat on hold to shoot a movie for Raging Stallion. Its been really nice to be able to juggle the two, you know? Porn directing and DJing, I couldnt ask for anything more.

Its especially gratifying given that LaRue will mark two years of sobriety on

July 1. Theres places I go to all over, including Houston, Austin, Edmontonall these amazing places that Ive been to many times, and Ive carved my niche in there. And its really fun  it also allows me to be in the mix, still have fun and be a part of everything without being in a club and just sitting there and not having fun because Im not drinking.

Everyone always says [adopts whiny voice], Well, you can have fun and not drink! And its like, well, yeah, I can  its just not really fun when people start getting really sloppy and drunk unless Im sloppy and drunk, and I dont want to be sloppy and drunk. I dont want to fall down, break my nose and shit myself. I wanna be up at Starbucks in the morning! he laughs.

If youre playing mind-numbing drug music, thats not fun for me. Some porn boys dance at parties where its all about the drugs, all about taking ecstasy and being fucked up, being on the dance floor and losing your mind, watching the lights flicker by while theres a sex show on stageand thats not my scene. I really like to do personal appearances with the boys where its a little more lowkey.

The connection to porn is more than enough to give LaRue that added rock star rush, especially knowing that his DJing skills are enhancing the sexual energy of a roomand the desires of everyone in it.

I kind of feel like porn stars are todays rock stars, he says. Porn has a party atmosphere, as does music, so the two together really work. Rocco Steele was just here in Minnesota and we did a thing at the Saloon, and its like they are coming to see a rock star. Rocco is probably one of the biggest rock stars right now, and there were a lot of people there to see him. I see these guys that people really flock to  its just wild how people want to be near them and take pictures with them, watch them on stage like they are watching a concert. And I love to be the one that plays the music while theyre dancing.
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.
"Someone ought to do something about that!"

"SOMEONE"



X marks the approximate spot of the Historical Marker.



Research Sites:

The inventor of Coca-Cola died penniless and addicted toMorphine. John Pemberton fought in the civil war on the losing side. He was almost killed by a saber wound and became addicted to morphine to ease the pain.Because of the high cost of the drug in those times, he devoted his skills to find an alternative to the drug. His invention was advertised as a painkiller. One year after the Civil War, he marketed his drink as "Pemberton's French Wine Coca." It contained alcohol among other secrete ingredients.However, as is the case with most good things a group ofpassed legislation that banned the use of alcohol in drinks for public consumption. As a medical pharmacist, he intended to sell his alcohol drink as a medicine. After he was forced to remove the alcohol, somewhere along the way the syrup was mixed with carbonated water and he decided to sell is as a non-alcoholic-medical drink. I don't know this for a fact but I think this may have been the origination of the "BYOB" craze which is still running strong today. After all who would want to have a party with the cry "Bring your own Coke" or at least until Merle Haggard sang " I wish coke was still cola." The drink not take off immediately and Pemberton had to sell partial rights to the formula to sustain his addiction to morphine. He died before the drink became a popular national drink. He was broke and still addicted to morphine. His son passed six years later also addicted to morphine and the most of the family did not profit from the eventual success of the drink. Enter Asa Candler the P.T. Barnum of the beverage industry. With Asa's advertising and flair for promotion the drink became known world wide. While he did not approve of alcohol consumption he did realize the value of the soft drink. Contrary to popular lore the drink did not contain cocaine. The drink Logo was soon seen on all types of articles as advertising. In the last decade of his life (68) his children sold control of the Coca-Cola Company to a syndicate led by Ernest Woodruff whose sons ran the business. (Kemp, Kathryn W. "Asa Candler (1851-1929)." New Georgia Encyclopedia. 29 July 2013) Robert Woodruff was the President of the company from 1923 until 1954. His brother George Woodruff was a director.The drink that we Atlanta's residents' claim as our own was first sold at a Pharmacy in Atlanta. It now has its headquarters building on North Avenue. But the pharmacy at the site of the first location, Jacob's Wholesale Pharmacy has been long gone as has its replacement. The first location according to the history was at Marietta and Decatur Street in Five Points Atlanta, Georgia.Atlanta has a long history of not preserving historical building. In fact we often go much further than even General Sherman did. We tear down anything that gets in the way of 'progress' and build something else there (namely more roads going in circles). The original building was torn down and replaced several times. Five Points has always been considered the center of Atlanta. It was where the railroads met and dispersed goods and people to the rest of the area. Nevertheless, it is interesting that no marker or plaque was ever placed on the birthplace of our famous drink. We did build a park near Five Points which was named "Woodruff Park," after Robert Woodruff. (Robert W. Woodruff) The ParkIn 2016 Coca-Cola petitioned the City of Atlanta to establish a marker to commemorate the location of the original pharmacy. It was approved and a plaque now stands if front of the building that currently exist on that site, but we don't know for how long.Coca-Cola still does not have any alcohol (2nd denial: and never had cocaine as an ingredient to the best of my knowledge) but that does not matter. The Woodruff Park is less than 500 feet from the former pharmacy and it has been the gathering place for many of the homeless crack heads and winos that currently can see the Coca-Cola sign from their temporary home in the park. The plaque is located across from the sign which sits on top of a Walgreen Pharmacy. That is what we call progress in Atlanta. By the way, in true capitalist fashion the rent on the Coca-Cola sign cost about $8500 per month paid to the owners of building where it resides on the roof of the pharmacy. I think the 4" hole where the plaque stands is offered rent-free by the City of Atlanta. I don't think any of that $8500 is used for the homeless in Woodruff Park, but there is an outreach Church for the Homeless that meets in the park every Sunday. It sure beats marching and protesting about the results of a free and fair election.I was just sitting here wondering if maybe the protesters whowant to change the world could find a better way to help those truly in need without expecting the government to do it. Maybe they should stop marching and pitch in at local food pantries in the area. ( Homeless shelter Directory ) Better still maybe they could start a business that would become a major industry and generate so much cash they too could become philanthropist like George and Robert Woodruff. But then again, that same advice goes for some of us who sit smugly at our keyboards and pontificate on the situation, while sayingAs long as we expect thatto be the government we will never solve the problems we face as a society or humans. Is this a great country or What? Well, it used to be and can be again, perhaps. I think I'll have a coke. For the Record, http://saportareport.com/coca-cola-historic-marker-instal led-five-points-site-first-coke-sale/
Gov. Roy Cooper may have run out of legal options to counter House and Senate action canceling his order to convene Thursday in a 14-day special session, a longtime General Assembly in-house lawyer says.



Gov. Roy Cooper at a March 2017 press conference. (CJ file photo by Kari Travis)

In fewer than 24 hours, the curtain fell on the political theater of a special redistricting session.Gov. Roy Cooper, who called for the session, likely has no legal options to counter House and Senate action canceling his order to convene Thursday in a 14-day special session, a veteran General Assembly lawyer says.whether the courts have jurisdiction over the matter, and if they would take it up should Cooper file a legal motion, said Gerry Cohen, former special counsel for the legislature who dealt with several special sessions for redistricting.Cohen said he looks at it more like a chess game in advance of the court decision to direct majority legislative Republicans on how to satisfy a ruling by a federal three-judge panel.That decision found 28 state legislative districts were drawn unconstitutionally because they relied too heavily on race as a factor. A 2017 special election was ordered.The U.S. Supreme Court sent the case back to the lower court for reconsideration to determine whether less severe options than a 2017 special election were examined. The ruling stated the three-judge panel employedHouse Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, was blunt in condemning the governor's proclamation ordering the legislature into a special session to run concurrently with the current regular session.Moore said in a news release.Wake Forest University professor John Dinan, whose research focuses on state constitutionalism, questioned Cooper's timing in calling for a special session.Dinan said.The House fully intends to comply with the federal court's order once it receives guidance on how to do so, Moore said. Cooper's unanticipated call for a special session did not allow enough time to conduct a comprehensive redistricting process with sufficient notice and opportunities for public input, he said.The federal court ordered redistricting to be done in regular session, not a special session, Moore said.In canceling Cooper's action, Republicans in both chambers relied on a state constitutional provision authorizing the governor to call lawmakers into special sessionThey contend current circumstances are not extraordinary, and that Cooper made only a token effort at soliciting advice.Cohen said Democrats voiced the same concerns about lack of meaningful advice last year with former Republican Gov. Pat McCrory when he ordered special sessions.But what constitutes meaningful advice is murky constitutional territory, which some analysts have interpreted as requiring a formal vote, Cohen said.Cohen said.The General Assembly correctly assessed that Cooper's special session call erred in setting a 14-day timeline, Cohen said. The governor has no such constitutional power.Cohen said the legislature cannot be required to vote on anything, and the chambers met a state constitutional requirement that they adjourn a special session by joint action.Although he couldn't immediately recall the details, Cohen said at a similar situation happened at least once in the past 25 years. The legislature convened in special session, then voted to adjourn without acting.The departments of agriculture and public instruction, the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, and attorney general all acknowledged receiving an email from Cooper chief of staff Kristi Jones on Wednesday stating the governor was going to call for the special session.An old email address was used for Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry, who did not get contacted until Thursday.The email was sent at 3:37 p.m., while Cooper was giving a news conference about his decision. It cited the need to redraw legislative districts pursuant to the Covington v. North Carolina case as the reason, and asked recipients to send a brief acknowledgment of receipt no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday.Secretary of State Elaine Marshall responded that she concurred with Cooper's decision. A spokesman for Treasurer Dale Folwell told Carolina Journal the treasurer would have voted against a special session had he been asked.Jamey Falkenbury, spokesman for Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, said while Cooper asked for advice, the email stated the time for the special session, meaning it was well on track before advice could be given in the little more than an hour allotted.On his Facebook page, Forest posted the response he emailed to Cooper, Falkenbury said. In it, the lieutenant governor advised against a special session. He said it would be premature because the only court ruling in the case requires the redistricting be done by November 2018, so no extraordinary circumstances were involved.Campbell University constitutional law professor Greg Wallace said it is possible, albeit unlikely, for a special election to be ordered in November or December.When the three-judge panel takes up the case anew it could add language it says complies with the Supreme Court mandate, then come back with the same special election remedy. But that would be risky because the Supreme Court sent a fairly strong message the special election remedy was not acceptable, Wallace said.
WASHINGTON (TNS)  President George W. Bush spoke with his military commander in Iraq nearly every week.

President Barack Obama was so deeply involved in military operations that his first three Defense secretaries all complained, sometimes bitterly, about what they considered White House micromanagement.

In nearly five months in office, President Donald Trump has yet to meet or speak with either his Iraq or Afghanistan commander, even as his administration weighs deeper and longer-term involvement in both conflicts and asks Congress for a vast increase in defense spending.

Trumps hands-off approach to Americas longest wars demonstrates how much control his administration has entrusted to Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, a retired four-star Marine general, and commanders on the ground.

Senior Pentagon officials and military officers who often chafed under Obamas centralized decision-making have welcomed the shift, saying it has freed them to carry out operations based on military, and not political, considerations.

But it also raises concerns that Trump has given too much latitude to the Pentagon, which already has been accused of more indiscriminate bombings than in the past, causing an increase in civilian casualties.

The idea of the 10,000-mile screwdriver from Washington making decisions for a field commander, as has been the case over the past decade, is flawed, said James Stavridis, a retired admiral who served as NATO supreme commander and is now dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

We need to be cautious that we do not go so far in the other direction that we end up with rogue commanders, Stavridis added. The White House needs to lay out a strategic vision but then let commanders do the tactical execution.

Increased autonomy

The president already has granted Mattis authority to raise troop levels in the wars in Iraq and Syria, a power usually held closely by the White House.

Trump on Tuesday granted Mattis the same authority in Afghanistan, where civilian casualties have soared in fighting this year. The Taliban now controls or contests more than 40 percent of Afghan territory  holding more ground than at any point since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, according to recent United Nations estimates.

The president also has authorized his commanders to move more aggressively against militants in Somalia and Yemen, where U.S. special operations forces have stepped up raids against Islamic State and other terrorist groups.

What I do is I authorize my military, Trump said on April 13 after the Air Force dropped the most powerful conventional bomb in its arsenal on an Islamic State complex in eastern Afghanistan, a decision that was made without White House input.

We have the greatest military in the world, and theyve done the job, as usual, Trump said. We have given them total authorization, and thats what theyre doing.

A White House official, who wasnt authorized to speak on conversations in the chain of command, said the delegation of authority has enabled commanders to take a more aggressive approach in which missions are executed with more speed and more efficiency.

That is in no small part due to the fact that the president is putting his trust in the generals, not tying their hands and micromanaging their ability to fight the fight they need to fight, the official said.

Miscommunication vs. micromanaging

Trump has regular working dinners with his national security team in his personal dining room at the White House, aides say, and thus remains briefed on major operations.

His companions include Mattis, Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, Trumps national security advisor; and Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly, another retired four-star Marine general.

They have great rapport with one another, the White House official said. Mattis and Dunford usually dine with Trump once a week, sometimes in a group, sometimes one-on-one, the official said.

The president does respect the chain of command and he gets the vast majority of his information from the top echelons of his national security teams, the official said.

The generals running the wars  Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend in Iraq and Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr. in Afghanistan  are three or four echelons below the president, the official said.

Both commanders recently completed sweeping written assessment of the conflicts they oversee. Still, the official said, the president is keeping with the chain of command by not communicating with them directly.

It hasnt taken long for ground commanders to exercise their newfound freedom under Trump  and for it to backfire.

In April, Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., the Pentagons top commander in the Pacific, announced that he had ordered the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson and its escort ships to detour north from Singapore to North Korea amid rising tensions with the nuclear-armed regime.

Trump quickly boasted that an armada was racing toward the Korean peninsula, suggesting a confrontation was possible.

The Pentagon was left scrambling a week later, and the White House was caught flat-footed, when it emerged that the Carl Vinson had instead sailed south to conduct exercises in the Indian Ocean, 3,500 miles away from the Korean peninsula. Harris later apologized to Congress for the confusion.

Nicholson, the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, similarly surprised the White House when he authorized use of the so-called mother of all bombs against an Islamic State tunnel complex.

Officials said later that Nicholson did not foresee how the giant bomb, which had never been used in combat before, would generate headlines around the globe and be interpreted as a sign that Trump would be more aggressive than previous presidents.

Both Harris and Nicholson had the authority to make those decisions under Obama. But its unlikely either would have taken such action without first seeking approval from the White House, according to officials.

In one incident last year, the Pentagon waited for White House approval to move three Apache attack helicopters from Iraq to Syria in the fast-moving fight against the Islamic State. Obama finally approved the transfer shortly before he left office.

Obamas first three secretaries of Defense  Robert M. Gates, Leon E. Panetta and Chuck Hagel  all accused the administration of needlessly interfering in military matters, though they did so after leaving office.

The controlling nature of the Obama White House and the staff took micromanagement and operational meddling to a new level, Gates wrote in his 2014 book, Duty.

Ned Price, the National Security Council spokesman under Obama, argued that careful deliberations often resulted in better policy decisions.

What our critics would label micromanaging was the Obama White House taking prudent steps to ensure that the decisions of one component complemented the broader U.S. government approach, he said. Indeed, failing to do so can be a detriment to our strategic goals for the country or region in question and  place our men and women in uniform at greater risk.

Who takes responsibility?

The risk of Trumps hands-off policy, at least for the Pentagon, was clear when he seemed to accept no responsibility after a U.S. military raid in Yemen that he had personally authorized went awry nine days after he took office.

He instead appeared to blame the generals for the death of Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer William Ryan Owens in the ill-fated Jan. 29 raid, which also killed more than a dozen civilians, including women and children.

They came to me, they explained what they wanted to do  the generals  who are very respected, my generals are the most respected that weve had in many decades, I believe, Trump told Fox News. And they lost Ryan.

Anthony Cordesman, a former intelligence director at the Pentagon now with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank, said the military will carry out tactics to execute a presidents policy but cannot develop its own policy.

Military operations should not be micromanaged but they cannot go unmanaged either, he said. A president has to take responsibility for his own policy and overarching strategic goals. That is not something that can be delegated.
President Trump tweeted on June 5.Fortunately for President Trump, many appointments don't require Senate approval, and a cabinet member may appoint leaders to certain high-level positions within his or her department.This week Secretary of Education Betsy Devos named Adam Kissel to the position of deputy assistant secretary for higher education programs, effective June 19.Kissel is a senior program officer in university investments at the Charles Koch Foundation. Before that, he served as vice president of programs and director of the individual rights defense programs at the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, a non-profit organization that defends freedom of speech on college campuses.Full disclosure: I've met and corresponded with Kissel, although we've never had a formal business relationship. He strikes me as professional and competent, and his experience promoting academic freedom, freedom of speech, and the due process rights of students makes him an interesting choice.It's unclear how Kissel will affect department policy. Politico speculates that his hiring "could be a sign that the department may reverse Obama-era guidance and direct colleges to raise the current standard of proof" in sexual violence and harassment cases on campus.The current standard of proof for sexual violence and harassment cases, the "preponderance of the evidence" standard, arises out of an Obama-era regulatory guidance letter regarding the implementation of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.Under this standard, an accuser must, to meet his burden of proof, show merely that his accusation is more likely true than not. This isn't a high bar, which is why the standard isn't used in criminal cases in courts of law where judges rather than college administrators oversee the proceedings.Colleges not in compliance with the DOE "guidance" letter-which operates like a mandate-risk federal civil rights investigations into their policies and procedures.Even if Kissel has criticized expansive interpretations of Title IX, he's unlikely to define department policy in this area. Title IX is beyond the scope of his duties. His office, according to the Office of Post Secondary Education, "administers programs that broaden access to higher education and strengthen the capacity of colleges and universities." Moreover, it "co ordinates a number of higher education-related activities with states," and awards grants "primarily to institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations and agencies, and state agencies."Hints about Kissel's function within the department can be gleaned from the duties of his predecessor, James T. Minor, who was appointed in 2014 and served the Obama administration through August 2016.If Minor's tasks at the department are any indication, Kissel will oversee GEAR UP, a program designed to equip low-income students for postsecondary education; Title III, focusing on higher education funding for low-income students; Title V, assisting institutions that serve Hispanic students; the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, promoting innovation and affordability among colleges; and federal TriO training programs for institutions and individuals working with disadvantaged students.In short, Kissel will be responsible for administering billions of dollars in grant funding for programs involving access to higher education, a role with which he's familiar, having supervised and effectuated university investment strategies at the Koch Foundation. Some of the department programs-GEAR UP, for instance-face major cuts in Trump's proposed budget, and Kissel will find himself monitoring their activity and assessing their outcomes for long-term efficiency and effectiveness.Supporters of Kissel celebrate him aswhose nominationThe College Fix calls him aSenator Patty Murray (D-WA), however, reacted fiercely to his appointment. she said , "[that] this hire is another concerning sign that President Trump plans to make it more difficult for survivors of campus sexual violence to get justice."Remarks like these seem premature, designed more for political points than constructive dialogue. A graduate of Harvard University and the University of Chicago, where he earned a master's degree from the prestigious Committee on Social Thought, Kissel is a trained scholar who, in my view, carefully analyzes issues and thoughtfully articulates his opinion on them.It will be interesting to watch Kissel's transition from private to public employment. The Koch Foundation supports In his capacity as senior program officer at the Koch Foundation, Kissel managed private money. But he will control taxpayer money at the department.Will he use his new position to repurpose current investments and grant awards to support state experimentation in market-based solutions for problems facing low-income students? Or will he seek to restrict federal spending for such purposes on the basis that the free-market principles with which he's associated ultimately help low-income students in alternative ways?Whatever the answers, Trump can at least take comfort that another critical position has been filled. And filled well.


DAISYs in Training: Elizabeth Knox, nursing instructor Molly Wells and Carmela Mombaerts.

Contact: Attila Nemecz

Attila Nemecz Attila.Nemecz@beaufortccc.edu

WASHINGTON, N.C. Two nursing students at Beaufort County Community College were celebrated during the nurse pinning ceremony with a new award from the DAISY Foundation. Elizabeth Knox and Carmela Mombaerts received the DAISY In Training Award for their delivery of clinical care in an extraordinary and compassionate way to patients and their families as they are learning.The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by members of the family of Patrick Barnes. The 33-year-old died of complications of the auto-immune disease idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a disorder that leads to easy or excessive bruising and bleeding. Like many families that experience loss, the Barnes family wanted to honor Patrick's life. They decided the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation would honor the extraordinary care, compassion and kindness Patrick received from his nurses. The family created the DAISY Award to honor nurses who go above and beyond and make extraordinary differences in patients and families experiences in healthcare. The DAISY in Training Award recognizes students who exemplify these qualities.The two students received a DAISY pin and the Healer's Touch Sculpture. The stone sculpture is hand carved by the artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe, providing 14 artists with employment.read nursing instructor Molly Wells as she cited comments from BCCC faculty and Vidant staff about recipient Elizabeth Knox.continued Wells.Knox was the recipient of the BCCC Board of Trustees Endowment Scholarship in spring of 2017.Wells moved on to the description of another recipient, Carmela Mombaerts.said Wells.Wells elaborated,The faculty of the ADN program at BCCC nominated nursing students for this award based on a number of criteria. Recipients had to be thoughtful and caring, keeping patients and families at the center of care, a true advocate for patients, families and self. They had to demonstrate professionalism, flexibility and adaptability in clinical and classroom environments. Award recipients needed to work with other members of the healthcare team in demonstrating excellence in inter-professional collaboration and communication. They had to be committed to excellence in patient care, demonstrating proficiency in decision-making, kindness, compassion and sincerity in practice. Lastly, they had to create a healthy work environment and strive to improve practice and patient care.Elizabeth Knox is now working at Vidant Beaufort Hospital in the New Graduate Program.
Kathy Manos Penn

I grew up in New York City and didn't move to the South until the eighth grade. In NYC, it was routine to inquire about someone's heritage, as in whether they were Italian, Greek, Irish, Jewish, whatever. I'm one-half Greek and have always been inordinately proud of that fact. I'm not sure why. Perhaps I was proud that my Greek grandparents were brave enough to come here to start new lives; perhaps I thought it made me more interesting or special. Almost everyone I knew in NYC was something other than White Anglo-Saxon Protestant.My upbringing is surely why I was shocked and dismayed by this headline in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "A Valid Question? Is asking 'where are you from?' the same as saying 'you don't belong here'?" I didn't have to read the article to know that the answer was going to be yes.How on earth have we come to this? I recall being asked when I moved to Georgia at age 13 whether I was Spanish, but I thought it was because my maiden name Manos means hands in Spanish. I simply replied that I was Greek and took no offense. Years later someone told me they thought I was Hispanic because I looked like Gloria Estefan. My only problem with that comparison was that I thought her nose was bigger than mine, and I've always been sensitive about the size of my nose.I realize times have changed across our country. Not everyone is accepting of immigrants, and often we Americans generalize about ethnic or religious groups and attribute certain traits to everyone in that group. Yes, we've all heard unpleasant things said about Mexicans, Muslims, Indians, you name it. Why was it, though, that when I grew up, we routinely teased each other and laughed about our various traits: Greeks owned greasy spoons, Italians were in the Mafia, the Irish drank, the Jews held on to their money.The companion article titled "Microaggression: The indignities of daily life" explained that attributing negative traits to a cultural group is a form of microaggression. Okay, I can buy that, but apparently the same can be said of positive traits. One example was an Asian American taking offense at someone remarking that she must be good at Math. Plenty of people comment that I must be a good cook because I'm Greek, and I am. Even if I weren't, I'd laugh it off. How is that any different than thinking all Indian Americans are good spellers since so many youngsters with that background have done well in spelling bees? None of these are bad traits.When I used to visit my local bank branch, I often asked the tellers what their heritage was-not where they were from. I knew anyone could be from New York or Florida, but I was curious about the accent I was hearing. I knew they were legal immigrants because they worked for the bank, so I was in no way implying they didn't belong or might be illegal, as the article says.Today I asked a woman at a local event whether her name was Greek. She told me it was Cuban and often mistaken for Greek. When I told her I almost didn't ask because of the article I'd read, she was astonished that anyone would think these kinds of interactions would be problems.How boring it would be if we were all alike. Apparently, now we are to treat everyone as though we are. When did we get so thin-skinned? Even those who take issue with the microaggression topic and think it may have gone too far agree that microaggressions occur and that "these indignities can be invisible to those who make them and often reveal ugly unconscious biases."I'd say we all have biases, no matter to which cultural group we may belong. In the 80's, when a Black human resources professional commented to a white friend of mine, "Too bad you're not Black, you could go far," was that a microaggression or was it just plain rude? Reverse the circumstances and see what your answer is.If people are truly offended and hurt, by what seem to me like innocent questions or comments with no malice behind them, I am sincerely sorry. We are living in increasingly strange times, and I'm not sure what this situation says about us as a society. All I know is we are fast approaching the time when we can no longer carry on "safe" conversations with casual acquaintances, people in the checkout line, or at parties and community events. And I ask, "How will that help us to get along better and become more accepting of others?"
Nearly 100 Edmonton-based soldiers deployed to Latvia on Friday, launching Canada's boots-on-the-ground leadership of a NATO mission to deter Russian aggression against the eastern European country.

Another 350 troops are expected to follow. Most are from Edmonton, and they will lead a multinational battle group that includes soldiers from Albania, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and Latvia.

Together, the troops will number between 1,200 and 1,500. Their presence is meant to temper any Russian ambition to expand.

"Deterrence does not mean picking a fight, that's the last thing we want to do," said Col. William Fletcher, who commands the Edmonton brigade that deployed Friday.

Fletcher supervised the soldiers' six months of training, which he said covered "normal army stuff  digging holes, shooting guns, manoeuvring vehicles around the battlefield  through to some specific training in terms of cultural awareness."

The soldiers also learned about potential threats posed by Russia, Fletcher said. Their work in Latvia will differ from the counter-insurgency operations many soldiers would have experienced in Afghanistan, he added.

"When we start talking about manoeuvring troops around the battlefield a la World War II, I think this is by and large what we're looking at here," he said.

Fletcher watched Friday as his brigade filed onto a military plane at Edmonton International Airport. He will stay in Edmonton until August.

"It's a bittersweet moment," he said.

Maj. Jason Van Dyke stood joking with friends, his army bag slung on one shoulder. This is his first deployment since returning from a year-long tour to Afghanistan in 2011.

He now has a young family, who he won't see for months.

"It's a little bit harder now," he said. "The extended time being away from your family just tends to wear on you as an individual."

Nevertheless, Van Dyke said he's eager to meet soldiers from other NATO member countries during this six-month deployment.

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"When we're at work, we're focused on our jobs and we know we have a job to do and for the most part that will take us through the day-to-day."

Latvian ambassador Karlis Eihenbaums shook Van Dyke's hand as the soldier walked past to board his flight overseas.

Canada will form the backbone of NATO support in Latvia, Eihenbaums told reporters.

"Your backbone has to be strong to have not only a good deal but to talk on an equal basis," he said.

"While there's no immediate threat, it is more about the overall atmosphere," Eihenbaums added.

"Why we need the Canadians there, why we need the troops there is simply to be there, (so) that nobody can even think to do something.

"This is a presence which keeps peace."
A Kenyan woman was sentenced to death by a Malaysian court after she was found guilty of trafficking in methamphetamine 4 years ago.





According to Malaysian Daily Express, Rose Achieng Ojala had stuffed 3 capsules of the drug into her private parts and swallowed another 68 capsules, all weighing about 400gm.





She was arrested on November 30, 2013 at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport after arriving from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.





The mother of three, who allegedly suffered from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), had fainted before the proceedings and had to be taken into the court room in a wheelchair.





On the day she was arrested, an Immigration officer noticed that she was behaving suspiciously during the regular luggage inspection.





Upon searching her, 3 capsules of methamphetamine weighing more than 20g were found in her underwear.





She admitted that her boyfriend had stuffed the capsules into her private parts before she boarded the flight.





The woman, who claimed she was pregnant, was later taken to the Serdang Hospital, where an x-ray examination revealed that she had swallowed 68 capsules of the drug weighing more than 380gm.





In convicting Ojala, the judge said the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.





"You are found guilty and there is no other punishment under Section 39(B) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1962 except the death sentence," he said.





Ojala was also sentenced to 3 years' jail for possessing 20.7g of methamphetamine in her underwear.





She was a single mother of children aged between 4 and 15.





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: the-star.co.ke, June 10, 2017
Yahoo Finance ran a story recently on labor shortages in various parts of the country, and the difficulty some companies have finding qualified workers. One business owner, Nathan Scherer of SEI Manufacturing in Cromwell, Ind., even told us business opportunities in Indiana would allow him to double revenue if he were able to hire all the employees he needs.

That story prompted a lot of vigorous feedback. If companies need more workers, why dont they just pay more? If they cant find people with the right skills, why dont they train them? What does it take to get a good job, anyway?

We decided to put those questions to Scherer himself. Heres an edited Q&A:

Yahoo Finance: First, why dont you describe your company.

Nathan Scherer: My company is a small mom-and-pop style business, not a Fortune 500 business. We make low-volume components, mostly for the marine industry. I have about 35 employees.

And youve had a hard time finding workers lately?

The unemployment rate in my area is about 2%. [Indianas unemployment rate is 3.6%, lower than the national rate, now at 4.3%.] Weve struggled to hire office staff, entry-level, skilled and highly skilled employees. Almost every business owner around here is struggling to find help. Help wanted signs are posted throughout the community. We have three key positions open right now, which amounts to almost 10% of our workforce.

[Please take our survey: Do you trust American companies? The results will appear in future Yahoo Finance stories.]

Are you paying more these days?

We have been paying more. Starting wages have gone up 20% to 30% in the last three years. At the entry-level, weve had to raise starting pay from $11 per hour to over $13 per hour. Thats for somebody with little to no applicable skills, in need of significant training. For skilled workers, pay has gone from $14 or $15 to $18 to $20, and highly skilled, even higher.

Are you losing business because you cant find enough workers to fill orders?

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Were not turning down orders. We can handle the customers we have. My concern is that we will have to reevaluate that at some point. Its a tough decision to say no to opportunities. One of the fears is that you will not get a second chance at the opportunities if you pass them up. I have heard of some businesses turning down orders or even firing customers.

Our readers raise a reasonable question: Why dont you pay even more to get the people you need?

We will as long as it makes sense. If there was a direct correlation between the amount you pay somebody and the amount youre able to get as an output, including loyalty and dedication, simply paying more would be a no brainer, but business isnt just binary. Some businesses have price inelasticity, high fixed expenses and tight margins, and raising wages too quickly could greatly affect the companys ability to turn a profit. You cant just say, Im going to raise labor costs without considering all the other variables that impact the business.

I was recently recruiting an engineer from an auto parts manufacturer. I gave the candidate an offer that was better than what she was making, and she admitted she wasnt happy at her job, and was concerned about the future of that company. When she put in her notice, the company came back to her with an $18,000 increase and she backed out of the job with us. Simply paying someone more money doesnt ensure loyalty or guarantee they will take the job.

What kind of workers are hard to find?

Right now in our area, all kinds, at all wages. We have struggled to find people from the front to the back of the business. Office workers, service workers, trades people, general labor, engineers, sales people.

Do you have trouble getting dedicated workers?

Getting people to show up is as important as getting people with skills. If youre absent, chronically missing work or always late, you are not protecting your job or concerned with your future at the company. Its hard to want to help those people. When the unemployment rate is under 2%, the people who are responsible, really good, valuable, are taken, so you have to figure out how to attract good workers from other companies. Many business owners and HR folks I have talked to feel there is a lack of dedication in the available workforce. I do see where some workers could say the same thing about employers. I know using temp agencies for extended lengths of time is rather popular right now.

What do you do when you need skilled workers you cant find? Do you train them yourself?

We do a fair amount of on-the-job training because for a fair portion of what we do, people are not going to have the exact skills or experience required. This is why our pay scale may be initially lower than other jobs in the area. But we try to move people up in pay as they become proficient. There are good training resources in our area as well and we have looked into using them in the future.

Some people are willing to move in order to find a better job. But a lot of people also say they dont want to move because they dont trust employers. They worry theyll just get laid off again in six months or a year, after going to the trouble and expense of moving. Would you ever offer some kind of job guarantee to somebody who moved to work for you?

Unless youre a pro athlete, I dont know of too many positions that have guarantees. I do empathize with people who are in that situation you describe, and I feel for businesses who have moved someone and they quit abruptly as well. I do think the relationship between employees and workers has been damaged by both sides in the last several decades. Companies have been known to pull up stakes and move or have sweeping layoffs and workers are more frequently only committing themselves to a company or even a career for a short period of time. I would never say never and sometimes you have to take a risk, especially if it is the right hire.

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
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks at the Iranian parliament before presenting the draft budget for the next Iranian fiscal year in Tehran, January 17, 2016. REUTERS/President.ir/Handout ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE.

* Attacks on parliament, mausoleum kill 13, wound 43

* Highly rare assaults claimed by Islamic State

* Attackers were IS members from Iran, official says

* Regional rival Saudi Arabia denies involvement

* Trump says sponsors of terrorism risk falling victim to evil

* Graphic: http://tmsnrt.rs/2rA8Fy6 (Adds new death toll, official saying attackers were from Iran)

By Bozorgmehr Sharafedin

LONDON, June 7 (Reuters) - Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the Iranian parliament and Ayatollah Khomeini's mausoleum in Tehran on Wednesday, killing at least 13 people in an unprecedented assault that Iran's Revolutionary Guards blamed on regional rival Saudi Arabia.

Islamic State claimed responsibility and threatened more attacks against Iran's majority Shi'ite population, seen by the hardline Sunni militants as heretics.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted: "Terror-sponsoring despots threaten to bring the fight to our homeland. Proxies attack what their masters despise most: the seat of democracy."

He did not explicitly blame any country but the tweet appeared to refer to comments made by Saudi Arabias deputy crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman al-Saud, in May, saying that that Riyadh would bring "the battle" for regional influence to Iran.

Sunni Saudi Arabia denied any involvement in the Tehran attacks, but the assault further fuels tensions between Riyadh and Tehran as they vie for control of the Gulf and influence in the wider Islamic world. It comes days after Riyadh and other Sunni Muslim powers cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of backing Tehran and militant groups.

They were the first attacks claimed by Islamic State inside the tightly controlled Shi'ite Muslim country, one of the powers leading the fight against IS forces in nearby Iraq and Syria.

The deputy head of Iran's National Security Council, Reza Seifollhai, told state TV late on Wednesday that the attackers were people from Iran who had joined Islamic State. Iranian police said they had arrested five suspects

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Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said: "These fireworks have no effect on Iran. They will soon be eliminated."

"They are too small to affect the will of the Iranian nation and its officials," state TV quoted him saying.

The powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps accused Riyadh of being behind the attacks and vowed to seek revenge.

"This terrorist attack happened only a week after the meeting between the U.S. president (Donald Trump) and the (Saudi) backward leaders who support terrorists. The fact that Islamic State has claimed responsibility proves that they were involved in the brutal attack," a Guards statement said.

Trump said in a statement that he prayed for the victims of the attacks but added that "states that sponsor terrorism risk falling victim to the evil they promote." The U.S. State Department and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres both condemned the attacks.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said he did not know who was responsible for the attacks and said there was no evidence Saudi extremists were involved.

DRESSED AS WOMEN

Attackers dressed as women burst through parliament's main entrance, deputy interior minister Mohammad Hossein Zolfaghari said, according to the Tasnim news agency. One of them detonated a suicide vest, he said.

On a video released by the IS news agency Amaq a man purportedly inside the parliament says in Arabic: "Oh God, thank you.. Do you think we will leave? No! We will remain, God willing."

Police helicopters circled over parliament, with snipers on its rooftop. Within five hours, four attackers were dead and the incident was over, Iranian media said.

"I was inside the parliament when shooting happened. Everyone was shocked and scared. I saw two men shooting randomly," said one journalist at the scene.

Soon after the assault on parliament began, a bomber detonated a suicide vest near the shrine of the Islamic Republic's revered founder, Ayatollah Khomeini, a few kilometres south of the city, Zolfaghari said.

A second attacker was shot dead, he said. The shrine is a main destination for tourists and religious pilgrims.

"The terrorists had explosives strapped to them and suddenly started to shoot around," said the shrine's overseer, Mohammadali Ansari.

By late evening, deputy interior minister Zolfaghari put the death toll at 13, with 43 wounded.

The Intelligence Ministry said security forces had arrested another "terrorist team" planning a third attack. The National Security Council's Seifollhai said Iran had foiled 58 similiar attacks, without specifying a time period.

REGIONAL ANIMOSITY

The attacks follow several weeks of heightened rhetorical animosity between Riyadh and Tehran.

In unusually blunt remarks on May 2, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is Saudi defence minister and a son of King Salman, said he would protect his country from what he called Iranian efforts to dominate the Muslim world.

Any struggle for influence between the Sunni Muslim kingdom and the revolutionary Shi'ite theocracy ought to take place "inside Iran, not in Saudi Arabia," he said without elaborating.

The next day Iran accused Saudi Arabia of seeking tension in the region, saying the prince had made "destructive" comments and it was proof that Riyadh supported terrorism.

The attacks could also exacerbate tensions in Iran between newly re-elected President Hassan Rouhani, who positions himself as a reformer, and his rivals among hardline clergy and the Revolutionary Guards.

But Rouhani said Iran would be more united and more determined in the fight against regional terrorism and violence.

"We will prove once again that we will crush the enemies' plots with more unity and more strength," he said.

In an appeal for unity, Rouhanis chief of staff, Hamid Aboutalebi, took to Twitter to praise the security services.

"Applause to the power and firmness of our revolutionary guards, Basij (volunteer militia), police and security forces," he wrote.

However, two senior government officials, who asked not to be named, said the attacks might prompt a blame game.

"They (hardliners) are very angry and will use every opportunity to grow in strength to isolate Rouhani," said one. The other said the attacks would push Iran toward "a harsher regional policy".

Militant attacks are rare in Tehran and other major cities although two Sunni militant groups, Jaish al-Adl and Jundallah, have been waging a deadly insurgency, mostly in remote areas, for almost a decade.

Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan province, in the southeast on the borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan, is home to the Balouch minority and has long been a hotbed of Sunni insurgents fighting the Shi'ite-led republic.

Last year Iranian authorities said they had foiled a plot by Sunni militants to bomb targets in Tehran and other cities during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

(Additional reporting by Parisa Hafezi in Ankara, Asma Alsharif in Cairo, Yeganeh Torbati in Washington, Lisa Barrington in Beirut, David Dolan in Istanbul; Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Robin Pomeroy)
A new interchange along a major summer-travel thoroughfare for Lincoln-area drivers is still set for completion late this fall.

Once finished, the changes south of Nebraska City should make trips along Nebraska 2 and U.S. 75 much smoother  but until then, prepare for a squeeze.

With the overpass that will carry eastbound and westbound traffic over U.S. 75 still under construction, both lanes of Nebraska 2 are running head-to-head on the new ramps on the north side of the interchange.

And Wednesday, U.S. 75 south of the interchange was switched to head-to-head traffic. That change should last for six to eight weeks.

It's a bit congested and a bit confusing, said Rachel Barth, who drove that way with a friend to catch a Garth Brooks concert in Kansas City, Missouri, on Mother's Day weekend.

However, she said, "I always feel like that intersection's a little congested."

The new interchange is being built by Constructors Inc. of Lincoln for an estimated $24 million, and replaces a four-way stop controlled by lights.

It may be the state's most significant highway project underway this summer, at least in terms of its impact on many Nebraskans' travel plans.

For people headed west, reconstruction of Interstate 80 has traffic moving head-to-head in stretches east of North Platte and in the Panhandle.

And in downtown Omaha, crews Thursday finished extensive repairs of the bridges connecting Interstate 480 with Interstate 80 and U.S. 75, although nighttime closures are still expected farther north along I-480 for resurfacing.
MADISON  A Dane County judge on Friday overturned the rape conviction of a man who has served 27 years in prison largely on the strength of a single hair after the FBI admitted its analysts conclusion tying Richard Beranek to that hair was flawed.

DNA testing has confirmed that neither the hair nor semen found in the perpetrators underwear left at the scene of the sexual assault matched Beranek, according to Beraneks motion for a new trial.

Beranek, 58, was convicted in 1990 of raping a rural Stoughton woman in her home in 1987. He was serving a 243-year sentence imposed by Dane County Circuit Judge Daniel Moeser, now a retired judge, who issued the decision Friday to grant him a new trial.

The hair evidence was an important part of the states case, Moeser wrote. There is no way to be sure as to how much weight the jury gave to the hair evidence. But based upon the totality of the evidence, one cannot conclude that the hair evidence was insignificant.

State Department of Justice spokesman Johnny Koremenos said the agency is still reviewing the judges decision to determine whether to retry Beranek. Keith Findley of the Wisconsin Innocence Project said Friday the defense will file a request to let Beranek be released on bail.

Fridays decision was at least the third time in Dane County that a conviction was overturned based on DNA evidence that contradicted earlier microscopic hair comparisons by the FBI or the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory.

About 20 percent of the DNA exonerations nationwide have involved faulty hair analysis, according to the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. In April, the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism revealed there are at least 13 cases involving faulty microscopic hair comparison by the FBI in Wisconsin.

The agency has acknowledged the technique can be used to identify the race of the person or the area of the body from which it came  but not an individual.

Moeser cited both the FBIs admission of error and the DNA test results as tipping the balance in Beraneks favor.

If we just had the FBI letter commenting on the testimony of (analyst Wayne) Oakes at trial, this would be a very difficult decision, the judge wrote. However, we also have the evidence that the hair which was allegedly that of the defendants at trial is now known not to be that of the defendant.

In Beraneks case, the FBI analysts conclusion that hair from the scene matched Beranek helped overcome testimony from six people who said the suspect was 600 miles away in North Dakota at the time of the 1987 sexual assault and a belated identification by the victim, whom the judge labeled an extraordinary witness.

Assistant Attorney General Robert Kaiser, who prosecuted Beranek 27 years ago, represents the state, along with Dane County Assistant District Attorney Erin Hanson.

Beranek is represented by Findley and Cristina Borde of the Wisconsin Innocence Project, and Bryce Benjet and Jarrett Adams of the New York-based Innocence Project.

Obviously were thrilled, Findley said. It is the correct ruling. Its the only ruling that the facts of this case would permit.

Were just grateful that the system responded to what was undoubtedly a miscarriage of justice.

Friday morning, when Beraneks attorney Jarrett Adams gave him the news, Adams experienced a familiar feeling. Adams himself had been wrongfully convicted of sexual assault in Wisconsin, serving seven years in prison before his release in 2007. He now works as a lawyer for the New York-based Innocence Project.

He was very emotional. Hes been in prison since 1989, Adams said. So a lot is going through his mind right now, you know? For me, having gone through it before myself  it wasnt real to me until I saw myself walking out of that prison and those gates, those bars, those bricks of wall and concrete were getting smaller and smaller and smaller every time I turned around, and the further I stepped away from them.

Adams added that he hopes the decision will spur prosecutors in Wisconsin and elsewhere to help defendants challenge their convictions based on flawed hair evidence.

There are other people just like Richard who are fighting to get their convictions overturned, he said. There are other people like Richard who dont even know where to begin to fight to get their conviction overturned. So I hope that the onus is taken on by the state and I hope that they do their investigation  and not make guys argue and litigate these cases for decades at a time.

Beranek is latest reversal

The FBIs use of microscopic hair comparison has been discredited in hundreds of cases nationwide.

In 2015, the FBI acknowledged that analyst Wayne Oakes testimony in the Beranek case included erroneous statements in which he said or implied that the hair found at the scene could be associated with a specific individual to the exclusion of all others. Those statements exceeded the limits of science, the FBI said.

The Beranek case is among an estimated 3,000 slated for re-examination in which FBI hair or fiber analysis was used before 2000 when DNA testing became widely available. So far, 1,600 have been reviewed, according to Vanessa Antoun, an attorney with the national criminal defense lawyers group, which is participating in the effort.

As of 2015, the review found problems in more than 90 percent of the cases. Flaws have been identified in 13 Wisconsin cases including the Beranek case, Antoun said, but she declined to identify the others, citing a confidentiality agreement.

During hearings in February and May, Kaiser raised questions about the handling of hair from the crime scene, zeroing in on the fact that one lab had placed them on Post-it notes before mailing them. Kaiser and Hanson argued in their objection to a new trial filed in April that the defense cannot prove the strand of hair Oakes linked to Beranek is among the hairs that now exclude him. The objection noted that labs handling the hairs reported either five or six strands of hair.

In their rebuttal, Benjet and Findley noted testimony from the February hearing that some hairs are so fine they are hard to count. Moeser sided with the defense, saying it had proven the hair that now excludes Beranek is the same one Oakes had claimed matched him back in 1990.

Desiree Burke said Friday she hopes to soon get to know her father, who went to prison when she was a little girl.

I was never afforded that as a child. I never knew him, she said. And so my husband will finally get to meet him. My kids will finally get to meet him. So its exciting  very exciting.
Yahoo Finance is tracking Hudsons Bay, Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Nvidia and Citigroup in intraday trading on Friday.

Hudsons Bay (HBC)  The parent company of retail giants Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor is planning to slash jobs in an effort to cut costs. Hudsons Bay announced that it will layoff about 2,000 workers, which accounts for about 3% of its workforce, after posting a bigger-than-expected drop in quarterly sales. The job cuts are expected to save the company about $259 million per year.

Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Barclays (BCS)  US-listed shares of British banks are under pressure following a surprising UK election result. The UKs ruling Conservative Party failed to win a majority, which triggered uncertainty in the regions economy on concerns that the outcome could threaten to derail Britains planned exit from the European Union.

Nvidia (NVDA)  Yahoo Finances 2016 company of the year got another bullish call. Bank of America upped its price target on the stock to $185, the highest level on the Street. This comes after Citi lifted its price target hike on Nvidia to $180 on Thursday. Shares hit record highs in intraday trading on Friday before reversing their gains after Citron Research poured cold water on Nvidias recent rise. The well-known short-seller firm tweeted that the stock would likely fall by nearly 20% before climbing to $180. Nvidia is up about 226% over the past year.

Citigroup (C)  Shares jumped to their highest level in more than eight years after UBS upgraded the bank to neutral from sell and lifted its price target to $64 from $58. Citigroups stock is up about 8% since the start of the year.

For more on Fridays big stock movers, check out the Final Round, live at 4 p.m. ET, right here on Yahoo Finance.
Following Thursdays appearance by former Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey before the Senate Intelligence Committee and the subsequent reaction to his testimony from the White House, the temptation is to allow the question of what went on between the President and his FBI director earlier this year devolve into a he-said-he-said narrative. But its not.

Comey called Trump a liar, both directly and indirectly. He said that Trump and his surrogates had told lies, plain and simple about the internal state of the FBI in the months prior to Trump firing Comey in early May. He said that Trump lied about Comey soliciting a one-on-one White House dinner with the president, and about what they had discussed during it.

Related: Heres the Part of Comeys Testimony That Could Come Back to Haunt Him

He said that he took to writing down detailed notes about his meetings and phone calls with Trump immediately afterward because he was honestly concerned that he might lie about the nature of our meeting.

Not long after his testimony, the White House sent Trumps personal attorney, Marc Kasowitz, to the National Press Club in Washington where he read a statement that in effect, accused Comey of lying to the Senate.

To Comeys claim that Trump asked him to drop an investigation of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn after clearing the Oval Office of senior members of his administration, Kasowitz said that Trump, never, in form or substance, directed or suggested that Mr. Comey stop investigating anyone, including suggesting that Mr. Comey let Flynn go.

Related: The Only Person Who Can Bring Down Trump Is Sitting in the Oval Office

He also denied Comeys claim that Trump had asked for his personal loyalty, saying, The President also never told Mr. Comey, I need loyalty, I expect loyalty in form or substance.

While Kasowitzs statement could, conceivably, leave room for him to claim that Comey was simply mistaken, Trump went on Twitter Friday morning and removed all doubt about the administrations position with regard to the former FBI director.

Story continues

Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication...and WOW, Comey is a leaker!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2017

So, we have two men calling each other liars, based on their recollections of conversations in which nobody other than the two of them was present. Under other circumstances, it really would be a classic he-said-he-said situation in which the listener had little basis for discerning the actual truth of what happened.

Related: 4 Major Questions Comey Must Answer About Trump

Except thats not really whats happening here. More properly, on one side of the equation we have he-said-while-under-oath-and-risking-penalty-of-perjury while on the other, weve got he-tweeted. In other words, its not the same thing at all.

Even without taking into consideration the public reputation of the two men involved, Comeys testimony on Thursday simply carries more weight than either Trumps statement through his attorney or his tweet, simply because of what Comey placed on the line.

He didnt just risk destroying his personal reputation with Thursdays testimony. He placed himself at risk of criminal prosecution and jail time if he lied under oath to Congress.

And as he did so, he effectively dared the president to produce audio tapes of their conversations, which Trump insinuated -- again, in a tweet -- that he might possess. If Comey was lying, the tapes alone could send him to prison.

Related: Comey Returns to Capitol Hill  But Will His Credibility?

True, this could be the equivalent of a poker player with a pair of threes pushing all his chips into the middle of the table in a desperate attempt to bluff his way to victory. But it would be an odd gamble indeed for Comey, who isnt trying to avoid other kinds of legal jeopardy, and who already has his pick of insanely lucrative private sector jobs waiting for him whenever he wants, to take one.

And all this ignores the respective public reputations of the two men involved in this dispute.

Despite Deputy White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders insistence on Thursday that The president is not a liar, there is really no reasonable question about the fact that Trump frequently and knowingly spreads false information -- that is, he lies -- on a regular basis.

People may dislike Comey for multiple reasons. He has given members of both parties plenty of reason over the years. But in two and a half hours of testimony on Thursday, his truthfulness was not questioned by either Republicans or Democrats. The closest any came to disputing his version of events was to challenge his interpretation of President Trumps intentions in his comments about Flynn.

Related: Intel Chiefs Avoid Questions on Trump, Turning Up the Heat on Comey

The path forward for Trump here ought to be simple. He can even up the credibility balance by putting just as much on the line in this dispute as Comey has done. (Or, more realistically, as he doesnt enjoy Comeys reputation for truthfulness, he can try to come as close as possible.)

To do that, he could offer a sworn statement to Congress under the same threat of perjury that his former FBI director now faces. If hes feeling particularly daring, he could even offer to testify in person and take questions.

He could, if they actually exist, release the tape recordings of his meetings with Comey.

He could do any or all of these things.

But on this hand, at least, Trump is more likely to look at the stack of chips Comey has pushed into the pot, assume the former FBI director is holding something a lot better than a couple of threes, and look for a way to fold without losing too much face.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Motley Fool

Shares of Unity Software (NYSE: U) were up 27% as of 12:24 p.m. ET on Thursday after the company delivered better-than-expected earnings results for the third quarter. The stock has fallen sharply this year after an internal performance problem caused revenue growth to slow with one of its advertising products and the stock is down about 80% year to date. Revenue growth accelerated over the second quarter's 9%, despite a 7% year-over-year decline in the "operate solutions" segment, where Unity offers advertising tools to help game companies monetize their games.
sathyadev09 wrote:

In nests across North America, the host mother tries to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird  a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds nests  produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host, making that task surprisingly difficult .



A) the host mother tries to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird  a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds nests  produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host, making that task surprisingly difficult

B) the host mother tries to identify its own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird  a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds nests  produces eggs that look very similar to that of the host, making it surprisingly difficult

C) host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird  a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds nests  produces eggs that look very similar to the hosts, making that task surprisingly difficult

D) host mothers try to identify their own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird  a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds nests  produces eggs that look very similar to that of the hosts , making it surprisingly difficult

E) host mothers try to identify its own eggs and weed out the fakes, but the brown-headed cowbird  a brood parasite that sneaks its eggs into other birds nests  produces eggs that look very similar to those of the hosts , making that task surprisingly difficult

eggs

A) uses wrong pronoun - theirB) those should be used instead of that because we need to refer to the object ( the brown-headed cowbird produces). 'It' is ambiguous.C) PerfectD) those should be used instead of that. Also, redundancy error - that of the host's. Either use 'produces eggs that look very similar to the host's' or use produces eggs that look very similar to those of the host'E) Redundancy error same as D
Peru became only the second country in the world to make their fishing boat data available to the public. The information will appear on the website of Global Fishing Watch, a non-profit organization.

Indonesia was the first country to share its fishing data with the group.

Officials from both countries announced their new policy at the United Nations Ocean Conference in New York City on Wednesday.

Indonesia said its data is available now while Peru promised to share its information in the near future.

Global fishing watch

The data will appear on Global Fishing Watch's website. The website has a map that is a tool for environmentalists, journalists, governments and citizens.

Global Fishing Watch uses satellites and receivers to follow 60,000 commercial and private fishing boats around the world.

This information appears on an interactive map.

The organization hopes the information it provides will permit citizens to see how fisheries are managed.

Global Fishing Watchs website says seafood suppliers can find information on the boats from which they buy seafood and fishermen can show they are following the law.

Why is it difficult to monitor fishing?

Jackie Savitz is the vice president of the Oceana conservation group. The organization is one of the partners of Global Fishing Watch.

She told VOA that once fishing boats leave a port, it is difficult to know what the ships are doing. They may be fishing in protected parts of the sea or sailing into another country's waters.

Savitz says she likes the strong leadership Peru and Indonesia have shown by permitting anyone to follow their fishing boats online.

"With more eyes on the ocean, there are fewer places for illegal fishers to hide," she said.

Savitz says she hopes other countries will follow Indonesia and Peru by helping to provide the public with information.

Similar actions by other governments would give environmentalists, and buyers and sellers of seafood, a clearer understanding of where their favorite seafood comes from.

I'm John Russell.

Kenneth Schwartz wrote this story for VOA News. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

data  n. facts or information used usually to calculate, analyze, or plan something

satellite  n. a machine that is sent into space and that moves around the earth, moon, sun, or a planet

receiver  n. radio or television equipment that changes signals into sound and pictures

seafood  n. fish and shellfish that live in the ocean and are used for food

conservation  n. the protection of animals, plants, and natural resources
A worldwide network of scientists examining the links between sedentary lifestyles and health problems such as obesity and cardiovascular disease today announced a new dictionary of terms to support research into sedentary behaviour.

The results of the 'terminology consensus project' led by the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute's (CHEO RI) Sedentary Behaviour Research Network (SBRN) are published today in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity in a paper co-authored by 84 scientists from 20 countries.

"This is the world's most extensive agreement to date on consensus definitions for researchers examining sedentary behaviour, an emerging global public health priority," said lead author Dr. Mark Tremblay, director of the CHEO RI's Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group (HALO) and a professor at the University of Ottawa. "There is an urgent need for clear, common and accepted terminology worldwide to facilitate the interpretation and comparison of research. We have made tremendous progress by defining terms such as physical inactivity, stationary behaviour, sedentary behaviour, and screen time. These terms have already been translated into several languages for rapid global uptake."

The paper, entitled "Sedentary Behaviour Research Network: Terminology Consensus Project Process and Outcome", provides refined definitions to suit all age groups, including babies, young children and people with chronic disease or mobility impairment. It also describes how bouts, breaks and interruptions should be defined and measured in the context of assessing sedentary behaviour and in relation to health outcomes.

The conceptual framework described in the paper also illustrates how both energy expenditure and posture are important components and how the terms relate to movement behaviours throughout a 24-hour period, including physical activity and sleep. Examples provided distinguish between active and passive sitting, active and passive standing, sedentary and stationary behaviour, screen time and non-screen-based sedentary time. Sedentary behaviour for a baby, for example, includes sitting in a car seat with minimal movement and, for a toddler, watching TV while sitting, reclining or lying down.

The 84 SBRN co-authors, which include researchers, trainees, graduate students, health practitioners and government employees, agree that standardization of the terminology is crucial to advancing future research, especially since this rapidly growing field of health science involves multi-disciplinary researchers, practitioners and industries.

"These consensus definitions will help scientists and practitioners navigate and understand the rapidly evolving field of sedentary behaviour research, allowing for more consistent and robust exploration of behaviours across 24 hours - sleep, sedentary behaviours and various intensities of physical activity - and may facilitate future research exploring ways to alter behaviours to improve health," Dr. Tremblay said. "Our hope is that these will reduce confusion and advance research related to sedentary behaviour and, ultimately, promote healthy active living."

Dr. Tremblay will chair a discussion of the project's findings at a workshop today at the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity annual meeting in Victoria, British Columbia. Consensus definitions have been translated into French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Korean, German, Greek, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese.

Provided by Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute
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Washington demands part of Israeli Arrow 3 for sale to Germany, be produced in the U.S.

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During the operation of detaining the man, who opened fire on people in Kratovo settlement of Moscow, one of the law enforcement officers suffered light injury, RIA Novosti reports, citing the source of the law enforcement authorities.

Fighters of the Federal National Guard Troops Service and the policemen launched the storming of the house, where the shooter is hiding. At the moment the operation aimed at detaining the man is underway. He is firing at the police officers, and blowed up thunder flash, but not military grenades (as a number of media outlets reported). During the storming, one of the law enforcement officers sustained light injury, the agency representative said.

Prior to this, the media outlets reported that the shooter escaped the house and hid in the forest. The press-service of the General Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia earlier informed that a man opened fire on passers-by by a game getter and from the territory of his house.

The Russian media outlets name different figures of casualties and injured. Interfax reported about 3-4 casualties, while according to RIA Novosti, three people were injured, one of whom died in a hospital.
Belly up to these bar stories, brought to you by Miller Brewing Co., that explore well-loved-but-lesser-known taps and taverns from all corners of the city and beyond.

Did you hear that? That was the sound of Greendale and its surrounding villages collectively scoffing at the idea of Ray and Dots Tap, 6351 W. Grange Ave., being some unknown secret hideout rather then the classic community watering hole its been for more than half a century.

"The people who grew up in here and around the area  if Ive heard it once, Ive heard it a hundred times  would say Oh, I used to go there all the time!" said Marc Koepsel, the bars owner and son of the titular Ray and "Dot," short for Dorothy. "I used to serve the parents, and now theyre grandparents. Ive been to Mexico, Punta Cana, Jamaica, with my Ray and Dots t-shirt on and people stop me saying, I used to go there!

"When youve been in the same location for 60 years, you get that."

Admittedly, if youre new to the area or driving down the popular drag through the village, it might be easy to confuse the bar for the neighborhood American Legion Post  mostly because the two are actually one, located in the same building with the Posts flags and a statue out front.

"It's certainly, in the region here, not hidden, but in Milwaukee County, definitely," said Jeff Bartels, a regular at Ray and Dot's for more than 30 years before hopping to the other side of the bar three years ago. "They're thinking it's going to be an old stodgy Legion Club, but it's a totally different vibe."

Ever since Ray and Dots Tap first opened its doors in 1957, the bar and the post have always been joined at the hip. Back then, the two were located in a farmhouse, with the Koepsels living above the tavern in a three-room apartment for its early years. About ten years later, the family moved out to a house on the corner, while the old farmhouse  once a boarding house for Greenfields first school teacher  was taken down, replaced by Ray and Dots currently building.

"I remember being a kid, watching them tear my house down basically," remembers Koepsel, who also fondly recalls watching his dad work the bar wearing that classic bartender uniform of a white shirt and black pants back in the day  professional but far from snootily formal. Marc would eventually join his father behind the bar in 1977, the day he turned 18, before officially taking the reigns himself, buying the local landmark from his parents in 1995.

Over the years, Ray and Dots Tap has seen plenty of other changes  in drinking culture and, therefore, inside the bar in order to keep up with the trends. Back when it first opened, the bar had just two options: ten cents for a 12-ounce Pabst, or live it up and add a nickel for an Andeker. With todays craft-crazed consumers and increased number of breweries and brands out there, however, Ray and Dots has now upgraded to 18 beer lines. Then there are the flavored vodkas, rums, and other various liquors and drinks that one expects from a bar in the 21st century.

"I tell you: 20 years ago, I wouldnt have even dreamed of pouring bubble gum vodka or cinnamon vodka," Koepsel laughed. "Im glad I dont bartend anymore, because we have a drink book now thats about 100 pages thick. Its way beyond my predictions."

The food menu grew over the years as well  from merely Stewart sandwiches to a full menu of bar staples like pizza, wings and" Scooby snacks." a cute name for mini corn dogs  and the walls are now decked with TVs.

"We try anything different, but its so unpredictable now; things change so fast," Koepsel said. "But well always remain the social, say hi to your neighbor kind of bar  whatever new trend comes along."

Indeed, walking into Ray and Dots, its not whats changed or new that captures your attention but what clearly hasnt: the cozy vibe of a small-town, working class neighborhood tap where, indeed, everybody knows your name  probably because youve all grown up together, went to school together and are obviously now drinking together.

And when Ray and Dots talks about being a community spot, it means the entire community, across all generations. Spending a day at Ray and Dot's means watching the crowd morph from retirees grabbing a quick drink to start off the day, to those coming home from a days work, to a younger, millennial generation popping in later at night to hang  all comfortably and casually co-mingling together over cold beers.

"I'm a second generation guy," Bartels said. "My dad used to come here and still does, and I have nephews and nieces that are of age, and they're third generation. We even have fourth generation people here. It's not unusual to have somebody in their 70s sitting next somebody in their 20s on a Friday night, having a conversation together."

"As we all know, the art of communication and socializing has gone away; its all texting and emailing," Koepsel said. "Weve always been that kind of place where you meet someone or meet old friends, and be able to have a conversation, not sit there and scream in each others ear because the music is so loud."

Thats why Ray and Dots also keeps the music low until later in the night  and definitely during Packers games, as one customer of lore learned the hard way.

"In the old place, there was an argument between the Packer game and the jukebox, and they got rid of the jukebox," Koepsel laughed. "They wanted to listen to the Packer game, and someone kept on playing music  so somebody cut the cord on the jukebox."

Clearly, this is a place with its priorities straight  yes, when it comes to the Packers but also, most importantly, when it comes to people. It's the kind of bar where piddling around on your cell phone makes you the oddball, not the norm, and the prices  while maybe not a dime anymore  still treat the wallet well. Pints of either import or craft beer are $3, while domestic 10-ounce taps are $1.25.

"You can always tell whos new here, because theyre order three drinks, and Ill say, OK, thatll be $9.50, and they go, Wait a minute, did you get the Spotted Cow? And its like, Yeah, I did. Welcome to Ray and Dots. Those are our prices," Bartels added. "I've always said this is more like somebody's really cool rec room basement bar than an actual bar. And it's always been that way, ever since we were young kids coming up here."

"My dads principles havent changed: fair prices, socialize and know your neighbor," Koepsel said.

With values  and prices  like those, even tucked away in the suburbs and by no means flashy, theres indeed nothing hidden about Ray and Dots place in Wisconsins bar culture.
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The Small Business Events Calendar is not just a great place to read about important upcoming small business events.

For example, the Twitter chat Voices of Small Business: How Business Owners are Confronting Todays Challenges sponsored by Metlife is coming up June 21. You might not know that without taking a peak at at the Small Business Events Calendar first.

But the calendar is also great place for small business owners and small business events organizers to share their important events and announcements with the small business community.

For example, just recently, organizers of the annual Rule Breaker Awards Oct. 24 in Scottsdale, Ariz. chose to share not only news of the upcoming awards ceremony but of the nominations, which close June 30, too.

You can read details of both the Metlife Twitter Chat and Rule Breaker Awards in the Featured Events section below.

But you can now also take the opportunity to share your own events with the community. The process is simple.

To see a full list or to submit your own event, contest or award listing, visit the Small Business Events Calendar today.

Featured Events, Contests and Awards

Twitter Chat: Voices of Small Business: How Business Owners are Confronting Todays Challenges

June 21, 2017, Online, Twitter

Join us on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at 7:00 pm ET under the hashtag #MetLifeSmallBiz to explore how small business owners are navigating the current economic climate as well as their outlook on hiring and future business conditions. Spotlight findings will be shared by Anita Campbell, CEO of Small Business Trends (@SmallBizTrends), and MetLife (@MetLife) from the new MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index, including commentary from real business owners. Join in the discussion to receive actionable insights that will help you manage your businesses for success.

Twitter Chat: Get Inspired in Your Business

June 28, 2017, Online, Twitter

Are you ready for the Microsoft Inspire event? The companys annual partner conference is only a couple weeks away! Join Anita Campbell, CEO of Small Business Trends, and Small Business expert Gene Marks on June 28, 2017 at 3pm ET (12pm PT) under the hashtag #MSBizTips for a preview of whats coming down the pipeline for small businesses from Microsoft, and discover what you can expect to learn from the conference.

Rule Breaker Awards 2017

June 30, 2017, Online

Entrepreneurs dont play by the rules. Why should you be judged by them? The Rule Breaker Awards will honor and celebrate those entrepreneurs who have succeeded by doing it their way. Some have created whole new industries; others have revolutionized industries that have existed for hundreds of years. Nominations end June 30, 2017. Nominate an entrepreneur today!

Rule Breaker Awards Ceremony

October 24, 2017, Scottsdale, Ariz.

On October 24, 2017 at the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Rule Breaker Awards will honor and celebrate those entrepreneurs who have succeeded by doing it their way in a ceremony featuring the Rule Breaker of the Year and Rule Breaker Award winners.

Sales World 2017

November 08, 2017, Online

Sales World 2017 takes place November 8th to 9th, 2017, Online; Live and On Demand. It is the largest Sales Industry Event in the World and will be attended by over 10,000 Sales Professionals. Its the one sales event you cant afford to miss!

DIGIMARCON WORLD 2017  Digital Marketing Conference

November 14, 2017, Online

DIGIMARCON WORLD 2017 Digital Marketing Conference takes place November 14th to 16th, 2017. Whether your goal is to reinforce customer loyalty, improve lead generation, increase sales, or drive stronger consumer engagement, DIGIMARCON WORLD 2017s agenda will help attendees enhance their marketing efforts. Sessions will focus on building traffic, expanding brand awareness, improving customer service and gaining insight into todays latest digital tools.

More Events

More Contests

Small Business Expo 2017  Houston

October 19, 2017, Online

October 19, 2017, Online Sustainable Brands17

November 30, 2017, Multiple Cities

This weekly listing of small business events, contests and awards is provided as a community service by Small Business Trends.

See Also: Secrets Your Mentors Never Told You About Why Your Small Business Should Sponsor Events
Augmented Reality

Google Expeditions Adds Augmented Reality for Classrooms

Image Credit: Google.

At Googles annual developer conference this week, Google I/O 2017 (May 17-19), the company revealed plans to bring augmented reality (AR) to its immersive education platform Google Expeditions.

The upcoming Expeditions AR mode harnesses Googles Tango AR platform, which uses Visual Positioning Service (VPS) technology to map indoor locations. With a Tango-compatible device, such as the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro, the camera will utilize VPS to recognize specific objects and landmarks. Expeditions AR will enable students to see 3D models of objects like volcanoes, DNA molecules and more up close in a virtual environment.

Expeditions AR lessons will be available to schools this fall through a Pioneer Program. Interested teachers, administrators and other individuals can sign up now.

Just two years ago at I/O, the company unveiled Google Expeditions for the 2015-16 school year as part of an effort to bring low-cost, virtual field trips to the classroom. The company said that more than 2 million students worldwide have experienced virtual reality in Expeditions with Google Cardboard.

To see how Expeditions AR could be used in the classroom, watch the video below.
For years we have dreamt of meeting the beautiful elephants of Asia, but after hearing many horror stories of bad treatment and awful conditions we were wary of doing more harm than good in seeking out this dream interaction. After much research, speaking to others who had visited many of the sanctuaries and so called sanctuaries we felt like we could make the most informed decision and contribute towards the rescue of these beautiful creatures at an amazing Elephant sanctuary Thailand

A changing dream to visit these wonderful animals

As annoyed as I get when I see people riding elephants I can also understand that many people are ignorant to the issues that I will go into more detail about below. But many years ago I remember having a dream of riding an elephant, I knew little of what that really meant but I was young and filled with the romantic idea of this traditional way of getting around South East Asia. However as time went on I learnt and became more aware of the lives and the plight of these beautiful animals and my dreams shifted from riding them to looking after them and visiting a place that would contribute to bettering their lives.







In so many ways this is just another reason why I am glad we waited until we were older to go backpacking and why I believe that your later 20s is the best time to travel as you are much aware of the world at this age.

The importance in knowing why you shouldnt ride them

Many people still head over to South East Asia with the dream of riding elephants, when confronted with the idea that this is harmful, unethical and torturous most of these people fail to see how riding such a large creature could cause them pain.

The thing with riding elephants is that their vertebrae is designed in a different way to that of the horse or even the buffalo which is the Asian equivalent in the role they play in this part of the world. An elephant had additional spines coming off the top of their vertebrae meaning that this area is sensitive to weight and much more delicate than this huge animals first appear. Add the heavy metal frame to the mix and many elephants have to endure crippling back pain.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg, most elephants have to endure years of mental and physical torture in order to be broken. Elephants arent a domesticated animal and dont have the connection to humans as that of the horse, it needs to be taken as a baby, ripped away cruelly from its mother and its spirit broken in a process known as Phajaan, or the crush. These babies are confined to a cage and learn to obey the humans as their masters in a kind of Stockholm Syndrome type of behaviour. But elephants are also powerful and never forget, often these tortured animals will one day turn on the humans around them and crush them.

Selecting the right place that protects the elephants

So after learning all about why we shouldnt ride animals we also learnt that many of the so called sanctuaries in Chiang Mai and Thailand as a whole also still abuse their so called rescued animals. It felt like a real challenge to actually find somewhere that where we could interact with these amazing animals without harming them and actually contribute towards them having a better life. Many of the fake sanctuaries still chain their elephants up, still use the cruel hooks used to break them, still make them perform and keep them in the confined setting that cause mental problems for the elephants.

Over the course of our research we came across two companies: Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and Elephant Nature Park. Any other we felt uneasy visiting.

These places take animals from the trekking companies that ride elephants and also the logging industry that has decimated both the population of the Asian elephant and their natural environment. They keep them in large and protected areas, keep mothers and babies together and have a real passion for the welfare of these animals rather that just exploiting them for tourism. The money you pay here goes directly towards rescuing more elephants, improving their surroundings, feeding them and one day hopefully reintroducing them into the wild.

Learning about these wonderful animals

The first thing we did when we arrived in camp was to sit down whilst the elephants were wandering up to the feeding area. They introduced us to this small herd, showed us the differences between the Asian and African elephants and educated us as to their plight historically in this area.

Importantly they also told us how to behave around the elephants, how to approach them and how to ensure that they are comfortable and never overwhelmed or afraid. It was important to their handlers, who have a personal relationship to their elephants, that they benefit from these interactions.

Interacting with the elephants: Feeding and bathing

The best part of the day was finally getting to interact with these beautiful creatures. Initially we were a little scared of such huge and powerful animals but the more time we spent with them and the more we got to know their calm and friendly nature the more comfortable we felt. Feeding them palm leaves and bananas really got them excited and allowed us get up and close to them and see how their amazingly dextrous trunks work, fascinating really.

We then moved on to the mud bath where the elephants (and us) would be covered in the stuff! It is great for their skin and for social interaction with each other and to reenforce a positive and playful relationship with humans. What I also loved was that one of the babies who was a bit of a tearaway got a little fed up in there and they recognised this straight away and took him and his mum back up to the feeding area. The handlers have a real connection and understanding of these animals.







The best bit of the day however was washing the elephants down in the river. Elephants love the water and love to be cooled down on a hot day. You should really see and hear the fun they were having in the water, throwing their trunks around in joy and the little ones making as much noise as they could. We all had a huge water fight and the elephants joined in once we were done washing the mud off them. It was such a pleasure to see how happy and content they are here too.

Later on we also got to meet some of the senior members of the herd and fed them softer bananas in a special area reserved just for them and their changing needs. It was sad to think how many years of mistreatment they had endured especially the older ones, but it was so wonderful to see them live out the rest of their years here and also know that these babies would never go through what they did.

How to visit the elephants for yourself

We booked our tour through our hostel and specified which camp we wanted to visit.

They offer several options including volunteering for longer, full day tours and half day.

We chose a half day due to money constraints but were pleasantly surprised by what we got for that and how long our experience lasted.

The trip included pick up and drop off as well as lunch.

Elephant sanctuary Thailand: Price for half day is: 1,700 ( 38.60 / $49.49)

www.elephantjunglesanctuary.com

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North Korea anti-ship cruise missile launch

Rodong Sinmun

North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, presided over the launch of a new anti-ship cruise missile system on Thursday in Wonsan, on North Korea's east coast. And though the missiles performed well and struck their target, it was a pretty weak showing.

The missiles flew about 125 miles, South Korea said, and fired from tracked launchers with forest camouflage. The missiles themselves were not new, according to The Diplomat, but they showed off a new launcher that can fire from hidden, off-road locations within moments of being set up.

But those are about the only nice things you could say about these missiles.

In the photos released by North Korean media, it's clear the missiles are striking a ship that isn't moving.

North Korea anti-ship cruise missile launch

Rodong SinmunIn a combat situation, the ships would move and take countermeasures. For the US, South Korean, and Japanese navies, that often means firing an interceptor missile.

North Korea also lacks the ability to support these missiles with accurate guidance. The US would use planes, drones, or even undersea platforms to observe and track a target.

North Korea anti-ship cruise missile launch

Rodong SinmunNorth Korea waited to test these missiles until two US aircraft carrier strike groups armed to the teeth with missile defense capabilities left its shores, perhaps to avoid embarrassment should the US knock them down.

Unlike its practice with ballistic-missile tests, which are banned under international law, the US did not publicly comment on this launch. North Korea is well within its rights to test a cruise missile in international waters.

North Korea anti-ship cruise missile launch

Rodong Sinmun

But despite the rudimentary technology used in the launch, North Korea did show that it poses a real threat. Not only do the missile launchers leverage the element of surprise, but they represent yet another new missile capability.

In a few short months, North Korea has demonstrated a range of capabilities that has surprised experts and military observers. Though the missiles don't pose a threat to the US Navy, Kim showed he's serious about fighting on all fronts.

Story continues

NOW WATCH: South Korea requires all males to serve in the military  here's what it's like

See Also:
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

More than 27 vehicles a day. More than 10,000 for the year.

Thats how many vehicles were reported stolen from Albuquerque and neighboring counties in 2016, according to a recent report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

The bureau reported the Albuquerque area had the highest per-capita rate of auto thefts in the country.

It analyzed data provided by the National Crime Information Center which showed the greater Albuquerque area  Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance and Valencia counties  had 1,114 vehicle thefts per 100,000 people last year. Pueblo, Colo., which ranks second in the nation, had 899 thefts per 100,000 people.

In 2016, the Albuquerque area saw a 50 percent increase over 2015 for vehicles that were reported stolen  6,657 vehicles were reported stolen in 2015 and 10,011 in 2016. In 2015, the area was in the number two spot, behind Modesto, Calif.

The increase comes on the heels of last years reported 45.6 percent jump in auto thefts in the city between 2014 and 2015, according to data provided by the Albuquerque Police Department.

Frank Scafidi, the director of public affairs for the National Insurance Crime Bureau, said the organization uses data from NCIC rather than the FBIs Uniform Crime Report, or UCR, because it is the most accurate way to count stolen vehicles.

The UCR program is voluntary, Scafidi said. When law enforcement takes a vehicle theft report, that gets entered into NCIC. But if theyre not participating in the UCR program that number doesnt get captured.

He said its important to consider that areas with larger populations often have a higher total number of vehicle thefts, but those cities will rank lower when population is taken into account.

You have 10,000 in four counties, Scafidi said. Youve got other areas with five times as many thefts that never come up in top five because they have such a huge population to spread the thefts around.

The high number of vehicle thefts concerns officials and law enforcement in Albuquerque  where the majority of the affected population is concentrated.

As a mayor were absolutely aware of it, said Mayor Richard Berry in a phone interview Friday. Were working closely with the District Attorney and with (the Albuquerque Police Department) to make sure we have resources to go after repeat offenders and to make sure they have what they need to go where they need to go.

Last year the city of Albuquerque created a 14-point plan to combat the growing crime problem and created a team of civilians to assist officers with investigations into burglaries, robberies and thefts. Berry said APD is also working to hire more officers onto the force.

The efforts come at a time of critically low staffing at the police department, which Albuquerque Police Officers Association President Shaun Willoughby points to as driving the increase in crime. Six detectives and a sergeant are assigned to the auto theft unit, according to APD.

Stolen cars have gone up and arrests have gone down because we dont have people out there, Willoughby said. This problem is directly related to not having enough resources. There is no fear of apprehension.

The Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office did not respond to questions about their response to the increase in vehicle thefts by Friday evening.
WASHINGTON  What does the FBI director do when he suspects the president is a manipulative liar? The answer in James Comeys case is that he writes memos, tries to evade demands for loyalty  and anguishes about protecting himself and the FBI.

But by Comeys own admission, perhaps he should have done more.

The big news had already surfaced before Comeys appearance Thursday at the Senate Intelligence Committee, with the release of his prepared testimony. What we got at the hearing was the raw morality play, told in Comeys words, about his dealings with a president whose behavior frightened him.

I was honestly concerned that he might lie about the nature of our meeting, and so I thought it really important to document, Comey said about his Jan. 6 meeting with Donald Trump. Comey had just briefed the president-elect, alone, about salacious, unverified details of a dossier alleging various Trump escapades in Moscow.

What troubled Comey, he said, was the circumstances, the subject matter and the person I was interacting with. As he left Trump Tower, he began writing a self-protective memo describing the encounter.

Comey was a compelling witness to the bullying behavior of this president. But Trump supporters can argue that the presidents hand was strengthened by Thursdays Super Bowl hearing.

Even as Comey chronicled his disturbing encounters with Trump, he also affirmed some important strands of the White House narrative.

Comey said that as of May, when he was fired, Trump was not personally under FBI investigation  offering, finally, the public acknowledgment Trump had been requesting so assiduously.

Comey also said Trump had never ordered him to halt the overall FBI investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

And on the sensitive subject of leaks, Comey revealed that to prompt the appointment of a special counsel, he had used a cut-out to share with The New York Times details of a memo recounting Trumps Feb. 14 request, I hope you can let this go, referring to the FBI investigation of former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Thursdays hearing offered a haunting portrait of a moralist confronting a dealmaker. Comey conveyed his fastidious attention to ethics, and to his own reputation. He spoke of his personal pain in dealing with the Hillary Clinton investigation, his concern for morale if FBI agents heard that Trump wants [the Flynn investigation] to go away.

He wrote memos after his encounters and briefed his closest aides. But he didnt take the evidence of what he saw as Trumps wrongdoing to Justice Department superiors or congressional oversight committees.

It was Pilgrims Progress meets House of Cards when Comey arrived for a one-on-one dinner at the White House Jan. 27. Comey described his fear that Trump wanted to create a patronage debt by making Comey ask for his FBI job. As Trump stressed so baldly, in Comeys telling, he wanted loyalty  much as a feudal lord might seek allegiance from his barons.

Comey imagined that by offering Trump only honest loyalty during the dinner, he had diluted his demand. But in their last phone call, on April 11, Trump protested: I have been very loyal to you, very loyal; we had that thing you know. Comey didnt push back. He wrote another memo.

The most poignant moments in Thursdays hearing were Comeys reflections on what he might have done differently. When Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., asked why he hadnt rejected outright Trumps hope that he close the Flynn investigation, Comey answered: Maybe other people would be stronger in that circumstance.  Maybe if I did it again, I would do it better.

Later Comey was pressed about why he accommodatingly told Trump in a March 30 call that he would see what we could do to lift the cloud of the Russia investigation. He conceded that his response was a slightly cowardly way  of getting off the phone, frankly.

What is it about being FBI director that makes people so concerned about image, yet unable to be entirely independent of the politicians they serve? Thats been part of the bureaus history, ever since J. Edgar Hoover. Comey couldnt escape it.

Comeys personal ethical dilemmas are now interwoven with the nations political history. Its the stuff of high drama  the temporizing ethicist meets the amoral bulldozer.

The story didnt have a happy ending for Comey  or, it seems, for the country.

Email: davidignatius@washpost.com. Copyright, Washington Post Writers Group.
Police arrested dozens in an operation targeting offenders with outstanding DWI warrants in Albuquerque Friday, according to a New Mexico State Police spokeswoman.

Officer Elizabeth Armijo said 30 people were arrested in the operation that focused on the Albuquerque metro area.

The purpose of this operation was to identify and arrest individuals with outstanding DWI-related bench warrants, she said.

Armijo said the arrests cleared 49 warrants total, 15 of them being DWI-related.

Two magistrate judges were present to arraign each suspect, she said. Of those arrested, eleven surrendered at the State Police office.

This operation gave the opportunity for those with a warrant to resolve the warrant rather than being arrested and going to jail, Armijo said.

State Police worked with local law enforcement agencies in the operation, she said. That includes the Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office, New Mexico Corrections Department and Administrative Office of the Courts.

State Police will continue to partner with New Mexico law enforcement apprehending DWI offenders and those who fail to comply with the courts, Armijo said.
To the individual who flies his flag at half mast until the next election and to the one in Corrales who flies his upside down and any other child who decides they dont like Trump so they show their ignorance and displeasure with our democratic system via the flag. Do you really understand what our flag is? And I direct this to the Albuquerque Journal editor who decided to run the half mast opinion letter on Memorial Weekend.

So what is the flag? This is what it means to me: It represents all who have fought for this country and stood by it through all of the difficult times of over 200 years. It is the blood shed on battlefields abroad and ashore for our country, our democracy. I pledge allegiance to the flag for which it stands, one nation, under God with liberty and justice for all.

When I held the head of my Marine in combat and he looked at me and said, save the flag, sir, I wasnt thinking of lowering it to half mast in protest for his death, nor having it upside down in front of my house! When I was in the embassy in Beirut when it blew up and I finally made it outside, the first thing I looked at was the flag still flying. When I lost over 50 of my Marines in the (Beirut) Barracks bombing, I wasnt draping the flag upside down on each of their coffins as they came off the plane in honor for their country.

When President Obama was elected, I didnt agree with the choice, but our democratic system caused him to be elected twice. I didnt protest, cuss, burn buildings, spit on speakers, yell (at) speakers at colleges, shut down free speech, or lower my flag or drape it upside down. I was proud of our system of democracy and went on with my life knowing that we had chosen our leader.

I didnt back Sen. (John) Kerry because I remember the disgrace he brought our country at the end of the Vietnam war. He wasnt Swift Boated, he just forgot those of us that unlike him, served honorably for our country. When Hillary (Clinton) was selected to (run to) represent our country, I didnt vote for her because she was a Democrat, I believed she was an unindicted criminal who committed acts that any other American would have gone to prison for.

So I voted for (Donald) Trump. Not a politician, but a successful businessman. He was elected, fair and square, like it or not. Yet, children of the Socialist Democratic Party have done everything to derail his presidency! Wait, tried to derail our presidency! Leaks of top secret information is commonplace and appears to be accepted by these children of the Democratic Party? And then proudly an American decides he will fly his flag at half mast until the next election or drape it upside down in distress?

I am dishonored by people who conduct themselves like that and wonder if it was worth being blown up in the American Embassy in Beirut or receiving three Purple Hearts, several bullet wounds and over 30 shrapnel wounds for people like that? I am ashamed of people who do what they are doing by dishonoring those who have given so much for this country for over 200 years. I include the Albuquerque Journal editor who decided to run the letter on Memorial weekend.

God Bless America
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

Students at the University of New Mexico chart more progress in critical thinking ability over their college careers than many of their peers around the country, according to a new analysis of standardized test data.

The report from The Wall Street Journal, published this week, ranked 68 public higher education institutions based on how much better their seniors perform than their freshman on the College Learning Assessment Plus test.

While the newspaper described its overall findings as discouraging given how many schools seniors showed deficiencies, its report provided some welcome news for UNM. New Mexicos largest university had the third-best score for adding value between freshman and senior year.

UNM, the only New Mexico school included in The Wall Street Journals report, ranked behind only Plymouth State (N.H.) University and Western Carolina University in the value-added metric.

UNM students actually scored better on the CLA+ than either school, but they achieved a smaller improvement.

The results, and The Wall Street Journals coverage, validate the work UNM has done in recent years, interim President Chaouki Abdallah said. That includes reviewing academic courses and refining final exams, particularly in core subjects, to better assess students real-world skills.

UNM has used CLA+ and similar tests in recent years to gauge how well the school prepares students for life after they leave. The tests provide insight beyond mere graduation rates, Abdallah said.

UNM has implemented numerous programs that have led to increased graduation rates; about 26 percent of UNM students now graduate in four years and about half finish in six.

Critical thinking is one of those areas that employers say they want. We think were doing it in college, but in many cases we were not measuring that, Abdallah said.

Greg Heileman, UNMs vice provost for teaching and learning, said nothing specifically requires the school to administer CLA+, but UNMs regents have pushed for evidence about the value of a UNM education.

UNM has typically done well on such tests, he added.

About 200 schools around the country use CLA+, according to The Wall Street Journal. The newspaper sought records from about 100 and ranked the 68 with statistically valid results.

The CLA+ features a performance task that requires students to formulate a written response to a problem using evidence provided in data tables, technical reports and other materials. It also includes a series of selected-response questions to test scientific and quantitative reasoning, critical reading and more.

The Wall Street Journal used UNMs CLA+ results from 2014 for the rankings. UNM administered the test to 172 freshmen and 142 seniors that year. Mastery levels were below basic, basic, proficient and advanced.

Eighty-five percent of the seniors rated either proficient or advanced compared with 57 percent of freshmen.

Critics of the test have questioned the results meaning, since students may not take it seriously  UNM often entices students to take the voluntary test by dangling perks like free parking passes  and because freshmen at more competitive schools may have less room to improve, according to The Wall Street Journal.

But Heileman said it is just one of many tools UNM uses.

I think this is really just a measure that we use to get a sense of how well were doing, Heileman said. There are many, many other assessments we do in addition to this that more directly inform our programs.

Link to Wall Street Journal story.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

Earnestine Clark uses a personal example to illustrate why many of her Navajo patients at the Gallup Indian Medical Center are reluctant to get screened for colorectal cancer.

As a girl growing up on the Navajo reservation, Clarks parents often hitchhiked into Gallup to buy necessities, she said.

My mother and father didnt have a vehicle when I was growing up, said Clark, a registered nurse for the Indian Health Service.

When they went to Gallup, it was for essentials  groceries and other things we needed at home, she recalled Friday. It wasnt to go to the hospital.

For people struggling to survive, traveling to Gallup or Shiprock for a colonoscopy can be a low priority, Clark said. The two cities are the only New Mexico sites in the Navajo Nation where the screening test is offered.

Many Navajo, particularly men, also have a cultural bias against seeking medical care, Clark said.

The myth is, you dont go to the hospital because thats the place to die, she said. Its not a place where you are going to get help.

Clark made the comments during a break at the 2017 New Mexico Colorectal Cancer Roundtable at the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The American Cancer Society organized the daylong event to bring together health professionals to discuss ways to reduce colorectal cancer rates.

Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cancer diagnosis in New Mexico, where 800 new cases are diagnosed each year, said Chuck Wiggins, director of the New Mexico Tumor Registry. About 135,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S.

The rigors of life on the reservation help explain low colorectal screening rates and rising colorectal cancer rates for Native Americans in New Mexico.

About 61 percent of all New Mexicans are up-to-date with colorectal cancer screenings, compared with 65 percent nationally.

But among Native Americans, only 45.3 percent are up-to-date with screening, said Kevin English, director of the Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center. For Native American men in New Mexico, the rate is only 38 percent, he said.

Colonoscopy is more than a diagnostic procedure for colorectal cancer, English said. If doctors find precancerous polyps, they can remove them during the procedure, he said.

Other effective screening tests offer an option for people reluctant to get a colonoscopy, which requires fasting and preparation that many patients dislike, said Dr. Durado Brooks, a managing director of the American Cancer Society.

Alternatives include a test of fecal samples, called a fecal immunochemical test, or FIT, that costs less than $30 and can detect up to 75 percent of cancers, he said.

Patients want options, Brooks said. The best test is the one that gets done.
GALLUP  Neighbors can now recognize the house of a local American hero by a new flagpole put up in front of his house.

An Alabama organization traveled to Gallup last month to raise the flag in recognition of Korean War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Hiroshi Hershey Miyamura, the Gallup Independent reported.

The 91-year-old veteran said he has always wanted to fly an American flag in front of his home, but he worried that raising and lowering the flag each day would become too difficult.

The Flag for Vets organization installed Miyamuras new flagpole with lights so it could fly around the clock.

Founder and Marine Corps veteran Jamie Popwell started the organization in January after he lost his job. It began as a small effort to provide flags for veterans who live in Popwells hometown of Auburn, Ala. The operation has expanded since. Popwell recruited Navy veteran Brantley Cargill to help him.

Popwell estimates the organization has raised 58 flag across Alabama and the South.

When we place these flags, the veterans dont feel like a nobody. There is someone who cares about you, Popwell said. When we tell the veterans the cost of this flag was borne by an absolute stranger, thats even more touching.

The volunteer work has become a kind of therapy for the pair.

It has been therapeutic in the effort, Cargill said. We both served in the military, we both served in law enforcement and we all have struggles about the things we have done. So this is a chance to administer our own therapy. There is a common bond that they understand and we understand.

The organization plans to return to the area in the future to recognize more New Mexico veterans.
A key figure in crafting Gov. Susana Martinezs communications strategy is leaving her administration.

Chris Sanchez  who worked for the governor for about 3 years  stepped down this week as communications director.

His departure is the third announced by the Martinez administration this week among top staffers. Education Secretary Hanna Skandera and Myles Copeland, secretary of Aging and Long-Term Services, are also leaving.

Martinez, a Republican, is well into her second term as governor, and she cant run again next year because of term limits. The next governor will be elected in November 2018 and take office Jan. 1, 2019.

Sanchez worked on the governors 2014 re-election campaign and also served as a spokesman for the Higher Education Department.

Martinez said she is grateful for his help.

Chris is a gifted communicator who helped me lay out my vision to the people of New Mexico, the governor said in a written statement. Were going to miss his good sense of humor and invaluable insight.

Larry Behrens, a former spokesman for the Public Education Department, succeeds Sanchez as communications director.

Hiring freeze lifted

The Martinez administration has lifted a hiring freeze aimed at helping the state survive a budget crisis.

Joseph Cueto, a spokesman for the governor, said prudent fiscal management by the administration allowed the freeze to be lifted.

The governor froze hiring for most state jobs in late March, when her state personnel director cited unprecedented budgetary challenges.

It takes about a month for new hires to actually make it onto the payroll.

Lawsuit over vetoes

Gov. Martinez shook up this years legislative session with a spate of unexplained vetoes, and lawmakers are now taking her to court, arguing the vetoes should be invalidated for failing to meet legal requirements.

The fate of the lawsuit should become more clear next week.

State District Judge Sarah Singleton has scheduled an hour-long hearing for Friday in Santa Fe.

Dan McKay: dmckay@abqjournal.com
WASHINGTON  Punching back a day after his fired FBI directors damaging testimony, President Donald Trump accused James Comey of lying to Congress and said he was 100 percent willing to testify under oath about their conversations.

Trump cryptically refused to say whether those private exchanges were taped  a matter at the heart of the conflicting accounts of what passed between them at a time when Comey was leading an FBI investigation into Russias interference in the presidential election and its ties to the Trump campaign.

He asserted that nothing in Comeys testimony to the Senate pointed to collusion with Russia or obstruction of justice. Yesterday showed no collusion, no obstruction, Trump said.

He further denied ever asking Comey for his loyalty, contradicting Comeys detailed sworn testimony about a private dinner the two men had in the White House.

No I didnt say that, Trump stated abruptly, taking questions Friday at a joint press conference with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in the Rose Garden. Asked if he would make that denial under oath, he said, 100 percent.

Trumps aides have dodged questions about whether conversations relevant to the Russia investigation have been recorded, and so did the president, in a series of teases.

Well, Ill tell you about that maybe sometime in the very near future, Trump said. Pressed on the issue, he insisted he wasnt hinting anything, before adding, Oh youre going to be very disappointed when you hear the answer, dont worry.

The House intelligence committee sent a letter Friday asking White House counsel Don McGahn whether any tape recordings or memos of Comeys conversations with the president exist now or had existed in the past. The committee also sent a letter to Comey asking for any notes or memos in his possession about the discussions he had with Trump before being abruptly fired last month. The committee is seeking the materials by June 23.

Comey told the Senate intelligence committee Thursday about several one-on-one interactions with the president, during which he said Trump pressed him to show loyalty, to back off on the FBI investigation of his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and to disclose that Trump himself was not under investigation.

Comey said he refused on all points, told senators of the detailed memos he had written after his conversations with Trump and said he hoped those conversations were taped because he is confident of their veracity.

Standing with the president of Romania, a NATO partner, Trump at last confirmed his commitment to the alliances mutual defense pact, Article 5, uttering words he deliberately did not say when he spoke at NATOs gathering in Belgium last month. On Friday he said he was committing the United States to Article 5.

He also accused Qatar, a key U.S. military partner, of funding terrorism at a very high level, and said solving the problem in the tiny Persian Gulf nation could be the beginning of the end of terrorism. It was a forceful endorsement of this weeks move by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to cut off ties to Qatar, but a very different message from the one delivered just an hour before by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Tillerson had called on the Arab nations to immediately ease their blockade on Qatar.

Trump also saluted the United States relationship with Romania and praised its contribution to the global fight against terror.

The president had previewed his attacks against Comey in an early-morning tweet that broke his previous days silence on his favorite social media megaphone.

Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication, Trump wrote. It was a stunning accusation, suggesting that the former FBI director had lied to Congress, while under oath.

He also seized on Comeys revelation that he had directed a friend to release contents of memos hed written documenting his conversations with the president to a reporter.

and WOW, Comey is a leaker! Trump wrote at 6:10 a.m. He derisively repeated the leaker moniker when speaking to reporters in the Rose Garden.

Trumps private attorney, Marc Kasowitz, seized on Comeys admission that he had orchestrated the public release of the information. Kasowitz is expected to file a complaint with the Justice Department inspector general next week, according to a person close to the legal team who agreed to speak before the filing on condition that the persons name is not used.

Sen. Richard Burr, the Republican chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, and Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the committee, both said Thursday they believed Comeys account of the events.

And I think you saw today the overwhelming majority of the intel members, Democrats and Republicans, feel that Jim Comey is credible. Even folks who have been his critics dont question his integrity, his commitment to the rule of law and his intelligence, Warner said.

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Associated Press writers Julie Pace, Mary Clare Jalonick, Josh Lederman and Deb Riechmann contributed to this report.

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Follow Woodward and Colvin on Twitter at https://twitter.com/CalWd and https://twitter.com/colvinj
MANILA, Philippines  U.S. special forces are helping Philippine troops fight Islamic militants in the southern city of Marawi, the U.S. Embassy in Manila said.

The assistance was offered at the request of the Philippine government, according to an emailed statement that didnt give details of the support. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and President Rodrigo Dutertes spokesman, Ernesto Abella, didnt respond to requests for comment.

The request for U.S. assistance came eight months after Duterte suggested he would end joint military drills with the U.S., after President Barack Obamas criticism of the extrajudicial killing of thousands of people in the war on drugs that human rights advocates say has disproportionately targeted the urban poor.

President Donald Trump, on the other hand, has refrained from criticizing Duterte and invited him to the White House when the two leaders spoke by phone in April. Trump more recently was reported to have praised Dutertes efforts in the war on drugs.

Officials at a regional security conference in Singapore last week voiced concern over the rising threat from Islamic fighters in Southeast Asia, home to about 15 percent of the worlds 1.57 billion Muslims. U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis sought to reassure allies in the region, highlighting U.S. efforts to improve information sharing and to train Philippine counterterrorism forces fighting in the south.

On its website, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines in May described 12 days of training in the Philippine summer heat involving Philippine troops and members of the U.S. armed forces. The 33rd Balikatan exercise involved preparation to respond to terrorist threats and natural disasters.

Officials like Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in recent weeks have had to interpret inconsistent policy signals from the administration, as Trump pledges both to put America first and to step up the fight against Islamic militants.

Duterte has pledged harsh actions against Islamic militants, especially in poorer southern provinces. As many as 400 foreign fighters are believed to be operating in the Philippines, according to Philippine Undersecretary for Defense Ricardo David.

Meanwhile, Col. Edgard Arevalo, chief of public affairs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said 13 soldiers died and 40 were wounded in a 14-hour battle with Islamic militants in one of the villages in Marawi City, in the southern island of Mindanao.

Philippine troops have been fighting the Maute group, which claims allegiance to Islamic State, in Marawi for more than two weeks. Mindanao was put under martial law to prevent the violence



(Andreo Calonzo and Anna Edgerton contributed to this report.)



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WASHINGTON  Qatar, isolated by its neighbors and singled out for supporting terrorism by President Donald Trump, hired former Attorney General John Ashcrofts firm as its lobbyist, according to disclosures released by the Justice Department.

Qatar hired Ashcroft Law Firm for 90 days, agreeing to pay it $2.5 million to help the Persian Gulf nation comply with U.S. money laundering and counterterrorism financing regulations, and to stress its efforts to combat global terrorism, according to disclosures filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. That law requires lobbyists for foreign clients to disclose information about their activities.

On Friday, Trump called Qatar a funder of terrorism at a very high level.

To fight that image, Ashcroft said he would enlist former government leaders who held senior positions in the Treasury and Homeland Security departments, the FBI the intelligence community. Their services would be paid for out of the $2.5 million fee, according to the contract, which also says that Ashcroft, who was attorney general from 2001 to 2005 under President George W. Bush, will lead the effort.

Ashcroft didnt respond to a request for comment.

The contract cites the urgent need to commence work immediately. After Trumps trip to the Middle East last month, four U.S. Arab allies took steps to isolate Qatar because of its ties to Iran and support of Islamist groups. Saudi Arabia, the United Arabic Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic relations to the nation Monday. That day, Trump congratulated the Saudis for their actions.

Shortly after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations to ease their blockade of Qatar Friday, Trump seemed to contradict his top diplomat. Trump called the actions against Qatar hard but necessary.

Qatars population is smaller than Houstons, but it has a sovereign wealth fund with stakes in global companies like Barclays and Credit Suisse. It hosts the forward headquarters of the U.S. militarys central command in the region.

Ashcrofts firm promised to provide crisis response and management, program and system analysis, media outreach and advocacy, stressing Qatars efforts to combat global terrorism, according to the contract. The firm plans a comprehensive legal and government relations strategy, one that will communicate broadly and to certain domestic agencies and leaders.

In addition to Ashcroft, six members of his firm registered as lobbyists for Qatar, including Christopher Peele, a former special trial attorney in the fraud section of the Justice Department, and Michael Sullivan, a former director of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.



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The parade route may have changed, but attendees brought their usual flair  fancy floats, dazzling rainbows, sultry burlesque outfits  to Saturdays Albuquerque Pride parade.

This weekend marks the 41st Albuquerque PrideFest, which continues today with a march starting at Robinson Park Downtown. Organizers of the festival expected about 14,000 people from throughout the Southwest to attend events.

Due to Albuquerque Rapid Transit project construction, this years parade was moved off Central Avenue, and instead participants pranced up Lomas Boulevard from Washington to San Pedro and into Expo New Mexico, where there was a festival to celebrate the citys LGBT community.

Katie Mortensen found a shady spot under a tree to watch the parade with her wife, Rebecca Mortensen. The two 23-year-olds grew up in Mormon families in southern Utah and at one point werent allowed to marry in their state.

Im just want to celebrate that fact that I got to marry this beautiful woman and support all my friends and the LGBT community, Katie said as the floats moved by.

One such float featured a team of rugby players doing lineouts for the crowd  its how play is restarted in the sport. Avian Perez organized the float for New Mexico Brujos Rugby Team, which is comprised of men and woman and gays and straights.

The team emphasizes inclusivity. We fit in perfectly here at the Pride parade, he

said. Its embedded in our blood to accept each other and be prideful of each other. This is the first group Ive ever felt super-accepted in. I knew me coming out to the team wasnt going to be a big deal.

Seth Woodcock, 22, brought a backpack filled with water and other supplies and planned to meet friends. He even brought dog food so he and his pet, C.C., who was wearing a rainbow scarf while watching the parade, could stay at the festival all day.

It doesnt matter who you are here. You can be whoever you are, he said. This is the one place where people refuse judgement.

Woodcocks straight but didnt think twice about going to the festival. He said hes been to other Pride parades and always has a good time.

I dont feel that I have to be gay to love gay people. I love that people can be absolutely themselves here. Thats the coolest thing, he said along the route. Being a straight person and telling people its OK to be gay. That might mean something to somebody.

Another float moved by with some people twirling Hula-Hoops, while there were others in toned-down, family friendly versions of their burlesque costumes. Anne Key had organized the float with Unicorn Productions, which puts on burlesque shows around the city.

The group joined forces with Burning Loins, a trio of men from Colorado, for a show at Effex on Friday to celebrate the weekend.

We all love and support Pride. All of us are a little bit queer one way or another, Key said after the parade. Its just great to hear people cheer and just be happy about people in the crowd being who they are and supporting anybody in the parade being who they are. Thats really nice and really heartening.
LeEco subsidiary Leshi Internet Information & Technology has canceled its 200 billion yuan (around $294 million) bond fundraising initiative that was filed in September last year. The listed arm of the Chinese multinational said at that time that its working capital would be increased with the income made from the bond issues. However, when posting the companys latest update about the fundraising move to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, Leshi declined to explain why the plans are being terminated. Similarly, executives from the LeEco listed unit have not commented on the matter, although the news follows questions about the financial health of the company by Chinese regulators. Prior to the cancelation of the bond sale there had been three information requests from auditors who also asked how any company restructuring would affect the solvency of the bonds.

Leshis main business is a video streaming service similar to Netflix, and just last month, LeEco founder Jia Yueting resigned his position as CEO of Leshi, as did the companys chief financial officer Yang Lijie. Former Lenovo executive Liang Jung and Zhang Wei then took those positions respectively, although Jia did stay on as chairman. Shortly afterward, there was news that parent company LeEco was laying off around 70% of its workforce in the US, which immediately led to hundreds of workers in Santa Clara and San Jose being laid off. The move to rationalize global operations was made to address the companys cash difficulties that have been reported for some time, with the main cause noted to be rapid expansion with limited capital and resources over too short a space of time. As well as smartphones the companys product list has spread to smart TVs, smart bikes, and electric cars.

LeEcos struggles have mounted over recent times and in January Chinese manufacturer Zhejiang Haosheng Electronic Technology sued the company over unpaid bills. In April LeEco then pulled out of the planned acquisition of US TV manufacturer Vizio, and more recently it was reported that Chinese ad agency Jinyuan Technology is to sue the company about non-payment of fees to the tune of over 60 million yuan (around $8.8 million). Now, Leshi scrapping its planned bond sale is bound to throw up further concerns about LeEcos financial position. No doubt there will further news on this over the coming weeks and months.
Introduction

The BlackBerry KEYone faces off against the LG V20 in todays head-to-head. While the KEYone is the latest flagship smartphone from the Canadian company that was once the global leader in smartphones, the LG V20 is the second-generation V-series device from the South Korean electronics manufacturer that has been anything but boring with its smartphone designs of late. The two devices both have pretty much all the standard features youd expect from premium Android smartphones circa 2017, but also include a few quirky but novel design elements that add some specific functionalities to them. Both have already cultivated a dedicated fan-following, so which one is right for you if youre still sitting on the fence? Well try to find that out over the course of this comparison.

Specifications

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BlackBerry KEYone

The BlackBerry KEYone needs to be a big hit for the beleaguered Canadian tech company, and if initial reports are anything to go by, it looks like its already off to a great start. The KEYone is the second Android device from BlackBerry with a physical keyboard after the PRIV, but unlike its predecessor, it isnt designed or developed by the Canadian firm. Thats because plagued by diminishing market share and mounting losses from its smartphone business, BlackBerry decided to move away from investing any further into its hardware business, and licensed its brand to Chinese tech company TCL, which now designs, develops and markets BlackBerry-branded devices, while the Canadian firm chips in with the software and services.

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The KEYone may not necessarily have cutting edge hardware, but it does have a high-end feel to it in terms of its 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 physical keyboard on the bottom, and a 4.5-inch IPS LCD display on top. The screen 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.

The BlackBerry KEYone uses the exact same 12-megapixel primary camera found on the Google Pixel and Pixel XL. It comes with an f/2.0 aperture, phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) and a dual-tone LED flash. The front-facing camera comes with an 8-megapixel sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. The KEYone carries a non-removable 3,505 mAh Li-Ion unit with support for Qualcomms Quick Charge 3.0. In terms of software, the device ships with an almost pure version of Android 7.1 Nougat. The BlackBerry KEYone measures 149.1mm in length. 72.4mm in width and 9.4mm in thickness, while weighing in at 180 grams.

LG V20

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The LG V20 was officially launched late last year, and its claim to fame is that it was the first device apart from the Google Pixel and Pixel XL to come with Android Nougat pre-installed. It is a feature-rich device that was widely praised in the media for being one of the best phones released last year, and continues to remain one of the best phones money can buy right now. The device comes with two screens, three cameras and a multitude of neat, thoughtful features that youll be hard-pressed to find in any other smartphone. Although quite a few vendors have tried the dual-screen trick from time to time, most of them have felt gimmicky more often than not. LG, however, seems to have implemented it much better for the most part, but its still not something that you cant live without.

While the primary display on the LG V20 is a 5.7-inch IPS LCD panel with a WQHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, the second screen measures just 2.1-inch in size and really, is more of an extension on top of the main display panel, but it operates independently. It comes with a resolution of 1040 x 160 pixels and, can be configured to display app shortcuts, music player controls or quick tools for most-used functions. The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 which comes with an integrated CPU with 4 custom Kryo cores. While two of them are clocked at 2.15 GHz, the other two are clocked at 2.16 GHz. The device also ships with 4GB of RAM and either 32GB or 64GB of built-in storage that can be expanded by way of a microSD card.

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In terms of optics, the LG V20 comes with a dual camera module on the back, including a 16-megapixel sensor with a 29mm focal length, an f/1.8 aperture and a 1/2.6-inch sensor size. Theres also a wide-angle sensor with a 12mm focal length, 1/3.2-inch sensor size and an f/2.4 aperture. Other features include geo-tagging, touch focus, face and smile detection, panorama and HDR mode. As for the front-facing camera, it comes with a single 5-megapixel sensor with an f/1.9 aperture. The device comes with a removable 3,200 mAh Li-Ion battery with support for Qualcomms Quick Charge 3.0. In terms of software, the LG V20, as mentioned already, comes with Android Nougat pre-installed. Its also expected to get updated to Android O going forward.

Connectivity options on the LG V20 include an USB Type-C port for charging and data syncing, but unlike many of its competitors, the device also comes with a 3.5mm audio port for compatibility with older headphones. Sensors on the LG V20 include a rear-facing fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, magnetometer (e-compass) and color spectrum sensor. The device is fairly large by any yardstick, measuring 159.7mm in length, 78.1mm in width and 7.6mm in thickness while weighing in at a rather hefty 174 grams. The LG V20 also comes with an NFC chip for compatibility with mobile payment platforms like Android Pay and an infrared blaster that allows you to use it as a remote.

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The Final Word

To be completely honest, the BlackBerry KEYone and the LG V20 are targeted at completely different sets of buyers, so it probably isnt entirely fair to compare them against one another. However, both devices are priced fairly similarly, so it makes sense to put them side-by-side to see which one deserves your hard-earned money. Both devices have their own pros and cons, but the only reason the LG pips the BlackBerry to the post in our comparison, is because in spite of its quirks, it still appeals to a much larger target audience than its competitor. The LG V20 is a nice, well-rounded smartphone that isnt completely without flaws, but its certainly something worth buying if you want your device to stand out from the sea of Galaxys around you. On the other hand, the KEYone comes with an almost-perfect implementation of a physical QWERTY keyboard on an Android smartphone, and is a must-buy for anyone feeling nostalgic about the good ol BlackBerrys.
A device made by HMD Global Oy bearing the model number TA-1004 thats said to be the Nokia 9 had been certified by the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) earlier this week, as evidenced by a set of testing documentation published by the agency on Friday. The listing confirms that the handset was designed in Finland and reveals that it supports both GSM and CDMA bands, indicating that it works with networks of all major mobile service providers in the country. The supposed Nokia 9 supports NFC and Bluetooth 4.2, the FCC found, though no other relevant information about the device has been provided in the newly uncovered documents.

Regardless, the Nokia TA-1004 is far from a mystery, with this particular HMD-made device having already been sighted on numerous occasions, including a number of appearances in databases of several mobile benchmarking tools. According to those reports, the Nokia 9 (TA-1004) will be powered by the Snapdragon 835, Qualcomms 64-bit system-on-chip (SoC) with the Adreno 540 GPU and eight Kyro cores clocked at a maximum frequency of 1.9GHz. The device is also said to boast 4GB of RAM and at least 32GB of internal flash memory that will presumably be expandable via a microSD card slot by up to 256GB. The Nokia 9 is thought to run Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box that should be relatively clean and similar to the stock version of Googles ubiquitous operating system, as the Finnish original equipment manufacturer (OEM) previously said that it opted against developing a proprietary mobile user interface due to not being able to top Googles software efforts.

While the Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and the Nokia 6 werent prioritized for a stateside release, that likely wont be the case with the upcoming Nokia 9 given how the United States is the largest flagship market in the world and a country that HMD cannot ignore if it hopes to successfully launch a high-end Android device. Its currently unclear whether Nokia 9 variants with 6GB and 8GB of RAM will also make their way to the country, but more details on the device and HMDs other products should be available in the near future.
Unlocked variants of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (SM-T713) are also getting Android 7.0 Nougat in the United States as of today, shortly after Verizon Wireless started pushing out the same update to the third generation of Samsungs Galaxy Tab-series devices on its network. Samsung Electronics has yet to officially detail the rollout of the latest software package for the Galaxy Tab S2, but with the update debuting today, it will likely be distributed to all eligible devices over the course of next week. The software doesnt ship with a new security patch and the Galaxy Tab S2 is still running the April Security Update following the installation of the latest package.

The SM-T713 is the model number of the 8-inch Wi-Fi-only version of the device, the only one that is currently confirmed as receiving the update, as evidenced by the screenshots below. Its currently unclear whether Android Nougat is also making its way to the SM-T813, i.e. the 9.7-inch Wi-Fi variant of the Galaxy Tab S2, but even if it isnt, the rollout for that model should commence shortly. The Seoul-based original equipment manufacturer (OEM) recently pledged to keep unlocked variants of its Galaxy devices in the U.S. updated on a monthly basis, but that promise only pertained to Googles security patches and not major operating system updates like the one thats currently being distributed to the Galaxy Tab S2 (SM-T713). The software package itself is well over 1GB in size any may take a while to download, so users are encouraged to either leave their devices to charge during the update process or make sure they have at least 50 percent of battery left before initializing the installation. This is a precautionary measure intended to prevent scenarios in which the device shuts down during the update procedure which may lead to it being bricked.

Having been released last year, the Galaxy Tab S2 (SM-T713) is expected to receive at least one major OS update before being partially removed from Samsungs software support cycle, though the device should still continue receiving security patches for the foreseeable future. Earlier this year, Samsung released the Galaxy Tab S3 series thats meant to succeed its 2016 premium devices and has been enjoying a relatively positive response from consumers and critics alike so far. More details on the companys hardware efforts are expected to be revealed in the coming months.
SUV

Head honcho Sergio Marchionne is expecting the Italian company to sell just about 170,000 vehicles globally in 2017, but the numbers are telling something else. Last year, for example, Alfa Romeo moved 73,000 units on a worldwide scale. The more worrying thing, however, is that the company sold less than 19,000 Giulias in Europe, its strongest market, in the period between May 2016 and April 2017.That, as highlighted by Automotive News , is far off the mark Sergio was expecting from the Giulia. Theres also the problem of demand and market evolution, with customers now more enticed by high-riding crossovers than elegant sedans. Its crystal clear, then, that Alfa Romeo has yet to bounce back to its former glory as a manufacturer.Theres a silver lining in all this story, though, with the weight of the world hanging of the Stelvio. Recently launched in both Europe and the United States, theres a bigger market out there for a sport utility vehicle such as the Stelvio. And with competition that includes the likes of the Jaguar F-Pace and Mercedes-Benz GLC , it will be tough for the Stelvio to prove its worth.In the coming years, Alfa Romeo will step up itsgame with two more products . By 2020, were in for an entry-level crossover that may bear the name of Kamal, a vehicle rumored to be offered only with four-cylinder powerplants. Then theres a bigger-than-Stelvio flagship utility vehicle, which is expected to be christened Castello.When all is said and done, the cold truth is that Alfa Romeo has disappointed yet again. And if sales will continue to drag their feet like a kid going to school, Im afraid that the automakers long-expected rebirth will come to a grinding halt at some point in time. Fingers crossed it wont, for losing Lancia is painful enough for us gearheads.
The Aviation Funding Stability Act (AFSA), introduced by Reps. Peter DeFazio and Rick Larsen, Democrats on the House Aviation Subcommittee, would require Airport and Airway Trust Fund income to be paid over to the FAA, providing the air traffic agency with more direct access to revenue collected from ticket taxes. A key argument in favor of ATC privatization had been that the FAA has suffered from lack of stable funding as a result of congressional gridlock, government shutdowns and sequestration. The DeFazio and Larsen proposal would continue to have the FAA funded from government coffers, but make FAA appropriations mandatory rather than subject to the whims of annual appropriation acts.

Rep. Larsen said in a press statement, By providing certainty to the FAAs funding streams and boosting reforms to the FAAs personnel and procurement systems this bill presents an opportunity to accelerate modernization of the FAA, which is something I think folks on both sides of the aisle can get behind. The AFSA comes closely on the heels of President Trumps proposal to privatize the air traffic control system, which is supported by most of the major U.S. airlinesexcluding Delta. A user fee funded system, like that proposed by President Trump, would likely reduce the costs now indirectly borne by airlines through ticket taxes as well as reduce airline delays by focusing air traffic management investment dollars on large commercial airports and reducing congestion from general aviation traffic.

Updated: A prior version of this article incorrectly described the nature of the funding mechanism for the Larsen/DeFazio proposal.
Armenias parliament allowed the government on Friday to privatize the national postal service and dozens of other state-run enterprises, hospitals and recreation facilities.

The National Assembly approved a list of 47 entities subject to privatization over strong objections voiced by its opposition minority. Prime Minister Karen Karapetians cabinet says that they are in need of serious capital investments which can only be raised from private sources.

Previous Armenian governments had tried unsuccessfully to sell off some of these entities. We hope that we will finally find buyers for them, Arman Sahakian, head of Armenias Department of State Property Management, told lawmakers.

Opposition deputies were particularly critical of the inclusion on the list of about a dozen medical centers, including the countrys main oncology clinic and a childrens hospital in Yerevan. They said private ownership would only increase the cost of medical services provided by them.

The childrens hospital called the Arabkir Medical Center was for many years managed by Ara Babloyan, a veteran pediatrician who was elected parliament speaker last month. Its current director is his son.

Gevorg Gorgisian of the opposition Yelk alliance expressed concern that Babloyan or his family could benefit from the hospitals privatization. The speaker affiliated with the governing Republican Party of Armenia ruled out any conflicts of interest.

The most important business enterprises on the privatization list are the Haypost postal service and a jewelry factory based in Yerevan.Haypost has been managed for the past decade by a company controlled by Eduardo Eurnekian, an Argentinian billionaire of Armenian descent who has extensive business interests in Armenia. With some 900 offices across the country, it not only provides traditional postal services but also collects utility payments and some taxes and duties, handles wire transfers of cash and even distributes travel insurance.

Most state-owned Armenian companies were privatized in the 1990s and early 2000s. The private sector now accounts for more than 80 percent of the countrys Gross Domestic Product.
10 June 2017 10:53 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on June 9.

The Turkish President extended his condolences on the occasion of the death of Azerbaijani Minister of Energy Natig Aliyev to President Ilham Aliyev and relatives of the late minister, Azertac reported.

President Ilham Aliyev thanked for the condolences. The heads of state noted that Natig Aliyev played a significant role in the development of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations and highly appreciated his contribution to the execution of Azerbaijan`s energy policy as well as implementation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, TANAP projects.

During the phone conversation, the presidents discussed various aspects of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations. They exchanged views over the issues of the strengthening of friendly and fraternal relations between the two countries.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Photo: RCMP

UPDATE: 10:15 a.m.

The Ministry of Transportation expects Highway 1 to remain closed until at least Saturday, and possibly longer if the Camp Creek bridge has been damaged.

The area was hit with 40 millimetres of rain over a short period of time, blocking the creek and sending debris onto the road.

Crews are using heavy machinery to clear the blockage.

The Ministry is running the Galena Bay to Shelter Bay ferry on Highway 23 for 24 hours a day while the closure exists.

UPDATE: 9:15 a.m.

DriveBC reports a geotechnical engineer is assessing the washout site.

Motorists headed to Alberta are advised to take an alternate route via Highway 23 and Highway 6, through Shelter Bay, Galena Bay, Needles, and Fauquier.

ORIGINAL: 6:15 a.m.

A washout has closed the Trans-Canada Highway 25 kilometres west of Revelstoke.

Shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday, the Camp Creek Bridge was overpowered by surging waters, causing a buildup of debris to spill onto the highway. It's not clear if the bridge was damaged in the debris flow, but images provided by Revelstoke RCMP show large volumes of water and heavy debris blocking the highway.

The highway remains closed in both directions, and no detour is available at the scene.

Ministry of Transportation staff and crews from Emcon Services are working to clear the roadway.

The highway could remain closed for at least two days, RCMP report.

Motorists headed to the Okanagan are being diverted via Highway 23 south of Revelstoke to the Shelter Bay ferry and Highway 6.

DriveBC reports the highway has also been closed to all but local traffic westbound from Golden due to vehicle holding capacity in Revelstoke, where massive lineups of waiting vehicles were reported.

Earlier Thursday night, the highway was also closed 60 km West of Golden at Glacier National Park because of a collision.
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. operates as a specialty retailer that provides clothing, accessories, and personal care products under the American Eagle and Aerie brands. The company provides jeans, and specialty apparel and accessories for women and men; and intimates, apparel, activewear, and swim collections, as well as personal care products for women. It also offers graphic tees and other clothing products under the Tailgate brand name; and menswear products under the Todd Snyder New York brand name. As of January 29, 2022, the company operated 880 American Eagle stores, 244 Aerie brand stand-alone stores, and five Todd Snyder stores in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Hong Kong. It also ships to 81 countries through its Websites; and offers its merchandise at 260 locations operated by licensees in 28 countries, as well as provides products through its Websites ae.com, aerie.com, and toddsnyder.com. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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.
Bail denied for Nigerian pastor charged with child sex abuse and human trafficking

A Nigerian pastor accused of child sex abuse and human trafficking was yesterday denied bail from the Magistrate's Court at Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Tim Omotoso, the televangelist pastor of the Jesus Dominion International church, Durban, has been held in jail since April 20, and was expected to flee South Africa if granted bail, according to Independent Online.

Magistrate Thandeka Mashiyi made the judgement, and said that the pastor, a Nigerian national whose family are all UK nationals, faced a sentence of at least life imprisonment.

'His family, wife and children are all United Kingdom citizens, his church has international branches which he visits from time to time, he is regarded as an illegal immigrant [and] there is nothing tying the applicant to South Africa, Mashiyi said.

Omotoso is also accused of using fraudulent travel documentation.

Mashiyi added: 'Based on the strength of the State's case, the gravity of the offences, as well as if convicted, the applicant faces very lengthy sentences. I find that there is a likelihood that if he is released on bail he might attempt to flee and evade his trial.'

The case's investigating officer, warrant officer Peter Plaatjies, gave testimony against the pastor. He said senior members of the minister's church would draw 'vulnerable' girls aged 13-15 into the church and have them perform sexual acts with him.

The pastor is charged with having trafficked more than 30 girls and women who were part of his nationwide church network. He allegedly sexually abused the trafficked girls at a house in Umhlanga, near Durban.

Evidence was given suggesting Omotoso had the means to intimidate victims and witnesses and provoke them not to testify against him. His child victims were reportedly told not to tell anyone what had happened or they would be 'cursed and die'.

Mashiyi said: 'I am taking into account that there is a public outcry about the explosion of these crimes of human trafficking, rape and sexual assault on young girls and women.'

Outside the court, Omotoso's supporters from his church prayed for him, while his opponents celebrated the bail denial, calling it a 'victory to the nation and to the society at large', according to RNews.

The case has now been postponed until July 21.
Somalia's president vows revenge on al Shabaab after Islamist attack kills 38

Somalia's president said late Thursday night the country's army was in 'hot pursuit' of Islamist group al Shabaab fighters after the insurgents' assault on a military base in the Puntland region that left at least 38 people dead.

In the early Thursday attack, the Islamists overran a military base in Af Urur, a town about 100 km (60 miles) south of Bosaso, the capital of Puntland, one of Somalia's semi-autonomous regions.

Most of those killed were soldiers, a Puntland security official said, adding 18 others were wounded, with an unknown number also feared captured alive.

In a statement, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo promised the Somali military would retaliate and avenge al Shabaab's attack.

'We must show no mercy in dealing with Alshabab,' he said.

'We promise that Alshabab won't get away with this. As of now, our troops are in hot pursuit of the enemy, they will pay for today's attack.'

The al Qaeda-linked Islamist group cited a higher toll in the attack, saying it had killed 61 soldiers. Numbers given by officials and al Shabaab often differ.

Al Shabaab is fighting to topple Somalia's central government and rule the country according to a strict version Islam's sharia law. They also want to drive out the African Union peace keeping force AMISOM which is helping to defend the central government.

The group rarely carries out attacks in Puntland, where the security forces are relatively regularly paid and receive substantial US assistance.
Suicide bombers strike Niger town

Two female suicide bombers attacked the Niger frontier town of Diffa on Wednesday, security sources said, shortly after Chad's army said it had killed 13 fighters from the Islamist militant group Boko Haram in the Nigerian town of Gambaru.

The violence on Nigeria's borders with Niger and Cameroon occurred as regional armies are mobilising to foil Boko Haram's bid to carve out an emirate around Lake Chad, which borders Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

Boko Haram's five-year-old insurgency has killed thousands in northern Nigeria but regional armies say they have killed hundreds of militants in battles along the borders since deploying troops to contain the threat.

"There were two suicide attacks carried out on Wednesday by women," said a police source, referring to the Diffa attack. "The two women died and I think they were the only victims."

Reuters was not able to verify whether there were any other casualties.

Earlier in the day, clashes erupted in the Nigerian town of Gambaru, on the eastern border with Cameroon, where Chad has deployed hundreds of soldiers to help Cameroon ward off attacks from Boko Haram.

Chad's army said 11 Chadian soldiers were wounded, three out of 14 Boko Haram vehicles were destroyed, and one was seized.

"We knew they were going to attack us. We were waiting. The battle didn't last long. They fled," a military source said.

Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Benin have promised to contribute a total of 8,700 troops to a regional force being set up to defeat Boko Haram, whose insurgency has forced Nigeria to delay its presidential election due on Feb. 14 for six weeks.

However, the details of the plan are still being hammered out and Chad has spearheaded regional effort to pre-empt further attacks by Boko Haram in the region.

Niger's parliament this week unanimously approved sending troops to northern Nigeria as part of the regional offensive.

Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou called on his countrymen to support the struggle against Boko Haram, in particular by providing intelligence.

"I also call on any (Nigerien) youth who have joined this outfit to immediately change sides while there is still time as Boko Haram will be defeated," he said.

Niger officials have warned that civilians fleeing northern Nigeria have been infiltrated by BokoHaram fighters. Authorities in Diffa have declared a 15-day state of emergency and are searching house-to-house for Boko Haram suspects.

Four men on a truck bound for Niger's second-largest city, Zinder, were arrested, a military source said.

Schools in Diffa were closed and civil servants had left their posts to take their families to more secure towns elsewhere, said a police officer in the town.

Boko Haram assaulted the town of N'Guigmi on Niger's border with Nigeria late on Tuesday with mortars and machine guns, but the attack failed, a Niger military source said.

"The situation is precarious because Boko Haram could come back to assault us at any moment," a military source said on Wednesday, adding that schools in the town were closed.
Locked In: The True Causes of Mass Incarceration and How to Achieve Real Reform, by John F. Pfaff (Basic Books, 272 pp., $27.99)

John F. Pfaffs Locked In: The True Causes of Mass Incarceration and How to Achieve Real Reform is probably the best book on so-called mass incarceration to date. A professor of law at Fordham, Pfaff doesnt cherry-pick data to support some a priori theory; staying empirically grounded, he grapples directly with the dataan approach that makes his argument for reducing imprisonment a very tough sell. If, as Pfaffs own figures demonstrate, violent crime and other serious offenses are the primary reasons for incarceration, then why should we reduce imprisonment?

The authors main point is that the usual explanations for the rise in imprisonmentthe standard story, as he calls itare not only wrong but also counterproductive to de-incarceration efforts. The standard story has three components: the war on drugs, long prison sentences, and the growth of private prisons. Each of the three, Pfaff demonstrates, is a secondary contributor at best.

Pfaff quickly dismisses the contribution of the prison industrial complex to mass incarceration, noting that privately managed prisons house only about 7 percent of U.S. inmates, and that their management policies are no worse than those of the public sector. The drug war is a more serious contributing factor to rising imprisonment rates: drug convictions put thousands behind bars, especially during the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s. Michelle Alexander, in her much-ballyhooed 2012 book The New Jim Crow, writes that the impact of the drug war has been astounding. In less than thirty years, the U.S penal population exploded from around 300,000 to more than 2 million, with drug convictions accounting for the majority of the increase. But as Pfaff demonstrates, at the peak of the great crackdown in 1990, inmates serving time in state prisons for drug crimes accounted for 22 percent of the state-prison population, whereas violent inmates made up 47 percentmore than twice as many. When prison populations increased dramatically, from 1980 to 1990, drugs accounted for only a third of the increase. Even in that lock-em-up decade, crimes of violence put a greater number, 36 percent, behind bars.

In the decades before and after the more punitive 1980s, the case for emphasizing drug imprisonments is even weaker. A 1974 survey of state prisoners found that only 10 percent were in for drug offenses, while 52 percent were incarcerated for violent crimes. From 1990 to 2009, Pfaff found, drugs contributed only 14 percent to state confinement; violence, a whopping 60 percent.

Pfaff thinks that false claims about drug imprisonment actually hurt the case for disincarceration, because reducing drug imprisonment leaves the main culpritviolent crimeunaffected. If all drug-law violators were freed tomorrow (and most of those in prison are traffickers, not simple users, so this wont happen), then the number of inmates in our state prisons would drop by only 16 percent, leaving 1.1 million people behind bars. And, as Pfaff notes, the structural basis for another period of increased imprisonment in response to the next crime wave remains intact.

When imprisonment rates rise, it must mean either that more people are being incarcerated or that they are being confined for longer periodsor some combination of the two. Pfaff denies that longer terms of imprisonment are to blame for mass incarceration. Indeed, he says that time served in the United States is surprisingly short, and theres no real evidence that it grew much as prison populations soared. In 2010, armed robbers, to take a particularly scary sector of the criminal population, were released in a median 2.3 years. Moreover, actual prison time has decreased in the last few years (few prisoners serve their maximum sentences).

Pfaff proves that time served has not increased in recent decades by graphing annual admissions to prison along with annual releases from 1978 to 2014. We can readily see that sentences must not have lengthened much. If they had, prisoners would be confined longer, releases would be slowed, and the plot lines would diverge as the admissions line would rise faster than the releases line.

Pfaff concludes that, since imprisonment rates rose substantially but sentences didnt get much longer, more people must have been sentenced to prison. This brings him to the villain of the incarceration buildup as he sees it: prosecutors. Who decides whether a defendant goes to prison? The general public probably would point to judges and, perhaps, the sentencing laws that guide them. But Pfaff asserts that prosecutors are more significant. They select the charges and negotiate the plea that determines both guilt and the boundaries of the sentence.

Pfaffs quantitative proof for this hypothesis is weak, by his own admission. He does show that prison admissions per prosecutor rose from nine in 1974 to 25 in 1990, though other factors could account for the increase. For instance, sentencing statutes with mandatory prison provisions could have become more significant by 1990, especially given the growing number of defendants with criminal records. And he admits that the enormous increase in assistant prosecutors alone (from 17,000 in 1970 to 30,000 in 2007) could explain why more people were sent to prisoneven without any change in prosecutorial attitudes.

However, the case is more complicated than Pfaff recognizes. He didnt examine the number of felony charges resulting in probation, a get-out-of-jail-free sentence unquestionably under prosecutorial control. In 1986, for instance, 31 percent of all adults convicted of felonies got probation. So prosecutors kept nearly one in three felons out of prison at a time when rates of imprisonment were rising sharplywhich hardly suggests punitive prosecution.

Whether prosecutors caused the massive rise in imprisonments is debatable. One could as easily focus on different points in the causal chain leading to incarceration. The late 1960s to the early 1990s was an era of high crime rates, and one would expect the criminal-justice system to imprison more people. In fact, Pfaff observes that rising crime in the 1970s and 1980s explains approximately half of the prison-population increase in those decades. Crime itself is probably the true explanation for mass incarceration.

But since Pfaff thinks that prosecutors are to blame, his solution is to rein them in through structural changes such as plea-bargaining guidelines, local elections to give inner cities more control over who prosecutesthough he also argues, contradictorily, that prosecutors should be appointedand sentencing commissions as a bulwark against public pressure to escalate punishments. As he seems to appreciate, however, none of these proposals is likely to work even if they were politically feasible, because the overwhelming majority of prisoners are guilty of serious and usually violent crime, and few prosecutors in any circumstances will decline to lock up such defendants.

Pfaff calls prison growth a national shame, but if the vast majority of prison inmates are guilty of violent or serious nonviolent crimes, and if sentences are not unacceptably long, then why should we disincarcerate? Currently, at least 88 percent of state prisoners are in for extremely serious offenses, including violent crimes such as murder and rape (53 percent); property crimes like burglary and grand larceny (19 percent); weapons possession (4 percent); and yes, drug trafficking (12 percent). Is it wrong to imprison such people?

Pfaffs answer is that the costs of incarcerationmore single-parent families, assaults on inmates, prisoner health problems, and an array of post-release issues, from unemployment and drug problems to the need for social servicesoutweigh the benefits. But some of the problems he lists are not attributable to prisons alone. The typical person incarcerated for serious crime is unlikely to be highly employable, drug-free, or a responsible parent.

Even if we grant that prisons exacerbate inmate problems, they provide advantages that should be part of any cost-benefit analysis. Pfaff gives short shrift to the benefits side of the equation. As he concedes, the best analyses indicate that, starting in the early 1990s, increased imprisonment reduced crime. Yet he downplays the costs of a post-disincarceration crime wave. These coststhe injuries and deaths due to assault; the fear engendered by unrelenting violence; the risk of ruining young lives through the temptations of gangs and drugs, to say nothing of dysfunctional schools; the depressed property values; and the discouragement to businesses, in turn creating more unemployment and greater demand on limited community servicesare most likely to be borne by low-income and minority communities.

Ironically, by presenting the hard realities of imprisonmentthe fundamental one being that incarceration and serious crime are closely relatedLocked In weakens the case against incarceration. However unintentional, this is the books great virtue.

Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images
Comedian Chris Tucker has signed on for two shows aboard Carnival Breeze and Carnival Liberty this fall as part of the Carnival LIVE Concert Series, according to a statement from the cruise line.

Tucker will keep guests laughing with his outlook on life with two shows  one aboard Carnival Breeze Sept. 21 and another Carnival Liberty Sept. 22 while the ships are docked in Nassau.

After moving to Los Angeles to pursue his dream, Tucker was a staple on the Def Comedy Jam series before breaking into movies and continuing his legendary stand-up comedy career. Most recently, he starred in a self-titled comedy show, Chris Tucker  Live, on Netflix.

Carnival LIVE tickets for Chris Tucker range are $30 for general admission, significantly less than land-based venues. VIP tickets are available for $100 and include seating in the first few rows, a photo opportunity with the artist and a commemorative concert pass.
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.
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He may be 19 years older than he was last time he played Billings, but Garth Brooks still brought the thunder Friday to a packed Rimrock Auto Arena.

Fans stood up when he hit the first chords of his hit, "Rodeo," and by the time he nailed "The River," thousands lit up the arena with their cell phones.

Brooks basked in all the applause and energy, bowing to the crowd and even blowing kisses. He squinted to read the signs and made hearts with his fingers to connect with fans.

"You're at a Garth show, there's going to be a lot of cowboy songs," Brooks told the crowd.

He's still the consummate showman and he has not lost his touch.

One of Brooks' backup singers, Karyn Rochelle, performed a short set to open the show, yodeling a bit and singing "Red High Heels," a song she wrote with Kellie Pickler. The song brought a dozen women to the front of the stage to dance.

Earlier in the day, Brooks said fans better get ready for a blow-out show Friday because his band is raring to get back on stage after a few days off.

Brooks and his wife and touring mate Trisha Yearwood took questions from local media for an hour Friday before doing a sound check for the first of five concerts at the Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark. The setup arrived Thursday morning in 20 semis, a record for any act playing in Billings.

The couple also set a record for selling the most tickets ever in Montana. For that distinction, Yellowstone County Commissioners Robyn Driscoll and Denis Pitman and MetraPark staff gave them a framed poster commemorating their Billings shows.

"Ah, that one's been airbrushed," Brooks joked when he saw his photo on the poster.

Fans were eager to get into the arena Friday, with hundreds lined up hours before the show. There are two shows on Saturday and two on Sunday.

Jeremy Larson, 24, of Billings, bought tickets to all five shows, then had to borrow rent money from his mother. Holding up a sign saying, Youre the reason I play guitar, Larson said his dream is to get on stage with Garth.

Hes a walking legend, Larson said. Im probably going to be bawling my eyes out when I see him.

Brooks said he and Yearwood always meet with local media before shows because they're curious.

I like people. I want to know who you are and what you do here, Brooks said.

Yearwood said she has two favorite moments on stage.

"When you hear an arena full of people singing your song, you know that's incredible," Yearwood said.

The other comes after they sing together when Brooks likes to whisper something into her ear.

"People think he's whispering, 'I love you,' but he's usually saying something funny or dirty just to make me laugh," she said.

Brooks said he hates it when an artist only plays songs from the new album and then throws in some hits during the encore. Hell play hits all night long, then throw in his newest single, Ask Me How I Know.

Two of his favorite songs are The Dance because he loves hearing all the stories about people who danced to it at their wedding and Mom, a Bonnie Tyler cover because Im a mommas boy.

My favorite song to play live is Callin Baton Rouge. That song just brings the house down, he said.

"Callin' Baton Rouge" is an Oak Ridge Boys cover, an interesting coincidence with the Oak Ridge boys performing next week in Billings at the Alberta Bair Theater.

Brooks almost always plays one of his biggest hits, Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old), a song he wrote for his good friend, Chris LeDoux, a Wyoming rodeo cowboy and country music star.

The line, a worn out tape of Chris LeDoux, honors his good friend, who Brooks tried to donate part of his liver to in 2000 when LeDoux got sick. Brooks was not a match and another one was found, but LeDoux died in 2005.
Illinois state legislators announced Friday a series of legislative proposals that would block any weakened environmental and worker protection standards from taking effect in Illinois, and also respond to President Trumps decision to pull out of the Paris agreement.

House Bill 1438 and Senate Bill 2212, introduced by chief sponsors Rep. Juliana Stratton and Sen. Daniel Biss, would maintain existing environmental and worker safeguards in Illinois, even if they are weakened at the federal level.

President Trump, his administration and leaders in Congress have signaled their intent to roll back federal environmental and labor protections, which in many cases would authorize Illinois to weaken its own standards.

Donald Trump is beginning a race to the bottom by dismantling the EPA and rolling back protections for our air, water and natural resources, said Jack Darin, director of Sierra Club Illinois Chapter. Illinois does not have to follow Trump backward when it comes to the health and safety of our environment and our workers.

Chicago Takes Giant Step Towards Becoming 100% Renewable https://t.co/DktBG2uduz  Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) April 15, 2017

HB 1438/SB 2212 would bar Illinois agencies from following the federal government in lowering standards required by these federal laws: Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, Mine Safety and Health Act and Federal Labor Standards Act.

With the Trump administrations unfortunate announcement of the United States withdrawal from the Paris accord, it is now up to states and localities to keep fighting for environmental justice, said Rep. Juliana Stratton (D-Chicago). I am proud to be the chief sponsor of House Bill 1438 because we all have a part in acting on climate change to protect future generations.

Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) agrees. Its time for Illinois to set a goal of 100 percent clean energy for our state, he said. Just because the Trump administration has declared it will lodge its head firmly in the sand and ignore the need for realistic environmental policy doesnt mean we cant act. These efforts put us on track to comply with the Paris climate agreement here in Illinois. I hope it serves as an example to other states as Illinois begins to chart a path to a 100 percent clean energy future.

Green Caucus Chair Rep. Robyn Gabel plans to introduce a joint resolution calling on Gov. Rauner to support the Paris agreement by joining governors across the country in the U.S. Climate Alliance, and to deliver a state power plan to put Illinois on a path towards 100 percent clean energy.

Trumps plan to pull out of the Paris climate agreement is irresponsible and reprehensible, said Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston), chair of the Illinois Legislative Green Caucus. The Paris agreement was a major milestone in the fight to combat climate changebut we also knew even at the time that it was merely a first stepand that there would be much more work to do for the U.S. and governments around the world. We call on Gov. Rauner to condemn this decision and step forward to do everything possible to protect our water, land and the air we breathe.

Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) announced plans to introduce legislation establishing a goal of 100 percent clean energy for Illinois to assert state leadership on climate change.

President Trump made an egregious error when he decided to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris agreement, said Steans. To combat this decision and ensure that Illinois continues to reduce greenhouse gases, I am working on legislation to move Illinois toward 100 percent clean energy and a bill to increase the use of electric vehicles. I will continue to push Illinois to be an environmental leader.
The Trump administration filed a writ of mandamus petition with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Friday, seeking an extraordinarily rare review of a Nov. 10, 2016 decision by U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken to deny its motion to dismiss Juliana v. United States. Further, the Trump administration is seeking a stay of proceedings in the district court while the Ninth Circuit considers its petition.

The Trump administration argues the Ninth Circuit should exercise its supervisory mandamus powers to end this clearly improper attempt to have the judiciary decide important questions of energy and environmental policy to the exclusion of the elected branches of government.

The U.S. Constitution provides for three separate but equal branches of government, with no exception for energy and environmental policy.

Douglas A. Kysar, the Joseph M. Field 55 Professor of Law at Yale Law School who is not connected with the litigation, but recently co-authored Courting Disaster: Climate Change and the Adjudication of Catastrophe, said:

Writs of mandamus are reserved for the most extraordinary and compelling situations in which ordinary rules of appellate procedure must be overridden to avoid a manifest injustice. For the Trump Justice Department to even seek a writ of mandamus in the current context is offensive to Judge Aiken, to the entire federal judiciary, and, indeed, to the rule of law itself. The writ should not be granted and we should all question why the Trump administrations lawyers are willing to try such a trick rather than forthrightly defend the case.

When the Framers divided power within the government, they did it so that the branches could not only check and balance each other, but also poke and prod when necessary. The Juliana litigation is a powerful poke and prod to the entire federal government on the question of climate responsibility. In that sense, Juliana might well be the most important lawsuit on the planet right now and the government knows it. Thats why Trumps lawyers are so desperate to avoid an honest fight.

Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the Supreme Courts majority in Cheney v. U.S., explained in 2004 that mandamus is a drastic and extraordinary remedy reserved for only exceptional circumstances.

This Trump administrations filing comes just one day after Judge Aiken shut down another rare path to Ninth Circuit review, with an order denying the U.S. government and fossil fuel industrys motions seeking an interlocutory appeal.

The U.S. Government is running from some of its youngest constituents, and all were asking for is a plan to preserve our future, said Victoria Barrett, 18, of White Plains, New York, one of 21 youth plaintiffs.

The U.S. government is trying to use every possible tool they can to avoid trial, Julia Olson, co-lead counsel for plaintiffs and executive director of Our Childrens Trust, said. Because they know applying the law to the facts and science in this case will mean certain defeat for them at trial. If the Trump administration was at all confident it could defend itself at trial, it would be preparing for trial.

Last month, motions were filed by three fossil fuel industry intervenor-defendants: the National Association of Manufacturers, the American Petroleum Institute and the American Fuel & and Petrochemical Manufacturers requesting the courts permission to withdraw from the litigation. For any defendant to leave the litigation, U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Coffin must grant permission. That matter is still pending.

By this writ, the Trump administration insists the federal government can continue to support the fossil fuel system and inflict harm on our children and grandchildren, Phil Gregory, co-lead counsel for plaintiffs and partner with Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP in Burlingame, CA, said. We believe the Court of Appeals will affirm that our Constitution specifically protects our Nations Posterity. As Judge Aiken wrote, the judiciary must not shrink from its role as a coequal branch of government.'

An in-court case management conference, open to the public, is set for 10 a.m. PST on June 14 at the Wayne L. Morse U.S. Courthouse in Eugene, Oregon.

Juliana v. United States was brought by 21 young plaintiffs, and Earth Guardians, who argue that their constitutional and public trust rights are being violated by the governments creation of climate danger. The case is one of many related legal actions brought by youth in several states and countries, all supported by Our Childrens Trust, seeking science-based action by governments to stabilize the climate system.
OTTAWA, ON - June 10, 2017 - A worldwide network of scientists examining the links between sedentary lifestyles and health problems such as obesity and cardiovascular disease today announced a new dictionary of terms to support research into sedentary behaviour.

The results of the 'terminology consensus project' led by the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute's (CHEO RI) Sedentary Behaviour Research Network (SBRN) are published today in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity in a paper co-authored by 84 scientists from 20 countries.

"This is the world's most extensive agreement to date on consensus definitions for researchers examining sedentary behaviour, an emerging global public health priority," said lead author Dr. Mark Tremblay, director of the CHEO RI's Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group (HALO) and a professor at the University of Ottawa. "There is an urgent need for clear, common and accepted terminology worldwide to facilitate the interpretation and comparison of research. We have made tremendous progress by defining terms such as physical inactivity, stationary behaviour, sedentary behaviour, and screen time. These terms have already been translated into several languages for rapid global uptake."

The paper, entitled "Sedentary Behaviour Research Network: Terminology Consensus Project Process and Outcome", provides refined definitions to suit all age groups, including babies, young children and people with chronic disease or mobility impairment. It also describes how bouts, breaks and interruptions should be defined and measured in the context of assessing sedentary behaviour and in relation to health outcomes.

The conceptual framework described in the paper also illustrates how both energy expenditure and posture are important components and how the terms relate to movement behaviours throughout a 24-hour period, including physical activity and sleep. Examples provided distinguish between active and passive sitting, active and passive standing, sedentary and stationary behaviour, screen time and non-screen-based sedentary time. Sedentary behaviour for a baby, for example, includes sitting in a car seat with minimal movement and, for a toddler, watching TV while sitting, reclining or lying down.

The 84 SBRN co-authors, which include researchers, trainees, graduate students, health practitioners and government employees, agree that standardization of the terminology is crucial to advancing future research, especially since this rapidly growing field of health science involves multi-disciplinary researchers, practitioners and industries.

"These consensus definitions will help scientists and practitioners navigate and understand the rapidly evolving field of sedentary behaviour research, allowing for more consistent and robust exploration of behaviours across 24 hours - sleep, sedentary behaviours and various intensities of physical activity - and may facilitate future research exploring ways to alter behaviours to improve health," Dr. Tremblay said. "Our hope is that these will reduce confusion and advance research related to sedentary behaviour and, ultimately, promote healthy active living."

Dr. Tremblay will chair a discussion of the project's findings at a workshop today at the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity annual meeting in Victoria, British Columbia. Consensus definitions have been translated into French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Korean, German, Greek, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese.

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About SBRN

The SBRN, based at the CHEO RI, was established in 2011 as an initiative born out of the HALO research group and is the only organization for researchers and health professionals which focuses specifically on the health impact of sedentary behaviour. Its mission is to connect sedentary behaviour researchers working in all fields of study and to disseminate related research. As of March 2017, it had 1,273 members in 35 countries. Membership is free and open to any researcher or health professional with an interest in sedentary behaviour (see http://www.sedentarybehaviour.org).

The Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group (HALO) at the CHEO RI was established in 2007 in response to the escalating obesity crisis and the increasing complexity of related co-morbidities. Today the HALO team consists of 17 staff (including 5 scientists), a childhood obesity clinical team (Centre for Healthy Active Living), 16 graduate students, trainees, undergraduate students, and many community volunteers. For more information, visit http://www.haloresearch.ca or @HALOresearch

About CHEO Research Institute

The CHEO Research Institute coordinates the research activities of the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and is affiliated with the University of Ottawa. Its three programs of research include molecular biomedicine, health information technology, and evidence to practice research. Key themes include cancer, diabetes, obesity, mental health, emergency medicine, musculoskeletal health, electronic health information and privacy, and genetics of rare disease. The CHEO Research Institute makes discoveries today for healthier kids tomorrow. For more information, visit http://www.cheori.org or @CHEOhospital
A UNIST design team, led by Professor Young-Woo Park (Graduate School of Creative Design Engineering) has received an Honorable Mention Award at CHI 2017, the prestigious ACM conference on computer-human interaction, held in Denver earlier this month.

The paper, titled "Quietto: An Interactive Timepiece Molded in Concrete and Milled Wood," introduces a desk clock that is capable of showing upcoming daily schedules and the time through the quiet, ambient motions of a clock hand and light through the concrete touch interface.

Quietto receives the daily schedules that the user has stored in his or her digital device in real time. When the user touches the upper part of the concrete body, the clocks' hands move, the light comes in, and displays the next schedule. It is a product that physically shows the interval between the current time and the upcoming schedule.

The clock also received considerable attention not only for using concrete as a unique and attractive material for designing a tangible interface, but also for introducing a new way of understanding time and schedule.

"Quietto provides an intuitive and effective representation of its users' daily schedules and can be used as a private, personal device," says Professor Park. "Through its distinctive design, Quietto can provide a new way of understanding scheduling through its concrete texture and amusing interaction qualities."

This award has been given to only top 5% of the 2400 papers submitted for the award, this year. Professor Park's team has been the only team from South Korean universities and oraganizations who have received the award.

The ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI) series of academic conferences is generally considered the most prestigious in the fields of interaction design and human-computer interaction (HCI). Some of the world's top scientific minds from universities, organizations, and startups will gather at the conference to present their latest research, including MIT, Carnegie Mellon University, Stanford University, Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and etc.

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Reference

Lee, K-R., Goh, G., Park, Y-W. Quietto: An Interactive Timepiece Molded in Concrete and Milled Wood, In Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '17), ACM.
On May 15, UNIST signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Materialise Inc., a Belgium-based company that specialises in 3D printing software and services to pledge mutual support for one another in the pursuit of excellence in 3D printing R&D.

In the memorandum of understanding, the two organizations promised to collaborate on the development of a range of lightweight composite parts for transportation equipment, such as automobiles, aircrafts, and ships using UNIST's 3D printing technology.

"3D printing technologies have the potential to change the traditional manufacturing paradigm," says President Mooyoung Jung of UNIST. "Therefore, achieving its technological innovations is a fatal task not only for Ulsan but also for the nation".

3D printing technology is attracting much attention, as a key technology to bring innovation to the manufacturing industry in Ulsan. With the official launch of UNIST's 3D Advanced Additive Manufacturing Center, 3D printing will become the city of Ulsan's new future growth engine, following the bioindustry. In recent years, the center has undertaken an important R&BD project to produce eco-friendly 3D printed automotive parts, as well as patient-specific 3D printed implants.

The potential of 3D printing is almost infinite. With a 3D printer, one can manufacture automotive parts at the touch of a button without going through complex assembly procedures.

Ulsan is South Korea's only regulation-free zone for 3D printing. The city plans to foster the 3D printing industry as the 5th core business for future growth and development, which includes the establishment of a national 3D printing research center.

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The UK has broken a green energy record - renewable sources of energy have generated more electricity than coal and gas in the UK for the first time.

National Grid reported that, on Wednesday lunchtime (7 June), power from wind, solar, hydro and wood pellet burning supplied 50.7% of UK energy.

The combination added up to 19.3 gigawatts (GW) of output, even leaving out the smaller distribution-connected bioenergy like AD plants.

(Photo: @Draxnews)

The record output of renewable energy was enough to meet more than 50% of midday power demand which reached 35.4GW.

Wednesday lunchtime was perfect for renewables - sunny and windy at the same time.

The National Grid, the body that owns and manages the power supply around the UK, said in a tweet: "For the first time ever this lunchtime wind, nuclear and solar were all generating more than both gas and coal combined."

Renewable energy is no stranger to the farming and rural community.

In February, a Shropshire farmer was awarded a green accolade for his environmental work, in which he exported enough energy to power his neighbouring 500-home village.

Data showed it was exporting enough renewable energy to the grid to power 500 homes, after supplying its own domestic and agricultural buildings and facilities.

The farm consumed 746,757kWh of electricity - much of which was low or zero carbon renewable energy  exporting a total of 2,869,141kWh to the National Grid via their solar photovoltaic panels and anaerobic digestion plant.
As of 2016, there were about 42.5 million U.S. households that owned at least one type of IRA, totaling about $7.5 trillion in assets. In other words, IRAs are a pretty popular investment tool.

But they can also be confusing if you don't speak fluent financial jargon. If you're like most people, you probably wish you could simply throw your money into an IRA, forget about it for a few decades, and hope it all works out in your favor.

Unfortunately, it's not that simple, and it's important to regularly check on your investments to make sure you're on the right track to retirement. And if you're not taking advantage of all the different benefits of an IRA, you could be leaving money on the table.

Traditional IRAs vs. Roth IRAs

First, it's important to understand the difference between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA. They're similar in many ways, but they differ in regards to how they're taxed.

With a traditional IRA, the money you contribute can typically be deducted from your taxable income up front. The funds then grow tax-deferred until you withdraw them in retirement, at which point those withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. Note that there are income-based limitations on who can deduct their traditional IRA contributions.

Roth IRA contributions, meanwhile, are nondeductible. However, your investments grow tax-free, and any qualified withdrawals you make will be tax-free as well. If your income is above a certain threshold, you won't be able to contribute directly to a Roth IRA -- but there's a backdoor method for high earners who want to take advantage of a Roth.

It's important to know the differences between these two IRA types. The last thing you want is to believe you have enough money to retire, only to realize too late that you'll lose a good chunk of your savings to taxes.

There are a few other things the average investor doesn't fully understand about the IRA, and these little-known perks could save you hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars.

1. You can contribute to both a 401(k) and an IRA

One of the most common retirement fund myths is that if you already have an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan, you can't contribute to an IRA.

There are a couple of reasons why you may want to contribute to both a 401(k) and an IRA. First, it allows you to contribute much more than the limits set on either type of fund. For 2017, the most the IRS will allow you to contribute to your 401(k) fund is $18,000 (or $24,000 if you're aged 50 or older), and the limit for IRA plans is $5,500 (or $6,500 for those who are 50 or older). If you're a power saver who wants to contribute more than the $18,000 that your employer plan will allow, opening an IRA may be beneficial.

Another reason to consider opening an IRA is if your employer plan has poor or limited investment choices. Because 401(k) plans don't typically offer many options in terms of where and how you want to invest your money, savvy investors may opt instead for an IRA for its wealth of choices. But if you don't want to lose your employer's matching contributions, you can invest as much as your company will match in your 401(k), then put the rest in an IRA where you can earn more for your money.

There's one caveat for savers who want to contribute to both a 401(k) and a traditional IRA: If you're covered by a workplace retirement plan, then you'll be subject to lower income limits on your IRA deductions. In other words, there's a greater chance you won't be able to deduct all, or any, of the money you contribute to your IRA. Read here for more details.

2. You can withdraw money without facing penalties

You've probably heard that you're not allowed to withdraw money from your IRA until age 59-1/2 because otherwise, you'll face a 10% early withdrawal fee and may have to pay taxes on that income.

While it's always a good idea to keep your money in your retirement fund until you actually retire (you don't want to get into a habit of withdrawing money on a regular basis, after all), it's not true that you can't withdraw your money for any reason without facing penalties.

For both Roth and traditional IRAs, the penalties are waived if you're withdrawing money for certain reasons, including covering a first-time home purchase, un-reimbursed medical expenses, certain expenses related to higher education, or health insurance if you lose your job.

Roth IRAs are a bit more flexible when it comes to withdrawals, because you've already paid taxes on that money. You're allowed to withdraw the amount you've contributed (but not your investment earnings) at any time, for any reason, without facing any penalties or tax payments.

3. You can benefit from an IRA if you're not employed

Another IRA rule you've probably heard thrown around is that you're not allowed to contribute to an IRA if you don't have a job. However, this is only half true.

It is true that you must be earning income in order to contribute to an IRA, but there's an exception for those who are unemployed but married to someone who is earning income.

Spousal IRAs are designed for stay-at-home parents and spouses who are unemployed but want to continue investing. To qualify for a spousal IRA, you'll need to be married and filing a joint tax return. The IRA will then be opened in the nonworking spouse's name, and the amount you're eligible to contribute will be dependent on how much the working spouse earns.

The working spouse will have to earn enough to cover their contributions to both their own IRA and the nonworking spouse's IRA. For example, if a 35-year-old wants to contribute the maximum amount for themselves and their nonworking spouse, they'll need to be earning at least $11,000 (that's two times $5,500, the individual contribution limit for a 35-year-old).

There's no doubt that IRAs are complicated and confusing sometimes, but taking a few extra minutes to learn how they work, and the incredible perks they come with, could save you loads of cash.
Hamilton was in sensational form as he captured his sixth Montreal pole  which was also his 65th career pole in F1, moving him level with Senna for a share of second place in the record books, behind only Michael Schumacher on 68. As part of the post-session interview, the Mercedes star was presented with one of Senna's famous yellow helmets, leaving him in a state of shock.

"I am shaking," Hamilton said. "Ayrton is the one who inspired me to be where I am. To match him and receive this is the greatest honour.

"For the Senna family to send me this is the most special thing I have above and beyond all my trophies and everything.

"I am honoured to be honoured by that family and honestly I couldn't be happier."

Having idolised Senna as a child, Hamilton said it was bizarre to now be level with the three-time world champion.

"Literally as a kid I'd come home and say one day if I'm really lucky and I can get to Formula 1 I'd want to emulate Ayrton'. The fact that I've now reached him in that area  I just can't believe it. Honestly I can't believe it.

"My final lap worked perfectly  I could see my delta picking up and getting excited, but at the time I had no comprehension about the 65th  I forgot that, it was the here and now.

"I just want to say a big thank you to my family for supporting me all these years and giving me the opportunity to be here today. I am standing here today, but the work they put in behind me no one could imagine. But I know.

"I live in an apartment in Monaco, so I don't have a lot of space for a lot of trophies. But I've definitely got space for [the helmet] - maybe my table centre piece in my living room so it's the first thing you see when you come in!"




Haiti - Post-Matthew : World Bank grant of $20M





Thursday the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved today a US$20 million grant to rehabilitate roads and bridges in southern Haiti, and strengthen the capacity of the country's civil protection to respond to disasters. This is the first grant of a US$100 million package of support mobilized by the International Development Association's (IDA) Crisis Response Window for reconstruction after the devastating impact of Hurricane Matthew. This financing complements the US$49.5 million mobilized for emergency use from Haiti's existing IDA resources in October 2016.



More than two million Haitians were affected by the hurricane, which struck on October 4, 2016. Reconstruction needs were assessed at US$2.2 billion or 25 percent of GDP.



"This financing from the World Bank comes at an important moment when the people of Haiti are slowly recovering from Hurricane Matthew. This will help strengthen the impact of national measures undertaken to mitigate hurricane impacts in the current context of limited domestic resources," said Jude Alix Patrick Salomon, Haiti's Minister of Economics and Finances, which highlights that this hydro-meteorological event has had a major impact on the Haitian economy, causing a slowdown in the economy and an increase in the budget deficit this year.



"Seven months after the storm, there are signs of progress, but this is just the beginning of a long journey to recovery," said Mary Barton Dock, the World Bank's Special Envoy for Haiti. "This funding from IDA's Crisis Response Window will not only help rebuild critical infrastructure and boost the economy, it will also help support Haiti's long-term climate resilience".



The World Bank's Board of Directors is scheduled to consider the remaining 80 million dollars in the coming weeks.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - USA : List of Fulbright Haitian Scholars 2017-2019





The Public Affairs Office would like to wish farewell to 6 selected 2017-2019 Fulbright candidates as they depart Haiti to complete their master's degrees at various universities in the United States. The Fulbright Program is the keystone exchange program of the U.S. Government and reflects U.S. commitment to educational excellence and cultural exchange. The Program selects academically-gifted students from around the world to pursue master's degrees at universities in the United States.



This group of Haitian scholars participated in a rigorous selection process in order to be chosen from more than 150 applicants this year. The process consisted of an interview, an English exam, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).



The Embassy of the United States congratulates them for their dedication, commitment, and hard-work during this arduous process. The Embassy wish them success and bon voyage as they get ready to experience this life changing experience.



Recall that Fulbright is more than a scholarship; It is a program that changes the lives and conceptions of participants. This scholarship brings them the best and helps them to succeed professionally and grow personally.



The Fulbright Scholars for 2017 are :



Ms. Bethanie Saint Louis

Master of Science in Public Policy

Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo; Michigan



Ms. Bethanie Saint Louis graduated from Madonna University with a bachelor's degree in business management and leadership in 2015. In 2012 Ms. Saint Louis became a founding member and Coordinator of an association of professional volunteers "Youth Vision" which supports the academic and vocational training of children and young adults living in disadvantaged rural communities across the country. She is currently working as a Human Resources Officer at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)



Mr. Paul-Emile Brice

Master of Science in Urban Planing - Architecture

Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta; Georgia



Mr. Paul-Emile Brice earned a bachelor's degree in architecture from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre Maestra (PUCMM) and has completed several courses in project management. His involvement in development project led him to collaborate in the planning of infrastructures and urban equipment in the area of Wharf Jeremie and Cite Soleil, to manage a social housing project for low income families, as well designing and building public spaces for marginalized communities. For the past two years, Mr. Brice for J/P Haitian Relief Organization (J/P HRO.



Ms. Daphney Richemond

Master of Science in Environmental Engineering

Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington; Indiana



Ms. Daphney Richemond earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from ''Institut Superieur Technique d'Haiti'' (Kay Leconte), and completed a certificate in Water and Sanitation, and Sustainable Development. With over 6 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she contributed to improve water and sanitation access for vulnerable communities in several regions of Haiti and ensured the sustainability of interventions by engaging actively the National Authorities.



Mr. Leon S. Jonathan Perodin

Master of Fine Arts - Arts Management

American University, Washington; D.C



Mr. Perodin obtained a degree in Finance from Universite Quisqueya (UniQ) and is currently working at the Banque de la Republique d'Haiti as a Financial Controller.



He is also is a professional violinist who teaches classical music to children. Mr. Perodin is a founding member of VIBRAYITI Chamber Orchestra, whose mission is to promote classical music in Haiti.



Ms. Anne Martine Augustin

Master of Science in Software Engineering

George Masson University, Fairfax; Virginia



Ms. Anne Martine Augustin studied electronic engineering at the Faculty of Science of The State University of Haiti. She worked as programmer analyst at Solutions S.A. and is now a Project Manager Assistant at Turbo System S.A. She is also co-founder and current General Coordinator of ACTIVEH, an organization that is promoting volunteer work and community service among university students while providing them practical experience to complete their theoretical knowledge.



Mr. Daniel Dupervil

Field of study: master in public health

Harvard University, Cambridge; Massachussets



Doctor Daniel Dupervil is a medical doctor with a specialty in pediatrics from the Latin American School of Medicine. He was a professor at the National school of medicine of Les Cayes, attending physician at Hopital Immaculee Conception of Les Cayes. He is presently an attending physician at the University hospital of Mirebalais.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Culture : 3rd edition of the Festival Rencontres des Musiques du monde





From Friday 16th to Saturday 24th June 2017, Tamise in collaboration with Caracoli presents the 3rd edition of the  Rencontres des musiques du monde  (Encounters of World Music) which brings together local artists but also from the Caribbean (St Lucia), Europe (Belgium, France), Africa (Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire) and the USA.



Workshops, meetings, screenings and concerts take place during 10 days in the different partner locations: FOKAL and Institut Francais in Haiti. This edition will also be the occasion to celebrate the 20 years of the cooperation agreement between the Governments of Wallonia Brussels and the Republic of Haiti.



Each year, the "Encounters of world music" follow each year a double concern: the promotion of current music related to traditional music and the reflection on the market of world music, especially Caribbean music. Thus, Tamise is committed to maintaining the Haitian culture by allowing them to interact with artists from elsewhere, sharing their history with respect for cultural diversity.



Festival concerts are given to FOKAL and the French Institute of Haiti.



All concerts are free. For concerts of the FOKAL, the entry is by invitation to be withdrawn prior to the reception



The Festival is supported by the Ministry of Culture, the International Organization of La Francophonie, the Embassy of Switzerland in Haiti, Wallonia-Brussels International, the French Embassy in Haiti, the Institut Francais a Paris, the General Delegation of the Alliances Francaises in Haiti, the European Union through the PEC and Air Caraibes.



Download the 2017 Program : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/mdm-2017.pdf



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Corrective Budget : Emergency benefit

Thursday the Minister of Economy and Finance, Jude Alix Patrick Salomon officially tabled the bill of amending finance to the Senate of the Republic, at the time of the deposit he pleaded for the benefit of the emergency, because the adoption of this law will enable the administration to redress the current situation in the country.



Beginning of the Hurricane Season

Efforts have been made to strengthen the Communal Committees of Civil Protection and of brigadiers, as well as to review and increase the capacities of the Communication System of the Directorate of Civil Protection (DPC) through the joint technical project BRH/MICT, VIASAT, setting up an effective satellite communication network, linking the command structures to all communes, in order to better organize the response in this hurricane season.



France : Donation of 50 computers

The Information Systems Department of the Quai d'Orsay donated 50 computers to the Alliances francaises of Les Cayes, Jacmel and Jeremie. Carried free of charge by Air Caraibes, these computers were officially handed over by the Ambassador in the presence of the deputy head of the information systems of the Embassy who was completing a mission in the South.



Tour of Minister of Culture in the North

Limond Toussaint, the Minister of Culture, was on a tour of the North, where he visited, among others, the premises of the Departmental Department of the Ministry and also met with a number of officials from the Office of the National Heritage Preservation Institute (ISPAN) of the department.



Martine Moise and the National Children's Day

Thursday, First Lady Martine Moise, accompanied by ministers: Pierre Josue Agenor Cadet (Education) and Pierre Simon Georges (Environment) took part in a ceremony organized as a prelude to the official celebration of the National Day of the Child. This activity, which took place in the presence of the National Coordinator of the PNCS, Mrs. Phanese R. Laguerre, was an opportunity for students of the National Schools of Canada, Fortuna Guery and of Tabarre, to offer artistic performances in the honor of the various guests.



Visit to the Therapy Center HHH

A team from the Office of the Secretary of State for the Integration of People with Disabilities (BSEIPH) recently visited the Healing Hands for Haiti (HHH) Therapy Center in Bourdon. During the visit, the team met with administrative and medical staff. Recall that since 1999, HHH is dedicated to the rehabilitation and care of people with physical disabilities in the country. Among other things, the Center has a laboratory for the manufacture of orthotics and prostheses with modern equipment, of physiotherapy and physical therapy rooms. Note that HHH also facilitates the acquisition of materials adapted to its patients.



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LIGHTNING REVIEW: 'Annie' lights up Playhouse stage

Carly Gendell, as Annie, and the orphan ensemble perform 'Hard Knock Life' at Flat Rock Playhouse. [Treadshots photo]

The opening night audience of Annie at the Flat Rock Playhouse got a sign that the show would be a rousing ride before the first two numbers were done.

From from the start, Carly Gendell as Annie sings her way into our hearts. In Maybe, she tells of her dream that one day shell find the couple that dropped her off on the orphanage steps on New Years Eve of 1922.

Betcha he reads

Betcha she sews

Maybe shes made me

A closet of clothes!

Maybe theyre strict

As straight as a line...

Dont really care

As long as theyre mine!

Started as a comic strip by Harold Gray in 1924, Little Orphan Annie inspired a radio show, a total of four film adaptations and the beloved Broadway musical, which debuted in 1977. But its never played on the Flat Rock stage until now. It sure looks like the million-watt Miss Gendell, a 12-year-old power puncher from Broadway, is going to carry Annie right through the July 2 matinee.

At the top of the show the 10 young actors who play Annies fellow orphans rock the stage in Hard Knock Life. The girls have got cotton blankets, steada wool, empty bellies, steada full but plenty of spark and sass. That early number is the first time we see the amazing and talented (7-year-old) Ivy Rose Voloshin, whose big personality makes Molly, the youngest orphan, a scene stealer all the way to curtain call.

Playhouse veteran Marcy McGuigan, as the boozy Miss Hannigan, is wobbly on her feet and demanding but plays the role with the wink it calls for. The hard knock life is too much for Annie, who sets out to find her parents.

Out on the street, Annie dials up the performance a couple more notches in the signature Tomorrow. The kid has range, musicality and vocal maturity well beyond her years. And now shes got Sandy by her side. In a dog crazy town like ours, you had to know that Sandy would be a big hit. Macy, trained by the renowned animal behaviorist Bill Berloni, does not disappoint. Rescued in 2009 at age 18 months, Macy has traveled from coast to coast for seven years playing Sandy. Macy lies down and looks sad, sprints away from the dog catcher and barks on cue.

In the grimy streets of New York  the show is set in 1933, the depth of the Great Depression  Annie runs into a group of beggars and out-of-work men and women. The ensemble breaks into Hooverville, mocking the president who had promised a chicken in every pot.

But Herbert Hoover he forgot

Not only dont we have the chicken

We aint got the pot!

* * * * *

Through a lucky accident of timing Annie gets chosen as a Christmastime guest at the Warbucks mansion. The stage is transformed from dreary to bright.

Scenic designer Dennis Maulden and lighting designer CJ Barnwell present a dazzling depiction of the Warbucks home. Costumer Ashli Arnold Crump deserves applause too for the visually striking leap from the drab colors of the orphanage and street camp to the opulence of Warbucks World, bustling with butlers and maids in tuxedos and dresses.

As Daddy Warbucks, Sean Cooper is the perfect contrast to Annie  serious and dignified and more than a little baffled at this pint-sized firecracker of a houseguest.

In Act I and in a reprise in Act II, Stephen Sheffer and Maddie Franke are cartoonishly evil as the oily schemers Rooster and Lily St. Regis hatching a plot to pose as Annies parents and collect a $50,000 reward from Oliver Warbucks.

Highlights of Act II include the Tomorrow Reprise, where Annies infectious enthusiasm provokes FDR and his Cabinet to adopt her optimism and, by the way, invent the New Deal and save America and western democracy.

Annie has long ago played the heart-strings of every audience member. She seals the deal when she emerges for Daddy Warbucks Christmas party with the trademark Orphan Annie ringlets and a red dress. By the time the stars perform I Dont Need Anything But You and the closer, A New Deal for Christmas, theatre patrons are ready to jump to their feet and shout Leapin Lizards, what a show!

A musical triumph, "Annie" figures to be the great feel-good show of the summer, thanks to the performance of Miss Gendell, the collaboration of a terrific cast, the orphans dancing and the whole visual experience.

Tomorrow, I love ya!

But why wait?

Go see Annie today!

* * * * *

Annie opens Friday and runs through July 8 on the Mainstage of the Flat Rock Playhouse. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. For tickets call 828-693-0731 or visit www.flatrockplayhouse.org.
Loving Day

Date:

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Time:

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Event Type:

Teach-In

Organizer/Author:

IFERS

Location Details:

Parque De Los Pobladores

South 1st Street (SoFA District)

San Jose, California 95113

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the ground-breaking Supreme Court decision Loving v. Virginia, we are hosting San Jose's very first Loving Day Celebration!



Attendees will enjoy music & cultural dance performances, hear from community-leader guest speakers, and will be able to interface with educational & community resources over the course of four hours (11-3 pm) on Saturday, June 10th at Loving Day 2017: San Jose. We hope you, along with other San Jose community members, come out to enjoy learning about Mildred & Richard Loving, their story, and the historical significance of the 1967 Supreme Court decision. See you soon!



Free admission



Sponsored by Institute for Education, Research, and Scholarships (IFERS)

Co-sponsored by many community organizations
The local authority responded to the publication yesterday of the Cork Expert Advisory Group report by saying it has serious concerns regarding the proposals and requires further information on a number of points, including the precise nature of the redefined boundary and how much compensation would be paid to it by the city council in relation to reduced rates.

At the launch of the report, Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government Simon Coveney urged all sides, both county and city and across the political spectrum, to work on implementing its recommendations.

The report proposes an extension of the city area, taking in areas such as Glanmire, Ballincollig and Cork Airport, as opposed to the merger of both local authorities as recommended in the 2015 Smiddy Report.

In a statement, the local authority said that it has held a special meeting of Cork County Councils Corporate Policy Group to review the report and stressed that Cork County Council has been unanimously committed to a whole of Cork model.

Cork County Councils statement said: This is a major missed opportunity.

While the council acknowledges that there are some positive aspects to the reports findings, it has also expressed serious concerns in relation to many of the overriding principles contained therein.

As a consequence, the council has indicated that it is not in a position to accept the report in the absence of further information and the receipt of satisfactory clarification to a series of important questions.

The areas likely to be included in Cork Citys boundary extension.

Mr Coveney has asked a five-person group to report back by September regarding a timetable for implementation and has targeted 2019 as a possible deadline.

However, Cork County Council raised concerns over the absence of a definitive proposed boundary layout for the expanded city area, the specifics of the proposed new boundary, and the absence of more specific detail regarding the proposed compensatory arrangements for the reduction in its rates base.

Mayor of Cork County Cllr Seamus McGrath said the county council is not in a position to accept the report until it has considered its full details and until it receives satisfactory responses to a wide range of issues.

Tim Lucey, chief executive of Cork County Council, said: There is no doubt that the proposed changes would have a major impact on the county, and it is important to carefully examine and understand the key recommendations before making further comment on the matter.

The challenge for all of us in Cork County Council is to ensure that the services for the county are not negatively impacted by the implementation of the recommendations.

Backing for reform of Corks local authorities

- Noel Baker

Housing Minister Simon Coveney said at one point during the launch of the proposed alterations to Corks two local authorities: Lets get all the issues out on the table.

But it seems most people liked what was being served up. There was a broad welcome from across the political spectrum and the business community to the proposed changes advanced in the MacKinnon report, but also some words of warning.

Mr Coveney admitted that the proposal to continue with two local authorities, but a larger city area, will not please everyone. I know this is controversial, politically, he said, before adding that any solution under consideration would have been controversial to someone.

Referring to the radical change proposed in the report, he pleaded for co-operation from all sides and parties, while accepting some level of wrangling over the details was inevitable.

I think there will be some. We have been talking for 10 years for new local government structures in Cork and it hasnt happened, mainly for party political reasons. This time I hope it will be different.

He said Cork County has a great future under this structure, having earlier said that were the changes to be imposed, it would remain the largest local authority area by population, after Dublin City Council.

He also stressed the need for anyone running in the next local elections in 2019 to know a year in advance what the electoral areas would be, but admitted it could take longer to impose all the changes, with many details still to be finalised.

Alf Smiddy, whose 2015 report recommended a merger of the councils, said the new report is still sub-optimal  it did not bite the bullet and go for the full merger.

He said one concern is that it could be 2024 before the recommendations are fully implemented. I actually think if its 2024 that report has died. If this report is going to be embraced by both councils... it will have to be embraced very quickly to the 2019 deadline. He added he is also concerned for towns outside the metropolitan area which are dependent on urban areas for rates.

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said he had been opposed to a merger and welcomed many aspects of the report. He said there was no reason why there could not be productive synergies between the two local authorities to achieve mutually beneficial results.

We need a very strong second city, he said.

His party colleague Billy Kelleher also welcomed the report, as did Sinn Fein TD Donnchadh O Laoghaire, who said: A merger would have meant there would not have been adequate focus on developing a strong city as a counterbalance to Dublin, but it would also have meant that the peripheral rural areas of Cork City would have been neglected.

Cork Chamber had been in favour of a merger but yesterday signalled it is happy to work with the new proposals.

Cork Chamber president, Bill OConnell, said: The chambers preferred option has always been for an expanded city area but as part of a singular authority structure. While our referred option, it is not the only option that can work for Cork, and we see significant merit in what has been proposed today.

Cork Business Association also welcomed the recommendations.

Deadline for city boundary extension timeframe

- Noel Baker

An expert group has until September to come up with a timeframe for extending the Cork City boundary  a move Housing Minister Simon Coveney says is essential for the county as a whole to fulfil its potential.

In what he termed the most ambitious boundary extension ever undertaken in Ireland, the redrawing of the city boundary will pull in existing county areas and mean as much as 400m being paid by the City Council to Cork County Council over the next decade to compensate for the reduction in its rates base.

The Report of the Expert Advisory Group on Local Government Arrangements in Cork, also known as the MacKinnon Report after its chairman, Jim MacKinnon, looked at eight possible options, including one single local authority, but has recommended that both councils be retained, with the extension of the city bounds to include areas such as Ballincollig, Blarney, Carrigtwohill, and Cork Airport. Based on last years census, it would see the citys population rise to 225,000, with another 325,000 people living in the county.

Mr Coveney said the status quo is untenable and the recommendation takes the best aspects of the 2015 Smiddy Report, which suggests a single super-structure for the county, and the subsequent minority report which veers away from any type of merger.

The new report also warns against complacency about Corks role as a natural counter-balance to Dublin.

The recommended city council area has to be fully defined and at yesterdays launch the minister said he believes it should include Cobh. But he emphasises that the changes are being proposed in light of the new national planning framework, Ireland 2040, to be launched in two weeks, and which envisages a 50% population growth in county and city in the coming decades.

The boundary change will significantly reduce the county councils ability to collect rates, but the report proposes a reciprocal payment system under which Cork City Council, with its increased earning capacity, pays the balance to the county council. The exact rate of payment still needs to be finalised but the minister said one estimate is 40m a year, and that he wants this guaranteed for 10 years, at which time it would be reviewed.

Another change will be to the electoral composition of both councils. Mr Coveney said at present there is a councillor for every 7,300 people in the county, while in the city the ratio is one councillor to every 3,800 people. Under the changes the figure will move closer to 5,500 people per councillor, meaning it will take one-third more votes to be elected in the city and one-third fewer in the county.

It also proposes lord and county mayors, not directly elected, in situ for up to five years, although the minister said terms of two or 2.5 years would be more appropriate.

A Cork Economic and Planning Development Board is proposed, consisting of five councillors from both local authorities and two non-voting business people helping oversee implementation of the recommendations.

A new expert group, which will also include Con Murray, former chief executive of Limerick Council, and Michael Walsh, who filled the same role in Waterford, is to return by September with a timeframe for implementation.

The minister said electoral boundaries should be finalised by next year ahead of 2019 local elections.

Report: housing.gov.ie
Business The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (June 10)

Pierre Eladari, CEO of Puma Energy, delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of Puma Energy fuel storage facility at Thilawa outside Rangoon. Attracting more foreign investment is vital to grow Burmas economy, a conference heard this week. / Soe Zayar Tun / Reuters

Investment Forum Seeks to Attract Foreign Interest

Burma made a bid to boost foreign investment interest in the country at a two-day conference in Naypyidaw this week.

The forum hosted by the Myanmar Investors Development Association (MIDA) was attended by more than 100 economic organizations, 90 foreign enterprises and almost 200 Burmese business people.

Vice President U Myint Swe, Planning and Finance Minister U Kyaw Win and Vice Commerce minister U Aung Htoo outlined Burmas economic and trade policy and the importance of foreign investment to drive growth in the country.

U Kyaw Win predicted that Burmas economy was ready for take-off while some business persons expressed more caution, the Irrawaddy reported.

U Aung Naing Oo, Director General of the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration gave an update on the investment environment following the implementation of the new Myanmar Investment Law and Rules and discussed the changing nature of Burmas economy.

Chinese, Thai and Indian potential investors were strongly represented at the event, the Irrawaddy said in another report.

The World Bank expected economic growth in Burma to decrease from 7.3 percent in 2015-16 to 6.5 percent in 2016-17. It projects medium-term growth to average at 7.1 percent per year.

Singapore Strengthens Economic Ties with Burma

The Myanmar Investment Commission has signed a memorandum of understanding with the official trade agency International Enterprise (IE) Singapore to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

The deal will enhance opportunities for Singapore firms to explore collaboration in business ventures in sectors such as housing, transport, manufacturing, energy and others.

The signing was witnessed by Singapores Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang and Burmas Minister for Planning and Finance U Kyaw Win, on the sidelines of the 6th Singapore-Myanmar Joint Ministerial Working Committee meeting.

Myanmar has shown steady growth since its political and economic reforms started in 2011, said IE Singapores assistant chief executive Tan Soon Kim.

While teething challenges are present, as with any emerging economy, we note the governments efforts to create a conducive business environment for foreign investors, he said.

IE Singapore has facilitated a number of investments in Burma including the recent negotiation of the BreadTalk franchise with conglomerate Shwe Taung at Junction City Mall in Rangoon.

The trade agency has also been working with infrastructure consultancy firm Surbana Jurong to expand in Burma. The firm is already involved in 40 projects across Burma in Rangoon, Bago, Mandalay, Arakan State and the Irrawaddy region, according to the Straits Times.

Thailand Opens Ex-Im Bank Branch in Rangoon

Thailands Export Import Bank opened its first overseas representative office in Rangoon this week.

The bank will support Thai investors who are operating mainly infrastructure projects in Burma in the energy, electricity, industrial estate, logistics, hotels, construction and sugar sectors among others, its chief representative in Burma Woramin Thavarabha told The Nation.

The bank has already provided loans of up to 10 billion baht to Thai investors in Burma, Woramin said.

Some projects among an additional 18 significant Thai investment deals in Burma worth more than 700 billion baht have also applied for loans to the bank, he said.

The bank will also provide loans to Burmese companies that import raw materials from Thailand or that employ Thai staff. In addition, it will provide advisory services to Thai companies interested in operating in Burma, he said.

The Ex-Im bank was also due to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank to share experiences and information on investment between the countries, Woramin added.

Property Portal Raises funds

The property portal ShweProperty.com has raised an undisclosed amount of funding from French investor Gilles Blanchard, the co-founder of French property site Seloger.com, start-up website e27 reported.

ShweProperty was founded in 2011 and is led by CEO Justin Sway. It has around 100,000 property listings and connects buyers, sellers and renters.

Justin Sway is also co-founder of Burma-based jobs portal JobNet.

Gilles has a fantastic track record and deep understanding of the property portal business, particularly in emerging markets. This, combined with our strong local management team, experienced shareholder base, and years of business experience, will help us to achieve our vision to lead and shape Myanmars real estate industry, Sway said.

Blanchard is joining the Burma operation as an advisor as well as a shareholder. He departed from Selagor in 2011 through a S$846 million sale to German media conglomerate Axel Springer.

He is chairman of Pakistan-based property portal Zameen.com and Dubai-based property site Bayut.com, and is involved with the BProperty.com site in Bangladesh.

Malaysian Firm Wins Rangoon Deal

Malaysia firm Bintai Kenden Corp has won a $17.5 million deal to undertake air-conditioning and fire protection installation work in two developments in Rangoon.

The groups subsidiary Bintai Kindenko Myanmar was awarded the contract by Soilbuild Myanmar, the firm said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia at the end of May.

The contract is for work on the Somerset Serviced Apartment and 68 Residence property developments in Bahan Township.

The group expects the work to be completed by July 2018, according to a report in the EdgeMarkets.
Dateline Dateline Irrawaddy: Those in Power Have Given the Wrong Message by Using This Law

This week, The Irrawaddy discusses the increasing use of the controversial Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law.

Ye Ni: Welcome to Dateline Irrawaddy! This week, well discuss the controversial Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law. Poet Maung Saung Kha and director of the Myanmar Journalism Institute U Sein Win join me for the discussion. Im Irrawaddy Burmese editor Ye Ni.

Under the new government, there have been a total of 61 cases filed under Article 66(d). But under the previous government, there were only seven cases and only five were given penalties. Under the new government, there have been 61 cases, 11 have been given penalties, and seven were denied bail and are awaiting trial behind bars. Why has the number of cases filed under Article 66(d) increased under the democratically elected government? Does this show a lack of maturity and tolerance? Ko Saung Kha, you have been conducting research and campaigns to change Article 66(d), which you were also jailed under for a poem deemed defamatory to former President U Thein Sein. What do you think is behind the increase?

Maung Saung Kha: The Telecommunications Law was enacted in 2013 under former President U Thein Seins administration and it was not intended to stifle online speech but to regulate foreign telecom operators as they entered the market. But, Article 66(d) of that law has now become a tool to sue netizens and journalists. The previous government began using this law in October, one month before the November election in 2015. In Oct. 2015, Chit Thamee, Patrick Khum Jaa Lee, and I were the first individuals to be charged under Article 66(d). There were only seven cases under the previous government because it only began using it just prior to stepping down. Otherwise, there would have been many more cases.

It continued to be applied under the new government. This created controversy  especially when Rangoon Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein sued Eleven Media Group under this article. Since then, people have become educated about Article 66(d). They realized that they could use this law to counter online criticism against them. And there have been many cases in which citizens sued each other [as opposed to the government suing citizens]. Besides those 61 cases, there may be many more that have gone unnoticed, for example, cases that were settled at police stations [and did not reach the court]. There may also be cases that reach the court that we do not hear about.

YN: As many as a dozen of these cases were filed against journalists. Some have been jailed and some are still awaiting trial. The case of the Voice Journal was the latest. Ko Sein Win, as a journalist and journalism teacher, what are your concerns regarding Article 66(d)?

Sein Win: It will limit the flow of information and discourage journalists from reporting freely. It will encourage them to practice self-censorship and objectivity will be lost as a result. The objective of reporting is to reveal the truth. Article 66(d) is cause for police arrest, and the law states that judges can grant bail based on their discretion. But you now have the problem of intervention from higher-level authorities in administering justice [those in power intervening in judicial matters continues from previous regimes]. Suing under Article 66(d) has become a developing trend. I am concerned that this has become a tool to oppress journalists.

Suppose I am a man in power. I can use this law to prevent any criticism against me. This will deter people from criticizing me and the flow of information will be limited as a result. A society needs to be built on true information. If there is less of it, there is a real likelihood that authorities will make wrong decisions when managing the country. From a political point of view, we can say national reconciliation has been achieved now. The government, Parliament and the military all have common ground regarding Article 66(d). They all use this article against those who criticize them. This is completely wrong. Is this the legacy they will leave for our country?

YN: Under U Thein Seins government, journalists started to gain freedom of expression, and people had a greater chance to discuss issues online with greater Internet access.

Supporters of Article 66(d) say this law is necessary to prevent wrongful accusations and defamatory posts. Ko Saung Kha, your research group is calling to amend it but not scrap it. Could you discuss this?

SK: The parliamentarians have concerns. We have pointed out that Articles 499 to 511 in the Penal Code are concerned with defamation. Articles 383 to 389 cover extortion, threats and obstructionsome of the situations stated in Article 66(d).

So, we asked why Article 66(d) was still needed while there are other provisions that cover the situations stated in it. We told them that it was unnecessary. Initially, we recommended that Article 66(d) be scrapped. We suggested amending it if they were unwilling to abandon it. I want to be clear that we first asked them to scrap it.

YN: Which parts would you like to amend?

SK: If lawmakers are not willing to scrap it and only want to amend it, we have pointed out parts of the article that are covered by the Penal Code. We want to refer to the Penal Code regarding legal proceedings, penalties and provisions rather than stretching the definition of Article 66(d). Here, we found that the permission of the communications ministry is also important.

Filing a lawsuit under Article 66(d) should require the ministrys approval, we think. The Burma Army recently sued columnist British Ko Ko Maung. He should not be sued. The ministry should have the authority to leave such cases pending.

We also want to change third party concerns. There are eight cases in which third parties filed lawsuits under Article 66(d) against people who shared posts deemed to be defamatory to State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Maybe they filed lawsuits out of their love for her. However, this will adversely impact the image of the state counselor.

No international law concerning defamation, or the Penal Code, allows a third party to file a lawsuit, and it is therefore unacceptable under the Telecommunications Law. It seems like third parties can even sue friends who jokingly swear at each other. What is worse is that third parties can file lawsuits without being required to seek remarks from the victims deemed to be defamed. This should only be used when victims cannot appear in court  in discreet cases, or for those who are disabled, elderly or feeble. In those cases, third parties can file lawsuits with the victims permission. In other instances, this is not allowed.

YN: Ko Sein Win, looking at the cases filed under Article 66(d), there is currently a total of 21 casesseven filed by the Burma Army, six by the National League for Democracy (NLD), and eight by third parties on behalf of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It is fair to say that those 21 cases are politically motivated. To what extent can Article 66(d) act as a deterrent to the countrys democratic transition?

SW: According to our understanding, there are two aspects regarding defamation and personal attacksone concerns ordinary citizens and the other concerns celebrities, politicians and those in power.

Celebrities and those in power are in high positions. Suppose I mock or satirize the president. I cannot be sued for this; it does not amount to defamation. We are entitled to criticize the president. Whether he likes it or not, he has to bear this in his position. There is no such thing as 100 percent support. Those in power have to tolerate and forgive even if they are unfairly criticized.

In addition, they have to grant intellectual freedom. If those in power are sensitive to criticism, what methods can ordinary citizens use to check the government and the administrative mechanism? I can understand that those in power do not like criticism. But what else can ordinary citizens do except speak critically?

Defamation is no longer a criminal law but a civil case. The British, who enacted this law, changed it. But we continue using it. Now, people do not even bother to file lawsuits under other defamation provisions. Instead, they use Article 66(d) because the police can make arrests and then bail depends on the judge. Looking at cases filed under Article 66(d), we can see that those cases have been filed by lawmakers, the government, the military, and against peer party members or members of other parties. If the upper echelon increasingly uses this law, ordinary citizens will also think that they can use it. Those in power have given the wrong message by using this law. They should stop immediately.

YN: Thank you for your contributions.
Burma Demonstrators in Canada Call on State Counselor to Address Ethnic Suffering

A group, including Karen and Kachin refugees, gather at Toronto City Hall. / Karen Community of Canada.

Demonstrators, including ethnic Karen and Kachin refugees, called on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to listen to the suffering of ethnic people at the hands of the Burma Army at a protest in Toronto, Canada on Friday.

Several dozen demonstrators, some wearing traditional ethnic dress, waved posters, placards and ethnic Kachin and Karen flags at Toronto City Hall.

Demonstration organizer and leader of the Karen Community of Toronto, Naw Sheila Htoo, shouted through a loud speaker: We are here to show support that she [Daw Aung San Suu Kyi] really needs, we hope our leaders can hear our cries today and bring justice.

The State Counselor visited Toronto to meet members of the overseas Burmese community as part of her five-day tour of Canada. She travels to Sweden on Saturday.

There is a great pressure on refugees [from Burma] in Thailand to return to Burma. However, the Burma Army continue to occupy villages and farmland, making return difficult or impossible for many villagers, Naw Sheila Htoo said.

Protestors called on the Burma Army to end their offensives in Kachin State and for the demilitarization of Karen State, so that refugees can return home.

Posters read: Demilitarization Before Repatriation, Burma Army Get Out of Our Land, and Stop Civil War in Kachin State.

Another placard read: Welcome Aung San Suu Kyi. Please listen to the cries of our people. Demonstrators called on Canada not to cooperate with the Burma Army.

Amid concerns over Burmas peace process by ethnic refugees, Canadas Prime Minister Trudeau announced US$8.8 million in support for humanitarian assistance and the advancement of peace and stability in Burma.

The announcement came after Burmas State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi met with Prime Minister Trudeau on Wednesday in Ottawa.

Ethnic Karen refugees in Canada also released an open letter on the arrival of Burmas State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, raising concerns over the militarization in Karen State while the Union government pushes ahead with the peace process.

Canada and Burma established diplomatic ties when Burma gained independence from the British in 1948. Canada has disbursed more than $95 million to Burma in official development assistance since 2013, according to the prime ministers website.
Parliament This Week in Parliament (June 5  9)

Family members of victims from a military plane crash prepare for a funeral ceremony in Dawei on June 9, 2017. Lawmakers in Parliament observed two minutes of silence for the victims on Friday. / Soe Zayar Tun / Reuters

Monday (June 5)

The Lower House approved discussion of a proposal from lawmaker Dr. San Shwe Win urging the government to establish a national health insurance system to ensure universal health coverage for every citizen.

In the Upper House, U Tet Tun Aung of Arakan State Constituency (2) asked if the Union government had a plan to relocate, both in the short and long term, Buddhist Arakanese people from across the state to Arakanese-only villages in Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships, which have a Muslim majority. Deputy Minister for Border Affairs Maj-Gen Than Htut replied that the government had been building ethnic model villages since 1990, and had relocated Arakanese people from Rangoon to such locations 19 times, and supported the relocation of more than 740 households of ethnic Buddhist Arakanese from neighboring Bangladesh to Burma.

Tuesday (June 6)

The Union Parliament approved President U Htin Kyaws proposal to sign the agreement for the establishment of the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization.

It also approved the Presidents proposal to sign the Agreement on Cooperation in Natural Disaster Early Warning and Mitigation between Asean and the Russian Federation.

Wednesday (June 7)

The Lower House agreed on Wednesday to discuss a proposal urging the Union government to reform policies affecting nurses and midwives serving in public hospitals, submitted by lawmaker Daw Yin Min Hlaing of Magwe Divisions Gangaw Township.

In the Upper House, lawmakers asked questions about educational facilities in their respective constituencies.

Thursday (June 8)

The Lower House recorded a proposal by Minbu Township lawmaker U Win Win which urged the Union government to distribute domestically produced urea fertilizer to farmers at reasonable prices, after Deputy Minister for Electricity and Energy Dr. Tun Naing said that the government could only meet seven percent of domestic demand, and that the private sector had to import the remaining 93 percent. He promised to improve the packaging of fertilizer.

In the Upper House, lawmakers discussed a proposal from Dr. Tin Tin Win of Pegu Constituency (5) that urged the Union government to incorporate the subjects of reproductive health, civic education and democracy into the curriculum of high schools and colleges in Burma.

Friday (June 10)

The Union Parliament expressed condolences to bereaved families of victims in a military plane crash tragedy, with lawmakers observing two minutes silence.

According to figures issued by the military, 14 crew members and 108 military staff members and their families, including 15 children, were on board when the welfare plane crashed into the Andaman Sea on Wednesday, and 32 bodiesthree males, 21 females and eight childrenhave been recovered on Friday.

The aircraft was purchased from China and put into service in March of last year. It was also used to transport 6.5 tons of food supplies to victims of Cyclone Mora in Arakan State.
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By Mohammadbagher Forough | (The Conversation) |  

Iran experienced its first major ISIL attack on June 7, as armed men and suicide bombers targeted two symbols of the Islamic Republic in Tehran: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeinis mausoleum and the Iranian parliament. At least 12 people are reported to have been killed and 42 wounded.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), the most powerful force in the country, accused Saudi Arabia for the attacks, saying, This terrorist attack happened only a week after the meeting between the U.S. president (Donald Trump) and the (Saudi) backward leaders who support terrorists. The fact that Islamic State has claimed responsibility proves that they were involved in the brutal attack, as quoted by Reuters.

IRGC deputy commander Brigadier General Hossein Salami promised revenge for todays attacks in Tehran, on terrorists, their affiliates and their supporters.

The attack actually took place two weeks after US President Donald Trumps visit to Saudi Arabia. Trump was given a lavish welcome by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, despite his claim during the 2016 US presidential campaign that the Saudis had ties to 9/11, kill women and push gays off buildings.

The two nations bonded over an anti-Iran alliance during the visit, irking Tehran. Trump and the House of Saud also signed an arms agreement worth over US$100 billion, and discussed Saudi investments in the US, though the deals have not been finalised.

Targeting Iran

In a speech to the Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia on May 21, Trump pinpointed Iran as the main party responsible for terrorism in the region. This was a departure from the positions of the previous US administration, including those of former US secretary of state Hilary Clinton, which was revealed in leaked emails.

In an interview with The Atlantic magazine in April 2016, former US president Barack Obama even said that Saudi Arabia should share the Middle East with Iran.

Trumps Middle East trip coincided with the May 19 Iranian presidential election and complicated the reelection bid of President Hassan Rouhani, a pragmatist reformer, against conservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi.

Young people in Iran danced in the streets when Rouhani won, even as in Riyadh Trump was sword-dancing with Saudi strongmen and promoting an anti-Iranian message.

The Iranian response to Trumps trip was predictably strong. The Supreme Leader condemned both Trump and the Saudis, calling their arms deal a multi-billion dollar bribe to America that cannot help the Saudis reach their regional objectives.

He also highlighted the hypocrisy of the Trump administration in ignoring Irans democratic election to side with the leaders of a tribal and backward country.

President Rouhanis response to Trumps Saudi gambit was similar, though softer  and more sarcastic  in tone. He mocked the trip as just a show with no practical and political value and argued that real strength comes not from arms but ballot boxes, which, he says, the poor Saudis have never seen.

Regional implications

Public displays of US-Iran hostility aside, the main facts, actors and challenges in the region remain the same. The US and Iran are backing the same governments in Afghanistan and Iraq, which are, respectively, accusing the Pakistani and Saudi regimes (two American allies) of supporting terrorism and unrest in their countries.

The countries are also both fighting against ISIL in Iraq in a tacit agreement about their shared interest in destroying the group. The latter has now responded with a direct attack on Tehran. But that violence is likely to harden Iranian resolve for fighting ISIL.

Neither the US nor Saudi Arabia are likely to get a major strategic advantage from Trumps recent trip, and the agreements signed with the Saudis cannot benefit the US without the country paying a high price for siding with hardline Saudi strongmen and their intolerant version of Islam.

The US could also potentially become immersed in the region once more, going against Obamas pivot to Asia, for the same reasons it has previously become stuck in Iraq and Afghanistan. Trump needs Arab countries support to counter Iran, fight terrorism, and address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But the same contradictions and challenges that have beset US policies in relation to these issues still exist today.

Other actors

The connections between the US, Iran and Arab countries also explain why the Russians exhibited such a calm attitude towards Trumps trip. Russia has invested in the region, and is on Irans side in terms both of Syria and fighting terrorism.

China has energy security, (geo-)economics and counterterrorism interests in the Middle East, and is also tilting toward Iran in those areas.

Turkey, a NATO ally, has serious disagreements with US policy in Syria, especially over the Kurdish question and is working on Syria with Iran and Russia. Pakistan is a tough nut to crack for all actors involved, including the US, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. These regional and global actors interests cannot be dismissed by a meeting between Trump and the Saudis.

Irans prospects

Shia connections have made Iran very influential in Iraq, Lebanon and Syria, where the country supports the Syrian government by deploying forces on the ground.

Iran also has plans for its other neighbours. It is developing infrastructure with Central Asian countries, such as railways and roads connecting with Azerbaijan. Further, Iran plays an indispensable role in the region for the Chinese New Silk Road initiative.

As for the West, Rouhanis re-election has sent a strong signal. Most EU countries leaders have congratulated him. And, as multilateral sanctions on Iran were lifted after the 2015 nuclear deal, Rouhanis recent victory was also welcomed by global financial markets.

The question now is not so much about Trumps statements and displays of affection to the House of Saud or the continuation of past arms deals. Rather, analysts must understand how Iran will play its regional and global cards.

How will Iran make use of the tensions within the Arab anti-Iran alliance such as the recent Qatar-Saudi rift?

Will Iran downplay the ISIL attack, as the reaction of its Parliamentary Chairman Ali Larijani seemed to indicate? Or will the event increase regional tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran as IRGC has promised?

The Saudi minister of defence recently issued a not-very-thinly-veiled threat against Iran, saying, We will work so that the battle is for them in Iran. If anything, the recent ISIL attack may elevate the Iranian-Saudi rivalry to a new level.

Mohammadbagher Forough, Assistant professor of International Relations at Leiden University & Associate researcher at Clingendael Institute, The Netherlands, Leiden University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.



Related video added by Juan Cole:

Wall Street Journal: The Tehran Terror Attacks: Why Is Isis Targeting Iran?
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TeleSur |  

Labour leaders former foes give credit to his campaign platform.

His years of being considered an outsider who didnt understand the British electorate now appear to be behind him.

Supporters of the U.K. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn say his steadfast approach to left-wing policies has been vindicated by his success in Thursdays vote.

Corbyn steered it to gain 3.5 million more votes than in 2015, boost its share of the vote by 10 points, and increase its number of seats by 30.

The partys Deputy Leader, Tom Watson, said, Labour fought a people-powered campaign, putting passion and principle against the Tories corporate millions and we did better than many said we would. People responded well to Jeremy Corbyns energy, honesty, candor, and energy  just as they saw Theresa May run away from holding herself to account.

Corbyn battled the election campaign on a platform of social reform.

His manifesto promised to give the nation hope by nationalising key industries, scrapping student tuition fees, increasing spending on health and child care, boosting the police force as well as introducing tax hikes for high earners.

In his acceptance speech after being re-elected MP for Islington North, Corbyn said, Politics has changed. Politics is not going back into the box where it was before.

The right-wing press in the U.K. had accused him of dragging the country back to the 1970s with his policies.

But some outlets are conceding they may have misread public opinion.

Writing in an opinion piece in Fridays Daily Telegraph, Tom Harris said, May is not the only person in the country who will feast on humble pie this morning. General elections throw up winners and losers, and in the latter camp must be included all of those  all of us  who confidently predicted that Jeremy Corbyn would prove toxic to the electorate.

Many of Corbyns former opponents within the party are eating at the same table.

Last year three-quarters of Labour MPs voted against him staying on in the leadership role, in a failed coup attempt.

One of his challengers, Tom Watson, was an outspoken critic.

Not anymore.

Speaking to the BBC on Friday, Watson said, I was clearly wrong in feeling that Jeremy was unable to do this well and I think hes proved me wrong and lots of people wrong and I take my hat off to him.

When asked whether Corbyns or Labours policies won the election, he said: It has to be both. I dont know what Jeremys got but if we could bottle it and drink it wed all be doing very well.

While another former opponent, Chuka Umunna, a Labour MP for a southwest London seat now believes that he has done a really, really good job getting across a hopeful, optimistic vision and set of policies, which weve advanced during this campaign  Corbyn remains leader of the Labour Party, quite rightly so, after this campaign.

All of this marks a major shift to the left for the party.

Since the mid-1980s Labour has assumed that the only way it could win would be to move to the center, dropping left-wing policies such as nationalizing industries and having the state play a greater role in the market.

Internal divisions, including the battle to throw out the so-called militant tendency, threatened to tear the party apart. Corbyns former adversary Tony Blair brought Labour back to power, but at a cost to its original principles.

Blairite policies marked a major shift to the center-right and alienated many on the left.

Now a report in The Economist says the parliamentary Labour Party will now be engaged in a fundamental rethink  Corbyn has redefined the parameters of the possible. The Blair era truly ended on June 8th.

Via TeleSur

-

Related video added by Juan Cole:

BBC News: Jeremy Corbyn: People voted for hope  BBC News
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Friday called on Saudi Arabia and its allies to halt their blockade of Qatar.

There are humanitarian consequences to this blockade, he said.

In addition, he worried that the dispute would undermine the struggle against ISIL (ISIS, Daesh): The blockade is also impairing U.S. and other international business activities in the region and has created a hardship on the people of Qatar and the peoples whose livelihoods depend on commerce with Qatar. The blockade is hindering U.S. military actions in the region and the campaign against ISIS.

The US flies sorties against ISIL and the Taliban from al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, where 10,000 US servicemen are based. Saudi Arabias blockade of food deliveries across Saudi territory could affect these US personnel. Qatar has been happy to offer the US these facilities despite the possibility of a terrorist backlash against the government. In contrast, Saudi Arabia has done almost nothing to help roll up ISIL.

Then, just a a little while later, Tillersons boss Donald J. Trump said at a press briefing, The nation of Qatar unfortunately has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level . . , So we had a decision to make, do we take the easy road or do we finally take a hard but necessary action. We have to stop the funding of terrorism. I decided  the time had come to call on Qatar to end its funding. Trump went on to claim that he had helped plan out the anti-Qatar smear campaign with his Saudi hosts when he was in Riyadh recently. His senior staff in contrast maintained that Qatar never came up.

Some takeaways:

1. The US has two foreign policies, that of the former Exxon-Mobil CEO, an old Middle East hand, and that of a Brooklyn real estate shyster and foreign policy neophyte.

2. Fighting ISIL is not in fact a top priority for Trump.

3. There is no particular reason for Qatar to continue offering a military base to a foreign superpower showing extreme hostility to it.

Qatar does not in fact fund terrorism as we ordinarily understand the word. Trump is probably alleging that the small peninsular power funds the Muslim Brotherhood, which is not generally seen as a terrorist group (it gave up violence in 1972) except by the Egyptian government and by Saudi Arabia.

Qatar does also fund some of the rebel groups in northwest Syria, but in that endeavor it has been on the same page as the US CIA, at least until recently. Is Trump getting pressure from the Russians, as well? Moscow is trying to roll up the Syrian rebels and cannot be unhappy with the prospect of a forced Qatari retrenchment.

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Related video:

The Nation: Qatar in crisis
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By James M. Dorsey | (Inter Press Service) |  

SINGAPORE (IPS)  Turkeys parliament is this week fast tracking the dispatch of up to 3,000 troops to Qatar, home to the countrys military base in the Middle East. Certain to stiffen Qatars resolve to resist Saudi and UAE-led pressure to force it to change policies, the Turkish move comes amid hints that the kingdom and its allies may seek to undermine the rule of Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The stakes for both sides of the Gulf divide could not be higher. Saudi Arabia and the UAE cannot afford to fail in their effort to force Qatars hand after leading several Arab and non-Arab states in a rupture of diplomatic relations and declaring an economic boycott that also targets Qatars food supplies. By the same token, Qatar cannot afford a cave-in to Saudi and UAE demands that would humiliate the country and effectively turn it in to a Saudi vassal.

The dispatch of Turkish troops as well as Turkish and Iranian offers to help Qatar offset the impact of the boycott by ensuring that its food and water needs are met positions the Gulf crisis and Saudi Arabias proxy war with the Islamic republic as a political rather than a sectarian battle. Sunni Turkey and Shiite Iran countering of the Saudi-UAE campaign undermines the kingdoms effort to project its rivalry with Iran as both a sectarian conflict and a power struggle.

The dispatch of troops and the emergence of a pro-Qatari alliance opposed to that of Saudi Arabia also eases pressure on non-Arab Muslim states to take sides. By raising the stakes, Turkey and Iran could potentially contribute to efforts to find a political solution to the crisis.

The move to quickly dispatch troops to Qatar came a day after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the Saudi-UAE effort to isolate sanctions and cripple it with sanctions. Mr. Erdogan warned that the moves would fail to solve problems and said he would do what he could to end the crisis.

Kuwait is already attempting to bridge the gap between the Gulf states and Qatar while the United States and Germany have called for a political solution. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif was scheduled to visit Ankara to discuss ways of resolving the Gulf crisis.

That may prove to be easier said than done. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are bent on avoiding a repeat of 2014 when Qatar failed to respond to the withdrawal of the Saudi, Emirati and Bahraini ambassadors from Doha by caving in to their demands that it halts its support for Islamists and militants. The three countries were forced to return their ambassadors after an absence of nine months with little to show for their action.

Leaders of Saudi Arabia and the UAE have moreover put their credibility on the line by not only breaking off diplomatic relations but also imposing a harsh boycott. The UAE, apparently concerned that the boycott, and particularly the targeting of food supplies, could spark domestic criticism, made expressions of sympathy with Qatar a criminal offense punishable with up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of at least US$ 136,000. Up to 40 percent of Qatars approximately $1 billion in food exports a year were trucked to Qatar from Saudi Arabia until this weeks eruption of the crisis.

Also raising the stakes is the fact that a Qatar capable of resisting Saudi and UAE pressure would effectively contribute to a Muslim bloc in the Middle East that stands for everything Saudi Arabia and the UAE are seeking to defeat.

Inevitably, closer Qatari ties with Turkey as well as Iran, with which the Gulf state shares the worlds largest gas field, would become a fixture of Middle Eastern geopolitics. Iran is already helping Qatar not only with food but also by allowing Qatar Airways flights to Asia to cross Iranian airspace in their bid to circumvent Saudi, UAE and Bahrain airspace that has been closed to them.

Beyond demonstrating that Qatar is not alone in its fight, the dispatch of Turkish troops would also seek to dissuade Saudi Arabia and the UAE from intervening directly in the Gulf state.

Turkey and Qatar have long pursued similar policies. Both countries supported the 2011 popular Arab revolts.

By contrast, Saudi Arabia and the UAE went to great length to thwart their success., including helping engineer the military coup that in 2013 toppled Mohammed Morsi, a Muslim brother and Egypts first and only democratically elected president. Saudi and UAE troops also helped Bahrain brutally squash its 2011 popular uprising.

Turkey and Qatar moreover both support the Muslim Brotherhood, rebels fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and Islamist groups in divided Libya. The UAE and Saudi Arabia alongside Egypt back the internationally recognized Tobruk-based Libyan government that joined them in breaking off relations with Qatar.

Turkey set up a military base in Qatar with some 150 troops, its first in the Middle East, as part of an agreement signed in 2014. Turkish officials have since said Turkeys presence would be increased to some 3,000 troops.

Turkeys move to expedite the dispatch of additional troops to Qatar came as UAE state minister for foreign affairs Anwar Gargash said that one cannot rule out further measures. We hope that cooler heads will prevail, that wiser heads will prevail and we will not get to that.

Accusing Qatar of being the main champion of extremism and terrorism in the region, Mr. Gargash insisted that this is not about regime change  this is about change of policy, change of approach.

Egyptian, Emirati and Saudi newspapers, none of which are known to be truly independent, reported in recent days that domestic opposition to Qatari emir sheikh Tamim was mounting.

We have long been silent about the irrational practices of the regime in Qatar, Sheikh Saud bin Nasser Al-Thani, a little known member of the ruling family which is believed to account for up to 20 percent of Qatars citizens, told Egypts Youm7 newspaper.

The newspaper reported that opponents of Sheikh Tamim would form a London-based opposition paper headed by Sheikh Abdelaziz Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, an uncle of the emir and former oil and finance minister, who was accused of involvement in a failed effort in 2011 by Qatari military officers to overthrow Sheikh Tamims father and predecessor, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Abu Dhabis The National newspaper reported that the party would advocate a Qatari policy in line with Saudi and UAE demands, including curbing the activities of Sheikh Hamads wife, Sheikha Mozah Al-Misnad, who heads Qatar Foundation; freezing Qatars relations with Iran, ending Qatari support for Islamists in Libya and Egypt, and expelling Islamist leaders from the Gulf state.

On behalf of the Qatari people, we offer the highest apology to the people of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen and other countries that have been abused and harmed by the Qatari regime. We inform you that the Qatari people do not approve of the national policies that seek to shatter the Arab unity, Sheikh Saud said in a statement carried by Egypt Today.

Qataris are questioning whether this is going to end up in seeing a change in leadership itself in Qatar, added Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, a prominent liberal intellectual, art collector and businessman who is a member of the ruling family of the UAE emirate of Sharjah.

Earlier, Salman al-Ansari, the head of the Saudi American Public Relation Affairs Committee (SAPRAC), a Washington-based lobby, warned Sheikh Tamim that he could meet the same fate as Mr. Morsi, the toppled Egyptian president.

The Arab press reports notwithstanding, there is little by which to gauge possible support for opposition to Sheikh Tamim among the military or the public in Qatar, which like others in the region controls its media but has not imposed the kind of draconic penalties on freedom of expression introduced this week in the UAE.

Whatever the case, Qatar and Turkey hope that a substantial presence of Turkish troops rather than the fact that Qatar also hosts 10,000 US troops on the largest US military facility in the Middle East, would complicate, if not dampen, any plans to force Sheikh Tamims exit.

Said Mr. Al Qassemi: The Qataris should not count on that base as being a guarantee or sort of American protection when it comes to conflict with Saudi Arabia. I think the Americans would choose to side with Saudi Arabia over any other country in the region.

*Dr. James M. Dorsey is a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies & co-director of the University of Wurzburgs Institute for Fan Culture

gulf-crisis_

The statements and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of IPS.

Licensed from Inter Press Service

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Related video added by Juan Cole:

Wochit Politics: Gulf Crisis Deepens As Arab Powers Draw Up Qatari Blacklist
VANCOUVER, June 9, 2017 /CNW/ - INCA ONE GOLD CORP. (TSXV: IO, Frankfurt: SU9.F, SSEV: IOCL) ("Inca One" or the "Company") announces that it is undertaking a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to CAD$1,500,000 (the "Private Placement" or "Offering").

The Private Placement will consist of the issuance of 15 million units (the "Units") at a subscription price of CAD$0.10 per Unit. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Share") and one half a common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each full Warrant will be exercisable to purchase an additional Share of the Company at an exercise price of CAD$0.15 for a period of 18 months from the closing date ("Closing Date").

The proceeds from the Offering will be used for operating cost reductions, plant infrastructure upgrades and mineral purchases. Insiders of the Company may subscribe for Units under the Private Placement. All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement will be subject to a statutory hold period of 4 months plus a day from the Closing Date in accordance with applicable securities legislation. Finder's fees may be paid in connection with this Offering. Closing of the Private Placement is subject to the approval of the TSXV.

The securities described herein have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered under the Act or unless an exemption from registration is available.

About Inca One

Inca One is a Canadian-based mineral processing company. The Company's activities consist of the production of gold and silver from the processing of purchased minerals located in Peru. Peru is the 6th largest producer of gold in the world and the Peruvian government estimates the small-scale mining sector accounts for a significant portion of all Peruvian gold production, estimated to be valued approximately US$3 billion annually. The Company purchases its minerals from government registered small-scale mining producers from various regions and processes it at its Chala One milling facility located in Chala, Southern Peru.
The cover of "The New Koreans" / Courtesy of Michael Breen

'The New Koreans' is an updated overview of the 'land of miracle'

By Yun Suh-young





Michael Breen, author of "The News Koreans"

"Defiance," said Michael Breen.

"That was actually how I wanted to title the book. 'Defiance  The Story of South Koreans,' or somewhere along those lines."

"Defiance is the key word that best explains South Korea's growth. It was the defiance of the Koreans that brought them here, to this stage. Defiance was the engine that propelled the country to growth," said Breen, author of the recent book, "The New Koreans," during an interview with The Korea Times last week.

"The main point I'm trying to make in the book is that Korea developed because of a certain emotion driving the country and it was identified as an angry defiance. They only had one way to go and that was to improve. The South Koreans were very angry toward the North Koreans and even toward the Americans. They defied circumstances and history and the way people looked at them."

He makes this claim upfront in the preface of the book: "I fear that I missed something that now strikes me as obvious about the modern development of South Korea: that the source energy driving it was defiance, not of the Japanese who colonized them, but of an entire history that had delivered them to a broken present. They refused to accept the place the world thought they occupied. Their defiance was set alight by anger against their brothers and sisters in the North and drove them to find the right way to compete."

The book started out as an update of his previous publication, "The Koreans" released in 2004, which was written in the late 1990s. A decade after its release, Breen felt a need to update the book as so much has changed from that time, but as he started writing, he realized it would no longer be an update. It took him 18 months to write it and 30 months to have it published.

"The idea was to update it because the references were old. It began as an update of the previous book I wrote in the late 1990s but sort of turned into a new book basically," he said.

What has changed in his new book, is the prediction of Korea's unification, which he initially predicted would have happened by now.

"I anticipated the sequel by this time to be The Unified Koreans," he writes in the preface of the book.

He thought the miracle on the Han River would be complete in three stages  economic development, democratic development, and reunification with North Korea. Not only does he admit being wrong on timing, he says he has refined his views.

"The third miracle is cultural. It would be the acceptance of Korean culture by the world in the sense that they're familiar with Koreans," he said.

He has renewed his prediction about unification as well. He proposed the date to be 2028, like a 40-year plan per turn of events  The first being the 40-year colonial period (1910 -1948), the second, war recovery and economic growth (1948-1988), the third, period of democratization (1988-2028), and fourth, period of unification (2028- 2068).

"The actual moment of reconciliation should ideally begin in 2028. It can happen then or after that, but this is going to take a generation," he said.

He even has some interesting suggestions for Korea. The first is to honor the people born in the 1940s and 50s and build a statue to that generation which made the country what it is today. The second is to change Korea's English name to "Hanguk."

"There are countries in the world that don't call their country the same name in English, like Korea. For instance, Guatamala would be Guatamala in their own language. I propose the name change because the two Koreas insist that the world calls them both 'Korea' when the two are completely different. I think the association with North Korea is damaging to the reputation of South Korea," he said, explaining his argument.

However, Korea's catapulted reputation doesn't necessarily mean its people's happiness has catapulted as well. Breen finds that its success hasn't led to individual happiness.

"Koreans suffer from depression and unhappiness at a greater level than people do in most other countries. I go into why that is, why that should be," he said.

According to Breen, there are two main factors: 1. The changing ethics. "It's much more an individualistic society now. It's a scarier place." 2. Koreans are sensitive to what other people think of them.

"People act, think and feel in reaction to what they think other people are thinking of them, which for some people in other democracies, is rather extraordinary. Koreans are exquisitely sensitive to that and that can be a formula for misery because it makes you do things that lack authenticity," said Breen.

This is the other side of growth, to which Breen says we need "attitude change."

"There was a Buddhist monk I interviewed who said one solution is to realize that we are happy. It's an attitude. (People's) instinct is to start thinking about what the government should do. I think it's more what individuals can do for themselves," said Breen.

"People need to realize that you're responsible for yourself. You live with yourself all your life, nobody else does. So you have to act with authenticity and you can't let yourself be ordered around by other people."

The book is not aimed for an audience who is completely new to Korean culture and history, but to someone who is "familiar with Korea and can recognize what I'm talking about," according to Breen.

"It's not for a complete beginner nor aimed at Koreans themselves," but it would be a helpful guide for non-Koreans who have a basic knowledge about the country but would like to learn more.
Each week at Live Science we find the most interesting and informative articles we can. Along the way, we uncover some amazing and cool images. Here you'll discover the most incredible photos we found this week, and the remarkable stories behind them.

Gargantuan "growlers"

(Image credit: RAF)

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In July 2017, a gargantuan iceberg spanning five times the area of New York's five boroughs snapped off the coast of Antarctica and began to drift northward.

Though its edges have crumbled considerably since then, the iceberg  named A-68a  is still the largest on Earth , and it's currently barreling toward an island wildlife refuge in the South Atlantic Ocean. New aerial footage taken by the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force (RAF) reveals just what that island might be up against.

For starters, the RAF footage really drives home how massive this ice giant is. (As of early April, A-68a measured about 2,000 square miles, or 5,100 square kilometers, in area, Live Science previously reported ). The berg's steep walls tower 100 feet (30 meters) above the sea, according to RAF News , and are gouged with tunnels, fissures and caves. Huge chunks of ice, or "growlers," are rapidly cracking off on all sides, leaving behind a trail of debris that could impede boat traffic in the future.

[Read more: World's largest iceberg still barreling toward penguin habitat, new footage confirms ]

Clear head, nine arms, can't lose

(Image credit: Kyodo News via Getty Images)

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A nine-armed octopus caught off Japan's coast nearly ended up being dinner, until the family preparing it noticed its extra limb and sent it to a museum instead, according to news sources. While unusual, this extra appendage  which wasn't fully formed, but a small offshoot on a regular arm  isn't unheard of in octopuses, said Michael Vecchione, an invertebrate zoologist at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., who was not involved with this octopus's discovery.

Octopuses are capable of regenerating their arms, but "sometimes regeneration doesn't work quite right," Vecchione told Live Science. "If an arm gets damaged, it might regenerate wrong; it could wind up with extra tissue growing out, and that extra tissue could turn into an arm."

The nine-armed oddity was caught in a trap with three other octopuses on Nov. 13 in Shizugawa Bay, in the northeastern town of Minamisanriku, Japan, according to The Mainichi , a Japanese newspaper.

[Read more: Rare 9-armed octopus found off Japan coast ]

The sound of a supernova

(Image credit: NASA)

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In space, nobody can hear you scream  or explode, or collapse, or slowly collide with a neighboring galaxy. But now, thanks to a new " data sonification " program at NASA, you can at least get a sense of what some of the most extreme phenomena in the universe might sound like when converted to sound played by Earthly instruments.

To hear what that sounds like, we turn to NASA's Chandra X-ray center  which has been imaging distant galaxies with its Chandra X-ray observatory for 20 years now. In their new initiative, Chandra researchers have taken three iconic images from their archives and translated different frequencies of light into different pitches of sound.

The first video shows the crab nebula (a supernova remnant powered by a windy neutron star , shown above). In NASA's data sonification of the nebula, X-ray light (blue and white) is represented by brass instruments; optical light (purple) is played by string instruments; and infrared light (pink) is represented by woodwinds. The sounds converge near the center of the nebula, where a rapidly swirling pulsar is blasting gas and radiation in all directions. Listen to this cosmic symphony (and two others) at the link below.

[Read more: This is what a supernova sounds like, according to NASA ]

Pterosaur's missing cousin

(Image credit: Rodolfo Nogueira)

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Nearly nothing is known about the family tree of pterosaurs  iconic reptiles that flew alongside the dinosaurs . These now-extinct beasts appear in the fossil record with already developed wings and senses adapted for flying, with researchers having nary a clue about their immediate evolutionary history.

But now, the pterosaur's family tree has a new branch; an enigmatic group of small reptiles, known as lagerpetids, might be the closest-known pterosaur relatives on record, the researchers of a new study say.

Unlike pterosaurs, however, lagerpetids did not fly. "Now, we have an idea of what a flightless pterosaur relative would look like," study co-researcher Sterling Nesbitt, an associate professor of geosciences at Virginia Tech, told Live Science.

[Read more: Missing link in pterosaur origins discovered ]

The changing face of ice

(Image credit: NOAA/Photo courtesy of Caitlin Bailey, GFOE, The Hidden Ocean 2016: Chukchi Borderlands)

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From vanishing sea ice to blistering air temperatures to zombie fires , climate change is reshaping the Arctic. And that transformation may be permanent, researchers said on Tuesday (Dec. 8) at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU).

The Arctic has warmed and melted at an alarmingly accelerating pace over the last 15 years, and the impacts are accumulating so rapidly that "there's no reason to think that in 30 years anything will be as it is today," Rick Thoman, an Alaska climate specialist with the International Arctic Research Center (IARC) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), said at the conference, held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Tuesday.

This year's news was not good: June snow cover across the Eurasian Arctic was at its lowest in 54 years; coastal permafrost erosion is increasing; and glaciers and ice sheets in Greenland continued a trend "of significant ice loss," according to the report.

[Read more: Dramatic transformation of the Arctic landscape may be permanent ]

Starship down

(Image credit: SpaceX)

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SpaceX's Starship spaceflight system just took a big step on its path to Mars. The latest Starship prototype, a shiny silver vehicle known as SN8, launched on an epic high-altitude test flight on Dec. 9, taking off at 5:45 p.m. EST from SpaceX's facility near the South Texas village of Boca Chica.

The goal was to soar about 7.8 miles (12.5 kilometers) into the sky, perform some complex aerial maneuvers  including a "belly flop" like the one the final Starship will perform when coming back to Earth on operational flights  and then land safely near the launch stand. The 165-foot-tall (50 meters) SN8 appeared to notch all of these big milestones, except for the final one: The vehicle hit its landing mark but came in too fast, exploding in a dramatic fireball 6 minutes and 42 seconds after liftoff.

SN8's rapid unplanned disassembly did nothing to dampen the spirits of SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk, who was thrilled by the results of today's flight.

[Read more: SpaceX's Starship SN8 prototype soars on epic test launch, with explosive landing ]

Amazonian universe

(opens in new tab) ) (Image credit: University of Exeter; Iriarte, J, et al. 2020; CC BY 4.0

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Billions of lasers shot from a helicopter flying over the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest have detected a vast network of long-abandoned circular and rectangular-shaped villages dating from 1300 to 1700, a new study finds.

The round villages all had remarkably similar layouts, with elongated mounds circling a central plaza, like marks on a clock. "These latter elongated mounds, when seen from above, look like the rays of the sun, which gives them the common name of 'Sois,'" the Portuguese word for "suns," the researchers wrote in the study.

The discovery is part of a new archaeological focus on the pre-Columbian Amazon. Within the past 20 years, researchers have learned that the rainforest's southern rim was home to a great diversity of soil-sculpting cultures that engineered the landscape before the Europeans arrived. Within the past decade, scientists have uncovered the remnants of so-called "mound villages," which are shaped as circles or rectangles, and connected by road networks.

[Read more: Archaeologists find vast network of Amazon villages laid out like the cosmos ]

The sky is falling

(Image credit: ESA)

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Have you ever seen 40,000 shooting stars blaze across the sky at the same time?

If you'd like to, the European Space Agency (ESA) is offering you two options: Either stare at the night sky for about half a million years as our solar system drifts steadily through the Milky Way (some patience required)  or, watch a new 60-second time-lapse simulation of the same thing, courtesy of the ESA's Gaia space observatory.

In the new simulation, 40,000 stars  all located within 325 light-years of Earth's sun  whiz through space, leaving long trails of light behind them. Each point of light represents one real object in the Milky Way, and each shining trail shows that object's projected movement through the galaxy over the next 400,000 years. Brighter, faster streaks are located closer to our solar system, while dimmer, slower ones live much farther away.

[Read more: Epic time-lapse shows what the Milky Way will look like 400,000 years from now ]

Gold in the garden

(Image credit:  The Trustees of the British Museum)

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A family in England was weeding their garden when they unearthed a valuable treasure  a buried hoard of gold coins dating back to the 1400s, depicting English monarchs from Edward IV to Henry VIII.

The hoard  a stash of 63 gold coins and one silver coin  contains money minted over a period of nearly 100 years, from the late 15th to the 16th centuries. Four of the coins feature Henry VIII and, curiously, one of the initials of three of his wives: Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour.

Upon finding the cache, the family, in the New Forest district of Hampshire, a county in southeastern England, notified the British Museum, which runs the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS). This program partners with local people who find historical artifacts in the United Kingdom, so the findings can be documented and studied, the British Museum said in a statement Thursday (Dec. 10).

[Read more: Gold coin stash from time of Henry VIII found in English garden ]

Enigma of the deep

(Image credit: Florian Huber/WWF)

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Divers trying to remove old fishing nets from the Baltic sea have accidentally stumbled on a Nazi code-making machine. The Enigma machine, as it's called, looks a bit like a typewriter. In fact, the diver who found the device on the ocean floor initially thought that's what the artifact was, according to AFP . But the diving team, on assignment for the conservation group World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), quickly realized that they had something much stranger.

During World War II, Enigma machines were used to encode German military messages, in hopes of preventing Allied powers from learning about troop movements and other plans. The devices consisted of a keyboard and a series of rotors that did the encoding. The rotors substituted different letters for the ones typed in; different Enigma machines used between three and eight rotors, which moved independently after each keystroke so that the same initial letter typed into the machine would appear as multiple different letters in the final code.

The Enigma machine found by the WWF diving crew was at the bottom of the Bay of Gelting in northeast Germany. It had three rotors, making it the type used on warships, not U-boats. That suggests that the machine may have been tossed overboard in the final days of World War II, in an attempt to keep the technology out of enemy hands, historian Jann Witt of the German Naval Association told the DPA news agency.

[Read more: Nazi 'Enigma' machine found at the bottom of the Baltic Sea ]

Originally published on Live Science.
Each week we uncover the most interesting and informative articles from around the world, here are some of the coolest stories in science this week.

The Voice Recovered?

The remains of the RMS Titanic are rapidly corroding at the bottom of the North Atlantic. But a proposal to cut the ships telegraph machine from the wreck has drawn fierce criticism. (Image credit: NOAA/Institute for Exploration/University of Rhode Island)

A wireless telegraph machine, sometimes called the "voice of the Titanic" for its role in sending out distress messages on the fateful night in 1912 when the RMS Titanic cruise liner hit an iceberg, could be recovered from the shipwreck lying at the bottom of the North Atlantic. [Read more about the situation.]

Water, Water Everywhere

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Chemicals in ancient ocean rocks hint that 3.2 billion years ago, the surface of a baby Earth was continent-free and covered by a global ocean. [Read more about the world.]

Comparing Worries

The coronavirus particle as a crown of spikes on its surface. (Image credit: Alfred Pasieka/Science Photo Library via Getty Images)

How does the new coronavirus compare with the seasonal flu, and which should you most worry about? [Read more about the illnesses.]

Beast Rebirthed

MOLA archaeologists excavate the top of the cesspit, which had been backfilled and covered over with several layers of brick flooring. (Image credit:  MOLA)

The treasures include a gold-plated ring and a rare medieval tile depicting a mythical creature. [Read more about the monster.]

Ancient Social Networking?

Rangeomorphs dominated the seafloor for millions of years, despite having no mouths, guts or way to move around. Part of their success may have been owed to a "social network" of string-like filaments connecting individual members, a new study suggests. (Image credit: Sarah Collins (Cambridge University))

Rangeomorphs had no mouths, guts, arms, legs or reproductive organs, but an ancient "network" of strings may have helped them dominate the ocean floor anyway. [Read more about the connections.]

Powerful Female Figure

Archaeologists have surveyed the Mayan road with airborne LIDAR technology to reveal the ancient structures along its length. (Image credit: Courtesy of Traci Ardren (University of Miami), Proyecto Sacbe Yacuna-Coba, and Cultural Heritage Engineering Initiative)

A ruthless Maya warrior queen may have ordered the building of an elaborate road more than 1,000 years ago to invade a distant city and to counter the rising power of another. [Read more about the leader.]

Unique Attack

Illustration of Streptococcus pneumoniae (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Scientists aim to stay the spread of antibiotic resistance by messing with how bacteria evolve. [Read more about the theory.]

DIY Sanitizer

When soap and water aren't available, hand sanitizer can help protect against disease-causing microbes like the novel coronavirus. (Image credit: Shutterstock)

High alcohol content ensures that DIY hand sanitizers will effectively reduce coronavirus when soap and water aren't available. [Read more about the plan.]

Effects of a Lockdown

A map shows the sharp decline in emissions over China between early January and late February. (Image credit: NASA Earth Observatory)

There's been a sharp drop in air pollution over China since the acceleration of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, and satellites can see it from space. [Read more about the change.]

"Erie" Winter Wonderland

Ice formed on a house during a storm in Hamburg, New York, on Feb. 28. (Image credit: Reuters/Lindsay DeDario/Newscom)

Powerful winds and freezing temperatures recently made a chilling spectacle of several homes near Lake Erie, encasing them in thick layers of ice. [Read more about the scene.]

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By documenting the wreckage of the B-25 and surveying the final resting place of another aircraft, the team hopes to help the U.S. Department of Defense repatriate the remains of American service members missing in action.

Historical records indicate that both planes were shot down amid fierce combat more than 70 years ago, the researchers said. One B-25 was carrying six crewmembers who have long been unaccounted for. The second bomber also had six crewmembers, five of whom survived and were taken prisoner by the Japanese, while one went down with the plane. [Photos: Underwater Robots Help Recover WWII Plane Wrecks]

Twin engine B-25 bombers were among the most versatile aircraft developed by the North American Aviation company during World War II. They quickly became standard equipment for all Allied forces, and the warbirds were used to conduct nearly 10,000 missions, from bombing enemies to photo reconnaissance, submarine patrols and the historic raid over Tokyo.

But the impact of hitting the ocean waves at a high speed mangled the planes, so researchers had to take a few extra steps to identify the aircraft remains.

"People have this mental image of an airplane resting intact on the sea floor, but the reality is that most planes were often already damaged before crashing, or broke up upon impact," Katy O'Connell, an oceanographer at the University of Delaware who is associated with the expedition, said in a statement. "And, after soaking in the sea for decades, they are often unrecognizable to the untrained eye, often covered in corals and other sea-life."

The researchers, who are part of a public-private collaboration called Project Recover, began their hunt for the planes by digging through the National Archives, old military photos and interviews with veterans and locals. Once they narrowed the location to a 3.8-square-mile area (10 square kilometers) in the Pacific Ocean, the scientists used scanning sonars, thermal cameras and freely swimming underwater robots to pinpoint the location of the B-25.

A photomosaic constructed by Project Recover of an underwater wreck of a WWII-era B-25 bomber. (Image credit: Project Recover)

The discovery marked the sixth aircraft that Project Recover scientists have identified and documented since 2012.

Some expeditions have also resulted in new leads. Local villagers and scuba divers are often aware of the locations of some planes, according to the researchers. But those sites, like the second B-25 plane the group surveyed in Madang Harbor, Papua New Guinea, have never been officially documented or searched for possible recovery missions.The discovery marked the sixth aircraft that Project Recover scientists have identified and documented since 2012.

Once Project Recover scientists have gathered detailed information on a site, they turn the data over to the Pentagon's Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, which is tasked with repatriation efforts and contacting surviving relatives.

"There are still over 73,000 U.S. service members unaccounted for from World War II, leaving families with unanswered questions about their loved ones," O'Connell said. "We hope that our global efforts can help to bring closure and honor the service of the fallen."

Original article on Live Science.

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Ltd., Aspen Labs LLC, Aspencore China Investment LLC, Aspencore LLC, Aspencore Media GmbH, Aspencore/IDG China Investment LLC, Asplenium SA, Asset Recovery Corporation, B.V. Arrow Electronics DLC, Beijing AIQI Technology, Beijing Arrow SEED Technology Co. Ltd, Beijing Canon Advertising Co. Ltd., Broomco (4184) Limited, COMPUTERLINKS, COMPUTERLINKS (UK) Ltd., COMPUTERLINKS Belgium BVBA, COMPUTERLINKS Denmark A/S, COMPUTERLINKS Nederland B.V., COMPUTERLINKS S.A., CSS Computer Security Solutions Erwerbs GmbH, CSS Computer Security Solutions Holding GmbH, CSS Computer Security Solutions Ltd., CT3 Europe Limited, Centia Group Ltd, Centia Ltd., Channel Support Pty Ltd, ChiWan Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Chip One Stop, Chip One Stop (Hong Kong) Ltd., Chip One Stop (Shenzhen) Ltd., Chip One Stop Inc., Commtech Solutions (UK) Limited, Components Agent (Cayman) Limited, Components Agent Asia Holdings Ltd., Components Distribution Business - Achieva, Conrac Asia Display Products Pte. 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Ltd., Marubun/Arrow (Shenzhen) Electronic Product Consulting Company Limited, Marubun/Arrow (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Marubun/Arrow Asia Ltd., Marubun/Arrow USA II LLC, Marubun/Arrow USA LLC, NIC Components Asia PTE Ltd., NIC Components Corp., NIC Components Europe Limited, NIC Eurotech Limited, NUH Electronics India Private Limted, Networld Systems Pty Ltd, Nextworth Solutions Inc., Nu Horizons Electronics, Nu Horizons Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Nu Horizons Electronics Asia PTE Ltd., Nu Horizons Electronics Hong Kong Ltd., Nu Horizons Electronics Malaysia SDN BHD, NuHo Singapore Holdings LLC, Observatory Crest, Openway Group SA, Openway SAS, PCG Parent Corp., PCG Trading LLC, PT Marubun Arrow Indonesia, Pansystem S.r.l., Pax8 Inc., Power and Signal Group GmbH, R.D. Trading Limited, RDC, RF Wireless & Power - Richardson Electronics, Rack Systems Pty Ltd, Red Education Pty Ltd, Redemtech, Renewal Systems Pty Ltd, Richardson RFPD (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Richardson RFPD (Thailand) Limited, Richardson RFPD Australia Pty. Ltd., Richardson RFPD Canada Inc., Richardson RFPD Electronics Trading (China) Co. 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Brookfield Asset Management is an alternative asset manager and REIT/Real Estate Investment Manager firm focuses on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and venture capital and private equity assets. It manages a range of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients. It typically makes investments in sizeable, premier assets across geographies and asset classes. It invests both its own capital as well as capital from other investors. Within private equity and venture capital, it focuses on acquisition, early ventures, control buyouts and financially distressed, buyouts and corporate carve-outs, recapitalizations, convertible, senior and mezzanine financings, operational and capital structure restructuring, strategic re-direction, turnaround, and under-performing midmarket companies. It invests in both public debt and equity markets. It invests in private equity sectors with focus on Business Services include infrastructure, healthcare, road fuel distribution and marketing, construction and real estate; Industrials include manufacturers of automotive batteries, graphite electrodes, returnable plastic packaging, and sanitation management and development; and Residential/ infrastructure services. It targets companies which likely possess underlying real assets, primarily in sectors such as industrial products, building materials, metals, mining, homebuilding, oil and gas, paper and packaging, manufacturing and forest product sectors. It invests globally with focus on North America including Brazil, the United States, Canada; Europe; and Australia; and Asia-Pacific. The firm considers equity investments in the range of $2 million to $500 million. It has a four-year investment period and a 10-year term with two one-year extensions. The firm prefers to take minority stake and majority stake. Brookfield Asset Management Inc. was founded in 1997 and based in Toronto, Canada with additional offices across Northern America; South America; Europe; Middle East and Asia.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. develops, manufactures, and distributes motorcycles, automobiles, power products, and other products in Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Motorcycle Business, Automobile Business, Financial Services Business, and Life Creation and Other Businesses. The Motorcycle Business segment produces motorcycles, including sports, business, and commuter models; and various off-road vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles and side-by-sides. The Automobile Business segment offers passenger cars, light trucks, and mini vehicles. The Financial Services Business segment provides various financial services, including retail lending and leasing services to customers, as well as wholesale financing services to dealers. The Life Creation and Other Businesses segment manufactures and sells power products, such as general purpose engines, generators, water pumps, lawn mowers, riding mowers, robotic mowers, brush cutters, tillers, snow blowers, outboard marine engines, walking assist devices, and portable battery inverter power sources. This segment also offers HondaJet aircraft. The company also sells spare parts; and provides after-sale services through retail dealers directly, as well as through independent distributors and licensees. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its marketed products include Calquence, Enhertu, Faslodex, Imfinzi, Iressa, Koselugo, Lumoxiti, Lynparza, Orpathys, Tagrisso, and Zoladex for oncology; Brilinta/Brilique, Bydureon/Byetta, BCise, Byetta, Crestor, Evrenzo, Farxiga/Forxiga, Komboglyze/Kombiglyze XR, Lokelma, Onglyza, Qtern, and Xigduo/Xigduo XR for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism diseases; Bevespi Aerosphere, Breztri Aerosphere, Daliresp/Daxas, Duaklir Genuair, Fasenra, Pulmicort, Saphnelo, Symbicort, and Tudorza/Eklira/Bretaris for respiratory and immunology; and Andexxa/Ondexxya, Kanuma, Soliris, Strensiq, and Ultomiris for rare diseases. The company's marketed products also comprise Synagis for respiratory syncytial virus; Fluenz Tetra/FluMist Quadrivalent for Influenza; Seroquel IR/Seroquel XR for schizophrenia bipolar disease; Nexium, and Losec/Prilosec for gastroenterology; and Vaxzevria and Evusheld for covid-19. The company serves primary care and specialty care physicians through distributors and local representative offices in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. It has a collaboration agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to research, develop, and commercialize small molecule medicines for obesity; Neurimmune AG to develop and commercialize NI006; Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to develop eplontersen, a liver-targeted antisense therapy in Phase III development for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis; Proteros Biostructures GmbH to jointly discover novel small molecules for the treatment of hematological cancers; Sierra Oncology, Inc. to develop and commercialize AZD5153. The company was formerly known as Zeneca Group PLC and changed its name to AstraZeneca PLC in April 1999. AstraZeneca PLC was incorporated in 1992 and is headquartered in Cambridge, the United Kingdom.
Weatherford International plc, an oilfield service company, provides equipment and services for the drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention of oil and natural gas wells worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere. It offers artificial lift systems, including reciprocating rod, progressing cavity pumping, gas, hydraulic, plunger, and hybrid lift systems, as well as related automation and control systems; pressure pumping and reservoir stimulation services, such as acidizing, fracturing and fluid systems, cementing, and coiled-tubing intervention; and drill stem test tools, and surface well testing and multiphase flow measurement services. The company also provides safety, downhole reservoir monitoring, flow control, and multistage fracturing systems, as well as sand-control technologies, and production and isolation packers; liner hangers to suspend a casing string in high-temperature and high-pressure wells; cementing products, including plugs, float and stage equipment, and torque-and-drag reduction technology for zonal isolation; and pre-job planning and installation services. In addition, it offers directional drilling services, and logging and measurement services while drilling; services related to rotary-steerable systems, high-temperature and high-pressure sensors, drilling reamers, and circulation subs; managed pressure drilling, conventional mud-logging, drilling instrumentation, gas analysis, wellsite consultancy, and open hole and cased-hole logging services; reservoir solutions and software products; and intervention and remediation services. Further, the company provides equipment and drilling tools; tubular handling, management, and connection services; equipment rental services; and onshore contract drilling and related services through a fleet of land drilling and workover rigs. Weatherford International plc was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland.
The Pirates announced today that theyve designated righty Pat Light for assignment. The move clears space on the Bucs 40-man roster for righty Edgar Santana, who was promoted today, as anticipated, along with fellow reliever A.J. Schugel. The move fills the Bucs 25-man roster after the demotions of starter Tyler Glasnow and reliever Dovydas Neverauskas.

[Related: Updated Pittsburgh Pirates Depth Chart]

The 26-year-old Light has pitched this season for Triple-A Indianapolis, posting a 3.76 ERA and 6.8 K/9 over 26 1/3 innings, but with 5.1 BB/9. The former Red Sox first-round pick throws hard but has struggled with his control in the high minors and in brief big-league stints with Boston and Minnesota. The Bucs acquired him from the Twins in a minor deal in February.

The 25-year-old Santana got off to a late start to his pro career, making his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League at age 22, but hes quickly emerged as one of the Bucs most interesting young relievers. This year, hes posted a 1.93 ERA, 8.5 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 over 32 2/3 innings with Indianapolis. He ranks 21st in MLB.coms list of the Pirates top 30 prospects, receiving praise for his 96-97 MPH fastball and his slider.
Nollywood actress, Uche Ogbodo, since returning to Nigeria after child delivery about two years ago, has been able to find her bearing in the industry she left for a while and doing fine for herself.

She might have changed a lot since welcoming her child and that has made her become a complete woman but deep don of her, some things still bothers her and that is finding true love again.

The actress speaking with Vanguard newspaper disclosed that being a single mother was not her plan as it happened by fate but could not reject it.

According to her, Im a single mother already. It happened by fate. I never wanted it to happen this way. I wanted to be married. I think its an individual thing. I dont judge people. If you think you dont want to get married, you just want to be a baby-mama. For heavens sake, its your life.

But if you think that marriage is what works for you, then all well and good. I want to get married. I need a partner in my life, because I dont think I want to spend the rest of my life alone with my children. Even at this age, my daughter keeps asking me about her father.

She has never seen him. This isnt what I want and it hurts me sometimes. But what can I do and I am hoping that I can get a good daddy for my daughter. I dont want a daddy that would hurt me and my child, but one that would love us both. So, Im not in a hurry.
Johannesburg (AFP) - South Africa's leftist opposition party on Friday laid graft charges against President Jacob Zuma and his new finance minister over the acquisition of locomotives by the state rail company five years ago.

Economic Freedom Fighters Party (EFF) leader Julius Malema opened the case against minister Malusi Gigaba at a Johannesburg police station, alleging corruption in the purchase of locomotives for the state rail firm Transnet in 2012.

"We came to open a case against Jacob Zuma, Malusi Gigaba and those Gupta crooks who stole 17 billion (rand) in Transnet," Malema told supporters outside a police station after he lodged the criminal complaint.

Thousands of leaked emails have recently emerged in the local press exposing alleged misconduct over lucrative government contracts awarded to the Guptas, an influential Indian business family.

"We want to protect the South African purse which Zuma and his friends have turned into a personal purse. We must defend the limited resources of our state," he added.

Malusi was appointed at the end of March in a cabinet reshuffle that axed respected minister Pravin Gordhan and shook the markets.

The EFF alleges that Malusi influenced the awarding of a tender to buy the train locomotives at inflated prices at a time he was the public enterprise minister.

Last year, a report by the state ombudsman called for a probe into allegations Zuma allowed the Guptas to have unprecedented influence over the government -- including letting them select ministers.
By Desmond Davies, London Bureau

London, June 5, GNA - The conflicts in South Sudan and Darfur have over the years saw a massive increase in the levels of illicit weapons in East Africa that are threatening regional security, a Sudanese source in Nairobi has said.

'The proliferation of the illegal trade in arms and smuggling of these weapons have been encouraging cross-border attacks that are threatening the stability of human societies,' the source told Ghana News Agency an added that the situation was hampering humanitarian assistance in the region.

A Security Council briefing earlier this year by the former head of UN Peacekeeping Operations, HervA Ladsous, pointed out that despite a significant decrease in armed conflict in the Darfur region, civilians remained exposed to violence and criminality, while long-term comprehensive solutions to address the needs of the region's 2.6 million displaced persons remained elusive.

According to the source, the decrease in violence was a result of the Sudanese government's military successes against armed movements and efforts to curb inter-communal violence.

However, civilians remained under threat and the situation had been further exacerbated by the widespread proliferation of weapons.

It was not just the Darfur conflict that had contributed to that, the source said, noting that the chaos in South Sudan and Libya was also contributing to the problem.

'These operations are managed through organised and professional global networks,' the source told the GNA.

'Most of these operations are financed by local organised crime networks, which are linked to international networks,' it added.

Groups that have been accused of being involved in arms smuggling include the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in Darfur, the Sudan Liberation Army led by Abdel Wahid M Nour and the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Arko Minawi.

'But there is another aspect of funding, which involves some intelligence agencies that are funding gangs to bring arms to some governments and insurgent groups on the continent,' the source told the GNA

The Sudanese National Security and Intelligence Service has been at the forefront in the fight to reduce arms proliferation in East Africa.

It reported recently that between 2012 and 2017 it carried out over 300 operations against arms smugglers and the cases handed over to the police.

Out of these, there were convictions in 186 cases and those found guilty were sentenced to prison terms ranging from five years to life.

The Sudanese government is now calling for regional cooperation to combat cross-border arms smuggling, and better monitoring of the movement of money and arms that fuels illicit weapons trade.

But, as former UN Peacekeeping head Ladsous noted, the various fighting groups are not willing to reach agreement that will bring peace to the region.

'The linchpin of the process and future political talks - an agreement on the cessation of hostilities and humanitarian assistance - remained stalled due to persistent disagreement between the parties,' in particular on the modalities for the disclosure of armed movement locations in Darfur, the release of prisoners and the role of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur in future negotiations.

GNA
Johannesburg (AFP) - Credit ratings agency Moody's on Friday said it had downgraded South Africa a notch over gloomy growth prospects and the political instability unleashed by corruption scandals engulfing President Jacob Zuma.

Africa's most advanced economy was knocked down from Baa2 to Baa3 -- one notch above junk status -- with a negative outlook, Moody's said in a statement.

Fitch and Standard and Poor's, the other two main global ratings agencies, already downgraded South Africa to junk status after Zuma's shock purge of critical ministers in March, including respected finance minister Pravin Gordhan.

The decision outraged the opposition and part of Zuma's own ruling African National Congress (ANC), with tens of thousands taking to the streets to demand the president's resignation.

Moody's had delayed its decision but finally announced the downgrade Friday citing "the weakening of South Africa's institutional framework" as well as worsening growth prospects and rising public debt, according to the agency's vice president Zuzana Brixiova.

The downgrade came after official statistics released Tuesday showed South Africa entering its first recession since 2009 after the economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.7 percent in the first quarter.

South Africa has had sluggish growth for years, with record unemployment of more than 27 percent.

"The urgent priority is reigniting confidence as well as reclaiming and maintaining the investment grade ratings," the Treasury department said in a statement, vowing to improve "investor and consumer confidence" through faster reforms.

David Maynier, a lawmaker with the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, described the announcement as "more bad news, in a string of bad news, and is a clear vote of no confidence in Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba and President Jacob Zuma."

The ANC is due to elect a new leader in December when Zuma, who took office in 2009, steps down.

The party -- which Nelson Mandela led to power in the 1994 post-apartheid elections -- is hoping that a proposed judicial inquiry into persistent graft allegations against Zuma will help salvage its credibility ahead of the 2019 national elections.
Imzouren (Morocco) (AFP) - Protesters clashed with security forces in Morocco's Al-Hoceima early on Saturday, an AFP correspondent reported, after more than a week of protests in the northern province.

The violence broke out in the town of Imzouren after police tried to stop demonstrators from gathering, activists said.

Dozens of youths wearing balaclavas threw stones at security forces, who responded with tear gas, the correspondent said.

The clashes ended before dawn, with the police deploying around 50 vehicles in the area.

There were no immediate reports of any casualties.

Last Saturday, both sides had also clashed in the town, some 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the city of Al-Hoceima, a centre of social unrest since the gruesome death of a fishmonger there last year.

Mouhcine Fikri, 31, was crushed to death in a rubbish truck in October as he tried to prevent the destruction of swordfish which had been confiscated because it was caught out of season.

Calls for justice in Morocco's neglected Rif region have since snowballed into a grassroots movement demanding jobs and an end to corruption, dubbed Al-Hirak Al-Shaabi, or Popular Movement.

Protesters in Morocco's neglected Rif region have been calling for jobs and an end to corruption

Protesters have rallied nightly in Al-Hoceima since the arrest on May 29 of Al-Hirak leader Nasser Zefzafi and the subsequent detention of dozens of other activists.

Late Friday, more than 1,000 demonstrators -- mostly young men and women, some with children -- gathered in Al-Hoceima under a heavy police presence to call for Zefzafi and fellow activists to be freed.

Participants cleaned the streets as the protest came to an end shortly before midnight (2400 GMT).

The mainly Berber Rif region has long had a tense relationship with the central authorities in Rabat, and it was at the heart of the Arab Spring-inspired protests in Morocco in February 2011.

King Mohamed VI relinquished some of his near-absolute control through constitutional reforms following the 2011 protests.
10.06.2017 LISTEN

Abidjan, Cote dIvoire, June 9, 2017  The President of the African Development Bank Group, Akinwumi Adesina, has encouraged the 2017 Mandela Washington Fellows for Cote dIvoire to research and develop innovative ideas that will move Africa forward.

Adesina gave the charge when he hosted 18 Ivorian recipients of the 2017 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders at the AfDB headquarters in Abidjan. The 2017 Cote d'Ivoire cohort includes 20 Fellows, made up of 18 Ivorians and two Nigeriens working in Abidjan.

The Fellowship is a flagship program of President Obamas Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) that empowers young people through academic coursework, leadership training and networking.

This year, the programme will provide 1,000 outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at U.S. higher education institutions with support for professional development after they return home.

We want to see you come back to take up leadership roles. You are the future, but also the present leaders. We dont need you in the future, we need you now. The President of France is 39 years. The people that we are looking to today are young people, the President said.

You need to come back to Africa after the fellowship and work towards Africas development. Come back to Africa with lots of ideas and confidence. Do not let anyone shut out the light in your ideas.

He extolled the diversity of the participants and commended U.S. President Donald Trump for continuing the programme started by his predecessor.

Adesina emphasized the need for greater political accountability and better management of the continents resources, industry led education system, lines of credit for women entrepreneurs, poverty eradication and pledged that the Bank would work with the Fellows to push their ideas through.

On women empowerment, he said, We need to look for ways to mobilize finance for women. AfDB is providing support to banks to be able to support businesses of women. We also want to support women to be able to access these funds. Indeed, there are women entrepreneurs that are doing big things. There is no reason the business of women should remain small.

He stressed the place of innovative ideas for development: Inside of you are great ideas. You have got visions. Dont let anyone turn off the light on those ideas. Be tenacious in pushing your ideas through. The Bank will be there to support the business of young people.

Africa has to develop with pride. The time for Africa is now. We are already late, Africa has to develop fast, the President said.

Daniel Langenkamp, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Cote dIvoire, stressed how the participants represent the future of Cote dIvoire, and Africa in general.

We are taking a group of people and investing in them so that they lead others. It is about partnership between us and Cote dIvoire. It is about African and the growth of Africa. With us here today is an extraordinary group of people chosen from over 600 persons who applied for the programme, he stressed.

One of the Fellows, and a former gender specialist with AfDB, Aicha Blegbo, pledged to focus on activities that stimulate the market for women-owned businesses.

At the end of her fellowship, she plans to work towards strengthening access to finance for women in business  especially for women entrepreneurs and women small-scale farmers.

She described the programme as an opportunity to perceive, analyze and feel the strong signals that come from my environment.

Also present at the reception were the Matthew Turner, U.S. Alternate Executive Director at AfDB; Jennifer Blanke, AfDB Vice-President, Agriculture, Human and Social Development; Aka Hyacyinthe Koussi, Senior Adviser to the Executive Director for Cote dIvoire, Guinea and Equatorial Guinea, AfDB Secretary-General Vincent Nmehielle and senior Bank officials.

Upon returning to their home countries, Fellows are expected to continue to build the skills they have developed during their time in the United States through support from U.S. embassies, four Regional Leadership Centers, the YALI Network, and customized programming from USAID and affiliated partners.
Ghana's President, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo Addo, has held a wide range of discussions with the President of the United Nations General Assembly., Mr Peter Thomson at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

The closed door discussions believed to have centred on the positive relations between Ghana and the UN, followed a similar courtesy call yesterday one the Deputy UN Secretary General Amina Mohammed.

Present at the discussions were the Foreign Minister, Shirey Ayekor Botchway, Secretary to the Present, Nana Asante Bediatuo,Ms Patricia Appiagyei, Deputy Minister of Environment and other government officials.

President Nana Akufo Addo arrived in New York on Wednesday for the first ever High-Level "Ocean Conference " to find ways to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Under the theme "Our oceans, our future: partnering for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14", the four-day event attracted many heads of state and other top government officials to discuss effective ways to reverse the present decline in the health of the oceans for people, planet and prosperity.

The conference has also brought together hundreds of relevant stake holders, intergovernmental organizations, academic institutions, the scientific community, private sector, civil society groups and youth to propel a game-change, by using the forum to galavanize action-oriented partnerships at all levels that will provide lasting solutions.

Opening the conference, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that "pollution, over fishing and the effects of climate change are severely damaging the health of our oceans".

Addressing the conference on Thursday, Nana Akufo Addo said that Ghana is concerned about the growing incidence of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing globally.
Harare (AFP) - President Robert Mugabe has fired Zimbabwe's top prosecutor, who now faces a misconduct trial, state media reported Saturday, the latest twist in a dispute dating back more than a year.

"Suspended prosecutor general Mr Johannes Tomana was yesterday (Friday) fired for misconduct and incompetence after a tribunal set by President Mugabe to probe him recommended dismissal," The Herald newspaper reported.

Tomana faced charges of "criminal abuse of office" and was awaiting trial, the paper added, without giving further details.

He was suspended in February 2016 after dropping charges against two men accused of plotting to bomb a dairy plant that belonged to the president's wife, Grace Mugabe.

A year earlier he was convicted of abuse of power after initially refusing to prosecute a legislator with Mugabe's ZANU PF Party accused of raping a minor.

Tomana, once seen as a Mugabe loyalist, was threatened with 30 days in jail for his conduct in the affair, but eventually reversed his decision.

The legislator in question was eventually privately prosecuted, convicted and jailed.
10.06.2017 LISTEN

It is quiet surprising and undoubtedly a worrying trend as to the reason why most African societies would allow barbaric cultural and superstitious practicesexist in this age of enlightenment and scientific reasoning.In recent times, just like the past, people have been forced to flee their homes, lives have been lost and society stifled all in the name of superstition and cultural beliefs.

Although I will posit that some cultural beliefs of most African societies are helpful, other aspectsare highly questionable. In Ghana for example, it is quiet common to see the seclusion of some people, primarily old women who are deemed witches'. These women are in most occasions denied their basic human rights, they are brutalized and to some extent killed for crimes they know nothing about.

This situation is clearly evident in an incident that happened some days ago inNabdam, in the Upper East Regionof Ghana where an old woman was severely brutalized and killed just because it was alleged that she was a witch. At the heart of these injustices, is a superstitious and cultural belief that underpinesits existence.

This situation has been severe as ritual murder has been on a rise in many African societies, although only cases of some selected African countries have been noticeable in recent times. There has been wanton display of injustice in countries like Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique.In Tanzania and Malawi, the focus of the injustices has been directed at Albinos.

These Albinos are treated with contempt and disdain as if they were not part of the human race simply because they do not look like the ordinary black man with a kinky hair and dark skin. In recent times in Mozambique, men with bald head have been the subject of oppression. John S. Mbiti argued that the African is incurably and notoriously religious, and for that matter any act perpetuated by most Africans is substantiated by religious and cultural beliefs. Suffice to say, at the heart of every ritual injustice is a religious belief that supports it.

The insurgence of ritual murder in Tanzania andMalawi has been a very worrying trend since it occurs in most occasions behind closed doors. In Malawi, Albinos are the major target of oppression and human rights abuses as they are perceived not to be real humans but are best suited for ritual purposes.As a result of this cultural stereotype, albinos continue to be under serious attack since in most instances their body parts are used for ritual purposes. In most instances, the body parts of these persons are sent to traditional priests and ritualistswho use it to create wealth for the perpetrators, forgetting the fact that Albinos are equally humans with natural right to life.There is also a belief among some sections of the African populace that having sexual relations with a person living with albinism can cure HIV, a superstition that has increased cases of rape and infections among albinos.In most of the societies in Africa, including Ghana, Albinos live under marginalized conditions, they do not, in most instances pursue further education due to the myriads of stereotypes directed against them. What is more worrying is that these cultural beliefs and stereotypes have led to severe threats on the lives of most Albinos in Tanzania and Malawi. According to scientists, albinism occurs as a result of melanin deficiency which culminates in loss of skin colour and hair on the body. It is a phenomenon that can happen to almost everyone since it is primarily biological.

As if threats on the lives of albinos are not enough, the situation is now being directed at bald men in Mozambique. Just some days ago, there were reported cases of death of bald men in Mozambique. It was said that the head of bald men contained gold that was a source of wealth so in most cases these men had their heads chopped off for ritual activities.This phenomenon also made it more difficult for bald men to leave their homes since they would be caught and killed if they were to step outside.

The motive of using bald men for ritual purposes, just like albinos is also seeped in cultural beliefs and superstition in the sense that the local community have the notion that bald men are rich.What is even more baffling is that perpetrators of such barbaric acts put money in high esteem than human life.

It is also quiet surprising as to the reason why governments and policy makers in Africa have remained silent on this trivial issue. What we tend to forget is that ritual murder is akin to slavery and the subsequent creation of a society rife with fear and uncertainty and hence efforts must be put in place to curb it completely.

Pan-Africanist

[email protected]
10.06.2017 LISTEN

Malaysia, our twin gaining independence on the same 1957 as we and striving to attain a Gross Domestic Product(GDP) of 269.2 billion USD, GDP per capita of 9,766.17USD,a current unemployment rate of 3.4% with a more dense population of over 33 million people.

It is expectant that Ghana attaining independence at the same period should do better since the country is less populated and is endowed with more natural resources, but after six(6) decades of independence, what do we have to show, an abysmal GDP of 37.86billion USD,GDP per capita of 1,381.41USD and a current unemployment rate of 11.9%. Considering the vast difference of 258.34 billion USD in GDP, the question is, where did Ghana go wrong?

Not only is our economy bad,there is nothing to write home about our educational system and policies. Education according to Nelson Mandela is the most powerful tool with which we can change our world,however in Ghana, educational policies are made not with the peoples' interest at heart but are drawn to favor various political parties.

An empirical example is the inability of government to decide between the three(3) and four(4) years secondary school durations due to difference in political agenda and interest. We can also talk about the unfair sharing and distribution of teaching and learning materials to schools in region that voted and supported incumbent governments massively at the detriment of other needy children.

I also talk of poor infrastructure, Ghana with all her rich and numerous natural resources should not have been heard off to lack or face situations of poor infrastructure but as it stands now, we can only boast of a hand- full of good roads,sufficient and well furnished public facilities such as hospitals, parks, playground for children. It would amaze you to note that, in this 21st century, there are places in Ghana that lack electricity and good drinking water.

However, this situation is not that surprising as money that has been allocated for these services are been embezzled by greedy people who already have enough to spend,drive flashy cars,live in mansions and hold top public officers.

On several occasions the nation has been rocked with cases of corruption and financial mishandling such as the Ghc 952 million GEEDA case, the Ghc 200 million SADA saga and the Ghc 656 million judgment debts. With all these mishandling of the state's funds by some people deliberately, how can we achieve an utopia and meet the United Nations millennium development goals.It is shameful to note that in the release of the Corruption Perception Index, Ghana was included among the most corrupt countries in the world.

Further is the mistrust in our judicial system. It is so sad to realize that some members of the judiciary who are supposed to defend the law,apply and make sure it works effectively are the same people that misapply the law and temper justice with bribery.Recently the ace investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas exposed some judges for their vehement participation in bribery,this incidence led to the breed of mistrust in the judiciary and that to some extent is a cause for the incidence of mob justice in the country.

So if after 60 years of independence, we have nothing good to show to the world and our ancestors ,or better boast of being on the highway to nirvana as a nation then I dare to say it equivalent and better we were still under colonization since there have not being any maximum changes.

Elliot Nuertey

0265260479
When you destroy the educational system of a people, you have not only destroyed their future you have accelerated the process of enslaving their children.

Aregbesola is a completely destructive agent of our heritage, our hopes and our aspirations in Ijesa land and in Osun State in general. His destruction is not just in the realm of physical, it extends to emotional, economic and psychological.

From our high horse as clinical examples in good education, Aregbesola has piloted Osun State educational system into doldrum. Focusing on the so-called infrastructural development as a ruse and means to steal Osun's funds, Aregbesola ran the modest State into serious and decapitating debts.

Without shame, Aregbesola keeps up his propaganda of lies as Osun Students continued to showcase saddening abysmal performance in SSCE exams: coming a distant 22nd in 2014, 29th in 2015 and same 29th in 2016 on the national performance scale as against 9th in 2009!

His conscious attack on our educational system started with starving the teachers of their earned wages. For those who remember, Aregbesola NEVER met with the principals and headmasters in Osun State until few weeks to his reelection. At that point he was owing about 4 - 6 months in wages across the board.

He bamboozled them to give him another chance, and here we are today.

The Ijesa are now making their feelings known. Other segments of Osun people are doing the same. Osun people have to be ready for the next election in all ramifications. "Agbara ojo ko l'oun o n'ile wo o, oni'le ni ko ni gba fun o."

He is now talking of going back to Lagos. This means in the first place, Aregbesola came in as a carpetbagger to loot and destroy Osun State. He was never part of us. He never cared about us. He only came to exploit us and ended up inflicting untold emotional, economic, psychological, social and religious hardships on us.

On'idi ni ko nii je ki idi un ba je o. We must rally round in the coming election of 2018 to put an end to our misery as represented by Aregbesola and his bandits.

Below are the comments of my dear brother, Seye Awosanmi on the destructions of our schools. Please, read:

".......on this matter Ogbeni and his advisers goofed, same way they goofed when they woke up on the wrong side of their beds and turned my mother and her sister's much cherished Alma Mata St Margaret & Babalola Memorial into some funny local schools.

While doing all these, they seem to have forgotten the most basic and elementary principle that no matter how much is spent on building infrastructure without equal concentration on requisite Human Capital, such efforts are in futility, call it all motion, no movement.

While state governors in North, East and South-South are arranging international scholarship and foreign exchange programs for their young people and investing their last funds on education of their young people, our oversabi or too know south west enclave governors including Ogbeni are busy divesting resources from education, churning out criminals thereby narrowing down the much cherished south west educational advantage.

This of course may be their Achilles heel in 2019, a misadventure that may eventually put an end to their ignominious rule in south west, While one agrees that they might not really have started this degeneration, one must also agree that this malaise has gradually assumed what one can call a disastrous dimension during their rule with ordinary south west people becoming endangered with this increasing level of ignorance being marketed and celebrated freely.

Of course, thuggery comes easy for an ignorant young populace, and these politicians cannot but design thus as one of the means of self perpetuation using their man-made ignoramuses as willing tools to easily convert into their yes-men to boost their brigandage in the name of political sophistry."
Pallbearers marching off with the casket containing the remains of the late Major Maxwell Mahama

Major Maxwell Adam Mahama was yesterday buried at the Osu Military Cemetery with full military honours after a solemn state burial service.

It was attended by people from all walks of life, including Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia (who is acting as president in the absence of President Akufo-Addo who is attending UN and other programmes), ministers of state, parliamentarians and two former presidents  J.A. Kufuor and John Mahama.

Former President John Mahama arrived at the forecourt of the State House where the burial service was being held in the company of his aide, Stan Dogbe, while former President J.A. Kufuor also arrived in the company of his special aide, Frank Agyekum.

Rebecca Akufo-Addo and Samira Bawumia, Ghana's first and second ladies respectively were all in attendance.

A delegation from the Leicester University in the United Kingdom (UK) where Major Mahama  who was promoted posthumously from the rank of Captain by President Akufo-Addo, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, to Major last week  was pursuing his masters degree in security and criminology; and was due to graduate in July this year, also attended the burial service.

Major Mahama was lynched by a mob at Denkyira-Obuasi in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region on Monday, 29th May.

He was sent to the area as commander of a military detachment to check illegal mining (galamsey) activities.

Some members of the bereaved family and members of the public, who were at the burial service, wept uncontrollably as the clergy, led by Naval Captain (Rev) Paul Agyei-Gyan, conducted the service.

They were really touched by the tributes of the widow, Barbara Mahama, as well as the mother of the deceased, Veronica Bamford-Addo.

Some government officials were also seen constantly wiping tears from their eyes, with the most emotionally moved official being the Central Regional Minister, Kwamena Duncan, who could not control his emotions and shed tears freely as the widow was paying tribute to her departed husband.

The father of the deceased, Captain Dennis Adam Mahama (rtd), was also choked with emotions as he read a tribute in honour of his son.

Paying tribute to her son, the mother, Veronica Bamford-Addo, wondered why the people of Denkyira-Obuasi could kill her innocent son in a most horrific, barbaric and violent manner.

I am falling into pieces. Tell the killers they have destroyed me. Tell them, he was a very special son, forever my son calling me mummy, mummy, mummy. Tell them they do not know this loving, very affectionate son of mine. They do not know about how he would walk in, lift me up, put me in the sofa and say 'relax mummy.'

It feels my heart has been ripped from my chest. I feel hollow, just moving about like an empty shell. My baby has gone forever. They have taken him away from me ooo. His life was cut short in most violent, disgusting way.

I need an answer to my questionWHY? Give me an opportunity to face these murderers so they can see and understand what they have done to a mother. Let me tell them what they do not know about my son, Adam. Let me show them his two innocent children. Tell them they have taken Barbara's sunshine away, Ms Veronica Bomford-Addo read.

In her tribute, Barbara Mahama said, Yo, what was for breakfast' was the last message I sent to you on Monday at 9.12 am after we spoke at 6:00 am and you said you were going to have your bath. For the first time in my life, I experienced a ripping heart on Monday night. I woke up to throw up. I had tummy issues too; I just felt sick.

I am glad you saw me worth to share your great but short life with. I won't forget to tell the kids how heroic and great you were and are. Your memory will never die. You are not dead. You are still alive, alive in our hearts.

The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, also read a moving tribute on behalf of the government and the people of Ghana.

The nation cannot mourn Major Maxwell Adam Mahama enough. Our tears cannot stop flowing as we lay to rest, such a fine example, of not only what it takes to be called a soldier, but indeed what it takes to be called a human being.

He asked for great forgiveness from the soul of late Major Mahama for the people of the nation for cruelly taking his life while working to protect them.

How do we explain to his young children when they grow, that their father lost his life at the hands of fellow Ghanaians, not at the hands of foreign invaders and not in a battlefield? How do we reconcile the irony that Major Maxwell Adam Mahama died while protecting our environment and our future? If ever there was a person who did not deserve to die, it was Major Maxwell Adam Mahama, the vice president said in the tribute, stressing that the death of Major Mahama must serve as the death that heralded the death of impunity in the country.

May the tears of his wife, children and family never again be shed by another soldier's family. Major Maxwell Mahama, may it be known to you, even as you journey into eternity, that we  the government and people of Ghana  shall immortalize you, celebrate you. Let the angels sing to you, that you left behind a nation in appreciation, Dr Bawumia stated.

After the various tributes, wreaths were laid on behalf of the government and people of Ghana by the vice president while the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lt. Gen Obed Boamah Akwa, did so on behalf of the security services.

Former President Mahama laid one on behalf of the family while the widow also laid one on behalf of Major Mahama's kids and on her own behalf.

The casket of the slain soldier draped in national colours was later carried by military pall bearers amid contingents of soldiers and members of other security services to the military cemetery at Osu for his eventual interment.

By Thomas Fosu Jnr


Joseph Boahen Aidoo, CEO COCOBOD

10.06.2017 LISTEN

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has recruited 7,000 people across the country to work as pollinators in various cocoa farms because of inadequate pollinating species in the ecosystem.

Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COCOBOD, who announced this, said management intends to increase the number of pollinators to 30,000 by the end of this year in order to address the acute shortage of the pollinating insects.

He disclosed this while speaking at a demonstration exercise on pollination of cocoa flowers by some trained personnel of the COCOBOD at a cocoa farm at Awadua, near Mankranso in the Ahafo-Ano South District of the Ashanti Region.

Mr Aidoo stated that the move was in line with the vision of the government led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to boost the cocoa sector by increasing cocoa production and improving the quality of cocoa produced.

He disclosed that the number of pollinating species had declined in recent years because of the use of pesticides in mass cocoa spraying exercise and diseases.

Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of a plant, and this is done unwittingly by active species such as fruit bats, hummingbird, hoverflies and lemurs without cost to the nation.

Cocoa is not just a cash crop; it is the food of the gods. It increases life expectancy and provides good health to the consumer. And we want to encourage local consumption of cocoa because of the health benefit that comes with it, aside being one of the wealth of the nation, the COCOBOD CEO argued.

Government does not want cocoa to be a seasonal crop, as it is a living gold that cannot be depleted if proper care and management are put in place, subsidized fertilizers are on the way coming beside the pollination exercise and mass spraying, Mr Aidoo said.

Black Pod Disease

At the Marbang Cocoa Research Institute in the Ahafo-Ano North District, the COCOBOD boss said since the supply of improved seedlings to farmers is crucial in sustaining cocoa production, COCOBOD was in the process of developing new seedlings that could withstand the Black Pod disease, popularly called Phytophthora Megakarya.

There is a breeder that takes 18 months for harvest and I am encouraging the youth in particular to go into cocoa farming since it is lucrative business venture, Mr Aidoo said.

He disclosed that government was considering rehabilitating 40 percent of the cocoa farms within the C class category and had secured a loan facility from 0Agricultural Development Bank (adb) to undertake the exercise.

From Ernest Kofi Adu, Marbang-Ash


Eight more persons, including a nursing mother and a pregnant woman, are in police custody over the murder of Major Maxwell Adam Mahama at Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region.

They are Akwasi Baah, Solomon Sackey, Kwame Agyei, Joseph Appiah Kubi aka Kum Dede, Akosua Takyiwaa aka Maabono, Esther Dauda aka Asha, Michael Kumah aka Kojo Anim and Akwasi Asante.

The prosecutor, DSP George Amegah said that the accused persons on Monday, May 29, 2017, at Denkyira-Obuasi, murdered then Capt. Mahama, who was buried yesterday.

Before trial magistrate Ebenezer Kweku Ansah, the pleas of the accused persons were not taken.

DSP George Amegah urged the court to remand them into police custody to aid the police in their investigations.

He said there were some key suspects in the case the police were looking for.

The judge asked the police to bring positive results on June 21, indicating that the human rights of the accused persons must not be trampled upon.

Presenting the facts of the case, DSP Amegah said Major Maxwell Adam Mahama was the commander of a military detachment stationed at Diaso in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region to check the activities of galamseyers (illegal miners).

He said the detachment is based at the outskirt of Diaso.

On Monday, May 29, 2017, at about 8:00 am, the soldier left the detachment base for a 20-kilometer jogging.

DSP Amegah indicated that at about 9:25 am, the commander got to the outskirts of Denkyira-Obuasi, where a number of women were selling food items by the roadside.

Major Mahama, the prosecutor told the court, stopped to interact with the women and even bought some snails, which he left with them (women) so that he could pick them (snails) on his return from the jogging.

When he was taking the money from his pocket to pay for the snails, the woman from whom he bought the snails and a few others saw his sidearm tucked on his waist and soon after he had left, one of the women telephoned the assemblyman of the area (William Baah) to report what she had seen.

Without verifying the information, William Baah, who is also in police custody, mobilized the town folks to attack a suspected armed robber, who had been sighted by the traders selling on the outskirt of the town.

The prosecutor said the suspects met the army officer near the Denkyira-Obuasi cemetery, and without giving him the opportunity to identify himself, attacked him with weapons such as clubs, concrete blocks, pieces of stick and machetes, killed him and burnt part of his body.

[email protected]

By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson


Eight hundred and twenty-eight beneficiaries of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme in 11 communities in the Kwahu West municipality have received their monies.

As part of the evaluation process to enhance the programme, the Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection and Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North Constituency, Gifty Twum-Ampofo, together with the national coordinator of LEAP, Dzigbordi Kofi Agberkpornu, officials from the Department of Social Welfare and Kwahu West Municipal Assembly were in the field to disburse funds to the beneficiaries through Opportunity Bank.

Speaking to the media, Ms Gifty Twum-Ampofo hinted that plans were far advanced to widen the beneficiary net of the LEAP programme.

She said the programme so far covers extremely poor families, orphans and vulnerable children, the aged (64 years and above without production capacity) and people with severe disability. She disclosed that the government was working hard to include new beneficiaries.

Officials of LEAP will get back into communities to register new beneficiaries and with the new beneficiaries there is another category that we have added on; these are households with children with cerebral palsy  in other words, autistic households, she narrated.

There was a health talk by an official of Kwahu West Municipal Health Directorate, Miss Naomi Wayo, to enlighten the beneficiaries on proper nutrition to keep them healthy.

LEAP is a social cash transfer programme that provides cash and health insurance to the extremely poor households across the country. Its main aim is to alleviate short-term poverty and encourage long-term human capital development.

FROM Daniel Bampoe, Nkawkaw


10.06.2017 LISTEN

It goes to show you, what some of us have been saying and writing about all along, that the Rawlings-minted main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is the worst political machine ever created in Fourth Republican Ghanaian democratic culture. People like Dr. Raymond Atuguba, the former Mahama Presidential Staffer, had better listen to the recently retired Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood painfully recount the heavy pressure that the Mills-Mahama-led government of the National Democratic Congress piled upon her to get her to resign her post from the beginning of 2009, before making such self-serving, flagrant and invidious pronouncement as partisan politics having deeply impacted our national culture, whatever the latter may be (See I Nearly Resigned Over NDC Pressure  Rtd C J Wood Daily Guide/Modernghana.com6/8/17).

Under the Mills-Mahama regime, the first Ghanaian woman to be named Chief Justice, by then-President John Agyekum-Kufuor, in 2007, was publicly disrespected and humiliated. There was that scandalous moment in Parliament, when President John Evans Atta-Mills, to the glaring view and presence of the members of the diplomatic corps, deliberately refused to acknowledge Chief Justice Wood in the salutation of his State of the Nation Address (SONA). That infamous snub had been deliberately written into the speech by default. And so it is rather disgusting and annoying to hear operatives of the National Democratic Congress hypocritically accuse the Akufo-Addo Administration of hostility towards upper- and middle-level political appointees so named to their jobs by former Presidents Mills and John Dramani Mahama.

But, of course, what is uniquely remarkable about Chief Justice Wood is the fact that she had not allowed the great animosity that the late President Mills had for her prevent her from wanting to have a major court building in Central-Accra named after her deceased arch-antagonist. Seeing her resolve not to be pushed around, then-President Mills callously resorted to the use of novice cabinet second-bananas to criminally defy decisions handed down by the Wood Supreme Court. There was that moment in the landmark case of Obetsebi-Lamptey v. Okudzeto-Ablakwa and Omane-Boamah, for example, when staunchly backed by the most powerful politician in the land, Messrs. Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa and Edward Omane-Boamah flatly and publicly refused to hand over landed and real-estate properties legally acquired by Mr. Jake OtankaObetsebi-Lamptey, late, then former National Chairman of the then-main opposition New Patriotic Party, to the rightful owner.

That the man who set these two political toddlers to such patent act of criminal mischief had earlier on distinguished himself as one of the leading lights of the University of Ghanas Law School, is what the cynical likes of Dr. Atuguba ought to be talking about. Justice Wood now heads towards membership of the Council-of-State, as one of the most important advisors to President Addo DankwaAkufo-Addo on major issues of national concern.

In the latest attempt to personally humiliate Chief Justice Wood and several of her closest associates on the august Court, including Justice Dotse, some three radical media propagandists, namely, Messrs. SalifuMaase (aka Mugabe), Godwin Ako Gunn and Alistair Nelson, publicly threatened to rape this woman who easily looked to be older than the mothers of these Mahama-sponsored political bullies, as well as physically liquidate a handful of her associates for flatly refusing to use the Apex Court to advance the interests of President Mahama. The so-called Montie Three would be sentenced to serve time at the infamous Nsawam Medium-Security Prison, but would be pardoned and have their sentences summarily revoked in a show of raw power by the shameless benefactor of these three violent urchins.

Interestingly, the Montie Three would also be staunchly backed by nearly every female cabinet appointee of the Mahama regime. This is the dismal judicial track-record of the National Democratic Congress that party ideologues like Dr. Atuguba would rather have treated as if it never happened.

*Visit my blog at: kwameokoampaahoofe.wordpress.com Ghanaffairs
Ghana, the lodestar of Africa, as the founder of the nation usually described it, has to shine again. The leader may eventually retire and hand over leadership to the next in line.

Ghana will do that, maybe very soon, but not until the next stage is dealt with.

The stage we are aiming at as a nation is the governance system that combines democracy with the concern for nature.

Democracy, because it is the most all-incusive and non-discriminating of the governance systems.

Ghana, because she has been in the forefront of the advancement of Sub-Sahara African countries, since the fifties.

Africa because she has been very nature-conscious from the beginning and would rather stay in Globaville than consider resettling on another planet.

Appreciation of nature because keeping and multiplying nature has been humans core commission from inception.

Ghana started with independence from her colonial masters in 1957 to set the pace.

The governance system then was a one-party-state government.

We moved on from there to the military government system.

Ghana may not be the first in this militant governance even in this part of Globaville though, it was the first in the aspect where junior army officers rather took over command and governance.

The military governance has been derecognized by Africa in general to give way to multi-party democracy.

Ghana has experienced twenty four years of that. Very young, compared to the over two centuries by some advanced countries.

However it is time to kickstart this government that I have dubbed VERACRACY.

This goverment will pay attention to nature and attempt its restoration and improved sustenance.

This is how humans are expected to live to earn their keep on earth.

The vandalism and plundering of Globaville, mother earth is enough; it is about time to change and do things well.

This change, whatever degree it exists now, will be led by Ghana once again.

This time the campaign is targeting Globaville, the Global Village, which is bigger than Africa.

Ghana's legendary hospitality and tolerance are what have prepared her for this ultimate commission.

All are enjoined therefore to get involved.

Ghana is going to shine again and Globaville is going to breathe fresh air again.

MAY GOD/ALLAH/YOUR SUPREME BEING/CONSCIENCE HELP US ALL!
It's time the Muslim world firmly and sincerely tells Saudi Arabia to end it's tacit supports for Israel and the occupation of expropriated Palestinian lands. If Qatar is guilty of supporting terrorism by supporting Hamas (Hamas came to existence solely as a result of the Israeli occupation), then Saudi Arabia is guilty of much worse crimes in its support of various violent groups in the region; of sponsoring Iraq's Saddam in the 80s during his senseless war against Iran with a resultant 1million causalities on both sides (within 8 years); it's supports and funding of a UN sanction programme in Iraq in which between 400,000 to 500,000 children of under 5 died (a programme that clearly meets the definition of genocide.

Denis Halliday, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq during the same period was so enraged by the consequences of the sanctions he had to resign from UN, after a 34-year career, in order to gain the freedom to criticise UN. Not Saudi Arabia which was ready to starve a whole population to death to depose a man it helped impose on Iraq. A man Saudi Arabia used to try and destroy Iran).

The same type of travesty is going on in Yemen as we speak, where heaps of dead and starving bodies are resulting from a carnage being inflicted on poor Yemen by the Saudi-led coalition. Saudi Arabia evidently has no remorse about it's sordid track records and roles in helping to decimate these populations nor for it's supports for tyrants at different times, starting from Idi Amin to modern day despots.

Through its immoral meddling in Bahrain and Yemen, it's fueling of the raging conflagration in Syria, its pumping out to the Muslim world violent and divisive ideologies (although Sunni Muslims make up between 80% and 90% of the global Muslim population, a staggering 94% of all acts of terrorism attributable to Muslims are committed by Sunni Muslims due largely to the type of extreme ideologies and funds flowing out if the Gulf States, Qatar included), and with the Faustian Pact it's signed with those whose only intent is to suppressed and ruin the Muslim world are all part of its blemishes. Evidently, the Saudi Arabian regime is a tragedy that has afflicted the Muslim world from the onset and a major dis-stabilisation force in the entire region.

In a move that looks like an attempt to heed Mr Trump's impassioned appeal in Riyadh to drive out terrorists, Saudi Arabia coordinated its decision to sever diplomatic ties with Qatar with Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, with the decision of Qatar to welcome Hamas, which Washington brands a terrorist group, as one of its primary demands.

But if Saudi Arabia is mad with Hamas because of Hamas' use of violent methods in the past, including some widely considered to be reprehensible and unIslamic (e.g. suicide bombing), Saudi Arabia must first turn its war on anti-terrorism gun against itself to make any meaningful sense of the Saudi-bloc's schoolyard sermons on terror. 15 of the 19 alleged 9-11 hijackers were Saudi citizens, and so was Osama Bin Laden, the leader of the Al Qaeda terrorist group.

In fact, almost all the groups that Saudi Arabia funds and sponsors in all its proxy wars use such methods and not surprisingly, they all continue to get their bills written off by Riyadh. The UK government has blatantly refused, despite repeated calls by opposition leaders in the UK Parliament, to release the Home Office report of an investigation into the source of funding for acts of terrorism perpetrated in the UK, a report that indicts Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Theresa May, even in the light of the horrific attacks in Manchester and London has flatly refused to release the report of the investigation, calling the report 'sensitive'. Obviously, Saudi Arabia does not only use its petrodollars to buy weapons from the British government, it has also bought the British Government's silence.

Egyptian despotic ruler, President Al Sissi, during the rule of the last monarch, got a huge cheque for overthrowing President Morsi, a democratically elected government. The late king awarded the handsome bounty to Sissi for getting rid of a democratically elected government. In fact Hamas' only crime is that it has refused to become subservient to the Saudi monarchy and towed it's unconscionable line. Saudi Arabia needs to stop behaving like a petty bully that it is and stop employing crude methods and (outsource) violence to suppress it's neighbours, wanting to force them into submission and a feeble alliance in its unpopular wars and to amplify it's schizophrenic outbursts against Iran. In a nursery school rhyme, Saudi government lectured the rest of the Muslim world during President Trump's visit on the need to end the propagation of extreme ideology that fuels violence. But conveniently, it forgot to add it would commit to switch off its own extreme and sectarian ideology that has seeped into the blood circulation of almost all Sunni extremist and sectarian preachers and violent groups such as ISIS, Boko Haram, Taliban.

Last month, Russian hackers (according to FBI and an independent Qatari investigation) published false remarks attributed to Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on QNA platforms. 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 US President Donald Trump might not last long in power. The hackers targeted the Qatari News Agency and all its social media platforms to release the fake report and the only news channels which, without any sort of verification, breathlessly broadcast these fake reports to the world were those of Saudi Arabia and UAE. It is not difficult to see that there was a ploy to discredit the Qatari leaders and enrage the Muslim world on one hand, and President Trump on the other, against it.

Descending below the ridiculous, the Saudi-bloc has designated as terrorists dozens of people with alleged links to Qatar and closed their airspaces to Qatar, and Qatari citizens. One of those designated as terrorist is Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi- an erudite theologian who is claimed to have an affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood. Shaykh Qaradawi, as early as 1997 had stated categorically that he was not a member of the Brotherhood. Earlier in his life Qaradawi was jailed three times for his relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood and subsequently stripped of his Egyptian citizenship in the 1970sdriving him to seek exile in Qatar.

Similarly in November 2014, UAE government designated major organisations that actually represent the Muslims in Norway, the UK and US as terrorist organisations (including Muslim Council of Britain, Islamic Relief, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim American Society). In fact the Norway's foreign ministry found the designation so shocking and bizarre it publicly requested an explanation as to why one of the country's largest Islamic groups could be so designated.

The only beneficiary from the crisis that Saudi Arabia and its GCC allies have created seems to be Israel. Israeli leaders have been exploiting Saudi Arabia actions and words to further demonise Iran, its archenemy, and hope the focus on the crisis will eclipse concerns about the Palestinian cause. Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly helping Israel perpetuate its grip on expropriated Palestinian lands and throwing the main resistant group in Gaza, Hamas, under the bus. Of course, the Saudi monarchy may continue to play the Russian roulette with Donald Trump (since Donald Trump and the Russians. it seems, have a thing together) and Nethanyahu, it should at least have the decency to not pretend it's actions and belly dancing have any legitimacy and supports in the Muslim world. It is not getting clearer that what is great about Saudi Arabia are in Makkah and Madina, surely not in Riyadh.

Disu Kamor

Executive Chairman

Muslim Public Affairs Centre, MPAC, Nigeria.

21 Salvation Road, Opebi, Lagos

Telephone: +234 807 604 9545

E-mails: [email protected]

Website: www.mpac-ng.org , www.mpac-events.org
The Agona East District Chief Executive, Hon. Dennis Armah Frempong says the Assembly was going to collaborate with Ghana Education Service (GES) to reduce the rather high level of teenage pregnancies associated with girls of school going age in the district.

According to the DCE, he has observed with concern the rate in which teenage pregnancies was affecting educational standard in the vicinity.

Hon. Dennis Armah Frempong stated these when he visited the just ended BECE centers in the Agona East district of the Central Region to observe events.

The DCE was shocked to learn that 13 out the 1,983 comprising 973 boys and 1,010 girls writing the exams were pregnant. He also saw a nursing mother among the candidates writing the exams at one of the 6 examination centers.

The Agona East District Director of the Ghana Education Service, Mr. Samuel Kwabena Arhin disclosed that the pregnant candidates were from schools in rural communities noting that extensive reproductive education would be carried out in those schools.

The District Director stated that based on the high rates of pregnancies in school, the Directorate has tasked the Girl-Child Coordinator to form social clubs in all the schools to enhance peer education especially on sex education and dangers associated with teenage pregnancies to curtain the canker.

Hon. Dennis Armah Frempong hinted that the Agona East District Assembly would support G.E.S in the fight against teenage pregnancies.

" The Assembly will give financial and logistics support for this fight because it's becoming too worrisome. I remember has year we recorded less than 5 pregnancies at the BECE centers. I don't know why the number has risen to 13 this time.

I have encouraged these and other students who would be writing entrance examination into Senior High Schools to take advantage of the Free SHS to take their studies seriously to enable them enjoy the policy.

Agona East District has enough schools to admit students who make the required grade for admission. Additionaly, I have assured the people that the 30% quota admission for natives from the district would be fully implemented in September, 2017.

"The 30% quota would be reserved to admit them provided they made the grade. It would not be on silver platter. Agona Nsaba, Swesco, Agona Kwanyarko and Namanwura Senior High Schools are ready for the Free SHS policy."

The DCE commended examination officials, invigilators and the candidates for a successful examination expressing the hope better results would be recorded to enhance the image of the district in the educational ladder.
Mother Ghana is deeply wounded from a national crisis that has broken the hearts of many. Ghana was thrown into a state of horror and shock last week Monday when the news of the gruesome lynching of a military officer detailed to Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region broke.

Prior to this, the nation, in the past few months, had witnessed rising impunity and lawlessness within the political arena, Political vigilantism and machismo have become a part of our body politic, and some sections of the Ghanaian society are increasingly losing faith in the law enforcers and judiciary system. Mob or instant justice is becoming the order of the day.

We are becoming a nation whose citizens no longer care for one another. One of the security threats facing the nation is also the issue of lack of jobs and for that matter job creation for the teeming and rising numbers of unemployed youth.

Clearly, what is happening in Ghana is scary. So many mind-boggling and bizarre things are happening within the country which demands a pause and reflection as the nation traverses the crossroads.

Missing voices

It is these worrying trends that compel me to ask, about the missing voices of the smaller political parties in this sordid state of affairs. In all of these, it will be prudent to hear the views of the smaller parties and how they proffer solutions to the national canker. What are the views of the smaller parties in job creation, access to health, education, potable water, electricity, infrastructural development, caring for women, children and the vulnerable in society etc.

Our leaders cannot continuously care for us only when it is time for elections. This is definitely not the way to go.

Seasonal political parties

The present trend where the so-called smaller or seasonal political parties go into coma and remain silent after general elections only to show up in the next national election can no longer be countenanced in the effort to deepen and consolidate multi-party democracy.

This is because such undemocratic principles only go to undermine good governance practices.

If Ghana is to consolidate the gains of democracy and attain rapid development growth, the role of the smaller or seasonal political parties in the governance process cannot be underestimated.

The political space cannot tolerate seasonal political parties that do not appreciate their huge responsibilities in the national reconstruction effort.

It is long overdue for smaller political parties to move away from just being mere vote-gathering machines to the serious business of helping to shape the will and destiny of the people.

So far, the smaller parties have woefully failed in their responsibility as agents of change for national development.

When political parties fail to clearly articulate alternative approaches to delivering public goods, the electorate are left with no other option than to resort to other unorthodox considerations, as the country is presently witnessing, in shaping and influencing the governance process.

Multi-party democracy

Ghana is certainly practising multi-party democracy but what is happening in the governance process does not support this assertion. Since 1992 when Ghana began its journey into the Fourth Republican dispensation, efforts to grow multi-partisanship have been at a snails pace or better put retrogressive pace. The consequences are that it is impacting negatively on the growth of multi-party democracy in the country.

To argue that the smaller political parties have lost their voices in the governance process is not in contention.

Soon after the 2016 Election ended in December last year, the voices of the smaller political parties went missing in the governance process. A first-time visitor to the country will hold an impression that Ghana is practising a two-party state democracy.

Though in the Electoral Commissions (ECs) data, Ghana has about 26 registered political parties, it is traumatising to observe that the political space and discourse have been left entirely in the hands of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the dominant opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

No day passes without seeing both the NPP and the NDC, the two major political parties in the country, which have been in government since 1993, at each others throat seeking to capture the hearts, minds and attention of Ghanaians, whilst the so-called smaller parties either look on unconcerned or are simply incapacitated to let their voices be heard in the political discourse.

The NPP and the NDC have succeeded in maintaining their presence in the political space and are, therefore, driving the pace of the governance process to the detriment or otherwise of the larger society. Regrettably, in this milieu, the voices of the smaller parties are always nowhere to be heard, seen or felt in the entire governance process.

The voices of the smaller or seasonal political parties only surface every four years when there is a national election. They surface from nowhere, some of them are even capable of going through a last-hour registration with the election management body, the EC, to become recognised as a national political party. In the election campaign year, they go round to throw a lot of dust into the political atmosphere only to fizzle out or go into hibernation as soon as the electioneering period is over.

This cycle can neither be described as multi-partisanship, nor is it good for the growth of multi-party democracy.

Modest efforts

Yes, let me recognise the modest efforts of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) trying so hard to build what it called Disciplined Party. I am aware the party is currently touring some parts of the country with a view to re-invigorate the partys structures. But even then, there is so much more to be desired. They are still very silent in the political discourse and for that matter, dont have much influence in the governance process.

The two Nkrumaist traditions, the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) and the Peoples National Convention (PNC), will lay claim to reorganising the structures of the party but one may ask, what sort of reorganisation takes forever? The two parties since 1992 are struggling so hard to be relevant and attractive. As for the remaining smaller political parties, the least said about them, the better. If the media does not deliberately go to them, they have no activity or contribution to make to influence the governance process.

Is it not surprising that these smaller parties, including the Great Consolidated Popular Party, All Peoples Congress, United Progressive Party, United Front Party, Ghana Freedom Party, Independent Peoples Party, among others, found their voices during the 2016 Election, but ironically have all gone into political oblivion, hibernation or sabbatical leave.

Pooling of resources

For effective organisation and their participation in the electoral process, it is time for the smaller or seasonal political parties to pool their human and material resources. This will help them remain relevant in the body politic of the country.

The EC must also strengthen its regulatory framework and enforce its powers under the 1992 Constitution to ensure all registered political parties operate within the law but do not just exist as election machines.

Following electoral trends from the 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 elections, it is clear that both the NDC and the NPP are determined to dominate the political space for a long time to come, but for multi-party democracy to work and function well in the country, we will need the smaller political parties to also play their expected roles.
On Saturday, April 29, 2017, four soldiers, all of them warrant officers, on duty in Diaso, border town of Central and Western Regions, were ordered by their Company Sergeant Major (CSM) to go to Adaboi and cross check a complaint of galamsey operations ongoing there.

The four soldiers  WO Asizi, WO Mohammed, WO Ackuaku and WO Klutse -sought permission from their detachment commander, an officer, who gave them the green light, and left base for their mission.

At about noon, the four soldiers arrived at Adaboi and they found an excavator working, doing galamsey. The soldiers ordered the excavator operator to stop working.

To the shock of the soldiers, the youth of the Adaboi area apparently supporting the illegal mining operations massed up against the soldiers and attacked them. The soldiers fired warning shots into the air, and, though in uniform, tried to escape for dear life, in a Good Samaritan pick up vehicle amidst stone throwing.

When they got to base, they gave their report to their commanders, and what happened?

I do not know who gave the orders, but, all the four warrant officers were arrested and brought to Military Police Guardroom in Accra, and personnel on duty at Diaso were overhauled. In the result, Captain Maxwell Adams Mahama, a 5BN Infantry officer, at Arakan Barracks, Burma Camp, just like I was in January 1981, was ordered to go to Diaso as the new detachment commander.

Relatives of the soldiers in custody came to see me to act as lawyer for them, and after they have performed custom, lawyers from our law firm, Nkrabeah and Associates visited the soldiers at the Military Police Guardroom. We then wrote a petition to Brigadier General Oppong Peprah, GOC Southern Command, praying for the immediate release of the gallant warrant officers who are heroes not villains.

All of a sudden, on Monday, May 29, 2017 late in the afternoon, I received a phone call that the new detachment commander in Diaso had been killed by a mob action. My initial reaction was that ..if officialdom has arrested the four WOs who went to check the galamsey operations, then the people there are emboldened to assault any soldier they will see there. Oh God.

Fortunately, as details of the killing of the Captain came out, it emerged that his death has nothing to do with galamsey, except for the fact that but for galamsey operations, Captain Mahama would have been nowhere near Diaso environment that time.

Now, according to Mr Bright Oduro, Director General of CID at Police Headquarters, on the morning of Monday, May 29, 2017, the detachment commander Capt Mahama left his base at Diaso to go for a 20 kilometers 'keep fit' exercise, wearing mufti, with a weapon.

It is very normal for infantry officers to go on solo keep fit exercise, and no wonder most retired infantry officers even though aged 70 years and above look like young men in their fifties. But, why did Captain Maham choose to go out in mufti? Why not in military outfit, so that anybody who will see him will have an unmistakable impression that he is a soldier? And why did he not go with one or two of his soldiers? According to the CID boss, the officer projected a long 20-kilometer route, through several villages, in the general operation area. Why go alone?

DCOP Bright Oduro continues that the officer while busily jogging, at one point, decided to stop to buy snails at the roadside. That was his undoing. While removing money from his pocket to pay for the snails, one of the food sellers saw a weapon on him, and she quickly rang the assemblyman for the area to inform him that an armed robber is in the area, with a weapon, obviously running away..

The million dollar question is that if the officer had been in military outfit in green T-shirt over military trousers and jack boot to match, will anybody have mistaken him for an armed robber?

Honourable Charles Baah, the assemblyman, upon receipt of the information OUGHT TO HAVE INFORMED THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY. The food seller thought she was being a good citizen by informing the authorities about the presence of an armed robber in their neighborhood. The authorities represented by the Assemblyman ought to have done the RIGHT thing, which is contacting the NEAREST police station which Honourable Charles Baah failed to do.

Let us give the honourable assemblyman the benefit of the doubt by assuming that the nearest police station was several kilometers away, and so the immediate action was to apprehend the armed robber. So he assembled a team of vigilantes: mission: to apprehend a suspected armed robber.

At a spot near the Denkyira Obuasi cemetery, they saw the suspected armed robber who appeared to them like a normal youth in the area, but running. Do you arrest him or do you kill him? Don't you need to ask him questions? Hey, mister man, who are you? Where are you going? Why are you carrying a weapon? Or questions like that.

IF ONLY CHARLES BAAH, ASSEMBLYMAN, WHO OUGH TO KNOW BETTER HAD GIVEN A LITTLE HEARING TO THE SUSPECT, ALL THIS TRAGEDY WOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.

According to the CID boss, the infantry soldier did not just give up. He died like a soldier. First of all, he attempted to reveal his identity, which the attackers were not prepared to listen. He tried to flee the area on a motorbike which failed. He tried to join a timber truck passing by but the attackers FIRED into the truck!!!!!!!!!!

This means that the Honourable Charles Baah troops came ARMED to KILL the suspected armed robber, so they were insensitive to anything, except to see blood flowing.

And so Captain Maxwell Adams Mahama, especially after seeing live bullets being fired at the windscreen of the timber truck realized that the end had come. He was dragged out of the truck and pranced upon with cement blocks and stones and finally Almighty God took away His breadth of life in him  he became a cadaver, no more among the living.

What are the lessons to be drown from this heinous crime?

The very first lesson is that I urge EVERYBODY in the morning, after waking up, to GIVE YOUR LIFE to Christ, because nobody can tell what will happen in the coming hours of the day. It could be accident, it could be a stray bullet, it could be anything, AND ONLY GOD CAN PROTECT YOU.

According to history, on the day that Julius Caesar was assassinated, the crowd, after being incensed by the fiery speech of Mark Anthony, went out, looking for the blood of all the conspirators. They chanced upon CINNA, the poet, who screamed at the top of his voice: I am CINNA the poet, NOT CINNA the conspirator. I am CINNA the poet, not CINNA the conspirator. The crowd was in no mood to differentiate between CINNA the poet and CINNA the conspirator  it was ENOUGH that his name was CINNA  he was brutally killed. I wonder whether he prayed that morning before venturing out of his house into the streets.

Contrast this story with a major in Nigerian Army who came as part of students from Kaduna Staff College on a study tour of Lagos. He went to spend the night with his girlfriend in Lagos and was expected back at the airport to return to Kaduna by 07:00 hrs.

After dressing up ready to leave, his girlfriend started sobbing  she wept bitterly like a child. The major did not understand: what is the problem? I am just returning to Kaduna for the last stage of the course, I will be back in a few months time  but the girl kept on crying. She delayed him so much that just as they arrived at Lagos Airport, they saw the military aircraft going up, taking off.

The major was scared to the bone marrow. What excuse is he going to give for not reporting on time? How does he get back to Kaduna? While standing at the airport trying to sort out what to do, news came that the military aircraft that took off a few minutes ago has crashed on the outskirts of Lagos, killing all 90 students on board, including two Ghanaian officers, one of them squadron leader Selwyu Spencer Sackey, my roommate at University of Ghana Legon Commonwealth Hall, both of us from Achimota School and both of us Intake 20 at Ghana Military Academy, Teshie.

Reader, my first lesson from the Mahama tragedy is that EVERY MORNING BEFORE YOU SET OUT OF THE HOUSE, PRAY, GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST, TO TAKE YOU OUT AND BACK, SAFELY.

My second lesson is that for the avoidance of mistaken identity, always dress appropriately for every occasion. According to Shakespere: For the apparel oft maketh a man.

If you are going for jogging, be in white T-shirt over white shorts with white canvas  nobody will mistake you for anything else. Security officers must avoid jogging ALONE in unfamiliar territory, and must always go in UNIFORM.

My third lesson is to be FOCUSED on what you are doing. What business has a jogger got to do with buying snails at the roadside? Why break the speed of the rhythm with snail buying as an excuse? Your wife Barbara is far away in Burma Camp in Accra  are you going to carry the snails with you, jogging, or who will cook it for you?

The fourth lesson is to AVOID KILLING AT ALL COSTS  never ever take the LAW into your own hands, no matter the nature of the provocation, please, REPORT to the NEAREST police station.

Instant justice, mob justice, people on heat are never ready to listen to explanations from victims. I shudder to remember a story where an innocent Nigeria saw someone on the street, who owed him money. When he demanded his money, the debtor rather screamed thief! thief! and people came by, put car tyre on the neck of the 'thief' and set him ablaze, killing him.

May God save us from instant justice!

Death is an ultimate penalty, which once carried out is irreversible; and that is why it is only a court which must after painstaking trial pass that sentence, even subject to appeal. I was a prisoner at Nsawam Prisons when a person under sentence of death filed an appeal, which was dismissed by the Court of Appeal, but upheld by the Supreme Court, which substituted the death sentence with two years imprisonment for manslaughter. He had already spent more than two years, and so he was released right from condemned cells into liberty.

How can I forget ever the case of Republic versus Kwaku Acheampong? There was a police snoop at Tudu in 1986 for 'armed robbers' and innocent Kwaku Acheampong, just a week old in Accra, walking there, was picked up. The CID told him that you plead guilty and the court will leave you. A young boy of 21 years from the village, he was arraigned before the Greater Accra Regional Tribunal, and accused of 'armed robbery' and he pleaded 'GUILTY', and the Tribunal straight away passed a sentence of death on him.

His woebegone mother heard the news on radio, came to Accra and engaged me then only one year at the Bar as a lawyer to file appeal for him. I did so. Notice of Appeal, and Application for Record of Proceedings. Three months later Kwaku Acheampong was executed by firing squad.

When the mother came to tell me she has dreamt that he son has been executed, I told her that is NOT possible  our Notice of Appeal is pending, even Record of Proceedings not yet typed out  one lawyer went to Nsawam Prisons and we were given the list of those executed  including Kwaku Acheampong!

Death is a penalty which if carried out mistakenly can never be reversed. So, NEVER take the law into your own hands. Never!

Finally, my last lesson in the Mahama tragedy is that as a nation, let us STRENGTHEN LAW and ORDER.

I will never forget Christmas 2005  I was Deputy Minister of Interior. During that Christmas season, the nation recorded ZERO crime rate THROUGHTOUT Ghana. The IGP at the time recalled EVERY policemen from leave and put POLICE on duty EVERYWHERE  the result was that you pass here and you see a policemen, you pass there and you see a policemen  no let me wait a while  result  zero crime rate.

I strongly recommend that we should DOUBLE the size of personnel in the Ghana Police Service, we should open a police station at every nook and corner of Ghana, and we should step up police patrol on the highway and high street and in the alleys and countryside.

Let us spend money on security and guarantee safety of everybody, under the LAW. That is our only guarantee for security.

I always feel embarrassed when I see the picture of a widow in the newspapers  maybe that is why Almighty God has a special care for three people  widows, orphans and foreigners. Barbara, don't worry, God will take care of you.

Post script: The four soldiers have been released from Military Police Guardroom back to their units on the orders of Brigadier General Oppong Peprah, General Officer Commanding, Southern Command.

By Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey
QUOTE: Chinese Embassy donates GH10,000 to Attorney General's office Wednesday 7th June, 2017

Madam Sun Baohong, the Chinese Ambassador, on Tuesday [6 June 2017] donated items, including desktop computers, printers, UPS and a cheque for GH10,000 to the office of the Attorney General.

The donation comes at a time when China has been heavily criticized for the involvement of its nationals in illegal mining activities in Ghana.

Currently, there are several Chinese nationals standing trial for their involvement in illegal mining activities following a clampdown by the government on the menace which is destroying water bodies and farmlands.

A similar donation was made to the Police Service this year, with the Ghanaian public suspecting that they were attempts by the Chinese government to influence the justice system, for the benefit of its nationals who are in the grip of the law.

The latest donation, according to the Chinese Embassy, is to support the Attorney General's Office, towards organising a stakeholders' consultative workshop, on the Office of the Special Prosecutor Bill, 2017. UNQUOTE

 See more at: http://citifmonline.com/2017/06/07/chinese-embassy-donates-ghc10000-to-attorney-generals-office/#sthash.5Kc6gyQq.dpuf

This would, normally, not be a story to raise any eyebrows. The immediate past government of Ghana had denied working tools to so many institutions in the country that many public bodies are in the habit of openly begging foreign governments for assistance to carry out their job.

However, the body language of this particular story, that is, its context, puts a completely different complexion on it. I doff my hat to the journalists of CitiFM for having been able to identify that context in their story. (The originators of the report, the Ghana News Agency, had, rather witlessly, presented it straight. Their failure to add context to the story illustrates one of the great weaknesses of journalism, namely, to present a set of facts in a vacuum, that gives them a meaning that changes when those same facts are juxtaposed to other known facts.)

When the earlier Chinese gift to the Ghana Police Service is recalled, and a common link is made between it and the new gift to the Attorney-Generals office, a pattern emerges: the Chinese Ambassador has the knack of making gifts to prosecution agencies, either when legal proceedings are actively going on, or are in the process of being launched, against Chinese nationals.

Indeed, when the ambassador presented a gift to the police, I wrote in the Daily Guide calling on the Minister of the Interior, Mr Ambrose Dery, to repudiate the gift. Such facile instances of open courtship should not be allowed, I wrote.

But like most ministers in the Ghana of recent years, the Minister of the Interior did not react publicly to my suggestion. If he had, I am sure the Chinese ambassador would have had second thoughts about approaching the AGs department directly this time. Remember  I am not suggesting that the AGs office can necessarily be influenced. The issue is that the approach should never be made under any circumstances. Period.

The ambassador said, among other things, that the gifts were to help stakeholders to get educated about the creation of the position of a Public Prosecutor in Ghana!

I dont know the degree of naivety that exists in the Attorney-Generals office, but are they completely unaware that electronic devices are the most potent instruments of espionage in the 21st century?

Has anyone in that Department heard that cyber systems were used to successfully interfere with the elections in the country thats at the forefront of developments in the cyber world, namely, the United States of America?

If cyber activity can be effective in such a country, what chance would Ghana stand if and when a powerful nation decided to pry into its affairs?

Let me tell the AGs Department that in the 21st century, sophisticated software exists that can prompt innocent-looking smart television sets, mobile telephones, laptops and desktop computers as well as refrigerators and ovens, to send information from their locations to pre-determined stations. Any device equipped with Blue-tooth and other smart signalling systems can undertake such tasks.

Every word that is typed on a doctored laptop or desktop can automatically be sent to a listening station. So, if you are conversing with a dear one whilst your TV is on, you could be telling someone somewhere your innermost secrets. How much more a laptop or desktop!

Thats the technical reality. But there is also a political aspect to the matter. Is it in our national interest to allow foreign embassies to make direct gifts to sensitive offices of state like the AGs office? In China itself, is it easy for foreign nationals to engage in social intercourse with the Chinese people?

If contact between individuals is discouraged, how can access be provided to foreign missions and Chinese Government Ministries?

No  I do not think the Chinese would allow any foreign embassy access to a sensitive national institution, such as its Attorney-Generals office, in the way our Attorney-Generals Department has allowed to be done.

Which raises the question: does the practice of presenting gifts to a public institution with which a foreign mission may have an axe to grind, not flaunt the diplomatic accords that exist between Ghana and China? For it can be seen as an intervention in, if not interference with, Ghanas internal affairs, doesnt it?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should have been aware enough of potential breaches of national security as to immediately order an investigation into whether any rules of diplomatic practice had been breached by the Chinese Ambassador, when she first made a gift to the Police Service. Its failure to protest may have led to the current approach to the AGs office.

I would like the ministry to ask to be briefed on what has recently happened in Australia, where there have been widespread allegations that China has been secretly collecting thousands of Australian government documents. Mind you  Australia and China are great friends!

I ask you: what would the Ghana prosecution do, if it went back to court to pursue its case against Ms En Huang (Aisha) and four other Chinese nationals, only to find itself caught flat-footed, because the defence happened to know the prosecutions case from back to front  thanks to the secret interception of all the prosecutions discussions and arguments, regarding how the case should be conducted?

www.cameronduodu.com

By Cameron Duodu
Nine persons, including an ex-military officer, have been apprehended by the Tema Regional Police Command for dealing in narcotics.

The suspects were picked up by the police in a swoop conducted in the Ashaiman Municipality of the Greater Accra Region on Thursday.

Warrant Officer II (WO2) (Rtd) George Hagan, a 52-year-old man, was arrested with a black handbag, which contained dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

The other suspects are Kojo Nyarko, 32, Alhassan Abduali alias Cubicle, Seth Onomah, 27, Seletian Duboss, 48, Joshua Afrifa, 53 and Alhassan Nuhu, 24-year-old unemployed.

Confirming the arrests to DAILY GUIDE, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Joseph Benefo Darkwah, spokesman of the Tema Regional Police Command, noted that the suspects were arrested in various ghettos within Ashaiman in the special operation.

He mentioned that the police retrieved 258 wrappers of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, seven packets of assorted cigarettes, five cigarette filters, five lighters and 14 pairs of scissors.

According to him, the exhibits were in the custody of the police, pending investigations.

Mr Darkwah mentioned that the suspects would be arraigned before court after police investigations.

From Vincent Kubi, Tema


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10.06.2017 LISTEN

Alhaji Abubakar Sidiq Boniface, the minister for zongo development and inner cities has indicated that his ministry will not contain any pressure to use funds allocated for ministry to support any social functions.

He said , this firm grounds will enable the ministry to achieve the purpose for which it was created for.

Alhaji Boniface was speaking to members of the National Council of Zongo Chiefs in a familiarization visits at kaokudi in Accra.

He said the ministry is not under any obligations to support social function such as durbars, marriages, naming among others.

He explained that the ministry will give much attention to youth entrepreneurship, women empowerment, girl child education among others.

The minister said ,very soon his ministry will rollout policies that ensures people give their best to achieve the development agendum.

He said, a lot more institutions has shown their readiness to partner the ministry to achieve its objectives

The minster urged the people to pray for the NPP government to achieve the purpose for which it was voted for.

Alhaji Umar Tanko, the Public Relation Officer ( PRO) for the Zabarma community thanked the minister for the incite and promised to throw their support for the development of Zongo communities.
Kinshasa (AFP) - A police officer was killed in an attack on a court compound in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a judicial source said Saturday, weeks after a mass jailbreak from Kinshasa's main prison.

A magistrate in the Matete district in the east of the capital told AFP that unknown gunmen attacked the court office on Friday night, burning several vehicles parked on the premises.

He said one police officer was killed and another wounded in the assault, adding that three prisoners held at the compound were later found to be missing.

The magistrate said a nearby police station had also been targeted.

A police spokesman confirmed that the Matete court was attacked but did not provide further details.

The raid comes three weeks after dozens of prisoners escaped Kinshasha's largest jail following a rebel attack on the facility.

The May 17 jailbreak was carried out by followers of Bundu Dia Kongo (BDK), a secessionist rebel group that rejects Kinshasa's authority and wants to set up a parallel state in the west of the country.

Another attack on a prison two days later saw 68 inmates escape a prison in Kasangulu, 40 kilometres (25 miles) southwest of Kinshasa.
10.06.2017 LISTEN

Some of us thought that after Jerry John Rawlings was inhibited by our constitution to constest future presidential elections, he would at least temporally relinquish political ambitions and patriotically pledge his support to his successor the late John Evans Atta Mills as the leader of National Democratic Congress (NDC ) and also do all humanly possible to move the party to the next political stage.

That didn't happen in 2000 after his term of office was over, is likely not going to happen any time soon because his penchant for power knows no limit despite having ruled the nation 11 years as a military man and 8 as civilian. Instead he tried to place his wife Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings on the party. That was fiercely resisted not only by party stalwarts, also by delegates who voted massively at Sunyani between 8 - 10 July 2011 to retain the late John Evan Atta Mills on NDC ticket as the flagbearer. The primary flagbearership election was the prelude of NDC and Rawlings's factionalism.

One would have thought the manner the wife was trounced at the congress would be eye-opener to the fact that NDC as party has grown by far democratically with internal structures principled on values and practice after almost 20 years of its existence as dynamic political organization but surprisingly the 69 year old former military leader won't budge his bid to either make himself, his wife or who knows who he wants to impose on the party as his puppet.

Party stalwarts and grassroots won't allow the age-old (pardon the pun) military demeanor attitudinal poised former founder of the NDC to have his way, so harassment or haranguing was exerted on the NDC on the part of former president. The harassment and haranguing always come in form of barrage of accusations of the current leadership of the party is neck-deep entrenched in corruption

As if the constant bashing by the former president JJ Rawlings ( nicknamed as Second Jesus or Saviour for the revolution and house cleaning exercise ) of the political party which he won the first democratically conducted election in the fourth republic, the act of washing of dirty linen in public was at its maximum level wasn't enough, the former president is on the record of openly being in bed with the largest opposition party NPP with the hope to cause defeat to the very party he won elections twice as civilian president.

Publicly bashing the party as the most corrupt political organisation ever existed played negatively against the NDC but to be in bed with political nemesis of NDC, not to talk about his wife forming a breakway party, with the aim of making NDC weak, is condemnable. I believe there is anti-corruption pact between Rawlings and the leadership of NPP of which Rawlings's support for NPP was hinged but no matter how well intended the pact might be is illegal because it only promote individual ideology. The anti-corruption pact must be collective, that is it must be inter-party.

In enssence, my assessment of the former leader of NDC after leaving office is that of egoism and personal aggrandizement. Now the former president's attitude towards NDC is practically the opposite of any well-meaning Ghanaian citizen, particularly the Ewes. That is, Ewes are known for solidarity with others and custodians of the culture of "live and let's live". In other words, the former president's behavior is practically un-Ewe hence starkly alone in his cocky and obstresperous attacks of disapprobation of NDC.

The question is; does he think that we don't know that the Tsikata family is completely against him and on the part of NDC? Of course we do! On the other hand, several reasons exist to make the former president humble and temporarily relegate to the background and give the very people who have all these years supported him throughout, first as a military leader and later as civilian president, a space to live and explore their political ambitions in the NDC and manisfest them on national political scene.

One thing is taking the advantage of June 4th celebration to admonish NDC to uphold accountability, probity and in fact revitalize the administratively controling structures to curb corruption, another is singling out the party as the only corrupt party. The truth of matter is corruption is a national problem, that is NPP, NDC, etc. all engage in activities deemed corrupt. More so, according to some sources not even the former president can pass the test of corruption, simply put he ( JJ ) has a lot of skeletons in his cupboard. So it will take collective effort, not a one-man show to effectively combat corruption.

My advice to the former president is he has a lot to gain keeping his cool than his constant verbal altercation with folks from the umbrella fraternity. His incessant verbal attacks mostly on NDC which earns him the alias "Dr. Boom" is paradigm of the razzle-dazzle arrogance couched in sheer ignorance puts him in great risk of being expelled from the very party he formed from a scratch; l have seen it before!

There are several cases where founders or co-founders have been sacked from their set-up organizations, even in some cases where one will not think of that possibility. Who could ever imagen the dismissal Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize winner for founding the Grameen bank and pioneering the concepts microcredit and microfinance for misdemeanor? But that was exactly what happened.

Those of us from the Volta Region, we have our own stories but we aren't calling for his head or baying his blood. We are ready to let things off our chests to start from the beginning; talking about underdevelopment of the region during his days in office, spanning to the havoc wreaked)))) on our parents by the actions of detachments of soldiers. In the late 70s and early 80s the era of border guards and worse and that of the militiamen, the so-called "PDC" days were born. Gone are the days when our parents were dealt with soldier-cum-pdc laws -- not Ghana laws - because they were found guilty of smugglings across the Aflao-Togo border.

The call of new leadership in NDC is the right direction but the immediate past president Mahama has always responded with witty affirmation, with effect, his resolve to support whomsoever emerges victorious in the upcoming NDC congress is a telling that he isn't running. But it is obvious that rather than standing on public podium to make such call, the best would have been through internal party structures.

Let's not be deceived, according to social scientists or experts, people's decision of voting is largely determined by their economic situations though they frown on corruption but they think it is the responsibility of state institutions to fight corruption not them. JJ Rawlings's booms though put NDC in the bad political spotlight, not necessarily caused the defeat of folks of the umbrella family in 7th December 2016 general election as being asserted by the former president. But this scientific revelation shouldn't seen as embodiment to endulge in corruption rather the ideals of NDC duly espoused by the party's constitution must be upheld in search of new leadership and the fight against corruption

Above everything, the former president must also learn to harbour spirit of humility or humbleness because the wagginess, facetiousness and drollery will not advance the cause of his children which by wisdom of ages has it that for them to be successful they need not sponge off the wealth and fame of their father but make their own claims, they must earn whichever status they want to achieve in life and this can't explain the restlessness of the former president

Last but not the least, Ghanaians are wise not to be taken for granted because his (Rawlings's) leadership qualities were not perfect either, though l have affinity to his revolution but his inability to solve national perennial problems like light and water shortages is evident till date. Or should we talk about GDP expansion which forced Kufour's administration to declare Ghana HIPC after taking from NDC in 2000?

The reality here is, he has done his very best at his time, soon came Kufour, then the late Mills, Subsequently Mahama and now we have Akufo-Addo is biblical provenance of to every time there is a season. That is, a time will come when Ghanaians will have another leader after Akufo-Addo, so is a trend!

As for the corruption charges, when he points one finger at the very men who helped him to the peak of his career, the rest four must be pointing directly back at him. Because, who exactly bred and nurtured the "greedy bastards"?

Agobodzo, Richard

You can contact me via

[email protected]

or www.facebook.com/Agobodzo Richard
Editor-in-chief of the New Crusading Guide Newspaper says the finance ministrys response to a petition sent to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice on the issuance of a $2.25 billion bond in April rubbishes claims made by the Minority.

The Minority raised questions about the manner in which the $2.25 billion was issued and has supported a petition sent before CHRAJ by Brogya Genfi, Ashanti Region Youth Organiser of the NDC.

They fingered the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, accusing him of conflict of interest.

At a press conference shortly after the bond was announced, the Minority stated that 95% of the $2.25 billion was sold to Franklyn Templeton, a company whose director Trevor Trefgarne, also doubles as the Director of Enterprise Group, a company partially owned by the Finance Minister.

Former Deputy Finance Minister, Caisel Ato Forson led the press conference

In a plethora of allegations that included the Attorney General, the Minority claim the rate at which the bond was sold had been "cooked" to favour the buyer and that the deal was shrouded in secrecy to prevent others from bidding to buy the bond.

But after requesting and being granted more time by CHRAJ to respond to the allegations by the petitioner, the Finance Ministry, through the Attorney General, dismissed all the allegations.

The 15-paged letter stated that there is no evidence of any act or omission on the part of either the Ministry or the Minister supporting an allegation of participation in a business transaction or activity for the benefit of friends or family.

Neither did the personal interests of either the Ministry of Finance or the Minister for Finance interfere with the performance of their duties and functions, the Deputy Attorney General, Godfred Dame said on behalf of the Finance Ministry.

Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta

This response and others stated in the letter, in Kweku Baakos view floor all the claims made by the Minority.

He said I have seen the Ministers response, very convincing and a comprehensive annihilation of all the allegations made by the petitioner, adding that it was a solid presentation, factual and step by step and it demolishes the petitioner.

Mr Baako, however, wishes that CHRAJ does not let go of the matter. He wants the Commission to go beyond the preliminary investigations and initiate panel hearing into the matter.

This, for him, is where the issues can be extensively interrogated and once that is done, the Minoritys propaganda will be exposed.

It will internationalise their incompetence and ineptitude, he added.

But Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo disagrees with Mr Baakos comments on the issue.

He insists that the manner in which the bond was called and redeemed is suspect and the Minority is asking relevant questions.

According to him, the Minority cannot be accused of being incompetent and ignorant. It is better to swallow your pride and listen and learn.

He said, the transaction, contrary the deception that it confirms confidence of the investor in the Ghanain economy, shows the biggest flop in terms of subscription.

Because if you raised GHS9.7 billion, but your investors could only order GHS 4.9 billion, that is 50 percent under subscription. Is that the way investors show confidence, he questioned

Adding thatAnd you go around eventually sole sourcing and bringing somebody to take a bond that in the first place was not on the calendar.

Mr Adongo said the Finance Ministers presentation is a deception, half truths and this is the level that we are taking this country.

He said the deal was cooked to benefit the investor and not Ghana.

Finance Ministers presentation on the issue in Parliament

On a presentation made by the Finance Minister on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, Mr Baako expressed satisfaction on how Mr Ofori Attah presented the issue.

He said the Minister did a fantastic job before parliament. He presented all the details.

But what baffles the veteran journalist is the complaits being made by the Minority after the presentation.

He said a request by the Minority that the agreement between government of Ghana and the investor Franklin Templeton be made available to them is unheard of.

There is nothing like that, he said, explaining that Why should there be an agreement between the ministry of finance or government and FT or any other investor.There is absolutely nothing like that, it doesnt happen and Is never happened. Since this book building in 2015 until now, there is nothing like what you call an agreement.

Those things you want are in the issuance documents. The transaction announcement, the issuance calendar, price guidelines and issuance summery are in the document. That is the format of the book building process so there is nothing like an agreement between Ghana government or FT or all the other participants.

Related: US Securities and Exchange Commission acts on Minority's petition over GHE2.25 bn bond

In Mr Baakos view, the Minority is asking the wrong questions, one they will never get answers to because they do not exist.

He said if Parliament requires more information on the bond issuance and any other processes concerning it, it can request that through its Finance Committee.

There, he believes, all the stakeholders can be called upon to provide the information and education that it requires, because there is only so much that can be said in public.

Another thing Mr Baako said surprises him is that there are top guys in the NDC on the side of the minority as well as in the party who know this business very well, they initiated it, they know how the domestic bond transaction works and they know that there is nothing called an agreement

They also know that the issuance document provides all these things for them, they know it. So why all this noise and pretence that something had gone amiss and that the same procedures that were adopted in 2015until today had not been applied, why, he queried.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Naa Sakwaba Akwa | [email protected]
Libreville (AFP) - A newsreader for Gabon state television has been taken off the air after mistakenly announcing the death of President Ali Bongo, the channel said on Saturday.

Journalist Wivine Ovandong made the error during a Gabon Television news bulletin on Thursday when she read from notes saying that Bongo had died in Barcelona.

In fact, Thursday was the eighth anniversary of the death of Bongo's father and predecessor, Omar, who did die in Barcelona on June 8, 2009, after more than four decades in power.

Current president Ali Bongo is alive and well.

Gabon Television director general Mathieu Koumba told AFP that Ovandong had been suspended as "a precautionary measure".

"We need to protect her, too, because social media has had a field day," he added.

Koumba appeared on the channel on Friday and said it had apologised to Bongo and his family for the "blunder".

"It can happen to anyone. But this was a bit much because it was confusion over the head of state," he said.

Ovandong had only been in the job for a few days after spending several years as a field reporter.
10.06.2017 LISTEN

The opposition National Democratic Congress is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with a mammoth rally at Ashaiman, Saturday.

The rally is expected to be attended by all the party bigwigs including ex-presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Mahama.

It will be the first time the two will meet on a public platform after ex-president John Rawlings openly criticised his compatriot John Mahama during the commemoration of the June 4 anniversary early this week.

Ex-president John Rawlings claimed corruption increased to insane levels under John Mahama and accused the former president of departing from the values of probity and accountability which formed the basis under which the party was formed.

According to him it was chiefly because of the corruption that the NDC lost power to the governing National Democratic Congress.

Mr Mahama has yet to make any comment on the matter.

This week, a forum organised by the party as part of the 25 Anniversary saw a number of the founding members of the party passing through.

Even though Ex-president Rawlings made a quick stop at the forum ground, Mr Mahama was conspicuously missing.

Organisers of this afternoons rally have said both men have confirmed their participation in the rally which will hopefully begin a new surge for united opposition against the ruling party.

Other leaders of the party expected to attend include General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, party Chairman Kofi Portuphy.

According to the Joy News correspondent at the rally ground, a number of party supporters have begun trooping to the rally ground.

The partys National Organiser Kofi Adams is presently and grounds and will hopefully be joined by the other leaders.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com
Ex-president John Mahama has fired a gun scatter attack at the governing New Patriotic Party accusing it of suffering from a tragedy of unlived experience.

He said whilst in opposition the NPP caricatured the government he led and created the impression as if it had answers to all the problems facing the country at the time.

He said when he as president admitted that the economy was facing challenges, the NPP in opposition with its so-called economic wizard claimed the economy was in crisis and that he had the magic wand to turn things around.

Now in government, the ex-president said the NPP is facing the reality of leading a country an, experience he said is markedly different from the talkshop in opposition.

He was speaking at a mammoth rally to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Saturday.

At the colourful ceremony which had most of the party bigwigs attending, including ex-president Rawlings, the ex-president John Mahama did not fail to take another swipe at the NPP government over the issue of political vigilantism.

Under Akufo-Addo, he said political party vigilante groups now have the audacity to beat up appointees of the president and even go ahead to disrupt court processes.

According to him, under his administration, he allowed the trial of the Montie 3 suspects to take its full course until the suspects were jailed for four months.

He said it was only after the convicts had spent more than a month in prison that he exercised his powers as president to grant them amnesty.

Mocking the new administration, the ex-president said the no evidence chorus being sang by the prosecutors in the Delta Force scandal is unfortunate.

Unity

With his own party under pressure with members firing salvos from different quarters, the ex-president called for unity of purpose in the NDC as it prepares for the 2020 elections.

Saturdays rally is the first time the two ex-presidents and leaders of the NDC met on a public platform after ex-president John Rawlings openly criticised his compatriot John Mahama during the commemoration of the June 4 anniversary early this week.

Ex-president John Rawlings claimed corruption increased to insane levels under John Mahama and accused the former president of departing from the values of probity and accountability which formed the basis under which the party was formed.

According to him it was chiefly because of the corruption that the NDC lost power to the governing New Patriotic Party.

Mr Mahama has yet to make any comment on the matter but when he took over the podium at the Ashaiman rally he said the leaders and members must put all their differences behind them and forge ahead for victory in 2020.

The ex-president clarified that he did not blame the party for the defeat in the 2016 elections but said it is only when the party is strengthened will they win an election.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com|Nathan Gadugah
N'Djamena (AFP) - Chad, one of the African countries hit hardest by the drop in oil prices, announced Saturday that it had reached an accord with a group of foreign energy companies ending a tax dispute.

The deal, signed Friday by the government and a consortium led by Esso, a unit of US energy giant ExxonMobil, extends the group's operating licence in the Doba basin until 2050.

It also calls for the development of polymer injection technology to increase oil extraction, Chad's oil minister, Bechir Madet, told AFP.

In October a Chadian court had imposed heavy fines on the consortium over unpaid taxes, claiming 67 billion euros ($75 billion).

No financial details of the agreement were disclosed, though Madet denied that the consortium would pay the government $200 million.

"We are very happy with these agreements which will allow us to relaunch the consortium's operations in Chad," said Christian Lenoble, a spokesman for the group.

The consortium also includes Malaysia's Petronas, and once included Chevron of the US, which has since been replaced in the group by Chad's national oil company.

As one of Africa's poorest countries, Chad relies heavily on revenue from oil sales, though President Idriss Deby has pledged to diversity the economy to protect it from sudden price drops.

"We are pursuing economic diversification," Madet said, adding: "Producing more oil creates more wealth and jobs. That is going to help our economy."
Sonora, California  A tragic crash led to the death of a womans boyfriend and injuries to her toddler as she admitted to being drunk behind the wheel.

The seven year prison sentence handed down to 32-year-old Jessica Ann Falknor was announced Friday by Tuolumne County District Attorney Laura Krieg. The crash happened on August 9, 2015 on Highway 132 after Falknor had been at a family get together that included alcohol at Don Pedro Reservoir. Driving a 2004 Honda Element she left the gathering with her boyfriend Bryon Stutts Jr. in the front passenger seat, along with her 20-year-old sister Kathryn and her 3-year-old daughter in the back seat. While traveling on Highway 132 Falknors car went off the roadway, down an embankment and ended up on its roof. Stutts Jr. was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Falknor and the other passengers suffered injuries including a broken clavicle and other bones.

Assistant District Attorney Eric Hovatter, who prosecuted the case, had this reaction to the seven year sentence, These cases are no win situation for everyone. As a prosecutor, I feel badly for the loss of a brother and son. At the same time, as a human being, I feel badly for Falknors family. I feel badly for her daughter whose going to be without her mother for a period of time. He concludes, I dont know how to put a value on the taking of a human life. I dont know if seven years is enough, some people would say its not, some people would say its too much.

A blood draw was taken from Falknor almost four hours after the wreck, which set her blood alcohol level at .10 percent. However, Hovatter says that her blood alcohol level at the time of the incident was calculated to be around .16 percent. He adds that the mitigating factor in her seven year sentence was her lack of a criminal history.

Falknor pled guilty to vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI causing injury and Child Endangerment with an enhancement for causing great bodily injury to a person under the age of 5 years. Based on the seriousness of the charges she will have to serve 85 percent of her time before being eligible for parole, which is nearly six years, according to Hovatter.
Calaveras High School students, (L to R), Alexandra Smith, Jayda Hufana, Calissa Morse, and Megan Wright hold their certificates after receiving C&TT scholarships View Photos

Calaveras County, CA  Calaveras Community Foundation (CCF) handed out funds to help students from three local high schools in Calaveras County with their higher education expenses.

CCF bestowed its Career & Technical Training (C&TT) Scholarships for 2017 during recent award night events. In total, $9,000 was awarded. The breakdown was $1,500 for each student that included four from Calaveras High, one from Bret Harte High and another from Mountain Oaks.

CCF provided this list of the student scholarship recipients:

Calaveras High School student Jayda Hufana, of Valley Springs, is pursuing a career in cosmetology. Alexandra Smith, of Valley Springs, will be attending a trade school and focusing on automotive mechanics. Megan Lou Wright from Glencoe will study Animal Science at Modesto JC with the goal of becoming a Police K-9 trainer. Calissa Morse will attend Modesto JC with emphasis on a career in Social Work.

Bret Harte High School student Paige Herndon, of Angels Camp, will be attending Sacramento City College or Butte Junior College and work toward a career in the medical field with emphasis on becoming an emergency responder.

Mountain Oaks School senior, Daniel Hill, will be attending Columbia College and plans to seek a degree in Natural Resources with a career goal of becoming a Game Warden.

The foundation reports that since the C&TT funds 2011 inception, over $55,000 has been awarded.
The world of shoe-making is now becoming a booming business with the influx of young female entrepreneurs like Onyinye Edith Chima.

The exceptionally talented young lady is a graduate of English and Literary Studies from the Ekiti state University. She prides herself in making uniquely different footwears for both men and women.

Asked how shoe-making business started for her and she said: "I am into unisex footwear making. I acquired the skill in 2015 and I am still learning because new designs come up daily. I did my NYSC 2016 last year, I had to learn another skill, liquid soap production which I am also into now. I named my business 'Adorable Creation' though it's not registered yet."

READ ALSO: Meet Nigerian graduate that has become a shoemaker

"I have always had interest in creativity, making things when I was in school. I am someone that likes slippers and sandals. So I went into it because of the love."

Onyinye Chima all smiles in her workshop

Asked where she sees herself and this venture in the nearest future and she said:

READ ALSO: The testimony of Aishat, the Nigerian female shoemaker

"I see myself going places, having my own factory, employing and also assisting the masses by creating job opportunities. This is because as we all know there isn't any job in our country, so people need to get 'a handwork' apart from the monthly salary job,which most times some don't get paid at the end of the month.

Work ongoing with Miss Chima at her workplace

"This shoe-making is not something I want to do and then stop after a while. With the help of God, handwork, commitment and financial help, I believe I will achieve my goal."

Miss Chima went further to admonish the general public to acquire at least one skill, especially ladies.

PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ News App

"Before I got an admission into the university, I had it in mind that I will be my own boss. We ladies shouldn't just wait for that job because it isn't forthcoming. Let's create our own job, Let us make the difference we wish to see around us. Nigerians need to also learn to patronize 'made-in Naija' products."

See more of her photos below:

Some of her works

Some of Miss Chima's works

How creative!

People around me think I'm crazy - Nigerian female taxi driver - on Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit.ng
- A former militant commander has revealed the identity of sponsors of the new militant group which vowed to crush oil installations in Delta state beginning from June 30

- Israel Akpodoro said the sponsors of the group are disgruntled board members in the Delta state oil producing areas development commission (DESOPADEC)

- He said they want the state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa to spend the Paris Club refund on the agency for their selfish gains

A former militant commander, Israel Eshanekpe Akpodoro, has revealed that the new militant group which emerged under the name New Delta Avengers and vowed to begin blowing up oil pipelines in Delta state from June 30, 2017 have their sponsors in the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

Akpodoro, who leads a section of former militants in the Niger Delta and surrendered his arms during the amnesty days of late President Umaru Musa YarAdua, told Legit.ng in an email that the resurrected militants are holding brief for their sponsors in the Delta state government agency.

He said: "We have it on good authority that these boys are being funded by their local champions who are members of the board of the agency.

Sponsors of New Delta Avengers are members of board of DESOPADEC, former militant reveals

They are agitating so as to achieve their goal of stampeding Governor Ifeanyi Okowa into recklessly pumping the Paris Club refund on DESOPADEC while the issue of salary indebtedness and allowances of workers running into months and arrears remain unpaid.

READ ALSO: Militants group threatens to resume attacks on oil industry

They are holding brief for their sponsors in DESOPADEC but unfortunately, the army is ever ready to remove them out of circulation.

"To theses group of thieves, it doesn't matter if workers are paid or not in as much as they force money out of the government to build their war chest against 2019.

Whoever bursts pipelines in Delta state should be killed on the spot and the leaders of such communities should be arrested and prosecuted and ultimately the paramount rulers deposed."

He further stated that rather than allowing disgruntled elements of a state owned agency, DESOPADEC, mislead them into engaging in hostilities because of the recently disbursed Paris Club refunds to states, the youths should be sensible enough to resist such temptation and live in peace.

Governor ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state

He warned groups he described as miscreants, criminals in Delta state of serious consequences should they make real their threats to destroy oil and gas pipelines in the Niger Delta region.

The warning is coming at the backdrop of threats by the NDA to renew hostilities in the creeks of Delta state following allegations that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state is neglecting the oil producing areas in the execution of his projects and programmes in the state.

The militant group vowed to resume bloody attacks on the oil industry in the state effective from midnight June 30, 2017 saying the notice it has given is to put the federal government and oil companies operating in the state on the know over the proposed attacks.

But Akpodoro, a former militant leader warned that any group that attempted to undermine the growing peace in the region would face the full weight of the law.

He said whoever committed crime under the guise of agitation would be treated as a criminal, adding that the zone can no longer return to a period of war and commotion.

He warned that the security agencies in the region, Operation Delta Safe, will crush whoever tampers with the national assets that are domiciled in the state.

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Akpodoro further stated that the youths of Niger Delta have abandoned the use of threats and violence to achieve their goals, adding that whatever is the situation that may have angered the youths, such could be settled without recourse to blowing pipelines, an action which has been abandoned in the region.

Akpodoro called on the security operatives to brace up to meet force with these criminal elements so as to block them before executing their threats.

"They are just a handful of criminals and miscreants who aren't employable because they are lazy, their lives depend on crimes, they have the indecent entitlement from the oil and gas in the region and this makes them so lazy that even if given jobs they won't do, Akpodoro said.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has been away from the country for almost a month, there seems to be no noise as at the other time. Watch this Legit.ng and see whether Nigerians are missing the president

Source: Legit.ng
- A group of Niger Delta militants are demanding that the federal government return all oil blocs controlled by Northerners

- Leaders of the militant groups said that they also intend to declare an independent Niger Delta on October 1

- The militant leaders also warned all companies operating such oil blocs to vacate within three months

A group of Niger Delta militants on Friday, June 9, demanded that the federal government return all oil blocs controlled by Northerners, to the people of the oil-producing region.

Legit.ng gathered that the demand is in reaction to the quit notice issued by some northern youth groups to the Igbos to vacate the North within three months.

The group of militants is made up of the Niger Delta Watchdogs, Niger Delta Volunteers, Niger Delta Peoples Fighters, Niger Delta Warriors, Bakassi Freedom Fighters, Niger Delta Movement for Justice, Niger Delta Fighters Network and Niger Delta Freedom Mandate.

READ ALSO: Igbos begin fleeing from north following quit notice

Niger Delta militants are demanding the return of oil blocs owned by Northerners to their region

Leaders of the militant groups in a joint statement said that they also intend to declare an independent Niger Delta on October 1, to free their people from northern enslavement.

The communique which was signed by the leaders of the groups warned all the companies operating such oil blocs to quit within three months.

The group leaders are: General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs and Convener: Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators), General Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta Volunteers), General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors), and Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters).

Others are Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw (Bakassi Freedom Fighters), Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall (Niger Delta Movement for Justice), Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson (Niger Delta Fighters Network), and Major-Gen. Inibeghe Adams (Niger Delta Freedom Mandate).

Read the full statement below:

A coalition of the Niger Delta militants met today in Port Harcourt to review the recent call by the Arewa Youths groups that the Ndigbo should vacate all the Northern states within three months.

We see the declaration by Arewa Youths as a declaration which the northern elders, leaders, political elite, security heads from the North and governors were fully aware of.

We demand 100 per cent control of our resources. We demand that the Federal Government should hand over all oil blocs owned by northerners to Niger Delta indigenes. All the companies operating in such oil blocs/wells should vacate within three months.

The Federal Government should immediately relocate NNPC and all the offices that have to do with oil/gas sector back to Niger Delta states and immediately replace the Group Managing Director with an indigene of Niger Delta.

All northern indigenes working in NNPC and any other board that has anything to do with oil/gas should be sacked with immediate effect.

We demand an independent and sovereign Republic of Niger Delta. We are tired of living with the North under Nigeria. We are tired of the Presidents sentiments against the Niger Delta people.

The President can have time to receive the Chibok girls but could not have time to meet with the representatives of the Niger Delta agitators. Our money has been used to fund Boko Haram, a problem created by the Northerners in order to use it as conduit pipe to siphon the resources of Niger Delta.

On October 1, 2017 we shall declare our independence come rain, come shine. We shall take our destiny in our hands and free ourselves from the slavery of the North as they are tired of one Nigeria, the statement added.

Legit.ng previously reported that former minister of aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has said any slaughter of Igbos in the north will lead to a swift retaliation throughout the south.

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The former minister in reaction to the three months eviction notice on Igbos in the north by the Coalition of Northern Youths (CNY), warned that this time around, any act of war will consume the north who believe they own Nigeria.

Fani-Kayode via his Facebook page said those that gave the Igbos quit notice in the north are playing with fire.

Watch Acting President Yemi Osinbajo talk about the Biafra war on Legit.ng TV below:

Source: Legit.ng
- Nigerians are making waves all over the world

- Many of them breaking boundaries in their chosen field in different countries

- Seven of them are now members of the British Parliament

A report by The Nation indicates that seven of the newly elected members of the British Parliament are persons with Nigerian heritage.

This was revealed by United Kingdom-based Nigerian university lecturer, Dr Adebisi Adewole, who is also the managing editor of African Pulse Magazine.

According to him, Nigerians across the UK are excited over the development, adding that the elected MPs success appears justified as they have broken various forms of historical barriers.

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Legit.ng lists the seven Nigerians below:

1. Kate Osamor

The 48-year old British Labour Co-operative politician was born to Nigerian parents. She has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Edmonton since May 2015. She was also appointed Shadow Secretary of State for International Development in June 2016. Osamor visited Nigeria last year and she was granted audience by President Muhammadu Buhari and Denate Prsident, Bukola Saraki.

Kate Osamor

2. Chinyelu Onwurah

52-year old Onwurah who has a Nigerian father on Thursday, June 8 won the Newcastle Central seat at the UK general elections. She is Newcastle's first black MP. She is also the current shadow minister for business, innovation and skills, as well as shadow minister for culture, media and sport, having been appointed to both posts in September 2015.

Chinyelu Onwurah

3. Chuka Umunna

38-year old Umunna has a Nigerian father and a British mother. He was born in London. He is a graduate of law from the University of Manchester and has been representing Streatham constituency since 2010. He was shadow business secretary from 2011 to 2015.

Chuka Umunna

4. Fiona Onasanya

Onasanya who is a lawyer, was elected as Member of Parliament for the city of Peterborough. She received 48.1 per cent of the vote compared to Tory Candidate Stewart Jackson's 46.8 per cent. She has expressed her hope to be the British Prime Minister someday.

Fiona Onasanya

5. Bim Afolami

He was elected as a conservative Member of Parliament for Hitchin and Harpenden constituency. His father is a Nigerian consultant doctor who works for the National Health Service.

Bim Afolabi

6. Helen Grant

She was the first black woman to be elected as a Conservative MP, having also been the first black woman to be selected as a candidate to stand for a Conservative-held parliamentary seat. She was re-elected as the Member of Parliament of Maidstone and The Weald, a position she has occupied since 2010.

Helen Grant

7. Olukemi Olufunto Badenoch

The 37-year old mother of one was born in Wimbledon and bred up in both Nigeria and the United States. She ia a graduate of Engineering and Law. She is a conservative politician a current Member of Parliament for Saffron Walden.

Olukemi Badenoch

READ ALSO: Top 7 cities with the most adorable ladies

In a related development, a Nigeran, Ambassador Chiedu Osakwe was elected chairman of the Negotiating Forum for the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) for Africa recently.

Watch this Legit.ng TV video of a summary of some trending topics in and outside Nigeria:

Source: Legit.ng
- Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state has assured Igbos in the state of their safety

- He spoke against the backdrop of the ultimatum given to the Igbo to leave the northern part of the country by some youths in Kaduna

- The governor said Nigerians must feel free to stay in any part of the country without fear of molestation

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state has urged Nigerians to avoid inflammatory remarks that can bring disunity among the people.

He made the plea on Friday, June 9 evening when he invited the members of the resident communities in the state to break fasting with him.

He spoke against the backdrop of the ultimatum given to the Igbos to leave the northern part of the country by some youths in Kaduna.

Governor Tambuwal exchanging pleasantries with the representative of the Igbo community in Sokoto, Mr Steven Okoro

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The governor said Nigerians must feel free to stay in any part of the country without fear of molestation.

In a statement issued on Saturday, June 10 by the special adviser on media and public affairs to the governor, Malam Imam Imam after the event, he assured the citizens of his readiness to provide adequate security for them.

Governor greeting other members of the delegation

I align myself fully with the position of the Northern Governors as enunciated by our chairman, Governor Kashim Shattima of Borno.

We have enjoyed a robust relationship with all members of the resident communities; you have no reason to fear. Sokoto is your home and it will continue to remain as such, Tambuwal said.

Nigerians now need to team up as a people and find lasting solutions to the myriad of challenges confronting the nation.

We are a blessed nation and we should continue to develop our strengths so as to provide the needed leadership for Africa and the black world.

So, as far as your stay is in the northern part of the country and in Sokoto, do not feel threatened by anyone, the governor assured Nigerians.

Governor Tambuwal greeting the leader of the Yoruba community in Sokoto, Alhaji Abdulfatah Coker

During the event, the representative of the Igbo community in Sokoto, Mr Steven Okoro, commended the state government for making Nigerians living in Sokoto to feel at home.

We have never felt threatened in Sokoto. We and our families have stayed here in peace for hundreds of years.

Our relationship with all groups of people here is based on mutual trust and respect for one another, he said.

The leaders lauded Governor Tambuwal for his open door policy and honesty

READ ALSO: Northern Elders Forum backs quit notice issued by northern youths

Speaking in the same vein, both the leaders of the Yoruba community in Sokoto, Alhaji Abdulfatah Coker and the chairman of the Association of Resident Communities, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, pledged to continue to support constituted authorities to deliver on their mandates.

They lauded Tambuwal for what they described as his open door policy which had enabled all citizens to reach out to him directly.(NAN)

Similarly, Gombe state governor, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo has told Igbos in the state to go about their businesses without any fear of molestation.

Dankwambo who gave the assurance via his official Facebook page assured the Igbos in his domain of their safety.

Watch Acting President Yemi Osinbajo talk about the unity of Nigeria on Legit.ng TV below:

Source: Legit.ng
- The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) reminded Nigerians that Ango ABdullahi has the capacity to escape from the country when violence occurs

- NYCN, an umbrella body for all youths in the north, declared that every Nigerian has the right to live in any part of the country

As the tension caused by the three-month quit notice to Igbo people resident in the northern part of Nigeria continues to rise, Legit.ng can report that there are pressures on security agencies to arrest Professor Ango Abdullahi, one of the elders of the region.

The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), a pressure group in the region has demanded for the arrest of Professor Abdullahi, spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), for supporting the notice.

The group also demanded the arrest of the members of the coalition that put the country in its current state through the notice to the Igbos.

The youths reminded Nigerians that Ango Abdullahi and his family would escape when the country is plunged into crisis

Speaking with journalists on Saturday, June 10, in Kaduna, the NYCN reminded Nigerians that Ango Abdullahi and his family would run from Nigeria if his utterance eventually leads to violence and unrest.

According to the group, in such situation, the poor would be left to suffer and die.

READ ALSO: FUTA newly approved courses

The NYCN president, Isah Abubakar, declared that the notice which was given by the coalition in Kaduna did not represent the decision of the entire north.

He also maintained that the NYCN stands as the umbrella body for all the youth organisations and has the right to make such announcement.

While dissociating itself from the quit notice, the NYCN noted that all Nigerian citizens have the right to live in any part of the country without fear.

We are surprise with statement credited to our renowned elder and academic, Professor Ango Abdullahi supporting the uncivil and illegal declaration that Igbos should vacate the North.

NYCN want to use this medium to dissociate itself from anti-Nigeria agenda for selfish reason. We are not happy with the development in all its ramifications.

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We are calling on federal government to extend its arrest order to Professor Ango Abdullahi and other people who must have sponsored the perpetrators of such a huge inciting statement capable of throng the country into another civil unrest while the country is yet to fully recovered from the previous one several decades after, he said.

Legit.ng had reported earlier that the House of Representatives has reportedly passed a resolution asking the nations security organisations to be alert to the threat currently taking over the unity of Nigeria.

The House condemned the three-month notice given by some northern groups to the Igbos asking that the latter returned to their states in the south-east.

While deliberating on the issue through a motion brought under a matter of urgent public importance by Hon Oghene Emma Egoh, the lawmakers said Nigeria must remain one country.

Watch this video of how Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB was granted bail recently:

Source: Legit.ng
- Afenifere chieftain, Femi Okurounmu urges Southerners in the North to return home

- Okurounmu said the 3 quit notice issued to the Igbo in the North by Arewa youth is not to be taking lightly and not meant for the Igbos alone

- He said he foresee trouble in the nearest future and the northern authority won't do much to curb the violence

Senator Femi Okurounmu, the leader of the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere has urged all southerners living in northern Nigeria to return home before October 1.

Legit.ng gathered that Okurounmu made this statement while reacting to the 3 months eviction notice issued by Arewa Youth Council Forum to the Igbos living in the north.

The Sun reports that he said the quit notice is not directed at the Igbos alone and advised Yorubas in the north to move home too so as to avoid violence that might erupt after the 3 months given by northern youths.

He also said there is no need to keep Nigerians together if the people wants to go their separate ways.

He said:This quit notice by the northern youths should not be seen by any wise Southerner as being meant for only people from the South-East, or that it is an empty threat.

READ ALSO: Igbos begin fleeing from north following quit notice

"These northern youths meant business, and not only that, they have the backing of the northern elders, who have not only expressed their support for the youths, but have also affirmed their backing for the quit notice given to the South-Easterners.

Okunrounmu alleged that the IG of police is biased.

"These Northerners should not be underrated, and one of the major reasons we are insisting that all Southerners should start coming back to the South now is that when these attacks on them begin, the Northerners will attack all Southerners.

"How are they going to be separate a Yoruba from Igbo? It is going to be difficult. Southerners shouldnt be gullible. They should start coming home now.

"They should not wait until the end of the ultimatum. We dont want a repeat of 1966-1967 pogrom, when hundreds of people of Southern origin, especially those from the South-East were massacred in the North.

Okurounmu advised Southerners not to be deceived by the arrest order on the Arewa youths by the Inspector-General of Police, Idris Ibrahim and Kaduna state governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, saying such order was only meant to give Nigerians the impression that action was being taken to rein in the youths.

He said: Have these Arewa youths not been walking the streets free since the Inspector-General of Police and Governor el-Rufai ordered their arrest?

"The IG is a hypocrite. When crisis broke out in Osun state recently among some Hausa and Yoruba youths, is it not this same IG that immediately under 24 hours of the crisis sent mobile policemen to arrest Yoruba youths, while he left out his Hausa kinsmen?

"Why is the IG now unable to arrest these Hausa-Fulani youths who issued the quit notice? We are just deceiving ourselves, there is no justice in Nigeria.

"When an Hausa-Fulani man kills another Nigerian, he has not committed an offence, but when another Nigerian kills Hausa-Fulani man, he has committed an offence and must be punished. That is the Nigeria of today for you."

"However, if Nigeria wants to break up, so be it, let it break up, if it wants to break up. Nigeria will not be the first country to break up.

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"The defunct Soviet Union broke up, heavens did not fall, defunct Czechoslovakia broke up, heavens didnt fall, and even in Africa, recently Southern Sudan broke away from Sudan and heavens didnt fall. So, whats the big deal if Nigeria breaks up? It is not compulsory that Nigerians should live together by force."

Meanwhile, Senator Okurounmu has dismissed suggestions of a military coup in Nigeria.

He said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai,was just testing Nigerians reactions.

He also alleged that the plot rumour was floated by Hausa-Fulani group who feel threatened anytime one of them is not in power.

Watch video of Chief Olusegun Obanasjo explaining why Nigeria needs to be treated like love:

Source: Legit.ng
- As Nigeria continues to face tension over the quit notice handed the Igbos in the north, Dr John Danfulani is making several demands from Governor Nasir EL-Rufai

- Danfulani, the chairman of the Centrum Initiative for Development and Fundamental Rights Advocacy, also tongue-lashed Ango Abdullahi

- He further reminded Governor Nasir El-Rufai about the alleged shoddy way the issue of herdsmen was handled in Kaduna state

The chairman of the Centrum Initiative for Development and Fundamental Rights Advocacy (CEDRA), Dr John Danfulani, has asked Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state to prove his impartiality by ensuring the arrest of Professor Ango Abdullahi and others supporting the quit notice to Igbo people in the north.

Legit.ng reports that Professor Ango Abdullahi declared his support for the quit notice issued the Igbo people by some northern youths recently.

Though, Governor El-Rufai had recently ordered the arrest of the groups that issued the three-month ultimatum to the Igbo people, there are beliefs that his instruction had not been carried out.

Danfulani asked Governor El-Rufai to arrest Ango Abdullahi

In a letter to Governor El-Rufai on Saturday, June 10, Danfulani, a former lecturer of Kaduna state university recalled how the coalition met at Arewa House and reeled an illegal, morally bankrupt and politically suicidal ultimatum directing Ndigbos living in Northern Nigeria to relocate to their states of origin. They promised dire consequences for any Ndigbo that ignore their deadly directive.

Read a major part of the lengthy letter below:

On Wednesday the 7th of June 2017 you repudiated and nullified their 6th June 2017 ultimatum and directed security agencies to trail, nap and prosecute them for using Kaduna state as an assembly plan and launching pad of their felonious project. Your position was fully supported by other northern governors.

A day after your rebuttal, arrest, and prosecute directive, the miscreants and apostles of doom resurfaced and reinforced their 6th June 2017 position and unabashedly lambasted you and your other colleagues that distanced themselves and their people from their doomsday ultimatum.

READ ALSO: Northern Elders Forum backs quit notice issued by northern youths

As all men and women of pure conscience, goodwill, and peace were condemning the infamous quit notice to Ndigbos, on Friday 9th June 2017, Prof Ango Abdullahi, a village head in Zazzau Emirate of Kaduna state - a veteran nepotist, a first class irredentist, a regional warlord, and a confused ethnic-supremacist, used the platform of Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and supported the evangelists of destruction of peace and unity of Nigeria.

After Prof Ango Abdullahis unwarranted gibberish, the secretary-general of NEF, Dr Paul Unongo distilled the air by asserting in unambiguous terms that the gerontocratic regional champion and ethnic-supremacist has no mandate to speak for their group. From Dr Unongos statement, there is no second guessing that the District Head didnt speak on behalf of the conclave of self anointed northern Nigeria elders.

Dr Unongos declaration suggests that Prof Abdullahi is an imposter that illegally used the platform of esteemed club of NEF to support a felonious and morally bankrupt ultimatum. Therefore, Prof Abdullahi is their comrade-in-crime, his name must be included in the list of those to face arrest and prosecution. And the old Prof should be in the net with immediate alacrity.

After reading your resolved of 7th June 2017 we wrote a commendation letter to you and encouraged you to walk your talk to deter others nursing the ambition of hatching events that will trigger another civil war in Nigeria. Since then, we have glued our eyes to news bars and pay attention to electronic media without hearing the news of any arrest, let alone prosecution of these jackals of disunity.

Effecting arrest of these people shouldnt be a Herculean task, for obvious reasons. First, somebody with a specific address applied for the venue of the event. Second, somebody approved and received payment for the usage of the venue. Third, somebody gave somebody the key to the venue of their meeting. Four, the same process unfolded when they addressed another press conference that reinforced their earlier position. Some radio and television stations even conducted interviews with them via the telephone. With these multiple leads and footprints, arresting them should be a matter of minutes or hours not days. Thus, we are struggling to know why they are still walking free.

Mr Governor, we are entertaining this fear because of what happened in the cases of Audu Maikori/Luka Biniyet (in February of 2017) and Alh Haruna Usman versus Nigeria Army (in March of 2017). These two incidences border conscious or unconscious making of statements that were not anchored on realism on ground. Despite similarities of these incidents, you disgracefully c*m selectively acted on Audu/Biniyats case and deliberately looked the other way on Miyatti Allah versus Nigeria Armys case. No special wisdom is needed to know why you adopted two dispositions on cases with similar ingredients. Ethno-religious sentiment guided your decisions,period.

Similarly, you went on a live television programme (Hard copy Channels TV) and tagged the leadership of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) an umbrella organization of all Southern Kaduna ethnic groups bigots because of their loud cries against the semi-genocide perpetrated by a Fulani Militia you openly accepted communing and compensating in foreign climes.

The same you wore a deaf ear when Miyyati Allah and their kingpins acknowledged masterminding killings in some villages of Southern Kaduna. You refused to use your power of idioms and phrases coinage to reel-out a judgement on them.

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It is clear from these cases that, you are practicing a species of apartheid system in Kaduna. A political setting where ones ethnicity and religion determines which right he/she enjoys. No wonder all the people you have thus far arrested and persecuted pillared on your shallow intellectual definition of hate speech, bigotry and fanatism, are all Christians and mostly people from Southern Kaduna. This is illegal and morally debasing because you took an oath on 29th May 2015 to treat all manner of persons equal as engraved in our 1999 constitution (as amended).

You cannot 'Make Kaduna Great Again' by institutionalizing an apartheid system in a democratic clime. And by suppressing, repressing, crudely subjugating and maltreating people who dont share your faith or exploitative elitist political ideology.

History and posterity shall never be kind to you. Dont ever lose sight of the fact that the wicked goddess of vengeance has a long memory that never forgive nor forget. Kindly keep in mind that you must account (in local and international courts) for most of these heinous acts when your tenure and immunity expires by 10am of 29th May 2019.

Legit.ng reported earlier that as the tension caused by the three-month quit notice to Igbo people resident in the northern part of Nigeria continues to rise, there are pressures on security agencies to arrest Professor Ango Abdullahi, one of the elders of the region.

The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), a pressure group in the region has demanded for the arrest of Professor Abdullahi, spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), for supporting the notice.

The group also demanded the arrest of the members of the coalition that put the country in its current state through the notice to the Igbos.

Watch this video as Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo speak on Biafra:

Is Biafra truly achievable? Watch this video:

Source: Legit.ng
- A video recently surfaced of a major robbery at a Zenith Bank branch in Owerri, Imo state leading to the death of one robber

- Out of the three policemen that confronted the robbers, one is currently battling to save his life and needs Nigerians to support

The only policeman who survived the bank robbery that occurred in Imo state and which CCTV shot is currently trending is in dare need of assistance.

It was learnt that mobile police officer, Sergeant Muran Otu Attang, was the only survivor of the three policemen that confronted the robbers when they stormed the bank in a black-coloured car.

READ ALSO: Checkout first Igbo man to move out of Kaduna to Biafra land (photos)

While two of the police officers died, a day after in the hospitals, the survivor is in a terrible situation as he lost his eye in the incident and currently needs a surgery to remove bullets stocked in his skull.

Though he survived the confrontation with the robbers, he is currently battling to save his life

The survivor officer is married with three children and currently leaves in a batcher at Owerri without even a promotion from Nigeria Police Force.

In all, three mobile police officers were involved; while two died a day after in the hospitals, the survivor discharged is in a terribly situation right now and needs the help from good spirited Nigerians.

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He lost one of his eyes, needs surgery to remove bullets stocked in his skull and he equally sustained gun short Injury in the leg, the Ifeanyicy.com stated after a visit to his house on Saturday, June 10

Legit.ng learnt that the police officer currently needs N3 million for surgery.

He is currently pleading that well-meaning Nigerians should send their contributions to his Diamond Bank with name: Muran Otu Attang, and number 0004096569.

Watch this video of an agonising woman who lost her child to cultism:

Source: Legit.ng
- Evans, as he is simply called, was nabbed inside his palatial mansion in Magodo, Lagos state by officers of the Nigeria Police Force

- Described as the most brilliant and riches kidnapper in Nigeria, Evans reportedly engaged the policemen in a gun duel before he was arrested

Nigerias most wanted kidnapper, ticked to be the richest among such alleged criminals has been arrested in Magodo area of Lagos state, western Nigeria.

Evans, as he is simply called, was reportedly arrested inside his palatial mansion in the estate by men of the Nigeria Police Force under the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team led by Assistant Commissioner Abba Kyari.

READ ALSO: Northern youths demand arrest of Ango Abdullahi over quit notice to Igbos

The police described Evans as one of the most brilliant, but notorious high-profile kidnapper in the history of Nigeria.

Evans was allegedly caught in his Magodo mansion

The suspect, who is from Anambra, is reportedly believed to have made several billions of naira leading and coordinating others in his team.

It was learnt that he was arrested after a gun duel with the police.

Kyari said: IRT headquarters in Abuja is celebrating the arrest of the most wanted brilliant and notorious high-profile kidnapper in Nigeria.

He has collected several billions of Naira as ransom in the last seven years as the kingpin of kidnappers.

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He was arrested at about 1:00pm on Saturday in his residence in Magodo Estate, Lagos.

Kyari commended the team of policemen who carried out the operation adding that the suspect would be paraded before journalists on Sunday, June 11.

Watch this video of a protest against kidnapping in Nigeria:

Source: Legit.ng
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
What new trends will emerge in the next several years with the potential for explosive growth in about five years time?

The Churchill Clubs most anticipated events of the year: the 19th Annual Top 10 Tech Trends debate provided some answers.

Speakers:

Mike Abbott, Partner, Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers

Steve Jurvetson, Partner, DFJ

Rebecca Lynn, Co-founder and General Partner, Canvas Ventures

Sarah Tavel, Partner, Benchmark

Hans Tung, Managing Partner, GGV Capital

Masters of Ceremonies:

Quentin Hardy, Head of Editorial, Google Cloud

Mike Perlis, CEO, Forbes Media

Looking ahead to 2022, Jurvetson now envisions a world that extends intelligence to the edge of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the day when voice becomes the dominant user interface enabling, continuous persistent communications. The majority of fellow panelists preferred to focus their big bets on biotech developments, specifically on advancements in DNA and human microbiome applications.

Jurvetson predicted voice will move from the interactive voice response being championed today by Amazon Alexa and Google Home to become the user interface for all devices in our everyday lives. New chips the size of shirt buttons that use little power will be layered on to all sorts of devices for as little as 40 cents to provide always on, ambient listening things to respond to your voice and do what you want them to do, he said.

Battery-powered voice devices wont need Internet connectivity, he said. But this scenario requires improvements in deep learning, where he sees a lot of research that will bear fruit within the next two to five years. Fellow panelists tended to agree, only challenging the timing and whether voice would be on the only interface.

Jurvetson referred to his prediction on embedded inference engines as tiny brains in everything from appliances to cars, drones, robots and more. With 30 billion connected devices forecast in the next three years and trillions of devices to be connected to the Internet thereafter, Jurvetson said, if we dont go to this model the Internet would collapse under the weight of IoT traffic.

Pushing intelligence to the edge also means, data will stay local, and it will provide better privacy, latency, security, lower cost, better bandwidth and utilization, he said.

All of this will be made possible by inexpensive neural networks running on a variety of sensors and other devices. Jurvetsons perspective comes from chip investments made in companies such as Nervana and Movidius (bought by Intel) and his current investment in Mythic, which is designing an analog chip geared to dramatically lower costs and power consumption.

Nervana has hardware optimized for deep learning. The Lake Crest chip (coming in 2017) is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is custom-designed and optimized for deep learning. Lake Crest includes everything you need for deep learning and nothing you dont, resulting in a 10x increase in training speed and ensuring that Nervana Cloud will remain the worlds fastest deep learning platform for the foreseeable future. Training deep learning networks involves moving a lot of data, and current memory technologies are simply not up to the task. The Nervana Engine uses a new memory technology called High Bandwidth Memory that is both high-capacity and high-speed, providing 32 GB of on-chip storage and a blazingly fast 8 Tera-bits per second of memory access speed.

Data will be coming from many hyper-efficient sensors. DARPA is achieving a breakthrough in reducing power consumption in IOT sensors that could reduce power requirements by 1000 in passive sensors and 20 times in active sensors.

Jurvetson agreed creating good models would be the biggest challenge, except for data rich companies like Google and Apple. Sarah Tavel of Benchmark also questioned the use cases and if the overhead required for what would typically be relatively low-powered devices would create enough value for effort.

Among other popular predictions from the panel:

* Mike Abbott saw a rise of DNA applications due to low cost sequencing.

* Hans Tung of GGV Capital said food production will be revolutionized globally.

* Rebecca Lynn of Canvas Ventures said microbiome engineering will help prevent a future plague.

* Sarah Tavel forecast a billion-dollar business will be built on understanding our microbiome.
Saturday, June 10, 2017

Photo courtesy of the New York Post/Facebook

A sign of the times. USA Today reports that Federal immigration authorities took a 19-year-old high school student into custody hours before his senior prom.

Diego Ismael Puma Macancela, a citizen of Ecuador, was arrested at his cousin's Ossining, New York home earlier this week. He is being held at a federal detention center pending deportation. The arrest comes in wake of a deportation order entered last November.

His cousin, Gaby Macancela, said a frightened Puma Macancela came to her apartment Wednesday night after his mother's arrest. The following morning, she said they cowered in fear in one of the bedrooms when they heard agents banging on the door of her apartment.

KJ

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2017/06/prom-night-2017-ice-agents-arrest-high-schooler-hours-before-prom.html
On Nov. 1, Linn Benton Food Shares warehouse in Tangent received two truckloads of food and household supplies arranged by the local branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
WASHINGTON  Lost in the showdown between President Trump and James B. Comey that played out this past week was a chilling threat to the United States. Mr. Comey, the former director of the F.B.I., testified that the Russians had not only intervened in last years election, but would try to do it again.

Its not a Republican thing or Democratic thing  it really is an American thing, Mr. Comey told the Senate Intelligence Committee. Theyre going to come for whatever party they choose to try and work on behalf of. And theyre not devoted to either, in my experience. Theyre just about their own advantage. And they will be back.

What started out as a counterintelligence investigation to guard the United States against a hostile foreign power has morphed into a political scandal about what Mr. Trump did, what he said and what he meant by it. Lawmakers have focused mainly on the gripping conflict between the president and the F.B.I. director he fired with cascading requests for documents, recordings and hearings.

But from the headquarters of the National Security Agency to state capitals that have discovered that the Russians were inside their voter-registration systems, the worry is that attention will be diverted from figuring out how Russia disrupted American democracy last year and how to prevent it from happening again. Russian hackers did not just breach Democratic email accounts; according to Mr. Comey, they orchestrated a massive effort targeting hundreds of  and possibly more than 1,000  American government and private organizations since 2015.
Next year, about 35,000 people buying insurance in Affordable Care Act marketplaces in 45 counties could have no carriers to choose from. This would be the first time that has happened since the marketplaces were opened in 2014.

The estimate is based on a New York Times analysis that also found that about 3 million people in 1,388 counties could have just one insurer available to them.

45 counties with no insurer 1,388 counties with one insurer WASH. WIS. MICH. WYO. PA. IOWA NEB. NEV. DEL. ILL. UTAH OHIO W.VA. COLO. VA. KAN. MO. KY. N.C. TENN. OKLA. ARIZ. S.C. GA. ALA. MISS. TEX. FLA. ALASKA WASH. WIS. MICH. WYO. PA. IOWA NEB. NEV. DEL. ILL. UTAH OHIO W.VA. COLO. VA. KAN. MO. KY. N.C. TENN. OKLA. ARIZ. S.C. GA. ALA. MISS. TEX. FLA. ALASKA WASH. OHIO MO. WASH. WIS. MICH. WYO. IOWA PA. NEV. NEB. DEL. ILL. OHIO UTAH W.VA. COLO. KAN. VA. KY. MO. N.C. TENN. ARIZ. OKLA. S.C. ALA. GA. MISS. TEX. ALASKA FLA. Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation; New York Times compilation of company announcements. | Note: The map does not include plans offered outside the Obamacare marketplaces. Most Americans get coverage through work or the government.

About 45 percent of counties are expected to have one or no insurer in the marketplaces  where about 12 million people buy their own coverage  unless another carrier steps in.

The analysis started with data from the Kaiser Family Foundation showing which companies currently offer plans in each county and combined that with announcements from insurance companies saying which counties they plan to exit or enter next year.

Some insurance companies are still deciding what they will do in 2018, and others may reverse course, so these numbers could go up or down. But they provide an early look at the direction in which the markets are heading.

Most people who buy insurance in the Obamacare marketplaces receive federal subsidies to offset the cost of premiums. In places without any insurers, customers may not have affordable options.

Typically, markets with fewer insurers have also seen larger increases in prices, according to research by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute.

People whose marketplace has only one insurer may also have fewer plans to choose from, according to Cynthia Cox, an executive at the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Many of these places are in rural areas with few customers, who are costly to cover. Urban or more populated areas tend to offer more choices.

In February, Humana became the first major insurer to pull out of the marketplaces entirely, prompting President Trump to again declare that Obamacare continues to fail.

Three months after the Humana announcement, Blue Cross Blue Shield announced that it would step in to fill a void in the Knoxville, Tenn., market. Otherwise, 16 counties in the state would have had no insurance options because Humana is currently the only insurer there.

One insurer Where Humana has pulled out Nashville Knoxville TENN. Memphis Nashville Knoxville TENN. Memphis

This week, Anthem, one of the nations largest insurers, announced that it would pull out of the Ohio marketplace in 2018, potentially leaving more than 10,000 people with no option in at least 18 counties.

Ohio counties at risk of having

no Obamacare insurer in 2018

Cleveland Columbus OHIO Cincinnati

Anthem, the only carrier in more than 275 counties outside Ohio, has not committed to offering plans in other states.

Counties covered by Anthem in 2017

299 counties covered only by Anthem 610 counties with at least one other insurer ME. WIS. N.H. NEV. N.Y. CONN. IND. OHIO COLO. MO. VA. CALIF. KY. GA. NEV. OHIO COLO. MO. VA. KY. GA. ME. N.H. WIS. NEV. N.Y. CONN. OHIO IND. COLO. VA. MO. KY. CALIF. GA.

If Anthem exited the marketplaces nationally, it would leave nearly 300,000 people at risk of having no marketplace insurer in 2018, Ms. Cox said.

How the Landscape Has Changed

Obamacare marketplaces are already thin in many parts of the country. About a third of counties nationwide have only one insurer, according to data released by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Counties with one or no insurer

2016 2017 2018 2014 2015 16% of counties 6% 7% 33% 45% 2016 2017 2018 2014 2015 PCT. OF COUNTIES: 16 PCT. OF COUNTIES: 6 PCT. OF COUNTIES: 7 PCT. OF COUNTIES: 33 PCT. OF COUNTIES: 45 2016 2014 2015 16% of counties 6% 7% 2017 2018 33% 45% 2016 2014 2015 16% of counties 6% 7% 2017 2018 33% 45%

The number of counties with just one insurer has more than doubled since 2014, while the number with three or more has declined substantially.

Counties with one or no insurer Three or more insurers 2014 515 1,570 2015 175 2,121 2016 225 1,993 2017 1,036 949 2018 1,433 813 No insurer Counties with one or no insurer Three or more insurers 2014 515 1,570 2015 175 2,121 2016 225 1,993 2017 1,036 949 2018 1,433 813 No insurer Source: Kaiser Family Foundation (2014-17 data);

company announcements (2018 data)

Most Americans get health insurance from a job or government program, but about 22 million people buy individual policies under Obamacare. More than half of them use Obamacare marketplaces, where most of them get a federal tax credit to help pay for coverage.

The rest buy directly from an insurer or broker, outside the Obamacare marketplaces. A recent Times analysis showed that many insurers are now choosing to sell exclusively outside the marketplaces, where their customers are not eligible for federal subsidies.
Of the many performances possible to embed here, I chose this one because of the Video Excellence of the Pianist, the Orchestra, and the Conductor.

With Napoleon's army besieging Vienna, the Austrian Imperial family and all of the court, including Beethoven's pupil, friend, and benefactor, Archduke Rudolph, fled the city. On May 11 the French artillery, which commanded the heights of the surrounding countryside and had penetrated outlying portions of the city proper, was activated.

Beethoven's house stood near the line of fire. Those who could not leave sought shelter underground. Beethoven found a haven in the cellar of his brother's house. Imagine the composer crouching there, with how many other frightened souls, trying to shield his already irreparably damaged ears from the din of volley after volley.

Once the bombardment had ceased and the Austrian forces had surrendered, the occupiers imposed a "residence tax" on the Viennese. The composer, on whom a sufficiently heavy financial burden had been placed by the departure of those who would guarantee his income, described "a city filled with nothing but drums, cannon, marching men, and misery of all sorts."

-Herbert Glass, music critic par excellence, connected to the Orange County Performing Arts Center

Ludwig van Beethoven was baptized in Bonn, Germany, on December 17, 1770, and died in Vienna, Austria, on March 26, 1827 at what would now be considered the very young age of 56.

The Piano Concerto No. 5 in E - major , Op. 73, by Ludwig van Beethoven, is generally referred to as the Emperor Concerto. This was to be his last piano concerto , composed in Vienna between 1809 and 1811; II was dedicated to Archduke Rudolf , Beethoven's friend, patron and pupil. The first performance was on 13 January 1811 at the Palace of Prince Joseph Lobkowitz in Vienna, with Archduke Rudolf as the soloist, followed by a public concert on 28 November 1811 in Leipzig, and the soloist was Schneider. On 12 February 1812, Carl Czerny , another one of Beethoven's students, performed the Viennese premier of this concerto. The name of Emperor for this concerto was not Beethoven's own but was coined by Johann Baptist Cramer , the English publisher of the concerto, who Beethoven regarded as the greatest pianist of that time.

In notes from the Aspen Music Festival on this Concerto:

The Imperial family, including especially the emperor's youngest brother, the Archduke Rudolph, who had already become Beethoven's sole composition student and one of his strongest supporters and closest intimates, fled the city.

One of the compositions of this period, directly expressing Beethoven's feelings for his cultivated patron, the Archduke, was the piano sonata later published as Opus 81a, with the separate movements entitled "Farewell, absence, and return." He composed the Harp Quartet for strings, Opus 74, and completed the grandiose piano concerto published as Opus 73. All three of these works are in the key that possessed Beethoven at the time, E flat major, the same "heroic" key of his earlier Third Symphony.

According to the Encyclopedia Brittanica: "Whatever the origins of the concerto's nickname, it is unlikely to have pleased Beethoven himself, who reconsidered the dedication of his third symphony--initially to have been dedicated to Napoleon--after Bonaparte assumed the title of emperor in 1804."

There is no adjective that could better invoke the work's impressive scale and majesty. Despite its considerable technical demands, the "Emperor" Concerto transcends the typical role of the concerto as only a vehicle for a virtuoso to show off his talents. It is symphonic in conception; its E flat major key, the same as that of the "Eroica" Symphony), its expansive form, and sometimes martial, always grand, character warrant the concerto's accolade among the most important of Beethoven's heroic works.

The Concerto No. 5 is Beethoven's final essay in the concerto genre. Perhaps he lost interest in concertante works because of his advancing deafness, which ended his own career as a pianist. He himself never publicly performed the Concerto No. 5, though he had written his four previous piano concerti for his own use on the concert stage.

Note from the Aspen Music Festival:

In the Piano Concerto No. 4, Beethoven started the concerto with a piano solo. In the opening Allegro of No. 5, he takes this idea to an extreme, providing the soloist with an extended cadenza, punctuated by chords from the orchestra, that outlines in miniature the entire 20-minute movement. The main theme is an assertive march; the more relaxed second theme appears cloaked in mystery, in a minor-key version that soon gives way to the expected statement in the dominant major. The grandeur of the movement is colored by excursions to remote keys.

The lyrical and idyllic second movement, Adagio un poco moto, is one of Beethoven's most tender statements. The piano predominates here, not as a virtuoso, but in a manner and texture that is reminiscent of Chopin's nocturnes.

The Rondo is a movement of jubilant affirmation, shown by the upward moving dance-like main theme. Though the ambitious conceptions of the Concerto remain at the forefront in the Rondo, Beethoven does not shy away from providing the soloist with passages of exceptional brilliance.

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NOTE TO READERS: In this two-part series, "Fighting the McResistance--for Climate's Sake," I make the most compelling argument that Democrats' shallow, astroturf "McResistance" to Trump must be overthrown by a grassroots, anti-duopoly, Occupy-style movement. Namely, that the likely alternative is climate Armageddon. This article is Part 1. Part 2 will be titled "Climate Judases: The Three Ways Democrats Betray Climate."



Good Cop Bad Cop (Beware: The Good Cop could be Judas.)

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Trump's Extremist Regime: Grave Crisis--and Golden Opportunity

In a recent, widely read article, I argued that any meaningful resistance to Donald Trump must take the form of a new, anti-duopoly, Occupy-style movement. Given the gargantuan opportunity we now share--and the virtually certain catastrophe we'll face if we blow that opportunity--the case that article makes needs to reach as wide an activist audience as possible. By an activist audience, I mean precisely the sort of progressive opinion leaders and political organizers who can form coalitions and bring an Occupy-style "movement of movements" into existence.

Without such a movement, we'll simply we see the triumph of Democrats' utterly shallow, astroturf McResistance--a triumph that, unbeknownst to most (deliberately misinformed) U.S. citizens, could ultimately plunge humanity back into a new Stone Age. Provided, of course, humanity is lucky enough to survive climate Armageddon at all. For too long (as I'll argue in this article), Democrats have gotten away with playing Good Cop to Republicans' increasingly nasty Bad Cop--to the extent voters have grown impatient with playing Democrats' patsy and the Good Cop's cover is almost blown. We must now fight the McResistance by totally blowing the Good Cop's cover--exposing him as Judas-- because allowing Democrats to pose as "Good Cop" on climate poses risks that are simply intolerable.

Democrats' "Climate Denial Lite" may look good to voters compared to Republicans' criminally insane climate-change denial--especially since it's reassuring and utterly painless in terms of lifestyle changes. But, as my next article will argue, it has itself been insanely inadequate when measured by the yardstick of actual climate science, and can only become more so after the ravages worked on climate by Trump administration barbarity. On the climate issue, where Democrats' temptation to play Good Cop to Republican's Bad Cop is obviously greatest, the Judas-like treachery implicit in the very role of Good Cop is at its most incalculably dangerous. As in flirting with Armageddon.

McResistance as Deliberate Misdiagnosis--of Political Cancer

As Chris Hedges rightly and compellingly argues, Trump is not our political disease but merely a symptom of it. Of what disease, precisely? In Hedges' own words, of "neoliberal, corporate forces that have destroyed our democracy" and that "will continue to vomit up more monstrosities as dangerous as Donald Trump."

But if Donald Trump, dangerous as he is, is merely a symptom, he offers the advantage of being a glaring one--rather like the unsightly, undeniable tumor that forces a reluctant patient to go seek a diagnosis of cancer. Being as afflicted with the cancer of "neoliberal, corporate forces that have destroyed our democracy" as much as Trump Republicans, Democrats' McResistance is essentially the reaction of a patient in denial about his own cancer, insistent on persuading everyone in sight that once the unsightly tumor (Trump and his party) is removed, everything will be hunky-dory. Of course, the ever-increasing number of us aware of the metastasizing cancer--corruption of both major parties by "neoliberal, corporate forces"--know it will not. Accurate diagnosis is essential to cure, and the McResistance is an exercise in deliberate misdiagnosis.

A Systemic Diagnosis: The Duopoly Cancer on Our Body Politic

Of course, every analogy or comparison is limited, and the one treating the Democratic Party as a patient in denial about his own cancer is no exception. For example, Democrats' denial of their party's metastasizing cancer, while certainly harmful to the "patient" himself (consider the 14 million+ people who've left the party since the last election), does grievous damage to people outside the party--even to independents, third-party supporters, or nonvoters who want nothing to do with Democrats. In what's unfortunately a two-party system (a duopoly), both major parties are now more comparable to cancerous body organs--to cancers on the "body politic"--than they are to a cancerous human individual in denial. The metastasizing cancer in both parties is a lethal threat to the body politic itself, at least if a healthy body politic involves people's democratic control over major decisions that affect their lives. And above all, their collective ability to deal with major emergencies like climate change.

If we think of the Democratic Party as a cancerous individual in denial at all, it's only to emphasize the party's deliberate misdiagnosis of our body politic's ills. It's as if a cancerous body organ had that the ability to deceive the brain--and hence the body's own defenses--via propaganda into embracing the cancer that will spell the entire body's own death. Outside the Democratic Party's propaganda effort to deny its own lethal cancer (the propaganda effort we're scorning as the "McResistance"), the proper diagnosis of cancerous duopoly politics is a systems approach where we focus on the unique deadly role each party plays in destroying our body politic--and our ability to address our climate emergency along with it. While those roles are certainly different, they're also mutually reinforcing.

Following the deeply insightful analysis by Max Mastellone cited above, the mutually reinforcing role of Democrats and Republicans in destroying our body politic is best viewed as a "Good Cop, Bad Cop" relationship. The next section will argue that Mastellone's brilliant model reinforces my view of Democrats as the party of betrayal--"the party of Judas"--the exact terms in which a grassroots anti-duopoly resistance movement should fight Democrats' astroturf McResistance.

"Good Cop, Bad Cop"--and Democrats as the Party of Judas

Not wishing to waste space summarizing, I strongly urge my audience to read for themselves the Max Mastellone article just cited, one of the most empowering political analyses in recent memory. What sets its apart--what makes it so empowering--is that Mastellone cites U.S. citizens' willingness to take our corrupt Democratic Party at its own "Good Cop" word as the predominant source of their own learned helplessness. Yes, a gazillion times yes!: Mastellone has this nailed. The McResistance is yet another Democratic Party attempt--utterly pathetic except for the prospect of its being effective--of that betraying party trying, like the proverbial Good Cop, to convince us it is our friend. Our only real hope of empowerment and resistance lies in proactively asserting--as in The Who's classic rock anthem--that we "Won't Get Fooled Again." Our proactive assertion must take the form of a large grassroots anti-duopoly movement intent on crushing the "Good Cop" propaganda of the McResistance .

Any fan of TV cop shows knows the key to understanding the "Good Cop, Bad Cop" game likes in realizing both cops, good and bad, work for the same police employers; they both, like the police they work for, do not have the best interest of the suspect they're interrogating at heart. In the case of the Bad Cop, that's obvious, which makes the Bad Cop an effective symbol for today's heartless Republican Party. But the role of the Good Cop lies in concealing whom she works for; it consists of gaining the suspect's trusts by appearing, as much as possible, to be the subject's friend. Sometimes this may consist in offering juicy deals; sometimes it consists in emphasizing how seriously bad the Bad Cop is, offering oneself as the only shelter from the Bad Cop's wrath.

It's especially telling how today's "Good Cop" Democrats, increasingly unable to fake sincerity in offering their poor, working class, and progressive base "juicy deals," have resorted almost exclusively to emphasizing the dangerous badness of "Bad Cop" Republicans. This approach marked Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign against Donald Trump, and has continued to mark establishment Democrats' McResistance. Having lost their ability even to fake being friends to progressives, the working class, and the poor, Democrats' "Good Cop" role has been reduced almost exclusively to unsmiling extortion of votes (as the only alternative to the atrocious bad cop)--hardly a recipe for gaining voters' liking or trust. Which, in last year's election, proved a major problem for Hillary Clinton and down-ticket Democrats.

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At a historic hearing, the former FBI chief casts the president as a liar who engaged in improper conduct.

Here is the bombshell: a former FBI director has said publicly and under oath that the current president of the United States cannot be trusted.

This is unprecedented and highly troubling. Though James Comey, whom President Donald Trump fired in May, had the day before disclosed his prepared testimony chronicling his disturbing interactions with Trump, his dramatic and much-anticipated appearance Thursday morning before the Senate intelligence committee reinforced and expanded the damning indictment Comey presented in his statement. He noted that he believed that Trump had privately directed him to drop the investigation of former national security adviser Michael Flynn that was part of the FBI's ongoing Russia probe. He also testified that he saw Trump's statements to him about the Russia investigation as an order to quash the probe. And he accused the president and the White House of lying.

In his prepared testimony, Comey recounted in just-the-facts manner a series of private communications with Trump, during which the president asked Comey to pledge him loyalty, to go easy on Flynn, to "lift the cloud" created by the Russia investigation, and to publicly state that Trump was not personally under investigation. Before the intelligence committee, which is mounting its own probe of the Trump-Russia scandal, Comey detailed how these discussions worried him and other senior FBI officials.

Republicans on the committee tried to protect Trump by highlighting how Trump had asked Comey to help Flynn, noting the president had said, "I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go." Expressing hope, they noted, is not a command. Yet Comey swatted that away, saying he was shocked by the request and interpreted Trump's statement as an instruction. "I took it as a direction," Comey testified, adding, "I didn't obey." This was solid testimony that the president was trying to block an FBI investigation of a close associate. Whether or not that qualifies as obstruction of justice -- Comey told the senators that special counsel Robert Mueller will be reviewing this question -- it is a serious charge. Moreover, Comey's account directly contradicts Trump's assertion that he did not ask Comey to let Flynn off the hook. Unless Comey is making up this tale, Trump has been caught in a bold lie.

Go to Mother Jones for the rest of this article.
From To The Point Analyses



Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, UK

(Image by Chatham House, London) Details DMCA



Part I -- Speaking the Truth

On 26 May 2017 Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of British Labour Party, made a speech which dealt in large part with security and foreign policy. Much of his presentation was surprisingly accurate. Here is what he said:

-- There is a cause and effect relationship "between wars our governments supported and fought in other countries and terrorism here at home." For instance, the 22 May 2017 Manchester bombing, which killed 22 people, may well be connected to the United Kingdom's involvement in the overthrow of the Libyan government of Muammar Gaddafi and the subsequent civil wars.

--This cause and effect relationship is not a matter of speculation. "Many experts, including professionals in our intelligence and security services, have pointed to these connections."

-- Past governments have not been willing to address these connections, and now the people of the UK are confronted with a "war on terror that is simply not working."

-- "We need a smarter way to reduce the threat from countries that nurture terrorists and generate terrorism." Therefore, Corbyn promised that, if he were to become the leader of the British government, he would "change what we do abroad."

Corbyn's speech is unusual because political leaders rarely point out that policies supported by major special interest groups (such as the Zionists, Saudis and the arms industry) are really catastrophic errors. More rarely still do they say so in public. In the case of terrorist attacks, almost every Western leader has blamed "radical Islam" (leaving out, of course, any reference to Saudi Wahhabism). The public at large has gone along with this view because it echoes the media message that constitutes the source of their knowledge on most non-local subjects. The media outlets have never told them that the murderous foreign policies of their own governments contributed to terrorism coming to their shores. And now, along comes Jeremy Corbyn's message that British policies abroad have something to do with British tragedies at home.

Part II -- The Reaction

Such a fundamental challenge to policy can be traumatic, so Corbyn's political foes have responded with indignation. For instance, Ben Wallace, Minister of State for security in the present Conservative government, labeled Corbyn's remarks as "crass and appallingly timed." The word "crass" means rude or vulgar and it is hard to see how stating a truism in acceptable English qualifies as crass. Just so, why characterize Corbyn's timing, coming shortly after the Manchester terror attack, as "appalling"? Should the Labour Party leader have waited for a lull in such attacks so that his point would be missed by the British public? Wallace also indulged in wrongheaded denial. He charged Corbyn with being ahistorical in his assessment of terrorist enemies. He stated that "these people [the terrorists] hate our values, not our foreign policy."

It is depressing that conservatives throughout the Western world have learned so little -- if anything at all -- since 2001. That is the year George W. Bush delivered the grotesquely misleading line that Ben Wallace now echoes. Right after 9/11 Bush proclaimed the terrorists do what they do (at least in the West) because "they hate our freedoms." Anyone who is familiar with the attitudes of Middle East militants, religious or secular, knows that the vast majority do not care what sort of values and freedoms we practice in our own countries. However, they do care about the damaging foreign policies we impose upon their countries.

Tim Farron, the British Liberal Democratic leader, also went after Corbyn for using the moment of the Manchester terrorist attack to make "a political point." Apparently, though, it's a point that Farron has missed. What is important about Corbyn's statement is that it properly contextualizes not only the Manchester attack but most of all other terrorist attacks in the West. Corbyn's message is an accurate historical analysis that has political implications.

Part III -- To What Avail the Truth?

Politicians obviously have self-interested reasons for denying that they have misinterpreted, miscalculated, and then persisted in bad policies that have resulted in death and destruction for their own countrymen as well as others. No doubt a sort of special interest-induced myopia allows some of them to believe that if they only stick to their strategy they will prevail.

This is certainly the case with the American president Donald Trump. After the latest terror attack in London he let loose a Twitter broadside telling the world "we must stop being politically correct and get down to the business of security for our people." This lined up nicely with Prime Minister Theresa May's public comment that the British government has been "too tolerant" toward terrorists. These words have little real meaning. They are more likely code words for continued Western violence in the Middle East, which Mr. Corbyn correctly identifies as the reason there are terrorist attacks in our part of the world in the first place.

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From Counterpunch

President Donald Trump has failed to reassure members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) that the United States was fully committed to the alliance. When pressed about the importance of Article 5 of the NATO charter -- which obliges members to ensure collective defense -- Trump dithered. No clarity was possible. He wants NATO members to increase military spending. It is something the U.S. needs little prodding to do by itself.

Trump wants the U.S. to spend over $700 billion on its military, which is astronomically higher than any of the other NATO states. The U.S. expenditure is two-thirds of the total the 28 NATO states spent on their militaries. The U.S. spends 3.6 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on the military, almost twice the 2 percent standard asked of NATO states. The U.S., by itself, is effectively the military arm of the NATO.

NATO's Article 5 has been triggered only once -- after the attacks on September 11, 2001, to ensure NATO support in Afghanistan. NATO has been involved in several wars, from Yugoslavia to Libya, but this was without the invocation of Article 5. More than anything, Trump's reticence to endorse Article 5 says a great deal about the U.S.' frustration with its allies. Notions of U.S. supremacy endure among the U.S. foreign policy elite. Fingers on the trigger, they prod states such as North Korea and Iran, which they had designated 20 years ago as "rogue states." American warships continue to threaten the coastlines of these countries, sitting provocatively in the narrow Sea of Hormuz (near Iran) and in the Sea of Japan (near North Korea).

Europeans are not entirely given to the more belligerent aspects of U.S. policy, although they do not argue against the theory that these states need to be contained. It is Europe's reliance on U.S. power that makes it grouse about Trump's refusal to fully endorse Article 5. The gap between Europe's view of the world and that of America is largely irrelevant. At the end of the day, Europeans line up quite evenly behind U.S. policy.

European silence

On May 25, the U.S. Defense Department acknowledged that in March one of its aircraft had dropped a bomb on the al-Jadidah neighborhood in Mosul (Iraq), killing 105 civilians. The target was two Islamic State (I.S.) snipers. The massive GBU-38 500-pound bomb pulverized two buildings, killing civilians who had sought shelter there. There was little evidence on the ground that this was an I.S. weapons storage area, as claimed by the Defense Department. A few days later, in al-Mayadeen in Syria, an aerial attack killed 106 civilians, including 42 children.

During his election campaign last year, Trump said that he would "bomb the sh*t" out of the I.S. He has given his generals "total authorization" to act, which has translated into a 50 percent increase in bombings in 2017 from previous years. This amounts to close to 15,000 bombs in the first four months of the year. While the I.S. has lost territory as a result of this bombardment, the civilian toll has also risen dramatically.

The European Union's (E.U.) foreign affairs chief, Federica Mogherini, is otherwise quick to denounce human rights violations, such as those committed by the government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. No such swiftness is detected when evidence is plainly available about civilian casualties from American bombs. This silence is partly because several European countries have also been implicated in the killing of civilians in Syria. An investigation by Airwars, which tracks civilian casualties in West Asia caused by air strikes, said at least 80 people were killed in bombing raids conducted by Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

The British have been adamant that they have killed no civilians in the 1,300 raids that they have conducted. Airwars asked the British Ministry of Defense about 120 incidents in 2016 where civilians were likely injured or killed. British officials said that "we cannot make any definitive assessment of possible U.K. presence from the evidence." This is a guarded and bureaucratic way of saying that the U.K. refuses to make any direct statement about civilians killed by its raids.

Interestingly, it is the U.S. that has sought to highlight the civilian casualties that resulted from the bombings by its European coalition partners. A U.S. military official said he was frustrated by the sanctimoniousness of the Europeans. "They blame us for everything, when they are also part of our war efforts," he said. If the Europeans could be properly implicated in the riot of civilian casualties in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. military feels that it would be under less pressure to answer for its own damaging record.

It is true that the Europeans are generally smug about issues of human rights. A British investigation is ongoing into alleged abuses by 120 Royal Military Police between 2005 and 2013. The outcome of the investigation will likely be as muddy as that of the investigation against SAS soldiers who were accused of war crimes in Afghanistan. Last year, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, set aside an accusation that Dutch troops had committed war crimes in Srebrenica in Bosnia & Herzegovina in 1995 by forcing civilians out of the safety of the United Nations compound. This is part of a pattern of protection for European soldiers, a way to protect the idea that Europe is incapable of human rights violations.

Coverage of Trump's visit to the G7 summit could not help but focus on his own antics. Trump shoved aside Dusko Markovic, the Prime Minister of Montenegro, to get to the front of a photograph. He preened and poked, grabbed hands and shook them with ferocity, walked around like he owned Europe, and bragged about business deals in Scotland and his friendship with celebrities. Trump was like the ugly American, the figure of scorn for Mark Twain and a reference to the boorish American traveler "who talked very loudly and coarsely and laughed boisterously where all others were so quiet and well-behaved." It was easy to mock all this but harder to cover the underlying issues, notably Europe's well-heeled subservience to U.S. policy and its own ghastly record in the War on Terror.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel went on a campaign tour after the G7 summit. "The times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over," she said. "Europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands." Even if this was said with the full weight of an election campaign behind it, and should therefore be taken with a pinch of salt, it indicates Germany's frustration with Trump's consistent prodding about trade unfairness and the U.S. military expenditure that enables NATO to function as a global power. It is unlikely that Europe will be able to take action to create an independent military force, which is precisely what the U.S. did not want in 1949 when NATO was created. There is simply no combined will in Europe, already rattled by Brexit, to produce a European military. There is even less determination in Europe to actually alienate itself from the U.S. NATO will remain intact and the U.S. will continue to play a major role in pushing up against Russia in the east.

European leaders seemed to smirk when Trump suggested that NATO should concentrate on "terrorism and immigration," the connection between the two going against the ethos of European liberalism. But in practice, the European states have made precisely this linkage. It suggests that beneath the European claim to being the planet's champion of human rights lies a singularly ugly truth -- that Trump is the id to Europe's superego, the instinct that drives policy rather than the morality that screens the reality.
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Yellowstone County District Court Judge Russell Fagg threw the book at a man with a 33-year history of harassing women, sentencing him Friday morning to at least 15 years in prison.

Leslie Dean Ernst, 57, pleaded guilty to five felony counts of privacy in communications. He was initially charged in 2013 with sexual intercourse without consent, stalking and privacy in communications. He was most recently arrested in May for continuing to contact a woman who had previously accused him of stalking and raping her.

Fagg described Ernst's behavior as a Jekyll and Hyde situation, with the good deeds in Ernst life inextricable from his "predator" actions.

"I acknowledge that you have helped people ... on the other hand, and there's no other way to say it, you've got this propensity to terrorize women," he said. "It's my job, unfortunately, to sentence you in the Dr. Hyde portion of that."

Ernst made fake profiles on social media and chat services to attempt to contact women and made harassing phone calls for several years, including to women he was accused of raping when they were minors as long as 13 years ago.

Ernst's public defender, Penelope Strong, immediately objected to the sentence on grounds that it violated the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which bars cruel and unusual punishments. The sentence, which calls for 25 years in prison with no possibility of parole for 15 years, was the upper limit for Ernst's convictions. Fagg rejected the notion that the sentence was unconstitutional, but did amend a handful of other conditions.

Prosecutors painted Ernst as a manipulator with a long pattern of predatory behavior who needed to be locked up to protect society, while the defense argued that mental health problems underlying his behavior would be best treated outside prison.

Fagg heard from three of Ernst's victims, a psychological expert who examined Ernst, a police detective, Ernst's private counselor and three character witnesses for Ernst.

Testimony from Ernst's victims, including some who accused Ernst of rape, was emotional.

"I just couldn't believe it that after all this time, he was still trying to find me, pursue me, stalk me," one woman said. Ernst had been convicted of privacy in communication for harassing the woman in 1994 and was sentenced to five years in prison. Another victim, who accused Ernst of raping her, said she didn't think prosecutor's recommendations were harsh enough; she would have preferred the death penalty.

Billings Police Detective Denise Baum said that she's investigated Ernst since 1984. She said that police found 16 Yahoo emails, 22 phone numbers, and 17 Facebook accounts, some with multiple profile names, that Ernst used to harass women.

"Mr. Ernst has shown for the last 30 years that he cannot control his behavior," she said.

Robert Page, the psychologist who evaluated Ernst and has served as president of the Montana Sexual Offender Treatment Association, said that Ernst's behaviors stem from a deeply rooted need for external validation that overrides considerations of the impact of his behavior on others. Ernst suffers from chronic depression and anxiety problems, he said. That's resulted in Ernst being effectively addicted to internet use and an inability to control impulses.

Ernst had begun seeing a private counselor on his own, said Lisa Hjelmstad, who was called as a witness by Strong. She evaluated several treatment options for Ernst.

"This is lifelong. I would expect him to be in counseling forever," Hjelmstad said. She did believe that he had the capacity to improve.

"I believe that there was a time when this behavior was discontinued," she said.

Fagg was unswayed by volunteer work that Ernst did, his care for his ailing father, which The Gazette wrote about in 2009, and his assertions that he would develop a plan for support to stop him from harassing women. Instead, he agreed with prosecutor Juli Pierce.

"If he is not incarcerated, I believe that all women are at risk," she said, "because he has not solved his problems."

Page noted concerns that Ernst appeared to believe his victims contributed to his actions because they didn't delete Facebook accounts, though he said such justifications are common among those treated for sex offenses. Both attorneys addressed the topic in their closing statements.

"I think there was a lot of victim blaming going on ... it is not because they didn't shut off their Facebook that they are victims," Pierce said.

"It doesn't excuse the crime, but I think it is something of a mitigating circumstance," Strong said.

Fagg acknowledge that the sentence was harsh, but said Ernst had already shown he couldn't abide by conditions imposed on him after being charged in 2013 not to contact his victims.

"You have continued to abuse that trust," Fagg said. "I know you've tried. I know you have good intentions ... I appreciate the fact that you're a Christian and I absolutely believe that Jesus can forgive you. It's my job to sentence you today."

In Ernst's statement before Fagg handed down his sentence, he turned and addressed those seated in the courtroom; one of his victims watched the sentencing throughout.

"I am deeply and wholeheartedly sorry for doing these things," he said. "This will be the last time I ever speak with you."
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"I will build a great wall..............."

I have written previously of how the Trump campaign was an expansion of the Nixon Southern Strategy of appealing directly to the "forgotten Americans" of racists and bigots. Trump was able, through his mastery of Goebbel's principles of propaganda, to gain power by leveraging Big Lies, which he had studied in the book of Hitler's speeches (New Order):

Mexicans are rapists; refugees from violence are terrorists, the media is the enemy, and he used these lies to create scapegoats for the forgotten Americans to displace their anger onto targets of hatred (principle of propaganda #18).

What Trump did was to take the Southern Strategy by which Nixon had pandered to the resentment and paranoia of the Southern racists and extended it to the entire nation. Out came the KKK, the American Nazi Party, the alt-right, and with them millions of unorganized bigots who found in the Trump movement a base of support. Today, even as Trump has only 37% approval (Hitler had lost his election with only 37% support), the emboldened far right has infiltrated every corner of US society from the White House to the media to the alternative media, with even progressive the "liberal media" firing liberals and hiring Republicans and even progressive websites protesting the alt-right infiltrators against being called out for being racists and pro-racist. Repressive tolerance rules, and intolerance is now normalized.

Even as nearly 2/3 disapprove of Trump, his seizure of power in a coup facilitated by Russia, WikiLeaks, and the media (who gave up hundreds of millions in exposure), has created a ripple effect in which not only government agencies but private media outlets are being filled with once scorned radical right activists, on a mission to destroy liberalism (a key feature of all fascist movements) and to move the country, at all levels, to the far right, where conservativism meets fascism.

And just as Trump followed the Nixon strategy of calling out (using dog whistles of coded racist appeal) the "silent majority," Trump, successfully extended that strategy on a national level, using his mastery of the media (another fascist talent), learned both as a commercial propagandist but then transferred as a political follower of the fascist political propaganda techniques (Big Lie, scapegoating, attack media, reach out to bigots, present faux populist appeal to attract the "lumpen"), And in this way he has created a cultural movement in which the same strategy is being used not only to take over the government but to infiltrate the media and move it to the far right.
From Gush Shalom

IN THE tumult of the last few days, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the "unification" of Jerusalem, one of the articles stated that "even peace-activist Uri Avnery" voted in the Knesset for the unification of the city.

That is true. I have tried to set out the circumstances in my autobiography, "Optimistic." But not everyone has read the book and it has so far appeared only in Hebrew.

Therefore I shall try to explain again that curious vote. Explain, not justify.

ON TUESDAY, June 27, 1967, two weeks after the 6-day war, I did not get up. I had the flu, and Rachel, my wife, had given me a lot of medicines. Suddenly they called me from the Knesset and told me that the chamber had just started a debate on the unification of Jerusalem, which had not appeared on the agenda.

I jumped out of bed and drove like hell from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, some 65 kilometers. Upon arriving I was told that the list of speakers had already been closed. But the Speaker, Kadish Luz, famous for his fairness, added me to the list.

I had just a few minutes to think. My parliamentary assistant, Amnon Zichroni, advised me to vote against, or at least to abstain. There was no time to consult with the leading members of my party, "Haolam Hazeh -- New Force." I made the decision on the spot, and the decision was to vote in favor.

That was mainly an instinctive reaction. It came from the bottom of my soul. After the amazing triumph, which had come after three weeks of gathering anxiety, the huge victory in just six days looked like a miracle. The Jewish population, in all its parts, was in ecstasy. This mood crossed all dividing lines.

East Jerusalem was the center of the mass ecstasy. It was like a Tsunami. Masses flowed to the Western Wall, which had been unapproachable for 19 years. Both the pious and non-believers were intoxicated.

I felt that a political movement, which intends to win the masses for a new outlook, cannot in such a moment stand outside the people. Faced with such a storm, it cannot stay aloof.

I myself was not unaffected by the emotional storm. I loved Jerusalem. Before the partition of the country during the 1948 war, in which Jerusalem was divided, I had often wandered through the alleys of the Arab parts of the town. After that war, I longed for the Old City in an almost physical way. When the Knesset was in session, I often used to reside in the King David hotel that overlooks the Old City, and I remember many nights when I stood at the open window and listened to far-away dogs breaking the silence beyond the wall -- and longing.

But besides the emotion, there was also a logical consideration.

Already in 1949, on the morrow of the war during which Israel was founded, I started to campaign for the "Two State Solution" -- the setting up of an independent State of Palestine side by side with the State of Israel, as two equal states in the framework of a federation.

In 1957, after the Sinai War, I published -- together with Natan Yellin-Mor, the former leader of the Lehi underground (a.k.a. the Stern Group), the writer Boaz Evron and others -- a document called "the Hebrew Manifesto," of which I am proud even today. At the time, East Jerusalem and the West Bank were part of the kingdom of Jordan. Inter alia the document said:

"21. All of Eretz Israel (Palestine) is the homeland of its two nations -- the Hebrew one, which has attained its independence in the framework of the State of Israel, and the Arab-Palestinian one, which has not yet achieved independence. The State of Israel will offer political and material assistance to the liberation movement of the Palestinian nation...which strives to establish a free Palestinian state, which will be a partner of the State of Israel...

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From Creators

Doggonit, Donald Trump missed the opportunity to become a General Patton-style military commander and glorious war hero back in the Vietnam era. He surely would've been the greatest! Ever in history!

But, he says -- alas -- some unspecified foot problem (or something or other) kept him from the privilege of actually getting to go fight in that war. Bad luck, I'm sure. But now that The Donald is the By-God Commander-in-Chief, his inner-warrior has been given a second chance to bloom, and this time he's fully enlisted. In recent weeks, President Trump has escalated a running war of words against Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, bombed the European leaders of NATO with explosive charges that they're unworthy of his support, launched a fierce new barrage of tough rhetoric in his extra-legal offensive to ban all travel to the U.S. by anyone from six Muslim nations, and opened an entirely new battlefront by attacking the mayor of London with one of his Twitter missiles.

In last year's presidential campaign, Trump declared with typical modesty that, "There's nobody bigger or better at the military than I am." Well, I'm certainly no expert on war, but if a president is going to pick a mess of foreign fights, wouldn't it be better, strategically speaking, to pick on actual enemies rather than on America's allies? After all, there might come a time when we need friends to stand with us.

In a twist of historic irony, it looks like Trump and his military team might need those European allies sooner than they figured. Trump's national security chief and the Pentagon are pushing a new strategy for America's long and horribly messy war -- but it depends on our NATO allies sending some of their troops into the fight. Oops, how awkward for the impetuous tweeter-in-chief.

President Trump might have dodged military service in his youth, but he certainly is bellicose, likes to issue commands and is constantly firing off militant tweets at anyone he perceives to be an enemy.

Now he and his White House full of military commanders are pondering the launch of a real shooting war. Actually, he would be attempting to achieve battlefield glory by picking up and extending what at first was Bush's War, then Obama's War. The place is Afghanistan, and the strategy is to shove more American soldiers (none of which will be named Trump) into that brutish, interminable hellhole.

Yes, that mess is still boiling, despite President Obama's 2012 pledge to end U.S. involvement. After 16 years, after more than 2,000 Americans have been killed and 20,000 others maimed, after more than $800 billion has been shoveled into it, 8,400 of our troops are still there, the killing continues and we taxpayers keep pumping billions of dollars into the insanity. For all of that, the Taliban forces we've been trying to defeat are stronger than ever, al-Qaida and the Islamic State have gained strength and the Afghan government we're supporting is corrupt, inept and despised.

Nonetheless, Trump is violating a basic rule of civilian control of the military: Never ask the generals if they need more resources. This president has surrounded himself with generals and surrendered crucial decision-making authority to them. What can a "mini-surge" of 5,000 more soldiers do besides assure more U.S. casualties? We weren't able to win in Afghanistan when 100,000 of our troops were there -- so what do we "win" by this so-called "strategy?"

Republican Reb. Walter Jones of North Carolina has introduced a non-partisan bill to defund Trump's War in Afghanistan. It is co-sponsored by members of both parties. It will be up to Speaker Paul Ryan to bring the bill up for a vote. If Trump can't tell us why his new strategy will work, we should tell him "No!" Call Speaker Ryan and tell him to bring H.R. 1666 up for a vote (202) 225-0600. And call your Representatives and tell them to defund Trumps War in Afghanistan.


Teresa May on snap election All credit goes to paddypower , a friend of mine isn't on facebook so im uploading it here for hi to see.

(Image by YouTube, Channel: Zoe Barrett) Details DMCA



British Prime Minister Teresa May

What exactly happened when the people of Britain went to the polls on Thursday to vote for a new prime minister?

As we know the Brits don't vote directly for the PM, they vote for an MP, member of parliament from their "constituency" to represent them in the House of Commons. Each MP belongs to one or another party-Conservative, Labour, Liberal and others. If one party gets 326 MP's voted in that party's leader becomes the PM.

That didn't happen. The Conservative Party of PM Teresa May got only 318 MP's elected so now there's what's called a "hung parliament" [1] taking place.

In any event, as is protocol May as the sitting PM on Friday went to Buckingham Palace to present Queen Elizabeth what's called the "Queens Speech" to formally ask her to form a new government.

Prior to the formality of meeting with the Queen May reached out to the DUP, Democratic Union Party of Northern Ireland-asking them to join her and with the 10 seats they won would effectively get her over the 326 seat threshold.

However this is where things get complicated.

There was no formal "coalition" between May and the DUP only "discussions" to form a new coalition government.

Significantly on Tuesday, June 13 the new parliament meets for the first time. May as the incumbent PM will ask the MP's to approve the "Queens Speech" and according to the " Cabinet Manual" the incumbent "is expected to resign if it becomes clear that it is unlikely he to be able to command that confidence and there's a clear alternative".

So May could get a no confidence vote by the MP's on Tuesday and Labour's Party Jeremy Corbyn whose party came in with 262 seats, could argue there's an "anti Tory"-Conservative-majority in the House of Commons that has rejected May's "Queen Speech" and ask the MP's to support him as PM.

But May could reject the MP's vote on Tuesday soldier on as PM and go it alone as a minority government "vulnerable to being voted down any time trying to win support of other parties on an ad hoc basis for every vote". Such "minority governments rarely last long".

It gets further complicated but for the moment let's leave it at that to see what happens Tuesday when May presents the "Queens Speech" to the MP's and see if they vote it up or down.

What's also looming are the Brexit talks with the EU set to begin on June 19 which could affect how the MP's vote on Tuesday. Even if they vote for her to continue as PM for the time being she'll still have a precarious hold remaining as PM.

For now everything in Britain is far from a done deal.





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A British construction worker has described how he tried desperately to save the life of Brisbane native Sara Zelenak, whose family this week confirmed she was killed in the London terror attack that left eight dead and dozens more injured.

Gerard Vowls, 47, told The Australian he spotted terrorists Youssef Zaghba, Khuram Butt and Rachid Redouane going after the 21-year-old nanny and picked up a rental bike to throw at them as a distraction.

I wanted to distract them, to stop them, I wanted them to turn attention to me, rather than the blonde girl [Zelenak], he said. She was crying out Help me! Help me!, and I tried so hard, screaming to get them to look at me.

I had no weapon but I saw a bike on the ground and tried to use that. As I went to throw it, one of the attackers turned to me with his machete and started to chase me. I wanted all of them to chase me so they would leave her alone and so I ran

His brave intervention tragically failed and the attacker pursuing him turned his attention back to Zelenak, who had walked out of nearby bar when the terrorists van crashed.

She and friend Pri Goncalves turned south towards Borough Market to investigate the loud noise and unwittingly walked directly into the path of danger.

Goncalves ran back across the bridge once she realised something was very wrong, and thought Zelenak was behind her, but she must have headed in the other direction.

Her mum, Julie Wallace  who flew to London to help find her then-still-missing daughter  confirmed on Facebook that her body had been identified by authorities earlier this week.

Sara Zelenak is confirmed dead they found her body and has DNA tests confirmed thank you for all the overwhelming love and support from everyone, she wrote.

Vowls said he was speaking out so Zelenaks family could take comfort in the knowledge someone tried to save her life.

To Saras family, I just want to say I am so very sorry for their loss. I really tried to help her and get them to chase me. I am ripped apart knowing she died, its destroying me.

Source: The Australian.

Photo: Supplied.
Who sends this invite? Well, we can only speculate.

There's something just infinitely majestic about high altitude

The elevation profile looks pretty staggering in itself

Final Registrations underway after a couple of hours of sleep, for me.

All the participants seemed at ease with the prospect and willing to take on the suffering.

Weather was getting a little unfavourable but that just added to the relentlessness of the mountains around here

17-year-old Ashim Sharma, from Gangtok is a mountain goat, flat pedals, running shoes and yet, one of the fastest XC goats in the country

The stoke keeping us warm

Gloomy and cold

Not a bad sight to wake up to on a Monday Morning.

No uphill riding for me today either please

Full gas on the largest cogs. One by is indeed the future.

See those lines on the mountain in the backdrop, that's where my eyes were.

The final 15kms of the climb, (17,000 - 17,800 feet) was tarmac, add 30kmph headwinds, severe lack of oxygen and you sir, will suffer genuinely

At these heights, gravity feels like it's twice as strong.

And finally, the end of the ordeal, at the Holy Lake.

The dirt here is unreal

But first, let me take a selfie.

Indeed an Epic Climb

Not your everyday Podium.

50 kilometers to go. It's all downhill from here.

Every finisher got a piece of the sweet bling. After the Yak Attack of Nepal (max. elevation 5416m), this is set to be the highest mountain bike endurance race (max elevation 5425m).

The night sky in Lachen

It was 40 degrees Celsius outside in Calcutta, so hot, that my Sram Brakes were acting funny.Sitting in my little air-conditioned cave, I looked to the left and glanced at my bikes resting by my bedside. Right in the moment of my lethargic staring, I was startled by my cell phone ringing. It was a call from a friend up in the Sikkimese mountains who informed me that the North District Administration of Sikkim was interested in having some mountain cyclists go up to one of the highest lakes in the world. The Guru-Dong-Mar Lake and perhaps turn it into an annual race.This place has been on my radar for the past few years since I found out about it, but as the legend says, no matter how hard you try, you will not visit this holy lake unless you are truly invited.Situated at an altitude of 17,800 feet or 5,425 meters, this glacial lake is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. A portion of this lake never freezes up even in the bitter cold when the entire lake is frozen, a section remains unfrozen. Legend has it, that it was blessed by Guru Padmasambhava (a Buddhist Deity) for it to be able to be a source of drinking water.I immediately agreed to attend the race as a director just because I was stoked on putting my tires in the dirt at those oxygen starved altitudes. The highest I personally had been to till now was around 14,000 feet and spent a couple of hours up there, but 14,000 feet is comfortable altitude according to Himalayan lifestyles. So the thought of getting altitude sickness was haunting me right from the start.The Indian army (the only residents at those dizzying heights) recommends a four-day acclimatization period for anyone visiting the dry deserts here. According to my travel itinerary, I was barely going to get a nights sleep. After a 12-hour bus ride and another 14 in a car, I was at Lachen, a small town in North Sikkim located at an altitude of 9022 ft./2750m at 9.30 at night. After a quick dinner and building up the bike, I needed to get at least five hours of sleep before I had to take on a climb till Lachen, 36 kilometers away and 1500 vertical meters above. All the participants in this sufferfest were residents of the Himalayas; everyone seemed at ease with the prospect and willing to take on the suffering. Being on the organizing board means you cannot sleep. It also means you can ride whatever you want, and not ride what you dont.My 1x9 Sram x7 drivetrain setup would have made climbing that long pretty impossible anyway. A 34 tooth up front paired with an 11-34 cassette, there was no way I would have made the climb without a granny ring up front or a dinner plate cassette.I lugged my bike onto my car till the end of stage one and strangely the weather took a turn for the worse.By the time the riders were reaching Lachen, temperatures read 2 degrees Celsius and the rain did not help the situation much either.Accommodation in Lachen was candle powered. Youre right, electricity is a luxury up here and temperatures were to plummet to sub-zero at night.After what I felt was one of the longest nights of my life, I woke up at crack of dawn, layered myself up and walked out to one of the most mesmerizing sights I had seen in a while. All the bitterness from the night before washed away by the sunlight reflecting off snowy peaks all around.Since I was adjudicating the race, I happened to be the first person to be taken up to Gurudongmar, and I was to spend five long hours up there. Tourists are not allowed to stay there for more than an hour given the lack of oxygen and the bitter cold winds of the Tibetan plateau. Nobody can really be outdoors there post 1 pm. The winds get too strong and the only shelter is a temple and a tiny army building. The desert, however, is littered with army bunkers, but civilians would not have easy access I presumed.The winds were so strong even early in the morning that the Red Bull wigwam could not be pitched up. After a couple hours, before the riders who were climbing up all the way on their bikes began appearing, the altitude began to get to me and I decided to fix it by delegating my timekeeping responsibility and going for a ride around the lake.Oxygen-starved and full of stoke, the dirt was unreal. One could see lines on the mountains as far as the eyes could see and I realized how much more time (and travel) I needed. My 120mm hardtail was scampering about on the rocky soil. Not to mention the heavy sound of my heart pounding, trying to breathe in the oxygen deprived air.Out of 22 riders who chose to take on the Epic 17,000 15 of them made it to the finish line within the cutoff time. The Epic 17,000 aims to become an extreme endurance race in the high altitudes of the Himalayas in 2018. Fun Fact: A special permit from the local authority is required for Indian residents to enter North Sikkim and from the National Authority for anyone not holding an Indian Passport. All vehicles must have a permit too.Tenzing Chombay Sherpa, Aseem Sharma and Kiran Subba. Fastest men to make it up the gruelling climb.Once the sufferfest was over, and everyone packed up their bikes into the transport trucks, I stared at the holy lake and I heard it telling me that vast networks of trails lay beyond and that I needed more time (and travel). Another deep breath and I began riding down, 60 kilometers of constant gravity assisted carnage. The roads of North Sikkim are a playground for a 120 mil hardtail. 60 kilometers with perhaps a couple photo stops, and one to change the SD on my ActionCam. It was definitely the most fun Ive had on my bike in quite some time.The tarmac section was a nice warm up for the long descend up ahead. Also gave me the freedom to look around and feel puny as the majestic landscape seems to engulf everything.The valley parallel to this one is a hiking route. Locals say it's not rideable on bikes. Locals are not very aware of what mountain bikes are capable of. A trip through the Yumthang valley is definitely due later this year. Within three and a half hours, I had descended from 17,800 feet to 9,022 feet. I could feel my arms and my legs ache due to the incessant battering; the mud freckles on my bearded face made me grin ear to ear.Medals were awarded, respects were paid, plans were announced and the beer was flowing. I got out of the restaurant to glance a view at the night sky, (I saw Shivam run outside with his camera equipment.)We must have sat there staring at the stars for a couple hours before I realized I had to put my bike back into the box for we were headed down to the plains the next morning. Now that I have dipped my feet in the water, (not literally) I cant wait to explore more of North Sikkim. Perhaps next time, I'll need to take a bigger bike.Special Thanks to // Red Bull India, Hub Outdoor, North District Administration of Sikkim and the Indian Army.
Since 2010, my ringtone has been the introductory chord progression to Phoenix's 2009 hit song "1901."

The track's resilience in my life reflects the prominence the uberly successful record Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix album as a whole gave the already decade-old French band. It was weird and quirky in its references (the song "Lisztomania" is literally referring to a 1975 comedy film exploring the life and scandalous romantic life of nineteenth century Hungarian composer Franz Linszt), but housing a danceable beat and upbeat feeling that kept millions of listeners playing it during the last summer of the first decade of the new millennium. It seemed to incorporate all of the emotions surrounding a good sunny season: lots of fun, lots of love, and lots of odd thoughts relating to the conflict between feeling something and just wanting to have a good time.

The album went gold in the U.S., and earned the band a platinum single for the song that would become my ringtone. It would also earn them a Grammy Award for "Best Alternative Music Album." Quickly, the Frenchmen, who started as a "garage band" based in the lead vocalist Thomas Mars's house in the suburbs of Paris, were making the festival and talk show rounds. They weren't quite a household name, but their songs were likely on the family playlist.

To follow up the success, four years later, Phoenix released a similarly summer-saturated album, Bankrupt!. It was reactionary to their success, staying true to their abilities to create music that, depending on the day, could make you think about something or could just make you get out of your seat and dance. And, with the marriage of Mars to director Sofia Coppola, had one heck of beautifully directed music video for the single, "Chloroform."

Another four years later, they are back with another attempt at having the perfect summer album with Ti Amo, a project they worked on the project in an old Opera house outside of Paris. This might explain its strongly European disco sound which erupted over the course of three years. They experimented and collected the material they liked best to create the new, extremely sunny and romantic album.

The problem is, they've been here before  twice.

In full, the album is just over half an hour. In that time, we get the sounds and sentiments we expect from the quirky band: we fall in love, we feel confused, we dance and sing along except for the sections that sample different languages (hence the title). And in every track, we experiences the numerous shifts and changes over the course of two to four minutes that make Phoenix's work noteworthy in the first place.

The singles from the record give us the world we are accustomed to hearing from the group. "J-Boy" is a tale of romance and science-fiction, wild and wonderful and odd in the way Phoenix is able to carry gracefully and be respected for.

Even more dance-friendly is the title track. It is the kind of song your shoulders automatically start moving to when you feel the rhythm moving through you from the intense beat and repetitive chorus. It's got flavor and it's not lyrically deep or peculiar enough to distract from its fun qualities. However, neither song is necessarily one you are going to have going through your brain over and over again as some of the past work of Phoenix has the ability to do. The infiltration process will stop after a few months, when the song moves out of radio circulation.

In general, this could be said for many of the tracks on the album. While it can be appreciated that the band is trying out new things while still trying to maintain their old sound and style that fans fell for, these songs do not quite meet that expectation. They are too similar to what we've already heard, except we probably won't like them as much as we did the first round.

A couple of songs that likely won't get the attention they deserve are scattered throughout Ti Amo. They don't escape from sounding similar from old material, but they deliver it in an overall more successful manner.

"Tuttifruitti" is playful and sweet, just as it's name suggests. It doesn't try anything wild while remaining true to the upbeat, carefree style of the group. Again, it's nothing in comparison to the old stuff, but it will do. Somewhat deeper and more satisfying is "Lovelife," a real declaration of a loving someone despite flaws and not being able to help yourself. It's arguably where the experimentation of keyboards and electronic sounds work best on this album, because the storytelling has matured here. It is similar enough but different in that we're getting an emotional narrative  something we don't tend to expect from Phoenix.

The concluding track on the record, "Telefono," is, similarly, able to find a good balance of old and new. It mixes in various languages and samples conversations in a unique, experimental way, but by keeping the typical alternative pop sounds of a Phoenix track and including a slightly more grown up narrative with reflection on feelings and relationship (what does it mean to be unable to sleep when your partner is also wide awake?), they've shown they've done the work to find out how to grow and change while remaining true to their original ambitions. If only the entire album felt the same.

In an interview with The New York Times, Phoenix's bass player, Deck D'Arcy said, "The landscape is too wide and we're having too much fun to stop," in relation to the band's rehearsal. That could be exactly the problem with these songs: they needed to stop while they were ahead.

Phoenix have proved themselves to be an incredibly diligent, ever-lasting band in the past. That still doesn't feel up for debate with their latest efforts. However, there's nothing quite like your first summer love, and like their work following Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, we just can't experience them again like we did the first time. The flourishes and tricks don't elicit the same reactions anymore. It's not quite old, but it's definitely overly familiar.

Ti Amo won't help you find a new ringtone, though it could assist in a few summer playlist additions, and perhaps that is more important in the long-run.

Follow Phoenix on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Rachel A.G. Gilman is a writer, a radio producer, and probably the girl wearing the Kinks shirt. Follow her on Twitter.

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The Public Utilities Commission may award bid contracts for 120 megawatts of renewable energy, which could save ratepayers more than $43 million in five years.

The decision was made at a Consolidated Commission on Utilities meeting last Tuesday and authorizes the Guam Power Authority to petition the PUC to award a Phase II Renewable Acquisition Bid of two 30-megawatt proposals to Hanwha Energy Corp. and KEPCO-LG CNS Consortium, a press release states.

"Over the course of the contract, GPA ratepayers can expect significant fuel oil savings based on current and projected Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause (LEAC) rates," said GPA General Manager John Benavente. "GPA considers renewable energy an effective hedge against rising fuel oil prices."

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The approval of these contracts allows GPA to exceed the renewable energy standards set forth in a two-decades-old mandate, which states 25 percent of GPA's energy must come from renewable sources by 2035.

"Utility-scale renewable projects like these will make the benefits of solar energy available to all ratepayers at rates that are affordable, stable and not subjected to world oil prices," Benavente said.

Last month, GPA also signed a $42 million contract for a battery storage system with LG CNS to help alleviate intermittent frequency in the power grid after the installation of a 25 megawatt solar farm at Dandan.

GPA and the U.S. Navy also entered into a lease agreement earlier this year for 164 acres of military-occupied lands for the construction of renewable energy facilities with a 40MW generating capacity.

'A conversation we really need to have'

After the success of the Island Sustainability Conference in May, lawmakers have expressed interest in more environmentally conscious policies.

At an informational briefing last month, legislators were intrigued by the potential of banning plastic bags and Styrofoam products.

"I really appreciated that specific recommendation," Speaker Benjamin Cruz said. "This is a conversation we really need to have."

Last year, the Republic of the Marshall Islands made waves across the Pacific after introducing the Styrofoam and Plastic Products Prohibition Act, banning the importation, manufacturing, sale or distribution of Styrofoam foodware, cups and shopping bags.

The Marshall Islands model is an example of bottom-up legislation suitable for Guam and other Pacific islands, something Guam needs more of to ensure sustainability, according to one environmental science expert.

"At an island level, we need to think about how we're developing policies. We have policies that are developed at a federal level, but we need to start working from the bottom up," said Else Demeunlenaere, associate director of the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability.
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.




The settings of Percival Everetts highly anticipated novel So Much Blue (Graywolf, June) include North America, Central America, and Europe in three different time periods. His wide range of interests is characteristic of the intellectually stimulating literature hes produced over three decades. Everett has published 30 books, mostly novels, that satirize and outright mock such subjects as the nature of intelligence (Glyph), the American West (Half an Inch of Water), and identity and race (Erasure) with a biting and incisive wit that will make readers laugh just to keep from crying.

Though Everetts work has been celebrated by literary critics and has won such awards as the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, the author stays out of the spotlight, generally does not like to give interviews, and leaves the promotion of his books to others. I have no interest at all in business, or marketing, he says during a phone interview from the South Pasadena, Calif., home he shares with his wife, writer Danzy Senna, and their two children. I just want to write the next book.

A similar tendency manifests in Kevin Pace, the protagonist of So Much Blue. Hes a recovering alcoholic and abstract painter who wont allow anyone to see his sprawling 12-by-21-foot canvas painted in various shades of blue. My canvas, my private painting, has a title, a name, Pace says. It has never been spoken aloud to anyone. I have only said it once, under my breath while I was alone in my studio. It was a bit like my email password, except that it cannot be retrieved if I forget it. I have not written it down.

In that way, Pace is like the novels author. I dont share my work with anyone, except my agent, Everett says. I have works that are not meant for consumption, that are solely for me. They arent for anyone else to see.

Paces unseen masterpiece functions as a tableau for his secrets. The quote in the beginning of the novel by Diane Arbus, A picture is a secret about a secret, is really interesting to me, Everett says. Im interested in secrets: how important they are, and how much secrets contribute to the truth of something.

A secret Pace has kept from his wife is the affair he had 10 years before with Victoire, a 20-something Parisian watercolorist. An incident from the more distant past that haunts him is the dangerous, covert trip he and his best friend Richard took to El Salvador on the brink of its bloody civil war in 1979. Aided by a racist Vietnam veteran code-named Bummer, the two were there to find Richards brother Tad, who they thought might be a drug dealer and/or user. In this Apocalypse Nowlike setting, driving through the Salvadoran jungle in a 1963 Cadillac and dodging bullets, Pace, Richard, and Bummer faced a tragedy that Pace has relived for decades.

The obvious question to ask Everett is, what inspired such a confounding work? I suffer from what I call work amnesia, he says. Who knows where art comes from? I internalize so much of the research, its hard to say. My travels have helped me write about different places. I visited El Salvador. I would not suggest that I know the place, but there is a familiarity. And I read a bit about the civil war. And of course, I lived during the Iran-Contra stuff with Oliver North and that whole scandal. All this contributed to my understanding of Central America.

So Much Blue is made up of the same kind of literary ingredients found in Everetts previous satirical works. Im always addressing a philosophical issue important to me, not necessarily important to the reader, he says. And it usually takes me a couple of books to work through an idea. 

His novel Glyph (1999) lampoons semiotics and poststructuralism, and features Baby Ralph: a mute infant with an IQ of 475, who likes Wittgenstein and devours books on science, philosophy, and mathematics. A victim of his gifts, Baby Ralph is kidnapped by a succession of psychiatrists and shadowy government figures.

In contrast, Erasure, published in 2001, is a no-holds-barred indictment of racism in the publishing industry. The novel centers on Thelonious Monk Ellison, a black writer and college professor who is told by his white agent to forget about writing retellings of Euripides and parodies of French poststructuralists and settle down and write true, gritty stories of black life. Ellison does so with a blistering book initially entitled My Pafology, retitled Fuck, that riffs on Richard Wrights Native Son and on Sapphires 1996 novel Push.

The subject of Erasurethe marginalization of black writersis a subject Everett knows all too well. Somebodys going to categorize you, he laments. And I have been categorized in different ways and in different groups. Art is art! I wont let anyone tell me where I can or cannot live. And I wont let anyone tell me what I can or cannot write.

Many of Everetts stories occur in the American West, where hes lived since his early 20s. Im in love with the landscape, he says. Its where I live. Its what I know. His 2015 short story collection, Half an Inch of Water, exhibits his take on the region and includes the story Little Faith, about a deaf Native American girl who gets lost in the desert and is discovered unharmed, surrounded by rattlesnakes, and Graham Greene, a tale named not after the British spy writer but for the Native American actor who appeared in the film Dances with Wolves.

Though hes long been associated with the West, Everetts roots are in the Deep South. He was born on Dec. 22, 1956, in Fort Gordon, Ga., to Percival L. Gordon, a dentist, and his wife Dorothy, and the family moved to Columbia, S.C., the next year. A voracious reader as a child, Everett spent long hours reading in the stacks of the University of South Carolinas library while still in high school. For some reason, the person at the front desk allowed me to [read in] the stackmostly philosophy and social history, Everett recalls.

He graduated from University of Miami in 1977 with a major in philosophy and a minor in biochemistry. He studied the philosophy of language in graduate school at the University of Oregon, then earned an M.A. in fiction writing at Brown University in 1982. His first novel, 1983s Suder, was based on his masters thesis.

As for his literary heroes, Everett says: In terms of fiction, I was one of a multitude of readers of Kurt Vonnegut. I loved Chester Himes. I loved Mark Twains humor, his freedom of expression, individual thinking, and not being afraid to make fun of something. If you can get someone relaxed and laughing, then you can do what you want. And I wouldnt be a writer if I hadnt heard John Coltrane play My Favorite Things, [a song] so ironically removed from the experience of African-American life, and make it his own. Indeed, the title So Much Blue, Everett says, is inspired by Miles Daviss classic album Kind of Blue.

In his own way, Everett has succeeded in creating a jazzlike fiction that is sui generis. He tries to impart this spirit to his students at the University of Southern California, where he has taught since 1998. I teach in a Ph.D. program for fiction writers and poets, he says. I teach my students freedom, and I disabuse them of the idea that there are rules to fiction. [I teach them] that they can be free, the way children are free when they play. Thats what I aspire to: I want to be four years old again! Thats genius. And if I can get close to that, then Im doing my job.

Eugene Holley Jr. is a freelance writer who frequently contributes to Publishers Weekly.
Ever since the book industry has had an annual gathering, attendees have found something to complain aboutwhether it was the American Booksellers Association Convention, BookExpo America, or the just-concluded BookExpo-BookCon combination. The two major issues brought up most often about the 2017 shows were that BookExpo seemed smaller (which it was) and that organizer ReedPop was favoring the new and growing BookCon over the mature BookExpo.

Brien McDonald, event director of BookExpo and BookCon, said Reed expects to get some negative reaction as it works to reposition both BookExpo and BookCon to respond to market realties. We know change is hard, McDonald said, but he insisted that Reed put a lot of thought and effort into making BookExpo the best it could be.

In an email sent to exhibitors last Wednesday, McDonald reiterated that Reed is fully committed to BookExpo and BookCon: These two worlds must coexist at our events just as they do in the market. One will not grow at the expense of the other; its the combination of the two that make our events so invaluable.

McDonald acknowledged that the decision to reduce the time the BookExpo show floor was open from three days to two worked for some, but not for others. He said after receiving more feedback from its partners, Reed will consider making changes.

Another widespread concern dealt with the ramifications of a floor plan that put all exhibitors at both BookExpo and BookCon in one section of the Javits Center floor and companies only attending BookExpo in another. With most of the major trade houses, including the Big Five, in the BookCon area, the BookExpo-only section had less traffic. Some publishers who were not necessarily interested in being at BookCon but still wanted to be near the larger trade houses felt they needed to pay for the Saturday-Sunday event, even those who had little or nothing planned for it.

Indeed, while BookCon was a hit for most of the larger publishers, smaller, mostly nonfiction-focused publishers abandoned their booths over the weekend. We dont want to see vacant booths at BookCon, McDonald said, adding Reed will work on ideas to prevent that from happening in 2018.

Ahead of the show, Reed had said it was looking to streamline BookExpo to make it easier for publishers and authors to meet directly with book buyers. The more rigorous application process for nonbuying attendees worked well, McDonald said, yielding 7,425 nonpublisher attendees composed largely of booksellers, librarians, retailers, and the media. (He noted that Reed exceeded all of its modest attendance goals for BookExpo. Final, audited attendance numbers for BookExpo and BookCon will be released at a later date.) McDonald said he heard from booksellers and librarians that they appreciated the easier access to publishers and that Reed will build on that success to strengthen other areas.

As for BookCon, McDonald said Reed reached its target goal of 20,000 attendees, who, with improved logistics and better crowd control, seemed very energized by their experience. There was great engagement with authors, he added. Preliminary figures showed that 83% of attendees were female and 56% were millennials. Reed had looked to broaden the show to attract more familiesespecially for Sundayand McDonald said that, based on the 2017 event, it will up its efforts to have more programming for children in 2018.

Next year, BookExpo will take place May 30June 1 in New York City, followed by a June 23 BookCon. This end-to-end event where publishers start by working with retailers and then move on to meet the end users is unique in the U.S., and we remain certain it is the best approach for the future, McDonald said.
Fifty years ago, Chronicle Books opened in San Francisco with a two-room office and a handful of employees. Since then, the company has survived bookstore booms and busts, publishing fads, and multiple digital revolutions. The publisher, one of the largest in the West, now counts more than 7,000 titles, with 250 million units sold around the globe.

Originally owned by the San Francisco Chronicle, in its first 10 years Chronicle Books focused on publishing books by its reporters as well as titles of regional interest. When Jack Jensen arrived 40 years ago, the company was publishing 12 titles a year. We all wore a great many hats, he said, remembering his first job as a sales rep. You had a soup-to-nuts understanding of the book publishing endeavor. Jensen now serves as president of the McEvoy Group, the holding company that acquired Chronicle Books in 2000. He started alongside five employees and now oversees 160.

To this day, interdisciplinary teams of designers, editors, and production managers still tackle every project together and trade roles as neededjust like in those early years at Chronicle. We have tremendous respect for the expertise each team member brings, but are also skilled at wearing each others hats, added Sara Schneider, Chronicle Books executive publishing design director.

Jensen fondly recalls working on signature titles during his first years at the company, books like Kinsey Photographer, a trade paperback edition that made the work of Darius Kinsey, a landscape photographer dubbed the Ansel Adams of the logging industry, available to a mainstream audience. The odds werent great for the scrappy press in those early years. Indie publishers were popping up all over the Bay Area, but most were just one-book wonders.

By the 1980s, shopping mall book chains B. Dalton Bookseller and Waldenbooks dominated the marketplace. The chains didnt know how to categorize books from the indie press, and Jensen returned to his office with terrible news after one fall season sales meeting: both booksellers had passed on the entire list. That could have sunk the press, but Jensen and his team made the fateful decision to sell outside the bookstores, taking Chronicles first single-subject cookbook Sushi to cookware stores. These specialty shops kept coming back for more copies of the photograph-heavy trade paperback. It started a phenomenon of single-subject cookbooks which we enjoyed for many years, Jensen recalls. [That] is one of the key assets the company has today. Our market reach beyond the bookstores is really second to none.

Waldenbooks and Dalton have both gone out of business, but Chronicle has built a long-lasting business on the foundation of its gift division, selling its signature literary creations in thousands of retail locations, both bookstores and beyond. Now, the publisher releases 300 titles every year, and the gift book format makes up one-third of the sales.

[Chronicle] changed the way people find books, said publisher Christine Carswell, who joined the company in 1994 as an executive editor. [Jensen] appreciated that our publishing could reach people who might never choose to look for a gift, the gift of reading, in a bookstore. The companys key categories expanded for these new audiences, broadening to include childrens books, pop culture, lifestyle, and stationery.

The publisher has survived a number of technological revolutions as well. Chronicle invested in everything from CD-ROMs to apps when these digital tools were touted as print book killers. [Weve] enjoyed our fair share of digital fads, Carswell said. Im proud of the apps we produced [and] the innovative spirit they represent. Id have been a lot happier if theyd made us a bit more money.

Jensen never worried that the digital revolution would topple his business. The digital opportunity is not one where readers are replaced, he said. Its one where you are able to add readers. Its not either-or. Its both. Whenever we were told the books were toast, I never believed that.

Chronicles bestselling book is 1999s The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht, whose text and practical black-and-white illustrations taught readers how to escape quicksand and handle sword fights. The book was stocked everywhere from bookstores to hip clothing stores. Given its 50 years of resilience in the tumultuous business of publishing, perhaps its no coincidence that the publisher was able to sell three million copies of a survival manual.
Telefonicas Movistar brand is preparing to offer IPTV in Colombia through its newly-deployed fibre network.

Promising up to 100Mbps and convergent packages with IPTV, voice and the video-on-demand (VOD) service Movistar Play, Movistar has announced the service will be initially available in Cartagena, Cali, Jamundi, Ibague, Chia and Cajica. The IPTV option will gradually be added from September.For the moment, plans to launch in Bogota havent been unveiled. The capital city is the only town in which there are already stablished operators delivering IP-based services, such as the local telco ETB According to Telefonicas estimation, 90% of Colombians spend an average of 13.3 hours per week watching digital videos  through online or over-the-top (OTT) platforms. Most Colombians also want to be connected though several devices without losing quality nor speed, pointed out the telco.Through Fibra Movistar, were strengthening our commitment to deliver connectivity services that improve Colombians' lives and businesses, the best equipment and the best offers in the market, said Alfonso Gomez Palacio, CEO, Movistar Colombia
Afghan security forces have recaptured several villages in a key district in northern Kunduz Province after a week of fierce fighting with Taliban militants, local officials say.

At least four villages in Kunduz's Imam Saheb district have been cleared from the militants, provincial police chief Abdul Hamid Hamidi said on June 10.

Hamidi said that "foreign militants, including Pakistani nationals, Chechens, Tajiks, and Uzbeks are fighting alongside the Taliban in Kunduz."

Hamidi said that security raids still continue in the district.

Meanwhile, local residents in Imam Saheb say their homes have been severely damaged during the fighting and and are demanding that the government help them to rebuild their houses. Many villagers had fled to nearby areas during the intense clashes.

Kunduz has been the main battlefield for the Taliban in northern Afghanistan since the NATO combat mission ended in 2014.The capital of the province was briefly captured by militants in 2015.

Mosque Attack

In a separate development in Afghanistan, police say that at least three civilians have been shot and killed by gunmen inside a mosque in eastern Paktia Province.

The Interior Ministry said in a statement on June 10 that nine others were wounded in the attack, which took place in the provincial capital, Gardez, late on June 9.

There was no immediate claim of responsibly for the assault, but the Taliban and Haqqani network are active in the region and often target government officials as well as Afghan security forces.

The latest attack comes as Afghanistan observes a day of national mourning for more than 200 victims of recent terrorist attacks across the country.

With reporting by dpa, AP
Afghanistan has been observing a national day of mourning after three major terrorist attacks across the country killed at least 200 people and wounded more than 600 others in recent weeks.

President Ashraf Ghani said in a statement late on June 9 that national flags will fly at half-mast "to honor the memory of those martyred in the recent terrorist attacks."

The day of mourning on June 10 comes in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in the capital, Kabul and the south-eastern Khost and western Herat provinces.

Afghan officials say more than 150 people were killed and 460 others were wounded in a massive suicide truck bombing in Kabul, on May 31.The bombing was the deadliest single attack in Kabul since the ouster of the Taliban following the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

Police said at least 13 people were killed eight others wounded when a Taliban car bomb targeting a convoy of local militia forces went off in the city of Khost on May 27.

Meanwhile, a blast in a mosque in Herat killed at least seven people and wounded 15 others on June 6, local officials said.

Militant groups, including the Taliban and Islamic State (IS) often claim deadly attacks on military and civilian targets.

The Taliban has expanded its reach over the past two years, seizing control of several districts in different parts of the country.

The government is also struggling to combat an IS affiliate, which has a presence in eastern Afghanistan.

Ghani said on June 6 that over the past two years as many as 11,000 foreign fighters have joined the extremist group.

Based on reporting by dpa, tolonews.com, and AP
U.S. officials have confirmed that three U.S. soldiers were killed in Afghanistan on June 10.

Afghan officials say the U.S. soldiers were killed when an Afghan Army solider opened fire on them in eastern Afghanistan.

Attahullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the governor of Nangarhar Province, said two other U.S. soldiers were wounded by the attack in the provinces Achin district.

He said the U.S. soldiers had been fighting alongside Afghan forces against Islamic State militants when the Afghan soldier turned on the U.S. troops.

Khogyani said the Afghan soldier was killed after the attack.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was carried out by a Taliban fighter who had infiltrated the Afghan security forces.

Western officials say most such attacks stem from personal grudges and cultural misunderstandings rather than insurgent plots.

The U.S. military said in a statement that it was "aware of an incident in eastern Afghanistan," and would "release more information when appropriate."

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said on June 10 that President Donald Trump had been briefed by his national security team "on the events occurring in Afghanistan."

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP


A Chechen man who was returned to Russia by Belarusian authorities, despite warnings that he could be tortured or killed by Chechen authorities, was released from custody in Grozny late on June 9 on his own recognizance.



The Interior Ministrys department for Chechnya said on June 10 that Murad Amriyev was handed over to his close relatives in Grozny after he agreed to abide by travel restrictions.



The ministrys press service said Amriyevs relatives "took him home" after he gave a short press conference in Grozny.



Amriyev, a former mixed martial arts champion from Chechnya who says he was tortured by police there in 2013, had fled to Belarus on June 7 after evading Chechen police who were trying to take him into custody.



Chechen authorities say they want to question Amriyev about allegations that he intentionally used a false passport.



Amriyev's lawyer and relatives say the allegations are a farce



The United States on June 9 expressed concerns for Amriyev's "safety and well-being" after Belarus returned him to Russia.

With reporting by TASS, Interfax, and Meduza.io
Ukrainian forces have liberated 41 settlements in the south of the country, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on November 10 but noted the "brutal struggle" and the "lives given for freedom for Ukrainians."

In his nightly address Zelenskiy said: "Today we have good news from the south. The number of Ukrainian flags returning to their rightful place within the framework of the ongoing defense operation is already dozens," he said, adding that 41 settlements have been liberated.

But he stressed that even as Ukrainians rejoice, they must remember that "every step by our defense forces represents...lives given for the freedom of Ukrainians. Everything that is happening now has been achieved by months of brutal struggle. It was achieved through courage, pain, and losses."

Zelenskiy spoke a day after the Russian defense minister announced the withdrawal of Russian troops from the west bank of the Dnieper River, the latest in a number of setbacks for Moscow on battlefields in Ukraine's east and southeast.

Zelenskiy did not specify the number of Ukrainian troops killed in the effort to reclaim the settlements, where he said stabilization measures have begun.

He noted the Russian troops left behind thousands of land mines and ammunition as they retreated from Kherson.

Presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak said the land mines turned Kherson into a "city of death" and predicted they would shell it from occupied areas across the Dnieper River.

Vitaliy Kim, the regional military administration chief in the Mykolayiv region, said Ukrainian soldiers had already entered the outer suburbs of Kherson. He declined to give further details to avoid revealing the military's plans.

Russia said it began withdrawing troops on November 10 from Kherson city. The Ukrainian military's General Staff said the withdrawal was taking place slowly to allow the Russian forces to reinforce positions on the other bank of the Dnieper River.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said it will take Russia at least a week to withdraw from the city of Kherson. He told Reuters Russia had 40,000 troops in Kherson region and it still had forces in the city, around the city, and on the west bank of the Dnieper River.

"It's not that easy to withdraw these troops from Kherson in one day or two days. As a minimum, [it will take] one week," he said.

Ukrainian Army chief Valeriy Zaluzhniy said earlier that Kyiv could not yet confirm whether Russia was indeed pulling out from the southern Kherson region but said Ukrainian forces were continuing their advance.

"We continue to conduct the offensive operation in line with our plan," he wrote in a post on Telegram.

Ukrainian officials said Moscow's forces had no choice but to flee Kherson, yet they remained cautious, fearing an ambush.

"The enemy had no other choice but to resort to fleeing," armed forces chief Zaluzhniy said, because Kyiv's army destroyed supply systems and disrupted Russia's local military command.

Kherson is strategically important, as it controls both the only land route to Ukraine's Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula and the mouth of the Dnieper, which bisects Ukraine.

Recapturing the city could provide Ukraine a launching pad for supplies and troops to try to win back other lost territory in the south, including Crimea, which Moscow seized in 2014.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who in late September celebrated the annexation of Kherson and three other Ukrainian regions and vowed to defend them by any means, has not commented on the withdrawal.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, and dpa
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.
YEREVAN -- Armenia has proposed creating a demilitarized zone with international guarantees around Azerbaijan's mostly Armenian-populated breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Speaking at a weekly session of his government on November 10, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said he voiced this proposal, originally put forth by Nagorno-Karabakhs de facto authorities, at a meeting on October 31 with the presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan in Sochi, Russia.

"It is proposed to create a demilitarized zone around Nagorno-Karabakh with international guarantees, as a result of which Nagorno-Karabakh may not need a defense army of that scale. This proposal is still valid, I think," Pashinian said.

Pashinian also said an updated proposal on the demilitarization of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border zone was proposed to Azerbaijan, suggesting it withdraw its troops from the border line confirmed in 1991 when both nations gained independence, creating a three-kilometer demilitarized zone on either side.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have accused each other of cease-fire violations along the border in recent days.

A spokesman for Armenia's Defense Ministry said one of its soldiers had been shot and wounded on November 10 along the border in what Yerevan says was a fresh cease-fire violation by Baku.

Aram Torosian said the Armenian soldier was wounded by "an enemy shot" and was in severe condition.

The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry issued a statement denying the report.

"Azerbaijani units did not open fire in the mentioned direction," the statement said, calling the report a "lie."

Baku on November 9 accused ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh of firing at Azerbaijani military positions in the east of the region the previous night. De facto Armenian authorities in Stepanakert denied the accusation.

Reports of shootings along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and in Karabakh come days after the latest round of talks focused on a peace deal between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, Ararat Mirzoyan and Jeyhun Bayramov, that was hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on November 7.

In a statement issued on the results of the talks the Armenian and Azerbaijani ministers said they agreed to expedite negotiations and organize another meeting in the coming weeks.

During the October 31 meeting hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pashinian and Aliyev pledged not to use force to resolve the conflict.

Armenia accuses Azerbaijan of invading and occupying parts of its territory in the border zone during several incursions since May 2021. Azerbaijan denies any occupation, referring to the fact of the absence of delimitation and demarcation of the nearly 500-kilometer border between the two South Caucasus nations.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in a conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh for years. Some 30,000 people were killed in a war in the early 1990s that left ethnic Armenians in control of the breakaway region and seven adjacent districts of Azerbaijan proper.

The two sides fought another war in 2020 that lasted six weeks and killed thousands of people on both sides before a Russia-brokered cease-fire, resulting in Armenians' losing control over parts of the region and the adjacent districts.

Under the cease-fire agreement Moscow deployed about 2,000 troops in the region to serve as peacekeepers.

Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

With reporting by AFP and RFE/RL's Armenian Service
The topic of this week's Majlis was the latest summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on June 9.

For the first time since 2001, new members were admitted to the SCO, with India and Pakistan joining China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Several SCO officials, including host President Nursultan Nazarbaev, called it a "historic" day.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said: "The expansion will undoubtedly help the SCO become a more powerful organization." He added that the addition of new members would also increase the SCO's "political, economic, and humanitarian influence."

But there are different opinions about how powerful the SCO is, or can ever be.

Muhammad Tahir, RFE/RL's media relations manager, moderated the Majlis panel discussion on the recent SCO summit. Joining the talk from Vietnam was Jacob Zenn, an analyst of Eurasian Affairs for The Jamestown Foundation and also a non-resident research fellow of the Center for Shanghai Cooperation Organization Studies. Alex Melikishvili, a senior analyst of the risk environment in the Caucasus and Central Asia for IHS Markit Country Risk, participated from Washington.

As usual, I also took part in the debate from RFE/RL's headquarters in Prague.

Listen to or download the Majlis podcast below or subscribe to the Majlis on iTunes.
An antiterrorism court in Pakistan on June 10 sentenced a Shiite man to death for posting information on Facebook that the court deemed as blasphemous.

The sentence against 30-year-old Taimoor Raza was announced by Judge Shabbir Ahmed in Bahawalpur in eastern Punjab Province.

The court ruled that Raza posted derogatory content on Facebook in 2016 about Sunni Muslim religious leaders and the wives of the Prophet Muhammad.

Pakistan is a predominantly Sunni Muslim country. A rivalry between Shia and Sunni Muslims dates back to the seventh century when they had a disagreement about who should be the heir to Islam's Prophet Muhammad.

Under harsh blasphemy laws in Pakistan, the death sentence can be issued against anyone accused of insulting God, Islam, or religious personalities.

Human Rights Watch says Pakistan in 2016 arrested 10 Muslims and five non-Muslims on blasphemy charges.

Rights groups say Pakistans blasphemy laws often are abused in order to settle personal vendettas.

Based on reporting by AP, AFP, and Dawn.com


The government of Qatar has hired former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft to help the country challenge accusations from its Arab neighbors and U.S. President Donald Trump that it supports terrorism.

Qatar will pay the Ashcroft Law Firm $2.5 million for 90 days of work as the country seeks to confirm its efforts to fight global terrorism and comply with financial regulations including U.S. Treasury rules.

The revelations about the hiring of Ashcroft's law firm were contained in a filing with the U.S. Justice Department that was made on June 9 in accordance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

A letter submitted in the filing by Ashcroft Law Firm partner Michael Sullivan said the firm's work would "include crisis response and management, program and system analysis, media outreach, education and advocacy regarding the client's historical, current and future efforts to combat global terror and its compliance goals and accomplishments."

Qatar faces isolation by fellow Arab countries after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), and Egypt severed ties with Doha on June 5, accusing it of supporting Islamist militants and their adversary Iran.

Qatar denies the allegations.

On June 8, Arab states led by Saudi Arabia issued a list of Qatar-linked people and organizations it said were "terrorists" as they ratcheted up their boycott of the peninsular state.

Included on the "terrorist" list were the Egyptian leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, Yousef al-Qaradawi, and 12 Qatari-funded charities.

Trump on June 9 said Qatar "has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level."

Trump's remarks came shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called on Saudi Arabia and its allies to ease their land and sea "blockade against Qatar.

Saudi Arabia on June 10 praised Trump for his remarks about Qatar.

Moscow on June 10 called for dialogue to resolve the dispute.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on June 10 that Ankara hopes the rift between the "Muslim countries" would end "through peaceful dialogue before the religious holiday," referring to Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan.

Turkey, like Qatar, has supported the Muslim Brotherhood, which led an elected government in Egypt in 2013 but was ousted from power by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

The human rights advocacy group Amnesty International, meanwhile, warned of "heartbreak and fear" suffered by ordinary people caught in the diplomatic crossfire.

With reporting by Reuters and AP
The United States expressed concern on June 9 about a man whom Belarusian authorities sent back to Russia despite warnings that he could be tortured or killed by Chechen law-enforcement authorities.

Murad Amriyev, a former mixed martial arts champion from Chechnya who says he was tortured by police there in 2013, had fled to Belarus on June 7 after evading Chechen police who were trying to take him into custody.

"We are gravely concerned about the safety and well-being of Murad Amriyev," said State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert.

"Mr. Amriyev has reportedly expressed fears of torture and abuse in Chechnya. We urge the Russian government to ensure Mr. Amriyev has access to his lawyer and that his rights under the Russian constitution, laws, and international obligations are respected. We call on the Russian government to ensure the safety of Mr. Amriyev and his lawyer," she said.

Chechen authorities want Amriyev for questioning in connection with a false-documents, an allegation that his lawyers and relatives say is a farce.


A gunman who killed at least four people in a village southeast of Moscow has been shot dead in a firefight with security personnel, Russian state media report.

TASS news agency on June 11 quoted spokeswoman Irina Volk as saying "the joint operation of the Interior Ministry and National Guard forces is over. The gunman has been eliminated."

Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev said the man had also thrown grenades during an hourslong standoff that started on June 10.

"The shooter was blocked. For several hours, he was shooting, throwing grenades," RT quoted him as saying from the site.

Officials in Russias Emergency Situations Ministry told TASS the incident started when the man began firing a hunting rifle from his house in the village of Kratovo in the Moscow regions Ramensky District.

Authorities said National Guard fighters were deployed in an attempt to the storm the house after the man shot dead one passerby and wounded several others.

A TASS correspondent said some 200 Interior Ministry personnel were also deployed to the site.

Security personnel eventually managed to track the man down and surround him before shooting him in a firefight, the Interior Ministry spokeswoman said.



The dpa news agency reported that police suspect the incident may have developed out of a conflict with family members and neighbors.



Authorities said they found two dead bodies inside the mans home.

The fourth victim was a woman who died after being taken to the Ramenskoye hospital.

At least two other shooting victims were wounded and taken to nearby hospitals.

Interior Minister Kolokoltsev said four officers suffered light injuries.

With reporting by TASS, RT, dpa, and Interfax
ST. PETERSBURG -- A small but growing chain of throwback shops in Russia recently gained notoriety because each of its dozen or so outlets prominently displayed a crudely homophobic sign in the window declaring, "No pederasts allowed."

Now, one branch has gone a step further. Local media say the Bread And Salt shop in the central city of Kirov is selling hand-carved wooden signs with the slogan for 2,000 rubles ($35).

For the most part, locals in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kirov appear to be unperturbed by signs, despite the fact that they use a strongly derogatory term for gays that most media refuse to print in full.

Passersby can frequently be seen pausing in front of the signs for beaming selfies. In Moscow, however, one store had a window broken overnight on June 1, prompting Russian state television to comment that the stores "have long been in the crosshairs of the LGBT community."

In a St. Petersburg branch of the store just off the major thoroughfare of Ligovsky Prospekt, one customer who declined to give her name told RFE/RL that the sign was an indication of how tolerant St. Petersburg is. After all, she argued, everyone should have the right to say and think as they choose.

Eccentric Multimillionaire

The Bread And Salt chain -- which sells natural food, cosmetics, and other products made by "Russian peasants" -- is the brainchild of eccentric multimillionaire German Sterligov.

An avowed monarchist, Sterligov lives as if he is stuck in the 19th century, following Russia's pre-revolutionary calendar that he has modified by adding eight years to reflect his interpretation of when Jesus Christ was born. He asserts, for instance, that his website was created on "May 28, 2018, from the birth of Christ," noting parenthetically that the new-style date was June 11, 2010. He spells the Russian word for free -- besplatny -- with a "z" in order to avoid writing "bes," which means demon.

In the past, he has advocated selling all of Russia's territory east of the Ural Mountains to the West and resettling the population of that region on peasant farms in European Russia.

At the recent opening of one of his St. Petersburg stores, Sterligov invited supporters to throw eggs at portraits of Albert Einstein and other scientists whose work supposedly led to the "poisoning of all humanity."



Sterligov also espouses his own version of Russian Orthodoxy. He says he is not baptized and is not a member of the Russian Orthodox Church because he considers virtually all clerics to be mired in heresy. He holds ultraconservative social views, speaking out forcefully against abortion and homosexuality. He has been accused of organizing a training camp for neo-Nazis and of offering to pay thugs to attack homosexuals.

The signs openly displayed in Sterligov's stores are one manifestation of a growing homophobic wave in Russia. In 2013, Russia adopted a law making it illegal to distribute "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relationships" or "distorted ideas about the equal social value of traditional and nontraditional sexual relationships."

'Systematic' Persecution

More recently, the Russian government and state media have largely ignored reports by independent media and activist groups that gay men are being systematically persecuted in the North Caucasus region of Chechnya.

On May 30, a St. Petersburg court sentenced 21-year-old nationalist student Sergei Kosyrev to 8 1/2 years in prison for murdering journalist Dmitry Tsilikin, who was homosexual. Although the trial was held in a closed court, activists believe the murder was a homophobic hate crime.

Not all Russians, however, are indifferent to the signs in Sterligov's stores or the attitude behind them.



Vera Vrubel, 45, lives in a St. Petersburg building where a Bread And Salt -- the name is ironically synonymous with warm hospitality -- outlet is located. When the sign went up, Vrubel's daughter noticed it.

"The whole story started with my daughter," Vrubel, who is a freelance editor, told RFE/RL. "She is 15 and she asked me: 'Mama, what is that? What kind of sign is that? How can such a thing be?' And the same question occurred to me: How is this possible?"



"The owner of that store is insulting us all," she continued. "He is insulting St. Petersburg, the entire city. He is insulting the governor personally."

Vrubel then took her outrage to social media, posting a tirade on Facebook that quickly garnered attention and more than 1,600 "likes."

"I will make every effort to ensure that in my building there are no businesses with fascist signs," she wrote. "Next to such a sign, it would be perfectly natural to see one that said, 'No Jews or Blacks.' As long as there exists one anti-Semite, I am a Jew. As long as there is a homophobic store in my neighborhood, I am a gay."

She then complained to her local police, but the Bread And Salt signs remain in place. In the meantime, Sterligov's supporters complained en masse to Facebook, which deleted her post and briefly suspended her account.

In Moscow, journalist Denis Shlyantsev is conducting a similar campaign, filing a complaint to the Russian consumer-protection agency in April. On May 31, Sterligov told the Interfax news agency that he had received no order from the authorities to remove the sign or stop discriminating against gays.

Vrubel told RFE/RL that "several lawyers" have offered their services to her cause, and she is preparing to file a lawsuit against Sterligov over the issue. She also estimates that "tens of people" of Moscow and St. Petersburg have filed complaints with police against the signs using her complaint as a model.

'Unabashed Homophobes'

Vrubel said the responses to her campaign and her original Facebook post have been interesting. Her friends and relations have expressed concern for her safety, asking why she is getting involved in the matter.

As for strangers, she said many have been supportive and have expressed hope that the law will punish Sterligov. Others have called for more radical measures, including breaking windows and throwing Molotov cocktails. Of course, there have been many responses from "unabashed homophobes who just hurl insults."

Vrubel views her campaign in pragmatic terms.



"I am not some sort of opponent of the system," she said. "I understand perfectly well that one helpless woman can't fight against that colossus. But everyone is in a position to look after their own home. Someone has made a mess in my home and I am obligated to clean it up. We should do the little bit that we can do. I'm doing a small thing, but I am doing something. Let this be my drop that helps wear away the stone. It is small, but I assure you I won't give up."



As for others, Vrubel is surprised at their indifference.



"My grandmother recently for some reason said to me, 'Why are you all silent? This isn't 1937. It is 2017.' I would like to repeat these words to my compatriots -- that this is 2017 and not 1937," she explained, referring to the peak year of Stalin's Great Terror of the 1930s. "But I don't know how to reach them. Because I see there are a lot of people who are not indifferent to this. But there are only a tiny, tiny number who are willing to spend 15 minutes of their time doing something for the good of their city and their home."

RFE/RL senior correspondent Robert Coalson contributed to this report


Officials from the United States and Russia are quietly holding talks on creating a "de-escalation" zone in Syria, Western diplomats and regional officials say.

The U.S. and Russian special envoys to Syria, Michael Ratney and Aleksandr Lavrentiev and other officials have met at least twice in the past two weeks and will meet again, the Reuters news agency reported, quoting unnamed officials and diplomats.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the last meeting took place in the Jordanian capital, Amman, and included Jordanian officials.

The talks are at an early stage of discussing the boundaries of the proposed safe zone in Syrias southwestern Deraa province, on the border with Jordan, the diplomats said.

Russia, Iran, and Turkey brokered a deal in the Kazakh capital, Astana, in May to create four "de-escalation zones" in various parts of Syria, where forces of President Bashar al-Assad's government are fighting rebels. Iran and Russia have backed the Syrian government throughout the war, while Turkey supports its opponents.

However, Washington opposes Iran's involvement as a guarantor of the de-escalation zones set out in the Astana accord.

Reuters quoted an unnamed senior diplomat as saying:"The Americans are talking to the Russians and proposing a deconfliction zone outside the Astana process without the Iranians and their proxies."

The talks between the United States and Russia come as President Donald Trump's administration continues to face scrutiny over alleged ties between Moscow and Trump's campaign during the U.S. presidential election last year.

According to the United Nations, some 400,000 people have been killed in the Syrian war since 2011.

Based on reporting by Reuters, wsj.com, thehill.com
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on June 9 dismissed charges that Qatar supports terrorism and called for an end of the economic blockade on the small Persian Gulf nation by its Arab neighbors.

U.S. President Donald Trump once again accused Qatar on June 9 of being "a funder of terrorism at a very high level," while a group of Arab states led by Saudi Arabia on June 8 issued a list of Qatar-linked people and organizations it said were "terrorists" as they ratcheted up their boycott of the peninsular state.

Included on the "terrorist" list were the Egyptian leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, Yousef al-Qaradawi, and 12 Qatari-funded charities.

Turkey, like Qatar, has supported the Muslim Brotherhood, which led an elected government in Egypt in 2013 but was ousted from power by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

"Until today I have not witnessed Qatar give support to terror," Erdogan said in Istanbul, adding that some Arab states "declare foundations established to provide different services as terror organizations. Something like this should not happen. I know those foundations."

Erdogan said Turkey would accelerate plans to deploy troops to Qatar and ensure it has food and medicine despite the cutoff of all land, air, and sea links with Doha by Saudi Arabia and several Arab nations aligned with Riyadh.

Doha's foreign minister on June 9 called the sanctions imposed by other Arab states an "unjust siege" which violates international law, and called for dialogue between the two sides to resolve the dispute.

While Trump continued to side with the Saudis in their standoff with Qatar, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on June 9 called for an easing of the Arab blockade -- a split that Erdogan picked up on.

"I say it should be lifted completely," he said.

Erdogan said Saudi Arabia, as the dominant Arab state in the Gulf region, should be leading efforts to unite the Arab "fraternity" there rather than dividing it.

Erdogan signed legislation to deploy troops to a Turkish air base in Qatar in a show of support for Doha, while pledging to establish a lifeline of food and medicine for the isolated nation.

"There are those who are uncomfortable with us standing by our Qatari brothers, providing them with food. I'm sorry, we will continue to give Qatar every kind of support," he said.

With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters


BRUSSELS -- Ukrainians are celebrating the first day of visa-free travel to most EU countries, which President Petro Poroshenko welcomed as a "a final exit of our country from the Russian Empire."

The liberalized regime entered into force on June 11, allowing Ukrainian citizens who have biometric passports to enter all EU member states other than Ireland and the United Kingdom without a visa for up to 90 days during any 180-day period. It also applies to four Schengen Area countries that are not in the EU: Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.

Poroshenko met with Slovak his counterpart, Andrej Kiska, on the Slovak-Ukrainian border, opening a symbolic "door to the EU."

"We have waited so long for this," the Ukrainian president said at the Uzhhorod border crossing in the Zakarpattia region. "I am sure that this day, June 11, will go down in the history of Ukraine as a final exit of our country from the Russian empire and its return to the family of European nations. "Welcome to Europe," Kiska told the crowd attending the event. "I want to call on you to continue carrying out reforms."

"The visa-free regime for Ukraine has started! Glory to Europe! Glory to Ukraine!" Poroshenko earlier wrote on Twitter after hundreds of Ukrainians crossed the EU border.

WATCH: June 11 was the first day when the citizens of Ukraine could enter countries of the European Union without a visa. Passengers arriving in Brussels on a flight from Kyiv shared their positive feelings with RFE/RL correspondent Rikard Jozwiak.

"Flights to Warsaw, Budapest, Frankfurt, and Munich have successfully landed and passed passport control;) #Bezviz -- just the beginning!" Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin cheered on Twitter.

Thousands of people had crossed the border into EU countries by midday, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's consular department wrote on Twitter.

Ukrainian travelers arriving in Brussels on June 11 said they were pleased about the ease with which they could now travel to Europe and the greater integration with the EU that it represented.



"It feels very good when you can travel without any restrictions, when you just need to have a passport and that's all. That feels very good," Ukrainian student Inna Teryokhina told RFE/RL at Brussels Airport.

Ukrainian border officials said they are expecting a 30 percent rise in passenger traffic at control sites along the frontier with the new regulations.

WATCH: The first Ukrainians arriving in the Czech Republic without visas were passengers on a June 11 morning flight from Odesa. RFE/RL interviewed some of them at Vaclav Havel international airport in Prague. (RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service)

Mykola Tochytskyi, the head of Ukraine's mission to the EU, told RFE/RL outside the European Parliament in Brussels on June 11 that "for Ukraine, today is a big day."



"It is not only about celebration; it is also a confirmation of our stand[ing]. To be with Europe. Not only outside of the region, but to be with Europe, to be a partner [who had] implemented all the benchmarks when it was decided to go for the visa-free regime," Tochytskyi said.

In a message on Twitter posted on June 11, European Council President Donald Tusk wrote, "A day to remember. Visa free travel for Ukrainians now a reality. Bringing us closer together."

In a video address, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn said that visa-free travel was achieved after "a long process but finally the reform efforts paid off."



"This is a real milestone proving that the European Union delivers on its promises," he said. "Ukraine's commitment to the reform process will always result in tangible benefits for the citizens. This should be a motivation to stay on the reform course."

"Today, we bring down a barrier between the people of Ukraine and the people of the European Union," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a video address released late on June 10.

"It will create new opportunities for all of us, strengthening our economies, or security, and our friendship," she also said. "And this is what our partnership is all about: making a difference to our citizens everyday life."

Hugues Mingarelli, head of the EU delegation to Ukraine, said at the ceremony that Ukrainians will be able "to travel to 33 countries of West Europe without any visa requirements."

Mingarelli said the visa-free regime was "just the first step" toward "intensifying relations" between the EU and Ukraine.

Poroshenko said on June 10 as he counted down the final 12 hours before the start of the travel regime that he believes Ukraine will become a member of both NATO and the EU, and that "nothing, nobody will ever stop us."

"The words 'back in the U.S.S.R.' will be heard only listening to The Beatles," Poroshenko said. "We will never return to the Soviet Union because we, a proud and free democratic nation, return to the family of European nations."

He said the "last sound of the countdown" will mark "the fall of not the concrete Berlin Wall but the paper curtain that has been separating Ukrainians from the European family for years."



"We must return Ukrainians their history. That is why todays decision of the EU is so important. A long process has been completed. First of all, it goes about the return of Ukraine to its historic place among the European countries, not only about the visa-free border crossing," Poroshenko told the 1+1 television channel.

Poroshenko's predecessor, Viktor Yanukovych, was pushed from power in 2014 by massive pro-European protests after he scrapped plans for a deal to tighten ties with the EU. Russia then seized control of Ukraine's Crimea region and fomented separatism in eastern Ukraine, where a war between Russia-backed forces and the government has killed more than 9,900 people.

Much of present-day Ukraine was part of the Russian Empire beginning in the 17th century, and Ukraine was under Moscow's thumb as a Soviet republic for most of the 20th century. It gained independence in the Soviet collapse of 1991.

With reporting by Interfax, UNIAN, and euractiv.com
If your country boasted one of the most complete examples of a medieval Islamic city in the world, brimming with architectural wonders and rich history owing to its ancient splendor, how would you go about selling it as a tourist attraction to foreigners?

Uzbekistan, if things go according to a draft development plan for the city of Bukhara, would develop a glitzy new tourist zone in an area specifically intended to serve as a buffer to keep modern construction from intruding on the UNESCO-protected city center.

The plans, obtained by RFE/RL, show that "Ancient Bukhara" tourist zone would abut the northwestern side of the city's earthen citadel, whose origins date to the 5th century AD.Replete with modern hotels, health spas, shops, and a 500-capacity amphitheater, the project would require the demolition of a central market that stood along the ancient Silk Road and the possible razing of scores of houses across 10 hectares within the UNESCO buffer zone.

According to a decree on "accelerated development of tourism" in Bukhara, signed on May 19 by President Shavkat Mirziyaev, the project would be financed by the Uzbek National Bank, along with "direct investments and charity" from the Uzbek-born Russian business magnate Alisher Usmanov.

The plans have raised concerns that what UNESCO calls Bukhara's "outstanding universal value" could be at risk, potentially leading the UN agency to revoke the city's coveted status as a World Heritage site.

"The whole point of the project is to attract more foreign tourists," one regional official told RFE/RL, speaking on condition of anonymity out of concern that he could face retaliation. "If we lose Bukhara's UNESCO World Heritage status, then who will want to come to Bukhara?"

Powerful Investor

An official with the National Bank, who was not authorized to speak about the tourism development project, told RFE/RL that the size of the initiative depends on the amount of money Usmanov is willing to invest and contribute through charities.

Usmanov was listed in 2013 by Bloomberg Business News as the 37th richest person in the world, with a net worth of $19.6 billion.

He is the majority shareholder of a Russian industrial conglomerate called Metalloinvest, whose public relations office declined to comment on precise details of the plan and told RFE/RL that Usmanov's spokesman was not available to answer questions about the project.

A culture official in Bukhara, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about the plan, confirmed that authorities were considering the demolition of up to 96 houses.

The government in Tashkent says a decision will be made by the end of July about which houses will be demolished to make way for the new tourism zone.

Residents in the proposed demolition zone were informed at a public meeting recently that they may be evicted, but none have been told that their house is definitely listed for demolition.

It also remains unclear what amount of compensation would be paid to evicted residents or where such funds would come from.

Intact Medieval City



Bukhara, a city on the ancient Silk Route that is more than 2,000 years old, was inscribed in 1993 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Cultural site.

UNESCO says it is "the most complete example of a medieval city in Central Asia," calling it "one of the best examples of well-preserved Islamic cities of Central Asia of the 10th to 17th centuries, with an urban fabric that has remained largely intact."



It says monuments of particular interest in Bukhara include the tomb of Ismail Samani, "a masterpiece of 10th-century Muslim architecture," and a large number of 17th-century madrasahs.

Bukhara Photo Gallery (click on image to open)

Also notable, UNESCO says, is the 11th-century Poi-Kalyan minaret, "a masterpiece of decoration in brick," along with the Mogoki Attori mosque and the Chashma Ayub shrine.

But UNESCO says that "the real importance of Bukhara lies not in its individual buildings but rather in its overall townscape."

"Modern buildings have been erected in the historic center over the past half-century that have destroyed the appearance of some quarters, but in others the medieval townscape has survived," the UN agency says.

UNESCO also has warned that "urban development pressures resulting in inappropriate designs of new structures" have the potential to negatively affect the authenticity of Bukhara's ancient city center.

Past Mistakes



UNESCO officials were horrified by a tourism development plan in Uzbekistan's southeastern city of Shahrisabz that was overseen by Mirziyaev in 2014 and 2015 when he was prime minister.

That plan led to the bulldozing of a 2-kilometer, 70-hectare swath through the heart of Shahrisabz's UNESCO-listed medieval residential quarters -- replacing it with what Feng Jing, head of UNESCO's Asia-Pacific unit, described as a "modern theme park with tourist kiosks."

As a result, the UN agency has listed Shahrisabz's contribution to world culture as "endangered."

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee is expected at a July meeting in Krakow, Poland, to vote on whether to revoke Shahrisabz's World Heritage status.

An official in the historic preservation department of Uzbekistan's Culture Ministry told RFE/RL that the government made a tragic mistake when it bulldozed Shahrisabz without properly consulting UNESCO experts.

Uzbekistan's Culture Ministry says authorities in Tashkent are now involved in detailed consultations with UNESCO on all aspects of the Bukhara project.

It said new buildings in the UNESCO buffer zone would not be taller than three stories, and would adhere to traditional aesthetics.

A member of a special commission set up to implement Bukhara's tourism development plan also told RFE/RL that every step is being taken to consult UNESCO and ensure compliance with its criteria on the preservation of culture and heritage.

But Feng, the head of the Asia-Pacific unit of UNESCO's World Heritage Center, told RFE/RL on June 2 that he had not heard about the details of Mirziyaev's recent decree until informed about the project by RFE/RL, and that his organization has not "so far received the precise documentation" from Uzbekistan's government.

"If a state party wants to carry out any projects, they should inform the World Heritage Committee  which is an intergovernmental decision-making body," Feng said. "We are the secretariat to the World Heritage Committee. So I think there are clearly defined rules and procedures in the framework of the World Heritage Convention."

Meanwhile, regional cultural officials who have closely studied Mirziyayev's plans for Bukhara told RFE/RL that some aspects of the draft project closely resemble the Shahrisabz fiasco.



Uzbek government officials told RFE/RL that they expect to meet in Uzbekistan in June with a visiting delegation of UNESCO experts to discuss the status of all UNESCO-listed World Heritage sites in the country.

But Feng, who has headed previous visits to Uzbekistan by teams of UNESCO experts, told RFE/RL that he was also not aware of any plans for visits to Uzbekistan in June by UNESCO experts.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Uzbek Service


Neutron scattering has revealed in unprecedented detail new insights into the exotic magnetic behavior of a material that, with a fuller understanding, could pave the way for quantum calculations far beyond the limits of the ones and zeros of a computer's binary code.

A research team led by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has confirmed magnetic signatures likely related to Majorana fermions -- elusive particles that could be the basis for a quantum bit, or qubit, in a two-dimensional graphene-like material, alpha-ruthenium trichloride. The results, published in the journal Science, verify and extend a 2016 Nature Materials study in which the team of researchers from ORNL, University of Tennessee, Max Planck Institute and Cambridge University first proposed this unusual behavior in the material.

"This research is a promise delivered," said lead author Arnab Banerjee, a postdoctoral researcher at ORNL. "Before, we suggested that this compound, alpha-ruthenium trichloride, showed the physics of Majorana fermions, but the material we used was a powder and obscured many important details. Now, we're looking at a large single crystal that confirms that the unusual magnetic spectrum is consistent with the idea of magnetic Majorana fermions."

Majorana fermions were theorized in 1937 by physicist Ettore Majorana. They are unique in that, unlike electrons and protons whose antiparticle counterparts are the positron and the antiproton, particles with equal but opposite charges, Majorana fermions are their own antiparticle and have no charge.

In 2006, physicist Alexei Kitaev developed a solvable theoretical model describing how topologically protected quantum computations could be achieved in a material using quantum spin liquids, or QSLs. QSLs are strange states achieved in solid materials where the magnetic moments, or "spins," associated with electrons exhibit a fluidlike behavior.

"Our neutron scattering measurements are showing us clear signatures of magnetic excitations that closely resemble the model of the Kitaev QSL," said corresponding author Steve Nagler, director of the Quantum Condensed Matter Division at ORNL. "The improvements in the new measurements are like looking at Saturn through a telescope and discovering the rings for the first time."

Because neutrons are microscopic magnets that carry no charge, they can be used to interact with and excite other magnetic particles in the system without compromising the integrity of the material's atomic structure. Neutrons can measure the magnetic spectrum of excitations, revealing how particles behave. The team cooled the material to temperatures near absolute zero (about minus 450 degrees Fahrenheit) to allow a direct observation of purely quantum motions.

Using the SEQUOIA instrument at ORNL's Spallation Neutron Source allowed the investigators to map out an image of the crystal's magnetic motions in both space and time.

"We can see the magnetic spectrum manifesting itself in the shape of a six-pointed star and how it reflects the underlying honeycomb lattice of the material," said Banerjee. "If we can understand these magnetic excitations in detail then we will be one step closer to finding a material that would enable us to pursue the ultimate dream of quantum computations."

Banerjee and his colleagues are pursuing additional experiments with applied magnetic fields and varying pressures.

"We've applied a very powerful measurement technique to get these exquisite visualizations that are allowing us to directly see the quantum nature of the material," said coauthor Alan Tennant, chief scientist for ORNL's Neutron Sciences Directorate. "Part of the excitement of the experiments is that they're leading the theory. We're seeing these things, and we know they're real."
Hospitals and all the other centres devoted to healthcare accumulate numerous databases with all the records of a whole host of physiological variables of the patients they treat. The processing and analysis of these data can enable healthcare staff to anticipate and spot those patients at greater risk of deterioration. Asier Garmendia, a researcher in the GIC (Computational Intelligence Group) at the UPV/EHU, has developed a system based on computational intelligence for this purpose.

In his study and subsequent development of the algorithms needed for the system, he used two databases, each from one of two hospitals in Santiago de Chile. One of the databases chosen for this study was on paediatric patients who had been admitted at some point to the intensive care units owing to respiratory problems, and the other on patients who having gone to A&E were discharged but who returned after a few days and were subsequently admitted to hospital. These two databases coincide "with two of the biggest problems in healthcare associated with large cities like Santiago de Chile, which are respiratory diseases caused by pollution and the management of the attention and care of the patients who come in search of medical attention," said Garmendia.

Early detection, better care

In the first of the cases, by using the records of the variables taken from each patient every so often during hospitalisation, the aim was to specify the degree of triage, which is the variable that classifies patients according to seriousness on the basis of the rest of the variables measured such as temperature, oxygen saturation, breathing rate, etc. "By means of computational intelligence algorithms an attempt is made to predict what the triage should be," said the researcher. The final aim of this system would be "to automatically monitor the patients and that an alarm should be sounded whenever the triage worsens." This study has also revealed that the variable that best predicts the triage level is breathing rate. "This is strange, as the doctors say that in their opinion the variable that best predicts this triage is the oxygen saturation in the blood," he added.

In the second of the cases, what they sought was to try and spot the destination that should be given to the patients going to the A&E service, in other words, whether to discharge them or admit them to hospital. "The problem that exists in this aspect is that a proportion of the patients who are discharged during the first consultation return to the A&E service after a few days and then they are in fact hospitalised. Approximately 14% of paediatric cases returning to consultation within a period of time of between 3 and 7 days are admitted to hospital. In the case of adult patients, they are 1 in 3," explained Garmendia.

"Having a system to solve this problem would lead to better care of the patients of course, but it would also signify considerable economic savings. Firstly, the resources of the healthcare services would be better managed, and secondly, a situation that currently arises with insurance would be avoided: insurance companies do not cover the costs arising out of hospitalisation in these cases, as they regard having discharged the patient during the first consultation as hospital negligence," he added. The result given by these algorithms developed for this purpose was a degree of precision of 60%; in other words, "our system was capable of spotting seriousness in six out of every ten patients who, in principle, did not appear to be likely candidates for hospital admission immediately."

The prediction systems developed "could be extended to and applied in any hospital in any country," said Garmendia. But one thing is clear and it is that before that "it is necessary to go on working on the design of the system, expand the number of data, and make the necessary adjustments," he concluded.
The Chosen Few

NASA

Out of the record-breaking over 18,300 applications from across the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa, these 12 men and women stood out above the rest and became the 2017 NASA astronaut class announced on June 7. They join an elite group of only 350 to be chosen since 1959 and the original Mercury 7.

What's It Like to Become an Astronaut?: 10 Facts

Here's a little bit about each of the future space explorers.

FIRST STOP: Lt. Kayla Barron

Lt. Kayla Barron

Originally from Richland, Washington, Kayla Barron graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a B.S. in systems engineering. As a Gates Cambridge Scholar, Baron attended the University of Cambridge, earning a master's degree in nuclear engineering. Barron is 29 and a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, where as a submarine warfare officer, she was a member of the first class of women commissioned into the submarine community. She joins NASA from the U.S. Naval Academy, where she has been the flag aide to the superintendent.

Read Kayla Barron's full NASA biography.

NEXT: Zena Cardman

Zena Cardman

NASA

Though she hails from Williamsburg, Virginia, and is currently working toward her doctorate as a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow at Penn State, Zena Cardman earned a B.S. in Biology and Master of Sciences at The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Cardman's research focuses on microorganisms in subsurface environments from deep sea sediments to caves. At 29, her field experience includes Antarctic expeditions, work on research vessels and multiple NASA analog missions.

Read Zena Cardman's full NASA biography.

NEXT: Lt. Col. Raja Chari

Lt. Col. Raja Chari

NASA

From Waterloo, Iowa, Raja Chari received two B.S. from the U.S. Air Force Academy: one in astronautical engineering and another in engineering science. The 39-year-old Lieutenant Colonel then moved to MIT, earning a master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics as well as graduating from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. Chari comes to NASA from Edwards Air Force Base in California where he's been serving as the commander of the 461st Flight Test Squadron and director of the F-35 Integrated Test Force.

Read Raja Chari's full NASA biography.

NEXT: Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Dominick

Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Dominick

NASA

This 35-year-old Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy is a native of Wheat Ridge, Colorado. After earning a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of San Diego, Matthew Dominick went on to the Naval Postgraduate School garnering a Master of Science in systems engineering. Dominick graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and went to sea on the USS Ronald Reagan as department head for Strike Fighter Squadron 115.

Read Matthew Dominick's full NASA biography.

NEXT: Bob Hines

Bob Hines

NASA

From a hometown of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Bob Hines earned a B.S. in aerospace engineering from Boston University and then graduated from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. The 42-year-old pursued and earned a master's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Alabama. A part of the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserves for the last 18 years, Hines has flown as a NASA research pilot at Johnson Space Center for the last five years.

Read Bob Hines' full NASA biography.

NEXT: Warren "Woody" Hoburg

Warren "Woody" Hoburg

NASA

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Woody Hoburg graduated from MIT with a B.S. in aeronautics and astronautics. Hoburg, 31, then went to the University of California, Berkley and earned a doctorate in electrical engineering and computer science. As a private pilot, he has wilderness search and rescue experience. Currently Hoburg is an assistant professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT.

Read Warren Hoburg's full NASA biography here.

NEXT: Dr. Jonny Kim

Dr. Jonny Kim

NASA

Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Dr. Jonny Kim, 33, enlisted in the U.S. Navy and became a Navy SEAL. In this capacity he completed over 100 combat operations, earning a Silver Star and Bronze Star with Combat V. Kim, a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, also received a degree in mathematics from the University of San Diego and earned a doctorate of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Kim comes to NASA from Massachusetts General Hospital where his is a resident physician in emergency medicine.

Read Jonny Kim's full NASA biography here.

NEXT: Robb Kulin

Robb Kulin

NASA

Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Robb Kulin attended the University of Denver, earning a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, and then completed a master's degree in materials science as well as a doctorate in engineering at the University of California, San Diego. Kulin, 33, worked as an ice driller on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and Taylor Glaciers as well as a commercial fisherman. Kulin has been with SpaceX since 2011, leading the Launch Chief Engineering group.

Read Space.com's Exclusive Interview with Robb Kulin!

Read Robb Kulin's full NASA biography here.

NEXT: Major Jasmin Moghbeli

Major Jasmin Moghbeli

NASA

This 33-year-old Major in the U.S. Marine Corps earned a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering with information technology from MIT. Jasmin Moghbeli, from Baldwin, New York, then went on to the Naval Postgraduate School, completing a master's degree in aerospace engineering. From the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School Moghbeli earned the title of distinguished graduate. At present she serves as the quality assurance and avionics officer for Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1, and tests H-1 helicopters, in Yuma, Arizona.

Read Jasmin Moghbeli's full NASA biography here.

NEXT: Loral O'Hara

Loral O'Hara

NASA

From Sugar Land, Texas, Loral O'Hara joins NASA from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods, Hole Massachusetts. O'Hara, 34, attended the University of Kansas and earned a B.S. in aerospace engineering and then a master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Purdue University. During her time as a student, O'Hara took part in NASA's KC-135 Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program and the NASA Academy at Goddard Space Flight Center. She also interned at NASA's JPL.

Read Loral O'Hara's full NASA biography here.

NEXT: Dr. Francisco "Frank" Rubio
HOUSTON  To say NASA's new astronauts are happy to have been selected would be an understatement.

"I do not think I ever smiled that big in my life," said Zena Cardman, one of the 12 new astronaut candidates, or "ascans," announced on Wednesday (June 7).

"I had my hand over my heart, because it was just absolute, utter overwhelming emotion," said Cardman, a geobiologist, describing the phone call she received on May 25 inviting her to come work for NASA. "I have not stopped smiling since." [Meet NASA's 2017 Astronaut Class]

Cardman and her 11 classmates comprise NASA's 22nd group of trainees since the original Mercury 7 astronauts were selected in 1959. The 2017 class includes seven men and five women, ranging in age from 29 to 42.

The candidates will report to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston in August to begin two years of basic training, during which they will be taught the baseline skills to conduct spacewalks, operate robotic systems, fly supersonic jets and work with multinational crewmates on spacecraft and the International Space Station. [What It's Like to Become a NASA Astronaut: 10 Surprising Facts]

"Really looking forward to working in the neutral buoyancy lab and hopping into a spacesuit and pretending to do spacewalks," Matthew Dominick, the department head for the Navy's Strike Fighter Squadron 115 based on board the USS Ronald Reagan, told collectSPACE.com.

"I am actually really looking forward to learning the Russian language," Cardman added, referring to the requirement that astronauts learn Russian to work with their cosmonaut crewmates aboard Soyuz spacecraft and the space station. "I think the chance to learn a new language as an adult is a pretty amazing opportunity."

A number of the new ascans have worked in remote locations, an experience that may lend itself to their future missions.

"One of the things I think was a bigger focus in this selection was skills that are appropriate for longer-term spaceflight, so stays on the ISS that are six months or longer, or possible deeper space exploration missions," Loral O'Hara, a research engineer who has worked as a sea-going mechanical technician for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, told reporters. "A lot of us have a background in doing work that involves in similar skills, like working in Antarctica for Zena or submarines for Kayla [Barron]."

"We have a little bit more remote, extreme environment skill set than maybe past classes did," she said.

NASA intends for this class to continue crewing expeditions to the space station, launching in the coming years on a new fleet of U.S. commercial spacecraft being built by Boeing and SpaceX.

Class member Warren "Woody" Hoburg, an assistant professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT, previously worked for Boeing's commercial airplanes product development division, and Robb Kulin has worked as an engineer at SpaceX since 2011.

"I'll ride on whatever spacecraft I can go. I am pretty confident on the processes to get us there safely," said Kulin, remarking on his choice for launching on Boeing's Starliner or SpaceX's Dragon capsules. "Hopefully, I will one day fly on a vehicle that has components that I got to design."

Like Kulin, ascan Jessica Watkins also has history working with space vehicles.

"I have been able to work on several different missions, most of which were Mars related, but not all of them," said Watkins. "Most recently, I have been working as a member of the science team on the Curiosity Mars rover. That has been quite an experience."

NASA is currently working towards sending astronauts on missions beyond Earth orbit, to the moon and ultimately Mars.

"It would be awesome to be the first person to do something  whether it is on a new planet or go back to the moon," said Dominick. "But more so it is about being part of a team and working on tough problems. We don't have to be 'the' person, but we want to be part of the team that moves forward."

"I think for the future [the destination] is a little unclear," stated Jonny Kim, a Navy SEAL and physician. "But we are happy to be here to finish our candidate training and venture out deep into space and the solar system."

Other members of the class include Raja Chari, the commander of the Air Force's 461st Flight Test Squadron; Bob Hines, a NASA research pilot; Jasmin Moghbeli, a helicopter test pilot the Marine Corps' Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1; and Frank Rubio, a family physician and flight surgeon the Army's 10th Special Forces Group.

Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2017 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved.
T heresa May is facing a growing row over abortion because of her plans to govern alongside the socially hardline Democratic Unionist Party.

The Prime Minister has been criticised over a deal struck with the Northern Irish party after the Conservatives lost their majority in a disastrous election performance.

The DUP has a consistently anti-abortion stance, with its leader Arlene Foster saying: I would not want abortion to be as freely available here as it is in England.

Abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland unless a womans life is in danger or there is a serious or permanent risk to her mental or physical health. As it stands, fatal foetal abnormalities, rape and incest are not grounds for an abortion.

Partnership: the DUP's leader Arlene Foster with Theresa May / PA

A former Tory minister has now suggested that MPs could vote to reduce time limits on women having pregnancies terminated as a result of the deal with the DUP.

Owen Paterson, a former Northern Ireland Secretary, said: You might get a debate I suppose on further reduction of abortion times as medical science advances.

The comments sparked a backlash as hundreds of protesters gathered in central London to voice their anger against the planned partnership.

Abortion rights charity the British Pregnancy Advisory Service said in a statement: The very idea that abortion rights could be used as a bargaining tool as part of these negotiations is deeply worrying.

Who are the DUP?

"Ten MPs with quite frankly extremist views on abortion must not be allowed to threaten an area of healthcare that one in three women will need in their lifetime. Our politicians should be focused on improving abortion access, including decriminalisation and NHS funding for women in Northern Ireland, not trading away our hard earned rights in a backroom deal.

Green Party deputy leader Amelia Womack said the DUP's stance on abortion has left women in Northern Ireland in "dire circumstances" and described the potential tie-up with the Tories as a "coalition of cruelty".

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After hearing of Mr Paterson's comments on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Labour MP Jo Stevens tweeted: "This is just 1 reason why Theresa May doing a deal with DUP is chilling @labourwomen @bpas1968 @Abortion-Rights".

A petition against the Conservatives' deal with the DUP hit 500,000 signatures after being set up on Friday.

At the protest in London, people chanted for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and hit out at the deal with the DUP.

Luke O'Neill, who voted for Labour in Kensington, said he felt Mr Corbyn had motivated young people.

The 27-year-old said: "May's mandate has gone, that's probably the best news and Labour is gaining - that is the best news as well.

"Jeremy Corbyn gave us power, that's what he's all about."

The nursery worker said he was "angry" that Mrs May had done a deal with the DUP, although he admitted he did not initially know who they were.

"I've never seen people more hateful in my life," he said.

"I didn't know who the DUP were, I had to Google them, as many people no doubt in this country would have had to Google them."
In May 2017 the Indian government finally approved the purchase of 39 American AH-64E Apache helicopter gunships. These will equip three army strike squadrons and comes after a prolonged battle with the Indian Air Force over who would control AH-64s. This was important for the army because the AH-64 is the most popular and combat proven helicopter gunship available. It is already used by Israel and several Arab nations. India has ordered 72 AH-64s with some of them going to the air force. This is all about politics. Air force leaders insist they should control everything that flies. But experience in combat has shown that some types of aircraft, especially those that spend most of their time supporting army operations should be controlled by the army.

The AH-64 was also opposed by politicians who wanted Indian firms to design and build a helicopter gunship. But commanders involved in combat operations all agreed that they needed the best available and they needed it as quickly as possible. That led to the AH-64, which entered service as the AH-64A in 1986. Numerous planned upgrades to the B and C standard were planned during the 1990s but stalled because of budget reductions after the Cold War ended in 1991. These upgrades were incorporated in the 1997 AH-64D Block I. The AH-64D Longbow (because of the radar mast, making it possible to see ground targets and flying obstacles in all weather) models began appearing in 2002. Mass production of the latest version (the E model) and conversion D models to E began in late 2013. The U.S. Army began receiving AH-64Es in 2012.

AH-64Es have more powerful and fuel efficient engines, as well as much improved electronics. AH-64Es also have Internet- like capabilities enabling these gunships to quickly exchange images, video, and so on with other aircraft and ground troops. Each AH-64E can also control several UAVs and launch missiles at targets spotted by these UAVs. The AH-64E radar has longer range and onboard computers are much more powerful than earlier ones. The electronics are easier to upgrade and maintain. The combination of improved fire control and Internet capabilities greatly increases the combat effectiveness of the AH-64. The 10 ton AH-64E carries a pilot and a weapons officer, as well as up to 16 Hellfire missiles (plus the 30mm automatic cannon). Sorties average three hours. The AH-64 can operate at night and has a top speed of 260 kilometers an hour.

India initially planned to get the AH-64D because back in 2015, when after three years of deliberation by the procurement bureaucrats and politicians, India approved the purchase of 22 AH-64s for the Indian Air Force. One side effect of this prolonged struggle was an agreement that the army needed helicopter gunships and two years were allocated to determine if the army should get its AH-64s. At this point India, like most foreign AH-64 users, wanted the latest model. The Indian Air Force paid $55 million per AH-64 (a price that included the helicopter plus training, spare parts, and tech support). The new army order will pay the same price.

Such delays are not unusual for India where decades of corrupt foreign arms purchases have been exposed in the last decade and the made those still involved in those decisions extremely cautious. It usually takes external events to move decisions forward. In the case of the American helicopters the primary motivators were Russian sales to Pakistan and a feud between the Indian Army and Air Force. The Russian aspect has to do with the growing hostility of India to Russian weapons. For half a century Russia has been the major supplier of imported weapons. But since the 1990s, as India freed up the economy (from fifty years of crippling state controls). Then there was weapons imports and India had finally reached the limit of tolerance for poor quality and support that characterized Russian weapons. India began to buy weapons from the West in the 1990s. Although more expensive the Western stuff was more effective, reliable and often cheaper to operate than Russian systems. Now Russia has made the situation worse by selling helicopters to Pakistan, the arch enemy of India. India seems content to let the Pakistanis have the Russian dreck while India proceeds to upgrade with Western equipment. Since 2001 India has bought over $15 billion worth of American weapons and military equipment. The U.S. is the largest source of foreign military equipment but Israel and several European defense companies are also major suppliers. The Russian arms salesmen are not amused.

Another factor in helicopter procurement is an ongoing feud between the Indian Army and Air Force about who controls AH-64s. The air force has long operated the helicopter gunships, arguing that these helicopters are crucial for certain air combat missions like attacking air defense radars and other helicopters. The army generals were furious over that misrepresentation and demanded that the government set the air force straight. The army was particularly anxious to get the 22 Indian AH-64s (the air force was claiming) as soon as possible, as these are generally recognized as the best gunships currently in service anywhere. Now those helicopters are on the way and apparently the army will have them.

Back in late 2012 the Indian Army thought it had won a major victory over the Indian Air Force when the government agreed to transfer most attack helicopters from the air force to the army. That was supposed to mean the army gets control of over 270 armed helicopters (22 AH-64s, 179 light combat models, and 76 armed Indian made transports). The air force would continue to operate a dozen or so elderly Mi-25 and Mi-35 helicopter gunships, until they retire by the end of the decade. These are export versions of the Russian Mi-24. Even then it was clear that Russia was not the preferred helicopter supplier anymore. But the air force would not give up and prolonged the debate.

The army had long complained that air force control of the armed helicopters, which were designed to support army operations, were sometimes difficult to get from the air force in a timely manner. Another aspect of this deal was a new agreement by the air force to station some transport helicopters at army bases in Kashmir, so that there will not be a delay when transport is needed for an emergency.

This sort of problem between the army and air force is not unique to India and is actually quite common. It all started back in the 1920s, a decade after aircraft became a major military asset. For example, at the start of World War I (1914-18), the British Royal Navy had more aircraft than the Royal Flying Corps (which belonged to the army). But at the end of World War I, it was decided to put all aircraft under the control of the new Royal Air Force (the former Royal Flying Corps). The navy was not happy with this and just before World War II broke out, the admirals got back control of their aircraft, at least the ones that operated from ships (especially aircraft carriers).

The British army expanded its Army Air Corps during World War II, to gain control over artillery spotter aircraft, gliders (for parachute divisions), and a few other transports for supporting commando operations. After World War II the Army Air Corps mainly controlled the growing fleet of transport and attack helicopters. The Indian Air Force has always refused to allow the Indian Army to do the same thing after modern India was created in 1947. The Indian armed forces was long led by men who started out as members of the British Indian Army and continued to note, and often copy, British practices.

Thus the Indian Air force, like its British counterpart tended to keep trying to control everything that flew. British Royal Air Force generals still demand control of everything that flies, believing that this is more efficient. The army and navy, not to mention the experience of many other nations, says otherwise. At the very least the army needs to control its helicopters and some small transports. In Russia the army always controlled ground attack aircraft, as well as some fighters. In the United States the Marine Corps controlled its own fighters, light bombers, and helicopters. It made a difference, especially to the marines on the ground, that the marine aircraft were being flown by marines.

Another problem with a unified air force is that it becomes, quite naturally, air force centric. This is understandable and the air force proceeds to develop strategies, and tactics that emphasize looking at military matters from an air force viewpoint. Before World War II this led to the doctrine of strategic bombardment. This was supposed to be a decisive weapon but it wasn't. When nuclear weapons came along the air force believed that it finally had a way to make strategic bombardment decisive. But it didn't, as ballistic missiles (another form of artillery) became the key delivery system for nukes. Nuclear weapons were so destructive that they became more of a threat than a weapon that you could use. In fact the very existence of nukes resulted in them not being used again since the first two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan in 1945. The fact of the matter is that wars are still ultimately won by the ground forces. As the army likes to point out, the ultimate air superiority weapon is your infantry occupying the enemy air bases. Everyone else (the navy and air force) is there to support the infantry in actually winning the war.
The following companies are subsidiares of Emerson Electric: A.P.M. Automation Solutions Ltd., AE Valves, AGI Mexicana S.A. de C.V., ALCO CONTROLS spol. s.r.o., APM Automation Solutions, ASC Investments Inc., ASCO (Japan) Company Limited, ASCO L.P., ASCO Numatics (India) Private Limited, ASCO Numatics Holding Inc., ASCO SAS, ASCO Valve (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ASCO/JOUCOMATIC s.r.o., ATX SAS, Advanced Protection Technologies, Aegir Norge Holding AS, Alliance Compressors LLC, American Governor, Aperture, Apple JV Holding Corp., Appleton Electric LLC, Appleton Electric S.A. de C.V., Appleton Group, Appleton Group Canada Ltd., Appleton Grp LLC, Appleton Holding Corp., Appleton Holding Sarl, Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Artesyn Hungary Elektronikai Kft., Artesyn Technologies, Asco AB, Asco Controls AG, Asco Controls B.V., Asco Joucomatic Ltd., Asco Joucomatic ZA B.V., Asco Magnesszelep Kft., Asco Numatics GmbH, Asco Numatics S.A., Asco Numatics Sirai S.R.L., Asco Numatics Sp. z o.o., Ascomatica S.A. de C.V., Ascomation (NZ) Ltd., Ascomation Pty. Ltd., Ascotech S.A. de C.V., Ascoval Industria e Commercio Ltda, Automatic Switch Company, Aventics, Aventics, Aventics AB, Aventics AG, Aventics AS, Aventics ApS, Aventics B.V., Aventics Corporation, Aventics Holding S.A.S., Aventics Holding S.a.r.l., Aventics Hungary Kft, Aventics Inc., Aventics India Private Limited, Aventics Limited, Aventics Ltd., Aventics Oy, Aventics Pneumatics Equipment (Changzhou) Co. Ltd., Aventics Pneumatics Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Aventics S.A.S., Aventics S.R.L., Aventics Services Germany GmbH, Aventics Singapore Pte. Ltd., Aventics Sp. z.o.o., Aventics Spain S.L., Aventics spol. s.r.o., Avtron LoadBank, Bannerscientific Limited, Beckman Industrial B.V., Beijing Rosemount Far East Instrument Co. Ltd., Bettis Canada Ltd., Bettis Holdings Limited, Bettis UK Limited, Biffi Italia S.r.l., Bioproduction Group, Branson Korea Co. Ltd., Branson Ultrasonic S.A., Branson Ultrasonics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Branson Ultrasonics B.V., Branson Ultrasonics Corporation, Branson Ultrasonics a.s., Branson Ultrasonidos S.A.E., Branson Ultrasons SAS, Branson Ultrasuoni S.R.L., Branson de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Bray Lectroheat Limited, Bristol Babcock Limited, Bristol Inc., Buehler Europe Limited, Buehler UK Limited, CR Compressors LLC, CSA Consulting Engineers Ltd., California Emerson LLC, Cascade Technologies, Cascade Technologies Holdings Limited, Cascade Technologies Limited, Chemat GmbH Armaturen fur Industrie - und Nuklearanlage, Chloride Koexa S.A., Componentes Avanzados de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Computational Systems, Computational Systems Incorporated, Conception et Representation de Technologies de Controle C.R.T. Controle SAS, Control Products Inc., Controles de Temperatura S.A. de C.V., Cooligy Inc., Cooper-Atkins, Cooper-Atkins Corporation, Cooper-Atkins Pte. Ltd., Copeland Access + Inc., Copeland Compresores Hermeticos S.A. de C.V., Copeland Corporation, Copeland Corporation LLC, Copeland Limited, Copeland Redevelopment Corporation, Copeland Scroll Compresores de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Copeland de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Copesub Inc., Crosby Valve LLC, Damcos A/S, Damcos Holding A/S, Daniel Automation Company, Daniel Europe Limited, Daniel Industrial Inc., Daniel Industries, Daniel Industries Canada Inc., Daniel Industries Inc., Daniel Industries Limited, Daniel International Limited, Daniel Measurement Solutions Private Limited, Daniel Measurement and Control Inc., Daniel Measurement and Control S. de R.L. de C.V., Danmasa S.A. de C.V., Dar Ibtikar Al Iraq for General Services and General Trade LLC, Decision Management International, Dieterich Standard Inc., Digital Appliance Controls (UK) Limited, Dixell North America Inc., Dixell S.R.L., Do+Able Products, E. Business Development E.B.D.Com Ltd., E.G.P. Corporation, EECO Inc., EGS Comercializadora Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., EGS Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., EGS Private Ltd., EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES s.r.o., EMR (Asia) Limited, EMR (Mauritius) Ltd., EMR Emerson Holdings (Switzerland) GmbH, EMR Europe Holdings Inc., EMR Foundation Inc., EMR Holdings (France) SAS, EMR Holdings Inc., EMR Worldwide B.V., EMR Worldwide Inc., EMRSN HLDG B.V., EMRSN Process Management Morocco Sarl, ENPDOR2012A Limited, ENPESNA Inc., EPM Tulsa Holdings Corp., EPMCO Holdings Inc., ETC International Holdings Ltd., Easy Heat Europe SAS, Easy Heat Inc., El-O-Matic B.V., El-O-Matic Valve Actuators (F.E.) Pte. Ltd., Electrische Apparatenfabriek Capax B.V., Emerald Advanced Technology Limited, Emerson (Philippines) Corporation, Emerson (Taiwan) Limited, Emerson (Thailand) Limited, Emerson Arabia Inc., Emerson Argentina S.A., Emerson Asia Pacific Private Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Actuation Technologies Holdings Inc., Emerson Automation Solutions Actuation Technologies Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Sichuan) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Taiwan) Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control (Thailand) Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Africa (Pty) Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Australia Pty Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Czech Republic s.r.o., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Denmark A/S, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control France SARL, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Germany GmbH, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Hong Kong Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Hungary Kft, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Italia S.r.l., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control LLC, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Middle East FZE, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Netherlands B.V., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Polska Sp. Z.o.o., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Sales Australia Pty Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Sales Holding LLC, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control Singapore Pte. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control UK II Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control UK Ltd, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control US LP, Emerson Automation Solutions Final Control de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Emerson Automation Solutions GmbH, Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms Private Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Intelligent Platforms do Brasil Ltda, Emerson Automation Solutions Ireland Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions Isolation Valves Inc., Emerson Automation Solutions SSC UK Limited, Emerson Automation Solutions UK Limited, Emerson Beijing Instrument Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Services LLC, Emerson Climate Technologies (India) Private Limited, Emerson Climate Technologies (Shenyang) Refrigeration Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, Emerson Climate Technologies (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies (Suzhou) Trading Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies - Solutions (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies - Transportation Solutions ApS, Emerson Climate Technologies Arabia Limited Co., Emerson Climate Technologies Australia Pty. Ltd., Emerson Climate Technologies FZE, Emerson Climate Technologies GmbH, Emerson Climate Technologies Inc., Emerson Climate Technologies Limited, Emerson Climate Technologies Mexico S.A. de C.V., Emerson Climate Technologies Refrigeration S.A., Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions Europe S.R.L., Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions Inc., Emerson Climate Technologies Retail Solutions UK Limited, Emerson Climate Technologies S.A., Emerson Climate Technologies S.R.L., Emerson Climate Technologies Sarl, Emerson Commercial & Residential Tools LLC, Emerson Commerical & Residential Asia Limited, Emerson Comres de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Emerson DHC B.V., Emerson Dietzenbach GmbH, Emerson Dominicana Srl, Emerson Egypt LLC, Emerson Electric (Asia) Limited, Emerson Electric (China) Holdings Co. Ltd., Emerson Electric (M) Sdn Bhd, Emerson Electric (Mauritius) Ltd., Emerson Electric (South Asia) Pte. Ltd., Emerson Electric (Thailand) Limited, Emerson Electric (Tongling) Co. Ltd., Emerson Electric (U.S.) Holding Corporation, Emerson Electric (U.S.) Holding Corporation (Chile) Limitada, Emerson Electric (Zhuhai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Electric CR Limitada, Emerson Electric Canada Limited, Emerson Electric Company (India) Private Limited, Emerson Electric Company Lanka (Private) Limited, Emerson Electric Holdings (Switzerland) GmbH, Emerson Electric II C.A., Emerson Electric International Inc., Emerson Electric Ireland Limited, Emerson Electric Korea Ltd., Emerson Electric Nederland B.V., Emerson Electric Overseas Finance Corp., Emerson Electric Poland Sp. z o.o., Emerson Electric U.K. Limited, Emerson Electric de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Emerson Electric do Brasil Ltda, Emerson Energy Systems (UK) Limited, Emerson FZE, Emerson Final Control US Holding LLC, Emerson Finance LLC, Emerson Fusite Electric (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Emerson Gabon SARL, Emerson Hazardous Electrical Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Holding Company Limited, Emerson Holding Sweden AB, Emerson InSinkErator Appliance (Nanjing) Co. Ltd., Emerson Industrial Automation USA Inc., Emerson International Holding Company Limited, Emerson Japan Ltd., Emerson Junkang Enterprise (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Korea Limited, Emerson LLC, Emerson LLP, Emerson Machinery Equipment (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Emerson Mexico Finance S.A. de C.V. SOFOM ENR, Emerson Middle East Inc., Emerson Network Power DHC B.V., Emerson Paradigm Holding LLC, Emerson Process Management (India) Private Limited, Emerson Process Management (South Africa) (Proprietary) Ltd., Emerson Process Management (Tianjin) Valves Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management (Vietnam) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management A/S (Denmark), Emerson Process Management AB, Emerson Process Management AG, Emerson Process Management AS, Emerson Process Management Angola Lda, Emerson Process Management Arabia Limited, Emerson Process Management Australia Pty Limited, Emerson Process Management B.V., Emerson Process Management Chennai Private Limited, Emerson Process Management Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Distribution Limited, Emerson Process Management Europe GmbH, Emerson Process Management Flow B.V., Emerson Process Management Flow Technologies Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management GmbH & Co. OHG, Emerson Process Management Holding AG, Emerson Process Management Holding LLC, Emerson Process Management Kft., Emerson Process Management LLLP, Emerson Process Management Lda, Emerson Process Management Limited, Emerson Process Management Ltda, Emerson Process Management Magyarorszag Kft., Emerson Process Management Manufacturing (M) Sdn Bhd, Emerson Process Management Marine Solutions Korea Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Marine Solutions Singapore Pte. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Marine Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management NV, Emerson Process Management New Zealand Limited, Emerson Process Management Nigeria Limited, Emerson Process Management Oy, Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions Inc., Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions India Private Limited, Emerson Process Management Qatar W.L.L., Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Inc., Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Tulsa LLC, Emerson Process Management Romania S.R.L., Emerson Process Management S.A., Emerson Process Management S.A. de C.V., Emerson Process Management S.L., Emerson Process Management S.R.L., Emerson Process Management SAS, Emerson Process Management Shared Services Limited, Emerson Process Management Sp. z o.o., Emerson Process Management Ticaret Limited Sirket, Emerson Process Management UAB, Emerson Process Management Valve Automation (M) Sdn Bhd, Emerson Process Management Valve Automation (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Emerson Process Management Valve Automation Inc., Emerson Process Management Verwaltung GmbH, Emerson Process Management d.o.o., Emerson Process Management de Colombia SAS, Emerson Process Management del Peru S.A.C., Emerson Process Management s.r.o., Emerson Professional Tools (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson Puerto Rico Inc., Emerson Retail Services Europe GmbH, Emerson S.R.L., Emerson Sales UK Limited, Emerson Saudi Arabia LLC, Emerson Scroll Machining (Thailand) Limited, Emerson Sice S.R.L., Emerson Sweden AB, Emerson TOV, Emerson Technologies GmbH & Co. OHG, Emerson Technologies Verwaltungs GmbH, Emerson Tool Company de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Emerson Tool and Appliance Company S. de R.L. de C.V., Emerson Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Emerson UK Trustees Limited, Emerson USD Finance Company Limited, Emerson Valves & Controls Japan Co. Ltd., Emerson Ventures Inc., Emerson Vulcan Holding LLC, Emerson Xi'an Engineering Center, Emersub 1 LLC, Emersub 10 LLC, Emersub 11 LLC, Emersub 12 LLC, Emersub 14 LLC, Emersub 15 LLC, Emersub 16 LLC, Emersub 3 LLC, Emersub 4 LLC, Emersub 5 LLC, Emersub 7 LLC, Emersub 8 LLC, Emersub 9 LLC, Emersub CII Inc., Emersub CV Inc., Emersub Italia S.R.L., Emersub LXXXIV Inc., Emersub LXXXVI Inc., Emersub Mexico Inc., Emersub Treasury Ireland Unlimited Company, Emersub XLVI Inc., Emersub XXXVI Inc., Emirates Techno Casting FZE, Emirates Techno Casting Holding Limited, Emirates Techno Casting LLC, Enardo, Endura-Greenlee Tools, Energy Solutions International (India) Private Limited, Energy Solutions International GP LLC, Energy Solutions International Ltd., Energy Solutions International SAS, Energy Solutions International Sub LLC, F-R Tecnologias de Flujo S.A. de C.V., FC QSF LLC, FMC Technologies, Fiberconn Assemblies Morocco Sarl, Fincor Holding LLC, Fire & Safety Group.Com Ltd., Fisher Controles de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Fisher Controls International LLC, Fisher Jeon Gas Equipment (Chengdu) Co. Ltd., Fisher Regulators (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Fisher Sanmar Limited, Fisher-Rosemount Systems Inc., Flow Control Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Flow Control Holding Verwaltungs GmbH, Flow Control US Holding Corporation, Francel SAS, Fromex S.A. de C.V., Fusite B.V., Fusite Corporation, Fusite Land Company, GSEG LLC, General Equipment and Manufacturing Company Inc., Generale de Robinetterie Industrielle et de Sytemes de Surete, GeoFields, GeoFields Inc., Greenex Ltd., Greenfield (UK) Limited, Greenlee, Greenlee Communications, Greenlee Tools Inc., Gulf Valve FZE, Gustav Klauke GmbH, H.T.E. Engineering Limited, HD Electric Company, HTE Engineering Services Limited, Hindle Cockburns Limited, Hiross India Private Limited, Hiter Industria e Comercia de Controles Termo-Hidraulicos Ltda., Humboldt Hermetic Motor Corp., Hytork International Ltd., I Solutions Inc., ICC Intelligent Platforms GmbH, ISE-MagTech, Industrial Controls Canada ULC, Industrial Group Metran JSC, Instrument & Valve Services Company, Intelligent Platforms LLC, Intellution, International Gas Distribution SA, Intrinsic Safety Equipment of Texas Inc., JCF Fluid Flow India Private Limited, JSC Metran-Export, Joucomatic S.A., K Controls Limited, Keystone Germany Holdings Corp., Keystone Valve (Korea) LLC, Keystone Valve (U.K.) Limited, Klauke, Klauke (Jiangsu) Electrical Connection Technology Co Ltd., Klauke France SARL, Klauke Handelsgesellschaft mbH, Klauke Iberia S.L., Klauke Polska Sp. z.o.o., Klauke Slovakia s.r.o., Klauke UK Ltd., Knurr, Liebert, Liebert Swindon Limited, Locus Solutions LLC, Locus Traxx Worldwide, Locus Traxx Worldwide Europe BVBA, MDC Technology Limited, MDC Technology Trustees Limited, METCO Services Limited, MYNAH Technologies, Management Resources Group Inc., Mecafrance (Deutschland) GmbH, Metallurgical Services Laboratories Limited, Metaserv Limited, Metco Services Venezuela C.A., Micro Motion Inc., Mobrey Group Limited, Motores Hermeticos del Sur S.A. de C.V., NetworkPower Ecuador S.A., Nippon Fisher Co. Ltd., Novel Environmental Technologies Ltd., Novel Extinguishing Agent Technology Ltd., Numatics Incorporated, Nutsteel DHC B.V., Nutsteel Industria Metalurgica Ltda, O.M.T. Officina Meccanica Tartarini S.r.l., Open Systems International, P I Components Corp., PT Emerson Solutions Indonesia, PT. Emerson Indonesia, PT. Paradigm Geophysical Indonesia, Pactrol Controls Limited, PakSense, PakSense Inc., Paradigm, Paradigm (UK) Holding Limited, Paradigm B.V., Paradigm France S.A., Paradigm Geophysical (India) Private Limited, Paradigm Geophysical (KL) Sdn. Bhd., Paradigm Geophysical (Nigeria) Limited, Paradigm Geophysical (U.K.) Limited, Paradigm Geophysical B.V., Paradigm Geophysical Corp., Paradigm Geophysical Italy SRL, Paradigm Geophysical LLC, Paradigm Geophysical Limited, Paradigm Geophysical Pty Ltd, Paradigm Geophysical S.A., Paradigm Geophysical Sdn. Bhd., Paradigm Geophysical Spain S.L., Paradigm Geophysical de Venezuela C.A., Paradigm Geophysical do Brasil Ltda., Paradigm Geoservices Canada Ltd., Paradigm Geotechnology (Egypt) S.A.E., Paradigm Kazakhstan LLP, Paradigm Middle East FZ-LLC, Paradigm Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Parex Industries Limited, Pentair Valves & Controls, Pentair Valves and Controls India Private Limited, Permasense, Permasense Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd, Permasense Limited, ProSys, ProTeam Inc., Progea, RAC Technologies (Israel) Ltd., RIDGID Inc., RPP Europe GmbH, RPP LLC, Rey-Lam S. de R.L. de C.V., Ridge Tool (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Ridge Tool Company, Ridge Tool Europe NV, Ridge Tool GmbH, Ridge Tool GmbH & Co. OHG, Ridge Tool Manufacturing Company, Ridge Tool Pattern Company, Ridgid France SAS, Ridgid Italia S.R.L., Ridgid Online Inc., Ridgid Scandinavia A/S, Ridgid Werkzeuge AG, Rosemount China Inc., Rosemount Inc., Rosemount Measurement Limited, Rosemount Nuclear Instruments Inc., Rosemount Specialty Products LLC, Rosemount Tank Gauging India Pvt. Ltd., Rosemount Tank Gauging Middle East SPC, Rosemount Tank Gauging North America Inc., Rosemount Tank Radar AB, Rosemount Tank Radar Properties AB, Roxar, Roxar AS, Roxar Flow Measurement AS, Roxar Flow Measurement Sdn Bhd, Roxar Limited, Roxar Maximum Reservoir Performance W.L.L., Roxar Saudi Co., Roxar Services AS, Roxar Services OOO, Roxar Software Solutions AS, Roxar Technologies AS, Roxar Vietnam Company Ltd., Roxar de Venezuela C.A., Rutherfurd Acquisitions Limited, S.F.T. Group Ltd., SABO-Armaturen Service GmbH, Safety Systems UK Pte. Ltd., Sakhi-Raimondi Valve (India) Limited, Scroll Compressors LLC, Scroll Mexico LLC, Sempell GmbH, Shanghai Virgo Valves Technology Consulting Co. Ltd., Sherman + Reilly, Soluciones 0925 C.A., Spectra-Tek Holdings Limited, Spectra-Tek International Limited, Spectra-Tek UK Limited, Spectrex, Spectrex Inc., Spectronix Ltd., Spensall Engineering Limited, Steel Support Systems Limited, Stratos Lightwave, System Plast International B.V., System Plast Ltda, System Plast USA de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., TDM-avtomatizatsiya, TV&C GP Holding LLC, Taiwan Valve Co. Ltd., TechnipFMC, Termocontroles de Juarez S.A. de C.V., Tescom Corporation, Tescom Europe GmbH & Co. KG, Tescom Europe Management GmbH, The Automation Group Inc., The J.R. Clarkson Company LLC, Therm-O-Disc Europe B.V., Therm-O-Disc Incorporated, Thunderline Z Inc., TopWorx UK Limited, Tranmet Holdings B.V., Tranmet Holdings Limited, Verdant Environmental Technologies, Vilter Manufacturing LLC, Virgo Valves & Controls (ME) FZE, Virgo Valves and Controls Sdn Bhd, Von Arx AG, Vulsub 1 Limited, Vulsub Brasil Holding, Vulsub Brasil Ltda., Vulsub Chile SpA, Vulsub Gulf Holding Limited, Vulsub Holding III (Denmark) ApS, Vulsub Holding Ltd, Vulsub Holdings A LLC, Vulsub Holdings B LLC, Vulsub Holdings C LLC, Vulsub Holdings D LLC, Vulsub Italia S.r.l., Vulsub Middle East Holdings LLC, Vulsub Peru S.A.C., Vulsub Property Holding LLC, Vulsub Property Limited, Vulsub S.A., Vulsub South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Vulsub VZ C.A., Westinghouse Electric Pvt. Limited, Westlock Controls Limited, Westlock Equipamentos de Controle Ltda., Woodstock Land Company LLC, epro GmbH, iSolera Inc., iSolutions Private Limited, and intelliSAW.

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IDEX Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides applied solutions worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Fluid & Metering Technologies (FMT), Health & Science Technologies (HST), and Fire & Safety/Diversified Products (FSDP). The FMT segment designs, produces, and distributes positive displacement pumps, small volume provers, flow meters, injectors, and other fluid-handling pump modules and systems, as well as offers flow monitoring and other services for the food, chemical, general industrial, water and wastewater, agricultural, and energy industries. The HST segment designs, produces, and distributes precision fluidics, rotary lobe pumps, centrifugal and positive displacement pumps, roll compaction and drying systems, pneumatic components and sealing solutions, high performance molded and extruded sealing components, custom mechanical and shaft seals, engineered hygienic mixers and valves, biocompatible medical devices and implantables, air compressors and blowers, optical components and coatings, laboratory and commercial equipment, precision photonic solutions, and precision gear and peristaltic pump technologies. This segment serves food and beverage, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical, cosmetics, marine, chemical, wastewater and water treatment, life sciences, research, and defense markets. The FSDP segment designs, produces, and distributes firefighting pumps, valves and controls, rescue tools, lifting bags, and other components and systems for the fire and rescue industry; engineered stainless steel banding and clamping devices for various industrial and commercial applications; and precision equipment for dispensing, metering, and mixing colorants and paints used in retail and commercial businesses. IDEX Corporation was incorporated in 1987 and is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois.
Brookdale Senior Living Inc. owns, manages, and operates senior living communities in the United States. It operates in three segments: Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). The Independent Living segment owns or leases communities comprising independent and assisted living units in a single community that are primarily designed for middle to upper income seniors. The Assisted Living and Memory Care segment owns or leases communities consisting of freestanding multi-story communities and freestanding single-story communities, which offer housing and 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living for the Company's residents. This segment also operates memory care communities for residents with Alzheimer's and other dementias. The CCRCs segment owns or leases communities that provides various living arrangements, such as independent and assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing; and services to accommodate various levels of physical ability and healthcare needs. It also manages communities on behalf of others. As of December 31, 2021, the company owned 347 communities, leased 299 communities, and managed 33 communities on behalf of others. Brookdale Senior Living Inc. was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee.
The following companies are subsidiares of Ecolab: AO Ecolab, Abednego Environmental Services, Abednego Environmental Services LLC, Abednego Mexico Holdings LLC, Abednego de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Alcide Corp., Anios America S.A., Anios Diffusion SAS, Anios Manufacturing SAS, Aqua Environmental Limited, Bioquell, Bioquell Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Bioquell Global Logistics (Ireland) Ltd., Bioquell Holding SAS, Bioquell Inc., Bioquell Limited, Bioquell SAS, Bioquell Technology (Shenzhen) Ltd., Bioquell Technology Canada Ltd., Bioquell UK Limited, Bro-Tech Limited, CALGON LLC, CID LINES NV, CID Lines, CID Lines Beijing Animal Hygiene Co Ltd., CID Lines France Sarl, CID Lines Iberica SL, CID Lines LLC, CID Lines Mexico S.A. DE C.V., CID Lines R&D NV, CID Lines Sp. z o. o., CORPAK MedSystems, Cascade Water Services, Champion Technologies, Chamtech L.L.C., Chemlawn, Chemstar Corporation, Cirlam BVBA, Copal Holding NV, Copal Invest NV, Cymru Holdings Limited, DERYPOL SA, DMD, E&M Bio-Chemicals LLC, ECOLAB NL 10 B.V., ECOLAB PEST FRANCE SAS, EPN Water Col Ltd., Ecolab (Antigua) Ltd., Ecolab (Aruba) N.V., Ecolab (Barbados) Limited, Ecolab (China) Investment Co. Ltd, Ecolab (Fiji) Pty Limited, Ecolab (GZ) Chemicals Limited, Ecolab (Guam) LLC, Ecolab (Proprietary) Limited, Ecolab (Schweiz) GmbH, Ecolab (St. Lucia) Limited, Ecolab (Taicang) Technology Co. Ltd., Ecolab (Trinidad and Tobago) Unlimited, Ecolab (U.K.) Holdings Limited, Ecolab A.E.B.E., Ecolab AB, Ecolab AU2 Pty Ltd, Ecolab Acquisition LLC, Ecolab ApS, Ecolab Argentina S.R.L., Ecolab Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Ecolab B.V., Ecolab Bahrain S.P.C., Ecolab CDN 2 Co., Ecolab CDN 4 ULC, Ecolab CH 1 GmbH, Ecolab CH 2 GmbH, Ecolab CH 3 GmbH in Liquidation, Ecolab CH 6 GmbH, Ecolab Chemicals Limited, Ecolab Co. Compagnie Ecolab, Ecolab Colombia S. A., Ecolab DE 1 GmbH, Ecolab Deutschland GmbH, Ecolab Digital Center Private Limited, Ecolab EOOD, Ecolab East Africa (Kenya) Limited, Ecolab East Africa (Tanzania) Limited, Ecolab East Africa (Uganda) Limited, Ecolab Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Ecolab Engineering GmbH, Ecolab Europe GmbH, Ecolab Export GmbH, Ecolab FR 1 SAS, Ecolab FR 4 SAS, Ecolab Finance Company Designated Activity Company, Ecolab Food Safety & Hygiene Solutions Private Limited, Ecolab G.K., Ecolab Global Business Services LLC, Ecolab GmbH, Ecolab Gulf FZE, Ecolab HK 1 Limited, Ecolab HK 2 Limited, Ecolab Hispano-Portuguesa S.L., Ecolab Holding Italy S.r.l., Ecolab Holdings (Europe) LLC, Ecolab Holdings Inc., Ecolab Holdings Mexico S. de R. L. de C. 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First Data Corporation provides commerce enabled technology and solutions for merchants, financial institutions, and card issuers in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through three segments: Global Business Solutions, Global Financial Solutions, and Network & Security Solutions. The Global Business Solutions segment provides solutions to merchants, such as retail point of sale merchant acquiring, e-commerce, and mobile payment services, as well as cloud based point of sale operating system that include a marketplace for proprietary and third party applications. The Global Finance Solutions segment provides technology solutions for bank and non-bank issuers, such as credit, retail private label, commercial card, and loan processing, as well as licensed financial software systems; suite of account services that include card personalization and embossing, customer communications, and professional services; and call center solutions and back office processing. The Network & Security Solutions segment offers EFT network, stored value network, and security and fraud solutions, as well as other value added solutions to its clients in GBS and GFS segments, smaller financial institutions, and other enterprise clients. First Data Corporation was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Its been three years since New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd consumed an undocumented amount of a cannabis-infused candy bar and tumbled down a psychotropic rabbit hole.

For an hour, I felt nothing, Dowd wrote in June 2014. But then I felt a scary shudder go through my body and brain. I barely made it from the desk to the bed, where I lay curled up in a hallucinatory state for the next eight hours.

She was thirsty, but could not move. She was panting and paranoid.

The column launched the predictable round of mockery on social media, commentators bemused by the naivete of the Gray Lady columnist.

But Dowds encounter in a Denver hotel room with a THC-laced treat was a cautionary tale, and a serviceable one at that. While Colorado had legalized the sale of recreational marijuana as of Jan. 1 of that year  a story that Dowd was reporting on  the state entered a rolling period of regulatory refinements that still has not ceased.

The mandated single-serving stamping of a universal symbol  a yield sign with the letters THC and an accompanying exclamation mark  wasnt legislated into effect until October 2016, at the same time as the state determined that all edibles be physically demarked in a way that enables a reasonable person to intuitively determine how much of the product constitutes a single serving of active THC. Each serving is to contain no more than 10 mg of the buzzy stuff. Packaging must be opaque, hard to open for children under the age of 5 and resealable.

As of next October marijuana edibles shaped like people, animals or fruit will be prohibited, meaning that it took years for the state to take a stand on pot-infused gummy bears. More changes are bound to occur as pot companies continue down the path of product innovation.

Colorados learning curve could be the most useful test case for the Canadian government as Ottawa moves from broad legalization of dried and fresh cannabis, seeds and oil  targeted for July of 2018  to edibles, the time line for which has not been set. Designing an appropriate regulatory system for cannabis edibles is a complex undertaking and there are unique potential health risks and harms that need to be carefully understood before the development and coming into force of these regulations, the government said after tabling the Cannabis Act in mid-April. For this reason, the Government of Canada will need to take an appropriate amount of time to develop, and implement regulations that will result in safe edible products eventually coming to market. Standardized serving sizes and child-resistant packaging both earned a mention.

Whats at stake is a fast-growing consumer products industry that can spur domestic job creation and seed international expansion.

Thats certainly the way Tripp Keber sees it. The Denver-based chief executive officer of Dixie Brands has been meeting with licensed cannabis producers in Canada  he wont say which  moving toward a joint venture that would see Dixie establish manufacturing operations in Canada for branded products sold here and abroad.

The Dixie product lineup includes mints, chocolates, topicals and elixirs, like sparkling berry lemonade. The company currently manufactures in four states, with a plan to move to at least six by year end.

Keber has embraced the Colorado guidelines throughout Dixies operations. There have been sacrifices. The popular Dixie Roll  think Tootsie Roll with a buzz  didnt survive the introduction of the mandated THC stamping. We couldnt find the methodology to apply the edible ink to these rolls and allow it to be read, he says. Ultimately that product got sacked.

The upside is an eye popping corporate trajectory. In 2014, on any given day, Dixie had over a half-million dollar backlog, Keber says. We just could not manufacture enough. Three plus years later, we are no longer a commercial kitchen. Were really an industrial manufacturing facility. He will not share revenue figures.

Data from Arcview Market Research provides some hard number insights. In the first quarter of 2014, more than 70 per cent of Colorado cannabis sales came from flower sales. That dropped to 56 per cent by the third quarter of last year. Sales of edibles in the state grew to $190 million (U.S.) in 2016, a 50-per-cent increase from the previous year. Arcview now includes Canada in its North American forecasts, projecting legal cannabis sales to reach $21.6 billion in 2021 from $6.9 billion today.

And heres the benefit to the public purse: Colorados Department of Revenue reports that all marijuana taxes, licences and fees totalled $22.9 million in April of this year, versus $13.1 million in April 2016. (The first $40 million collected in marijuana retail taxes will be transferred to public school capital construction.)

For entrepreneurs like Keber, theres a catch. U.S. regulations are evolving state by state but do not allow for interstate commerce. (Marijuana is illegal under federal U.S. law.) Nor can he export internationally his product line, from Dixies bath soak  it provides more of a body buzz and is designed to alleviate stress and anxiety  to its cinnamon synergy dew drops.

Canada represents a massive opportunity, he says, not only in marketing to Canadian consumers, but in establishing a manufacturing distribution platform here to connect to international markets. Now I dont have to go build a facility in Colombia or Mexico or Uruguay. I can build one in Canada and ostensibly through federal treaties serve those consumers and/or patients.

Ostensibly is the operative word, but Keber is convinced that the evolution of the Canadian market is inevitable. We believe unequivocally, or as I like to say, with delusional confidence, that your government understands the importance of including infused products. At the end of the day, a widget, whether it be an elixir or a pain relief lotion or a tincture, it is far easier to track, tax and regulate that product when its in a form similar to that of any consumer packaged goods company.

Its hard to get ones head around that, seeing a pot producer as just another cookie or pop company. The thought might even rouse a bit of anxiety. Dixie Brands has the remedy for that: a relaxing mint with just a hint of THC. If Tripp Keber has his way, coming soon to a dispensary near you.

jenwells@thestar.ca

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As a little girl, Jennifer Wagar was her handyman fathers constant sidekick  eager to hand him his hammer and help with jobs around the house.

I grew up in a family with two girls and friends used to tease me that I was his son! says the 39-year-old, who runs a PR company with her husband, Andrew, 43. My dad was very, very handy. I learned a lot of initial skills from him. Its always been a part of me.

Wagars passion for DIY projects has continued to grow and she has thrown herself into the renovations of three different houses over the past five years.

The latest of which she calls a fix renovation of the Burlington home she and Andrew share with their daughters, Mackenzie, 7, and Penelope, 6, and their dog, Ruby.

The family moved from Toronto almost four years ago after purchasing the house  just a two-minute walk from Lake Ontario  for $715,000. Wagar says it had great bones but was stuck in the 80s and was in desperate need of an update.

They set a budget of $150,000 to refinish the basement and update the main floor.

The to-do list included refinishing existing hardwood floors on the main and upper levels, and adding new tile floors from the foyer to the kitchen. The basement scored some new flooring throughout, a stone feature wall and an electric fireplace. New trim and doors were installed throughout both levels, the house got a full paint job and some additional pot lights were installed. On the main floor, the powder room got a complete overhaul.

After the 3-1/2-month project was complete, the final tab came in closer to $170,000.

We decided to do the landscaping as well, which kind of blew us over the top but were glad we did, Wagar says.

We basically had everything pulled out, bulldozed and restructured and re-patioed.

The couple didnt go overbudget on the kitchen though; in fact, they managed to give it a total facelift for under $10,000.

The kitchen to me was where we really won, says Wagar. It was pretty dated, but we made great use of it.

She had the contractor use as many of the existing cabinets as possible, removed some of the bulkheads and then added their own matching cabinets to finish it off. Some wainscotting, new backsplash, countertop and sink completed the simple additions.

Thanks to all the renovations and the ripple effects from Torontos red-hot real estate market, the house is now worth close to $1.5 million.

Next up are plans to redo the upstairs level and complete an exterior facelift of the house, which is so close to their daughters school they can even hear the bell ringing.

Wagar says that while she loves the creative outlet of renovating, she gets bored easily and wants to start the process all over again once a house is finished.

Im one of these crazy people  I love to move, she laughs. I think my husbands getting really tired of it.

She finally decided that in order to keep her husband happy  and avoid making her children and dog live through another dusty renovation  she would have to put her creative skills to good use again and come up with a compromise.

Wagar recently completed a six-month home renovation apprenticeship and is starting a new business overhauling spaces and turning them into rental properties. As part of her new endeavour  Revival Property Innovations  she will be filming how-to videos with renovation tips as she develops each property.

But before she satisfies her creative urges outside of her home, her family will have to be patient for a little while longer with one last project inside their own. Wagar has her sights set on a reno of the homes upper level and, instead of using a contractor this time around, she wants to put her new skills to work and do the job herself. The ambitious project will include two new bathrooms and a master bedroom update.

I anticipate a few bumps along the way, but Im up for the challenge! she says.

At least Wagar will have her two daughters by her side as a support system  just like she was for her dad. The girls love to help out and I am starting to teach them how to use small power tools, she says. They love to get their hands dirty  like their mama.

Wagar says she thinks its important for her daughters to learn these important life skills and become handy around the house. It will help them in the future to save time, money and maybe even parlay into a career path!

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In the Age of Trump, its probably only natural to muse on other political leaders of unlikely ascendancy and unorthodox ways.

And in marking the 150th {+ } anniversary of Canadas Confederation this year, its inevitable that any such exercise would summon the memory of William Bible Bill Aberhart of Alberta and the Social Credit party of his creation that governed that province for 36 consecutive years.

Alberta became a province in 1905, a place of raw frontier and fervent religiosity, congenitally averse, it seemed, to the controlling inclination of government and a long, long way from Ottawa by any measure.

Until 1921 the Liberals governed, before being swept from office in one of the periodic western gales by the United Farmers of Alberta, who held office until 1935.

Rocked by drought and the Depression, the UFA became vulnerable in its turn to a populist preacher who had been born in Ontario and moved west along with the country.

William Aberhart arrived in Calgary in 1910 as a teacher before turning to preaching. A Canadian original, he was inspired by the unlikely combination of the Book of Revelations and the Social Credit theories of a Briton named Major C.H. Douglas.

In Calgary, Aberhart founded the Calgary Prophetic Bible Institute and, with the rise of radio as the newest medium, began broadcasting on Calgary station CFCN, The Voice of the Prairies.

With his fulminations of coming Raptures and eventual Armageddon, Aberhart gave Albertans a healthy dose of the fear of God, along with a yearning for something better than their miserable earthly lot.

After being exposed to Social Credit, he began incorporating its tenets  for instance, the velocity theory of compulsory spending, and the distribution of social dividends  into his radio lectures and sermons.

So the Social Credit movement grew through the same ways and means as his religious following  a dynamic radio presence and the establishment of study groups in all areas of the province.

Bible Bill was suddenly an economic wizard, a martyr, a voice of prophecy crying in the wilderness, a lone brave man standing up against the eastern financiers, a saviour who promised redemption from the incredible woes of the Depression, Robert Kroetsch wrote in his book Alberta.

Not that any of it made much sense.

In fact, in her book Mavericks: An Incorrigible History of Alberta, author Aritha van Herk called Social Credit a bundle of contradictions.

Capitalism was its devil, but free enterprise its hero. Credit was positive, but money as a medium was devalued, and hoarding wealth was considered an offence, she wrote.

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As all good populist movements require, there were also scapegoats and villains. The banks, which Social Credit argued were responsible for general poverty by withdrawing money from circulation, and, as Aberhart thundered, the 50 big shots in the east!

The Social Credit carrot at the end of all that stickwork was the promise to Albertans struggling to survive the Depression of $25 a month.

Come the 1935 provincial election, Aberhart summoned honest men across Alberta to run for office under the Social Credit banner. They volunteered in multitudes.

And despite their inexperience, their wild promises and their megalomaniac leader, Social Credit swept the province, van Herk wrote, winning 56 seats to five for the Liberals, two for the Conservatives. The United Farmers of Alberta were routed.

Aberhart, who hadnt run, became premier. A byelection was soon arranged to provide him with a seat. Then, predictably, chaos ensued.

Populism was a wonderful tornado to ride into office, but a poor whirlwind for governing, van Herk observed.

It became clear Aberhart knew nothing of governing, and equally clear Social Credits basic program was unworkable.

Needless to say, internal dissent erupted. And, in the eye of the storm, Aberhart had impulses that would be familiar today.

Among them, he lambasted the press for his troubles and tried to censor the rascals through his governments Accurate News and Information Act. This, among other measures, required newspapers to reveal their sources and publish government handouts in response to any stories it disliked.

The media fought back and in 1938 the Edmonton Journal  which launched and won court challenges against the Aberhart legislation  was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for defending freedom of the press.

Bizarrely, it wasnt until almost four years after his election that Aberhart first spoke in the legislature. Instead, he used radio broadcasts  the tweets of his day  to announce decisions.

The rest of the country looked on, van Herk recounted, with combined horror and amusement.

Yet despite the fact Social Credit had fulfilled none of its promises, had raised taxes, had defaulted on bonds, and had alienated every newspaper in the province, Aberhart was re-elected in 1940.

His final years, however, were filled with snubs. The University of Alberta declined to grant him an honorary degree. He fell ill with liver disease. His wife, indignant on his behalf at the slights, insisted after Aberharts death in 1943 that he be buried in British Columbia rather than Alberta.

At Aberharts death, he was succeeded by Ernest Manning, who had been his lieutenant since the rise of Social Credit as a political force in Alberta.

Manning had many of Aberharts virtues  it was said his voice was impossible to tell from Aberharts on the radio  but, unlike his mentor, had applied himself to mastering government and conservative policy while shedding elements of Social Credit that were impractical, if not preposterous.

With the Manning years  which spanned more than 25 years  came post-war reconstruction, the birth of the oil industry and the squelching of Social Credits wackier or more intolerant elements.

Ernest Manning, whose son Preston would come blowing out of Alberta two decades later at the head of another blast of western populism, won his last election in Canadas centennial year, 1967.

But when the prairie dust settled from that campaign, new leader Peter Lougheed sat across the aisle at the head of a six-person caucus of Conservative opposition MPs.

In Lougheed, Manning  who would resign in 1968  must have seen the future of modern Alberta, and the final setting of William Aberharts Social Credit sun.

SELLING PETER LOUGHEED

Perry Rosemond, now a Toronto resident, was born in Winnipeg in 1936 and through a celebrated career has created award-winning television in Canada and abroad for more than 50 years.

He created King of Kensington, produced Royal Canadian Air Farce and such Canadian classics as Mr. Dressup and The Friendly Giant. Hes been awarded the Order of Canada and, in the United States, won a Peabody Award.

Rosemond was not quite that accomplished, however, when he received a call from the Progressive Conservative party of Alberta looking for help in the 1971 election campaign.

It became Rosemonds job to put wheels under the campaign of a certain Peter Lougheed, who had in the previous election won six seats and was looking at the David and Goliath task of ousting the entrenched Social Credit government.

Lougheed was a scion of privilege  the Socreds mocked him as part of the Cadillac Club  but less than a household name.

Thirty-six per cent of the province of Alberta cannot identify Peter as the leader of the Conservative party, Rosemond noted.

In his preliminary notes to the party, he set out two themes: Peter Lougheed is capable. Peter Lougheed is concerned.

We must find ways to make Peter endearing rather than arrogant, he said.

More than anything, the campaign must showcase his energy, image as youthful modern man, with all advertising spots catching Peter on the move.

It was a transitional time. Pierre Trudeau was not long in office as prime minister. Canada had only just come down from the national buzz of Expo 67. The 60s had ushered in a youth culture.

Perry Rosemond was just as on-the-money as when he cast Al Waxman as Kensingtons king.

As Aritha van Herk put it in Mavericks: An Incorrigible History of Alberta, Lougheed literally ran through the province (his team was famous for jogging), visiting every riding (one day he travelled 2,500 kilometres)  talking on Main Street, talking on television, convincing Albertans that he was a live wire, a new Kennedy, not tired old deadwood.

On election night 1971, Lougheed swept Albertas Social Credit into the dustbin of history, launched a brave new world of Alberta conservatism, and became one of the most formidable provincial premiers in Canadian history.

And Perry Rosemond, having conquered Alberta, would soon enough move on to Hollywood.

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MONTREALCanada has its 150th. Montreal has its 375th. In 2017, it seems that everyone is seeking cause for celebration.

Everyone including the Quebec legislature, which is marking the 225th anniversary of the existence of parliamentary institutions  a rather dry title for a rich history that begins with the formation in 1792 of the first democratically elected assembly in what was then Lower Canada, and wraps in tales of British colonial repression, political prisoners and a bloody uprising.

There are no fireworks, nor statutory holidays for the 225th. But Quebecs National Assembly has come up with a novel way to honour the history while promoting an artistic discipline  the comic  that turns out not to be so new.

The result is 1792, a book that is half history, half graphic novel. It was inspired by the discovery of what is believed to be the first French-language comic, a political pamphlet printed on June 17, 1792, to support the candidacy of William Grant, a Scottish-born merchant, over that of Jean-Antoine Panet, a Quebec City-born lawyer.

Only 150 copies of the document were printed and just one remains in the archives at McGill University. It served as the theme for a project that brings the rigour of history to bear on the graphic arts, which has the ability to make the dates, names and scenes of the past jump off the page.

History is close to literature, but you have to always base things on the source, which means that we transposed the job of historian onto these graphic artists, said Christian Blais, a historian with the National Assemblys library in Quebec City.

Blais, who is completing a doctorate on the British colonial regime in Lower Canada, did the historical digging to write the authoritative factual and contextual articles on which the books four comics are based.

With the comic, were not repeating the text that precedes it; were adding a flavour to the historical story, he said.

Blais served as historical sounding board for the four artists to ensure that while each comic was creative, it was also accurate and credible.

I gave them many images of paintings from the middle of the 19th century and I was there to answer their questions or to stress certain details. I could tell an artist to have their characters smoke more because, at that time in Lower Canada, people smoked like chimneys, Blais said.

I noted that the hats worn by the French Canadians at the time were either red or blue, but never another colour, or that they wore the sash, which was a defining feature of the clothing of the period.

The four moments  that first vote; the debate between the French majority and the English over an official language; a persecuted critic of the British colonial regime; and the demand for political reform that preceded rebellion in Lower Canada  can all be traced back one way or another to 1792.

Magali Paquin, who co-ordinated the work over the last two years, said there were 112 candidates who applied to work on the project. A jury helped whittle them down to a group representing different styles, generations and regional backgrounds.

We wanted a panorama of what the comic world is like today 225 years after the first comic, Paquin said.

The best known of the artists is comic veteran Real Godbout, who treats the demands of political reformers in 1834 and the 1837-38 Lower Canada rebellions. His piece illuminates not only the political debate and optimism of Louis-Joseph Papineaus Patriot Party, but also the desolate agony when the rebellion is brutally put down.

The others include VoRo (Vincent Rioux), who handled the excitement and energy surrounding that first democratic election in 1792, and Vincent Giard, who brings to life the long-forgotten injustice suffered by Pierre-Stanislas Bedard, who was elected in 1792 and was jailed for publishing seditious material critical of the British regime in his French-language newspaper Le Canadien.

Giard knew of Bedard before the project but said he became an expert after spending more than a year studying old paintings, newspapers, books and other documents, and also travelling to Quebec City on several occasions to get a feel for the streets and buildings where the story played out.

Usually I do poetry and science fiction. Its certainly my first work of history. I wouldnt have been able to do it without the support of Christian (Blais), Giard said, adding that everything, down to the hairstyles and curse words of the day, was researched.

For Vanessa Lalonde, the only female artist, the book is her first published work. She recounts one of the first debates of the newly elected assembly  to decide the official language of business  but does it through the eyes of the children of the politicians engaged in the debate.

After a fight erupts between the French and English children, one asks if the two warring sides will ever find common ground, which is a humorous nod to todays ongoing language fault lines.

As long as were not stuck in the same fight in 225 years, one young girl says.

I hope not, another says.

During a panel discussion at last months Montreal Comic Arts Festival, a high school history teacher arrived with his lesson plan to show that he had already employed 1792 as a tool to teach his students the political history of Lower Canada.

Our challenge was not only to interest comic book readers in history, but to interest history buffs in the promising and powerful medium of comics to transmit atmosphere and bring characters and emotions alive, said Paquin.

Just with that, Blais said, we have reached our goal.

En Scene is a monthly column on Quebec culture. Email: awoods@thestar.ca

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Burmas world-famous civilian leader got a heros welcome at Toronto city hall while protesters outside accused Aung San Suu Kyi of ignoring human rights atrocities in their homeland.

Suu Kyi met privately with Mayor John Tory on Friday before greeting a city council chamber packed with several hundred Burmese-Canadians who sang Happy Birthday, 10 days before she turns 72.

A Nobel Peace Prize winner and only one of six people given honorary Canadian citizenship, she spent 15 years detained by a military dictatorship before her National League for Democracy was voted into power in 2015.

Her Canadian visit, which saw Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledge an extra $8.8 million for Burmas peace and stability programs, has triggered calls for officials to confront Suu Kyi about allegations of ongoing human rights abuses against her countrys Muslim ethnic Rohingya minority.

Tory did not publicly address those calls but said Suu Kyi, on a fact-finding mission to learn how to rebuild democracy in her homeland, can learn a lot from diverse and tolerant Toronto.

Her Excellency has worked tirelessly to bring reforms and peace to Myanmar, another name for Burma, the mayor said. Her story is an inspiration to all of those who live in places where democracy continues to be a work in progress . . .

Here and in Myanmar (we need) constant vigilance for the rights and inclusions of all citizens, including women, youth, and ethnic and religious minorities . . . (to) move forward, especially on democracy and inclusion.

Suu Kyi answered pre-submitted questions in her native tongue, often invoking laughter. While speaking briefly in English, the renowned democracy champion seemed to acknowledge Burma has not met everyones expectations.

It has been a very happy (occasion) just to meet the people who have come from our country and who have settled here in Canada, and who are enjoying the advantages of democracy and federalism, she said.

We hope that we will be able to learn the right lessons from you and take it back to our country to make our paths to a democratic federal union smoother than it has been.

Reporters were invited to watch, but given no opportunity to ask questions.

Khan Han, an invited guest who has lived in Toronto for the past 18 years, was thrilled to see Suu Kyi and hear her answers about their South Asian homeland. It feels wonderful, absolutely, the bagel shop owner said.

But outside, in Nathan Phillips Square, about 40 protesters carried signs including Stop genocide of Rohingya.

The UN office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has condemned reports of killings, detentions, rapes, and the razing of Rohingya villages. Suu Kyi has resisted calls for an international probe because, some say, she fears antagonizing politically powerful Buddhist nationalists who view the Muslim minority as illegal immigrants.

Tin Aung, who left Burma in 1988, said he was long part of Suu Kyis struggle for democracy. Organizers of Fridays event initially suggested he could attend and ask a question, he said, but then told him he was not welcome inside the city hall chamber.

She not only discriminates back home but she systematically blocked us here in a free country, he said. We know each other, Im not going to make chaos.

Anwar Arkani, who left Burma in 1984 and arrived in Canada in 1988, called Suu Kyi a hypocrite for championing human rights while in our country if you are Muslim you are considered unclean.

With files from The Canadian Press

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Toronto police are looking for a man after an alleged assault in High Park was caught on video.

On June 3 around 1 p.m., a 61-year-old man was walking through High Park when he made a comment about a mans pit bull being off-leash.

The victim was filming as he was approached by the dogs owner.

Between slurred snapshots of the grass and the sky above, the video shows the suspect silhouetted above the victim, raising his fist again and again. You see me? You see me? the man says. Get your phone out of my face.

The suspect then fled the area. He is described as six feet tall, medium build, with short, curly black hair.

In the video he is wearing black clothing and a camouflage bandana around his neck, and is with a brown pit bull.

A spokesperson for the police said the public has been helpful in trying to find the suspect and they are very hopeful someone will be able to identify him. Anyone with information on the mans whereabouts is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers.

With files from Emily Fearon

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WARNING: Contains graphic content

First thing the sexual assault complainant did  a mistake  was shower.

To remove the vomit in which shed been lying face down, the dried ejaculate in her hair, the trace stench of intimate violation upon her body.

As, indeed, some of us whove been in the courtroom this past week feel a similar urge to bathe immediately upon departing the premises.

Wash off the ugliness.

Because the assaults continue.

Not rapes and forcible fellatio, which the woman claims occurred in the early morning hours of Jan. 17, 2015. But the assaults on her character, on her recital of disputed facts, on the statements given to investigators, on comments made to a nurse, on medical records, on texts sent to a cop colleague and to friends, on testimony elicited under oath.

Read more:

Female parking enforcement officer grilled by defence lawyer at sex assault trial: DiManno

Woman in cop sex assault trial tells court 'I couldnt stop what was happening': DiManno

How did Rookie Buy Night turn into an alleged sex assault on a cop, by cops?: DiManno

Cross-examination is always an ordeal. Never, though, as brutal as when a sex assault complainant is on the stand.

At this judge-alone trial, objections from the prosecution have been few and mild. Its been Justice Anne Molloy, rather, directing a modicum of restraint from the bench.

Such as Friday, when Molloy took exception to some of the text contents that defence lawyer Harry Black intended to put to the witness and argued in her absence.

Sexting, as Black described the communications, which indeed had a sexual subtext in the to-and-fro suggestive repartee between complainant and a cop acquaintance.

Theyre flirtatious at best, Molloy told Black. I dont accept your argument that this is relevant to if she was sexually assaulted. That is walking straight into the stereotypes and rape myths of how a woman is going to behave, and that is not appropriate.

Molloy had a few sentences removed before the texts.

Those texts were disclosed after a ruling by a different judge, in a pretrial hearing related to a third-party records application  that contents of the complainants cellphone should be turned over to the defence.

Likewise, when Black asked the witness about an Internet search on her phone that shed done about date rape drugs, specifically Rohypnol  this two days after the alleged sex assault  he was sharply rebuked. Black had just said to the witness: You do know that you tried to prevent the defence from getting this, dont you?

A no-fair groan went up from the prosecution.

Molloy: Thats not appropriate.

Turning to the witness, she added: Dont answer the question.

Molloy had already questioned the scope of queries Black raised while probing the veracity of texts the witness had sent to a girlfriend  texts that had nothing to do with the alleged assaults; were about remarks the witness had made about a dinner with another cop and which, on the stand, the complainant admitted were false. (There was no dinner.)

Are you the kind of person who finds it easy to tell lies, even to a close friend? asked Black.

Molloy, disapprovingly: Youre asking about her general character and her propensity to tell lies.

Black: Your Honour, are you not happy with my question?

Molloy: Its not going to make any difference to me.

Doubtless this trial would be conducted differently had it unspooled in front of a jury, as originally planned. The defendants changed their minds about that when the trial was set to begin last week, triggering a strategic delay. With the ultimate verdict solely in the hands of a veteran judge, Molloy is not required to protect a jurys ears from inadmissible evidence. She alone will weigh that evidence.

Black is the lead lawyer representing Leslie Nyznik. Constables Nyznik, Joshua Cabero and Sameer Kara have all pleaded not guilty on a charge of sexual assault. The alleged victim  her name is protected by a publication ban  was a parking enforcement officer working out of 51 Division with the accused when the purported assault occurred in a downtown hotel room following a night of pub-crawling.

The complainant insists she never consented to sex with the officers; that they compelled her into having oral sex and intercourse and she, possibly drugged at some point in the evening, had been unable to stop them.

Its been illuminating, and dismaying, to see what tactics are permitted for a defence attorney at a sex assault trial. Medical records? Go ahead. The revealing clothing a complainant was wearing? Go ahead. Accusations of full-bore mendacity? Go ahead. Spinning a counter-narrative based on the accounts of the accused  who may or may not ever take the stand  whereby the alleged victim was actually the give-it-to-me architect of that orgy? Go ahead.

This lengthy exchange, for instance, when Black cast scornful doubt on the witnesss claim, under direct examination, that she was terrified of reporting the incident to her supervisor and to investigators from Professional Standards.

You were in a state of panic, because you were reflecting on choices that you had made that night.

The witness disagreed.

Im going to suggest to you that you were thinking, What if it gets out that I actually propositioned a police officer at the Brass Rail to have sex with me, in front of a table of other people? That was a concern of yours wasnt it?

Witness: Thats not what happened.

Black: And that you then had sex consensually with three police officers in that room.

Witness: At no point in time did I consent.

Black: That you were outraged by the fact that immediately after you had sex with these three men, they begin talking about whether theyre going to bring (a) stripper back (to the hotel room.) How did that make you feel?

Reword that, interjected Molloy.

The witness responded that when she processed that later, it didnt make me feel good.

Black: Im suggesting to you that what happened in the early morning hours of January the 17th was that you . . . were filled with regret about what you had done and you were in a panic about what was going to happen to your reputation if word got out that you had intercourse with three officers from 51 Division . . . .

Witness: I did nothing wrong.

Black: . . . and you also felt that you could possibly lose your job over this.

Witness: I feared losing my job over reporting this.

Black: Well, Im suggesting that early in the morning hours of Jan. 17, you started to create a narrative that would essentially render you blameless and not responsible for anything that happened in that room.

Witness: Im not responsible for anything that happened in that room.

Two days under cross from Black. Now Karas lawyer can have at her. Then Caberos lawyer.

Remarkable, really, what a cry-rape woman would willingly subject herself to, as a lying, scheming scapegrace.

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

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Its that time of year when graduates leave a lump in our throats and hope in our hearts.

The awkward child who found purpose and now clutches a diploma. The son who struggled mightily just to stay in school, before connecting with a teacher who cared beyond duty and made all the difference. The brilliance and awesome wonder of youth on a mission.

It could be found in the hundreds walking from Westview and C.W. Jefferys to York University in the annual statement that education is the path out of the social housing traps.

Or the 40 or so who will graduate from Crawford Adventist Academy, an independent church school where 38 of them will go on to tertiary education. Not just once. Every year.

To prepare for the annual season of uplift, I attended an unusual recruitment drive at North York Civic Centre last week. Hundreds of parents and students of African and Caribbean descent were kicking the tires on a schooling opportunity thats as rare and unlikely as, well, as a Black kid at Upper Canada College (UCC).

Oh, thats not so rare? Not anymore? So I discovered.

Since 2007, 120 Afro-Caribbean students have received scholarships to attend the elite private schools known to churn out prime ministers and business moguls. Most of the 120 have been to UCC. But the tables displaying recruitment literature last week boasted about the rarefied life at Branksome Hall, Havergal College, St. Clements, Crescent School, Sterling Hall, Royal St. Georges College, Appleby College and others, 20 in all.

These elite private schools brag about low teacher-student ratio, high academic standards and expectations, deep and worldwide alumni network, a balanced and varied school life and the making of solid men and women out of unsteady boys and girls.

And here they were reaching out to Black students  the very students we fret about every time we peruse reports on dropout rates and lagging academic achievement in our provinces public schools.

The parents and their children in tow are a mix of wonder, anticipation, anxiety and resolve. These are families willing to take a path less travelled, one that begins far from their familiar neighbourhood and class and friends and promises to land the voyager in unimaginable places.

The pioneers file reports of launching out into a world where few look like them, sound like them, have their experiences. I told him hell likely be the poorest kid in the school, but to hold your head up, one parent tells the gathered mass looking for tips on what life is like at the schools of the privileged, where a $30,000 tuition tab is not unusual.

They go in timid and tentative. By November their chests are out. They are leaders, articulate, sure-footed, integrated and part of the UCC brotherhood or the sisterhood at Havergal.

A new world has opened to them. They can shine, says Anne White, who helps prepare the students for the unexpected world of Canadas elite private schools.

Just after the Year of the Gun (2005) the Ontario government funded the African-Canadian Christian Network (ACCN) to administer grants to various church-based organizations committed to community ministry.

I know about this because then-premier Dalton McGuinty announced the funding at my church, where Amon Beckles was shot and killed on the front steps while attending a funeral of his slain friend. The idea was that churches might be able to reach at risk youths that government institutions were unable to contact.

One funding success is the creation of outreach to African and Caribbean families to prepare them for entrance exams and the steps to apply for scholarships to attend elite schools.

We got an invitation from (former) principal Jim Power of UCC, recalls Cheryl Lewis, executive director of ACCN. Hed looked around and saw the tapestry of his school did not reflect the city. So, he offered two boardings (residential places) for boys.

The ACCN was a fledgling organization. The government funding allowed it the capacity to reach out to several churches and establish the educational initiative. Word got out. Parents and students took up the offer to prepare the applicants for life at the elite schools.

Just outside the council chamber at North York city hall Im surrounded by male and female Black students, in crested uniform, waxing about their experiences. The head spins.

How many students look like you? Not a lot. You can name them.

Its kind of a brotherhood. They are good men at heart. Its not difficult to make friends. Theres no room not to succeed. Its a good community. Everyone seems a lot more motivated to succeed. Im pretty happy and comfortable there. They are accepting and open. It exposes you to so many different opportunities you didnt know. Its a rigorous community. The first day I was really nervous, but from Day 1 I had multiple supports and advisers so I felt supported in all aspects of life ...

Each student is a story in the power of opportunity.

Benjamin McDonald was bored with school that did not challenge him. Once he got to UCC he was motivated to pop up at 5:30 in the morning to take the GO Train with his dad and be at school for shortly after 7. At UCC he would start a club for Black students, mentor the newcomers and now points to mentees like Joshua David Heath and Kimathi Muiruri.

Muiruri, 17, is so humble and grounded, organizers had to coax his accomplishments out of him last week as he told prospective students to Be present and seize the moment. He won UCCs journalism and history awards, entered the international competition at Oxford University for young debaters and captained Team Canadas debate team in Indonesia last July. Next year hell attend the University of North Carolina.

Kiana Romeo waited until this spring to tell her classmates at Branksome Hall that she was on a scholarship  so conscious her rich kid colleagues would look down on her. They didnt. Instead, Romeo inspired them to raise $82,000 for the scholarship fund.

I met a stellar group of black kids who have an extraordinary opportunity to impact our city and world in ways so outside the expected norm. Janelle and Lalique Allan, Massoma Kisob who commutes from Mississauga to Branksome, Kendal Christie, Nejat Alhussan, Angelous Ginanena, McDonald, Heath, Romeo and the amazing Kimathi Muiruri.

ACCN mentored them, prepared them for an amazing and challenging school experience, found them scholarships, partnered with the school to make sure their integration was supportive and are now suitably proud of their pioneering successes.

Some criticize such programs as Gucci kids going to Gucci schools. Say what you will.

I have no quarrel with a community that does everything possible to seek out every path, plumb every depth, pursue every kind of education (public or private, church-based or home-based, Afrocentric or alternative) to engage a child in the pursuit of education.

Its a ray of hope  one to cherish this time of year.

Go to info@accntoronto.com or call 416-930-5683.

Correction  June 13, 2017: This article was edited from a previous version that misspelled the surname of Jim Power, a former principal of UCC.

Royson James column appears weekly. rjames@thestar.ca

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On this day, the most powerful woman in Canada was just another proud mom.

Premier Kathleen Wynne took a break from politicking Friday to deliver a deeply personal convocation address at a Ryerson University ceremony she would have attended even if she werent the keynote speaker.

I am brimming with pride for my youngest daughter, Maggie, who took considerable risk and showed extraordinary determination, to come back to school a second time around, to study something completely different, said the premier.

To the delight of her mother, Maggie Cowperthwaite, 33, is a member of this years graduating class in collaborative nursing at Ryerson.

Im not only standing here as premier. I am simultaneously sitting beside all of you, the mothers, fathers, spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, aunties, uncles, grandparents, and friends who have loved and cared for these fine young people, and I know there are hundreds of stories like Maggies in this room today, said Wynne, who also has a son, another daughter, and three grandchildren.

The friends that you make at college or university may well end up being the most important people in your life. I would know: I married one of mine  and then I married another, she quipped, referring to her former husband Phil Cowperthwaite and her spouse Jane Rounthwaite.

Life is really uncertain, and thats okay. None of us has any idea whats ahead, just as I didnt. Who knew a linguist would be premier; and the first female premier; and the first gay one? You just never know.

With what could be construed as an allusion to the June 7, 2018 campaign, Wynne, who avoided discussing electoral politics, implored the nursing graduates not to let naysayers bog them down.

There will always be people seeking to exaggerate the dangers of a future we can only guess at. Those who tell us we will have less, share less, feel less secure, that the best days are behind us. They are wrong, she said.

There is no limit to what you can do and say and discover tomorrow, and it doesnt matter that none of us can see that far forward. We can look back  to when we granted women the vote or created universal health care, or legalized same-sex marriage, the premier said.

Each time, there were people saying: Those are the rules. They cant change. But the thing is, they already had, because there were people who were so determined to make that change happen, said Wynne.

So, as you leave today, look around and remember. Draw on the resources of the community that surrounds you. You are rich in love and support. Always pay attention to what you see and hear, so you can keep learning. And be patient . . . with each other, and particularly, with yourself.

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Glenne Headly, a versatile stage actress who had a promising start to her Hollywood career in the con-artist comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and who later worked extensively in television, with appearances in the miniseries Lonesome Dove and on shows such as ER and Monk, died June 8. She was 62.

Her agent confirmed the death to the Associated Press but did not disclose the cause or location.

Headly, who grew up in the cultural milieu of New Yorks Greenwich Village neighbourhood, attended the High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan before establishing her theatre credentials in Chicago as part of the Steppenwolf Theatre Co., whose ensemble of rising talents included John Malkovich (whom she married), Gary Sinise and Laurie Metcalf.

She won Joseph Jefferson Awards  the citys premier theatre honour  in plays such as Lanford Wilsons Balm in Gilead, portraying a streetwalker, and Lynn Sieferts Coyote Ugly, as an ill-fortuned young wife.

Headly had small film parts  including as a prostitute in Woody Allens The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)  before winning a high-profile role opposite Steve Martin and Michael Caine in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988). As the seemingly innocent mark who is in fact swindling two hustlers, she provides a resilient foil as a woman who looks like a pushover but somehow never seems to topple, film critic Roger Ebert wrote.

With her enigmatic smile and teasingly breathy voice, she had a charisma that Martin likened to that of Judy Holliday, the 1950s platinum blond screwball maestro. Glenne can do both regular dramatic comedy and that rarefied kind of pure comedy that eludes definition, he told New York magazine.

Few of her subsequent film roles captured her appeal. Headly played the loyal Tess Trueheart in Dick Tracy (1990), with Warren Beatty in the title role as a hard-boiled detective, and she played the music teacher wife of frustrated composer Richard Dreyfuss in Mr. Hollands Opus (1995). She also appeared in the comedies Getting Even With Dad (1994) opposite Ted Danson and Macaulay Culkin and Sgt. Bilko (1996) with Martin.

On television, she had a supporting role as a sheriffs wife in the hit CBS drama Lonesome Dove (1989), which brought her an Emmy Award nomination. She received a second Emmy nomination for her supporting role in the Showtime TV movie Bastard Out of Carolina (1996), a child abuse drama in which she played an aunt of the young victim.

Glenne Aimee Headly was born in New London, Connecticut., on March 13, 1955. She attended American College of Switzerland in Leysin.

On Broadway, she played the young heroine in a 1985 revival of George Bernard Shaws 19th- century comedy Arms and the Man, directed by Malkovich and co-starring Kevin Kline and Raul Julia as rivals for her affection. New York Times theatre critic Frank Rich described her portrayal as innocently commanding, an alternately smart and petulant schoolgirl one small step away from maturity [who] plays her hand with a winning, newly awakened adult poise that reduces both Mr. Kline and Mr. Julia to helpless tots.

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Amber hunters in Burma dug up a remarkably complete bird hatchling that dates to the time of the dinosaurs. The birds side, almost half of its body, was dipped in tree sap, which hardened around the neck bones, claws, a wing and its toothed jaws.

Scientists identified the animal as a member of the extinct group called enantiornithes and published their discovery in the journal Gondwana Research this week.

The chick died young and fell into a pool of sap. It died halfway through its first feather moult, suggesting that the animal broke out of its egg just a few days before it perished. Its life began in the moist tropics beneath conifer trees. It ended near a puddle of conifer gunk, called resin, which fossilized into amber. Diggers in Burma uncovered the amber 99 million years later.

Read more:Piece of dinosaur tail in amber a 'spectacular' find

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What to do if you find a dinosaur fossil

Enantiornithines are close relatives to modern birds, and in general, they would have looked very similar. However, this group of birds still had teeth and claws on their wings, said Ryan McKellar, a paleontologist at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. This animal lived during the Cretaceous Period, which came to a cataclysmic close 65.5 million years ago and took the non-bird dinosaurs with it.

The enantiornithes, due to their distinct hip and ankle bones, may have flown differently than modern birds. But they were capable fliers. (If you are wondering whether this bird relative was more bird or winged dinosaur, well, consider it both: Birds are avian dinosaurs, after all.)

Entombed in amber were details as fine as the hatchlings eyelid and the outer opening of its ear. The resin recorded no sign of a struggle. The hatchling may have been dead by the time it entered the resin pool, McKellar said. One of the leg bones has been dragged away from its natural position, suggesting that the corpse may have been scavenged before it was covered by the next flow of resin.

Evidence suggests that enantiornithes received little in the way of parental care, unlike more doting modern birds. The ancient chicks, born on the ground, had to scamper into trees to avoid being eaten. Scampering enantiornithes got stuck in resin fairly frequently, McKellar said, though this fossil is far more comprehensive than typical specimens.

Its 99-million-year-old claws appear almost as detailed as chicken feet youd find in a supermarket. The foot, presumed at first to be a lizards by the amber miner who found it, was covered in golden scales and just less an inch long. The preserved skin surface allows us to observe the feet in great detail, McKellar said.

The resin trapped one of the birds wings as well. Despite its young age, the animal already had brown flight feathers on its wings. McKellar said it also had a sparse coat of fluffy pale or white feathers across most of its belly, legs and tail.

McKellar and his colleagues probed the fossil using several types of imaging technology, including light microscopes and X-ray micro-CT scanning. The researchers discovered that the feathers on the enantiornithes wings were quite similar to modern bird feathers. But its tail and legs were covered by what McKellar described as tufts similar to proto-feathers or dino-fuzz.

Recent amber discoveries offer strikingly detailed, if orange-tinted, windows into ancient worlds. Sap trapped not only birds but lizards, bugs and bits of non-bird dinosaurs, too. In December, McKellar and his colleagues announced theyd found a dinosaur tail trapped in amber also excavated from a mine in Burma.

But amber containing dino DNA, as popularized by Jurassic Park and its ancient mosquitoes swollen with dinosaur blood, appears to remain in the realm of science fiction. Unfortunately, DNA seems to be off the menu for specimens such as this one, McKellar said. To the best of our current understanding, DNA has a half-life of around 500 years and cannot be recovered in meaningful quantities from amber pieces that are more than a few million years old.

That doesnt mean amber completely erases prehistoric biochemistry. The scientists have teased iron from the toothed bird, trapped in carbon in the hatchlings soft tissues, possibly from its blood. Further research may uncover proteins from the birds feathers, McKellar said, allowing experts to home in on the colours of the animals brown plumage.

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CHISHI, CHINASoaring over a lush valley in southern China, the Chishi Bridge is a 2.25-kilometre marvel of concrete and steel. Four piers, like graceful tuning forks as tall as skyscrapers, secure cables suspending a four-lane expressway 186 metres above fields of corn and rice.

Squinting up from a dirt road below, Gu Tianyong, a 66-year-old farmer, pondered the colossus, which is a shortcut linking southwestern China with the east coast.

The government wouldnt have built it if it was useless, he said. It does nothing for me, but must be useful for the country.

The Chishi Bridge is one of hundreds of dazzling bridges erected across the country in recent years. Chinese officials celebrate them as proof that they can roll out infrastructure bigger, better and higher than any other country can. China now boasts the worlds highest bridge, the longest bridge, the highest rail trestle and a host of other superlatives, often besting its own efforts.

But as the bridges and the expressways they span keep rising, critics say construction has become an end unto itself. Fuelled by government-backed loans and urged on by the big construction companies and officials who profit from them, many of the projects are piling up debt and breeding corruption while producing questionable transportation benefits.

Leaders defend the infrastructure spree as crucial to Chinas development.

Its very important to improve transport and other infrastructure so that impoverished regions can escape poverty and prosper, President Xi Jinping said while visiting the spectacular, recently opened Aizhai Bridge in Hunan in 2013. We must do more of this and keep supporting it.

In 2016 alone, China added 26,100 bridges on roads, including 363 extra large ones with an average length of about 1.6 kilometres, government figures show. In all, China has accumulated more than 4,200 of these extra-large bridges.

The projects are often financed by loans from state-owned banks to companies owned by local governments, which collect tolls to repay the loans. But on many routes in less populous inland regions, tolls are not keeping pace with the costs, setting off a spiral of mounting debt and rising expenses.

The Chinese government estimated that expressways nationwide lost $63 billion in 2015, more than double the loss in 2014. In Hunan, expressways faced interest payments of $2.5 billion a year while taking in $1.75 billion in tolls, a deputy governor said in 2015.

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The surprise demise of Theresa Mays Tory majority in the United Kingdom and the unexpectedly strong showing of purported no-hoper Jeremy Corbyns Labour party hold a number of lessons for political observers and practitioners bewildered in these volatile times.

One unlikely to be lost on future Tory PMs of the UK, in particular, is that leaders ought to beware of forcing a vote to strengthen their political position. Recent history has shown such a move is more likely to have the opposite effect.

David Cameron thought last years Brexit referendum would quiet Conservative Eurosceptics and bring peace to his party. Now hes no longer prime minister and the United Kingdom is on its way out of Europe.

May evidently didnt learn the lesson. She seems to have thought by calling an election three years early she could strengthen her majority and thus her bargaining position as she pursued the UKs divorce from Europe. That didnt go any better.

Rather, May lost her majority last week and now finds herself head of a hung Parliament that looks far less friendly to the hard Brexit that she has been pursuing. Moreover, she is now dependent on the support of Northern Irelands Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to keep her government alive. DUPs specific regional concerns, its sometimes-strident social conservatism and its bitter rivalry with the republican Sinn Feinn party are bound rather to complicate matters for May. Odds are decent the current PM exits 10 Downing Street before Britain exits Europe.

Another lesson for those who havent yet learned it is that the conventional political wisdom isnt as wise as it once was. Just as most of those supposedly in the know said Britons would never vote to leave the EU or that Donald Trump would never be the Republican nominee for president, never mind occupy the White House, critics both within and without Labour claimed that Corbyn, a rumpled, unabashed socialist with a deficit of traditional charisma, was sure to run his party into the ground.

Instead, he propelled it to its best showing in more than a decade. No doubt May helped in this regard. Her partys platform, or manifesto as the British call it, was a mess from the start, proposing to cut off social programs for elderly people among other cruelly austere measures. When she was eventually forced to backtrack on the most egregious of these, she strangely pretended not to have changed tack. Nor did her appeals to fear and willingness to throw out human rights in the face of terror do much to help her cause.

But Corbyn also possesses an appeal that operated powerfully on a certain segment of voters, one that was lost on pundits and politicos forged by the prevailing political orthodoxies. Critics said Corbyns proposals for aggressive labour protections and tuition-free school, privatization reversals and tax increases to fund massive social spending were tantamount to political suicide. Former Labour PM Tony Blair said Corbyn would kill the party such that it would never rise again. But like the Brexiteers, Trump and Bernie Sanders before him, Corbyn wasnt playing within the existing political frame; he was seeking to break it.

In Corbyns case, like in Sanders, his proposals, radical to many, allowed him to reach traditionally unreachable young voters. Turnout among 18-to-24-year-olds was 66.4 per cent, about 50 per cent higher than it had been in the 2015 election. Polls suggest well over half of these voters chose Labour, while fewer than one in six picked the Conservatives.

Herein lies another lesson. There is nothing inevitable about the democratic malaise among young voters that has caused so much anxiety in recent years. As we saw in the U.S. election last year and in the UK last week, youth can be a powerful force for change when change is on offer. If they often seem tuned out, it is because no one is speaking to them.

There is much uncertainty ahead for Britain, on Brexit and its domestic politics, but there is also reason for hope. This election has expanded the political possibilities and engaged a new generation of voters.

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An open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau:

First, I want to thank you for setting such a strong example to the world of how to accept and care for refugees fleeing war and persecution. I felt so proud of Canada and you as prime minister when you welcomed the refugees of Syria to our country. Your compassion for others in need shows the true spirit of our country of many cultures.

Your generous and loving actions make me proud to be a Canadian recently living abroad in Indonesia, a Muslim-majority country that looks to you with admiration for all you have done to help Syrian refugees. I truly believe that welcoming our brothers and sisters in need, regardless of religion or race, with open arms and compassionate hearts, is the best and only way to cure the ills of our world today.

This is why I respectfully request that when Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma (also known as Myanmar) is visiting Canada, you ask her why the Rohingya people continue to suffer so greatly under her regime. Since her party was elected in 2015 under the promise of a new democracy, the persecution of the Rohingya people has become much worse. Hundreds of Rohingya have been killed and many others are persecuted by the military, forced to run for their lives, escaping by boat and becoming stranded in countries like Indonesia in their struggle to stay alive.

My sincere hope is that you will allow the Rohingya into Canada as you have so generously done for the Syrian people. I respectfully urge you to speak to Aung San Suu Kyi and pressure her to stop the massacre and persecution of Rohingya people.

Wendy Bone, Vancouver

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Not again? That was my immediate reaction when I first heard about the London terror attacks. Such acts are not just an attack on a single country or nation, but an attack on all of humanity. There is absolutely no justification for such kinds of atrocities.

In response to such terrorism, I often write a letter to the editor condemning Daesh (also known as ISIS) and its brutality. But lately, that seems to have become a weekly routine.

On the day after the London attack, my fellow Ahmadi Muslims and I took to the streets and held up signs saying, I am a Muslim. Ask me Anything!

Much to our delight, the majority of the response we received was extremely positive. A lot of people stopped to thank us, shake our hands and take pictures with us.

To me, this is a clear indication that the terrorists failed in their mission to divide us. In wake of yet another tragedy, love and unity have once again overpowered hate and division.

Fasih Malik, Calgary

On Oct. 5, 2005, during the second stage of Ramadan  the Holy month in which Muslims fast  there was an attack on a small mosque in Pakistan. I was 10 years old. I was there and I got shot.

We are now going through the same month of Ramadan: a month of reflection, charity and care for mankind. A month in which fighting of any sort is forbidden for a Muslim. A month that is supposed to serve as a refresher course for a Muslims entire year.

Yet here we stand: Once again, someones perverted sense of Islam and truth, as British Prime Minister Theresa May said, has painted the headlines with blood and fear.

It is ironic that these misinformed radicalized individuals claim adherence to some so-called Muslim caliphate and carry out carnage in the U.K. in its name, while there also exists a caliph in London, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, who tells the millions of his followers around the world that Islam is love for all, hatred for none.

My prayers are with the victims and families throughout this whole month. May Muslims the world over also pray for them and stand with them.

Omar Farooq, Vaughan

At some point, well have to start talking to terrorists. Well have to listen, not lecture, and find out the reasons for their willingness to die to terrorize us.

We must stop demonizing Muslims everywhere. Muslims want nothing more than to fit in and become accepted. Our marginalization of them is exactly what the terrorists hope for.

We must stop talking about collateral damage when it comes to civilian deaths in the Middle East. Every person killed by western countries has dozens of relatives and friends who then become our instant enemies. Our dead have names, faces and histories while theirs are faceless and nameless.

In an era where 100 angry, disillusioned young people with nothing to lose can terrorize a whole country, we must learn to talk instead of dropping bombs, sending drones or arming dubious allies.

Western powers can go on being enraged and dropping bombs, but at our own peril. Every war costs multi-billions, many military lives, tens of thousands of civilian deaths in the Middle East and, increasingly, terrorist attacks in our own cities.

Eventually, we will talk because we have to. The British and Irish, the North Vietnamese and the U.S., and white South Africans and the ANC all did it. We could do it soon rather than later.

Douglas Buck, Toronto

Lessons on the origins and prevention of terrorism, Opinion, June 6

Mohamed Fahmys column lacks real substance on the issue of the prevention of terrorism. His take was nothing but empty rhetoric that has been circulating within the right-wing narrative of alternative news media and dictators web of lies and deception. This approach hasnt brought forward any real solutions.

What was missing in his analysis was the need to study the root causes of terrorism, including our hypocrisy toward the Middle East and our support for dictators like Egypts general, who has toppled a democratically elected government, and was accused of killing protesters and imprisoning his opponents.

What is needed to combat this threat is a little honesty from the international community, which must stop mingling in other nations affairs, stop supporting dictators, put an end to the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians through drone strikes and, most importantly, to stand behind justice.

Abubakar N. Kasim, Toronto

I really appreciated Mohamed Fahmys reasoned and impassioned arguments about how to prevent people from falling into the trap of terrorism, until I read the last sentence. We dont need praying. Prayer is how we got here in the first place.

Vittorio Frigerio, Toronto

I appreciate Mohamed Fahmys extensive knowledge of the Middle East and his horrendous experiences in Egypt during his trials and imprisonment. I also recognize that the recent actions by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States against Qatar are confusing, very difficult to interpret as to basic causes and potentially very dangerous.

I found Fahmys column extremely muddled and disingenuous. He obviously has very negative views of Qatar and Al Jazeera.

When he says, repeating Saudi Arabia, that Qatar is a major supporter of terrorism, he loses credibility. Saudi Arabia itself is a far greater supporter of terrorism than Qatar.

The fundamental causes of terrorism, and the atrocities that go on there and occasionally spill over into Manchester or London Bridge, are clearly based originally on the actions in this region by western governments over many decades. Not by the Muslim Brotherhood, Al Jazeera or the government of Qatar.

Chris Smith, Toronto

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European Commission regulators decided Friday, June 9, to open an in-depth investigation of Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) - Get Free Report 's $38 billion purchase of Dutch chipmaker NXP Semiconductors NV (NXPI), saying it fears the deal could lead to higher prices, fewer choices and reduced innovation in the semiconductor industry.

"We use our electronic devices every day--mobile phones or tablets," said EC competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager in a statement. "As semiconductors are used in practically every electronic device, we are dependent on them in those devices. With this investigation, we want to ensure that consumers will continue to benefit from secure and innovative products at competitive prices."

Qualcomm responded to the European announcement in a separate statement, Friday, saying that both it and NXP had expected a thorough review process and would be working with regulators to obtain approvals. The chipmaker also pointed out that the deal has already received clearance from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

"This acquisition is complementary, and driven by the belief that the combined efforts of the two companies will produce even greater innovation than they would alone," Qualcomm said in a statement. "This significant investment by Qualcomm will help our industry partners in the automotive, IoT and security sectors advance their digital transformation and further the digitization of industries worldwide."

The announcement, which comes as Qualcomm is already reportedly under pressure from activist shareholder Elliott Management Corp. to pay more than the $110 per share it is currently offering, means the EC has until Oct. 17 to make a decision.

The deal was first sent to Brussels in April for a preliminary assessment, but officials soon uncovered several issues relating to the chips used in mobile devices such as smartphones and in the automotive industry.

In its announcement on Friday, the Commission said the merger of Qualcomm and NXP would give the combined company strong market positions in baseband chipsets and NFC/SES chips. That, in turn, would give it the ability and incentive to exclude rival suppliers.

The Commission said it believes the merger would remove competition between companies active in the markets for semiconductors used in the automotive sector and, in particular, in the emerging Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology, which will play an important role in the future development of connected cars.

The Commission said it will investigate whether such conduct could lead to anticompetitive effects, such as increased royalties for customers and/or exclusion of competitors.

Reuters reported earlier this month that Qualcomm had declined to offer concessions to address the European executive's concerns in a preliminary review and this could lead to a lengthier investigation. But in Friday's response, Qualcomm expressed confidence that an agreement could be reached.

"Qualcomm is confident that it can address the concerns raised by the European Commission and intends to continue working with the Commission and other regulators to secure clearance," it said.

Qualcomm continues to expect this transaction to close by the end of 2017.
- A combined unit of Kenya and Somalia anti-terror police have arrested four men planning carry out a major terror attack in Nairobi

- The four were arrested in Bulla Hawa, Somalia near the Kenyan border

- Police recovered bomb making equipment from the suspects including TNT and shrapnel destined for Nairobi

Kenya anti-terror police in conjunction with Somalia intelligence officers have captured four men planning to carry out a major terror attack in Nairobi after a raid.

The four were arrested by the officers at a hotel in Bulla Hawa, Somalia near the Kenyan border at around 7am on Friday, June 9.

During the raid, the officers recovered bomb making equipment destined for Nairobi via Mandera.

READ ALSO: NASA staunch follower tells Raila the bitter TRUTH

Major terror attack foiled in Nairobi

READ ALSO: Fearless KDF soldiers bow down to GOD in the battle ground

The bomb making equipment recovered included TNT explosives, 20 litres of petrol, silicone and shrapnel.

TUKO.co.ke has learnt that explosive could kill up to 1800 people in a crowded place.

The four men arrested have been identified as Mohamed Ali Weythow, Hassan Adan Bulle, Hassan Mohamed Jama and Ahmed Muhammed Muse. Police recovered two Kenyan ID cards from the suspects.

According to the police, the men had been trailed for days before the combined operation nabbed them.

READ ALSO: Wavinya Ndeti speaks after IEBC blow

The bomb making equipment recovered included TNT explosives, 20 litres of petrol, silicone and shrapnel.

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Police are also interrogating the hotel owner and two employees over the incident.

In the past one month, 18 security officers and 7 civilians have been killed by al-Shabaab militants.

The terror group has lost vast amounts of its territory to Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and Amisom forces in Southern and Central Somalia.

The militant group has carried out several devastating attacks in Kenya which has claimed hundreds of lives.

In January 2017, the militants attacked a KDF camp in Kulbiyow in a dawn attack that left several Kenyans dead. In 2015, the militant group launched a deadly assault on Garissa University College.

Have anything to add to this article or suggestions? Share with us on news@tuko.co.ke

Watch the video below of Kabogo speaking exclusively to TUKO regarding Waititu:

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- A KDF soldier has been killed after a suspected attack by Pokot bandits

- The attack also left 5 soldiers, 1 GSU officer and KPR officer injured

- The security officers were patrolling the volatile area when the bandits ambushed them

A Kenya Defence Force (KDF) soldier has died after suspected Pokot bandit attack in Rugus, Baringo county.

The attack on Friday, June 9, also left other security officers seriously injured.

Among those injured were; 5 soldiers, 1 GSU officer and KPR officer.

READ ALSO: Court orders Jubilee governor be arrested

A Kenya Defence Force (KDF) soldier has died after suspected Pokot bandits attack in Rugus, Baringo county.

READ ALSO: Meet the incredible 23-year-old Kenyan speaking 8 foreign languages including Japanese (exclusive video)

TUKO.co.ke has learnt that the security officers were patrolling the area when the bandits ambushed them.

The security officers are reported to have engaged the bandits who fled after a KDF rescue team arrived.

READ ALSO: Hassan Joho leaves a political rally to do the unthinkable in the middle of a road (photo)

Among those injured were; 5 soldiers, 1 GSU officer and KPR officer.

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Baringo in the last five months has seen chaos and destruction as bandits said to be from the Pokot community raided most parts of the county.

The genesis of the attacks are blamed on cattle rustlers, which according sources in Baringo county are being linked to politicians.

The clashes between the Pokots and the area locals has led to more than 100 people losing their lives forcing the government to deploy the military to calm the situation.

Have something to add to this article or suggestions? Send to news@tuko.co.ke

Watch Kabogo speak over Waititu's victory after he lost in Kiambu nominations below;

Source: TUKO.co.ke
- Julie Gichuru has left some of her fans annoyed after sharing who she will vote for come August

- Fans claimed being a media personality, she shouldn't choose sides while others accused her of tribalism after she picked Uhuru Kenyatta

- She was forced to defend her opinion

With elections fever spreading fast as campaigns gather momentum, people are picking sides between NASA and Jubilee Party which are considered most favorite.

Some are doing it publicly while others silently.

Former news anchor Julie Gichuru recently found herself in a rather hot seat after declaring that shes endorsing President Uhuru Kenyatta for reelections.

READ ALSO: Is this the reason why married women are cheating in Kenya like every day?

Julie Gichuru will vote for Uhuru Kenyatta

Taking to Instagram, Gichuru posted her reasons for choosing Jubilee a thing that didnt go well with some of her fans who, considered her a brand and shouldnt pick sides.

Totally inspirational evening with President Uhuru Kenyatta as we gathered to support his re-election bid, she said in the post.

 Caroline Mutoko shared amazing audio from his 2002 campaigns, his focus even then was a united Kenya, peace, movement from absolute centralised power to a devolved system and free education.

READ ALSO: Lillian Muli disturbs Kenyans after stepping out wearing a very tiny short(photos)

Thank you to all those who made time and to so many more who are supporting the campaign via mobile money.

We must believe in something and I believe in one Kenya, I believe in progress and strong effective partnerships to actualise development.

I believe in each of us exercising our individual rights to vote, and I believe in respecting that right and loving you as my Kenyan brother or sister whatever the outcome.

I believe in working together to make this nation rise to great heights of progress and prosperity for all. Wherever you stand politically, God bless you and God bless Kenya. Twende mbele pamoja.

READ ALSO: UhuRuto unveil ambitious multi-billion cooking solution programme as Kenyans grapple with high costs of living

Kenyans, however, attacked her with some claiming she has been paid while others accused her of tribalism.

Gichuru was forced to defend herself at one point. She denied that she's choosing Uhuru Kenyatta just because he's Kikuyu. In fact, she made it clear that she's barely Kikuyu.

I will also speak to the issue of tribalism, it is very easy for us to assume or always attribute tribalism to every vote, she said.

 While some people will vote based on tribe, my vote over close to two decades of voting has moved between tribes and is always based on what I believe in. I am half Asian Kenyan and half Kikuyu. On my Kikuyu side we also have Kamba blood. It is widely argued and believed that we also have Maasai heritage.

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"It is very easy and convenient to attribute my stand to tribe, but it is also an ill-informed and malicious assumption that is wrong. I understand that we have a long way to grow, but I believe we will evolve. I accept your diverse views (not malicious attacks or insults - wale washindwe ) but ultimately our role is to exercise our vote and move on to support the winner to make Kenya progress even further.

"We have alot of re-educating to do, but learn this if nothing else, at leadership level people across the political divide will sit, engage and we will even laugh about social media comments, while you guys are busy throwing digital stones at each other. Stop it. It is inane and you are not stupid, are you?

Source: TUKO.co.ke
Militants launched 71 attacks on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in ATO area in Donbas over the past day.

This is reported by the ATO press center.

In Mariupol direction, militants used 120mm mortars to shell Ukrainian positions near Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol), Lebedynske and Vodiane. The enemy also fired at ATO troops outside Marinka (35 km south-west of Donetsk), using 82mm mortars, and Hnutove (19km north-west of Mariupol), Talakivka (20km north-west of Mariupol), using grenade launchers and small arms.

In Donetsk direction, the tensest situation was observed in suburbs of Avdiivka (18km north of Donetsk), where militants shelled Ukrainian troops, using mortars of various calibers, grenade launchers and small arms. In addition, illegal armed formations used 82mm mortars, small arms and grenade launchers to fire at Verkhnetoretsk, Opytne, Luhanske.

In Luhansk direction, militants used 82mm mortars to shell Ukrainian positions near outside Katerynivka (64km west of Luhansk). ATO troops came under artillery fire near Novooleksandrivka, Novozvanivka.

As a result of hostilities over the past day, one soldier of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was wounded.

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In the course of the working trip to Kharkiv, President Petro Poroshenko and President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite had a conversation with ATO participants who had undergone treatment and rehabilitation in Lithuania.

The President informed that during the negotiations with Dalia Grybauskaite the parties reached an agreement that additional 50 Ukrainian ATO participants would undergo treatment in Lithuania, the press service of the Head of State reported.

The President of Ukraine thanked the President of Lithuania for a very important assistance to Ukraine in difficult times. According to Petro Poroshenko, Dalia Grybauskaite was the first to call and offer help in treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian warriors. We really appreciate that, he emphasized.

The President of Lithuania assured that her country is willing to further provide medical treatment for Ukrainian servicemen.

ish
Ukraine and Sri Lanka have significant potential opportunities in many sectors. For example, Ukraine can supply to Sri Lanka industrial products, including products of metallurgy, chemical industry and agriculture.

First Vice Prime Minister - Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv posted this on Facebook.

"Meeting with the Ambassador of Sri Lanka. Although in 2016 the volume of mutual trade grew by almost four times and amounted to more than $100 million, we have a much greater potential in many sectors," Kubiv wrote.

He has noted that for that purpose the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation is planned to start working soon.

ish
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko will soon make a visit to France, where he will hold talks with President Emmanuel Macron.

The Head of State said this during a joint press conference with President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite in Kharkiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We had very intensive coordination with our partners regarding "Normandy format," including the administration of the new president. And my visit to France is expected in the near future," Poroshenko said.

"We have intensive negotiations in the Minsk format. Several days ago, the meeting in the Minsk format at the level of political advisors took place. During this meeting, we had an absolutely common position of Ukraine, Germany and France as regards the fulfillment of the roadmap to guarantee all the steps we make in the Minsk format," Petro Poroshenko said.

"We coordinate our efforts with our partners in the Normandy format. I am satisfied with this coordination. I think our united efforts will bring peace to the Ukrainian territory," Poroshenko noted.

ish
Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin will take part in the European Forum Wachau in Austria, where he will speak at a plenary session.

This has been reported by the press service of the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine.

"On June 10-11, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin will be on a working visit to Austria to participate in the European Forum Wachau," the report said.

The Foreign Ministry informs that the topic of the forum "A Europe Closer to Its Citizens" provides for discussions on issues related to strengthening of the credibility of the European Union as an outstanding European project. Klimkin will speak at one of the plenary sessions of the forum and present his vision of the future of Ukraine in Europe.

The event will be attended by Sebastian Kurz, the Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria, Vienna, well-known Austrian politicians, members of the European Commission, heads of governments and foreign ministers of several European countries.

ish
A symbolic launch of the "visa-free timer" took place near the presidential administration.

The ceremony was attended by President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Hugues Mingarelli, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"At last it has happened. We waited for this day for a long time, and all Ukraine and the Ukrainian people worked hard to change the country. We brought this day closer when we came to the Maidan and the Revolution of Dignity took place. We, Ukrainians, having created the Ukrainian army in a short time, defended our freedom, land, will and democracy from Russian aggression. We have implemented the visa liberalization plan," Poroshenko said.

The President has noted that "now we are launching a countdown of irreversible changes."

"At 12 hours, the last sound of the countdown will mark the justification of our hopes. It will mark the fall of the paper curtain that had separated Ukrainians from the European family for many years. And when the historic date of June 11 comes, this paper curtain will fall," the President said.

In addition, today at 20:30 the President will attend a solemn event on the occasion of the introduction of a visa-free regime with the EU, which will be held on the Yevropeiska Square of the capital.

ish
President Petro Poroshenko is confident that Ukraine will become a member of the North Atlantic Alliance and will join the European Union.

The President said this at the launch ceremony of the "visa-free timer" in Kyiv today, the website of the Head of State reported.

"I believe - Ukraine will be a member of NATO, I believe - Ukraine will be in the EU and nothing, nobody will ever stop us," Poroshenko said.

The President recalled the words of great European - German Chancellor Willy Brandt "From now on, what is a whole will be developed as a whole".

"A single whole: Europe, EU and our fantastic state Ukraine," Poroshenko said. He also stressed that "the introduction of a visa-free regime is not a completion, but a powerful continuation of reforms."

In turn, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Hugues Mingarelli said the visa-free regime will facilitate the development of relations between the EU and Ukraine, as well as strengthen contacts between Ukrainians and EU citizens.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres plans to visit Ukraine in the near future.

First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Iryna Gerashchenko informed this on Facebook, commenting on the results of yesterday's meeting with UN Under-Secretary-General Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka in the Verkhovna Rada.

"The UN Under-Secretary-General informed that the new UN Secretary General plans to visit Ukraine in the near future. By the way, the gender equality issue is defined as the key priority of the work of Antonio Guterres," Gerashchenko wrote.

In addition, she noted that new UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict will be appointed in July.

ish
Brazil's top electoral court gave embattled President Michel Temer a big victory late Friday, voting to reject allegations of campaign finance violations that would have removed him from office.



After four days of deliberations, judges voted 4-3 in a case that many viewed as a measure of whether Temer could remain in office amid a ballooning corruption scandal and single-digit popularity.



Last month, a recording emerged that apparently captured Temer endorsing hush money to ex-House Speaker Eduardo Cunha, a former Temer ally serving 15 years in prison for corruption and money laundering. Soon after that, details of another bombshell came out: that Temer was being investigated for allegedly receiving bribes.



Temer has denied wrongdoing and vowed to stay in office.



"The facts are very serious, unbearable,'' said Judge Luiz Fux, who voted to remove Temer, adding the campaign finance case was about "very serious crimes.''

Judge Gilmar Mendes, who has called Temer "a friend of many years,'' cast the decisive vote to keep Temer in office. Mendes, also a justice on the Supreme Federal Tribunal, the country's highest court, argued that electoral laws needed reform, suggesting that politicians should not pay the price for a broken system.



"The system needs stability. It is very easy to talk about morality, fighting against corruption. I want that too,'' said Mendes, who in the past has come to the aide of other politicians facing legal trouble. "A president can't just be replaced at any time, even if the desire is there.''

The campaign finance case was filed shortly after the 2014 presidential election by one of the losing parties. It alleged that the ticket of President Dilma Rousseff and running mate Temer, then the vice presidential candidate, gained an unfair advantage through illegal campaign contributions. Temer took over the presidency last year after Rousseff was impeached and removed for illegally managing the federal budget.

The campaign finance allegations were bolstered in recent months by stunning testimony from plea bargains signed by current and former executives at the construction giant Odebrecht, a company at the center of a colossal investigation into billions of dollars in inflated contracts and kickbacks to politicians. The executives provided shocking details of tens of millions of dollars in bribes and illegal campaign contributions, including to the Rousseff-Temer ticket.

In their deliberations, the judges argued about whether those plea bargains should be considered in their decision. They also clashed over the strength of the original evidence and whether punishments should be doled out when illegal campaign finance was widespread.



A guilty verdict would have annulled the 2014 victory, thus stripping Temer of the rest of his mandate. It could also have stripped both Rousseff and Temer of political rights for eight years.

While Temer had vowed to appeal a conviction, it would have weakened his hand in a climate of several corruption scandals and a public furious about it.



"Temer will stay in office and probably face many demonstrations in the streets,'' said Alexandre Barros, a political risk consultant with the Brasilia-based firm Early Warning. "I don't think anybody is in the mood to decide something unexpected at this point.''

The political turmoil in Brazil  that began with the push last year to remove Rousseff from power for violating budget laws  has reached a fever pitch. There are near weekly protests calling for Temer's ouster, frequent shouting matches in Congress, and a simmering debate in the media over whether Temer will manage to finish out his term.



That atmosphere was reflected in the courtroom, where there were several tense moments.

Among the most dramatic came during the opening of the afternoon session Friday, when a prosecutor requested the disqualification of one of the judges who had once been a lawyer for Rousseff and one justice decried articles in the press that linked him to a corruption investigation. As the tension in the chamber rose, the court's president called a brief break.



While Temer has survived another day, the future will be difficult. His already very low popularity has plunged further amid the corruption allegations. A Temer ally and former congressman, captured on video by federal police carrying a suitcase full of bribe money, was recently jailed  and any testimony he provides could further implicate Temer.



The main parties in Temer's coalition have stuck with him so far, but several reports have reflected worry that being associated with his could be detrimental to re-election campaigns next year.



Ironically, Temer's strongest argument to stay in power is that he can deliver major reforms to labor laws and the country's pension system. While deeply unpopular among Brazilians, many economists have argued they are necessary to help pull Latin America's largest nation from recession and many members of Congress want them passed, if anything to be able to point at something besides widespread corruption.



"Temer will argue, 'I'm the guy who is going to give the country the bitter remedy that will cure it,'' said Carlos Manhanelli, political marketing specialist and chairman of the Brazilian Association of Political Consultants.
The Great British public has spoken. But as journalist Ian Hislop quipped Friday on a television comedy show, no one knows what they said.

Hardly had the votes been counted in Britains indecisive election, in which no party got an outright parliamentary majority, than politicians took to airwaves and tapped away on Twitter to spin what the result meant.

And crucially they debated whether the voters had rejected Brexit  or at least Prime Minister Theresa Mays hard version of a break with the European Union, which would see Britain not only relinquish EU membership but leave the single market and the blocs customs union.

Impact on Brexit talks



Brexit talks with EU negotiators are scheduled to begin in 10 days. EU officials have warned talks shouldnt be delayed and have expressed their fear that with the government weakened by the election result the talks could become even more complicated.

This election is a rejection of May and hard Brexit, tweeted Alastair Campbell, a onetime adviser to former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair. The mandate Theresa May sought for her extreme version of Brexit has been rejected, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron told cheering supporters in a speech Friday.

John Redwood, a senior Conservative, disputes the claim, arguing the result did not mean there should be any softening in a hard divorce from Europe, noting that Labour, the second largest party, also endorsed Brexit in its election manifesto. I think [Theresa May] set out a very good case on what we now need to do immediately on Brexit and I think it makes a lot of sense because the country by a very overwhelming majority voted for the two main parties that both want to complete Brexit, he said.

He argued if voters had wanted to reverse the result of last Junes Brexit referendum, they would have voted for Liberal Democrat, who called for a second referendum. The public said no thanks, we dont want a second referendum on Europe, we dont want to stay in Europe, we want you to do a good deal. The Liberal Democrats won 12 seats in the election.

But Redwoods argument strikes some as disingenuous. May focused her campaign on the break with Europe, saying she had called the snap election to seek a mandate for her hard Brexit plan. The voters didnt give it to her  almost 60 percent of those who voted Thursday rejected the Conservatives.

With May severely weakened and forced to govern as head of a minority government, Britains position on Brexit has suddenly become much murkier, and it isn't clear the embattled Prime Minister has the political strength, let alone the public backing, to force through her original hard Brexit vision.

Softer Brexit



Public sentiment would appear from the election result to favor a much softer Brexit, argue analysts.

While Labour endorsed in its manifesto a break with Europe and even leaving the Single Market, a position it adopted to help cut immigration numbers, the partys leaders left considerable wiggle room and talked about renegotiating the rules of Single Market membership to allow some curtailing of Europeans migrating to Britain.

Labours dramatically improved performance in the election was due in large part to a surge in young voters backing it, many of whom voted for the party partly because they saw it as the best vehicle to soften Brexit and derail Mays plan for a sharp break with the EU. In pro-EU London, the Tories suffered a tremendous electoral reversal and werent able to challenge Labour in marginal seats.

Without doubt voters rejected a hard Brexit, argues Ian Dunt, the editor of the news-site politics.co.uk. The turnout was higher in Remain areas. The swell in Labour support in the cities plainly had some connection to Brexit. And youth turnout was key. Young people voted hard for Remain, he argued.

Aside from what the voters Thursday meant when it came Brexit, May also has a more immediate challenge facing her when it comes to a hard Brexit. A diminished May, who is already facing calls to resign, has less parliamentary room for maneuver within her own party. Those Conservative lawmakers, such as Ruth Davidson, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, a rising political star, who favor a softer Brexit will have to be placated.

Davidson on Friday quickly made it clear that May needs to heed the voice of the soft Brexiters, urging her to adopt a consensual approach.

At the same time, May has to be wary of the hard Brexiters in the party. In a sign that May understands the danger of slamming the door on either wing, she has let her two top aides go, accepting the resignations Saturday of Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, who have been inseparable from her the past 10 years. The pair were known as Mays Rottweilers. Both wings of the party blame them for the election debacle.

Further, May will rely for a working majority in the House of Commons on ten pro-Brexit lawmakers from Northern Irelands Democratic Unionist Party. But they, too, advocate a soft Brexit, partly in order to keep the border with the Republic of Ireland open to facilitate free trade between the two parts of the island of Ireland.

Agreeing a position with the DUP is going to be very difficult for May, argues Bronwen Maddox, the director of the Institute for Government, a think tank.
Did President Donald Trump break the law when he allegedly asked then-FBI Director James Comey in February to stop his investigation of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn?

The question is at the heart of a legal debate a day after Comey disclosed during closely watched congressional testimony that Trump asked him to end his investigation of Flynns suspected ties to Russia.

In riveting detail, Comey recounted that after a February 14 counter-intelligence briefing at the White House, Trump told him that he wanted to talk about Mike Flynn, saying Flynn is a good guy and I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go.

Watch: Comey on Trumps Word: I Took It As A Direction

The allegation raised two sets of questions: Did Trump obstruct justice when he asked for an end to the Flynn probe? And, is it an issue for the courts or Congress to decide?

Marc Kasowitz, Trumps personal lawyer, said in a statement released after the testimony that the president never, in form or substance, directed or suggested that Mr. Comey stop investigating anyone.

Watch: Trump Lawyer: President Never Suggested That Comey Let Flynn Go

Directive

Senators were at odds over the implications of Comeys testimony. While some Democrats suggested it pointed to obstruction of justice by Trump, Republican members of the panel seized on the fact that the president did not explicitly direct the former FBI director to drop the Flynn investigation.

In response to a question, Comey declined to say whether he thought Trumps conduct amounted to obstruction of justice, saying it was up to Special Counsel Robert Mueller to make that determination.

To Trumps critics, Comeys revelations recalled the Nixon tapes, secret White House recordings that former President Richard Nixon refused to release during the Watergate scandal, ultimately leading to his resignation in 1974.

Case not ironclad

But the case for obstruction of justice based on Comeys testimony is far from ironclad, legal scholars say.

While Trumps alleged interactions with Comey were seen by many as grossly out of line, the Comey testimony did not provide grounds for obstruction charges, these scholars say.

The president is not facing a particularly compelling case of obstruction for prosecution at this time, said Jonathan Turley, a professor at the George Washington University School of Law. This is also not a record that would support impeachment.

Louis Michael Seidman, a professor of constitutional law at Georgetown University, agreed that the case for charging Trump with obstruction of justice is not there, but he said that Comeys firing after he refused to carry out the presidents wishes is a serious matter.

No one outside the White House is contesting the fact that that is what happened, that director Comey is telling the truth, Seidman said. If he is telling the truth, that means the president has lied about it and that is a further indication he may not be fit to be president of the United States.

Presidential history

No American president has ever been indicted while in office, though two, Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, were impeached but later acquitted.

Legal scholars disagree over whether a sitting president can be prosecuted, but the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel has argued against it, deciding in at least two instances not to indict a president, Seidman said.

Obstruction of justice, or interference with a legal proceeding, such as a criminal investigation, is a crime, but proving it is legally challenging. To demonstrate obstruction of justice, prosecutors must show evidence of corrupt intent.

Thats a very difficult standard to meet, Turley said.

Andy McCarthy, a former federal prosecutor and now a fellow at the conservative National Review Institute, said that as the head of the executive branch of government, Trump has prosecutorial discretion to end an investigation and that he couldnt conceivably have thought he was doing something wrong.

Therefore, it would be impossible to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he acted corruptly, McCarthy said.

Though Trumps true motivation remains unknown, its perfectly plausible that the president was feeling sympathetic to his former aide who had just resigned and was facing a torrent of criticism, Turley said.

Congressional actions

The U.S. Constitution allows Congress to remove a president from office for treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors through impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives and a trial in the Senate.

While it is easier to bring an article of impeachment on obstruction charges, the allegation of crimes must be far more detailed than what has been alleged about Trump, Turley said.

In the Nixon case, he noted, the first article of impeachment in the House of Representatives listed obstruction of justice but included nine separate but rather detailed crimes.

In the Clinton impeachment case, the House of Representatives dropped an article on obstruction of justice, said Turley, who testified before the House in favor of impeachment.

With Republicans in control of Congress, the prospects of their impeachment of their party leader appear slim. But Turley said impeachment is not always brought for purely political reasons.

In Watergate, he noted that Republicans abandoned Nixon in favor of his impeachment. And today, congressional Republicans are actively supporting the investigation of Donald Trump, he said.
U.S. special forces are helping the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to end a siege of the southern town of Marawi by militants allied to Islamic State, a U.S. embassy spokesperson in Manila told Reuters Saturday.

The seizure of Marawi by hundreds of fighters who have sworn allegiance to Islamic State, including dozens from neighboring countries and the Middle East, has fueled concern that the ultra-radical group is gaining a foothold in Southeast Asia.

At the request of the government of the Philippines, U.S. special operations forces are assisting the AFP with ongoing operations in Marawi that help AFP commanders on the ground in their fight against Maute and ASG militants, the spokesperson said. ASG stands for the Abu Sayyaf militant group.

The Philippine military Saturday confirmed that U.S special forces were assisting local troops to end a siege of the southern town of Marawi by militants allied to Islamic State, but said they were only providing technical support.

They are not fighting. They are just providing technical support, military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jo-Ar Herrera told a news conference.

No evidence of troops on ground

Until now there had been no confirmation that the Philippines had sought U.S. assistance in the battle for Marawi City on the island of Mindanao, which is in its third week.

The spokesperson gave no details of the U.S. involvement. A U.S. P3 Orion surveillance plane was seen flying over the town Friday, but there has been no evidence that the United States has put troops on the ground there.

The assistance comes after months of strain between the two long-time allies that was stoked by Philippines President Rodrigo Dutertes hostility towards Washington and his pledges to throw U.S. troops out of the country.

Special forces deployed in 2002

Washington deployed special forces soldiers to Mindanao in 2002 to train and advise Philippine units fighting Abu Sayyaf militants in a program that once involved 1,200 Americans.

It was discontinued in 2015 but a small presence remained for logistics and technical support.

The United States and the Philippines have been allies for decades. Their relationship provided Washington with a strategic foothold in Asia, and offered Manila a shield against Chinas assertiveness in the region.

But Duterte has openly scorned the alliance, seeing it as an obstacle to a rapprochement with China, and has repeatedly lambasted Washington for treating his country as a lackey.
The armed, pro-regime drone shot down by U.S. aircraft Thursday after it fired upon U.S.-led coalition members on patrol in southern Syria was Iranian-made, officials tell VOA.

Officials said a U.S. F-15 fighter jet took down the Shahed-129 drone, which can be used for combat and reconnaissance missions.

Thursday's strike marked the first time the U.S. military had shot down an enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat since February 25, 2009, when an Iranian drone was brought down over Iraq, Central Command spokesman Major Josh Jacques told VOA Friday.

It was also the first time that pro-regime forces had tried to strike coalition forces in the area surrounding al-Tanf, an army base where members of the coalition are training Syrians to fight the Islamic State militant group, according to U.S.-led coalition spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon.

Russian action

Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said the area around the base was largely "calm" Friday, thanks to Russia's relaying of messages from an established U.S.-Russian communication line down to the fighters near al-Tanf.

"They [the Russians] are trying to get the other parties, the pro-regime, the Iranian-backed militias, to do the right thing and to prevent them from taking actions that are destabilizing," Davis said.

But while the Pentagon was thanking Russia, the commander of Russian forces in Syria, Colonel General Sergei Surovikin, criticized the U.S.-led coalition for what he described as attempts to "block" Syrian government forces from taking control of the country's southern border.

U.S. officials admitted to VOA that some of the initial U.S.-Russia conversations were tense.

Drone launched 'dud' at patrol

Local counter-IS fighters were patrolling Thursday with coalition troops about 60 kilometers east of al-Tanf when the drone, which is similar in size to an MQ-1 Predator, launched a "dud" munition that failed to detonate, military officials said.

"It hit dirt; it didn't hit any coalition forces," Dillon said, adding that the munition caused no casualties and no damage to equipment, but was "clearly meant as an attack."

American troops were part of the targeted patrol, according to officials.

About 40 pro-regime fighters have set up camp overlooking a major road northwest of al-Tanf, in an area inside an established deconfliction zone that reaches about 55 kilometers around the base, according to officials. A larger contingency of pro-regime forces is patrolling northwest of the base outside the deconfliction zone.

"Our patrols were in the opposite direction of where the regime forces were," Dillon said.

Earlier Thursday, the U.S.-led coalition said it also destroyed two pro-regime armed technical vehicles  essentially, trucks with guns attached  that were advancing toward coalition forces within the deconfliction zone.

The coalition has said its mission is to defeat IS in Iraq and Syria, but its forces always reserve the right to defend themselves against any threat.

Thursday marked the third day that coalition forces had struck pro-Syrian government forces in less than one month.

Targeted

The coalition strikes on May 18 and Tuesday and Thursday of this week all targeted armed vehicles, tanks and construction vehicles that could be used to establish defensive positions. None of the strikes so far has targeted those pro-regime forces that are stationed along a major road inside the deconfliction zone, but coalition forces continue to urge those forces to leave.

"They have not presented a threat. They have not continued to move toward our forces in al-Tanf garrison, but we will continue to attempt to get them to vacate the area," Dillon said.

Michael O'Hanlon, a senior defense fellow at the Brookings Institution, a Washington policy research group, told VOA on Thursday that the U.S. and Iran were now in "direct competition for certain access points inside eastern Syria."

"We don't necessarily want that for ourselves, but we don't want it for Iran," O'Hanlon said.

He said the U.S.-led coalition didn't feel the need to concede territory there because of the lack of Iranian constituencies in the Sunni-majority area. He also said there was a need to continue developing assets there to defeat IS.

Meanwhile, Iranians sense an opportunity created from the instability in Syria to create a continuous land bridge that would span from Iran to the Mediterranean, O'Hanlon said.
Kosovars vote Sunday to choose the new 120-seat parliament that will face some seemingly intractable problems.



There is the thorny issue of the border demarcation deal with Montenegro that brought down the previous government; the continuation of fraught talks with Serbia, which denies Kosovos existence as a state; and potential war crimes trials of some senior political leaders.



Nineteen political parties, five coalitions and two citizens initiatives, all promising to break the isolation and secure growth, have nominated candidates.



Border dispute, war crimes court

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. The new state has been recognized by 114 countries, including the United States and most of the EU members, but not by Belgrade.



Kosovo is the only western Balkan country whose citizens need visas to enter the European Unions Schengen zone. To join, Brussels insists Kosovo must first approve the border demarcation deal.



That deal with Montenegro was signed in 2015 but opposition parties say it meant a loss of territory, over 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres), or less than 1 percent of Kosovos land. The former Cabinet, international experts and the countrys Western backers dispute that claim.



Another looming issue is the prospect of former ethnic Albanian senior rebel commanders facing prosecution in the newly established international war crimes court in The Hague that is expected to shortly issue indictments for crimes committed against civilians during and after the 1998-1999 war with Serbia.



Whos who in the election

Former rebels



Three major parties run by former rebel commanders have joined forces to back Ramush Haradinaj for prime minister. Haradinaj briefly served as a prime minister in 2005 but was forced to resign after a U.N. war crimes court put him on trial for crimes allegedly committed during Kosovos 1998-99 war with Serbia. He was acquitted twice.



Serbia still regards Haradinaj as a war criminal. Kosovo suspended EU-sponsored talks with Serbia earlier this year after Haradinaj was arrested in France on a warrant from Serbia. A French court refused to extradite him.



Haradinaj claims his coalition is a new beginning  and has pledged he will persuade the EU to admit Kosovars to the visa-free regime within 90 days, and also bring fast improvements in the countrys ailing economy.

Peacenicks



The party of Prime Minister Isa Mustafa has joined forces with billionaire Behxhet Pacolli and Mimoza Kusari-Lila, a former deputy prime minister and trade minister from the Alternativa party. They have proposed the former finance minister, Avdullah Hoti, as a future prime minister.



Hoti boasts that he was successful in fighting corruption and bringing the customs and financial department in line with European standards. He earned a Ph.D. in economics at Staffordshire University in Britain and is a professor at the Pristina University.

Nationalists



The Self-Determination Movement, an aggressively disruptive force in the previous parliament, is the biggest opposition party to shun pre-election coalitions. Self-Determination Movement members and supporters released tear gas inside parliament and threw petrol bombs outside it to protest the contentious deals with Montenegro and Serbia.



The party has nominated its former leader, 42-year-old Albin Kurti, as a candidate for prime minister. Since the 2014 election, Kurti has been at the forefront of opposition forces.
The carnage of the London Bridge attack could have been worse: One of the attackers tried to rent a larger truck that could have killed more people, but his payment was declined. The bloodthirsty gang was also shot dead before they could make their way back to the van where their petrol bombs were stored.

In a rare glimpse into the weeklong investigation, police released details on Saturday that showed Khuram Butt originally tried to rent a 7.5 ton truck. The intended truck was smaller but similar to the one used in the Nice attack last year that killed 86 people and injured hundreds in the resort town in the south of France.

After his payment was declined, Butt and his two accomplices rented a smaller van that they used to plow into crowds before they leapt from the vehicle and went on a stabbing rampage in an attack that left eight people dead and nearly 50 people injured. It was the third such deadly attack in Britain in the three months.

Knives featured pink blades

After leaving the small white van, the men used 12-inch knives with bright pink blades, according to Dean Haydon, head of the Metropolitan Police's Counter-Terrorism Command.



Police also disclosed that multiple petrol bombs were discovered in the van, and a copy of the Quran opened at a page describing martyrdom was found at one of the attackers houses.

Investigators believe three victims were killed on the bridge, including one man who was thrown into the Thames River, before the attackers left the vehicle and stabbed five people to death around London's busy Borough Market, Haydon said. Police believe Butt was driving the van.

When I come back to Butt trying getting hold of a 7.5 ton lorry  the effect could have been even worse, he said.

Molotov cocktails found

More than a dozen wine bottles filled with flammable liquid and rags wrapped around them in the shape of Molotov cocktails were found in the van. Two blow torches were also found.

Haydon said the men may have been planning even more bloodshed if they had survived their stabbing spree and made it back to the van.



Police also found a number of office chairs, gravel and a suitcase in the van.

Detectives believe the gravel may have been placed in the vehicle to make it heavier, or as part of a cover to justify hiring it, while the chairs may have been used to convince family and friends they were moving furniture.

Butt, a 27-year-old Pakistan-born British citizen, and his two accomplices, Rachid Redouane, 30, who claimed to be Moroccan-Libyan, and Youssef Zaghba, a 22-year-old Italian national of Moroccan descent, were shot dead by armed police eight minutes after the first emergency call.

Fake suicide belts

The three attackers were wearing fake suicide belts consisting of plastic water bottles wrapped in grey duct tape.

Haydon described the pink knives as pretty unusual and appealed for anyone with information about where they came from to contact police.

Police raided Redouane's small residence on Tuesday and said he had been renting it since April. This was the safe house where the attack was planned, police said. In the residence, police found an English language copy of the Quran opened at a page describing martyrdom, pieces of cloth which appeared to match material wrapped around the petrol bombs and water bottles similar to those used in the fake suicide vests, police said. Luggage straps, plastic retractable craft knives and rolls of duct tape were also found.

Eighteen people have been arrested in connection with last week's attack. All but five have been released. Searches are continuing.

Questions remain

The question remains how the men met and knew one another but police said Saturday they did not suspect a wider plot.



It looks as if it is pretty much a contained plot involving the three of them, which is supported by the forensic evidence we've got back so far, Haydon said.

Butt, who police consider the attack ringleader, had been on bail after being arrested for fraud in a case in October of last year, police said. He had also been repeatedly reported to police for violent behavior and trying to recruit young children to the Islamic State group as well as featuring in the documentary, The Jihadis Next Door, where he was seen next to a group of men unfurling a black-and-white flag scrawled with Arabic script and associated with the Islamic State group.

Warned by police



There was no evidence uncovered of any attack-planning in relation to him, Haydon said.

Butt had been warned by police on two occasions  once for fraud in 2008 and once in 2010 for assault. Still, he did not have any criminal convictions.

Zaghba and Redouane lacked any criminal convictions or such warnings in Britain.

From what I'm seeing, there is nothing that suggests at the moment that we got that wrong, Haydon said, referring to Butt.
The main rival to Mexico's ruling party said on Friday he will seek the annulment of the vote in five districts in a key governor's race last weekend in a bid to overturn the result and strengthen his hand ahead of next year's presidential election.

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) came in a close second to the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) in Sunday's election in State of Mexico, claiming it had been robbed of victory.

MORENA candidate Delfina Gomez finished some 170,000 votes adrift of PRI contender Alfredo del Mazo in the state of some 16 million people, according to a preliminary official tally.

Lopez Obrador told a news conference electoral authorities should annul five districts where the PRI was 240,000 votes ahead of MORENA due to what he claimed was voter fraud. If those districts were discounted, MORENA would be the victor, he said.

"We don't accept the official result ... we maintain that Delfina Gomez won," said Lopez Obrador, who has led early polls in the run-up to the 2018 presidential election.

Twice a runner-up for the presidency, Lopez Obrador has a long record of claiming voter fraud in Mexico, where elections are frequently marred by such allegations. He has yet to succeed in overturning a major vote.

Earlier this week Lopez Obrador said he would demand a vote-by-vote recount in the state but authorities have not granted that. His critics say his party is no cleaner than others.

The State of Mexico, the country's most populous region, is home to one in eight Mexican voters and it has long been a source of strength and financing for the PRI.

The election was tarnished by widespread accusations of fraud, ranging from intimidation of voters to vote buying.

Prosecutors are probing the situation.
At first, I didnt want to take off the veil at the checkpoint, said Dhoa, 32, cuddling her infant daughter to her chest. But then after soldiers told me to remove it a few times, I thought: Why bother wearing it at all?

Since Iraqi forces recaptured this part of Mosul in November, the military has encouraged women not to wear veils that cover their faces because Islamic State militants are hiding among them dressed as women.

Less than two weeks ago, the ban became official, and soldiers spread the word on the streets that burqas are no longer allowed.

IS militants in womens veils, wearing suicide vests and moving among refugees fleeing the city, have been caught approaching Iraqi forces.The Iraqi forces also are searching for militants who have stopped fighting and are lying in wait as sleeper cells.

They wear womens clothes outside and when people figure out they are men in hiding, they move to a different neighborhood, said Hassan Bashar Abbass, a fighter in the Iraqi forces SWAT unit.

Just a few weeks ago we arrested two militants in veils over there, he added, pointing across the street.



Cautious support

Many locals support the ban, saying it is a welcome safety precaution as suicide bombers continue to target eastern Mosul and IS militants flee Iraqi forces in western Mosul. When asked about the measure by VOA, most respond, Its better.

But some, like Dhoa, are more cautious, saying they abandoned their veils in support of Iraqi forces, which currently have strong positive relations with the Mosul population. If things go back to the way they were before IS, though, when the military and the population lived in deep distrust, some say dress codes dictating how they honor their faith will be as unwelcome as IS draconian rules.

Its a personal private freedom to wear or to not wear a veil, said Dhoa. This interferes with that choice a little bit. But we also want to be safe. So its good and bad.

Rebellion

One of Dhoas sisters-in-law, Farah, 26, cast off her burqa before the ban became formal, having worn it only to avoid punishment from IS. Like many Mosul residents, she now dislikes face veils because the militants liked them.

When we were liberated, the Iraqi army told us to take off the burqas. At first it was strange and some husbands didnt approve, she said.

But women encouraged each other in the first two months, added her sister, Zainab, 40. We would say, Why are you still wearing this? 

The women say that as IS militants retreated, they scrawled on city walls We will be back in Arabic. But their ongoing long and slow defeat in Mosul has boosted the confidence of residents, and habits banned by IS are more popular than ever before.

A few women are wearing jeans and T-shirts in public, as an act of rebellion against extremist ideology, Zainab said. Young people are more likely to take up smoking, and almost all beards have been shaven.

Now we love everything they hated, she said.

But a third sister, Safana, 29, still veils her face when she goes out, despite the ban, removing it only at checkpoints. Technically, this is not allowed under the ban, but no one has complained.

"Lots of women removed their burqas," she said. "But some are still wearing full veils with gloves and socks, like we did under IS."



Military community relations

In June 2014, IS took over Mosul with very little resistance or even objections from the people. In fact, some people called the early days of IS "paradise" as checkpoints came down and the military  then viewed as heavy-handed and often disrespectful  left the city.

When they first came, it was like they were wearing masks, said Zainab. They said they were saviors, and most people thought they were good.

In the months that followed, however, strict rules were enforced by harsh punishments, and IS ordered Christians and Shiite Muslims to abandon their homes and all of their valuables. Mobile phones and satellites were banned, the city was cut off from Baghdad, and the local economy crashed.

Dhoa offered a reporter a seat in the rooms single orange plastic chair, saying apologetically, When IS was here, my husband sold all the furniture for food.

It is true that hatred for IS has fueled affection for Iraqi forces, added Dhya Habib, a father of three who was a water engineer before IS closed his office two years ago. But military forces in Mosul also operate differently these days, despite similar levels of danger in the city long besieged by extremists, he said.

There are fewer checkpoints then before IS, and soldiers on the streets are generally polite or even generous, sometimes sharing their food with the hungry.

We feel safe as long as the people and the army get along, he said at a small grocery store not far from the womens home. Right now the army loves us and soldiers are not allowed to harass people. If they do, we can now complain and they will be punished.

The burqa ban, said Abbass of the SWAT unit, is partially intended to maintain the militarys current reputation by removing faith from community relations. Soldiers on the streets now carry out already-in-place security measures without delving into the world of respecting  or disrespecting  anyones religion.

Sometimes people would be angry when we told women to remove their burqas, he said. But now its an order and the people know the soldiers have no choice.
An anti-terrorism court in central Pakistan on Saturday sentenced a man, aged 30, to death for posting blasphemous content on social media.

The judge conducted the judicial proceedings in the high-security prison in the city of Bahawalpur, prosecutor Mohammad Shafiq Qureshi told VOA.

The prosecutor explained that the court found Taimoor Raza guilty of using Facebook and WhatsApp to disseminate" or "upload" hate material, including "offensive pictures and comments against Prophet Mohammad and his companions. Raza has the right to appeal the verdict.

Qureshi said the Facebook account Raza was running had more than 3,500 friends, or followers.

The defense counsel was not immediately available for comments on the allegations against his client.

Counterterrorism forces arrested Raza about a year ago and police records showed the man had confessed he was working for outlawed Sipah-e-Muhammad, which is a Shiite militant group.

The organization has been locked in a deadly rivalry with militants from Pakistans majority Sunni Muslim population. The years of sectarian conflict has killed thousands of people around the country.

Pakistani authorities have been cracking down on social media activists suspected of disseminating blasphemous content through their accounts.

Dozens of activists have been detained or questioned in recent weeks in Pakistan, prompting harsh criticism from rights defenders.

Opposition parties have alleged the crackdown in the name of religion is mainly aimed at silencing political dissent and deterring critics who are calling for accountability of the countrys powerful military institution, along with its alleged intervention in political matters.

Pakistani officials deny the charges.

Insulting Prophet Mohammad can carry a death penalty in Pakistan.

Earlier this week, the country's Supreme Court exonerated a man sentenced to life imprisonment by a lower court on allegations of desecrating the Holy book of Quran.

The ruling noted that the lower courts "appeared to have not conducted a fair trial of the case" before awarding the punishment.
An already contentious move by Republican President Donald Trump to block opposition Democratic lawmakers from getting information about his administration received its most scathing criticism yet Friday from one of the most powerful Republican members of the U.S. Senate.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa, in a more than 2,100-word letter to the White House, asked Trump to rescind unprecedented guidance that told executive agencies they do not have to honor requests for information from lawmakers in the minority party, currently the Democrats.

This week in hearings all over Capitol Hill, members of both parties have criticized the information block. Democrats have posited that the Trump administration is trying to hide mistakes, problems or wrongdoing from them.

Grassley, who has served in the Senate since 1981, called the guidance "nonsense" and described it as "a bureaucratic effort by the Office of Legal Counsel to insulate the executive branch from scrutiny by the elected representatives of the American people."

The Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over the Justice Department and its Office of Legal Counsel, which published the guidance last month.

Pitch for bipartisanship

Grassley said it goes against the U.S. Constitution by misrepresenting how Congress functions and trying to tell the legislative branch how to do its job. It also impedes Democratic lawmakers' ability to check up on the president, a responsibility also laid out in the constitution, Grassley wrote in a letter replete with footnotes and case citations.

"I know from experience that a partisan response to oversight only discourages bipartisanship, decreases transparency, and diminishes the crucial role of the American people's elected representatives," he wrote. "Oversight brings transparency, and transparency brings accountability."

The Justice Department declined to comment on Grassley's letter or the guidance. The White House did not return a request for comment.

No explanation

The Office of Legal Counsel has not explained the impetus for publishing the opinion.

The guidance did not single out Democrats by name. Instead, it addressed information requests to executive agencies from the highest-ranking lawmaker from the minority party sitting on congressional committees, called ranking members.

The Republicans hold the majority in both the Senate and U.S. House of Representatives and therefore chair all the committees, with Democrats as ranking members.

The opinion said that agencies have to respond to information requests only from committee chairs. Ranking member requests "do not trigger any obligation to accommodate congressional needs and are not legally enforceable through a subpoena or contempt proceedings," it said.
U.S. lawmakers said Sunday they want answers from U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions when he testifies this week before the Senate Intelligence Committee investigating Russian interference in last year's presidential election.

Theres a question of his [Sessions] participation in the firing of [former FBI] director Comey, Democratic Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island said on Fox News Sunday. Then, there have been allegations, publicly, of meetings that go beyond the meetings that he has already declared he had with representatives of Russias government. That will come up.

Sessions originally was scheduled to appear before House and Senate appropriations subcommittees this week. But he wrote to Congress Saturday that he wanted to speak before the Senate Intelligence Committee instead to address questions that arose during Comey's testimony last week.

I assume that this [hearing] will be public, Republican Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma said on CBS Face the Nation program. We want to be able to get his side of it, get all the facts out there. Weve had a lot of unnamed sources in the media come out and make statements about Jeff Sessions. It would be very good to get it directly from him.

The Justice Department, which Sessions heads, has been investigating contacts between the Russian government and President Donald Trump's inner circle.

An early backer of Trump, Sessions recused himself from the DOJ investigation during the early days of the administration. At his January confirmation hearing as attorney general, he testified that he had not met with Russian government officials during the campaign. Later, Sessions acknowledged he had had two meetings with the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak.

During nearly three hours of testimony last week, Comey cryptically told the Senate Intelligence Committee that the FBI had additional facts about Sessions he could not discuss in an open setting.

"In light of reports regarding Mr. Comey's recent testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, it is important that I have an opportunity to address these matters in the appropriate forum," Sessions wrote to Alabama Senator Richard Shelby, who heads an appropriations subcommittee that authorizes spending by the Justice Department.
Somali officials have vowed to take revenge on al-Shabab after the group launched the single deadliest attack on a Somali military camp in Galgala highlands of the Puntland region Thursday, killing at least 48 soldiers.

Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo condemned the attacked as barbaric and sent condolences to the families of the soldiers.

Farmajo said the government will support Puntland in response to the attack at Af-Urur, 105 kilometers southwest of Bosaso.

They will not get away with it, Farmajo told state media.

Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, the leader of the Puntland region, also has declared war against al-Shabab in the Galgala highlands.

I want to tell people in Puntland, wherever they are, to prepare for war against these religious bandits who attacked our country, Ali said. Puntland is capable and has been capable enough of defending against the troublemakers.

Ali appealed to the Somali government and the international community for help.

Thursdays attack by al-Shabab began about 4:30 a.m. Excerpts of a security memo seen by VOA show there were about 150 soldiers at the base at the time of the attack.

Militants attacked the base from different directions. After a two-hour gun battle, they overran the base, security sources said.

At least 48 soldiers were killed and 20 wounded, according to security officials and memos. The militants destroyed 16 vehicles and took two dozen heavy machines, AK-47s and ammunition.

The attack

Regional analyst Matt Bryden, director of Sahan Research, said 150 to 200 al-Shabab militants were involved in the attack on the camp.

Bryden said in addition to the soldiers, as many as 20 civilians were killed in the fighting, as well as some al-Shabab militants.

The group had attacked the base in mid-January, but Darawish forces stationed there forced al-Shabab to retreat, killing nine militants.

Puntland is investigating the possibility there was inside collaboration with al-Shabab, security sources and memos indicate.

Three months ago, alleged defectors and clan militias of about 30-40 armed men were taken to the base after going through an integration process, sources told VOA.

Al-Shabab attacked the base and penetrated an area run by the new recruits, sources say. After the attack ended, security sources said some of the defectors and clan militias returned to the bush with the al-Shabab militants.

Bryden said his sources said one of the reasons the militants were able to carry out the surprise attack was because of the deployment of the defectors at the camp.

A number of sources at the scene who are familiar with Af-Urur settlement claim a number of al-Shabab deserters had been taken into the base shortly before the attack, and had become part of the Puntland force, he said. There is a suspicion some of them may have colluded with al-Shabab in allowing them access to the base.

Two fronts

Puntland is now fighting two fronts against militants.

In Galgala, Puntland forces are facing about 450-500 al-Shabab fighters who have been active in the area for many years. While on the eastern highlands of the region, about 200-300 pro-Islamic State (IS) fighters pose a threat.

Bryden said Puntland is definitely under growing pressure on these two fronts and the region will need to seek support from the federal government and external partners.

It [Puntland] does have a well-trained and relatively cohesive paramilitary force in the Darawish, and it has an effective command strike force in the Puntland security forces, he said. But clearly fighting both to the west and east of Bosaso it found itself on the defensive.

Bryden said al-Shabab and IS both exploit grievances of the local communities.

As in the rest of Somalia, there are often latent political issues that go understated or underestimated that means some communities are more susceptible to al-Shabab influence or ISIS influence, he said, using an acronym for Islamic State. Al-Shabab exploits the disaffection of those grievances to the maximum.

Security sources said the troops based at the station had complained about the lack of or a delay in being paid. Lack of payment to soldiers is a common challenge facing Somali authorities.
NEW YORK  This years topsy-turvy Triple Crown trail comes to an end in a Belmont Stakes without the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners or the expected favorite who dropped out. It does come with questions about a Japanese horse with a sore foot.

No horse has dominated the 3-year-old ranks so far, leaving the 1-mile Belmont up for grabs among 12 horses that on Saturday will run the longest race of their lives.

The 7-2 early favorite Irish War Cry is only in the Belmont after trainer Graham Motion licked his wounds from the colts 10th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby five weeks ago.

When you get beaten as one of the favorites in the Derby, its pretty discouraging and you just want to put it behind you, he said. My horse is doing well. As long as hes doing well, he deserved a chance.

Irish War Cry inherited the role of favorite after Classic Empire was forced out earlier in the week with an abscess in his hoof.

Speculation on the status of early 4-1 second choice Epicharis continued to swirl Friday after the colt didnt train for a third straight day because of his sore right front hoof.

He was examined by veterinarians from the New York Racing Association and the Japan Racing Association, but no details on his condition were given. His trainer, Kiyoshi Hagiwara, didnt speak to the media.

Epicharis received a treatment of the legal anti-inflammatory Phenylbutazone, or bute, on Wednesday for what was described as lameness in his right front leg.

The colt stood in ice to help his hoof and was fitted with a glue-on shoe, an alternative for horses with a damaged hoof. Instead of being nailed on, which could cause more soreness, the plastic-coated shoe is wrapped around the hoof wall.

Martin Panza, vice president of racing for NYRA, said Epicharis was walking soundly Friday.

They feel confident they can make the race tomorrow, but theyre still going to monitor the horse, he said of the Japanese team. Obviously the horse comes first, and if there are any problems, theyll re-evaluate. Right now theyre very comfortable that the horse is comfortable and much better than he was two days ago.

Epicharis last trained on the track Tuesday. He hasnt raced since finishing second in the UAE Derby on March 25.

Hes a nice horse to ride because you can use any tactics, said Christophe Lemaire, his French jockey. If theres no pace at all, he can lead or he can sit in second position. A mile and a half is a long way to go, but in his previous races he has shown us some stamina.

A victory would earn Epicharis a $1 million bonus from NYRA, which worked to lure a horse from Japan.

Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming finished eighth in the Preakness, so he is skipping the Belmont. His trainer Todd Pletcher has two shots at winning the $1.5 million race on his home track: He will saddle 6-1 fourth choice Tapwrit and one-eyed Patch.

Tapwrit was sixth in the Derby and Patch was 14th.

I think he ran a sneaky good race in the Derby, Pletcher said of Tapwrit. I dont think it would be a surprise if either of them ran well.

Cloud Computing skipped the Derby, won the Preakness and is sitting out the Belmont. His trainer Chad Brown has 20-1 shot Twisted Tom, who brings a three-race winning streak into the race on his home track.

Lookin At Lee will be the only horse to run in all three Triple Crown races. He was second in the Derby and fourth in the Preakness. Hes the early 5-1 third choice on Saturday.

Gormley, ninth in the Derby, flew from his Southern California base to take a shot after staying home from the Preakness.

Multiplier sat out the Derby and was sixth in the Preakness.

The longest shot in the field is 30-1 Hollywood Handsome, who along with 15-1 Meantime, didnt run in either of the first two legs.

J Boys Echo is one of five Belmont runners who skipped the Preakness after running in the Derby, a route taken last year by Belmont winner Creator. Trainer Dale Romans is ready to get his hands on the trophy after finishing third four times.

The mile and a half should help him and hopefully were going to see the best of him, Romans said. Hes got a good rhythm to the way he runs and I think thats important going that far.

Belmont Parks deep, sandy track and sweeping turns can wipe out a tiring horse and benefit a closer able to negotiate the long stretch.

Senior Investment surged late to take third in the Preakness and his trainer, Ken McPeek, won the 2002 Belmont with 70-1 shot Sarava. In 2012, he trained 20-1 shot Atigun to a third-place finish.

This thing is wide open, completely wide open, McPeek said. It will be interesting to see it unfold.
A group of Republican lawmakers sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Friday urging him not to reverse former President Barack Obama's opening to Cuba even as White House aides moved closer to completing a plan that could tighten rules on trade and travel to the island.

With the Cuba policy review approaching its final stages, both sides of the issue have stepped up lobbying to sway Trump's decision on how far to go in rolling back measures that Obama implemented after a 2015 breakthrough with America's former Cold War foe.

In the letter, seven of Trump's fellow Republicans expressed deep concern that he is considering rescinding Obama's policies and said that such a move would "incentivize Cuba to once again become dependent on countries like Russia and China."

The warning reflected growing unease on Capitol Hill over returning to a more contentious approach to communist-ruled Cuba, even within a Republican party that has traditionally hewed to a harder line against Havana.

NSC officials hold talks

Senior officials at the National Security Council were meeting on Friday to craft recommendations that will be sent to the principals committee  Trump's top foreign policy advisers  and then to the president, people familiar with the matter said.

Though divisions remain within the administration, Trump could make an announcement within weeks, possibly as early as mid- to late June in a speech in Miami, U.S. officials have said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Trump's changes are expected to stop short of breaking diplomatic relations restored two years ago after more than five decades of hostility, administration officials say.

Among the options under consideration are banning U.S. companies from doing business with Cuban enterprises tied to the military and tightening rules on Americans traveling there, according to people familiar with the discussions.

Cuba review 'not final'

A White House official, asked about the latest meeting, said the Cuba review is still under way and not final.

The U.S. airline and travel industries have made clear they do not want to see reinstatement of Cuba restrictions.

But Trump has come under heavy pressure from Cuban-American lawmakers, including Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, to roll back Obama's rapprochement.

My hope is that when the administration is done with their review, they don't let one or two voices overwhelm what is in the interest of the United States, Representative Tom Emmer, a signatory to the letter, told Reuters.

Concessions expected from Cuba

One of four pro-engagement Republicans who met with White House officials on Thursday, Emmer said they urged the administration not to go too far in rolling back Obama's measures.

Trump threatened shortly after his election in November to terminate Obama's approach unless Cuba made concessions, something it is unlikely to do.

Obama implemented his normalization measures through executive actions, and Trump has the power to undo much of it.
Thousands of people from around the world packed Israels streets of Tel Aviv for the citys annual Gay Pride march, one of many festivals for gay rights taking place this weekend.

The festival is billed as the largest event of its kind in the deeply conservative Middle East.

Israeli police estimated that more than 100,000 people participated Friday with many coming from other countries.

The annual parade featured floats and dancers with this years theme being Bisexuality Visibility.

The festival is sponsored by the city of Tel Aviv, which has promoted gay tourism in recent years, becoming one of the worlds most gay-friendly travel destinations.

While Tel Aviv is seen as liberal and welcoming of gays, Jerusalem is seen as more conservative with the populations views varying on gay rights. A gay pride parade there in 2015 ended in tragedy when an extremist ultra-Orthodox Jew stabbed a 16-year-old girl to death.

Across the rest of the Middle East, gay and lesbian relationships are largely taboo.

Watch: From a Jail Term to Legal Marriage in US

Gay pride festivals are taking place this weekend in dozens of cities around the world, including Los Angeles, Athens, Sydney and Rome.

A large-scale Equality March is planned for Sunday in Washington, with organizers saying they want to combat anti-LGBT rhetoric in the country.

Many more gay pride events are scheduled around the world later in June, the month gay pride is traditionally celebrated, chosen because of New Yorks 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan, which is regarded as a catalyst for the gay rights movement.

Next week, Shanghai, China, will host its ninth gay pride event, but without a parade that accompanies most events in other cities around the world. Organizers say they expect around 6,000 people to attend. For the 10th anniversary next year, they said, they hope to expand to other cities including Beijing.
After a week in which the Senate testimony of former FBI Director James Comey dominated the political debate in Washington, President Donald Trump sought to have the last word Friday.

At a joint news conference with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, Trump was asked to respond to Comeys Thursday appearance before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Watch: Trump on Comey: No Collusion, No Obstruction, Hes A Leaker

No collusion. No obstruction. Hes a leaker. But we want to get back to running our great country, Trump said defiantly. Earlier in the day on Twitter, the president claimed total and complete vindication in the wake of Comeys testimony.

Trump also denied Comeys assertion that he had asked the former FBI director to drop the investigation into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, adding he would be willing to testify under oath.

I will tell you I didnt say that. And there would be nothing wrong if I did say that according to everybody that I have read today. But I did not say that, Trump said.

Trump also said he would provide information soon on whether there are White House tape recordings of his meetings with Comey, then added that reporters are going to be very disappointed when you hear the answer.

The House Intelligence Committee Friday requested that the White House provide any tape recordings, if they exist, by June 23.

Dispute over Flynn

During Thursdays Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, Comey said he felt the presidents request to let the Flynn investigation go amounted to a direct order.

Watch: Comey on Trumps Word: I Took It As A Direction

I took it as a direction. I mean this is the president of the United States with me alone saying I hope this. I took it as this is what he wants me to do. Now I did not obey that but that is the way I took it, Comey testified.

Some Republican senators pressed Comey on the Flynn issue, and Comey acknowledged there were no other requests from the White House to drop the investigation.

Trump said Friday he would be willing to testify under oath 100 percent that he did not tell Comey to let the Flynn probe go.

But if Comeys account is true that the president asked him for his loyalty and that he drop the Flynn investigation, it could leave Trump in legal jeopardy.

Watch: Trump Says Comey Testimony Shows No Collusion With Russia

Those activities taken together could well constitute obstruction of justice, though obviously that will be for Robert Mueller, the special prosecutor, to determine, Paul Schiff Berman, a law professor at George Washington University, said.

Comey also attacked Trumps credibility during the hearing and said he took careful notes after their meetings because he worried the president might lie about their conversations.

Some analysts contend Comeys testimony may have done lasting political damage to Trump.

How do you gain that back once it is lost, credibility? I think that is difficult for the president. I think it is difficult for the administration, said Chris Edelson, an assistant professor of government at American University in Washington, D.C.

For the moment, Republicans appear to be sticking with the president.

New to government

House Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters Thursday that Trump is new at this, new to government, adding that he probably wasnt steeped in the long running protocols that established the relationships between the Department of Justice, the FBI and White Houses.

Republican Representative Peter King of New York told VOA that, overall, Trump emerged relatively unscathed from the Comey hearing.

I think on balance it was positive for the president, King said. When you take all the drama away, the bottom line is that he said President Trump has never been under investigation.

But most Democrats have a far different view of the Comey impact and are eager for the congressional and special counsel investigations to unfold.

We have in our country this insulation between law enforcement and the equal rule of law and political interference, and the president crossed that line, Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said.

Trumps claim of vindication in the wake of Comeys testimony even struck some Republicans as premature.

The Russia probe, now led by special counsel Robert Mueller, is looking at possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.
President Donald Trump is preparing to announce new policies toward Cuba that most likely will roll back parts of former President Barack Obama's efforts to normalize relations with the island nation, according to a senior administration official and other sources.

The official said presidential aides were finalizing their review of U.S.-Cuba relations and were expected to send recommendations to Trump and his national security team in the coming days.

Plans are under way for Trump to announce the new Cuba policy on Friday in Miami. The city in southern Florida has a large and influential population of Cuban-Americans and Cuban emigres.

However, administration sources said the announcement could be delayed if Trump needs more time to make a final decision.

Trump is expected to announce a partial rollback of Obama's policies, which lifted many restrictions on Americans' travel to Cuba and their conduct of business there.

The president is expected to leave diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana intact. Diplomatic ties were re-established under Obama more than two years ago, after more than five decades of hostility between the U.S. and the communist government that Fidel Castro led to power in Cuba after a bloody revolution.

Florida lawmakers

Although specific details of Trump's Cuba policy are not yet clear, sources familiar with the administration's discussions said they expected the policy to have been influenced by two Cuban-American Republican lawmakers from Florida, Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Mario Diaz-Balart. Both are staunch opponents of Cuba's communist government.

Obama re-established normal diplomatic and trade relations with Cuba in December 2014, then visited Cuba months later, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to do so since Calvin Coolidge in 1928.

Fidel Castro, viewed in many parts of Cuba as a revolutionary hero and national patron, stepped down as president in 2008 and died last November at age 90. His brother Raul, now 86, succeeded Fidel as president.
Tens of thousands of children in central Democratic Republic of Congo cant go to school because of the violence between militia fighters and security forces, and attacks against civilians, the United Nations childrens fund (UNICEF) said Friday.

Hundreds of people have been killed and more than a million displaced in Congos Greater Kasai region since fighting broke out last August between a local militia and government forces.

The violence has kept at least 150,000 children in the region out of the classroom, while more than 600 primary and secondary schools have been damaged by attacks, UNICEF said.

Some schools have been occupied by fighters, leaving pupils and teachers unwilling or unable to return, and others are being used as emergency shelter for families uprooted by the violence.

Schools should be safe places where children can learn and begin to recover from the stress of the displacement or the memories of what they might have seen, said Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEFs acting representative in Congo.

Returning to the classroom can give children a small sense of normality in troubled times, he said in a statement.

More than 1 in 10 children of primary school age in Greater Kasai have seen their education disrupted by violence, and many schools have been shut for several months, UNICEF said.

Ethnic violence in Congo, Africas second-largest country, has spread and worsened since December when President Joseph Kabila refused to step down at the end of his mandate.

The total number of displaced throughout Congo has more than doubled to 3.7 million since August 2016, with 1.3 million of them uprooted within the Kasai region, according to the U.N. Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The U.N.s human rights chief called Friday for an international investigation into massacres and other crimes committed in Kasai, where at least 42 mass graves were found.

The government had said it would accept U.N. assistance but wanted to retain control of the inquiry in response to a Thursday deadline by U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad al-Hussein for Congo to agree to a joint probe.

But in his statement Friday, Zeid said the government response to date falls short and urged the U.N. Human Rights Council, which is holding a session until June 23, to act.
The United States wants to cut $1 billion from the total United Nations peacekeeping budget for the year from July 1 to shave over 10 percent off Washington's share of the bill following calls by President Donald Trump for U.S. funding to be slashed.

The proposal by the largest U.N. contributor is an opening bid in negotiations by the 193-member General Assembly budget committee, which has to agree on funding for 13 peacekeeping missions and a logistics support office by the end of June.

Reuters reviewed a document compiling the peacekeeping budget proposals by states and regional groups.

The U.S. proposal of an annual budget of $6.99 billion was the lowest made - nearly $1 billion less than U.N. chief Antonio Guterres' proposal and almost $570 million less than the recommendation by the world body's budget advisory experts.

Under the U.S. proposal, Washington would have to pay $1.99 billion compared with $2.25 billion for the current year.

While Trump has described U.S. funding for the United Nations as "peanuts" compared to its "important work," he complains its share of the peacekeeping bill, currently 28.5 percent, is "unfair." In his 2018 budget proposal he requested Congress approve only $1.2 billion for U.N. peacekeeping.

This is $1 billion less than the U.S. peacekeeping bill for the 12 months to June 30, 2017, when the total peacekeeping budget was $7.9 billion. Washington currently owes $417 million for peacekeeping, U.N. officials said.

Ultimately the U.S. Congress sets the federal government budget and will decide how much money is made available for U.N. peacekeeping. Republicans, who control both houses, and Democrats have said they do not support drastic cuts proposed by Trump.

Under the U.S. proposal to the U.N. budget committee, the largest cuts would be made to some of the most expensive operations in Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali and Sudan's Darfur, according to the document seen by Reuters.

The 193 U.N. member states are working to negotiate a compromise by the end of the month between the U.S. proposal, at the low end of the scale, and the highest suggestion of $7.72 billion by the African Group, according to the document.

Trump also wants to enforce a 25 percent cap on the U.S. contribution to U.N. peacekeeping. The U.N. General Assembly is due to negotiate next year new levels of contributions by countries for 2019, 2020 and 2021.

The United States also pays 22 percent of the $5.4 billion U.N. core budget.

Guterres has pledged to make U.N. peacekeeping more efficient but has noted that the current budget to fund it is less than one half of 1 percent of global military spending.
U.S.-backed Syrian forces have advanced into opposite sides of Islamic State's so-called Syrian capital of Raqqa, the forces and a war monitor said on Saturday.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a group of Kurdish and Arab militias supported by a U.S.-led coalition, began to attack Raqqa on Tuesday after a months-long campaign to cut it off.

The U.S.-led coalition estimates that Raqqa, which Islamic State seized from Syrian rebels in 2014 during their lightning advance in Syria and Iraq, is defended by 3,000-4,000 jihadists.

It has been a hub both for Islamic State's military leaders and its bureaucrats, and has been used to plot attacks in countries around the world.

The SDF said it had seized al-Mishlab district in the far east of Raqqa on Friday and al-Sabahia district in the west. The war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said the SDF had taken Mishlab and more than half of Sabahia.

The forces are now advancing into al-Romania district in northwest Raqqa, the SDF and the Observatory said. Islamic State had turned back an earlier SDF assault on a military base on the north side, the Observatory said.

Islamic State still has a long sweep of territory along Syria's Euphrates valley and wide stretches of desert, despite recent losses to the SDF, the Syrian army and rebel groups.

To the west of Raqqa, the Syrian army and its allies have advanced into Islamic State territory and on Friday reached SDF lines near the town of Tabqa, 40km (25 miles) from the city.

The Syrian government has described the SDF's war against Islamic State as "legitimate" and said its military priorities are further east, suggesting it does not plan to confront the group now.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross is likely to impose a new sugar trade deal with Mexico even if final revisions to it fail to win support from the U.S. industry, trade lawyers and experts say.

After announcing a deal this week that would dramatically cut the amount of refined sugar that Mexico ships to the United States, officials from the two countries are working with their industries on final language that would govern its operation.

At issue is a new right of first refusal granted to Mexico to supply all U.S. sugar needs not met by domestic suppliers or other foreign quota holders.

A coalition of American sugar cane and beet farmers and a major refiner want a more explicit guarantee that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, not Mexican producers, will dictate what type of sugar fills that gap. They are worried that a flood of refined sugar will pour in, rather than the raw sugar needed to keep U.S. mills running.

Sugar, lumber issues

The final sticking point stands in the way of resolving a years-long dispute over Mexican access to the highly regulated U.S. sugar market, which is protected by a complex web of subsidies and rationed quotas for foreign producers.

The sugar industry is known for its sway in Washington. But its point of view on Mexican imports is not shared by sugar users such as confectioners and soda makers.

The Trump administration wants to clear away the sugar dispute and a lumber trade row with Canada before starting full-scale negotiations to revise the North American Free Trade Agreement.

An industry rarely objects to a government-negotiated settlement of its anti-dumping case, and U.S. sugar producers could do little to stop the Commerce Department from implementing a final deal after a two-week comment period, said Seattle-based trade lawyer William Perry, who previously worked at Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission.

'Never entirely happy'

While the industry could ask the International Trade Commission to overturn the settlement that suspends anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duty orders issued in 2014, chances for success look slim. The panel in 2015 rejected a challenge by two sugar refiners to the previous U.S.-Mexico pact.

Petitioners are never entirely happy with suspension agreements like this, Perry said. They would rather have anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders with rates high enough to shut out imports.

A Commerce spokesman said that Ross hoped the U.S. sugar industry would ultimately endorse the final agreement.

Willing to compromise

Gary Hufbauer, a trade expert at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said the administration was probably willing to compromise on some industry-specific concerns to help reach its larger NAFTA goals of reducing U.S. trade deficits.

The U.S. sugar industry must probably present evidence of new Mexican dumping before going back to Commerce for more changes to the deal, said Daniel Pearson, a senior fellow of the libertarian Cato Institute and former International Trade Commission chairman.

They would do well to take this agreement and run with it and see how it works, Pearson said, noting that it raises prices and keeps U.S. refiners well-supplied with raw sugar.

Mexico OK with language

Mexico made major concessions to maintain its access to the lucrative U.S. market, agreeing to ship no less than 70 percent of its quota volume as raw sugar to U.S. refineries. It gave ground on nearly all of the U.S. producers' demands.

American Sugar Alliance spokesman Phillip Hayes said the final hurdle should be easy to address by making clear that the USDA, not Mexico, can dictate the type and purity level of any additional imports.

But Juan Cortina, head of Mexico's main sugar trade group, said there was no problem with the language because any additional needs would filled with raw sugar, as Mexican producers would have to keep higher inventories of that grade.
Authorities in eastern Afghanistan say a uniformed member of Afghan Special Forces turned his gun on U.S. military personnel, killing three of them and wounding one other.

The incident happened Saturday in the volatile Achin district of Nangarhar province. A provincial government spokesman, Attaullah Khogyani, told VOA the assailant was instantly gunned down by American soldiers.

A Taliban spokesman said the gunman was one of its men who had infiltrated Afghan forces ranks.

Earlier reports had said two U.S. soldiers died and two were injured. Officials said President Donald Trump was informed about the Americans' deaths and was being kept up to date on all developments while on a weekend trip in New Jersey.

A senior international diplomat in Afghanistan said authorities are looking into the possibility that the killings in Nangarhar might be related to the earlier deaths of two Afghan policemen in what the U.S. called a 'friendly fire incident" in Helmand province. The U.S. has apologized for that incident.

Saturday's attack against U.S. forces occurred after what appeared to be yet another "friendly fire" incident in Helmand, where the U.S. military confirmed that joint counter-Taliban operations overnight killed or wounded an unspecified number of Afghan security forces members.

Local media reports said airstrikes late Friday in the insurgent-held Nad Ali district killed at least eight local forces and wounded many more. Some reports said up to 20 Afghan personnel were killed.



A spokesman for the insurgents said the Afghan forces hit by airstrikes had dressed like Taliban and were in position in the Loe Bagh area, intending to ambush Taliban fighters, when jet planes bombed and killed tens of them.



The U.S. military's public affairs office in Kabul said an investigation was under way and gave a brief description of the incident: During an ANDSF [Afghan National Defense and Security Forces] and U.S.-partnered operation, fire resulted in deaths and injuries to members of the Afghan Border Police.

The U.S. military offered its deepest condolences to the families of the victims.

Helmand is Afghanistans largest province, and most of it is under the control or influence of the Taliban. The district where Friday nights airstrikes took place is located on the edge of Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital.

A group of roughly 300 U.S. Marines arrived in Helmand in April to support struggling Afghan forces in their battle against the Taliban.

The insurgents have extended their control over swaths of Afghanistan and killed scores of Afghan security forces members since launching their so-called yearly spring offensive in late April.

The wartorn nation -- and its capital city, Kabul, in particular -- has also been hit in recent weeks by suicide bombings that have caused unprecedented civilian casualties.
Protesters in Venezuela paid their final respects to a teenager who was killed this week during a demonstration against President Nicolas Maduro.

Hundreds of protesters stopped Friday and knelt at a makeshift shrine, the site in Caracas where 17-year-old student Neomar Lander was killed Wednesday in clashes with police.

Venezuelas opposition says the teen was killed by a tear gas canister fired directly at him, while the government says the youth died when a homemade mortar exploded in his hands.

In a news conference, Vice President Tareck El Aissami blamed the opposition for fomenting violence at the protests.

Demonstrators marched Friday to the headquarters of the Venezuelan Commission of National Telecommunications (CONATEL) to demand that it allow independent media outlets to operate.

The near-daily protests against the government of President Maduro have gone on for more than two months, leading to at least 65 deaths among pro- and opposition demonstrators, bystanders and security forces.

The socialist president has grown increasingly unpopular, as the country suffers crippling shortages of basic goods, however he retains control of the military.
BOISE  State officials have approved an Idaho utility companys plan to close a coal-fired power plant in Nevada about 10 years ahead of schedule and raise monthly bills for customers to cover depreciation costs.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission announced Monday a settlement with Idaho Power to close the North Valmy Generating Station near Valmy, Nevada, by 2025.

The company said closing the plant early will save customers money because a decrease in market prices for electricity has made the plant uneconomical except when energy demands surge during extremely hot or cold weather.

It may not benefit customers from an economic and reliability standpoint to operate beyond 2025, Idaho Power spokeswoman Stephanie McCurdy said Wednesday.

The average Idaho Power residential customer in southern Idaho will see an increase of about $1.20 per month. The company is seeking a similar agreement for its eastern Oregon customers, McCurdy said.

The increased rates will allow Idaho Power to recover depreciation costs based on the shorter lifespan of the power plant. The company initially asked for a rate increase of 3.1 percent to cover the depreciation costs, but the agreement reduced that to 1.17 percent.

Its a pretty complicated case, and its definitely a good compromise for the competing interests, said Matt Evans, spokesman for the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. Natural gas prices have been so low it has made coal a little less competitive.

Idaho Power co-owns the plant with Nevada-based NV Energy. The two utilities each own half of the plant, which was built along Interstate 80 east of Battle Mountain in the 1980s. The plant contains two units, with one originally scheduled to close in 2031 and the other in 2035. The settlement announced Monday closes one unit in 2019 and the other in 2025.

NV Energy spokeswoman Jennifer Schuricht said the company had no comment. NV Energy is owned by Warren Buffets Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

NV Energy provides electricity to 1.3 million customers in Nevada. Idaho Power serves 535,000 in Idaho and eastern Oregon. McCurdy said Idaho Power wont have a problem replacing the power generated by the coal plant.

Conservationists have pushed for the expedited closure of the coal-burning plant for years, citing costs and pollution caused by burning coal. They say keeping one unit operating through 2035 would waste tens of millions of ratepayers dollars, primarily because coal now costs significantly more than other energy sources.
In the afternoon of 17 Oct, a particularly violent explosion occurred at Anak Krakatau, blasting away a portion of the southern crater rim. A similar event might have been the final trigger for the catastrophic landslide that let the cone collapse and cause a devastating tsunami on 22 Dec 2018.
Goldman Sachs faced a looming deadline in July. Under new federal rules, the storied Wall Street bank was required to rid itself of about $6 billion in risky investments, such as stakes in hedge funds, that regulators fear could hamper it during an economic downturn.

But by late last year, Goldman had yet to find a buyer and appealed to the Federal Reserve for a reprieve. The agency gave Goldman and several other banks five more years to comply with the rules put in place in response to the 2008 financial crisis.

Now, it appears, Goldman may be able to keep those investments after all.

Republican lawmakers passed legislation in the House this week that would do away with the requirement all together. It is part of a sweeping plan to ease banking industry rules they argue have been hampering the economy and made it more difficult to get a loan. The effort, backed by the Trump administration, aims to dismantle major portions of the Obama administrations 2010 financial reform law, known as the Dodd Frank Act, landmark legislation that forced banks to maintain a larger financial cushion and take on less debt.

Congratulations to Jeb Hensarling & Republicans on successful House vote to repeal major parts of the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial law. GROWTH!, President Trump said in a tweet Friday morning. (Rep. Hensarling, a Republican from Texas, shepherded the legislation.)

Supporters touted the rules as a chance to help community and regional banks, many of which struggle to comply with a regulatory regime aimed mostly at the biggest banks. But the big banks would also gain relief, and one of the key ways is the proposed elimination of a provision known as the Volcker rule.

The rule, named after its chief champion, former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, has two prongs. The first limits banks ability to buy and sell exotic financial instruments, and the second limits the ability of banks to operate and invest in hedge funds and private-equity funds.

Banks that make loans and collect consumer deposits, such as checking and savings accounts, shouldnt be using that money to take on the same type of risks that hedge funds do, supporters of the rule say. But House Republicans argued that the Volcker has sapped liquidity from the markets  in other words, reduced the number of institutional buyers and sellers  and said in a summary of the legislation that repealing the rule would promote more resilient capital markets and a more stable financial system.

To comply, big Wall Street banks have shut down their proprietary trading desks to eliminate speculative trades and began selling off their investments in hedge and private equity funds. The shift was particularly significant for Goldman, which once claimed that such proprietary trading accounted for 10 percent of its revenue.

In an CNBC interview earlier this year, Goldman chief executive Lloyd Blankfein said restrictions on bank trading could prevent companies from being involved in the kinds of transactions that are beneficial to the financial markets. There should be more flexibility.

Many in the industry complain that the regulations governing the Volcker rule are so complex it made it difficult to distinguish between the financial transactions a bank may do on its own behalf, purely for profit, or on behalf of a client. Jamie Dimon, chief executive of JPMorgan Chase, once warned that for every trader, we are going to have to have a lawyer, compliance officer, doctor to see what their testosterone levels are, and a shrink  what is your intent?

Some regulators have acknowledged the complexity of the rules, though critics say banks are exaggerating. Proprietary trading had banks with conflicts of interest against their customers, Volcker said in an interview. The idea that the restraint on proprietary trading is hurting customer service is baloney.

In the meantime, big banks have received two extensions to comply with aspects of the rule, the first in 2015. The latest covers illiquid funds, typically investments banks made in hedge and private funds that may now be difficult to sell.

I have doubts over the need for an extension. How much of it is just a hope that the rule would go away?, Volcker said.

The extension gave Goldman more time to rid itself of about $6 billion in investments. Morgan Stanley has applied for more time to deal with about $1.9 billion of such assets.

Citigroup only has about $400 million left and has also been granted an extension. The banks chief executive, Michael Corbat, said at a banking conference earlier this month that it was time to make changes to Volcker. We dont want to be in the proprietary trading business. We dont want to be using consumer deposits to speculate, he said.

But the law is too complex, Corbat said, noting that the rules had been written by five different agencies. Those agencies have taken the same law, the same rule and applied it five different ways. And what weve said is we dont care which one, just pick one of them. Pick one of them and enforce it that way, and wed be great with that.

The House legislation that would repeal the rule all together is unlikely to pass the Senate intact and regulators, who already spent years wiring the rules, may shy away from making significant, time-consuming changes. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs banker who has been directed by Trump to make recommendations on improving the banking system, appears to be leaning toward a compromise. I support the Volcker Rule, but there needs to be proper definition around the Volcker Rule so banks can understand what they can do and what they cant do, Mnuchin told the Senate Banking Committee in January.

The effort to repeal or even weaken the rule has outraged some. The Volcker firewall was among the most critical pieces of Wall Street reform, said Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), one of the original sponsors of the provision. This casino allowed banks to make big bets with taxpayer-insured funds, destabilizing the financial system and the U.S. economy.

But a repeal of the rule could pay off for big banks. Wall Street banks stand to recoup about $2 billion in profits next year if the trading restrictions were lifted, according to research by Nomura, a global investment bank. That includes a boost of about $446 million for Goldman.
Yall know I just got out of jail, right? rapper Freddie Gibbs asked the 9:30 Club crowd on Thursday night. But looming above the jaunty relief of his rhetorical question  and Gibbss infamously Teflon confidence  are the ghosts of his trauma.

The Gary, Ind., native was arrested while on tour in France last June for an alleged sexual assault that took place in Vienna in June 2015. Gibbs vociferously denied any wrongdoing and was ultimately exonerated on all charges in September, but the damage lingers. The 34-year-old was detained in French and Austrian prisons  10 years in jail hanging over his head and, consequently, his career hanging in the balance. The oft-outspoken Gibbs, whose trademarks are honesty and a brazen sense of humor, responded to his ordeal as many artists would: through his work.

His latest effort, Marchs You Only Live 2wice, reflects a man whose circle has gotten smaller in light of the events of the past year. And despite the weathered skepticism in his voice, Gibbs remains as uncompromisingly frank as he was on Pinata, his acclaimed 2014 album with producer Madlib. Jail changes you, whether you belong there or not. Thursday nights show, like the rest of Freddie Gibbss tour, was a highlight of his reintroduction to society.

Gibbs will always impress with his straightforward nature, which gives his tales of crime motivated by economic despair a unique veracity. Pinata married his style with Madlibs pastiche, soul-driven approach, giving Gibbss verses a Blaxploitation film-esque ambiance. The chilling strings of Thuggin augment his nihilism, while the warmth of Harolds gives his adolescent recollections a distinct glow. Still, Deeper, a bitter tale of lost love, reveals that a wounded Gibbs is the most compelling Gibbs. You Only Live 2wice confirms this.

The You Only Live 2wice portion of Gibbss set was an exorcism. 20 Karat Jesus and Crushed Glass are the ruminations of a man who spent months with nothing but time to reevaluate his priorities and the company he keeps. His fiancee and daughter remain of the utmost importance; the untrustworthy have been removed from the equation for their good.

Shortly after performing BFK, Freddie Gibbs spent the remainder of his set greeting fans. Every handshake, every Thank you, every I love yall was prompted by the appreciation of someone acutely aware that he nearly lost everything.

Gibbs recently appeared on Vicelands The Therapist to discuss the fallout from his wrongful accusation. Thursday night made it clear that engaging in his passion with recalibrated focus is equally therapeutic.
The hard-charging New York lawyer President Trump chose to represent him in the Russia investigation has prominent clients with ties to the Kremlin, a striking pick for a president trying to escape the persistent cloud that has trailed his administration.

Marc E. Kasowitzs clients include Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch who is close to President Vladimir Putin and has done business with Trumps former campaign manager. Kasowitz also represents Sberbank, Russias largest state-owned bank, U.S. court records show.

Kasowitz has represented one of Deripaskas companies for years in a civil lawsuit in New York and was scheduled to argue on the companys behalf May 25, two days after news broke that Trump had hired him, court records show. A different lawyer in Kasowitzs firm showed up in court instead, avoiding a scenario that would have highlighted Kasowitzs extensive work for high-profile Russian clients.

Kasowitz, whose scrappy style in the courtroom mirrors Trumps approach to politics, represented Trump in various matters for more than a decade before he took on either Deripaskas company or Sberbank, according to one of Kasowitzs partners in the firm.

Trump has turned to Kasowitz for matters that include debt restructuring and suing an author who Trump said undercounted his net worth. On Thursday, Kasowitz became the public face of Trumps counterattack on former FBI director James B. Comey, challenging the former federal prosecutors credibility and calling for Comey to be investigated for leaks after his testimony to Congress.

As Kasowitz takes on his most high-stakes work for Trump yet, the lawyers Russian clients could cause complications.

If the behavior of a Russian client of the firm or its relationship with Trump becomes an issue in the investigation, a conflict could arise, said Stephen Gillers of New York University Law School, an expert on legal ethics.

Deripaska has said congressional investigators have contacted his attorneys seeking information about his business dealings with Paul Manafort, a Trump campaign manager during the presidential campaign. More than a decade ago, Deripaska invested in a fund that Manafort set up in the Cayman Islands that bought assets primarily in Ukraine.

The Associated Press reported in March that Manafort secretly worked for Deripaska as far back as 2006 to influence politics and business dealings inside the United States to benefit Putins government. Manafort signed a $10 million annual contract beginning in 2006 and maintained a business relationship until at least 2009, the AP reported.

Deripaska has denied the report, and he sued the AP for libel last month. Deripaska said he never had any arrangement, whether contractual or otherwise, with Mr. Manafort to advance the interests of the Russian government, according to the lawsuit. In newspaper ads taken out after the AP story, he said, I want to resolutely deny this malicious assertion and lie.

Former associates of Sberbank, the other Russia-tied Kasowitz client, also have come under scrutiny in media reports.

The banks former vice president, who is now chief executive of another Russian state-owned financial institution, Vnesheconombank, met with Trumps son-in-law and adviser, Jared Kushner, in December.

Kushners interactions with the Russian banker are a part of the FBIs investigation into potential coordination between Moscow and the Trump campaign team.

Gillers said Kasowitzs firm should closely monitor potential conflicts. If one arises, the firm probably would have to drop one of its clients, he said.

A White House spokesman did not respond to requests for comment Friday. Michael J. Bowe, a partner at the law firm Kasowitz Benson Torres, declined to say whether the firm had discussed the possibility of potential conflicts arising from its Russian clients. Bowe added that their representation of the Russian firms and Trump are totally unrelated.

CNN and BuzzFeed previously reported Kasowitzs Russian clients.

Trump hired Kasowitz in 2001 to restructure debt on his firms Atlantic City casinos. More recently, Kasowitz filed a lawsuit against Timothy OBrien, arguing that the author of TrumpNation: The Art of Being the Donald had libeled Trump by understating the businessmans wealth. Trump lost the case in 2011. OBrien told The Post last year that Trump used Kasowitz because he always favored scrappy lawyers and street fighters.

Kasowitz also wrote a letter during the presidential campaign threatening to sue the New York Times for an article that said two women had accused Trump of touching them inappropriately. Kasowitz said at the time it was nothing more than a politically motivated effort to defeat Mr. Trumps candidacy. No suit has been filed.

On Tuesday, Deripaskas company, Veleron, lost an appeal in federal court in Manhattan in its lawsuit against Morgan Stanley in a complex financial case involving a dispute over a loan on which Veleron defaulted during the height of the Great Recession. Kasowitz was scheduled to deliver oral arguments in the appeal last month. Its not clear whether Kasowitz will continue to represent Veleron.

Records in the case reinforce Deripaskas close ties to Putin. When Deripaskas company ran into financial trouble in 2008 and needed to put up more collateral to cover some its liabilities, Deripaska put in a call to Putin, who authorized the state-run Vnesheconombank, or VEB, to offer his firm a bailout, Deripaska acknowledged in court records.

In 2008, Forbes magazine listed Deripaska as the ninth-richest man in the world. In 2006, the United States revoked his visa to enter the country, citing possible ties to organized crime. He has denied those links, claiming the allegations are part of an effort to smear him.

Kasowitz represents Sberbank in a 2016 lawsuit that is still in its preliminary stages. An owner of a Russian granite-mining business accuses the bank of conspiring with competitors to dismantle his company and seize its assets. The bank has not responded in court filings.

Sberbank was one of the sponsors of the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow produced by Trump, who owned the competition. The deputy head of the bank at the time was Sergey Gorkov, who met with Kushner in December. Gorkov, a graduate of the academy of the Federal Security Service, or FSB, the domestic successor of the former Soviet KGB intelligence bureau, was named to head VEB in February 2016.

VEB has maintained that Gorkovs meeting with Kushner was part of a new business strategy and was conducted with Kushner in his role as the head of his familys real estate business. The White House has said the meeting was unrelated to business and was one of many diplomatic encounters the soon-to-be presidential adviser was holding ahead of the inauguration.

Rosalind S. Helderman and Tom Hamburger contributed to this report.
THE DISTRICT

Man fatally stabbed in SE early Friday

A man was fatally stabbed in Southeast Washington early Friday morning, police said.

Police said Dominic Brooks of Southeast was fatally stabbed in the 800 block of Chesapeake Street SE, which is near the Washington Highlands neighborhood. No age was available for the victim.

 Peter Hermann

Playground fire in NEunder investigation

A small fire burned on a bench in the playground of Miner Elementary School in Northeast on Thursday night.

Firefighters extinguished the fire, and the cause is being investigated, said Vito Maggiolo, a fire department spokesman. No injuries were reported.

 Clarence Williams

MARYLAND

Arrests made in Langley Park homicide

Two men were arrested Thursday in connection with a homicide in Prince Georges County, authorities said.

Police said Oscar Choc, 27, and Julio Murillo, 34, both of Langley Park, were charged with murder in the death of Carlos Sanchez-Cabrera, 22, of Langley Park.

Police said the June 2 shooting was related to an ongoing dispute.

 Justin Wm. Moyer
THE DISTRICT

Ex-U.S. agency official in contract scheme

A former U.S. Agency for International Development deputy director pleaded guilty Friday to steering a $22,480 consultant contract to a close friend and to falsely stating to investigators that she had repaid a $7,100 loan from the friend, prosecutors said.

BethAnne Moskov, 53, of Silver Spring, faces up to a year and a day in prison at sentencing Aug. 28 before U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Casey Cooper of the District under a nonbinding plea deal.

By engaging in cronyism and contract-steering, this defendant chose to reward a friend with federal money instead of actively seeking the most qualified and cost-effective bidder, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips of the District said in a statement.

Moskov was deputy director for the USAID office of health, infectious disease and nutrition from 2012 to 2016 when she did the transaction with the unnamed friend, a travel partner and man of honor at her wedding, according to court filings.

 Spencer S. Hsu

MARYLAND

Elkridge man fatally struck by MARC train

A man was struck and killed by a MARC commuter train Friday in the Elkridge area of Howard County, authorities said.

County police identified him as Xin L. Zhuang, 34, of Elkridge.

They said he was struck near the 5500 block of Levering Avenue at about 6:35 a.m. Investigators think he was walking alone near the tracks when the train came around a bend.

 Martin Weil

VIRGINIA

Motorcyclist killed in Fairfax collision

A man who was driving a stolen motorcycle at high speed on Richmond Highway in Fairfax County was killed Friday in a collision, police said.

Authorities said Kwaune Marshall, 25, of Alexandria, was thrown from the motorcycle after colliding with a truck at about 4:30 p.m. at Hollyhill Road, in the Hybla Valley area.

 Martin Weil
Glenne Headly, a versatile stage actress who had a promising start to her Hollywood career in the con-artist comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and who later worked extensively in television, with appearances in the miniseries Lonesome Dove and on shows such as ER and Monk, died June 8. She was 62.

Her agent confirmed the death to the Associated Press but did not disclose the cause or location.

Ms. Headly, who grew up in the cultural milieu of New Yorks Greenwich Village neighborhood, attended the High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan before establishing her theater credentials in Chicago as part of the Steppenwolf Theatre Co., whose ensemble of rising talents included John Malkovich (whom she married), Gary Sinise and Laurie Metcalf.

She won Joseph Jefferson Awards  the citys premier theater honor  in plays such as Lanford Wilsons Balm in Gilead, portraying a streetwalker, and Lynn Sieferts Coyote Ugly, as an ill-fortuned young wife.

Ms. Headly had small film parts  including as a prostitute in Woody Allens The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)  before winning a high-profile role opposite Steve Martin and Michael Caine in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988). As the seemingly innocent mark who is in fact swindling two hustlers, she provides a resilient foil as a woman who looks like a pushover but somehow never seems to topple, film critic Roger Ebert wrote.

Glenne Headly in 2010. (Matt Sayles/Associated Press)

With her enigmatic smile and teasingly breathy voice, she had a charisma that Martin likened to that of Judy Holliday, the 1950s platinum blond screwball maestro. Glenne can do both regular dramatic comedy and that rarefied kind of pure comedy that eludes definition, he told New York magazine.

Few of her subsequent film roles captured her appeal. Ms. Headly played the loyal Tess Trueheart in Dick Tracy (1990), with Warren Beatty in the title role as a hard-boiled detective, and she played the music teacher wife of frustrated composer Richard Dreyfuss in Mr. Hollands Opus (1995). She also appeared in the comedies Getting Even With Dad (1994) opposite Ted Danson and Macaulay Culkin and Sgt. Bilko (1996) with Martin.

On television, she had a supporting role as a sheriffs wife in the hit CBS drama Lonesome Dove (1989), which brought her an Emmy Award nomination. She received a second Emmy nomination for her supporting role in the Showtime TV movie Bastard Out of Carolina (1996), a child abuse drama in which she played an aunt of the young victim.

Glenne Aimee Headly was born in New London, Conn., on March 13, 1955. She attended American College of Switzerland in Leysin.

On Broadway, she played the young heroine in a 1985 revival of George Bernard Shaws 19th-century comedy Arms and the Man, directed by Malkovich and co-starring Kevin Kline and Raul Julia as rivals for her affection. New York Times theater critic Frank Rich described her portrayal as innocently commanding, an alternately smart and petulant schoolgirl one small step away from maturity [who] plays her hand with a winning, newly awakened adult poise that reduces both Mr. Kline and Mr. Julia to helpless tots.

Her marriage to Malkovich ended in divorce. In 1993, she married Byron McCulloch, and they had a son. A complete list of survivors was not immediately available.
The scene in Adams Morgan on Thursday after two officers were struck. (Clarence Williams/The Washington Post)

The Virginia man who plowed through one of the Districts busiest nightlife districts Thursday night intentionally aimed his white pickup truck at police with the intent to kill and had made anti-police statements the day before, according to prosecutors and court records.

A judge ordered Brandon Figures-Mormon, 22, of Disputanta, Va., held without the possibility of release during his first appearance in D.C. Superior Court on Saturday after the alleged attack in Adams Morgan injured two police officers and a city worker.

Prosecutors said he advocated killing law enforcement, and in the past told someone all police need to die.

He made an affirmative choice to run down the police officers, Assistant U.S. Attorney John B. Timmer said in court on Saturday.

Public defender Jacqueline Cadman said Figures-Morman was intoxicated during the collision and the government had no evidence that he meant to kill. He had smoked some concentrated marijuana at a club before the collision, charging documents state.

What we dont have is any intent on his part to hit these individuals, said Cadman, who argued he should be released on his own recognizance. There is absolutely no intent here.

[Military-style weapon found in truck that crashed into D.C. officers, city worker, police say]

Figures-Mormon has been charged with assault with intent to kill, illegal possession of a firearm, reckless driving and other related charges in the incident that left two police officers hospitalized and one city worker injured. One of the police officers has since been released from the hospital, D.C. police said Saturday. The other remains in critical but stable condition.

Officers along the stretch of bars, clubs and restaurants along 18th Street near Belmont Road were directing traffic backed up behind a stopped Metrobus at around 9 p.m. on Thursday, with Figures-Mormon and a passenger among the line of cars in a Dodge Ram, police said. Figures-Morman then veered out of the queue, sped up the median and barreled toward two uniformed officers, according to police and court documents. Witnesses reported the truck struck the officers and continued on to hit a uniformed D.C. Department of Transportation employee, charging documents state.

The witnesses also reported that the truck did not stop after hitting the third victim...and instead continued driving through a red stop light down the street until crashing into a sanitation truck.

Three officers on the citys nightlife detail were hurt in the chaos. Officer Alen Bukvic was in critical but stable condition. He is expect to remain in the hospital for at least another week, according to court records. Officer Richard R. Duranne suffered a fractured nose, sprained right ankle and burns and was released from the hospital after one day. And City Transportation Department officer Pamela Ann Johnson was injured but treated at a hospital and released the same day.

After taking Figures-Mormon into custody, investigators found a military-style weapon they described as the Romanian version of the AK-47 in the trucks backseat, police said.

Figures-Morman borrowed the Dodge Ram from a man who had been with him that day for a firearms expo in Chantilly, Va., court documents state. The owner of the truck said he placed the rifle under the back seat of the pickup because he couldnt keep it in their hotel room.

Investigators said that about two and a half years ago, Figures-Morman began making negative comments about police officers to the effect of all police need to die and advocating killing police officers on Snapchat as recently as Wednesday, charging documents state.

[VIDEO: Witness captures aftermath of Adams Morgan crash]

Theres no evidence Figures-Morman made any anti-police statements right before striking the officers and the sentiments he allegedly made more than two years ago, said Cadman, the defense lawyer.

Judge Kimberley Knowles said at Saturdays court hearing that there was evidence  including Metrobus video and several witness statements  that Figures-Morman directly aimed at the officers and had ample opportunity to stop his car before hitting others but kept charging ahead.

He is a danger to the community, Knowles said before ordering him to appear in court again on June 20.

In 2014, Figures-Morman was convicted of assault, a count reduced from an initial charge of assaulting a police officer.

Figures-Morman was discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2012 after a year of service. Military authorities said the character of his service was incongruent with Marine Corps expectations and standards.
Alyx Walker, sitting, is comforted by her mother Gail Walker at the ghost bike for Frank Towers along Veirs Mill Road in Silver Spring, Md. (Astrid Riecken/For The Washington Post)

The Toyota 4Runner struck Frank Towers as he rode his green Trek bicycle  a recent Christmas gift  across a busy Montgomery County road exactly where he was supposed to: in the crosswalk.

But six months after Towers, 19, died in the December 2015 collision, the Toyota driver was acquitted. It turns out that hitting a cyclist in a crosswalk isnt illegal in Maryland.

Alyx Walker, Towerss housemate, was outraged. In addition to being a close friend, Towers had been a beloved teacher and childrens birthday party supervisor at her familys Rockville gym, Dynamite Gymnastics Center.

The driver killed someone, Walker recalled thinking. How is this possible?

A Montgomery judge agreed with the drivers lawyer that Maryland law gives pedestrians the right of way in a crosswalk, but it doesnt say anything about cyclists or others on wheels. That includes skateboarders, people on roller skates, or children in a stroller or being pulled in a wagon. The driver had been charged with passing another vehicle stopped at the crosswalk.

Alyx Walker stands near the ghost bike for Frank Towers along Veirs Mill Road in Silver Spring, Md. (Astrid Riecken/For The Washington Post)

It was a legal loophole that Montgomery police and prosecutors said they had never come across.

We were sort of thrown when the argument came up, said Assistant Montgomery States Attorney Kyle OGrady, who prosecuted the case.

[Crash at risky Maryland crosswalk kills teen on Christmas bike]

Towerss death and the fact that no one was held accountable for it spurred Walker, Montgomery prosecutors, police and bike safety advocates to push to get the law changed. It worked.

Beginning Oct. 1, Maryland law will give anyone on nonmotorized wheels  including bicycles, childrens play vehicles, and even unicycles  the right of way in crosswalks. The new penalty for hitting someone on wheels will be the same as it is for striking a pedestrian: up to a $500 fine and two months in jail. The law will apply only where local ordinances allow bicycles and play vehicles on sidewalks.

Under current law, OGrady said, motorists can be charged with hitting a cyclist in a crosswalk only if prosecutors also can prove that the driver was speeding or driving negligently. Under the new crosswalk law, drivers can be charged with failing to yield the right of way to a cyclist or play vehicle, overtaking a vehicle stopped for a cyclist or play vehicle, or failing to exercise due care to avoid striking a cyclist or play vehicle.

The Maryland General Assembly probably created the legal loophole inadvertently years ago when it changed the law to allow cyclists to ride in crosswalks, OGrady said. Lawmakers failed to also include cyclists in another part of the law that grants pedestrians the right of way in crosswalks. That legal protection now covers only people who are walking, in wheelchairs or riding an electric personal assistive mobility device, such as a Segway.

Frank Towers (courtesy of Alyx Walker)

One week after the driver in Towerss case was acquitted, another cyclist, 31-year-old Oscar Mauricio Gutierrez Osorio, of Silver Spring, was killed after being hit in the same crosswalk  where the Matthew Henson Trail crosses Veirs Mill just west of Randolph Road.

The driver in Osorios death was not charged, OGrady said, because he couldnt avoid hitting Osorio. The law protecting pedestrians  and soon cyclists and others on wheels  also restricts them from darting into traffic, he said.

The District and Virginia both grant cyclists the same legal protections in crosswalks as pedestrians, according to the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA).

Safety advocates have long called for better protection on roads designed to move traffic, not walkers and cyclists. Moreover, many increasingly poor suburbs have struggled to adapt their auto-centric road networks as more residents like Towers, who couldnt afford a vehicle, turn to riding bicycles or walking to public transit stops.

[In a wealthy Md. suburb, some poor residents have waited 30 years for a ride]

Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (D-Montgomery), who sponsored the legislation along with Del. David Fraser-Hidalgo (D-Montgomery), said he was surprised to hear a police officer describe a frustrating legal scenario: A family gets hit in a crosswalk. The father is on foot, the mother is on a bicycle, a son is on a skateboard, and a daughter is on a Razor scooter. Under current law, police said, the driver would be charged only with hitting the father.

If youre following the rules to be in the crosswalk, you should have some protections, Madaleno said. To me, its just a sensible thing to happen as the result of a tragedy, especially when were encouraging people to use crosswalks.

The crosswalk where Towers and Osorio were hit is particularly dangerous  and busy, safety advocates say. The cyclists, runners and dog walkers on the popular Matthew Henson Trail must cross six lanes of Veirs Mill Road traffic often moving at or above the 45 mph speed limit. The crosswalk is in a dip, so vehicles coming both ways can pick up speed heading downhill.

The road has Trail X-ing signs with yellow flashing lights that are activated when someone wanting to cross pushes a roadside button. But that often does nothing. On a recent weekday morning, hitting the button 10 times resulted in vehicles stopping three times. The other seven times, traffic whizzed past as usual.

A spokesman for the Maryland State Highway Administration said a full traffic light will be installed at the crosswalk by midsummer. The signal will flash yellow at all times, warning motorists to proceed with caution. When someone wanting to cross pushes the roadside button, the light will turn to red, requiring traffic to stop.

Magda Jean-Louis contributed to this report
BOISE  Idaho lawmakers, business leaders and education experts met Friday to begin identifying key changes to the states colleges and universities to improve postsecondary access and graduation rates.

The 36-member task force  which includes all eight presidents of Idahos public colleges and universities  focused on workforce challenges, funding woes and the states role in promoting higher education.

The task force seeks to address Idahos dismal college graduation rate. State officials have unsuccessfully attempted to reach the states 2010 goal of getting 60 percent of Idahos young adults complete a post-secondary degree or certificate by 2020.

There are roughly 100,000 students in our higher education system today and were probably talking about an additional 40,000 students enrolled in higher education to get to the 60 percent goal, said Bob Lokken, the head of WhiteCloud Analytics Inc. and co-chair of the group. Thats effectively two more Boise State Universities...if were going to grow by 50 percent its hard for me to see how were going to grow the budget by 50 percent.

Idahos Republican-dominated Legislature has drawn criticism from higher education advocates in recent years for slashing college and university budgets during the Great Recession and delaying the replacement of those dollars.

This year, budget writers had to defend modest state budget increases for community colleges, colleges and universities.

This needs to be seen as an investment, regardless of the political climate, said state Sen. Bob Nonini, R-Coeur dAlene. I think the return on investment is going to be substantial and a key aspect to selling this.

Gov. C.L. Butch Otter created the task force in January and expects to receive recommendations later this year and possibly call on the Idaho Legislature to take up legislation during the 2018 session.

In 2013, Otter spearheaded a similar effort focusing on K-12 education. The task forces work eventually resulted in 20 educational reforms that are only halfway done in being implemented. This includes a multi-year effort to boost teacher pay designed to retain and attract educators.

During Fridays meeting, members agreed that finding concrete goals to getting more students enrolled and pinpointing how much that might cost  as well as finding sustainable tuition fees will be their focus moving forward.

However, the group didnt finalize any recommendations and plans to meet next in August.
Alice Moore, 23, left, and Tejas Dave, 23, right, talk to Kate Pernia as they canvass an Arlington neighborhood for Tom Perriello, who is running for the Democratic nomination for Virginia governor in Tuesdays primary. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

Front doors swing open across Virginias picturesque Shenandoah Valley, and Jennifer Brown pops what should be an easy question: Do you plan to vote in the Republican primary for governor?

These are not just any front doors, but those belonging to reliable GOP primary voters, people fired up last year when Brown came round on behalf of Donald Trump.

But the response days before Tuesdays gubernatorial primary is often a blank stare  something Democratic door-knockers are also seeing in abundance.

A lot of people are just not even aware, said Brown, a field director for Corey Stewart, the Prince William County Board chairman in a three-way contest with former Republican National Committee chief Ed Gillespie and state Sen. Frank W. Wagner (Virginia Beach). Theyre asleep at the wheel.

On Tuesday, Virginians will pick one Republican and one Democrat to go head-to-head in Novembers election for governor. The contest is shaping up to be the nations first competitive statewide race of the Trump era. But its more than that.

View Graphic Meet the candidates running to become Virginias next governor

[Road to Richmond: The Virginia gubernatorial race is shaping up to be an early political test in the Trump era]

The outcome could point the way forward for two major political parties torn by populist establishment infighting. It will test whether the forces rocking Washington will consume state-level races. And it will show whether Democratic fury at Trump materializes at the polls  something that could turn the 2018 midterms into a wave election.

But first comes the primary. And canvassers for the three Republicans and two Democrats competing for the nominations are finding an electorate that seems largely tuned out.

[We're following Virginias governors race on Facebook. Join our Facebook group dedicated to the latest reporting around this election. ]

I tend to think the worst possible place for a candidate to become known is in the middle of the Donald Trump presidency, said Stephen J. Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. News out of Washington has become an extraordinary obsession these last six months, and that makes it virtually impossible even for candidates for governor to get all that much media and public attention.

About a month before the primary, fewer than 2 in 10 Democratic-leaning and Republican-leaning voters said they were paying very close attention to the governors race, and a significant number were undecided, a Washington Post-Schar School poll found.

Shantanu Sharma, of Sterling, has been so upset by the drama on the other side of the Potomac  from the latest FBI stuff to the push to ease Dodd-Frank banking rules  that he phones the office of Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) every day.

I let her know Im watching, said Sharma, 47, who works in software.

What he hasnt been watching very closely is the Virginia governors race. Only recently did Sharma tear his gaze from Washington long enough to make a decision in the neck-and-neck Democratic contest between Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam and former congressman Tom Perriello.

All these things at the national level have sucked all the local energy out of the room, said Sharma, who after a little research settled on Northam.

The outcome of the Democratic contest will hinge on turnout, political strategists say. Northam would benefit from a smaller electorate made up of longtime party stalwarts, who skew older. A surge of young people and progressives inflamed against Trump could help Perriello. Both campaigns are chasing the African American vote, which could make up as much as 25 percent of the electorate.

The Democratic race probably will turn on the voter-rich Washington suburbs, where neither Northam nor Perriello has a natural base. Northam is from the Eastern Shore; Perriello is from Charlottesville.

As volunteers for those campaigns stormed Northern Virginia last weekend, they encountered some Democrats revved up by Trump. Frank Higgins, a 73-year-old retiree, assured the Northam volunteer on his Dumfries doorstep that he needed no prodding to vote.

Anyone but Trump, he said. I dont care what office it is.

But even among fired-up Democrats, door-knockers found some who knew little about their choices for governor  or even that a primary was looming.

I will admit I have been preoccupied with whats going on in D.C.,  said Ambrea Watts, 33. Its surreal; I cant believe whats going on. Every day, its something else.

Others were intentionally tuning out.

When Trump won, I gave up watching, said Julianna Senkiyre, 56, who was doing yardwork in Woodbridge when a teachers group came by for Northam.

Voter participation always drops sharply in Virginias off-year elections, especially for late-spring primaries. In 2008, nearly a million voters cast ballots in Virginias Democratic presidential primary. The next year, just 319,168 Democrats, or 6.3 percent of registered voters, turned out for the partys hard-fought primary for governor.

This is the first time in Virginia history that both parties are holding contested primary elections for governor on the same day, said Geoffrey Skelley of the University of Virginia Center for Politics. (Some years, the parties opt for nominating conventions instead.) That could help boost turnout.

Skelley sees signs of life on the Democratic side, with requests for absentee ballots twice as high in that partys primary as in the Republican contest. Voters have requested nearly as many absentee ballots for Tuesdays Democratic primary as they did for their partys March 2016 presidential primary  26,783 this year compared with 28,412, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Republicans have requested 13,882 ballots compared with 27,569 for the March 2016 presidential primary.

Thats kind of amazing to me, Skelley said. Democratic interest seems to be higher at the moment.

The lopsidedness could reflect the relative competitiveness of the Democratic contest: Polls show Northam and Perriello in a tight race while Gillespie has enjoyed a double-digit lead over Stewart and Wagner.

In the homestretch, the candidates are trying to stay visible and get their voters to the polls. Each campaign takes a different approach, depending on financial resources, political ties  and the personalities of the candidates.

The contrast is most stark among the Republicans. Gillespie, the well-funded former Washington lobbyist, political consultant and adviser to President George W. Bush, is tapping into $2.4 million in cash on hand to air TV ads statewide. And he spent $45,000 recently on microtargeting to squeeze the most Republican-leaning eyeballs out of every ad buy. He has eight paid field staffers.

Chris Pierson, 17, knocked on doors for Gillespie last weekend on leafy cul-de-sacs just north of Richmond but only hit houses that campaign data told him belonged to probable Republican voters. The high school junior was unfailingly polite and risk-averse  like Gillespie himself, who has opted out of some debates, favored controlled settings over public events and avoided weighing in on the Trump administration.

At their doorsteps, Pierson asked voters if they would consider Gillespie and handed them a palm card. He referred anyone with questions to the campaign website. When a woman told him she did not know who she would be voting for, he did not try to twist her arm.

Okay, you can keep that [palm card], and I hope you have a great day, maam, he said.

Pierson found a promising prospect a few doors down. John Sjostrom, 58, was working in his garage and said he had supported Gillespie in his unsuccessful bid to unseat Sen. Mark R. Warner (D) in 2014. And he blasted Stewart for building his bid around the preservation of the states Confederate monuments, which he thinks is a ridiculous distraction.

Fix the potholes in Richmond, for Gods sake, he said. Its a false issue.

[All that Confederacy stuff leads to endorsement switch in Prince William]

But when Sjostrom said he had to check on a few things before making his decision, Pierson did not inquire. There was no hard sell. He just offered a palm card and bid the voter a good day.

It has been a different story for the Stewart campaign. With $186,000 on hand as of June 1, it cannot afford much TV and has only a lean staff. Stewart was Trumps Virginia campaign chairman for most of last year before he was ousted for being too outspoken even for that renegade outfit.

[Trump campaign dumps Virginia chair]

He has run as a provocateur, staging rallies for Confederate monuments, slamming Gillespie in harsh online ads and cheering Trumps most controversial moves on Twitter  a cheap but attention-getting approach that has inspired passionate staffers like Heather Mitchell, his Northern Virginia regional director.

I was at a McDonalds the other day, and I saw a guy with a Trump sticker and a deplorable sticker on his truck, said Mitchell, who started talking to him about Stewart. By the time I finished our conversation, I handed him a stack of palm cards and he was going to start handing them out to all of his friends and getting them to vote for Corey.

Wagner, a veteran legislator and former shipyard owner with just $59,000 on hand, has struggled to get noticed. The former Navy diver did attract two TV crews last weekend, when he donned a wet suit and swam five miles of the Potomac River to draw attention to suicides among military veterans.

On the Democratic side, the financial picture is also lopsided  Northam had $1.3 million available as of June 1, while Perriello had $734,000  but both have enough to air TV ads.

Both also have big-name backing. Northam has a lock on Virginias elected Democrats while Perriello has nationally prominent progressives.

Northams team can count on canvassers from the states gun control, abortion rights and gay rights groups as well as the states Democratic heavy hitters: on Saturday, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) gathered with Warner and Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) to launch door-knockers for Northam across Northern Virginia.

Perriello has relied on more distant star power, rolling out a TV ad featuring Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a leader of the partys progressive wing. National progressive groups, including the Our Revolution group of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), have made calls for him. A phone bank is set to operate for him Sunday, at an activists gathering called the Peoples Summit  in Chicago.

As all five campaigns make their final push, some see an opportunity in those blank stares.

There are people who are saying I dont even know about the candidates,  said Brown, Stewarts Shenandoah Valley field director. They can be persuaded. . . . You can rally some people into going and voting.

Gregory S. Schneider contributed to this report.
Tyson Foods has asked Virginia gubernatorial hopeful Corey Stewart to kill a TV ad, one that slams Republican rival Ed Gillespie for work his Washington lobbying firm did for the poultry giant as it faced criminal charges related to undocumented employees.

Stewart has seized on Gillespies ties to Tyson in the homestretch of the GOP nominating contest, which will be decided in a statewide primary Tuesday.

When Tyson Foods was indicted for human smuggling, whos the first guy they called? Ed Gillespie, the 30-second spot begins. Gillespie was paid $1.1 million to make excuses for trafficking illegal aliens and lobby for amnesty.

The ad ran statewide this week on Fox News, according to the Stewart campaign.

Tyson hired Quinn Gillespie & Associates in December 2001, just days before the U.S. Justice Department charged it with illegally smuggling Mexicans into the country to work at processing plants in Virginia and elsewhere. Tyson acknowledged some smuggling at the time but maintained that it had been the work of rogue employees and was not sanctioned by corporate leaders.

View Graphic Meet the candidates running to become Virginias next governor

[GOP front-runner Gillespie in a tight spot on immigration in Trump era]

The company was eventually acquitted, something the ad does not mention.

You are certainly entitled to make immigration part of your campaign for governor; however, we respectively [sic] ask that you stop disparaging the reputation of Tyson Foods by immediately discontinuing your false and misleading ads and public statements about our company, Paul T. Kirchner, vice president and associate general counsel for Tyson, wrote in a letter Friday to Stewart campaign manager Spence Rogers.

While Tyson Foods was indicted on immigration charges in 2001, the company was later cleared by a federal jury of all charges, the letter continues. We did hire Quinn-Gillespie during that time, however, it was to help us with public relations, not lobbying. And, most of the work done by the agency did not involve Ed Gillespie.

Stewart spokesman Noel Fritsch stood by the ad and accused Tyson of trying to silence Corey.

Its quite obvious that Ed Gillespie is desperate to keep us from talking about his record of helping smuggle illegal aliens into the country to work for low wages, Fritsch said. This is about Ed at the end of the day. . . . Its about Ed not wanting to come clean about his horrible record on immigration.

Gillespie and Stewart are in a three-way primary with state Sen. Frank Wagner (Virginia Beach) for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.

Stewart, who led a crackdown on illegal immigration as chairman of the Prince William County Board a decade ago, has run as a hard-liner on illegal immigrants, vowing to hunt them down.

[Stewart blasts Gillespies work for Tyson Foods]

Gillespie, a former Republican National Committee chairman and adviser to President George W. Bush, has walked a finer line. He advocated for the 2013 Gang of Eight immigration initiative in the U.S. Senate that called for tighter border security as well as a pathway to citizenship for an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants, but he says he never supported the amnesty aspect of the deal. He promises to be a governor for all Virginians in TV spots but uses images of a massive border wall and a handcuffed illegal immigrant in more targeted Facebook ads.

Tyson retained Gillespies firm through 2007, paying $1.1 million over that time to lobby Bushs White House, the Senate and the House on a range of issues, according to federal lobbying disclosures. Gillespie was listed as a Tyson lobbyist for several of those years, registered to handle issues that included amnesty proposals, immigration reform, country of origin labeling, and labor and workforce issues.

Gillespie told The Washington Post in May that he did not recall doing any work for Tyson, one of many clients of the firm he left in 2007.

Stewarts ad opens with an image of a New York Times headline from 2001: Tyson Foods Indicted in Plan To Smuggle Illegal Workers.

Gillespie spokesman David Abrams said the campaign did not ask Tyson to write the letter but echoed the companys criticism.

Gary Mickelson, a Tyson spokesman, confirmed that.

Weve not been in contact with the Gillespie campaign, nor with Mr. Gillespie at all, he said. Were simply defending our reputation.
Anti-Muslim activists hoisted American flags and delivered fiery speeches in rallies across the country Saturday, facing off against crowds of counter-demonstrators in several cities and exposing the visceral rage that has come to define Americas political extremes.

ACT for America, a lobbyist organization with close ties to the Trump administration, organized nationwide marches to oppose Islamic law, which the group says is a threat to U.S. society.

The turnout was relatively small, with rally crowds of a few dozen in many cities outnumbered almost 10 to 1 by counter-demonstrators who tried to drown out their voices with drums, bullhorns and cowbells.

ACT, which has drawn condemnation from civil rights groups for its frequent criticism of Islam and its efforts to pass state-level bills targeting Islamic law and refugees, organized the protests as a nationwide March Against Sharia and a defense of human rights.

Were here protecting their rights, and theyre trying to shut us down! Pax Hart, the organizer of the New York City rally, told his audience, referring to the gathering of hundreds of leftist activists across the street. Its insane!

1 of 20 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  Photos of March Against Sharia protests and counter-demonstrations around the country View Photos An anti-Muslim activist group, ACT for America, organized the March Against Sharia nationwide, which were met by counterprotesters. Caption An anti-Muslim activist group, ACT for America, organized March Against Sharia events nationwide, which were met by counterprotesters. June 10, 2017 Demonstrators gather to protest against Islamic law at a rally in New York. Marches against sharia law were planned in more than two dozen cities across the United States, but scholars and others say the protesters are stoking unfounded fears and promoting a distorted and prejudiced view of the religion. Craig Ruttle/AP Wait 1 second to continue.

[Right-wing free speech rally draws massive counterprotests in Portland]

ACT for America, which the Southern Poverty Law Center recognizes as a hate group, was founded in 2007. Its leaders, who claim a 500,000-strong membership nationally, have labeled Islam a cancer, propagated theories of a secret plot by Muslims, Democrats, communists and the media to destroy the country from within, and sponsored lectures on how to monitor and oppose U.S. mosques.

The groups founder, Brigitte Gabriel, has said that she is anti-sharia, not anti-Muslim, a point that a number of the groups speakers repeated Saturday. But Gabriel also has said that all practicing Muslims adhere to sharia, and speakers on Saturday made sweeping statements about Islam as an enemy of the state.

We understand what Islam is, and we say no,  Pawl Bazile, a member of the right-wing Proud Boys group, told a cheering crowd of a few dozen people in downtown Manhattan. Youre in the land of Budweiser and bikinis, for Gods sake. Anyone who does not like it can move to Saudi Arabia or Syria, he said.

At least two white supremacist groups also joined the rallies.

In New York, a dozen members of Identity Evropa, which seeks a whites-only state, came to support the ACT rally, wearing tucked-in dress shirts, sunglasses and slicked-down side-parts. In Harrisburg, Pa., a group that has claimed credit for white nationalist posters on college campuses, said they wanted Muslims out of the United States entirely.

I dont believe in having Muslims in the United States, said Francisco Rivera, a spokesman for Vanguard America. Their culture is incompatible with ours.

A supporter of President Trump holds up a sign during an anti-sharia law rally organized by ACT for America on Saturday in New York. (Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images)

Protesters on both sides blamed each other for the divisions on display Saturday, as anger surged through the crowds.

In New York, the cacophony from counter-demonstrators made it nearly impossible for them to hear their opponents speeches. But many seemed to have already made up their minds.

Theyre Nazis, said Krish Bhatt, a Barnard College student who held a sign identifying themself as a trans Muslim.

Organized in part to memorialize the anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, the multi-city demonstrations aimed to raise awareness of what ACT sees as the negative effects of Muslim immigration to the United States. The rallies were laden with many false and exaggerated claims.

Theres rampant rape happening because of Syrian immigrants, and we have to stop that from coming to America, said Joseph Weidknecht, a 25-year-old construction worker who attended a march in Austin.

In Harrisburg, Steven R. Moore, 35, said he joined the march because the Islamic State extremist group is trying to impose sharia in America.

Islamic scholars describe sharia, or Islamic law, as a set of guidelines for Muslim life, including finances, daily rituals, marriage and divorce. Sharia has a range of interpretations and practices, but certain guidelines for extreme types of criminal punishment, such as beheadings, tend to be cited by ACT as evidence of Islams extremism.

Muslim leaders have countered that such extreme practices are similar to those endorsed in traditional readings of the Bible and Jewish law, and that few U.S. Muslims support such ideas.

In rallies in San Bernardino, Calif., New York and Seattle, columns of police moved in multiple times to separate rival protest groups as they shouted expletives at each other. In New York, masked anarchists tried on multiple occasions to get past the police cordon into ACT for Americas rally, prompting one arrest, as ACTs speakers blasted the counterprotest as violent idiots, liars and Marxists, from a stage adorned with the American flag.

ACT protesters in San Bernardino yelled profanities as they rushed a group of counterprotesters shortly before fists began to fly. That rally had a few hundred supporters in a city affected by a 2015 terrorist attack that left 14 dead. In Seattle, police arrested two people and used pepper spray to end a scuffle between opposing sides.

Roughly 200 counter-demonstrators marched toward Seattle City Hall, where they significantly outnumbered those gathered for the anti-sharia law rally.

Several homeless people, many of whom live in the neighborhood where the rally was held, cheered as the demonstrators marched by chanting, Muslims are welcome here, no hate, no fear and When Muslim rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back.

Lisa Jaffe, 52, who carried a sign saying loving my Muslim neighbor since 1964, said she participated in the counter-demonstration because the growing lack of tolerance has no place in her America.

Earlier in the day, In front of the capitol building in Harrisburg, anti-fascist protesters  wearing all black and balaclavas  played drums and cowbells, chanting no hate, no Nazis. Separated by a police barricade, the anti-sharia protesters, some of whom were also masked and carried handguns, sang America the Beautiful.

This is a march against sharia, not Muslims, said Moore, of Washington County, Pa., who works in the oil and gas industry. We are not affiliated with any extremist groups. . . . Sharia is a barbaric system that the Islamic State is trying to impose in our country.

Timmy Wylie, a spokesman for East Shore Antifa, said the group showed up to shut down the anti-sharia march because they say it is a march against Muslims. He grew up in the Harrisburg area and said citizens should instead focus on the regions struggling economy.

Theres a lot of people without two nickels to scrape together, but we still take care of each other, he said before the march.

Cat Cardenas in Austin, William Dauber in San Bernardino, Calif., Wiley Hall in Orlando and Lornet Turnbull in Seattle contributed to this report. Hauslohner reported from New York, and Moyer reported from Harrisburg, Pa.
When I first visited a fertility doctor because of pregnancy problems, I had no idea that the in vitro fertilization, or IVF, he was suggesting to help me was actually the test-tube baby technique that Id heard about, an approach that had sounded scary, like something out of science fiction.

After I educated myself and started treatment, the concerns continued: Would the hormone-stimulating drugs have adverse effects on me? What would the drugs do to the fetus? And more important, would conceiving a child outside the womb (not actually in a test tube but in an embryology lab) have any long-term effects? Most important, would my child  if I would be lucky enough to give birth to one  be as physically and mentally healthy as naturally conceived children?

Articles and blogs fed into my worries  not to mention the online mommy boards at pregnancy and fertility websites where women trade rumors, innuendoes and fears, often based on nothing more than a friends experience.

Since the first test-tube baby, Louise Brown, was born in England in 1978, about 6.5 million children have been born worldwide with the help of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as IVF. So there is now enough information to address my concerns. Overall, those findings leave me pretty confident that the risks are pretty small and well worth taking if, like me, you want to have a baby but cant.

Although taking fertility medications drove me crazy  some hormones gave me nightmares, others kept me up at night, and the main ones made my mind race loopily  looking at studies allowed me to conclude that IVF probably has no long-term bad effects.

For instance, a 2013 study of 21,646 women in Australia concluded that there is no evidence of an increased risk of ovarian cancer following IVF in women who give birth. Another study of 9,825 American women found no link between gonadotropins  the drugs I was taking to increase my egg production  and ovarian cancer for women who gave birth. There was one worrisome point: Both studies found an increased cancer risk for women with resistant infertility  i.e., those who did not give birth  although the researchers did not know why.

A recent study in the journal JAMA of about 25,000 women who had fertility treatments between 1980 and 1995 found that those who had gone through IVF had no greater risk of getting breast cancer in the subsequent 21 years than those who used other techniques.

Whew. I went through nine rounds of IVF before I got pregnant, which means I took a lot of ovary-stimulating drugs, so these studies are reassuring.

Numerous studies and opinions from [the American Society for Reproductive Medicine] confirm low risk for ovarian and breast cancer from the use of fertility drugs, regardless of the number of IVF cycles performed, said Jeffrey Braverman, founder and medical director at Braverman IVF & Reproductive Immunology in New York.

So how about risks to the baby? Would he or she be affected by her medically assisted conception?

Two studies have raised concerns.

A 2016 study in JAMA Pediatrics found increased risk for birth defects in babies conceived through ART. The study, which involved more than 4 million infants, found that singleton infants conceived using ART were 40 percent more likely to have a nonchromosomal birth defect (such as cleft lip and/or palate or a congenital heart defect) compared with all other singleton births.

The researchers acknowledged that the study did not account for some factors related to infertility that might explain the observed increases in risk for birth defects. In other words, IVF may not have caused the defects. They recommended further research.

A comprehensive review of a group of other studies suggested that the risk for developmental disabilities was greater with ART  which, in addition to IVF, includes egg freezing and surrogacy  than with natural childbirth. The review examined studies of IVF and autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and sensory impairment, among others, and found conflicting information, no correlation or that the disabilities could have been caused by other factors such as preterm birth.

And a study published in March found an increased risk of neoplasms  tumors that can be benign or malignant  in children born through ART.

But I focused on a study that followed children conceived with ART into their teenage years. It offers a much more reassuring view. The study, published in January, compared 253 16- and 17-year-olds who were conceived with fertility treatments to a cohort of teenagers conceived naturally and found that no differences were detected in general and mental health of ART adolescents or cognitive ability, compared with the reference group. The researchers, who said this was the first long-term study of such children, concluded that their preliminary results provide reassurance that in the long run, health and functioning of ART-conceived adolescents is not compromised.

One of the researchers on the study, Mark Weiser, a psychiatry professor at Tel Aviv Universitys Sackler School of Medicine, said in an interview that the findings should be a relief to parents who used IVF and other assisted reproductive technology. We show there is nothing wrong with these kids when compared with children born naturally. This is a very positive message to parents who are not able to get pregnant on their own. If you look down the line, the kids are perfectly normal.

As for me: After an uneventful pregnancy, my daughter was born full term nearly two years ago at a healthy six pounds, six ounces, with all her fingers and toes and brown hair that would soon turn to curls. She is a delightful, chatty, feisty toddler. Every parent worries about their child, and I know that I will be no different. But for now it seems clear to me that the risks of having used IVF were minimal  and the reward huge.
Picture this scenario: You and a co-worker are given a task to complete. The co-worker occasionally pretends to do something but leaves you with all of the drudgery.

Now imagine that your co-worker weighs several thousand pounds and has a trunk.

Thats what happened to an Asian elephant in an experiment looking at social intelligence among animals, which researchers are learning is far more complex than previously thought. In addition to deception  like that lazy elephant  there are fascinating examples of cooperation.

For instance, some dolphin moms in Australia teach their daughters to don a sea sponge on their snouts, allowing them to search the seafloor for fish without hurting their noses. You can read more about it in Scientific Americans Secret Lives of Animals, a special collectors edition available on newsstands until July 10.

Many of the articles highlight just how much humans have in common with other creatures. One praises the architectural genius of termites, which build towering mounds that circulate air and offer protection from enemies. Another explains how wasps can recognize individual faces. Theres an examination of same-sex couplings in the animal kingdom, which details several of the reasons these relationships can evolve.

Then theres the tear-jerker When Animals Mourn by Barbara J. King, a professor of anthropology at the College of William & Mary. It includes an anecdote about a giraffe giving birth to an infant with a deformed foot. The mom stays close to the baby, even though that means not foraging with her herd  and potentially putting her life at risk. When the young giraffe dies after four weeks, the mom is joined by 16 other females, which all help protect the body from predators.

Pet owners may want to flip directly to The World According to Dogs, a collection of scientific findings about mans best friend. The most useful tidbit: If a dog wont play with you, youre probably just doing it wrong. Patting the floor, picking up a dog, smooching it  those are all ineffective techniques, according to a 2001 study. Instead, try a different strategy, suggests writer Julie Hecht: The researchers found that giving chase and running away and lunging forward were associated with play 100 percent of the time.

And dont miss your chance to learn about the star-nosed mole, which boasts a schnozzle ringed by 22 fleshy appendages that are usually a blur of motion, writes Kenneth C. Catania of Vanderbilt University. Although the pink blob on its face allows the mole to find and eat five separate prey items in a single second, humans can be glad this feature is one thing we dont share with animals.

Read more

What floppy-eared foxes taught us about how animals became tame

A kitten nursery saves tiny lives in a city aiming to become no kill
BURLEY  In a stunning courtroom moment, a Declo man accused in the brutal murder of his wife announced he wants to change his guilty plea.

Ronnie G. Kincaid Jr., 36, had been in court for sentencing for his role in the death.

Kincaid had originally pleaded guilty under an Alford plea, meaning he maintains his innocence while acknowledging a jury would likely convict him at trial.

The plea was part of an agreement with the Cassia County Prosecutors Office, where the prosecutor would recommend a prison sentence of 15 to 20 years to life on a reduced second-degree murder charge in the death of Kincaids wife, 34-year-old Melissia Dawn Kincaid. Cassia County Prosecutor Doug Abenroth would have dismissed charges of mayhem, destruction of evidence and two counts of sexual penetration by forcible use of a foreign object in the agreement.

Valdez told the court in an earlier hearing that Kincaid would have entered a straight guilty plea to manslaughter instead of the Alford plea to second-degree murder because he disputes the malice and intent of the crime  not the cause of death.

The murder stunned the Magic Valley when forensic evidence indicated the victim bled to death as a result of anal and vaginal penetration on Sept. 6, 2015.

On Friday, Judge John K. Butler denied the request for Kincaids lawyer, Anthony Valdez, to withdraw from the case until Kincaid formally withdraws his plea.

If I grant the motion to withdraw at this time whoever is appointed would not have the familiarity with case to effectively assist Kincaid in his motion to withdraw his plea, Butler said.

The court set a sentencing date in the case for 1:30 p.m. July 17. Butler said if Kincaid goes ahead and withdraws his guilty plea it must be received by the court by July 3 to give the prosecutor time to prepare.

Without knowing the basis or grounds for the motion we will need time to respond, Abenroth said.

Butler said after the court receives the paperwork for the withdrawal of the plea it may reconsider allowing Valdez to withdraw from the case.

The judge asked Valdez if he had informed Kincaid of the adverse consequences if he does not perform his part of the plea agreement.

A formal guilty plea had not been signed.

I am signing it today, Butler said.

Valdez said he informed Kincaid if he withdraws his plea the prosecutors office is not bound to honor its recommendations in the agreement.

Butler asked Kincaid if he understood that the court may not find grounds to accept the withdrawal of the plea and that the state would no longer be bound to the sentence recommendations.

Yes, Kincaid said.

Police say Kincaid didnt call police until the morning after the murder.

He told investigators his wife had been experiencing female medical problems, and she became unresponsive after the couple had sex.

Kincaid said he put her in the shower to wake her up and then in bed and slept beside her.

Kincaids son, Ronnie Kincaid III, was initially charged with accessory to murder and destroying and concealing evidence after investigators said he helped his father wash blood and DNA from his stepmothers body.
Oklahoma

Tulsa officers kill man, sparking protest

Law officers in Tulsa fatally shot a man while trying to pick him up for a mental health issue, triggering a street protest and a corresponding show of force by police in riot gear.

Police officer Leland Ashley says sheriffs deputies were attempting to serve a pickup order Friday when the man walked away, to a nearby convenience store. Two deputies and a police officer opened fire after officers discovered that he was carrying two knives.

Dozens of people gathered and shouted expletives at the officers. Officers in riot gear responded after people in the crowd began throwing things, and the protesters later chanted Hands up, dont shoot.

Fridays shooting comes weeks after a jury acquitted a Tulsa police officer of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man.

 Associated Press

California

Polanskis victim asks judge to drop case

Roman Polanskis sexual assault victim asked a judge Friday to end the 40-year-old case against the fugitive director, but there was no indication her plea would bring an end to the lengthy court saga.

Samantha Geimer told Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon that she wanted the case to end, either with a dismissal or by the judge sentencing Polanski without him being present. Polanskis repeated requests for the same rulings have been denied.

Gordon said he would take Geimers comments into consideration and did not issue an immediate ruling.

Geimer, 54, described herself as more of a victim of the criminal justice system than of Polanski.

Geimer has long supported Polanskis efforts to end the legal saga that limits his freedom, but Friday was the first time shes appeared in court on his behalf, Polanskis attorney Harland Braun said.

The Oscar-winner, now 83, has been a fugitive since he fled to France in 1978 on the eve of sentencing for having unlawful sex with a minor. Prosecutors dropped charges that he drugged, raped and sodomized Geimer when she was 13 years old.

 Associated Press

kansas

Man freed after 17 years in prison for robbery

A Missouri man who spent nearly 17 years in prison for a 1999 robbery was freed after supporters found another man who looked enough like him that the victim and other witnesses said they could no longer be sure who committed the crime.

Richard Anthony Jones, of Kansas City always maintained he didnt commit the robbery and two years ago asked for help proving his innocence.

Lawyers for the Midwest Innocence Project and the Paul E. Wilson Defender Project at the University of Kansas took up his cause. At a hearing Wednesday in Johnson County District Court, they presented the other man and argued for Joness freedom. After the victim and witnesses withdrew their identification of Jones, Judge Kevin Moriarty ordered Joness release. Jones was released Thursday.

 Associated Press
As it turns out, Donald Trump is the hope-and-change president.

According to James B. Comey, Trump hoped that the then-FBI director would find a way to drop his investigation of ousted national security adviser Michael Flynn and help blow away the cloud concerning the Trump campaigns possible ties to Russia. When Comey didnt, Trump changed Comey  right out of a job.

Youre fired, the apprentice-president bravely conveyed to Comey via the very news media he so abhors, except when he doesnt. Was Trumps hope a direction, as Comey testified Thursday that he took it to mean? As in, The Don hopes ol Jimmy does the right thing? Or was it simply hope? As in, good golly, I hope it doesnt rain this weekend?

If one were a young child, one might go for the weather-forecast interpretation  because what child wants it to rain on his or her parade? If one were an adult with full knowledge of the presidents pre-political history and the common sense of an investigator, one might reasonably conclude that the hoper in chief was making a strong suggestion, the ignoring of which could have dead-horse-in-your-bed consequences.

Comey, obviously, smelled a dead horse.

In his exchanges with the president, he carefully selected his words and took mental notes, after which he wrote down his recollections.

But Comeys concentration on the presidents hope may have doomed him. Not only did he lose his job, but also his testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee seemed weak tea in the broader context of the presidents potential criminality. Expressing hope  a word thats open to interpretation and nowhere near evidence of obstruction of justice  is clearly not a crime.

In his testimony, Comey further revealed that he personally had leaked his memos, again to the benighted media via a Columbia University law professor and friend. Comey said he was concerned that Trump might lie about their discussions and other details leading up to his firing.

Regarding the two men and whose word to trust, theres no contest. But often what is obviously wrong isnt necessarily illegal. I dont doubt that Trump essentially threatened Comey, because thats what Trump does. (Count his lawsuits if you have a few free months.) Even as Comey testified, the president was regaling the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference with scripture and tough talk: We know how to fight better than anybody and we never, ever give up  we are winners and we are going to fight. (Please, please, please read Elmer Gantry.)

During the hearing, several senators pressed Comey about why he didnt ask obvious follow-up questions, as when Trump allegedly said to the director, We had that thing. What thing? Comey also might have queried, Mr. President, what do you mean when you say you hope? Or, as various commentators have suggested, why didnt Comey say, Im sorry, Mr. President, but this is highly inappropriate and Im going to have to excuse myself?

Ask any reporter, whose skills are essentially investigative, and the answer is: You dont ever interrupt when the subject is spilling beans. Remember that Flynn was under investigation at the time, as was Trumps campaign, though apparently not Trump himself. All of this was surely in Comeys mind when Trump allegedly expressed his hope.

In real life, we rely upon our instincts, experience, interpretation of facial expressions and body language, and historical knowledge to make judgments and instruct our words and actions. We do this usually without conscious effort  unless were driven by a purpose.

For Comey, what was the higher moral position? To stop the president of the United States from talking  or keep the conversation going while you gather your wits and see what else might be forthcoming but could aid in an ongoing investigation? Most likely, Comeys mind was frantically trying to assess the situation and wondering, Lordy, why didnt I wear a wire?

He hinted as much Thursday, albeit with weirdly undermining self-deprecations. Comey said he felt he needed to pay attention and was too stunned to react to the hope comment. Maybe if I were stronger, he said, explaining why he didnt end his conversation with Trump. Please. Whats with the 6-foot-8-inch weakling act from a man routinely praised for his brilliance and integrity? Why telegraph feebleness to Trump, his lawyers and a skeptical public if hes secure in his rectitude?

Presumably, Comey was trying to convey his humility juxtaposed with the steamrolling Trump. What Comey may be constitutionally unable to fully grasp, however, is that integrity is no weapon in a knife fight.

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KENYA HAS been exhibiting some conspicuous signs of dynamism in recent days. Last week it inaugurated a $3.2 billion, 290-mile railroad between Nairobi and the port city of Mombasa, the biggest infrastructure project in the countrys 53 years of independence. That followed the groundbreaking on a $220 million complex in the capital that will include what is billed as Africas tallest building. Construction is booming elsewhere as the economy continues to grow at a healthy pace of about 6 percent. While Kenyans complain about crime and the cost of living, the country is thriving compared with most of its East African neighbors.

Unfortunately, that progress is threatened by a specter that has haunted Kenya for the past decade: political violence. An election campaign that got underway recently pits incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta against Raila Odinga in an Aug. 8 vote, with each candidate backed by tribal alliances. Mr. Odinga has run three previous times and claims, plausibly, that his losses in 2007 and 2013 were due to fraud. The 2007 vote triggered a wave of violence in Nairobi and across the Rift Valley in which more than 1,300 people were killed ; a similar tragedy in 2013 was narrowly averted.

This year the warning signs of a violent outcome are abundant. Seven people have already died in incidents linked to primary campaigns. Kenyas National Security Council reports that more than half a million illegal arms are in circulation around the country, and that politicians are forming militias to protect themselves or intimidate others. In Mombasa, police death squads have allegedly been assassinating suspected Muslim militants even as a local governor allied with Mr. Odinga campaigns to hold his own seat. Human Rights Watch released a report on Kenya last week and charged that numerous journalists have faced intimidation, beatings, and job loss.

Mr. Kenyatta and his vice president, William Ruto, are all too familiar with the mechanics of thuggery and incitement: Both were charged by the International Criminal Court with crimes against humanity for their roles in the 2007 violence. The cases were eventually dropped after a concerted campaign of obstruction by their government. Kenya did adopt reforms, including a new constitution that decentralized power and an independent electoral commission and Supreme Court  which in 2013 rejected Mr. Odingas appeals of his last electoral loss.

Whether bloodshed can be avoided this year will depend on whether the loser of what polls show as a neck-and-neck race will be ready to concede defeat. That in turn will require a quick and transparent vote count by the electoral authorities. Kenyas international donors should press the government to hold a fair vote and opposition parties to abide by the result. All sides know from painful experience that Kenya has much to lose if its leaders fail to act responsibly. The sheen of progress that the country showed off recently could be quickly wiped out.
AN ELECTION called to strengthen Britains government as it prepares to negotiate its departure from the European Union has instead weakened it so much that it will be hard-pressed simply to remain in office. Prime Minister Theresa May hoped to increase the Conservative Partys majority to 100 seats or more, giving her a mandate for her relatively hard-line Brexit strategy of favoring restrictions on immigration over full membership in the E.U.s single market. Instead, the Conservatives lost their majority and now must depend on a small, sectarian Northern Ireland party to hold on to power. Ms. May will apparently keep the prime ministers job for now, but her ability to effectively manage what was already an enormously difficult economic and political transition has probably been crippled.

As the British media mercilessly pointed out, Ms. May, who was ahead by 20 points in polls when she called the election in April, conducted a terrible campaign, while Jeremy Corbyn, the hard-left leader of the Labour Party, ran a very good one. Ms. May was wooden on the stump, flubbed interviews and ducked debates; she appeared to be anything but the strong and stable leader of her campaign slogan. Mr. Corbyn held mass rallies in the style of Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump at which he offered populist promises, including the abolition of university tuition and billions in new funds for the state health service. He may have gotten an unwitting 11th-hour boost from Mr. Trump, who responded to a terrorist attack in London by launching a Twitter assault on the citys popular Labour Party mayor.

Labours 30-seat surge came partly from London and other places where support for the E.U. exit in last years referendum was thin. But the most remarkable aspect of the vote was the 68-year-old Mr. Corbyns attraction of young voters. An exit poll showed that turnout among people under 35 rose by 12 percent compared with that of the last general election, and that nearly two-thirds of those voters chose Labour.

Though that might suggest a millennial fascination with Marxism, the exit poll indicated that the top concern of young voters was also the E.U. withdrawal, which they strongly oppose. Though Labour nominally supports Brexit, Ms. Mays tough positioning on the issue  she insistently repeated that no deal with Europe was better than a bad deal  seems to have driven away those favoring a more conciliatory line.

At best, Ms. May may be moved to rethink her Brexit strategy. But she could be constrained more than ever by Conservative hard-liners who favor a hard break with Europe. Even before the election, her government appeared poorly prepared for negotiations that are supposed to begin on June 19; now it will be even harder to stake out positions on troublesome issues, such as the tens of billions in exit payments that Brussels is demanding.

One outcome of the election may make British politics slightly more stable: The far-right U.K. Independence Party was nearly extinguished, while the Scottish National Party, which had begun agitating for a new referendum on independence, lost a third of its seats. In all, though, the vote left Britain badly divided and its government virtually dysfunctional. In that respect, Britain and the United States now share an unfortunate resemblance.
With the New York skyline in the background, Steven Plate, center, chief of Major Capital Projects for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, visits the construction site of the Bayonne Bridge "Raise the Roadway" navigational clearance project in 2016. (Mel Evans/Associated Press)

Sensing that his Scottish enemies had blundered at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650, Oliver Cromwell said, The Lord hath delivered them into our hands. Philip K. Howard, were he the exulting type, could rejoice that some of his adversaries have taken a stand on indefensible terrain. Because the inaccurately named Center for American Progress has chosen to defend the impediments that government places in its own path regarding public works, it has done Howard the favor of rekindling interest in something he wrote in 2015.

A mild-mannered Manhattan lawyer of unfailing gentility and civility, Howard is no fire-breathing Cromwell. Rather, he is a combination of Candide and Sisyphus, his patient optimism undiminished by redundant evidence that government resists common-sensical legal and regulatory reforms of the sort he pushes up the mountain of bureaucracy when not serving as senior counsel at the white-shoe law firm of Covington & Burling.

In September 2015, Howard, founder and chair of the reform advocacy group Common Good, published the paper Two Years Not Ten Years: Redesigning Infrastructure Approvals. In it, he argued that time is money, and that the United States is wasting enormous amounts of both with an infrastructure approval system that is an accident of legal accretion over the past 50 years:

America could modernize its infrastructure, at half the cost, while dramatically enhancing environmental benefits, with a two-year approval process. Our analysis shows that a six-year delay in starting construction on public projects costs the nation over $3.7 trillion, including the costs of prolonged inefficiencies and unnecessary pollution. This is more than double the $1.7 trillion needed through the end of this decade to modernize Americas infrastructure.

The nation that built the Empire State Building in 410 days during the Depression and the Pentagon in 16 months during wartime recently took nine years just for the permitting of a San Diego desalination plant. Five years and 20,000 pages of environmental assessments and permitting and regulatory materials were consumed before beginning to raise the roadway on New Jerseys Bayonne Bridge, a project with, as Howard says, virtually no environmental impact (it uses existing foundations and right-of-way). Fourteen years were devoted to the environmental review for dredging the Port of Savannah, which has been an ongoing process for almost 30 years. While faux environmentalists litigate against modernizing the U.S. electrical grid, transmission lines waste 6 percent of the electricity they transmit, which equals 16 percent of 2015 coal power generation and is equal to the output of 200 average-size coal-burning power plants. In 2011, shippers using the inland waterway system of canals, dams and locks endured delays amounting to 25 years. In 2012, the Treasury Department estimated that traffic congestion wasted 1.9 billion gallons of gasoline annually. Diverting freight to trucks because of insufficient railway capacity quadruples fuel consumption. And so on, and on.

Twenty months after Howard published his article, the response by the Center for American Progress (CAP) shows how far we have defined efficiency down: It celebrates the fact that federal environmental statements average only 4.6 years. That would be bad enough if such reviews were all or even most of the problem. Actually, there are other kinds of reviews and other layers of government involved, as with the Bayonne Bridge  47 permits from 19 federal, state and local agencies.

CAP says that the principal restraint facing state and local governments contemplating megaprojects is money, not environmental review. But, again, this ignores myriad other time-consuming reviews and the costs, in both construction and social inefficiencies, driven by lost time.

Todays governance is illuminated by presidential epiphanies (e.g., Nobody knew that health care could be so complicated). Barack Obama had one concerning infrastructure: Theres no such thing as shovel-ready projects. This is partly because, as Stanford University political scientist Francis Fukuyama says, the United States has become a vetocracy in which intense, well-organized factions litigate projects into stasis.

Intelligent people of goodwill can dispute, as the CAP rejoinder does, Howards cost-benefit calculations. But CAP partakes of the hyperbole normal in todays environmental policy debates: It includes Howard among hardcore opponents of environmental review who consider federal laws that protect the environment fundamentally illegitimate. Even the title of the CAPs response to Howards arguments for more pertinent and efficacious environmental reviews is meretricious: Debunking the False Claims of Environmental Review Opponents.

Opponents? Including Howard? Hardly. David Burge, who tweets as @iowahawkblog, satirizes this slapdash style of progressive argumentation:

To help poor children, I am going to launch flaming accordions into the Grand Canyon.

Thats stupid.

WHY DO YOU HATE POOR CHILDREN?

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Deborah Tannen is professor of linguistics at Georgetown University. Her book Youre the Only One I Can Tell: Inside the Language of Womens Friendships was published in May.

At Thursdays Senate hearing, Sen. James E. Risch (R-Idaho) sought former FBI director James B. Comeys agreement that President Trump did not tell him to drop his investigation of fired national security adviser Michael Flynn: He did not direct you to let it go. Comey agreed, Not in his words, no. Risch pressed his point: He did not order you to let it go? Comey concurred: Again, those words are not an order. Yet later in the hearing, in response to Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) asking whether the presidents words were a directive, Comey said, Yes.

Was Comey contradicting himself? Based on decades of studying indirectness in conversation  and a lifetime of using language to communicate  Id say no. Risch was talking about the message: the literal meaning of words spoken. King, and later Sen. Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), were referring to the metamessage: what it means to say those words in that way in that context. When people talk to each other, they glean meaning from metamessages. But messages come in handy when someone wants to deny a meaning that was obvious when the words were spoken.

(Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

The presidents exact words, according to Comeys notes, were: I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go. He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go. Risch cried literal meaning. Zeroing in on the word hope, he asked Comey if he knew of anyone being charged with a criminal offense because they hoped for an outcome. Though he confessed that he didnt, Comey said, I took it as, this is what he wants me to do. Risch rested his case: You may have taken it as a direction but thats not what he said. Donald Trump Jr., the presidents son, later made the same point in a tweet: Hoping and telling are two very different things.

Actually, they arent, when the speaker is in a position of power, as Harris noted. Referring to her experience as a prosecutor, she said, When a robber held a gun to somebodys head and said, I hope you will give me your wallet, the word hope was not the most operative word at that moment. The gun gives the robber power to encourage another to make his hope a reality.

Trump Jr. also tweeted, Knowing my father for 39 years when he orders or tells you to do something there is no ambiguity, you will know exactly what he means. Hes right. Comey knew exactly what he meant. There is no ambiguity when a person in authority meets privately with a subordinate and expresses a hope. Indeed, he need not even talk about hope. He can simply call attention to a situation.

Years ago, after I wrote that women are more likely than men to use indirectness when asking someone to do something, I received a letter explaining that indirectness is the norm in a context civilians mistakenly associate with barked orders: the military. The letter-writer said that he learned this lesson fresh out of boot camp in a class taught by an experienced Navy officer. Standing in front of the class, the officer said it was hot in the room. The students nodded. The officer said it again, and again the students failed to react. The officer then explained that when he said it was hot in the room, he expected them to do something about it. Then he said it again. This time the students got up and headed to the windows to correct the situation. This, the man wrote, was a lesson that served him well in his military career. The lesson, Id say, was to listen for the metamessage in the words of a superior.

In our private conversations, we all glean meanings that would not be found in the dictionary definitions of our words. That is the beauty of indirectness: When it works, you get what you want without having to ask for it outright. But if your request doesnt sit well, you can deny having made it. We all have experienced frustration when someone denies having said what we know they meant. It will now, as Comey averred, fall to special counsel Robert S. Mueller III to sort out the messages and metamessages in Trumps private conversations with the then-director of the FBI.
The June 9 front-page article Comey says Trump lied about him, FBI said that former FBI director James B. Comeys congressional testimony could deepen the crisis threatening the White House. Not only did the testimony threaten that, but also Mr. Comey was leaving a trail of bread crumbs for special counsel Robert S. Mueller III to follow. Hopefully, that trail will result in the end of Trumpism.

It was stunning to see a passionate patriot who has devoted his life to upholding the Constitution and the rule of law tell the world that the president of the United States is a liar. President Trump has spent 70-plus years on Earth and has lied and bullied his way through whatever obstacles were in front of him. In Mr. Comey, Mr. Trump met his match, and his presidency, such as it is, will never recover from that meeting.

Henry A. Lowenstein, New York

Former FBI director James B. Comeys blockbuster testimony was as conclusive as a stale hanging chad. Who will rid us of this meddlesome leaker?

Michael Velsmid, Nantucket, Mass.

The real story out of Thursdays hearing was not that former FBI director James B. Comey believed the president lied about him (his opinion), but that then-Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch, head of the Justice Department, ordered the director of the FBI to obfuscate about the type of investigation her friend was under, changing the wording from investigation to matter. The other news was that the former FBI director leaked a memo to the press, as if his altruistic reasoning makes him any different from Edward Snowden.

All political appointees work at the pleasure of the president and can be fired for any reason, even for wearing a bad bow tie. He doesnt have to give a reason. The president never asked Mr. Comey to do anything illegal.

John Tani Sr., Nellysford, Va.

The most troublesome aspect of former FBI director James B. Comeys testimony to members of the Senate was the revelation that Attorney General Jeff Sessions failed to stand by Mr. Comey in allowing the president to be alone with the FBI director. I have been working for more than 30 years and was even laid off once, and I never was placed in a position with my bosss superior without my boss present. I cannot fathom how intimidated Mr. Comey must have been alone in a room with President Trump.

Obviously if Mr. Sessions did not stand by Mr. Comey, how can he be independent, stand up to Mr. Trump and stand up for the Constitution? Mr. Sessions proved he cannot even defend a subordinate against Mr. Trump and should resign immediately.

John Bloom, Newport News, Va.
Israeli students from Ariel University pose for photographs as they hang an Israeli flag on Mount Kabir, near the West Bank Jewish settlement of Elon Moreh, on May 12. (David Vaaknin/For The Washington Post)

Regarding the June 4 Outlook special section, The 50-years war:

In 1967, I was just beginning to understand Israels history after visiting with my older son after his bar mitzvah to see his grandfather and other relatives. When Israel was surrounded by large Arab nations preparing to wipe out all Jews and others in Israel, even from the 1948 armistice lines (not borders), my wife and I in Pittsburgh, and some of my graduate students, feared for the loss of their families.

Israel did not attack an innocent Palestinian nation. Jordan possessed the West Bank and could have made it a Palestinian nation but instead, and despite pleas from Israel, was preparing an attack from the east with other nations preparing to attack from other directions.

The difficulties of Palestinians getting through checkpoints should be understood particularly at this time when the stabbing of innocents is occurring in other nations, not only in Israel. If Israel had in 1967 made the entire West Bank a part of Israel, as it was in our Jewish and Christian Bibles, these Palestinians would be much better off, like the Arab citizens of Israel are. They also would not be in a territory where its leaders preach death to the infidels and award large donations to the families of young people who kill.

Allen Brodsky, Ocean Pines, Md.

I commend The Post for the special section The 50-years war, with thoughtful articles about the situation in the occupied West Bank as we reach the 50th anniversary of the June 1967 war. I am glad that the newspaper made the effort to examine in depth two of the central realities of these past 50 years: the marginalization and denigration of the Palestinians under occupation, and the growing normalcy of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory. The articles included the anomalies and ironies of occupation, providing the human dimension that often is obscured in political reporting. The articles also reminded us that all parties have become enablers of the status quo, no matter how they may phrase their arguments. It may be that the future will continue to resemble the present, no matter how devastating that would be to peace.

John P. Richardson, Arlington
Andrew Johnson, the 17th U.S. president and the first to be impeached by the House. (Associated Press)

The ghost of Andrew Johnson, Americas 17th president and the first to be impeached, is haunting the White House. Echoes of Johnsons footsteps can be detected in the 45th presidents policies and conduct, including Donald Trumps rash, ill-advised decision to unceremoniously fire FBI Director James B. Comey. That act is reminiscent of Johnsons discharge of his secretary of war, Edwin M. Stanton, in 1867, which led to impeachment by the House of Representatives. Whether Trumps firing of Comey could contribute to a similar fate in the House remains to be seen.

Nonetheless, in thought, word and deed, Johnson may be a spirit manifested in Trump.

Johnson has been described by historian Eric Foner as intolerant of criticism, and out of touch with political reality. Labeling Johnson self-absorbed, Foner cited a one-hour Washingtons Birthday speech by Johnson in which he referred to himself over 200 times. Sound like anyone we know?

This much can be said: The crooked, nefarious pathways blazed by Johnson on enforcement of civil rights and justice are routes that Trump is faithfully following.

Johnson laid his tracks early.

Had Johnsons policies prevailed for the past 150 years, the District of Columbia would never have had African American mayors or council members  or even any blacks among the citys electorate. In 1867, Johnson vetoed legislation giving African American men the right to vote in the District. That precious right was, thankfully, granted three days later, but only because Congress overrode Johnsons veto. (Johnson expressed his strong anti-black feelings in his message about a veto of the first Reconstruction Act: The negroes have not asked for the privilege of voting; the vast majority of them have no idea what it means.)

And no thanks to Johnson, Howard University and St. Marys Episcopal Church, in Foggy Bottom, are celebrating their sesquicentennials.

One hundred and fifty-one years ago, Johnson vetoed a bill renewing the charter of the Freedmens Bureau, which was created to provide assistance to Howard University and the fledging African American colleges and universities in the emancipated South. Johnson described such assistance as Africanizing the southern part of our territory.

Howards charter, awarded by Congress in 1867, was signed by Johnson, but only because Congress overrode that Johnson veto, too, and forced the Freedmens Bureau down his throat.

St. Marys Church, the citys first African American Episcopal congregation, also had a near-death experience with Johnson.

The church, located in the 700 block of 23rd Street NW, has the aforementioned Stanton to thank for its original building. Hearing about the newly formed congregations search for a place of worship, Stanton provided the chapel materials that became the first building exclusively for the citys black Episcopalians.

Like Howard University, St. Marys had dodged a Johnson bullet. The church held its first service on June 9, 1867. It was just two months later, in August, that Johnson fired Stanton.

But Johnson was a scourge of America far beyond the District of Columbia.

Frowning upon giving full rights and privileges of citizenship to freed African Americans, Johnson vetoed a stream of civil rights bills, most of the vetoes were overridden by Congress.

He undercut the positive measures of Reconstruction. He gave former Confederate states freedom to manage their affairs, which allowed them to enact Black Codes that imposed plantation-like conditions on former slaves.

Now Trump, as boorish, undisciplined, racially insensitive and bullying as Johnson was, is not missing a beat when it comes to lax civil rights enforcement and ignoring racial, ethnic and religious injustices.

Under Trumps agenda, states will be allowed to take protection of minority rights into their own hands. Trumps administration will look the other way.

In Trumps Washington, the Labor Department unit that monitors discrimination by federal contractors is being disbanded, the Education Departments office that investigates discrimination complaints in school districts is being gutted, police departments that have whipped up on blacks will receive dialed-down Justice Department oversight, and environmental polluters may get the Environmental Protection Agencys green light to contaminate minority communities .

White supremacists are as emboldened today as they were during Andrew Johnsons era.

Discrimination is getting the same blind-eye treatment it received during the post-Civil War white Southern pushback. Acts of racially and religiously motivated violence are enjoying a resurgence reminiscent of the day the White House was ruled by Andrew Johnson  an apparition that seems to be making daily appearances in the Oval Office.

Read more from Colbert Kings archive.
Ignore all the extraneous, intentionally distracting noise about illegal leaks and Obama-era foibles. James B. Comeys account of his dealings with President Trump was devastating, both legally and politically. And as congressional investigators and, more ominously, special counsel Robert S. Mueller III proceed, the facts may become far worse for the president.

To recap: According to Comeys sworn testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, buttressed by yet-to-be-seen contemporaneous memos, Trump invited him to an unusual one-on-one dinner at which the president told Comey, I need loyalty. I expect loyalty.

The day before, then-acting attorney general Sally Yates first alerted White House Counsel Donald McGahn that then-national security adviser Michael Flynn had lied about his transition contacts with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and was vulnerable to being blackmailed by the Russians. White House press secretary Sean Spicer has said McGahn informed the president right away about Yatess warning.

So Trumps dinner with Comey, and his reopening of what Comey had thought was the settled question of whether the FBI director would keep his job, did not take place in a vacuum. This was no casual get-to-know-you social occasion. It occurred just as Trump was learning that Flynn was in enormous jeopardy.

The next month, Comey said, Trump insisted on clearing the Oval Office of witnesses for another session alone with him, at which the president expressed his desire that a politically damaging case against his just-fired national security adviser be made to go away. That did not happen, and Trump summarily fired Comey, asserting that he was accepting the advice of underlings that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau.

(Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post)

Almost immediately, however, the president acknowledged that this recommendation was mere pretext; in fact, Trump said, he was spurred by Comeys handling of this Russia thing.

Does this rise to the level of obstruction of justice? Perhaps, and the Comey testimony brings Trump significantly closer to that point, including Comeys clarification that he understood Trumps expression of hope as a clear direction to drop the case. If this request was so benign, why did Trump seemingly feel uncomfortable making it in the presence of witnesses?

Still, considering whether a prosecutor would be able to prove obstruction beyond a reasonable doubt is a question that is both premature and slightly off-point.

Its premature because Mueller is at the beginning of the beginning of looking at Trumps conduct. Even on the question of obstruction alone, he would want to question multiple additional witnesses about Trumps dealings with Comey and the Flynn case/larger Russia inquiry, including Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, senior adviser/son-in-law Jared Kushner, McGahn, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein. Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats and National Security Agency Director Michael S. Rogers may have stiff-armed senators questions about Trumps reported efforts to have them intervene on the Russia matter; they wont be able to easily evade Mueller.

Its slightly off-point in that a criminal prosecution of Trump while he is president is unlikely and, at least according to the Justice Departments long-standing assessment, constitutionally impermissible. The more likely, and more appropriate, remedy would be impeachment, in which case lawmakers would not be bound by the strict elements of the obstruction crime or the high bar of criminal proof.

So let Mueller and Congress continue their essential work. In the meantime, dont be fooled or diverted by the attacks on Comey and others. Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication . . . and WOW, Comey is a leaker! Trump tweeted Friday. Later, he denied asking Comey for loyalty or pressing him to drop the Flynn case.

In a swearing contest between Comey and Trump, Comey wins, hands down, against a man whose misstatements keep the fact-checkers working overtime. Every lawyer on the planet would want Comey testifying for their side over Trump. To disbelieve Comey is to imagine that he wrote a fictitious account of his interactions with the president before being fired but that his fabrication didnt include a direct order from Trump.

And yes, Comey orchestrated the leak of his memo. If that makes you think less of him, fine, but keep a few things in mind: Comey was by then a private citizen, reporting on an unclassified conversation with the president. In any event, branding Comey a leaker doesnt undermine the significance of the underlying information. Deep Throat was a leaker, too.

Trump is president. Its his conduct that is at issue. And vindication, if it is to come, feels awfully far off.

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TWIN FALLS  Hunger doesnt take a summer vacation.

Thats why south-central Idaho schools and nonprofit organizations provide lunches for children at no cost, thanks to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Summer Food Service Program.

In Twin Falls, about 45 percent of students meet federal poverty guidelines to receive free or reduced-price school meals. The summer food program is a way to fill the gap during the summer months to ensure children get at least one nutritious meal each day.

This program fills the needs while schools out, said Lori Rieth, food service supervisor for the Twin Falls School District. That way, we make sure theres no-one going hungry throughout the summer.

Across Idaho, children up to age 18 can receive a free lunch, regardless of their familys income. Some sites also offer breakfast and snacks.

In Twin Falls, children can get a free lunch from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Mondays through Fridays through Aug. 11. Sites wont serve meals July 3-4 due to the Fourth of July holiday.

Lunch is served at 14 sites: Bickel Elementary School, Clyde Thomsen Park, Harmon Park, Harrison Elementary School, Harry Barry Park, Lighthouse Christian School, Lincoln Elementary School, Robert Stuart Middle School, Sunrise Park, Twin Falls City Park, Vista Bonita Park, Oregon Trail Elementary School, Vera C. OLeary Middle School and Canyon Ridge High School.

If youve driven past a park or school around lunchtime lately, chances are youve seen dozens of children eating and playing. The program requires children stay on site to eat their meal.

If they just take it as go have a picnic at a park or any of the schools, its a great way to get out with your kids, Rieth said.

Parents have the option of buying a lunch and the cost varies depending on the site sponsor. For example, it costs $4.25 in Twin Falls and $3.75 in Jerome.

Theyre welcome to eat with their children, said Carolyn Sullivan, food service director for the Jerome School District.

In Twin Falls, the school district serves between 2,000 and 2,500 meals per day during the summer. Thats about one-fourth of the number served during the school year.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Magic Valley has participated in the Summer Food Service Program for nearly a decade, offering breakfast, lunch and snacks through Aug. 31.

Really, the reason we do it is to ensure all of our club members are getting three meals a day, because for a lot of them, sadly, its the only meal theyre getting, director of operations Bri Owen said.

But the clubs will serve any child this summer  even if theyre not a club member.

We definitely do have a couple of people who pop in during the week, Owen said.

Breakfast is served from 7:45-8:45 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and snacks from 3:30-4:40 p.m.

In Jerome, the school district serves lunches from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays through July 7 at Jerome Middle School and Gayle Forsyth Memorial Park.

Then, the location will switch to Horizon Elementary School from July 17-Aug. 3.

The Jerome School District typically serves 200 lunches each day just at the park alone.

It varies from day to day, Sullivan said, and it depends on the daycares and stuff that bring their children in.

The numbers may vary, but the purpose remains the same: making sure children have enough food to eat this summer.
British Prime Minister Theresa May arrives back at 10 Downing Street after going to Buckingham Palace on Friday, where she saught Queen Elizabeth II's permission to form a new government. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

British voters have now delivered two electoral shocks in 12 months. A year ago, they stuck a finger in the eye of the political establishment by voting to leave the European Union in the Brexit referendum. On Thursday, they shocked Prime Minister Theresa May by delivering a hung Parliament when she was hoping to emerge with a huge Conservative majority.

The British vote follows a French election earlier this spring in which the voters handed the presidency to Emmanuel Macron, a novice politician who had never held elected office and who campaigned against the status quo from the center during a time when leaders of many traditional parties are moving further left or right.

Then, of course, there was the election of 2016 that brought Donald Trump, the outsider, to the Oval Office, an outcome that has turned Washington and the rest of the country upside down. During Trumps campaigns for the GOP presidential nomination and general election, voters rebuked two dynastic politicians, Republican Jeb Bush and Democrat Hillary Clinton, who embodied the establishment ideas and practices of their parties.

Next up will be German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who faces potentially difficult elections in September.

Searching for a clear pattern across these surprising election results can be a frustrating exercise, given the unique elements country by country. These elections unfolded differently, influenced by different factors. They were not all cut from the same cloth.

British Prime Minister Theresa May with President Trump walk along The Colonnade at the White House on Jan. 27. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

In France, voters rejected the two major parties (the Socialist candidate, representing the incumbent party, ran fifth) to set up a runoff between Macron and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, whose antiglobalist, nationalistic message contained echoes of Trumps campaign.

In Britain, the two major parties  Conservative and Labour  saw their vote percentages increase compared with the 2015 general election. Meanwhile, the U.K. Independence Party, whose leadership had successfully championed leaving the E.U. in last years Brexit vote, saw its support crater. And the Scottish National Party, which has pushed for independence from the rest of the United Kingdom, lost 21 seats.

Different constituencies took center stage in different places. In the wake of the vote in Britain, there is new focus on the strong support for the Labour Party among younger voters. In the United States, in the wake of Trumps victory last November, there has been an intense focus on the non-college-educated white voters who were at the foundation of Trumps surprise victory. Democrats are debating how they can win some of them back.

Underlying forces are important, but so too are the personalities and campaign skills of the candidates. In 2016, Clinton was saddled with historically high negatives; she was only a bit less disliked than Trump. That was a contributing factor in her defeat.

In Britain, May proved to be a candidate whose flaws significantly outweighed her strengths. She was standoffish  refusing to debate rivals  and was pilloried for proposing what became known as a dementia tax. Ouch. The campaign also was disrupted by two terrorist attacks.

May made a big bet by calling the election  believing she could significantly expand her narrow majority in Parliament. It went disastrously wrong, with her party actually losing seats and its majority. She heads into the upcoming Brexit negotiations dramatically weakened, leading a fragile coalition government.

As Martin Kettle, a columnist for the Guardian, quipped in an email, hers was the greatest prime ministerial miscalculation since last year! It was a reference to former prime minister David Camerons costly decision to hold the Brexit referendum. He stepped down the morning after Brexit passed.

(Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

The British results have proved a boon to Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who until this election was dismissed as one of the partys weakest leaders in a generation and a politician who could never lead his party to a general-election victory. Labour ran second to the Conservatives, but it was the biggest winner, gaining 32 seats as the Tories lost 13. Though its far from clear that Labour can win a majority in a future election with him as leader, Corbyns stock has risen dramatically.

The British results will be read in the United States as good news for the Democrats and particularly for the progressive left of the party. Corbyn often was compared to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), though his views are decidedly more left-wing than Sanders. Nonetheless, what happened in Britain highlights the energy on the left, which Democrats hope will translate into a surge of voter support in the 2018 midterm elections. Republicans, take notice.

Yet if finding clear-cut parallels in these elections is difficult, the results seem to point toward one common theme, which is the roiling discontent of voters when given the opportunity to render their judgments of the status quo and the political leaders in charge.

Trumps election triggered talk of a nationalistic populist uprising that could sweep across the Atlantic to influence elections in Europe. That hasnt happened. It fell short in the Netherlands in the early spring, and the French election seemed to be evidence that the populist wave has crested.

But if the antiglobalist movement fell short in France, it still has some potency. Le Pen, after all, won more than a third of the vote in France. In the United States, Trumps ratings are more negative than positive, but about 40 percent of the people support him and his ambitions.

Populism is a term applied liberally to the uprisings that are taking place, and it comes in different flavors. There is the kind of economic populism of Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), which highlights income and wealth inequality and warfare between the top 1 percent and the remaining 99 percent, between Wall Street titans and working people.

There is the populism that is grounded in cultural or racial divisions, where issues like immigration and national identity play a dominant role. This was one aspect of Trumps appeal to white, working-class voters, and it has drawn outsized attention in the explanations of why he won the presidency.

Guy Molyneux, a Democratic pollster, offers an insightful distinction between the populism of Sanders and Warren and that of Trump in an essay that is part of a series hosted by the American Prospect examining Democrats and the white working class. What he writes could be instructive for politicians across the ideological spectrum.

Trumps political populism is, fundamentally, a story about the failure of government, he writes. He adds later in the essay, The distrust of government is, by far, the least-appreciated factor underlying Trumps 2016 victory. But he notes that this distrust is driven by antipathy toward political leaders rather than governmental agencies and departments.

That, if anything, could begin to explain what has happened across countries and continents. This is time of enormous change and therefore of great unrest, and it comes atop electorates that are closely and deeply divided.

In this country and in Britain, the gap between the two major parties support in the most recent elections is narrow. The Tories won 42 percent of the vote to Labours 40 percent on Thursday. Clinton won 48 percent of the popular vote to Trumps 46 percent last November (though he won the electoral college).

No one saw Thursdays British results ahead of time. Even more than the Brexit vote and more than Trumps victory, this was a shocker. But as the Brexit vote signaled potential trouble for the political status quo (and therefore Clinton) in the United States, the results in Britain should be another warning sign to politicians here that rhetoric, talking points and slick promotion are no substitute for honesty, plain speaking and above all, results.
Maybe this is why Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) seemed a bit groggy during Thursdays high-profile congressional hearing: He had spent the previous week on the other side of the world, hop-scotching his away around the Pacific trying to reassure allies that the U.S. government remains in their corner.

Its a role McCain has long played, but its taken on a more serious tenor in the era of President Trump. Already this year, the senator has logged more than 75,000 miles to more than 15 nations across three continents, according to his staff.

McCains journeys to those far-flung places also drains the octogenarian  and it is beginning to show when he returns to the Capitol. He wont publicly admit this, but some friends suspect his awkward performance at the Intelligence Committees hearing with James B. Comey, the fired FBI director, could be traced to McCains near-constant global travels whenever Congress takes a break.

Something seemed off about McCain on Thursday, and social media took notice (even Fox News blasted a headline, Partisans agree  McCain was confusing). McCain tried to ask Comey questions about how he got fired and how he made the decision last year to close the investigation into Hillary Clintons handling of classified information while she served as secretary of state.

At times, it seemed as if the 2008 Republican presidential nominee was equating the two investigations  one that was closed almost a year ago, and another that seems to still be expanding. The line of questioning seemed to many to be an attempt to defend Trump.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) questions former FBI director James B. Comey as he appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

That certainly is not the role McCain is playing around the world.

More aptly, McCain is serving as a shadow secretary of state, trying to clean up or refute statements and positions that Trump has made.

John McCain just systematically dismantled Donald Trumps entire worldview

When Senator McCain is in the room, theres just a different level of respect, Sen. Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.), who traveled with McCain last week, said in an interview. His mere presence reassures our allies in the Asia Pacific and the Northern Atlantic.

Look at where he traveled and what he said over the 10-day break Congress took around the Memorial Day holiday. From Australia to Vietnam to Singapore, McCain tried to shore up frayed alliances. He landed in Australia several months after Trump had an embarrassing clash with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over a refugee agreement. McCain sat on the floor of the Parliament of Australia during Question Time, an honor reserved usually for visiting heads of state or foreign ministers.

And Turnbull and two former prime ministers attended a McCain speech toward the end of the visit. The 80-year-old senator didnt hold back his contempt for Trumps behavior toward such a long-standing ally.

I come to Australia at a time when many are questioning whether America is still committed to these values. And you are not alone. Other American allies have similar doubts these days. And this is understandable, he said. I realize that some of President Trumps actions and statements have unsettled Americas friends. They have unsettled many Americans as well.

He went on to detail the state of American politics, the rise of nationalist populism, legislative dysfunction and hyper-partisanship. He expressed understanding for those who doubt Trump, but he assured them that the presidents national security team was experienced and fully invested in the nations traditional role of global force for democracy.

Unlike some senators who struggle to get the best meetings abroad, McCain always prompts presidents and prime ministers to clamor for an audience. Because they want to hear what he has to say, said Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wy.), a frequent travel companion. He is a reassuring figure around the world.

Barrasso and Coons joined McCain in Vietnam, where McCain is now a revered political figure after having been shot down as a Navy fighter pilot and held captive 5 1/2 years. In the Senate in the 1990s, McCain and John Kerry (D-Mass.), another Vietnam War hero, led the effort to normalize relations with Vietnam.

After the more recent delegations first day there last week, the leading Vietnamese newspaper ran a front-page story with a headline Senator McCain and friends meet with national leaders, Coons recalled. No mention of the other lawmakers on the trip.

As a face of Congress around the world, he would be the prime minister of Congress, Barrasso said.

Last week was only the latest whirlwind itinerary for McCain.

Two days after Christmas, McCain began a swing through several Baltic nations that view Russias incursions into Ukraine as an existential threat to their freedom.

Ten days after Trump won the election, McCain led a bipartisan delegation to the Halifax International Security Forum, where NATO allies were panicked by Trumps declaration that the security alliance might be obsolete amid his softening toward Russia.

We were reassuring people, in some cases scraping them off the ceiling, Coons said of those meetings.

John McCain is in the fight of his political life in the age of Donald Trump

McCain sent the clearest signal of the role he was assuming as international fixer at a February speech in Munich, but he has continued this approach in many other lower profile appearances around the globe.

In one week in April, McCain hit seven tiny nations across southeastern Europe that collectively form a key region  and serve as a transit point for Islamist militants heading to and from Syria. In a speech in Kosovo, he again never mentioned Trump, but he assured leaders that they still had friends in Washington.

You may have heard that we occasionally have some disagreements back in Washington. But I want you to know that members of the United States Congress in both political parties are fully committed to working with you, McCain said.

The schedule is grueling, even for younger colleagues. Coons, 53, marveled at how McCain squeezed in a late-night meeting with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis at a security conference in Singapore just as he cut short his trip to fly back to tend to his wife, Cindy, who had broken her arm in a fall.

That type of travel will wear down the healthiest of senators, even one whose mother, Roberta McCain, is alive and well at 105. After his embarrassing moment questioning Comey, McCain issued a formal statement blaming his performance on staying up late to watch an Arizona Diamondbacks game on the West Coast.

Theres no indication he will slow down, not with so many allies who dont understand what Trump means with his tweets and brusque diplomacy.

We need your patience and your understanding. We need your commitment to our common interests and ideals. We need you to have faith in America and in the enduring value of our alliance, McCain told the Australians. Its a message hes likely to repeat in the coming weeks and months.

Read more from Paul Kanes archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
As the most expensive House race in history heads into its final full week, there is one name that is rarely mentioned by the two people who are running.

But President Trump looms over everything.

As Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff was making his way through a retirement community here on a recent weekday, a woman named B.J. Mix gripped his hand and told him: When you get there, give Trump hell.

Later that afternoon, in Republican contender Karen Handels home precinct in Roswell, Dominick Scartz opened his front door to the latest in a parade of election canvassers to show up on his porch.

The Republicans dont want to lose a seat and start a trend, Scartz said. But Trump gives everybody an opening. We all know that, even though we voted for him.

Karen Handel, the Republican candidate for the 6th Congressional District, speaks during a campaign fundraiser at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta on Friday. (David Goldman/AP)

Under normal circumstances, this special election to replace Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price in Congress should not even be competitive. Once represented by House Speaker Newt Gingrich, the affluent district on the northern outskirts of Atlanta has been in Republican hands for nearly four decades.

Even more unlikely is the situation today: Political newcomer Ossoff, a 30-year-old former congressional staffer and documentary filmmaker, nearly won outright a 16-candidate primary April 18. Now, he is locked in a runoff with former secretary of state Handel, 55, the June 20 outcome of which is anyones guess.

A poll published Friday by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution showed Ossoff with a seven-point lead, but other recent surveys suggest a dead heat.

The closeness of the contest in the 6th Congressional District reflects, to some extent, the changing demographics of this fast-growing area, which Trump barely won over Hillary Clinton in last years presidential election.

But what is really driving things is a national proxy battle between energized Democratic forces on the left and a GOP mobilized by fear of what may be to come in next years midterm battle for control of Congress.

Special elections earlier this year in Kansas and Montana have already revved up Democrats in ruby-red districts; Georgias is a contest they might win. After several near-misses, its also a race they must win to demonstrate that Trump is the liability they say he is  and to make progress toward their goal of winning a House majority in 2018.

[Amid Trumps unpopularity, Democrats face criticism for not investing more in special elections]

(Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post)

It is an arms race of money and organization. The latest fundraising report, filed Thursday, showed Ossoff raising an additional $15 million in the past two months, nearly quadruple what Handel brought in. With outside groups weighing in, the race has thus far cost more than $40 million  far outpacing the previous record for a congressional race of nearly $30 million for a Florida contest in 2012.

Polls indicate there are few voters still undecided. The next 10 days are about turning out the base. There are more of us than them in the district. The more people who vote, the better, said Corry Bliss, who heads the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC affiliated with House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.). That organization alone plans to spend about $7 million in the race.

Another factor, however, may be working in the Democrats favor: After a federal judge ordered that voter registration be reopened for the runoff, more than 8,000 were added to the rolls in the 6th District.

And in the first round of voting, Ossoff won what analysts on both sides believe to have been at least 10 percent of voters who generally cast their ballots for Republicans. (Georgia does not identify voters by party.)

Early voting suggests that turnout will indeed reach new heights, at least for a special election. Both sides are closely analyzing the numbers, which indicate more Republican votes than normal in early voting, though it is unclear how much of that is driven by sheer fatigue with the bombardment of ads and phone calls and a desire to just get the whole thing over with.

So saturated is television that one local station has temporarily replaced reruns of The Andy Griffith Show with a 7 p.m. newscast, just to accommodate the demand for slots to spend ad dollars.

There are some who now deem the subject off-limits. I dont talk to people about the race, quite frankly, said Eric Clarkson, mayor of Chamblee, a town that Ossoff won easily in the first round of voting.

For others, however, this election represents a political awakening.

Nadine Becker, a gynecologist, had never even gone on Facebook. Now, three times a week, she spends several hours volunteering for Ossoff.

After November, I pretty much came alive with regard to politics. The fact is, here in the 6th, we have something to do, she said. Its Trump, but its more for the first time in my life, I feel that things that I value, that are important to me, have been threatened.

Neither of the candidates is particularly dynamic. Both stick closely to their talking points, and Handel in particular has few publicly announced events.

In their two debates last week, Ossoff was the more polished.

[Did Georgia congressional candidate Jon Ossoff really get roasted by his opponent? Depends on how you cut the video.]

During the first one, while discussing her opposition to raising the minimum wage, Handel committed a gaffe with her pronouncement: I do not support a livable wage.

Pressed during the second debate on whether she believes human activity is a cause of climate change, Handel demurred, saying: I am not a scientist.

Ossoff shot back: Well, neither of us are scientists. Thats why we have scientists. And 97 percent of scientists, as well as the military and the intelligence community, agree that climate change is a threat to our security and prosperity and that its driven in part by human activity.

But Trumps presence looms over both of them.

After Handel made it to the runoff, Trump came to Atlanta to raise $750,000 for her. You better win, he told her.

With the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the questions surrounding Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 election, Handel has said she wants to let the facts really drive where we go and what action we take.

She also allowed that she wishes Trump would make some Twitter policy changes. Sometimes you should just put down the computer, the phone, and walk away.

Ossoff said Russias actions merit a firm response and a transparent, independent investigation but added that were still not there yet on the question of whether Trump should be impeached.

Handel insisted Trump should not be the main issue for voters.

This race is not about the president. It is about who is most equipped and has the best experience, Handel said during a debate Thursday. I am not an extension of the White House. I am an extension of the people of the 6th District.

That doesnt stop Handel from constantly arguing that Ossoff would be a puppet of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)  whose name Handel invoked more than 10 times during a debate two days earlier. Pelosi is also featured prominently in ads that are running against the Democrat.

While Ossoff used to describe himself during the primary as the make Trump furious candidate, he now talks about finding bipartisan solutions on issues such as health care, and emphasizes cutting federal spending and independent-minded leadership.

When Ossoff declined to participate in a nationally televised debate on CNN, Republicans said it was to avoid letting his fan base of liberal funders across the country hear the moderate message he is sounding in the district.

He frequently reminds voters of Handels past role as a top official at Susan G. Komen, the breast-cancer research foundation, during the controversy over the charitys 2012 decision, quickly reversed, to eliminate grants to Planned Parenthood for breast-cancer screening and education programs.

In addition to the fact that he has drawn so much support from out-of-state liberals, Ossoffs own greatest vulnerability may be his youth, and lack of experience. One Congressional Leadership Fund attack ad features an old video of Ossoff as a college student dressed up as the Star Wars character Han Solo. Ossoff also lives just outside the district lines, though he has said he plans to move there.

Hes just a sham. Hes nothing. Hes got no experience, said Scartz, the voter interviewed at his front door in Roswell.

That was pretty much the same thing many were saying last year, when a real estate mogul with no background in government was on the ballot for the highest office in the land.

Trump won because voters were looking for an antidote to what they saw as wrong in Washington. Now, the question being tested in Georgia by another political newcomer is whether Democrats have found their antidote to the antidote.

Read more at PowerPost
An Afghan soldier mans a checkpoint in Jalalabad, the provincial capital of Nangarhar province. Three U.S. soldiers were killed Saturday in the Aachin district of Nangarhar province. (Ghulamullah Habibi/European Pressphoto Agency)

An Afghan soldier opened fire on U.S. troops in a restive eastern province of Afghanistan on Saturday, killing three and injuring another, authorities said.

The shooting occurred in the Achin district of Afghanistans Nangahar province, according to a U.S. defense official, an area where both Islamic State and Taliban insurgents are contesting territory.

The wounded soldier has been evacuated for medical treatment, the Pentagon said in a statement. The incident is under investigation and the identities of the fallen soldiers were not released. Their families are still being notified.

Early media reports suggested the assailant was an elite Afghan commando, although that is not confirmed. The gunman was killed by American troops, according to a security official in the province.

Achin has been the site of heavy fighting in recent months as U.S. Special Operations forces  including elite Army Rangers and Green Berets  have been working alongside Afghan commandos to rout the Islamic State from the area. Three U.S. soldiers had died there this year before Saturdays shooting.

The Taliban are also active in the area, and there have been reports of clashes between the two insurgent groups in recent weeks. A Taliban spokesman sent a text message to journalists Saturday claiming the alleged assailant was an infiltrator of the Afghan army.

Allied commanders provided limited details.

We are aware of an incident in Eastern Afghanistan. We will release more information when appropriate, Douglas High, the public affairs officer for Operation Resolute Support, the NATO mission in Afghanistan, said in an email statement to The Washington Post.

Also Saturday, at least two Afghan border policemen were killed by U.S. aircraft fire during a joint operation in the southern province of Helmand. The U.S. military in a statement apologized for the deaths and said the incident was under investigation.

The three previous U.S. soldiers deaths in Achin make up the entirety of U.S. combat fatalities in Afghanistan in 2017. In early April, Staff Sgt. Mark R. De Alencar, 37, was killed by small-arms fire, followed by Sgt. Joshua P. Rodgers, 22, and Sgt. Cameron H. Thomas, 23, at the end of the month.

Rodgers and Thomas were killed during a joint Afghan-U.S. nighttime raid on an Islamic State headquarters building. The Pentagon is investigating whether they were mortally wounded by friendly fire. The raid resulted in the death of Abdul Hasib, the emir of the Islamic States branch in Afghanistan, according to the Pentagon and Afghan officials. More than 30 other militants were also killed.

Achin was also the site where U.S. Special Operations troops in April dropped the GBU-43, a 22,000-pound bomb known as the MOAB, on a purported cave complex where insurgents were believed to be hiding. The blast flattened a swath of the countryside. While Afghan officials said dozens of militants were killed, the Pentagon has remained mum on what exactly the bomb accomplished.

The Afghan branch of the Islamic State, known as ISIS-K, is mainly composed of militants pulled from other groups and has turned into one of the main counterterrorism issues for the United States in Afghanistan. Although military officials say the group is far smaller than it was at its height in 2015, an estimated 600 to 800 militants located mainly in remote mountainous areas continue to pose an ample threat to U.S. and Afghan troops.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani surprised everyone at a peace conference Tuesday when he said that up to 11,000 foreign fighters have penetrated Afghanistan, a number far higher than previous estimates by the U.S. military and his own government.

The deaths come as the Trump administration is weighing whether to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan, including a proposal to send U.S. Special Operations forces to train up to 17,000 new members of Afghan special forces. The Afghan special forces units have quickly become the most reliable force in the more than 15-year-old war, American officials believe. Once trained to conduct raids much like their U.S. counterparts, the majority of Afghan commando units have turned into a backbone force for the fledgling Afghan army.

The deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan was underscored by a massive truck-bomb blast on May 31 in a heavily patrolled diplomatic area of the capital, Kabul, that killed more than 150.

The bomb blast was one of the worst such attacks in the country since the arrival of American troops in 2001. That was followed by violent anti-government protests that left six dead on June 2, as well as a triple suicide bombing during funeral prayers for one of the protesters on the following day.

Read more

Anger and sorrow grip Kabul after devastating bombing in diplomatic zone

More U.S. soldiers may be heading to Afghanistan. That might not solve the problem.

Some in Afghanistan question U.S. choice to use 22,000-pound bomb against ISIS

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news

Gibbons-Neff reported from Washington. Sayed Salahuddin also contributed to this report in Kabul.
A man sits outside a public house in Kensington used as a temporary polling station on June 8 in London. (Stefan Wermuth/Reuters)

When Jeremy Corbyn launched Labours general-

election campaign in May by casting the race as a chance to take our wealth back, he meant from people who live in Kensington, a tony neighborhood in West London where the average home sells for 1.4 million British pounds, the equivalent of nearly $1.8 million. It is the most affluent electoral district in the country.

In a turnaround, however, Kensington backed Labour in Thursdays general election, embracing the party of a man who promises socialism of the 21st century and rides his bicycle to work.

The upset, marking Labours first victory in Kensington since the district was drawn in 1974, boosted the opposition partys surge across the capital. The outcome in London, where Labour snagged several districts from the ruling party, helped deny the Conservatives a majority, sending the country toward a hung parliament, in which no party can govern alone.

[Mays two top aides step down as pressure mounts for her to resign]

But the result was especially startling in Kensington, an enclave of extreme opulence within a city generally familiar with displays of conspicuous consumption.

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party, holds newspapers and greets a passerby on June 10 in Islington, London. (Marko Djurica/Reuters)

Luxury-car dealerships and designer stores line Kensingtons streets. The mansions of well-to-do bankers sit in the shadows of the private palaces owned by Russian government ministers, whose imprint has lent the nickname Red Square to one of the neighborhoods most sumptuous tracts of land. The air of royalty is thickest on the west end of iconic Hyde Park, where Prince William lives with his wife, Kate Middleton, in Kensington Palace.

But the rise of Labour, here of all places, suggests that the countrys political divisions, which are increasingly solidifying around the two main parties in a tendency mirroring U.S.-style polarization, have left many votes unsorted. And with Britain uncertain about its looming departure from the European Union  and with anger over the condition of public services mounting  political moods continue to frustrate expectations.

Its a very unexpected swing, said Mike Savage, a sociologist at the London School of Economics. It appears that going to the left can be a popular strategy, especially in cities where you see these big inequalities and the need for public services.

Kensington oozes Conservative power, home to some of the most prominent members of the party, past and present. These include Michael Gove, who famously declared Britain tired of experts as he stumped for the countrys split with Europe, and George Osborne, a former chancellor of the Exchequer and now editor of the London Evening Standard. The paper shares headquarters on Kensingtons main commercial street with the powerful right-wing tabloid the Daily Mail. The back yard of the headquarters is Kensington Square, where Amber Rudd, the home secretary and a possible replacement for May as Conservative leader, lives.

Anne Carey, who also lives on the square and counts Rudd a friend, voted Labour, abandoning the Conservatives, whom she had backed in 2015. She said she voted in solidarity with the youth, who came out in unexpected numbers to support Labour in its crusade against austerity. Sarah Joynt, 28, said young people have observed the rightward turn taken by President Trump and feel compelled to demand something different.

[Mays election battering could strain her relationship with Trump]

In Kensington, hostility to Mays plan to pursue a severe version of Brexit was pronounced. The Conservative incumbent, Victoria Borwick, broke with her constituents, 68 percent of whom voted to remain, and cheered Brexit. That almost led Lorna Ghali, a 52-year-old artist, to vote Labour, though she chose not to because she said she distrusts Corbyn. Conservatives said it was the foibles of their incumbent that cost Conservatives the seat, as she squandered the 7,000-vote majority she enjoyed in 2015.

1 of 17 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  See photos of the scene during Britains snap election View Photos People head to the polls to vote for a new government. Caption People head to the polls to vote for a new government. June 8, 2017 Britains Prime Minister Theresa May leaves with her husband, Philip, after voting in Maidenhead, England. Alastair Grant/AP Wait 1 second to continue.

But Labours Emma Dent Coad, the local council member who unseated her by a razor-thin margin of 20 votes, said her victory owed to the mobilization of forgotten residents of Kensington.

The Conservative government has pillaged peoples lives, said Dent Coad, who managed an 11 percent swing to Labour. She held up her win as evidence that Labour did not need to move to the center to win traditional Tory seats, pledging, If I can do it here, there is a way forward in future elections. Were not a microcosm, per se, but we do have all types of voters here.

Kensington is a spectacle of great fortune. But it is also a study in contrasts  an illustration of how inequality works in London.

Just steps from a stylish Kensington cafe frequented by David Cameron, the Conservative prime minister felled by Brexit, sits Trellick Tower, a 31-story, brutalist housing complex. Many of the units are subsidized by the state.

One of Trellicks residents is Ed Davis, 38, who voted for the first time Thursday  for Labour. Pollsters said an even greater factor in Kensington than people who switched parties may have been nonvoters who chose to enter the fold for the first time.

Davis declared himself part of the disenfranchised generation  arriving at political consciousness under the premiership of Tony Blair, the Labour politician who fell into disfavor by supporting the war in Iraq.

With Corbyn, Davis said, he saw a glimpse of something genuine.

I never felt like I had something to vote for, said Davis, who owns a moving company. But I saw the connection that Corbyn was having with the mass population, and I also got pretty offended by the Conservatives.

Sarah Harper, an expert in population studies at the University of Oxford, said Kensingtons flip illustrates unique demographic changes in cities, as the neighborhood has seen an influx of people in their 30s and 40s, as well as a large overseas-born population.

This portrait of Kensington belies the idea that its more comfortable residents are knee-jerk Conservative voters, said the independent candidate for Parliament, James Torrance. The assumption finds expression in the saying that people would vote for a donkey if it had a blue rosette on it, he said, referring to the Conservative emblem.

That joins a long list of suppositions shattered by another unpredictable British vote.

Read more

Jeremy Corbyns Labour Party may be No. 2 but still won big in British elections

The center in British politics has all but disappeared, leaving the country as polarized as the U.S.

Brexit in jeopardy, says UKIP leader, as his party appears shut out of Parliament

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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When he ran for president in 2012, Vladimir Putin wrote that Russias middle class has to grow. Kari Guggenberger is exactly the kind of person he had in mind. An IT manager, she fits Putins definition, a skilled worker whose income allows her a certain freedom to choose how to spend her money and where to work.

And, also, where to live.

Guggenberger accepted the bargain Putin has tacitly offered Russias middle class: Shes worked hard, bought herself a home, saved and spent money, and stayed out of politics, while the Kremlin consolidated its control over all levels of government. Guggenberger would have been content for it remain that way, too  until the government came at her where she lives.

Guggenberger is one of 1.6 million Muscovites who could be affected by a city plan to demolish their Soviet-era apartment buildings and replace them with modern high-rises. Moscow authorities say the old buildings are beyond repair and that this massive urban relocation will bring much-needed improvements to city housing.

But to thousands of residents like Guggenberger, the plan amounts to a violation of their rights to own property and to choose where to live. With the mayors office, city and federal legislatures, and the courts all in the hands of Putin loyalists, opponents feel powerless to stop the demolition of their homes.

So they have broken their end of the bargain.

Theyve held street protests that have brought out thousands. Theyve used social media to organize a campaign to keep their homes and have bombarded lawmakers with letters. A crowd of them locked arms and chanted Shame! outside Russias lower house of parliament Friday as lawmakers gave preliminary approval to the project. Many opponents plan to join a nationwide protest Monday, called by anti-corruption crusader Alexei Navalny.

[Tens of thousands rally against corruption in nationwide Russian protest]

I was always far from politics, but theyve driven me into the opposition, Guggenberger, 35, said in a recent interview. Saving her earnings from her IT job, she bought her apartment in a low-rise neighborhood just north of Moscows center in 2010. The apartment is the first place she has owned.

They made a very stupid move, she said. They forgot about us, the middle class. They forgot because we have been busy with our lives. We dont vote, we dont strike, we live our lives. We werent noticed. They just forgot about us.

The apartment owners protest is the latest in a wave of upheaval not seen in Russia since 2012. In recent months, a nationwide demonstration against corruption drew tens of thousands, long-distance truckers have been protesting daily, and Navalny has built a small but growing national support base for his long-shot bid for the presidency.

This turbulence is not likely to prevent Putin, whose approval rating hasnt been below 80 percent in three years, from winning reelection next March, said Denis Volkov, an analyst with Russias independent pollster, the Levada Center. But it does point to a fundamental weakness of the system Putin has created.

Moscow city legislator Yelena Shuvalova addresses city residents, including Kari Guggenberger, second from right, protesting a massive residential demolition and relocation plan. (David Filipov/The Washington Post)

Russians see a lack of accountability, Volkov said. All of the instruments of civic accountability  courts, elections, representative government, public hearings  are either fictional, or they have been suppressed.

As a result, Volkov said, in dealing with authorities, Russians assume they are going to be tricked.

Putin himself is in a Teflon situation because he has made Russians feel as if their country is a great power again, Volkov said. For many Russians, hes the only politician who can be trusted to right a wrong. The manifestation of that sentiment is Putins annual direct line, a telethon that allows citizens to bring their complaints directly to the Kremlin leader.

[Putin, Russias grand inquisitor and fixer in chief]

This years direct line event is scheduled for Thursday. But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters last month that Putin, who approved the apartment project in February, will not intervene in the controversy between Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and the angry homeowners.

The city, which is calling its program a renovation, has published plans detailing the advantages of the new buildings over ones slated to be torn down. In an interview with the official TASS news agency Tuesday, Sobyanin said 90 percent of residents support the plan.

Opponents think the number of supporters is lower; they dont trust authorities to be honest about that. According to the draft law, the city will decide where the displaced owners will live and promises only to provide each owner a new apartment of equal size. There will be no extra compensation for money that owners have spent improving their homes.

Lawmakers on Friday amended the law to allow residents to choose cash payments instead of new homes, but the opponents do not trust officials to value their homes fairly. The State Duma, the lower house of parliament, has added guarantees that the new apartments will be in the same neighborhood, but opponents see the plan as a trick to move residents from central neighborhoods to distant peripheries. The legislators said the program, which will take 15 to 20 years to complete, will start with buildings in the worst condition.

Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, a former senior aide to Putin, said before the vote that the amendments should eliminate the friction.

Opponents were not buying it.

If they gave me money to buy the same apartment with the same repairs Ive made, in the same neighborhood, I might go along with it, Guggenberger said. But they are just taking my hard-earned property. How long will I have to work to get back to owning a place I love where I want to live?

Even people who support the relocation are concerned that the new housing will be of cheaper quality, said Yelena Shuvalova, one of the few members of the Moscow city legislature to oppose the relocation plan. Many of the five-story buildings slated for demolition are made of brick, which Muscovites see as better-quality construction than the massive concrete block structures being built to replace them.

People need green zones, trees, and not everyone wants to move to an upper floor, and they ask, Why are you moving me out of a brick house into a concrete block one?  Shuvalova said.

[Hallmarks of Soviet postwar building boom are finally meeting their demise]

Meanwhile, the city is allowing residents to vote on whether their buildings will be torn down, but the voting will end Thursday, just one day after the Duma is slated to give its final approval to the law.

Its like theyve already decided and our voice doesnt matter, said Irina Spiridonova, one of about 5,000 Muscovites who protested the relocation May 28. I was never into politics; I only got involved because it involves my home.

Some marchers wore prison-type clothing, others carried signs that said Renovation = Deportation and This is Moscow, not Mordor, a reference to residents of low-rise buildings viewing the high-rise apartments as towering monstrosities.

We know why the city wants our land, said one protester, who gave only her first name, Tatyana. Its valuable for developers.

Sobyanin, who is up for reelection in September 2018, told TASS he understood that some Muscovites think we are deceiving the people and wont live up to our promises, and he insisted that the city will make good on its commitments. Some news reports have suggested that the mayor was genuinely surprised by the reaction to what he figured would be a welcome initiative.

Some observers see in Putins unwillingness to get involved the hand of Russias construction lobby, builders and suppliers who have fallen on lean times because of a recession. According to a recent Transparency International report, the relocation project is a gift to them.

Gennady Gudkov, a reserve colonel in the former KGB and now a pro-democracy politician, went further, opining in a recent interview that the project amounts to a plan to further enrich powerful business owners in Putins inner circle.

This law was created so they could take property without any courts, he said. And then half of the money from the federal budget will be spent on kickbacks.

Putin, he said, isnt intervening because this is the system he built.

Natalya Abbakumova contributed to this report.

Read more:

The latest protest Moscow is trying to ignore: Thousands of angry truckers

Russias mass protests were a win for Navalny. How will the Kremlin respond?

Artists protest after police raid Russian directors house, theater

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
Customers shop Saturday at the Al Meera supermarket in the Qatari capital Doha. An economic blockade has caused food shortages in the city. (Stringer/AFP via Getty Images)

Hanan bought extra suitcases on Friday. The Egyptian doctor, who has lived in this energy-rich nation for four years, had already gone to her bank and transferred some of her savings to Egypt. And she went to her childrens schools to get their academic records.

Shes taking them  and any valuables she can carry  when she and her family fly to Cairo to see relatives in a few days. Thats because they may not return.

All the Egyptians here are feeling unstable, said the doctor, who declined to give her family name because she feared repercussions. We dont know what will happen. Maybe Qatar will ask us to leave or Egypt might ask us to come back.

Its been a week since several Arab countries  led by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt  severed ties and imposed an economic blockade on Qatar after they accused it of supporting terrorism. The mood in this waterside Persian Gulf capital is a mix of fear, uncertainty and resilience as residents struggle to cope with a political and diplomatic crisis few imagined would so dramatically upend their world.

On Friday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged the Saudi-led bloc to immediately ease the blockade, saying it has led to unintended consequences including food shortages, separated families and children being pulled out of school. He added that the blockade was also harming American and international businesses, while hindering U.S. military actions in the region and the campaign against the Islamic State.

[Trump seems to undercut Tillersons remarks on Qatar]

Less than an hour later, President Trump appeared to undermine Tillersons plea by telling reporters in Washington that Qatar has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level, an accusation Qatars government has strongly denied.

Members of the Saudi-led bloc welcomed Trumps demand that Qatar end its funding and its extremist ideology, but they have kept silent on Tillersons call to ease the economic pressure on the Gulf state. The UAE government in a statement Friday praised Trumps leadership in challenging Qatars troubling support for extremism.

Saudi Arabias official news agency reported Saturday on Tillersons briefing but made no mention of his description of the blockade as harmful to ordinary residents in Qatar or U.S. business and the fight against the Islamic State.

The Saudi-led bloc has severed links to Qatar  a nation heavily dependent on imports of food and other necessities  by land, sea and air. Member states have also given Qatari nationals living abroad two weeks to leave their countries, as well as for any of their own citizens to return from Qatar.

Human rights watchdog Amnesty International in a statement Friday said Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE are toying with the lives of thousands Gulf residents as part of their dispute with Qatar.

These drastic measures are already having a brutal effect, splitting children from parents and husbands from wives, said James Lynch, deputy director of the groups global issues program. People from across the region  not only from Qatar, but also from the states implementing these measures  risk losing jobs and having their education disrupted.

(The Washington Post)

We are worried about losing access to our relatives in other GCC countries, said Walaa El-Kadi, a Lebanese woman who has lived much of her life in Qatar. She was referring to the Gulf Cooperation Council, a body of six Persian Gulf countries that includes Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Mustafa, also from Lebanon, is worried, too. Hes a manager in a construction company, which this week has already faced delays in several projects. The firm used to bring raw materials and other goods over the border from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Now, with the border with Saudi Arabia closed and shipping lanes shut, the company is forced to turn to Germany, India and other nations for raw materials.

Were facing delays of at least two to three weeks, said Mustafa, who also feared giving his family name.

[Bahrain and UAE criminalize sympathy for Qatar]

Both Bahrain and the UAE have publicly declared it a crime, punishable by multiyear prison sentences, to show sympathy for Qatar or to criticize their governments policies toward Qatar on social media or any other means of communication.

At several supermarkets, there were some shortages of foods imported from Saudi Arabia, such as milk and yogurt. But the panic-driven long lines and hoarding seen earlier in the week was gone. There were now milk and juice from Turkey, a key ally of Qatar, on the shelves, mitigating the lack of products from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Still, there remain some concerns about the future availability of some foods.

Just now, when I was buying 12 kilograms of onions, they asked me if I really needed that much onions, said Haithem Elgamal, 19, referring to the workers in the Al Meera supermarket.

At Dohas Hamad International Airport, taxi drivers were fuming. Dozens of flights, mostly those of the national carrier Qatar Airways, had been suspended or rerouted. That meant fewer passengers arriving and fewer fares for the drivers. Its really bad, lamented one.

While some residents fear that war could erupt between Qatar and its neighbors, many Qataris were resilient, even defiant. Some patriotically placed Qatars flag in front of their houses, and there was a sense the diplomatic dispute could create long-term animosities.

I will never buy Saudi Arabian and UAE products again, said a Qatari man leaving the Al Meera supermarket. I will stay loyal to the people who support us now.

Elgamal was born in Qatar, but holds Egyptian citizenship. He said Qatar should remain independent and not kowtow to the demands of the Saudi-led bloc. I will not leave Qatar even if Egypt calls us back, he said. This is my first country.

For Hanan, the pressure is building day by day.

Her family and friends in Egypt are sending emails and Facebook messages every day, concerned about her safety.

A lot of her friends have postponed their trips, fearing they may not be able to return. Thats why shes carrying her most treasured possessions.

I could postpone the trip, but I am too scared to stay, she said.

Jia Naqvi in Doha also contributed to this report.

Read more

Three maps show how the Qatar crisis means trouble for Qatar Airways

Trump jumps into worsening dispute between Qatar and powerful Arab bloc

A day in Libyas capital, just as the civil war reignites

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Saturday that he will not appear before open congressional appropriations subcommittee hearings this week and will send his deputy instead. (Susan Walsh/AP)

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who had agreed to testify this week before the Senate and House appropriations subcommittees about the Justice Department budget, wrote the chairmen of the committees Saturday and said he was sending his deputy to testify instead.

Sessions was scheduled to testify before Congress on Tuesday for the first time since he was confirmed as attorney general in February. In light of former FBI director James B. Comeys testimony last week, Sessions was expected to get many questions from lawmakers about his contacts with Russian officials during the 2016 election campaign.

Sessions wrote to the two chairmen that he would testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday instead. A Justice Department official said that committee hearing probably will be closed to the public.

In early March, The Washington Post reported that Sessions twice met with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the campaign and did not disclose that to the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearing in January. The next day, Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation and said it would be overseen by his deputy attorney general, who last month appointed a special counsel to handle the probe.

[ Sessions recuses himself from Russia investigation probe]

(Victoria Walker/The Washington Post)

Sessions also was expected to get questions about his involvement in the firing of Comey and the news that he offered his resignation to President Trump at one point recently.

I previously accepted an invitation to testify on behalf of the Department of Justice before the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees about the departments FY18 budget, which funds the departments efforts in several important areas such as combating the opioid crisis and violent crime, Sessions wrote to Sen. Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala.), chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee on commerce, justice, science and related agencies, and Rep. John Abney Culberson (R-Tex.), chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee on commerce, justice, science and related agencies.

In light of reports regarding Mr. Comeys recent testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, it is important that I have an opportunity to address these matters in the appropriate forum, Sessions wrote. The Senate Intelligence Committee is the most appropriate forum for such matters, as it has been conducting an investigation and has access to relevant, classified information.

Comey testified Thursday that the bureau had information about Sessions  before he recused himself from overseeing the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election  that would have made it problematic for him to be involved in the probe.

[Comey said FBI information about Sessions would have made his involvement in Russia probe problematic]

Sessions wrote the chairmen that Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein will take his place before both the House and Senate subcommittees to testify about the Justice Departments budget.

Sessions said he was pleased to accept the invitation to appear before members of the Senate Select Committee on Tuesday. Spokesmen for the chairman and ranking minority member of the committee could not be reached to confirm whether the hearing will be open or closed to the public.
The pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May to step aside following a humiliating election result grew Saturday, with her two top aides resigning, a leading newspaper pronouncing her fatally wounded and a former minister acknowledging that Tories were plotting possible replacements via the messaging service WhatsApp.

The aides who resigned, Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy, Mays fiercely loyal co-chiefs of staff, had been widely blamed within the prime ministers Conservative Party for the lackluster campaign that ended with the Tories losing their majority in Parliament.

Their departures were seen Saturday as a Downing Street bid to stave off a far more dramatic resignation: that of the prime minister herself.

But it was unclear whether it would be enough, with some Conservatives acknowledging that May has effectively become a lame-duck leader following a vote that was supposed to give her a resounding mandate for the next five years, but instead morphed into a stinging rejection that could end her premiership within days.

[The U.K. election, explained: How to make sense of Britains latest vote]

(Jason Aldag/The Washington Post)

May has insisted she will not step aside, and will instead form a new government that will lead the country through the treacherous currents of the Brexit talks to come.

Several senior members of her Conservative Party have backed her, saying the country cant afford the chaos of starting to pick a new leader only days before negotiations with European leaders are to kick off.

But other senior Tories have been conspicuous in their silence, and behind the scenes the party has been engaged in fevered debate over whether to push for Mays ouster  if not now, then perhaps in several months after Britains E.U. divorce talks have launched.

If May does move out of 10 Downing Street, it would be the second time in the past year that Britain has been left leaderless after a Tory prime minister gambled and lost in calling a national vote.

May came to office last summer after her predecessor, David Cameron, called a referendum on an exit from the European Union, a move he opposed. The referendum passed, and Cameron resigned the next morning.

The question of whether May will stay on is taking longer to answer  at least in part because no one expected her to lose Thursday, and therefore no one in her party had prepared for the possibility of trying to topple her.

Downing Street announced Saturday night that the Conservatives had agreed in principle to a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland that will give May an extremely narrow majority in Parliament. While that technically means she has the necessary votes to carry on, she will have to step down if enough Tories move against her.

1 of 17 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  See photos of the scene in Britain during a snap election View Photos People head to the polls to vote for new government. Caption People head to the polls to vote for a new government. June 8, 2017 Britains Prime Minister Theresa May leaves with her husband, Philip, after voting in Maidenhead, England. Alastair Grant/AP Wait 1 second to continue.

The Conservatives have a long history of unsentimentally sacking their leaders  Margaret Thatcher among them  when they have become more liability than asset.

In an indication of just how quickly the mood in the Tory inner sanctum was turning against May, a former senior Downing Street aide told the BBC Saturday morning that Mays office had been dysfunctional and toxic.

Katie Perrior, who was until recently the prime ministers director of communications, also implied that May was out of her depth after being elevated from home secretary to prime minister last July.

Trying to make that change to Number 10 was more difficult than she possibly anticipated, Perrior said.

Perrior called May a good person, but blamed Hill and Timothy, who have been the prime ministers closest advisers and were at the heart of a Downing Street operation that many in the party saw as controlling and exclusionary.

The BBC reported that May had been warned by senior Tory lawmakers that unless Hill and Timothy were ousted, the prime minister would face an internal party challenge to her leadership by Monday morning.

In her resignation statement, Hill said she had no doubt at all that Theresa May will continue to serve and work hard as prime minister  and do it brilliantly.

The exits of Hill and Timothy were publicly cheered by Tory lawmaker Nigel Evans, who wrote on Twitter that resignations of advisors must be the start - inclusive style of governance must follow.

But others dismissed the move as a stalling tactic that doesnt address the real problem in Mays government: May herself.

[Another way Britains vote made history: More women than ever before were just elected]

Until the early hours of Friday, when the disastrous results came into focus, she had enjoyed overwhelming popularity among the Tory rank-and-file. But that seems to have already changed.

An unscientific poll of party members by the ConservativeHome website, a popular gathering spot for Tory activists, showed that 60 percent wanted May to step down.

The mood was reflected in the Saturday papers, which made for grim reading for May after the shock of Friday, with even her most fawning outlets piling on blame.

The Daily Mail, an anti-immigrant, nationalist tabloid that has spent the past year cheering on May, published a photo of a graven-faced prime minister along with the headline Tories Turn on Theresa.

The Times of London, a beacon of establishment conservatism that had enthusiastically endorsed the prime minister, published an editorial arguing that she had created a national emergency by misjudging the mood of the country and that she was now left fatally wounded.

If she does not realize this it is another grave misjudgment, the paper wrote. More likely, she is steeling herself to provide what continuity she can as her party girds itself for an election to replace her.

That seemed to be well underway Saturday. Former minister Ed Vaizey told the BBC that he supports May staying on, but that Tories were discussing possible replacements. Asked whether members were calling one another to plot Mays ouster this weekend, he denied it.

Thats so 20th century, he said. Its all on WhatsApp.

Few Tories have publicly demanded that she step aside. But the defenses of the prime minister have been notably muted. Most have argued less that May is the right person for the job than that now  with Brexit talks only days away -- is not the right time for her to step down.

Voters do not want further months of uncertainty and upheaval, William Hague, a former party leader and former foreign secretary, wrote in the Telegraph. They want to see ministers getting on with the job, while acknowledging democracy and their constrained circumstances.

[What Theresa Mays tepid win means for Britain]

Other top Conservatives  including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson  have been all but invisible since the election, prompting speculation that they are at least considering launching a challenge to May.

Phillip Lee, a junior minister under May, said in an interview that he did not believe she should step down, but that the government would have to respond to the voters will by changing its direction on crucial issues  including Brexit, where he said a softer approach may be required than the hard break May has pitched.

Voters dont accept what we put before them, he said. We need to think again and come back with a fresh approach.

Lee said he did not sense a strong push to remove her now among Tory lawmakers. But, he acknowledged, maybe Im in the wrong WhatsApp group.

Under Conservative Party rules, it takes support from at least 48 out of the partys 318 parliamentarians to trigger a leadership contest. The selection process would last months, with the partys lawmakers first winnowing the field to two and then rank-and-file members choosing between the finalists, one of whom would become the new prime minister.

May was quiet on Saturday, a day after delivering a defiant speech in front of Downing Street in which she vowed to carry on and made no mention of the crushing election results delivered only hours earlier.

On Saturday evening, the prime ministers office announced a new chief of staff -- former minister Gavin Barwell  and at least the basis for a deal in which the Democratic Unionists will support May, but not formally join her government.

May has said she intends to press ahead with Brexit talks, which are due to begin June 19 and need to be completed by March 2019.

E.U. leaders have been impatient to start the negotiations, a point underlined by German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday, who said there would be no delay  political upheaval in London not withstanding.

In the next few days these talks will begin, she told reporters while on a visit to Mexico. We will defend the interests of the 27 member states, and Britain will defend its own interests.

Read more:

Pledging to keep Britain safe, Theresa May faces an uncomfortable reality

With Mays tumble, Trumps European allies not faring well at the polls

After shocking British vote result, Europe ponders fate of Brexit negotiations

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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It was March 2020, and the world was closing down as the COVID-19 pandemic spread. At first, the news of...
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.
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions. It also offers ProxyEdge, an electronic proxy delivery and voting solution; data-driven solutions and an end-to-end platform for content management, composition, and omni-channel distribution of regulatory, marketing, and transactional information, as well as mutual fund trade processing services; data and analytics solutions; solutions for public corporations and mutual funds; SEC filing and capital markets transaction services; registrar, stock transfer, and record-keeping services; and omni-channel customer communications solutions, as well as operates Broadridge Communications Cloud platform that creates, delivers, and manages communications and customer engagement activities. The company's Global Technology and Operations segment provides solutions that automate the front-to-back transaction lifecycle of equity, mutual fund, fixed income, foreign exchange and exchange-traded derivatives, order capture and execution, trade confirmation, margin, cash management, clearance and settlement, reference data management, reconciliations, securities financing and collateral management, asset servicing, compliance and regulatory reporting, portfolio accounting, and custody-related services. This segment also offers business process outsourcing services; technology solutions, such portfolio management, compliance, fee billing, and operational support solutions; and capital market and wealth management solutions. The company was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Lake Success, New York.
Schlumberger Limited provides technology for the energy industry worldwide. The company operates through four divisions: Digital & Integration, Reservoir Performance, Well Construction, and Production Systems. It offers software, information management, and IT infrastructure services; consulting services for reservoir characterization, field development planning, and production enhancement; petro technical data services and training solutions; reservoir interpretation and data processing services; asset performance solutions; open and cased-hole services; exploration and production pressure and flow-rate measurement services; pressure pumping, well stimulation, and coiled tubing equipment for downhole mechanical well intervention, reservoir monitoring, and downhole data acquisition; and integrated production systems. The company also provides mud logging and engineering support services; drilling equipment and services for shipyards, drilling contractors, energy companies, and rental tool companies; land drilling rigs and related services; drilling tools; well cementing products and services; and well planning and drilling, engineering, supervision, logistics, procurement, contracting, and drilling rig management services, as well as supplies engineered drilling fluid systems; and designs, manufactures, and markets roller cone and fixed cutter drill bits. In addition, it offers well completion services and equipment; artificial lift production equipment and optimization services; valves; process systems; and integrated subsea production systems comprising wellheads, subsea trees, manifolds and flowline connectors, control systems, connectors, and services, as well as designs and manufactures onshore and offshore platform wellhead systems and processing solutions. The company was formerly known as Societe de Prospection Electrique. Schlumberger Limited was founded in 1926 and is based in Houston, Texas.
The following companies are subsidiares of Thermo Fisher Scientific: 236 Perinton Parkway LLC, 27 Forge Parkway LLC, ABR--Affinity BioReagents, ACI Holdings Inc., ARG Services LLC, ASPEX Corporation, Abgene Inc., Abgene Limited, Acoustic Cytometry Systems Inc., AcroMetrix LLC, Acros Organics B.V.B.A., Advanced Biotechnologies Limited, Advanced Scientifics (ASI), Advanced Scientifics Inc., Advanced Scientifics International Inc., Affymetrix Biotech Participacoes Ltda., Affymetrix Biotech Shanghai Ltd, Affymetrix Inc, Affymetrix Japan K.K., Affymetrix Pte Ltd, Affymetrix UK Ltd, Afora S.A.U., Ahura Scientific, Alchematrix Inc., Alchematrix LLC, Alfa Aesar, Alfa Aesar (China) Chemical Co. Ltd., Alfa Aesar (Hong Kong) Limited, Allergon AB, Alphine Mountain Limited, Ambion Inc., Apogent Denmark ApS, Apogent Finance Company, Apogent Holding Company, Apogent Technologies Inc., Apogent Transition Corp., Apogent U.K. Limited, App-Tek International Pty Ltd, Applied Biosystems B.V., Applied Biosystems Finance B.V., Applied Biosystems International Inc., Applied Biosystems LLC, Applied Biosystems Taiwan LLC, Applied Biosystems Trading (Shanghai) Company Ltd., Applied Biosystems de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Applied Scientific Corporation, Avances Cientificos de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Avocado Research Chemicals Limited, B.R.A.H.M.S. Biotech GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. UK Ltd, BAC BV, BAC IP BV, Barnstead Thermolyne LLC, Beijing Phadia Diagnostics Co Ltd, Bender MedSystems GmbH, BioTrove Corporation, BioTrove International Inc., Bioanalysis Labsystems S.A., Biochemical Sciences LLC, Biolab, BmT GmbH Laborprodukte, Bonsai Tecnologies - Sistemas para Biotecnologia e Industria Unipessoal Lda, Brammer Bio, Bumi-Sans Sendirian Berhad, CAC Limited, CB Diagnostics AB, CB Diagnostics Holding AB, CEPH International Corporation, CHK Holdings Inc., CRS Robotics, CTPS LLC, Capitol Scientific Products Inc., Capitol Vial Inc., Cellomics Inc., CellzDirect Inc., Cenduit GmbH, Cenduit LLC, Cezanne S.A.S., Chase Scientific Glass Inc., Chromacol Limited, Clintrak, Clintrak Clinical Labeling Services LLC, Clintrak Pharmaceutical Services LLC, Cohesive Technologies (UK) Limited, Cohesive Technologies Inc., Columbia Diagnostics Inc., Compendia Bioscience Inc., Comtest Limited, Consolidated Technologies Inc., Consultores Fisher Scientific Chile Ltd, Core Informatics, Core Informatics LLC, Core Informatics UK Ltd., D-finitive Technologies Inc., DCG Systems B.V., DCG Systems C.V., DCG Systems G.K., DCG Systems GmbH, DCG Systems Korea Ltd., DCG Systems LLC, DPI Newco LLC, DSM Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Dharmacon, Diagnostix Ltd., Dionex (China) Analytical Ltd, Dionex (Switzerland) AG, Dionex (UK) Limited, Dionex Austria GmbH, Dionex Benelux B.V., Dionex Brasil Instrumentos Cientificos Ltda, Dionex Canada Ltd., Dionex China Limited, Dionex Corporation, Dionex Denmark A/S, Dionex Holding GmbH, Dionex I LLC, Dionex Pty Ltd., Dionex S.A., Dionex S.p.A., Dionex Singapore Pte Ltd., Dionex Softron GmbH, Dionex Sweden AB, Distribution Solutions International Inc., Doe & Ingalls Investors Inc., Doe & Ingalls Limited, Doe & Ingalls Management LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties II LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties LLC, Doe & Ingalls of California Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Florida Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Maryland Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Massachusetts Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of North Carolina Operating LLC, Doublecape Holding Limited, Doublecape Limited, Drakeside Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Duke Scientific Corporation, Dynal Biotech Beijing Limited, EGS Gauging Ltd., EGS Gauging Technical Services Company, EP Scientific Products LLC, Ecochem N.V., EnviroEquip Pty Ltd, Epsom Glass Industries Limited, Equibio Limited, Erie Electroverre S.A., Erie Finance Limited, Erie LP Holding LLC, Erie Scientific Company of Puerto Rico, Erie Scientific Hungary Kft, Erie Scientific LLC, Erie U.K. Limited, Erie UK 1 Limited, Erie UK 2 Limited, Erie UK Holding Company, Erie UK Senior Holding Limited, European Laboratory Holdings Limited, Eutech Instruments Europe B.V., Eutech Instruments Pte Ltd., Eutech Instruments Sdn Bhd, Ever Ready Thermometer Co. Inc., FEI Asia Pacific Co. Ltd., FEI Australia Pty Ltd, FEI CPD B.V., FEI Company, FEI Company Japan Ltd., FEI Company of USA (S.E.A.) Pte Ltd., FEI Czech Republic s.r.o., FEI Deutschland GmbH, FEI EFA Inc., FEI EFA International Pte. Ltd., FEI Electron Optics B.V., FEI Electron Optics International B.V., FEI Europe B.V., FEI France SAS, FEI Global Holdings C.V., FEI Hong Kong Company Limited, FEI Houston Inc., FEI Italia Srl, FEI Korea Ltd., FEI Melbourne Pty Ltd., FEI Microscopy Solutions Ltd, FEI Munich GmbH, FEI Norway Holding AS, FEI SAS, FEI Saudi Arabia LLC, FEI Servicos de Nanotecnologia Ltda., FEI Technologies Inc., FEI Technology de Mexico S.A. de C.V., FEI Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., FEI Trondheim AS, FEI UK Ltd., FHP LLC, FRC Holding Inc. V, FS (Barbados) Capital Holdings Ltd., FS Casa Rocas Holdings LLC, FS Mexicana Holdings LLC, FSI Receivables Company LLC, FSII Sweden Holdings AB, FSII Sweden Holdings I AB, FSIR Holdings (UK) Limited, FSIR Holdings (US) Inc., FSUK Holdings Limited, FSWH Company LLC, FSWH II C.V., FSWH International Holdings LLC, Fermentas China Co. Ltd, Fermentas Inc., Fermentas International, Fermentas Sweden AB, Fermentas UK Limited, Fiberlite Centrifuge LLC, Finesse Scientific Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Finesse Solutions AG, Finesse Solutions Inc., Finnzymes Oy, Fisher Alder S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Asia Manufacturing Ventures Inc., Fisher Bermuda Holdings Limited, Fisher BioImage ApS, Fisher BioPharma Services (India) Private Limited, Fisher BioSciences Japan G.K., Fisher BioServices Inc., Fisher Bioblock Holding II SNC, Fisher CLP Holding Limited Partnership, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 1, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 2, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 3, Fisher Canada Limited Partnership, Fisher Chimica BVBA, Fisher Clinical Logistics LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services (Bristol) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Colombia) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Korea) Co. Ltd, Fisher Clinical Services (Mexico) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Peru) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services Colombia S.A.S., Fisher Clinical Services GmbH, Fisher Clinical Services Inc., Fisher Clinical Services Japan K.K., Fisher Clinical Services Latin America S.R.L., Fisher Clinical Services Limited Liability Company, Fisher Clinical Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Clinical Services Peru S.R.L, Fisher Clinical Services Pte Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services U.K. Limited, Fisher Emergo B.V., Fisher Germany Holdings GmbH, Fisher Hamilton China Inc., Fisher Hamilton Mexico LLC, Fisher Holdings ApS, Fisher Internet Minority Holdings L.L.C., Fisher Laboratory Products Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Fisher Luxembourg Danish Holdings SARL, Fisher Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Maybridge Holdings Limited, Fisher Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific (Austria) GmbH, Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Fisher Scientific (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific (SEA) Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific A/S, Fisher Scientific AG, Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Limited, Fisher Scientific Biotech Line ApS, Fisher Scientific Brazil Inc., Fisher Scientific Central America Inc., Fisher Scientific Chile Inc., Fisher Scientific Colombia Inc., Fisher Scientific Company, Fisher Scientific Company L.L.C., Fisher Scientific Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Fisher Scientific Europe Holdings B.V., Fisher Scientific GTF AB, Fisher Scientific Germany Beteiligungs GmbH, Fisher Scientific GmbH, Fisher Scientific Holding Company LLC, Fisher Scientific Holding HK Limited, Fisher Scientific Holding U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific Holdings (S) Pte Ltd, Fisher Scientific International LLC, Fisher Scientific Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Fisher Scientific Ireland Investments Unlimited, Fisher Scientific Ireland Limited, Fisher Scientific Japan Ltd., Fisher Scientific Jersey Island Limited, Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd, Fisher Scientific Latin America Inc., Fisher Scientific Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Fisher Scientific Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific Mexico Inc., Fisher Scientific Middle East and Africa Inc., Fisher Scientific Norway AS, Fisher Scientific Operating Company, Fisher Scientific Oxoid Holdings Ltd., Fisher Scientific Oy, Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific S.A.S., Fisher Scientific S.L., Fisher Scientific SPRL, Fisher Scientific The Hague I B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague II B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague III B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague IV B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague V B.V., Fisher Scientific U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company 2, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company Limited, Fisher Scientific Unipessoal Lda., Fisher Scientific Venezuela Inc., Fisher Scientific Worldwide (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Holdings I C.V., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Inc., Fisher Scientific de Mexico S.A., Fisher Scientific of the Netherlands B.V., Fisher Scientific spol. S.r.o, Fisher Servicios Clinicos (Chile) LLC, Fisher Servicios Clinicos Chile Ltda, Fisher WWD Holding L.L.C., Fisher Worldwide Distribution SPV, Fisher Worldwide Gene Distribution SPV, Flux Instruments, Fuji Partnership, G & M Procter Limited, G V Instruments Limited, GV Instruments Canada Ltd., GV Instruments Inc, Gatan Inc, General Scientific Company Sdn Bhd (M), Genomed molekularbiologische und diagnostische Produkte GmbH, Gerhard Menzel B.V. & Co. KG, Gold Cattle Standard Testing Labs Inc., Golden West Indemnity Company Limited, Goring Kerr Detection Limited, Greenville Service Company Inc., HENO GmbH i.L., Hangar 215 Inc., Helmet Securities Limited, Henogen, HighChem, HyClone International Trade (Tianjin) Co. Ltd, Hybaid Limited, I.Q. (BIO) Limited, IDnostics AG, ILS Laboratories Scandinavia AB, Inel Inc., Inel SAS, InnaPhase Inc., InnaPhase Limited, IntegenX, Intrinsic BioProbes Inc., Intrinsic Bioprobes Inc., Invitrogen (Shanghai) Investment Co. Ltd., Invitrogen Argentina SA, Invitrogen BioServices India Private Limited, Invitrogen Europe Limited, Invitrogen Finance Corp., Invitrogen Holdings LLC, Invitrogen Holdings Ltd., Invitrogen Hong Kong Limited, Invitrogen IP Holdings Inc., Invitrogen Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ion Torrent Systems Inc., Ionalytics Corporation, JSC Thermo Fisher Scientific, Jouan LLC, Jouan Limited, Jouan SA, Kendro Containment & Services Limited, Kendro Laboratory Products Ltd, Kettlebrook Insurance Co. ltd., Keystone Scientific, KonTEM GmbH, Kyle Jordan Investments LLC, LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, LTC Tech South Africa PTY Ltd., La-Pha-Pack GmbH, Lab Vision (UK) Limited, Lab Vision Corporation, Lab-Chrom-Pack LLC, Lab-Line Instruments Inc., Labomex MBP S. de R. L. De C.V., Laboratoire Service International - L.S.I, Laboratory Management Systems Inc., Laboratory Specialties Proprietary Ltd., LambTrack Limited, Laser Analytical Systems Inc., Liberty Lane Investment LLC, Liberty Lane Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Life Sciences International (Poland) SP z O.O, Life Sciences International Holdings BV, Life Sciences International LLC, Life Sciences International Limited, Life Technologies AS, Life Technologies Australia PTY Ltd., Life Technologies BPD AB, Life Technologies BPD UK Limited, Life Technologies Brasil Comercio e Industria de Produtos para Biotecnologia Ltda, Life Technologies Chile SpA, Life Technologies Clinical Services Lab Inc., Life Technologies Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Czech Republic s.r.o., Life Technologies DaAn Diagnostic (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Europe B.V., Life Technologies Finance Ltd., Life Technologies Finland Oy, Life Technologies GmbH, Life Technologies Holdings PTE Ltd., Life Technologies Inc., Life Technologies International B.V., Life Technologies Japan Ltd., Life Technologies Korea LLC, Life Technologies Limited, Life Technologies Magyarorszag Kft, Life Technologies New Zealand Ltd., Life Technologies Norway Investments US LLC, Life Technologies Polska Sp z.o.o., Life Technologies SA, Life Technologies SAS, Life Technologies s.r.o, Linkage Biosciences Inc., Linkage Biosciences S.a.r.l., Loftus Furnace Company, Lomb Scientific, Lomb Scientific (Aust) Pty Limited, MTI-GlobalStem, Marketbase International Limited, Matrix MicroScience Inc., Matrix MicroScience Ltd., Matrix Technologies Corporation Limited, Matrix Technologies LLC, Maybridge Chemical Company Limited, Maybridge Chemical Holdings Limited, Maybridge Limited, Medical Analysis Systems Inc., Medical Analysis Systems International Inc., Medical Diagnostics Systems Inc., Metavac LLC, Microgenics Corporation, Microgenics Diagnostics Pty Limited, Microgenics GmbH, Microm International GmbH, Microm Laborgerate S.L.U, Molecular BioProducts Inc., Molecular Probes Inc., Molecular Transfer Inc., NAPCO Inc., NERL Diagnostics LLC, NOVODIRECT GmbH Labor- und Industrie- Megerate, Nalge (Europe) Limited, Nalge Nunc International (Monterrey) LLC, Nalge Nunc International Corporation, Nanjing WeiKangLe Trading Industrial Co Ltd, NanoDrop Technologies LLC, National Scientific Company, Navaho Acquisition Corp., Neomarkers Inc., New FS Holdings Inc., NewcoGen PE LLC, Nihon Dynal K.K., Niton Asia Limited, NovaWave Technologies Inc., Nunc A/S, ONIX Systems Inc., OXOID CZ s.r.o., Odyssey Holdings Corporation, Odyssey Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 1 S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 2 S.a r.l., Odyssey Venture Corporation, Omega Data Systems, One Lambda Inc, Onix Holdings Limited, Orme Scientific Limited, Owl Separation Systems LLC, Oxoid (ELY) Limited, Oxoid 2000 Limited, Oxoid AS, Oxoid Australia Pty. Limited, Oxoid Company, Oxoid Deutschland GmbH, Oxoid Holding SAS, Oxoid Holdings Limited, Oxoid Inc., Oxoid International Limited, Oxoid Investments GmbH, Oxoid Limited, Oxoid N.V., Oxoid New Zealand Limited, Oxoid Pension Trustees Limited, Oxoid Senior Holdings Limited, Oxoid UKH LLC, PAX - DSI Acquisition LLC, PE AG, Pacific Rim Far East Industries LLC, Pacific Rim Investment LLC, Panomics L.L.C., Panomics S.R.L., Patheon, Patheon API Inc., Patheon API Manufacturing Inc., Patheon API Services Inc., Patheon Austria GmbH & Co KG, Patheon B.V., Patheon Banner U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon Biologics (NJ) LLC, Patheon Biologics Australia Pty Ltd, Patheon Biologics B.V., Patheon Biologics LLC, Patheon Calculus Merger LLC, Patheon Cooperatief U.A., Patheon Development Services Inc., Patheon Finance LLC, Patheon France SAS, Patheon Holdings B.V., Patheon Holdings I B.V., Patheon Holdings II B.V., Patheon Holdings SAS, Patheon I B.V., Patheon I Holding GmbH, Patheon Inc., Patheon International AG, Patheon Italia S.p.A., Patheon KK, Patheon Life Science Products International GmbH, Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC, Patheon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Patheon Pharmaceuticals Services Inc., Patheon Puerto Rico Acquisitions Corporation, Patheon Puerto Rico Inc., Patheon Regensburg GmbH, Patheon Softgels B.V., Patheon Softgels Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings LLC, Patheon UK Limited, Patheon UK Pension Trustees Limited, Pelican Acquisition Corporation, Perbio Science (Canada) Company, Perbio Science AB, Perbio Science BVBA, Perbio Science France SAS, Perbio Science Inc., Perbio Science International Netherlands B.V., Perbio Science Invest AB, Perbio Science Nederland B.V., Perbio Science Projekt AB, Perbio Science Sweden Holdings AB, Perbio Science Switzerland SA, Perbio Science UK Limited, Phadia AB, Phadia Diagnosticos Ltda, Phadia GmbH, Phadia Holding AB, Phadia International Holdings C.V., Phadia Korea Co. Ltd, Phadia Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Phadia Malta Holdings Limited, Phadia Oy, Phadia Real Property AB, Phadia Sweden AB, Phadia Taiwan Inc., Phadia US Inc., Phadia s.r.o., Pharmacaps Mexicana SA de CV, Phenom-World B.V., Phenom-World Holding B.V, Phenom-World Innovations B.V., Phinotex, Pierce Biotechnology Inc., Pierce Milwaukee Holding Corp., Pierce Milwaukee Inc., Polychromix, Power Sweden Holdings I AB, Power Sweden Holdings II AB, Power Sweden Holdings III Aktiebolag, Princeton Gamma-Tech Instruments LLC, Princeton Security Technologies, Prionics AG, Prionics Asia Ltd., Prionics Deutschland GmbH, Prionics France SAS, Prionics Italia S.r.l., Prionics Lelystad B.V., Prionics USA Inc., Priority Air Express LLC, Priority Air Express Pte. Ltd., Priority Air Express UK Limited, Priority Air Holdings Corp, Priority Solutions International, Promedica Pty Limited, Proxeon, Proxeon Biosystems ApS, Qiagen, REP GBP I-B Blocker Inc., Raymond A Lamb Limited, Remel Europe Limited, Remel Inc., Richard-Allan Scientific Company, Robbins Scientific LLC, Robocon Labor- und Industrieroboter Gesellschaft m.b.H, Rupprecht and Patashnick, Rupprecht and Patashnick (R&P), Russell pH Limited, S.C.I. du 10 rue Dugay Trouin, SCI Inno 92, STC Bio Manufacturing Inc., Samco Scientific (Monterrey) LLC, Samco Scientific LLC, Saroph Sweden AB, Schantz Road LLC, Seradyn Inc., Shanghai Life Technologies Biotechnology Co. Limited, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (C-I) Trading Co. Ltd, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (S) Trading Co. Ltd, Southern Trials (Pty) Ltd., Specialty (SMI) Inc., Spectra-Physics AB, Spectra-Physics Holdings Limited, Spectra-Physics Holdings USA LLC, Spectronex, Staten Island Cogeneration Corporation, Sterilin Limited, Stokes Bio Ltd., Sweden DIA (Sweden) AB, SwissAnalytic Group GmbH, Systems Manufacturing Corporation, TFLP LLC, TFS Breda B.V., TFS LLC, TFS Singapore HK Limited, TFSL Financing GP LLC, TFSL Senior GP Holdings 2 LLC, TK Partnership, TKA Wasseraufbereitungssysteme, TMOI Inc., TPI Real Estate Holdings LLC, TSP Holdings I LLC, TWX LLC, Technology Design Solutions Pty Ltd, Thermedics Detection de Argentina S.R.L, Thermo Allen Coding Limited, Thermo Asset Management Services Inc., Thermo BioAnalysis LLC, Thermo BioAnalysis Limited, Thermo BioSciences Holdings LLC, Thermo CIDTEC, Thermo CRS Holdings Ltd., Thermo CRS Ltd., Thermo Cambridge Limited, Thermo Cayman Holdings Ltd., Thermo Corporation, Thermo DMA Inc., Thermo Detection de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Dutch Holdings Limited Partnership, Thermo EGS Gauging LLC, Thermo Eberline Holdings I LLC, Thermo Eberline Holdings II LLC, Thermo Eberline LLC, Thermo Electron (Calgary) Limited, Thermo Electron (Chile) S.p.A., Thermo Electron (Karlsruhe) GmbH, Thermo Electron (Management Services) Limited, Thermo Electron (Proprietary) Limited, Thermo Electron A/S, Thermo Electron Australia Pty Limited, Thermo Electron Export Inc., Thermo Electron Holdings SAS, Thermo Electron Industries, Thermo Electron LED GmbH, Thermo Electron LED S.A.S., Thermo Electron Limited, Thermo Electron Manufacturing Limited, Thermo Electron Metallurgical Services Inc., Thermo Electron North America LLC, Thermo Electron Pension Trust GmbH, Thermo Electron Puerto Rico Inc., Thermo Electron SAS, Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLC, Thermo Electron Sweden AB, Thermo Electron Sweden Forvaltning AB, Thermo Electron Weighing & Inspection Limited, Thermo Elemental Limited, Thermo Environmental Instruments LLC, Thermo Fast U.K. Limited, Thermo Finland Holdings LLC, Thermo Finland Holdings MT1 B.V., Thermo Finland Holdings MT2 B.V., Thermo Finnigan LLC, Thermo Finnigan Limited, Thermo Fisher (CN) Luxembourg Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher (CN) Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher (CN) Malta Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher (CN-I) Luxembourg LLC, Thermo Fisher (CN-II) Luxembourg LLC, Thermo Fisher (Cayman) Holdings I Ltd., Thermo Fisher (Cayman) Holdings II Ltd., Thermo Fisher (Finland Holdings 2) LLC, Thermo Fisher (Finland Holdings) Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher (Gibraltar) II Limited, Thermo Fisher (Gibraltar) Limited, Thermo Fisher (Heysham) Limited, Thermo Fisher (Kandel) GmbH, Thermo Fisher CHK Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher China Business Trust, Thermo Fisher China Business Trust II, Thermo Fisher Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Thermo Fisher Cyprus Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Detection Mexico LLC, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics (Ireland) Limited, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AB, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AG, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AS, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Aps, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Austria GmbH, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics B.V., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics GmbH, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics K.K., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Limited, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics NV, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics S.L.U., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics S.p.A. , Thermo Fisher Diagnostics SAS, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Thermo Fisher Eurobonds Ltd., Thermo Fisher Financial Services Inc., Thermo Fisher GP LLC, Thermo Fisher German Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Germany B.V., Thermo Fisher India Divestco Private Limited, Thermo Fisher India Holding B.V., Thermo Fisher Insurance Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Insurance Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Thermo Fisher Israel Ltd., Thermo Fisher Production et Services SAS, Thermo Fisher Project Cyprus LLC, Thermo Fisher Re Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Australia) C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Barbados) Holdings Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Breda) Holding BV, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific (CN) Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific (China) Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (China) Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (China-HK) Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (DE) Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Ecublens) SARL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance I) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance I) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance II) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance III) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance III) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Fuji) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Holding II) B.V. & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (IVGN) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (IVGN) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Johannesburg) (Proprietary) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mexico City) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Milwaukee) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mississauga) Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Monterrey) S. De R.L. De C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (NK) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) Austria Holding GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) UK LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) UK Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN-I) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN-II) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN1) UK Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Panama) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Panama) Dutch LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Praha) s.r.o., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Real Estate 1) GmbH & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Real Estate 1) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Schweiz) AG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Shanghai) Instruments Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Suzhou) Instruments Co. Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific AL-1 LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific AU II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Africa Proprietary Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Aquasensors LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific B.V.B.A., Thermo Fisher Scientific BHK (I) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific BHK (II) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics UAB, Thermo Fisher Scientific Beteiligungsverwaltungs GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Biosciences Corp., Thermo Fisher Scientific Brahms LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Brasil Instrumentos de Processo Ltda., Thermo Fisher Scientific Brasil Servicos de Logistica Ltda, Thermo Fisher Scientific C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cayman Investments LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Chemicals Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific China (C-I) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific China (S) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings I B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings III B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings IV B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Chromatography Holdings Aps, Thermo Fisher Scientific Chromatography Holdings S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus I Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus II Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus III C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus III Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus IV C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus V C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Denmark Senior Holdings ApS, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie 1 Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie Financing S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Europe GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC Finance C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSIR Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSIR Financing S.a.r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSUKHCO Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Falcon Senior Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Finance Company BV, Thermo Fisher Scientific GENEART GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Germany BV & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific HR Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings (Cayman) I, Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings (Cayman) II , Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings Europe Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific IT Services GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific India Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific India Pvt Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Malta) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Sweden) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Sweden) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments Malta (Sweden Financing) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Invitrogen Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings I B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings III B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific K.K., Thermo Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific LSI Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life CV GP Holdings II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life CV GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Enterprises C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Enterprises GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing (Cayman), Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings III C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International Holdings I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments I S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments III S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments IV S.a.r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta Holding I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta Holding II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments US Financing I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments US Financing II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life NL Holdings GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Netherlands Holding C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior GP Holdings II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Switzerland Holdings GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Tech Korea Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Enterprise Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment UK I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment UK II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investments Holding LP, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Israel Investment I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Israel Investment II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Luxembourg Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Enterprise Holdings S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg German Holdings S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Life Technologies UK Holding S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Sweden Holdings I S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Sweden Holdings II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Venture Holdings I S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Venture Holdings II S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Malta Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Messtechnik GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Mexico City S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Middle East Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Milano Srl, Thermo Fisher Scientific NHK Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific New Zealand Holdings, Thermo Fisher Scientific New Zealand Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Norway Holdings AS, Thermo Fisher Scientific Norway US Investments LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Odyssey Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Odyssey Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Operating Company LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy, Thermo Fisher Scientific PN2 C.V, Thermo Fisher Scientific PN2 LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Panama I Cayman Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Peru S.R.L., Thermo Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Re Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific SL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Senior Financing LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Senior Holdings Australia LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific South Africa Proprietary Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific SpA, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Holdings Luxembourg I S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Holdings Luxembourg II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Investments Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Switzerland Holdings C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific TR Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Taiwan Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific West Palm Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Wissenschaftliche Gerate GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Worldwide Investments (Cayman), Thermo Fisher Scientific eCommerce Solutions LLC , Thermo Fisher Senior Canada Holdings LLC, Thermo Foundation Inc., Thermo Gamma-Metrics Holdings Pty Ltd., Thermo Gamma-Metrics LLC, Thermo Gamma-Metrics Pty Ltd, Thermo Holding European Operations LLC, Thermo Hypersil Ltd, Thermo Hypersil-Keystone LLC, Thermo Informatics Asia Pacific Pty Ltd., Thermo Instrument Controls de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Thermo Kevex X-Ray LLC, Thermo Keytek LLC, Thermo LabSystems Inc., Thermo LabSystems S.A., Thermo Life Science International Trading (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Thermo Life Sciences AB, Thermo Luxembourg Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Thermo MF Physics LLC, Thermo Measurement Ltd, Thermo Measuretech Canada Inc., Thermo Neslab LLC, Thermo Nicolet Limited, Thermo Onix Limited, Thermo Optek (Australia) Pty Ltd., Thermo Optek Limited, Thermo Optek S.A., Thermo Orion Inc., Thermo Portable Holdings LLC, Thermo Power Corporation, Thermo Process Instruments GP LLC, Thermo Process Instruments L.P., Thermo Projects Limited, Thermo Quest S.A., Thermo Radiometrie Limited, Thermo Ramsey Italia S.r.l., Thermo Ramsey LLC, Thermo Ramsey S.A., Thermo Re Ltd., Thermo Scientific Microbiology Pte Ltd., Thermo Scientific Microbiology Sdn Bhd, Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc., Thermo Scientific Services Inc., Thermo Securities Corporation, Thermo Sentron Canada Inc., Thermo Sentron Limited, Thermo Shandon Inc., Thermo Shandon Limited, Thermo Suomi Holding B.V., Thermo TLH (UK) Limited, Thermo TLH L.P., Thermo Trace Pty Ltd., Thermo-Fisher Biochemical Product (Beijing) Co. Ltd., ThermoLase LLC, ThermoSpectra Limited, Trek Diagnostic Systems LLC, Trek Diagnostic Systems Ltd., Trek Holding Company II Ltd., Trek Holding Company Ltd., Trex Medical Corporation, USB Corporation, Union Lab Supplies Limited, United Diagnostics Inc., VG Systems Limited, Westover Scientific Inc., ZAO PE Biosystems, eBioscience GmbH, eBioscience Ltd, eBioscience SAS, and picoSpin LLC.

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Coeur Mining, Inc. explores for precious metals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company primarily explores for gold, silver, zinc, and lead properties. It holds 100% interests in the Palmarejo gold and silver mine covering an area of approximately 67,296 net acres located in the State of Chihuahua in Northern Mexico; the Rochester silver and gold mine that covers an area of approximately 43,441net acres situated in northwestern Nevada; the Kensington gold mine comprising 3,972 net acres located to the north of Juneau, Alaska; the Wharf gold mine covering an area of approximately 3,243 net acres situated in the northern Black Hills of western South Dakota; and the Silvertip silver-zinc-lead mine comprising 97,298 net acres located in northern British Columbia, Canada. In addition, the company owns interests in the Crown and Sterling projects located in southern Nevada; and the La Preciosa project located in Mexico. Further, it markets and sells its concentrates to third-party customers, smelters, under off-take agreements. The company was formerly known as Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and changed its name to Coeur Mining, Inc. in May 2013.Coeur Mining, Inc. was incorporated in 1928 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
New Jersey Resources Corporation, an energy services holding company, provides regulated gas distribution, and retail and wholesale energy services. The company operates through four segments: Natural Gas Distribution, Clean Energy Ventures, Energy Services, and Storage and Transportation. The Natural Gas Distribution segment offers regulated natural gas utility services to approximately 564,000 residential and commercial customers throughout Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, and Sussex counties in New Jersey; provides capacity and storage management services; and participates in the off-system sales and capacity release markets. The Clean Energy Ventures segment invests in, owns, and operates commercial and residential solar projects situated in New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York. The Energy Services segment offers unregulated wholesale energy management services to other energy companies and natural gas producers, as well as maintains and transacts a portfolio of physical assets consisting of natural gas storage and transportation contracts in the United States and Canada. The Storage and Transportation segment invests in natural gas transportation and storage facilities. It provides heating, ventilation, and cooling services; holds commercial real estate properties; and offers solar equipment installation, and plumbing repair and installation services, as well as engages in the water appliance sale, installation, and servicing activities. The company was incorporated in 1981 and is headquartered in Wall, New Jersey.
Xylem Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, manufacture, and servicing of engineered products and solutions for the water and wastewater applications in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Water Infrastructure, Applied Water, and Measurement & Control Solutions. The Water Infrastructure segment offers various products, including water, storm water, and wastewater pumps; controls and systems; filtration, disinfection, and biological treatment equipment; and mobile dewatering equipment under the Flygt, Godwin, Wedeco, Sanitaire, Leopold, Wedeco, and Xylem Vue brand names for the transportation and treatment of water. The Applied Water segment provides pumps, valves, heat exchangers, controls, and dispensing equipment systems under the Goulds Water Technology, Bell & Gossett, A-C Fire Pump, Standard Xchange, Lowara, Jabsco, Xylem Vue and Flojet brand names for residential and commercial building services, and industrial water applications. The Measurement & Control Solutions segment provides smart meters, networked communication devices, and measurement and control technologies, as well as critical infrastructure technologies. It also offers software and services, including cloud-based analytics, remote monitoring and data management, leak detection, condition assessment, asset management, and pressure monitoring solutions, as well as testing equipment and managed services. This segment sells its products under the Pure, Sensus, Smith Blair, WTW, Xylem Vue, and YSI brand names. The company markets and sells its products through a network of direct sales force, resellers, distributors, and value-added solution providers. Xylem Inc. was formerly known as ITT WCO, Inc. and changed its name to Xylem Inc. in May 2011. The company. was incorporated in 2011 and is headquartered in Rye Brook, New York.
The following companies are subsidiares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.: 2235158 Alberta Limited, A.J. Amer Agency, AHC Digital LLC, AIX Limited, AJG Coal LLC, AJG Financial Services LLC, AJG Meadows LLC, AJG North America ULC, AJG RCF LLC, AJGRMS of Louisiana LLC, ARM RE Ltda., AVIATION INSURANCE SERVICES, AVRECO, Ace IRM Insurance Broking Group, Acumus Holdings Limited, Acumus Interco Limited, Acumus Ltd, Adams & Associates International, Adaptive Marketing LLC, Adco General Corporation, Advanced Benefit Advisors, Aequus Trade Credit, Affinity Marketing Group, Ahrold Fay Rosenberg, Aires Consulting Group, Alesco Risk Management Services Limited, Alize Limited, Allied Claims Administration Inc., Alternative Market Specialists, Altman & Cronin Benefit Consultants, American Freedom Carriers Inc., American Security Services Corp., American Wholesalers Underwriting Ltd, Andrew-Anthony Insurance Agency, Anthony Hodges Consulting Limited, Antrobus Investments Limited, AquaSurance, Argentis, Argentis Financial Group Limited, Argentis Financial Management Limited, Argus Benefits, Armstrong/Robitaille/Riegle, Artex (SAC) Limited, Artex Cedar Hill, Artex Corporate Services (Malta) Limited, Artex Corporate Services Limited, Artex Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Artex Holdings (Malta) Limited, Artex Insurance (Guernsey) PCC Limited, Artex Insurance (Tennessee) PCCIC Inc., Artex Insurance Brokers (Malta) PCC Limited, Artex Insurance ICC Limited, Artex Intermediaries Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Bermuda) Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Cayman) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Gibraltar) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Guernsey) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (International) Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (Malta) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Artex Risk Solutions (UK) Limited, Artex Risk Solutions Inc., Arthur J Gallagher (Norway) Holdings AS, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AUS) Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Bermuda) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Illinois), Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Insurance Brokers of California Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher (Aus) Pty Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (Bermuda) Holding Partnership, Arthur J. Gallagher (Life Solutions) Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Arthur J. Gallagher (U.S.) LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher (UK) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Asesoria S.A.C., Arthur J. Gallagher Australasia Holdings Pty Ltd., Arthur J. Gallagher Brokerage & Risk Management Services LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Broking (NZ) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Financial Services Professionals Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Group Quebec ULC, Arthur J. Gallagher Holdings (UK) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Latin America LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Management (Bermuda) Limited, Arthur J. Gallagher Real Estate Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services (Hawaii) Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services of Utah Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher School Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Service Company LLC, Arthur J. Gallagher Services (UK) Ltd, Ashmore & Associates Insurance Agency, Atlantic Risk Management Corp., Atrex Insurance (Cayman) SPC Limited, Avantek Pty Ltd, Axe Insurance PCC Limited, BIS Insurance Services, Baker - Tillys employment benefits solutions, Ballard Benefit Works, Bankers Financial Benefits, Barmore Insurance Agency, Behnke & Co. Inc., Bellisle Pty Ltd, Belmont Associates Consultants, Belmont Insurance Holdings Limited, Belmont International, Belmont International Limited, Benefit Development Group, Benefit Management Group, BenefitLink Resource Group, Benefits Planning & Insurance Agency, Benefits Unlimited, Bennett & Shade Co., Bergvall Marine, Bergvall Marine A.S., Besselman & Little Agency, Big Savings Insurance Agency Inc., Blenheim Park Ltd, Blenheim Park Services Limited, Blue Holdings Pty Ltd, Blue Horizon Insurance Services, Blue Water Benefits, BluePeak Advisors, Blueleaf Consulting Pty Ltd., Bluewater Incorporated Cell Insurance Company, Bollinger Inc., Bollinger Insurance Services Inc., Bowen Miclette Britt & Merry of Arkansas Inc., Brendis & Brendis, Brim AB, Broker Benefit Services, Brokerage Professionals, Brown Hobbs & McMurray Insurance, Bultman/Bell Associates Inc., Burkwald & Associates, Burns-Fazzi Brock & Associates, Bushong Insurance Associates, C&B Consulting Group, CGM Gallagher Insruance Brokers (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited, CJM Solutions Inc., CMA Solutions LLC, Cairnstone Financial, California Insurance Center, Capital Bauer Insurance Agency, Capitol Benefits Group, Capsicum CRLA LLP, Capsicum Re Brasil Participacoes Ltda, Capsicum Re Latin America Corretora De Resseguros Ltda, Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers Bermuda Limited, Capsicum Reinsurance Brokers Miami Inc., Carefree Marketing Inc., Carpenter Cammack & Associates, Cashan & Co., Castle Insurance Associates, Centennial Insurance Agency, Charity First Insurance Services Inc., Charles Allen Agency, Charter Lakes Insurance Agency, Chris Schroeder Insurance, Christie-Phoenix, Cintran Claims Canada Limited, Classic Insurance Services, Cleaveland Insurance Group, Cohen & Lord Insurance Brokers, Cohn Financial Group, Coleman Group Holdings Limited, Coleman Holdings Limited, College and University Scholastic Excess Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Commercial Insurance Brokers, Complete Benefit Alliance, Complete Financial Balance, Complete Financial Balance Pty Ltd, Consolidated Casualty Specialties LLC, Construction Risk Solutions, Contego Underwriting Limited, Contego Underwriting Ltd, Continental Excess & Surplus, Convergence Risk Services Ltd, Copper Mountain Assurance Inc., Cornwall & Stevens Co., Corporate Benefit Advisors, Corporate Life Consultants, Countrywide Accident Assistance Limited, Coverdell & Company Inc., Coverdell Canada Corporation, Cowles and Connell, Craig M. Ferguson & Co., Crist Elliott Machette Insurance Services, Crombie Lockwood (NZ) Limited, Davis-Poston & Associates, Denman Consulting Services, Detlefs Johnson & Partners, DiBrina Group, Dickinson & Associates, Discount Development Services L.L.C., Discovery Benefit Solutions, Dodson-Bateman & Co., Donald P. Pipino Co. Ltd., E. S. Susanin Inc., EHE Holdings LLC, EHS Holdings Limited, Elantis Premium Funding (NZ) Limited, Elantis Premium Funding Limited, Elite Benefits Insurance Marketing Services, Employee Benefits Analysis Corp., Employee Benefits of The Carolinas, Encore Insurance & Bonding, Everett James, Evolution Risk Services Limited, Evolution Technology Services Limited, Evolution Underwriting Group, Evolution Underwriting Group Limited, Evolution Underwriting Limited, Excel Insurance Services, FYI Direct Canada Corporation, FYI Direct LLC, Farallone Pacific Insurance Services, Fenchurch Faris Limited, Fidelity Benefits & Insurance Services, Financial Profiles Inc., Finergy Solutions Pty Ltd, First Agency, First Iowa Insurance Agency, First Premium Inc., First Premium Insurance Group, Fish & Schulkamp, Fishermans Insurance Services, Foley Healthcare Limited, Fortress Financial Solutions Pty Ltd, Fortress Insurance LLC, Foundation Strategies, Fox Lawson & Associates, Franklin-Case Agency LLC, Fraser MacAndrew Ryan Limited, Friary Intermediate Limited, Fuller & O'Brien, G.S. Chapman & Associates Insurance Brokers, G.S. Levine Insurance Services, GBS (Australia) Holdings Pty Ltd, GBS Administrators Inc., GBS Insurance and Financial Services Inc., GBS Retirement Services Inc., GBS Specialty Markets LLC, GGB Finance 1 Limited, GGB Finance 2 Limited, GGB Finance 3 Limited, GGB Finance 4 Limited, GPL Assurance, GPL Assurance Inc., Gabor Insurance Services, Gale Smith & Co. Inc., Gallagher (Bermuda) Insurance Solutions Ltd., Gallagher - Grace/Mayer Insurance Agency, Gallagher Bassett Aires Inc., Gallagher Bassett Canada Inc., Gallagher Bassett Insurance Services Ltd., Gallagher Bassett International Ltd., Gallagher Bassett NZ Pty Ltd., Gallagher Bassett Services Inc. , Gallagher Bassett Services Pty Ltd., Gallagher Bassett Services Workers Compensation Victoria Pty Ltd., Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada) Group Inc., Gallagher Benefit Services (Holdings) Limited, Gallagher Benefit Services Inc., Gallagher Benefit Services Management Company Limited, Gallagher Benefit Services Pty Ltd, Gallagher Benefits Consulting Limited, Gallagher Bomford Couch Wilson, Gallagher Burgess, Gallagher Canada Acquisition Corporation, Gallagher Caribbean Group Limited, Gallagher Clean Energy LLC, Gallagher Communications Limited, Gallagher Community Clinic RPG LLC, Gallagher Consulting Ltda, Gallagher Corporate Services LLC, Gallagher Coyle, Gallagher CyberRisk, Gallagher Energy Risk Services Inc., Gallagher Fiduciary Advisors LLC, Gallagher Holdings (UK) Limited, Gallagher Holdings Bermuda Company Limited, Gallagher Holdings Four (UK) Limited, Gallagher Holdings Three (UK) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (Barbados) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Kitts & Nevis) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Lucia) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers (St. Vincent) Limited, Gallagher Insurance Brokers Jamaica Limited, Gallagher International Cash Management s.r.l., Gallagher International Holdings (US) Inc., Gallagher Investment Advisors LLC, Gallagher Inwest Group, Gallagher Koster, Gallagher Lambert Group, Gallagher Madison Risk & Insurance Services, Gallagher Mauritius Holdings, Gallagher Mississippi Brokerage LLC, Gallagher RE Colombia Ltda Corredores de Reaseguros SA, Gallagher Risk & Reward Limited, Gallagher Risk Group LLC, Gallagher Risk Placements Pty Ltd, Gallagher SKS, Gallagher Service Center LLP, Gallagher-Tarantino, Galtney Group, Game Day Insurance Inc., Gardner & White Corp., Gardner Marine Agency, Garza Long Group, Gatehouse Consulting Limited, Gault Armstrong Kemble Pty Ltd, Gault Armstrong SARL, Giles Group, Giles Holdings Limited, Giles Insurance Brokers, Gillis Ellis & Baker Inc., Goodman Insurance Agency, Grandy Pratt Co., Greenseed Alternative Mangaers Platform Ltd, Grossman & Associates, Group Benefits of Arkansas, Group Insurance Associates, Gruppo Marcucci, HLG Holdings Limited, HMG-PCMS Limited, HPF Investments LLC, HR Owen Insurance Services Limited, Hagan Newkirk Financial Services, Hagedorn & Company, Hardman & Howell Benefits, Harlequin Insurance PCC Limited, Hartstein Associates Inc., Healthcare Professionals Purchasing Group LLC, Healthcare Risk Solutions, Heath Lambert Group Ltd., Heath Lambert Limited, Heath Lambert Overseas Limited, Heiser Insurance Agency, Henderson Phillips Fine Arts Insurance, Herbruck Alder & Co., Heritage Insurance Brokers (CI) Limited, Hesse & Partner AG, Hesse Consulting, Hexagon ICC Limited, Hexagon Insurance PCC Limited, Hill Chesson & Woody, Hogan Insurance Services, Home & Travel Limited, Honour Point Limited, Horseshoe Corporate Services Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services (Cayman) Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services Ltd, Horseshoe Fund Services USA Inc., Horseshoe ILS Services UK Ltd, Horseshoe Insurance Advisors US LLC, Horseshoe Insurance Advisory Ltd., Horseshoe Insurance Services Holdings Ltd, Horseshoe Insurance Services Holdings US Inc., Horseshoe Management (Gibraltar) Limited, Horseshoe Management (Ireland) Ltd, Horseshoe Management Ltd., Horseshoe PCC Limited, Horseshoe Re Limited, Horseshoe Services (Cayman) Ltd, Horseshoe Services (Pty) Ltd, Horton Insurance Agency, Housing Authorities Services Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Human Resource Management Systems, I-Protect Underwriting Pty Ltd, IBIS Advisors, IBS Reinsurance Singapore Pte Ltd, ILS Fund Services Ltd., ISG International, ITI Solutions, Igloo Insurance PCC Limited, Independent Benefit Services, Independent Fiduciary Services, Ink Underwriting Agencies Limited, InsSync Group Pty Ltd, Inspire Underwriting Limited, Instrat Insurance Brokers, Instrat Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd, Instrat Integration Holdco Pty Ltd, Insurance Acquisitions Holdings Limited, Insurance Associates Inc., Insurance Dialogue Limited, Insurance Dialogue Ltd., Insurance Plans Agency, Insurance Plus Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Insurance Point, Insurance Risk Managers of Missouri Inc., Insure My Villa Limited, Insure Pty Ltd, Integrated Healthcare Strategies, InterNational Insurance Group, InterPacific Underwriting Agencies, Intermountain Financial Benefits, Interstate Insurance Underwriters, JPGAC LLC, James F. Reda & Associates, James R. Weir Insurance Agency, Jenkins and Associates, Joe E. Martin Inc., John P. Woods Co. Inc., Jones Brown, Jones Brown Group Inc., Jones Brown Insurance Solutions Inc., Joseph Distel, Joseph James & Associates Insurance Agency, Just Landlords Insurance Services Ltd, KDC Associates, KRW Insurance Agency, Kahl Insurance Services, Kaler Carney Liffler & Co. Inc., Kane Group - Insurance Management Operations, Kelly Financial, Kent Kent & Tingle and RBS, Keyser Benefits Corp., Kingspark Enterprises Pty Ltd, L&R Benefits, LSG Insurance Partners, Learn About Money Limited, Lewis & Associates Insurance Brokers, Leystone Insurance & Financial, Life Plans Unlimited, Lincoln Financial Management, Longfellow Financial, Lucas Fettes Limited, Lucas Fettes and Partners Limited, Lutgert Insurance, MA Underwriting Pty Ltd, MDM Insurance Associates, MG Advanced Coal Technologies-1 LLC, MGA Insurance Services, MRS Holdings Ltd., Madison Scott & Associates, Managed Healthcare Solutions, Mannequin Insurance PCC Limited, Marchetti Robertson & Brickell Insurance, Marine Insurance Service, Martin Gordon & Jones Inc., McDowall Associates Human Resource Consultants, McIntyre Risk Management, McLean Insurance Agency, McNeary, McPherson Benefits Group, McRory & Co., Mecacem Insurance SPC Ltd, MedInsights Inc., Melton Insurance Associates, Memberworks Canada LLC, Merit Insurance, Metcom Excess, Metzler Bros. Insurance, Meyers-Reynolds & Associates, Mid America Group, Midwest Surety Services, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers Limited, Mike Henry Insurance Funding Limited, Miller Buettner & Parrott, Miller-Harrison Insurance Services, Milne Alexander Pty Ltd, Minvielle & Chastanet Insurance Brokers, Monument Insurance (NZ) Limited, Monument Llc, Monument Premium Funding Limited, Mortgage Insurance Agency, Murphy Consultants, Mutual Insurance Services, NationAir Aviation Insurance, National Administration Co., National Ethics Association, National Transportation Adjusters, Nelson/Monarch Insurance Services, Nicoud Insurance Services, NiiS/Apex Group Holdings, Nonprofit Insurance Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Noraxis Capital Corp, Nordic Forsakring & Riskhantering AB, North Alabama Insurance, Nourse Insurance Brokers, O'Gorman & Young, OAMPS (UK) Limited, OAMPS Gault Armstrong Pty Ltd, OAMPS Limited, OAMPS Special Risks Ltd, Offshore Market Placements Limited, Optimum Talent, Orb Financial Services, Orb Financial Services Limited, Osprey Insurance Brokers Limited, Oval Group, Oval Healthcare Limited, Oval Insurance Broking Limited, Oval Limited, Oval Management Services Limited, Oxygen Insurance Managers, P2 Group, PEN Insurance Management Advisors Ltd, PT IBS Insurance Broking Service, Pacific Insurance Agency, Palmer Atlantic Insurance, Palmer Atlantic Insurance Ltd, Palmer Atlantic Risk Services Ltd., Park Row Associates, Parkstar Enterprises Pty Ltd, Parmia Pty Ltd, PartnerSource, Pastel Holding (NZ) Company, Pastel Holdings Pty Limited, Pastel Purchaser (NZ) Limited, Pastel Purchaser Pty Limited, Pavey Group Holdings (UK) Limited, Pavey Group Holdings Limited, Pavey Group Limited, Pearson Dunn Insurance Inc., Pen Underwriting Canada Limited, Pen Underwriting Group Pty. Ltd., Pen Underwriting Limited, Pen Underwriting Pty Ltd, Persing Dyckman & Toynbee Inc., Personal Advice Services Pty Ltd, Petty Burton Associates, Pointer Insurance Agency, Portmore Insurance Brokers (Wilshire) Limited, Portmore Insurance Brokers Limited, Potter-Holden & Co., Powell Insurance Agency, Premier Insurance Services Inc., Premier Risk Services, Premium Finance Corporation, Preston-Patterson, ProSource Financial, Professional Agents Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Professional Claims Managers, Proinova AB, Proinova Agency AB, Pronto California Agency LLC, Pronto California General Agency LLC, Pronto Florida Claims LLC, Pronto Florida General Agency LLC, Pronto Franchise LLC, Pronto General Agency Ltd, Pronto General Agency Management LLC, Pronto Holdco Inc., Pronto Holding California LLC, Pronto Holding Florida LLC, Pronto Insurance Agency of Laredo Inc., Pronto Premium Finance LLC, Property & Commercial Ltd., Property Insurance Initatives Limited, Property and Commercial Limited, Protected Insurance Company, Protection Plan Association Inc., Protek Group Limited, Providium Consulting Group, Ptarmigan Underwriting Agency Limited, Ptarmigan Underwriting UK Limited, Purple Bridge Claims Management Limited, Purple Bridge Finance Limited, Purple Bridge Group Limited, Purple Bridge Investments Limited, Purple Bridge Online Services Limited, Purple Bridge Publishing Limited, Quantum Underwriting Solutions Limited, Quillco 226 Limited, Quillco 227 Limited, R. L. Youngdahl & Associates, R.G. Speno Inc., R.W. Scobie, RA Rossborough (Guernsey) Ltd., RA Rossborough (Insurance Brokers) Ltd, REGENCY Group inc., RGA Referencing Limited, RGA Underwriting Limited, RIL Administrators (Guernsey) Ltd., RJ Dutton Inc., RSM Insurance Services Limited, Reassurance Holdings Inc., Rebholz Insurance Agency, Reid Manson Ltd., Reimbursement Services, Rentguard Limited, Reward Management Limited, Reynolds & Rodar Insurance Group, Riley & Associates, Rio 587 Limited, Rio 588 Limited, Risk & Reward Group, Risk Management Partners Limited, Risk Placement Services Inc., Risk Planners, Risk Services (NW) Limited, Risk Services (NW) Ltd., Risk Solutions Group Limited, Robert A. Schneider Agency, Robert Keith & Associates, Roberts & Roberts Insurance Service, Robinson-Adams Insurance, Rossborough Healthcare International Ltd, Rossborough Insurance (IOM) Ltd., Rossborough Insurance Services Ltd. (Jersey), S. A. Freerks & Associates, SEG Insurance Ltd, SGB-NIA Insurance Brokers, SHILLING Ltd, SKANCO International, SMERI AB, SRS Underwriting Pty Ltd, Secure Enterprises Pty Ltd, Securitas Re, Sellers Group, Sentinel Indemnity LLC, Septagon Insurance PCC Limited, Shuford Insurance Agency, Sigma II Insurance Agency, Sinclair Billard and Weld Limited, Sobieski & Bradley, Solid Benefit Guidance, Spanjers Insurance Agency, Spataro Insurance Agency, Specialised Broking Associates, Specialty Risk, Stackhouse Poland, Stackhouse Poland Bidco Limited, Stackhouse Poland Group Limited, Stackhouse Poland Holdings Limited, Stackhouse Poland Midco Limited, Stackouse Poland Limited, Stanton Group, Stark Johnson & Stinson Inc., Steel Agency, Strata Solicitors Ltd, Strategic Health Plans Corp., Strathearn Insurance Brokers, Strathearn Insurance Brokers (Qld) Trading Trust, Strathern Insurance Group Pty Ltd, Strathern Integration Holdco Pty Ltd, Strathern Unit Trust, Strong Financial Resources, Summit Insurance Group, Sunday and Associates, Sunderland Insurance Services, Super Advice Corporate Services Pty Ltd, Taylor Benefits, Texas Insurance Agency, Texas Insurance Managers, The BeneTex Group, The Buchholz Planning, The Chapman Group, The Commonwealth Consulting Group, The Daniels Group Inc., The EHE Group LLC, The EHE Insurance Agency LLC, The Eagle Insurance Agency LLC, The Eriksen Group, The Forker Company, The Gleason Agency, The Great Lakes Agency, The HR Group, The Hawk Agency, The Human Capital Group, The Lance Group, The Levitt/Kristan Co., The MW Bagnall Company, The Old Greenwich Consulting Group, The Parks Johnson Agency, The Plus Companies Inc., The Presidio Group, The Producers Choice, The Rains Group, The Splinter Group, The Titan Group, The Treiber Group, The Woodsmall Companies Inc., Title & Covenant Brokers Ltd., Title Investments Limited, Tom Sherwin Insurance Agency, Total Reward Group, Total Rewards Group (Holdings) Limited, Towle Agency, Transwestern, Tri-State General Insurance Agency, Triad Insurance Agency, Triad USA, Tribeca Strategic Advisors, Trinder & Norwood, Trip Mate, Trissel Graham & Toole, Tropp & Co., Tudor Risk Services, Tyloma Holdings Limited, Uni-Care Inc., Unison Inc., Universico Group, Unoccupied Direct Limited, V2V Holdings LLC, VEBA Service Group, Vasek Insurance Services Limited, Velo ACU LLC, Velo Holdings Inc., Verbag AG., Vertrue LLC, Victory Insurance Agency, Vincent L. Braband Insurance, Vital Benefits, Voluntary Benefits Solutions, W. E. Kingsley Co. Inc., WM. W. George & Associates, Walker Taylor Agency, Welling Associates, Wesfarmers Insurance - Insurance Brokerage Operations, Western Benefit Solutions, White & Company Insurance, Whitehaven Insurance Group, William Gallagher Associates Insurance Brokers, William H. Connolly & Co., Williams Insurance Agency Inc., Williams-Manny Insurance Group, Winn & Company Insurance Brokers, Wischmeyer Benefit Partners, Woodbrook Underwriting Agencies, Woods & Grooms, WorkCare Northwest, Worksite Communications, Y. S. Liedman & Associates, YOA Capsicum Reinsurance Broker Limited, Zenor Limited, Zuber Insurance Agency, and e3 Financial.

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Diego Puma was arrested by ICE officials the morning of his prom. (Photo: thepetitionsite.com)

A local community is throwing its support behind a 18-year-old high school student who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) just hours before his senior prom.

According to a story published on Friday by Patch, Diego Puma, a senior at Ossining High School in New York who is originally from Ecuador, was picked up by customs officials on Thursday morning at his home, months after an immigration judge had ordered him deported back in November.

The petition Save Ossining student Diego Puma has racked up more than 2,800 signatures of its 3,000 signature goal with supporters writing, Let him go free, and He doesnt deserve this; it is very sad. No child should live in this fear for themselves or their families. Another wrote: This is a disgusting act of cruelty, and I hope that the Ossining School District and Police were not complicit. Release Diego now!

Even when someone has a final order of removal, theyre given time to appeal or petition it  its not like that person just gets on a plane, ICE public affairs officer Rachael Yong Yow tells Yahoo Beauty. That process could take years and until its complete, we wouldnt remove them.

While the local police department claims they werent notified about the ICE investigation, Yong Yow tells Yahoo Beauty that before ICE conducts a targeted enforcement action, its protocol for a local police department to be given prior notification.

Yong Yow also sent Yahoo Beauty the following statement in regard to Pumas mother, Rosa Vazquez, who is also in ICE custody:

Rosa Ines Macancela Vazquez, an Ecuadorian national, entered the United States at or near Laredo, Texas, in December 2014. She was arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol while attempting to illegally enter the United States. Macancela Vazquez was served a notice to appear before an immigration judge and was released under an order of supervision and enrolled in ICEs Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP) with GPS monitoring while awaiting a decision on the case. Macancela Vazquez was ordered removed by an immigration judge Nov. 16, 2016. She was arrested by ICEs Enforcement and Removal (ERO) officers June 7 and is currently in ICE custody pending removal.

Story continues

Yahoo Beauty could not reach Ossining High School superintendent Ray Sanchez for comment. However, according to Patch, he released a statement offering Puma the opportunity to finish his final exams and attend graduation, court permission pending.

President Donald Trump has been fulfilling his promise to deport illegal immigrants, even reopening cases that had been reprieved by former President Obama, according to Reuters. In February, the Washington Post reported on an Arizona mother who was deported to Mexico, leaving behind her two teenage children, after completing a routine visit with immigration officials  a required process due to a previous felony conviction (using a fake Social Security number to find a job).

Per the Washington Post, the womans 14-year-old daughter said in a D.C. news conference, Hes separating us for no reason. We arent criminals. Our community now lives in fear, fear of being separated from our families.

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Two Chinese citizens, who were abducted by the Islamic State group (ISIS) from Quetta, Balochistan, in Pakistan at the end of May, have reportedly been executed.

After the news was conveyed to the Chinese government by Pakistan, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in a statement China and Pakistan would continue to work hand in hand when it comes to countering terrorism and uprooting ISIS, ABC News reported.

"According to the initial information from relevant departments of Pakistan, the two Chinese citizens kidnapped may have been unfortunately killed. We are highly concerned about that and will try our best to get more information on that through various approaches," Chunying said on Friday. According to NDTV, the ministry was working hard to verify the information it obtained regarding the executions.

Chunying further stated: "Pakistan always pays great attention to the protection of Chinese citizens and institutions there and has made great efforts in this regard. Since this abduction took place, China and Pakistan have been in close communication."

ISIS

Photo: Getty Images/Banaras Khan

The city of Quetta is at the heart of the $57 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a collection of infrastructural projects that, Chunying said, would not be affected by the recent efforts by ISIS to strike terror in the minds of the Chinese.

Read: ISIS Kills Hundreds In Mosul, Iraq, According To UN

The Chinese citizens who were killed, were also a couple, and used to teach Mandarin in Quetta and were simultaneously studying the Urdu language. They were kidnapped on May 24, by people wearing police uniforms. A passerby who attempted to intervene was shot and wounded but he did manage to rescue a third person.

No other details regarding the victims have been made public.

Story continues

A security official in Balochistan told the Guardian the Chinese couple might have held in Mastung after they were abducted. However, a three-day long thorough search of the area, including a network of caves did not prove fruitful in locating the abducted Chinese nationals. The military, however, were able to locate the vehicle used by ISIS to kidnap the Chinese nationals and kill 10-15 hardcore terrorists from the Lashkar-e Jhangvi group, the Guardian reported.

ISIS

Photo: Getty Images/Ahmad Al-Rubaye

They were also able to destroy a set of arms and ammunitions obtained from the area and shut down a facility which made improvised explosive devices. Chunying praised the Pakistani officials for "sparing no effort to investigate the incident and search and rescue the hostages."

Read: Virginia Man Convicted Of Supporting ISIS Said He Was Checking Things Out By Joining Terrorist Group

Some contradicting reports on the social media suggested that the couple had been rescued. However, the reports have been stated as false by a spokesman for Balochistans provincial government, Anwarul Haq Kakar.

The denial was following a 24-second video that was forwarded to the journalists working in Balochistan by an anonymous source. Even though Islamic State group is yet to claim responsibility for the video that shows the bloodied bodies of a Chinese man and woman, it is being speculated by Pakistani officials that ISIS might be behind it. The identities of the corpses are yet to be determined.

Many Chinese workers in Pakistan and have been targeted by militants in the past. Some of the Islamic militants who have taken shelter in Pakistan's lawless tribal areas are believed to be opposed to Chinese rule in the north western region of Xinjiang and have also threatened to launch violent attacks in the near future.

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Surveillance footage shows the moments a car slammed into a woman and two children in Bridgeport, Connecticut. (Photo: YouTube)

Police in Connecticut are calling a woman a hero after she lunged in front of a young boy moments before an out-of-control car plowed into them, pushing both into a wall.

As seen in surveillance footage of the crash below, the woman, Shanta Jordan, appeared to move in front of the boy moments before a speeding car slammed them into a concrete wall in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Wednesday, according to local news station KRON. Both were seriously hurt.

If she did not step in, the child would be in direct contact with the motor vehicle against the wall, and most likely, he would have perished, Bridgeport police Chief A.J. Perez told KRON. He would have died. The chief told CNN Jordan was a heroine.

Jordan and the boy were briefly pinned between the car and the wall, but the car rolled backward and the two victims fell to the pavement. The car also struck a second boy, who was able to stand up immediately after he was hit. Both of the boys are under the age of 10, the Stamford Advocate reported.

WARNING: The video below extremely graphic.

Police said Jordan pushed the boy just before the impact in order to save him, according to local news station News 12 Connecticut. Her larger body absorbed much of the force, according to officials.

Everyone involved in the incident, including the driver, survived the crash, though with serious injuries.

The driver, 37-year-old Allen Pearson, was charged with reckless driving, driving without insurance, operating an unregistered car, and failing to obey a stop sign, according to the Stamford Advocate.

City leaders and police will honor Jordan with a commendation in a ceremony at city hall next week, according to News 12.

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One year ago, I was in Strasbourg for a weekend and while walking through the city I saw this old ballerina dancing in front of the Strasbourg Cathedral. Lots of people were laughing at her, thinking her performance was ridiculous, but I thought she was enjoying herself [and] not minding other people a bit. This I dont care attitude was very impressive and showed lots of self-esteem. Photo by Pierre Aden/Eyeem.

This photo was taken in Tunisia. It shows a young feminist singing and yelling in our National Celebration of Womanhood despite initial obstacles and setbacks. The strike's goals were to publicize the feminist movement and ideas, and to expose the injustices experienced by women in Tunisia. ... This brave feminist is my hero. Photo by Takaya wafa/Eyeem.

The boy you can see in the photograph is a minor. He should be going to school to get an education. But, like many other children in Bangladesh, due to extreme poverty he has to work relentlessly in a fish market. ...He lost his father, he looks after his mother and younger sister. ... He is a survivor of the system. An unsung hero of the society. He is sacrificing his present to represent a better future for his family. Photo by Shamim Shorif Susom/Eyeem.

I was passing by this restaurant and looked inside and saw this boy with his grandfather sharing a meal. ...My grandfather took care of me when I was a kid and growing up I was always told that I looked exactly like him. In many ways me capturing my reflection alongside this boy and his grandfather was me reflecting on the relationship I shared with mine. To me an unlikely hero is someone who makes a positive impact in your life, believes in you and helps you through your struggles. Photo by Ron Anthony Bautista/Eyeem.

I took this photo while sitting in my truck, waiting for the stoplight to turn green. As I sat there, this man with a dirty rag, a squeegee and a bottle of soapy water, jumped up on my truck. He smiled and started cleaning my windshield. ...I have seen him before at this same stoplight cleaning windshields in the 100 degree weather. In my eyes he is an unlikely hero He chooses to be there and deal with the ugly looks, the comments and the stares. He does it so he can provide for his family. Photo by Jasmina/Eyeem.

Those brave enough to be themselves, and fight for their rights. Photo by Shell Sheddy/Eyeem.

I decided to take [on] a project at a special needs institute ...close to where I live in Pakistan. ...The kids were amazing, and their strength of character had a profound affect on me. ...The child in the photo was using the handlebars to help him walk and achieve balance and mobility. In a society where there are so many stigmas, misunderstanding, a lack of public facilities and government support, the everyday lives of these children are so difficult that its incredibly inspiring when you see them rise above it and meet the challenges that lie in their way head on. What could be more heroic than that? Photo by Usman Ahmad/Eyeem.

To me this photo means true freedom. ... Everyone has a feeling of heroism hidden inside them which they want to bring out one day by doing something marvelous. The kid in this photo was busy showing his friends how well he can dive by performing diverse stunts although they might never have expected such a fearless and heroic stunt [from him]. Photo by Nikunj Rathod/Eyeem.

I was only 17 when I found Husk and was living by myself prior to my parents' abandonment. I was also going through major depression. So I guess you could say Husk helped me more than I could help myself. Photo by Kennedy/Eyeem.

I took this shot in Kuakata, Bangladesh. The shot was taken at the very early morning. The man is there as early as dawn, struggling to capture fish to feed his family. ...I consider him as a hero. Photo by Shamim Shorif Susom/Eyeem.

We have many heroes in our minds -- Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man, etc -- but we never touch them even though they fulfill some our imaginations about heroes. We can touch and feel safe on dad's shoulder. Dad is a hero who is real. ...We can feel safe, happy and touchable on dad's shoulder [with] no fear. Photo by Hommali/Eyeem

This is my sister Josefa. She has Down syndrome. Shortly after she was born, she was hospitalized for a fatal respiratory disease. After leaving, we were informed that she had a life expectancy of three years. In the following years she was constantly in hospitals and private clinics, but her vitality and joy never ceased. She is a happy little angel, our life. She is a person who floods us with her joy every day. Photo by Ita Bravo/Eyeem.

Rory was my hero because she was never afraid to venture out into the world and explore, even when danger was all around her. Photo by Cruz Shirtz/Eyeem.

For me, he is an unlikely hero because he dares to stand out in the masses. I was photographing at the Slottsfjell Festival in Norway and had noticed him the day before when I was walking around on the area. In a crowd dominated by ... the same trends and fashion, he was different. He was my hero this afternoon. Photo by Tom Lund/Eyeem.

My boy went bravely through surgery and was my hero in that moment. Photo by Simon Gruenenwald/Eyeem.

This hero left his country to support the family back home. Photo by Cesar Deutschmann/Eyeem.

In the photo you can see my husband and my son -- father and child. My husband ... succeeds, in spite of the hard work each week, to devote his time to his own son. ...My son, Guy, manages to get us to leave the routine and enjoy the magical moments together. Thanks to him we appreciate these humble and special moments. Photo by Dina Alfasi/Eyeem.

This shot represents who my heroes have become -- my two boys. Kaden and Cash (my son featured in this photo) inspire me daily to enjoy the life that God has given us, to smile as big as possible and to explore every nook and cranny of this amazing planet. ... Taking my boys on adventures has opened a whole new world to me, one that is more enjoyable and inspiring than anything else I've known before. This photo is a direct result of being inspired by my boys to put the "adults things" on hold, and to go exploring instead. Relationships are what matter, and my heroes remind me of that every day. Photo by Eygabroad/Eyeem

What you see in the picture is how Filipinos help one another -- commonly called as "Bayanihan." The Bayanihan (pronounced as buy-uh-nee-hun) is a Filipino custom derived from a Filipino word bayan, which means nation, town or community. The term bayanihan itself literally means "being in a bayan, which refers to the spirit of communal unity, work and cooperation to achieve a particular goal. Photo by Daryl Salazar/Eyeem.

This photo shows a young lady wearing a pink jacket ... protesting in the crowd against violence to women and girls. Those attending the event were encouraged to wear pink, and hundreds of men joined as well! Discriminatory laws against women persist in every corner of the globe and new discriminatory laws are enacted. ...This great lady, [and] many others, are combating injustice and discrimination against women....SHE IS My Hero! Photo by Takaya wafa/Eyeem.

Of two sisters one is always the watcher, one the dancer. (Louise Gluck) - These two wonderful and sweet girls are my unlikely heroes. I'm so proud and happy that I have the pleasure to accompany them while they grow up and conquer the world. It's so amazing to see the world through their eyes. And yes, the older one is the watcher and the younger one is the dancer, a really wild dancer. And as a team of superheros with their combined superpowers they are mostly unbeatable. Photo by Daniel Anhutl/Eyeem.

My boy just started swimming lessons three weeks ago. This shot was taken on his first day of class. He was quite unhappy to be in the water with strangers. He was crying ... His swimming teacher did such an amazing job. They communicated well with him and did their best to make him feel comfortable as he can in the water. His swimming teacher is an unlikely of hero because ... he helped my son to trust in him; he will not let him fall and helped my boy's confidence that he can do it. Photo by Lynette Wong/Eyeem.

The two girls in mermaid costumes, without any tools or supplies, dove deeply on their own in a 4 meter pool to perform some difficult moves in the water. They ... impressed the viewers so much on their diving skills. Photo by Tu Tran/Eyeem.

On a recent visit to the city, I had the urge to utilize the light and capture some of the "style" of the inner city folk. I took many photos, but this image was my favorite. The subject exhibited a strength of character and style that trumped all the other "cool cats", like the one juxtaposed in the background. He became my unlikely hero for the day. Photo by Glenn Homann/Eyeem.

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Photo credit: Wiki Commons

From Popular Mechanics

A military transport plane with more than 100 people on board went missing Wednesday on a flight from southern Myanmar to Yangon, a military spokesman said.

Gen. Myat Min Oo said the Chinese-made Y-8 turboprop aircraft was carrying 90 passengers - mostly families of military personnel - and 14 crew members when it went missing Wednesday afternoon.

"The military plane went missing and lost contact after it took off from Myeik, and now the military has started a sea and air search with naval ships and military aircraft and is preparing for rescue operations," he said.

He said it was raining at the time, but not heavily.

Myeik, also known as Mergui, is a city in southeastern Myanmar on the Andaman coast. Much of the plane's route would have been over the Andaman Sea.

An announcement posted on the Facebook page of the commander of the military, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, said the flight took off from Myeik at 1:06 p.m. and contact with it was lost at 1:35 p.m., when it was last seen on radar about 32 kilometers (20 miles) to the west of Dawei, formerly known as Tavoy.

"Four naval ships and two military aircraft have been searching for the plane since 2:00 p.m. up until now," the announcement said.

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There are five major takeaways from James Comey's testimony in front of the Senate: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Former FBI Director James Comey testified in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee regarding his conversations with Donald Trump and the bureau's investigation into the alleged ties between the Trump campaign team and Russia as well Russian interference in the 2016 US election.

Here are the main takeaways from the roughly two hours of testimony which included questioning by Senators.

I take the president at his word that I was fired because of the Russia investigation

Mr Comey, who found out he was sacked while watching television in the Los Angeles bureau of the agency, was confused at first as to why he was let go.

Initial statements and comments from the White House suggested that a memo from Deputy Attorney General Rodney Rosenstein was what swayed the President. The memo stated that public distrust in the bureau had grown since Mr Comey's 28 October letter regarding an investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private sever to send classified emails while she served as Secretary of State.

Many in Washington believed that the letter had a profound impact on the election, which took place just a week after that.

Then the President said on NBC's Nightly News programme that "when I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said, 'You know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made up story, it's an excuse by the Democrats for having lost an election that they should have won.'"

"I was gonna fire regardless of recommendation" from the DOJ memo, Mr Trump noted.

Per detailed memos based on their conversations, Mr Comey said he had been asked repeatedly by Mr Trump to stay on Director and finish his ten-year term which began in 2013.

Mr Comey said he believed his termination was to relieve "pressure" the President was feeling about aides' ties to Russia.

The day after Mr Comey was let go, Mr Trump hosted the Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the White House.

Story continues

"I thought it might prompt the appointment of a special counsel, Mr Comey said about having a friend leak his memos to the media

Mr Trump's tweeting has stirred controversy several times. One of the most notable was in the wake of Mr Comey's firing.

On 12 May the President tweeted that Mr Comey "better hope there are no 'tapes'" of the conversations between the two. It fed into the narrative comparing the Russia probe to President Nixon's Watergate scandal.

In the 1970s, President Richard Nixons administration tried to cover up their involvement in the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, DC. Tapes of Oval Office conversations had to be released as ruled by the Supreme Court at the time and eventually Mr Nixon resigned.

Mr Comey testified that he woke up in the middle of the night after the President's tweet and decided he could not trust the White House to tell the truth about the conversations.

He asked a "good friend" - later confirmed as Columbia University law professor Daniel Richman - to send the unclassified memos Mr Comey had written to a reporter.

The classified memos Mr Comey wrote on the conversations are property of the FBI now that Mr Comey is a private citizen and all of them have since been turned over to the Special Prosecutor team.

Mr Comey took the President's "loyalty" request "as a direction" to drop the investigation into former National Security Advisor Mike Flynn, but not the entire Russia probe

Did anyone ever ask you to stop the Russia investigation? Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr asked.

Mr Comey replied: "Not to my understanding, no.

However, that was not how he felt about Mr Trump's comments on the investigation involving former National Security Adviser Mike Flynn allegeldy receiving illegal payments as a foreign agent of the Turkish government and his possible ties to Russian officials before Mr Trump took office.

Mr Flynn was fired in February 2017 for supposedly lying to Vice President Mike Pence about a meeting he held with the Russian Ambassador to the US.

"I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go," Mr Trump said according to Mr Comey.

Mr Comey testified: I took it as a direction. Its the President of the United States...saying this is what he is hoping Im going to do,

Though he did not "obey it" that is how he interpreted the statement during a dinner when Mr Trump also sought the then-Director's loyalty.

"I don't think it's for me to say whether the conversation I had with the president was an effort to obstruct.

Mr Comey testified that Mr Trump's behaviour in asking for "loyalty" was "concerning...and disturbing" but stopped short of making a legal determination on whether the President actually obstructed justice, which is an impeachable offence.

"A really significant fact for me: why did he kick everyone out of the Oval Office...to talk to me?" Mr Comey testified.

The former FBI Director said his "common sense" said that it made him feel as if Mr Trump was "looking for something in exchange for granting my request to stay in the job" of FBI Director.

Mr Comey said that the determination of obstruction of justice should be left up to the Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller, who was appointed as an independent counsel in the overall Russia investigation.

Obstruction of justice is a tricky legal issue because it has to do with Mr Trump's actions rather than his intent or how Mr Trump's actions made Mr Comey feel. As a lawyer himself, Mr Comey is aware of this and likely why he is leaving that determination up to Mr Mueller.

Philip Allen Lacovara, who was counsel to Watergate special prosecutors Archibald Cox and Leon Jaworski, wrote in the Washington Post that Mr Comeys "statement lays out a case against the president that consists of a tidy pattern, beginning with the demand for loyalty, the threat to terminate Comeys job, the repeated requests to turn off the investigation into Flynn and the final infliction of career punishment for failing to succumb to the presidents requests, all followed by the presidents own concession about his motive."

However, Mr Lacovara said that whether Mr Trump would be indicted on such a crime as a sitting President is an "open question" up to Mr Mueller to answer.

Mr Comey's testimony that he is "sure" Mr Mueller is determining the legality of Mr Trump's actions implied that the President under the purview of the Special Counsel's investigation.

Maybe if I were stronger, I would have, confronted Mr Trump about his inappropriate request for loyalty, Mr Comey said

I was so stunned by the conversation that I just took it in," said Mr Comey in response to Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein's question about why he did not say something to the President when Mr Trump said he hoped the FBI would drop the Flynn investigation.

Mr Comey said he regretted not speaking up in that circumstance, "but thats how I conducted myself. I hope Ill never have another opportunity."

Marco Rubio, the Senator from Florida and erstwhile 2016 Republican presidential candidate, also called Mr Comey's behaviour about not coming forward with the information earlier into question. Mr Comey responded again that he "was a bit stunned and didnt have the presence of mind.

Mr Comey and other FBI senior staff had decided not to release the request for the Flynn investigation to be dropped in order not to put undue pressure on agents assigned to the case.

Oklahoma Senator James Lankford asked what difference that made if the President had already tweeted about his displeasure with the FBI investigation into Mr Flynn.

The former Director said there was a big difference between tweeting and private conversations during which the President was pressuring him.

Senator John Cornyn said Mr Trump's request for Mr Comey to "lift the cloud" around the President and tell the public that the President himself was not under investigation was a reasonable one given the situation.

Senator Roy Blunt stressed that Mr Comey was the one who told the President on many occasions that Mr Trump was not a person of interest in the Russia probe and questioned Mr Comey's motivations for writing the memos about the pair's conversations.
Former FBI Director James Comey on Thursday accused President Donald Trump of lying when he said in the aftermath of Comeys firing that the bureau was in disarray and that its agents had lost confidence in its leader.

Those were lies, plain and simple, Comey told the Senate Intelligence Committee.

In highly anticipated testimony, Comey offered his first public account of his dismissal last month and said there was no doubt that he had been fired to change the nature of the Russia investigation, referring to the FBIs sprawling probe of Kremlin-backed meddling in the 2016 election.

That probe includes an examination of whether Trump aides colluded with the Kremlin campaign to hack into American political organizations and leak stolen documents. On Thursday, Comey refused to say in an open hearing whether he believed Trump colluded with that effort.

According to Comey, Trump attempted during his first weeks in office to recruit the FBI chief as an ally. Comey also said Trump pressured him to drop an FBI investigation of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and that he demanded Comeys loyalty during the early months of his administration.

Comey told the Senate panel that he was so concerned by his conversations with Trump that he immediately documented their encounters  which included a White House dinner, private meetings, and several phone calls  in a series of memorandums. I was honestly concerned that he might lie about the nature of our meeting, Comey said.

Trump has disputed Comeys account and implied on Twitter that there may be taped recordings of their encounters. Comey on Thursday called for those tapes to be released to the public. Lordy, I hope there are tapes, he said.

In a statement, Marc Kasowitz, a lawyer handling Russia-related matters for Trump, denied Comeys version of events and said the president never demanded the FBI chiefs loyalty. Kasowitz described Comey as part of a cabal inside the government who are actively trying to undermine this administration.

Story continues

Even as Comey laid bare an astounding account of his conversations with the president, he made clear that key details about the investigation remain unknown to the public. Intriguingly, Comey said he couldnt discuss in an open hearing why it was problematic for Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who has recused himself from the probe of Kremlin meddling, to be involved in an investigation involving Russia.

The FBIs investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and whether any Trump aides colluded with the effort has mired the White House in controversy during its first months. On Thursday, Comey provided additional information about the scope of that inquiry and whether it will target the president.

Comey said the bureaus investigation of Flynn was criminal in nature and focused on the retired Army lieutenant generals statements regarding contacts with Russian officials. Trump fired Flynn after less than a month in the job, allegedly because he had lied to Vice President Mike Pence about the content of his conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak.

Comeys statement confirms that Flynn was under criminal investigation while serving as national security advisor, a position that would have granted him access to some of the United States most closely guarded national security and intelligence programs.

According to Comey, Trump pressured the FBI director during a Feb. 14 Oval Office meeting to drop the investigation targeting Flynn. He is a good guy and has been through a lot, Trump told Comey, according to the latters recollection. I hope you can let this go.

Trumps critics have seized on that statement to argue that Trump attempted to interfere with an ongoing FBI investigation, which may amount to obstruction of justice. Comey refused on Thursday to say whether Trump committed a crime in pressuring him to drop the probe.

Former FBI Director Robert Mueller has been appointed as a special counsel to lead the investigation of Russian meddling, which has reportedly been expanded to include the probe of Flynn. Comey said he has turned over his memos to Mueller and said his investigation will likely examine whether Trump obstructed justice in pressuring Comey. Thats Bob Muellers job to sort that out, Comey said.

In a January meeting with then President-elect Trump, Comey said he informed his incoming boss that he wasnt a target of the FBIs counterintelligence investigation of Russian meddling. Comey said his senior aides were divided on whether to provide that assurance to Trump.

Comey said one of his aides  the identity of which the former FBI chief did not reveal  urged him not to tell Trump whether he was a target, as doing so would oblige the FBI to correct the record should that change.

When he was fired in May, Comey said Trump had not become a target of the investigation, but added that his actions may eventually come under scrutiny in the probe.

News of undisclosed meetings and communications between Trump aides and Russian officials have dogged the early months of the administration and have undermined the White Houses policy agenda. Trump has repeatedly railed against the media, which has produced a constant drumbeat of stories based on leaked information describing the Russia ties and alleged attempts by the White House to shut down the investigation.

On Thursday, Comey said that after he was fired, he instructed a close friend to describe to a New York Times reporter the memo he wrote documenting Trumps attempt to convince the FBI to drop its investigation of Flynn. Comey said he instructed his friend to leak the information in order to generate momentum for the appointment of a special counsel to lead the bureaus investigation.

Kasowitz, the Trump lawyer, seized on Comeys admission that he leaked the contents of his memo and said he had revealed privileged and classified information. Kasowitz called on federal authorities to examine whether the disclosure should be investigated. Comey claimed during his testimony that the material was not classified.

In email to Foreign Policy, Columbia Law School Professor Daniel Richman confirmed that he served as Comeys intermediary.

FP staff writer Jenna McLaughlin contributed reporting to this article.

SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

Correction, June 8, 2017: Michael Flynn is the former U.S. national security advisor fired for allegedly lying to Vice President Mike Pence. A previous version of this article called Flynn the vice president by mistake.
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Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff speaks to his supporters in Georgia's 6th Congressional District: Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Democrat Jon Ossoff is leading Republican Karen Handel in the special election race for Georgias traditionally conservative sixth district, a new poll finds.

The poll, conducted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, shows the 30-year-old Democrat leading by seven points: 51 per cent to Ms Handels 44.

Mr Ossoff, a first-time candidate, boasts a large majority with women voters. His Republican challenger has a small lead with men. Mr Ossoff also scores better with younger voters, while Ms Handel has a small advantage among those over 65.

The Georgia sixth district House race has been billed as an early referendum on Republican President Donald Trump, and a predictor of what could come from the 2018 mid-term elections.

This is the first competitive race in the country since the presidential election, its the first chance to make a statement about what we stand for, and the eyes of the country are on us, Mr Ossoff told New York Magazine in April.

The media buzz around the race has also lead to a massive increase in fundraising. Mr Ossoff has raised an impressive $23.6m over the course of his campaign. Ms Handel has yet to release her latest campaign totals, but outside Republican groups have contributed about $12m.

It is now the most expensive House race in US history.

Georgia's sixth district voted for Republican Mitt Romney over Barack Obama by more than 20 percentage points in 2012, and for Mr Trump by 1.5 per cent. Democrats hope that flipping the sixth will send a message to conservative politicians that they are falling out of favour.

Republicans, meanwhile, are eager to show strength going into the 2018 midterms  in which all House seats are on the table.

Republicans cant afford to lose this because it changes the narrative and it makes it easier for Democrats to recruit candidates and fundraise, republican Representative Tom Davis told Politico.

Mr Trump has recorded robocalls to support Ms Handels campaign, and Vice President Mike Pence will campaign alongside her on Friday.

Ms Handel and Mr Ossoff emerged as the top candidates from each party in a crowded primary race in April. Because neither obtained 50 per cent of the vote, the race goes to a runoff on 20 June.
Virginia gubernatorial candidates Tom Perriello and Ralph Northam. (Photos: Linda Davidson/The Washington Post via Getty Images; Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

ALEXANDRIA, Va.  The two Democrats locked in a tight primary contest for governor sprinted around the commonwealth Saturday, hoping to alert enough of their own supporters about the fact that the election will be held Tuesday.

Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam kicked off a day full of events here just across the river from Washington, D.C., meeting with volunteers who were heading out to knock on doors, and showing off his support from the states Democratic establishment.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe and the states two Democratic senators, Sen. Tim Kaine and Sen. Mark Warner, joined Northam at several campaign events.

This is about governance. People talk about what they want to do. With Ralph, we dont need to talk about it. He has done it, McAuliffe told about 40 Northam canvassers on a quiet side street.

From left, Sen. Tim Kaine, supporter Hazel Rigby, Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam in Arlington, Va., on June 10, 2017. (Photo: Jon Ward/Yahoo News)

It was a subtle knock at Northams opponent, former Rep. Tom Perriello, who at 42 is 15 years younger than the lieutenant governor and has spent much of the last few years abroad as a special envoy to the Republic of the Congo for then-President Barack Obama.

Perriello got some rest Saturday morning after barnstorming the state for 24 hours straight  from Friday morning until Saturday morning  doing 15 events across Virginia. He was scheduled to hold events in his hometown of Charlottesville in the afternoon.

At Northams morning event here, McAuliffe said in an interview that he was glad that the two Democratic candidates havent been destroying each other.

But in fact the race has gone negative in the last few days with the appearance of an online ad attacking Perriello that was created by an outside group that does not have to disclose its donors until after Tuesdays primary.

The ad, which hits Perriello for his past efforts to limit federal funding for abortion in Obamas 2010 health care bill, was criticized by Northam. But on Saturday, Perriellos campaign demanded that Northam call on the group to disclose its donors.

As voters make up their minds before heading to the polls Tuesday, they deserve to know whether [Northams] top allies are bankrolling these attack ads in the closing days of this primary, Perriello said.

Story continues

Tom Perriello greets supporters in front of the venue where progressive and labor groups from across the Commonwealth hosted a forum for him and fellow candidate Ralph Northam to discuss Virginias 2017 gubernatorial race on May 2, 2017, in Arlington, Va. (Photo: Bill OLeary/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

And the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that the media firm used to make the online video ad had ties to McAuliffe.

Weve just got to get through Tuesday, McAuliffe said. The key will be Wednesday; well have our unity rally. Everybody comes back together.  And listen: if Tom were to win Tuesday night, Ill be the first guy out there Wednesday morning.

For me, its about having a Democrat, for all these things I just talked to you about, the governor added. But I am loyal to Ralph because Ralph has been loyal to me.  Weve been through battles, and hes been at my side in the battle.

In an interview with Yahoo News, Northam made sure to mention womens rights several times, as well as gun control, another issue on which he has sought to contrast his views with Perriellos. And Northam said that he is the candidate who will more effectively stand up to President Trump.

There is so much anti-Washington and anti-Trump sentiment, Northam said. Virginians are looking for a leader who will stand up and have a backbone and say, This is not what were going to have in Virginia. I bring that to the table as well.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam greets attendees before a debate at a union hall in Richmond, Va., on May 9, 2017. The two candidates will face off in the primary on June 13. (Photo: Steve Helber/AP)

Read more from Yahoo News:
Donald Trump has accused Qatar of funding terrorism at a "very high level", and says that the world wants the small country to rejoin "the unity of responsible nations" in bringing about "the beginning of the end" of the global threat.

However, his remarks appeared at odds with his Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who just hours before urged Gulf nations to go easier on Qatar. Several countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, have imposed a diplomatic blockade on Qatar, and have said that the nation needs to meet several demands  including ending alleged support for terrorism  before it can restart diplomatic ties.

"The nation of Qatar has unfortunately been a funder of terrorism, and at a very high level", Mr Trump said during an appearance alongside the President of Romania  Klaus Iohannis  at the White House. Mr Tillerson was sitting just few away watching as he was seemingly contradicted by the President.

Launching an extraordinary allegation against a key US military partner, Mr Trump derided what he called Qatar's extremist ideology in terms of funding terrorist groups, an accusation Qatar has repeatedly and vehemently denied. His comments were a forceful endorsement of this week's move by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to cut off ties to Qatar.

Just a couple of hours earlier, Mr Tillerson delivered his own remarks on Qatar's crisis. He urged the Gulf nations to work together and ease up on the blockade. At that time, he also criticised Qatar for its extremist ties.

"There are humanitarian consequences to this blockade", Mr Tillerson said. "The blockade is also impairing US and other international business activities in the region and has created a hardship on the people of Qatar and the peoples whose livelihoods depend on commerce with Qatar. The blockade is hindering US military actions in the region and the campaign against Isis".

Story continues

Mr Trump's position on the blockade has seesawed, and he initially celebrated its announcement. Soon after doing so this week, he changed his tone to bring him closer to statements made by Mr Tillerson. Qatar is where the US has its largest military base in the Middle East stationed. Most US air attacks on Isis originate from Qatar.

Saudi Arabia and several other countries imposed a diplomatic blockade after the government's state-owned media published an interview with the Qatari emir  which the government has since disputed  in which he reportedly criticised hostility to Iran, sympathised with three Islamist groups, accused Saudi Arabia of adopting extremist ideologies, and said that Mr Trump might not last long in the Oval Office.

The Gulf States have demanded several actions to be made by Qatar before they will reestablish those diplomatic ties. That wish list includes cutting off ties with Iran, expelling resident members of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, as well as the Muslim Brotherhood group, and an end to funding terrorism.

Increasing the pressure on Friday, those nations put 12 organisations and 59 people on a terror sanctions list and described them as being associated with Qatar, which called the allegations baseless.

Notwithstanding Qatar's denials, Western diplomats accuse Qatar's government of allowing or even encouraging the funding of some Sunni extremists, such as al-Qaeda's branch in Syria.

Mr Trump said Arab leaders he met with in Saudi Arabia last month had urged him to confront Qatar over its behaviour.

The time had come to call on Qatar to end its funding, Mr Trump said. They have to end that funding.

Mr Tillerson, speaking at the State Department, said the US would help support efforts to mediate the crisis, along with Kuwait  another Gulf country that has stepped up to try to broker a resolution. Urging all sides to avoid further escalation of the conflict, Mr Tillerson said the elements were available to resolve it.
Erin Elizabeth McAuliffe was arrested and accused of having inappropriate encounters with three students at Rocky Mount Preparatory in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. (Photo: Facebok)

After a month-long police investigation, a 25-year-old math teacher at a North Carolina private school has been arrested for and charged with allegedly having sexual encounters with three students. The boys  minors, aged 17 and 16  are all students at Rocky Mount Preparatory in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, where Erin Elizabeth McAuliffe taught until she was fired early last month.

McAuliffe began working at the school as a math teacher in 2016. She was arrested and charged officially this past Thursday, according to a report from the Rocky Mount Telegram newspaper. Local police charged McAuliffe with three counts of sexual activity with a student and one count of indecent liberties with a minor.

Rocky Mount police have stated their investigation into the situation began when the school reported an inappropriate relationship to authorities on May 5, 2017. After conducting interviews with staff and students, McAuliffe was subsequently arrested and charged. As detailed in the Daily Mail, McAuliffe was reportedly fired a day before the police were sent tips on her alleged activity.

Erin McAuliffe (Photo: Facebook)

According to information available on her various social media profiles, McAuliffe is a native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and graduated from the local public high school in 2010. Following high school, she attended Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she was a member of the math club and the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority.

At the time of this writing, McAuliffe was being held under $20,000 bail and in custody at the Carteret County jail. She has a court appearance date of June 12.

If McAuliffe is found guilty of her charges, she could be facing up to five years in prison.

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Brussels (AFP) - The European Union urged British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday to start Brexit talks as quickly as possible but warned of complications ahead after she lost her majority in a snap election.

As May promised to stick to the timetable for starting negotiations in 10 days' time, the EU said time was running out to secure a deal before Britain formally leaves in March 2019.

European Council President Donald Tusk said the "urgent task" was to conduct talks "in the best possible spirit" and minimise disruption for citizens and businesses.

"The timeframe set by Article 50 of the Treaty leaves us with no time to lose," Tusk, who acts on behalf of the EU's 28 national leaders, said in a congratulatory letter to May, referring to the divorce clause in the EU's Lisbon Treaty.

Former Polish premier Tusk had earlier called on May to "do your best to avoid a 'no deal' as result of 'no negotiations'", after Britain's repeated threats to walk out of talks if the EU pushes key issues including a 100-billion-euro exit bill.

Brussels was left in shock after May's gamble to increase her majority badly backfired, with fears that it could hold up talks that have still not started almost a year after Britain voted to leave the EU.

Despite facing calls to resign, May vowed Friday to form a new government to lead Britain out of the EU, adding after a speech in Downing Street: "Now let's get to work."

European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said he hoped there would not be "further delay" in the Brexit talks that "we are desperately waiting for."

"As far as the commission is concerned we can open negotiations tomorrow morning at half past nine," Juncker told reporters in Prague.

EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, who was responsible for setting the goal of starting talks in the week beginning June 19, said they should start when the "UK is ready."

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"Timetable and EU positions are clear. Let's put our minds together on striking a deal," the Frenchman said on Twitter.

Barnier had previously set a timetable of talks starting the week beginning June 19, with agreement on initial issues by autumn of this year and a provisional Brexit deal in October 2018.

But EU budget commissioner Guenther Oettinger said Britain's May was now likely to be a "weak" partner.

"The British need to negotiate their exit but with a weak negotiating partner, there is a danger that the talks are bad for both parties," Oettinger told German radio.

- 'Clock is ticking' -

Britain and the EU are at odds over almost every detail of the divorce, from the sequencing of the talks, to the rights of EU citizens living in Britain and the size of the bill Brussels says it must pay to leave.

EU officials had hoped a strong win for May would make it easier to override domestic opposition and compromise with the EU.

European Parliament Brexit negotiator and Belgian ex-premier Guy Verhofstadt warned the election result would make talks more difficult.

"Yet another own goal, after Cameron now May will make already complex negotiations even more complicated," Verhofstadt tweeted, comparing the outcome to former British prime minister David Cameron's ill-fated decision to call last year's Brexit referendum.

Manfred Weber, the head of the European Parliament's largest group and a key ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said May had caused "chaos".

"EU is united, UK is deeply split. PM May wanted stability but brought chaos to her country instead," tweeted Weber, who leads the centre-right European People's Party.

"The clock is ticking for Brexit. Therefore the UK needs a government soon. The date for the beginning of negotiations is now unclear."

Gianni Pittella, leader of the socialist bloc in parliament, added: "It's a disaster for May. Her huge gamble has backfired spectacularly. She has no credibility in UK or Europe. She should resign."

May must now face the other 27 European leaders at a summit in Brussels on June 22 and 23.
A 3-year-old hacker reportedly compromised the phone and Twitter account of Deputy Press Secretary and Deputy Assistant to the President Sarah Huckabee Sanders early Saturday morning. (Photo: AP)

In the early hours of Saturday morning, Twitter followers of Sarah Huckabee Sanders were greeted with a baffling message of an unknown political nature. Seemingly taking a page from Donald Trumps infamous covfefe incident from last month, the official Twitter account of White House deputy press secretary and deputy assistant to the president lit up with a string of emojis amid the words :/9// followed by lolaklkk:

???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? :/9//&????????????

#????lolaklkk????????????????????????????  Sarah H. Sanders (@SHSanders45) June 10, 2017

Within the hour, onlookers on Twitter began speculating, joking, and arguing about what the message could possibly mean.

Having trouble translating this into its native Russian  Stephen Grant (@stephencgrant) June 10, 2017

Is "lolaklkk" the next "covfefe"?  Lotus Prince (@LotusPrince) June 10, 2017

Roughly 2 hours after the initial message went out, Huckabee Sanders finally chimed in herself, explaining, This is what happens when your 3 year old steals your phone. Thanks Huck! #neverleaveyourphoneunlocked

This is what happens when your 3 year old steals your phone. Thanks Huck! #neverleaveyourphoneunlocked https://t.co/qFD8zRpn8g  Sarah H. Sanders (@SHSanders45) June 10, 2017

Never leaving your phone unlocked is certainly sage advice from a White House official. Some on Twitter even speculated that this notorious toddler security leak may have been on a government issued phone, but that is unverified.

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You're compromising our national security by leaving your White House communications tools unsecured & should resign immediately. #AMJoy  Scott Dworkin (@funder) June 10, 2017

In addition to being the deputy press secretary and deputy assistant to Donald Trump, Huckabee Sanders is the daughter of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, and indeed a mother of three children. Huckabee Sanders worked on the Trump campaign as an adviser and assumer her official role on January 20, following the inauguration.

So proud of my amazing wife @SarahHuckabee who starts her new job as Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary today pic.twitter.com/kYcTCyUllt  Bryan Sanders (@sanders_bryan) January 20, 2017

In the ongoing political playbook covering the controversial Donal Trump administration, Huckabee Sanders recent move into the spotlight has many pundits speculating that she is a likely replacement for Press Secretary Sean Spicer. Heres hoping that rise in her political career isnt compromised by her 3-year-olds secret codes on Twitter.

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While answering questions during his hearing before the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday, former FBI Director James Comey testified Russian hackers targeted hundreds of entities in an attempt to interfere with the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

"There was a massive effort to target government and near-governmental agencies, like nonprofits," Comey said. When asked how many entities were targeted by Russians attackers, Comey said, It's hundreds. I suppose it could be more than a thousand, but it's at least hundreds."

Read: What James Comey Will Say At Hearing About Trump, Russia And Mike Flynn

Comeys insight into how widespread Russias hacking efforts appeared to fall in line with the conclusion of a recently leaked U.S. National Security Agency document published by the Intercept that showed a number of private election software and hardware manufacturers were targeted by the Russian military.

The document stated at least one voting software maker was compromised in a cyberattack. It also stated more than 100 local government officials and organizations involved with elections were targeted though there was no indication votes were manipulated.

Comey offered a similar conclusion regarding vote totals. When asked by committee chairman Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., if he was confident no votes were altered in the 2016 election, Comey said: Im confident. When I left as director, I had no indication of that whatsoever.

The ousted FBI director also said his first indication of Russian efforts to interfere with the electoral process in the U.S. started as early as the summer of 2015.

Read: James Comey Testimony Hearing: What Security Experts Hope To Learn About Russian Hacking From His Remarks

Comeys timeline and description of the breadth of the apparent cybercampaign carried out by the Russian government falls in line with much of what has been reported about the attacks, including details in the NSA document.

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An analysis published by security research firm SecureWorks, which has tracked the Russian hacking group Fancy Bear that is supposedly behind some of the attacks, found that nearly 9,000 phishing links designed to compromise a persons account were sent to around 4,000 individuals from October 2015 to May 2016. The dates and numbers match up to Comeys testimony.

The former head of the FBI also said he expected the interference aimed at the 2016 presidential election will not be the last time the Russian government attempts to meddle with the U.S.

Comey called Russian hacking "a long term practice of theirs," and warned "they'll be back." He noted the hacking efforts were not necessarily aimed at advantaging a particular point of view, but rather were designed to sow chaos within the American government.

Theyre going to come for whatever party they choose to try and work on behalf of, and theyre not devoted to either, in my experience, Comey said. Theyre just about their own advantage and they will be back.

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Former FBI Director James Comey speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill: AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Former FBI Director James Comey has testified that President Donald Trump did not ask him to stop his investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 US election.

Democrats have raised concerns that Mr Trump may have fired his former FBI director in order to impede this investigation, which includes a probe into his campaign's ties to Russia.

Testifying in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee, however, Mr Comey said neither the president nor his staff had directly asked him to shut down the investigation.

Did anyone ever ask you to stop the Russia investigation? Intelligence Committee chairman Richard Burr asked Mr Comey.

"Not to my understanding, no, Mr Comey replied.

It was the most direct answer the former FBI director had given to the question since he left office. A series of Mr Comey's memos, leaked after his firing, had raised questions about the president's handling of the situation.

In one instance, Mr Comey documented a meeting in which Mr Trump allegedly asked him to drop the FBI investigation into former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Mr Flynn was fired from his White House role after misrepresenting his contacts with Russian officials to the vice president and others.

In a meeting first reported by The New York Times  and confirmed by Mr Comey in his opening statement  the FBI director claims Mr Trump staged a private meeting with him and said, "I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go".

Mr Comey said on Thursday that he perceived the president's words as an order. He clarified, however, that he did not consider this an order to drop the Russia investigation as a whole.

Comey: I took it as  this is what he wants me to do when Trump said he hoped hed lay off the Flynn, but I didnt do it pic.twitter.com/Uoz4wf2ORg  Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) June 8, 2017

Mr Comey also would not comment on whether Mr Trump's actions constituted obstruction of justice, telling the committee, "I don't think it's for me to say".

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Opponents of Mr Trump have put much stock in Mr Comey's testimony, which they believe may contain evidence of wrongdoing  even lawbreaking  by the president.

While Mr Comey called the president's actions "disturbing," he did not make any direct allegations of illegal behaviour.
Pirates right-hander Jameson Taillon is ready to return following his testicular cancer diagnosis. (AP)

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon is ready to return to the big leagues. The 25-year-old right-hander was announced as the Pirates starting pitcher Monday in Colorado, which will come five weeks to the day after Taillon underwent surgery for suspected testicular cancer. That diagnosis was confirmed a few days later.

Taillon made three rehab starts, throwing a combined 14 innings for Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. Taillon tossed three scoreless innings, striking out six for Altoona on May 28. In subsequent starts for Indianapolis, Taillon allowed five earned runs while striking out 15.

It wasnt so much about the numbers though as it was Taillon getting back into a groove. The Pirates feel hes more than ready to take the next big step, as does Taillon.

Jameson Taillon ready to return to the rotation Monday vs. Colorado. pic.twitter.com/VVaaK22fq1  Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) June 10, 2017

Taillon has been overwhelmed by the support hes received from Pirates fans and from players around the league. Hes been in contact with Rockies pitcher Chad Bettis, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer last fall. Bettis recently completed a three-month cycle of chemotherapy and hopes to be back in Colorados rotation by the All-Star break.

He also says hes heard from cancer survivors Lance Armstrong and John Kruk, who shared experiences from their respective battles.

[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Baseball contest now]

Taillons return is expected to provide a nice boost to the Pirates. In six starts earlier this season, he posted a 3.31 ERA while striking out 30 over 35 1/3 innings.

Its a little ironic, too, that Taillons return start falls on the night of the 2017 draft. The Pirates had high hopes when they selected Taillon No. 2 overall in the 2010 draft. Those high hopes remain now, though they must come with a renewed perspective following his unexpected health issues.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
Japan's parliament passed a law Friday that clears the way for its ageing Emperor Akihito to step down, in what would be the first imperial abdication in more than two centuries.

The popular 83-year-old monarch shocked the country last summer when he signalled his desire to take a back seat after nearly three decades on the Chrysanthemum Throne, citing his age and health problems.

The unexpected move presented a challenge since there was no law to deal with an emperor retiring from what is usually a job for life -- and it reignited debate about allowing women to ascend the male-only throne.

The one-off rule was passed in the last-stage upper house on Friday in a unanimous decision after the lower chamber gave its stamp of approval last week.

The abdication must take place within three years -- and it only applies to Akihito.

Tokyo is eyeing the end of 2018 as a likely timeline for his retirement, Japanese media said.

The status of the emperor is sensitive in Japan given its 20th century history of war waged in the name of Akihito's father Hirohito, who died in 1989.

Some worried that changing the law to allow any emperor to abdicate could put Japan's future monarchs at risk of being subject to political manipulation.

Akihito, who has been treated for prostate cancer and had heart surgery, is expected to step aside in favour of his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, 57.

There have been abdications in Japan's long imperial history, but the last one was more than 200 years ago, so politicians had to craft new legislation to make it possible.

"The one-off law is a result of political compromises, but it will become a precedent for future abdications," said Setsu Kobayashi, a constitutional expert and professor emeritus at Japan's Keio University.

- 'Casual image' -

Akihito was born in 1933 just as Japan was embarking on its militaristic sweep across Asia, and was 11 when the war ended in defeat.

His father was allowed to remain on the throne after Japan's defeat, but his status was downgraded from semi-devine sovereign to a figurehead with no political power.

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Akihito embraced the role and tried to use it to help heal the scars of the war while remoulding one of the world's oldest monarchies for a democratic age.

Even before he assumed the throne, Akihito broke with tradition when he married the daughter of a wealthy flour magnate in 1959, becoming the first imperial heir to wed a commoner.

The emperor and his wife Empress Michiko are seen as being the more accessible face of a monarchy that largely remains in the shadows, unlike the British royals.

The couple have frequently attended public events and console victims of natural disasters, including Japan's 2011 quake-tsunami disaster.

Akihito is barred from commenting on politics, but he has over the years hinted at his own anti-nationalist views.

Speaking at a memorial marking the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender, Akihito expressed "deep remorse" for the country's actions in World War II.

Some saw this as a rebuke to nationalist Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has pushed to change Japan's pacifist constitution and prevent Japanese from having to apologise again for the nation's warring past.

Akihito's pending abdication had reignited concerns about a potential succession crisis.

There are no more eligible male heirs after the 10-year-old son of Crown Prince Naruhito's younger brother Akishino.

Japan's centuries-old succession would be broken if that son, Hisahito, does not have a male child.

In response, Japan's parliament has called for a debate on giving women a bigger role in the male-dominated monarchy.

The idea -- including the possibility of letting women ascend the throne -- is popular among ordinary Japanese, but it is vehemently opposed by traditionalists including the current prime minister and like minded conservatives.

Female imperial family members lose their royal status upon marriage to a commoner, a point highlighted by recent news that one of Akihito's granddaughters, Princess Mako, plans to marry her college sweetheart.
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions speaks at the opening session of the National Law Enforcement Conference on Human Exploitation in Atlanta: Bob Andres/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP

Attorney General Jeff Sessions may have had a third, undisclosed interaction with Russian officials, former FBI Director James Comey has reportedly told senators.

In a closed hearing, Mr Comey told senators it is possible the Attorney General spoke with Russian officials three times over the course of the Trump campaign  interactions Mr Sessions neglected to mention when asked about his contact with Russians in a Senate confirmation hearing.

Mr Comey did not want to discuss the possibility during his public Senate testimony, a source familiar with the briefing told CNN.

Mr Sessions has previously come under fire for failing to disclose his meetings with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. The Attorney General had two publicly reported meetings with Mr Kislyak in 2016: once at the Republican National Convention, and once at his office in Washington.

In his confirmation hearing, however, Mr Sessions said, I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in [the Trump] campaign, and I did not have communications with the Russians."

Now, Mr Comey  who was investigating the Trump campaigns possible ties to Russia before Mr Trump fired him  has raised the possibility of an additional meeting.

Congressional investigators are already on the case, according to CNN. They are looking into a possible meeting on 27 April, 2016 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. Mr Sessions and Mr Kislyak both attended a VIP reception at the hotel that day.

Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores denied any private interactions between Mr Sessions and the Russian ambassador at the hotel.

"The facts haven't changed; the then-Senator did not have any private or side conversations with any Russian officials at the Mayflower Hotel," she said.

Mr Comey hinted at the meeting in his public testimony on Thursday, saying the FBI had purposely kept information regarding the Russian investigation from the attorney general.

We ... were aware of facts that I cant discuss in an open setting that would make his continued engagement in a Russia-related investigation problematic, Mr Comey said.

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! Comey says there was facts that would make Sessions involvement in the Russia investigation problematic but he cant discuss in public pic.twitter.com/H1rNT4SBN1  Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) June 8, 2017

Mr Sessions recused himself from the Justice Departments Russia investigation in March.

The Attorney General will testify in front of the a Senate appropriations subcommittee next week, where he is expected to face questions on his role in Mr Comeys firing.

"I am deeply concerned about the Attorney Generals role in firing Director Comey in light of his recusal from the Russia investigation," senior Appropriations Committee Democrat Patrick Leahy said in a statement. "...As Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I have many important questions for him to answer.
While most people werent surprised to hear that Mary Kay Letourneau was splitting from her student-turned husband Vili Fualaau, some of their friends  who supported the union  were shocked. Letourneau started her affair with Fualaau when he was 12 and she was 34. She also was married and the mother of four children.

Letourneau went to prison for seven-and-a-half years after she admitted to two counts of child rape. Fualaau was the father of two children before he was 15 years old.

Still, some of their friends claimed the relationship was legitimate. They were in love with each other, friend Lydia Edgmon told People Magazine in an exclusive interview Friday. They were always sweet-talking. He was a gentleman. They were sweethearts. Every time I saw them, they were always together, always in love, always respectful and sweet. She added: Every picture on his Facebook right now is only him and his daughters.

READ: Mary Kay Letourneau Always Wanted Vili Fualaau To Man Up, Source Says

Even though their daughters are over the age of 18, Edgmon argued they would stay together for the children. I cant even imagine them getting divorced, she said. With his personality and her personality, they are not going to do anything to harm those children.

Fualaau filed separation papers in the state of Washington last month.

While Letourneau and Fualaau might no longer remain intimate, they will always have a connection. They are always going to be friends, Edgmon said. There is nothing that is going to separate them as friends forever.

One person addressed the controversy of their relationship, how Letourneau met Fualaau when he was in second grade and then engaged in a sexual relationship with him when he wasnt yet 13.

An insider argued Letourneau wasnt a pedophile because she didnt bed another child. What she did was wrong, family friend Anne Bremner told the magazine. But that was a long time ago. She and Vili have been together for, what, 20 years? She doesnt discount the seriousness of what the situation is. But shes not a pedophile because shes not with the next 13-year-old.

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In an interesting twist, one insider said Letourneau wanted Fualauu to man up.

He said she nagged a lot. She always wanted him to man up and take responsibility, an insider told People Magazine about the 33-year-old DJ. He complained about her sometimes, but all guys complain about their wives. The source added: She handled everything  like the money, the chores, all of it.

READ: Vili Fualaau Is Dumping Mary Kay Letourneau So He Can Make Money Off Marijuana, He Says

Fualaau claimed the only reason he separated from Letourneau was because he wanted to get into the marijuana business and he couldnt do that with the former teacher as his wife since shes a convicted felon.

Its not necessarily what you think, Fualaau told Radar Online in an exclusive interview last month. Everything is fine between us.

All the rumors that you hear between us. Its fine, he said. Of course [we are still in love]. A piece of paper doesnt break someones feelings!

Mary Kay Letourneau

Photo: Reuters

Follow me on Twitter@mariamzzarella

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Twitter users mocked John McCain after the Arizona senator asked ousted FBI director James Comey questions that were seemingly unrelated to a Senate Intelligence Committee

hearing on Capitol Hill on Thursday.

McCain's questions neither focused on the allegations that candidate Donald Trump's campaign colluded with the Russian government during last year's presidential election, nor the testimony that Comey gave about having private conversations with the commander in chief. Instead, the Republican senator spent most of his time asking Comey about Hillary Clinton's 2016 email investigation.

"The American people have a whole lot of questions out there, particularly since you just emphasized the role that Russia played, and obviously she was a candidate for president at the time," McCain said to Comey.

"Im a little confused, Senator," Comey replied to McCain.

Likewise, the microblog erupted with hundreds of tweets expressing confusion with the McCain's line of questioning.

McCain's questions neither focused on the allegations that candidate Donald Trump's campaign colluded with the Russian government during last year's presidential election, nor the testimony that Comey gave about having private conversations with the commander in chief. Instead, the Republican senator spent most of his time asking Comey about Hillary Clinton's 2016 email investigation.

"The American people have a whole lot of questions out there, particularly since you just emphasized the role that Russia played, and obviously she was a candidate for president at the time," McCain said to Comey.

Story continues

READ: Russia Hack US Election? Comey Says Russians Targeted Hundreds Of US Entities

Undeterred, McCain continued to press Comey on the Clinton campaign.

"So she was clearly involved in this whole situation where, fake news  as you just described it, is a big deal  took place, the senator said. Youre going to have to help me out here. In other words, were complete, the investigation of anything former Secretary Clinton had to do with the campaign is over, and we dont have to worry about it anymore?"

The questions prompted Comey to clarify that Clinton was not linked to the Russians in the same way that Trump was allegedly being investigated.

"But I want to say something to be clear: We have not announced, and there was no prediction to announce an investigation into whether the Russians had coordinated with Secretary Clintons campaign," Comey told McCain.

After that exchange, McCain took his last few minutes to address part of Comey's testimony and "that thing" that Trump asked him. "It didnt seem to me to be important for the conversation we were having to understand it," Comey said.

READ: What Does Defame Mean? James Comey Says Trump Lied

McCain defended his questions with a statement issued hours after the hearing.

"I get the tense from Twitter that my line of questioning today went over people's heads. Maybe going forward I shouldn't stay up late watching the Diamondbacks night games," he said in a statement Thursday.

McCain issues a statement on his hearing questions, suggests he shouldn't "stay up late watching Diamondbacks night games" pic.twitter.com/09sSpT0Vcn  Jeremy Herb (@jeremyherb) June 8, 2017

"What I was trying to get at was whether Mr. Comey believes that any of his interactions with the President rise to the level of obstruction of justice," his statement said. "In the case of Secretary Clinton's emails, Mr. Comey was willing to step beyond his role as an investigator and state his belief about what 'no reasonable prosecutor' would conclude about the evidence. I wanted Mr. Comey to apply the same approach to the key question surrounding his interactions with President Trump  whether or not the President's conduct constitutes obstruction of justice."

McCain added: "While I missed an opportunity in today's hearing, I still believe this question is important, and I intend to submit it in writing to Mr. Comey for the record."

Actual footage of John McCain today #ComeyHearing pic.twitter.com/y88yL1KW1o  Lyndon File (@GAdv_LyndonFile) June 8, 2017

Ok, either John McCain was off his game today or he was auditioning to be a Muppet pic.twitter.com/PjIlGQj6hv  Paul Lander (@paul_lander) June 8, 2017

John McCain reminded me of very senior faculty who seem barely present at seminars. Except he's a senator at a key Intel Committee hearing.  Lego Grad Student (@legogradstudent) June 8, 2017

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Washington (AFP) - On the same day as President Donald Trump's actions were under intense and unflattering scrutiny in the US Senate, his wife Melania urged supporters to sign a birthday card for her husband that he will "never forget."

"I need your help to make it a birthday my husband will never forget," Melania Trump wrote in an email to supporters. Her husband turns 71 on Wednesday.

"Our celebrations always include family and close friends. You have certainly proven yourself to be a loyal friend of my husband through your support of his positive vision to Make America Great Again and your unwavering commitment to the Republican Party," the first lady's email added.

"Friend, Donald will be glad to hear from friends like you who have meant so much to his and our Partys success."

Former first lady Michelle Obama also used to ask supporters to help celebrate her husband Barack's birthday.

But the first lady's appeal came just as ousted FBI chief James Comey was accusing her husband's administration of lies and defamation at a hearing into Russian interference in the US elections.
Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts and the 2012 Republican nominee for president, said Friday that hed sought advice from Hillary Clinton when considering serving as President Donald Trumps secretary of state.

Speaking at his annual donor retreat in Park City, Utah, Romney said he was shocked when he found out Trump was considering him for the post. Romney was a vocal critic of Trump throughout the 2016 campaign.

According to Politico and CNN reporters at the retreat, Romney said he took the consideration seriously, and discussed the possibility with Clinton, who served as secretary of state under President Barack Obama. Clinton, Romney said, encouraged him to take the job if it was offered.

Romney reveals in Park City that HILLARY encouraged him to consider Sec State job  Alex Isenstadt (@politicoalex) June 9, 2017

Upon review -- Hillary Clinton went further:



She actively ENCOURAGED Romney to take her old job. https://t.co/GBfdJK4s5I  Teddy Schleifer (@teddyschleifer) June 9, 2017

Its the first time Romney has publicly discussed the process in detail. The selection process was drawn out for several weeks, and included a dinner between Trump and Romney at the famed New York City restaurant Jean Georges.

While some speculated that Trump was stringing Romney along out of spite, the then-president-elect said his interest in the former governor for the role was genuine.

Its not about revenge, its about whats good for the country, and Im able to put this stuff behind us, Trump said at the time.

Trump ultimately selected Rex Tillerson for the post. But if he had been offered the role, Romney said Friday, he would have accepted it.

Also on HuffPost

Post the traditional inaugural tea and coffee reception, President Donald Trump looks out of the Red Room window onto the South Portico of the White House grounds on Friday, Jan. 20 2017 prior to departing the White House for the Presidential Inaugural ceremony.

President Donald Trump raises his fist to the crowds during the 58th U.S. Presidential Inauguration after he was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America on January 20, 2017.

Attendees line the Mall as they watch ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump on Inauguration Day on January 20, 2017.

Demonstrators protest on the National Mall in Washington, DC, for the Women's march on January 21, 2017.

People take a photo as City Hall is bathed lighted in pink after thousands of people marched to protest President Donald Trump and to show support for women's rights in San Francisco on January 21, 2017.

A woman wears a US flag like a hijab during a protest of US Democrats Abroad in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on January 21, 2017, one day after the inauguration of the US President.

A view of demonstrators marching on Pennsylvania Avenue during the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC.

President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, January 23, 2017. Trump on Monday signed three orders on withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, freezing the hiring of federal workers and hitting foreign NGOs that help with abortion.

President Donald Trump takes the cap off a pen to sign an executive order to start the Mexico border wall project at the Department of Homeland Security facility in Washington, DC, on January 25, 2017.

President Donald Trump salutes as he steps off Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland upon his return from Philadelphia on January 26, 2017.

President Donald Trump seen through an Oval Office window gives a thumbs up as he speaks on the phone to King Salman of Saudi Arabia in the Oval Office of the White House on January 29, 2017 in Washington, DC.

Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump and his administration's ban of travelers from 7 countries by Executive Order, during a rally outside the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on January 30, 2017. Trump's executive order suspended the arrival of all refugees for at least 120 days, Syrian refugees indefinitely -- and bars citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days.

Judge Neil Gorsuch (R) speaks with US President Donald Trump after he was nominated for the Supreme Court, at the White House in Washington, DC, on January 31, 2017.

President Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka walk to board Marine One at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 1, 2017.

US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Rex Tillerson (L) as Tillerson's wife Renda St. Clair look on after Tillerson was sworn in as Secretary of State in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 1, 2017. President Trump notched a victory with confirmation of Rex Tillerson as his secretary of state, but opposition Democrats girded for battle over several other nominations, including his pick for the US Supreme Court.

President Donald Trump jokes with reporters after greeting Harley Davidson executives and union representatives on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 2, 2017 prior to a luncheon with them.

A boy looks up as demonstrators pray while participating in a protest by the Yemeni community against U.S. President Donald Trump's travel ban in the Brooklyn borough of New York, U.S., February 2, 2017.

President Donald Trump pauses as he talks to journalists who are members of the White house travel pool on board Air Force One during his flight to Palm Beach, Florida while over South Carolina, U.S., February 3, 2017.

Syrian refugee Baraa Haj Khalaf (L) kisses her father Khaled as her mother Fattoum (R) cries after arriving at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. February 7, 2017.

Betsy DeVos waits to be sworn-in as U.S. Education Secretary at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House in Washington, U.S. February 7, 2017.

U.S. President Donald Trump watches as Vice President Mike Pence (R) swears in Jeff Sessions (L) as U.S. Attorney General while his wife Mary Sessions holds the Bible in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington February 9, 2017.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump (R) during their meeting in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 10, 2017. REUTERS/Jim Bourg TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R) and U.S. President Donald Trump are seen in the Presidential Limousine as they depart from Trump International Golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 11, 2017, in this photo taken by Kyodo.

An activist writes the word 'Racism' on a mock wall during an anti-Trump march in Mexico City, on February 12, 2017. Mexicans took to the streets against US President Donald Trump, hitting back at his anti-Mexican rhetoric and vows to make the country pay for his 'big, beautiful' border wall. / AFP / RONALDO SCHEMIDT (Photo credit should read RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images)

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 and Justin Trudeau, Canada's prime minister, not pictured, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017. Amid talk in the U.S. of resetting trade relationships, Trump and Trudeau said both countries are committed to maintaining trade ties and economic integration that support millions of jobs on both sides of the border.

President Donald Trump speaks to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan after signing House Joint Resolution 41, which removes some Dodd-Frank regulations on oil and gas companies, during a bill signing ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, February 14, 2017.

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and first lady Melania Trump (L) greet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara as they arrive at the South Portico of the White House in Washington on February 15, 2017.

President Donald Trump takes questions from reporters during a lengthy news conference at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 16, 2017.

U.S. President Donald Trump applauds his crowd as he holds a "Make America Great Again" rally at Orlando Melbourne International Airport in Melbourne, Florida on February 18, 2017.

A demonstrator protesting U.S. President Donald Trump holds a sign outside Trump International Hotel & Tower during the President's Day holiday February 20, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois.

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with his new National Security Adviser Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster after making the announcement at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida on February 20, 2017.

Local and national media report on more than 170 toppled Jewish headstones after a weekend vandalism attack on Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in University City, a suburb of St Louis, Missouri, on February 21, 2017.

Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway (L) checks her phone after taking a photo as US President Donald Trump and leaders of historically black universities and colleges pose for a group photo in the Oval Office of the White House before a meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence February 27, 2017 in Washington, DC.

President Donald Trump holds up a pen after signing the HBCU executive order in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington, DC on Feb. 28, 2017.

U.S. President Trump addresses Joint Session of Congress on Feb. 28, 2017.

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A mom who didnt even know she was pregnant took fresh produce to an entirely new level when she gave birth at a Canadian grocery store.

Ashleigh Miller-Cross was at the Atlantic Superstore market in April when she started to feel an intense pain and headed immediately to the bathroom.

Read: Baby Masters Every Olympic Event in Heartwarming Photo Shoot

She quickly realized she was in labor.

I heard screams coming out of the wash room so I went there, walked inside, knocked on the door, and Ashleigh was sitting there on the edge of the toilet holding onto half of the baby, the stores manager, Malcolm Comeau, told InsideEdition.com.

Comeau said he called 911 right away, and another employee of the store jumped in to help.

At the beginning, it was the three of us together," Comeau said. "The other colleague assisted her finishing the birth. I was pretty calm. Something comes over you and you do what you need to. I wasnt nervous. Not at all. I cant describe it. Its just a different feeling.

Miller-Cross told local news outlets that she didnt know she was pregnant because shed just given birth to a baby less than a year ago.

I presumed I hadn't lost any weight because I only had Mia 10 months ago, so I mean I didn't grow any extra so it's just the same size. I didn't have any cravings, she said.

Thankfully Miller-Cross new baby boy, Ezra, came out perfectly healthy.

Comeau said the store will be providing Miller-Cross with free diapers for a year.

Read: 5 Moms-to-Be Dress as Disney Princesses in Dreamy Photo Shoot

And to honor the way baby Ezra entered the world, he was given a newborn photo shoot in which he adorably lies in a grocery basket.

"I was pretty happy," Comeau said. "I dont have any children of my own, so this was a new experience for me. Im just glad everything worked out for the best with no complications. Baby and mom are well."

Story continues

Watch: 911 Call on Baby Found in Jonas Brothers Backpack Outside Supermarket

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Nearly five months after the inauguration, Melania Trump is finally moving into the White House.

Read: Comey Captivates Nation as Americans Flock to Bars and Social Media to Watch Hearing

Donald Trump's aides hope she will bring a breath of fresh air into the residence, where the president is described as "isolated... lonely and cheerless" without her and "lashing out at aides, according to Politico.

The first lady and their son, Barron, are said to be busy packing their bags as they make the final preparations to leave the penthouse at Trump Tower.

Moving day is reportedly next Wednesday, which happens to be the president's 71st birthday.

The New York Times recently described the president as roaming the White House in his bathrobe, angry at media coverage. The White House denied the report.

James Comey's testimony before the Senate Thursday, in which he repeatedly called the president a liar, did nothing to lift the commander in chief's dour mood.

Early Friday, President Trump tweeted: Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication... and wow, Comey is a leaker!

Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication...and WOW, Comey is a leaker!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2017

Insiders say the first lady is expected to be a stabilizing force.

In many ways she can limit some of that excessive, almost hyper activity that has been going on, Katherine Sibly, Ph.D, Saint Johns University told Inside Edition. Many people around him would like to see him mitigated and I think she will have a salutatory role there.

The unusual delay in moving into the White House was caused by concerns over 11-year-old Barrons schooling. Melania Trump wanted him to finish out the school year in New York.

Story continues

Read: Stone-Faced James Comey Tells Congress Trump 'Lied' and 'Chose to Defame Me'

The young man will attend St. Andrew's Episcopal, a $40,000-a-year prep school 20 miles from Washington.

Melania's Slovenian parents, who have been helping care for Barron at Trump Tower, are expected to be frequent guests at the White House, but they won't be moving in.

I think having his son around, his young son will be a really good distraction for him and in some ways, humanize his approach to things," Sibly told Inside Edition.

Watch: Video Shows Trump Look-Alike Being Stabbed to Death During 'Shakespeare in the Park' Production

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The US territory is voting once more on whether to become Americas 51st state  but many islanders are questioning the timing of the referendum, and the cost

The capitol building in San Juan. All opposition parties in the country have vowed to boycott the Sunday poll, further threatening its credibility. Photograph: Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

The hall is a sea of pink and white. About 350 Puerto Ricans, mostly women, have come to hear their First Lady speak in what they hope will be the final push towards a new relationship between their island and the United States.

When Beatriz Rossello, the 32-year-old wife of the governor of Puerto Rico, finally appears at the rally outside the capital San Juan, the room erupts into a frenzy of flag-waving. The American Stars and Stripes with its 50 stars, and the Puerto Rican emblem, with its single one, intertwine amid the flurry, giving the illusion that they have fused: 51 stars in a single banner of red, white and blue.

Which is precisely the message that Beatriz Rossello wants to transmit when she manages to fight her way through the selfie-taking crowd to the microphone. Imagine this, she says in Spanish. Imagine that everyone agrees that it is time to take down the American flag and raise it up again with one more star for Puerto Rico. Imagine how beautiful that would be.

Rossello and her supporters of the governing Partido Nuevo Progresista (PNP) hope to take that spirit of unification to the polling stations on Sunday when Puerto Rico holds its fifth plebiscite on statehood in 50 years. The ambition is to deliver such a resounding cry from the islands 3.4 million citizens that Washington will be forced to take Puerto Rico on board as the 51st state of the United States.

It is a forlorn hope, coming at a time of singular anguish for this Caribbean territory that has been an unincorporated US territory since the Spanish-American war of 1898. The island is struggling after a decade-long recession that has seen its unemployment rate reach 12.4%, compared with 4.7% in the US as a whole, and its overall debt burden and pensions shortfall rise to more than $120bn.

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Last month, Beatriz Rossellos husband Ricardo hit the nuclear button and took Puerto Rico into a form of bankruptcy  the first time in history that any US state or territory had done so. That followed the imposition last year by the US Congress of a fiscal control board that exerts federal oversight of the islands finances, imposing excruciating cuts to public services including education, health care and benefits.

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Twenty minutes drive away from the pro-statehood rally, the devastation of the past few years is laid bare at the Rio Piedras campus of the University of Puerto Rico. The gates of the institution are padlocked and barricaded with old wooden crates and iron bars, and the tree-lined grounds are empty save for some workers clearing up rubbish.

For the past 71 days students have occupied the campus in protest over cuts, terminating all its classes and turning Rio Piedras into a wasteland. Though the strike ended on Friday, the walls of the academic buildings are still festooned in strikers graffiti: A country unemployed, a people tired  we must demand more, says one slogan.

One of the strikers, Juan Collazo, 22, personifies the problems now faced by millions of Puerto Ricans. He decided to join the strike, he said, when cuts were announced that, by some accounts, would slash up to $512m from the universitys $900m annual budget, destroying its historic standing as a place of learning for thousands of poor citizens.

Collazo calculates that if the cuts go ahead he will find his tuition fees rise from nothing  they are fully covered by federal grants  to $1,600 a year. Thats an amount he says he could no way afford: jobs have all but dried up.

The fallout of the financial crisis is hurting other members of his family, too. His mother has just lost her job as an elementary teacher; her workplace was one of 184 public schools shuttered in the latest round of school closures.

Amid such personal hardship, Collazo is left unmoved by Sundays referendum on whether or not to become Americas 51st state, in which he has no intention of participating. He calls himself an independista, wanting full sovereignty for his country.

He believes the vote is worse than pointless, it is manipulative: They are spending $8m holding this vote, and yet will the US Congress take any notice of it? No, they wont. This is just another attempt to divide and conquer us.

These are some of the disgruntled feelings that the governor, Ricardo Rossello, is battling against having called the statehood vote. All opposition parties in the country have vowed to boycott the Sunday poll, further threatening its credibility.

Rossello dismisses the boycott as a ruse on the part of the opposition to disguise their own political weakness. He says $8m is small change if it addresses the much greater cost of being a colony.

The current status is shameful, he says. It is shameful to be a colonial territory in the 21st century, and for the United States to own one. The nation that is the standard bearer of freedom and democracy should not be in this position  its hard to go to Cuba and Venezuela and voice your support for democracy when youre not doing it at home.

Rossello said: It is shameful to be a colonial territory in the 21st century, and for the United States to own one. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Rossello speaks to the Guardian in the Throne Room, the gilded centerpiece of the 1530s governors mansion known as La Fortaleza that was designed to welcome Spanish royalty. (They never showed up). The room stands as the embodiment of 500 years of colonial rule under Spain and then the US  which make it the oldest colonial territory in the world.

The governor says that the melding of Spanish and American culture is a strength for Puerto Rico to embrace, not a liability to discard with independence. Some people will say you need to choose one over the other but I think this is a false narrative. Puerto Rico is the perfect connector of the Americas  the Latin American and the North American.

Even in the age of Trump? The president who has denigrated Mexican rapists and murderers, promised to build a wall to keep Latinos out, sneered at Puerto Ricos desire for a bailout?

My view is, I dont know that he is anti-Latino, Rossello says with studious diplomacy. Obviously Ive heard some derogatory remarks but I dont know him personally, and it doesnt deter me.

But is there any sign that the US Congress is prepared to move an inch towards granting statehood? If we establish that the people of Puerto Rico want statehood and reject the current colonial status, then the nation that professes democracy is going to need to act, he says.

Behind all this frenetic talking and disagreement is a key Puerto Rican paradox: the islanders are united at least by their unanimous obsession with the United States. You can see it in the framing of their major parties, which all define themselves in terms of their desired relationship with the mainland  Rossellos PNP in favour of becoming the 51st state, the opposition Partido Popular Democratico (PPD) broadly in favor of the status quo, and a small but influential independence party calling for a clean break.

You see it with the exodus: more than 400,000 inhabitants have left the troubled island since the last status vote in 2012, overwhelmingly to the US. There are now almost 5.2 million Puerto Ricans living in the US, almost 2 million more than at home, making them an increasingly powerful voice in electorally sensitive states such as Florida.

Domestically, you see the paradox played out on the streets of San Juan, a Spanish-speaking Latin American city with US chain stores on every block. You see it too in the high prices of food and other daily products, with more than 80% of the islands food imported, largely from the US and all of it, by law, under the flag of the (very expensive) US merchant navy.

Above all, you see Puerto Ricos fraught connection to the US in the strange legal context that was bestowed on its people under the terms of the 1917 Jones Act that granted them US citizenship but not the federal vote. From that legislation a host of contradictions and insults have flowed.

The most glaring of those is that Puerto Ricans living on the island cannot vote for US president, though if they move to one of the 50 states, they can.

In short: Puerto Rico remains the awkward embarrassment of the US. America, a nation founded on the rejection of the imperial yoke continues to hold on to its own colonial outpost, 119 years after the fact.

The issue of eradicating colonialism is extremely important, not only for us as a country thats going through very hard times, but for the US which has been a beacon of freedom around the world, or at least has portrayed itself as that, says the mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulin Cruz. A member of the opposition PPD, she wants to see the island acquire full sovereign powers while retaining close links to the US  a sort of middle ground between statehood and independence.

She thinks becoming the 51st state would only lock in Puerto Ricos dependence on its powerful overlord, which is why shes boycotting Sundays vote. You dont fight injustice by asking to become part of the system that committed the injustice against you in the first place. Thats like a freed slave striving to become a slave owner.
Doha (AFP) - Qatar on Friday dismissed as "baseless" a terrorism blacklist published by Saudi Arabia and its allies which linked individuals and organisations in Doha to support for Islamist militant groups.

The emirate was responding just hours after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain published a list of 59 people and entities linked to "terrorism".

"The recent joint statement issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE regarding a 'terror finance watch list' once again reinforces baseless allegations that hold no foundation in fact," Qatar's government said in a statement.

Qatar does not support terrorist groups, it stressed, pointing out that "our position on countering terrorism is stronger than many of the signatories of the joint statement -- a fact that has been conveniently ignored by the authors".

Included on the list were Doha-based Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader Yusuf al-Qaradawi and Qatari-funded charities.

The list and response add to the diplomatic and political tensions in the Gulf that have erupted since Saudi Arabia and its allies severed ties with Qatar over its alleged support for extremism.

Qatar has vehemently denied the claims and on Thursday its foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, said his country would not "surrender".

- 'Hour of diplomacy' -

In a bid to drum up support for his country with the crisis showing no signs of abating, the minister made a surprise visit Friday to Germany where he pledged to pursue a diplomatic path out of the deadlock.

The actions taken by Saudi Arabia and its allies amounted to "a clear breach of the international law and won't result in a positive impact on the region but will have a negative one", he said, also hitting out at the terrorism blacklist.

"There is a continuous escalation from these countries ... but our strategic options are still diplomacy and dialogue," added Sheikh Mohammed, after holding talks with German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel.

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"There are ongoing efforts from friendly countries to contain the crisis and lift the unjust blockade on Qatar and start negotiations," added the Qatari minister, who is travelling to Moscow on Saturday to meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

Kuwait has taken on the mediator role in the crisis, and French President Emmanuel Macron has also reached out to Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Iran in a bid to kick off talks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has also spoken to Qatar's emir over the crisis.

Gabriel stressed that "this is the hour of diplomacy" as he vowed to "do everything, along with our European friends, to ensure that this conflict does not further escalate".
Japan's Chrysanthemum Throne will get a new emperor as the parliament passed a bill Friday allowing Emperor Akihito to abdicate. The 83-year-old will be the first emperor to be abdicated in Japan in 200 years.

The ailing Emperor Akihito is expected to retire in late 2018 after the government completes the process of abdication, and the throne will be passed to his eldest son Crown Prince Naruhito, the next in line to be the emperor. Emperor Kokaku, who gave up the throne in 1817, was the last Japanese emperor to abdicate.

"Once again, I want to thank all the parties for cooperation in consideration and adoption of a special law. The abdication of the incumbent emperor would take place for the first time in 200 years. That's why, the moment is connected with a long history, as well as with future," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters.

Read: Who Is Princess Mako? Japanese Emperor Akihito's Granddaughter To Become A Commoner After Marrying Ex-Classmate

Akihito, who has had heart surgery and was treated for prostate cancer, expressed his desire to retire last year when he said he was beginning to feel "constraints" on his health, making it difficult for him to fulfill his official duties.

The enormously popular emperor has an estimated net worth of $40 million in 2017, according to reports. However, this figure reportedly does not include his personal assets.

The current succession rule in Japan allows only men from the paternal bloodline and prohibits women from ascending the 2,000-year-old Chrysanthemum Throne. The next in line to the throne, Naruhito, has only one daughter, Princess Aiko, bringing his younger brother, Crown Prince Akishino, second in line to the throne. The third in line is Akishino's son, Prince Hisahito, who was born in 2006.

There have been several debates in Japan on allowing women to reign. However, Abe's ultra-conservative government supports the current male-only succession.

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I am sure Abe has done the political calculation, Kenneth J. Ruoff, a history professor and the director of the Center for Japanese Studies at Portland State University in Oregon said, according to the New York Times, and decided its far better not to tick off the far right that feels intensely about this rather than cater to a largely passive majority that thinks that women should be allowed to sit on the throne.

The issue of women leaving the family upon marriage was also highlighted last month with the announcement that the Emperor's oldest granddaughter will marry a commoner.

Princess Mako is expected to get married to a to a former classmate, Kei Komuro, 25, who is a law firm worker and graduate student and once starred in a tourism campaign as "Prince of the Sea.

Akihitos retirement and the forthcoming engagement of his granddaughter have reignited debate about the shortage of male heirs and a possible succession crisis.

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The United States on Wednesday woke to the news that the Islamic State had targeted the people of Iran, with assailants striking the parliament building and the mausoleum of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who inspired the countrys revolution in 1979. The attack claimed 12 lives and injured 42 innocent bystanders.

The United States is right to have assigned Iran to a place of ignominy on the list of state sponsors of terror. Even where weve found common ground with Iran, for example on the nuclear agreement, weve never once made light of our significant differences and disagreements. And we shouldnt.

But on the day that terror strikes at the heart of any country, the right thing to do  the diplomatic and decent thing to do  is to condemn the terror and express sympathy for the victims. On a day when an adversary like Iran is struck by our common enemy, the Islamic State, it also wouldnt be hard to argue that the strategic thing to do would be for the United States to condemn the act. Period. End of story. And maybe, just maybe, an unintended silver lining of tragedy might be greater cooperation with Iran against the Islamic State.

Apparently, this kind of nuance or dignity isnt in President Donald Trumps diplomatic playbook.

The statement by the president on the terrorist attacks in Iran was at best a missed opportunity  and at worst reflected a missing chip in his foreign policy hardwiring.

It was also a strangely shortsighted dismissal of history for a president who still counts himself a New Yorker. Perhaps he has forgotten how Iran reacted when it was America suffering a tremendous loss. On September 11, 2001, the Iranian president and even the anti-American supreme leader both expressed their condolences to the United States, and thousands of Iranians amassed in spontaneous candlelight vigils to mourn with us. To some extent, was Irans position in 2001 due in part to a political and diplomatic bet that our attackers were Sunni extremists  Irans archenemy in a broader sectarian divide that has cost the region an untold number of lives? Probably. But it was still a moment of opportunity to explore for potential geopolitical gain, and it was certainly an appropriate response from one country to another, since terrorism anywhere should be rejected in the strongest terms.

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It is hard to know what to make of the presidents foreign policy. But as we saw this week with his tweets on Qatar, he never seems to miss an opportunity to reduce geopolitics to self-defeating and self-contradicting soundbites.

Trump, of course, wasnt alone in misreading the moment. In the same news cycle as the largest terrorist attack inside Iran in a decade, just weeks after Irans more pro-engagement president was reelected with a mandate to deepen ties with the West, the U.S. Senate voted for cloture on the Countering Irans Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017. It was odd timing  regardless of what you think about the bill. (Imagine if Congress passed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act the same day extremists detonated suicide vests in Riyadh.) While this bill was amended in committee to avoid some of the more blatant provisions that could undermine the Iran nuclear deal, many experts believe it still poses a threat to the agreement  while most of them agree it doesnt give the United States any new leverage to counter Iranian misdeeds. But, regardless of whether you believe this bill should ultimately be approved or not, when the one thing Congress can control is its own voting calendar, it should have waited to sanction Iran  thereby guaranteeing that as the country mourned, it would not also wake up to headlines about new tension with the United States. Why do that, especially when Iranian public opinion already casts the United States as woefully misinformed and applying a double standard to Sunni as opposed to Shia extremism  a problem this presidents statements and warm interactions with Saudi Arabia have only exacerbated.

The attacks in Iran were carried out by a group weve been battling for almost three years  extremists who have beheaded innocent Americans. With Trumps stepped up rhetoric about defeating the Islamic State, why not instead reach out to Iran about greater cooperation against our shared enemy? Testing Iran this way would either result in progress, or expose Iran as a country unwilling to do the hard things needed to defeat these extremists.

Instead, the administration has contributed to an ever-increasing perception in the region: that we have chosen sides in a sectarian divide to which the United States has never been a party.

The hard truth is that counterterrorism efforts are rarely zero-sum  especially in a region of the world filled with longstanding sectarian feuds and complicated, ever-shifting allegiances. Dont forget, U.S. soldiers actively depend upon the efforts of Iranian-supported troops in the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq (even while we actively counter Iran in Syria, where it is allied with the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Were Trump engaged in advancing Americas long-term, strategic goals, he would see the value of diplomacy in times of crisis, especially with those nations with which we disagree  sometimes most vehemently  and he would make it a point to publicly recognize the humanity of people everywhere who are affected by terrorism.

Yesterdays attacks would have been an appropriate juncture for the Trump administration to start a dialogue through which we might eventually solve some of the issues with Iran that anger and animate us. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has indicated that he is open to negotiating with the West on these issues, but Trump missed a window to begin testing that very proposition.

Photo credit: ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images
(Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images)

Ivanka Trump has remained silent about alleged labor violations, low pay and poor conditions at the Chinese factories that make her goods. But her brand finally released a statement, roughly a week and a half after Chinese labor activists were arrested while investigating her supply chain.

The U.S. State Department has called for the three activists release, but the first daughters company doesnt mention them. Instead, it merely attempts to distance itself from the growing scandal.

Products have not been produced at the factory in question since March, company president Abigail Klem said in a statement sent to HuffPost. Our licensee works with many footwear production factories and all factories are required to operate within strict social compliance regulations.

The statement notably doesnt suggest Trumps brand has been proactive in resolving documented issues related to poor conditions or rights violations at the Chinese factories, or that the company is taking steps to ensure it doesnt use non-compliant facilities in the future. It doesnt even state Ivanka Trump products wont be made at the same facility in the future.

It ignores the three men working with the New York-based human rights group China Labor Watch who have been detained since late May. Two of the men were investigating a Huajian Group factory in Dongguan, China, where they reportedly found wage and safety violations along with Ivanka Trump merchandise and a production schedule listing Ivanka Trump shoes to be made through April, the Associated Press reports. The third was investigating a related Huajian Group factory in Jiangxi province, according to Reuters.

When asked about the specific alleged violations at the factory, or what action it would take in the future, Trumps company declined to comment further.

China Watch Labor has appealed directly to the Trump family to assist in the release of Li Zhao, Hua Haifeng and Su Heng. The organization said the incident is the first time in 17 years that any [of] our investigator[s are] being detained under a criminal process.

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Our activists discovered evidence that a supplier factory for Ivanka Trumps brand company and many other brands had violated workers rights in ways that included: forced overtime, wages lower than Chinas legal minimum wage, managers verbal abuse of workers, and violations of womens rights, its website reads. We appeal to President Trump, Ivanka Trump herself, and to related brand companies to advocate and press for the release our activists.

On Monday the U.S. State Department called on China to release the men.

We urge China to release them immediately and otherwise afford them the judicial and fair trial protections to which they are entitled, said spokeswoman Alicia Edwards.

The Chinese government declined, saying the three men are accused of using secret recording devices, a charge China Labor Watch denies.

The lukewarm response of Team Ivanka comes just months after another watchdog group, the New York-based Fair Labor Association, uncovered low salaries and unfair working conditions at a Chinese factory contracted by the company that licenses Ivanka Trumps clothing. The unnamed factory was cited for two dozen violations of international labor standards, and according to Li Qiang, executive director of China Labor Watch, it is the same facility at which two of the three men were arrested.

Qiang sent a letter to Trump on April 27, detailing the abuses his associates had so far uncovered at the factories. He called for her to publicly advocate for change, noting workers were only making about $363 per month and suffering overtime without pay, lack of safety training and verbal abuse.

I hope that you understand the urgency of this matter, he wrote. China Labor Watch expects you, as an assistant to the president and an advocate for womens rights, to urge your brands supplier factories to improve their conditions. Your words and deeds can make a difference in these workers lives.

The lack of action adds yet another layer to the Trump familys problematic ties to China  one noted by the Democratic National Commitee.

Ivankas company should switch suppliers, and the Trumps should stop hypocritically telling corporations to buy American and hire American while they continue to knowingly take advantage of workers abuses abroad, said DNC spokeswoman Adrienne Watson.

To date, Trump has continued to import goods from China through her fathers election and presidency, even reportedly importing 53 metric tons of goods from China during the inauguration alone  while the president trumpeted his America first policies.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Britain woke up this morning to a stunning election result: Theresa Mays Conservative Party, which had started the campaign with a double-digit lead, failed to win a majority government, and now requires the support of other parties to stay in power. It didnt take long for the focus to shift to Northern Ireland: With the Liberal Democrats ruling out a partnership, there were few options left. And so, by lunchtime on Friday Theresa May was meeting with the queen to ask her for permission to form a government, consisting of an agreement between the Tories and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which won 10 seats. Its a measure of how disconnected the rest of the United Kingdom is from Northern Ireland that many newspapers in Britain suddenly found themselves having to explain to their readers who the DUP are and what they believe.

Almost 20 years after the Good Friday Agreement brought a formal end to the violent conflict known as The Troubles, politics in Northern Ireland remains divided along sectarian lines: Protestant unionists on one side, Catholic republicans on the other. Throughout the Troubles, Theresa Mays new partners at Westminster were regarded the uncompromising hard core of Protestant unionism in Northern Ireland: pro-life, pro-union, and at times, anti-peace process. Their leadership was closely linked with loyalist paramilitary groups implicated in the murder of civilians. Like many politicians in the North their leader, Arlene Foster, has personal experiences of the Troubles that inform her current politics: Her father, a policeman, was shot in 1979 by the Irish Republican Army. (They later bombed a school bus she was on in an attempt to kill the driver, who they believed was involved in a paramilitary group.) When the Good Friday Agreement was signed, the DUP and other parties involved were more moderate incarnations of themselves; in the years since, however, the hard-liners on all sides have come to the fore as enthusiasm for the peace process has fallen away. Support for the DUP has boomed with rising disillusionment in Northern Ireland, which is significantly poorer than the rest of the U.K. and still grapples with a raft of social problems  the legacy of decades of violence.

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But recently, the DUP have had a torrid time. Arlene Foster, who made up one half of Northern Irelands power-sharing executive, faced calls from across the political spectrum to resign this winter after she was implicated in a 400 million scandal, which saw the party administering a scheme that handed out money to businesses, ostensibly for renewable fuel purchases, but that frequently turned out to be fraudulent. She refused to step down. Her republican then-counterpart, Martin McGuinness, quit in protest  and the devolved government collapsed. Politics in Belfast has been particularly embittered ever since and looks poised to take a turn for the worse because of Mays agreement to form a coalition.

The collapse of the government triggered an election in early March. The vote took place in the shadow of a Brexit campaign that has raised deep-seated fears and divisions in Northern Ireland  about the potential implications of a new, hard border with the Republic of Ireland, but also about the potential loss of funding for community-building projects, much of which necessarily comes from the European Union because money from London or Dublin might be seen as partisan.

Lingering bitterness over the Brexit campaign bled into the March vote: Sinn Fein, the largest nationalist party, had campaigned openly in favor of the U.K. remaining a part of the EU and cast the decision to leave as yet more evidence of England overriding the interests of Northern Ireland. The DUP, for its part, had backed Brexit as a necessity for regaining British sovereignty. Both the DUP and Sinn Fein urged voters from across the North to vote on the basis of being unionists or republicans, and to endorse the two hard-line parties accordingly, rather than their more moderate counterparts (the Ulster Unionist Party and the Social Democratic and Labour Party, respectively). During the campaign, Foster infamously likened voting for Sinn Fein to feeding the crocodile.

The elections on March 2 saw a Sinn Fein surge: They came within one seat of a majority, the closest result between nationalist and unionist parties in generations. But the negotiations that followed still did not produce a government; the bitterness of the campaign left far fewer moderates to negotiate a compromise. The issue was put on hold for general elections across the United Kingdom and hasnt been resolved since: When power-sharing fails in Belfast, power returns to London. Sinn Fein has been left smarting on the sidelines, despite the party achieving its greatest-ever electoral result. Meanwhile, Foster, as controversial a figure in the province as ever, has been catapulted to the heart of British government.

The relationship between London and Belfast is always a complicated one, and the relationship between the Conservative Party and Northern Ireland particularly so. Within the province, it is still seen almost unanimously as the party of Thatcher, whose tough stance on the IRA and endorsement of measures like internment without trial to defeat the republican cause are remembered as undeniably brutal. But more recently, too, there have been memorable missteps: In March, the Conservative secretary for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, remarked that the historical investigations team, a police unit in Northern Ireland focused on investigating unsolved cases of murder during the Troubles, has paid too much attention to the actions of British forces, and not enough to IRA crimes  effectively politicizing the only established effort to unpack the legacy of the Troubles in an area riven with the scars of conflict. Theres already an altogether reasonable impression in the North that London, particularly under a Conservative government, isnt exactly an honest broker  that it openly favors the unionist side and has no real interest in dealing honestly with the opposition. Mays decision today will cement this even further.

Meanwhile, the future of the province is looking extremely bleak, even by Northern Ireland standards. Overseas territories notwithstanding, the province is the site of the U.K.s only land border, a strip which is currently unmarked and unmanned but whose status is under threat as part of Britains negotiations to leave the EU. Closing the border would mean Northern Irelands largest trade partner would be behind a closed border or unfavorable trade tariffs. People in the North have gotten used to seeing the open border as one of the few non-politicized issues in the region; though the DUP has said that it isnt in favor of a hard border, its still hard not to imagine that, at the very least, the border will be politicized in a way it hasnt been before, with potentially dire effects for the economy.

Its not yet clear what the DUP will try to get out of its new role as kingmaker. The partys decision to enter government with the Conservatives might have been made easier as a result of the presence of Jeremy Corbyn. The Labour Party leader was accused throughout the campaign of sympathizing with the IRA and Sinn Fein. Corbyn was public in his support of a peace process before there was one, and urged not only a dialogue with Sinn Fein but an end to British military involvement in Northern Ireland  at a time when the IRA was still actively killing British soldiers. Twenty-five years on, he has found out for himself that even the idea of associating with Sinn Fein is politically toxic: The association was enough to portray Corbyn as a threat to the U.K. The DUP pointed out they believed that not having Corbyn at No. 10 Downing Street was enough by itself to make an agreement worthwhile. Now if Brexit negotiations allow for anything other than a closed border, they can claim credit and put Sinn Feins advance on ice.

Northern Ireland politics have momentarily devolved from their usual tumultuous mode to a state of deep dysfunction. Londons government now relies on the support of a party reviled by large swathes of the electorate in the North to push forward with an agenda which is, in turn, widely loathed as well. Coupled with the suspension of its political institutions, the linchpin of the peace process, the future of the province has once again been shaped by events to its south  and is less clear than ever.

Photo credit: CHARLES MCQUILLAN/Getty Images
Like war, elections are not exercises in project management.

Yet Prime Minister Theresa May approached last nights general election as if it were  just one more sequential step on her Brexit planning timeline, something to neatly check off between the formal Article 50 notification to leave the European Union in March, and the start of negotiations with the EU later this June. This mechanistic approach, in turn, translated into a tedious and robotic campaign, which combined a monomaniacal focus on strong and stable leadership with an effort to build a bizarre personality cult around May, to the point where Tory literature barely mentioned the Conservative Party.

This left the Tories with no positive message, and when a live Labour enemy showed up, Mays script fell apart. If current projections regarding the one still undeclared seat are right, this morning finds the Conservatives with 319 seats in Parliament (out of 650): 11 fewer than before, and short of an overall majority of 326. Labour, by contrast, picked up 29 additional seats, and while still behind on 261, boosted its share of the vote by more than any party since 1945. Now twice in two years, a Conservative prime minister who promised stability has delivered chaos.

The biggest hole in the Tory battle plan should have been obvious: Whether or not one thinks Brexit is a good idea, it is plainly not about stability, or continuity. Its potentially the most radical change in U.K. domestic and foreign policy in half a century, a step that will change the daily lives of everyone in this country and that of their children.

May was consistently caught between these two realities, backing Brexit, but refusing to commit to its potential for upheaval, good or bad. And when pushed, the woman who sought to project strength and stability proved to be a rather spineless politician, who meekly told people what they wanted to hear. Business heard that there would be no sharp break with the vital EU single market; her base heard that she would be a difficult woman who would not simply accept the EUs terms to stay in that market (which would involve a relationship like Norways, in which the U.K. accepts many EU rules). In the end, her genuine attitude to Brexit remained opaque, and she sounded evasive and nervous when questioned on this most fundamental point.

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The other major Tory mistake in this election was to overlook the generational divide that now defines British politics. Today, the 18-25 and 65+ age groups, respectively, form the key Labour or Conservative constituencies. (Socioeconomic class, however, appears from the same data set to show roughly the same spread across both parties). The Tory dependence on older voters explains why May had to U-turn on her policy to have them pay more for social care, which was received with outrage, even if it made fiscal sense. This shift on a major manifesto commitment blew up her strong and stable image, upon which her campaign was founded.

But of course, credit where credit is due. Jeremy Corbyn, who has been much maligned over the last two years now looks like he will end up outliving two Conservative prime ministers. His biggest strength, in contrast to May, is his sincerity, which was even recognized during the campaign by the likes of Nigel Farage. Unlike May, people trust that he means what he says, even if they disagree with him. His biggest weaknesses are his own hard-left political views, which are well outside of the mainstream. But that problem was mitigated by Labours manifesto, which reflected the attitude of the majority of Labour MPs, and was far closer to the center than Corbyns own views. It also didnt hurt that many seem to have voted for Labour as a protest against an arrogant Tory campaign that took victory, and by implication the British people, for granted.

So what now?

We have a hung Parliament in which no party has the necessary 326 majority to form a government by itself. The last time this occurred was in 2010, leading to a Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition with a majority of 36. Today, however, the most likely outcome is that the Tories form a coalition with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) from Northern Ireland, which adds their 10 seats to the 319 Tory seats to give a wafer-thin majority of only 3.

That outcome is a recipe for unstable government. Even beyond obvious frictions over the terms of access to the EU single market, the Brexit deal as a whole requires agreement on a range of issues, from the customs union (which is distinct from the single market) to a Great Repeal Bill which seeks to convert all EU law to U.K. law, while leaving out unwanted parts. The customs union will be very thorny with the DUP, who do not want a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland; there is no realistic way to keep the border open without effectively accepting all the EUs terms, as the Irish-Northern Irish border is soon due to become an EU external border. Likewise, the Great Repeal Bill deals with a whole range of contentious issues that will be very hard to get through if the government cannot afford to lose even three votes. In short, do not be surprised if we see new elections within a year.

May herself has refused to resign, and she could stumble on for a while for want of an alternative if the hard Brexiteers stand behind her. But her authority has taken a mighty blow, and having called this election in part to get out of the grip of the right wing of her own party, she now finds herself hostage to them.

What about Brexit, the most important issue in the country today? One argument says that a so-called soft Brexit, in which the U.K. economy stays plugged into the EU single market, is now more likely, given that was what the Labour party effectively campaigned for, and they now have more influence in Parliament.

But this argument is problematic. For with such a thin majority, the hard Brexiteers can now without difficulty frustrate any government, whether led by May or not, that does not take a hard line on EU negotiations. In my view, the result actually makes an accident, in which the U.K. crashes out the EU without a deal, more likely. (The hard Brexiteers will tell you that the EU needs a deal as much as the U.K., and so the U.K. has the leverage to get a deal on Londons terms that has all the benefits of the single market without any of the burdens. Ignore them. That is pure fantasy).

If there is a glimmer of stability that has emerged from this election it is that of the United Kingdom itself. The Scottish National Party did badly, losing 21 MPs, including their leader in Westminster, Angus Robertson. The makes the case for a second Scottish independence referendum recede into the distance, for now.

Theresa May has only herself to blame for this mess. She called for battle, but forgot about the enemy. Her side have just about won the field, but at far too high a cost. Several members of her Cabinet lost their seats fighting for her, and far from cauterizing the wounds of the Brexit referendum, her strategy has only increased the bad blood all round that has flowed from that vile, divisive experience.

Two weeks ago, when the Tories still expected to come out of this with a massive new majority, Theresa May attacked Jeremy Corbyn as being naked and alone  as if he were leading Labour as one might do a nudist colony, who see nothing ridiculous about themselves. But as fate would have it, as a nervous peace descends on the battlefield, like a medieval knight thrown from her horse, May finds herself stripped of her armor, naked, alone, and possibly left for dead.

Photo credit: Matt Cardy/Getty Images
When astronomers first found the Trappist-1 solar system, part of what made the discovery of the seven Earth-sized exoplanets so novel was how unusual it was to find that many planets orbiting their small star so closely, about a tenth of the distance between the Earth and the sun. But scientists may have solved the riddle, attributing the planets compact formation to the unique conditions at the stars ice line.

Of the seven rocky planets orbiting Trappist-1  whose discovery was announced earlier this year  at least three are in the stars habitable zone, the region that is just the right distance from that heat source for water to appear in as a liquid. Any closer and the water boils up; any farther and it freezes into ice. That ice line on the far end of the habitable zone is the key to the space mystery, the researchers report in their study, due to be published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.

Read: NASAs New Mars Rover Looks Like the Batmobile

As icy pebbles drift toward the star from the farther reaches of the solar system and cross the line where ice melts into water, the newfound water clumps the particles together. More particles attach to the pebbles as they drift closer and closer to the star until eventually, the mass is an Earth-size planet.

Other theories like the planets forming from impacts earlier on would have required an unusually dense disk of material around the star, the study said. And if the planets had formed farther away from the star and then migrated inward, their compositions would not be as rocky as they appear, nor would it explain why their masses are all so similar to Earths.

trappist-habitable

Photo: NASA/JPL

Instead, pebble-size particles would be easy to find in the area around a star and would migrate inward, toward their host, the researchers said. They call their idea a synopsis of the early history of the Trappist-1 system from simple analytical reasoning.

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The model outlined here can also be applied to other compact systems, the study said.

In the solar system 40 light years from Earth, the planets are so close together that if a person were standing on one of the planets surface, they could gaze up and potentially see geological features or clouds of neighboring worlds, which would sometimes appear larger than the moon in Earth's sky, NASA has explained.

Read: The Aliens Out There Are Probably Swimming, Not Walking Around

They are also so near to each other that some scientists think it would be pretty easy for potential alien life to bounce between the worlds  without the use of a spaceship. Instead, small organisms like bacteria could be ferried along on some space debris, perhaps caused by a collision from an asteroid, and transfer to a neighboring planet, where they could reproduce and proliferate. The researchers behind that idea said the conditions in the Trappist-1 system are ideal for such an exchange.

Frequent material exchange between adjacent planets in the tightly packed Trappist-1 system appears likely, researcher Sebastiaan Krijt said of the study. If any of those materials contained life, its possible they could inoculate another planet with life.

When it comes to understanding how the Trappist-1 planets formed, the next step for scientists is to use computer simulations to see how their model operates under different conditions.

I hope that our model will help answer the question about how unique our own solar system is compared to other planetary systems, lead researcher Chris Ormel said in a University of Amsterdam statement.

trappist-composite

Photo: NASA/JPL

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WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump said he was 100 percent willing to testify under oath about his conversations with former FBI Director James Comey, who claims the president inappropriately pressured him to drop an investigation.

One-hundred percent, under oath, Trump said Friday in response to a reporters question.

Comey testified under oath on Thursday before the Senate Intelligence Committee that Trump tried to pressure him into dropping the FBI probe into former National Security Adviser Michael Flynns Russian contacts. Trump claimed some of Comeys statements vindicated him, and some of them were untrue.

Trump also said he was willing to speak with Robert Mueller, the Justice Department special counsel now heading the investigation of the Russia case.

Whether Trump will actually submit to Muellers questions or testify under oath remains a big question. He has made similar assertions before without following through. Still, Trumps statements gave ammunition to Democrats and political opponents, who will now press the president to do what he said he would.

One way to help resolve the matter would be for Trump to release the tapes he suggested he has of conversations with Comey. The former FBI director said Thursday that he hoped Trump would release recordings  but the president still wont say whether they exist.

Ill tell you about that in the very near future, Trump said. Meantime, no collusion, no obstruction obstruction, hes a leaker.

Trump later said in response to another question about tapes: Youre going to be very disappointed when you hear the answer.

Trump fired Comey in May, ostensibly on the recommendation of a deputy attorney general, who said Comey had mishandled the Hillary Clinton email case  something Trump had previously praised. The Trump administration also claimed the FBI was in disarray.

Those were lies, plain and simple, and I am so sorry that the FBI workforce had to hear them and Im so sorry that the American people were told them, Comey testified Thursday.

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Comey added that he believed the president when Trump said later in May that he fired Comey because he was angry about the Russia investigation.

Comey said it will be up to Mueller to determine whether Trumps interference amounts to obstruction of justice.

On Friday afternoon, a panel of lawmakers investigating Russias interference in the 2016 election asked White House counsel Don McGahn to hand over any tape recordings that may exist.

This article has been updated to include the request for White House tapes.

Also on HuffPost

Former FBI Director James Comey walks to a closed-door hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on June 8, 2017.

Comey laughs while testifying in a public hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee the same day.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who is not on the committee, watches as Comey testifies.

Comey answers questions from senators on the Intelligence Committee.

And more questions.

And more questions.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) asks questions of the former FBI director.

Comey repeated explosive allegations that President Donald Trump had badgered him over the highly sensitive investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election.

Comey pauses for a moment during the hearing.

And then he returns to testifying.

Comey is sworn in before the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.

He takes the oath before he testifies.

Many people had come to hear what Comey had to say.

Comey arrives to testify before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

The cameras are snapping as Comey arrives to testify.

Comey walks into the hearing room.

The name placard for the former FBI director is placed on the witness table ahead of his appearance.

People wait in line outside the hearing room to attend Comey's testimony.

Comey will face this bank of remote-triggered cameras while testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

A view of the hearing room before Comey testifies.

People make preparations for the hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

The hearing room where Comey will testify.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
Beirut (AFP) - US-backed Syrian fighters Friday seized part of a district on the western edge of the Islamic State group's Raqa bastion and battled to advance inside the city's east, a monitor said.

The Kurdish-Arab alliance known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) broke into Raqa for the first time earlier this week, months after they launched an operation to capture the jihadist stronghold.

They are backed by the US-led coalition which carried out heavy air strikes on Raqa and its surroundings overnight and into Friday.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said SDF fighters took parts of the suburb of Jazra just west of Raqa's city limits on Friday.

It said heavy clashes continued to rock other parts of the neighbourhood, where at least 15 civilians were killed Thursday night in air strikes that hit an internet cafe.

They were among 23 civilians killed in more than two dozen US-led coalition strikes on and near Raqa that night, the Observatory said.

SDF spokesman Talal Sello said fighters were advancing on several fronts on Friday.

"The SDF has control of Al-Meshleb district (inside eastern Raqa) and is clearing it of mines and explosives at the moment," he told AFP.

He said SDF forces had also advanced on the northern front outside the city.

The SDF media department said four local journalists were wounded Friday when an IS mortar landed near them as they made their way toward Al-Meshleb.

- Fighting back -

Al-Meshleb was the first neighbourhood in Raqa city entered by SDF fighters.

They are expected to progress from the district into neighbouring Al-Senaa, and the Observatory said some of the overnight strikes targeted areas between the two districts.

IS has been fighting back against the advancing forces with snipers as well as drones armed with explosives, according to the SDF.

They have also reportedly dug defensive trenches and tunnels to try to slow the SDF advance.

"Hundreds" of US military personnel are taking part in the Raqa offensive, according to the Pentagon, which said Thursday it believed up to 2,500 IS fighters were still holed up in Raqa.

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Captured by the jihadists in 2014, Raqa has become synonymous with IS atrocities including beheadings and public displays of bodies. It has also emerged as a hub for planning attacks abroad.

An estimated 300,000 civilians were believed to have been living under IS rule in Raqa, including 80,000 displaced from other parts of Syria.

But thousands have fled in recent months, and the UN humanitarian office estimates about 160,000 people remain in the city.

- Children in crossfire -

The UN children's agency UNICEF warned Friday that "an estimated 40,000 children remain trapped in dangerous conditions in Raqa city".

"Many are caught in the crossfire," said UNICEF regional director Geert Cappelaere.

"Children are deprived of the most basic and life-saving necessities," he added, urging safe passage for those who want to leave the city.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) also warned that Raqa's civilians were left facing a "deadly choice".

"Parents have to make an impossible decision," said MSF emergency coordinator Puk Leenders.

"Either they stay in Raqa, subjecting their children to increased violence and air strikes, or they take them over the frontline, knowing they will need to cross minefields and may be caught in the crossfire."

Tens of thousands of people have fled Raqa and the surrounding area since the SDF launched its Operation Wrath of the Euphrates to capture the IS bastion last November.

Elsewhere in Syria, a US warplane shot down a pro-regime drone on Thursday night near the Jordanian border in the latest incident in escalating tensions in the country's south.

The US-led coalition said the drone was downed after it fired what turned out to be a dud bomb at coalition forces near the At-Tanaf garrison, where anti-IS Syrian rebels are being trained.

Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said Syrian regime ally Russia helped prevent an escalation in hostilities between the coalition and the pro-regime forces.

"Russia has been very helpful and I think that the calm we see today is largely due to their efforts," Davis said.

Tensions around At-Tanaf have surged as pro-regime forces, including Iranian-backed militias, look to expand their influence.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders: whitehouse.gov

The White House has said it will search under the couches for tapes of any conversations between Donald Trump and James Comey, after the former FBI Director said he hoped any recordings would be released.

Sure, Ill try to look under the couches, said spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders, when asked by reporters at the White House if she would find out if there was a secret recording system.

The issue was triggered by comments Mr Comey made while testifying on Capitol Hill before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Ive seen the tweet about tapes. Lordy, I hope there are tapes, Mr Comey told the senators.

Asked if she would look into whether there is a secret Oval Office taping system @SHSanders45: "Sure, I'll try to look under the couches."  Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) June 8, 2017

Mr Comey said he spoke with Mr Trump on numerous occasions and said that if the president had recorded those conversations, he hoped he would make them available. He should release all the tapes, he said.

It was Mr Trump himself who had initially raised the suggestion that there recordings of their conversations when he tweeted last month: James Comey better hope that there are no tapes of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press.

Ms Huckabee Sanders disputed Mr Comeys claim that the White House had lied about and defamed, both him, and the FBI.
Casey Spelman helps Yusef Dale hail a cab outside Wrigley Field. (Ryan Hamilton on Facebook)

A kind-hearted woman is being recognized and applauded worldwide after helping a blind Cubs fan hail a cab near Wrigley Field.

According to Fox 59 in Indianapolis, 26-year-old Casey Spelman was visiting Wrigleyville with some friends on June 3 when she came upon the man, identified as Yusef Dale, standing near the street attempting to hail a cab. Without hesitation, Spelman approached Dale, who CBS reports is an assistant U.S. attorney in Chicago, and asked if she could assist him.

I just said Hi, are you trying to get a cab and he said Yes and I said Would you like some help and he said Thatd be great.  Thats how Spelman described the quick exchange.

Shortly thereafter, she was able to flag down a cab driver. Before entering the cab, Dale asked for a hug. Then he went on his way. As did Spelman, never once expecting her kind actions would be noticed.

But it turns out they were. Ryan Hamilton was on the rooftop at Old Crow Smokehouse watching as the scene played out. He even snapped a few photos and posted them to Facebook with a nice acknowledgement.

He didnt know who either person was. He just knew hed witnessed something genuinely kind that other people needed to know about.

(Ryan Hamilton on Facebook)

The post was met with overwhelming response. News outlets in Chicago and Indiana were among the first to bring outside attention to the story. It has since gone viral.

As of Saturday morning, Hamiltons Facebook post had over 25,000 likes and 8,000 shares, but the reality is its been seen by millions and millions more.

It was a strange feeling to see photos of yourself that you did not know were taken, Spelman told CBS News. Not only did I not realize anyone was watching, but I had no idea it would have such an impact on people.

Spelmans selfless actions are a reminder that genuine kindness still exists in the world. You dont always see it, but if youre willing to take a step back and observe your surroundings, youll not only notice it more, but youll notice instances where your own kindness could have the same impact as Casey Spelmans.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
By Nick Mafi. Rendering courtesy of MSC Cruises.

Engineers and designers often push themselves to design the biggest objects possible. This fact was most recently witnessed when the space transportation firm Stratolaunch unveiled the world's largest airplane late last week. Now MSC Cruises, a Swiss-based company, has just advanced the measurements in the field of world's largest, this time with a cruise ship.

MSC Cruises tapped the Oslo-based shipyard STX France to build two of what will be the largest cruise liners in the world. The announcement came during the unveiling of the Meraviglia, a 5,714-passenger boat that was also built by STX France, at an event attended by France's newly elected president, Emmanuel Macron.

The soon-to-be world's largest vessels, which have been dubbed as MSC's World Class fleet, will measure a whopping 1,082 by 154 feet. This will mean the fleet can spend more time at sea without having to refuel, feature more amenities, and, naturally, house more guests. A lot more guests: The 2,750 cabins will hold roughly 6,850 people. For historical reference, a century ago, when the Titanic left the shores of England as the world's largest ocean liner, there were 2,228 passengers onboard. This means that MSC's World Class fleet will hold roughly three times as many passengers. The first of the two ships will debut in 2022, with the second set to be unveiled in 2024.

This story originally appeared on Architectural Digest.

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The 10 Best New Luxury Cruises

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Black-ish star Yara Shahidi just graduated from high school, and the actress already announced that she will be going to Harvard next year.

On her Instagram account, the teen actress posted a photo of herself on her Graduation Day. She also shared a snap of herself wearing a Harvard sweater. The actress decision did not come easy for her since she was also accepted in the three other Ivy League schools that she applied for. While speaking with Seventeen at that time, Shahidi said that she did not receive rejection letters from the four prestigious institutions.

Read: Black-ish spinoff starring Yara Shahidi picked up by Freeform

I did get all of my college acceptances and Im keeping them close to the belt as of right now, but I got into every college I applied to. So thats really exciting. I found all of that out last week. My college plans are all up in the air, but I will choose within the next month, she said.

In October of last year, Shahidi announced that she will be deferring her college education for an entire year. In an interview with People, the young actress acknowledged the possibility of being criticized for her decision just like what happened to former President Barack Obamas daughter, Malia Obama.

Ive been working more than half of my life and thats always been balanced with school and all of the other responsibilities, so to have a year to focus on work and to focus on specified interests will be nice before I pick a career and choose what I want to study and my life path, she explained.

Meanwhile, Shahidi will headline an upcoming Black-ish spinoff on Freeform. Creator Kenya Barris originally pitched the concept to ABC, but the network handed it over to Freeform. The yet-to-be-titled spinoff will follow the life of Zoey in college. Ahead of its release, Black-ish released a backdoor pilot in Season 3 where Dre (Anthony Anderson) dropped Zoey off at the university to attend an orientation.

In episode 23, titled Liberal Arts, Zoey proved to her dad that shes already a grown up. She refused to be told what to do and how to act. This made Dre emotional because his eldest child is now a college student. As of late, the release date for the Black-ish spinoff hasnt been announced by Freeform.

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Yara Shahidi

Photo: Reuters/Danny Moloshok

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Despite Galaxy Note 8 rumors and leaks, an unnamed Samsung official said the company tried to place the fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy Note 8, but decided not to do so due to "various technical limitations."

A Samsung official reportedly said the Galaxy Note 8 might not ship with an in-display fingerprint scanner. This news arrives just a day after a render for the device surfaced online that fueled rumors and showed otherwise.

South Korean site News1 quoted an anonymous Samsung official as saying the company made every effort to install a display-integrated fingerprint sensor on Galaxy Note 8, Phone Arena reported. But we decided not to install it on this strategic phone due to various technical limitations such as security.

As some might already know, Samsung was faced with the same challenge on the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus. In March, Samsung actually decided to put the fingerprint scanner on the back of the Galaxy S8 at the last minute. The company was simply unable to fully develop the embedded fingerprint scanner for the Galaxy S8.

The location of the rear-mounted fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy S8 has been criticized for being poorly designed. The fingerprint scanner sits right beside the camera module, which many have mistaken as the scanner. This could also leave the cameras lens full of smudges and increase the risk of getting scratched.

For the Galaxy Note 8, it looks like Samsung is still having trouble with this kind of technology. Although there was no mention of another rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, this might be implemented on the upcoming Samsung phablet.

The report also indicated Apple successfully has developed the embedded fingerprint scanner on the iPhone 8s display. Samsung in the meantime is said to be continuing its research and development of the technology with companies like CrucialTech, the company that actually owns the technology.

This might be a huge disappointment for consumers who were expecting that the Galaxy Note 8 would feature an in-display fingerprint scanner. Just yesterday, a render for the handset was leaked on Twitter showing the device doesnt come with a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner.

Story continues

The render was shared by Poyoco Tech, a new leaker in town who hasnt proved his reliability just yet. Even though the render doesnt seem to be in line with what the Samsung official said, its possible that Poyoco Tech simply got hold of an early render for the device.

Possible Release Date

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is said to launch sometime in late August, the Korea Herald reported. Its presumed to launch just days before the IFA 2017 conference, scheduled for Sept. 1-6 in Berlin.

Its important to point out the ill-fated Galaxy Note 7 was launched in early August. Samsung is believed to have rushed the development of the handset to stay ahead of Apple. This, as we now know, didnt end so well for Samsung.

With the Galaxy Note 8, this will be Samsungs chance to resurrect the Note brand and finally get the Note 7 fiasco out of everyones mind. Samsung now has an eight-point battery check for its smartphone safety, and the Galaxy S8 was the companys first device to go through this new safety check.

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More sightings and encounters with grizzly bears along the Rocky Mountain Front has prompted the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee to hold its next meeting in Choteau June 20-22.

The meeting will be held at the Stage Stop Inn, 1005 Main Ave. N. The summer meeting will allow managers to meet with Montanans impacted by expanding grizzly populations.

A panel discussion on Transitioning from Recovery to Management will be held at 2 p.m. on June 20. The panel will be moderated by Chris Smith, former deputy director for Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and current Western Field Representative for the Wildlife Management Institute.

The panel will include Martha Williams, FWP director; Hillary Cooley, National Grizzly Bear Recovery coordinator; Gary Burnett, executive director, Blackfoot Challenge; Donna Rutherford, Tribal Fish & Wildlife Chief, Blackfeet Tribe; and landowner Gene Curry. A link to a video of the panel discussion will be posted to the IGBC website after the meeting.

The public is invited to attend the meeting. The end of the day is set aside for public comment. The second day of the meeting involves a field trip for IGBC members to view habitat and management concerns. The public is welcome to follow along but no additional transportation or food is available.

The agenda for the IGBC Summer 2017 Meeting can be viewed at http://igbconline.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/170620_Exec_Agenda-FINAL.pdf
Germany Friday urged Saudi Arabia-led clique to end the blockade they have imposed on Qatar and urged both sides to find solution through diplomacy.

Receiving his Qatari counterpart in Wolfenbuettel, a town in Lower Saxony, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel indicated that a solution could be attained through diplomacy adding that Germany is ready to mediate alongside the US.

Along with our American colleagues but above all our colleagues in the region, we must try to find solutions, especially lifting the sea and air blockades, Gabriel told reporters.

We are convinced that now is the hour of diplomacy and we must talk to each other, he added, cautioning against further escalation of the crisis.

Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain are leading a group of Arab and Muslim countries, which have severed diplomatic ties with Qatar over charges that the tiny gas-rich country sponsors terrorism and threatens their internal security.

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt imposed air and sea blockades. They have also ordained all Qataris to leave their soil in 14 days.

Kuwait and several other countries have been trying to mediate the crisis. Wednesday, US President Donald Trump offered to help end the standoff.

Thursday, the State Department indicated that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is ready to help. The US official was former chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil and dealt with Qataris over the years.

Russia called for talks to resolve the confrontation. We believe any differences should be resolved at the negotiating table to eliminate concerns and unite forces against the main threat in the region, terrorism, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters in Moscow on Wednesday.

Any escalation in the region, which is already afflicted by various conflict situations, is a matter for concern.

Earlier on Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Chads president Idriss Deby has recalled its ambassador from Qatar for consultations, the foreign ministry said on Thursday.

The Chadian government calls on all concerned states to privilege dialogue to solve this crisis and asks Qatar to respect its commitments by ceasing any attitude likely to harm cohesion of states in the region and peace in the world, the foreign ministry statement said.

Qatar has been in contact with Chad for only a decade and its cooperation with the African country focuses mainly on religious and humanitarian aspects.

Doha hosted Sudanese and Chadian rebel movements in the mid-2000s and it was the emirate that helped the rebels sign peace agreements with their respective countries.

Chads move comes as African nations support to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations is growing amid a worsening regional rift.

On Wednesday, Senegal has also recalled its envoy from Doha, citing its active solidarity with Saudi Arabia. Mauritania, a member of the Arab League, severed ties with Qatar on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Libya, and Yemen severed diplomatic ties with Doha and banned all commercial relations with the Gulf emirate, leaving it physically and politically isolated from the rest of the region.

The six Arab nations also decided to halt all land, air and sea traffic with Qatar.

Qatar said it was facing a campaign of lies and fabrications aimed at putting it under guardianship.

The campaign of incitement is based on lies that had reached the level of complete fabrications, the Qatari foreign ministry said.

Qatar also strongly rejected any interference in its policies and said it is able to stand the blockade for ever.
Mexico in a country whose four wealthiest billionaires control as much wealth as the bottom half of the populationthe 65 million that live in poverty (which includes 13 million living in extreme poverty)and where the top 10 percent as a whole accounts for 67 percent of Mexicos national wealth.

............. you really want the borders wide open?

Barrio 18: Meet the terrifying gang with 50,000 foot-soldiers across the US and so unashamedly violent it rivals MS-13

Allied with the Mexican Mafia gang but sworn rivals to MS-13

Believed to have 30,000 to 50,000 members across 20 US states

Founded in Los Angeles and spread throughout Mexico and Central America

US has vowed to crack down on ultra-violent transnational gang MS-13

MS-13 isn't the only gang sowing violence and terror from Central America to the US: meet Barrio 18.

Arch-rivals to MS-13, Barrio 18 has an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 members across 20 US states and is linked to drugs, murder, kidnappings and other violent crime from Central America to Canada.

'With thousands of members across hundreds of kilometers, and interests in a number of different illicit activities, Barrio 18 is one of the more significant emerging criminal threats in the region,' write analysts for the think-tank InSight Crime.

Last week, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions visited his counterpart in El Salvador to discuss ways to crack down on transnational gangs - MS-13 and Barrio 18 chief among them.

But if history is any guide, eradicating Barrio 18 will be easier said than done.



+11 Barrio 18 is a terrifying gang that spreads from the US to Central America, rivals to MS-13



+11 A Barrio 18 member displays his tattoos, including 'Brown Pride' and XVIII, on the gang's turf in Los Angeles. The gang has a reported presence in 20 US states



+11 The gang is also known as the 18th Street Gang. Pictured: Members in the Quezaltepeque jail outside of San Salvador in El Salvador

Also known as 18th Street, the gang has its roots in Los Angeles of the 1960s, where it was originally composed of Mexican immigrants.

WHAT IS BARRIO 18? The gang was founded in Los Angeles decades ago, and has spread across the US and Central America. Members: Estimated 30,000 to 50,000 in the US Colors: Blue and black Allied with: Mexican Mafia Enemies of: MS-13 Activities: Drug dealing, burglary, assault, extortion, prostitution, human trafficking, homicide

Over the decades, though, Barrio 18 threw open its recruitment to members from Central America as well, often targeting the elementary and middle-school children of immigrants.

As the gang's ranks grew, it became the target of FBI and police crackdowns, sending many of its veteran members to prison.

But time behind bars just gave Barrio 18's shot-callers a fertile new recruiting ground, and it quickly swelled its ranks in federal prisons.

Stepped up deportations also had an unintended effect, spreading the gang's reach to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras as hardened members were shipped back to their native countries, where they have battled brutally with MS-13.



+11 A Barrio 18 member is seen in the 'gang cage' in El Salvador. His tattoos include BEST (for 'Barrio Eighteenth Street'), 666 (for 6+6+6=18) and X8, which stands for absolute gang loyalty



+11 The Barrio 18 gang was founded in Los Angeles and was initially ethnically Mexican, but has grown enormously in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatamala. Pictured: Members in El Salvador



+11 The gang is notorious for enforcing strict rules and absolute obedience among its ranks



+11 Barrio 18 members are seen in a transfer to the San Francisco Gotera penitentiary in 2015. The El Salvadoran government transferred 1,177 members to the US in an effort to curb the gang



+11 Loosely coordinated between cells or 'cliques' even at the local level, Barrio 18 isn't believed to have a 'godfather'-style leader

Loosely coordinated between cells or 'cliques' even at the local level, Barrio 18 isn't believed to have a 'godfather'-style leader.

That's made it difficult to target under racketeering laws, the tactic that brought down many Mafia families.

BARRIO 18 TATTOOS 18, XVIII or XV3 666 or 99 (for 6+6+6=18 or 9+9=18) BEST (for 'Barrio Eighteenth Street') 8P (for having killed a police officer) X8 (total loyalty to the gang)

The gang is nevertheless notorious for enforcing strict rules and absolute obedience among its ranks, and failure to show proper respect can bring severe punishment, including execution.

Barrio 18 cliques have been linked to the international drug trade, and the gang is closely allied with the Mexican Mafia, another Hispanic organized crime ring with its origins in US prisons.

Their colors, blue and black, even pay tribute to the Mexican Mafia: blue for the allied gang, and black for Barrio 18's original color.

Barrio 18 tattoos can include: 18, XVIII, XV3, BEST (for 'Barrio Eighteenth Street) and 8P (stands for killing a police officer).

Another tattoo, X8, stands for absolute loyalty to the gang.



+11 Members of the Barrio 18 gang are presented to the media after a police raid in San Salvador



+11 The gang has sown terror from its origin in Los Angeles throughout Central America. Pictured: A grandmother and her grandson walk past Barrio 18 graffiti in San Salvador



+11 Barrio 18 and MS-13 have waged a bloody gang war with each other spanning several countries

Barrio 18 members are the sworn enemies of MS-13, another gang with its origins in California that has since spread in Central American countries with weakened governments.

'These two gangs have turned the Central American northern triangle into the area with the highest homicide rate in the world,' the US Justice Department wrote in a 2013 report.

Like MS-13, the decentralized structure of Barrio 18 has made it incredibly resistant to decades of efforts to eradicate it.

'They're worse than a cancer,' gang expert Gabriel Kovnator told the Los Angeles Times all the way back in 1996.

'A cancer you can kill. These guys keep growing.'



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As backyard chickens increase in popularity across the country and in Missoula, a local nonprofit is organizing a workshop on the basics of chicken care for the public.

The Missoula Urban Demonstration Project is hosting the workshop, called Backyard Chicken Care, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Moon-Randolph Homestead in the hills north of Missoula on Saturday. Since parking is extremely limited, participants are asked to bike, walk or carpool. Advance registration online beforehand is required at mudproject.org/event/backyardchickens.

The cost is $5 for MUD members and $10 for non-members.

Kristin Whisennand and Laura DeNitto, co-superintendents of the Western Montana Fair poultry department, will teach kids, parents and all who are interested about everything from city regulations to disease and pest management.

Were going to talk about flock health and keeping yourself healthy, too, Whisennand said. Were going to show people how to handle birds and how to treat them for external parasites and what to look for in a healthy bird. Its going to be pretty much a catch-all for everyone who brings questions.

Earlier this month, the Centers For Disease Control published a report that linked a multi-state outbreak of salmonella to human contact with live poultry that live in backyards. The CDC said that 372 people were infected with salmonella in 47 states from January through May, and that the majority of the infections came from people handling chicks and ducklings.

The Time magazine headline read Why You Really Shouldnt Hug Chickens, and many other media outlets picked up the story.

In Montana, 14 people have been infected this year and over one-third of those cases were in children under 10.

Salmonella is a bacteria that causes food poisoning and can cause diarrhea, fever, chills and abdominal pain, especially in people with weak immune systems.

Chickens have always carried salmonella, so it isnt something that is brand new, Whisennand said. Well teach people to wash their hands, dont track poopy shoes through the house after cleaning the coop and dont bring chickens in the house. Its simple stuff, like after you clean out the pens wash off. Theres nothing complicated about it.

Participants will learn key needs for chickens and what to expect when having a couple of hens around the home.

Most people want to know how much room they need for a coop, Whisennand explained.

She said raising chickens can be a very rewarding experience.

We get a skewed view because we work with 4-H, but I would like to think more people are raising backyard chickens, she said. You dont need a whole lot of space and hens are not real noisy. I think its great. Its easy. Its really nice to know where your eggs are coming from.

The Moon-Randolph Homestead is located at 1515 Spurlock Road.
Windermere Real Estate employees pulled weeds, painted walls and stained a fence at Missoula Aging Services on Friday as part of their annual community service day.

Every year, the company chooses a local nonprofit in need, and employees spend a day donating their time and labor. Across the western United States, 350 Windermere offices with about 7,000 volunteers are doing the same thing in their own communities, said John Brauer, managing broker at Missoulas Windermere office.

One of our company mantras is we believe that helping the neighborhoods we all share is part of doing good business, Brauer said as he prepared to repaint a wall outside Missoula Aging Services. Thats what has made us most successful, is giving back.

Brauer said many of the employees have experience painting or landscaping from their personal lives, but if over the years theyve avoided those skills, they learn them on community service day.

The annual community service day has been a staple of Windermeres business model for 40 years. This year marks the 12th year Missoulas office has participated. In past years, theyve volunteered at the local YMCA, Ronald McDonald House, St. Patrick House and other nonprofits.

This year, Missoula Aging Services had the most need, Brauer said. The nonprofit provides Meals on Wheels to elders and adults with disabilities, helps connect older adults to local volunteer opportunities and has a resource center for Medicaid and Medicare consultations.

They are a resource for older adults and their caretakers, and focus on promoting independence, dignity and health for people as they age.

Skylar Vukasin, an assistant for a realtor at Windermere, worked her first community service day Friday, pulling weeds with her coworkers.

I think its awesome, Vukasin said. Its great teambuilding and community involvement.

Leslie Wetherbee, a Realtor in her fifth year working for Windermere, said Missoula Aging Services has been chosen for community service day in the past, and this year they needed more help.

Its nice to come in and help them out where they really need some help, Wetherbee said. Things need to be taken care of again, and its a philosophy company-wide that were very involved in the community and should give back to the community.
A prominent Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurer is aiming to return to the Affordable Care Act's health insurance exchanges next year in Montana and several other states.

Health Care Service Corp. says it also intends to sell coverage in Oklahoma, where it is the only insurer on the exchange, as well as in Texas, Illinois and New Mexico. But a spokeswoman also cautioned that the insurer won't make any final decisions on exchange participation until the fall.

Companies still have a couple more months to sort out their 2018 coverage plans.

Options are growing thin for next year in many parts of the country on the exchanges, the only place where people can buy insurance with help from income-based tax credits. Several insurers have already said they are retreating from this market, some after losing more than $100 million.

The pullback has left some counties in Missouri, Ohio and Washington with no choices on the exchanges next year if another insurer does not step in.

Insurers are hesitant to return to the market in part because of uncertainty over the fate of some federal funding.

The government has been giving insurers money to help customers with modest incomes cover out-of-pocket expenses like co-payments and deductibles. But the future of those payments, which are separate from the income-based tax credits that help people buy coverage, is in political limbo. President Donald Trump has talked about potentially stopping the payments, and insurers want a guarantee that they will last through next year.

Health Care Service Corp. and other insurers that are planning to return say they have to factor this uncertainty into their prices.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina recently requested a nearly 23 percent increase in average premiums next year. The company said that increase would have been about 9 percent if it had a guarantee that the government would continue to make those payments.

Health Care Service Corp. spokeswoman Kristen Cunningham did not offer details about rates the insurer plans to charge next year. The company covered more than 1.2 million people in the individual market last year, and more than half of that business came from the exchanges.

"Once we finalize the level of participation and rates early this fall, we'll share more details," she said.

Health Care Service Corp. is the second-biggest insurer selling Blue Cross-Blue Shield coverage, the most common brand in insurance. These so-called "Blues" plans are seen as a key to the future of the exchanges because they tend to specialize in individual insurance, and many have a long-standing presence in their markets.

The biggest Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurer, Anthem Inc., said earlier this week that it was leaving the exchange in Ohio. Anthem covers more than a million people through the exchanges in states like New York and California. It said it is still talking to regulators in other states about its plans for next year.

Blue Cross-Blue Shield plans in Alabama, Kansas and Michigan have already said they are planning to return next year.

The Trump administration has repeatedly said that the Affordable Care Act is collapsing. But health care researchers have said they don't expect the exchanges to implode, though they do anticipate coverage holes to develop, especially in rural markets with smaller populations.
Reading about mining history in Butte is one thing, but actually experiencing that history is something entirely different.

For this reason, it seems fitting that Jerry Sullivan  steering committee president for No Greater Love, the musical theater production depicting the 1917 Granite Mountain-Speculator Mine fire that premieres this weekend at Buttes Mother Lode Theatre  spent the early part of his adult life working in the tunnels and shafts that weave below the Richest Hill on Earth.

After serving in the U.S. Navy, Sullivan began working as a miner in 1969, an experience that he says makes the incidents of 1917 all the more tangible.

I have a great deal of respect for the men who worked underground, said Sullivan, who said he enjoyed the camaraderie among miners, which he said consisted of equal parts of good men and wonderful humor.

A lot had changed in the time span between 1917 and 1969. But during Sullivans time, there were still many dangers below ground, including from falling rock and timber; equipment failures; bad air, as Sullivan described it; and of course, from fire.

Because of the dangers involved, men looked out for each other below as well as above. Sullivan said if you called someone pard, short for partner, that was a term of endearment. A pard was someone who was your buddy, explained Sullivan; a pard was someone who had your back.

But the connection Sullivan has to the Granite Mountain-Speculator Mine fire runs deeper than just having worked as a miner.

Sullivan grew up with families affected by the fire. Julia ONeill, widow of Con ONeill, was one of his neighbors, and Sullivan went to school and served in the Navy with Ed Wolahan, ONeills grandson.

Incidentally, the Granite Mountain-Speculator Mine fire loomed so large in his mind and in the collective consciousness of Butte that Granite Mountain Bank was renamed from its former name, Flint Creek Valley Bank, in memory of the disaster.

I felt that we had an obligation to honor the men who were killed and their families, said Sullivan.

Today Sullivan serves as chief executive officer and chairman of the bank.

As for the musical, Sullivan said he got involved in No Greater Love after being introduced to Gary Funk, the productions creative director and composer, who asked if Granite Mountain Bank would be a major sponsor and if Sullivan would work on behalf of the project.

Sullivan described the board for No Greater Love, along with its creative and production team, as an outstanding group of people who have given freely of their time and energy to make the event happen.

The board recruited 168 donors for the $135,000 production of No Greater Love, Sullivan said, noting that the donor number is fitting because 168 men are estimated to have perished in the fire.

In addition to serving as board president of No Greater Love, Sullivan also recruited Irish artist Stephen Madden to create the art for the musical. Maddens painting, titled No Greater Love Than This, depicts a smoke-ridden landscape in the moments after the disaster.

Sullivan has been acting as an ambassador of sorts for No Greater Love.

He took a trip to the town of Claremorris in Ireland  where descendants and relatives of some of the miners impacted by the disaster reside  to talk to kids at an Irish language school about No Greater Love and the events that inspired the musical.

There Sullivan was able to brush up on his Irish  yes, he speaks Irish  share copies of the Madden painting, and talk about Butte history.

He added that the area had its own memorial of the 100-year anniversary of the fire June 9.

Sullivan said he looks forward to the musicals Friday- and Saturday-night performances, adding that art often has a way of digging deep into tragic events, where historical texts and newspaper articles can sometimes come up short.

I think that the depth and the dimension of emotion can only be captured by the arts, by paintings, by music, by plays, said Sullivan. This is a very difficult subject to try to tell by that media, but once its told by that media, its something that generations from now will be able to connect with.

But the story of 1917 isnt just about Butte, Sullivan said, its a story that spans continents and is told in the languages of the people who immigrated to Butte to work in the mines

I think this story is very, very much who Butte is, said Sullivan. Catholics, Jews, Protestants, Muslims  they were all brothers struggling, working, and then died together up in that mine.

The memorial for the Granite Mountain-Speculator Mine fire, meanwhile, reads like a parade of nations, with its series of flags that represent the home countries of the miners who died.

That represents the universe, as far as Im concerned, said Sullivan.
SUNDAY, JUNE 11

CAT MEET-AND-GREET

June is National AdoptACat Month. To celebrate, the Chelsea Bailey Butte-Silver Bow Animal Shelter is holding a kitten/cat meet-and-greet event at Petco, 3636 Harrison Ave., from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

GEM SHOW AT CIVIC CENTER

Gemstone carvings by Billings artist Jeff Schaezle will be the featured exhibit at the Butte Mineral and Gem Show Sunday at the Butte Civic Center annex. The show opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. Admission is $3, and children under 12 are free.

LETTERS OUT OF DARKNESS

Letters Out of Darkness begins at 5:15 p.m. at the World Museum of Mining and is $12 a person. Reservations are recommended by calling 406-723-7211.

AUTO GATHERING

The Montana Pioneer and Classic Auto Club Tour 2017 concludes today at the Sportsmans Lodge, 310 MT Highway 287, Ennis.

MONTANA MULE DAYS

Whitehall will play host to Montana Mule Days. The annual event is great for all ages, and everyone in the family can participate. The event includes log pulling, driving classes, western pleasure, trail classes, team penning, costume class, plus many more  for both kids and adults. Admission is $5. Children 6 and under get in free.
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 []
As someone who loves Montana and visits it frequently, I am shocked and ashamed of Montana voters for sending despicable men like Greg Gianforte to Congress and Donald Trump to the White House. Both these men have shamed our great country and presented the world with an American image of ignorance and buffoonery. Their attacks on the courts and our free press are an existential threat to our democracy. Shame on you, Montana.
BREVARD COUNTY, Florida  Brevard County officials are warning residents to brace for an anticipated onslaught of mosquitoes following recent rainfall across Floridas Space Coast.

The impact could be felt as early as Sunday, June 12, 2017, and is expected to continue through Thursday, June 15, 2017. Chris Richmond, operations manager for Brevard County Mosquito Control, said the entire county will experience a series of large emergences of mosquitoes.

This means that on each of those days new mosquitoes will emerge from breeding areas and take flight, Richmond said. We attempted all the possible preventative measures but the unusual rains during the daylight hours, and other factors outside of our control, have hindered pre-hatch and larval control efforts.

Brevard County residents are encouraged to take personal pro-active measures to avoid mosquito bites, including the use of mosquito repellent, wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants while outdoors, and avoiding places and times when mosquitoes bite. Generally, the peak biting periods occur just before and after sunset and again just before dawn.

Richmond said Mosquito Control will address the most-infested areas first. Severity of infestation is based upon data from 88 mosquito monitoring stations at locations that are monitored and checked daily throughout the county.

These emergence events may be larger than what most people have experienced previously, Richmond said. We will do our best to address the issue as quickly as weather conditions allow. We anticipate all mosquito control resources to be fully engaged with this effort for the next two weeks.

Any rain event will cause mosquitoes to hatch in a 5- to 7-day period in any area that holds water.

Brevard County is only 10 days into the rainy season, which runs June 1 to November 30. The forecast through Monday, June 19, includes chances for rain and showers each day. Mosquito treatment by truck or air cannot take place if it is raining or winds exceed 10 to 15 mph.

Image credit: University of Florida



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With nearly 25 percent of the state in a moderate drought, cattle ranchers are selling more livestock.

As a result, Kist Livestock Auction is seeing from 1,000 to 1,300 more heads going to sale than usual for this time of year, according to Matt Lachenmeier, a fieldman at the Mandan business.

The drought conditions, coupled with a depleted hay supply from the tough winter, have left ranchers without feed and with little hope for a good hay crop this summer.

The conditions are pretty severe in much of the state, said Julie Ellingson, executive vice president of the North Dakota Stockmens Association. Hay crops look to be poor, or, in some cases, no crop.

Cattle being auctioned are from a widespread area and other sales barns in the state are seeing similar increases, according to Lachenmeier.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the state has had less-than-average precipitation during the past three months, with portions of central and south-central North Dakota receiving only 25 percent and 50 percent of normal precipitation during this period. Spring so far has been the seventh driest on record in Bismarck.

If we do not get some rain soon, the conditions will deteriorate fast, said Bruce Schmidt, North Dakota State University Extension Agent in Burleigh County.

Adnan Akyuz, a state climatologist, predicts the dry conditions will persist throughout the summer.

Lachenmeier said many of the cattle coming to market are older cows, cows that did not get pregnant with a calf, as well as heifers that ranchers had planned to keep and breed.

Theyre trying to save grass for their best cow-calf pairs, said Lachenmeier, who said smaller operators have been bringing in 10 to 15 animals. The larger ones have been selling about 50 head or even as many as 100.

Wet conditions in the past few years have allowed ranchers to build their herds, running more cattle on fewer acres. Now, thats really taking a toll, Lachenmeier said.

Its hard to find extra grass, he said.

Ranchers may need to drive 200 to 300 miles to get hay, which is cost prohibitive. Others may choose to haul their cattle to pastures in another state, if they can find land to rent. Ellingson said some are getting creative and feeding their animals in a dry lot rather than turning them out to pasture.

Its pretty much down to where they have to sell, Lachenmeier said.

Fortunately, except for those choosing to sell cows and their calves as a pair, ranchers can still get good prices for their stock.

The weigh-up cow market has been really good, Lachenmeier said. The same is true for the feeder cattle market.

An 800- to 900-pound heifer at Kist has been bringing $1,200.

Cow-calf pairs on the other hand are going for $300 to $600 less than they were several months ago. They started selling for about $2,600 in the spring and have gradually crept down to the $1,700 to $1,900 range, Lachenmeier said.

If we had been at all-time (price) lows on top of the drought, that wouldve been disastrous, he said. All thats suffering now are the good young pairs.

Lachenmeier said Kist had about 300 sellers at its last sale. With the temperature rising through June and July, he expects the selling to continue through the summer, possibly all the way until calf sale season in the fall. In fact, Kist, as well as the sale barn in Aberdeen, S.D., have added a second weekly sale to keep up with the demand.

We could get an inch of rain today, but it would just put a Band-Aid on it, he said. It would take quite a bit of rain to get out of this  Its a sad deal, but it is what it is.

Towns such as Medina, Gackle and Selfridge received some rain over the weekend and a couple towns to the west saw storms Monday but moisture has been spotty.

"Hopefully, theres more where that came from, Ellingson said.
Scores of people mostly civilians were killed and injured following a string of attacks in capital Kabul, Herat and Khost provinces, Xinhua news agency reported.

Special prayer sessions will be held in the Presidential Palace mosque and also across the country and the national flag will be flown at half mast at home and Afghan diplomatic missions abroad, the statement added.

On May 31, 150 people were killed and over 400 other injured in a ghastly suicide attack in Kabul.

This attack was followed by another one on June 3 when three consecutive explosions rocked a funeral also in the capital killing 20 and injuring over 100 others.

--IANS ksk

( 144 Words)

2017-06-10-09:22:20 (IANS)
Siemens Industry Software India on Friday announced signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Government Tool Room and Training Center (Government of Karnataka) and DesignTech Systems Ltd. to establish four Centers of Excellence across Karnataka. Siemens' product lifecycle management (PLM) software offerings form crucial components of the integrated technology solutions provided by Siemens in India in the space of automation and digitalization. The partnership paves the way for a world-class integrated skill development infrastructure and benchmarked technical education curriculum with core focus on Industry 4.0, Automation, Mechatronics and Internet of Things (IOT) infrastructure. The four COEs will address diverse industry segments like Automotive, Industrial machinery, Industrial automation, Renewable Energy and Aerospace and Defense. DesignTech Systems Limited is the execution partner for the four Centers of Excellence and will run the centers for the first two years and continue to provide support for the third year. "With Indian industry increasingly adopting automation and digitalization, it also requires a highly-skilled workforce trained in future-ready technologies and processes. Siemens is committed to supporting the Indian economy to enable it to gain competitive advantage by improving its efficiency, productivity, quality and speed. The MoU is yet another step in this journey of modernization," said Sunil Mathur, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Siemens Limited. Suman Bose, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Siemens Industry Software India Pvt. Ltd, present on the day of agreement signing, said, "We aim to build sustainable communities by leveraging Siemens' competencies and solutions. The collaboration aims to train students on relevant industry processes and help create industry-ready trained personnel. This industry-readiness and relevance of skills is expected to foster further industrial development in the state of Karnataka." The COEs are unique in their ability as they anticipate being able to stitch together the virtual world of engineering and manufacturing simulation with the physical world of product development, manufacturing and the Internet of things (IoT). The COEs will be equipped with the latest PLM software solutions from Siemens, such as NX software for digital product design and engineering, Teamcenter software for digital lifecycle management and the Tecnomatix portfolio for digital manufacturing. They will also feature state-of-the-art industrial automation equipment from Siemens, as well as the latest computer numerical controllers (CNC), programmable logic controllers (PLC), and state of the art manufacturing machinery including CNC milling and turning machines, industrial application robotics cells, Renewable (Solar/Wind) Energy Training System, Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM), Quality Assurance Tools and Gages, and rapid prototyping machines. Each of the COEs will have ten fully equipped laboratories staffed with instructors trained and certified by Siemens. (ANI)
Stating that Indian-Pakistani tade has thrived in spite of their "often-strenuous" bilateral ties, Pakistani political economist S. Akbar Zaidi on Friday said the two countries can improve their trading relationship without the Most Favored Nation (MFN) status or other major breakthroughs in mutual relationships. "I think, India and Pakistan can do away with the Most Favoured Nation status nomenclature and still achieve trade prosperity with each other. "We do not really need major breakthroughs in the bilateral relationships to improve the trade. Basic things like better infrastructure, better road facility, and better protocols from both countries like increasing the trade transportation time at the border etc can help the trade automatically flourish," he said. The economist said it was a sign of hope for both nations that in spite of such hostility, lack of proper communication, tension at the borders and general misconceptions about each other, a substantial amount of trading has taken place between the two nations. "The official trade between India and Pakistan is stuck at about $2.2 billion now and it is very much in India's favour as India exports much more than it imports from Pakistan," Zaidi said. "There is also a part of unofficial trade between the two countries that happens through places like Dubai and Singapore which is worth another two billion dollars," he noted, adding that the growth potential would be much more if the India-Paksitani relationship normalises. "If the the trade opens up between the two countries, the trading potential would be at least $10-15 billion," he said at a seminar on "Trade and economic possibilities and constraints between India and Pakistan" here. Terming the business relationship between the two nations as "one of the oddest in the whole world", Zaidi said there should be better communication and real man to man connectivity in order to utilise the full trading potential. "Its interesting that the India-Pakistan trade is on for nearly 70 years and it was only stopped for nine years from 1965-1974. However, there are still major issues with visas, telecommunication or frequent flights between the two nations. "This has to change to utilise the full trading potential," he added at the programme organised by the Bengal Chamber and the Indian Institute of Management (Calcutta Alumni Association). --IANS mgr/ssp/vd ( 391 Words) 2017-06-10-16:58:20 (IANS)
"We currently have 25 retail outlets and are present in 23 major cities across India. We plan to further expand our network by adding 2-3 more retail outlets in FY 2017-18," JLR India Managing Director Rohit Suri told IANS.

Earlier this month, the company opened its new state-of-the-art multi-level "3S" dealership facility in Delhi NCR.

Currently, JLR vehicles are sold and serviced in India through 25 authorised outlets in Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar and Chandigarh among other locations.

Suri added that the company plans to launch the Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover Velar later this year.

Recently, the luxury automobile manufacturer introduced the 2.0l (litre) diesel derivative of MY17 Jaguar XE in the Indian market.

--IANS rv/vd

( 153 Words)

2017-06-10-21:52:17 (IANS)
Cholera is a bacterial disease causing severe diarrhoea and dehydration, usually spread in water.

Besides soft shelled turtles, aquatic hosts of V. cholerae include zooplankton, fish, shellfish, egg masses of midges, waterfowl, and crustaceans. Fish and shellfish are proven to spread this disease.

According to researchers, the pathogen, Vibrio cholerae can colonise the surfaces, as well as the intestines of soft shelled turtles.

To infect the turtles, the investigators dipped them in a phosphate buffered saline solution containing the now bioluminescent bacteria, serogroup 0139.

Over the next four days, they checked the turtles at 24 hour intervals.

The findings indicated that initially light signals were detected at 24 hours and then after 96 hours, the entire dorsal side of the turtles' shells was emitting bioluminescence.

The latter was also easily detected on the dorsal side of the turtles' limbs and necks and in the calipash, the gelatinous protoplasm, locally regarded as a delicacy that lies directly beneath the shells' surface.

The turtles were inoculated intragastrically with the bioluminescent V. cholerae.

Knowing that the digestion takes roughly 34 to 56 hours in 150 gram turtles, the team euthanised and dissected the turtles at 72 hours and checked all their internal organs.

Bioluminscence could be detected only in the intestines.

They also identified the different colonisation factors--molecular machinery on the surface of V. cholerae--that enabled the bacteria to stick to the turtles' dorsal surfaces and intestines.

Through surveillance of the disease in China, corresponding author Biao Kan said that cholera is a life-threatening diarrheal disease and consumption of cholera-carrying soft shelled turtles had caused outbreaks of the disease,

He also noted that the O139 serogroup, the major strain spread by the turtles, is an emerging disease in China.

A side benefit of the study is that the soft shelled turtle could serve as a new animal model for studying how V. cholerae interacts with aquatic hosts.

The research is published in journal of Applied and Environmental Microbiology.(ANI)
Barring isolated incidents of violence, the dawn-to-dusk hartal called by Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Kozhikode district of Kerala in protest against hurling of bombs at their District Committee (DC) office here passed off peacefully. A party worker was injured when one of the bombs exploded in the office around 0100 hrs, sources said adding district Secretary P Mohanan, who arrived at the premises after a trip, however, escaped unhurt. Shops, establishments and educational institutions were closed, public transport were off the roads as an impact of the hartal. Holding Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangah and Bharatiya Janata Party responsible for the attack, state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishan said the assailants were attempting on Mohanan adding this was in continuation of attacks made on party General Secretarty Sitaram Yechury in New Delhi two days ago to silence its functionaries in connivance with the Centre. Stating as many as 20 party offices were vandalized by the Sangh Parivar, he said the party will organize democratic movement across the state. Many political party leaders, including Janata Dal (United) State President M P Veerendra Kumar, MP, CPI state Secretary Kanam Rajendran, Janata Dal (United) leader and state Minister Mathew T Thomas, M V Shreyams Kumar of the JD (U) C N Chandra of the CPI, CPI (M) Kannur district secretary P Jayarajan among others visited the office. Denying role of BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the attack, senior leader V Muraleedharan said CPI (M) was unleashing violence on offices of his party across the state after alleged attack on their General Secretary Sitaram Yechuri in New Delhi two days ago. He said what actually happened was two men barged into the CPI (M) head office in New Delhi and shouted slogans against that party, adding Mr Yechury was not at all targeted by the miscreants. Meanwhile, hartal supporters manhandled press photographers who were covering a march at Palayam in the city earlier in the day. Condemning the incident Kerala Union of Working Journalists Kozhikode district committee President Kamal Varadoor and Secretary N Rajesh said it was an onslaught on the freedom of the press and called for exemplary action against the culprits. BJP has called for another hartal in the district in protest against attacks on offices of BMS and ABVP allegedly by CPI (M) men tomorrow.UNI PCH CS 1642 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0328-928044.Xml
The matter will be brought up for hearing next week.

The GJM supporters are protesting against the alleged imposition of Bengali in the schools of the hills.

The agitation arose from an announcement made by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee last week that Bengali would be taught compulsorily up to Class 10 in the state schools.

After the GJM cadres clashed with the police following their protests against Mamata's visit to Darjeeling and her decision to make Bengali compulsory in syllabus of schools across the state, the Army was called in to control the situation yesterday.

According to reports, the protest led by the GJM turned violent after protesters resorted to vandalism as they torched police vehicles and attacked policemen.

Though several people were injured in the clashes, which had police personnel lathi-charging GJM supporters armed with stones, the exact number could not be immediately ascertained.

Meanwhile, reports said that Banerjee has described the 12-hour-long strike as "illegal", saying the government would take legal action against those who participate in it. (ANI)
If you are done with hitting places around Delhi, then Oman can be your next weekend destination. If you wish to enjoy the pleasant weather, a unique landscape with a broad selection of outdoor activities during this season, then try for a short escape to Oman, an Arab country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Home to some of the largest mountains in the Arabian Peninsula with peaks rising over 3,000 metres, Oman offers the best picturesque postcard villages lay nestled between rock faces, breathtaking canyons with fertile, lush, green orchards bearing almonds, apricots and pomegranates. The list of activities that Oman offers are practically endless, as it includes excursions on mountain trails, swimming in natural pools, canyoning, climbing, scaling via ferrata routes, mountain biking and caving. Some of the places which can get you really cool snaps, and are a fun option for Hiking are: The Hajar Mountains: The Hajar mountain range stretches 600km from the far north in Musandam to the south of Sur and is the main mountain range in the country, divided into two ranges; the lower 'Jabal Akhdar' and the highest 'Jabal Shams'. It is the largest mountainous region in the Sultanate and offers many outdoor activities for people of all ages. Jabal Shams, the Arabic name meaning "Mountain of Sun", has been given this name as it is the first peak to feel the ray of sunshine each day. It is the highest point in the Sultanate at 3,075 metres and is one of the most beautiful locations in the country. Jabal Akhdar is considered to be the highlight to the region due to its terraced agricultural land on steep mountain slopes. You can spend numerous days in total freedom on its countless walking paths, exploring spellbinding spots and photographing the striking landscape. Perched 2,000 metres above sea level in the Al Hajar Mountains, staying at the stone-faced hotel Alila Jabal Akhdar or Anantara's Al Jabal Al Akhdar resort is a haven for adventure travellers, nature lovers and those seeking a retreat from the desert heat. Other regions to explore: Musandam The Musandam peninsula is an enclave of Oman, which is separated from the rest of the United Arab Emirates. It is the northernmost part of the country and is known for its "Arabian fjords". Tall cliffs plunge down into the sea, creating marvelous views and also the wadis offer good hiking experience. Dhofar Standing at approx 800 metres above sea level, the southern area of the Sultanate is blessed with a Khareef (rainy) season. Salalah wears a green blanket all over itself during the months of June - August. The summer monsoon known as the Khareef means that there is a splendid contrast between the region and the rest of the country during summers that usually sees temperatures rise over 40 degrees Celsius. One can imagine the magnificence of this province when most parts of the Arabian Peninsula witness a rise in temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius in summer. But, in Salalah, the capital of Dhofar that lies 1,040 kilometres away from Muscat, temperatures never rise above 27 degrees Celsius. The region also offers golden beaches, azure waters and opportunities to scuba dive, snorkel, sail, jet ski among many others. Masirah Island - kiters and windsurfers paradise The island of Masirah located in South-East region of Oman is a real tranquil haven of calm with a gentle Indian Ocean sea breeze blowing through it. It is Oman's largest island with 12,000 inhabitants, breathtaking beaches, flat water and waves. Masirah island is popular among the kite surfing enthusiasts and best time to visit this place is between May- September due to the area's outstanding winds. While the mainland of Oman heats up to 55 degrees during this time of the year, monsoons in Masirah island keeps the temperatures pleasant between 24 and 38 degrees. The natural environment is unspoilt; and you can see flamingos and loggerhead sea turtles side by side. One of the must visit attractions in Oman is the turtle beach at Ras al Jinz for Turtle watching, where you must stay up late in the night or rise up early morning to see these magnificent Turtles- build their nests and lay their eggs before heading back out to sea. Located at the headland of the Arabian Peninsula, Ras al Jinz houses one of the largest nesting areas for Green Turtles in the Indian Ocean. (ANI)
At least five terrorists have been gunned down so far today, as the Indian Army continues to thwart the stream of cross-border infiltration along the Line of Control (LoC) at Uri Sector of Jammu and Kashmir. A massive counter-terror operation led by 4 JaK Rif (Para) is underway, as attempts are being made to sanitise the area and take out untoward elements. In the last 48 hours, the Indian Army has killed seven terrorists and foiled six infiltration bids. "In the last 48 hours, infiltration attempts have been foiled at the Gurez, Machhil, Naugam and Uri sectors. Seven armed intruders have been eliminated so far," said the army in a statement. Three terrorists were killed in Naugam sector on Thursday, while four were killed in the Machhil sector on Wednesday. Also, two jawans were injured early Thursday morning in an encounter in Uri district where at least five terrorists tried to infiltrate the border but the Army foiled their attempt. The Army statement said the intruders were being provided active support, including covering fire (heavy calibre artillery) by Pakistani army posts on the LoC to assist them to enter the Kashmir Valley. More details to follow. (ANI)
Whether planning a summer trip with friends or family, deciding a destination is always a task. It takes a while for travelers to choose an ideal holiday destination as there are so many beaches, hills, wild life parks and other options to choose from. However, with technology maintaining its pace, even travelers have become smarter as they are quite aware of the travel apps that make their way at easy travel planning, booking and other essentials. Hence, below are some of the unique summer travel apps for a smarter traveler: *Trip Tap Toe Concierge Chat App Offering a 24*7 real time assistance to travelers, this app is a unique "Travel Concierge Chat App" saving travelers from writing back and forth emails and following endless email threads. The Concierge Chat App helps customers make last minute hotel bookings 'On the Go', last minute web-check-ins and room upgrades. It also makes available to users hotel options from global suppliers in a single feed and forwards commissions received from airlines as discounts, to offer unmatched prices. *XE currency This app helps the travelers to calculate and make conversions instantly using more than 180 worldwide currencies. It offers live proprietary currency rates, charts, and even stores the last updated rates, so it works when the Internet doesn't. *Travelkhana If travel and food are synonymous, Travelkhana is the right app for your train travel in India. It is a 24hour food delivery app with a growing network of restaurants across India. If you wish to make your travel a culinary journey with delicious food instead of opting for regular food served in trains, download and use Travelkhana App. All you need to do is enter your PNR number, select a station and choose your favorite dishes from the comprehensive menu. The app also tracks orders and supports online payment. *RedBus For intercity travel, buses are often a convenient option, especially in remote areas where a private cab will be too expensive/not readily available, or perhaps unsafe. Redbus is the country's premier bus booking service, operating across most tourist-friendly as well remote destinations. The app is intuitive and user-friendly and helps travellers book in a jiffy. *IRCTC App Need a confirmed ticket for your last minute travel? Don't have much time to go through 50 odd trains to pick yours? Simply download the user friendly app launched by Indian Railways. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation mobile application is available on android as well as windows handsets. Just fill up the required fields and book your ticket online following a few simple steps. (ANI)
Cloud-based software CoursePlay on Friday announced its strategic alliance with iSpring Solutions, a US-based technology leader in the e-learning industry. iSpring, which offers end-to-end e-learning authoring tools, is a full-featured Learning Management System and PPT conversion technology for organizations. As part of this collaboration, users of CoursePlay will be entitled to access the professionally advanced and interactive e-learning content of iSpring Solutions at discounted prices. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, iSpring Solutions provides high-quality software products to more than 40,000 people across 13,000+ companies from across the world for organizing e-learning, and for the creation of training courses, presentations, and tests. DELL, Bosch, SAP, Harvard University, Yale, BASF, GE, P&G, Adidas, Rolls Royce, Novartis are few of the top global businesses using the software products of iSpring. By joining hands with such a global leader in technology-enabled learning solutions, CoursePlay aims to open up new possibilities for digital content development to meet the needs of the domestic customers. "Digitization, AI, and globalization are disrupting the existing state of affairs in every industry at an exceptional pace, which makes the future uncertain yet bountiful in terms of opportunities for those who are ready to adapt. While large economies like the US are already ahead in such disruptive cycles in business and technology by making strategic investments in cloud-based authoring tools and e-learning platforms, India has a long way to go," said CEO CoursePlay, Arjun Gupta. Adding to this he said that the motive is to support the country to rise to the same level as the developed nations and help businesses improve their competitiveness. By partnering with iSpring we will be giving our clients access to high-quality e-learning tools and will also assist them in making purchases, delivery, training, and support of iSpring products. "Rapid global technological development and the ever-rising competition is increasingly driving the need to use efficient tools as well as ready-to-use solutions. By establishing this association with CoursePlay, we are excited to expand our business in the Indian market to better meet the requirements and needs of organizations and empower the learning professionals to stay competitive and ahead of the curve," added iSpring Solutions spokesperson. (ANI)
Chowdhry was arrested by the Special cell of the Delhi Police near Gagan Cinema in Delhi on Wednesday night.

"Junaid was allegedly hatching a plan to kill Pakistan born Canadian writer and liberal activist Tarek Fateh," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Singh Kushwaha.

The police claimed to have recovered a country made pistol and four live cartridges from Junaid's possession.

Earlier, he was apprehended on June 3, along with three other contract killers, identified as Robinson, Yunus and Manish following which they were sent to police remand and interrogated for five days.

Later, they were produced in a court which sent them to judicial custody.

Their plan was initially to kill Rajan while on transit to or from court before and after hearings, but that was later changed to attack him during his hospital visits.

Earlier, the police had found many audio clips of Chhota Shakeel from Junaid's mobile phone. (ANI)
Coming down heavily on opposition political parties for 'unnecessarily' blowing the farmers protest in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh out of proportion, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday called on them not to play with the interest of farmers. "Few political parties are unnecessarily trying to blow the farmers protest out of proportion due to their personal gain. They should not indulge in such tactics and they should not play with the interests of the farmers," said Rajnath Singh. He further added that chief ministers of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are sensitive on this issue and assured they will sort out the matter in best possible way. Meanwhile, the curfew in the violence-hit Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh has been relaxed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mandsaur District Collector Om Prakash Srivastava yesterday said curfew would be relaxed for longer periods today in the district. "Curfew would be relaxed for longer hours tomorrow. ATMs will be opened, milk, petrol and diesel availability will also be ensured," Srivastava told ANI. Curfew was relaxed for a few hours last evening. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has ordered a judicial enquiry into the deaths of five farmers during the recent agitation. He has announced a compensation of Rs. one crore to the kin of those killed and Rs. five lakh for those injured in the violence. Internet services in Mandsaur, Ratlam and Ujjain remained suspended following the farmers' protests. Mandsaur has been facing a tense situation with farmers protesting over their demands for remunerative prices for their produce and a farm loan waiver not being met. This unfortunately took an ugly turn earlier on Tuesday when five farmers were killed and eight others were injured in police firing. (ANI)
After Shivraj Singh Chouhan decided to begin an indefinite fast for peace and talks with farmers on loan waivers and better prices for their produce, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has vowed to stand in support of his initiative stating that this act of the Chief Minister proved his commitment for the people and the state. Speaking to ANI, BJP leader G.V. L. Narsimha Rao said, "Shivraj Chouhan ji is known as the friend of the farmers and we all know that Madhya Pradesh has delivered the best results in the agricultural sector. He is one chief minister who is accessible to people all the time. Even in this present agitation, he met the farmers' leader on June 4 and promised to resolve this problem. He has also appealed to the farmers to maintain calm and not to be misled by any political criminal elements who are trying to derail the entire situation. By going on a fast he has shown his commitment for the people and the state". Echoing similar views, another BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi stated that the saffron party has always stood by farmers and to their demands 'even this time'. "I totally stand by Shivraj Chouhan's fast for peace and support him in this initiative. The BJP has always stood by farmers and to their demands; even this time our leaders are coming forward to fast for peace which is a good attempt. The Opposition has never done anything for the farmers yet and will never do. Either they can only talk or crib about the situation," Lekhi told ANI. Chouhan yesterday made an announcement at a brief press conference, stating that he would sit for an indefinite fast for peace and possible talks with farmers, who have launched a violent agitation demanding loan waivers and better prices for their produce. The Chief Minister Office from MP tweeted saying, "From Saturday, I will not sit at the Mantralaya or the CM's house. I have decided to start an indefinite fast for peace in the state. I will hold the fast at the Dussehra Ground in Bhopal." <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I have also decided to get into indefinite fast from tomorrow. It will continue till the time peace is restored in MP: CM <a href="https://twitter.com/ChouhanShivraj">@ChouhanShivraj</a> <a href="https://t.co/vjzEU6FDvx">pic.twitter.com/vjzEU6FDvx</a></p> CMO Madhya Pradesh (@CMMadhyaPradesh) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMMadhyaPradesh/status/873156426092339201">June 9, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I will be sitting at Dussehra Maidan in BHEL from 11 AM tomorrow. I request people to come up to me with their problems: CM <a href="https://twitter.com/ChouhanShivraj">@ChouhanShivraj</a> <a href="https://t.co/FnXmqpt2fC">pic.twitter.com/FnXmqpt2fC</a></p> CMO Madhya Pradesh (@CMMadhyaPradesh) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMMadhyaPradesh/status/873155839481094144">June 9, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> The chief minister said he had been at the helm of affairs for last eleven and a half years. All through, his focus had been on the development and welfare of the people, especially farmers. (ANI)
"He has been given the permission to travel and he has been given Visa after all this. Why he was denied the permission, we have no idea. It should be analysed and enquired and after that that whatever the problem is, it should be dealt with," Soundararajan told ANI.

She further said that there was no connection of the embassy and the government with this issue.

Vaiko was stopped at the Kuala Lumpur Airport and questioned for several hours over his alleged links with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Vaiko was invited by Malaysian state Penang's Deputy Chief Minister Ramasamy Palanisamy to attend his daughter's wedding on June 10.

Airport authorities stated that Vaiko is a member of LTTE.

He was questioned for several hours on his links with LTTE and was lateral denied permission to enter Malaysia as his name figured in the list of persons who are "dangerous."

The LTTE, which fought for an independent Tamil state in Sri Lanka, remains outlawed in India. (ANI)
Slamming the Congress government for depositing a compensation of Rupee 1 for the damaged crops in farmers' bank accounts, farmer leader Basavaraj Ingin on Saturday said that this move should be punished by the public. "The Congress Government in Karnataka headed by Siddaramaiah is doing surprisingly wonderful job in compensating drought relief measures. It has been doing works which need to be not rewarded, but punished by the people," Ingin told ANI. He further said that in the Bagalkot district, it was found that a farmer has got Re. 1 in his account as the drought relief compensation. "Similar instances are there in various districts in Karnataka wherein farmers have got Rs. 1, Rs. 5 and Rs. 10. If this is the state of affairs in a Congress-led government in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi should also look at this," Ingin added. He added that Rahul should first clean his own house, come to the people with clean folded hands and then talk about others. The farmers in Karnataka were in for a shock when they received a compensation of Rupee 1 for damaged crops in their bank accounts. However, the Congress Government in the state was quick to rebuff claims that the paltry relief was a mistake, saying this was a 'test case' to check authenticity of accounts after they were linked to Aadhaar recently. Farmers in Vijapura, Dharwad, Hassan and Koppal districts said on Friday that one rupee was credited to their bank accounts by the State Revenue Department. The Congress, which has been severely critical of the BJP's "insensitivity" towards farmers in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, has now come under fire from the opposition. Some farmers have suffered losses running into lakhs of rupees after crops went dry in the last drought. Karnataka has seen successive droughts for six cropping seasons and farmers have been seeking compensation from the government. (ANI)
Following the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) decision to revoke the Indian passport issued to Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) president Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik, the Congress on Saturday condemned the Narendra Modi-led government asserting that when the Centre has all proof against the controversial Islamic preacher, it should not take too long for the Government to decide on his case. Speaking to ANI, Congress leader P.L. Punia said, "When we have all the proof on the controversial Islamic preacher Dr. Zakir Naik, then why is it taking so long for the Government to decide? The Narendra Modi-led Government is only trying to make this issue a propaganda and nothing else. Had they been serious, the matter would have been sorted by now." Resonating similar views, another Congress leader P.C. Chacko stated that matters relating to Naik were serious and the Government needed to improve in its structure and decision. "What else can the Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak on any international forum apart from terrorism? Our border is tensed as ever. This shows that India is not able to tackle Pakistan's aggressive attitude towards India. The ground situations on Naik have not changed or improved in its structure; this shows it's a complete failure by the government," Chako told ANI. The NIA yesterday had decided to revoke the Indian passport issued to Naik, who is wanted in a criminal case registered last year. After interrogating Naik's sister and aide, the agency said it was also tracking his web of financial transactions that include at least 10 companies and 19 properties in Mumbai and Pune, in which Naik has invested an estimated Rs. 104 crore. The NIA has also initiated proceedings to get a Red Corner Notice against Naik and has sent the requisite documents to the National Central Bureau (Interpol) NCB, India on May 11, 2017. Sources said that Naik holds Passport No. Z2200757 that was issued in Mumbai on May 13, 2011. His passport was renewed on January 20, 2016 in Mumbai and a new passport was issued in his name bearing number Z3606623, with a validity of 10 years. The NIA, on November 18, 2016, on the orders of Ministry of Home Affairs, registered a criminal case against Naik at its Mumbai branch under Sections 153A of Indian Penal Code and Sections 10, 13 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The IRF has already been declared as an Unlawful Association by Government of India as per a notification dated November 17, 2016. Nailah Noorani and a few close aides of Naik, have revealed financial details to interrogators in their statements duly recorded by the NIA following the relevant procedures of law. The NIA has been looking for Naik since last year accusing him of encouraging and aiding his followers through his public speeches, lectures and talks, to promote on grounds of religion, disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred and ill-will between different religious communities and groups. Naik has delivered over 1500 public lectures/talks in India and abroad. His last public lecture in India was held in Kishanganj, Bihar in March, 2012. (ANI)
This is what happened unfortunately in the case of a dead 17-year-old girl, Bagyashree, whose family was forced to carry her out of the mortuary of a hospital to the ambulance because they refused to a pay a bribe of Rs.3000 demanded by hospital workers.

Bagyashree died due to alleged wrong medical treatment at a private herbal care treatment centre in Salem, while undergoing a weight loss program.

She was administered some herbal medicine and fell unconscious and died. The herbal care center failed to inform her family and shifted her to a hospital in Coimbatore for post mortem.

When the family approached the Coimbatore G.H. Mortuary department, they were asked to pay Rs.3000 as bribe to get the dead body of their daughter released. On refusal to do so, the family were asked to carry the dead body from the mortuary to the ambulance which did not have a freezer box.

The body was taken back to Salem, a distance of over 350 kilometers from Coimbatore, for last rites. (ANI)
After thursday's violent clashes between police and GJM supporters which rocked the queen of hills and subsequent 12-hour shutdown, Darjeeling was gradually limping back to normalwith the Army continuing patrolling all sensitive pockets today. Official sources monitoring the overall situation said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who overstayed a night and a day in the Hills beyond her busy schedule to oversee the law and order situation, returned to Siliguri last night. She has also called an emergency administrative meeting this noon with state Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee, the Home Secretary, the DGP and some other senior civil and police officials at Uttarkanya,the Secretariat of North Bengal, before flying back to Kolkata this afternoon. The meeting is expected to access the latest law and order situation in the Hills and arrangements for the stranded tourists in Darjeeling and Siliguri.MORE UNI XC-PC SJC -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-928859.Xml
Amid raging protests by farmers spiralling across Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur district, state Agriculture Minister Gauri Shankar Bisen on Saturday categorically refused to provide any relief, saying the government has already been providing interest free loans and hence there's no need for a waiver. "There is no chance of a loan waiver because when I became the minister in 2008, I promised to provide loans at three percent. And next year we provided loans at one percent interest and thereafter loans were distributed at zero percent. When we did not impose any interests on loan, how can it be waived off? I am never in favour of complete loan waiver. Not then, not now," Bisen told ANI. He further said that the farming sector under the leadership of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been growing well. "With the support of farmers, our government achieved 20 percent growth rate in the agriculture sector and the same has been maintained for the last five years," Bisen added. The Minister accused the Congress Party for using the farmers' agitation for political gains. "The farmers of the state are being misguided by the Congress Party. They are trying to add fuel to the fire. The party is using this agitation for their political gain," he said. Meanwhile, Chouhan has begun an indefinite hunger strike "for peace" at the Dussera Maidan to restore the prevailing tense situation. On Thursday, two companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF), comprising around 100 men, were deployed in violence-hit Mandsaur district. Farmers in Madhya Pradesh are demanding better prices for their produce and also a waiver on loan repayments. However the protest turned violent after five farmers were killed on June 6 in a police firing in Mandsaur. The violent protest has later spread to neighbouring districts of Neemuch, Indore, Khargone, Ujjain, Shahjanhanpur, Sehore, Raisen and Harda in the last few days. (ANI)
Claiming that the majority of the population in Madhya Pradesh is dependent on farming, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said Saturday that the state cannot progress without its farmers. Addressing the gathering in Bhopal, Chouhan, who is on an indefinite fast to restore peace among the farming community of the state, said, "My each breath in last few hours has been taken for the development of Madhya Pradesh, adding that the government's priority was farming in the state. More than 65 percent of our population is dependent on farming. So the state cannot move ahead without the farmers." Chouhan asserted that after he became the chief minister, farmers got 40 lakh hectares of land which was initially 7.5 lakh hectares only. Highlighting his various schemes for the farmers, Chouhan further said, "Whenever, there has been a crisis, I did not sit at my office and visited the farmers myself." He began his 'peace fast' for the solidarity of the state at the Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal where he has invited agitating farmers for talks. On Friday, the chief minister said, "I am not emotionless. I appeal to the farmers to come forward and discuss all the issues." Maintaining that his government would deal with miscreants with an iron fist, Chouhan said his fast is an attempt to ensure peace in the state. Farmers in Madhya Pradesh are demanding better prices for their produce as also a waiver on loan repayments. Reacting to Chouhan's indefinite fast, the Congress party earlier in the day accused the latter of doing political drama to gain the people's sympathy. "I do not understand that instead of maintaining law and order which was their responsibility, they fired on farmers. The chief minister is doing these kinds of gimmicks to gain the people's sympathy," Congress leader Jeetu Patwari told ANI. On the other hand, the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)and the opposition Congress have locked horns over the farmers' agitation in Madhya Pradesh, with the former claiming that the latter was behind the chaos and violence in Mandsaur district that claimed six lives. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav attempted to reach Mandsaur earlier this week to commiserate with the agitating farmers, but police prevented their movement into the area. Rahul Gandhi was even detained by the police under Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) before being released on bail after several hours. He has claimed that the Centre is only firing at the farmers rather than providing them with solace and justice. Meanwhile, Shivpuri Congress MLA Shakuntala Khatik has been seen on video repeatedly inciting party workers and farmers to burn down a police station in the area, even as she is being requested not to do so. The video, which has gone viral, may further cement the Bharatiya Janata Party's ( BJP) allegation that the " Congress is instigating farmers for political gain"(ANI)
West Bengal ruling Trinamool Congrss MLA and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Deputy Mayor Iqbal Ahmed, one of the prime 13 accused in the Narada sting operation scam, today sought more time with the CBI to depose before its investigating officials. Khanakul assembly segment legislator Iqbal Ahmed, who has been served a notice, was scheduled to appear before the CBI officials at Nizam Palace around 1100 hours today. An advocate representing the political leader, however, appeared before the CBI officials and handed over a letter seeking 7-10 days time for appearance. Mr Ahmed, who has been abstaining for some months from attending his civic office, was reportedly sick and was also fasting for Ranjam month. However, there had been no official confirmation from the CBI office regarding the next course of action. The CBI probing the Narada sting operation scam following a Supreme court order had summoned Trinamool Congress MLA and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Deputy Mayor Iqbal Ahmed to appear its office on June 10. Mr Ahmed is the first accused of the 13 named in the FIR by the CBI for their alleged involvement in the Narada sting operation, which shown TMC's 12 elected representatives, including the ministers,MLAs, MPs and one IPS officer taking money from undisclosed persons. The CBI wanted to know from Ahmed that what he was doing when many sting photos shown his presence. Meanwhile, the CBI is expected to further quiz the Naradanews chief Mathew Samuel in its New Delhi office on Monday and in Kochi too. The CBI already quiz twice Mr Samuel. The Calcutta High Court early this week had asked what the investigating agency was doing as why it had not questioned Narada CEO Mathew Samuel or recorded his statement in the sting operation case. The HC observation came while it was hearing TMC MP Afrin Ali (known as Aparupa Poddar earlier) in the Narada sting case, Justice Joymalya Bagchi questioned the CBI, "Have you collected the certificate of the originality of the video from Samuel? In case of electronic evidences it is must. Go and record the statements of prime witness and please make progress." "You (CBI) should also examine/probe whether the public servants has demanded the money or Samuel himself offered the same. For both the cases, situation may be different." UNI PC KK -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-928934.Xml
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already set up a three-IPS panel - Javed Shamim, Siddhanath Gupta and Ajay Nanda - to oversee the law and order situation of the Hills immediately after Thursday's bloody violence in which some 60/70 police personnel, including DIG Rajesh Yadav, were injured when the GJM supporters attacked them. The attacks followed immediately after the Chief Minister completed her first Cabinet meeting in the hills outside Kolkata.

Meanwhile, the Bhanu Bhawan housing the GTA office has been sealed for the next two months by an order of District Magistrate Joyoshi Dasgupta.

It was alleged that Bhanu Bhawan was used in the attacks on policemen. UNI XC-PC SJC

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-928941.Xml
Shangwang Shanyung Khaplang, chairman of the Myanmar-based Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland who died on Friday night, in his last will urged the younger generation of Nagas to continue "to hold the torch of freedom". Khaplang died at the NSCN-K council headquarters in Takka in Myanmar's Sagaing Division. In his last will, Khaplang said: "I have done my part for the freedom of my people with the little capacity God has given me. And now, the younger generations of Nagaland need to continue the legacy left to you, like passed down to us by the elders. Never waver nor be carried away by the ideologies of the aliens that Nagas do not deserve to be a Nation." "As a human, I have done many wrongs and forgive me all my failures in this noble venture of our cherished freedom. My sons and daughters, please continue to hold on the torch of our freedom until we reach the promised land," Khaplang said in his will. "I have stood under the banner of 'Nagaland for Christ' with the hope that my people may see both physical and spiritual freedom from the oppression of the ruthless occupiers," he added. Khaplang, 77, who was popularly known as "Baba", belonged to the Hemi Naga tribe from Myanmar's Eastern Naga Hills in Sagaing Division. He had been ailing for quite sometime and also underwent medical treatment in the Yangon Civil General Hospital. "He had protected the Naga nation from the occupational forces in the best way he can in the interest of the Naga people," a senior NSCN-K leader, who did not wish to be identified, told IANS. The powerful rebel leader had two homes - one in China's Yunan province and another in Myanmar. He leaves behind four children, including a daughter. None of them are involved in the armed struggle. Born in April 1940, in Waktham village in Myanmar, Khaplang sheltered at least seven rebel groups from India's Northeast in his bases in Myanmar's thickly forested Sagaing Region, bordering India. He was also chairman of the United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia (UNLFW), an umbrella organisation of various northeast-based militant groups. Khaplang started the Naga armed struggle in the early 60s by forming the Naga Defence Force after Zapu A.Z. Phizo declared war on India. Later, he became vice chairman of the Eastern Naga Revolutionary Council. Khaplang was instrumental in paving the way for the Phizo-led Naga National Council rebels, including his former friend-turned rival Thuingaleng Muivah, to reach China for guerrilla warfare training. After the failure of the Shillong Accord signed between the Indian government and Phizo's Naga National Council in 1975, Khaplang and Muivah went underground and formed the NSCN. The two Naga rebel leaders -- Khaplang and Muivah along with Isak Chishi Swu - formed the National Socialist Council of Nagaland in 1980. However, the group split in 1988, with Khaplang parting ways with Swu and Muivah due to clan rivalries between the Konyaks of Nagaland's Mon district and the Tangkhuls of Manipur's Ukhrul district. Swu died in June 2016 in a Delhi hospital. Khaplang also entered into a ceasefire with the central government in 1997 but abrogated it on March 28, 2015. The National Investigation Agency had filed a chargesheet against Khaplang and announced a reward of Rs 7 lakh on him and even sent a detailed dossier on him to Myanmar through diplomatic channels. Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) Secretary General Neingulo Krome termed Khaplang's demise as a "rude shock". "This is so especially at a time when the Naga people are extremely in need of experienced wisdom of their national movement leaders, to set right the course of the Naga destiny, which is being misinterpreted and re-interpreted in the present day scenario of internal conflicts," Krome said. "We will always treasure and cherish his commitment to do what the upcoming Naga generation wants as the Naga national movement is for the well-being of future Naga generations who should live in dignity and peace," Krome said in his condolence message. --IANS rrk/rn/bg ( 692 Words) 2017-06-10-14:22:21 (IANS)
Senior Superintendent of Police Bhpinderjti Singh Virk told that Ravinder Singh alias Giana, resident of Kharlawal, along with noted gangster Vicky Gonder, had shot dead three gangsters Harpreet Singh alias Subedar of Mustffapur Jattan village, Sulakhan Singh of Sangalpura mohalla Gurdaspur and Happy of Tibber Village near Aulakh village on Amritsar Pathankot bypass on April 20.

On getting a specific information, a police party, led by Inspector Kapil Kaushal, laid a special naka near Tugal wal village under Kahnuwan police station when Ravinder Singh and his three gang members were on the way to Gurdaspur from village Berianwala in Bolero.

When police party signalled them to stop, they started firing, which was retaliated. In the exchange of fire, Ravinder was injured and overpowered by the police. Other gangsters managed to flee.UNI XC SV RSA 1410

-- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0292-929008.Xml
The body of a newly-recruited forest guard was found hanging with a big Deodar tree in Seri Kantara forest beat of Karsog forest division of this district, last evening. The body of Hoshiar Singh, who had joined his duty in March, 2016, was recovered in an upside-down position, with its head down and legs up. It also had multiple injury marks with a sharp-edged weapon. The Forest Guard had been missing over the past four days and search by the Forest department personnel and villagers had yielded no results. Hoshiar's uncle Paras Ram and other members of his family alleged that the Forest Guard had refused the gratification offered to him by the powerful Forest mafia , who killed him. The Forest mafia was being patronised by the powerful politicians of the area, they added. Reputed for its dense deodar forest, Karsog valley had been notorious for the past many decades as an abode and hotbed of forest smugglers and mafia. In May, 2010, full grown precious deodar trees had been felled in Shikari Devi belt of Karsog valley. Meanwhile, various Unions of Forest Department have lamented that the unarmed officials and personnel of the department were falling victims to the forest mafia and called upon the government to provide armed protection, if the forest wealth has to be saved. The PCCF of the Forest Department said that a high-level enquiry would be held in the murder of the Forest Guard and the guilty would be brought to book. Additional SP Kulbhushan Sharma said the accused would be arrested soon and dealt in accordance with the law.UNI XC ML RJ 1554 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-929222.Xml
JD-U Spokesperson Neeraj Kumar told the media that Shah had insulted the nation and its people by using a "caste" name to address Mahatma Gandhi.

"At a time when the country is celebrating 100 years of Champaran Satyagrah of Gandhi, the BJP President has insulted him and the 1.25 crore people of India."

Neeraj said Shah, who was himself an accused in serious criminal charges and jailed for his criminal acts, was now targeting Mahatma Gandhi by naming his caste. "It is shameful and unforgivable."

On the other hand, JD-U ally Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders said that Shah, by calling Gandhi a "chatur baniya", had exposed his own and the BJP's mindset and their real agenda.

However, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday refused to say anything over the BJP President's statement.

Nitish Kumar, also President of the JD-U, maintained silence over Shah's speech.

He simply ignored queries from the media on Shah's remarks and walked to his vehicle surrounded by security personnel after attending an official function here.

--IANS ik/nir/bg

( 208 Words)

2017-06-10-16:50:13 (IANS)
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Goa today staged a demonstration at Azad Maidan in the city, protesting against the killing of farmers in Madhya Pradesh and suicide committed by the peasants across the country. Speaking on the occasion, AAP leader Valmiki Naik said, ''For the first time in the history of the country, a government has come, which is killing farmers just because of holding protest. The agitation was because of the the failure of BJP government to fulfill promises made before the elections. ''AAP demands that the recommendations made by Dr Swaminathan Commission for the benefit of farmers be implemented and killings of ryots be stopped,'' he said.AAP Goa Convernor Elvis Gomes and party leader Ashley do Rosario, among others, participated in the protest, where AAP leaders carried placards, which read ''If You Ate Today...Thank A Farmer.''UNI AKM SS AD RJ 1636 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-929160.Xml
The Minister said the decision will go a long way in setting a progressive trend whereby big farmers will surrender their power subsidy in the interest of the state.

In a statement here, Mr Mohindra said Capt Amarinder has always led from the front and this time again he had lived up to his reputation by showing the unparalleled quality of great leadership by starting from himself to surrender the power .

He expressed confidence that other big farmers including leaders cutting across the party lines will follow the suit in the interest of the state in general and the small and debt ridden farmers in particular.

He pointed out that the state's economy was reeling under pressure with total debt touching Rs 2 lakh crores.

"The issue is too serious to be viewed with narrow partisan considerations," he said while appealing all the political parties and their leaders to come forward and support the Chief Minister's noble move.UNI DB AD RJ 1726

-- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-929236.Xml
Union Minister and Punjab BJP President Vijay Sampla today alleged that Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has turned a blind eye towards the suicide by farmers and largescale atrocities on Dalits in Punjab. In a statement here, the BJP leader said 73 ryots have committed suicide and dozens of Dalits were attacked and brutally killed in Punjab in nearly three months of Capt Amarinder's tenure as Chief Minister. "Rahul ji cant you see that in Punjab, Congress Goondas are killing Dalits, forcibly taking control of lands allotted to them, beating them mercilessly in full public glare, parading them naked, trying to burn them alive, outraging the modesty of Dalit women," he alleged. "Whether, you take the case of village Khayali Chahilanwali in Mansa or of village Bagga in Amritsar or Patti in Tarn Taran or Chaksharif in Gurdaspur or village Nathuchak in Tarn Taran or village Daudar Sharki near Moga or Kandola village near Nurmahal, everywhere you will find Punjab Police shamelessly turning a blind eye to the atrocities by Congress goondas," he said. "Rahul ji you are more worried about farmers plight in BJP-ruled states, but tight-lipped over the plight of farmers in Congress-ruled states", Mr Sampla accused. The BJP leader said since the formation of Congress government in Punjab, 73 ryots have committed suicide and major contributor is the inability of Chief Minister Capt Singh to fulfill his pre-poll promise of full farmer/agricultural loan waiver. The farmers, who already are under severe debt, got further depressed, demoralised, dejected and felt cheated, hence leading to a spate in the peasants' suicide, he added. He asked Mr Gandhi to come to Punjab and visit the families of the farmers, who committed suicide and families of Dalits killed/attacked/molested by the Congress goondas.UNI DB RJ 1746 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-929365.Xml
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Ashok Chavan today criticised BJP national president Amit Shah's statement, describing Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi as intellectual 'bania' (trader) and demanded apology from him. In a statement issued here, Mr Chavan said, "Even Pakistani leaders used to call Gandhiji alike, and this statement is an insult of freedom fighters and Mr Shah should apologise to the people of the country for the same."Terming Mr Shah's statement as 'communal', he added that it had exposed the casteless face of BJP.UNI JM SS RJ 1852 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-929538.Xml
GRAND FORKS  The finalization of a series of University of North Dakota employee buyouts and phase-downs initially scheduled for an early May completion has been pushed back into next month.

Pat Hanson, UNDs director of human resources, said some faculty and staff who have already been approved to take voluntary or phased resignation plans now have an extended window to accept their offers through the end of the first week of July. Hanson said the decision to lengthen the decision period came as soon as the legislative (session) closed and we got to taking a closer look at our budgets.

Hanson didnt specify what changes in the budget information led UND leaders to push back the completion date but said leadership decided there was an opportunity to grant more time to employees still making up their minds.

A total of 119 UND employees applied for the separation program, which was announced in January as university leaders considered looming budget reductions. By the end of the most recent legislative session in May, UND had realized a biennial cut of about $32 million in state-appropriated general funding.

This years voluntary separation drive is the second buyout program in as many years. Of those 119 initial candidates, 95 put in their names for the Staff Voluntary Separation Incentive Program. On the faculty side, 18 people applied for the Tenured Faculty Voluntary Separation Incentive Program. Eight employees applied for the Tenured Faculty Phased Retirement Program, though two of those people also applied for voluntary separations.

The 2016 buyout programs drew 88 applications from staff and 21 from faculty. Of those candidates, 52 staff members and 18 faculty accepted offers for voluntary separations. Most of them are to leave their positions by the end of June 30.

Its not yet clear how many university employees will leave campus after this round of buyouts. Applicants whose buyout requests were cleared seem to be following similar patterns as those who applied last year, Hanson said.

Its probably about the same mix, the number withdrawing and accepting, she said.

Three high-level UND executives have already accepted plans to leave the university. Those are Peter Johnson, UND spokesman and interim vice president for university and public affairs; Laurie Betting, interim vice president for student affairs; and Alice Brekke, UND vice president for finance and operations.

Applicants for this years round of buyouts were held to some basic eligibility criteria. Those standards required them to be benefited employees in good standing with the university and to be able to meet the Rule of 65, which means the total of their age and number of years of employment with the North Dakota University System had to meet or exceed that number.

UND leaders lowered the requirement by five years from last years Rule of 70 to expand the pool of eligible employees and avoid higher numbers of involuntary layoffs.

Were always looking for, if people are wanting to do this, to allow them the opportunity to do so, Hanson said.
Describing their victory as the dawn of a new era, the Chief Minister, in his congratulatory message, said these leaders had scripted a new success story.

The victory of first female Sikh MP Preet Kaur Gill and first turbaned Sikh Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi in England along with two other MPs of Punjabi origin Virender Sharma and Seema Malhotra, has endorsed the indomitable spirit of Punjabis, said Capt Amarinder, lauding their hard work and honesty, which had facilitated their success.

He expressed the confidence that these newly-elected Punjabi MPs would play a significant role in the overall development of their native state along with that of England.

The Chief Minister also hoped that these newly elected MPs would efficiently raise the issues concerning the people of Punjab at an appropriate forum to attract the global attention, if needed.

These Punjabis have been elected along with eight other MPs of Indian origin, including Priti Patel, Alok Sharma, Shailesh Vara, Rishi Sunak, Suella Fernandes, Keith Vaz, Valerie Vaz and Lisa Nandy.

With the record 12 Indian-origin MPs, the new Parliament have five MPs from Conservative Party and seven from Labour Party.

Meanwhile, Capt Singh also congratulated the Punjabis settled in England for reposing overwhelming response in the democratic process, by taking part in the just-concluded general elections.UNI DB AD RJ 1841

-- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-929472.Xml
Students from different universities today staged a protest in Delhi against the Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh on pushing saffronisation in university campus in Lucknow.Student members of the All India Students Association (AISA) from Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Jamia University gathered here at the Uttar Pradesh Bhawan staging a protest in wake of the arrests of 14 students of Lucknow University demanding their immediate release.In her address to the protesting students here, Ms Sucheta De, National President of AISA, said , "From day one of coming to power the Yogi government in UP has been attacking the constitutional values. It has let loose his people to openly attack the Dalits, Minorities and anyone who dare to raise a voice against him.''Addressing the protest JNUSU President, Mohit Pandey said, "What else can one expect from the government whose chief minister has a history of spewing venom against the Dalits and the minorities of the country,'' he added that the government is branding everyone who protests against them as Naxalites. We have seen this in JNU and we are seeing the same with the Bhim Army and the students of Lucknow University who protested against Yogi.''The 14 students of the Lucknow University were earlier arrested in the state capital while protesting against the alleged misuse of University fund for a political event ''Hindavi Swarajya Diwas'' in Lucknow on June 7, in which the Chief Minister was an invitee.The event is said to be organised by the Karamchari Sanskritik Evam Krida Parishad of the Lucknow University.Students from different organisations including AISA had carried out an agitation against the alleged misuse of university's fund and also raised slogans against increasing ''Gunda Raj'' in the sate and cases of assault on women, to which the UP police came down heavily and took 14 students in custody. Later, the students were slapped with several charges.The protest was also joined by the members of the Joint Action Committee that was formed by the students of various universities of Delhi. BASO, BAPSA and the United OBC forum of the JNU was also a part of the agitation.UNI APS/AR SHK 1937 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0092-929432.Xml
The Shiromani Akali Dal and Bhartiya Janata Party combine has completed preparations for district level dharnas on June 12 on five issues and SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal will lead dharna in Ludhiana. Stating this in a statement here today, SAD Secretary and Spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema claimed that these dharnas will be attended by thousands of leaders and workers of the combine besides the common citizens. Dr Cheema said besides senior leadership of the both the parties, the SAD core committee members, MPs, MLAs, SGPC members, office bearers of the party and all the district level leaders and members and elected representatives of the local bodies will participate in these dharnas. He said the objective of these dharnas is to get resolved the burning issues confronting the state and awake the deaf and dump government about the problems of the people. He said issues being taken at these dharnas will include mining scandal in which cabinet minister Rana Gurjit Singh and several ruling party MLAs have been found indulged directly and allotment of mining sites to the sole bidders, the government's apathy towards problems of the farmers and its betrayal on the issue of farm loan waiver, failure of the government to control incidents of desecration of Guru Granth Sahib and failure of the government in governing the state. Dr Cheema said besides these the atrocities being committed with the dalit community and deteriorating law and order situation in the state will also be highlighted in these dharnas. He said both the parties have issued instructions to make these dharna successful and meetings are also being held for the same. He said after the dharnas leaders of both the parties will meet respective Deputy Commissioners and submit a memorandum. He further said after the completion of dharna program, a high level delegation of both the parties will meet the Governor on June 13 and demand dismissal of Rana Gurjit Singh from Cabinet and also demand inquiry from CBI, ED and Income Tax authorities. UNI DB PY SHK 2102 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0293-929734.Xml
Even after over 25 years of enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, the law has not been able to achieve its avowed mandate of providing better protection of consumer interests in full measure. It is high time that suitable amendments are effected in the existing legal regime to effectively meet the challenges thrown by consumerism and newer emerging markets and business models. To raise concern and lead a measure of seriousness the president of Calcutta Chamber of Commerce Dinesh Jain took this opportunity to curate a Talk Session with state minister of Consumer Affairs Sadhan Pandey himself, deliberating on the agenda of 'Consumer Protection: Issues and Challenges'. Also present at the session were State's top business leaders, leaders of civil society and senior members of the diplomatic core whose presence added special meaning to this occasion. Stressing much on the emerging issues and challenges of Consumer Rights, Awareness and Protection the session commenced with an opening speech by Mr Dinesh Jain, "The Calcutta Chamber of Commerce is the vanguard of development in trade and commerce serving since 186 years. Through our programs we enable groups of academicians, professionals, bureaucrats, statesmen and businessmen to indulge in a regular practice of exchanging thoughts and ideas involving current socio-economic and political scenarios," Mr Jain said. "As we at the CCC believe discussions and dialogues lead to enhancement and resolution of self and the country. No matter what laws we have in our country but when it comes to its implementation and applicability, awareness in the society is the prime area responsible to its success. Today, growing globalized markets in world economy has developed a high sense to pinpoint the structured laws in the development of consumer protection," he said. "Despite modern technological advancements that have largely impacted on the quality, viability and safety of goods and services, the fact reveals that the consumers are yet victims of unscrupulous and exploitative practices," Mr Jain said. When information is misleading and when regulations fail to prevent harmful side effects, the impacts of consumption can be negative. Price signals are one important form of information, but accurate labeling and other product information are equally important. The information now available to consumers, provided mostly by commercial advertisements, is the government has an important role to provide quality education, to enforce controls on misleading advertising, to ensure proper labeling of goods and to clarify their effects on health and safety. Taking forward the session, Minister Sadhan Pande expressed his gratitude for the honor bestowed upon him by the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce and said, "The success of the consumer movement mainly depends upon the level of consumer awareness around the country. The Government is defiantly playing the role of a facilitator or catalyst. Whereas, the growth of consumer movement should also be voluntary effort involving the participation of one and all." During his speech he laid strong emphasis on the different avenues and ventures the government is working towards to bridge the gap between consumers and consumer protection rights and to eradicate corruption with a more effective and transparent consumer awareness system. At present, there are 26 regional consumer offices and the number is growing, to name one of them, is the one that's coming up in Rajarhat area, Mr Pande said.UNI BM -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0214-929888.Xml
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) today demanded that there should be ban on beef across the country. Addressing a press conference in the city, HJS National Guide Dr Charudutta Pingale said,''There should be beef ban across the country. If you believe in Gandhi Ji's (Mahatma Gandhi) ideology then after independence he had said that there should be beef ban in the country. Supreme Court in its order has said that there should be beef ban. If we are a true citizen and respect law and order then we should accept it.'' When asked why should there be a ban on beef, he said, ''As per Hindu faith cow is not just a mother but it is abode of 33 crore Hindu Gods. Constitution assures us to protect our faith. Our faith should be protected.'' Mr Pingale informed that the sixth All India Hindu Convention to be held in Goa from June 14 to 17 would have a separate session on the protection of cows where in there would be discussion on how to protect cows in the country. HJS spokesperson Ramesh Shinde said,''Protection of cows has two dimensions. One is their protection and second informing people about their usefulness and importance.'' He said there should be cow sanctuaries in Goa on the lines of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. UNI AKM PY SHK 2207 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0298-929884.Xml
Intensifying movements against BJP's alleged anti-farmer policies, a newly launched Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh, an umbrella body of 62 farmers' unions, today demanded dismissal of the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in Madhya Pradesh and announced a nationwide protest.A series of protest meetings and rallies will be held in various parts of the country till June 15 and on June 16 there will be a three-hour long block of all national highways across the country from 12 noon to 3 pm.According to Deepak Sharma, a spokesperson of the forum, the Mahasangh has also demanded 50 per cent profit over input cost, as promised by the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.Besides, there should be also loan waiver as farmers have suffered due to drought and poor returns to their produce this year.Meanwhile, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia has announced that he will sit on a 72-hour-long 'satyagraha' from June 14 at Bhopal to protest the "anti-farmer policies" of the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh. The Communist Party of India today extended full support to the nationwide agitational programme of farmers and said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself should talk to the farmers."While the government is promising to double the income of peasants, the real income of them is falling sharply due to failure of remunerative prices of agricultural products. The suicides of our peasants are increasing alarmingly," the CPI central secretariat said in a statement.It said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister sitting on hunger strike for peace, "after the death of six peasants in police firing" will not help improve the situation."Peace will not come by fasting to cover up the sin of killing peasants. Peace can be restored by accepting the just demands of the peasants. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should speak out and come out with a clear policy on Agriculture," it said.Prominent farmers' leader Shiv Kumar Sharma, also a former RSS leader, is trying to broadbase the on going agitation in Madhya Pradesh by enlisting support from states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Kerala. UNI DEVN SHK 2251 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0298-929904.Xml
European Council President Donald Tusk on Friday congratulated British Prime Minister Theresa May on her reappointment, underscoring that Brussels and London should press ahead with the Brexit talks. "Our shared responsibility and urgent task now is to conduct the negotiations on the UK's withdrawal from the European Union in the best possible spirit, securing the least disruptive outcome for our citizens, businesses and countries after March 2019," Tusk said in his congratulation letter to May. "The time frame set by Article 50 of the Treaty leaves us with no time to lose. I am fully committed to maintaining regular and close contact at our level to facilitate the work of our negotiators," he added. European Commission President Jean Claude-Juncker, also said earlier on Friday in Prague that the EU "can open negotiation tomorrow morning at 09.30." "We are waiting for visitors coming from London. I hope that we will not experience a further delay in the conclusion of these negotiations," Juncker said at a joint press conference together with Bohuslav Sobotka, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, and Rose Gottemoeller, NATO Deputy Secretary-General, following a high-level conference on defence and security. "First, we have to agree on the divorce and exit modalities and then we have to envisage the architecture of our future relations. I do hope that the result of the elections will have no major impact on the negotiations we are desperately waiting for," he said. May confirmed Friday afternoon she will form a Westminster government, helped by members of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Speaking minutes after a 15-minute audience at Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth, May announced her plan outside 10 Downing Street. She said the Conservatives and the DUP, "having enjoyed a strong relationship over many years", will work together. The 318 seats won by the Conservatives in the election on Thursday, plus the 10 DUP seats will give May the majority she needs in the House of Commons. In the election the Conservatives won most seats, but short of winning enough for an overall majority. --IANS ahm/ ( 358 Words) 2017-06-10-04:02:21 (IANS)
According to sources, during the bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana, the Prime Minister strongly condemned the recent spate of terrorist attacks in Kabul and other parts of Afghanistan.

He also expressed India's sincere condolences on loss of hundreds of innocent lives and injury to several more.

Both leaders agreed that India's entry to the SCO as a full member today would promote closer cooperation within the body, including on one of the main priorities of the organization- fighting terrorism.

Today, Prime Minister Modi also held bilateral meetings with other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

India has been an observer of the SCO meeting since 2005. By becoming a full SCO member, India now stands to gain in the spheres of security, economy, trade, investment, connectivity and energy co-operation.

Along with India, Pakistan has also joined the SCO as a full member state. Other members are: Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyztan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

The SCO was set up in 2001 with the goal to foster security and co-operation between the member nations. Over the years the organisation has expanded its focus to include areas related to economic co-operation. (ANI)
Prime Minister Modi met Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit here on Friday.

Giving a rundown of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev here on Friday, Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said that since the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is terrorism focused, the two leaders discussed the threat of terrorism and radicalization during their bilateral talks.

"There was some discussion on political issues and as SCO itself is terrorism focused so Afghanistan, counter-terrorism, threat of radicalization (were discussed)," Jaishankar told reporters.

He added that there was a lot of conversation on bilateral economic cooperation and medical tourism.

"We already have a significant pharmaceutical footprint in Uzbekistan. There is substantial Uzbek medical tourism in India. PM Modi made some suggestions about how we could cooperate more on health and medical treatment," he said.

The foreign Secretary added that Prime Minister Modi also extended an invitation to President Mirziyoyev to visit India later this year.

Earlier, stressing about the need to deepen cooperation between India and Uzbekistan, Prime Minister Modi said "We will work together to take our bilateral ties to next level that includes political, economic, trade, transportation, military exchanges technological ties."

He also congratulated President Mirziyoyev for winning the December 2016 presidential election. (ANI)
The feature will notify users if a piece of news that they have received is deemed fake by Chinese censors, police or official media outlets, reports Efe news.

It is one of WeChat's "mini programmes" launched this year that function only within its platform, which Chinese netizens use for messaging, mobile payments, ordering food, and even renting bicycles.

The programme will also function as a social game, ranking users based on how many rumour-debunking articles they have read.

Users will also be notified if a news item they send to their friends is later found to be false.

WeChat has more than 900 million active users in China.

--IANS ksk/bg

( 145 Words)

2017-06-10-14:08:20 (IANS)
GRAND FORKS  Just over two months after losing his brother to a worksite accident, Aaron Castoreno cant shake the feeling that the death was avoidable.

Jared Jay Castoreno died March 29 in a worksite accident at a home renovation on Earl Circle on the south end of Grand Forks. He was 30. His death remains under investigation by the U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

North Dakota is the deadliest in the nation for laborers per capita, according to an annual report from the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in the United States. It ranked North Dakota 50th in its comprehensive report on labor deaths in the U.S. in 2015, the fourth time in the past five years North Dakota topped the list.

If he was working in a different state, hed still be alive, Aaron said.

The AFL-CIOs 2017 report is based on 2015 figures, the latest produced by Bureau of Labor Statistics. It found North Dakota had 47 labor-related deaths in 2014, a rate of 12.5 per 100,000 workers. Nationwide there were 4,836 people who died on the job in 2015, a rate of 3.4 per 100,000.

Last week, 58-year-old Richard G. Bruce of Grand Forks died after falling through garage rafters 10 feet onto a concrete garage floor at a home construction in East Grand Forks. Minnesota recorded 74 work-related deaths in 2015, a rate of 2.7 per 100,000.

OSHA investigated six work-related deaths in 2016 in North Dakota, according to state director Eric Books. So far theyve investigated or are investigating four deaths in 2017, one oil and gas-related, a number Brooks described as historically low. OSHA measures years using the October through September fiscal calendar.

Brooks said North Dakota ranks low in part because of its low population and the nature of many transient workers converging on the states oil fields in the first half of the decade. Still, he noted, thats no excuse for workplace deaths.

I have to believe zero is achievable, otherwise we have to accept the cost of doing business in America costs somebodys life, Brooks said.

OSHA investigates accidents from private sector employers unless the death is traffic-related. In 2015, 60 percent of occupational deaths in North Dakota were transportation incidents. Nationwide the rate was 40 percent.

Brooks said OSHA would be making the findings of its investigation into Jared Castorenos death public next week. Should the agency find the employer failed to comply with federal safety standards, it can issue a citation.

Once a company is cited, it may pay the fine and take the steps necessary to clean up its job sites, contest the findings or request an informal conference to hash out an agreement, Brooks said. OSHA hopes companies that are fined take steps to prevent further injuries and deaths. The informal conference is the most common type, Brooks said.

Were really looking at the culture change, he told the Herald. When we talk settlement, our main goal is abatement. What are we doing to make sure this wont happen again?

Aaron Castoreno said his brothers employer, Civil Contracting Services, was not prioritizing worker safety the day Jared died and believes they violated safety codes.

He was under pressure from the company to do the work no matter the consequences, Aaron Castoreno said.

Calls by Forum News Service to Civil Contracting Services were not returned.

Castoreno said he believes companies are cutting corners on safety to boost their bottom lines.

Theyd rather not spend the extra time and money to make sure people go home safe, he said.

Lt. Brett Johnson said the Grand Forks Police Department has closed its investigation into Castorenos death and did not find evidence to bring criminal charges against the employer or homeowner.

Trying to improve

North Dakotas death toll peaked in 2012 with 65 employee deaths. Shortly after, Brooks recalls being at a Perkins restaurant in Minot with other OSHA employers and deciding something had to change.

He said OSHA has worked in the state with oil and gas companies to improve safety in the Bakken.

Up until 2015, Brooks said about half the occupational deaths OSHA investigated were oil and gas-related. In 2016, it dropped to one-third of the cases.

Employers are responsible to provide safe workplace, Brooks said. Weve seen a lot of evolution, a lot of change in the last four to five years.

Still, North Dakota lacks the number of inspectors to ensure federal guidelines are being imposed by worksite supervisors day in and day out. In 2015, the AFL-CIO found North Dakota had just seven worksite inspectors compared with 437,072 employees, and that it would take 101 years for OSHA to inspect all job sites in the state.

Aaron Castoreno said his family is organizing to change labor laws in North Dakota and make sure regulations are being followed. They met with the governors office and were encouraged to get a petition circulating to get a new law passed in 2019, he said. The family has a Facebook page titled Justice 4 Jared and is attempting to organize a memorial bike ride for Jared this summer. They hope pressure on the issue will save other families from pain.

We dont want anyone else to get killed or hurt out of sheer stupidity, Aaron said.
Lavrov and Al Thani will take stock of diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis, Russian news agency Tass reported.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, the Maldives and Mauritius severed diplomatic relations with Doha earlier this week in retaliation for what they described as Qatar's support for terrorism and extremist ideology.

Mauritania and the Comoro Islands joined in later. Jordan and Djibouti downgraded the status of their diplomatic missions.

However, Qatar dismissed the charges as "groundless" and said that its foreign policy would remain unchanged. Al Thani said Qatar was firmly against any intervention in its foreign policy.

A number of countries had come up with offers of assistance in resolving the crisis. Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah had made trips to Jeddah, Dubai and Doha. US President Donald Trump said he was prepared for arranging a meeting of the conflicting parties in the White House.

Russian President Vladimir Putin in a telephone conversation with Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani earlier this week reaffirmed that Moscow was firmly in favour of tackling crises by political and diplomatic means through a dialogue.

At the same time, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said that he would not say that Russia had any intention of acting as a mediator between Qatar and the countries that severed relations with it.

--IANS soni/bg

( 265 Words)

2017-06-10-14:26:11 (IANS)
Fighting between rival tribesmen in southern Iran left 22 people dead last night, an Iranian lawmaker was quoted by ILNA news agency as said today."The incident last night in Ramhormoz county (in Khuzestan province) is rooted in an old tribal conflict," the lawmaker, Hedayatollah Khademi, said."Unfortunately in last night's clash, advanced military weapons were used and 22 people were killed," he said.Tribal fighting is common in southern Iran, where gun battles can break out, sometimes motivated by notions of traditional tribal justice.REUTERS 1624 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0386-929444.Xml
G7 Environment Ministers were on Saturday gearing up for a gathering in the Italian city of Bologna where they face the challenges of defending and implementing the Paris climate accord following withdrawal from the pact by the US. The two-day Environment Ministerial Meeting of the G7 will begin on Sunday and would see participants from the seven nations seeking to clarify what US President Donald Trump intended to do in order to curb climate change, in light of his decision. The G7 meeting would be important as the US would have to clarify its position on the matter, Italy's Environment Minister Gian Luca Galletti was quoted as saying by Efe news. He said that while it was not possible to renegotiate the Paris agreement, ministers wanted to know which policies the US might be able to fulfil. The meeting will address the G7's commitments on the reduction of greenhouse gases. Along with Galleti, other participating ministers would be Barbara Hendricks of Germany, Koichi Yamamoto of Japan, Nicolas Hulot of France and Catherine McKenna of Canada. It was uncertain whether Britain's Andrea Leadsom would attend due to this week's general election. Also, there were doubts about the attendance of Scott Pruitt, Administrator of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). European Commissioners for Environment and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella and Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Caete were expected to attend. Though Trump's decision on the Paris agreement was set to feature heavily on the agenda, other topics to be addressed included waste in the oceans, ecological finance, circular economy and resource efficiency. --IANS soni/bg ( 272 Words) 2017-06-10-19:18:24 (IANS)
A six-year old Iraqi Christian girl, kidnapped by Islamic State when she was three, was reunited with her family on Friday, and getting used to saying "mum" and "dad" once more."The best day of my life is the day when Christina came back," said her mother, Aida Nuh, on Saturday.Dark circles around her eyes are evidence of sleepless nights since August 2014, when the militants snatched Christina from her, a few weeks after overrunning the town of Qaraqosh, 15 km southeast of Mosul."She stayed three years with the terrorists. Of course she forgot who her mother is, who her father is, that we are her family, but she will learn again."Islamic State has kidnapped thousands of men, women and children from Iraq's minorities, mainly Yazidis.Christians who did not or could not escape in time were faced with an ultimatum - pay a tax for protection, convert to Islam, or die by the sword. Some, like Christina, were kidnapped.Christian families who remained in Qaraqosh were forcibly displaced on August 22, 2014. The militants took away Christina from the minibus which had driven them to the edge of Islamic State territory, after threatening Aida, who desperately resisted.The family's efforts to track her though Arab friends were rewarded yesterday, when they got a call telling them Christina had been found in Hayy al-Tanak, a poor neighbourhood of Mosul.Eighth months into the US-backed offensive to take back Mosul, all of the city has fallen to Iraqi government forces except a pocket by the western bank of the Tigris river."We went to a dirty place in Hayy el-Tanak (..), we took the child," said Christina's blind father, Khader Touma, wearing dark glasses and surrounded by the family now complete with the return of his youngest daughter.Her two sisters and two brothers had escaped to Kurdish territory before the arrival of the militants."I'm with mum and dad," said Christina, playing with a plastic toy, in a mobile home for displaced people in Ankawa, a Christian suburb of the Kurdish capital Erbil, east of Mosul.The parents said they now hoped to emigrate, to put their ordeal behind them.In the meantime, they face a long wait in the cramped cabin, because their home in Qaraqosh was almost completely destroyed in the fighting to dislodge the militants. REUTERS PY 1954 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0298-929721.Xml
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-09 20:07:24|Editor: xuxin

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BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Back in 1969, Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, uttered his famous words: "That's one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind."

The statement has inspired ever since. More than 500 astronauts have entered space in the nearly five decades that have followed, and over 10 have landed on the moon.

Buzz Aldrin, the second man to set foot on the moon and Armstrong's companion in the Apollo 11 mission, gave a presentation on his ideas for visiting Mars at the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2017), which concluded on Thursday.

WHAT IS THE NEXT STOP?

Global leaders in space exploration have now set their sights on Mars, including China.

Wu Yanhua, deputy head of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), said that the country has started an unmanned Mars probe project and plans to launch a Mars probe around 2020.

Steve Eisenhart, senior vice president of the Strategic and International Affairs of the Space Foundation of the United States, said that Aldrin has been working on his idea for close to 30 years.

According to Aldrin's plan, humans may be able to land on Mars before 2039 and set up a station there. Eisenhart and Aldrin, while not representing the U.S. government or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), agreed that Mars is a good destination for space exploration.

However, Jan Woerner, director-general of European Space Agency (ESA), said that the moon is a good stepping-stone before going to Mars.

"If we have a goal which is too far away, there might be roads in between those inspirations," said Woerner, adding that the moon is close enough to test and develop needed technology. "It's a very good test bed -- then go deeper into our solar system."

Tian Yulong, secretary-general of the CNSA, said that China is now in discussions with the ESA on co-building a "moon village."

Tian said that a house on the moon could be constructed within a week with materials brought from Earth as well as moon surface materials using 3D printing technology.

Yasuyuki Ito, associate director-general of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, said that his generation was greatly affected by the Apollo program.

"Lunar exploration is our target. At the same time, we've also been discussing a Mars goal," he added.

Pascale Ehrenfreund, chair of the executive board of the German Aerospace Center, said that bringing humans to Mars is very difficult, as is raising funds for space exploration.

"We do things in steps. And the moon is one of the important steps on our way to Mars," she said.

CHINA'S LUNAR EXPLORATION

China's Chang'e lunar program, named after a legendary goddess, includes three phases: orbiting, landing and returning with samples.

Liu Jizhong, director of the China Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center of the CNSA, said the Chang'e 5 lunar probe is expected to land in the Mons Rumker region and to take samples back to Earth at the end of the year.

The probe landing site, an isolated volcanic formation located on the northwest of the near side of the moon.

"China is planning and designing its future lunar exploration program. We will focus on the south pole region of the moon. The research on water and the permanent shadow area of the lunar south pole region will bring greater scientific discoveries," Liu said.

According to Wu Yansheng, general manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), China is working on an idea for manned lunar landing.

The mission will consist of a manned spaceship, a propulsion vehicle and a lunar lander. The manned spaceship and the lunar lander will be sent into circumlunar orbit separately.

Yang Liwei, deputy director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office, said that China is in the preliminary stage of its manned lunar program and estimated that Chinese astronauts will be able to walk on the moon around 2030.

LOW-COST SPACE TRANSPORT

Without capable launch vehicles, humans are not able to go deeper into space.

China's Long March carrier rockets still have room for improvement, according to Lu Yu, director of Science and Technology Committee of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT).

He said that CALT is developing a heavy-lift launch vehicle with a payload of 140 tonnes to low Earth orbit and 50 tonnes to lunar transfer orbit.

CALT has made progress in developing reusable launch vehicles, including parachute landing and propulsion landing, said Lu.

Founded by U.S. entrepreneur Elon Musk in 2002, SpaceX aims to reduce space transportation costs and enable the colonization of Mars. It has developed the Falcon launch vehicle family and invested big in reusable technology for orbital rockets.

Aerospace transportation is now focused on low-cost ways to enter space, said Wang Guoqing, a CASC official.

Wang said leaders in space exploration have set up their own range of launch vehicles and systems, and reusing launch vehicles will become important for reducing costs.

"Breakthroughs have been achieved in reusable technology after 10 years of study. However, we still face challenges as reusable aerospace launches require high reliability and safety," he added.

WIN-WIN SITUATION

Chinese and global space leaders reached an agreement on cooperation in space exploration at GLEX 2017 -- no matter whether they aim for the moon or Mars.

"China is expanding cooperation with the United Nations (UN) in space exploration and will disclose projects later this year," said Yang.

The country has previously undertaken bilateral cooperation with various countries and institutions and is looking toward multilateral projects. China will carry out joint projects with the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), including astronaut training, scientific experiments aboard space stations and multilateral application of such experiments, he added.

Liu also proposed creating an open platform for cooperation in accordance with the principle of "sharing the risks and achievements" and setting up the International Union of Planetary Scientists and the International Union of Planetary Science College Students.

"Rather than a space race, I think cooperation is always good and worldwide cooperation is even better. I hope we can breach Earth's crises by having worldwide cooperation in space," said Woerner.

"We should not try to duplicate everything, and if we join forces we can do even more with the same amount of money," he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-09 23:39:27|Editor: An

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd L) and leaders of other Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states pose for a group photo before a small-range meeting of the 17th meeting of Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 9, 2017. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

ASTANA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Top leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries said Friday that political and diplomatic means are the "only choice" to settle regional conflicts.

The presidents of six countries, namely China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, made the remarks in a joint communique issued after their annual summit in Kazakhstan.

The leaders supported Afghanistan's efforts to combat terrorism, extremism and drug-related crimes, saying the United Nations should play a core role in coordinating international cooperation to secure peace and stability in the Asian country.

The six presidents urged extensive dialogues inside Syria to settle the current conflict through political means based on the UN Security Council resolutions, adding that the Astana Process will create necessary conditions to pursue a political solution to the Syria crisis within the framework of the UN-led Geneva talks that is acceptable for all parties concerned.

The top leaders affirmed the efforts made by all relevant parties to implement the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue reached between Iran and six other countries with the participation of the European Union.

They also eyed the full implementation of the Minsk agreement signed on Feb. 12, 2015 to solve the Ukraine crisis as early as possible.

Speaking of the bloc's first-time expansion, the heads of state said the decision to grant India and Pakistan SCO membership is historic, and will boost the organization's development potential.

They also agreed to enhance the SCO's role as an efficient and comprehensive regional bloc, so as to promote multilateralism and a community of shared destiny for mankind.

Welcoming Kazakhstan's election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2017-2018, the leaders said inter-governmental negotiations on the reform of the Security Council should seek a comprehensive solution based on extensive consultations, rather than set a deadline and force through plans that have not earned wide support among members.

On the fight against international terrorism, the leaders said a full-fledged UN convention and 19 comprehensive legal documents in this regard should be approved as soon as possible.

They also called for more cooperation among SCO countries in such areas as information security, anti-corruption, infrastructure and financial projects to support regional connectivity.

Specifically, the governments of SCO members should commit to facilitating cross-border transportation and road network construction, and furthering their cooperation in the fields of agriculture and customs, according to the communique.

The leaders encouraged the governments and business circles of the SCO observer states and dialogue partners to participate in the bloc's cooperation projects.

The presidents also vowed to enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges within the bloc.

The next summit will be held in June 2018 in China, which will take the SCO's rotating presidency upon conclusion of this Astana meeting, said the communique.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 04:22:27|Editor: yan

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KIGALI, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda's National Agriculture Export Development Board (NAEB) has signed a joint venture agreement with a local firm, ProDev Bugesera, to boost the country's export potential of horticulture products, said a statement released Friday by Rwanda Development Board.

The parties held negotiations led by Rwanda Development Board and the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, setting out the terms and taking into account industrial, commercial and technological operations of the project.

An equivalent of 250 hectares in Bugesera district in eastern Rwanda has been dedicated to this project, with an initial capital investment of 700,000 U.S. dollars, which is 30 percent of the total 2.2 million dollar capital investment required for the entire project.

"The long-term objective is to carry out modern commercial farming in Gashora marchland and promote the growth of vegetables that have high export potential for Rwanda. The project will produce high value crops for export but also for high end markets in Kigali such as hotels and supermarkets as reflected in the business plan," the statement said.

George William Kayonga, Chief Executive Officer at the National Agriculture Export Development Board said their partnership with ProDev is "oriented towards the future and underpins the potential of one of the key economic sectors in the country."

He said this is a unique project that aimed at expending export base in horticulture.

This will be one of the largest production areas on one consolidated site for production of export vegetables since others are in small bits in different regions, according to Kayonga.

The Government of Rwanda continues to place strategic importance on the development of the horticulture sector, attracting investors through Rwanda Development Board to position the industry as a tool for export diversification and national development.

Emmanuel Hategeka, Chief Operating Officer at Rwanda Development Board said the partnership is by far one of the most significant in the Agricultural sector, and it is expected to bring tangible benefits in accessing export markets.

The Gashora Joint Venture is also seen to enhance private and public sector partnerships across the agricultural sector.

The horticulture sector has been identified as a high potential value chain for the east African country's economic diversification, revenue generation and job creation.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 04:37:35|Editor: An

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, other leaders and guests pose for a group photo before the opening ceremony of the Expo 2017 in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 9, 2017. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

ASTANA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's ongoing visit to Kazakhstan has won growing support for the Belt and Road Initiative and a historic enlargement of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Xi arrived here Wednesday for a state visit to Kazakhstan, the 17th meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State and the opening ceremony of the Expo 2017 Astana.

Speaking to reporters after the SCO annual summit on Friday, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Huilai said the fruitful results of the summit will help SCO member states to address threats and challenges, and are important for them to achieve development and revitalization.

UPGRADING BELT AND ROAD BUILDING

The Belt and Road Initiative, first proposed by Xi in 2013 in Kazakhstan, comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, with the aim of building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.

Four years later, when Xi returned to Astana, the initiative has developed from a proposal to actions, and from a concept to practice, generating business opportunities, new jobs and hopes for countries and peoples involved.

The Chinese president and leaders attending the SCO summit have pledged to carry out extensive cooperation under the Belt and Road framework, further align their respective development strategies, pooling each other's resources and sharing economic and social benefits.

In a press communique released after the summit, leaders of the SCO countries spoke highly of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held by China in Beijing on May 14 to 15, saying that they stand ready to jointly implement the forum's consensus.

During a meeting with Spanish King Felipe VI on Friday, Xi said that China welcomes Spain's participation in the building of the Belt and Road Initiative, adding that they should make full use of the China-Europe freight train from the eastern Chinese city of Yiwu to the Spanish capital of Madrid.

China and Tajikistan are also mulling more high-end, innovative and diversified cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative.

The expanding and evolving of the initiative "demonstrated the openness and inclusiveness China has advocated," said Wang Yiwei, Director of Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China.

"The Belt and Road (Initiative) essentially answers the call of the mankind for development. It is the need of most countries in the world, where supply capacity is far from enough to meet the growing need for public goods," Wang said.

NEW BLOOD FOR BROADER SCO ROLE

The SCO accepted India and Pakistan as its full members on Friday in its first expansion since its founding in 2001, making it the world's most populous regional cooperative organization and the largest by area.

The founding members of the SCO are China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Welcoming the new members, Xi called on the SCO to "carry forward the fine tradition of solidarity and coordination."

"All member states, old and new, should work in close coordination, deepen mutual trust and increase mutual support in their endeavor to build a community of shared future featuring equality, mutual support, solidarity and sharing of weal and woe," Xi said while addressing the annual gathering of the SCO heads of state.

The Chinese president, along with other SCO leaders, signed seven resolutions including a joint declaration, a press communique, a statement on jointly combating international terrorism and a treaty on anti-extremism.

Besides the historic enlargement of the SCO, Li said the summit also decided to carry forward the "Shanghai Spirit" featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and pursuit of common development.

Summing up the achievements of the summit, the Chinese assistant foreign minister noted that the SCO members vowed to promote a more just and equitable international order and build a community of shared future for mankind.

By sticking to the "Shanghai Spirit" and taking solid steps in building a community of shared future, the SCO has set up a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation, said Xi.

China took over the rotating chair of the SCO after the Astana summit concluded on Friday and will host its next summit in June 2018.

Xi said China will contribute an additional 10 million yuan (1.47 million U.S. dollars) to the SCO Secretariat to facilitate its work, and proposed setting up a media cooperation mechanism among the SCO member states, saying China would like to host the first SCO media summit.

On security issues, the Chinese president said the SCO should continue to give priority to maintaining regional security and stability, calling for an outline of cooperation plan on combating terrorism, extremism and separatism known as the "three evil forces" for the next three years.

He also proposed that the SCO draw up a five-year outline for implementation of the Treaty on Long-term Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation.

FLOURISHING CHINA-KAZAKHSTAN TIES

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev warmly welcomed Xi for his third visit to the Central Asian country, saying his visit, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Kazakhstan, will greatly facilitate the development of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Noting that the political mutual trust has reached an unprecedented height, Xi said China is willing to build "a stronger community of shared interests and shared future" with Kazakhstan, and hopes the two countries can be "good neighbors, friends and partners forever."

China ranks among Kazakhstan's top trading partners and investors. Chinese investment in Kazakhstan amounted to over 42.8 billion U.S. dollars, while two-way trade of the first four months of 2017 surged by 45.6 percent.

During their talks on Thursday, Xi and Nazarbayev agreed to further integrate the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Kazakhstan's development strategy of "Nurly Zhol," or "Bright Path" in the Kazakh language.

To showcase the Belt and Road cooperation achievements between the two countries, the two heads of state inspected via videolink the logistic center in China's eastern city of Lianyungang and a dry port in Horgos, a city of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region bordering Kazakhstan. Both cities are key hubs of the Europe-bound China Railway Express and the New Eurasian Land Bridge.

During their talks, Xi and Nazarbayev agreed that the two countries will focus on aligning the New Eurasian Land Bridge and the construction of an economic corridor linking China, Central Asia and West Asia, with the Kazakh strategy of building an international logistics corridor.

They will also join efforts in connecting the international production capacity cooperation with Kazakhstan's push for industrialization, sharing China's transportation advantages on land and by sea with the world's biggest landlocked country, and linking China's "digital Silk Road" initiative with the "digital Kazakhstan" strategy.

Accompanied by Nazarbayev, Xi visited the China Pavilion at the Expo 2017 Astana, which bears the theme "future energy," on Thursday afternoon.

Xi's presence at the opening ceremony of the Expo demonstrated China's full support to Kazakhstan, according to Li.

In a move to further expand China-Kazakhstan people-to-people and cultural exchanges, a movie telling the life story of the late Chinese composer Xian Xinghai in Kazakhstan in 1940s, which was inspired by Xi's speech, started shooting here on Thursday.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 07:58:55|Editor: ying

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SAN FRANCISCO, June 9 (Xinhua) -- New research at Stanford University indicates that big ideas are getting harder and harder to find, and innovations have become increasingly massive and costly endeavors.

According to Nicholas Bloom, a senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) and co-author of a paper, so many game-changing inventions have appeared since World War II that it's become increasingly difficult to come up with the next big idea.

And as a result, tremendous continual increases in research and development (R&D) will be needed to sustain even today's low rate of economic growth.

"The thought now of somebody inventing something as revolutionary as the locomotive on their own is inconceivable," Bloom was quoted as saying in a recent news release from SIEPR.

"It's certainly true if you go back one- or two hundred years, like when Edison invented the light bulb. It's a massive piece of technology and one guy basically invented it. But while we think of Steve Jobs and the iPhone, it was a team of dozens of people who created the iPhone."

Bloom worked with SIEPR senior fellow Chad Jones, Stanford doctoral candidate Michael Webb, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor John Van Reenen as co-authors to examine research productivity at an aggregate national level as well as within three swaths of industry: technology, medical research and agriculture. They analyzed research efforts at publicly traded firms.

Their paper followed a common concept that economic growth comes from people creating ideas. In other words, when there are more researchers producing more ideas, there is more economic growth.

However, the team found a not-so-rosy imbalance. While research efforts are rising substantially, research productivity, or the ideas being produced per researcher, is declining sharply.

Specifically, the number of Americans engaged in R&D has jumped by more than twentyfold since 1930 while their collective productivity has dropped by a factor of 41.

The researchers found clear evidence of how exponential investments in R&D have masked the decline in productivity.

The U.S. information technology (IT) industry's signature guidepost, Moore's Law, which marked its 52nd year in April, is a prime example.

Introduced in 1965 by Gordon Moore, the co-founder of computer chip giant Intel, the theorem postulates that the density of transistors on an integrated circuit would double roughly every two years, doubling computing power.

Moore's Law has played out, that the computing power on a chip today is remarkable compared to even a decade ago, but the study found that the research effort behind the chip innovations rose by a factor of 78 since 1971.

Put another way, the number of researchers required today to maintain the innovative pace is more than 75 times larger than the number that was required in the early 1970s.

"The constant exponential growth implied by Moore's Law has been achieved only by a staggering increase in the amount of resources devoted to pushing the frontier forward," the paper stated.

Other industries also exhibited falloffs in idea productivity. For instance, the study's co-authors used crop yields of corn, soybeans, wheat and cotton and compared them against research expenditures directed at improving yields, including cross-breeding, bioengineering, crop protection and maintenance.

The average yields across all four crops roughly doubled between 1960 and 2015. But to achieve those gains, the amount of research expended during that period rose "tremendously," anywhere from a threefold to a more-than-25-fold increase, depending on the crop and specific research measure.

On average, research productivity in agriculture fell by about 4 to 6 percent per year, the study found.

A similar pattern of greater-input-but-less-output followed in medical research. The authors analyzed R&D spending on new, federally approved U.S. drugs against life expectancy rates as a gauge of productivity, and examined decreases in mortality rates of cancer patients against medical research publications and clinical trials.

The empirical findings on breast and heart cancer suggest that at least in some areas, stated the paper, "it may get easier to find new ideas at first before getting harder."

About publicly traded companies, the study found a fraction of firms where research productivity, as measured by growth in sales, market capitalization, employment and revenue-per-worker productivity, grew decade-over-decade since 1980.

But overall, more than 85 percent of the firms showed steady, rapid declines in productivity while their spending in R&D rose.

The analysis indicated that research productivity for firms fell, on average, about 10 percent per year, and it would take 15 times more researchers today than it did 30 years ago to produce the same rate of economic growth.

"It's getting harder and harder to make new ideas, and the economy is more or less compensating for that," Bloom said. "The only way we've been able to roughly maintain growth is to throw more and more scientists at it."
Photo taken on June 5, shows the Ocean Conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Representatives from some 85 countries attended the five-day conference, which would focus on the targets outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by Governments in 2015, the organizers said. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The 193 UN member states agreed Friday on a set of measures to cope with a variety of ocean problems ranging from marine pollution, illegal fisheries to ocean acidification.

The measures include implementing long-term strategies to reduce the use of plastics and microplastics, tackle sea-level rise and address harmful impacts of climate change on the ocean, according to a document called "Our Ocean, Our Future: Call for Action" passed at the first-ever UN Ocean Conference.

UN General Assembly President Peter Thomson said that the conference is in support of the sustainable development goal 14: conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

"It is about changing those bad habits (and) righting the wrongs that humanity has done to the ocean so that we can stop the cycle of decline that the ocean has in and return it to a healthy state," he told Xinhua in an interview.

Noting that ocean plastics and microplastics are posing a grave threat, Thomson said measures should be taken to prevent plastics from getting into the ocean, recycle them and stop using single-use plastics anymore.

Statistics show that each year, more than 8 million metric tons plastic end up in oceans. By the year of 2050, oceans will have more plastic than fish if present trends are not addressed, according to estimates.

"There are more micro-plastics in the oceans now than there are stars in the sky," noted Thomson. "It's destroying the wildlife of the ocean, and it may also be destroying us."

People take pictures of a salmon installation made of debris collected from the Pacific Coast beaches on the first day of the Ocean Conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York, June 5, 2017. Representatives from some 85 countries attended the five-day conference, which would focus on the targets outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by Governments in 2015, the organizers said. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

Among the outcome of the UN Ocean Conference are voluntary commitments submitted by the member states. China has submitted five commitments on marine protection, disaster prevention, sustainable ocean economy, as well as on regional and international cooperation in the area of oceans and seas.

According to the documents, China has promised to promote transformation and upgrading of its traditional marine industries like marine fishery and offshore oil and gas industries. China has also made the commitment that by 2020, the water quality of 70 percent offshore sea can be improved.

Thomson said he has discussed with officials of China's State Oceanic Administration on a range of ocean issues.

He said that he is impressed by the proactive measures taken by China in dealing with marine pollution and marine consumption and that he is willing to work with China to promote the idea of sustainable ocean economy.

Moreover, Thomson said that addressing the issue of the ocean requires efforts not only from governments but also contributions from the private sector, academia, and non-governmental organizations.

"Obviously we are part of the equation. The equation requires humanities as a whole," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 09:14:19|Editor: ying

Image provided by the Brazilian Presidency shows Brazilian President Michel Temer (2nd L) taking part in the ceremony marking the 152nd anniversary of the Riachuelo naval battle, in Brasilia, capital of Brazil, on June 9, 2017. Brazil's top electoral court on Friday voted against a case that could have potentially stripped Temer of his presidency. (Xinhua/Marcos Correa/Brazil's Presidency)

BRASILIA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's top electoral court on Friday voted against a decision that could have potentially stripped Brazilian President Michel Temer of his presidency.

President of the Supreme Electoral Court Gilmar Mendes broke a three-three tie between the other six judges on the panel to absolve Temer of charges that he used illegal campaign financing to secure a win in the 2014 presidential elections when he ran as vice president and Dilma Rousseff as president.

Rousseff was impeached in 2016, putting Temer in charge, but if their electoral victory had been ruled invalid and nullified, his current status as president would have been thrown into question.

Judge Herman Benjamin, the rapporteur for the case, had said earlier in the day that sufficient evidence existed to invalidate the electoral outcome, presenting e-mails, testimony, bank records and other proof linking the winning ticket to corporate interests that made secret campaign contributions.

His arguments swayed two of the other judges, but fell short of consensus.

The trial was the first of its kind in Brazil.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 09:44:42|Editor: ying

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WELLINGTON, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The first work train to reach New Zealand's quake-hit tourist town of Kaikoura on the Main North Line has arrived on Friday, marking a significant milestone for the reconstruction, said New Zealand Transport Minister Simon Bridges.

The work train, travelling north from Oaro, is the first to reach Kaikoura from the south. Kaikoura, once a popular tourist coastal town famous for whale watching, was struck by a 7.8-magnitude quake last November.

"The train's arrival demonstrates the progress that KiwiRail is making to restore this vital part of New Zealand's freight network," Bridges said in a statement.

"The train, carrying a load of rail and sleepers, will help progress KiwiRail's rebuild and will be used to replace buried and damaged track," he said.

"Opening this connection is a key part of reopening this important line. Being able to get trains to Kaikoura means resources can now be positioned in Kaikoura, allowing work trains to operate in the north, south and middle sections of the Main North Line," Bridges said.

He said that this will allow the pace of the reconstruction to continue and help not only KiwiRail with their important rebuild work, but also assist with the reinstatement of State Highway One by helping to move material for the road reconstruction.

Before the quake struck, KiwiRail was shifting a million tons of freight a year over the line, he said, adding that they are working hard to fully reopen this important freight connection as soon as possible.

KiwiRail is working closely with the North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) effort to ensure the reinstatement work is done "safely, quickly and well," Bridges said.

The train that arrived in Kaikoura on Friday had to be pushed through a tunnel and then pulled out from the other end. Damage to the tunnel means further repairs are needed before it can be opened to other locomotives. Once Friday's wagons are unloaded they will be returned to Christchurch and the tunnel will be closed to compete additional repairs, according to the statement.

"The government's priority is to restore the pre-earthquake transport links to Kaikoura and its surrounding communities, and ensure these vital links are resilient for the long term," Bridges said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 11:15:14|Editor: ying

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CANBERRA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Terror experts in Australia on Saturday raised concerns that plans for a new, high-security prison specifically for those convicted on terror charges would only "breed terrorism."

After meeting in Hobart for the latest Coalition of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting, some of Australia's state and territory leaders floated the idea of a new "supermax" prison to be built specifically to house those found guilty of terror-related charges.

It comes less than a week after a man with links to terror was let out on parole in Melbourne just months before he killed a man and injured three police officers in an Islamic State-claimed terror siege, prompting calls from the prime minister to keep at-risk terror suspects locked up after their sentence has expired.

But the plan for a specially-designed terror prison have come under fire from national security and terror experts. Dr Clark Jones from the Australian National University (ANU) told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Saturday that housing the most dangerous terror suspects in one place would only "breed terrorism."

"History has shown us that when you incarcerate terrorist offenders, and I'm talking about the experience the UK had with the IRA, I think it breeds terrorism," Jones said.

"It doesn't change someone's thinking. It doesn't create any sorts of positive relationships around inmates. I think it tends to exasperate their feeling of isolation and it creates more of a militant facility."

Meanwhile former Scotland Yard terror expert Nick O'Brien told the ABC that locked up foreign fighters who return home aren't going to be rehabilitated into losing their terrorist ideologies.

"People can be coming back from basically what is a war zone. They would have been given training and they're going to be of the mindset that they're going to, or some of them anyway, are going to want to carry out acts of terrorism," O'Brien said on Saturday.

After the COAG meetings in Hobart, Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews floated the idea of a "fit-for-purpose" terror-only prison.

"Perhaps a fit-for-purpose, centralized prison where all of these offenders can be properly jailed and where we can have one policy, one focus, on what is a very big threat to every single one of us," Andrews said on Friday.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 11:40:26|Editor: An

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ASTANA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping left Astana Saturday morning for home after his state visit to Kazakhstan and attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.

During the visit, Xi and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev held talks on Thursday and mapped out future cooperation between the two countries, especially in seeking synergy between the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Kazakhstan's new economic policy of the "Nurly Zhol," or "Bright Path."

The two countries agreed to focus on cross-border connectivity and that China will share its transportation advantages on land and by sea with the world's biggest landlocked country to turn Kazakhstan into a key hub for transportation on the Eurasia continent.

According to a joint statement signed between the two countries, China and Kazakhstan will work to develop more international cargo train services, starting from China via Kazakhstan to Central Asia, Europe and Gulf countries, and to effectively lower logistic cost, making railway freight a major solution for cargo transportation between Asia and Europe by 2025.

Speaking at the SCO summit in Astana on Friday, the Chinese president called on member states to strengthen solidarity and cooperation as the organization expanded membership to include India and Pakistan, a move that will boost the bloc's development potential.

Xi proposed that the SCO draw up a five-year outline for implementation of the Treaty on Long-term Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation and formulate a three-year program of cooperation to fight the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism.

China took over the rotating chair of the SCO after the Astana summit and will host its next summit in June 2018.

Founded in 2001, the SCO now has China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan as its full members, with Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia as observers, and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey as dialogue partners.

During his stay in Astana, Xi also attended the opening ceremony of Expo 2017.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during a press conference at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, June 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

TOKYO, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Education Minister Hirokazu Matsuno said Friday his ministry will reinvestigate the existence of documents central to an ongoing scandal possibly implicating Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the government in providing a close friend of Abe's with favorable treatment to open a new school.

Matsuno told a press conference on the matter that an initial probe by the ministry had been deemed insubstantial and the public is calling for a more comprehensive probe to be launched.

"We sincerely accept the people's voice and will conduct an additional investigation over the internal documents," Matsuno said.

The documents, according to the opposition camp, could prove that the prime minister used his position to influence the government's approval for Kake Educational Institution, run by a close friend of Abe's, to open a new veterinary school at a location highly deregulated by the government.

Matsuno said that the prime minister himself had called for the fresh probe to be launched and to be conducted quickly and thoroughly.

The original probe launched by Matsuno lasted just two days and it was concluded that the potentially damaging documents' existence could not be confirmed.

A former vice education minister at the beginning of the month, however, released a statement backing up his previous assertions that senior government advisors had pressurized him to accelerate procedures to open up a new school with close links to Abe.

Kihei Maekawa said in a statement that last year in August, Isao Kiso, an advisor to the Cabinet at the time, visited his office and requested that he accelerate procedures for the opening of a new veterinary school.

Okayama University of Science was handpicked by the government to open the new veterinary medicine school, in Ehime Prefecture, one of Japan's national strategic special economic zones, which has far more relaxed regulations to boost growth in the area, as part of Abe's overall growth strategy.

Kake Educational Institution, which operates the university and, controversially, is chaired by Abe's close friend, was selected for the project in a meeting held between the central and local governments in the special strategic zone in January.

The local city assembly provided the land to the institution to build the new department for free and in addition they provided 9.6 billion yen (86.24 million U.S. dollars) as a subsidy for the school's construction costs.

Maekawa stated that Kiso asked him to speed up the procedures for opening the veterinary school and that it was his understanding that Kiso was specifically referring to the government's plan involving Kake Educational Institution, because he was a senior official of the institution at that time.

Maekawa also said that Kiso told him that his ministry need to do nothing except follow the decision made by the Council on National Strategic Special Zones, which is chaired by Abe.

The former vice education minister has offered to give testimony in parliament over the scandal.

He also said he met Hiroto Izumi, an assistant to Abe, at the prime minister's office, when the selection of the strategic zone was underway and was also pressurized to speed up procedures for the new school at that time.

The government so far has refused to summon Maekawa or Izumi to give testimony in parliament as sworn witnesses, despite the opposition camp vociferously calling for it to do so.

It also came to light recently that Abe had been on Kake's payroll and had received a salary apparently for duties carried out there for a couple of years after he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1993.

Abe, when quizzed on his financial connections to the institution, said it was a long time ago and that he was fuzzy on the details.

Along with Maekawa, the opposition camp believe that an education ministry advisory panel was currently assessing an application to open the new veterinary school and the ministry had prepared a document stating that the Cabinet Office said that "Abe backs the plan."

The document also reportedly suggests that the education ministry was told by the Cabinet Office that the choice for the new department "was heard to have been the prime minister's wish."

The main opposition Democratic Party also maintains that one of the documents in question shows that negotiations had taken place between the ministry and the Cabinet Office regarding the set timeframe for opening the new department at the university.

As for the timing for opening of the new department, which was scheduled for April 2018, one document reportedly states, "This is what the highest level of the prime minister's office has said."

Another document mentioned that opening the department at an early juncture was "in line with the prime minister's wishes."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 12:15:44|Editor: Yurou Liang

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WASHINGTON, June 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) James Comey was not speaking the truth regarding several details during his Thursday testimony to the Senate.

"Some of the things he said just weren't true," Trump told a joint press conference with visiting Romanian President Klaus Iohannis.

Trump denied that he had hoped Comey would drop the FBI investigation into former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, adding that he did not ask Comey to pledge allegiance.

Trump said he is "100 percent" willing to "speak under oath" to give his version of those events.

Comey has told the Senate hearing the content of his five private meetings and phone calls with Trump, saying the president had asked for "loyalty" and "hoped" that the Flynn probe would be dropped.

Regarding his previous tweets hinting the White House has recordings of his meetings with Comey, Trump was reluctant to confirm the existence of such recordings.

"I'll tell you about that maybe sometime in the very near future," Trump told reporters, adding that "you're going to be very disappointed when you hear the answer."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 12:30:49|Editor: Yurou Liang

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NEW DELHI, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Amid raging farmers' protest in India's central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan would Saturday sit on an indefinite fast "for peace," officials said.

"The Chief Minister has decided to sit on fast for peace in the state from today 11:00 a.m. (local time) at Dussehra Maidan in Bhopal," a local official told Xinhua. "He has appealed people especially farmers to shun the violence and come to him to discuss things."

The decision to sit on fast and invite agitating farmers for talks was announced by Chouhan on Friday during a press briefing.

"I request everyone to come and discuss their problems with me and I will fast as well as run the government from Dussehra Maidan," Chouhan said.

Farmer protests that began since the beginning of this month took a violent turn on Tuesday after police firing killed six people and wounded two others at Pipaliamandi area in Mandsaur district, about 325 km west of Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. Authorities said the protesters resorted to arson and stone throwing.

The agitating farmers in the state are demanding better prices for crop and debt relief.

To contain the protests local administration imposed curfew in the affected areas and deployed huge contingents of police and paramilitary to enforce restrictions. Internet services were also blocked to prevent agitating farmers from further organizing. The administration has not allowed opposition leaders to visit the affected district.

"A relaxation in the curfew was announced on Friday in Mandsaur district," a police official said. "No untoward incident was reported during this period from any part of the district. People came in large number to buy essential commodities barring few incidents of stone pelting."

Chouhan however warned that his government would not allow anyone to disturb the law and order in the state.

The local government announced an increased compensation of 155,138 U.S. dollars and a government job for the families who lost their kin in Tuesday's firing incident.

India's ruling Bhartiya Janta Party which is heading government in the state has blamed opposition Congress party for inciting farmers.

The opposition parties described Chouhan's plan to sit on fast a "drama" and "hypocrisy."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 13:16:02|Editor: ying

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KABUL, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Three Afghan civilian were killed and nine others wounded Friday night in a shooting at a mosque in the country's eastern province of Paktia, Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

"The shooting took place at a mosque in Police District 2 of provincial capital Gardez city at round 08:45 p.m. (local time) when worshipers were offering Tarawih prayers," the ministry said in a statement.

It blamed enemies of Afghanistan, a term referring to the Taliban militants for the attack, but no group has claimed responsibility yet for the incident.

The attack came as Afghans celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by abstaining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. Muslims offer the Tarawih prayers only during month of Ramadan of the Islamic calendar at night.

The Afghan civilians continue to bear the brunt of armed conflicts as 715 civilians were killed and over 1,460 others injured in conflict-related incidents across Afghanistan in the first three months of the year, according to figures released by the United Nations mission in the country.

The ministry also strongly condemned the attack.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 13:16:04|Editor: An

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HANGZHOU, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Alibaba founder Jack Ma and his business partners have donated 560 million yuan (82 million U.S. dollars) to a hospital in east China's Zhejiang Province.

Of the money, 300 million yuan is from the Jack Ma Foundation, 100 million from Alibaba Group, 110 million from the group's 17 founders and partners, and 50 million yuan from Yunfeng Capital, a private equity firm co-founded by Jack Ma and Target Media founder David Yu.

The money was donated to The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University Friday, and will be used for training, research and development (R&D).

Wang Weilin, president of the hospital, said the money will help improve the hospital's services.

Zhejiang University and Alibaba Group previously signed a strategic cooperation agreement on frontier technology, such as artificial intelligence, medical health, big data and social sciences.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 13:36:10|Editor: ying

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NEW DELHI, June 10 (Xinhua) -- A helicopter carrying pilgrims Saturday crashed in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand during take-off, killing a crew member and injuring the two pilots on board, a senior police official said.

The incident took place in the hilly state's town of Badrinath Saturday morning when the Agusta 119 helicopter, belonging to a private aviation company, got disbalanced due to less air pressure while taking off from a helipad for another town of Haridwar and fell on the ground.

"The helicopter's engineer, identified as Vikram Lamba, died on the spot after being hit by rotor blades," local police chief Tripti Bhatt told the media.

Two pilots sustained minor injuries in the incident. However, five passengers who were on board escaped unhurt in the accident, the police official said.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a probe into the incident. "The investigation will ascertain the exact cause of the crash," a senior DGCA official said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 14:21:21|Editor: Song Lifang

Afghan security force members take part in a military operation in Imam Sahid district of Kunduz province, Afghanistan, June 10, 2017. Afghan security forces waged several military operations and killed 23 armed militants across the country within the last 24 hours, the country's Interior Ministry said on Saturday. (Xinhua/Ajmal Kakar)

KABUL, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces waged several military operations and killed 23 armed militants across the country within the last 24 hours, the country's Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

"The operations were conducted in Faryab, Badakhshan, Kunduz and Helmand provinces. And nine militants were also wounded and two others were arrested by Afghan National Defense and Security Forces," the ministry said in a statement.

The security forces also found and seized weapons, the statement said, without adding if there were any casualties on the side of security forces.

Taliban insurgent group, which has been waging an insurgency of more than one decade, has yet to make comments.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 14:41:29|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- China's securities regulator has rejected more initial public offering (IPO) applications in a bid to improve the quality of listed firms and protect investors' interests.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) vetoed IPO applications from 24 companies from the start of this year to May 19, up from 18 in the January-April period, according to a CSRC statement.

Another 45 companies withdrew their applications, while 188 were approved, said the CSRC.

Abnormal financial conditions, inability to generate sustainable profits and questionable authenticity of application documents were among the reasons for the rejections.

Under the current IPO system, new shares are subject to approval from the CSRC.

The commission said it will continue to strengthen IPO regulation and keep a close eye on the practices of faking documents and dressing up company performances.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 15:06:37|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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CARACAS, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's Vice President on Friday said investigations show the death of anti-government protester Neomar Lander "was planned."

Officials said on Thursday that Lander was killed when a "homemade explosive" device detonated, but more details of the incident later emerged.

"All this terrorist action was planned, the death was planned," Tareck El Aissami told reporters at a press conference on Friday, citing video footage filmed by someone from a nearby building.

That eyewitness noticed a drone was flying over the victim at the time of the blast.

"One of the witnesses identified, exactly at the time the tragic death occurred, a drone in the vicinity," said El Aissami, adding a total of six witnesses corroborated the same version of the event.

The vice president criticized the leaders of the conservative political opposition for failing to "retract" their initial version of the incident, maintaining Lander was killed by the impact of a tear gas bomb lobbed by the police.

El Aissami accused opposition leaders of being the "real assassins," saying "they are the ones behind this spiral of terrorist violence."

Since anti-government protests against the socialist government of President Nicolas Maduro resumed in April, 67 people have died in daily demonstrations.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 15:06:40|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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NEW DELHI, June 10 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people were killed and two others seriously injured in a head-on collision between a truck and an auto-rickshaw in the eastern Indian state of Odisha Saturday, a senior police official said.

"The accident took place at Chandol in the state's Jagatsinghpur district this morning when the victims were returning to their native Machhagaon village after attending a religious ritual in nearby Nemala in the auto-rickshaw," police officer Rajnikant Mishra said.

While seven people, including a minor, died on the spot, another succumbed to his injuries at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack city, where two others are currently being treated, the official said, adding "their condition is serious."

Eye-witnesses told cops that the truck was travelling at high speed at the time of the accident and the driver of the vehicle fled immediately leaving it behind.

Local residents blocked the Jagatsinghpur-Machhagaon Road, demanding adequate compensation for the family of those killed and those injured in the collision as well as the arrest of the truck driver. They later dispersed after getting assurances from senior police officials.

"A probe has been ordered into the incident and efforts are on to track down the truck's driver," the police official said.

India has the highest number of road fatalities in the world. More than 400 people are killed in accidents daily, according to official statistics. The road accidents are often caused due to poor driving or badly maintained roads and vehicles.
Source:CCTV.com| 2017-06-10 16:33:11|Editor: Mengjie

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By Zhang Maorong, researcher with the International Economics Department, China Institute of Contemporary International Relations; cartoon drawing by Liao Tingting.

In this lovely mid-summer month of June, all living things are flourishing. Chinese President Xi Jinping pays a state visit to Kazakhstan, dubbed as "the land of the great steppe" from June 7-10. Xi held talks with his Kazakh counterpart President Nursultan Nazarbayev on Thursday. They had reached a broad consensus.

The two heads of state issued a China-Kazakhstan joint statement and witnessed the signing of a series of important bilateral cooperation documents, injecting fresh vigor for facilitating the Kazakhstan-China comprehensive strategic partnership, as well as all-round cooperation. President Xi's visit focuses on accelerating the alignment of development strategies and all-round cooperation of the two countries. It was during Xi's first visit to Kazakhstan back in 2013 that he proposed the initiative of the Silk Road Economic Belt, which started the process of Belt and Road cooperation.

On basis of the development of bilateral ties by leaps and bounds, the two heads of state have mapped out plans to facilitate the Kazakhstan-China comprehensive strategic partnership and all-round cooperation. The joint statement covers a long list of cooperation projects, offering a great blueprint and charting the course for cooperation.

These efforts will lift China-Kazakhstan cooperation to higher and deeper levels, enhance the common development and prosperity of both nations, and promote the realization of the Chinese dream of great national rejuvenation and the "Kazakh dream" of national renewal and prosperity.

President Xi's visit will propel the China-Kazakhstan relations to fly high toward their shared aspirations and usher in an even better future!

(Source:CCTV.com)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 16:37:10|Editor: Mengjie

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BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization's (SCO) first-ever membership expansion demonstrated its strategic value in boosting international security and common development, officials and experts have said.

With the accession of India and Pakistan at the 17th SCO summit in Astana, the SCO covers three-fifths of Eurasia, and has nearly half the world population.

As a driving force in regional security and stability, the SCO has made security cooperation a priority since its founding in 2001. The expansion will improve its potential for cooperation and representation and boost international security and stability.

"The expansion is a historic moment for the SCO and relations between Eurasian countries," Dmitry Mezentsev, former secretary general of the SCO, told Xinhua.

Mezentsev said it would produce far-reaching influence for the international agenda, vigorously boost international security and stability and help resolve problems in the Eurasian region.

Under the "Shanghai Spirit" of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for cultural diversity and pursuit of common development, the SCO has made remarkable achievements in battling terrorism, extremism and separatism.

"The SCO has played an exemplary role in building a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation over the past 16 years since its founding," said Sun Zhuangzhi, secretary-general of the SCO Research Center affiliated to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Sun's remarks were echoed by Jiang Yi, a researcher with the Institute of Russian, Eastern European, Central Asian Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, saying that the SCO had taken the lead in building new international relations, particular in resolving deep-rooted historical problems and creating a new consensus.

"The SCO expansion indicates that the 'Shanghai Spirit' has been recognized by more and more countries and that it has a bigger appeal in regional cooperation," Jiang said.

Noting that Pakistan is located at a strategic position along the Belt and Road, while India is one the fastest growing economies in the world, Jiang said the expansion came at the right time, with southern Asian countries looking to tackle terrorism.

China, as a staunch supporter and facilitator of the SCO framework, has played a positive role in the development of the mechanism.

Currently, China is committed to building a new type of international relation featuring win-win cooperation. The Belt and Road Initiative has engaged more than 100 countries and international organizations since it was proposed in 2013 and has already made great progress.

The initiative aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along and beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes.

Meanwhile, China invested a total of 51.1 billion U.S. dollars in Belt and Road countries from autumn 2013 to July 2016, accounting for 12 percent of its total outbound direct investment.

Security and stability are the basis of economic cooperation among SCO member states, Jiang noted, adding that SCO expansion would help the alignment of China's Belt and Road Initiative with the development strategies of other SCO member states.

As China assumes the SCO rotating presidency after the Astana summit, Jiang said that further development of the SCO would be conducive to establishing a fairer and more reasonable international order.

Before the accession of India and Pakistan, the SCO covered China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 17:27:22|Editor: ZD

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TIKRIT, Iraq, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Up to 14 people were killed on Saturday when a group of Islamic State (IS) militants attacked a village in Iraq's northern central province of Salahudin, a provincial security source told Xinhua.

In the early morning, about 20 IS militants attacked the village Mseihly near the newly-freed western side of the town of Shirqat, some 280 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, sparking heavy clashes with the paramilitary Sunni tribal fighters at the village, the source from Salahudin Operations Command said on condition of anonymity.

The heavy shootout and explosions at the village left some 10 villagers, including three women and a child, and five IS militants killed, the source said.

The attackers apparently infiltrated from the IS-held eastern bank of Shirqat across the Tigris River, which bisects the town, the source added.

In September 2016, the Iraqi forces recaptured the western bank of Shirqat from IS militants during its advance northward to dislodge IS militants from the northern province of Nineveh and its capital Mosul, some 400 km north of Baghdad.

The attack occurred as the Iraqi security forces, backed by anti-IS international coalition, are carrying out a major offensive to drive out the IS militants from their major stronghold in the western side of Mosul in northern Iraq.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 18:07:36|Editor: Song Lifang

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TEHRAN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Iran arrested another seven linked to the recent deadly terrorist attacks in the capital Tehran, local media reported on Saturday.

Seven people were arrested in Iran's northern province of Alborz in connection with the twin terrorist attacks that killed 17 on Wednesday, a judicial official was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

The seven people, arrested in Fardis town west of Tehran, provided the logistics for the Wednesday terrorist attacks in the capital, according to Ahmad Fazelian, head of Alborz Province's justice department.

Also, the intelligence office of Iran's Fars province announced that seven people affiliated to terrorist groups were arrested in an operation on Thursday and Friday, semi-official Mehr news agency reported on Saturday.

On Friday, Iran's Intelligence Ministry said security forces had arrested 41 individuals linked to the Islamic State (IS) in Tehran, Kermanshah, Kurdistan and West Azarbaijan provinces.

Earlier in the day, the Intelligence Ministry said it identified a number of IS terrorists' hideouts in the northwest of Iran and seized a sizable amount of ammunition.

It also said the Islamic republic was hunting for the command centers of the terrorists beyond the borders.

In two separate attacks by the IS militants against Iran's Majlis (parliament) and the mausoleum of the founder of the Islamic republic on Wednesday, at least 17 were killed and more than 50 others injured.

The six assailants were killed by Iran's security forces.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 19:32:58|Editor: Song Lifang

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ADDIS ABABA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Services Enterprise (ESLSE) said Saturday that it had finalized preparatory works to build five dry ports, a move to leverage country's logistic flow.

Ethiopia, a landlocked country entirely dependent on its neighboring countries' sea ports for its logistic activities, has previously established the Dry Port Service Enterprise (DPSE) for the development of dry ports to ease logistic challenges.

Construction of three dry ports, out of the five to be constructed, has been already commenced in three different parts of the country, while the remaining 2 would follow soon, according to Desalegn Gebrehiwot, Deputy CEO of ESLSE.

Once operational, the planned five dry ports to be built in five major cities of the east African country are expected to ease challenges related to the logistic flow in all four corners of the country, local news media FBC quoted ESLSE saying.

According to figures from the ESLSE, 80 percent of Ethiopia's logistic flow utilizes the Modjo dry port platform, which the Ethiopian government lauded in many occasions as a relieving spot for the congested Djibouti port.

The total cost of the five dry ports is estimated to exceed 1.5 billion Ethiopian birr (65.2 million U.S. dollars).

Unlike the already existing Modjo dry port, which only serves incoming goods, the planned spots are said to serve both import and export routes so as to boost the country's export sector.
Republican lawmakers and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder are close to a deal that would change the states retirement system for new teachers.

The aim is to automatically enroll new teachers in a fully portable 401(k)-type plan. Although the details are still being worked out, the Associated Press reports that the new plan could potentially include a 4 percent or 7 percent employer contribution. To get the higher employer contribution, teachers would have to chip in a portion of their pay, with the state matching the first 3 percent.



New teachers can still opt for a hybrid plan, a mix of pension and 401(k)-type options that Michigan has offered since 2010, but the new hybrid plan will be structured in such a way that it requires teachers to foot a higher share of the contribution than they currently do. This new hybrid system would replace the one created in 2010, and could be closed it if is underfunded, according to the Associated Press.

Under hybrid plans, teachers must vest into the pension portion, which in Michigan takes 10 years. Teachers are eligible to receive the full employer contribution to the 401(k) part of the plan after four years, but they are always eligible to get their own contributions, along with any interest earnings, should they move to another state or leave the profession altogether.

We have a tentative framework, Snyder told reporters after meeting with Republican lawmakers on Thursday. We still need to continue to work out some of the things that provide, I think, better retirement for school employees. Snyder, a CPA, had previously opposed any changes to the teacher retirement system, which since 2010 has offered new teachers a hybrid retirement plan, arguing that a switch to a full-fledged 401(k)-type plan would be too costly. In fact, as Emmanuel Felton reports in this Teacher Beat blog post , researchers estimated the move would cost the state an additional $4.5 billion over ten years.

Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr., a Democrat, has argued that changes to the retirement system will make fixing the states teacher shortage that much more difficult. When youre actually trying to recruit the best and brightest into our state, the best way to do that is actually to keep the same benefits that are standard [in] other places, he told the Associated Press . Teachers dont work for large salary increases. The one promise you have is you have a future pension.

Yet lawmakers pushing for 401(k)-style retirement plans say young teachers entering the profession today are more mobile and therefore value portability of benefits. To make the plan even more attractive, lawmakers may reduce the number of years to fully vest in the plan. Currently, Michigan teachers must put in 10 years to fully vest in the hybrid plan.

The overarching goal, of course, is to save the state money in the long run. Republican lawmakers say a move to a 401(k)-style retirement plan is necessary to slash the more than $29.1 billion in unfunded liabilities facing the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System.

The Debate Over 401(k)-Type Plans

Similar battles over replacing pensions with 401(k)-style plans have been playing out in places like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and in cities like Chicago. While the motivation, as in Michigan, is to cut unfunded liabilities to the pension system, lawmakers are also arguing that the move benefits new teachers.

Pension critics, for example, argue that few teachers, just 1 in 5, remain in the profession long enough to reap the benefits of a defined-benefit teacher pension plan. Thats because the majority of wealth doesnt begin to amass until close to retirement. So teachers who quit or move to another state before that lose out on significant earnings. Teachers who leave before they vest in a pension can take the money they put in, usually with interest, but must forfeit employer contributions. A teacher who puts in 30 years altogether, but divided that time evenly between two different states, loses out compared to one who stays in the same place, because pension benefits are typically not portable across state lines. That teacher ends up with two mediocre pensions.

Still, teachers unions argue that portable 401(k)-type plans contribute to turnover, since teachers are eligible to take their contributions, plus interest earnings, with them whenever they leave the profession. The deferred benefit of the traditional pension plan, they say, entices teachers to remain in the profession longer.

In a recent blog post on teacherpensions.org, Chad Aldeman of the Washington consulting firm Bellwether Education Partners argues that a close look at states pension plans shows that teachers dont change their behavior in order to qualify for a pension. Teachers close to retirement may make the choice to remain on the job in order to collect pension benefits, he acknowledgesbut adds that most teachers have left the profession before this so-called pull effect occurs.

See also:
A gunman is seen entering Iranian parliament building in a still image taken from close circuit television (CCTV), taken on June 7, 2017, in Tehran, Iran. (Reuters photo)

TEHRAN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Iran arrested another seven linked to the recent deadly terrorist attacks in the capital Tehran, local media reported on Saturday.

Seven people were arrested in Iran's northern province of Alborz in connection with the twin terrorist attacks that killed 17 on Wednesday, a judicial official was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

The seven people, arrested in Fardis town west of Tehran, provided the logistics for the Wednesday terrorist attacks in the capital, according to Ahmad Fazelian, head of Alborz Province's justice department.

Also, the intelligence office of Iran's Fars province announced that seven people affiliated to terrorist groups were arrested in an operation on Thursday and Friday, semi-official Mehr news agency reported on Saturday.

On Friday, Iran's Intelligence Ministry said security forces had arrested 41 individuals linked to the Islamic State (IS) in Tehran, Kermanshah, Kurdistan and West Azarbaijan provinces.

Earlier in the day, the Intelligence Ministry said it identified a number of IS terrorists' hideouts in the northwest of Iran and seized a sizable amount of ammunition.

It also said the Islamic republic was hunting for the command centers of the terrorists beyond the borders.

In two separate attacks by the IS militants against Iran's Majlis (parliament) and the mausoleum of the founder of the Islamic republic on Wednesday, at least 17 were killed and more than 50 others injured.

The six assailants were killed by Iran's security forces.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 19:48:03|Editor: ZD

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TAIPEI, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Documentary director Po-lin Chi was among three people killed in a helicopter crash in Taiwan's Hualien County Saturday morning, according to local authorities.

When confirming the fatalities, the fire department said the crash happened at around 11 a.m.

Chi, born in 1964, was famous for his aerial documentary "Beyond Beauty-Taiwan from Above" released in 2013.

The helicopter belonged to Emerald Pacific Airlines and was being used by Chi's crew to film scenes for the award-winning documentary's sequel.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 19:53:07|Editor: Song Lifang

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ADDIS ABABA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- In the latest struggle with its illegal migration problem, Ethiopia is urging undocumented nationals residing in Saudi Arabia to take advantage of the three-month amnesty, which came into force on March 29.

While an estimated 400,000 Ethiopians are presently undocumented by the Middle Eastern country, only close to 50,000 of them have shown interest to return to their home country so far, according to the figure from the Ethiopian Government Communication Affairs Office.

Amid a spate of incidents on illegal migration, including the recent arrest of 40 Ethiopians in Kenya's Nairobi for being in the country illegally, the Ethiopian government has been advised to push further in the fight against migration.

The search for employment opportunities are commonly cited by analysts and organizations, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), as a major push behind the internal and cross-border migration in Ethiopia.

Building on decade-long double-digit growth catalyzed by enormous government spending on infrastructure, the size of the Ethiopian economy will reach 69.2 billion U.S. dollars, according to projections the International Monetary Fund (IMF) made for 2016. In 2015, its GDP stood at 61.6 billion dollars.

Leading by China, the foreign investment trend in the East African country is an important contributing factor behind Ethiopia's fast economic growth, complementary to the government's huge investment.

According to Abraham Tekeste, Ethiopia's Minister of Finance and Economic Cooperation, the country's per capita income has increased to 794 dollars from 396 dollars six years ago, while domestic saving capability also registered remarkable increase during its 2016/2017 budget year by 22.4 percent from 17.2 percent six years ago.

Despite the economic boom, however, Ethiopians are still fleeing their home country in search for better opportunities abroad, mainly to the Middle East and Europe via illegal and, at the same time, dangerous routes.

According to IOM, diverse migration dynamics and challenges have been unfolding in East African country. IOM, after recognizing the challenge of youth unemployment both in the rural and urban areas, indicated that migration patterns and dynamics affecting Ethiopia have significant socio-economic and political implications for the country.

Other than the Ethiopian government, many are weighing on economic solutions to tackle the growing influx of Ethiopians, including the European Union (EU).

The EU, concerned about the growing number of Ethiopians taking the dangerous Mediterranean migration route to Europe, has recently launched he Stemming Irregular Migration in Northern and Central Ethiopia (SINCE) program.

The 48-month intervention mainly aimed at reducing irregular migration by creating employment opportunities in Ethiopia's five major migration-prone regions including the capital Addis Ababa.

BLESSING IN DISGUISE?

The positive merit of remittance to the Ethiopian economy is, however, indicated as a major challenge to the Ethiopian government and its partners in cooling the migration fever.

Dubbed as the back-bone of the Ethiopian economy, remittance has earned close to 4 billion dollars to Ethiopia during the first ten months of the 2015/16 fiscal year, exceeding the income gained from the export sector in the same year.

Thus, ending migration could potentially denote minimizing the rate of inward remittance from nationals abroad.

The question now is whether economic solutions can serve as a way out to Ethiopia's migration scenario that mainly attribute to the growing demographic pressure that the country has to live with.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 20:04:24|Editor: ZD

Staff members lead citizens to visit the CRRC Beijing Locomotive Co., Ltd in Beijing, capital of China, June 10, 2017. An open day activity was held at the 120-year-old state-owned corporation on Saturday, attracting many citizens. The corporation was found in 1897, selling its railway products of locomotives and engineering machinery to customers at home and abroad. (Xinhua/Li Xin)
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 20:03:12|Editor: Song Lifang

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PHNOM PENH, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Nineteen Cambodian passengers and a bus driver were injured when a lorry crashed into their bus early Saturday in Cambodia's northwestern Battambang province, the National Police website said.

The accident took place at 2:40 a.m. local time (0740 GMT) on the National Road No. 5 when the two vehicles, driven in an opposite direction, hit head-on.

"Twelve of the injured people are in serious condition," the National Police website said, adding that the victims had been rushed to a provincial hospital.

Police said the lorry driver, who escaped the scene, was blamed for the accident.

Road accidents are a leading cause of death in this Southeast Asian country. According to a government report, road crashes killed 1,717 people in 2016.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 20:03:14|Editor: ZD

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by Xinhua writer Wang Bowen

JERUSALEM, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Clean, quiet, and organized, the operation site of Tel Aviv's Red Line Light Rail Transit Project undertaken by Chinese companies is working in full swing to help build the long-awaited light rail in the country.

"With the fourth out of six tunnel boring machines being assembled, our work will accelerate although we are already ahead of schedule," said Yang Yanqi, head of engineering department of China Railway Tunnel Group (CRTG).

STRONG PRESENCE IN ISRAEL

In May 2015, the CRTG won a bid of close to 3 billion NIS (810 million U.S. dollars) to help build the first light rail in Israel's largest metropolitan area, the Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area (Gush Dan) along the Mediterranean coastline in the west, stretching from Netanya in the north to Ashdod in the south and bordering the 1949 armistice line in the east.

Home to more than 3.7 million people, Gush Dan holds approximately 45 percent of Israel's population. With public transportation, mostly served by buses, accounting for less than 20 percent of all trips, residents here produce over 6 million motorized trips each day, relying heavily on private vehicles.

High population growth, private motor vehicle usage and low investment in public transport infrastructure have resulted in growing traffic congestion. As a result, the light rail construction, scheduled for 2021, bears much hope.

"We met with many difficulties, technically and socially. But we gradually cleared doubt with sincerity, top-quality products and services," said Yang, adding that their proprietor is very satisfied with their work of art and project progress.

The Israeli government requires foreign companies to employ a certain number of local workers, who may not necessarily have the required skills to live up to job responsibilities. The CRTG invested numerous time and energy to train them so that they can perform properly on site.

"Localization is actually a win-win result: we create more jobs for locals while the training they get would promise them a better career," said Yang.

The light rail construction is among many significant projects Chinese companies have taken on in Israel.

Last year in October, five Chinese companies, out of six foreign companies, were issued a five-year housing permit by the Israeli government. They were agreed to invite skilled Chinese labors here to help ease labor shortage and curb housing crisis. It is a part of the government's plan to address housing shortage that contributed to high property prices.

Housing costs in Israel have been rising sharply since 2008, according to data from Bank of Israel, significantly impacting cost of living and triggering a wave of street protests in 2011.

In 2014, the Beijing-based contracting firm Mediterranean Engineering PMEC was chosen to build a new port in Ashdod -- a facility Israel expects to be an important link in a new east-west trade route, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the gala signing of the deal.

"This project will significantly change the lives of Israelis," Netanyahu said. He added that the new Ashdod port has been part of the government's effort to offer Israel a safer and price-competitive alternative for east-west trade to the current Suez Canal route.

VIBRANT INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

While Chinese enterprises operating in Israel are enjoying a sound relationship with their Israeli partners, intercultural exchanges have also been expanding dramatically, driven by the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

The ancient Silk Road was where Chinese civilization met with Indian, Arab and European cultures. Today, the Belt and Road Initiative seeks to once again bring East and West closer.

The initiative, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, with the aim of building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes.

Between Israel and China, cultural communication and educational exchanges have been brought to a whole new level since the two nations established diplomatic relations in 1992.

From high-level reciprocal visits to people-to-people exchanges, from performances and exhibits to university swap deals, people from both sides have enjoyed an ever-deepening understanding of each other.

Last week, when China's traditional Dragon Boat Festival and the Jewish Shavuot Day fell, a dragon boating racing, a traditional activity to commemorate the Chinese festival, was held along the Yarkon River in Tel Aviv, where Israelis and Chinese had a good time in the blended culture.

At the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, one of the most renowned universities in Israel, the number of Chinese students pursuing studies here has exceeded 200 out of a total of 2,000 international students each year.

At China's top university Tsinghua, a joint center for innovative research and education named Xin, meaning new in Chinese, was put up in collaboration with Israel's Tel Aviv University three years ago.

"Israel is a valuable country along the Belt and Road. We are initiating a plan to enroll Israeli students in our Global Business Program, scholarships provided," said Hang Min, associate professor at Tsinghua's School of Communication and Journalism.

With Chinese tourists flooding in and China-Israel business cooperation heating up, learning Chinese is the new chic in Israel. Walking in the street, you can easily bump into an Israeli who would smile at you and ask you if you can be a language partner with him or her.

To attract more Chinese tourists, the Israeli government has made tourist visas easier to obtain, becoming the third largest visa provider to Chinese tourists, following the United States and Canada.

The leap in tourism from China has also been attributed to the introduction of direct flights from China to Israel by China's Hainan Airlines.

Observers here estimate that Israel's current objective of 100,000 Chinese tourists in 2017 might be too conservative. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 20:08:16|Editor: Song Lifang

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PHNOM PENH, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia exported 257,637 tons of milled rice in the first five months of 2017, up 10 percent compared with the same period last year, according to the latest report on Saturday.

The Southeast Asian nation exported its rice to 57 countries and regions around the world, said the report compiled by the Secretariat of One Window Service for Rice Export.

Three top buyers are China, France and Poland, it said, adding that China imported 88,769 tons of milled rice from Cambodia during the January-May period this year, France imported 33,459 tons, and Poland purchased 23,036 tons.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said in mid-May after returning from a visit to China that China had agreed to increase its import quota for Cambodian milled rice to 300,000 tons in 2018, up from 200,000 tons in 2017.

Cambodia produces more than 9 million tons of paddy rice a year. With this amount, it has over 3 million tons of milled rice left over for annual export, according to the Agriculture Ministry.
Stewards stand beside a train upon its arrival in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 9, 2017. Nearly 12,000 passengers had traveled on the newly launched Standard Gauge Railways (SGR) linking Kenya's port city Mombasa with its capital Nairobi in the week ending Wednesday. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

KIGALI, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The newly inaugurated standard gauge railway line between Kenya's Mombasa and Nairobi is very important to the integration of eastern Africa, Rwandan Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Claver Gatete has said.

"It was a very successful project, thanks to China's support for Kenya," Gatete told Xinhua in an interview at his office in downtown Kigali, the Rwandan capital.

The new railway, known as the Kenyan SGR, started cargo and passenger services a week ago in ceremonies attended by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong, the special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Gatete said leaders of the region have attached great importance to the construction of standard gauge rail lines as part of the Northern Corridor, which links Kenya with Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, and the Central Corridor, which starts from Tanzania, through Rwanda and then lead to Burundi, to reduce the cost of doing business, the cost of movement of people and goods.

"The one in Kenya is really something to be proud of," he said. "We are working to make sure that we discuss at the regional level how we can also benefit."

The 480 km 3.8-billion-U.S.-dollar Mombasa-Nairobi SGR was constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, with 90 percent of the funding coming from China.

Gatete said much has been done to advance east African integration, with the removal of non-tariff barriers, cutting the time needed for cargo shipment from Mombasa to Kigali from the original 21 days to about five days. The facilitation of free movement of people, including easier access to work permits and the introduction of common visas, the removal of voice and data roaming fees, and the harmonization of the electricity grid all helped consolidate the integration.

The minister described the relationship between Rwanda and China as "excellent."

"We are very happy about that cooperation in all areas... at the technical level, development level," he said.

"At the international cooperation level, the relationship between Rwanda and China can be a very good example for the rest of the world," Gatete said.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame met Chinese President Xi last March during his visit to Beijing, where the two leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral strategic cooperation..

Over the past decades, Rwanda managed to achieve an average growth of 8.0 percent, cutting the poverty level from 79 percent in 1995 to 39 percent in 2014. Gatete attributed the success to the leadership and vision of President Kagame, the importance the country attaches to free universal primary and secondary education and the focus on science, technology, research and innovation, as well as technical and vocational training.

Known as one of the world's cleanest governments, Rwanda practices a policy of zero tolerance toward corruption.

Gatate said for leaders and people in responsible positions, everybody, from the president to anyone else, has to declare his or her wealth at the end of each June to the ombudsman.

"Corruption... if you do it, you know the consequences," he said. "You cannot reduce it to zero, but at least people know the consequences."

The minister also talked about Rwanda's efforts in coping with the aftermath of the 1994 genocide, which left more than 1 million Tutsis and some moderate Hutus dead, and the measures taken to lift the country from the dark past.

Wreaths can still be seen outside the main entrance to the five-story building. They were laid there in a memorial ceremony last Friday for 104 former Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning employees who perished in 1994.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 20:18:20|Editor: Song Lifang

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SAN FRANCISCO, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Governor Jerry Brown of U.S. state of California met Friday in San Francisco visiting German Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks, hours after returning from a climate mission to China, and continued his international outreach on climate action.

"China and Germany - two of the most powerful countries in the world - are working with California and with other states to deal with climate change," Brown said, noting that "the current withdrawal from the Paris Agreement by the Washington administration is being overcome and countermanded by people throughout the whole world."

"Together with California, Germany will provide strong leadership for the Under2 Coalition in the COP23 in Bonn this November," Hendricks said.

"The United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement," Hendricks noted, "underscores the significance of subnational actors in particular in our joint efforts to achieve the overall objective and goals."

Under2 Coalition is a diverse group of cities, states or provinces, and countries around the world who set ambitious targets to limit the increase in global average temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius, while the COP23 refers to the 23rd session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The Paris Agreement, which builds upon the UNFCCC, is a document adopted at climate change talks in Paris, France, on Dec. 12, 2015, which calls on all nations to respond to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, or further to 1.5 degrees.

It now has been signed by 197 parties worldwide and ratified by 148 of them.

The Under2 Coalition was formed in 2015 by California and the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg to help galvanize subnational action in the same direction.

The alliance includes 175 jurisdictions on six continents representing more than 35 countries and regions, 1.2 billion people and 28.8 trillion U.S. dollars gross domestic product (GDP), equivalent to over 16 percent of the global population and over 39 percent of the global economy.

It currently includes 18 U.S. jurisdictions representing 89 million people or 28 percent of the U.S. population.

After their meeting in San Francisco, the German minister and California governor issued a joint statement on climate cooperation, emphasizing that climate change action is not only a necessity but also an opportunity for economic growth.

Brown flew to China last weekend, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping, and expanded the Golden State's long-standing climate and clean energy ties with China through a series of bilateral meetings, and agreements signed with China's central government as well as Sichuan and Jiangsu provinces respectively.

Last week, a day before his departure to China, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, Brown joined New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and Washington State Governor Jay Inslee to form the U.S. Climate Alliance.

The U.S. alliance now has included 13 U.S. states committed to achieving the U.S. goal of reducing emissions 26-28 percent from 2005 levels, which complements the goals of the Under2 Coalition.

Before his trip to China, Brown told Xinhua about his sense of urgency for action against climate change, saying "it is urgent. It is urgent because what we do today will create irreversible consequences in the years ahead. Time is running out. This is very serious."

About his international outreach efforts, Brown said: "We need to collaborate. It is not about one nation being the winner. It is about all nations dealing with the common threat. This is mutually beneficial. You have to think one world, not this country fighting that country."
British Prime Minister Theresa May gives a speech at 10 Downing Street after meeting with the Queen in London, Britain on June 9, 2017. British Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed Friday afternoon she will form a Westminster government, helped by members of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). (Xinhua/Richard Washbrooke)

by Maria Vasileiou

THE HAGUE, June 9 (Xinhua) -- With no clear winner emerging from the British parliamentary election, negotiations on Britain's departure from the European Union (EU) are likely to be delayed, while uncertainty looms over the direction Brexit would take, according to Dutch experts.

"The election outcome is casting uncertainty on how the Brexit negotiations process will unfold and what the British position will be, while the clock is ticking as the deadline for the conclusion of the talks moves ever-closer," said Rem Korteweg, head of unit "Europe in the World" at Clingendael, the Dutch institute for international relations.

"It is uncertain how long it will take until the next government takes office and what stance it will follow on the Brexit negotiations," the political expert told Xinhua, warning though that "one should avoid jumping into conclusions that a softer line on Brexit will be adopted."

The snap election called by Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May seven weeks ago was meant to give her a strong mandate to start Brexit negotiations with the EU. But instead her Conservative Party suffered a major blow falling behind securing the 326-mark of seats needed to command a parliamentary majority.

The voters left no party with a majority in parliament with the Conservatives winning 318 seats, but managing to remain the biggest single winner, while the Labour party won 261 seats out of the 650 parliamentary seats.

"The question is now whether a coalition government will make Britain a more constructive negotiating partner, perhaps moving away from the 'hard Brexit' posturing of the past months, which does not seem to be the case," said Joris Larik, senior researcher at The Hague Institute for Global Justice.

"The Tories are supported by Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), the British nationalist party from Northern Ireland to form the next government. They will push against a special status for Northern Ireland to avoid a hard border with the Republic of Ireland, which is one of the red lines for the EU. It is this turn of events which could provide the most worrisome for future negotiations, in which many if not all players stand to lose with a hard border across Ireland and no trade agreement between the EU and UK," Larik told Xinhua.

"It is difficult to say at this moment which line Britain will follow on the Brexit negotiations," said Stefaan Van den Bogaert, professor of European Law and Director of the Europa Institute at Leiden University. "May did not manage to get the strong mandate she was asking for to conduct the negotiations, but it is not clear whether people did not share her stance on Brexit or whether they dealt her a devastating blow because they simply don't trust her to lead the divorce talks with the EU."

But the Leiden University professor did not rule out the possibility of "a more reconciliatory approach than the one supported by May before the elections and a reassessment of the hard line stance." So far May had followed a strong position, signaling a hard line Brexit along the reasoning "better no deal than a bad deal" with the EU.

Planned to start on June 19, Brexit talks risk being delayed causing additional uncertainties as the window of time available to strike a deal before a March 2019 deadline is narrowing. "The clock will pause and time is a crucial factor in the Brexit negotiations," said Clingendael's Korteweg, who ruled out EU's intention to extend the negotiations time frame.

"We don't know when Brexit talks start. We know when they must end," tweeted European Council President Donald Tusk, also the EU summit chair overseeing the negotiations. In a similar tone, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier tweeted that Brexit negotiations should start when the UK is ready, stressing that "timetable and EU positions are clear."

As Larik explained Brussels is not willing to proceed to concessions. "The logic for the EU remains the same and will continue to demand that the UK settles its outstanding payments, that EU citizens' rights are protected, and that an agreeable arrangement for Northern Ireland is found. Before these issues are resolved, the EU will not start discussing a new post-Brexit trade agreement with the UK."

"Time pressure might be a reason to influence the British stance," argued Bogaert. The professor of European Law did not rule out an extension of the negotiations period, a possibility given by Article 50, the EU's exit clause "if all parties agree."
Can You Point a Gun at a Trespasser?

For many gun owners, the reason for purchasing a firearm is to keep your family and property safe. And trespassing is against the law. Still, police are pretty adamant that citizens not take the law into their own hands.

So what happens if you have a gun and you have a trespasser on your property? Are you allowed to point your gun at that trespasser?

What's the Point?

As lawyers will say, the only answer that is 100 percent correct in 99 percent of legal cases is: "It depends." Many states have anti-trespassing laws and statutes that allow citizens to use deadly force in response to a threat of bodily harm, and, as a general rule, those laws intersect to provide more protections for gun owners encountering trespassers, burglars, or thieves in their home. At the same time, pointing a gun at someone can be considered assault, defined as a threat that puts someone in fear of imminent harm.

So figuring out whether just pointing a gun at a trespasser is a crime can depend on a variety of factors, including how your state criminal statutes are worded, whether the trespasser was in your home or merely on your property, whether you reasonably fear great bodily harm or death, and even how threatened the trespasser felt at the time.

What's the Result?

The variance in how trespassing cases are handled is demonstrated by looking at a couple of recent cases. A New Hampshire farmer was convicted in 2008 of threatening a trespasser with a gun, but had his three-year sentence commuted by the governor. On the other hand, a Nevada man was acquitted on a murder charge after shooting two unarmed trespassers sleeping in a duplex he owned and largely abandoned, killing one, seriously wounding the other.

So before you start waiving a weapon at trespassers, you may want to check your state and local criminal and real estate laws, and only resort to guns in the most dire of circumstances.

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Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 20:23:23|Editor: Mengjie

Photo taken on April 27, 2017 shows protesters hold banners and shout slogans during a demonstration against the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in Seoul, South Korea. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

PYONGYANG, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Saturday condemned the secret delivery of four extra launchers of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea last month.

A spokesman of the Pan-Korean Emergency Measure Committee for Opposing Nuclear War Drills against DPRK said the South Korean military "was disclosed to have hushed up the additional introduction of four launchers of THAAD, except for the already deployed two launchers."

"This was aimed to pacify the angry South Korean public remaining strongly averse to the deployment of THAAD, evade rebukes of neighboring countries, and curry favor with the U.S. administration to prolong their remaining days," said the spokesman.

"It is another heavy crime and unpardonable pro-U.S. act of treachery," he added.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in late last month ordered a thorough investigation into the unauthorized delivery of the four extra THAAD mobile launchers of the U.S. missile shield to the country.

Related:

S. Korea forms task force on THAAD after president's order of green audit

SEOUL, June 9 (Xinhua) -- South Korea has formed an inter-ministry task force on the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) after President Moon Jae-in ordered a green audit of the THAAD site. Full Story

S. Korean residents, peace activists demand complete retreat of THAAD

SEOUL, June 8 (Xinhua) -- South Korean residents and peace activists on Thursday demanded the complete retreat of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile interception system from their country. Full Story

China reaffirms position on THAAD deployment
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 20:38:32|Editor: Song Lifang

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DUBLIN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Four men have been arrested in Ireland in connection with the seizure of massive cannabis plants, police said on Saturday.

The plants were discovered following searches by local police investigating the sale and supply of cannabis.

The searches were carried out in the country's three different cities.

The men, aged 29, 37, 38 and 45, were being held at different local police stations. But police did not disclose the nationality of the four detainees.

It is illegal to grow cannabis plants or opium poppies in Ireland without a license. Trafficking or possession with intent to sale and supply are serious offenses under Irish law.

Cannabis in Ireland is illegal for recreational purposes. Use for medical purposes requires case-by-case approval by the country's Department of Health.
British Prime MinisterTheresa May gives a speech at 10 Downing Street after meeting with the Queen in London, Britain on June 9, 2017. British Prime MinisterTheresa May confirmed Friday afternoon she will form a Westminster government, helped by members of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). (Xinhua/Richard Washbrooke)

LONDON, June 10 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May's two co-chiefs of staff quit Saturday as the fallout from the Conservative's poor showing in this week's general election continued.

Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill who had been the main architects of May's disastrous election campaign announced within minutes of each other that they were stepping down from their roles.

Both had come under pressure from Conservative MPs to quit to avert May facing a leadership challenge that would threaten her future as prime minister.

Timothy, who was only appointed to the role last July, said in his resignation statement that he accepted the part he played in the results of the snap election.

Instead of the expected landslide victory May had expected, the Conservatives lost 13 seats and also the majority they held before the election, and its majority, leading to a "hung" parliament.

Timothy wrote: "I take responsibility for my part in this election campaign, which was the oversight of our policy program. In particular, I regret the decision not to include in the manifesto a ceiling as well as a floor in our proposal to help meet the increasing cost of social care."

He said he took responsibility for the content of the whole election manifesto.

Timothy's colleague as joint chief if staff, Fiona Hill, released a brief statement following her resignation from her role at 10 Downing Street.

She said: "It's been a pleasure to serve in government, and a pleasure to work with such an excellent prime minister. I have no doubt at all that Theresa May will continue to serve and work hard as prime minister, and do it brilliantly."

May announced Friday that she will form a new government, working with the 10-strong group of Democratic Unionist Party MPs from Northern Ireland.

Before the election, May had a working majority of 17. When the House of Commons assembles next week, May will instead lead a minority government, with a majority of just 2, made up of her own 318 MPs and the DUPs 10.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 21:59:00|Editor: Song Lifang

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ISLAMABAD, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani have agreed to revive the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) of Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the United States for promotion of peace and security, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

Sharif met with Ghani in Astana, Kazakhstan, on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, which was seen as an ice-breaking meeting in view of the tense relationship between the two neighbors.

The QCG had been almost dysfunctional after a U.S. drone strike killed Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour in May last year, just three days after the member countries met in Islamabad to discuss peaceful solution to the Afghan militancy.

However, Pakistani officials believed that the killing of the Taliban chief had not only badly affected the QCG process but also had negative impact on efforts to encourage the Taliban to come to the negotiation table.

In a positive development, the Pakistani and Afghan leaders "agreed to use QCG to promote peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan," the Foreign Ministry said in Islamabad.

"The two leaders agreed to use QCG mechanism as well as bilateral channels to undertake specific actions against terror groups and to evolve, through mutual consultations, a mechanism to monitor and verify such actions," it added.

Sharif stressed the importance of reconciliation and a politically negotiated settlement as the best solution to the Afghan conflict. In this context, he highlighted the efforts undertaken by Pakistan for facilitating an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led process, according to the ministry.

The prime minister joined Ghani in condemning the recent terror attacks, especially the wave of violence in Kabul following a truck bomber in the center of the capital city last week resulting in loss of life and injury of hundreds of people.

Sharif said that terrorism remained a common threat to both Pakistan and Afghanistan, adding close cooperation between the two countries was important for eliminating the scourge of terrorism from the region.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 21:59:04|Editor: Song Lifang

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SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, June 10 (Xinhua) -- A militant was killed on Saturday in a gunfight near the Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir, officials said.

The gunfight, according to Indian army officials, broke out in Gurez sector of Bandipora district, about 165 km north of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

According to Indian military spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia, the militant was trying to infiltrate deep inside Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"One infiltrator was killed after our alert troops foiled an infiltration bid in Gurez sector," Kalia told Xinhua. "A weapon was also recovered from the spot."

According to the spokesman, the operation was going on in the area.

On Friday five militants were killed in Uri sector while trying to infiltrate inside Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Since Wednesday the army has killed 13 militants in four different gunfights in Machil, Nowgam, Uri and Gurez. A trooper was also killed in Nowgam sector fighting militants, the officials said.

Last month six militants were killed in Rampur sector of frontier Uri in adjacent Baramulla district.

Indian army said since the beginning of this year, 22 infiltration attempts have been foiled and 34 armed intruders eliminated on the LoC.

The situation along LoC is tense since the beginning of May. Troops of India and Pakistan are currently at loggerheads with each other, especially along LoC and the international border in Kashmir. Several cease-fire violations were reported on both sides of LoC.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 22:04:07|Editor: Song Lifang

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MOGADISHU, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Two Al-Shabaab militants were killed, one arrested and another injured after fighting between Jubaland State forces and the militants at Gobweyn in southern Somalia, officials said Saturday.

Jubaland State force commander in the area Abdirahman Mohamed Omar said that the militants had attacked their base on Friday night but were repulsed.

"Al-Shabaab fighters attacked our base at Gobweyn area but we killed two of their fighters and captured one who was injured during the fighting, there is no casualty on our side," Omar said.

The commander added that the injured fighter was being treated at a hospital in Kismayo town, the administrative capital of Jubaland State.

Al-Shabaab militants have not commented on the latest assault so far. The killing came as the African Union and Somali troops were conducting joint security operations near Kismayo town.

Meanwhile, Jubaland State forces on Saturday displayed four Al-Shabaab militants and explosive materials which were captured in an operation conducted in Beled-Hawo town near Kenya border in Gedo region.

Jubaland State Minister for Security Abdirashid Hassan Abdi in Dolow town told reporters that the security forces managed to thwart terrorist activities in the region successfully.

He added that the operations against Al-Shabaab will continue until they ensure the security has been restore.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 22:14:14|Editor: Song Lifang

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MOGADISHU, June 10 (Xinhua) -- President of Somalia's Puntland region Abdiweli Mohamed Ali on Saturday called on the global community to support his administration in the fight against Al-Shabaab terrorists who have stepped up their onslaught in the region.

Ali who also condemned Thursday's deadly attack on the region's military base in Af-Urur, about 100km from the port city of Bosaso, and appointed a committee to assess the number of casualties in the incident.

"Al-Shabaab militants who attacked civilians and Puntland forces at Af Urur area committed a genocide. I commend Puntland forces for protecting their people and land from terrorists," he said.

Ali vowed to revenge on the militants following the attack that claimed lives of more than 30 soldiers.

"We call on the federal government of Somalia and the international partners to support us in the strong fight Al-Shabaab. We are committed to remove the terrorists from our region and enough is enough," Ali said.

Heavily armed militants stormed a military base in Somalia's semi-autonomous state of Puntland, killing over 30 people and injuring dozens more.

The assault began with a blast at the remote Af-Urur camp, about 100km west of the commercial hub of Bosaso, before the fighters overran the base and killed Puntland Dervish Army at close range.

Puntland's interior minister Abdi Hersi Ali said the militants killed fasting civilians, including elders before attacking the troops stationed at the base and dismissed the death toll figure given by the Al-Shabaab who had claimed they killed 61 soldiers, terming it "baseless".
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 22:19:25|Editor: Zhang Dongmiao

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GARISSA, Kenya, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan police on Friday thwarted a terrorist attack and arrested six suspects who were planning to launch attacks in the East African nation.

The police said in a security report on Saturday that the six suspects -- four Somalis and two Kenyans -- were arrested in Bulla Hawa, an adjoining town in southern Somalia, in a joint security operation with Somali counterparts.

The police said the terror suspects were on their way to Nairobi to carry out attacks, adding that improvised explosive devices were recovered.

"The six were captured alive and their bomb making equipment seized. Complete antipersonnel explosive devices (A-IED) were found in the hotel room," said the police.

The authorities said suicide borne improvised explosive devices (SVBIED), bomb making material including trinitrotoluene (TNT) and fragmentation-generating objects including nails, ball bearings, and screw nuts (shrapnel) were found.

"An assortment of assault rifles and ammunition were recovered. The six were planning to sneak into the country through Bula Hawa," the police said.

The incident came amid a series of attacks in the last few weeks targeting government vehicles in Kenya's northeast region. Police have blamed the attacks on Al-Shabaab militants who are operating in the area.

At least 30 police officers and civilians were killed in May along the Kenya-Somalia border town of Mandera and Garissa after their vehicles ran over improvised explosive devices (IED).

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) has warned that the militants have dispatched fighters in parts of the northeast region and Coast regions to carry out sting attacks targeting security agents and civilians.

Since Kenya sent troops across the border into Somalia in October 2011, northern and parts of eastern Kenya have been hit by a series of blasts, many targeting local security forces and humanitarian workers.

Several attacks, believed to have been carried out by Al-Shabaab, have occurred in Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa and Dadaab districts of northern Kenya even as the military reports gains against the terror group by capturing their military bases and killing scores of them. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 23:24:47|Editor: Xiang Bo

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Liu Yunshan (R front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visits Shizhen Village to learn more about Liao Junbo, a late official who had served in Fujian, in Zhenghe County, southeast China's Fujian Province, June 9, 2017. Liu made an inspection tour in Fujian Province from Thursday to Saturday. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

FUZHOU, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Liu Yunshan, a senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has urged Party cadres at the grassroots level to do more in serving the people and advancing reform and development.

Liu, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection in southeast China's Fujian Province from Thursday to Saturday.

Liu visited various villages, communities and enterprises to learn about the progress made in the Party building at the grassroots level, where he asked the CPC members to learn from the example of Liao Junbo, a late official who had served in Fujian.

The CPC Central Committee on Tuesday decided to posthumously honor Liao as an "outstanding CPC member." Liao died at the age of 48 in a traffic accident while heading to a meeting on March 18.

A statement of the CPC central leadership noted that Liao, vice mayor of Nanping City in Fujian, had worked wholeheartedly to lead local cadres and people in poverty-relief work, showing his loyalty to the Party and selfless devotion to duty.

Liao had also served as Party chief of Fujian's Zhenghe County, where he pushed forward economic development that eventually helped more than 30,000 people shake off poverty within less than four years.

During the inspection tour, Liu held a seminar with some officials in Zhenghe county to discuss how to learn from Liao to better serve the people.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-10 23:34:58|Editor: yan

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SINGAPORE, June 10 (Xinhua) -- A potential attack in Singapore "is a matter of when and not whether," Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Saturday.

In an interview with Australia's ABC Radio National, Lee said the separatist groups in Southeast Asia pose a "clear and present" danger to Singapore.

Lee noted that activists have traveled to the Middle East - from Malaysia, Indonesia and a few from Singapore.

The Philippines had recently said Singaporeans were among the foreign fighters in the terrorism-related activities in southern Philippines' Marawi city.

Singapore is preparing its citizens psychologically to make sure its multiracial society does not come under catastrophic stress should an attack take place, said the prime minister.

"The risk is not just the casualties from the physical attack but the psychological damage done to the trust and confidence between people of different races and religions in Singapore, particularly between the Muslims and the non-Muslims," he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-11 00:05:17|Editor: yan

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Chinese PresidentXi Jinping, other leaders and guests pose for a group photo before the opening ceremony of the Expo 2017 in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 9, 2017. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

ASTANA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The just concluded trip of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Kazakhstan adds impetus to the building of the Belt and Road, cements the bond among countries for the community of shared future and opens up broad prospects for peace and prosperity in the region, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday.

Xi left Astana on the same day for home after a state visit to Kazakhstan, where he attended the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

"This is Xi's first foreign visit after he presided over the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and also a major diplomatic activity of China in the Eurasia region," Wang told the press.

"This tour embodies the 'Silk Road Spirit,' which features peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit," he noted.

ELEVATING CHINA-KAZAKHSTAN TIES TO NEW HEIGHT

The relationship between China and Kazakhstan has witnessed rapid development since they established diplomatic ties 25 years ago.

In Astana, Xi held talks with his old friend, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, to take stock of the achievements the two countries have made and to chart the course for future cooperation.

This trip marked Xi's third state visit to the Central Asian country and it has been the 16th meeting between the two leaders since 2012.

Noting that the political mutual trust has reached an unprecedented height, Xi said China is willing to build "a stronger community of shared interests and shared future" with Kazakhstan, and hopes the two countries can be "good neighbors, friends and partners forever."

Xi and Nazarbayev agreed to maintain close high-level and institutional exchanges, respect the two country's choices of development path and policies in accordance with their respective national conditions, support each other's efforts in safeguarding their core interests, and jointly address the challenges to regional security and stability.

On Thursday, Xi, accompanied by Nazarbayev, visited the Chinese national pavilion of the Expo 2017 in Astana and attended the opening ceremony of the Expo. Xi's attendance shows support not only for the Kazakh side in organizing the event, but also for Central Asia countries in pursuing development and seeking growing international standing.

LEADING SCO TOWARDS NEW DEVELOPMENT

Over the past 16 years since its establishment, the SCO has developed into a significant platform for enhancing mutual trust, deepening good neighborliness and friendship, expanding pragmatic cooperation and maintaining regional security and stability between the member states.

The SCO summit accepted India and Pakistan as its full members in its first expansion since its founding in 2001, making it the world's most populous regional cooperative organization and the largest by area.

Welcoming the new members, Xi called on the SCO to "carry forward the fine tradition of solidarity and coordination."

"All member states, old and new, should work in close coordination, deepen mutual trust and increase mutual support in their endeavor to build a community of shared future featuring equality, mutual support, solidarity and sharing of weal and woe," Xi said while addressing the annual gathering of the SCO heads of state.

Xi also proposed that the SCO draw up a five-year outline for implementation of the Treaty on Long-term Good Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation and formulate a three-year program of cooperation to fight the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism.

OPENING UP NEW CHAPTER FOR BELT AND ROAD BUILDING

Back in 2013 in Kazakhstan, Xi first proposed the initiative of the Silk Road Economic Belt, starting the process of Belt and Road cooperation.

The Belt and Road Initiative comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, with the aim of building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes.

Four years later, when Xi returned to Astana, the initiative has been translated from a proposal into actions, and from a concept into practice.

In their talks, Xi and Nazarbayev agreed to further integrate the Belt and Road Initiative with Kazakhstan's development strategy of "Nurly Zhol," or "Bright Path" in the Kazakh language.

Kazakhstan is a major country located along the Belt and Road routes. Xi's visit facilitates the joint efforts of China and Kazakhstan in building the Belt and Road and in their capacity cooperation.

The Chinese leader urged concerted efforts of both countries to make the new Eurasia land and maritime routes linked by Lianyungang and Horgos pilot projects under the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to promote peace, prosperity, openness, innovation and exchanges of civilizations along these paths.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-11 00:10:22|Editor: yan

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HELSINKI, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Finland's populist Finns Party convened in Jyvaskyla, central Finland on Saturday and elected a hardliner politician as their new chairman.

The newly elected Jussi Halla-aho is currently a Member of European Parliament. Known for his strict anti-immigration views, he got 949 votes in the first round.

Halla-aho's main competitor, Finnish minister for culture Sampo Terho got 629 votes. Terho had been largely perceived as the candidate of the party management.

Halla-aho succeeds Timo Soini, who has led the Finns Party for 22 years and guided the party into the ruling coalition in 2015.

Reactions from the rest of the Finnish political scene were intense. Prime Minister Juha Sipila said the True Finns are "no longer the same party that joined the coalition" in 2015. Sipila said he would meet Halla-aho on Monday morning.

With the election of Halla-aho, the chances of Soini to continue as foreign minister are uncertain, even if the coalition would survive. Soini said earlier he would like to continue, but Halla-aho said during his campaign he did not like the idea.

Local analysts believed the party is likely to adopt a more right wing stance. Although Soini has been strongly value conservative, he has at the same time underlined the importance of the social safety net.

The future of the Finnish coalition government also looks worse now. Another coalition party, the conservative National Coalition Party has said it would not be in the same cabinet with Halla-aho. Party leader Petteri Orpo said on Saturday he would now consult the party executive.

If the Finns Party leaves the coalition, Sipila may ask the Swedish People's Party and the Christian Democratic Party to join. With them, the government would have a small majority. The chairman of the Swedish People's Party on Saturday said the party would be available "for patriotic service".
DAMASCUS, June 10 (Xinhua) -- While people in the Syrian capital Damascus got used to countless military checkpoints demanding IDs and checking their cars, some volunteers decided to create checkpoints of "love in Ramadan."

Throughout the country's six-year-old war, checkpoints of the military forces and security apparatus mushroomed across the country to maintain the security of the government-controlled areas.

However, many people, mainly in Damascus, complain about the traffic jam caused by such checkpoints, or the tedious scrutinizing of IDs in search of draft dodgers.

But some volunteers decided to get a positive inspiration from the military checkpoints and create similar checkpoints.

These new checkpoints give people food and drinks at time of the Ramadan Iftar meal during the most important month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan, for Muslims to express their faith through good deeds, fasting from dawn to dusk.

"The Ramadan checkpoint is an idea inspired by the crisis so this checkpoint is not for stopping people to check their identifications and secure the situation in the country, but it's a checkpoint of love, this checkpoint is to distribute beverages and dates to the people on streets at the time of Iftar," said Saed Abdul-Ghani, the planner of the initiative, as he was manning one of these checkpoints in Damascus' Mazzeh neighborhood.

The passersby and those driving at the time of the Ramadan iftar, or the breakfast, welcome this initiative.

Muhammad, a driver, said the idea reminds people of the old traditions of Ramadan to prepare food and stand at the streets' corners to give all kinds of people food at iftar time.

"The idea is very good and it's a very nice gesture as well as being a reminder of the old traditions of Ramadan," he said.

Taim Salem, another driver, jokingly said he favors this checkpoint more than the regular ones.

"I think it's a lovely checkpoint, instead of asking for IDs or the military cards, they are giving us food and drinks, I like it more," he said, with a grin.

Abdul-Ghani's original initiative, called Bread Crumbs, has been dragging on for several Ramadans during the crisis but it was only confined to bringing volunteers and securing donors of food items to prepare the iftar meals for those in need, but this year he started the "Ramadan checkpoint" idea.

They prepare food throughout the day, and then charities would come to their location to collect the meals and distribute them to the poor and displaced people at the time of iftar at sunset.

Moreover, the Ramadan checkpoint is not only for the poor, but all passersby during the iftar time, and they only offer beverages and dates.

"We have 1,350 volunteers in this initiative, we make between 10,000 and 30,000 Iftar meals a day all according to the available resources. Our campaign relies largely on the donations of food stuffs," Abdul-Ghani said.

Most of the volunteers are young people who feel that they need to play a positive role in helping people in their country.

"There are plenty of people in our country who are unable to provide proper food for themselves or their families. Many of them haven't eaten meat or chicken for a very long time and that's why we are here to help them," said Sara Ashur, a volunteer, while preparing the food.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-11 00:15:29|Editor: yan

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KARACHI, Pakistan, June 10 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese navy fleet comprising three warships arrived at Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Saturday for a four-day goodwill and training visit.

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony hosted by the Pakistani side, Commander of the Chinese navy fleet Rear Admiral Shen Hao said the visit will further promote the understanding and mutual trust between the two peoples, and boost the cooperation and friendship between the two countries.

Shen hoped that the pragmatic cooperation and communication between the two navies will be further strengthened so as to contribute to regional stability and world peace and play an active role in promoting common development.

Chief of Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy Admiral Mohammad Zakaullah visited the fleet.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-11 00:15:33|Editor: yan

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ADDIS ABABA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Social media users in Ethiopia have been able to use social networking sites Facebook and Twitter from Friday night without proxy sites after the social media platforms were unblocked by Ethiopian authorities.

For the last nine months, Ethiopia's two most popular social networking sites had been blocked.

Negeri Lencho, Minister of Ethiopian Government Communications Affairs Office (GCAO) said the reason for the blockage of the social network sites was their utilization by extreme few to create division and instability in the East African nation.

Professional networking site Linkedin, photo sharing site Instagram as well as text and file sharing sites Wechat and Whatsapp, however, weren't included in the blockade.

The nationwide blockage of Facebook and Twitter coincided with the decree of a six months martial law by the Ethiopian government on October 9, 2016 after a week of widespread anti-government riots in Ethiopia's largest regional state Oromia left many local and foreign businesses damaged.

The week long riots were triggered by a clash on October 2 between security forces and Ethnic Oromo protestors at an Oromo religious festival Irrecha in Bishoftu city, 37 km south of Addis Ababa.

The clash left at least 56 people dead when tear gas fired by security forces to counter protestors caused a deadly stampede.

Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, the Oromo, makes up a third of the country's 100 million people, with many Oromos complaining of decades of economic, political and cultural disenfranchisement.

The six months martial law declared in October 9, 2016 has already been extended by another four months, with a decision whether to extend the martial law set to be decided next month.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-11 00:45:50|Editor: yan

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ISLAMABAD, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistan army said Saturday that at least one civilian was killed in Indian firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region.

An army statement said the Indian troops committed ceasefire violation and killed a 70-year-old man.

"Pakistani troops befittingly responded to silence Indian guns," the statement said.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry also strongly condemned the unprovoked Indian firing at the LoC and violation of ceasefire agreement.

In a statement, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said continued firing of Indian forces is a serious threat to peace in the region.

He said targeting and killing of innocent civilians across the LoC is a condemnable act.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-11 00:50:52|Editor: yan

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NAIROBI, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Kenya plans to complete its census of elephants and other large mammals by end of 2018, wildlife officials said recently.

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director General (DG) Kitili Mbathi told Xinhua in Nairobi that they have already completed the census in the Masai Mara Serengeti and Tsavo Mkomazi ecosystems jointly with the Tanzanian wildlife authorities.

"We have finalized the compilation of the data and we are planning to announce the results next week," Mbathi said in a recent interview.

"Thereafter we will move to the other national and game reserves, so that we complete the nationwide census by end of 2018," he said.

The KWS official noted that the idea of the counting exercise is to know the exact number of elephants and other large mammals, so that Kenya can monitor their population trends on a regular basis.

The KWS will soon begin counting in the Aberdares National Park and Samburu National park.

Mbathi noted that conducting the aerial exercise in the Aberdares National Park will be a difficult exercise given the mountainous nature of the territory.

The East African nation conducts an elephant census every three years. The wildlife agency will use planes to conduct the aerial census.

"In order to improve the efficiency of the exercise, we will divide the target area into grids," the DG said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) welcomes Foreign Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani during their meeting in Moscow on June 10, 2017. (AFP PHOTO)

MOSCOW, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Qatar and its neighboring countries should end their ongoing disputes through dialogue, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Saturday.

"We advocate that any contradictions should be resolved at the negotiating table through a mutually respectful, equal dialogue," Lavrov said during a meeting with visiting Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.

The two foreign ministers discussed current issues over the Middle East, with a focus on the recent sharp worsening of relations between Qatar and a number of other states in the region, according to a statement released by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Eight Gulf Arab countries have cut their diplomatic ties with Qatar since Monday over allegations that the latter is pursuing policies that are "destabilizing" the region, including support for regional terrorist groups and for Iran.

Reiterating Russia's firm stance on non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign countries, Lavrov said Moscow is sincerely interested in ensuring that international contradictions and disagreements are resolved through dialogue, the removal of concerns and mutual consideration of interests.

Meanwhile, consolidation of efforts in fighting terrorism and countering other challenges and threats should not be hampered, he added.

Key aspects of the further development of Russia-Qatar relations, including regular political dialogues, trade and economic cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people contacts, were also touched upon, the statement said.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-11 04:57:08|Editor: yan

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BALAKA, Malawi, June 10 (Xinhua) -- An updated police report on the fatal road accident involving a bus in Malawi that occurred Saturday afternoon indicates that nine female and one male passengers died on the spot.

The bus was en route to Malawi's commercial city, Blantyre, from Lilongwe and the accident occurred about 230 km south of Lilongwe near a bridge across Rivirivi River, one of the largest rivers in the southern region.

According to the latest police report, the bus' front tyres burst while the bus was in speed and it veered off, turned several times before it rested on its side, killing the 10 passengers in the process, injuring five severely while 45 escaped with minor injuries.

All the five severely injured are female passengers, according to the police report.

Eye witnesses told the local media that half of the bus rested on the side bars of the bridge while another half rested on the river bank.

"It's one of the worst accidents the nation has ever witnessed," said an eye witness. "Some of the victims had their heads cut off in the process while others had their bodies broken in parts."

Meanwhile, a picture of a 9-year-old girl who survived the accident with injuries and is admitted to the nearest Balaka District Hospital, is being circulated on social media for identification.

According to the message attached to the picture of the girl, she was travelling with her mother and an elder sister who both died in the accident.

This is a second worst fatal accident in Malawi in about two months after a boat capsized on Lake Malawi at a place called Mlowe where over 10 church members died and over 50 survived, either by swimming to the shore or rescued.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-11 05:37:22|Editor: yan

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JERUSALEM, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Israel's academia was in uproar on Saturday on a possible new ethical code to bar professors from speaking about politics in classrooms.

Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett made the remarks to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper on Friday that he decided to adopt new ethical guidelines for higher education institutions.

Bennett said he expects the Higher Education Council, a body that oversees Israel's higher education system and Bennett serves as its chairman, would discuss and approve the code "soon."

The guidelines would be implemented in all of the universities and colleges after the expected approval, he said.

The proposed code, a copy of which was seen by Xinhua, was drafted by Asa Kasher, a professor of philosophy at Tel Aviv University.

Under the code, professors would be forbidden from "promoting their political worldview in class." Each institution would be required "to establish a unit that would monitor political activity" on campus.

The code would also bar lecturers from calling for academic boycotts against Israel.

The academic community reacted angrily, denouncing the move as anti-democratic.

VERA, the umbrella organization of the heads of Israel's universities, released a statement Saturday saying they "vehemently object" the code.

It "undermines institutes of higher education's freedom to decide their own codes of conduct for their academic staffs, and thus infringes on academic freedom in the most serious and fundamental way," the statement read.

Israel's right-wing coalition has been putting efforts to fend off international criticism and calls for boycotts over the country's 50-year-long control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, where the Palestinians wish to establish their future state.

Over the past years, academics and artists engaged in political activity against the occupation have become a frequent target for far-right ministers and lawmakers, who accuse them of "disloyalty."
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-11 05:42:24|Editor: Zhou Xin

Libyan coastguards drag a deflated rubber boat at the port of Garabulli city, 60 km east of Tripoli, Libya, on June 10, 2017. Altogether eight migrants drowned and dozens are missing on Saturday off the Libyan coast while attempting to reach Europe, according to the Libyan coast guards. (Xinhua/Hamza Turkia)

TRIPOLI, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Altogether eight migrants drowned and dozens are missing on Saturday off the Libyan coast while attempting to reach Europe, according to the Libyan coast guards.

"The eight bodies are among the 120 or 130 people who were on a rubber boat," said Colonel Fathi al-Rayani, commander of the coast guard of Garabulli city, 60 km east of Tripoli.

The boat was spotted 8 km off the town of Garabulli, said al-Rayani, adding that the number of the dead migrants could exceed 100, as this type of boats transports up to 120 people.

Ayob Qassem, Libyan navy spokesman, said that the coast guards of Al-Zawya city, which is 45 km west of Tripoli, intercepted Friday five rubber and wooden boats carrying more than 570 illegal immigrants on their way to European shores.

Qassem said the immigrants are African, Bangladeshi, and Moroccan nationals.

Libya is a preferred point of departure for migrants wishing to cross the Mediterranean towards Europe. Smugglers take advantage of the state of chaos and insecurity to sent thousands of migrants in rickety boats, many of whom drown on the way.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-11 05:52:28|Editor: Lu Hui

British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Conservative Central Office in central London, Britain on June 9, 2017. Britain will have a hung parliament, with no party winning majority in the snap general election, according to official results announced Friday morning. (Xinhua)

LONDON, June 10 (Xinhua) -- A controversial working relationship between the British Conservatives and the North Ireland Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) was agreed in principle Saturday.

The so called supply and confidence deal, aimed at keeping Prime Minister Theresa May in power at 10 Downing Street, came under immediate attack.

Liberal Democrat Vince Cable, who served as a minister in the previous coalition government, called on details of a deal struck between the two parties to be published.

Cable, beaten in the 2015 election, regained a parliamentary seat in Thursday's general election, which ended with the Conservatives being forced to form a minority government.

The Conservatives won 318 seats, not enough for a majority in the Commons, but buoyed by the 10 DUP MPs. It would give May a working majority.

A confidence and supply deal falls short of a full coalition arrangement, but it means May would have enough votes to carry major issues in the Commons.

The agreement emerged after Gavin Williamson, the Conservative Party's chief whip, spent the day in Belfast holding talks with DUP leader Arlene Foster and key DUP members.

Details of the deal will be discussed by May's cabinet which is scheduled to meet at 10 Downing Street on Monday morning.

A spokesman for May said Saturday night: "We can confirm that the Democratic Unionist party have agreed to the principles of an outline agreement to support the Conservative government on a confidence and supply basis when parliament returns next week.

"We welcome this commitment, which can provide the stability and certainty the whole country requires as we embark on Brexit and beyond. The details will be put forward for discussion and agreement at a Cabinet meeting on Monday."

A number of demonstrations on the British mainland are already being planned to protest at the proposed link between the Conservatives and the DUP.

The Northern Ireland party is officially opposed to same-sex marriages and abortions, both which are legal in the rest of Britain.

Even before the question of a working relationship emerged, the DUP would normally vote with the Conservatives. The DUP is also pro-Brexit, even though the majority of people in Northern Ireland voted remain in last year's EU referendum.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron also called for details of the deal to be published, saying: "The actions of this (Conservative) government will have profound implications for the Brexit negotiations and the future of our country. At such a critical time, the prime minister must be clear with the people about the deal she has stitched up with the DUP behind closed doors."

Tom Watson, deputy leader of the main opposition Labour Party described the proposed arrangement as "a grubby deal for a coalition of chaos."

Alastair Campbell, the former Labour Party spin doctor who worked with former prime minister Tony Blair, hit out at the deal, saying May threatened the peace process in Northern Ireland by negotiating a "sordid, dangerous and distasteful" deal with the DUP.

Blair was a participant in the peace formula which brought to an end three decades of troubles between pro-republican and pro-unionist forces in Northern Ireland.

Professor Jon Tonge from the University of Liverpool, an expert on Irish politics, writing in tomorrow's Observer newspaper about the deal, commented: "The DUP's monopoly status as the friend of the Conservative party means a high price tag. Yet, other than continuing vetoes over same-sex marriage and abortion legalisation, the DUP leadership will not be interested in reinforcing the party's religious outlook. It will come down to what money the Conservatives can offer Northern Ireland. And Conservatives, gay or straight, Catholic, Protestant or atheist, will have to offer plenty."

Earlier Saturday, May's top aides, her joint chiefs of staff both resigned. They quit following reports that a number of Conservative MPs would force a leadership election if the pair remained in their jobs.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-11 06:07:34|Editor: yan

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LONDON, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Police in London Saturday released a photograph of the knife used by killer Khuram Shazad Butt in the London Bridge terror attack.

The Metropolitan Police issued the photograph of the pink ceramic knives used by the three terrorists in a public appeal to learn where the distinctive knives had come from.

The Met also issued photographs of the hired van, and some of its deadly contents, which Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba used to plough down innocent pedestrians as they strolled over the bridge.

Eight people died and dozens were injured in their attack.

Police said the knives were found on or nearby the bodies of the trio after police shot them dead on June 3.

The kitchen knives, each measuring 30 cm in length are branded Ernesto and are ceramic, rather than metal.

The attackers had wound adhesive tape around the handles and in Butt's case, a leather strap had been attached to the handle and was hung around his wrist. It is this knife that police have released images on Saturday.

Commander Dean Haydon, head of the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said: "We've been working round the clock to understand what these men did in the lead-up to the attack but we need to know more about these unusual knives. Where have they come from? Where might the attackers have bought them from? If you know anything about these particular types of knives, please let us know -- it could prove a crucial lead in our investigation."

Detectives are also continuing to appeal for witnesses to the incident itself and have also released images of the white Renault van, registration plate number HN66 TKX, used by the three men to carry out the attack.

The attackers first drove southbound onto London Bridge at 21:28. They drove off the bridge turned round and drove back, northbound up the bridge again. Once at the north end, the attackers did a U-turn and drove back southbound, fatally and purposely driving into pedestrians as they did so.

They then crashed into railings outside the Barrowboy and Banker pub. The men then abandoned the van and ran off to Borough Market where they began to stab members of the public.

Counter terrorism officers have so far spoken to 262 people from 19 different countries. Of these, 78 are significant witnesses.

Commander Haydon continued: "My officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the white van targeting individuals on London Bridge, saw the suspects attacking members of the public or saw armed police engaging the suspects."

Following the attack, specialist forensic officers examined the van and recovered a large quantity of items from it, including: 13 wine bottles with rags wrapped around them and believed to be filled with a flammable liquid and two blow torches.

Also inside the van were of office chairs and a suitcase which police say had been stacked inside the vehicle as a cover story to their families to explain why they had hired the van.

Police also said when they searched a bedsite flat rented by Redouane, they found an English-language copy of the Koran opened at a page describing martyrdom. They also found water bottles spelling of petrol.

Detectives believe the bedsit was the attackers' safe house where the three men planned and prepared the London Bridge attack.

Police also revealed Butt had attempted to hire a 7.5-tonne lorry online, but failed to provide payment details. They say if the terrorists had hired such a heavy vehicle the death and injury toll could have been much higher.

A number of people are still in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of terror-related offences, with detectives saying they expect to make more arrests and search further addresses in the coming days as their fast-moving investigation continues.
Source: Xinhua| 2017-06-11 06:52:46|Editor: yan

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MEXICO CITY, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday her country will push to update an existing trade agreement between Mexico and the European Union (EU) before the end of the year.

Taking part in a bilateral business event during her two-day state visit, Merkel said Mexico is an important trade partner for Germany, and both countries are committed to the principles of free, fair and equal trade.

Negotiations are currently underway between Mexico and the European Union to update a trade deal signed in 1997 and put in effect in 2000, but they appear to be dragging.

"We want to do it as quickly as possible. Germany will advocate to conclude this modernization by the end of the year," said Merkel, speaking at an event entitled "Germany and Mexico: Partners on the path to industry 4.0."

She also addressed the controversial border wall U.S. President Donald Trump wants to built to keep out undocumented Mexican migrants, saying immigration is a complex issue that requires a more nuanced solution.

Questioning the effectiveness of a border wall in curbing illegal migration, Merkel said "it is an enormous challenge, but I don't think that simply improving border controls will be able to resolve the problem."

Europe is also grappling with an influx of refugees fleeing wars and poverty, said Merkel, noting any successful strategy to limit migration needs to tackle the reasons people are being driven from their homes.

Some 1,900 German companies have operations in Mexico, generating 150,000 high-quality jobs, said Merkel, adding Mexico will be the guest country at next year's Hannover Messe, the world's leading industrial technology trade fair.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said Mexico will continue to promote free trade and pursue free-trade agreements with Germany and the EU.

"That will guide all our trade negotiations, including the one we are undertaking with the European Union and North America," said Pena Nieto.
Mentally ill man shot dead

According to reports, at 12.30 pm police and soldiers on Henry Street, Port of Spain were told a passenger on a PTSC bus near Henry Street on South Quay was behaving violently. They responded and the bus driver asked the man identified as Edison Thompson, 45, of Princes Town, to get off the bus. He refused, changed his mind and began running around Henry Street with a hammer in his pocket.

The joint team of police and soldiers tried to subdue Thompson, but he is reported to have taken out the hammer from his waist and attacked Lance Cpl Miller of the Defence Force. Miller shot Thompson who fell to the ground. The shooting was witnessed by scores of people on Henry Street. Some protested while others said the officer did the correct thing by shooting Thompson to subdue him. Thompson was taken to the PoS General Hospital and was warded in critical condition.

Medical sources revealed that he had suffered a ruptured bladder.

Police and soldiers who witnessed the shooting were asked yesterday by senior officers to submit reports on the incident. Naval Captain Hayden Pritchard, the acting Chief of Defence Staff, said he was aware of the incident and is awaiting a report before he could issue a statement through the public relations branch of the TTDF.

Newsday understands that soldiers are not trained to deal with mentally ill persons.
Jail for showing porn to children

Clifford Llewellyn, 54, a mechanic will now be registered as a sex offender in accordance with Part Three of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 11:28.

Llewellyn, a mechanic, appeared before Senior Magistrate Gillian Scotland on Thursday in the Arima Magistrates Court to answer to the charges.

Llewellyn was found guilty of the two charges and sentenced to six months for the first offence and 18 months for the second, but will only serve 18 months, as the sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

Police arrested Llewellyn after the parents of an eight-yearold boy and a ten-yearold girl reported that he had exposed the children to pornography and a sexual act while they were at his home.

As Magistrate Scotland handed down the sentence, she lamented the psychological effect such incidents had on the lives of children and the prevalence of such abuse against the vulnerable in society, namely children.
Cops foil Central robbery, teen suspect shot

One of the suspects, an 18-year-old from River Road, Enterprise, was shot in the abdomen during an exchange of gunfire with the police.

According to reports, at aabout 11.45 pm on Thursday, acting Sgt Neptune and other Cunupia CID officers were on mobile patrol when they received information that armed men in an AD wagon were planning to rob a bar in the district.

They spotted the vehicle and seven occupants in Endeavour.

They challenged the men, who tried to to escape by speeding away. The police cornered them near Classic Tiles at Endeavour Road, Chaguanas.

The suspects allegedly shot at the police, who returned fire and hit one of the men. The six others, aged from 16 to 23, from the Cunupia and Chaguanas areas, were detained and a pistol with eight rounds of ammunition and two imitation guns were seized.

The shot suspect was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, where he had emergency surgery.

Yesterday, he was listed in critical condition.

The others were taken to the Cunupia Police Station and were expected to be put on identification parades for other serious crimes in the Central Division.

Yesterday, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Central Division Surujdeen Persad commended acting Sgt Neptune and his team.

He said the seizure of the pistol meant one more weapon was taken from the hands of criminal elements.
12-year-old boy missing after bath

Israel Critchlow of 7 Simpson Brown Terrace, Cocoyea, who is a standard five student of St Pauls Anglican Primary School, was last seen by his mother on Thursday morning.

A family member who asked to remain anonymous said his mother woke Critchlow and told him to take a bath.

Noticing she had not heard from him in a while, she then went to the bathroom, only to find it empty. Up to press time yesterday, he had not been found.

The relative said Critchlows disappearance has traumatised the family, who has been searching for him frantically ever since.

He is of mixed descent, four foot eight inches tall, with a brown complexion and a lowcut hairstyle. Anyone whoknows where he might be is asked to call 800-TIPS or contact the police at 555, 999, 911 or any police station.
CoP welcomes interactive system from US embassy

The system will also allow officers from south Trinidad to access training at the San Fernando Divisional headquarters without having to travel to St James.

The donation was part of a series of events to mark the historic one-day relocation of the US Embassy to the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA), corner Todds Street and Rienzi- Kirton highway, San Fernando yesterday.

Speaking at the handing- over ceremony, the US Embassys acting political/economic chief and security policy and assistance co-ordinator Dina Abba-Ogley said the system was part of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) between the United States and Caricom states.

The United States has funded over $441 million since 2010, so this is part of the CBSI Connect system, part of our donation and total collaboration with the police service, she said.

And I want to congratulate Mr Williams and the police academy because they were deemed a regional centre of excellence recently and they will be training everyone in the region from the police academy. Speaking with reporters afterwards, Williams said TT had been designated a centre of excellence at a formal two-day workshop earlier in the week and the St James police academy had received the necessary support by way of equipment, the training and the facilitation of our instructors for the purposes of delivering this online training.

The United States government has effectively facilitated the Caribbean region with what is referred to as CBSI Connect, and this is a system of online training facilities across the region so that training can take place simultaneously in regional locations  the academies across the Caribbean region can all have training taking place simultaneously, he said.

Since 2010 to now, the training hasnt been regional. What was happening was that the US Embassy would arrange a training  lets say cyber- crime investigations  they will arrange a training at the police academy and they will invite officers from Suriname, Jamaica, Bahamas, whatever area, and it would be a high-cost item to bring all this officers down to Trinidad at the Police Academy, St James. It involves issues around accommodation and travel.

But with this facility, in Bahamas, at their police academy, they will be able to receive training without their officers having to leave Bahamas, Williams said.

This is positive, this is tremendous, we always need to look at Trinidad and Tobago in different ways. In this particular instance one way you can look at Trinidad and Tobago is as a leader which stands out, facilitating training for the entire Caribbean region and thats positive for us.
Williams lauds show of solidarity at officers funeral

These were the words of Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams, who addressed scores of police officers at the Revival Time Assembly Church, Kings Wharf, San Fernando, yesterday. Williams urged them to unite and provide good policing for the people of this country.

As I extend condolences to the family of officer Mondesir, I ask you to look out for each other and to carry out your duties with pride, he said. The church was filled to capacity as Mondesir was given an official send-off.

Fr Glen Forde, who gave the sermon, said the wicked lived long lives and those who were good had short lives.

He said Solomon was known as the wisest man who ever lived, according to the Holy Bible.

Solomon addressed the issue of death by saying human beings do not have the ability to predict the future, and how can they avoid what they do not know, he said, adding that if Mondesir knew he was leaving his home never to return, he would have made alternative plans. But in the words of Solomon, he said, no one could hold back the spirit that was ascending to God.

There is no escaping death. Solomon said death is an obligation that we must fulfil just as long as we are born in this world. Forde said Solomons advice to man was: do not be too wise or too foolish. Men who are too wise, he says, do not believe in God and neither did those who were too foolish. Therefore, he urged, we must avoid these two extremes.

The problem with people in TT is that they are not God-fearing citizens and as a result they are at times uncontrollable, he said, noting that people should not try to be too wise or too foolish and make the wrong choices in life. He noted that Satan was a killer and was happy to deal with those who messed with him.

Forde said people should not allow God to become angry as he would send down the thunder and lightning in a flash. He urged the congregation to open their hearts to Jesus and allow him to take control of their lives.

Mondesir was killed in a road accident on the Churchill Roosevelt Highway near El Socorro on Tuesday morning.

Fellow officer Dayne Horsford, who was with him, remains in critical condition at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex.

Police reports say at about 2 am on Tuesday, the officers were heading east when their SUV skidded near Courts Megastore, flipped several times and PCs Mondesir and Horseford were thrown out.

They landed in bush at the side of the road.

Mondesir was pronounced dead on the spot, and Horsford was taken to hospital.
Intl military exercise heads to Chaguaramas

This was revealed in a Ministry of National Security statement yesterday.

The Chaguaramas activity is the second part of the exercise after the first part was held in Barbados from June 6 to 12.

Tradewinds is a multi-national maritime security and disaster response exercise in the Caribbean.

Participants from 20 partner nations will join in the exercise, including Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago as well as military personnel from the United States of America, Canada, France, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The statement said the exercise will be restricted to the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force bases and camps in the Chaguaramas Peninsula.
CWUs Remy says, let good sense prevail

Speaking with reporters at a press-briefing at the TDC office, Maritime Plaza, yesterday, Remy said the CWU would observe developments closely to ensure all parties uphold their end of the bargain from a recommendation made by the Industrial Court, and called on Minister of Tourism Shamfa Cudjoe to honour her promise and ensure that workers are given appropriate consideration during the formation of the regulatory authority that will be replacing the TDC.

We are calling on the Government to dig below the surface and let good sense prevail in this situation to ensure that we do not see the end of the tourism sector in Trinidad and Tobago, he said.

A letter again went out to the ministers today calling for an urgent meeting particularly in the face of correspondence that we have seen that there is a new company that they are going to form and the minister must hold fast to her commitment on communications that she had with me that they are going to give the TDC employees the opportunity to work in the new company. Remy added that despite reassurances from TDC chairman Jerry Hospedales promising severance packages, no such discussions have been held with the CWU, and warned government that the companys dissolution could create more harm than good for the tourism sector in TT, citing additional operating costs and a loss of skilled labour that would arise from the shift.

We keep hearing them talking about packages. Up to now the CWU has not received any official communications from the TDC, nor the government, nor the board, about any terms and conditions that they wish to propose relative to what they want to do going into the future.

In the face of that you want to take all the professional people in the tourism industry and put them into oblivion. We are also going to have an increase in operational costs, a problem in connectivity between these three disparate units that will work against the best interests of the government. In March, Tourism Minister said that the TDC would be dissolved and replaced by two separate regulatory entities that will be charged with managing activities related to developing tourism over Trinidad and Tobago respectively. The move was met by resistance by members of the CWU, who have since called on Cabinet to reverse the decision.
Forum shopping allegation denied

These allegations have been vehemently denied by Maharajs lead counsel Anand Ramlogan, SC, who said it was preposterous and ridiculous to suggest there was anything untoward in the filing of the high court actions which challenged the implementation of the property tax and the composition of the JLSC.

Both cases were presided over by Justice Frank Seepersad, who granted injunctions in favour of the former politician. These orders have since been overturned by the appeal court. The coincidence of the same judge hearing the same claimants case over a matter of weeks have raised eyebrows, however, the procedure for the assignment of cases to judge has been clarified by the Judiciary in a statement on Thursday.

On May 25, six days after Justice Seepersad granted the first injunction in the property tax case, the attorney for the Chief State Solicitor Department, wrote to Supreme Court Registrar Jade Rodriguez questioning how the case came to be assigned to Seepersad. The Registrar provided answers to the queries on June 5, the day before the appeal court heard the property tax appeals filed by the Commissioner of Valuations and the Attorney General.

In her response, Rodriguez said Maharajs judicial review application was first filed at the Registry of the Supreme Court sub-registry in San Fernando on May 18 at 3.18 pm - the same day Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced an extension to the deadline for citizens to file their document.

Maharajs claim was given a case number - CV2017-01837 - and was docketed to Justice Robin Mohammed. Rodriguez said the next day at 8.56 am, a notice of withdrawal was filed. Maharaj has said he gave these instructions to his attorneys since he needed to reconsider his case following the ministers announcement of an extension.

CASE RE-FILED From an administrative standpoint, it made better sense to discontinue and re-file the claim with the necessary changes, Maharaj said.

Rodriguez said a new ex-parte application was filed a few minutes earlier and this was given case number CV2017- 01839 and docketed to Seepersad.

She explained that cases when filed in the civil court office are assigned at random to a judge selected by the computer automated docketing system. The Registrar added at the time of filing, no oral or written request was made by Maharajs attorneys but the attorneys asked for a hearing that day.

She provided an explanation on the process involved in filing a judicial review application.

The filing of an application for leave for judicial review is customarily treated with some urgency wherein the counter clerk enquires from the attorneys clerk as to whether there is any urgency as to the date of hearing.

This information is then communicated by the counter clerk to the listing unit. I am informed that this procedure was followed on the morning of the May 19, 2017, when CV20101839 was filed and the request was made orally by the attorneys clerk for the matter to be heard on the same day.

This information was communicated to the listing unit, she said.

In her eight page response, Rodriguez noted the judges Judicial Support Officer (JSO) was emailed with the notice and at approximately 9.37 am, the file was collected and the JSO Tracey Headley was instructed by Seepersad to arrange a court and to contact Maharajs attorneys.

This was done. Seepersad commenced hearing at 11.30 am at the San Fernando High Court, in open court.

The order staying the implementation of the property tax was granted at 6 pm.

Rodriguez also said that attorneys for the Commissioner of Valuations were sent an email at 2.07 pm.

Told that attorneys for the State were informed by court staff that no Registrar was present when they made frantic efforts to ascertain whether an ex parte application was being heard, Rodriguez said although she and the assistant registrars were attending a seminar hosted by the Judicial Education Institute of the Judiciary, they were all available via telephone to deal with any urgent applications and were on call to deal with Maharajs matter.

She said at approximately 5.20 pm upon receiving notification that the case was still ongoing in the San Fernando Court, assistant Registrar Priscilla Rampersad proceeded to the San Fernando court and signed the judges order at 7 pm. She also noted that the assistant Registrar did not place the penal clause on any of the five office copies of the judges order which were requested by the attorney.

SPECTRE OF UNC JUDGES In a statement, Maharaj said it had come to his attention that there was a politically motivated attack on Seepersad in light of his ruling in the property tax case and the composition if the JLSC.

He cited previous perceived attacks by the Peoples National Movement which criticised certain judges in high profile cases and were labelled UNC judges. My case against the JLSC was filed and I was advised by the court registry that it was assigned to Seepersad. I was told that this was a random assignment. What was I supposed to do? It should be noted as well that the first judge who was assigned to the property tax case was Justice Robin Mohammed who was the trial judge in Mr Ramlogans defamation case against Mr Jack Warner and awarded $1 million to Mr Ramlogan, he said.
Gaza Strip ruler Hamas Friday vigorously slammed the UN agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), which complained with the Islamist movement the discovery of a tunnel under an UN-built school in Gaza.

UNRWA discovered on June 1 part of a tunnel that passes under two adjacent agency schools in the Maghazi camp during construction work, spokesman Christopher Gunness said on Friday.

The tunnel, between two and three meters underground, passes under the Maghazi Elementary Boys A&B School and the Maghazi Preparatory Boys School, and was built both westward into the Palestinian enclave and eastward toward the security fence with Israel, according to UNRWA.

The UN agency also pointedly noted that the tunnel has no entry point or exit points on the premises nor is it connected to the schools or other buildings in any way.

UNRWA condemned the existence of the tunnel under UN schools.

We demand they desist from any activities or conduct that put beneficiaries and staff at risk and undermine the ability of UN staff to provide assistance to Palestine refugees in safety and security, the agency said, adding that the sanctity and neutrality of UN premises must be preserved at all times.

Hamas rejected the accusation, pointing out that Israel would exploit them to justify its crimes.

The movement also indicated that it had clarified the issue with all factions and resistance forces, who clearly stated they had no actions related to the resistance in the said location.

Hamas in past built several networks of tunnels in Gaza leading into Israel and to the border with Egypt.

The tunnels leading to Israel were used to launch attacks during the 2014 conflict between the movement and Israel.

Israel has destroyed several tunnels during the conflict.

Egypt repeatedly accused Hamas of using tunnels to smuggle goods and weapons in Gaza.
The US has expressed reservations over the French move to garner support at the UN Security council for the adoption of a resolution mandating a force by West African states to combat terrorism and trafficking in the Sahel.

The US voiced its concerns regarding the UN financial backing for the Sahel force after France has asked the UN Security Council to authorize the deployment by five African countries- Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger (known as G5 countries) of a special counterterrorism force of 5,000 troops for the Sahel region.

France circulated this week a Security Council draft resolution that would authorize the military action by the five African countries, a move that is also backed by the African Union. The Presidents of the G5 agreed last February to set up the joint force comprising military, civilian and police personnel, with headquarters in Mali.

The US, which pushes to curb its funding to UN peacekeeping forces, sees a UN mandate through a UN Security resolution as unnecessary. After closed-door negotiations, diplomats told the press that the US would prefer the council give its blessing in a statement instead of a resolution and encourage bilateral support for the West African force.

A US official told Reuters that his country supports the force in principle as a potentially important example of African efforts to fight extremism on the continent, but noted that a UN resolution was not the only way to provide political support.

The US official added that a UN authorization was not needed because the force is already approved by the countries where it would deploy as is the case with the joint task force in Lake Chad Basin.

The France-proposed draft resolution stresses the urgent need of countering the surge of terrorism in the Sahel and warns of the challenges posed by trans-border crime organizations in the region, including arms and drug trafficking, the smuggling of migrants, trafficking in persons, and its increasing links, in some cases, with terrorism.

Under the same text, the Mali-based force will be authorized to deploy for a year a mandate to combat terrorism, drug trafficking and trafficking in persons.

The draft resolution also stresses the need for restoring state authority and helping the return of displaced people and refugees, and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The US official, who deemed the mandate of the force too broad, lacking precision, said it would set a dangerous precedent by providing authorization for lethal force for a broad spectrum of activities including operations to eradicate undefined criminal networks.

In the draft resolution, France seeks UN backing through offering logistical support and funding.

The European Union has already promised a 50 million support, with diplomacy chief Federica Mogherini citing stability of the Sahel region as crucial not only for Africa but also for Europe.

The Sahel has become a breeding ground for several terrorist groups taking advantage of vast swathes of deserts and porous borders to engage in various terrorist, trafficking and criminal activities.

Radicalization and human trafficking are major threats in the impoverished region, where Al Qaeda and associated groups have a significant presence, while the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) also appears to be staking a claim in the volatile region.
Reza Aslan. Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Turner

CNN has cut ties with host Reza Aslan after the religious scholar and host of the show Believer called President Trump a piece of shit in a tweet. Aslan fired off the insult in response to a tweet Trump sent after the most recent terror attack in London.

Aslan deleted the tweet and later apologized, writing that he should not have used profanity in his response to Trump. Still, he insisted that Trump lacked decorum and sympathy for the victims of the attack.

In a statement to Variety on Friday, CNN said it would not move forward with the second season of Believer, Aslans so-called spiritual adventures series.

Though the CNN statement didnt mention his tweet about Trump, Aslan acknowledged that his voice was at odds with the networks brand as an unbiased news outlet.

My statement about the cancellation of #Believer pic.twitter.com/ITtXAyQwd5  Reza Aslan (@rezaaslan) June 9, 2017

This is the second time in just a few weeks that CNN has dumped an on-air personality for being rude to Trump.
Trump and family at the October 2016 ribbon cutting for the Trump International Hotel in D.C. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The Justice Department has motioned to dismiss a lawsuit that accuses President Trump of violating the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution by continuing to own and earn profits from his businesses while in office. The lawsuit, filed days after Trumps inauguration by a legal watchdog group called Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), aims to force Trump to divest from his businesses by arguing that he is constitutionally forbidden from accepting money from foreign governments while serving as president. A group representing hospitality businesses in New York and Washington, D.C., later joined the lawsuit, which also seeks to obtain Trumps financial records, including his long-awaited tax returns.

The president did not divest himself from his businesses after being elected, instead retaining ownership of the Trump Organization while leaving his adult sons in charge of running the business. Trump originally promised that the Trump Organization would not make any new business deals outside the U.S. and that it would forfeit any profits made from business with foreign governments. Trump promises a lot of things, however, and the details of how the annual profit forfeiture would actually happen didnt even emerge until last month. Per a Trump Organization flyer, the company said it will donate profits from foreign-government business to the U.S. Treasury, but will only estimate how much of that business it does and only calculate the amount using obvious payments from foreign governments since it will not seek to identify businesses or individuals affiliated with foreign governments. In other words, Trumps pledge to donate his companys profits from its dealings with foreign governments will not be adhered to by the Trump Organization in any realistically thorough way, and the Justice Department is now arguing that the president shouldnt even have to worry about that, anyway.

Countries like Saudi Arabia and Turkey have already paid for state-sponsored events at Trumps Washington, D.C., hotel since he became president; and right after Trump was elected, some foreign diplomats seemed to wholeheartedly believe that shifting their business to Trump properties would be beneficial to them in their future dealings with the Trump administration.

Turkish businessman Ekim Alptekin, who paid President Trumps former national security adviser Michael Flynn more than $500,000 in 2016 to lobby on behalf of Turkish interests, spoke at the 36th Annual Conference on U.S. Turkey Relations at the Trump International Hotel in D.C. last month. Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The emoluments clause, which was originally adopted to prevent U.S. ambassadors from being corrupted by foreign governments, bars holders of federal office from accepting gifts from foreign states, but it has never been the focus of a major court case. As Bloomberg points out, in addition to the fact that presidents arent subject to the same ethics laws as other federal officials, its also not clear that the clause even applies to presidents in the first place.

Nevertheless, Justice Department lawyers are now trying to get the CREW lawsuit thrown out for a variety of reasons, arguing that the emoluments clause does not apply to the money paid to Trump businesses from foreign governments for things like accommodations or event hosting at one of the Trump familys hotels, office rent, or membership fees at Trump-owned resorts. The clause was not designed to apply to fair-market commercial transactions that a President (or other federal official) may engage in as an ordinary citizen through his business enterprises, the DOJ lawyers are contending. Neither the text nor the history of the Clauses shows that they were intended to reach benefits arising from a Presidents private business pursuits having nothing to do with his office or personal service to a foreign power, they added, insisting that the payments are not gifts or economic benefits to the president, either.

They additionally cited the business dealings of early American presidents as precedent, arguing that around the time of the countrys founding, federal officials were allowed to continue their private businesses, and that even George Washington sold crops to foreign countries, yet there is no evidence of these presidents taking any steps to ensure that they were not transacting business with a foreign or domestic government instrumentality.

The DOJ also tried to make the case that CREWs claim of injury is unjustified, that the claims of the hospitality businesses who say they are being negatively affected by Trumps continued ownership of his company are insufficient, and that neither have the standing to bring the case against Trump, since even if his continued ownership of his businesses is illegal, only Congress should be able to determine that  not the courts. Furthermore, the Justice Department claims, the proposed injunction would violate the separation of powers, since dealing with the suit would impede the presidents ability to perform his duties, and such an impairment cannot be forced upon one branch of the government by another.

In the meantime, CREW has vowed to carry on. Its clear from the governments response that they dont believe anyone can go to court to stop the president from systematically violating the constitution, the group responded on Friday, declaring, We heartily disagree and look forward to our day in court.
Make American Diplomats Sweat Again. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

On Monday, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates launched a blockade of Qatar, on the grounds that Doha funds terrorist groups in the Middle East. In truth, the Saudi-organized blockade is rooted in a long-standing regional rivalry with Qatar, and resentment of Dohas occasional openness to engaging with Iran. (The Saudis are, themselves, prolific exporters of Islamic extremism.)

The blockade was terrible news for the region, presenting the area with what may be its biggest diplomatic crisis since the 1991 Gulf War. And it was bad news for the United States, which runs its air operations over Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Afghanistan from a giant military base outside Doha.

But it was very good news for Donald Trump. At least, in Donald Trumps view.

The president had traveled to Saudi Arabia last month with the goals of securing a lucrative arms sale for Americas weapons manufacturers, and winning a commitment from the leaders of the Arab World to cease abetting Islamic extremism.

Or, more precisely: Trump went to Riyadh with the goal of appearing to do those things. The presidents disinterest in actually cracking down on state sponsors of terrorism was reflected in his silence about the Saudis role in financing the spread of Wahhabism. And his contentment to project the appearance of a diplomatic breakthrough over an actual one was confirmed by the ersatz nature of his $110 billion arms deal.

So, when Saudi Arabia took aggressive action  in the name of combating extremism  the president welcomed the opportunity to declare mission accomplished.

So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off. They said they would take a hard line on funding...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 6, 2017

...extremism, and all reference was pointing to Qatar. Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 6, 2017

This represented a radical break with the administrations initial line on the crisis. Shortly after the blockade was announced, the U.S. ambassador to Qatar rallied to Dohas defense, highlighting Americas past praise for Qatars efforts in combatting terrorism.

One day before Trumps tweets, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson encouraged the parties to sit down and address these differences, in a speech in Australia.

After Trump unilaterally abandoned Americas alliance with Qatar over Twitter, U.S. diplomats scrambled to set things right. Meanwhile, some White House sources whispered to the press that Trump had literally no clue what was at stake when he posted his tweets.

MSNBC reporting White House sources says Trump "may not have known" the US has troops based in Qatar.  Simon Marks (@SimonMarksFSN) June 8, 2017

On Friday afternoon, Tillerson implored the Gulf states to immediately take steps to de-escalate the situation and put forth a good faith effort to resolve the grievances they have with each other. He argued that the blockade must be lifted, as it undermined American military efforts and human rights.

At a press conference one hour later, Trump declined to condemn the blockade, saving his fire for Qatar, instead.

Pres. Trump says he decided along with Sec. of State Tillerson "the time had come to call on Qatar to end its funding" of terrorism. pic.twitter.com/RkBDn8o2Px  ABC News (@ABC) June 9, 2017

The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has been a funder of terrorism at a very high level, the president said. Ive decided, along with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, our great generals, and military people, the time has come to call on Qatar to end its funding. They have to end that funding. And its extremist ideology in terms of funding.

By all appearances, Trump did not decide this with Tillerson.
Lol at Jeffrey Lord still having a job tho....

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ikr

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for real

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ugh, dan egan, that pretty bastard

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bae

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God he's pretty

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pretty

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Honestly. He's such a troglodyte.

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This is insane. This is the nicest possible thing he could have called him. https://t.co/I6XKnHI99m  Timothy Simons (@timothycsimons) June 9, 2017



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lmao I love him

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Goddamn I love the man behind Jon H Ryan.

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lol

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I'm getting so tired of coddling to right wing pissbabies over every fucking thing. Fuck Donnie, hope his greasy little heart pops soon 

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mte karl

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Bullshit Man!!!!! Omg I can't believe you used a Karl GIF!!!!! I wish they were still don't podcasts :(

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Bullshit Man would be so exhausted with Trump alone

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Now I want to hear what Karl has to say about Trump.

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Karl is exactly the type of person to vote for Trump - selfish little englander, not very smart and proud of it, suspicious of experts and facts, I mean the list goes on

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non-American here to say that US news stations are the weirdest fucking thing to me, like how is Fox News allowed to be a thing (hypothetical question, y'all don't have to tell me about all the fucked up old ppl/religious nuts you know from your time spent growing up in Florida)

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non-american as well, and US news media (like US politics) is fucking insane.

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we have freedom of speech as well (but we have apparently not as much freedom when it comes to hate speech, which i think is actually a good thing)but our news programms are not half as crazy as some of yours. and there is way less fear mongering i've found. what is it that makes americans always take it to a new level when it comes to crazy?

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Excuse you, south Florida is perfectly normal.

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I grew up in liberalland and I still don't understand how people lick up fox's shit.



Not my kink, not my president

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American/U.S.A. culture when it comes to news, politics, religion, sex, celebs and the like just handle things vastly different than the rest of the world. It's hard to explain why w/o doing an indepth study in American history and culture and the laws.

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also not american and ia. it seems like literal fear-mongering 24/7??? like no wonder yall are afraid of everything

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In yet one more way he fucked over this country, Reagan got rid of it. Crazy right-wing talk radio/Fox News/etc. weren't a thing until the 90s. They owe their existence like, 50% due to the elimination of that law and 50% to how changes in the media landscape have increasingly allowed audiences to self-segregate into their ideological echo chambers. It actually used to not be a thing! Up through the late 80s, we had a law called the Fairness Doctrine which forced news stations to present controversial issues in a balanced way.In yet one more way he fucked over this country, Reagan got rid of it. Crazy right-wing talk radio/Fox News/etc. weren't a thing until the 90s. They owe their existence like, 50% due to the elimination of that law and 50% to how changes in the media landscape have increasingly allowed audiences to self-segregate into their ideological echo chambers.

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(I know you didn't want an actual answer but) there used to be an FCC rule called The Fairness Doctrine that required broadcasters to present controversial issues in a way that was truly honest and balanced. It was eliminated in the 80s by pressure from - you guessed it - Reagan. After broadcasters weren't required to give the news in a way that truly informed the public, they could start presenting the news in a way that favored a particular bias or ideology. This point in American history is where the political parties start to get really vitriolic and spiky, I guess for lack of a better word. Extremely divided against each other to the point of making compromise near impossible. Leave that situation to stew and thicken for thirty years and you have a generation that experienced extremetization as they aged and a generation that's never known anything different.

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Also non-US person here co-signing your confusion. The US has lost its crown as THE global juggernaut because it's scared the crown right off its own head.

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they're not really news shows but more entertainment shows. They have loud/modern theme songs and the news anchors have to be some what attractive. A lot of them haven't even studied journalism and are their through connections, like Anderson Cooper who is a failed CIA agent & from a wealthy/famous family

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CNN ia a hot damn mess. they still have jeffrey lord, jack kingston, and other insane trump cult members on their payroll who stay saying insane and way more offensive shit. like everyone says how crappy CNN is and they continue to stay crappy. mess

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"name spelled like a Mormon" the most accurate thing ever.

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These media orgs think they need to showcase ~diverse~ viewpoints even though some viewpoints add no fucking value to the conversation. I'm so sick of it!

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I believe Jack Kingston had a tweet from April where a country in Asia outlawed using dog or cat meat and he goes "But, how will the egg rolls taste?" like...I can't.

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CNN annoys me because there's times where they embrace being a "liberal network" but then it's like it'll hit them that they have to be "fair and balanced" and they'll do random shit to try to overly prove they're "in the middle" but as someone who watches CNN a lot they lean left, i wish they'd just embrace it tbh it's so annoying and contrived when they try to pretend to not tilt to any side

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That this is Brian Stelter's response is so pathetic to me. CNN had Lewandowski on their payroll and Lord but calling Trump a POS is apparently worse than assault or being racist? Fuck CNN and anyone who works for them tbh. They're a stain on society just like Fox News is and a lot of other outlets. America and the world is worse off because of people like Ailes (I hope your ass is in hell tbh), Murdoch and Zucker. They celebrate and reward the worst of society. They reward racism. They reward obnoxiousness.



Did they call Obama a P.O.S.?  Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 9, 2017





Not only does the right get away with so much shit but the media allows them to. If a Dem acted like Trump or Gianforte they'd be out of a job immediately.



I know a lot of people here have probably watched this already but if not please watch it. It's important.



CNN's approach to covering politics prioritizes drama and spectacle over truth telling. pic.twitter.com/5cw6zjKPtj  Vox (@voxdotcom) April 17, 2017

I was just talking about this in ffao and was so annoyed.That this is Brian Stelter's response is so pathetic to me. CNN had Lewandowski on their payroll and Lord but calling Trump a POS is apparently worse than assault or being racist? Fuck CNN and anyone who works for them tbh. They're a stain on society just like Fox News is and a lot of other outlets. America and the world is worse off because of people like Ailes (I hope your ass is in hell tbh), Murdoch and Zucker. They celebrate and reward the worst of society. They reward racism. They reward obnoxiousness.Not only does the right get away with so much shit but the media allows them to. If a Dem acted like Trump or Gianforte they'd be out of a job immediately.I know a lot of people here have probably watched this already but if not please watch it. It's important.

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Yes, anytime I've watched CNN it reminds me of ESPN and I'm like this is not how they should be treating serious subjects.



IA about Alies, I hope there's a hell so and that he's in it.

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This is so true. It's pathetic.

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i swear don lemon's panel legit turn into real housewives of wherever. like just shouting all over each other O.o



this is why trump is president. news shows turns to entertainment

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I haven't seen it but this is great. Having an opinion does not a journalist make.

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That was very well done and informative, thank you for sharing, bb.



And that's one of the reasons I stopped watching CNN for anything news related beyond snippets and clips.

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Time to boycott CNN. But really, wtf is with them having to give a platform to these lying right wing nut jobs who I'm sure have said much worse. I really do want to boycott their shitty network.

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it's been way past the time to boycott them sis

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i knew they werent shit/have been angry with them since they got the wrong dude during the boston bombing

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Is CNN owned by a Trump supporter?

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It's run by Jeff Zucker, whose claim to fame is destroying NBC.

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Ted Turner was ousted 17 years ago and it's been downhill ever since





And if you're worse than the guy who wanted to colorize old Hollywood movies, you should be ashamed. But I doubt they're capable

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cnn: where trump surrogates can say whatever lie and awful shit that they want but anti-dumpsters lose their job.

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Fabulous icon.

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I think in the U.S. it's difficult because you have so much disinformation and a glorifying angle to keep people stupid like there's a clip of 45 saying that if he ever ran, he'd run as a Republican bc the voters are stupid and if you showed it to a Con. they'd bring up Liberals. At least with Brexit, you had some people voting on "NHS would get 350 MILLION A WEEK" and they told the voters the next DAY, "yeah, that's not true." Here they told people they would take Obamacare away and people said, "I'm good because I have ACA and not OBAMACARE!" because of that disinformation.

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The British election was so refreshing to follow.

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I was very 2000and late and I finally watched it earlier this week. loved it, def lived up to the hype. who knew Allison Williams could act (maybe that's why I hated Marnie so much???)

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i just saw it last night so i'm like 1999 and late

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Lol same here. It was good and I'm glad I decided to make time for it.

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I'm actually watching it right now and I'm just looking at everything and getting upset.

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i finally got to see this last night!

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What's the alternative ending?

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yeah same here. i just needed them to win and to end on a positive note lol

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Yeah, the ending that they went with was absolutely perfect and considering the timing of when the movie came out, it was the ending I needed.

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I agree completely. There are so many little details that don't stand out initially that make perfect sense after you watch the whole thing.

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yeah he really paid attention to details and it shows, especially when rewatching it.

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i'm normally too chicken for horror movies but i am glad i saw this in the theatre. it was so great watching it with an audience and the movie was so well made. the best friend who worked at tsa was the true mvp of this movie. i'm glad they went with the ending in the final cut because i don't think i could've handled it any other way.



also it was a last minute decision to watch this movie and my friend who doesn't go to movies often was so grateful that i suggested that one afterwards because she was like that is the best movie i've seen in a long time! and then she proceeded to spam my phone with pictures of the lead actor for a week afterwards (not that i was complaining lol)



Edited at 2017-06-10 07:50 pm (UTC)

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23 minutes? Never mind. But damn, that Rutherford piece.

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Deleting the first scene was smart. People love to defend evil white characters. Tumblr would have been full of "but it's Rose's fault! She was forced to!" and that would have completely ruined the movie.

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all you have to do is look at tvtropes tbh. they're still on the WHAT IF THE KIDS WERE INNOCENT??!?!?! train

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Yeah, it would've thrown off many peoples understanding of Rose and the twist at the end.

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A car just ran into a crowd of people in Amsterdam. Not sure if it was an accident or not

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from what i've read, it was drug/gang related

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Mmhhh yeah it was weird cause he went into pedestrian. Might have been high so... since it was a French car everyone was like yep must be a terrorist. I was across the road when it happened

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Mmhhh yeah it was weird cause he went into pedestrian. Might have been high so... since it was a French car everyone was like yep must be a terrorist. I was across the road when it happened

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Oh God

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This just reiterates what a brilliant filmmaker Jordan Peele is - he knew when to make the right cuts and every single one of these - the film really is better for not having them because they either distracted or diminished tension. I can't wait for his next film. Also he better get some Oscar nominations, I can't tell you the last film where every single beat hit just right like that.



Also maybe this is just because I'm Australian and there's a volleyball court every five fucking feet so we always play with that net so that game seemed like adults playing with a child badminton set.

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mte, this is exactly what I was going to say. He has a great eye for what to cut and what to keep. A lot of directors cannot do that.

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Still waiting on Amazon to drop the price to 14.99 so I can buy it. #cheap

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ugh they have this one trailer I saw that showed (I'm guessing) Andre trying to run from Jeremy but Jeremy hits him with like a stun gun (again, guessing). idk because it goes so fast so I was hoping that was a deleted scene.

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the only crit i have for the movie is that the character of the brother seems sort of useless and OTT. i wish they told caleb to dial it back a tiny bit or maybe we knew a bit more about him



i love hearing how he described the party scene to the background actors.



also trailer companies not listening to the director? they kept the deer in even though he said no. hes right that it doesn't really look good, but i guess i can see how its effective in a trailer



Edited at 2017-06-10 08:10 pm (UTC)

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Hmm yeah the brother was a weak point now that you mention it

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I guess it attracted a certain audience but personally, the trailer really diminished my interest in the film. The trailer to me was insidious-y and I love insidious but I don't want to see another movie like it, you know? The trailer made it look weird. I saw it opening night anyway and *LOVED* it but I went back and watched the trailer again afterwards and I still don't think it portrayed the feel of the movie at all.

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Okay that "....................NO MORE WHITE GIRLS FOR YOU!" was amazing. I get why it was cut but holy shit.

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I liked the trump line too haha. He definitely kept the right take but I liked most of the alternatives.

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someone explain something to me though - so the old white people were putting themselves into the bodies of black people to live forever/live in a better body, yeah? like the landscaper was her grandfather, the maid her grandmother... but like what sort of life because the grandfather/landscaper was essentially a zombie and only got to run around at night so what sort of life is that.



or is the assumption was it was that way solely because of the boyfriend visiting and otherwise, they're having a grand old time?

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i think it's the latter - they were acting weird with him around but otherwise they act normal

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No, he wasn't a zombie. I think they only front as their gardener and maid, when in reality they probably live just like the parents when a mark isn't staying at their place. Also, maybe it's just me, but I remember my grandma always doing laundry and my grandfather always doing yardwork. They probably like that now they are in new, youthful bodies they can do those chores again and be useful around the house.



They only seem awkward and weird and like zombies because of how they talk, but it actually isn't all that weird. they're just talking like how an old 80+ WASP type would. Their odd speech patterns are highlighted by the slang they use, and it seems weird when coming from the mouths of relatively young/middle aged black people.

Imagine an old white person saying their lines and it isn't weird or creepy at all.



The grandfather was running around at night as a form of exercise, he was beaten by Jesse Owens in the olympic qualifiers and never got over it. Now that he is in the body of a black man he can train, because in his eyes the only reason he lost was because Jesse had the superior genetics.

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i love this movie and i love it even more after it inspired the get out challenge which KILLS ME every time i watch a single video

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Shell lifts force majeure on Forcados oil in Nigeria

Royal Dutch Shell (ticker: RDSA) lifted force majeure on exports of Nigerias Forcados oil grade, returning about 250 MBOPD to world markets, according to shipment data obtained by Bloomberg. Europes largest oil company placed the crude grade under force majeure  meaning the company could miss contractual obligations due to circumstances outside of its control  more than a year ago after repeated attacks on infrastructure by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

The NDA militia attacked a number of oil and gas pipelines in Nigeria in an attempt to undermine the presidential administration. The attacks dropped the countrys oil output by 1 MMBOPD to just 0.8 MMBOPD in June of last year.

Ready to put about 20 percent of the OPEC cut production back into global oil supply

The persistent attacks on the countrys oil and gas industry were part of the reason OPEC decided to exempt Nigeria from its production cuts at the end of 2016, and again when the deal was extended last month. With the end of Shells force majeure, however, Nigeria stands ready to add roughly 20 percent of the barrels OPEC is trying to cut back into the market.

The market is already drowning in similar types of crude to the Forcados grade, said Ehsan Ul-Haq, an oil analyst at KBC Advanced Technologies. The return of the grade will only add to that, he said.

Forcados exports will increase Nigerias output more than 10 percent

Before force majeure was declared on the crude grade, Forcados was the single largest crude type produced by Nigeria. The country produced about 200 MBOPD of Forcados in 2015 before the NDA stepped up attacks. The scheduled cargoes for June will make volumes of Forcados the second-largest crude grade to be exported by Nigeria, according to loading data.

The ultimate effect will be Nigerias output increasing more than 10 percent to above 2 MMBOPD.

The increased output from Nigeria represent new problems for OPEC as well. Nigeria and Libya are both free from the output restrictions the rest of the group has imposed on themselves, but the twos success in getting new production to market is undercutting the larger groups agreement.

OPEC production rose in May to 32.2 MMBOPD, up 0.3 MMBOPD from the previous month, according to a Bloomberg survey. Libya and Nigeria contributed the majority of those gains while the 11 members that agreed to production cuts continue to be fully compliant with their pledges. Related: Is Russia Running Out Of Patience With OPEC?

The added supply from the exempt members of OPEC left the group roughly 44 percent short of its production cut goals in May, compared to 10 percent shy in April. Already markets are expecting more from OPEC before prices start to rise again, and the added pressure coming from OPECs exempt members appears to be undercutting the group further.

The U.S. is importing light crudes in increasing amounts from Nigeria

For its own part, the United States has been importing a greater amount of light crude from Nigeria. Imports of light crude grades from Nigeria to the U.S. spiked in 2016, according to data from the EIA.

(Click to enlarge)



Historically, U.S. imports of Nigerian crude oil have been much higher than they were in 2016. Imports fell from about 375 MBO in 2011 to about 25 MBO in 2014 as the U.S. shale revolution picked up steam.

(Click to enlarge)



By Oil and Gas 360

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Mexico City is making moves to secure its annual oil price hedging program, according to sources familiar with the process who spoke to Bloomberg.

A finance team has begun to ask Wall Street banks for final rates on put options that will lock in oil prices for 2018 via the New York investment communitys largest annual oil deal. The government then has the option to sell oil at the price determined in the contract, or the higher rate determined by market supply and demand.

The Mexican Finance Ministry declined to comment on the inquiries, which began late last week, sources said. The agency predicted an average oil price for local crude of $42 for 2017 and $46 for 2018. The January 2017 price for Mayan crude for the U.S. was $45.75 a barrel.

For 2017, the countrys hedging scheme has guaranteed an average barrel price of $38, though in the first five months of this year, Mexican oil sold for $44 a unit. PEMEXs separate hedging program becomes useful when prices drop below $42 a barrel. The Mexican government made a record $6.4 billion off of its hedge in 2015, the first year of the oil price crash.

The programs success has encouraged other countries to follow suit. Top Iraqi oil marketer Falah Al Amri suggested last month that Iraq is interested in creating an oil price hedging program that would lock in prices for future trades well in advancejust like Mexicos existing strategy, but almost twice as large in size.

We will not rush. This is a long process, SOMO chief Al Amri said. We must make sure we do not lose money. You know the Iraqi parliament, it would not accept that.

Iraq is currently building a plan for its own program by sending officials over to countries who have successfully executed similar strategies in the past, Al Amri told reporters.

By Zainab Calcuttawala for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Pakistan became member of SCO 10 June, 2017



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Woke Bingo Pakistan on Friday became a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in his inaugural speech during the 17th SCO summit welcomed Pakistan as full member of the organisation. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, addressing the summit, said, "The SCO goals resonate with Pakistan's national ethos, and so do the core values of the Shanghai spirit and the SCO charter with our own quest for peaceful neighbourhood." "As leaders, we should leave a legacy of peace and amity for our future generations, not a toxic harvest of conflict and animosity. Instead of talking about counter-weights and containment, let us create shared spaces for all," PM Nawaz urged SCO heads of state. The PM congratulated India, which also became a full member of the SCO today. He added that in the coming decades, the SCO, which has emerged as a 'sheet anchor' for regional stability would serve as a strong link between Asia Pacific, East Asia, West Asia and the Atlantic region. "It is destined to become a cornerstone of global politics and economics, with economics gaining primacy," PM Nawaz said. "The SCO gives us a powerful platform for partnerships to promote peace, build trust and spur economic development for shared prosperity." "Moreover, it helps us all combat terrorism, reduce arms race, eliminate poverty... deal with natural disasters, tackle climate change and assure water security," he added. Expansion of the SCO has taken place at an 'opportune time', Nawaz said, as China's 'One Belt, One Road' (OBOR) initiative has transformed the global economic landscape. "In Pakistan, we are diligently implementing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is a flag of the OBOR," the PM said. "What is more, these megaprojects will benefit the entire SCO community." Pakistan, which has been an observer at the SCO since 2005, applied for a permanent membership in 2010. The decision to grant Pakistan membership was made by the SCO Heads of States in a meeting held in Ufa, Russia, in 2015. Founded in 2001, the SCO is comprised of six member states, mainly focusing on military cooperation between the members which involves intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism operations in Central Asia. Pakistan and India  who until now had been observers  have become the first nations to be inducted as members since the formation of the organisation. PM Nawaz attended the summit along with a delegation comprising Adviser to the PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan and Minister of State for Petroleum Jam Kamal. PM meets Afghan president Earlier today, PM Nawaz met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of the SCO, Radio Pakistan reported. Both leaders discussed bilateral ties during their meeting which comes days after Ghani at the Kabul Process lashed out at Pakistan, accusing it of waging an "undeclared war of aggression" against Afghanistan. Earlier, PM Nawaz exchanged pleasantries with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in their first meeting since 2015, when Modi stopped by Lahore on a 'surprise visit' to meet the premier on his birthday. UN Secretary General felicitates Pakistan United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres congratulated Pakistan for attaining a membership in the SCO during his meeting on the sidelines with Sharif, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, Guterres lauded Pakistan's role in the international community and for playing an important part in the UN. The Foreign Office said the two discussed issues on bilateral, regional and international levels, where the PM asserted that Pakistan believed in "building cooperative and stronger relationships with other members of the international community". Sharif said there were "legitimate expectations" for the UN to play its role in the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue and other global challenges. The premier supported the secretary general's call for cooperation in advancing peace by resolving disputes through dialogue and negotiations, agreeing that success in conflict prevention and resolution could only be achieved via talks. Appreciating the country's role in the international community, the UN chief appreciated Pakistan for hosting Aghan refugees for the past 37 years, the press release said. The two discussed matters of mutual interest between the two countries and cooperation in different areas. Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir were also present at the meeting. Modi meets Xi Indian PM Modi today met China's Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit, Times of India reported. During the meeting, Modi thanked the Chinese president for supporting India's bid for full membership of the SCO. "I am grateful to you for your efforts and support for India's SCO membership," ToI quoted Modi saying to Jinping. "Met President Xi Jinping. We spoke about India-China relations and how to further improve ties," Modi tweeted after the meeting. The meeting between the two leaders comes weeks after India made the decision not to send an official delegation to the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing where Jinping hosted dozens of world leaders senior officials, touting his vision of a new Silk Road that opens trade routes across the globe. India has criticised China's global initiative and warned of an unsustainable debt burden for countries involved. India has also remained incensed that the CPEC  one of the key OBOR projects  passes through Kashmir and Pakistan, claiming that it is a violation of India's territorial integrity.
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About Censored News Censored News is published by Brenda Norrell. Since 2006, Censored News has received more than 20 million pageviews. As a collective of writers, photographers and broadcasters, we publish news of Indigenous Peoples and human rights. Contact publisher Brenda Norrell: brendanorrell@gmail.com

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The 27-year old widow and the two children of the late Major Maxwell Mahama would have to vacate their bungalow at Burma Camp after the burial of their husband and father.



This, according to Peoples National Convention (PNC) Chairman, Bernard Mornah forms part of the arrangements in the military after a soldier dies in the course of duty.



The family was being accommodated at Burma Camp because their husband and father was a serving military man but now that he is no more, the family would have to vacate the residence after the funeral, Bernard Mornah said.



Major Mahama was lynched by some residents of Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region after they mistook him for an armed robber. Videos and pictures of the gruesome murder of the later Major Maxwell Mahama went viral on social and mainstream media with the country condemning his killers. More than forty persons including six females have so far being arrested in connection with the murder and have been remanded into prison custodies in Accra and Cape Coast.



The former Military Captain who was promoted to the rank of Major by President Akufo-Addo during his visit to the widow and the dejected family is set to be buried on Friday, 9th July, 2017.



Bernard Mornah speaking on Adom FM Thursday said that the family would have to vacate the bungalow after the burial of the deceased. The reason, he said, is that a different soldier will have to occupy the bungalow since the family would not qualify for residence again because Maxwell Mahama is no longer a soldier.



As a solution, Bernard Mornah suggested that some part of the Trust Fund set up for the family should be used to acquire accommodation to resettle the family.



Maxwell Mahamas family will no longer be entertained at Burma Camp after the burial because he is no longer a soldierit would therefore be logical that part of the money will be used to acquire a place of residence for them and the rest go into investment, a place for them to lay their head is an immediate need, he suggested.



The PNC National Chairman also entreated those who made a promise to care for the family to make good their promises as the society is noted for neglecting the family of the deceased after final funeral rites are performed.



I hope the pledges to take care of the families would be backed by works and not mere rhetoric, he said.







Source: adomonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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THE country is not affected by South Africa and Botswana Governments' decision to ban Zimbabwean chicken products as the country hardly exports poultry produce, players in the industry have said.The two neighbouring countries effected the ban this week following an outbreak of bird flu in the country.The bird flu was detected at Irvine's Private Limited last week forcing the Government to quarantine the company's white meat and egg sub-sector to curb the spread of the deadly flu.The highly pathogenic virus killed 7 000 birds and the company had to depopulate by slaughtering an additional 140 000 birds to prevent the spread of the disease.Avian influenza is fatal with nearly a 70 percent death rate but the disease seems not to affect humans.As news broke about the outbreak of H5N8 flu, the country's neighbours quickly moved to ban the importation of Zimbabwe's poultry products. However, Zimbabwe Poultry Farmers Association (ZPFA) chairman Retired Colonel George Nare said the industry is unfazed by the neighbouring countries' restrictions."Apparently, we are importing more chicken from South Africa. I don't believe we are exporting chicken to South Africa and Botswana. Remember even the duty was increased to protect the local poultry industry," he said.Local producers of chicken and chicken products are failing to meet local demand and as such are not exporting.Rtd Col Nare said the bird flu situation was under control and has not been recorded anywhere else besides Irvine's Private Limited. "As an association, regionally we have not experienced its threats. We believe that we are a bird flu free zone and none of our members have reported any case and even the veterinary officers have not brought it to our attention," he said.Rtd Col Nare however said they were closely monitoring the situation and were in constant communication with Government officials.South Africa's department of Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries and Veterinary Services released a statement stating that they have suspended licences for those importing chicken from Zimbabwe."South Africa imports very little products from Zimbabwe, all importers were notified that their import permits or any permits which had not been used should be returned to the department with immediate effect," read the Ministry's statement.Botswana government also said the importation of domesticated and wild birds, their products (meat, feathers etc) and poultry feed from Zimbabwe is banned with immediate effect.The Government has urged poultry farmers to enhance their bio-security measures to promote tight and continuous separation from wild birds, while the exact source, thought to be wild ducks and geese in a nearby water body, is being investigated.
Opinion / Columnist

Gilbert O'Neil Mushure

A Zimbabwean Academic who is an expert on field of Management.

Mashonaland should be renamed Northern Region, Matabeland renamed Southern Region and Manicaland Eastern Region. Provinces named after tribes will not unite Zimbabwe in any way. They only make the idea of imaginary divisions stronger.The modern economy knows no tribe. Business is business no matter what tribe one originates from. Consider the case of the industrialized world. Industrialized nations growth was spurred by attracting the best people from around the world to become cogs in the fast paced machinery of rapid advancement these countries embarked upon. I say embarked upon because often there is a misconception that industrialization just happened by accident in these countries - but that is not the case. Development was a result of an intentional effort by organized society to advance to a higher level of advancement economically, technologically, socially, and politically. Advancement never occurs by chance - it requires effort. If advancement occured by chance the poverty stricken backwaters of Singapore in the 1950s would still be waiting for that chance today. If advancement occured by chance maybe the Democratic Republic of Congo would be the richest nation on Earth because of its mineral resources.Another misconception is that there was no 'diversity' in industrialized nations until non-caucasian races were introduced. There was a lot of diversity in Europe and America from very early on as communities were made up of the English, Scots, Irish, French, Germans, Italians, Dutch, Norwegians, and even the Greeks from their far flung corner of Europe. European and American cities were a melting pot of diversity.Today within the burgeoning nationhood of Zimbabwe it is commendable that a foundation for national unity was laid by President Robert Mugabe and Vice -President Joshua Nkomo. In many cities and towns of Zimbabwe we hear no tribe and speak no tribe - we hear and speak as one people in any language we choose to communicate with each other. However the melting pot is not hot enough! Why must provinces be named after one tribe or another? The names of Mashonaland Province, Matebeleland Province and Manicaland Province only serve to develop a mental frame of imaginary divisions which do not exist at all in Zimbabwe. Furthermore these names were only colonialists idea to tell one natives place of origin from anothers. There was no Mashonaland, Matebeleland or Manicaland until those without knees arrived - vasina mabvi vakarehwa! What existed were real names of places based on a peculiar geographic feature, nature or the name of a chief. There was no Mashonaland but there was 'Nharira', 'Mhondoro', no Manicaland but 'Marange' and 'Chipinge'.In this modern day Zimbabwe there is a need to reconsider naming Mashonaland Province Northern Province, Matebeleland Province Southern Province and Manicaland Eastern Province. This cause will unite the people of Zimbabwe and foster the diversity of interactions which create an advanced society. The path to industrialization needs intentional effort to advance. Creating richer Zimbabwean communities is one of many such intentional efforts to advance our nation to a higher level.
Christian Medical College, Vellore UG Admissions 2022 https://career.webindia123.com/career/dates_and_events/entrance/medi/christian-medical-college-vellore-mbbs-admissions.htm Details of Christian Medical College, Vellore UG Admissions 2022 2022-6-10 2022-6-8 https://career.webindia123.com/career/images/exams.png India India Christian Medical College, Vellore UG Admissions 2022 Medical

Christian Medical College, Vellore Summer Admissions 2022

Christian Medical College, Vellore UG Admissions 2022 Category : Medical Admissions 2022 Published : On June 10, 2022 By Webindia123 Editor

Important Dates

Online application start date 2nd May 2022 Last Date for submission of online applications with payment 3rd June 2022 Last Date for submission of supporting documents (where applicable) 8th June 2022 Last Date for submission of NEET (UG)-2020 score To be Announced Entrance Examination for Group A Courses

(BSc Nursing, Allied Health Sciences (AHS ) Degree courses) - Entrance Examination for Group B Courses

(Diploma Nursing, AHS Diploma courses, MPH and MSc courses) -

All courses and admissions to our College are subject to applicable regulations by University / Government / Medical Council of India.

$ Please keep checking our website for updates regarding the selection processes & schedule for MBBS admissions. All candidates applying to CMC Vellore for MBBS are also advised to apply for MBBS admission through the counseling process of the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Courses

Group A Courses

(MBBS, BSc Nursing, Allied Health Sciences (AHS ) Degree courses)

Group B Courses

(Diploma Nursing, AHS Diploma courses, MPH and MSc courses)

Eligibility

MBBS

All candidates should have obtained a minimum of marks at 50th percentile in the Undergraduate NEET 2022 examination (40th percentile for candidates applying for seats in the SC/ST quota). As per TN Government and University guidelines, a candidate for admission to the medical course must have

passed in the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology and English individually and must have obtained a minimum of 50% marks taken together in Physics, Chemistry and Biology (or Botany and Zoology taken together)/Bio-technology at the qualifying exam (40% aggregate for BC, MBC, SC/ST candidates). BC/MBC/de-notified community/SC/ST are as defined by the Government of India or any of the States/UTs Govt; all rules are subject to change as per TN Government & University guidelines. Please refer to the latest regulations on the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University website

http://www.tnmgrmu.ac.in/.

Duration : 4 years 6 months + 1 year internship

B.Sc. Nursing

Candidates should have passed the qualifying examination after a period of 12 years in the subjects of Physics, Chemistry Biology (Botany & Zoology) and English. She must have obtained a minimum of 45% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology (Botany and Zoology) and English individually at the qualifying examination from any recognized board. Only unmarried women candidates are eligible to apply.

Duration :4 yrs + (1yr Junior Staff Nurse)

BOT, BPT, B.Sc. MLT

Candidates should have a pass in English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology pass mark as 35% each in Physics, Chemistry & Biology / Botany & Zoology

How to apply

Applications can be accessed only online at http://admissions.cmcvellore.ac.in.

The application fee includes a basic administrative fee of Rs.800 plus a registration fee per course applied.

The registration fee per course is given below:

Group A courses: MBBS, BSc (Nursing) & AHS Degree Courses  Rs. 500/- per course

Group B courses: Diploma in Nursing and other AHS diplomas / Fellowships  Rs.100/- per course MPH and MSc courses - Rs. 500/- per course

Selection Process

For the Christian Medical College more than a century old, unaided, Christian minority, non-capitation fee institution, to ascertain the suitability of NEET eligible candidates for undergoing the MBBS course, assessing their general ability viz. their aptitude and analytical skills, is an extremely important facet which has helped the Institution to achieve its objectives to serve the needy even in areas where people have limited access to medical aid.

The assessment of a candidates general ability has been an integral part of the selection process in the Christian Medical College for more than 6 decades. The Institution wishes to make it clear that the assessment of the general ability of the candidate is not an admission test but is only to ensure that NEET qualified candidates seeking consideration for selection to Christian Medical College are suited to achieve the objectives of the Institution.

Consequently, all NEET qualified applicants will have to undergo an objective assessment of their general ability for which purpose a Computer Based Test, Step 1 - Aptitude assessment will be conducted. All NEET qualified applicants whose applications are in order and complete will be registered for Step 1  Aptitude assessment.

UG NEET 2019 Score Submission:

All registered applicants have to submit their UG NEET 2020 Score at our website, before the last date specified (Refer Section 1.1 Admission Time Table). Candidates will be short-listed for Step-2 at Vellore, based on NEET scores and Step 1 - Aptitude assessment test. Step 2 consists of special tests to assess the candidates character and suitability. Interviews also will form part of the assessment at this stage. All admissions are based on inter-se merit. The selection process / admission will be subject to any orders passed or that may be passed by the Government / University / Professional Councils.

All Group A/B Courses other than MBBS

All candidates whose applications are in order and complete will be registered. They will go through a competitive process comprising of a preliminary Computer Based Entrance Test (Step-1). Short-listed candidates will be invited for Step-2 which consists of special tests to assess the candidates character and aptitude. Interviews also will form part of the assessment at this stage. All admissions are based on interse merit. The College recognizes that merit is not merely academic merit but is, in addition, a collection of various other factors, which go towards suitability to pursue a professional career.

The selection process / admission will be subject to any orders passed or that may be passed by the Government / University / Professional Councils.

For more details visit institute website.

Contact Details Address : Christian Medical College

Vellore- 632 002 Phone : 0416- 228 4255 / 228 4495 Fax : 0416 - 2262788 Mobile : - E-mail : Contact I Website : admissions.cmcvellore.ac.in

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Earlier this week, UNWRA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees uncovered a tunnel belonging to Hamas underneath 2 elementary schools in Gaza

The tunnel passes underneath both the Maghazi Elementary Boys School and the Maghazi Preparatory Boys School.





The agency has filed a complaint with Hamas and has stated:

"It is unacceptable that students and staff are placed at risk in such a way," it said. "The construction and presence of tunnels under UN premises are incompatible with the respect of privileges and immunities owed to the United Nations under applicable international law, which provides that UN premises shall be inviolable. The sanctity and neutrality of UN premises must be preserved at all times."
The Quad-Cities Area Business Hall of Fame will become two stronger when Junior Achievement of the Heartland inducts the 2017 Class of Laureates in a ceremony Thursday.

This year's honorees include: Dr. V.R. Alla, president and CEO of the Quad-Cities Kidney Center and manager of Quad-Cities Nephrology Associates; and Kent Pilcher, president and owner of Estes Construction, Davenport.

"The Quad-Cities Area Business Hall of Fame celebrates local business heroes," said Barbara VenHorst, president of Junior Achievement, or JA, of the Heartland. "We are honored to recognize this year's honorees and share their inspiring stories with the community, and more importantly our students."

The Quad-Cities Area Business Hall of Fame event will be 5:30 p.m., Thursday, at Jumer's Casino & Hotel, Rock Island.

In 1990, JA launched the Hall of Fame to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of the Quad-Cities. More than 60 laureates have been inducted from across the Quad-City region. After a five-year hiatus, the program re-emerged in 2015.

Mike Vondran, JA's board chairman, said the event "gives us an opportunity to represent the best of the best in the Quad-City region."

The honorees "exemplify what JA hopes to inspire and teach in young people. They are great living examples of what hard work and community effort can provide," said Vondran, who credits his own entrepreneurial spirit to a nighttime JA program in Dubuque, Iowa. "JA was my eye-opener for the opportunities for a young person."

Hall of Fame laureates are selected for their entrepreneurial achievements, their adherence to the highest moral and ethical principles, and their demonstrated community involvement.

"They are real-life examples of how hard work and perseverance can lead to economic success," VenHorst said.

In addition to the laureates, JA also now recognizes a young entrepreneur and an outstanding JA volunteer. The 2017 Young Entrepreneur is Scott Schoonmaker, owner of StoJo Outdoor Services Inc., and the 2017 Outstanding JA Volunteer is Mary Maland, a retired Rock Island Arsenal employee.

Vondran said the selection can be difficult because "there are so many more." But the honorees are representative of all those business leaders, entrepreneurs and volunteers. The Hall of Fame allows JA's students "to witness the recognition of hard work," he said. "It shows them not only can you dedicate yourself to your career and the community, but at sometime, someone is going to say 'thank you.'"

The annual event also serves as a fundraiser for JA's mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.
Mary Maland does not count her time as a Junior Achievement volunteer in years served, hours spent in the classroom or even the number of JA students she's taught.

Instead, the retired Rock Island Arsenal employee measures her impact in the "ah-ha" moments she witnesses in the classroom. "It's just wonderful to go in the classroom with the students. It's interesting to watch the different ages when a 'light bulb' goes off and they say 'What do you mean I don't get to keep everything I earned?'"

But JA of the Heartland has been counting. Still in the classroom, Maland has been an active JA volunteer for 22 years, taught 82 programs to elementary and middle grades, and taught an estimated 1,700 students. For her dedication, Maland, of Moline, is the 2017 Outstanding JA Volunteer.

Maland, who retired after 42 years as a civilian employee with the Department of Defense, said JA's lesson on earning and saving money "is such a good message to get out there."

While humble about the honor, she loves those moments when kids she taught spot her in church or the grocery store and tell their parents she's "the JA Lady."

"I love the kindergarteners," said Maland, who still teaches Miss Laura Capin's third-grade class at Jane Addams Elementary School, Moline.

She began volunteering with JA before her only grandchild, Amber, was born. But then she taught Amber's class at Jane Addams up through 6th grade. "That was a wonderful special bond with that," said Maland, who has a daughter Jennifer, Amber's mom.

In addition to the classroom, Maland has shared her expertise with high school students through JA's Business Leadership Challenge, with fifth- through eighth-graders at JA Biztown and her co-workers at the Rock Island Arsenal, where she served as the JA Company Connection and actively recruited Arsenal employees to teach JA.

Maland was introduced to JA after returning home from a five-year stint of an overseas assignment and recalled wanting to serve her community.

Her other volunteer activities have included: Rock Island Arsenal Welcome Club, Toys for Tots, Pilot Club of Moline, Bikes for Brains, Veteran Homeless Stand Down, Honor Flight of the Quad-Cities, Women in Defense, and more.

"The main thing for me is (teaching) savings. You've got to make wise choices. You can't have everything  that need versus want thing," she said.
MUSCATINE  A woman whose parents brought her to Iowa from Mexico 20 years ago cannot be prosecuted by the state for identity theft and forgery, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled Friday.

The 4-3 divided court, in a significant ruling that could have broad consequences for those living in Iowa illegally and using fake credentials to obtain work, concluded prosecution of crimes such as identity theft and forgery when related to immigration fall under federal jurisdiction and cannot be prosecuted in state court.

Martha Martinez, now 31, came to Muscatine County when she was 11. When she was 17, she used a false name to obtain an Iowa driver's license using a birth certificate and Social Security card borrowed from a woman named Diana Castaneda. She also used the fake credentials to obtain federal authorization to get a job in Muscatine at a company that provides sanitation services for food processing plants.

Years later, she applied and received temporary legal status under the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, an Obama-administration policy designed to allow undocumented migrants who entered the country as minors to receive a temporary work permit.

Martinez received her DACA-protected status in 2013 and then applied for a drivers license under her own name. The Iowa Department of Transportation, using facial recognition software, matched her face with the driver's license she obtained at 17 using Castaneda's credentials. After an investigation, Muscatine County Attorney Alan Ostergren charged her with two felonies that upon conviction could lead to her deportation.

The Iowa Supreme Court Decision dismissed the case this week, saying immigration enforcement is the purview of the federal government. Enforcing these laws at the state level would result in a patchwork of inconsistent enforcement that would undermine the harmonious whole of national immigration law, according to the decision.

Martinez lawyer Phillip B. Mears called the decision a tremendous victory for immigrants in Iowa and for his client.

"The Iowa Supreme Court has recognized the important protection provided to Dreamers given their connection and tremendous contributions to the country they grew up in and call home, he said in a written statement. Ms. Martinez would like to extend her gratitude to the Iowa Supreme Court for protecting her rights."

Liz Araguas, who was appointed to Martinezs case in district court and who also practices in Muscatine, said the decision ensures that any Iowan who is a DACA recipient can safely come out of the shadows without fear of being prosecuted for past conduct.

Ostergren said the decision implies that Iowa cannot prosecute undocumented migrants for identity theft crimes in circumstances where the same conduct would be prosecutable if committed by a citizen."

I think its important for people to understand that these identity theft cases are not victimless. Law enforcement gets inquiries on a regular basis from people who have had their identity stolen by an illegal alien, he said.

These are really crimes that victimize real people, he said. And right now, when they are committed by an illegal alien, theres nothing we can do about it as state prosecutors.

He said he sees five to 10 similar cases a year in Muscatine County, though these cases aren't tracked separately.

Its a small number until it happens to you, and then its a really big number, he said.

Rita Bettis, ACLU of Iowa legal director, said the courts decision does not preclude immigrants from being charged for identity theft.

The only thing that the state cant do, according to this decision, is to enforce federal immigration law when it comes to this matter," she said. "So it wasnt actually the identity theft charge that was the problem here; it was that the identity theft charge was to penalize (Martinez) for working  the court recognized that the employment of immigrants in the United States is something that is fully guarded by federal law.

Geoff Greenwood, a spokesman for the Iowa Office of the Attorney General, said on Friday afternoon that his office is reviewing the decision and considering its legal options. The Iowa attorney general's office has 90 days to decide whether to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Iowa court decision.

-- The Associated Press contributed to this story.
After pleading guilty to two counts of possessing methamphetamine in Rock Island County Circuit Court on Friday, a Davenport woman was extradited back to Scott County to face charges of trafficking in the drug.

Tonya Larissa Gray, 35, of 1123 E. 10th St., was sentenced to 30 months on probation for the methamphetamine possession charges in Rock Island County. As Class 3 felonies in Illinois, she faced a prison term of three to seven years.

In Scott County, Gray faces a charge of possession with the intent to deliver at least 5 grams of methamphetamine. The charge is a Class B felony under Iowa law and carries a prison sentence of up to 25 years.

She also is charged with conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony, a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of up to five years, and possession of marijuana, a serious misdemeanor that carries a sentence of up to one year in jail.

She also is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to appear on a charge of fifth-degree theft.

Gray has been held in the Rock Island County Jail since her arrest on March 10. But before being arrested, Scott County investigators had made contact with the woman.

According to the arrest affidavits, Scott County deputies involved in the investigation contacted Gray at 11:04 a.m. on Feb. 24 at the QC Mart at 2415 E. 53rd St. in Davenport.

During that contact, Gray admitted she had marijuana and drug paraphernalia at her residence, and also to being involved with methamphetamine sales, according to the arrest affidavit.

Gray was then transported to the Scott County Jail and a search warrant was executed at her home where officers seized marijuana, a digital scale, drug pipes and syringes that had been used to inject heroin, according to the arrest affidavit. Gray had stated that her roommate and friends used heroin in her home.

The deputy who arrested Gray that day then reviewed his squad camera and was able to see Gray retrieve an unknown item from the left side of her bra, according to the affidavit. In searching the squad, the deputy found a zip-lock baggie containing five individually packaged bags of ICE, a high-grade methamphetamine, with a total weight of 5.5 grams.

Gray was able to bond out of the Scott County Jail that day before the charges associated with the search warrant could be filed.

A search warrant for her cell phone showed she had participated in both heroin and methamphetamine sales.

Gray was being held in the Scott County Jail late Friday on cash-only bonds totaling $25,530.
Two members of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, who are picketing Ryan & Associates, are facing harassment charges after they followed an employee of Ryan from his job on Friday, Davenport Police said.

Karl Daniel Drapeaux, 32, of 409 Fence Line Dr., Blue Grass, and Patrick Michael Carlson, 36, of 1322 W. 36th St., Davenport, each are charged with one count of third-degree harassment.

The charge is a simple misdemeanor under Iowa law that carries a jail sentence of up to 30 days

It was the second day in a row that the two men followed the victim, according to the arrest affidavits filed by Davenport Police Officer Benjamin Blaser.

According to Blasers affidavit, on Friday at 5 p.m. the victim left Ryan & Associates, located at 10955 160th St., Davenport.

It was the second day in a row the two men had followed the victim, and the victim became fearful as the two men were trying to follow the victim to his home, according to the affidavit.

The victim called police and pulled into the parking lot of West High School, 3505 W. Locust St., Davenport, to await the arrival of officers. Both Drapeaux and Carlson parked their vehicles behind the victim in the parking lot.

According to the affidavit, Drapeaux and Carlson admitted to following the victim as they are picketing Ryan & Associates.

Drapeaux and Carlson were booked into the Scott County Jail. They were released after posting a $300 bond.

In checking with the Scott County Attorneys Office, Blaser said he was told by prosecutors that similar actions by the men against the victim could lead to more serious stalking charges.
Reading about the Davenport family has surprised me through the years.

The first unexpected revelation was that Col. George wasn't really a colonel. Although he served in the Army during a time that included the War of 1812, the colonel title was honorary, not real.

Second, Davenport wasn't his real name. He was born in England and christened George King. He became Davenport after he immigrated to the United States. Gena Schantz, who has researched Davenport, points out that it was not uncommon for people to change their names when they came to the "new country." Long last names were shortened and "Heinrich" became "Henry."

But the difference between King and Davenport is bigger than that.

Then there came the real jolt  the fact that Col. Davenport fathered his two sons, Bailey and George L'oste, with Susan Lewis, the daughter of his wife, Margaret. This happened while they were all living together in the house on Arsenal Island.

I read that a couple of times before the information sank in.

He also had a daughter, Elizabeth. With whom he fathered Elizabeth is unclear.

Most recently, Schantz shared with me the obituary of Naomi Davenport, the colonel's granddaughter. That's another interesting piece, not only for what it says but how it says it. Newspapers don't write like this anymore.

Here is how the story begins:

"After being dead for four days, the remains of Miss Naomi L. Davenport, granddaughter of Col. George Davenport, the founder of the city of Davenport, and the daughter of George L. Davenport, were found in her bed at her home, 130 West Twelfth Street, this morning.

"She had evidently suffered a stroke on Saturday night and died immediately. She was 82 years of age.

"The body was found this morning by the caretaker of the lawn, David Bolmer, whose custom it has been to come to the home twice a week to care for the grounds and house. It was his habit to get the key for the implement shop at the back door from Miss Davenport, but when no answer came to his knocking this morning, he climbed a ladder to a second-story window and forced an entrance. There he found her lying dead in the bed.

"Last Saturday, Bolmer brought a chicken to the home, at the request of Miss Davenport, and laid it on the kitchen table. This morning the chicken was still on the table, but in a badly decomposed state.

"It is thought that she suffered a stroke that same night and never rallied from it.

"For the past 40 or 50 years, she has led the life of a recluse, and had had no contact with the outside world. She and her sister, Miss Catherine, who died three years ago while in the South, were the society leaders of Davenport in their day, being exceptionally beautiful and attractive. For some unknown reason, which some give as an unfortunate love affair, these beautiful women, after taking a trip thru Europe one year, returned to Davenport and nevermore" appeared much in society.

I love that they were described as both beautiful and attractive.

Schantz has some different ideas about why they became reclusive, though. While purely speculative, they are worth considering. Naomi and Catherine came of marriageable age during the time of the American Civil War. Maybe there just weren't any eligible men for them.

Also, their brother died of wounds received in the war, and there would have been some withdrawal from society for a mourning period.

Other possible reasons include financial difficulty and the feeling by Naomi that the people of Davenport did not appreciate what her father and grandfather had done for the city. Plus the "illegitimacy" issue.

But the financial ruin of their father would have been devastating and scandalous.

Whatever the case, those Davenports were quite the folks.
WASHINGTON -- What does the FBI director do when he suspects the president is a manipulative liar? The answer in James Comey's case is that he writes memos, tries to evade demands for loyalty -- and anguishes about protecting himself and the FBI.

But by Comey's own admission, perhaps he should have done more.

The big news had already surfaced before Comey's appearance Thursday at the Senate Intelligence Committee, with the release of his prepared testimony. What we got at the hearing was the raw morality play, told in Comey's words, about his dealings with a president whose behavior frightened him.

"I was honestly concerned that he might lie about the nature of our meeting, and so I thought it really important to document," Comey said about his Jan. 6 meeting with Donald Trump. Comey had just briefed the president-elect, alone, about salacious, unverified details of a dossier alleging various Trump escapades in Moscow.

What troubled Comey, he said, was "the circumstances, the subject matter and the person I was interacting with." As he left Trump Tower, he began writing a self-protective memo describing the encounter.

Comey was a compelling witness to the bullying behavior of this president. But Trump supporters can argue that the president's hand was strengthened by Thursday's "Super Bowl" hearing. Even as Comey chronicled his disturbing encounters with Trump, he also affirmed some important strands of the White House narrative.

Comey said that as of May, when he was fired, Trump was not personally under FBI investigation -- offering, finally, the public acknowledgment Trump had been requesting so assiduously. Comey also said Trump had never ordered him to halt the overall FBI investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

And on the sensitive subject of leaks, Comey revealed that to "prompt the appointment of a special counsel," he had used a cut-out to share with The New York Times details of a memo recounting Trump's Feb. 14 request, "I hope you can let this go," referring to the FBI investigation of former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Thursday's hearing offered a haunting portrait of a moralist confronting a dealmaker. Comey conveyed his fastidious attention to ethics, and to his own reputation. He spoke of his "personal pain" in dealing with the Hillary Clinton investigation, his concern for morale if FBI agents heard that Trump "wants [the Flynn investigation] to go away."

He wrote memos after his encounters and briefed his closest aides. But he didn't take the evidence of what he saw as Trump's wrongdoing to Justice Department superiors or congressional oversight committees.

It was "Pilgrim's Progress" meets "House of Cards" when Comey arrived for a one-on-one dinner at the White House Jan. 27. Comey described his fear that Trump wanted to create a "patronage" debt by making Comey ask for his FBI job. He said Trump might have similarly hoped to induce an obligation in a March 30 phone call suggesting that he hadn't questioned the Democratic political ties of the wife of Comey's deputy. As Trump stressed so baldly, in Comey's telling, he wanted loyalty -- much as a feudal lord might seek allegiance from his barons.

Comey imagined that by offering Trump only "honest loyalty" during the dinner, he had diluted his demand. But in their last phone call, on April 11, Trump protested: "I have been very loyal to you, very loyal; we had that thing you know." Comey didn't push back. He wrote another memo.

The most poignant moments in Thursday's hearing were Comey's reflections on what he might have done differently. When Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., asked why he hadn't rejected outright Trump's "hope" that he close the Flynn investigation, Comey answered: "Maybe other people would be stronger in that circumstance. ... Maybe if I did it again, I would do it better."

Later Comey was pressed about why he accommodatingly told Trump in the March 30 call that he "would see what we could do" to lift the "cloud" of the Russia investigation. He conceded that his response was "a slightly cowardly way ... of getting off the phone, frankly."

What is it about being FBI director that makes people so concerned about image, yet unable to be entirely independent of the politicians they serve? That's been part of the bureau's history, ever since J. Edgar Hoover. Comey couldn't escape it.

Comey's personal ethical dilemmas are now interwoven with the nation's political history. It's the stuff of high drama -- the temporizing ethicist meets the amoral bulldozer. The story didn't have a happy ending for Comey -- or, it seems, for the country.
Thumbs up to North Scott Community School District and its commitment to the humanities.

North Scott students are traveling to Washington, D.C., for the National History Day competition. They earned it.

It's just one sliver in a years-long effort by North Scott to promote history among its students.

Iowa is catching up. The state finally has set some semblance of history standards.

North Scott realized the value of the humanities long ago.

Thumbs down to Iowa's slowly failing budget.

Gov. Kim Reynolds has mulled calling lawmakers back to Des Moines for a special session. It's one of several potential actions as tax revenues continue to miss expectations with less than three weeks left in the fiscal year.

Iowa's Constitution requires a balanced budget. But with June 30 on the horizon, that requirement is looking unlikely without even more cuts.

Commodity prices are slumping and certainly contributing to the shortfall. But so too are the hefty tax breaks aimed at big business, including the massive tax breaks passed in 2013.

It's a reality that will continue to close programs until lawmakers get serious about running government.

Thumbs up to a committee suggesting changes to Iowa's Democratic Caucus.

The proposed changes include permitting those unable to physically attend on caucus night to cast a vote. It would right the historic flaw in caucusing, which disenfranchises second- and third-shift workers, single parents and the homebound.

The proposal would create a precinct in each county for those unable to attend a caucus after "showing need."

It could be a significant move to bolster participation. Iowa Democrats should push forward with the proposal and Republicans should follow suit.

Any step toward making the caucuses more inclusive, while also protecting Iowa's first-in-the-nation status, merits serious consideration.
Fate, a lot of fundraising and maybe even the hand of God will bring what is likely to be the grandest pipe organ to the area.

The First Presbyterian Church in Stroudsburg has a unique project in the works. It will combine two church organs into one over the next two years, thanks to the generous gifting of an Easton organ no longer in use.

"We were thinking of restoring our organ when this other organ became available," church member Russell Cramer said. "Then we brought in a consultant, Jacob Gerger and Sons, who analyzed the two instruments and told us we could combine the two into one and give it much greater capabilities."

The second organ belonged to the Lehigh Presbyterian Church in Easton. Its neighborhood decayed and the church closed. The new building's owners had no use for the organ, and it was offered to the regional Presbyterian leadership. That, along with the maintenance needed to the organ at the First Presbyterian Church in Stroudsburg gave rise to the idea of combining the instruments.

"Our new Rev., Beth Utley, she said there's no instrument that supports the voice as well as the organ," Cramer said. "When you are listening to an organ it sounds almost human."

Utley said the organ's ability to play softly and boldly works in concert with the worship during the service.

Church organist Mike Capone has been the church organist for 14 years.

"You can create the softest sound to the most reverberant sound. It's very majestic," he said.

A pipe organ works by forcing air into pipes of different lengths, diameters and materials, sometimes thousands of them, to produce its sounds. Each pipe is designed to reproduce a certain instrument and corresponds to the keys played on the console.

"It's inspiring and sets the mood for the whole service," Capone said. "Our organist, he'll conclude with the last piece and the membership will be transfixed by the music."

The draw knobs on the keyboard console will control 2,500 pipes when the two year, $300,000 project is completed. The church will need to build a new housing chamber for the pipes, which will be installed in the front and back of the church, some exposed to the congregation.

"It will create a surround sound-like effect in the sanctuary," Cramer said. "It speaks to the congregation."

The organ is not just for the church. It will be used for concerts, events and provide a place for students to practice, Utley said.

"Our church is often used to undertake community charitable events and we just felt because it's a community asset that it is an investment for everyone. It's not just an instrument for us," Cramer said.

He hopes to host performances by East Stroudsburg University and other area events.

The First Presbyterian Church in Stroudsburg needs to raise $295,000 to complete this project. When its done, the organ will have a value of approximately $1 million.

The consultants on the project, Jacob Gerger and Sons, are third generation organ specialists located in Philadelphia.

Utley spoke to the instrument's versatility complementing the service.

"Anything you do can be supported by the music," she said.
The Black Hills of South Dakota will stand in for the Middle East or other locations where modern warfare is taking place during a major military training exercise that will take place over the next two weeks and include an international roster of participants.

Beginning today, the South Dakota National Guard will begin its 33rd annual Golden Coyote training exercise, with around 2,400 service members from 13 states, two foreign countries and one national territory coming to town for two weeks of logistics, engineering and combat training.

Originally created in 1984 in coordination with the National Forest Service and Custer State Park, the program started from modest beginnings.

It was largely South Dakota guardians (National Guard members) looking for an opportunity to do engineer-type missions, said Major Anthony Deiss, director of public affairs for the South Dakota National Guard.

Year after year, they keep adding another element to it. It has just grown into what we have today, where we started inviting units from other states, other branches of the military  because thats how we fight on the battlefield today.

After initial processing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, service members from the Army, Navy and Air Force will be deployed to West Camp Rapid and to sites within Custer State Park and the Northern Hills. During the 14-day exercise, participants will take part in urban and dismounted patrol training, first-aid, convoy travel and firearm use. Combat training will involve infantry tactics and techniques, such as the proper response when under enemy fire or ambush, or when a convoy gets hit by an improvised explosive device.

We live in a world now where we are fighting an enemy in an asymmetrical battlefield, and there is no front line, so soldiers and units have to prepare for those types of contingencies and those types of attacks that you see from an insurgent type force, Deiss said of the combat training.

Engineering projects will also play an integral role. The construction of a boardwalk and relocation of a pedestrian bridge will take place near the visitors center in Custer State Park, and road repair and maintenance is scheduled for forest service roadways and at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead.

Federal money will be used to fund the combat and engineering exercises, while organizations benefiting from projects like road work and bridge construction must provide the materials for the work.

It simulates the distances that units would have to travel to do missions or coordinate with in overseas or deployed environments, so thats something that logistics type units, its very valuable for them, Deiss said.

Additionally, service members will work with the Black Hills National Forest to cut down, load and transport timber from the Black Hills National Forest to nearby Native American reservations including the Cheyenne River, Pine Ridge, Crow Creek and Rosebud reservations. The reservations then typically use the wood for construction, firewood and ceremonial services, Deiss said, calling the timber haul a project every year that were excited to do.

Past Golden Coyote exercises have involved construction of informational kiosks and improvements to the buffalo corrals in Custer State Park, trail maintenance work and the construction of a new wardrobe center in the Black Hills Playhouse theater near Center Lake.

Other than conducting military operations and training on equipment or tactics, it gives these units a chance to do the various humanitarian projects and engineering that helps the forest and communities in the area, Deiss said.

Residents and people traveling in the exercise areas can expect to see an increase in military traffic on local roads, especially in Rapid City, Hill City and smaller Black Hills communities, and along U.S. 385 and U.S. 16. Convoys of humvees and tractor trailers should be expected, though no aviation exercises are planned. In case of emergency, though, a 24-hour aerial medical evacuation team will be on call to respond from Rapid City Regional Airport.

The exercises will last through June 24 and the South Dakota National Guard is asking the public to remain at a safe distance from all moving military vehicles and aircraft to prevent injury and damage to property.
PIERRE | Most if not all members of the Legislature head back to the Capitol for a special session Monday.

Called by Gov. Dennis Daugaard, the one-day meeting starts at 9 a.m. MDT. The single topic is a proposed law that deals with nonmeandered waters that lay over private property.

This often is floodwater remaining from the 1980s and 90s.

The South Dakota Supreme Court on March 15 issued a unanimous opinion in Duerre v. Hepler that neither landowners nor sportsmen had superior rights to use the water or ice on several lakes in Day County.

The five justices said the matter was up to the Legislature to decide. A previous version of the Supreme Court took essentially the same position in the Parks v. Cooper decision a decade earlier, but legislators didnt act.

In early April this year, the state Department of Game, Fish & Parks pulled boat ramps out of the water and shut parking lots at 25 nonmeandered lakes and sloughs, mostly in northeastern South Dakota.

The Legislatures Executive Board then named a 15-member task force to draft legislation addressing the issue. Meanwhile complaints rose among anglers and some of the businesses that served them in the affected areas.

The task force finished its work Friday in Pierre. To read a final version of the draft legislation, visit bit.ly/2sEAOCB.
Sutton will also be a breath of fresh air in Pierre who will "change the culture of corruption" in state government which has given us things like the EB-5 visa program scandal in recent years. I think that Sutton's legislative service and experience as an investment consultant, as a rancher, and as a rodeo rider paralyzed in a 2007 rodeo accident will make him a good choice to be our next governor. I admire his words in the article "never give up and never quit".

Obama said he would kill the coal industry and that the price of American energy would necessarily skyrocket. Whether you agree with this or not, Obamas approach and his legacy were built on sand. He boasted, Ive got a pen and Ive got a phone, and that he would use those to take on Congress. Now we find that Trump also has a pen and a phone and can just as easily undo Obamas work. The problem here is that a president is supposed to work with Congress, and the Constitution of our federation requires that a treaty can only be enacted by a two-thirds vote of the Senate; Obama didnt do this. This is important in that it gives continuity between administrations and gives the states a say. So whether you agree with the treaty or not, the proper course is to have a discussion involving the American people and the State Department, and finally the president can send the treaty to the US Senate for ratification.
HELENA  U.S. Rep.-elect Greg Gianforte of Montana will plead guilty to assaulting a reporter the day before being elected the state's only congressman last month, a prosecutor said Friday.

The Republican technology entrepreneur will enter his plea in court on Monday, when he is scheduled to be arraigned and sentenced on the misdemeanor charge, Gallatin County Attorney Marty Lambert told The Associated Press.

Gianforte requested the court hearing after reaching a civil settlement this week.

Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs said Gianforte knocked Jacobs to the ground when the reporter asked him a question May 24.

As part of the settlement, Jacobs said he would not object to Gianforte entering a plea of no contest, or nolo contendere, meaning Gianforte would concede to the charge without admitting guilt.

But Lambert said Gianforte will plead guilty.

"He is not going to be entering a nolo contendere plea," Lambert said. "He's going to be pleading guilty."

Gianforte spokesman Shane Scanlon did not return telephone and text messages seeking comment.

Misdemeanor assault convictions in Montana carry a maximum penalty of six months in prison and a $500 fine.

Lambert said he will recommend a penalty to Justice of the Peace Rick West at Monday's hearing, but declined to disclose his recommendation.

Jacobs said Gianforte "body slammed" him after the reporter asked a question about the Congressional Budget Office's analysis of a health care bill the day before the May 25 election.

Audio of the encounter taken by Jacobs recorded sounds of a scuffle, followed by Gianforte yelling for the reporter to "get the hell out of here." Police charged Gianforte that night.

Jacobs signed a release agreeing not to sue Gianforte. In exchange, Gianforte wrote a letter of apology to Jacobs and pledged to donate $50,000 to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Both Gianforte and Jacobs have said in statements they want to put the episode behind them.

Gianforte is expected to be sworn in next month after defeating Democrat Rob Quist in the special congressional election to serve the remainder of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's term.

Zinke won a second term as Montana's congressman last November before President Donald Trump tapped him for the cabinet post.

That set off a short and intense special election campaign that drew millions of dollars in donations from across the U.S.

Republicans vigorously campaigned to defend the seat they had held for decades. Democrats sought to capitalize on a wave of activism triggered by Trump's election in an attempt to take it back for the first time since 1997.

The 56-year-old Gianforte, coming off an unsuccessful bid for governor last fall, defeated Quist, the front man for the popular musical group Mission Mountain Wood Band, by six percentage points.
HOLLAND, MI - Building lots along the popular south shore of Lake Macatawa are hard to come by these days.

So when Baumann Building acquired a sprawling ranch house along the lake, they tore it down and created three lots for new houses, including this three-story cottage house on 50-feet of Lake Macatawa shoreline.

"That was the challenge on this house, to make everything work and feel spacious," says Brad Vander Zwaag, vice president of Baumann Building. With 9-foot setbacks on each side, this house is just 32 feet wide.

The four-bedroom house at 3173 Bayview Drive is one of the stars on this year's Lakeshore Parade of Homes. Baumann Building also is showing a second home they built on the back of the original lot at 548 Bayview Drive.

Featuring 30 homes, condos and landscapes, the parade began on Thursday, June 8 and concludes on Saturday, June 17. Entries in the parade feature homes in Holland, Zeeland, West Olive, Dorr, Hamilton, Fennville, Saugatuck, Allendale, Grand Haven, Nunica, and Whitehall.

Because of road construction on South Shore Drive, visitors to the homes on Bayview Drive are encouraged to takes 32nd Street west to Park Christian Reformed Church, 1496 32nd Street, and ride a shuttle bus to and from the home.

Inside Baumann's white and gray-sided home, the decor is traditional cottage-style with white millwork and bleached white oak flooring.

The dining room and living room are oriented towards the lake with bay window up to six feet tall. Side windows are smaller and elevated to offer privacy from the nearby cottages next door.

The gourmet kitchen includes a high-end appliances, custom cabinets and a walk-in pantry. The main floor also includes a half-bath and home office that could be used as a guest bedroom.

On the second level, the master bedroom with a tray ceiling looks out over the lake through five windows.

The master suite includes an elegant bathroom with quartz countertops and a walk-in shower behind glass that includes two full-body showerheads.

The second level also includes two smaller bedrooms connected by a "Jack and Jill" bathroom. The laundry is also located on the second level.

The third floor includes a private sitting room with a stacked ledgestone fireplace and an observation deck that offers postcard views of Lake Macatawa's leafy shoreline.

Over the two-stall garage in back of the house, there's a "bonus" room that could serve as a fourth bedroom or workout room.

"It's a very usable house on a tight footprint," says Vander Zwaag.

Parade sites are open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Homes also are open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14.

Tickets for the parade are $15 for adults. Children 13 and under are free. Discounted tickets are available for $12.50 at Lake Michigan Credit Union Branches in Holland, Grand Haven and Muskegon.

Online, tickets are also available at www.LakeshoreParadeofHomes.com, at the Lakeshore Home Builders office, and at each Parade Home.

Besides being on display for the Parade of Homes, the lakefront home also is for sale. It is being listed by Realtor Andrew Boehm for $1.369 million.

This is one in a series of articles we have published about High-End Homes in West Michigan. Here are similar articles we have published recently:
Guwahati: Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju on Friday said that, the peace agreement with the pro-talk faction group of United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) will be signed shortly.

Rijiju said that, the peace agreement with ULFA led by Arobinda Rajkhowa has almost finalized.

While attending in the* *Modi Fest (Making of Developed India Festival) held at Rongia in Assam's Kamrup district, the Union MOS home said that, several issues have been discussed during the ongoing peace talk with ULFA and the organization has placed their demands in the talks table.

'Apart from ULFA, centre will sign peace agreement with the two faction groups of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) within short time,'A Rijiju said.

Former Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB) Dineshwar Sharma, who was recently appointed interlocutor by the Union home ministry had chaired two rounds meeting with ULFA and NDFB's two factions in Guwahati on June 7-8.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Kathmandu, Nepal : A meeting held between the government allies and the agitating Ratriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) ended conclusively after former denied to postpone the date scheduled to hold the second phases of local level elections scheduled for June 28.

During the meeting RJPN leaders demanded to postpone the date scheduled for the local level elections to proceed the constitution amendment. The proposal was denied abruptly by the government allies stating that the date scheduled to hold the local body elections will not be postponed at any cost.
KATHMANDU, June 10: The main opposition CPN (UML) Chairman K P Sharma Oli has said that his party could not agree on the issues of losing national identity.

While addressing a programme organized to welcome new comers in the party today, Oli said that if the Hindi language was listed as the official language in Tarai, it will harm local languages like Maithali, Bhojpuri and Abadhi.

He added that Hindi was not a mother tongue of any community therefore it could not be accepted as the official language in any province.

Former Prime Minister Oli said that the UML was opposition party in the parliament but is a ruling side in local level polls for becoming the largest one therefore it will welcome positive policy and programmes forwarded by the government.

Chair Oli further shared that the locals of Province No 2 were eagerly waiting for UML-led government and have wished for the same.

General Secretary of the Nepal Communist Party (Revolutionary) Pradyumna Narayan Yadav, spokesperson Laxmi Prasad Oli and artist Ramesh Ranjan Jha had joined the UML today.

The programme was organized at the party central office Dhumrabarahi in the capital. RSS
Pe aceeasi tema

Este un subiect asupra caruia Trump a fost evaziv pina acum, ceea ce a generat ingrijorare in rindul statelor NATO. Luna trecuta, in cadrul unei reuniuni care a avut loc la Bruxelles, presedintele american nu a confirmat angajamentul SUA fata de Articolul 5.





"Angajez Statele Unite in privinta articolului 5. Cu siguranta suntem acolo ca sa protejam", a spus el, intrebat de ziarista Ramona Avramescu de la TVR 1 cum vede ingrijorarile tarilor din flancul estic legate de actiunile Rusiei si daca SUA va actiona potrivit articolului 5 in cazul in care o tara NATO va fi victima unei agresiuni.





"Este unul dintre motivele pentru care doresc sa ne asiguram ca avem o forta foarte, foarte puternica, platind sumele necesare pentru a avea acesta forta", a adaugat Donald Trump.



Articolul 5 din Tratatul NATO prevede ca : "Partile convin ca un atac armat impotriva uneia sau mai multora dintre ele, in Europa sau in America de Nord, va fi considerat un atac impotriva tuturor si, in consecinta, sunt de acord ca, daca are loc asemenea atac armat, fiecare dintre ele, in exercitarea dreptului la auto-aparare individuala sau colectiva recunoscut prin Articolul 51 din Carta Naiunilor Unite, va sprijini Partea sau Parile atacate prin efectuarea imediata, individual sau de comun acord cu celelalte Parti, a oricarei aciuni pe care o considera necesara, inclusiv folosirea forei armate, pentru restabilirea si meninerea securitatii zonei nord-atlantice".





Transcrierea declaratiei de presa, in limba engleza:

President of the United States of America, Mr. Donald Trump: Thank you very much! President Iohannis, thank you for being here! Its an honor to welcome such a good friend of America to the White House. As you know the people of Romania and America share much in common  a love of freedom, proud cultures, rich traditions and a vast landscape to call home. The relation between our countries stretches back well over a century, but today we celebrate the Strategic Partnership that began 20 years ago. That partnership covers many dimensions, including economic, military and cultural ties. And today we are making those ties even stronger. Mr. President, your visit comes at an important moment, not just in this partnership, but among all of the responsible nations of the world. I have just returned from a historic trip to Europe and the Middle East, where I worked to strengthen our alliances, forge new friendships and unite all c ivilized peoples in the fight against terrorism. No civilized nation can tolerate violence or allow this wicked ideology to spread on its shores.

I addressed a summit of more than 50 Arab and Muslim leaders  a unique meeting in the history of nations, where key players in the regions agreed to stop supporting terrorism, whether it be financial, military or even moral support. The nation of Qatar unfortunately has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level. In the wake of that conference, nations came together and spoke to me about confronting Qatar over its behavior. Se we had a decision to make  do we take the easy road or do we finally take a hard but necessary action? We have to stop the funding of terrorism. I decided along with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, our great generals and military people the time had come to call on Qatar to end its funding. They have to end that funding and its extremist ideology in terms of funding. I want to call on all nations to immediately stop supporting terrorism. Stop teaching people to kill other people! Stop filing thei r mind with hate and intolerance! I wont name other countries.

But we are not done solving the problem, but we will solve that problem. We have no choice. This is my great priority because it is my first duty as President to keep our people safe. Defeating ISIS and other terrorist organizations is something I emphasized all during my campaign and right up until the present. To do that, stop funding, stop teaching hate and stop the killing! For Qatar, we want you back among the unity of responsible nations. We ask Qatar and other nations in the region to do more and do it faster,

I want to thank Saudi Arabia and my friend, King Salman, and all countries who participated in that very historic summit. it was truly historic.There has never been anything like it before and perhaps there never will be again. Hopefully, it will be the beginning of the end of funding terrorism, it will therefore be the beginning of the end to terrorism. No more funding!

I also want to thank the Romanian people for everything they contribute to our common defense and the fight against the evil menace of terrorism. They have their own difficulties with it and theyve come a long way and theyve done a lot. Romania has been a valuable member of the coalition to defeat ISIS and it's the 4th largest contributor of troops in Afghanistan. There, 23 of your citizens have paid the ultimate price and America honors their sacrifice.

I want to recognize President Iohannis for his leadership in committing Romania this year to increase its Defense spending from 1.4 % of the GDP to over 2%. We hope our other NATO allies will follow Romanias lead on meeting their financial obligations in paying their fair share for the cost of Defense. But I will say this: That because of our actions, money is starting to pour into NATO. The money is starting to pour in. Other countries are starting to realize that its time to pay up and theyre doing that. Very proud of that fact! As you know, I have been an advocate for strengthening our NATO alliance among member nations through greater responsibility and burden sharing and that is what is happening. Because together we can confront the common security challenges facing the world.

Mr. President, I want to applaud your courage and your courageous efforts in Romania to fight corruption and defend the rule of law! This work is necessary to create an environment where trade and commerce can flourish and where citizens can prosper. I look forward to working with you to deepen the ties of both commerce and culture between our two countries. Romanians have made contributions to the US and to the world. Very notable among them was Nobel prize laureate Elie Wiesel who was born in Romania and sadly passed away almost one year ago. And I understand that earlier this week, the American Jewish Committee presented President Iohannis with its very prestigious Light Unto the Nations Award for his work to further Holocaust remembrance and education in Romania. I join the AJC in saluting your leadership in this vital cause. The people of Romania have endured many, many hardships, but they have made a truly remarkable historical journey.

The future of Romania and Romanias relationship with the US is very, very bright. President Iohannis, I thank you for your leadership and I thank you again for being here today. I look forward to strengthening our alliance with your country and our bonds with your people. The relationship has been good, but now its stronger than ever. Thank you very much!

President of Romania, Mr. Klaus Iohannis:

President Trump, thank you so much for the words you found for Romania, for the Romanian people and for me. Thank you very much for the invitation to be here today with you and thank you so much for arranging this nice weather in this place.

Mr President, I am very glad that we had such a good meeting. And this is due to your strong leadership and this is also due to our strong partnership. Obviously the fact that we celebrate 20 years of strategic partnership this year is important for both our nations and it is important to know, and that is what I want to underline, that this partnership with the United States of America shaped Romania as it is today. Romania, a solid democracy with a solid and sustainable economic growth. Romania, which stands together with the US troops in Afghanistan, we stand together in Iraq.

Mister President, this partnership contributed greatly to what Romania is today and this partnership was and is very important. And I think this partnership not only has to continue, this partnership has to become stronger, this partnership has to define our bilateral relations and this partnership has to contribute to solve so many problems.

President Trump, you mentioned terrorism. I am very glad that due to your strong leadership NATO decided to go against terrorism. Your involvement made so many nations conscious of the fact that we have to share the burden inside NATO. This is way Romania also decided - and if I am right  Romania is the first country during your mandate to step up to 2% of GDP for defense spending. Significant part of this defense spending is going into strategic acquisitions, and I hope, President Trump, that we find good ways together to make good use of this money.

Romania is very conscious of the fact that we stand on the Eastern Flank and we heavily rely on your partnership, President Trump, because we cannot stand there without the US, we cannot stand there alone. On the other hand, our partnership has huge opportunity to step up not only on security matters, but also on commercial, economic matters. And this is very important.

Romania is a member of the European Union and I think its in the best interest of you, Mr. President, to have a strong European Union as a partner. This is vital for all of us. Our relationship, the transatlantic link is vital. The transatlantic link is not about diplomacy, about policy, it is at the basis of our Western civilization and together we will make it stronger, together we will make it better.

NATO and the European Union do not have to compete against each other, they have to work together, they have to work in such a manner as to produce synergetic effects, to make NATO stronger, make Europe stronger, make the United States of America stronger. And this is what we decided, President Trump and I, to make our partnership stronger, better, more enduring and this will lead very soon to an enhanced economic exchange, to better commerce. And this is what we all decided and what we wish, because we are responsible, President Trump and I, not only for the security, we are responsible for the well being of our citizens and this is what we are decided to do.

Thank you so much, President Trump!

Q&A session

Journalist: This morning, on Twitter, you were referring to the testimony of James Comey vindicating you. But I wondered if you could tell us in person why you feel that his testimony vindicated you when it really boils down to this word against your word. And if you could also tell us do tapes exists of your conversations with him?

President of the United States of America, Donald Trump: Well, I will tell you about that maybe some other time in the near future. But in the meantime no collusion, no obstruction, he is a leaker, but we want to get back to running out great country. Jobs, trade deficits, we want them to disappear fast. North Korea-big problem, Middle East - big problem, so that is what I have been focused on but yesterday showed no collusion, no obstruction, we are doing very well. That was an excuse of the Democrats who lost an election that some people think that shouldnt have lost, because its almost impossible for the Democrats to lose the Electoral College, as you know. You have to run up the whole East Coast to win everything as a Republican and thats just as we did. So is just an excuse. But we were very, very happy and frankly James Comey confirmed a lot of what Ive said and some of the things that he said just wer ent true. Thank you very much.

Journalist: A couple of weeks ago, President Trump was in Brussels at a NATO meeting and not only was he encouraging NATO members to pay up the 2% required of GDP for national defense, but he was also saying that countries including yours who have not paid 2% in the past should make up for that difference. Do you think that is fair?

President of Romania, Mr. Klaus Iohannis: I was in Brussels and I met President Trump and I listened to his speech and I liked it, because, you see, NATO is based on values, but it is, ultimately, a military alliance, and you know, military spending are complicated and you need a lot of money, because NATO is the strongest alliance the Earth ever saw and we want to keep it that way. So we have to spend money for defense purposes and spending money means that if you are in an alliance everybody has to spend money. This is called burden sharing and I fully agree, Mr. President, to that. So of course some people liked this better, and some didnt like it that much. But its a simple fact that we have to do this, not as a purpose in itself, we have to do this to stay strong, to be strong and to defend our nations.

President of the United States of America, Donald Trump: 100% correct, and, you know, one of the things I was referring to during that speech was yes, they havent paid what they should be paying now, but for many years they havent been paying, so I said do we ever go back paying the money for many, many years past. I know no President has ever asked that question, but I do. We are going to make NATO very strong, you need the money to make it strong, you cant just do what weve been doing in the past. So I did say yes, you havent paid this year. But what about past years, the many past years when you havent paid? Perhaps you should pay some or all of that money back.

Journalist: I have a question for President Trump. On the matters of security, many of the countries of the Eastern Flank of NATO including Romania see Russia as a threat to the security in the region. Do you share this vision or do you think that the US should act under Article 5, if any of these countries will be under military aggression? Thank you very much.

President of the United States of America, Donald Trump: Well, I am committing the United States and have committed, but I am commiting the United States to Article 5 and certainly, we are there to protect and that is one of the reasons that I want people to make sure we have a very strong force by paying the kind of money necessary to have that force. But yes, absolutely Id be committed to Article 5.

Journalist: Were there any discussions about the Visa Waiver program for Romania? Is there a time frame for including our country in this program? Thank you.

President of the United States of America, Donald Trump: We did not discuss it, but it would be something we will discuss.

President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis: I mentioned this issue and I also mentioned it during other meetings I had because this is important for us, it is important for Romanians who want to come to the United States. And you see, more and more people come, President Trump, from Romania to the United States. Some come as tourists, some come for business and those who come for business should be encouraged. So the matter of Visa Waiver would be probably important to discuss and we all hope that we will advance on this.

Journalist: Mister President, I want to get back to James Comeys testimony. You suggested that he didnt tell the truth in everything he said. He did say under oath that you said you hope the Flynn investigation

President of the United States of America, Donald Trump: I didnt say that.

Journalist: So he lied about that.

President of the United States of America, Donald Trump: Well, I didnt say that. I mean I will tell you I didnt say that.

Journalist: And did he ask you to pledge

President of the United States of America, Donald Trump: And it would be nothing wrong if I did say according to everybody that I read today but I did not say that.

Journalist: And did he asked for a pledge of loyalty from you?

President of the United States of America, Donald Trump: No, he did not.

Journalist: So he said those things under oath, would you be willing to speak under oath to give your version of

President of the United States of America, Donald Trump: 100%. I hardly know the man, Im not going to say I want you to pledge allegiance, who would do that? Who would ask a man to pledge allegiance under oath? Think of it. I hardly know the man. It doesnt make the sense. No, I didnt say that and I didnt say the other.

Journalist: So if Robert Mueller wanted to speak with you about that

President of the United States of America, Donald Trump: I would be glad to tell him exactly what I just told you.

Journalist: And it seemed to be hinting that there are recordings of those conversations.

President of the United States of America, Donald Trump: Im not hinting anything, I will tell you about it over a very short period of time.

Journalist: When will you tell us?

President of the United States of America, Donald Trump: Over a very short period of time. You will be very disappointed when you hear the answer, no worry.

Journalist: President Iohannis, you are no stranger to Russian aggression. Vladimir Putin recently suggested that Romania could be in Russia crosshairs. How concerned should the world be about the Russian aggression in your region and how concerned should we be here in the US about what Russia tried to do in our election?

President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis: Everybody is concerned. But you see, being concerned should lead you to being prepared. So, in my opinion, we have to be very clear, very simple and very straightforward if we talk about Russia and with Russia. In my opinion, we need dialogue, but on the other hand we need what we all together decided in NATO: a strong deterrence. This combination, strong deterrence and dialogue should lead towards a solution which is feasible for every part.

Journalist: Mr. President Trump, you mentioned earlier an anti-corruption fight in Romania. It is a matter of high importance in our country, but we see now that the anti-corruption fight and the effort to consolidate the rule of law are sometimes undermined by some politicians. Part of what we can call the Bucharest swamp. Is your Administration going to support the anti-corruption fight in Romania and how can you do it? Thank you.

President of the United States of America, Donald Trump: Well, we support very strongly Romania and therefore obviously we do support that fight on anti-corruption. We will always support that and we support your President. We think he has done an outstanding job, very popular, very solid, working very hard, we know everything that is going on and he is going to win that fight, he is going to win that battle, but he has our support.

Journalist: Do you see the corruption in Romania as a problem for the US-Romania Partnership and for the American investors? Because we still have corruption in Romania despite this anti-corruption fight.

President of the United States of America, Donald Trump: Well you do, but I can tell you that there are many American investors right now going to Romania and investing. In fact, I was giving a chart just before our meeting and we have people going over to Romania and investing and they werent doing that a number of years ago. So that is a very big progress and there really are a lot of congratulations in store, but a lot of people are investing from our country to yours and people love from Romania the United States and they come here a lot and we are very proud of them. Thank you very much.

Departamentul Comunicare Publica
The Wire - 30 may 2017

by Megha Pansare

The veteran rationalist thinker, writer and communist leader Govind Pansare was brutally assassinated in Kolhapur on February 20, 2015. More than two years have passed, but justice remains elusive. The same is true for Narendra Dabholkar and M.M. Kalburgi, whose second death anniversary is three months away. All three men were also killed by right-wing fundamentalists.

The investigations into the assassinations have been very slow and have moved only because the Dabholkar and Pansare families have petitioned the high court to monitor the investigation. The police have managed to arrest only two suspects so far and two have been absconding. All the accused are associated with the radical Hindutva organisations Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janjagriti Samiti, with their totally unconstitutional agenda of establishing a aHindu Rashtraa in the country.

The chargesheets filed by the police in the Dabholkar and Pansare cases clearly mention that the accused are absconding since the Margao bomb explosion case in Goa in 2009. In spite of objections on the pressure tactics used by the lawyers of the accused and the spokespersons of Sanatan Sanstha, no action has been taken against them. The state government has not yet declared the absconding suspects as wanted in the Pansare case. The investigation officer is changed at every interval and the activistsa demand to hand over the case to a dedicated team for investigation is also pending with the government.

Fundamentalism has no religion

It is really painful to define ajusticea in cases where people are killed because their ideology and expression of thought are not acceptable to some. Regardless of political affiliation, the government seems to be insensitive in solving these crimes and punishing the guilty. Not even a single arrest has been made in Kalburgias case yet.

Fundamentalism and fanaticism is not a characteristic feature of any specific religion. Farook Hameed, a young activist of the Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam (DVK), was killed by Muslim fundamentalists on March 17, 2017 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The DVK is an offshoot of the Dravidar Kazhagam founded by Periyar in the 1940s and propagates atheism and rationalism. Being an atheist in individual life is something accepted by the society, but it seems one cannot propagate atheism the way others propagate a religious faith without risking oneas life. Farook openly expressed his ideology. He had posted comments about atheism, criticising religion and caste on his Facebook page. He was the administrator of a WhatsApp group called aAllah Murdad,a meaning aThere is no Goda. The result: he was killed, reports say, by his own friends. Farookas murder is in fact a threat to all Muslim youths who embrace atheism or even rationalism.

The Coimbatore incident is, in essence, no different from those where the victims belonged to the Hindu religion and were killed by Hindu fanatics.

Shrinking freedoms

The situation in India is growing more complex by the day. The space for free expression and freedom is shrinking rapidly. The fascist forces are trying to shut voices of freedom and we are compelled to fight the battle in the available space.

The campaign of returning awards by the writers and scientists brought the anxiety of intellectuals before society. They were concerned about everything that is going against the principle of equality, freedom of expression, cultural diversity and secular values in our nation. There have been three ayatrasa, or journeys, of writers and poets to express solidarity with the families of Pansare, Dabholkar and Kalburgi so far. The first was a part of the Dakshinayan campaign in which 14 eminent writers from Gujarat visited Pune, Kolhapur and Dharwad, where the three rationalists were killed. Then a team of Marathi writers and activists followed the same route during their journey to Goa for a national conference in defence of freedom of expression held in November, 2016. In February 2017, 11 members of the Progressive Writersa Association, Madhya Pradesh travelled to Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa. They condemned the respective governments for failing to arrest the killers. Based on their dialogue with local people in these regions and their experiences, they will write books, plays and hold discussions to spread their thoughts across the Hindi speaking belt.

As the atmosphere of fear and intimidation grows, hundreds of writers and artists visited the historical place of Dandi, Gujarat to hold a silent protest march on January 30, 2016 to commemorate the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. A platform of collective voices of the left and Dalit movement was created in Mumbai Collective, while Delhi observed Pratirodh I and II with a clear stand to enjoy the right to dissent and free expression. The progressive forces in many towns, small and big, in the country have started organising programs like seminars, book publications and poetry recitations to protest against the attacks on women, minorities, progressive people and Dalit communities.

Criminalising rights

The atmosphere of fear exists, not only because of fundamentalist violence, but also because of the criminalisation of peaceful expression. Many have been attacked by the self-appointed nationalists and so-called religious people, while many from the minority communities, especially youth, have been arrested, held in pre-trial detention, and subjected to extensive criminal trials by the government machinery.

Fear of such repression, combined with uncertainty as to how the statutes will be applied, leads others to engage in self-censorship. State governments are using draconian laws such as the sedition provisions of the penal code, the criminal defamation law and laws dealing with hate speech to silence dissent. These laws have been repeatedly used for political purposes against critics.

There have been major attacks on free speech in the country from the government itself. The information and broadcasting ministry under the BJP government has become an image manager for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The governmentas advisory to news channels not to telecast the Nirbhaya documentary and serving a legal notice to the BBC for airing the Nirbhaya film Indiaas Daughter, issuing show cause notices to channels on Yakub Memonas execution coverage, banning a documentary on beef a all of this tell their own story. The BJP government has crushed the resistance of the students from the Film and Television Institute of India against the appointment of a pro-BJP director and has charged JNU students with sedition. It has appointed RSS affiliated people in various academic institutes. There have been cases of deaths of journalists, intellectuals, attacks, arrests, threats, sedition, defamation and censorship of films, broadcast media, print media, music, cyber media and hate speech. The attempt to impose a one-day ban on NDTV India, the filing of a complaint against an Outlook investigation on child trafficking in Assam, the trumped up cases against human rights activists in Bastar, are all attempts to silence the media and the voices of democratic dissent. Reporters covering the courts have been assaulted by lawyers, taken into police custody and their access to the courts restricted.

The bigger picture

The time has come for thinkers, writers, poets, artists, scientists to overcome this feeling of intimidation and regenerate the society. Thinkers can become an explosive, powerful force. We have seen some examples in our freedom struggle, in Revolutionary Russia, Latin America and Africa. We have seen recently in India that the individual writers chose their timing of dissent in tandem with other fellow writers. Their act wasnat solitary, but in solidarity with others.

At such a crucial time it will be unfortunate, if the real thinkers stop writing or speaking or expressing their views. The active thinkers can awaken society, create standards of morality, humanism and honesty and preserve them. The absence of thinkers causes civilisations to collapse. We have been observing this decay with our own eyes. The process of decaying has taken alarming speed. Make the people think aptly at individual, collective level and at the level of small groups is the first step. To create a live internal debate is the second and going to the people and thinking together, is the third.

We have seen Russel taking a stand against war, we have seen Sartre taking a stand against the US in Vietnam, and we have seen Chomsky and many others taking a stand against the aggressive foreign policy of America. Many writers opposed Francoas dictatorship. We have seen and heard Dabholkar, Pansare and Kalburgi doing this during many social campaigns. We have seen them expressing their views fearlessly throughout their lives. The strategy to fight the battle with right-wing forces, in Pansareas words, is ashatru-mitra viveka (Asatru-bandhu bibAka). The regressive forces are in power not because they have support from the majority of people, but because the progressive forces are scattered and not united. The union of the left and Dalit movement can challenge the communal forces in power, he used to say.

So, if now the government at the Centre says that people should sacrifice their desire for justice and truth in the national interest, in the name of nationalism and patriotism, it should be opposed. If there are forces, which declare that India will be a Hindu Rashtra by 2023 or 2025, they should be opposed. For this is a secular nation and will remain secular. This is a democratic nation and will remain so.

Megha Pansare is an assistant professor at Shivaji University, Kolhapur, where she teaches Russian. She is the daughter of Govind Pansare.

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[SEE ALSO:

The Indian Express

aSet up STF to nab accused in Dabholkar, Pansare casesa

Later, in August 2016, the SIT took Tawdeas custody, to probe his involvement in Pansare murder case

By: Express News Service | Pune | Published:May 21, 2017

In March this year, CBI had announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh in exchange for information on Akolkar and Pawar, wanted in Dabholkar murder case.

The Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (MANS) has demanded that a special task force (STF) be constituted to arrest those accused of the murders of Dr Narendra Dabholkar and communist leader Govind Pansare.

In a press conference on Saturday, Hamid Dabholkar, son of the slain anti-superstition activist and MANS office-bearer, said an STF, comprising the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team probing the Dabholkar murder case, National Investigation Agency (NIA) team probing the Goa bomb blast case, the Maharashtra Police special investigation team (SIT) probing the Pansare murder case and the state anti-terrorism squad (ATS), should be formed to nab Sanatan Sanstha members Sarang Akolkar, Vinay Baburao Pawar and Rudra Patil.

CBI had arrested Sanatan Sanstha member Dr Virendra Tawde in the Dabholkar murder case on June 10, 2016.

Along with Tawde, CBI had named Vinay Pawar, who has been missing since 2009, and Sarang Akolkar, who is absconding in the October 2009 Goa blast case, as prime suspects.

CBI had claimed that Akolkar and Pawar had shot Dabholkar on August 20, 2013, around 7.25 pm on the Omkareshwar Bridge in Pune.

On February 16, 2015, two persons had opened fire at communist leader Govind Pansare and his wife Uma while the couple was returning home from a morning walk. While Pansare died during treatment at the hospital on February 20, his wife Uma survived.

In November, the SIT filed a chargesheet against Tawde, naming him the prime conspirator and Akolkar, Vinay Pawar and Rudra Patil as wanted accused in the case.

Later, in August 2016, the SIT took Tawdeas custody, to probe his involvement in Pansare murder case.

In March this year, the CBI had announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh in exchange for information on Akolkar and Pawar, wanted in Dabholkar murder case.

Hamid, along with MANS state secretary Milind Deshmukh, said even three and a half years after Dabholkaras murder, the CBI and other agencies have failed to arrest Sanatan Sanstha seekers wanted in the cases.

aThere has been a major delay in investigation. The state police have not even announced any reward for information about the wanted persons in Pansare murder case. Also, no steps have been taken to declare the accused persons as absconders and seize their property,a said Hamid.

Meanwhile, MANS condemned the act of sending a threat letter to journalist and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Aashish Khaitan, who had allegedly exposed how the then Pune Police Commissioner Gulabrao Pol used superstitious practices like aplancheta to seek a breakthrough in Dabholkar murder case.

However, an inquiry report by the Maharashtra Police gave a clean chit to Pol and his team in this case.

Hamid Dabholkar said Khetan had recently received a letter, issuing a threat to him for the arrest of Sanatan seeker Virendra Tawade.

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How long should we wait for the arrest of the suspected assassins?

(Thought and Action - April 2017 published by Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti)

Two years have passed since the brutal murder of Comrade Panasare and 42 months after killing Dr. Dabholkar. The two independent agencies involved in the investigation, viz, CBI of Central Government and SIT of State Government have lodged a criminal case on Sanatan Sanstha and Virendra Tawade of Hindu Jan Jagran Samiti. In both the charge sheets of murder, the names of Sarang Akolakar and Vinay Pawar of Sanatan Sanstha have been mentioned with supporting documents and evidences. Both the Agencies have come to this conclusion independently before lodging charge sheets in the Court. This appears to be very serious matter. In fact Sarang Akolkar, a wanted criminal by NIA, has been served with red corner notice at Interpol in the past. With these proven records, Avinash Patil of Maharashtra ANiS [Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti], through the press note, is questioning exasperatingly when will the Government arrest Sarang Akolkar and Vinay Pawar of Sanatan Sanstha?

The press note also points out that Sarang Akolkar and Vinay Pawar are absconded criminals of 2009 Malegao Bomb Blast Case for last seven years. In fact there was no criminal record of Vinay Pawar. Even then he has absconded since the explosion. Hence Maharashtra ANiS demands a quick action for serving a fresh red corner alert notice against these two criminals and announce an award of Rs 25 lakhs to the informers of their whereabouts. The charge sheet also mentions that there was a difference in thinking which has lead to assassinate Dr Dabholkar and Comrade Panasare. This appears to be a very severe conclusion inferred by the agencies.

The documents found by the agencies with these suspects contain false accusations on Dr Dabholkar and Comrade Pansare , some malicious writings and a list of activists and progressive thinkers of Maharashtra. Maharashtra ANiS is insisting that Government should initiate action to give protection to the persons whose names appear in the hit list. The note also states that no person will be safe until and unless Sarang Akolkar, Vinay Pawar and remaining three absconded Sadhak, viz; Pravin Limakar, Rudra Patil and Jayaprakash Hegade are put behind the bar. As such they should be arrested without much delay.

In one of the public litigation applications, the High Court has ordered the Government to state their stand on banning the activities of Sanatan Sastha Central Government has taken a stand that State Government had not provided sufficient evidence to ban these organisations. However, the State Police Department had filed a separate charge sheet against Sanatan Sanstha. Even CBI also filed a case in similar manner. The Court has already given a severe punishment to Vikram Bhave and Ramesh Gadkari, both Sadhak of Sanatan Sanstha involved in Thane and Vashi bomb blast cases. The investigating agency of State Government had found sufficient quantity of mind altering medicine in their stock during the raid on Sanatan Sanstha and found that Sanstha used to prescribe these medicines to Sadhak on regular basis. As such the press note insists that the Government should clarify their stand at the earliest.

The press note further mentions that on 16 Feb, Maharashtra ANiS and likeminded organisations in Delhi are organising picketing insisting to arrest the suspected assassins of Dr Dabholkar and Comrade Panasare. The press note further states that the branches of MAHARASHTRA ANIS are organising demonstrations all over Maharashtra insisting that the photographs of suspected assassins to be circulated through all the media.

o o o

Interview by India writers forum with writer and former Police officer Keki Daruwala slow investigation into the killing of MM Kalburgi. He believes the murderers are not being arrested because they are connected to Sanatan Sansthan  the Hindi Far Right organisation

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Unholy Nexus: Dabholkar-Pansare-Kalburgi murders

by Megha Pansare

Sabrang India - December 2015

Bullet cartridges in the three killings suggest a common set of killers, accused Sameer Gaikwad and Rudra Patil likely to be commonly involved; Sanatan Prabhat the organ of Sanathan Sanstha has marked out Dabholkar and Pansare as targets yet the union home ministry tells Parliament that there are no connections?

Presently, the writ petitions of the Dabholkar and Pansare families pressing for fair investigation have been clubbed together by the Bombay High Court after observing the similarity in both the murders. The Sanatan Sanstha, the organization believed to be behind the killings, has even published a photograph of Dabholkar, marked over with a red cross. One Sanatan Sadhak, Malgonda Patil, who was killed while trying to execute a bomb blast in Madgaon, Goa had also written an article in Sanatan Prabhat, articulating the need to eliminate Dr. Narendra Dabholkar. This Malgonda Patil happens to be a cousin of Rudra Patil. The sketch of one of the suspected murderer in the Dabholkar murder case has a striking similarity with the sketch of Pravin Limkar, who is a prime accused in Goa bomb blast case and is on an Interpol red corner lookout notice. The accused in the Pansare murder case, namely Sameer Gaikwad is a member of Sanatan Sanstha. The members of Sanatan Sanstha have even addressed a press conference in support of Sameer Gaikwad after his arrest.

Other revealing facts have come on record in the ongoing writ petition filed by the Pansare family in the Bombay High Court:

that, one Rudra Patil, who is also an accused in the Goa bomb blast case and is a member of Sanatan Sanstha, has also some role in the Pansare murder case;

that the wife of Rudra Patil is representing Sameer Gaikwad in the court.

It has also come on record before the Judicial Magistrate, Kolhapur, dealing with Pansare murder case that Sameer Gaikwad, an accused in Pansare murder case and the absconding Rudra Patil, an accused in Goa bomb blast case are friends and have an otherwise close association and relationship.

(According to a report in The Indian Express on December 11, 2015 among the angles of investigation being pursued by the three agencies involved  CBI, Karnataka CID and Maharashtra SIT  is of the possible involvement of four missing members of the right wing Sanathan Sanstha who are accused in a 2009 blast case in Margao, Goa. The four missing persons  Jai Prakash alias Anna and Rudra Patil, both from Karnataka, and Sarang Kulkarni alias Sarang Akolkar and Praveen Limkar from Maharashtra  have been sought by multiple agencies for over six years. AaAWe tried to find them but were not able to do so. Initial investigations showed that they escaped to Nepal. Sometime in 2014, they were reported to have returned,AaaAaa said an NIA investigator who was a part of the investigations into the 2009 Goa blast plot in which two alleged Sanathan Sanstha men were killed while trying to plant a bomb to disrupt a celebration they were opposed to.)

Given all these facts and circumstances, the statement of the union minister of state for home, Mr. Kiren Rijiju made through a written reply to Rajya Sabha (December 3, 2015) that there is no report to suggest any linkage or connection between murders of comrade Govind Pansare, Dr. Narendra Dabholkar and professor Kalburgi is shocking.

We, the family members of Dabholkar and Pansare families, have already expressed our disagreement with his statement as it is contradicts the facts on record. We also wish to know on what basis this statement was made by the minister. Now, today, when reports of the forensic analysis of the bullet cartridges found at the scene of all three incidents suggests the probable involvement of a common set of killers, it becomes essential that the home ministry of the union government immediately issues a clarification on the previous statement made in Parliament.

There is a striking similarity in the modus operandi of these three murders. The three murders have long been suspected to be the handiwork of a right wing group opposed to the outspoken and rational views of the three victims who have consistently criticised the irrational practices and beliefs within the Hindu religious system.

When the investigating agencies in all three murder cases are closely coordinating with each other, how can it be stated that there is no connection between these three murders? A Tracing the absconding Rudra Patil has become an important task for the agencies investigating these murders. Counsel for the CBI, Rebecca Gonsalves on November 30, 2015, even made a statement in the High Court to the effect that two members of the AaEsame organizationAaa are under scanner and their phone numbers are under surveillance.

According to the CBI submission in the Bombay High Court, on November 30, 2015, ninety- five members of AaEa right wing organisationAaa were interrogated and their statements recorded. The said organisation was upset with this and therefore made allegations against the investigating Officer, by holding a press conference. The said set of documents has been filed before the Bombay High Court.

All this clearly establishes that the investigating agencies are presently examining the role of the Sanathan Sanstha in both the Dabholkar and the Pansare murder cases. The points listed above sketch the close similarity between the two cases. Hence the statement of the minister of state for home, Kiren Rijiju, in Parliament is misleading and not based on facts.

Besides the records of the investigation mentioned above, both Dabholkar and Pansare were targets of the Sanathan Sanstha, as revealed by other evidence mentioned above. As only Dabholkar and Pansare cases are being heard by the Mumbai High Court, the High Court has not made any comment on the Kalburgi case and hence this statement does not encompass that murder investigation.

We demand that an immediate clarification from the government of the previous statement is made by MOs home, Kiren Rijiju. ]
The Indian Express, June 5, 2017

Fifty years after Naxalbari, are the comrades sure there is no difference between constitutional democracy and a state under siege by the RSS?

We are not what we know but what we are willing to learn a Mary Catherine Bateson

Age catches up with everyone, and itas been no different for ageing hippies and the Beatles generation. For some of us however, the half-century since Naxalbari has been the marker of a lifetime. Retired Naxals are unlikely to reach the centenary; so it was inevitable that we would be asked to write op-ed pieces for the media. As it happened, the Maoists killed 25 CRPF personnel in late April a a bloody anniversary in a violent history. Whatever happened to official conflict resolution? And to the red flag that Charu Mazumdar had prophesied would fly over Red Fort by 1975?

Iave heard the phrase peace process from childhood a with reference to the Sino-Indian conflict, Vietnam, the Cold War, Biafra, Egypt-Israel, Palestine, India-Pakistan, Iran-Iraq, Yugoslavia etc. All were a or still are a embroiled in a apeace process.a Not to mention the never-ending Hindu-Muslim peace process.

And then there was Naxalbari. Thereby hangs a story which I have related elsewhere, so will not recount here. But to begin on a tangent a radical wisdom was that everything is political. We used to say everything has a class character. I gradually learned otherwise. Truth does not have a class character; nor do love, laughter, grief and conscience. If they are rendered political they cease being what they are; and we would already be in an Orwellian universe. Air and water and grass are neither Hindu nor Muslim, neither proletarian nor bourgeois. But yes, extremist ideologies are fast becoming the opiate of choice for desperate people. If athe centre cannot holda, it is because truth is fragile and of no use to anyone except in distorted bits and pieces. We refuse to stand on our own two feet. What sense may we make of this situation?

Bright future etc.

The Russian existentialist Nicolai Berdayev (exiled in 1922) said of Communism that awhat is most terrible in it is the mixture of truth and falsehood.a We might rephrase this as the interplay of sociology and utopia. But this is a feature of ideology as such, not just its Communist version. Ideologies combine carefully selected verifiable elements with dreams and promises. Their sociological features pertain to real socio-economic problems and conflicts. The utopian feature assures us of a dream-like solution to those problems; a promise made by a vanguard which will lead us to the glorious new dawn.

There is a further dimension, the impulse towards geopolitical reality. Historically this was expressed in projects such as the Crusades, Dar-ul-Islam, Lebensraum, or even the American Century now drawing to a close. The New Medina, Khalistan and Hindu Rashtra fall in the same category, as does ISIS, the latest manifestation of Islamic utopia.

A century ago, the Bolshevik regime declared itself an armed camp of the world proletariat. The Peopleas Republic of China in its earlier phase saw itself as the red base for world revolution. In each of these cases we see a fragment of world spirit aspiring to unity, a part of humanity declaring itself the whole. These are dreams wherein the dreamer believes himself to be awake in contrast to ordinary mortals who are asleep. And in each the impulse to violent assertion is paramount, because only via murderous passion can such movements gain momentum.

Eternal drum-beat

Militarism is the secret of eternal warfare, to which capitalism has accommodated itself. Thereas money to be made in conflict, ask any arms dealer, or foreign ministry. This is the ground shared by enemies, upon which every victory is a defeat for humanity. But what if there is inertia to violent conflict, fuelled by psychological, ideological and economic factors? As in the impulse to revenge, doctrinal cussedness, combined with material benefit to some major decision-makers? What if peace process is a chimera?

Militarism has a long tradition in India, evidenced most clearly in the activities of revolutionary terrorist groups such as Anusilan and Jugantar. Communal ideologies too, were obsessed with civil war. In November 1947 an AICC resolution warned that athe activities of the Muslim National Guards, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the Akali Volunteers and such other organizationsa represent an endeavour to bring into being private armies, (and) must be regarded as a menace to the hard-won freedom of the country.a

The proliferation of private armies after 1947 has proven the foresight of this warning. These formations include the Sunlight Sena, Khalistani groups, the Ranvir Sena, the Bajrang Dal, ULFA and jehadi groups in Kashmir and elsewhere. All paramilitaries enjoy some degree of protection by legal parties. In the early 1980s Prime Minister Indira Gandhi saw fit to encourage extremist activists in Punjab (Bhindranwale) as did her successor in Sri Lanka (the LTTE).

The carnage that followed her assassination in November 1984 opened the floodgates of state-sponsored hooliganism and the blatant subversion of justice. In Chhattisgarh, the BJP and Congress jointly supported the vigilante Salwa Judum to terrorise those who dared resist the takeover of mineral-rich lands by corporates. Despite a Supreme Court order in 2011 disbanding it, this state-supported vigilante force continues under a different name. Such is the respect for law shown by our political leaders.

The paramilitary RSS has forged a far more sophisticated method of overthrowing the Indian Constitution than the Maoists. This method is based on V. D. Savarkaras directive of 1942, asking Hindutva cadre to infiltrate the organs of state. But it relies more upon ideological conviction than organizational affiliation. During the Babri Masjid demolition campaign, a retired DGP joined the VHP and called for Indiaas Muslims to be stripped of voting rights. This campaign cost the lives of some 1500 citizens in 1990 and 3000 in 1992. In the year 2000 a retired CBI Director extolled the Bajrang Dalas activities at its annual function.

The Modi regime has afforded impunity to vigilantism in the garb of alove jihada, aBharat Mataa and cow protection. Criminal cases related to terror attacks have been soft-pedalled where they involve RSS cadre. Interference with criminal justice has been attested to by the prosecutor Rohini Salian; and includes the Malegaon and Samjhauta train cases. The Hindutva lobby has used official clout to unleash captive mobs, hate-speech, push RSS cadre into state institutions and suborn security forces. The latter practice was noted by the Union Home Ministry in its February 1948 order banning the RSS after Mahatma Gandhias assassination.

Elephant in the drawing room

It is time for the establishment to shift its gaze briefly from the stock-market and ask itself what it objects to in Naxalite activity. Is it lawlessness and contempt for the Constitution? But does Naxalism hold a monopoly on lawlessness? Every mainstream party carries a burden in this regard. Not just the Congress and BJP/RSS, powerful state parties too are culpable. The CPI (M) dispatched a vigilante force to Nandigram on two occasions in 2007. Killer gangs of the CPI (M) and the RSS operate in Kerala. Isnat there a problem when people in authority misuse formal power to promote violence? The appearance on April 10, 2016 of Gujarat ex-DIG Vanzara, accused of engineering a fake encounter, on a podium with RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat signals something sinister a the relentless effort by the RSS to abolish the distinction between legal and illegal violence.

Those who want Maoist violence to stop must tell us what happens to their conscience in the face of the RSSas contempt for the rule of law. The Sangh defends itself by flaunting its patriotism. But Naxalites are nationalists too a they see themselves as political inheritors of Bhagat Singh. When the Home Minister denounces the Sukma incident as cold-blooded murder, he needs to be reminded that that his political allies have been murdering people on some pretext or other on a regular basis.

Was not the murder of Pehlu Khan cold-blooded? Did not the NHRC indict the Chhatisgarh police in January for sexual violence against Adivasis? Did not RSS affiliates attack a police station in UP on April 23 and beat up policemen, even entering the residence of an IPS officer on one occasion? Does anyone believe that athe law will take its own coursea in these matters? We are on the verge of becoming an entirely lawless state, and who, pray, is responsible for this?

Undoubtedly there are police officers, magistrates and judges committed to constitutional norms. But it is clear that the Modi government and the RSS are interested in securing an ideological bias within the criminal justice system. Why are murder trials involving Hindutva activists collapsing? Why was Judge Jyotsna Yagnik (who convicted Maya Kodnani and Babu Bajrangi) threatened and her protection withdrawn? Why was Rohini Salian asked to go slow on the Malegaon prosecutions? Why is the ruling party sponsoring an assault on judicial independence? Do we want the government of India to fall under the dictatorship of an ideology?

The Sangh Parivar and its supporters should understand this simple truth: the ideological corruption of justice will destroy Indiaas reputation as a law-governed democracy. Whatever the stock-brokers, contractors and corporate managers might think of this, the erosion of this reputation will drive Indiaas laboring classes and ordinary citizens toward desperation; and generate future insurgencies.

Violence is an outcome of humiliation, not of poverty. Those dreaming of Hindu Rashtra should study the ongoing disaster in the Nizam-i-Mustafa next door. Akhand Bharat and Hindu Rashtra are mutually exclusive ideals a if you get one, forget the other. If you love India, call off your hooligans and practice the non-violence that you preach to Naxalites.

Naxalism

Naxalite insurgency in India is propelled by three factors a the brutal injustice experienced by the rural poor; the vested interest of a powerful section of the establishment; and the utopian ideology of Maoist intelligentsia, compounded by the criminalization and logistical inertia of their military machine. The three work in tandem. Each is well documented a we need only recapitulate the 1986 Arwal massacre, the activities of the Ranvir Sena and Salwa Judum; the thousands of tribals in prison, the numerous allegations of unpunished molestation.

The scale of the humiliation undergone by the working population has to be acknowledged in order to understand insurgency. The Naxalite project will never succeed, but neither will insurgency disappear. Indian justice is a manufactory for insurgents. A major factor is that many powerful persons want it to continue. Thus, as recently as December 2014, a retiring DG of the CRPF stated that the continuation of Naxalite violence was beneficial for some state governments covetous of central funds. This has been corroborated by observers within the state apparatus.

However, people want the chance to get on with their lives a they want justice, but not at the cost of perpetual conflict. The comrades may well dream of going down in a heroic flame, but have no right to impose that dream upon others. Insurgent violence leads only to trauma and the desire for revenge. Dreams of liberation get smothered in cruelty; warfare mutates into a self-propelling automaton. The numbers of ordinary persons killed by Maoists is legion, but we may simply recall the names of tribal policemen Francis Induwar and Lucas Tete, tribal rights activist comrade Kenduka Arjun, NREGA activist Niyamat Ansari and journalist Nemichand Jain, all murdered between 2009 and 2013. Those interested can pursue the details of these unfortunates.

And the deliberate derailment of the Jnaneswari Express in May 2010 that resulted in over 140 deaths was a crime that no ideology could possibly justify. Was it collateral damage? When Communist actions become amenable to the Pentagonas terminology, we can see militarism for what it is a a doctrine for sociopaths and a pathway to criminalisation.

Regardless of the ethics of the Maoist leadership, normal persons can understand why it is the height of irresponsibility to perform actions whose repercussions you know in advance: lifelong sorrow for families of the dead; repression upon the civilian population; a handle for the government to attack journalists and lawyers; onslaughts on democratic organisations struggling for popular causes; and steady erosion of constitutional governance. Some commanders like Sabyasachi Panda (arrested in 2014), had realized the futile nature of Naxalite warfare. The point now is whether the cadre can use their experiences to distinguish between a struggle for social democracy and a suicidal waste of lives.

Lost opportunities

Decades of apeopleas wara and the history of Indian Communism have much to teach us. What is the record as regards human rights, resistance to communal politics and the preservation of democracy? Is it not clear that a section of the Indian ruling class wants to destroy democracy? Are the comrades sure that there is no difference between constitutional democracy and a state under siege by the RSS? India does not need a violent revolution to overthrow the Constitution, but a mass satyagraha to defend it. And that requires a much greater mental and physical effort than organizing a vigilante force.

Communists could have made such an effort in other contexts. Consider what might have happened in 1971 if the Communists had made amends for the disastrous Adhikari resolution of 1942 (that supported the Muslim League), by initiating a reassessment of the anti-democratic Partition of 1947. The CPI (ML) could have launched a debate free of the hateful views of communalists, both Muslim and Hindu. But the leadership was incapable of upsetting Chairman Mao. Dreamers of a classless society found it too utopian to question the partition of India. Thus Naxalites became the only Indian party to support Yahya Khan, a bloody tyrant hated by his own people. Ultra-left communists turned out to be moral and mental zombies.

In 1990, if left-wing groups had set aside their differences in order to defend the Babri Masjid, they could have prevented the terrible atrocities unleashed by communalists. Till this day Indian Communism has produced no thorough-going analysis of communalism, the most grievous political issue for over a century. And, barring honourable examples (especially from Punjab during the period of Khalistani terrorism), the Naxalite movement has been reluctant to confront communalists.

Can Naxalites start afresh?

Democracy is a necessity for the workers movement a it is the ruling class for whom democratic institutions are a nuisance. The proper functioning of these institutions requires that people be able to exercise their basic rights without fear. Relief from violence would be a major gain for oppressed sections of society. Forcing Indian rulers to implement the Constitution is a major task that will require mass movements on an unprecedented scale; and statesmanship of a high order. Those who claim to work for the exploited classes must know that society desperately needs relief from violence. If Maoists had the courage to cast aside their futile dogma they could regain a decisive position in national politics.

The inheritors of Naxalism should lay down their arms and challenge the ruling class to adhere to the Constitution, reform the criminal justice system, root out corruption; punish the instigators of communal and caste massacres; disband militias including the armed wings of the RSS; repeal the SEZ Act; pass the Womenas Reservation Bill and develop the forest and tribal areas for the benefit of the people rather than corporate interests. Such a challenge, accompanied by an unconditional promise to stop the violence, will electrify the political situation. It will place them in a responsible political position; and save the lives of thousands of ordinary people. Too much blood has been shed. Violence is predictable, comrades. Fifty years after Naxalbari, do something unpredictable. It will bring smiles to millions of faces.

Speak the truth.

Stop the killing.

Dilip Simeon is a writer, historian
Supreme Court of Florida. THAROD BELL Petitioner(s) v. STATE OF FLORIDA Respondent(s) CASE NO.: SC15-245 Decided: June 09, 2017

Upon review of the response to this Court's Order to Show Cause dated April 24, 2017, the Court has determined that it should accept jurisdiction in this case. It is ordered that the Petition for Review is granted, that the Fourth District Court of Appeal's decision in this case is quashed, and this matter is remanded for reconsideration upon application of our decision Weatherspoon v. State, 42 Fla. L. Weekly S405 (Fla. Apr. 6, 2017).

No Motion for Rehearing will be entertained by the Court.

A True Copy

Test:

John A. Tomasino Clerk, Supreme Court

two

Served:

CELIA TERENZIO

DON M. ROGERS

PAUL EDWARD PETILLO

HON. LONN WEISSBLUM, CLERK

HON. KAREN M. MILLER, JUDGE

HON. SHARON BOCK, CLERK

LABARGA, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, CANADY, POLSTON, and LAWSON, JJ., concur.
Those anticipating the February 2018 release of Ryan Coogler's Black Panther should be happy to see that Marvel has dropped the teaser trailer to the Chadwick Boseman starring super hero flick.



We've become so inundated with this sub-genre of mainstream cinema at this point in time that I won't dispense with much commentary on this one. Except to say when considering Western history and the current cultural and political climate, there is imagery in this trailer that I find to be stunning, indeed powerful, and quite moving. Have a watch for yourself. And if so inclined, comment below.
Throughout this trilogy of podcast episodes, Ive spoken about musical sources and the faraway fruits of their trajectories via music documentaries. In the first installment, Rumble spoke to the varying multi-cultural influences on roots music at the turn of the 20th century, as well as the societal impact of these early underdog American musical pioneers. A very different film, A Story of Sahel Sounds, implied the Alan Lomax story - the man who set out on the great frontier, not to conquer, but to capture the voices at the heart of the country by recording them onto and committing them to history for future generations to expand upon.



A Story of Sahel Sounds is a very different type of journey that takes its audience into West Africa in a Lomax-inspired search for the heart of a country that both influenced the Americas and in present day, musically re-interprets its own reflection. Tokyo Idols, the third film of that episode, while not having much to do with the aforementioned subjects, delves further into space in time, taking us to present day Japan where a shamelessly commercial top-down musical landscape informs the almost-dystopic approach to popular, or pop music.



The second episode in this series has as its guest, Tony Palmer, one the founding visionaries of music films as a genre - the rockumentary as we often call it - who in the sixties, was able to capture much of the revolutionary excitement of the culture's changing of the guard when pop music was hijacked from the recording studios and given to the people, who in garages and streets defined for themselves how the newly-emerging rock & roll sound and spirit would play out.



Given that much of Palmers filming took place in England, under the fervent encouragement of his friend, John Lennon, in addition to discussing Palmers fascinating career, our conversation explores the crucial evolutionary force of interpretation and reinterpretation; much like with A Story of Sahel Sounds, only through the British reimagining of roots, rhythm, and blues, and the impact it reflected back onto American Rock and Roll.



In todays final series installment - which, if Im being honest, could expand into this entire podcast - well look into some pivotal forces that bridged the gap between Americas roots pioneers to the 60s counter cultural explosion that turned on a multitude of minds, freaked out countless squares, and at large, woke up the consciousness of an entire generation and generations to come; links in a chain that began with literal outsiders - in the case of the native Americans, were speaking of outsiders to their own land - to figurative outsiders; future generations who identified with an aging plight for freedom.



After a brief discussion of the 40s and 50s - the first two decades to reap the benefits of recorded music and its double-edged industrialization, and of course, these are also the early years of a nation lost after the morally compromising, sobering effects of WWII - having spent most of these discussions on American music via international musical movements, well loop back to the states for a look at the fruits of cultural freedom via, what many feel to be the most American band of the 20th century, in theme, spirit, and bloodline: The Grateful Dead.



For what can essentially be reduced to a rock and roll band, The Grateful Dead is a heavy topic, the branches of which, could easily make up a stacked university syllabus of worthy studies. It is for this reason that many outsiders shy away from taking on The Dead as subjects for their curiosity or fanhood and it is certainly the reason that the brand new Amazon documentary, Long Strange Trip, is a full four hours in length; though after watching, many deadheads will consider this running time to be skillfully tight.



The film came out last Friday, so it is my hope that some of you have already taken 4 hours out of your last weeks to check out Amir Bar-Levs incredible documentary, but if you have yet to, that is something youre finally able to do. At the films Sundance premiere back in January, I was able to speak to director, Amir Bar-Lev as well as Bob Weir, Steve Parish, Trixie Garcia (Jerrys daughter), and at that point, I did my best to avoid as much spoiler territory as possible, knowing that the film wouldn't be available to the public for another five months. When I was able to revisit the film with Amir last May at Torontos Hot Docs Film Festival, I was glad to be able to do so with the knowledge that those listening to our second conversation may now do so having seeing his excellent film, which is very much not for Deadheads only - far from!



In addition to the return of Bar-Lev, there are two more very special guests joining the conversation. One is David Lemieux, who as many Deadheads will attest to, is the bands official archivist helming the vault, as it's literally referred. The job used to belong to Dead diehard, Dick Latvala, who released choice shows since 1993 under the series label, Dicks Picks, until his death in 99, at which point, Lemieux stepped in to continue the collection, which he eventually renamed Daves Picks. To this day, Dave still remasters and releases choice shows and, in the last few years, he worked with Amir as the helpful gatekeeper of the holy vault and co-producer of the films soundtrack.



Lastly, Im especially excited to be joined by author, Dennis McNally, who in addition to having acted as the bands publicist from 1984 until the death of Jerry Garcia in 1995, proved to be one of the bands most significant historians, with his thoroughly insightful biography: A Long Strange Trip: The Inside History of the Grateful Dead, released in 2001. In addition to this book, McNally also wrote an impeccable biography on Jack Kerouac, called Desolate Angel, and an exquisite account of the history of American counterculture, or cultural freedom in his ambitious book: On Highway 61: Music, Race, and the Evolution of Cultural Freedom, published in 2014.



Contents:

0:00 - Intro

9:00 - Dennis

43:30 - Amir & Dave



Amir Bar-Lev and David Lemieux pictured below at the Park Hyatt hotel for the Hot Docs festival in May. Photo by RICHARD LAUTENS


Wanna make a cool $200? Find Clumzy Lion's head.

The Dogpatch Press, which features writing "by furries, for furries," has the news of a stolen lion costume head. "Clumzy Lion" was in town following the Biggest Little Fur Con in Reno on June 1 through 4. His head and passport were stolen from his car while Clumzy Lion, presumably exploring as a human, swung by Fisherman's Wharf before flying home to Toronto, Canada.

The passport has since been found, but Clumzy's head remains missing.





The furry community has come out in full social media force to help Clumzy find his head. Meanwhile, the Dogpatch Press laments the sad state of affairs, stating, "Keeping a Pelican case in a car appears to make special temptation  thieves think a big case means it's full of gold, instead of a custom-tailored costume with priceless personal value."

This isn't the first time a fursuit has been stolen on the mean streets of San Francisco. Last year we reported on the theft of Zarafa's giraffe suit from the Frolic furry dance in SoMa. The suit was later discovered by a homeless person and returned to its rightful owner.

Clumzy Lion is hoping for the same fate. Eyes peeled SF!

Related: California DMV Rejects License Plate FURRIES As 'Sexual' Term
A pair of large restaurant spaces that helped transform the Uptown neighborhood in Oakland in the last decade are about to get split into four smaller spaces, with the latest closure being Southern food spot Pican. As the East Bay Times reports, the eight-year-old restaurant will close after dinner service on Sunday, June 11, and while there is a plan to reopen in one of the smaller spaces in the building once they've been completed in the fall, that still sounds up in the air.

Not up in the air, however, are two other tenants that are confirmed for the smaller spaces  a new location for the popular Brown Sugar Kitchen, and a relocation for Bocanova, the pan-Latin restaurant which is looking to move out of Jack London Square.

The original Brown Sugar Kitchen at 2534 Mandela Parkway in West Oakland will remain open. A previous plan to open a second location of the restaurant in SF's Bayview district never came to fruition.

The moves, which are all still "months away" according to the East Bay Times, come after the closure of Ozumo in the space next door to Pican last fall. Along with Pican, the high-end sushi spot helped define the redeveloped neighborhood in 2009 as a new dining destination, attracting the likes of Hawker Fare (now closed), Plum (also closed), and Plum Bar in the ensuing years.

The Ozumo space was huge by restaurant standards at 8,000 square feet, and Pican is similarly large at over 6,000 square feet, and Pican owner Michael LeBlanc tells Inside Scoop, "It's really about right-sizing. We still have a super loyal following. I feel like we have Pican disciples. But that discipleship is better served in a a 3,500-square-foot space."

Assuming the downsized Pican deal goes through, that still leaves one vacant space to fill, since Ozumo is not coming back, so stay tuned.
The incident sounds relatively minor, but we have reports today, via mandatory DMV reporting, of a collision between a self-driving car and a bicyclist on the streets of San Francisco in May which resulted in the bicyclist suffering minor injuries.

As KRON 4 reports, the incident happened on May 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the intersection of 11th and Mission.

The car was an autonomous 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV with one operator/passenger inside, and it was making a left turn from the northbound lanes of 11th Street onto Mission. Per CBS 5, "When a vehicle in the inner turn lane began to cut in front of the Bolt, it braked, causing a bicyclist who had been crossing closely behind to ride into the rear of the vehicle."

The Bolt was reportedly minorly dinged up, and the bicycle was undamaged, according to the DMV report. The bicyclist suffered a scraped knee and said s/he may seek medical attention, but no ambulance was called to the scene.

This wasn't one of Waymo's or Uber's self-driving cars, because we know they've been testing other car models. KRON 4 notes that General Motors' self-driving car project uses Chevy Bolt EVs, and that the cars have been involved in the three other minor collisions this year, including one that resulted in a minor injury.

So far, the California DMV requires all self-driving cars to have human operators inside, in case of emergencies. Earlier this year, though, likely under pressure from companies like Google/Waymo  who are developing cars that don't even have breaks or steering wheels inside  the DMV began suggesting that they would rewrite the rules to allow autonomous vehicles to eventually operate without drivers.

Related: Newly Proposed CA DMV Rules Would Let Self-Driving Cars Hit The Roads Without Humans
This week, which happens to be Negroni Week, brought some news of the former Big team's project at 98 Turk Street, as well as news of the closure of Oakland's Pican this weekend, and the launch of Tacolicious' delivery-only rotisserie concept MF Chicken in the next ten days. Here's what else has been going on, food-wise.

In another case of a high-end SF chef breaking out on his own in a casual way, former Atelier Crenn and Benu guy Rodney Wages launched his "Chubby Noodle meets Mensho Tokyo ramen" pop-up RTB Fillmore last fall. Now Eater reports that Wages has taken over the former Mosu space at 1552 Fillmore Street. He's expanding the space to have 36 seats and is reconfiguring the kitchen, and the menu will include some luxe flourishes like a tartare of raw lobster with preserved citrus, and a $68 wagyu beef supplement. The pop-up continues operations four days a week (tickets here), and Wages is hoping to open the permanent spot in August.

Meanwhile in the Outer Richmond we learn some more about what's been keeping Aziza closed long after it was set to reopen following a renovation. Eater talks to chef-owner Mourad Lahlou who says he will definitely reopen the place, but it's a question of where, because the city is now requiring millions of dollars to even out the building's floor for ADA reasons, and Lahlou says it would cost less to tear the whole place down. He's considering the possibility of having to relocate Aziza, but doesn't want to, and he continues to hope the city will make an exception for this noted restaurant.

In the Mission, V16 Sushi Lounge at 16th and Valencia, which already has/had a poke pop-up inside, is now going to have an ice cream thing inside, as Mission Local reports, called Rolled Up Creamery and Cafe. Rolled ice cream, a trend that started in Thailand, involves sheets of ice cream with toppings mixed in that are scraped and rolled into cups, almost like crepes, and owner Barry Lee hopes the Mission is ready for this.

Hoodline brings word of a new location for Blue Bottle Coffee, which is at the corner of Fillmore and Jackson in Pacific Heights. It opened on Tuesday in a consolidated space that was formerly both a Tully's and a newsstand.

A former Chez Papa guy has just opened Parker Cafe in Potrero Hill, at 1399 18th Street. The place has a "French-leaning menu" according to Eater, with open-faced tartines, a Cubano sandwich, Sightglass coffee, and beer and wine.

Sad news in San Jose: The city's oldest restaurant, Wing's, is closing at the end of June after 92 years in business. The reason, according to a note on the restaurant's website via Eater, is a rent increase.

And finally, former Coi pastry chef Nick Muncy has a new food magazine called Toothache, as Eater shows us, which is one of a new breed of chef-driven publications.

This Week In SF Food

The Weekly's Pete Kane headed over to Oakland to review the Camino casual spinoff The Kababery, where he says the "menu is small, but it nails just about everything." He says "the kebabs are awesome, up and down" with the king trumpet mushroom one being his favorite. Also, among the salads, he says the shredded carrot salad is a winner.

Michael Bauer revisits the famed Dry Creek Kitchen, executive chef Charlie Palmer's Healdsburg flagship that's now 16 years old. The restaurant gained a new chef de cuisine in Scottie Romano, who first came to work for Palmer over 20 years ago, and Bauer says Romano has been able to meld his own sensibilities with those of Palmer," and has brought some "luster" back to the restaurant, to which Bauer has given very mixed reviews in recent years. He enjoys a seasonal preparation of Cornish game hen as well as a classically prepared dish of pork tenderloin medallions, and in the end: three big stars.

And for his Sunday review, Bauer heads to Sausalito for the new Joinery Beerhall + Rotisserie, the five-month-old spinoff of Mill Valley Beerworks nearby. He's pleased that it is not dominated by tourists like most of Sausalito can be, writing, "That the Joinery Beerhall+Rotisserie is off the most-traveled tourist path makes it especially inviting for those of us who either live in or love to visit the area but dont want to be overshadowed by the hordes." He's a fan of the "juicy" Mary's chicken from the rotisserie, and the fried chicken sandwich, and the burger, and he raves about the "exceptionally juicy" smoked Polish kielbasa on Sonoma Brinery sauerkraut. All told: two and a half stars.
An SFPD car got in a seemingly random rollover collision Friday evening next to Ocean Beach, within view of the Beach Chalet from which the above and below photos, sent in by an SFist reader, were shot. According to KRON 4, the incident happened at 7:52 when the police cruiser hit "some kind of object in the roadway in the 1000 block of Great Highway."

The airbags deployed and the two officers in the car suffered injuries said to be not life threatening. The Examiner also has a good photo here.

Captain Jack Hart tells ABC 7, "This is just another reminder of the hazards of driving in San Francisco, and the hazards that our officers have to face every day. And we're very lucky on this one."





Below, ABC 7's chopper footage from the scene. The SFPD is investigating the crash and seeking surveillance footage to better understand what happened just before it to cause it.

There's a suggestion that a second car may have been involved somehow, and that the driver of the second vehicle did not stop, and could be cited by the SFPD.








During the event, the two carriers introduced tourism potential of Hanoi in particular and Vietnam in general, as well as direct flights between the two nations.





Vietnam Airlines is the largest carrier operating direct flights between Vietnam and Japan with an average of 70 trips per week on 10 routes connecting Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang with Haneda, Narita, Kansai (Osaka), Centrair (Nagoya) and Fukuoka.





Since its first flight in 1994, Vietnam Airlines has served 10 million people, accounting for 65 percent of the market share.





Meanwhile, Jetstar Pacific announced to operate two direct routes linking Ha Noi and Da Nang with Osaka, becoming Vietnams first low-cost airline to offer direct service to Japan.





The first flight is schedule to begin in early September this year with four round-trips per week using 180-seater Airbus A320.





Both carriers are implementing a dual brand strategy to diversify products to meet customers demand and enhance their popularity in both domestic and foreign markets.





VNS
On Wednesday, June 21 Milwaukee Fringe will put on Fuel the Fringe, the official kickoff event for the second year of the Milwaukee Fringe Fest, at Fuel Cafe 5th Street from 6-9 p.m.

Ben Yela will perform original music at 6:30 p.m. and Angry Young Men with special guest Julianne Frey will perform at 7.

A number of items will be raffled off including: Fuel Cafe gift cards, Milwaukee Comedy Festival tickets, Milwaukee Fringe Festival weekend passes, a Lakefront Brewery beer box and original art from Dan Fleming.

There will also be sidewalk chalk, souvenir rocks, a Polaroid picture taking station and henna tattooing courtesy of Hands of Henna by Anita.

We're excited to be partnering with Fuel Cafe for the event, and to be announcing our awesome lineup for the second year of our festival, said Eric Engelbart, producer of Milwaukee Fringe Festival. It'll definitely be fringy, and we cant wait for everyone to see the great combination of performances and interactive art weve put together for this event.

This year, the festival will be taking place on August 26-27 at The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.
United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. DERRICK DEJUAN WOOTEN, Defendant - Appellant. No. 16-7084 Decided: June 08, 2017

Before LUCERO, BALDOCK, and MORITZ, Circuit Judges.**

ORDER AND JUDGMENT*

In the context of a sentencing for unlawful possession of a firearm, U.S.S.G  2K2.1(c) provides that when the defendant uses the firearm cited in the offense of conviction in connection with another offense or attempted offense, the guideline range for that offense or attempted offense should be applied if it is higher than the range calculated under  2K2.1(a) and (b). For the purposes of this cross reference, another offense means any federal, state, or local offense,  regardless of whether a criminal charge was brought, or a conviction obtained. U.S.S.G.  2K2.1 cmt. n.14(C). In 2016, a federal jury convicted Defendant Derrick Wooten of being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C.  922(g). At sentencing, the district court used the cross reference under U.S.S.G.  2K2.1(c) to apply the attempted-murder guideline under  2A2.1 and sentenced Wooten to 120 months' imprisonment. Wooten challenges this cross reference. Exercising jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C.  3742(a)(2), we affirm.

The incident leading to this cross reference began when Wooten received a phone call from his mother in November 2015. She said that Chicago (Demetrius Carey) was at her house threatening to kill her if he could not find Wooten. Wooten took his pistol and drove approximately three-quarters of a mile to his mother's house. He exited his vehicle with the pistol in his hand and exchanged words with Carey. When Carey moved his hands toward his beltline, Wooten began firing. Wooten fired approximately seven times from the area at the front of his mother's property as Carey fled. Wooten followed Carey down the street and around the corner, where Wooten fired at least one more shot. One of the rounds hit Carey in the face. According to the Addendum to the Presentence Report, the round entered at Carey's jawline and exited at the bridge of his nose. Carey was unarmed.

Using the cross reference in U.S.S.G.  2K2.1(c)(1)(A), the district court applied the attempted murder guideline in  2A2.1 and found a total offense level of 37. That offense level, when combined with Wooten's criminal history category of III, provided a sentencing range of 262327 months' imprisonment. But because 120 months is the maximum sentence for a felon in possession of a firearm under 18 U.S.C.  924(a)(2), 120 months became the guideline sentence according to U.S.S.G.  5G1.1(a). Based on this calculation and the 18 U.S.C.  3553 factors, the district court sentenced Wooten to 120 months in prison and three years' supervised release.

Wooten timely appeals his sentence and argues that (1) because he acted in self-defense, he did not attempt a homicide offense; and alternatively (2) due to his lack of malice aforethought and premeditation, the most appropriate guideline to apply is  2A2.2 covering attempted manslaughter rather than  2A2.1 for attempted murder. Essentially, Wooten argues that the evidence does not support the district court's findings and application of the guidelines. Our conclusions on the facts of this case, however, necessarily lead us to conclude that attempted first-degree murder is the most appropriate guideline to apply.

We review the district court's selection of the most analogous offense guideline with due deference, limiting our review of its factual findings for clear error but conducting de novo review over its interpretations of the guidelines and the ultimate determination of which of several offense guidelines most appropriately applies to the facts as found. United States v. Fortier, 180 F.3d 1217, 1225 (10th Cir. 1999). The government must prove the facts supporting the cross reference by a preponderance of the evidence. See id. A finding of fact is clearly erroneous only if it is without factual support in the record or if the appellate court, after reviewing all of the evidence, is left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made. United States v. Maestas, 642 F.3d 1315, 1319 (10th Cir. 2011) (quoting United States v. Talamante, 981 F.2d 1153, 1158 (10th Cir. 1992)).

Wooten first argues that Carey's earlier threat against his mother and Carey's action in reaching for his own beltline prompted him to act in self-defense. Generally, a person may resort to self-defense if he reasonably believes that he is in imminent danger of death or great bodily harm, thus necessitating an in-kind response. United States v. Toledo, 739 F.3d 562, 567 (10th Cir. 2014). Wooten's argument, however, defies common sense because self-defense requires the defendant's reasonable belief that deadly force was necessary. Id. at 568. Wooten armed himself and traveled nearly a mile to a situation where he knew he was likely to find trouble. At the first instance of a potentially threatening action, he began firing rather than brandishing his gun or attempting to leave even though none of the witnesses saw Carey with a gun and Carey was, in fact, unarmed. Finally, and most condemning, even if Wooten had fired the first shot (or the first few shots) in self-defense, he could not have reasonably fired the subsequent shots in self-defense while Carey was fleeing the confrontation. The district court did not clearly err in determining that Wooten did not act in self-defense.

We next address the district court's selection of the attempted first-degree-murder guideline to the exclusion of other attempted-homicide guidelines. We apply guidelines pertaining to first-degree murder when the evidence presented demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant harbored malice aforethought and premeditation. Fortier, 180 F.3d at 1226 (citing United States v. Nichols, 169 F.3d 1255, 1272, 127576 (10th Cir. 1999)); see also 18 U.S.C.  1111(a). Wooten argues that he lacked malice because he was in a heat of passion and, further, that he lacked premeditation or specific intent to kill. The district court expressly found malice aforethought, and, because it selected the attempted first-degree murder guideline, the court necessarily also found premeditation. Because the district court did not clearly err in finding the requisite mental state, we agree that the most appropriate guideline is attempted first-degree murder.

Malice aforethought may be established by evidence of conduct which is reckless and wanton, and a gross deviation from a reasonable standard of care, of such a nature that a jury is warranted in inferring that defendant was aware of a serious risk of death or serious bodily harm. United States v. Wood, 207 F.3d 1222, 1228 (10th Cir. 2000) (quoting United States v. Soundingsides, 820 F.2d 1232, 1237 (10th Cir. 1987)). Continuing to shoot approximately nine times at a person who is not an immediate threat and is running away from a confrontation in a residential area certainly constitutes reckless behavior and a gross deviation from a reasonable standard of care.

To negate malice aforethought, Wooten argues he acted in a heat of passion because of the phone call from his mother and the heated dispute between himself and Carey. The heat of passion defense requires a provocation severe and sudden enough to cause a passion of fear or rage in which the defendant loses his normal self-control as a result of circumstances that would provoke such a passion in an ordinary person, but which did not justify the use of deadly force. United States v. Serawop, 410 F.3d 656, 66465 (10th Cir. 2005) (quoting United States v. Browner, 889 F.2d 549, 552 (5th Cir. 1989)). The district court did not accept Wooten's arguments pertaining to the phone call as an impassioning factor and noted that Wooten traveled nearly a mile, with his gun, to the trouble. We are not left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake was made, and we conclude that Wooten has not met the high standard of clear error on this point. See Maestas, 642 F.3d at 1319. To the extent that Wooten claims he and Carey had a heated dispute, his own statements belie that characterization. During his post arrest interview, Wooten told officers that he had asked Carey, What are you doing here? What do you want? before Carey reached for his pants and Wooten began firing. It would be inappropriate to consider this interaction sufficiently impassioning for the purposes of Wooten's defense.

The two cases Wooten cites for support do not help him. United States v. Kupfer, 68 F. App'x 927 (10th Cir. 2003) (unpublished), a nonbinding Order and Judgment, dealt with a much more provoking circumstance. In that case, we affirmed the district court's application of the voluntary manslaughter guideline over the defendant's request for the involuntary manslaughter guideline where, during an already heated interaction, the victim had just informed the defendant that he had sexually assaulted the defendant's sister. Id. at 930. And in United States v. Cherry, 572 F.3d 829 (10th Cir. 2009), neither party challenged the district court's finding of heat of passion. In that case, the defendant jumped out of his vehicle prepared to fight and exchanged threats with the victim as part of a larger confrontation and leading up to a mutual gunfight. Id. at 830. Additionally, we noted in dicta that the district court may have been lenient in making that finding and not analogizing Mr. Cherry's conduct to a more serious form of homicide. Id. at 832. Here, we find no clear error in the district court's finding of malice aforethought.

Finally, while we may not presume premeditation, Fortier, 180 F.3d at 1226, it is properly inferred where the apparent purpose of the lethal act is to cause the victim's death, Wood, 207 F.3d at 1232. Further, a killer can develop premeditation during the incident at issue, and the government does not need to show that the defendant deliberated for any particular period of time. United States v. Treas-Wilson, 3 F.3d 1406, 1409 (10th Cir. 1993) (quoting United States v. Slader, 791 F.2d 655, 657 (8th Cir. 1986)). Wooten's pursuit of Carey is a sufficient evidentiary basis for the district court's determination. If Carey was hit before he went around the corner, then it appears that Wooten followed with the intent to finish killing him. If Carey was hit after he went around the corner, then it appears that Wooten engaged in an intentional search-and-destroy mission. The district court did not clearly err in finding premeditation.

For the reasons set forth above, we AFFIRM.

Entered for the Court

FOOTNOTES

. During the sentencing hearing, the government called a neighborhood resident who witnessed the events and one of the officers who responded to the scene. The district court found the government's witnesses to be credible, adopted the facts in the Presentence Investigation Report, and considered the statements Wooten voluntarily made while in custody.

. Definitions of self-defense the parties suggested have substantially the same elements. See Okla. Stat. tit. 21,  733(a)(2); Robinson v. State, 255 P.3d 425, 432 (Okla. Crim. App. 2011) (applying Oklahoma statutory self-defense definition); LaFave and Scott, Substantive Criminal Law,  5.7 (1986).

Bobby R. Baldock Circuit Judge
In case "Bambi" and "Beauty and the Beast" aren't cutting it as the "park your kids in front of the TV" movies this summer, you might want to try The Lego Batman Movie.

Using Legos to tell a cockeyed version of the Batman story, director Chris McKay manages to solidify a filmmaking genre. While The Lego Movie created the niche, this takes it to another level, opening the door for everything from Lego Scarface to Lego Youve Got Mail.

The trick is in the telling.

Drawing on many fan-held beliefs (Batman is a self-centered loner, for example), McKay is able to find plenty of jokes that work on several levels.

Like Deadpool, Lego Batman begins the lampoon immediately. All important movies start with a black screen, Batman (Will Arnett) says as the film opens. He also boasts nine-pack abs and more Lego vehicles than a 10-year-old could imagine.

Quickly (and much of the film is very quick), we learn that the Joker (Zach Galifianakis) is leading the other villains in an all-out war on the Energy Center. They dont scare Batman (snake-clowns do) but a new commissioner Gordon  daughter Barbara  could be a Lego stumbling block in his attempt to keep the bad guys at bay. She, a grad of Harvard for Police, wants to do more. It takes a village to fight crime.

Batman isnt buying it.

He tries to follow his own lead, but constantly hits snags. His adopted son, Dick Grayson (Michael Cera), is a little too eager to get into the family biz. He complicates matters and becomes the wedge that keeps Batman from achieving his goals.

Before long, everyone is headed to the Phantom Zone where lots of villains reside. There, the Lego folks have a field day, creating Lego King Kong, Lego Godzilla and Lego Gremlins. Theres probably a little too much product placement but McKay keeps the bricks moving and winds up with a resolution that keeps everyone happy. For now.

While The Lego Batman Movie doesnt have a song on par with Everything is Awesome, it does bleed trivia and laughs. (Yes, there really is a villain named the Condiment King.)

Arnett gives Batman the right amount of disaffected charm; Rosario Dawson is feisty enough as Barbara Gordon to warrant a second visit. Even Ralph Fiennes, as the voice of Alfred, is a pleasant diversion.

When the film's creators add in Lego word balloons, this interpretation enters another realm. Call it super.
PONCA, Neb. | An Emerson, Nebraska, man who alerted authorities to a "possible attempted murder" was bound over to district court Friday to face several felony charges.

Joe Saufley waived his preliminary hearing in Dixon County Court and was bound over to district court, where he is next scheduled to appear on July 10.

Saufley, 22, faces felony charges of first-degree assault, first-degree sexual assault, strangulation with serious bodily injury, first-degree domestic assault and a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace.

According to court documents, Saufley, 22, called authorities at 12:20 a.m. May 7 and requested police and an ambulance to come to his home in the 1100 block of Logan Street in Emerson because he had murdered his girlfriend. When police arrived, Saufley was standing in the street with blood dripping from his hand, and he was arrested without incident.

The victim came out of the house, court documents said, covered in blood and had injuries over her face, head and body.
SIOUX CITY | Traffic on Interstate 29 was backed up for miles Saturday as people waited to attend an open house at the 185th Air Refueling Wing.

Col. Larry Christensen, the wing commander, said the event was to thank the public for its support of the base and the men and women serving there. The Iowa Air National Guard base has hosted open houses in the past, but Christensen said they have been occupied with deployments recently.

"This is our way of telling everybody how much we appreciate how they have taken care of us over the years," he said. "It has just been a wonderful day."

An estimated 5,000 showed up to the base near the Sioux Gateway Airport to tour the facility and to look at 15 military aircraft that were flown in from across the country. There was also two Army helicopters and other Army vehicles, Mercy Medical Center's air ambulance helicopter and Sioux City Fire Rescue and Police Department vehicles. A 5k walk/run was held Saturday morning with the course taking runners and walkers past airplanes on the runway.

"It just reflects how well the community supports us, we had such a great turnout even with the threat of the weather coming in we still had a huge amount of support," Christensen said.

The 185th's main mission is to refuel planes-- while in the air-- for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and NATO with the eight KC-135 Stratotanker refueling tankers that are on the base. The unit has about 950 full and part-time members.
United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DAVON MCKENZIE, Defendant-Appellant. No. 16-15936 Decided: June 09, 2017

Before HULL, WILSON, and JULIE CARNES, Circuit Judges.

Defendant Davon McKenzie appeals his 180-month sentence, imposed after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. On appeal, Defendant argues that the district court erred by applying the enhancement under the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA) because his three Florida convictions for possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver cocaine were not qualifying serious drug offenses and his Florida conviction for aggravated battery did not constitute a violent felony. After careful review, we affirm.

I. BACKGROUND

According to the Presentence Investigation Report (PSR), in January 2016, officers responded to Dolphin Food Market after receiving calls that an individual, later identified as Defendant, had approached a customer with a gun and demanded that the customer give Defendant two gold necklaces. The encounter led to the customer being shot in the leg. Defendant then fled with the two gold necklaces and $700. He dropped the gun before exiting the market. Officers recovered the firearm and determined that it had traveled in interstate commerce.

A federal grand jury subsequently issued an indictment charging Defendant with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C.  922(g)(1) & 924(e)(1). Defendant later pled guilty pursuant to a written plea agreement.

In preparation for sentencing, the probation officer prepared the PSR. The probation officer assigned Defendant a base offense level of 24 pursuant to U.S.S.G.  2K2.1(a)(2). Defendant also received a two-level enhancement under  2K2.1(b)(4) because the firearm was stolen and a four-level enhancement pursuant to  2K2.1(b)(6)(B) because he possessed the firearm in connection with another felony offense. The probation officer further determined that Defendant was an armed career criminal under U.S.S.G.  4B1.4(a), resulting in an offense level of 34. The ACCA enhancement was based on the following prior convictions in Florida: a conviction for armed robbery with a deadly weapon in 2006; three convictions for possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver cocaine in 2009; and a conviction for aggravated battery in 2013. With a three-level reduction for acceptance of responsibility, Defendant's total offense level was 31. Based on a total offense level of 31 and a criminal history category of VI, Defendant's guideline range was 188 to 235 months' imprisonment.

Of relevance to this appeal, Defendant objected to the ACCA enhancement on the ground that his prior convictions for armed robbery, aggravated battery, and possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver cocaine were not qualifying predicate offenses.

At sentencing, Defendant reiterated his objection to the ACCA enhancement. Defendant acknowledged that binding precedent foreclosed his argument related to the drug convictions, but argued that his convictions for aggravated battery and armed robbery did not qualify as violent felonies because they required only the de minimus use of force. The district court ultimately determined that the PSR's application of the ACCA enhancement was appropriate because Defendant's three prior drug convictions qualified as serious drug offenses. The district court noted, however, that even if one of the drug offenses were deemed infirm, the application of the ACCA enhancement was still appropriate because Defendant's aggravated battery conviction was a qualifying violent felony. After considering the 18 U.S.C.  3553(a) factors, the district court sentenced Defendant to 180 months' imprisonment. This appeal followed.

II. DISCUSSION

We review de novo whether a prior state conviction is a qualifying predicate offense under the ACCA. See United States v. Esprit, 841 F.3d 1235, 1238 (11th Cir. 2016) (violent felony); United States v. White, 837 F.3d 1225, 1228 (11th Cir. 2016) (serious drug offense). Under the ACCA, a defendant convicted of violating  922(g) is subject to a 15-year mandatory minimum if he has three prior convictions for either a violent felony or a serious drug offense. 18 U.S.C.  922(g), 924(e)(1).

Here, the district court did not err by concluding that Defendant was an armed career criminal. The district court determined that Defendant's three prior convictions in Florida for possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver cocaine qualified as serious drug offenses under the ACCA. Defendant's prior drug offenses constitute serious drug offenses under binding precedent. See United States v. Smith, 775 F.3d 1262, 1268 (11th Cir. 2014) (holding that a conviction under Florida Statute  893.13(1) for possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver a controlled substance constitutes a serious drug offense under the ACCA). We are not persuaded by Defendant's argument that his prior drug convictions cannot be predicate offenses because the Florida statute does not have a mens rea requirement, as we explicitly rejected this argument in Smith. See id. Under the prior precedent rule, we are bound by the holding in Smith unless and until it is overruled by this court en banc or by the Supreme Court. United States v. Vega-Castillo, 540 F.3d 1235, 1236 (11th Cir. 2008) (quotations omitted).

Although Defendant's three prior drug convictions are sufficient to support the ACCA enhancement, we also conclude that the district court correctly determined that Defendant's Florida conviction for aggravated battery qualifies as a violent felony under the ACCA. See Turner v. Warden Coleman FCI (Medium), 709 F.3d 1328, 134142 (11th Cir. 2013), abrogated on other grounds by Johnson v. United States, 135 S. Ct. 2551 (2015). Because Defendant has at least three prior convictions that qualify as predicate offenses under the ACCA, the district court did not err by applying the ACCA enhancement.

AFFIRMED.

FOOTNOTES

. The district court did not rely on the armed robbery conviction.

PER CURIAM:
A Vancouver bank robbery suspect who died after exchanging gunfire with police has been identified as a Centralia man, according to the Clark County Medical Examiners Office.

David W. Hamilton, 50, died of multiple gunshot wounds in the June 6 shooting, according to the Medical Examiners Office. It listed his cause of death as homicide, a term that does not suggest killing was unlawful.

The chain of events that led to the shooting began when a man with a rifle wearing a ski mask robbed the iQ Credit Union branch, 15705 N.E. Fourth Plain Blvd., on the afternoon of June 6. The robber fled in a vehicle, hopped into another car parked nearby, then led officers on a short chase.

After officers ran him off the road near the intersection of Northeast 182nd Avenue and 73rd Street, the suspect and the three officers exchanged weapons fire. The suspect was shot and killed.

The Vancouver Police Department has identified the three officers as Cpl. James Burgara, 55, Officer Erik Jennings, 45, and Officer Richard Rich, 46.

Vancouver police said the Regional Major Crimes Teams investigation into the shooting is ongoing. All three officers are on paid leave, per standard department practice when officers use their weapons.
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Apple CEO Tim Cook on Friday warned graduates at MIT, a pioneer in fields like computers and robots, about technology's dehumanizing aspects and urged them to infuse its development with their own values.

"Im not worried about artificial intelligence giving computers the ability to think like humans," Cook said in his commencement speech at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "I'm more concerned about people thinking like computers, without values or compassion, without concern for consequence.

Speaking to thousands of students and their families at MIT's Cambridge, Massachusetts, campus, Cook praised the benefits of new devices and social media. But he also cautioned that the same technologies can divide people through threats to privacy or security, and said technology must be tempered with human knowledge.

"Technology is capable of doing great things, but it doesn't want to do great things. It doesn't want anything," the Apple Inc chief executive said. "That part takes all of us." Cooks speech did not break new ground for him as head of the world's most valuable technology company but added some context around some of his past decisions, such as taking controversial stances to protect privacy rights and investing heavily in green technologies.

Cook has criticized President Donald Trumps policies but offered only a gentle joke at the president's expense on Friday, telling students it is obvious they have taken over Trumps Twitter account.

I can tell college students are behind it because most of the tweets happen at 3 a.m., Cook said. His 15-minute talk stood in contrast to a lengthier graduation speech his predecessor, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, gave at MIT rival Stanford University in 2005, in which Jobs outlined his free-thinking background and told graduates to find work they loved.

Cook took a more conventional career path to the top of Apple, where he became CEO in 2011 after stints at IBM and Compaq. Cook, who is openly gay but famously circumspect, gave few details about his own life on Friday except to outline what he described as a frustrating search for meaning until joining Apple.

He said at one point he sought guidance in religion and last year met with Pope Francis, who Cook said reinforced his own sense that technology must be harnessed with strong values. He said Francis told him, Never has humanity had such power over itself, yet nothing ensures that it will be used wisely."

Reuters
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A 25-year-old intelligence contractor accused of leaking a top-secret report on Russian meddling in last year's US election wrote in a note that she wanted to "burn the White House down," prosecutors said. Reality Winner appeared in federal court Thursday in Georgia and pleaded not guilty to a charge of "willful retention and transmission of national defence information," ABC News reported.

Winner's is the latest in a string of cases involving breaches at the National Security Agency (NSA), a code-breaking agency still smarting from Edward Snowden's 2013 disclosures of its global surveillance programs. The former Air Force linguist was arrested last Saturday for allegedly giving a document to news website The Intercept that detailed attempts by hackers from Russian military intelligence to penetrate a company that sells voter registration software as well as local election officials.

Assistant US Attorney Jennifer Solari said agents searching Winner's home found handwritten notes in several languages, including one that said, "I want to burn the White House down," ABC News and The Augusta Chronicle reported. Her social media accounts had revealed a deep dislike of President Donald Trump, with one post calling him "the orange fascist." Other notes found at her home included details on how to access the "dark web," set up a burner email account and listed the names of Taliban leaders, news reports said.

Winner, who worked for NSA contractor Pluribus International Corporation in Augusta, Georgia, was a specialist in Pashto, Farsi and Dari, languages spoken in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, her mother has said. Solari warned that Winner may possess more stolen secrets.

Judge Brian Epps denied bail, meaning Winner will stay behind bars until trial after Solari said some of the evidence was "downright frightening." Her lawyer Titus Nichols rejected that characterization, saying his client has no history of violence. He said his Winner is just a millennial comfortable with technology.

AFP
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The U.S. International Trade Commission on Friday gave a green light to the U.S. Commerce Department to begin preparing Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties against new jets from Bombardier Inc, sending the Canadian planemaker's stock down as much as 8 percent.

The ITC, as expected, voted to continue an investigation on Boeing Co's complaint that Bombardier dumped its CSeries jet below cost in the U.S. market while benefiting from unfair subsidies. The case has fueled trade tensions between the United States and its northern neighbor with Canada calling on Boeing to abandon the anti-dumping challenge and threatening to scrap plans to buy the company's fighter jets as an interim purchase in the renewal of its fleet.

The ITC probe could lead to steep duties on the stoking investor fears that it will discourage future sales of the 110 to 130 seat jets, which have not secured a new order in about a year, said an analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters.

Bombardier spokesman Mike Nadolski said the ITC's decision was expected given the "low bar" for Boeing at this early stage, while a company executive recently dismissed suggestions that the probe could hurt CSeries sales.

"Going forward, we are confident that a detailed review and analysis of the facts will demonstrate that Boeings claim is without merit," Nadolski said by email. A Boeing spokesman declined to say if the company was pleased with the ITC decision, instead emphasizing its support for Canada as a "customer and supplier-partner for both our commercial and defense businesses."

Spokesman Dan Curran said by email that Boeing's near century-old relationship with Canada "will continue to thrive after this commercial trade matter is resolved." Coupled with Canada's pledge to move ahead with an interim fighter purchase, Boeing's reaction indicates the careful path the U.S. planemaker must tread in challenging Bombardier while trying to preserve a lucrative military contract with the country.

Canadian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alex Lawrence reiterated that Canada would defend its aerospace industry. "We are reviewing current military procurement that relates to Boeing," Lawrence said by email.

Boeing has argued that the CSeries program would not exist without hundreds of millions of dollars in launch aid from the governments of Canada, Quebec and Britain, or a $2.5 billion equity infusion from Quebec and its largest pension fund in 2015. It warned that Bombardier's actions could upset the wider market and erode future sales of its best-selling 737.

Boeing wants the U.S. government to investigate the 2016 sale of 75 CSeries aircraft to Delta Air Lines for what it calls the "absurdly low" sum of $19.6 million each, despite the jet costing $33 million to build.

Bombardier, which described Boeing's $19.6 million figure as "absurd," has countered that the 110-seat CS100 plane it sold to Delta does not compete with Boeing's smallest 737 model, the 130-seat 737 MAX 7.

The Commerce Department must now determine any preliminary anti-subsidy duties by around July 22, with a deadline for preliminary anti-dumping duties around Oct. 3. The ITC will have a final say on whether to reject any duties.

In a separate ruling, the World Trade Organization largely cleared the United States of unfairly supporting Boeing but noted it had failed to withdraw a tax break in Washington state, where Boeing builds most of its aircraft.

Reuters
United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Appellee, v. JOSE RAMON GONZALEZ-RODRIGUEZ, Defendant, Appellant. No. 16-1364 Decided: June 09, 2017

Before Howard, Chief Judge, Selya, Circuit Judge, and McConnell, District Judge.* Rick Nemcik-Cruz on brief for appellant. Rosa Emilia Rodriguez-Velez, U.S. Attorney, Mariana E. Bauza-Almonte, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Chief, Appellate Division, and Thomas F. Klumper, Assistant U.S. Attorney, on brief for appellee.

Jose Ramon Gonzalez-Rodriguez (Gonzalez) challenges the reasonableness of his 33-month incarcerative sentence for possession of a machine gun in violation of 18 U.S.C.  922(o) and 924(a)(2). After careful consideration, we affirm.

I.

In August 2015, the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) executed a search warrant on a residence in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, after receiving two anonymous complaints about an individual (or individuals) with a weapon at the address, and after a PRPD officer drove by and saw an individual with a weapon outside the home. At the time that the warrant was executed, a PRPD officer arrested Gonzalez, who was in the home and in possession of a firearm. The PRPD seized the weapon, a .40 caliber Glock pistol, as well as two 22-round and two 15-round magazines, 52 rounds of ammunition, a Glock back slide cover, a cellular phone, a weight scale, and small bags commonly used for drug distribution. Gonzalez admitted to owning the gun, which he claimed that he had bought because it is fashion[able] in Puerto Rico, and he admitted to knowing that it was capable of firing automatically. He also admitted to using marijuana between seven and eight times per day and to taking Tramadol -- a narcotic-like pain reliever -- frequently.

Gonzalez was transferred to federal custody and, ultimately, entered a straight guilty plea to possession of a machine gun. The Probation Office subsequently determined that U.S.S.G.  2K2.1(a)(4)(B) was the applicable guideline and that -- after applying a three-level reduction for acceptance of responsibility under  3E1.1 -- Gonzalez's total offense level was 17. When combined with Gonzalez's criminal history category of I, this yielded an advisory guideline sentencing range of 24 to 30 months' imprisonment. Gonzalez did not contest the presentence investigation report (PSR) prepared by the Probation Office.

Prior to his sentencing hearing, Gonzalez submitted a sentencing memorandum requesting a downward variance to 18 months' imprisonment, whereas the government requested an upward variance to 33 months' imprisonment. The district court sentenced Gonzalez according to the government's recommendation. The court explained that Gonzalez's conduct [flouted] the law and  represent[ed] a risk to the community. Therefore, the court concluded, the variant sentence was sufficient but not greater than necessary to meet [the] objectives of punishment and of deterrence in this case.

This timely appeal followed.

II.

Claims of sentencing error such as Gonzalez's trigger a two-step inquiry: we [must] first determine whether the sentence imposed is procedurally reasonable and then determine whether it is substantively reasonable. United States v. Clogston, 662 F.3d 588, 590 (1st Cir. 2011). As Gonzalez argues that his 33-month sentence is both procedurally and substantively unreasonable, we take up his arguments in turn.

A. Procedural Reasonableness

When evaluating the procedural reasonableness of a sentence, we afford de novo review to the sentencing court's interpretation and application of the sentencing guidelines, assay the court's factfinding for clear error, and evaluate its judgment calls for abuse of discretion. United States v. Ruiz-Huertas, 792 F.3d 223, 226 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 136 S. Ct. 258 (2015). However, we review any unpreserved procedural reasonableness challenge for plain error only. United States v. Duarte, 246 F.3d 56, 60 (1st Cir. 2001). And Gonzalez preserved none of his claims for appeal. To prevail under the plain error standard, Gonzalez must show (1) that an error occurred (2) which was clear or obvious and which not only (3) affected [his] substantial rights, but also (4) seriously impaired the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings. Id.

Gonzalez first argues that the district court mistakenly exaggerated [his] use of controlled substances. He concedes that he regularly used marijuana prior to his arrest but asserts that there is no evidence in the record that [he] ever used Tramadol. Yet, according to the Substance Abuse section of the PSR, Gonzalez himself reported taking Tramadol. Generally, a PSR bears sufficient indicia of reliability to permit the district court to rely on it at sentencing. United States v. Cyr, 337 F.3d 96, 100 (1st Cir. 2003) (quoting United States v. Taylor, 277 F.3d 721, 724 (5th Cir. 2001)). Gonzalez was free to challenge any assertions in the PSR. See id. As he did not, the district court was entitled to draw upon the facts within it, including those about Gonzalez's Tramadol use. See Fed. R. Crim. P. 32(i)(3)(A); see also United States v. Green, 175 F.3d 822, 838 (10th Cir. 1999) (Failure to object to a fact in a presentence report  acts as an admission of fact. (quoting United States v. Windle, 74 F.3d 997, 1001 (10th Cir. 1996)). We spy no error, plain or otherwise.

Next, Gonzalez makes a series of arguments -- raised for the first time on appeal -- that the government misled the District Court at the sentencing hearing and in its sentencing memorandum by making statements contrary to the evidence or without evidentiary support, thereby inducing the district court's reliance on erroneous facts. Arguments raised for the first time on appeal are either forfeited or waived. See United States v. Aguasvivas-Castillo, 668 F.3d 7, 1314 (1st Cir. 2012). However, even if we assume that Gonzalez is entitled to plain error review, he nonetheless fails to meet the criteria for relief.

Gonzalez claims that the government did not adequately support its assertion that his machine gun posed a risk to anybody that would have been around him. He argues that, in most states, ownership and possession of certain machine guns is legal under both state and Federal law and, hence, not  inordinately dangerous. The undisputed fact that machine gun ownership is legal in some narrow instances does not, however, lead inexorably to the conclusion that a machine gun was not inordinately dangerous in Gonzalez's hands. See 18 U.S.C.  922(o). To the contrary, Gonzalez admits to being a habitual drug user, a fact the sentencing court repeatedly noted, and there is a clear nexus between Congress's attempt[s] to keep firearms away from habitual drug abusers and its goal of reducing violent crime. United States v. Yancey, 621 F.3d 681, 686 (7th Cir. 2010) (per curiam). This claim thus fails at the first step of plain error review.

Gonzalez derides as patently untrue the government's argument that machine guns like his are not used for personal protection. We are unmoved. The extent to which the district court might have relied on this argument, if at all, is unclear. Yet, even if the court relied upon it, we have previously upheld a sentence where the sentencing judge explained, You cannot argue that this [Glock pistol modified to shoot automatically] can be used for personal defense  it is not a regular weapon, it's a machine gun. United States v. Cruz-Vazquez, 841 F.3d 546, 548 (1st Cir. 2016) (decided on other grounds). Under these circumstances, there was no plain error.

Gonzalez argues that the government made a grotesque exaggeration when it claimed that automatic weapons fire tons of ammunition. This may have been an unnecessary rhetorical flourish, but it hardly went beyond the pale. Gonzalez was, after all, in possession of two extended magazines that were taped together to facilitate faster loading of the Glock. Gonzalez relatedly claims that the government misleadingly implied that he possessed an unusually large amount of ammunition. We find no inappropriate insinuation in either the government's sentencing memorandum or in the transcript of the sentencing hearing. In fact, both the government and the district court specifically stated that there were 54 rounds of ammunition. Although this overstates the amount of ammunition in Gonzalez's possession by two rounds, Gonzalez's argument misses the mark. Here again, we find no plain error.

Moving on, Gonzalez claims that the 'elephant' in the room at the sentencing hearing  was the prosecution's argument that [Gonzalez] was involved in uncharged criminal activity, namely, drug distribution (footnote omitted). In both its sentencing memorandum and at the sentencing hearing, the government asked the district court to impose a sentence of 33 months, and it was free to offer reasons supporting its recommendation -- namely, that Gonzalez could be link[ed] to other  criminal activity as well. See 18 U.S.C.  3661. Gonzalez describes the government's argument as unsupported by evidence in the record. But our review of the record reveals Gonzalez's characterization to be false. The uncontested PSR states that one anonymous complainant reported to the PRPD that an individual was carrying illegal firearms to protect a drug sale point. The PSR also states that PRPD officers found a digital scale and small plastic bags commonly used for drug distribution in the home. Further, despite being unemployed, Gonzalez admitted to consuming roughly $70 worth of marijuana every three days. Cf. United States v. Dolliver, 228 F. App'x 2, 4 (1st Cir. 2007) (per curiam) ([Defendant] had a '30-bag-a-day' heroin habit (a fact from which the court might have inferred that [Defendant] sold a substantial amount of drugs in order to support his habit)).

Gonzalez does attempt to offer facially plausible alternative explanations for these unfavorable facts: for example, plastic baggies  have multiple kitchen uses, including  the legal transportation of lunch sandwiches, and the scale was his mother's and she used it to make 'dumplings.' Yet, [i]f the facts plausibly support competing inferences, as here, a sentencing court cannot clearly err in choosing one. United States v. Olivero, 552 F.3d 34, 3940 (1st Cir. 2009) (citing United States v. Prochner, 417 F.3d 54, 66 n.9 (1st Cir. 2005)). Additionally, it is far from apparent that the district court relied on the government's statements on this issue at sentencing. Gonzalez concedes as much in his appellate brief when he says that the district court might have relied on circumstantial evidence in the record to support a finding of uncharged criminal conduct (emphasis added). We again find no plain error.

In his final claim of procedural error, Gonzalez characterizes the district court's explanation of the above-guidelines sentence as short and simple and, therefore, inadequate. To be sure, a district court has the burden of explaining deviations from the guideline range. See United States v. Martin, 520 F.3d 87, 91 (1st Cir. 2008). Even if we accept arguendo that Gonzalez's premise is sound, however, we cannot agree with the conclusion he asks us to reach. Gonzalez did not raise his objection below, and we have held that a district court's failure to provide an adequate explanation of a sentence, without more, is not sufficient to constitute plain error. United States v. Cortes-Medina, 819 F.3d 566, 571 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 137 S. Ct. 410 (2016). Here, there is no 'more.' Id. Gonzalez has given us no reason to believe that the district court would have handed down a milder sentence if only there had been more robust compliance with 18 U.S.C.  3553(c).

In sum, we do not find Gonzalez's sentence procedurally unreasonable.

B. Substantive Reasonableness

With respect to substantive reasonableness, we usually review for abuse of discretion, taking into account the totality of the circumstances. United States v. Zavala-Marti, 715 F.3d 44, 50 (1st Cir. 2013). Although Gonzalez did not preserve his substantive unreasonableness claim below, we assume -- favorably to him -- that our standard of review remains the same. Cf. United States v. Nunez, 840 F.3d 1, 7 (1st Cir. 2016) (noting that there is some question as to whether we review an unpreserved claim of substantive unreasonableness for plain error or abuse of discretion).

Gonzalez argues that his above-guideline sentence is substantively unreasonable. Yet, a sentence falling outside the applicable Guidelines sentencing range does not come to the reviewing court with a presumption of unreasonableness. United States v. Arroyo-Maldonado, 791 F.3d 193, 198 (1st Cir. 2015). As we have said before, [a] sentence will stand so long as there is 'a plausible sentencing rationale and a defensible result.' United States v. Reyes-Rivera, 812 F.3d 79, 89 (1st Cir. 2016) (quoting Martin, 520 F.3d at 96). In the instant case, we find both.

The record shows that the district court considered the 18 U.S.C.  3553(a) factors and adequately explained its sentence. See Arroyo-Maldonado, 791 F.3d at 201. Indeed, beyond merely stating that it had considered all factors set forth in 18 [U.S.C. ] 3553(a), the court thoughtfully identified and engaged with both mitigating and aggravating factors at the sentencing hearing. Weighing of those factors is left largely within a sentencing court's discretion, and Gonzalez's sentence is not substantively unreasonable simply because that court chose not to attach to certain of the mitigating factors the significance that [Gonzalez] thinks they deserved. Clogston, 662 F.3d at 593. The district court had plenty of reason to sentence as it did. Reyes-Rivera, 812 F.3d at 89. In particular, the court emphasized punishment and deterrence. We have repeatedly recognized that deterrence is an important factor in the sentencing calculus. United States v. Diaz-Arroyo, 797 F.3d 125, 129 (1st Cir. 2015). And we flatly reject Gonzalez's implied argument that the Glock did not pose a real  danger to [Gonzalez's] family members or the rest of his community and, thus, that deterrence was unnecessary. See generally United States v. Flores-Machicote, 706 F.3d 16, 2223 (1st Cir. 2013) (discussing relationship between deterrence and trends in gun violence in Puerto Rico).

We find no abuse of the court's broad discretion. Under the circumstances, imposition of a 33-month sentence was not substantively unreasonable. Cf. Clogston, 662 F.3d at 592 (There is no one reasonable sentence in any given case but, rather, a universe of reasonable sentencing outcomes.).

III.

For the forgoing reasons, we affirm.

FOOTNOTES

. Gonzalez attempts to expand the record on appeal by appending several photographs and a Department of Homeland Security Report of Investigation to his brief. This evidence was not presented to the district court and is not properly part of the record on appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 10(a). Thus, we disregard it. See United States v. Gonsalves, 735 F.2d 638, 641 (1st Cir. 1984).

. The record contains contradictory statements as to whether Gonzalez ever claimed to use his Glock for personal protection. On the one hand, the PSR states that Gonzalez denied possessing [the Glock] for protection and bought it because to do so was fashionable. On the other hand, the government stated at the sentencing hearing that Gonzalez claimed to have this weapon for his protection. Gonzalez did not object in either instance. The resulting ambiguity further buttresses our conclusion that there was no plain error here.

. The government concedes in its appellate brief that the court and the government mistakenly noted 54 rounds of ammunition. Only 52 rounds were actually seized.

. On appeal, Gonzalez disputes that these items constitute drug paraphernalia, but -- under the circumstances -- we disagree. See, e.g., United States v. DesMarais, 938 F.2d 347, 352 (1st Cir. 1991) (finding an inference of intent to distribute in the presence of drug paraphernalia, including a  scale [and] plastic baggies).

HOWARD, Chief Judge.
We have met a lot of Florida men this year who have done some very strange things. It seems like every single week another Florida man emerges onto the scene to do something no other Florida man had done before. That was the case again on Friday in Ocala, Florida.

This week in the Florida man chronicles, a man in Ocala got into a car crash, got out of his car, stripped naked, walked away from the accident, and then on his way out damaged the door of a police car that had responded to the incident.

Florida, never change.

According to the Associated Press, Marion County Sheriffs officials released a statement saying Andrew Humphries, 18, is being charged with one felony count of criminal mischief and one misdemeanor count of criminal mischief for his Florida man antics.

The AP obtained video showing Humphries walking past the deputy in his police car naked, the quotes that follow after are just terrific:

Thats not normal, then adds, You are absolutely naked, my man. Another thing not normal.

Outside of his misdemeanor and felony criminal mischief charges, Humphries is accused of ripping the door handle off a different police car. The 18-year-old is currently in jail for his actions.

The replies to the APs tweet about the story are terrific:

Is that really an oddity for Florida?  David Montgomery (@dhmontgomery) June 9, 2017

How most Americans feel when we hear stories like this from Florida pic.twitter.com/NzCzK76eAw  NestersG. (@HouStOneChiCanO) June 9, 2017

"A man in Florida . . ." usually preface to a bizarre but true story.  Patricia Longfellow (@sjpat3) June 9, 2017

[Associated Press]
Chikungunia

22 areas at high risk in Dhaka

Reza Mahmud :

Chikungunya, a mosquito-infested disease, still poses a serious health threat in the country. Many people have been infected by this disease in recent days, experts said.

They said that the disease causes acute fever with huge pain in different joints of the body, especially in legs.

They asked the chikunguniya infected patients to take huge liquids like water and juice.

Most of the patients infected by this disease are not hospitalized. So the real number of infected patients could not be known.

The experts asked the people to be aware of mosquitoes. People have been advised

to use mosquito nets, spray medicines or use mosquito coil to drive mosquitoes away.

They said mosquito bear the disease from the infected people to other. If any mosquito bites anyone after biting any chikunguniya patient, he may be infected.

They also said the disease has no specific treatment. So, most of the patients are taking treatment staying at home. Only some serious weak patients are taken to hospitals.

"It is a disease infected by mosquitoes. The people should be aware of mosquitoes. If anyone infected by this disease, the family should take most cautionary measures to protect other members from being infested by the disease," Professor Dr. Mukhesuzzaman Hero, the Deputy Director of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, told The New Nation yesterday.

He said the patients should take paracetamol or go to doctor immediately.

According to Directorate General of Health Service (DGHS), a total of 63 patients have been taken to hospital infected by chikunguniya still Thursday.

But according to the victims' families, there are a much more number of people who have been infected by chikunguniya disease.

Kamal Uddin, a private job holder in Jatrabari area, has been infected by this disease. Later, all of his four family members were also infected by the disease, he said.

Similarly, Jolly Ahmed, a home maker of Bonosree area in the city, also infected with the disease last week.

Fatima Abedin, a journalist from Tejgaon area, was also infected by the disease. None of these patients are diagnosed in hospital. Many new infected cases are also reported every day from different areas in the city.

According to patients, the disease makes them huge weak. It also causes severe headache and pain in most joints of the body. Besides, allergy found in eyes and other parts of body after infected by the disease.

Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has released a report in which it said that they have identified 21 most risky places in the city for chikungunia disease.

The report was released at a meeting on 'Doings for prevention of chikungunya disease' in the Health and Family Welfare Ministry on Thursday.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim presided over the meeting. Director General of Directorate General of Health Service (DGHS) Prof Dr Abul Kalam Azad and officials of the ministry, the health officials from the Dhaka South City Corporation and Dhaka North City Corporation, among others, were present at the meeting.

The risky areas are Uttara-9, Middle Badda, Gulshan-1, Lalmatia, Pallabi, Maghbazar, Malibagh, Rampura, Tejgaon, Banani, Nayatola, Kuril, Pirerbagh, Rayer Bazar, Shymoli, Uttara-4, Monipuripara, Mohammadpur, Mohakhali, Mirpur-1 and Korail Slum.

When contacted, the DSCC Chief Health Officer Brigadier General (Dr) Sheikh Salehuddin told The New Nation that the employees of the corporation are regularly spraying medicines to destroy mosquitoes breeding sources.


Combine your studies with an internship

Elizabeth Koprowski :

If you've heard it once, you've heard it a thousand times: the job market is competitive and earning a top-notch degree is no longer enough to land you that dream job. Students today need to show initiative, skill, and creativity both in the way they have earned their degrees and in how they sell their talents. But luckily, education sectors around the world are evolving to meet the needs of both employers and students, and gaining vital, real-world experience in your chosen field is easier than ever. Many courses offer (and sometimes require) placement periods, and universities are forming partnerships with leaders in industry and business to make work-placements for students easier to obtain. Internships, traineeships, and apprenticeships are on the rise, and most students who participate in such programs find that they graduate with, at least, a head start and, at best, a foot already in the door of their career. Read on to find out more about combining your degree with work experience.

The benefits of an internship

An internship looks great on your CV, but work experience while you study shouldn't be just a talking point during an interview. Here are five good reasons to complete an internship or work-placements during your studies:

1. Gain real-world skills

Most jobs today require at least a few years of experience. If you complete an internship, you'll come away with transferable skills that improve your employability. Combining your studies with an internship gets you those all-important years of experience so that when you enter the job market, you can hit the ground running.

2. Make up your mind

Many students go into a field of study because they enjoyed the subject or had good marks in high school. But classrooms are much different from careers. An internship or apprenticeship will give you the chance to decide if teaching (or marketing or accounting) is the right career path for you. Work experience can also help you find your niche. You might be studying history now, but an internship with the local planning office could reveal that you have a passion for building preservation.

3. Earn credits (and money!)

Internships have become such a vital part of higher education that many universities are adding them to course requirements and offering degree credit for completion. This is a win-win situation for you - you gain real-world experience and college credit. And, if you're really lucky, your internship will be paid, which means that you can also earn real-world money!

4. Make contacts and form a network

Network, network, network! We hear it time and again, but the contacts you take away from your studies will be one of your most valuable resources and an internship will help you expand your network and make contacts with those in your field.

5. Get a job

And those contacts can help you find a job once you've graduated. Or, better yet, your internship could transition into a full-time job once you've completed your degree. The possibilities are endless!

How to include an internship in your study program

Okay, so you're sold on the advantages of internships, but how do you go about getting one? Many universities and departments are partnering with relevant industries to offer internships and work-placements to students, but some students still find opportunities on their own. Here are a couple ways to study and intern at the same time:

1. Combine your time abroad with an internship

International experience is just as valuable as work-experience, and combining the two is a great idea. Many study abroad programs have built-in internships but even if you choose a program without an internship, you may still have the chance to complete one while abroad. Just make sure your program allows it and check all your visa requirements - are you allowed to work during your studies? Can you earn while studying? Must you earn if you work?

2. Use your breaks

Internships and work-experience don't have to be long-term to be valuable. Many internship programs offer short-term or holiday placements. You can also target companies you're interested and ask for short-term assignments. Many businesses are short-staffed during holidays and summers and would be willing to take on an intern while things are quiet.

How internships work around the world

Getting work experience abroad is a good idea and many countries, like Germany and France, have standardized work-study systems, also known as dual education systems (DUS) or "Alternance". In DUS programs are nationally regulated, and students choose from very specific, and often highly-specialized, careers. Here are some of the highlights from DUS and internship programs around the world:

 In Germany, DUS students attend classes and receive hands-on training in their selected field. They earn a monthly salary (which varies according to region and trade).

 In France, "Alternance" students are designated a tutor, or support worker, to guide them through their studies.

 Students in Dublin's Corkscrew StartUp School work on real projects in companies throughout Ireland.

 EDUCA Russian Language Center offers Russian-language internships for students in a variety of fields, including Art and Architecture.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and find an internship or apprenticeship that will give you the real-world skills you need to find your dream job!

(Elizabeth Koprowski is an American writer and travel historian. She has worked in the higher education system with international students both in Europe and in the USA).
Dwellers of Begumganj in Dhaka formed a human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Saturday demanding release of BNP Vice-Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu.
JL leader was murdered for his motorbike: Police

Naval and Fire Services jointly recovered the hijacked motorbike owned by slain Jubo League leader Nurul Islam Nayan of Rangamati from Maini River at Dighinala in Khagrachhari on Saturday.

bdnews24.com :

Rangamati Jubo League leader Nurul Islam Nayan was murdered as the attackers wanted to hijack his motorbike, according to police.

Nayan, who was the organising secretary of Rangamati's Langadu unit of the ruling Awami League's youth front, transported passengers on his motorbike. On Saturday, police said they have arrested two suspects over the killing. "It was not over a previous feud or enmity. Hijacking his motorcycle was the motive," said Inspector Santosh Chakma of the Police Bureau of Investigation or PBI.

Nayan's body was discovered on Jun 1 near a local highway in Khagrachhari' Dighinala Upazila.

The following day, a protest march over his death in Rangamati's Langadu turned violent, leading to attacks on several hundred homes of the local ethnic minority community.

The situation led the local administration to issue an order prohibiting any assembly or public gathering in Langadu Upazila after the mayhem. Bangalees blamed the murder on the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity or PCJSS, which has rejected the allegations. Police said they detained 17-year-old Junel Chakma in Chittagong on Friday and later arrested 32-year-old Runel Chakma, while he was on his way to the port city from Dighinala.


Timothy, Fiona quit No 10 after election criticism

Top Tory aides Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill are being blamed by senior politicians for the party\'s failure to land a majority.

BBC Online :

Theresa May's two closest advisers have quit after the Conservatives' failure to win the general election.

The BBC understands the PM had been warned she faced a leadership challenge on Monday unless she sacked Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill.

Mr Timothy said he was taking responsibility for his role in the "disappointing" election result.

He said he regretted not including a pledge to cap social care costs in the party's widely criticised manifesto.

The BBC's assistant political editor Norman Smith said the pair's departure bought the PM some "breathing space" following 24 hours of recriminations after the Conservatives lost their overall majority.

He said the two were so close to the PM that critical MPs believed that, unless they made way, she would not be able to change her leadership style to adopt a more "outgoing, inclusive, responsive, empathetic approach".

Mrs May has said she intends to stay as prime minister and is seeking support for the Democratic Unionists to form a government. Chief Whip Gavin Williamson is in Belfast to begin formal talks on a deal.

Mr Timothy and Ms Hill both stepped down amid mounting pressure on Mrs May to overhaul the way

No 10 worked and broaden her circle of advisers. Announcing his resignation on the Conservative Home website, Mr Timothy urged Tory MPs to "get behind" Mrs May but said nothing should be allowed to get in the way of the process of forming a government and beginning Brexit talks.

He said the Conservatives' failure to win was not due to a lack of support for Theresa May and the Conservatives but due to an "unexpected surge" of support for Labour.

He conceded his party had failed to communicate a sufficiently "positive" message to voters and address their concerns over years of austerity and inter-generational divisions, including over Brexit.

"We were not talking to the people who decided to vote for Labour," he said.

He defended the party's "honest and strong" manifesto, saying controversial proposals on social care had been discussed in government for months and were not his own personal "pet project".

But he added he took "responsibility for my part in this election campaign, which was the oversight of our policy programme" and "I regret the decision not to include in the manifesto a ceiling as well as a floor in our proposal to help meet the increasing cost of social care".

Norman Smith said he understood that senior Conservatives had warned the PM they would instigate a leadership contest at a meeting of backbenchers early next week if the pair did not leave, and were confident they could get the required 48 signatures to trigger a contest.

One former minister, Anna Soubry, welcomed the clearout, saying it was the "right thing to do" and saying the PM must "build a consensus" on Brexit and other issues.

But Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson said the PM's advisers had "taken the fall" for her but tweeted the PM was "responsible for her own defeat". Earlier, Mrs May's director of communications until the election was announced, Katie Perrior, called the campaign "pretty dysfunctional", telling the BBC she "needed to broaden her circle of advisers and have a few grey hairs in there who been around a bit and could say 'don't do that'".

As the Conservative leadership begins formal negotiations with the DUP, disquiet is being expressed in some quarters about the move. Charles Tannock, a Conservative member of the European Parliament, said the DUP was a "hardline, populist, protectionist" party and a "poor fit" as a partner for the Conservatives.

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Ruth Davidson, tweeted a link to a speech she had made about same-sex marriage - something the DUP opposes. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where same-sex marriage is not legal. Ms Davidson, who is gay, plans to marry her partner in the near future and said she had been "straightforward" with Mrs May about her concerns.

"I told her that there were a number of things that count to me more than the party," she told the BBC. "One of them is country, one of the others is LGBTI rights.

"I asked for a categoric assurance that if any deal or scoping deal was done with the DUP, there would be absolutely no rescission of LGBTI rights in the rest of the UK, in Great Britain, and that we would use any influence that we had to advance LGBTI rights in Northern Ireland."

By winning 12 additional seats in Scotland, Ruth Davidson played a significant part in helping Theresa May to stay in Downing Street, BBC Scotland editor Sarah Smith says.

Speaking on Friday, the prime minister said her party had a "strong relationship" with the DUP and that she intended to form a government which could "provide certainty and lead Britain forward at this critical time for our country". The clock is ticking for Theresa May. She needs to conclude a deal with the DUP in the next week or so ahead of the Queen's Speech, which will set out the new government's agenda.

That takes place on Monday 19 June - the same day Brexit negotiations are due to start.

The DUP and its 10 MPs are in a very strong position. It's all their Christmases rolled into one and they will make sure they leverage as much as they can from their advantage.

Money for Northern Ireland will undoubtedly be part of their demands, and Mrs May will expect that. But trickier will be any demands they have about the implementation of Brexit in Northern Ireland - in particular the DUP's determination to maintain a soft border with the south.
Israel, Saudi, UAE team up in anti-Qatar lobbying move

Al Jazeera News :

Washington, DC - US legislation threatening to sanction Qatar for its support of "Palestinian terror" was sponsored by 10 lawmakers who received more than $1m over the last 18 months from lobbyists and groups linked to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The bill was introduced to the US House of Representatives on May 25, but the text wasn't available until Friday morning, hours after Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt put 59 people and 12 institutions linked to Qatar on a "terror list". The nations abruptly ended diplomatic relations with Qatar on Monday, accusing Doha of supporting "extremism" and siding with their regional rival Iran.

"Hamas has received significant financial and military support from Qatar," the Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2017, also known as HR 2712, said. It went on to list sanctions including an end of exports of defence technologies, arms, and loans or financing totalling more than $10m.

For Trita Parsi, author and founder of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), a nonprofit that aims to strengthen the voice of US citizens of Iranian descent, the similarities between the US-allied Arab nations' "terror list" and HR 2712 show

growing cooperation between Gulf Arab states and Israel.

"The coordination between hawkish pro-Israel groups and UAE and Saudi Arabia has been going on for quite some time," Parsi told Al Jazeera. What is new, he continued, is pro-Israel groups such as the Foundation for Defense of Democracies "coming out with pro-Saudi [articles] and lobbying for them on Capitol Hill".

Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia all view the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist political group, as a threat. Deposed Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi belonged to the group, which endured a heavy-handed crackdown in Egypt since a military coup installed Abdel Fatah el-Sisi as president in 2014.

The Brotherhood was the ideological base for Hamas, the Islamist rulers of the besieged Gaza Strip that have fought three wars with the Israelis. The Saudis demand that Qatar stop supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas in a move that aligns with Egyptian and Israeli policy.

Israel's influence on US policymakers is clear. HR 2712's sponsors received donations totaling $1,009,796 from pro-Israel individuals and groups for the 2016 election cycle alone, according data collected by the Center for Responsive Politics, an independent research group tracking money in US politics and its effect on elections and public policy, and then compiled by Al Jazeera.


United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. EDWARD RAY TROTTER, Petitioner - Appellant, v. DARREL VANNOY, WARDEN, LOUISIANA STATE PENITENTIARY, Respondent - Appellee. No. 15-30222 Decided: June 07, 2017

Before STEWART, Chief Judge, and JOLLY and WIENER, Circuit Judges.

Petitioner-Appellant Edward Ray Trotter, proceeding pro se, appeals the denial of his habeas petition under 28 U.S.C.  2254. We affirm.

I.

FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

Trotter was charged in state court with two counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance (cocaine) and one count of possession of a controlled dangerous substance (cocaine). A jury convicted Trotter as charged in 2001. The trial court determined that he was a third-felony habitual offender and sentenced him to life imprisonment without benefits.

Trotter's conviction and sentence were set aside in 2010 on federal habeas review for a violation of Batson v. Kentucky. The district court ordered the state to release Trotter or bring a new trial within 120 days of the judgment.

Soon after his conviction and sentence were vacated, the government offered Trotter, who was charged as a fourth-felony habitual offender, a plea agreement whereby he would plead guilty as a second-felony offender to one count of possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (cocaine) over 28 grams less than 200 grams. In exchange, the government offered him a sentencing recommendation of 30 years hard labor, credit for time served, no further enhancements pursuant to the multiple offender bill, and  dismiss[al of] all other pending charges. Trotter accepted that offer.

Before accepting Trotter's guilty plea, the court informed him that, on the possession count, he faced a minimum of five years without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence, and up to 30 years hard labor, as well as  a minimum fine of $50,000 and a maximum fine of $150,000. The court also admonished Trotter that, by pleading guilty as a second-felony offender under La. Rev. Stat.  15:529.1, he would face 15 to 60 years' imprisonment. Trotter then pleaded guilty to the possession count as a second-felony offender. The court sentenced Trotter to 30 years hard labor, credit for time served. Said 30 years [were] without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. Trotter confirmed that he understood the sentence.

After the court accepted Trotter's guilty plea and imposed his sentence, the following exchange took place:

The court: It's my understanding, under the habitual offender law, it's 30 years is [sic] without probation or suspension; however, you are eligible for parol[e] at some point in time under the provisions of that  Take care, Mr. Trotter.

Trotter: You'll never see me again.

The court: How long you been in, Mr. Trotter?

Trotter: Eleven years, sir.

The court: You know, I don't know on the multi-bill, but they are eligible for probation unless it's a life sentence, because then you're not eligible for probation if it's life. But under the statute, you know, it could be suspended or probated, but under the statute he's eligible for parol[e]. So you could beheck, if you already spent eleven years, I mean, it may not be that much longer.

Prosecutor: It will be up to [the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DOC) ].

The court: Yeah, DOC will calculate it, but under the life-provision, there's no probation, parol[e], or suspension. That's the difference; you see?

Trotter: Yes, sir.

The court: It's the parol[e] aspect of it.



The court: So yeah, he still have beenunder the old statute, basically saying no parol[e]. Well this is probablyyou know, look, I don't know what DOC will do, but Iand I don't know what the board would do coming up, but under the statute, you're eligible for parol[e], so you never know.

Trotter: Yes, sir. Thank you, your honor.

The court: All right. Yes, sir. Take care, Mr. Trotter.

The DOC subsequently determined that, because of his four felony convictions, Trotter was not eligible for parole.

Trotter filed an application for post-conviction relief in Louisiana state court. He contended that (1) his guilty plea was not made knowingly or intelligently because he was induced to plead guilty by the unfulfilled promise that he would be eligible for parole, and (2) his attorney provided ineffective assistance of counsel by persuading him to plead guilty on the basis that he would be eligible for parole. The state courts denied relief, and Trotter filed a petition under 28 U.S.C.  2254 for federal habeas review of those claims. The federal district court denied Trotter's petition and denied a certificate of appealability. Trotter timely appealed, and this court granted a certificate of appealability.

II.

STANDARD OF REVIEW

In a habeas appeal, we review the district court's findings of fact for clear error and review its conclusions of law de novo, applying the same standard of review to the state court's decision as the district court. We may grant a state prisoner's application for a writ of habeas corpus only if his incarceration was the product of a state court adjudication that (1) resulted in a decision that was contrary to, or involved an unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal law, as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States; or (2) resulted in a decision that was based on an unreasonable determination of the facts in light of the evidence presented in the State court proceeding. This is a difficult to meet and highly deferential standard for evaluating state-court rulings, which demands that state-court decisions be given the benefit of the doubt.

III.

ANALYSIS

Trotter maintains that he is entitled to relief because (1) his guilty plea was not made knowingly or intelligently because it was based on the unfulfilled promise that he was eligible for parole, and (2) his attorney provided ineffective assistance of counsel by persuading him to plead guilty on the basis that he would be eligible for parole.

A. Voluntariness of His Guilty Plea

We uphold a guilty plea on habeas review when it is entered knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligentlythat is, when the defendant understands the charge and its consequences. A guilty plea is invalid if the defendant does not understand the nature of the constitutional protection that he is waiving or if he has such an incomplete understanding of the charges against him that his plea cannot stand as an admission of guilt. A defendant understands the consequences of his guilty plea with respect to sentencing if he knows the maximum prison term and fine for the offense charged. The court is not required to inform a defendant of his parole eligibility. Nevertheless, where a plea rests in any significant degree on a promise or agreement of the prosecutor, so that it can be said to be part of the inducement or consideration, such promise must be fulfilled.  [W]hen a defendant pleads guilty on the basis of a promise by his defense attorney or the prosecutor, whether or not such promise is fulfillable, breach of that promise taints the voluntariness of his plea.

Nothing in the record reflects that the terms of Trotter's plea agreement included parole eligibility. As explained by the prosecutor to the state trial court before Trotter entered his plea, the agreement entailed Trotter's pleading guilty to one count of possession of crack cocaine, over 28 grams less than 200 grams, in exchange for (1) the government's allowing Trotter to plead as a second-felony habitual offender rather than a fourth-felony habitual offender, (2) a sentence recommendation of 30 years hard labor, credit for time served, (3) no further enhancements pursuant to the multiple offender bill, and (4) dismissal of all other pending charges.

The court thoroughly informed Trotter of his rights before it accepted his plea, including that he was waiving his right to a trial by jury, his right to confront the witnesses against him, and his right against self-incrimination. The court also admonished him of the minimum and maximum sentence and fine he faced, asked whether his plea was voluntary, and gave him an opportunity to ask his attorney questions regarding the plea. The court then accepted his plea and sentenced him to 30 years hard labor, credit for time served. The court explained that [s]aid 30 years are without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. The court then asked (1) whether Trotter understood his sentence, to which he said yes, and (2) whether he had any questions about his sentence, to which he said no.

Only after it accepted Trotter's guilty plea and imposed his sentence without the benefit of probation [or] parole did the court speculate as to whether Trotter might be eligible for parole at some point. In response, the prosecutor correctly noted that whether Trotter will be eligible for parole is up to DOC, and the court agreed.

Trotter has failed to demonstrate that the district court erred in concluding that his plea agreement was not breached or that his plea was knowing and voluntary, as Trotter has failed to show that his plea agreement contained any provision regarding parole eligibility or that his plea was made unknowingly or involuntarily. His first assessment of error fails.

B. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

To prevail on a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a petitioner must establish that (1) the attorney's representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, and (2) the deficient representation prejudiced the petitioner. In evaluating trial counsels' performance for deficiency, [there exists] a strong presumption that counsel's conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance.  The petitioner must demonstrate that the errors were so egregious as to deprive the defendant of the counsel guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment. To establish prejudice, the petitioner must demonstrate that there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.

Trotter has failed to support his claim that his attorney informed him that he would be eligible for parole, let alone that his attorney's representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness. As noted above, the record reflects that, prior to accepting Trotter's plea and sentencing him, the court made clear that he would not be eligible for parole. Trotter has not shown deficient representation or prejudice. His second assessment of error fails.

IV.

CONCLUSION

The district court's denial of Trotter's petition for writ of habeas corpus is AFFIRMED.

FOOTNOTES

. State v. Trotter, 852 So. 2d 1247, 1249 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2003), writ denied, 867 So. 2d 689 (La. 2004).

. Id. at 1250.

. 476 U.S. 79 (1986); see Trotter v. Warden La. State Penitentiary, 718 F. Supp. 2d 746 (W.D. La. 2010).

. Trotter, 718 F. Supp. 2d at 747.

. Lefevre v. Cain, 586 F.3d 349, 352 (5th Cir. 2009).

. 28 U.S.C.  2254(d); Richardson v. Quarterman, 537 F.3d 466, 472 (5th Cir. 2008). We review questions of law and mixed questions of law and fact under  2254(d)(1) and questions of fact under  2254(d)(2). Richardson, 537 F.3d at 472.

. Cullen v. Pinholster, 563 U.S. 170, 181 (2011) (citations omitted) (internal quotation marks omitted).

. Montoya v. Johnson, 226 F.3d 399, 405 (5th Cir. 2000); see Burdick v. Quarterman, 504 F.3d 545, 547 (5th Cir. 2007); James v. Cain, 56 F.3d 662, 666 (5th Cir. 1995); Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238, 244 (1969).

. James, 56 F.3d at 666.

. Burdick, 504 F.3d at 547 (quoting United States v. Rivera, 898 F.2d 442, 447 (5th Cir. 1990)); Barbee v. Ruth, 678 F.2d 634, 635 (5th Cir. 1982) (The consequences of a guilty plea, with respect to sentencing, mean only that the defendant must know the maximum prison term and fine for the offense charged.).

. Barbee, 678 F.2d at 63536; LeBlanc v. Henderson, 478 F.2d 481, 483 (5th Cir. 1973).

. Montoya, 226 F.3d at 405 (quoting Santobello v. New York, 404 U.S. 257, 262 (1971)).

. Id. (quoting McKenzie v. Wainwright, 632 F.2d 649, 651 (5th Cir. 1980)).

. Louisiana law does not preclude parole eligibility for a defendant convicted of possession of 28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams, of cocaine. See LA. REV. STAT.  40:967(F)(1)(a). Although as a second-felony offender, Trotter might have been eligible for parole, see LA. REV. STAT.  15:529.1(A)(1), 15:574.4, the DOC determines parole eligibility and, when determining a prisoner's eligibility, is not bound by a court's determination or adjudication of the prisoner's habitual offender status under La. Rev. Stat. 15:529.1. See Townley v. Dep't of Pub. Safety & Corr., 681 So. 2d 951, 953 (La. 1996).

. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984).

. Charles v. Stephens, 736 F.3d 380, 389 (5th Cir. 2013) (per curiam) (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689).

. Id.

. Id. at 388.

PER CURIAM:*
House help stabbed to death in city's Gulshan

An Indian domestic worker employed at the home of an International Labour Organization (ILO) official in Dhaka's Gulshan has been stabbed to death.

According to police, 39-year old Rani Begum was killed at the home by her husband Mintu. Mintu was employed as a driver in the Gulshan area.

The incident occurred around 8:30am on Saturday, Gulshan Police Station Inspector Md Salauddin told bdnews24.com. "Mintu would drop off his wife at the house before he left for work. This morning the two arrived at the house and then he killed her with the vegetable-cutting knife. The ILO official and his wife were taking a walk at the time."

Mintu turned himself in at the Gulshan Police Station after the incident, police official Salauddin said. "The two had been married for a while. From our initial interrogation it seems he suspected her of having an affair and killed her."

Mintu is currently in police custody.

Police say they have not released the name of the ILO official because they have found no connections between him and the crime.
Jewellers call off strike

Bangladesh Jewellers Samity (Bajus) has withdrawn their countrywide indefinite strike scheduled to begin on Sunday following a government assurance to formulate a gold import policy.

The decision was taken after the assurance from the Prime Minister's Office that the government will formulate the gold import policy soon and no businessman will face harassment until its formulation, Bajus senior vice president Enamul Haque Khan told UNB on Saturday.

"We've decided to call the strike off as FBCCI president M Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin informed us (Bajus) that he was assured by the PM office that the gold import policy will be formed soon and no one will be harassed until its formulation," he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Bajus threatened to go on an indefinite countrywide strike from Sunday demanding immediate formulation of a gold import policy.

They also demanded the return of the gold and diamond ornaments seized from Apan Jewellers within the next 48 hours.

The association demanded immediate removal of Director General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) Dr Moinul Khan accusing him of making a blueprint to destroy the jewellery sector.

The CIID deposited 536 Kg of gold ornaments and 7,369 pieces of diamond ornaments seized from five outlets of Apan Jewellers to Bangladesh Bank as the leading jewellery brand failed to show valid documents for those.
Man surrenders to police after killing wife in city

Staff Reporter :

A man surrendered to police after killing his wife over extramarital affairs in the city's Gulshan region on Saturday morning.

The deceased has been identified as Rani Begum, 30. Police arrested accused Mintu Gazi, sources said.

Abu Bakar Siddique, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Gulshan Police Station, said, "Mintu Gazi surrendered to us within hours of murdering his wife at House No. 10, Road No. 68, Gulshan-2."

Mintu, a driver, killed his wife suspecting that she had extra-marital affairs with a man. He disclosed the incident to the police in details. The couple has three children, the Police official said.

A case has been filed in this connection, he said.

Police recovered the body and sent it to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for autopsy, the OC said.


Dredging in Passur river to destroy aquatic resources

Staff Reporter :

Dredging the outer bar in the Passur river channel for plying the coal-laden vessels from India to the proposed power plant at Rampal in Bagerhat will destroy fish and other aquatic resources, a new study revealed on Saturday.



The report said as 33 million tonnes of silt and mud will be removed from the river Passur to Bay of Bengal through massive dredging, different species of fishes and aquatic resources will be damaged.



The small fishes and animals will be badly affected and they will disappear from the rivers in and around the Sundarbans area, said the report prepared by two foreign scientists.



Dr William Kleindl, Research Faculty at Montana State University, US, and Dr Jon Brodie, professional research fellow at ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at the James Cook University, Australia prepared the study on request from The National Committee for Saving the Sundarbans.



Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon and the National Committee on Saving the Sundarbans presented the report at a press conference at the Lecture Theater at Dhaka University yesterday.



The government is going to dredge the outer bar in the Passur Channel, so that coal-laden vessels from India can ply up to the Rampal Power Plant, to be set up only 14 km from the Sundarbans. The Passur river will be dredged at a depth of 7.5 metre so that large ships can sail into it.



The report said it would have long-term impact as the silt and mud will be spreading surrounding the eco-system



Besides, sound and light pollution during the river dredging will also create an unrest situation in the forest and rivers. As a result, fishes and animals will change their habitats in search of food.



The Power Plant will be set up only 14 km from the Sundarbans. The Mongla Port authorities will implement the project at a cost of Tk. 73,282 crore during 2017-2021, according to the Planning Ministry sources.



Earlier the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved the project amid fear of possible damage to the ecosystem of the world's largest mangrove forest due to the power plant scheduled to be completed by December 2017.



According to the Project, dredging will be done from the Jetty No-9 of Mongla Port up to 13 kilometres upstream to ensure navigability of the river so that imported coals can reach the power plant easily.



An agreement was signed between Bangladesh and India in April 2013 for setting up the power plant. One of the main conditions of the agreement was that the government would conduct the primary dredging of the Passur river.



Under the project, 38.81 lakh cubic metres will be dredged and 3.28 lakh cubic metre earth will be needed for constructing embankments. Hydrological and Morphological impacts of the dredging work will be monitored by hydraulic experts.



The power plant will have two units, each with 1,320 megawatt capacity, built in collaboration with India. Land acquisition and building of the road networks have already begun despite a movement by environmentalists against the initiative.